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Signs Of The Times, End Times, Last Days, Hurricane, Ophelia, Katrina, Alpha, Flooding, Rescue, New Orleans, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Signs Of The Times, World Events, Disasters, Tsunami, earthquake, volcano, tidal wave, 666, storms, hail, end times, last days, more... It is being reported... Human Hand Behind Earthquake 's and Tsunami's ? Was this an earthquake creation experiment that ran out of control? Many countries are working on methods of creating massive earthquakes/storms as means to defeat the enemy. The technologically advanced countries are working on this project. [or is it God's hand!?!...therev]It is being reported... NASA Funds Sci-Fi Technology - Ross Hoffman has had a vision: to use tiny changes in the environment to alter the paths of hurricanes, slow down snow storms and turn dark days bright. ...Hoffman tweaked a weather-prediction program to show that moving a hurricane was possible -- at least in theory. Here's how: You need a ring of satellites in orbit, channeling the sun's energy, stretching around the Earth. The machines would beam power to the planet, using microwaves. But, tuned to 183 GHz, they could also heat up small regions of the atmosphere by a degree or two. Those small changes could have enormous impact, Hoffman's simulation showed." Editor: Or, existing HAARP technology could do the same thing. It is being reported 09.05.05...
Harnessing Weather: Allegations Surface That US, Russia Have Technology to
Manage Hurricanes HEBREWS 12:25-29." See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven 26. Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29. For our God is a consuming fire." NOTE: The reports here are deleted when page load slows LINK: Go BACK to News & Views READ THEM NOW !
It is being reported...
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Posted March April 6-8, 2007 -------------------------------- Reported by Maria... Worldwide Events QUAKES - 5.0 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.0 VANUATU 5.0 LOYALTY ISLANDS 5.0 IZU ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION 5.0 BOUGAINVILLE REGION, P.N.G. 5.0 EASTERN HONSHU, JAPAN 5.1 FIJI REGION 5.1 BOUGAINVILLE REGION, P.N.G. 5.2 BURYATIYA, RUSSIA 5.1 NORTH OF ASCENSION ISLAND 5.1 VOLCANO ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION 5.2 KURIL ISLANDS 5.2 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.2 BOUGAINVILLE REGION, P.N.G. 5.3 BOUGAINVILLE REGION, P.N.G. 5.3 KURIL ISLANDS 5.4 MAURITIUS - REUNION REGION 5.4 IZU ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION 6.0 SOLOMON ISLANDS 6.1 AZORES ISLANDS REGION 6.2 SOLOMON ISLANDS 6.2 LOYALTY ISLANDS 6.2 AZORES ISLANDS REGION Quakes in the U.S. are up to 702 this past week - the average has usually been about 2/3 of that. The Nevada/California border area has been unusually active, along with Alaska, and now Oregon. Worldwide large quakes have reached 259 for the past week - they had been averaging about 139. SOLOMON'S VIRGINIA - The shaking from the devastating 8.1 magnitude earthquake that struck near the Solomon Islands on Sunday at 4:39 p.m. took just shy of 16 minutes to reach Virginia Tech's statewide seismic network 8,400 miles away. The shock waves lasted about two hours. An earthquake of such magnitude occurs worldwide about once every 18 to 24 months. The station at the University of Richmond showed the state shuddering about 2 millimeters, mostly in a north-south direction. The Virginia Tech Seismological Observatory installed seismological equipment on the university grounds a year ago to track the increased seismic activity in central Virginia over the past few years. Virginia has had more than 160 earthquakes in the past three decades, but only about one-sixth of them were felt. The state's biggest earthquake, a magnitude 5.8 temblor in Giles County, came in 1897 and was felt in 12 states. Since the 2004 Sumatran temblor and tsunami, U.S. researchers have worked to prepare coastal communities, including Virginia Beach, for the possibility of tsunami and storm-related flooding. TSUNAMI - SOLOMONS - relief workers are now fighting an outbreak of diarrhea among the thousands of people who were displaced by the earthquakes and subsequent tsunami that devastated parts of the Solomon Islands. Scores of people were still missing and up to 5,400 people are crammed into makeshift camps in hills behind their coastal villages, too scared to go home. People "are now starving in Western and Choiseul provinces as aid slowly makes its way around the provinces." 30 people are presumed dead, with 100 still missing and 2,000 still homeless. "We are preparing for a worsening of the known numbers of the dead, of course in a situation like this, many people may just simply disappear when there's a tsunami, a giant wave in low lying areas, we may not find some of those who've been lost." VOLCANOES - LA REUNION - spectacular volcanic eruption - Raging lava has spewed out of one of the world's most active volcanoes on the French island of La Reunion. The red hot lava cut roads in half, damaged homes and created huge clouds of steam as it flowed into the Indian Ocean. It is the third eruption of the Piton de la Fournaise or 'Mountain of the Furnace' this year alone. About 50 teenagers were taken to hospital from three schools in Saint Joseph with respiratory problems caused by the volcano's sulfur fumes. Researchers on the island are concerned the recent activity may be creating more cracks lower down the volcano, which will allow the molten lava to spread further. The volcano is about 530,000 years old and has erupted an estimated 170 times since the mid 17th century. La Reunion is a small island wedged between Madagascar and Mauritius. (great photos) AFRICA - Lake Kivu sits in an area of high volcanic activity, and a large flow of lava into its waters could cause an explosion, prompting a catastrophe. Reserves of methane gas under the lake are currently estimated at around 55 billion cubic meters (two trillion cubic feet). There is four times as much carbon dioxide under the lake as there is methane. "The danger with the gas is that it is explosive when in a very strong concentration." Around two million people live around the lake. If the methane exploded, carbon dioxide would be released, killing tens of thousands of people. DR Congo and Rwanda have a recent agreement to extract methane gas from under Lake Kivu, hoping not only to produce power but also to defuse the massive time bomb. When Mount Nyiragongo last erupted in 2002, the volcano spewed out 38 million cubic meters of lava, engulfing parts of the nearby city of Goma. "If a similar amount went directly into the lake at high velocity, that could reach the deep waters and cause a gas explosion." The resulting disaster would be even worse than when gas escaped from Lake Nyos in Cameroon in August 1986, when carbon dioxide seeped out of the lake after an explosion and suffocated 1,800 people. Taking out the gas would reduce the risk, although the project is not scheduled to be operational before 2009. INDONESIA is forging ahead with plans to build its first nuclear power plant in the shadow of a dormant volcano, despite mounting opposition from environmental groups who fear a catastrophe in the country which is beset by earthquakes and natural disasters. The favored site on the north coast of Java is overlooked by the brooding presence of Mount Muria. Critics are concerned that the slightest tremor could trigger a fresh eruption and spell disaster for any nuclear reactor in its path. The consequences of a radioactive leak, through earthquake or eruption, could prove disastrous for Java - home to 100 million Indonesians. "It's a highly risky proposition: 83% of Indonesia is very dangerous - prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods and landslides." A new geological study has unearthed minor faults in the area that suggest the government is playing with fire. "This is just a showcase project to give the government a bargaining chip at the nuclear table. But we'll pay if it goes wrong." ARIZONA - the most recent volcano eruption here created Sunset Crater northeast of Flagstaff. It blew sometime around 1065 and continued to erupt off and on for about 200 years. There are all sorts of volcanoes around Arizona. The San Francisco Volcanic Field up by Flagstaff covers about 1,800 square miles and has probably produced about 600 volcanoes over the past 6 million years. The Superstition Mountains are volcanic, as are the