Arabian Subcontinent Earthquake Forecast 2009

Earthquakes with regional median magnitude 5.6 Mw could strike Arabian Peninsula in 2009

Sporadic clusters of earthquakes measuring median magnitude 5.6 could strike Saudi Arabia and UAE  anytime lasting into the Fall 2009.

FEWW believes the following areas may be affected:

1. Mina Jabal Ali (UAE)

2. Abu Dhabi (UAE)

3. Ad Dawhah (Qatar, UAE)

4. Al-Ahsa Oasis (Al-Bahrayn, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia)

5. Greater Riyadh Area (The Saudi capital and surrounding suburbs)

6. Buraydah area (Al-Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia)

Forecast Seismicity for Arabian Peninsula, 2009

Zones (a) and (b). UAE, and area south of Saudi Arabian border with Qatar. Median magnitude of earthquakes for the 2009 period: 5.4 Mw. Largest quake forecast: Magnitude 5.8 Mw.  Map: Google. Image may be subject to copyright.

Zone (c). Al-Hofuf and areas to the north and northwest of Al-Ahsa Oasis. Median magnitude of earthquakes for this zone: 5.2 Mw. Largest eartquke: Magnitude 5.6 Mw. Map: Google. Image may be subject to copyright.

Zone (d). Greater Riyadh Area (the Saudi capital and surrounding suburbs) and Buraydah area (Al-Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia).
Zone (e). Rugged area to the south of capital.
Median magnitude of earthquakes for the two zonesthis year: 5.6 Mw. Largest quake: Magnitude 5.8 Mw. Map: Google. Image may be subject to copyright.

Forecast Seismicity for Arabian Peninsula, 2009. Zones (f), (g) and (h). Median magnitude of 2009 earthquakes: 5.6 Mw. Largest earthquake to strike Zone (f): Magnitude 6.2 Mw. Largest earthquake in Zone (h): Magnitude 6.4 Mw. Map: Google. Image may be subject to copyright.

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Australia declares ‘natural’ disaster [again]

The Awesome Power of Australian Coal

Thousands of people have been evacuated after a week of torrential rain in Australia

The authorities declared a flood disaster on Friday after nearly a week of torrential rain and flooding which submerged large parts of the country’s east coast, killing at least one person.

Cars are being washed into the sea. Source: LiveNews. Image may be subject to copyright.

At least 5,000 people were evacuated from their homes in Lismore, northern New South Wales state, as up to 10-meters of floodwaters “surged across riverlands stretching along 300 km (186 miles) of coastline.” A report said.

“The declaration will provide for a range of assistance to cover personal hardship and distress as well as funding for those who have suffered property damage,” state Premier Nathan Rees said.

About 190mm of rain had fallen over the Tweed River area alone in the 30 hours to 3pm (AEST) on Thursday.

Winds of 130 km/h were recorded at Byron Bay on Thursday morning, with gusts of 125 km/h possible in the next 24 to 48 hours, the bureau said.

About 381 properties in the Fingal Head area near Tweed Heads, and 500 residents of Darkwood on the Bellinger River, are expected to be isolated by flood waters.

About 240 public and Catholic schools were closed in the Lismore area due to heavy flooding. LiveNews.com.aus

Source: LiveNews. Image may be subject to copyright.

Days of torrential rain and cyclonic winds have pummeled southern Queensland state and northern NSW “trapping hundreds of people as roads were cut, forcing authorities to use helicopters to rescue some.”

“The storms left 16,000 people without power as fallen trees brought down lines and blocked roads.” Reuters said.

“Floodwaters washed cars into the sea and huge waves pounded major ports, including the world’s biggest coal export port at Newcastle, where ship movements were disrupted.”

“There have been some vessel disruptions, but affects on coal throughput are negligible,” Reuters reported a spokesman for Port Waratah Coal Services Limited as saying.

Many rivers burst their banks in provincial towns including Grafton,  Murwillumbah, Tweed Heads.  The Bellinger River, near Coffs Harbour, was expected to peak at about 9 meters. Further south, at least 3,000 people were cutoff in the towns of  Bellingen, Darkwood and Thora, reports said.

“In south-east Queensland, hundreds of roads remained cut on Friday, with homes flooded and industrial suburbs in the popular tourist beach area transformed into canals.”

Fortunately (!) the major coal-mining operations to the north and west in Queensland have so far been spared, so that more coal can be mined.

“It is critical residents follow the instructions of local authorities and as far as possible stay indoors and avoid the roads,” Australia’s Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said.

Related News Links:

• Lismore residents ordered to evacuate as floodwaters rise

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