Monday, January 31, 2011

[californiadisasters] Families Gather to Honor 88 Victims of AK Airlines Flight 261



Families gather to honor 88 victims of Alaska Airlines Flight 261

As she read the names of the dead on Monday — her son and daughter in-law Terry and Babara Ryan, her grandsons Pat and James Ryan, and the names of James' five friends — emotion welled up in Madeline Ryan's voice.

With each name, her husband and daughter placed a white rose on the individual plaques of the victims whose names are aligned in a circular sundial monument at Port Hueneme Beach.

The ceremony was to commemorate the 88 passengers and crew who died 11 years ago when Alaska Airlines Flight 261 dropped out of a clear winter blue sky and crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Anacapa Island off the Ventura County coast.



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[californiadisasters] San Bruno Pipeline Called 'Tip of the Iceberg'



San Bruno pipeline called 'tip of the iceberg'

Federal investigators' findings in the San Bruno pipeline explosion probe suggest that thousands of miles of long-buried and untested natural gas pipelines across the United States are at far greater risk of failure than the industry and government regulators have long maintained, experts say.

"It's a wake-up call," Robert Eiber, a pipeline integrity expert with 50 years of experience in the industry, said of the implications of the National Transportation Safety Board's metallurgical analysis of the line that exploded Sept. 9.

"They need to make sure they don't have a duplicate situation someplace else," Eiber said. "If it has not been tested, you need to test it."

In a detailed report released Jan. 21, the safety board identified a "progressive" crack on a seam running several feet along the San Bruno line as the point where the 30-inch transmission pipe ruptured, causing a fireball that killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes. The crack began at a shoddy weld that extended only halfway through the pipe wall, investigators said.

<SNIP>



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[Volcano_Vista_HS] VVHS Announcements--Monday, January 31, 2011



Congratulations to the following students for being cast in this year’s all school play Fools:

  • Andrew Melendez,
  • Elijah Gonzales,
  • Sheehan Gonzales,
  • Kevin Henson,
  • Khristiana Barbera,
  • Clayton Everett,
  • Dorinda Abeyta,
  • Shaylynn Rightmer,
  • Noah Smith,
  • Logan Laflamme,
  • Samantha Lovin,
  • Kelly Erickson,
  • Allie Pensabene,
  • Jake Shockley,
  • Mackinzie Hamilton,
  • Amanda Van Auken,
  • Alex Maxey,
  • Anthony Brewster,
  • Dawn Stewart,
  • Anthony Monroe,
  • Harry Wirstrom,
  • James Sanchez,
  • Eddie Carrion,
  • Kevin Walters,
  • Jacob Campbell
  • Thomas Rubby

And for the advanced theatre class The Monkey's Paw.  These shows will be performed March 3, 4, and 5 .  If acting is in your blood, remember to sign up for a Drama class for next year.


SENIORS:

If you still want to order the panoramic stop by the Activities Office and pick up an order form. All forms are due by Friday the 4th.    


WINTERBALL:

Winterball is February 5th in the gym from 8 to 11 PM. Tickets go on sale this today during lunch in the Activities Office for $20.00. You must have your student ID to purchase a ticket. If you are bringing a guest from another school please have the permission slip with you when you purchase the ticket. You must have your ID with you at the dance.

 

CLUBS:

  • There will be an important French Honor Society meeting Tuesday, 2/1 in E113 at lunch.  Please plan to attend.
  • Operation Smile will be selling popcorn at lunch on Wednesday by the activities office.
  • Attention Class of 2012:  We are signed up to work in the snack bar all week.  Make sure you show up for the days you have signed up and be on time. 
  • If you haven’t yet turned in your box of medical supplies  for “Kits for the C.U.R.E.” you may still do so through Wednesday, February 2nd. Bring in those supplies to your fourth period teacher and turn in the boxes to E112 or A201. Right now, Ms. Trigg’s Fourth period art class is winning the competition for the most boxes completed. Bring in those supplies and help MAKE A DIFFERENCE.


JEANS FOR TEENS:

Austin:  “Chelsea, do you have a pair of jeans in your closet that you don’t wear any more?”

Chelsea:“Sure, Austin. I’ve got a couple pair that don’t fit anymore.”

A. “Well, why don’t you donate them to the “Jeans for Teens’ drive here at Volcano Vista? You can turn in a pair of jeans that will be given to an APS teenager who is currently homeless. You’ll also get a coupon for 25% off a new pair. AND you’ll know that you helped out a homeless teenager in APS.”

C. “Where do I donate the jeans, Austin?”

A. You can drop them off in room E112.”

C. Great, Austin. I’ll bring them in tomorrow! “Jeans for Teens’ sounds like a great idea!

Did you know that 5,000 APS students are homeless? That’s one in every 16 students, or about 2 people in each of your classes. You can donate a pair of jeans that will be distributed to  homeless APS students AND receive a coupon for 25% off a new pair. Gather up all the unused jeans in your household and donate them in room E112 or the Activities Office this week!

