Earthquake and tsunami across Asia

[Sacha]

At least 162 dead as huge Indonesia quake wreaks havoc across Asia


JAKARTA: At least 162 people were killed after a huge earthquake rocked Indonesia on Sunday, unleashing tidal waves and flash floods across Asia that swamped coastal areas and displaced thousands.

The quake, which seismologists said measured 6.8 on the Richter scale, struck in the Indian ocean southwest of Aceh province on Sumatra island and sparked panic across the region.


Sri Lanka's eastern and southern coastline was one of the worst hit areas, with rescuers saying at least 162 people had been killed by tidal waves that battered villages.

Sri Lankan relief official M.D. Rodrigo said workers found at least 150 bodies in the Muslim village of Muttur while another 10 were found in the town of Trincomalee which went under several feet of sea water.

"The casualties could be higher," Rodrigo said.

He said water level was going down, leaving a massive trail of destruction. A large number of people were also believed to be missing.

Tsunamis in the southern Thailand resort of Phuket meanwhile left at least four foreign tourists missing after they were swept out to sea.

Indian officials meanwhile also reported deaths after two people drowned after being swamped by a tidal wave in Agarpara in West Bengal state, about 25 kilometres (15 miles) from the capital city of Calcutta.

Unconfirmed radio reports said at least nine people had been killed in Indonesia.

Waves up to five metres high hit the coast of Aceh forcing hundreds to flee to higher ground.

In Aceh, a region currently closed off to foreign media and aid agencies due to a long-running separatist conflict, there were unconfirmed reports of casualties, with buildings including a mosque and a hotel collapsing.

A reporter from the private ElShinta radio said that the earthquake caused substantial damage in provincial capital Banda Aceh, including the partial collapse of Kuala Tripa hotel and several shops as well as cracks on the road.

Reports differed on the the exact location and size of the quake.

The US Geological Survey National Earthquake Information Center put the tremor at 8.5, which would make it one of the largest in history, off the west coast of Sumatra while the Strasbourg Observatory in France said the tremor hit 8.0 and was located north of the island.

Jakarta's Meteorology and Geophysics Office put the quake at 6.8, saying it was centered in the Indian Ocean some 149 kilometer (92.38 miles) south of Meulaboh, a town on the western coast of Aceh.

The office said there were reports of tsunamis, collapsed bridges and downed powerlines.

Telephone lines were also down, making communications with the region difficult.

First Lieutenant Suyitno of Aceh's southwestern Sigli district police said that water began to rise some 30 minutes after the quake and added that hundreds of people residing near the coast or along rivers had evacuated.

Suyitno said that there were no report of casualties yet and that the depth of the flood was around one meter.

Similar conditions were also reported in the coastal town of Lhokseumawe, in North Aceh district, 216 kilometers (134 miles) east of Banda Aceh.

The state Antara news agency said that several shops under construction in the Beurawe area of Banda Aceh collapsed and search teams were searching for possible victims -- construction workers who might have been in the buildings.

A witness also told the radio from Sigli the quake caused the dome of the main mosque there to collapse.

The witness said there were no reports of any casualties.

The quake was also felt in the North Sumatra province capital of Medan, sparking panic among the population.

Indra Suwarta from the meteorology office in Medan said that there were no reports of any damage or casualties in Medan.

"Damage has been reported in Banda Aceh and also in Meulaboh....electricity poles and bridges collapsed. But here has not been any report of casualties so far," Suwarta said.

The tremors were felt as far away as the Thai capital Bangkok, some 1,500 kilometres (930 miles) north of the epicenter, where buildings swayed but no serious damage was reported.

Guests of a high-rise hotel reported chandeliers swinging, according to a manager of the city's Conrad Hotel, while the Charoen Krung Pracha Rak Hospital evacuated all 400 of its patients as a precaution.

Buildings suffered minor damage in the southern Thai town of Hat Yai, some 800 kilometres (around 500 miles) from the epicenter.

Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 18,000 islands, lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" noted for its volcanic and seismic activity, and is one of the world's most earthquake-prone regions.

Lying at the collision point of three tectonic plates results in frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions as pressure between the massive segments of the Earth's crust is released.

Last month, a succession of powerful earthquakes struck Alor island in eastern Indonesia, killing 26 people. - AFP


Related News »
• At least 160 dead as tsunami waves hit Sri Lanka
• Singapore feels tremors from massive Indonesian earthquake
• Tremors rattle eastern India after Indonesian quake
• Strong quake rocks north of Indonesia's Sumatra island

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/124073/1/.html

[Funky Monkey]

daaaaaaamn.....

[exitwound]

initial quake apparently registered at least an 8.5 on the Richter scale, the most intense earthquake recorded since 1965....

[kidcanuck]

8.9.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqinthenews/2004/usslav/

You can check my record on IH.

I predicted an 8 or better before the end of 2004.

I predicted it would hit in California. I got the location wrong but the year isn't over yet.

That's two quakes 8 or better in the last week.

Get ready on the west coast of North America.

Alaska to Mexico.

Damn I'm good.

[kidcanuck]

20 foot high tidal waves kill 700.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041226/ap_on_re_as/indonesia_earthquake&e=4

[kidcanuck]

Picutres from Asia.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/4125643.stm


Why earthquakes happen.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/hottopics/naturaldisasters/earthquakes.shtml

[kidcanuck]

More pictures.

http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news?p=earthquake&ei=UTF-8&c=news_photos

California quake insurance at the bottom.

[Sacha]

Pardon me kidcanuck, but would you mind refraining from revelling in such a tragedy. Your attitude sickens me.

How about.........a moments silence for all the thousands that have now lost their lives through such a tragedy and let us pray for the safety of the many hundreds still missing in many many countries.

It is indeed very sad that nature can create such carnage.

Sacha

[exitwound]

Mag 8.9 is the estimate now -- nearly 5,000 believed dead, mainly in Sri Lanka and the Indian coast.... :(

[kidcanuck]

11,500 dead.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1503&u=/afp/20041226/ts_afp/asiaquake_041226200838&printer=1

Sacha, I'm the greatest predictor of earthquakes on the globe.

I can't can't help by gloat.

[kidcanuck]

Update:

12,300 plus dead.

http://channels.netscape.com/ns/news/story.jsp?id=2004122618550002689029&dt=20041226185500&w=RTR&coview=1

[exitwound]

11,500 dead.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1503&u=/afp/20041226/ts_afp/asiaquake_041226200838&printer=1

Sacha, I'm the greatest predictor of earthquakes on the globe.

I can't can't help by gloat.

holy @#$%!

Yeah, well, while we're making predictions, I predict that Kid Canuck will be less full of shit in 2005 :mrgreen: :roll:

[kidcanuck]

Quake updated to a 9 from an 8.9.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqinthenews/2004/usslav/


EW, you should be proud to have the world's leading earthquake predictor on your site.

From Japan to the Antarctica there have been 5 major quakes since September. The plates in North America are next.

And it's going to be a major quake.

Fasten your seatbelts and update your quake insurance.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

[kidcanuck]

It took an hour for the tidal wave to reach Thialand and a hour and one half to reach Sri Lanka.


There's really no excuse for the high death count.


They should've been listening to the kid.

[kidcanuck]

Quake is alleged to have disrupted the earth's rotation.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&u=/ap/20041226/ap_on_re_as/indonesia_earthquake_23&printer=1

I find this hard to believe.

[kidcanuck]

Death toll rises above 14,000.

http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/041227/323/f98kd.html

[kidcanuck]

Death toll now over 14,425.


http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/ns/news/story.jsp?id=2004122623570002748192&dt=20041226235700&w=RTR&coview=


Epidemic warning.


http://sg.news.yahoo.com/041227/3/3phyc.html

[kidcanuck]

6.2 aftershock.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/recenteqsww/Quakes/ussmci.htm

[kidcanuck]

Deaths surpass 17,200.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20041227/wl_sthasia_afp/asiaquaketoll_041227082100&e=1

[kidcanuck]

Quake Havoc.

http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/dec272004/i12.asp

[kidcanuck]

Death toll reaches 20,000.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20041227/ap_on_re_as/indonesia_earthquake

[kidcanuck]

23,000 death.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20041227/wl_sthasia_afp/asiaquaketoll_041227104945&e=1

[kidcanuck]

Global tectonic map of the earth.

http://denali.gsfc.nasa.gov/dtam/data/ftp/gtam.gif

[Sacha]

Thank you for the updated death toll kidkanuck. I guess these people may just seem like numbers to you but we have several friends who were in the region and still cannot be contacted. Many others are suffering from shock at such devastation in the region which is a home away from home for many of us.

The grandson of the king of Thailand has also now been confirmed as a fatality.

