Skeptics tend to think that what the ancients knew about heaven and earth and omens are nothing compared to the advent of science. Since to them, science can be relied upon to explain (almost) everything that happens on earth and predict forthcoming natural disasters. Perhaps those skeptical are right or perhaps not, for only time will tell.
Meanwhile these two consecutive powerful earthquakes in Indonesia show that even the best scientific equipments made available to man can only read from hindsight what had actually happened. Yi aficionados interested in the phenomenon of omens given by the Book of Changes should take particular note of the detailed information provided in the AP news and made available by Yahoo on September 13, 2007 (extracts):
PADANG, Indonesia – “The second powerful earthquake in as many days shook western Indonesia Thursday, collapsing buildings in a coastal city and triggering tsunami alerts around the region.
The latest quake was also felt in Malaysia and in Singapore where tall buildings swayed. It triggered at least one strong aftershock.
On Wednesday, a strong earthquake shook Southeast Asia, collapsing buildings, killing at least five people and injuring dozens in Indonesia. That tremor triggered a small non-destructive tsunami off the coastal city of Padang on Sumatra, the Indonesian island ravaged by the 2004 tsunami disaster. A tsunami warning was issued for wide areas of the region and nations as far away as Africa.
Thursday's magnitude-7.8 quake rattled the same area of Sumatra and caused extensive damage in Padang.
"Many buildings collapsed after this morning's quake," Fauzi Bahar, the mayor, told El Shinta radio. "We're still trying to find out about victims.
Rafael Abreu, a geologist with The U.S. Geological Survey in Colorado, said the quake on Thursday did not appear to be an aftershock to the 8.4-magnitude temblor the day before. But the centers of both were close together.
"We are not calling it an aftershock at this point. It's fairly large itself. It seems to be a different earthquake," Abreu said.
"The quake seems to be pretty shallow," he said. "These are the quakes that can produce tsunamis."
Indonesia issued a tsunami warning, lifted it and then reissued it. Australia's Bureau of Meteorology issued a warning that unusual waves could hit Christmas Island early Thursday, but locals said there was no sign of a tsunami about an hour after the predicted time.
"The danger has passed," said Linda Cash, a manager at the Christmas Island Visitors Center. "There was no wave or damage or anything."
However, Cash said police were out early Thursday warning people to stay away from the beaches.
The USGS said the new quake was centered about 125 miles from Bengkulu, a city on Sumatra. It occurred at a shallow depth of about six miles and struck at 6:49 a.m.
The first quake was felt in at least four countries, with tall buildings swaying in cities up to 1,200 miles away. It was followed by a series of strong aftershocks, further rattling residents.”
(AP news written by ANTHONY DEUTSCH and provided online 38 minutes ago)
It is good to note that the specialists are performing their jobs well and that the respective governments provided the forewarnings in a timely manner.
Hopefully, these ‘test runs’ from heaven and earth and nature provide adequate forewarnings to specialists and governments to be alert of the forthcoming omen.
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