- SAWS
Thursday, 28 February 2013
Germiston quake 'likely' mining-related
Cape Town – The earthquake that shook Germiston and surrounding areas in the early hours of Wednesday morning was likely related to mining practices, according to a local seismology expert.
Michelle Grobbelaar, manager of the seismology unit at the Council for Geoscience, could not confirm with 100% certainty that it was mining-related, but said that it was “likely”.
“It is likely related to abandoned mines. In the past, with much mining activity, tremors occurred more regularly,” she told News24.
Grobbelaar described "water ingress" as a highly probable scenario where the natural water table fills up.
“When water comes into rocks it lubricates the joints causing fractures to slip thereby causing earthquakes,” she said.
According to Grobbelaar the public may be at risk if the ground movement affects buildings.
“In seismology, intensity scale depends on the quality or construction of the building... one can get destruction at a small magnitude,”she added.
Research is being carried out in an attempt to stabilise water movement.
At the surface level micro-zonation studies seeks to identify areas where damage would be the worst and thereafter informing disaster risk management efforts.
The public will be encouraged to complete an online questionnaire which will help seismologists get an accurate location of the earthquake’s epicentre.
The earthquake measured 3.4 on a local magnitude scale, which is equivalent to the Californian Richter scale.
- News24
Michelle Grobbelaar, manager of the seismology unit at the Council for Geoscience, could not confirm with 100% certainty that it was mining-related, but said that it was “likely”.
“It is likely related to abandoned mines. In the past, with much mining activity, tremors occurred more regularly,” she told News24.
Grobbelaar described "water ingress" as a highly probable scenario where the natural water table fills up.
“When water comes into rocks it lubricates the joints causing fractures to slip thereby causing earthquakes,” she said.
According to Grobbelaar the public may be at risk if the ground movement affects buildings.
“In seismology, intensity scale depends on the quality or construction of the building... one can get destruction at a small magnitude,”she added.
Research is being carried out in an attempt to stabilise water movement.
At the surface level micro-zonation studies seeks to identify areas where damage would be the worst and thereafter informing disaster risk management efforts.
The public will be encouraged to complete an online questionnaire which will help seismologists get an accurate location of the earthquake’s epicentre.
The earthquake measured 3.4 on a local magnitude scale, which is equivalent to the Californian Richter scale.
- News24
Thanks and Appreciation: Earthquake felt in parts of Gauteng (27 February 2013 00h31 SAST)
SAWDOS would like to thank each and everyone who send in reports of the earthquake felt in parts of Gauteng on the 27 February 2013. We received an overwhelming response with close to 200 reports. The information received will be analyzed and then archived for record purposes. As to date there are still no indication what caused the earthquake. Despite the lack of seismic information from Geoscience it is imperative that every tremor in South Africa must be reported.
SAWDOS would like to establish if there is any interest in the formation of the South African Public Seismic Network.
Suggestions and comments are most welcome and can be send to the SAWDIS by clicking HERE.
To all those who monitors Earthquakes in South Africa, keep up the good work and continue to inform SAWDOS of tremor events. Keep Safe!!
- SAWDOS
SAWDOS would like to establish if there is any interest in the formation of the South African Public Seismic Network.
Suggestions and comments are most welcome and can be send to the SAWDIS by clicking HERE.
To all those who monitors Earthquakes in South Africa, keep up the good work and continue to inform SAWDOS of tremor events. Keep Safe!!
- SAWDOS
GFS Medium Range Forecasts of Vertical Velocity and Precipitation: South Africa
- U.S. National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)
Another Snowstorm Strikes Western States
Following on the heels of another storm,
heavy snow fell on Colorado and neighboring states on February 24,
2013. On February 25, the Denver/Boulder Forecast Office of the National
Weather Service reported preliminary snow totals
from the area, including 27.2 inches (69.1 centimeters) west of Denver,
and blizzard conditions east of the city. Like the previous storm, this
one continued moving eastward.
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite acquired this image on February 25, 2013. In the wake of the storms, snow extended across Colorado and Wyoming, and covered parts of Utah, New Mexico, and Nebraska. Although clouds had cleared in the west, cloud cover lingered in southeastern Colorado, western Kansas, and the Oklahoma Panhandle. The day after MODIS acquired this image, a new round of snow moved into the region.
