Family Survival Protocol &#8211; Microcosm News

34% of Fukushima city people want to evacuate, local gov “Measures need to be taken”

Posted by Mochizuki
Fukushima Diary

For the questionnaire, 34% of the people answered they want to evacuate Fukushima city, and local government staff is commenting they need to take measures about this situation.

In May, Fukushima city government sent questionnaires to 5,000 people of over 20 years old living in Fukushima city and to 500 people who evacuated to out of Fukushima city. The valid response rate was 55%.

The result showed 34% of them answered “They want to evacuate even now.”. 31% of them answered “They used to want to evacuate.”.

Among people who evacuated to out of Fukushima city, 27% of them answered “They don’t want to come back.”. 19% of them answered “They don’t want to come back to Fukushima city if possible.”
However, 55% of them answered “They want to come back to Fukushima city.”

The city government staff comments, “The result is very severe. We need to take some measures. “.

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, “Safety limit food is safe enough to keep eating”

Posted by Mochizuki
Fukushima Diary

Before 311, nuclear material to contain more than 100 Bq/Kg of Cs 134 or 137 was treated as nuclear waste. Now it is the safety limit of food in Japan.

Japanese government is still investing into making people consume radioactive food.

On 9/12/2012, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Consumer Affairs Agency, food safety commission of Japan and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries published the leaflets.

The purpose is like this below,

食品中の放射性物質に関する国・自治体や生産現場における対策の状況や、食品
に含まれる放射性物質が極めてわずかであることなどを、直接消費者に情報提供す
ることで、正しい理解と不安の解消を図る。

The purpose is to help people understand and resolve their anxiety about radiation properly by supplying consumers with information about how Japanese and local governments take measures about food contamination, and the fact that only little amount of radiation is contained in food.

<End>

On the leaflet, they emphasized it’s safe to keep eating potentially contaminated food only if it’s under the safety limit.

<Translate>
If it’s under the safety limit, it’s safe to keep eating.

New safety limit has been introduced since April 2012. If it’s under this safety limit, the total dose for the entire life is less than 1mSv, which is safe adequately.

This safety limit is strictly determined by FAO and WHO and it doesn’t have to be more strict.
<End>

The leaflet is to be distributed at supermarkets or chain stores.

Pink grasshopper in Yamagata prefecture

Posted by Mochizuki

Fukushima Diary

Pink grasshopper in Yamagata prefecture 2

In Kahoku machi Yamagata prefecture, mutated grasshopper was found on 9/12/2012.

Kahoku machi Yamagata is about 130km from Fukushima plant.

It’s usually green.
It’s about 3cm, found in Nishisato kindergarten.

Ms. Goto (4) commented, “I’m happy because I like pink.”

arctic.atmos.uiuc.edu/cryosphere/timeseries.south.anom.1979-2008

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Epidemic Hazards / Diseases

18.09.2012

Epidemic Hazard

USA

State of Arizona, [Concho Valley]

Epidemic Hazard in USA on Tuesday, 18 September, 2012 at 18:42 (06:42 PM) UTC.

Description
Residents in the Concho Valley area off of Highway 61 noticed hundreds of prairies dogs had died in a short span of time. Prairie dogs are considered sentinel animals to the fact that plague is in the area. Officials with Arizona Game and Fish were notified by an alert resident and further contact was made with health officials from Apache and Coconino counties, the state health department, as well as experts at Northern Arizona University. NAU is home to the Microbial Genetics and Genomics Center and has been a key player in testing for plague for the past 10 years. The lab sent a team to the area to trap fleas in the prairie dog holes that had recent die-offs. The team’s first visit was on August 27 and results from the lab testing showed positive for plague.
Biohazard name:	Yersinia pestis (plague)
Biohazard level:	4/4 Hazardous
Biohazard desc.:	Viruses and bacteria that cause severe to fatal disease in humans, and for which vaccines or other treatments are not available, such as Bolivian and Argentine hemorrhagic fevers, H5N1(bird flu), Dengue hemorrhagic fever, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, hantaviruses, Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and other hemorrhagic or unidentified diseases. When dealing with biological hazards at this level the use of a Hazmat suit and a self-contained oxygen supply is mandatory. The entrance and exit of a Level Four biolab will contain multiple showers, a vacuum room, an ultraviolet light room, autonomous detection system, and other safety precautions designed to destroy all traces of the biohazard. Multiple airlocks are employed and are electronically secured to prevent both doors opening at the same time. All air and water service going to and coming from a Biosafety Level 4 (P4) lab will undergo similar decontamination procedures to eliminate the possibility of an accidental release.
Symptoms:
Status:	confirmed

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Climate Change

Climate change to fuel northern spread of avian malaria

Avian malaria was found in Alaska in the Common redpoll, pictured here. Credit: Jenny Carlson, SF StateRead more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-09-climate-fuel-northern-avian-malaria.html#jCp

Malaria has been found in birds in parts of Alaska, and global climate change will drive it even farther north, according to a new study published today in the journal PLOS ONE.

The spread could prove devastating to arctic bird species that have never encountered the disease and thus have no resistance to it, said San Francisco State University Associate Professor of Biology Ravinder Sehgal, one of the study’s co-authors. It may also help scientists understand the effects of climate change on the spread of human malaria, which is caused by a similar parasite. Researchers examined blood samples from birds collected at four sites of varying latitude, with Anchorage as a southern point, Denali and Fairbanks as middle points and Coldfoot as a northern point, roughly 600 miles north of Anchorage. They found infected birds in Anchorage and Fairbanks but not in Coldfoot. Using satellite imagery and other data, researchers were able to predict how environments will change due to global warming—and where malaria parasites will be able to survive in the future. They found that by 2080, the disease will have spread north to Coldfoot and beyond. “Right now, there’s no avian malaria above latitude 64 degrees, but in the future, with global warming, that will certainly change,” Sehgal said. The northerly spread is alarming, he added, because there are species in the North American arctic that have never been exposed to the disease and may be highly susceptible to it.

Climate change to fuel northern spread of avian malaria

Avian malaria was found in Alaska in the Savannah sparrow, pictured here. Credit: Jenny Carlson, SF State “For example, penguins in zoos die when they get malaria, because far southern birds have not been exposed to malaria and thus have not developed any resistance to it,” he said. “There are birds in the north, such as snowy owls or gyrfalcons, that could experience the same thing.” The study’s lead author is Claire Loiseau, a former postdoctoral fellow in Sehgal’s laboratory at SF State. Ryan Harrigan, a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Los Angeles, provided data modeling for the project. The research was funded by grants from the AXA Foundation and National Geographic. Researchers are still unsure how the disease is being spread in Alaska and are currently collecting additional data to determine which mosquito species are transmitting the Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria. The data may also indicate if and how malaria in humans will spread northward. Modern medicine makes it difficult to track the natural spread of the disease, Sehgal said, but monitoring birds may provide clues as to how global climate change may effect the spread of human malaria. More information: “First evidence and predictions of Plasmodium transmission in Alaskan bird populations” was written by Claire Loiseau, Ryan J. Harrigan, Anthony K. Cornel, Sue L. Guers, Molly Dodge, Timothy Marzec, Jenny S. Carlson, Bruce Seppi and Ravinder N. M. Sehgal and published Sept. 19 in PLoS ONE. Journal reference: PLoS ONE search and more info website Provided by San Francisco State University search and more info website

Shrinking Snow Depth On Arctic Sea Ice Threatens Ringed Seal Habitat

A ringed seal peaks out from its snow cave. (Credit: Brendan Kelly, NSF)

As sea ice in the Arctic continues to shrink during this century, more than two thirds of the area with sufficient snow cover for ringed seals to reproduce also will disappear, challenging their survival, scientists report in a new study.

The ringed seal, currently under consideration for threatened species listing, builds caves to rear its young in snow drifts on sea ice. Snow depths must be on average at least 20 centimeters, or 8 inches, to enable drifts deep enough to support the caves.

“It’s an absolute condition they need,” said Cecilia Bitz, an associate professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Washington. She’s a co-author of the study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

But without sea ice, the platform that allows the snow to pile up disappears, ultimately reducing the area where the seals can raise their pups.

Bitz typically focuses on studying the area and thickness of sea ice. “But when a seal biologist telephoned and asked what our climate models predict for snow depth on the ice, I said, ‘I have no idea,’” she said. “We had never looked.”

That biologist was co-author Brendan Kelly of the National Science Foundation and he was curious about the snow depth trend because he was contributing to a governmental report in response to the petition to list the seals as threatened.

The researchers, including lead author and UW atmospheric sciences graduate student Paul Hezel, found that snowfall patterns will change during this century but the most important factor in determining snow depth on the ice will be the disappearance of the sea ice.

“The snowfall rate increases slightly in the middle of winter by the end of the century,” Hezel said. However, at the same time sea ice is expected to start forming later in the year than it does now. The slightly heavier snowfall in the winter won’t compensate for the fact that in the fall — which is also when it snows the heaviest — snow will drop into the ocean instead of piling up on the ice.

The researchers anticipate that the area of the Arctic that accumulates at least 20 centimeters of snow will decrease by almost 70 percent this century. With insufficient snow depth, caves won’t hold up.

Other climate changes threaten those caves, too. For instance, the snow will melt earlier in the year than it does now, so it’s possible the caves won’t last until the young seals are old enough to venture out on their own. In addition, more precipitation will fall as rain, which soaks into the snow and can cause caves to collapse.

The research is important for more than just the ringed seals. “There are many other reasons to study snow cover,” Hezel said. “It has a huge thermodynamic impact on the thickness of the ice.”

Snow on sea ice in fall and winter acts like a blanket that slows the release of heat from the relatively warm ocean into the atmosphere. That means deeper snow tempers sea ice growth.

In the spring, snow has a different impact on the ice. Since snow is more reflective than ice, it creates a cooling effect on the surface. “So the presence of snow helps sustain the icepack into spring time,” Hezel said.

To produce the study, the scientists examined 10 different climate models, looking at historic and future changes of things like sea ice area, precipitation, snowfall and snow depth on sea ice. The resulting prediction for declining snow depth on sea ice this century agreed across all of the models.

The new research comes too late to be cited in the report about ringed seals that was written by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in response to the petition to list the ringed seal as threatened. However, it confirms results that were based on a single model that Bitz provided for the report two years ago. NOAA expects to issue its final decision soon.

The UW scientists on this study were funded by the Office of Naval Research.

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Washington. The original article was written by Nancy Gohring.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

Journal Reference:

P. J. Hezel, X. Zhang, C. M. Bitz, B. P. Kelly, F. Massonnet. Projected decline in spring snow depth on Arctic sea ice caused by progressively later autumn open ocean freeze-up this century. Geophysical Research Letters, 2012; 39 (17) DOI: 10.1029/2012GL052794

Antarctic Ice Area Sets Another Record – NSIDC Is Silent

Day 256 Antarctic ice is the highest ever for the date, and the eighth highest daily reading ever recorded. All seven higher readings occurred during the third week of September, 2007 – the week of the previous Arctic record minimum.

NSIDC does not mention the record Antarctic cold or ice on their web site, choosing inside to feature an article about global warming threatening penguins.

National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC)

NSIDC does have a completely nonsensical discussion page explaining why Antarctic ice does not affect the climate.

Scientists monitor both Arctic and Antarctic sea ice, but Arctic sea ice is more significant to understanding global climate because much more Arctic ice remains through the summer months, reflecting sunlight and cooling the planet.

Nonsense. There is very little sunlight reaching the Arctic Ocean in September, and much more reaching Antarctic ice – because it is located at lower latitudes. Arctic ice took its big decline in mid-August, after the sun was already low in the sky.

Sea ice near the Antarctic Peninsula, south of the tip of South America, has recently experienced a significant decline. The rest of Antarctica has experienced a small increase in Antarctic sea ice.

Antarctic ice is nearing an all-time record high, and is above average everywhere.

Antarctica and the Arctic are reacting differently to climate change partly because of geographical differences. Antarctica is a continent surrounded by water, while the Arctic is an ocean surrounded by land. Wind and ocean currents around Antarctica isolate the continent from global weather patterns, keeping it cold. In contrast, the Arctic Ocean is intimately linked with the climate systems around it, making it more sensitive to changes in climate.

Antarctic and Arctic ice move opposite each other. NSIDC`s dissonance about this is astonishing.

Quick Facts on Sea Ice

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Solar Activity

2MIN News Sept 19. 2012

Published on Sep 19, 2012 by Suspicious0bservers

2012 Pole Shift Video: http://youtu.be/uI10tKuLtFU

TODAY’S LINKS
Canary Quakes: http://www.geo.ign.es/ign/layoutIn/volcaListadoTerremotos.do?zona=2&canti…
Antarctic Ice Record: http://stevengoddard.wordpress.com/2012/09/16/antarctic-ice-area-sets-another…
Sea Temp Record: http://phys.org/news/2012-09-sea-surface-temperatures-highs-northeast.html
India Landslide: http://www.todaysthv.com/news/article/227182/288/Heavy-rains-lead-to-deadly-l…
Oil Sill EU/UK: https://www.offshoreenergytoday.com/psa-investigates-hydrocarbon-leak-on-ula-…

REPEAT LINKS
Spaceweather: http://spaceweather.com/ [Look on the left at the X-ray Flux and Solar Wind Speed/Density]

HAARP: http://www.haarp.alaska.edu/haarp/data.html [Click online data, and have a little fun]

SDO: http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/ [Place to find Solar Images and Videos - as seen from earth]

SOHO: http://sohodata.nascom.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/soho_movie_theater [SOHO; Lasco and EIT - as seen from earth]

Stereo: http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/images [Stereo; Cor, EUVI, HI - as seen from the side]

SunAEON:http://www.sunaeon.com/#/solarsystem/ [Just click it... trust me]

SOLARIMG: http://solarimg.org/artis/ [All purpose data viewing site]

iSWA: http://iswa.gsfc.nasa.gov/iswa/iSWA.html [Free Application; for advanced sun watchers]

NASA ENLIL SPIRAL: http://iswa.gsfc.nasa.gov:8080/IswaSystemWebApp/iSWACygnetStreamer?timestamp=…
NOAA ENLIL SPIRAL: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/wsa-enlil/

US Wind Map: http://hint.fm/wind/

NOAA Bouys: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/

NOAA Environmental Visualization Laboratory: http://www.nnvl.noaa.gov/Default.php

RSOE: http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index2.php [That cool alert map I use]

GOES Xray: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/sxi/goes15/index.html

JAPAN Radiation Map: http://jciv.iidj.net/map/

LISS: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/monitoring/operations/heliplots_gsn.php

Gamma Ray Bursts: http://grb.sonoma.edu/ [Really? You can't figure out what this one is for?]

BARTOL Cosmic Rays: http://neutronm.bartol.udel.edu//spaceweather/welcome.html [Top left box, look for BIG blue circles]

TORCON: http://www.weather.com/news/tornado-torcon-index [Tornado Forecast for the day]

GOES Weather: http://rsd.gsfc.nasa.gov/goes/ [Clouds over America]

RAIN RECORDS: http://www.cocorahs.org/ViewData/ListIntensePrecipReports.aspx

EL DORADO WORLD WEATHER MAP: http://www.eldoradocountyweather.com/satellite/ssec/world/world-composite-ir-…

PRESSURE MAP: http://www.woweather.com/cgi-bin/expertcharts?LANG=us&MENU=0000000000&…

HURRICANE TRACKER: http://www.weather.com/weather/hurricanecentral/tracker

INTELLICAST: http://www.intellicast.com/ [Weather site used by many youtubers]

NASA News: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/

PHYSORG: http://phys.org/ [GREAT News Site!]

QUAKES LIST FULL: http://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/seismologist.php

3MIN News Sept 18. 2012

Published on Sep 18, 2012 by Suspicious0bservers

2012 Pole Shift Video: http://youtu.be/uI10tKuLtFU

TODAY’S LINKS
ANOTHER Alaska Windstorm: http://www.weather.com/news/major-wind-storm-hits-anchorage-20120917
Extreme Weather is Coming: http://phys.org/news/2012-09-loss-arctic-ice-trigger-extreme.html
Ringed Seals Threatened: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120917132345.htm
Tracking Tropics: http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/

REPEAT LINKS
Spaceweather: http://spaceweather.com/ [Look on the left at the X-ray Flux and Solar Wind Speed/Density]

HAARP: http://www.haarp.alaska.edu/haarp/data.html [Click online data, and have a little fun]

SDO: http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/ [Place to find Solar Images and Videos - as seen from earth]

SOHO: http://sohodata.nascom.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/soho_movie_theater [SOHO; Lasco and EIT - as seen from earth]

Stereo: http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/images [Stereo; Cor, EUVI, HI - as seen from the side]

SunAEON:http://www.sunaeon.com/#/solarsystem/ [Just click it... trust me]

SOLARIMG: http://solarimg.org/artis/ [All purpose data viewing site]

iSWA: http://iswa.gsfc.nasa.gov/iswa/iSWA.html [Free Application; for advanced sun watchers]

NASA ENLIL SPIRAL: http://iswa.gsfc.nasa.gov:8080/IswaSystemWebApp/iSWACygnetStreamer?timestamp=…
NOAA ENLIL SPIRAL: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/wsa-enlil/

US Wind Map: http://hint.fm/wind/

NOAA Bouys: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/

NOAA Environmental Visualization Laboratory: http://www.nnvl.noaa.gov/Default.php

RSOE: http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index2.php [That cool alert map I use]

GOES Xray: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/sxi/goes15/index.html

JAPAN Radiation Map: http://jciv.iidj.net/map/

LISS: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/monitoring/operations/heliplots_gsn.php

Gamma Ray Bursts: http://grb.sonoma.edu/ [Really? You can't figure out what this one is for?]

BARTOL Cosmic Rays: http://neutronm.bartol.udel.edu//spaceweather/welcome.html [Top left box, look for BIG blue circles]

TORCON: http://www.weather.com/news/tornado-torcon-index [Tornado Forecast for the day]

GOES Weather: http://rsd.gsfc.nasa.gov/goes/ [Clouds over America]

RAIN RECORDS: http://www.cocorahs.org/ViewData/ListIntensePrecipReports.aspx

EL DORADO WORLD WEATHER MAP: http://www.eldoradocountyweather.com/satellite/ssec/world/world-composite-ir-…

PRESSURE MAP: http://www.woweather.com/cgi-bin/expertcharts?LANG=us&MENU=0000000000&…

HURRICANE TRACKER: http://www.weather.com/weather/hurricanecentral/tracker

INTELLICAST: http://www.intellicast.com/ [Weather site used by many youtubers]

NASA News: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/

PHYSORG: http://phys.org/ [GREAT News Site!]

QUAKES LIST FULL: http://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/seismologist.php

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Space

Earth approaching objects (objects that are known in the next 30 days)

Object Name

Apporach Date

Left

AU Distance

LD Distance

Estimated Diameter*

Relative Velocity

(2009 SH2)

24th September 2012

4 day(s)

0.1462

56.9

28 m – 62 m

7.52 km/s

27072 km/h

333578 (2006 KM103)

25th September 2012

5 day(s)

0.0626

24.4

250 m – 560 m

8.54 km/s

30744 km/h

(2002 EZ2)

26th September 2012

6 day(s)

0.1922

74.8

270 m – 610 m

6.76 km/s

24336 km/h

(2009 SB170)

29th September 2012

9 day(s)

0.1789

69.6

200 m – 440 m

32.39 km/s

116604 km/h

(2011 OJ45)

29th September 2012

9 day(s)

0.1339

52.1

18 m – 39 m

4.24 km/s

15264 km/h

(2012 JS11)

30th September 2012

10 day(s)

0.0712

27.7

270 m – 600 m

12.60 km/s

45360 km/h

137032 (1998 UO1)

04th October 2012

14 day(s)

0.1545

60.1

1.3 km – 2.9 km

32.90 km/s

118440 km/h

(2012 GV11)

05th October 2012

15 day(s)

0.1830

71.2

100 m – 230 m

6.96 km/s

25056 km/h

(2009 XZ1)

05th October 2012

15 day(s)

0.1382

53.8

120 m – 280 m

16.87 km/s

60732 km/h

(2006 TD)

06th October 2012

16 day(s)

0.1746

68.0

88 m – 200 m

13.03 km/s

46908 km/h

(2009 TK)

06th October 2012

16 day(s)

0.0450

17.5

100 m – 230 m

11.10 km/s

39960 km/h

(2004 UB)

08th October 2012

18 day(s)

0.1995

77.6

240 m – 530 m

14.65 km/s

52740 km/h

277830 (2006 HR29)

11th October 2012

21 day(s)

0.1917

74.6

190 m – 440 m

7.88 km/s

28368 km/h

(2008 BW2)

11th October 2012

21 day(s)

0.1678

65.3

3.1 m – 6.8 m

11.10 km/s

39960 km/h

(2005 GQ21)

12th October 2012

22 day(s)

0.1980

77.0

620 m – 1.4 km

23.86 km/s

85896 km/h

(2012 GV17)

12th October 2012

22 day(s)

0.1500

58.4

160 m – 370 m

16.11 km/s

57996 km/h

256004 (2006 UP)

14th October 2012

24 day(s)

0.1374

53.5

65 m – 140 m

3.06 km/s

11016 km/h

(2005 ST1)

14th October 2012

24 day(s)

0.1319

51.3

230 m – 510 m

12.88 km/s

46368 km/h

(2011 OB57)

14th October 2012

24 day(s)

0.1553

60.4

17 m – 37 m

4.95 km/s

17820 km/h

(2012 KB4)

14th October 2012

24 day(s)

0.1271

49.4

22 m – 49 m

4.98 km/s

17928 km/h

(2004 RX10)

15th October 2012

25 day(s)

0.0819

31.9

150 m – 340 m

11.86 km/s

42696 km/h

(2006 WV1)

15th October 2012

25 day(s)

0.0910

35.4

17 m – 39 m

6.15 km/s

22140 km/h

(2012 LA)

16th October 2012

26 day(s)

0.0449

17.5

8.3 m – 19 m

1.86 km/s

6696 km/h

329275 (1999 VP6)

17th October 2012

27 day(s)

0.1766

68.7

300 m – 670 m

7.15 km/s

25740 km/h

136993 (1998 ST49)

18th October 2012

28 day(s)

0.0737

28.7

790 m – 1.8 km

16.63 km/s

59868 km/h

(2002 TR190)

19th October 2012

29 day(s)

0.1712

66.6

430 m – 960 m

13.58 km/s

48888 km/h

1 AU = ~150 million kilometers,1 LD = Lunar Distance = ~384,000 kilometers

Source: NASA-NEO

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Biological Hazards / Wildlife / Hazmat

18.09.2012

Biological Hazard

China

Province of Guangdong, Zhanjiang

Biological Hazard in China on Tuesday, 18 September, 2012 at 12:13 (12:13 PM) UTC.

Description
The H5N1 avian flu virus has been detected in the city of Zhanjiang in south China’s Guangdong province, experts confirmed on Tuesday. The virus has infected 14,050 ducks and killed 6,300 of them since Sept. 11, when symptoms were first reported, a Ministry of Agriculture official said. After the epidemic was confirmed, local authorities cordoned off an infected area in the city and killed all poultry in the area before starting to decontaminate it, the official said. China is particularly prone to bird flu epidemics, as it has the world’s largest poultry population and many rural farmers live in close proximity to their poultry.
Biohazard name:	H5N1 – Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Biohazard level:	4/4 Hazardous
Biohazard desc.:	Viruses and bacteria that cause severe to fatal disease in humans, and for which vaccines or other treatments are not available, such as Bolivian and Argentine hemorrhagic fevers, H5N1(bird flu), Dengue hemorrhagic fever, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, hantaviruses, Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and other hemorrhagic or unidentified diseases. When dealing with biological hazards at this level the use of a Hazmat suit and a self-contained oxygen supply is mandatory. The entrance and exit of a Level Four biolab will contain multiple showers, a vacuum room, an ultraviolet light room, autonomous detection system, and other safety precautions designed to destroy all traces of the biohazard. Multiple airlocks are employed and are electronically secured to prevent both doors opening at the same time. All air and water service going to and coming from a Biosafety Level 4 (P4) lab will undergo similar decontamination procedures to eliminate the possibility of an accidental release.
Symptoms:
Status:	confirmed

18.09.2012

Biological Hazard

Germany

Multiple areas, [Regensburg and Berlin]

Biological Hazard in Germany on Tuesday, 18 September, 2012 at 03:39 (03:39 AM) UTC.

Description
A fourth case of anthrax has been confirmed in a German heroin user since June, reports the Robert Koch Institut (RKI) in a news release Friday, September 14. According to the release (translated), the individual saw a doctor in mid-September presenting with a soft tissue infection in the area of injection site. The presumptive diagnosis of anthrax was confirmed by the RKI using real-time PCR laboratory on the wound material. Germany has now confirmed 4 cases in two states, two in Regensburg and two in Berlin since June 2012. The RKI says, the fact that the anthrax strains that were isolated from the first three anthrax cases in 2012 are similar or at least very closely related to the strains of the German and British cases of the years 2009/2010, suggests that the same source of infection might still be active. This case is the eleventh of anthrax among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Europe reported since June. In addition to the four cases in Germany, there have been four in the United Kingdom, two in Denmark and one in France. The RKI reminds the public, since anthrax is not passed on from person-to-person, there is no risk of transmission.
Biohazard name:	Anthrax contained heroin
Biohazard level:	0/4 —
Biohazard desc.:	This does not included biological hazard category.
Symptoms:
Status:

19.09.2012

Biological Hazard

Vietnam

MultiProvinces, [Provinces of Haiphong, Ha Tinh, Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh, Bac Kan, Thanh Hoa and Quang Ngai]

Biological Hazard in Vietnam on Wednesday, 05 September, 2012 at 13:32 (01:32 PM) UTC.

Updated:	Wednesday, 19 September, 2012 at 13:14 UTC
Description
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has decided to stop transport of live water-fowl from North and Central Vietnam to the South, in an effort to curb spread of the new highly toxic strain of avian flu virus. Pham Van Dong, deputy director of the Department of Animal Health, stated this at a meeting held yesterday in Hanoi by the National Steering Committee for Avian Flu Prevention and Control. The new strain, 2.3.2.1 C, which has been detected, is highly toxic and therefore extremely deadly. The virus strain has recently spread to Vietnam and is now present in affected areas in the northern and central provinces of Hai Phong, Ha Tinh, Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh, Bac Kan, Thanh Hoa and Quang Ngai. Fearing the virus may spread to South Vietnam, the Department of Animal Health was asked to isolate the virus and ban transport of live water-fowl from infected areas. Dong said that slaughterhouses practicing good hygiene should be mentioned to localities from the central province of Thua Thien-Hue to Ho Chi Minh City. Because the new strain is different from the earlier A/H5N1 virus, the ministry has urged for experiments and tests to confirm whether the vaccine used to combat A/H5N1 is also effective against the new strain. If the existing vaccine is ineffective, studies on new vaccines should be conducted soon. The Central Veterinary Diagnosis Center has been asked to study the new strain to help find a specific medication to fight the virus.

…………………..

PSA Investigates Hydrocarbon Leak on Ula Field (Norway)

A substantial escape of hydrocarbons occurred on the Ula field in the Norwegian North Sea on 12 September. The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) has decide to investigate this incident.

No people were injured and no damage caused to the installation beyond the equipment directly involved. But the PSA considers the incident to have had a substantial potential.

The leak arose in the separator module on Ula’s production platform (PP). Nobody was in the module when the incident occurred.

While the facility was automatically shut down, all personnel on the installation were evacuated to the drilling platform (DP). Production on Ula has been suspended for the time being.

One reason why the PSA has resolved to conduct an investigation is the substantial potential involved in the incident.

Objectives include establishing the course of events and identifying the direct and underlying causes. The resulting report will be published on the PSA’s website.

The Ula oil field lies in Norway’s North Sea sector and has three conventional steel platforms for production, drilling and quarters. These are linked by bridges. BP is the operator.

Norway

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Press Release, September 18, 2012; Image: BP

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18.09.2012

HAZMAT

Czech Republic

Multiple region, [Prerov,Osek and Becvou]

HAZMAT in Czech Republic on Tuesday, 11 September, 2012 at 14:15 (02:15 PM) UTC.

Mysteriously Boiling Water In Russian River Reported

Updated:	Tuesday, 18 September, 2012 at 18:52 UTC
Description
The Czech Republic has the 23rd victim of methyl alcohol, an autopsy has confirmed, Stepanka Zatloukalova, from the police presidium said. She said methanol was not confirmed as the cause of death of another two people. They, too, died of alcohol, but not of methyl alcohol, Zatloukalova said. Tens of other people are hospitalised. Some of the cured have gone blind. The first victim in the series of methanol-related poisonings was reported on September 6. The sale of drinks with more than 20 percent of alcohol have been banned in the country since Friday evening. Extensive police raids and checks have uncovered barrels with dangerous alcohol since the “prohibition” was introduced on Friday and some distributors of the bootleg alcohol have been arrested. Both producers and sellers complain about the ban because it inflicts huge damage on them.

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Articles of Interest

Tornado Of Fire Caught On Tape In Australia Fire Twister

Published on Sep 16, 2012 by stilltalkincrazy

THERE’S something mean and magical about Australia’s Outback. An Alice Springs filmmaker captured both when a whirlwind of fire erupted before his eyes.
Chris Tangey of Alice Springs Film and Television was scouting locations near Curtin Springs station, about 80km from Ularu, last week when confronted by a fiery phenomenon.
He had just finished his tour of the station when workers encountered difficulties with a grader. So he went to help them.
A small fire was burning in nearby bushland, so Mr Tangey decided to start filming.
He caught the sight of his life.
A twister touched down on the spot fire, fanning it into a furious tower of flame.
“It sounded like a jet fighter going by, yet there wasn’t a breath of wind where we were,” he told the Northern Territory News.
“You would have paid $1000 a head if you knew it was about to happen.”
The column of fire danced about the landscape for about 40 minutes, he said, as he and the station workers stood transfixed.

There was talk of making a quick getaway, Mr Tangey said. But everyone was too hypnotised to feel scared – and he continued furiously filming.

“The bizarre thing was that it rarely moved,” he said.

“These things just stood there because there was no wind to move them … but it was flickering incredibly fast.”

Darwin weather forecaster David Matthews said small twisters were common in isolated areas. But the fiery vortex was highly unusual.

“The flames would have assisted by trying to suck in air and that could have helped generate those circular winds,” Mr Matthews said.

MessageToEagle.com – The problem with rivers around the world continues. A while back the Yangtze River in China turned red, and now there are reports of a river in Russia that has suddenly started to boil.

Hundreds of shocked residents that live in Yekaterinburg, Russia describe how a small river named Olkhovka that passes through the city unexpectedly turned into a stream of extremely hot water.

Olkhovka river in Russia begins to boil, causing yet another environmental disaster.

No one knew what caused the phenomenon, but the fact is that the river ecosystem was severely affected, causing the death of thousands of fish lying on the banks.

“The water is really hot. The shore of the river is littered with dead fish,” a Professor from a local university said.

The local urban traffic control service reported the problem.

According to them, the most likely cause to the disaster is that a great leakage of hot water that had flowed into the river Olkhovka of such intensity that could be water vapor on the surface.

“The problem is that when the river connects to the pond, the water flows through a tunnel, and no one knows exactly where there was a rush, “Russian urban traffic control dispatchers said.

Industries that might be involved, among which is the “heat supply company Sverdlovsk” deny any connection with thermal pollution of the watercourse. But local authorities are well aware that this is a problem caused by human action.

