Springbok management team coloured blue Their first loss of the season, and the individual brilliance and passing skills of Sonny Bill Williams of the Chiefs, saw the DHL Stormers lose the top spot in the Super Rugby log. That honour currently belon...

Survivors of Hurricane Katrina have struggled with poor mental health for years after the storm, according to a new study of low-income mothers in the New Orleans area.

A British photographer witnessed a school of whales vanishing during an underwater earthquake. Could they serve as 'canaries' for humans?Do whales hear earthquakes long before humans? As tsunami warnings hit the Indonesian and Sri Lankan coasts last...

Later this year debris from the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan should begin to wash up on US shores -- and one question many have asked is whether that will pose a radiation risk. The simple answer is, no.

The Dutch city is pioneering new ways of dealing with water as climate change brings with it heavier rains and rising tidesWindmills that feature in the landscapes painted by the Dutch old masters are a reminder that the low-landers of this nation ar...

Florida's emergency managers are preparing for the upcoming tropical storm season by reexamining the lessons learned from Hurricane Andrew.

HARGEISA 30 March 2012 (IRIN) - Officials in the self-declared republic of Somaliland, northwestern Somalia, are appealing for food aid and potable water for thousands of families who have lost their livelihoods in the current drought.

It’s on the cards for SuperSport United If statistics are the defining yardstick of excellence and winning titles, SuperSport United might be destined for their fourth ABSA PSL title in five seasons. They buried Kaizer Chiefs’ title dreams with a 2-...

JOHANNESBURG 15 March 2012 (IRIN) - Africa’s third longest river, the Niger, is a source of water, food and energy for nine West African countries. But frequent droughts induced by a changing climate, and exacerbated by rapidly growing demand, pose a...

Seven United Nations peacekeepers in Congo were wounded when gunmen opened fire at a protest in the east of the country, a UN spokesperson said.

Stress in the second and third months of pregnancy can shorten pregnancies, increase the risk of pre-term births and may affect the ratio of boys to girls being born, leading to a decline in male babies. These are the conclusions of a study that inve...

Quake measuring 6.6 strikes 50 miles off Indonesian coast, causing residents to flee their homes in Papua provinceA powerful earthquake hit has waters off eastern Indonesia, sending panicked residents running from their homes, offices and schools.Aut...

Catastrophic wildfires are on the rise in the western United States and a set of conditions may be contributing to a perfect storm for more fires, according to new research.

COLOMBO 19 April 2012 (IRIN) - Strong community awareness and preparedness are being cited for last week's successful evacuation of more than one million Sri Lankans after a tsunami alert was triggered by an 8.6 magnitude earthquake off the west coas...

JAKARTA 18 April 2012 (IRIN) - One week after a tsunami alert was issued along the western coast of Indonesia, leading disaster experts and agencies warn there is little room for complacency.

Not surprisingly, victims of a natural disaster can experience stress and anxiety, but a new study indicates that it might also cause them to make more errors - some serious - in their daily lives. Researchers have explored how cognitive performance ...

Hundreds of Egyptian riot police have stormed out of their camp and cut off a desert highway out of Cairo following reports that an officer had killed one of their colleagues, a report says.

It’s on the cards for SuperSport United If statistics are the defining yardstick of excellence and winning titles, SuperSport United might be destined for their fourth ABSA PSL title in five seasons. They buried Kaizer Chiefs’ title dreams with a 2-...

Survivors of Hurricane Katrina have struggled with poor mental health for years after the storm, according to a new study of low-income mothers in the New Orleans area.

Police say man and dog were killed when car became submerged in fast-flowing water in HampshireA man and a dog have died after the car they were travelling in became submerged in 1.5 metres (5ft) of fast-flowing water as it was being driven across a ...

The fire is burning on an estimated 270 to 280 acres about 20 miles northwest of Fort Collins.

KAYES 13 April 2012 (IRIN) - “It was the drought that made people move away from here,” Ousmane Touré said in Kayes, 450km northwest of Bamako, the capital of Mali, and a 10-hour bus ride across the scorched scrubland of the western Sahel. “There had...

MAO 16 April 2012 (IRIN) - With drought conditions chronic in the Sahel, many farmers give up trying to grow crops and head to towns and cities to find work.

Wreckage including lumber, footballs, parts of roofs and factories, and even bikes will soon start coming ashore in North AmericaWreckage from Japan's tsunami – fishing gear and furniture, footballs and ships – has swept across the Pacific far faster...

Forecasters warn more twisters possible after homes and businesses are wrecked and thousands left without powerNearly 100 tornadoes raked across the central United States on Sunday, leaving five people dead and at least 29 injured in Oklahoma alone. ...

Survivors of Hurricane Katrina have struggled with poor mental health for years after the storm, according to a new study of low-income mothers in the New Orleans area.

In theory, national governments should issue tsunami watches and warnings. For sure, they should be the only ones issuing evacuation orders. But social media are much quicker to inform.

Sundowns and United twice in the mix Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United will contend against each other in the 2012 knockout Nedbank Cup final on 26 May after they reached the finals in contrasting styles. But they will also meet in what could ...

Earthquakes are some of the most daunting natural disasters that scientists try to analyze. Though Earth's major fault lines are well known, there is little scientists can do to predict when an earthquake will occur or how strong it will be. And, tho...

Stress in the second and third months of pregnancy can shorten pregnancies, increase the risk of pre-term births and may affect the ratio of boys to girls being born, leading to a decline in male babies. These are the conclusions of a study that inve...

There are no reports of damage or injuries after a magnitude-4.3 earthquake rattled a rural area of Northern California.

More than a year after the earthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011, as Japan continues to rebuild, a potentially dangerous legacy is drifting across the Pacific Ocean – millions of tonnes of debrisPaddy Allen

Authorities say warning sounds may in Woodward have been disabled in lightning strike, giving residents no notice of twisterA state emergency official says a sixth person has died after a tornado ripped through the northwest Oklahoma town of Woodward...

The San Jacinto Fault Zone is a seismically active, major component of the overall southern San Andreas Fault system. Researchers have mapped evidence of past ruptures consistent with very large earthquakes along the Clark Fault, an individual strand...

Police say man and dog were killed when car became submerged in fast-flowing water in HampshireA man and a dog have died after the car they were travelling in became submerged in 1.5 metres (5ft) of fast-flowing water as it was being driven across a ...

Firefighters were working to prevent a wildfire near the historic mining town of Crown King from spreading to an area where it could quickly grow.

JOHANNESBURG 15 March 2012 (IRIN) - Africa’s third longest river, the Niger, is a source of water, food and energy for nine West African countries. But frequent droughts induced by a changing climate, and exacerbated by rapidly growing demand, pose a...

More than a year after the earthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011, as Japan continues to rebuild, a potentially dangerous legacy is drifting across the Pacific Ocean – millions of tonnes of debrisPaddy Allen

It’s on the cards for SuperSport United If statistics are the defining yardstick of excellence and winning titles, SuperSport United might be destined for their fourth ABSA PSL title in five seasons. They buried Kaizer Chiefs’ title dreams with a 2-...

On the afernoon of 25th December 2011 as residents of Melbourne\s western and northern suburbs celebrated Christmas Day, a few supercells developed west of the city hitting Bachus Marsh and Melton. A moist and unstable atmosphere was in place with id...

Wind conditions at a fire scene can make a critical difference on the behavior of the blaze and the safety of firefighters, even indoors, according to a new report.

New research suggests that ozone gas emitted from fracturing rocks could serve as an indicator of impending earthquakes.

Although Southwest Florida experienced rain showers over the weekend, the city of North Port received an average of just over an inch of rain - not nearly enough to alleviate the current wildfire danger, reports North Port Fire Marshal Michael Frantz...

Earthquakes are some of the most daunting natural disasters that scientists try to analyze. Though Earth's major fault lines are well known, there is little scientists can do to predict when an earthquake will occur or how strong it will be. And, tho...

Seismic risk at the Fukushima nuclear plant increased after the magnitude 9 earthquake that hit Japan last March, scientists report. The new study, which uses data from over 6,000 earthquakes, shows the 11 March tremor caused a seismic fault close to...

Wreckage including lumber, footballs, parts of roofs and factories, and even bikes will soon start coming ashore in North AmericaWreckage from Japan's tsunami – fishing gear and furniture, footballs and ships – has swept across the Pacific far faster...

Earthquakes are some of the most daunting natural disasters that scientists try to analyze. Though Earth's major fault lines are well known, there is little scientists can do to predict when an earthquake will occur or how strong it will be. And, tho...

Not surprisingly, victims of a natural disaster can experience stress and anxiety, but a new study indicates that it might also cause them to make more errors - some serious - in their daily lives. Researchers have explored how cognitive performance ...

Volcanoes emit a broad spectrum of sonic energy. In the case of basaltic eruptions, most of that acoustical energy in the infrasound range. A new study reveals that this low-frequency sound can give scientists an enhanced understanding of the behavio...

TILLABERI/NIAMEY 18 April 2012 (IRIN) - Small farmers in Oullam District in Niger’s western region of Tillaberi, faced with their third drought in seven years, are being forced to consider bundling up their few possessions and leaving for good the vi...

Fears sparked by 8.6-magnitude quake on seabed 300 miles of Banda Aceh result in chaos and successful evacuationsA large earthquake shook the Indonesian island of Sumatra on Wednesday, causing widespread panic and fear of a repeat of the 2004 earthqu...

New research reveals dinosaurs may have faced an unexpected hazard: fire. Scientists have shown that during the Cretaceous fire was much more widespread than previously thought.

Child critically injured by falling tree in 8.6-magnitude quake felt as far away as southern IndiaFive people were killed and a child critically injured when a powerful earthquake struck off the coast of northern Indonesia on Wednesday, the country's...

Stress in the second and third months of pregnancy can shorten pregnancies, increase the risk of pre-term births and may affect the ratio of boys to girls being born, leading to a decline in male babies. These are the conclusions of a study that inve...

