The real service to the state is to detect it in embryo."
Isaac Asimov
LARGEST QUAKES so far today -
5.0 MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES
Yesterday, 1/11/14 -
5.1 RYUKYU ISLANDS, JAPAN
5.5 GUATEMALA
5.0 VANUATU
1/10/14 -
5.3 KURIL ISLANDS
5.7 KERMADEC ISLANDS REGION
5.0 FIJI REGION
Cuba - 5.1 earthquake sways buildings in Havana. A 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck in the Straits of Florida off Cuba on Thursday, startling office workers in medium-rise buildings.
VOLCANOES -
Mount Sinabung, a volcano in Indonesia's North Sumatra province, erupted 24 times Friday, shooting a column of ash about 4,000 metres into the sky. Thousands more evacuated from Indonesian villages.
Residents in a mountainside village in Indonesia continued to flee their homes Saturday as a volcano that had lain dormant for more than 400 years erupted for the second time this week. An estimated 25,000 people have now been displaced to temporary evacuation centres as a result of Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra, which has erupted more than 50 times in one night earlier this month. Eleven people are thought to have been killed, with hundreds more falling ill after breathing in dangerous gases and ash.
Parts of villages remain blanketed by volcanic ash while some buildings have been entirely destroyed. The village of Sigarang Garang has been buried by debris and mud following an eruption on Sunday morning. The few remaining residents were pictured shepherding livestock and children away from the volcano towards one of the many nearby shelters. (many photos)
Guatemala volcanic eruption prompts small evacuation. Guatemala authorities say lava flowing from the Pacaya volcano near Guatemala City is prompting the evacuation of those living nearby.
TROPICAL STORMS -
Current tropical storms - maps and details.
* In the South Indian Ocean -
- Tropical cyclone Colin is located approximately 745 nm south-southeast of Diego Garcia.
- Tropcial cyclone Ian is located approximately 618 nm south of Pago Pago.
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Tropical Cyclone Ian Hits Tonga - Strong winds, heavy rains and widespread flooding have lashed Tonga as the most powerful tropical storm to hit the tiny South Pacific nation in MORE THAN A DECADE. One person is reported dead. Communications to the Ha'apai island group in Tonga's north have been cut. Reports are coming in of widespread destruction. Ian recently intensified into a Category Five storm, but struck as a Category Four cyclone, bringing winds estimated at 200 kilometres per hour.
The South Pacific nation of Tonga was lashed by powerful cyclone Ian on Saturday, destroying homes and ripping roofs from churches and other public buildings.
HEAVY SNOW / EXTREME COLD -
Great Lakes Ice Cover at HIGHEST LEVEL IN 20 YEARS. This week's intense Arctic cold blast has brought the highest ice coverage on the Great Lakes in twenty years.
EXTREME HEAT & DROUGHT / WILDFIRES -
Australia - Perth bushfire. One dead and 27 homes lost.
Perth has sweated through their HOTTEST NIGHT EVER.
Most of Australia baked with UNUSUALLY HIGH TEMPERATURES through the end of 2013, the HOTTEST YEAR ON RECORD for the country.
'GLOBAL WEIRDNESS' / CLIMATE CHANGE -
Arctic cyclones more common than previously thought - From 2000 to 2010, about 1,900 cyclones churned across the top of the world each year, leaving warm water and air in their wakes.
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