Alright. So, it's 2011. Which means next year is 2012. Is the world as we know it going to end??
Short answer: Highly doubtful, but who the heck knows?!
Natural disasters, political craziness, economic collapse, nuclear threats, sunspots, 2012... The list goes on. Regardless of validity, "Armageddon" is a prominent thought in our global consciousness right now. But hasn't it been "The End Of The World" time and time again? Every generation has its doomsday fears; is now any different?
Humans tend to think we know an awful lot, what with all our research and science and data and all that... but the truth of the matter is, we've been living on this planet a comparatively short time. The earth is not a static ball of rock that we live on and have mastery over; it is a dynamic, living, constantly changing being of its own - and we happen to be one of the tiny creatures living on its surface! When natural disasters like the recent Japan earthquake happen, we all seem to go a little bit crazy asking ourselves, What could we have done to predict or prevent this from happening?
... And the answer to THAT question is: Probably not a darned thing. There are some warning signs out there when the earth gets unsettled, but whether anything monumental will happen (or not) is really anyone's guess.
Right now, for example, we seem to be in a period of extremely heightened seismic activity. There are largish earthquakes happening ALL OVER the globe on a daily basis. Magnitute 6+ earthquakes don't even make it beyond local news. To add to that, we are entering solar cycle 24 - which is predicted to be the largest in well over 100 years. Solar activity has been correlated with increased seismic activity. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, right? For those curious souls out there, here are a few hard science links that may be of interest. Unless you prefer the "ignorance is bliss" mindset - which is not always such a bad way to go. ;)
Seismic monitoring stations:
Yellowstone Seismic Maps
Pacific NW Seismic Network
USGS Earthquakes
New Madrid
Solar activity:
SolarIMG (photos and graphs of solar activity and more)
Solar Terrestrial Activity Report
SolarMonitor
NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory
Helioviewer
... What do you think?? I would love to know your opinion!!
I think over the next couple of years we are in for one wild ride. I, for one, am looking forward to it. ;)
ReplyDeleteHallelujah! Not about the ride we're in for, but for your blog. I agree and love to read such common sense instead of sensational egotism.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Ellen
http://mymotherstuttered.blogspot.com/
Love the post! I like the down to earth approach and science rather than sensationalism.
ReplyDeleteLove it! I also feel we are in for some relatively imminent and drastic changes, but as you say it's really anybody's guess as to what they may be. I try not to dismiss any of the possibilities thrown at us though some are certainly more plausible and likely than others. I think in the aftermath we will probably think ourselves silly on some levels, but the idea should be to READY for SOME kind of change. Maybe we'll even get a little bit of everything!! Nice piece! :)<3
ReplyDeleteThe sky has always been falling, so to speak. Our communications systems in this age enable us to know when any big (or little) thing happens. It does seem, though, that more bad things are happening than there were, even ten years ago. But can you do anything about it? Humanity is nothing against Mother Nature. I'm your newest follower!
ReplyDeleteThank you, all! Yes, it does seem that things have ramped up - and everyone I know is feeling a not-so-subtle "get prepared" urging. It will definitely be interesting to see what happens over the coming months and years!
ReplyDelete