Colima Volcano Erupts, Hundreds Evacuated in W. Mexico

Hundreds evacuated, airport closed as Colima volcano ejects large amounts of ash into the air

Colima volcano is behaving “atypically,” showing signs similar to a major eruption in 1913, said Mexico’s interior ministry.

The 1913 eruption, the largest on record since  1576, lasted for 5 days between January 20 and 24.

About 800 residents within a 12-km radius of the volcano have been evacuated. The authorities have also closed the airport in the state of Colima, due to the large amounts of volcanic ash “falling in the area,” said reports.

The volcano began erupting early Thursday and became increasingly active, spewing lava and large amounts of ash.

Colima, kla, Volcán de Fuego [“Volcano of Fire,”] is one of the most active volcanoes in Mexico. It is also potentially the most hazardous volcano in the country, with more than 300,000 people living within a 40-km radius of the mountain.

Recent volcanic eruptions leading to mass evacuations

• Volcanic Ash Forces Closure of Five Indonesian Airports July 10, 2015
• Angry Volcanoes Spewing Fire  February 8, 2015

State of Emergency Declared in Missouri amid Widespread Flooding

Tropical Depression BILL batters central U.S. bringing torrential rains, and causing deadly flooding

Gov. Nixon has declared a state of emergency in Missouri as extreme rain events and flooding continued to affect large portions of the state.

“With more heavy rain in the forecast, we will continue to remain in direct contact with law enforcement and local officials as we work to protect lives and property,” Nixon said.

The storm has claimed several lives so far including those in Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri.

BILL  hit in Texas on Tuesday, and is forecast to move northeast into West Virginia, dumping as much as 30cm (12 in) of rain in some areas, forecasters said.

Earth’s Fever Continues: Warmest May on Record

Year-to-date also record warm: Report

The globally averaged temperature over land and ocean surfaces for May 2015 was 15.67°C (60.17°F), the highest for the month since record keeping began in 1880. Globally averaged temperature for March–May and the year-to-date (January–May) were also record highs, according to the State of the Climate Report.

• The combined average temperature across global land and ocean surfaces for May was 0.87°C (1.57°F) above the 20^th century average of 14.8°C (58.6°F)—the highest for May in the 136-year period of record, topping the previous record set in 2014 by 0.08°C (0.14°F).

• The globally-averaged sea surface temperature was 0.72°C (1.30°F) above the 20^th century average of 16.3°C (61.3°F)—the highest ever recorded for the month, topping record set in 2014 by 0.07°C (0.13°F).

• The average global temperature across land surfaces was 1.28°C (2.30°F) above the 20^th century average of 11.1°C (52.0°F), tying with 2012 as the highest May temperature on record.

• The average Arctic sea ice extent for May was about 1.89 million km² (730,000 square miles), or 5.5 percent below the 1981–2010 average, making it the third smallest May extent since records began in 1979.  [The smallest sea ice extent occurred in May 2004, when the cover shrank to about 1.82million km² (703,000 square miles,) said the report

• Antarctic sea ice during May was about 1.3 million km² (500,000 square miles), or 12.1 percent above the 1981–2010 average. The May extent was the largest Antarctic sea ice extent on record, exceeding the previous record set in 2014 by about 52,000km² (20,000 square miles).

January – May 2015

• The first five months of 2015 were the warmest such period on record across the world’s land and ocean surfaces, at 0.85°C (1.53°F) above the 20^th century average, surpassing the previous record set in 2010 by 0.09°C (0.16°F).

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, State of the Climate: Global Analysis for May 2015, published online June 2015, retrieved on June 19, 2015 from http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/201505.

M6.0 Quake Strikes Off Tonga Trench

Strong earthquake strikes near Hihifo, Tonga

Centered at 15.685°S, 173.056°W, about 79 km ENE of Hihifo, the quake occurred at a depth of 41.0 km (25.5 mi), USGS/EHP reported.

Latest quakes in the region

M6.0, 79km ENE of Hihifo, Tonga 2015-06-12 11:07:06 UTC, depth=41.0 km
M4.4, 67km NNE of Ndoi Island, Fiji 2015-06-12 04:47:59 UTC, depth=624.9 km
M4.3, 61km NE of Ndoi Island, Fiji 2015-06-12 03:37:51 UTC, depth=572.5 km
M5.0, 99km NE of `Ohonua, Tonga 2015-06-12 02:36:24 UTC, depth=10.0 km
M4.7, 21km NE of Hihifo, Tonga 2015-06-11 20:23:45 UTC, depth=37.5 km

Related Links

• Calbuco Volcano Finally Erupts April 23, 2015

• FIRE-EARTH ALERT: HEIGHTENED SEISMICITY and ENHANCED VOLCANISM in the Pacific Ring of Fire March 31, 2015

• FIRE-EARTH Forecast: Heightened seismicity in the Pacific Ring of Fire March 30, 2015

 

Earthquakes Strike 8 U.S. States and Puerto Rico

SEISMIC HAZARDS
HEIGHTENED U-S SEISMICITY
SCENARIOS 700, [500,] 08, 07, 02
.

 227 Earthquakes strike 8 U.S. States and Puerto Rico in one day

At least 227 earthquakes of all magnitudes have occurred in eight U.S. states—Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah and Washington—and Puerto Rico in the past 24 hours.

