BobRingReflections

The February 6, 2023 major earthquake in southern Turkey and northwestern Syria, with its horrible destruction and loss of life, reminded me that I don’t know much about earthquakes - how, why, and where they happen.  So, researching this article will give me a chance to learn about the subject. After a short introduction, I will cover historical views of earthquakes, the science of earthquakes, earthquake magnitude and intensity, measuring and locating earthquakes, the damage from earthquakes, major earthquakes in the past, predicting and forecasting earthquakes, and a word about preparedness for earthquakes.  I will close with a short update on the recent Turkey-Syria earthquake. My principal sources include “Earthquake,” “List of historical earthquakes,” and “Richter magnitude scale,” Wikipedia.com; “The Science of Earthquakes” and “Earthquake Magnitude, Energy Release, and Shaking Intensity,” usgs.gov; “Highest Magnitude & Biggest Earthquakes,” sma-tsunami-warning....

When our Spring 2023 Mississippi River cruise was cancelled, Pat and I quickly arranged a trip to Washington, D.C.  As regular readers know, I have recently written articles about Washington, D.C.’s presidential memorials (September 8, 2022 and September 16, 2022) and Military Memorials (October 3, 2022).  Now Pat and I will be able to visit the places I wrote about.   So, to prepare for our visit, this article will cover the history of Washington, D.C.   After a short introduction, I will discuss the area’s early settlement; the founding and establishment of Washington, D.C. in 1791; the burning of Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812; the pre-Civil War period; the Civil War; the post-Civil War period; Washington, D.C. since 1900; and will finish with a discussion of tourism opportunities. My principal sources include AIA Guide to the Architecture of Washington, D.C. , fifth edition, G. Martin Moeller, Jr.; “Washington, D.C.,” “The History of Washington D.C...