Earth ChangesS


Question

Strange, glowing night clouds continue to spread

Joe Hanson
Wired.com
Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:55 UTC
Noctilucent clouds
© Martin Koitmäe/WikimediaNoctilucent clouds over Kuresoo bog, Soomaa National Park, Estonia.
Just after summer sunsets in northern latitudes, shimmering, wispy clouds appear in the twilight sky. This year, these noctilucent clouds have appeared earlier and farther south than ever before.

Noctilucent clouds exist higher in Earth's atmosphere than any other cloud type. First observed in 1885 following the eruption of Krakatoa, they were a sight reserved for Earth's northernmost residents. In recent years, however, their intensity and frequency have increased, often at latitudes previously thought to be too far south for noctilucent clouds to form.

In 2009, scientists from the National Center for Atmospheric Research pointed to the southern creep of noctilucent clouds as an early warning signal for climate change high in the atmosphere. Now, new data from NASA's cloud-observing AIM satellite supports this possibility.

James Russell, principal investigator for AIM, says increasing methane emissions could be amping up the cloud show. "When methane makes its way into the upper atmosphere, it is oxidized by a complex series of reactions to form water vapor," Russell said. "This extra water vapor is then available to grow ice crystals for [noctilucent clouds]."
Read More...
Cloud Grey

In a fog, migrating birds crash-land on Wisconsin boat

Meg Jones
Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel
Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:51 UTC
The exhausted travelers were just about out of gas, so they pulled over to the only rest stop they could find in the fog.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources workers aboard the research vessel Coregonus wondered why so many migrating warblers were suddenly landing on their boat 16 miles off the Lake Michigan shore from Port Washington. The pooped birds didn't care where they landed, as long as it was dry.


To the warblers lost in the fog, the boat probably looked like a giant floating life preserver.

"Most of them were just dead-tired," DNR fisheries technician Tim Kroeff said Tuesday.

American redstart, magnolia and palm warblers were among the species landing on the boat, as well as at least one vesper sparrow.

"Some were so tired I could catch them with my hand and bring them into the cabin. Some of them would land and it was almost like they were in hypothermia, they were shivering," said Kroeff, a DNR fisheries technician for three decades.

Warblers migrating from tropical climates to Wisconsin to breed or pass through on their way to Canada visit stopover sites, which ornithologists have dubbed fire escapes, convenience stores and full-service hotels, depending on habitat and availability of food. On this day in late May, the Coregonus was a fire escape - a vital rescue stop the birds happened upon that likely saved their lives.

"It happens in the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico; there are amazing stories from people on ships," said Noel Cutright, founder of Western Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory in Ozaukee County. "They're always looking for some place to sit down."

Comment: Although 'falls' of migrating birds in most years are not that unusual, what marks out this Spring season in particular is the late occurrence and numbers involved across both North America and Eurasia due to late cold weather. Many have been reported dead or dying.

See a sample of these other reports for instance -

Many bluebirds couldn't survive this cold spring in Loveland, Colorado

Prolonged winter weather grounds birds in Northland, Minnesota

Over 100 dead birds found in Danville & Pittsylvania County, Virginia

Hundreds of birds die of starvation after spring snowstorm in Colorado

Bird jams: Long winter sends migratory flocks into tailspin in Germany

Rare birds killed off after migration north sees them face freezing temperatures back in UK

In Belarus, for returning storks, blackbirds, swallows the prolonged winter is a disaster

Wacky weather producing one of Alaska Interior's craziest spring migrations on record

Warbler 'fallout' on Park Point, Dulth amazes birders

Read More...
Attention

California town besieged by endangered condors

Michael Cipriano
foxnews.com
Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:15 UTC
Image
Residents of a small California town wish a certain endangered species would make itself scarce.

Flocks of California condors have descended upon Bear Valley Springs. Residents, who are allowed to do little to chase them away, say the huge birds peck off roof shingles, damage air conditioners and leave porches coated in droppings. And although the majestic birds, with a wingspan of nine feet, are widely admired, the gated community of about 5,200 about 80 miles north of Los Angeles has seen enough of them.

