Earth ChangesS

Cloud Lightning

Family of 3 killed by lightning bolt in Kenya

LIGHTNING
Grief has gripped a village in Nambale Constituency following the death of three members of the same family who were struck by lightning.

A man, his wife and their four-month baby died on the spot in Tatira village on Saturday.

The bodies were taken to Kocholia District Hospital mortuary. Their relatives are now appealing for help to bury them

. The area has been experiencing heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorm for the past one week.

Aluku Isi, a brother to the dead man, said they were unable to raise the mortuary fees and could not afford coffins. "We are unable to give them a decent send-off due to financial constraints," Isi said yesterday.

Comment: Elsewhere lightning strikes have killed individuals recently in Bangladesh and in Jammu, India, while 3 were killed in the latter country on the 4th of April.


Ice Cube

$500 billion plan to refreeze polar cap, while icebergs detour ships 650 kilometers south

MV Highlanders is stuck in ice near Low Point, N.S.
© Marine AtlanticMV Highlanders is stuck in ice near Low Point, Nova Scotia
A new plan out by Arizona State University to use 10 million wind powered pumps to re-freeze the Arctic at a cost of $500 billion dollars, is a badly timed release as 400+ icebergs invade north Atlantic shipping lanes driving vessel traffic 650Km south to avoid collision. Record snows in Anchorage Alaska and Record ice growth on Greenland.


Sources

Attention

The world's five deadliest volcanoes

Mount Etna: boiling over โ€ฆ again.
© ShutterstockMount Etna
An eruption of Mount Etna recently caught out some BBC journalists who were filming there. The footage was extraordinary and highlighted the hazards volcanoes pose to humans and society.

Since 1600, 278,880 people have been killed by volcanic activity, with many of these deaths attributed to secondary hazards associated with the main eruption. Starvation killed 92,000 following the 1815 Tambora eruption in Indonesia, for example, and a volcanic tsunami killed 36,000 following the 1883 Krakatoa eruption.

Since the 1980s, deaths related to volcanic eruptions have been rather limited, but this is not entirely a result of increased preparedness or investment in hazard management - it is significantly a matter of chance.

Research shows that volcanic activity has shown no let up since the turn of the 21st century - it just hasn't been around population centres. Indeed, there remain a number of volcanoes poised to blow which pose a major threat to life and livelihood.

Attention

5.6-magnitude earthquake hits central Philippines

Philippine coast
© AAP
A 5.6-magnitude earthquake has shaken the waters near Samar Island in central Philippines with no damages or casualties reported.

The earthquake struck at 8.40am (local time) on Monday 137 kilometres northwest of Calbayog Town, to the north of Samar Island, and 500 kilometres southeast of Manila, with the epicentre located at a depth of 8.2 kilometres, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

No tsunami alert has been issued.

On February 11, a 6.7-magnitude earthquake in the southern island of Mindanao killed eight people and left 200 injured.

The Philippines is situated on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of great seismic and volcanic activity that is hit by around 7,000, mostly moderate, earthquakes every year.

Attention

Another oarfish found in Southern Leyte, Philippines; 3rd this year

oarfish
© Bayan Patroller Lovella Elejorde
An oarfish washed ashore in Southern Leyte Tuesday evening, sparking fears of an impending earthquake.

In a photo and video shared by Bayan Patroller Lovella Elejorde, residents were abuzz with the oarfish that was found along the shore of Talisay, Libagon, Southern Leyte.

Witnesses said the oarfish was still alive when they saw it but was already weak until it died eventually.

Teresa Regis, Municipal Agriculturist Officer of Libagon Souther Leyte, said two fishermen saw the oarfish.

Regis added the oarfish was female and is estimated to be 14.4-feet long and 1.2-feet wide.

Comment: Three days later in the Philippines: 5.9 magnitude earthquake rocks near Talaga, south of Manila


Info

10-foot shark left stranded near Pleasure Point, California

Shark stranded off CA coast
© Mark Schwartz
Survival isn't likely for the 10-foot shark that thrashed at bystanders trying to photograph the stranded fish near Pleasure Point Friday afternoon, according to the Pelagic Research Shark Foundation.

