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2011-03-12 21:06:29.000 – Stacey Kawecki,  Observer and Meteorologist

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Well, it seems that my mood has shifted with the winds. Even though its insanely foggy (40 ft visibility) and it’s still fairly cold and windy, the west wind seems to have blown away all of yesterday’s bitterness.

However, in light of recent events, with the devastating earth quake and resulting tsunami in Japan, I’d much rather talk about how to help Japan than the weather.

Everyone who has access to any kind of media knows about the incredible force nature unleashed upon Japan. An 8.9 magnitude earthquake releases 1.41 EJ (exajoules = 1000000000000000000 joules). That’s a lot of zero’s! The phrase ‘moving mountains’ is often used to describe some insurmountable task or unparalleled effort. This earthquake literally moved mountains. It moved an entire nation – apparently 8 feet!

Mother Nature can be fierce, magnificent and unforgiving. She wields a great and terrible beauty that is awesome. A baby penguin hatches and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom while a massive hurricane tears apart homes and lives. The dichotomous disposition of Mother Nature is undisputed and on display. The split personality of human nature is similar. As the Red Cross was gearing up for a relief, numerous non-profits were starting web campaigns, and people who don’t know a single soul in Japan were wiping tears from their eyes, some were setting up false ‘funds’ – trying to take advantage of others in the most despicable fashion. I like to think that human nature is heavily weighted on the ‘good’ side.

There are many ways to support the Japan Earthquake Relief effort, from buying a Lady Gaga wrist band to contributing to various non-profits. Because there is still a ‘dark’ side to human nature, please be certain that your contributions are going to their intended destination. On behalf of the Mount Washington Observatory, I’d like to say that Japan is in all of our thoughts and hearts.

Stacey Kawecki,  Observer and Meteorologist