Monday, June 30, 2008

A Major Earthquake In Israel,Only A Tremor Away

Infolive.tv interviewed Dr. Avi Shapira chairman of the National Earthquake Preparedness Committee about recent reports claiming a major earthquake could hit northern Israel at any time. While Shapira attempted to downplay the report, he admitted that an earthquake in the country is a tangible possibility and advised the government and organizations to prepare.To watch the video click on the URL below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH26byc_MAY
As in the days of Noah...


Israeli authorities warn hospitals to prepare for earthquake

A strong earthquake could soon rock Lebanon and parts of Israel, authorities said on Monday, urging health officials in northern Israel to make preparations for such an event."The probability of an earthquake of a magnitude of up to six on the Richter scale, originating in Lebanon and being felt in Israel has increased," the health ministry said in a letter sent to medical officials in northern Israel.Since February, abnormal seismic activity has been noted in southern Lebanon, which had suffered some 500 minor earthquakes in a three-month period, health ministry director-general Avi Yisraeli said in the letter."In May, the tremors have become more intense and were felt in northern Israel," he said adding that "should an earthquake of such magnitude hit northern Israel it may cause substantial infrastructural damage in the area.""All medical facilities and organisations must do everything they can to enhance the level of readiness," Yisraeli said in the letter published by the ministry on Monday.Some seismological experts point out quakes historically have rocked the region every eight decades, and the last one was just about 81 years ago. About 300 people were killed in Jerusalem and nearby Jericho by the July 11, 1927 temblor.A similar quake measuring seven on the Richter scale and with an epicentre in the Hula Valley, today in northern Israel, devastated the town of Safed and killed some 4,000 people in 1837.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080630115706.apchqias&show_article=1
As in the days of Noah...

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Earthquake Lights in Los Angeles 6/28/2008

"NOW UPDATED AT 2:30PM - The Earthquake Lights NEAR Los Angeles, California this morning (6-28-08) was seen from around 3AM to sunrise. I don't know how accurate this might be but just wanted to post this here to let you guys know.This is a view of some of it...
UPDATE AT 2:30PMIT'S CONFIRMED - Earthquake LightsIf YOU seen the weird like lights in the sky this morning.. yes we had earthquake lights here in the Los Angles, CA area. It was seen as far as 300mi in the southeast side of the sky. (looking southeast) So far there have been over 5,000 reports of this (Earthquake Lights). This is Most likely discharges from the earth.. Those (weird lights) are precursors to LARGE quakes...

PS:Remember the strange colorful lights seen in China over Chengdu the day before the 7.9 quake hit and even the same day ,30 minutes prior to the quake...?
I think California is overdue for a 7+ quake very soon....We have to watch and see....
As in the days of Noah...

Second quake rattles Indian islands

NEW DELHI,India-A 6.1-magnitude earthquake has struck off India's Andaman Islands. It is the second earthquake to hit the area in as many days.Jeya Chandran of the Indian Meteorological Department said Saturday there were no reported injuries or damage.The quake was centered roughly 150 kilometers (88 miles)southwest of the Andaman capital,Port Blair.The Indian Meteorological Department says the quake struck at about 6:25 p.m. (12:55 GMT) Saturday at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles).Chandran says no tsunami alert has been issued.On Friday, a 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck some 75 miles southwest of Port Blair. Local police say there was no reported damage or injuries.
As in the days of Noah....

Friday, June 27, 2008

PACIFIC RING OF FIRE RECENT QUAKES

4.9 Mb - TONGA
Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude
4.9 Mb
Date-Time
27 Jun 2008 23:34:50 UTC
28 Jun 2008 12:34:50 near epicenter
27 Jun 2008 17:34:50 standard time in your timezone
Location
15.064S 173.880W
Depth
145 km
Distances
269 km (167 miles) WSW (238 degrees) of APIA, Samoa
353 km (220 miles) WSW (255 degrees) of PAGO PAGO, American Samoa
399 km (248 miles) N (2 degrees) of Neiafu, Tonga
2608 km (1620 miles) W (272 degrees) of PAPEETE, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 9.8 km; Vertical 17.5 km
Parameters
Nph = 93; Dmin = 910.3 km; Rmss = 0.50 seconds; Gp = 126°M-type = Mb; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tudc

