Dear Children of God,
I have just realized that I compelled myself to write a blog entry if I could no longer reply to all inquiries sent to me. With hundreds of clarificatory questions I got yesterday pertaining to earthquakes, here I am again discussing a topic which is mundane to everyone even to science enthusiasts. You see earthquake can only be studied through its movement just like how we get to understand star through its light. Without the motion of earth, we won’t be able to shed light on what really an earthquake is.
The following are facts you need to know about earthquake based on what I have studied. Please don’t take everything I declare as ultimate truth because I am against scienticism. However, everything you are about to read is based on honest intention of digging the fault of an earthquake.
Let me start by defining an earthquake. Earthquake is a tremor or simply shaking of the earth’s crust. This happens every time faults (cracks on earth) would realign. This is not your ordinary crack because when it moves its motion can be felt which can be equated to nuclear bombing. The shaking is simply a release of energy which is propagated or transferred through earth’s crust. That is why the greater is the movement so is the energy and its shaking.
Why can’t you feel the shaking while others can? This is very complicated to answer to begin with but I will make it simple as I can. There are several factors like foundation of the building, building material, proximity to epicenter, and your sensitivity towards shaking.
Foundation of the Building. Solid objects have different elasticity or stretchability. This property is best observed in rubber but it happens in solid objects as well. Now try to imagine a restaurant in water and in land. With a little disturbance in water, floating restaurant would shake. However, when you place that restaurant on land then same disturbance won’t budge the restaurant.
Building Material. Can you imagine how shaky it can get if your classroom is made of wood compared with classroom made of cement? For sure, you will experience greater intensity in building made of light materials than solid ones.
Proximity to Epicenter. When one is near to the epicenter, your body is near as well to the source of energy in the form of shaking. Energy is dissipated or lost with respect to the source. Try to imagine yourself in a ripple. The farther you are from the center of the ripple the lower would be the effect of the wave to you.
Sensitivity towards Shaking. Some people are more sensitive than you do when it comes to detecting earthquake. Some would notice it right away but some can easily feel the foreshock, earthquake before the main earthquake. It is said that animals are more sensitive to earthquake tremors. Since you are an animal, unless you are a plant reading this, you should be sensitive to tremors.
Earthquake is enigmatic because little is known about it. It is also the most treacherous of all natural disasters. Typhoons would warn us with low pressure and we can anticipate its time of reaching us as well as its intensity. Floods can warn us with the rain and the rising of water in the river. Earthquake comes in a surprise and we just wake up in heaven or chaos.
So, there are things you should keep in mind during an earthquake.
DO NOT PANIC. If you do then you won’t be able to do anything rational and logical to save your life. Well, what we fear after all is our life at stake.
Expect for an aftershock. This is a series of tremor after a major earthquake. Aftershocks can be felt until after 7 days of a major earthquake. Take note that aftershocks are more dangerous than the earthquake itself because we would sometime are complacent of its danger.
But where is the danger? Danger comes from falling debris which might injure us especially our head. Since you cannot wear helmets then we must consider the placement of our trophies, medals, chinaware and other display objects at home or school that might fall or topple down towards you in the event of an earthquake. The damage to your head from falling debris is directly proportional to the mass and the altitude of the debris. Therefore refrain from putting massive objects and hand them to me.
In the impeachment going on I can relate exactly why Sen. Miriam Defensor is fuming. Just like her I cannot tolerate idiots (sorry for the word). Maybe I can stand silly question but illogical ones are unbearable.
One question which caused me to flare up is, “Do we expect a tsunami in Iloilo anytime soon?” My goodness gracious! I am expecting that from a child to ask and it may be cute BUT for a college graduate is too pathetic.
Therefore let me review basic subjects during your elementary grades.
Social Science. Don’t you know where the epicenter of an earthquake? It is located between Negros and Cebu islands. Now think of huge waves, yes, the tsunamis. Do you expect these big waves to form as high as Mount Kanlaon then pass through Guimaras strait and to Iloilo City. I wish you would be splashed by tsunami so you would wake up from nightmare for not listening to your teacher when map reading and geographical map was explained. Finding coordinates is a basic concept one must learn. Granting the waves can reach us then it would be too far from us to feel the energy.
