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Time of India
4 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
A mega tsunami could strike the US with little warning: Understanding Cascadia, the danger zones, and how to get ready
Waiting. Biding its time. The Cascadia Subduction Zone, a sleeping giant beneath the Pacific Northwest, has remained eerily quiet for over 300 years. But when it finally awakens, it won't just be a powerful earthquake that hits the coastline. A towering tsunami, land collapse, and flooding on a historic scale may soon follow. What is the Cascadia Subduction Zone? The Cascadia Subduction Zone is a massive fault line running from northern California through Oregon and Washington, and all the way to British Columbia. It's where the oceanic Juan de Fuca Plate is slowly slipping beneath the North American Plate. But the plates don't glide smoothly — they get stuck. That strain builds for centuries until it finally breaks loose in a massive earthquake. The last major quake hit on January 26, 1700. Based on geological records, it likely had a magnitude between 8.7 and 9.2. That kind of power could strike again. According to the US National Seismic Hazard Model, there's now a 15% chance of a magnitude 8.0 or greater event within the next 50 years. Areas at risk When the rupture finally happens, it won't just cause violent shaking and a deadly tsunami. According to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, coastal land across 24 estuaries from southern Washington to northern California could suddenly sink by up to 2.67 meters (8.76 feet). As per reports, these high risk areas include Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Alaska and Hawaii. "We talk about climate-driven sea level rise, which is occurring at three to four millimetres a year, and that does eventually add up," said Prof Tina Dura, the study's lead author, in an interview with BBC Science Focus . "But here we'll have two metres of sea level rise in minutes. Why aren't we talking about that more?" That sinking, or subsidence, would permanently change the coastline. Flood zones would dramatically expand — by as much as 300 km² (115 square miles) today. Areas from southern Washington to northern California could see permanent land drops, especially in low lying estuaries. This sinking land would make flooding worse and more widespread- even long after the tsunami has receded. The Long-term fallout Beyond the quake and tsunami, recovery efforts would be hampered by the new geography. Roads and emergency services may end up underwater. Saltwater could poison farmland. Wetlands that once helped block storm surges could vanish. A 2022 FEMA planning exercise estimated 5,800 deaths from the quake and another 8,000 from the tsunami. Over 618,000 buildings, including more than 2,000 schools and 100 key facilities, could be damaged or destroyed. The total projected economic impact? $134 billion. Infrastructure now at risk includes: 5 airports 18 emergency facilities (schools, hospitals, fire stations) 8 wastewater treatment plants 1 electric substation 57 contaminant sources (gas stations, chemical plants, etc.) Aftershocks that never stop The study warns that even if the quake struck decades from now, its effects could be magnified by climate change. By 2100, global sea levels are expected to rise another 60 cm (2 feet). In Cascadia, rising land has masked some of that rise — but when the quake hits and the land sinks, the sea will seem to rise instantly. The study also estimates that if the quake happens in 2100, floodplains could triple compared to today, expanding by up to 370 km² (145 sq miles). How can people prepare themselves? There are no easy answers. Cascadia is a unique problem faced by seismologists as it is so quiet. No one can predict the exact date or time it can wreak havoc. In case of an emergency, there are a few things that residents near the coast need to remember to ensure their safety Identifying and relocating vulnerable infrastructure Educating the public on risks Prepare an emergency kit, as the infrastructure will be destroyed Practice and update your emergency plan every 6 months. Write down emergency numbers; give copies to all family members.