5.0 Mb - NIAS REGION, INDONESIA
Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude
5.0 Mb
Date-Time
27 Jun 2008 14:16:21 UTC
27 Jun 2008 21:16:21 near epicenter
27 Jun 2008 08:16:21 standard time in your timezone
Location
0.247N 96.698E
Depth
35 km
Distances
284 km (176 miles) SW (235 degrees) of Sibolga, Sumatra, Indonesia
427 km (266 miles) WNW (288 degrees) of Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia
430 km (267 miles) SSW (210 degrees) of Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia
642 km (399 miles) WSW (240 degrees) of KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 10.3 km; Vertical 0.0 km
Parameters
Nph = 29; Dmin = 709.0 km; Rmss = 0.81 seconds; Gp = 133°M-type = Mb; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tube
4.6 Mb - FIJI REGION
Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude
4.6 Mb
Date-Time
27 Jun 2008 04:42:29 UTC
27 Jun 2008 16:42:29 near epicenter
26 Jun 2008 22:42:29 standard time in your timezone
Location
20.034S 178.161W
Depth
564 km
Distances
329 km (204 miles) WNW (292 degrees) of NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga
465 km (289 miles) WSW (250 degrees) of Neiafu, Tonga
3019 km (1876 miles) W (260 degrees) of PAPEETE, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 9.3 km; Vertical 10.4 km
Parameters
Nph = 96; Dmin = 473.1 km; Rmss = 0.65 seconds; Gp = 122°M-type = Mb; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tuak
4.9 Mb - TONGA REGION
Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude
4.9 Mb
Date-Time
27 Jun 2008 02:16:07 UTC
27 Jun 2008 14:16:07 near epicenter
26 Jun 2008 20:16:07 standard time in your timezone
Location
22.234S 174.955W
Depth
96 km
Distances
124 km (77 miles) SSE (167 degrees) of NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga
411 km (256 miles) SSW (194 degrees) of Neiafu, Tonga
2702 km (1679 miles) WSW (255 degrees) of PAPEETE, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 15.8 km; Vertical 24.8 km
Parameters
Nph = 37; Dmin = 884.6 km; Rmss = 0.89 seconds; Gp = 122°M-type = Mb; Version = 6
Event ID
US 2008tuag
6.1 Mw - TONGA
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
6.1 Mw
Date-Time
26 Jun 2008 21:19:15 UTC
27 Jun 2008 10:19:15 near epicenter
26 Jun 2008 15:19:15 standard time in your timezone
Location
20.735S 173.354W
Depth
36 km
Distances
201 km (125 miles) ENE (77 degrees) of NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga
241 km (150 miles) SSE (164 degrees) of Neiafu, Tonga
406 km (252 miles) WSW (242 degrees) of Niue Island
2522 km (1567 miles) WSW (258 degrees) of PAPEETE, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 4.9 km; Vertical 10.5 km
Parameters
Nph = 345; Dmin = 773.1 km; Rmss = 0.78 seconds; Gp = 21°M-type = Mw; Version = 8
Event ID
US 2008ttck ***This event has been revised.
6.5 Mw - TONGA
Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude
6.5 Mw
Date-Time
26 Jun 2008 21:19:13 UTC
27 Jun 2008 10:19:13 near epicenter
26 Jun 2008 15:19:13 standard time in your timezone
Location
20.686S 173.363W
Depth
20 km
Distances
201 km (125 miles) ENE (75 degrees) of NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga
235 km (146 miles) SSE (164 degrees) of Neiafu, Tonga
405 km (251 miles) WSW (242 degrees) of Niue Island
2522 km (1567 miles) WSW (258 degrees) of PAPEETE, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 8.6 km; Vertical 32.5 km
Parameters
Nph = 115; Dmin = 768.0 km; Rmss = 0.81 seconds; Gp = 54°M-type = Mw; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008ttck ***This event supersedes event AT00451515.
4.7 Mb - MAUG ISLANDS REG, N. MARIANA IS.
Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude
4.7 Mb
Date-Time
22 Jun 2008 03:50:18 UTC
22 Jun 2008 13:50:18 near epicenter
21 Jun 2008 21:50:18 standard time in your timezone
Location
19.315N 145.480E
Depth
165 km
Distances
135 km (84 miles) NNW (347 degrees) of Pagan, Northern Mariana Islands
458 km (285 miles) N (357 degrees) of SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands
1875 km (1165 miles) SSE (154 degrees) of Hamamatsu, Honshu, Japan
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 10.4 km; Vertical 14.9 km
Parameters
Nph = 66; Dmin = 636.4 km; Rmss = 0.53 seconds; Gp = 133°M-type = Mb; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tpak
For updates, maps, and technical information, see:
Event Page or U.S.G.S. Earthquake Hazards Program
National Earthquake Information CenterU.S. Geological Survey
http://neic.usgs.gov/
As in the days of Noah....

ANDAMAN ISLANDS--INDIA REGION RECENT QUAKES

5.1 Mb - ANDAMAN ISLANDS, INDIA REGION
Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude
5.1 Mb
Date-Time
28 Jun 2008 04:35:06 UTC
28 Jun 2008 10:35:06 near epicenter
27 Jun 2008 22:35:06 standard time in your timezone
Location
10.924N 91.808E
Depth
35 km
Distances
130 km (81 miles) SW (231 degrees) of Port Blair, Andaman Islands, India
367 km (228 miles) NNW (332 degrees) of Misha, Nicobar Islands, India
804 km (499 miles) SW (216 degrees) of YANGON (Rangoon), Myanmar
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 11.4 km; Vertical 0.0 km
Parameters
Nph = 35; Dmin = 999.9 km; Rmss = 1.12 seconds; Gp = 100°M-type = Mb; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tvas
5.0 Mb - ANDAMAN ISLANDS, INDIA REGION
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
5.0 Mb
Date-Time
28 Jun 2008 03:26:53 UTC
28 Jun 2008 09:26:53 near epicenter
27 Jun 2008 21:26:53 standard time in your timezone
Location
10.877N 91.942E
Depth
35 km
Distances
123 km (76 miles) SW (225 degrees) of Port Blair, Andaman Islands, India
356 km (221 miles) NNW (334 degrees) of Misha, Nicobar Islands, India
799 km (497 miles) SW (215 degrees) of YANGON (Rangoon), Myanmar
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 8.7 km; Vertical 0.0 km
Parameters
Nph = 48; Dmin = 999.9 km; Rmss = 0.94 seconds; Gp = 97°M-type = Mb; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tvam
4.9 Mb - ANDAMAN ISLANDS, INDIA REGION
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
4.9 Mb
Date-Time
27 Jun 2008 19:19:51 UTC
28 Jun 2008 01:19:51 near epicenter
27 Jun 2008 13:19:51 standard time in your timezone
Location
10.898N 91.859E
Depth
43 km
Distances
128 km (80 miles) SW (228 degrees) of Port Blair, Andaman Islands, India
362 km (225 miles) NNW (333 degrees) of Misha, Nicobar Islands, India
803 km (499 miles) SW (216 degrees) of YANGON (Rangoon), Myanmar
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 15.6 km; Vertical 22.7 km
Parameters
Nph = 35; Dmin = 999.9 km; Rmss = 0.95 seconds; Gp = 104°M-type = Mb; Version = 6
Event ID
US 2008tucd
5.1 Mb - ANDAMAN ISLANDS, INDIA REGION
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
5.1 Mb
Date-Time
27 Jun 2008 18:05:14 UTC
28 Jun 2008 00:05:14 near epicenter
27 Jun 2008 12:05:14 standard time in your timezone
Location
10.881N 91.874E
Depth
31 km
Distances
128 km (80 miles) SW (227 degrees) of Port Blair, Andaman Islands, India
360 km (224 miles) NNW (333 degrees) of Misha, Nicobar Islands, India
803 km (499 miles) SW (216 degrees) of YANGON (Rangoon), Myanmar
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 11.4 km; Vertical 43.7 km
Parameters
Nph = 40; Dmin = 999.9 km; Rmss = 1.08 seconds; Gp = 97°M-type = Mb; Version = 6
Event ID
US 2008tubx
5.7 Mw - ANDAMAN ISLANDS, INDIA REGION
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
5.7 Mw
Date-Time
27 Jun 2008 13:07:10 UTC
27 Jun 2008 19:07:10 near epicenter
27 Jun 2008 07:07:10 standard time in your timezone
Location
10.914N 91.786E
Depth
30 km
Distances
133 km (83 miles) SW (231 degrees) of Port Blair, Andaman Islands, India
368 km (228 miles) NNW (332 degrees) of Misha, Nicobar Islands, India
806 km (501 miles) SW (216 degrees) of YANGON (Rangoon), Myanmar
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 7.6 km; Vertical 0.0 km
Parameters
Nph = 76; Dmin = 999.9 km; Rmss = 1.11 seconds; Gp = 46°M-type = Mw; Version = 8
Event ID
US 2008tua7 ***This event has been revised.
6.1 Mb - ANDAMAN ISLANDS, INDIA REGION
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
6.1 Mb
Date-Time
27 Jun 2008 13:07:10 UTC
27 Jun 2008 19:07:10 near epicenter
27 Jun 2008 07:07:10 standard time in your timezone
Location
10.914N 91.786E
Depth
30 km
Distances
133 km (83 miles) SW (231 degrees) of Port Blair, Andaman Islands, India
368 km (228 miles) NNW (332 degrees) of Misha, Nicobar Islands, India
806 km (501 miles) SW (216 degrees) of YANGON (Rangoon), Myanmar
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 7.6 km; Vertical 0.0 km
Parameters
Nph = 76; Dmin = 999.9 km; Rmss = 1.11 seconds; Gp = 46°M-type = Mb; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tua7
6.7 Mw - ANDAMAN ISLANDS, INDIA REGION
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
6.7 Mw
Date-Time
27 Jun 2008 11:40:16 UTC
27 Jun 2008 17:40:16 near epicenter
27 Jun 2008 05:40:16 standard time in your timezone
Location
11.031N 91.906E
Depth
35 km
Distances
115 km (71 miles) SW (232 degrees) of Port Blair, Andaman Islands, India
373 km (232 miles) NNW (335 degrees) of Misha, Nicobar Islands, India
788 km (490 miles) SW (216 degrees) of YANGON (Rangoon), Myanmar
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 5.8 km; Vertical 0.0 km
Parameters
Nph = 90; Dmin = 999.9 km; Rmss = 0.96 seconds; Gp = 43°M-type = Mw; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tuay ***This event supersedes event AT00456681.
For updates, maps, and technical information, see:
Event Page or U.S.G.S. Earthquake Hazards Program
National Earthquake Information CenterU.S. Geological Survey
As in the days of Noah...

