Taiwan – Dangerous Earthquake

Very Strong dangerous earthquake below Taiwan – 2 person killed, 1 missing and at least 21 people injured (3 seriously)

Last update: June 2, 2013 at 3:08 pm by By

Update 06:06 UTC : USGS has also changed the depth to 14 km, still very shallow. The Maximum shaking now reported by USGS is V or moderate shaking. This means that according to USGS no important damage or injuries can be expected. They are maintaining however there Magnitude at Mw 6.5

Screen Shot 2013-06-02 at 08.08.35

Update 06:03 UTC : USGS has changed the location of his epicenter which looks a lot better now than before but we call it still dangerous for damage and injuries. USGS gives also a higher Magnitude than the other agencies : M6.5

25km (16mi) SE of Buli, Taiwan
39km (24mi) E of Lugu, Taiwan
49km (30mi) ESE of Nantou, Taiwan
49km (30mi) ESE of Zhongxing New Village, Taiwan
734km (456mi) ENE of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Update 06:02 UTC : The earthquake occurred in the central mountains area but was very shallow and close to a number of villages at the western side of the mountains.

Very shallow dangerous earthquake close to Buli, Taiwan

Screen Shot 2013-06-02 at 08.00.22

4km (2mi) NE of Buli, Taiwan
32km (20mi) E of Zhongxing New Village, Taiwan
35km (22mi) ENE of Nantou, Taiwan
36km (22mi) ESE of Taichung, Taiwan
725km (450mi) ENE of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Most important Earthquake Data:

Magnitude : 6.2

Local Time (conversion only below land) : 2013-06-02 13:43:04

GMT/UTC Time : 2013-06-02 05:43:04

Depth (Hypocenter)  : 20 km

Update 15:12 UTC : A second killed person is confirmed by the authorities. One more is still missing. Number of injuries rises 21, still only 3 of them were seriously injured. Most of this persons were wounded by the rockfalls and landslides which were triggered by the quake. Also the two killed person died by rockfalls. 3 persons suffered minor injuries by broken glass.

Update 10:58 UTC : Number of injuries rises to 19. 3 of them are seriously injured.

Update 10:12 UTC : 1 killed, 2 seriously injured and 16 slightly injured persons are reported now.

Update 08:48 UTC : And yet another video recorded in Nantou (not so close to the epicenter we think), but nevertheless showing the shaking.

Update 08:43 UTC : The well informed Chinanews reports that at least 17 people have been slightly injured, 1 seriously injured and 1 killed during this earthquake.

Update 08:39 UTC : Another private video showing the damage at a house in Nantou county. Most of the houses in Taiwan have been build according to strict seismic building rules and we see in almost every important earthquake that the damage is after all limited. The house/building structure has a lot of resistance. The damage part is at the end of the video.

Update 08:20 UTC : Some of the stranded tourists are being injured

Update 08:08 UTC : We are searching for more details but most of the reports are to vague to be printed here

Update 07:59 UTC : 3 aftershocks so far respectively M3.1, M3.6 and M3.8

Update 07:58 UTC : Luckily no more fatalities at this point (lets hope it remains like this). At least 7 climbers injured by rockfall. A woman was hit by a landslide while driving with her car, she was severely injured.

Update 07:54 UTC : We talk a lot about reported rockfall. Hard to imagine what it looks like? Check the image below from one of the scenes

Screen Shot 2013-06-02 at 09.53.33

Update 07:44 UTC : Taiwan’s “Defense Ministry” has requested to complete the first five combat zone troops preparedness, disaster relief initiative to help the public. We have various reports of collapsed walls in houses.

Update 07:42 UTC : more than 1000 tourists are trapped on a mountain platform, because the cable railway was destroyed by landslide

Update 07:40 UTC : Taiwanese police reports that many people have been slightly injured by debris from ceilings.
Sunday afternoon in Taiwan means that many people enjoyed the mountain scene, which is in part the reason that so many people are trapped in these areas.

Update 07:30 UTC : Euronews reports that at least 1 person has been killed in Taiwan due to the earthquake. The killed person was a mountain climber who was killed by rockfall.

Update 07:24 UTC : these are the landslides which happened in many places in Taiwan. Hopefully you are not on the path of the slide

Screen Shot 2013-06-02 at 09.25.57

Image courtesy and copyright weibo.com

Image courtesy and copyright weibo.com

Image courtesy and copyright weibo.com

Update 07:24 UTC : USGS revised shaking map  (now increased to VII MMI = very strong shaking)

Screen Shot 2013-06-02 at 09.22.54

Update 07:20 UTC : More than 1000 tourists are trapped in Nantou county due to many landslides. Power is off in some areas.  Cable car service is suspended.

