Latest news with #GeophysicalInstitute
Sharjah 24
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Sharjah 24
Hundreds of buildings damaged, dozens injured in 6.3 Ecuador quake
Ecuador's emergency response services report 32 injured, 179 homes destroyed and 716 homes that have been damaged in the shake, which was felt as far away as the capital Quito. Fisherman Andres Mafare, aged 36, was walking to the port when he heard a loud crack followed by a strong earthquake that shook overhead cables. He raced home to try to find his wife and two sons. "I ran like crazy, and when I got here saw that my house had been destroyed," he said. A reporter in Esmeraldas witnessed tumbled-down walls, facades that had collapsed onto a road in a pile of debris and several cracked buildings. Families stood around surveying the damage. "It was very strong," former presidential candidate Yaku Perez said at the scene. "It felt like an eternity, but I guess it was less than a minute." The authorities said four health centers and 18 schools had been damaged, while the facade of a military building partially collapsed. Two roads and a bridge were also damaged. According to official estimates, about 80 percent of homes experienced power or phone outages. National oil company Petroecuador said it briefly "suspended operations" at the Esmeraldas refinery and a nearby pipeline. The refinery produces 111,000 barrels a day and the Transecuadorian Pipeline System transports 360,000 barrels a day. Daniel Noboa, the South American nation's newly re-elected president, said he was rushing ministers to the scene to help coordinate the building of shelters and delivery of humanitarian aid. "The government is with you, and that's how it will be going forward," he said on social media. On the streets, residents navigated debris and collapsed walls. Mafare said he lost "material things, three or four walls... I know the authorities are going to help us," referring to fellow residents of this impoverished area plagued by drug trafficking violence. The US Geological Survey and local monitors said the quake struck just off the coast at a depth of about 35 kilometers (22 miles) shortly before 7:00 am local time (1200 GMT). Ecuadorean authorities said there was no tsunami risk from the quake. - Country of Earthquakes - Ecuador sits on one of the most geologically active zones on Earth, and the fault between the Nazca and South American plates runs along its coast. The Geophysical Institute said that "the convergence of the Nazca and South American plates, which have a movement speed of 5.6 centimeters (2.2 inches) per year, is the process that generates the largest earthquakes in the country." The tremor was felt in 10 of the country's 24 provinces, including Manabi, Los Rios, Guayas and Pichincha, Ecuadorean officials said. There were no reports of injuries across the border in neighboring Colombia. Last week, Ecuador marked the anniversary of the 2016 earthquake that struck the coasts of Manabi and Esmeraldas. With a magnitude of 7.8, it left 673 dead and about 6,300 injured.
Int'l Business Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Buildings Destroyed, One Injured In Ecuador Quake
A shallow 6.3-magnitude earthquake left at least one person injured, dozens of buildings damaged and knocked out power in the Ecuadoran port city of Esmeraldas on Friday. According to Ecuador's emergency response services, one person suffered head wounds in the shake, which was felt as far away as the capital Quito. "It was very strong," former presidential candidate Yaku Perez told AFP from the scene. "It felt like an eternity, but I guess it was less than a minute." An AFP reporter in Esmeraldas witnessed tumbled-down walls, facades that had collapsed onto a road in a pile of debris and several cracked buildings. Families stood around surveying the damage. The authorities said 30 homes and a health center had been damaged, while the facade of a military building partially collapsed. National oil company Petroecuador said it had "suspended operations" at the Esmeraldas refinery and a nearby pipeline. The refinery produces 111,000 barrels a day and the Transecuadorian Pipeline System transports 360,000 barrels a day. Daniel Noboa, the South American nation's newly re-elected president, said he was rushing ministers to the scene to help coordinate the building of shelters and delivery of humanitarian aid. "The government is with you, and that's how it will be going forward," he said on social media. The US Geological Survey and local monitors said the quake struck just off the coast at a depth of about 35 kilometers (22 miles) shortly before 7:00 am local time (1200 GMT). Ecuadoran authorities said there was no tsunami risk from the quake. Ecuador sits on one of the most geologically active zones on Earth, and the fault between the Nazca and South American plates runs along its coast. The Geophysical Institute said that "the convergence of the Nazca and South American plates, which have a movement speed of 5.6 centimeters (2.2 inches) per year, is the process that generates the largest earthquakes in the country." The tremor was felt in 10 of the country's 24 provinces. There were no reports of injuries across the border in neighboring Colombia. Last week, Ecuador marked the anniversary of the 2016 earthquake that struck the coasts of Manabi and Esmeraldas. With a magnitude of 7.8, it left 673 dead and about 6,300 injured. A family stands in front of a damaged house after the earthquake AFP Ecuador sits on one of the most geologically active zones on Earth, and the fault between the Nazca and South American plates runs along its coast AFP
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Buildings destroyed, one injured in Ecuador quake
