Tsunami TsupportWritten by Gary Whittaker
In wake of what can be arguably called world's greatest act of God in new millenium, we have also been witness to what can be equally argued as world's greatest act of charity as United Nations have received over 4 Billion dollars of aid meant for Southeast Asia. With so much money to counter in even greater need, one thing we must learn from this is what to do next time. The tragedy continues to escalate, and what can be more tragic now, with aid so close away, it can't even get to most of people that need it. Canada must be commended for it's deployment of DART team. DART (Disaster Assistance Response Team) is comprised of 43 person medical team, and has a water purification equipment. While they are not equiped to handle major trauma or surgical needs, they can treat secondary ailments relating to unsanitary conditions. However, DART team, like most of assistance sent by world's nations, cannot even reach to people since roads are still blocked. The idea behind DART team is what is important. There is no reason why other countries work together and create other DART teams, that can both enhance one Canada has, or focus on other potential problem areas. Measures must be taken that are common for most disasters. Getting a secure location, making a path to reach affected areas for both containment, and pulling out survivors, treating wounded, and feeding people. It has been over 2 weeks since incident, and still people have no help. Groups impersonating relief organisations seemed to have profited most, and they have made an unestimated amount of money from unsuspecting samaritans.
| | Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Mudslides: Extreme Events - What do they Mean?Written by C. Bailey-Lloyd/LadyCamelot
In lieu of recent, tumultuous occurrences, people are more compelled than ever to discover mystery of these modern-day, earth-changing events. One day, Earth is experiencing fourth largest earthquake in a century - a 9.0 tectonics plate shift off coast of Sumatra, next day - Tsunami. A Report from NASA explains how poles have permanently shifted by an entire inch. According to Dr. Benjamin Fong Chao, "...Any worldly event that involves movement of mass affects Earth's rotation, from seasonal weather down to driving a car." Per findings of Doctors Chao and Gross, North Pole has shifted by an inch in direction of 145? East Longitude. Based on their report too, was that Earth's oblateness (gravity field) was also decreased by a small amount. To translate into laymen's terms, change in mass distribution can effect long-term global climate changes; (See here for more info) thus, El Nino/La Nina effect is strengthened due to unusual mean sea level pressure. The Journal of Geophysical Research published an abstract on data analysis from Earth's gravity field. In their profound study, results showed that Earth's gravity field has undergone significant variations during past 28 years alone. The largest (of these fluctuations) occurred during 1996 - 2002 time frame. Again, we have a scenario of mass redistributions in atmosphere and ocean in a relatively short period. Personal research from National Earthquake Information Center showed that between December 5, 2004 and January 5, 2005 there were over 170 earthquakes across globe that measured over a 5.0 (on Richter Scale). According to Volcano Information Center, 77 volcanoes have erupted or are experiencing ongoing eruptions since 2002 - 2004; of which, 57 began erupting during 2004 alone. The recent California Mudslides, torrential downpours, and extreme winter precipitation begs one to try and comprehend what exactly is occurring and why it is happening at this point in time. Once again, we return to statement made by Dr. Benjamin Fong Chao, "...Any worldly event that involves movement of mass affects Earth's rotation, from seasonal weather down to driving a car." Based on this analogy, we can clearly define that magnetic field composition and movement can and does affect global weather (on a broad scale). But what other effects can magnetic field have on planet as a whole? Interestingly enough, I was able to retrieve different reports that may somehow involve magnetic field proponents: In February of 2004, `...over 10,000 Bramblings dropped dead in a `bird rain' in Eastern Province of Jiangsu - Yangzi,' as reported in BBC News. In addition, in November of 2004, 100s of Whales and dolphins were found stranded off coast of Tasmania and New Zealand (Australia Broadcasting Corp ). Reporter Jocelyn Nettlefold stated, "...The weather appears to be central to stranding cycle. Every decade or so, atmospheric changes bring cooler, sub-Antarctic waters further north..." Professor Mark Hindell further elaborated, "...there have been suggestions in past that seismic exploration may have been associated with strandings in US..."
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