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.
Earth Changes
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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| ©BBC News |
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.
Tens of thousands of animals have been trapped under a blanket of deadly ash in the aftermath of a volcanic eruption in southern Chile.
The long-dormant Chaitén volcano began spewing an enormous plume of ash visible from space and scattered debris over towns and villages on May 2.
Residents within a 30-mile (50-kilometer) radius of the volcano were forced to evacuate the area, which includes Chaitén - the town nearest the volcano - as well as the Futaleufú Valley, a rural zone populated largely by small farmers.
The long-dormant Chaitén volcano began spewing an enormous plume of ash visible from space and scattered debris over towns and villages on May 2.
Residents within a 30-mile (50-kilometer) radius of the volcano were forced to evacuate the area, which includes Chaitén - the town nearest the volcano - as well as the Futaleufú Valley, a rural zone populated largely by small farmers.
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| ©AP Photo/Mario Mendoza |
| Abandoned cattle are seen under a plume of smoke from the nearby Chaitén volcano on May 6, 2008.
Many small farmers were forced to leave their livestock behind as the volcano - which erupted May 2 - continued to spew fiery debris. On Thursday the Chilean government announced a plan to evacuate the animals, the only source of income for many local residents. |
Recommended for your reading: Are Global Warmists Pulling a Cool Fast One? by Marc Sheppard. This article is published online in the American Thinker, one of the best blogs in existence.
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| ©Unknown |
Mounting evidence of lower temperature trends despite rising atmospheric CO2 levels is becoming a real problem for the greenhouse gas crowd. And reports that the cooling appears to follow a period of dormant solar activity aren't likely to ease their anxieties.
Indeed, without an immediate alarmist course correction, years of "the science is settled" campaigning could prove for naught, as prolonged temperature dips decimate the primary anthropogenic argument. After all, Lord Gore has shouted the IPCC's proclamation of a 0.3°C warming over the next decade from virtually every rooftop. Given new data projecting the contrary, he and his green hordes will need to find a way to not only explain the error, but keep the AGW dream alive.
Indeed, without an immediate alarmist course correction, years of "the science is settled" campaigning could prove for naught, as prolonged temperature dips decimate the primary anthropogenic argument. After all, Lord Gore has shouted the IPCC's proclamation of a 0.3°C warming over the next decade from virtually every rooftop. Given new data projecting the contrary, he and his green hordes will need to find a way to not only explain the error, but keep the AGW dream alive.
Lightning killed 11 persons in north Bengal as a Nor'wester raged through the region this afternoon.
Ten of the victims, including a CPM panchayat poll candidate, were from Malda.
Taking a break from a hectic campaign schedule, Habibur Rehman, 42, contesting from the Bhado gram panchayat, was sipping tea at a roadside stall, when a bolt from the sky struck him. He died on the spot.
Ten of the victims, including a CPM panchayat poll candidate, were from Malda.
Taking a break from a hectic campaign schedule, Habibur Rehman, 42, contesting from the Bhado gram panchayat, was sipping tea at a roadside stall, when a bolt from the sky struck him. He died on the spot.
