Weekend snowstorm could be largest since 1991

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/12/10/winter-storm-friday/
Yup. That's right. This weekend's snowstorm could be pretty big...grab your shovels!
If you can't tell, I'm REALLY excited for this!

Winter storm moves over Maui; more rain expected today on all islands

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/111664759.html
Hawaii got hit by a storm yesterday that caused flash flooding and a few car accidents. Meteorologists say the storm may not be completely past and could bring more rains and flooding, high winds, and maybe even snow in a couple of areas on the islands.

Volcano in Ecuador

http://www.earthweek.com/2010/ew101210/ew101210d.html
A volcano in Tungurahua, Ecuador violently erupted on Saturday. Endangered population was evacuated. This Andean volcano has been erupting intermittently since 1999 so it is not a new phenomenon but still deadly.

Here comes snow

Looks like we're going to get some snow. This type of low-pressure system is what we have been talking about in class recently.

http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/42767/monster-snowstorm-eyes-area-fr-1.asp
There is also a winter storm watch for Eau Claire Friday night to Saturday night  - exciting!

Rutherford among 28 counties in state named natural disaster

http://www.dnj.com/article/20101209/LIFESTYLE/101209003
This is a perfect example of the media not reporting a hazard because it's not 'dramatic'. I would never even have known Tennessee was experiencing drought. Since there are no immediate deaths or emotional pictures, it hasn't really been in the news at all.

21 Bodies Found in Columbian Mudslide

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/07/world/americas/07colombia.html?_r=1&ref=colombia
A mass wasting event in Columbia caused as heavy rains that decreased soil friction in Columbia has killed probably over one hundred people on Monday. The rains that caused the landslide have been some of the worst on record in recent years and are thought to be caused by the La Nina weather pattern.

Hundreds cut off by deadly floods

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/hundreds-cut-off-by-deadly-floods-20101208-18pxi.html
Ausstralia is dealing with major flooding right now, with a very large amount of people cut off by the floods. A map of where the flooding is occurring can be found here http://www.international-travel-tours.com/gifs/australia-map.jpg
The flooding is an effect of a low pressure storm system moving through Australia that is still going. Warnings were issued last night and it has been declared a natural disaster.

Mount Merapi

http://ecocentric.blogs.time.com/2010/11/08/indonesias-mount-merapi-a-volcano%E2%80%99s-lasting-legacy/
There are many inherent hazards when living near an active volcano located on the Ring of Fire.Mount Merapi, which erupts approximately every four years, has killed more than 140 people thus far and has damaged much of the surrounding ecology.
The closing paragraph of this article is relevent in that it talks about how the risks could possibly be managed better as the volcano damages the infrastructure and economy of the surrounding area. There are no suggestions as to how improvements could be made however.
Insert:
"Part of the problem right now is figuring out how bad the damage is on all fronts.  Suparlan, who works for Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), says disaster has not been managed well from his environmental perspective. “There is not enough cooperation with the local province and the national government,” he says. Water, which comes from springs in the area, has been cut off to many villages around the volcano, and organizations like his have not been able to get the access they need to assess the impact of the ash on the forests. Why weren't we better prepared? he asks. “We know Merapi erupts every four years.”

Cops on alert in Sorsogon due to Mt. Bulusan

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/205374/cops-on-alert-in-sorsogon-due-to-mt-bulusan

This is an article stemmed from concern of the hazards of volcanic eruptions and lahars. It shows what sort of warning systems are in place and what is being done to mitigate the risk for this volcano. The article does have one line about the geology of volcanic causes of mass wasting, saying "Do not cut trees surrounding the volcano for these will serve as protection from the harmful effects of lahar." It also has advice for government to help with their role in disaster risk, planning, and training.

Mudslide in Mexico

With all the recent flooding in the Midwest from tropical storm-like weather, I thought it was interesting that similar conditions could have big effects in other areas of the world. Of course, this one is actually due to a real tropical storm.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/29/world/americas/29mexico.html