CHINA'S national observatory yesterday upgraded the warning level from blue to yellow for a new round of rainstorms expected to hit the country's southern regions over next three days.

Debris from the tsunami that devastated Japan in March could reach the United States as early as this winter, according to new predictions. However, they warn there is still a large amount of uncertainty over exactly what is still floating, where it'...

One person has been wounded after a group of skiers on Mount Hermon in southeast Lebanon came under machinegun fire from across the border with Syria, says a security official.

Campaigners say the recommendation by government advisers casts 'grave doubt' on commitment to cut emissionsCampaigners reacted angrily on Tuesday to the recommendation by government advisers that "fracking" for shale gas can resume in the UK, despit...

Panic and traffic jams triggered in Aceh after post-earthquake tremors also felt in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and IndiaA tsunami alert has been lifted around much of the Indian Ocean after an 8.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the western coast ...

Springbok management team coloured blue Their first loss of the season, and the individual brilliance and passing skills of Sonny Bill Williams of the Chiefs, saw the DHL Stormers lose the top spot in the Super Rugby log. That honour currently belon...

TILLABERI/NIAMEY 18 April 2012 (IRIN) - Small farmers in Oullam District in Niger’s western region of Tillaberi, faced with their third drought in seven years, are being forced to consider bundling up their few possessions and leaving for good the vi...

Debris from the tsunami that devastated Japan in March could reach the United States as early as this winter, according to new predictions. However, they warn there is still a large amount of uncertainty over exactly what is still floating, where it'...

MAO 16 April 2012 (IRIN) - With drought conditions chronic in the Sahel, many farmers give up trying to grow crops and head to towns and cities to find work.

Mathematicians have developed the theory for a Harry Potter style 'cloaking' device which could protect buildings from earthquakes. Scientists have been working on the theory of invisibility cloaks which, until recently, have been merely the subject ...

Researchers have devised a numerical model to help explain the linkage between earthquakes and the powerful forces that cause them. Their findings hold implications for long-term forecasting of earthquakes.

Catastrophic wildfires are on the rise in the western United States and a set of conditions may be contributing to a perfect storm for more fires, according to new research.

Seismic risk at the Fukushima nuclear plant increased after the magnitude 9 earthquake that hit Japan last March, scientists report. The new study, which uses data from over 6,000 earthquakes, shows the 11 March tremor caused a seismic fault close to...

In the winter of 479 B.C., a tsunami was the savior of Potidaea, drowning hundreds of Persian invaders as they lay siege to the ancient Greek village. New geological evidence suggests that the region may still be vulnerable to tsunami events.

A new study of aid to Haiti finds that 36 percent of households in the directly affected area -- and 54 percent of those living in camps -- still have not recovered to their pre-earthquake levels almost two years after the disaster.

A new study of aid to Haiti finds that 36 percent of households in the directly affected area -- and 54 percent of those living in camps -- still have not recovered to their pre-earthquake levels almost two years after the disaster.

Officials say a strong earthquake measuring magnitude 6.2 has struck off the coast of western Indonesia but there is no danger of a tsunami.

In the winter of 479 B.C., a tsunami was the savior of Potidaea, drowning hundreds of Persian invaders as they lay siege to the ancient Greek village. New geological evidence suggests that the region may still be vulnerable to tsunami events.

One year after  an earthquake and tsunami hit Japan on March 11, 2011, an independent investigation panel has highlighted the country’s failures in disaster planning and crisis management for the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Statio...

In the winter of 479 B.C., a tsunami was the savior of Potidaea, drowning hundreds of Persian invaders as they lay siege to the ancient Greek village. New geological evidence suggests that the region may still be vulnerable to tsunami events.

Mathematicians have developed the theory for a Harry Potter style 'cloaking' device which could protect buildings from earthquakes. Scientists have been working on the theory of invisibility cloaks which, until recently, have been merely the subject ...

In theory, national governments should issue tsunami watches and warnings. For sure, they should be the only ones issuing evacuation orders. But social media are much quicker to inform.

The San Jacinto Fault Zone is a seismically active, major component of the overall southern San Andreas Fault system. Researchers have mapped evidence of past ruptures consistent with very large earthquakes along the Clark Fault, an individual strand...

A new study of aid to Haiti finds that 36 percent of households in the directly affected area -- and 54 percent of those living in camps -- still have not recovered to their pre-earthquake levels almost two years after the disaster.

Firefighters in Arizona are struggling to contain several wildfires, a taste of what could be a long and difficult season as the combination of high temperatures and extremely dry conditions raise the greater risk of wildfires across the country.

Geologists have a new tool to study how earthquakes change the landscape, and it's giving them insight into how earthquake faults behave. Scientists from the United States, Mexico and China report the most comprehensive before-and-after picture yet o...

What happens when you put a fully equipped five-story building, which includes an intensive care unit, a surgery suite, piping and air conditioning, fire barriers and even a working elevator, through series of high-intensity earthquakes?

FORT DAVIS, Texas - An official says one wildfire burning near a rugged West Texas resort is 60 percent contained and firefighters are concentrating on fighting another still threatening the residential community.

Sundowns and United twice in the mix Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United will contend against each other in the 2012 knockout Nedbank Cup final on 26 May after they reached the finals in contrasting styles. But they will also meet in what could ...

In the winter of 479 B.C., a tsunami was the savior of Potidaea, drowning hundreds of Persian invaders as they lay siege to the ancient Greek village. New geological evidence suggests that the region may still be vulnerable to tsunami events.

The drought is officially over for nearly all of Minnesota. The new map from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that only about 10 percent of Minnesota remains in drought.

Mathematicians have developed the theory for a Harry Potter style 'cloaking' device which could protect buildings from earthquakes. Scientists have been working on the theory of invisibility cloaks which, until recently, have been merely the subject ...

India has been shaken by a shallow 5.4-magnitude earthquake that sent people fleeing into the streets in panic.

Forecasters warn more twisters possible after homes and businesses are wrecked and thousands left without powerNearly 100 tornadoes raked across the central United States on Sunday, leaving five people dead and at least 29 injured in Oklahoma alone. ...

Researchers have devised a numerical model to help explain the linkage between earthquakes and the powerful forces that cause them. Their findings hold implications for long-term forecasting of earthquakes.

Two large quakes strike western Mexico within 12 hours, shaking buildings in the capital more than 200 miles awayTwo large earthquakes have struck western Mexico, shaking buildings as far away as the capital and sending people rushing out of offices ...

Two large quakes strike western Mexico within 12 hours, shaking buildings in the capital more than 200 miles awayTwo large earthquakes have struck western Mexico, shaking buildings as far away as the capital and sending people rushing out of offices ...

Nearly two dozen companies that manufactured government-issued trailers for storm victims after Hurricane Katrina have agreed to pay $14.8 million in a proposed class-action settlement of claims that the temporary shelters exposed occupants to hazard...

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said this month's heavy rainfall did not make up for the last two dry winters This month's heavy rainfall will not be enough to avert a drought across parts of the UK, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has ...

FORT DAVIS, Texas - An official says one wildfire burning near a rugged West Texas resort is 60 percent contained and firefighters are concentrating on fighting another still threatening the residential community.

Wind conditions at a fire scene can make a critical difference on the behavior of the blaze and the safety of firefighters, even indoors, according to a new report.

A groundbreaking study shows that earthquakes, including the recent 2010 temblors in Haiti and Taiwan, may be triggered by tropical cyclones.

KAYES 13 April 2012 (IRIN) - “It was the drought that made people move away from here,” Ousmane Touré said in Kayes, 450km northwest of Bamako, the capital of Mali, and a 10-hour bus ride across the scorched scrubland of the western Sahel. “There had...

A magnitude 4.1 earthquake in southern California struck San Bernardino County near the San Andreas fault Saturday morning, but no major damage was reported, authorities said.

Wind conditions at a fire scene can make a critical difference on the behavior of the blaze and the safety of firefighters, even indoors, according to a new report.

Zimbabwe will suffer a one million ton maize deficit due to drought, after nearly half of the national crop now coming up for harvest has failed, a report says.

In the winter of 479 B.C., a tsunami was the savior of Potidaea, drowning hundreds of Persian invaders as they lay siege to the ancient Greek village. New geological evidence suggests that the region may still be vulnerable to tsunami events.

A groundbreaking study shows that earthquakes, including the recent 2010 temblors in Haiti and Taiwan, may be triggered by tropical cyclones.

Two members of the Afghan police opened fire on British soldiers who were mentoring them in the south of the country, killing two, Britain's Defence Ministry says.

Wind conditions at a fire scene can make a critical difference on the behavior of the blaze and the safety of firefighters, even indoors, according to a new report.

Authorities say warning sounds may in Woodward have been disabled in lightning strike, giving residents no notice of twisterA state emergency official says a sixth person has died after a tornado ripped through the northwest Oklahoma town of Woodward...

JOHANNESBURG 15 March 2012 (IRIN) - Africa’s third longest river, the Niger, is a source of water, food and energy for nine West African countries. But frequent droughts induced by a changing climate, and exacerbated by rapidly growing demand, pose a...

Survivors of Hurricane Katrina have struggled with poor mental health for years after the storm, according to a new study of low-income mothers in the New Orleans area.

New testing conducted in a steep, mountainous region of Utah, using mining induced events, is providing a new set of data necessary for better predictions on building codes, especially when earthquakes are a factor.

Ordinary citizens challenge troublesome EU fiscals The fight by ordinary citizens to take back control of their destiny from financial technocrats has started in earnest. That is the real message of the election results in Europe. The national elect...

Syrian troops have fired bullets and tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters, activists say, and state media is reporting that a roadside bomb has killed 10 soldiers.

To receive email newsletters, updates and special offers from KGFT, select your newsletter , enter your email address and hit "Sign Up". Have you ever stayed up late, conflicted between your head and your heart? Sometimes the only way out of a dilemm...

