A massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck Japan today at 2:46 pm Tokyo time, causing extensive damage and loss of life. Miyagi Prefecture was hit by a massive tsunami, and tsunami warnings have been issued for Hawaii, but not for the west coast. That will probably change in the next few hours. Traditionally tsunamis are generated in the direction of the fault caused the quake, and this fault seems to run north to south. This quake is the strongest ever recorded in Japan, but paled in comparison to the 1923 quake (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1923_Great_Kant%C5%8D_earthquake) that devastated Tokyo and killed over 150,000 people.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12709598
Quote from: PPI Brian M on March 11, 2011, 02:45:47 AM
A massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck Japan today at 2:46 pm Tokyo time, causing extensive damage and loss of life. Miyagi Prefecture was hit by a massive tsunami, and tsunami warnings have been issued for Hawaii, but not for the west coast. That will probably change in the next few hours. Traditionally tsunamis are generated in the direction of the fault caused the quake, and this fault seems to run north to south. This quake is the strongest ever recorded in Japan, but paled in comparison to the 1923 quake (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1923_Great_Kant%C5%8D_earthquake) that devastated Tokyo and killed over 150,000 people.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12709598
We've been watching this unfold. It's so devastating. Have friends with family in both Hawaii and Japan.
I'm not looking forward to the day that event strikes closer to home. Mother Earth is so beautiful, but boy does she have some claws!! ::|
I'm absolutely astounded at the power of Mother Nature.
My heart goes out to the people of Japan. I used to live there and it is such an amazing place with the most precious people. It is so heartbreaking to see such devastation. I fear that the current total fatalities are only going to increase in the days to come. What is happening to our world? :(
The earth's axis has shifted by 10 inches because of the power of this quake.
Quote from: Debra, PPI Consultant on March 11, 2011, 02:17:14 PM
The earth's axis has shifted by 10 inches because of the power of this quake.
Oh snap! :o
I've been following the news coverage all morning. Sorry I'm just logging in to the boards now. It's unbelievable. I shudder to think about the injury and loss of human life as yet undetermined. I'm sickened already by the way the news has slanted this disaster as a globally economic concern instead of a wide scale human tragedy. It hasn't even been twelve hours, and already Obama has addressed "our nation's concerns" about the economic impact. ::|
Quote from: PPI Karl on March 11, 2011, 03:13:07 PM
I've been following the news coverage all morning. Sorry I'm just logging in to the boards now. It's unbelievable. I shudder to think about the injury and loss of human life as yet undetermined. I'm sickened already by the way the news has slanted this disaster as a globally economic concern instead of a wide scale human tragedy. It hasn't even been twelve hours, and already Obama has addressed "our nation's concerns" about the economic impact. ::|
Correct me if I'm wrong, but there are 3 nuclear reactors that they can't cool down and there's red alerts issued. That is scarey to me.
It appears that at least one reactor will melt down before long. Fukushima 1 suffered a structural collapse and explosion this afternoon. If they are unable to maintain the containment system the core will melt down. I hope they are able to contain the reactor core, but it doesn't look good. Fukushima 2 is going critical too. This is a terrible situation that appears to be getting worse every minute.
Quote from: Debra, PPI Consultant on March 11, 2011, 02:17:14 PM
The earth's axis has shifted by 10 inches because of the power of this quake.
GPS data confirms the entire Japanese island chain shifted 8 feet west of it's original location prior to the quake. The tsunami that followed was over 30 feet high. Absolutely terrifying when you consider an event such as this could happen off the southern California coast. If a 30 foot tsunami swept over the southern California coast the loss of life would be astronomical. Ironically, the new budget proposed by the republicans would cut all funding for tsunami warning systems on the west coast. Way to go, republicans.
Quote from: PPI Brian M on March 12, 2011, 05:00:15 AM
Quote from: Debra, PPI Consultant on March 11, 2011, 02:17:14 PM
The earth's axis has shifted by 10 inches because of the power of this quake.
GPS data confirms the entire Japanese island chain shifted 8 feet west of it's original location prior to the quake. The tsunami that followed was over 30 feet high. Absolutely terrifying when you consider an event such as this could happen off the southern California coast. If a 30 foot tsunami swept over the southern California coast the loss of life would be astronomical. Ironically, the new budget proposed by the republicans would cut all funding for tsunami warning systems on the west coast. Way to go, republicans.
