Earth ChangesS


Rainbow

Rare iridescent 'rainbow' cloud appears above Caxias, Brazil


9news
Tue, 13 Dec 2016 18:46 UTC
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.

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Cloud Precipitation

Severe hailstorm strikes Ladysmith, South Africa

Nameera Sarjoo
Ladysmith Gazette
Thu, 08 Dec 2016 20:19 UTC
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
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Question

Loud mystery booms echo through Nebraska neighborhood


WOWT News
Mon, 12 Dec 2016 23:12 UTC
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.
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Sun

With temps below zero, stunning sun dogs fill Minnesota sky

Rachel Chazin
Star Tribune
Mon, 12 Dec 2016 11:21 UTC
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
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Attention

120 small earthquakes shake Mount St. Helens in a week

Dameon Pesanti
The Columbian
Mon, 12 Dec 2016 06:01 UTC
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.
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Attention

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

Michael Havis
The Star (UK)
Thu, 08 Dec 2016 15:17 UTC
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
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Cloud Lightning

7 people killed by lightning strikes in Swaziland

Nozipho Sibiya
Swazi Observer
Tue, 13 Dec 2016 14:55 UTC
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.
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Cloud Lightning

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

macprince
Time of Gist
Tue, 13 Dec 2016 14:40 UTC
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.
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Cloud Lightning

Lightning strikes kill 4 and severely burn 10 others in Zimbabwe


ZimNews.net
Tue, 13 Dec 2016 13:50 UTC
Lightning
4 individuals lost their lives after they were struck by lightning in Tsholotsho and Lupane districts on weekend.

10 others survived with severe burns.

Among the dead were 2 ZCC church members who were killed on the spot while 8 others were rushed to hospital in Lupane on Sunday after being struck by a bolt of lightning during a church service in the bush.

The previous day, a woman and her 2-year-old son were killed by lightning in Tsholotsho.
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Cloud Precipitation

10 dead after Cyclone Vardah strikes Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, India

Richard Davies
Floodlist
Tue, 13 Dec 2016 13:12 UTC
On Dec. 12 at 3:42 a.m. EST (0842 UTC) NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP captured this visible image of Tropical Cyclone Vardah making landfall in eastern India.
© NASA MODIS Rapid Response/NOAAOn Dec. 12 at 3:42 a.m. EST (0842 UTC) NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP captured this visible image of Tropical Cyclone Vardah making landfall in eastern India.
Tropical Cyclone Vardah made landfall near near Chennai, Tamil Nadu state, India on 12 December, 2016. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reports that at least 10 people have died in Tamil Nadu. A further two deaths in Andhra Pradesh have been reported by local media.

Maximum sustained wind speeds of over 130 km/h were recorded, and the storm has caused severe damage to parts of the city of Chennai. Images on Social Media showed cars being lifted up by the strong winds. Over 4,000 trees have been uprooted, power lines downed and buildings damaged. Areas have seen power cuts and over 300 roads have been blocked throughout Chennai city.




Flight operations at Chennai airport were suspended, as were train services in the city. Both have since resumed.
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