Vocabolario Avanzato per il TOEFL - Fenomeni naturali e ambiente

to rain lightly in fine, small drops

piovigginare

to cover a stretch of land with a lot of water

inondare

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

anticiclone

a large collection of islands or the sea surrounding them

arcipelago

a suspension of tiny particles or droplets in the air

aerosol

a severe flood of water

diluvio

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

rugiada

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

raffica

a drastic and sudden rush of wind

folata

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

ghiacciolo

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

cirro

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

nimbo

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

precipitazione

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

disgelo

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

rischio biologico

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

cataclisma

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

contaminazione

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

efflusso

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

epicentro

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

occhio

a small steep waterfall, usually one of several others

cascata

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

diga

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

passeggiata

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

estuario

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

gola

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

istmo

a place on a river where boats dock

diga

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

meridiano

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

pantano

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

altopiano

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

prateria

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

promontorio

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

riviera, Costa Azzurra

a small rocky hill

punta racciosa

a small or slight earthquake

tremore

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

zenit

relating to or resembling twilight

crepuscolare

connected with or produced by the heat inside the earth

geotermico

related to or caused by an earthquake

sismico

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

tettonica