Global Disaster Watch - daily natural disaster reports.
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LARGEST QUAKES so far today -
5.0 NICARAGUA
5.0 SOLOMON ISLANDS
5.3 SOLOMON ISLANDS
Yesterday, 4/13/14 -
5.2 SOLOMON ISLANDS
5.9 SOLOMON ISLANDS
5.6 SOLOMON ISLANDS
5.7 SOLOMON ISLANDS
7.6 SOLOMON ISLANDS
5.0 SOLOMON ISLANDS
5.1 SOLOMON ISLANDS
5.2 SOLOMON ISLANDS
5.4 SOLOMON ISLANDS
5.3 BOUGAINVILLE REGION, P.N.G.
5.1 OFFSHORE TARAPACA, CHILE
Another big quake strikes off Solomons, sparks tsunami warning and large waves. The shallow 7.6 quake was centred south-east of the Solomons at a depth of 29 kilometres (12.4 miles). The quake, initially reported as a magnitude 7.7 was centered 73 miles (113 km) south of Kira Kira. There have been no reports of major damage or casualties. Two strong earthquakes struck the Solomon Islands on Sunday.
People throughout the Pacific island chain awoke to the strong quake at 7:14 a.m. People on Makira and nearby islands southeast of the capital, Honiara, reported seeing three large waves after the quake. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center on Sunday canceled a tsunami warning after earlier issuing an alert for some Pacific islands. The center reported that sea level readings indicate a small tsunami was generated that may have caused some destruction near the epicenter.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported the epicenter was 323 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Honiara, at a depth of 29 kilometers (18 miles). The Solomon Islands, home to 600,000 people, was already reeling from devastating flash floods that struck Honiara and other areas April 3. The floods have killed 23 people and left 9,000 more homeless. Herming said up to 30 more people remain missing. "It has really been a tough time."
In Makira province there was no tsunami, but strong currents and heavy waves were pounding the reefs. Some evacuated to higher ground as a precaution. "We felt this one strongly in Honiara. It was close to 30 seconds long."
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a warning for the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. U.S. officials said there was no threat of a tsunami to the coasts of California, Oregon, Washington state, Hawaii or Alaska. Powerful waves posed no threat to the U.S. West Coast or Canada after the quake.
TROPICAL STORMS -
Current tropical storms - maps and details.
* In the Indian Ocean -
- Tropical cyclone Ita is located approximately 332 nm north-northwest of Brisbane, Australia.
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Australia - Queensland sugar cane crop hit by Ita. Residents in Ingham will have to wait to assess the full damage from Tropical Cyclone Ita, after the storm flattened sugar cane fields in the north.
Power out, roads cut in wake of Cyclone Ita - More than 27,000 homes and businesses remain without power in far north Queensland as the mop up from Cyclone Ita continues.
Tonga's recovery slow, months after cyclone - It has been three months since Tonga was hit by category five Tropical Cyclone Ian, and many people are still living in tents or makeshift homes.
SEVERE RAIN STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES -
Tornado reported in Midwest US as storms roll across plains. Strong thunderstorms brought rain and hail from the southwestern U.S. and Plains states to the upper Midwest on Sunday -- and at least one tornado.
EXTREME HEAT & DROUGHT / WILDFIRES -
Deadly Chile wildfire forces evacuations - A large and moving forest fire kills at least 12 people in Chile's port city of Valparaiso and forces more than 10,000 people to evacuate.
Some 1,200 firefighters are battling the large blaze, which has destroyed hundreds of homes since Saturday. The city, 110km (70 miles) west of Santiago, was declared a disaster zone. Security forces are on the streets to maintain order and prevent looting. Earlier, the authorities said 16 residents had died, but it turned out that one family had been counted twice. One official said it was the "worst catastrophe" he had ever seen.
"We fear that the fire will spread to the centre of the city, which would increase the severity of the emergency." The old centre is a Unesco World Heritage Site, packed with old buildings that are vulnerable to fire. Strong Pacific coast winds have pushed the fire deeper into the neighbourhoods of Valparaiso, hampering the battle to contain the blaze.
The city is built on a series of steep hills, separated by narrow winding streets, making the job of firefighters all the more difficult. Large parts of Valparaiso are without electricity, and residents were said to be suffering from smoke inhalation. It was an apocalyptic scene as the flames covered the city in a bright glow.
The blaze forced thousands of residents to evacuate and leave most of their belongings behind. Some residents returned to discover that their homes had been destroyed . Refuges have been set up to house residents who were forced to flee. "In some places the fires have started again so we're working on this and people will continue to be protected." The Chilean Red Cross has appealed for donations, such as food and other basic supplies, to help those who were left homeless.
The fire started on Saturday, and most of the damage was done overnight. Fires are frequent in central Chile, where summer sends temperatures soaring. (photos)
Video - (1 minute long)
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