Update 07:17 UTC : We get reports of many injuries in the Central Part of Taiwan due to rockfall. Rescue teams are being send to these locations.

for more information, go to:    http://earthquake-report.com/2013/06/02/very-strong-earthquake-taiwan-on-june-2-2013/

Earthquake – Phillipines

Strong very dangerous earthquake in Mindanao, Philippines (near Kabacan, Carmen, Libungan, President Roxas and Midsayap)

Last update: June 1, 2013 at 4:26 pm by By

Update 15:54 UTC : We get gradually a better view on what is happening as we have received a number of reports from Kabacan which is less than 30 km from the epicenter. these reports are confirming the strong expected shaking + also the many aftershocks (at least 10).
Kabacan Experience reports :
– still experiencing very strong aftershocks. almost 10 aftershocks already (Very Strong shaking indicated)
– in only split of seconds, earthquake for 3x (strong shaking indicated)
– Lasted for less than a minute (Very Strong shaking indicated)
– Both swinging and bouncing motion (Very Strong shaking indicated)
In Libungan, a location 35 km west of the epicenter, the power was out shortly
– I opened the door, got out of the house. Very strong,  even our dogs panicked. its 10:28pm on our clock, followed by slight shaking at around 10:55pm .we are viewing PGT but power was off for few minutes.
– Cannot avoid panicking as I was so afraid.
Another location with rather high Shaking values is Midsayap :
– my family was so afraid it is very strong earthquake i easily carry my grand ma because of too nervous all i want is to escaped inside the house carrying my lola a very impressive adrenalin rush
– Strong shaking, swaying of framed pictures on wall.., really caused fear among us.
– I’m worried for our house is not concrete. We’re not able to stand and look for safest place.
– So afraid. It was a sudden shake but really strong.
– it was a strong earthquake, i and my kids seek refuge at the lawn where it is open and the safest place for us.

Update 15:54 UTC : The earthquake occurred at 22h local time. At this time a day, more people are at home and therefore more vulnerable to collapsing residential buildings.
Landslides: The maximum slope in the area of the earthquake is 49.865% and the maximum altitude is 2804 m. Since this is a medium slope, the risk of earthquake induced landslides is medium.
There are no Hydrodams in the greater epicenter area (gdacs data)

Screen Shot 2013-06-01 at 17.53.37

Update 15:31 UTC : No information yet from the epicenter area. The earthquake occurred at 22:10 local time, which means probably in the dark. Normally it takes a few hours before Civil Defense reports are starting to come in.

Update 15:16 UTC : Preliminary Focal Mechanism as reported by CPPGeophysics

Screen Shot 2013-06-01 at 17.20.47

Update 15:16 UTC : Carmen is a 1st class municipality in the province of Cotabato, Philippines. According LGPMS (as of 2009), it has a population of 65,670 people in 13,325 households. (source Wikipedia)

Update 15:12 UTC : GDACS reports the following locations close with their distance to the epicenter : The earthquake happened 87km from Davao. The nearest populated places are: Wangay (17km), Mlang (16km), Imbuc Rancheria (18km), Kayaga (12km), Lamiaon (18km), Kinudal (7km), Linao (15km), Carman (5km), Miuban (19km), Tubac (17km), Manarapan (7km), Simoney (6km), Kibudtungan (12km), Datu Santilla (17km), Liliongan (18km). The closest civilian airport is Awang (70km).

Update 15:15 UTC : So far, we have not received any I Have Felt It reports from the direct epicenter area (President Roxas or Carmen).

Update 15:12 UTC : The USGS picture below shows scary data – A MMI VII (very strong) shaking is expected to be felt by 110,000 people !

Screen Shot 2013-06-01 at 17.12.26

Update 14:54 UTC : The Phivolcs epicenter map below shows the main faults cris-crossing the many islands but surprisingly not a main fault near the epicenter of today’s earthquake

Screen Shot 2013-06-01 at 16.54.55

Update 14:54 UTC : Phivolcs Philippines is just like us expecting damage as well as aftershocks.
The shaking intensities as reported by Phivolcs are as follows (at ER we think that the shaking will be stronger, more like USGS predicts):
Intensity IV – Matalam, North Cotabato
Intensity III – Tacurong City, Marawi City; Kidapawan City; Cotabato City; Cagayan de Oro City
Intensity II – Davao City; Valencia City; Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte
Important : the Phivolcs Shaking values are NOT MMI values but are according their own scale which is as follows :
II : Slightly Felt – Felt by few individuals at rest indoors. Hanging objects swing slightly. Still Water in containers oscillates noticeably.
III : Weak – Felt by many people indoors especially in upper floors of buildings. Vibration is felt like one passing of a light truck. Dizziness and nausea are experienced by some people. Hanging objects swing moderately. Still water in containers oscillates moderately.
IV : Moderately Strong – Felt generally by people indoors and by some people outdoors. Light sleepers are awakened. Vibration is felt like a passing of heavy truck. Hanging objectsswing considerably. Dinner, plates, glasses, windows and doors rattle. Floors and walls of wood framed buildings creak. Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Liquids in containers are slightly disturbed. Water in containers oscillate strongly. Rumbling sound may sometimes be heard.

Update 14:44 UTC : We have just changed the title of this page from ‘dangerous into ‘very dangerous. The main reason is the very populated area and new data from local Phivolcs (Philippines seismological agency). they have reported a Magnitude of M5.7 at a extremely shallow depth of 5 km and thats really bad news for an radius of 25 km around the epicenter.

Update 14:41 UTC : The village of Carmen is at only 4 km from the epicenter (USGS data). The shaking lasted from 5 seconds to even a minute like some people reported. If a shaking of 30 seconds to a minute is confirmed, this will be bad news, as the longer the shaking is lasting the more chance there is for damage.

Update 14:35 UTC : The image below (Google Satellite View) is showing an additional reason of fear : A lot of farming fields left of the river and near the USGS epicenter (Which differs a lot from the initial EMSC epicenter). USGS is locating the epicenter very close to Carmen.

Screen Shot 2013-06-01 at 16.35.28

Update 14:32 UTC : The shaking map below shows why we are calling this earthquake dangerous. An MMI very strong shaking is (theoretically) expected by USGS.