The January 2010 quake that destroyed much of Port-au-Prince may have marked the start of a new cycle of active seismicity, putting Haiti and the Dominican Republic at high risk of future devastating earthquakes.

In theory, national governments should issue tsunami watches and warnings. For sure, they should be the only ones issuing evacuation orders. But social media are much quicker to inform.

The La Nina weather phenomenon is over. Forecasters say that's good news for the drought in the South and hurricane areas along the coasts.

Police say man and dog were killed when car became submerged in fast-flowing water in HampshireA man and a dog have died after the car they were travelling in became submerged in 1.5 metres (5ft) of fast-flowing water as it was being driven across a ...

Debris from the tsunami that devastated Japan in March could reach the United States as early as this winter, according to new predictions. However, they warn there is still a large amount of uncertainty over exactly what is still floating, where it'...

Twenty years after Hurricane Andrew raked the state, Florida Power & Light, the state's largest utility, dedicated a new $3.8 million storm "command center" on Friday and announced energy-grid reinforcements that officials said will boost emergency p...

Meyer's selection: vintage or advantage? The debate about the new Springbok coach’s attempts to lure Victor Matfield back from retirement and to surround himself with Blue Bull credentialed confidants, has intensified. For now, Heyneke Meyer still g...

Recent earthquake damage has exposed the vulnerability of existing structures to strong ground movement. Researchers are now analyzing shape-memory alloys for their potential use in constructing seismic-resistant structures.

The Environment Agency has declared official drought zones in a further 17 English counties and said the shortages could last until Christmas or beyond.

Debris from the tsunami that devastated Japan in March could reach the United States as early as this winter, according to new predictions. However, they warn there is still a large amount of uncertainty over exactly what is still floating, where it'...

JAKARTA 18 April 2012 (IRIN) - One week after a tsunami alert was issued along the western coast of Indonesia, leading disaster experts and agencies warn there is little room for complacency.

Kenyan rangers have shot dead five suspected elephant poachers in a night-time fire fight in the north of the country, the Kenya Wildlife Service says.

Weather forecasters warn of further downpours and say trees could be brought down by strong windsSouth-west England and Wales face gusts of up to 60mph on Sunday while the rest of the UK is also expected to experience strong winds and further downpou...

One year after  an earthquake and tsunami hit Japan on March 11, 2011, an independent investigation panel has highlighted the country’s failures in disaster planning and crisis management for the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Statio...

Campaigners say the recommendation by government advisers casts 'grave doubt' on commitment to cut emissionsCampaigners reacted angrily on Tuesday to the recommendation by government advisers that "fracking" for shale gas can resume in the UK, despit...

Drilling method can be extended throughout UK, say experts, even though it has caused two earthquakesMinisters have been advised to allow the controversial practice of fracking for shale gas to be extended in Britain, despite it causing two earthquak...

Debris from the tsunami that devastated Japan in March could reach the United States as early as this winter, according to new predictions. However, they warn there is still a large amount of uncertainty over exactly what is still floating, where it'...

On the afernoon of 25th December 2011 as residents of Melbourne\s western and northern suburbs celebrated Christmas Day, a few supercells developed west of the city hitting Bachus Marsh and Melton. A moist and unstable atmosphere was in place with id...

Weather Underground Forecast for Tuesday, May 15, 2012. The most active weather in the country on Tuesday will be a storm system that will move very slowly through the eastern third of the country.

Fire officials have ordered mandatory evacuations for residents living near a wildfire burning near a scenic canyon in northern Colorado.

The UK's beaches are getting cleaner - but which are the best (and worst)?• Get the data• More data journalism and data visualisations from the GuardianHow clean are the UK's beaches? A report out today ranks Britain's seaside resorts.The 2012 Good B...

Temporary structure to be built in New Zealand city to replace the church damaged by the 2011 earthquakeA cardboard cathedral is to be built in the centre of Christchurch, New Zealand, as a temporary replacement for the city's landmark cathedral, whi...

Virginians who want to stock up on batteries, bottled water and other supplies for the hurricane season will get a tax break this month.

The Environment Agency has declared official drought zones in a further 17 English counties and said the shortages could last until Christmas or beyond.

Firefighters are getting a handle on a wildfire that destroyed at least one structure in the Acton area of Los Angeles County.

Parts of England are no longer in drought following the wettest April on record and continuing rain this month, the Environment Agency said.

The San Jacinto Fault Zone is a seismically active, major component of the overall southern San Andreas Fault system. Researchers have mapped evidence of past ruptures consistent with very large earthquakes along the Clark Fault, an individual strand...

Trust the young guns The silence is deafening in the countdown to the Springboks' upcoming tests against England in June – the first of the new season. Why is South Africa still in the dark about who the new Springbok skipper will be, and why is the...

COLOMBO 19 April 2012 (IRIN) - Strong community awareness and preparedness are being cited for last week's successful evacuation of more than one million Sri Lankans after a tsunami alert was triggered by an 8.6 magnitude earthquake off the west coas...

Later this year debris from the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan should begin to wash up on US shores -- and one question many have asked is whether that will pose a radiation risk. The simple answer is, no.

On the afernoon of 25th December 2011 as residents of Melbourne\s western and northern suburbs celebrated Christmas Day, a few supercells developed west of the city hitting Bachus Marsh and Melton. A moist and unstable atmosphere was in place with id...

In the winter of 479 B.C., a tsunami was the savior of Potidaea, drowning hundreds of Persian invaders as they lay siege to the ancient Greek village. New geological evidence suggests that the region may still be vulnerable to tsunami events.

Helicopters, sniffer dogs and troops deployed to Siachen Glacier to find up to 150 soldiers buried in Kashmir army baseRescuers have recovered a number of bodies after an avalanche hit a Pakistani army base in the disputed Kashmir region, burying up ...

In March, firefighters found the body of a 36-year-old man when they arrived at a brush fire near I-20 in Social Circle.

Earthquakes are some of the most daunting natural disasters that scientists try to analyze. Though Earth's major fault lines are well known, there is little scientists can do to predict when an earthquake will occur or how strong it will be. And, tho...

Panic and traffic jams triggered in Aceh after post-earthquake tremors also felt in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and IndiaA tsunami alert has been lifted around much of the Indian Ocean after an 8.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the western coast ...

Seismic risk at the Fukushima nuclear plant increased after the magnitude 9 earthquake that hit Japan last March, scientists report. The new study, which uses data from over 6,000 earthquakes, shows the 11 March tremor caused a seismic fault close to...

On Sat. March 24, a controlled weed burning fire got out of hand, when wind picked up and extended the controlled fire to cause a grass fire.

More than a year after the earthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011, as Japan continues to rebuild, a potentially dangerous legacy is drifting across the Pacific Ocean – millions of tonnes of debrisPaddy Allen

JOHANNESBURG 25 April 2012 (IRIN) - The governance of natural resources like land, the oceans, rivers and the atmosphere, can affect the impact of some of the world’s biggest crises caused by natural events like droughts and floods. How best to manag...

Hokkaido's Pacific coast may be hit by tsunami as high as 35 meters if a massive earthquake strikes near the Japanese island of Hokkaido, according to an interim report by an expert panel at the Hokkaido Disaster Management Council.

Authorities say warning sounds may in Woodward have been disabled in lightning strike, giving residents no notice of twisterA state emergency official says a sixth person has died after a tornado ripped through the northwest Oklahoma town of Woodward...

The Dutch city is pioneering new ways of dealing with water as climate change brings with it heavier rains and rising tidesWindmills that feature in the landscapes painted by the Dutch old masters are a reminder that the low-landers of this nation ar...

TILLABERI/NIAMEY 18 April 2012 (IRIN) - Small farmers in Oullam District in Niger’s western region of Tillaberi, faced with their third drought in seven years, are being forced to consider bundling up their few possessions and leaving for good the vi...

After especially destructive 2011, fire experts warn extreme droughts and warm temperatures may make 2012 just as badAuthorities across the south-western United States were braced for a summer season of wildfire destruction on Monday after an outbrea...

The early April earthquake of magnitude 8.6 that shook Sumatra was a grim reminder of the devastating earthquakes and tsunami that killed tens of thousands of people in 2004 and 2005. Now a new study shows that the residents of that region are at ris...

A professor has converted the seismic waves from last year's historic Japanese earthquake into audio files. The results allow experts and general audiences to “hear” what the quake sounded like as it moved through the earth and around the globe.

Firefighters in Arizona are struggling to contain several wildfires, a taste of what could be a long and difficult season as the combination of high temperatures and extremely dry conditions raise the greater risk of wildfires across the country.

Irene, who knocked out power to so many Westchester County homes last summer, won't bother anyone again - at least, not in hurricane form.

COLOMBO 19 April 2012 (IRIN) - Strong community awareness and preparedness are being cited for last week's successful evacuation of more than one million Sri Lankans after a tsunami alert was triggered by an 8.6 magnitude earthquake off the west coas...

What happens when you put a fully equipped five-story building, which includes an intensive care unit, a surgery suite, piping and air conditioning, fire barriers and even a working elevator, through series of high-intensity earthquakes?

Scientists are a step closer to predicting when and where earthquakes will occur after taking a fresh look at the formation of the Andes, which began 45 million years ago.

Nearly two dozen companies that manufactured government-issued trailers for storm victims after Hurricane Katrina have agreed to pay $14.8 million in a proposed class-action settlement of claims that the temporary shelters exposed occupants to hazard...

Toyota's January-March profit more than quadrupled to 121 billion yen , and the automaker gave upbeat forecasts, marking a solid recovery from a hardship-filled year following the tsunami in Japan.

A professor has converted the seismic waves from last year's historic Japanese earthquake into audio files. The results allow experts and general audiences to “hear” what the quake sounded like as it moved through the earth and around the globe.

