12.6 Million People Suffering Chronic Food Insecurity in Mindanao, Philippines

Millions of people in 18 provinces of Mindanao suffering chronic food insecurity: Report

About three quarters of the population analyzed in 18 of Mindanao provinces, or an estimated 12.6 million people, are suffering from chronic food insecurity, according to a UN report using the IPC standardized scale. 

“The provinces of Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del Norte and Maguindanao registered the highest percentages of food-insecure population. These provinces indicated high prevalence of stunting, poor access to improved water source s and low breastfeeding rates,” said the report.

Global Disasters/ Significant Events – March 4, 2015

Disasters affect more than 1.3 million people in Colombia

Human-enhanced natural disasters affected 1,334,029 people across Colombia Between January 2014 and February 2015.

Severe drought in the Caribbean and Andean regions affected more than 729,000 of the total, while widespread flooding in other regions affected about 296,000 others, reported UN OCHA.

“For 2015, there is a likelihood for continuing dry conditions. The extremely dry season has led to drought, water shortages, forest fires and access constraints due to low river levels,” said the report.

An estimated 124,000 people displaced by conflict across Mindanao in 2014

Armed conflict, clan feuds and widespread violence has caused multiple displacements across Mindanao from starting 2012, UN reported.

In 2014, an estimated 124,000 people were displaced by conflict according to the Protection Cluster.
Currently, more than 100,000 people are directly affected
by conflict each year.

By January 2015, at least 77,000 people were still
without lasting solutions including some 30,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) in Zamboanga City.

UN Figures:  Displacement in Central Mindanao

Number of affected people: 69,700
Number of IDPs in evacuation centers: 46,400
Number of evacuation centers: 45
Number of house-based IDPs: 17,200

Zamboanga Crisis

Number of IDPs evacuation centers: 6,700
Number of IDPs in transitional sites: 12,400
Number of house-based IDPs: 11,300

Iraq violence kills more than 1,100 in February: UNAMI

Some 1,103 people weer killed in Iraq last month, including 611 civilians, said the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) in a statement.

At least 2,280 people, including 1,353 civilians, were wounded across Iraq last month, added UNAMI.

Baghdad was worst hit by the violence with at least 329 people dead and 875 others wounded, said the report.

January’s death toll was at least 1,375, including 790 civilians, said UNAMI.

The UN figures do not include the casualties in Iraqi regions held by ISIL terrorists.

M6.3 Quake Strikes Near Davao Gulf

SEISMIC HAZARD
HEIGHTENED GLOBAL SEISMICITY
SCENARIOS 08, 07
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Strong Quake Strikes SSE of Davao, Philippines

Centered at 5.681°N, 126.570°E the quake occurred at a depth of about 44.9km (27.9mi) some 86km (53mi) SSE of Pondaguitan, Mindanao, Philippines, said USGS/EHP.

The shock was followed by at least one significant aftershock as of posting.

To be updated …

Coconut Scale Threatens Food Security in Philippines

CLIMATE CHANGE
CROP DISASTER
FOOD SECURITY THREAT
COCONUT SCALE INSECT INFESTATION
STATE OF EMERGENCY
SCENARIO 123
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State of Emergency Declared in Philippines as Coconut Scale Insect Infests Million Trees

Coconut scale insects have infested more than a million trees in the country, which are in danger of dying, according to the Philippine Coconut Authority.

The insects have also infested lanzones and banana plants in several regions—Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) and Basilan in Mindanao.

The Philippine President has declared a state of emergency in five provinces so far, but may extend the coverage due to the scale of disaster.

“If the spread of this invasive pest is not contained, it may wipe out the coconut industry not just in Calabarzon but eventually in the rest of the country,” said the president in his executive order declaring the state of emergency.

The loss to the Philippine coconut industry could amount to more than US$ 1 billion.

Coconut scale Aspidiotus destructor Signoret. Photo credit: Bernhard Loehr/ Bugwood.org

“It is serious enough to ask for emergency measures… If we don’t address this, it could spread to the Bicol region, and also in the Zamboanga peninsula,” said the Presidential Assistant for Food Security. 

The infestation was first reported in 2010 but the authorities failed to stop the spread.  Coconut scale insects are wind-borne and can easily spread to other regions, experts say.

The armored scale insects, known scientifically as Aspidiotus destructor Signoret (Hemiptera: familia Diaspididae), are tiny plant parasites, causing yellowing or chlorosis, wilting, premature nutfall (in coconut) and low yield because they siphons off the plant sap.

The coconut scale is a common pest of coconut and banana, but it also infests other trees and plants including avocado, bird of paradise, breadfruit, ginger, guava, mango, mock orange, mountain apple, palm, papaya, pandanas, plumeria and sugarcane.

