End of the World? Not Likely, Scientists Say
By Ker Than
LiveScience Staff Writer

The recent spate of natural disasters affecting the globe "might be" signs that the Biblical apocalypse is near, says Christian televangelist Pat Robertson.

On an Oct. 9 episode of CNN's "Late Edition," the preacher noted that hurricanes such as Katrina and Rita and earthquakes like the ones that struck Pakistan this past weekend and the tsunami-causing one that struck Indonesia last December are hitting with "amazing regularity."

Scientists see Earth doing what she always does, however.

Latter days?

"If you read back in the Bible, [Paul] said that in the latter days before the [apocalypse] that the Earth would be caught up in what he called the birth pangs of a new order," Robertson said. "Well, what was called the blessed hope of the Bible is that one day Jesus Christ would come back again, start a whole new era, that this world order that we know it would change into something that would be wonderful that we'd call the millennium."

But before there can be heaven on Earth, there will be some "difficult days" which will be like "what a woman goes through in labor just before she brings forth a child," Robertson said.

Seth Stein, a seismologists at Northwestern University's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, thinks everything is as it should be, at least as far as earthquakes go.

"I don't think there's any reason to believe the frequency of large earthquakes has changed over the past million years," Stein told LiveScience. "That's contrary to everything we know about how the Earth works."On average, there is at least one magnitude 8 earthquake every year and about 17 magnitude 7's, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The Pakistan quake measured 7.6.

Location, location, location

Of course, some places on Earth are more prone to earthquakes than others.

Alaska is one of the most seismically active regions in the world – experiencing a major earthquake (magnitude 7.0 or greater) almost every year, whereas no earthquakes of more than moderate intensity have occurred within the borders of North Dakota during historical times.

"The largest earthquakes are on plate boundaries, where two plates are interacting, and the largest of these earthquakes occur on subduction zone boundaries, where you have one plate going under another plate," Stein explained.

Both the Sumatra earthquake and the Pakistan earthquake struck on subduction zone boundaries. The first happened as the India plate slid under the Burma plate and the latter one was the result of the India plate sliding under the Eurasia one.

Hurricanes are increasing

Concerning hurricanes, Robertson may be correct in observing that they're occurring more frequently than in the past.

According to the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), the period between 1970 to 1994 saw on average about 9 tropical storms in the Atlantic basin, with about 7 of those turning into hurricanes. From 1995 to 2004, that number jumped to 14 tropical storms and12 hurricanes.

2005 is likely to surpass them all, said Kevin Trenberth, the head of climate analysis at NCAR.

"By several measures, this will end up being the most active storm season on record, it's not just number but also how intense they are," Trenberth said.

But scientists aren't willing to blame the apocalypse just yet. A decades-long cycle of busy and the quiet periods is evident in records dating back to the mid-1800s. This is not the first stretch of highly active hurricane seasons. It is just the first time so many people have lived near the coast during such an active period.

Natural cycles

Trenberth cites a number of factors responsible for the trend toward stronger and more frequent hurricanes being observed. These include natural variability in hurricane frequency and intensity, global warming, and El Niño, a warming of the waters in the off the eastern coast of South America that occurs naturally every 4-12 years.

"Following an El Niño there tends to be warmer sea temperatures," Trenberth said. "It changes the atmospheric circulation to create extra warming of the Atlantic [Ocean]."

As the surface of the Atlantic Ocean warms, more water evaporates into the atmosphere, which allows for stronger tropical storms. Global warming is believed to contribute to hurricanes in the same way, by warming up the ocean surface and putting more moisture into the atmosphere.

About Robertson's comments, Trenberth said that he "thinks its part of the general [socio-political] climate that seems to exists in the country today, fostered partly perhaps by this administration and their lack of credence to science."

http://www.livescience.com/forcesofnature/...d_of_world.html
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I agree that to the Christian beleifs the world is coming to an end. But not anytime soon is it going to end, cuz it still has to go thru the disasters and such--which is what is occuring as we know it today.

We dont exactly need a scientist to tell us whether or not there is an increase in DEADLY natural disasters recently but there obviously has been. The hurricanes in the USA, the deadly earthquake in the Middle East region and the Asian tsunami- its like all corners of the globe is getting battered. Im not saying the worlds ending, but i do think that the climate and weather patterns are severely changing due to the rapid decline of the environment - that or... maybe the world really is in its ending period who knows?

The world is coming to an end: This is the biggest misconception. Even after Armagedeon, Christ comes to earth for 1,000 years of peace. So even if the second comming happend today, the world woulod not end for at least 1,000 years, and probably, would never completly end. The world will change quite a bit, but will go for many generations.

Civilization might come to an end as we know it.

The world must be going to end, because I agree with you!