 

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

9th GRADERS--Your Course Request Cards are DUE to your Health or IMPAC teacher by February 2. Be sure it is filled out completely & ALL signatures on are it. DON’T BE LATE!!!

Attention all students taking an eCADEMY online course.  You are required to check in with lab facilitators every week here at VVHS.  9th graders need to check in on Mondays, 10th graders on Tuesdays, 11th Graders on Wednesdays, and 12th graders on Thursdays.  You will need to see Ms. Hindman in E213 or Ms.Wells in F213 after school on your assigned day.  Failure to check in can result in you being dropped from the class.  If you have any questions, please see Ms. Wells in H107. 

Attention all boys interested in participating with the boys soccer program--there will be a meeting on Tuesday, February 1st at lunch in room a109.  Plan to attend.  If you can not, see coach Thiebaut in A122.

"This  is a reminder for everyone that signed up for the ASVAB.  The test is tomorrow, Tuesday February 1st in the lecture hall.  Report to the lecture hall at 7:30am.  You will be done around lunch time."

Attention faculty, staff and students, the next SOAR Card drawing will be next week, Monday, February 7.  Staff - make sure to catch our students doing something good and reward them with a SOAR card and students make sure to turn them in to any academy office of the library.


ATHLETICS:

Congratulations to our amazing wrestling team. They captured the Metro trophy for the second year in a row. Way to go Hawks! This Wednesday night we will have a wrestling match at Cibola.

BLACK OUT BASKETBALL GAMES:

  • Boys Basketball plays at Cibola on Tuesday night at 7 PM.  Let's see if we can black-out their gym.
  • Girls Basketball plays Cibola on Wednesday night, here in the Ring of Fire: Everyone wear black.


And remember

as always

It’s Great to be a Hawk!

 



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[Volcano_Vista_HS] APS School Board Election Tuesday, Feb. 1st and Inclement Weather Plans



School Board Election is TOMORROW, February 1, 2011! 
Please vote :)


Following are election inclement weather plans...




News Release


   1/31/2011
APS and CNM Election Inclement Weather Plans
Issued by Bernalillo County
Public Information Dept.
Liz Hamm
lhamm@bernco.gov
Office: 238-0888
Fax: 468-1293

 
County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver announces that, regardless of inclement weather, polling locations are set to open at 7 am on Tuesday.
 
State law does not allow for the late or non-opening of polling locations, so the county clerk’s office is putting plans into gear to ensure the election is conducted regardless of the weather.
 
Voters experiencing any issues or with any questions about the election should call the Clerk’s Office Bureau of Elections at 468-1291. Staff will be on hand to answer calls beginning at 6 am on Tuesday.
 
· Poll officials are being reminded to report at 6 am to their location and are being asked to make arrangements for reliable transportation to the polls. Poll officials have been given a contact number in case of emergency so the clerk’s office staff can ensure the election supplies arrive to the polling location on time to open at 7 am
 
· Sherriff’s deputies will be on-call to assist the clerk’s office in helping poll officials and/or their ballots and supplies get to the polling location on time
 
· County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver has been in contact with APS and APS is working with the principals at schools that are acting as polling locations to ensure staff are there to open those locations--regardless of a delay or if classes are canceled
 
·  In case any consolidated polling location is not open at 7 am, voters may call the clerk’s office at 468-1291 and will be directed to the polling location closest to them or to the nearest Early Voting site so they may vote provisionally 
 
· As an emergency measure, all Early Voting sites for the APS/CNM election will be open on Tuesday-to issue provisional ballots only-for voters who cannot access their consolidated polling location due to inclement weather (a list and maps are available at www.bernco.gov/elections):
 
o   Clerk’s Office Annex at 620 Lomas NW
o   APS City Centre at 6400 Uptown Blvd. NE
o   CNM -- BT Portable 4 at 1401 Basehart Rd. SE
o   Coors Plaza at 3200 Coors Blvd. NW
o   Rio Rancho City Hall --3200 Civic Center Circle NE, Rio Rancho
 
· Polling locations that are not open at 7 am and have voters waiting could have their hours of operation extended by court order. The county clerk will acquire court orders if needed.
 
The County Clerk reminds voters that for the APS/CNM election polling locations are consolidated. Many voters may be voting at a different location than they normally do. Voters can check for the location of their consolidated polling location by calling 468-1291 or visiting www.bernco.gov/elections and selecting “Where Do I Vote.”


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[californiadisasters] Strong Santa Ana Winds Forecast For L.A. Area Thru Wed.



Strong Santa Ana winds forecast for L.A. area through Wednesday

By Shelby Grad
Los Angeles Times
January 31, 2011 |  6:43 pm

Officials are warning that gusts from a new series of Santa Ana winds could cause driving problems in mountain and canyon areas through Wednesday.

The National Weather Service said high pressure in the Great Basin will cause the warm winds. "Damaging" wind gusts up to 65 mph are forecast in some coastal and inland mountain areas, according to the weather service. Wind gusts in the Inland Empire and Orange County could reach 80 mph.

Drivers of high-profile vehicles should be particularly careful while driving in these areas.

Gusts in the Malibu Hills reached 36 mph Monday.

Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/01/strong-santa-ana-winds-forecast-in-la-area-through-wednesday.html


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[californiadisasters] 60 MPH Santa Ana Winds To Hit San Diego County



60 mph Santa Ana winds to hit San Diego County

Monday, January 31, 2011 at 4:27 p.m.

Santa Ana winds will gust up to 60 mph before dawn on Wednesday across many of San Diego County's eastern mountains and foothills, kicking up a lot of dust and possibly snapping tree branches, the National Weather Service says. The winds will likely make it to the coast, but will gust only to 20 mph as they move out to sea.

Travelers should be aware that the winds could produce 80 mph gusts in the Cajon Pass.

"The system has cold, dry air that will warm up some as it compresses in the foothills and canyons," said Phil Gonsalves, a weather service forecaster. "But it's not going to feel like Indian summer. The source of the air is Canada, which is very cold."

A high wind watch will be in effect for the eastern two-thirds of the county from 2 a.m. Wednesday until sometime on Thursday afternoon.

"The strong winds will make driving difficult," says a weather service advisory. "Motorists with high profile vehicles will be particularly susceptible to the strong winds. Watch for broken tree limbs and downed power lines."

<SNIP>

View entire article here: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jan/31/big-waves-hit-coast-ahead-santa-ana-winds/?sciquest

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[californiadisasters] Cold Sundowner Wind Advisory (01/31/11-PM)

...GUSTY WINDS TO CONTINUE ACROSS THE AREA THROUGH TUESDAY
MORNING...

.GUSTY NORTH WINDS WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE SANTA YNEZ RANGE AND THE
WIND PRONE PASSES AND CANYONS OF THE SANTA BARBARA SOUTH COAST
EARLY THIS EVENING AND PERSIST THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.

FOR TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY...HIGH PRESSURE AT THE SURFACE
WILL BUILD INTO THE GREAT BASIN...CAUSING A STRONG SANTA ANA WIND
EVENT TO DEVELOP. WINDS IN THE MOUNTAINS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE
TO 35 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 65 MPH. DAMAGING WIND GUSTS ARE
ESPECIALLY POSSIBLE THROUGH AND BELOW PASSES AND CANYONS.

CAZ039-011100-
/O.CON.KLOX.WI.Y.0010.000000T0000Z-110201T1800Z/
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SOUTH COAST-
INCLUDING...SANTA BARBARA...MONTECITO...CARPINTERIA
514 PM PST MON JAN 31 2011

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST TUESDAY...

A WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST TUESDAY.

* TIMING: GUSTY NORTHERLY WINDS WILL DEVELOP THIS EVENING AND
PERSIST THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING.

* WINDS: GUSTY NORTH WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH.
STRONGEST BELOW PASSES AND CANYONS.

* IMPACTS: STRONG WINDS MAY IMPACT TRAVEL ACROSS AREA ROADWAYS
INCLUDING THE 101...154 AND 192 NEAR MONTECITO.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 35 MPH OR GREATER ARE
EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT...
ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.

&&

$$

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOS ANGELES/OXNARD CA
514 PM PST MON JAN 31 2011

...GUSTY WINDS TO CONTINUE ACROSS THE AREA THROUGH TUESDAY
MORNING...

.GUSTY NORTH WINDS WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE SANTA YNEZ RANGE AND THE
WIND PRONE PASSES AND CANYONS OF THE SANTA BARBARA SOUTH COAST
EARLY THIS EVENING AND PERSIST THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.

FOR TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY...HIGH PRESSURE AT THE SURFACE
WILL BUILD INTO THE GREAT BASIN...CAUSING A STRONG SANTA ANA WIND
EVENT TO DEVELOP. WINDS IN THE MOUNTAINS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE
TO 35 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 65 MPH. DAMAGING WIND GUSTS ARE
ESPECIALLY POSSIBLE THROUGH AND BELOW PASSES AND CANYONS.

CAZ052-011100-
/O.CON.KLOX.WI.Y.0010.000000T0000Z-110201T1800Z/
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY MOUNTAINS-
INCLUDING...SAN MARCOS PASS...SAN RAFAEL WILDERNESS AREA...
DICK SMITH WILDERNESS AREA
514 PM PST MON JAN 31 2011

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST TUESDAY...

A WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST TUESDAY.

* TIMING: GUSTY NORTHERLY WINDS WILL DEVELOP THIS EVENING...MAINLY
AFFECTING THE HILLS ABOVE MONTECITO DURING THE OVERNIGHT HOURS
AND INTO TUESDAY MORNING.

* WINDS: GUSTY NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO
50 MPH THIS EVENING AND PERSISTING THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING.

* IMPACTS: STRONG WINDS MAY IMPACT TRAVEL ACROSS AREA ROADWAYS
INCLUDING THE 101 AND 154.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 45 MPH OR GREATER ARE
EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT...
ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.

Source: http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=lox&wwa=wind%20advisory

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[californiadisasters] Cold Santa Ana Wind Watch (01/31/11-PM)

...STRONG GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY...