The parasite is common to tropical and subtropical regions, especially on islands. The insects have been found in American Samoa, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Irian Jaya, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Is., Sri Lanka, Vanuatu and Western Samoa, and now the Philippine islands.

AGATON Displaces More Than 200,000 in Philippines

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENTS
CLIMATE-RELATED DISASTERS
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Tropical Depression AGATON kills or injures 100 people, affecting at least 830,000 others

Tropical Depression AGATON [locally known as “Lingling”] has claimed dozens of lives, leaving dozens more injured or missing, and affecting  more than 830,000 others.

AGATON dumped significant amounts of rain on Mindanao island group and parts of the island of Samar over three days, triggering widespread flooding and landslides, which impacted many hundreds of towns and villages across 15 provinces, said National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Many of the victims had already lost their homes to Super Typhoon HAIYAN in November.

About 207,000 people have lost their homes and are being moved to evacuation centers.

200,000 Flee Their Homes, Dozens Killed in Philippine Floods

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS –
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
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State of calamity declared as severe floods landslides destroy homes, drown people in Mindanao, Philippines

More than 200,000 people have abandoned their homes on the Island of Mindanao, as widespread flooding and landslides destroy or damage thousands of homes, killing dozens of people in the Philippines second largest and southernmost island.

Major rivers have overflowed, forcing mass evacuations and causing many people to drown in areas still recovering from Typhoon BOPHA (locally known as Typhoon Pablo), said the local civil defense operations officer.

Typhoon Pablo killed more than 1,900 people and caused widespread destruction when it struck the region in December 2012.

“Many of the victims had not managed to rebuild and were staying in temporary shelters when they were hit by fresh flooding,” he said.

States of Calamity

States of Calamity have been declared in the towns of Sta. Josefa, Sibagat and Butuan City and at least four towns in Davao Oriental—Panabo City, and the towns of Carmen, Tagum City and Asuncion—due to severe flooding, said a report.

Floods and Landslides Destroy Infrastructure

Severe flooding and large landslides triggered by torrential rains have destroyed much of the infrastructure in the region, including six bridges that collapsed in Davao Oriental, said a report.

 

Many of the worst affected areas are left isolated due to collapsed bridges and impassable roads.

More Heavy Rain Forecast

Additional heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast for the region as a low pressure low pressure system hovers over Mindanao. Authorities have warned of additional flash floods and landslides throughout Mindanao, Eastern and Central Visayas and the Bicol region.

Residents of Davao, Compostela Valley, Surigao, Bukidnon, Misamis, Dinagat, Leyte, Samar, Bohol, Cebu, Masbate, Sorsogon, Albay, Catanduanes and Camarines of additional flash floods and landslides, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Typhoon BOPHA

Typhoon BOPHA (locally known as Pablo) made landfall in Mindanao on 4 December 2012, leaving a trail of destruction.

• BOPHA affected more than 6.2 million people, leaving about 1 million homeless—some 835,934 displaced people outside evacuation centers and 7,524 displaced others inside evacuation centers, according to the latest update by Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC), dated Jan 7, 2013.
• “An estimated 1,000,000 people are in need of food assistance. Of these, the Government has requested Food Security Cluster support for 400,000 critically affected people, taking into account also the support provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).” UN-OCHA reporetd.
• The typhoon killed at least 1,067 people, with 834 others reported as missing (presumed dead).
• The deadly typhoon destroyed or damaged 216,817 homes, and much of the region’s infrastructure.
• Much of the damage occurred in the two provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.

Typhoon BOPHA Links

• Super Typhoon BOPHA Targets Philippines Posted on December 1, 2012
• BOPHA to Plow thru Palau Posted on December 2, 2012
• TY BOPHA Leaves Hundreds Dead or Missing Posted on December 5, 2012
• TY BOPHA Leaves Hundreds Dead or Missing Posted on December 5, 2012
• TY BOPHA: 250,000 Homeless, 500 Dead, 400 Missing Posted on Dec 6, 2012
• State of National Calamity Declared in the Philippines due to BOPHA Posted on Dec 9, 2012

Tropical Depression ZORAIDA Striking Mindanao, Philippines

ZORAIDA is packing sustained winds of about 55 km/hr

At 6:00 p.m. local time (UTC +8 hours) on November 11, 2013, Tropical Depression ZORAIDA was positioned near 5.8°N, 131.2°E, about 612 km Southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur, moving WNW at 30 km/hr, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). 

Forecast: The regions of Davao, Caraga and Northern Mindanao will have rains with gusty winds with moderate to rough seas. Palawan, Visayas and the rest of Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with light rains. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast to east will prevail over Luzon and Visayas and coming from the northeast to north over the rest of Mindanao. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be with moderate to rough.

Tropical Depression ZORAIDA. IR/Water Vapor Difference [FIRE-EARTH Enhancement] satellite image also showing remnants of super typhoon HAIYAN dissipating over southern China, Japan and beyond (recorded at 13:30UTC on November 11, 2013. Original image sourced from: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC.

