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16 October 2011

Vleeptron warned you months ago -- here comes KATLA, the REALLY BIG Iceland volcano! Flee for your lives! Kiss your ass goodbye!

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Home » News » Earth Science » Geology » Restless Katla Volcano Heightens Fears Of Possible Eruption

Restless Katla Volcano Heightens Fears Of Possible Eruption

By Mark Dunphy - Sun Oct 16, 1:17 am
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Mýrdalsjökull glacier in Iceland. Image Chris 73 - Wikimedia Commons
Mýrdalsjökull glacier in Iceland. Image Chris 73 - Wikimedia Commons
An increase overnight of seismic actvity in the vicinity of the Katla volcano in southern Iceland has heightened fears of a possible eruption.
Katla is located on the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which is the southernmost glacier in Iceland and is almost 600 km2. It is situated to the north of Vík í Mýrdal and to the east of the smaller glacier Eyjafjallajökull, where an eruption in 2010 caused major disruptions to air traffic throughout western and northern Europe in April and May 2010.  The caldera is 10 km (6 mi) diameter and is covered with 200–700 metres (660-2,300 ft) of ice.
Sixteen eruptions have been documented at Katla between 930 and 1918 at intervals of 40–80 years. It has not significantly erupted for 93 years, although there may have been small eruptions that did not break the ice cover in 1955 and 1999.  The 1918 eruption resulted in extending the southern coast by 5 km due to laharic flood deposits.
In the early hours of today, 05 October, an intense swarm of earthquakes was registered in the Katla caldera; the largest of these earthquakes had a local magnitude of ~3.7. Most of the ongoing seismicity is sourced at shallow (< 5 km) depths.
Commenting before the latest (14-15 Oct., 2011) earthquake swarm, the IMO said there were no measurable signs that an eruption of Katla was imminent.
“However, given the heightened levels of seismicity”, the IMO added, “the situation might change abruptly. Monitoring teams at IMO are following the ongoing activity closely, and sensor-based networks around the volcano ensure that all seismological, geodetic, and hydrological changes are detected.”
“It is definitely showing signs of restlessness,” commented Pall Einarsson, a professor of geophysics at the University of Iceland.
According to Jón Frímann, the author of the popular Icelandic volcano and earthquake website: “Earthquake activity continues in Katla volcano as before. Most of the earthquakes are as before just small ones. Currently the earthquakes do not appear to be from dike intrusion as happened last week (5 October, 2011… After this large earthquake swarm, activity dropped considerably but it has been picking up again slowly during the week. But earthquake observation has been difficult due to frequent storms during the past two weeks that have been passing over Iceland.”
Earthquakes during the last 48 hours. Image IMO. Click image for IMO website
Earthquakes during the last 48 hours. Image IMO. Click image for IMO website
A glacial flood or jokulhlaup from the Katla volcano badly damaged a bridge leading to the closure of a busy road on Saturday, 09 July last. Iceland’s Civil Protection Agency (CPA) said flooding took place near the volcano, most likely caused by the melting of its ice cap.  An aerial observation of the Mýrdalsjökull at the time reported cracks in two calderas in the southernmost part of the glacier.
In recent weeks residents of Vik (population 300 approx.), located at the foot of Katla, have participated in emergency evacuation drills in the event of a volcanic eruption and subsequent glacial floods  affecting the small coastal town.
Vik, Iceland. Image Progresschrome
Vik, Iceland. Image Progresschrome
Locations of caldera rim and previous eruptions. Image RicHard-59
Locations of caldera rim and previous eruptions. Image RicHard-59
The eruption of Katla in 1918
The eruption of Katla in 1918
Meanwhile, an earthquake swarm has also been detected at the Askja volcano, which is situated in a remote part of the central highlands of Iceland.
Experts say an eruption is not imminent but that pressure is continuing to build beneath the volcano.  Askja was virtually unknown until the tremendous eruption which started on March 29, 1875. It last erupted in 1961.
The most significant, recent earthquake (3.9 magnitude) to hit Iceland occurred at 01:16 AM on Sunday 16 October. The epicentre was located 37 km S Grindavík; 67 km SW Hafnarfjörður; and 75 km SW Reykjavík.
Meanwhile, a 3.8 magnitude earthquake was recorded at 10:46AM GMT on Saturday (15 Oct), according to the EMSC. It struck 12 km NW Hveragerði; 25 km E Reykjavík; and 25 km E Kópavogur.