Authorities say warning sounds may in Woodward have been disabled in lightning strike, giving residents no notice of twisterA state emergency official says a sixth person has died after a tornado ripped through the northwest Oklahoma town of Woodward...

Mathematicians have developed the theory for a Harry Potter style 'cloaking' device which could protect buildings from earthquakes. Scientists have been working on the theory of invisibility cloaks which, until recently, have been merely the subject ...

Seismic risk at the Fukushima nuclear plant increased after the magnitude 9 earthquake that hit Japan last March, scientists report. The new study, which uses data from over 6,000 earthquakes, shows the 11 March tremor caused a seismic fault close to...

Later this year debris from the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan should begin to wash up on US shores -- and one question many have asked is whether that will pose a radiation risk. The simple answer is, no.

One year after  an earthquake and tsunami hit Japan on March 11, 2011, an independent investigation panel has highlighted the country’s failures in disaster planning and crisis management for the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Statio...

Later this year debris from the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan should begin to wash up on US shores -- and one question many have asked is whether that will pose a radiation risk. The simple answer is, no.

Geologists have a new tool to study how earthquakes change the landscape down to a few inches, and it's giving them insight into how earthquake faults behave.

Water providers came under increased pressure from the industry watchdog to ensure drought-stricken areas are helped by regions with more plentiful supplies.

More than a year after the earthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011, as Japan continues to rebuild, a potentially dangerous legacy is drifting across the Pacific Ocean – millions of tonnes of debrisPaddy Allen

Stress in the second and third months of pregnancy can shorten pregnancies, increase the risk of pre-term births and may affect the ratio of boys to girls being born, leading to a decline in male babies. These are the conclusions of a study that inve...

India has been shaken by a shallow 5.4-magnitude earthquake that sent people fleeing into the streets in panic.

Quake measuring 6.6 strikes 50 miles off Indonesian coast, causing residents to flee their homes in Papua provinceA powerful earthquake hit has waters off eastern Indonesia, sending panicked residents running from their homes, offices and schools.Aut...

Wind conditions at a fire scene can make a critical difference on the behavior of the blaze and the safety of firefighters, even indoors, according to a new report.

SA's Afcon hosting hang ups There is still a cloud hanging over South Africa’s hosting of the 2013 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) football tournament, despite sports minister Fikile Mbalula’s assurances that the national government is committed and...

Parts of England are no longer in drought following the wettest April on record and continuing rain this month, the Environment Agency said.

Later this year debris from the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan should begin to wash up on US shores -- and one question many have asked is whether that will pose a radiation risk. The simple answer is, no.

The Uragan program aboard the Russian segment of the International Space Station uses digital photography to study Earth's natural resources by monitoring catastrophes, both natural and human made. Uragan, which means "hurricane" in Russian, began du...

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for 29 counties in western and central Oklahoma until 2 a.m. Sunday.

Later this year debris from the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan should begin to wash up on US shores -- and one question many have asked is whether that will pose a radiation risk. The simple answer is, no.

HARGEISA 30 March 2012 (IRIN) - Officials in the self-declared republic of Somaliland, northwestern Somalia, are appealing for food aid and potable water for thousands of families who have lost their livelihoods in the current drought.

The UK's beaches are getting cleaner - but which are the best (and worst)?• Get the data• More data journalism and data visualisations from the GuardianHow clean are the UK's beaches? A report out today ranks Britain's seaside resorts.The 2012 Good B...

Later this year debris from the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan should begin to wash up on US shores -- and one question many have asked is whether that will pose a radiation risk. The simple answer is, no.

In the winter of 479 B.C., a tsunami was the savior of Potidaea, drowning hundreds of Persian invaders as they lay siege to the ancient Greek village. New geological evidence suggests that the region may still be vulnerable to tsunami events.

Debris from the tsunami that devastated Japan in March could reach the United States as early as this winter, according to new predictions. However, they warn there is still a large amount of uncertainty over exactly what is still floating, where it'...

Debris from the tsunami that devastated Japan in March could reach the United States as early as this winter, according to new predictions. However, they warn there is still a large amount of uncertainty over exactly what is still floating, where it'...

MAO 16 April 2012 (IRIN) - With drought conditions chronic in the Sahel, many farmers give up trying to grow crops and head to towns and cities to find work.

Springbok management team coloured blue Their first loss of the season, and the individual brilliance and passing skills of Sonny Bill Williams of the Chiefs, saw the DHL Stormers lose the top spot in the Super Rugby log. That honour currently belon...

BETHEL, Vt. - Last year's hurricanes and flooding not only engulfed homes and carried away roads and bridges in hard-hit areas of the country, it dispersed aggressive invasive species as well.

Two new studies into the "plumbing systems" that lie under volcanoes could bring scientists closer to understanding plate ruptures and predicting eruptions -- both of which are important steps for protecting the public from earthquake and volcanic ha...

Researchers have devised a numerical model to help explain the linkage between earthquakes and the powerful forces that cause them. Their findings hold implications for long-term forecasting of earthquakes.

Catastrophic wildfires are on the rise in the western United States and a set of conditions may be contributing to a perfect storm for more fires, according to new research.

Researchers discovered that the destructive tsunami generated by the March 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake was a long-hypothesized "merging tsunami" that doubled in intensity over rugged ocean ridges, amplifying its destructive power before reaching shore...

A woman has died after a grenade attack in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa, police say, a day after armed men opened fire and threw explosives into a restaurant.

Catastrophic wildfires are on the rise in the western United States and a set of conditions may be contributing to a perfect storm for more fires, according to new research.

COLOMBO 19 April 2012 (IRIN) - Strong community awareness and preparedness are being cited for last week's successful evacuation of more than one million Sri Lankans after a tsunami alert was triggered by an 8.6 magnitude earthquake off the west coas...

Meyer's selection: vintage or advantage? The debate about the new Springbok coach’s attempts to lure Victor Matfield back from retirement and to surround himself with Blue Bull credentialed confidants, has intensified. For now, Heyneke Meyer still g...

Geologists have a new tool to study how earthquakes change the landscape, and it's giving them insight into how earthquake faults behave. Scientists from the United States, Mexico and China report the most comprehensive before-and-after picture yet o...

Cheering protesters have welcomed UN observers in suburbs of the Syrian capital amid a shaky cease-fire.

Syria's foreign minister says that his government is "facilitating" the work of UN observers deployed to monitor a ceasefire, which both sides have been accused of violating.

Geologists have a new tool to study how earthquakes change the landscape down to a few inches, and it's giving them insight into how earthquake faults behave.

The space-based technology that lets GPS-equipped motorists constantly update their precise location will undergo a major test of its ability to rapidly pinpoint the location and magnitude of strong earthquakes across the western United States. Resul...

Later this year debris from the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan should begin to wash up on US shores -- and one question many have asked is whether that will pose a radiation risk. The simple answer is, no.

Duck-tailed nails, Mr Asbo the swan and the tornado that hit OxfordTwister!A tornado hit Oxford on Monday. With 30 a year, the UK gets more per sq km than the US. Thankfully, ours are a lot weaker.Nailing itBe sure to ask for a "duck" when going for ...

A tsunami recorded by the ancient historian Herodotus did indeed protect a Greek village from Persian invaders, say German geologists.

Catastrophic wildfires are on the rise in the western United States and a set of conditions may be contributing to a perfect storm for more fires, according to new research.

Insurance company Allianz SE says its profits rose 58 per cent in the first quarter compared to a year ago, when it had big payouts for natural disasters including the tsunami in Japan.

A professor has converted the seismic waves from last year's historic Japanese earthquake into audio files. The results allow experts and general audiences to “hear” what the quake sounded like as it moved through the earth and around the globe.

Debris from the tsunami that devastated Japan in March could reach the United States as early as this winter, according to new predictions. However, they warn there is still a large amount of uncertainty over exactly what is still floating, where it'...

Wilmington firefighters continue to monitor the remains of a brush fire that burned more than 50 acres near a residential area of the city earlier this week.

Firefighters douse a brush fire off Shannon Road near the Bayfront Connector in Harborcreek Township on Friday.

Seismic risk at the Fukushima nuclear plant increased after the magnitude 9 earthquake that hit Japan last March, scientists report. The new study, which uses data from over 6,000 earthquakes, shows the 11 March tremor caused a seismic fault close to...

The January 2010 quake that destroyed much of Port-au-Prince may have marked the start of a new cycle of active seismicity, putting Haiti and the Dominican Republic at high risk of future devastating earthquakes.

A below-average Atlantic storm season in 2012 probably will provide little support for energy prices as natural gas trades at 10-year lows.

Wind conditions at a fire scene can make a critical difference on the behavior of the blaze and the safety of firefighters, even indoors, according to a new report.

Geologists have a new tool to study how earthquakes change the landscape, and it's giving them insight into how earthquake faults behave. Scientists from the United States, Mexico and China report the most comprehensive before-and-after picture yet o...

The January 2010 quake that destroyed much of Port-au-Prince may have marked the start of a new cycle of active seismicity, putting Haiti and the Dominican Republic at high risk of future devastating earthquakes.

Campaigners say the recommendation by government advisers casts 'grave doubt' on commitment to cut emissionsCampaigners reacted angrily on Tuesday to the recommendation by government advisers that "fracking" for shale gas can resume in the UK, despit...

Not surprisingly, victims of a natural disaster can experience stress and anxiety, but a new study indicates that it might also cause them to make more errors - some serious - in their daily lives. Researchers have explored how cognitive performance ...

Later this year debris from the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan should begin to wash up on US shores -- and one question many have asked is whether that will pose a radiation risk. The simple answer is, no.

On the afernoon of 25th December 2011 as residents of Melbourne\s western and northern suburbs celebrated Christmas Day, a few supercells developed west of the city hitting Bachus Marsh and Melton. A moist and unstable atmosphere was in place with id...