A shallow 6.3-magnitude earthquake left at least one person injured, dozens of buildings damaged and knocked out power in the Ecuadoran port city of Esmeraldas on Friday. According to Ecuador's emergency response services, one person suffered head wounds in the shake, which was felt as far away as the capital Quito. "It was very strong," former presidential candidate Yaku Perez told AFP from the scene. "It felt like an eternity, but I guess it was less than a minute." An AFP reporter in Esmeraldas witnessed tumbled-down walls, facades that had collapsed onto a road in a pile of debris and several cracked buildings. Families stood around surveying the damage. The authorities said 30 homes and a health center had been damaged, while the facade of a military building partially collapsed. National oil company Petroecuador said it had "suspended operations" at the Esmeraldas refinery and a nearby pipeline. The refinery produces 111,000 barrels a day and the Transecuadorian Pipeline System transports 360,000 barrels a day. Daniel Noboa, the South American nation's newly re-elected president, said he was rushing ministers to the scene to help coordinate the building of shelters and delivery of humanitarian aid. "The government is with you, and that's how it will be going forward," he said on social media. The US Geological Survey and local monitors said the quake struck just off the coast at a depth of about 35 kilometers (22 miles) shortly before 7:00 am local time (1200 GMT). Ecuadoran authorities said there was no tsunami risk from the quake. Ecuador sits on one of the most geologically active zones on Earth, and the fault between the Nazca and South American plates runs along its coast. The Geophysical Institute said that "the convergence of the Nazca and South American plates, which have a movement speed of 5.6 centimeters (2.2 inches) per year, is the process that generates the largest earthquakes in the country." The tremor was felt in 10 of the country's 24 provinces. There were no reports of injuries across the border in neighboring Colombia. Last week, Ecuador marked the anniversary of the 2016 earthquake that struck the coasts of Manabi and Esmeraldas. With a magnitude of 7.8, it left 673 dead and about 6,300 injured. pld/arb/des
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Don't Miss the Northern Lights This Week! Here's How to See Them
The northern lights may be visible on April 3 and April 4 in various states across the United States. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a Kp index of three on April 3 and five on April 4. The best time to see the northern lights is from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. local only the first week of April, but the sky is already preparing to put on an impressive show for stargazers. This week, the northern lights are expected to illuminate the night sky, dazzling people across the country. On Thursday, April 3, and Friday, April 4, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that the aurora borealis will be visible throughout North America. According to the NOAA's view line, those in parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine may be able to see the northern lights over the next two nights. Related: April's Full Pink Moon Will Be a Micromoon—Here's How to See It The Kp index is expected to reach three tonight and five tomorrow night. Per the Geophysical Institute, the Kp Index is a numeric scale, ranging from one to 10, that describes geomagnetic activity and is computed by averaging the magnetic activity globally every three hours. The NOAA publishes a dual map daily, featuring the aurora forecast for tonight and tomorrow. The two maps show the aurora and view line. The brightness and location of the aurora are typically depicted as a green oval, which turns red when the forecast is expected to be more intense. On April 4, the view map shows a red oval, so stargazers should expect an impressive sight. Per the NOAA, the northern lights aren't visible during daylight hours. The best time to observe this celestial phenomenon is during the evening from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. local time. Travel away from street or city lights and air pollution, then look up and wait to be amazed. Read the original article on Martha Stewart
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Look Up! The Northern Lights and Blood Moon Total Eclipse Will Dazzle in the Night Sky Tonight
The northern lights may be visible this evening due to a geomagnetic storm that occurred on Wednesday. Stargazers in Alaska and parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine will have the best chance of viewing the northern lights. Tonight's possible northern lights sighting coincides with the Blood Worm Moon total lunar eclipse, which kicks off just before 12 a.m. in states along the Canadian border may be able to see the northern lights this evening due to a geomagnetic storm that occurred on Wednesday. Even better? This phenomenon could coincide with the Blood Worm Moon total lunar eclipse, which will also happen tonight. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a Kp of four out of nine tonight and tomorrow. Per the the Geophysical Institute, the Kp Index is a numeric scale that describes geomagnetic activity and is computed by averaging the magnetic activity globally every three hours. According to NOAA's forecast map, the aurora borealis is expected to put on a colorful show for stargazers in most of Alaska, as well as parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine. Related: How to See the 'Blood Worm Moon' Total Lunar Eclipse This Week—a Rare Phenomenon You Don't Want to Miss The northern lights are caused by magnetic storms triggered by solar activity, such as a coronal mass ejection (CME). Per NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, particles from these events are carried from the sun by solar wind. When these particles enter Earth's atmosphere, they collide with oxygen and nitrogen particles. As these air particles shed the energy they acquired from the impact, each atom glows a different color. The best chance of seeing the northern lights this evening will be between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. NOAA recommends moving away from light pollution and finding a high vantage point. While looking for the northern lights, also take time to admire the full Blood Moon total lunar eclipse, which begins just before midnight EDT on March 13. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes into the darkest part of Earth's shadow. Because Earth can't block the entirety of the sun's bright light, the moon appears to glow red-orange. Read the original article on Martha Stewart