Chiricahuas, and there were volcanoes around the Grand Canyon. The eruptions that created the Chiricahuas about 27 million years ago were about 1,000 times more powerful than the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980. And here's something to think about: The San Francisco Volcanic Field is quiet now, but is considered to be potentially active. TROPICAL STORMS - Cyclone JAYA was 641 nmi WNW of Saint Pierre, Reunion. Cyclone CLIFF was 967 nmi NE of Auckland, New Zealand. FIJI - Many areas affected by Tropical Cyclone Cliff in the North remain inaccessible. Red Cross teams are unable to get into the affected areas as yet due to the number of landslides that have restricted or cut off access to these places and they are concerned over the welfare of the villages who remain stranded. TONGA - Tropical Cyclone Cliff is now moving away from Tonga after bringing strong winds last night. The gusts were weaker than predicted, with the strongest reaching 56 kilometres per hour rather than the 93 kilometres expected. The storm stayed well off shore. GUAM - much of Guam's waters remain dangerous today. Large north swells generated by Typhoon Kong-Rey will bring hazardous surf to north and west facing reefs. A high surf advisory remains in effect until 6 a.m. Sunday along all reefs. The rip current risk is at high, which means pounding surf will produce dangerous rip currents at reefs and beaches. Tropical storm KONG-REY was 594 nmi NNE of Saipan, N. Mariana Islands. FIJI - School children narrowly escaped a mudslide through their school as Tropical Cyclone Cliff struck Fiji yesterday at category 1. The cyclone peaked about 2pm yesterday when gusts of up to 120km/h hit the northern island Vanua Levu. "We don't know all the damage yet. We know there were roofs blown off and some infrastructure completely destroyed. There were big sea swells. In some places the shores were inundated by the sea." A woman died on Tuesday night while trying to cross a bridge above swollen waters. The cyclone today drifted over the Lau group of islands in Fiji's south east, and was expected to be downgraded to a tropical depression as it headed towards Tonga. Cyclone season in Fiji lasts from about November to the end of April. Tropical Cyclone Cliff caused considerable damage to a number of roads, some due to landslides and some due to wash-outs. MADAGASCAR - Tropical cyclone Jaya made landfall on Madagascar's northeastern coast on Tuesday on a projected trajectory that will see it rage through areas already devastated by cyclone Indlala just over two weeks ago. It was the sixth mayor cyclone to hit this season. "This is the WORST CYCLONE SEASON IN THE RECORDED HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY." Officials expressed concern over the lack of international media attention the emergency in Madagascar had received, considering the extent of the multiple disasters and the vulnerability of the island and its people. "It is striking that so little attention is being paid to a crisis that affects so many that are already vulnerable because of poverty." With the cyclone season continuing until the end of April or early May, expectations are that Jaya will not be the last disaster to strike the island. (photo) HEAVY RAINS / FLOODING / LANDSLIDES / WIND - USA - TEXAS - Kerrville has seen an unusual amount of rain since the start of 2007 with more in the forecast for April. A NEW RECORD was reached in March for rainfall with a total of 9.65 inches during the month. The previous record was 6.96 inches recorded in 1979. Kerrville’s weather already has been much wetter than just one year ago. The total rainfall for the first three months of 2006 had been 3.44 inches, while total rainfall for all of 2006 was 21.56 inches. So far this year, the county has seen 13.03 inches. The City of Fredericksburg has recorded a RECORD-BREAKING total of 8.33 inches of rain for the month. Not only did the city receive 6.70 inches more than it usually does in March alone, but last month’s 8.33-inch total also easily surpasses the annual average of 4.64 inches (by 3.69 inches) that fall here during the first three months of any year. Never since 1962 has the park rain gauge had a wetter March than this year’s. The city has now tabulated a total of 11.05 inches of rain for the year. KENTUCKY - storms tore through Tuesday, reminding many longtime residents of the prelude to the tornadoes that swept the region 33 years ago to the day. Those twisters claimed 126 lives in Kentucky and Indiana and devastated several Louisville neighborhoods. Thunderstorms toppled trees and power lines this time. Winds of more than 60 mph and large hail accompanied the storms. Tuesday's high was 83, while 28 is expected tonight. Rapid changes in the weather are not unusual for April, but it is UNUSUAL for the temperature changes to be so extreme. Southern African communities, local authorities and humanitarian partners are finding their resources stretched to the limit with the early arrival of the rainy season and relentless precipitation as well as an UNPRECEDENTED series of cyclones and tropical storms. Despite recent improvements in the capacities for disaster and emergency preparedness and response, areas of Angola, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia are working to rebuild their homes and recover their livelihoods after months of heavy rains. SANDSTORM - CHINA - On Monday a RARE sandstorm blanketed the city of Shanghai with yellow dust, causing its WORST AIR QUALITY CRISIS SINCE MONITORING BEGAN. Concentrations of respirable particulates jumped to 0.623 milligrams per cubic meter of air, seven times the daily average for last year. Last Friday the sandstorm originated in the deserts of western Mongolia, dumping 14,000 tonnes of sand in Shenyang, Liaoning province, alone over the weekend. In the last few years, many of the natural obstacles that held the sand in check, like forests and rivers, have largely disappeared in favor of economic development. Unchecked industrial growth and pollution, deforestation, lower water flow in rivers are changing China’s weather with serious consequences for the climate. Millions of people are suffering from drought and the overall economic cost is huge. China’s uncontrolled industrial growth is the culprit. Not only is it destroying the country’s environment but it is also rapidly changing its climate with unexpected consequences. Hydro-electric power stations are taking huge quantities of water from rivers, entire forests have been cut down, and industrial plants that pollute air and water have multiplied. One aspect of climate change that is particularly worrisome is the drop in precipitation. In Chongqing rainfall last winter and this spring is 30 per cent lower than in previous years. The city of Chongqing had already experienced its worst drought in more than a century last summer with temperatures up to 43 degrees Celsius and 1.61 million residents struggling to find drinking water. HEAT / DROUGHT/ CLIMATE CHANGE- U.S. - the "dust bowl", a Depression-era environmental disaster that drove 500,000 people from the southwestern American states, may soon return, US scientists have warned. The same area is “expected to dry up notably in this century and could become as arid as the North American dust bowl of the 1930s.” The process may already be under way. “The recent prolonged drought (in that area) is probably the beginning of the climate change.” The more arid climate will be UNLIKE ANY CONDITIONS THAT EXIST ON RECORD FOR THE AREA, which covers the southwest of the US and parts of northern Mexico and will leave the American Southwest in perpetual drought for the next 90 years. Unlike that area's recent droughts, which were caused by sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean know as El Nino, “the new aridity is caused by a poleward expansion of the subtropical dry zones.” Earth's dusty neighbor Mars is grappling with its own form of climate change as fluctuating solar radiation is kicking up dust and winds that may be melting the planet's southern polar ice cap, scientists said on Wednesday. Researchers have been watching the changing face of Mars for years, studying slight differences in the brightness and darkness of its surface. These changes in brightness have been generally attributed to the presence of dust, but until now their effect on wind circulation and climate has not been clear. Variations in radiation from the surface of Mars are fuelling strong winds that stir up giant dust storms, trapping heat and raising the planet's temperature. The