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29 April, 2007

Rare Earthquake Strikes Folkestone, England

At 8:19 am on Saturday, April 28, 2007, a 4.3 earthquake struck the costal resort town of Folkestone, England. The epicentre was 7 1/2 miles from Dover in the English Channel. There were reports that the temblor was felt as far away as Essex, England.

Homes in five streets were evaculated due to structural damage, which was mostly cracks in walls and fallen chimneys. There was only one injury, although the Kent Fire and Rescue service received more than 200 telephone calls. There were wide reports of loss of electricity, but most houses have had their electric service restored.

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Publia at 03:22 (UTC) | 0 comments | Post a Comment |


04 April, 2007

Solomon Islands Tsunami: Quake Strikes Gizo with Magnitude 6.2

These parameters were just sent in via sms by RSO EDIS in Hungary when a quake of 6.2 Magnitude hit Gizo and Molo, 45 minutes ago. The GDACS has classified this tremor as a green alert for the moment:

Magnitude: 6.2
Date-Time: Wednesday, April 4, 2007 at 06:34:34 (UTC)
Location: 7.775°S, 156.495°E
Depth: 10 km (6.2 miles) set by location program
Region: SOLOMON ISLANDS
Distances
55 km (35 miles) NW of Gizo, New Georgia Islands, Solomon Isl.
125 km (75 miles) S of Chirovanga, Choiseul, Solomon Islands
425 km (265 miles) WNW of HONIARA, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands
2205 km (1370 miles) N of BRISBANE, Queensland, Australia


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Angelo Embuldeniya at 07:15 (UTC) | 0 comments | Post a Comment |


03 April, 2007

Solomon Islands Tsunami: Assistance Needed in Rarumana

Jonathon who is the PFNet operator at Rarumana, just sent the following to us:
The situation is not stable at the moment. We're experiencing quakes every few minutes. Sea level is still very low at the moment. No one is injured/dead (in this area). Many houses re-arranged, lay around, that needs to be re-build. These were not safe for people to live in, as they might collapse at any strong shake. All the people were moved up to higher grounds as from yesterday morning and I do believe that tent is very much needed for shelter at this time.

While, Wagina's PFNet operator, Chris wrote in to say that:
Here at Wagina, nothing much so serious as we were not really affected by the past tsunami. Yesterday experiencing very very high tide after an earth quake which last for about 2 minutes. Water flows from rivers in and out very strong. Nearby areas mainly at South Choiseul are really in need of assistance.


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Angelo Embuldeniya at 07:13 (UTC) | 0 comments | Post a Comment |


02 April, 2007

Solomon Islands Tsunami: UNDAC Ready to Deploy Aid Team

The UNDAC (United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination) issued a M1 (Alert Message) earlier today and a team comprising of aid workers from Australia, New Zealand, OCHA and the UNDP is ready to deploy upon the request of the Government of the Solomon Islands. Shortly after, the UN OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humantiarian Affairs) have verbally offered assistance to the Government of the Solomon Islands through the UNDP (United Nations Development Program) Deputy Resident Representative. The Government of the Solomon Islands is anticipated to make a request for international assistance based on the results of the NDMO (Natural Disaster Management Office) assessment that are expected to clarify needs and will be available by late evening today.


(Pre-Disaster Satellite Scan in Google Earth of Gizo, Pre-Tsunami/KMZ format - to download, save target/link as)


Initial Damage Assessment (via Oxfam)
More than 500 houses were damaged in Gizo town (45km from the quake’s epicentre) and surrounding villages while Gizo hospital, Gizo church and Gizo hotel have suffered extensive damage but despite a power outage in Gizo town, communication links are functioning.Sasamunga Hospital in Choiseul was partly flooded. and it is likely that large parts of South West Choiseul have been affected. 15 houses were reportedly swept away in Simbo and immediate needs include food, water and shelter.


