Tragedy in SE Asia

[mora]

Some chilling footage here:

http://www.waxy.org/archive/2004/12/28/amateur_.shtml

[BlueJ1]

Up to 80,000 dead.

[TheDudeDVant]

Has anyone found video of the actual wave? Someone had to get some video of it.. Somewhere..

[Gunthr]

15 minutes wouldn't have done squat, unless you were right next to a mountain or a skyscraper.

This wave was probably hundreds of miles long and carried enough energy to force itself several miles inland in Thailand. Many island communities simply no longer exist, and most of the western Malaysian islands were first levelled by the earthquake ... completely leveled ... then the tidalwave washed everything out to sea. - GScholz

I'm totally ignorant about tsunamis, but I'm trying to understand the dynamics at work. I don't think that we have yet seen that one film clip that will be the quintessential representation of a tsunami hitting the shore. However, if you study the video clips available so far, (see Mora's link) you will see that a 15 minute
warning would definately be helpful to an individual on the beach - especially if that individual happens to be YOU.

[Nilsen]

Originally posted by Vulcan
Lets just say I know a lot of SE Asian's (Cambodians, Thai, Indonesians, Vietnamese), and the level of education in areas like those hit. "Dumb" has no bearing on education. And for most people in these areas education is minimal. Even for those well off their educations never really touch on the stuff most of "us" know about. Its just not that important to them yet, nor do they have the time for it.

I know that, but things like earthquakes, giant waves and forest fires are usually legends and things you learn about in the vilages by old folks and stuff. Alot of people without any formal education at all knows about practical things in life.

[mora]

You also have to be able to deliver the warning to the public. I'm not sure if these countries have a public warning system, and even if they do, would the people have done anything if they hear a siren go off?. Radio and TV broadcastings are too slow and don't reach enough people in cases like this.

[spitfiremkv]

well, in Florida at least,  when a shark is spotted the sheriff sends a helicopter over the beach to warn people over the loudspeaker.
But I have no idea how many helicopters it would take to warn people over thousands of miles of beaches.
In any case, they'd have to be based really close to the water to make a diference.

[mosgood]

Originally posted by Nash
OOOH OOHHH MISTER KOTTER! MISTER KOTTER! I KNOW THIS ONE!!!!

Uhm... it would help if you (and by 'you' I mean some of you) would quit acting like a bunch of girls. Would quit getting so sensitive about stuff. Would quit getting all Teary Eyed Bald Eagle whenever the slightest opportunity presents itself. Would quit gettin' all self righteous high and mighty.

We're all tards here. All of our governments suck. We're all surrounded by lame *****. So suck it up, and get over your sweet selves. You aint all that.

ROTFL!!!!

Best post from you in a long time!

Tenative ....  

btw... everyone from every nation gets a little PO'ed when they feel attacked,

[mora]

Originally posted by spitfiremkv
well, in Florida at least,  when a shark is spotted the sheriff sends a helicopter over the beach to warn people over the loudspeaker.

Is there a lot of sharks around at this time of the year? Going there tomorrow...

[spitfiremkv]

water is kinda cold for swiming

[mora]

I'll take a swim anyway...

Those killed so far according to Thai authorities:

Sweden: 54
Germany: 49
UK: 43
S-Korea: 36
USA: 20
Norway: 18
Finland: 14
Canada: 13
Austria: 13
France: 12

I feel very bad for the Swedes, this might be even worse for them than the Estonia ferry disaster.

These numbers may grow 10 times. From a single Finnish 17 person family 14 is unofficially reported dead.

[Estel]

Russia
Women age 33 and her son age 6.