The January 2010 quake that destroyed much of Port-au-Prince may have marked the start of a new cycle of active seismicity, putting Haiti and the Dominican Republic at high risk of future devastating earthquakes.

FORT DAVIS, Texas - An official says one wildfire burning near a rugged West Texas resort is 60 percent contained and firefighters are concentrating on fighting another still threatening the residential community.

HARGEISA 30 March 2012 (IRIN) - Officials in the self-declared republic of Somaliland, northwestern Somalia, are appealing for food aid and potable water for thousands of families who have lost their livelihoods in the current drought.

Irene, who knocked out power to so many Westchester County homes last summer, won't bother anyone again - at least, not in hurricane form.

A groundbreaking study shows that earthquakes, including the recent 2010 temblors in Haiti and Taiwan, may be triggered by tropical cyclones.

On the afernoon of 25th December 2011 as residents of Melbourne\s western and northern suburbs celebrated Christmas Day, a few supercells developed west of the city hitting Bachus Marsh and Melton. A moist and unstable atmosphere was in place with id...

Wind conditions at a fire scene can make a critical difference on the behavior of the blaze and the safety of firefighters, even indoors, according to a new report.

An asteroid the size of an aircraft carrier will fly near Earth on Nov. 8, 2011. While there is no danger of it hitting the planet, an asteroid impact expert says a similar-sized object hitting Earth would result in a 4,000-megaton blast, magnitude 7...

Main shock was magnitude 8.6 but horizontal seafloor movement meant warning buoys only measured small wavesThe earthquake off the coast of northern Sumatra in Indonesia began with a sudden shift in a strike-slip fault, a line of weakness in the sea f...

Two new studies into the "plumbing systems" that lie under volcanoes could bring scientists closer to understanding plate ruptures and predicting eruptions -- both of which are important steps for protecting the public from earthquake and volcanic ha...

Earthquakes are some of the most daunting natural disasters that scientists try to analyze. Though Earth's major fault lines are well known, there is little scientists can do to predict when an earthquake will occur or how strong it will be. And, tho...

New research reveals dinosaurs may have faced an unexpected hazard: fire. Scientists have shown that during the Cretaceous fire was much more widespread than previously thought.

The January 2010 quake that destroyed much of Port-au-Prince may have marked the start of a new cycle of active seismicity, putting Haiti and the Dominican Republic at high risk of future devastating earthquakes.

Students threw stones at police and officers fired teargas to disperse them in a new bout of clashes at Omar Bongo University in Gabon's capital Libreville.

Police say man and dog were killed when car became submerged in fast-flowing water in HampshireA man and a dog have died after the car they were travelling in became submerged in 1.5 metres (5ft) of fast-flowing water as it was being driven across a ...

Researchers have devised a numerical model to help explain the linkage between earthquakes and the powerful forces that cause them. Their findings hold implications for long-term forecasting of earthquakes.

JAKARTA 18 April 2012 (IRIN) - One week after a tsunami alert was issued along the western coast of Indonesia, leading disaster experts and agencies warn there is little room for complacency.

Scientists are a step closer to predicting when and where earthquakes will occur after taking a fresh look at the formation of the Andes, which began 45 million years ago.

Demand for water and energy, natural disasters and measuring carbon dioxide must be prioritised, leading institutions sayThe world's leading scientific institutions have urged governments to focus on three "global dilemmas": growing demands for water...

Campaigners say the recommendation by government advisers casts 'grave doubt' on commitment to cut emissionsCampaigners reacted angrily on Tuesday to the recommendation by government advisers that "fracking" for shale gas can resume in the UK, despit...

Harley-Davidson that journeyed 4,000 miles and found washed up on Canadian island is identified by its ownerIt must have been a wild ride. A Harley-Davidson motorcycle lost in last year's tsunami has washed up on a Canadian island about 4,000 miles a...

JAKARTA 18 April 2012 (IRIN) - One week after a tsunami alert was issued along the western coast of Indonesia, leading disaster experts and agencies warn there is little room for complacency.

JAKARTA 18 April 2012 (IRIN) - One week after a tsunami alert was issued along the western coast of Indonesia, leading disaster experts and agencies warn there is little room for complacency.

KAYES 13 April 2012 (IRIN) - “It was the drought that made people move away from here,” Ousmane Touré said in Kayes, 450km northwest of Bamako, the capital of Mali, and a 10-hour bus ride across the scorched scrubland of the western Sahel. “There had...

Temporary structure to be built in New Zealand city to replace the church damaged by the 2011 earthquakeA cardboard cathedral is to be built in the centre of Christchurch, New Zealand, as a temporary replacement for the city's landmark cathedral, whi...

HARGEISA 30 March 2012 (IRIN) - Officials in the self-declared republic of Somaliland, northwestern Somalia, are appealing for food aid and potable water for thousands of families who have lost their livelihoods in the current drought.

Firefighters in Arizona are struggling to contain several wildfires, a taste of what could be a long and difficult season as the combination of high temperatures and extremely dry conditions raise the greater risk of wildfires across the country.

In the winter of 479 B.C., a tsunami was the savior of Potidaea, drowning hundreds of Persian invaders as they lay siege to the ancient Greek village. New geological evidence suggests that the region may still be vulnerable to tsunami events.

Two new studies into the "plumbing systems" that lie under volcanoes could bring scientists closer to understanding plate ruptures and predicting eruptions -- both of which are important steps for protecting the public from earthquake and volcanic ha...

One-third of beaches fail water tests due to contamination from overflowing sewers and run-off from farms or city streetsHeavy recent rains are flushing raw sewage into coastal waters, ruining the water quality at popular beaches around the UK just a...

More than a year after the earthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011, as Japan continues to rebuild, a potentially dangerous legacy is drifting across the Pacific Ocean – millions of tonnes of debrisPaddy Allen

New research reveals dinosaurs may have faced an unexpected hazard: fire. Scientists have shown that during the Cretaceous fire was much more widespread than previously thought.

Volcanoes emit a broad spectrum of sonic energy. In the case of basaltic eruptions, most of that acoustical energy in the infrasound range. A new study reveals that this low-frequency sound can give scientists an enhanced understanding of the behavio...

Wind conditions at a fire scene can make a critical difference on the behavior of the blaze and the safety of firefighters, even indoors, according to a new report.

Drilling method can be extended throughout UK, say experts, even though it has caused two earthquakesMinisters have been advised to allow the controversial practice of fracking for shale gas to be extended in Britain, despite it causing two earthquak...

On the afernoon of 25th December 2011 as residents of Melbourne\s western and northern suburbs celebrated Christmas Day, a few supercells developed west of the city hitting Bachus Marsh and Melton. A moist and unstable atmosphere was in place with id...

Weather forecasters warn of further downpours and say trees could be brought down by strong windsSouth-west England and Wales face gusts of up to 60mph on Sunday while the rest of the UK is also expected to experience strong winds and further downpou...

The March 11, 2011 Tohoku earthquake is a grim reminder of the potential for another strong-motion mega-earthquake along the Pacific Northwest coast, geophysicists say.

What happens when you put a fully equipped five-story building, which includes an intensive care unit, a surgery suite, piping and air conditioning, fire barriers and even a working elevator, through series of high-intensity earthquakes?

Wreckage including lumber, footballs, parts of roofs and factories, and even bikes will soon start coming ashore in North AmericaWreckage from Japan's tsunami – fishing gear and furniture, footballs and ships – has swept across the Pacific far faster...

Stress in the second and third months of pregnancy can shorten pregnancies, increase the risk of pre-term births and may affect the ratio of boys to girls being born, leading to a decline in male babies. These are the conclusions of a study that inve...

Seismic risk at the Fukushima nuclear plant increased after the magnitude 9 earthquake that hit Japan last March, scientists report. The new study, which uses data from over 6,000 earthquakes, shows the 11 March tremor caused a seismic fault close to...

The San Jacinto Fault Zone is a seismically active, major component of the overall southern San Andreas Fault system. Researchers have mapped evidence of past ruptures consistent with very large earthquakes along the Clark Fault, an individual strand...

Water providers came under increased pressure from the industry watchdog to ensure drought-stricken areas are helped by regions with more plentiful supplies.

Scientists are a step closer to predicting when and where earthquakes will occur after taking a fresh look at the formation of the Andes, which began 45 million years ago.

A new study of aid to Haiti finds that 36 percent of households in the directly affected area -- and 54 percent of those living in camps -- still have not recovered to their pre-earthquake levels almost two years after the disaster.

Southern Californians were shaken out of bed Saturday morning by a small earthquake that rattled homes across the Inland Empire region and caused buildings to sway in downtown Los Angeles.

A magnitude 4.1 earthquake in southern California struck San Bernardino County near the San Andreas fault Saturday morning, but no major damage was reported, authorities said.

Firefighters are getting a handle on a wildfire that destroyed at least one structure in the Acton area of Los Angeles County.

KAYES 13 April 2012 (IRIN) - “It was the drought that made people move away from here,” Ousmane Touré said in Kayes, 450km northwest of Bamako, the capital of Mali, and a 10-hour bus ride across the scorched scrubland of the western Sahel. “There had...

In theory, national governments should issue tsunami watches and warnings. For sure, they should be the only ones issuing evacuation orders. But social media are much quicker to inform.

JOHANNESBURG 15 March 2012 (IRIN) - Africa’s third longest river, the Niger, is a source of water, food and energy for nine West African countries. But frequent droughts induced by a changing climate, and exacerbated by rapidly growing demand, pose a...

Catastrophic wildfires are on the rise in the western United States and a set of conditions may be contributing to a perfect storm for more fires, according to new research.

The space-based technology that lets GPS-equipped motorists constantly update their precise location will undergo a major test of its ability to rapidly pinpoint the location and magnitude of strong earthquakes across the western United States. Resul...

Five and fighting to be top of PSL log Only four points separate five contenders at the top of Absa PSL log with five rounds of matches left to play before the final weekend in the premier domestic soccer competition starts on 19 May. Mamelodi Sundo...

