| Earth Changes...Well, I personally think that | | | | normal! In addition, I learned that the |
| earth changes are both real and understated, | | | | population of Indonesion is just over 241 |
| but these changes are getting far less | | | | million. In comparison, the entire United |
| worldwide attention than they deserve.The | | | | States is estimated to ave a population of |
| following facts and statistics were all | | | | just over 295 million people.Another |
| gleaned from the USGS Earthquake Hazards | | | | interesting thing I found is that, looking |
| Program ( so you can check them out and | | | | back across the years, there seems to be an |
| verify them yourself.This past month, from | | | | increased amount of seismic activity in years |
| April 1st to April 28th (of 2005), there were | | | | ending with 5. Once again, you can verify |
| 135 earthquakes measuring 5.0 and above on | | | | this by visiting their website.Add to this |
| the Richter scale worldwide.Of those 135, 18 | | | | the recent development that recently, several |
| measured above 6.0.More alarming still is the | | | | of Indonesia's 130 active volcanoes are at a |
| fact that of these 135 earthquakes, over 70 | | | | hightened alert level, and this can all seem |
| of them hit the country (and/or waters) of | | | | a little overwhelming.Frankly, I find these |
| Indonesion - IN ONE MONTH!Why haven't we | | | | facts more startling than any prophecies or |
| heard more about this?Indonesia is hardly a | | | | predictions I've read.All I'm left with are |
| huge country- it's total area of land and | | | | more questions:**What does this mean for |
| water covers just over 1.9 million sqare | | | | Indonesians?**Is this a portent for future |
| kilometers. To put this in more | | | | catastrophe (and if so, should we be looking |
| understandable terms, the country is just | | | | for someone or something to emerge from these |
| under three times the size of Texas, and I | | | | catastrophes?)**And, most importantly - Why |
| was surprised that so much seismic activity | | | | haven't we heard more about all of this?I'd |
| was occuring in such a small geographical | | | | love to hear any other significant |
| area.A natural self-skeptic, I went back | | | | developments of this sort, or accounts from |
| across the past 20 years to see if this is | | | | Indonesia natives as to what they think about |
| normal for the area - the only real | | | | it. Please email any responses to Jennifer |
| explaination I could think of to explain the | | | | Gibbs is a successful freelance writer who |
| lack of media attention. That, or that there | | | | lives in South Georgia with her husband and |
| weren't enough people there to consider this | | | | son. If you're looking for a great source of |
| a serious matter.What I discovered was this - | | | | articles, reports, web content and more, look |
| this increased earthquake activity is NOT | | | | no further! |