red planet has warmed by around 1 degree Fahrenheit (0.65 degree Celsius) from the 1970s to the 1990s, which may in part have caused the recent retreat of the southern polar ice cap. Large swaths of the surface have darkened or brightened over the past three decades. These albedo changes strengthened winds, picking up and circulating dust, creating a vicious cycle that is warming the planet. SNOW / COLD - USA - MICHIGAN - Negaunee Township measured 24 inches of snowfall Wednesday, BREAKING A 1974 RECORD of 12 inches. In Houghton County, Painesdale was hit the hardest with a storm total of 38 inches. "The extended winds we've had have been pretty incredible in this storm." The snowfall total was the second-largest 24-hour total in their history. Spring storms are not uncommon, but an April storm with these winds and snowfall accumulation is UNUSUAL. "We've had spring storms like this, but this is RARE for April." USA - OHIO - Newly planted vegetables, recently sprouted flowers and fresh fruit tree blooms were thriving in balmy 80-degree weather just a couple of days ago. Now, that springtime bounty faces damage, or even death, from a sharp blast of Canadian air that is plunging temperatures into the 20s for several nights. The cold wave may hurt this year's peach, apple and cherry crops. While a sub-freezing night or two in April isn't unusual, a sustained cold snap in the 20s this time of year is. In two words, the sustained low temperatures are "NOT NORMAL," said the National Weather Service office in Wilmington. "Just like a few days ago when it was UNUSUAL to have temperatures in the 70s and 80s, it's not normal to have several nights in a row in the 20s." Average highs and lows this time of year are around 60 and 40. The cold is just the latest batch of UNUSUAL WEATHER over the past three months that has disrupted the normal pattern of plant life. "It all started back in January when we had unusually warm weather. I had daffodils blooming for three weeks in January. The problem is when plants have a warm January, they get tender and soft and that makes them more susceptible to cold damage. They think spring is here in January and start coming out of dormancy and get ready to grow. And then it turns cold." February's sustained temperatures around zero weakened the plants further. "Then we had a hot early spring and the plants came out again in all their glory. Now, with it getting really cold again, there could be a lot of blackened flowers and even blackened leaves." MASS BIRD DEATHS- FEBRUARY - COSTA RICA - February 14 - Authorities are investigating the mysterious deaths of about 500 brown pelicans along the country's Pacific coast over five days but do not suspect bird flu was the cause. The first dead birds were spotted by a fisherman on San Lucas Island, about 10 miles from the coastal city of Punta Arenas. More turned up in the following days at nearby islands and rivers. "This is a situation that is enormously worrisome. But it is hard to know what happened, and so it is better not to speculate." Investigators were collecting tissue samples from the dead birds. Investigators do not think the deaths were caused by bird flu, which is primarily spread by migration. Brown pelicans are not migratory birds, and form stable, permanent colonies. Hospitals have been checked for possible cases of diseases like West Nile virus that could infect both birds and humans. Mosquitoes can spread that disease by biting infected birds and then biting humans. No such cases have been found so far. CALIFORNIA - February 14 - HUNTINGTON BEACH – Dead and dying shorebirds are turning up around the Santa Ana River mouth, the survivors suffering from seizures and the cause unknown. Up to 50 seabirds, and possibly more, may have been affected. "We're fighting like heck to get the toxins out of them." While the symptoms the birds exhibit in some ways resemble those of domoic acid poisoning – the result of an ocean-borne toxin that can affect birds and sea mammals – there was no apparent evidence of the red tide associated with domoic acid. "We don't think it's in the food chain. It seems more like they're sharing the same area, the same water." It was unknown whether there was a threat to people swimming in the area. There were no signs of unusually high bacteria levels and no indications of chemical spills that might be affecting the water. Some high bacteria levels were seen Monday, which happens typically after storms, but those levels had dropped by Tuesday. The bird species affected included western grebes, eared grebes, ring-billed gulls, California gulls, a pelican, brants, cormorants, double-crested cormorants, a rare rhino auklet and a lesser scaup. Most of the affected birds appeared to be cormorants. An American avocet brought in Monday with seizures was among the sick birds that have survived the illness. FOLLOW UP, April 5 - Early in February and March, the beaches of Orange County saw the onset of a rash of illness and death among a variety of species of marine fowl. With many different birds found suffering within only a week's time, scientists are still looking for a cause. An estimated 25 to 30 dead cormorants were reportedly found in Newport Beach between the Santa Ana River and the city's pier. Other birds fell from the sky. Analyses were done on the blood and stomach contents of several of the birds brought into the care center that were seizing and displaying other symptoms potentially indicative of toxic algae poisoning. Algal species that produce demoic acid can bloom along the Orange County coastline, and if planktivorous fish, such as sardines and anchovy, consume the algae, they can become a demoic acid-contaminated food source for seabirds and sea lions. Only one of seven samples tested positive for demoic acid. "It's not enough to suggest that this is algal toxin-related." Lab techs were looking for evidence of fungal bacteria, and tests came back negative for organic phosphates and neoplasia. Of the birds that were brought in alive, only 10 percent recovered and were released into the wild. "As of yet, we do not know the exact cause of these deaths, but what we do know is that something acute and neurological happened to the affected birds. It's interesting that we had 14 different species that were affected the same way by the incident, and yet they all have different eating habits." With the heavy rainfall that came just before the onset of the illness in these different indigenous species to the Santa Ana River mouth, scientists are speculating that the problem may be riverborne and could have originated as far up the river as the Prado Dam. USA DENVER, COLORADO - February 16 - The number of mysterious duck deaths is higher and more widespread than first thought and the problem is not just limited to the Metro wastewater treatment plant. Not only have dead ducks turned up at the metro Denver plant, but also along the South Platte River. Wastewater treatment plants in Thornton, South Adams County, Westminster, Northglenn, and Littleton-Englewood have also reported a higher than normal number of duck deaths. Dead ducks have also been found at the Sunfish Lake near The Breakers apartments in Denver. But at this point, nobody knows why. "No one remembers ducks dying in these kinds of numbers." The problem first showed up at the Metro wastewater treatment plant. Employees found more than 400 ducks dying from hypothermia but don't know what caused it. Plant operators have scrambled to figure out why and have come up empty. "Right now, we haven't found anything different in the water now as opposed to years past." Crews have taken the surviving ducks to rehabilitation facilities around the state. Since no one knows why the ducks are getting sick, treatment is limited. "We just give them things to help flush out what is new in their systems because wildlife are involved with a lot of environmental toxins." Scientists have ruled out avian flu and avian cholera and state health officials said the deaths may have nothing to with the treatments plants. "Histology from the birds shows no clinical signs of disease. There are no conclusive test results pointing to the cause. Additional tests are being conducted...We are focusing on what causes the ducks to lose their waterproofing as well as the cause of the malnutrition evident in many of the birds. There are many factors we need to consider in trying to investigate a die-off and we are doing all we can to methodically apply the science available to us." The state health department said one possible cause for the deaths is