Earth Changes
HUGO, Minn. - Severe thunderstorms packing large hail and possible tornadoes rumbled across the nation's midsection on Sunday, killing at least one person, injuring at least eight others and damaging dozens of homes.
CHENGDU, China - A powerful aftershock destroyed tens of thousands of homes in central China on Sunday, killing one person and straining recovery efforts from the country's worst earthquake in three decades. More than 400 others were injured.
China's earthquake zone has been warned to prepare for heavy rains which could hamper further relief efforts.
There are concerns that construction of temporary shelters for five million homeless could be delayed, while water levels in dams and lakes remain high.
There are concerns that construction of temporary shelters for five million homeless could be delayed, while water levels in dams and lakes remain high.
As the human death toll from the China earthquake on May 12 tops 50,000, emergency rations are being sent to some of the most endangered survivors - giant pandas.
The China Daily reports that some 4500 kilograms of bamboo leaves and 1050 kg of bamboo shoots, as well as apples, soya beans, eggs and milk powder are being sent to feed giant pandas at the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center in Wolong, Sichuan province, just 30 kilometres from the epicentre. Five of the centre's workers were killed in the quake, and 2 of 53 pandas were injured.
The China Daily reports that some 4500 kilograms of bamboo leaves and 1050 kg of bamboo shoots, as well as apples, soya beans, eggs and milk powder are being sent to feed giant pandas at the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center in Wolong, Sichuan province, just 30 kilometres from the epicentre. Five of the centre's workers were killed in the quake, and 2 of 53 pandas were injured.
Texans are battling a plague of insects that sounds right out of the book of Exodus. So-called "crazy Rasberry ants," named after Tom Rasberry, the exterminator who first identified them, and called "crazy" for their erratic marching pattern, have begun appearing in huge numbers in the Houston area. The ants have been wreaking havoc on homes by destroying electrical wiring, according to the Houston Chronicle, which offers this fear-inducing introduction:
You won't be able to hear them.
Don't even try.
But somewhere out there, maybe as near as your backyard, the crazy Rasberry ants are marching. Hundreds, thousands, millions, billions of them are coming in a near-unstoppable zig-zagging insect army intent on making your home, yard and life a living hill.
Three giant pandas are missing from the world's most famous panda reserve located less than 20 miles from the epicenter of China's earthquake.
CHENGDU, China - One of the most powerful aftershocks to hit quake-ravaged central China killed one person, left dozens more injured and leveled homes Sunday, as soldiers carrying explosives hiked to a blocked-off river to alleviate the threat of floods.
New Zealand's largest active volcano, Mount Ruapehu in the North Island, has been showing signs of increased activity and scientists are warning it may erupt.
But up on the mountain tourism operators are not too concerned. They are more worried that the media reports have scared off visitors.
Meanwhile newspaper headlines in New Zealand are reading "Restless Ruapehu emits danger signs" and "Molten rock on the move".
Dr Tony Hurst is a volcanologist based in Wellington and has been monitoring volcanoes across New Zealand for 30 years.
He says close attention needs to be paid to Ruapehu, particularly because of the number of people who ski on its slopes. Dr Hurst says Mount Ruapehu began stirring three weeks ago.
But up on the mountain tourism operators are not too concerned. They are more worried that the media reports have scared off visitors.
Meanwhile newspaper headlines in New Zealand are reading "Restless Ruapehu emits danger signs" and "Molten rock on the move".
Dr Tony Hurst is a volcanologist based in Wellington and has been monitoring volcanoes across New Zealand for 30 years.
He says close attention needs to be paid to Ruapehu, particularly because of the number of people who ski on its slopes. Dr Hurst says Mount Ruapehu began stirring three weeks ago.
Supercell storms plowed across northern Oklahoma state Saturday spawning several tornadoes that crushed structures and sent debris flying miles away, US media reported.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that the storms would drop "a few tornadoes near an outflow boundary where wind shear is very favorable for rotation. Other scattered severe storms are possible farther southward through Oklahoma this afternoon and evening."
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that the storms would drop "a few tornadoes near an outflow boundary where wind shear is very favorable for rotation. Other scattered severe storms are possible farther southward through Oklahoma this afternoon and evening."
A fairly strong earthquake shook the ocean floor near the Solomon Islands at 3:24 a.m. today Hawaii time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The 5.9 magnitude temblor's epicenter was estimated to be almost 42 miles below the earth's surface.
The 5.9 magnitude temblor's epicenter was estimated to be almost 42 miles below the earth's surface.
