Latest news with #JessPhoenix
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
Catastrophic volcano near 3m Americans rocked by 800 earthquakes as experts wait with bated breath
Nearly 800 earthquakes have rattled Washington's Mount Rainier in the last 30 days, sparking fears that one of America's most dangerous volcanoes is coming to life. More than half of the quakes, approximately 512, struck in July alone, with one intense swarm unleashing over 400 tremors in just 12 hours. This towering stratovolcano looms over more than 3.3 million people across the Seattle-Tacoma metro area, threatening to cripple entire communities with ashfall, flooding, and catastrophic mudflows if it erupts. Although Rainier has not produced a major eruption in over 1,000 years, earthquake swarms like this are often linked to volcanic unrest. Such seismic activity is typically triggered by magma rising toward the surface, fracturing surrounding rock under intense pressure. However, the US Geological Survey (USGS) has downplayed immediate eruption fears, saying the current tremors are likely caused by hot fluids, not magma. Regardless, volcanologists have said that it is only a matter of time until Rainier, arguably the most dangerous volcano in the US, unleashes on the Pacific Northwest. 'Mount Rainier keeps me up at night because it poses such a great threat to the surrounding communities,' Jess Phoenix, a volcanologist and ambassador for the Union of Concerned Scientists told CNN. When this volcano eventually blows, it won't be lava flows or choking clouds of ash that threaten surrounding cities, but the lahars: violent, fast-moving mudflows that can tear across entire communities in a matter of minutes. Large lahars can crush, abrade, bury, or carry away almost anything in their paths, according to the USGS. 'Tacoma and South Seattle are built on 100-foot-thick ancient mudflows from eruptions of Mount Rainier,' Phoenix said. But for now, the USGS has found 'no indication that the level of earthquake activity is cause for concern, and the alert level and color code for Mount Rainier remain at GREEN / NORMAL.' The USGS issued a notice on July 9, informing the public that a major swarm had rattled Mount Rainier, which saw hundreds of earthquakes in half a day. 'Earthquakes are too small to be felt at the surface and will likely continue for several days. There would be no damage caused by such small events,' the USGS said. Since the earthquake swarm, scientists have detected hundreds of more up to a 2.3 magnitude. The USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) added: 'Instruments do not show any detectable ground deformation at the volcano, and no anomalous signals have been seen on the infrasound monitoring stations.' Volcanic eruptions usually cause lahars by rapidly melting snow and ice that covers the volcano's slopes, which then destabilizes loose dirt, rock and volcanic debris and causes it to flow rapidly downward. But it doesn't always take an eruption to trigger a lahar, according to the Seismological Society of America. Rarely, these powerful mudslides can form as the result of gradual weakening of the volcano's slopes due to past eruptions, or heavy rainfall after an eruption. The deadliest lahar in recent history resulted from a 1985 eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz stratovolcano in Tolima, Columbia. Within hours of the eruption, a torrent of mud, melted snow and rock inundated the town of Armero and killed an estimated 25,000 people. This event, now known as the Armero tragedy, was the costliest volcanic disaster in history, according to The International Disaster Database. The total economic impact was estimated at $1 billion. The 1980 eruption of Mount Saint Helens, located in Washington just 50 miles from Mount Rainier, also produced a dangerous lahar that destroyed more than 200 homes, over 185 miles of roads and contributed to the total death toll of 57 people. These tragic events have helped scientists better understand the threat that lahars pose to human communities around active volcanoes, and experts are currently preparing for the terrifying possibility of a lahar forming at Mount Rainier.
Shafaq News
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Myanmar quake death toll surpasses 1,600
Shafaq News/ The death toll from Myanmar's 7.7-magnitude earthquake has risen to 1,644, with 3,408 injured, the country's military government announced on Saturday, with at least 139 people remaining missing. The quake caused widespread destruction, toppling buildings, bridges, and roads, with Mandalay—home to over 1.7 million people—among the hardest-hit areas. In response, authorities declared a state of emergency in six regions and appealed for international humanitarian aid. Geologist Jess Phoenix told CNN the earthquake unleashed energy equivalent to 334 atomic bomb explosions. She warned that aftershocks could continue for months as the Indian tectonic plate pushes against the Eurasian plate beneath Myanmar. The disaster comes amid Myanmar's ongoing civil war. "What would normally be a difficult situation has become nearly impossible," Phoenix noted, highlighting the challenges of delivering aid in a country torn by conflict since a 2021 military coup.
Express Tribune
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Myanmar earthquake kills over 1,000 as aftershocks feared in region
Listen to article A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, killing at least 1,000 people and flattening buildings across the region, including in neighbouring Thailand, where dozens remain trapped under rubble. The quake, centred near Mandalay, is the strongest to hit Myanmar in over a century. The US Geological Survey said the death toll could climb above 10,000 based on early projections. State broadcaster MRTV confirmed the fatalities on Saturday as aid groups struggled to access the hardest-hit areas due to collapsed roads, power outages and ongoing conflict in the country. Myanmar remains mired in a civil war triggered by a 2021 military coup, severely limiting its ability to respond to natural disasters. In Mandalay, a resident told CNN that her grandmother was trapped under debris when part of their home collapsed. 'It hit very strong and very fast,' she said, adding that cracks had appeared across buildings in the neighbourhood. Neighbouring Thailand also suffered damage. At least 10 people were killed in Bangkok when a high-rise under construction collapsed, and more than 100 people are believed to be trapped. Thai authorities have launched a rescue operation. China and India were among the first nations to dispatch aid. A Chinese rescue team arrived Saturday morning, while New Delhi sent medical and emergency crews along with humanitarian supplies. Geologist Jess Phoenix said the quake released energy equivalent to over 300 atomic bombs and warned that aftershocks could continue for weeks. 'What would normally be a difficult situation becomes almost impossible,' she added, referring to Myanmar's fragile state. The Indian tectonic plate's continued collision with the Eurasian plate is expected to generate more seismic activity, experts said. Aid agencies warn that communication blackouts are hampering their ability to assess needs and coordinate relief, as survivors face shortages of medical help, shelter, and clean water. Moreover, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday established a crisis management cell to assist Pakistani nationals affected by the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar and parts of Thailand. In an official statement, the Foreign Office expressed solidarity with the people of Myanmar and Thailand in the aftermath of what it described as an 'unprecedented natural calamity.' The ministry has instructed Pakistani embassies in Yangon and Bangkok to provide all necessary support and emergency assistance to nationals in the affected regions. A dedicated Crisis Management Unit (CMU) at the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad has also been activated to monitor the situation and coordinate efforts to support Pakistanis in need. Emergency contact numbers provided The Foreign Office shared emergency contact details for Pakistani nationals currently in Myanmar and Thailand: Embassy of Pakistan in Yangon Mr. Anwar Zeb (Charge d'Affaires): +959880922880 Mr. Muhammad Shoaib (Counsellor): +959448999967 Mr. Ali Sher (Consular Assistant): +959457099977 Embassy of Pakistan in Bangkok Mr. Fahad (First Secretary): +66 95 968 1506 Mr. Yaseen (Consular Assistant): +66 91 697 7702 Crisis Management Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad
