I'm surprised that there isn't a forum post about this yet.
IT IS DEVASTATING. I can't imagine how badly Japan is hurting right now after being rocked by an 8.9 earthquake, and being wiped out by a 23 foot tsunami. Not only that, but their nuclear reactors are threatening to blow. If this happens....
T.T
My heart goes out to Japan. We've seen first hand what a 6.3 can do to Christchurch in our own country. Japan's was 1000 time more powerful. They must be terrified over there with the masses of aftershocks they're having. The photos are breath taking.
Does anyone have any thoughts or words they'd like to say?
It's unbelievable. Wikipedia says that the total energy released by the quake was equal to the force of 600 million Hiroshima atomic bombs...Obviously not all of that energy directly hit Japan - much of it was dissipated underwater or otherwise radiated away. The magnitude of the disaster is entirely unfathomable.
All of these natural disasters happening... I'm not a religious person, but it makes me start wondering. It's really sad to see all of this happening to the world, and having lived in New England all my life, I've never experienced an earth-quake or any sort of significant natural disaster in my life time. The worst I remember experiencing are torrential downpours and blizzards; I've never experienced an earth quake in my life, and honestly, if I did, I'd probably be scared to death. The very notion is scary. Furthermore, because New England hardly ever experiences such disasters (we tend to get the after effects), I'm not sure we're prepared. My heart goes out to both Japan and New Zealand though. I can only imagine what this must be like for everyone affected.
New England happens to be an unusually safe place to live, geographically, despite being on the coast.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_disasters_by_death_toll
Wow. I'm actually pretty lucky to live where I do. I mean, we've had some bad stuff, at least by New England standards, but nothing as bad as some of these natural disasters.
I was watching the news two nights ago and there was video inside an elementary school of when the quake hit, and all those babies inside the classroom just started screaming. I had tears all down my cheeks--it's devastating. I've been praying for them every day, just hoping to God that the people who haven't yet been accounted for are simply lost in the shuffle, not dead. :-\
I am hoping that things turn out okay for Japan--they are definitely in an awful place right now :(
As far as 'signs' etc, I don't believe it. Despite my penchant for games, books, etc, that are all about portents and so forth, I don't actually believe in them. Or at least, in this whole 2012 business. The Earth's really friggin' old and it'll be here long after we're gone. But the crust of the Earth, the continental plates, are constantly moving. This used to all be one huge continent, don't forget.
New Zealand and Japan are on the same tectonic plate border (the Pacific plate and the Indo-Australian plate), which is also where the Ring of Fire is. A notoriously volcanic and active plate boundary. To me, really, it just seems like it probably makes some sense that not long after a quake hit way down on one end of that plate, another hit further along the same line. Apparently, they even suspected a quake would hit soon, but just not that it would be that magnitude (which came from it hitting so close to the surface, from what I can tell).
In short, IMO, this is a horrible tragedy--but not an approaching apocalypse.
Well stated, Katie. :thumbsup: Approaching these issues from a scientific perspective seems to ease people's nerves a quite a bit!
Quote from: Haids1987 on March 13, 2011, 07:19:24 PM
Well stated, Katie. :thumbsup: Approaching these issues from a scientific perspective seems to ease people's nerves a quite a bit!
As it did mine. I'm not religious by any means, and I really try to shy away from end of the world theories and what not. I'm a strong willed individual (or at least, I like to think so), but I've got a weak side. My weak side is doom predictions. My emotions can be affected by external factors, even things that don't affect me. I cried watching Alvin and the Chipmunks once. Seriously. Anything that pertains to doom predictions or some such thing, to me, gets me depressed sometimes. Approaching things from a scientific perspective helps ease the nerves.
Quote from: dark-daventry on March 13, 2011, 08:17:49 PM
Quote from: Haids1987 on March 13, 2011, 07:19:24 PM
Well stated, Katie. :thumbsup: Approaching these issues from a scientific perspective seems to ease people's nerves a quite a bit!
As it did mine. I'm not religious by any means, and I really try to shy away from end of the world theories and what not. I'm a strong willed individual (or at least, I like to think so), but I've got a weak side. My weak side is doom predictions. My emotions can be affected by external factors, even things that don't affect me. I cried watching Alvin and the Chipmunks once. Seriously. Anything that pertains to doom predictions or some such thing, to me, gets me depressed sometimes. Approaching things from a scientific perspective helps ease the nerves.
