Where economics and politics is involved, science is often ignored — as on the East Coast where profit, politics and selfishness rode over warning calls on land management, soil erosion, slash and so on.
I stand by what I said — only time and events will have the final word on my alleged “inaccuracies”.
If Dr Cave knows what size the next tsunami will be, then he must have a very good crystal ball.
I prefer to consider this — the new Civil Defence centre and the hospital etc are only 14 to 15 metres above sea level, and 2.4 kilometres from the beach.
Of two recent devastating tsunamis, the 2004 Indian Ocean event generated waves which peaked at 53m, while the 2011 Japan quake generated waves reaching 40.5m.
Tsunamis are on record as having reached as far as 12km inland — they are also generated by landslides, both on land and underwater; and by volcanic eruptions such as the giant Tonga event.
Underestimating the force of nature is a loser’s game. Sooner or later the stopbanks fail, as do all efforts to conquer or control the natural forces of the planet.
Vesuvius wiped out several towns and a lot of people in 79 CE — but people and buildings have returned and crowd even more around those deadly slopes.
When, despite cries of opposition, it was decided to build a new council chamber on the existing site, I was given the cold shoulder for pointing out the site was vulnerable to flooding, tsunami, earthquake liquefaction and so on.
Now Civil Defence has its Potae Avenue Emergency Co-ordination Centre.
One supposes, in an event, the required council/Civil Defence staff have to hot-foot it to Potae Ave and pick up from there.
I would like to accept Dr Cave’s assurances — but I remain a doubting Thomas, for now.