I have visited many areas and have friends who live in or come from those countries now totally affected by this. A terrible tragedy which will affect many of us in a nearby region so close to our hearts.

Sayang sekali.

Sacha

[Sacha]

and it's not over yet...........already 3000 lives lost on these islands in the Bay of Bengal

Fresh quake hits Nicobar Islands
December 27, 2004

AN earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale has struck India's remote Nicobar Islands.

"An earthquake hit the Nicobar Islands north of Sumatra at 4.39pm (20.39 AEDT), registered by other seismologists as 6.5 on the Richter scale," a seismologist from Thailand's meteorological department said.

"We cannot tell whether it would trigger a new tidal wave, but the earthquake was felt in Phuket."

Phuket is the Thai resort island devastated by a previous series of huge waves that also left thousands dead across Asia.

The official described the quake as a "new earthquake" as it was 200km north of the epicentre of Sunday's massive quake off the Indonesian coast.

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11794482%255E1702,00.html

[Sacha]

I have actually been very sickened by some of the comments made by Americans on IH who think that it is expected that the US that will come to the rescue.........as usual. Not so! I also note how few Americans here on this forum actually have expressed any real concern. Here's what is really happening.....and the world CAN actually survive without the US.

Just remember, more people have died in this natural disaster than all those who have died in 911 or Iraq added together. More people have been injured and displaced from their homes than any war in the Middle East in the last 20 years.

Time for a reality check US. This is one hell of a disaster!

-------------------------------------------------
Australia leads relief efforts
From correspondents in Indonesia
December 27, 2004

A GLOBAL relief effort is underway after the world's worst earthquake in 40 years triggered monstrous tidal waves that killed nearly 23,000 people across southern and South-Eeast Asia.

Australian aid agencies began the massive task of supplying assistance to survivors within hours of the devastating tsunami wreaking havoc in countries around the Indian Ocean.

More than 23,000 people are thought to have died and millions are homeless across southern Asia after coastal areas were hit by giant waves and tidal surges triggered by the world's strongest earthquake in almost half a century.

In an overwhelming reaction to the tragedy, the major Australian agencies CARE Australia, the Red Cross and Oxfam began responding almost immediately to the disaster.

Along with the Australian Government, which has promised $10 million, aid agencies have launched programs to provide practical as well as financial assistance to victims.


CARE Australia said today that work was already underway in Sri Lanka, where at least 4500 people were reported to have died when huge waves and tidal surges came ashore, wiping out villages on the country's southern and eastern coasts.

"Our staff were actually working in the area worst affected so they were right on the ground at the time of the disaster," said senior emergencies officer Megan Chisholm.

"They started responding immediately by helping evacuate people to higher ground.

"We've lost touch with one Sri Lankan staff member though, so we've been touched by this personally."

She said assessments were underway in all countries to determine what food, clothing, shelter, medicine and fresh water were immediately needed.

"We need to find out what is needed and how we can assist those that have survived," Ms Chisholm said.

"Rehabilitation and recovery programs will start next and we'll look at rebuilding houses, schools, vegetable gardens and infrastructure."

The Australian Red Cross is hoping to raise around $8.5 million as part of an international appeal.

A Red Cross spokesman said the appeal would provide assistance to at least 500,000 people in Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Maldives.

Already Red Cross teams in Sri Lanka and India have helped evacuate survivors, dispensed first aid and provided emergency relief materials, such as tents and blankets, as well as food.

The International Red Cross Federation will tomorrow send medical supplies for 100,000 people to Sri Lanka, one of the countries hardest hit by the disaster.

Medicines to treat up to 2000 possible cases of diarrhoeal disease will also be part of the shipment.

The Red Cross said one of the biggest challenges it faced was the spread of diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea, and respiratory tract infections.

Among the basic needs for victims of the disaster are shelter, tents, blankets, clean water, food and family utensils and mosquito nets.

The Red Cross will also play an important role in tracing missing relatives.

While the organisation has called on Australians to donate, it said it could only accept monetary donations.

"The logistics of transporting and distributing 'in-kind' donations can often be very expensive as well as time consuming," a spokesman said.

"Responding to the assessed needs of the affected population is our priority.

"In-kind' donations are frequently not based on identified needs and may be inappropriate for the cultural or religious requirements of the affected population."

Oxfam Community Aid Abroad said there existed a severe danger of more people dying in the aftermath of the tsunamis without rapid aid into areas such as Sri Lanka.

The aid agency said it had already started work in the region, notably Sri Lanka were staff were working non-stop to ferry the injured to hospital, as well as collecting and identifying the dead.

"Food, water and shelter are all urgently needed by the people affected," a spokesman said in a statement.

"We have already started getting aid to the people but much more will be needed.

"Unless there is a rapid response to the emergency, many more people could die in the coming days."

The spokesman said the floodwaters had contaminated wells and clean water was scarce.

Oxfam has already sent 60 1000-litre water tanks to Trincomalee and was preparing 25,000 food packs containing rice, flour, dhal, fish, sugar and cereal.

A further 10,000 hygiene packs, including soap, sanitary towels, candles, matches and other essentials, were being prepared.

With the death toll constantly rising as dawn revealed the full scale of the catastrophe, governments pledged millions in aid and despatched naval ships, military aircraft and soldiers on rescue and relief operations.

Prime Minister John Howard said "Australia will and should give more", adding that he hoped to speak to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, as well as the prime ministers of Thailand and India to convey his sympathy and co-ordinate the emergency relief.

Two C130 transport planes left the Royal Australian Air Force base at Richmond in outer north-west Sydney tonight, and two more are due to fly out tomorrow.

The planes, carrying water purification units, blankets and bottled water, would initially fly to Malaysia then to more directly affected areas later.

"Chief of Defence Force General Cosgrove and I have spoken to our Indonesian counterparts, and have agreed that the aircraft will be dispatched to Sumatra, one of the worst-hit areas," Defence Minister Robert Hill said.

"Two aircraft have departed tonight carrying supplies and a medical team of 10 specialists, who will conduct health assessments and some primary treatment.

"An additional two aircraft will depart tomorrow.

"Australia is committed to doing all we can to assist our neighbours to deal with this terrible disaster."

Air Commodore Glen Steed from Richmond RAAF Base said each Hercules would carry a crew of 10 to 15 people, most of them support personnel but including specialists in environmental health and hygiene.

Also on board was water purification equipment.

He said the mission was to ensure a supply of fresh water to the people affected by the disaster.

"That's our priority – get that (purification equipment) in there and then the medical assistance to follow on," he said. The UN rushed disaster teams to the region, saying hundreds of thousands of people in coastal areas remained at risk, with livelihoods from fishing and farming wiped out and disease threatening to wreak more havoc.

The main quake, the fourth largest recorded since 1900 and measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale, struck off the Indonesian island of Sumatra on Sunday after a rupture on the seabed caused by the violent grinding of two tectonic plates.

The collision displaced the seafloor 10m vertically, unleashing tsunamis travelling at high speeds across thousands of kilometres of ocean.

Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Indonesia, the Maldives, Myanmar and Malaysia were the worst hit nations, but the tidal waves also claimed lives on the distant shores of east Africa, some 7000 km away.

Walls of water up to 10m high were reported, roaring ashore with bewildering speed, sweeping people off beaches, flattening hotels and homes, uprooting trees and overturning cars.

The victims ranged from wealthy western tourists taking a Christmas break on tropical islands to the poor eking a living in coastal villages.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the stricken countries needed portable sanitation facilities, medical supplies, tents and helicopters to evacuate people.

"The power of this earthquake, and its huge geographical reach, are just staggering," UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) executive director Carol Bellamy said.

"Hundreds of thousands of children in coastal communities in six countries may be in serious jeopardy," she said.

Indonesia and Sri Lanka were both mourning death tolls reported above 4400 and 4800 respectively. More than 4200 people were reported dead in southern India, some 400 in Thailand, 44 in Malaysia and 32 in the Maldives.

Many are still missing throughout the region.

At first light, hundreds of awestruck residents of Indonesia's Aceh province near the epicentre of the quake were still trying to comprehend the tidal waves that engulfed their villages, carrying away homes and relatives.

"People told me it was as if God had unleashed his anger on the people," said Haji Ali, a resident in Patong Labu, a small settlement close to the north Aceh town of Bireuen.

Along Aceh's coastline, flimsy wooden houses lay crushed and tossed aside while vehicles were scattered in rivers and ravines. Frightened farm animals wandered the quake-buckled roads, untethered in the chaos.

President Yudhoyono declared three days of national mourning and was expected to arrive in Aceh later today to inspect the damage and survey relief efforts.

In Thailand, an estimated one-third of the dead were foreign tourists. Survivors told harrowing stories of seeing loved ones washed away in front of their eyes.

