Earthquakes

USGS

MAG	UTC DATE-TIME y/m/d h:m:s	LAT deg	LON deg	DEPTH km	Region
MAP	2.5	2012/10/18 23:22:28	59.663	-151.391	54.3	KENAI PENINSULA, ALASKA
MAP	4.8	2012/10/18 21:24:22	-62.721	155.813	10.0	BALLENY ISLANDS REGION
MAP	2.5	2012/10/18 17:38:48	61.168	-147.125	7.8	SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP	2.5	2012/10/18 17:26:30	62.549	-149.949	65.5	CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP	4.9	2012/10/18 16:26:50	-0.121	125.563	20.0	MOLUCCA SEA
MAP	2.9	2012/10/18 15:50:07	60.587	-149.625	68.6	KENAI PENINSULA, ALASKA
MAP	2.6	2012/10/18 12:31:40	18.609	-65.649	77.0	PUERTO RICO REGION
MAP	2.7	2012/10/18 12:14:52	19.377	-155.240	3.5	ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP	4.5	2012/10/18 11:26:42	-20.598	-178.360	545.7	FIJI REGION
MAP	4.5	2012/10/18 09:00:05	-6.505	98.031	14.9	SOUTHWEST OF SUMATRA, INDONESIA
MAP	4.6	2012/10/18 08:38:35	39.321	-29.875	10.0	AZORES ISLANDS, PORTUGAL
MAP	3.3	2012/10/18 07:10:26	19.631	-64.224	61.0	VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION
MAP	4.6	2012/10/18 05:23:14	-34.689	-71.906	43.0	LIBERTADOR O’HIGGINS, CHILE
MAP	3.6	2012/10/18 05:21:11	42.217	-101.978	5.0	NEBRASKA
MAP	2.9	2012/10/18 04:56:45	51.655	-175.225	37.4	ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP	4.6	2012/10/18 04:32:32	53.391	-35.141	9.7	REYKJANES RIDGE
MAP	5.1	2012/10/18 04:14:32	-8.098	123.597	32.7	FLORES REGION, INDONESIA
MAP	2.6	2012/10/18 03:37:04	63.280	-151.086	5.4	CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP	2.5	2012/10/18 03:10:20	19.383	-155.241	2.0	ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP	5.0	2012/10/18 02:33:29	23.855	81.294	14.8	MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA
MAP	5.7	2012/10/18 01:27:15	-54.273	143.919	10.2	WEST OF MACQUARIE ISLAND
MAP	4.6	2012/10/18 00:35:12	48.330	154.451	48.2	KURIL ISLANDS

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	MAG	UTC DATE-TIME y/m/d h:m:s	LAT deg	LON deg	DEPTH km	Region
MAP	3.1	2012/10/17 22:43:02	19.671	-64.358	34.0	VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION
MAP	3.1	2012/10/17 21:21:35	59.627	-150.866	32.2	KENAI PENINSULA, ALASKA
MAP	2.8	2012/10/17 20:50:43	68.444	-144.526	9.8	NORTHERN ALASKA
MAP	5.0	2012/10/17 19:38:56	1.301	97.229	35.2	NIAS REGION, INDONESIA
MAP	2.8	2012/10/17 18:40:49	64.048	-148.951	15.2	CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP	2.6	2012/10/17 18:34:00	38.718	-112.566	0.1	UTAH
MAP	2.9	2012/10/17 18:23:03	18.804	-64.129	36.0	VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION
MAP	3.1	2012/10/17 17:42:45	51.540	-174.965	31.9	ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP	5.5	2012/10/17 17:23:42	-19.011	-174.162	29.8	TONGA
MAP	4.7	2012/10/17 15:58:56	-1.124	126.870	39.2	KEPULAUAN SULA, INDONESIA
MAP	2.6	2012/10/17 15:37:42	19.062	-66.355	62.0	PUERTO RICO REGION
MAP	5.0	2012/10/17 14:50:00	-14.946	-173.713	29.5	SAMOA ISLANDS REGION
MAP	2.5	2012/10/17 11:32:18	36.465	-121.035	5.0	CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
MAP	2.9	2012/10/17 11:08:54	35.748	-113.088	4.9	ARIZONA
MAP	2.9	2012/10/17 09:40:32	18.774	-64.872	30.0	VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION
MAP	2.9	2012/10/17 09:39:04	50.146	179.994	31.2	RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP	3.2	2012/10/17 09:33:01	65.430	-147.984	34.4	NORTHERN ALASKA
MAP	2.8	2012/10/17 09:27:05	65.396	-148.033	25.7	NORTHERN ALASKA
MAP	2.6	2012/10/17 08:24:24	65.608	-148.096	0.2	NORTHERN ALASKA
MAP	2.5	2012/10/17 08:19:43	65.475	-148.003	17.3	NORTHERN ALASKA
MAP	2.5	2012/10/17 08:09:53	52.054	-173.369	45.3	ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP	2.8	2012/10/17 07:23:38	45.273	-112.791	12.1	WESTERN MONTANA
MAP	2.5	2012/10/17 07:02:01	52.626	-167.031	6.5	FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP	2.9	2012/10/17 07:00:26	50.223	179.099	31.5	RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP	2.8	2012/10/17 06:36:12	19.354	-155.213	1.0	ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP	4.8	2012/10/17 05:49:23	-4.885	151.624	153.0	NEW BRITAIN REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
MAP	2.9	2012/10/17 05:48:03	19.184	-64.839	24.0	VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION
MAP	3.2	2012/10/17 04:42:40	35.678	-97.115	5.0	OKLAHOMA
MAP	6.0	2012/10/17 04:42:31	4.191	124.573	337.4	CELEBES SEA
MAP	2.5	2012/10/17 03:50:16	40.898	-124.552	16.7	OFFSHORE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP	4.7	2012/10/17 03:30:47	18.707	-70.873	12.7	DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
MAP	2.7	2012/10/17 02:57:32	32.483	-96.960	12.1	NORTHERN TEXAS
MAP	4.5	2012/10/17 02:55:22	12.428	-88.853	35.2	OFFSHORE EL SALVADOR
MAP	3.4	2012/10/17 02:50:27	18.081	-68.135	90.0	MONA PASSAGE, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
MAP	3.1	2012/10/17 02:12:44	19.096	-66.773	23.0	PUERTO RICO REGION
MAP	4.4	2012/10/17 01:26:41	14.155	-91.187	62.0	GUATEMALA
MAP	4.5	2012/10/17 00:44:05	36.705	140.291	54.2	NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
MAP	3.2	2012/10/17 00:36:57	65.040	-152.191	17.1	NORTHERN ALASKA

