5.1 Batangas, Luzon, Philippines Earthquake. Image and Data Credit USGS.

The USGS has reported a 5.1 magnitude earthquake has struck Batangas, Luzon, Philippines on Thursday, March 08, 2012 at 11:30:26 PM . The epicenter was located approximately:

57 km (35 miles) WSW of Batangas, Luzon, Philippines
73 km (45 miles) WNW of Calapan, Mindoro, Philippines
118 km (73 miles) SSW of MANILA, Philippines
136 km (84 miles) SSE of Olongapo, Luzon, Philippines

…at a depth of 33.4 km (20.8 miles). There were no significant injuries or damage reported at this point, Friendly Forecast will update this report as events unfold. You can read the full Batangas, Luzon, Philippines earthquake details here.

Did you feel it?

Communities around Batangas, Luzon, Philippines reported light shaking. Places that felt the quake are:
City: Calapan Intensity: III Responses: 1
City: Manila Intensity: III Responses: 8
If you felt the quake you can report the quake here to the USGS.

What is a 5.1 magnitude earthquake?

5.0 – 5.9 Felt by everyone, unable to walk properly, items flying off shelves, cars swaying in the street, people fleeing buildings, broken furniture and minor damage to good building structures. Learn more about earthquakes…

Batangas, Luzon, Philippines Historical Earthquake Information

The above metric shows historical earthquake activity for the Batangas, Luzon, Philippines region from 1990 to present.

The image above shows historical earthquake activity for the Batangas, Luzon, Philippines region for the past year.

The preceeding image indacates 7.0 or larger earthquakes that have struck Batangas, Luzon, Philippines region since 1990.

Seismic Hazard

The Seismic Hazard Map above shows the likelihood of an earthquake to move the ground and effect buildings. The higher the hazard the greater the risk.

Earthquake Density

The above image shows the density of earthquakes in the Batangas, Luzon, Philippines area. The darker the color relects increasing degrees of localized earthquake activity.

If you have felt the Batangas, Luzon, Philippines earthquake, observed any damage or have any information pertaining to the earthquake we would like to hear about it. Please feel free to leave a comment below and share your experiences with us and others. All comments are moderated.

Reported by D. Montgomery and Friendly Forecast bringing you a great weather forecast for Calgary AB. Also note, All our weather forecasts contain watches and warnings for various adverse environmental conditions like thunder storms, tornadoes, blizzards, wind, hurricanes and earthquakes. All this is in addition to our great virtual real time current conditions, short term and long range weather forecasts. Friendly Forecast, more than just an average weather forecast.

The Canadian federal government is to declare the Polar Bear to be a species at risk by the end of the month. The governments decision comes a few years after a recommendation from the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Once the Polar Bears are listed a plan must be made within 3 years to ensure they don’t move up the list to endangered.

The USA in 2008 added the Polar Bear as a species at risk siting climate change and a lack of sea ice. Sea ice is the Polar Bears primary hunting grounds for catching seals, its main food source. Over the past few years with the lack of significant sea ice Polar Bears have been spotted starving and emaciated.

Though some Polar Bear populations are showing decline, others question why the bears should be declared a species at risk when there are other arctic animals vulnerable to the same climate change conditions.

By D. Montgomery and www.friendlyforecast.com bringing you a Churchill Manitoba weather forecast.

Sources:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/story/2011/07/12/cda-polar-bear-sara-listing.html
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/feds-to-put-polar-bears-on-species-at-risk-list-125471998.html

Ash erupting from the Puyehue-Cordón volcano in Chile has sent an ash cloud around the southern hemisphere disrupting air traffic. Thousands of disappointed travelers from Argentina to Australia to New Zealand to South Africa have had their flights delayed or even cancelled. The airport in Buenos Aires is completely closed and travellers are urged to find other ways to get to Argentina’s capital city via bus or boat. Qantas Airlines are reporting “Flights to and from New Zealand are cancelled.” on their air travel disruption page.