I'm going to stick up for the Republicans on this one. Tsunami warning systems are only effective against tsunamis that originate from earthquakes that are far enough away to allow time for a warning to be transmitted. A tsunami warning system was in place in Indonesia back in 2004. It provided a warning to the coasts 15 minutes after the earthquake occurred (which was very near the moment when the swell crossed the sensors). However, this was not enough time to evacuate the coast. Of course such a system would be useful to California this past week. But you can see that the further you are from the actual quake the less devestating the tsunami. A tsunami warning system would not possibly be able to give us a warning with regard to the most dangerous tsunamis we face: those caused by earthquakes proximate to our own coast line. I feel Democrats are making this an issue just to promote their own party and make Republicans look like they support massive loss of life. I'm sure when an earthquake hits the coast someday, and lots of people die, people will all blame the Republicans for the 40 foot wall of water that took approximately 5 minutes to travel from the epicenter to the coast (eventhough everyone knows 5 minutes would not be enough time for most people to get out of bed let alone get to safety).
Additionally, what have the Republicans said with regard to earthquake warning systems? It seems to me that a more effective way to provide a warning to people about potential tsunamis would be to focus on early warning of under water earthquakes. I imagine that you would have a better warning if alarms started sounding at the moment an underwater earthquake hit, rather than waiting until sensors pick up the presence of the resulting swell. Is it possible that Republicans felt that funding toward this type of system would be a better us of money? I know I could be wrong here, but I'm trying to look at this from a non-partisan perspective (at least more non-partisan than the one presented so far).
I believe our government is way too big. It's like an out-of-control shopper at the mall, spending money without care, charging it, all while thinking they will find a way to pay for it later. And Democrats aren't the only ones doing this. Both parties are making bad decisions. But someday tough decisions are going to have to be made. It seems like we are reaching a crisis. Something has to give. I don't agree with Republicans' decisions to support the wealthy and big business. That party is not the party of Lincoln, and I don't think it represents our best interests at this time. But I also don't believe that every decision to cut spending is a bad one. And the Democrats don't have all the answers. If I had a say in our government (and none of us do, really, because as I said, government is way to big, and sorry people, but it isn't just the Republicans that are responsible for that one) then I would say that we should cut spending on tsunami warning systems and focus our spending on a space program. Our truest and most dangerous source of loss of life is likely going to be from a chunk of rock from outer space, and Bruce Willis is getting too old to save us.
I would almost be inclined to agree with you if I saw the republicans actually making tough decisions. But they're not. The only solution to a budget crisis is to increase our tax revenue. That means increase taxes on the wealthy and increasing taxes on business, and discourage the exporting of jobs to other countries . As long as the republicans refuse to entertain either of these obvious options and only cut cut cut then they're not making the tough decisions.
Sorry to change the subject, but the science of this quake is fascinating (though the suffering is heartbreaking):
"NEW YORK -- The massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake that shook Japan and triggered a powerful tsunami on Friday has had a profound effect on both the surrounding terrain and the planet as a whole.
Dr. Daniel McNamara, a seismologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, told The Huffington Post that the disaster left a gigantic rupture in the sea floor, 217-miles long and 50 miles wide. It also shifted Japan's coast by eight feet in some parts, though McNamara was quick to explain much of the coast likely didn't move as far.
McNamara found the way in which the quake actually sunk the elevation of the country's terrain to be more troublesome than coastal shifting. "You see cities still underwater; the reason is subsidence," he said. "The land actually dropped, so when the tsunami came in, it's just staying." "
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/12/japan-earthquake-axis-shift-climate-change_n_834985.html (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/12/japan-earthquake-axis-shift-climate-change_n_834985.html)
After reading that , you see just how powerful a quake can be.
Quote from: Debra, PPI Consultant on March 12, 2011, 09:53:30 PM
Sorry to change the subject, but the science of this quake is fascinating (though the suffering is heartbreaking):
No worries; it's good to bring the thread back on topic. Sorry about that. How much subsidence have they documented?
Quote from: PPI Brian M on March 12, 2011, 09:59:27 PM
Quote from: Debra, PPI Consultant on March 12, 2011, 09:53:30 PM
Sorry to change the subject, but the science of this quake is fascinating (though the suffering is heartbreaking):
No worries; it's good to bring the thread back on topic. Sorry about that. How much subsidence have they documented?
I re-read the article, and from what I could determine, they haven't got that figured out yet.
his just off the BNO newswire:
"AP: Japanese government spokesman says partial meltdown is likely under way at second reactor."
http://twitter.com/#!/BreakingNews (http://twitter.com/#!/BreakingNews)
This is a nightmare.
Quote from: PPI Brian M on March 12, 2011, 08:50:47 PM
I would almost be inclined to agree with you if I saw the republicans actually making tough decisions. But they're not. The only solution to a budget crisis is to increase our tax revenue. That means increase taxes on the wealthy and increasing taxes on business, and discourage the exporting of jobs to other countries . As long as the republicans refuse to entertain either of these obvious options and only cut cut cut then they're not making the tough decisions.