While trying to rescue the fish, which some called a white shark and others said was a salmon shark, near 34th Avenue about 6 p.m., Pelagic Research Shark Foundation Executive Director Sean Van Sommeran said large waves were hurting the animal's chances to escape to sea.

Later Friday, Van Sommeran said he did not think the shark would survive as waves up to 11 feet pounded the point. "The shark's still there," Van Sommeran said shortly before 8 p.m. "The swell keeps washing it back in after we released it twice."

If the fish dies, its carcass likely would be hauled to a California Department of Fish and Wildlife facility, Van Sommeran said.


Comment: SFGate reports the shark has died:
The stranded great white shark has died, reports ABC7 and NBC. Researchers believe the cause of death to be a hook caught in its mouth or a nervous system infection.



Attention

Elliott River full of dead fish in Queensland, Australia

Jett Christensen was shocked to find dead fish spread throughout the Elliott River.
© Jett ChristensenJett Christensen was shocked to find dead fish spread throughout the Elliott River.
A large fish kill in the Elliott River has sparked concerns from a local grandfather and fishermen.

At the weekend Jett Christensen found a variety of dead fish, from mullet, bream, flathead and even a shovel nose shark dead throughout the mangroves and in the water.

He is concerned the fish may have been poisoned and is worried for the safety of people who may consume them.

Not only this but he wants answers as to why the fish were dead?

Last week saw a large amount of rain hit the region and a number of areas became flooded.

But, the 19-year-old's grandfather, Graham Christensen said he had never seen anything like it.

"Before you ask I don't think it's flood related," he said.

Attention

Elephant kills man in Lupane, Zimbabwe

Elephant
A 28-year-old man was on Wednesday night killed by an elephant in Lupane while guarding his field as wild animals wreak havoc in the district.

Sifelani Ncube's body was found on Thursday morning with intestines protruding.

Kusile Rural District Council chief executive officer Mr Christopher Chuma confirmed the death.

"A villager was trampled to death by an elephant while guarding his fields.

"The challenge is that the elephants are outside our area of jurisdiction at a private A2 Farm across Gwayi River and we don't get there unless by invitation.

"However, this particular incident happened in our area and our rangers are on the ground hunting for the elephant," said Mr Chuma.

Arrow Down

Giant sinkhole swallows pug in northern Florida

the sinkhole
the sinkhole
A 10-year-old pug named Cookie is safe and sound after falling into a giant sinkhole following a heavy rainstorm in north Florida.

Crews from multiple agencies worked five hours to lift her to safety Tuesday night near Gainesville.

The Gainesville Sun reports Cookie followed owner Patricia Langston to her barn on Tuesday evening. The dog stopped to scratch. As she took a step forward, the ground opened up and Cookie tumbled into the hole.

Cloud Precipitation

Torrential rainfall and mudslides destroy "80% of Comodoro Rivadavia" in Argentina

FLOOD
Comodoro Rivadavia, in Argentine Patagonia, also known as the "Oil capital" of the country is estimated to have experienced an "80% destruction" of the city, according to a first report from an Army engineers' battalion sent to set up bridges and repair highways. The city suffered a week of historic torrential rains (330mm) and strong winds with flooding, mudslides which swept away with bridges and tracts of roads and major highways.

Mud and water continue to cover most of the city's streets and emergency centers have been set up at schools, churches, clubs, neighbor centers, with hundreds waiting for daily rations, clothing but most desperately, praying for the end of rain and the return of sunshine.

One of the neighborhoods, Caleta Cordova, with an estimated 5.000 middle class people finally will be able to purchase food and other provisions following the mounting of a Bailey Army bridge which again connected it with the city. Until now provisions arrived by sea to the beach in Zodiacs or Army heavy trucks. A major pluvial pipe which did not resist the outburst of the water lies among the debris as witness of the magnitude of the disaster.