"A lot of people used to think seeing a condor was amazing," local realtor Beth Hall told FoxNews.com. "After seeing the damage they have done, they have become less popular with people, myself included."

Unfortunately for the residents, the birds are protected by both federal and state law, leaving them almost powerless to take action. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 66 of the remaining 417 condors live in Southern California.

The condors caused significant damage on the outside of a rental property of Hall's, leaving her with big repair bills. The worst of it took place on her deck after one of the birds opened and spilled a can of white paint. Other condors tracked the paint all around on the deck, Hall said.

Hall also reported that the birds have covered the house in feces, nibbled at the wiring of the air conditioner and ripped off the screens of two sliding doors.
Read More...
Attention

Line of sinkholes in Florida county could be sign of more to come

Caitlin Johnston
Tampa Bay Times
Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:00 UTC
sinkhole
© DIRK SHADD | TimesA sinkhole that killed a man in Seffner in March is one in a line of sinkholes in Hillsborough County.
Homes in the sinkhole-plagued community of Seffner could be sitting on a fracture line linking them to about 20 other sinkholes, including the 20-foot-deep pit that opened under a home in February and killed Jeffrey Bush.

And as Hillsborough County enters what one geologist labels "sinkhole weather," the potential for sinkholes to form will only increase.

Since Bush's death brought national attention to sinkholes here, they seem to be sprouting all over Hillsborough, including several in the past week.

"You'll get areas that just seem to get active," said Sandy Nettles, a private geologist in Palm Harbor. "It could be any number of things that actually stimulated it, but usually once they start rolling into an area, you get more action."

In Plant City, Tom Manus was told to leave his home on North Country Hills Court after a sinkhole was discovered under his porch Saturday.

On Sunday, a Bob Evans restaurant in Seffner was closed after employees found cracks on the ceiling, floor and walls. Geological tests are ongoing, but that type of damage is associated with sinkholes.

Later that day, a Tampa family on Jean Street was asked to evacuate after a sinkhole developed in the front yard. The home is east of Hesperides Street and a half mile north of Hillsborough Avenue.
Read More...
Arrow Down

Five years on, two large sinkholes are still swallowing street in Cape Girardeau, Missouri

James Long
KFVS
Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:33 UTC

Five years ago, we reported on sinkholes becoming a problem on South Sprigg Street.

The problem has gotten much worse over time, and could close part of the street for good.

Sinkholes have been in the news a lot over the past few months.

There was the man who died in Florida after his home was swallowed by a sinkhole.
Read More...
Cloud Lightning

Massive storm system surges toward U.S. Mid-Atlantic coast

Sarah Brumfield
Yahoo News
Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:31 UTC
Lightning Chicago
© AP Photo/Dr. Scott M. LiebermanLightning erupts over downtown Chicago on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, as a line of powerful storms cross over the Midwest.
A massive storm system surged Thursday toward the Mid-Atlantic after causing widespread power outages and flash flooding, but largely failed to live up to its fierce billing through the Upper Midwest.

The Washington, D.C., area braced for the storms, and the National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm watches and warnings for much of the region. Forecasters warned that the storms could produce damaging winds and large hail, and said the threat would run from early afternoon to early evening Thursday. A flash flood watch was in effect. Morning thunderstorms caused relatively minor damage. In Maryland and Delaware, officials reported trees down, roads closed, and tens of thousands of power outages after a line of heavy thunderstorms moved through.

In Washington, the Office of Personnel Management said federal agencies in the area would open but that workers would be allowed to take unscheduled leave or work from home. In Delaware, thousands were without power and a 19-year-old woman who works at Plumpton Park Zoo in Rising Sun, Md., was struck by lightning and sent to the hospital.
Read More...
Attention

1,000 homes evacuated in 'most destructive wildfire in Colorado's history'

Nicholas Riccardi
Yahoo News
Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:21 UTC
Colorado wildfire
© APThe Black Forest wildfire is now the most destructive in Colorado history.
Residents of 1,000 homes in Colorado Springs are being ordered to evacuate because of a wildfire that's already destroyed at least 360 houses.