Tropical Depression ZORAIDA. INFRARED [FIRE-EARTH Enhancement] satellite image also showing remnants of super typhoon HAIYAN dissipating over southern China, Japan and beyond (recorded at 13:30UTC on November 11, 2013. Original image sourced from: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC.

Related Links

• Philippine Disaster Update – November 11 November 11, 2013
• Typhoon HAIYAN Strikes Northern Vietnam Near China Border November 11, 2013
• Philippine Disaster Zone: “It’s Like the End of the World.” November 10, 2013
• Super Typhoon HAIYAN – NOV 10 Update November 10, 2013
• Super Typhoon HAIYAN: Casualties Could Top Many Thousands November 9, 2013
• Extraterrestrial Typhoon Force Generating 20-Meter “Tsunami” November 8, 2013
• Super Typhoon HAIYAN’S Arm Battering the Philippines November 7, 2013
• “Extraterrestrial” Typhoon HAIYAN – Image Update November 6, 2013
• HAIYAN Intensifying to “Extraterrestrial” Levels November 6, 2013
• Potential Super Typhoon Headed for the Philippines November 4, 2013
• Typhoon KROSA Destroys or Damages 19,000 Homes in Philippines  November 2, 2013

• FEWW New Hurricane Scale
• Satellite Imagery

BOPHA Strikes Philippines

Typhoon BOPHA struck Baganga, Mindanao

BOPHA [“PABLO”] made landfall in eastern Mindanao, having earlier intensified to a Category 5 Super Typhoon, with winds of more than 250km/hr.

BOPHA – Enhanced IR satellite image captured December 4, 2012 @ 01:30UTC. Source: CIMSS

• Rainfall amounts of up to 30 mm of rain per hour within the 600 km diameter of the Typhoon is expected, the local weather office (PAGASA) said.

• Philippines authorities have issued multiple warnings for destructive winds, possible flashfloods and landslides.

•  Residents in coastal areas have also been warned against storm surges and waves as high as 6m.

BOPHA track and projected path –  IR satellite image. Source: CIMSS

• BOPHA Intensity Estimation  December 3, 2012
• BOPHA to Plow thru Palau Posted December 2, 2012
• Super Typhoon BOPHA Targets Philippines  Posted December 1, 2012

Related Links

• FEWW New Hurricane Scale
• Satellite Imagery

Thousands Flee Their Homes Amid Severe Flooding in S. Philippines

DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,207 Days Left 

[November 21, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,207 Days Left to the most Fateful Day in Human History
• Symbolic countdown to the ‘worst day’ in human history began on May 15, 2011 ...

.

Global Disasters/ Significant Events

Philippines: Severe flooding swamps southern Mindanao

Widespread flooding has affected residents in eight townships in three southern provinces of Mindanao’s Davao region (Region XI), disaster officials said.

• Landslides have also been reported in the flood-stricken areas.
  
• Mindanao is the second largest island in the Philippines.
• It’s also eighth most populous island in the world.

Related Links

• Probability of a Nuclear Disaster – by Country
• Nuclear Power

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar

GLOBAL WARNING

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun

Flooding in Pakistan Destroys Villages, Kills Dozens

DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,290 Days Left

[September 3, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,290 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History…

Global Disasters/ Significant Events

• Pakistan. Torrential rains and floods destroy communities in parts of northern, northwestern and eastern Pakistan, leaving dozens of people dead.

• Mindanao, Philippines.  A shallow 5.9Me quake struck Moro Gulf, Philippines, shaking at least half dozen cities in southern Philippines.

• China.   Death toll from Wednesday’s  coalmine explosion in Panzhihua City (Sichuan Province) has climbed to at least 45, with one person reportedly missing, authorities said.

Symbolic countdown to the ‘worst day’ in human history began on May 15, 2011...

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar

GLOBAL WARNING

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!

UPDATE: Typhoon LUPIT Arrives

Typhoon LUPIT: 22 October 2009

Synopsis

• Position: At 4:00 am (local time) Typhoon LUPIT (locally known as “RAMIL”) was located 350 km East Northeast of Aparri, Cagayan.
• Coordinates: 19.0°N, 125.3°E
• Maximum sustained winds: 160 km/h
• Max Wind gusts:  195 km/h
• Movement: It is forecast to move in West-Southwesterly direction (240 degrees) at 11 km/h (6 kt)

Typhoon Lupit – DOST-PAGASA MTSAT-EIR Satellite Image for 8 am local time (00:30 UTC)  22 Oct. 2009. Still image. Click image to enlarge and update.

LUPIT Track by Philippines Dost-Pagasa.