I agree 1000%. I am not siding with the Republicans on their entire fiscal policy (or their other policies for that matter). I just don't think that throwing money at everything that sounds like a good idea on the outside is a healthy way to spend our money. And making it a partisan issue makes it sound like the Democrats know what the hell they are doing (which they don't either). The bottom line is we don't have anyone on capital hill that has a sense of what our country needs (or rather, we have too many people that think they know but who have too many different ideas and can't come together to make an agreement).
Which is why I propose that we follow my plan. I say we purchase a bunch of weapons, invade Mel Gibson's island, take it over, and start our own society from scratch. I will be king, Miller can be the professor, and Gary can be Gilligan. We will have a tsunami warning system that Miller will invent entirely from coconut shells. We will also refuse to export jobs and we will have a strict policy of very limited government. Also, we will hold auditions for whoever can get on the island. Mean people will not be allowed. Also, every Friday we will read Charlie Sheen poetry after drinking vast quantities of island brewed beer. And there will be no political parties on the island. Any new ideas have to be shown in the best interest of the entire island and, since the population will be limited, it can be a direct democracy. Finally, all disagreements will be settled by giant paintball fights.
LOL! I nominate Karl for the role of professor. :)
I've been watching the developments on the news and it doesn't look good. Authorities are expecting another explosion later today.
I will not play Mrs. Howell or Mary Anne.
Quote from: Debra, PPI Consultant on March 13, 2011, 02:58:11 PM
I will not play Mrs. Howell or Mary Anne.
How about Ginger?
Here's an update:While relief efforts continued Monday for survivors of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan's northeast, the country's meteorological agency warned of the possibility of a 7.0 or higher magnitude temblor in the coming days.
According to the agency, there is a 70 per cent chance of another quake in the next three days and a 50 per cent chance of another hitting three days after that because of high tectonic activity.
Meanwhile, the country is racing to prevent a humanitarian disaster as rescue workers struggle to reach tens of thousands of people left homeless by the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami.
Japanese officials raised the estimated death toll to more than 10,000 Sunday, as hundreds of thousands of survivors salvaged what belongings they could, sought food and water at emergency centres and spent three nights in near-freezing temperatures.
Friday's quake and tsunami damaged key nuclear plants and left entire cities demolished in their wake.
So far, the number of confirmed dead is 1,647, with 1,720 missing across the affected areas in the east and northeast. But thousands more are still missing, and the confirmed number is expected to increase significantly after a report that some 2,000 bodies were found Monday on two shores in Miyagi.
Kyoto News Agency reports that about 1,000 bodies were found coming ashore on Miyagi's Ojika Peninsula. Another 1,000 bodies were spotted in the town of Minamisanriku where about 10,000 people, which is over half the local population, are still missing.
The official death toll also excludes about 200 to 300 bodies in Miyagi's capital, Sendai. Police and other workers are unable to reach these bodies amid the devastation and rubble.
Meanwhile, an estimated 1.4 million households were still without water Monday, and at least 1.9 million homes did not have electricity. Officials in one devastated town said they were running out of body bags.
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan called the disaster the worst crisis since World War II, and appealed in a television address for the Japanese people to come together to rebuild.
While the official death toll may not be known for days, or weeks, CTV's Tom Walters, speaking from Narita, Japan, said locals on the ground have little doubt that the death toll is much higher than the estimates being released by officials.
"There really is so much destruction, so many areas of debris that are difficult to search, so many areas were we are told rescuers have yet to reach," Walters told CTV News Channel on Sunday. "I don't think there is any confidence here on a full accounting for the human toll of this disaster."
I'm relieved to see CNN give their infomercial format a rest and start delivering real coverage of this disaster. There's only so much smirking into Camera 3 and so much stammering and stalling with empty-calorie phrases like " . . . if you will" and "powerful stuff" I can stand listening to from people whose only skill in journalism is to recite what's being said through the microphone in their ear.
The major difference this time is that formal news media has actually relied on social media to fill the gaps. News stations, it seems, are presenting anthologies of YouTube video (and audio) captured by people in the middle of these events and relying on their own correspondents simply to be on location. I can't say I have any complaints. It's the closest we've come to old school journalism on popular news media for a long while.
I just wish it were not large scale devastation. It's truly horrifying and deeply saddening. And, for those directly impacted, so much worse. I expect we'll see refugee airlifts fairly soon. Keeping aloft all my strongest hopes and wishes.
Oh, and I was truly impressed that no one in the news was making any cracks about "China Syndrome." I really thought for sure that was going to be a tacky mantra. I guess it's up to Glenn Beck now.
Quote from: Debra, PPI Consultant on March 13, 2011, 02:58:11 PM
I will not play Mrs. Howell or Mary Anne.
I say we "Troll-nap" Charlie Sheen, put a red wig on top of the already horrendous toupee that he has, give him a grass skirt, a coconut shell bra, and we'll call him, "Ginger." WINNING!
