Scientists, executive clash over quake

[TZ]

LOS ANGELES - Did an earthquake cause a Utah coal mine to cave in, or did the mine collapse trigger the tremors?

A fierce dispute erupted over that question Tuesday, with a top mine executive declaring on national television that he has the science to prove a quake caused the collapse. But seismologists said their instruments recorded shaking from the cave-in and not a natural temblor.

Scientists believe the seismic waves in the area of the Crandall Canyon mine were "the signature of the collapse and that the collapse was not caused by an earthquake," said James W. Dewey, a seismologist at the National Earthquake Information Center in Golden, Colo.

Scientists have not ruled out a natural earthquake since the region surrounding the mine is seismically active, and they do not know the exact time the mine collapsed.

But, Dewey said, "the data we have seen seem more consistent with the collapse being the cause of the 'earthquake' rather than the other way around."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070807/ap_on_re_us/mine_collapse_earthquake
So now the mine executive knows more about seismology than the USGS geologists? What, are the geolgists out to get miners because they burrow into the earth?:sarcasm:

[JuniperLea]

1. Have there been aftershocks, I wonder?

Seems if it were an Earthquake, there would be aftershocks, no?

Gee... burrowing for what? Something that brings money? Lies will always follow a disaster that surrounds money.

Crazy ass scientists don't know nuthin.

:sarcasm:

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

2. UrthQuakes are measured

at several locations, and their epicenters are pinpointed by triangulation. I would side with the seismologists on this one, but . . .

. . .does it really matter? Just get those poor guys out of there!

[TZ]

3. The crassness of this bothers me...

These guys are trapped, we don't know whether they are dead or alive and the owner is busy CYA cause he is afraid of lawsuits no doubt..I hear there have been numerous safety violations at that mine....

[Wilber_Stool]

4. Well, they think it's from the collapse now,

but after a few calls from the administration, they may change their minds.

[malaise]

5. Not likely

http://www.unews.utah.edu/p/?r=080607-2

[JuniperLea]

6. Good find...

This is incredibly sad... and so telling of the horrible shape the US is in right now. No oversight for government, or for corporate America.

[malaise]

7. Walter Arabasz spoke about this early yesterday

I saw something with one of Colorado's seismologists agreeing with Arabasz.

It destroyed Murray's spin very quickly. He a major Rethug contributor - well connected, profoundly anti-union.

Have you seen this thread?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1536242

Edit - rearrange, add.

[JuniperLea]

8. Ugh...

No surprise there... I smelled something foul...

[malaise]

9. Murray was just on CNN saying it will now take a week

to get to the miners. Looks like the mine is still collapsing. Larry King repeated the 'earthquake' spin.