Disasters

Guatemala: Four Earthquakes in Two Hours

Date: September 21st, 2011 |

Four earthquakes struck within the span of two hours Sept. 19, resulting in at least one death amid reports of three missing people. The largest quake measured 5.8 in magnitude, and all four were centered in an area about 30 miles southeast of Guatemala City, the nation’s capital. The most damage was seen in Cuilapa, [read more]

Japan: Some Evacuation Advisories Lifted

Date: August 11th, 2011 |

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The Japanese government has lifted evacuation advisories in some areas more than 12 miles (20 km) from the troubled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant. This allows thousands of people to return home after months of displacement. A 12 mile “no-go” zone will remain in place, however, as the government is still working to resolve the radiation [read more]

Japan: State Department updates Fukushima Risks

Date: July 25th, 2011 |

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The U.S. State Department updated its travel alert reconfirming that the health and safety risks to areas outside a 50-mile radius of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant are low and do not pose significant risks to travelers. The State Department continues to advise citizens against traveling to areas within the radius out of “an [read more]

New Zealand: Aftershocks still Plague Christchurch

Date: June 15th, 2011 |

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Nearly four months after the Christchurch earthquake, one of the worst natural disasters in the country’s history, the city is still suffering from large aftershocks. A series of powerful tremors hit the city June 13 and June 15, one measured at magnitude 6.0, and caused serious damage. Bob Parker, Christchurch’s mayor, said that more earthquakes [read more]

Chile: Volcano Eruption Disrupts Travel Plans

Date: June 8th, 2011 |

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An erupting volcano along the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcanic complex grounded numerous flights and sent ash across South America as far as southern Buenos Aires province. All flights between Buenos Aires and the Andean resorts of Bariloche, Esquel and Chapelco were canceled until at least June 12. Ash coated ski slopes in the area two weeks [read more]

Haiti: U.S. State Department Revises Travel Warning

Date: August 11th, 2011 |

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The U.S. State Department no longer advises against all travel to Haiti, but the department says that travelers should carefully consider the situation before embarking for the island. The new travel warning cites an outbreak of cholera, crime and inadequate infrastructure as its chief concerns, replacing the travel warning from January that cited election violence. [read more]

Indonesia: Mount Lokon Erupts

Date: July 25th, 2011 |

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Sulawesi’s Mount Lokon ended years of dormancy with a major eruption July 17. The blast sent ash and smoke thousands of feet into the air, panicking many of the surrounding villagers who had returned to the mountainside after warnings of a possible large eruption. Airlines with flights traveling within 10 miles of the peak were [read more]

Chile: Fears of Second Eruption at Puyehue

Date: July 5th, 2011 |

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Chile’s National Service of Geology and Mining has warned that another eruption at the Puyehue volcano is possible after a cork of lava emerged, blocking more lava from spewing out of the mountain. The cork means that a build-up of pressure can occur, possibly leading to another massive explosion. Minor tremors continue to be measured [read more]

Atlantic/Caribbean: Above-Normal Hurricane Season Predicted for this Year

Date: June 8th, 2011 |

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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center believes that there will be an above-normal hurricane season this year due to climate conditions. Hurricane season in the Atlantic officially began June 1 and ends Nov. 1, though storms can and do occur year-round. Recent hurricanes have left citizens abroad in dangerous situations without [read more]

Japan: Natural Disasters and Radiation Fears Strike Country

Date: March 16th, 2011 |

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Prime Minister Naoto Kan has declared the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan March 11 the country’s worst disaster since World War II. Many governments, including the U.S., have called for tourists to cancel all travel plans to Japan due to radiation fears from damaged nuclear power plants and the threat of major af [read more]

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