(sorry...I needed a little levity)
Today in what must have been a hellish scene thousands of mangled bodies washed up on the shores of north eastern Japan. The Fukushima nuclear power plant is melting down and hundreds of thousands of people are being evacuated. My heart goes out to the people of Japan affected by this disaster.
The Miyagi region has experienced similar catostrophic earthquake generated tsunamis in recorded history. In 1898 a 38.2 meter (125 feet) tsunami swept across the region and claimed over 22,000 lives. Here's a link: http://shippai.jst.go.jp/en/Detail?fn=2&id=CA1000616
The word "devastation" doesn't even begin to describe what has happened. I fear that the worst may be yet to come. If that is even possible with what they have already endured.
Today Thich Nhat Hanh posted this message on his official facebook page
Thich Nhat Hanh: Message to Friends in Japan
Dear friends in Japan,
As we contemplate the great number of people who have died in this tragedy, we may feel very strongly that we ourselves, in some part or manner, also have died. The pain of one part of humankind is the pain of the whole of humankind. And the human species and the planet Earth are one body. What happens to one part of the body happens to the whole body.
An event such as this reminds us of the impermanent nature of our lives. It helps us remember that what's most important is to love each other, to be there for each other, and to treasure each moment we have that we are alive. This is the best that we can do for those who have died: we can live in such a way that they continue, beautifully, in us.
Here in France and at our practice centers all over the world, our brothers and sisters will continue to chant for you, sending you the energy of peace, healing and protection. Our prayers are with you.
Thich Nhat Hanh
A former Nuclear Regulatory Commission head (who was in charge during the Three Mile Island incident) is on CNN. He has just said that each of the 4 damaged reactors are a worse disaster than 3 Mile Island, independently. Now 5 & 6 are heating up. There are 6 at this one location, which is not the way they are built in other countries. He also said that the worse case can't be predicted because it's never happened before. He did say that the casings and building were not built for the current type of disasters. The plant is on fire yet again.
Larry said all Henry's Stores are running out of Potassium Iodide, due to the fear of nuclear fallout here in the US. (If that happens, I'm a goner. I have zero thyroid function and can't metabolize the iodine.)
Stay indoors, buy plenty of bottled water and don't take any potassium iodine. Seriously, take very good care of yourself, Debra. We don't want anything to happen to you. :)
I'm not a nuclear physicist, but my second cousin is a nuclear engineer at San Onofre. For what it's worth, here's what little I know about fallout from nuclear reactors. If there is any radioactive fallout from the Fukushima reactor it will be primarily cesium 137, which has a half-life of 30 years. It is a particulate, in fact it's a form of salt, and disolves readily in water. That means if a plume reaches the jetstream it can be effectively neutralized by weather patterns over the Pacific, and probably won't increase the background radiation levels in southern California. The most common routes of entry into the human body is by consumption of contaminated liquids or inhalation. You can reduce your risk of inhalation by wearing a surgical mask.
We are exposed to about 3,500 microsieverts per year through natural sources in the environment. Granite countertops or marble floor tile in a home can increase your dose because they emit radon gas -- another reason not to get granite or marble in your kitchen. :) The average exposure of 3,500 microsieverts per year or 3.5 millisieverts per year equates roughly to an exposure of 0.399 microsieverts per hour, which is a lot higher than the average 0.15 microsieverts per hour baseline we have documented in southern California residences over the years. In other words, there is probably little reason for concern, but you can rest assured I will be monitoring background radiation levels over the next few weeks.
In direct contrast, the situation at Fukushima is grim. Here are some of the readings I've been able to dig up:
Block #1 Fukushima: 3/13/2011 more than 1 millisievert per hour.
At the Gate of Fukushima 1: 3/12/2011 forenoon till explosion of building #1: 1 milli-sieverts per hour, then it dropped to 0.07 milli-sieverts per hour.
3/14/211
9:35 pm 760 microsieverts per hour
9:37 pm 3130 microsieverts per hour
10:15 pm 431 microsierverts per hour
10:35 pm 326 microsieverts per hour
03/15/11
2:00 am 3100 microsieverts per hour
I have not adequately confirmed these readings, so take them with a grain of salt (the non radioactive kind). I just heard a report that the remaining nuclear engineers were evacuating due to the escalating radiation levels. The fuel cells have become exposed to the atmosphere, but they're probably not as dangerous as the spent fuel rods that were being changed out of the three offline reactors at the time the earthquake hit. Hopefully they will get the situation under control before it gets any worse. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Those fifty workers are going back in today to make a last, desperate stand to control the meltdown. It's a suicide mission. I have no words right now.