The nation's top beach attractions were among the worst-hit as monster waves swept scores of people out to sea, drowned snorkellers, sank boats and shattered buildings along the coast.

The popular resort of Phuket and the idyllic island of Phi Phi were devastated by the huge waters.

At Phuket's main beach of Patong, local volunteers manned barricades to stem looting along streets strewn with upturned cars, tangled power lines and debris sucked out of shattered shops and hotels.

At Phuket International Hospital, patients like 44-year-old Swedish tourist Gerdh Vall received treatment as they tearfully awaited news of missing relatives and friends.

"My husband and 14-year-old daughter are missing since we were swept off the second floor of our hotel on Phi Phi island," she said, clutching the arm of her teenage son Johannes.

At the small Tatong hospital in Phuket, health workers struggled to run a makeshift morgue in the car park. More than 30 bodies, ranging from small children to the elderly, lay on the ground.

About one-third were tourists, almost all still in their swimwear.

Dozens of stunned townspeople and tourists as well as the walking wounded wandered among the swollen bodies, seeking a familiar face.

"We have had 68 bodies here since this began this morning but now even more are coming" said a nurse in charge of documenting the bodies as another ten corpses arrived in the back of pickup trucks and ambulances.

In India, authorities in coastal areas expected the death toll to rise further because a large number of fishermen were at sea when the towering tsunami hit and were still missing.

Morning joggers, children playing on the coast and fishermen preparing to venture out in their boats were caught unawares as the waves swept them into the sea.

The popular tourist state of Kerala, where thousands of visitors flock from overseas, was in shock after at least 123 people died and some 43,000 were left homeless.

Much of the early international aid was focused on Sri Lanka, which declared a state of emergency.

Governments from France to Australia and Russia to the US pledged aid and assistance, despatched aircraft, doctors and specialists to the worst-hit areas.

"For all the huge advances in the control of our lives through science and technology an earthquake on this scale is truly humbling as well as profoundly tragic for everyone involved," British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said.

In Geneva, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies appealed for 7.5m Swiss francs ($8.43m) to help an estimated 500,000 survivors.

AAP and Agence France-Presse

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11791748%255E1702,00.html

[Sacha]

Sorry for my reaction but just feeling a little offended by attitude right now, especially with the continual toll count. Reminds me of the toll count of US soldiers in Iraq. When people quote numbers continually, I suspect that they don't really care about the people behind those numbers. Guess it's all very easy to do when so far away from the reality of what is really happening.

[Mr. Drags]

I've been offline all weekend Sacha, but I have to agree about some of the comments i've seen on IH regarding the death tolls -- some idiots are breying about the deaths of muslims -- purely disgusting.

I'm not trying to defend my countrymen, however, I've also noticed many outpourings of concern from many Americans as well. This is a tragedy that all nations should get behind and do what they can to help, politics be damned in cases like this.

I hope that any friends and family of yours who may have been caught up in this are safe, Sacha

[roguestar]

death toll has now exceeded 24,000

Richter rating is now 9.0

Simulations of the event are available on the web and very scary.

IMHO BBC News online has the best video footage of the wave actually hitting.

[kidcanuck]

While most of the dead will be residences of each country, thousands weren't even Muslims but tourists from other nations. Some Canadians died there as well. I've seen the video of the wave hitting. It didn't look higher than 15 feet to me, but the water kept rushing in.

Sad story.

[kidcanuck]

Video of wave hitting Thialand.


http://www.nbc10.com/news/4026938/detail.html

[kidcanuck]

Slideshow of wave.

http://www.nbc10.com/slideshow/4026806/detail.html?qs=;s=1;w=320

You can see ships in the water out at sea. They were not hurt at all. Thousands of fishermen were at sea and people are worried about them. I think they are safe. While at sea the wave was not huge at all. It only became huge when it reached the shallows of shore. The fishermen at sea probably didn't even feel it or notice it at all.

[kidcanuck]

Mount Saint Helens Watch.

http://www.columbian.com/12272004/clark_co/226443.html

[GBA]

I have actually been very sickened by some of the comments made by Americans on IH who think that it is expected that the US that will come to the rescue.........as usual. Not so! I also note how few Americans here on this forum actually have expressed any real concern. Here's what is really happening.....and the world CAN actually survive without the US.

Just remember, more people have died in this natural disaster than all those who have died in 911 or Iraq added together. More people have been injured and displaced from their homes than any war in the Middle East in the last 20 years.

Time for a reality check US. This is one hell of a disaster!



Were you also sickened by the comments about 911, people saying we got what we deserved?
And by the comments of some people saying the Florida hurricanes was the work of God punishing the USA, and/or the evil Bush's ??

[kidcanuck]

A few more pics.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/4126227.stm

[kidcanuck]

Earthquakes now hitting China.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,11791646%255E1702,00.html

North America better get ready.

[kidcanuck]

Death toll now at 27,300.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/1638C75C-74D3-444D-BE54-70678D87CA14.htm

It could reach 50,000.

[kidcanuck]

27,000 plus dead and 30,000 missing.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20041227/wl_sthasia_afp/asiaquakeindiaandaman&e=1

[roguestar]

Death toll now @ 33,000 and still rising fast. 50,000 may actually be a LOWBALL number now :shock:

[exitwound]

Death toll now @ 33,000 and still rising fast. 50,000 may actually be a LOWBALL number now :shock:

In fact, at a press conference just a moment ago, the Federation of the Red Cross/Crescent issued an revised estimate of 42,000 dead....

[Mr. Drags]

AP has a story saying it's at 44,000 now. And I dread to think what this number is going to rise too when those smaller Indonesian islands are searched.

Such an awful tragedy

[Ono]

I just read 52,000 dead now. Also the US has just doubled it's relief package to $35 Million.

[exitwound]

Frequently being called the greatest disaster of this generation now.....

Dead could easily get close to 100,000. When you realize that the energy released was equal to 10-20 GIGATONS of TNT or more (Hiroshima was 16 kilotons, largest bomb ever detonated was 50-55 megatons), that's actually quite low all things considered :shock:

[kidcanuck]

59,000 plus confirmed dead and they say it could double.

All I can say is wow.

The fact is no one died from the earthquake itself and all of these deaths are from the waves. This is all America's fault. They admit they knew the wave was on its way and claim they couldn't warn anyone.

As if.

Have they ever heard of a phone..?

[kidcanuck]

Excellent pictures and videos.

http://www.nbc10.com/news/4026938/detail.html

Good work kid.

I know, and thank you, canuck.

[kidcanuck]

Videos.

http://jlgolson.blogspot.com/2004/12/tsunami-video.html

[exitwound]

latest death estimates top 60,000. And still rising at a rate of several thousand per hour :shock:

[kidcanuck]

Sri Lanka refuses Israel's help.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4130599.stm


Sex workers in India donate money.


http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=13638489

[kidcanuck]

Wave warning halted to protect tourist industry.

http://www.bluelemur.com/index.php?p=518


Sounds to me like they ruined it, and probably 100,000 lives along with it.

[kidcanuck]

Death toll updated to 63,114.

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11804154%255E1702,00.html



Could reach 100,000.

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11803668%255E1702,00.html

[kidcanuck]

Wave warning halted to protect tourist industry.

http://www.bluelemur.com/index.php?p=518


Sounds to me like they ruined it, and probably 100,000 lives along with it.

The waves hit Africa 8 hours later or so and no one bothered to warm them even after the waves had killed tens of thousands 4 hours earlier.

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11803107%255E401,00.html


America is going to be sued over this since they admit they knew the waves were on the way.

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11796284%255E401,00.html

Fvckin' America.

[kidcanuck]

Video.

http://www.big-boys.com/articles/tsunami.html

The camera guy was pretty calm. Looks like he survived, or at least his camera did.

[kidcanuck]

Photos.

http://www.pbase.com/issels/phuket_tsunami&page=all

[kidcanuck]

Scientists confirm Islands were moved by earthquake.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&e=7&u=/nm/20041228/sc_nm/quake_usa_sumatra_dc_1


They also confirm, just like I said, that it is very difficult to change the rate of the earth's rotation.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20041229/sc_nm/quake_usa_earth_dc&e=4

[kidcanuck]

Wave warning halted to protect tourist industry.

http://www.bluelemur.com/index.php?p=518


Sounds to me like they ruined it, and probably 100,000 lives along with it.
Update:

Thai paper said wave warning ditched for fear of lawsuit from tourist industry.

http://www.bluelemur.com/index.php?p=519

[kidcanuck]

Personalities caught up in tsunami.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2004/12/28/Arts/tsunami-celebrities041228.html

[kidcanuck]

Bush spends 200 plus billion to destroy a country and offers only 30 million to save 11 countries.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32337-2004Dec28.html

Man of the year my ass.

