Indonesia Tsunami and Volcanic Eruptions

Mt. Merapi erupting on Friday.

Tsunami survivor being provided aid in a makeshift clinic. 

The death toll has now increased to 441 people dead following the volcanic eruption of Indonesia's Mount Merapi and an intense 7.7 magnitude earthquake that caused a tsunami.  Unfortunately there are still some 300 people missing.  Just as talked about in class, following the golden hours crews are finally starting to arrive in the effected areas however other areas are still not getting aid because there are not boats or other modes of transportation to get there.  This is another consequence of an LDC country where infrastructure is not up to its full potential.  Other sparsely populated island chains are feared to not have adequately stocked hospitals and so the concern for the spreading of disease is on everyones mind.  As for the eruption of Mt. Merapi, following the largest eruption on Tuesday scientists are hoping that the smaller eruption will help deplete the pressure in the volcano which would diminish another larger eruption.  Health officials fear that respiratory problems could become a problem because so much of the ash is floating around the air.  While people are sleeping on cold surfaces which can also drive up chances of flu and other illnesses.  Due to this concern officials would be shipping out some 65,000 masks to relieve people from the dusty air however it seems as though this is not the only concern.  Fortunately the infrastructure near Mt. Merapi is far better than in the tsunami stricken areas and so aid has been able to come much easier making the death toll far less in this area.  This is a key idea as to how good infrastructure can save lives. 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304879604575582252072604656.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Massive Windstorm in Midwest

Pictures taken from http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Massive-storm-slams-Midwest-South/ss/events/us/102610midweststorm#photoViewer=/101026/480/urn_publicid_ap_org868d402ed29745ef9880175922431f9c

Here in the midwest we have been dealing with moderate temperatures along with gusty winds up to 81mphs and drenching rains.  What was so strange about this particular weather system was that is had the barometric pressure of a Category 3 hurricane but did not cause near the damage that a hurricane would have in this case and also had the force of a blizzard without snow thankfully!  All of this mesmerized meteorologists who were very surprised by how low the pressure system actually was; it had the lowest recorded pressure ever recorded for a non-tropical storm in the United States!  As the storm moved into the midwest it sucked in warm air which fueld the high winds which would also fuel storms and tornados for some.  Adding insult to injury, the storm was moving very quickly at around 50 to 60mph which caused the winds to blow harder than usual.  It was estimated on Tuesday that 145,000 or more people were without power not only in Wisconsin but also in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and the St. Louis region of Missouri which is an accoutn to how large the storm actually was.  There were 500 + flights cancelled at O'Hare airport and the Sears Tower  sky deck had to be closed because of the high winds.  Eau Claire had its fair share of wind as well with rain and cold tempertures effecting the surrounding areas as well. 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101026/ap_on_re_us/us_midwest_storms

Cyclone Giri Hits Myanmar

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/10/22/stories/2010102252672200.htm

People were ordered to move to strong buildings and higher ground early Saturday morning after cyclone Giri hit western Myanmar between India and Thailand.  Wind speeds from the storm have been as high as 100mph, with all of the rain expected landslides have also been warned.  Meteorologists in Myanmar predict that the storm surge from Cyclone Giri could reach as high as 12 feet and luckily bulletins have been posted about the cyclone on state television stations and in newspapers as well as continuous warnings on radio.  This is a great example of how a country uses its warning system to the best of its advantage.  There are even reports that people have been using microphones to get the word out about Cyclone Giri.  Because of the great warning system in place hundreds of people on the coast have taken their belongings and moved inward from the coast and many have been supplied with umbrellas and candles.  No word yet but hopefully these warnings will save many lives. 

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/2010-10-22-cyclone-myanmar_N.htm

Flooding in Thailand

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/22/world/asia/22thai.html?_r=1&ref=world

 

Thailand has encountered some of its worst flooding in quite some time and it seems to have caught their fairly efficient government off guard.  There are seventeen people reported dead and many people were left stranded for days without any government aid and damage has been estimated at US$650,000,000.  More distressing is that 28 of Thailand's 77 provinces have been affected by the flooding including areas around the capital of Bangkok.  The flooding is not over yet however as numerous reservoirs are over capacity and being pumped while flood waters are also racing to the main river in Thailand which will lead to flooding else where, in turn an alert has been put out for people along the river regions; something the government did right in this case.  Near Bangkok the Pasak Jolsait dam is beyond capacity as well and the gates have been opened so the barrier does not collapse, a resident noted that if anymore water rushed in it would mess with the integrity of the structure and much larger problems could ensue.  What is sad is that this is another case of forgotten people and delayed aid and some of the 17 deaths may have been prevented if aid and warnings were put out earlier. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/22/world/asia/22thai.html?_r=1&ref=world

Oklahoma Earthquake

http://www.okgeosurvey1.gov/media/maps/2010SeismicityMap_Oct15.png



On Wednesday, one of the strongest earthquakes to hit Oklahoma and the surrounding states came as quite a surprise.  The earthquake was estimated at a 4.3magnitude by the United States geological society and happened around 9:06 a.m. near Oklahoma City.  Others argue however, namely research seismologist Austin Holland has claimed that the Oklahoma Geological Survey measured it at 5.1 which would make it one of the strongest on record.  It was said that the quake could be felt some 170 miles away in four other states including Kansas, Texas,  Arkansas and Missouri.  As talked about in class, the risk of such a strong earthquake happening is quite small I would assume so people were not as prepared for such violent shaking where loose items on shelves, etc cause minor damages to windows especially. The quake to hundreds of others by surprise and college campuses and schools were evacuated but no one was injured and no large structural damage was done.  The map above was taken from the Oklahoma Geological website and shows the location of the recent earthquake along with others that have occured to far this year in Oklahoma. 

