Augustus William Hare
QUAKES -
This morning -
5.1 OFFSHORE VALPARAISO, CHILE
5.1 OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE
5.5 OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE
Largest quakes yesterday -
3/2/10 -
5.1 KEPULAUAN TALAUD, INDONESIA
5.2 SAN JUAN, ARGENTINA
5.1 SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS
5.1 RYUKYU ISLANDS, JAPAN
5.1 RYUKYU ISLANDS, JAPAN
5.1 OFF COAST OF O'HIGGINS, CHILE
5.2 OFFSHORE O'HIGGINS, CHILE
5.4 OFFSHORE O'HIGGINS, CHILE
5.0 OFFSHORE O'HIGGINS, CHILE
5.2 OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE
5.2 OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE
5.0 MAULE, CHILE
5.0 OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE
5.0 VALPARAISO, CHILE
5.8 LUZON, PHILIPPINES
5.3 NEUQUEN, ARGENTINA
Chile quake shortened our days - Chile's massive Feb. 27 earthquake may have shortened all of our days, according to NASA. The magnitude 8.8 quake should have shortened the length of an Earth day by about 1.26 microseconds (a microsecond is one millionth of a second). Furthermore, the quake should have moved the "figure axis" (about which Earth's mass is balanced; offset about 33 feet off the north-south axis) by 2.7 milliarcseconds (about 3 inches).
The 2004 magnitude 9.1 Sumatran earthquake shortened the length of day by 6.8 microseconds, much more than the Chile quake did. But the Sumatran quake shifted Earth's axis by only 2.32 milliarcseconds (about 2.76 inches). The Chile quake should have changed the axis more than the much larger Sumatran one because it was in the Earth's mid-latitudes, rather than near the equator, putting its force at a more effective place for shifting the axis, and because it was on a fault that dips into Earth at a slightly steeper angle, making it more effective in moving Earth's mass vertically.
VOLCANOES -
COSTA RICA - The Irazú volcano sent a panic chill in the neighbouring communities Monday night, as residents reported at least 9 tremors from the volcano during a 30 minute period. Residents say the volcano, located north of Cartago, began acting up after 7pm. None of the tremors felt were above 3 on the Richter scale. There was panic among the residents who envisioned the fresh television and newspaper images of the death and destruction of the 8.8 earthquake in Chile.
The Irazú is located next to the Turrialba volcano that has been actively spewing ash and gases for the last several months. Also fresh in the minds of Irazú residents is the death and destruction of Cinchona last January 8, 2009, that is located near the Poás volcano, a short distance from Irazú. The Irazú has recorded 23 eruptions during its history, with its first recorded eruption in 1723. The latest explosion by the colossus was in 1965 and 1963.
Given the height, geographical location, climatic condition and eruptions history, the Irazú poses the greatest volcanic threat to the Central Valley.
TSUNAMI / FREAK WAVES / ABNORMAL TIDES -
FLORIDA - High winds were causing hazardous beach conditions on Tuesday. The wind was whipping the chilly 50- to 60-degree Gulf into a frenzy. "Red flag means dangerous conditions exist. Only the strongest of swimmers should go into the water." Thanks to the weather, rip currents, which can drag swimmers offshore, exist everywhere.
But yesterday's rough surf and strong rip tides are nothing compared to what they expected in the next 24 hours.
"As the wind switches out of the north this evening, our surf is going to get picked up and it's going to turn into a wind chop. t's going to be a little bit more aggressive and a little bit more forceful." Weather officials warn people living along the coast to brace for gale force winds, which means sustained speeds of 25 mph to 35 mph and gusts reaching 46 mph - that's about the same wind speeds as a tropical storm.
TROPICAL STORMS -
No current tropical cyclones.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Meteorologists predict heavy rains but say rumours that a cyclone will hit the UAE are false. Heavy rains are being caused by shamal winds and are normal for March. But while more storms are forecast, they dismissed rumours of any cyclone hitting the country. E-mails spreading such rumours have been causing panic. The next two days will be stormy and cloudy with chances of intense local flooding, thunderstorms and strong winds. Many companies have advised their staff to go home early to avoid getting stuck in traffic or storms. Preliminary reports suggest that some houses damaged as a result of strong winds and rain require immediate rehabilitation. With strong winds gusting at times, sand and dust will blow reducing horizontal visibility over open areas and rough seas in general. February has been ONE OF THE WILDEST MONTHS in the UAE climatic calendar due to the regular winter shamals that bring occasional showery conditions to the southern Gulf. "March is often a very changeable month when Dubai can experience a wide range of weather phenomena. March has the highest expected number of rainy days, six on average and up to 18 in the past, as well as the most frequent occurrence of thunderstorms. Average rainfall for the month is 21mm but has been as high as 155 mm in the past.
HEAVY RAINS / SEVERE STORMS / FLOODING / LANDSLIDES -
AUSTRALIA - Queensland's big wet may have caused more infrastructure damage than Cyclone Larry.
HEALTH THREATS -
H1N1 could develop drug-resistance patterns of seasonal flu - If pandemic H1N1 follows the same evolutionary pathway as seasonal H1N1 strains, it will likely develop the resistance to oseltamivir (Tamiflu) that has become widespread in seasonal strains. Reassortment between pandemic and seasonal strains in areas where they co-circulate, such as China, could speed the evolution of resistance, and antiviral use must be judicious. (pdf file)
Ireland recorded almost 1,000 reactions to H1N1 vaccine - Most of the reactions were injection-site swelling, gastrointestinal problems, and flu-like symptoms. In its most recent update, the Irish Medicines Board said it has no mechanism for separating true adverse reactions from coincidental events.
Allergy season - Sneezing, congestion, and runny noses from hay fever may be lasting longer because climate change may be extending pollen seasons.
RECALLS & ALERTS:
-Castella Imports of Hauppauge, NY, is recalling Castella Chicken Soup Base because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
-T. Marzetti Company is recalling certain production codes of T. Marzetti Veggie Dips, Oak Lake Chip Dips and Great Value Chip Dips because an ingredient used in the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
-Heartland Foods, Inc. of Indianapolis is recalling all sizes/containers of COARSE GROUND BLACK PEPPER as these products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
