Ring Of Fire

Geography in Action

Teaching geography in the 80s took a lot of imagination when I explained to the students about plate tectonic movements for it was difficult to visualise any possible movements under the deep, deep oceans particularly in the Pacific Ocean. When huge plates move it cause havoc beyond imagination, I used to tell them and they would look at me as if it were some tales that would never happen in our era. I also wish not to see them happening. I really wish that it is some stories concorded out of Scientists' inquisitive minds. But history has proven the facts of past occurrences except they are happening far too frequent of late.
Perhaps it is easier to deliver a lesson on tsunamis now. When I first introduced the term and told them it was a Japanese terminology because of its frequent happening along the Japanese shores, we would like to believe that they only happen there. Then we related tsunamis to the type of houses built in Japan - bamboo and light materials- I used to tell them that the Japanese are always on the alert and so light materials for buildings especially for homes would mean less danger. So it went on and on. But we established the fact that the term "tsunami" originated from the land of the rising sun.
The devastating tsunami along the north eastern shore of Japan yesterday confirm the reality of the term. Heart breaking news to see such major disaster. How to measure? How to understand? How ? But the tsunami has occurred again. Why so frequent?

My first encounter with real life situation was in 2004 when the tsunami hit another part of the ring ; the Indian Ocean. The family was on a cruise to the beautiful island of Phuket ; our first time on a cruise from Port Klang. We took Kong Kong and Por Por along the trip thinking that it would be a different experience for them. Of course we failed to reach the shores of Phuket. Frantic calls from all over to find out how we were showed how much many cared for us. How did I feel then? Right in the middle of where the action was. We were afraid ; but at the same time we knew that the safest place was in the ocean and not at the shores where the impact of the tidal waves would be the greatest. We floated although some nasty movements took some toll when we started to feel dizzy and experienced some vomiting spells. The vessel stopped at Pulau Langkawi the next day by which time things had already come under control. The cruise brought us home to Port Klang safely and would we be grateful to God?

Completely by the mercies of God.

"Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress." Psalm 107 : 6.

As a Geography teacher, I have always been proud to pronounce to the children Malaysia is a land of great favour; being free of earthquakes and always shielded by neighbouring islands. We are rich in natural resources , rubber, palm oil, petroleum and you name it. I would take out the map like the ones below and tell them about the location of our nation; so blessed with so much sun and rain making it possible for so many natural plants to survive.





Look we are not along the brunt of the fire ring albeit we may also face the sub consequences of major outbreaks of earthquakes but never the full blast. Many nations like Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Taiwan face the constant fear of being trapped under natural calamities. How do they cope with them?

To the Japanese people our hearts go out to the victims and their families. Last week a close friend told me that life is fragile after losing 5 family members in an accident and yesterday an ex-colleague said that she was humbled at the loss of lives in Japan. This morning as I ponder over the circumstances that are beyond one's control, I really feel that we must live life as if every moment is a stolen one ; appreciate and be grateful.

"Then they cried out to the Lord

in their trouble,

and he brought them out of their

distress.

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were

hushed.

They were glad when it grew calm,

and he guided them to their

desired haven."

Psalm 107 : 28-30

Acts of God