is not the acme of skill.
To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.**
Sun Tzu
LARGEST QUAKES -
This morning -
None 5.0 or higher.
Yesterday -
6/5/11 -
5.0 SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND
5.0 SOUTH OF FIJI ISLANDS
5.1 FIJI REGION
5.9 FIJI REGION
6.4 WEST OF MACQUARIE ISLAND
5.5 MAULE, CHILE
5.2 NEW IRELAND REGION, P.N.G.
5.1 GUAM REGION
VOLCANOES -
VIETNAM - Mud eruption in Ninh Thuan is geological accident. After two months of research, scientists have concluded that the mud eruption phenomenon in Thuan Bac district in the central province of Ninh Thuan is a small-scale geological accident, which is related to techtonical faults. Mud eruption was reported in Ninh Thuanin in February, worrying local residents. Some farmers in Loi Hai commune, Thuan Bac district, discovered five weird earth mounds on their fields. Mud erupted from these mounds. The mud is in grey and doesn’t have a strange smell. The smallest mound is around 2 square meters and the largest is two square meters.
Experts of Ninh Thuan Province’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Federation for Water Resources Planning and Surveillance of the Central Region, made a field trip to inspect the mounds. In March, a senior official from the Institute for Geology of Vietnam said that mud eruption in Ninh Thuan is a normal geothermal phenomenon and is not dangerous. However, scientists have recently confirmed that mud eruption phenomenon in Ninh Thuan is a small-scale geological accident, which is related to the operation of tectonical faults and caused by exogenous factors like rain water and underground water. Of the five mud mounds, two appeared in February 2011, two appeared six months ago and one has been there for a long time. The five mounds are located on an area of 1,700 sq.m. Surveys show that each mound has diameter from 1.6 to 3m and 5-6m deep. The mud deposit is estimated at 30,400 tons, which is enough for a tourism site with mud bathing service to operate for ten years.
However, these mounds have become dangerous traps since they are located on the field. Locals said that some cattle die in the mud holes. Researchers said that mud will continue erupting at this site, especially when there are showers. The site is only 30-40km from the site of the Ninh Thuan 1 and 2 Nuclear Power Plants.
(photo)
Vanuatu volcano access closed after explosions - Explosions and emissions have forced Vanuatu officials to close public access to Mount Yasur volcano on Tanna Island. Vanuatu's meteorological and geohazards department says there have been a series of strong explosions and emissions from all three of Yasur's active vents. There is no immediate threat to surrounding villages. "We decided to move from level two to level three because the explosions started to be very, very powerful and a lot of ash started to fall around the crater rim. It is quite dangerous because of tourists going over there, because now we have between ten and 50 people every day visiting Tanna Island because it's a very accessible volcano." (photo)
HAWAII - Scientists on the Big Island are tracking the buildup of a raised lava lake in Puu Oo crater on Kilauea volcano’s east rift zone. The lava lake, which now rises above the floor of the crater to a height of about 33 feet, resembles an above-ground swimming pool. Puu Oo’s floor is about 170 feet below its crater rim. On Friday, the observatory released a video that tracks the formation of the lava lake over a two-month period.
Lava drained from Puu Oo on March 5, when the crater’s floor deflated and collapsed during the Kamoamoa fissure eruption. The thermal camera, which began recording on March 18 — shortly after the Kamoamoa fissure eruption paused — depicts an abrupt return of lava to the crater floor on March 26. Since then, lava refilling has continued in “fits and starts,” contributing to the ongoing development of the lava lake. Lava is being funneled into the lake through a vent near the western edge of the lake. According to recent reports, small changes in the lake’s levels are prompting frequent overflows, which, in turn is building the surrounding levee higher as lava cools and hardens. The buildup is further pronouncing the lake’s perched appearance.
The lake’s recent lava levels are as described as “fairly stable,” with “nearly regular 15-minute cycles of abrupt draw-down followed by slow refilling” tied to a “tremor burst and a small tilt jump." On May 20, a new vent began erupting on the western edge of the crater’s floor, also sending fresh lava into the lava-drained area around a raised lava lake. The Puu Oo-Kupaianaha eruption of Kilauea — ongoing since 1983 — ranks as the MOST VOLUMINOUS OUTPOURING OF LAVA IN THE PAST FIVE CENTURIES on the volcano’s east rift zone. (video)
TROPICAL STORMS -
No current tropical storms.
FORMATION OF A SIGNIFICANT TROPICAL CYCLONE WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS IS POSSIBLE APPROXIMATELY 385 NM SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF ACAPULCO, MEXICO.
Tropical depression to form in eastern Pacific, could become a hurricane - The NHC maintains a high chance, or 60%, of development into a tropical cyclone in the next 48 hours. All of the computer forecast models bring the storm to the west coast of Mexico.
SEVERE RAIN STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES -
VIETNAM - Ministry raises alarm for reservoir safety. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is urging the Government to fund its plan to ensure the safety of reservoirs during this year's rainy season. Rainfall is predicted to be about 40-60% above normal in the first two months of this year's rainy season.
More than $104 million is needed to repair and upgrade the country's reservoirs, the ministry says. The reservoirs supply water for agricultural and industrial production and for daily use, as well as generate electricity, but their role in controlling flooding is also of great importance. However, most of the reservoirs date from the 1970s and 80s and are in a degraded condition due to a lack of funds for maintenance.
The condition of the reservoirs now threatens the safety of people in the lowlands during the rainy season. The department has therefore issued an instruction to take steps toward ensuring the safety of the reservoirs, including upgrading drainage systems, improving the capacity of reservoir management officials, and raising community awareness to protect the reservoir systems. Inspections of reservoirs in the northern region and Central Highlands were ordered, with results to be reported to the ministry by the end of this month, while the central and southern regions were given until August 31 to report back and work out timely measures to deal with flooding in the coming rainy season.
EXTREME HEAT & DROUGHT / WILDFIRES / CLIMATE CHANGE -
Arizona forest fire threatens town of Greer and others - Fire crews are battling to contain the massive blaze in Arizona that is threatening mountain communities in the east of the state. The fire, covering 225 sq miles (583 sq km) is being described as the third largest in the state's history. Smoke from the burning pine forests can be seen in neighbouring New Mexico and Colorado. The fire, a rapidly moving blaze was described as a "frightening sight". The fire was expected to grow, given a forecast for winds and lightning.
Most residents of the resort town of Greer, in the White Mountains, left on Saturday, packing their belongings in to vehicles as what is being called the "Wallow Fire" moved closer. On Sunday, the town was shrouded in smoke. The towns of Alpine and Nutrioso were also menaced by the fire and residents who had not already left were standing by to evacuate. Fire crews were lighting lines of smaller controlled fires in an effort to contain the advance of the wind-driven main blaze.