Mint
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
5 incredible optical illusions that challenge how you see the world
5 incredible optical illusions that challenge how you see the world| In Photos 5 Photos . Updated: 26 May 2025, 12:23 PM IST Share Via Optical illusions reveal how our brains interpret visual data and fill in missing details — sometimes incorrectly. Science still cannot fully explain why certain illusions trick our perception. 1/5The café wall illusion makes straight lines between staggered dark and light blocks appear curved due to how our brains perceive contrasting colours. Named by scientist Richard Gregory after a Bristol café, the effect disappears when colours with lower contrast are used. (Pinterest ) 2/5The Penrose triangle is a famous impossible object illusion that cannot exist in 3D space. Lionel Penrose popularised it in the 1950s. Dutch artist M.C. Escher famously incorporated such impossible shapes in works like Relativity and Belvedere. (Pinterest ) 3/5The checker shadow illusion shows that squares A and B are the same colour, despite appearing different due to a shadow effect. Created by Edward Adelson in 1995, it highlights how our visual system interprets context to process images. (Pinterest ) 4/5The Necker cube is a multistable shape that can be perceived from multiple viewpoints due to the lack of visual orientation cues. (BBC Science Focus )
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Why gulls sometimes seem drunk
Many a family seaside trip has been ruined by gulls dive-bombing tables and stealing chips. However, cowering Britons have often enjoyed a period of respite on so-called 'flying ant day', when the opportunistic scavengers appear 'drunk'. It was commonly thought the formic acid within the insects was intoxicating to the birds as they feasted on them. But scientists believe the gulls actually appear disorientated because they are 'so focused' on eating as much as they can, meaning they don't notice their surroundings and appear drunk. Dr Claire Asher, who has a PhD in Genetics, Ecology, and Evolution, told BBC Science Focus: 'Gulls feasting on swarms of flying ants have disrupted traffic and made headlines across the UK. 'Some claim that the gulls are drunk, but can eating ants really intoxicate these birds? 'Many ant species produce formic acid as a defence mechanism and this is toxic to birds. So, it's theoretically possible that gorging on ants might make gulls a little disoriented. 'However, the black garden ants that swarm across UK pavements in the summer only produce very small quantities of formic acid.' Dr Asher said experts think it is the birds' focus on the short-lived supply of insect food that means they 'don't even notice' the cars they sometimes fly into. Flying ant day, a period that usually arrives around mid-July, as the queens emerge and travel to set up new colonies. But, swarms of the insects can appear any time between June and the start of September Organisations often warn drivers to stay vigilant on flying ant day due to 'drunk' gulls. The gulls are known to swarm onto grass verges and feast on the ants as they appear. Over the years, scores of dead seabirds have been found on roads in the aftermath of flying ant day, having collided with oncoming vehicles while gorging on the insects. In 2013, residents across Devon were shocked to find dozens of dead gulls in roads across the county. Last year, East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service said it was 'inundated with road casualty gulls' and urged drivers to be cautious. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
2025 Triumph Scrambler 400X launched: Price, what's changed
5 largest stars in the universe and why they're so fascinating We often think of the Sun as incredibly huge, and it is. In fact, you could fit more than a million Earths inside it. But step outside our solar system, and you'll find stars so massive they make our Sun look surprisingly the past few years, astronomers have spotted some truly gigantic stars, thousands of times wider than the Sun. These aren't just large; they're rare, short-lived, and often hidden behind thick clouds of gas and dust. But with the help of powerful new telescopes and advanced space technology, scientists are finally able to study these cosmic giants more closely. Here's a look at five of the biggest stars ever discovered, ranked by their size, and what makes each one so fascinating. Note: This list is based on the data presented by BBC Science Focus. Note: The images in this article were created using Canva AI and are for representative purposes only. Times Of India
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Daily Mail
World's top 10 deadliest animals revealed: Biggest killers may surprise you... and the apex predator that DOESN'T make the list
Sharks, bears and ferocious wild cats are the known culprits for some of the most vicious animal attacks in the world. There are around 70 shark attacks and 40 bear attacks reported globally each year - but these predators do not even rank amongst the top ten deadliest animals to humans. The animals responsible for the most human fatalities are actually some of the smallest creatures in the wild, according to BBC Science Focus and data from the World Health Organization. A tiny insect, weighing only 2.5 milligrams, kills the largest number of people each year by infecting them with deadly illnesses. Similarly, an excruciating bite from a blood-sucking insect that you've possibly never heard of ends 10,000 lives annually. Most shocking of all, however, is the mammal posing the largest threat to humans - which is responsible for around 400,000 deaths each year. Hippos, snakes and lions are among the most dangerous animals, but some of the deadliest predators for mankind are a lot more surprising. 