Natural and Nuclear turmoil in Japan

Last week an earthquake occured in the Sendai region of Japan. This in turn spawned a devastating tsunami which was reported to have gone at most six miles inland leaving behind it a path of destruction and thousands of people unaccounted for. The tsunami also triggered waves that reached other nations in the Pacific ocean up to the West Coast of California. Many were given ample warning to evacuate from these affected areas. The waves surged along the docks of Santa Cruz with heights up to eight feet. Five people in the area were swept away but foruntalety were resuced.

Thousands of lives were saved in Japan due to many measures taken by the government. Since Japan is close to prominent faultlines they design several structures to withstand earthquakes and hold annual earthquake drills. In this earthquake witnesses reported seeing the buildings sway back and forth but not collapse as expected. The first confirmed victim in Sendai was a Canadian priest whose car was hit by the fatal tsunami waves. The local diocesan bishop pledges that the Church in Japan will respond.

Many concerns arise from this natural disaster. The survival of the victims and the nuculear threat. After the earthquake the Fukushima Dai-ichi three nuclear power plants were at risk of meltdown. Those in the vicinity of the area were evacuated and checked for radiation. Those who had radiation would be decontaminated and others would be offered iodine pills as an extra precaution. Residents still in the area have been told to seal themselves indoors until the radiation levels decrease.

The economy in Japan has plummeted. Japan is the third largest economic power globally and is known for it's technological advances. Production at car plants have halted until fiuther notice. Thailand is inspecting Japanese imports  for radiation. Economic Interdependence between these nations as well as other countires like the United States and Philippines is going to struggle.

We can help the situation by donating our time and money as our means allow. Send donations to the Red Cross and other legitimate organizations invloved in the recovery process. Beware of scams and donate any goods you can. Other than that, we can simply offer a prayer.

-tbtcom1213

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