Pacific Sea

Magnitude 6 earthquake in Taiwan leaves 15 people with minor injuries

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6 struck southern Taiwan early Tuesday, according to the US Geological Survey, leaving 15 people with minor injuries. The quake hit at 12:17 am local time (1600 GMT Monday), with its epicentre 12 kilometres north of Yujing at a preliminary depth of 10 kilometres, USGS said. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration recorded a magnitude of 6.4. There were no immediate reports of deaths from the quake, though rescuers were still assessing damage. Taiwan's fire department said 15 people were sent to hospital for minor injuries. Among them were six people, including one child, who were rescued from a collapsed house in Nanxi District, Tainan city. The Zhuwei bridge on a provincial highway was reported to be damaged. Last April, a magnitude 7.4 quake hit the island's mountainous eastern coast of Hualien, killing at least 13 people and injuring more than 1,000 others. The strongest earthquake in 25 years was followed by hundreds of ...

5 killed as wildfires burn out of control across LA, thousands flee homes

Multiple massive wildfires tore across the Los Angeles area with devastating force Wednesday, destroying more than 1,000 structures and killing at least two people as desperate residents escaped through flames, ferocious winds and towering clouds of smoke. Three major blazes were burning in the metropolitan area, from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena, home of the famed Rose Parade. With thousands of firefighters already attacking the flames, the Los Angeles Fire Department put out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help, and weather conditions were too windy for firefighting aircraft to fly, further hampering the fight. Fire officials hoped to get the flights up later Wednesday. In addition to the two deaths, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said many others were hurt in the fires, which threatened at least 28,000 structures. Images of the devastation showed luxurious homes that had collapsed in a whirlwind of flaming embers. The tops of palm trees whipped against

Earthquake of magnitude 7.3 jolts Pacific island nation of Vanuatu

Vanuatu's vulnerability has consistently ranked it as the most at risk country globally under the UN's World Risk Index since the index was launched in 2011

Taiwan Prez Lai's Pacific trip shows efforts to counter China's expansion

Taiwanese president arrived in Hawaii on Saturday for a two-day stopover en route to Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Tuvalu, with a stop in Guam scheduled for his return journey

Hurricane Kristy intensifies into Category 4 storm in Pacific Ocean

Hurricane Kristy strengthened into a Category 4 storm on Wednesday and was expected to remain away from land as it churns in the Pacific Ocean, forecasters said. The major hurricane was 710 miles (1,140 kilometres) south-southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula of Mexico, and was moving west at 20 mph (31 kph). It had maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 kph), just shy of Category 5 status, according to the Miami-based National Hurricane Centre. The storm was expected to continue moving over open waters. Waves generated by Kristy will affect portions of the west coast of the Baja California peninsula late this week. The waves are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Hurricane Kristy strengthened into a Category 3 storm in the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday and was expected to remain away from land as it grows more powerful, forecasters said. The storm was 650 miles (1,045 kilometres) southwest of the southern tip of the Baja Califor

World Bank approves $68 mn cross-border bank lifeline for Pacific Islands

The funding includes $9 million each to eight Pacific Island countries to establish a service

Japanese worried after first-ever megaquake advisory. What does it mean?

Japan, one of the most earthquake-prone nations on earth, issued its first-ever megaquake advisory last week after a powerful quake struck off the southeastern coast of the southern main island of Kyushu. The magnitude 7.1 quake caused no deaths or severe damage but the advisory has led to widespread confusion and a lingering sense of worry in a country well accustomed to regular quakes about when the next big one will hit. The Associated Press explains what the advisory means, what people are being told to do, and what could happen if a massive quake hits Japan. What is a megaquake advisory? The Japan Meteorological Agency issued the advisory after concluding that the magnitude 7.1 quake that struck on August 8 on the western edge of the Nankai Trough increased the likelihood of another big one. There is a 70-80 per cent chance of a magnitude 8 or 9 quake associated with the Nankai Trough within the next 30 years, and the probability is now higher than normal after the latest .

India to apply for licences to scout Pacific Ocean for critical minerals

China, Russia, and some Pacific Island nations have already secured exploration licences for the Pacific Ocean

Solomon Islands and China strengthen ties, move worries US, Pacific allies

The Solomon Islands' new prime minister is in Beijing for a visit as China and the strategic Pacific archipelago strengthen their ties. Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele met his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang on Thursday and was holding more meetings Friday before his departure Monday. China's influence increased significantly during the term of Manele's predecessor, with the country switching diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China and striking a secret security pact that has raised fears of China's security forces gaining a foothold in the region long dominated by the US, Australia and New Zealand. Those moves came at a time of major tensions between Washington and Beijing, and the Solomons' tighter ties with China are seen as undermining the influence of the US and other traditional allies in the Western Pacific. During their meeting, Li pushed for closer economic cooperation and a strategic partnership between China, the Solomons and other Pacific island nations, according to ..

