slugking50
All-Star
Its unbelievable whats happening in southern Asia. The latest reports are that the death toll is at 40 thousand. They think it may double..... Its believed that over 1 million people are also homeless....
The Tsunami
- Thread starter slugking50
- Start date
quick dog
Starter
My daughter was in Bangkok a few weeks ago. I saw some of the Budhist temples and structures that were in her photos on television in three feet of water.
I have some interesting thoughts, but civility prevents me from bringing some of them up. I suppose one question is fair game.
I wonder what happened at Diego Garcia, the huge, and very important naval base that is located in the middle of the Indian Ocean. That base provides naval and air support for the Iraq theater. I believe that the island is situated in a horrible geographic position, and the depth of water surrounding the island would create the worst possible tidal wave conditions. I'm guessing that there are a lot of unreported American and British casualties.
I have not heard a single thing on the news, which is to be expected given the importance of the base. One would have to expect that the base had at least 15 minutes of warning before the tsunami hit.
I have some interesting thoughts, but civility prevents me from bringing some of them up. I suppose one question is fair game.
I wonder what happened at Diego Garcia, the huge, and very important naval base that is located in the middle of the Indian Ocean. That base provides naval and air support for the Iraq theater. I believe that the island is situated in a horrible geographic position, and the depth of water surrounding the island would create the worst possible tidal wave conditions. I'm guessing that there are a lot of unreported American and British casualties.
I have not heard a single thing on the news, which is to be expected given the importance of the base. One would have to expect that the base had at least 15 minutes of warning before the tsunami hit.
quick dog
Starter
It's hard to believe that the Earth's rotation would be effected by this little earthquake. Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur all the time. Even the crustal rock that is moving a few meters during an earthquake is rotating with the rest of the planet at 1,000 mph, and flying through space at thousands of mph. That's a lot of kinetic energy.G_M said:
I'll bet they are lying about Diego Garcia.
RoyalDiva
Starter
I think we would of heard by now if Diego Garcia was affected. My brother is stationed in the Navy in Japan, I wonder if he will be called in to help with efforts to clean up or whatever the military usually does in these instances. I also have an aunt and uncle that in the past have vacationed in those areas. What a relief that they didn't decide to do a winter getaway there this year. Think they might be reconsidering their future exotic getaways from now on.
Now they're saying that just as many people might end up dying from illnesses contracted by the disaster. The numbers dead is unfathomable.
Now they're saying that just as many people might end up dying from illnesses contracted by the disaster. The numbers dead is unfathomable.
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Southeast Asia = lots and LOTS of people, and poor people living in vulnerable conditions, tiny islands, huge swaths of land barely above sea level. If you were going to pick a spot to go for maximum casualties from a tsunami, that would be it. How would you like to be out for a romantic little walk along the beach and have the ocean just rise up and eat you??
Mildly surprised Bangladesh didn't get hit harder. Everytime they have a hurricane over there half the couontry disappears below the tidal surge since its basically one giant mosquito infested flood plain/marsh.
Mildly surprised Bangladesh didn't get hit harder. Everytime they have a hurricane over there half the couontry disappears below the tidal surge since its basically one giant mosquito infested flood plain/marsh.
RoyalDiva
Starter
Yes, the poor people living in their little tin shacks and mud huts don't get much protection from massive disasters such as this one. But in this case it wasn't just the poorest areas that took a hit, for instance Sri Lanka's capitol, the major city, was hit as well. I don't know if the metro areas of the other countries hit by the Tsunami were hit as well, or if it was just the poor areas on the outskirts. Now the death toll is up to 60,000 
G_M
Starter
I was fascinated by the location and importance of the island. I did some research and found this site. Everything seems okay.VF21 said:
http://www.members.tripod.com/carlvillanueva/id22.htm
Thanks, GM...
I heard earlier that one reason for part of the original loss of life was the number of people who were fascinated by the amazing tidal drop. Not knowing that what goes out has to invariably come back in, large numbers of people walked out onto the dry areas left by the receding waters to retrieve fish... or to simply go where they had never been able to walk before. In some areas it was reported the water receded at least 1000 meters, which is a little over the length of 11 football fields. When the water came roaring back in at something close to the speed of a jetliner, the people had nowhere to go.
I heard earlier that one reason for part of the original loss of life was the number of people who were fascinated by the amazing tidal drop. Not knowing that what goes out has to invariably come back in, large numbers of people walked out onto the dry areas left by the receding waters to retrieve fish... or to simply go where they had never been able to walk before. In some areas it was reported the water receded at least 1000 meters, which is a little over the length of 11 football fields. When the water came roaring back in at something close to the speed of a jetliner, the people had nowhere to go.
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Wow -- well again, might be the poverty, lack of education. If I ever saw the ocean dramatically drop in the space of a few minutes I'd be the hell out of dodge because I know exactly what that means is coming, and I'm basically a land lubber.VF21 said:Thanks, GM...