[kidcanuck]

Some dude from my hometown survived the tsunami.

http://www.thesudburystar.com/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentID=91657&catname=Local+News

[WannaBeRSC]

Check out the US State Department for NGO's you can trust, then send as much money as you can... this is the shit, now is the time.

Possiblly the single most horrible event I have ever seen.

[kidcanuck]

Tsunami Video.

http://movies.ziaspace.com/Tsu.wmv

[GBA]

America is going to be sued over this since they admit they knew the waves were on the way.

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11796284%255E401,00.html

Fvckin' America.

Fuck you. :roll:

According to you everyone hates us, and wouldn't listen anyway.

Fucking lawyers. :roll:
Sue, sue, sue. :roll:
They ought to shoot ALL them cocksuckers, the world would be a much better place.

[kidcanuck]

While killing all of the lawyers isn't a bad idea Bush first offering 15 million, then 35, is a major sad joke considering he spent 200 plus BILLION to kill 100,000 innocent Iraqis and is spending 40 million throwing himself a party in 3 weeks.

Seems God has his priorities up fvcked once again.

[kidcanuck]

Death toll up to 68,000.

Amazingly this started out with a death toll of 160 people.


http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=42145




Weird, Bam earthquake occorred 1 year and 58 minutes earlier.


http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=42151

[kidcanuck]

Blog site join in the relief effort.

http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=13638955

[kidcanuck]

6 aftershocks rock Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Top three were a 6.1, 5.7 and a 5.1.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1174337,001301540000.htm

[kidcanuck]

Where are all the dead animals, Sri Lanka asks..?

They moved inland because they knew what was coming.



http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/ns/news/story.jsp?id=2004122902210002914596&dt=20041229022100&w=RTR&coview=


Amazing, waves rushed inland for two miles.

[kidcanuck]

Deadly tsunamis of the past.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20041229/ap_on_sc/tsunami_history

[kidcanuck]

6 minutes ago.

Russian Volcano erupts.


http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/12-29-04.asp


Planetary alignment could devastate the world in the next few months.

Even Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park could erupt with lava.

Animals around the world have been acting strange lately. Whales have beached in Oz as well.

Damn, come to think of it, even my cat has been running around the house more lately. I kid you not. Watch your pets and see if they are acting weird too.

The Russian volcano is on the ring of fire and we've had serious activity from the antarctica to Asia, Japan and northern Russia. The north, central and south America side of the ring of fire are next.

Maybe Turkey first, but north American is going to get hit, BADLY.

[kidcanuck]

Death toll hits 68,000.


http://www.indiadaily.com/breaking_news/18755.asp


Scientist claimed to have predicted quake based upon planet alignment.


http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=269999


Half of the population of Nicobar is missing.


http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=269988

[GBA]

Richard Attenborough, Santa Claus in "Miracle on 34th street", lost his granddaughter in that tsunami, and his daughter and her mother-in-law are missing.
:cry:

[Funky Monkey]

Richard Attenborough, Santa Claus in "Miracle on 34th street", lost his granddaughter in that tsunami, and his daughter and her mother-in-law are missing.
:cry:

the death toll is now over 80,000 confirmed and probably as high as 120,000 when you do the math to its conclusion including the currently unconfirmed ones :shock:

For a minute I thought you were talking about David Attenborough, the BBC documentarian/journalist :shock:

[kidcanuck]

Death toll reaches 100,000.

http://www.thisislondon.com/news/articles/15630695?source=Evening%20Standard&ct=5

[kidcanuck]

Canada donates 40 million to relief effort.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1104355151375_99764351/?hub=Canada


Bush continues to vacation while disater continues to grow.



http://rawstory.bluelemur.com/index.php?p=130

[GBA]

Bush continues to vacation while disater continues to grow.


"The Bush administration more than doubled its financial commitment yesterday to tsunami relief."

Good for him.
According to you, Canada is singlehandedly solving the entire problem.
And according to sasha, our help is not needed or wanted.

Maybe he'll cancel that aid and use it here.

[kidcanuck]

US gives lowest percent in aid.

http://www.columbiatribune.com/2004/Dec/20041229News024.asp

[kidcanuck]

Small earthquake rattles B.C. on Monday.


http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/cpress/20041229/ca_pr_on_na/minor_quake_bc_1

[kidcanuck]

Great information page and animation of waves.

http://iri.columbia.edu/~lareef/tsunami/

[kidcanuck]

Another 6.2 aftershock.


http://earthquake.usgs.gov/recenteqsww/Quakes/ussqal.htm

Funny they call a 6.2 an aftershock, when a 6.2 hits it's usally called an earthquake, not an aftershock.

[GBA]

US gives lowest percent in aid.

Canadian radio commentator Gordon Sinclair delivered a stirring, pro-American editorial .


Good reading, from a Toronto newspaper's editorial page!
Widespread, but only partial news coverage was given recently to a remarkable editorial broadcast from Toronto by Gordon Sinclair, a Canadian television commentator. What follows is the full text of his trenchant remarks as printed in the Congressional Record:

This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth.

Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States.

When the franc was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it. When distant cities are hit by earthquakes, it is the United States that hurries in to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped.

The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, warmongering Americans. I'd like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States Dollar build its own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tristar, or the Douglas 10? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except Russia fly American planes?

Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy, and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon — not once, but several times - and safely home again.

You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here.

When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the American who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke.

I can name you 5,000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake.

Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those.

[kidcanuck]

No one can deny what America has given in the past and what they will continue to do in the future, however, this is a massive diaster and Bush offers less money then what he is spending on his own oneday party in a few weeks. That's sad. But I've never seen a post diaster debate, like we see over this one, on what country gives more money, like it's some kind of competition. But I think when the world watches Bush spend hundreds of billions to destroy Iraq people can't help but realize how fvcked up America really is.

And while the alleged comment that the US was stingy is a whole fabrication by the Washington Times, it is true in this case, since currently Canada has given more than America to this relief effort.


http://gadflyer.com/flytrap/index.php?Week=200453#1326


At this time, the Canadian government has given 40 million while the citizens have donated over 8.5 million SO FAR in just two days. More than any other country. Additionally, each Province is making a donation which will be announced tomorrow. B.C. has already announced it is donating 8 million to the Red Cross. Therefore, 56.5 million has come from Canada thus far. 88 Canadians also remain missing in four different countries.


I also watched another video on the tube of the first wave hitting. People were standing right at the wall when the first wave crashed and splashed against it. There is a young white dude who looked like an American who raises his hands and cheers when the wave hit. Seconds later the waves crash over the wall and sweep him and several others away. Sad, but also funny at his stupidiy, since he could see it was a huge wave coming.

[kidcanuck]

Insurers see few claims since they now claim diaster was an act of God.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/worldbiz/archives/2004/12/30/2003217334

[kidcanuck]

Space agency offers free satellite photos.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2004/12/30/2003217277

Great shot. Waves rushed 2 miles inland.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/photo/2004/12/30/2003153139

[kidcanuck]

Another blog covering the story.

http://wizbangblog.com/archives/004636.php

[kidcanuck]

Disturbing Pictures and videos.

http://www.ogrish.com/archives/tidal_wave_aftermath_footage_Dec_28_2004.html

http://www.ogrish.com/archives/tsunami_video_two_people_get_dragged_away_by_tidal _wave_Dec_29_2004.html

Mindblowing picture.

http://www.ogrish.com/archives/tsunami_image_aftermath_image_of_beach_Dec_29_2004 .html

http://www.ogrish.com/archives/tsunami_images_and_tsunami_video_of_tidal_wave_Dec _29_2004.html

http://www.ogrish.com/archives/various_trauma_wounds_Dec_29_2004.html

http://www.ogrish.com/archives/tsunami_images_more_earthquake_tidal_wave_victims_ Dec_30_2004.html

[kidcanuck]

Breaking News:

New tsunami warning issused 20 minutes ago due to several aftershocks.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4133993.stm

http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/bulletin/

[kidcanuck]

Tsunami alert sparks panic.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4133993.stm

[kidcanuck]

World leaders wake up and realize the scale of this disaster.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,18690-1419400,00.html

[kidcanuck]

6 minutes ago.

Russian Volcano erupts.


http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/12-29-04.asp


Planetary alignment could devastate the world in the next few months.


Interesting read.

http://www.whatdoesitmean.com/

http://earthmeanders.blogspot.com/

[kidcanuck]

2004: The year Global Warning got respect.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1229_041229_climate_change_consensus.html

http://www.environmentalsustainability.info/

[kidcanuck]

Breaking News:

Volcano in India erupted 30 minutes ago. Eruptions began Tuesday.

http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=13639719

[kidcanuck]

They are predicting another tsunami to hit the Indian Ocean this afternoon.

http://news.newkerala.com/india-news/?action=fullnews&id=52398

[Sacha]

World leaders wake up and realize the scale of this disaster.

