Radiation and Its Danger to Human Beings

Here is a link to a very well written article by Eric Johnston of The Japan Times about radiation levels and their effect on human beings.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20110316a4.html

Among other data, he reports that, as a kind of reference, a CAT scan exposes a person to 10 doses of what are called millisieverts.

The risk of radiation induced cancer rises from around 200 doses. The levels near the damaged reactors are in that neighborhood or higher. The levels in Tokyo are relatively low.

The point is, no one knows for sure. If you don't need to be in Japan, it may be wiser to stay away until the situation has been thoroughly dealt with. The wind could change, it might rain, the reactors could spew at a heavier rate than at present. No one can know until it happens.

Earthquake (4)

A woman in Miyagi Prefecture, where the March 11 earthquake was at its most powerful, summed it up:

"There is nothing left but life itself."

earthquake aftermath

Public Service Announcement: For those concerned, Tokyo and the surrounding prefectures will have their electric power rationed, starting Monday, March 14. There will be at least three blacked-out daytime hours in every district.

Earthquake! (3)

From a scientific viewpoint, this is interesting. Usually, after a tsunami, the floodwaters flow back to the sea. This is when the big damage occurs. This time, a day later, the seawater that flowed in from the tsunami is still covering huge swaths of land.

Why?

Apparently, ground level subsided about 70 centimeters. That's close to shoulder height, using an adult as a measuring stick. Ground level hasn't rebounded. If the sun dries up the water, and all that weight is removed, will it rebound? If the earth's natural elasticity kicks in, will it rebound?

It would be nicer if this were a lab experiment, not something being experienced in real time by real people for the first time in Japan's recorded geological history.

Earthquake! (2)

Here is a link to the explanation of the Japanese earthquake magnitude scale. This seismic intensity scale describes quakes in terms of their effect on human beings and their surroundings.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Meteorological_Agency_seismic_intensity_scale

Earthquake!

Here is a link to the record of recent earthquakes. Japan is still rocking as I write.
Please note that the times are NOT Japan time.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_all.html

February 3

In China it is time to welcome the New Year. In the USA it is the season to seek groundhogs checking out their shadows. And in Japan, it is time to throw dried beans at your nearest and dearest.

February 3 marks the change of seasons by the ancient calendar, and that is why it is called Setsu-bun. In my mother-in-law's native area, Akita, people mark the day by spiking a dried herring onto a sprig of holly and tacking it to the front door to keep evil spirits from entering the house. Here in Tokyo, we have more fun.

First you put on your devil mask. Then you grab a boxful of dried beans and start flinging them around. You are supposed to shout "Devils out! Good luck in!" as you hurl them at your family members and all around the room, not forgetting to toss some out the doors and windows.

Whether the ritual brings good luck and casts out demons or not, who is to say? But it is a sure way to ward off cabin fever.