Forecast Positions/Outlook (PAGASA):

• Friday morning:  250 km East of Aparri, Cagayan
• Saturday morning: 180 km East of Aparri, Cagayan
• Sunday morning: 110 km East of Aparri, Cagayan

PAGASA Forecast

• Northern Luzon will have stormy weather while Central Luzon will experience rains and occasional gusty winds with moderate to rough seas. The rest of Luzon will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms while Visayas and Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.
  

• Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northwest to Southwest will prevail over Visayas and the rest of Luzon and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the West to Southwest with slight to moderate seas except during thunderstorms.

Tropical Cyclone Warning: Typhoon “RAMIL” (LUPIT)
Issued at 5:00 a.m., Thursday, 22 October 2009

• Signal No. 3  (100-185 kph winds)
  • Batanes Group
  • Cagayan
  • Calayan Island
  • Babuyan Islands
  • Apayao
  • Kalinga
  • Isabela

• Signal No.  2 (60-100 kph winds)
  • Ilocos Norte
  • Ilocos Sur
  • Abra
  • Mt. Province
  • Ifugao
  • Benguet
  • La Union
  • Nueva Vizcaya
  • Quirino
  • Aurora

• Signal No. 1 (30-60 kph winds)
  • Pangasinan
  • Tarlac
  • Nueva Ecija
  • Zambales
  • Pampanga
  • Bulacan
  • Northern Quezon
  • Polillo Islands

Gale Warning: Issued by PAGASA at: 5:00 a.m., Today, 22 October 2009

• Strong to gale force winds is expected to affect the eastern seaboards of Central Luzon and Southern Luzon and the Western seaboard of Luzon.
• Conditions are forecast as “rough” to “very rough” with waves of up to 5-meter high.
• Areas affected:
  • THE EASTERN SEABOARDS OF CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN LUZON
  • WESTERN SEABOARD OF NORTHERN LUZON

Recent History

Typhoon LUPIT: Cruel, Harsh, or Wicked?

Typhoon LUPIT – 21 Oct 2009

• How long will LUPIT loiter around Luzon

• How much more rain will it dump?

• Will LUPIT move away and come back, AGAIN!
  

At 00:00 UTC – Oct 21, 2009
Max Winds:   160km/h (85 knots)  Category: 2
Max Gusts:  195 km/h (105knots)
Coordinates: 20.5ºN 128.9ºE
Movement past six hours: 280 degrees at 15 km/h (08 kts)
Location: About 925 km (500 kts) NE of Manila Philippines

Summary of Storm Activity

Lupit is tracking westward steered by a subtropical ridge extension to the north. Deep convection has become more organized near the storm center over the past six hours, JTWC reported.

Typhoon LUPIT – MTSAT Still image.

LUPIT Track by UniSys Weather.  Click image to enlarge and update.

History Color Code – The chart color codes intensity (category based on Saffir-Simpson scale)

NOTE: Pressures are in millibars and winds are in knots where one knot is equal to 1.15 mph. Source: UniSys Weather

LUPIT 5-day track. Source JTWC. Click image to enlarge.

Typhoon LUPIT – 20 Oct 2009

Typhoon LUPIT (22W): JTWC/SATOP multispectral satellite image. October 20, 2009 at 05:00 UTC. Click image to enlarge.

Typhoon LUPIT – 20 October 2009, at 09:00UTC

Position: 20.4ºN, 129.3ºE
Location: Approximately 1,110 km (600 NM) northeast of Manila, Philippines.
Movement:  WNW at about 15km/h (8 knots)
Center: LUPIT’s Eye has once again become visible
System Characteristics: LUPIT has good radial out flow
Maximum significant wave height:  ~ 11 meters (34 feet)
Max sustained winds: 175km/h (95 knots)
Max gusts: 215 km/h (115 knots)

Super Typhoon Lupit. Date/Time as inset. Click on image to animate.

MTSAT IR Image. Updated at 30 mins intervals. Click image to enlarge.

Background and More images:

• Typhoon LUPIT: Cruel, Harsh, or Wicked?
• Typhoon LUPIT Update – 17 Oct 2009
• LUPIT: The Mercy Storm?

LUPIT 3-day projected track. Image: JMA. Image may be subject to copyright. Click image to enlarge!

• LUPIT 3-day projected track.

Satellite Loops/Animation/Images

• Tropical West Pacific – Infrared
• Tropical West Pacific – Enhanced IR
• Tropical West Pacific – Water Vapor
• Tropical West Pacific – Visible

• Northwest Pacific – Water Vapor
• Northwest Pacific – Visible
• Northwest Pacific – Visible (Colorized)
• Northwest Pacific – Infrared
• Northwest Pacific – IR (Aviation Color Enhancement)

• West Pacific – Water Vapor
• West Pacific – Visible
• West Pacific – Visible (Colorized)
• West Pacific – Infrared
• West Pacific – IR (Aviation Color Enhancement)

Other Satellite Images:

• FEWW Satellite Imagery

Related Links:

• Super Typhoon LUPIT: The Sauntering Storm
• Typhoon LUPIT Update – 17 Oct 2009
• LUPIT: The Mercy Storm?