Yes, it does seem to have taken a little time for many to realize just how devastating this disaster is.

The number of fatalities yet to come out of north-western Sumatra, Indonesia will certainly create a shocking toll as this area is so remote, so primitive, not easily accessible yet heavily populated. Initial aerial photos show no signs of life nearest the earthquake's epicentre.

Having lived in Indonesia and knowing just how poor but kind these humble people are, my prayers goes out to them all.

Trully heartbreaking. Sayang sekali.

However, help is on the way for the Indonesians with the Australian and Singaporian airforces already in Aceh with aid. It is a small but very important contribution from their nearest neighbours who have finally been allowed into an area which until a few days ago was closed to the outside world due to heavy military involvement in a fight against a separatist army.

Perhaps such a tragedy both in Aceh, Indonesia and in northern Sri Lanka (where the Tamil Tigers have been fighting for years for independence) may bring the peoples of each of these two countries closer together.

One can only hope.

[kidcanuck]

Mindblowing picture.

http://www.ogrish.com/archives/tsunami_image_aftermath_image_of_beach_Dec_29_2004 .html
Can someone please post the picture in the link above for me. This is only a small area and look at the bodies. Can you image what it looked like with 80-100,000 bodies..? I can't.

Sacha, they haven't even gotten to some islands yet and as you said there appears to be no signs of life on some of the smaller islands. I saw some new video and the wave coming in was no more than 4 feet high. Kids are playing in the water and than the water keeps coming and coming. Totally amazing since you couldn't tell what was actually happening and about to occur.

[Sacha]

I hope that any friends and family of yours who may have been caught up in this are safe, Sacha

Thank you for your concern. It has taken several days for communications to get through but fortunately all who we knew were in the area are now accounted for and safe.

Sacha

[Sacha]

Mindblowing picture.

http://www.ogrish.com/archives/tsunami_image_aftermath_image_of_beach_Dec_29_2004 .html
Can someone please post the picture in the link above for me. This is only a small area and look at the bodies. Can you image what it looked like with 80-100,000 bodies..? I can't.

I suggest that the link is left as is.......for those who choose to look at it making that their own decision.........with a warning that the graphic scene may upset some.

Sacha

[kidcanuck]

Death toll passes 116,000.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/12/30/asia.quake/index.html

[kidcanuck]

Quake jolts area north of Tokyo 30 minutes ago.

http://english.epochtimes.com/news/4-12-30/25331.html

[kidcanuck]

Death toll reaches 120,000.

http://reuters.myway.com/article/20041230/2004-12-30T135659Z_01_N30180903_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-QUAKE-DC.html

[kidcanuck]

They are now claiming there is 400,000 dead in Indonesia ALONE.

http://drudgereport.com/flash5.htm


Let's hope this isn't true.

[Gaius Millhelm]

They are now claiming there is 400,000 dead in Indonesia ALONE.

http://drudgereport.com/flash5.htm


Let's hope this isn't true.

drudge is usually full of shit, lets hope thats the case now :(

but it could be 200,000+ :shock:

[kidcanuck]

Sadly, these folks are all dead.

http://img52.exs.cx/img52/6236/36gt.jpg

[kidcanuck]

They are now claiming there is 400,000 dead in Indonesia ALONE.

http://drudgereport.com/flash5.htm


Let's hope this isn't true.

drudge is usually full of shit, lets hope thats the case now :(

but it could be 200,000+ :shock:
I agree, Drudge sucks. He rarely breaks any stories and half of his links don't even work, but this story has been reported elsewhere.

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=111574

[kidcanuck]

Death toll passes 125,000.

http://www.reuters.com/printerFriendlyPopup.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=7209571

[Sacha]

U.S. aircraft carrier heading to help Indonesia

JAKARTA (Reuters): A U.S. aircraft carrier group was headed for Indonesia's tsunami-stricken Aceh province on Thursday to help with relief operations in the world's most populous Muslim country, officials said.

The carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and four other vessels will be stationed off the provincial capital, Banda Aceh, on the northern tip of Sumatra island where the death toll from Sunday's earthquake and tsunami has risen past 45,000.

"It has embarked," Lt. Gen. James T. Conway, joint chiefs of staff director of operations, told a briefing in Washington late on Wednesday.

He said the group had 12 helicopters on board, "which we find extremely valuable in these types of scenarios".

Conway said a U.S. assessment team was expected in Aceh on Thursday. He said the Lincoln carrier strike group had been in Hong Kong when the tsunami struck and was diverted to the Gulf of Thailand and was now making its way to the Malacca Strait.

"If it's clear, and early reports indicate that it might be, the five ships associated with that carrier strike group will take position off the island of Sumatra," Conway said.

He did not say exactly when the ships would arrive.

A U.S. defense department official in Jakarta confirmed the carrier fleet was on its way.

The United States suspended normal military ties with Indonesia in 1999 following allegations of widespread human rights abuses by Indonesia's military in East Timor after the tiny province voted for independence.

Aceh, 1,700 km (1,000 miles) northwest of Jakarta, is under civilian emergency rule as part of efforts to quell a separatist insurgency that began in 1976.

Until Tuesday, it had been closed to foreign aid workers and journalists.

http://www.thejakartapost.com

[kidcanuck]

Videos from Sri Lanka.

http://tsunami.fscker.com/

[kidcanuck]

Video of waves in Thailand.

http://www.big-boys.com/articles/tsunamiasia.html

[kidcanuck]

Images from space.

http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/zoomviewer/index.php?display_img=srilanka_tsunami_1226

Click on each image and they will sharpin.

[kidcanuck]

Map of India changed forever. Islands missings and islands split in two.

http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/fri/dec31w15.htm

[kidcanuck]

Death toll nears 150,000 according to the U.N.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&u=/ap/20041231/ap_on_re_as/tsunami&printer=1

[kidcanuck]

World's poorest nation donates 10,000 $.

http://www.voanews.com/english/2004-12-31-voa27.cfm

[kidcanuck]

Man found alive 5 days after tsunami hits.

http://www.bangladesh-web.com/news/view.php?hidDate=2005-01-01&hidType=RIN&hidRecord=0000000000000000031140

[Sacha]

Rain drenches epicenter of tsunami suffering; Sri Lanka hit with flash floods

CHRIS BRUMMITT, Associated Press Writer
Saturday, January 1, 2005
(01-01) 04:04 PST BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (AP) --

Pounding rain drenched the wrecked city of Banda Aceh on Saturday, adding to the misery of homeless earthquake and tsunami survivors and heightening fears of waterborne diseases. Flash floods in Sri Lanka forced evacuations and thwarted aid deliveries.

Worldwide donations to aid those battered by the huge waves that slammed Asian and African nations approached $1 billion, and a steady stream of foreign military aircraft touched down in the epicenter of the disaster, the Aceh province on the northern tip of Indonesia's Sumatra island.

But supplies were bottlenecking and officials acknowledged distribution networks were not in place to deliver desperately needed supplies to the worst-hit areas.

"The scale of the disaster is just too big," said Andi Mallarengen, spokesman for Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. "We can bring in the aid, food, but we need manpower to distribute them."

Six days after the earthquake and tsunamis, the confirmed death toll passed 123,000. U.N. humanitarian chief Jan Egeland estimated the number of dead was approaching 150,000.

President Bush, his administration stung by criticism that its aid pledges were small and slow to materialize, raised the U.S. promise of help from $35 million to $350 million.

"Our contributions will continue to be revised as the full effects of this terrible tragedy become clearer," he said. Britain has pledged $95 million, Sweden $75 million and Spain $68 million.

Flash floods in eastern Sri Lanka on Saturday forced the evacuation of 2,000 people from low-lying areas already affected by the tsunami, officials said.

Police officer Neville Wijesinghe said several roads leading to the eastern town of Ampara, one of the worst hit by the tsunami, were blocked by flood waters, preventing aid trucks from getting through.

Aftershocks rattled the region, including a 6.5-magnitude quake 215 miles west of Banda Aceh on Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Smaller aftershocks hit northern Sumatra and the Nicobar and Andaman islands, remote Indian territory just north of Sumatra. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the aftershocks were too small to trigger tsunamis.

A U.S. aircraft carrier battle group arrived off the shores of Sumatra and began launching helicopters loaded with supplies.

Two Seahawk helicopters off the USS Abraham Lincoln landed in Banda Aceh early Saturday to begin delivering relief supplies and materials for temporary shelters.

A flotilla carrying Marines and water purifying equipment was bearing down on Sri Lanka, meanwhile, and a former staging base for B-52 bombers in Thailand roared with the take-offs and landings of giant cargo planes.

