A continental rift usually takes millions of years to form but one has developed over seven weeks in the Afar region of northeastern Ethiopia.  Radar interferometry shows that the rift is forming into a rare axial rift zone which may become a future ocean basin. Some believe that this may be a sign that the Earth might crack [...]

China confirmed its seventh human infection — and third human death — from bird flu on Thursday, after officials revealed a 41-year old factory worker died from the disease over a week ago. The victim, a woman surnamed Zhou, died on December 21 and lived in Sanming City in eastern China’s Fujian province, the official [...]

BBC News has an excellent article on the progress made in developing and deploying a tsunami warning system in the Indian Ocean following the Boxing Day 2004 earthquake and tsunami which followed it. When the Indian Ocean tsunami struck, the only warning most people in the region had was the sight of a giant wave [...]

What 2006 could bring? Here are just some possibilities based on trends set in 2005: An earlier start to the hurricane season Earlier appearance of powerful hurricanes Later end to the hurricane season Increased threats to Europe/Africa from atlantic hurricanes More tornadoes Increased high rainfall/flooding/drought Increased risk from global pandemics Stay tuned to WorldwideDisasters.com for [...]

The virus currently causing bird flu in humans appears to be developing resistance to the only drug that can so far combat the infection. Oxford University researchers report two cases of patients in Vietnam who died after failing to respond to treatment with the drug Tamiflu. Details are published in the New England Journal of [...]