10. LIONS Many people would assume the king of the jungle would be one of the biggest killers of mankind, but lions only kill around 200 people each year. Their sharp claws can inflict deep wounds and their bite is strong enough to crack human bones and skulls, according to the BBC. Lions attack out of hunger and in a bid to protect their young. They are also known to charge at creatures who get too close to their pride. Even though lions aren't as responsible for as many human deaths as other predators, the creatures are still incredibly dangerous. One of the most horrific lion attacks in recent history occurred at Chilean zoo in 2016. Franco Luis Ferrada Roman, who survived the attack, broke into a lion enclosure and stripped naked before jumping into the middle. Once he was inside, two lions pounced on him and began to 'play' with his body as other zookeepers attempted to intervene. The two African lions were shot dead in order to save the man's life as there were no fast-acting tranquilisers available at the time, the zoo director said. Roman, 20, was dashed to hospital for treatment and was said to be in grave condition after suffering several injuries to his head and pelvic area. According to reports at the time, a suicide note was discovered in the pocket of the young man. The note reportedly made allusions to the apocalypse as being a reason for his attempt to take his life. 9. HIPPOS Although the species is a herbivore, hippos kill 500 humans annually, data revealed. Hippos have incredibly sharp canines measuring up to half a metre in length and a bite force of 1,800 psi - nearly three times the bite force of a lion. These teeth are typically used for fighting, but one bite could easily cut the human body in two, according to the BBC report. Hippos are extremely territorial and have been known to tip over boats and attack humans who get too close to their habitats. A hippo charged at a zoo keeper at the Changsha Ecological Zoo in China 's Hunan province in 2023 after he tried to break up its fight with another territorial bull in their enclosure. The zoo keeper - who had entered the enclosure to feed the animal - scrambled out of the pen in a desperate bid to avoid a fatal attack. Amid the rush to run for his life, he slipped over on the wet concrete surface entrance with the hippo ready to launch what could have been a devastating assault. With the furious hippo baring its huge teeth in a threatening display, the man used his arms and feet to prevent the hungry animal from closing in on him. The hippo momentarily left its keeper alone as it continued to feed on greens but as the man stood back up, it charged at him again just as he was leaving the enclosure. That time, however, he was able to run to safety. 8. ELEPHANTS Elephants kill a reported 600 people each year, typically by trampling. The creatures are one of the most dangerous animals in the world, mostly due to their size and strength. An African elephant can weigh up to eight tonnes and an Asian elephant up to five-and-a-half tonnes. Elephants have been known to pick humans up with their trunks and smash them to the ground, as well as gore them with their tusks. A surge of fatal elephant attacks last year saw locals in Thailand arm themselves with homemade 'ping pong' bombs to scare off the animals. Unfortunately, the devices seemed to have the opposite effect and made elephant encounters even more dangerous for villagers. Last month, a ferocious elephant attacked a jeep full of tourists on safari at Yala National Park in Sri Lanka. The massive animal used its trunk to reach inside the vehicle, causing panic among the passengers. The elephant almost toppled the car with its efforts. The elephant even started to chase after the car until it realised the jeep was getting out of reach. 7. CROCODILES While crocodiles have the strongest bite force of any animal in the world, the reptiles are only responsible for roughly 1,000 human fatalities this year. The Nile crocodile has a bite force of up to 5,000 psi - the strongest in the world - and is known to crush its prey with its bite before swallowing it whole, BBC Science Focus reports. The saltwater crocodile has second-most-powerful animal bite, with a bite force of 3,700 psi. This species is known to chomp down on their prey and perform a death roll, making the experience even more painful. Last month, a brazen tourist was attacked by a crocodile in the Philippines after climbing into its enclosure to pose for selfies. The male visitor, 29, is said to have mistaken the 15ft reptile for a statue at the zoo in Zamboanga Sibugay. He clambered over a chain-link fence and waded through the water before grinning as he produced his smartphone. Horrified onlookers screamed at the man to leave as the angry female crocodile named Lalay surged toward him, sinking her fangs deep into his arm. He wailed in pain as the predator clamps her jaws around his arm, refusing to let him leave the enclosure. She then latched onto his thigh and flipped over several times, trying to maim him in a brutal death roll - a savage method used by crocodiles to tear their prey apart. The tourist was reportedly trapped in the pen in agony for up to 30 minutes before Lalay's caretaker risked his own life by climbing inside and rescuing him. The reptile handler was said to have slammed a piece of cement onto Lalay's head, prompting her to loosen her grip. 6. SCORPIONS Scorpion stings account for approximately 3,000 deaths annually worldwide. Most scorpion stings are painful, but not life-threatening as only 25 species of the arachnids carry venom that is deadly to humans. Scorpion stings can cause serious health complications, particularly in children - with some studies reporting higher mortality rates in young children. Several instances of scorpion deaths have been recorded around the globe, primarily in regions with higher scorpion populations, like India, Brazil, and Egypt. A five-year-old girl died in 2022 after being stung by a scorpion while trapped on an uninhabited island between the Greek and Turkish border. A few years earlier, a 54-year-old Indian woman died after being stung by an Indian Red Scorpion. 