.A COLD STRONG HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE INTO THE CENTRAL
ROCKIES TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY. THIS WILL RESULT IN STRONG
NORTHEASTERLY WINDS...ESPECIALLY THROUGH AND BELOW PASSES AND
CANYONS. WIND GUSTS OVER 60 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE THROUGH AND
BELOW THE CAJON PASS...IN THE SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS...INLAND ORANGE
COUNTY AND IN THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS...FOOTHILLS AND FAR
INLAND VALLEYS. STRONGEST WINDS WILL BE TUESDAY NIGHT AND
WEDNESDAY. LOCAL WIND GUSTS COULD REACH 80 MPH IN SOME AREAS...
MAINLY THE SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS.

IN ORANGE COUNTY...THE INLAND EMPIRE AND THE SAN BERNARDINO AND
RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS...WINDS WILL DIMINISH SOMEWHAT
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...BUT WINDS WILL REMAIN STRONG IN SAN DIEGO
COUNTY THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING.

CAZ042-048-055>057-011115-
/O.CON.KSGX.HW.A.0002.110202T1000Z-110203T0000Z/
ORANGE COUNTY COASTAL AREAS-
SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY VALLEYS-THE INLAND EMPIRE-
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MOUNTAINS-RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS-
SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS-
923 PM PST MON JAN 31 2011

...HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TUESDAY NIGHT
THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...

A HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TUESDAY NIGHT
THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

* TIMING: LATE TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

* WINDS: NORTHEASTERLY 25 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS OVER 60 MPH.
OCCASIONAL GUSTS OVER 70 MPH ARE POSSIBLE AT TIMES IN WIND
PRONE AREAS.

* VISIBILITY: LOCAL VISIBILITY OVER ONE-QUARTER MILE OR LESS IN
BLOWING DUST.

* IMPACTS: THE STRONG WINDS WILL MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT. MOTORISTS
WITH HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES WILL BE PARTICULARLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO
THE STRONG WINDS. WATCH FOR BROKEN TREE LIMBS AND DOWNED POWER
LINES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WATCH MEANS THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A HAZARDOUS
HIGH WIND EVENT. SUSTAINED WINDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH...OR GUSTS OF
58 MPH OR STRONGER MAY OCCUR. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST
FORECASTS.

&&

$$

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN DIEGO CA
923 PM PST MON JAN 31 2011

...STRONG GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY...

.A COLD STRONG HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE INTO THE CENTRAL
ROCKIES TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY. THIS WILL RESULT IN STRONG
NORTHEASTERLY WINDS...ESPECIALLY THROUGH AND BELOW PASSES AND
CANYONS. WIND GUSTS OVER 60 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE THROUGH AND
BELOW THE CAJON PASS...IN THE SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS...INLAND ORANGE
COUNTY AND IN THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS...FOOTHILLS AND FAR
INLAND VALLEYS. STRONGEST WINDS WILL BE TUESDAY NIGHT AND
WEDNESDAY. LOCAL WIND GUSTS COULD REACH 80 MPH IN SOME AREAS...
MAINLY THE SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS.

IN ORANGE COUNTY...THE INLAND EMPIRE AND THE SAN BERNARDINO AND
RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS...WINDS WILL DIMINISH SOMEWHAT
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...BUT WINDS WILL REMAIN STRONG IN SAN DIEGO
COUNTY THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING.

CAZ050-058-011115-
/O.CON.KSGX.HW.A.0002.110202T1000Z-110203T2200Z/
SAN DIEGO COUNTY VALLEYS-SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS-
923 PM PST MON JAN 31 2011

...HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TUESDAY NIGHT
THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON...

A HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TUESDAY NIGHT
THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

* TIMING: LATE TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY.

* WINDS: NORTHEASTERLY 25 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS OVER 60 MPH.
OCCASIONAL GUSTS OVER 70 MPH ARE POSSIBLE AT TIMES IN WIND PRONE
AREAS.

* VISIBILITY: LOCAL VISIBILITY OVER ONE-QUARTER MILE OR LESS IN
BLOWING DUST.

* IMPACTS: THE STRONG WINDS WILL MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT.
MOTORISTS WITH HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES WILL BE PARTICULARLY
SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE STRONG WINDS. WATCH FOR BROKEN TREE LIMBS AND
DOWNED POWER LINES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WATCH MEANS THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A HAZARDOUS
HIGH WIND EVENT. SUSTAINED WINDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH...OR GUSTS OF
58 MPH OR STRONGER MAY OCCUR. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST
FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MAXWELL/PG

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOS ANGELES/OXNARD CA
514 PM PST MON JAN 31 2011

...GUSTY WINDS TO CONTINUE ACROSS THE AREA THROUGH TUESDAY
MORNING...

.GUSTY NORTH WINDS WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE SANTA YNEZ RANGE AND THE
WIND PRONE PASSES AND CANYONS OF THE SANTA BARBARA SOUTH COAST
EARLY THIS EVENING AND PERSIST THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.

