7.1Mw Quake Strikes Solomon Islands

Powerful 7.1Mw Earthquake strikes Solomon Islands 94 km (58 miles) WSW of Kira Kira

The earthquake occurred on Sunday April 11, at 09:40:31UTC striking at a depth of about 60km. The epicenter was located at 10.90ºS ; 161.16ºE.

A larger earthquake may strike the region.

Summary of Earthquake Details:

• Magnitude: 7.1Mw
• Region: SOLOMON ISLANDS
• Date time: 2010-04-11 at 09:40:31.0UTC
• Location: 10.90ºS ; 161.16ºE
• Depth 60 km (+/- 15 km)
• Distances:
  • 1538 km E Port moresby (pop 283,733 ; local time 19:40 2010-04-11)
  • 213 km SE Honiara (pop 56,298 ; local time 20:40 2010-04-11)
  • 94 km SW Kira kira (pop 1,122 ; local time 20:40 2010-04-11)
• Source:  European-Mediterranean Seismological Center

Earthquake Location Map. Click image to enlarge.

Tsunami Evaluation:
A destructive pacific-wide tsunami is not expected. However, local tsunami may occur. “Earthquakes of this size sometimes generate local tsunamis that can be destructive along coasts located within a hundred kilometers of the earthquake epicenter. Authorities in the region of the epicenter should be aware of this possibility and take appropriate action.” PTWC said.

Related Links:

• Strong Earthquake Strikes Vanuatu
• Powerful Aftershocks Still Striking Solomon Isles
• Powerful Earthquakes Strike Solomon Islands
• Solomon Isles Tsunami Destroyed Several Villages
• Large Earthquakes Strike South Pacific

• Magnitude 8.3 Quake Strikes Samoa Islands Region

• FEWW Earthquake Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Volcano Links

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Agitated Orca Kills Dolphin

Agitated orca (killer whale), kills and devours dolphin, as tourists watch

An agitated female orca attacks dolphins, a female with her young pup, eventually tossing her into the air and snapping her back. Photo: Tommy Hatwell/Explore Images/Ferrari Press Agency. Image may be subject to copyright.

The attack occurred just a few weeks after the tragic death of Dawn Brancheau, 40,“trainer” at SeaWorld’s Shamu Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

[Note: The news of the attack which occurred on or about March 28, 2010, was buried by Google, and only became known to us when a reader submitted a link to the photo.]

The dolphin died moments later as  the rest of the whales began to devour her and her helpless pup.

The attack occurred at a seaside spot called Black Rocks, in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, where tourist flock to watch dolphins, invariably agitating and harming the animals.

“The boat was just 50 to 100m away while the killing occurred, as the other pseudo orcas fled.” one of the tour operators declared proudly, calling the incident a “one in a million” chance.

Related Links:

• Leave Orcas (Dolphins) Out of Your Circus Act
• How the US Woman Emily May Harper Was Killed in NZ

• US Woman killed Swimming with Dolphins in NZ
• Another American Woman Killed in New Zealand
• Sick kiwis harm generous dolphin
• Tourist boats destroying dolphin community in New Zealand

Serial No  1,561. Starting April 2010, each entry on this blog has a unique serial number. If any of the numbers are missing, it may mean that the corresponding entry has been blocked by the authorities/Google in your country. Please drop us a line if you detect any anomaly/missing number(s).

U.S. Warmer, Drier in March

Despite the appearances ‘U.S. Averaged Warmer-than-Normal, Drier-than-Normal in March’

According to NOAA’s State of the Climate report the March 2010 average temperature for the contiguous United States was warmer than average.

Thirteen states recorded an average temperature that was among their 10 warmest ever for March:

• Rhode Island experienced its warmest March on record;
• Maine its second warmest for the month
• New Hampshire its third warmest

Again, despite the appearances, average precipitation for the U.S. was below normal, but heavy rainfall in parts of the Northeast set March records.

NOAA’s monthly temperature analysis are based on data recorded since 1895.

U.S. Temperature Highlights

Source: National Climatic Data Center/ NESDIS/NOAA. Click image to enlarge.

Temperature Highlights for March 2010

• March temperature average across the contiguous United States was 44.4 degrees F, some 1.9 degrees F above the long-term average. “However, several storms developed along the Atlantic Coast, bringing below-normal temperatures to the South and Southeast, while bringing warm and wet weather to the Northeast and Midwest regions (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin).”
• Thirteen states averaged temperature among their 10 warmest for March.
• Gulf Coast states, New Mexico, Georgia and South Carolina experienced cooler-than-normal temperatures. Florida recorded its fourth coolest March.
• January-March period
  • Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire: Warmest ever
  • Florida: Coldest ever
  • Louisiana: Second coldest
  • Mississippi and Alabama : Third coldest

U.S. Precipitation Highlights

Source: National Climatic Data Center/ NESDIS/NOAA. Click image to enlarge.

Precipitation Highlights for March 2010

• Average March precipitation  across the contiguous United States fell below the long-term mean (LTM). The month’s national average fell 0.24 inches below the LTM of 2.16 inches. “The Northeast was above-normal, while much of the interior United States was below-normal. All other regions were near normal.”
• January – March period
  • Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Jersey:  Wettest on record
  • Delaware: Second wettest on record
  • Vermont:  Fifth wettest
  • Twenty other states:  Precipitation ranked among the top 10 wettest.
  • Michigan:  Driest ever January-March period
  • Wisconsin: Fourth driest
  • Montana and Wyoming: Sixth driest.

Other Highlights

• The preliminary tornado count for March was 36 – joint  4th quietest March since reliable records began in 1950,  NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center said.
• Mid-March ice coverage over the Great Lakes was at a record low, covering only 3.5 percent of the Lakes’ surface, the Canadian Ice Service said.The average ice extent for the period was estimated at 31 percent of the Lakes’ surface. The records started in 1973.
• Drought on March 30 covered about 9.0 percent of the United States, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Click image to enlarge.

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