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-10-13-oklahoma-earthquake_N.htm

Philippines Typhoon Predicted



Google Images



                                                                               

Here is a really good example of advanced warning systems and preparations in the aftermath of a previous environmental disaster.  In July over 100 people were killed when a typhoon hit the islands of the Philippines, in turn President Benigno Aquino III fired the head of the weather forcasting bereau because he could not correctly predict the disaster.  Now, with another category-1 Typhoon Megi predicted to hit the Philippines, the precautionary measures are much stricter.  The weather center announced today that fisherman and farmers should harvest early and get out of harms way as typhoons as such are predicted to cause upwards of 93mph winds and can drop as much as 2 inches per hour of rainfall.  The authorities have already promted rescuers to be ready and numerous shelters and aid units are ready when the disaster hits as well.  The typhoon is predicted to hit the northeastern coast of the Philippines main island, Luzon. 

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/2010-10-15-philippines-typhoon_N.htm

Town in India is Sinking!

On tuesday, CNN reported that a small town in India has sunk more than 20 feet and has displaced some 250 people from their homes.  In 1994 a small crack was discovered in the small town of Mamit which is in the northeastern area of India.  It was just until recently (obviously) that the crack became dangerous as 61 families were evacuated before anyone could become hurt.  During June very heavy rained weakend porous rock beneath the city causing the ground to sink and cave.  Beside evacuations there have also been 43 houses dismantled as a precautionary measure and the residents who have been displaced are now living in schools and community centers.  Geologists claim that the ground should not sink any further but the city has been granted land in another area and aid has been given to build new homes for the residents.  At least in this case enough precauntionary measures were taken that no one was injured and minimal damage was caused to peoples property. 

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/10/12/india.sinking.town/index.html

Arizona Tornadoes

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1318451/FOUR-tornados-hit-Arizona-day-wrecking-homes-destroying-vehicles.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39540632/39547730

On Wednesday 22 tornado warnings were issued throughout the day, an unusual amount for Arizona experts have said. Tornadoes began at around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday morning and occurred throughout the day ripping trains from their tracks and blowing semis off the roads like they were tissue paper.  By noon there were 4 tornadoes reported along highway 17 near Flagstaff, AZ.  Meteorologists say that the severe weather was caused by a low pressure system that stalled out over southern and central California and was thought to weaken as it moved along.  Some 30 homes were completely destroyed and many others were badly damaged; shelters had been set up for those who had lost their homes.  Fortunately no one was severely injured however I have not read about how the warning systems worked as many accounts discussed of only hearing the tornado and not any warnings.  This was really interesting to me as I have never thought of Arizona to be a place that is stricken with tornadoes. 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39540632/39547730

Landslides in Indonesia

Pictures Taken From http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1317812/Indonesia-landslides-floods-kill-29-remote-hillside-village.html

Flash flooding and landslides throughout a remote area in Indonesia, Wasior,  has killed at least 29 people.  Another example of LDC response to disaster as rescuers has a difficult time getting into the region and the local people are still sifting through the rubble trying to find survivors.  The mudslide was very unexpected as one resident noted 'Water mixed with rocks, mud and logs gushed out... Many people didn't have time to save themselves.'  Water over most roadways has prevented rescue and the region has also been hit by blackouts and townpower lines which leaves communication for help far more difficult.  Thousands have had to leave their homes with hundreds of homes damaged and a reported 30 completely gone.  Tents and medical supplies are needed but with lack of roadways and communication it may be hard to get them in fast enough.  Landslides and flooding are reported to kill dozens every year in the vast array of Indonesian Islands. 
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1317812/Indonesia-landslides-floods-kill-29-remote-hillside-village.html

http://landslides.usgs.gov/

Russian Drought

img.ibtimes.com/www/data/images/full/2010/08/...

Here is an example of how drought can cause a national and international disaster/crisis.  The droughts in Russia have been so prolonged this summer that the country has had to halt grain exports which not only minimize grain imports in other countries but also decresses profits in the Russian economy.  It was noted in an article that Russian inflation due to the drought was at 0.9% in September and the country has lost 30 million tons of grain due to the drought.  The export ban was put specifically on wheat but other crops such as potatoes and other vegetables also had a decress in harvest as well.  I thought this was an interesting article as it has related to much of what we have been talking about in class.


 http://en.rian.ru/business/20101002/160803799.html

Post- Eau Claire Flooding

Flotsam by the foot bridge on campus.

The Leader Telegram reported that damages following the floods in Eau Claire a week and a half ago were very minimal due to prevention methods that were taken in the early 1990's after the 1993 flood.  The current river on campus crested at 777.5 feets and was the 5th highest on record.  Another article on UW-Eau Claire web site noted that they kept the compus from flooding by using the pump we had seen the other day to pump water overflow from Little Niagra Creek back into the river.  The pumping began on Friday night and continued until Sunday evening.  There was some seepage in the University Bookstore and the Haas parkinglots were shut down over that weekend due to flooding.  Another interesting aspect that came out of the flooding was that officials were able to confirm that their 2004-05 riverbank stabilization project did in turn lower the river levels through campus by 1/2 foot.  This was successful because reduced friction along the sides of the river plus a more gentle curve in the bank moved the water through more swiftly than during past floods.