News Clips for the Week(Newclb55)

Volcanoes

Activity for the week of 5 July-11 July 2017

The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards Program. Updated by 2300 UTC every Wednesday, notices of volcanic activity posted on these pages are preliminary and subject to change as events are studied in more detail. This is not a comprehensive list of all of Earth's volcanoes erupting during the week, but rather a summary of activity at volcanoes that meet criteria discussed in detail in the "Criteria and Disclaimers" section. Carefully reviewed, detailed reports on various volcanoes are published monthly in the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network.

Name Location ActivityBogoslof Fox Islands (USA) NewFuego Guatemala NewRincon de la Vieja Costa Rica NewSheveluch Central Kamchatka (Russia) New

Aira Kyushu (Japan) OngoingBezymianny Central Kamchatka (Russia) OngoingCleveland Chuginadak Island (USA) OngoingCopahue Central Chile-Argentina border OngoingDukono Halmahera (Indonesia) OngoingEbeko Paramushir Island (Russia) OngoingKarymsky Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) OngoingKilauea Hawaiian Islands (USA) OngoingKlyuchevskoy Central Kamchatka (Russia) OngoingNishinoshima Japan OngoingPoas Costa Rica OngoingSabancaya Peru OngoingSanta Maria Guatemala OngoingSinabung Indonesia OngoingTurrialba Costa Rica Ongoing

New Activity/Unrest

  Bogoslof  | Fox Islands (USA)  | 53.93°N, 168.03°W  | Elevation 150 m

On 5 July AVO reported that no further activity was detected at Bogoslof after the explosions the day before; the Aviation Color Code (ACC) was lowered to Orange and the Volcano Alert Level (VAL) was lowered to Watch. A nine-minute-long eruption pulse was detected in seismic data starting at 1015 on 8 July was followed by a shorter pulse that began at 1029 and then a decline in seismicity. An ash plume identified in satellite images rose 9.1 km (30,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N. AVO raised the ACC to Red and the VAL to Warning, but lowered them back down to Orange and Watch, respectively, the next day. An eruption began at 2347 on 9 July, lasted five minutes, and was followed 15 minutes later by another explosion that lasted seven minutes. A small ash cloud visible in satellite images drifting SE may have risen as high as 6.1 km (20,000 ft) a.s.l. Explosions ended at 0235 on 10 July. The ACC was raised to Red and the VAL was raised to Warning but lowered back down one level early on 10 July. An eruption began at 1000 on 10 July and lasted eight minutes. Infrasound data indicated ash emissions but ash was not confirmed in satellite data. A 15-minute-long event began at 1706 on 10 July; no volcanic plume was identified in satellite data, and no volcanic lightning nor infrasound was detected. Seismicity declined after the episode.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

  Fuego  | Guatemala  | 14.473°N, 90.88°W  | Elevation 3763 m

INSIVUMEH reported that 4-7 explosions per hour at Fuego during 6-7 July generated ash plumes that rose as high as 950 m above the crater and drifted 6-10 km SW and W. Incandescent material was ejected 100-200 m above the crater rim, and caused avalanches of material that traveled down the Ceniza (SSW), Taniluyá (SW), Santa Teresa (SW), and Trinidad (S) drainages. Later on 7 July the rate of explosions increased to 7-10 per hour. During 7-9 July ash plumes rose as high as 1.1 km and drifted 15 km W, causing ashfall in Santa Sofía (12 km SW), Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW), and possibly San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km N). A lava flow traveled 1.5 km down the Las Lajas (SE) drainage. On 11 July INSIVUMEH declared that the 6th eruption of the year with lava effusion was in progress. Explosions generated ash plumes that rose as high as 1.3 km above the crater and drifted 35 km W, and shock waves rattled nearby structures. Ash fell in areas including Morelia, Panimache, Santa Sofía, El Porvenir, and Sangre de Cristo. Two lava flows were fed by lava fountains 150-250 m high; one lava flow traveled 2.3 km down the Las Lajas drainage and another traveled 1.7 km down the Santa Teresa (SW) drainage. Later that day INSIVUMEH reported that the 31-hour-long eruption had ended. A few weak-to-moderate explosions continued, generating ash plumes that rose 850 m and drifted 6 km W.

Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)

  Rincon de la Vieja  | Costa Rica  | 10.83°N, 85.324°W  | Elevation 1916 m

OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 0849 on 5 July a small phreatic eruption at Rincón de la Vieja ejected material that fell within the crater.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)

  Sheveluch  | Central Kamchatka (Russia)  | 56.653°N, 161.36°E  | Elevation 3283 m

KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly was identified daily in satellite images over Sheveluch during 1-7 July. Explosions on 2 July generated ash plumes that rose 10-11 km (32,800-36,100 ft) a.s.l.; one plume drifted 1,050 km SW and another drifted 350 km NE. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Ongoing Activity

  Aira  | Kyushu (Japan)  | 31.593°N, 130.657°E  | Elevation 1117 m

JMA reported a very small eruption at Showa Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) on 3 July. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

  Bezymianny  | Central Kamchatka (Russia)  | 55.972°N, 160.595°E  | Elevation 2882 m

KVERT reported that incandescence from Bezymianny's lava dome was observed at night during 1-7 July, and a lava flow continued to flow down the W flank of the dome. A thermal anomaly was identified daily in satellite images. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

  Cleveland  | Chuginadak Island (USA)  | 52.825°N, 169.944°W  | Elevation 1730 m

AVO reported that during 5-11 July no significant activity at Cleveland was observed in cloudy or mostly cloudy satellite and web camera images; some minor degassing was noted. Seismicity remained low. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

  Copahue  | Central Chile-Argentina border  | 37.856°S, 71.183°W  | Elevation 2953 m

Based on webcam and satellite images the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that during 7-8 July steam plumes with minor amounts of ash rose from Copahue to altitudes of 4-4.3 km (13,000-14,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted ESE.

Source: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

  Dukono  | Halmahera (Indonesia)  | 1.693°N, 127.894°E  | Elevation 1229 m

Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 5-11 July ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

  Ebeko  | Paramushir Island (Russia)  | 50.686°N, 156.014°E  | Elevation 1103 m

Based on observations by residents of Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, explosions on 1 and 4 July generated ash plumes that rose as high as 2.6 km (8,500 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

  Karymsky  | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)  | 54.049°N, 159.443°E  | Elevation 1513 m

KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was identified in satellite images during 1-3 July. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

  Kilauea  | Hawaiian Islands (USA)  | 19.421°N, 155.287°W  | Elevation 1222 m

During 5-11 July HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise, fall, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook crater. Webcams recorded incandescence from long-active sources within Pu'u 'O'o Crater, from a vent high on the NE flank of the cone, and from a small lava pond (which had many small spattering sites along the margin) in a pit on the W side of the crater. The 61G lava flow, originating from a vent on Pu'u 'O'o Crater's E flank, continued to enter the ocean at Kamokuna. Several large cracks running parallel to the coastline spanned the width of the delta. Surface lava flows were active above and on the pali, and on the coastal plain.

Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)

  Klyuchevskoy  | Central Kamchatka (Russia)  | 56.056°N, 160.642°E  | Elevation 4754 m

KVERT reported that during 1-2 and 5-6 July a weak thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images at Klyuchevskoy. Explosions during 1-2 and 5-6 July generated ash plumes that rose as high as 5 km (16,400 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 160 km SE, S, and SW. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

  Nishinoshima  | Japan  | 27.247°N, 140.874°E  | Elevation 25 m

Based on satellite images and pilot observations the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 5 July an ash plume from Nishinoshima drifted E.

Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

  Poas  | Costa Rica  | 10.2°N, 84.233°W  | Elevation 2708 m

OVSICORI-UNA reported that during 4-9 July plumes of magmatic gases, water vapor, and aerosols rose 200-600 m above Poás’s vents A (Boca Roja) and B (Boca Azufrada). Minor incandescence from the bottom of the crater was observed during 4-5 July, and a strong sulfur odor was reported in some areas of Alajuela and Heredia. During 5-7 July grayish-red ash emissions rose intermittently from vent A, and on 7 July a loud “jet” sound was noted in Mirador. A strong sulfur odor and minor ashfall was reported in some areas of Alajuela. An event at 1450 on 10 July generated a plume that rose 300 m.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)

  Sabancaya  | Peru  | 15.787°S, 71.857°W  | Elevation 5960 m

Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosive activity at Sabancaya increased compared to the previous week; there was an average of 10 explosions recorded per day during 3-9 July, and the explosions were more energetic. Gas-and-ash plumes rose 5.5 km above the crater rim and drifted more than 50 km NW and S. Sulfur dioxide flux was as high as 2,239 tons per day.

Sources: Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico (INGEMMET), Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP)

  Santa Maria  | Guatemala  | 14.757°N, 91.552°W  | Elevation 3745 m

INSIVUMEH reported that on 5 July a moderate lahar descended the Cabello de Ángel drainage, a tributary of the Nimá I river. Near the El Faro estate, the lahar was 30 m wide and 1 m deep, and carried blocks 50 cm in diameter. Weak explosions on 7 July generated white plumes that rose 700 m and drifted 2 km SE; minor ashfall was reported in the ranches of La Florida (5 km S) and Monte Claro (S). Weak avalanches of material traveled short distances down the E flank. Explosions during 10-11 July generated ash plumes that rose 600 m and drifted SW, causing some ashfall in La Florida.

Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)

  Sinabung  | Indonesia  | 3.17°N, 98.392°E  | Elevation 2460 m

Based on PVMBG observations, satellite images, and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 6 and 8-11 July ash plumes from Sinabung rose 3.3-5.5 km (11,000-18,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E, ESE, SE, and NW.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

  Turrialba  | Costa Rica  | 10.025°N, 83.767°W  | Elevation 3340 m

OVSICORI-UNA reported that during 4-11 July plumes of water vapor, aerosols, and magmatic gases rose as high as 500 m above Turrialba’s crater rim, and on most nights incandescence emanated from Cráter Oeste. The emissions sporadically contained moderate amounts of ash during 5-7 July. Minor ashfall was reported in Coronado (San José), and in San Rafael and Barva (Heredia). Parque Nacional Volcán Turrialba staff reported that ash was deposited in the region between La Silvia and La Picada farms. Events at 1325 on 10 July and 1545 on 11 July generated plumes that rose 300 and 500 m above the crater rim, respectively.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)

http://volcano.si.edu/reports_weekly.cfm

Nat Geo's guide to the Yellowstone Supervolcano Tyler DurdenZero HedgeSun, 09 Jul 2017 14:54 UTC

Amid a growing 'swarm' of over earthquakes (now over 1000), and Montana's largest quake ever, scientists are growing increasingly concerned that the so-called 'super-volcano' at the heart of Yellowstone National Park could be building towards a Category 7 eruption. So what is a 'super-volcano' and what does its explosion mean for life on earth? NatGeo explains...

As National Geographic details...

Think of Yellowstone as a gigantic pressure cooker, fueled by a massive supervolcano. Water from rain

and snowmelt, much of it centuries-old, percolates through cracks in the Earth's crust until heated by molten rock reservoirs deep below. The water then filters upward, eventually finding release in the thousands of geysers, hot springs, and other hydrothermal wonders.

Eruptions of this supervolcano expel so much material that the crust caves in, creating a craterlike depression called a caldera.

Yellowstone is known as a supervolcano because of the violence and size of its explosions.

The plume of hot rock has been calculated at more than 600 miles deep. But scientists suspect it actually descends as far as 1,800 miles, all the way to what's known as the Earth's outer core-mantle boundary.

The reservoirs and plume are superheated, spongelike rock holding pockets of molten material called magma. The reservoirs' heat, which originates in the plume, is what keeps the area's geysers boiling.

Ancient rain and snowmelt seep down to just above the volcano's magma reservoirs, until they are superheated and rise again through the fractures. Volcanic heat and gases help propel steam and water toward the surface, where they escape through hot springs or geysers.

Hot water rises from a deep reservoir into a teapot-shaped chamber. As water and gases fill the sealed space, pressure builds, preventing boiling. Some water spills into the spout, releasing pressure and allowing the water in the chamber to boil. Steam and water then blast up the spout.

Pressure builds behind a narrow constriction until steam shoots through. Some water splashes out, then jets of steam and water explode, rising on average 130 feet. As the chamber drains, pressure drops, and the process begins again.

Highest recorded eruption - 184ft Eruptions per day on average - 17

Minutes length of eruption - 1.5 to 5

The park's hydrothermal features cluster in basins at the margins of lava flows or near faults. Rivers and streams are heated as they pass through these basins. Heat and escaping gases are also evidence of the subterranean forces that lie below Yellowstone.

So how would a supervolcanic eruption at Yellowstone impact the regional ecosystem, and the US more broadly? Well, as The American Dream blog's Michael Snyder points out, it would be nothing short of catastrophic.

Hundreds of cubic miles of ash, rock and lava would be blasted into the atmosphere, and this would likely plunge much of the northern hemisphere into several days of complete darkness. Virtually everything within 100 miles of Yellowstone would be immediately killed, but a much more cruel

fate would befall those living in major cities outside of the immediate blast zone such as Salt Lake City and Denver.

Hot volcanic ash, rock and dust would rain down on those cities literally for weeks. In the end, it would be extremely difficult for anyone living in those communities to survive. In fact, it has been estimated that 90 percent of all people living within 600 miles of Yellowstone would be killed.

Experts project that such an eruption would dump a layer of volcanic ash that is at least 10 feet deep up to 1,000 miles away, and approximately two-thirds of the United States would suddenly become uninhabitable. The volcanic ash would severely contaminate most of our water supplies, and growing food in the middle of the country would become next to impossible.

In other words, it would be the end of our country as we know it today.

The rest of the planet, and this would especially be true for the northern hemisphere, would experience what is known as a "nuclear winter". An extreme period of "global cooling" would take place, and temperatures around the world would fall by up to 20 degrees. Crops would fail all over the planet, and severe famine would sweep the globe.

In the end, billions could die.

