Earth Changes
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia - A Russian astronomer has predicted that Earth will experience a "mini Ice Age" in the middle of this century, caused by low solar activity.
A volcano on an uninhabited island in Alaska erupted on Monday, sending a cloud of ash 22,000 feet into the air and triggering an elevation of the mountain's threat level.
Scientists detected the morning eruption at Cleveland Volcano, a 5,676-foot (1,730-meter) peak, on satellite imagery, officials at the Alaska Volcano Observatory said.
The observatory issued a Code Red warning, the highest level of alert, for the volcano, because the ash cloud was near a level where it could interfere with jet traffic, said Chris Waythomas, a U.S. Geological Survey geologist.
There were no reports of falling ash from the highly active volcano located in the rugged chain of Aleutian Islands. The nearest community is Nikolski, a tiny Aleut village of 31 people that is 45 miles to the east of the volcano.
Its last eruptive period was in 2001 when three explosions occurred, according to the observatory.
Scientists detected the morning eruption at Cleveland Volcano, a 5,676-foot (1,730-meter) peak, on satellite imagery, officials at the Alaska Volcano Observatory said.
The observatory issued a Code Red warning, the highest level of alert, for the volcano, because the ash cloud was near a level where it could interfere with jet traffic, said Chris Waythomas, a U.S. Geological Survey geologist.
There were no reports of falling ash from the highly active volcano located in the rugged chain of Aleutian Islands. The nearest community is Nikolski, a tiny Aleut village of 31 people that is 45 miles to the east of the volcano.
Its last eruptive period was in 2001 when three explosions occurred, according to the observatory.
PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, February 7 (Itar-Tass) - An earthquake measuring 5.7 points on the open-ended Richter scale has occurred in the Kamchatka Strait off the Kamchatka Peninsulas eastern shores, a duty officer at the regional branch of the Emergency Situations Ministry said.
An Indian sailor who died in the Lithuanian port of Klaipeda may have been infected with bird flu, the Lithuanian health ministry said.
"A member of the crew of the ship M.V. Ocean Wind, Indian citizen Shaikh Rafikque, died in Klaipeda Monday. The suspected cause of death is bird flu," a statement from the ministry said.
If avian flu is confirmed as the cause of death, it would be the first human case of the disease in the European Union.
"A member of the crew of the ship M.V. Ocean Wind, Indian citizen Shaikh Rafikque, died in Klaipeda Monday. The suspected cause of death is bird flu," a statement from the ministry said.
If avian flu is confirmed as the cause of death, it would be the first human case of the disease in the European Union.
NEW ORLEANS - Shortcomings in aid from the U.S. government are making New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin look to other nations for help in rebuilding his hurricane-damaged city.
Nagin, who has hosted a steady stream of foreign dignitaries since Hurricane Katrina hit in late August, says he may seek international assistance because U.S. aid has not been sufficient to get the city back on its feet.
Nagin, who has hosted a steady stream of foreign dignitaries since Hurricane Katrina hit in late August, says he may seek international assistance because U.S. aid has not been sufficient to get the city back on its feet.
LOS ANGELES -- Authorities issued a mandatory evacuation order in east Anaheim Hills Monday in connection with an 1,800-acre brush fire in the Cleveland National Forest.
About 1,200 homes were under evacuation orders, with some mandatory and the others voluntary, but the breakdown between the two was not immediately available, said city spokesman John Nicoletti.
About 1,200 homes were under evacuation orders, with some mandatory and the others voluntary, but the breakdown between the two was not immediately available, said city spokesman John Nicoletti.
The latest earthquakes from around the world:
Magnitude 5.4
- 2006/02/04 09:17:04 - Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Magnitude 6.0
- 2006/02/03 20:34:13 - Andaman Islands, India Regio
NMagnitude 5.5 - 2006/02/03 16:00:13 - Tonga
Magnitude 5.4
- 2006/02/04 09:17:04 - Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Magnitude 6.0
- 2006/02/03 20:34:13 - Andaman Islands, India Regio
NMagnitude 5.5 - 2006/02/03 16:00:13 - Tonga
TWO major glaciers in Greenland have recently begun to flow and break up more quickly under the onslaught of global warming, according to a new study which has raised the spectre of millions drowning from rising sea levels.The report by the University of Swansea's School of the Environment and Society said the Kangerdlugssuaq and Helheim glaciers had doubled their rate of flow to the ocean over the past two years after steady movement during the 1990s.
This spurt meant that current environmental models of the rate of retreat of Greenland's giant ice sheet which could add seven metres to the height of the world's oceans if it disappears had underestimated the problem.
This spurt meant that current environmental models of the rate of retreat of Greenland's giant ice sheet which could add seven metres to the height of the world's oceans if it disappears had underestimated the problem.
Tony Blair warns that the impact of climate change may be more serious than previously thought in a new government report on global warming published today.
The report raises fears that both the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets are likely to melt, leading to a devastating rise in sea levels.
It warns of large-scale and irreversible disruption if temperatures rise by more than 3C (5.4F) - well within the range of climate change projections for the century.
The report raises fears that both the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets are likely to melt, leading to a devastating rise in sea levels.
It warns of large-scale and irreversible disruption if temperatures rise by more than 3C (5.4F) - well within the range of climate change projections for the century.
Everybody talks about the weather. It is the one safe topic when you meet a stranger or are stuck next to a colleague you don't know very well waiting for a meeting. If you live in a rural area, the weather has a direct affect on people's lives as a year's crops depend upon how much or little rain may fall, an incident of hail that wipes out young fruit, or how early or late a frost may come. If you are in a city, with only your weekends off, then whether or not your free days are rainy or sunny can assume a grand importance.
In short, everyone has something to say about the weather.
There is a lot of talk these days about climate change and global warming. We hear predictions of everything from the melting of the ice caps leading to a rise of the ocean level enough to flood New York City and other low-lying areas, to a sudden change in the Gulf Stream that would usher in a new ice age, to complete silence. Some give timelines of a thousand years' transition. Others tell us it could happen much more rapidly in two to five. Some say it isn't going to happen at all.
The Bush administration continues to insist there is not enough scientific data in hand while the "Peak Oil" apologists use climate change as another argument in favour of massive population reduction and the end to an oil-based economy.
Comment: Comment: Now that is so totally pathetic we are rendered speechless. Not only are the Neocon Thugs fleecing the American people to pay their cronies for more and better bombs and WMDs, they have exposed America to this embarrassment: they can't even help their own. Somebody find us a sickbag.