Nuclear explosives may not be particularly effective weapons of war.
“
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Why did Japan surrender? - Boston.com Interesting article; definitely worth a read |
A note about Fukushima
It was recently upgraded to a 7 on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event scale, the highest value on the scale. Chernobyl also rated a 7. But this does not mean that Fukushima is as bad as Chernobyl, or that conditions are worsening.
Officials say the plant is more stable now than immediately following the tsunami, but decided to upgrade the level retroactively based upon estimation of total amount of radioactive materials released since the earthquake.
Officials did admit that Fukushima has released about 1/10 as much radioactive material as Chernobyl.
What Does ‘Fukushima Is Now as Bad as Chernobyl’ Actually Mean? - The Atlantic Wire
This is a great article about now nuclear plants work (from an actual nuclear scientist). Highly recommended read
Wow. You can’t help but be impacted by this. Entire buildings uprooted by a few feet of water
Don’t get my wrong, Japan got hit hard, but their tsunami was about 30 feet tall, whereas the wave in this photo is hundreds of feet tall
Not to mention that anyone close enough to take this photo would certainly not have survived to upload it
photo via The Big Picture:
“Reporters at the Associated Press Tokyo Bureau in Tokyo take shelter under a table while a strong earthquake strikes eastern Japan. (Itsuo Inouye/Assoctiated Press)”
Too soon?
![thedailywhat:
2011 Sendai Earthquake / How To Help: President Obama released a statement earlier announcing that “[t]he United States stands ready to help the Japanese people in this time of great trial.” Below is a list of charities and relief organizations you can donate to in order to help bring aid to those affected by the worst earthquake in Japanese history.
The American Red Cross has set up a special designation for disaster relief efforts in Japan. To donate, click here, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to instantly donate $10.
International Medical Corps says it is putting together relief teams and supplies to aid Japan “and other affected countries.” Donate here.
GlobalGiving’s Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund.
World Vision’s Disaster Response Fund.
Click here to donate to AmeriCares’ emergency relief response.
Save the Children’s Japan Earthquake Tsunami Children in Emergency Fund.
Reminder: Google’s Crisis Response Center / Person Finder.
[image: quoteskine.]
done](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhwqscMVWz1qzpwi0o1_500.jpg)
2011 Sendai Earthquake / How To Help: President Obama released a statement earlier announcing that “[t]he United States stands ready to help the Japanese people in this time of great trial.” Below is a list of charities and relief organizations you can donate to in order to help bring aid to those affected by the worst earthquake in Japanese history.
- The American Red Cross has set up a special designation for disaster relief efforts in Japan. To donate, click here, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to instantly donate $10.
- International Medical Corps says it is putting together relief teams and supplies to aid Japan “and other affected countries.” Donate here.
- GlobalGiving’s Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund.
- World Vision’s Disaster Response Fund.
- Click here to donate to AmeriCares’ emergency relief response.
- Save the Children’s Japan Earthquake Tsunami Children in Emergency Fund.
- Reminder: Google’s Crisis Response Center / Person Finder.
[image: quoteskine.]
done
The NYT reports:
From seawalls that line stretches of ’s coastline, to skyscrapers that sway to absorb earthquakes, to building codes that are among the world’s most rigorous, no country may be better prepared to withstand earthquakes than Japan.
Had any other populous country suffered the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that shook Japan on Friday, tens of thousands of people might already be counted among the dead. So far, Japan’s death toll is in the hundreds, although it is certain to rise.
Over the years, Japan has spent billions of dollars developing the most advanced technology against earthquakes and tsunamis. The Japanese, who regularly experience smaller earthquakes and have lived through major ones, know how to react to quakes and tsunamis because of regular drills — unlike Southeast Asians, many of whom died in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami because they lingered near the coast.
Communities along Japan’s coastline, especially in areas that have been hit by tsunamis in the past, tend to be the best prepared. Local authorities can usually contact residents directly through warning systems set up in each home; footpaths and other escape routes leading to higher ground tend to be clearly marked.
Good point. Japan has been planning for this day
Smoke rises from Tokyo Telecom Center in Tokyo’s Odaiba area after Japan was struck by a magnitude 8.9 earthquake off its northeastern coast Friday, March 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)
Let’s remember Japan right now, folks. They’re going through a tough time.
Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund - GlobalGiving
photo via NewsObserver.com
The Smallest Metropolis | nowwhatremaking
This village in Yamagata, Yapan, has only one building - 41 stories high.
via skyscraper: propagandery
I would be willing to live in the countryside if it were in something like this.