MessageToEagle.com

Exploding Lakes – Horrifying Natural Phenomena

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Tags: 2MIN News Sept 19. 2012, 2nd Major Wind Storm Hits Anchorage, 34% of Fukushima city people want to evacuate, 3MIN News Sept 18. 2012, 95 Tremors in the Canary Islands Region between 9/17/2012 and 9/18/2012, Alaska, Antarctic Ice Area Sets Another Record – NSIDC Is Silent, Anthrax contained heroin, Argentina, Arizona, Asia, “Safety limit food is safe enough to keep eating”, Bering Strait, Biological Hazard in China, Biological Hazard in Germany, California, Canary Islands, Caribbean, China, Climate change to fuel northern spread of avian malaria, Costa Rica, Cumbal volcano, Cumbal volcano (Colombia) activity update: seismic swarms, Dominican Republic, Earth approaching objects, El Salvador, Epidemic Hazard in USA, Europe, Five dead as storm rips across South America, Fukushima, H5N1 - Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, Hawaii, HAZMAT in Czech Republic, Heavy rains lead to deadly landslide in India, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan, Kuril Islands, Labour and Welfare, LISS - Live Internet Seismic Server, local gov “Measures need to be taken”, Mexico, Middle America, Ministry of Health, Molucca Sea, More quakes raise panic near Vietnamese dam, Mount Soputan Volcano Erupts In Central Indonesia, Mutated sunflower in Kagawa prefecture, Mysteriously Boiling Water In Russian River Reported, Northern Sumatra, Oregon, Papua New Guinea, Pink grasshopper in Yamagata prefecture, PSA Investigates Hydrocarbon Leak on Ula Field (Norway), Puerto Rico, Record loss of Arctic ice may trigger extreme weather, Sea surface temperatures reach record highs on Northeast continental shelf, Shrinking Snow Depth On Arctic Sea Ice Threatens Ringed Seal Habitat, Soputan Volcano, South America, Spain, Spewing Ash, The Loyalty Islands, Timor Region, Tornado Of Fire Caught On Tape In Australia Fire Twister, Tropical Depression 18W, Tropical Depression Nadine (AL14), Turkey, United States, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Volcanic Activity Up in Several Locations, Volcano Eruption in Indonesia, Yersinia pestis (plague)

Comment

Earth Watch Report – Sunday September 16th , 2012

Filed under: Asteroids, Biological Hazard, Diseases, Earth Watch Report, Earthquakes, Flooding, Global Disaster Watch, Landslides, Magnetic North Pole, meteors, Nuclear, Radiation, Solar Activity, Space, Storms, Strange diseases, Volcanic Events — Leave a comment

September 16, 2012

Earthquakes

USGS

	MAG	UTC DATE-TIME y/m/d h:m:s	LAT deg	LON deg	DEPTH km	Region
MAP	4.8	2012/09/15 23:44:51	-55.951	-27.774	10.1	SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS REGION
MAP	4.3	2012/09/15 23:41:25	-16.690	-69.210	197.4	SOUTHERN PERU
MAP	3.0	2012/09/15 19:52:09	19.708	-156.015	11.6	HAWAII REGION, HAWAII
MAP	2.7	2012/09/15 18:31:49	19.569	-64.301	57.0	VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION
MAP	2.9	2012/09/15 18:27:17	19.576	-64.238	61.0	VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION
MAP	5.3	2012/09/15 17:35:45	-10.768	113.874	30.6	SOUTH OF JAVA, INDONESIA
MAP	5.6	2012/09/15 16:32:21	-10.771	113.856	9.9	SOUTH OF JAVA, INDONESIA
MAP	4.7	2012/09/15 16:09:45	35.688	140.969	12.6	NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
MAP	2.5	2012/09/15 15:59:29	60.037	-152.761	97.5	SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP	2.6	2012/09/15 15:30:52	62.889	-150.411	106.8	CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP	3.2	2012/09/15 14:51:53	18.930	-65.087	48.0	VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION
MAP	2.7	2012/09/15 13:28:09	51.543	178.892	2.4	RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP	2.6	2012/09/15 12:37:09	39.713	-123.163	2.9	NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP	2.9	2012/09/15 12:21:40	46.366	-111.049	8.0	WESTERN MONTANA
MAP	2.7	2012/09/15 10:54:34	17.916	-65.460	35.0	PUERTO RICO REGION
MAP	5.3	2012/09/15 10:26:26	12.558	125.466	35.0	SAMAR, PHILIPPINES
MAP	3.1	2012/09/15 09:52:17	18.586	-67.810	80.0	DOMINICAN REPUBLIC REGION
MAP	4.6	2012/09/15 09:37:18	-32.832	-66.667	41.6	SAN LUIS, ARGENTINA
MAP	4.7	2012/09/15 08:43:28	46.164	152.949	42.8	KURIL ISLANDS
MAP	3.4	2012/09/15 07:30:08	19.743	-64.257	13.0	VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION
MAP	2.7	2012/09/15 07:29:09	19.555	-64.293	58.0	VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION
MAP	5.1	2012/09/15 07:04:01	12.564	125.530	23.8	SAMAR, PHILIPPINES
MAP	3.3	2012/09/15 06:44:23	51.789	-176.409	67.9	ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP	2.8	2012/09/15 06:29:37	19.212	-64.661	11.0	VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION
MAP	3.1	2012/09/15 05:59:08	19.394	-64.165	92.0	VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION
MAP	3.2	2012/09/15 05:57:45	19.705	-64.257	17.0	VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION
MAP	4.6	2012/09/15 05:52:12	40.380	63.399	23.7	WESTERN UZBEKISTAN
MAP	3.0	2012/09/15 05:20:08	19.535	-64.356	62.0	VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION
MAP	3.4	2012/09/15 05:18:37	19.625	-64.334	40.0	VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION
MAP	4.4	2012/09/15 05:14:28	-3.891	-80.141	80.1	PERU-ECUADOR BORDER REGION
MAP	2.8	2012/09/15 02:36:59	62.432	-147.767	1.8	CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP	2.7	2012/09/15 02:23:26	57.378	-154.630	0.2	KODIAK ISLAND REGION, ALASKA
MAP	3.0	2012/09/15 00:51:00	19.380	-155.243	3.7	ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP	4.5	2012/09/15 00:50:47	-34.657	-72.665	20.3	OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE
MAP	4.7	2012/09/15 00:40:15	-34.650	-72.677	24.1	OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE

LISS – Live Internet Seismic Server

GSN Stations

These data update automatically every 30 minutes. Last update: September 16, 2012 05:18:57 UTC

Seismograms may take several moments to load. Click on a plot to see larger image.

CU/ANWB, Willy Bob, Antigua and Barbuda

CU/BBGH, Gun Hill, Barbados

CU/BCIP, Isla Barro Colorado, Panama

CU/GRGR, Grenville, Grenada

CU/GRTK, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands

CU/GTBY, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

CU/MTDJ, Mount Denham, Jamaica

CU/SDDR, Presa de Sabaneta, Dominican Republic

CU/TGUH, Tegucigalpa, Honduras

IC/BJT, Baijiatuan, Beijing, China

IC/ENH, Enshi, China

IC/HIA, Hailar, Neimenggu Province, China

IC/LSA, Lhasa, China

IC/MDJ, Mudanjiang, China

IC/QIZ, Qiongzhong, Guangduong Province, China

IU/ADK, Aleutian Islands, Alaska, USA

IU/AFI, Afiamalu, Samoa

IU/ANMO, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

IU/ANTO, Ankara, Turkey

IU/BBSR, Bermuda

IU/BILL, Bilibino, Russia

IU/CASY, Casey, Antarctica

IU/CCM, Cathedral Cave, Missouri, USA

IU/CHTO, Chiang Mai, Thailand

IU/COLA, College Outpost, Alaska, USA

IU/COR, Corvallis, Oregon, USA

IU/CTAO, Charters Towers, Australia

IU/DAV,Davao, Philippines

IU/DWPF,Disney Wilderness Preserve, Florida, USA

IU/FUNA,Funafuti, Tuvalu

IU/FURI, Mt. Furi, Ethiopia

IU/GNI, Garni, Armenia

IU/GRFO, Grafenberg, Germany

IU/GUMO, Guam, Mariana Islands

IU/HKT, Hockley, Texas, USA

IU/HNR, Honiara, Solomon Islands

IU/HRV, Adam Dziewonski Observatory (Oak Ridge), Massachusetts, USA

IU/INCN, Inchon, Republic of Korea

IU/JOHN, Johnston Island, Pacific Ocean

IU/KBS, Ny-Alesund, Spitzbergen, Norway

IU/KEV, Kevo, Finland

IU/KIEV, Kiev, Ukraine

IU/KIP, Kipapa, Hawaii, USA

IU/KMBO, Kilima Mbogo, Kenya

IU/KNTN, Kanton Island, Kiribati

IU/KONO, Kongsberg, Norway

IU/KOWA, Kowa, Mali

IU/LCO, Las Campanas Astronomical Observatory, Chile

IU/LSZ, Lusaka, Zambia

IU/LVC, Limon Verde, Chile

IU/MA2, Magadan, Russia

IU/MAJO, Matsushiro, Japan

IU/MAKZ,Makanchi, Kazakhstan

IU/MBWA, Marble Bar, Western Australia

IU/MIDW, Midway Island, Pacific Ocean, USA

IU/MSKU, Masuku, Gabon

IU/NWAO, Narrogin, Australia

IU/OTAV, Otavalo, Equador

IU/PAB, San Pablo, Spain

IU/PAYG Puerto Ayora, Galapagos Islands

IU/PET, Petropavlovsk, Russia

IU/PMG, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

IU/PMSA, Palmer Station, Antarctica

IU/POHA, Pohakaloa, Hawaii

IU/PTCN, Pitcairn Island, South Pacific

IU/PTGA, Pitinga, Brazil

IU/QSPA, South Pole, Antarctica

IU/RAO, Raoul, Kermandec Islands

IU/RAR, Rarotonga, Cook Islands

IU/RCBR, Riachuelo, Brazil

IU/RSSD, Black Hills, South Dakota, USA

IU/SAML, Samuel, Brazil

IU/SBA, Scott Base, Antarctica

IU/SDV, Santo Domingo, Venezuela

IU/SFJD, Sondre Stromfjord, Greenland

IU/SJG, San Juan, Puerto Rico

IU/SLBS, Sierra la Laguna Baja California Sur, Mexico

IU/SNZO, South Karori, New Zealand

IU/SSPA, Standing Stone, Pennsylvania USA

IU/TARA, Tarawa Island, Republic of Kiribati

IU/TATO, Taipei, Taiwan

IU/TEIG, Tepich, Yucatan, Mexico

IU/TIXI, Tiksi, Russia

IU/TRIS, Tristan da Cunha, Atlantic Ocean

IU/TRQA, Tornquist, Argentina

IU/TSUM, Tsumeb, Namibia

IU/TUC, Tucson, Arizona

IU/ULN, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

IU/WAKE, Wake Island, Pacific Ocean

IU/WCI, Wyandotte Cave, Indiana, USA

IU/WVT, Waverly, Tennessee, USA

IU/XMAS, Kiritimati Island, Republic of Kiribati

IU/YAK, Yakutsk, Russia

IU/YSS, Yuzhno Sakhalinsk, Russia

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Volcanic Activity

15.09.2012 04:40 AM

Tanna Island, Vanuatu

Mount Yasur volcano

Volcano Activity

0507-10=

Stratovolcano

2010

No. 0

Volcano Activity in Vanuatu on Saturday, 15 September, 2012 at 04:40 (04:40 AM) UTC.

Description

Volcanic activity on Mount Yasur on Tanna Island in Vanuatu, which has been erupting for hundreds of years, has intensified. The Vanuatu Geohazards Observatory has raised its warning regarding Yasur to level two, with expectations of ash and rock falls around the mountain. The volcano reached a level three rating last year, but Vanuatu Geohazards Observatory manager Esline Garaebiti says a threat of that extent is unlikely. However she says people still need to stay clear of the mountain. “This volcano is quite special and the activity is so strong that we maintain it in level two for quite some time and if the explosions are becoming very strong and the projections go further out from the parking area then we will raise the level to level three.”

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Storms / Tornadoes / Flooding / Landslides

Active tropical storm system(s)

Name of storm system	Location	Formed	Last update	Last category	Course	Wind Speed	Gust	Wave	Source	Details
Sanba (17W)	Pacific Ocean	11.09.2012	16.09.2012	Typhoon IV	355 °	176 km/h	213 km/h	5.79 m	JTWC

Tropical Storm data

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Storm name:	Sanba (17W)
Area:	Pacific Ocean
Start up location:	N 11° 6.000, E 133° 48.000
Start up:	11th September 2012
Status:	Active
Track long:	1,158.44 km
Top category.:
Report by:	JTWC

Useful links:

Past track
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave	Pressure	Source
12th Sep 2012	05:03:46	N 12° 42.000, E 131° 48.000	15	102	130	Tropical Storm	310	18		JTWC
13th Sep 2012	04:24:21	N 14° 48.000, E 129° 48.000	13	167	204	Typhoon II.	335	17		JTWC
14th Sep 2012	05:10:27	N 18° 12.000, E 129° 42.000	19	278	296	Super Typhoon	360	20		JTWC
15th Sep 2012	06:52:46	N 22° 18.000, E 129° 0.000	19	204	250	Typhoon III.	335	15		JTWC

Current position
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave feet	Pressure	Source
16th Sep 2012	05:12:01	N 27° 0.000, E 128° 6.000	26	176	213	Typhoon IV	355 °	19		JTWC

Forecast track
Date	Time	Position	Category	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Source
17th Sep 2012	00:00:00	N 34° 0.000, E 127° 54.000	Typhoon II	139	167	JTWC
18th Sep 2012	00:00:00	N 43° 0.000, E 130° 18.000	Typhoon I	93	120	JTWC
19th Sep 2012	00:00:00	N 52° 30.000, E 135° 6.000	Tropical Depression	65	83	JTWC

Nadine (AL14)

Atlantic Ocean

11.09.2012

16.09.2012

Hurricane II

95 °

130 km/h

157 km/h

4.57 m

NOAA NHC

Tropical Storm data

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Storm name:	Nadine (AL14)
Area:	Atlantic Ocean
Start up location:	N 16° 18.000, W 43° 6.000
Start up:	11th September 2012
Status:	Active
Track long:	1,012.00 km
Top category.:
Report by:	NOAA NHC

Useful links:

Past track
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave	Pressure	Source
12th Sep 2012	05:01:17	N 17° 48.000, W 45° 12.000	24	65	83	Tropical Storm	300	13	1004 MB	NOAA NHC
13th Sep 2012	05:34:52	N 20° 42.000, W 50° 6.000	26	111	139	Tropical Storm	305	17	990 MB	NOAA NHC
14th Sep 2012	05:11:31	N 25° 0.000, W 53° 42.000	24	111	139	Tropical Storm	330	17	989 MB	NOAA NHC
15th Sep 2012	06:55:17	N 30° 0.000, W 52° 48.000	22	120	148	Hurricane I.	25	17	985 MB	NOAA NHC

Current position
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave feet	Pressure	Source
16th Sep 2012	05:13:53	N 30° 36.000, W 46° 36.000	28	130	157	Hurricane II	95 °	15	983 MB	NOAA NHC

Forecast track
Date	Time	Position	Category	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Source
17th Sep 2012	12:00:00	N 31° 48.000, W 37° 0.000	Hurricane I	120	148	NOAA NHC
17th Sep 2012	00:00:00	N 30° 54.000, W 40° 0.000	Hurricane II	130	157	NOAA NHC
18th Sep 2012	00:00:00	N 33° 0.000, W 34° 48.000	Hurricane I	120	148	NOAA NHC
19th Sep 2012	00:00:00	N 35° 30.000, W 32° 30.000	Hurricane I	111	139	NOAA NHC
20th Sep 2012	00:00:00	N 37° 0.000, W 32° 0.000	Hurricane I	102	120	NOAA NHC
21st Sep 2012	00:00:00	N 36° 30.000, W 31° 30.000	Tropical Depression	93	111	NOAA NHC

Kristy (EP11)

Pacific Ocean – East

12.09.2012

16.09.2012

Tropical Depression

315 °

65 km/h

83 km/h

5.49 m

NOAA NHC

Tropical Storm data

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Storm name:	Kristy (EP11)
Area:	Pacific Ocean – East
Start up location:	N 16° 42.000, W 106° 0.000
Start up:	12th September 2012
Status:	Active
Track long:	818.09 km
Top category.:
Report by:	NOAA NHC

Useful links:

Past track
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave	Pressure	Source
13th Sep 2012	05:35:33	N 18° 0.000, W 107° 24.000	15	83	102	Tropical Storm	295	11	1002 MB	NOAA NHC
14th Sep 2012	05:12:13	N 19° 42.000, W 111° 6.000	17	83	102	Tropical Storm	295	15	1000 MB	NOAA NHC
15th Sep 2012	06:57:35	N 21° 12.000, W 113° 48.000	15	74	93	Tropical Storm	305	11	1001 MB	NOAA NHC

Current position
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave feet	Pressure	Source
16th Sep 2012	05:19:27	N 23° 42.000, W 116° 12.000	15	65	83	Tropical Depression	315 °	18	1004 MB	NOAA NHC

Forecast track
Date	Time	Position	Category	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Source
17th Sep 2012	12:00:00	N 26° 24.000, W 118° 48.000	Tropical Depression	46	65	NOAA NHC
17th Sep 2012	00:00:00	N 25° 36.000, W 118° 24.000	Tropical Depression	56	74	NOAA NHC
18th Sep 2012	00:00:00	N 27° 0.000, W 118° 30.000	Tropical Depression	37	56	NOAA NHC

Lane (EP12)

Pacific Ocean – East

15.09.2012

16.09.2012

Tropical Depression

280 °

65 km/h

83 km/h

4.88 m

NOAA NHC

Tropical Storm data

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Storm name:	Lane (EP12)
Area:	Pacific Ocean – East
Start up location:	N 14° 0.000, W 123° 30.000
Start up:	15th September 2012
Status:	Active
Track long:	62.93 km
Top category.:
Report by:	NOAA NHC

Useful links:

Past track
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave	Pressure	Source

Current position
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave feet	Pressure	Source
16th Sep 2012	05:13:14	N 13° 18.000, W 124° 6.000	11	65	83	Tropical Depression	280 °	16	1003 MB	NOAA NHC

Forecast track
Date	Time	Position	Category	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Source
17th Sep 2012	12:00:00	N 15° 36.000, W 127° 18.000	Hurricane I	102	120	NOAA NHC
17th Sep 2012	00:00:00	N 14° 30.000, W 126° 6.000	Tropical Depression	83	102	NOAA NHC
18th Sep 2012	00:00:00	N 16° 54.000, W 128° 18.000	Hurricane I	102	120	NOAA NHC
19th Sep 2012	00:00:00	N 19° 18.000, W 129° 42.000	Tropical Depression	74	93	NOAA NHC
20th Sep 2012	00:00:00	N 20° 0.000, W 131° 30.000	Tropical Depression	56	74	NOAA NHC
21st Sep 2012	00:00:00	N 19° 30.000, W 135° 0.000	Tropical Depression	46	65	NOAA NHC

……………………………….

New Typhoon Heads To Korea; North Korea Already Reels

By Evan Ramstad

: KCNA via European Pressphoto Agency; Damage from Typhoon Bolaven in North Korea, photographed near Komdok on Aug. 31 by KCNA, released Sept. 7 to EPA for international distribution.

Just as another typhoon headed toward the Korean peninsula, North Korea on Friday summarized the damage from the late summer storm season – 300 dead and another 600 injured or missing.

North Korea’s state news agency said that the worst damage came from the typhoon called Bolaven that swept over the peninsula on Aug. 28 and 29.

That storm alone killed 59 people and left about 26,320 people homeless after about 8,000 houses were destroyed by rain and flooding.

For a country that is so poor and inefficient that each year’s summer storms leave it a disastrous wreck, North Korea provides strikingly precise data about the damage.

Since mid-June, storms and floods damaged or destroyed 87,280 homes and left 298,050 people homeless, its news agency said.

It did not say whether they were temporarily homeless from, say, floodwater, or indeed needed entire new homes.

Among the other damage, 92 drinking water systems were ravaged and 16,900 trees knocked down. “More than 17,150 square meters of railroad were washed away and over 300 sections of railway [were] covered by landslides, with scores of tunnels and railway bridges damaged,” it said.

Now comes Typhoon Sanba, which is heading north from the Philippines toward Okinawa this weekend and the Korean peninsula by Monday. It is a stronger storm than Bolaven, which was billed as the biggest in a decade but didn’t turn out that way.
Stars and Stripes reporter Dave Ornauer on Okinawa warns that he’s never seen a storm as intense as Sanba is shaping up to be.

By the time it hits the Korean peninsula, its winds will have died down from Category 4 to Category 2 speeds, he estimates. Even so, both South and North Korea are well-saturated. And North Korea is in no shape for another big storm.

15.09.2012

Tornado

Philippines

Province of Zamboanga del Norte, Zambo Sibugay

Tornado in Philippines on Saturday, 15 September, 2012 at 15:52 (03:52 PM) UTC.

Description

One people got injured and several establishments were partially damaged when a tornado hit a town in Zamboanga Sibugay early today, local officials said. The tornado, which is locally called “buhawi”, hit Poblacion village, the town center of Kabasalan town about 3:30 a.m today, said Mayor George Cainglet. According to the responding police, a driver of a bicycle cab identified as Bebot Baricua, got injured when a flying debris hit him on the street, making him the only victim of the tornado. Besides him, the roofs of the public market, particularly under the wet section, and the roof of the garage area of the town police center were also tore by the tornado, the police added. “The damage was minimal but the residents went panic as a result of the sudden weather disturbance,” disaster officer Adriano Fuego told the press. The authorities estimated that the total damage caused by the tornado is just P200,000 (about $4,800), and the business at the public market was temporarily halted due to the disaster.

………………………………….

15.09.2012

Flash Flood

Taiwan

Multiple areas, [Northern regons]

Flash Flood in Taiwan on Saturday, 15 September, 2012 at 15:48 (03:48 PM) UTC.

Description

Northern Taiwan has seen heavy rainfall Saturday due to the combined effects of seasonal winds and a nearby typhoon, the Central Weather Bureau said. Moisture carried by seasonal winds from the northeast, together with the outer rim of Typhoon Sanba, has caused significant downpours in Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taoyuan County and Yilan County. Xindian District in New Taipei was the hardest-hit area, recording accumulated precipitation of 296 millimeters between midnight and 3 p.m. Saturday, bureau data showed. Rainfall in the areas is likely to continue until Sunday, causing daily minimum temperatures to drop to around 23 degrees Celsius, forecasters said. Meanwhile, strong winds reaching 100 kilometers per hour could be felt in coastal areas across the island due to influence from nearby Sanba. However, the typhoon is not expected to pose further threats to the island as it is heading toward the Ryukyu Islands, the bureau said. As of 2 p.m., Sanba was centered 720 km east of Hualien County in eastern Taiwan, moving at a speed of 23 kph in a north-northwesterly direction. It was packing sustained winds of 191 kph, with gusts reaching 234 kph, the bureau said.

15.09.2012

Flash Flood

Philippines

Capital City, Manila

Flash Flood in Philippines on Saturday, 15 September, 2012 at 15:39 (03:39 PM) UTC.

Description

Parts of Manila were under six feet (1.8 metres) of floodwater on Saturday after heavy rain lashed the capital overnight, forcing more than 400 people to flee their homes, officials said. There was also a strong typhoon lurking in the region, and although it was moving away from the Philippines and towards Japan, forecasters said it was adding to the wild weather. “Typhoon (Sanba) has no direct effect but the storm enhanced the southwestern monsoon so we will continue to experience rains,” said government meteorologist Gary de la Cruz. Low-lying coastal areas of the capital were hardest hit, forcing people to leave their homes, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said. At least 10 domestic flights were cancelled and universities in affected areas called off classes, the council said.

………………………………….

15.09.2012

Landslide

India

State of Bengal, Darjeeling

Landslide in India on Saturday, 15 September, 2012 at 15:59 (03:59 PM) UTC.

Description

Landslides triggered by heavy overnight rain in the hills caused extensive damage in six tea gardens, while the National Highway 31A which was blocked was cleared by the Border Roads Organisation on Saturday. Work had to be stopped for the day in Takdah and Lopchu gardens because of the landslide, while Bannockburn, Phoobshering, Ging and Pussimbing reported loss of tea bushes, Darjeeling Tea Association (DTA) Principal Secretary, Sandip Mukherjee said. “Takdah received around 18 inches of rainfall in the last 24 hours. A 40ft road in Takdah has been washed away in four places and five culverts have been damaged in landslides. There is no approach road to the garden factory now,” Mukherjee said. He said 13 labour quarters and two culverts were affected by the landslides at Lopchu. “Tea bushes in an acre have been uprooted in Lopchu and road connectivity within the garden has become a major problem. Given the extent of the damage, no work could be carried out in Lopchu,” he said. Road communication in the Ging tea garden, about 20km from Darjeeling, was hit after three culverts were damaged. “In Phoobshering, 6,500 tea bushes have been uprooted by the landslides. There is no approach road to the factory now. Water has also seeped into the garden factory,” he said. He alleged that constructions under the 100-days work scheme aggravated the situation in the tea gardens. District Magistrate Saumitra Mohan said “The NH31A was blocked at Tarkhola, Melli and Kalijhora but all major roads have been cleared of debris with the help of agencies like the Border Roads Organisation and the public works department.” Mohan, also the principal secretary of the GTA, said an order has been issued to all subdivisional officers and block divisional officers, that any project was to be cleared only after taking into account environmental concerns and technical viability.

…………………………….

15.09.2012

Technological Disaster

India

State of Uttarakhand, Rudraprayag

Technological Disaster in India on Saturday, 15 September, 2012 at 15:45 (03:45 PM) UTC.

Description

At least 20 people were killed as dozens of houses collapsed following a cloudburst in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand in north India on Friday. Several people are feared trapped under the debris and rescue operations have been launched, Disaster Management and Mitigation department officials said citing initial reports. According to officials, incessant rains since Thursday followed by a cloudburst in the wee hours Friday have left a trail of destruction in Timada, Sansari, Giriya, Chunni and Mangali villages in the district. River Saryu and Kaliganga are flowing above danger mark following rains since Thursday night. Communication and power lines were disrupted and traffic along several roads, including national highways, in the area has been blocked due to landslides, officials said. The local administration has sought the assistance of the Army in view of the large-scale destruction caused by the cloudburst in Rudrap rayag district.

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Radiation / Nuclear

Yukio Edano OKs Restart of Construction of New Reactors in Aomori, Shimane

Yukio “There is no immediate effect on health” Edano, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry who will have technically lost his portfolio on nuclear issues come September 19 (when the new Nuclear Regulatory Commission under Goshi Hosono’s ministry takes over the nuclear regulatory oversight from NISA), approved the resumption of construction of two new reactors.

So much for the Noda administration’s “pledge” to have zero nuclear power plant operating in 2030. (We’re just shocked. Shocked, aren’t we?)

From Yomiuri Shinbun (9/15/2012):

経産相、大間原発・島根３号機の建設を容認

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry allows the construction of Ooma Nuke Plant, Reactor 3 at Shimane

枝野経済産業相は１５日、青森県の三村申吾知事や原子力施設のある市町村の首長らと青森市で会談し、東日本大震災後に工事を中断した電源開発大間(おおま)原子力発電所（青森県大間町）と中国電力島根原発３号機（松江市）の建設再開・稼働を事実上、容認する考えを伝えた。

On September 15, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yukio Edano held a meeting in Aomori City with Governor of Aomori Prefecture Shingo Mimura and the mayors of municipalities where nuclear facilities are located, and told them that he would allow the resumption of construction and operation of Ooma Nucleaer Power Plant by Electric Power Development Co.,Ltd. (in Ooma-cho, Aomori Prefecture) and Reactor 3 of Shimane Nucleaer Power Plant by Chugoku Electric Power Company (in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture).

両原発の建設が再開されれば、震災後初めての原発建設となる。

It would be the first construction of nuclear reactors after the March 11, 2011 disaster.

政府は１４日に決めた「革新的エネルギー・環境戦略」に、２０３０年代に原発の稼働をゼロにする目標を明記した。運転期間を４０年とする政府の原則に従えば、建設を再開した原発は５０年代まで稼働できることになり、新たなエネルギー戦略の矛盾を早くも露呈する形となった。

In the “Revolutionary strategy for energy and environment” that was agreed upon on September 14, the national government clearly set the target to have zero nuclear reactors operating in 2030. If the government rule of 40 years of operation is applied, these nuclear reactors would be allowed to operate into 2050, which would be a contradiction to the new energy strategy.

枝野氏は会談で「原子炉の設置と工事計画許可が与えられている原発について、経産省の立場として変更は考えていない」と述べ、１９日に発足する原子力規制委員会が安全を確認すれば、建設再開・稼働を認める方針を示した。

Mr. Edano said in the meeting, “As to the nuclear power plants with permits for installing a reactor and for construction plan, we as Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry are not thinking of any change”, indicating the intention to allow the resumption of construction and operation once the Nuclear Regulatory Commission confirms safety. The Commission will be installed on September 19.

建設中の原発は、大間、島根３号機のほか、東京電力東通(ひがしどおり)原発１号機（青森県東通村）がある。ただ、東通１号機について、枝野氏は「東電が原子力について議論できる段階ではまだない」と述べており、建設再開の対象にはならないとみられる。

In addition to Ooma Nuclear Power Plant and Reactor 3 of Shimane Nuclear Power Plant, Reactor 1 of Higashidori Nuclear Power Plant is also under construction by TEPCO (in Higashidori-mura, Aomori Prefecture). However, Mr. Edano said of Higashidori’s Reactor 1, “TEPCO is not in a position yet to discuss nuclear energy”, indicating that the resumption of construction of Higashidori Reactor 1 would be unlikely at this time.

7.2 Bq/Kg of cesium from pickled plum in Tokyo

Posted by Mochizuki

Pickled plum (Ume boshi) is one of the most common Japanese traditional food.

It’s known to be a great preserved food as well,and people often use it for lunch box.

However, they are contaminated as well.

On 9/7/2012, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare measured cesium from pickled plum.

The sample was purchased on 9/6/2012. It was already distributed in Tokyo.

The origin of product is not announced.

Insurance company “no coverage for damage caused by nuclear fuel material”

Posted by Mochizuki

Insurance company or life insurance company writes on instruction that they won’t cover damage from nuclear fuel material recently.

A Japanese posted tweeted like this below,

最近、保険にこーゆー文言が入るようになった。『核燃料物質によって生じた損害』には保険金をお支払いできませんとな。 twitter.com/sayakaiurani/s…

— HALOPさん (@sayakaiurani) 9月 15, 2012

Recently insurance company adds this item on their instruction.

“We won’t pay insurance for the damage caused by nuclear fuel material.”

<End>

We need to verify how it was before 311.

Installation of new thermometer to reactor2 still takes time

Posted by Mochizuki

Currently, only 1 measuring point remains available to measure temperature in RPV of reactor2. [Link]

On 9/14/2012, Tepco released the work implementation plan to install new thermometer to RPV of reactor2, but they didn’t announce when to complete the installation clearly.

LISS: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/monitoring/operations/heliplots_gsn.php

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Epidemic Hazards / Diseases

Superbug kills 7th person at NIH hospital in Bethesda

BETHESDA, Md. (AP) – A deadly germ untreatable by most antibiotics has killed a seventh person at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Maryland.

: Aerial photo of the NIH Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center, Bethesda, Maryland

The Washington Post reported the death Friday.

NIH officials told the paper that the boy from Minnesota died Sept. 7.

NIH says the boy arrived at the research hospital in Bethesda in April and was being treated for complications from a bone marrow transplant when he contracted the bug.

He was the 19th patient at the hospital to contract an antibiotic-resistant strain of KPC, or Klebsiella pneumoniae.

The outbreak stemmed from a single patient carrying the superbug who arrived at the hospital last summer.

The paper reported the Minnesota boy’s case marked the first new infection of this superbug at NIH since January.

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Solar Activity

2MIN News Sept 15. 2012

Published on Sep 15, 2012 by Suspicious0bservers

2012 Explanation Video: http://youtu.be/uI10tKuLtFU

REPEAT LINKS
Spaceweather: http://spaceweather.com/ [Look on the left at the X-ray Flux and Solar Wind Speed/Density]

HAARP: http://www.haarp.alaska.edu/haarp/data.html [Click online data, and have a little fun]

SDO: http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/ [Place to find Solar Images and Videos - as seen from earth]

SOHO: http://sohodata.nascom.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/soho_movie_theater [SOHO; Lasco and EIT - as seen from earth]

Stereo: http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/images [Stereo; Cor, EUVI, HI - as seen from the side]

SunAEON:http://www.sunaeon.com/#/solarsystem/ [Just click it... trust me]

SOLARIMG: http://solarimg.org/artis/ [All purpose data viewing site]

iSWA: http://iswa.gsfc.nasa.gov/iswa/iSWA.html [Free Application; for advanced sun watchers]

NASA ENLIL SPIRAL: http://iswa.gsfc.nasa.gov:8080/IswaSystemWebApp/iSWACygnetStreamer?timestamp=…
NOAA ENLIL SPIRAL: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/wsa-enlil/

US Wind Map: http://hint.fm/wind/

NOAA Bouys: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/

NOAA Environmental Visualization Laboratory: http://www.nnvl.noaa.gov/Default.php

RSOE: http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index2.php [That cool alert map I use]

GOES Xray: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/sxi/goes15/index.html

JAPAN Radiation Map: http://jciv.iidj.net/map/

Gamma Ray Bursts: http://grb.sonoma.edu/ [Really? You can't figure out what this one is for?]