I heard earlier that one reason for part of the original loss of life was the number of people who were fascinated by the amazing tidal drop. Not knowing that what goes out has to invariably come back in, large numbers of people walked out onto the dry areas left by the receding waters to retrieve fish... or to simply go where they had never been able to walk before. In some areas it was reported the water receded at least 1000 meters, which is a little over the length of 11 football fields. When the water came roaring back in at something close to the speed of a jetliner, the people had nowhere to go.
But even if you didn't know/had never been taught that huge ocean recession = tidal wave (think of the way a normal wave works), if the ocean suddenly recedes thousands of feet seems like you just have to know that something very very bad is happening and you don't want to have a front row seat.
AceKingSuited
Bench
Diego Garcia, the southernmost island in the Chagos Archipelago, sits about 1,000 miles south of India and roughly 2,000 miles from the earthquake’s epicenter.quick dog said:
But officials in Somalia, whose coast is nearly 3,000 from the earthquake’s center, reported more than 100 deaths in coastal areas as a result of tidal waves.
Carolyn Bell, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Geological Survey, said even though an earthquake like Sunday’s will radiate destructive waves in all directions, the damage caused by the water differs greatly depending on the undersea topography.
She speculated that the numerous coral reefs may have dissipated some of the waves’ impact on the British-owned island, resulting in only a slightly higher tide that residents might not necessarily notice.
quick dog
Starter
A tsunami moves very fast in the open ocean where there is very little displacement of water. It is a shock wave, and when it is in open and deep water, the energy is spread over a wide and deep front. As the shock wave approaches land, the water becomes increasingly shallower. The wave changes to fit the physical limitations of the marine environment. The energy of a tidal wave becomes focused at the surface as it approaches land. The wave gains in height, slows down, and eventually crashes on the beach.
Gentle, near-shore, bottoms dissipate seismic energy and preclude extraordinarily high wavefronts. Steep shorelines, like those of northern California, Canada, Alaska, and Japan allow the formation of monster waves (eg, Maverick). Bangkok is located in a delta much like Sacramento, only bigger and wider. The wave undoubtedly changed form upon approach. No big front. Honolulu would have been creamed by the same wave. I suspect that Bangladesh was spared massive damage due to its broad deltaic topography. That Indian delta is even bigger.
Gentle, near-shore, bottoms dissipate seismic energy and preclude extraordinarily high wavefronts. Steep shorelines, like those of northern California, Canada, Alaska, and Japan allow the formation of monster waves (eg, Maverick). Bangkok is located in a delta much like Sacramento, only bigger and wider. The wave undoubtedly changed form upon approach. No big front. Honolulu would have been creamed by the same wave. I suspect that Bangladesh was spared massive damage due to its broad deltaic topography. That Indian delta is even bigger.
nAj jAn™
Bench
Celebrities Among Victims of Tsunami
1 hour, 32 minutes ago
World - AP Asia
By ROB KENNEDY, Associated Press Writer
BANGKOK, Thailand - A German statesman, a Czech supermodel and a Swedish Olympic ski champion were among the vacationers whose search for peace and sun in tropical southern Asia was shattered by the tsunamis that spared neither rich nor poor.
AP Photo
Petra Nemcova — who appeared on the cover of 2003 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue — was carried away with her boyfriend, the fashion photographer Simon Atlee, after a huge wave plowed into southern Thailand on Sunday.
Nemcova's New York spokesman, Rob Shuter, said the model and her boyfriend had been vacationing in the resort of Phuket when waves overwhelmed their beach hut.
Nemcova, 25, clung to a tree for eight hours as the water swirled around her. She was recovering in a Thai hospital from broken bones, possibly including a broken pelvis, and unspecified internal injuries.
Atlee, 33, was swallowed by the raging waters and was still missing Tuesday.
"I've spoken to Petra several times and she's in pretty bad shape," Shuter said. "She's on pain medication. She probably doesn't realize yet the magnitude of the disaster."
Former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl was on holiday in Sri Lanka's pristine south — one of the areas most devastated by tsunamis.
Kohl and his entourage were evacuated Tuesday from a hotel by the Sri Lankan air force.
"The helicopter went and we managed to bring him back with six others," Commander Air Marshal Donald Perera told The Associated Press.
Swedish skiing great Ingemar Stenmark was sunbathing in Thailand when he saw an immense wave roaring to shore. He ran for his life.
Stenmark — who won two gold medals at the 1980 Olympics and 86 World Cup races — was with friends in Khok Kloi, about 30 miles from Phuket.
"The water from the first wave disappeared, but then it came back with terrifying speed," Stenmark told Swedish media. He and his girlfriend were not injured.