Screen Shot 2013-06-01 at 16.31.52

Update 14:28 UTC : USGS has reported a depth of 18 km and a Magnitude of M5.6.
President Roxas is a location of 10,000 inhabitants at only 14 km from the epicenter (EMSC epicenter location)

A strong earthquake occurred in the middle of Mindanao.
Earthquake-Report.com calls this earthquake as very dangerous for damage and/or injuries, the main reason being the shallow depth and the chance on landslides.

Screen Shot 2013-06-01 at 16.17.47

932 km SE of Manila, Philippines / pop: 10,444,527 / local time: 22:10:11.0 2013-06-01
54 km W of Davao, Philippines / pop: 1,212,504 / local time: 22:10:11.0 2013-06-01
14 km NE of President Roxas, Philippines / pop: 10,879 / local time: 22:10:11.0 2013-06-01

Most important Earthquake Data:

Magnitude : 5.6

Local Time (conversion only below land) : 2013-06-01 22:10:09

GMT/UTC Time : 2013-06-01 14:10:09

from:    http://earthquake-report.com/2013/06/01/strong-earthquake-mindanao-philippines-on-june-1-2013/

SInai Desert Earthquake

Moderate earthquake in the Sinai desert, Egypt

Last update: June 1, 2013 at 12:07 pm by By

Update 12:09 UTC : USGS has reported a Magnitude of 4.8 at a depth of 10 km. We keep our estimate that this earthquake will not be damaging outside a radius of 30 km (all major populated areas are outside this radius)

Update 12:01 UTC : we seemed to be wrong as this earthquake was also felt in Cairo as a very weak shaking (reported by our readers). Our bottom map shows that there were NO significant earthquakes in this area since 1900.

A moderate earthquake happened in the Egypt desert. We do not expect however that this earthquake was felt in Cairo, unless we get notifications from people there. So far none.

Screen Shot 2013-06-01 at 14.03.53

268 km SE of Cairo, Egypt / pop: 7,734,614 / local time: 14:49:35.0 2013-06-01
51 km N of Tor, Egypt / pop: 14,972 / local time: 14:49:35.0 2013-06-01

Most important Earthquake Data:

Magnitude : 4.8

Local Time (conversion only below land) : 2013-06-01 13:49:33

GMT/UTC Time : 2013-06-01 11:49:33

http://earthquake-report.com/2013/06/01/moderate-earthquake-egypt-on-june-1-2013/

Hungary Burns GMO Corn

 

(NaturalNews) When it comes to protecting the public from GMOs, Hungary knows how to get the job done: set fire to the fields growing GM corn!

Although environmentalists might at first argue about the ramifications of burning so much organic matter right out in the open, the deeper truth is that genetic pollution poses a vastly more serious threat to our world, and burning GM corn is the one sure way to destroy the poisonous genetic code contained in plant tissues. In fact, I hope to see the day when the U.S. courts order the destruction of all GM corn fields across America. And I suspect that if the courts won’t rise to the occasion, the People will sooner or later find a way to get it done on their own. Think “Army of the 12 Monkeys” but with a GMO slant.

Lajos Bognar, Hungary’s Minister of Rural Development, reported this week that around 500 hectares of GM corn were ordered burned by the government. Hungary has criminalized the planting of genetically modified crops of any kind, and it has repeatedly burned thousands of hectares of illegal GM crops in years past.

This news was originally published in Portuguese at Rede Brasil Atual. An English translation has been posted at GMwatch.org.

GMOs are outlawed across the planet

GMOs have been banned in 27 countries, and GMOs are required to be labeled in at least 50 countries. In America, where Monsanto has deployed an insidious degree of influence over the legislature and courts, GMOs are neither illegal nor required to be labeled. In fact, 71 U.S. Senators recently voted against a measure that would have allowed states to pass their own food labeling laws.

Those Senators are now known as the Monsanto 71. The list includes Rand Paul and Ted Cruz, both senators from agricultural states (Kentucky and Texas) where Monsanto continues to exercise heavy influence over farmers.

Shockingly, most farmers who are planting GMOs have no knowledge whatsoever of what GMOs are or why people don’t want them in their food. They’ve been lied to by the biotech industry which promised them “higher yields” and “greater profits.” In reality, GM crop yields have plummeted even while giving rise to herbicide-resistant “superweeds” that now threaten many farms. With soils that have been rendered sterile with glyphosate and crop yields falling, farmers are increasingly finding themselves in dire straights.

Their only way out, of course, is to return to planting non-GMO crops. But wisdom moves very, very slowly through Texas A&M, a Monsanto stronghold and key propaganda center for pushing frankenfoods in the South.

A genetic apocalypse may devastate America’s bread basket

Hungary was wise to protect its agricultural sector from Monsanto’s imperialism. In contrast, America is incredibly foolish to sell out its food supply to destructive corporate interests that value nothing but profit.

By disallowing GMO labeling and promoting the continued commercialization of genetically modified crops (thanks, USDA!), the U.S. government is playing Russian roulette with America’s food future. One day, something the scientists didn’t anticipate will kick in, and the crimes against nature that have been committed by Monsanto will explode into a genetic apocalypse that threatens the future of life on our planet.

Remember: GMOs aren’t merely “pollution” in the classic sense. They are self-replicating pollution that may be impossible to stop. Hence the wisdom of burning GM corn fields to the ground. Fire destroys DNA and breaks down vegetable matter into its elemental constituents: carbon and mineral ash, essentially. Fields that were once dangerous are now harmless. Fire restores sanity by destroying the engineered DNA dreamed up by mad scientists working for arrogant, foolish corporations who think they’re smarter than Mother Nature and God.