Scientists are a step closer to predicting when and where earthquakes will occur after taking a fresh look at the formation of the Andes, which began 45 million years ago.

Got milk? Pass the butter? Not in Kenya, where both of those staples are increasingly scarce because a drought-induced dairy shortage is wreaking havoc on the milk, butter and yogurt shelves.

Mathematicians have developed the theory for a Harry Potter style 'cloaking' device which could protect buildings from earthquakes. Scientists have been working on the theory of invisibility cloaks which, until recently, have been merely the subject ...

A groundbreaking study shows that earthquakes, including the recent 2010 temblors in Haiti and Taiwan, may be triggered by tropical cyclones.

The reappearance of long-forgotten habitats and the resurgence of species unseen for years may not be among the expected effects of a natural disaster. Yet that's exactly what researchers have found on the sandy beaches of south central Chile, after ...

The San Jacinto Fault Zone is a seismically active, major component of the overall southern San Andreas Fault system. Researchers have mapped evidence of past ruptures consistent with very large earthquakes along the Clark Fault, an individual strand...

A below-average Atlantic storm season in 2012 probably will provide little support for energy prices as natural gas trades at 10-year lows.

The San Jacinto Fault Zone is a seismically active, major component of the overall southern San Andreas Fault system. Researchers have mapped evidence of past ruptures consistent with very large earthquakes along the Clark Fault, an individual strand...

A new study of aid to Haiti finds that 36 percent of households in the directly affected area -- and 54 percent of those living in camps -- still have not recovered to their pre-earthquake levels almost two years after the disaster.

The space-based technology that lets GPS-equipped motorists constantly update their precise location will undergo a major test of its ability to rapidly pinpoint the location and magnitude of strong earthquakes across the western United States. Resul...

What happens when you put a fully equipped five-story building, which includes an intensive care unit, a surgery suite, piping and air conditioning, fire barriers and even a working elevator, through series of high-intensity earthquakes?

JAKARTA 18 April 2012 (IRIN) - One week after a tsunami alert was issued along the western coast of Indonesia, leading disaster experts and agencies warn there is little room for complacency.

Demand for water and energy, natural disasters and measuring carbon dioxide must be prioritised, leading institutions sayThe world's leading scientific institutions have urged governments to focus on three "global dilemmas": growing demands for water...

Two new studies into the "plumbing systems" that lie under volcanoes could bring scientists closer to understanding plate ruptures and predicting eruptions -- both of which are important steps for protecting the public from earthquake and volcanic ha...

Geologists have a new tool to study how earthquakes change the landscape, and it's giving them insight into how earthquake faults behave. Scientists from the United States, Mexico and China report the most comprehensive before-and-after picture yet o...

Fears sparked by 8.6-magnitude quake on seabed 300 miles of Banda Aceh result in chaos and successful evacuationsA large earthquake shook the Indonesian island of Sumatra on Wednesday, causing widespread panic and fear of a repeat of the 2004 earthqu...

In theory, national governments should issue tsunami watches and warnings. For sure, they should be the only ones issuing evacuation orders. But social media are much quicker to inform.

Florida's emergency managers are preparing for the upcoming tropical storm season by reexamining the lessons learned from Hurricane Andrew.

Fears sparked by 8.6-magnitude quake on seabed 300 miles of Banda Aceh result in chaos and successful evacuationsA large earthquake shook the Indonesian island of Sumatra on Wednesday, causing widespread panic and fear of a repeat of the 2004 earthqu...

Geologists have a new tool to study how earthquakes change the landscape down to a few inches, and it's giving them insight into how earthquake faults behave.

A British photographer witnessed a school of whales vanishing during an underwater earthquake. Could they serve as 'canaries' for humans?Do whales hear earthquakes long before humans? As tsunami warnings hit the Indonesian and Sri Lankan coasts last...

A Texas man has been ordered to pay $2.7 million in restitution for burning used toilet paper that sparked a wildfire, scorching nearly 83 square miles of a national forest in New Mexico.

The March 11, 2011 Tohoku earthquake is a grim reminder of the potential for another strong-motion mega-earthquake along the Pacific Northwest coast, geophysicists say.

Wreckage including lumber, footballs, parts of roofs and factories, and even bikes will soon start coming ashore in North AmericaWreckage from Japan's tsunami – fishing gear and furniture, footballs and ships – has swept across the Pacific far faster...

The March 11, 2011 Tohoku earthquake is a grim reminder of the potential for another strong-motion mega-earthquake along the Pacific Northwest coast, geophysicists say.

Zimbabwe will suffer a one million ton maize deficit due to drought, after nearly half of the national crop now coming up for harvest has failed, a report says.

Geologists have a new tool to study how earthquakes change the landscape down to a few inches, and it's giving them insight into how earthquake faults behave.

Drilling method can be extended throughout UK, say experts, even though it has caused two earthquakesMinisters have been advised to allow the controversial practice of fracking for shale gas to be extended in Britain, despite it causing two earthquak...

The La Nina weather phenomenon is over. Forecasters say that's good news for the drought in the South and hurricane areas along the coasts.

Survivors of Hurricane Katrina have struggled with poor mental health for years after the storm, according to a new study of low-income mothers in the New Orleans area.

There are no reports of damage or injuries after a magnitude-4.3 earthquake rattled a rural area of Northern California.

At least 135 soldiers and civilians are buried by wall of snow at remote glacier base on border with IndiaA team of US soldiers has landed in Pakistan to help with an increasingly desperate search for survivors trapped under an avalanche in the north...

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for 29 counties in western and central Oklahoma until 2 a.m. Sunday.

On the afernoon of 25th December 2011 as residents of Melbourne\s western and northern suburbs celebrated Christmas Day, a few supercells developed west of the city hitting Bachus Marsh and Melton. A moist and unstable atmosphere was in place with id...

Seismic risk at the Fukushima nuclear plant increased after the magnitude 9 earthquake that hit Japan last March, scientists report. The new study, which uses data from over 6,000 earthquakes, shows the 11 March tremor caused a seismic fault close to...

Not surprisingly, victims of a natural disaster can experience stress and anxiety, but a new study indicates that it might also cause them to make more errors - some serious - in their daily lives. Researchers have explored how cognitive performance ...

Forecasters warn more twisters possible after homes and businesses are wrecked and thousands left without powerNearly 100 tornadoes raked across the central United States on Sunday, leaving five people dead and at least 29 injured in Oklahoma alone. ...

Police say man and dog were killed when car became submerged in fast-flowing water in HampshireA man and a dog have died after the car they were travelling in became submerged in 1.5 metres (5ft) of fast-flowing water as it was being driven across a ...

Researchers have devised a numerical model to help explain the linkage between earthquakes and the powerful forces that cause them. Their findings hold implications for long-term forecasting of earthquakes.

Water providers came under increased pressure from the industry watchdog to ensure drought-stricken areas are helped by regions with more plentiful supplies.

Two new studies into the "plumbing systems" that lie under volcanoes could bring scientists closer to understanding plate ruptures and predicting eruptions -- both of which are important steps for protecting the public from earthquake and volcanic ha...

MAO 16 April 2012 (IRIN) - With drought conditions chronic in the Sahel, many farmers give up trying to grow crops and head to towns and cities to find work.

More than a year after the earthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011, as Japan continues to rebuild, a potentially dangerous legacy is drifting across the Pacific Ocean – millions of tonnes of debrisPaddy Allen

A loud explosion heard across much of Nevada and California on Sunday morning rattled homes and prompted a flood of calls to law enforcement agencies on both sides of the Sierra Nevada mountains, some reporting fireball sightings.

Ash and smoke are spewed from Popocatepetl Volcano as seen from the town of Xalitxintla in the central state of Puebla on Tuesday.

On the afernoon of 25th December 2011 as residents of Melbourne\s western and northern suburbs celebrated Christmas Day, a few supercells developed west of the city hitting Bachus Marsh and Melton. A moist and unstable atmosphere was in place with id...

Panic and traffic jams triggered in Aceh after post-earthquake tremors also felt in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and IndiaA tsunami alert has been lifted around much of the Indian Ocean after an 8.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the western coast ...

SA's Afcon hosting hang ups There is still a cloud hanging over South Africa’s hosting of the 2013 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) football tournament, despite sports minister Fikile Mbalula’s assurances that the national government is committed and...

Almost half of water companies will not be required to reduce their leakages before 2015 despite the country's worst drought in 25 years, regulators say.

Researchers discovered that the destructive tsunami generated by the March 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake was a long-hypothesized "merging tsunami" that doubled in intensity over rugged ocean ridges, amplifying its destructive power before reaching shore...

Drilling method can be extended throughout UK, say experts, even though it has caused two earthquakesMinisters have been advised to allow the controversial practice of fracking for shale gas to be extended in Britain, despite it causing two earthquak...

In the winter of 479 B.C., a tsunami was the savior of Potidaea, drowning hundreds of Persian invaders as they lay siege to the ancient Greek village. New geological evidence suggests that the region may still be vulnerable to tsunami events.

SA's Afcon hosting hang ups There is still a cloud hanging over South Africa’s hosting of the 2013 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) football tournament, despite sports minister Fikile Mbalula’s assurances that the national government is committed and...

Geologists have a new tool to study how earthquakes change the landscape, and it's giving them insight into how earthquake faults behave. Scientists from the United States, Mexico and China report the most comprehensive before-and-after picture yet o...

Campaigners say the recommendation by government advisers casts 'grave doubt' on commitment to cut emissionsCampaigners reacted angrily on Tuesday to the recommendation by government advisers that "fracking" for shale gas can resume in the UK, despit...

HARGEISA 30 March 2012 (IRIN) - Officials in the self-declared republic of Somaliland, northwestern Somalia, are appealing for food aid and potable water for thousands of families who have lost their livelihoods in the current drought.

