Indian Ocean Tidal Wave

[enchilada]

Some interesting stuff from the USGS web site...

Magnitude 9.0 OFF THE WEST COAST OF NORTHERN SUMATRA
Sunday, December 26, 2004 at 00:58:53 UTC

Preliminary Earthquake Report
U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center
World Data Center for Seismology, Denver

The devastating megathrust earthquake of December 26, 2004, occurred on the interface of the India and Burma plates and was caused by the release of stresses that develop as the India plate subducts beneath the overriding Burma plate. The India plate begins its descent into the mantle at the Sunda trench, which lies to the west of the earthquake's epicenter. The trench is the surface expression of the plate interface between the Australia and India plates, situated to the southwest of the trench, and the Burma and Sunda plates, situated to the northeast.

In the region of the earthquake, the India plate moves toward the northeast at a rate of about 6 cm/year relative to the Burma plate. This results in oblique convergence at the Sunda trench. The oblique motion is partitioned into thrust-faulting, which occurs on the plate-interface and which involves slip directed perpendicular to the trench, and strike-slip faulting, which occurs several hundred kilometers to the east of the trench and involves slip directed parallel to the trench. The December 26 earthquake occurred as the result of thrust-faulting.

Preliminary locations of larger aftershocks following the megathrust earthquake show that approximately 1200 km of the plate boundary slipped as a result of the earthquake. By comparison with other large megathrust earthquakes, the width of the causative fault-rupture was likely over one-hundred km. From the size of the earthquake, it is likely that the average displacement on the fault plane was about fifteen meters. The sea floor overlying the thrust fault would have been uplifted by several meters as a result of the earthquake. The above estimates of fault-dimensions and displacement will be refined in the near future as the result of detailed analyses of the earthquake waves.

The world's largest recorded earthquakes have all been megathrust events, occurring where one tectonic plate subducts beneath another. These include:

the magnitude 9.5 1960 Chile earthquake, the magnitude 9.2 1964 Prince William Sound, Alaska, earthquake, the magnitude 9.1 1957 Andreanof Islands, Alaska, earthquake, and the magnitude 9.0 1952 Kamchatka earthquake. As with the recent event, megathrust earthquakes often generate large tsunamis that cause damage over a much wider area than is directly affected by ground shaking near the earthquake's rupture.





 

[al Hartman]

The science of this disaster is a bit more than I can form a mental picture of without the benefit of visual aids.  

But, having experienced the Chatsworth, CA quake of 1970, a MUCH milder shaking than the 12/26/04 event, I can testify to how interminable a single minute can seem when it is impossible to stand without falling.  And having stood hip-deep in the ocean while a strong undertow virtually sucked the sandy footing from beneath me, I have an inkling of the horror one must feel in being swept away by irresistable torrents of water.

The daily-mounting death toll and the hardships of survivors of the Indian Ocean event sound two strong chords in my heart:

Thank God for redemption through His grace unto salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, and

Come quickly, Lord Jesus...


al

[enchilada]

The science of this disaster is a bit more than I can form a mental picture of without the benefit of visual aids.  

But, having experienced the Chatsworth, CA quake of 1970, a MUCH milder shaking than the 12/26/04 event, I can testify to how interminable a single minute can seem when it is impossible to stand without falling.  And having stood hip-deep in the ocean while a strong undertow virtually sucked the sandy footing from beneath me, I have an inkling of the horror one must feel in being swept away by irresistable torrents of water.

The daily-mounting death toll and the hardships of survivors of the Indian Ocean event sound two strong chords in my heart:

Thank God for redemption through His grace unto salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, and

Come quickly, Lord Jesus...


al

Al, the description of your past experience with quakes and ocean currents is a nice follow up to the USGS stuff.  The geologists claim that the next subduction zone quake of the west coast (Mexico to Alaska area) is about 300 years from now.  A respectable geologist I used to work with said that it could be anytime.  Despite the number crunching the scientists perform for grant money to finance their research and the development of reports, all I can say is

Thank God for redemption through His grace unto salvation by faith in Jesus Christ,and

Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

[outdeep]

A couple of interesting notes:

1.  A province in Sri Lanka (I can't remember the name) is majority extreme Muslim and has been closed to Westerners.  The tsunami has opened the door to Westerners such as those at Samaritan's Purse.