Mark my words: there will come a day when Americans will wish they had burned all the GM corn fields to the ground. But by then it will be too late. The blight will be upon us, and with it comes the starvation, the suffering, the desperation and the riots. Hunger turns all family men into savages, just as greed turns all corporate men into demons.

To avoid both outcomes, we must banish GMOs now. Indict the executives of Monsanto for conspiracy to commit mass poisoning of the people. Invoke the RICO Act. Pull out the Patriot Act. Use whatever laws are on the books to put this monster away so that future generations do not have to suffer the devastating consequences of open-world genetic experiments gone awry.

If we don’t learn from Hungary, we will sooner or later be schooled by hunger.

 

from:    http://www.naturalnews.com/040525_Hungary_GM_corn_burning_fields.html

Santa Barbara, CA Area Earthquake

Update 20:19 UTC :
– Another M2.5 aftershock was almost unnoticed by people.
– We hate to say it, but social media are again rumoring that a stronger earthquake will occur later today. Such rumors are TOTALLY NONSENSE. Even when such a stronger earthquake would occur, NOBODY in the world can predict such events today (hopefully in the future). You should be prepared for an earthquake at all times. DROP, COVER and HOLD until it is over.
– The authorities and local press are still maintaining that there was NO damage or injuries.
Our ER team continued to search for signs of damage and came up with the following felt reports :
– Goleta: dishes on counter broke after hit by something falling off shelves.
– Goleta : Clock almost fell off wall but nothing broken. Small crack in wall.
– Undefined location in the area : “Running at the beach and saw some big chunks come off the cliffs. Good time to be especially careful near the tops and bottoms of the bluffs!”
– earthquake related or not : A major natural gas leak in Thousand Oaks prompted evacuations on a half-mile radius, Thousand Oaks is just south of Oxnard (MMI of III was felt there) they don’t know what caused this. The gas leak was reported 3 hours after the earthquake.

MMI radius map

MMI radius map

Update 17:25 UTC : Don’t be blind for the always appearing standard text “There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries” who are published soon after an earthquake from this type. Although the text is right at the time of writing, people often do not report fallen objects, fissures in walls, etc. Based on our experience, it would really surprise us that no minor damage was inflicted. We will continue following up local reports and will bring them to you if we find them.
The current status is still : The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, Office of Emergency Management and Fire Department said they had no initial reports of injuries or damage.

Update 17:06 UTC : The local press is still writing that USGS did decrease the Magnitude from 4.9 to 4.6 which was indeed the case BUT after a new update USGS has now reported a magnitude of 4.8. if you are a journalist reading this, please adapt your content. A M4.8 earthquake at a depth of 8 km is a rather strong event for California.
The M2.6 aftershock which occurred 12 minutes after the mainshock will not have been felt by many people.

Update 17:03 UTC : News Channel 3 Santa Barbara is receiving reports of minor damage such as glass breaking and small objects falling from walls, exactly what we wrote a few minutes after it happened.

Update 16:52 UTC : The seismograph at ABC7 KABC-TV LOS ANGELES, CA has been building the seismogram of this event.

Update 16:31 UTC : USGS has updated his values to M4.8 at a depth of 8 km.
Shaking values at the following locations :
Moderate MMI V shaking : Isla Vista  23,000 and  Goleta 30,000
Light shaking MMI IV : Santa Ynez 4,000, Buellton 5,000, Solvang 5,000 and Mission Canyon 2,000
The Human impact map has been changed as follows :

Screen Shot 2013-05-29 at 18.29.34

Update 16:09 UTC : Below the Focal Mechanism of this earthquake (reverse faulting mechanism). Today’s earthquake was right on the coastal fault. The stress comes from the Oceanic plate pushing towards the North American plate (South-West – North-East direction.  As you can see on the fault map below, the whole area is very complex.
On our map below, you can see that the strongest earthquake in the area was a M6.2 earthquake in 1925 followed by a M5.8 in 1978, both in the direct vicinity of Santa Barbara.

Screen Shot 2013-05-29 at 18.08.50

Fault map courtesy http://www.geol.ucsb.edu/

Fault map courtesy http://www.geol.ucsb.edu/

Update 15:09 UTC : No reports of damage so far (far to early to bu sure about that). Based on our California experience incoming MMI’s are higher than normal, so minor damage is still possible.

Update 15:06 UTC : Maximum shaking as expected by USGS MMI VI (this is also the maximum we are getting from our readers).

Screen Shot 2013-05-29 at 17.07.21

Based on the many I Have Felt It reports we are receiving, people have been really scared by the shaking. In average we get a moderate MMI V shaking. Goleta , closest to the epicenter has the strongest incoming MMI’s
We expect at least some minor damage in Goleta (minor damge like fallen objects, cracks in walls, fallen rooftiles, etc).

Screen Shot 2013-05-29 at 16.51.23

5km (3mi) W of Isla Vista, California
8km (5mi) WSW of Goleta, California
20km (12mi) W of Santa Barbara, California
36km (22mi) W of Carpinteria, California
484km (301mi) SSE of Sacramento, California

Most important Earthquake Data:

Magnitude : 4.6

Local Time (conversion only below land) : 2013-05-29 07:38:02

GMT/UTC Time : 2013-05-29 14:38:02

Depth (Hypocenter)  : 2 km

from:    http://earthquake-report.com/2013/05/29/moderate-earthquake-santa-barbara-channel-calif-on-may-29-2013/

Alaska – Underwater Volcano

Underwater volcano mapped in Southeast Alaska

Sean Doogan

May 26, 2013

The yet-to-be-named volcano in Southeast Alaska differs from many on the ocean floor. Its top was likely above the water when it last erupted some 10,000 years ago. Courtesy: NOAA

Jim Baichtal has a habit of cruising the website of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration looking for new hydrographic surveys of Alaska.