FOR TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY...HIGH PRESSURE AT THE SURFACE
WILL BUILD INTO THE GREAT BASIN...CAUSING A STRONG SANTA ANA WIND
EVENT TO DEVELOP. WINDS IN THE MOUNTAINS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE
TO 35 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 65 MPH. DAMAGING WIND GUSTS ARE
ESPECIALLY POSSIBLE THROUGH AND BELOW PASSES AND CANYONS.

CAZ046-053-054-011100-
/O.CON.KLOX.HW.A.0004.110202T0800Z-110203T1700Z/
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS-
LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS EXCLUDING THE SANTA MONICA RANGE-
INCLUDING...TOPANGA...LOCKWOOD VALLEY...MOUNT PINOS...ACTON...
MOUNT WILSON...SANDBERG
514 PM PST MON JAN 31 2011

...HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TUESDAY NIGHT
THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...

A HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TUESDAY NIGHT
THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING.

* TIMING: WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE AFTER MIDNIGHT TUESDAY
NIGHT AND CONTINUE THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

* WINDS: NORTHEAST WINDS 35 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 65 MPH.
STRONGEST WINDS WILL OCCUR THROUGH AND BELOW PASSES AND
CANYONS.

* IMPACTS: GUSTY WINDS WILL MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT...ESPECIALLY
FOR OPERATORS OF HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WATCH MEANS THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A HAZARDOUS
HIGH WIND EVENT. SUSTAINED WINDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH...OR GUSTS OF
58 MPH OR STRONGER MAY OCCUR. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST
FORECASTS.

&&

$$

KAPLAN/MEIER

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAS VEGAS NV
158 PM PST MON JAN 31 2011

.STRONG...GUSTY NORTH WINDS WILL DEVELOP OVER THE SOUTHERN GREAT
BASIN AND THE EASTERN MOJAVE DESERT TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY AS A
VERY COLD AIR MASS FROM CANADA DROPS DOWN THROUGH UTAH INTO
ARIZONA. THE STRONGEST WINDS WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR GUSTS TO
AROUND 60 MPH WILL BE OVER SOUTHEAST NEVADA...THE COLORADO RIVER
VALLEY AND EASTERN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY IN CALIFORNIA.

AZZ002-036-CAZ524-526-527-NVZ016-020>022-010600-
/O.EXT.KVEF.HW.A.0001.110201T1700Z-110203T0200Z/
LAKE HAVASU AND FORT MOHAVE-LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA-
EASTERN MOJAVE DESERT-CADIZ BASIN-SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY-
UPPER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY-NORTHEAST CLARK COUNTY-LAS VEGAS VALLEY-
SOUTHERN CLARK COUNTY-
INCLUDING...LAKE HAVASU...DESERT HILLS...TOPOCK...
BULLHEAD CITY...MOHAVE VALLEY...BAKER...MOUNTAIN PASS...
MITCHELL CAVERNS...VIDAL JUNCTION...NEEDLES...MESQUITE...OVERTON...
MOAPA...LAS VEGAS...NORTH LAS VEGAS...HENDERSON...BOULDER CITY...
SUMMERLIN...NELLIS...MOUNTAINS EDGE...SEVEN HILLS...BLUE DIAMOND...
HOOVER DAM...LAUGHLIN...PRIMM...SEARCHLIGHT...CAL-NEV-ARI
158 PM PST MON JAN 31 2011 /258 PM MST MON JAN 31 2011/

...HIGH WIND WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...

THE HIGH WIND WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

* WINDS: NORTH WINDS GUSTING TO AROUND 60 MPH ARE POSSIBLE AS A
STRONG COLD FRONT PUSHES DOWN THROUGH THE AREA. SUSTAINED SPEEDS
OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS BETWEEN 45 AND 55 MPH WILL BE COMMON
ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA.

* TIMING: WINDS WILL INCREASE TUESDAY MORNING WITH THE STRONGEST
WINDS EXPECTED TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. THERE MAY BE SOME
DECREASE IN WIND SPEEDS TUESDAY NIGHT BUT THEN INCREASE AGAIN
WEDNESDAY WITH THE STRONGEST WINDS EXPECTED ALONG THE COLORADO
RIVER VALLEY. WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO DECREASE ACROSS THE AREA BY
LATE WEDNESDAY.

* LOCATIONS: BULLHEAD CITY...MOHAVE VALLEY...PRIMM...
SEARCHLIGHT...CAL-NEV-ARI...LAS VEGAS...NORTH LAS VEGAS...
HENDERSON...BOULDER CITY...SUMMERLIN...NELLIS... MOUNTAINS
EDGE...SEVEN HILLS...BLUE DIAMOND...HOOVER DAM... LAUGHLIN...
NEEDLES...VIDAL JUNCTION...BAKER... MOUNTAIN PASS...MITCHELL
CAVERNS...LAKE HAVASU... DESERT HILLS...TOPOCK...MESQUITE...
OVERTON...MOAPA

* IMPACTS: IF THESE WINDS DEVELOP...ACTIONS WILL NEED TO BE
TAKEN TO SECURE TRASH CANS AND OTHER LOOSE OR LIGHTWEIGHT
OUTDOOR OBJECTS. MOTORISTS WILL NEED TO DRIVE WITH ADDED
CAUTION DUE TO THE STRONG CROSS WINDS.

