Cracking the news: noteworthy quotes and happenings
Fracture incidents don't make the news very much, but you can be sure that
they happen. But sometimes cracks do make the news; more often, cracks make
the news in people's quotes, usually to denote the break down of a
situation. There's more than one way to make a crack.
Unfortunately, as of August 1, 1999 Cracking the News will no longer be
maintained at this end.
But you can crack the news yourself:
click here.
Have fun Cracking the News!
Thursday Jun 29, 1999
A woman fell 20 feet into a large crack near the top of
Mt. St. Helen (#) in Oregon. She
was rescued by fellow hikers and taken to the hospital to be treated for serious
back injuries.
States News Service: Oregon headlines
Tuesday June 13, 1999
A 3.2 inch crack was found in a pipe at a nuclear power plant in Japan, causing leakage of
radioactive water. The pipe is of stainless steel and the crack was found in the curved portion.
Officials were using sound waves to determine the causes of cracking.
"Crack in Pipe at Japan Nuke Plant," AP World Headlines
Friday June 9, 1999
Continental Airlines Flight 743 plunged 500 feet and scared alot of people. The plane
suffered creacking in an overhead area in the rear.
"Continental Flight Hits Turbulence," Raymond Hainey, AP Headlines
Thursday June 17, 1999
Yosemite National Park (#) is cracking
up -- the cliff at the park has a 30-foot long crack wide enough to stick your
hand in. Granite fell from the cliff yesterday killing a climber.
"Yosemite Cliff Cracks," States News Service, Yosemite
National Park, Ca headline
Wednesday June 16, 1999
An earthquake in Mexico registering 6.7 on the Richter scale this week took 17
lives and wreaked havoc to many buildings and streets. Injections of concrete
will be used to close the cracking in the 17th Century Church of the Company
of Jesus, one of the most damages structures.
"Mexico quake threatens historic buidings,"
Caroline Brothers, Reuters
back to top
Sunday June 6, 1999
Micro-cracking on the wings of Japan's next-generation F-2 jet fighter were
discovered this week. The fractures could cause "the jet to break up in
mid-air." The carbon-graphite wings have caused numerous problems in the
prototype.
"Japan Jet Fighter Plagued by Flaws," Associate
Press headlines
Deep cracks in the very dry dirt between crops in Ciudad Obregon, Mexico are
evidence of the lack of irrigation the three nearby dams are providing. A two
year drought has caused the cancellation of the summer planting season.
"Mexican Drought Hurts Cattle, Crops," Assoicated Press
headlines
Wednesday June 2, 1999
Quote from Reuters on the state of politics surrounding the Three Gorges Dam
in China: "...Chinese are searching anxiously for cracks in the facade of
unity among top leaders." More on
the Three Gorges Dam [intermediate][advanced].
"ANALYSIS -- Chinese leaders united, at least for now,"
Anderw Browne, Reuters
Sunday May 30, 1999
The 452-foot high Giza Pyramid in Cairo, Egypt will reopen soon, after a year
of restoration. Restoration included, among other things, mending all the
cracks in the temple's stone. Crystallized humidity deposited salt on the
walls causing the crack propagation. The humidity was due to 5000 people
breathing in the pyramid during visitig hours every day. A new ventilation
system was also installed and visitors will now be limited to 300 a day.
"Great Pyramid Reopens Thiw Week," Mariam Sami, Ap
Headlines
Thursday May 20, 1999
A crack in water line in Placerville, California has allowed silt to seep into
the water supply -- brown drinking water. Although it does not pose a health
risk, repairs are underway.
"Silt Invades County's Water Supply," States News Service:
Placerville, California headline (5/19/99 also)
back to top
Tuesday May 18, 1999
A crack in a main water pipe in Atlantic City has caused a water emergency in
Atlantic City, NJ tonight. The pipe is 87 years old and four feet in
diameter; it is one of only two pipes carrying water into the city. A large
crack in the valve was found earlier this week; a full break would result in
no water for a week in the city. They are repairing it.
"Atlantic City Declares Water Emergency," States News Service:
Atlantic City, NJ headline (5/19/99 also)
Tuesday May 4, 1999
Thirteen people were killed when a tourist boat sank near Hot Springs,
Arkansas. The cause? Likely a crack in the drive shaft cover.
"Boat Accident Probe Continues," States News Service:
Keithville, Louisiana headline
Wednesday March 31, 1999
"'As little as three years ago most people thought the tobacco industry was
invulnerable. This case shows we have a crack in the dam,' said John Banzhof,
executive director of Action on Smoking and Health."
William McCall, "Jury Awards $81M in Tobacco
Lawsuit," Associated Press
Monday April 26, 1999
The Federal Aviation Administration (#)
ordered Boeing 737's be inspected for
fatigue cracks (*) in the aft
pressure bulkhead, which stabilizes cabin air pressure. The cracks could
cause rapid decompression of the cabin if not repaired. Cost of inspection
could be up to $600 per plane. The fatigue
cracks are caused by repeated expansion and contraction which takes place
during takeoff and landing. Inspections must be repeated every 1200
cycles.
"FAA orders inspection of Boeing 737
bulkheads," Reuters
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