Earthquakes, (eruption) of the volcano, and tsunami caused long been fears and (once) admiration of the human mind, gave birth to myths, legends, and many Hollywood disaster movies. Today, advanced technology allows us to practice, measure, monitor, take samples, and the Earth and its motion mencitra like never before .... (Dr Ellen J Prager, "Furious Earth", 2000)
The earthquake was impressed by the more diligent earthquake visited the country. In the middle of the information age and the growing media industry, all things about the earthquake was present to the heart of the household. Parents, young people, and children who have been less (or even not) notice the earthquake problems fixed now much longer seen reporting from the disaster area via TV or read in print and online.At first that appears is the fear, imagine what if the earthquake happened in his own city. Of course while also a sense of concern and care for the disaster. Next, from a sense of caring and fear had come too curious about the various aspects, concerning the causes of earthquakes, any earthquake-prone areas, whether earthquakes can be predicted, or how to reduce the lethal effect of the earthquake.
Perhaps it was an interesting start to the growing interest in the sciences associated with kegempaan, which some in the science of geology, as well as in its branches, such as seismology, and also in geophysics. Admittedly, until recently, the science is still often viewed with one eye, as a dry science and not much use to learn.Now, with the frequent occurrence of earthquakes and the growing awareness that the country was on track earthquakes and volcanoes known as the Ring of Fire, the public increasingly aware of the importance of the sciences above.
It's not an earthquake will destroy the Indonesian people, except perhaps caused by the earthquake and tsunami due to cosmic archipelago area boxed by a large asteroid or comet. However, continually rocked by earthquakes, especially if no adequate study to minimize the effects can be exhausting and minds of the nation. Not to mention it must be admitted, there is a great loss of material each time an earthquake happens (or volcanic eruptions), plus the cost of rehabilitation and reconstruction.Geological knowledge through love, understanding and wisdom of the nature and behavior of the Earth increases. Next, disaster risks can be reduced, the victim can be minimized, and property loss can be suppressed.
Earth scienceThe focus of our discussion this time on the science of geology, who studied the composition, structure, processes, and the history of Earth. Scientists who defined the geology was Sir Charles Lyell in 1830. Since then, geological studies extended to other planets and satellites, which then was known as planetary geology. There are many branches of geology, including geophysics, who study the physics of Earth.
Through this science is the knowledge of the layers in the Earth, the crust or skin and coat, and the core. Which form the crust plates is apparently already moving here and there on the surface of the Earth since at least the last 600 million years, and could be for several billion years earlier (New York Public Library Science Desk Ref, 1995). Currently, each plate moves with different speeds, of which there is at 2.5 inches per year.Scientists believe, in the past, about 250 million years ago, there was a large continent or superkontinen named Pangea (Pangea names proposed by the great geologist Alfred Wegener in 1915). Around 180 million years ago, it broke superkontinen, a Gondwanaland, or Gondwana, and Laurasia. Hypothetical continent Gondwana was formed from the unification of South America, Africa, Australia, India, and Antarctica. While Laurasia, composed of North America and Eurasia. Around 65 million years ago, about the extinction of dinosaurs, the two continental began to split up, slowly forming order as we see today.
There are interesting prediction: in 50 million years from now, the west coast of North America will be torn from the mainland (mainland), and-this he-Australia will move to the north and collided with Indonesia. While Africa and Asia will be separated in the Red Sea.Interesting History
Now, as we increasingly recognize the importance of the natural sciences, earth, both also considered ways to develop interest. Do not let the irony of the current prolonged, in which countries in the Ring of Fire has only a small number of experts, as these days we read her profile in this journal. They worked in a number of educational and research institutions such as the ITB, UGM, LIPI and BPPT.With a frequency of high earthquake news lately, also revealed a number of fundamental terms and theories in geology, such as the intensity of the quake in the Richter scale and about plate tectonics.
For the futureAs the study of forests, climate, or vulcanology, scientists Indonesian seismologists have great opportunities to contribute in this great science because Indonesia is often referred to as a unique natural laboratory. This scientific contribution is not only limited to the meaning of science enrichment, but also related to the human future.
In the near term, and scientists interested seismologists may still feel compelled to answer fundamental questions like "Can we predict the occurrence of an earthquake?"Currently the answer is "impossible" if what is meant is the prophesied "day, date, and what time an earthquake will happen". Because there is to know just which areas would be threatened earthquake in the next 20-30 years, in fact the work was waiting to prepare everything. Another goal is not to minimize the potential damage caused by the earthquake.
Let us welcome the challenge of the science of geology to increasingly understand the Earth and all its activities. We believe, with the increasing seismologists, will increasingly shrill voice that reminds people of Indonesia to remain alert against the movement of tectonic plates far below.Source: NINOK LEKSONO (kompas.com)
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