"Deadly" depends largely on two things . . . how many people are living in the area where natural disasters hit, and how much or how well the disaster is reported. In the winter of 1861, beginning on Dec 24, it rained without letup for 30 days, from the southern border of CA to the northern one. When it ended, reports were that the only thing to be seen in Sacramento were the tops of telegraph poles poking out of the flood waters, and the San Joaquin Valley was a navigable lake some 270 miles long and 90 miles wide. Rivers in both southern and notrthern CA changed their courses, and about half (1/2) of San Diego had been washed out to sea. Estimates are that some 500,000 head of cattle were also washed into the ocean. Of course, then there weren't all that many people living in CA, and reporting was mostly local.

Then there are the New Madrid (halfway between St. Louis and Memphis) earthquakes of 1811 and 1812. There were three earthquakes there of magnitude (estimated) 8 - 9 withing a 6 month period. It is estimated that about 60 % of present Memphis alone would be destroyed by only one such earthquake in modern times. Once again, few people living in the area then, and not all that well reported in the eastern media. There is little or no doubt that future earthquakes of similar magnitude will occur on this fault in the future.

While Katrina caused much damage, it was not the most violent hurricane to ever exist by far . . . it happens that it ravaged the immediate area of the Gulf coast, but the focus of the main stream media was entirely on New Orleans . . . which largely escaped wind damage from the hurricane, but was flooded because of failure of the levee system, and that due to either poor design, poor construction or a combination of both.

Unfortunately, few people bother to look into history to see what has really happened in the past relative to natural disasters, but listen only to the hype of the modern main stream media, which is hardly a purveyor or real news anymore, but rather a purveyor of entertainment.

Anyone here remember the hurricane of 1900 that eliminated the city of Galveston Texas?

3000 dead, and a city wiped off the map.

I'm sure there were people screaming about the end of the world then....

How about the eruption of Krakatoa? Unknown number of dead.

Doomsday prophet is a fantastic business. If you are wrong, just be vague about 'the signs'.

Of course, if you are right, then no one will be left to know........

I think Mother Nature's just doing her thing. Eventually another ELE (extinction level event) will occur, and we'll be history. But the earth will continue to do her thing for a long, long time.

An Extintion Level event would have to be huge to wipe out the entire human race. Might happen, but it would have to take the planet with it. People are incredibly industriuos during disasters we tend to leave at least a few adaptive survivors around the place.



As for the comment on the increase of natural disasters, I think it's actually more of an increase in the televison ratings value of natural disasters.

But then I also agree that Mother nature seems to have her reasons for the latest natural disasters. I mean of course it's ashame about the loss of life, but it is good to see India and Pakistan working together isn't it. Infact the two latest disasters, seem to really make you look at the two areas of America and India/Pakistan/Afghanistan and notice that we all suffer for our losses. And we all struggle and perservere equally.

The earth is only doing it's thing. The universe is doing it's thing too. Of course we aren't making it much better by abusing it like we have. I agree with kismit the natural disasters are bringing people closer and that's always a good thing. I have a different view on amagedon. I think it's really the collapse of religion as we know it and not some biblical fable. The earth and the universe will do as it has always done but it's up to us to understand that it will and adapt to it.

I believe that it would not take much for society to collapse. Imagine the US having 10 large natural disasters in one year. Look how bad it was in New Orleans. Mulitply that by 10.

iT IS JUST THE MEDIA, AND NOTHING ELSE. Two thousand years ago it might take 2000 years to hear about an earthquake 200 miles ago. Now we hear instantaneously about events around the world. Media, not Jesus.

the first part of ur post gave me a smile.. unless ur 105 years old ur not gonna REMEMBER anything for 1900...

no need to tell me.. i already know.. im a smartass

i agree with u

but i dont thing anythign wil happen in our lifetimes..

I want something really oddly cool to happen weather wise , i want it to rain fish or frogs or koala bears or anything! AS long as they all survive their fall and are cool - i think that'd be awesome!

lol.. yeh and pigs might fly! but it would b cool to see

The Earth will never end because during that 1000 year kingdom of Jesus', Earth will actualy be like heaven(Or the Garden of Eden). And after that 1000 years he still won't destroy it but he's going to allow us to be tempted by evil again to see who after knowing he exists still turns on him. THEY will be destroyed, not the Earth. So, they should be saynig judgement is near, because the bible doesn't teach these are signs of the End of the World, but the END of our corruptness.

but noone KNOWS he exists. and just because i dont beleive doesnt mean im corrupt

Exactly. I never said he will kill you because you don't beleive. I'm not the judge, God is. In my opinion and from what I've learned, alot more people will make it than most of us think. I'm sure some Atheist will too if they're good people. As long as they don't blasphamy.

Zero i agree corruption will end when the mentality that started it ceases to be (Religion)Namaste Sheri

i honestly dont think god judges anything.. i mean.. to do that u would need to EXIST right?

