Mystery: 67 Dinosaurs in 1 Quarry

The quarry being discussed is located west of Arches National Park (Moab, Utah). It "contains dinosaurs of all sizes and ages, indicating a massive die-off event". Because the location is near the shore of an ancient lake bed, scientists believe a drought was the cause (they were all after the remaining drops of water). The reason it is being discussed - most of the fractured bones were "angled 'greenstick' fractures that occur in fresh bones".

So far the researchers have identified 67 individual dinosaurs representing 8 species - and they have only scratched the surface of this diverse quarry. Mysteriously, nearly all of the 4,200 bones recovered so far are fractured, as reported in the scientific journal Palaeo.

'Although enough bones were recovered to assemble several complete dinosaurs, the vast majority of bones are broken to bits and pieces, just pulverized,' said BYU professor Brooks Britt, lead author on the study.

Given that a global cataclysm (ie pole shift) is not an option for their speculations, the scientists have decided it was a stampede, brought on by a seemingly instant drought.

Imagine the gruesome sound of bones snapping as a thirsty, 30-ton dinosaur tramples a heap of fresh carcasses on his way to a rapidly shrinking lake.

...'Some of these bones were almost 5 feet long, and they are green, and you really have to work hard to shatter bone that's still green,' Britt said. 'That means the big boys were stepping on those things. Those would have been audible, big snaps.'

Globally massive piles of fossilized bones have been found in narrow locations. Each time a new idea is promoted - like the La Brea tar pits, where silly animals got stuck in the tar, at such a rate that there'd be more dead animals than tar...

What Does Mel Gibson Know About 2012?

Note: this is pure speculation, or even could be classed as fantasy!

Mel Gibson made the news today, again, due to his behavior. A reporter asked him about his public profile over the last few years, and implied that it might affect ticket sales for his new movie (yes, it didn't do so well in its opening weekend, but Avatar could be a reason). Poor Mel was looking decidedly uncomfortable, and at the very end called the reporter an arsehole.

Mel has been very good in recent times, apologizing and trying to improve his image, so today was a little bit unusual. What may have triggered this behavior? Did he just get out of bed on the wrong side? Did he have a hangover? Is he going cold turkey? Or did he just find out something new about 2012?

Plenty of 2012ers believe that governments know about whatever will occur in 2012, and are keeping it secret from the public. Although I have yet to see real proof of this, if the government is ever to keep something secret from us, it would be a doomsday event.

If the government knows, then various others will know, including perhaps religious leaders, or the rich and powerful. Sporting stars (Greg Norman), music stars (Bono/Sting) and movie stars (Marilyn Monroe) do hang out with world leaders.

Let's see what boxes we can tick for Mel:

• Very knowledgeable about 2012 - he made Apocalypto
• Knowledgeable about conspiracy theories - he starred in Conspiracy Theory
• Political connections - has met with the president of Costa Rica
• Has sold $60 million of property in the last 2 years
• Has a safe spot - recently purchased a $25.8m ranch in Costa Rica (although its location by the sea would negate many 2012 doom theories)
• His production company logo looks a bit like an upside down pyramid with an Illuminati eye

I'm just using Mel as an example. But if there is a 2012 conspiracy, as the year approaches, someone in the public eye, who knows, will provide us clues. They might stop working. They might convert major assets to cash. They might start acting nervous. They might turn to drugs or alcohol. They might even say something they shouldn't have.

Be vigilant!

Risky Drilling of the Phlegraean Fields

You may not have heard of the Phlegraean Fields (aka Campi Flegrei), but it's the site of one of the largest supervolcanoes in (relatively) recent times. Erupting 200 cubic kilometres of magma 39,000 years ago, and still active, it is one of the potential candidates for a supervolcanic event in 2012.

Perhaps tempting fate, scientists are due to start drilling into this volcano right now. The reasoning is standard - drill a hole to take a look, and learn more about volcanoes.

But is it worth the risk?

"Under unfavourable conditions, contact of the drilling fluid with magma could be very dangerous," says Ralf Büttner, a volcanologist at the University of Würzburg in Germany. "It is even theoretically conceivable that, ultimately, a major eruption could result."

...The greatest risk would be if the drilling accidentally pierced a silica-rich magma chamber under high pressure, releasing trapped gases, saysVolker Dietrich, also of the University of Würzburg. "The threat of explosion is extremely high. Theoretically, any type of eruption could be triggered," says Dietrich. "In some circumstances, the risk is of a total disaster."

It isn't getting the publicity, but perhaps the drilling is more of a risk than the Large Hadron Collider? Even without the drilling, a paper due out in Geophysical Research Letters suggests that "hazard planners should prepare for eruptions in decades or less" at the Campei Flegrei.

If you are considering being a long way from volcanoes in 2012, perhaps consider a permanent move. Modern civilization doesn't seem to fully appreciate the risk.

Biblical scholar: Rapture on May 21, 2011

Interestingly, whereas the Bible Code book is all about encoded information in the Bible predicting events, this prophecy for the date of rapture holds no clues from the Bible except the (supposed) date of Christ's death, and Harold Camping's personal interpretation of certain words. Here is how he solved the puzzle:

By Camping's understanding, the Bible was dictated by God and every word and number carries a spiritual significance. He noticed that particular numbers appeared in the Bible at the same time particular themes are discussed.

The number 5, Camping concluded, equals "atonement." Ten is "completeness." Seventeen means "heaven." Camping patiently explained how he reached his conclusion for May 21, 2011.

"Christ hung on the cross April 1, 33 A.D.," he began. "Now go to April 1 of 2011 A.D., and that's 1,978 years."

Camping then multiplied 1,978 by 365.2422 days - the number of days in each solar year, not to be confused with a calendar year.