 Earthquake Swarms

Earthquake swarms are events where a local area experiences sequences of many earthquakes striking in a relatively short period of time. The length of time used to define the swarm itself varies, but the United States Geological Survey (USGS) points out that an event may last for days, weeks, or months.

Harmonic Tremors

Harmonic tremor describes a long-duration release of seismic energy, with distinct spectral (harmonic) lines, that often precedes or accompanies a volcanic eruption. More generally, a volcanic tremor is a sustained signal that may or may not possess these harmonic spectral features.

KATLA LINKS

Tremor activity – Icelandic Meteorological Office
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9 Comments

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  1. 0
    World NowSun Oct 16 at 12:35 am
    Nice :))
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  2. +1
    JDSat Oct 15 at 10:43 pm
    Thanks for the update!
    From Jón Frímann today also
    http://www.jonfr.com/volcano/?p=1635
    For the moment it is hard to know what happens next in Katla volcano or in Askja volcano. But it is clear that Askja volcano is preparing for a eruption (along with Kverkfjöll volcano). It is clear that Katla volcano is continuing to prepare for a eruption. But it is impossible to know when and how big that eruption might be. Until a eruption takes place, more dike intrusions with following earthquake swarms should be expected in Katla volcano.
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  3. -1
    Joe WhyteSat Oct 15 at 10:24 pm
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2048627/The-ash-cloud-returns-Rumbling-Icelandic-volcano-Katla-WORSE-years-eruption-closed-Europes-skies.html?ito=feeds-newsxmlhttp://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/13/501364/main20119947.shtml
    Not quite! I’ve read those reports too – in multiple sources over past weeks and MONTHS!
    There are other sites in addition to IWO that report on Katla and the Icelandic Met Office provide excellent information on seismic activity. This report was based on Earthquake swarms from Oct 5th which, if not already reported here, were reported on other sites where I have read the reports. IWO is a great source of information on various topics collated from various sources – very useful.
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  4. +1
    Jónatan in SauðárkrókurSat Oct 15 at 10:23 pm
    Hello Joe. Yes of course. But you remember that information is only old to those who have access to other sources. For many people this information is new. Like information about today’s swarm and earthquake in west. Also Jon’s commentary
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  5. +1
    DomdomSat Oct 15 at 9:37 pm
    Iceland has always been extremely seismically active. Eruptions in 2010 and 2011 just made us all a little more conscious of the potential negative effects for those outside the country. Hope this one doesn’t go though. Seems to be a lot of pressure building up.
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  6. 0
    Karen Borst via IWO Facebook PageSat Oct 15 at 9:28 pm
    Wow, All be careful Sharing
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  7. 0
    IcelandSat Oct 15 at 9:23 pm
    I felt the earthquake from Saturday. They are quite common along this region. The activity at Katla is interesting and worrying but we do not fear an eruption will take place soon. An eruption is long overdue suffice to say
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  8. +2
    Jónatan in SauðárkrókurSat Oct 15 at 9:15 pm
    I must say Joe that while people of this country in Iceland know that an eruption might not taking place today or tomorrow we are aware of the volcano and it might erupt soon. All news on the volcano is important. Thank you for this website and the information. Also Jón Frímann has excellent knowledge of the siuation and his website is read by people around Iceland and the world
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  9. 0
    Joe WhyteSat Oct 15 at 9:09 pm
    October 5th news re-posted 15th? Was hoping for something more “current” from IWO! Sometimes I suspect these re-posts are to generate site attractions rather than deliver up-to-date news!!! C’mon Mark! ;-)
    http://en.vedur.is/earthquakes-and-volcanism/earthquakes/myrdalsjokull/#view=map
    A few tremors and while threat remains nothing recent to suggest an imminent eruption it seems. Icelandic officials seem to be at some odds with other scientists quoted on the web in that, while not dismissing risk of eruption, it doesn’t appear to be so imminent as non-local scientists quoted by journos would have you believe in their reporting.
    Whenever it happens…it’s not to be welcomed given the disruption from last volcano.
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12 October 2011

Draconids Meteor Shower Saturday 8 October 2011

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Photos filched from hither and yon in the Northern Hemisphere of the spectacularly rich Draconids Meteor Shower on Saturday. Upper right: The meteor shower against a background of the Aurora Borealis in Greenland. It's called the Draconids because the shooting stars all seem to emanate from the constellation Draco.

Lower left: diagram of Earth's path through debris of comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner. The shooting stars are pieces of debris burning up in Earth's atmosphere. Once a year on nearly the exact same date Earth passes through the debris fields of a handful of specific comets.

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09 October 2011

PizzaQ! wtf is This Thang?


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An image of This Thing (a scientific technical term) may never previously have appeared on the Web. Vleeptron just got it via an e-mail attachment from the image's creator.

No hints yet. If you want hints, you have to beg and whine.

I think the first correct identification of This Thing deserves a lot of pizza. 2 Large Pizzas with sausage, shitake mushrooms, pesto, and a large antipasto on the side. 

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07 October 2011

a Song on Farmers' Daughters / a WW1 Manx (Isle of Man) soldiers' song

Manx means the Isle of Man, an island in the Irish Sea. Though this is in English, Manx also refers to the unique Manx Gaelic language.

Sorry I can't find the tune, but I'll keep looking.


* * *




[From A Book of Manx Songs 
(for World War 1 troops),1914]

A SONG ON FARMERS' DAUGHTERS.


YOUNG men commencing courting,
Take warning from my fate
For truth I am reporting
About the marriage state.

A wealthy lass I sought her,
I was not slow to woo;
And wed the farmer's daughter.
Who no housekeeping knew.

Till noon she's in the vapours,
Or reading a romance;
All day she's in curl-papers,
Till midnight at the dance.

At morn a sleepy slattern,
At eve a flaunting belle;
She sets her maids a pattern
They imitate too well.

She's saucy, vain, and lazy,
And eaten up with pride,
And into tempers crazy
Keeps falling when you chide.

Her only care is what'll
With her sour self agree,
And so unto the bottle
She drives her babe and me.

Would you escape such trouble,
Such sad domestic din,
And calmly scrape the stubble
On Sunday from your chin;

Would you not find the honey
Of courtship turned to gall,
Don't wed alone for money --
Far liefer not at all.
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05 October 2011