At this stage, I don't see how there could be a good outcome. These three back to back horrific sequences of events are beyond anything anyone had even fathomed. I cannot fathom how you can recover from something of this magnitude.
I am speechless as well.
They are risking their lives in order to get this terrifying situation under control. The Japanese people have a deep sense of duty, and the 180 workers who are trying to stop this situation from escalating see it as their duty to their community and the world. Regardless of the outcome, they are all heros. I wish them the best, and I bow to them.
It's a crazy time right now for them. And for the whole world. I will be praying for the best!
Quote from: PPI Karl on March 16, 2011, 12:48:25 PM
Those fifty workers are going back in today to make a last, desperate stand to control the meltdown. It's a suicide mission. I have no words right now.
It's so sad. But I have to say that I am never more proud to be a human being then when I see what lengths we are capable of going to for the benefit of others. This sounds so stupid at a time like this, but I think of Spock in Star Trek II when he said, "The needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few, or the one." That may sound corny, but I think it lay at the heart of the aspect of humanity I have always admired and aspired to.
I also think of the countless Soviets who allowed themselves to be cemented inside of Chernobyl in order to help stave off further disaster at that tragedy. Every day I lose faith in humanity, seeing all the crap we do to each other every day. But then I see a day like today and I feel good again...even if sad at the same time.
Quote from: PPI Jason on March 16, 2011, 09:11:57 PM
Quote from: PPI Karl on March 16, 2011, 12:48:25 PM
Those fifty workers are going back in today to make a last, desperate stand to control the meltdown. It's a suicide mission. I have no words right now.
It's so sad. But I have to say that I am never more proud to be a human being then when I see what lengths we are capable of going to for the benefit of others. This sounds so stupid at a time like this, but I think of Spock in Star Trek II when he said, "The needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few, or the one." That may sound corny, but I think it lay at the heart of the aspect of humanity I have always admired and aspired to.
I also think of the countless Soviets who allowed themselves to be cemented inside of Chernobyl in order to help stave off further disaster at that tragedy. Every day I lose faith in humanity, seeing all the crap we do to each other every day. But then I see a day like today and I feel good again...even if sad at the same time.
Thank you for saying that, Jason. I wholeheartedly agree.
When I took Bodhisattva vows with Lama Gyatso... he explained that we had to sacrifice our lives in the event that it would serve the greater good. I know we all aspire to be so noble. The instinct for survival can be hard to ignore.
What the brave workers are doing is Bodhisattva action. They do have the Bodhisattva principle as part of the Japanese culture... They certainly have wings .
I've always been intrigued by and admired the idea of the Bodhisattva. I first came across the concept in a world religions class back in college. I admired it so greatly I decided then and there that was how I wanted to live.
But I have to admit I haven't studied the Bodhisattva much. All I really understood about them was that they represent a group of individuals who attained enlightenment. The normal course, as I understand it, was that once you attain enlightenment you pretty much rejoin the collective existence, or Atman, and achieve Nirvana, a blessed state of non-existence. What made the Bodhisattva so interesting was that upon achieving enlightenment they choose to pass on all the bliss and peace associated with Nirvana and choose instead to "stay behind" and help others achieve enlightenment.
Now I don't claim to have achieved enlightenment, but this was such a beautiful concept to me. I acknowledge, however, that my understanding of the idea (as described above) is probably inaccurate in many ways. When you get some time, you'll have to fill me in on the correct beliefs of this very interesting and very noble idea. :)
Quote from: PPI Jason on March 17, 2011, 10:33:41 PM
I've always been intrigued by and admired the idea of the Bodhisattva. I first came across the concept in a world religions class back in college. I admired it so greatly I decided then and there that was how I wanted to live.
But I have to admit I haven't studied the Bodhisattva much. All I really understood about them was that they represent a group of individuals who attained enlightenment. The normal course, as I understand it, was that once you attain enlightenment you pretty much rejoin the collective existence, or Atman, and achieve Nirvana, a blessed state of non-existence. What made the Bodhisattva so interesting was that upon achieving enlightenment they choose to pass on all the bliss and peace associated with Nirvana and choose instead to "stay behind" and help others achieve enlightenment.
Now I don't claim to have achieved enlightenment, but this was such a beautiful concept to me. I acknowledge, however, that my understanding of the idea (as described above) is probably inaccurate in many ways. When you get some time, you'll have to fill me in on the correct beliefs of this very interesting and very noble idea. :)
Jason,
Thanks for giving me the joy of having someone to share the idea with!
What you said above is basically correct.
There are oral teachings that go with it.
The interesting thing is that the Bodhisattva vows to bypass nirvana until all sentient beings have achieved enlightenment,
which means you keep coming back here, or to going to hell realms, helping others achieve their highest potentials.
