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Earthquake Creates Rupture in Earth’s Crust 150 Miles Long and 50 Miles Wide

03/11/2011 Leave a comment

“A massive earthquake that struck off the coast of Japan Friday was the strongest quake in the area in nearly 1,200 years.

David Applegate, a senior science adviser for earthquake and geologic hazards for the U.S. Geological Survey, said the 8.9-magnitude quake ruptured a patch of the earth’s crust 150 miles long and 50 miles across.”   Read more.

Cambodia’s Deadly Virus: 85% Mortality Rate

03/11/2011 Leave a comment

“Ladies and Gentlemen, the next Black Death, a global pandemic of catastrophic proportions, has reared its ugly head in the Far East, home to many pandemic viruses. This time it is not a 30 per cent death rate, it is an 85 per cent death rate. It is called the Cambodian Avian Flu virus.

Avian Flu has been around for centuries. So have other pandemics. But an 85 per cent mortality rate?”  Read more.

Indonesian Volcano Erupts Hours After Japan Earthquake

03/11/2011 1 comment

“One of Indonesia’s most active volcanos has erupted, sending lava and searing gas clouds tumbling down its slopes. Volcanology official Agus Budianto said Friday that authorities were still trying to evacuate residents living along the slopes of Mount Karangetang.”  Read more.

Categories: Natural Disasters

Huge Whirlpool Created After Japan Quake

03/11/2011 Leave a comment

A massive earthquake has hit the north-east of Japan, triggering a tsunami and a huge whirlpool. The tsunami warning was extended to the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, the Pacific coast of Russia and Hawaii. Dramatic footage of the whirlpool was taken by a helicopter.  Watch video here.

Japan Earthquake: Tokyo Tsunami Fears After 8.9 Magnitude Quake Rocks Buildings In Capital

03/11/2011 Leave a comment

“A huge tsunami is feared to have killed hundreds of people as it swept over coastal Japan after the country’s biggest earthquake on record. The massive 8.9 magnitude quake caused a 33ft wave that hit the port of Sendai city, sending ships crashing into the shore and carrying cars and buildings through streets.”  Read more.

Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano Erupts With Greater Fury

03/10/2011 Leave a comment

“The frequently restive Kilauea volcano on the island of Hawaii spewed a plume of lava 160 feet (50 metres) tall on Wednesday, more than twice as high as molten rock shot into the sky when eruptions flared anew on Saturday.

As eruptions continued at two spots, seismic activity grew more vigorous and poisonous sulphur dioxide gas emissions peaked at 10,000 tons a day, over 30 times last weekend’s levels, before dropping off again by more than half, according to scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey.

No injuries or damage to residential property have been reported since Kilauea roared back to life on Saturday.”  Read more.

Categories: Natural Disasters

125 Quakes in 24 hrs, Hawaii Volcano Throws Lave 65ft Into the Air as New Vent Opens

03/07/2011 Leave a comment

“A new vent has opened on one of the world’s most active volcanos, sending lava shooting 65ft into the air.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the fissure eruption on Kilauea was spotted after the floor of the Pu’u O’o crater collapsed.

It occurred along the middle of Kilauea’s east rift zone, around two miles west of Pu’u O’o.

Volcanologist Janet Babb said: ‘This is what we do. These are the moments we wait for.

‘It is exciting to see an eruption begin particularly if you can see it from the very start.’

Kilauea has been in constant eruption since January 3, 1983.

At the summit, lava receded rapidly after the eruption at around 5pm local time on Saturday, but seemed to have slowed yesterday.

There were also around 150 small earthquakes recorded within Kilauea in the last 24 hours.”  Read more.

Fuego Volcano Erupts in Guatemala

03/07/2011 Leave a comment

“Eruptions continue at Fuego volcano, Guatemala. During the night incandescent explosions ejected lava 100 m above the crater and sent avalanches down surrounding valleys. Rumbling sounds were heard and audible degassing lasted up to six minutes at a time. Ash emissions reached a height of 800 m above the crater and drifted south and southwest.

On 3rd March 2011 an explosion occurred from Caliente crater at Santa Maria volcano in Guatemala. Ash emissions reached 10,800 ft above sea level and produced ashfall in towns to the west and southwest of the volcano. The explosion generated a pyroclastic flow which moved 2.5 km down the southwest flank. Activity continued on 4th March with moderate explosions ejecting ash to a height of 11,000 ft above sea level, and ash fall on surrounding farms.”  Source.

Categories: Natural Disasters

Large Crack Opens in the Earth in Southern Peru

02/27/2011 Leave a comment

“The sudden appearance early in the morning of an enormous crack, measuring 100 meters wide and three kilometers long, caused confusion among residents of the Huacullani district in the Chucuito province, department of Puno.

The exact cause of the crack in the earth still unknown. Peru’s geophysical institute ruled out the occurrence of an earthquake in the region, but what is clear is that the ground opened up and large blocks of earth can be observed scattered throughout the area.”  Read more.

Categories: Natural Disasters

Thousands Flee as Philippine Volcano Erupts

02/21/2011 Leave a comment

MANILA — Thousands of people in the Philippines fled their homes as a volcano erupted on Monday, sending a spectacular column of ash high into the sky, residents said.

The eruption of Bulusan, a 1,559-metre (5,115-foot) volcano, turned mid-morning into night for about 20 minutes across largely farming areas around its slopes, regional army spokesman Major Harold Cabunoc told AFP.

“There was a major ashfall. There was zero visibility,” Cabunoc said.  Read more.

 

Categories: Natural Disasters

Scientists: Magnetic Polar Reversal May Have Started

02/19/2011 Leave a comment

(CHICAGO) – Concern has been mounting for almost a decade as scientists hunched over their instruments and double-checked new data concerning the status of the Earth’s crucial magnetic field.

The magnetic field protects all life from damaging solar radiation. Exposure to such radiation can cause cancer and mutate DNA. Some researchers believe evolution has been driven in part by epochs marked by a failing or weak magnetic field that allowed the surface of the world to be bathed with intense ultra-violet and other deadly forms of life-changing radiation.  Read more.

 

Congo News Goma Volcano Set for Another Eruption

02/19/2011 Leave a comment

Previous eruptions in recent times may be dwarfed by the expected next eruption of Mt. Nyiragongo, which towers over the Eastern Congolese city of Goma. Nine years ago, in January 2002, when the region’s most active volcano erupted, the reportedly rather liquid lava swiftly covered a sizeable part of the city and even brought air transport to a complete standstill, when a portion of the runway was covered by lava, which when finally cooled down, was measured to be 6 and more feet thick and as wide as a kilometer, leaving total destruction in its wake and making over 120,000 residents homeless.  Read more.

Categories: Natural Disasters