Earth & Space Weather

Dukono volcano (Halmahera Island, Indonesia): major ash plume reported, 45,000 ft altitude

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By: Volcanodiscovery.com, 12/18/2013

A major eruption might have occurred at the volcano this morning: an ash plume rising to 45,000 ft (14 km) altitude and extending more than 100 km to the NW was reported by VAAC Darwin at 07:32 GMT this morning.

 

For more on this story visit www.volcanodiscovery.com

Big Sur Fire Update: Weather Helping Crews Battle Blaze

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By: Wunderground.com, 12/18/2013

BIG SUR, Calif. — Firefighters were expected to get some help Wednesday from the weather as they battle an unusual late fall wildfire that has destroyed more than a dozen homes and forced about 100 people to flee the scenic Big Sur region overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Winds were expected to be calm during the day, and there's a minimal chance of rain.

 

The slow-moving fire in Los Padres National Forest near state Highway 1 had consumed 769 acres, or a little over a square mile, by Tuesday night and was 20 percent contained. Full containment was expected by late Friday. It has destroyed 22 buildings, Los Padres National Forest spokesman Lynn Olson said. About 14 of those structures were homes, she said. No injuries have been reported. Mark Nunez, the incident commander of the team fighting the fire, said 829 firefighters had deployed to the area, and thus far, weather has been working in their favor.

 

For more on this story visit www.wunderground.com

Argentine Capital Suffers Blackouts in Heat Wave

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By: Wunderground.com, 12/18/2013

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Argentina's power grid can't handle the heat. Power outages are plaguing Buenos Aires as temperatures soar above 95 degrees (35 Celsius) and everyone tries to turn on their air conditioners at once. Thousands in the capital and its suburbs are without power or water, since many buildings depend on pumps for water pressure. Complaints are spreading over social networks and neighbors are joining street protests.

 

For more on this story visit www.wunderground.com

Sweltering conditions break records in southern Wheatbelt and south-east coast

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ABC, By: Jacob Kagi, 12/18/2013

The sweltering conditions experienced by much of the southern Wheatbelt and south-east coast has broken several records, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Newdegate, Lake Grace, Ravensthorpe and Esperance are among the towns to have broken records during the heatwave over recent days, while the Wheatbelt town of Hyden has been one of the worst affected, suffering four straight days of 41 degrees or higher.

 

Esperance set the most notable record yesterday, breaking its previous mark for the hottest ever December day. It recorded a top of 45.3 degrees at 1.23pm, beating the previous mark of 44.9 degrees set on December 29, 2009. It was an astonishing 24.8 degrees above the town's maximum temperature just five days earlier. Newdegate and Lake Grace both recorded three consecutive December days with maximum temperatures above 40 degrees from Saturday to Monday, for the first time.

 

For more on this story visit www.weatherzone.com.au

Heatwave expected to hit one-third of Australia over Christmas

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By: ABC, 12/18/2013

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About one-third of the country is expected to be hit by a heatwave over Christmas, with temperatures likely to reach 40 degrees Celsius or more. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says Western Australia has been experiencing a heatwave and hot air is now starting to be dragged east and south-easterly across the country. From Friday temperatures are likely to be over 40 degrees in parts of South Australia and western Victoria, before the warm weather moves into New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. The BOM's assistant director of weather services, Alasdair Hainsworth, says the heatwave could last for about a week.

 

For more on this story visit www.weatherzone.com.au

~ Space Weather Update~ Quiet Sun, Long Tail of Comet LoveJoy

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Submitted by Lia on

QUIET SUN: The face of the sun is peppered with spots, but none of them is actively flaring. Solar activity is low on Dec. 17th. Solar flare alerts: text, voice

SUNSET SKY SHOW: When the sun goes down tonight, step outside and face east. Jupiter and the Moon are converging for a close encounter. On Tuesday, Dec. 17th, the pair fit together inside the constellation Gemini, and on Wednesday, Dec. 18th, they'll form a set of "celestial headlights" only 5 degrees apart. Take a look. It's a beautiful way to end the day. Sky maps: Dec. 17, 18.

A NEW CRATER ON THE MOON: Most craters on the Moon were formed millions or even billions of years ago. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter just found one, however, that is only 9 months old. On March 17, 2013, a bright flash of light emerged from Mare Imbrium, the Sea of Rains. Researchers concluded that a small asteroid about 0.2 meters wide hit the lunar surface and exploded like 1.3 tons of TNT. Here is the crater it made:

Earthquake Report for 12/17/2013

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Submitted by Silver on

By: USGS

www.earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/

22 earthquakes

 

    2.6 52km ESE of Adak, Alaska 2013-12-17 13:54:15 UTC-05:00 47.7 km

    4.9 52km ESE of Nemuro, Japan 2013-12-17 12:13:48 UTC-05:00 67.3 km

    5.4 16km S of Ndoi Island, Fiji 2013-12-17 12:02:00 UTC-05:00 583.8 km

    2.9 68km WSW of Ferndale, California 2013-12-17 11:51:19 UTC-05:00 1.3 km

    4.9 202km E of Farallon de Pajaros, Northern Mariana Islands 2013-12-17 11:01:46 UTC-05:00 54.5 km

    4.6 32km N of Goroka, Papua New Guinea 2013-12-17 10:51:08 UTC-05:00 120.4 km

    3.4 51km SW of Redoubt Volcano, Alaska 2013-12-17 09:55:55 UTC-05:00 100.0 km

    4.4 Off the west coast of northern Sumatra 2013-12-17 09:21:34 UTC-05:00 32.5 km

Eyes on the Sky: Dec 16 thru Dec 22

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Submitted by Desert Gypsy on

12/17/13

Published on Dec 15, 2013

www.eyesonthesky.com The constellations and stars of winter are nearly upon us as the solstice occurs on December 21st. Learn what shapes will be in the sky over the coming three months, and where to find and see them. Cassiopeia, Ursa Major, Andromeda, Orion, Taurus, Auriga, Gemini, Leo and more are all covered. Plus, the "Mini Moon" and where to locate Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Venus, Uranus and Neptune this week. See what's up in the night sky every week with "Eyes on the Sky" videos, astronomy made easy.

Comet ISON: Bruce Gary's response to BPEarthWatch

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Submitted by Desert Gypsy on

12/17/13

GFP Commentary: Bruce Gary, noted astronomer, answers claims about Comet ISON. Comet ISON is dead and harmless, he says, and we will pass through its debris field, without harm,  in January 2014.

Published on Dec 17, 2013

Mirrored from:
http://www.youtube.com/user/dazzathec...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/30806...
(please subscribe to his channel & join the FB group).

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