Most humans (there other beings besides humans who take these vows) take the vow.. then they end up singing the Meat Loaf song
"
Now I'm sitting here waiting for enlightenment to arrive
because if I spend another moment with you, i don't think that I will survive." (Paradise by the Dashboard Light)
(Okay, I did change
one word!)
After taking this vow in Tehachepi, high up on the mountain, I had a lot of time to think.
So I went to Lama.
"Lama, the Bodhisattva thing... you know, hanging around until all sentient beings achieve enlightenment.... That will never happen, will it? I mean, sentient beings will exist endlessly, and they will never ALL be enlightened."
"This is true." he said, smiling.
I knew I in as in deep trouble here.
I had vowed to do this forever. Tricky lamas!
There are so many things I'd love to share with you Jason! As soon as we can talk. You can even call me if you want to.
International radiological monitoring teams are predicting the first radioactive plume from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant will arrive in southern California by Friday night. Although the predictions are for trace amounts of radioactive fallout, everyone involved in the monitoring efforts admit they really don't know what the environmental impact of the plume will be once it arrives.
http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/5712
Quote from: PPI Brian M on March 18, 2011, 02:49:05 AM
International radiological monitoring teams are predicting the first radioactive plume from the Fukushima Diichi nuclear power plant will arrive in southern California by Friday night. Although the predictions are for trace amounts of radioactive fallout, everyone involved in the monitoring efforts admit they really don't know what the environmental impact of the plume will be once it arrives.
http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/5712
Yeah, Obama was quoted as saying, "Radiation is of no danger to the West Coast." Why do I think his nose is getting longer by the minute?
I got out my trusty Geiger counter this morning and did a baseline at my house before going to work. I was relieved to see the readings well within the standard background radiation pulse we have documented for southern California residences -- 0.14 microsieverts per hour, plus or minus 0.03 microsieverts. I'lll let you know if the readings change this evening.
Quote from: PPI Brian M on March 18, 2011, 04:32:56 PM
I got out my trusty Geiger counter this morning and did a baseline at my house before going to work. I was relieved to see the readings well within the standard background radiation pulse we have documented for southern California residences -- 0.14 microsieverts per hour, plus or minus 0.03 microsieverts. I'lll let you know if the readings change this evening.
Thanks Brian.
:)
Just wanted to let everyone know that I haven't picked up anything outside the normal background radiation level tonight.0.14 +- 0.03 microsieverts per hour. I took samples at my house and at two locations a few miles west. I will monitor at least twice a day and keep you posted.
Quote from: PPI Brian M on March 19, 2011, 12:47:32 AM
Just wanted to let everyone know that I haven't picked up anything outside the normal background radiation level tonight.0.14 +- 0.03 microsieverts per hour. I took samples at my house and at two locations a few miles west. I will monitor at least twice a day and keep you posted.
Brian,
Thank you for your generosity and thoughtfulness. That is priceless. :)
No joke! Brian, thank you for keeping us posted on this.
Quote from: Debra, PPI Consultant on March 17, 2011, 10:50:47 PM
Quote from: PPI Jason on March 17, 2011, 10:33:41 PM
I've always been intrigued by and admired the idea of the Bodhisattva. I first came across the concept in a world religions class back in college. I admired it so greatly I decided then and there that was how I wanted to live.
But I have to admit I haven't studied the Bodhisattva much. All I really understood about them was that they represent a group of individuals who attained enlightenment. The normal course, as I understand it, was that once you attain enlightenment you pretty much rejoin the collective existence, or Atman, and achieve Nirvana, a blessed state of non-existence. What made the Bodhisattva so interesting was that upon achieving enlightenment they choose to pass on all the bliss and peace associated with Nirvana and choose instead to "stay behind" and help others achieve enlightenment.
Now I don't claim to have achieved enlightenment, but this was such a beautiful concept to me. I acknowledge, however, that my understanding of the idea (as described above) is probably inaccurate in many ways. When you get some time, you'll have to fill me in on the correct beliefs of this very interesting and very noble idea. :)
Jason,
Thanks for giving me the joy of having someone to share the idea with!
What you said above is basically correct.
There are oral teachings that go with it.
The interesting thing is that the Bodhisattva vows to bypass nirvana until all sentient beings have achieved enlightenment,
which means you keep coming back here, or to going to hell realms, helping others achieve their highest potentials.
Most humans (there other beings besides humans who take these vows) take the vow.. then they end up singing the Meat Loaf song
"Now I'm sitting here waiting for enlightenment to arrive
because if I spend another moment with you, i don't think that I will survive." (Paradise by the Dashboard Light)
(Okay, I did change one word!)
After taking this vow in Tehachepi, high up on the mountain, I had a lot of time to think.
So I went to Lama.
