Cartographers Redrawing Maps After Tsunami

[Renew Deal]

WASHINGTON - Water depths in parts of the Straits of Malacca, one of the world's busiest shipping channels off the coast of Sumatra, reached about 4,000 feet before last month's tsunami. Now, reports are coming in of just 100 feet — too dangerous for shipping, if proved true.


A U.S. spy imagery agency is working around the clock to gather information, warn mariners and begin the time-consuming task of recharting altered coastlines and ports throughout the region.


Officials at the Bethesda, Md.-based National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency say the efforts will take international cooperation over months, if not years.


Thousands of navigational aides, such as buoys held in place by mushroom-shaped anchors, were carried off to new locations by 50-foot to 100-foot waves. Old shipwrecks marked on charts have been relocated, joined by new wrecks that will have to be salvaged, moved or charted.
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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=513&e=19&u=/ap/tsunami_redrawing_maps

[daleo]

1. I wonder what that sounded like on sonar?

That's a lot of land and water to be displaced so suddenly.

[burrowowl]

2. It sure is!

Mother Nature is some awesome lady :wow:

[NYC]

3. I wonder if they can dredge out harbors,

or will the area lose its ports?