2.  In Sri Lanka, there is fighting between a faction in the North and in the South.  The tsunami interrupted a Northern attack and each side is sending aid to the other.  Sri Lanka newspaper read "tsunami brings peace".

I know these little anecdotes don't seem to justify the magnitude of the disaster.  I can't wrap my brain around over 150,000 dead (and more sure to come as they discover bodies and due to water born diseases as fresh water is their biggest immediate need).  But, it does imply a working of God that is beyond our ability and understanding.

[vernecarty]

Here is the giving so far:

Japan            - 500M
U.S                - 332M
Germany        - 20M
Saudi Arabia  -10M
Kuwait           - 10M

Interesting no?

Verne

[Oscar]

Verne,

The statistics don't tell the complete story.  One of the differences between the US and many other countries is the amount of money given by Americans through private foundations and charities.

Example: World Vision has set a goal of $50,000,000 for this disaster alone.  When I talked to one of their representatives last Thursday she said the donations were coming in at a rate of $100,000 per HOUR.   Their website was backed up...couldn't handle all the people trying to contribute!  

That is one American charity.

Interesting no?

Thomas Maddux

[vernecarty]

Verne,

The statistics don't tell the complete story.  One of the differences between the US and many other countries is the amount of money given by Americans through private foundations and charities.

Example: World Vision has set a goal of $50,000,000 for this disaster alone.  When I talked to one of their representatives last Thursday she said the donations were coming in at a rate of $100,000 per HOUR.   Their website was backed up...couldn't handle all the people trying to contribute!  

That is one American charity.

Interesting no?

Thomas Maddux

Indeed. American generosity far outstrips any other nation when private giving is included. The point of my post was the response of muslim nations - paricularly the really wealthy ones...interesting yes?  
Verne
p.s there is a good reason why so many are giving to World Vision.  You get a great gospel bang for the buck...

[outdeep]

I have an inside view of the donation situation.  Our data entry/incoming mail room has been working 12 hour days for the past week (including holiday) trying to keep up with the donations.  At one point someone said they were coming into our web site at 2 per minute.  We also get much from our 800 number service.   Without giving more specifics (and getting myself in trouble), I can honestly say that there are lots of folks out there willing to give from the small gifts to the large.

This morning, we had a meeting to discuss better automaticing our credit card procedure.

Samaritan's Purse emphasis at the start is providing the immediate need of clean water with millions of packets of water chemicals, reverse osmosis filters, etc.  We are also providing some food and our famous blue-plastic-tarp shelter.

Folks have been staking out the area in order to determine the best place to locate.  We are similar to World Vision (in fact Dr. Bob Pierce who started World Vision left and then started Samaritan's Purse before handing it to Franklin Graham).  As a result, we are attempting to find areas to minister where we can 1) Use the Operation Christmas Child network we already have established 2) Put us in a strategic position to minister to folks who would not normally hear the gospel such as a muslim area.  

Even so, our efforts is a drop in the bucket compared with the big picture.  This thing was massive in its impact.

[vernecarty]

I have an inside view of the donation situation.  Our data entry/incoming mail room has been working 12 hour days for the past week (including holiday) trying to keep up with the donations.  At one point someone said they were coming into our web site at 2 per minute.  We also get much from our 800 number service.   Without giving more specifics (and getting myself in trouble), I can honestly say that there are lots of folks out there willing to give from the small gifts to the large.

This morning, we had a meeting to discuss better automaticing our credit card procedure.

Samaritan's Purse emphasis at the start is providing the immediate need of clean water with millions of packets of water chemicals, reverse osmosis filters, etc.  We are also providing some food and our famous blue-plastic-tarp shelter.

Folks have been staking out the area in order to determine the best place to locate.  We are similar to World Vision (in fact Dr. Bob Pierce who started World Vision left and then started Samaritan's Purse before handing it to Franklin Graham).  As a result, we are attempting to find areas to minister where we can 1) Use the Operation Christmas Child network we already have established 2) Put us in a strategic position to minister to folks who would not normally hear the gospel such as a muslim area.  