MAG 6.7 Quake hits remote Indian islands, no tsunami alert

NEW DELHI-A strong earthquake shook India's remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands but no tsunami alert was issued and there were no reports of damage, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services said on Friday. "The magnitude is 6.3 and it's centred in the Andaman Islands," Srinivas Kumar, an official at the centre, told Reuters."We have not issued any tsunami warning so far and there is no need for widespread evacuation required because it's 6.3. We are studying the situation."The islands lie about 1,200 km (750 miles) off India's east coast.The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was magnitude 6.7 and occurred at 1140 GMT (7:40 a.m. EDT). It was centered 71 miles southwest of Port Blair, capital of the Andaman Islands, and was 21.7 miles deep.USGS later said an aftershock of 6.1 magnitude and 30 km deep struck at 1307 GMT (9:07 a.m. EDT). The epicenter was under the seabed near the location of the earlier quake.Hundreds of people were out on the roads in Port Blair, officials and witnesses said. People ran out of their houses and telephone lines were jammed."There is no news of loss of life or property till now," said Casper James, a senior disaster management official in the islands.Police were asking people not to panic and return to their homes."Everything in my office started to shake and we ran out as fast as possible," said Kumar Avinash, a local resident.
As in the days of Noah....

Magnitude 6.7 quake strikes off India islands: USGS

WASHINGTON-A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck on Friday off India's Andaman Islands, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.The quake was centered 71 miles southwest of Port Blair, Andaman Islands, and was 21.7 miles deep, the USGS said. http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSN2736471920080627
As in the days of Noah...