Saturday's rainstorm in Banda Aceh was the first since last Sunday's disaster. Health workers have warned that heavy rain could spread diseases like cholera and diarrhea. Thousands of uncollected corpses remain in and around the city.

At one refugee camp on the grounds of the airport, hundreds of people spent a damp night under plastic sheets. Mothers nursed babies while others tried to light a fire with damp matches.

"With no help we will die," said Indra Syaputra. "We came here because we heard that we could get food, but it was nonsense. All I got was some packets of noodles."

Officials and volunteers in the Andamans struggled to deliver tons of rations, clothes, bedsheets, oil, and other items, hampered by lack of transportation.

"There is starvation. People haven't had food or water for at least five days. There are carcasses. There will be an epidemic," said Andaman's member of parliament, Manoranjan Bhakta.

Indonesia reported 80,000 deaths; Sri Lanka 28,700, India just shy of 9,000. Thailand's toll stood at 4,800, just over half of those foreign tourists, but 6,500 people were missing and presumed dead.

Thailand's prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra said Saturday that his country would investigate why no warnings were issued ahead of the tsunamis.

Aid continued to arrive. But bureaucratic delays, fuel shortages and impassable roads blocked many of the supplies. In an airport hangar in Medan, south of Banda Aceh, thousands of boxes of basics had accumulated since Monday and were going nowhere.

"Hundreds of tons, it keeps coming in," said Rizal Nordin, governor of Northern Sumatra province. He blamed the backlog on an initial "lack of coordination" that was slowly improving.

In the hardest-hit country, Indonesia, the official death toll stood at more than 80,000, but officials said it could reach 100,000.

"We mourn, we cry and our hearts weep to witness thousands of victims sprawled everywhere," said Yudhoyono, the president. "We witness those survivors still living in desperation and sinking into sadness and confusion."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press reporters Irwan Firdaus in Medan, Indonesia; Eric Talmadge in Jakarta, Indonesia; Lely T. Djuhari in Banda Aceh, Indonesia; and Neelesh Misra in Port Blair, India, contributed to this report.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2005/01/01/international0459EST0424.DTL

[Sacha]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40677000/gif/_40677011_indon_quake_map4_416.gif

1. Indonesia: 79,940
2. Sri Lanka: 28,508
3. India (inc Andaman and Nicobar Is): 10,763
4. Thailand: 4,560
5. Somalia: 120
6. Burma: 90
7. Maldives: 67
8. Malaysia: 65
9. Tanzania: 10
10. Seychelles: 1
11. Bangladesh: 2
12. Kenya: 1

[Sacha]

Perhaps more needs to be spent on education instead of an early warning system. Here's a heartening story coming out from all the sadness.

-------------------------------------------
Girl, 10, saved hundreds of lives
From correspondents in London
January 1, 2005

A 10-year-old British schoolgirl saved the lives of hundreds of people in southern Asia by warning them a wall of water was about to strike, after learning about tsunamis in geography class, British media reported today.

Tilly, who has been renamed the "angel of the beach" by the top-selling tabloid The Sun, was holidaying with her family on the Thai island of Phuket when she suddenly grasped what was taking place and alerted her mother.

"Last term Mr Kearney taught us about earthquakes and how they can cause tsunamis," Tilly was quoted as saying by The Sun.

"I was on the beach and the water started to go funny. There were bubbles and the tide went out all of a sudden.

"I recognised what was happening and had a feeling there was going to be a tsunami. I told mummy."

Her intuition was enough to raise the alert and prompt the evacuation of Phuket's Maikhao beach and a neighbouring hotel before the water came crashing in, saving hundreds of people from death and injury.

According to The Sun, no-one on Maikhao beach was seriously hurt by the tsunamis that have left more than 125,000 dead and millions homeless around the shores of the Indian Ocean.

The girl's geography teacher, Andrew Kearney, told the paper he had explained to his class that there was about 10 minutes from the moment the ocean draws out before the tsunami strikes.

Agence France-Presse

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11833299%255E1702,00.html

[Sacha]

Amazingly, they all survived. See story below.


Sadly, these folks are all dead.

http://img52.exs.cx/img52/6236/36gt.jpg


Photo family's amazing survival
From correspondents in Stockholm
January 2, 2005

A SERIES of heart-rending photos showing a mother dashing into the tsunami off Thailand in a desperate bid to save her family were cabled out around the world this week.

But the family's fate remained unknown until today, when the Swedish mum came forward to say they had all survived.

"I was yelling at them to run, but they couldn't hear me," 37-year-old Karin Svaerd told the daily Expressen, describing her desperation as her three sons, brother and brother-in-law snorkelled in the water last Sunday, unaware of the pending danger.

The series of three pictures showed confused vacationers on the Ray Leh Beach in Krabi, Thailand, looking at the water receding before the tsunami hit the beach.

Another shot showed swimmers running in to shore once they saw the tower of water approaching.

But Mrs Svaerd, unlike everyone else in the picture, was running out toward the wave in a desperate bid to reach her family.

Her sons Anton, 14, Filip, 11 and Viktor, 10, could not see the wave. Witnesses heard her scream: "Oh my god, not my children!"

Today, Mrs Svaerd told Expressen: "I yelled 'run, run'." But her voice was drowned out by the roar of the water.

"I got 150 meters out before they started to run. By then they'd also seen the wave."

The family got caught in the tsunami and was tossed around underwater. But one by one they managed to get to their feet and make it to higher ground.

An hour after the first wave hit, the family members, including Mrs Svaerd's husband and sister, who were sunbathing on the beach, had managed to locate each other.

"We all survived. That feeling is hard to describe," she said.

Agence France-Presse

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11834513%255E28477,00.html

http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,3600,406928,00.jpg
The disaster unfolds ... The main photo shows mum Karin (inset, right) race toward the wave to save her sons /AFP

[kidcanuck]

Perhaps more needs to be spent on education instead of an early warning system. Here's a heartening story coming out from all the sadness.

-------------------------------------------
Girl, 10, saved hundreds of lives
From correspondents in London
January 1, 2005

A 10-year-old British schoolgirl saved the lives of hundreds of people in southern Asia by warning them a wall of water was about to strike, after learning about tsunamis in geography class, British media reported today.

Tilly, who has been renamed the "angel of the beach" by the top-selling tabloid The Sun, was holidaying with her family on the Thai island of Phuket when she suddenly grasped what was taking place and alerted her mother.

"Last term Mr Kearney taught us about earthquakes and how they can cause tsunamis," Tilly was quoted as saying by The Sun.

"I was on the beach and the water started to go funny. There were bubbles and the tide went out all of a sudden.

"I recognised what was happening and had a feeling there was going to be a tsunami. I told mummy."

Her intuition was enough to raise the alert and prompt the evacuation of Phuket's Maikhao beach and a neighbouring hotel before the water came crashing in, saving hundreds of people from death and injury.

According to The Sun, no-one on Maikhao beach was seriously hurt by the tsunamis that have left more than 125,000 dead and millions homeless around the shores of the Indian Ocean.

The girl's geography teacher, Andrew Kearney, told the paper he had explained to his class that there was about 10 minutes from the moment the ocean draws out before the tsunami strikes.

Agence France-Presse

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11833299%255E1702,00.html

I came here now to post this story. You beat me to it.

[Sacha]

I came here now to post this story. You beat me to it.

:wink: Yes, it is certainly good news worth mentioning. :D :D

[kidcanuck]

Amazingly, they all survived. See story below.


Sadly, these folks are all dead.

http://img52.exs.cx/img52/6236/36gt.jpg


Photo family's amazing survival
From correspondents in Stockholm
January 2, 2005

A SERIES of heart-rending photos showing a mother dashing into the tsunami off Thailand in a desperate bid to save her family were cabled out around the world this week.

But the family's fate remained unknown until today, when the Swedish mum came forward to say they had all survived.

"I was yelling at them to run, but they couldn't hear me," 37-year-old Karin Svaerd told the daily Expressen, describing her desperation as her three sons, brother and brother-in-law snorkelled in the water last Sunday, unaware of the pending danger.

The series of three pictures showed confused vacationers on the Ray Leh Beach in Krabi, Thailand, looking at the water receding before the tsunami hit the beach.

Another shot showed swimmers running in to shore once they saw the tower of water approaching.

But Mrs Svaerd, unlike everyone else in the picture, was running out toward the wave in a desperate bid to reach her family.

Her sons Anton, 14, Filip, 11 and Viktor, 10, could not see the wave. Witnesses heard her scream: "Oh my god, not my children!"

Today, Mrs Svaerd told Expressen: "I yelled 'run, run'." But her voice was drowned out by the roar of the water.

"I got 150 meters out before they started to run. By then they'd also seen the wave."

The family got caught in the tsunami and was tossed around underwater. But one by one they managed to get to their feet and make it to higher ground.

