Seismologists Predict Major Earthquake Will Hit West Coast

After watching countless hours of Japanese tsunami video, I couldn't help but wonder about the destruction a tsunami would cause here in America. And apparently, I'm not the only one.

More Americans are now worrying about a potential threat of an earthquake and tsunami, especially on the West Coast. And unfortunately, it's moving toward becoming a reality as predictions are far from optimistic.

Seismologists from the California Institute of Technology Seismological Laboratory ("or Caltech") have calculated a 99.7 percent chance of an earthquake of 7.0 or more to hit the West Coast within the next 30 years. Studies have also shown that an earthquake of this magnitude is powerful enough to cause a tsunami.

According to National Geographic, roughly 80 percent of the tsunamis that do occur, happen on the Pacific Ocean's "Ring of Fire."

Although the March 11 disaster in Japan was caused by an incredibly powerful 9.0 quake, an earthquake of 7.0 could still cause a tremendous amount of damage and casualties.

Japanese officials have now reported a death toll of 14,435, while 11,601 people still remain missing. It is the deadliest Japanese disaster in nearly a century.

Evening News: Could The West Coast Be Next?

The Next Coast?

Seismologists have been studying the plates under the San Andreas Fault for as long as we can remember. But after the horrifying events in Japan last month, the fear that a major earthquake will hit the West Coast has increased.

In fact, it is now more than just a fear. Seismologists from the California Institute of Technology Seismological Laboratory have confirmed that there is nearly a 100 percent chance of an earthquake, measuring 7.0 or greater, to hit the coast sometime in the next 30 years.

In an interview with CBS earlier this month, seismologist James Gaherty compared the earthquake and tsunami in Japan to what we could potentially see here in America.

"The Pacific Northwest has the same kind of characteristics as the fault beneath Japan," he said. "We're worried about a large subduction zone similar to Japan."

Many other seismologists fear that the West Coast is the last missing piece along the "Ring of Fire" to experience major plate movement.

"If you think of the Pacific plate as a square, we have had a major earthquake in the Northwestern side of that square, in Japan," Simon Winchester said in an interview with MSNBC. "On February 22 we had Christchurch in New Zealand in the Southwest of the square. Last year we had a major earthquake in Chile in the Southeast of that square. The fourth leg of the square, the fourth side, is where the San Andreas and the Cascadia forms. That hasn't ruptured, but if either does, there could be major problems."

California's San Andreas Fault hasn't ruptured in over 100 years, since crumbling the city of San Francisco in 1906. As for the present, seismologists can only hope that if their predictions do come true, the damage is far less than what Japan experienced. The March 11 tragedy is the deadliest Japanese disaster in almost a century, killing nearly 15,000 people.

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Editorial: Procrastination Pays Off...Literally

If you didn't see last week's Newsday article about Caroline Trezza, a senior at Roslyn High School who won $35,000 for her research project on procrastination, you missed quite a story.

Did you ever wonder why students, or people in general, procrastinate? Well, I did and I came to the conclusion that procrastination is either caused by laziness or just a result of a busy schedule.

How much money do I get for my hypothesis? Zilch. Nada. Nothing.

Caroline Trezza, on the other hand, won $35,000 for her research project on why students procrastinate. Trezza, a Roslyn High School senior, surveyed 168 sophomores and juniors at her school, asking them about their study habits, schedules, and even their self-confidence.

Okay, so her conclusion goes much deeper into the matter than my one-line statement above. In fact, the 17-year-old found that confidence in teens led to less procrastination in their school work. She also discovered that completing tasks on time is a habit that should be instilled in students at a young age.

Trezza, who was named a second-place winner in the National Young Epidemiology Scholars contest, has quite a busy schedule herself. Not only has she been working on this research project and going to school, Trezza is also the editor-in-chief of her high school yearbook. However, she is human. Trezza did tell Newsday that she sometimes, like many other students, finds it hard to start assignments as well.

There is one thing I think Trezza's research project didn't include. Technology. The technology of today adds so many other distractions that lead to procrastination. Although I don't have any problems with this issue. Yes, I've been writing this with the television on in the background and multi-tasking on the web. But it hasn't affected my focus.

Yeah, right.

Editorial: A Child No More

In response to last week's Daily News article about changing summer camp activities and taking away childrens' favorite games, I could not sit back and let this one slide. I had to chime in. The following is my editorial on why I think the new state law regarding increased attention and oversight at indoor summer camps is outrageous.

We live in a world of technology. A world where you don’t even have to put on pants to go shopping. A world where you can talk to thousands of strangers in less than a second, just by clicking a button. A world where playing outside is no longer safe?

