It’s known that the earthquake is one of the most powerful natural     1     in the world. And it’s difficult to predict (预测) it in advance.

Several years ago, an earthquake which reached a magnitude of 7.8 suddenly hit New Zealand. It struck the South Island,     2     hundreds of aftershocks and a tsunami.

Some roads and buildings     3     by the earthquake and its aftershocks. In the coastal town of Kaikoura, a popular whale-watching destination, many people found their water and power     4     cut off. Some parts of the town lay     5    . From all directions, Kaikoura was completely cut off from the outside.

After the earthquake, helicopters and a navy ship were sent there to rescue about 1,000 people who     6     in the town. The people who lost their homes had to take     7     in the tents.

After touring the     8     area, John Key, the then New Zealand’s Prime Minister predicted that clearing away the debris (瓦砾) and the blocked roads could take months.