Chileans return to volcano town

Homeless quake dogs rescued by Chinese woman

CHENGDU, China-The white short-haired mutt was found dragging his crushed hind legs through rubble-clogged streets after the massive earthquake devastated China's Sichuan province.The shy terrier mix was lucky to live through the May 12 quake that killed nearly 70,000 people. He was even more fortunate to survive the squads of police and soldiers who were gunning down homeless canines for fear they would spread disease in the disaster's aftermath.But his luckiest day was when he was picked up by Chen Yunlian.Now he's among some 100 "quake dogs" rescued by the former businesswoman, who has created something extremely rare in China: a private animal shelter.For 11 years, the 60-year-old Chen has been rescuing strays off the streets. She now cares for about 900 dogs and 100 cats in her shelter built among rice paddies on the southern outskirts of Chengdu, the provincial capital."I think that dogs and humans have the same right to live. They're equals," she told The Associated Press as a brown brindle hound missing a front leg jumped up on her and snuggled his snout in her lap.Chen's views about animal rights are radical in a country where dogs can just as easily be a pet or the main ingredient in a spicy hotpot. Although dog ownership has grown in popularity as the Chinese become wealthier, many people don't have the strong emotional attachment to the animals that's common in the West.Chen is also on the vanguard of a new movement in China of citizens who start their own groups to deal with social problems that were once mostly handled-or ignored-by the Communist Party-led state.The government and party-wary about anything that might challenge their monopoly on power-is still trying to figure out how much of a role it wants people like Chen to play.She was reluctant to discuss the matter. "I love my country and government. I want it to become even stronger and more prosperous," said the soft-spoken woman, dressed in a baggy white T-shirt and black pajama-like pants with white polka dots.Chen calls her shelter "Ai Zhi Jia" or the "House of Love." A tall metal fence surrounds the facility off a narrow tree-lined road about a 45-minute drive from downtown Chengdu. From the street, a cacophony of yelps, barks, growls, whimpers and whines can be heard. The air is filled with the smell of dry dog food, fur and the faint scent of urine and feces that's constantly being scooped up by a staff of eight.The main building in the shady complex is a concrete U-shaped structure divided into rooms that serve as kennels. Each has a large front concrete patio that's enclosed by a knee-high wall and wire fencing. Dogs and cats are also kept in a network of recently built cages and dog runs. Dogs with a history of good behavior are allowed to roam the wide square-shaped walkway within the complex.There are poodles, a couple of collies and an elderly, forlorn-looking Afghan hound named "Ah-foo" with clumps of missing hair and large polyps growing on his chest and legs. But the majority of the dogs are classic Chinese mutts: terrier-Pekingnese-pug-poodle mixes with squatty bodies, short legs, curly tails and pointy ears. Most looked healthy, with few signs of skin disease or digestive problems common in such conditions."Chinese people prefer purebred dogs and the mixes probably won't be adopted," said Chen, adding that she cares for every dog until it dies. "But mutts are the most intelligent and the most affectionate. They really appreciate you."One of her superstar mutts from the quake zone was a small, brown, short-haired terrier with alert brown eyes named "Qianjin," or "Forward." Rescuers said Forward and another dog—a shelty named "Guai Guai"—belonged to an elderly woman who was partially buried in rubble at a Buddhist temple that collapsed in the city of Pengzhou. The dogs stayed with their master while she was trapped for 196 hours."The rescuers told me the dogs were drinking rain water, then they would lick their owner's lips to help keep her from getting too dehydrated," Chen said.When the 7.9-magnitude quake struck, Chen said she wanted to race to the hard-hit cities-most an hour or two away from Chengdu-but she had to wait 10 days because of road closures and restrictions on traffic.When she finally got in, she cruised the streets in her van looking for homeless animals or asking locals if any pets needed rescue.In the city of Guangyuan, she found the white terrier mutt with the mangled legs. Like other dogs with crippled hind legs at her shelter, the dog-whose name was unknown-now walks with the aid of a wheelchair-like device made of PVC pipes. It's a design a shelter worker copied from an American Web site.Only a few of the quake dogs were injured and the rest were in good health, she said.A month and a half since the quake, Chen still gets calls from people with quake strays. During an AP interview, Chen's cell phone began ringing. It was someone from the hard-hit town of Beichuan."Our van is broken now so we can't go far," she told the caller. "How many dogs do you have? We can take them in if you can help us arrange a vehicle."Chen said her shelter is close to full capacity and her budget isn't big enough for many more dogs. She said she spends $8,743 each month on dog food, salaries and supplies. She takes donations but pays for much of it from her own pocket, she said.Chen, who made a fortune as a distributor of cosmetics and other consumer goods in the 1990s, was on her way to see a client in 1997 when she saw a stray dog in the street. The dog made eye contact and something clicked, she said."He looked so sad. I said to him, 'Are you lost you silly little dog?'" she said. "I decided to take care of him and I missed my meeting. I named him Ben Ben."She started taking in other strays, and her obsession with caring for homeless animals eventually eclipsed her interest in business and she retired. She sold her cars and properties to finance the expanding operation. She moved the shelter to the current location, which she rents, two years ago."I started down a road," she said, "and I couldn't turn around."
On the Net:
Shelter site in Mandarin, http://www.cdazj.com/
As in the days of Noah...

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Arctic Volcanoes Found Active at Unprecedented Depths

Buried under thick ice and frigid water, volcanic explosions are shaking the Arctic Ocean floor at depths previously thought impossible, according to a new study.Using robot-operated submarines, researchers have found deposits of glassy rock—evidence of eruptions—scattered over more than 5 square miles (15 square kilometers) of the seabed.Explosive volcanic eruptions were not thought to be possible at depths below the critical pressure for steam formation, or 2 miles (3,000 meters). The deposits, however, were found at seafloor depths greater than 2.5 miles (4 kilometers)."This kind of implosive seismicity is rare anywhere on Earth," said study author Robert Sohn, a geophysicist at the Massachusetts-based Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.The study appears today in the Journal Nature.
Anatomy of a Mid-Ocean Ridge
Seismic activity was previously detected in the same region in 1999, along the Gakkel Ridge—a 1,200-mile-long (2,000-kilometer-long) mid-ocean mountain range north of Greenland. Hundreds of earthquakes were observed over a nine-month period, with magnitudes between 4 and 6.This earthquake swarm was the largest in recorded history along a spreading mid-ocean ridge and prompted researchers to return to the area for further investigation.In 2007 Sohn and his team stumbled across the glassy pyroclastic rock deposits while searching for hydrothermal vent fields in the Gakkel Ridge.Powerful eruptions sent a plume of carbon dioxide, helium, and liquid lava up into the Arctic waters. When the material cooled, rock debris fell to the ocean floor, he explained.Mid-ocean ridges are formed as hot molten material from inside Earth seeps into and fills the opening between two spreading tectonic plates. The Gakkel Ridge is considered an ultraslow spreading ridge because its plates spread at a rate of 0.4 inch (1 centimeter) a year.
Ultraslow spreading ridge volcanic activity is infrequent, but the new findings of widespread rock debris suggest it could be exceptionally violent when it occurs, Sohn said.Such violence could be the result of a build-up of carbon dioxide underneath the ocean floor.If there was a bubble of carbon dioxide under the surface, the pressure would have built and eventually shattered through an earthquake-weakened crust, resulting in a volcanic eruption, Sohn explained.Sohn's team suggests that the amount of carbon dioxide would need to be at least ten times more than any other documented in seafloor samples in order to produce debris scattered over such a large area.
Building a Body of Evidence
David Clague is a geologist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in Moss Landing, California."Pyroclastic eruptions have been documented along mid-ocean ridges [particularly in the Pacific], but this is the deepest site where they have been found, and also one of the larger deposits," he said.The findings show the eruptions were from bubble-burst activity but not that they were highly explosive, said Clague, who was not involved in Sohn's study."The dispersal of the particles does not necessarily indicate that the eruptions were highly energetic, only that the eruption heated the surrounding seawater and the rising plume of heated water carried the lava fragments upwards where currents could disperse them," Clague said."The important thing is that they have extended previous findings of widespread pyroclastic eruptions on mid-ocean ridges to greater depth and much slower spreading ridges."
As in the days of Noah....