“I was just checking the website before I headed out one day,” he said, “and when I saw the survey results of an area near Ketchikan, all I can remember saying is, ‘Oh, my gosh!’” Buried inside the NOAA data were 3D renderings of a previously unknown volcano, beneath the depths of Behm Canal inside Misty Fjords National Monument.

The yet-to-be-named volcano differs from many on the ocean floor. Baichtal, a U.S. Forest Service geologist, says its top was likely above the water when it last erupted some 10,000 years ago. NOAA imaging and new underwater video of the area shows what appears to be leftovers of ash or cinder near the volcano crater.

“If it erupted entirely underwater, we would see quenched magma, a completely different type of rock,” Baichtal said. Upcoming tests on rocks taken during a recent dive there should tell the ultimate tale.

New mapping technology

Before NOAA began its hydrographic survey, using the latest 3D multi-beam sonar, the only maps of sea floor in the vicinity were created in the early 1900s using a technique called “lead lining.” Until the 1940s scientists used ropes with lead weights attached to them to determine the sea floor’s depth in any given location. With enough readings, a crude hydrographic map could be created.

But the maps were not detailed enough to show the features of the volcano under Behm Canal. That changed when NOAA began its survey of Southeast waters. The agency’s ships now bounce sound waves off the ocean floor and measure the time it takes for them to return to the surface.

The technique gives a detailed 3D view of the seafloor. NOAA says the vastness of Alaska means it will likely have plenty of new areas to survey in the coming decades. “We follow the weather,” said Commander David Zezula, with NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey. Typically, in the fall at least one NOAA survey ship plies the waters of Southeast Alaska. They move north with better summer weather. The Raineer, a NOAA survey ship is expected to head to the Bering Sea later this year.

After seeing the outline of the volcano, near Eddy Rock in Behm Canal, on the new NOAA maps, Baichtal decided to take a look under water for himself. He joined Gary Freitag, a Ketchikan-based professor of oceanography with the University of Alaska. Freitag has a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) capable of diving to 800 feet. Together they took video and rock samples from the volcano’s slope as well as its crest. But the trip was cut short.

“We just had a little bit of time for the ROV dive because when we went to the area, we had a group of students from Ketchikan with us,” said Freitag. Another trip is planned for the summer, and Freitag hopes to get more video of the structure of the newly discovered volcano.

“It is a very interesting feature,” said Freitag. “When I took some samples, I had to look hard for a clean place to use the ROV’s pinchers because the volcano is covered in sponges.”

Ice makes fire?

Baichtal says the volcano, like many in southeast Alaska was once pushed above the surface during an eruption.  But its climb from the depths may have been the result of crustal response – when the ground “bounces back” after a large weight is lifted.  If you go back 10,000 years, much of Alaska was covered by ice up to 4 miles thick.  That is a lot of weight on the land beneath – pushing it down as much as 400 feet, Baichtal said. When the ice melted, the land rebounded, actually rising because the great weight of the ice had been removed.  “The new volcano is in an area where these de-glaciation events often precede an eruption,” Baichtal says.  When the ground rebounds, it opens up vents along fault lines, releasing magma. That is likely what happened at Behm Canal, and Baichtal said it is probably the cause of a lot of eruptions in Southeast Alaska just after the last great ice age.

New studies are beginning to show the effects of ice-age climates and volcanoes. “We frequently see eruptive episodes about 3,600 to 4,000 years after de-glaciation,” Baichtal said. The newly discovered volcano seems to follow that pattern, last erupting a few thousand years after a massive glacier that once covered its peak, melted away.

The underwater Southeast volcanoes can also tell scientists a lot about the glaciers that once covered them. Many glaciers form, melt and reform over thousands or millions of years, but for the most part geologists can only see the evidence of the last glacier in any area; it’s usually stripped the land of any clues about its predecessors.

That’s where volcanoes come into play. By looking at the shape, size and orientation of the vent from an old eruption, as well as examining the cooling pattern and quenched area around the volcano, geologists can learn a lot about ancient glaciers.

Baichtal says he plans to study the new volcano as much as he can, and he’ll examine new NOAA underwater maps to see if he can find others. Despite containing half the US coastline, much of Alaska is still unmapped by modern techniques. Baichtal is confident he’ll find something that piques his interest, whether a volcano, new shoreline, or glacial moraine.

from:    http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20130526/underwater-volcano-mapped-southeast-alaska

Argentine Capahue VOlcano Alert

Wordwide volcano activity – Argentine province of Neuquen at highest alert for a possible eruption of Copahue volcano

Last update: May 28, 2013 at 10:59 pm by By

Copahue volcano, Chile Update (May 28 – 22:42 UTC)

No change in activity
The Government of the Argentine province of Neuquén (Argentina side of the border) ordered by decree a “high alert” for the town of Caviahue and surrounding areas that could be affected by the possible eruption of Copahue, the government said. 800 people will be asked to evacuate at the Argentina side of the border. The evacuated people will be lodged in hotels at approx. 70 km from Caviahue.
The Argentina side of the border and more specifically Caviahue will probably get the big ash shower when Copahue would erupt ast Easterly winds are the main wind direction in the Andes.

