How does a lake this size disappear?

[paul m]

Chileans mislay large lake | The Register

[karlabb]

that's mad a ten acre lake has disappeared down a plug hole...can you imagine how loud the slurp would have been when the last bit disappeared

[SparklySarah]

Erm.......... That whas clever!!!! Imagin the police report: "Large lake reported missing, person responsible may be a bit wet!!"

[Suzanne B]

How weird is that??
I wonder if they know the reason why it disappeared yet, or do these type of investigations take years?
Are there any chances of it reforming again or is it a case of 'when it's gone it's gone'?
I also wonder if this has happened anywhere else?
It's all very intriguing indeed.

[The Jolly Swagman]

Well if it was in Queensland right now I'd say it was pinched by the irrigators As we are undergoing the longest drought in history. Hard to understand but in some places 2 y.o. children have never experienced rain

[paul m]

Originally Posted by The Jolly Swagman

Well if it was in Queensland right now I'd say it was pinched by the irrigators As we are undergoing the longest drought in history. Hard to understand but in some places 2 y.o. children have never experienced rain

Yes similar here ... Yorkshire children who've never seen snow.

Is the drought causing you serious problems?

[The Jolly Swagman]

Paul causing serious problems is big understatement. Brisbabne has been on water reationing for a long time now. Our water supply dams were down to about 16% capacity. My front lawn is slowly recovering after recent strom rain from what was a "front desert" Farmers los their crops and the birds seed I used to by for $25 went to $45. More problems than I can relate here

[goosey]

Originally Posted by The Jolly Swagman

Paul causing serious problems is big understatement. Brisbabne has been on water reationing for a long time now. Our water supply dams were down to about 16% capacity. My front lawn is slowly recovering after recent strom rain from what was a "front desert" Farmers los their crops and the birds seed I used to by for $25 went to $45. More problems than I can relate here

It seems hard to imagine lack of rain to that extent. I know we see it on TV in Africa or where ever, but it seems removed from reality.

I saw a snippet on the childrens news at tea time about bush fires which are still rampaging in Australia, started at the weekend by lightning. Can you tell us more TJS?

[paul m]

Sorry for the problems and sorry for my ignorance. We've been aware of the USAmerican drought-related problems and, to a lesser extent, those around the Mediterranean but hadn't taken in how serious the problems were/are in your part of Australia.

Without getting party political, I hope your new government will have a more constructive concern for the environment - any chance?

Originally Posted by The Jolly Swagman

Paul causing serious problems is big understatement. Brisbabne has been on water reationing for a long time now. Our water supply dams were down to about 16% capacity. My front lawn is slowly recovering after recent strom rain from what was a "front desert" Farmers los their crops and the birds seed I used to by for $25 went to $45. More problems than I can relate here

[The Jolly Swagman]

Goosey, I can assure you that more bush fires are caused by humans than by lightning. Of course the latter does cause bush fires but some people get great delight in watching them take off to consume hundreds of acres. When I was a young bloke living in the bush we had no rural fire brigade. We had a fire warden. In the event of fire he would phone around and gather as many hands as he could to fight the fire . With knapsack sprays, wet sacks, tractors and back burning. We would create fire break way ahead of the fire by burning a cleared area as best we could and sending the fire back on itself. However, you have to witness a big bush fire to really appreciate what you are up against with flames running up trees and setting fire to the canopy, which in turn has burning leaves carried by the wind yards ahead of the seat of the fire. In front of this of course, animals such as kangaroos and wallabies and will run ahead of it. Others such as Koalas perish and birds such as Kites and hawks will take advantage of small animals and insects driven from the flames. Pine trees will burst into flames as the turpentine vapour in their leaves is like petrol to the flames. One fire we fought for many days was caused by some idiot who had a farm as a spare time hobby. He lit the fire to clear some land and when it got away from him, left it and returned to his home in the city. That particular fire I remember because myself and a 12 year old kid of a neighbour took a tractor to see how the house of neighbour was coping as he was rather elderly. We arrived to find his house just beginning to catch light and he was asleep inside. We got him outside but sadly his house was burned to the ground. As far as our new government is concerned and global warming. Well already we have signed the agreement whereas the previous government wouldnt do it. I, like many others thought we were too influenced by G. Bush. They still have signed.