By Steve Newman - January 1, 1999 - Click on any icon 

	High Temperature Extreme
	Low Temperature Extreme
	From the Ashes
	Indian Wildlife Threat
	Patagonian Blazes
	Ecuadoran Eruption
	Tropical Cyclones
	Atlantic Tempests
	Stool Pigeons

High Temperature Extreme
Cuiaba, Brazil: 112 degrees Fahrenheit

(top)

Low Temperature Extreme
Siovalik, Greenland: -69 degrees Fahrenheit

(top)

From the Ashes
A threatened species of the Hawksbill turtle has been discovered living on Australia’s Monte Bello islands, a site used by the British for nuclear testing 45 years ago.

The Australian Associated Press reported that marine environmentalist Kellie Pendoley discovered Hawksbill in nests near the rubble left by the atmospheric testing on Trimouille in 1952. Western Australia’s Department of Conservation and Land Management is attempting to bring native species threatened on the Australian mainland to the contaminated islands. Officials restrict visits to the Monte Bello islands, and limit time there to only one hour per visit due to lingering radiation.

(top)

Indian Wildlife
Threat Large numbers of birds, including eagles and buzzards, are being electrocuted as they come into contact with power lines being stretched across India’s Thar Desert in Rajasthan State.

Harsh Vardhan, secretary of the Rajasthan chapter of the Worldwide Fund for Nature, told reporters that "this upsets the life span of these hunter species, which are already reeling under human activities like use of pesticides, insecticides and chemical fertilizers." It was in Pokhran, in the Thar Desert, that India conducted five underground nuclear tests during May.

(top)

Patagonian Blazes
A forest fire raged for four days and charred more than 3,000 acres in Argentina’s Patagonia region.

The blaze devastated forests and pastures in the province of Chubut, located about 800 miles southwest of Buenos Aires. Strong winds had stifled efforts to fight the flames, but showers over the weekend broke one of the driest spells the region has seen in more than 50 years.

(top)

Ecuadoran Eruption
The Guagua Pichincha Volcano, located just six miles from the Ecuadorian capital of Quito, spewed explosive spurts of vapor and ash during four days of renewed activity.

Vulcanologists predict the mountain could erupt violently at any time. A yellow alert has been in effect since October 1 for Guagua Pichincha and will remain in effect until the mountain shows definite signs of quieting down.

(top)

Earthquakes
A moderate earthquake rattled the Peruvian capital of Lima, shaking buildings and causing office towers to sway.

Earth movements were also felt in eastern Cuba, Baja California, the central coast of California, northern and southern Iran, western and northern Indonesia, eastern Romania, the southern Philippines and New Zealand’s North Island.

(top)

Tropical Cyclones
Tropical cyclone Cora battered the South Pacific island nation of Tonga, causing extensive damage to crops and buildings.

Six people were also feared drowned when their fishing boat went missing in high seas during the height of the storm. Cora lashed the main island of Tongatapu with winds up to 100 mph.

Cyclone Cathy formed briefly in the waters of the eastern Indian Ocean, threatening only shipping lanes.

(top)

Atlantic Tempests
A series of devastating storms struck Britain and Ireland, leaving at least four people dead in their wake.

The most powerful tempest packed hurricane-force winds of up to 100 mph and knocked out power to 70,000 people. Public transportation was disrupted across a wide area. Police issued urgent appeals for motorists not to travel, as many roads were blocked by fallen trees. It was the worst storm to strike the British Isles since hurricane Debbie in 1961.

(top)

Stool Pigeons
Iranians who keep pigeons as pets could face prison terms in the northeastern city of Mashhad, where an overpopulation of the birds has become a pest problem.

Police in the city, an important Shiite pilgrimage center, say they will begin cracking down on the excessive enthusiasm for pigeons. Authorities have seized more than 2,700 pigeons across the city in recent days. Anyone found in possession of pigeons, or letting them fly, will face between six months and three years in prison. A hotline has also been established for residents wishing to inform on their pigeon-loving neighbors.

(top)

Additional Sources: Japan Meteorological Agency, U.S. Climate Analysis Center, U.S. Earthquake Information Center and the World Meteorological Organization.