KURIL ISLANDS RECENT QUAKES

4.4 Mb - KURIL ISLANDS
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
4.4 Mb
Date-Time
24 Jun 2008 12:09:08 UTC
25 Jun 2008 00:09:08 near epicenter
24 Jun 2008 06:09:08 standard time in your timezone
Location
46.639N 153.283E
Depth
10 km
Distances
446 km (277 miles) ENE (68 degrees) of Kuril'sk, Kuril Islands
496 km (308 miles) SSW (206 degrees) of Severo-Kuril'sk, Kuril Islands, Russia
803 km (499 miles) E (89 degrees) of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia
1660 km (1032 miles) NE (39 degrees) of TOKYO, Japan
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 27.3 km; Vertical 0.0 km
Parameters
Nph = 21; Dmin = 804.5 km; Rmss = 1.29 seconds; Gp = 180°M-type = Mb; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tra1
5.7 Mw - KURIL ISLANDS
Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude
5.7 Mw
Date-Time
23 Jun 2008 12:32:13 UTC
24 Jun 2008 00:32:13 near epicenter
23 Jun 2008 06:32:13 standard time in your timezone
Location
46.632N 153.133E
Depth
10 km
Distances
435 km (270 miles) ENE (67 degrees) of Kuril'sk, Kuril Islands
791 km (492 miles) E (89 degrees) of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia
1651 km (1026 miles) NE (38 degrees) of TOKYO, Japan
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 10.4 km; Vertical 0.0 km
Parameters
Nph = 60; Dmin = 791.8 km; Rmss = 1.10 seconds; Gp = 86°M-type = Mw; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tqa1 ***This event supersedes event AT00422433.
4.4 Mb - KURIL ISLANDS
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
4.4 Mb
Date-Time
22 Jun 2008 05:01:52 UTC
22 Jun 2008 17:01:52 near epicenter
21 Jun 2008 23:01:52 standard time in your timezone
Location
48.894N 155.184E
Depth
62 km
Distances
210 km (130 miles) SSW (199 degrees) of Severo-Kuril'sk, Kuril Islands, Russia
519 km (322 miles) SSW (209 degrees) of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, Russia
1935 km (1203 miles) NE (36 degrees) of TOKYO, Japan
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 25.6 km; Vertical 0.0 km
Parameters
Nph = 13; Dmin = 501.4 km; Rmss = 0.65 seconds; Gp = 201°M-type = Mb; Version = 6
Event ID
US 2008tpas
4.4 Mb - KURIL ISLANDS
Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude
4.4 Mb
Date-Time
21 Jun 2008 21:09:10 UTC
22 Jun 2008 09:09:10 near epicenter
21 Jun 2008 15:09:10 standard time in your timezone
Location
45.040N 148.843E
Depth
82 km
Distances
78 km (49 miles) ESE (106 degrees) of Kuril'sk, Kuril Islands
423 km (263 miles) NE (56 degrees) of Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan
1294 km (804 miles) NE (34 degrees) of TOKYO, Japan
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 23.2 km; Vertical 23.0 km
Parameters
Nph = 17; Dmin = 517.6 km; Rmss = 1.20 seconds; Gp = 176°M-type = Mb; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tncm
For updates, maps, and technical information, see:
Event Page or U.S.G.S. Earthquake Hazards Program
National Earthquake Information CenterU.S. Geological Survey
As in the days of Noah...

China quake death toll to 'exceed 80,000'

BEIJING, China-The death toll from last month's massive earthquake in southwestern China is expected to exceed 80,000, state media reported Tuesday.Officially 69,181 people are dead with another missing 18,498, according to authorities."Because it is presumed that the missing people are already dead, the total death toll of this disaster is likely to exceed 80,000," said Vice Premier Hui Liangyu.If all the missing are dead, then the death toll would top 87,000.The magnitude 7.9 quake devastated Sichuan province and surrounding areas on May 12, leaving more than 5 million people homeless.On Monday China reported it had fired 12 officials for dereliction of duty and misuse of earthquake relief. Supervision Minister Ma Wen said her department had received 1,178 complaints involving officials' response to the May 12 quake in Sichuan province and had dealt with more than 1,000 of them.Administrative punishments were handed out to 43 officials, the most serious being removal from office, Ma said at a news conference. She didn't specify when the officials had been fired. http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/06/24/quake.toll/index.html?eref=ib_topstories
As in the days of Noah....