The quakes comprised more than 97 percent of all earthquakes (234 events) that occurred globally during the period.

 Related Links

• Intense Seismicity Resumes in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oklahoma July 13, 2014
• Earthquakes Strike California, New York, Oklahoma…July 6, 2014 [This link may have been blocked by Internet Mafia]
• 95 Percent of All Earthquakes Strike U.S. July 2, 2014
• 90 Percent of All Quakes Strike U.S. June 30, 2014
• U.S. West Shaking Like Jelly  June 30, 2014

Recent Seismicity in the U.S.

• Significant Quake Strikes Alaska Coast July 25, 2014
• Strong Quake Strikes Alaska July 17, 2014
• Intense Seismicity Resumes in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oklahoma  July 13, 2014
• “Extreme” and “Unusual” Geothermal Activity in YNP  July 12, 2014
• Heightened Seismicity Continues Across the U.S. July 8, 2014
• Earthquakes Strike California, New York, Oklahoma… July 6, 2014
• 95 Percent of All Earthquakes Strike U.S. July 2, 2014
• 90 Percent of All Quakes Strike U.S. June 30, 2014
• U.S. West Shaking Like Jelly  June 30, 2014

‘Historic’ Blizzard to Batter U.S. East Coast

Major nor’easter to impact northeastern U.S.

A massive nor’easter is forecast to impact parts of the Northeast Monday through Wednesday. The system will bring heavy snowfall and [hurricane-force] winds, with possible blizzard conditions along coastal areas from New Jersey to Massachusetts, said National Weather Service (NWS), describing the storm as “crippling and potentially historic blizzard.”

This could be the biggest snowstorm in the history of New York, said NY Mayor at a news conference, adding that the snowfall could top 3 feet (91cm).

“I want everyone to understand that we are facing—most probably—one of the largest snowstorms in the history of this city,” said de Blasio.
“My message to all New Yorkers is prepare for something worse than we have seen before. Prepare … for this extreme weather,” he said.

Blizzard Warnings are in effect along the coast from central New Jersey to the Canadian border.

Warnings issued by NWS include

Hurricane Force Wind Warning
Blizzard Warning
Winter Storm Warning
Gale Warning
High Wind Warning
Storm Warning
Coastal Flood Warning
Flood Warning

NWS forecast:

• Heavy snow for New England and the Northern Mid-Atlantic Coast
• Snow for the Upper Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley to Mid-Atlantic
• Temperatures to rise up to 30 degrees above average from the
  Northern High Plains to parts of the Central Plains…

Moving America’s Oil [One Way or Another]

 Breached pipeline spills about 50,000 gallons of oil into Yellowstone River

An oil pipeline breach has spilled about 50,000 gallons of oil into the Yellowstone River about 9 miles upriver from Glendive, Montana, said state officials.

Some of the oil did enter the water, said a spokesman for Gov. Bullock.

Bridger Pipeline Co. said that they have shut down the 12-inch-wide pipeline, calling the breach an “unfortunate incident.”

The incident was a Déjà vu of 2011 ExxonMobil 12-inch Silvertip pipeline rupture breach near Laurel, when more than 60,000 gallons of oil contaminated an 85-mile stretch of riverbank.

BP Oil Spill in Gulf of Mexico

Judge Carl Barbier ruled Thursday that the fines for the 2010 BP massive oil spill were excessive, imposing a maximum ceiling of $13.7 billion, significantly lower than the $18 billion fine sought by prosecutors.

Related Links

• ExxonMobil pipeline leak into Yellowstone River forces evacuations Posted on July 3, 2011
• Exxon Pays Peanuts to the Monkeys Posted on August 14, 2009
• Exxon Mobile Court Orders Only Fraction of Damages Posted on June 16, 2009

2014 Hottest Year on Record: NOAA

UPDATED January 17, 2014

2014 Hottest year on record at 0.69°C (1.24°F) above the 20th century average

The December 2014 average combined global land and ocean surface temperature was the highest on record since record-keeping began 135 years ago, at 0.77°C (1.39°F) above the 20th century average of 12.2°C (54.0°F), making 2014 the warmest year on record, according to the latest State of the Climate report released by NCDC/NOAA.

January–December 2014 Blended Land and Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies in degrees Celsius

 

Selected Highlights

• The December 2014 globally-averaged temperature for land and ocean surfaces combined was 0.77°C (1.39°F) above the 20^th century average of 12.2°C (54.0°F), the highest on record for December since records began in 1880.
• The January–December temperatures were warmer than average across the vast majority of the globe during 2014, resulting in  record warmth for 2014, at 0.69°C (1.24°F) above the 20^th century average.
• The 2014 average global ocean surface temperature was also the highest on record, at 0.55°C (0.99°F) above average.
• The highest temperature anomalies (more than 5°C / 9°F above the 1981–2010 average) were observed in parts of Alaska and Siberia.

December 2014 Selected Climate Anomalies and Events Map

Source: NOAA National Climatic Data Center, State of the Climate: Global Analysis for December 2014, published online January 2015, retrieved on January 16, 2015 from http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/2014/12.

The latest data show that 14 of the 15 warmest years on record have occurred this century.

2001-2010 was the warmest decade on record.

The Atmospheric Temperatures

Two different analyses examined NOAA satellite-based data records for the lower and middle troposphere and the lower stratosphere.