"Lama, the Bodhisattva thing... you know, hanging around until all sentient beings achieve enlightenment.... That will never happen, will it? I mean, sentient beings will exist endlessly, and they will never ALL be enlightened."
"This is true." he said, smiling.
I knew I in as in deep trouble here.
I had vowed to do this forever. Tricky lamas!
There are so many things I'd love to share with you Jason! As soon as we can talk. You can even call me if you want to.
Thank you Debra. I will definitely be in touch with you on this. This is an ideal I am very much interested in and would like to learn much more about whenever possible. :)
I saw a blurb a couple of days ago that donations for relief to the quake/tsunami victims was lagging behind those of the Haiti and Katrina survivors when they occurred. I'm a little confused by that. Any thoughts on why that would happen?
Quote from: PPI Karl on March 19, 2011, 01:19:59 PM
I saw a blurb a couple of days ago that donations for relief to the quake/tsunami victims was lagging behind those of the Haiti and Katrina survivors when they occurred. I'm a little confused by that. Any thoughts on why that would happen?
Larry and I were discussing that.
Just a thought: there might be a fear factor at play with the nuclear plant and people are holding to there money "just in case"?
I'd like to know the answer, too.
Quote from: Debra, PPI Consultant on March 19, 2011, 01:23:45 PM
Quote from: PPI Karl on March 19, 2011, 01:19:59 PM
I saw a blurb a couple of days ago that donations for relief to the quake/tsunami victims was lagging behind those of the Haiti and Katrina survivors when they occurred. I'm a little confused by that. Any thoughts on why that would happen?
Larry and I were discussing that.
Just a thought: there might be a fear factor at play with the nuclear plant and people are holding to there money "just in case"?
I'd like to know the answer, too.
I haven't seen as many charities mobilizing for dontions for Japanese relief efforts compared to what they did for Katrina, Indonesia and Haiti. I was wondering about that too. It could it be attributed to the fact that charities are non profit organizations, and they have suffered during our current economic downturn. Less people working for the charity means the charity will be less effective across the board.
By the way, there was no significant change in the background radiation levels as of 10:00 am this morning. 0.14 +- 0.13 microsieverts. We'll see if that changes when it starts raining.
That is interesting. Brian, thank you again for your post. I rode my bike to work today so hopefully the rain will hold out until I get home. I'm very eager to see if anything changes.... HOPEFULLY NOT!!!! :-\
No change this morning either: still 0.14 +- 0.03 microsieverts. Will monitor again tonight. :)
Thanks for the update, Brian. So far, I haven't noticed the bananas spoiling any less quickly. ;D
As of this morning, I'm not sure whether they really have containment of the reactors or not. They say they do for three of them, but then I just heard they had to evacuate workers because of plumes of smoke rising out of one of them. The coverage of the containment efforts has really slowed down the several days because of Libya. Maybe that's a way to "contain" our fears about the reality of situation.
And, on top of it all, we got cheated out of enjoying our Supermoon, damn it! (I can't say I'm not enjoying the rain, to be honest.)
Quote from: PPI Brian M on March 21, 2011, 12:00:54 AM
No change this morning either: still 0.14 +- 0.03 microsieverts. Will monitor again tonight. :)
Thank you Brian. :)
Quote from: PPI Karl on March 21, 2011, 12:34:12 PM
Thanks for the update, Brian. So far, I haven't noticed the bananas spoiling any less quickly. ;D
As of this morning, I'm not sure whether they really have containment of the reactors or not. They say they do for three of them, but then I just heard they had to evacuate workers because of plumes of smoke rising out of one of them. The coverage of the containment efforts has really slowed down the several days because of Libya. Maybe that's a way to "contain" our fears about the reality of situation.
And, on top of it all, we got cheated out of enjoying our Supermoon, damn it! (I can't say I'm not enjoying the rain, to be honest.)
I monitored late last night and early this morning during the pouring rain and the background radiation levels were slightly lower than the standard baseline of 0.14 +- 0.03 microsieverts. I was getting pretty steady 0.10 to 0.11 for 30 minutes. Apparently the rain puts a damper on the BRL (excuse the pun). I'm relieved I have not picked up any detectable increase in the background radiation levels. The UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) predictions turned out to be correct. ;D
Not sure what the situation is at Fukushima. The world's attention is focused on Libya and Charlie Sheen, and information is kind of scarce. Last I heard the government finally brought in some generators and got the cooling pumps operational again, which brought the temperatures back down to safe levels in reactors #5 and #6. Why it took them this long to get the generators up and running is beyond me. Seems it would be part of a comprehensive disaster plan to have generators airlifted in to keep the pumps running. The reactors survived the earthquake and the tsunami but losing power to their cooling pumps screwed everything up. I have always found nuclear power kind of stupid -- we harness the power of the atom to generate electriciy by
boiling water? Seriously? I think we're missing the boat here. There are much safer ways to boil water these days.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/03/limited-progress-cooling-fukushima-1-nuclear-reactors-japan-nukes.php
Agreed - Much safer way to boil water!
