The dramatic parting of the Red Sea for the Israelites is perhaps the most spectacular miracle described in the Old Testament. Now scientists believe it may actually have happened - although it owed more to Mother Nature than to Moses. A computer simulation suggests that a powerful east wind, blowing for 12 hours overnight, could have driven back shallow waters for four hours allowing a crossing in an area near that depicted in Exodus.

　　以色列人充满戏剧性的渡过红海也许是旧约中最壮观的奇迹了。现在科学家们相信它可能真的发生过。通过电脑的模拟，一场长达十二小时的东风能够掀起海水四个小时从而使得出埃及记中的描述成为现实。

　　Scientists believe the likely location of the 'miracle' was not the Red Sea, but a nearby spot in the Nile Delta region where an ancient river is believed to have merged with a coastal lagoon. Analysis of archaeological records, satellite measurements and maps allowed the researchers to estimate the water flow and depth at the site 3,000 years ago. An ocean computer model was then used to simulate-the impact of a strong wind on the 6ft deep waters.

　　科学家们相信“神迹”发生的地点可能不在红海而是在尼罗河三角洲附近的地区，科学家相信在那里有一条远古的河流现今已经与周围的海域合并。据分析，卫星的测绘以及地图使得研究者们可以估算出三千年前的水流以及水深。计算机被用来模拟计算一场作用在六英尺深的水面强风的冲击度。

　　The scientists found an east wind of 63 mph blowing for 12 hours would have driven the waters back, both into the lake and the river channel. This would have created a land bridge about two miles long and three miles wide lasting four hours. The waters really would have been parted, with barriers of water raised on both sides of the newly exposed mud flats.

　　As soon as the winds dropped, the waters would have rushed back, much like a tidal bore.

　　科学家们发现了一种东风，以63英里的时速吹12小时，就可以推动水域倒流进湖道和河槽，形成一个可持续4小时的约长2英里、宽3英里的路桥。水域确实被分开，在左右作了墙垣。一旦风停，水便立刻如潮般涌回去。

　　Lead researcher Carl Drews, from the National Centre for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, said: 'People have always been fascinated by this Exodus story, wondering if it comes from historical facts. What this study shows is that the description of the waters parting indeed has a basis in physical laws.

　　研究员说：'人们总是为《出埃及记》的故事着迷，好奇这些是否出于史实。此研究结果表明，水域分开的描述的确是以物理定律为基础的。

　　'The parting of the waters can be understood through fluid dynamics. The wind moves the water in a way that's in accordance with physical laws, creating a safe passage with water on two sides and then abruptly allowing the water to rush back in.'

　　水域被分开是可以用流体动力学来理解的。风推动水域放的事实与物理定律相吻合，风将水吹至两边而建立了安全通道，风的停止也会造成水流快速涌回。