Stay away from the Discovery Channel...I once watched like 3 hours of Doomsday specials and it ruined the next day entirely.
Japan is in everyone's prayers.
Here's the Red Cross donation page (http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main&s_src=RSG000000000&s_subsrc=RCO_FrontPagePanel); the first option listed currently is to donate for relief efforts in Japan, if anyone is able to spare some money towards the cause.
It's a pretty terrifying situation there. My cousin is in the neighbouring Akita Prefecture. He seems to be doing OK at the moment, though I gather (unsurprisingly) that electricity is rather sketchy.
And as if the earthquake and Tsunami weren't bad enough, they're now sliding a bit into major nuclear problems. Though I won't agree with people I've heard who say this shows how "fragile" nuclear power is. It's a bit tough to plan for one of the biggest earthquakes ever recorded immediately followed by a monster tsunami. The reactors actually handled the earthquake itself very nicely and the generators kicked in as they were supposed to, they just had a bit of trouble continuing to run after being totally submerged.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of that great nation and I really hope they're able to get things under control over there and start working on the road to rebuilding.
Yeah, although I don't think nuclear technology is "fragile", I do think we should be moving away from it. I mean when it goes wrong, like this, it goes REALLY wrong. And there are better, greener, energy options out there anyways.
Quote from: KatieHal on March 15, 2011, 09:47:40 AM
Yeah, although I don't think nuclear technology is "fragile", I do think we should be moving away from it. I mean when it goes wrong, like this, it goes REALLY wrong. And there are better, greener, energy options out there anyways.
I agree, Katie. I'm a supporter of greener energy options. I never really liked the idea of Nuclear power. It always seemed like an accident waiting to happen to me.
It's not Chernobyl. Things are still under control for the most part.
Quote from: wilco64256 on March 15, 2011, 09:38:21 AMIt's a bit tough to plan for one of the biggest earthquakes ever recorded immediately followed by a monster tsunami.
Earthquakes often trigger tsunamis if they happen at the right place, so while the earthquake may have been totally unforeseen, the tsunami following it almost certainly wasn't.
The best thing for all those people right now is prayer. <3
Quote from: KatieHal on March 15, 2011, 09:47:40 AM
Yeah, although I don't think nuclear technology is "fragile", I do think we should be moving away from it. I mean when it goes wrong, like this, it goes REALLY wrong. And there are better, greener, energy options out there anyways.
This is why New Zealand is nuclear free :) We use hydro power here. It may not be as awesome as nuclear power, but if something hits our dams, it'll cause a huge flood, but not destruction of a large chunk of NZ soil. I'd like to believe that we have huge fail safes too for that too.
As for nuclear power, The plants got hit by a 9.8 and a tsunami. If they're STILL partially safe after that, then that says something for the level of security put on it. Now they just need to cool the cores down. That is SO critical right now :(
I think the surest thing we can all take from this is that nobody's ever stronger than Mother Nature. You never know what's going to happen or how your life could drastically change from one moment to the next so it's just important to live life to the fullest and above everything else make sure that you're happy just being alive. Tomorrow your home and car and job and all of your belongings could be gone and if that was the source of what made you happy then it could be a very difficult adjustment, but if you're happy just to wake up every morning and be a part of this world then even if all your "stuff" was taken then you'd still manage to pick up the pieces and keep moving on.
Agreed. I'd be VERY upset losing my art, but at the end of the day, the cool thing about being an artist is that EVERYthing is aesthetic, and we just have a different outlook on life cause of it. How can you be depressed if your world is beautiful? I get depressed being indoors all day, and not drawing >.>
When I saw this on the news, the first thing thought I was my friend family who lives there. He was working at the time and had no idea it happened. I have not heard from him since. I am hoping it is because his family is ok.
This was a wake up call for everybody who lives and on the island. We are not ready at all for an earthquake. They say when we get one, it is going to be real bad because we are overdue for a earthquake. I fear when it does happen this city and the island is going to destroyed because we are not prepared. At the same time, no matter how prepared we are, we cannot beat nature. Look at Japan they were prepared and look......
Those poor people in Japan!! What really got me upset is on the news I saw a guy saying he was looking for his daughter. She was at school when happened. :(
Yes, I agree. We have to live everyday like is it our last. Make sure you show your family how much you love them!!