The ash has become so bad in the Chilean province of Ranco that authorities have ordered some evacuations. Due to the prevailing wind direction, the ash is not causing too many issues for Chilean air travel as it has in other parts of the world.

Satellite image of the volcanic ash cloud merged from 3 different images. Image credit NASA.

The Puyehue-Cordón volcano has been erupting since June 4, 2011. The volcano is located in northern Chile approximately 700 kilometers south of the capital city of Santiago. Puyehue-Cordón last erupted in 1960 after the then largest ever recorded earthquake.

Chilean Volcano Erupting. Image credit NASA.

This YouTube video shows the Chilean Puyehue-Cordón volcano erupting and spewing ash. Credit Russia Today.

Air travel delays due to volcanic activity has been more common of late due to prevailing winds and a greater awareness of the damage the ash can cause to aircraft. In the past year we have we’ve experienced major European delays due to Icelandic volcanoes, previous to that, volcanoes in Indonesia often have caused flight cancellations as well.

By Darshan Montgomery and Friendly Forecast bringing you a great Portland Oregon weather forecast.

Sources:
http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-fg-argentina-ash-20110615,0,807150.story?track=rss
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puyehue-Cord%C3%B3n_Caullehttp://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/disruptions/global/en

The National Hurricane center has advised that a tropical storm off the Pacific coast of southern Mexico has a 100% chance of becoming a full blown tropical cyclone (hurricane) within the next 48 hours. This comes on the heels of the announcement of the the Atlantic hurricane season opening on June 1st. The Pacific tropical cyclone season typically starts a month earlier.

Quote from the National Hurricane Center:

“THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY ASSOCIATED WITH A WELL-DEFINED LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM CENTERED ABOUT 425 MILES SOUTH OF ACAPULCO CONTINUES TO SHOW SIGNS OF ORGANIZATION. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS REMAIN FAVORABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND THERE IS A HIGH CHANCE…NEAR 100 PERCENT…OF THIS SYSTEM BECOMING A TROPICAL CYCLONE DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS AS IT DRIFTS TOWARD THE NORTHWEST.”

Friendly Forecast has been watching this storm system over the past several days as it increased in intensity. This being the first storm of east Pacific tropical cyclone season, it is as of yet unnamed. Some areas that could be in the wake of the cyclone are southern Mexico, Acapulco, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala. Local authorities are undoubtedly preparing to alert the local populations of the developing cyclone.

By Darshan Montgomery and Friendly Forecast providing a great New Orleans weather forecast.

Once again our glorious celestial orb has sent hot plasma our way that will become trapped in the Earth’s magnetic field creating a dazzling display of the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. NASA has reported increasing solar activity over the past couple of weeks resulting in the cosmic rays headed our way. So wheres the best place to view the Northern Lights?

The best places to see the Aurora Borealis is well, like its name sake, in the north. Northern Europe, Russia, Asia, Canada and Northern USA. Also the south also experience the same effect in Antarctica, New Zealand and Australia. The southern version of the Northern Lights are called Aurora Australis. But, if the cosmic rays are strong enough the Aurora Borealis could be seen as far south as the mid US.

So, over the next few days look up. Form now until June 9th your chances of seeing the Northern Lights are above average.

Northern Lights Over Norway. Image credit NB Harstad.

Northern Lights Over Whitehorse Yukon. Image credit Studiolit.

Norwegian Sunset Northern Lights. Image credit Robert Voors.

Northern Lights Norway Reflected In Lake. Image credit Odd.

By Darshan Montgomery and Friendly Forecast providing a great Whitehorse weather forecast.

March 2011 top weather and environment news stories. In this edition; Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano Erupts, Melbourne Ontario Young Girl Drowned, Ice Climber Survives Avalanche, Japan 9.0 Earthquake & Tsunami, Russia Avalanche, Super Moon and Best Maple Syrup Tapping In Years.