Wind conditions at a fire scene can make a critical difference on the behavior of the blaze and the safety of firefighters, even indoors, according to a new report.

JAKARTA 18 April 2012 (IRIN) - One week after a tsunami alert was issued along the western coast of Indonesia, leading disaster experts and agencies warn there is little room for complacency.

President Barack Obama says America has suffered through too much pain to turn the economy over to Republican Mitt Romney, as he fired up his first official re-election rally.

The March 11, 2011 Tohoku earthquake is a grim reminder of the potential for another strong-motion mega-earthquake along the Pacific Northwest coast, geophysicists say.

Police say man and dog were killed when car became submerged in fast-flowing water in HampshireA man and a dog have died after the car they were travelling in became submerged in 1.5 metres (5ft) of fast-flowing water as it was being driven across a ...

In theory, national governments should issue tsunami watches and warnings. For sure, they should be the only ones issuing evacuation orders. But social media are much quicker to inform.

JOHANNESBURG 25 April 2012 (IRIN) - The governance of natural resources like land, the oceans, rivers and the atmosphere, can affect the impact of some of the world’s biggest crises caused by natural events like droughts and floods. How best to manag...

TV: News, Weather and Sports for Huntsville, ALForecast is for 'normal' hurricane season, a bit wimpier than last year The Atlantic hurricane season may be quieter this year than last.

Panic and traffic jams triggered in Aceh after post-earthquake tremors also felt in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and IndiaA tsunami alert has been lifted around much of the Indian Ocean after an 8.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the western coast ...

More than 100 large fires have swept across parts of the nation already this year, and the head of the U.S. Forest Service said Thursday the rest of the 2012 fire season is expected to be just as active as last year's, which saw historic wildfires on...

At least 20 worshippers have died as attackers armed with bombs and guns opened fire at outdoor church services at a Nigerian university.

KAYES 13 April 2012 (IRIN) - “It was the drought that made people move away from here,” Ousmane Touré said in Kayes, 450km northwest of Bamako, the capital of Mali, and a 10-hour bus ride across the scorched scrubland of the western Sahel. “There had...

Authorities say warning sounds may in Woodward have been disabled in lightning strike, giving residents no notice of twisterA state emergency official says a sixth person has died after a tornado ripped through the northwest Oklahoma town of Woodward...

Drilling method can be extended throughout UK, say experts, even though it has caused two earthquakesMinisters have been advised to allow the controversial practice of fracking for shale gas to be extended in Britain, despite it causing two earthquak...

Researchers have devised a numerical model to help explain the linkage between earthquakes and the powerful forces that cause them. Their findings hold implications for long-term forecasting of earthquakes.

New research reveals dinosaurs may have faced an unexpected hazard: fire. Scientists have shown that during the Cretaceous fire was much more widespread than previously thought.

New testing conducted in a steep, mountainous region of Utah, using mining induced events, is providing a new set of data necessary for better predictions on building codes, especially when earthquakes are a factor.

ANCHORAGE >> Seismologists say an earthquake that struck in southern Alaska near Anchorage was widely felt in the city and other communities.

Firefighting crews continue to battle the first major Texas wildfire of the season as a 20,000-acre complex of wildfires threatened a rustic development in the Davis Mountains of West Texas.

The drought is officially over for nearly all of Minnesota. The new map from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that only about 10 percent of Minnesota remains in drought.

Geologists have a new tool to study how earthquakes change the landscape down to a few inches, and it's giving them insight into how earthquake faults behave.

On the afernoon of 25th December 2011 as residents of Melbourne\s western and northern suburbs celebrated Christmas Day, a few supercells developed west of the city hitting Bachus Marsh and Melton. A moist and unstable atmosphere was in place with id...

In the winter of 479 B.C., a tsunami was the savior of Potidaea, drowning hundreds of Persian invaders as they lay siege to the ancient Greek village. New geological evidence suggests that the region may still be vulnerable to tsunami events.

A British photographer witnessed a school of whales vanishing during an underwater earthquake. Could they serve as 'canaries' for humans?Do whales hear earthquakes long before humans? As tsunami warnings hit the Indonesian and Sri Lankan coasts last...

No major flooding was reported in the Chicago area this morning after rumbling storms dumped more than 2 inches of rain in some spots, but a flash flood warning remains in effect for Kankakee, Grundy and LaSalle counties.

MAO 16 April 2012 (IRIN) - With drought conditions chronic in the Sahel, many farmers give up trying to grow crops and head to towns and cities to find work.

Survivors of Hurricane Katrina have struggled with poor mental health for years after the storm, according to a new study of low-income mothers in the New Orleans area.

Recent earthquake damage has exposed the vulnerability of existing structures to strong ground movement. Researchers are now analyzing shape-memory alloys for their potential use in constructing seismic-resistant structures.

Two new studies into the "plumbing systems" that lie under volcanoes could bring scientists closer to understanding plate ruptures and predicting eruptions -- both of which are important steps for protecting the public from earthquake and volcanic ha...

Quake measuring 6.6 strikes 50 miles off Indonesian coast, causing residents to flee their homes in Papua provinceA powerful earthquake hit has waters off eastern Indonesia, sending panicked residents running from their homes, offices and schools.Aut...

The San Jacinto Fault Zone is a seismically active, major component of the overall southern San Andreas Fault system. Researchers have mapped evidence of past ruptures consistent with very large earthquakes along the Clark Fault, an individual strand...

An asteroid the size of an aircraft carrier will fly near Earth on Nov. 8, 2011. While there is no danger of it hitting the planet, an asteroid impact expert says a similar-sized object hitting Earth would result in a 4,000-megaton blast, magnitude 7...

It’s on the cards for SuperSport United If statistics are the defining yardstick of excellence and winning titles, SuperSport United might be destined for their fourth ABSA PSL title in five seasons. They buried Kaizer Chiefs’ title dreams with a 2-...

A British photographer witnessed a school of whales vanishing during an underwater earthquake. Could they serve as 'canaries' for humans?Do whales hear earthquakes long before humans? As tsunami warnings hit the Indonesian and Sri Lankan coasts last...

Firefighters are getting a handle on a wildfire that destroyed at least one structure in the Acton area of Los Angeles County.

New research suggests that ozone gas emitted from fracturing rocks could serve as an indicator of impending earthquakes.

Debris from the tsunami that devastated Japan in March could reach the United States as early as this winter, according to new predictions. However, they warn there is still a large amount of uncertainty over exactly what is still floating, where it'...

Wind conditions at a fire scene can make a critical difference on the behavior of the blaze and the safety of firefighters, even indoors, according to a new report.

JAKARTA 18 April 2012 (IRIN) - One week after a tsunami alert was issued along the western coast of Indonesia, leading disaster experts and agencies warn there is little room for complacency.

Drilling method can be extended throughout UK, say experts, even though it has caused two earthquakesMinisters have been advised to allow the controversial practice of fracking for shale gas to be extended in Britain, despite it causing two earthquak...

In the winter of 479 B.C., a tsunami was the savior of Potidaea, drowning hundreds of Persian invaders as they lay siege to the ancient Greek village. New geological evidence suggests that the region may still be vulnerable to tsunami events.

Authorities say a Michigan wildfire that's burned at least 1,500 acres and forced the evacuation of about 50 homes has been fully contained.

Researchers discovered that the destructive tsunami generated by the March 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake was a long-hypothesized "merging tsunami" that doubled in intensity over rugged ocean ridges, amplifying its destructive power before reaching shore...

Catastrophic wildfires are on the rise in the western United States and a set of conditions may be contributing to a perfect storm for more fires, according to new research.

In theory, national governments should issue tsunami watches and warnings. For sure, they should be the only ones issuing evacuation orders. But social media are much quicker to inform.

Researchers discovered that the destructive tsunami generated by the March 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake was a long-hypothesized "merging tsunami" that doubled in intensity over rugged ocean ridges, amplifying its destructive power before reaching shore...

A powerful earthquake hit waters off eastern Indonesia early Saturday, sending residents and schoolchildren running into the streets in panic.

Two new studies into the "plumbing systems" that lie under volcanoes could bring scientists closer to understanding plate ruptures and predicting eruptions -- both of which are important steps for protecting the public from earthquake and volcanic ha...

'We chased the storm for 40 miles. Then, 15 seconds after I took this, the tornado was gone'I'd seen some pictures taken in Tornado Alley, in the US midwest, and wanted to go there – to see its big supercell motherships for myself. So in 2009, I star...

New research suggests that ozone gas emitted from fracturing rocks could serve as an indicator of impending earthquakes.

An Australian man has been sentenced to nearly 18 years in prison for starting one of the deadly wildfires that ravaged southern Australia three years ago.

Debris from the tsunami that devastated Japan in March could reach the United States as early as this winter, according to new predictions. However, they warn there is still a large amount of uncertainty over exactly what is still floating, where it'...

The January 2010 quake that destroyed much of Port-au-Prince may have marked the start of a new cycle of active seismicity, putting Haiti and the Dominican Republic at high risk of future devastating earthquakes.

Campaigners say the recommendation by government advisers casts 'grave doubt' on commitment to cut emissionsCampaigners reacted angrily on Tuesday to the recommendation by government advisers that "fracking" for shale gas can resume in the UK, despit...

Drilling method can be extended throughout UK, say experts, even though it has caused two earthquakesMinisters have been advised to allow the controversial practice of fracking for shale gas to be extended in Britain, despite it causing two earthquak...

Weather forecasters warn of further downpours and say trees could be brought down by strong windsSouth-west England and Wales face gusts of up to 60mph on Sunday while the rest of the UK is also expected to experience strong winds and further downpou...

Geologists have a new tool to study how earthquakes change the landscape, and it's giving them insight into how earthquake faults behave. Scientists from the United States, Mexico and China report the most comprehensive before-and-after picture yet o...