STRONG WINDS IN EXCESS OF 30 MPH WILL CREATE DANGEROUS BOATING
CONDITIONS ON AREA LAKES AND MAY CREATE VERY CHOPPY WATERS AND
GENERATE LARGE WAVES WHICH COULD CAPSIZE OR SWAMP SMALL CRAFT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WATCH MEANS THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A HAZARDOUS HIGH
WIND EVENT. SUSTAINED WINDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH AND...OR GUSTS OF
58 MPH OR STRONGER MAY OCCUR IN THE WATCH AREA. CONTINUE TO MONITOR
FORECASTS FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.

Source: http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=sgx&wwa=high%20wind%20watch

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Re: [Geology2] Dinosaurs Survived Mass Extinction by 700,000 Years



Kim,

I think you're absolutely right in your thinking...

Lin

On Mon, Jan 31, 2011 at 11:05 PM, Kim Noyes <kimnoyes@gmail.com> wrote:
 

I suspect this is a dating problem, not a question of the animal surviving the extinction event by a geologically brief time period.

The impactor was actually probably two or three impactors at once striking different parts of the world nearly simultaneously. The Chixculub impactor came in over the South Atlantic from southeast to northwest and upon explosively burying itself in a shallow sea sent a fireball rolling up over the horizon to the northwest and enveloping what is now New Mexico leaving nothing to eat even for buried and protected eggs hatching right after the event not to mention the nuclear winter and acid rain that followed.

I don't doubt that some dinos survived the event initially in small pockets in scattered parts of the planet but they obviously did not thrive for millions of years thereafter but at best held on for a geologically brief time if that.

Kimmer



On Mon, Jan 31, 2011 at 8:50 PM, Lin Kerns <linkerns@gmail.com> wrote:
 


U of A researcher Larry Heaman with the actual fossil that now throws into questions the KT paradigm. He is sitting in front the laser ablation machine. (Credit: Image courtesy of University of Alberta)

Dinosaurs Survived Mass Extinction by 700,000 Years, Fossil Find Suggests

ScienceDaily (Jan. 28, 2011) — University of Alberta researchers determined that a fossilized dinosaur bone found in New Mexico confounds the long established paradigm that the age of dinosaurs ended between 65.5 and 66 million years ago.

The U of A team, led by Larry Heaman from the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, determined the femur bone of a hadrosaur as being only 64.8 million years old. That means this particular plant eater was alive about 700,000 years after the mass extinction event many paleontologists believe wiped all non-avian dinosaurs off the face of earth, forever.

Heaman and colleagues used a new direct-dating method called U-Pb (uranium-lead) dating. A laser beam unseats minute particles of the fossil, which then undergo isotopic analysis. This new technique not only allows the age of fossil bone to be determined but potentially can distinguish the type of food a dinosaur eats. Living bone contains very low levels of uranium but during fossilization (typically less than 1000 years after death) bone is enriched in elements like uranium. The uranium atoms in bone decay spontaneously to lead over time and once fossilization is complete the uranium-lead clock starts ticking. The isotopic composition of lead determined in the hadrosaur's femur bone is therefore a measure of its absolute age.

Currently, paleontologists date dinosaur fossils using a technique called relative chronology. Where possible, a fossil's age is estimated relative to the known depositional age of a layer of sediment in which it was found or constrained by the known depositional ages of layers above and below the fossil-bearing horizon. However, obtaining accurate depositional ages for sedimentary rocks is very difficult and as a consequence the depositional age of most fossil horizons is poorly constrained. A potential weakness for the relative chronology approach is that over millions of years geologic and environmental forces may cause erosion of a fossil-bearing horizon and therefore a fossil can drift or migrate from its original layer in the strata. The researchers say their direct-dating method precludes the reworking process.

It's widely believed that a mass extinction of the dinosaurs happened between 65.5 and 66 million years ago. It's commonly believed debris from a giant meteorite impact blocked out the Sun, causing extreme climate conditions and killing vegetation worldwide.

Heaman and his research colleagues say there could be several reasons why the New Mexico hadrosaur came from a line of dinosaurs that survived the great mass extinction events of the late Cretaceous period (KT extinction event). Heaman says it's possible that in some areas the vegetation wasn't wiped out and a number of the hadrosaur species survived. The researchers also say the potential survival of dinosaur eggs during extreme climatic conditions needs to be explored.

Heaman and his colleagues believe if their new uranium-lead dating technique bears out on more fossil samples then the KT extinction paradigm and the end of the dinosaurs will have to be revised.

The research was published online, January 26, in the journal, Geology.