• Parma Hampers Recovery Efforts in Vietnam
• Philippines Still Flooded
• Philippines Terminally Impacted?

• Images of the Day: Super Typhoon Melor
• Could Typhoon Melor Drag Parma Back to Philippines?
• When Will Global Food Shortages Begin Biting

• “Twin-engine” hurricanes, “Supercharged” Typhoons
• Super Typhoon Parma May Churn Manila to Vanila
• Philippines Extreme Rain from TS Ketsana

• Manila Flooding Could Trigger Quakes
• Philippines: Worst Floods in Living Memory
• Philippines Worst Ever Flood Casualties Climb a Notch

• Earth undergoing significant geophysical disturbances
• Typhoon Melor Leaves a Trail of Destruction in Japan
• Typhoon Melor Arriving in Japan, Leaving Lasting Impression

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Celebes Sea, S of Philippines

Earthquake Measuring up to 7.1Mw Strikes Celebes Sea

Powerful earthquake measuring up to 7.1 Mw Struck Celebes Sea, SE of Jolo, Sulu Archipelago, Philippines, on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 at 21:41 UTC at a depth of about 580km.

The event followed another powerful earthquake that struck Moro Gulf (Mindanao, Philippines), on Sunday, October 04, 2009.

On September 18, 2009, after a 5.5 Mw quakes struck south of Mindanao, FEWW forecast additional, more powerful,  earthquakes for the region.

See: Latest Earthquakes Magnitude 5.5 + for FEWW Forecast.

10-degree Map Centered at 5°N,125°E

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by FEWW

Earthquake Details:

• Magnitude: 7.1 best estimate by FEWW (downgraded by USGS/EHP to M 6.7)
• Date-Time:
  • Wednesday, October 07, 2009 at 21:41:14 UTC
  • Thursday, October 08, 2009 at 05:41:14 AM at epicenter
• Location: 4.043°N, 122.584°E
• Depth:  582.8 km (362.2 miles)
• Region: CELEBES SEA
• Distances:
  • 280 km (175 miles) SE of Jolo, Sulu Archipelago, Philippines
  • 320 km (200 miles) S of Zamboanga, Mindanao, Philippines
  • 1,185 km (730 miles) S of MANILA, Philippines
  • 2,085 km (1300 miles) ENE of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 7 km (4.3 miles); depth +/- 10 km (6.2 miles)
• Parameters: NST= 61, Nph= 64, Dmin=470.9 km, Rmss=0.83 sec, Gp= 40°,  M-type=teleseismic moment magnitude (Mw), Version=6
• Source:  USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2009mlcb

Related Links:

• Latest Earthquakes Magnitude 5.5 +
• Strong Earthquake Strikes Mindanao, Philippines

• Deadly Earthquake Strikes Java, Indonesia [Includes FEWW Forecast]
• Another Busy Day for Earthquakes [Includes FEWW Forecast]
• FEWW Earthquake Forecast: Timor Sea

• Earthquakes [Main Index page]
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Volcano Links
• Latest From TAAL and other Philippines Volcanoes
• Philippines Taal Volcano Could Erupt Anytime!

• Mayon Volcano Ejects Ash
• Mount Mayon neighbors on evacuation alert
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [16 September 2009]

• VolcanoWatch Weekly [16 September 2009]

Recent Human Enhanced Disasters Asia-Pacific

• Earthquakes: Human Enhanced Disasters – UPDATE 3 Oct 2009
• Earthquakes: Human Enhanced Disasters – UPDATE 2 Oct 2009
• Another Strong Quake Hits Sumatra
• Disaster Update: Indonesia Quake
• Powerful Earthquake Strikes Southern Sumatra, Indonesia
• Another Strong Quake Hits Sumatra
• Disaster Update: Indonesia Quake
• More Megaquakes May Strike PRF Anytime

• Magnitude 8.3 Quake Strikes Samoa Islands Region
• “Twin-engine” hurricanes, “Supercharged” Typhoons
• Super Typhoon Parma May Churn Manila to Vanila
• Bill Becomes Hurricane, Strengthening

• Philippines Extreme Rain from TS Ketsana
• Manila Flooding Could Trigger Quakes
• Philippines Worst Ever Flood Casualties Climb a Notch
• Philippines: Worst Floods in Living Memory

See also:

• Deadly Earthquake Strikes Java, Indonesia [FEWW Earthquake Forecast For Java/Bali Region]
• Magnitude 6.8 EQ Strikes BANDA SEA
• Earthquake Forecast: Timor Sea
• Australian Oil Disaster May Get a Lot Worse
• FEWW Earthquake Links

Mt. Kurikoma Coughs, Still Comatose!

