California Earthquake Forecast 2009

Magnitude 7.4 earthquake could strike California in 2009

FEWW Forecasts a magnitude 7.4 earthquake and two strong aftershocks (5.5+ Mw) striking California in 2009 with a probability of 0.8. The occurrence uncertainty is about 90 days from the estimated time. The epicenter is located in a built-up area.

Moderators are currently discussing the merits of disclosing further details of the event too early ahead of the forecast seismicity.

Related Links:

• Earthquakes

Redoubt Volcano: Recent Images

Redoubt Activity – Color Code RED : Alert Level WARNING

Local time: March 24, 2009 6:45 AKDT (March 24, 2009 14:45 UTC)

Eruption cloud from an explosion at Redoubt Volcano

AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) false-color satellite image showing the eruption cloud from an explosion at Redoubt Volcano at 3:31am AKDT on March 23rd 2009. Image was captured at 5:30am and shows the ash cloud passing over other volcanoes and heading NE towards Anchorage. Picture Date: March 23, 2009 14:30:29 UTC . Image Creator:  John Bailey. Image courtesy of the AVO/UAF-GI.

Fine ash deposited on a windshield of the car during the 3/23/2009 ash fall in Healy, AK. Picture Date: March 23, 2009 15:38:00 AKDT. Image Creator: Pavel Izbekov. Image courtesy of the AVO/UAF-GI.

SEM image of ash particle from the 3/23/2009 ash fall in Healy, AK. Picture Date: March 24, 2009.  Image Creator: Pavel Izbekov; Jill Shipman. Image courtesy of the AVO/UAF-GI.

• Another SEM image of ash particle
  

Tephra deposits from the eruption of Redoubt Volcano

Photos of the flooding in Drift Valley and tephra deposits from the eruption of Redoubt Volcano. [more detailed caption to follow.] Picture Date: March 23, 2009. Image Creator: Game McGimsey. Image courtesy of AVO/USGS.

Massive flooding in Drift Valley from the eruption of Redoubt Volcano

Massive flooding in Drift Valley from the eruption of Redoubt Volcano. Picture Date: March 23, 2009. Image Creator: Game McGimsey. Image courtesy of AVO/USGS.

Ash Plumes from Redoubt Volcano

Earth Observatory Images of Ash plumes ejected by Redoubt Volcano. Above image was acquired March 23, 2009 at 12:30am AKDT [Add 8 hrs for UTC.] The above Terra MODIS image was captured at 12:30 a.m.  March 23, just 16 minutes after the third large eruption. Two plumes of ash are visible: a long white plume reaching north, and a smaller one just northeast the volcano. Communities along the trajectory of the ash plume included Skwenta and Talkeenta. NASA images created by Jesse Allen, using data provided courtesy of the MODIS Rapid Response team.

The Aqua MODIS image  was captured four hours later, at 4:30 a.m. AKDT, just as the fifth large eruption began. At that time, the new ash plume was located directly over Mt. Redoubt. NASA images created by Jesse Allen, using data provided courtesy of the MODIS Rapid Response team. Instrument: Aqua – MODIS

Ash on the snow to the NNE of Redoubt

MODIS image from Terra, 23 March 2009, 2149Z. Courtesy of GINA. Ash on the snow to the NNE of Redoubt. Picture Date: March 23, 2009 21:49:00 UTC. Image Creator:  Jonathan Dehn. Image courtesy of the Geographic Information Network of Alaska.

Eruption events 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 from Redoubt Volcano on 22 and 23 March 2009

Montage of various satellite images, from different times, showing eruption events 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 from Redoubt Volcano on 22 and 23 March 2009. There were multiple eruption events, this number of seven is one preliminary interpretation and may be subject to change upon further review. Picture Date: March 23, 2009. Image Creator: Ken Dean. Image courtesy of the AVO/UAF-GI.

Redoubt Volcano Latest Observations from AVO: 2009-03-24 00:35 UTC

The eruption of Redoubt volcano continues and the color code and volcano alert level remains at RED/WARNING. Seismic activity remains elevated, but has declined slightly over the past several hours. The activity consists mostly of volcanic tremor with some discrete events.

• AVO has received no new reports of ash emission since early this morning. The ashfall advisory has expired.

• AVO’s web camera near the volcano is now functioning and meltwater flooding along the margins of Drift glacier is evident.

• AVO has an overflight of the volcano in progress.

Related Links:

• Redoubt Erupts
• More Redoubt images

this post: 9 images +1  image link; 567 words; two links

Brave Maori Say ‘NO’ to Drilling on Sacred Ground

Submitted by TEAA

Maori Block New Zealand Drill Site

Taranaki Maori have occupied a drill site in an attempt to  stop drilling on their sacred ground, pā.

An estimated 75  protesters from Otaraua hapū [a division of Maori clan, iwi ] Sunday blocked the  entrance to the well site at Tikorangi, near Waitara in north Taranaki, New Zealand, to try to stop Greymouth Petroleum preparing for drilling, local media reported.

Day two of the protest at Tikorangi, New Zealand: Police speak with members of the Otaraua hapu who are staging a protest at Tikorangi to stop drilling by Greymouth Petroleum. Photo: Cameron Burnell. Image may be subject to copyright.

Hapu members occupied the site, Tikorangi Pa, to prevent if from being desecrated.  The site is not protected by the district plan.

The group whose members are applying to the Environment Court for an injunction against the oil company, is angered “at the lack of consultation,” the Taranaki Daily News reported.

They were notified of the oil company’s intentions only on Thursday, Otaraua hapū spokesman David Doorbar said, adding that the drill site was “sacred and had great significance and cultural relevance,” media reported.

“Greymouth Petroleum has only recently advised us of their intent, and has not given any consideration to our concerns,” he said.

“They do not understand the significance of this site, which we had mistakenly believed would not be touched.”

Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples said he was “deeply disappointed” that Maori interests are not taken more seriously.

He said Greymouth Petroleum should have consulted with the hapu.

“It shows ignorance by the companies that they can go ahead without thinking. I would expect to see consultation with iwi,” he said.

Taranaki Daily News said their attempts to contact Greymouth Petroleum national office were unsuccessful, and their messages were ignored.