5. ASSASSIN BUGS Blood-sucking assassin bugs, which are the primary spreader of Chagas disease, are responsible for 10,000 human deaths per year. Named after the Brazilian doctor who discovered it in 1909, Chagas disease is a potentially deadly illness spread by blood-sucking insects. The disease spreads easily through blood transfusions and can be passed from mother to child through the placenta during pregnancy. Approximately a quarter of victims who contract the disease develop enlarged heart or intestines that can burst causing sudden death. If caught early enough, the disease can be prevented with an intense 3-month drug treatment. However, because of the lengthy incubation period and costly medication, Chagas is often left untreated. Assassin bugs are a serious threat in the regions of Central and South America. A 60 Minutes reporter was left flapping and jerking around in extreme agony after being deliberately bitten on the hand by an assassin bug in 2023. Presenter Tom Steinfort took on the challenge as part of an interview with 'venom aficionado' Dr Sam Robinson, who studies insect bites as part of research into drug discovery. Footage of the excruciating incident showed Steinfort hopping around and flapping his arms after being stung on the hand. A bite from an assassin bug is extremely painful as the same salivary secretion is injected through the skin as they use to kill their prey. Symptoms of a bite include intense burning sensations followed by a lump at the site of the bite lasting for several days. 4. DOGS Man's best friend is responsible for 59,000 deaths per year. Seven dog attack deaths were recorded across England and Wales in the year ending June 2024, the Office for National Statistics reports, however this data may be an underestimate due to registration delays. Although deaths from dog attacks are relatively uncommon, WHO reports that dogs are the 'main source of human rabies deaths'. Dogs contribute to up to 99 per cent of all human rabies transmissions, according to the healthy authority. Rabies can be transmitted by saliva through bites, scratches, and direct contact with infected areas. 3. SNAKES Snakes kill 138,000 people around the world each year, according to WHO data. Around three times as many people are left with amputations and other permanent disabilities caused by snakebites, the data states. The majority of snake bite incidents occur in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The most common snake deaths occur from venomous bites. A study published in Nature Communications in 2022 revealed that the majority of deaths from snake venom occurred in South Asia - the area from Afghanistan to Sri Lanka, including Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. In India specifically, the mortality rate was calculated to be four deaths by snakebite for every 100,000 people - much higher than the global average of 0.8. The region of sub-Saharan Africa came second, with Nigeria having the greatest number of deaths of 1,460, according to the report. Last October, a man was forced to bite a giant anaconda to stop himself from being crushed to death in a Brazilian river. In a desperate bid to save himself, the man chomped down on the snake near its head, while another man grabbed its tail and a third tried to uncoil the water boa from a wooden boat. More than half a minute passes until it eventually gives up and unwraps itself from its would-be victim. 2. HUMANS The second deadliest threat to humans are other humans, with around 400,000 homicides recorded per year. The global homicide rate per population of 100,000 was 6.2 in 2019, World Health Organization (WHO) data revealed. Around 80 per cent of homicides occurred in males, with the highest rates among males ages 15 to 29. The homicide rate in England and Wales in the year ending March 2024 was 9.5 per million population, according to the Office for National Statistics. This rate is 'relatively low' when compared to regions such as the Americas or Africa, which in 2021 recorded rates of 150 and 127 per million, respectively. 1. MOSQUITOES Mosquitoes are the 'world's deadliest animal', killing more than 725,000 people each year. They infect millions of people with illnesses, including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, Zika and West Nile virus. Malaria is a major cause of illness and death worldwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There were an estimated 249 million malaria cases and 608,000 deaths in 2022. Just last month, a Russian tourist died from malaria after being bitten by a mosquito during a holiday in Zanzibar. Vladislav Larionov, 34, and his pregnant wife Kamila had travelled to Zanzibar at the end of February. Upon returning to Ulyanovsk, Russia, Larionov developed flu-like symptoms, including a high fever of 39°C (102.2°F). Initially misdiagnosed as influenza, his condition deteriorated, leading to hospitalisation and a diagnosis of malaria. Larionov died on April 10, after spending a month in intensive care. Africa accounts for 95 per cent of malaria infections worldwide and 96 per cent of deaths, BBC Science Focus reports. UK health authorities also issued an urgent warning to travellers in March record number of deadly dengue fever cases were imported into Britain last year. The disease was historically known as 'breakbone fever' in the 1700s because the pain it caused was so severe people felt like their bones were breaking. Cases of the tropical disease, which can cause agonising pain in the joints and muscles, landing in the UK surged to 904 in 2024, the highest level ever recorded. Officials have now urged travellers to take precautions to prevent catching the virus, which is spread by mosquito bites, while overseas.