So yes, this is a threat that we should take seriously.

https://www.sott.net/article/355893-Nat-Geos-guide-to-the-Yellowstone-Supervolcano

EarthquakesWeekly Summary From USGS

Magnitudes and Quantities

2017 Week

# 8+ # 7 # 6 # 5

# 2.5 - 4

Total This

Week

Week Total this

Time 2016

Week Total this Time 2015

Week Total This Time 2014

Week Total This Time 2013

1 0 0 2 43 206 251 424 266 206 3212 0 1 2 35 144 182 294 243 554 2373 0 0 1 23 184 208 262 199 313 2494 0 1 0 25 226 252 368 374 291 2265 0 0 0 20 182 202 262 240 245 3806 0 0 2 32 166 200 259 245 243 2367 0 0 1 24 185 210 298 264 230 1398 0 0 2 27 228 257 281 244 230 2119 0 0 0 28 210 238 298 237 242 184

10 0 0 1 24 209 234 215 229 373 21711 0 0 1 30 260 291 272 273 311 16212 0 0 1 17 198 216 230 270 297 22913 0 0 2 34 243 279 237 269 391 22014 0 0 2 31 279 312 288 260 321 24515 0 0 1 29 255 285 308 219 407 31116 0 0 1 22 261 284 285 277 305 20217 0 0 2 40 237 279 256 254 257 20218 0 0 2 28 398 428 241 338 308 25219 0 0 5 43 257 305 263 303 253 23120 0 0 1 23 222 246 261 286 230 39521 0 0 0 20 245 265 225 243 239 22322 0 0 3 25 192 220 246 253 262 24623 0 0 0 19 192 211 248 252 230 19424 0 0 4 23 226 253 209 217 270 23625 0 0 1 22 213 236 258 228 372 19226 0 0 4 15 202 221 271 212 253 20427 0 0 1 19 241 261 226 226 244 19028 0 239 358 274 25829 0 229 310 249 21730 0 236 566 204 21731 0 215 327 223 21032 0 245 225 240 26933 0 245 247 275 19434 0 250 284 175 29335 0 322 352 314 25436 0 267 303 254 23137 0 227 411 269 247

38 0 312 346 43 24639 0 287 346 277 21840 0 189 215 254 23141 0 183 273 313 27242 0 251 260 296 23543 0 298 276 265 19744 0 216 274 355 26145 0 233 286 322 25046 0 357 308 354 35347 0 269 271 289 21148 0 219 242 256 24049 0 300 307 261 19250 0 292 225 277 21851 0 266 237 258 23152 0 259 252 275 222

0 2 42 721 6061 6826 13691 14955 15101 12301

Montana hit by strongest earthquake in over 20 years, raising concerns that Yellowstone 'supervolcano' is slowly waking up Tyler DurdenZerohedgeThu, 06 Jul 2017 13:05 UTC

Following a swarm of over 1100 earthquakes recorded in the Yellowstone caldera over the past month, prompting scientists to voice concerns about a dormant Yellowstone "Supervolcano" slowly waking up, overnight these concerns escalated after a strong M5.8 earthquake hit western Montana early on

Thursday morning - the strongest quake to hit the area in the past 20 years - the U.S. Geological Survey reported, with Reuters adding that the tremor was felt hundreds of miles away, from Missoula to Billings and some surrounding states.

The quake appears to be the largest to hit Montana since a slightly weaker M5.6 struck outside of Dillon a dozen years ago. By comparison, the state's largest quake which struck the West Yellowstone region 58-years ago was 7.2 magnitude.

The quake's epicenter was about 6 miles south of Lincoln, originating from a depth of nearly 3 miles underground, according to a preliminary report from the U.S. Geological Service.

The quake which struck at 12:30 a.m. local time was strong enough to knock items off of walls and shelves in Helena and Missoula. Some Twitter users posted feeling tremors as far as Spokane, Wash., Boise, Idaho and Calgary, Canada.

Mike Stickney, seismologist at the Earthquake Studies Office, Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology on the Montana Tech campus in Butte, said the quake was probably the strongest in Montana since October 1964. The location, he said, is not surprising. "It's right along the axis of the intermountain seismic belt." He said the quake occurred on a strike/slip fault, a vertical fault where one side moves horizontally against the other, similar to the kind of movement experienced along the San Andreas Fault in California.

That said, he said he "does not believe" the quake is seismically tied to the recent "swarm" of smaller earthquakes in the Yellowstone National Park area. "I don't see any direct relationship between these two sequences," he said. "This is a pretty sizeable earthquake. It would certainly have the potential to do structural damage near the epicenter, but we've had no reports indicating damage yet." Others, however, disagree.

Residents in Lincoln briefly lost power and there was a gas leak in Helena, the National Weather Service in Great Falls said on Twitter. Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton said Lincoln lost electricity as a result of the quake, but the power has since been restored.

Lisa Large, a bartender at the Wheel Inn Tavern in Lincoln, said the power went out and bottles flew off the shelves when the earthquake hit. Other than that, she said, there wasn't any major damage there. She was in a fairly jovial mood when called by a Missoulian reporter near closing time at 1:50 a.m. "It slopped all the grease outta the fryer," she said. "The kitchen's a mess right now. The lights have been out and they just came back on. Hopefully we don't get any more aftershocks."

Quoted by the Missoulian, Dutton said the fire chief in Lincoln was sending people out to check for damage, but they have not found any yet. Missoula Police Department Corporal Mick McCarthy said the department has had calls from people asking what was going on with the earthquake and some medical calls, but no power outages reported or gas leaks. "No property damage reported yet, but it's still early," McCarthy said.

Ray Anderson, 76, told the Associated Press that it was the strongest quake he had ever felt.

Carolyn Kennedy, who lives in South Calgary, said she felt about 20 seconds "of waves" from the tremors. "We heard rumbling noises," she messages FoxNews.com, adding that perfume bottles on her desk shook from the tremblor.

Twitter lit up around Montana seconds after the quake, with people weighing in from Bozeman to Kalispell to Glacier National Park to Billings and elsewhere in Montana.

"Did the entire state of Montana just have an earthquake?" tweeted Brandon Furr. Sean Ryan of Butte tweeted, "Now that everyone in Montana is awake from that earthquake ... you guys want to play Monopoly or something?" Glacier National Park account tweeted, "Western Montana just had a decent-

sized earthquake. Good shake here at Park HQ in West Glacier #geology."

Musician John Mayer, a part-time Bozeman resident, took to Twitter to marvel at the event. "Wow," he wrote on Twitter. "Earthquake in Montana."

While minor earthquakes are fairly common, Thursday's moderate quake was the strongest felt in western Montana in two decades. The last one to exceed 5.0 magnitude was reported 12 years ago near Dillon, according to the USGS. Most of those incidents had epicenters farther south, many centering in the famously active Yellowstone National Park. In total, there have been more than 70 quakes measuring larger than 4.5 in Montana and parts of Wyoming and Idaho since 1925, according to the USGS. The largest quake in state history was magnitude 7.2 in 1959 near west Yellowstone.

The USGS reports the Lincoln quake was one of 20 within the last week and 236 within the last month.

https://www.sott.net/article/355650-Montana-hit-by-strongest-earthquake-in-over-20-years-raising-concerns-that-Yellowstone-supervolcano-is-slowly-waking-up

At least two killed, scores injured as powerful shallow 6.5 earthquake strikes Leyte, Philippines Mars Mosqueda and Francis WakefieldManila BulletinFri, 07 Jul 2017 12:51 UTC

© Kawaii Queni ReforzadoBuilding collapses – A low-rise commercial building in Kananga, Leyte, collapses following a 6.5-

magnitude earthquake that hit the province on Thursday.