I have just realized that I compelled myself to write a blog entry if I could no longer reply to all inquiries sent to me. With hundreds of clarificatory questions I got yesterday pertaining to earthquakes, here I am again discussing a topic which is mundane to everyone even to science enthusiasts. You see earthquake can only be studied through its movement just like how we get to understand star through its light. Without the motion of earth, we won’t be able to shed light on what really an earthquake is.
The following are facts you need to know about earthquake based on what I have studied. Please don’t take everything I declare as ultimate truth because I am against scienticism. However, everything you are about to read is based on honest intention of digging the fault of an earthquake.
Let me start by defining an earthquake. Earthquake is a tremor or simply shaking of the earth’s crust. This happens every time faults (cracks on earth) would realign. This is not your ordinary crack because when it moves its motion can be felt which can be equated to nuclear bombing. The shaking is simply a release of energy which is propagated or transferred through earth’s crust. That is why the greater is the movement so is the energy and its shaking.
Why can’t you feel the shaking while others can? This is very complicated to answer to begin with but I will make it simple as I can. There are several factors like foundation of the building, building material, proximity to epicenter, and your sensitivity towards shaking.
Foundation of the Building. Solid objects have different elasticity or stretchability. This property is best observed in rubber but it happens in solid objects as well. Now try to imagine a restaurant in water and in land. With a little disturbance in water, floating restaurant would shake. However, when you place that restaurant on land then same disturbance won’t budge the restaurant.
Building Material. Can you imagine how shaky it can get if your classroom is made of wood compared with classroom made of cement? For sure, you will experience greater intensity in building made of light materials than solid ones.
Proximity to Epicenter. When one is near to the epicenter, your body is near as well to the source of energy in the form of shaking. Energy is dissipated or lost with respect to the source. Try to imagine yourself in a ripple. The farther you are from the center of the ripple the lower would be the effect of the wave to you.
Sensitivity towards Shaking. Some people are more sensitive than you do when it comes to detecting earthquake. Some would notice it right away but some can easily feel the foreshock, earthquake before the main earthquake. It is said that animals are more sensitive to earthquake tremors. Since you are an animal, unless you are a plant reading this, you should be sensitive to tremors.
Earthquake is enigmatic because little is known about it. It is also the most treacherous of all natural disasters. Typhoons would warn us with low pressure and we can anticipate its time of reaching us as well as its intensity. Floods can warn us with the rain and the rising of water in the river. Earthquake comes in a surprise and we just wake up in heaven or chaos.
So, there are things you should keep in mind during an earthquake.
DO NOT PANIC. If you do then you won’t be able to do anything rational and logical to save your life. Well, what we fear after all is our life at stake.
Expect for an aftershock. This is a series of tremor after a major earthquake. Aftershocks can be felt until after 7 days of a major earthquake. Take note that aftershocks are more dangerous than the earthquake itself because we would sometime are complacent of its danger.
But where is the danger? Danger comes from falling debris which might injure us especially our head. Since you cannot wear helmets then we must consider the placement of our trophies, medals, chinaware and other display objects at home or school that might fall or topple down towards you in the event of an earthquake. The damage to your head from falling debris is directly proportional to the mass and the altitude of the debris. Therefore refrain from putting massive objects and hand them to me.
In the impeachment going on I can relate exactly why Sen. Miriam Defensor is fuming. Just like her I cannot tolerate idiots (sorry for the word). Maybe I can stand silly question but illogical ones are unbearable.
One question which caused me to flare up is, “Do we expect a tsunami in Iloilo anytime soon?” My goodness gracious! I am expecting that from a child to ask and it may be cute BUT for a college graduate is too pathetic.
Therefore let me review basic subjects during your elementary grades.
Social Science. Don’t you know where the epicenter of an earthquake? It is located between Negros and Cebu islands. Now think of huge waves, yes, the tsunamis. Do you expect these big waves to form as high as Mount Kanlaon then pass through Guimaras strait and to Iloilo City. I wish you would be splashed by tsunami so you would wake up from nightmare for not listening to your teacher when map reading and geographical map was explained. Finding coordinates is a basic concept one must learn. Granting the waves can reach us then it would be too far from us to feel the energy.
The red mark shows the epicenter of the earthquake while purple line shows the coastal area which might be affected by tsunami in case there would be one. The blue mark shows where Iloilo City is. How could it be?