Story Source:
The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by University of Alberta, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Journal Reference:

  1. J. E. Fassett, L. M. Heaman, A. Simonetti. Direct U-Pb dating of Cretaceous and Paleocene dinosaur bones, San Juan Basin, New Mexico. Geology, 2011; 39 (2): 159 DOI: 10.1130/G31466.1

University of Alberta. "Dinosaurs survived mass extinction by 700,000 years, fossil find suggests." ScienceDaily 28 January 2011. 31 January 2011 <http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2011/01/110127141707.htm>.

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[Geology2] Japan volcano erupts with big blast of ash, rocks



Japan volcano erupts with big blast of ash, rocks

TOKYO (AP) — A revived volcano in southern Japan erupted Tuesday with its biggest explosion yet, shooting out a huge plume of gas, boulders and ash and breaking windows 5 miles (8 kilometers) away.

The danger zone around Shinmoedake volcano was widened to keep residents safe. The largest eruption since it burst back to life last week covered wide areas in ash, shot boulders onto distant roads, knocked down trees and broke hundreds of windows in hotels and offices.

No serious injuries have been reported since the initial eruption last Wednesday, but public broadcaster NHK said a woman suffered cuts from shattered glass in Tuesday's blast.

NHK said the eruption was five times larger than the initial activity last week, which was Shinmoedake's first major eruption in 52 years.

Japan's Meteorological Agency has restricted access to the mountain, and on Tuesday broadened the no-go zone to anywhere within a 2 1/2-mile (four-kilometer) radius of the crater. Two lodges and scattered homes are within the perimeter.

Dozens of domestic flights in and out of Miyazaki — about 590 miles (950 kilometers) southwest of Tokyo — were grounded last week and more cancellations followed. Train service was temporarily suspended in the area and many schools closed.

The local government also reported damages to crops.

Officials in the town of Takaharu have urged about 1,100 residents who live near the volcano to go to evacuation centers because of the danger of debris, ash and landslides. The warning was not mandatory, however, and some residents were returning to their homes.

Experts said a dome of lava was growing larger inside the 4,662-foot (1,421-meter) volcano's crater, but it was not certain whether the dome would grow enough to spill over the rim and create large flows down the volcano's sides.

Avalanches of superheated gas, ash and rock have already been observed.

The Japanese islands, part of the seismically active Pacific "Ring of Fire," are volcanic in origin and dozens of volcanos still are active. In 1991, 43 people died in the eruption of Mount Unzen, also on Kyushu island.

Click this source link to see pictures--be sure to click on them as they're very large!

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Re: [Geology2] Dinosaurs Survived Mass Extinction by 700,000 Years



I suspect this is a dating problem, not a question of the animal surviving the extinction event by a geologically brief time period.

The impactor was actually probably two or three impactors at once striking different parts of the world nearly simultaneously. The Chixculub impactor came in over the South Atlantic from southeast to northwest and upon explosively burying itself in a shallow sea sent a fireball rolling up over the horizon to the northwest and enveloping what is now New Mexico leaving nothing to eat even for buried and protected eggs hatching right after the event not to mention the nuclear winter and acid rain that followed.

I don't doubt that some dinos survived the event initially in small pockets in scattered parts of the planet but they obviously did not thrive for millions of years thereafter but at best held on for a geologically brief time if that.

Kimmer

On Mon, Jan 31, 2011 at 8:50 PM, Lin Kerns <linkerns@gmail.com> wrote:
 


U of A researcher Larry Heaman with the actual fossil that now throws into questions the KT paradigm. He is sitting in front the laser ablation machine. (Credit: Image courtesy of University of Alberta)

Dinosaurs Survived Mass Extinction by 700,000 Years, Fossil Find Suggests

ScienceDaily (Jan. 28, 2011) — University of Alberta researchers determined that a fossilized dinosaur bone found in New Mexico confounds the long established paradigm that the age of dinosaurs ended between 65.5 and 66 million years ago.

The U of A team, led by Larry Heaman from the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, determined the femur bone of a hadrosaur as being only 64.8 million years old. That means this particular plant eater was alive about 700,000 years after the mass extinction event many paleontologists believe wiped all non-avian dinosaurs off the face of earth, forever.

Heaman and colleagues used a new direct-dating method called U-Pb (uranium-lead) dating. A laser beam unseats minute particles of the fossil, which then undergo isotopic analysis. This new technique not only allows the age of fossil bone to be determined but potentially can distinguish the type of food a dinosaur eats. Living bone contains very low levels of uranium but during fossilization (typically less than 1000 years after death) bone is enriched in elements like uranium. The uranium atoms in bone decay spontaneously to lead over time and once fossilization is complete the uranium-lead clock starts ticking. The isotopic composition of lead determined in the hadrosaur's femur bone is therefore a measure of its absolute age.

Currently, paleontologists date dinosaur fossils using a technique called relative chronology. Where possible, a fossil's age is estimated relative to the known depositional age of a layer of sediment in which it was found or constrained by the known depositional ages of layers above and below the fossil-bearing horizon. However, obtaining accurate depositional ages for sedimentary rocks is very difficult and as a consequence the depositional age of most fossil horizons is poorly constrained. A potential weakness for the relative chronology approach is that over millions of years geologic and environmental forces may cause erosion of a fossil-bearing horizon and therefore a fossil can drift or migrate from its original layer in the strata. The researchers say their direct-dating method precludes the reworking process.