• The 2014 temperature for the lower troposphere (roughly the lowest five miles of the atmosphere) was third highest in the 1979-2014 record, at 0.50°F (0.28°C) above the 1981–2010 average, as analyzed by the University of Alabama Huntsville (UAH), and sixth highest on record, at 0.29°F (0.16°C) above the 1981–2010 average, as analyzed by Remote Sensing Systems (RSS).
• The 2014 temperature for the mid-troposphere (roughly two miles to six miles above the surface) was third highest in the 1979–2014 record, at 0.32°F (0.18°C) above the 1981–2010 average, as analyzed by UAH, and sixth highest on record, at 0.25°F (0.14°C) above the 1981–2010 average, as analyzed by RSS.
• The temperature for the lower stratosphere (roughly 10 miles to 13 miles above the surface) was 13^th lowest in the 1979–2014 record, at 0.56°F (0.31°C) below the 1981–2010 average, as analyzed by UAH, and also 13^th lowest on record, at 0.41°F (0.23°C) below the 1981–2010 average, as analyzed by RSS. The stratospheric temperature is decreasing on average while the lower and middle troposphere temperatures are increasing on average, consistent with expectations in a greenhouse-warmed world. [NOAH]
  

Related Links

• 2014 U.S. Temperature Tops 20th-Century Average (Again) January 10, 2015
• Year-to-Date Global Temperature Highest on Record December 16, 2014

2014 U.S. Temperature Tops 20th-Century Average (Again)

DISASTERS CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE
EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS
RISING TEMPERATURES
EXTREME WET & EXTREME DRY CONDITIONS
ECOLOGICAL COLLAPSE
SPECIES EXTINCTION 
MAIN SCENARIOS: 900, 888, 808, 800, 797,  777, 666, 560, 555, 444, 300, 123, 117, 114, 111, 101, 100, 097, 090, 080, 078, 071, 067, 066, 047, 033, 027, 025, 024, 023, 022, 012, 011, 09, 04, 03, 02, 01
.

2014 U.S. temperature tops 20^th-century average for the 18^th consecutive year

Contiguous U.S. experienced its 2nd warmest December on record, according to the State of the Climate Summary Information released by NOAA National Climatic Data Center.

Highlights from the Summary Report

• During December, the average contiguous U.S. temperature was 37.1°F, 4.5°F above the 20^th century average.
• Eight weather and climate disasters exceeded $1 billion in damages each and resulted in 53 fatalities. The events included the western U.S. drought, the Michigan & Northeast flooding event, five severe storm events, and one winter storm event.
• 2014 annual average contiguous U.S. temperature was 52.6°F, 0.5°F above the 20^th century average.
• The temperature exceeded the 20^th Century average for the 18^th consecutive year.
• The average contiguous U.S. precipitation was 30.76 inches, 0.82 inch above average.

Damage from eight weather and climate disasters in U.S. exceeded $1 billion each

In 2014, there were 8 weather and climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each across the United States. These events included a drought event, a flooding event, 5 severe storm events, and a winter storm event. Overall, these events resulted in the deaths of 53 people and had significant economic effects on the areas impacted. Further cost data and figures on individual events in 2014 will be announced in mid-2015. The U.S. has sustained 178 weather and climate disasters since 1980 where overall damages/costs reached or exceeded $1 billion (including CPI adjustment to 2014). The total cost of these 178 events exceeds $1 trillion. Source: NOAA/NCDC.

NOAA National Climatic Data Center, State of the Climate: National Overview for December 2014, published online January 2015, retrieved on January 10, 2015 from http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/national/2014/12.

Related Links (Most Recent)

• Year-to-Date Global Temperature Highest on Record December 16, 2014
• Global Temperature Breaks October Record: Report November 29, 2014
• Global Temperature Reaches Record High in September: NOAA October 21, 2014
• August Global Temperature Breaks Record September 20, 2014
• Hottest June on Record Posted on July 22, 2014
• May Global Temperature Reaches All-time High Posted on June 24, 2014
• Warmest Winter on Record Deepens California Drought Posted on March 18, 2014
• December Ocean Temperature 2nd Warmest Posted on January 23, 2010
• Global Temperature Analysis Posted on January 22, 2014

 

Arctic Déjà vu: Giga Blasts to Affect 250 Million in 40 States

EXTREME CLIMATIC & WEATHER EVENTS
.

Potentially deadly Arctic air to affect 250 million in U.S. —FIRE-EARTH

Massive pulses of brutally cold Arctic air are sinking southward from Canada into the central and eastern U.S., affecting the western High Plains to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast U.S. for the next few days, said NWS. “Widespread subzero overnight lows are forecast for the Dakotas, Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, and interior New England.”

Temperatures will be as much as 30 degrees (F) below average for parts of the Plains, Mississippi Valley, and Ohio Valley…

• Hard Freeze Warnings, Freeze Warnings and multiples of other Weather Hazard Warnings, Watches and Advisories are in effect throughout the eastern two-thirds of the country, extending into the deep South and spanning along almost the entire Gulf Coast.

• Up to 250 million people in 40 states could be affected by the Arctic blasts, according to FIRE-EARTH Models.

Significant Quakes Strike Panama & Texas

SEISMIC HAZARD
HEIGHTENED GLOBAL SEISMICITY
SCENARIOS 700, [500,] 08, 07, 02
.

