Rare Snowstorms in Italy

Posted on February 3, 2012 by marcia

Italy slammed with snowstorm, dual snow systems forecast for the region

Published on February 1, 2012 – 5:30 pm PT
– By TWS Staff Reporter
– Edited by Staff Editor

“Italy is seeing some rare, but deadly freeze and snowfall conditions,” said Martin. “After this storm, expect another Friday and Saturday, with continued snowfall and arctic freeze conditions through at least the next week.”(TheWeatherSpace.com) – Italy was hit by a snowstorm on Wednesday and another one is on the way as Europe continues to freeze.

TheWeatherSpace.com Senior Meteorologist Kevin Martin predicted Italy would see snow back at the beginning part of the week (article here). So far those predictions are coming true and he predicts yet another storm system.
So far the freezing temperatures across Europe have claimed the lives of 80 people. With another week left, the number would sure to climb as the arctic freeze grips the continent.

from: http://www.theweatherspace.com/news/TWS-2112-italy-snow-storm-europe.html

And from Rome:

Rare Rome snowstorm closes Colosseum

Fri Feb 3, 2012 1:37pm GMT

Tourists protect themselves with umbrellas from the falling snow in front of Rome's ancient Colosseum February 3, 2012. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

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ROME (Reuters) – Heavy snow fell in central Rome Friday, giving tourists a rare sight of whitened landmarks such as Saint Peter’s Square and the Trevi Fountain, while the Colosseum and the Roman Forum were closed due to the icy conditions.

In the heaviest snowfalls in the Italian capital since the 1980s, around 40 cm of snow had settled in the northern outskirts of the city by midday. It is forecast to intensify throughout the day and overnight, before easing off Saturday.

Mayor Gianni Alemanno instructed schools to remain open on Friday and Saturday but not to hold any lessons in order that children unable to attend did not fall behind. He said Friday only 5 percent of children had gone to school.

The unaccustomed snow caused traffic jams around the ancient city.

Heavy snow has fallen over much of Italy this week causing severe disruption to train and road transport, especially in the mountainous regions of Piedmont, Emilia Romagna, Tuscany and Umbria.

Wednesday passengers were stuck for seven hours in the countryside on a train that was to have gone from Bologna in the north to Taranto in the south after the electrical wires froze over.

(Reporting By Gavin Jones)

from: http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE8120UD20120203

Northern Italy — Series of Earthquakes

Posted on January 25, 2012 by marcia

2 moderate earthquakes are shaking Northern Italy – slight damage in Parma reported

January 25, 2012 By Armand Vervaeck and James Daniell

Earthquake overview : A moderate but shallow and thus moderately dangerous earthquake occurred only 13 km from Parma, Italy.

Minor damage (fallen stones, objects etc)

Update 13:39 UTC : This experience report just arrived in our website, it gives a good description of what happened when the earthquake occurred :

We were at school, everything normal until I felt a light shake. I was the first in class to feel it So I backed up my chair but felt nothing anymore, then, a few seconds later (10 seconds) there was a bigger one and everyone immediately went under their desk. Then the teacher cried; ‘no time for that! Get out quick!’ so we got out and went to hallways. Shortly after, there was the alarm therefore everybody quickly went down the stairs to go outside. There were little 4-year-old girls crying and policemen going in the building. We stayed there for 1hour+ until parents came to get us.
ER comment : This teacher should know that what he ordered could make victims. The first pupils action was by far the best (look for cover under desks when the shaking starts). More people are being killed by falling objects than bu collapsed houses. Only evacuate when the shaking stops. This is an advice of almost all of the Preparedness Agencies in the world.

Update 10:43 UTC : INGV, the Italian local seismological service has reported a magnitude of 4.9. The earthquakes epicenter was located in the valley of the River Po, one of the Italian main rivers. As far as we could follow up the present reporting NO signs yet of any serious damage or injuries although it is too soon to make a final balance.

Update : Max. reported shaking at USGS is a V to VI MMI (moderate to strong shaking). Minor injuries from falling objects like tiles, stones etc cannot be excluded.

Update : experience report just in from Parma says : it lasted about 30-40 seconds. strong shaking. things falling off of shelves and walls. pictures broken.

Update : schools in and around Parma have been evacuated

Update : The actual epicenter of this earthquake has been located near the villages of Lentigione, Corte Godi and Enzano.

Update : local reports are mentioning some collapsed chimneys and a lot of panic in the streets of Parm. Also reports of rubble in the streets of Parma

For aftershocks click here and refresh the page regularly

A first weaker 4.1 magnitude earthquake shook Northern Italy at 00:54 local time. It was experienced by a lot of people as a light to weak shaking. The epicenter of this earthquake was close to Verona.

