Iceland volcano part two. AMSTERDAM (AP) -- Major airlines that sent test flights into European air space found no damage Sunday from the volcanic ash that has paralyzed aviation over the continent, raising pressure on governments to ease restrictions that have thrown global travel and commerce into chaos. Is it safe to fly yet? Airline officials and some pilots say the passengerless test flights show that it is. Meteorologists warn that the skies over Europe remain unstable from an Icelandic volcano that continues to spew ash capable of knocking out jet engines. European Union officials said air traffic could return to half its normal level on Monday if the dense cloud begins to dissipate. Germany allowed some flights to resume.
Follow The Frame on Twitter at sacbee_theframe This aerial image shows the crater spewing ash and plumes of grit at the summit of the volcano in southern Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull glacier Saturday, April 17. The sun sets over Epsom Down in south west London, Saturday, April 17. Japan earthquake and tsunami: The moment mother nature engulfed a nation.
By Daily Mail Reporter Created: 12:48 GMT, 11 March 2011 Japan was today plunged into chaos after a cataclysmic earthquake sent merciless tsunami waves rushing through its helpless streets. The unforgiving tide of water unleashed after one of the biggest quakes in recent history obliterated tens of thousands of buildings, devouring almost anything in its path. As the death toll soared, dozens more countries braced themselves for similar scenes of destruction as the full force of the mother nature powered through the Pacific ocean. Stretching into the distance, waves caused by the tsunami pour over the coastline and rush inland swamping all before them. As the seawater passes over the land it mixes with the soil and begins to change colour to a dark brown Helpless: A ship, dwarfed by the sheer size of the whirlpool, is drawn ever closer towards the vortex as is tossed about in the foaming waters off the port of Oarai, Ibaraki.
Japan nuclear crisis: Gaping holes in the information provided by Japan. How did Japanese workers at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant jury-rig fire hoses to cool damaged reactors? Is contaminated water from waste pools overflowing into the Pacific Ocean? Exactly who is the national incident commander? The answers to these and many other questions are unclear to U.S. nuclear scientists and policy experts, who say the quality and quantity of information coming out of Japan has left gaping holes in their understanding of the disaster nearly two weeks after it began.
At the same time, they say, the depth of the crisis has clearly been growing, judging by releases of radioactivity that by some measures have reached half the level of those released in the Chernobyl accident of 1986, according to new analysis by European and American scientists. Photos: Japan's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis The public health concern is growing with news that the radiation has spread, leading to advisories on food and water.
"Confusion seems to be growing," Lyman said. Christchurch quake: 200 trapped in Pyne building - Story - National. By 3news.co.nz staff Christchurch has been rocked by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake, sending the region into pandemonium again, not six months after the September 4 quake. The quake struck at 12.51pm and was at a depth of 5km, 10km southeast of Christchurch. There have been reports of significant damage, most notably the Christchurch Cathedral. To report missing people call the police helpline on 0800 779 997 11.35pm – There are reports the relief shelter at Haglee Park is full and is turning people away. 10.55pm – Rescuers say more bodies are likely to be pulled from the rubble of the CTV building which collapsed today. 10.40pm – The 33rd aftershock hit Christchurch at 10.18pm tonight. 10.30pm – The death toll is already the second-highest in a New Zealand earthquake – outranked only by the 256 people who died in the violent 7.9 quake in 1931 in Hawke’s Bay.
A 40-strong team from New South Wales will leave Australia tonight and begin operations first thing tomorrow morning. Volunteers translate quake data into visuals. Over the past week we’ve seen a stark contrast in how the Fukushima nuclear disaster has been reported. “Panic” read the New York Daily News. “Get out of Tokyo Now” said The Sun. One expects that of tabloids, yet more credible media also described an “exodus” from Tokyo, neglecting to mention that it was primarily foreign residents who were leaving, many with few ties here who preferred to err on the side of caution. Japanese news was sober in contrast. “Radiation exposure can be dealt with” read The Asahi Shimbun. So while rescue workers were searching frantically through the rubble for survivors in Tohoku, non-Japanese-speaking residents elsewhere were tasked with searching for accurate news reports that would ease their growing fears.
Jump to Cologne, Germany, where User Experience designer Marian Steinbach was in search of answers: “I think the question not only I am asking is: Is nuclear radiation spreading over the country? There were difficulties however.