M6.6 strikes south of Panama

Centered at 5.828°N, 82.652°W the quake struck offshore at a depth of 10.0km (6.2mi), USGS/EHP reported.

The mainshock was followed by at least one aftershock, measuring 5.0Mw, as of posting

EQ Details

Magnitude: 6.6Mw
Event Time: 2015-01-07 05:07:08 UTC
Location: 5.828°N 82.652°W depth=10.0km (6.2mi)

Nearby Cities:

• 245km (152mi) S of Punta de Burica, Panama
• 288km (179mi) S of David, Panama
• 480km (298mi) SSE of San Jose, Costa Rica

M 3.6 strikes ENE of Irving, Texas

Centered at 32.837°N, 96.890°W the quake occurred at a depth of 5.0km, said USGS/EHP.

EQ Details

Magnitude: 3.6Mw
Event Time: 2015-01-07 00:52:09 UTC
Location: 32.837°N 96.890°W depth=5.0km (3.1mi)
Nearby Cities:

• 9km (6mi) NW of Dallas, Texas
• 9km (6mi) S of Farmers Branch
• 296km (184mi) NNE of Austin

The event was one of nine earthquakes to strike the area since 13:37:15UTC Tuesday, January 6.

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP

M3.1 4km NE of Irving  2015-01-07 @ 06:59:03 UTC depth = 5.0km
M1.6 6km ENE of Irving 2015-01-07 @ 05:02:52 UTC depth = 5.0km
M2.4 4km NNE of Irving 2015-01-07 @ 04:05:14 UTC depth = 5.0km
M1.7 7km SSE of Farmers Branch 2015-01-07 @ 03:54:17 UTC depth = 5.0km
M2.7 4km NE of Irving 2015-01-07 @ 02:12:16 UTC depth = 4.0 km
M2.9 5km ENE of Irving 2015-01-07 @ 02:11:17 UTC depth = 5.0 km
M3.6 6km ENE of Irving 2015-01-07 @ 00:52:09 UTC depth = 5.0 km
M3.5 5km ENE of Irving 2015-01-06 @ 21:10:31 UTC depth = 5.2 km
M2.3 4km NE of Irving 2015-01-06 @ 13:37:15 UTC depth = 5.0 km

---

IMPORTANT NOTICE: FIRE-EARTH EQ Forecast

For detailed FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecasts tune into Fire-Earth Reports  daily @ 06:32UTC.

---

Related Links

• Earthquake Swarm Hits NW Nevada January 5, 2015
• M4.2 Quake Strikes N. Nevada December 4, 2014
• Significant Quake Strikes Arizona December 1, 2014
• Earthquakes Strike Oklahoma, Texas November 30, 2014
• Earthquakes Strike 11 U.S. States November 25, 2014
• Significant Quake Strikes Near Irving, Texas November 23, 2014
• Intense Seismicity Continues in N. Nevada November 13, 2014
• Nevada Quake Swarm Intensifies November 6, 2014
• Earthquake Swarm Rattles N. Nevada November 5, 2014

Large Wildfire Threatens Homes in Victoria, Australia

CLIMATE CHANGE DISASTERS
EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS
MAJOR EMERGENCY DECLARED
RISING TEMPERATURES
DESTRUCTIVE WILDFIRES
MASS EVACUATIONS
LOSS OF HABITAT
LOSS OF CROPS & LIVESTOCK
SCENARIOS 900, 800, 555, 444, 111, 101, 100, 080, 071, 070, 03, 02
.

Emergency warning  issued as wildfire threatens homes in Victoria, Australia

The warning has been issued for towns Mockinya, Nurrabiel, Telangatuk and Toolondo in northwestern portion of the state of Victoria, said reports.

“Private properties north of the Black Range State Park and the Mt Talbot area could be impacted anytime within the next hour,” said  a warning by the country fire authority (CFA) .

The “fast moving, out of control” wildfire has consumed more than 1,500 hectares and was traveling north from the Black Range State Forest in the Southern Grampians, having reached the Mt Talbot Reserve, said the local media.

South Australia

Meantime, another major blaze has destroyed or damaged dozens of homes and numerous outbuildings in the state of South Australia.

“More than 700 firefighters from SA, New South Wales and Victoria continue to secure the blaze ahead of 38 degree Celsius temperatures forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday,” said a report..

Social media have reported looting  in the areas affected by wildfire.

Related Links

• Major Emergency Declared as Wildfires Devour Homes in S. Australia January 3, 2015

5.5 Pct of Sri Lankans Affected by Deadly Floods, Landslides

CLIMATE CHANGE DISASTERS
EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
DEADLY FLOODS & LANDSLIDES
CROP DISASTERS
MASS DISPLACEMENT
MAIN SCENARIOS: 900, 888, [500,] 477, 444, 117, 111, 071, 070, 066, 047, 027, 025, 023, 022, 012, 011, 09, 02
.

Daily Situation Report – Sri Lanka Disaster Management Center

Extreme rains, deadly floods and landslides affect 1.1 million in Sri Lanka  

Extreme rain events, deadly floods and landslides across Sri Lanka have affected 5.5% of the population, or 1,121,579 persons (311,623 families), leaving at least 39 people dead, 20 injured and 2 missing since December 20, reported the country’s Disaster Management Center.

The disasters have destroyed 6,500 homes and damaged 18,013 others, displacing at least 50,832 people across 22 of the country’s 29 districts, said the report.