Kilauea Volcano Eruption March 2011. Image Credit Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano Erupts After Crater Collapse March 2011

This well known active volcano put on a dramatic display of shooting and spewing lava. Kilauea is part of the larger Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii and is well known for its frequent eruptions. This is also the volcanic area that is known for bringing bad luck to anyone taking bits of lava as souvenirs.Kilauea Volcano Eruption source.

Melbourne Ontario Young Girl Drowned March 7, 2011

8 year old Kayla Maybee sadly drowned by slipping into a creek in Melbourne Ontario near London Ontario. A disparaging reminder that the change in the weather can bring different hazards like melting ice and avalanches. Melbourne Ontario Young Girl Drowned source.

Ice climber in action. Photo credit Didrik Johnck.

Ice Climber Survives Avalanche March 7, 2011

A man climbing in Kicking Horse Canyon near Golden BC was injured and buried in a small avalanche. Miraculously he survived considering what happened to him. He was rescued by his 2 companions and air lifted out of the area by helicopter. Ice Climber Survives Avalanche source.

Beaver with a log. Image credit Property#1.

Beavers May Be Culled In Saskatchewan March 9, 2011

Beavers and other animals like rats, gophers, elk, moose and coyotes are being targeted for population control. As these animals grow in numbers the instances of crop damage and livestock being killed increases. The Saskatchewan government and rural municipalities are teaming up each bringing $500,000 to the table. Targeted beaver source.

Picture of Japan earthquake epicenter (magnitude later changed to 9.0), damaged nuclear power plants and radioactive contamination zone. Image credit Maximilian Dörrbecker (Chumwa).

Japan 9.0 Earthquake & Tsunami March 11, 2011

The story of century. On march 11, 2011 a magnitude 9.0 earthquake hit just off the coast of Sendai Japan. Though the earthquake shook things up it was the ensuing tsunami that caused great destruction. An estimated death toll of under 30,000 as of April 7, 2011. The Japan earthquake was the fifth most powerfull earthquake in recorded history.

The tsunami that caused all the death and destruction also compromised the Fukushima nuclear power plant that caused a partial meltdown, violent explosions at the plant and radiation to leak and spread across the Pacific Ocean. Slight radiation levels have been reported along the west coast of North America and even the rainwater in Haida Gwaii.

Full story here about the Japan earthquake and tsunami.
See pictures and video of the Japan earthquake and tsunami.

Russia Avalanche March 17, 2011

Avalanche control in North Ossetia Russia got more than bargained for as they were shelling a large snow build up on the side of a mountain. Watch as the menacing avalanche thunders towards them.

Super Moon rising over Victoria BC

Super Moon March 19, 2011

What a sight to behold! The moon appearing 14% bigger than normal and 27,000 Km closer to the Earth. The last time this happened was in 1993. Superstitious folks claim that the super moon can cause earthquakes and make people act like lunatics, but no major environmental disaster happened, the tide was 1 or 2 inches higher and as far as the people are concerned the lunacy was steady at its usual level.

Best Maple Syrup Tapping In Years March 25, 2011

With the recent spell of warm and cold weather is resulting in a bumper crop for maple syrup farmers in Quebec and Ontario. Farmers are ecstatic about one of the biggest tapping in years. Bumper maple syrup source.

By Darshan Montgomery and FriendlyForecast.com bringing you a great Tofino BC weather forecast, Regina SK weather forecast and Vancouver BC weather forecast.

A snakebite is a medical emergency and it can also be a life threatening situation. Survival tips vary in different geographic regions due to the different species of snakes in those areas but most agree on the following Do’s and Don’ts when it comes to snakebites.