English. Tsunami Alert was issued after the earthquake. Why are you fuming that tsunami did not arrive as warned? Do you even understand what alert means? According to Encarta, alert means to be watchful and be ready whatever happens. It only means that there is no certainty that it will come. Nevertheless, if it does, then you are ready. Did you really learn synonyms, antonyms and context clues in English? You were once told to keep on reading so you can improve your vocabulary but you only learn to read comics in Bazooka.
Well, the possibility of having tsunami can be attributed to the following factors:
1. underwater earthquake (major)
2. volcanic eruption
3. sub-marine rockslide
4. asteroid or meteoroid crashing
5. earthquake of 6.75 on the Richter scale
Well it satisfies numbers 1,3 and 5 factors therefore it is logical that PHIVOLCS should alert all of us but not necessarily Iloilo. Thanks anyway to the reminders of Iloilo City government.
Filipino . Naku naman! E bakit kasi hindi pa natin maisulat sa wikang nauunawaan nga nakararami ang mga babala? Ano kaya kung marinig natin sa pampublikong audio system, “Tang-*** kayo! Umalis na kayo diyan kasi MAAARING dumating ang malalaking alon.” Pa alert alert pa kasi tayo. Ang babala naman ay nakasulat pa naman sa Englis. Ewan ko kugn bakit ganito tayo. Oo, kasalanan ko at kasalanan mo rin. Tayo at tayo rin lang ang makalulutas ng ganitong suliranin. Yanig na talaga ang mundo ko.
Research . Why do you keep on asking other people about the earthquake IF you can check PHIVOLCS website yourself? Why you like all actors and actresses but cannot like DOST’s Facebook page. Yes, I can be asked yet try to consider primary source because I am a secondary source myself.
Likewise, warnings were made to preempt us of worse to come, be it a tsunami or more tremors. They have to gather seismic data for us so you are expected to observe the right..
Values . Be patient of the advisory. Check first if it is safe for you to return and resume to your activity. Patience is a virtue you should manifest in times like this.
Math . Seismologists were busy making graphs from the seismic data while you wait. They have to figure out the trend if the amplitude of the seismic wave is increasing or decreasing. In the future you might want to make use of your mathematical skills in helping humanity.
Health . If you are injured, then you know how to apply first aid. You can also be of help to those injured just in case.
Engineering . Your major may be civil or material science and earthquake will prove to us if the structure you have built is strong enough to withstand an earthquake. If the roads are laid before a solid foundation or if you conduct building stability test.
Philosophy . Earthquake is a release of energy. If energy is released during an earthquake then you better capture the energy and be ‘energized’.
Physics . You can decide if you will jump from a high building and suffer the consequence. You can solve for the momentum of falling debris as it falls towards your head. Earthquake involves basically waves and the more we understand these waves then the more we get to know better earthquakes.
Earthquakes are classified as major or minor depending on the depth of the focus. So the shallower the origin of the earthquake the more it becomes destructive. Energy is simply transferred and it depends on the elasticity of the material. When people speak of terms like magnitude, intensity, focus, wave and other nose-bleeding terms then you won’t be needing a tissue paper to wipe that blood.
Earth Science. IF YOU INTEND TO LIVE ON THIS EARTH, YOU SHOULD KNOW HOW IT WORKS. Who among you will accept the challenge of becoming a seismologist or a geologist? There is no better way to help us than for you to learn the different facets of an earthquake except by being an earth scientist. It is only through deeper understanding that we can equip ourselves of this natural disaster. Yes, you are a doctor that can help an earthquake victim. You can also be an engineer who can construct strong buildings. We have more of you in the field already but we need more seismologists and volcanologists.
Religion. I don’t understand why people would associate earthquake with God. They would claim that earthquake is God’s reminder to call for His name and to repent from our sins. Well and good but how despicable you are to claim that earthquake is God’s will.
If you are paying attention to last year’s Bible reading if you happen to be a Christian then you must have heard or read the following passage:
1 Kings 19:9-14
Well, the possibility of having tsunami can be attributed to the following factors:
1. underwater earthquake (major)
2. volcanic eruption
3. sub-marine rockslide
4. asteroid or meteoroid crashing
5. earthquake of 6.75 on the Richter scale
Well it satisfies numbers 1,3 and 5 factors therefore it is logical that PHIVOLCS should alert all of us but not necessarily Iloilo. Thanks anyway to the reminders of Iloilo City government.