The town of Batticaloa is the worst hit with more than 30,000 people displaced, officials have said.

The towns of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa in the north central province, Sri Lanka’s largest rice-producing region, have experienced severe flooding as days of heavy rain forced the authorities to open the sluice gates on dozens of dams.

The floods have also washed away many roads and railways throughout the country.

Dozens Killed in Shanghai Stampede for Fake Money

“Fake dollars” stirs up Shanghai crowed into a deadly frenzy

At least 35 people were killed and dozens more injured in a stampede during New Year celebrations in Shanghai, east China.

The incident occurred at Chenyi Square in Shanghai’s Bund area at around 11:35 pm when coupons that looked like dollar bills were thrown from a building resulting in a deadly frenzy to collect the fake money, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Original caption: Photo taken on Jan. 1, 2015 shows a picture of a coupon in a cellphone that looks like “dollar bill” which was thrown from a building’s third-floor window near the scene of an accident that caused casualties among people who took part in new year celebrations in east China’s Shanghai. New Year celebrations in Shanghai’s bund area went astray Wednesday night as a stampede resulted in 35 people dead and 42 injured. A witness said that some coupons were thrown from a building’s third-floor window near the Bund and people standing along the river bank started to scramble for these coupons. The city has set up a working team for rescue operations and to deal with the aftermath. (Xinhua/Ding Ting). More images…

Death Toll Rises in Philippine Storm

Death toll from Tropical Depression JANGMI (local name “SENIANG”) has climbed to at least 54, said a report.

JANGMI weakened into a low pressure area (LPA) on New Year’s eve.

The fatalities were reported in Central and Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga and Davao regions,said the report.

The final storm to hit the Philippines in 2014, JANGMI affected 486,512 people in seven regions, triggering 17 incidents of flooding and 12 landslides, destroying or damaging 1,533 houses.

“Thirty-eight roads and 20 bridges remain non-passable in the Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions.”

United States

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued dozens of Warnings, Watches and Advisories as “an unusually cold low pressure system” continues to “move from the Colorado River Valley to the southern Rockies Thursday.”

An extreme cold front swooped on Southern California causing several deaths and injuries and plunging temperatures in the Los Angeles Basin by at least 10 degrees below the average.

Meantime, temperature plunged to a record -19 degrees Fahrenheit at Denver International Airport on Tuesday, smashing the previous minimum record of -11 degrees set 116 years ago.

National High and Low Temperature (for the contiguous United States)

Low Temperature for Wednesday, December 31, 2014

• -44.5ºC (-48ºF) at Daniel, WY

High Temperature for Wednesday, December 31, 2014

• 28.3ºC (83ºF)  at West Kendall (Tamiami AP), FL

NWS Weather Prediction Center, College Park, MD – Issued 1 am EST Thursday, January 1, 2015

Temperature spread (calculated by FIRE-EARTH) = 72.8°C (131°F)

 

Bulgaria

A state of emergency has been declared in three municipalities in Montana District, Northwest Bulgaria, said a report quoting the officials.

“Big snowdrifts of over 1 metre formed on Monday, December 29, at about 3:00 p.m. along the roads in the municipalities of Valchedram, Lom, Yakimovo, Brusartsi and Medkovets owing to strong winds and heavy snowfall,” said the report.

Huge Fire Razes Shanties in a Manila Slum

Thousands of poor families have been displaced after a huge fire destroyed about 1,000 shanties in a metro Manila slum. The fire was reportedly ignited by firecrackers.

The massive blaze, which razed a kilometer-long row of shanties, was one of at least 14 major fires reported across the country as Filipinos ushered in the New Year.

Two of the fires turned deadly claiming at least a dozen lives, local media quoted the authorities as saying.

Global Disasters/ Significant Events – December 30, 2014

Flight QZ8501 debris found by Indonesian rescuers

FOUR bodies have been recovered from Java Sea off the Indonesian part of Borneo in the search for missing AirAsia Flight QZ8501, the Indonesian government announced.

The Airbus A320-200, with 162 people on board, flying from Surabaya in Indonesia to Singapore, disappeared on Sunday.

250,000 People flee their homes in Malaysia’s “worst ever” flooding

Malaysia’s worst ever flooding has forced about a quarter of a million people from their homes, authorities said.

The floods have killed at least two dozen people and destroyed or damaged scores of homes across the northeast.

Thailand

In neighboring Thailand, floods have killed at least eighteen people and displaced thousands of others. Five southern provinces remain submerged…

Philippines

Dozens of people have been killed, injured or reported missing after Tropical Storm JANGMI (local name “SENIANG”) hit central Philippines.

About 100,000 people (more than 20,000 families) have been affected in regions VII, X, XI and CARAGA, NDRRMC reported.

The disasters were caused by floods/ flash floods, landslides/ mudslides and maritime incidents.

NDRRMC Update – SitRep No. 5 – Effects of Tropical Storm “SENIANG” –
December 30, 2014, 6:00PM

Source: NDRRMC

United States

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued dozens of Warnings, Watches and Advisories as cold, arctic air continues to spread across the Upper Midwest and northern and central Plains through Tuesday, plunging temperatures as much as 30 degrees (F) below normal.