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	MAG	UTC DATE-TIME y/m/d h:m:s	LAT deg	LON deg	DEPTH km	Region
MAP	5.7	2012/10/16 23:42:55	-38.538	176.117	103.9	NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND
MAP	4.0	2012/10/16 23:12:23	43.592	-70.676	6.6	MAINE
MAP	2.9	2012/10/16 21:31:01	19.064	-66.397	55.0	PUERTO RICO REGION
MAP	2.6	2012/10/16 21:23:20	18.149	-68.491	66.0	MONA PASSAGE, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
MAP	4.4	2012/10/16 19:19:34	36.760	71.299	172.7	HINDU KUSH REGION, AFGHANISTAN
MAP	4.2	2012/10/16 19:03:23	16.158	-61.966	174.4	GUADELOUPE REGION, LEEWARD ISLANDS
MAP	4.8	2012/10/16 17:51:59	-5.500	147.137	225.6	EASTERN NEW GUINEA REG, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
MAP	2.6	2012/10/16 15:59:09	18.043	-65.489	17.0	PUERTO RICO REGION
MAP	2.8	2012/10/16 15:37:15	39.353	-118.100	12.6	NEVADA
MAP	4.9	2012/10/16 15:10:59	39.749	15.550	260.3	SOUTHERN ITALY
MAP	2.9	2012/10/16 15:03:24	19.180	-64.841	67.0	VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION
MAP	2.5	2012/10/16 14:36:33	61.735	-150.780	59.3	SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP	4.5	2012/10/16 13:50:00	16.216	-94.023	96.4	CHIAPAS, MEXICO
MAP	5.3	2012/10/16 13:39:26	31.221	130.192	168.3	KYUSHU, JAPAN
MAP	4.7	2012/10/16 13:07:14	48.228	154.538	58.6	KURIL ISLANDS
MAP	5.6	2012/10/16 12:41:24	49.569	156.526	64.7	KURIL ISLANDS
MAP	2.5	2012/10/16 12:39:36	19.383	-155.244	3.7	ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP	2.7	2012/10/16 12:36:19	18.011	-67.624	35.0	MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO
MAP	4.9	2012/10/16 12:31:07	32.946	141.354	43.7	IZU ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION
MAP	2.7	2012/10/16 11:38:19	51.868	-175.141	66.2	ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP	2.7	2012/10/16 11:17:56	19.381	-155.244	3.7	ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP	4.6	2012/10/16 10:25:20	37.459	35.689	26.6	CENTRAL TURKEY
MAP	2.6	2012/10/16 07:28:24	63.377	-152.266	8.0	CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP	2.9	2012/10/16 06:22:46	42.252	-124.793	24.6	OFFSHORE OREGON
MAP	2.7	2012/10/16 05:32:31	60.737	-150.114	93.7	KENAI PENINSULA, ALASKA
MAP	2.5	2012/10/16 04:30:45	34.822	-121.050	2.8	OFFSHORE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
MAP	4.5	2012/10/16 04:15:34	38.268	46.960	32.4	NORTHWESTERN IRAN
MAP	5.4	2012/10/16 02:03:29	31.289	140.288	102.6	IZU ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION
MAP	4.4	2012/10/16 01:16:04	37.273	37.083	5.1	CENTRAL TURKEY
MAP	5.0	2012/10/16 00:16:42	-36.828	78.729	9.8	MID-INDIAN RIDGE
MAP	3.4	2012/10/16 00:02:11	62.223	-145.689	16.0	CENTRAL ALASKA

………………………….

Dominican Republic Shaken by 4.7-Magnitude Earthquake Near Constanza

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Dominican Republic was shaken by its second earthquake since Sunday on Tuesday night, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The quake had a magnitude of 4.7 on the Richter scale, according to the USGS.

The epicentre was about 26 kilometres south-southwest of Constanza in La Vega, and 31 kilometres north-northwest of Azua.

It occurred at approximately 10:30 PM local time.

Light shaking was felt across the Dominican Republic, including in Peralta in Azul and in the capital, Santo Domingo.

The quake came just a few days after a 4.4-magnitude quake on Sunday off the coast of Samana on the country’s northern peninsula.

This one was towards the southern portion of the Dominican Republic, west of the capital, and far east of the border of Haiti.

It was not yet clear if any damage or injuries had been reported.

An earthquake in Southern Maine reverberated all the way to the Boston metropolitan area at 7:12 p.m. Tuesday evening.

“Notice how it seemed to kind of ‘roll’ through, shaking momentarily but kind of coming in a wave,” New England Sports Network, based in Boston, reported of feeling the quake.

Registering at a 4.5 magnitude, the temblor was centered 3.7 miles Maine’s Lake Arrowhead, Reuters reported.

There were no reported injuries or damage.

Maine has experienced over 80 earthquakes since 1997, according to the state’s Bureau of Geology. The state’s most serious earthquake was in 1904. It registered as a 5.1 on the Richter scale, and was felt through most of New England and the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

4.0-M earthquake centered in ME shakes New England

Related Articles

• No major NH damage as quake rattles New England
• Gov. Patrick releases statement on earthquake

RENO, Nev. (KRNV & MyNews4.com) — Some rattling and rolling in the area has earthquake experts on alert. In the past week more than 100 small earthquakes have shaken the earth beneath Spanish Springs.

So far they’ve been too small to feel, but quake experts want you to know they’re happening. There’s no reason to panic – but it’s a good reminder to make sure you’re prepared.

“People can consider certain mitigation steps in case these earthquakes increase in intensity and there’s a larger one,” said Ken Smith, associate director of the Nevada Seismological Laboratory.

Smith says most injuries from earthquakes are caused by falling or flying objects – and you don’t want to wait for a big quake to get ready.

“Secure your water heaters. Secure your valuables. Secure your book cases,” Smith said.

It’s not strange for a dozen quakes this size to happen in a week, but there have been at least 115 since October 8, and about 60 of those have been since Thursday.

“These things are totally unpredictable,” Smith said. “It could stop today, or it could keep going at a level of very small events that no one would feel.”

Or they could get stronger. so far they’re small – with the biggest two quakes shaking at magnitude one – but there’s potential for one that really rocks Reno.

“We have faults around here that are capable of magnitude seven type events,” Smith said.

So this week the Great Nevada Shakeout will teach people to drop, cover and hold-on just in case there’s a big quake. It’s Nevada’s largest earthquake drill and it’s this Thursday, October 18 at 10:18 am.

