30 September 2009

EARTHQUAKE NEAR SAMOA



yesterday's earthquake, or more properly seaquake or submarine earthquake, which generated three separate tsunamis, set off all sort of alarms in my geologic, astronomic, and science-in-general brain. caused by a sudden slippage between tectonic plates in the earth's crust, such monumental events seize the imagination. i've experienced draught, a hurricane, a tornado, a total solar eclipse, blizzards, and a 500-year flood, but (so far) never a noticeable earthquake, tsunami or volcanic eruption. nor a meteor strike, come to that. please note that these are not among my fantasy events to experience!

back to tsunamis -- note the speed (up to 500 mph, or two-thirds the speed of sound) with which they move across the ocean. below is a map showing the travel times within the pacific basin. click to enlarge the image.















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