The village of Caviahue, east of the Copahue volcano - Image courtesy a60

The village of Caviahue, east of the Copahue volcano – Image courtesy a60

Copahue volcano, Chile Update (May 28 – 16:00 UTC)

Webcam COPAHUE to follow the eventsSernageomin1
Nothing to see at the moment of writing because of very bad weather.
The evacuation of the 400 families living under treat of lahars (hot mud flows – in part generated by melting snow) and pyroclastic flows (extremely hot ash avalanches that burn everything on their way) is being effectuated orderly.
Nothing special going on so far and nothing serious expected as far as VAAC Buenos Aires is reporting. (NO VA EXP (text on map) is of course NO Volcanic Ash expected). This map is a precision of 19:30 UTC on May 28 (today).

from:    http://earthquake-report.com/2013/05/27/wordwide-volcano-activity-copahue-volcano-chile-alert-raised-to-red/

Wales — Unusual earthquake

Unusual earthquake along the coast of Wales, United Kingdom

Last update: May 29, 2013 at 10:29 am by By

Update 09:10 UTC : In a statement BGS reports:

The earthquake of the 29 May 2013 occurred at 03:16 UTC (04:16 BST), with an epicentre approximately 13 km NW of Abersoch, Gwynedd. The instrumental magnitude was determined at 3.8 ML, and the earthquake was located approximately 21 km WSW of the magnitude 5.4 earthquake that occurred on 19 July 1984 (a magnitude of 3.8 is approximately 256 times smaller than 5.4). The estimated area over which an earthquake with a magnitude of 3.8, and depth of 8 km, would be felt was calculated to be a distance of up to 75-100 km from the epicentre (at intensity 3 EMS). Analysis of the results from an automatic online questionnaire survey agrees with this. Almost 100 felt reports have been received. Of those, almost all of them came from within a 50 km radius, from Abersoch, Caernarfon, Bangor, Holyhead and their surrounding hamlets. Reports generated in a north-easterly direction from the epicentre. A little further afield, reports were received from Conwy and Rhyl area (75-100 km to NE of epicentre), whilst single reports were received from Southport, Merseyside (140 km to NE of epicentre), the Isle of Man (140 km to north of epicentre). There are also reports of the earthquake having been felt on the east coast of Ireland (110 km east of epicentre).

Most people described having been awoken from their sleep by the moderate shaking strength of the earthquake, which had a trembling effect. The sound strength was also described as moderate. Many of the reports stated that windows and crockery rattled. Reports described “the bed was shaking too scared to look at anything else”, “loud rumbling sound woke me, then noticed s sound of mirror rattling on bedside cabinet”, “gradually grew louder. Classic underground train passing sensation“ and “woke the household any many neighbours”

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Update 08:42 UTC : This great image goes viral on twitter as being the damage triggered by the Wales earthquake. Welsh great humor ! :)

Damage in Wales :) - Twitter image courtesy @Leighsheps

Damage in Wales :) – Twitter image courtesy @Leighsheps

Update 07:55 UTC : As expected we have not found 1 single report of damage so far, a report which we like a lot :) . If you have any knowledge of damage near the epicenter, even cracks in walls, please let us know.
– Geofon Germany just comes up with a Magnitude of 4.3.
– Seismology is a very difficult science and data may differ a lot according to the reporting seismological agency. Earthquake-Report.com values to local data always as “probably” the most accurate simply because the local agencies have the most instruments closest to the epicenter. The world press seems to think that USGS is the God of seismology. We favor more USGS as one of the Gods and a very good one :) .

Update 04:55 UTC : We have now a report from BGS (British Geological Survey) mentioning a Ml Magnitude of 3.8 at a depth of 8 km. As earthquake location is mentioned Lleyn peninsula (epicenter is the green arrow).  The villages of Pennlech and Porth Colmon are closest to the epicenter. Based on these (to be trusted) data, the chance of even minor damage has been decreased.

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Update 04:42 UTC : We assume that most Welsh journalists haven’t felt it as there are NO reports so far in the local press (at least not the many we have consulted).

Update 04:35 UTC : Based on what we are reading from the many I Have Felt It reports below, we expect some minor damage on the nearby Wales peninsula. Minor damage means in this case fallen objects, cracks in older walls, fissures or even collapsing chimneys, fallen roof tiles, etc. We do not expect injuries. The damage, if any, would have been proportionally bigger with an epicenter below land.

Update 04:28 UTC : Only EMSC has reported this earthquake. The local British Geological Survey hasn’t even mentioned it in his website. The last significant earthquake in the United Kingdom happened in Market Rasen, Lincs, on February 27 2008. That one was more powerful at M5.2.

Update 04:12 UTC : EMSC has shifted the location of the epicenter more into the Irish Sea, weakening that way the impact of this earthquake.
As you can see on our bottom map, nothing important occurred in the area since 1900.

This earthquake was initially reported by EMSC as a M5.5 earthquake, which would surely have been damaging. But even at the current still preliminary value of M4.3, we can speak of an unusual strong earthquake for the United Kingdom.