Earthquake Rattles Western Nebraska

 

The US Geological Survey (USGS) says an  earthquake occurred Wednesday evening in Western Nebraska.  About 1330 miles southeast of Rapid City.

The 3.6 magnitude earthquake occurred at 11:21 pm at a  depth of about4 miles ,  18 miles northwest of Hyannis, Nebraska.

Although not as common as in some other   states earthquakes do occur in Nebraska.  The strongest occurred on November 15, 1877 with a magnitude of 5.1.  Two  shocks 45 minutes apart rocked most of Nebraska and portions of surrounding  states , including South Dakota.

California, Other States Preparing for Earthquakes

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Get ready to rumble. Millions in the United States and several countries are set to participate in an earthquake preparedness drill Thursday.

Dubbed the “Great ShakeOut,” homeowners, schoolchildren and office workers across the West and Southeast will practice dropping to the ground, covering their heads and holding on to something sturdy – a technique that experts say minimizes injuries during strong shaking. Residents in British Columbia, Italy, Puerto Rico and Guam also signed up for the exercise.

(MORE: Earthquake Safety and Preparedness)

Organizers estimated some 14 million people, including 9.3 million in California, will participate. Newcomers include Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia, where a magnitude-5.8 hit last year that was felt along the East Coast.

In Los Angeles, commuters at Union Station will be asked to duck and take cover. Subways and light-rail trains will slow down so that operators can visually inspect the tracks – a process that’s expected to take 15 minutes. In an actual quake, trains can be stopped. Transportation officials also planned to show the public tips to safely evacuate a train.

Southern California held the first safety drill in 2008 based on a fictional magnitude-7.8 event on the southern San Andreas Fault. The entire state participated the following year and the exercise has since spread around the world.

“It’s not looking at earthquakes as doom and gloom,” said organizer Mark Benthien. “It’s all about what we’re going to do as a community to be prepared so that when there’s an earthquake, we’ll get back on our feet and recover.”

Southern California has not experienced a seismic disaster since the 1994 Northridge quake, which killed 72 people and caused $25 billion in damage to the Los Angeles region.

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Volcanic Activity

Katla Eruption Levees in South Iceland Checked

Chief of Police in Hvolsvöllur, a representative of the Icelandic Road Administration and geophysicist Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson will discuss at a meeting on Thursday whether the levees to the east of Vík, which lies across the Ring Road near the river Múlakvísl, must be raised to prove effective in case of a volcanic eruption in Katla.

Vík. Photo by Bernhild Vögel.

Geologist Ari Trausti Guðmundsson stated in an article in Morgunblaðið yesterday that it is important to raise the levees judging by the information available on the volume and depth of flooding from Katla, ruv.is reports.

The volcano lies underneath the Mýrdalsjökull icecap and a volcanic eruption is likely to cause a major glacier outburst.

The levees are the responsibility of the Icelandic Road Administration and according to a report conducted by Einar Hafliðason, a representative of the Road Administration, last spring there was no need to raise the levees given the conditions at hand.

The levees are now five meters high and 4,000-5,000 meters long.

Scientists are monitoring the volcano closely due to ongoing seismic activity.

Kilauea Volcano lava lake reaches highest level

Published on Oct 16, 2012 by bigislandvideonews

16.10.2012 06:37 PM

Pacific Ocean – Northwest, Japan

Unnamed Underwater Volcano, About 3 miles north-northeast of Minami-Iwoto island

Volcano Eruption

0804-093

Submarine volcano ?

No. 0

Volcano Eruption in Japan on Tuesday, 16 October, 2012 at 18:37 (06:37 PM) UTC.

Description

An underwater volcanic eruption was detected Wednesday morning close to Minami-Iwoto island in the Pacific Ocean and an expert speculated that the eruption could form a permanent island. A coast guard vessel spotted a white plume of smoke rising from the sea about three miles north-northeast of the island. It was the first time since July 2005 that volcanic smoke had been detected in the area, which is located about 745 miles south of central Tokyo. According to an announcement by the 3rd Regional Coast Guard Headquarters of the Japan Coast Guard, based in Yokohama, the volcano spewed ash and smoke about 100 meters into the air, and the surrounding sea area changed to a yellowish-green color while other parts became a cloudy gray. According to the Meteorological Agency, the volcano, known as Fukutokuokanoba, has erupted seven times since 1904, when its activities were first recorded. On three occasions, land masses were formed, but all later sank below the waterline. Tokyo Institute of Technology Prof. Kenji Nogami, an expert in geoscience, said: “In the 1986 eruption, a new island appeared after lava accumulated. The island was washed away by waves, but seabed upheaval reduced the water depth to 22 meters in 1999. It’s possible that this (recent) volcanic activity could form a permanent island.”

15.10.2012 12:23 PM

Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia [Asia]

Klyuchevskaya Sopka Volcano

Volcano Eruption

1000-26=

Stratovolcano

2009

No. 0

Volcano Eruption in Russia [Asia] on Monday, 15 October, 2012 at 12:23 (12:23 PM) UTC.

Description

The highest active volcano in Eurasia, Klyuchevskaya Sopka has started to erupt, officials with the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. On the night of October 15, there was light seen over the summit of the volcano indicating a blowout of lava in its crater, Vesti.ru reports. Experts believe the release of ash to the height of 6 feet above sea level may start any moment. Lava flows on the slopes of the volcano are also expected. Yellow aviation color code has been assigned to the volcano to warn about the potential danger that the volcanic ash and gases may pose to aircraft engines. Nothing has been said about the possible threat to human settlements. The nearest settlement is 30 kilometers far from Klyuchevskaya Sopka. The last eruption of Klyuchevskaya Sopka took place from September 2009 to December 2010. In June this year, the giant began to wake up again.

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Extreme Temperatures/ Weather

Global drought a ‘new normal’: report

by Staff Writers
New York (UPI)

disclaimer: image is for illustration purposes only

Related Links
Climate Science News – Modeling, Mitigation Adaptation

Today

Extreme Weather

Malaysia

State of Pulau Pinang, Kampung Sungai Burung

Extreme Weather in Malaysia on Friday, 19 October, 2012 at 15:01 (03:01 PM) UTC.