The Year of Volcanoes, Too?

Steam, hot volcanic plumes rise near Mt. Kurikoma

Japan’s Self-Defense Forces personnel observed Monday hot volcanic plumes about seven kilometers southwest of the summit of Mt. Kurikoma, a 1,627-meter-high volcano located on the border of Miyagi, Iwate and Akita prefectures, Yomiuri Shimbun reported.

Aerial observation from a helicopter showed plumes rising from several spots near both Hanayama in Kurihara, and Yu no Hama hot-spring spa.

Sadato Ueki of Tohoku University’s Research Center for the Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions said the plumes might be volcanic gases rising to the surface, or steam coming from underground hot water channels whose course was diverted by the powerful Mw 6.8 quake Saturday. The Iwate quake struck about 22km NW of the Mt. Kurikoma summit.

“There’s a possibility that volcanic gases that had been confined below ground are gushing out through fissures in the mountain created by the earthquake,” he said. However, he ruled out increased volcanic activity on Mt. Kurikoma, because the plumes were very far from the volcano’s summit.

Kurikoma volcano last erupted in 1950.

MT. KURIKOMA is a dormant stratovolcano stretching across three prefectures (states) of Miyagi, Iwate and Akita, standing high at an altitude of 1,627.7m.

Kurikoma volcano seen from the SSE with its summit at the right-center, the satellitic cone of Daichimori on the left, and Higashi-Kurikoma on the right. On the opposite side of the volcano, the summit is cut by a 4-km-wide caldera breached to the north that is partially filled by the Tsurugi-dake central cone, once mined for sulfur. (Caption: Source) Image Copyright: Shingo Takeuchi (Japanese Quaternary Volcanoes database, RIODB, http://www.aist.go.jp/RIODB/strata/VOL_JP/index.htm). See FEWW Fair Use Notice!

Coordinates: 38° 57′ 0″ N, 140° 46′ 48″ E
Decimal: 38.95°, 140.78°

Related Links:

• 2008: Year of the Expected Unknowns!
• Will 2008 be year of the tornadoes, too?
• 2008: Year of the Fire

• Volcanoes
• Philippines Taal Volcano Could Erupt Anytime!
• Volcanoes, Santorini Eruption and Crops Failure in China

Semeru Volcano: Alert Level III

Mount Semeru Volcano Restive, Alert Level III

May 22, 2008

Jakarta – Indonesian authorities on Thursday urged residents living around the slopes of Mount Semeru in Indonesia’s crowded East Java province to keep their distance from the active volcano, which appears to be heating up.

Vulcanologists upgraded the alert status of Mount Semeru volcano to level three, one level below a full state of alert, after the 3,676-metre-high volcano on Wednesday sent hot lava as much as 3,000 metres down its slopes.

Villagers and farmers were urged ‘not to conduct activity at a radius of 4 kilometres from the crater, especially around the south-east of the volcano’s slopes,’ said Surono, head of Indonesia’s Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation at the directorate general of volcanology.

Surono, who like many Indonesians goes only by one name, appealed to residents living on the riverbanks along three different rivers to be cautious of threats posed by lava streams.

However, no immediate evacuation is being considered for residents living in a number villages in the potential danger zone, he said, adding that a team of experts is intensively monitoring Mount Semeru’s activity round-the-clock.

The Mount Semeru volcano, 780 kilometres east of Jakarta, is a popular tourist destination, especially for hikers. Semeru is one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes.

The Indonesian archipelago, straddling the seismically active ‘Ring of Fire,’ has the world’s highest density of volcanoes. Of its 500 volcanoes, 128 are active and 65 are listed as dangerous. (Source) Copyright respective author or news agency.

The climb to the summit of Semeru is a 2-3 day walk. The mountain stages minor eruptions (like in the photograph) every 20 – 40 minutes. The photo was taken in late afternoon (August 2003) and simply involved walking from the campsite at the base of the climb to the summit around to the west so that the sun was at my back, then waiting for the eruption to start. The most striking aspect of the photo is the colour caused by the almost perpendicular rays of the sun hitting the cloud of dust and steam escaping a couple of thousand metres into the sky from the crater. The photo typifies the fact that Indonesia sits in the middle of the “Ring of Fire”. The many spectacles presented by the landscapes, the festivals and the people of Indonesia never cease to truly amaze me. Photo and caption credit: Campbell Bridge (via Trek Earth at:http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/Indonesia/photo109462.htm)

Semeru: The Most Active Volcano of Java

Semeru also Gunung Semeru is the highest and one of most active volcanoes of Java. Known also as Mahameru (Great Mountain), it is very steep and rises abruptly above the coastal plains of eastern Java. Maars containing crater lakes have formed along a line through the summit. Semeru lies at the south end of the Tengger Volcanic Complex. The steep-sided volcano, also referred to as Mahameru (Great Mountain), rises abruptly to 3676 m above coastal plains to the south. Semeru’s eruptive history is extensive. Since 1818, at least 55 eruptions have been recorded (10 of which resulted in fatalities) consisting of both lava flows and pyroclastic flows. More than 500 people have been killed by Semeru’s eruptions during the last 30 years. Semeru has been in almost continuous eruption since 1967. (Source 1 and 2 )

Semeru is one of many volcanoes in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Graphic courtesy of Darwin VAAC.