So I heard tonight that the first of the radiation has hit the US. Scientists in Sacramento detected Xeon along the coast. The amount, however, is only a millionth of the dose that a person would normally get from the sun from walking outside, so it's nowhere near dangerous. But let's say Reactor one does explode despite all of the efforts to cool it down. Japan's screwed. All those people..... :'(
Quote from: Enchantermon on March 18, 2011, 05:14:45 PM
So I heard tonight that the first of the radiation has hit the US. Scientists in Sacramento detected Xeon along the coast. The amount, however, is only a millionth of the dose that a person would normally get from the sun from walking outside, so it's nowhere near dangerous. But let's say Reactor one does explode despite all of the efforts to cool it down. Japan's screwed. All those people..... :'(
Oh wow. this is horrible. I hope Japan can recover from this. It will take quite some time, I'm sure, but something tells me they'll recover and come out of this disaster stronger than ever before. One of my friends is expecting there to be some huge architectural breakthroughs over in Japan to avoid further disasters. Let's hope that turns out to be true!
A video of the tsunami wiping out a whole fishing village in 5 mintues. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOfy1CoxrMo&feature=player_embedded)
This is REALLY horrifying :'(
There are no words describing how horrible this all is. Sometimes I just watch the news and think for myself: "When is the next big thing showing up?" - and boom, there it is, and it's horrible. I wish it didn't happen. I actually planned on going to Japan one day - this dream is pretty much endangered at the moment.
I just hope they gain the total control over that reactor. If Japan was ... "extinguished" I'd be just devastated. A really awesome culture would disappear!
Yes, I know this probably won't happen, even if the reactor could not be cooled down. Still, I am very scared about Japan's future. This country can't stay in this kind of state forever - minimizing their energy use, having nearly no water to drink, having only little food rations ... Let's just hope for the best!
Quote from: Buddy1991 on March 28, 2011, 01:23:26 PM
There are no words describing how horrible this all is. Sometimes I just watch the news and think for myself: "When is the next big thing showing up?" - and boom, there it is, and it's horrible. I wish it didn't happen. I actually planned on going to Japan one day - this dream is pretty much endangered at the moment.
I just hope they gain the total control over that reactor. If Japan was ... "extinguished" I'd be just devastated. A really awesome culture would disappear!
Yes, I know this probably won't happen, even if the reactor could not be cooled down. Still, I am very scared about Japan's future. This country can't stay in this kind of state forever - minimizing their energy use, having nearly no water to drink, having only little food rations ... Let's just hope for the best!
Japan is my favorite country (Sorry USA, you just don't have the kind of open-mindedness that Japan has, or the culture). I sincerely hope with all my heart that Japan can make a full recovery. Such a beautiful country that is so far advanced in many ways, if it shall be lost, would be such a tragedy.
True words, couldn't agree more.
Quote from: Buddy1991 on March 28, 2011, 03:35:03 PM
True words, couldn't agree more.
My heart goes out to all those affected by these natural disasters, whether direct or not, and I hope that these great countries can recover. I, too, would love to visit Japan someday, but I'm going to wait until they can recover from this. Japan is a strong country with a very rich history and culture, and I have faith in them. I believe Japan will recover. As they say, time heals all wounds. I believe that to be true in many aspects.
Quote from: dark-daventry on March 28, 2011, 03:34:04 PM
...[If Japan] shall be lost, [it] would be such a tragedy.
There is no need for such hyperbole. Japan is among best best-suited nations for recovery from such a large natural disaster.
Quote from: kindofdoon on March 28, 2011, 04:53:33 PM
Quote from: dark-daventry on March 28, 2011, 03:34:04 PM
...[If Japan] shall be lost, [it] would be such a tragedy.
There is no need for such hyperbole. Japan is among best best-suited nations for recovery from such a large natural disaster.
I wanted to make it sound cooler... I should change it then, shouldn't I?
Quote from: kindofdoon on March 28, 2011, 04:53:33 PM
Japan is among best best-suited nations for recovery from such a large natural disaster.
I'd like to think this too :( IT's the only reassuring point about this. Christchurch didn't get hit as hard, but if Japan had the same amount of damage Christchurch does, they wouldn't even batter an eyelid before it was fixed. Christchurch isn't goign to be STARTED to be worked on for a year. They want to make sure the quakes have stopped and that they can reinforce the land again. This will KILL Christchurch's economy :( Japan would crack open their piggy bank and tell their workers to get to it.
