Korean Job Discussion Forums

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2004 9:24 pm Post subject:

EDIT: On second thought I delete my reply to the chicken's question.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

desultude · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 2:25 am Post subject:

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

Kwangjuchicken · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 1:11 am Post subject:

VanIslander · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 5:22 am Post subject:

I used to think yellow dust was gold or phosphates. Now I know it's sand too.

Zed, as you know, most of the Gobi desert isn't actually desert but semi-arid grasslands with sediment of limited movement. Those parts that are genuine desert are not susceptible to freezing due to a lack of moisture in the sand.

Plus. there are other deserts in more western and southern regions of China (albeit much further away).

Rather than being gold or phosphates, the yellow dust, as Koreans call it, is actually sand whipped up by more widely spread continental warming each spring. It's the same basic phenomenon that brings the warm Chinook winds off the Rockies every February in Alberta, Canada.

Winds are created every spring and fall during the transition months, when high pressure displaces low pressure.

I was a Geography major for one semester until I realized I was more interested in travelling the world than revealing its mysteries.

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

I take it to be an ancient phenomenon but its gotten nastier in recent years. Desertification has increased the volume plus interaction with Chinese smokestacks has increased the toxicity. A couple & 3 years ago the air here took on a decidedly yellow cast a few times & left enough residue on cars etc to turn to mud with a bit of rain. Schools closed & it was only sensible to close all your windows, forgo smoking or exercise outdoors, wash hands frequently etc. Eyes prone to irritation too. Traces were recorded as far away as Hawaii & Alberta. I dont doubt the annual dusting contributes to the inertness of most Korean soil too. Korea, Japan, & China are working in concert to plant many millions of trees in the offending regions, but payoff will be years away. It could be worse here though -- news coverage of a bad day in Beijing is shocking.

The events tend to be short-lived, a day here, a day there. Take a few simple precautions & hey, this too shall pass. Kinda spoils spring though, my otherwise favorite season.

Lemonade · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: South Korea

Anyone else here sick from the yellow dust? I'm feeling miserable with serious congestion, coughing and a sore throat. It starts with a sore throat and quicking turns into a resperatory infection. This is terrible. What can you do besides drink water? I'm going to a doctor soon but meanwhile..... what? I can't hardly breath. Sleeping is not fun. Sad