this seems to be the last picture of the church, still something standing but I'm not sure if it is safe after thousands of aftershocks.
Posted on 05/12/2008 12:27:28 AM PDT by Lijahsbubbe
An earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale has hit China's Sichuan province. The tremor was felt across the entire region - shaking buildings in the capital, Beijing, as well as the Thai capital, Bangkok, and Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. US Geological Survey said the quake struck 57 miles north-west of the city of Chengdu at 2.29pm local time (6.28am GMT).
Some 10 million people live in Chengdu.
I thought you were on the moon. :-)
Hope everyone there came out alright.
"can't say any words but tear
very complicated mood,especially when reading the first reply(the post about your family)
the second advice may to be investigated for feasibility,imagine if those collapsed building are all built of straw bales how many people could be still alive.
pity there are no "if" in the world."
"we are all human beings~"
"people's hearts are all the same~~~
the most original sensibilities are beyond the obstacle of language or country.
"great love of mother" (many replies with understandings and thanks like above,I'll pass over some and talk about the replies about the building advice )
"Americans and Canadian build there house with wood.I think it's because they have more wood when the bricks are more expensize,only the public establishments are built of reinforced concrete.
though the straw bales house may decrease the damage of hurricane and earthquake cause(there are much hurricane in USA),but such buildings have more hidden trouble of fire.The wood will burn to ash if on fire.
there are no beauideal way.To use which materials shoud depends on which is more practical."
"Wood house's most trouble is not only fire,but also termites,that's more terrible."
"Noway,it will cause fire.
And fire often happend after quake(for leak of gas)
There are plenty of fire in the Hanshin earthquake of japan just because there are too many wooden house there."
"America and Canada's house are all wooden because the bricks are more expenseve than boards.I also think the building made of timberwork is much safer in quake.But that's too expensive in China.And big buildings like hospital is hard to use timberwork for too many problems.
My elementary school in China is made of concrete.It was built before 1950s and still good in 1990s.
My high school in Canada is built in 1970s,leak of rain,rat disease,mildew,ererything."
"It is said those straw bales are dealed with in particular ways ......are fire-proof and mothproof......but not cheap......"
"I lived in western coast of north America,here is also active district of earthquake.
Most civilian's house are made by timberwork,and most house are below 4 storied.
Only public and high buildings are made of armored concrete.
It's true the fireproofing is most important here.
So the fire fighting power here is very strong,acting quickly.And buildings all have sensor of smoke and water spray gear,even the dwelling house.But in China only public buildings have such gears installed.
Respecting the fact that all these stuff are not suitable for China.
First of all,the Population density is a impassable obstacle .If all the buildings in China are low leveled. Then maybe all the people on earth will have nothing to eat.But for sure it's possible to take into account to make some school buildings with low level desigh if the condition is proper.
And industry of Forest in North America is very good,while Canada is the big country who export Wood.But to make plenty of timberwork in China is not reasonable.the circumstance problem in China has been very grimness.I think its better to adjust measures to local conditions,in proper place and maybe school could use,and the fireproofing services should be prepared entirely.
Last is also about fire,here all the warm and cooking are by electric and ruled by flat,which easy to avoid fire.But in China,natural gas is the most used resource of kitchen,which makes fire more easy to happen.
Wish there are more professional to find out,for now let's do our best to help the victims of the disaster area."
Well,I sum up the replies ,the difficulty is that fire and population restriction sound make it impossible to build most buildings with such timberwork materials.But if in proper place and with good fireproof maybe it's good to some specific building like schoo.Well,the cost is a problem also.
Sorry I am not good at translating. the original post in the chinese forum
Thank you for translating these responses. Yes, there is strong sympathy here for the suffering of the people. It has made China much more real for many of us.
Regarding straw bale home construction, people should Google this topic to learn more about it. Properly build SB homes are very fire resistant. Have you ever taken a big bunch of newspapers and tried to burn them. It is not so easy. They burn on the edges and then the fire goes out. The bales are very solid. They do not burn well, and on the outside you can cover them with stucco, or a layer of concrete for fire protection. On the inside you can use mud adobe, stucco, drywall, or wood. The straw itself is a waste product that is often burned. We use much natural gas in this country for heat. This is not a problem for strawbale construction.
I have an article on the internet titled “Strawbale and Solar for a Sustainable Earth: An Ideal Marriage”. It can be reached at http://ecobusinesslinks.com/straw_bale/straw_bale_solar_sustainable_development.htm
I will be happy to communicate with anyone who has a serious interest in straw bale technology. They can Private Message me at FR.
actully, chinese government tried them best to mimimum the death could happen,just because this is huge earthquake,it happens the area huge mountain and rivers and cliffs, even the chinese army special forces spend 30-40 hours to reach only 30-40% disaster area,there is still 30% area can not be reached. even use helicopter ,special air force ,since these area are all hard to get there when earthquake happens most road collapsed,river way changed.All the rescue team had to walk into these area,it really need LOTS OF TIME,even already use 95 000 army includ special air force used.
these areas are moutain area really hard to climb and it is also a great sightseeing area,not like plain area much easier to get into.
The spokesman says the goods which US Ministry of Defense will donate include food, blanket, kitchen equipment, dynamo and other tools for rescuer. All those goods would be transported by US air recently to Chengdu airport
Thanks, any help at this time is more than help itself
Yes, you did ruin this topic.
show your political opinions on political topic board plz.
we are here to support those poor children nothing about politics. i don’t like those people who are always talking about communism or capitalism or human rights, who cares?? children are dying!!!!!! if chinese government could save them as more as possible, who cares those political rubbish!!!
I’ll do that. Thank you.
Thanks,
i believe the gov. has many reasons to don’t accept outside aids as well as i believe there are many reasons to accept that.
as a man of 1970s, i love my motherland to death,yet by standing on my personal point, i am open to those constructive criticise from all the resources includes abroad,
also, i think each goverment has to stand on his own point by considering many things, i am happy that our Gov is acting as quick as we can to save the life.
apple is apple, pear is pear, i can never forgive those things Japanese has done in China in 1930s to 1940s, however, i much appreciate Japan condoles China on this disaster and i am even happy that China accept Japanese aids.
the past is a memory and remind everybody to do the right things, but it can not be a lock to close the door to improve.
my English is not good, i have to use may words to express my thought, thanks for your time.
positive criticize and comments from a constructive point are candy, not poison. this is all i want to say.
When I saw this news about this mother the tears also ran out of my eyes, with even a piece of control. She protected her chind with her slim shoulder but powerful mother love. However the world changed, the love from our mothers will never changed.
We are American or Chinese, above all we are are human beings, all nursed by our common mother, the Earth, a planet planet. She would also slump into deep grief if we bayonetted each other in the batterfield.
Here to restate your words: I hope there is never a war between America and China and as the two potentially greatest countries in the world we can work together to make it a more peaceful world with no more wars, ever.
The way to the disaster area blocked by huge collapsed moutain /river still be the FIRST problem.Army still tried them best to rebuild the bridge and road.And there is still quite offen residual earthquake(4.5 degree to 5.9 degree). That makes many rescue team/army/rescue team and large amount of food/water can not reach there immidiately. Very few landing place for helicopter,most of food/water still depend on air drop.But the efficiency of air drop will be quiet low ,since the huge disaster area(area same big as Belgium） moutain/river/cliff and dispersive people in all around.
After the quake students in my university spontaneously gathered to mourn for the dead and bless for those suffering.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
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