the abnormally cold winter. FOLLOW-UP, March 8 - State and federal biologists have ruled out several causes in the deaths of 850 ducks this winter and were still trying to figure out how they died. Avian flu, bacterial infections and exposure to heavy metals and toxins have been ruled out as culprits in the only mass duck die-off its kind nationally. "We've got more answered questions than we have answers." But the worst appears to be over, just a few dead ducks have been found in the past few days. Starting in January, several dead ducks were found at a northeast-Denver wastewater treatment plant. Others were found at other treatment plants and a lake between Boulder and Highlands Ranch. Biologists believe that most of the ducks died from hypothermia after losing their waterproofing and getting wet. One suggestion is that detergents or substances to keep water from foaming might be responsible. The cold, snowy weather likely contributed to the deaths. About 50 ducks found along the South Platte River were dry but had starved to death. Most of the ducks were Northern Shovelers, which have a large, spoon-shaped bill. The ducks have wintered in Colorado for the past several years. Some ailing ducks were nursed back to health at a sanctuary and released. About 40 ducks are still being treated. ALBERTA, CANADA - February 22 - Wildlife experts are examining another 50 ducks found dead along the Bow River on Wednesday, bringing the total number of dead birds discovered this week to 115. Test results won’t be available to confirm the cause of death until later this week, but the likely culprit is a bacteria or viral infection. It’s not likely the H5N1 strain of avian bird flu that’s been responsible for bird deaths and mass culls in other parts of the world. "There’s no reason for the public to be concerned." The rapid spread of disease isn’t uncommon among birds during the winter months when large areas of their habitat freezes, forcing them to live in closer proximity. "When we have concentrated groups of animals, it’s a breeding ground for diseases, infections (and) bacteria. This is a natural phenomenon." In previous years, large groups of birds have fallen victim to avian cholera in Calgary. MARCH - NEW ZEALAND, March 16 - Veterinarians at the University’s Wildlife Ward are investigating the cause of death of the last of a population of endangered yellow-eyed penguins hatched on Stewart Island this breeding season. Although all of the 32 chicks in the island’s Anglim coast monitoring area died, the mainland population did not appear to be affected at this stage. The last chick died of a blood parasite recently discovered on the island, but a number of diseases and environmental factors are believed to be involved in the overall mortality. Investigation is now being focused on the role of disease in Yellow-eyed penguin chicks and methods of reducing mortality. The Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust says this year’s breeding season is the WORST SINCE MONITORING BEGAN four years ago. SPACE WEATHER - Scientists confirm that GPS services were impacted by a December 2006 solar eruption. Solar radio bursts can have a significant effect on global positioning systems (GPS). Solar flares have also been known to cause power outages and disrupt satellite functions. Forecasters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration observed two solar flares on December 5 and 6, 2006, which occurred during a solar minimum when solar activity is supposed to be much calmer. However, these solar radio bursts were powerful enough to stop receivers from reading the GPS signal on the entire sunlit side of the Earth, and "… produced as much as 10 TIMES MORE RADIO NOISE THAN THE PREVIOUS RECORD." "In December, we found the effect of GPS receivers were more profound and widespread than we expected. Now we are concerned more severe consequences will occur during the next solar maximum." DISEASE THREATS - RECALLS & ALERTS The recall of contaminated pet food and treats is being widened to include dog biscuits and more Menu Foods products. ConAgra Foods said Thursday that moisture from a leaky roof and faulty sprinkler was the cause of the salmonella bacteria that contaminated peanut butter at its Georgia plant last year, sickening more than 400 people nationwide. Posted March April 5, 2007 -------------------------------- Reported by Maria... Worldwide Events QUAKES - 6.2 LOYALTY ISLANDS 5.1 VOLCANO ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION 5.2 BOUGAINVILLE REGION, P.N.G. 5.3 BOUGAINVILLE REGION, P.N.G. 5.0 BOUGAINVILLE REGION, P.N.G. 5.1 NORTH OF ASCENSION ISLAND 6.2 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.0 SOLOMON ISLANDS 6.0 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.2 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.6 SOUTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA 5.3 BOUGAINVILLE REGION, P.N.G. 6.1 LOYALTY ISLANDS 5.0 KURIL ISLANDS 5.1 KURIL ISLANDS 5.0 MOLUCCA SEA 5.1 TAIWAN REGION 5.3 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.5 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.3 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.3 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.0 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.4 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.8 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.5 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.3 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.4 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.2 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.5 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.4 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.1 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.5 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.1 SOLOMON ISLANDS 6.0 HINDU KUSH REGION, AFGHANISTAN 5.1 D'ENTRECASTEAUX ISLANDS REGION SOLOMONS - Thousands are homeless, food and water are in short supply and officials are struggling to reach inaccessible west coast villages. Survivors scavenged for food and drinking water in towns hammered by a tsunami on the Solomon Islands' west coast, while officials said the death toll was 28 and would rise as they struggled to reach remote communities. The first television footage of the devastated region taken by helicopter after Monday's double disaster - a huge undersea earthquake followed minutes later by a surging wall of water - showed building after tin-and-thatched-roof building collapsed along a muddy foreshore. Among the dead were a bishop and three worshippers killed when a wave hit a church during an ordination ceremony on the island of Simbo, the United Church said. Few of the homeless had even basic supplies, and their situation will quickly turn desperate. VOLCANOES - PERU - The active Ubinas stratovolcano, located in Southern Peru’s region of Moquegua, continues to rumble. According to the seismic monitors of Peru’s Geophysical Institute, four explosions have been registered since March 23rd. On March 23, an explosion took place at 5:59 p.m. local time (22:59 GMT), causing a tremor (prolonged seismic vibration) of at least nine minutes. Six days later, on March 29th, a tremor lasted 280 minutes and the next day another explosion was registered with an aftermath lasting more than 16 hours. The last observed explosion was on Sunday, April 1st at 09:04 a.m. (14:04 GMT), causing seismic vibrations that lasted more than 21 hours. The volcano’s latest unrest is worrying local townspeople and authorities who demand greater support. Regional health authorities have intensified their efforts to monitor the drinking water situation to make sure it is not contaminated by volcanic gases and ashes. RUSSIA - Scientists have discovered caldera of an ancient super volcano at Kamchatka. "The eruption of the Kamchatka super volcano took place more than about a million and a half years ago." Now the volcano has "cooled off," so some specialists say it would be incorrect to speak of any possibility of new eruptions. But the eruption of such a volcano could be ten thousand times more powerful than that of an ordinary one. The discovered caldera is a giant oval 35 kilometers long. The caldera is stretched between the head of the Paratunka River and Banniye hot springs. Scientists suppose that these particular springs might be heated by the warmth of the ancient super-volcano. The Yellowstone Caldera measures about 55 by 72 kilometers. The last supervolcano eruption occurred 74 thousand years ago in the region where Sumatra