National High and Low Temperature for the contiguous United States

Low Temperature for Tuesday, December 30, 2014

• -34ºC (-29ºF) at Pinedale, WY

High Temperature for Monday, December 29, 2014

• 29.4ºC (85ºF) at Vero Beach, FL

Issued 7 am EST Tuesday, December 30, 2014 by NWS Weather Prediction Center, College Park, MD

Temperature spread (calculated by FIRE-EARTH) = 63.4°C (114°F)

Kilauea Volcano
The average emission rate of sulfur dioxide ranged between 5,500 and 7,700 tonnes/day for the week ending on December 23 (HVO).

Record Freeze Hits England, Wales, N. Ireland

Severe weather action alert issued for large portion of the UK

The UK Met Office has issued a severe weather (“amber”) alert for large portion of England, warning of “a 90% probability of severe cold weather/icy conditions/heavy snow” through December 31, which may “increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services.”

The country recorded its coldest temperature of 2014 so far at -9C in Cromdale, Moray, on Saturday.

“The record lows come as parts of the UK have already been hit by sub-zero temperatures and forecasters warned of further plunging temperatures over the next three days,” said a report.

The amber (level three) alert is one below a national emergency (“red” alert) and is triggered by the Met Office when weather breaches any of the thresholds that “require social and healthcare services to target specific actions at high-risk groups.”

Bolivia Declares Second Largest Lake ‘Disaster Area’

Mass Deaths of Fish, Waterfowl in Bolivian Lake, River

Agricultural authorities in Bolivia have declared Poopo Lake in Oruro department a disaster area after the death of thousands of fish and waterfowl.

More than 10 kilometers of dead fish and birds were found on the banks of Lake Poopó (Oruro department) earlier this month. The deaths occurred either as a result suffocation, caused by the high volumes of mud washed into the water after recent torrential rains in the region, or by an abnormal rise in the temperature, said reports.

“That event will affect more than 780 thousand fishing families with low production in the coming years, as the fish were on procreation age,” said a report.

Lake Poopó is the second largest in the Andean country, after Titicaca.

In another disaster, thousands of dead fish were found in the Rio Grande, a major river in the department of Santa Cruz, eastern Bolivia, less than two weeks ago, said the report.

 

 

M5.9 Quake Rattles Fukushima, Japan

GEOPHYSICAL HAZARDS
HEIGHTENED JAPAN SEISMICITY
SCENARIOS: 704, 703,  700, [500,] 09, 08, 07, 02
.

Significant earthquake strikes offshore Fukushima pref., Japan

Centered at 37.397°N, 141.548°E the quake struck at a depth of 36.9km (22.9mi), said USGS/EHP.

EQ Details

Magnitude: 5.9Mw
Event Time: 2014-12-20 09:29:58 UTC
Location: 37.397°N 141.548°E depth=36.9km (22.9mi)
Nearby Cities:

• 49km (30mi) E of Namie, Japan
• 70km (43mi) ENE of Iwaki
• 85km (53mi) E of Funehiki
• 89km (55mi) SE of Marumori
• 252km (157mi) NE of Tokyo

---

IMPORTANT NOTICE: FIRE-EARTH EQ Forecast

For detailed FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecasts tune into Fire-Earth Reports  daily @ 06:32UTC.

---

FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecasts for California and Japan

FIRE-EARTH Science Team has suspended its research on California seismicity to protest Internet censorship, Google’s manipulation of information, theft of FIRE-EARTH intellectual property and other reasons, as stated earlier on the blog.

The Team has suspended its research also on Japan seismicity due to the resurgence of militarism in that country and other reasons that have also been stated previously.

FIRE-EARTH Forecast for 2015

Members Messages – December 19, 2014

FIRE-EARTH Forecast for 2015 will be broadcast for members on Saturday and Sunday, December 27 – 28, 2014 at the following times:

08:32, 12:32, 16:32, 18:30, 20:32 and 22:32UTC.

Non-members

Please note that FIRE-EARTH Forecast for 2015 will NOT be made public to prevent repeat theft of important information.

Forecasts, ideas and information posted on FIRE-EARTH blog have been (are being) stolen, plagiarized, twisted and misused by commercial Internet sites, including Google-affiliated blogs and others, “the Cabal News Network,” “the ‘Greek Post,’” “tabloids,” NSA-sponsored blogs, “end-world prophecy,” “extinction,” “die-off protocol,” “poleshift,” “‘shame’ progress,” “2012 and beyond,” “Planet X, Nibiru,” and many other spin sites.

For a comprehensive list of the perpetrators, google the Internet using search terms associated with disaster topics and you’ll find the worst of those spin-doctors displayed prominently (top 40, or higher), often repeatedly, in the search results.

Related Links

• Bulletin Board

Eat your heart out, Alice!

This beats your Wonderland hands down!

What a Wonderful World (!)

The number of richest people in the world has more than doubled since the financial crisis, up from 793 in March 2009 to 1,645 in March 2014. Their  aggregate net worth is $6.4 trillion, up from $5.4 trillion just a year ago, according to Forbes.

