[CTRL] On Wormwood, Methane, and Meteors

[Robert F. Tatman]

While recognizing that Revelation is so convoluted and extended an allegory that untangling its allusions is probably an impossible task, I might suggest that a very good candidate for Wormwood would be the combination of an oceanic meteorite strike combined with release of methane clathrate from the seabed.  The meteor is not required for a disaster, however--there's evidence of natural release of methane and other submarine gases, causing landslips, tsunamis, and climate changes in the gelogically recent past.  AND the possibility of offshore oil and mineral exploration triggering a release of the clathrate is very real.  I'm going to post some more material on this shortly, but if anyone has any thoughts and/or information along these lines, I'd be glad to see them either on or off the list.  (Note: for a well-written and well-researched fictional account of possible effects of massive methane release, see John Barnes, *Mother of Storms* [1994].)   Bob   Robert F. Tatman Information Technology Consultant [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jenkintown, PA, USA *Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.*