Hazards Down Under – Satellite Images

Shaking Intensity, Lyttleton Earthquake

A photo-like image of Christchurch area taken on March 4, 2011 by ALI on NASA’s EO-1 satellite. Circles on the map indicate seismological measurements of the ground shaking in the earthquake affected area on February 22. Source: NASA-EO. Click image to enlarge. Download larger image (5 MB, JPEG). Click here to read full caption.

Rainwater Fills Australia’s Channel Country

Dry river channels throughout Australia’s Channel Country were filled by rainwater in just 6 days, between 2 – 8 March 2011. Summer of 2010–2011 proved to be Australia’s 2nd wettest on its 111-year record, topped only by the rainfall in 1973–1974. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology has reportedly said that the rainfall is so far more than 70 percent above normal. The above images of SW Queensland and N South Australia, which use a mix of infrared and visible light,  were taken by MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite on March 2, 2011 (top), and March 8, 2011 (bottom). Source: NASA-EO. Click images to enlarge.

Japan 7.2 Quake Strikes Off the Coast of Honshu

Earthquake Measuring 7.2Mw Strikes Off  the Coast of Sendai, Japan

The mainshock struck about 168km east of Sendai and was followed by at least 4 significant aftershocks, as of posting, the largest of which measured 6.3Mw.

The quake was widely felt throughout Tokyo region, but there was no report of major damage or casualties in the capital.

Earthquake Details (Source: JMA)

• Occurred at (locakl time):  11:45 JST   on 09 Mar 2011
• Epicenter
  • Latitude:  38.3ºN
  • Longitude: 143.3ºE
• Depth: 10km
• Magnitude: 7.2Mw
• Region: Sanriku Oki

Earthquake location map. Epicenter is marked by a red cross. Bubbles indicate severity of the tremor as felt by local monitoring stations throughout Japan. Source: JMA.

Distances (USGS)

• 168 km (104 miles) E of Sendai, Honshu, Japan
• 193 km (119 miles) SE of Morioka, Honshu, Japan
• 216 km (134 miles) E of Yamagata, Honshu, Japan
• 413 km (256 miles) NE of TOKYO, Japan

Earthquake location map.  Source: USGS

Aftershocks:

Tsunami Details

Initial tsunami observation: Click here for full details.

Tsunami Warning/Advisory

Issued at 11:48 JST 09 Mar 2011
Tsunami Advisory
PACIFIC COAST OF AOMORI PREF.
IWATE PREF.
MIYAGI PREF.
FUKUSHIMA PREF.

Latest Information: Tsunami Information NUMBER 7

The Fiery Line Between Life and NO LIFE!

Volcanic Eruptions 

Image of the Day

The Devil is in the details

A source spatters lava on the east wall of Kilauea Volcano’s Pu`u `Ō `ō Crater. Credit: HVO.  Click image to enlarge.

Related Links:

• Kilauea SO2 emissions tops 10,000 tpd
• Heightened Activity at Kilauea Volcano

• Kilauea Volcano Continues to Discharge Lava
• Kilauea — Perhaps the World’s Most Active Volcano [Introduction]

• Huge amounts of lava continue to flow from world’s most active volcano in Hawaii, damaging an unoccupied home (Video)
• New Kilauea volcano land collapses explosively into ocean

• Emissions from Kilauea Volcano Brochure
• Lava Viewing Safety Card
• Department of Health Notification of Elevated SO2 and Particulate Levels

• Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
• More images
• Maps

• Halema`uma`u webcam
• Pu`u `Ō `ō webcam

HVO Links:

Kīlauea Update | Mauna Loa Status | Deformation | Maps | Webcams | Images | Movies

SVR Risk: U-S Weather

Flash Flooding and Severe Thunderstorms ongoing Tonight and continuing through Midday Wednesday\

Snow, Rain Stretch Expected Today from Colorado western Minnesota

Jackson, MS

Click images to enlarge.

Weather Forecast Map

Click image to enter NWS Weather Hazards portal.

Greatest Flooding Potential

Des Moines, IA

Click image to enlarge. A strong winter storm is still forecast to impact central Iowa tonight through midday Wednesday. The heaviest snowfall amounts are expected to occur in a band from southwest into northeast Iowa, with the heaviest over the northeast counties. Most of the northwest two thirds of the state will pick up anywhere from 2 to 6 inches of snow. Five to 7 inches will be likely over northeast Iowa, with local heavier amounts. Farther southeast, most of the precipitation will fall in the form of rain and isolated thunderstorms. Some light snow may fall over southeast Iowa as the system moves out, but little accumulation is expected. Source: NWS

Midland/Odessa

• Hazardous weather outlook

New Orleans/ Baton Rouge

• FORECAST: THUNDERSTORMS AND HEAVY RAIN