An hour after the first wave hit, the family members, including Mrs Svaerd's husband and sister, who were sunbathing on the beach, had managed to locate each other.

"We all survived. That feeling is hard to describe," she said.

Agence France-Presse

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11834513%255E28477,00.html

http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,3600,406928,00.jpg
This story is amazing as well.

Great find.
The disaster unfolds ... The main photo shows mum Karin (inset, right) race toward the wave to save her sons /AFP

[Sacha]

Amazingly, they all survived. See story below.



This story is amazing as well.

Great find.


Yes, a lesson to be learned here by all. So often people consider that the end is nigh.

I believe that whilst we all fight for survival, there is still hope. Think positive.

[WannaBeRSC]

I believe that whilst we all fight for survival, there is still hope. Think positive.

The fight is the thing. Yeah, life will crush us all,... but who the hell cares? While we live we learn, we love, we grow. The sun shines now & again. Cry sometimes. Laugh at stupid jokes, even those you tell. Hold the kids close for as long as they will let you, soon you won't be COOL enough to be seen with 'em.

And fight like a mad bastard when death knocks at the door. :twisted:

[kidcanuck]

Death toll passes 144,000.

http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/050103/323/f9jhv.html

[Sacha]

I believe that whilst we all fight for survival, there is still hope. Think positive.

The fight is the thing. Yeah, life will crush us all,... but who the hell cares? While we live we learn, we love, we grow. The sun shines now & again. Cry sometimes. Laugh at stupid jokes, even those you tell. Hold the kids close for as long as they will let you, soon you won't be COOL enough to be seen with 'em.

And fight like a mad bastard when death knocks at the door. :twisted:

Let me tell you a little personal story WannaBeRSC.....and anyone else who cares to read.

Through all this I've had my mother in hospital suffering from a stroke. She developed pneumonia and was on death's door but she finally pulled through. A few days after the tsunami, she asked for her beloved transistor radio so she could keep in touch with what is happening in the outside world. Every day when I visit her, she tells me about the things she has heard about the tsunami........and she feels humbled by the fact that she is still lying in a hospital bed only suffering from a stoke when so many hundreds of thousands have died.

She is fighting like mad to make sure that death doesn't knock on her door right now......and thinking of ways to help those less fortunate than herself. A very positive lady who suffered from breast cancer 30 years ago....... and survived.

Yeah, hold your kids close WannaBeRSC....... and they will still be there when you think they no longer need you. I have certainly learnt a lot from my mother........and now those lessons learnt are coming back in spades!!

One thing I learned from my mother is compassion. For the last 5 years I've been sponsoring a child in Africa through World Vision. Now I hope to also sponsor a child in Indonesia or Sri Lanka. Apparently, World Vision has lost more than 60 sponsored children to the tsunami.

Just think of all the children who no longer have a parent to hold.

[Sacha]

One of the reasons to think about helping in the future, such as sponsoring a child. It's not just the present relief efforts that are important, but the ongoing support, well after many have forgotten and moved on.
--------------------------------------------

Tsunami to hurt for a generation

Aid workers striving to help nearly 2 million desperate survivors of Asia's tsunami catastrophe made inroads today but warned the worst-hit communities would take a generation to rebuild.

The death toll from last week's tsunami is close to 150,000 across Asia.

Even hardened relief workers have been shocked by the scale of the disaster.

World Vision Australia chief executive Tim Costello has been working in Sri Lanka, where at least 30,000 people died and entire villages were wiped out.

"I can only compare it to Europe after the Second World War," Reverend Costello said.

He says it will take "a generation" to rebuild the affected nations.

"Everywhere on that [Sri Lankan] coastline people are suffering, people are desperate and begging for food, begging for water - that's the thing that just hit me," he said.

Marshall Plan

While nations and individuals have already pledged more than $US2 billion in aid, Reverend Costello says that is not enough.

He sees the need for a scheme similar to the Marshall Plan, under which the United States contributed today's equivalent of roughly $US100 billion towards the reconstruction of Europe after World War II.

World leaders will hold an emergency summit in Jakarta on Thursday to plot long-term relief efforts and ensure swift pledges of cash do not dry up during the reconstruction period.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard will join the leaders of Japan and China alongside United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan.

UN officials say Mr Annan will use the meeting to launch a "major appeal".

Jan Egeland, the UN's head of emergency relief, estimates that 1.8 million people are in need of food aid, including 1 million in Indonesia and another 700,000 in Sri Lanka.

He says most of the remainder are in Somalia and the Maldives but has voiced optimism that the logistical problems hampering relief work in recent days are being overcome.

"We're able to reach out in all of the affected countries except in [the Indonesian regions of] Sumatra and in Aceh at the moment," Mr Egeland said.

"That is where we are behind."

No water, food or medical care

Sick and hungry survivors in isolated areas of Aceh remain without fresh water, food or access to medical care more than a week after walls of water destroyed their homes and killed their loved ones.

"There are still a lot of people there. Some are seriously injured. Some have already died," a villager from western Aceh, Fajari, said at a Banda Aceh hospital after a US Navy helicopter rescued him.

Indonesia bore the brunt of the tsunami, which was triggered by a magnitude 9 earthquake off the coast of Aceh that has killed almost 150,000 people, including nearly 100,000 in Indonesia.

Disease and hunger are threatening to add to the already heavy toll, with washed-out roads and bridges in Aceh preventing access by aid convoys.

But progress is slowly being made as airports untangle backlogs of aid and US Navy helicopters drop supplies and pick up survivors in areas of the province that have been unreachable by any other means.

In India, aid workers and residents say charity groups and the authorities are struggling to get the right relief supplies to the most needy people, particularly on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Mainland India has mounted its largest peacetime relief operation, with more than 4,000 troops in action, but there have been complaints about poor coordination.

Criticism mounting

With an unprecedented number of foreigners also caught up in the tsunami, criticism is mounting in some parts of Thailand that tourist resort areas are receiving preferential treatment.

An army of emergency workers has combed the wreckage of the ruined tourist strip in Thailand's Khao Lak.

But villagers in the Muslim village of Mai Lai, less than 30 kilometres south, say rescue and recovery efforts have been meagre.

Wantana Phongsangwan, one of the coordinators of locally donated aid, says officials visited the town the day after the tsunamis but little help has arrived.

"We desperately need more money," he said.

To the north of Khao Lak in Baan Nam Khem village, where police estimate more than half the population of 5,000 was missing and feared dead, villagers say help has also been minimal.

Thai Interior Minister Bhokin Bhalakula denies emergency efforts have focused on foreigners.

"It is not true," Mr Bhokin said as he greeted tourists in Phuket, whose beach resorts were hit by the waves.

-AFP

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200501/s1275842.htm

[kidcanuck]

God Bless you and your mother, Sacha.

[Funky Monkey]

God Bless you and your mother, Sacha.

amen :shock:

[kidcanuck]

Huge 50 foot wave hit crusie ship in the Pacific.

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/4134055/detail.html#

[Mr. Drags]

God Bless you and your mother, Sacha.I second that

[kidcanuck]

Major earthquakes in Asia today, Jan 27.

Full moon peeps, I expected some action.

http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/bulletin/

[roguestar]

the figures are now well over 300,000. just mind-boggling :shock: :cry:

[kidcanuck]

One hour ago California was hit by its biggest quake of the year so far.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/recenteqsUS/Maps/US2/35.37.-121.-119.html

[kidcanuck]

Asia has been hit by over 30 quakes in the last few days and it has triggered a massive volcano eruption in Papua New Guinea. Mount Manam erupted and ash could be seen at the 60,000 foot level.

http://www.volcanolive.com/volcanolive.html

http://www.volcanolive.com/manam.html

[exitwound]

One hour ago California was hit by its biggest quake of the year so far.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/recenteqsUS/Maps/US2/35.37.-121.-119.html

well, it *is* only January still, heh....

I'm hoping California will hold off on the Big One until my next trip to San Francisco. I enjoy a good natural disaster -- not the harm that is done, but the awe of witnessing the raw power of nature....

[kidcanuck]

Death toll passes 298,000.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/story.jsp?story=606003

[kidcanuck]

Dec. 26th 2004 quake upgraded to a 9.3 from a 9, making it the second largest quake ever recorded.

http://homepage.mac.com/sbooneaz/iblog/C1541317254/E777562056/index.html

[kidcanuck]

Royal Navy shows seabed photos from tsunami.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/050209/325/fc4n7.html

[kidcanuck]

Tsunami death toll lowered.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,12208611%255E1702,00.html

[Ono]

Indonesia Earthquake and Tsunami: Situation Report No. 30 Overview

The latest figures from BAKORNAS (24 Feb.), on the human toll of the earthquake and Tsunami for Aceh Province indicate 123,597 bodies have been buried, 113,937 are missing and 400,901 are displaced. For Northern Sumatra Province, BAKORNAS reported that 19,620 are displaced. Meanwhile, the numbers of people buried and missing remain at 130 and 24.