Description

Twenty-two houses at Kampung Sungai Burung and Jalan Baru Sungai Korok here were badly damaged during a severe thunderstorm today. In the noon incident, the winds blew away rooftops while falling trees compounded the destruction on the houses. Resident Zulkiflee Mat Yusof, 50, said many of the electrical items in his house were damaged by rain water, fanned by the winds into the house. A Bakso stall operator who only wanted to be identified as Anis, 31, said she was busy serving customers when the thunderstorm struck. “It was so sudden that I had no time to act,” she said, finding her stall and wares completely destroyed in the aftermath. Senior citizen Jamaludin Ahamad, 65, said he and his family were having their lunch in the living room when a tree at the back of the house fell and hit the kitchen roof.

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Storms / Flooding / Tornadoes

Active tropical storm system(s)
Name of storm system	Location	Formed	Last update	Last category	Course	Wind Speed	Gust	Wave	Source	Details
Maria (23W)	Pacific Ocean	14.10.2012	19.10.2012	Tropical Depression	100 °	56 km/h	74 km/h	4.57 m	JTWC

Tropical Storm data

Share: Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on email Share on print More Sharing Services 1 Storm name: Maria (23W) Area: Pacific Ocean Start up location: N 17° 48.000, E 142° 24.000 Start up: 14th October 2012 Status: Active Track long: 1,379.19 km Top category.: Report by: JTWC Useful links: Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale FEMA – How To Prepare for a Hurricane Effects of a Hurricane USA – National Hurricane Center

Past track Date Time Position Speed km/h Wind km/h Gust km/h Category Course Wave Pressure Source 14th Oct 2012 17:15:13 N 17° 48.000, E 142° 24.000 19 65 83 Tropical Storm 290 10 JTWC 15th Oct 2012 05:06:53 N 19° 30.000, E 142° 6.000 17 93 120 Tropical Storm 345 13 JTWC 15th Oct 2012 10:54:07 N 20° 54.000, E 141° 24.000 28 93 120 Tropical Storm 335 10 JTWC 15th Oct 2012 15:21:40 N 22° 42.000, E 141° 6.000 33 93 120 Tropical Storm 350 15 JTWC 16th Oct 2012 04:50:36 N 25° 24.000, E 140° 42.000 17 93 120 Tropical Storm 350 16 JTWC 16th Oct 2012 10:53:28 N 26° 54.000, E 141° 6.000 28 102 130 Tropical Storm 15 15 JTWC 16th Oct 2012 16:20:31 N 27° 36.000, E 141° 36.000 15 102 130 Tropical Storm 30 16 JTWC 17th Oct 2012 05:09:34 N 28° 54.000, E 143° 30.000 20 102 130 Tropical Storm 70 11 JTWC 17th Oct 2012 12:10:15 N 29° 30.000, E 144° 48.000 24 93 120 Tropical Storm 60 19 JTWC 17th Oct 2012 16:13:13 N 30° 24.000, E 146° 18.000 30 83 102 Tropical Storm 55 16 JTWC 18th Oct 2012 10:43:32 N 32° 12.000, E 153° 18.000 48 74 93 Tropical Storm 80 18 JTWC Current position Date Time Position Speed km/h Wind km/h Gust km/h Category Course Wave feet Pressure Source 19th Oct 2012 12:08:22 N 31° 12.000, E 158° 48.000 19 56 74 Tropical Depression 100 ° 15 JTWC Forecast track Date Time Position Category Wind km/h Gust km/h Source 20th Oct 2012 06:00:00 N 30° 30.000, E 162° 12.000 Tropical Depression 37 56 JTWC

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HOUSTON -

Tropical Cyclone Anais is estimated to have a maximum wind of 115 mph as of early this morning, which is equivalent to a category 3 hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean.
The southwestern Indian Ocean is prone to tropical cyclones but what makes Anais so rare is that it is occurring in October, which is early springtime in the southern Hemisphere.

The peak period for tropical events in this part of the world is normally during our winter months of January-March.

Anais is forecast to move southwest in the general direction of Madagascar for the next five days and weaken as it moves into cooler waters and unfavorable winds.

We rarely hear much about the southern Indian Ocean storms as the area has little land and the storms mostly stay at sea.

Occasionally Madagascar or the island nations of Mauritius and Reunion will take a hit, and more rarely a storm will reach mainland Africa.

Forecast responsibility for this region is through the French weather service, Meteo France, located in La Reunion to the east of Madagascar.

The countries in the Indian Ocean simply refer to these storms as Tropical Cyclones, regardless of intensity.

Tropical Cyclone Anais is the same thing as a hurricane in the Atlantic or typhoon in the western Pacific.

However, note that it rotates the opposite direction, clockwise, because it is in the southern Hemisphere.

To illustrate how unusual this event is, Anais is like having a Category 3 hurricane in the Caribbean in April.

Tropical cyclones are occurring more frequently than before

by Staff Writers
Copenhagen, Denmark (SPX)

Storm surges are considered to be the most dangerous and the most destructive aspect of tropical cyclones. The study shows that globally warm years has been associated with a significantly higher risk of extreme hurricane storm surges like the one that followed Katrina, which hit the New Orleans area in 2005 and caused devastating floods and thousands of deaths. Credit: Credit: LCDR Mark Moran, NOAA Corps, NMAO/AOC.

Related Links
University of Copenhagen
Bringing Order To A World Of Disasters
When the Earth Quakes
A world of storm and tempest

At least eight people were injured as a round of severe storms, including a few tornadoes, swept through the Mississippi Valley and South Wednesday and Wednesday night.

According to preliminary reports compiled by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC), at least four tornadoes touched down across Arkansas and Mississippi.

Photos: Late-Night Tornadoes Keep People Up All Night

A potent cold front moving across the Lower Mississippi Valley acted as the ignition for the thunderstorms. Enough humid air was in place to support the growth of severe thunderstorms capable of spawning tornadoes. Twisting winds in the atmosphere aided the rotation in thunderstorms, further aiding tornado development.

Strong winds, wind damage or hail was reported across a half dozen states in total, from Illinois to Mississippi.

One particularly damaging tornado tracked across Sharkey County, Miss., shortly before 11:00 p.m. local time, destroying numerous mobile homes and injuring five near the town of Louise, which sustained “heavy” damage according to local law enforcement.

The same tornadic thunderstorm narrowly missed nearby Yazoo City, which was devastated by a pair of tornadoes in 2010.

The towns of Clarendon and West Jericho, Ark., and Shelby, Miss., were also impacted by tornadoes Wednesday evening, according to various reports.

Severe storm reports from Wed., Oct. 17. Strong winds and wind damage incidents are indicated in blue, while tornadoes are plotted in red and hail in green. (SPC)

It is possible that more tornadoes will be confirmed to have touched down across the region as other incidents of wind damage are assessed by the National Weather Service over the next couple of days.