BARTOL Cosmic Rays: http://neutronm.bartol.udel.edu//spaceweather/welcome.html [Top left box, look for BIG blue circles]

TORCON: http://www.weather.com/news/tornado-torcon-index [Tornado Forecast for the day]

GOES Weather: http://rsd.gsfc.nasa.gov/goes/ [Clouds over America]

RAIN RECORDS: http://www.cocorahs.org/ViewData/ListIntensePrecipReports.aspx

EL DORADO WORLD WEATHER MAP: http://www.eldoradocountyweather.com/satellite/ssec/world/world-composite-ir-…

PRESSURE MAP: http://www.woweather.com/cgi-bin/expertcharts?LANG=us&MENU=0000000000&…

HURRICANE TRACKER: http://www.weather.com/weather/hurricanecentral/tracker

INTELLICAST: http://www.intellicast.com/ [Weather site used by many youtubers]

NASA News: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/

PHYSORG: http://phys.org/ [GREAT News Site!]

QUAKES LIST FULL: http://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/seismologist.php

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Space

Electromagnetic Event: Magnetic Pole Shift Could Be In Progress

Published on Sep 14, 2012 by Suspicious0bservers

There are two dangers presented in this video: 1) The Electromagnetic Event; and 2) The Mega Solar Flare & CME – Music: Instrumental “Soul Survivor” by Akon & Young Jeezy

HAARP:
Emotional & behavioral suppression technology, Silent Sound Spread Spectrum technology, and weather modification are dangerous, unethical, a secret in their truest form, and don’t have a damn thing to do with HAARP — This is what you should know:
1) Things not caused by HAARP: Long Solar Minimum, Jupiter/Saturn Storms, Saturn/Venus Rotation Anomalies, New Radio Emission from Jupiter, Uranus Auroras, the ENA ribbon, and most importunely, earth’s shifting N pole and fading Magnetic Shield. [There is a natural event taking place]
2) Weather Modification that is not HAARP: Radar Rings are different [local VLFs can do it without any help from HAARP], see video called ‘Standing Wave Tank” to see how LF work better on water vapor than HF. Some rings are man made with VLF, others are a natural effect of the EM event; I believe we are trying to stop it.
3) Potential Danger of HAARP: Over-ionization of certain layers or regions, Creating Ozone holes, Increasing our Solar Vulnerability.
4) ****HAARP and the Russian/Norwegian Devices are directly under the auroral electrojet, which is the thing that would kill our grids in a solar storm. The devices are ionospheric heaters capable of expanding the electrojet and scattering the energy.

NIBIRU:
What can I say, there is no star coming in here. That would kill us, and wouldn’t have left any planets here if it had come before. The term ‘dark star’ is a misnomer, it’s not so dark you wouldn’t see it. There IS a possibility that we could see a crossing ‘planet’, but not a star. Here are those possibilities, google will help fill in the blanks.
1) Hypothetical Planet Vulcan [not star trek] happens to be real and comes out from behind the sun.
2) Rogue Planet enters our system. [they outnumber stars in our galaxy]
3) Planetary ‘Birthing’ process where a baby planet comes out of the Sun, Saturn, or Jupiter.
4) A Return to the World described in ‘Symbols of an Alien Sky’
[All but #2 could be lumped in together as caused by an electromagnetic event; I worry this is what is happening now-- Sitchen made many documented errors, and it was the Maya, not the Sumerians, who spoke of 2012]

STARWATER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiC-92YgZvQ
Electric Universe: google the Thunderbolts Project

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Biological Hazards / Wildlife / Hazmat

15.09.2012

Biological Hazard

China

Tibet Autonomous Region, [Nyingchi Prefecture]

Biological Hazard in China on Saturday, 15 September, 2012 at 15:54 (03:54 PM) UTC.

Description
The highly infectious and sometimes fatal Foot and Mouth Disease infections have been traced in livestock in the Nyingtri region of central Tibet. According to the regional agricultural ministry, a total of 123 live head of cattle and 108 pigs have showed symptoms associated with FMD. After collecting samples, the Chinese National Foot-and-Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory on Thursday confirmed that the livestock were infected with type O FMD. The local authorities have “sealed off and sterilised the infected area, where a total of 612 head of cattle and pigs have been culled and safely disposed of in order to prevent the disease from spreading since the case was confirmed.” While “quietly sending military troops to kill and burry the cattle,” Chinese authorities did not reveal the outbreak to the public. “Insiders say the provincial officials ordered the cover-up in fear that their records might be affected. Further investigation confirmed the disease to be a special type of FMD resistant to the current vaccine.” Following an outbreak of FMD in China’s eastern provinces of Shandong and Jiangsu, which later spread to suburban Beijing in 2005, China had for the first time reported FMD outbreak to the World Health Organisation. FMD is an acute contagious febrile disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including domestic and wild bovids. The disease can potentially cost huge economic loss to farming and nomadic families who make their living from livestock.
Biohazard name:	Foot-mouth disease (FMD)
Biohazard level:	0/4 —
Biohazard desc.:	This does not included biological hazard category.
Symptoms:
Status:	confirmed

15.09.2012

HAZMAT

USA

State of Indiana, Mishawaka [Baycote Metal Finishing]

HAZMAT in USA on Saturday, 15 September, 2012 at 09:30 (09:30 AM) UTC.

Description

A large portion of the southside of MIshawaka, Ind. was evacuated overnight after a chemical spill. Firefighters were called to 1302 Industrial Drive just after 8 p.m. after receiving a call of smoke coming out of a vacant building. The building used to be the home of Baycote Metal Finishing. After the fire was out, a firefighter noticed a low hanging vapor cloud in the building and immediately evacuated the area. The area includes about fifty homes, including an assisted living center. WSBT reports about 200 people were evacuated. The Red Cross set up a shelter for evacuees. Residents reported irritated skin and itchy eyes. Officials say this will be a major clean-up effort. This is a developing story. We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.

15.09.2012

HAZMAT

Czech Republic

Multiple region, [Prerov,Osek and Becvou]

HAZMAT in Czech Republic on Tuesday, 11 September, 2012 at 14:15 (02:15 PM) UTC.

Tags: 2MIN News Sept 15. 2012, 7.2 Bq/Kg of cesium from pickled plum in Tokyo, Alaska, Biological Hazard in China, California, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Electromagnetic Event: Magnetic Pole Shift Could Be In Progress, Flash Flood in Philippines, Flash Flood in Taiwan, Hawaii, HAZMAT in Czech Republic, HAZMAT in USA, Hurricane Nadine (AL14), India, Indiana, Indonesia, Installation of new thermometer to reactor2 still takes time, Insurance company “no coverage for damage caused by nuclear fuel material”, Japan, Landslide in India, LISS - Live Internet Seismic Server, Montana, New Typhoon Heads To Korea; North Korea Already Reels, Peru, PERU-ECUADOR BORDER REGION, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Shimane, South Sandwich Islands, Superbug kills 7th person at NIH hospital in Bethesda, Taiwan, Tornado in Philippines, Tropical Depression Kristy (EP11), Tropical Depression Lane (EP12), Typhoon Sanba (17W), Uzbekistan, Virgin Islands, Yukio Edano OKs Restart of Construction of New Reactors in Aomori

Updated:	Saturday, 15 September, 2012 at 04:16 UTC
Description
The Czech Republic has banned the sale of spirits with more than 20 percent alcohol content as it battles a wave of methanol poisonings that has already killed 19 people. Health Minister Leos Heger says the unprecedented ban is effective immediately and applies nationwide. It covers all possible sales locations, including restaurants, hotels and stores. Kiosks and markets had earlier been banned from selling spirits with more than 30 percent alcohol content. In a brief announcement late Friday, Heger said the measure was taken as the death toll from the poisonings reached 19 and the first person was hospitalized in Prague. Dozens of people have been hospitalized, some in critical condition after drinking vodka and rum laced with methanol. The problem appears largely centered in northeastern Czech Republic.

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Comment

Earth Watch Report – Tuesday August 14th, 2012

Filed under: Asteroids, Biological Hazard, Earth Watch Report, Earthquakes, Extreme Weather, Fire - Forest/ Wild Fires, Flooding, Global Disaster Watch, Landslides, meteors, Solar Activity, Space, Storms, Volcanic Events — Leave a comment

August 14, 2012

Earthquakes

Date/Time (UTC)	Magnitude	Area	Country	State/Prov./Gov.	Location	Risk	Source	Details
14.08.2012 10:15:30	2.7	Asia	Turkey	Van	Yuvacik		EMSC
14.08.2012 09:25:34	3.1	North America	United States	Utah	Kanosh		USGS-RSOE
14.08.2012 09:20:36	2.1	Middle America	Mexico	Baja California	Progreso		USGS-RSOE
14.08.2012 10:15:52	4.6	Asia	Japan	Chiba	Katsuura		EMSC
14.08.2012 09:35:31	4.6	Asia	Japan	Chiba	Katsuura		USGS-RSOE
14.08.2012 10:16:16	3.6	South-America	Chile	Libertador General Bernardo O?Higgins	Santa Cruz		EMSC
14.08.2012 10:16:39	2.0	Europe	Italy	Calabria	Bovalino Superiore		EMSC
14.08.2012 09:15:22	2.5	Asia	Turkey	Kütahya	Pazarlar		EMSC
14.08.2012 09:15:45	4.3	Africa	Djibouti	Ali Sabieh	Holhol		EMSC
14.08.2012 08:10:31	3.7	Europe	Spain	Extremadura	Riolobos		EMSC
14.08.2012 08:10:51	2.2	Europe	Italy	Sicily	Panarea		EMSC
14.08.2012 08:11:11	3.5	Middle-East	Iran	East Azarbaijan	Ahar		EMSC
14.08.2012 08:11:28	2.0	Asia	Turkey	Mu?la	Yatagan		EMSC
14.08.2012 06:55:53	2.7	North America	United States	California	Ferndale		USGS-RSOE
14.08.2012 07:05:20	2.5	Europe	Greece	West Greece	Temeni		EMSC
14.08.2012 06:07:53	2.2	North America	United States	Alaska	Petersville		USGS-RSOE
14.08.2012 06:08:41	2.2	North America	United States	Alaska	Petersville		USGS-RSOE
14.08.2012 07:05:43	2.2	Asia	Turkey	Çanakkale	Behram		EMSC
14.08.2012 05:15:28	3.9	North America	United States	California	San Martin		USGS-RSOE
14.08.2012 05:15:51	3.9	North America	United States	California	Pacific Grove		USGS-RSOE
14.08.2012 05:16:15	4.3	North America	United States	California	Las Flores		USGS-RSOE
14.08.2012 06:21:04	7.7	Asia	Russia	Sakhalin	Poronaysk		EMSC
14.08.2012 06:05:45	2.2	Europe	Italy	Sicily	Saponara Villafranca		EMSC
14.08.2012 07:06:05	2.2	Asia	Turkey	Tokat	Yesilyurt		EMSC
14.08.2012 05:02:02	4.1	Asia	Afghanistan	Badakhshan	Ashkasham		EMSC
14.08.2012 05:17:19	4.5	Asia	Afghanistan	Badakhshan	Ashkasham		USGS-RSOE
14.08.2012 07:06:28	2.1	Asia	Turkey	Mu?la	Ula		EMSC
14.08.2012 05:02:46	5.2	Atlantic Ocean – North	South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands		Grytviken		EMSC
14.08.2012 04:35:28	5.2	Atlantic Ocean	South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands		Grytviken		USGS-RSOE
14.08.2012 04:25:29	4.8	Asia	Japan	Okinawa	Yonakuni		USGS-RSOE
14.08.2012 05:03:46	5.0	Asia	Japan	Okinawa	Yonakuni		EMSC
14.08.2012 05:06:07	2.0	Europe	Italy	Emilia-Romagna	San Prospero		EMSC
14.08.2012 05:07:13	2.8	South-America	Chile	Antofagasta	Tocopilla		EMSC
14.08.2012 08:11:47	2.0	Asia	Turkey	Mu?la	Kargi		EMSC
14.08.2012 03:25:22	2.2	North America	United States	Hawaii	Volcano		USGS-RSOE
14.08.2012 08:12:07	2.3	Asia	Turkey	Adana	Kadirli		EMSC
14.08.2012 08:12:28	2.0	Asia	Turkey	Antalya	Kalkan		EMSC
14.08.2012 03:05:30	2.2	North America	United States	California	Aguanga		USGS-RSOE
14.08.2012 03:30:26	4.1	Asia	Afghanistan	Takh?r	Art Khwajah		USGS-RSOE
14.08.2012 04:00:20	4.1	Asia	Afghanistan	Takh?r	Art Khwajah		EMSC
14.08.2012 02:55:20	2.5	Europe	Poland	Lower Silesian Voivodeship	Peclaw		EMSC
14.08.2012 07:07:11	2.3	Asia	Turkey	Diyarbak?r	Hazro		EMSC
14.08.2012 07:07:33	2.0	Asia	Turkey	Erzurum	Tortum		EMSC
14.08.2012 01:25:28	2.5	North America	United States	Alaska	Nanwalek		USGS-RSOE
14.08.2012 06:06:04	2.3	Asia	Turkey	Van	Toyga		EMSC
14.08.2012 00:55:19	3.0	Asia	Turkey	Van	Toyga		EMSC
14.08.2012 06:06:27	2.3	Asia	Turkey	Van	Yuvacik		EMSC
13.08.2012 23:40:38	2.2	North America	Canada	British Columbia	Princeton		USGS-RSOE
14.08.2012 05:07:57	2.4	Asia	Turkey	Van	Yuvacik		EMSC
13.08.2012 23:55:22	4.7	Indonesian Archipelago	Indonesia	Aceh	Meulaboh		EMSC

…………………………………………

7.7 Mwc – SEA OF OKHOTSK

Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude	7.7 Mwc
Date-Time	14 Aug 2012 02:59:42 UTC 14 Aug 2012 12:59:42 near epicenter 13 Aug 2012 20:59:42 standard time in your timezone
Location	49.784N 145.126E
Depth	625 km
Distances	160 km (100 miles) ENE (66 degrees) of Poronaysk, Russia 361 km (224 miles) NNE (28 degrees) of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia 447 km (278 miles) SSE (160 degrees) of Okha, Russia 1629 km (1012 miles) NNE (14 degrees) of TOKYO, Japan
Location Uncertainty	Horizontal: 14.5 km; Vertical 6.9 km
Parameters	Nph = 1132; Dmin = 1734.0 km; Rmss = 0.68 seconds; Gp = 16° M-type = Mwc; Version = B
Event ID	us c000bz29 ***This event has been revised.

For updates, maps, and technical information, see:
Event Page
or
USGS Earthquake Hazards Program

National Earthquake Information Center
U.S. Geological Survey
http://neic.usgs.gov/

7.3 Mwp – SEA OF OKHOTSK

Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude	7.3 Mwp
Date-Time	14 Aug 2012 02:59:42 UTC 14 Aug 2012 12:59:42 near epicenter 13 Aug 2012 20:59:42 standard time in your timezone
Location	49.796N 145.113E
Depth	625 km
Distances	160 km (100 miles) ENE (66 degrees) of Poronaysk, Russia 361 km (225 miles) NNE (28 degrees) of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia 445 km (277 miles) SSE (160 degrees) of Okha, Russia 1630 km (1013 miles) NNE (14 degrees) of TOKYO, Japan
Location Uncertainty	Horizontal: 14.6 km; Vertical 7.1 km
Parameters	Nph = 1126; Dmin = 1735.1 km; Rmss = 0.68 seconds; Gp = 16° M-type = Mwp; Version = A
Event ID	us c000bz29

For updates, maps, and technical information, see:
Event Page
or
USGS Earthquake Hazards Program

National Earthquake Information Center
U.S. Geological Survey
http://neic.usgs.gov/

30+ moderate Earthquakes have Rattled Southern California since Tuesday (Aug 11, 2012)

Cluster of earthquakes rattles Southern California

More than 30 small to moderate earthquakes centered near Yorba Linda shake the region, with two 4.5 earthquakes bookending the sequence. No significant damage is reported.

By Rebecca Trounson, Los Angeles Times

Some called it an “earthquake cluster,” others a “swarm.” Seismologists used the term “earthquake sequence.”

Whatever the name, a series of more than 30 small to moderate temblors jolted Southern California on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, rattling nerves but causing no significant damage.

The cluster of earthquakes that struck near Yorba Linda was centered near the Whittier fault, but preliminary data suggested that fault was not responsible for the temblor, said Doug Given, a geophysicist with theU.S. Geological Survey.

“There are lots and lots of little faults all over that area,” Given said of the northern Orange County region where the quakes were centered. “It’s a known active area.”

The shaking began with a magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Yorba Linda about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, bookended by another 4.5 quake about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, but with many smaller ones in between.

At a news conference Wednesday morning, Kate Hutton of theU.S. Geological Surveysaid that of all the quakes, only three were probably felt by residents. The two 4.5 temblors were felt across a wide swath of Southern California, with people reporting shaking as far away as Thousand Oaks, the Santa Clarita Valley, the Westside and northern San Diego County, according to the USGS’s “Did You Feel It?” website.

“This is all part of the same earthquake sequence; they’re all in the same area,” Hutton told reporters.

“It shook us pretty good. We’ve felt earthquakes before, so it came as no surprise,” said Chris Nordyke, director of marketing at the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda. “It shook open the door, but nothing fell off the shelves.”

Given said the excitement offers a lesson for the region. “We live in earthquake country. Earthquakes are normal here, and people should be prepared,” he said.

California earthquakes 2012 rattle residents; With second quake Wednesday, should they worry?

YORBA LINDA, CALIF. — The earthquakes keep coming for Southern California was shaken Wednesday by the second moderate but widely felt earthquake in less than 11 hours, but no harm was reported. Officials said the recent outbreak of California earthquakes in 2012 is not out of the ordinary.

Or at least, the recent flurry of California earthquakes is nothing for residents to get unusually rattled about.

“There is nothing in this sequence, at this point, that tells us we need to be particularly worried,” said Elizabeth Cochran, a geophycist at the U.S. Geological Survey, according to the Lake Forest Patch in California.

Cochran said more aftershocks should be expected.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude-4.5 quake occurred at 9:33 a.m. and was centered two miles northeast of the Orange County city of Yorba Linda, about 35 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

A magnitude-4.5 quake centered in the same area struck late Tuesday night. Both temblors were followed by numerous aftershocks that were mostly too small to be felt.

Quakes of such magnitude are unlikely to cause damage in cities built to modern standards but can rattle nerves.

The Orange County Fire Authority did not receive any 911 calls about the latest quake, said Capt. Marc Stone.

“It was a decent sized shake and it’s a reminder for everyone to have a plan for the Big One,” said Stone. “How would you and your family survive for 72 hours with no water, no food and no amenities? Think about it. It’s a reminder to go home and say, ‘What if?’ and make that plan.”

Seismologist Kate Hutton of the California Institute of Technology characterized the quakes as a swarm.

The location is near the Whittier Fault, but the quakes could be occurring on an unmapped fault, she said.

“This is likely normal California earthquake activity,” Hutton said.

The staff of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum in Yorba Linda was still talking about Tuesday night’s quake when Wednesday’s struck, said Jonathan Movroydis, director of communications.

“It did shake us pretty well,” Movroydis said, but the jolt was so short no one ducked under their desks.

Meanwhile, newly acquired Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Shane Victorino tweeted: “Why is the hotel shaking????? … Welcome to LA!”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Two earthquakes in Iran kill 300 and injure 5,000

Treating the wounded in Iran

Rescue teams search for victims in the earthquake-stricken village of Varzaghan in East Azarbaijan August 11, 2012. Two powerful earthquakes killed 250 people and injured around 1,800 in northwest Iran, where rescue workers frantically combed the rubble of dozens of villages throughout the night and into Sunday as medical staff desperately tried to save lives. Picture taken August 11, 2012. REUTERS-Farshid Tighehsaz-ISNA

Damaged houses are seen in the earthquake-stricken village of Varzaghan in East Azarbaijan August 11, 2012. Two powerful earthquakes killed 250 people and injured around 1,800 in northwest Iran, where rescue workers frantically combed the rubble of dozens of villages throughout the night and into Sunday as medical staff desperately tried to save lives. Picture taken August 11, 2012. REUTERS-Farshid Tighehsaz-ISNA

Damaged houses are seen in this undated handout photo taken in an undisclosed location in northwest Iran. Two powerful earthquakes killed 250 people and injured around 1,800 in northwest Iran, where rescue workers frantically combed the rubble of dozens of villages throughout the night and into Sunday as medical staff desperately tried to save lives. REUTERS-Hamed Nazari-Mehr News Agency

By Yeganeh Torbati

DUBAI | Mon Aug 13, 2012 7:08am EDT

(Reuters) – Overcrowded hospitals in northwest Iran struggled to cope with thousands of earthquake victims on Sunday as rescuers raced to reach remote villages after two powerful quakes killed nearly 300 people.

Thousands huddled in makeshift camps or slept in the street after Saturday’s quakes for fear of more aftershocks, 60 of which had already struck. A lack of tents and other supplies left them exposed to the night chill, one witness told Reuters.

“I saw some people whose entire home was destroyed, and all their livestock killed,” Tahir Sadati, a local photographer, said by telephone. “People need help, they need warm clothes, more tents, blankets and bread.”

The worst damage and most casualties appeared to have been in rural villages around the towns of Ahar, Varzaghan and Harees, near the major city of Tabriz, Iranian media reported.

Tabriz resident Ahmad, 41, told Reuters his cousin living in a village near Ahar was killed and his body found.

But Iranian officials said rescue operations had ended by Sunday afternoon and that all those trapped beneath the rubble had been freed, Iran’s English-language Press TV reported.

Many villages are hard to reach by road, hindering rescue efforts. Hospitals in Tabriz, Ardabil and other cities nearby took in many of the injured, residents and Iranian media said, and there were long queues of survivors waiting to be treated.

“I wanted to go there last night to help but heard there was bad traffic and that it wasn’t safe enough,” Ahmad said. “People in those villages need help.”

Abbas Falahi, member of parliament for Ahar and Harees, said people in some villages were still “in dire need of food and drinking water”, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.

“Despite the promises of officials, little first aide has been distributed in the region and most people are left without tents. If the situation continues, the toll will rise,” he said.

Aidin, a Tabriz resident, said he went to give blood at a local hospital on Saturday and saw staff struggling to cope with the influx of patients. Most patients had been taken there by their families, he said, indicating a shortage of ambulances.

Ahar’s 120-bed hospital was full, said Arash, a college student in the town. There were traffic jams on the narrow road to Tabriz as victims tried to reach hospitals, he said by telephone.

VILLAGES DESTROYED

“People are scared and won’t go back into their houses because they fear the buildings aren’t safe.”

The U.S. Geological Survey measured Saturday’s first quake at 6.4 magnitude and said it struck 60 km (37 miles) northeast of the city of Tabriz, a trading hub far from Iran’s oil-producing areas and known nuclear facilities.

The second, measuring 6.3, struck 11 minutes later near Varzaghan, 49 km (30 miles) northeast of Tabriz.

More than 1,000 villages in the area were affected by the earthquakes, Ahmad Reza Shaji’i, a Red Crescent official, told the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA). Some 130 villages suffered more than 70 percent damage, and 20 villages were completely destroyed, he said.

“We saw some villages that were truly destroyed,” said Sadati, the photographer who was documenting the quake aftermath. “One good thing was that the earthquake happened during the day, so many people were not in their homes. If it had happened at night the casualties would have been far worse.”

Close to 300 people were believed to be dead, said Reza Sadighi, Ahar’s local governor, Fars news agency said. National emergency head Gholam Reza Masoumi said 5,000 people are believed to be injured, according to ISNA.

Nearly 100 ambulances and 1,100 Red Crescent workers were deployed, Shaji’i said, along with 44,000 food packages and 5,600 tents for shelter. The relief agency had enough supplies and most residents in the area had access to clean water but Shaji’i asked residents to donate cash to the relief effort.

Tehran officials sent condolences to the victims and declared two days of mourning in the province, ISNA reported.

About 36,000 people in the quake-hit area have been given emergency shelter, Masoumi was quoted as saying by ISNA.

Iranian lawmaker Mohammad Hassan-Nejad warned that if relief efforts did not speed up, the death toll would swiftly rise.

“Relief groups have still not reached many villages, because in normal conditions some of these villages are several hours away,” he told ISNA. “Currently the roads are closed and the only way to reach these villages is by air.”

COLLAPSED BUILDINGS

Twenty-eight year old Narges in Tehran said she saw dozens of people in a hospital waiting to donate blood for the victims.

Iran is crisscrossed by major fault lines and has suffered several devastating earthquakes in recent years, including a 6.6 magnitude quake in 2003 that reduced the historic southeastern city of Bam to dust and killed about 31,000 people.

Saturday’s quakes struck in East Azerbaijan province, a mountainous region that neighbors Azerbaijan and Armenia to the north. Buildings in Tabriz, the provincial capital, are substantially built and ISNA reported nobody in the city had been killed or hurt.

Homes and business premises in Iranian villages, however, are often made of concrete blocks or mud brick that can crumble and collapse in a strong quake.

Water, electricity, and phone lines in the area of Varzaghan are all down, further hindering rescue efforts, Iran’s English-language Press TV reported.

Tabriz residents left their homes and crowded the streets following the two quakes, those in the city said. “Everyone was scared last night,” a resident said by telephone. “They set up tents and were sleeping in the streets and in parks.”

(Additional reporting by Marcus George and Zahra Hosseinian; Writing by Andrew Torchia and Marcus George; Editing by Jon Hemming)

14.08.2012

Earthquake

Iran

Province of East Azarbaijan, [About 21 miles west of Ahar]

Earthquake in Iran on Saturday, 11 August, 2012 at 15:59 (03:59 PM) UTC.

Updated:

Monday, 13 August, 2012 at 11:21 UTC

Description

With thousands injured as the death toll from Iran’s dual earthquakes nears 300, hospitals are reeling from the increased traffic. There are long lines outside as doctors work feverishly to cope with the injuries. “From last night until this afternoon when I left Shohada-ye Tabriz hospital, doctors were constantly performing operations,” said one physician. “Ordinary people were working alongside rescuers. They were bringing food and water to the hospital.” Meanwhile, thousands of refugees are staying in camps and parks as they weather the some 60 aftershocks that have hit thus far, Reuters reports.

Some 20 villages were completely destroyed, and 130 saw more than 70% damage, according to the Red Crescent. Officials say search and rescue operations are over; now they’re “working to provide shelter and food to the survivors.” But stories conflict as to how effective efforts have been. The Red Crescent says it has enough supplies, and an emergency official says 36,000 people have received emergency shelter. But “despite the promises of officials, little first aid has been distributed in the region and most people are left without tents,” said an MP.

Earthquake in Iran on Saturday, 11 August, 2012 at 15:59 (03:59 PM) UTC.

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Updated:

Tuesday, 14 August, 2012 at 03:08 UTC

Description

Overcrowded hospitals in northwestern Iran struggled to cope with thousands of earthquake victims on Sunday and rescuers raced to reach remote villages after two powerful quakes killed nearly 300 people and injured 5,000. Thousands huddled in makeshift camps or slept in the street after Saturday’s quakes in fear of more aftershocks, 60 of which had already struck. A lack of tents and other supplies left them exposed to the night chill, one witness told Reuters. “I saw some people whose entire home was destroyed, and all their livestock killed,” Tahir Sadati, a local photographer, said by telephone. “People need help, they need warm clothes, more tents, blankets and bread.” The worst damage and most casualties appeared to have been in rural villages around the towns of Ahar, Varzaghan and Harees, near the major city of Tabriz, Iranian media reported. The U.S. Geological Survey measured Saturday’s first quake at 6.4 magnitude and said it struck 37 miles northeast of the city of Tabriz, a trading hub far from Iran’s oil-producing areas and known nuclear facilities.Tabriz resident Ahmad, 41, told Reuters his cousin living in a village near Ahar was killed and that his body had already been found.

“Nobody knows what happened to his wife and two daughters,” aged 4 and 7, Ahmad said. “We fear that if rescuers don’t get to them soon, they will lose their lives too if they’re still alive.” Iranian officials said rescue operations had ended by Sunday afternoon and that all those trapped beneath the rubble had been freed, Iran’s English-language Press TV reported. But the head of Iran’s Relief and Emergency Organization said that rescue operations were continuing, according to the New York Times.Many villages are hard to reach by road, hindering rescue efforts. Hospitals in Tabriz, Ardabil and other cities nearby took in many of the injured, residents and Iranian media said, and there were long queues of survivors waiting to be treated. “I wanted to go there last night to help but heard there was bad traffic and that it wasn’t safe enough,” Ahmad said. “People in those villages need help.” Aidin, a Tabriz resident, said he went to give blood at a local hospital on Saturday and saw staff struggling to cope with the influx of patients. Most patients had been taken there by their families, he said, indicating a shortage of ambulances. Ahar’s 120-bed hospital was full, said Arash, a college student and resident of the town. There were traffic jams on the narrow road between Ahar and Tabriz as victims tried to reach hospitals, he said by telephone.

“People are scared and won’t go back into their houses because they fear the buildings aren’t safe.” The second, measuring 6.3, struck 11 minutes later near Varzaghan, 30 miles northeast of Tabriz. More than 1,000 villages in the area were affected by the earthquakes, Ahmad Reza Shaji’i, a Red Crescent official, told the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA). About 130 villages suffered more than 70 percent damage, and 20 villages were completely destroyed, he said. “We saw some villages that were truly destroyed,” said Sadati, the photographer who was documenting the quake aftermath. “One good thing was that the earthquake happened during the day, so many people were not in their homes. If it had happened at night the casualties would have been far worse.” Close to 300 people were believed to be dead, said Reza Sadighi, Ahar’s local governor, Fars news agency said. National emergency head Gholam Reza Masoumi said 5,000 people are believed to be injured, according to ISNA.“Most of the dead are women and children, as the earthquake happened during the day, when many men were out working,” said Marjan Lagaei, an Iranian reporter who traveled to the area, told the New York Times.Nearly 100 ambulances and 1,100 Red Crescent workers were deployed, Shaji’i said, along with 44,000 food packages and 5,600 tents for shelter. The relief agency had enough supplies and most residents in the area had access to clean water but Shaji’i asked residents to donate cash to the relief effort. Officials in Tehran extended condolences to the victims and declared two days of mourning to be held in the province, ISNA reported. About 16,000 people in the quake-hit area have been given emergency shelter, Red Crescent official Mahmoud Mozafar told Mehr news agency. Iranian lawmaker Mohammad Hassan-Nejad warned that if relief efforts did not speed up, the death toll would swiftly rise. “Relief groups have still not reached many villages, because in normal conditions some of these villages are several hours away,” he told ISNA. “Currently the roads are closed and the only way to reach these villages is by air.”

Photographs posted on Iranian news websites showed numerous bodies, including children, lying on the floor of a white-tiled morgue in Ahar and medical staff treating the injured in the open air as dusk fell on Saturday. Other images showed rescue workers digging people out of rubble – some alive, many dead. Iran is crisscrossed by major fault lines and has suffered several devastating earthquakes in recent years, including a 6.6 magnitude quake in 2003 that reduced the historic southeastern city of Bam to dust and killed about 31,000 people. Saturday’s quakes struck in East Azerbaijan province, a mountainous region that neighbors Azerbaijan and Armenia to the north. Buildings in Tabriz, the provincial capital, are substantially built and ISNA reported nobody in the city had been killed or hurt. Homes and business premises in Iranian villages, however, are often made of concrete blocks or mud brick that can crumble and collapse in a strong quake. Water, electricity, and phone lines in the area of Varzaghan are all down, further hindering rescue efforts, Iran’s English-language Press TV reported. Tabriz residents left their homes and crowded the streets following the two quakes, those in the city said. “Everyone was scared last night,” a resident said by telephone. “They set up tents and were sleeping in the streets and in parks.” Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday expressing his sympathy and offering assistance, the Kremlin’s press service said. Pope Benedict XVI asked Christians to pray for the victims of the quakes.

