Japan 'forgot' to plan for Mt Fuji disaster

It seems with everything that has been happening in Japan, what with the Fukushima nuclear disaster, earthquakes and floods, nobody made any special disaster plans for Mt Fuji and a possible eruption.

Since the 9.0-magnitude earthquake in March 2011, there have been some 12,000 tremors in the Mt Fuji area, increasing the pressure to the mountain's magma chamber... read more.

Series of earthquakes hits southwestern China (video)

A series of earthquakes in southwestern China has caused the death of at least 50 people and injured 150. At least 60 aftershocks were experienced and 20,000 buildings have been damaged.

According to Xinhua news agency, the largest of a series of earthquakes registered 5.7 on the Richter scale with the largest tremor striking the area at a depth of 14 kilometers.

At least 50 people are dead as a result of the quakes and 150 others have been injured... read more and view video.

7.4 quake hits off El Salvador coast followed by small tsunami

Central America was hit by a 7.4 magnitude earthquake on Sunday night, around 125 km off the El Salvador coast in the Pacific Ocean. A small tsunami followed.

The U.S. Geological Survey has said that a 7.4 magnitude earthquake occurred south of Usulutan department in the southeast of El Salvador. The quake hit at a depth of 53 kilometers... read more.

6.2 magnitude quake hits far-western Xinjiang region of China

Following two earthquakes in Iran yesterday, it is now China's turn to be shook up.

As reported by the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC), a 6.2 magnitude tremor hit today in far-western China. While there are no initial reports of casualties or damage, the depth of the tremor was 30 kilometers, which tends to increase the risk of harm.... read more.

Northern Iran hit by two earthquakes in succession

The north of Iran has been hit by two earthquakes on Saturday, one magnitude 6.3 and the other 6.4. Aftershocks continue to rock the area.  Update: at least 87 people are dead and 600 are injured.

According to U.S. Geological Survey, the 6.4 tremor, at a depth of 9.9 km (6.2 miles), hit 12 miles from the town of Ahar in East Azerbaijan province, at 12:23:17 UTC.

The magnitude 6.3 quake hit 19 miles from Ahar, at a depth of 9.8 km (6.1 miles) shortly afterwards, at 12:34:35 UTC.... read more.

Japan restarts Oi nuclear plant despite mass protests

Despite massive protests in Tokyo, Japan's Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO) has restarted the Oi nuclear power plant in Fukui prefecture. Seismologists warn of the dangers.

After being nuclear-free for two months, Japan's Oi nuclear power plant is up and running. This is the first nuclear site to go back online since Japan shut down the last of the country's nuclear reactors in May this year, over security concerns... read more.

6.3 magnitude earthquake plus mudslides from storms in China

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake has rocked China's Xinjiang region, leaving 34 people injured. No fatalities have yet been reported. However, mudslides from storms have killed 50.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake measured 6.3, but China's Earthquake Networks Center registered it at 6.6-magnitude... read more.

Magnitude-5.8 earthquake shakes southwest Turkey — 6 injured

Southwest Turkey was hit by a 5.8-magnitude earthquake today, which was also felt on the Greek Island of Rhodes and in Northern Cyprus.

According to local media, six people were reportedly injured after jumping from their balconies or windows in panic and are being treated in a local hospital.

Fethiye, a popular resort town in Mugla province, is the closest town to the epicenter of the quake, which was in the Aegean Sea. Tremors were also felt on the Greek Island of Rhodes, with no injuries reported, and the quake was also felt in Northern Cyprus... read more.

Video: Demolition of earthquake damaged bell tower in Italy

Many old buildings were damaged in the recent earthquakes and aftershocks in Italy. Some are beyond repair and have to be demolished for safety.

Digital Journal reported on the 6.0- and 5.8-magnitude earthquakes and the strong aftershocks in Italy during May.

As reported, besides the tragic deaths from the earthquakes and the following aftershocks, many old buildings were badly damaged.

Read more and view video

Aerial video of Italy ruins & collapsed buildings after quake

The video shows collapsed factory and other buildings damaged in the 5.8-magnitude earthquake which hit on Tuesday this week.

Digital Journal reported on the 5.8-magnitude earthquake which hit Italy on Tuesday.