PACIFIC RING OF FIRE RECENT QUAKES

PLEASE NOTE:Magnitudes of these recent quakes....
5.4 Mw - HOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION
Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude
5.4 Mw
Date-Time
25 Jun 2008 23:37:13 UTC
26 Jun 2008 08:37:13 near epicenter
25 Jun 2008 17:37:13 standard time in your timezone
Location
41.955N 142.410E
Depth
67 km
Distances
140 km (87 miles) E (81 degrees) of Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan
153 km (95 miles) SE (145 degrees) of Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
179 km (111 miles) NNE (25 degrees) of Hachinohe, Honshu, Japan
736 km (457 miles) NNE (17 degrees) of TOKYO, Japan
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 5.9 km; Vertical 8.9 km
Parameters
Nph = 204; Dmin = 556.4 km; Rmss = 0.79 seconds; Gp = 115°M-type = Mw; Version = 8
Event ID
US 2008tsdu ***This event has been revised.
5.2 Mb - HOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
5.2 Mb
Date-Time
25 Jun 2008 23:37:27 UTC
26 Jun 2008 08:37:27 near epicenter
25 Jun 2008 17:37:27 standard time in your timezone
Location
43.029N 142.263E
Depth
143 km
Distances
74 km (46 miles) E (94 degrees) of Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
83 km (51 miles) S (187 degrees) of Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
174 km (108 miles) W (273 degrees) of Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan
847 km (526 miles) NNE (14 degrees) of TOKYO, Japan
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 14.4 km; Vertical 15.9 km
Parameters
Nph = 37; Dmin = 438.1 km; Rmss = 0.84 seconds; Gp = 183°M-type = Mb; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tsdu
5.7 Mw - NEW BRITAIN REGION, P.N.G.
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
5.7 Mw
Date-Time
25 Jun 2008 15:41:29 UTC
26 Jun 2008 01:41:29 near epicenter
25 Jun 2008 09:41:29 standard time in your timezone
Location
5.346S 151.697E
Depth
64 km
Distances
137 km (85 miles) SSW (203 degrees) of Rabaul, New Britain, PNG
259 km (161 miles) ENE (68 degrees) of Kandrian, New Britain, PNG
325 km (202 miles) SSE (162 degrees) of Kavieng, New Ireland, PNG
542 km (337 miles) ENE (74 degrees) of Lae, New Guinea, PNG
675 km (420 miles) NE (48 degrees) of PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 7.5 km; Vertical 14.5 km
Parameters
Nph = 155; Dmin = 999.9 km; Rmss = 1.06 seconds; Gp = 32°M-type = Mw; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tsbq ***This event has been revised.
4.7 Mb - MOLUCCA SEA
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
4.7 Mb
Date-Time
25 Jun 2008 13:59:42 UTC
25 Jun 2008 21:59:42 near epicenter
25 Jun 2008 07:59:42 standard time in your timezone
Location
2.629N 126.757E
Depth
74 km
Distances
215 km (134 miles) NNW (341 degrees) of Ternate, Moluccas, Indonesia
247 km (154 miles) ENE (59 degrees) of Manado, Sulawesi, Indonesia
425 km (264 miles) SSE (156 degrees) of General Santos, Mindanao, Philippines
1007 km (626 miles) WSW (239 degrees) of KOROR, Palau
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 21.2 km; Vertical 33.9 km
Parameters
Nph = 27; Dmin = 999.9 km; Rmss = 1.41 seconds; Gp = 136°M-type = Mb; Version = Q
Event ID
US 2008tsbu
5.3 Mb - NEW BRITAIN REGION, P.N.G.
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
5.3 Mb
Date-Time
25 Jun 2008 15:41:29 UTC
26 Jun 2008 01:41:29 near epicenter
25 Jun 2008 09:41:29 standard time in your timezone
Location
5.290S 151.705E
Depth
58 km
Distances
131 km (81 miles) SSW (204 degrees) of Rabaul, New Britain, PNG
262 km (163 miles) ENE (67 degrees) of Kandrian, New Britain, PNG
319 km (198 miles) SSE (162 degrees) of Kavieng, New Ireland, PNG
545 km (339 miles) ENE (73 degrees) of Lae, New Guinea, PNG
680 km (422 miles) NE (47 degrees) of PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 8.2 km; Vertical 17.8 km
Parameters
Nph = 97; Dmin = 999.9 km; Rmss = 1.05 seconds; Gp = 61°M-type = Mb; Version = 6
Event ID
US 2008tsbq ***This event supersedes event AT00440849.
4.7 Mb - VOLCANO ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
4.7 Mb
Date-Time
25 Jun 2008 12:11:51 UTC
25 Jun 2008 22:11:51 near epicenter
25 Jun 2008 06:11:51 standard time in your timezone
Location
22.986N 144.583E
Depth
42 km
Distances
387 km (241 miles) ESE (120 degrees) of Iwo-jima, Volcano Islands, Japan
874 km (543 miles) N (352 degrees) of SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands
1462 km (909 miles) SSE (154 degrees) of Shizuoka, Honshu, Japan
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 11.4 km; Vertical 0.0 km
Parameters
Nph = 34; Dmin = 999.9 km; Rmss = 0.86 seconds; Gp = 122°M-type = Mb; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tsba
4.9 Mb - BOUGAINVILLE REGION, P.N.G.
Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude
4.9 Mb
Date-Time
25 Jun 2008 08:07:01 UTC
25 Jun 2008 18:07:01 near epicenter
25 Jun 2008 02:07:01 standard time in your timezone
Location
6.822S 154.988E
Depth
74 km
Distances
92 km (57 miles) SW (223 degrees) of Arawa, Bougainville, PNG
182 km (113 miles) W (264 degrees) of Chirovanga, Solomon Islands
250 km (155 miles) NW (305 degrees) of Gizo, Solomon Islands
620 km (385 miles) WNW (298 degrees) of HONIARA, Solomon Islands
882 km (548 miles) E (91 degrees) of Lae, New Guinea, PNG
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 10.4 km; Vertical 21.0 km
Parameters
Nph = 39; Dmin = 617.3 km; Rmss = 0.96 seconds; Gp = 61°M-type = Mb; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tsa2
5.3 Mb - SAMAR, PHILIPPINES
Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude
5.3 Mb
Date-Time
25 Jun 2008 06:40:48 UTC
25 Jun 2008 14:40:48 near epicenter
25 Jun 2008 00:40:48 standard time in your timezone
Location
12.032N 125.659E
Depth
74 km
Distances
111 km (69 miles) N (356 degrees) of Guiuan, Samar, Philippines
112 km (69 miles) E (92 degrees) of Calbayog, Samar, Philippines
112 km (69 miles) NE (39 degrees) of Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines
583 km (362 miles) ESE (119 degrees) of MANILA, Philippines
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 11.2 km; Vertical 13.3 km
Parameters
Nph = 34; Dmin = 999.9 km; Rmss = 1.03 seconds; Gp = 118°M-type = Mb; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tsaz
5.6Mw.NIAS REGION INDONESIA
Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude
5.6 Mw
Date-Time
25 Jun 2008 02:53:28 UTC
25 Jun 2008 09:53:28 near epicenter
24 Jun 2008 20:53:28 standard time in your timezone
Location
1.401N 97.211E
Depth
35 km
Distances
180 km (112 miles) W (259 degrees) of Sibolga, Sumatra, Indonesia
291 km (180 miles) SSW (213 degrees) of Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia
436 km (271 miles) NW (307 degrees) of Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia
535 km (332 miles) WSW (249 degrees) of KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 5.5 km; Vertical 0.0 km
Parameters
Nph = 145; Dmin = 574.6 km; Rmss = 0.81 seconds; Gp = 32°M-type = Mw; Version = 8
Event ID
US 2008tsam ***This event has been revised.
6.0 Mw - NIAS REGION, INDONESIA
Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude
6.0 Mw
Date-Time
25 Jun 2008 02:53:28 UTC
25 Jun 2008 09:53:28 near epicenter
24 Jun 2008 20:53:28 standard time in your timezone
Location
1.417N 97.208E
Depth
35 km
Distances
180 km (112 miles) W (260 degrees) of Sibolga, Sumatra, Indonesia
289 km (180 miles) SW (214 degrees) of Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia
437 km (272 miles) NW (307 degrees) of Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia
534 km (332 miles) WSW (249 degrees) of KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 7.4 km; Vertical 0.0 km
Parameters
Nph = 51; Dmin = 573.5 km; Rmss = 0.98 seconds; Gp = 61°M-type = Mw; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tsam ***This event supersedes event AT00436240.
4.6 Mb - ALAMAGAN REG, N. MARIANA ISLANDS
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
4.6 Mb
Date-Time
25 Jun 2008 02:27:53 UTC
25 Jun 2008 12:27:53 near epicenter
24 Jun 2008 20:27:53 standard time in your timezone
Location
17.673N 145.814E
Depth
116 km
Distances
51 km (32 miles) S (174 degrees) of Pagan, Northern Mariana Islands
275 km (171 miles) N (2 degrees) of SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands
481 km (299 miles) NNE (14 degrees) of HAGATNA, Guam
2057 km (1278 miles) SSE (155 degrees) of Hamamatsu, Honshu, Japan
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 15.4 km; Vertical 20.6 km
Parameters
Nph = 52; Dmin = 462.7 km; Rmss = 0.50 seconds; Gp = 140°M-type = Mb; Version = 6
Event ID
US 2008tsaj
5.3 Mb - NIAS REGION, INDONESIA
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
5.3 Mb
Date-Time
25 Jun 2008 01:52:40 UTC
25 Jun 2008 08:52:40 near epicenter
24 Jun 2008 19:52:40 standard time in your timezone
Location
1.447N 97.161E
Depth
46 km
Distances
184 km (114 miles) W (261 degrees) of Sibolga, Sumatra, Indonesia
289 km (180 miles) SW (215 degrees) of Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia
444 km (276 miles) NW (307 degrees) of Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia
538 km (334 miles) WSW (250 degrees) of KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 12.3 km; Vertical 23.5 km
Parameters
Nph = 54; Dmin = 574.5 km; Rmss = 1.12 seconds; Gp = 86°M-type = Mb; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tsag
5.3 Mb - PAPUA, INDONESIA
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
5.3 Mb
Date-Time
24 Jun 2008 19:48:05 UTC
25 Jun 2008 04:48:05 near epicenter
24 Jun 2008 13:48:05 standard time in your timezone
Location
2.562S 138.378E
Depth
4 km
Distances
258 km (160 miles) W (269 degrees) of Jayapura, Irian Jaya, Indonesia
267 km (166 miles) ENE (59 degrees) of Enarotali, Irian Jaya, Indonesia
323 km (201 miles) W (272 degrees) of Vanimo, New Guinea, PNG
1183 km (735 miles) SSE (159 degrees) of KOROR, Palau
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 9.2 km; Vertical 46.6 km
Parameters
Nph = 44; Dmin = 999.9 km; Rmss = 0.62 seconds; Gp = 79°M-type = Mb; Version = 6
Event ID
US 2008trby
5.0 Mb - PAPUA, INDONESIA
Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude
5.0 Mb
Date-Time
24 Jun 2008 19:37:18 UTC
25 Jun 2008 04:37:18 near epicenter
24 Jun 2008 13:37:18 standard time in your timezone
Location
2.487S 138.451E
Depth
18 km
Distances
250 km (155 miles) W (271 degrees) of Jayapura, Irian Jaya, Indonesia
278 km (173 miles) ENE (58 degrees) of Enarotali, Irian Jaya, Indonesia
315 km (196 miles) W (274 degrees) of Vanimo, New Guinea, PNG
1178 km (732 miles) SSE (158 degrees) of KOROR, Palau
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 14.5 km; Vertical 73.2 km
Parameters
Nph = 31; Dmin = 999.9 km; Rmss = 1.15 seconds; Gp = 79°M-type = Mb; Version = 6
Event ID
US 2008trbx
4.7 Mb - PAPUA, INDONESIA
Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude
4.7 Mb
Date-Time
24 Jun 2008 19:35:37 UTC
25 Jun 2008 04:35:37 near epicenter
24 Jun 2008 13:35:37 standard time in your timezone
Location
2.536S 138.427E
Depth
18 km
Distances
252 km (157 miles) W (270 degrees) of Jayapura, Irian Jaya, Indonesia
273 km (170 miles) ENE (59 degrees) of Enarotali, Irian Jaya, Indonesia
318 km (197 miles) W (273 degrees) of Vanimo, New Guinea, PNG
1182 km (734 miles) SSE (158 degrees) of KOROR, Palau
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 15.5 km; Vertical 71.6 km
Parameters
Nph = 26; Dmin = 999.9 km; Rmss = 1.08 seconds; Gp = 79°M-type = Mb; Version = 6
Event ID
US 2008trbw
4.7 Mb - BONIN ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
4.7 Mb
Date-Time
24 Jun 2008 17:02:33 UTC
25 Jun 2008 03:02:33 near epicenter
24 Jun 2008 11:02:33 standard time in your timezone
Location
28.996N 142.488E
Depth
26 km
Distances
214 km (133 miles) N (7 degrees) of Chichi-shima, Bonin Islands, Japan
483 km (300 miles) NNE (14 degrees) of Iwo-jima, Volcano Islands, Japan
769 km (478 miles) SSE (149 degrees) of Shizuoka, Honshu, Japan
785 km (488 miles) SSE (160 degrees) of TOKYO, Japan
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 8.2 km; Vertical 26.6 km
Parameters
Nph = 46; Dmin = 927.7 km; Rmss = 0.84 seconds; Gp = 97°M-type = Mb; Version = 6
Event ID
US 2008trbs
5.4 Mb - SOUTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
5.4 Mb
Date-Time
24 Jun 2008 19:14:43 UTC
25 Jun 2008 02:14:43 near epicenter
24 Jun 2008 13:14:43 standard time in your timezone
Location
3.328S 101.262E
Depth
47 km
Distances
122 km (76 miles) WNW (294 degrees) of Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia
283 km (176 miles) SSE (159 degrees) of Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia
327 km (203 miles) SW (233 degrees) of Jambi, Sumatra, Indonesia
588 km (365 miles) SSW (209 degrees) of SINGAPORE
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 10.1 km; Vertical 15.3 km
Parameters
Nph = 45; Dmin = 954.3 km; Rmss = 1.04 seconds; Gp = 100°M-type = Mb; Version = 6
Event ID
US 2008trbt
5.2 Mb - SOLOMON ISLANDS
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
5.2 Mb
Date-Time
22 Jun 2008 13:15:34 UTC
23 Jun 2008 00:15:34 near epicenter
22 Jun 2008 07:15:34 standard time in your timezone
Location
8.867S 157.826E
Depth
10 km
Distances
137 km (85 miles) SE (129 degrees) of Gizo, Solomon Islands
161 km (100 miles) SW (236 degrees) of Dadali, Solomon Islands
243 km (151 miles) WNW (286 degrees) of HONIARA, Solomon Islands
1168 km (726 miles) E (88 degrees) of PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 10.4 km; Vertical 0.0 km
Parameters
Nph = 55; Dmin = 241.1 km; Rmss = 1.13 seconds; Gp = 54°M-type = Mb; Version = 6
Event ID
US 2008tpa9
5.6 Mw - SOLOMON ISLANDS
Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude
5.6 Mw
Date-Time
22 Jun 2008 07:22:06 UTC
22 Jun 2008 18:22:06 near epicenter
22 Jun 2008 01:22:06 standard time in your timezone
Location
8.816S 157.782E
Depth
10 km
Distances
130 km (81 miles) SE (128 degrees) of Gizo, Solomon Islands
162 km (100 miles) WSW (238 degrees) of Dadali, Solomon Islands
249 km (155 miles) WNW (287 degrees) of HONIARA, Solomon Islands
1164 km (723 miles) E (87 degrees) of PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 6.4 km; Vertical 0.0 km
Parameters
Nph = 129; Dmin = 999.9 km; Rmss = 0.86 seconds; Gp = 61°M-type = Mw; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tpaw ***This event supersedes event AT00411931.
4.5 Mb - CELEBES SEA
Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude
4.5 Mb
Date-Time
22 Jun 2008 06:27:16 UTC
22 Jun 2008 14:27:16 near epicenter
22 Jun 2008 00:27:16 standard time in your timezone
Location
3.720N 123.187E
Depth
543 km
Distances
310 km (193 miles) NW (323 degrees) of Manado, Sulawesi, Indonesia
346 km (215 miles) SW (220 degrees) of General Santos, Mindanao, Philippines
353 km (219 miles) N (2 degrees) of Gorontalo, Sulawesi, Indonesia
921 km (572 miles) E (98 degrees) of BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 18.7 km; Vertical 22.7 km
Parameters
Nph = 24; Dmin = 999.9 km; Rmss = 0.62 seconds; Gp = 129°M-type = Mb; Version = 6
Event ID
US 2008tpav
4.5 Mb - NEAR S. COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
4.5 Mb
Date-Time
22 Jun 2008 03:48:37 UTC
22 Jun 2008 12:48:37 near epicenter
21 Jun 2008 21:48:37 standard time in your timezone
Location
35.768N 139.975E
Depth
72 km
Distances
23 km (14 miles) ENE (61 degrees) of TOKYO, Japan
81 km (50 miles) SW (215 degrees) of Mito, Honshu, Japan
108 km (67 miles) SE (130 degrees) of Maebashi, Honshu, Japan
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 50.0 km; Vertical 16.5 km
Parameters
Nph = 35; Dmin = 180.8 km; Rmss = 0.75 seconds; Gp = 244°M-type = Mb; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tpal
4.5Mb FIJI ISLANDS
Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude
4.5 Mb
Date-Time
21 Jun 2008 22:42:00 UTC
22 Jun 2008 10:42:00 near epicenter
21 Jun 2008 16:42:00 standard time in your timezone
Location
15.805S 176.075W
Depth
376 km
Distances
387 km (240 miles) NW (325 degrees) of Neiafu, Tonga
516 km (320 miles) WSW (244 degrees) of APIA, Samoa
2828 km (1757 miles) W (270 degrees) of PAPEETE, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 13.2 km; Vertical 7.2 km
Parameters
Nph = 70; Dmin = 507.4 km; Rmss = 0.67 seconds; Gp = 118°M-type = Mb; Version = 7
Event ID
US 2008tnc1
For updates, maps, and technical information, see:
Event Page or U.S.G.S. Earthquake Hazards Program
National Earthquake Information CenterU.S. Geological Survey
http://neic.usgs.gov/
As in the days of Noah....