is located today. Then the average temperature in the Northern Hemisphere fell 21 degrees Centigrade. TROPICAL STORMS - Cyclone CLIFF was 1250 nmi NNE of Auckland, New Zealand. Cyclone JAYA was 641 nmi WNW of Saint Pierre, Reunion. Typhoon KONG-REY was 357 nmi N of Saipan, N. Mariana Islands. MARIANA ISLANDS - Typhoon Kong-Rey 01W passed and headed away from the Marianas yesterday with no major damage to crops and property. Packing winds of up to 75 miles per hour Typhoon Kong-Rey O1W's nearest approach to CNMI was at 7am when its center was located 50 miles east-northeast of Saipan and 60 miles east-northeast of Tinian. The typhoon caused minor power outages on Saipan, particularly Kagman, Dandan, and the entire southern part of the island. Although the typhoon is moving away from the NMI, the outer or feeder bands of the typhoon could still bring heavy rains and winds resulting in power outages. The heavy rains have flooded some farms. If the rains don't let up soon, some crops will die. In 2005, when Typhoon Nabi struck the islands, agriculture sustained major damage, specifically on vegetable and root crops. HEAVY RAINS / FLOODING / LANDSLIDES - CENTRAL ASIA - Avalanches and floods triggered by heavy rains and spring snow melt have killed about 150 people in recent days in the mountains of central Asia. In Afghanistan, the death toll reached 88 on Monday, and more than half of the country’s provinces had flooded. The government has distributed tents, blankets and sandbags to people, but aid agencies were still trying to reach an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 people in remote areas. Meanwhile, flooding and avalanches have killed more than 50 people in the past 10 days in northwestern Pakistan, near the border with Afghanistan. The toll includes 38 people who died in weekend avalanches, some of whose bodies were found Monday in the rubble of demolished homes in a remote village. And in Tajikistan, a woman and her seven children between the ages of 5 and 20 were killed Sunday by an avalanche that swallowed their home. The destruction has been most widespread in Afghanistan, where residents say this year’s spring rains are HEAVIER THAN THEY HAVE SEEN IN YEARS. The once-trickling Kabul river breached its embankments early Monday, destroying 170 homes in the capital, Kabul. Families were evacuated, and no casualties were immediately reported. In central Bamiyan province, 60 homes were reportedly destroyed by an avalanche Sunday night. The area is difficult to access because of flooding, which has reportedly killed about 28 people. In Panjshir, north of Kabul, six districts have suffered avalanches and floods, killing nine people and destroying 40 homes. Heavy rains and snow have been lashing Pakistan’s rugged Chitral district, about 170 miles northwest of the capital Islamabad, since late last week. In some areas, 6 feet of snow has fallen in the past several days. One of the weekend avalanches in Pakistan hit 26 homes in the village of Wasij, killing at least 34 people. Another avalanche hit a home in the village of Postaki, killing four. And 11 people were missing when an avalanche hit Olas village on Sunday. SNOW / COLD - The Arctic in 2005 saw little renewal of the thick, perennial sea ice that normally melts and is replenished every year, a NASA study has found. Renewing the layer is crucial to maintaining the summer ice cover's stability, and the new findings suggest it may continue to decrease by as much as 10 per cent a year. "The area of seasonal ice that survives the summer may no longer be large enough to sustain a stable perennial ice cover, especially in the face of accelerating climate warming and Arctic sea ice thinning." Perennial ice coverage was 14 per cent lower in January 2006 than it was at the same time in 2005 — only about four per cent of the 2.5 million square kilometers of seasonal ice formed the previous winter survived the summer. The depletion of the sea ice was also affected by ABNORMAL wind conditions that resulted in about seven per cent of the perennial ice coverage area migrating out of the Arctic — an UNUSUALLY HIGH amount. FISH KILL - JAMAICA - The National Environment and Planning Agency last Friday said it was not sure of the cause of the huge fish kill in St Elizabeth, nearly three weeks after the hundreds of dead fish washed up on the shores of the Black River and its tributaries in the parish. Fish and water samples collected from the river on the days immediately following the fish kill (March 12, 13 and 14) have been analyzed but said the results were so far "inconclusive". The water was tested for biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, acidity (pH) and total suspended solids. The fish kill sparked allegations from residents and business persons alike who live and work in Black River and the surrounding communities that the fish may have died as a result of dunder - dark-colored by-product of rum distillation which smells like stale sugar - released in the river by Appleton. Dunder is known to deplete the oxygen levels in water. Appleton's Chief Executive Officer refuted the claim saying the dunder it produced was stored in large ponds which were sealed and therefore leak-proof. NORTH DAKOTA - Something fishy is going on between Bismarck and Jamestown at Lake Isabel, thousands of times over. Carp, some up to two feet long, are washing up on shore after a severe winter kill. Some nearby residents say it`s the WORST FISH KILL SINCE THEY'VE BEEN LIVING THERE. Carp are normally a hearty fish. But this winter, even the heartiest fish couldn't survive the conditions in Lake Isabel. "We`re in the seventh year of a pretty significant drought and Lake Isabel water levels have been declining for the past seven years and so decreased water levels increase the chance of kills happening." USA GREAT LAKES - Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia, more commonly called VHS, has already infected the Great Lakes, including Lake Michigan, and is causing massive fish kills. "I think people know about invasive species in general but I think this one is such a large threat. It's probably AN ORDER OF MAGNITUDE GREATER THAN ANYTHING WE'VE SEEN TO DATE." The Wisconsin state Department of Natural Resources is asking for the public's help in keeping the deadly fish virus at bay. To help keep VHS out of local waters, experts recommend the public empty any water from boats after boating on any of the Great Lakes, because the virus can live in water. They also suggest not using live bait from outside of the state because other states don't screen live bait for health issues. The virus isn't a threat to humans, only to fish. DISEASE THREATS - RECALLS & ALERTS: Eight In One, Inc., a division of United Pet Group, Inc., is voluntarily recalling nationally all lots of Dingo(r) CHICK'N JERKY treats due to Company concerns that the jerky treats have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, which can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross contamination, in people, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems. The products affected were sold at Target, PetSmart and other retailers. The contaminated wheat gluten that prompted an extensive recall of pet food was not used in food for humans, the ingredient's importer confirmed. BIRD FLU - WEST VIRGINIA - More than 25,000 turkeys on a farm in Pendleton County, W.Va., are being destroyed after some of the birds tested positive for avian flu. State agriculture officials said the strain of the disease is not harmful to human beings. But the birds are being destroyed to prevent the virus from mutating and spreading. Poultry farmers in several counties along or close to the Virginia line were being told not to move the litter at their farms. Litter is the bedding material where the birds roost. It's sometimes used as fertilizer or thrown away. Preliminary tests indicated the turkeys had a low-pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza virus. USDA officials said they can say "for certain" it's not the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus that has spread through birds in Asia, Europe and Africa. This strain of avian flu is the same one that caused an outbreak in Virginia in 2002. Since then, routine tests have been done on flocks before they're slaughtered. Bird flu is on the decline around the world, the United Nations food agency said on Monday, while warning that the potentially deadly disease is still spreading where containment is inadequate." "There have been fewer cases of the disease this year