Science Category

The Incredible Planets, Moon, And Mercury

2008-09-20T07:26:00.002-07:00

When most of us think of astrology, we think about our natal sign and not much else. Do you know what some of the major influences are though, that define these Zodiac signs. First and foremost is the Sun. It is the center of all life and represents a person's personality and spirit. It is the planetary ruler of the sign Leo.

The Moon, on the other hand, gives us our Soul. The Moon is the ruling planet of the Zodiac sign Cancer. It is very much associated with the mother and with maternal instincts. In Chinese astrology, the Moon represents Yin, while the Sun represents Yang.

Mercury rules over Gemini and Virgo. It is the planet of the mind and of communication. In other words, it is the planet of the idea and the means to communicate the idea. The planet Venus rules over Taurus and Libra. Venus is associated with characteristics and principles of harmony and beauty. It is of course, concerned with love. It is also concerned with the pleasure we derive from personal possessions.

Mars is the ruling planet for the dynamic Aries, and to some astrologers, Scorpio, although modern astrologers now determine that Pluto is the ruler of Scorpio. Mars is the planet that is concerned with the things you want, and how you go about getting those things. Jupiter is associated with pleasure and enjoyment. It is the ruler of Sagittarius and is also associated with principles of growth, religion and higher education.

Saturn is the ruling planet of Capricorn and is associated with principles such as reality and restrictions, boundaries and rules. Saturn was traditionally the ruler of Aquarius until the discovery of the planet Uranus. Neptune is the ruling planet of Pisces and is associated with deception, illusions, spirituality and psychic phenomena. The planet Pluto is the ruling planet of Scorpio and is associated with the concept of transformation.

Preparation For A Tornado

2008-09-20T07:26:00.001-07:00

From March to May of every year, the southern states are occasionally plagued by disastrous weather phenomenon known as tornadoes. For northern states, the risk comes during spring to the onset of summer.

Tornadoes are considered as storms. And you know that no storm is not violent. The dangers caused by tornadoes are not due to the gustiness of the winds but by sudden and unanticipated occurrence.

Unlike hurricanes, which are comparatively more powerful, the onset of a tornado can not be easily tracked. Satellite weather systems can not easily spot them because of their sudden development and their relatively smaller scale.

Thus, people can only tell that there is a tornado when they actually see one. Tornadoes are massive and destructive mass of air accumulating rapidly is a circular manner. The wind is so strong that almost everything that comes to the way of the tornado is easily flown into it.

How to tell if a tornado is approaching

Before any safety measure, it is imperative that you be knowledgeable about the appearance and the indicators of the presence of the violent weather phenomenon.

Take note that before a tornado hits an area, the wind may not be destructive minutes before the tornado hits the place. Often, before a tornado is observed, the wind may be very still. There may or may not be presence of rain.

Usually, tornadoes occur at the trailing end of a thunderstorm. Thus, if there is strong thunderstorm, be prepared on the possibility that a tornado may come anytime during of before the thunderstorm ends.

Because tornadoes are made up basically of strong and whirling winds, one can not easily see them. Often, reported cases indicate that the tornado appears like a cloud-like structure.

Tornadoes can be seen due to the debris and dust they have accumulated while tracking their courses. You may see the debris rotating in the air in circular, whirling motion.

Before a tornado hits an area, you can also hear loud roaring sound that is almost similar to an approaching freight train. The wind will also become turbulent and destructive.

Safety measures before a tornado

One indicator that a tornado will possibly hit an area is dark and often violet to greenish sky, which is prevalent during destructive thunderstorms.

When you see and feel the indications of an approaching tornado, find a safe shelter right away. Remember, tornadoes are destructive and fatal not merely because of the strong winds but because of the debris they have accumulated.

These debris vary from roof, to large rocks, to large chunks of trees. When people are hit by such debris, that is the time the tornado becomes fatal. So make sure the shelter you find would protect you from any such debris.

Safety measures during a tornado

Homes located in areas that are often hit by tornadoes almost always have basements. Basements offer reliable protection to people during tornadoes, so find one during an attack of a tornado.

If you are in your car, just get out and find a safe shelter. Or simply lie down on sturdy structure. Lie flat and cover the head with hands. Be alert and look out for falling debris coming from the tornado.

After the tornado, make sure any structure in your home is not significantly damaged. Otherwise, seek professional help all at once to ensure your safety.

Tornadoes are phenomenal that one can not prevent it from occurring. However, if you know the how-to's of being safe during such weather disturbances, you would avoid being one of the many casualties arising from such a weather turbulence.

