Carmageddon: Nature’s Dislike for Things on Wheels

Images of the Day:

“Carmageddon” in California

La Cañada Flintridge. Smashed vehicles are pushed together on Ocean View Boulevard in La Cañada Flintridge. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times / February 7, 2010) Image may be subject to copyright. LATIMES Photo Gallery

On Saturday, more than 500 homes were under mandatory evacuation orders. About 43 homes have been damaged including 12 that sustained major structural damage, in Paradise Valley, La Cañada Flintridge and La Crescenta, LA Times said.

“About 25 vehicles were damaged, flowing down the street and smashing against walls, trees and one another.”

“Mubserged” in Mexico

Everything on wheels are seen submerged on a flooded highway in Chalco, Mexico City (Feb. 5, 2010). Severe rain from several different weather systems have created chaos killing at least 30 people and causing substantial to several Mexican states, government met services said. Credit: REUTERS. Image may be subject to copyright.

Meanwhile, the death toll from severe and unseasonable winter rain, which have triggered floods and mudslides in Mexico reached 29. At least two dozen others were reported missing, presumed dead,  in the mudslides near Toluca, Mexico State. “A mix of drain water and sewage flowed into thousands of homes and blocked major thoroughfares in the metropolis of 20 million people. About 7,500 homes were flooded, prompting emergency personnel to ferry people from their homes through chest-high water.” AP reported.  “… at least 2,000 homes were damaged. The federal government declared three Michoacan townships disaster zones, opening access to relief funds.”

Source: ABC News Aust. Image may be subject to copyright.

After record rainfall in parts of Australia (70 mm fell in 15 mins at Usher Falls at Bouldercombe, south of Rockhamptonn central Queensland,) dozens of cars “ended up under water and boats washed from the Gold Coast marine precinct at Coomera,” and two people were killed. “The weather bureau says Mount Tambourine and Canungra in the Gold Coast hinterland set rainfall records, each receiving more than 360 millimetres in the 24 hours to 9am AEST yesterday.” ABC News Aust reported.

Related Links:

• 2010: Year One of Human-Enhanced Disasters
• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Index of Human Impact on Nature (HIoN) March 2008
• 2010: The Year of Disasters
• Earth’s Human Induced Antiphase Nears Completion

• Nature’s Assault on Cars Continues
• Car burial day in S. Korea
• Drought and Deluge
• Landslides, Floods, Extreme Rain Events
• CO2e Links Page
• World CO2 Emissions
• Carbon Footprint of Your Dollar
• New York Cognitive Dissonance

8th Strong Quake Strikes Ryukyu Islands, Japan

Eighth Strong Earthquake Measuring 6.6Mw Strikes Japan Region

Background:

• Seventh Powerful Quake Hits Japan Region
• 6th Strong Quake Strikes Near Ryukyu Isles, Japan
• 5th Strong Quake Strikes Japan Region
• 6 to 8 more strong EQs may yet strike region
• Earthquake Forecast: Tokyo, Japan

Referring to an earlier forecast, FEWW Moderators believe an additional series of 5 – 6 quakes measuring ≥ 6.0 Mw could strike Japan region in the coming weeks.

FEWW Moderators had previously anticipated more powerful earthquakes in the region, including as many as 10 additional magnitude 6+ quakes to strike the region in the coming weeks.

Earthquake Information Issued by JMA at 15:15 JST 07 Feb 2010

Occurred at (JST)	Latitude	Longitude	Depth	Mag.	Region Name
15:10 JST 07 Feb 2010	23.4ºN	124.0ºE	10km	6.6Mw	Ishigakijima Kinkai

Approximate distances (USGS)

• 115 km (70 miles) SSW of Ishigaki-jima, Ryukyu Islands, Japan
• 225 km (140 miles) ESE of Hua-lien, Taiwan
• 225 km (140 miles) ESE of Su-ao, Taiwan
• 2055 km (1280 miles) SW of TOKYO, Japan

Note: USGS/EHP has again downgraded the quake by 0.2 order of magnitude to 6.4Mw

Tsunami Forecast/Watch

JMA Issued a Tsunami Forecast at 15:13 JST 07 Feb 2010 for MIYAKOJIMA and YAEYAMA areas saying that tsunami height was expected to be about 0.5 meters.
However, the tsunami watch was later canceled. JMA said: “No tsunami damage at some of the other coasts though there may be slight sea level changes.:

Fire-Earth anticipates intense seismic activity and volcanic unrest/activity in the Japan Region throughout 2010 and beyond.

10-degree Map Centered at 25°N,125°E

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Map enhanced by FEWW.

Political Map of Japan.

Related Links:

• Seventh Powerful Quake Hits Japan Region [October 30, 2009]
• 6th Strong Quake Strikes Near Ryukyu Isles, Japan [September 29, 2009]
• Strong Quake Strikes Near Shizuoka, Japan [August 11, 2009]
• 5th Strong Quake Strikes Japan Region [August 17, 2009]
• 4th Powerful Quake Strikes Japan Region [August 17, 2009]
• 3rd Powerful Quake in 3 Days Strikes Japan Region [August 13, 2009]
• Strong Quake Strikes Near Shizuoka, Japan [August 10, 2009]
• Powerful Earthquake Strikes Near Izu Islands, Japan [August 9, 2009]
• M 6.4 Quake Strikes SW Ryukkyu Isls, Japan [August 5, 2009]
• Magnitude 6.3 quake strikes Taiwan region
• Earthquakes [Links Page]
• Earthquake Forecast: Tokyo, Japan