So, I was just reading about the DMC’s ‘National Tsunami Simulation Exercise’ over in Sri Lanka. They’ve been running these ever since the devastation in 2004, after which seismologists identified the area as potentially earthquake-prone. Seismology is an interesting area of science, because even in understanding why earthquakes take place, there is really nothing humans can actually do about it. Tectonic plate collisions… hey buddy, can you give me a hand pushing these two continent sized lithosphere masses apart? Um… no. Really, the most that can be done is exactly what they are doing: have people be prepared and practice evacuating the area, so that in the event of an actual disaster, fewer lives will be lost to panic and general stupidity. The history of seismology is itself an interesting thing. My religious readers might enjoy this one… Wild speculation on the cause of earthquakes dates all the way back to ancient Greece, but the first serious scientific inquiries did not take place until after the destruction in Lisbon, Portugal in 1775, which is still regarded as one of the worst earthquakes in history. It is suspected to have measured between 8 and 9 on the Richter scale and was then followed by three consecutive tsunamis. An estimated 95% of the city was destroyed, up to half of the population killed, and in the aftermath, fires burned for five straight days, and looting, theft, and other crimes skyrocketed, even up to cannibalism, as people competed for what little resources remained. Now, the interesting thing, for those bible thumping evangelists who claim that earthquakes are punishments from God for assorted wickedness: Lisbon at that time was basically the most pious country in Europe. Pretty much the entire population was Roman Catholic. The city housed over 500 monasteries and countless more churches, and religious services and processions were held daily rather than only on the Sabbath. Additionally, the church bells would ring at dusk, and everyone would stop what they were doing to engage in prayer. The place really could not get any holier. The earthquake occurred on November 1, ‘All Saints Day’, (one of the many religious holy days the city observed), during morning mass. A large percentage of those who perished were crushed in the rubble of collapsed churches. And the really interesting thing: I mentioned 95% of the city was destroyed. As to the 5% that escaped without any serious damage? That would be Alfama, the city’s ‘red-light district’: The only place where ‘sin’ was accepted and encouraged. Essentially, it is the lesson of Sodom and Gomorrah in reverse. Except instead of being drawn from a fable that probably never happened, this one is drawn from actual documented history. Just a little something to think about on your way to church. ;)
Posted on: Sun, 27 Apr 2014 13:36:53 +0000
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