One such incident occurred in Scott County, Miss., where a person was injured when a tree fell onto their mobile home.

Strong thunderstorm winds heavily damaged about a dozen buildings in Bland, Mo., earlier in the day, including the town’s post office, where two people sustained minor injuries.

As of 4:30 a.m. EST Thursday, there were nearly 100 reports of severe weather and damage from the severe weather outbreak. Eighty of the reports alone were wind damage, ranging from downed trees and power lines to partially collapsed structures.

While not as prolific, a few storms produced one-inch diameter hail stones in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Tornado in USA on Friday, 19 October, 2012 at 02:59 (02:59 AM) UTC.

Description

As severe storms pounded central and eastern Arkansas Wednesday evening, the Monroe County town of Clarendon experienced widespread power outages and heavy damage to some buildings. With most of the town without power for much of the night, several community members drove around town trying to offer help as best they could. Metal awnings from a building were ripped off and tossed across the street, and trees were downed, including one that hit a Clarendon video store just moments after the owner, Denise Davenport, left. Davenport said she left after friends called her and told her the storm was approaching. Shortly afterward, she says she heard the city’s weather sirens sound. Davenport also credits the support from the community for keeping her safe in a dangerous situation.

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Radiation / Nuclear

By John Breneman
jbreneman@seacoastonline.com
SEABROOK — An “unusual event” indeed. The 4.0 magnitude earthquake that rumbled across the Seacoast and beyond Tuesday evening triggered normal safety protocols at the Seabrook Station nuclear power plant.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission declared an “unusual event” — NRC-speak for the lowest of its four levels of emergency classifications — at 7:20 p.m. Tuesday. The declaration was prompted by on-site ground motion resulting from an earthquake centered near Hollis, Maine — about 50 miles from the plant.

“There was absolutely no impact to the plant from the earthquake,” said Al Griffith, spokesman for NextEra Energy, the plant’s owner. Griffith said a series of mandated safety checks were conducted at the plant, concluding at 1:49 a.m., some six and a half hours after the tremor.

Citing the “robustness” of the plant’s design, Griffith assured that it is capable of withstanding a far, far greater impact than Tuesday’s quake.

There are seismic monitors on site and Griffith said officials will be conducting “a very thorough examination and analysis of all of our data.”

An NRC resident inspector assigned to Seabrook responded to the site last night to confirm that there were no immediate safety issues at the plant, which is currently shut down for a scheduled refueling and maintenance outage.

“The reactor was fully shut down at the time the earthquake occurred,” said Neil Sheehan, regional public officer for the NRC.

“Following procedures used when there is seismic activity affecting the plant, NextEra personnel conducted initial walkdowns, i.e., visual inspections, and confirmed that all key safety systems were functioning properly and that there was no significant structural damage,” Sheehan said in a statement. “The company will subsequently gather more seismic data and perform more detailed inspections.”

Asked about the need to be vigilant in preparing for and reacting to any seismic activity, particularly in the wake of the March 2011 disaster following an earthquake and tsunami at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in Japan, Sheehan said, “What happened at Fukushima served as a vivid reminder” of why the highest safety protocols are put in place and enforced.

Last April, NextEra Energy conducted a tsunami drill Tuesday at the Seabrook Station plant in order to identify strengths and weaknesses of the plant in case of such a disaster.

Gavin Allwright Talks About Fukushima.

Published on Oct 16, 2012 by Goodisplanetearth gipetv

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Epidemic Hazards / Diseases

Today

Epidemic Hazard

Uganda

Western Uganda, [Kabale District]

Epidemic Hazard in Uganda on Friday, 19 October, 2012 at 10:56 (10:56 AM) UTC.

Description
Health experts have confirmed an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus in the western district of Kabale after samples from two relatives taken to the Uganda Virus Institute tested positive. Police Thursday stopped the burial of Boaz Turyahikayo a lecturer at Uganda Christian University and his sister Mildrid Asasira after it emerged that their family had lost four people from a mysterious disease in just a month. The other two are Lillian Banegura their mother and an elder brother Bernard Rutaro who passed away early this month. Dr. Patrick Tusiime the Kabale district health officer said a team from the Ministry of Health and World Health Organization is on its way to oversee the burial of the two victims. The Marburg virus was last reported in Uganda in 2008. It carries symptoms similar to those of Ebola that include fever, vomiting and internal bleeding.
Biohazard name:	Marburg virus disease (MVD)
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

17.10.2012

Epidemic Hazard

Portugal

Atlantic Ocean – North, [Madeira Autonomous Region]

Epidemic Hazard in Portugal on Friday, 12 October, 2012 at 16:59 (04:59 PM) UTC.

Description
Eighteen people are confirmed to be suffering from dengue fever in the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira and another 191 probably have the mosquito-borne disease which is also called “breakbone fever” because of the severe pain it can cause. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC.L) which monitors disease in the European Union, said the outbreak was “significant but not entirely unexpected” given that the most efficient carriers of the disease, mosquitoes known as Aedes aegypti, have an established presence in Madeira. “Portuguese public health authorities are implementing control measures to reduce the risk of sustained transmission locally, the export of infected vectors from the island, and to minimise the impact on the affected population,” it said. The ECDC said the risk for tourists visiting Madeira and for residents of the island would “depend on the course of the outbreak in the coming weeks and the effectiveness of the control measures.” It did not recommend any restrictions on travel or tourism to Madeira, but advised people to protect themselves adequately against mosquito bites, particularly during the day which is when dengue-carrying mosquitoes are most active.
Biohazard name:	Dengue Fever
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:	The disease is a viral infection that can cause a range of symptoms, from mild flu-like illness to more serious illnesses including rashes and bone pain. Severe and potentially deadly forms develop in around 5 percent of patients.
Status:	confirmed

Epidemic Hazard in Portugal on Friday, 12 October, 2012 at 16:59 (04:59 PM) UTC.