Tsunami Information

Pacific Ocean Region
Date/Time (UTC)	Message	Location	Magnitude	Depth	Status	Details
14.08.2012 03:09 AM			0	0 km

Read the Tsunami Information

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in , Pacific Ocean

GuID:	pacific.TIBPAC.1970.01.14.0309
Date/Time:	2012-08-14 03:09:17
Source:	PTWC
Area:	Pacific Ocean
Location:
Magnitude:	M 0
Depth:	0 km
Tsunami observed:	Not observed.

Original Bulletin

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in , Pacific Ocean

000
WEPA42 PHEB 140309
TIBPAC

TSUNAMI BULLETIN NUMBER 001

**********************************************************************************************************

Volcanic Activity

13.08.2012

Volcano Activity

Iceland

Myrdalsjokull Icecap, [Katla Volcano]

Volcano Activity in Iceland on Monday, 13 August, 2012 at 12:28 (12:28 PM) UTC.

Description

An earthquake of the magnitude 2.7 hit just north of Goðabunga in Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which covers the volcano Katla in South Iceland, around 8:30 am yesterday morning. It was part of a swarm of minor earthquakes. The second-largest had a magnitude of 1.8. The Katla area has been rather quiet in the past weeks. There was more activity in the area in the spring when two small glacier outbursts flooded the river Leirá in Kötlukriki and Emstrur, to the west of Mýrdalsjökull, ruv.is reports. The seismic activity then subsided and GPS monitors showed decreasing tension in the lithosphere. Yesterday’s quakes were not connected with any volcanic activity and there has not been any increased flow in glacial rivers originating in Mýrdalsjökull. However, glacial water in the vicinity has smelled of sulfur, according to geophysicist Benedikt Ófeigsson at the Icelandic Meteorological Office, such as in the river Jökulsá at Sólheimasandur and Leirá in Kötlukriki. Katla has been monitored closely by scientists since a major glacial outburst, possibly caused by a minor volcanic eruption underneath Mýrdalsjökull, tore a hole in the Ring Road in South Iceland in July 2011.

…………………………..

Pacific quake swarm woke up underwater volcano

A screenshot of the Pumice island that the volcano is believed to have birthed.
Image by: RoyalW1979 / YouTube

A swarm of more than 150 earthquakes over two days last month caused a previously dormant volcano to erupt 1 100 metres beneath the Pacific Ocean, a scientist says.

The eruption of the Havre Volcano, about halfway between New Zealand and Tonga, is believed to have caused a 7 500 square kilometre floating island of pumice that was encountered by a New Zealand navy ship last week.

Cornel de Ronde, principal scientist of the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, told Radio New Zealand the source of the pumice had been identified in cooperation with French researchers in Tahiti who monitor earthquakes in the south-west Pacific.

“When they looked at their physical records they saw that on July 17th and 18th, there were some 157 earthquakes of magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.8,” he said.

De Ronde said they occurred near the time of the first sighting of the pumice “raft” and when the institute looked at its database it found the Havre volcano which it had previously surveyed.

It was a caldera volcano, like White Island, 50 kilometres off the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island, which erupted last week, but the Havre was not thought to have erupted before, he said.

De Ronde said the pumice island was so light that it had floated several hundred kilometres from the volcano when it was encountered by the HMNZS Canterbury, which took samples last week.

Scientists were also analysing samples of rock ejected from Mount Tongariro, on New Zealand’s North Island, to try to find out why it erupted a week ago for the first time in 115 years.

Published on Aug 10, 2012 by RoyalW1979

A mass of small volcanic rocks nearly the size of Belgium has been discovered floating off the coast.
The stretch of golf-ball-size pumice rocks was first spotted this week by a New Zealand air force plane about 1,000 kilometres northwest of Auckland.
The rocks stretch for about 26,000 square kilometres.
A navy ship took scientists to the rocks Thursday night. Naval Lt. Tim Oscar says the rocks appeared a brilliant white under a spotlight, like a giant ice shelf.
He says it’s the “weirdest thing” he’s seen in 18 years at sea.
“The rock looked to be sitting two feet above the surface of the waves, and lit up a brilliant white colour in the spotlight. It looked exactly like the edge of an ice shelf,” he said.
Lt. Oscar said he had been briefed by GNS Volcanologist Helen Bostock the previous day when the ship first encountered an area of pumice from an undersea volcano.
“I knew the pumice was lightweight and posed no danger to the ship. None the less it was quite daunting to be moving toward it at 14 knots. It took about 3 – 4 minutes to travel through the raft of pumice and as predicted there was no damage. As we moved through the raft of pumice we used the spotlights to try and find the edge – but it extended as far as we could see.”
Scientists say the rocks likely spewed up in an eruption by an underwater volcano. They don’t believe the eruption is connected to the onshore ash eruption this week of another volcano, Mount Tongariro.
Officials say the small rocks pose no danger to shipping.
The Defence Force says the mass of rocks stretches 250 nautical miles by 30 nautical miles.
SOURCE: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10826068

No volcanic activity in Mt. Matutum: Phivolcs

TUPI, SOUTH COTABATO — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has allayed fears of volcanic activity in Mt. Matutum as claimed by residents.

Phivolcs chief Renato U. Solidum, Jr. said in a letter sent to Mayor Reynaldo S. Tamayo on Friday that the observations of smoke and fire coming out of the crater were non-volcanic in nature.

“Ocular inspections at the crater area and seismic records showed that there were no volcanic activities, specifically an imminent eruption, in Mt. Matutum,” Mr. Solidum said.

Rolly T. Visaya, Tupi information officer, told BusinessWorld that weeks prior to the Phivolcs letter, residents of Barangays Acmonan and Kablon in Tupi, and Maligo in Polomolok observed certain developments such as the descent of wild animals from the mountains as well as burnt vegetation.

The locals also claimed to have felt the ground shaking and heard unusual rumblings from the volcano, he added.

To confirm the observations, both Tupi and Polomolok towns sent their rescue teams to Mt. Matutum to get firsthand information through photographs and videos.

From the information acquired, Mr. Tamayo, who also chairs the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Tupi, then requested for Phivolcs’s investigation.

The absence of micro-earthquake activity in the seismic record of the agency’s volcano-seismic observatory at Mindanao State University in General Santos City meant that the phenomenon is not volcanic in origin, Mr. Solidum said.

On the reported sighting of wild animals descending to the lowlands, he said it could be due to scarcity of food or disturbances of their habitat, be it man-made, lighting and other phenomena.

Before Phivolcs’s response, there have been reports of several families from the adjoining town of Malungon in Sarangani province who have evacuated from their houses for safety, Mr. Visaya said.

Mt. Matutum stands 2,286 meters, the 14th highest peak in the Philippines, and has a base that covers the towns of Tupi and Polomolok in South Cotabato and Malungon in Sarangani. The popular trekking destination’s last recorded eruption was in 1911, Mr. Visaya said citing Phivolcs records.

Mr. Solidum explained that a new volcanic vent as dormant volcano reactivates will not dissipate overnight, but will become more vigorous over time.

He explained “that should the volcano end its dormancy and enter a period of magmatic activity, unmistakable signs of unrest will be manifested, such as small ash and gas explosions that can intensify through time, ground deformation, vegetation kill, unabated crater glow at the summit and increasingly perceptible earthquakes.”

Mr. Visaya said Phivolcs national office personnel are in town to further study the volcanic conditions. — Louie O. Pacardo

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Extreme Temperatures/ Weather

Excessive Heat Warning

PHOENIX AZ
SAN DIEGO CA

Red Flag Warning

FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE

RIVERTON WY
POCATELLO ID
BILLINGS MT
RAPID CITY SD
GREAT FALLS MT
MISSOULA MT

Fire Weather Watch

GLASGOW MT

Today

Forest / Wild Fire

USA

State of California, [Near to Spring Valley]

Forest / Wild Fire in USA on Tuesday, 14 August, 2012 at 04:33 (04:33 AM) UTC.

Description

A fast-moving brush fire in Northern California is threatening 500 homes and has prompted officials to evacuate an entire town. Fueled by broiling, dry conditions, the Wye fire off Highway 20 has burned 3,000 acres near the Lake County town of Spring Valley, which was evacuated. “It is burning on both sides of Highway 20 and it’s burning in an easterly direction toward the community of Spring Valley,” Cal Fire Battalion Chief Julie Hutchinson told the Lake County News. According to Cal Fire, a second fire is also burning in Lake County. The Walker fire has burned 2,000 acres. Firefighters were traveling from across the state to help battle both fires.

Today

Forest / Wild Fire

USA

State of Washington, [East of Cle Elum]

Forest / Wild Fire in USA on Tuesday, 14 August, 2012 at 04:31 (04:31 AM) UTC.

Description

A new wildfire burning east of Cle Elum in central Washington is growing quickly and reportedly threatening some homes. A Washington Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman says the Taylor Bridge fire had burned across more than a square mile – or about 800 acres- by mid-afternoon Monday. Fire crews from nearby communities are being called to the scene. The Daily Record of Ellensburg reports that the state Transportation Department is closing a two-mile section of U.S. Highway 97 because of the fire. The newspaper says a stable has moved all of its horses.

Today

Forest / Wild Fire

USA

State of Oregon, [Warm Springs Reservation]

Forest / Wild Fire in USA on Tuesday, 14 August, 2012 at 04:30 (04:30 AM) UTC.

Description

Hot, dry winds Monday afternoon prompted major growth in a week-old lightning-sparked forest fire on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, estimated to have burned 70 to 100 acres of valuable timber. The newly named Waterfall fire, burning about three miles northeast of the Mt. Jefferson summit, is “one we’ve been watching” since a lightning strike from Aug. 5 thunderstorms ignited it, said fire spokesman Clay Penhollow. “We had a crew on, fighting the west side of it today, but it took off on the east” side as winds picked up, Penhollow said, adding that no structures or roads were threatened. Instead, he said, it was burning some “valuable timber,” putting up a plume visible for many miles. An air tanker dropped retardant on the fire Monday morning until it was diverted to another fire in Washington state, Penhollow said. There were two helicopters dropping water on the flames later in the day, with one 20-person firefighting crew on the lines, another on its way and three more ordered up, he added. The fire was moving east down the headwaters of Shitike Creek, but was still more than 20 miles west of Warm Springs, Penhollow.

14.08.2012

Forest / Wild Fire

Canary-Islands (Esp.)

Island of La Gomera, [Garajonay National Park]

Forest / Wild Fire in Canary-Islands (Esp.) on Sunday, 12 August, 2012 at 12:27 (12:27 PM) UTC.

LISS: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/monitoring/operations/heliplots_gsn.php

Updated:	Tuesday, 14 August, 2012 at 03:18 UTC
Description
More than 5,000 people have been evacuated from La Gomera, one of the smallest Canary Islands, as forest fires that began nine days ago continue to burn out of control. Nearly 2,000 acres of the Garajonay national park have been destroyed. The evacuees represent a quarter of the population and some 11% of the island’s landmass is in flames. A dry winter and high August temperatures have led to this being one of the worst in many years for forest fires in Spain. On the Spanish mainland, tens of thousands of acres of woodland have been lost in Valencia, Galicia and Catalunya. Two people died fighting fires in Alicante. Humberto Gutiérrez, head of emergency services in the Canaries, says there is no hope of dousing the flames in the short term. “Meteorological conditions are not on our side,” he said. Paulino Rivero, the Canary Islands’ president, said he hoped falling temperatures and rising humidity might slow the spread of the fires.

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Storms / Flooding / Landslides

Active tropical storm system(s)

Name of storm system	Location	Formed	Last update	Last category	Course	Wind Speed	Gust	Wave	Source	Details
Hector (EP08)	Pacific Ocean – East	11.08.2012	14.08.2012	Tropical Depression	270 °	74 km/h	93 km/h	3.05 m	NOAA NHC

Tropical Storm data

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Storm name:	Hector (EP08)
Area:	Pacific Ocean – East
Start up location:	N 17° 30.000, W 106° 0.000
Start up:	11th August 2012
Status:	12th August 2012
Track long:	474.95 km
Top category.:
Report by:	NOAA NHC

Useful links:

Past track
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave	Pressure	Source
12th Aug 2012	05:40:34	N 18° 30.000, W 108° 6.000	20	65	83	Tropical Storm	290	11	999 MB	NOAA NHC
13th Aug 2012	04:46:16	N 18° 6.000, W 110° 42.000	9	74	93	Tropical Storm	270	10	993 MB	NOAA NHC
13th Aug 2012	10:38:02	N 18° 6.000, W 111° 24.000	11	65	83	Tropical Storm	270	16	994 MB	NOAA NHC

Current position
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave feet	Pressure	Source
14th Aug 2012	10:50:22	N 17° 54.000, W 114° 0.000	9	74	93	Tropical Depression	265 °	10	997 MB	NOAA NHC

Forecast track
Date	Time	Position	Category	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Source
15th Aug 2012	18:00:00	N 18° 48.000, W 116° 0.000	Tropical Depression	65	83	NOAA NHC
15th Aug 2012	06:00:00	N 18° 24.000, W 115° 18.000	Tropical Depression	65	83	NOAA NHC
16th Aug 2012	06:00:00	N 19° 6.000, W 116° 36.000	Tropical Depression	56	74	NOAA NHC
17th Aug 2012	06:00:00	N 20° 0.000, W 118° 0.000	Tropical Depression	46	65	NOAA NHC
18th Aug 2012	06:00:00	N 21° 0.000, W 119° 30.000	Tropical Depression	37	56	NOAA NHC
19th Aug 2012	06:00:00	N 21° 0.000, W 121° 30.000	Tropical Depression	28	37	NOAA NHC

Kai-tak (14W)

Pacific Ocean

12.08.2012

14.08.2012

Tropical Depression

275 °

83 km/h

102 km/h

3.35 m

JTWC

Tropical Storm data

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Storm name:	Kai-tak (14W)
Area:	Pacific Ocean
Start up location:	N 16° 36.000, E 128° 30.000
Start up:	12th August 2012
Status:	Active
Track long:	201.36 km
Top category.:
Report by:	JTWC

Useful links:

Past track
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave	Pressure	Source
13th Aug 2012	04:30:32	N 16° 30.000, E 127° 48.000	19	56	74	Tropical Depression	265	15		JTWC
13th Aug 2012	10:04:19	N 16° 36.000, E 126° 36.000	24	65	83	Tropical Storm	275	17		JTWC

Current position
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave feet	Pressure	Source
14th Aug 2012	10:49:50	N 18° 0.000, E 124° 18.000	22	83	102	Tropical Depression	265 °	15		JTWC

Forecast track
Date	Time	Position	Category	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Source
15th Aug 2012	12:00:00	N 20° 48.000, E 121° 0.000	Typhoon I	120	148	JTWC
15th Aug 2012	00:00:00	N 19° 30.000, E 122° 36.000	Typhoon I	102	130	JTWC
16th Aug 2012	00:00:00	N 22° 24.000, E 118° 36.000	Typhoon I	120	148	JTWC
17th Aug 2012	00:00:00	N 23° 42.000, E 115° 12.000	Typhoon I	93	120	JTWC
18th Aug 2012	00:00:00	N 24° 30.000, E 112° 6.000	Tropical Depression	56	74	JTWC
19th Aug 2012	00:00:00	N 24° 54.000, E 109° 6.000	Tropical Depression	37	56	JTWC

Flood Warning

TAMPA BAY AREA - RUSKIN FL
TALLAHASSEE FL
AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO TX
TALLAHASSEE FL

……………………………………

Today

Landslide

USA

State of Wyoming, Pahaska Tepee [Yellowstone National Park]

Landslide in USA on Tuesday, 14 August, 2012 at 03:22 (03:22 AM) UTC.

Description

A mudslide near Pahaska Tepee closed down the East Entrance to Yellowstone Park on Sunday morning. Early morning thunderstorms led to heavy rain and the slide covered both lanes of the North Fork Highway. Chris Jones, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Riverton, said about a half inch of rain fell in under 30 minutes. The same amount of rain in an urban area would cause street flooding, where water would rise above the sidewalks, Jones said. “A half inch in an urban area can cause problems,” he said. The slide caused the east gate to close 6:30-10 a.m. Sunday, Yellowstone spokesman Al Nash said. A truck ended up stuck in the slide. It was traveling in the rain and was on top of the slide, said Jim Berry, maintenance foreman for the Wyoming Department of Transportation in Cody. Berry said traffic began moving again at 9:30 a.m. and the two lanes were open by 12:30 p.m. Jones said the area around the east gate, which has steep sides and sometimes low vegetation, has been known to have slides in the past.

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Radiation / Nuclear

Today

Nuclear Event

USA

State of Connecticut, Waterford [Millstone Nuclear Power Station]

Nuclear Event in USA on Tuesday, 14 August, 2012 at 03:20 (03:20 AM) UTC.

Description

A reactor at the Millstone nuclear plant in Waterford, Conn., has shut down because of something that its 1960s designers never anticipated: the water in Long Island Sound was too warm to cool it. Under the reactor’s safety rules, the cooling water can be no higher than 75 degrees. On Sunday afternoon, the water’s temperature soared to 76.7 degrees, prompting the operator, Dominion Power, to order the shutdown of the 880-megawatt reactor. “Temperatures this summer are the warmest we’ve had since operations began here at Millstone,’’ said a spokesman for Dominion, Ken Holt. The plant’s first reactor, now retired, began operation in 1970. The plant’s third reactor was still running on Monday, but engineers were watching temperature trends carefully out of concern that it, too, might have to shut down. A spokeswoman for the regional grid control center, ISO-New England, said the shutdown had not impaired the functioning of the grid because generation has been more than sufficient. But in periods when industrial demand for electricity has been stronger, a reactor shutdown has sometimes forced grid operators to scramble.

The water from the sound is piped into the plant to absorb heat from pumps and other pieces of equipment. As the sound’s temperature inched upward this summer, Dominion Power received permission from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to measure it at three locations instead of one and to calculate the average in the hope that it would be lower. That did not help on Sunday. And higher water temperatures could lie ahead. The sound’s temperature usually does not peak until late August. Eventually, engineers could change the Millford reactor’s intake pipe so it draws water from further below the surface, where temperatures are lower, Mr. Holt said. They could also sharpen their pencils and try to determine whether the plant can operate safely with cooling water above 75 degrees, but neither is a short-term project. Cloud cover and the mixing of some cooler rainfall might also bring down temperatures, Mr. Holt suggested. While some reactors in inland locations have had to reduce their power output or shut down because of warm cooling water in the past, it is unusual for coastal plants, nuclear industry officials say. “We are evaluating our options for the future,’’ Mr. Holt said. “We don’t know, is this year an anomaly or is it the continuation of a longer trend?’ Power plants in the Midwest have also experienced problems as temperatures soared in recent weeks. In some cases, reactors shut down because the cooling water was too warm; in others, the ongoing drought had shrunken the body of water from which the cooling water is drawn, and the plant’s intake pipes were above the surface. Last month the twin-unit Braidwood nuclear plant in Illinois needed special permission to keep operating because its cooling water pond reached 102 degrees as a result of low rainfall and high air temperatures. When Braidwood opened 26 years ago, it was designed to run at temperatures up to 98 degrees.

………………….

AP News

Potassium iodide tablets being distributed in Pa.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania Department of Health is once again providing free potassium iodide tablets to help residents of the commonwealth prepare for public health emergencies involving nuclear facilities.

People who live, work or attend school within a 10-mile radius of the state’s five nuclear power plants can get the tablets, which can help protect the thyroid gland against harmful radioactive iodine.

The tablets will be distributed Aug. 9 at 14 locations statewide, or can be obtained at state, county or municipal health agencies

Four 65-milligram tablets will be provided to each adult. Smaller doses will be given to children based on their age.

The department says people should only take potassium iodide tablets when directed to do so by health officials or the governor.

‘Severe abnormalities’ found in Fukushima butterflies

By Nick Crumpton BBC News

The study found that mutation rates were much higher among butterfly collected near Fukushima

Exposure to radioactive material released into the environment has caused mutations in butterflies found in Japan, a study suggests.

Scientists found an increase in leg, antennae and wing shape mutations among butterflies collected following the 2011 Fukushima accident.

The link between the mutations and the radioactive material was shown by laboratory experiments, they report.

The work has been published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Two months after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident in March 2011, a team of Japanese researchers collected 144 adult pale grass blue (Zizeeria maha) butterflies from 10 locations in Japan, including the Fukushima area.

When the accident occurred, the adult butterflies would have been overwintering as larvae.

Unexpected results

By comparing mutations found on the butterflies collected from the different sites, the team found that areas with greater amounts of radiation in the environment were home to butterflies with much smaller wings and irregularly developed eyes.

“It has been believed that insects are very resistant to radiation,” said lead researcher Joji Otaki from the University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa.

“In that sense, our results were unexpected,” he told BBC News.

The Japanese researchers have been studying the species for more than a decade

Prof Otaki’s team then bred these butterflies within labs 1,750km (1,090 miles) away from the accident, where artificial radiation could hardly be detected.

It was by breeding these butterflies that they began noticing a suite of abnormalities that hadn’t been seen in the previous generation – that collected from Fukushima – such as malformed antennae, which the insects use to explore their environment and seek out mates.

Six months later, they again collected adults from the 10 sites and found that butterflies from the Fukushima area showed a mutation rate more than double that of those found sooner after the accident.

The team concluded that this higher rate of mutation came from eating contaminated food, but also from mutations of the parents’ genetic material that was passed on to the next generation, even though these mutations were not evident in the previous generations’ adult butterflies.

The team of researchers have been studying that particular species butterfly for more than 10 years.

They were considering using the species as an “environmental indicator” before the Fukushima accident, as previous work had shown it is very sensitive to environmental changes.

“We had reported the real-time field evolution of colour patterns of this butterfly in response to global warming before, and [because] this butterfly is found in artificial environments – such as gardens and public parks – this butterfly can monitor human environments,” Prof Otaki said.

But the findings from their new research show that the radionuclides released from the accident were still affecting the development of the animals, even after the residual radiation in the environment had decayed.

“This study is important and overwhelming in its implications for both the human and biological communities living in Fukushima,” explained University of South Carolina biologist Tim Mousseau, who studies the impacts of radiation on animals and plants in Chernobyl and Fukushima, but was not involved in this research.

“These observations of mutations and morphological abnormalities can only be explained as having resulted from exposure to radioactive contaminants,” Dr Mousseau told BBC News.

The findings from the Japanese team are consistent with previous studies that have indicated birds and butterflies are important tools to investigate the long-term impacts of radioactive contaminants in the environment.

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Solar Activity

2MIN News August 13, 2012

Published on Aug 13, 2012 by Suspicious0bservers

Earthquake/Solar Flare Watch: http://youtu.be/zd7Z6dmABf8 [August 12-18, 2012]
[EXPLANATION Video For Earthquake Watches] Last Quake Watch: http://youtu.be/SMiHsOYwdCs
[Alternative Explanation & Theory]*****Astrotometry™ Response Video: http://youtu.be/DlJAw6x1STc

TODAY’S LINKS
Iran Death Toll: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/13/us-iran-earthquake-idUSBRE87A08N201…

REPEAT LINKS
Spaceweather: http://spaceweather.com/ [Look on the left at the X-ray Flux and Solar Wind Speed/Density]

HAARP: http://www.haarp.alaska.edu/haarp/data.html [Click online data, and have a little fun]

SDO: http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/ [Place to find Solar Images and Videos - as seen from earth]

SOHO: http://sohodata.nascom.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/soho_movie_theater [SOHO; Lasco and EIT - as seen from earth]

Stereo: http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/images [Stereo; Cor, EUVI, HI - as seen from the side]

SunAEON:http://www.sunaeon.com/#/solarsystem/ [Just click it... trust me]

SOLARIMG: http://solarimg.org/artis/ [All purpose data viewing site]

iSWA: http://iswa.gsfc.nasa.gov/iswa/iSWA.html [Free Application; for advanced sun watchers]

NOAA ENLIL SPIRAL: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/wsa-enlil/cme-based/ [CME Evolution]

NOAA Bouys: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/

RSOE: http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index2.php [That cool alert map I use]

JAPAN Radiation Map: http://jciv.iidj.net/map/

Gamma Ray Bursts: http://grb.sonoma.edu/ [Really? You can't figure out what this one is for?]

BARTOL Cosmic Rays: http://neutronm.bartol.udel.edu//spaceweather/welcome.html [Top left box, look for BIG blue circles]

TORCON: http://www.weather.com/news/tornado-torcon-index [Tornado Forecast for the day]

GOES Weather: http://rsd.gsfc.nasa.gov/goes/ [Clouds over America]

EL DORADO WORLD WEATHER MAP: http://www.eldoradocountyweather.com/satellite/ssec/world/world-composite-ir-…

PRESSURE MAP: http://www.woweather.com/cgi-bin/expertcharts?LANG=us&MENU=0000000000&…

HURRICANE TRACKER: http://www.weather.com/weather/hurricanecentral/tracker

INTELLICAST: http://www.intellicast.com/ [Weather site used by many youtubers]

NASA News: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/

PHYSORG: http://phys.org/ [GREAT News Site!]

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Space

Earth approaching objects (objects that are known in the next 30 days)

Object Name

Apporach Date

Left

AU Distance

LD Distance

Estimated Diameter*

Relative Velocity

(2012 HS15)

14th August 2012

0 day(s)

0.1804

70.2

200 m – 450 m

11.54 km/s

41544 km/h

4581 Asclepius

16th August 2012

2 day(s)

0.1079

42.0

220 m – 490 m

13.48 km/s

48528 km/h

(2008 TC4)

18th August 2012

4 day(s)

0.1937

75.4

140 m – 300 m

17.34 km/s

62424 km/h

(2012 OP4)

18th August 2012

4 day(s)

0.1039

40.4

300 m – 670 m

22.54 km/s

81144 km/h

(2012 EC)

20th August 2012

6 day(s)

0.0815

31.7

56 m – 130 m

5.57 km/s

20052 km/h

(2006 CV)

20th August 2012

6 day(s)

0.1744

67.9

290 m – 640 m

13.24 km/s

47664 km/h

162421 (2000 ET70)

21st August 2012

7 day(s)

0.1503

58.5

670 m – 1.5 km

12.92 km/s

46512 km/h

(2007 WU3)

21st August 2012

7 day(s)

0.1954

76.0

56 m – 120 m

5.25 km/s

18900 km/h

(2012 BB14)

24th August 2012

10 day(s)

0.1234

48.0

27 m – 60 m

2.58 km/s

9288 km/h

(2012 FM52)

25th August 2012

11 day(s)

0.0599

23.3

510 m – 1.1 km

17.17 km/s

61812 km/h

66146 (1998 TU3)

25th August 2012

11 day(s)

0.1265

49.2

3.0 km – 6.8 km

16.03 km/s

57708 km/h

(2009 AV)

26th August 2012

12 day(s)

0.1615

62.8

670 m – 1.5 km

22.51 km/s

81036 km/h

331769 (2003 BQ35)

28th August 2012

14 day(s)

0.1585

61.7

240 m – 530 m

4.64 km/s

16704 km/h

(2010 SC)

28th August 2012

14 day(s)

0.1679

65.3

16 m – 36 m

9.56 km/s

34416 km/h

4769 Castalia

28th August 2012

14 day(s)

0.1135

44.2

1.4 km

12.06 km/s

43416 km/h

(2012 LU7)

02nd September 2012

19 day(s)

0.1200

46.7

440 m – 990 m

8.16 km/s

29376 km/h

(2012 FS35)

02nd September 2012

19 day(s)

0.1545

60.1

2.3 m – 5.2 m

2.87 km/s

10332 km/h

(2012 HG31)

03rd September 2012

20 day(s)

0.0716

27.9

440 m – 990 m

10.33 km/s

37188 km/h

(2012 PX)

04th September 2012

21 day(s)

0.0452

17.6

61 m – 140 m

9.94 km/s

35784 km/h

(2012 EH5)

05th September 2012

22 day(s)

0.1613

62.8

38 m – 84 m

9.75 km/s

35100 km/h

(2011 EO11)

05th September 2012

22 day(s)

0.1034

40.2

9.0 m – 20 m

8.81 km/s

31716 km/h

(2007 PS25)

06th September 2012

23 day(s)

0.0497

19.3

23 m – 52 m

8.50 km/s

30600 km/h

329520 (2002 SV)

08th September 2012

25 day(s)

0.1076

41.9

300 m – 670 m

9.17 km/s

33012 km/h

(2011 ES4)

10th September 2012

27 day(s)

0.1792

69.8

20 m – 44 m

12.96 km/s

46656 km/h

(2008 CO)

11th September 2012

28 day(s)

0.1847

71.9

74 m – 160 m

4.10 km/s

14760 km/h

1 AU = ~150 million kilometers,1 LD = Lunar Distance = ~384,000 kilometers

Source: NASA-NEO

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Biological Hazards / Wildlife / Hazmat

Today

Biological Hazard

China

Province of Hainan, Sanya [Howard Johnson Hotel]

Biological Hazard in China on Tuesday, 14 August, 2012 at 04:28 (04:28 AM) UTC.

Description
A suspected food poisoning case on a southern Chinese island led to the hospitalization of 120 tourists on Sunday, including six foreigners, local authorities reported on Monday. The vacationers were sent for medical treatment after their breakfast in the Howard Johnson Hotel in Sanya City in Hainan Province, said Zhou Baocang, deputy director of the Sanya Health Bureau. Twenty-eight people left hospital after treatment, while the other 92 remain in the People’s Hospital of Sanya and No.425 Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army. “No deaths have been reported. The patients are recovering well,” said Chen Weijie, deputy director of the Sanya City Food and Drug Administration. Four of the six foreigners are from Russia and two from Japan, and all of them are in stable condition, Zhou said. Initial investigation showed that the illnesses were caused by food harboring bacteria, and more evidence needs to be collected, Zhou said. Service at the hotel’s restaurant has been suspended. “The fried rice at breakfast might be to blame. The biggest discomfort was suffered by my friend, who had stomach ache and wanted to vomit. Another friend has been suffering from fever,” said a tourist named Li Ximing from south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Hainan provincial government officials have urged local authorities to guarantee the safety of the tourists. Experts have been sent by the provincial government to the scene. An emergency response team has been set up by the hotel and 80 employees have been dispatched to hospital to help take care of the patients, said Wang Li, a spokeswoman for the hotel. The hotel will compensate the patients based on investigation, Wang added.
Biohazard name:	Mass. Food Poisoning
Biohazard level:	2/4 Medium
Biohazard desc.:	Bacteria and viruses that cause only mild disease to humans, or are difficult to contract via aerosol in a lab setting, such as hepatitis A, B, and C, influenza A, Lyme disease, salmonella, mumps, measles, scrapie, dengue fever, and HIV. “Routine diagnostic work with clinical specimens can be done safely at Biosafety Level 2, using Biosafety Level 2 practices and procedures. Research work (including co-cultivation, virus replication studies, or manipulations involving concentrated virus) can be done in a BSL-2 (P2) facility, using BSL-3 practices and procedures. Virus production activities, including virus concentrations, require a BSL-3 (P3) facility and use of BSL-3 practices and procedures”, see Recommended Biosafety Levels for Infectious Agents.
Symptoms:
Status:	confirmed

Today

Biological Hazard

USA

State of New Jersey, [Barnegat Bay]

Biological Hazard in USA on Tuesday, 14 August, 2012 at 03:16 (03:16 AM) UTC.

Description
NBC-10 reports, tens of millions of Jellyfish have invaded Barnegat Bay. The jellyfish have been spotted in Barnegat Bay, Manahawkin in Stafford, Waretown, and the bay side of Harvey Cedars on Long Beach Island. According to Professor Paul Bologna, Montclair State’s Director of Aquatic and Coastal Sciences, the reason for the proliferation of jellyfish could be the use of plastic on the surfaces of docks. He explains sea nettle larvae settle on those surfaces and change into polyps, which bud off to create more of themselves. Another theory from a Rutgers University report: the bay’s ecological decline has spread southward since the 1990s. The declining ecological conditions have become a perfect place for jellyfish to prosper. Whatever the reason, unless they’re looking for a shock to their system, swimmers and surfers should be on the lookout for the jellyfish.
Biohazard name:	Jellyfish invasion
Biohazard level:	0/4 —
Biohazard desc.:	This does not included biological hazard category.
Symptoms:
Status:

Today

Biological Hazard

USA

State of Oregon, [Dexter Lake]

Biological Hazard in USA on Tuesday, 14 August, 2012 at 03:15 (03:15 AM) UTC.