than last year at the same time, indicating that there is a reduction in overall viral load." Outbreaks were recorded in 17 countries as of March 15, 2007. Overall last year, a total of 53 countries had outbreaks of H5N1, which has killed at least 171 people worldwide since its appearance in 2003. "The risk of a pandemic will be with us for the foreseeable future. However, looking on the positive side, many countries have managed to control the disease." Insulin produced by genetically modified plants - with a human gene added - could be on the market in three years, a Canadian company has claimed. Sembiosys said it has made scientific breakthroughs and found a shortcut through current drug regulations. If the firm can demonstrate that the plant-based insulin is identical with human insulin, it won't have to go through all the long and costly stages of full clinical trials. However, critics believe that these products pose greater environmental and health risks than GM food crops. Most insulin is now produced by genetically modified bacteria, inside sealed tanks. The new technique uses GM plants grown out in the open. The company is growing insulin in the seeds of safflower. The safflower is being grown on a trial basis in fields in Chile, the US and Canada. Their crop is grown counter-seasonally to reduce the risks of the insulin-producing genes crossing to other plants. A professor at the University of Cape Town has modified tobacco so it produces a vaccine for cervical cancer. Furthermore, there are plans to produce spider silk from potatoes and to make non-polluting engine lubricants in seed oil plants. A Danish company is even trying to create plants that will help clear minefields. The flowers of the modified thale cress would change from white to red if their roots absorb traces of explosives - showing where the landmines had been laid. There have already been contamination incidents with experimental pharmaceutical plants. One American company, Prodigene, was heavily fined for its mistakes in 2002. Similar problems have occurred recently with GM food crops. Posted March April 4, 2007 -------------------------------- Reported by Maria... Worldwide Events QUAKES - 5.4 BOUGAINVILLE REGION, P.N.G. 5.1 BOUGAINVILLE REGION, P.N.G. 5.4 D'ENTRECASTEAUX ISLANDS REGION 5.0 D'ENTRECASTEAUX ISLANDS REGION 5.9 MOLUCCA SEA 5.9 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.0 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.0 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.0 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.2 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.1 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.1 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.6 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.5 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.6 SOLOMON ISLANDS 6.1 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.9 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.4 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.6 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.2 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.7 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.1 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.4 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.3 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.1 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.0 KURIL ISLANDS 5.0 KURIL ISLANDS 5.2 KURIL ISLANDS 5.1 KURIL ISLANDS 5.5 AISEN, CHILE SOLOMON ISLANDS - Officials said 900 homes were destroyed and 5,000 people affected after the 8-magnitude quake. Today will be a "telling day" on whether the death toll of 20 would rise, they said. Whole villages are said to have been wiped out around the main town of Gizo in the western Solomons. Unconfirmed reports suggest widespread damage in other islands. Huge waves, some 10 meters (30 feet) high, were reported and a tsunami alert was raised around the Pacific. The Red Cross said the tsunami had left 2,000 homeless in Gizo and that reports suggested similar or worse damage elsewhere. The quake was the BIGGEST TO HIT THE SOLOMON'S SINCE 1900. The disaster could have been worse if it had happened only a few hours earlier in darkness, when more people would have been asleep. The initial tremor was followed around seven minutes later by a second one, centered further west, of magnitude 6.7. Eyewitness account - "Our most urgent need is for water. We have no water at all. The water tanks have collapsed. Then we need food. For now we sit outside and wait for the danger to go away and for help to reach us. We are really scared. We don't know what's to come. We have seen these kind of things happening to other people on our TV screens. We thought we were safe but now it has happened to us, too. " An Australian quake expert says the Solomon Islands should brace for another big earthquake in the next few weeks. "I have just gone through my records of earthquakes in the Solomon Islands region and although we have earthquakes of magnitude seven and above ... we've never had a magnitude of just over eight before. Any earthquake of that magnitude would have aftershocks for days and weeks." "One of the characteristics of this area is that you will often get days or weeks or even a couple of months later, another big earthquake. "There is absolutely no way of knowing for sure, but there is a significant chance of another big one.'' "One side of the fault ruptured on a fault break that was probably 100 kilometers long or more and 100 kilometers deep. One side moved about two or three meters relative to the other. It's a big earthquake by normal standards. But the Sumatra earthquake was gigantic. It was over 1,000 kilometers long by a couple of hundred kilometers deep." RUSSIA - A probability of a strong earthquake on Kuriles and Sakhalin Islands in April remains, an official of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry’s information department said on Monday. The high seismic activity in the area of the Kurile Range is related to aftershocks events after a violent earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean east of the Simushir Island. The magnitude of that quake was 8. Besides that, the activity of Shiveluch, Bezymyanny and Klyuchevskoy volcanoes remains high. Their ash discharges pose a danger for flights of local airlines. Because of an increase in the activity of Klyuchevskoy Volcano, lava effusion, mud and rock slides are possible. Two tremors of 4.9 were registered off the Iturup Island on Monday. Earthquakes off the Kurile Island have been almost incessant since last November. There have been over 630 quakes in this area since then, but none were destructive. TSUNAMI - SOLOMON ISLANDS - Confusion and panic have again seized the Solomon Islands with reports some islanders are expecting another tsunami today. A dive operator based on the tsunami-hit western island of Gizo that another wave is expected shortly. "We're waiting at the moment, there's another wave coming at lunchtime — it's building in the deep water, apparently. There's a lot of confusion, people are telling lots of different stories — it's difficult to really fathom just how much damage has been done. I can see from here where a couple of villages should be and they're just gone." AUSTRALIA - Since 1900, the Solomon's has borne the brunt of 36 earthquakes registering 7.0 or more on the Richter scale, but none had reached 8.0 until yesterday. "This is a one-in-100-year earthquake for this area. The motion of one plate pushing under the other is extremely conducive to changes on the sea floor that can cause a tsunami. The trench along where this rubbing of the plates occurs is very steep, creating the possibility of a huge undersea landslide. If that happens, that's when tsunamis can be huge." A big tsunami could easily have headed Australia's way from that location. "We knew yesterday morning the earthquake was big enough, but we weren't sure for some hours if a tsunami heading toward Australia was going to result...But if you want to have an earthquake that generated a tsunami that could impinge on Australia, this is one of the prime locations." VOLCANOES - CHINA - A RECORD decline in the water level at Huguangyan's volcanic lake in Guangdong has raised concern that the sleeping volcano is about to have a wake-up call. At 2.3 square kilometers, Huguangyan is the world's largest volcanic lake. It is located in the southwest city of Zhanjiang. It has recorded its lowest water level in 10 years and during the second half of 