I noticed in this YouTube.com feed pertaining to the Yellowstone super volcano, if you are exposed to such ash, it attacks one’s lungs as glass particles form. If such an eruption occurred many more would be forced to wear these masks than those presently wearing them due to ‘swine flu’.
Stephen Sparks of the University of Bristol had this to add of Yellowstone should it erupt: "The whole of a continent might be covered by ash, which might take many years -- possibly decades -- to erode away and for vegetation to recover," Are we in anyway prepared for such devastation should it come? It is hard and I mean really hard to wrap one’s brain around trying to prepare for such devastation.
No, mankind being stupid and all, would rather prepare for warfare and perpetrate acts which bring it about instead of saving our sorry you know whats. As the government throws more and more money at defense contractors; Yellowstone patiently awaits or any other earthquake or volcanic eruption. My guess is that a new fighter jet is more important than shoring up a building and bridge to withstand even the minor eruptions and quakes as compared to Yellowstone.
Even as the earth quiets down due to its age of 4.5 billion years where super eruptions like the in Yellowstone may not occur, I took notice that some "believe it harbors at least one final punch."
Again, to allay people’s fears and concerns, Time Magazine wrote in an article on January 1st, 2009 citing that the “The USGS discounted chances for cataclysmic eruption of the caldera, noting that the hot, active magma chamber below Yellowstone has turned into "largely crystallized mush." But the same study also said: "Depending on the nature and magnitude of a particular hazardous event and the particular time and season when it might occur, 70,000 to more than 100,000 persons could be affected;” I still find that note worthy considering the numbers of those who can be affected. While no where near to being extinct, still monitoring is needed as well as preparation for eruptions coming forth from this super volcano.
While the alert level currently stands at “green, should it ever raise to yellow or red based upon seismic readings,” Jake Lowenstern, Ph.D., YVO's chief scientist said of this volcano, “Ultimately it's my responsibility to put out alerts. The National Park Service and local officials would be responsible for civil defense measures and evacuation plans. For now, life goes on.”
Yes, life goes on, but we must ask ourselves is our tax money better spent waging wars, bailing out Wall Street and other boondoggles or do we start paying attention to what Mother Earth is trying to tell us? After all, earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes and tornadoes have taken more lives than Al Qaeda has up until the present. Which is our greater threat and concern?
To those within Al Qaeda residing in Pakistan, maybe you are also being sent a message when in 2005 a magnitude 7.6 earthquake hit the Kashmir province where the casualty rate from that quake was, 74,698.
Do we as a people think it is about time we start paying attention to the many signs Mother Earth sends us or do we remain deaf by doing the same thing over and over expecting different results? You know the definition of insanity. As Washington, D.C. does just that, thankfully we have great scientists out there who are looking out on our behalves and we must remember, they are not adequately funded. Think of that the next time they sound any alarm of an impending disaster.
As I have come to learn more of earthquakes and volcanoes, I highly value the work done by the U.S.G.S. and you should be too.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
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