New study reveals insights into Yellowstone Volcanic System’s Hidden Magma Reservoirs
HILO, Hawaii — Researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey and Oregon State University examined the area beneath Yellowstone Volcanic system finding that although an eruption is unlikely anywhere in the area, changes to the northeast area of the volcanic system will be the key to understanding future eruptions. Scientists at USGS mapped underground areas containing magma in this volcanic system. Understanding where magma is located is essential for predicting volcanic activity and keeping the public informed about potential risks. This study gave a clear picture of how magma is distributed through the crust at Yellowstone using a method that is most sensitive
Damaged Wells, Furnaces, Private Roads and Bridges, and Septic Systems May Be Covered by FEMA
Damaged Wells, Furnaces, Private Roads and Bridges, and Septic Systems May Be Covered by FEMA CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Homeowners typically apply for disaster assistance for structural damages to their property, such as roofs or floors. But other parts of a residence or private property, not covered by insurance, can also be repaired or replaced under FEMA programs. Damages to your furnace, septic system, private road and/or bridge, or your private well may also be covered by financial assistance from FEMA. Residents of Mercer County, whose primary residences were damaged by the Sept. 25-27, 2024, remnants of Tropical Storm Helene may be
Rising Seas and Stronger Storms Threaten Barrier Island Systems
As sea levels rise and storms intensify, these narrow stretches of sand and vegetation that buffer coastlines will be exposed to more frequent and severe flooding, erosion, and water table changes. The study’s findings , focusing on Cape Lookout, project that with a sea-level rise (SLR) of just 0.5 meters, nearly half of the current land area of the islands will flood daily, with the impact worsening during storms. Even a moderate one-year storm could flood up to 74% of the barrier island area, while more powerful storms with a 20-year return interval could submerge more than 85% of the
Some NOAA NCEI websites, systems down due to Helene devastation in Asheville, NC
Updated 2:45 p.m. EDT, 10/04/24 The devastation that Hurricane Helene caused in Asheville, NC, and surrounding areas has significantly impacted operations at NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI, www.ncei.noaa.gov). A number of NCEI’s websites and systems are down, and at present, NOAA does not have a timeline for when they will be fully back up and running again. Work to restore affected sites and systems is underway. Some data products used by other websites, such as Climate.gov and Drought.gov, are also being affected. (Please note: NOAA’s weather.gov and weather forecasting products are not affected by this partial outage.) All
Separating the land from the sea: image segmentation in support of coastal hazards research and community early warning systems
Total water level (TWL) at the shoreline is the key metric for assessing coastal flooding and erosion. Predictions of TWL are necessary for long-term coastal planning and early warning systems including the USGS/NOAA Total Water Level and Coastal Change Forecast (TWL&CC). However, TWL is both difficult to predict and difficult to measure. Various TWL measurement techniques including cross-shore arrays of pressure sensors and wire gauges have been used in the past, but these techniques are costly, time consuming and unlikely to be scaled up to a national scale such as would be required for a comprehensive validation of the USGS
FEMA Provides $1.9 to Allina Health Systems
FEMA Provides $1.9 to Allina Health Systems CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Minnesota Department of Safety Homeland Security and Emergency Management division (DPS-HSEM) announced today that $1,906,728 in federal funding has been made available to Allina Health System for costs related to the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic under the federal disaster declaration of April 7, 2020. This funding will reimburse Allina Health System for costs to purchase and distribute personal protective equipment, ventilators and medical supplies to eliminate the immediate threat to life, public health and safety during
Over $10.8 Million in FEMA Funds Revitalize Potable Water Systems in Rural Communities
Over $10.8 Million in FEMA Funds Revitalize Potable Water Systems in Rural Communities One of the projects considers the construction of a potable water distribution network and meters in the Villa Esperanza community of Toa Alta. Villa Esperanza is a vulnerable community that was severely damaged by Hurricane María. “The needs for essential services vary in all communities and our commitment is to contribute to a reconstruction that addresses them. In the case of Villa Esperanza, the agency allocated funds for a renovated stormwater system that will help improve the quality of life and health of its residents,” said Federal