Filipino . Naku naman! E bakit kasi hindi pa natin maisulat sa wikang nauunawaan nga nakararami ang mga babala? Ano kaya kung marinig natin sa pampublikong audio system, “Tang-*** kayo! Umalis na kayo diyan kasi MAAARING dumating ang malalaking alon.” Pa alert alert pa kasi tayo. Ang babala naman ay nakasulat pa naman sa Englis. Ewan ko kugn bakit ganito tayo. Oo, kasalanan ko at kasalanan mo rin. Tayo at tayo rin lang ang makalulutas ng ganitong suliranin. Yanig na talaga ang mundo ko.
Research . Why do you keep on asking other people about the earthquake IF you can check PHIVOLCS website yourself? Why you like all actors and actresses but cannot like DOST’s Facebook page. Yes, I can be asked yet try to consider primary source because I am a secondary source myself.
Likewise, warnings were made to preempt us of worse to come, be it a tsunami or more tremors. They have to gather seismic data for us so you are expected to observe the right..
Values . Be patient of the advisory. Check first if it is safe for you to return and resume to your activity. Patience is a virtue you should manifest in times like this.
Math . Seismologists were busy making graphs from the seismic data while you wait. They have to figure out the trend if the amplitude of the seismic wave is increasing or decreasing. In the future you might want to make use of your mathematical skills in helping humanity.
Health . If you are injured, then you know how to apply first aid. You can also be of help to those injured just in case.
Engineering . Your major may be civil or material science and earthquake will prove to us if the structure you have built is strong enough to withstand an earthquake. If the roads are laid before a solid foundation or if you conduct building stability test.
Philosophy . Earthquake is a release of energy. If energy is released during an earthquake then you better capture the energy and be ‘energized’.
Physics . You can decide if you will jump from a high building and suffer the consequence. You can solve for the momentum of falling debris as it falls towards your head. Earthquake involves basically waves and the more we understand these waves then the more we get to know better earthquakes.
Earthquakes are classified as major or minor depending on the depth of the focus. So the shallower the origin of the earthquake the more it becomes destructive. Energy is simply transferred and it depends on the elasticity of the material. When people speak of terms like magnitude, intensity, focus, wave and other nose-bleeding terms then you won’t be needing a tissue paper to wipe that blood.
Earth Science. IF YOU INTEND TO LIVE ON THIS EARTH, YOU SHOULD KNOW HOW IT WORKS. Who among you will accept the challenge of becoming a seismologist or a geologist? There is no better way to help us than for you to learn the different facets of an earthquake except by being an earth scientist. It is only through deeper understanding that we can equip ourselves of this natural disaster. Yes, you are a doctor that can help an earthquake victim. You can also be an engineer who can construct strong buildings. We have more of you in the field already but we need more seismologists and volcanologists.
Religion. I don’t understand why people would associate earthquake with God. They would claim that earthquake is God’s reminder to call for His name and to repent from our sins. Well and good but how despicable you are to claim that earthquake is God’s will.
If you are paying attention to last year’s Bible reading if you happen to be a Christian then you must have heard or read the following passage:
1 Kings 19:9-14
Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’
He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’
In other words, Jesus won’t come in earthquake and never the will of God to kill anyone. Forget about what you saw and heard in films God depicted as dove flapping its wings with a big voice echoing. My faith tells me that God will come in a gentle voice and He needs not come shaking all of us in fear of tremor. Does He need this “special effects” to catch our attention? What can you help as a student?
- Calm yourself.
- Inform your parents as soon as possible if you are safe.
- Refrain from using cellular phone so as not to cause network traffic.
- Don’t cry for an earthquake if there is none. Instead, cry, “I’m wolf! Wolf! Wolf!”
By the way, your capacity to feel a forthcoming earthquake is proportional to your capacity to love. I am glad I felt the tremor yesterday because I again confirmed, “Yes, I am in love!”
If all else fail and you think I am talking nonsense then you better migrate to Palawan island. It is believed that there are no faults there which means no earthquake to deal with. So you decide if you stay where you can shake your booty or crocodiles can bite your booty.
I’m shaken, shimmering, splendid,
siraris