Another athlete wasn't so lucky. Troy Broadbridge, an Australian Rules football player, was on his honeymoon in Phuket when he and his bride were swamped as they strolled along a beach. Trisha Broadbridge was safe, but he was still missing Tuesday.
Several Italian soccer players — including AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi, Milan captain Paolo Maldini, and Juventus defender Gianluca Zambrotta — were caught in the maelstrom in the Maldives but were unhurt.
Thailand's royal family also were among the grieving. The Thai-American grandson of King Bhumipol Adulyadej, Poom Jensen, 21, was reportedly jet skiing when the tidal wave struck Phuket. His body was found later.
Hollywood actor-director Richard Attenborough's family also suffered tragedy. His granddaughter, Lucy, 14, perished and his daughter, Jane, and her mother-in-law are missing in Phuket. Another granddaughter, Alice, 17, was being treated in a hospital.
Attenborough's directorial credits include "Cry Freedom," "Chaplin" and the Oscar-winning "Gandhi." He has appeared in scores of films including "The Great Escape," "Elizabeth" and "Jurassic Park."
On Thailand's Phi Phi island, where "The Beach" starring Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed, 200 bungalows at two resorts were swept out to sea, and resort officials said many foreign tourists were among the missing.
Designer Nate Berkus, a regular contributor on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," was carried away with a friend by a tsunami after it ripped off the roof of their hut in Sri Lanka.
They briefly clung to a telephone poll, but a second wave ripped them away. Berkus climbed to safety on the roof of a submerged home — but his friend disappeared into the raging sea.
1 hour, 32 minutes ago
World - AP AsiaBy ROB KENNEDY, Associated Press Writer
BANGKOK, Thailand - A German statesman, a Czech supermodel and a Swedish Olympic ski champion were among the vacationers whose search for peace and sun in tropical southern Asia was shattered by the tsunamis that spared neither rich nor poor.
AP Photo
Petra Nemcova — who appeared on the cover of 2003 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue — was carried away with her boyfriend, the fashion photographer Simon Atlee, after a huge wave plowed into southern Thailand on Sunday.
Nemcova's New York spokesman, Rob Shuter, said the model and her boyfriend had been vacationing in the resort of Phuket when waves overwhelmed their beach hut.
Nemcova, 25, clung to a tree for eight hours as the water swirled around her. She was recovering in a Thai hospital from broken bones, possibly including a broken pelvis, and unspecified internal injuries.
Atlee, 33, was swallowed by the raging waters and was still missing Tuesday.
"I've spoken to Petra several times and she's in pretty bad shape," Shuter said. "She's on pain medication. She probably doesn't realize yet the magnitude of the disaster."
Former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl was on holiday in Sri Lanka's pristine south — one of the areas most devastated by tsunamis.
Kohl and his entourage were evacuated Tuesday from a hotel by the Sri Lankan air force.
"The helicopter went and we managed to bring him back with six others," Commander Air Marshal Donald Perera told The Associated Press.
Swedish skiing great Ingemar Stenmark was sunbathing in Thailand when he saw an immense wave roaring to shore. He ran for his life.
Stenmark — who won two gold medals at the 1980 Olympics and 86 World Cup races — was with friends in Khok Kloi, about 30 miles from Phuket.
"The water from the first wave disappeared, but then it came back with terrifying speed," Stenmark told Swedish media. He and his girlfriend were not injured.
Another athlete wasn't so lucky. Troy Broadbridge, an Australian Rules football player, was on his honeymoon in Phuket when he and his bride were swamped as they strolled along a beach. Trisha Broadbridge was safe, but he was still missing Tuesday.
Several Italian soccer players — including AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi, Milan captain Paolo Maldini, and Juventus defender Gianluca Zambrotta — were caught in the maelstrom in the Maldives but were unhurt.
Thailand's royal family also were among the grieving. The Thai-American grandson of King Bhumipol Adulyadej, Poom Jensen, 21, was reportedly jet skiing when the tidal wave struck Phuket. His body was found later.
Hollywood actor-director Richard Attenborough's family also suffered tragedy. His granddaughter, Lucy, 14, perished and his daughter, Jane, and her mother-in-law are missing in Phuket. Another granddaughter, Alice, 17, was being treated in a hospital.
Attenborough's directorial credits include "Cry Freedom," "Chaplin" and the Oscar-winning "Gandhi." He has appeared in scores of films including "The Great Escape," "Elizabeth" and "Jurassic Park."
On Thailand's Phi Phi island, where "The Beach" starring Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed, 200 bungalows at two resorts were swept out to sea, and resort officials said many foreign tourists were among the missing.
Designer Nate Berkus, a regular contributor on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," was carried away with a friend by a tsunami after it ripped off the roof of their hut in Sri Lanka.
They briefly clung to a telephone poll, but a second wave ripped them away. Berkus climbed to safety on the roof of a submerged home — but his friend disappeared into the raging sea.