Description
It’s hot and getting hotter, and one more Lane County lake has sprouted a toxic algae bloom. State officials today said that based on scum they have observed, Dexter Lake has toxic blue-green algae, and they issued an advisory that people stay out of the water and avoid touching it or inhaling water droplets. Testing is taking place to determine whether the blue-green algae is of the type that produces cyanotoxins harmful to people and animals, the state said. Dexter Lake, about 20 miles southeast of Eugene on Highway 58, is the third Lane County body of water to merit a blue-green algae alert this summer, and only the fourth in the state. State officials on July 27 issued an alert for Walterville Pond off Highway 126 east of Springfield that is still in effect, followed by a July 31 alert on Dorena Lake southeast of Cottage Grove that is still in effect. Earlier in the summer, the state also issued an alert for a lake in Jackson County that lasted only five days. By comparison, at this time last year, the state had issued algae alerts at seven lakes. Last summer, alerts were issued for Cougar, Dorena, Dexter and Fall Creek lakes in Lane County. Health officials say exposure to the toxins can produce numbness, dizziness and breathing or heart problems, plus skin irritation, nausea and cramps. Dexter Lake is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Oregon State Parks Department.
Biohazard name:	Blue-Green (cyanobacteria) Algae bloom
Biohazard level:	0/4 —
Biohazard desc.:	This does not included biological hazard category.
Symptoms:
Status:

Today

Biological Hazard

USA

State of California, Long Beach

Biological Hazard in USA on Tuesday, 14 August, 2012 at 02:53 (02:53 AM) UTC.

Description
The city of Long Beach issued an alert to residents regarding an outbreak of flea-borne typhus, a disease transmitted to humans via fleas. Murine typhus, also known as flea-borne typhus, is spread from fleas living on rodents, possums, raccoons and cats. The disease is transmitted by bites from infected fleas. The disease is not spread from person to person. Symptoms include high fever, body aches, severe headaches and a rash. People may become sick enough to be hospitalized, but the disease is rarely fatal. Public health officials will continue to monitor and test for evidence of flea-borne typhus in areas throughout Long Beach. Area veterinarians will receive a letter requesting they educate pet owners on the importance of flea control in preventing flea-borne typhus. Long Beach has also issued letters to area health care providers providing guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
Biohazard name:	Typhus (flea-borne)
Biohazard level:	0/4 —
Biohazard desc.:	This does not included biological hazard category.
Symptoms:
Status:	confirmed

13.08.2012

Biological Hazard

Guam

[Pago Bay]

Biological Hazard in Guam on Monday, 13 August, 2012 at 11:11 (11:11 AM) UTC.

Description
Last week dead fish were found mysteriously washing up along the shores of Pago bay. Today PNC went to Pago Bay to investigate the possible cause of this unusual phenomenon. On Thursday of last week a student at the University of Guam’s marine lab noticed a lot of dead fish along the short in Pago bay. He took pictures of the fish and forwarded them to UOG marine lab professor Dr. Jason Biggs. “Well one of the things that set up a red flag for me is that this is the first time that it’s ever been noticed for Pago bay to have a fish kill like this,” said Dr. Biggs. Department of agriculture fisheries biologist Brent Tibbats also examined the photos. He says they appear to be shallow water fish that live in the reef flats and sea grass. Based on the photos, which show that many of the fish died with open mouths, Tibbats believes that natural causes are the most likely culprit. “We do get reports of fish kills almost every year at around this time of year, July and August, when there are very low tides during the hottest part of the day during the middle of the day what happens is fish get trapped in shallow water pools and they overheat and with a lack of oxygen they suffocate actually in the water and then when the next high tide comes in the fish get deposited on shore and people see this,” explained Tibbats. However, as Dr. Biggs has pointed out this is the first time that they’ve seen this at Pago bay. “Over the past we’ve noticed areas where it happens commonly actually are Tumon bay is one and down along the southeast coast kind of from Ipan beach park down to first beach those areas something about them seems to be where fish kills repeatedly during these low tides during the middle of the day,” said Tibbats. Nevertheless Dr. Biggs is concerned that something else maybe the cause of this strange event. “Another thing that we’d like to point out is because it hasn’t happened at Pago bay before that maybe the sedimentation could have the same effect because if you have a big load of water bringing down a lot of dirt with it that dirt could mix with the salt water as well and particulate matter is known to clog the gills of the fish and make it so that water can’t pass and they can’t breathe,” explained Dr. Biggs. The marine lab professor says that choking from sedimentation would also result in dead fish with mouths open as seen in the photos. Pago bay has been known to have a lot of sedimentation after heavy rains. “You can see it every time it rains really hard there’s a plume that goes all the way out and then extends for miles out into the ocean,” said Dr. Biggs. Tibbats says there is no way to tell for sure what killed these fish because he received the email over the weekend and by then the fish were gone. Tibbats says there are other potential causes for example fresh water can flood the reef flats killing saltwater fish. There is also the possibility that toxins from the land are washed into the water. Tibbats says that if anyone notices dead fish washing up on the shores anywhere on guam to try and collect some of the fish and then contact the Department of Agriculture’s Division of Aquatics and Wildlife Resources so they can study the dead fish and get a better determination of their actual cause of death. Senator Sam Mabini is concerned with the dead fish found at Pago bay and she has sent a letter to the Guam Environmental Protection Agency requesting their immediate attention to Pago bay’s current condition.
Biohazard name:	Mass Die-off (Fishes)
Biohazard level:	1/4 Low
Biohazard desc.:	Bacteria and viruses including Bacillus subtilis, canine hepatitis, Escherichia coli, varicella (chicken pox), as well as some cell cultures and non-infectious bacteria. At this level precautions against the biohazardous materials in question are minimal, most likely involving gloves and some sort of facial protection. Usually, contaminated materials are left in open (but separately indicated) waste receptacles. Decontamination procedures for this level are similar in most respects to modern precautions against everyday viruses (i.e.: washing one’s hands with anti-bacterial soap, washing all exposed surfaces of the lab with disinfectants, etc). In a lab environment, all materials used for cell and/or bacteria cultures are decontaminated via autoclave.
Symptoms:
Status:	confirmed

13.08.2012

Biological Hazard

USA

State of Pennsylvania, [Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area]

Biological Hazard in USA on Monday, 13 August, 2012 at 09:55 (09:55 AM) UTC.

Description
A local Boy Scout leader is recovering this week after wrestling with a rabid beaver in the Delaware River. Health officials describe the attack as rare, but say human encounters with wild animals are more common in the summer months. On Aug. 2, Normand Brousseau, 51, of Pine Plains, an assistant scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop 32 out of Elizaville, Columbia County, was swimming in the Delaware River. Brousseau, another leader and four Scouts were on a field trip at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Pennsylvania. Brousseau, who was in the water hanging onto a noodle float, noticed a dark shape nearby. “It came through my legs and attached itself to my chest,” he said. “I thought it was a giant carp fish.” It wasn’t. He was being attacked by a rabid beaver. Once he was bitten, he grabbed the animal and threw it away from his body. “Then it came at me again,” he said. The beaver bit him in the leg and then again in his buttocks, arm, hand and waist. At that point, Brousseau said, “the adrenaline kicked in.” “I grabbed it in its mouth,” he said. “I had it around its bottom jaw as tightly as I could because I knew it was going to either bite me or bite the boys. I called the Scouts to come give me a hand.” One of the Scouts was 16-year-old Nick Hedges of Elizaville. “I grabbed him by the arm and started pulling him to the shore,” Hedges said. The Scout was careful to keep an eye on the beaver, which, he said, was in Brousseau’s grasp about five feet away. Brousseau tossed the animal up onto the shore. The beaver was stunned for a second or two, Hedges said, but “then it started attacking the noodle.” With their counselor hurt and bleeding on shore, the teens took matters into their own hands. “We started throwing rocks at it,” he said. “We could see it was still dangerous.” The Scouts threw stones at the beaver until it was dead. A couple passing by in a canoe took Brousseau to the other side of the river and another passerby called 911. Dutchess County health officials said an attack from a rabid beaver is unusual, explaining that more often people in Dutchess report suspected cases of rabid cats, dogs and bats. “This is the time of year people will encounter more bats because they’re active now — they’re coming into contact with them more often,” said Stephen Capowski, director of environmental health services for the Dutchess County Health Department. Capowski cautioned people to steer clear of animals exhibiting unusual behavior: nocturnal animals such as bats, skunks and raccoons out during the daytime; dogs and cats indiscriminately attacking other dogs and cats, or people, and any animal behaving aggressively. Capowski said human cases of rabies are rare in Dutchess. Park rangers brought Brousseau to the Pocono Medical Center in East Stroudsburg, Pa., where he was treated for his injuries. He’s now on the mend and the parents of Scouts in his troop are feeling grateful. “It was very brave of him,” said Susan Treacy of Stanfordville, whose 15-year-old son, Zach Pruner, was also in the river during the attack. “Who’d be crazy enough to hang onto a rabid beaver?” The day after the attack, Brousseau received a call from a doctor confirming the beaver had been rabid. Since then, he’s received more than 20 rabies shots. “I’m pretty sore,” he said, still appearing bruised with small cuts along his hands and arms Friday. Brousseau brushed off the notion of acting heroically that day. “It’s my job to protect the boys,” he said. “Part of what I do is to make sure they’re always protected.” Brousseau said he has gained a new-found respect for nature. “When you go out into nature, you always need to veer on the side of caution,” he said. “Don’t assume a wild animal is not sick. You have to be on your toes at all times.”
Biohazard name:	Rabies (beaver)
Biohazard level:	3/4 Hight
Biohazard desc.:	Bacteria and viruses that can cause severe to fatal disease in humans, but for which vaccines or other treatments exist, such as anthrax, West Nile virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, SARS virus, variola virus (smallpox), tuberculosis, typhus, Rift Valley fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, yellow fever, and malaria. Among parasites Plasmodium falciparum, which causes Malaria, and Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes trypanosomiasis, also come under this level.
Symptoms:
Status:	confirmed

14.08.2012

Biological Hazard

USA

State of Texas, Jamaica Beach

Biological Hazard in USA on Monday, 13 August, 2012 at 02:50 (02:50 AM) UTC.

Description
Thousands of dead fish are washing ashore along the Texas coast from the Colorado River to Galveston Island and Parks and Wildlife biologists suspect low oxygen levels off shore may be to blame. What tides are bringing in on Jamaica Beach is making people pause. “I hope it’s nothing major,” said Mark Gannon, who took his family to the beach Sunday. “I hope the water is safe.” Thousands of dead shad litter the sand. “Any idea what it is?” asked Gannon’s wife Alexia. Her children tried to explain the problem. “At night time, the waves pull up really far so the fish can’t handle that, so they get up on the shore,” said Abby Gannon. Authorities said the answer is not so simple.　Biologists with the Parks and Wildlife Department began testing ph, saline and oxygen levels in water samples taken along the coast. “When something’s affecting one [fish] then usually a lot of them are being affected at the same time because it’s such a big group [swimming in schools] together,” said Steven Mitchell of Texas Parks and Wildlife. He suspects low oxygen in the water is a problem. However, he won’t know for sure until biologists are able to test water up to 10 miles off shore. That could take several days. Meanwhile, there is no threat to people on the beach, authorities said.　Still, people like the Gannons said their plan to spend the children’s final week of summer vacation on the beach could change a bit. “I imagine as it gets warmer the smell [of the dead shad] will get stronger and we will likely want to go home,” Alexia Gannon said.
Biohazard name:	Mass. Die-off (fishes)
Biohazard level:	0/4 —
Biohazard desc.:	This does not included biological hazard category.
Symptoms:
Status:	confirmed

………………………………..

Major Fish Kill Reported On Texas Coast

GALVESTON (August 13, 2012)–Hundreds of thousands of dead fish have washed up on the beach in Galveston, where crews went to work Monday to remove the dead fish.

Peter Davis of the Galveston Island Beach Patrol said Sunday the small shad fish likely were killed by low oxygen levels in the Gulf of Mexico.

Davis estimated hundreds of thousands of fish have died.

Galveston County health officials said the water is fine for beachgoers.

Biologist Steven Mitchell with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said calm conditions and summer heat may have contributed to the fish kill.

He said there’s a possibility of a dead zone in the water off Galveston.

Testing is expected this week.

Today

HAZMAT

USA

State of Colorado, Colorado Springs [Centennial Boulevard, Thin Metal Parts]

HAZMAT in USA on Tuesday, 14 August, 2012 at 04:34 (04:34 AM) UTC.

Description
Around 100 employees have been evacuated from a handful of businesses on Centennial Boulevard because of a reported chlorine gas leak. The Colorado Springs Fire Department reports the leak occurred inside the Thin Metal Parts building off of Centennial and List north of Garden of the Gods. One person was being evaluated by medical personnel at the scene. There are no other reports of injuries.

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Tags: 'Severe abnormalities' found in Fukushima butterflies, 000, 2MIN News August 13. 2012, 7.3 Mwp - SEA OF OKHOTSK, 7.7 Mwc - SEA OF OKHOTSK, Afghanistan, Africa, Alaska, Arizona, Asia, Atlantic Ocean, Biological Hazard in China, Biological Hazard in Guam, Biological Hazard in USA, Blue-Green (cyanobacteria) Algae bloom, California, California earthquakes 2012 rattle residents; With second quake Wednesday, Canada, Canary Islands, Chile, China, chlorine gas leak, Cluster of earthquakes rattles Southern California, Colorado, Connecticut, Djibouti, Earth approaching objects, Earthquake in Iran, Europe, Florida, Forest / Wild Fire in USA, Greece, Hawaii, HAZMAT in USA, Iceland, Idaho, Indonesia, Indonesian Archipelago, Iran, Italy, Japan, Jellyfish invasion, Katla volcano, Landslide in USA, Major Fish Kill Reported On Texas Coast, Mass. Die-off (fishes), Mass. Food Poisoning, Mexico, Middle America, Middle East, Millstone Nuclear Power Station, Montana, Mt. Matutum, New Jersey, No volcanic activity in Mt. Matutum: Phivolcs, North America, Nuclear Event in USA, Oregon, Pacific quake swarm woke up underwater volcano, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Poland, Potassium iodide tablets being distributed in Pa., Rabies (beaver), Russia, should they worry?, South America, South Dakota, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Spain, Texas, Tropical Depression Hector (EP08), Tropical Depression Kai-tak (14W), Turkey, Two earthquakes in Iran kill 300 and injure 5, Typhus (flea-borne), United States, Utah, Volcano Activity in Iceland, Washington, Wyoming

Comment

Earth Watch Report – Thursday August 9th, 2012

Filed under: Asteroids, Biological Hazard, Drought, Earthquakes, Extreme Weather, Flooding, Global Disaster Watch, meteors, Solar Activity, Space, Storms, Volcanic Events — Leave a comment

August 9, 2012

Earthquakes

RSOE EDIS

Date/Time (UTC)	Magnitude	Area	Country	State/Prov./Gov.	Location	Risk	Source	Details
09.08.2012 11:45:40	2.1	Asia	Turkey	Mu?la	Yatagan		EMSC
09.08.2012 11:46:04	3.4	South-America	Chile	Bío-Bío	Lebu		EMSC
09.08.2012 11:15:44	2.5	North America	United States	Alaska	Ugashik		USGS-RSOE
09.08.2012 11:46:24	4.9	South-America	Brazil	Estado de Pernambuco	Fernando de Noronha (Distrito Estadual)		EMSC
09.08.2012 11:20:30	4.9	South America	Brazil	Estado de Pernambuco	Fernando de Noronha (Distrito Estadual)		USGS-RSOE
09.08.2012 11:46:41	2.1	Asia	Turkey	Sivas	Nasir		EMSC
09.08.2012 10:50:30	2.2	North America	United States	Hawaii	Honaunau-Napoopoo		USGS-RSOE
09.08.2012 10:25:32	2.2	North America	United States	Alaska	Willow		USGS-RSOE
09.08.2012 10:40:23	4.8	Europe	Russia		Kuril’sk		EMSC
09.08.2012 11:00:39	4.6	Asia	Russia		Kuril’sk		USGS-RSOE
09.08.2012 11:01:40	3.7	Pacific Ocean	New Zealand	Canterbury	Tai Tapu		GEONET
09.08.2012 11:02:11	4.9	Pacific Ocean	New Zealand	Southland	Tuatapere		GEONET
09.08.2012 09:25:33	2.7	North America	United States	Nevada	Mina		USGS-RSOE
09.08.2012 09:35:25	2.1	Asia	Turkey	Mu?la	Bodrum		EMSC
09.08.2012 09:30:30	5.2	Atlantic Ocean	Saint Helena	Saint Helena	Levelwood		USGS-RSOE
09.08.2012 09:35:44	5.2	Atlantic Ocean – North	Saint Helena	Saint Helena	Levelwood		EMSC
09.08.2012 08:30:26	2.7	Europe	Greece	West Greece	Rio		EMSC
09.08.2012 08:10:31	4.8	Asia	India	Arun?chal Pradesh	Along		USGS-RSOE
09.08.2012 08:30:49	5.0	Asia	India	Arun?chal Pradesh	Along		EMSC
09.08.2012 07:40:34	2.3	North America	United States	California	Pearsonville		USGS-RSOE
09.08.2012 07:25:20	2.2	Asia	Turkey	Yalova	Korukoy		EMSC
09.08.2012 06:46:08	2.6	North America	United States	Alaska	Lowell Point		USGS-RSOE
09.08.2012 07:25:41	2.9	Asia	Turkey	Manisa	Golmarmara		EMSC
09.08.2012 08:31:08	2.2	Europe	Albania	Dibër	Shengjun		EMSC
09.08.2012 07:26:01	4.5	North-America	United States	Oregon	Yachats		EMSC
09.08.2012 06:40:33	4.5	North America	United States	Oregon	Yachats		USGS-RSOE
09.08.2012 07:26:45	2.2	Europe	Greece	North Aegean	Skopelos		EMSC
09.08.2012 06:20:21	2.7	Europe	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Republika Srpska	Sipovo		EMSC
09.08.2012 06:20:51	4.3	Pacific Ocean – Middle	Solomon Islands		Lata		EMSC
09.08.2012 05:40:26	4.3		Solomon Islands		Lata		USGS-RSOE
09.08.2012 06:21:13	2.7	Europe	Greece	Thessaly	Armatolikon		EMSC
09.08.2012 05:15:32	2.3	Europe	France	Alsace	Eschbach-au-Val		EMSC
09.08.2012 07:50:21	2.6	Caribbean	British Virgin Islands		Road Town		USGS-RSOE
09.08.2012 05:01:58	5.6	Middle America	Mexico	Baja California Sur	Cabo San Lucas		USGS-RSOE
09.08.2012 05:15:55	5.1	Middle-America	Mexico	Baja California Sur	Cabo San Lucas		EMSC
09.08.2012 05:16:26	4.6	Indonesian Archipelago	Indonesia	South Sumatra	Pagaralam		EMSC
09.08.2012 04:35:31	4.6	Indonesian archipelago	Indonesia	South Sumatra	Pagaralam		USGS-RSOE
09.08.2012 04:10:22	2.4	Asia	Turkey	Van	Yuvacik		EMSC
09.08.2012 04:10:44	2.7	Asia	Turkey	Nev?ehir	Kozakli		EMSC
09.08.2012 03:05:25	3.0	Europe	Greece	West Macedonia	Livadheron		EMSC
09.08.2012 02:35:26	2.1	North America	United States	California	Yorba Linda		USGS-RSOE
09.08.2012 03:05:46	2.0	Asia	Turkey	Sakarya	Hendek		EMSC
09.08.2012 08:15:32	3.3	Caribbean	Puerto Rico	San Juan	San Juan		USGS-RSOE
09.08.2012 07:27:05	4.1	Europe	Russia	Tyva	Shagonar		EMSC
09.08.2012 01:35:30	2.8	North America	United States	California	Cloverdale		USGS-RSOE
09.08.2012 07:27:24	3.0	Asia	Azerbaijan	Neftçala	Sovetabad		EMSC
09.08.2012 05:16:49	2.2	Europe	Romania		Paltin		EMSC
09.08.2012 02:00:27	3.3	Europe	Greece	Central Greece	Domokos		EMSC
09.08.2012 02:00:53	5.3	Atlantic Ocean – North	South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands		Grytviken		EMSC
09.08.2012 01:05:31	5.3	Atlantic Ocean	South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands		Grytviken		USGS-RSOE

……………………………..

CORRECTED-Los Angeles rattled by two 4.5 quakes within 10 hours

(Corrects time of first quake to just after 11:20 p.m. in 3rd paragraph)

Aug 8 (Reuters) – A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck near the Southern California town of Yorba Linda for the second time in just over 10 hours on Wednesday, rattling the Los Angeles area, but no damage or injuries were immediately reported.

The latest quake was recorded shortly after 9:30 a.m. (12:30 p.m. EDT) 2 miles (3 km) northeast of Yorba Linda, an affluent Orange County community southeast of Los Angeles that was the birthplace of the late former President Richard Nixon and houses his presidential library and museum.

It was centered about 5.5 miles (9 km) beneath the surface. The earlier temblor occurred at about 11:20 p.m. on Tuesday in about the same area at about the same depth, and was followed by more than a dozen smaller aftershocks overnight, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The two 4.5-magnitude quakes were both felt as far away as downtown Los Angeles, about 35 miles (56 km) away, where rattling and rumbling was felt for several seconds at a time.

Earthquakes measured at 4.5, capable of causing light to moderate damage close by, are considered fairly modest seismic disturbances and are relatively common in Southern California. (Reporting and writing by Steve Gorman; Editing by Cynthia Johnston and Sandra Maler)

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Volcanic Activity

Are Volcanos the New Source of Geothermal Energy?

Scientists pursue volcanos for renewable energy, enormous potential for returns

EGS to compete with fossil fuels and other renewables

Carin Hall

Energy digital

Here’s a scary thought: scientists are testing the idea of pumping water into the sides of a dormant volcano in Oregon at pressures great enough to evoke small earthquakes. Why? Apparently, the boiling bowels beneath our feet hold tremendous promise for geothermal energy.

According to a report MIT submitted to the Department of Energy, two percent of the heat some six miles below the ground could provide 2,500 times as much energy as the country currently uses. By employing a technique called Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), several million gallons of water are blasted at high pressures through artificial wells over 10,000 feet deep. When the water reaches the hot rocks, it returns to the surface through a second well as scalding hot water, where its heat can then be harvested for power.

Backed by the DOE, Google and others, AltaRock Energy and Davenport Newberry Holdings have been exploring ways to tap geothermal energy from the Pacific Northwest volcano, and will put their knowledge to the test this summer at Oregon’s Newberry Volcano.

“We know the heat is there,” Susan Petty, president of AltaRock, told the Huffington Post. “The big issue is can we circulate enough water through the system to make it economic.”

Over the last century, engineers have been tapping the heat in the earth’s crust for power by gathering hot water or steam bubbling near the surface to spin turbines that create electricity. Places with hot rocks lacking cracks or water to deliver the stream is the new frontier. That’s where EGS comes into play.

“Hydrofracking” versus “Hydroshearing”

By drilling deep into the rocks where water is then pumped in, steam can be drawn out, a process known as hydroshearing. Though it sounds similar to hydrofracking, scientists claim that the technique used in this scenario is entirely different, which will not pollute groundwater with toxic chemicals.

But what about triggering earthquakes? The effects of pumping the water deep into the ground will be measured using sensors that will provide microseismicity data to scientists to ensure that the water is getting the right exposure and not triggering seismic activity. Fracking, on the hand, pumps wastewater deep underground, which has likely led to recent earthquakes in Arkansas and Ohio.

The team working on the project will be closely monitoring earthquake activity around sites like Newberry. Furthermore, a new international protocol came out earlier this year urging EGS developers to keep projects out of urban areas, while being upfront with local residents so they know what is going on.

The prospect of a major quake at Newberry is very low, according to Ernie Majer, a seismologist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. No significant faults exist in the area and it is far enough from population centers to make damages highly unlikely. The layers of volcanic ash built up over the millennia hinder any shaking.

“That’s the $64,000 question,” Majer said to the Huffington Post. “What’s the biggest earthquake we can have from induced seismicity that the public can worry about.”

Still, EGS is attractive, because unlike wind and solar, geothermal power is not dependent on weather conditions and it could significantly expand the potential of clean energy in the US. Although natural geothermal resources only account for about 0.3 percent of total US electricity production, MIT predicts that EGS could bump that number up to 10 percent within the next 50 years at prices competitive with fossil-fuels.

From there, the potential is even greater. Throughout the West, where hot rocks are especially close to the surface, geothermal could provide half the country’s electricity, according to a 2008 USGS assessment.

“The important question we need to answer now,” said Colin Williams, the USGS geophysicist who compiled the assessment, “is how geothermal fits into the renewable energy picture, and how EGS fits. How much it is going to cost, and how much is available.”

09.08.2012

Volcano Activity

New Zealand

Northland, [Tongariro Volcano]

Volcano Activity in New Zealand on Monday, 06 August, 2012 at 17:51 (05:51 PM) UTC.

Listen to more on Morning Report

Updated:	Thursday, 09 August, 2012 at 06:24 UTC
Description
It has now been confirmed that the White Island volcano erupted; the first time since 2001. White Island tended to have volcanic episodes which lasted a few months to a few years, so this could just be the start of more to come, GNS vulcanologist Michael Rosenberg said. Scientists were scrambling to figure out yesterday whether the volcano, off the coast of Whakatane, had erupted earlier this week, but a visit to the island this morning confirmed it had. An ash cloud of about 200-300 metres suggested it was a weak eruption, GNS vulcanologist Brad Scott said. “This is the first ash emission from White Island since February 2001 and represents the start of a new phase of volcanic activity at White Island,” Scott said. “Visitors to White Island are now at the highest level of risk since the end of the 2001 eruptions. ‘‘Additional hazards to visitors to the island now include the health effects of volcanic ash and acid gas exposure, including respiratory issues, skin and eye sensitivity to acid gases.” Black ash was still charging out of a vent on the south-west corner of the crater, while new craters had been formed from material ejected from the explosion, Scott said. The island showed volcanic activity at 11.30pm on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after Mt Tongariro erupted for the first time since 1897. Although the two volcanoes are on the same tectonic plate, the eruptions were not connected, Rosenberg said. While Mt Tongariro continued to emit steam and gas, White Island was now only emitting ash. Ashfall from White Island is isolated to the immediate area, which is 48km off the Bay of Plenty coast. The volcano is New Zealand’s most active and largest cone, but only a quarter of it is visible as the rest is under sea. It is privately-owned but is a hot tourist spot, with many sight-seeing tours by either boat or plane. The last big eruption, in 2000, saw a new vent develop, displaced the main crater lake and formed a new 150 metre-wide crater. It followed a series of eruption episodes, which first started in 1998 and ended in February, 2001, Rosenberg said.

New lakes formed by Mt Tongariro’s eruption

The Department of Conservation says three new lakes have been created by Mount Tongariro’s eruption on Monday night.

The weather improved enough on Wednesday morning for a helicopter carrying a team of scientists to fly over Te Maari craters for the first time since the eruption.

DoC’s Nic Peet says a stream that flows from the crater has been dammed by material from the volcano, forming three new lakes.

He says heavy rain may cause the lakes to overflow and for water to head down the mountain.

Steam billowing from the Te Maari area, as seen from the base of the Alpine Crossing.

PHOTO: RNZ

But it is estimated there is only up to 10,000 cubic metres of water that is dammed, which is smaller than the crater lake atop Mount Ruapehu.

GNS Science says there was also a debris flow streaming 2 km from the crater that destroyed everything in its path.

No further volcanic activity has been noted on Mt Tongariro but steam is still billowing from the Te Maari craters that erupted on Monday night, and authorities remain on alert.

Reporting from the base of the mountain on Wednesday morning, a Radio New Zealand reporter said steam was pouring from vents around the craters about one and a half kilometres from Ketetahi Hut.

GNS Science says three new vents formed in the eruption. One is thought to be at the northern end of the mountain peak and two are close together at the southern end.

Tape and traffic cones are blocking access to the Ketetahi carpark, as the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is currently closed, as are four huts on the mountain.

Weather conditions improved enough on Wednesday morning to allow an observation flight to go up and give scientists their first proper look at the mountain since the eruption: low cloud had prevented earlier efforts.

GNS Science vulcanologist Craig Miller says they hope to gather data that can be compared to data in recorded before the eruption.

He says a vehicle on the road below the mountain will also be taking readings from the plume of steam coming off Tongariro to measure the concentration of gas and what type of gases they are.

The official threat warning was lifted on Tuesday afternoon, but the mountain is still steaming and scientists say it could erupt again at any time with little or no warning.

Today

Volcano Activity

Colombia

Departmento de Cauca, [Sotara volcano]

Volcano Activity in Colombia on Thursday, 09 August, 2012 at 07:46 (07:46 AM) UTC.

Description

The recent increase in seismic activity under Sotarà volcano promted INGEOMINAS to raise the alert level from yellow (unrest) to orange (eruption warning) yesterday afternoon. The increase had been detected on June 24, 2012 and since that date, 6891 earthquakes have been recorded, i.e. an average of 150 quakes per day. Most of them (5177) are of very small magnitude, but the remaining 1714 quakes were of significant energy (local magnitudes 0.1-2.2) and concentrated in an area between 0.1 and 5 km northeast of the volcanic summit at depths between 2 and 6 km. None of these events were felt by inhabitants of the communities surrounding the volcano Sotará. The deformation network shows a possible inflation process towards the northeast sector of the volcano, which correlates with the epicentral zone of seismicity reported and suggest that magma is rising there, and might (or might not) lead to an eruption in a near to medium future. During the month of July geochemical surveys showed no significant changes in temperatures of hot springs in the area. INGEOMINAS stresses that this activity does not pose any immediate danger to the communities aroud the volcano. However, it should be said as well that this could change quickly.

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Extreme Temperatures/ Weather

Today

Heat Wave

USA

State of California, [Southern regions]

Heat Wave in USA on Thursday, 09 August, 2012 at 06:00 (06:00 AM) UTC.

Description

Several record-high temperatures for the day were set Wednesday as Southern California continued to sizzle in a summer heat wave that could become even hotter in the coming days. Woodland Hills peaked at 107 degrees, breaking by 1 degree a record that was set in 1982, the National Weather Service said. Records were also set in Riverside County. Ramona hit 101 degrees. That broke a record of 99 set in 1998, forecasters said. Th desert community of Thermal hit 115 degrees, which beat a record of 114 recorded in 2004. Triple-digit temperatures were also recorded in places such as Palmdale, which topped out at 107 degrees, and Elsinore, where the high was 111 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Downtown Los Angeles at USC was 89 degrees. Forecasters said Thursday and Friday could be the hottest days. The heat could couple with monsoonal moisture, sparking thunderstorms in mountain and valley areas.

Today

Heat Wave

USA

State of Nevada, [Las Vegas valley]

Heat Wave in USA on Thursday, 09 August, 2012 at 03:14 (03:14 AM) UTC.

Description

The Las Vegas valley is under an excessive heat warning until 9 p.m. Friday. Anyone out in the heat is advised to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses. Drink more water than usual and avoid alcohol, sugary drinks and very cold drinks, the Centers for Disease Control advises. The elderly, very young children and people with mental illness or chronic diseases are the most vulnerable. “Because heat-related deaths are preventable, people need to be aware of who is at greatest risk and what actions can be taken to prevent a heat-related illness or death,” the CDC reported. The warning went into effect at noon for areas below 4,000 feet in elevation. Several additional cooling stations opened Wednesday to assist those looking to get out of the heat. Because of a state law, NV Energy customers who are behind on their power bills will not have their power shut off on them during the heat wave. The daytime temperatures are expected to remain above 110 degrees for the next five to seven days.

08.08.2012

Heat Wave

USA

State of Arizona, Phoenix

Heat Wave in USA on Wednesday, 08 August, 2012 at 11:25 (11:25 AM) UTC.

