Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Reactors and PKS
By Tom Powers
With the 24/7 coverage of the
Japanese disaster on the news this
past month, I have heard the question
numerous times, “Could that happen
here?” A statistician might say, “It’s
highly unlikely.” But an insurance agent
would reply, “You’re overdue.” Let’s take
a look at the facts so you can decide.
Earthquakes are a common occur
rence. In fact, weVe had one in North
Carolina already this year (in Asheville)
and South Carolina has had two, but
our earthquakes are generally very small
because we are not located on a major
fault line like Japan. That’s not saying it
cant happen. Charleston, South Caro
lina, is located on a minor fault line. It
did experience a major earthquake in
1886 and usually has a couple of small
ones every year. Charleston remains a
high risk earthquake zone, the only one
in the Carolinas. If a major quake did
occur in our area, it would most likely
be there.
Tsunamis—or tidal waves as they are
called in the Atlantic—can be caused by
an earthquake, a landslide, a volcanic
eruption or a large meteor landing in
the ocean. Like earthquakes, tidal waves
are rare in the Atlantic, but one could
occur. A major earthquake in Charles
ton probably wouldn’t cause a tidal wave
because the quake would most likely
occur on land, and even if a quake near
Charleston did cause a tidal wave, the
waves wouldn’t radiate in our direc
tion. The most plausible possibility of a
major Atlantic tidal wave would be as a
result of a major eruption in the Canary
Islands, which could affect the entire
east coast. But it would have to be a very
large eruption, causing a major part of
the island to fall into the ocean.
But, how about a nuclear reactor ac
cident? The closest reactors to us are the
two in Southport, operated by Progress
Energy, and unfortunately they are
similar in design to those in Japan’s Fu-
kushima plant—GE Mark I’s. The good
news is that the units installed in North
Carolina are of a later design and should
have additional safety features.
Before running out to locate a source
for iodine pills, you need to keep in
Give Us a Break Leave No Wake
By Barbara Milhaven
Speeding boats during spring, summer and fall are not an everyday oc
currence, but they are a fact. Speeders endanger the lives of recreational
swimmers and kayakers, particularly young children. Even those exceed
ing the speed limit but not actually speeding can endanger docks, piers and
shoreline.
According to Pine Knoll Shores Public Safety Chief Bill Mathias, we have
a Boat Speed Ordinance that if violated can result in a fine. This ordinance,
which is found in Section 58.3 - c. Speed, under General Regulations, states:
“Speed Boats shall be operated in a safe manner at all times, with due regard
for the safety of persons and property. No boat shall be operated at such
speed as to leave a wake and, in no event, shall such speed exceed five miles
per hour except when more than 200 feet from shore in the Atlantic Ocean
or Bogue Sound, Boats operated by officials of any governmental agency as
part of their official duties while enforcing federal, state, or local laws, ordi
nances, or regulations, or while carrying out rescue operations, are exempt
ed from the speed limits established here.”
Town ordinances are designed and enforced to make this a better place to
live while preserving the natural beauty of our coastal area. Cooperation in
complying with them is very much appreciated.
mind that the earthquake that hit Japan
was one of the largest ever recorded. It
demolished buildings for miles around,
but the reactors remained intact and
shut down as they were designed to
do. When they lost all outside electri
cal power, they switched to their diesel
generators for cooling power as they
were supposed to, but then they were hit
by a monstrous tsunami that took out
the diesels. Chances of a catastrophe like
Japan’s ever happening again are ex
tremely remote—especially around here.
There are 442 power-generating nuclear
reactors in the world, and 104 of them
are in the United States. Many, like the
two in Southport, have been operating
since the 1970s. They really do have a
pretty good safety record.
So if you want to prepare for a
disaster. I’d suggest preparing for the
hurricanes that hit us every year. We all
know that they frequent our island, and
fortunately for us, they usually give us a
few days’ warning.
wiSddy
Growers of
Famous Bogue Sound
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1006 Cedar Point Blvd. Cedar Point, NC • 252-393-2281
1 Mile From Emerald Isle Bridge
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Morehead City, NC 28557
252-247-4600
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May 2011 ! The Shoreline 13