Harness volcano power, energy experts say

Volcanoes and hot springs could supply up to 25 per cent of America's power needs, energy experts have said.As fuel prices soar, Alaskan officials announced the exploration of the state's volcanoes, saying they could be exploited to provide energy for thousands of homes.'High prices and climate change are definitely creating a renaissance in geothermal interest'Companies are being invited to lease the rights to explore geothermal resources beneath Mount Spurr, a snowcapped 11,070-foot volcano that most recently erupted in 1992 showering much of Anchorage with volcanic ash. The state Division of Oil and Gas hopes the lease sale, due to go ahead in August, will be the first of many. It is also considering allowing exploration of the 4,134-foot Augustine Volcano, 171 miles southwest of Anchorage. The move echoes a trend underway across much of the US as fuel prices, worries about dependence on foreign oil and climate change trigger a surge in geothermal projects, particularly in the West and along the Gulf Coast. According to experts, America is only just waking up to the ancient power source lying beneath dozens of states that has the potential to supply as much as 25 percent of the nation's energy needs. "High prices and climate change are definitely creating a renaissance in geothermal interest, particularly on a state and local level," said Karl Gawell, executive director of the Geothermal Energy Association. "There really is a tremendous amount going on right now."As well as Alaska, geothermal projects, which are eligible for tax benefits, are underway in most Western states and across the Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida, he said. "It's only the tip of the iceberg in terms of what is possible," said Mr Gawell. "If we really want to go all out for it, we could easily achieve a substantial amount, 20, 25 per cent of US energy needs within a few decades. We're limited more by public policy than the resource - the resource is enormous."The Bureau of Land Management has just surveyed 11 western states and Alaska for "lands with high potential for renewable geothermal resources".The study showed around 200 million acres of public land with geothermal potential, Mr Gawell said.But he estimates 80 per cent of geothermal systems remain undiscovered as they have no tell-tale surface feature such as a hot spring. "We're still just finding the obvious stuff."Alaska, which is rich in oil and gas, sits on the Pacific Rim of Fire but despite "clear evidence of geothermal resources" the state had shelved its geothermal development "in the 1970s once they hit the major oil streaks", Mr Gawell said."It's really only been rediscovered in the past couple of years in part because prices are up."The biggest challenge to harnessing underground power is working out how to access and tap heat buried deep under earth or rock.Interest has partly been spurred by the Alaska's successful geothermal venture at Chena Hot Springs, a resort near Fairbanks, which is completely powered by underground energy.Mr Gawell said that although mentioned this week by Senator Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential candidate, during a speech about alternative energy policies in Nevada, geothermal power had yet to receive enough attention in the national energy debate.
"The problem is it's only being produced in a handful of states. It's well known in those states but it's unknown in others," Mr Gawell said.Geothermal power is also enjoying a renaissance in Europe, home to the first geothermal steam power plant in Larderello, Italy, which began operating in 1904.The GEA estimates that the number of countries producing geothermal energy will more than double by 2010 to 46 countries.
As in the days of Noah....