8.8 magnitude earthquake hits Chile

[muppet]

But it seems journalists will report every earthquake in the context of tsunami alerts. Just like every new winter flu will be reported in the context of it being, nearly being or not being a pandemic.

I'd have to disagree with that, alot of these island were on high alert, but thankfully didn't come to what people feared. Didn't think it would hit Australia or Japan, like predicted.

I've a friend living and working in the Pacific, so I'm worried so him

53 countries I believe. That was my point, every time an elephant farts now there will be a tsunami alert. Until of course we have cried wolf so many times that the alerts will be ignored and become meaningless. Then there will be a real tsunami.

What do you propose they do? There are so many variables and so much uncertainty involved in the immediate aftermath of a quake (which is exactly when the warnings are needed) that precise prediction of the gravity of these things is extremely difficult. As with weather forecasting, most intelligent people understand that there is an unavoidable element of error in making these kinds of predictions. I would imagine that, provided they are properly educated on these matters, that people living in these tsunami-vulnerable regions will have a similar understanding. Its not like there haven't been numerous examples of the deadly effects of tsunamis over the past century or so.

I have no problem with countries around the Pacific rim having tsunami alerts obviously. Better safe than sorry.

My problem is that when there is an enormous earthquake our media outlets now seem to fixated on reporting the threat it might have in Australia, the US or Japan while forgetting about the real damage that has already happened due to the actual earthquake. It is as if the earthquake has already happened therefore it is old news and they already want to move onto something new, such as the chance of a tsunami.

But that's a separate issue. Government scientists who (correctly) issue the tsunami alerts can't control what the media choose to hype.

It is the media reporting I am commenting on. It is as if they can't report on something unless it is a current or future threat/scare whatever.

A tsunami alert is a very serious thing. Just because it eventually turns out to be a false alarm doesn't make it any less serious or newsworthy while its active. And I'm sure the affected governments are happy (and may require them to do it for all I know) for the media to inform the public of the threat. I'm not sure how you would like this to have played out - who are you criticising - RTE? BBC? Sky News, CNN, Fox and other such major global news stations which probably have a reach in most of the affected regions at this stage?

I live in Ireland. I'm glad RTE & Newstalk warned me of the tsunami threat in Australia, Japan & Hawaii for two whole days. My family and I have been living in the attic eating only tins of beans. Can we come out now?

[Farrandeelin]

CNN is showing 11 confirmed fatalities according to Chilean President.
The major bridge connecting northern and southern Chile is impassable or destroyed.
Tsunami watches go out for Chile and Peru.

Isn't someone from the board down in South America right now?

ballinaman is in New Zealand now...

[ziggysego]

I live in Ireland. I'm glad RTE & Newstalk warned me of the tsunami threat in Australia, Japan & Hawaii for two whole days. My family and I have been living in the attic eating only tins of beans. Can we come out now?

I live in Ireland. I'm glad RTE & Newstalk kept me abreast of the tsunami threat. I have friends in Australia and Pangai, Tonga. At least I knew if they were ok and what danger they were or weren't in.

[Zapatista]

I live in Ireland. I'm glad RTE & Newstalk warned me of the tsunami threat in Australia, Japan & Hawaii for two whole days. My family and I have been living in the attic eating only tins of beans. Can we come out now?

I agree it was disgusting churnalism. I heard on Today FM that "there are fears of a Tsunami reaking widespread destruction on costal lines across the pacific". It pissed me off. Irresponsible jounalism should treated as a crime.

[Hardy]

My family and I have been living in the attic eating only tins of beans. Can we come out now?

I'd give it ten minutes.

[ziggysego]

My family and I have been living in the attic eating only tins of beans. Can we come out now?

I'd give it ten minutes.

You're thinking about when muppet bes in the toilet.

[Aerlik]

When I lived in Toyokawa city, Japan - about 20kms inland on the Toyogawa river, we would occasionally get Tsunami warnings and the big flood barriers would be put in place to prevent storm surge upstream as much of the area was very low lying, perhaps 5metres above sea level.  A right pain in the arse at 2am on a Tuesday morning I can tell you.  The TV stations gave out bilingual warnings and would show the areas likely threatened.  The reason why Japan takes the precautions is because in the past towns and villages on the Pacific coast were completely wiped out by Tsunamis.

8.8 is some shake.  In Japan I experienced some around the 7 mark on the Richter scale and that was frightening.  The feeling of helplessness and as you look around people just freeze in their tracks.

[Croí na hÉireann]

CNN is showing 11 confirmed fatalities according to Chilean President.
The major bridge connecting northern and southern Chile is impassable or destroyed.
Tsunami watches go out for Chile and Peru.

Isn't someone from the board down in South America right now?

Was in Santiago about a month ago, lovely city, hope it hasn't been affected much. We also did the Inca Trail about 10 days before the landslides hit, thank Christ we didn't have the wedding a month later...