How Tsunamis Work

The most common causes of tsunamis are underwater earthquakes. A tsunami is not a single wave, but a series that behave much like the waves rippling out from a stone dropped in a pond. Each wave can last five to 15 minutes, and the danger can last for hours after the initial wave arrives. “Tsunami waves heights cannot be predicted and the first wave may not be the largest,” according to NOAA statement.

Tsunami Infographic from Erica Edwards on Vimeo.

Tsunamis can be generated when chunks of the planet’s crust separate under the seafloor, causing an earthquake. Here’s what happens: One slab of lifting crust essentially rapidly acts as a giant paddle, transferring its energy to the water. Tsunamis can also be caused by volcanic eruptions, underwater detonations and even landslides.

Prediksi Gempa, Akuratkah ?

Gempa susulan yang terus terjadi di Jepang (Google Earth/USGS)

Gempa yang mengguncang Jepang (11/03/11) yang berkekuatan hingga 9 SR dan kemudian diiringi dengan hempasan gelombang tsunami yang meluluhlantakkan sebagian pesisir timur Jepang telah membuat masyarakat dunia kembali berduka. Bencana besar ini telah memakan banyak korban dan  tentunya menimbulkan kerugian yang tidak sedikit jumlahnya.

SUPER MOON

Super Moon

Super Moon, the phase where the moon comes killing close to earth and thus paving the way for humongous natural disasters. According to the scientists, the super moon will occur on March 19h, Sunday,2011. For many experts, that is a false association, and they say that any kind of cycle connected to natural disasters is just a coincidence, and the moon has no effect on any flood or earthquake going on on the earth. 

Earthquake Safety Tips

Earthquakes are a common occurrence, rumbling below Earth's surface thousands of times every day. But major earthquakes are less common. Here are some things to do to prepare for an earthquake and what to do once the ground starts shaking.

EARTHQUAKE

Earthquakes, also called temblors, can be so tremendously destructive, it’s hard to imagine they occur by the thousands every day around the world, usually in the form of small tremors.

Some 80 percent of all the planet's earthquakes occur along the rim of the Pacific Ocean, called the "Ring of Fire" because of the preponderance of volcanic activity there as well. Most earthquakes occur at fault zones, where tectonic plates—giant rock slabs that make up the Earth's upper layer—collide or slide against each other. These impacts are usually gradual and unnoticeable on the surface; however, immense stress can build up between plates. When this stress is released quickly, it sends massive vibrations, called seismic waves, often hundreds of miles through the rock and up to the surface. Other quakes can occur far from faults zones when plates are stretched or squeezed.

TwinSat si PERAMAL GEMPA

Gempa Selandia Baru, 2011

Bencana gempa bumi tak akan berhenti selagi bumi masih berputar. Oleh karena itu, kita yang tinggal di kerak bumi yang dinamis harus senantiasa siap siaga menghadapi ancaman gempa bumi yang bisa datang kapan saja. Telah banyak usaha yang dilakukan oleh manusia untuk "mengakali" gempa agar dampak kerugiannya bisa diminimalisir. Salah satu caranya adalah dengan membuat satelit "peramal gempa".

Tanya-Jawab Tentang Gempa

Akhir-akhir ini kita sering sekali mendengar berita tentang gempa, baik itu yang di publish di stasiun TV, Radio, dan situs situs internet yang memang bertugas memberitakan gempa seperti BMKG ataupun USGS. Karena pemberitaan yang demikian heboh, maka
banyak muncul pertanyaan