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General Discussion => Science & Nature => Topic started by: sam on January 17, 2011, 20:11

Title: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: sam on January 17, 2011, 20:11
Quote
The extent to which Queensland's soils became saturated with water as the Australian state was deluged with rain is evident in new satellite imagery.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12206639
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: Simon on January 17, 2011, 21:22
There's going to be a lot of clearing up to do.  :(
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: Rik on January 18, 2011, 10:03
Is the gap due to orbit, Sam? Looking at the news reports, I wonder how Australia will afford the clean up without outside help.
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: Simon on January 18, 2011, 10:34
I haven't a clue about the Australian economy. Are they all that hard up? 
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: Rik on January 18, 2011, 10:36
No, it's doing quite well, I think, but almost half the country has been affected - that's a lot of re-building.
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: Simon on January 18, 2011, 10:52
And a lot of insurance payouts. 
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: Rik on January 18, 2011, 10:53
Except that a lot of the people didn't have flood insurance because it was too expensive.
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: Simon on January 18, 2011, 11:40
Ouch!
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: Rik on January 18, 2011, 11:48
Indeed. Plus, of course, a large section of the Australian economy has been hit, which would be hard for any country to absorb.
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: Simon on January 18, 2011, 12:03
I guess this sort of thing can't be planned for. 
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: Rik on January 18, 2011, 12:13
Planned for, but not really coped with. They've lost a huge amount of wheat production, for example. Not only will this put up world prices, but will probably require Australia to import grain. It's like having Birmingham to the south coast flooded here, the financial pain would be massive.
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: sam on January 18, 2011, 15:11
Quote from: Rik on January 18, 2011, 10:03
Is the gap due to orbit, Sam? Looking at the news reports, I wonder how Australia will afford the clean up without outside help.

I think so.
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: sam on January 18, 2011, 15:12
Quote from: Simon on January 18, 2011, 10:34
I haven't a clue about the Australian economy. Are they all that hard up? 

they make lots of money out of minerals and radio active stuff...
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: Rik on January 18, 2011, 15:51
But also have a strong agricultural element.
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: Simon on January 18, 2011, 16:31
And they don't give it all away to migrants!
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: Rik on January 18, 2011, 16:32
There's a significant, recent, immigration population, though.
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: Simon on January 18, 2011, 16:34
I thought you had to be self sufficient to reside there, though.  You can't just turn up and expect handouts. 
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: Rik on January 18, 2011, 16:46
I really don't know, Simon.
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: Simon on January 18, 2011, 16:47
Neither do I, but I'm sure it's the case in NZ. 
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: Rik on January 18, 2011, 16:49
Very different rules there, Simon, they're much less inclined to let people in.
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: Simon on January 18, 2011, 16:50
Oh. 
Title: Re: Queensland's soggy soils revealed
Post by: Rik on January 18, 2011, 16:55
Unless they're very good at rugby. ;D