The construction of the Temporary Living Centres (TLCs) is continuing at full speed. The number of barracks planned to be built is increasing, with the Government reporting a planned total of 863 barracks (up 20 barracks since last reporting) to be constructed over the course of the next weeks to house all IDPs living in spontaneous settlements by mid-March.

Concerns have been raised about the water and sanitation facilities at the TLCs and spontaneous sites, both in terms of quality and quantity in Banda Aceh and along the west coast. The international agencies concerned are reviewing the situation with Government officials in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar areas. An initial review on 23 February in Banda Aceh showed poor standards and in some cases no provision for drainage, lack of waste disposal areas, open defacation in the sites, and poor construction due to sandy soil. Concerns need to be addressed with the relevant parties, including the UN agencies and local authorities. Action needs to be taken to identify and position watsan engineers along the affected areas (primarily Meulaboh, Calang and Banda Aceh) as soon as possible.

Reports have been coming in about thousands of people from the west coast who are currently stranded in Banda Aceh and Medan. Foreign military helicopters evacuated approximately 10,000 people to Banda Aceh and 18,000 to Medan in the first days after the Tsunami struck and many now wish to be returned to their areas of origin. The issue of return has not been properly addressed yet and many of the evacuated people turn up at the airports, hoping for a return flight. This is being investigated as a matter of urgency to seek further clarification and take immediate action.

OCHA met with a representative from Leuser International who has been involved in preservation projects in Aceh for the past 12 years. Concerns were voiced regarding the process for implementation of the Master Plan or "blue print" and the level of consultation with the affected population at village level. In addition, the issue of ongoing logging of timber in the affected areas was raised since deforestation in previous years has resulted in flash floods, killing a number of villagers. It was proposed to have timber donated from regions outside Aceh and to recycle timber from damaged buildings and areas affected by the Tsunami.

CONTINUED.....

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/JWIN-69XF5D?OpenDocument

[Sacha]

This closes the chapter on the first stage of tsunami relief efforts. HMAS Kanimbla was heading home from the relief efforts in Banda Aceh after the December 26 tsunami when an earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Nias on March 28. The ship was diverted back to Indonesia. On April 2, whilst helping with aid, one of the ship's Sea King helicopters crashed on the island of Nias with the loss of 9 military lives. 2 survived with the help of local Indonesians.

The HMAS Kanimbla has finally arrived back in its home port after 4 months of humanitarian aid and the loss of 9 young lives.

Bless them all.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last Update: Saturday, April 30, 2005. 11:15am (AEST)

Sydney welcomes 'Kanimbla' home

Hundreds of people have gathered in Sydney to welcome home troops aboard HMAS Kanimbla with cheers and tears.

Families of those on board gathered at the Garden Island Naval Base to greet loved ones returning after four months away.

HMAS Kanimbla was sent to provide humanitarian assistance to Indonesia after the Boxing Day tsunami. It left the region but returned to give further assistance after the Nias earthquake.

The mission was marked by tragedy when nine colleagues of those on board were killed when their helicopter crashed while taking aid to earthquake victims in Nias.

Prime Minister John Howard was on hand to welcome the personnel home, hailing the "wonderful job" of Kanimbla's crew.

"It's great to have you back and it's great to be able on this beautiful Sydney morning to thank you," Mr Howard said. "You were of course touched by tragedy of the loss of nine of your mates."

He added: "Thank you from the bottom of my heart - welcome home and spend the rest of your day with your family and loved ones.

"As Australians we are immensely proud of everything you've done in our name."

'Put our feet up'

Commander George McGuire says his crew is looking forward to having a rest and spending time with family.

"Everyone's getting at least three weeks' leave to get off and spend some time with their families and hopefully get away and reflect back on the fantastic effort we've done for four months," he said.

"There's definitely a level of tiredness. We're coming back now after four months with almost no breaks whatsoever so we're ready to have a break, put our feet up for a little while, give ourselves a few off and then we'll start preparing the ship to go back to sea again."

Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie, said the rest of the Navy and Australia saluted the Kanimbla crew.

"From today your mission is well and truly complete ... I thank each and every one of you for your resilience ... in the face of adversity," he said.

"I offer my thanks to your family and friends for your sudden four-month deployment ... all that has happened has happened in the noble cause of neighbours in great need.

"I hope we find comfort and inspiration in that thought to remember those who've not come home. Kanimbla, you've done your country proud - well done, welcome home."

Inspired

Commander McGuire thanked Australians for their support of the mission and the welcome home.

"This has really just blown us away," he said. "We can and we do and we have produced extraordinary results.

"These people did do an unbelievable job and I look back and am amazed ... You have inspired me."

He said the ship's crew would remember their fallen shipmates for the rest of their lives.

"I feel we should rejoice the part they played in making the world a better place," he said.

Federal Labor MP Jenny Macklin, representing Opposition Leader Kim Beazley who is in Aceh, said the crew had done Australia proud performing an "outstanding neighbourly act".

"We're so proud of you, each and every Australian," she said.

"On behalf of the Australian Labor Party and on behalf of the Australian people - thank you for your enormous goodwill and wonderful hard work."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200504/s1356953.htm

[Sacha]

Lest we forget..........one year on..........and much work still to be done.

-------------------------------------
Asia to mark tsunami anniversary with prayers, silence
Monday 26 December 2005, 9:24pm EST


By Tomi Soetjipto

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia, Dec 26 (Reuters) - Countries around the Indian Ocean hold ceremonies on Monday to remember the many thousands who died in last year's tsunami, one of the deadliest disasters in modern history.

A year on, a huge reconstruction operation has brought hope but the pain of losing loved ones is still raw, some survivors say.

The affected nations will mark the event with mass prayers, moments of silence and visits to the graves of the dead.

In one of the first ceremonies, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono joined in a moment of silence at the Baiturrahman mosque in a Banda Aceh coastal suburb flattened by the disaster.

The tsunami left nearly 170,000 dead or missing and half a million homeless in Aceh province, on the northern tip of Sumatra island, making it the worst-hit area in the region.

Total dead and missing throughout the countries affected, which also included Sri Lanka, India and Thailand, are estimated at more than 231,000.

Yudhoyono is also due to participate in a test of a warning system designed to limit casualties from future tsunamis, as well as join up to 10,000 people at evening prayers at the historic Baiturrahman mosque in Banda Aceh, capital of Aceh province.

In Thailand, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and a member of the royal family who lost her son will be among those speaking in the resort island Phuket, source of some of the most graphic footage of the waves.

A powerful undersea earthquake off Sumatra island triggered the tsunami, which raced across the Indian Ocean before smashing into shorelines as far away as Somalia in Africa. In Aceh, Sri Lanka, India and around Phuket in Thailand, the waves, up to 10 metres (33 feet) swept holidaymakers off beaches, smashed hotels and in some areas destroyed whole towns.

In Banda Aceh, the tsunami, actually a series of waves, travelled several kilometres inland, sweeping up nearly everything in its path.

Simple Buddhist ceremonies had marked Christmas Day in Thailand's tsunami zone on Sunday as relatives of victims remembered their loved ones.

"I will have to die before I can forget," said 80-year-old Thai Sorjia Aiawsakul, who lost her son, daughter-in-law and niece in the Dec. 26 tragedy.

In Sri Lanka, President Mahinda Rajapakse will hold a memorial at a site near Galle where more than 1,000 passengers are thought to have died when the waves engulfed their train. Later, women survivors will form a candle-light chain along the coast.

India will unveil memorials in at least two of the sites struck by the disaster.

Reconstruction efforts are underway throughout the region. Government and multilateral agencies have pledged more than $7.3 billion in aid, while global private donations amount to more than $5.7 billion.

Even so, a year after the disaster many survivors remain in tents or temporary barracks, and infrastructure such as washed-away roads has only been partly rebuilt.


© Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.

http://today.reuters.com/business/newsarticle.aspx?type=tnBusinessNews&storyID=nJAK84800&imageid=&cap=

[Electric]

http://img450.imageshack.us/img450/9624/indiamap0bv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img431.imageshack.us/img431/700/lowmanmap19at.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This is a map of active volcanos, that is part and parcel of tectonic activity
http://img431.imageshack.us/img431/1910/worldvolcanoes5xr.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

We can expect more of the same. Thank God they're working on alarm systems. Japan is well-advanced in this area, and has already offered them help.

Here's an excellent illustration of how this stuff works... right in our own back yard. Uh-Oh!!
http://img449.imageshack.us/img449/2523/tectonics8fa.jpg (http://imageshack.us)