温泉蛇
The old Shamanic beliefs of Tibet ascribed magical powers to the landscape. 古老的萨满教把魔法的力量归功于这片土地.
But there's a far more tangible source of power here which owes nothing at all to magic. 但这里还有的更多可以感知的力量 却和魔法没有一丁点关系
Strewn across the plateau are boiling thermal springs, the evidence of mighty natural forces which have been at work over millions of years.散布于高原上的是滚烫的温泉 这是在这里有百万年历史的浑厚的自然力量存在的证据
Deep below the surface, the vast continental plates of Asia and India are crashing into each other. 在地下深处巨大的亚洲板块和印度板块互相冲击
The turmoil below erupts in clouds of sulphurous steam. 地下的混乱状态使大量含硫的蒸汽喷薄而出
It seems unlikely that scalding mineral springs should support life. 由滚烫的矿物泉来孕育生命听起来并不太可能
But one unlikely creature thrives here precisely because of them. 但确实有种不寻常的生物因之而繁衍兴旺
The hot spring snake is unique to Tibet and is believed to have survived the inhospitable conditions up on the plateau principally thanks to this natural central heating. 这种温泉蛇是西藏所特有的 人们把它在高原艰苦环境存活下来的原因主要归功于这里的天然地热
These cold-blooded snakes hang out in streams and rivers which are fed by the hot springs, where they enjoy a surprisingly productive lifestyle.这些冷血的蛇在由温泉形成的溪流中游弋在温泉中它们无忧无虑的生活着
知识点：
1. The old Shamanic beliefs of Tibet ascribed magical powers to the landscape.
ascribe: (be ascribed to)
attribute (a text, quotation, or work of art) to a particular person or period.
"a quotation ascribed to Thomas Cooper"
synonyms:
attribute · assign · put down · set down · accredit · credit · give the credit for · chalk up · impute · lay on · pin on · blame on · lay at the door of · connect with · associate with
2. Strewn across the plateau are boiling thermal springs, the evidence of mighty natural forces which have been at work over millions of years.散布于高原上的是滚烫的温泉 这是在这里有百万年历史的浑厚的自然力量存在的证据.
strewn: untidily scattered.
"strewn flower petals"
covered with untidily scattered things.
"boulder-strewn slopes"
3. The turmoil below erupts in clouds of sulphurous steam. 地下的混乱状态使大量含硫的蒸汽喷薄而出
erupt: (of a volcano) become active and eject lava, ash, and gases.
"Mount Pinatubo began erupting in June"
synonyms:
emit lava · belch lava · become active · flare up · eject/vent material · explode
be ejected from an active volcano.
"hot lava erupted from the crust"
synonyms:
emit · discharge · eject · expel · spew out · belch (out) · pour (out) · disgorge · give off/out · gush · spout · spurt · stream · flow · issue
(of an object) explode with fire and noise resembling an active volcano.
"smoke bombs erupted everywhere"
break out or burst forth suddenly and dramatically.
"fierce fighting erupted between the army and guerrillas" ·
synonyms:
break out · flare up · blow up · boil over · start suddenly · ensue · arise · happen
give vent to anger, enthusiasm, amusement, or other feelings in a sudden and noisy way.
"the soldiers erupted in fits of laughter"
(of a pimple, rash, or other prominent mark) suddenly appear on the skin.
synonyms:
appear · break out · flare up · come to a head · burst forth · make an appearance · pop up · emerge · become visible
sulphurous/ sulfurous steam: (chiefly of vapor or smoke) containing or derived from sulfur.
"wafts of sulfurous fumes"
sulfureous.
like sulfur in color; pale yellow.
marked by bad temper, anger, or profanity.
"a sulfurous glance"
4. It seems unlikely that scalding mineral springs should support life. 由滚烫的矿物泉来孕育生命听起来并不太可能
scalding: very hot; burning.
"she took a sip of scalding tea" ·
synonyms:
extremely hot · burning · blistering · searing · red-hot · piping hot