The coastal area of Nefyn Bay, closest to the epicenter - Image courtesy John Goodall

The coastal area of Nefyn Bay, closest to the epicenter – Image courtesy John Goodall

90 km SE of Dublin, Ireland / pop: 1,024,027 / local time: 04:16:26.0 2013-05-29
59 km SW of Caernarfon, United Kingdom / pop: 9,836 / local time: 04:16:26.0 2013-05-29
44 km W of Pwllheli, United Kingdom / pop: 3,904 / local time: 04:16:26.0 2013-05-29

Most important Earthquake Data:

Magnitude : 4

Local Time (conversion only below land) : 2013-05-29 04:16:29

GMT/UTC Time : 2013-05-29 03:16:29

from:    http://earthquake-report.com/2013/05/29/strong-earthquake-wales-united-kingdom-on-may-29-2013/

Putin Says NO to GMO

Russia Warns Obama: Monsanto

Posted: May 28th, 2013 ˑ Filled under: Opinion ˑ  88 Comments

The shocking minutes relating to President Putin’s meeting this past week with US Secretary of State John Kerry reveal the Russian leaders “extreme outrage” over the Obama regimes continued protection of global seed and plant bio-genetic giants Syngenta and Monsanto in the face of a growing “bee apocalypse” that the Kremlin warns “will most certainly” lead to world war.

According to these minutes, released in the Kremlin today by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation (MNRE), Putin was so incensed over the Obama regimes refusal to discuss this grave matter that he refused for three hours to even meet with Kerry, who had traveled to Moscow on a scheduled diplomatic mission, but then relented so as to not cause an even greater rift between these two nations.

At the center of this dispute between Russia and the US, this MNRE report says, is the “undisputed evidence” that a class of neuro-active insecticides chemically related to nicotine, known as neonicotinoids, are destroying our planets bee population, and which if left unchecked could destroy our world’s ability to grow enough food to feed its population.

So grave has this situation become, the MNRE reports, the full European Commission (EC) this past week instituted a two-year precautionary ban (set to begin on 1 December 2013) on these “bee killing” pesticides following the lead of Switzerland, France, Italy, Russia, Slovenia and Ukraine, all of whom had previously banned these most dangerous of genetically altered organisms from being used on the continent.

Two of the most feared neonicotinoids being banned are Actara and Cruiser made by the Swiss global bio-tech seed and pesticide giant Syngenta AG which employs over 26,000 people in over 90 countries and ranks third in total global sales in the commercial agricultural seeds market.

Important to note, this report says, is that Syngenta, along with bio-tech giants Monsanto, Bayer, Dow and DuPont, now control nearly 100% of the global market for genetically modified pesticides, plants and seeds.

Also to note about Syngenta, this report continues, is that in 2012 it was criminally charged in Germany for concealing the fact that its genetically modified corn killed cattle, and settled a class-action lawsuit in the US for $105 million after it was discovered they had contaminated the drinking supply of some 52 million Americans in more than 2,000 water districts with its “gender-bending” herbicide Atrazine.

To how staggeringly frightful this situation is, the MNRE says, can be seen in the report issued this past March by the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) wherein they warned our whole planet is in danger, and as we can, in part, read:

“As part of a study on impacts from the world’s most widely used class of insecticides, nicotine-like chemicals called neonicotinoids, American Bird Conservancy (ABC) has called for a ban on their use as seed treatments and for the suspension of all applications pending an independent review of the products’ effects on birds, terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, and other wildlife.

“It is clear that these chemicals have the potential to affect entire food chains. The environmental persistence of the neonicotinoids, their propensity for runoff and for groundwater infiltration, and their cumulative and largely irreversible mode of action in invertebrates raise significant environmental concerns,” said Cynthia Palmer, co-author of the report and Pesticides Program Manager for ABC, one of the nation’s leading bird conservation organizations.

ABC commissioned world renowned environmental toxicologist Dr. Pierre Mineau to conduct the research. The 100-page report, “The Impact of the Nation’s Most Widely Used Insecticides on Birds,” reviews 200 studies on neonicotinoids including industry research obtained through the US Freedom of Information Act. The report evaluates the toxicological risk to birds and aquatic systems and includes extensive comparisons with the older pesticides that the neonicotinoids have replaced. The assessment concludes that the neonicotinoids are lethal to birds and to the aquatic systems on which they depend.

“A single corn kernel coated with a neonicotinoid can kill a songbird,” Palmer said. “Even a tiny grain of wheat or canola treated with the oldest neonicotinoid — called imidacloprid — can fatally poison a bird. And as little as 1/10th of a neonicotinoid-coated corn seed per day during egg-laying season is all that is needed to affect reproduction.”

The new report concludes that neonicotinoid contamination levels in both surface- and ground water in the United States and around the world are already beyond the threshold found to kill many aquatic invertebrates.”

Quickly following this damning report, the MRNE says, a large group of group of American beekeepers and environmentalists sued the Obama regime over the continued use of these neonicotinoids stating: “We are taking the EPA to court for its failure to protect bees from pesticides. Despite our best efforts to warn the agency about the problems posed by neonicotinoids, the EPA continued to ignore the clear warning signs of an agricultural system in trouble.”

And to how bad the world’s agricultural system has really become due to these genetically modified plants, pesticides and seeds, this report continues, can be seen by the EC’s proposal this past week, following their ban on neonicotinoids, in which they plan to criminalize nearly all seeds and plants not registered with the European Union, and as we can, in part, read:

“Europe is rushing towards the good ol days circa 1939, 40… A new law proposed by the European Commission would make it illegal to “grow, reproduce or trade” any vegetable seeds that have not been “tested, approved and accepted” by a new EU bureaucracy named the “EU Plant Variety Agency.”