A strong earthquake struck Leyte Thursday afternoon, and there were initial reports of collapsed infrastructure, cracked roads, and landslides that resulted in the death of at least two people - one in Ormoc City and another in Kananga town - and the injury of scores of others throughout the province.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Deputy Director Bartolome Bautista said the quake hit at 4:03 p.m. and registered at magnitude 6.5 with its epicenter located eight kilometers southwest of Jaro, Leyte, and had a depth of two kilometers.

The tremor was felt at Intensity 5 in Tacloban City, Palo, Leyte, and Cebu City, Intensity 4 in Tolosa, Leyte, Sagay City, Negros Occidental, Burgos, Surigao del Norte, Intensity 3 in Bogo City, Cebu, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, Intensity 2 in Libjo, San Jose, Cagdianao, Dinagat Islands, and Intensity 1 in Roxas City, La Carlota City; Negros Occidental.

The quake cut power in the whole of Leyte and parts of Cebu and Bohol, and employees at the Iloilo City Hall were evacuated.

Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez confirmed one death - 18-year-old Rizza Rosales - in the mountain village of Cabaon-an in his city which was hit by a landslide during the tremor. Her five-month-old child was rescued.

Gomez also said there 40 casualties as a result of the earthquake in Ormoc, but most were trauma victims.

Gomez said cracks were seen in three major highways, but all roads in and out of the city were passable.

He added that Ormoc airport was damaged, resulting in the cancellation of all flights.

Asked how strong the quake was felt in Ormoc, Gomez said: "Naisip ko, baka katapusan ko na. Malakas talaga; siguro tumagal din ng mga 15 seconds (I thought to myself, this might be my end. It was really strong; perhaps it lasted 15 seconds)."

He ordered the suspension of classes and work and convened his disaster response and management council even as the city was hit by an outage.

Rescuers were rushing to the town of Kananga where a three-story commercial building collapsed as the tremor struck Leyte, town mayor Rowena Codilla told DZBB radio.

"We were able to retrieve one dead and one injured," Mayor Codilla said.

The rescue is hampered by aftershocks that continued to rock the area and lack of proper equipment, she said.

Kananga Vice Mayor Elmer Codilla said rescuers pulled out six people from the collapsed building.

"There are still more people inside, maybe more than five. The rescue operation is ongoing," he added.

Two of those trapped managed to send text messages seeking help, the vice mayor said.

Officials retrieved one dead body while six people were rescued without injuries, Vice Mayor Codilla said.

Leyte Governor Dominico Petilla said rescue personnel, ambulances and heavy equipment have been sent to the mountainous town of about 50,000 people.

"They're still trying to pull out the injured," Petilla told CNN Philippines television.

The 10-year-old building housed a small hotel upstairs and shops on the ground floor, officials said.

'Bound to crumble'

Tacloban and Ormoc were without power along with large sections of the island, residents said.

Roy Ribo, an official with a farmers' organization who was visiting Kananga, told AFP the commercial building was heavily damaged and "ready to collapse" when he passed by shortly after the quake.

"I took a quick picture but it was bound to crumble," said Ribo, who added he immediately fled the area, driving through paved roads that were cracked by the quake.

He said the tremor struck while he was meeting local officials outside a power plant on the outskirts of Kananga.

"It normally emits white smoke but after the quake, it emitted dark smoke," Ribo added.

Teachers herded panicked grade school students out of the classrooms at the Rizal National High School near the power plant, he said.

"Many children were hysterical. They were frantic, crying," he added.

Father Romy Salazar, the Catholic parish priest of the Leyte town of Jaro that was at the quake's epicenter, told AFP power was cut off and residents rushed out of their homes as the town shook.

"I was inside the church. I was forced to hold on to the main door," Salazar said, but added he had not seen any major damage in the town.

In Manila, National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) Romina Marasigan said reports reaching Camp Aguinaldo cited at least 10 people injured in a two-story pension house that collapsed in Kananga, Leyte.

"Initially it was confirmed to us by Kananga Vice Mayor Codilla that a pension house collapsed. The Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and rescue unit of Kananga are there conducting rescue operations," Marasigan told The Manila Bulletin.

Pressed for more information on the situation at the Queda Building which housed a grocery store, Marasigan said: "We still don't have any information. It's difficult to call Leyte as communication is down... initially, it was reported to be three-story, but it was just two stories."

"Iyung bagsak n'ya parang pancake, hindi napunta sa left or right (It collapsed like a pancake, it didn't lean to the left or right)," Marasigan added.

In Tagbilaran City, there is still no word when Bohol is getting its power back after it plunged into a total blackout following the earthquake. Bohol sources its electricity supply from Leyte.

Betty Martinez of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said the two 138 kv circuits supplying electricity to Bohol tripped around 4:06 p.m., leaving the island province without power.

Cebu power restored

In Cebu, power was also cut but came back on in less than 30 minutes.

Phivolcs Visayas OIC Robinsons Jorgio said there were reports of damage to structures and buildings in Jaro and Canangga towns.

Jorgio downplayed rumors of a tsunami, saying the epicenter was situated inland.

He said the tremor was felt as far as La Carlota, Negros and Catarman, Northern Samar.

In Cebu City, the city government suspended work at city hall on the recommendation of the city disaster office. All levels were suspended.

"Cebu city Administrator Nigel Paul Villarete ordered for the suspension of work at city hall at 4:25 p.m. today as engineers are checking on the Executive and Legislative Buildings," said city disaster offer

Nagiel Banacia on his Facebook page.

Phivolcs said the earthquake was tectonic, which is caused by ground shaking primarily due to the sudden movement in the earth's plates.

The earthquake was too shallow at a depth of 2 kilometers, thus the strong shaking.

Phivolcs warned that the tremor may continue to generate aftershocks "for several days to weeks, some of which may be felt."

https://www.sott.net/article/355937-At-least-two-killed-scores-injured-as-powerful-shallow-6-5-earthquake-strikes-Leyte-Philippines

California's Mammoth Lakes area experienced more than 150 small earthquakes over past week Gary RobbinsThe San Diego Union-TribuneTue, 11 Jul 2017 02:40 UTC

© USGSMore than 150 tiny and small earthquakes have occurred near Mammoth Lakes since July 3.

The historically restless Mammoth Lakes area has experienced more than 150 tiny and small earthquakes over the past week, including a magnitude 3.0 temblor that hit at 7:13 p.m. on Monday, says the USGS.

The series — which included a 3. 9 quake on Sunday — may be tied to the movement of magma in the nearby Long Valley caldera, said Susan Hough, a USGS seismologist.

"Adjustments to the the crust occur all of the time in that area," said Hough, who is familiar with the many faults that intersect the caldera in California's Eastern Sierra.