Do’s

• Stay away from snakes. Although it might seem trite, your first and best line of prevention lies in avoiding snakes altogether if you can. In general, most species will avoid you when possible, but before you venture out to experience the great outdoors, familiarize yourself with the venomous creatures that you might encounter. When you are in areas that snakes might inhabit, never reach your hand or foot (most snakebites occur on the lower legs) into an area that you can’t see. If you do spot a snake, stop and quickly assess the situation before slowly backing away. Never approach a venomous snake, even one that appears to be dead.

• If you are bitten by a snake, get safely away from it. Do not take time to kill, capture, or identify the snake, other than what you’ve already seen. Unless you are completely sure about the species, assume that it is venomous. Although identification of the species would be nice, there may be polyvalent antivenins in your area. Some antivenin is snake specific (monovalent) although there are others that are effective against a range of different snakes (polyvalent).

• Slow down your heart rate. If you do absolutely nothing else before you reach medical help, this may be the step that saves your life. Many times this advice is stated with words to the effect of “stay calm.” Staying calm, however, is really only a means to slow down your heart rate. The slower it beats, the less snake toxin is carried in your bloodstream to the rest of your body. How, though, is it possible to stay calm after a snakebite?

- Rehearse what you would do and even write a short list of actions to take that you can carry.
- Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth.
- Only try to do one thing at a time and concentrate only on that one thing while you’re doing it.
- Do not hurry but do move with purpose.
- If help is on the way, or vice versa, visualize the situation being resolved instead of dwelling on how it happened.
- Realize that not all snakebites contain venom, even when the snake is venomous.

• Immobilize the area of the bite, if possible, to keep the venom from spreading and also keep the area of the bite below the level of the heart. In addition, the wound may swell, so remove all jewelry or constrictive clothing in that area (rings, watches, footwear).

• Get to medical help as quickly as possible, preferably without raising your heart rate, or get emergency medical help to you. Venom can be either hemotoxic (damaging tissue) or it can be neurotoxic (affecting the nervous system and, hence, the ability to breath). Always seek medical aide immediately. There are no exceptions.

Snake charmer with cobras. Image credit Laertes.

Don’ts

• Never try to suck the venom out, either with an incision or a kit. If you suspect that venom has touched your hands, do not touch your face.

• Never use a tourniquet. The possible complications that can come from the application of a tourniquet far outweigh any possible benefit.

• Never apply ice, even though the wound may hurt.

• Don’t drink caffeine or alcohol or take any pain medications. They may promote the spread of the venom.

In today’s era of mobile phones, antivenins, and nearby medical facilities, many developed areas of the world have seen a drastic drop in fatalities due to snakebites. By adhering to the tips above, however, you’ll improve your odds even more and help to ensure that you can survive a snakebite.

By Terisa Green and FriendlyForecast.com providing a great Kelowna BC weather forecast, Calgary AB weather forecast and Regina SK weather forecast.

What Is An Avalanche, Information, Facts, Safety & Preparation.

What is an avalanche?

Avalanches generally occur in steep and mountainous terrain where great amounts of snow can accumulate. Once the snow pack becomes too heavy and unstable to keep its current location gravity or human activity does its part and small or large amounts of the snow pack can flow or tumble at great speeds down the mountain.

Who are most effected by avalanches?

The general answer is anyone who is participating in back country activities in mid or late winter. This includes but is not limited to snowboarders, skiers, hikers, snowmobilers and mountain climbers. However, the trend is rapidly leaning toward the snowmobilers who now make up over half the avalanche fatalities anually. New advances in snowmobile technology has made them able to travel further into the back country and has also become an increasingly popular leisure activity.

This YouTube video shows smowmobilers outrunning an avalanche.

Avalanche facts.

• 65% of victims buried in an avalanche will die.
• Of the 35% of victims still alive buried in an avalanche, they will die within 2 hours.
• Avalanches are caused on purpose on ski mountains as a preventative measure.
• Shouting or loud noise does not cause avalanches.

Avalanche safety and best practices.