i hope this says that Saudi police fired into a crowd of Shia protestors

قبول 60 ورقة عمل من أصل 115 في المؤتمر الهندسي العربي


"الاقتصادية" من الرياض
عقدت اللجنة العليا المنظمة للمؤتمر والمعرض الهندسي العربي الـ 26 الذي يأتي تحت رعاية خادم الحرمين الشريفين الملك عبد الله بن عبد العزيز تحت شعار "الموارد المائية في الوطن العربي: الواقع والتحديات" أمس، اجتماعاً في مقر المؤسسة العامة لتحلية المياه المالحة لمناقشة الهيكل العام للمؤتمر إلى جانب بعض محاور المؤتمر، برئاسة فهيد الشريف محافظ المؤسسة.
وأوضح الدكتور عبد الله أحمد بقشان رئيس مجلس إدارة الهيئة السعودية للمهندسين المشرف العام على المؤتمر، أن الاجتماع أن المؤتمر تنظمه الهيئة السعودية للمهندسين بالتعاون مع اتحاد المهندسين العرب، ومشاركة كل من وزارة المياه والكهرباء، المؤسسة العامة لتحلية المياه المالحة، مدينة الملك عبد العزيز للعلوم والتقنية، ووزارة التعليم العالي، وذلك في فندق هيلتون في محافظة جدة خلال الفترة 13 - 16 صفر 1433هـ (7 – 10 يناير 2012م).
من جهته، قال المهندس سعود الأحمدي نائب رئيس مجلس إدارة الهيئة السعودية للمهندسين رئيس اللجنة المنظمة للمؤتمر، إنه جرت مناقشة قبول 60 ورقة من أصل الأوراق التي بلغت أكثر من 115 ورقة، التي قدمت من دول عدة مثل أستراليا، لبنان، سورية، الجزائر، الأردن، السودان، مصر، العراق، السعودية وغيرها من الدول. مضيفا أنه تم تحديد محاور لحلقة النقاش المسائية التي تعقد بعنوان "دور المهندس في نجاح مشاريع المياه والصرف الصحي"، حيث حددت محاورها بعدد من النقاط، منها بناء القدرات الهندسية ودورها في نجاح الإشراف على المشاريع، اتخاذ القرارات المناسبة في عمليات الإشراف والمتابعة، عرض حالات دراسية والدروس المستفادة، التجارب الناجحة في الإشراف على المشاريع في المملكة، والتجارب العربية والدولية.
وأضاف أن الاجتماع تضمن مناقشة مقترحات مضامين ورش العمل المصاحبة للمؤتمر، التي ستعقد في اليوم الأول، حيث تمت مناقشة العناوين المقترحة وذلك لاختيار محورين من أحد المحاور التالية، وهي: الصيانة الوقائية لمشاريع المياه، التصميم الإنشائي لخزانات المياه باستخدام الحاسوب، تصميم ونمذجة شبكات المياه وتطبيقاتها باستخدام الحاسوب، ومعالجة وإدارة مياه الصرف الصحي. يذكر أن المؤتمر يهدف إلى عرض ومناقشة الخطط والاستراتيجيات الخاصة بالمياه وتطبيق مبدأ كفاءة الأداء وبناء القدرات للمؤسسات والأفراد، وكذلك التعريف بالقضايا والتحديات والفرص والدروس والحلول لمشكلات المياه ودراسات الحالات، وتطبيق مبدأ بطاقات الأداء المتوازن لتحقيق الأهداف والاستراتيجيات، وعرض السبل الحديثة للتعامل مع القضايا مثل التفكير خارج الصندوق، وذلك لتحقيق ما يلي: تعريف بالتحديات والفرص والدروس المستفادة لتطبيق الاستراتيجيات العلمية والتشريعات، عرض التشريعات المائية الحالية في المنطقة العربية ودراسة أوجه القصور فيها واقتراح الحلول الملائمة نحو تشريعات مستقبلية ناجحة، مدى استدامة الموارد المائية في ضوء الطلب والحلول المقترحة، تبادل الخبرات الخاصة بالإدارة المستدامة للموارد المائية في المنطقة العربية، الاستفادة من التجارب العالمية الناجحة في مجال التشريعات والاستراتيجيات الخاصة بمصادر المياه وتلوثها وإدارة الطلب، ترسيخ مفهوم الإدارة المستدامة والنظرة الشمولية لمنظومة المياه نظرة إقليمية، اقتراح الموارد المالية، عرض أهمية بناء الكفاءات التدريبية، وإدارة الموارد المائية.
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03 October 2011

Il était un petit navire / there was a little cabin boy

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(French, traditional)
(Cajun version by Kate & Anna McGarrigle)

Il était un petit navire 
Qui n’avait ja-ja-jamais navigué 
Il était un petit navire
Qui n’avait ja-ja-jamais navigué 
Ohé ! Ohé !
 
Matelot, Matelot navigue sur les flots
Ohé ! Ohé !
Matelot, Matelot navigue sur les flots

Il entreprit un long voyage 
Sur la mer Mé-Mé-Méditerranée 
Il entreprit un long voyage
Sur la mer Mé-Mé-Méditerranée 
Ohé ! Ohé !

Au bout de cinq à six semaines, 
Les vivres vin-vin-vinrent à manquer
Au bout de cinq à six semaines,
Les vivres vin-vin-vinrent à manquer
Ohé ! Ohé !