AND, here are some of the consequences:

• Syria:
  • 12.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance including 7.6 million who have been internally displaced by violence, and 3.2 million others who have fled the country, says UNOCHA.
• Iraq:
  • About 1,000,000 IDPs living in tents and other flimsy “shelters” are in need of heating.
• Philippines:
  • About 4 million people in 9 regions were affected by Typhoon HAGUPIT, which destroyed at least 38,000 homes. About 157,000 people live in evacuation centers.
• Central African Republic (CAR):
  • More than 2.7 million people, or 58.7 percent of the CAR population are in need of immediate assistance (UNHCR,05/12/2014).
  • As of September 2014, more than 1.7 million people were in Crisis and Emergency phases of food insecurity.
  • Multiple cases of cholera and measles have been reported among more than 750,000 IDPs.
• Democratic Republic of Congo:
  • About 4.1 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance (FAO, 11/12/2014 ).
• Guinea:
  • As of December 13, 2014 some 2,394 Ebola cases and 1,518 death have been  reported in Guinea (WHO).
  •  Ebola outbreak has affected 11 million people, or almost the entire population of Guinea (IFRC, 25/10/2014).
  • 4.3 million children live in the affected areas (UNICEF, 03/12/2014)..
• Liberia:
  •  Some 3.73 million Liberian are in need of assistance (OCHA, 16/09/2014)
  • As of December 9, some 7,797 Ebola cases and 3,290 deaths have been reported in Liberia (WHO).
• Sierra Leone:
  • The entire population of Sierra Leone (6.2 million) are in need of assistance as a consequence of Ebola outbreak (OCHA, 16/09/2014).
  • As of December 13, 2014 some 8,270 Ebola cases and 2,033 deaths have been reported in Sierra Leone (WHO).
• West Africa:
  • Total accumulative number of Ebola cases across West Africa (Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone) has reached 18,464 including 6,841 deaths (WHO, 15/12/2014). The numbers of reported cases and deaths are largely underestimated.

CONTINUED…

Year-to-Date Global Temperature Highest on Record

DISASTERS CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE
EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS
RISING TEMPERATURES
EXTREME WET & EXTREME DRY CONDITIONS
ECOLOGICAL COLLAPSE
SPECIES EXTINCTION 
MAIN SCENARIOS: 900, 888, 808, 800, 797,  777, 666, 560, 555, 444, 300, 123, 117, 114, 111, 101, 100, 097, 090, 080, 078, 071, 067, 066, 047, 033, 027, 025, 024, 023, 022, 012, 011, 09, 04, 03, 02, 01
.

November 2014 global temperature ties for seventh highest on record: NOAA

The first 11 months of 2014 was the warmest such period on record, with a combined global land and ocean average surface temperature of 1.22°F (0.68°C) above the 20^th century average of 57.0°F (13.9°C), surpassing the previous record set in 2010 by 0.02°F (0.01°C), according to NOAA National Climatic Data Center, State of the Climate report.

Global temperature highlights:

Year-to-date

• The global ocean surface temperature for the year-to-date was 1.03°F (0.57°C) above the 20^th century average, the warmest such period on record.

• The January–November global land surface temperature was 1.71°F (0.95°C) above the 20^th century average, the sixth warmest such period on record.

2014 is currently on track to be the warmest year on record should the December global temperature stay at least 0.76°F (0.42°C) above its 20^th century average.

2014 End-of-Year Global Temperature scenarios: Source: NCDC/NOAA

Global temperature highlights:

September–November

• The combined average temperature for global land and ocean surfaces for September–November was the highest on record for this period, at 1.26°F (0.70°C) above the 20^th century average of 57.1°F (14.0°C).

• The September–November global sea surface temperature was 1.13°F (0.63°C) above the 20^th century average of 60.7°F (16.0°C), the highest for September–November on record.

• The global land temperature was the ninth highest for September–November on record, at 1.62°F (0.90°C) above the 20^th century average of 48.3°F (9.1°C). The margin of error is ±0.31°F (0.17°C).

Details posted at: NOAA National Climatic Data Center, State of the Climate: Global Analysis for November 2014, published online December 2014, retrieved on December 16, 2014 from http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/2014/11

[Note: Global report will be released on Wednesday December 17^th at 11:00 am EST.]

Related Links (Most Recent)

• Global Temperature Breaks October Record: Report November 29, 2014
• Global Temperature Reaches Record High in September: NOAA October 21, 2014
• August Global Temperature Breaks Record September 20, 2014
• Hottest June on Record Posted on July 22, 2014
• May Global Temperature Reaches All-time High Posted on June 24, 2014
• Warmest Winter on Record Deepens California Drought Posted on March 18, 2014
• December Ocean Temperature 2nd Warmest Posted on January 23, 2010
• Global Temperature Analysis Posted on January 22, 2014

Perry and Pawnee Popping Like Popcorn Poppers

SEISMIC HAZARDS
HEIGHTENED U.S. SEISMICITY
SCENARIOS: 704, 703,  700, [500,] 09, 08, 07, 02
.

Earthquakes continue to rattle Oklahoma

At least 11 earthquakes have struck the U.S. state of Oklahoma over the past 24 hours, as of posting. Most of the events occurred near Perry and Pawnee, Okla.