If you are headed to the back country during the winter avalanche season make sure you are prepared by taking a course offered from the resources cited further on. These courses can teach you how to determine whether the area you are travelling in might have a higher avalanche risk and other precautionary information.

There is also a plethora of products and equipment that can be purchased to make your chances of survival a little better. Besides a shovel, there are some interesting products like the Avalung that can extend your air supply for a little while to an avalanche airbag system designed to keep you buoyant on the avalanche surface. Here is a great little list of avalanche safety equipment providers.

Incredible video of snowboarders and skiers causing avalanches.

Avalanche information and resources.

• Canada. The Canadian Avalanche Centre. Providing avalanche warnings, education and research.
• USA. http://www.avalanche.org. Providing avalanche warnings, education and courses.

Tragic Canada Avalanches of note.

• December 2008 Sparwood BC avalanche. 8 out of 11 people in their group lost their lives while snowmobiling in the back country near Fernie BC.
• November 1998 Son of Pierre Trudeau, Michel Trudeau dies in an avalanche at Kokanee Glacier Park. The youngest son of former and beloved Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau tragically lost his life being swept of a local ski trail and pushed into Kokanee Lake where he had presumed drowned.
• February 2011 Mt. Gerald near Golden BC. 2 Snowmobiling men high marking tragically lost their lives doing what they loved.
• March 1910 Rogers Pass, BC. 62 rail road workers lost there lives in an avalanche.

Notable avalanches in history.

• 218 (BC) Switzerland. Hannibals army trying to cross the Alps lost 18,000 men due to avalanches.
• September 1618 Plurs, Switzerland. Later dubbed the Rodi avalanche destroyed the whole town killing almost 2,500 people.
• 1915-1918 up to 60,000 Austrian and Italian troops lost their lives due to avalanches caused in part by artillery fire.
• May 1970 Yungay, Peru. Spared less than 100 people in a town 20,000 all lost there lives in an avalanche.

By Darshan Montgomery and FriendlyForecast.com providing a great Revelstoke BC Weather Forecast, Golden BC Weather Forecast and Sparwood BC Weather Forecast.

Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis Magnified By Solar Flares & Sunspots

The February 14, 2011 Valentines Day solar flare as reported by NASA has sent cosmic rays toward Earth and a few lucky people could get a great light show. The last large solar flare was in December 2006 and it caused the Northern Lights and Aurora Borealis phenomenon to intensify widely over the northern hemisphere.

What causes the Northern Lights and Aurora Borealis?

Our planet is surrounded with a protective magnetic field that emanates from deep inside Earth and stretches far out into space. It is this magnetic field that keeps our planet safe from harmful radiation that come from the sun and inhabit space generally. Other planets like Mars and the Moon have no magnetic field and thus take the full brunt of whatever the universe throws at them, thus the desolate wastelands that they are today.

Sun’s rays deflected by the Earth’s magnetic field. Image credit NASA. Click to enlarge.

The Northern Lights & Aurora Borealis are caused when plasma emanating from the Sun containing charged particles and other heavier ions collide with our magnetic field. The reason the Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis occur so far north and south is because the magnetic field is closer to the Earth at these points, magnetic waves emanating from these points tend to direct solar rays closer to them and with the advent of long periods of darkness during their respective winter seasons makes seeing them even easier. This happens under normal conditions, throw in a solar flare or sunspot and the effect is amplified.

Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis seen over Calgary AB during the December 2006 strong solar flare activity. Image credit Qyd & Wikipedia

Can I see the Northern Lights and Aurora Borealis from where I live?

Well, yes, no or maybe. Generally the best place to see the northern lights is between 60 and 72 degrees latitude, basically the arctic, and in winter. However, with the event of solar flares and sunspots sending massive amounts of cosmic rays that intensify the effect, coupled with fluctuations in the Earth’s magnetic field you can sometimes see them as far south as Calgary AB and I’ve personally seen them in Victoria BC in 1991. These occurances are rare and few and far between. If you have a clear dark night and there has been solar flare or sunspot activity about 5 days prior, have a look up, you just might get lucky and catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights and Aurora Borealis.

