December 26, 2004

Deadly Wave

Over 10,000 are dead from an earthquake-induced tsunami in the Indian Ocean. Yet Waverly Person of the U.S. Geological Survey said many could have been saved if the countries hit had early warning systems.

Most of those people could have been saved if they had had a tsunami warning system in place or tide gauges. And I think this will be a lesson to them."

Just one problem which Person admits: tsunamis are rare in the Indian Ocean. This is like saying that people in Wisconsin could be better prepared if more earthquake detection devices were in the Badger State. Such Monday morning quarterbacking after a disaster ticks me off. All decisions come with trade offs. If India, Thailand, Indonesia or Sri Lanka chose to have early-warning systems that money would have not gone to some other concern. The countries hit are not the richest nations in the world. They have other pressing needs like dealing with diseases and making sure there's enough clean water. It's pretty arrogant for a man from a rich nation like the U.S. (along with this Slashdot poster) to suggest options poorer nations didn't have the luxury of having.

For a collection of stories about the deadly tsunami visit The Command Post.

"USGS: Warnings Could Have Saved Thousands in Asia"

"Asia Quakes' Tsunamis Kill Nearly 10,000"