Minutes after the earthquake struck in Sichuan on Monday the internet was alive with videos and eyewitness accounts of the disaster.
It was a contrast to the events in Tangshan 32 years ago, when the Chinese government refused for months to admit the 7.8 magnitude earthquake had even happened, despite the deaths of an estimated 240,000 people.
Earth Changes
The Karymsky volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula has spewed an ash column to a height of 4.5 kilometres above sea level. There is no danger to nearby settlements, the Kamchatka branch of the Geophysical service of the Russian Academy of Sciences told Itar-Tass on Saturday.
A surge of seismic activity in the area of the volcano has been registered.
A surge of seismic activity in the area of the volcano has been registered.
Volcanic ash raining down from the Chilean volcano Chaiten may cause long-term environmental damage and harm the health of people and animals in Patagonia, scientists say.
Ash from the volcano, which started erupting 10 days ago for the first time in thousands of years, is made up of pulverised rock containing all kinds of minerals.
Ash from the volcano, which started erupting 10 days ago for the first time in thousands of years, is made up of pulverised rock containing all kinds of minerals.
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Italian volcano Etna has awakened. Lava started gushing from the 3,350 metre mountain and the surrounding Sicily area, without any residents, was shaken by 200 earthquakes measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale.
Scientists in Hobart are starting small in their bid to discover the answers to one of the world's biggest problems: they are researching krill in the hope of finding out what impact climate change may be having in the Southern Ocean.
The shrimp-like krill is one of the smallest animals in the Antarctic, but Dr Andrew Constable from the Australian Antarctic Division says it could help unlock some of the secrets of one of the world's most complex ecosystems.
The shrimp-like krill is one of the smallest animals in the Antarctic, but Dr Andrew Constable from the Australian Antarctic Division says it could help unlock some of the secrets of one of the world's most complex ecosystems.
Chongqing, China - China's most devastating earthquake in three decades killed nearly 9,000 people on Monday, with the toll likely to soar as authorities struggle to reach casualties in large areas cut off from relief.
The earthquake that hit China's southwestern province of Sichuan killed 8,533 people, the official Xinhua news agency said on Monday, citing the provincial government.
The earthquake that hit China's southwestern province of Sichuan killed 8,533 people, the official Xinhua news agency said on Monday, citing the provincial government.
Beijing - A massive earthquake struck central China on Monday and state media reported that as many as 5,000 people were killed in a single county while nearly 900 students were trapped under the rubble of their school.
The official Xinhua News Agency said 80 percent of the buildings had collapsed in Beichuan county in Sichuan province after the 7.8-magnitude quake.
The official Xinhua News Agency said 80 percent of the buildings had collapsed in Beichuan county in Sichuan province after the 7.8-magnitude quake.
Chongqing -- Five people were confirmed dead in southwest China's Sichuan Province and Chongqing Municipality on Monday afternoon after an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale toppled two school buildings and a water tower.
Four students died in Chongqing's outer Liangping County when the earthquake toppled the Wenhua Township Primary School at about 2:30 p.m. At least 100 children were injured, the local government said.
Four students died in Chongqing's outer Liangping County when the earthquake toppled the Wenhua Township Primary School at about 2:30 p.m. At least 100 children were injured, the local government said.
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Chinese President Hu Jintao has called for "all-out" efforts to rescue victims of an earthquake measuring 7.8 that has hit south-west China, say reports.
The quake struck 57 miles (92km) north-west of Sichuan's provincial capital, Chengdu, at 1428 (0628 GMT).
China's state-run Xinhua news agency said Premier Wen Jiabao was travelling to the area and troops were being sent to help with disaster relief efforts.
The extent of the damage is not clear and there are no casualty reports yet.
Rescue crews on Sunday searched through rubble for survivors a day after tornadoes tore across the United States killing at least 22 people and shattering homes and businesses, officials said.
US President George W. Bush called it a "sad day" for devastated communities in the states of Missouri, Oklahoma and Georgia and promised emergency federal aid.
Missouri's department of emergency management said 14 people were confirmed dead in the state, with scores more injured.
"We are still conducting some search and rescue today," department spokeswoman Susie Stonner told AFP, adding that some of the injured were "in hospital in critical condition."
Numerous tornadoes touched down in Oklahoma late Saturday as the storms ripped across the state at 35-45 miles per hour (55-70 kmh), killing seven in the area near the town of Picher, the Oklahoma department of emergency management said. Some 150 people were injured.
US President George W. Bush called it a "sad day" for devastated communities in the states of Missouri, Oklahoma and Georgia and promised emergency federal aid.
Missouri's department of emergency management said 14 people were confirmed dead in the state, with scores more injured.
"We are still conducting some search and rescue today," department spokeswoman Susie Stonner told AFP, adding that some of the injured were "in hospital in critical condition."
Numerous tornadoes touched down in Oklahoma late Saturday as the storms ripped across the state at 35-45 miles per hour (55-70 kmh), killing seven in the area near the town of Picher, the Oklahoma department of emergency management said. Some 150 people were injured.
