World Without Superpowers a Better Place?

Haze Over ‘Unterworld’

What is it the planet has done to deserve this?

• China is World No. 1 CO2 Polluter; the US follows closely. Report

• China’s Air Pollution Deadliest in World, Report Says.
• Pollution kills 750,000 [2.5million] people in China every year. Report
• According to the World bank statistics, China has 16 of the 20 most polluted cities on earth!

Thick smog covered the North China Plain on February 20, 2011. “The featureless gray-brown haze is so thick that the ground is not visible in parts of this photo-like image taken at 11:35 a.m. by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. At that time, a weather station at Beijing’s airport reported visibility of 1.9 miles (3.1 kilometers). Visibility dropped as low as 1.1 miles (1.8 km) later in the afternoon.” Source: NASA-EO. Click image to enlarge. Download larger image (2 MB, JPEG)

Haze over eastern China

Haze shrouded eastern China in mid-February 2011. MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this photo-like image on February 17, 2011. Source: NASA-EO. Click image to enlarge. Download larger image (4 MB, JPEG)

Previous images:

• China haze, temperature inversion, poor air quality
• China Under Siege

NZ Govt and Google Buried Quake Warnings

New Zealand Quake Update

Why Did New Zealand Govt and Google Bury Specific Quake Warnings?

FIRE-EARTH Blog has been posting specific quake warning for New Zealand Region since 2008, all of which have been buried by New Zealand govt and Google. [See links below.]

• https://feww.wordpress.com/2009/07/16/global-travel-warning/
• https://feww.wordpress.com/2011/01/15/new-zealand-region-earthquake-warning/
• https://feww.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/powerful-quake-strikes-christchurch-nz/#comment-10624
• https://feww.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/a-magnitude-7-earthquake-hits-kermadec-islands/
• https://feww.wordpress.com/2009/08/19/new-round-of-geo-assualt/
• https://feww.wordpress.com/2009/07/15/powerful-7-8-m-quake-strikes-new-zealand-region/
• https://feww.wordpress.com/2010/05/16/an-open-letter-to-google-management-employees/

Latest NZ Earthquake Update and WARNINGS:

• NZ’s Prime Minister John Key has confirmed at least 65 deaths in the Christchurch as a result of today’s earthquakes. “We may be witnessing New Zealand’s darkest day,” he told TVNZ.

• Mayor Bob Parker has said the death toll could quite possibly double.

• Many foreign tourists may be among the casualties.

• It’s unlikely that the secretive government would ever reveal the exact number of fatalities and casualties.

• Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said up to 200 people are trapped in buildings across the city.

• Many people are still reported as missing.

• The power is cut off and phone lines are down throughout Christchurch, as the authorities evacuate the central areas of the city because of the widespread damage to buildings, roads and other infrastructure.

• Water supplies have been cut-off/disrupted throughout most of the city

• Many roads have been severely damaged and there are reports of widespread liquefaction and flooding.

• The epicenter was close to the town of Lyttelton (population: 3,000), about 12km SE of Christchurch and described as “unlivable” by a TV reporter.

• Sixty percent of buildings in Lyttelton’s main street  were destroyed, the chief fire officer has reported.

• In the central suburb of Waltham, as well as several other areas, the ground was “completely liquefied” following  the quakes.

• The quakes have had a knock-on effect on air travel, with all commercial flights throughout New Zealand grounded.

• Today’s earthquakes, so far,  were the second deadliest wave to strike New Zealand since a 1931 M7.8 earthquake killed 256 people in city of Napier, Hawke’s Bay region.

• Three significant shocks have struck the area, as of posting, with the most recent one registering 5.5Mw at 01:50UTC.

• Technically, larger shocks could strike anytime, FIRE-EARTH believes.

• FIRE-EARTH has identified a number of potential seismic ‘Ground Zeros,’ areas prone to devastation, in the New Zealand Region, some of which coincide with population centers. New Zealand government has a moral responsibility and legal duty to relocate their people from those areas.

• Christchurch could become unlivable in the near future.
  

More information

• Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group
• Pictures: Earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand
• Latest advice for quake victims
• Scores of people killed in Christchurch quake
• Christchurch quake: Witness accounts

Related Links

• Two Significant ‘Foreshocks’ Strike Christchurch, NZ
• New Zealand Region Earthquake Warning
• Powerful Quake Strikes Christchurch, NZ

• New Round of Geo-Assualt at Kermadec Trench
• Strong Quake Strikes Off Coast of NI, NZ
• Mt Ruapehu Eruption Alert
• Mag 5.3 Earthquake Rattles North Island, NZ
• Magnitude 7 Earthquake Hits Kermadec Islands

• Magnitude 6.8 Quake strikes Kermadec Isls Region
• Powerful 7.8 M Quake Strikes New Zealand Region
• http://newzeelend.wordpress.com/2009/05/09/a-warning-to-new-zealand-visitors/
• Earthquake Cluster Zone Closing in on New Zealand Posted on October 6, 2008

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

• Global Travel Warning!
• An Open Letter to Google Management, Employees

Two Significant ‘Foreshocks’ Strike Christchurch, NZ

Strong Foreshocks Measuring 6.4 and 5.7Mw Rattle Christchurch, NZ: Report

The following are preliminary details of the shocks as recorded by GFZ Potsdam Earthquake Bulletin

The first shock measuring 6.4Mw was followed by a less powerful event measuring 5.7Mw about 11 minutes later. Both events occurred at a depth of about 5km, the report indicates.