17 people are confirmed dead and 200 people were injured in the quake. Thousands have been left homeless in the agricultural and industrial area north of Bologna in the second fatal earthquake in just 9 days... read full article and view video.

5.8 magnitude earthquake hits Modena, Parma & Bologna, Italy

Northern Italy has once again experienced an earthquake this morning with a 5.8 magnitude quake striking near Parma, Modena and Bologna.

Digital Journal reported on the earthquake and aftershocks experienced in Italy earlier this month, with 6 people reported dead and 50 injured. Scores of historic buildings were destroyed during both the earthquake and the aftershocks.

Now according to the U.S. Geological Survey, a further 5.8 quake has struck Northern Italy, causing more buildings to collapse in the same areas affected by the previous earthquake... read full article.

Italy continues to experience aftershocks following 6.0 quake

With more aftershocks shaking the country, buildings continue to fall. Some 3,000 people have been evacuated to safety and rescuers search the rubble for more.

Digital Journal reported earlier today on the 6.0 magnitude earthquake which has struck northern Italy. At that stage, five people had been killed and fifty others injured. Much damage had occurred to buildings in the area.

The total of dead has now risen to six and the initial earthquake, which occurred at 4:04 am (02:04 GMT) affected the cities of Mantua, Verona, Ferrara and Modena... read full article and view video.

6.9 quake hits Gulf of California & 7.0 quake hits Mexico City

Following closely on the heels of the 8.6 earthquake off Indonesia, Mexico's Gulf of California has just experienced a 6.9 earthquake.

Digital Journal reported yesterday on the earthquake off the Indonesian coast, followed by a tsunami warning, which was subsequently lifted.

And earlier in the month, there was a report of a 6.3 earthquake striking Mexico.

And now there are reports of a 6.9 magnitude earthquake hitting Mexico's California peninsula.

The epicenter of the tremor was 10.3 kms below the surface, and it occurred 133 kms from the town of Guerrero Negro.

No information is available as yet of the consequences of the earthquake.

On Wednesday, it was also reported that an earthquake had hit Mexico, shaking buildings in the capital, Mexico City. People ran from the buildings and there were no reports of major damage... read full article.

Indonesia: tsunami warning now lifted

There was a tsunami warning prompted by the 8.6 earthquake and 6.5 aftershock in Indonesia earlier today. The good news is that the warning has now been lifted.

Digital Journal reported earlier that an earthquake which registered at 8.6 on the Richter scale, following by a 6.5 aftershock had prompted a tsunami warning in Indonesia.

The tsunami watch status has now been lifted in Indian Ocean countries.

The worst impact was likely to be on Simeulue Island, which is off southern Sumatra, according to Indonesia's disaster agency. A witness told Reuters that the island, which is near the epicenter of the Aceh earthquake had sea levels receding by about 10 metres.

The BBC reports that once the warning was lifted, many people were crying, while others screamed “God is great.” ... read full article.

Video: 8.6 quake off Indonesia prompts tsunami warning

Banda Aceh - A 6.5 aftershock has been registered following an earlier 8.6 earthquake in the Aceh region off the northern Sumatra coast in Indonesia today. In the wake of a tsunami warning, people are fleeing to higher ground.

It started with an earthquake which registered at 8.6 on the Richter scale. Now the Geophysical Agency in Indonesia has registered a 6.5 aftershock.

The U.S. Geological Survey reports that a tsunami warning has been issued across the Indian Ocean.

A rescue team is being sent to Aceh, following the loss of electricity in the province and Reuters advises that locals are fleeing to higher ground, as can be seen in the above video... read full article and view video.

Research: most recent U.S. earthquakes are likely man-made

In the past decade there has been a remarkable increase in earthquake activity in the U.S.A. A U.S. Geological Survey research team says that these earthquakes are "almost certainly man-made."

Researchers for the U.S. Geological Survey have presented a study which states that natural gas and oil extraction activity has most likely provoked the series of recent earthquakes in the U.S.A, from Alabama through to the Northern Rocky Mountains.

They have not yet estimated a direct cause-effect relationship between gas and oil activity and earthquakes.... read full article.