Back

Updated:	Wednesday, 17 October, 2012 at 03:06 UTC
Description
The United Kingdom’s Health Protection Agency reported 18 confirmed cases of dengue fever on the Madeira archipelago in Portugal and 191 probable cases since early October. The reported cases mark the first time that the mosquito-borne viral infection has been reported in Madeira. Health authorities in Madeira are looking into the cases and are implementing prevention and control measures along with a public awareness campaign. “Dengue fever cannot be passed from person to person and infection occurs after being bitten by the Aedes mosquito carrying the virus,” Jane Jones, a travel-associated infection expert at the HPA, said. “To minimize the risk of being bitten it is advisable to wear appropriate clothing to cover up – such as long sleeve tops and trousers, and to use insect repellents.” Dengue can cause multiple clinical symptoms, including a mild flu-like illness. It can also cause more serious symptoms such as rash, bone pain and severe complications. “There is no specific preventive medicine or vaccination against dengue fever and prevention relies on avoiding mosquito bites particularly around dusk and dawn when the day biting mosquitoes are most active,” Dipti Patel, the joint director of the National Travel Health Network and Center, said. “Anyone who develops a fever or flu-like symptoms within two weeks of returning from a trip to Madeira should seek medical advice from NHS Direct or their GP.” Approximately 2.5 billion people worldwide are at risk of acquiring dengue fever, according to the World Health Organization.

17.10.2012

Epidemic Hazard

Zambia

Central State, [Lukanga Swamps (Kapiri Mposhi district)]

Epidemic Hazard in Zambia on Friday, 12 October, 2012 at 15:30 (03:30 PM) UTC.

Description
The diarrhoeal disease which broke-out last week and has since claimed over 14 lives of fishermen in Lukanga Swamps in Kapiri Mposhi district has been confirmed to be cholera. Kapiri Mposhi District Medical Officer, Charles Mwinuna confirmed to ZANIS today that according to the second-round of tests conducted on the samples obtained from the patients admitted at Waya clinic in the area, the diarrheal disease was confirmed cholera. Over 20 patients are admitted to Waya clinic after experiencing severe diarrhoea and vomiting. Dr Mwinuna said officers from the District Health Management Team have since been dispatched to Lukanga Swamps and were treating people with cholera symptoms. He also said precautionary measures were being taken to ensure that the disease does not spread to other areas in the district. Dr Mwinuna said the health personnel dispatched to Lukanga Swamps are also conducting further tests and contact tracing of the origin of patients admitted to the clinic and were sensitizing the community on hygiene and providing chlorine to households to reduce the chances of spreading the diarrheal disease. Fourteen people have so far died of the disease which was earlier mistaken to be severe diarrhoea. The diarrhoea and vomiting disease broke out at Kaswende, Waya, Kabosha and Ngwenya fishing camps on Lukanga Swamps. The bodies of the deceased are being buried at a cholera designated graveyard in the area Meanwhile, a traditional leader has appealed to the Ministry of Health to open-up cholera Centres in all fishing camps to treat patients and reduce chances of further spreading the diarrheal disease. Headwoman Agnes Chimbuleni noted that the disease has claimed many lives in the area because of the distances patients had to cover to Waya clinic from the fishing camps for treatment.
Biohazard name:	Cholera
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

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Climate Change

VIEW GALLERY

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Solar Activity

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Space

By Lori Preuitt

|Watch NBC  Video  Here

The Bay Area was buzzing Wednesday night after a bright streak moved across the sky. It was accompanied by a loud boom.

This happened around 7:40 p.m.

Early bets said it was a meteor.  The Orionids meteor shower is happening right now, but experts told NBC Bay Area that Wednesday’s streak was not from Orion because the earth is shielding us from those meteors tonight.

Whatever it was, it caught the attention of hundreds, if not thousands of people.

NASA Ames astronomer Peter Jennikens helped us get the photo at the top of this article and below. Jennikens said he will be up all night researching where the meteor may have landed. He will be out early Thursday morning looking for remnants. He’s hoping to get more video from security cameras that might have been rolling when the meteor hit.

Beppy Tobeler told us on our Facebook page that she saw it from Dublin Security Storage. “It was so low and close I thought it was someone setting off fireworks,” Tobeler said. She said it sailed across the sky and broke up in several pieces.

Steve Siegel said he saw it from Sunnyvale. He described it as a super bright streak going north about 30 degrees into the sky. He said it lasted for 7 or 8 seconds.

 ”I saw one giant, bright as close as a firework ball of light with long tail out visiting my parents in Forestville. One of the coolest things I’ve ever seen nothing at all like a shooting star,” Jessica Collins said on our Facebook page.

People at the Lick Observatory posted two raw clips of the what they said was a meteor breaking up over San Jose. It was taken by a security camera from the top of the observatory.

NASA posted on a science Website earlier this week that said this is the week to watch for the Orionid meteor shower caused by Halley’s Comet.

An article on NASA Science News said that every year in mid-to-late October, the Earth passes through a stream of dusty debris from Comet Halley. It promised sightings in the pre-dawn hours. Wednesday night’s streak was in the evening hours. Also, usually the meteor showers related to Hailey’s Comet are much smaller than what is being described.

NASA said that the highlight of the Orionid meteor shower is coming this weekend

“We expect to see about 25 meteors per hour when the shower peaks on Sunday morning, Oct 21st,” says Bill Cooke, the head of NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office.

Read more about the Orionid meteor shower here.

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
214869 (2007 PA8)	05th November 2012	17 day(s)	0.0433	16.8	1.5 km – 3.3 km	10.79 km/s	38844 km/h
(2011 UG21)	06th November 2012	18 day(s)	0.1784	69.4	340 m – 760 m	19.73 km/s	71028 km/h
(2010 WT)	07th November 2012	19 day(s)	0.1251	48.7	53 m – 120 m	6.53 km/s	23508 km/h
333358 (2001 WN1)	09th November 2012	21 day(s)	0.1285	50.0	370 m – 830 m	8.73 km/s	31428 km/h
330233 (2006 KV86)	11th November 2012	23 day(s)	0.1876	73.0	450 m – 1.0 km	23.35 km/s	84060 km/h
(2008 LH2)	12th November 2012	24 day(s)	0.1487	57.9	35 m – 78 m	5.10 km/s	18360 km/h
(2001 YM2)	12th November 2012	24 day(s)	0.0860	33.5	440 m – 980 m	9.26 km/s	33336 km/h
(2012 KF25)	15th November 2012	27 day(s)	0.1528	59.5	23 m – 51 m	9.75 km/s	35100 km/h
1 AU = ~150 million kilometers,1 LD = Lunar Distance = ~384,000 kilometers Source: NASA-NEO

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Earth Changes

An extremely brief reversal of the geomagnetic field, climate variability and a super volcano

An extremely brief reversal of the geomagnetic field, climate variability and a super volcano

41,000 years ago, a complete and rapid reversal of the geomagnetic field occured. Magnetic studies of the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences on sediment cores from the Black Sea show that during this period, during the last ice age, a compass at the Black Sea would have pointed to the south instead of north. Moreover, data obtained by the research team formed around GFZ researchers Dr. Norbert Nowaczyk and Prof. Helge Arz, together with additional data from other studies in the North Atlantic, the South Pacific and Hawaii, prove that this polarity reversal was a global event. Their results are published in the latest issue of the scientific journal “Earth and Planetary Science Letters“.

