strathspey@strathspey.org:40330

e.ferguson

Below sea level (was: inquiry about California)

Jan. 16, 2005, 11:51 p.m. (Message 40330)

Off topic.

On 16 Jan 2005 at 19:27, John Chambers wrote:

> I am constantly baffled by why anyone still  lives  in  New
> Orleans.   Yeah, it's a great place to visit.  But it's all
> below sea level, protected  by  levees,  on  land  that  is
> sinking.   I'd  think  that any intelligent person would be
> keeping a close eye on the weather forecasts, with an  idea
> of getting out fast.

In the Netherlands we don't feel so baffled.  The lowest point of our 
country is 6 1/2 metres (21 feet) below mean sea level, and sinking.  
Extreme storm tides can reach 5 metres (15 feet) above mean sea level; 
40% of the country is below that storm level.  "Getting out" is not 
possible.  But we do have some very competent engineers, and a well-
organised section of government that ensures all feasible safety 
measures are taken.  For one spectacular item, take a look at 

http://www.keringhuis.nl/engels/aanleiding/index.html

We, in turn, feel baffled that people can choose to live below a steep 
and possibly unstable mountain slope.  But then we have no mountains.

I guess it's just how one grew up.

Happy dancing,

Eric
-- 
Eric T. Ferguson, 
van Reenenweg 3, 3702 SB  ZEIST  Netherlands
tel: (+31)(0) 30-2673638    mobile: (+31)(0) 6 4437 8997
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