How To Survive A Tsunam

2008-09-20T07:25:00.001-07:00

Tsunamis used to be the stuff of movies and until it's devastation in Asia, most people didn't think it was possible for tsunamis to occur in that magnitude. With that realization, people have become aware of the risk and possible consequences of this natural calamity.

What is a tsunami? Tsunamis are not caused by strong winds but by tectonic displacements (earthquakes, volcano eruptions, landslides) that occur on the seafloor. Earthquakes that produce tsunamis are those that reach 6.5 or more on the Richter scale. The average speed of the waves is 300 mph and can last from 5 minutes to an hour.

In open sea, tsunamis usually go unnoticed, having amplitudes of just 1 meter or even less. However, in some situations, waves that enter shallow water can swell to several feet and in some rare cases, rise high enough to strike coastal areas with terrible force.

Who's at risk? People who live in coastal areas located along or near the Pacific Ocean are most prone to tsunamis. This area is most vulnerable because of seismic activity in what is called the Ring of Fire. It has also occurred in Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii and the Virgin Islands.

What to do in a tsunami emergency When a strong earthquake is felt, leave the water immediately, get to shore and go as far away as you can from the beach, fast. If your location allows it, go to a higher ground. If the area you are in is mostly flat, go as far inland as you can. If you can spot the wave, you are too close to escape it, regardless of its apparent distance.

Tune in to your local radio station, the weather radio or turn on the TV for news and updates. They will inform you if there is a tsunami watch or warning issued in your area and where the emergency centers are.

Locate all members of your family and make sure everyone is informed. Agree on a place to meet in case you're not together and make sure it's safe and as far away from the shore as possible.

If you have family members who have special needs like elderly people, small children or infants and those with disabilities, you might want to evacuate early. You might also want to prepare your pets for moving, so bring emergency supplies for them as well.

Check your emergency supply kits and bring them with you. It would be a good idea if they had been regularly restocked but if not, take what you can or get what is needed if you still have the time and opportunity. Otherwise, opt to get water, food and extra clothes instead.

You might want to secure your house, but remember that this is the last priority. Your life and that of your family's are the most important considerations during a tsunami emergency. Expect items in your house to be swept away and if you could still secure them, do so.

Tsunami watch vs. tsunami warning A tsunami watch is different from a tsunami warning. A tsunami watch means that the presence of a dangerous tsunami is not yet confirmed or verified, although it is possible there is one. It also includes predictions on what time the tsunami is expected and where it will possibly strike.

A tsunami warning means that there is a confirmed tsunami in your area and it could be close. The warning will include the time at which the tsunami is expected and which areas are affected.

As a last emergency tip... If you find yourself under the mercy of an incoming wave, climb onto the rooftop of your house or on the highest point of the nearest structure and brace yourself. Hold on tightly to anything that's strong and stable enough. Climb a tree if you have to and don't let go.

If you're already in the water, grab a floating object that can hold your weight and hold onto it until you can reach stable ground or when help is available. Grab onto anything that is firm and strive to get out of the water as much as possible. The current will be strong and there could be heavy and sharp debris in the water that could crash into you.

Tsunamis, like most things nature produces, are uncontrollable. The only advantage is that they do come with a warning (a strong earthquake). The only way to survive it is to be prepared, be ready to go and to keep your wits about you.

Preparing For A Tsunami

2008-09-20T07:23:00.000-07:00

In 2004, a tsunami swept over certain parts of Southeast Asia, which extended up to Africa. More than 200,000 people perished with some bodies never identified or recovered.

The incident is not the first but one of many that have happened over the centuries. It is not only in the Pacific but also in the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean, which makes it everyone's concern.

History shows that tsunamis have occurred dating from 1600 B.C until the present with the latest in July that killed more than 600 people in the island of Indonesia.

Until now, the exact location where tsunamis will strike cannot yet be predicted. Once an underground earthquake occurs, an alert is sent to coastal communities that something could go in that direction.

Since the Pacific is known throughout the world as the ring of fire due to the numerous underwater volcanoes, it is only right that a tsunami emergency alert system is in place to prepare people for the worse.

The tragic event that took place almost two years ago never had such a system. It was only after that regional governments decided to come up with one to prevent it from happening again.

The alert system is made up of four things. This is namely information, advisory, watch and warning.

When an underground earthquake has been detected, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center based in Hawaii will issue the news to the countries in the region. Since the impact is not yet known, an advisory will be sent about possible areas that will be hit.