A larger swarm occurred in 2014, and didn't result in a major quake. But the region has experienced large temblors, notably in 1980, when two 6.0s and one 6.1 quake occurred within a three day period.

https://www.sott.net/article/356074-Californias-Mammoth-Lakes-area-experienced-more-than-150-small-earthquakes-over-past-week

The Weather Wildfires rage during California's record-breaking heatwave

Yahoo NewsSat, 08 Jul 2017 15:51 UTC

© AFP Photo/Justin SullivanFrefighters train in June 2017 in California

The first major wildfires after the end of California's five-year drought raged across the state Saturday, as it was gripped by a record-breaking heatwave.

Some 3,000 firefighters were battling several blazes with triple-digit temperatures recorded in valleys and

inland areas.

A wildfire in the Sierra Nevada foothills north of Sacramento was only two percent contained by early evening and had destroyed 10 homes, scorching 2,000 acres (800 hectares) of forest and sparking evacuations and road closures.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) said five residents and a firefighter had sustained minor injuries.

Meanwhile a blaze that forced evacuations in San Luis Obispo County tripled in size from Saturday morning to 19,000 acres by the evening. Fanned by hot, dry winds, it was just 10 percent contained, CalFire said.

Some 17 wildfires in various states of containment were burning in California Saturday, from the Six Rivers National Forest in the north to the San Bernardino Forest east of Los Angeles.

An excessive heat warning has been extended until 11:00 pm (0600 GMT) for much of southern California, with temperature records being broken across the region.

Downtown Los Angeles tied the 1954 record of 96 degrees Fahrenheit (36 Celsius) while the city's northwestern suburb of Woodland Hills reached a high of 109 degrees, breaking the record of 108 set in 2006.

"Dangerous and potentially life-threatening heat is expected through (today), when high temperatures between 100 and 110 degrees are expected for many interior sections of southwest California," the National Weather Service (NWS) said in a statement.

The weather service attributed the heat wave to a "strong upper-level high-pressure system centered over the desert southwest," adding that the heatwave could continue into Sunday.

"Hot temperatures will create a dangerous situation in which there is an increased threat of heat-related illnesses. The extended heat wave will also bring elevated fire weather conditions through the weekend," said the NWS.

California Governor Jerry Brown in April declared the official end of the state's drought that lasted more than five years.

But he kept in place water reporting requirements, as well as bans on practices like watering during or following rainfall and hosing off sidewalks.

"This drought emergency is over, but the next drought could be around the corner," Brown said in a

statement.

"Conservation must remain a way of life."

Comment: From RT:

The wildfires temporarily trapped at least 90 children and some 50 councilors at a local summer camp, Zaniboni said, adding that later the campers had been safely evacuated.

On Saturday, the blaze dubbed the Alamo Fire burned more than 23 square kilometers outside Santa Maria and remained 10 percent contained, Zaniboni added. The Santa Barbara blaze is one of three separate wildfires that have rocked California.

Some 300 residents were to evacuate Santa Barbara and neighboring San Luis Obispo County, AP reported.

https://www.sott.net/article/355897-Wildfires-rage-during-Californias-record-breaking-heatwave

Alarmists continue to spin warming hoax as Greenland breaks record for coldest July day ever recorded James DelingpoleBreitbartFri, 07 Jul 2017 00:00 UTC

Greenland just broke the record for the coldest July day ever recorded in the Northern Hemisphere at -33C.

But as Tony Heller notes, what's even more interesting than the temperature record is the way the climate alarmists have tried to spin it.

In fact they lie. Almost all Greenland's surface is gaining ice.

In fact, says Heller, Greenland has gained a near record amount of ice this year, and the ice is melting very slowly.

It's hard not to agree with his conclusion:

Climate science is not a science. It is a criminal venture intended to extort money from the public. Whatever they are doing, has nothing to do with science.

https://www.sott.net/article/355894-Alarmists-continue-to-spin-warming-hoax-as-Greenland-breaks-record-for-coldest-July-day-ever-recorded

Auckland city hit by more than 700 lightning strikes in fierce thunderstorm

NZ HeraldFri, 07 Jul 2017 00:54 UTC

© Screen Capture/YouTubeMore than 700 lightning strikes lit up the stormy sky over Auckland during a violent thunderstorm yesterday evening.

MetService duty forecaster Tuporo Marsters said the city was struck by 701 flashes and rocked by loud, rolling thunderclaps.

The dangerous storm swept across the city at rush hour, grounding flights, flooding homes and shops, and leaving roads knee-deep in water.

Spectacular footage has also emerged on social media capturing the moment a lightning fork struck the top of the city's tallest building.

SkyCity communications manager Rebecca Foote said the Sky Tower took four direct hits during the storm.

She said the tower was fully earthed to prevent danger from lightning with a dynasphere on top of the mast to conduct lightning during storms.

https://www.sott.net/article/355809-Auckland-city-hit-by-more-than-700-lightning-strikes-in-fierce-thunderstorm

'Rare' waterspout filmed in Tibet

Global TimesThu, 06 Jul 2017 18:12 UTC

© Global TimesA video showing a rare waterspout in Dangxiong county of China's southwest Tibet Autonomous Region on Saturday has wowed millions of viewers online.

On-site witnesses said that a funnel-shaped rotating waterspout suddenly appeared after the sky was covered by black clouds. The whole process lasted for over ten minutes, Global Times reported.

According to a local meteorologist, the waterspout in Dangxiong was actually a "land tornado", which is a strong wind whirlpool created when the base of the thundercloud reaches to the ground. It usually happens in summer afternoons or dusks when there are thunderstorms.

It is the first time a land tornado has been spotted in Tibet since the autonomous region started meteorological observation in 1961.

https://www.sott.net/article/355701-Rare-waterspout-filmed-in-Tibet

Record rainfall in Paris as summer storms hit France

BBC NewsMon, 10 Jul 2017 11:35 UTC

© Krystyna Richer / ReutersA two-hour storm unleashed 54mm (2.1in) of rain on Sunday night in Paris, the equivalent of 27 days of rainfall.

Weather services say 49.2mm fell in one hour, the French capital's heaviest July deluge on record.

Flooding closed 20 metro stations and three were still shut as commuters made their way to work on Monday morning.

Parts of Switzerland were hit by violent winds and hail storms that also caused flooding at the weekend.

Heavy rain began in Paris at 21:00 (19:00 GMT) on Sunday night and Méteo France said the amount that fell was higher than the previous record of 47.4mm set on 2 July 1995. Rain continued to fall heavily on Monday in Paris.

Some areas of the west and around Paris had seen more than a month's average rainfall between Sunday afternoon and 08:00 on Monday, it said.

While Montsouris park on the southern edge of central Paris recorded 68mm in 24 hours, the western French village of Civray saw 86mm.

Forecaster Patrick Galois said that radar images suggested the central-western regions of Poitou, Berry and the northern Limousin could easily top 100mm in a matter of hours. A dozen storm alerts were in force on Monday as the weather front moved east.

The Paris fire brigade recorded 1,700 emergency calls and responded to 87 incidents, including one in

the basement of the culture ministry.

The flooding brought back memories from June 2016, when staff at the Louvre and Orsay museums moved priceless artworks to safety as the river levels on the Seine reached their highest for over 30 years and emergency barriers were raised.

https://www.sott.net/article/355976-Record-rainfall-in-Paris-as-summer-storms-hit-France

Rare hailstorm hits the town of Nyahururu, Kenya Abdur Rahman Alfa ShabanAfrica NewsWed, 05 Jul 2017 14:08 UTC

Kenyans on Tuesday evening took to social media to celebrate a rare case of snow falling in the East African country.