I personally do believe that we are seeing the birth pangs the bible mentioned, there are more signs than just the weather. There are specific prophecies that have and are coming to pass.You can choose to believe or not its your decision your soul on the line. I am confident without a doubt that I know what the truth is we should all search for it. Anyway one thing I'm sure we can all agree on is that only time will tell.

Fact is- we can go around in circles about him existing or not- but what if you're wrong...you could be. If im wrong at least i died beliving in God and myself.

but if ur wrong u beleived for no reason.. i beleive in myself.. never said i didnt. its just hard to imagine some dude making everything.. what made him? and dont answer with that 'he was just always there' that ive heard so many times. SOMETHING had to make him.. and whatever did.. wouldnt THAT b god? and whoever made that 1.. wouldnt THAT then b the god?

I dont care that i believe for no reason (if i infact do). Theres numerous topics on "Who made God" on this board, all of which most board members contributed to in some way, it will shed some light on believers perception on the man "up -stairs" on how he possibly came to be. Basically if you follow two streams, they will eventually both join up into the one river. If you keep following tracks of evolution and how everything came to be, every single thing and oraganism came from something else- if you keep back tracking you will see they all had to have came from one original source.

You either believe something CANT be created from nothing-
or something CAN be created from nothing.

If you think that something CAN be created from nothing- then you'd agree that God indeed himself could have been created from "Nothing". If you think that something CANT be created from nothing- then you'd also be implying that God could possibly exist and created us (something)- dont you see? Both ways of thinking imply there could be a God.

well thats what i dont get.. tat confuses the sh** outta me.. even the big bang theory.. which i beleive.. still has flaws.. 'first there was nothing.. then it exploded'.. wtf? nothing cant explode.. and at the same time something had to create god if there is 1..

(wasnt really a reply to u.. just a staement in general )

Exactly, i've always thought Gods origins is his own sacred secret. Just how a chef doesnt like to give away his recipes, maybe God doesn't want to give away his works to us- maybe its sacred to him. I think theres some things were just not meant to know- and How God came to be just might be one of them- not only how God came to be- but how life came to be. Maybe thats where that word "Faith" kicks in. I dont think science will ever truely solve the beginnings of life and earth.

it was also said people will never fly but that happened.. but i dont think it will happen in our lifetime pity. id like to kno the end result.. to see if im batting for the right team.. lol.

... who said god was a he? hes actually a she... and hes black... and white and red and blue and... for feck sake its even an elephant (some indian religions) all these jerky muslims from afghanistan KILLING themselfs to do right by god. why? and what god? a god that LIKES you to sacrifice yourself AND OTHERS? sure we all hate someone... but im not goin to knock on the door of my enemy with TNT strapped to my MANLY CHEST. anyway... back to the point of the THREAD. I had kfc for dinner.... no thats not the point. OH... yeh these stupid afghanis claim that the end of the world is coming and these bombings are 'messages from god'. MESSAGES FROM GOD MY HAIRY AND SLIGHTLY-FATTER-AFTER-KFC ASS. what are they gunna do for the end of the world? syncronise a mass bombing of every major city on the planet? maybe we should just do what THEY want and bomb them since they like blowing themselfs up so much... SEND THEM TO THEIR GOD

LOL @ kritic.. funny stuff.. and b4 all the christians come bouncing here to defend this comment to me this is just a general statement about all religions violent past and SOME present.. those named.

WELCOME, KRITIC.

The scientist forgot to mention the world can end if the sun explodes! As for humans a lot of things could do us in, probably when resources start to diminish that will be the end of humans.

www.godandscience.org Though there are a few things I don't agree with on that site, you'll find a pretty nice explaination how God "always exists".

You should be careful about living out a fable from a book.

Zero

okay i checked out the site you talked about....
there are somethings if you look at this sight you should know...




okay first and fore most this is an out right lie historical and logically
if a god is only permissive then what use is he? and weren't the ancient greek gods judgemental? i mean come on it's like an out right lie...



okay are you serious???
another out right lie and all of the information they give to sight the reasons for stating this give only statistics for the argument never anywhere near figures for how many people have dies because of christianity or other religions....


okay you're saying that these people know what einstein was thinking?

okay zero as a student going to college for science... please for the sake of your own mind don't buy in to these outrageous lies and misrepresentation of facts
this website is completely ridiculous......

there is absolute proof humans evolved, and we are still evolving today anyone who has an animal can tell you they might not be as intelligent as us but they also have thoughts and feeling and yes abstract thought

instead of saying no, look into if for your self and i mean from the people doing the studying not just someone giving you lies.....

i honestly can't believe that this website could ever be taken seriously....

ya im pretty sure the average height back in those roman times was 150cm for a male. thats like 5' or so.. and now the average height is like 180cm and thats about 5'8. peoples jaws r getting smaller and we have less hair. thats sign of evolution right? i honestly cant remember where i read this