Image of the February 14, 2011 solar flare in action. Image credit NASA.

By Darshan Montgomery and FriendlyForecast.com providing a great Edmonton Weather Foreacast & Regina Weather Forecast.

It would be unfair to just name all the tallest and highest mountains in the world because it would limit us only to the Himalaya’s. Instead, lets explore the highest and tallest mountains on each continent in the world and find some interesting facts about each one.

Mt. McKinley in Alaska, USA is the tallest and highest mountain in North America.

Denali Mt. McKinley. Image credit National Park Service.

Height of Mt. McKinley: 6,198 metres (20,335 ft).
First person to climb and summit Mt. McKinley: Walter Harper in 1913.
Interesting facts about Mt. McKinley: Not an easy mountain to climb. It is in a major earthquake zone and is prone to large avalanches, in fact many expeditions have to go back due to the dangourous conditions. Named after the presidaent at the time William McKinley, but known locally to the natives as Denali (the high one). Denali was to be its official name, but in 1975 an Ohio, USA congressman from William McKinley’s home town blocked the change.

Mt. Aconcagua in Argentina is the tallest and highest mountain in South America.

Mt. Aconcagua. Image credit Sergio Schmiegelow & Wikipedia.

Height of Mt. Aconcagu: 6,962 m (22,841 ft)
First person to climb and summit Mt. Aconcagu: Matthias Zurbriggen in 1897
Interesting facts about Mt. Aconcagu: A relatively easy mountain to climb from the North face and everyone feels some of the effects of altitude sickness. The youngest person to summit Mt. Aconcagu was Matthew Moniz in 2008 an 11 year old from Boulder Colorado, USA. Mt. Aconcagu was anthropomorphised in a Disney cartoon in 1942 called Pedro.

Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the tallest and highest mountain in Africa.

Image of the Marangu route to Kibo, highest peak of Mount Kilimanjaro

Height of Mt. Kilimanjaro: 5,895 m (19,341 ft)
First person to climb and summit Mt. Kilimanjaro: Hans Meyer in 1889.
Interesting facts about Mt. Kilimanjaro: Its actually a collapsed volcano and the largest freestanding mountain in the world. Technically not a difficult climb, the easiest mountain to climb of all the Seven Summits and anyone in good health could endure the multi day hike. However, it is still an enduring climb and the Kilimanjaro national park authorities claim that of all the people who attempt to summit, only 30% actually do.

Mt. Elbrus in Russia is the tallest and highest mountain in Europe.

Image of Mt. Elbrus. Image credit Jialiang Gao.

Height of Mt. Elbrus: 5,642 m (18,510 ft)
First person to climb and summit Mt. Elbrus: An expedition led by F. Crauford Grove and included Frederick Gardner, Horace Walker and Peter Knubel 1874.
Interesting facts about Mt. Elbrus: Mid 1930′s mountain climbing was quite popular until a group fell to their deaths on the mountain. Though not one of the more difficult climbs, but still up to 30 people die on the mountain every year mostly due to ill preparation.

Mt. Puncak Jaya in New Guinea is the tallest and highest mountain in Oceania.

Puncak Jaya icecap 1936. Image credit Wikipedia.

Height of Mt. Puncak Jaya: 4,884 m (16,024 ft)
First person to climb and summit Mt. Puncak Jaya:Heinrich Harrer (also author of ‘Seven Years In Tibet’) 1962
Interesting facts about Mt. Puncak Jaya: Highest island peak and highest rated technical climb of the Seven Summits. Remote, can be a 100km hike from the nearest town with an airport. Also called the ‘Carstensz Pyramid’ after Dutch explorer Jan Carstensz who viewed glaciers near the summit.

Mt. Everest in Nepal is the tallest and highest mountain in Asia and the World.