Photos and videos shared on social media showed whitish substance on the streets of the town of Nyahururu located in the country's Laikipia County.

The Kenyan Meteorological Agency, however, clarified and explained that the incident was a case of rare hail storm and not snow. ''For it to snow temperatures are usually below 0°C," they explained. The event in Nyahururu is a hail storm. Such storms occurs when there is abrupt convection and rain clouds form too fast.

https://www.sott.net/article/355950-Rare-hailstorm-hits-the-town-of-Nyahururu-Kenya

Lightning strikes kill at least 26 people in 24 hours across Bihar, India

Zee NewsMon, 10 Jul 2017 13:08 UTC

At least 26 persons, including women and children, were killed and over a dozen injured in incidents of lightning strikes across Bihar in last 24 hours, an official said here on Monday.

Deaths were reported from Vaishali, Patna, Rohtas, Saran, Buxar, Bhojpur, Gaya, Samastipur, Siwan, Araria and Aurangabad districts on Sunday, Bihar State Disaster Department official Anirudh Kumar said.

The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the family of each victim.

Lightning strikes during the June-September monsoon season are common across Bihar, with bamboo and grass huts more at risk.

Bihar received heavy rainfall on Sunday, and the Meteorological Department has forecast similar conditions on Monday as well.

https://www.sott.net/article/355938-Lightning-strikes-kill-at-least-26-people-in-24-hours-across-Bihar-India

Solar Activities MINOR GEOMAGNETIC STORMS: A weak shock wave at the leading edge of a solar wind stream hit Earth's magnetic field on July 9th. The impact sparked a period of intermittent G1-class geomagnetic storms, most intense during the hours of 00:00 - 03:00 UT and 09:00 - 12:00 UT. So

far no auroras have been reported, probably because they were overwhelmed by the glare of the full Moon. NOAA forecasters estimate a 55% chance of similar storms on July 10th as Earth moves through the solar wind stream. Free: Aurora Alerts

SOLAR FLARE AND RADIO BLACKOUT: Sunspot AR2665 has grown into a behemoth almost as wide as the planet Jupiter: movie. Stretching more than 125,000 km from end to end and containing dozens of dark cores, the active region is an now easy target for backyard solar telescopes. Amateur astronomer Peter Desypris sends this July 9th photo from Syros island, Greece:

"This is the biggest sunspot of 2017 so far," says Desypris. "I photographed it using an 8'inch LX200 telescope and a safe solar filter."

On July 9th at 0318 UT the big sunspot erupted, producing an M1.3-class solar flare. Telescopes onboard NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the explosion's extreme ultraviolet flash:

A pulse of UV and X-radiation from the flare ionized the top of Earth's atmosphere. This, in turn, altered the normal propagation of shortwave radio transmissions on the dayside of our planet. A map from NOAA shows the geographical regions affected: mostly Australia and east Asia. People who might have noticed blackouts, fades, and other transmission irregularities include aviators, mariners, and ham radio operators.

Considering its extreme size, AR2665 has been relatively calm so far. Stronger flares and CMEs could be in the offing, however, as the sunspot continues to grow and turns toward Earth. Stay tuned for updates

RECTANGULAR MOON: When the full Moon rose over Casco Bay in Maine on July 9th, longtime skywatcher John Stetson expected to see the usual lunar disk.  Instead, he photographed a strange lunar rectangle. "The rising Moon looked like an iceberg ... faint and shaped like a giant block of ice," he says.

What happened? Atmospheric optics expert Les Cowley explains:

"John says '..the Moon looked like an iceberg.' That's appropriate because this mirage is a result of cold water. The cold sea offshore of Maine cooled the air above it. Above that was warmer air – a temperature inversion and the stuff of mock-mirages. The Moon's rays passing through it bend and twist into several moon images, some upright some inverted. They combine together into the rectangular 'iceberg.'"

All Sky Fireball Network

Every night, a network of NASA all-sky cameras scans the skies above the United States for meteoritic fireballs. Automated software maintained by NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office calculates their orbits, velocity, penetration depth in Earth's atmosphere and many other characteristics. Daily results are presented here on Spaceweather.com.

On Jul. 12, 2017, the network reported 9 fireballs.(8 sporadics, 1 Microscorpiid)

In this diagram of the inner solar system, all of the fireball orbits intersect at a single point--Earth. The orbits are color-coded by velocity, from slow (red) to fast (blue). [Larger image] [movies]

  Near Earth Asteroids

Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) are space rocks larger than approximately 100m that can come closer to Earth than 0.05 AU. None of the known PHAs is on a collision course with our planet, although astronomers are finding new ones all the time.

On July 12, 2017 there were 1803 potentially hazardous asteroids.

Recent & Upcoming Earth-asteroid encounters: Asteroid Date(UT) Miss Distance Velocity (km/s) Diameter (m)2017 MQ7 2017-Jul-06 17.6 LD 10.9 842017 MA5 2017-Jul-06 14.9 LD 7.9 282017 MP7 2017-Jul-08 11 LD 8.2 292017 NK2 2017-Jul-10 2.5 LD 6.1 172017 MC4 2017-Jul-11 7.6 LD 20.7 1402017 NH 2017-Jul-12 16.6 LD 7.8 1732017 MR8 2017-Jul-15 3.3 LD 6.9 352007 MB4 2017-Jul-16 14.5 LD 9.6 1072017 BS5 2017-Jul-23 3.1 LD 5.8 54

2011 CC22 2017-Aug-04 15.5 LD 18.4 1862014 OA339 2017-Aug-13 12.3 LD 10 47

3122 2017-Sep-01 18.5 LD 13.5

5376

Notes: LD means "Lunar Distance." 1 LD = 384,401 km, the distance between Earth and the Moon. 1 LD also equals 0.00256 AU. MAG is the visual magnitude of the asteroid on the date of closest approach.

http://www.spaceweather.com/

Is a monster solar minimum approaching? David ArchibaldWhat Up With That?Tue, 11 Jul 2017 00:00 UTC

© nasa.govThis recent post was on the fact that the Sun's EUV emissions had fallen to solar minimum-like levels well ahead of solar minimum. The implication was that the Solar Cycle 24/25 minimum was either going to be very deep and prolonged, or that Solar Cycle 24 would be very short, which in turn would be strange for a weak cycle.

