2012 Articles of Interest
Archives 2012 Articles of Interest
Browse these 2012 news articles of interest on current events that range from:
- Seasonal weather predictions and folklore,
- Reports of unexplained ecological events,
- New geological discoveries, to
- Disaster and economical preparedness.
“Pineapple Express” Storms
Michael Dettinger, a research hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, co-authored a recent Scientific American article which raised the possibility that California might be overdue for what is being called an atmospheric river “megastorm.”
He explained that atmospheric rivers are massive bands of water vapor that form over the ocean and carry water across the tropical Pacific to many places, including the California coast. Some residents may be familiar with “Pineapple Express” storms: one of several different atmospheric river configurations that hit California each year. When the rivers of water vapor hit land, they create big storm events with heavy rainfall. Read more.
Ecuador Volcano Blasts More Hot Rock
The Tungurahua volcano in central Ecuador keeps spewing gas, ash and red-hot rock, forcing hundreds to evacuate from their homes.
The country's Geophysical Institute says incandescent rock shot from the crater of the 16,479-foot (5,023-meter) high mountain fell about half a mile (a kilometer) down its flanks. Explosions early Wednesday rattled windows 9 miles (14 kilometers) away, while rain-borne ash has been falling to the southwest of the crater. Read more and see amazing photos.
When Ice Melts, Volcanoes Spew Fire
It has long been known that volcanic activity can cause short-term variations in climate. Now, researchers have found evidence that the reverse process also occurs: Climate affects volcanic activity.
In 1991, it was a disaster for the villages nearby the erupting Philippine volcano Pinatubo. But the effects were felt even as far away as Europe. The volcano threw up many tons of ash and other particles into the atmosphere causing less sunlight than usual to reach the Earth’s surface. For the first few years after the eruption, global temperatures dropped by half a degree. In general, volcanic eruptions can have a strong short-term impact on climate. Conversely, the idea that climate may also affect volcanic eruptions on a global scale and over long periods of time is completely new. Read more.
Coming Planetary Alignments
In recent months, UBS's Art Cashin has been warning about increased earthquake activity driven by peculiar planetary and solar angles.
In this morning's "Cashin's Comments," he notes that another planetary alignment could trigger earthquakes during the period when we're supposedly going to experience the Mayan apocalypse. Read more.
Help Seniors Cope with Disasters
Seniors are known to have enduring spirits. Many have an amazing ability to handle hardships, most likely because they have already weathered so many storms in their life. Despite this resiliency, dealing with natural disasters can pose unique challenges for those in the older population who are frail and may struggle with chronic illnesses such as memory loss.
Recent natural disasters, such as Superstorm Sandy on the East Coast and wildfires on the West Coast, illustrate that these kinds of unexpected situations can happen any time, anywhere. For all seniors, it is critical to prepare them in advance, as well as provide support after the fact. Read more.
Flesh Eating Fungal Infection
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 5 (HealthDay News) -- After a natural disaster, doctors should be on the lookout for outbreaks of a rare but deadly "flesh-eating" fungal infection, researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday.
That's the lesson, the agency said, from 13 cases of mucormycosis skin infections that struck victims of the Joplin, Mo., tornado last year.
The May 2011 tornado was one of the deadliest in U.S. history, killing almost 160 people and injuring more than 1,000. In the aftermath, doctors found that some victims with serious injuries were developing severe infections that at