White Island volcano, New Zealand – small scale explosive events, intermittent ash emissions

The Watchers By Adonai – Posted on February 26, 2013

The usual style of activity at White Island, New Zealand changed over the last weekend: the active vent began producing ash. This activity ceased on Monday, February 25, 2013 and was replaced by steam and gas explosions from the active vent. GNS volcanologist Brad Scott visited the volcano and noted in his latest report that the level of volcanic tremor has increased:

Earth & Space Weather

Peru’s Sabancaya volcano shows signs of possible eruption

The Watchers By Nix – Posted on February 26, 2013

Increased activity with numerous earthquakes was reported at stratovolcano Sabancaya, Peru, suggesting possible eruption in near future. Increase in seismic activity - 536 earthquakes between February 22 and 23, 2013 – was observed along with continuous emissions from fumaroles (openings in Earth’s crust).

Earth & Space Weather

Plains Blizzard Shatters Records, Shuts Down Panhandle Travel

By Jillian Macmath, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

February 27, 2013; 6:33 AM

Cars stranded on Hillside Road in Amarillo. Courtesy @pwarminski.

A record-setting blizzard spanned Amarillo, Texas to Kansas City, Mo. Monday, leaving high snow accumulations and tall drifts across multiple states.

Thundersnow and extreme blizzard conditions were observed during the afternoon hours.

Earth & Space Weather

Hawaii Island summits hit by blast of wintery weather

Earth & Space Weather

Britain set for week of Arctic misery

Express - 2/26/13, Nathan Rao

BRITAIN faces another week of freezing Arctic misery as one of the fiercest winters for half a century years continues to bite.

This winter is shaping up to be one of the longest and coldest for 50 years with more snow, sleet and ice on the way.

Forecasters say it could be the middle of next week before any let up to the biting Siberian winds and frosty mornings.

To read the rest of this story, visit Express.co.uk.

Earth & Space Weather

Major Queensland centres brace for more flooding woes as rain system moves north

News.com.au - 2/27/13

The Mary Valley on the outskirts of Gympie is flooded. Gympie residents are bracing for the fourth flood of the year with the Mary River expected to peak. Source: Getty Images

HEARTBROKEN residents and business owners in Gympie last night were bracing for their fifth flood in two years, as the Mary River broke its banks after 200mm of rain belted the town in just 24 hours.

The weather system that has saturated the southeast continues to move north, with weather bureau forecasters warning residents in Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg, Gympie, Biloela, Kingaroy, Hervey Bay, Fraser Island, and the Sunshine Coast and adjacent hinterland that downpours of more than 200mm are possible.

To read the rest of this story, visit News.com.au.

Earth & Space Weather

More warnings on Cyclone Rusty

The Australian - 2/27/13, AAP

TROPICAL Cyclone Rusty is squatting over the Pilbara, bringing extremely heavy rainfall and very dangerous winds to a vast swathe of the West Australian coast.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a cyclone warning for coastal areas from Bidyadanga to Mardie including Port Hedland, Karratha and Dampier, and adjacent inland areas of the Pilbara, including Marble Bar, Nullagine and Millstream.

To read the rest of this story, visit The Australian.

Earth & Space Weather

Cleveland's fish kill is not pollution related

WKSU.org - 2/25/13, KEVIN NIEDERMIER

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has confirmed that a fish kill on the Cuyahoga River last weekend resulted from natural causes.Thousands of dead fish were found Sunday floating in the river in the Flats area near downtown Cleveland. ODNR official Jessie Janosik did the investigation. He says the species of fish involved led to the conclusion.

“It was all gizzard shad. When the temperature fluctuates a lot, this fish can’t handle it and they die. What happened here is that the temperature has changed a lot lately and that caused the kill.”

To listen to the clip and read the rest of this story, visit WKSU.org.

Earth & Space Weather

Flash Flood - Africa - Mozambique

Source: Gibiru.com - 2/25/13, Written by RSOE EDIS

EDIS Number: FF-20130225-38314-MOZ
Date / time: 25/02/2013 14:12:11 [UTC]
Event: Flash Flood
Area: Africa
Country: Mozambique
State/County: Southern Regions
Location: [Mainly in Gaza Province]
Number of Affected: 238000 person(s)
Number of Evacuated: 186000 person(s)
Damage level: Large

Description:

Torrential rains continue to cause flooding in large areas of Mozambique affecting 238,000 people and of those 186,000 have been forced to flee their homes for safety. Both the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers have burst their banks and humanitarian agencies are working in clusters to provide assistance and shelter to the homeless.