However, they probably have the equivenlent of rebuilding more of NZ in damage, so it's definitely going to be a challenge :( I hope they come back stronger :(
Quote from: Arkillian on March 30, 2011, 05:42:54 PM
( I hope they come back stronger :(
Me too. Japan is a strong nation, so I believe in them. It's going to be a long process, but I believe they'll come back better than ever. "We have the technology. We can rebuild him. Better, faster, stronger..." (Yes, I partially edited a tagline from The Six Million Dollar Man, but I think it fits.)
(http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2010/5/30/129197143500990031.jpg)
Quote from: kindofdoon on March 30, 2011, 06:41:24 PM
(http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2010/5/30/129197143500990031.jpg)
Nice. I approve.
Quote from: kindofdoon on March 30, 2011, 06:41:24 PM
(http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2010/5/30/129197143500990031.jpg)
Actually, we do (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdrPVOSPgVo).
Very cool. Oscar walks a bit like a spider but that was rather uplifting.
I love Oscar's story <3
Digging the lolcat too ^^
Quote from: kindofdoon on March 30, 2011, 08:52:19 PMVery cool. Oscar walks a bit like a spider but that was rather uplifting.
Heh. Yeah, he does. But it's better than not walking at all. :)
Quote from: Enchantermon on March 31, 2011, 05:36:38 AM
Quote from: kindofdoon on March 30, 2011, 08:52:19 PMVery cool. Oscar walks a bit like a spider but that was rather uplifting.
Heh. Yeah, he does. But it's better than not walking at all. :)
If bionic feet you had, walk so well you would not!
Lol
A little bit of heartwarming news from the Japan earthquake, and some adorable animalness in the process.
Japan 'tsunami dog' reunited with owner (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG8wZjKEnNQ)
A 22-year old man who lives quite close to my hometown has traveled to Japan to personally assist with the the restoration efforts. He has started a blog at CraigHelpsJapan.com (http://www.craighelpsjapan.com/Craig_Helps_Japan/Daily_Blog/Daily_Blog.html).
That's really cool; good for him!
We could definitely use more people like him in the world, thats for sure. And for the dog, it is so cute. Its nice to see it got reunited with its owner!
wow, that's really awesome! I think it takes a lot to leave your own country and go into another one to help there. Especially in this case where he even is exposed to dangers like the the whole radioactivity thing...
You've got to be kidding. (http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/04/07/japan.quake/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1)
Man they just can't get a break over there can they?
It's an earthquake zone. :P It's sad, but is it really surprising?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_earthquakes_in_Japan
Quote from: Enchantermon on April 07, 2011, 10:02:32 AM
You've got to be kidding. (http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/04/07/japan.quake/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1)
This is sad and wrong. One earthquake and a tsunami are enough; they don't a second earthquake muddling things up, do they?
It's actually more like a fourth. :-\
Those poor people. Thats just awful :(
Quote from: Morwen on April 07, 2011, 02:28:06 PM
Those poor people. Thats just awful :(
Indeed.
Quote from: Deloria on April 07, 2011, 02:23:16 PM
It's actually more like a fourth. :-\
The number is irrelevant; just one natural disaster is bad enough, but having more than one, whatever the number may be? That's just wrong! Bad Mother Nature! Bad!
It is horrendous that this has happened and so many people have died. But I can't help thinking Deloria is right: they're called *after*shocks for a reason. This can't have been unexpected.
Still, I hope that's their lot for now. :-\
yeah New Zealand is still getting aftershocks (well I have heard from my friend a few weeks ago :-[ )...hopefully Japans aftershocks do not last as long as theirs have...its just awful...
Quote from: darthkiwi on April 08, 2011, 04:58:03 AM
It is horrendous that this has happened and so many people have died. But I can't help thinking Deloria is right: they're called *after*shocks for a reason. This can't have been unexpected.
Still, I hope that's their lot for now. :-\
I was just about to ask whether these "after shocks" should be even called "after shocks". To me, after shocks are "weaker" earthquakes that occur after a big earthquake in a period of 1 - 2 hours. But now it's been 4 damn weeks and Japan kept shaking and shaking!
I just can agree with dark-daventry: Damn nature, they had enough. :(