Relief Efforts (Via Red Cross & OCHA)
The Red Cross will carry out an initial distribution of First Aid kits in Gizo town and has dispatched a boat containing tents. UNICEF has pre-positioned emergency medical supplies in the Solomon Islands for up to 10,000 people including 10 emergency kits, 5 ‘school in a box’ kits and 3 recreation kits. The UNICEF Pacific Emergency Focal Point (an UNDAC member) will travel to the Islands on 3 April while the UN office in the Solomon Islands’ capital Honiara has been evacuated except for essential staff.

The Natural Disaster Management Office (NDMO) in Western and Choiseul Provinces organized an assessment mission on 2 April. The assessment team included representatives of the NDMO, Government ministries, the police department, the Red Cross, NZ Aid and UNDP. Findings are expected to be made available by the end of the day.


Source: OCHA Situational Report# 1


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Angelo Embuldeniya at 11:24 (UTC) | 0 comments | Post a Comment |

Solomon Islands Tsunami: Domestic Flights to Gizo Suspended

Solomon Airlines has indefinitely suspended domestic flights to Nusatupe airstrip near Gizo after reports of destruction early yesterday due to tsunami following an earthquake in the country. Nusatupe airstrip is located in an island off Gizo township which was partly damaged by the earthquake and the eventual tsunami. However domestic flights to other parts of the Western Solomons are on schedule except for Nusatupe airstrip in Gizo. Read More ...

Phone lines at Solomon Airline's Gizo landing strip and attached airport are down when we tried calling in earlier. If you need to get in touch with Solomon Airlines regarding domestic flights to Gizo, please call their Domestic Traffic Terminal on +67736077, landlines to Western areas of Solomon Islands have been badly affected by the tsunami.


Source: Tutuvatu & local passenger at Solomon Airline's Domestic Traffice Terminal


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Angelo Embuldeniya at 10:06 (UTC) | 0 comments | Post a Comment |

Solomon Islands Tsunami: Update#2 from Georige Herming

George Herming who is blogging live on the PMC's (Prime Minister and Cabinet) portal from the Government Communications Division in the Solomon Islands just sent us another update on the situation via e-mail when asked whether international assistance is required:
The government is currently sending a team to assess the aftermath and identify possible areas that need. Immediate attention. At this stage, planning is awaiting a report from the team who are now on the ground in affected areas. I will give you more updates as soon as they unfold.
The death toll has now reached 12 while rescue efforts have been hampered by huge waves which has prevented local rescue groups from retrieving bodies and missing people buried under rubble. Emergency shelter in the form of tents, food and water supplies are being immediately dispatched to affected areas through the DMC (Disaster Management Council) and other agencies actively responding this this disaster.

George's latest updates can be viewed here (Prime Minister's broadcast to the nation on the disaster recovery efforts) and here (death toll rising and aid hampered).


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Angelo Embuldeniya at 08:29 (UTC) | 0 comments | Post a Comment |

All Tsunami Warnings & Watches - Now Cancelled

Tsunami bulletin number 008 issued at 0405z 02 apr 2007

The tsunami warning and watch are cancelled for all coastal areas and islands in the pacific outside of alaska - british colombia - Washington - oregon - california. Those areas should refer to messages from the west coast and alaska tsunami warning center.



An earthquake has occurred with these preliminary parameters

origin time - 2040z 01 apr 2007
coordinates - 8.6 south 157.2 east
location - solomon islands
magnitude - 8.1

Measurements or reports of tsunami wave activity

gauge location lat lon time ampl per
------------------- ----- ------ ----- --------------- -----
kings wharf fj 18.1s 178.4e 0207z 0.04m = 0.1ft 38min
port kemblao au 34.5s 150.9e 0244z 0.05m = 0.2ft 14min
vanuatu vu 17.8s 168.3e 0124z 0.15m = 0.5ft 22min
cape ferguson au 19.3s 147.1e 0135z 0.11m = 0.4ft 12min
manus pg 2.0s 147.4e 0040z 0.09m = 0.3ft 40min
honiara sb 9.4s 160.0e 2308z 0.20m = 0.6ft 62min

lat - latitude (n=north, s=south)
lon - longitude (e=east, w=west)
time - time of the measurement (z = utc = greenwich time)
ampl - tsunami amplitude measured relative to normal sea level.
it is ...not... Crest-to-trough wave height.
it is ...not... Crest-to-trough wave height.
values are given in both meters(m) and feet(ft).
per - period of time in minutes(min) from one wave to the next.


