earthquake

The ASEAN region is located at the intersection of three major tectonic plates namely Eurasian, Indo-Australian and the Pacific plates, and one minor plate, Philippine plate. This condition generates thousands of earthquake every year most of which are potentially destructive. In recent years, several big earthquakes occurred in some parts of
ASEAN countries which caused considerable damage to
buildings and other structures, landslides in mountainous regions, ground subsidence and ground rupture. These big earthquakes have also caused major fatalities. What makes an earthquake more devastating is the fact that it may generate tsunami with up to 10 meter high waves which add to the extent of the damage, especially in areas along the coast.

To monitor earthquake activities, and to help mitigate the effects of earthquake disasters, most countries in ASEAN have established their National Seismological Centres (NSCs). While NSCs in some countries are quite modern, others are still in the process of upgrading. Ideally each of the upgraded NSC should have a real time monitoring system and other facilities for rapid dissemination of earthquake information. Continue Reading

2012

Director: Roland Emmerich
Cast: John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, Thandie Newton, Woody Harrelson, Oliver Platt, Danny Glover, Tom McCarthy
(Columbia, 2009) Rated: PG-13
US theatrical release date: 13 November 2009 (General release)
UK theatrical release date: 1 April 2009 (General release)

The first word of the end of the world comes from India. In 2009, sweating and fretting, Dr. Satnam Tsurutani (Jimi Mistry) calls his friend Adrian (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who drops everything and rushes right over from the United States.  Startled by the data rolling over Satnam’s basement monitors—along with the buckets of ice cooling hardworking assistants’ hot feet—Adrian then rushes right back to DC, where he bum-rushes a fancy-dress fundraiser to get spread the news to White House Chief of Staff Carl Anheuser (Oliver Platt). Declaring himself the “deputy geologist” at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Adrian gets in, breathless, and hands over a pile of papers. One glance, and Carl is ready to rush as well, meaning that he takes Adrian right on over to meet President Wilson (Danny Glover). Continue Reading

texas mothership tornado

Killer Wind Funnels

Tornadoes are vertical funnels of rapidly spinning air. Their winds may top 250 miles (400 kilometers) an hour and can clear-cut a pathway a mile (1.6 kilometers) wide and 50 miles (80 kilometers) long.

Tornadoes are vertical funnels of rapidly spinning air. Their winds may top 250 miles (400 kilometers) an hour and can clear-cut a pathway a mile (1.6 kilometers) wide and 50 miles (80 kilometers) long.

Twisters are born in thunderstorms and are often accompanied by hail. Giant, persistent thunderstorms called supercells spawn the most destructive tornadoes. Continue Reading

snowslide avalanches thane

Speeding Snow

While avalanches are sudden, the warning signs are almost always numerous before they let loose. Yet in 90 percent of avalanche incidents, the snow slides are triggered by the victim or someone in the victim’s party. Avalanches kill more than 150 people worldwide each year. Most are snowmobilers, skiers, and snowboarders.

While avalanches are sudden, the warning signs are almost always numerous before they let loose. Yet in 90 percent of avalanche incidents, the snow slides are triggered by the victim or someone in the victim’s party. Avalanches kill more than 150 people worldwide each year. Most are snowmobilers, skiers, and snowboarders. Continue Reading