On tira z’à la courte paille, 
Pour savoir qui-qui-qui serait mangé,
On tira z’à la courte paille,
Pour savoir qui-qui-qui serait mangé,
Ohé ! Ohé !

Le sort tomba sur le plus jeune, 
C’est donc lui qui-qui-qui fut désigné, 
Le sort tomba sur le plus jeune,
C’est donc lui qui-qui-qui fut désigné,
Ohé ! Ohé !

On cherche alors à quelle sauce, 
Le pauvre enfant-fant-fant sera mangé,
On cherche alors à quelle sauce, 
Le pauvre enfant-fant-fant sera mangé,
Ohé ! Ohé !
 
L’un voulait qu’on le mît à frire
L’autre voulait-lait-lait le fricasser
L’un voulait qu’on le mît à frire
L’autre voulait-lait-lait le fricasser
Ohé ! Ohé !
 
Pendant qu’ainsi l’on délibère
Il monte en haut-haut-haut du grand hunier
Pendant qu’ainsi l’on délibère
Il monte en haut-haut-haut du grand hunier
Ohé ! Ohé !
 
Il fait au ciel une prière 
Interrogeant-geant-geant l’immensité
Il fait au ciel une prière 
Interrogeant-geant-geant l’immensité
Ohé ! Ohé !

Mais regardant la mer entière
Il vit des flots-flots-flots de tous côtés
Mais regardant la mer entière
Il vit des flots-flots-flots de tous côtés
Ohé ! Ohé !

Oh ! Sainte Vierge ma patronne
Cria le pau-pau-pauvre infortuné
Oh ! Sainte Vierge ma patronne
Cria le pau-pau-pauvre infortuné
Ohé ! Ohé !

Si j’ai péché, vite pardonne
Empêche-les-les-les de me manger
Si j’ai péché, vite pardonne
Empêche-les-les-les de me manger
Ohé ! Ohé !

Au même instant un grand miracle
Pour l’enfant fut-fut-fut réalisé
Au même instant un grand miracle
Pour l’enfant fut-fut-fut réalisé
Ohé ! Ohé !
 
Des p’tits poissons dans le navire
Sautèrent par-par-par et par milliers
Ohé ! Ohé !
 
On les prit, on les mit à frire
Le jeune mou-mou-mousse fut sauvé
On les prit, on les mit à frire
Le jeune mou-mou-mousse fut sauvé
Ohé ! Ohé !
 
Si cette histoire vous amuse
Nous allons la-la-la recommencer
Si cette histoire vous amuse
Nous allons la-la-la recommencer
Ohé ! Ohé !
 
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well now everything dies baby that's a fact / but maybe everything that dies someday comes back / put your makeup on / fix your hair up pretty / and meet me tonight in Atlantic City

Atlantic City
by Bruce Springsteen


Well they blew up the chicken man in Philly last night 
now they blew up his house too
Down on the boardwalk they're gettin' ready for a fight 
gonna see what them racket boys can do

Now there's trouble busin' in from outta state 
and the D.A. can't get no relief
Gonna be a rumble out on the promenade 
and the gamblin' commission's hangin' on 
by the skin of its teeth

Well now everything dies baby that's a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Put your makeup on fix your hair up pretty
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City

Well I got a job and tried to put my money away
But I got debts that no honest man can pay
So I drew what I had from the Central Trust
And I bought us two tickets on that Coast City bus

CHORUS

Now our luck may have died 
and our love may be cold 
but with you forever I'll stay
We're goin' out where the sand's turnin' to gold 
so put on your stockings baby 
'cause the night's getting cold
 
And everything dies baby that's a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back

Now I been lookin' for a job but it's hard to find
Down here it's just winners and losers 
and don't get caught on the wrong side of that line
Well I'm tired of comin' out on the losin' end
So honey last night I met this guy and I'm gonna do a little favor for him
 
Well I guess everything dies baby that's a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Put your hair up nice and set up pretty
and meet me tonight in Atlantic City
Meet me tonight in Atlantic City
Meet me tonight in Atlantic City

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