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite acquired this image on February 25, 2013. In the wake of the storms, snow extended across Colorado and Wyoming, and covered parts of Utah, New Mexico, and Nebraska. Although clouds had cleared in the west, cloud cover lingered in southeastern Colorado, western Kansas, and the Oklahoma Panhandle. The day after MODIS acquired this image, a new round of snow moved into the region.
References
- National Weather Service, Denver/Boulder, Colorado. (2013, February 25) Local storm report. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. February 26, 2013.
- Sagliani, A. (2013, February 26) Snowstorm clogs Missouri, Illinois highways. AccuWeather.com. Accessed February 26, 2013.
NASA image courtesy LANCE MODIS Rapid Response. Caption by Michon Scott.
- Instrument:
- Terra - MODIS
Sharp Line in the Clouds
On February 18, 2013, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this view of a thin layer of marine stratocumulus clouds off the coast of western Africa.
The air mass moving west pushed a wave of cool, dry air ahead of it, much like the bow wave of water that moves ahead of a boat in calm water. When that wave of air met the mass of moist air over the ocean, it pushed the moist air up. As that air rose, it cooled at the peak of the wave, forming a linear wave cloud. As the wave propagated forward, it rose to a slightly lower peak, and so on and so forth, until it eventually dissipated. The series of clouds that formed at the high-altitude peaks produced the rippling pattern seen in the clouds. This type of atmospheric disturbance is known as an undular bore. The air to the east of the bore is almost completely cloud-free because dry air would have eroded any clouds in that area.
The Cape Verde islands had their own noticeable effect on the clouds to the south. Air masses passing over the volcanic islands split into streams, then come back together—a process that creates off-centered areas of low pressure like whirlpools. These low-pressure areas produce thread-like swirls in the clouds downstream of the islands. These are known as Von Karman vortices. The cloud layer is fairly thin in this image, so the vortices are less distinct than they are in other satellite images of the phenomenon.
References
- CIMSS Satellite Blog (2011, April 27) Undular bore over the Gulf of Mexico. Accessed February 27, 2013.
- NASA GES DISC (n.d.) Science Focus: Von Karman Vortices. Accessed Feb. 22, 2013.
- NASA (2007, Oct. 11) Giant Atmospheric Waves Sighted Over Iowa. Accessed Feb. 22, 2013.
- Washington Post (2010, Nov. 9) The mystery of the von Karman vortex street. Accessed February 27, 2013.
NASA image by Jeff Schmaltz, LANCE/EOSDIS MODIS Rapid Response. Caption by Adam Voiland, with information from Scott Bachmeier.
- Instrument:
- Terra - MODIS - NASA
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Update: Earthquake felt in parts of Gauteng (27 February 2013 00h31 SAST)
Image: Google Maps
Henri Steppe: At what strength does a tremor become a quake?
SAWDOS - An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor) is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. Once measured on the Richter scale it is classified as and earthquake. The Richter magnitude scale (often shortened to Richter scale) was developed to assign a single number to quantify the energy released during an earthquake. Earthquakes descriptions are: Micro - Less than 2.0M, Minor - 2.0 to 3.9M, Light - 4.0 to 4.9M, Moderate - 5 - 5.0M, Strong - 6.0 - 6.9M, Major - 7.0 - 7.9M, Great - 8.0 - 9.9M and Massive - 10 or Over. Last night's earthquake is classified as Minor (2.9 to 3.9M)The earth tremor last night felt in parts of Gauteng measured 3.4M on the Richter scale. Having said that one never knows when the big one will strike.
SA Weather Satellite Image: 27 February 2013 15h00 SAST
- Eumetsat (Click on image for larger view.)
Request for information: Tremor Gauteng (27 February 2013)
SAWDOS request people that felt the tremor in the Gauteng area last night, to send information about the tremor to the SAWDOS.
The following information is needed. Please complete what you experienced and observed during the tremor.
1. Name:
2. Town or area:
3. Province:
4. Date of earthquake:
5. Time of earthquake:
6. If available, in which area was the earthquake felt:
7. Where were you when the earthquake occurred:
8. Did you feel any vibrations or shaking:
9. Did you hear anything and if so what did you hear:
10. Did any door or window rattle or anything else:
11. Were you indoors or outdoors at the time:
12. Was there any damage (If yes, please provide detail):
13. General Observations or comments:
14. Is this the first time you felt a tremor in the area:
Send information to the SAWDIS by clicking HERE.