Description

Valley agencies scrambled to beat the heat Tuesday as scorching temperatures soared over 110 degrees – as they will continue to for the rest of the week. “We are just going to sit in the heat,” said spokesman Mark O’Malley of the National Weather Service in Phoenix. “Down here in the Valley, it’s going to get between 110 to 115 degrees every single day through the weekend.” The National Weather Service extended its excessive-heat warning through Sunday evening. A very strong high-pressure system that ripped through Texas and Oklahoma, setting record highs there, is to blame for the unusually high temperatures that also are lasting an unusually long time, O’Malley said. Relief is on the horizon toward the middle of next week. The Phoenix Fire Department saw a spike in heat-related calls for exhaustion and dehydration, said spokesman Capt. Scott McDonald. He advised people to limit their outdoor exposure and to stay hydrated. In one case Tuesday, a 25-year-old lost hiker suffering from dehydration was rescued by paramedics and flown off Camelback Mountain by helicopter, McDonald said. Those hoping to escape the heat for other climes might see their plans temporarily foiled:The Federal Aviation Administration said flight delays are possible with such extreme heat, though no flights had been delayed as of Tuesday evening. On the ground, with temperatures on asphalt or concrete rising 15 to 20 degrees above air temperatures, Arizona Department of Transportation crews were advised to drink enough fluids, take adequate rest breaks, wear protective sun gear and use a buddy system to watch for early signs of heat-related illness in their co-workers. As of late Tuesday, no ADOT employees reported heat-related illnesses this week, but there have been three reports of non-fatal heat-related illnesses this summer, said spokesman Dustin Krugel. For the Valley’s poor and homeless residents, there was added help, too. The Salvation Army has been providing chilled water at stations throughout the Valley and will continue to do so today. On Monday, the charity distributed more than 1,260 bottles, said Melissa Axman, community-relations director. Additionally, Central Arizona Shelter Services is working with the Lodestar Day Resource Center to provide extra beds this week for homeless people seeking heat relief, officials said. As for how to stay cool, just use common sense, McDonald said. “Stay hydrated, stay inside, limit your time in the heat.”

…………………………………..

Brutal July heat a new U.S. record

By the CNN Wire Staff

(CNN) — The July heat wave that wilted crops, shriveled rivers and fueled wildfires officially went into the books Wednesday as the hottest single month on record for the continental United States.

The average temperature across the Lower 48 was 77.6 degrees Fahrenheit, 3.3 degrees above the 20th-century average, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration reported. That edged out the previous high mark, set in 1936, by two-tenths of a degree, NOAA said.

In addition, the seven months of 2012 to date are the warmest of any year on record and were drier than average as well, NOAA said. U.S. forecasters started keeping records in 1895.

Animated map: U.S. drought in 2012

Drought killing future Christmas trees

Midwest farmers wait for rain

Ag. Secy. on drought relief distribution

Drought is good business for some

And the past 12 months have been the warmest of any such period on record, topping a mark set between July 2011 and this past June. Every U.S. state except Washington experienced warmer-than-average temperatures, NOAA reported.

The high temperatures have contributed to a “rapid expansion” of drought across the central United States, NOAA found. Dozens of cities and towns already have seen the mercury hit record levels this summer, and three states — Nebraska, Kansas and Arkansas — saw record dry conditions between May and July.

That’s battered American farmers’ corn and soybean crops, driven farmers to sell or slaughter cattle they can’t feed and spurred the U.S. Department of Agriculture to designate more than half of all U.S. counties as disaster zones.

Think it’s hot? Imagine living here

NASA scientist links climate change, extreme weather

Past 12 months warmest ever recorded in U.S.

S. Korea heatwave kills more than 830,000 poultry

by Staff Writers
Seoul (AFP)

South Korea’s extended heatwave has taken its toll on both humans and animals, with more than 830,000 chickens or other poultry reported dead as of Wednesday.

The agriculture ministry said 786,512 chickens, 40,780 ducks, 3,000 quail, 336 pigs and five cows have died since July 20, when the peak temperature began hovering above 33 Celsius (91.4 Fahrenheit) in most areas.

The stifling heat also killed seven people in June and July, the health ministry said, mostly elderly people working in fields or greenhouses.

Temperatures have stayed above 35 C for 12 days in much of the country, causing massive blooms of algae in rivers.

Sales of electric fans and air conditioners have soared. On Monday the state power company warned that reserves were dangerously low and urged people to switch off appliances, as usage reached a record.

The meteorological administration says relief is in sight starting Friday, with midday temperatures dropping to the customary August figure of 30C from the weekend.

Related Links
Weather News at TerraDaily.com

09.08.2012

Extreme Weather

South Africa

[Statewide]

Extreme Weather in South Africa on Wednesday, 08 August, 2012 at 08:39 (08:39 AM) UTC.

Description

People slowly came outside despite the cold wind Tuesday across South Africa, pointed their mobile phone cameras to the sky and opened their mouths to taste a rare snowfall that fell on much of the country. The snow began Tuesday morning, part of an extreme cold snap now biting into a nation still in its winter months. By mid-afternoon, officials recorded snowfall across most of South Africa. However, forecasters acknowledged snow remains so unusual that they typically aren’t prepared to provide details about snowfall in the nation. The snow closed some roads and at least one high-altitude pass. The snowfall also closed several border posts in the country. As the snow fell, workers at offices in Johannesburg rushed outside. Some twirled and danced as the flakes fell. One man rushed to the top of a snow-covered hill and slid down, using a cardboard box as an improvised toboggan. Despite the cold and the snow, beggars who line traffic lights in the city continued to ask passing motorists for cash. The snow grew heavier in the afternoon in Johannesburg, covering rooftops and slicking roads. Snowflakes are a rare commodity in Johannesburg, even during winter. South African Weather Service records show it has snowed in Johannesburg on only 22 other days in the last 103 years. The last snow fell there in June 2007. In Pretoria, the country’s capital, flurries filled the sky during a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. It was the first snowfall there since 1968, the weather service said. The cold weather is expected to last a few days.

Rare Snowfall Stuns Johannesburg

The Weather Channel

AP Photo

A man slides down a hill after a rare snowfall in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday, Aug. 7. Temperatures dropped to below freezing Tuesday morning as snow flurries blew through South Africa’s commercial hub, dusting the city in white.

AP Photo

People react to the rare snowfall in Johannesburg. The South African Weather Service says extreme cold will blanket much of the nation over the next few days.

JOHANNESBURG – People have poured out of offices, pointed mobile phone cameras to the sky and opened their mouths to taste a rare snowfall now blanketing South Africa’s city of Johannesburg.

The snow started falling Tuesday morning, sending workers rushing outside. Some twirled and danced as the flakes fell. One man rushed to the top of a snow-covered hill and slid down, using a cardboard box as an improvised toboggan. The snow grew heavier in the afternoon, covering rooftops and slicking roads.

Snowflakes are a rare commodity in Johannesburg, even as South Africa endures its winter months. The South African Weather Service says it has only snowed in Johannesburg 22 other days in the last 103 years. The service says snow last fell here in June 2007.

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Storms, Flooding

Active tropical storm system(s)

Name of storm system	Location	Formed	Last update	Last category	Course	Wind Speed	Gust	Wave	Source	Details
Ernesto (AL05)	Atlantic Ocean	02.08.2012	09.08.2012	Hurricane I	270 °	111 km/h	139 km/h	7.32 m	NOAA NHC

Tropical Storm data

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Storm name:	Ernesto (AL05)
Area:	Atlantic Ocean
Start up location:	N 12° 36.000, W 50° 36.000
Start up:	02nd August 2012
Status:	01st January 1970
Track long:	2,886.87 km
Top category.:
Report by:	NHC

Useful links:

Past track
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave	Pressure	Source
02nd Aug 2012	04:08:45	N 12° 36.000, W 50° 36.000	30	56	74	Tropical Depression	285	16	1008 MB	NHC
02nd Aug 2012	12:00:28	N 12° 48.000, W 52° 36.000	33	56	74	Tropical Depression	280	20	1008 MB	NHC
03rd Aug 2012	04:49:11	N 13° 24.000, W 58° 18.000	35	83	102	Tropical Storm	275	20	1005 MB	NHC
03rd Aug 2012	11:05:25	N 13° 30.000, W 60° 42.000	39	74	93	Tropical Storm	275	18	1004 MB	NHC
04th Aug 2012	05:16:42	N 13° 54.000, W 65° 36.000	30	83	102	Tropical Storm	275	16	1003 MB	NHC
04th Aug 2012	10:53:37	N 14° 6.000, W 67° 12.000	30	93	111	Tropical Storm	275	16	1001 MB	NHC
05th Aug 2012	05:35:24	N 15° 24.000, W 72° 42.000	35	93	111	Tropical Storm	285	16	1007 MB	NHC
05th Aug 2012	11:52:35	N 15° 6.000, W 74° 48.000	35	83	102	Tropical Storm	275	22	1007 MB	NHC
06th Aug 2012	05:25:12	N 15° 0.000, W 79° 42.000	24	83	102	Tropical Storm	270	15	1003 MB	NHC
06th Aug 2012	11:46:29	N 15° 6.000, W 80° 30.000	19	83	102	Tropical Storm	275	14	1003 MB	NHC
07th Aug 2012	05:16:51	N 17° 0.000, W 82° 42.000	20	102	120	Tropical Storm	300	18	994 MB	NHC
07th Aug 2012	11:07:07	N 17° 30.000, W 83° 54.000	20	102	120	Tropical Storm	295	15	993 MB	NHC
08th Aug 2012	05:02:59	N 18° 42.000, W 87° 42.000	24	139	167	Hurricane I.	270	20	980 MB	NHC
08th Aug 2012	11:22:26	N 18° 54.000, W 89° 0.000	24	111	139	Tropical Storm	275	16	987 MB	NHC
08th Aug 2012	11:57:22	N 18° 54.000, W 89° 0.000	24	111	139	Tropical Storm	275	13	987 MB	NHC

Current position
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave feet	Pressure	Source
09th Aug 2012	10:56:31	N 18° 42.000, W 93° 36.000	26	111	139	Hurricane I	270 °	24	993 MB	NHC

Forecast track
Date	Time	Position	Category	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Source
10th Aug 2012	12:00:00	N 17° 54.000, W 96° 42.000	Tropical Depression	56	74	NHC
10th Aug 2012	00:00:00	N 18° 18.000, W 95° 18.000	Hurricane I	111	139	NHC
11th Aug 2012	00:00:00	N 17° 36.000, W 98° 6.000	Tropical Depression	37	56	NHC

Kirogi (13W)

Pacific Ocean

05.08.2012

09.08.2012

Tropical Depression

325 °

65 km/h

83 km/h

4.57 m

JTWC

Tropical Storm data

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Storm name:	Kirogi (13W)
Area:	Pacific Ocean
Start up location:	N 23° 6.000, E 161° 36.000
Start up:	05th August 2012
Status:	Active
Track long:	999.62 km
Top category.:
Report by:	JTWC

Useful links:

Past track
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave	Pressure	Source
05th Aug 2012	05:44:20	N 23° 6.000, E 161° 36.000	13	46	65	Tropical Depression	195	10		JTWC
05th Aug 2012	11:53:33	N 23° 24.000, E 162° 12.000	11	65	83	Tropical Storm	17	10		JTWC
06th Aug 2012	05:31:12	N 25° 48.000, E 162° 12.000	9	65	83	Tropical Storm	240	10		JTWC
06th Aug 2012	11:47:17	N 26° 36.000, E 163° 6.000	17	83	102	Tropical Storm	30	18		JTWC
07th Aug 2012	05:20:10	N 29° 0.000, E 161° 54.000	13	83	102	Tropical Storm	330	15		JTWC
08th Aug 2012	04:59:38	N 31° 36.000, E 159° 24.000	26	74	93	Tropical Storm	315	18		JTWC
08th Aug 2012	10:38:07	N 31° 54.000, E 158° 24.000	17	74	93	Tropical Storm	290	18		JTWC

Current position
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave feet	Pressure	Source
09th Aug 2012	10:46:03	N 36° 0.000, E 154° 0.000	28	65	83	Tropical Depression	325 °	15		JTWC

Forecast track
Date	Time	Position	Category	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Source
10th Aug 2012	12:00:00	N 45° 24.000, E 147° 6.000	Tropical Depression	46	65	JTWC
10th Aug 2012	00:00:00	N 41° 24.000, E 149° 36.000	Tropical Depression	46	65	JTWC

Kirogi (13W)

Pacific Ocean

05.08.2012

09.08.2012

Tropical Depression

325 °

65 km/h

83 km/h

4.57 m

JTWC

Tropical Storm data

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Storm name:	Kirogi (13W)
Area:	Pacific Ocean
Start up location:	N 23° 6.000, E 161° 36.000
Start up:	05th August 2012
Status:	Active
Track long:	999.62 km
Top category.:
Report by:	JTWC

Useful links:

Past track
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave	Pressure	Source
05th Aug 2012	05:44:20	N 23° 6.000, E 161° 36.000	13	46	65	Tropical Depression	195	10		JTWC
05th Aug 2012	11:53:33	N 23° 24.000, E 162° 12.000	11	65	83	Tropical Storm	17	10		JTWC
06th Aug 2012	05:31:12	N 25° 48.000, E 162° 12.000	9	65	83	Tropical Storm	240	10		JTWC
06th Aug 2012	11:47:17	N 26° 36.000, E 163° 6.000	17	83	102	Tropical Storm	30	18		JTWC
07th Aug 2012	05:20:10	N 29° 0.000, E 161° 54.000	13	83	102	Tropical Storm	330	15		JTWC
08th Aug 2012	04:59:38	N 31° 36.000, E 159° 24.000	26	74	93	Tropical Storm	315	18		JTWC
08th Aug 2012	10:38:07	N 31° 54.000, E 158° 24.000	17	74	93	Tropical Storm	290	18		JTWC

Current position
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave feet	Pressure	Source
09th Aug 2012	10:46:03	N 36° 0.000, E 154° 0.000	28	65	83	Tropical Depression	325 °	15		JTWC

Forecast track
Date	Time	Position	Category	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Source
10th Aug 2012	12:00:00	N 45° 24.000, E 147° 6.000	Tropical Depression	46	65	JTWC
10th Aug 2012	00:00:00	N 41° 24.000, E 149° 36.000	Tropical Depression	46	65	JTWC

Gilma (07E)

Pacific Ocean – East

07.08.2012

09.08.2012

Hurricane II

285 °

130 km/h

157 km/h

4.88 m

NOAA NHC

Tropical Storm data

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Storm name:	Gilma (07E)
Area:	Pacific Ocean – East
Start up location:	N 14° 18.000, W 111° 42.000
Start up:	07th August 2012
Status:	Active
Track long:	463.57 km
Top category.:
Report by:	NOAA NHC

Useful links:

Past track
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave	Pressure	Source
07th Aug 2012	11:04:55	N 14° 18.000, W 111° 42.000	17	56	74	Tropical Depression	295	12	1007 MB	NOAA NHC
08th Aug 2012	05:00:37	N 15° 24.000, W 115° 0.000	20	93	111	Tropical Storm	285	11	994 MB	NOAA NHC
08th Aug 2012	11:22:52	N 15° 36.000, W 116° 6.000	20	111	139	Tropical Storm	285	15	990 MB	NOAA NHC

Current position
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave feet	Pressure	Source
09th Aug 2012	10:56:01	N 16° 12.000, W 118° 36.000	11	130	157	Hurricane II	285 °	16	984 MB	NOAA NHC

Forecast track
Date	Time	Position	Category	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Source
10th Aug 2012	12:00:00	N 18° 0.000, W 120° 48.000	Hurricane I	111	139	NOAA NHC
10th Aug 2012	00:00:00	N 17° 24.000, W 120° 12.000	Hurricane I	120	148	NOAA NHC
11th Aug 2012	00:00:00	N 18° 36.000, W 121° 24.000	Tropical Depression	93	111	NOAA NHC
12th Aug 2012	00:00:00	N 19° 36.000, W 122° 0.000	Tropical Depression	74	93	NOAA NHC
13th Aug 2012	00:00:00	N 20° 30.000, W 122° 30.000	Tropical Depression	56	74	NOAA NHC
14th Aug 2012	00:00:00	N 20° 30.000, W 123° 30.000	Tropical Depression	46	65	NOAA NHC

…………………………………..

Ernesto Races Across Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula

By RICARDO LOPEZ Associated Press

CHETUMAL, Mexico (AP)

Tropical Storm Ernesto spun across Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula Wednesday after forcing the evacuation of thousands of tourists and fishermen from beaches in Tulum and the Costa Maya.

There were no immediate reports of storm deaths or major damage, though Ernesto ripped down billboards, toppled trees and cut electricity service as it hit the cruise ship port of Mahahual shortly before midnight Tuesday as a hurricane with sustained winds of 85 mph (140 kph).

“In many places the windows were shattered,” said Flori Cruz, a 27-year-old cook from the beach town.

Ernesto had weakened to a tropical storm while moving over land Wednesday, with winds near 50 mph (85 kph), but it was expected to regain hurricane strength after emerging over the southern Gulf of Mexico in a region dotted with offshore oil rigs on course for a collision with the coast near the city of Veracruz.

The storm was located over the southwest part of the peninsula and was moving west at 15 mph (24 kph).

State oil company Petroleos Mexicanos announced Tuesday it was closely monitoring the storm, but did not report any plans to evacuate oil rigs.

Chetumal, the capital of Quintana Roo state, was the closest sizable city and officials moved more than 1,300 tourists there from resorts in Mahahual, Bacalar and other spots that were expected to see heavier rain and wind.

In the city of Tulum to the north, some 6,000 tourists sheltered in hotels away from the beach.

This NOAA satellite image taken Tuesday, Aug…. View Full Caption

Luana Antonicelli, a 23-year-old tourist from Melbourne, Australia, said she and her 20-year-old brother left their beachfront cabana surrounded by tropical jungle and decided to spend the night at the Hotel Tulum, a 20-room, one-story building about two miles (three kilometers) inland.

“The people at our hotel told us to come into town because it’s too dangerous to stay there,” Antonicelli said.

She said most people at the Hotel Tulum were hunkering down inside their rooms even though it was only raining lightly Tuesday night.

“It’s a bit annoying because I want to be on the beach, but these things happen,” Antonicelli said, adding that she and her brother decided to stay outdoors as much as possible. “I see it as an adventure.”

Authorities also prepared two kindergartens in Tulum as shelters, and tourist guide Cruz Garcia came to one from Punta Allen, a low-lying coastal settlement.

“To be over there is a risk because the tide rises and there could be a disaster,” Garcia said, adding that he twice went through strong hurricanes while living in the neighboring state of Campeche.

Soldiers and police evacuated all residents of Punta Allen and other low-lying coastal settlements, said Luis Gamboa of Quintana Roo’s Civil Protection office.

Two cruise ships scheduled to dock on the Riviera Maya put off their arrival.

The storm struck south of the big resort areas of Cancun and the Riviera Maya, but officials prepared shelters there as a precaution.

On its way to Yucatan, the storm swirled over open sea parallel to Honduras’ northern coast, but officials there said the storm hadn’t caused damage or injuries.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Gilma neared hurricane strength in the Pacific Ocean about 645 miles (1,040 kilometers) southwest of the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California, with winds near 70 mph (110 kph). The storm was not expected to threaten land.

———

Associated Press writers Antonio Villegas in Tabasco, Mexico; Alberto Arce in Tegucigalpa, Honduras; and Luis Galeano in Managua, Nicaragua, contributed to this report.

Typhoon sows destruction after landing in China

by Staff Writers
Shanghai (AFP)

A strong typhoon ploughed into China’s eastern coast on Wednesday, the country’s third in a week, knocking down buildings and cutting off power to hundreds of thousands of people, state media said.

Typhoon Haikui made landfall early on Wednesday morning in Zhejiang province south of Shanghai, after authorities moved more than 1.5 million residents out of the path of the storm, the official Xinhua news agency said.

Zhejiang had yet to report deaths or injuries, it added.

The typhoon quickly weakened after landing south of Ningbo city, the China Meteorological Administration said, but warned that Haikui was still packing winds of up to 137 kilometres (85 miles) per hour.

The storm had cut off electricity to nearly 400,000 households in Zhejiang province, Xinhua said. In Ningbo city two houses collapsed including a workers’ dormitory but firefighters rescued all twelve trapped people, it said.

Haikui did not make a direct hit on Shanghai, but officials warned the biggest impact might be from rain and wind later on Wednesday as the typhoon moved northwest through Zhejiang into Anhui province.

Shanghai, mainland China’s financial hub, raised its most severe typhoon signal, red, shortly before midday on Wednesday and urged people to stay home.

The central government was forecasting up to 400 millimetres (16 inches) of rain for some regions affected by the typhoon.

The Shanghai stock market opened for trading as usual, but flights at the city’s two airports were halted and some long-distance train services in eastern China were suspended, reports said.

Construction sites and public parks were ordered to be shut.

“The biggest influence of Haikui should occur today with large gales and heavy downpours,” Xu Ming, a researcher with the city’s weather bureau, told the Shanghai Daily.

Shanghai officials have moved 374,000 people to emergency shelters, amid fears the storm could be the worst since 2005, when Typhoon Matsa killed seven people in the city.

Haikui is the third typhoon to hit China in a week, after two battered other parts of the country over the weekend, killing 23 people, Xinhua reported earlier this week.

Typhoon Saola left 14 dead in the central province of Hubei while nine people were killed in the northeastern province of Liaoning by Typhoon Damrey, it said.

China is hit by typhoons every summer, normally affecting its eastern and southern regions.

Philippine capital battles deadly floods

by Staff Writers
Manila (AFP)

More than a million people in and around the Philippine capital battled deadly floods Wednesday as more rain fell, with neck-deep waters trapping both slum dwellers and the wealthy elite on rooftops.

Monsoon rains that have pounded Manila for more than a week eased slightly overnight, but the government said between 60 and 80 percent of the megacity remained under water, and the bad weather was likely to persist throughout the day.

“The roads in some areas are like rivers. People have to use boats to move around. All the roads and alleys are flooded,” civil defence chief Benito Ramos told AFP.

The death toll in Manila and nearby provinces rose to 20 on Wednesday, including nine members of one family who died in a landslide.

The worst hit parts of Manila were mostly the poorest districts, where millions of slum dwellers have built homes along riverbanks, the swampy surrounds of a huge lake, canals and other areas susceptible to flooding.

In Santo Domingo, a creekside shantytown, mother-of-three Anita Alterano recounted how her family escaped the floods that submerged their one-storey home by walking over the roofs of houses until they reached high ground.

“We initially just decided to climb up on the roof where we were safe but wet. We waited for rescuers but it took so long for anyone to notice us,” said Alterano, 43.

“So we got a rope, I tied myself to my husband and my children, we clambered from roof-to-roof… until we reached a school. But the problem is we have no water and food.”

Alterano spoke to AFP while wading through the waist-deep water trying to get back to her home to salvage some clothes and food.

Nearby, rescue workers from the local fire brigade tried to retrieve other residents still stranded on their roofs. But the fire brigade had only one, non-motorised aluminium dinghy.

Some of Manila’s richest districts were also affected, including the riverside community of Provident where water had inundated the ground floors of three-storey mansions.

Inside the gated village of about 2,000 homes, rescue workers on a motorised rubber boat drove past submerged luxury cars to retrieve children and the elderly from rooftops.

Across Manila and surrounding areas, 1.23 million people were affected by the floods, forcing 850,000 of them to seek help from rescue workers, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Nearly 250,000 of them were sheltering in schools, gymnasiums and other buildings that have been turned into evacuation centres, while others were staying with relatives and friends, the council said.

Despite the chaos which paralysed much of the city on Tuesday, the government ordered its employees and private sector workers back to their jobs, while the stock market resumed trading.

Twenty people were confirmed killed in the latest barrage of rain that began on Monday, the council said, after two other provinces reported their first flood-related deaths.

They brought the number of people killed by the monsoon rains across the Philippines since late July to 73, according to authorities.

The Philippines endures about 20 major storms or typhoons each rainy season, many of which are deadly.

But this week’s floods in Manila, a sprawling city of 15 million people, were the worst in the capital since 2009, when tropical storm Ketsana killed more than 460 people.

The typhoons and storms typically start in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, then roar west towards the Philippines and onwards to other parts of southeast Asia, or further north to Taiwan, mainland China and Japan.

In China, authorities moved more than 1.5 million people out of the path of Typhoon Haikui before it slammed into the east coast on Wednesday morning.

China’s financial centre Shanghai avoided a direct hit, but flights and some train services were suspended there and officials warned the biggest impact might be from rainfall later on Wednesday.

Haikui was the third typhoon to hit China in a week, with 23 people dying in the barrage of storms, according to Chinese state media.

Hurricane Ernesto makes landfall in Mexico

by Staff Writers
Cancun, Mexico (AFP)

Hurricane Ernesto made landfall late Tuesday in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula after churning across the Caribbean Sea and drenching the coasts of Honduras and Belize, forecasters said.

Ernesto — a category one on the five-point Saffir-Simpson scale — struck land near the town of Mahahual in Mexico’s Quintana Roo state, the US National Hurricane Center said, citing radar data from Belize.

The storm — the second hurricane of the Atlantic season — was packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers (85 miles) per hour and was moving west at a speed of 24 kph, the Miami-based center said in a bulletin.

The Yucatan peninsula is home to bustling holiday destinations such as the resort city of Cancun and the island of Cozumel, but authorities in Quintana Roo state noted that there were few tourists in the area where the storm hit.

Nevertheless, state tourism secretary Juan Carlos Gonzalez said more than 200 emergency shelters had been set up to accommodate more than 80,000 people if necessary.

Mexico’s defense ministry said it had mobilized about 1,000 soldiers to remain on alert in the area.

Hurricane warnings were in place along the entire coast of Belize and up the east coast of the Yucatan in Mexico as far as Cancun and Cozumel.

The storm, which began drenching Caribbean countries last week, was bringing high winds and heavy rain. In mountainous areas of Honduras, a total of up to eight inches (20 centimeters) of rainfall was possible, the NHC warned.

“These rains may produce life threatening flash floods and mudslides over higher terrain,” the NHC added.

This is the second hurricane, and the fifth named storm, in the Atlantic Ocean since the season began on June 1.

Chris, which strengthened to hurricane force on June 21, stayed far off land, and vanished without causing any damage.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has forecast a “less active season, compared to recent years.”

The agency predicts there could be between nine and 15 tropical storms before the season ends in November, of which around half could become hurricanes.

The forecasters predict just a handful will become more powerful — and dangerous — category three or higher storms.

09.08.2012

Flash Flood

Philippines

National Capital Region, Quezon City

Flash Flood in Philippines on Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 at 05:30 (05:30 AM) UTC.

Description

Torrential rains pounding the Philippine capital on Tuesday paralyzed traffic as waist-deep floods triggered evacuations of tens of thousands of residents and the government suspended work in offices and schools. Incessant downpours set off by the seasonal monsoon overflowed major dams and rivers in Manila and nine surrounding provinces and put authorities on alert. The death toll from last week’s Typhoon Saola, which battered Manila and the northern Philippines for several days, has climbed steadily to 51. The head of the government’s rescue agency, Benito Ramos, said there were no immediate reports of new casualties early Tuesday after the rains pounded already saturated Manila for more than 24 hours. Vehicles and even heavy trucks struggled to navigate water-clogged roads, where hundreds of thousands of commuters were stranded overnight. Many cars were stuck in the muddy waters. The La Mesa dam, which supplies water to the capital of 12 million people, spilled excess water for a second time early Tuesday into the rivers flowing into Quezon city, a middle-class Manila suburb, as well as the neighborhoods of Malabon, Valenzuela and Caloocan, where several villages were submerged. Along the swollen Marikina River, police were deployed to move more than 5,000 residents away from the riverbanks in what Vice Mayor Jose Cadiz said was an enforced evacuation. The operation started after the City Hall sounded the alarm bell. The Philippine Stock Exchange in the financial district of Makati, which was also flooded, was closed Tuesday. Also closed was the U.S. Embassy along Manila Bay in the historic old city, which was drenched out last week when a storm surge pushed the water over the seawall. “The embassy is closed today due to excessive flooding in the streets and concern for the safety of our employees and consular applicants,” Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. said in an announcement.

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Radiation / Nuclear

08.08.2012

Nuclear Event

Belgium

Province of East Flanders, [Doel Nuclear Power Station]

Nuclear Event in Belgium on Wednesday, 08 August, 2012 at 18:29 (06:29 PM) UTC.

Description

Belgium has halted one of its seven nuclear reactors on suspicion that one of its components might be cracked, the country’s atomic power regulator said Wednesday. “We have found anomalies,” said Karina De Beule, spokesman for the ACFN, the federal agency for nuclear control. The agency is “evaluating these anomalies, if they can cause cracks,” De Beule said, adding that the 1,006-megawatt Doel 3 reactor will remain shut at least until the end of August. The incident–at the moment classified level 1 in a scale where Chernobyl-style explosions are level 7–risks triggering renewed controversy about the use of nuclear energy in Europe, where authorities are seeking to ensure safe operations at sometimes ageing reactors, while at the same guaranteeing a reliable electricity supply. Last year’s atomic scare in Japan has heightened public concerns about the dangers of using nuclear power, prompting several European nations to reconsider their energy provisions. Germany has said it will shut all its nuclear plants by 2022, and Belgium decided recently to stand by earlier plans to exit nuclear energy by 2025. De Beule said that several scenarios are possible, between two extremes: the anomalies might end up being nothing important, or more thorough analysis might find out that they threaten the integrity of the reactor. The news comes as the European Union’s executive body is working on the final version of a report about the safety of Europe’s nuclear plants. The Fukushima accident had such an effect on European public opinion that the EU decided to carry out safety checks, called stress tests, on all of its plants, and the results are due to be released by the end of the year. GDF Suez SA (GSZ.FR), the French energy giant that operates Belgian nuclear plants through its unit Electrabel, confirmed that the reactor will remain closed. “The reactor has been halted since June for regular control. Halt for maintenance has been extended, to allow additional inspections,” a company spokesman said. The incident has no impact on the health of workers, nearby residents or the environment, the company said.

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Climate Change

Research Links Extreme Summer Heat Events to Global Warming

by Staff Writers
Greenbelt, MD (SPX)

Earth’s Northern Hemisphere over the past 30 years has seen more “hot” (orange), “very hot” (red) and “extremely hot” (brown) summers, compared to a base period defined in this study from 1951 to 1980. This visualization shows how the area experiencing “extremely hot” summers grows from nearly nonexistent during the base period to cover 12 percent of land in the Northern Hemisphere by 2011. Watch for the 2010 heat waves in Texas, Oklahoma and Mexico, or the 2011 heat waves the Middle East, Western Asia and Eastern Europe. Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio. Download hi-res visualization.

A new statistical analysis by NASA scientists has found that Earth’s land areas have become much more likely to experience an extreme summer heat wave than they were in the middle of the 20th century. The research was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The statistics show that the recent bouts of extremely warm summers, including the intense heat wave afflicting the U.S. Midwest this year, very likely are the consequence of global warming, according to lead author James Hansen of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York.

“This summer people are seeing extreme heat and agricultural impacts,” Hansen says. “We’re asserting that this is causally connected to global warming, and in this paper we present the scientific evidence for that.”

Hansen and colleagues analyzed mean summer temperatures since 1951 and showed that the odds have increased in recent decades for what they define as “hot,” “very hot” and “extremely hot” summers.

The researchers detailed how “extremely hot” summers are becoming far more routine. “Extremely hot” is defined as a mean summer temperature experienced by less than one percent of Earth’s land area between 1951 and 1980, the base period for this study. But since 2006, about 10 percent of land area across the Northern Hemisphere has experienced these temperatures each summer.

In 1988, Hansen first asserted that global warming would reach a point in the coming decades when the connection to extreme events would become more apparent. While some warming should coincide with a noticeable boost in extreme events, the natural variability in climate and weather can be so large as to disguise the trend.

To distinguish the trend from natural variability, Hansen and colleagues turned to statistics. In this study, the GISS team including Makiko Sato and Reto Ruedy did not focus on the causes of temperature change. Instead the researchers analyzed surface temperature data to establish the growing frequency of extreme heat events in the past 30 years, a period in which the temperature data show an overall warming trend.