Next, Camping noted that April 1 to May 21 encompasses 51 days. Add 51 to the sum of previous multiplication total, and it equals 722,500.

Camping realized that (5 x 10 x 17) x (5 x 10 x 17) = 722,500.

Or put into words: (Atonement x Completeness x Heaven), squared.

"Five times 10 times 17 is telling you a story," Camping said. "It's the story from the time Christ made payment for your sins until you're completely saved.
More at SFGate

Convoluted, but I can see why it would be compelling to some Christians. Like many modern-day prophets, this isn't his first prediction. His previous prediction for Christ's return (Sept. 6, 1994) was wrong because he made some mathematical errors...

Brace Yourself: 2012 Spams and Scams

Some people are so paranoid about 2012, they'll latch on to anything that mentions the fateful year. They'll buy every book (and ebook), and be likely candidates for any quick-fix survival project - regardless of how genuine it may be.

I'll do my best to out the scams and endorse the reals deal - but please don't blame me if I call one wrong.

Here's one to kick things off!

Escape Earth 2012 - fortunately this is easy to judge as being a joke. The price is stupidly cheap, $12.49 for a place on a space ark. And if you look at the Disclaimer page, it says "This site was made to be a funny gag gift and should not be taken seriously. We cannot guarantee anyone’s survival from an apocalyptic event nor do we provide space travel to a new planet. This is a story we created to go along with our product. However, we will happily honor our money back guarantee if you purchase a ticket and do not safely make it to a new planet in the event of a 2012 apocalypse"

Taurids in 2012?

We can expect increased activity to start any year now, in October and November, especially. Atmospheric bursts are already happening. There were at least two in 2009. We had a few minor impacts last year, too. It will be newsworthy when one happens over a populated area.

Steve Pace's article is not sensationalist - I've kinda quoted him out of context.

Regardless, if the 2012 culprit is one that falls from the skies, it could be a Taurid meteoroid. If/when these plentiful objects cross our path in a serious way, we could have an "annual global meteorite storm lasting over a hundred years". Society would become divided: those who take their chances, and those that choose to / can afford to protect themselves (bunkers). Bombs from the sky at the same time every year could become as normal as tropical rainy seasons.

2012 Base Hits 500

I've not mentioned our directory of 2012-related sites for some time, so now that we have reached 500 listings, I figured I could.

Most of the sites have struck me as being worthy of listing, after finding them during my many hours of 2012 research. Others are surprises that were submitted. Regardless of how they are found, one thing is clear - the 2012 movement is growing rapidly.

Let me know if any quality 2012 sites aren't yet listed at 2012 Base.

eBook review: 2012 Survival Guide

Conspiracy theories, earth changes, survival instructions - this eBook could have been excellent. It's a shame that it fails to be excellent on several levels. English is clearly not the nameless author's first language. The booklet is poorly written and has plenty of typos and layout mistakes. Ultimately it appears to be a rush job, that almost gives someone wishing to survive 2012 lots of good information, but ultimately gives the feeling they are merely regurgitating what they have read elsewhere - with no personal interest or insight.

The first section, dealing with the variety of ways TEOTWAWKI could occur, is just mish-mash of psuedo-knowledge. So is the small final section covering conspiracy theories.

Where this ebook does have value is the middle section, with details of survival items and strategies, such as:

• CB & Ham radios, for if computers and phones stop working. (Unfortunately, while their reliance on batteries is pointed out, hand-cranked or solar radios are not mentioned).
• Count the number of bridges between where you usually are and your survival spot. Bridges collapse in earthquakes.
• Have a domed roof for your bunker, not a flat one.
• How to build your own water filter using charcoal, sand, moss and a log.
• Have baby wipes in your bunker for waterless cleaning - this is in a long list of items you should have with you.

Three of the above ideas were new to me, and even one new idea could make such an eBook worth purchasing. However, it looks to me like some of the survival item lists have been cut'n'pasted from other books, most likely Holly Deyo's "Dare to Prepare", so if you want a more detailed list of supplies, perhaps purchase that and a few other "real" books instead.

This eBook is available from SurvivePast2012.com for $US24.95

Cosmic Rays Reach Modern Era High

Within the "Space Age" (since the 1950s) this year marks the greatest intensity of cosmic rays reaching planet Earth. Not coincidentally, this year is also the lowest solar minimum of the period. Basically more solar activity means more solar wind which enhances the heliosphere, the Sun's magnetic field that helps protect us.

It's a double-edged sword; at one end of the scale we get more cosmic rays, which means greater levels of mutation (cosmic rays are responsible for roughly 50% of random genetic damage), and at the other end we get an increase in solar flares, which can cause us harm when aimed in our direction.

If we could choose, we'd like the sun to be average, always.

Post-2012 Gear: Adjustable Specs

I think in Australia the number of adults needing spectacles/contacts/laser is about 50%, which means for those like me who haven't dared have laser surgery yet, after a 2012 cataclysm our contacts and specs will be very, very important to keep safe. Once they are gone/damaged, replacing them might be impossible.

Whether they are for personal use, or trade/barter, stocking up on adjustable specs might be a smart move. That's right, adjustable:

They consist of clear membranes filled with silicon oil, protected by plastic discs. The wearer can adjust the amount of oil in the lenses using a dial fitted to a syringe on the arms of the glasses. Changing the amount of oil in the lenses changes their curvature, which alters their strength.

When someone has adjusted the lenses to suit their vision, the lenses are sealed with a valve and the syringes removed, giving near-instant glasses with no need for an optometrist.

30,000 of these have been distributed in Africa, with a manufacturing cost of $19 each. They aren't pretty, but they are pretty cheap. A box of these would be a good investment for any bunker. Story at CNN. Official site is the Centre for Vision in the Developing World