Here in New Zealand we are part of what is known as The Pacific Rim. Countries around this rim live with the knowledge that earthquakes and tsunami are part of the geological makeup of the region. The earthquake in Christchurch and the one that followed in Japan force us to acknowledge our vulnerability.
These tsunami evacuation route signs dotted along the coastline are constant reminders.
My heart aches for all those involved in the recent earthquakes and tsunamis. I also live on a coastline, I'm in eastern Canada, but luckily the fault off our coast is not active...but, you can never predict what will happen, so who knows.
ReplyDeleteFound you from the A-Z Challenge, I’m now following you on GFC and I hope you have a chance to check out my blog!
Monica
http://oldermommystillyummy.blogspot.com/
It must be so difficult living with that shadow over you all the time. I see that you split your time between the UK and NZ. I wonder, does it feel safer when you come here to the UK or are there different fears and dangers?
ReplyDeleteTraffic seems horrendous to us when we return yet we used to commute to London daily. Plus overcrowding brings about some very socially unacceptable behaviour on all levels, not least in hospitals and aged care, as you know. Here people are more in touch with natural environment even if city dwellers. More space. You can forgive nature its foibles... it's just putting you in your place.
ReplyDeletethe community I grew up in was hit with a Tsunami in 1929, my grandparents used to tell me stories about it, it was not nearly was devistating as the tsunami's that are occuring now. I hope you never have to use that evacuation route
ReplyDeletestopping in from the A to Z to say hello
http://baygirl32.blogspot.com/
Interesting post and timely. We live on a fault line in Montana and feel termors from time to time. Nature can often show it's power.
ReplyDeleteManzanita
Wanna buy a duck
So, since you live on the Pacific rim, do you have an emergency plan?
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine what it's like to live in a region affected by earthquakes and Tsunamis. I hope that Japan can rebuild what they lost or what has been damaged.
ReplyDeleteEvacuation routes are important things that I believe many regions should have in place, whether they are known for being affected by earthquakes or not.
We should also develop more survival kits and related forms of preparation such as evacuation plans and support efforts to educate those who need to learn about how to prepare themselves and their families and communities to handle disasters, should they occur.
The Madlab Post
NZers are encouraged by the Govt Advisory body to keep an emergency box handy with food, torch, water, etc enough to feed your family for 3 days. Big earthquakes few & far between but heavy rain often causes landslides that block roads and isolate small communities.
ReplyDeleteHi Christine. Thank you for the comment on my blog. And it was good to read this post and the comments from people around the world. So right how *very* important it is to know the evacuation route and to have a survival kit.
ReplyDeleteThe damage here is on a scale that I have never seen. As I have explained, we live far, far from the destruction, and aside from shortages of yogurt, tissue, batteries and T.P., we are physically unaffected. Nevertheless, the stories and the images are close and starkly real as are the worries for the future in regards to rebuilding and dealing with any damage caused by radiation.
I am grateful for all the kind thoughts, and the donations from people all over who send their prayers and these tangible things to Japan. It gives me hope and makes me feel like she is/we are not suffering alone.