Another Earthquake Strikes Nepal
Only weeks after a 7.8 magnitude quake struck Nepal, another 7-pointer (7.3 this time) has hit the same region. The first quake caused a lot of damage and thousands of deaths. It was felt not just in Nepal but in surrounding countries as well. The second earthquake earlier today has, according to news reports, caused at least 30 40 57 66 deaths and injured hundreds thousands. No doubt the numbers will continue to rise. As the hash-tags #NepalEarthquake and #prayforNepal trend on Twitter, I can't help but think of what the poor people of Nepal must be going through. After losing so much (and so many) already, people in one of the world's poorest regions again go through agony, suffering and heartbreak.
Having lived in Napier, New Zealand for several years, I am no stranger to earthquakes. In 1931 a large (7.8 on the Richter scale) earthquake struck the area, killing 256 and injuring thousands. Many buildings were destroyed and damaged. After the earthquake the region was rebuilt in true 'thirties style with Napier buildings (re)built in Art Deco style and many buildings in nearby Hastings built in Spanish Mission style. If you ever fly into Napier, take a moment to appreciate that the area where the airport is now was under water before the 1931 earthquake. I don't mean to say earthquakes are nice or good or anything of the sort, however rebuilding does give a city or country the chance to build better and sturdier buildings (and seeing I quite like Art Deco, prettier ones too!).
While very heavy quakes like the two that struck Nepal today and last month certainly don't (or shouldn't) happen every week, smaller earthquakes are quite common in New Zealand and around the world. Three-pointers one barely notices, they feel as if a large truck is rumbling past outside, making the house shake. When walking, one might not even notice them. Four-pointers can make lamps sway or cause things to fall off shelves, however they're not extremely strange or scary once you've experienced a few. Five-pointers get me worried. As lamps sway and things fall off shelves you feel the earth shake and roll as if caught on a massive wave. You're faced with the knowledge that the ground underneath your feet is not as stable or solid as you'd like it to be. Caught on the toilet once during such a five-pointer, I had a moment to think "Surely this can't be it? If I die here now I'll know for sure God has a sense of humour" before moving to a nearby doorway with others as we waited out the quake. No-one was physically hurt and the building I was in wasn't damaged; only a few cups and plates hit the floor.
How lucky were we, compared to regions hit by massive quakes? How fortunate was I, compared to the poor people of Nepal? Each and every time an earthquake struck while I lived in Napier, I was awed and amazed by the experience. Not because it was so interesting or wonderful but because it is an extremely humbling experience that shows us humans how truly small and insignificant we really are.
Some earthquakes are over in seconds, others feel like they last for minutes. Some earthquakes cause a lot of damage, others don't. Earthquakes serve as a reminder that the ground can easily open up to swallow us or shock-waves travelling underground can cause buildings to collapse, killing and hurting many in the process. Earthquakes don't just cause death and injury to living beings, they also cost a lot of money and cause a lot of stress and trauma. So if you can, consider donating to a charity organisation or finding a way to help the poor people of Nepal. Even if all you can do is to show your support by sharing the message that some of the world's poorest people deserve all the help, well-wishes and prayers they can get, do that. Every voice that speaks out for the people of Nepal is a voice for human decency, kindness and compassion. We share this world together. Let's connect with our fellow human beings and show that we support them when they need it the most.
Everyone has lost a relative, a friend or a neighbour, or
all of them in #Gorkha.
http://t.co/e1XjISSAee
pic.twitter.com/Sr096cyjSP
—
Nepali Times (@nepalitimes) May
11, 2015
Having lived in Napier, New Zealand for several years, I am no stranger to earthquakes. In 1931 a large (7.8 on the Richter scale) earthquake struck the area, killing 256 and injuring thousands. Many buildings were destroyed and damaged. After the earthquake the region was rebuilt in true 'thirties style with Napier buildings (re)built in Art Deco style and many buildings in nearby Hastings built in Spanish Mission style. If you ever fly into Napier, take a moment to appreciate that the area where the airport is now was under water before the 1931 earthquake. I don't mean to say earthquakes are nice or good or anything of the sort, however rebuilding does give a city or country the chance to build better and sturdier buildings (and seeing I quite like Art Deco, prettier ones too!).
While very heavy quakes like the two that struck Nepal today and last month certainly don't (or shouldn't) happen every week, smaller earthquakes are quite common in New Zealand and around the world. Three-pointers one barely notices, they feel as if a large truck is rumbling past outside, making the house shake. When walking, one might not even notice them. Four-pointers can make lamps sway or cause things to fall off shelves, however they're not extremely strange or scary once you've experienced a few. Five-pointers get me worried. As lamps sway and things fall off shelves you feel the earth shake and roll as if caught on a massive wave. You're faced with the knowledge that the ground underneath your feet is not as stable or solid as you'd like it to be. Caught on the toilet once during such a five-pointer, I had a moment to think "Surely this can't be it? If I die here now I'll know for sure God has a sense of humour" before moving to a nearby doorway with others as we waited out the quake. No-one was physically hurt and the building I was in wasn't damaged; only a few cups and plates hit the floor.
How lucky were we, compared to regions hit by massive quakes? How fortunate was I, compared to the poor people of Nepal? Each and every time an earthquake struck while I lived in Napier, I was awed and amazed by the experience. Not because it was so interesting or wonderful but because it is an extremely humbling experience that shows us humans how truly small and insignificant we really are.
Some earthquakes are over in seconds, others feel like they last for minutes. Some earthquakes cause a lot of damage, others don't. Earthquakes serve as a reminder that the ground can easily open up to swallow us or shock-waves travelling underground can cause buildings to collapse, killing and hurting many in the process. Earthquakes don't just cause death and injury to living beings, they also cost a lot of money and cause a lot of stress and trauma. So if you can, consider donating to a charity organisation or finding a way to help the poor people of Nepal. Even if all you can do is to show your support by sharing the message that some of the world's poorest people deserve all the help, well-wishes and prayers they can get, do that. Every voice that speaks out for the people of Nepal is a voice for human decency, kindness and compassion. We share this world together. Let's connect with our fellow human beings and show that we support them when they need it the most.
