Earth ChangesS


Stock Down

West Antarctica temperature FALLS 2°C in 20 years

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The continent of Antarctica is a difficult hunting ground for climate apocalypse fanatics since there has been barely any overall warming over the last 70 years. The exception is West Antarctica where there has been some local climate variation, possibly helped by significant geothermal activity. Of course this is enough for a scare or two, so don't expect to see reported in mainstream media some startling new evidence showing significant cooling in West Antarctica starting in the early 1990s, with temperatures falling by 0.93°C each decade from 1999-2018, a total of 2°C over the 20 years.

In a paper published by the American Meteorological Society, a group of international scientists note the "statistically significant" rate of temperature decline with the strongest cooling occurring in spring. During this season, the temperature fell by a massive 1.84°C every decade between 1999-2018. In the winter, the decadal fall was 1.19°C. The cooling was measured by a number of databases, while an accurate consistent record was collected from the Marie Byrd weather station. Despite some differences in cooling, all the databases are said to have shared similar changes across seasons and throughout the region. The graph below plots the temperature record at Marie Byrd back to the 1950s.

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Doberman

Woman killed in dog attack in Birmingham, Alabama

dog attack
A family is asking for answers after a woman in Ensley was killed in a suspected dog attack.

According to the Jefferson County Coroner, 63-year-old Sharon Portis was found lying on the ground last Thursday morning on 18th St. Ensley after she was killed in a dog attack. Birmingham police say there is no threat to the public after the incident.

Portis's family says she was leaving for work when she was attacked. They added that she did not live far away and that the attack happened maybe 100 yards away. Family members say they have unanswered questions.

"I don't see her walking into an area there that she was well familiar with and knowing what was lurking behind the bushes, in the darkness," said Albert Ford, Portis's brother. "She's walking, or biking, or whatever the route she normally takes, and she's attacked by dogs."


Cloud Precipitation

Severe hailstorm leaves a trail of destruction in Johannesburg, South Africa

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Residents are left to pick up the pieces as an unforeseen hailstorm ravaged through some parts of Johannesburg last night.

The hailstorm followed after a thunderstorm hit the city late afternoon. Hailstones the size of a golf-ball came down from the dark skies. Numerous cars and buildings were damaged as a result of mother nature's wrath.

Joburg Emergency Services say they remain on high alert as storms are expected Today. Robert Mulaudzi from Joburg EMS says mostly affected areas in the city are Braamfontein, Midrand, Sandton, Paulshof and the metro at large.

"From our side as the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services, we remain on high alert throughout the day monitoring all seven regions of the city so that we can be able to respond to all emergencies which are reported through our emergency call centre," Mulaudzi explained.


Seismograph

Shallow magnitude 6.1 earthquake hits southern Indian Ocean

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An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 hit the Indian Ocean on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey said.

According to the US agency, the earthquake, with its epicenter in the southern Indian Ocean, struck at around 0700GMT.

Its depth was recorded at nearly 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).

The earthquake came days after a major earthquake of 6.4 magnitude hit the South Asian nation of Nepal. Around 150 people were killed following the strong tremor in the landlocked Himalayan nation.

Fire

Eruption fears as Iceland's Grindavik residents given five minutes to go home amid earthquakes

crack road earthquake iceland volcano
© XEarth tremors have cracked a road in the center of Grindavik, Iceland, November 11, 2023
Seismic activity in area around Grindavik has 'increased significantly' in Iceland as eruption is predicted

Authorities in Iceland have declared a state of emergency as the threat of an "imminent" volcanic eruption which "could obliterate the entire town of Grindavik" loomed.

The Icelandic Met Office experts have said a volcanic eruption could last 'for weeks' as 30,000 earthquakes have been recorded since seismic activity began three weeks ago.

Matthew James Roberts, managing director of the service and research division at the Iceland Met Office, told Radio 4's Today Programme: "This would be a lava-producing volcanic eruption along a series of fissures and that would be the main hazard.

"Blowing lava an eruption that persists for weeks possible and that means roads and other forms of infrastructure could be eventually in harm's way."

Cloud Precipitation

Galway town in Ireland underwater as Storm Debi surge 'collapses sea wall' flooding cars

Flooding in Salthill
© Neasa ConneallyFlooding in Salthill
Salthill has been majorly flooded as seawater combined, with heavy rain, overwhelmed the town in the early hours of the morning.

Photos posted on social media show cars submerged up to their headlights parked near the seafront in the town.

The images were shared by Carlow Weather, who posted this morning that "Official stations show top gusts from Storm Debi was 113kmh at Knock Airport."

"Photos from Salthill in Galway by Neasa Conneally show cars flooded on the prom. Who parks their car there during Storm Debi?


Fire

Intense eruptive activity starts at Italy's Mount Etna

Intense eruptive activity starts at Italy's Mount Etna
Intense eruptive activity starts at Italy's Mount Etna
Intense eruptive activity started at the Mt. Etna, located in Italy's Sicily, local media reported on Monday.

As the volcanic clouds created by the explosions in the mountain have reached an inestimable height, the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) issued a red code for aviation, noted the public broadcaster Rainews.

INGV announced that a network of surveillance cameras had revealed an increase in Strombolian activity at the southeast crater, accompanied by a lava overflow from the southeast saddle.

From the forecast model of volcanic ash dispersal, the simulation of the eventual dispersion of the volcanic plume indicates an east-southeast direction, it added.

Mount Etna, 3,357 meters (11,014 feet) in height, is one of the world's most active volcanoes and is in an almost constant state of activity.


Seismograph

Shallow 6.1 magnitude earthquake jolts Papua New Guinea

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A strong earthquake struck Papua New Guinea on Monday, the US Geological Survey said.

The earthquake measuring 6.1 struck Rabaul in the East New Britain province of the Pacific Island nation at around 0743GMT at a depth of around 10 kilometers (6.3 miles), according to the survey.

No loss of life or property has been reported so far.

Attention

Freak 3.5 meter wave slightly floods Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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A freak wave rolled in over Rio de Janeiro, and just kept rolling. Umbrellas, towels, people and the beach itself were no match for the 'sneaker wave,' an unusually high wave that appears to be a regular wave, until it's too late. This particular one was a miniature tsunami, reaching 3.5m tall.

The wave continued into the city itself, flooding the Leblon neighborhood and prompting an industrial-strength cleanup operation to remove the sand, debris and people. Of course, lots of people were filming and putting it on the internet, rather than getting to slightly less wet ground.

It is unclear if anyone was injured, or indeed what caused the freakishly high wave. One working theory is that it was a remnant of a large storm in the South Atlantic, although meteorologists have conceded it might have just been a really big wave.


Fire

Bolivian firefighters tackle forest blazes amid drought

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At least seven wildfires in Bolivian forests have prompted the deployment of firefighters along with specialized aircraft. Local authorities reported that some of the fires were particularly difficult to put out as they were 'inaccessible by land.'