Latest update from Japan:
The death toll from the Japan's worst postwar disaster rose to 9,099 as of 9 p.m. local time yesterday, with 13,786 people missing, according to the National Police Agency in Tokyo. The earthquake and ensuing tsunami devastated the country?s northern coastline and forced hundreds of thousands to evacuate.
Tokyo Electric Power Company workers began restoring power to the crippled nuclear plant in northern Japan as the government grappled with radiation that has leaked into the sea and tainted some food.
Lights are on in the control room at Fukushima Dai-Ichi plant's reactor #3, while some lights are on at reactor #4. Reactors #5 and #6 are already supplied with electricity.
70% of the fuel rods at the #1 reactor are suspected to be severely damaged and 33% at the #2 reactor. Authorities speculate the entire site will be decomissioned once the situation is contained. No news on the adverse health effects anticipated for the workers who risked their lives to stop the situation from escalating.
This is just beyond comprehension. Truly. What I have been hearing is that the vegetables, fish, chickens, cows and other farm animals that are raised for consumption have been tested and have significant amounts of radiation. The concern obviously is that it will get into the food supply. I think this disaster will have far reaching ramifications that perhaps we haven't even realized as of yet.
Quote from: PPI Tracy on March 22, 2011, 04:54:37 PM
This is just beyond comprehension. Truly. What I have been hearing is that the vegetables, fish, chickens, cows and other farm animals that are raised for consumption have been tested and have significant amounts of radiation. The concern obviously is that it will get into the food supply. I think this disaster will have far reaching ramifications that perhaps we haven't even realized as of yet.
It's very hard to grok without flinching. :(
I try very hard not to grok.
What is "grok"?
Quote from: PPI Tracy on March 22, 2011, 05:16:51 PM
I try very hard not to grok.
What is "grok"?
Grok is word that Robert Heinlein made up in his classic novel
Stranger in a Strange Land. (A must read for any sci-fi fan!)
"Grok" means "to drink" , it's also used in the context of "to take in", or "to understand deeply".
:)
*Ding* (lightbulb moment). Thank you, Debra.
I learn to so much here.
Quote from: PPI Tracy on March 22, 2011, 05:27:41 PM
*Ding* (lightbulb moment). Thank you, Debra.
I learn to so much here.
We all do, from each other! :)
Very true, Deb. Very true.
(you are an awesome teacher) :)
Quote from: PPI Tracy on March 23, 2011, 12:54:29 PM
Very true, Deb. Very true.
(you are an awesome teacher) :)
Thanks for the kind words, Tracy. :)
Neutron beam observed 13 times at crippled Fukushima nuke plant
TOKYO, March 23, Kyodo
Tokyo Electric Power Co. said Wednesday it has observed a neutron beam, a kind of radioactive ray, 13 times on the premises of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant after it was crippled by the massive March 11 quake-tsunami disaster.
TEPCO, the operator of the nuclear plant, said the neutron beam measured about 1.5 kilometers southwest of the plant's No. 1 and 2 reactors over three days from March 13 and is equivalent to 0.01 to 0.02 microsieverts per hour and that this is not a dangerous level.
The utility firm said it will measure uranium and plutonium, which could emit a neutron beam, as well.
In the 1999 criticality accident at a nuclear fuel processing plant run by JCO Co. in Tokaimura, Ibaraki Prefecture, uranium broke apart continually in nuclear fission, causing a massive amount of neutron beams.
In the latest case at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, such a criticality accident has yet to happen.
But the measured neutron beam may be evidence that uranium and plutonium leaked from the plant's nuclear reactors and spent nuclear fuels have discharged a small amount of neutron beams through nuclear fission.
==Kyodo
http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/03/80539.html (http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/03/80539.html)
Is that what they were talking about when the Pointer Sisters sang, "I'm just burnin' doin' the neutron dance"? I always wondered what they meant because it never made any sense to me. I guess it still doesn't make sense. Does that mean we can call them the "Pointless Sisters"?
Quote from: PPI Jason on March 23, 2011, 07:37:13 PM
Is that what they were talking about when the Pointer Sisters sang, "I'm just burnin' doin' the neutron dance"? I always wondered what they meant because it never made any sense to me. I guess it still doesn't make sense. Does that mean we can call them the "Pointless Sisters"?
They had to make up a flashy song for Beverly Hills Cop. Eddie Murphy can't just swing from a truck on a chain to just any song now, ya know.
It's so funny how we just took for granted the meaning of song lyrics or titles "back in the day." Yeah....
Little Red Corvette is about a car. NOT.