Latest news with #coastalareas
The Independent
6 hours ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Watch: The moment world's sixth largest earthquake strikes Russia
This is the moment an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia 's Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday. The powerful quake triggered a tsunami warning, with waves reaching 3-4 metres in Russia's Kuril Islands and 40cm off Hokkaido, Japan. Several people sustained injuries in Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula. Tsunami warnings were issued for parts of Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, and other coastal areas extending south towards New Zealand. Watch the video above.
Malay Mail
6 hours ago
- Science
- Malay Mail
Key facts about tsunamis and the damage they cause
TOKYO, July 30 —Tsunami alerts were issued across much of the Pacific today after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia's far east. Here are key facts about tsunamis and the damage they can cause: Shock of water A tsunami is a shock of water that spreads through the sea, usually triggered by a strong earthquake beneath the ocean floor. The sudden, violent movement of the Earth's crust can thrust up or drive down a section of the seabed—with the rift displacing vast quantities of water that move as waves. Tsunamis radiate in all directions from their source and can cover enormous distances, sometimes at the speed of a jet plane. They are a rare phenomenon but can create dangerously powerful currents and cause deadly flooding in coastal areas. Other causes Large quakes are the main driver of tsunamis, but the phenomenon can also be sparked by other cataclysmic geographic events, such as volcanic eruptions and landslides. In 1883, a volcano shattered the Pacific island of Krakatoa, causing a blast that could be heard 4,500 kilometres away, followed by a tsunami that killed around 30,000 people. Large storms or a meteorite falling into the ocean can also be powerful enough to cause a tsunami, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 'Harbour wave' The word 'tsunami' comes from the Japanese words for 'harbour' and 'wave'. Tsunamis are sometimes referred to as 'tidal waves' but experts say this is inaccurate because they are not related to tides. At their point of generation, tsunamis have a relatively small wave height, with peaks far apart. As the waves approach the shore they are compressed by the shelving of the sea floor, reducing the distance between the peaks and vastly increasing the height. When they hit the coast, tsunami waves can strike repeatedly over several hours, or even days. Roman historian To those on the shore, the first sign of something amiss can be the retreat of the sea, which is followed by the arrival of large waves. 'The sea was driven back, and its waters flowed away to such an extent that the deep seabed was laid bare and many kinds of sea creatures could be seen,' wrote Roman author Ammianus Marcellinus of a tsunami that struck Alexandria in 365 AD. 'Huge masses of water flowed back when least expected, and now overwhelmed and killed many thousands of people... some great ships were hurled by the fury of the waves onto the rooftops.' How much damage? Several factors determine the height and destructiveness of a tsunami. They include the size of the quake, the volume of displaced water, the topography of the sea floor and whether there are natural obstacles that dampen the shock. The Pacific Ocean is particularly prone to earthquakes and therefore to tsunamis, but over the millennia tsunamis have occurred in many parts of the world. The tsunami of December 2004 in the Indian Ocean was caused by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake off the Indonesian island of Sumatra. It released energy equivalent to 23,000 of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). Around 220,000 people in 11 nations were killed, many of them thousands of kilometres from the epicentre. — AFP
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Ecuador bloodbath as 12 civilians are gunned down in a bar and beauty queen is shot dead in her car amid escalating drug war violence
A former beauty queen is among the dead as bloody gang violence continues to grip Ecuador. Armed attackers killed at least 14 civilians, including a 12-year-old boy, in two separate attacks on Sunday in coastal areas of the South American nation. The attackers, travelling in two pickup trucks, shot at civilians with pistols and rifles, in the latest murder spree to hit the state which is being ravaged by drug cartel violence. An initial attack, in the southwestern town of El Empalme, saw 12 dead and three injured, the town's police chief Major Oscar Valencia said. The same attackers later fired at a second group, killing two more people as they shot indiscriminately. 'They opened fire on everyone,' Valencia said Dead bodies were shockingly left strewn in a covered entrance of a liquor store, while dozens of relatives sat weeping on the sidewalk across the street. Investigators found at least 40 pieces of ballistic evidence at the scene. The deadly attacks come just a day after a model and former beauty queen was shot dead in an ambush in Manta, a port city on Ecuador's central coast. Esther Gabriela Murillo Cruz, who won three local beauty competitions, becoming Queen of the Manabi province in 2018, was driving in her car with her partner and one-year old daughter when two armed men on a motorbike fatally attacked her. The pillion passenger pulled out a gun before shooting at the vehicle at 3am on Saturday. The 25-year-old was taken to a local hospital with gunshot wounds to her vital organs, before being declared dead. Her 30-year-old partner was injured and taken to hospital, while the baby's condition is unconfirmed. Authorities have not confirmed whether Murillo was the attackers' intended target and an investigation is underway to determine the motive. Meanwhile, just a week ago, nine people were murdered while playing pool in the General Villamil tourist resort. Gunmen were chasing two men on a motorcycle in the town of Playas before one tried to hide in a pool hall. The gunmen then burst in and fired indiscriminately. Ecuador had managed to remain relatively peaceful for decades, despite bordering the notorious cocaine hotspots of Colombia and Peru, but violence has markedly increased in recent years. Transnational cartels which use the nation's ports to ship drugs to the US and Europe have been blamed for the rise in murders, as they battle to gain control of the lucrative routes. Up to 73 per cent of nationwide cocaine production passes through Ecuador, while the country seized 294 tons of drugs last year, a rise of 221 from the previous year. Security was viewed as a key issue in the presidential election which took place earlier this year, with Daniel Noboa winning re-election. President Noboa has vowed to crack down on the criminal gangs tearing the nation apart. Last year he declared war on organized crime but it has failed to stem high murder rates, with 4,051 people killed in the first five months of 2025.
