[tt] [x-risk] History Chennel: MegaDisasters, Tues at 10pm

[Eugen Leitl]

----- Forwarded message from "Hughes, James J." <James.Hughes at trincoll.edu> -----

From: "Hughes, James J." <James.Hughes at trincoll.edu>
Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2007 10:20:02 -0400
To: For discussion of existential risks <existential at transhumanism.org>
Subject: [x-risk] History Chennel: MegaDisasters, Tues at 10pm
Reply-To: For discussion of existential risks <existential at transhumanism.org>


http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=mini_home&mini_id=1401

Massive natural disasters have shaped the planet on which we live for
millions of years, and the only thing we know for sure is that the
future holds more. Earthquakes have triggered massive tsunamis and
released methane gas that killed most of the life in the ocean.
Asteroids have laid waste to nearly all the life on earth. Volcanoes
have blocked the sun's rays for months. How would today's world hold up
to such fury? Find out in the brand new series MEGA DISASTERS, airing
Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, starting May 9th on THE HISTORY CHANNEL.

As the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Indian Ocean
tsunami have dramatically demonstrated, we are all vulnerable to
unexpected disasters, both natural and man-made. Combining science and
history, MEGA DISASTERS visits the sites of previous disasters, then
recreates them in modern times and locations, using state-of-the-art
computer animation. Whether it's the city of Memphis crashing into the
Mississippi River during an earthquake or a mile-wide asteroid
destroying Los Angeles, each week is a hair-raising look at just how
vulnerable our complex society really is to the power of Mother Nature.

Video archive:
http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Video_Clips&con
tent_type_id=55551&display_order=4&mini_id=1401


Upcoming Episodes:
http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Episodes&conten
t_type_id=1434&display_order=2&mini_id=1401

Mega Disasters : Krakatoa's Revenge  Airs on Friday September 21 09:00
PM
Mega Disasters : Krakatoa's Revenge Airs on Saturday September 22 01:00
AM

In 1883, Krakatoa, the most famous and feared volcano on Earth, erupted.
Gigantic explosions blew the volcano to bits, which triggered massive
lava flows that generated huge tsunamis. Nearly 37,000 died, the
greatest death toll caused by a volcanic eruption. It could happen
again. Watch as state of the art models, 3D animations and practical
demonstrations show how the eruption occurred. Leading experts speculate
on the impact of a mega eruption today. Would the resulting colossal ash
cloud cause a worldwide catastrophe?

Mega Disasters : Gamma Ray Burst Airs on Saturday September 22 11:00 PM
Mega Disasters : Gamma Ray Burst Airs on Sunday September 23 03:00 AM
Mega Disasters : Gamma Ray Burst Airs on Saturday September 29 10:00 AM

Scientists at the University of Kansas believe gamma ray bursts were
responsible for a great mass extinction on Earth 450 million years ago.
The gamma rays strip away the ozone layer and generate chemical smog,
producing a widespread chill that grips the Earth. It would cause food
chains to collapse resulting in a prolonged worldwide famine. Also, an
expected electromagnetic pulse will zap all of our electronics.
Scientists predict the Earth will be able to support only 5 to 10
percent of its current population; that means close to 6 billion people
will die--most by starvation. How will our modern cities hold up in the
face of a previous global catastrophe?

Mega Disasters : Glacier Meltdown Airs on Tuesday September 25 10:00 PM
Mega Disasters : Glacier Meltdown Airs on Wednesday September 26 02:00
AM

As temperatures rise, a global meltdown has begun. From the Andes to the
Himalayas to the Alps, glaciers are vanishing. In Antarctica and
Greenland, vast ice sheets are turning into liquid. The melting ice,
running off land, is raising sea levels. As sea levels rise, oceans
throughout the world are also becoming hotter. Warmer seas fuel more
intense hurricanes. Already, major catastrophes brought on by the
process of melting ice, rising seas and intensifying storms have
occurred in coastal communities around the world: the South Pacific,
Bangladesh and--closer to home--New Orleans. Scientists predict that the
worst is yet to come. The rising oceans may swallow some lands forever.
By the turn of the century, the map of the world may need to be redrawn
and a Category 4 hurricane could drown much of Washington, DC in 15 feet
of water.


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----- End forwarded message -----
-- 
Eugen* Leitl <a href="http://leitl.org">leitl</a> http://leitl.org
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