2006, the level dropped 5 meters. The phenomenon, however, should not be a cause for worry, said the director of Zhanjiang's seismology bureau. He ruled out the possibility of an eruption. "Our observation has not shown any abnormal sign indicating that a re-eruption will occur at Huguangyan." The water level drop was due mainly to a decline in rainfall last year. Officials at the scenic spot have been trying to deal with the issue. They have submitted proposals to Zhanjiang's municipal government to preserve Asia's only Maar lake. TROPICAL STORMS - Cyclone JAYA was 383 nmi NW of Port Louis, Mauritius. Typhoon KONG-REY was 62 nmi N of Saipan, N. Mariana. MADAGASCAR - Natural disasters continue hitting Madagascar, affecting hundreds of thousands of people with the 6th cyclone since December, cyclone Jaya, on the way. Due to the cyclone caused flooding, tens of thousands of hectares of rice, the basic food source for the Malagasy, have been destroyed. Communication infrastructure, roads, schools and health centers have been badly damaged. Since December 2006, approximately 450,000 people have become the victims of natural disasters across Madagascar. GUAM - Typhoon Kong-Rey, as of 5 a.m., was located 75 miles east southeast of Saipan and 80 miles east of Tinian, in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Kong-Rey is moving northwest at 16 mph, according to the National Weather Service, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. The NWS cancelled the typhoon warning for Guam at 8 last night. Kong-Rey was located 120 miles east northeast of Rota, which could still feel tropical storm winds last night and this morning. HEAVY RAINS / FLOODING / LANDSLIDES / WIND - CHINA - Seven people were killed and one was injured when a passing bus was hit in a landslide in a mountainous county in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Monday. A torrential downpour on Sunday night caused the landslide near the highway connecting Pengshui to the Tujia Autonomous County of Shizhu, north to Pengshui. More than 120 cu m of rock fell off from a slope, hitting the bus which was passing through the spot. Among the seven killed was the bus driver. The exact number of people aboard the bus is still unknown. Another 200 cu m of rocks are about to fall off the slope and rescuers are taking measures to deal with the emergency. NAMIBIA - About 15,000 Namibians in the north-east of the country bordering the Zambezi River have been displaced by flooding caused by heavy rains and are in urgent need of aid. Further rains are expected through to the end of April in both Namibia and Zambia. Several people have died and thousands have been made homeless in months of flooding caused by heavy rains in Zambia. SNOW / COLD - PAKISTAN - A fresh avalanche swept through a village in northern Pakistan and 11 people were missing and feared dead a day after 26 people were killed in another avalanche in the same area. The avalanche struck Mongi village in the Chitral region of the Hindu Kush mountains last night after heavy rain fell across deep snow blanketing the mountains. Many villages have been cut off for days by heavy snow and landslides. CLIMATE CHANGE- People around the world have been reporting the odd weather changes they are observing. FISH DIE-OFFS - THAILAND - A decrease in sea temperatures caused by the El Nino phenomenon is blamed for the deaths of huge numbers of fish off Tarutao island. A number of fish were found dead on Sunday near the western part of the island in the Andaman Sea. The incident coincided with a change in the color of the water to red. "Water off the Son Bay, where most fish died, became very cold." The fish, which inhabit deep water, came to the surface to escape the cold. Those which could not adjust to the different environment died. Officials also spotted whales which came near to shore to escape cold water. El Nino, or ocean warming, normally refers to an increase in ocean water temperatures around the equator. When that happens, it causes cold, nutrient-rich currents to flow toward the Andaman Sea, with temperatures plunging from 26C to below 20C. The cold water, together with strong sunlight and still water, led to the 'red tide' off Tarutao. A red tide is a sea condition in which phytoplankton grow in large numbers. The plankton, some of which are harmful, feed on nutrients in the water. "I think marine fish died from eating poison phytoplankton." However, the Tarutao Marine National Park said examinations of the dead fish showed no traces of toxic substances, and the park has allowed villagers to eat the fish. An expert is worried about the next 'red tide', which he expects will occur in a river mouth in neighbouring Trang province, saying breaching coral has been detected in Satun and Trang. "The pale colour is a sign that soft coral has been damaged. This has happened before, 10 years ago in the north of the Andaman Sea, including Surin Island." He said that condition was also caused by a reduction in temperature to below 20C from the normal temperature of 26, due to cold currents flowing from the Pacific Ocean to the Andaman Sea. THAILAND, on March 15, embarked on a two-week investigation to find out whether a ship sinking with 650 tons of raw sugar aboard or factory waste devastated fish farms in the Chao Phraya River. Environment, industry and irrigation officials were probing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of fish raised in pens along the river in the central provinces of Ayutthaya and Ang Thong. One suspect was a monosodium glutamate factory opposite the pens in Ang Thong where the fish started dying. Fish farmers in Ayutthaya below the site of the sinking and the factory were also hit as the river flowed south. Officials released a rush of water into the river from a dam to flush the contaminant out to sea. SOUTH AFRICA - Residents have been warned that dead fish will continue washing up on beaches along the False Bay Coast for some time. Decaying planktonic plants, which were in bloom during the red tide along the coast, are resulting in a lack of oxygen in the water, leading to the deaths of fish and other marine life. A number of dead fish have already washed up on beaches along Gordons Bay. Usually the blooms are dispersed by the wind, but this has not happened this time. “The problem in False Bay is that the blooms are not easily dispersed. The fact that it is a bay makes it have a longer retention time. So we have seen these blooms building up over several months now, and although we have had various wind patterns during that period, the blooms have persisted. Through a more exposed coast these blooms would be dispersed by the wind, but this has not been the case now because of detainment in the bay system.” MICHIGAN - State officials are telling people not to be alarmed when seeing dead fish floating on lakes and ponds this time of year. It's natural, they say. Hundreds of fish have been found floating on Pleasant Lake after the warm weather melted ice on top of the water. "We expect the typical winter kill. Over the winter, lakes lose oxygen and (dead fish) are hidden under the ice and snow." When the ice melts, the dead fish surface and drift. Pleasant Lake was stressed going into the winter and shows evidence of low oxygen. People living near the lake could have contributed to the problem with lake weed treatments, but that has not been proven. The weeds provide oxygen to the water. "(Fish) can even continue to die into the spring with the increase in temperature all at once. It can be quite stressful on the fish." DNR officials do not run tests on the fish that die over the winter. PENNSYLVANIA - The explanation for the fish kill at Mermaid Pond in January remains uncertain after two months, although the investigation is continuing. Laboratory results received earlier this month showed traces of a family of chemicals called carbamates in the pond water, although the source and exact nature of the compounds is unknown. Carbamates have many industrial uses and are found in pesticides, fungicides, rubber accelerants, wastewater treatment and metal finishing. It was not definite whether the carbamates were actually responsible for the kill. More than 600 fish - mostly bluegills and few bass - were found dead in the pond and surrounding streams the evening of January 18. Examination of the corpses by investigators from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission was inconclusive. Residents of surrounding neighborhood in Wyndmoor reported finding more dead fish during the first weeks of March, but