The volcanic and earthquake activity is only a part of the problems ahead for 2005. We are renewing our warning about dangers to the Alaska Pipeline due to permafrost melting - a phenomena that's already gaining notice in Fairbanks: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4120755.stm

The other shoe? We are waiting for reports to come out of the area on damage to oil production infrastructure in the region. I haven't seen a peep about this year, but if there's been enough land movement to push parts of the country 100 feet to the Southwest, then a little dime store logic tells me that might have screwed up some of the oil drilling in the region, which could be a real secondary economic disaster in the making if my worst fears are correct. We're seeing some "leading edge" of the oil angle leaking out in articles such as this one at CBS Market Watch which refers to "oil-rich Indonesia" as likely suffering the most casualties...

Even without damage to oil production infrastructure, the damage will be in the billions: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4129515.stm

"More on your postulate that the thaw will affect the {Alaska] pipeline: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4120755.stm"

"This might bear watching"
http://www.independent-media.tv/item.cfm?fmedia_id=10211&fcategory_desc=Under%20Reported"


Informant: CHEROKEE