Evaluation

Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated. Ptwc has received reports of tsunami related fatalities from the solomon islands and from papua new guinea. No tsunami threat exists for other coastal areas in the pacific although some other areas may experience small sea level changes. For all areas the tsunami warning and tsunami watch are cancelled. This will be the final bulletin issued for this event unless additional information becomes available.

The japan meteorological agency may also issue tsunami messages for this event to countries in the northwest pacific and south China sea region. In case of conflicting information the more conservative information should be used for safety.


Source: Pacific Tsunami Warning Center


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Angelo Embuldeniya at 05:13 (UTC) | 0 comments | Post a Comment |

Solomon IslandsTsunami Update: 6 Dead, Many Missing

The following report comes in from George Herming who's at the Government Communications Division for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet in the Solomon Islands:
The latest death toll in the Tsunami devastated Western Solomon Islands has risen to six before midday while several others were missing as 10 meter high waves continue to crash coastal villages. Choiseul province has confirmed two deaths at Sasamunga village while villagers continue to search for missing relatives. The main wharf at Noro ports in Western Province is reported to have cracked in the middle, and the small wharf completely dismantled with all timbers washed away. Read More ...

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Angelo Embuldeniya at 05:04 (UTC) | 0 comments | Post a Comment |

Solomon IslandsTsunami Update: Mini-tsunami hits West

An earthquake measuring 7.6 magnitude was recorded at 7.39am local time about 45 south-southeast of Gizo this morning. The shake had therefore caused a mini-tsunami to hit parts of the western province this moring. It is understood that parts of Choiseul, Vella La Vella, Kolombangara, New Georgia, Gizo, and Ranoggah had been hit.



Residents of the area have now moved to higher grounds for safety measures because of the warning.
Some of the islands are reportedly being swept by the waves. Reports reaching Solomon Star this morning said coastlines of Gizo, Noro and Taro had been hit a but high waves. Read More ...


Source: Solomon Star


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Angelo Embuldeniya at 04:51 (UTC) | 0 comments | Post a Comment |

Tsunami Update: West Solomon Islands Is Flooded

The following was sent into us by a listener via ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation):

Julian McLeod of the Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office said there were unconfirmed reports that two villages in the country's far west were flooded, "two villages were reported to have been completely inundated and we have received reports of four people missing."


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Angelo Embuldeniya at 04:42 (UTC) | 0 comments | Post a Comment |

Tsunami Warning (3) - Solomon Islands / Fiji

Tsunami bulletin number 003 issued at 2239z 01 apr 2007

Areas to the north of the solomon islands should not be significantly affected. A tsunami warning is now also in effect for Kermadec Islands in New Zealand. Measurements or reports of tsunami wave activity:
Honiara 15cm zero-to-peak observed at 21:37 gmt


Evaluation

Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated. It may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicenter and could also be a threat to more distant coasts. Authorities should take appropriate action in response to this possibility. This center will continue to monitor sea level data to determine the
extent and severity of the threat.

For all areas - when no major waves are observed for two hours after the estimated time of arrival or damaging waves have not occurred for at least two hours then local authorities can assume the threat is passed. Danger to boats and coastal structures can continue for several hours due to rapid currents. As local conditions can cause a wide variation in tsunami wave action the all clear determination must be made by local authorities.

