Earth Changes
SAN FRANCISCO -- Violent thunderstorms brought rain bursts that modestly helped firefighting efforts Sunday, but the downpours also triggered mudslides that complicated California's unfolding wildfire disaster.
An important mechanism for sucking ozone and methane out of the atmosphere has been discovered over the tropical Atlantic. The finding reveals how the two greenhouse gasses are kept in check by natural chemical reactions.
Researchers warn, however, that there is a risk the process could be overpowered by rising industrial pollution.
The data collected in Cape Verde, off the western coast of Africa, suggests that 50% more ozone is being destroyed above the tropical Atlantic Ocean than previously thought, because of halogens released by the seawater.
Researchers warn, however, that there is a risk the process could be overpowered by rising industrial pollution.
The data collected in Cape Verde, off the western coast of Africa, suggests that 50% more ozone is being destroyed above the tropical Atlantic Ocean than previously thought, because of halogens released by the seawater.
An earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale hit Taiwan region at 11:00 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) on Sunday, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.
An earthquake with magnitude 2.6 by Richter scale had been registered in Bulgarian town Strazhitsa at 13.23 on Sunday, officer of the day in the Ministry of Emergency situation told FOCUS News Agency.
A mild earthquake measuring 2.4 on the Richter scale occurred around Tawau and Kunak, Sabah tonight.
A volcano in Alaska's Aleutian chain erupted on Saturday, sending a cloud of ash 35,000 feet (10.7 kilometres) into the air and prompting the evacuation of the 10 people who live on the eastern side of the island, officials said.
Okmok Volcano, located on Umnak Island, had an explosive eruption that started just before noon and was continuing through Saturday night, reported the Alaska Volcano Observatory, the joint state-federal agency that monitors Alaska's volcanoes.
Okmok Volcano, located on Umnak Island, had an explosive eruption that started just before noon and was continuing through Saturday night, reported the Alaska Volcano Observatory, the joint state-federal agency that monitors Alaska's volcanoes.
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| ©Jesus Pajon |
Every now and then, Jesus Pajon, a researcher with the Archaeology Department of the Cuban Anthropology Institute and head of the paleo-climate- Archaeology scientific project, puts on his "armor" to take samples of the waters that seeps through the walls of the Majaguas-Cantera cave system, at the San Carlos mountain range, in western Pinar del Río province.
Oysters have been mysteriously dying in the worst crisis to hit France's shellfish industry in 40 years.
In the last few days farmers have lost between 40 and 100 per cent of their oysters aged one to two years old.
Such a death toll has not been seen in France since 1970, when virtually an entire harvest was wiped out. Experts are unsure if the shellfish are succumbing to a viral epidemic or to poor water conditions caused by global warming.
In the last few days farmers have lost between 40 and 100 per cent of their oysters aged one to two years old.
Such a death toll has not been seen in France since 1970, when virtually an entire harvest was wiped out. Experts are unsure if the shellfish are succumbing to a viral epidemic or to poor water conditions caused by global warming.
A plague of caterpillars has defied the odds by returning for a second year in succession to eat away miles of grass in the Lake District.
The antler moth caterpillars, which are about two inches long, have hatched in their millions in the Helvellyn and Skiddaw areas.
The phenomenon, which has always been thought to occur once in every eight to 10 years, has left wide expanses of dead grass where sheep are normally grazed. But what is puzzling the experts is the fact that there was also an invasion of caterpillars last year.
For the first time in living memory, the plague of caterpillars has been followed by a second epidemic in the subsequent year.
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| ©Unknown |
The antler moth caterpillars, which are about two inches long, have hatched in their millions in the Helvellyn and Skiddaw areas.
The phenomenon, which has always been thought to occur once in every eight to 10 years, has left wide expanses of dead grass where sheep are normally grazed. But what is puzzling the experts is the fact that there was also an invasion of caterpillars last year.
For the first time in living memory, the plague of caterpillars has been followed by a second epidemic in the subsequent year.
Millions of pounds of lead used in hunting, fishing and shooting sports wind up in the environment each year and can threaten or kill wildlife, according to a new report from the U.S. Geological Survey.
Lead has long been known to be damaging to biology. It's previous use in gasoline, paint, pesticides, and solder in food cans has nearly been eliminated. Lead shot was banned for waterfowl hunting in 1991, but its use in ammunition for upland hunting, shooting sports, and in fishing tackle remains common.
Numerous previous studies have documented adverse effects to wildlife, especially waterbirds and scavenging species, like hawks and eagles, the researchers say. Lead exposure from ingested lead shot, bullets, and fishing sinkers also has been reported in reptiles, and studies near shooting ranges have shown evidence of lead poisoning in small mammals.
Lead has long been known to be damaging to biology. It's previous use in gasoline, paint, pesticides, and solder in food cans has nearly been eliminated. Lead shot was banned for waterfowl hunting in 1991, but its use in ammunition for upland hunting, shooting sports, and in fishing tackle remains common.
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| ©Jacobson et al. 1977, courtesy of Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association |
| Radiograph of immature bald eagle containing numerous lead shot in its digestive tract. |
Numerous previous studies have documented adverse effects to wildlife, especially waterbirds and scavenging species, like hawks and eagles, the researchers say. Lead exposure from ingested lead shot, bullets, and fishing sinkers also has been reported in reptiles, and studies near shooting ranges have shown evidence of lead poisoning in small mammals.