Semeru, a stratovolcano, has erupted at least 55 times since 1818. The eruptions are commonly moderate to moderately large (VEI of 2 to 3) and explosive. This photo, taken November 4, 1982, shows a small cloud associated with a Strombolian eruption (relatively low-level volcanic eruptions) . Photo by Jack Lockwood, U.S. Geological Survey. (Source)

Strombolian eruptions are relatively low-level volcanic eruptions, named after the Italian volcano named Stromboli, where such eruptions consist of ejection of incandescent cinder, lapilli and lava bombs to altitudes of tens to hundreds of meters. They are small to medium in volume, with sporadic violence. (Source). Credit: Wolfgang Beyer GNU Free Documentation license, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation.

Semeru eruptions are commonly moderate to moderately large (VEI of 2 to 3). Some of the eruptions produced lahars (a type of mudflow composed of pyroclastic material and water that flows down from a volcano). Semeru’s most recent eruption began in 1967 and has continued to the present. In August of 1994, explosions occurred at 15-20 minute intervals. In February of 1995, pyroclastic avalanches traveled about 0.6 mile (1 km) from the summit.

Semeru, 1985. A USGS Photo.

Related News:

• Indonesia raises alert level for Java volcano Radio Australia
• Indonesia Raises Alert For Volcano On Java Island Javno.hr
• Heat clouds raise Indonesian volcano alert AFP

Related Links:

• Satellite picture by Google Maps
• Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program: Semeru
• Indonesia Volcanoes and Volcanics [USGS]
• Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI)

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Philippines Taal Volcano Could Erupt Anytime!

UPDATE: Latest From TAAL and other Philippines Volcanoes

Taal May Erupt at Anytime

FEWW team believes there is a strong probability that the Taal Volcano, a Pelean-type active volcano on the island of Luzon, might erupt this month. Taal volcano is designated as one of the 16 Decade Volcanoes by International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI). Located about 50 km south of the capital, Manila, Taal is surrounded by populated areas.

Taal has erupted violently several times (the last eruption was in 1977). The current death toll caused by its activities stands at about 6,000.

More seismic activities in the region should be expected.

Taal Volcano Seen through Lake Taal (Photo: Jhun Taboga)

A cinder cone in an acidic lake on Taal Volcano (Credit: JG Moore of the US Geological Survey)

Major volcanoes of the Philippines

Pacific Ring of Fire

The Pacific Ring of Fire is an area of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions encircling the basin of the Pacific Ocean. The Ring of Fire has 452 volcanoes and is home to over 75% of the world’s active and dormant volcanoes. Ninety percent of the world’s earthquakes and 80% of the world’s largest earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire. The Ring of Fire is a direct result and consequence of plate tectonics and the movement and collisions of crustal plates. (Source)

Plate Tectonics

World’s 14 major tectonic plates plus the Scotia plate. Mapped in the second half of the 20th century to explain the observed evidence for large scale motions of the Earth’s lithosphere. The lithosphere is broken up into tectonic plates. The surface of the Earth consists of a further 38 [40] minor plates.

The largest of the major plates are

• African Plate, containing Africa – Continental plate
• Antarctic Plate, containing Antarctica – Continental plate
• Australian Plate, containing Australia (fused with Indian Plate about 50 million years ago) – Continental plate
• Eurasian Plate containing Asia and Europe – Continental plate
• North American Plate containing North America and north-east Siberia – Continental plate
• South American Plate containing South America – Continental plate
• Pacific Plate, covering the Pacific Ocean – Oceanic plate

See also

• Plates list.
• Detailed map showing the tectonic plates with their movement vectors.
• Plate motion based on Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite data from NASA JPL

Earthquakes, volcanic activity, mountain-building, and oceanic trench formation occur along plate boundaries. The lateral movement of the plates is typically at speeds of 5 – 10 cm/yr. (Read more …)

Recent Earthquakes [Kurile through Kermadec trenches]

[Time at epicenter]