There is a saying that goes, " it is better to be safe than sorry." The prediction may not happen but this is better than having a lot of casualties because the no warning was reported.

The after effects of the underwater earthquake may take hours but everyone knows that the tsunami is coming.

This is the time that people in the coastal communities should watch over the water. If it recedes, then a warning will be given to everyone that a mandatory evacuation must begin.

A siren is usually used to inform everyone. This will sound at different times starting from three hours before impact until half an hour before the tidal waves are supposed to hit the beach.

During this time, residents should already begin moving out of the danger zone. People can go deeper inland or run to the hills. It will be a good idea to bring water, food and clothing. Packing a light transistor radio will also be helpful to be able to stay informed when it is safe to come down.

The tsunami emergency preparation does not end when the reports predict that it is on the way. People will still be there monitoring the situation to issue a warning cancellation if nothing happened or if it is safe to return.

Countries that live in the Pacific Rim of Fire must coordinate with each other to minimize the loss of life. This is because it is much easier to rebuild and impossible to replace someone who died.

Community leaders should hold exercises to time how long it takes to evacuate the area so that everyone will be ready when the real thing hits the shores. A headcount can be done to find out if there are any people still missing should the inevitable strike.

Preparing For An Emergency Volcano Eruption

Volcanoes are truly fascinating features of nature. Most often, they are adored for beauty and wonder, like the perfectly structured cone of the Mayon Volcano in the Philippines and the monstrosity of Mt. Fiji in Japan.

Volcanoes are almost like beautiful mountains except for they become disastrous. Volcanoes are also mountains, but they are different in sense that the geothermal activity within them are active and are occasionally subject to destructive processes.

There are two kinds of volcanoes. One is dormant and inactive. Such volcanoes are like normal mountain and do not erupt. The other type id the destructive of the active volcanoes, which occasionally erupt.

Most volcanoes around the world are located at special zones that are strategically located around the Pacific Ocean. Thus, the areas around the Pacific are collectively known as the Pacific Ring of Fire.

The most destructive volcanoes are located in countries around the Pacific like Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines and New Zealand. Hawaii and other islands around the Pacific are also rich in volcanic supplies.

Volcanic eruptions

Through the years, people have seen the destructive potential of volcanoes. Many people have lost properties and loved ones to raging and molten lava that erupting volcanoes produce.

Often volcanic eruptions also accompany great and destructive earthquakes, making the disaster more catastrophic. Mudflow can also occur if there is rain over the crater of a volcano that is near eruption.

Preparing for volcanic eruptions

Fortunately, volcanic eruptions do not happen abruptly. That is because it would take some time before a volcano is able to accumulate enough lava that would trigger an eruption.

Often, there are indicators that are monitored before an eruption of a volcano. Natives and residents of nearby areas could also tell when an eruption is eminent.

Thus, volcanologists and seismologists would be able to advise people days or even months before the eruption of a volcano. The advice would serve as a warning.

When a warning is issued to an area, people are expected to take the necessary precautions so their lives could be spared from the forthcoming disaster.

Here are some emergency safety guidelines that could help you prepare for a volcanic eruption.

Â· If your home is located within the few kilometers from the volcano, evacuate at once. You can opt to take your belongings with you or just leave them.

Â· Earthquakes are normal occurrences when an active volcano is about to erupt so do not panic. Instead, proceed to doing the precautionary measures.

Â· Sudden rains especially at the crater of the volcano would lead to an abrupt mudflow. The mud is not ordinary mud. It can contain pre-volcanic eruption debris and could be too hot that is enough to hard-boil an egg. Beware, or you may suffer from burns coming from mudflow.

Â· When the volcano finally erupts, it may emit volcanic debris up in the air. Be prepared to see falling rocks and small stones coming from the crater. Thus, take a safe shelter during the eruption.

Â· Prepare gas masks because the volcanic eruption may also be accompanied by foul odor coming from the release of sulfur. You may suffocate or may not be able to take normal breathing during a volcanic eruption.

Â· Lava is the centerpiece of the eruption. It is also the most destructive material the volcano will produce during an eruption. It is composed of very hot mud that may instantly burn down any material. Avoid contact with the lava.

Â· After the eruption, wait for volcanologists' advice on when you can safely get back to your homes.

Volcanoes are truly one of nature's most destructive forces. Be prepared for volcanic eruptions if you live nearby an active volcano. You do not need to change address. All you need is to take precautionary measures when the volcano produces signs of eminent eruption.