Even so, our efforts is a drop in the bucket compared with the big picture.  This thing was massive in its impact.

God richly bless your labor Dave.
I think they are going to have to come up with some way to do larger scale water purification.
The level of contamination that is being reported is going to really load even very efficient RO filtration systems.
I sent a pump and unit to some missionary friends in Asia a few yeas ago who were having big problems with Arsenic in their water but it was not the best solution unfortunately.
I had to get government permission to avoid violation of statutes related to exporting of U.S technology!  

God is really working in the 10/40 window but I think the door may not be open too much longer from what I am hearing.
It will become increasingly difficult for Americans in general, and for Christians in particular to show the love of Christ to the muslim world as the conflict between their world views inevitably escalates. I think much depends on what happens in Iraq.
We need to pray for wisdom for our president and national leaders. Things over there are much worse than is being reported.
Nonetheless America is a great country. May God's grace rest upon her...
Verne

[al Hartman]

After reading the second BB reference to the 10/40 window, and still being uncertain of its meaning , I looked it up.  (The term sounded vaguely familiar, but I hadn't heard it used in long enough that I had forgot what it meant.

So I'm an ignoramus-- nobody hereabouts should be surprised .  Here's an informative 10/40 window link for my fellow ignorami:

                    http://1040window.org/main/whatis.htm

(I had to look up ignorami, too.  I thought it had something to do with folding paper into animals & birds...)

al

[Oscar]

Dave,

Caryl told me that she had just heard Paul "The Rest of the Story" Harvey complaining about Franklin Graham.

She says that PH claimed that FG said that the earthquake and the resultant tsunami was sent by God as a punishment upon the evil of men.

I suspect that what he actually said was altered somewhat as it was transmitted from FG to PH to Caryl to me.

Do you know what was actually said?

Thomas Maddux

[vernecarty]

Dave,

Caryl told me that she had just heard Paul "The Rest of the Story" Harvey complaining about Franklin Graham.

She says that PH claimed that FG said that the earthquake and the resultant tsunami was sent by God as a punishment upon the evil of men.

I suspect that what he actually said was altered somewhat as it was transmitted from FG to PH to Caryl to me.

Do you know what was actually said?

Thomas Maddux

 "We're not attacking Islam but Islam has attacked us. The God of Islam is not the same God. He's not the son of God of the Christian or Judeo-Christian faith. It's a different God and I believe it is a very evil and wicked religion."
                                                                             Franklin Graham
                                                                 

I don't know about that specific tsunami remark but FG has been one of few evengelical leaders with the courage to speak the truth regarding Islam's advocating of physical violence toward non-muslims. The spirit of accommodation that prevails today is preparing the world, including Christians who ought to know better, for the ultimate compromise.
He has been accused of "spreading hate" (boy who does that remind us of ?) for his comments in this regard.

Christians also believe in perpetrating violence against evil - spiritual violence

It is the sanctioned force the believer may employ for the accomplishment of God's will.

The day of the soft, sentimental and sycophantic has most of us in thrall, lacking any passion for truth and the righteousness of Jehovah.

I agree with Graham that a response of love in no way contrains us from speaking the truth. That tidal wave did not take God by surprise.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;   2 Cor 10:3-5
Verne

[outdeep]

Dave,

Caryl told me that she had just heard Paul "The Rest of the Story" Harvey complaining about Franklin Graham.

She says that PH claimed that FG said that the earthquake and the resultant tsunami was sent by God as a punishment upon the evil of men.

I suspect that what he actually said was altered somewhat as it was transmitted from FG to PH to Caryl to me.

Do you know what was actually said?

Thomas Maddux

I haven't heard PH or FG, but here is a transcript from Franklin's statements he made last evening.  I wouldn't mind getting a transcript of the Paul Harvey piece if one is available.
Franklin Graham on Religious Aspects of Tsunami Disaster

Sean Hannity, Alan Colmes
2,454 words
4 January 2005
Fox News: Hannity & Colmes
English
(c) 2005 FDCH / eMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved

 

We now continue with Franklin Graham.

