tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532313388110978122.post268276641210794200..comments2023-10-28T00:47:18.069-07:00Comments on Weeks Population: Populations at Risk in NepalJohn Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04069566137451684355noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532313388110978122.post-40811880654402225852015-04-27T22:29:24.138-07:002015-04-27T22:29:24.138-07:00Without question the high number of deaths is attr...Without question the high number of deaths is attributable to rapid population growth over the past few decades. However, the fact that temples and other old structures that had been standing for hundreds of years were brought down by the quake is a sign of its unusual strength.John Weekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04069566137451684355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532313388110978122.post-29816373415749068832015-04-27T11:12:13.498-07:002015-04-27T11:12:13.498-07:00Prof Weeks - an absolute tragedy there. Casualtie...Prof Weeks - an absolute tragedy there. Casualties are reported at 4,000 today, and I expect the final figure will be somewhere between 5,000-10,000 people. It is possible that some small villages near the epicenter have been buried COMPLETELY. <br /><br />The normal survival time for people trapped in wreckage - but still alive - is about 48-hours. This time has now elapsed. FEW survivors in wreckage in Nepal were rescued. The locals did not have the resources, and the international teams (rescue teams from Israel, USA) did not arrive in time. Rain was reported near the epicenter after the quake, and overnight temps were 12 deg C. Hence hypothermia was a great danger. A very sad set of circumstances.<br /><br />I expect a growing number of high-casualty disasters during this century. As you probably know, this is driven ENTIRELY by demographics. I wish I had a copy of the chart that shows the predicted casualty rates for the 21'st century. It is eye-opening. The number of deaths climbs exponentially - for causes related to natural disasters. The math that "causes this" is entirely due to the rapidly growing human populations living near fault lines, flood zones, coastlines, tornado zones, and volcano zones. <br /><br />cheers,<br />Pete, Redondo BeachAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com