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Sometimes, humans can see the patterns and we propose
有时 我们可以观察到那些模式
something that seems to us logical
并且按照地震发生的方式
in terms of the way earthquakes behave,
按照我们的思维逻辑来提出建议
but sometimes, their patterns are too complicated
然而有时 地震的模式太过复杂
and the hope is that computers,
人们就只能希望借助计算机
using vast amounts of data,
利用大量的数据
and, er, combing the data for those patterns,
然后将数据和那些模式结合
can out-think us in that particular way.
代替我们计算出结果
But the patterns haven't always
然而 研究地震的模式
led to accurate predictions.
并不总能作出准确的预测
Nine years after Northridge,
在北岭地震发生后9年
Keilis-Borok's team announced
凯列斯勃洛克小组宣布
that a major earthquake would strike near Palm Springs
在2004年9月5日 美国棕榈泉附近
by September 5th, 2004.
将发生一次大地震
Once again,
再一次
the enigmatic Russian was putting his career on the line.
这神秘的俄国人赌上了他的整个职业生涯
But this time, nothing happened.
然而这一次 地震没有发生
The team's work continues to be
小组的研究工作
a mixture of success and failure,
继续徘徊于成功和失败之间
but Keilis-Borok is confident
但是凯列斯勃洛克坚信
that he can improve his hit rate.
他的预测准确率可以提高
There is no such thing
做到百分之百准确
as 100% accuracy,
根本不可能
It's go without exist, but
那是无稽之谈 但是
we believe the accuracy can be increased
我们认为预测的准确性
by a factor of at least five.
至少可以提高五个点

重点解释

Sometimes, humans can see the patterns and we propose,something that seems to us logical in terms of the way earthquakes behave,有时我们可以观察到那些模式并且按照地震发生的方式按照我们的思维逻辑来提出建议

in terms of:就 ... 而言；在 ... 方面

It is difficult to express it in terms of science.

要用科学的字眼来表达它是很困难的。

Think of it in terms of an investment.

从投资的角度来考虑那件事。

using vast amounts of data,利用大量的数据

vast amounts of:许多(大量)

A billion dollars is a vast amount of money.

十亿元是一笔巨款。

The sun sends out vast amounts of energy.

太阳发出大量的能。

常用短语:

amount to总计

large amount 大量

in amount 总之，总计

But the patterns haven't always led to accurate predictions.然而，研究地震的模式，并不总能作出准确的预测

lead to:通向；把…带到

The path leads to a hill bare of vegetation.

这条小道通向一座没有草木的小山。

These events led to the declaration of war.

这些事件导致了宣战。