now
I can see the moon.**
Masahide
LARGEST QUAKES -
Live Seismograms - Worldwide (update every 30 minutes)
This morning -
None 5.0 or larger.
Yesterday -
2/20/13 -
5.5 COLIMA, MEXICO
5.2 CATAMARCA, ARGENTINA
5.0 NORTHERN MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE
5.4 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS
5.6 SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS
VOLCANOES -
Volcano Webcams
Lava continued to spew from Mount Etna in Sicily on Wednesday after an initial eruption from its south-eastern crater on Tuesday. Communities in the nearby town of Catania have not been afftected and no warnings of danger have been issued.
TROPICAL STORMS -
In the Western Pacific -
Tropical Depression 02w (Crising) was located approximately 115 nm south-southwestward of Puerto Princesa, Philippines.
In the South Indian Ocean -
Tropical Cyclone 16s (Haruna) was located approximately 380 nm southwest of Antananarivo, Madagascar - expected to track over southern Madagascar.
1 dead as tropical storm hit Mindanao - Tropical Storm 'Crising' Wreaking Havoc on The Philippines. On Feb. 19, a low pressure system designated as System 98W organized into a tropical depression and was renamed “02W". The tropical storm hit the southern Philippines Tuesday.
A flash flood caused by heavy downpour since Monday night due to tropical depression Crising left one dead in the town of New Bataan in Compostela Valley province. The flood waters in five villages are knee-deep and the lone fatality came from the village of Andap. A landslide in the village of Mambing damaged at least six hectares of lands, destroyed 33 houses, and roads. "There were no reported casualties so far. The 33 families affected by the landslides are safe."
In the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, local officials are preparing for the onslaught of Crising in the region, calling on all residents to be on alert to achieve zero casualties. "All people leaving near the mountain slopes and in low lying areas to be alert for possible flash floods and undertake precautionary measures." As of 5 p.m., local time, Crising has made landfall over the southern tip of Davao Del Sur as it moves in a west northwest direction.
Philippines - Normally typhoon-free Mindanao suffers 3rd cyclone in 2013. Weather disturbances are usually UNHEARD OF in Mindanao, especially at this time of year. But THESE ARE NO LONGER ORDINARY TIMES. Three storms have already hit the country's south in 2013, including Tropical Depression Crising which made landfall over Davao del Sur at 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Crising-induced flooding prompted evacuations in Davao. As of mid-afternoon Tuesday, at least one person was killed while two others were reported injured due to the weather disturbance. GMA News' resident meteorologist said that frequent weather disturbances in Mindanao, especially during the first few months of the year, are HIGHLY "UNUSUAL." Historically, cyclones only hit Mindanao once every 10 years on the average.
Two of the deadliest storms to strike the Philippines in the last two years, "Sendong" and "Pablo," barreled through Mindanao and AWAY FROM THE USUAL TYPHOON BELT of Samar, heading north to Luzon. Last year, the first three weather disturbances to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility - cyclones Ambo, Butchoy and Carina — all affected parts of Luzon. Auring and Bising were the first cyclones to hammer Mindanao this year.
Cyclone develops, but moves away from Mozambique - The cyclone, known as “16S” (Haruna), was about halfway between the Mozambican and Madagascan coasts at midnight on Monday.
Another cyclone brews off Western Australia coast - A severe weather system brewing off northern Australia is expected to develop into a tropical cyclone early next week. The system should become a tropical low over the next couple of days as it moves down the Western Australian coast, before strengthening into a cyclone around Monday or Tuesday.
It's currently a weak system off the Northern Territory. "Now by the end of this week we'd expect to have a significant low off the Kimberley coast, and by the end of the weekend there's a chance that could have turned into a cyclone, and if you're a betting person you would bet on that becoming a severe tropical cyclone and impacting the Pilbara." The next Tropical Cyclone to form in Australian waters will be called Rusty. Ironically, it could be heading straight for the iron ore rich Pilbara region.
Tonga lucky during Cyclone Season - Tonga has been lucky, and has so far enjoyed a largely uneventful 2012-13 South Pacific Cyclone Season, although there were cyclone alerts and gale warnings during January. As the end of February approaches, Tonga is unscathed from cyclones.
HEAVY SNOW / EXTREME COLD -
Big snowstorm could ease drought in central US - A powerful storm roaring into the Southwest Wednesday and central U.S. on Thursday, is bringing heavy snow and rain, strong winds, and the potential for severe weather — but also much-needed moisture for the drought-scorched Plains. The storm will stretch from central and southern California to the Rockies and Plains states over several days. Some areas are expecting 16 inches of snow.
EXTREME HEAT & DROUGHT / CLIMATE CHANGE -
Australia - Grampians on fresh fire alert. Farmers and residents are on high alert as an out of control bushfire, 25,000 hectares in size, continues to roar through Victoria’s west.
HEALTH THREATS -
RECALLS & ALERTS
- Precautionary Recall Of Arnold, Brownberry, Earthgrains, Farm, Harmons, L’oven Fresh, Stroehmann and Sara Lee Multi-grain Breads and Sara Lee Thin Style Buns. BBU, Inc., the parent of the Bimbo Bakeries companies, has initiated a recall due to possible presence of flexible wire caused by a faulty screen at a third party flour mill.
- MKG Provisions Recalls Atlantic Smoked Salmon - consisting of several brands of products which have the potential to be contaminated with "Listeria monocytogenes."
