Vocabulaire Avancé pour le TOEFL - Phénomène Naturelle et Nature

to rain lightly in fine, small drops

bruiner

to cover a stretch of land with a lot of water

inonder

a weather phenomenon with an extensive circulation of winds around a central region of high barometric pressure that is connected with calm and fine weather

anticyclone

a large collection of islands or the sea surrounding them

archipel

a suspension of tiny particles or droplets in the air

aérosol

a severe flood of water

déluge

the tiny water drops that form on cool surfaces during the night, caused by condensation

rosée

a small amount of rain, snow, etc. that moves in a quick and stormy way and lasts only for a short period of time

bourrasque

a drastic and sudden rush of wind

coup de vent

a long pointed piece of ice formed by the freezing of dripping water from a surface such as a roof

glace qui pend

a type of light cloud that looks wispy formed at high altitudes

cirrus

a type of cloud that is dark, grey, and large, often producing rain or snow

nimbus

snow, rain, hail, etc. that falls to or condenses on the ground

précipitations

a period during which the weather becomes warmer causing snow and ice to melt

dégel

a risk to human health or to the environment caused by a biological source, especially microorganisms

danger biologique

a sudden, violent natural disaster that drastically alters the earth's landscape

cataclysme

the act or process of making a substance or place dirty or polluted, especially by dangerous substances

contamination

liquid waste or sewage discharged into rivers, lakes, or the sea

effluent

the point on the surface of the earth vertically above the focus of an earthquake where its effects are felt most strongly

épicentre

the calm area at the center of a storm, hurricane, or tornado

œil

a small steep waterfall, usually one of several others

cascade

a long thick wall built in order to prevent water flooding onto a lower area, especially from the sea

fossé

a level path, typically beside the sea or a river, that is wide and open where people may walk by for pleasure

esplanade

the part of a river that is wide and where it meets the sea

estuaire

a deep narrow valley, typically with a stream running through it

gorge

a narrow piece of land with water on each side that connects two larger areas

isthme

a place on a river where boats dock

levée

one of the imaginary lines between the North Pole and the South Pole, drawn on maps to help pinpoint a location

méridien

a muddy and wet piece of land in which it is possible to get stuck

marais

an area of land that is flat and higher than the land surrounding it

plateau

a flat, wide area of land with no or very few trees in North America

prairie

a raised narrow mass of land that sticks out into the sea

promontoire

an area in the Mediterranean coastal region of southern France and northern Italy that is known for its beauty, stylish resorts, and mild climate

la Côte d'Azur

a small rocky hill

colline rocailleuse

a small or slight earthquake

tremblement de terre

the highest point that a certain celestial body reaches, directly above an observer

zénith

relating to or resembling twilight

crépusculaire

connected with or produced by the heat inside the earth

géothermal

related to or caused by an earthquake

sismique

relating to the movement and arrangement of the Earth's crust

tectonique