Free Republic

NASA-JPL A large mass of colder-than-normal water across the equatorial Pacific, shown Dec. 7, 2017 in this satellite image, is a classic sign of La Niña conditions, scientists say, which historically have increased the likelihood of dry winters in California. Californians are beginning to wonder: Is the state heading back into a drought? While experts say it’s still too early in the winter rainy season to say for sure, the evidence is accumulating, and the rain is definitely not. La Niña conditions in the Pacific Ocean — the cooling of ocean waters near the equator that have historically increased the...

Nevada del Huila erupted mildly a few days ago; but a mild eruption is enough to melt glaciers on the summit and trigger lahars, as happened tragically to Armero, Colombia in 1985. This time there were warnings and the warnings were heeded. Still a mess indicative of the powers of nature: Nevado del Huila is just another Andean Peak reminiscent of Rainier, so there aren't a lot of pictures of it; the one below is pretty good.

I don't know if anyone heard about this -- if you follow the news you might have. A natural dam holding back a naturally-dammed lake broke last week on New Zealand's foremost volcano, Mount Ruapehu, causing an impressive lahar, which since it went right down a lahar channel, really didn't cause any harm. (Unlike in 1953 -- read the linked article.) But it was very big. I couldn't find any good pictures of it last week, but NASA provided the shot from space below, and I found a ground-level shot. The Weather Channel's "It Could Happen Tomorrow" has been criticized...

Satellite images from May 2006 until Feb 2007 showing the extent of the continuing mud flow in Indonesia. http://www.crisp.nus.edu.sg/coverages/mudflow/index.html Sobering problem: The overflow is very close to their largest city, and shows no sign of stopping. Has already cut one large gas pipeline, hundreds of smaller water and electric lines, and is undermining the main expressway in and out of the city in that direction. Obviously, the homes and businesses under the mud are destroyed: But those nearby are no safer.