Due to this earthquake a tsunami developed in the Pacific Ocean.
Not only going at jet speed to Hawai.
But also to Baja California.
Soon the first e-mail from a dear friend nearby came in:
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center is issuing alerts that a tsunami has been created as a result of the earthquake in Chile. According to my calculations that means it will be here any time now - they are estimating it will arrive around 9:45AM!! Please take precautions and stay out of the water and away from beaches. Exposure does not matter as the wave will wrap AROUND!! Stay safe!!
So, what exactly had this Pacific Tsunami Warning Center to say ?
TSUNAMI BULLETIN NUMBER 010
PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER/NOAA/NWS
ISSUED AT 1545Z 27 FEB 2010
THIS BULLETIN APPLIES TO AREAS WITHIN AND BORDERING THE PACIFIC
OCEAN AND ADJACENT SEAS...EXCEPT ALASKA...BRITISH COLUMBIA...
WASHINGTON...OREGON AND CALIFORNIA.
... A WIDESPREAD TSUNAMI WARNING IS IN EFFECT ...
A TSUNAMI WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR
CHILE / PERU / ECUADOR / COLOMBIA / ANTARCTICA / PANAMA /
COSTA RICA / NICARAGUA / PITCAIRN / HONDURAS / EL SALVADOR /
GUATEMALA / FR. POLYNESIA / MEXICO / COOK ISLANDS / KIRIBATI /
KERMADEC IS / NIUE / NEW ZEALAND / TONGA / AMERICAN SAMOA /
SAMOA / JARVIS IS. / WALLIS-FUTUNA / TOKELAU / FIJI /
AUSTRALIA / HAWAII / PALMYRA IS. / TUVALU / VANUATU
A serious alert therefore; including Mexico!
A tsunami coming!!
But what is exactly a tsunami?
According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center:
A TSUNAMI IS A SERIES OF WAVES AND THE FIRST WAVE MAY NOT BE THE LARGEST.
TSUNAMI WAVE HEIGHTS CANNOT BE PREDICTED AND CAN VARY
SIGNIFICANTLY ALONG A COAST DUE TO LOCAL EFFECTS.
THE TIME FROM ONE TSUNAMI WAVE TO THE NEXT CAN BE FIVE MINUTES TO AN HOUR, AND THE THREAT CAN CONTINUE FOR MANY HOURS AS MULTIPLE WAVES ARRIVE.
Soon after, a new e-mail:
Michel, YOU MUST GET OUT OF THE ARROYO NOW!!! THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE YOU WILL BE GREATLY AFFECTED BY THE TSUNAMI - GET OUT OF THERE. PLEASE GO TELL EVERYONE IN BDS TOO. EVERYONE MUST STAY 100 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL!!!!! GO NOW
Pretty serious, that tsunami coming from Chile.
Without hesitation the Fuso Szulc was made ready to travel, a procedure that takes over half an hour.
While watching the sea from a corner of the eye in case the first sign of huge waves could be seen yet.
Next, the Gonzales family was informed about the tsunami coming.
The dear friends are in the dry river bed as well and at about sea level and big waves would wash them away.
And their animals too.
Amazingly, they didn't know anything about an earthquake in Chile and a tsunami coming.
But fortunately they took the news serious.
Gumaro jumped into his pick-up truck and raced to where his son was delivering water with their tanker.
To go and save him from possible danger.
The gates of the corrals were opened and the horses happily galloped into freedom.
The cars and trucks of the family were driven to higher grounds.
The chained dogs couldn't believe their luck thinking their ordeal had ended when they were set free.
The many roosters in their cages the Gonzales keep for cockfights were left where they were.
Letting the expensive animals go was not considered.
A new e-mail from the dear friend living nearby:
you have some time, but please do move to higher ground - my estimate of time of arrival was wrong
Fortunately, the Gonzales didn't panic.
They took it in a relaxed way.
Maybe also because they have no concept what is exactly a tsunami.
Never one occurred where they live.
And because they don't read newspapers, see no magazines, do not watch the news on TV they have never seen a tsunami and its devastating effects elsewhere in the past.
The Fuso Szulc was parked on top of the hill.
Close to the edge with a fabulous view of the sea and the dry river bed.
Great observation post to see a tsunami happening.
Another e-mail!
SORRY, I HAD THE TIME CONVERSION WRONG - THE TSUNAMI IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN AT 12:45PM TODAY. JERRY BARSTOW SAYS THAT PEOPLE ARE BEING TOLD TO GET 100 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL, WHICH MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE ON THE PENINSULA...I SUGGEST THAT IF YOU ARE HERE YOU GO TO HIGH GROUND.
In the meantime the news of the Chilean earthquake and the tsunami had spread around the world.
Also the people in the Netherlands knew now about it.
A Skype call!!
Another dear friend calling to warn and advice to look for higher grounds.
But right then, the weather was fabulous and the sea like a mirror.
With even some boats fishing and sailing.
Hardly any wind and a nice temperature.
Impossible to imagine that suddenly huge waves would come to bring devastation and disaster.
As everybody and everything was in safe places now, a relaxed lunch could be afforded now overlooking the Sea of Cortez waiting for the waves to come while the Nikon D 300 was stand by to document the cruel phenomenon for eternity.
But in the end, nothing happened.
Absolutely nothing could be noticed of an earthquake in Chile.
Of a tsunami hitting land with high waves.
The day remained as beautiful and peaceful as all the others.
Now, was one to feel disappointed or was one to feel relieved?
Maybe both?
.
1 comment:
Better safe than sorry. Glad you are well. It will make a good story.
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