News24
23-07-2025
- Health
- News24
Cold weather hair SOS: Your complete guide to winter hydration
Whether you're trying to prevent damage or already battling with a thinning hairline. These tips will see you into spring and summer with healthier hair The cooler temperatures bring drier weather for those of us in the inland provinces, or wet weather if living in some coastal areas, but both scenarios leave us battling with dry hair. You need to make sure your hair is hydrated and moisturised, and these tips will see you through the cold months. UP THE MOISTURE Your edges and hairline in particular are at even more risk to the harsh winter weather and can become extremely dry. Cut back on the shampoo that can dry out your hair even more, and rather wash your hair weekly with conditioner. Your hair and scalp will remain clean and moisturised. Use a moisturising deep conditioner at least once a week to help repair your hairline and retain moisture, and apply a water-based moisturiser to your hair and hairline twice a day to keep your hair hydrated. Braid sprays containing glycerine and oil are an easy and excellent choice to keep your hair moist and soft. Read more | Essential winter care tips for natural hair ADD OIL Hair growth tends to slow down during the winter months, so if you're looking to gain a few centimetres, massage natural oils into your hairline for a few minutes twice a day. Use oils such as castor and coconut around the edges of your hairline to help increase blood flow and keep your hair hydrated. Castor oil also helps to thicken hair, which is a great help if your hairline is suffering. Adding an oil will also help to seal in the extra moisture you have been applying regularly. SILK FOR YOUR HAIR Your cotton pillowcase may feel warm and soft, but it's a nightmare for your hair, especially in winter, as cotton soaks up moisture. It's best to sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase all year around, but make sure you do this in winter to keep your hair from breaking and losing moisture. A satin or silk scarf is also an option for evenings. Be careful, too, of loose hair brushing up against cotton jackets and coats as it could cause split ends. Read more | 4 Essential tips for long-lasting braided styles LESS MANIPULATION Constant styling contributes to a weak hairline, and your hair is at its most fragile during the colder season. Avoid this by wearing easier styles such as braids, twists, weaves and wigs. These styles also keep the hair protected from the harsh winter elements. But never add extensions to a broken hairline as it will add stress, and your hair underneath will still require regular moisture and conditioning. Always avoid overly tight braiding along your hairline. If you are feeling too much tension, that means your hair is styled too tightly. You may not notice problems straight away, but over time your strands will weaken and break. Be sure to remove these hairstyles after four to six weeks, and give your hair a break in between. Don't add to the extreme elements by applying harsh, excessive heat on delicate edges. Always use a heat protectant styling product and turn down the heat on your hairdryer, flat iron or other tools. This may mean drying your hair will take longer, but there will be less heat damage. However, if your hairline is already damaged, it's best to avoid heat styling.
Washington Post
05-07-2025
- Climate
- Washington Post
How to prepare for a hurricane, as forecasters expect a busy 2025 storm season
HOUSTON — Hurricane season can be stressful for millions of Americans living in coastal areas, as powerful winds and heavy rain can cause widespread damage, cut power for days or weeks and otherwise upend people's lives. Forecasters are expecting another unusually busy season for the Atlantic, with predictions calling for six to 10 hurricanes, with up to half reaching major status.