The indicator of the EUV flux is the Lyman alpha index. To recap, this chart shows the index over the last three cycles, starting from solar minimum:

Figure 1: Lyman alpha index Solar Cycles 22,23,24

Figure 1 shows that Solar Cycle 24 has reached solar minimum-like levels three years ahead of minimum, if Solar Cycle was going to be 12 years long. What happens at solar minimum is that the proportion of EUV as part of Total Solar Irradiance falls. For the 23/24 minimum, the extent of the fall was a surprise, with the density of the thermosphere shrinking 30%. The following figure plots up the ratio of the F10.7 flux, less its activity floor at 64, and the Lyman alpha index, less a presumed average floor of activity of 3.5:

Figure 2: F10.7 Flux/Lyman alpha ratio 1980 – 2017The peak associated with the 23/24 minimum that surprised atmospheric researchers is quite evident. Also evident is a smaller peak associated with the 22/23 minimum. Nothing much seemed to happen prior to that. How that plots up with the F10.7 flux, and thus the solar cycles, is shown in the following figure:

Figure 3: F10.7 Flux/Lyman alpha ratio 1980 – 2017As Figure 1 showed, the departure of the Lyman alpha index to minimum-like levels seemed early. But just how early is it if everything else is normal? That is shown in the following graphic:

Figure 4: F10.7 Flux/Lyman alpha ratio aligned on solar maximumFigure 4 aligns the F10.7 Flux./Lyman alpha ratio on solar maximum for solar cycles 21 to 24 to two years beyond solar minimum, with the maxima being:

Solar Cycle 21 December 1979 Solar Cycle 22 November 1989

Solar Cycle 23 November 2001

Solar Cycle 24 April 2014

Based on the normal cycle tail from solar maximum, Solar Cycle 24 might have another three and a half years to go. So what is going to be: a monstrous minimum with a shrunken thermosphere and all the climatic effects associated with that, or a strangely short cycle?

We know when a solar cycle is over when the heliospheric current sheet flattens. The current state of the heliospheric current sheet is shown in the following figure:

Figure 5: Heliospheric Current Sheet Tilt Angle 1976 – 2017The heliospheric current sheet tilt angle is 10° off the apparent floor of 3° but, based on the prior solar cycles, could still take a few years to get there. If Solar Cycle 24 does turn out to be short, then there is one person who predicted that: Ed Fix. Ed Fix, a retired B52 pilot in Ohio, sent me his planet-based solar model in 2009. He was inspired to created the model because the oscillation of the solar cycle reminded him of the ideal spring in mechanics. This is how the model plots up (red) and the historic sunspot record in green:

Figure 6: Ed Fix’s solar activity modelThe model has the Solar Cycle 24/25 minimum in 2017. Solar Cycle 25 is predicted to be weak and short also. If events of the next year or so prove Ed Fix's model to be correct, then it will be as significant as

the results of any of the expeditions to observe solar phenomena over the last three centuries, but we get to watch in real time.

https://www.sott.net/article/356087-Is-a-monster-solar-minimum-approaching

Animal DeathsMASS ANIMAL DEATH LIST

292 Known MASS Death Events in 64 Countries (or Territory)

10th July 2017 - 40+ dead Sea Lions and 2 dead Whales found along the coast of Lambayeque, Peru. Link

10th July 2017 - Hundreds of camels dying in the desert of Qatar. Link

9th July 2017 - 300 dead turtles found washed up this year, 1,200 found last year on Sao Paulo coast, Brazil. Link

9th July 2017 - Thousands of fish die in a canal in Wambrechies, France. Link

8th July 2017 - Thousands of dead fish found in a dam in Tekirdag, Turkey. Link

7th July 2017 - Thousands of dead fish wash up due to pollution in the waters of Paranoa, Brazil. Link

7th July 2017 - Hundreds of animals killed due to wild fires in Pedrogao Grande, Portugal. Link

6th July 2017 - Dozens of sea birds, hundreds of fish, plus turtles found dead on a beach in Queensland, Australia. Link

6th July 2017 - Thousands of cattle die in heat wave in California, America. Link

6th July 2017 - 9 dead pilot whales found stranded along Taylor and Dixie County coast, Florida, America. Link

http://www.end-times-prophecy.org/animal-deaths-birds-fish-end-times.html

The Earth Worldwide Fireball/Metrorite Report

Japan floods: 11 missing, 500,000 to evacuate after days of torrential rain in Fukuoka and Oita Rachel MealeyABC OnlineThu, 06 Jul 2017 05:00 UTC

© AP: Sadayuki Goto, Kyodo NewsRecord amounts of rain have fallen in parts of south-western Japan in recent days.

Almost 500,000 people have been ordered or advised to evacuate their homes in south-west Japan after torrential rain triggered widespread flooding.

Landslides were reported in several areas, and one man was dug out from the mud without signs of life,

public broadcaster NHK said.

At least 11 people were missing or could not be reached, including a child, and many more were stranded and calling for help across areas of Fukuoka and Oita prefectures on the Japanese island of Kyushu.

Children and teachers at a school were among those cut off by the floodwaters.

Japan's weather bureau said the amount of rain in the region had broken all records and was continuing to fall.

Parts of Fukuoka prefecture were hit by 774 millimetres of rain in nine hours on Wednesday, more than two times the amount of rain that falls in a normal July, NHK said.

The massive landslides caused by the flooding left at least two houses swept away.

Some 7,500 rescuers, including police, firefighters and soldiers from Japan's Self Defence Forces, were mobilised to help with evacuations and search for the missing.

Officials said the military presence could be expanded up to 5,000 people and 50 helicopters if needed.

Residents flee to higher ground

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said: "There are many reports of people whose safety cannot be confirmed, things like 'a child was swept away by the river' and 'my house was swept away and I can't get in touch with my parents'."

"We will keep in close contact with the disaster-hit areas and work with all our energy to save lives and ascertain the extent of the damage," he told an early morning emergency early morning news conference.

Fukuoka and Oita prefectures, both largely rural areas, were the worst-hit by the rain, which was caused by a low pressure area on the Pacific Ocean that fed warm, moist air into Japan's seasonal rainy front.

Residents spent a worried night at evacuation centres set up at schools and government buildings on high ground.

A schoolboy sitting with his family told NHK: "I haven't heard from some of my friends, and I'm really worried."

There were no immediate reports of major transportation problems, but television footage showed a railway line left broken and twisted and roads swept away by floodwaters.

All operations were stopped at a Daihatsu Motor plant in Oita because road conditions stopped staff and parts getting to the plant.

The same area was pounded by heavy rain earlier this week from Tropical Storm Nanmadol, which has since passed out to sea.

https://www.sott.net/article/355633-Japan-floods-11-missing-500000-to-evacuate-after-days-of-torrential-rain-in-Fukuoka-and-Oita

Update: Floods in south China leave 56 dead, 22 missing and 9.5 million people affected Richard DaviesFloodlistTue, 04 Jul 2017 08:57 UTC

© ReutersPeople make their way with boats through a flooded area in Liuzhou, Guangxi province, China, July 2,

2017.Further heavy rain in parts of central and southern China has caused flooding and landslides, affecting 11 provinces and around 9.5 million people.

Parts of southern China are still recovering from deadly flooding and landslides after a period of heavy rain between 22 and 26 June, 2017.

After a few days respite, the heavy rain began again on 29 June and severe flooding has been reported in central and southern Guizhou, central and northern parts of Guangxi and northern Hunan, according to China's Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA).

Other areas currently affected include Zhejiang, Guangdong, Yunnan, northern Jiangxi, eastern Hubei, southern Anhui and parts of Chongqing and Sichuan provinces.

MCA reported on 04 July that 56 people have died and 22 were missing. Twenty-seven thousand houses have been destroyed and over 180,000 damaged. Vast areas of crops have also been damaged. Total economic losses have exceeded 25 billion yuan.