Last edited:
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Yeah I saw that -- rude as all hell for the ocean to try to kill a supermodel. That makes me mad. 
As an aside one of the 20/20(?) reporters was caught out swimming in the ocean off of Sri Lanka when it hit. Must have been a hell of a ride as the ocean just swells up beneath you and sweeps you inland.
As an aside one of the 20/20(?) reporters was caught out swimming in the ocean off of Sri Lanka when it hit. Must have been a hell of a ride as the ocean just swells up beneath you and sweeps you inland.
quick dog
Starter
This tragic single-day event has already killed as many people in Asia as were Americans killed in ten years of the Vietnam War or two years of the Korean War. The only places where this many people have died in a single day from war would have been Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Maybe Dresden.
One hundred thousand Chinese died in a single historic earthquake. Most of the victims died because they were living in caves, and the soft rock collapsed on them.
Nobody knows how many people were killed when the island of Krakatoa exploded in 1883. It was located in the same general region as the recent Sumatran earthquake. Krakatoa was an active volcano with an elevation of 2,600 feet. When it exploded, it blew a thousand-foot hole in the ocean floor. Millions of tons of rock and gases were blown into the air. The volcanic dberis cloud reached 17 miles into the air, and the volcanic ash and gases circled the earth for days and caused spectacular sunsets around the world.
Incidently, the volcanic explosion that created the Mammoth Lakes Caldera in eastern California was even larger than that which occurred at Krakatoa.
One hundred thousand Chinese died in a single historic earthquake. Most of the victims died because they were living in caves, and the soft rock collapsed on them.
Nobody knows how many people were killed when the island of Krakatoa exploded in 1883. It was located in the same general region as the recent Sumatran earthquake. Krakatoa was an active volcano with an elevation of 2,600 feet. When it exploded, it blew a thousand-foot hole in the ocean floor. Millions of tons of rock and gases were blown into the air. The volcanic dberis cloud reached 17 miles into the air, and the volcanic ash and gases circled the earth for days and caused spectacular sunsets around the world.
Incidently, the volcanic explosion that created the Mammoth Lakes Caldera in eastern California was even larger than that which occurred at Krakatoa.
bballagrl24
Bench
I heard some say that there is a difference between a tidal wave and a tsunami..is there a difference? cuz I thought they were the same thing
Last edited:
PejaFanatic
Starter
CRIES - My heart and prayer goes out to all the victims. Truly a sad ending for 2004!
slugking50
All-Star
The Death Toll has hit 70,000. Unfortunately it looks like it will pass 100,000......
linzeesan
Bench
I was watching the three hour special on the tsunami on Anderson Cooper's 360 last night. There were some very tragic stories that survivors were telling anout their lost family members and some people here in the states that have family missing over in asia. There was also footage of two people being swept away by the waves as the fought to cling to a patio's edge. It was one of the saddest images I've ever seen since 9/11. I wish there was more i could do to help.
My boss, an Indian physician, is in india on vacation. I called him yesterday to see if his family and he are ok. He told me he had tickets to go to one of the places that was hit by the tsunami but did not pick his tickets up in time. He was really lucky. Hopefully he is over there helping with the sick.
Keep yr heads up tsunami victims!
My boss, an Indian physician, is in india on vacation. I called him yesterday to see if his family and he are ok. He told me he had tickets to go to one of the places that was hit by the tsunami but did not pick his tickets up in time. He was really lucky. Hopefully he is over there helping with the sick.
Keep yr heads up tsunami victims!
RoyalDiva
Starter
Interesting report on the few animal deaths. They say that perhaps the animals sensed the danger and fled to higher ground.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041229/ap_on_re_as/quake_sri_lanka_animals
I also heard on the news today that an elephant has been credited with saving the lives of some children in Thailand. Apparently the elephant was entertaining children on the beach when the tsunami hit. The elephant used it's trunk to lift children out of the water onto it's back, saving them. They're supposed to be very smart creatures.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041229/ap_on_re_as/quake_sri_lanka_animals
I also heard on the news today that an elephant has been credited with saving the lives of some children in Thailand. Apparently the elephant was entertaining children on the beach when the tsunami hit. The elephant used it's trunk to lift children out of the water onto it's back, saving them. They're supposed to be very smart creatures.
Twix
Starter
Check out for the latest news on the Tsunami here: http://www.google.com/tsunami_relief.html
Amazon.com along with American Red Cross is helping in a big way...they've already got $3 million of donation!!!
http://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/ts/my-pay-page/PX3BEL97U9A4I/104-2867334-2853546
Amazon.com along with American Red Cross is helping in a big way...they've already got $3 million of donation!!!
http://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/ts/my-pay-page/PX3BEL97U9A4I/104-2867334-2853546
Similar threads
- Locked
- Poll
- Locked
- Poll
