Earth ChangesS


Better Earth

US: Unusual lightning storm starts series of wildfires

Fire crews already spread thin fighting blazes across California are dealing with a flurry of new fires on the North Coast caused from an unusual and powerful lightning storm that struck on Friday.

As of Saturday evening, CAL FIRE reported that approximately 37 lightning-caused fires were started during the past 24 hours in widely scattered areas of its Humboldt-Del Norte Unit.

Ambulance

Philippine ferry sinks; 700-plus passengers missing

A Philippine passenger ferry capsized during a typhoon with more than 700 people on board, triggering a frantic search on Sunday for survivors.

Most of the 626 passengers and 121 crew are missing and the vessel's owner, Sulpicio Lines, said it had lost contact with the ferry, which was en route to Cebu from Manila, at around 12.30 p.m. (0430 GMT) on Saturday.

The coast guard finally reached the area where the MV Princess of Stars sank 3 km (two miles) from Sibuyan island in the centre of the archipelago. It had been forced to abort a previous rescue mission on Saturday because of high seas.

Cloud Lightning

India: West Bengal flood toll rises to 25, villages still marooned

Kolkata - At least 25 people have died due to floods in West Bengal that have affected 2.7 million people. The situation in parts of East Midnapore district deteriorated Saturday. "Twenty-five persons have died and over 2.7 million are affected due to floods till Saturday in West and East Midnapore districts," Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said here.

Evil Rays

Three strong quakes hit Greece; no casualties or damages

Three strong earthquakes occurred Saturday 270 kilometers (about 165 miles) southwest of Athens without causing any casualties or serious damage, authorities said.

The first earthquake, of 5.4 magnitude, occurred at 0857 local time (0557 GMT). The second, a magnitude 5.9 quake occurred at 1436 local (1136 GMT). A third earthquake, of magnitude 5.0. occurred at 1645 local (1345 GMT), the Athens Geodynamic Institute said.

Binoculars

Rare albino crows spotted in East Vancouver



Image
©Pat Brand
This rare albino crow was one of two recently spotted in East Vancouver.

Arrow Up

Cyprus boils as temperatures hit 40C

The first signs of another boiling summer are being felt nationwide today as the mercury has already climbed to 40C in the capital.

The Director of the Meteorological Service Kyriacos Theofilou, said that the temperature is five degrees higher than normal for this time of year, with the normal level being around 35C.

Phoenix

Greece wildfire uncontrolled, causing extensive damages

Athens -- A major forest fire that broke out in Lagomandra, Kalamos in northern Attica, Greece was continuing to blaze unchecked on Friday, causing extensive damages, according to Athens News Agency reports.

Cloud Lightning

Lightning Threat

Lightning brightens the sky and provides a spectacular display of Mother Nature's power.

This awesome phenomenon also causes more deaths and property destruction in a typical year than floods, hurricanes and tornadoes combined.

Don't underestimate the dangers of lightning.

The threat of lightning danger can occur anytime, but the most likely time for damaging thunderstorms is June through August.

Better Earth

Philippines: 14 killed and thousands evacuated as typhoon strikes

MANILA - Flash floods and landslides triggered by Typhoon Fengshen have left at least 14 people dead and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands in the Philippines, officials said Saturday.

Attention

US flood victims worry: What's in the water?

The floodwaters that deluged much of Iowa have done more than knock out drinking water and destroy homes. They have also spread a noxious brew of sewage, farm chemicals and fuel that could sicken anyone who wades in.

On Monday, Bob Lanz used a 22-foot aluminum flatboat to navigate through downtown Oakville, where water reeked of pig feces and diesel fuel.

"You can hardly stand it," Lanz said as he surveyed what remained of his family's hog farm. "It's strong."