Nuclear Radiation
(Dec 5) Large quantities of highly radioactive water have leaked through a crack in the wall of a treatment facility at the Fukushima power plant, and some may have founds its way into the sea, the plant’s operator, Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco), said. (Source)
(Dec 3) The operator of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant revealed Wednesday that melted nuclear fuel has nearly reached the bottom steel wall under the concrete. Experts say to be prepared for the worst case scenario. (Source)
Earthquakes
Vietnam
(Dec 5) A mountain of the Truong Son chain in the central Quang Nam Province exploded and caused the land crack near the dam of the Song Tranh 2 hydroelectricity power plant. Scientists warn of an impending quake. (Source) There were at least 3 quakes with many aftershocks reported in this Province last month.
India
(Dec 6) Sikkim Government has been warned that the overall soil and rock stability of the entire State has been drastically destabilised by the 6.9 Richter scale earthquake that hit the State on September 18. This would trigger off multiple landslides in the coming monsoon season as already post-quake Sikkim has had more than 150 slides induced by the earthquake. (Source)
The Philippines
(Dec 1) At least seven earthquakes, including three aftershocks of a magnitude-6 temblor, hit Pangasinan, Metro Manila, Zambales and Surigao in Mindanao, the Philippines. (Source)
Australia
(Dec 6) The largest earthquake to hit Western Australia this year struck off the coast Monday morning reverberating more than 100km inland. The lack of damage was largely due to Onslow’s “cyclone alley” location, which meant most of the town’s buildings are built to category D cyclone rated conditions. The tremor came in two bursts. (Source).
New Zealand
(Dec 5) New Zealand was hit by a series of earthquakes last night, a day after the BIGGEST QUAKE IN 45 YEARS to hit the Marlborough region. (Source)
China
(Dec 2) A moderate 5.2-magnitude earthquake in northwestern China has destroyed nearly 300 homes and damaged many more, but caused no reported casualties, the government said on Friday. (Source)
Finland
(Dec 1) A rare but mild earth tremor measuring 2.8 on the Richter scale was experienced on Thursday morning in Kouvola in southeast Finland. Seismologists say the tremor is the most powerful one measured this year in Finland.(Source)
Chile (Dec 7) Magnitude 6.1, Atacama
Indonesia (Dec 5) Magnitude 5.9, Kepulauan Sula region
Disease Outbreaks and Threats
(Dec 2) Legionellosis (Legionnaires’ disease) cases have increased sharply in the northeastern United States this year, for unknown reasons. Massachusetts had recorded 211 cases as of Nov 23, compared with 118 for all of 2010, while Connecticut had 72 cases, versus 47 last year. Increases were also reported for New York, 526 versus 379 cases; Pennsylvania, 450 and 299; and Maine, 18 and 11. Experts have not been able to identify a cause for the increase.(Source)
Extreme and Unusual Weather Events
Heavy rains and fierce winds
(Dec 2) United States: The storm, which pummeled parts of California, produced SOME OF THE STRONGEST WIND GUSTS IN MORE THAN A DECADE, and was caused by a HIGHLY UNUSUAL WEATHER SYSTEM that even had experts marveling at its power. While Santa Ana winds are common this time of year, this storm was anything but. The blustery conditions extended across the Southwest, including Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Arizona and New Mexico. In some places, including Utah, wind gusts topped 100 mph. (Source)
(Dec 4) California: High winds returned to the Los Angeles area early on Saturday as over 100,000 homes and businesses lost power, due to fallen trees and other damage from an ongoing windstorm. The area saw “near hurricane force winds” that caused flying debris to knock over power poles. Unusually powerful winds first began striking the Los Angeles region on Wednesday night, in a storm that has raised concern among local fire departments about potential wildfires igniting and spreading at lightning speed. (Source)
(Dec 5) United Kingdom: Heavy rain and gale force winds have already wreaked havoc over Scotland, Northern Ireland, and parts of England but now snow is here causing more problems. Snow and ice are affecting roads across Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of Northern England. (Source)
Fierce Winds Wreak Havoc in Southern California, Utah, and Scotland on Dec 1
(Dec 5) South Africa: In Nelson Mandela Bay the total rainfall for November was almost double the norm – 97mm at the Port Elizabeth Airport compared with an annual average of 49mm. National rainfall is expected be above normal for at least the next five months. (Source)
(Dec 5) Malaysia: A freak thunderstorm and strong winds referred to as a “mini-hurricane” by many, tore through the capital, Kuala Lumpur and parts of the state of Selangor, wreaking havoc, uprooting trees and damaging properties. (Source)
(Dec 5) Canada: Beiseker’s streets looked like a scene from a movie after a wicked windstorm blew through the town in Alberta Nov. 27. Wind speeds reaching close to 100 km/h ripped the roofs off several buildings, brought down power lines and sent debris flying in the village. (Source)
(Dec 6) Canada: Monday’s storm in Yukon broke a variety of weather records around the territory. High winds and rain sent temperatures up to 14 degrees in Burwash Landing - the warmest December day ever. (Source)
(Dec 7) Australia: Extreme weather conditions have left thousands of passengers stranded at Perth Domestic Airport and 12,000 homes across Western Australia without power. At the domestic terminal, Qantas planes have been grounded since mid-morning yesterday as storm activity made conditions dangerous for flying. (Source)
Fire and Drought
(Dec 2) Australia: Crews are still battling an unpredictable and out of control blaze in Western Australia’s south-west as authorities warn homes and lives are in danger. More than 38,800 hectares have been burnt so far. (Source)
(Dec 2) Mexico: The sun-baked northern states are suffering under the worst drought since the government began recording rainfall 70 years ago. Crops of corn, beans and oats are withering in the fields. About 1.7 million cattle have died of starvation and thirst. (Source)
Updated News Watch
Global Disaster Watch: Nov 2011
Troubling increase in global volcanic activity
Earthquake Watch: North America