Franklin, do you believe that God is a benevolent god or a vengeful god, and if you believe God is benevolent, how do you say that to a family who's suffering because of loss they've incurred in this kind of a disaster?

GRAHAM: When we read the scripture we know that God is a God of love and at the same time he is a God who does have anger. And he is a God who's going to judge one day all sin. And that's -- that's just a fact.

But God does love us and God wants us to turn from our sins, and he wants us to receive his salvation, which is Jesus Christ. When we see disasters like this, as we were saying a few moments ago, I don't understand all that goes behind this. It is a mystery. But we can be assured of God's love and his presence. In the midst of a storm he's there.

COLMES: How can someone believe that who is suffering, who's lost a family member, who is injured? How can they understand or even receive that message?

GRAHAM: I think call -- call on God and ask him for -- for his love, ask him for peace, ask him for wisdom. And he's there, and he's willing to love us and, you know, we've got to invite him in. Many times people put God at a distance, and they don't want God in their lives.

But at times like this it's a good time for all of us to search our own hearts and to make sure that we're ready to stand before God. Because I promise you, Alan, your life is going to come to an end one day and so is mine. And we need to be ready whenever that could be.

Those people that were vacationing, taking their Christmas and New Year's break down there in Thailand never dreamed that their life would come to an end like this.

COLMES: Is God punishing them?

GRAHAM: I cannot say that. And I don't believe that. Disasters like this happen. Storms like this happen in life. And good happens to bad people and bad things happen to good people and vice versa.

And so I don't understand all of it. But I know there is a God, and my faith and trust is in him and his son Jesus Christ.

HANNITY: What do you say, there's one minister in Australia who said this was a warning of God's judgment and involves his judgment upon the sinfulness of humanity. Another guy said God has unleashed his anger on the people.

Do you think -- are those statements true?

GRAHAM: Well, it may have been taken a little bit out of context. The Bible teaches that in the end times that there are going to be an increase in wickedness. There's going to be earthquakes in various places. There's going to be an increase in all of this.

And so I think as a minister of the gospel I look at this, and I just say to myself that maybe this is the beginning of the end, as God has spoken about. I don't know.

[enchilada]

The Bible teaches that in the end times that there are going to be an increase in wickedness. There's going to be earthquakes in various places. There's going to be an increase in all of this.

And so I think as a minister of the gospel I look at this, and I just say to myself that maybe this is the beginning of the end, as God has spoken about. I don't know.

Earthquakes occur at a fairly consistent sequence, provided the continental plates move with repect to each other at a consistent rate.  What drives the movement of the continental plates can be expained with basic physics.  Just as water boils at 100 degrees celcius at atmospheric pressure, so do earthquakes occur when the load capacity of the plate interface is exceeded.  It bothers me just a little when Christians say that the quake was the result of sin.  It seems better if they would spend less time dwelling on those subjects and more time with the issues of salvation.  

[vernecarty]

The Bible teaches that in the end times that there are going to be an increase in wickedness. There's going to be earthquakes in various places. There's going to be an increase in all of this.

And so I think as a minister of the gospel I look at this, and I just say to myself that maybe this is the beginning of the end, as God has spoken about. I don't know.

Earthquakes occur at a fairly consistent sequence, provided the continental plates move with repect to each other at a consistent rate.  What drives the movement of the continental plates can be expained with basic physics.  Just as water boils at 100 degrees celcius at atmospheric pressure, so do earthquakes occur when the load capacity of the plate interface is exceeded.  It bothers me just a little when Christians say that the quake was the result of sin.  It seems better if they would spend less time dwelling on those subjects and more time with the issues of salvation.  

It is true that there is a basis in natural science for the explanation of the how of geological phenomena, only the Bible ultimately tells us the why.
The Christian, based on what the Bible teaches, has to conclude that the entire course of nature is under the control and direction of the Son of God.

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  Col 1:17  

Visible things do not have their orgin in visible sources, therefore their course in space-time clearly is not soley dependent on visible causes.
While I know some do not agree with me on this, all of life's catatrophies in my view result from the presence of sin in the cosmos. This includes death dealing tragedies like tsunamis.  Just my two cents.  
Verne