What is remarkable is the speed of the reversal: “The field geometry of reversed polarity, with field lines pointing into the opposite direction when compared to today’s configuration, lasted for only about 440 years, and it was associated with a field strength that was only one quarter of today’s field,” explains Norbert Nowaczyk. “The actual polarity changes lasted only 250 years. In terms of geological time scales, that is very fast.” During this period, the field was even weaker, with only 5% of today’s field strength. As a consequence, the Earth nearly completely lost its protection shield against hard cosmic rays, leading to a significantly increased radiation exposure.

This is documented by peaks of radioactive beryllium (10Be) in ice cores from this time, recovered from the Greenland ice sheet. 10Be as well as radioactive carbon (14C) is caused by the collision of high-energy protons from space with atoms of the atmosphere.

The Laschamp event

The polarity reversal now found with the magnetisation of Black Sea sediments has already been known for 45 years. It was first discovered after the analysis of the magnetisation of several lava flows near the village Laschamp near Clermont-Ferrand in the Massif Central, which differed significantly from today’s direction of the geomagnetic field. Since then, this geomagnetic feature is known as the ‘Laschamp event’. However, the data of the Massif Central represent only some point readings of the geomagnetic field during the last ice age, whereas the new data from the Black Sea give a complete image of geomagnetic field variability at a high temporal resolution.

Abrupt climate changes and a super volcano

Besides giving evidence for a geomagnetic field reversal 41,000 years ago, the geoscientists from Potsdam discovered numerous abrupt climate changes during the last ice age in the analysed cores from the Black Sea, as it was already known from the Greenland ice cores. This ultimately allowed a high precision synchronisation of the two data records from the Black Sea and Greenland. The largest volcanic eruption on the Northern hemisphere in the past 100 000 years, namely the eruption of the super volcano 39400 years ago in the area of today’s Phlegraean Fields near Naples, Italy, is also documented within the studied sediments from the Black Sea. The ashes of this eruption, during which about 350 cubic kilometers of rock and lava were ejected, were distributed over the entire eastern Mediterranean and up to central Russia. These three extreme scenarios, a short and fast reversal of the Earth’s magnetic field, short-term climate variability of the last ice age and the volcanic eruption in Italy, have been investigated for the first time in a single geological archive and placed in precise chronological order.

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Biological Hazards / Wildlife / Hazmat

 

 

Massive fish kill continues in the Neuse River

A massive fish kill on the Neuse River that has been ongoing for nearly a month has resulted in thousands of menhaden washed up on beaches near Neuse Harbor.

Mitch Blake, Neuse Riverkeeper, viewed the area Tuesday afternoon, saying there were several hundred thousand dead fish washed up on the beach and in the river.

For 21 days, mostly Atlantic menhaden have been dying over a large portion of the river from New Bern to Hancock Creek, Blake said in an email.

Some of the dead menhaden have ulcers that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials have identified as Aphanomyces invadans from six samples analyzed in Beaufort. Fish samples were taken from the Neuse River in an impaired region by the Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation at the first sign of menhaden showing problems, Blake said.

“Over the 21-day period fish have been reported dead from New Bern to Hancock Creek and include areas in Slocum, Beard, Goose, Upper Broad, Northwest and Duck Creek,” he said.

Very few other species have been reported dead during the fish kill, except for isolated spots around Bay Point, which also had red drum, striped bass and spot.

“At this time we continue to see large schools of Atlantic menhaden, some floating, some are sinking to the bottom upon death,” Blake said. “An accurate count has not been totaled due to the massive area but just (Tuesday) I counted areas that were over 500 yards in length with approximately 90 dead fish per foot. With numbers like this it could easily go into the millions. In these areas there are dead, decaying, and in some cases just bones to reveal the timeline and magnitude of the kill.”

Joe Freemon, who lives in Neuse Harbor, said that on Tuesday there was a solid belt of dead fish on the beach of the river that bordered his property.

“You could stand there and see lots of others floating on top of the water,” Freemon said. “It’s the biggest (fish kill) I’ve seen and I’ve been on the water here over 50 years. You could smell it a couple of hundred feet away. … It’s a bad situation and unfortunate. ”

Blake said experts have told him the fish kill may continue due to the complexity of the area and lack of funding to run the proper analyzing equipment.

“There have been issues with oxygen, phytoplankton, stratification, nitrogen, pollutants among others, so the exact cause of death in the areas listed, has been complex to say the least,” he said.

Blake said he has been talking to a lot of people in the scientific community about what is causing the fish to die.

“I’m trying to put together a team to analyze it better,” Blake said.

As a nonprofit and staff of three to cover the Neuse Basin, The Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation depends on community support and volunteers.

“I’ve been working diligently to get information to the scientific community, the translation that comes from that is very important to the communities and people along the Neuse,” Blake said. “I think these menhaden stocks are extremely important to the dynamics of the estuary and millions of dead fish adding to the nutrient load creates its own set of concerns. As a community we have to address the impacts we have on the basin and we deserve to know where these impacts are coming from.”

Jill Paxson, environmental senior specialist with the N.C. Division of Water Quality, said for the past three weeks her office has been inundated with calls about menhaden fish kills, and not only in the Neuse River. There has been large kills in the Pamlico Sound also, she said.

Paxson said menhaden have a tough time living in a fresh and salt water estuary like the Neuse River. Some of the tributaries are shallow and the water can cool or warm up fast, causing a strain for the fish, she said.

“It is a very difficult place if you are a fish,” she said.

Paxson said as a precaution people should not go in the water around the fish or let their pets in the water and should wash if they do come in contact with the fish or water.

People usually don’t eat menhaden. They are on the bottom of the food chain and are eaten by larger fish like tuna and sharks, Paxson said.

Eddie Fitzgerald can be reached at 252-635-5675 or at eddie.fitzgerald@newbernsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @staffwriter3.

 

 

Today

Biological Hazard

Vietnam

Province of Dien Bien , Noong Luong Commune [Dien Bien District]

Biological Hazard in Vietnam on Friday, 19 October, 2012 at 06:39 (06:39 AM) UTC.