JOHANNESBURG 25 April 2012 (IRIN) - The governance of natural resources like land, the oceans, rivers and the atmosphere, can affect the impact of some of the world’s biggest crises caused by natural events like droughts and floods. How best to manag...

Catastrophic wildfires are on the rise in the western United States and a set of conditions may be contributing to a perfect storm for more fires, according to new research.

Groundwater levels have started to rise in some areas after the wettest April on record, but experts warn it will take more time and more rain to undo the drought.

Two scientists involved in Spice project to simulate the cooling effect of volcanoes had submitted patents for similar technologyA controversial geoengineering experiment to simulate the cooling effect of volcanoes has been cancelled due to concern o...

A north Florida man has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for the death of a University of Florida student whose body was found by firefighters responding to a brush fire.

For those who study earthquakes, one major challenge has been trying to understand all the physics of a fault -- both during an earthquake and at times of "rest" -- in order to know more about how a particular region may behave in the future. Now, re...

In theory, national governments should issue tsunami watches and warnings. For sure, they should be the only ones issuing evacuation orders. But social media are much quicker to inform.

New research reveals dinosaurs may have faced an unexpected hazard: fire. Scientists have shown that during the Cretaceous fire was much more widespread than previously thought.

FORT DAVIS, Texas - An official says one wildfire burning near a rugged West Texas resort is 60 percent contained and firefighters are concentrating on fighting another still threatening the residential community.

Kenyan rangers have shot dead five suspected elephant poachers in a night-time fire fight in the north of the country, the Kenya Wildlife Service says.

Temporary structure to be built in New Zealand city to replace the church damaged by the 2011 earthquakeA cardboard cathedral is to be built in the centre of Christchurch, New Zealand, as a temporary replacement for the city's landmark cathedral, whi...

British police say the fire that killed 6 siblings in central England was caused by an arson attack.

Wreckage including lumber, footballs, parts of roofs and factories, and even bikes will soon start coming ashore in North AmericaWreckage from Japan's tsunami – fishing gear and furniture, footballs and ships – has swept across the Pacific far faster...

Wreckage including lumber, footballs, parts of roofs and factories, and even bikes will soon start coming ashore in North AmericaWreckage from Japan's tsunami – fishing gear and furniture, footballs and ships – has swept across the Pacific far faster...

A new study of aid to Haiti finds that 36 percent of households in the directly affected area -- and 54 percent of those living in camps -- still have not recovered to their pre-earthquake levels almost two years after the disaster.

Debris from the tsunami that devastated Japan in March could reach the United States as early as this winter, according to new predictions. However, they warn there is still a large amount of uncertainty over exactly what is still floating, where it'...

Stress in the second and third months of pregnancy can shorten pregnancies, increase the risk of pre-term births and may affect the ratio of boys to girls being born, leading to a decline in male babies. These are the conclusions of a study that inve...

Geologists have a new tool to study how earthquakes change the landscape down to a few inches, and it's giving them insight into how earthquake faults behave.

The fire is burning on an estimated 270 to 280 acres about 20 miles northwest of Fort Collins.

One year after  an earthquake and tsunami hit Japan on March 11, 2011, an independent investigation panel has highlighted the country’s failures in disaster planning and crisis management for the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Statio...

Later this year debris from the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan should begin to wash up on US shores -- and one question many have asked is whether that will pose a radiation risk. The simple answer is, no.

Seismic risk at the Fukushima nuclear plant increased after the magnitude 9 earthquake that hit Japan last March, scientists report. The new study, which uses data from over 6,000 earthquakes, shows the 11 March tremor caused a seismic fault close to...

One person has been wounded after a group of skiers on Mount Hermon in southeast Lebanon came under machinegun fire from across the border with Syria, says a security official.

Wind conditions at a fire scene can make a critical difference on the behavior of the blaze and the safety of firefighters, even indoors, according to a new report.

Geophysicists have established a mode of action that can explain the irregular distribution of strong earthquakes at the San Andreas Fault in California. The scientists examined the electrical conductivity of the rocks at great depths, which is close...

Campaigners say the recommendation by government advisers casts 'grave doubt' on commitment to cut emissionsCampaigners reacted angrily on Tuesday to the recommendation by government advisers that "fracking" for shale gas can resume in the UK, despit...

A line of storms triggered tornado warnings and dumped heavy rain as it rumbled down the Interstate 90 corridor across far southern Minnesota.

The January 2010 quake that destroyed much of Port-au-Prince may have marked the start of a new cycle of active seismicity, putting Haiti and the Dominican Republic at high risk of future devastating earthquakes.

Perched atop the sheer coastal cliffs of Ireland's Aran Islands, ridges of giant boulders have puzzled geologists for years. What forces could have torn these rocks from the cliff edges high above sea level and deposited them far inland? While some r...

Later this year debris from the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan should begin to wash up on US shores -- and one question many have asked is whether that will pose a radiation risk. The simple answer is, no.

Not surprisingly, victims of a natural disaster can experience stress and anxiety, but a new study indicates that it might also cause them to make more errors - some serious - in their daily lives. Researchers have explored how cognitive performance ...

Drilling method can be extended throughout UK, say experts, even though it has caused two earthquakesMinisters have been advised to allow the controversial practice of fracking for shale gas to be extended in Britain, despite it causing two earthquak...

Fears sparked by 8.6-magnitude quake on seabed 300 miles of Banda Aceh result in chaos and successful evacuationsA large earthquake shook the Indonesian island of Sumatra on Wednesday, causing widespread panic and fear of a repeat of the 2004 earthqu...

Geologists have a new tool to study how earthquakes change the landscape down to a few inches, and it's giving them insight into how earthquake faults behave.

One year after  an earthquake and tsunami hit Japan on March 11, 2011, an independent investigation panel has highlighted the country’s failures in disaster planning and crisis management for the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Statio...

JOHANNESBURG 25 April 2012 (IRIN) - The governance of natural resources like land, the oceans, rivers and the atmosphere, can affect the impact of some of the world’s biggest crises caused by natural events like droughts and floods. How best to manag...

A tsunami recorded by the ancient historian Herodotus did indeed protect a Greek village from Persian invaders, say German geologists.

Ash and smoke are spewed from Popocatepetl Volcano as seen from the town of Xalitxintla in the central state of Puebla on Tuesday.

Recent earthquake damage has exposed the vulnerability of existing structures to strong ground movement. Researchers are now analyzing shape-memory alloys for their potential use in constructing seismic-resistant structures.

JAKARTA 18 April 2012 (IRIN) - One week after a tsunami alert was issued along the western coast of Indonesia, leading disaster experts and agencies warn there is little room for complacency.

The space-based technology that lets GPS-equipped motorists constantly update their precise location will undergo a major test of its ability to rapidly pinpoint the location and magnitude of strong earthquakes across the western United States. Resul...

HARGEISA 30 March 2012 (IRIN) - Officials in the self-declared republic of Somaliland, northwestern Somalia, are appealing for food aid and potable water for thousands of families who have lost their livelihoods in the current drought.

Sundowns and United twice in the mix Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United will contend against each other in the 2012 knockout Nedbank Cup final on 26 May after they reached the finals in contrasting styles. But they will also meet in what could ...

Mathematicians have developed the theory for a Harry Potter style 'cloaking' device which could protect buildings from earthquakes. Scientists have been working on the theory of invisibility cloaks which, until recently, have been merely the subject ...

One-third of beaches fail water tests due to contamination from overflowing sewers and run-off from farms or city streetsHeavy recent rains are flushing raw sewage into coastal waters, ruining the water quality at popular beaches around the UK just a...

JOHANNESBURG 25 April 2012 (IRIN) - The governance of natural resources like land, the oceans, rivers and the atmosphere, can affect the impact of some of the world’s biggest crises caused by natural events like droughts and floods. How best to manag...

Not surprisingly, victims of a natural disaster can experience stress and anxiety, but a new study indicates that it might also cause them to make more errors - some serious - in their daily lives. Researchers have explored how cognitive performance ...

Geologists have a new tool to study how earthquakes change the landscape down to a few inches, and it's giving them insight into how earthquake faults behave.

Researchers discovered that the destructive tsunami generated by the March 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake was a long-hypothesized "merging tsunami" that doubled in intensity over rugged ocean ridges, amplifying its destructive power before reaching shore...

The space-based technology that lets GPS-equipped motorists constantly update their precise location will undergo a major test of its ability to rapidly pinpoint the location and magnitude of strong earthquakes across the western United States. Resul...

MAO 16 April 2012 (IRIN) - With drought conditions chronic in the Sahel, many farmers give up trying to grow crops and head to towns and cities to find work.

Weather Underground Forecast for Tuesday, May 15, 2012. The most active weather in the country on Tuesday will be a storm system that will move very slowly through the eastern third of the country.

Zimbabwe will suffer a one million ton maize deficit due to drought, after nearly half of the national crop now coming up for harvest has failed, a report says.

Researchers have devised a numerical model to help explain the linkage between earthquakes and the powerful forces that cause them. Their findings hold implications for long-term forecasting of earthquakes.

Two new studies into the "plumbing systems" that lie under volcanoes could bring scientists closer to understanding plate ruptures and predicting eruptions -- both of which are important steps for protecting the public from earthquake and volcanic ha...

One year after  an earthquake and tsunami hit Japan on March 11, 2011, an independent investigation panel has highlighted the country’s failures in disaster planning and crisis management for the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Statio...

Recent earthquake damage has exposed the vulnerability of existing structures to strong ground movement. Researchers are now analyzing shape-memory alloys for their potential use in constructing seismic-resistant structures.

Trust the young guns The silence is deafening in the countdown to the Springboks' upcoming tests against England in June – the first of the new season. Why is South Africa still in the dark about who the new Springbok skipper will be, and why is the...

Springbok management team coloured blue Their first loss of the season, and the individual brilliance and passing skills of Sonny Bill Williams of the Chiefs, saw the DHL Stormers lose th