Estimated initial tsunami wave arrival times. Actual arrival times May differ and the initial wave may not be the largest. The time Between successive tsunami waves can be five minutes to one hour. Read arrival times at PTWC here


Source: Pacific Tsunami Warning Center/NOAA/NWS


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Angelo Embuldeniya at 04:29 (UTC) | 0 comments | Post a Comment |

Tsunami Warning (2) - Solomon Islands / Papua New Guinea

Tsunami bulletin number 002 issued at 2132z 01 apr 2007

This bulletin is for all areas of the pacific basin except alaska - british columbia - washington - oregon - california. A tsunami warning is in effect for Somon Islands. / papua new guinea / vanuatu / nauru / chuuk / new caledonia / pohnpei / kosrae / australia / indonesia / tuvalu / kiribati / marshall is

A tsunami watch is in effect for guam / fiji / n. Marianas / yap / howland-baker / wallis-futuna / belau / tokelau / kermadec is / samoa /new zealand / marcus is. / wake is. / american samoa / tonga / niue / cook islands / philippines / jarvis is. / palmyra is. /johnston is. / japan.



For all other pacific areas, this message is an advisory only . Bulletins will be issued hourly or sooner if conditions warrant. The tsunami warning and watch will remain in effect until further notice. The Japan Meteorological Agency may also issue tsunami messages for this event to countries in the northwest pacific and south china sea region. In case of conflicting information. The more conservative information should be used for safety. The west coast/alaska tsunami warning center will issue bulletins for alaska - british columbia - washington - oregon - california.

Source: Pacific Tsunami Warning Center/NOAA/NWS


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Angelo Embuldeniya at 04:17 (UTC) | 0 comments | Post a Comment |

Tsunami Warning - Solomon Islands / Papua New Guinea

Tsunami bulletin number 001 issued at 2055, 01 apr 2007

This bulletin is for all areas of the pacific basin except Alaska - british columbia - washington - oregon - california. A tsunami warning is in effect for solomon is. / papua new guinea for all other pacific areas, this message is an advisory only.

An earthquake has occurred with these preliminary parameters:


origin time - 2040z 01 apr 2007
coordinates - 8.6 south 157.2 east
location - solomon islands
magnitude - 7.8

Evaluation:

It is not known that a tsunami was generated. This warning is based only on the earthquake evaluation. An earthquake of thie size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines in the region near the epicenter within minutes to hours. Authorities in the region should take appropriate action in response to this possibility. This center will monitor sea level gauges nearest the region and report if any tsunami wave activity is observed. The warning will not expand to other areas of the pacific unless additional data are received to warrant such an expansion.

Estimated initial tsunami wave arrival times. Actual arrival times may differ and the initial wave may not be the largest. The time between successive tsunami waves can be five minutes to one hour.

Location coordinates arrival time
-------------------------------- ------------ ------------
solomon is. Munda 8.4s 157.2e 2039z 01 apr
falamae 7.4s 155.6e 2059z 01 apr
panggoe 7.0s 157.5e 2108z 01 apr
ghatere 7.5s 159.0e 2117z 01 apr
honiara 9.0s 160.0e 2120z 01 apr
auki 8.8s 160.6e 2130z 01 apr
kirakira 10.0s 162.0e 2136z 01 apr
papua new guine amun 6.0s 154.7e 2116z 01 apr
kieta 6.1s 155.6e 2123z 01 apr
rabaul 4.2s 152.3e 2145z 01 apr
lae 6.8s 147.0e 2214z 01 apr
kavieng 2.5s 150.7e 2216z 01 apr
madang 5.2s 145.8e 2241z 01 apr
manus is. 2.0s 147.5e 2250z 01 apr
port moresby 9.3s 146.9e 2252z 01 apr
wewak 3.5s 144.0e 2319z 01 apr
vanimo 2.6s 141.3e 2346z 01 apr

Bulletins will be issued hourly or sooner if conditions warrant. The tsunami warning will remain in effect until further notice. The Japan Meteorological Agency may also issue tsunami messages for this event to countries in the northwest pacific and south china sea region. In case of conflicting information. The more conservative information should be used for safety.

Source: Pacific Tsunami Warning Center/NOAA/NWS


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Angelo Embuldeniya at 03:58 (UTC) | 0 comments | Post a Comment |