The quakes occurred about 10km SE of Christchurch [ in the middle of the Lyttelton harbor,] NZ’s second largest city.

Event No. 1

GFZ Potsdam – Earthquake Bulletin
Region: South Island, New Zealand
Time: 2011-02-21 23:51:44.5 UTC
Magnitude: 6.4
Epicenter: 172.83°E 43.40°S
Depth: 5 km
Status: automatic

© Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum – GFZ

Event No. 2

GFZ Potsdam – Earthquake Bulletin
Region: South Island, New Zealand
Time: 2011-02-22 00:04:20.8 UTC
Magnitude: 5.7
Epicenter: 172.68°E 43.52°S
Depth: 5 km
Status: automatic

There are reports of buildings collapsing with possible fatalities,  media reported. The Christchurch Hospital is being evacuated.

“But Twitter users have reported feeling the quake as far as Wellington and Dunedin, with the violent episode lasting at least a minute and rocking buildings,” a report said.

A photo posted by gavb online showing damage at Sumner. Photo credit: Twitpic (via Herald Sun)

Christchurch Cathedral didn’t make it this time. (twitpic.com/42dzk8: Tess Woolcock)

USGS reported the shocks as measuring 6.3Mw and 5.6Mw, and listed the following details:

Event #1

• Magnitude: 6.3
• Date-Time:
  • Monday, February 21, 2011 at 23:51:42 UTC
  • Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 12:51:42 PM at epicenter

• Location: 43.513°S, 172.638°E   (Later revised to 43.600°S, 172.710°E)
• Depth: 4 km (2.5 miles)
• Region: SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND
• Distances (NEAR Christchurch, New Zealand)
  • 215 km (135 miles) SSE of Westport, New Zealand
  • 305 km (190 miles) SW of WELLINGTON, New Zealand
  • 315 km (195 miles) NNE of Dunedin, New Zealand

• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 13.9 km (8.6 miles); depth +/- 0.5 km (0.3 miles)
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: usb0001igm

Event #2

• Magnitude: 5.6
• Date-Time: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 00:04:18 UTC
• Location: 43.580°S, 172.798°E
• Depth: 6.7 km (4.2 miles)
• Distances: 10 km (5 miles) ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 13 km (8.1 miles); depth +/- 0.2 km (0.1 miles)

FIRE-EARTH has previously posted specific advice concerning the threat of seismic hazards to New Zealand. [Ask NZ Govt and Google why they buried the information.]

https://feww.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/powerful-quake-strikes-christchurch-nz/#comment-10624

Excerpts from Local News Reports:

• “The Christchurch police central police station has been evacuated, the airport has been closed and there are reports of collapses of many buildings, including a church in the central city.” Source
• “Damage in the city is severe. There are reports of bodies being pulled from a bus in Columbo Street.” Source
• “Multiple fatalities have been reported at several locations in the central city, including two buses crushed by falling buildings,” the police website said.

Major earthquake in Christchurch

22 February, 2011 – 13:55

A major earthquake in Christchurch at 12.51pm has caused widespread damage and injury.

The central city is currently being evacuated as reports are received of widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure.

Multiple fatalities have been reported at several locations in the central city, including two buses crushed by falling buildings. A doctor and emergency services are attending.

Other reports include multiple building collapses, fires in buildings in the central and persons reported trapped in buildings.

All available police staff are assisting with evacuations and emergency responses.

Christchurch Hospital is not evacuated and is in operation. No injuries reported at Christchurch Airport.

Defence forces have been called in to assist.

IMPORTANT MESSAGES:

Triage centres have been established for people with injuries at:

– Latimer Square, Central City
– Spotlight Mall, Sydenham
– Sanitarium, Papanui

Police advise that people who have evacuated their homes or buildings should report to their nearest Civil Defence sector post – usually schools.

Further updates will be issued as available.

A media briefing will be advised as soon as possible later today. ENDS

Stephen Hill, Police District Communications Manager
Mob. 027 4363701  — MEDIA PLEASE NOTE: Cellphone services may be unavailable.

Related Links

• New Zealand Region Earthquake Warning
• Powerful Quake Strikes Christchurch, NZ

• New Round of Geo-Assualt at Kermadec Trench
• Strong Quake Strikes Off Coast of NI, NZ
• Mt Ruapehu Eruption Alert
• Mag 5.3 Earthquake Rattles North Island, NZ
• Magnitude 7 Earthquake Hits Kermadec Islands

• Magnitude 6.8 Quake strikes Kermadec Isls Region
• Powerful 7.8 M Quake Strikes New Zealand Region
• http://newzeelend.wordpress.com/2009/05/09/a-warning-to-new-zealand-visitors/
• Earthquake Cluster Zone Closing in on New Zealand Posted on October 6, 2008

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links