Replies

I have wondered what the reaction would actually be if a large natural disaster were to strike. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 - 100 million deaths. Just exactly how would that change man?

Although I jest in my post, I have been closely following the info. on recent "Near Earth Objects" on the NASA site. One that is coming near soon is "Ikotawa #25143", scheduled to be near Earth next week around June 24th. Another is "Toutauis" (sp?), scheduled to be close in September.

I can't even wrap my mind around the scope of such an events; and the effects afterwards.

No need to wonder what the reaction would be if a large natural disaster were to strike. You would see some of the greatest acts of bravery and kindness, but also much of the worst of humanity.

Written accounts from disasters like the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, and the 1989 Loma Pieta earthquake give a good record of expectations. While great acts of heroism and kindness were widely reported, much darker events were also unfolding.

In the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake, looters roved the streets stealing jewelry from victims. In the moments after the 1989 earthquake, some people climbed onto the collapsed freeway, and unlike those people trying to rescue victims, these people began searching for jewelry and other valuables to steal. In that same earthquake, telecommunications were down. Emergency personnel could neither receive calls, nor dispatch personnel to many necessary areas. Roving gangs, well armed, took control of downtown intersection and would not allow vehicles to proceed until the occupants had emptied their pockets of valuables.

The immediate events following natural and man made disasters are quite similar. Similar events unfolded during the Rodney King riots. They absolutely polarize the population in ways no one might imagine. Many innocent people are caused great suffering at the hands of others.

If another earthquake strikes the Hayward fault, such as that of the 1906 earthquake, you'll get a full view of what such a high magnitude disaster will bring. That fault, which geologists suggest in 60 years overdue for another big quake, is considered the deadliest in the world. A similar earthquake today could kill 100,000 in the earliest moments. Some would die in collapsing buildings, an equal number would die in flash floods crested by the collapse of outdated dams. The worst part will come immediately after and the days following. It will bring deaths at the hands of roving gangs trying to seize upon a moment of weakness. It's not a pretty sight to imagine. Such criminal activities during dire emergencies have the effect of making law abiding citizens suspect everyone, even other law abiding citizens as potential threats. Vigilante groups will form to protect neighborhoods.

BTW, don't know if it's been posted already, but the New Madrid fault also had a small trembler today. This is the fault that gave the largest earthquake in the recorded history of the USA. And for all those that think such a quake could never hit their area. The most devastating earthquake in the US prior to the Great San Francisco earthquake was in Boston.

Don't worry about asteroids and comets. Worry about man's inhumanity to man.

Well, if India were struck, we'd get quite a few jobs back here on our shores <\outsourcewhine>.

Just exactly how would that change man?

We'd have permanent colonies across the solar system in 20 years.

There would be a HUGE push to 'spread the seed of man'