Well, according to the New York State Health Department, it is. In an effort to increase camp safety regulations, state bureaucrats are now discouraging children from playing Wiffle Ball, kickball, dodgeball, and tag this summer. Apparently, they believe these good ol’ traditional summertime games are “unsafe” and officials would feel more comfortable with children spending their beautiful summer days inside the four walls, glued to the television playing video games. Isn’t obesity a big enough problem in children?

That’s right a rubber ball, a hollow plastic bat, and running around are now, after all of these years, too dangerous for our children to take part in. Children are already growing up in a world where face-to-face contact is becoming less and less frequent, and now this. Isn’t it bad enough that 10-year-olds have cell phones, Facebook pages, twitter accounts, and four video game systems? Now state officials want to take away the only “real” social activity children have these days.

This just in. Running, walking and waking up before noon have now been declared risky and therefore, frowned upon. I mean, come on, what is this world coming to? What would our grandparents have to say about this?

You’re only a child once. Let them enjoy their childhood. Let them play.

Knicks Look to Avoid Sweep

The New York Knicks are hoping to avoid a four-game series sweep at the hands of the Boston Celtics today at Madison Square Garden.

After two hard-fought, down-to-the-wire games in Boston that ended with heartbreak for the Knicks, New York didn't show up in Game 3's 113-96 rout, showing a lack of passion in their first home playoff game in seven years.

The Knicks will have to show tougher defense around the perimeter if they want any chance on extending the series. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce tore up the Knicks from behind the three-point line, hitting a combined 14 from long range on Friday night.

Rajon Rondo has been the toughest assignment for the Knicks to cover in the series. Rondo picked up a triple double in Game 3, including an astounding 20 assists to go along with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

For the Knicks, they will need another big performance from Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. The two New York superstars combined for just 6-for-24 from the field, one of the many reasons the Knicks were down early and often on Good Friday.

Unfortunately for the Knickerbockers, Stoudemire is questionable for today's game with back spasms. Even if he does play, he'll need to have a performance closer to Game 1, in which he carried the Knicks, scoring 24 points.

We'll have more updates on the Knicks game, as well as the rest of the New York sports world, later on in the day.

Step Right Up And Beat The Mets

The New York Mets were riding a seven-game losing streak heading into today's game against the Braves. Although the Metropolitans came away with a win in Atlanta, their brand of baseball has been horrendous to watch, especially of late.

The Mets have played so poorly early on this season, they lost five games in a span of three days, including both double headers on Thursday and Saturday.

They have only one win at home and that was against the Washington Nationals, giving them a 1-6 start at Citi Field. And the fans haven't come out to support the team either in the early going. In fact, attendance is so bad, the Mets decided to make Thursday's double header against the Colorado Rockies a single ticket admission double header, meaning that if you came to the first game, you were allowed to stay for the second. After watching the first game, I'm not sure anyone wanted to.

The bullpen has been one of the weakest parts of the ball club. Surprisingly, the Mets have had a lead in most of their games this season. Unfortunately, the bullpen hasn't been able to hold those leads. This is the same pen that manager Terry Collins raved about in spring training.

Craig Carton, a WFAN morning show host and Mets fan, had a great line about one particular reliever during one of his rants this week, saying, "Met reliever Bobby Parnell may be the worst 100 mph pitcher in the history of the sport." And he couldn't be more right about Parnell and the rest of the Mets issues, which is a very long list.

Collins was hired because of his attention to detail. At his introductory press conference, he never guaranteed wins, but instead said that this team will play fundamentally sound baseball. Did anyone catch, and I use this term loosely, the awful outfield play on Thursday afternoon? Met outfielders misplayed several fly balls in a span of just a few innings, giving the Rockies free runs. The Mets don't hit well enough to be a bad defensive team. They have to make the plays in the field if they want any shot at winning.

However, there is good news if you're a Mets fan. The Mets are now giving the fans a chance to throw out the first pitch of a game at Citi Field. Rumor has it, if you're any good, they'll give you a uniform and let you pitch the eighth inning.

Today's 3-2 victory against the division-rival Braves could be something that turns the season around. We'll have to wait and see. For Mets fans however, they can only hope that this is the only seven-game losing streak of the season.

If I were them, I wouldn't count on it.

The Search For Long Island Serial Killer Continues

Edited Video

Original Video

South African Schwartzel Masterful

The 2011 Masters at Augusta National had one of the greatest endings in its 75 year history. Not only was the leaderboard crammed tighter than a can of sardines, it was also well-represented all over the world.

And it was the South African, Charl Schwartzel, who birdied the last four holes to take home the Green Jacket and a two-stroke victory, along with nearly $1.5 million.

"Just an exciting day," Schwartzel said in an interview with CBS after the round. "So many roars, and that atmosphere out there was just incredible. A phenomenal day."