Hunan

One of the worst hit areas is Hunan, where 34 fatalities have been reported, with a further 8 missing. As many as 22,000 houses have collapsed or been destroyed and around 170,000 damaged. Hunan Provincial Civil Affairs Department estimate economic losses in the province at over 19 billion yuan. Among the affected areas are the cities of Zhuzhou, Xiangtan, Shaoyang, Huaihua and the provincial capital Changsha.

Levels of the Xiangjiang river in Changsha have reportedly exceeded previous records set during the major floods of 1998.

© ReutersRescuers evacuate people by boat during a flood in Xinshao county, Hunan province.

Guangxi

Sixteen people have died and 11 are missing after major flooding in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Some of the affected areas include the cities of Nanning, Liuzhou and Guilin.

Almost half a million people have been affected in the region with around 135,000 people evacuated. Over two thousand houses have collapsed and more than 12,000 damaged.

Rivers

Chinese news agency Xinhua reported that the Xiangjiang river, which runs through the city of Changsha in Hunan, stood at 39.21m early on Sunday 02 July, which is 3.2 metres above warning levels and above the previous record of 39.18m set in 1998.

Elsewhere in Hunan, the level of Dongting Lake surpassed the warning level of 32.5 meters at the Chenglingji hydrological station on Saturday 01 July, 2017.

Zhang Jiatuan, spokesman for China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, warned of potential major flooding on the Zhujiang (Pearl) River, Lake Tai and the Huaihe River.

Rainfall

Figures from China Meteorological Administration (CMA) for a 24 hour period, 03 to 04 July, 2017.

Beihai, Guangxi - 189.2 mm

Yangjiang, Guangdong - 152.5 mm

Fangchenggang, Guangxi - 149 mm

Taishan, Guangdong - 100.4 mm

Xinhua reported that parts of Ningyuan County in Hunan received 264.2 mm of rain within 24 hours between 01 and 02 July.

CMA figures show that some areas of southern China have received 200% more rainfall than normal since 24 June.

© CMARainfall anomaly in China from 24 June to 04 July, 2017.

https://www.sott.net/article/355554-Update-Floods-in-south-China-leave-56-dead-22-missing-and-9-5-million-people-affected

Heavy monsoon rains, flash floods claim 43 lives in Pakistan

Hindustan TimesWed, 05 Jul 2017 04:40 UTC

© AFP File PhotoPakistani commuters travel on a street during a heavy rain shower in Karachi.

At least 43 people were killed and 61 injured as heavy monsoon rains triggered flash floods in Pakistan, damaging several houses, officials said on Tuesday.

Out of the total deaths, 11 people pere killed in Punjab, 15 in Balochistan, six in Sindh and two in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said in a report

Heavy rains started over the weekend and are still lashing some areas, the NDMA said.

Over 60 houses were destroyed and roads were also damaged due to the rains and floods.

The NDMA has also recorded the deaths of four children in Waziristan over the last 24 hours due to rain and flooding.

It however said that there was no flood in the major rivers which registered normal flow.

PTI, Islamabad

https://www.sott.net/article/355553-Heavy-monsoon-rains-flash-floods-claim-43-lives-in-Pakistan

June crop losses you are not hearing about Adapt 2030You TubeFri, 07 Jul 2017 14:44 UTC

© Lee BrieseFrost damage

There are so many crop losses happening globally, but the media focuses for less than a millisecond and back on to the next propaganda story. This is a list of losses I have been watching over the last month, Georgia peach crop loss, S.E. USA peach crop loss, fruit losses in USA and Europe, chickpea crop in Canada, frozen corn on the stalks in late June in the Dakotas, frost, hail, wind and drought seem to be the common theme globally this year. Asia and Australia are experiencing losses as well. Watch your food price skyrocket by the end of 2017, and the media will still be asking why instead of covering the effects of the intensifying grand solar minimum.

https://www.sott.net/article/355956-June-crop-losses-you-are-not-hearing-about

An iceberg the size of DELAWARE - one of the largest ever recorded - has broken off the West Antarctic ice shelf Shivali BestDaily MailWed, 12 Jul 2017 18:09 UTC

After months of anticipation, an enormous iceberg with an area of 2,239 sq miles (5,800 sq km) has finally broken off the Larsen C ice sheet

After months of anticipation, one of the biggest icebergs ever recorded has finally broken off the Larsen C ice sheet in the West Antarctic.

The iceberg weighs a staggering trillion tons and has an area of 2,239 sq miles (5,800 sq km), making roughly the size of Delaware or four times the size of London.

It was found to have split off from the ice sheet after scientists examined the latest satellite data from the area.

The process, known as calving, occurred in the last few days.

The ice shelf has now decreased in size by 10 per cent, leaving the ice front at its most retreated position ever recorded.

If the glaciers held in check by the iceberg now split into the Antarctic Ocean, it could lift the global water mark by about 10 centimetres (4 inches).

The iceberg, which is expected to be dubbed 'A68', is predicted to be one of the 10 largest icebergs ever recorded. A graphic shows how the iceberg compares in size

The iceberg, which is expected to be dubbed 'A68', is predicted to be one of the 10 largest icebergs ever recorded.

In a statement, Swansea University said: 'The calving occurred sometime between Monday, July 10 and Wednesday, July 12, when a 5,800-square kilometre (2,200-square mile) section of Larsen C (ice shelf) finally broke away.'

Throughout the Antarctic winter, research teams, led by the University of Swansea and including researchers from British Antarctic Survey (BAS), monitored the progress of a 170 km long ice rift in the ice shelf using the European Space Agency (ESA) Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellites.

According to BAS remote sensing analyst Andrew Fleming, the satellite images have been critical for research planning.

He says: 'This story has just got even more interesting.

'Our glaciologists will now be watching closely to see whether the remaining Larsen C Ice Shelf becomes less stable than before the iceberg broke free, and our biologists will be keen to understand how new habitats formed by the loss of the ice are colonised.'

Icebergs calve from Antarctica all the time, but because this one is particularly large its path across the

ocean needs to be monitored as it could pose a hazard to maritime traffic.

The massive ice cube will float in water and by itself will not add to sea levels when it melts.

But the real danger is from inland glaciers.

In a statement, Swansea University said: 'The calving occurred sometime between Monday, July 10 and Wednesday, July 12, when a 5,800-square kilometre (2,200-square mile) section of Larsen C (ice shelf)

finally broke away'

For months, a rift in the ice sheet has been expanding, until the iceberg broke off today. Pictured is the rift in the ice sheet in November 2016

Ice shelves float on the sea, extending from the coast, and are fed by slow-flowing glaciers from the land.

They act as giant brakes, preventing glaciers from flowing directly into the ocean.

If the glaciers held in check by Larsen C now split into the Antarctic Ocean, it could lift the global water mark by about 10 centimetres (four inches), researchers have said.

The growth of the crack, given our current understanding, is not directly linked to climate change.

Experts also predict that alongside the main iceberg, several smaller icebergs could break away from the ice sheet. Data from July 6 revealed that, in a release of built-up stresses, the rift had branched several

times

https://www.sott.net/article/356159-An-iceberg-the-size-of-DELAWARE-one-of-the-largest-ever-recorded-has-broken-off-the-West-Antarctic-ice-shelf