Dec 12, 2011

New scientific research has is proving how certain weather affects the timing of natural hazards.  Data taken from seasonal rainfall and snowfall patterns are now being used to predict when to expect the next earthquake or volcanic eruption in some places and how often they may take place.  A case study done in the Himalayan mountains shows that in times when the season is rainy (especially in summer months) fewer earthquakes occur compared to the dry months.  Another case study done in Iceland, shows the opposite.  Summer is the time of greater hazard risk because of the ice caps melting.  Where ice caps sit on top of active volcanoes and then start to melt can trigger volcanic eruptions below.  Katla, a large volcano in Iceland, has been recorded to have lost a great deal of ice on the volcano and is predicted to erupt sooner than later.     

Dec 5, 2011

Over the last few days or so, California has been getting devastated with high power winds creating havoc all over the area and into places in Utah and Nevada.  Wind gusts were reported as high as 100 mph leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power, some of which are still without it.  The winds also were responsible for creating fires and uprooting trees leaving some people dead along with destroying houses.  The windstorms have been going on for 5 days so far and although they are dying down somewhat, many Californian counties are still under a weather alert as winds are expected to continue.  The reason for these winds being so ferocious was due to the fact that the weather was coming from west to east rather than east to west and the winds were coming strong from the north. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25ePaLKDdos&feature=related  This link shows a news report of the damage caused by the heavy winds recently tearing through California.