Mogao Grottos to be eroded by sand

时间：2007-07-14 02:28:58

（单词翻译:单击）


 
Chinanews, Lanzhou, July 13 - 2007 is the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the famous Mogao Grottos1 in Dunhuang, Gansu Province. However, not many people know that the grottos will be totally eroded2 by sandstorms in no more than 100 years, if nothing is done to protect them.

 

Mogao Grottos are located 25 km from Dunhuang, at the foot of the Mingsha (Singing Sand) Hill. The building of the grottos was initiated3 in the 4th century, and the project lasted till nearly 1,000 years later, when a huge group of grottos containing delicate colored Buddha4 statues and exquisite5 murals was brought into existence. The total floor space of the grottos is some 45,000 sq m. The UNESCO added Mogao Grottos on the World Cultural Heritage list in 1987.

 

However, the climate in Dunhuang is dry and windy, and the sand blown down from the Mingsha Hill poses a great threat to the grottos, not to mention that some of the grottos are built on sandstones, which will not survive the erosion of wind and sand in the long run.

 

Some of the precious murals have already been eroded by sand. "Sand dunes6, wind erosions and sandstorms are the three biggest threats to the Mogao Grottos," said a researcher from the Institute of Dunhuang.

 

Statistics show that more than 250 of the 492 grottos with murals and/or colorful Buddha statues are damaged by erosions.

 

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1 grottos 8df191e3ad0c3263920df2e5f17a1f42     
n.（吸引人的）岩洞，洞穴，（人挖的）洞室( grotto的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • UNDERGROUND Under water grottos, caverns Filled with apes That eat figs. 在水帘洞里，挤满了猿争吃无花果。 来自互联网
  • Today, some7, 000 caves with 492 grottos remain extant in Dunhuang. 如今，在砾岩峭壁上，有洞穴七千余处，492窟。 来自互联网
2 eroded f1d64e7cb6e68a5e1444e173c24e672e     
adj. 被侵蚀的，有蚀痕的 动词erode的过去式和过去分词形式
参考例句：
  • The cliff face has been steadily eroded by the sea. 峭壁表面逐渐被海水侵蚀。
  • The stream eroded a channel in the solid rock. 小溪在硬石中侵蚀成一条水道。
3 initiated 9cd5622f36ab9090359c3cf3ca4ddda3     
n. 创始人 adj. 新加入的 vt. 开始，创始，启蒙，介绍加入
参考例句：
  • He has not yet been thoroughly initiated into the mysteries of computers. 他对计算机的奥秘尚未入门。
  • The artist initiated the girl into the art world in France. 这个艺术家介绍这个女孩加入巴黎艺术界。
4 Buddha 9x1z0O     
n.佛；佛像；佛陀
参考例句：
  • Several women knelt down before the statue of Buddha and prayed.几个妇女跪在佛像前祈祷。
  • He has kept the figure of Buddha for luck.为了图吉利他一直保存着这尊佛像。
5 exquisite zhez1     
adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的
参考例句：
  • I was admiring the exquisite workmanship in the mosaic.我当时正在欣赏镶嵌画的精致做工。
  • I still remember the exquisite pleasure I experienced in Bali.我依然记得在巴厘岛所经历的那种剧烈的快感。
6 dunes 8a48dcdac1abf28807833e2947184dd4     
沙丘( dune的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • The boy galloped over the dunes barefoot. 那男孩光着脚在沙丘间飞跑。
  • Dragging the fully laden boat across the sand dunes was no mean feat. 将满载货物的船拖过沙丘是一件了不起的事。

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