Heading into the back nine on Sunday, lead changes, missed putts, and an unfortunate choke by 21-year-old wire-to-wire leader Rory McIlroy was the story. Along with, how could I forget, Tiger Woods' almost historic seven-shot comeback, the Masters was in for a great finish.

McIlroy triple-bogeyed the 10th hole after hitting two trees following a poor drive which hit a cabin nearly 100 yards off the fairway. The young Irishman would shoot an 8-over-par final round of 80 on his way to a tie for 15th place.

Schwartzel upstaged two Australians, 23-year-old Jason Day and Adam Scott, along with four-time Masters champion Tiger Woods.

Woods, who finished in a tie for fourth place at -10, was going for his fifth Green Jacket, one behind the record of Jack Nicklaus. It's been nearly two years since his last win on tour and Tiger's desperation showed today. Tiger was nearly perfect on his front nine, shooting a 5-under-par 31, and it looked like he would continue that pace on the back. But the putter was Woods' enemy once again, costing what would have been his first Major win in which he trailed after three rounds.

But the day belonged to Schwartzel. The 26-year-old shot a 6-under-par 66 to put his name alongside countryman Gary Player. Player, who became the first international golfer to win the Masters 50 years ago to the day, was proud of Schwartzel's strong finish.

"I am absolutely delighted for Charl and South Africa. Congratulations and very well done to him. That is how you finish like a champion!" Player said on his Twitter account.

Here's a look at how the rest of the field finished at the 75th edition of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club.

1. Schwartzel (-14)
T-2. Day (-12)
T-2. Scott (-12)
T-4. Woods (-10)
T-4. Ogilvy (-10)
T-4. Donald (-10)
T-6. Cabrera (-9)

Regaining His Stripes

Tiger Woods fought back into contention at The Masters today by shooting a 5-under-par 67. Unfortunately for Tiger, his seven shots back heading into the final round were just too much to overcome, even for the world's greatest golf.

Woods, who was going for his fifth Green Jacket and first since 2005, started his round trailing 21-year-old leader Rory McIlroy by seven but came roaring back into the lead after eagling the eighth.

After shooting a 31 on the front nine, Tiger played the back nine even, and finished one back of the lead after parring the 18th hole.

Tiger still has a chance to win, but it will take bogeys from several golfers, as there is a second-place log jam at -10.

Woods hasn't won a PGA Tournament in almost two years and a win at Augusta today would also be his first major victory after trailing after three rounds.

Australian Adam Scott is now the leader at -11 with three holes to play. I'll have an update on the final holes of The 75th Masters later in the day. Check back to see who takes home the first Major of the year.

Man on the Street

In our first "Man on the Street" segment, the Nose Bleed Seats toured St. John's University asking students if they root for the Yankees or the Mets. You wouldn't believe the answers we heard on the Queens campus. Check it out for yourself.

iPhone 4 Radio and TV Commercials

Hey everybody. The Nose Bleed Seats is taking a dive into the advertising pool. Check out the following commercials which were directed and produced by Marc Cira. Afterwards, we'd love to hear what you think, so leave some comments.

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Early Marks are in for Teixeira and Rest of Yankees

Mark Teixeira is known for being a slow starter. However, after spending extra time in the batting cage this offseason, Tex is off to one of the hottest starts in baseball.

Last year, the Yankee first basemen didn't hit his first home run until twelve games into the season. He also hit only .136 for the entire month of April. Already Teixeira has three homers and seven RBIs this season, and John Sterling is loving every "tex message" minute of it.

After his third-inning home run this afternoon, Teixeira became only the second Yankee to homer in each of his team's first three games. Dave Winfield was the other, accomplishing the feat in 1983.

Tex is red hot, but he's not the only Yankee who looks good early on.
Alex Rodriguez has followed his hot spring with a great start to the regular season. A-Rod only has one home run in the early season, but he is making loud outs, driving the ball to the warning track almost every time he comes to the plate. Also, there doesn't seem to be a concern over his surgically-repaired hip, meaning A-Rod should be back to being the A-Rod of old, both in the field and at the plate.

Yesterday afternoon's starter A.J. Burnett took the mound for the first time since his dreadful 2010 season. An under-the-weather Burnett earned the win lasting five innings, while allowing three earned runs. But the best sign from Burnett had to be the fact that he battled. Too many times last season, Burnett would let one pitch turn into a bad inning.

Derek Jeter has also gotten off to a good start. If you had any doubts about Jeter's "new" swing, he has collected a few hits, marching closer to his quest for 3000. Jeter, who's batting from the No. 2 spot against right-handers, came into the day trailing only A-Rod on the team in batting average. He's now tied for 35th on the all-time hits list, just 72 away from becoming the first Yankee to ever record 3000 hits.