• Magnitude 4.8; Depth of 48.7 km; SOUTHEAST OF THE LOYALTY ISLANDS; Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 10:03:52 PM
• Magnitude 5.6; Depth of 35 km; SOUTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA; May 18, 2008 at 07:17:24 PM
• Magnitude 4.6; Depth of 74.1km; MINDORO, PHILIPPINES; Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 07:24:17 PM
• Magnitude 4.9; Depth of 10 km; SABAH, MALAYSIA; Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 02:26:41 PM
• Magnitude 4.9; Depth of 31.3 km; NIAS REGION, INDONESIA; Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 09:59:59 AM
• Magnitude 4.4; Depth of 242.4 km;KYUSHU, JAPAN; Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 07:15:06 AM
• Magnitude 5.2; Depth of 127.1 km, MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES, Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 10:17:30 PM
• Magnitude 5.1; Depth of 151.2 km; SOUTH OF THE KERMADEC ISLANDS; Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 02:23:17 PM
• Magnitude 5.3; Depth of 150.4 km; NEW BRITAIN REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA; Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 03:35:14 AM
• Magnitude 5.4; Depth of 35 km; SOUTH OF THE KERMADEC ISLANDS; Friday, May 16, 2008 at 11:06:51 PM
• Magnitude 5.3; Depth of 41 km; SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS REGION; Friday, May 16, 2008 at 09:19:07 AM
• Magnitude 4.9; Depth of 606.3 km; FIJI REGION; Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 10:46:02 AM
• Magnitude 5.1; Depth of 35 km; TONGA; Friday, May 16, 2008 at 03:06:15 AM
• Magnitude 5.0; Depth of 25.8 km; KURIL ISLANDS; Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 08:20:43 AM
• Magnitude 5.2; Depth of 52.5 km; LUZON, PHILIPPINES; Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 05:48:32 AM
• Magnitude 5.2; Depth of 40.8 km; LUZON, PHILIPPINES; Depth of 40.8 km; Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 10:14:30 PM
• Magnitude 5.4; Depth of 35 km; NORTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA; Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 05:29:19 PM
• Magnitude 5.0; Depth of 36.7 km; TAIWAN REGION; Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 06:57:46 AM
• Magnitude 4.6; Depth of 509 km; SOUTH OF THE FIJI ISLANDS; Monday, May 12, 2008 at 04:34:05 AM

[Source: USGS]

Global earthquake epicentres, 1963–1998 (Image: NASA)

Philippines Other Major Volcanoes: Mayon Volcano

Mayon Volcano as viewed from Lingñon Hill in Daraga, Albay. Mayon, located between the Eurasian and the Philippine Plate, is a convergent plate boundary. It is the most active volcano in the Philippines, having erupted over 47 times in the past 400 years. Last eruption: 2006. (Copyrigh by Tam3rd via Wikimedia)

Canlaon Volcano

Canlaon, a stratovolcano, is located in the north central part of the island of Negros. Last eruption: 2006.

Weather clouds drape the sparsely vegetated summit of Kanlaon volcano (also spelled Canlaon). Kanlaon is the most active of the central Philippines and forms the highest point on the island of Negros. The massive 2435-m-high stratovolcano is dotted with fissure-controlled pyroclastic cones and craters, many of which are filled by lakes. Historical eruptions, recorded since 1866, have typically consisted of phreatic explosions of small-to-moderate size that produce minor ashfalls near the volcano. Photo courtesy of PHIVOLCS. Caption GVP

Ragang volcano

Ragang volcano (above and to the right of the center of image) is located in central Mindanao. Last eruption: 1916. Thanks mainly to the Filipino government and its education authorities, no other image of Ragnag Volcano could be found at the time of writing. NASA Space Shuttle image STS61A-40-71, 1985 (http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/).

There are 22 active volcanoes in the Philippines: Babuyan Claro, Banahaw, Bulusan, Mount Biliran, Bud Dajo, Cagua, Camiguin de Babuyanes, Didicas, Hibok-Hibok, Iraya, Mount Iriga, Mount Kanlaon, Leonard Kniaseff, Makaturing, Matutum, Mayon, Musuan, Mount Parker (Cotabato), Pinatubo, Ragang, Smith Volcano, Taal.

See also: List of volcanoes in the Philippines

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Philippines Taal Volcano Could Erupt Anytime!

Page Updated:

Tropical storm Halong pounds northern Philippines

Halong triggers floods and landslides

Tropical storm Halong lashes northern Philippines with 95 km per hour winds on Sunday, triggering floods and landslides.

Rescuers are seen pushing their jeep through a street submerged by floodwaters in Iloilo City, central Philippines, on May 15. Tropical storm Halong battered the northern Philippines on Sunday with powerful winds triggering floods and landslides and displacing about 6,000 people, relief officials said.
(AFP/File/Tara Yap) Image may be subject to copyright. See FEWW Fair Use Notice!

Large areas of the northwestern coast of Luzon, the main Philippine island, experienced a blackout while about 6,000 people were displaced. Residents of low-lying areas and those living near mountain slopes throughout Luzon were urged to “take all the necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides,” as the storm was intensifying the seasonal southwest monsoon winds. (Source)

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