Tsunami Of Genuine Awful
By Mitch Berg
It should go without saying that this blog’s prayers are with the people of Japan, and everyone in areas covered by the tsunami warning.
We’ll wait for an update from regular commenter Terry, who is (presumably) safely esconced way up on a mountain somewhere in the islands.
March 11th, 2011 at 8:59 am
8.9 – biggest quake Japan has ever had. 23 foot tsunami. I’m 6′ even, so that’s almost four times taller than me. Scary stuff, and an excellent reminder of who/what is really in charge on this floating rock.
Anyone care to start a pool on when the first bubblehead attributes this to man made global warming – er – climate change?
March 11th, 2011 at 9:01 am
Where is Mothra when you need him?
March 11th, 2011 at 10:17 am
No Tsunami way up where I am.
The Hilo airport & a power plant are a mile inland but only a few feet above sea level. No problem there so far.
We did have a 4.5, centered at Kalapana, last night about 11PM: http://tux.wr.usgs.gov/Quakes/hv60222496.html
There have been a lot of quakes down at Kalapana in the last few days — all deep, about 6 miles down. I think Swiftee’s bro is in Pahoa, and that ain’t too far from Kalapana.
I wish things would settle down. I do a lot of biking in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and in the last two years four of my favorite routes been declared off limits due to volcanic activity.
March 11th, 2011 at 10:51 am
Terry, take the high ground and stay safe.
March 11th, 2011 at 11:08 am
Well Terry, you live on a volcanic island. Bitter with the sweet, as they say.
March 11th, 2011 at 11:14 am
I called the Puerto-Rican this morning…he didn’t even know about the tsunami but said his bed floats, so he wasn’t worried…typical Hawaiian.
March 11th, 2011 at 11:14 am
BTW Terry, I have two words for you: Asbestos tires”…you’re welcome.
March 11th, 2011 at 11:47 am
Prayers for the people in Japan; the devestation in the photos is horrific. Also prayers that Terry’s volcano stays relatively quiet and he and Mrs. Terry have no earthquake damage.
Please Terry keep us all updated; you are very much in our thoughts.
It is nice that while we are divided on some political issues, on things like this we share of the same heart and mind.
March 11th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
This is terrible.
I’ve heard a rumor that the Bubba Gump’s restaurant in Kona had some of their lanai furniture washed out to sea.
Oh, the humanity!
Like there is no chance that this is revenge for Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
March 11th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
“Like there is no chance that this is revenge for Hiroshima and Nagasaki.”
Or the introduction of professional wrestling.
March 11th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Hey, the Twins now have a Japanese super star playing 2nd base. Reconciliation has been achieved.
March 11th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Well, this just sucks. The town where I home-stayed twice in the early ’90s, Kesennuma up in Miyagi Prefecture, has been nearly wiped out- by the tsunami and now major fires roaring through it.
Was able to contact in-laws down in Tokyo, but I don’t know what to expect of the situation in northern Japan right now.
Of course, everyone with connections there is trying to call Japan, so I don’t think I can call anyone there right now . . .
March 11th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
It’s in the news that they had to SCRAM one of the reactors at the Fukishima Nuclear Site (there’s 8 Nuke plants at that site). They’ve lost the primary coolant circulation to the reactor and are on back up systems. They’re evacuating the locals as a precautionary measure. Also reporting that radiation levels around the plant are rising. Very scary stuff!! I spent time working at this complex, and this specific reactor in the late ’70’s. The units were designed for something like a 10.0 + shaker.
I experienced a couple of quakes when I worked there, a very unusual experience for a guy from mid-west. I don’t remember for sure but I’d guess the ones I went through were no more than the 4 – 5 range. I can’t imagine a 9.8 event. If anyone knows how to deal with such a thing it would be the Japs.
Heartfelt Prayers.
March 11th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
the Twins now have a Japanese super star playing 2nd base.
Wrong, short stop.
March 11th, 2011 at 10:29 pm
Well he was playing 2nd when I saw him in Sarasota last Thursday.
March 12th, 2011 at 7:37 am
Scott, whose design are those reactors in Fukishima? CANDU?
March 12th, 2011 at 9:06 am
Reactors of units 1, 2, and 6 are GE, units 3 and 5 Toshiba, and unit 4 is Hitachi. IIRC they are all GE designed BWR, the Toshiba and Hitachi models are GE licensed designs. Units 1, 2 & 6 are basically the same design as Xcel Energy Monticello plant, and similar units all over the US & world. Unit 1 went into commercial operation in ’71, 2 went into operation in ’74.
Interesting I think they were going to decommission Unit 1 in the near future. They were also planning 2 new advanced design units to replace the existing units 1 & 2.
March 12th, 2011 at 7:04 pm
Terry, just to be safe, jump into the volcano. Take Swiftea with you.
March 12th, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Scott, thanks.
March 13th, 2011 at 11:15 am
Clownie, just to be safe, jump into the Hudson. Take Bloomberg and Schumer with you.
March 14th, 2011 at 9:11 am
It is nice that while we are divided on some political issues, on things like this we share of the same heart and mind.
No, dog we do not share the same heart with the sort of mongrel that cheers from the stands while Dr. Frankenstein rips a child to shreds, nor do we share a mind with the dimwit that thinks her enthusiasm for infanticide can be put on the back burner from time to time to spout a smarmy, meaningless nod to decency.
Go back to your dish, dog…I’ve dumped in some fresh offal for you.
March 14th, 2011 at 10:32 am
Wow, an AssClown sighting.
How’s that HOPE and CHANGE working for ya, Clownie?
March 15th, 2011 at 4:55 am
Awe come on Swiftee. Practice what you preach. Your last comment is way out of line. DG wasn’t directing that comment to you anyway.