Some facts, resources about the Japan earthquake

[savvyliterate]

The earthquake hit in Japan right after I got home from work. Thankfully, I heard from everyone I know over there via Twitter. But, like secondlina, I'm hearing a lot of fake donation websites being set up, and people using this as proof that the world is ending. So, here's some perspective.

If you want to donate to a charity, make sure it is a reputable one. The most commonly shared one at this point is via the Red Cross -- if you're in the U.S., text REDCROSS to 90999. In Canada, text REDCROSS to 30333. There also also other well-recognized agencies such as Doctors Without Borders (I gave to them when the Haiti quake happened), Habitat for Humanity, and more. If you are in doubt about a charity you're giving to, consult the Better Business Bureau. If the charity you see is not listed there, don't donate. Likewise, be careful of the fandom/LJ charities, etc. Make sure donations through them go to a legitimate charity as well.

Is the world ending? Not today. Japan is located in a subduction zone, which if you remember from science class, it means that one plate is sliding below another. In this case, the Pacific plate is sliding under the North American plate. It moves about three inches per year. This is something that's happened for far longer than you and I have been alive. Although this happened in the wrong time and place, Japan has been preparing for such a major earthquake since the 1970s. Here's a good Washington Post piece on it. You'll have to scroll down a bit to get to the meat of the article. Here's another piece from CNN on it.

moonphased is a dear friend who's lived for a few years in Japan. I won't link her post, but while she's worried, she also talked about how earthquakes are a way of life in Japan. The New York Times likewise has reported that piece on Japan's strict building codes and seawalls. The Japanese have regular drills and know how to swiftly evacuate the coast. While there have already been some deaths and will be more, it most likely won't be the catastrophe it was back in 2004 in Indonesia.

Living within miles of Three Mile Island, one of the first things I learned when I moved here was what happened shortly before I was born. There are concerns of the same thing happening in Japan because there has been an evacuation from one of its nuclear sites. Again, from The New York Times, here's a piece on what happened, what the government is doing to prevent a meltdown and the science behind everything. This site shows, originally linked by the awesome ShortFormBlog, shows the levels of radioactive activity in Japanese power plants currently.

There's been a lot that's happened this past week. It's not been easy for us either in central Pennsylvania. There's flooding going on, and one family lost seven children in a horrible fire two days ago. My heart, prayers and good thoughts go out to everyone affected both here at home, in Japan, New Zealand and elsewhere.

Hug each other, express you love for your friends and family and do what you can to help those in need. Even if you don't have much money, you can always do something to help. If you're worried, be sure to research the facts and form your own conclusions.

I've made this post a public one, so feel free to link other folks to it as needed.