List of  the events, as recorded by USGS/EHP:

2.7 17km N of Stillwater, Oklahoma 2014-12-15 03:45:30 UTC depth of 5.0 km
2.8 5km SW of Pawnee, Oklahoma 2014-12-15 02:32:51 UTC depth of 8.6 km
2.9 21km W of Perry, Oklahoma 2014-12-14 22:22:55 UTC depth of 9.3 km
4.0 4km ESE of Pawnee, Oklahoma 2014-12-14 21:18:20 UTC depth of 4.7 km
3.1 22km W of Perry, Oklahoma 2014-12-14 21:07:13 UTC depth of 6.6 km
2.9 10km SE of Helena, Oklahoma 2014-12-14 19:02:16 UTC depth of 5.0 km
3.0 22km W of Perry, Oklahoma 2014-12-14 16:09:47 UTC depth of 5.5 km
3.8 22km W of Perry, Oklahoma 2014-12-14 15:48:41 UTC depth of 6.4 km
3.1 3km SE of Pawnee, Oklahoma 2014-12-14 10:19:54 UTC depth of 5.0 km
2.8 3km SE of Pawnee, Oklahoma 2014-12-14 10:11:20 UTC depth of 5.0 km
4.3 22km NE of Cherokee, Oklahoma 2014-12-14 09:14:21 UTC depth of 5.0 km

‘Weather Bomb’ Hits UK

DISASTERS CAUSED OR ENHANCED BY CLIMATE CHANGE
EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS
.

Explosive Cyclogenesis Brings Massive Lightning Storm to NW Britain

Thousands are without electricity, train and ferries have been cancelled, as a weather bomb, bringing a massive lightning storm and “exceptionally high” waves, hit northwestern UK.

The UK Met Office had earlier warned that western and northern Scotland and the far north of Northern Ireland could experience “dangerous conditions” on Wednesday due to a rapidly-developing Atlantic storm known as an Explosive Cyclogenesis, with wind gusts of up to 130 km/h.

Explosive Cyclogenesis is a rapidly deepening extratropical cyclonic low-pressure area. It occurs when the central pressure of a depression at 60˚ latitude drops by 24 millibars (hPa) or more in 24 hours.

A second storm front is forecast to move  across the U.K. on Thursday, said the Met Office.

Amber & Yellow warnings of severe weather have been issued by the UK Met Office

Regions affected by Amber warning:
Highlands & Eilean Siar, Northern Ireland, Orkney & Shetland, Strathclyde

Regions affected by Yellow warnings:
Central, Tayside & Fife, East Midlands, East of England, Grampian, Highlands & Eilean Siar, London & South East England, North East England, North West England, Northern Ireland, Orkney & Shetland, SW Scotland, Lothian Borders, South West England, Strathclyde, Wales, West Midlands, Yorkshire & Humber

Satellite animation showing developing area of low pressure

Lightning over 24 hours from 09:30 GMT on Tuesday, with darker colors indicating more recent strikes. Issued by UK Met Office/ via BBC.

HAGUPIT Becomes a Super Typhoon

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
SUPER TYPHOON
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
STORM SURGES
COASTAL FLOODING
MASS EVACUATIONS
CROP DISASTERS
MAIN SCENARIOS: 900, 888, 808, [500,] 477, 444, 117, 111, 097, 071, 070, 047, 033, 027, 025, 023, 022, 012, 011, 09, 02
.

Super Typhoon 22W could cause widespread destruction in the  Philippines

Typhoon 22W [aka, HAGUPIT, locally called “RUBY”] was positioned near 10.2N 133.3E, about 800km east of Surigao City , packing sustained winds of about 305 km/h, at 05.00UTC on Thursday, December 4, according to FIRE-EARTH models.

• Movement and Forward Speed: WNW at about 25 km/h
• Max. Wind Gusts: 370 km/h
• Max. Significant Wave Heights: ~ 20m

The super typhoon is forecast to reach within 30 km northeast of Borongan, Eastern Samar and make landfall over the Samar area before noon on Saturday, according to PAGASA/DOST.

Most Probable Track of Typhoon 22W. Source: PAGASA/DOST.

Authorities have placed at least 10 provinces under Storm Signal No. 1 as of posting:

Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte , Southern Leyte,  Surigao del Norte including Siargao Island, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat.

The super storm may dump heavy – intense rain of up to 20 mm/hr over a 700-km diameter of the typhoon.

Storm surges, extreme rain events, flash floods,and landslides are expected to worsen what could be yet another major catastrophe.

In November 2013, Typhoon HAIYAN devastated Eastern Samar and the island of Leyte, leaving up to 8,000 people dead or missing, tens of thousands injured and about 5 million homeless.

 

Related Links

Typhoon HAGUPIT Targets the Philippines December 3, 2014

Typhoon HAGUPIT Targets the Philippines

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
MAJOR TYPHOON
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
STORM SURGES
COASTAL FLOODING
MASS EVACUATIONS
CROP DISASTERS
MAIN SCENARIOS: 900, 888, 808, [500,] 477, 444, 117, 111, 097, 071, 070, 047, 033, 027, 025, 023, 022, 012, 011, 09, 02
.

Typhoon 22W packing 200km/h winds; headed WNW

Typhoon 22W [aka, HAGUPIT, locally called “RUBY”] was positioned near 9.1°N 135.9°E, about 1,100km east of Hinatuan Surigao del Sur, packing sustained winds of over 200km/h, at 14.32UTC, according to FIRE-EARTH models.

• Movement and Forward Speed; WNW at about 30km/h
• Max. Significant Wave Heights: ~ 15m

Typhoon 22W [aka, HAGUPIT,”RUBY”] Image Source: NOAA/SSD/ West Pacific Imagery

Most probably track for TY 22W, as of posting:

Track of Typhoon 22W. Source: PAGASA/DOST.