February 29th, 2012 -- Posted in Earthquakes |
A close relative, YaVaughnie Wilkins, knowing my love and respect for the power of Mother Nature, bid on and won a very special bottle of wine for me at a charity auction. The California wine is called Earthquake. She knew I would love it by the name alone. However, when I visited the vineyard’s website I learned that “The original Earthquake Zin comes from an old Lodi vineyard planted around the time of San Francisco’s great Earthquake in 1906. The vineyard owners thought it fitting to relate the wine name with the historical quake.”
Not only that, but the bottle itself has a poem that pays homage to earth (land and soil) and earthquakes. I’ve posted the mesmerizing poem below. Oh, and the wine is yummy, too.
Zinfandel
Old Lodi wines, yielding supreme
Like ancient volcanoes releasing their steam.
Danger is present, felt but unseen
Vines of such power, such high self-esteem.
Intentionally hostile, purposefully bold
Nice not an option when truth must be told.
Energy captured, awaiting release
Zinfandel Vines, the great seismic beasts.
Instilling such fear, a risk few will take
Nothing prepares you for the Zinfandel Quake.
Kevin Phillips–
March 11th, 2011 -- Posted in Earthquakes, Tsunami |
by Victoria M. Johnson
At 2:46 pm a magnitude 8.9 earthquake rocked Japan. This is Japan’s largest quake on record, and one of the largest ever recorded in the world. The epicenter was 231 miles northeast of Tokyo. The quake triggered a 32-foot tsunami that pummeled Japan’s eastern coast, killing hundreds of people as it swept away everything in its path. In the cities closest to the epicenter, Sendai and Honshu, hundreds of bodies were found with over 500 people reported missing and 627 people injured.
Aftermath of Earthquake and Tsunami
More than 50 aftershocks have been recorded, with tremors reaching as far as Tokyo. The photos of the region show catastrophic devastation. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a tsunami warning has been issued for parts of the U.S. West Coast in addition to the earlier warning for Hawaii and the western Pacific islands. A 7-foot tsunami reached Hawaii at 9:00 am but did not cause major damage. Officials warned that the waves could get larger. A magnitude 7.3 struck this area of Japan two days ago, causing no damage.
February 22nd, 2011 -- Posted in Earthquakes |
According to the USGS, the quake striking near Christchurch, New Zealand today was of magnitude 6.3. At a depth of 3.1 miles, the quake has already claimed 65 lives. And the city is still being hit by numerous aftershocks. This is a much shallower depth then the quake that struck the region in September. A 7.1 earthquake struck the city then.
New Zealand Earthquake
With residents already on edge, this quake has caused many to panic. The Christian Science Monitor reports collapsed buildings and major damage to downtown buildings including the Christchurch Cathedral. Christchurch is the country’s second largest city, where about 26,000 employees work full-time. The Daily Mail reported, “The quake was caused by the continuing collision between the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates, said Professor Mark Quigley, of Canterbury University.” New Zealand records more than 14,000 earthquakes a year, but only about 150 are felt by residents. Fewer than ten a year do any damage.