A powerful undersea earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck near New Caledonia in the South Pacific Wednesday, officials in the region said, adding that small tsunami waves were generated. The quake struck at a shallow depth of 10km, around 372km east of the New Caledonian capital, Noumea, according to the US Geological Survey. It was initially reported as magnitude 7. No damage was reported but hazardous tsunami waves of up to a meter were possible in New Caledonia, Fiji, and Vanuatu, the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. Waves measuring 30cm were possible on island coastlines around the Pacific and as far away as Australia, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand, Reuters reported. … [Read more...] about 7.1-magnitude earthquake hits off New Caledonia, generates small tsunami waves
Tsunami
Flash flood kills 10 hikers in Italian mountain gorge as rescuers say it hit like ‘a tsunami’
An eight-year-old girl survived a devastating flash flood in a canyon in southern Italy but was found next to a body that rescuers believe may be one of her parents. The girl, named as Chiara, was semi-conscious, covered in thick mud and suffering from hypothermia when she was found in the gorge in Calabria after it was hit by a “tsunami” of muddy water following a severe storm. The seven-mile-long canyon, located in Pollino national park, has 2,300ft-high sheer rock walls which in some places are just 13ft apart. At least two groups of hikers were caught up in the disaster on Monday. While some were able to scramble to higher ground, others were engulfed by the flash flood and drowned. Ten people were killed, with some bodies washed up to three miles downstream by the force of the torrent. Eleven people were injured, five of them seriously. Four children lost either one or both of their parents. “She was semi-conscious but clearly in a state of shock. We … [Read more...] about Flash flood kills 10 hikers in Italian mountain gorge as rescuers say it hit like ‘a tsunami’
Venezuela and Trinidad earthquake: Massive magnitude 7.3 quake slams Caribbean coast – but tsunami alert cancelled
VENEZUELA and Trinidad have been rocked by a massive 7.3 magnitude earthquake. A tsunami warning was issued along the Caribbean coast after tremors struck, with buildings evacuated and cars crushed under falling debris. Terrifying video on social media shows families fleeing shaking buildings, as people scream for their loved ones to escape a block of flats. At the General Hospital Santos Anibal Dominicci, hospital beds were moved to the street with doctors forced to treat patients in a car park. Another shows Sails restaurant in near-by Trinidad ripped in half by a massive crack in the floor, with tables and chairs in disarray. The quake was originally classed at 6.7, but was later upgraded by the United States Geological Survey. Were you caught up in the quake? Let us know on [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. Video showing the aftermath of 6.8 magnitude earthquake which hit Trindad and Tobago Its epicentre was near the town of Carupano. Witnesses said the … [Read more...] about Venezuela and Trinidad earthquake: Massive magnitude 7.3 quake slams Caribbean coast – but tsunami alert cancelled
Tsunami alert as massive 7.3 magnitude earthquake rocks Venezuela
A tsunami warning has been issued after major earthquake rocked Venezuela’s northern coast with powerful shocks being felt across the Caribbean. The 7.3 magnitude quake sent people rushing out into the streets hundreds of miles away in the capital, Caracas, on Tuesday. It was centred near the town of Carupano but felt as far as neighbouring Colombia and nearby island nations like Trinidad and Tobago and St Lucia. The US Pacific Tsunami Centre said the quake could cause tsunami waves along the coast near the epicentre, 23 miles (37 km) off Carupano. More follows… … [Read more...] about Tsunami alert as massive 7.3 magnitude earthquake rocks Venezuela
Japan opens Rugby World Cup stadium in tsunami-devastated city
Japan has opened a new stadium for the 2019 Rugby World Cup on the site of a school that was destroyed by a devastating tsunami in 2011.Two Japanese teams faced off yesterday in a memorial match in the small coastal city of Kamaishi to honour victims of the deadliest disaster in Japan’s recent history.The Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium will host two matches in next year’s World Cup, which will be played at 12 venues around Japan.Rugby is popular in Kamaishi, and the decision to build a stadium and hold World Cup matches here has been a boost to the fishing community of about 35,000 people.“People in Kamaishi were able to regain their hope through rugby,” said junior high school principal Kenji Sasaki. “I personally feel like I’m dreaming.”The 2011 tsunami killed more than 18,000 people along Japan’s northeast coast, including more than 1,000 in Kamaishi.The 6,000-seat stadium, the only new one built for the World Cup, stands on the … [Read more...] about Japan opens Rugby World Cup stadium in tsunami-devastated city