Thursday, October 11, 2018

Earthquakes - Roaring Waves

Indonesia Tsunami: Experts Warn of More Deadly Disasters | Time
Time Magazine reports: "Indonesia is facing a long and painful recovery from the devastating earthquake and tsunami of two weeks ago, but scientists say that this latest calamity could simply be a warning of more deadly and destructive disasters ahead. [...] The reasons are clear: more humans are moving into more densely populated cities, and surrounding themselves with infrastructure — roads, bridges, and buildings — that become deadly hazards during a disaster, and expensive to repair when it subsides."

Comment: It's time for all countries to carefully reconsider development in disaster prone areas. They must counter the emotional "we will rebuild" sentiment people so often express. It's not brave to rebuild when you know it's a flood/quake/tsunami/typhoon/hurricane/tornado zone.  At the very least, insurers should no longer pay to rebuild in such areas and opt instead to pay for relocation.

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