Thursday's evacuation order is the first within the city limits. About 38,000 people already have been evacuated because of the fire that started in a populated, wooded area east of the city.

The city of about 430,000 people is also asking residents of 2,000 more homes to be ready to evacuate because the fire has reached a designated trigger point.

The blaze in the Black Forest area is now the most destructive in Colorado history.

Comment: Bearing in mind that the bar was set by last year's 'most destructive wildfires in Colorado history', locals have got to be asking themselves, like El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa above, "What's up?"...

Reign of Fire: Meteorites, Wildfires, Planetary Chaos and the Sixth Extinction

Read More...
Attention

Peacock deaths suggest re-emergence of deadly virus


The Express Tribune
Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:34 UTC
Image
Hyderabad: At least 14 peacocks have reportedly died and several others have fallen ill in various villages in Thar over the last four days, setting off alarm bells about the resurgence of a fatal virus.

Reports about the death of peacocks have emerged in Mithi, Diplo and Nagarparkar tehsils. Though Thar's villagers may harbour concerns about the emergence of the Newcastle Disease Virus - or Ranikhet, the wildlife department has yet to verify the deaths and maintains that the birds may have died of other causes.

The illness, along with a severe deficiency of vitamins and minerals, affects birds' nervous systems. An acute shortage of water, sweltering heat and a very low yields of millet, maize and other plants which the peacocks feed on, results in the deficiency.

When infected, the peacocks start to feel dizzy and whirl to their deaths. According to unconfirmed reports, more than 300 died last year in the same season. Heman Das, a resident of Sajai village in Diplo, said, "They spin round and round for two to three minutes and then after a brief rest, continue the behaviour again relentlessly."
Read More...
Arrow Down

New subduction zone forming off Spain's coast

Becky Oskin
OurAmazingPlanet
Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:12 UTC
Subduction zone
© João Duarte/GeologyPossible future scenarios for the subduction zone developing off Spain's coast.
A budding subduction zone offshore of Spain heralds the start of a new cycle that will one day pull the Atlantic Ocean seafloor into the bowels of the Earth, a new study suggests.

Understanding how subduction zones start is long-lasting mystery in plate tectonics, said lead study author João Duarte, a research fellow at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.

Subduction zones are key players in creating supercontinents and opening and closing Earth's oceans. In a subduction zone, one of Earth's tectonic plates dives beneath another, sinking into the mantle, the layer under the crust. As oceanic crust disappears, continents may draw closer together and collide, as has happened numerous times in the history of the planet. Subduction zones also spawn the biggest earthquakes on the planet, as in Japan, Chile and Alaska.

On the flip side are passive margins, the seamless transition between oceanic and continental crust, as is seen along eastern North America and northern Europe.

But while northern Europe may have a gentle transition, the folded and fractured seafloor offshore of southwestern Spain leads scientists to think Earth's crust is poised on the brink between the two types of plate boundaries.

"We are precisely in the transition between a passive and an active margin. The plate is breaking in two and starting to converge," Duarte told OurAmazingPlanet in an email interview.
Read More...
Bizarro Earth

USGS: Earthquake Magnitude 6.7 - ENE of Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island


US Geological Survey
Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:25 UTC
Flying Fish Cove Quake_130613
© USGS
Event Time
2013-06-13 16:47:23 UTC
2013-06-13 23:47:23 UTC+07:00 at epicenter

Location
10.030°S 107.182°E depth=11.1km (6.9mi)

Nearby Cities
170km (106mi) ENE of Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island
313km (194mi) SSW of Kawalu, Indonesia
313km (194mi) SSW of Singaparna, Indonesia
314km (195mi) S of Banjar, Indonesia
423km (263mi) S of Jakarta, Indonesia

Technical Details
Read More...