It's widely believed that a mass extinction of the dinosaurs happened between 65.5 and 66 million years ago. It's commonly believed debris from a giant meteorite impact blocked out the Sun, causing extreme climate conditions and killing vegetation worldwide.

Heaman and his research colleagues say there could be several reasons why the New Mexico hadrosaur came from a line of dinosaurs that survived the great mass extinction events of the late Cretaceous period (KT extinction event). Heaman says it's possible that in some areas the vegetation wasn't wiped out and a number of the hadrosaur species survived. The researchers also say the potential survival of dinosaur eggs during extreme climatic conditions needs to be explored.

Heaman and his colleagues believe if their new uranium-lead dating technique bears out on more fossil samples then the KT extinction paradigm and the end of the dinosaurs will have to be revised.

The research was published online, January 26, in the journal, Geology.

Story Source:
The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by University of Alberta, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Journal Reference:

  1. J. E. Fassett, L. M. Heaman, A. Simonetti. Direct U-Pb dating of Cretaceous and Paleocene dinosaur bones, San Juan Basin, New Mexico. Geology, 2011; 39 (2): 159 DOI: 10.1130/G31466.1

University of Alberta. "Dinosaurs survived mass extinction by 700,000 years, fossil find suggests." ScienceDaily 28 January 2011. 31 January 2011 <http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2011/01/110127141707.htm>.

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[Geology2] Dinosaurs Survived Mass Extinction by 700,000 Years




U of A researcher Larry Heaman with the actual fossil that now throws into questions the KT paradigm. He is sitting in front the laser ablation machine. (Credit: Image courtesy of University of Alberta)

Dinosaurs Survived Mass Extinction by 700,000 Years, Fossil Find Suggests

ScienceDaily (Jan. 28, 2011) — University of Alberta researchers determined that a fossilized dinosaur bone found in New Mexico confounds the long established paradigm that the age of dinosaurs ended between 65.5 and 66 million years ago.

The U of A team, led by Larry Heaman from the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, determined the femur bone of a hadrosaur as being only 64.8 million years old. That means this particular plant eater was alive about 700,000 years after the mass extinction event many paleontologists believe wiped all non-avian dinosaurs off the face of earth, forever.

Heaman and colleagues used a new direct-dating method called U-Pb (uranium-lead) dating. A laser beam unseats minute particles of the fossil, which then undergo isotopic analysis. This new technique not only allows the age of fossil bone to be determined but potentially can distinguish the type of food a dinosaur eats. Living bone contains very low levels of uranium but during fossilization (typically less than 1000 years after death) bone is enriched in elements like uranium. The uranium atoms in bone decay spontaneously to lead over time and once fossilization is complete the uranium-lead clock starts ticking. The isotopic composition of lead determined in the hadrosaur's femur bone is therefore a measure of its absolute age.

Currently, paleontologists date dinosaur fossils using a technique called relative chronology. Where possible, a fossil's age is estimated relative to the known depositional age of a layer of sediment in which it was found or constrained by the known depositional ages of layers above and below the fossil-bearing horizon. However, obtaining accurate depositional ages for sedimentary rocks is very difficult and as a consequence the depositional age of most fossil horizons is poorly constrained. A potential weakness for the relative chronology approach is that over millions of years geologic and environmental forces may cause erosion of a fossil-bearing horizon and therefore a fossil can drift or migrate from its original layer in the strata. The researchers say their direct-dating method precludes the reworking process.

It's widely believed that a mass extinction of the dinosaurs happened between 65.5 and 66 million years ago. It's commonly believed debris from a giant meteorite impact blocked out the Sun, causing extreme climate conditions and killing vegetation worldwide.

Heaman and his research colleagues say there could be several reasons why the New Mexico hadrosaur came from a line of dinosaurs that survived the great mass extinction events of the late Cretaceous period (KT extinction event). Heaman says it's possible that in some areas the vegetation wasn't wiped out and a number of the hadrosaur species survived. The researchers also say the potential survival of dinosaur eggs during extreme climatic conditions needs to be explored.

Heaman and his colleagues believe if their new uranium-lead dating technique bears out on more fossil samples then the KT extinction paradigm and the end of the dinosaurs will have to be revised.

The research was published online, January 26, in the journal, Geology.

Story Source:
The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by University of Alberta, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Journal Reference:

  1. J. E. Fassett, L. M. Heaman, A. Simonetti. Direct U-Pb dating of Cretaceous and Paleocene dinosaur bones, San Juan Basin, New Mexico. Geology, 2011; 39 (2): 159 DOI: 10.1130/G31466.1

University of Alberta. "Dinosaurs survived mass extinction by 700,000 years, fossil find suggests." ScienceDaily 28 January 2011. 31 January 2011 <http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2011/01/110127141707.htm>.

--
Got Penguins? 

Penguin News Today
The Science of Penguins
The Gentoos are back! Come see them on live cam at:
Gentoo Penguins of Gars O'Higgins Station, Antarctica

 



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