Strong Earthquake Hits SoCal

Earthquake Measuring Up to Magnitude 6.0Mw Strikes Southern California

The quake and its aftershocks may have caused some structural damage near the epicenter.

Fire Earth has abandoned its research into California earthquakes. The following details were released by USGS/EHP.

• Magnitude: 5.9
• Date-Time:
  • Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 04:26:58 UTC
  • Monday, June 14, 2010 at 09:26:58 PM at epicenter
• Location: 32.698°N, 115.924°W
• Depth: 6.9 km (4.3 miles)
• Region: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
• Distances:
  • 8 km (5 miles) SE (124°) from Ocotillo, CA
  • 24 km (15 miles) WSW (244°) from Seeley, CA
  • 26 km (16 miles) ENE (70°) from Jacumba Hot Springs, CA
  • 36 km (22 miles) WSW (254°) from El Centro, CA
  • 104 km (65 miles) E (79°) from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
• Location Uncertainty:  horizontal +/- 0.5 km (0.3 miles); depth +/- 1.4 km (0.9 miles)
• Parameters: Nph= 62, Dmin=6 km, Rmss=0.32 sec, Gp= 76°, M-type=regional moment magnitude (Mw), Version=z
• Source:
  • California Integrated Seismic Net:
  • USGS Caltech CGS UCB UCSD UNR
• Event ID ci14745580

10-degree Map Centered at 35°N,115°W

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP

Related Links:

• California Earthquake Forecast – Update 4
• Earthquakes

Planet Oil Slick – Latest Satellite Images

The Widening Oil Slick in the Gulf of Mexico

The Gulf of Mexico Oil Disaster is the Routine Way of Doing Things on Planet Oil Slick

Gulf of Mexico Oil Slick. MODIS on NASA’s Aqua satellite captured this image at 1:55 pm  (CDT) on June 12, 2010. “Oil appears to have reached beaches and barrier islands in Alabama and the western Panhandle of Florida.” Source: NASA E/O. Click image to enlarge. Download large image (11 MB, JPEG)

Other Images:

Leaking oil and gas are seen during dispersant operations at the site of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, in this screen grab taken from a BP live video feed June 14, 2010.  BP Handout (via Reuters)

One of two, giant one-ton tarballs recovered June 11, 2010, south of Perdido Pass, Florida, June 11, 2010. US Coast Guard Handout (via Reuters)

Related Links:

• Oil Disaster in the Gulf of Mexico – Satellite Images
• The White House Action Comedy
• Oil Leak in Gulf of Mexico – New Estimate and Satellite Photo
• Big Oil and “Homeland Security”
• Disasters Caused by Oil and gas Drilling, Oil Spills, Leaks …

Oklahoma City Under Deluge

State of emergency declared in 59 Oklahoma counties, as flash floods inundate parts of Oklahoma City

Up t0 10 inches (25cm) of rain deluged parts of the Oklahoma City area leaving hundreds of people stranded.

Cars are stranded and submerged by flood water in Oklahoma City, Okla. after heavy rain hit the area on Monday, June 14, 2010. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams). Image may be subject to copyright. See Fire Earth Fair Use Notice.

A boat carrying firefighters sank when they attempted to rescue a 17-year-old  along a North Canadian River tributary that had its banks collapsed, AP reported.

“About 6,700 homes and businesses lost power, according to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.”

“We had one officer who came in and rescued three carloads of people with families, including children and their pets,” a police spokeswoman said.

“Aerial footage showed one northside Oklahoma City neighborhood where water tinged brick red from nearby Chisholm Creek sat hip-deep in some places and reached the tops of garages in others. Crews ferried families from their homes on small boats and jet skis. At least one person floated his way around on an innertube and other residents gathered in a garage as water worked its way up the driveway,” said the report.

“This is the most flooding that I’ve had since I’ve lived here,” said a resident.

“I’ve never seen it like this,” said another resident. “This is incredible.”

About 200 people have been injured, according to local reports.

Lt. Gov. Jari Askins declared a state of emergency for 59 Oklahoma counties affected by the storms and flooding.

Related Links:

• Weather
• Deadly Tornadoes Turn U.S. Midwest into ‘War Zone’

• A Dry Run for Climate Chaos Heading Our Way
• U.S. Warmer, Drier in March
• U.S. Weather at a Glance
• Southern U.S. Flooding Update
• FLOODING: Kentucky governor declares a state of emergency

• Rhode Island: Step Nearer Collapse?
• Flooding in Midwest Kills 1, Swamps Roads, Rail Line
• Arkansas Floodwaters Submerge Campground, Killing 16
• U.S. Floods Hit Texas, Oregon, Wyoming, Utah, Missouri …
• 2010 Disasters