 about 1.7 million people were displaced by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in 14 countries in South Asia and East Africa. (In January 2005, the death toll was 286,000. In April 2005, Indonesia reduced its estimate for the number missing by over 50,000.) USGS Full list at http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/world/events/1976_07_27.php
Earthquakes have killed many, and are expected to kill many more.
While there is no doubt that how well buildings are made affects how many buildings survive earthquakes and thus at least indirectly, how well human beings survive earthquakes, some feel that people have more to do with earthquakes than commonly believed.
Could human activity be doing anything that could possibly be contributing to earthquakes? While most geologists do not promote the theory, there are those that believe that human activity may be contributing to at least some earthquakes.
Specifically, the drilling for oil, methane, and other substances creates empty pockets that are susceptible to collapse. Furthermore, some believe that deep drilling itself can cause or contribute to "cracks" that ultimately can result in earthquakes. Notice the following from a self-described investigator:
Drilling and Earthquakes
16 June 2004: US Department of Energy meeting summary: "Alternatively, an undersea earthquake today, say off the Blake Ridge or the coast of Japan or California might loosen and cause some of the sediment to slide down the ridge or slump, exposing the hydrate layer to the warmer water. That in turn could cause a chain reaction of events, leading to the release of massive quantities of methane. Another possibility is drilling and other activities related to exploration and recovery of methane hydrates as an energy resource..."
1 February 2011: "Seabed drilling exploration for methane hydrate in coastal waters, utilizing a world-class deep sea exploration vessel, is scheduled to start Saturday. In the planned exploration, the Chikyu is expected to drill 100 meters to 400 meters into the seabed, which lies at a depth of 700 meters to 1,000 meters. The geological structure of layers surrounding the hydrate, and the degree of stability regarding drill holes and pipes, are among the subjects to be surveyed. The Chikyu uses state-of-the-art equipment able to drill as deep as 7,000 meters under the seabed."
On 11 March 2011, the world witnessed one of the most powerful earthquakes since 1900, devastating the country of Japan...
On 7 March 2011, in response to the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission, two US gas drilling companies agreed to suspend specific operations at wells near Arkansas after their work was linked to nearby earthquakes...
Is it possible, that either of the massive earthquakes which devastated Japan and New Zealand, can be connected to invasive deep drilling?
(Morningstar C. Are we there yet? Drilling and Earthquakes. Sunday, March 27, 2011. http://www.huntingtonnews.net/2768
While humans do not think that they cause earthquakes, simply concentrating the construction of multiple buildings along the coastlines would also seem to change the dynamics of mass on the earth and perhaps be the proverbial "last straw" to trigger an earthquake. Even blasting off rockets affects the earth.
Hence, while I am not claiming that drilling for methane hydrate caused Japan's 9.0 earthquake, it seems that human activity may sometimes be a factor in some earthquakes.
Jesus discussed earthquakes in His Olivet prophecy (a series of prophetic statements He made on the Mount of Olives).
Jesus taught that prior to the great tribulation, during a time called "the beginning of sorrows", that His followers would notice earthquakes:
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:7-8, NKJV throughout unless otherwise indicated).
8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troub