甚至于: so much (that), even (to the extent that)...
意外: unexpected, accident, mishap...
阶梯: flight of steps, a means of advancement, stepping stone...
变迁: changes, vicissitudes...
港湾: natural harbor, bay serving as harbor...
筑: to build, to construct, to ram, to hit...
少数: small number, few, minority...
由: to follow, from, because of, due to, by, via, through, (before a noun and a verb) it is for... to......
关节: joint (physiology), key point, critical phase...
航天: space flight...