It’s called the Plant Reproductive Material Law, and it attempts to put the government in charge of virtually all plants and seeds. Home gardeners who grow their own plants from non-regulated seeds would be considered criminals under this law.”

This MRNE report points out that even though this EC action may appear draconian, it is nevertheless necessary in order to purge the continent from continued contamination of these genetically bred “seed monstrosities.”

Most perplexing in all of this, the MRNE says, and which led to Putin’s anger at the US, has been the Obama regimes efforts to protect pesticide-producer profits over the catastrophic damaging being done to the environment, and as the Guardian News Service detailed in their 2 May article titled “US rejects EU claim of insecticide as prime reason for bee colony collapse” and which, in part, says:

“The European Union voted this week for a two-year ban on a class of pesticides, known as neonicotinoids, that has been associated with the bees’ collapse. The US government report, in contrast, found multiple causes for the collapse of the honeybees.”

To the “truer” reason for the Obama regimes protection of these bio-tech giants destroying our world, the MRNE says, can be viewed in the report titled “How did Barack Obama become Monsanto’s man in Washington?” and which, in part, says:

“After his victory in the 2008 election, Obama filled key posts with Monsanto people, in federal agencies that wield tremendous force in food issues, the USDA and the FDA: At the USDA, as the director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Roger Beachy, former director of the Monsanto Danforth Center. As deputy commissioner of the FDA, the new food-safety-issues czar, the infamous Michael Taylor, former vice-president for public policy for Monsanto. Taylor had been instrumental in getting approval for Monsanto’s genetically engineered bovine growth hormone.”

Even worse, after Russia suspended the import and use of an Monsanto genetically modified corn following a study suggesting a link to breast cancer and organ damage this past September, the Russia Today News Service reported on the Obama regimes response:

“The US House of Representatives quietly passed a last-minute addition to the Agricultural Appropriations Bill for 2013 last week – including a provision protecting genetically modified seeds from litigation in the face of health risks.

The rider, which is officially known as the Farmer Assurance Provision, has been derided by opponents of biotech lobbying as the “Monsanto Protection Act,” as it would strip federal courts of the authority to immediately halt the planting and sale of genetically modified (GMO) seed crop regardless of any consumer health concerns.

The provision, also decried as a “biotech rider,” should have gone through the Agricultural or Judiciary Committees for review. Instead, no hearings were held, and the piece was evidently unknown to most Democrats (who hold the majority in the Senate) prior to its approval as part of HR 993, the short-term funding bill that was approved to avoid a federal government shutdown.”

On 26 March, Obama quietly signed this “Monsanto Protection Act” into law thus ensuring the American people have no recourse against this bio-tech giant as they fall ill by the tens of millions, and many millions will surely end up dying in what this MRNE report calls the greatest agricultural apocalypse in human history as over 90% of feral (wild) bee population in the US has already died out, and up to 80% of domestic bees have died out too.

 

http://topinfopost.com/2013/05/28/russia-warns-obama-monsanto

Earthquake – Panama/Costa Rica Border

Strong moderately dangerous earthquake near the Panama / Costa Rica border area

Last update: May 27, 2013 at 4:43 pm by By

Update 16:38 UTC : After searching our many sources we are happy to report that NO damage or injuries have been reported by local press or authorities. If you have signs of the contrary, please let us know by filling in a comment or IHFI report. Thank you.
The most logical reason for a possible harmless outcome will be the depth as reported by Ovsicori Costa Rica (35 km).

Update 11:07 UTC : Ovsicori Costa Rica is reporting a Magnitude of M6 BUT at a depth of 35 km. this depth makes the earthquake still moderately dangerous but less dangerous than the initial USGS data.

Update 10:54 UTC : Most shaking exposed villages / cities in the epicenter area :
MMI VI (strong shaking) : Guabito 6,000 inhabitants, Changuinola 23,000 and Sixaola 2,000
MMI V (Moderate shaking)  : Barranco 1,000 and Almirante 8,000

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Update 10:15 UTC : Falling objects and telephone problems in Costa Rica (nothing abnormal !!). Power outtage in Perez Zeledon

Update 10:09 UTC : The main reason why this earthquake is more dangerous than normal Costa Rica Pacific earthquakes is that the fault type is different (transform vs subduction). Transform faults are more dangerous. The area around town Guabito might be the most dangerous. Many villages, soft soil and probably not the most resistant buildings.
In the direct vicinity of the epicenter are mainly rocky hills and not many villages, but the village of Prucsco is located in a softer soil valley.

A strong earthquake occurred in the middle of the Costa Rica / Panama night at a shallow depth of 12 km (preliminary value). It was well felt in both countries.
This earthquake maybe dangerous as it was strong and shallow.
The earthquake happened on the Atlantic Coast, a rather unusual location for such strong earthquakes.
Earthquake-Report.com calls this earthquake Moderately Dangerous for injuries and damage.
The MMI VII shaking which is expected by the USGS calculations is confirming our expectations.

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12km (7mi) SSW of Guabito, Panama
15km (9mi) WSW of Changuinola, Panama
68km (42mi) N of Volcan, Panama
79km (49mi) SSE of Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
168km (104mi) ESE of San Jose, Costa Rica

Most important Earthquake Data:

Magnitude : 5.7

Local Time (conversion only below land) : 2013-05-27 04:41:15

GMT/UTC Time : 2013-05-27 09:41:15

from:    http://earthquake-report.com/2013/05/27/strong-earthquake-panama-costa-rica-border-region-on-may-27-2013/