Are we ready when earthquakes and tsunamis strike?

As of today,  hundreds of people are found dead and countless  are missing in Japan after being hit by M8.9 earthquake and the east coast cities and towns were savaged by a 13 meter-high tsunamis. That was the worst earthquake in Japan. 

The earthquake and tsunamis had created a whirlpool in seabed of Fukushima

 At least Japan has developed earthquake-proof buildings, and synchronized alarm systems that have helped evacuated millions of people before the tsunamis savaged the city. If not, maybe millions of dead people will float in the coasts of their cities. Remember, Tokyo alone has 30 million populations.

The busy city of Sindai, caught by a tsunami

Philippines is so blessed. Although we are in the so called “ring of fire,” we did not experience as big as this natural disaster. I cannot figure out if this happened to our country, maybe millions of people will die. Thanks God! 

A disastrous tsunamis heavily savaged this village

Yet, Japan’s disaster is a precaution to us. Such catastrophe may happen to us anytime, anywhere.

The question is how ready are we if these calamities strike our country? 

The shanty area of Manila, with  thousands of poor Filipinos living in poverty

In the Philippines, look at the shanty areas along the coastal areas of Metro Manila where millions of impoverished Filipinos are living. Though they are aware of the danger but  still, they risk their lives of staying along the seashore or they will die in hunger. 

Along the seeashore, our impoverished Filipinos squate riskily

According to Architect Palapoc, one of the best architects in the Philippines, it is safer to stay in a high-rise building rather than being trapped in a three or two storey edifice. He said, at least the government is strict in implementing the policies for tall buildings but not in low-rise structures. 

Philippines is too prone for tsunamis, too. Yet, people choose to live along the bayside for their daily living. 

The very poor conditions of houses prune to eartquake, fire and even tsunamis

Our concern is not only about taking care of the environment because natural disaster strikes like a thief in the night. Readiness and saving lives are among the key concerns we have to do.

Are we prepared when earthquakes come?  At least we can be warned with tsunamis yet nobody knows when earthquakes will strike. Nobody knows!

Imagine if an earthquake and tsunamis strike this city?

Earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic eruption, will be with us forever. They happened in the past and they will happen tomorrow and the next millions of years hence.

We can only hope that the Earth sciences of geology, seismology and related fields will keep improving in order to allow us to better understand and better prepare for the impending natural geological movements.

Again, are you ready when tsunamis and earthquake strike?