Most important Earthquake Data:
Magnitude : 5.1
UTC Time : Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 08:06:35 UTC
Local time at epicenter : Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 09:06:35 AM at epicenter
Depth (Hypocenter) : 10.2 km
Geo-location(s) :
13 km (8 miles) NE of Parma, Italy
75 km (46 miles) SSW of Verona, Italy

Mt. Etna’s First 2012 Eruption

Posted on January 5, 2012 by marcia

Mount Etna Erupts (VIDEO)

First Posted: 1/5/12 12:01 PM ET Updated: 1/5/12 12:03 PM ET

Europe’s tallest active volcano Mount Etna erupted for the first time this year.

On Wednesday night, the volcano released a column of ash, and lava was seen running down its eastern flank. The volcano is located on the island of Sicily.

According to Reuters, the eruption caused no damages or air traffic disruptions.

Check out the link below for some ectacular footage from the eruption.

from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/05/mount-etna-erupts_n_1186391.html

Mt. Etna Erupts Again

Posted on August 1, 2011 by marcia

SPECTACULAR ERUPTIONS AT ITALY’S ETNA

Erik Klemetti on July 31, 2011, 9:47 PM

A brief summary:

Etna has experienced a number of eruptive episodes over the last 2 weeks – paroxysms as they are called by Dr. Boris Behncke. Some were quite small, while others have been downright amazing, with towering (upwards of 350-m tall) fire fountains from the Southeast Crater of the volcano. Others have produced lava flows on the volcano and ash fall as well. This activity brings the grand total of episodes that Etna has experienced this year to 8, making 2011 quite an active year for the Sicilian volcano.

The latest eruptive episode started on July 30. You can check out some video from the eruption (courtesy of Dr. Behncke) that shows just how impressive this latest activity is – producing fire fountains upwards of 500 meters (half a kilometers) and a large lava flow that is flowing down the flanks of the volcano (see above). The sound from the eruption is like a jet engine, proving just how much force is behind the lava as it erupts from the vent.

to read more, go to: http://bigthink.com/ideas/39538

Weak Italian Earthquake

Posted on July 24, 2011 by marcia

Quake Flash report : Weak earthquake very well felt in Latina and Rome, Italy

Last update: July 23, 2011 at 6:20 pm by By Armand Vervaeck and James Daniell

Weak but very shallow earthquake. Based on the many Italian people visiting our site, the earthquake has been well felt as strong in the greater epicenter area. This earthquake has also been felt in Rome, approx. 60 km from the epicenter.

to read more, go to:

North Italian Earthquake

Posted on July 18, 2011 by marcia

Ferrara (Italy) earthquake July 17 : minor damage reported

Last update: July 18, 2011 at 2:52 pm by By Armand Vervaeck and James Daniell

Earthquake Overview : At 20:30 Italian time, a moderate shallow earthquake shook fiercely the Ferrara area, sending people out of their houses in fear of aftershocks. The very populated area had a fresh memory of the destructive l’Aquila earthquake where on April 6 2009; 308 people were killed. @ Earthquake-Report.com we are always alerted if a magnitude 5 earthquake hits a Mediterranean country, including Italy.
To read the full story as it happened, we advise our readers to start at the bottom of the page (earthquake data).

Intensity Map courtesy INGV

UPDATE : In Poggio Rusco, the bell tower of the church was damaged. Other reports talk of some collapsed chimneys.
The railway line from Venice to Emilia Romagna was stopped for about 2 hours to allow Railway personnel to inspect the lines. No damage was found.

Mt. Etna Eruption Sped Up Time

Posted on July 13, 2011 by marcia

Mt. Etna eruption put clocks in the local area forward by 15 minutes

Published on July 12, 2011 10:10 pm PT
– By Jim Duran – Writer
– Article Editor and Approved – Warren Miller

No larger image

(TheWeatherSpace.com) — Mt. Etna erupted this week. The volcano is to blame for speeding clocks up by 15 minutes.

People turned up for work early and noticed that their clocks were 15 minutes fast. The volcano stopped flights at Catania’s Fontanarossa airport.

The clock thing is a mystery to some, saying aliens, ghosts, or other events of the supernatural caused it. However, our lead scientist says other wise.

“Since only digital clocks seemed to be affected, then one must consider the fact that digital clocks (like any other clock) do not measure time, but rather measure an event, such as the vibration of a cessium atom, and relate it to the passage of time,” said Senior Meteorologist Kevin Martin.

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