Indonesia's Mount Ibu erupts, spewing red lava, dark clouds into sky

Indonesia's Mount Ibu spewed red lava and thick grey ash clouds that towered 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) into the sky during a two-minute eruption Tuesday morning. The eruption spewed thick ash toward the volcano's west and northwest sides, said Muhammad Wafid, chief of Indonesia's Geology Agency. A timelapse video distributed by Indonesia's Geological agency shows red sparks at the top of the volcano followed by a thick column of ash. The video was recorded from an observation post located next to an evacuation site in a field at Gam Ici village. Several evacuation tents were erected nearby. Mount Ibu has been continually erupting almost every day since early May. Indonesian authorities raised an eruption alert to the highest level following a series of eruptions, as thousands of deep volcanic earthquakes and visual activities from Mount Ibu have significantly increased. Authorities urged people to stay at least 7 kilometers (4.4 miles) from the 1,325-meter (4,347-foot) ...

Wreckage of US pilot Amelia Earhart's plane, lost in 1937, found: Report

Amelia Earhart plane discovery: The discovery was done using sonar data from a deep-sea drone. The explorer also plans to initiate a mission to find the remains of the plane later this year

Flights and ferries halted in SK ahead of storm that's dumped rain on Japan

Dozens of flights and ferry services were grounded in South Korea on Wednesday ahead of a tropical storm that has dumped rain on Japan's southwestern islands for more than a week. Khanun's heavy rains and winds were expected to arrive in South Korea's southern and eastern regions Wednesday afternoon, South Korea's weather agency said. It is expected to reach the southern resort island of Jeju hours later and then make landfall near the mainland port of Tongyeong early Thursday. The agency says Khanun could have a punishing impact as it will likely slice through the centre of the country over several hours, with the storm's eye brushing the capital city of Seoul, while packing winds blowing at 90 to 154 kph (56 to 97 mph). The storm was expected to weaken by the time it blows into North Korea early Friday. The Korean Meteorological Administration measured Khanun at typhoon strength with maximum winds of 126 kph (78 mph) as of 9 am Wednesday, as it passed through waters 360 kilometr

Large ocean countries, not small island states: PM Modi at Pacific Forum

While co-chairing the 3rd FIPIC Summit in Papua New Guinea on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India believes in multilateralism and supports a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific

MT-1 satellite brought down successfully, disintegrates over Pacific

The Indian and French space agencies on Tuesday successfully brought down the decommissioned climate satellite Megha-Tropiques-1 (MT-1) in a controlled manner.

Fukushima's nuclear wastewater can produce cancers on release: Scientists

Treated nuclear wastewater from Japan's damaged Fukushima power plant, which, if released into Pacific Ocean will reach the High Seas, is "capable of producing cancers", New Zealand scientists said

Russian, Chinese bombers fly joint patrols over Pacific to show close ties

Russian and Chinese strategic bombers on Wednesday flew a joint patrol over the western Pacific in a show of increasingly close defense ties between the two countries. The Russian Defence Ministry said that the Tu-95 bombers of the Russian air force and the Chinese H-6K bombers flew over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea during an eight-hour mission. As part of the drills, the Russian bombers for the first time landed in China and the Chinese bombers flew to an air base in Russia, the ministry said in a statement. It noted that the joint patrols weren't directed against any other country. The exercise follows a series of joint drills intended to showcase a growing military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing as they both face tensions with the United States. In September, Beijing sent more than 2,000 troops along with more than 300 military vehicles, 21 combat aircraft and three warships to take part in a sweeping joint exercise with Russia. The maneuvers marked the firs

Tropical storm Darby forms far off Mexico's Pacific coast as Bonnie fades

A new tropical storm formed far off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday while another faded after a long march from ocean to another

First aid flight leaves for Tonga after big volcano eruption, tsunami

The first flight carrying fresh water and other aid to Tonga was finally able to leave on Thursday after the Pacific nation's main airport runway was cleared of ash left by a huge volcanic eruption. A C-130 Hercules military transport plane left New Zealand carrying water containers, kits for temporary shelters, generators, hygiene supplies and communications equipment, New Zealand's Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said. Australia was also preparing to send two C-17 Globemaster transport planes with humanitarian supplies. The flights were all due to arrive in Tonga on Thursday afternoon. The deliveries will be done with no contact because Tonga is desperate to make sure foreigners don't bring in the coronavirus. It has not had any outbreaks of COVID-19 and has reported just a single case since the pandemic began. "The aircraft is expected to be on the ground for up to 90 minutes before returning to New Zealand," Defense Minister Peeni Henare said. UN humanitarian officials report t

Water crisis looms for tsunami-hit Tonga; New Zealand help on the way

Two New Zealand navy vessels will arrive in Tonga on Friday carrying critical water supplies for the Pacific island nation reeling from a volcanic eruption and tsunami

Tsunami-hit Tonga islands suffered 'catastrophic' damage: UN report

Tonga's small outlying islands have sustained major damage from a massive volcanic eruption and tsunami, the United Nations said