because of their advanced state of decomposition, investigators concluded they had died in January with the others and floated to the surface of the water after an ice melt. TEXAS - March 15 - Biologists believe toxic Golden Algae is behind a fish kill on the Brazos River in Waco. It’s left hundreds, if not thousands, of fish dead. The problem has also plagued a number of other Texas lakes. The Texas Parks and Wildlife staff said the Golden Algae is new to the area and just has to run its course. The algae gives off a toxin that paralyzes a fish's gills, suffocating it. However, the algae isn’t harmful to most other animals. A fisherman says lately he's noticed a change. "The fish, they're dying. You catch a fish every once and awhile, but very seldom." This latest fish kill has been going on for the past month. If you walk along the riverbanks, you'll see fish, after fish, after fish. This is the second year this fish kill has affected this portion of the Brazos. The Golden Algae blooms during winter months. U.S. SOUTHERN COAST - In the summer of 2005 marine animals suddenly started dying off Florida's southwest coast, with scores of bottlenose dolphins, manatees and turtles washing up on shore. In October alone, 22 dolphins became stranded and died, compared with the usual monthly average of three. Hoping to unravel the mystery, nearly 50 researchers, part of the Working Group on Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Events, commissioned a study of the deaths. After taking samples from 130 stranded dolphins, they concluded that red tide - an algae bloom that creates a neurotoxin, brevetoxin - caused the massive die-off. The working group has investigated scores of such events. At present, the panel is handling eight such cases simultaneously, an UNPRECEDENTED high. Experts believe a range of factors are contributing to the algae blooms and viruses linked to the die-offs, including nutrient runoff from farming, rising ocean temperatures and discarded waste such as cat litter. The group are still struggling to figure out whether environmental contaminants or other factors might have weakened the mammals that fell prey to the 2005 algae bloom. This month the rapid-response team sprang into action again after 64 dead bottlenose dolphins and numerous fish washed ashore on the Texas and Louisiana coasts. The experts are concerned that the morbilli virus, which is similar to distemper in dogs and killed tens of thousands of European animals in 2004, may be responsible for the recent dolphin deaths. Marine mammals dying in waves can serve as indicators for human health. "They can be early messengers, really, for broader changes." DISEASE THREATS - RECALLS & ALERTS The third pet food company since late last week has added its name to the pet food recall list, out of fear that contaminated wheat gluten may have tainted its products. San Francisco-based Del Monte Pet Products is voluntarily recalling Jerky Treats Beef Flavor Dog Snacks, Gravy Train Beef Sticks Dog Snacks and Pounce Meaty Morsels Moist Chicken Flavor Cat Treats. Del Monte's announcement immediately follows the weekend recall of one of the best-known brands of dog food, Purina. The company pulled its Alpo Prime Cuts in Gravy product from U.S. store shelves. Both companies have said that the wheat gluten supplied to them from a Chinese plant contained melamine — a chemical used in fertilizers in Asia and to make plastics and laminates. Many shipments of fish products from China and Vietnam had been refused entry into the U.S. because of contaminants found in the fish. As imported Chinese wheat gluten takes the blame for the recent deaths of dozens of American pets, new concerns have risen over the safety of Asian-grown foods imported to the United States for human consumption. "During the twelve months ending January 2007, forty-nine shipments of Chinese farmed catfish were refused by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, because they contained banned and potentially dangerous chemicals and antibiotics. In January 2007 alone, 10 shipments were refused entry, up from 2 refusals in January 2006." AUSTRALIA - Residents of Esperance already worried about lead poisoning from rain water tanks have now been warned not to eat seafood caught off the West Australian port. People in the southern town have been undergoing blood tests and having their rain water tanks tested since discovering this month that 4000 MYSTERY BIRD DEATHS around the town were probably caused by lead poisoning. High lead and nickel levels have been found near the port but the WA Department of Environment and Conservation says the levels of most serious concern have been found at the port. However, testing of a few marine sediment samples had revealed nickel and lead levels nearly 130 times those considered safe. BIRD FLU - Cities that quickly closed schools and discouraged public gatherings had about 50% fewer deaths from the great flu pandemic in 1918 than cities that did not. Decisive, immediate action can reduce the most acute effects of a pandemic, while allowing the population to build some natural immunity to the virus, the US government study found. The current US government flu plan calls for similar measures, including allowing employees to stay home for weeks or even months, telecommuting and closing schools and perhaps large office buildings. Experts agree that a pandemic of some virus, most likely influenza, is almost 100 percent certain. What is not certain is when it will strike and which virus it will be. Posted March April 3, 2007 -------------------------------- Reported by Maria... Worldwide Events QUAKES - 5.0 NICOBAR ISLANDS, INDIA REGION 5.0 SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS REGION 5.1 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.1 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.1 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.2 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.2 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.2 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.3 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.3 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.3 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.4 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.4 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.5 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.5 IZU ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION 5.6 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.6 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.7 SOLOMON ISLANDS 5.7 BOUGAINVILLE REGION, P.N.G. 5.9 SOLOMON ISLANDS 6.0 SOLOMON ISLANDS 6.4 SOLOMON ISLANDS 6.7 SOLOMON ISLANDS 8.0 SOLOMON ISLANDS - a TSUNAMI was created. SOLOMON ISLANDS - More than 15 people were killed in the area of the Solomon Islands closest to the epicentre of the 8.0 earthquake when it triggered a tsunami. "Reports have come in that more than 15 people died, just around Gizo, but with the other islands I cannot tell you. "What we desperately need now is water, tents, and food because almost 3,000-4,000 people are now living on the hill at Gizo." Residents of Gizo were still fearful as aftershocks continue to rock the area. The main town in the western Solomon's, Gizo, was hit by waves several meters high that swamped buildings and washed people out to sea. "There wasn't any warning - the warning was the earth tremors. It shook us very, very strongly and we were frightened, and all of a sudden the sea was rising up." The water "moved toward the island and hit all the houses on the coastal area, and all of their property was washed away to the open sea." "A lot of houses have collapsed. The whole town is still shaking," several hours after the earthquake struck. "There was 10ft of water rushing through town". Local officials fear the numbers of dead could rise, with reports of outlying villages being completely destroyed. A tsunami warning for the Pacific from Australia to Alaska was issued but later cancelled. The quake struck 345km (215 miles) north-west of the Solomon Islands' capital Honiara, north-east of Australia at a depth of 10km (six miles) below the surface. Four people were also missing from Mono Island. The Solomon Islands has a population of about 500,000 people - some of them living on remote islands. "Those western islands are very scattered and it's very difficult for us to get there or communicate, but we are sending a team to investigate." Residents of the Papua New |
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