NASA climatologists have long collected data on global temperature anomalies, which describe how much warming or cooling regions of the world have experienced when compared with the 1951 to 1980 base period. In this study, the researchers employ a bell curve to illustrate how those anomalies are changing.

A bell curve is a tool frequently used by statisticians and society. School teachers who grade “on the curve” use a bell curve to designate the mean score as a C, the top of the bell. The curve falls off equally to both sides, showing that fewer students receive B and D grades and even fewer receive A and F grades.

Hansen and colleagues found that a bell curve was a good fit to summertime temperature anomalies for the base period of relatively stable climate from 1951 to 1980. Mean temperature is centered at the top of the bell curve. Decreasing in frequency to the left of center are “cold,” “very cold” and “extremely cold” events. Decreasing in frequency to the right of center are “hot,” “very hot” and “extremely hot” events.

Plotting bell curves for the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, the team noticed the entire curve shifted to the right, meaning that more hot events are the new normal. The curve also flattened and widened, indicating a wider range of variability.

Specifically, an average of 75 percent of land area across Earth experienced summers in the “hot” category during the past decade, compared to only 33 percent during the 1951 to 1980 base period. Widening of the curve also led to the designation of the new category of outlier events labeled “extremely hot,” which were almost nonexistent in the base period.

Hansen says this summer is shaping up to fall into the new extreme category. “Such anomalies were infrequent in the climate prior to the warming of the past 30 years, so statistics let us say with a high degree of confidence that we would not have had such an extreme anomaly this summer in the absence of global warming,” he says.

Other regions around the world also have felt the heat of global warming, according to the study. Global maps of temperature anomalies show that heat waves in Texas, Oklahoma and Mexico in 2011, and in the Middle East, Western Asia and Eastern Europe in 2010 fall into the new “extremely hot” category.

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Solar Activity

3MIN News August 8, 2012: Noctilucent Clouds

Published on Aug 8, 2012 by Suspicious0bservers

TODAY’S LINKS
Meteor Smoke: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2012/07aug_meteorsmoke/
China Typhoon: http://www.weather.com/news/deadly-typhoon-china-20120806
Snow in South Africa: http://www.weather.com/news/rare-snow-johannesburg-20120807
Satellites: http://www.rt.com/news/proton-rocket-emergency-situation-024/

REPEAT LINKS
Spaceweather: http://spaceweather.com/ [Look on the left at the X-ray Flux and Solar Wind Speed/Density]

HAARP: http://www.haarp.alaska.edu/haarp/data.html [Click online data, and have a little fun]

SDO: http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/ [Place to find Solar Images and Videos - as seen from earth]

SOHO: http://sohodata.nascom.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/soho_movie_theater [SOHO; Lasco and EIT - as seen from earth]

Stereo: http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/images [Stereo; Cor, EUVI, HI - as seen from the side]

SunAEON:http://www.sunaeon.com/#/solarsystem/ [Just click it... trust me]

SOLARIMG: http://solarimg.org/artis/ [All purpose data viewing site]

iSWA: http://iswa.gsfc.nasa.gov/iswa/iSWA.html [Free Application; for advanced sun watchers]

NOAA ENLIL SPIRAL: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/wsa-enlil/cme-based/ [CME Evolution]

NOAA Bouys: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/

RSOE: http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index2.php [That cool alert map I use]

JAPAN Radiation Map: http://jciv.iidj.net/map/

LISS: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/monitoring/operations/heliplots_gsn.php

Gamma Ray Bursts: http://grb.sonoma.edu/ [Really? You can't figure out what this one is for?]

BARTOL Cosmic Rays: http://neutronm.bartol.udel.edu//spaceweather/welcome.html [Top left box, look for BIG blue circles]

TORCON: http://www.weather.com/news/tornado-torcon-index [Tornado Forecast for the day]

GOES Weather: http://rsd.gsfc.nasa.gov/goes/ [Clouds over America]

EL DORADO WORLD WEATHER MAP: http://www.eldoradocountyweather.com/satellite/ssec/world/world-composite-ir-…

PRESSURE MAP: http://www.woweather.com/cgi-bin/expertcharts?LANG=us&MENU=0000000000&…

HURRICANE TRACKER: http://www.weather.com/weather/hurricanecentral/tracker

INTELLICAST: http://www.intellicast.com/ [Weather site used by many youtubers]

NASA News: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/

PHYSORG: http://phys.org/ [GREAT News Site!]

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Space

Earth approaching objects (objects that are known in the next 30 days)

Object Name

Apporach Date

Left

AU Distance

LD Distance

Estimated Diameter*

Relative Velocity

(2009 BW2)

09th August 2012

0 day(s)

0.0337

13.1

25 m – 56 m

5.27 km/s

18972 km/h

277475 (2005 WK4)

09th August 2012

0 day(s)

0.1283

49.9

260 m – 580 m

6.18 km/s

22248 km/h

(2004 SC56)

09th August 2012

0 day(s)

0.0811

31.6

74 m – 170 m

10.57 km/s

38052 km/h

(2008 AF4)

10th August 2012

1 day(s)

0.1936

75.3

310 m – 690 m

16.05 km/s

57780 km/h

37655 Illapa

12th August 2012

3 day(s)

0.0951

37.0

770 m – 1.7 km

28.73 km/s

103428 km/h

(2012 HS15)

14th August 2012

5 day(s)

0.1803

70.2

220 m – 490 m

11.54 km/s

41544 km/h

4581 Asclepius

16th August 2012

7 day(s)

0.1079

42.0

220 m – 490 m

13.48 km/s

48528 km/h

(2008 TC4)

18th August 2012

9 day(s)

0.1937

75.4

140 m – 300 m

17.34 km/s

62424 km/h

(2006 CV)

20th August 2012

11 day(s)

0.1744

67.9

290 m – 640 m

13.24 km/s

47664 km/h

(2012 EC)

20th August 2012

11 day(s)

0.0815

31.7

56 m – 130 m

5.57 km/s

20052 km/h

162421 (2000 ET70)

21st August 2012

12 day(s)

0.1503

58.5

640 m – 1.4 km

12.92 km/s

46512 km/h

(2007 WU3)

21st August 2012

12 day(s)

0.1954

76.0

56 m – 120 m

5.25 km/s

18900 km/h

(2012 BB14)

24th August 2012

15 day(s)

0.1234

48.0

27 m – 60 m

2.58 km/s

9288 km/h

1 AU = ~150 million kilometers,1 LD = Lunar Distance = ~384,000 kilometers

Source: NASA-NEO

……………………….

Meteor Smoke Makes Strange Clouds

Play ScienceCast Video

Join Mailing List

August 7, 2012: Anyone who’s ever seen a noctilucent cloud or “NLC” would agree: They look alien. The electric-blue ripples and pale tendrils of NLCs reaching across the night sky resemble something from another world.

Researchers say that’s not far off. A key ingredient for the mysterious clouds comes from outer space.

“We’ve detected bits of ‘meteor smoke’ imbedded in noctilucent clouds,” reports James Russell of Hampton University, principal investigator of NASA’s AIM mission to study the phenomenon. “This discovery supports the theory that meteor dust is the nucleating agent around which NLCs form.”

A new ScienceCast video explains how “meteor smoke” seeds noctilucent clouds. Play it

Noctilucent clouds are a mystery dating back to the late 19th century. Northern sky watchers first noticed them in 1885 about two years after the eruption of Krakatoa. Ash from the Indonesian volcano caused such splendid sunsets that evening sky watching became a worldwide past time. One observer in particular, a German named T.W. Backhouse who is often credited with the discovery of NLCs, noticed something odd. He stayed outside longer than most people, long enough for the twilight to fully darken, and on some nights he saw wispy filaments glowing electric blue against the black sky. Scientists of the day figured they were some manifestation of volcanic dust.

Eventually Krakatoa’s ash settled and the sunsets faded, but strangely the noctilucent clouds didn’t go away. They’re still present today, stronger than ever. Researchers aren’t sure what role Krakatoa’s ash played in those early sightings. One thing is clear, however: The dust behind the clouds we see now is space dust.

Mark Hervig of the company GATS, Inc, led the team that found the extraterrestrial connection.

“Using AIM’s Solar Occultation for Ice Experiment (SOFIE), we found that about 3% of each ice crystal in a noctilucent cloud is meteoritic,” says Hervig.

The inner solar system is littered with meteoroids of all shapes and sizes–from asteroid-sized chunks of rock to microscopic specks of dust. Every day Earth scoops up tons of the material, mostly the small stuff. When meteoroids hit our atmosphere and burn up, they leave behind a haze of tiny particles suspended 70 km to 100 km above Earth’s surface.

It’s no coincidence that NLCs form 83 km high, squarely inside the meteor smoke zone.

Astronauts on board the ISS took this picture of noctilucent clouds near the top of Earth’s atmosphere on July 13, 2012. Larger image

Specks of meteor smoke act as gathering points where water molecules can assemble themselves into ice crystals. The process is called “nucleation.”

Nucleation happens all the time in the lower atmosphere. In ordinary clouds, airborne specks of dust and even living microbes can serve as nucleation sites. Tiny ice crystals, drops of water, and snowflakes grow around these particles, falling to Earth if and when they become heavy enough.

Nucleating agents are especially important in the ethereal realm of NLCs. The clouds form at the edge of space where the air pressure is little more than vacuum. The odds of two water molecules meeting is slim, and of sticking together slimmer still.

Meteor smoke helps beat the odds. According AIM data, ice crystals can grow around meteoritic dust to sizes ranging from 20 to 70 nanometers. For comparison, cirrus clouds in the lower atmosphere where water is abundant contain crystals 10 to 100 times larger.

The small size of the ice crystals explains the clouds’ blue color. Small particles tend to scatter short wavelengths of light (blue) more strongly than long wavelengths (red). So when a beam of sunlight hits an NLC, blue is the color that gets scattered down to Earth.

Meteor smoke explains much about NLCs, but a key mystery remains: Why are the clouds brightening and spreading?

In the 19th century, NLCs were confined to high latitudes—places like Canada and Scandinavia. In recent times, however, they have been spotted as far south as Colorado, Utah and Nebraska. The reason, Russell believes, is climate change. One of the greenhouse gases that has become more abundant in Earth’s atmosphere since the 19th century is methane. It comes from landfills, natural gas and petroleum systems, agricultural activities, and coal mining.

It turns out that methane boosts NLCs.

A graphic prepared by Prof. James Russell of Hampton University shows how methane, a greenhouse gas, boosts the abundance of water at the top of Earth’s atmosphere. This water freezes around “meteor smoke” to form icy noctilucent clouds.

Russell explains: “When methane makes its way into the upper atmosphere, it is oxidized by a complex series of reactions to form water vapor. This extra water vapor is then available to grow ice crystals for NLCs.”

If this idea is correct, noctilucent clouds are a sort of “canary in a coal mine” for one of the most important greenhouse gases.

And that, says Russell, is a great reason to study them. “Noctilucent clouds might look alien, but they’re telling us something very important about our own planet.”
Author: Dr. Tony Phillips| Production editor: Dr. Tony Phillips | Credit: Science@NASA

More Information

AIM (Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere) — mission home page

Strange Clouds — Science@NASA

Realtime Noctilucent Cloud Photo Gallery — spaceweather.com

NLC Observing tips: Look west 30 to 60 minutes after sunset when the Sun has dipped 6^o to 16^o below the horizon. If you see luminous blue-white tendrils spreading across the sky, you’ve probably spotted a noctilucent cloud. Although noctilucent clouds appear most often at arctic latitudes, they have been sighted in recent years as far south as Colorado, Utah and Nebraska. NLCs are seasonal, appearing most often in late spring and summer. In the northern hemisphere, the best time to look would be between mid-May and the end of August.

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Earth

A Brand New “Blue Marble” View of Earth

by Nancy Atkinson

Want to stay on top of all the space news? Follow @universetoday on Twitter

Europe’s latest geostationary weather satellite has captured its first image of Earth, and it’s a beauty! The Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) instrument on the Meteosat Second Generation-3 (MSG-3) satellite was launched on July 5, 2012, and has since been in the commission stage. ESA says it will still be a couple of months before it is ready for operations.

SEVIRI provides enhanced weather coverage for Europe and Africa in order to improve very short range forecasts, in particular for rapidly developing thunder storms or fog. It scans Earth’s surface and atmosphere every 15 minutes in 12 different wavelengths, to track cloud development. SEVIRI can pick out features as small as a kilometer across in the visible bands, and three kilometers in the infrared.

MSG-3 is the third in a series of four satellites. In addition to its weather-watching mission and collection of climate records, MSG-3 has two secondary payloads.

The Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget sensor measures both the amount of solar energy that is reflected back into space and the infrared energy radiated by the Earth system, to better understand climate processes.

A Search & Rescue transponder will turn the satellite into a relay for distress signals from emergency beacons.

You can see a high resolution version of the image from ESA here.

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Biological Hazards / Wildlife / Hazmat Environmental Pollution

Today

Biological Hazard

USA

State of Colorado, [Logan County]

Biological Hazard in USA on Thursday, 09 August, 2012 at 03:21 (03:21 AM) UTC.

Description
A deadly disease that hasn’t been seen in Colorado for 31-years has been found in the northeast part of state. The Colorado Department of Agriculture is currently investigating an anthrax case in Logan County; one deceased cow is confirmed to have been infected with the disease, approximately 50 dead cattle are suspected to have been exposed. One location has tested positive and adjacent ranchers are being notified. No cattle left the location prior to the quarantine. No cattle entered the food chain. “The risk is minimal outside the affected ranch. We believe, at this point, that anthrax is confined to that specific premises,” said State Veterinarian, Dr. Keith Roehr. “Colorado has not had an anthrax case in 31 years but anthrax outbreaks are not uncommon in the Western United States. We are dedicated to providing the necessary response to ensure that the investigation works quickly to limit the spread of this disease.” The premises has been quarantined and people, cattle, and equipment that may have come into contact with anthrax are being monitored during this investigation. “Our focus is on the potential for human exposure,” said Dr. Tony Cappello, district public health administrator for the Northeast Colorado Health Department.”We are currently conducting our own public health investigation and contacting individuals that have been involved with the livestock. Anthrax is not spread from person to person and exposure is limited only to those who had contact with the affected cattle or the immediate area.” Anthrax can develop naturally in soil; the spores can become active in association with periods of marked climatic or ecologic change such as heavy rainfall, flooding or drought which can then expose the anthrax spores to grazing livestock. Outbreaks of anthrax are commonly associated with neutral or alkaline soils. In these areas the spores apparently revert to the vegetative form and multiply to infectious levels so that cattle, horses, mules, sheep and goats may readily become infected when grazing such areas. Anthrax is a serious disease because it can cause the rapid loss of a large number of animals in a very short time. Often, animals are found dead with no illness detected. Appropriate carcass disposal is being used to prevent further soil contamination. Producers should consult their veterinarians and vaccinate their livestock, if deemed appropriate. Humans or animals can become infected by coming in contact with infected animals, soil or water. Anthrax infection can be treated with antibiotics, especially if caught in the early stages.
Biohazard name:	Anthrax (cow)
Biohazard level:	4/4 Hazardous
Biohazard desc.:	Viruses and bacteria that cause severe to fatal disease in humans, and for which vaccines or other treatments are not available, such as Bolivian and Argentine hemorrhagic fevers, H5N1(bird flu), Dengue hemorrhagic fever, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, hantaviruses, Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and other hemorrhagic or unidentified diseases. When dealing with biological hazards at this level the use of a Hazmat suit and a self-contained oxygen supply is mandatory. The entrance and exit of a Level Four biolab will contain multiple showers, a vacuum room, an ultraviolet light room, autonomous detection system, and other safety precautions designed to destroy all traces of the biohazard. Multiple airlocks are employed and are electronically secured to prevent both doors opening at the same time. All air and water service going to and coming from a Biosafety Level 4 (P4) lab will undergo similar decontamination procedures to eliminate the possibility of an accidental release.
Symptoms:
Status:	confirmed

Today

Biological Hazard

China

Province of Jiangsu, Lianyungang [Ganyu County]

Biological Hazard in China on Thursday, 09 August, 2012 at 03:20 (03:20 AM) UTC.

Description
Two villagers are being treated at a local hospital for anthrax, an infectious disease, in Ganyu county, Lianyungang, East China’s Jiangsu Province. “There are indeed two villagers who have diagnosed of anthrax in the county, but we are not very clear on the details,” an unidentified staffer at the disease control and prevention center of Lianyungang, told the Global Times. The two villagers were sent to the Lianyungang No.4 People’s Hospital with swollen, festering and blackened skin. Laboratory tests confirmed they are suffering from the highly infectious disease. Five other villages with skin irritations have been quarantined. The seven villagers, along with three others, slaughtered a sick bull that had been transported from another province. The three villagers who have not shown any symptoms are taking preventive medication. The source of anthrax infection is herbivores including cattle, sheep and mules. It is listed as a Grade-B infectious disease by Chinese authorities. Anyone who comes in close contact with an animal stricken by anthrax will be infected. “Every year China has anthrax cases, which can be treated with antibiotics,” reported guokr.com, a Chinese science website.
Biohazard name:	Anthrax
Biohazard level:	4/4 Hazardous
Biohazard desc.:	Viruses and bacteria that cause severe to fatal disease in humans, and for which vaccines or other treatments are not available, such as Bolivian and Argentine hemorrhagic fevers, H5N1(bird flu), Dengue hemorrhagic fever, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, hantaviruses, Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and other hemorrhagic or unidentified diseases. When dealing with biological hazards at this level the use of a Hazmat suit and a self-contained oxygen supply is mandatory. The entrance and exit of a Level Four biolab will contain multiple showers, a vacuum room, an ultraviolet light room, autonomous detection system, and other safety precautions designed to destroy all traces of the biohazard. Multiple airlocks are employed and are electronically secured to prevent both doors opening at the same time. All air and water service going to and coming from a Biosafety Level 4 (P4) lab will undergo similar decontamination procedures to eliminate the possibility of an accidental release.
Symptoms:
Status:	confirmed

Today

Biological Hazard

USA

State of Georgia, Cornelia

Biological Hazard in USA on Thursday, 09 August, 2012 at 03:16 (03:16 AM) UTC.

Description
Cornelia officials are urging people who live within about one-half mile of Irvin and Hoyt streets to exercise extra caution as a possibly rabid cat is loose in that area. “At approximately 7:30 [Wednesday] morning, I received a call from dispatch alerting me of a person that had called in on Irvin Street … and reported that a cat had attacked her at the addresses around 356 and 367 Irvin Street,” said Cornelia Animal Control Officer Corey Palmer. “She advised dispatch that the cat just came out and attacked her. It had no provocation.” “That’s a tell-tale sign of rabies,” said Cornelia Chief Marshal Jeff Barron. Palmer and Animal Control Officer Richard Burton responded to Irvin Street. Upon pulling up near the old Fleming Foodservice building, Palmer said another vehicle stopped and told him she had been bitten as well, but had not had a chance to report it yet. “She got attacked,” Palmer said. “She said she came out to her car and the cat was underneath the car, and it just came out from underneath, no big deal. Then, all of a sudden, the cat was crawling up her leg and bit her.”The ACOs began looking for the cat, but had no luck locating it. A black cat that was located was shown to the victim, who said it was not the one that attacked her. Shortly thereafter, a person living on Hoyt Street reported that he had gotten scratched by the cat. That was the last time anyone had contact with the cat, until shortly after 1 p.m. At that time, the cat was reported to be in the area of the former Fleming Foodservice on Irvin Street. Animal control officers again responded, with no contact with the cat. Prior to the second sighting, the cat’s initial victim, who asked that her name not be used, described what happened when she was attacked. “I was walking down Irvin Street to Fieldale,” the victim said, adding the cat was coming down the road across from house number 367. “The cat was coming down that road and it starts running at me, and it just runs up the back of my leg and grabs a hold and bites me,” she said. She said the cat later got her hand when she tried to shield a woman and children that were walking by the animal. The cat remained at large late Wednesday afternoon. City officials ask those in the area to take extra precautions when walking, to keep their pets inside, and to closely monitor children playing outside until the animal has been caught.
Biohazard name:	Rabies (cat)
Biohazard level:	3/4 Hight
Biohazard desc.:	Bacteria and viruses that can cause severe to fatal disease in humans, but for which vaccines or other treatments exist, such as anthrax, West Nile virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, SARS virus, variola virus (smallpox), tuberculosis, typhus, Rift Valley fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, yellow fever, and malaria. Among parasites Plasmodium falciparum, which causes Malaria, and Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes trypanosomiasis, also come under this level.
Symptoms:
Status:	suspected

Today

Biological Hazard

USA

State of Texas, Pflugerville

Biological Hazard in USA on Thursday, 09 August, 2012 at 03:11 (03:11 AM) UTC.

Description
A swarm of Africanized bees attacked four people and shut down a business park in Pflugerville Wednesday morning. The intersection around Rowe Ln. and FM 685 was shut down for nearly four hours while emergency crews worked to round up the buzzing pests. The colony of bees, which reportedly numbered between 100 and 200 thousand, had built their hive in some old office furniture that was disposed of in front of a local business in the area. As an employee walked into his place of employment, located on Rowe Ln., the bees became agitated and started to attack. The man was taken to the hospital with more than 300 bee stings, according to Austin/Travis County EMS. A Pflugerville motorcycle patrol officer was stung upon first arriving on the scene, and two other men who were also working at the site were attacked. According to bee expert Keith Huddle, the situation could have been a lot worse. “They could have easily been the first deaths of the year. The death count is amazingly low considering the other years,” said Huddle. Huddle removed the colony and the queen from the hive. All four of the victims are expected to make a full recovery. EMS urged people to stay away from the area Wednesday morning into the afternoon due to the high bee activity in the area. The intersection around Rowe Ln. and FM 685 has been reopened.
Biohazard name:	Bees attack (Africanized bees)
Biohazard level:	0/4 —
Biohazard desc.:	This does not included biological hazard category.
Symptoms:
Status:

…………………………………….

Following Chevron fire, respiratory complaints, calls for transparent investigation

Richmond Confidential

Two burnt smokestakes were visible at the Chevron refinery Tuesday morning. Photo by Tyler Orsburn.

By: Tawanda Kanhema and Jennifer Baires | August 7, 2012 – 3:10 pm

Richmond residents this morning woke up to the lingering smell of burnt oil from Chevron’s Richmond Refinery, which caught fire last night following a leak. Firefighters and engineers at the plant put the main fire out early this morning, and Chevron reported that its engineers were monitoring a controlled burn as a safety measure to contain pressure.

Cyclists head towards Point Richmond, a suburb that overlooks the refinery.

Hundreds of Richmond residents have reported suffering from a variety of respiratory problems following the fire that gutted part of Chevron’s Richmond Refinery Monday night, according to a press release circulated by Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo.

The center, which activated its Incident Command Center shortly after the fire erupted in Chevron’s diesel refinery, admitted 181 residents overnight complaining of eye irritation and respiratory ailments after inhaling smoke from the fire. “Now that people are waking up, DMC is currently experiencing a second wave of individuals seeking services,” the center reported in a statement released Tuesday morning. “We expect, and are prepared for, a high demand at the hospital throughout the day.”

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District, which sent inspectors to take air samples Monday night, released an announcement Tuesday morning that results are expected later this afternoon. In the meantime, they stated, “Local air quality monitors show minimal impacts from the fire, with pollution levels well below the federal health standards. Weather conditions were favorable at the time of the incident – surface winds were light and heat pushed the smoke upwards where stronger winds aloft helped to disperse it.”

On the streets and in recreational areas around the 2,900-acre refinery, which borders a park on its western edge, residents woke up to the aftermath of the blaze, with a strong smell of burnt oil still saturating the air as a grey pall of smoke lingered over the hills.

“It does smell really bad this morning, much worse than last night,” said Randy Williams, a Richmond resident who went on his early morning bike ride along I-580. “We thought it would be better now that the fire seems to be out.”

Rick Gerrod, a Richmond resident, drove to the eastern edge of the Richmond Bridge early this morning, one of the worst affected areas downwind from the plant and photographed wildlife in the park area.

Rick Gerrod sits in his car outside Chevron’s premises on Richmond Parkway.

“It smells like oil. I could go and see a doctor if I wanted, and get a diagnosis saying I have a respiratory illness as well,” Gerrod said. “Chevron is in the business of making money, they aren’t doing themselves much good if they’re blowing themselves up and setting themselves on fire.”

This came as Richmond mayor Gayle McLaughlin called on Chevron to be fully accountable to local authorities on the effects of the fire on the community and the environment. McLaughlin said the city would demand full transparency in investigations to establish the full impact of the refinery fire on the health of Richmond residents and the environment.

“We live with this potential bomb, if you will, in the city of Richmond,” McLaughlin said. “We’ve had these explosions of one magnitude or another ever few years. In 2007 there was a fire as well and it wasn’t this big, but it brought forward a lot of concerns.”

McLaughlin said Chevron has not always been forthcoming with information on the environmental and health effects of its operations in Richmond, often using proprietary protection as a way of withholding information. “Chevron needs to be very forthright with what potential problems may occur again. Then we can weigh in on whether or not that it’s acceptable,” she said. “Our interest is for the protection of our residents. Big corporations like Chevron has its profits as its bottom line but for the city of Richmond and its residents our health is the bottom line.”

Chevron’s refinery sits on a 2,900-acre property that borders the park.

McLaughlin said the city would seek the assistance of independent investigators and scientists in reviewing the data collected in environmental impact and air quality assessments following the fire. ”We want to know what type of toxins were in smoke that has been released. There’s been a filing with the state that indicates there were diesel-grade materials,” McLaughlin said.

The fire may also have an economic cost to the city, she said. Some businesses in Point Richmond were forced to close early and BART shut down two stations as people scurried indoors in compliance with the shelter-in-place called after the fire broke out. “Many people lost work time, people were unable to get the kind of transportation they needed. I think community impact data is very valuable,” McLaughlin said.

In a statement, Chevron said the main fire had been extinguished by 7:15 am Tuesday morning, and safety officials had allowed a small controlled burn as a safety measure to reduce pressure.

Chevron’s Richmond Refinery was still smouldering this morning.

“This is helping to ensure more hydrocarbons don’t escape,” the statement read. “This is similar in concept to how refineries utilize flares.”

The company is hosting a town hall meeting tonight at 6 pm at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium.

Chevron’s handling of the fire has met with mixed reactions from residents, with some saying the corporation handled the public fallout from the accident well, while others have reservations.

“Chevron is a good neighbor,” said the owner of a Point Richmond coffee shop who did not wish to give her name.The shop receives a lot of business from the Chevron plant, which employs at least 1,200 people. “If it wasn’t for Chevron, we wouldn’t be getting any business here,” she said.

Concerns have been raised over Richmond’s phone alert system, with many residents saying they did not receive alerts after the outbreak of the fire. McLaughlin said the phone alert system issue would be on the agenda for the town hall meeting.

“I think that’s an ongoing issue of concern,” she said. “I got many calls and emails from residents that they weren’t called at all or called three hours later. … People said they saw the bellows of black smoke before any sirens went into effect. It should be tightened up so everything happens in a 1-2-3 way. As soon as accident occurs sirens should go off and robo-calls should go out immediately.”

The town hall is expected to allow residents to weigh in on what should be done to reduce the impact of Chevron’s operations on the health of the community and the environment, she said.

“The issue of Chevron in our community has been an issue as far as, probably as far back as 1902, but certainly in recent years,” she said. “We want to have them understand the concerns of the community. This is not a community that is just trying to raise issues for the sake of bashing Chevron. This is a community that has direct experience of going through these periodic explosions and fires that have caused problems, concerns and fears in their lives. It is up to residents to get voices further heard and I’ll work to give them every opportunity to be heard.”

Andres Soto, Richmond organizer for Communities for a Better Environment (CBE), the environmental justice organization that forced Chevron to review its project proposal for an upgrade of the plant after suing the oil giant over a shoddy environmental impact report, disputed Chevron’s version of the events that led to the fire at the Richmond refinery. ”People throughout the community heard a series of explosions and Chevron is saying that there were no explosions,” Soto said.

He also said that environmental watchdogs want to know more about the liquid that has been burning. “The unit that blew up is the unit where the crude oil first comes into the refinery and they start warming it up. That allows the oil to be diverted in to different parts of the refinery and turned in to gasoline and jet fuel and other pesticides,” said Soto. “Question becomes, what kind of crude is in there — is it dirty crude or lighter crude? Either way there is a whole slew of highly volatile chemicals that are produced and that’s what was spewed out in to the environment.”

Soto said the chemicals released into the air following yesterday’s blaze could include sulfur compounds, hydrocarbons and and trace metals, all of which pose health hazards. Representatives from CBE are expected to participate in the town hall meeting tonight and will hold a rally at 5:30 prior to the meeting in front of the Richmond Auditorium.

“We plan on having community members there to speak out about what they’re doing at the refinery that is so problematic, as well as the complete inadequacy of the warning system,” Soto said. “What we know is that stuff is going to eventually come down. If it comes down into El Sobrante, there is potential for it to get into the water supply. This is a regional issue.”

Update 4:15 pm: In a press release, Doctors Medical Center has updated the total number of patients seen with smoke-related complaints since the fire started to “over 300.” The main complaints continue to be eye irritation and respiratory problems, the medical group stated.

For people who are concerned they may be suffering from smoke-related illnesses, please follow Contra Costa County’s Public Health Department Guidelines at www. cchealth.org/emergencies and seek services when needed.

You can read our previous coverage, with photos submitted by readers, here. You can read our full archive of Chevron-related stories here.

Mexico destroys 8 mn chickens amid bird flu outbreak

by Staff Writers
Mexico City (AFP)

Eight million chickens have so far been slaughtered in Mexico and 66 million more were vaccinated in a bid to contain a bird flu outbreak in the west of the country, authorities said Tuesday.

The agriculture ministry said in a statement that during the vaccination process in the Los Altos region of Jalisco state, diseased chickens were identified, leading to the destruction of the flu-carrying fowl.

Food safety officials say the outbreak, which was first detected on June 20, is confined to Los Altos, which is an egg-producing area. Inspections in other parts of the country have not turned up any signs of the disease.

A national animal health emergency was declared at the beginning of July, and the prices of both eggs and chickens have skyrocketed.

Mexican authorities hope to vaccinate 80 million fowl in the first phase of its program, and then analyze the results before proceeding to phase two.

The virus responsible for the outbreak, H7N3, has occasionally caused human disease in various parts of the world, according to the United Nations, but has not shown itself to be easily transmittable between humans.

Some bird flu strains, such as H5N1, have caused serious infections in people. The World Health Organization has documented 607 human cases of bird flu since 2003, 358 of which were fatal, according to July data.

Authorities in Guatemala have stepped up safety checks on its border with Mexico to keep bird flu from spreading into the country.

08.08.2012

Environment Pollution

Ghana

Brong-Ahafo Region, [Ahafo Mine (Newmont Gold Ghana Limited)]

Environment Pollution in Ghana on Wednesday, 08 August, 2012 at 11:19 (11:19 AM) UTC.

Description

The Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis (CEIA), an environmental integrity non-governmental organisation, said the 3,000 fishes that were discovered dead in a dam at Newmont Gold Ghana Limited (NGGL) Ahafo Mine on January 3, 2012 was as a result of cyanide spillage. A report published by CEIA said toxicological analysis of water in the dam where the dead fishes were discovered indicated the presence of large concentration of cyanide and other heavy metals – by-products of gold mining activities. Newmont had attributed the fish-kill to over-population of fish and depletion in oxygen supply, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has since January 3, 2012 to date not published the results of its investigations into the incident. CEIA presented the results to farmers living in hamlets and cottages surrounding the dam at Damso on Wednesday August 1, 2012. Mr Samuel Obiri, a Researcher at CEIA, who made the presentation, said quantities of chemicals used in the manufacture of pesticides and other agro-chemicals such as DDT found were negligible and, therefore, could not have caused the fish-kill. He said the cyanide in the dam water sample was 1,400 per cent above the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) level for safe water while that in the fish sample was 80 per cent above it.Mr Obiri said the presence of arsenic in the water was 5,830 per cent above WHO’s safety level while that in the fish was 383 per cent above it. He said cadmium was 190 per cent above WHO safety level in the water sample and that in the fish was 575 per cent above the safety level. Mr Obiri commended the farmers for not picking the dead fishes for sale in the markets at Ahafo Kenyasi; Sunyani, Kumasi or Accra. “You could have picked them, smoked them and sent them to Accra to go to sell them. More than 3,000 fishes could have been sold for more than GH¢200 and that of course is a huge amount at the rural economy level,” he said. During question time, Mr Morin Lebi, a farmer, wondered whether they could drink water from boreholes since it had become apparent that dangerous chemicals had been seeping from the tailings dam into the fresh water dam. Forty-eight farmers from the surrounding hamlets and cottages attended the meeting. Mr Kwame Agbeko Azumah, Communication Manager of the NGGL Ahafo Mine, told GNA that they have not yet received a copy of the report and would respond appropriately when it was made available to them. According to a committee set up by the government, Newmont in October 2009, misinformed the public about the extent of cyanide spillage at its Ahafo Mine, and added that NGGL was negligent and accused the Company of attempting to cover up the extent of the cyanide spillage. The committee imposed a fine of seven million Ghana Cedis on the company, which it paid.