Description
Cases of bird flu have been reported in Noong Luong Commune, Dien Bien District in the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien. Director of the provincial Department of Animal Health Cao Thi Tuyet Lan said bird flu outbreaks were discovered last Friday in two households in the commune’s Village 12, with nearly 720 livestock suffering from the disease. Three days later, local authority discovered nearly 400 other livestock infected with the H5N1 virus in Village 15. Since the outbreak, authorities have detected and culled more than 1,000 sick livestock in the commune. The province banned sick livestock from being transported, processed and traded out of the affected area, and closely supervised slaughter and trade in other districts and communes of the province. The provincial People’s Committee also quarantined the affected areas, and counted the number of livestock, especially ducks in Noong Luong Commune and Muong Thanh District, to ensure that a bird flu epidemic does not spread. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development also gave guidance on carrying out preventive measures such as sterilisation of farms where infected poultry have been reported.
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

Today

Biological Hazard

USA

State of Hawaii, Kahului [Kite Beach (Kaa Point)]

Biological Hazard in USA on Friday, 19 October, 2012 at 03:07 (03:07 AM) UTC.

Description
Officials closed beaches around Kanaha Beach Park Thursday morning after a shark bit a stand-up paddle board around 7:30 a.m. off of an area known as “Kite Beach,” or Kaa Point. Stand-up paddle boarder David Peterson of Pukalani was not injured, officials said. The 55-year-old paddle board and surfboard shaper said he was standing on his board waiting for waves to come in and “all of a sudden (I get) knocked off my board. I didn’t see anything.” He said the shark had a hold of his board and would not let go of it, so Peterson hit the shark with his paddle as he was in the water. The shark let go but then came between him and the board and with his hands Peterson pushed the shark away and jumped back on his board. Peterson said he suffered some scrapes from getting back onto the damaged board. Otherwise, he wasn’t hurt. The shark is estimated to be 6 to 8 feet long. Staff officials said it is unknown what type of shark was involved. Shark warning signs were to be posted, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Biohazard name:	Shark attack (non-fatal)
Biohazard level:	0/4 —
Biohazard desc.:	This does not included biological hazard category.
Symptoms:
Status:	confirmed

17.10.2012

Biological Hazard

Nepal

Bhaktapur District, Bode

Biological Hazard in Nepal on Monday, 15 October, 2012 at 07:41 (07:41 AM) UTC.

Description
Authorities in Bhaktapur’s Bode have culled more than 1500 chickens following a suspected outbreak of bird flu, health officials said. The outbreak of avian influenza initially killed 500 chickens out of 2000 at the poultry farm of a local Om Khadka. A meeting of health officials is underway at Bhaktapur to confirm whether the reported case is of bird flu.
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

Biological Hazard in Nepal on Monday, 15 October, 2012 at 07:41 (07:41 AM) UTC.

Back

Updated:	Wednesday, 17 October, 2012 at 14:38 UTC
Description
Hundreds of birds have been culled in central Nepal following confirmation of a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak on a poultry farm. Animal health officials decided to cull all birds and destroy eggs suspected to be infected with a strain of H5N1 virus in Bhaktapur district, 15 km east of the capital Kathmandu. The Directorate of Animal Health killed 780 chickens at the poultry farm following the confirmation and around 150 crates of eggs and six sacks of feeds stored at the farm were also destroyed as part of preventive measures. Samples were sent to an animal health laboratory for examination after a sudden spurt in deaths at the farm. According to officials out of 2,500 chickens at the farm, 1,200 had already died of infection from the virus. “Surveillance will be intensified and veterinary officials deployed to monitor other poultry farms in the area,” said Dr Narayan Prasad Ghimire, a senior veterinary officer at Department of Animal Health. High alert was issued in and around Kathmandu to prevent the spreading of the virus.

Today

Chemical Accident

United Kingdom

England, Bamber Bridge [Lancashire]

Chemical Accident in United Kingdom on Friday, 19 October, 2012 at 11:08 (11:08 AM) UTC.

Description

A grenade left over from the second World War left 13 people needing hospital treatment in England. The casualties were exposed to toxic fumes after workmen disturbed the stockpile of phosphorous grenades left in the sealed-up cellar of a property in Bamber Bridge near Preston, Lancashire. It is thought one of the grenades, issued to members of the Home Guard during the war, was dislodged and cracked, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said. The devices, glass bottles about eight inches long, were intended to release a highly flammable mixture of phosphorus and benzene after being thrown, self-igniting on exposure to air. They were to be used by reservists against Nazi occupiers if Britain had fallen to German invasion, but had lain forgotten for almost 70 years in the sealed-off cellar of a former fire station, now used as a printing firm premises. A further six such devices were found in cellar space which had been bricked up for some years. Firefighters were first called to reports of a fire at the premises of Sprint Print on Station Road in Bamber Bridge at 12.23pm yesterday. On arrival they established the smoke was in fact chemical fumes from what was thought to be a small container or bottle of acid in the cellar. Two drainage company employees investigating a report from the occupier of damp masonry are thought to have inadvertently dislodged one of the bottles in the stockpile, causing it to leak. They were exposed to the fumes and were injured along with three workers at Sprint Print. Of these five casualties, two suffered chemical burns and three experienced breathing problems. Two paramedics and six hospital staff at the Royal Preston Hospital – where the casualties had been taken – subsequently also complained of breathing difficulties. All 13 casualties responded well to treatment and have been allowed home. The cracked grenade was made safe and removed for disposal by an army disposal team and the rest of the stockpile will be disposed of in a controlled explosion, the fire service said.

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Articles of Interest

Today

Power Outage

USA

State of Iowa, Sioux City

Power Outage in USA on Friday, 19 October, 2012 at 02:58 (02:58 AM) UTC.

Description

Winds gusting up to 52 miles per hour and transformer fires were blamed for power outages Thursday that affected more than 2,000 homes and businesses in Sioux City. Service was restored to many of the homes within a few hours. The first outages were reported at 5:47 a.m. near 15th and Pierce streets. Outages caused by transformer fires were reported at 10:17 a.m. at 4105 Gordon Drive and about 12:30 p.m. at 2116 W. Third St. Officials at MidAmerican Energy Co. aren’t sure what caused the transformer fires but suspect the weather was a factor, company spokeswoman Tina Potthoff said. The company’s transmission system had been trouble-free before the powerful wind gusts arrived, she said. The top of a power pole exploded with a bang at Ultra No Touch Car Wash at 4105 Gordon Drive, said manager Brandon Swift. The flash was so intense, he thought something at the business had been struck by lighting.

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