Earth ChangesS


Seismograph

Shallow 5.8 magnitude earthquake hits the Mariana Islands

Seismograph
© Flickr/ Matt Katzenberger

5.8 magnitude earthquake

2016-12-14 02:01:25 UTC

UTC time: Wednesday, December 14, 2016 02:01 AM

Your time: 2016-12-14T02:01:25Z

Magnitude Type: mwp

USGS page: M 5.8 - 95km NNW of Farallon de Pajaros, Northern Mariana Islands

USGS status: Reviewed by a seismologist

Reports from the public: 0 people

2016-12-14 02:01:25 UTC 5.8 magnitude, 38 km depth Mariana Islands

Seismograph

Shallow earthquake of magnitude 3.9 hits near Mammoth Lakes, California

Seismograph
© Flickr/ Matt Katzenberger
A shallow magnitude 3.9 earthquake was reported Tuesday evening two miles from Mammoth Lakes, Calif., according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The temblor occurred at 11:44 p.m. Pacific time at a depth of 3.7 miles.

According to the USGS, the epicenter was 70 miles from Clovis, Calif., 72 miles from Sanger, Calif. and 76 miles from Fresno, Calif.

In the past 10 days, there has been one earthquake of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby.

This information comes from the USGS Earthquake Notification Service and this post was created by an algorithm written by the author.

Rainbow

Rare iridescent 'rainbow' cloud appears above Caxias, Brazil

Rainbow cloud over Brazil
© YouTube/Jean Wybson (screen capture)
A Brazilian woman has defied Mother Nature's odds and captured a very rare and ethereal rainbow cloud hovering above Caxias.

The venerable National Geographic proclaims iridescent clouds - as they are scientifically known - are hardly ever seen, and that it's rarer still to snap a photograph of the majestic phenomenon.

But Mar Gómez did the double on Friday, filming the multi-coloured blob of candy floss and sharing the goodness across social media.

It takes a very specific set of circumstances for an iridescent cloud - also called "fire rainbows" or "rainbow clouds" - to form, National Geographic reports.

If you do happen to see one, it will happen late in the afternoon, often paired up with a thunderstorm.


Comment: It is likely that atmospheric dust loading from increased comet and volcanic activity is contributing to the 'strange skies' we are witnessing, the cooling effect of which causes ice crystals to form. See also: Electric universe theory provides rational, intelligible explanations for such atmospheric phenomena as ball lightning, plasma discharges, noctilucent clouds, lightning, hurricanes and tornadoes. For more information on this and much more read, Earth Changes and the Human-Cosmic Connection by Pierre Lescaudron and Laura Knight-Jadczyk.


Cloud Precipitation

Severe hailstorm strikes Ladysmith, South Africa

Hailstorm damage
Strong winds, hail and heavy rain caused widespread damages in Ladysmith, Colenso and surrounding areas on Wednesday evening (December 7).

Flash flooding occurred in the Ladysmith CBD area.

Many houses were damaged, and people have been battling without roofs and without electricity since last night.

Public Safety and Sharaj Ambulance Services were out till late to help the people who were affected.

Water flooded many homes in Acaciavale, Ezakeni and Colenso, with hail damaging vehicles.

While hailstone sizes varied, some were as large as tennis balls.
While hailstone sizes varied, some were as large as tennis balls.
Hailstones


Hail

Question

Loud mystery booms echo through Nebraska neighborhood

Mystery boom
Loud booming noises heard early Monday left a metro neighborhood and local law enforcement confused as to where the noise originated.

Questions flooded into the WOWT 6 Newsroom after two loud "boom" noises were reported early Monday morning.

Sarpy County deputies fielded 4-5 calls about the noises from residents in the Millard and Bellevue areas. Deputies checked the areas, but nothing suspicious was located.

Viewers tell WOWT 6 News around 3 a.m. two 'massive' boom sounds sounded about 10 minutes apart. Many people who reported hearing the sounds looked for answers on the Neighborhood app, but with no luck.

Sarpy County dispatch also checked with Offutt Air Force Base, they heard the "boom" noise as well, but they did not have any planes up at the time of the boom.

Deputies said at this point no one seems to know the origins of noise.

Sun

With temps below zero, stunning sun dogs fill Minnesota sky

Minnesota sun dog
© Small Infinities
Minnesotans took to social media on Monday morning to share their photos of sun dogs that appeared all over the Twin Cities.
Minnesota sun dog
© John T. Hoffoss

Attention

120 small earthquakes shake Mount St. Helens in a week

USGS scientists at Mt. St. Helens
© Columbian
Scientists call swarms of quakes evidence volcano is still active

In less than a week, four swarms of more than 120 earthquakes shook Mount St. Helens in late November. Although they were too small to be felt even by someone standing directly over their epicenters, scientists say they reveal the volcano is likely recharging.

"Each of these little earthquakes is a clue and a reminder we are marching toward an eruption someday," said Weston Thelen, a U.S. Geological Survey seismologist with the Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver.

However, "there's nothing in this little modest seismicity, and none since 2008, that is a really good indicator of when that eruption will be."

The earthquakes occurred between 1 and 2 miles below the surface and most registered at magnitudes of 0.3 or less; the largest was a magnitude 0.5. While the quakes are too small for human perception, scientists are able to study them thanks to sensitive seismometers stationed around the mountain.

As magma comes into the volcano's system and is stored, scientists think that it releases gases and fluids that travel up into cracks, pressurizing and lubricating them, and causing small quakes.

Attention

Signs and Portents: Piglet born with face of monkey in China

The piglet was one of eight from its litter that survived
© ReutersThe piglet was one of eight from its litter that survived
The piglet is one of a litter of fifteen born four days ago, eight of which survived.

However the piglet was struggling to compete with its siblings for mum's milk.

So the creature now lives inside with farmer Lin, who is taking care of it.

Lin, from Zhijin county in China's western Guizhou province, said the piglet scared her at first.

She told Chinese news site 6Park: "I am already 63 years old and have never seen a pig look like this."

 Lin has already turned down some generous offers for the piglet
© 6PARK.COM Lin has already turned down some generous offers for the piglet

Cloud Lightning

7 people killed by lightning strikes in Swaziland

lightning
Four more people were struck by lightning at Kwaluseni under Matsanjeni South Inkhundla during the heavy storm that took place last Friday.

Two children are currently being given medical assistance at home while two elderly people are admitted in hospital.

The incident comes after it was reported in another daily that three people were killed by lighting at Ekufikeni in the Northern Hhohho region last Friday.

Cloud Lightning

2 children killed by lightning bolt in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; 25 lightning deaths in the province this year

lightning
The two kids who are cousins have been identified as Msawenkosi Makhathini (12) and Sthandiwe Ndlovu (10) of Mzulwini Village in Maphumulo.

According to Daily Sun SA, they were struck while sleeping on Thursday night.

This comes a month after two siblings were killed by lightning in Zibambele Village, Nongoma.

Sthandiwe's mum, Thulisiwe Makhathini (37), told Daily Sun the sudden deaths had devastated the family.

"We are still shocked. My mum, who was in the house when the lightning struck, doesn't even want to talk about it.