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Articles of Interest

ALERT Crust Destabilization Happening NOW 8.08.2012

Published on Aug 8, 2012 by ichicax4

61% of people believe an event will happen soon, only 15% are prepared for it.

Tracks are shifting, sinkholes, sand geysers, bride collapses, gas releases…we have had NUMEROUS reports of high radiation levels in many cities over the past week…remember prior to the Japan earthquake huge quantities of radon gas were released from fault zones.

MIT article here: http://www.technologyreview.com/view/424033/atmosphere-above-japan-heated-rap…

How close do you live to a nuke plant: http://money.cnn.com/news/specials/nuclear_power_plants_locations/

It appears our crust is destabilizing…please post any videos or links to sinkholes, train derailments, or other anomalies that I may have missed.

Google Map of events: https://maps.google.com/?authuser=0

Washington State: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2180067/Roy-Rosalee-Ballinger-watch-h…

Sand Geyser/New Madrid Interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JefpPAlxo&feature=player_embedded

Missouri: http://articles.ky3.com/2012-08-06/sinkhole-swallows-part_33070373

Baltimore: http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/region/baltimore_city/water-main-break-flood…

Brooklyn: http://www.wpix.com/news/wpix-bay-ridge-sinkhole-20120801,0,2386815.story

Philadelphia: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/photo-galleries/2012/07/23/south-philadelphi…

Monmouth Beach, New Jersey: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Jersey-Shore-Sinkholes-Monmouth-Beach-14…

Cherry Hill, New Jersey: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48466502/ns/local_news-philadelphia_pa/

Atlanta: http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/sinkhole-closes-part-of-1489079.html

Santa Barbara, CA: http://www.noozhawk.com/article/073112_highway_192_at_westmont_road_sinkhole/

Louisiana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLcVmCEpF5g&feature=player_embedded

St. Lawrence derailment: http://poleshift.ning.com/profiles/blogs/fatal-train-derailment-on-the-st-law…

Raliegh, WV: http://www.wvnstv.com/story/19189386/bridge-collapse-behind-raleigh-train-der…

and http://www.register-herald.com/todaysfrontpage/x44823996/Roadways-blocked-aft…

Florida: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bn5T2mUR5Zg

Florida again, a few blocks away: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLdr5AJCgqg&feature=player_embedded

Atlanta again, this time derailment: http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/19171626/train-derails-in

Know County, Indiana: http://www.14news.com/story/19176504/train-dereailment-in-knox-co

Cramerton, NC: http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Investigation-clean–165297876.html

Waxhaw, NC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi3nTHGx4ic&feature=player_embedded#!

Gaston County, NC: http://www.digtriad.com/news/local/article/239478/57/Train-Derails-In-Gaston-…

Union County, NC (from May): http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14704390

Buenos Aires, Argentina: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/08/06/2935952/argentine-commuter-train-derail…

Morocco: http://english.sina.com/world/2012/0802/492542.html

Sinkhole, Montana: http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/Sinkhole-threatens-Butte-woman-s-home/-/145946…

Erie Canal, Albany, NY: http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article983557.ece

Willard, Montana: http://articles.ky3.com/2012-08-06/sinkhole-swallows-part_33070373

Additional links from sub added 8.9.2012:

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Tags: 000 poultry, 2012: Noctilucent Clouds, 3MIN News August 8, A Brand New “Blue Marble” View of Earth, Alaska, Albania, ALERT Crust Destabilization Happening NOW 8.08.2012, Anthrax, Anthrax (cow), Are Volcanos the New Source of Geothermal Energy?, Arizona, Asia, Atlantic Ocean, Azerbaijan, Bees attack (Africanized bees), Belgium, Biological Hazard in China, Biological Hazard in USA, Bosnia And Herzegovina, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brutal July heat a new U.S. record, California, calls for transparent investigation, Caribbean, Chile, China, Colombia, CORRECTED-Los Angeles rattled by two 4.5 quakes within 10 hours, Earth approaching objects, Environment Pollution in Ghana, Ernesto Races Across Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Europe, Extreme Weather in South Africa, Flash Flood in Philippines, Following Chevron fire, FRANCE, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Hawaii, Heat Wave in USA, Hurricane Ernesto (AL05), Hurricane Ernesto makes landfall in Mexico, Hurricane Gilma (07E), India, Indonesia, Indonesian Archipelago, Meteor Smoke Makes Strange Clouds, Mexico, Mexico destroys 8 mn chickens amid bird flu outbreak, Middle America, Nevada, New lakes formed by Mt Tongariro's eruption, New Zealand, North America, Nuclear Event in Belgium, Oregon, Pacific Ocean, Philippine capital battles deadly floods, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rabies (cat), Rare Snowfall Stuns Johannesburg, Research Links Extreme Summer Heat Events to Global Warming, respiratory complaints, Romania, Russia, S. Korea heatwave kills more than 830, Saint Helena, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South America, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, South Korea, Texas, Tropical Depression Kirogi (13W), Turkey, Typhoon sows destruction after landing in China, United States, Volcano Activity in Colombia, Volcano Activity in New Zealand

Comment

Earth Watch Report – Wednesday August 8th, 2012

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August 8, 2012

Earthquakes

RSOE EDIS

Date/Time (UTC)	Magnitude	Area	Country	State/Prov./Gov.	Location	Risk	Source	Details
08.08.2012 02:10:30	3.1	North America	United States	Washington	Entiat		USGS-RSOE
08.08.2012 02:05:25	3.9	Asia	Turkey	Manisa	Ahmetli		EMSC
08.08.2012 02:15:47	4.5	Asia	Japan	Fukushima	Iwaki		USGS-RSOE
08.08.2012 02:10:51	4.5	Pacific Ocean	Fiji	Northern	Lambasa		USGS-RSOE
08.08.2012 02:05:48	4.4	Asia	Turkey	Manisa	Golmarmara		EMSC
08.08.2012 01:40:31	4.0	Asia	Turkey	Manisa	Golmarmara		USGS-RSOE
08.08.2012 02:06:11	2.7	Europe	Greece	Central Greece	Domokos		EMSC
08.08.2012 02:06:35	2.8	South-America	Chile	Valparaíso	Vina del Mar		EMSC
08.08.2012 01:50:29	2.6	North America	United States	Alaska	Adak		USGS-RSOE
08.08.2012 01:05:18	2.0	Asia	Turkey	?zmir	Foca		EMSC
08.08.2012 00:00:26	4.3	South-America	Peru	Tacna	Calana		EMSC
07.08.2012 23:05:22	2.0	North America	United States	California	Borrego Springs		USGS-RSOE
07.08.2012 22:56:41	2.2	North America	United States	Alaska	Anchor Point		USGS-RSOE
08.08.2012 00:00:44	2.4	Asia	Turkey	??rnak	Yenikoy		EMSC
08.08.2012 00:01:04	4.6	South-America	Argentina	Salta	Tartagal		EMSC
08.08.2012 00:01:27	4.6	Atlantic Ocean	Argentina	Salta	Tartagal		USGS-RSOE
07.08.2012 22:55:26	2.3	Asia	Turkey	Gümü?hane	Evren		EMSC
07.08.2012 22:55:49	3.1	Europe	Romania		Lopatari		EMSC
07.08.2012 22:56:08	2.8	Asia	Turkey	?zmir	Foca		EMSC
08.08.2012 01:05:46	2.0	Asia	Turkey	Van	Toyga		EMSC
07.08.2012 21:50:27	4.6	Indonesian Archipelago	Indonesia	Maluku Utara	Tobelo		EMSC
07.08.2012 22:15:29	4.9	Pacific Ocean – West	Philippines	Davao	Bukid		USGS-RSOE
07.08.2012 21:50:47	3.9	Middle-East	Iran	Hormozg?n	Qeshm		EMSC
07.08.2012 20:30:31	2.7	North America	United States	Alaska	Happy Valley		USGS-RSOE
07.08.2012 20:50:23	2.8	Europe	Greece	East Macedonia and Thrace	Kamariotissa		EMSC
07.08.2012 21:20:41	4.8	Indonesian archipelago	Indonesia	Papua	Nabire		USGS-RSOE
07.08.2012 21:51:06	4.8	Indonesian Archipelago	Indonesia	Papua	Nabire		EMSC
07.08.2012 21:21:02	2.1	North America	United States	Alaska	Nikolski		USGS-RSOE
07.08.2012 19:45:19	2.8	Europe	Greece	Central Greece	Oxilithos		EMSC
07.08.2012 18:45:24	2.5	Europe	Greece	Peloponnese	Meligalas		EMSC
07.08.2012 18:45:45	2.1	Europe	Italy	Friuli Venezia Giulia	Socchieve		EMSC
07.08.2012 18:46:05	4.7	Asia	Japan	Iwate	Kamaishi		EMSC
07.08.2012 21:10:28	4.7	Asia	Japan	Iwate	Kamaishi		USGS-RSOE
07.08.2012 20:50:58	4.6	Middle-America	Costa Rica	Alajuela	Laguna		EMSC
07.08.2012 20:15:32	4.6	Middle America	Costa Rica	Alajuela	Laguna		USGS-RSOE
07.08.2012 18:46:25	2.7	Europe	Greece	Crete	Makry Gialos		EMSC
07.08.2012 18:46:45	2.7	Europe	Greece	Crete	Koutsouras		EMSC
07.08.2012 18:47:07	2.7	Asia	Turkey	Van	Yuvacik		EMSC
07.08.2012 18:00:58	2.2	North America	United States	Alaska	Pedro Bay		USGS-RSOE
07.08.2012 17:40:26	2.2	Europe	Italy	Sicily	Rodi		EMSC
07.08.2012 19:40:36	2.0	North America	United States	Arkansas	Damascus		USGS-RSOE
07.08.2012 17:40:50	4.7	Indonesian Archipelago	Indonesia	East Java	Blitar		EMSC
07.08.2012 18:20:31	4.5	Indonesian archipelago	Indonesia	East Java	Blitar		USGS-RSOE
07.08.2012 18:47:44	2.4	North America	United States	Alaska	Adak		USGS-RSOE
07.08.2012 17:41:09	3.1	South-America	Chile	Coquimbo	Coquimbo		EMSC
07.08.2012 16:35:25	2.1	Asia	Turkey	Ad?yaman	Gerger		EMSC
07.08.2012 15:50:39	2.2	North America	United States	California	Home Gardens		USGS-RSOE
07.08.2012 18:20:58	4.0	South America	Chile	Antofagasta	Taltal		USGS-RSOE
07.08.2012 16:35:55	4.4	South-America	Chile	Antofagasta	Taltal		EMSC
07.08.2012 16:36:19	2.5	Europe	Greece	Ionian Islands	Kalamakion		EMSC

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Volcanic Activity

New Zealand dormant volcano erupts after a century

“It looked like Hiroshima”, says one local resident of the ash cloud that spewed from Mount Tongarir

Volcanic activity world-wide 7 Aug 2012: Tongariro, Etna, Stromboli, Popocatépetl, volcanoes in Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador

BY: T

Strombolian eruption from Etna’s Bocca Nuova on 5 Aug

News have been dominated by Tongariro volcano’s first eruption in 115 years (New Zealand). At the moment, the volcano is quiet, but eruptions could resume any time.

Etna (Italy): Strombolian activity continues at varying levels. Following a phase of weak activity during 4-6 Aug, an increase of activity was observed at the Bocca Nuova during the night 6-7 Aug.
Also in Italy, the activity at Stromboli (Eolian Islands) has been at relatively high levels over the past days. The number and size of explosions from the summit vents has increased.

Popocatépetl in Mexico: About 1 explosion occurs per hour, and strong glow is visible at night. A relatively powerful eruption late on 6 Aug sent ash to up to 30,000 ft (10 km) altitude.

The volcanoes in Guatemala have shown little changes in activity over the past days.
Fuego volcano has intermittent weak strombolian explosions throwing lava up to 100 m above the crater, and the lava flow on the south flank is still active.
Santiaguito / Santa Maria (Guatemala): Weak to moderate explosions occur regularly and produce ash plumes up to 900 meters high. Avalanches of lava blocks descend on the south flank of the dome.
Lots of seismic activity is visible on the seismograms, most of it related to rockfalls.
Some tremor and shallow volcanic quakes and weak degassing are the only signs of activity reported from Pacaya.

In Colombia, there are currently 1 volcanoes on orange alert (Ruiz)(eruption warning) and 4 on yellow (unrest):
Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia) shows tremor, associated with gas and minor ash emissions at low level. A shallow M1.2 earthquake occurred at 3:11 (local time) near the Arenas crater. INGEOMINAS keeps a close watch of the volcano.
Compared to the previous week, the seismicity at Galeras has increased and shows events related to fluid movements within the volcano. Few weak earthquakes with magnitudes less than 1.1 related to fracturing of rock occurred at shallow depths (less than 4 km) at various locations under the volcano.
Seismicity at Cerro Machin volcano remains at slightly elevated levels with some weak earthquakes SE under the lava dome at depths between 3.5 and 5 km.
At Cumbal volcano, seismicity is still above background levels, but has has decreased. Signals are interpreted as fluid movements under the volcano.
Nevado del Huila The volcano shows normal seismic activity and degassing at low levels with no significant changes to previous weeks. INGEOMINAS keeps the alert level at yellow.

Ecuador:
Tungurahua volcano: Activity remains generally at relatively low levels. Few small to moderate explosions (about 3-5 per day) and weak steam and ash venting continue at Tungurahua. The last reported ash cloud altitude was at 18,000 ft (4.5 km) from an explosion on 6 Aug.
This morning, a more intense phase with volcanic tremor is visible on the seismograms.
Reventador volcano: IG reports a strong steam plume rising 1500 m above the summit, but does no more mention any active lava flow.
Sangay volcano: No recent reports of eruptions from remote Sangay are available, but this might simply incidate that its typical strombolian eruptions are too small.

07.08.2012

Volcano Activity

New Zealand

Northland, [Tongariro Volcano]

Volcano Activity in New Zealand on Monday, 06 August, 2012 at 17:51 (05:51 PM) UTC.

Description

The volcanic alert level for Mt Tongariro has risen from 1 to 2 after the central North Island volcano erupted for the first time in more than a century late last night. GNS science is reporting that at approximately 11:50pm on Monday night ash fall began to be reported in the volcano’s vicinity – it has since been reported as far east as SH5 near Te Haroto and in Napier. GNS duty volcanologist Michael Rosenberg told Radio New Zealand that some people are reported to have left their houses on the southern shores of Lake Rotoaira, though no formal notices of evacuation have been issued so far by Civil Defense. He said residents in the area have told GNS of hearing several loud explosions, lightning and plumes of smoke and police have been told by an onlooker that “a new hole in the side of the mountain” had formed. They have also reported bright red rocks flying out of the mountain. The eruption reportedly happened at the Te Mari Craters, which are close to the Ketetahi Hot Springs on the northern side of the mountain. Civil defence spokesman Vince Cholewa told NewstalkZb ash could reach those living in Waikato, Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne, Manawatu-Wanganui, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki. “The advice to people is to stay indoors, because volcanic ash can obviously be a health hazard, if they’re indoors please close windows and doors to try and limit the entry of ash.” Mr Cholewa says at this stage not all areas alerted are affected by ash, but that situation could change. “We’re working actively with GNS Science who operate the monitoring equipment on the mountains, and with police so all the information from the ground is being gathered, and decisions will be based on that information. “Evacuations have not been ordered, please listen to the radio for advice from local authorities and police, any evacuations would be issued at that level, and based on the evidence from GNS Science.”Due to possible danger to the public the police have closed SH1 between Rangipo and Waiouru (Desert Road) and SH46 west of Rangipo. SH47 and 4 remain open at this stage as does SH5. Motorists are being advised to avoid travel in the area and these closures will be re-assessed once daylight reveals the extent of the ash cloud. A truck driver has told Radio New Zealand that the ash cloud has caused thick dust and reduced visibility on the Desert Road. Bryn Rodda said he saw a large cloud rising from the mountain with orange flashes. Civil Aviation Authority manager of meteorology Peter Lechner told NewstalkZb the plume is leading off to the east and south east. “Flight operations to the west of the plume should remain unaffected, however operations to the eastern half of the North Island will have some difficulty at this stage.” Mr Lechner says a frontal system is on its way which should disperse the cloud, but that depends on whether there are further eruptions. Police are sending search and rescue teams up Mt Tongariro at first light to check no one is stranded in huts. However, they say there have been no reports of injuries or damage. The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) is currently assessing information with the assistance of GNS scientific advisors. It has not yet activated the National Crisis Management Centre which is called upon in times of emergency like the Christchurch earthquake. New Zealand’s other high profile active volcano, White Island, also had its alert level raised from 1 to 2 on Monday after a small eruption was recorded in its crater lake.

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Extreme Temperatures/ Weather

07.08.2012

Heat Wave

Bulgaria

[Statewide]

Heat Wave in Bulgaria on Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 at 05:29 (05:29 AM) UTC.

Description

Historically high temperatures were recorded in 28 locations throughout Bulgaria on Monday, the country’s National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (NIMH) said. At 3 p.m. local time (0200 GMT), the temperature in Ruse by the Danube River was 41 degrees Celsius. Pleven in northern Bulgaria recorded 40 degrees Celsius, followed by Sandanski in the southwest of the country at 39.6 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, temperatures in the capital Sofia also hit 34.6 degrees Celsius. Temperatures were unusually high even in the mountains, NIMH said. At Botev peak, temperatures reached 17.5 degrees Celsius, 25.2 degrees Celsius at Murgash peak, and 26.5 degrees Celsius at Rozhen peak. Record-high temperatures were reported also on the Black Sea coast in the towns of Ahtopol and Varna at 35 degree Celsius, and cape of Kaliakra at 32.8 degree Celsius. Temperatures will remain high on Tuesday, after which they should return to what is considered normal for the season, NIMH said.

07.08.2012

Forest / Wild Fire

USA

State of California, [Klamath National Forest]

Forest / Wild Fire in USA on Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 at 19:02 (07:02 PM) UTC.

Description

Eleven small fires are confirmed to have been started by Sunday night’s lightning across the Klamath National Forest. Six of the fires are burning in the Scott River Ranger District and five are located in the Happy Camp Ranger District, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Another fire burning in the area, the Emily Fire, which is located just over the forest boundary within the Red Buttes Wilderness in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest area. All fires are being managed with a full suppression strategy. Nine of the 11 fires are one-half acre in size or smaller, with the smallest being a single burning tree near the Shackleford Creek Trailhead. The largest of the fires, the Bill Fire, is located near Billberry Creek in the Scott Bar Ponds area and is estimated to be between six and 10 acres, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Fire crews and equipment standing by from the Dillon Fire, located approximately 15 miles southwest of Happy Camp, are available to help extinguish these new fires. The Dillon Fire, which ignited on Aug. 3, is now 90 percent contained.

07.08.2012

Forest / Wild Fire

Canary-Islands (Esp.)

Island of La Gomera, [Garajonay National Park]

Forest / Wild Fire in Canary-Islands (Esp.) on Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 at 16:20 (04:20 PM) UTC.

Description

A wildfire raged Monday on Spain’s Canary Island of La Gomera which burnt down several homes and raced through a national park housing a rare subtropical forest, officials said. Deep ravines made it difficult to fight the blaze, which erupted on Saturday and has affected 3,100 hectares of land, including 350 hectares, or 9 percent, of the Garajonay national park, a World Heritage Site. “The ravines act as genuine chimneys for the fire when the wind blows and this complicates the task of getting the fire under control,” the head of the islands’ government, Paulino Rivero, told reporters. By late Monday firefighters, aided by cooler temperatures and higher air humidity levels, had managed to stop the advance of the flames at Garajonay, the regional government said in a statement. The national park was added to UN cultural body UNESCO’s World Heritage list for its rare subtropical forests which covered the Mediterranean millions of years ago but have now largely disappeared. It is home to 450 plant species, including eight that are found only in the park.At Igualero, a village inside the park whose residents were evacuated over the weekend, several houses were completely burned down. The burned down homes were surrouned by charred fruit trees, vineyards and potato crops as well as the dead sheep, goats, chickens and other animals. Several homes near the town of Vallehermoso had been destroyed, mayor Jaime Luis Noda said. “We have still not done an evaluation of exactly how many, so we don’t know how many,” he said. Mobile telephone services on the island were disrupted as several relay stations had burnt down, power was out in some parts of the island and four roads where shut, the regional government said. But around 600 people who were evacuated over the weekend, including those at Igualero, were allowed to return to their homes Monday. Heavy fog on Monday morning prevented two firefighting aircraft sent from mainland Spain from flying but by afternoon the authorities were able to use water-dropping aircraft against the blaze, which has three active fronts. The authorites suspect arson as the cause of the blaze “because it started in three different places and it is practically impossible for an accident to trigger such a violent fire,” he added. A shepherd on the island of La Gomera, Sebastian Vera Herrera, said many of his sheep were killed by the flames after he ignored police orders to evacuate.

“I guided them to the farm in the hamlet of Magana. Many sheep burned. I managed to save many, about 300 because I stayed,” the 58-year-old said. “This is the first time that I have seen a fire likes this, of this size. There are 200-year-old houses that completely burned down.” Another fire on the neighbouring island of La Palma near the town of Mazo has been stabilised. That blaze had affected about 1,700 hectares. Spain has been battling fires in both the Canaries and on the mainland after a winter that saw almost no rainfall, leaving the Spanish landscape its driest in seven decades. On July 22, a wind-whipped wildfire in the northeast province of Catalonia near the border with France scorched 14,000 hectares, claiming four lives. Spain’s most destructive fires so far this year were in the Valencia region in early July, burning some 50,000 hectares of vegetation.

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Storms, Flooding

Active tropical storm system(s)

Name of storm system	Location	Formed	Last update	Last category	Course	Wind Speed	Gust	Wave	Source	Details
Ernesto (AL05)	Atlantic Ocean	02.08.2012	07.08.2012	Hurricane II	300 °	130 km/h	157 km/h	3.66 m	NOAA NHC

Tropical Storm data

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Storm name:	Ernesto (AL05)
Area:	Atlantic Ocean
Start up location:	N 12° 36.000, W 50° 36.000
Start up:	02nd August 2012
Status:	01st January 1970
Track long:	2,354.87 km
Top category.:
Report by:	NHC

Useful links:

Past track
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave	Pressure	Source

Current position
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave feet	Pressure	Source
07th Aug 2012	20:35:07	N 18° 30.000, W 85° 30.000	22	130	157	Hurricane II	300 °	12	983 MB	NHC

Forecast track
Date	Time	Position	Category	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Source
09th Aug 2012	12:00:00	N 19° 24.000, W 93° 24.000	Hurricane I	120	148	NHC
09th Aug 2012	00:00:00	N 19° 24.000, W 91° 18.000	Tropical Depression	83	102	NHC
10th Aug 2012	12:00:00	N 19° 12.000, W 96° 36.000	Hurricane I	111	139	NHC
11th Aug 2012	12:00:00	N 19° 0.000, W 100° 0.000	Tropical Depression	37	56	NHC

Haikui (12W)

Pacific Ocean

03.08.2012

07.08.2012

Typhoon I

310 °

111 km/h

139 km/h

4.88 m

JTWC

Tropical Storm data

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Storm name:	Haikui (12W)
Area:	Pacific Ocean
Start up location:	N 24° 24.000, E 139° 48.000
Start up:	03rd August 2012
Status:	01st January 1970
Track long:	1,083.16 km
Top category.:
Report by:	JTWC

Useful links:

Past track
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave	Pressure	Source

Current position
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave feet	Pressure	Source
07th Aug 2012	18:13:05	N 28° 6.000, E 122° 48.000	15	111	139	Typhoon I	310 °	16		JTWC

Forecast track
Date	Time	Position	Category	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Source
09th Aug 2012	00:00:00	N 30° 12.000, E 119° 42.000	Tropical Depression	65	83	JTWC
10th Aug 2012	00:00:00	N 31° 6.000, E 120° 36.000	Tropical Depression	37	56	JTWC

13W

Pacific Ocean

05.08.2012

07.08.2012

Tropical Depression

305 °

65 km/h

83 km/h

5.49 m

JTWC

Tropical Storm data

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Storm name:	13W
Area:	Pacific Ocean
Start up location:	N 23° 6.000, E 161° 36.000
Start up:	05th August 2012
Status:	Active
Track long:	408.00 km
Top category.:
Report by:	JTWC

Useful links:

Past track
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave	Pressure	Source

Current position
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave feet	Pressure	Source
07th Aug 2012	18:12:29	N 30° 12.000, E 160° 30.000	17	65	83	Tropical Depression	305 °	18		JTWC

Forecast track
Date	Time	Position	Category	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Source
09th Aug 2012	00:00:00	N 34° 48.000, E 155° 36.000	Tropical Depression	74	93	JTWC
10th Aug 2012	00:00:00	N 39° 42.000, E 151° 36.000	Tropical Depression	65	83	JTWC

Gilma (07E)

Pacific Ocean – East

07.08.2012

Tropical Depression

295 °

65 km/h

83 km/h

4.57 m

NOAA NHC

Tropical Storm data

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Storm name:	Gilma (07E)
Area:	Pacific Ocean – East
Start up location:	N 14° 18.000, W 111° 42.000
Start up:	07th August 2012
Status:	Active
Track long:	0.00 km
Top category.:
Report by:	NOAA NHC

Useful links:

Past track
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave	Pressure	Source

Current position
Date	Time	Position	Speed km/h	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Category	Course	Wave feet	Pressure	Source
07th Aug 2012	18:10:58	N 14° 48.000, W 112° 36.000	19	65	83	Tropical Depression	295 °	15	1005 MB	NOAA NHC

Forecast track
Date	Time	Position	Category	Wind km/h	Gust km/h	Source
09th Aug 2012	06:00:00	N 17° 0.000, W 118° 30.000	Hurricane I	102	120	NOAA NHC
10th Aug 2012	06:00:00	N 17° 0.000, W 120° 30.000	Hurricane I	111	139	NOAA NHC
11th Aug 2012	06:00:00	N 17° 0.000, W 121° 30.000	Hurricane I	102	120	NOAA NHC
12th Aug 2012	06:00:00	N 17° 0.000, W 121° 30.000	Tropical Depression	83	102	NOAA NHC

…………………………………………………….

Two dead as storms hit Austria, northern Italy

by Staff Writers
Vienna (AFP)

Storms wreaked havoc in Austria and northern Italy over the weekend, causing landslides that killed two people, authorities said Sunday.

An 84-year-old woman was killed when a landslide hit a farm in Afens, on the Italian side of the border with Austria.

In nearby Tulfer, the body of another woman who had been declared missing after her house was struck by a mud flow, was uncovered on Sunday morning.

Major storms lashed much of Austria and German-speaking northern Italy late Saturday, causing flooding and power cuts, and disrupting rail and road connections.

About 1,000 homes were without electricity Sunday morning in the Virgental valley in southern Austria.

In South Tyrol, a northern province of Italy also known as Alto Adige, some 500 emergency workers, firefighters and civil protection officers were mobilised to deal with the damages.

The rail line between Austria and Italy over the Brenner Pass was buried by a landslide overnight and was expected to remain shut for two weeks.

Road and rail connections were also shut elsewhere in Austria, including in Tyrol, Styria and Salzburg provinces. Most were due to re-open on Sunday but others remained closed due to a further risk of landslides.

In Styria, several houses had to be evacuated after they were flooded, and cellars in northern Austria were also filled with water following heavy rain.

A few barns meanwhile went up in flames after they were hit by lightning, with over 250 animals perishing at one farm in northern Austria.

Related Links
Weather News at TerraDaily.com

China evacuates 450,000 after Philippines turned into ‘waterworld’ by Typhoon Haikui

Shanghai and the nearby coastal province Zhejiang have evacuated 456,000 people as China prepares for its third typhoon in less than a week.

The emergency measures were taken after Typhoon Haikui turned Manila, the Philippines capital into “waterworld”, killing 50 people.

The typhoon is expected to make landfall in Zhejiang province, just south of Shanghai, late Tuesday or early Wednesday, the China Meteorological Administration said.

Shanghai officials fear the storm could be the worst since 2005, when Typhoon Matsa killed seven people in the city, state media said.

The city aimed to move 200,000 people to more than a hundred shelters by Tuesday evening, government officials were quoted as saying.

The Shanghai government ordered outdoor construction sites shut down and cancelled summer classes for children until the typhoon had eased.

Authorities in Zhejiang were also rushing to get people out the path of the storm, with 256,000 residents of the province evacuated so far, state media said.

More than 30,000 ships had rushed to shelter in ports.

The typhoon was packing winds of up to 151 kilometres per hour and could bring up to 400 millimetres (16 inches) of rain to some areas, it said. The eastern provinces of Jiangsu and Anhui would also be affected. China is still recovering from Typhoons Damrey and Saola, which hit over the weekend. Those storms brought heavy rains that killed 23 and left nine missing.

Xinhua said the heavy rains that came with the typhoons triggered mudslides and flooding, affecting hundreds of thousands of people.

Typhoon Haikui’s torrential rains submerged much of the Philippine capital and surrounding areas on Tuesday, forcing nearly 270,000 people to flee their homes with more flooding expected in the north of the country as a tropical storm passes through the region, officials said.

Steady rains for the past 10 days, killing more than 50 people, are set to continue until Wednesday, the Philippines weather bureau said.

^{A man pushes his bicycle through murky floodwaters in Quezon City in suburban Manila, Philippines JAY DIRECTO/AFP/Getty Images}

“It’s like Waterworld,” said Benito Ramos, head of the Philippines national disaster agency, referring to a Hollywood movie about a flooded world.

Schools , financial markets, and public and private offices were ordered shut, including outsourcing firms whose corporate clients are mainly from the United States and Europe.

Disaster officials said over half of Manila was swamped by floods as high as three metres, worsened by a high tide and the release of water from dams in surrounding provinces.

President Benigno Aquino, in an emergency meeting briefly interrupted by a power failure at the main army base in Manila, ordered officials to exert maximum effort to aid residents in flooded areas. Officials have deployed army troops, police and emergency workers with rubber boats and amphibious trucks.

The monsoon rains, which dumped about 300 mm (12 inches) or three times the daily average of 80-100 mm from late Monday to Tuesday, were the heaviest in three years, the weather bureau said.

Most major roads in Manila were inundated by knee- to waist-deep floodwaters. Some flights were delayed or cancelled. Power, water and communications in flooded areas were disrupted.

Some of the affected residents were marooned on the roofs of their houses.

“There are about 5,000 people here,” said Ester Ronabio, a public school teacher and volunteer in one of the temporary shelter areas in low-lying Marikina City in the eastern part of Manila. “We can’t control the flow of people.”

In a sign of the difficult scramble to move people to safety, Aquino appealed to an anti-graft court to release dozens of rubber boats held as evidence in a case against senior police officials for use in evacuation efforts.

Residents of Manila expressed concern the rains were a repeat of Typhoon Ketsana which killed more than 700 people and destroyed $1 billion worth of private and public property.

“The floods are so deep where we live, we don’t want a repeat of Typhoon Ketsana a few years ago,” Melanio David, a father of four, told Reuters. “We got scared so we evacuated last night.”

Flash Flood in Philippines on Tuesday, 07 August, 2012 at 05:30 (05:30 AM) UTC.

Description

07.08.2012

Flash Flood

India

MultiStates, [States of Uttarakhand, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir]

Flash Flood in India on Saturday, 04 August, 2012 at 04:06 (04:06 AM) UTC.