Please do not stop reporting tremors or earthquakes as the SAWDIS is now your only free source of earthquake information based upon reports from the public. Keep those reports coming!!
The following information is needed. Please complete what you experienced and observed during the tremor.
1. Name:
2. Town or area:
3. Province:
4. Date of earthquake:
5. Time of earthquake:
6. If available, in which area was the earthquake felt:
7. Where were you when the earthquake occurred:
8. Did you feel any vibrations or shaking:
9. Did you hear anything and if so what did you hear:
10. Did any door or window rattle or anything else:
11. Were you indoors or outdoors at the time:
12. Was there any damage (If yes, please provide detail):
13. General Observations or comments:
14. Is this the first time you felt a tremor in the area:
Send information to the SAWDIS by clicking HERE.
Please do not stop reporting tremors or earthquakes as the SAWDIS is now your only free source of earthquake information based upon reports from the public. Keep those reports coming!!
Earthquake in Boksburg (Johannesburg), South Africa
South Africa has often weak to moderate earthquakes but we have a hard time to retrieve data from it. International agencies are not reporting the data but people are mentioning what they have felt in our site.
The site of http://www.geoscience.org.za/ is dead since a long time and even the proposed links are not working or are overdue too. A pity. A population should be informed swiftly about earthquakes.
- Earthquake Report
SAWDOS - Now this is what the SAWDOS has been talking about all along. No free information on earthquakes in South Africa. Rather working together Geoscience has opted to go the subscription route. Thanks to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), amateur sceismic observers and SAWDOS social media South Africans can still get earthquake information free of charge. This is really crazy but unfortunately the current situation in South Africa.
The site of http://www.geoscience.org.za/ is dead since a long time and even the proposed links are not working or are overdue too. A pity. A population should be informed swiftly about earthquakes.
- Earthquake Report
SAWDOS - Now this is what the SAWDOS has been talking about all along. No free information on earthquakes in South Africa. Rather working together Geoscience has opted to go the subscription route. Thanks to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), amateur sceismic observers and SAWDOS social media South Africans can still get earthquake information free of charge. This is really crazy but unfortunately the current situation in South Africa.
A big earthquake expected in South Africa?
Images: USGS (Click for larger view.)
Anonymous writes: I am just curious to know. I live in Witfield, Boksburg in Gauteng. Last night we experienced an earthquake that was really intense. This is the second one in two years. I have lived there all my life and have never felt them so strong, thus I can't believe that it's due to the mines in the area. It lasted for about 5 seconds and was so strong that I could see my house make like a wave almost. Just want to know if someone else felt it and what it measured on the Richter scale. Should we be concerned?
SAWDIS - There is no "Earthquake Proof" areas on Earth. Yes, there is always the possibility of a large and destructive earthquake in South Africa.
An earthquake is caused by fault lines releasing energy under the earth's surface. Fault lines are found in the boundaries of two or more tectonic plates.
South Africa, and the rest of Africa, sits inside the African Plate. The closest big fault lines to South Africa is created by the African Plate and Antarctic Plate which is far down in the Southern Ocean. We should take precautions and be ready when an earthquake strike and lets not forget about the threat of a Tsunami should a large earthquake occur in the Southern Ocean.
The Earth will move whether we like it or not. Minor and small fault lines could also be created away from the main fault lines. In 1969 Tulbagh in the Western Cape experienced a devastating earthquake. So there is definitely bound to be another devastating earthquake in South Africa. It is just a question of where and when. Nobody really knows as earthquakes currently cannot be predicted.
It is not known whether this tremor is a pre-shock to a major earthquake. Earthquakes fall into 3 categories. Some have fore-shocks, some show subtle signs, and others have aftershocks. Earthquakes are still not predictable. Some have no warning at all and never show any signs of happening. The third group follow no pattern at all, they go seemingly randomly, and they can not even be estimated. It is very hard to tell which fault will be in which group, and this is why prediction is still impossible. The designation of an earthquake as fore-shock, main-shock or after-shock is therefor only possible after the main event.
Up to now the cause of last night's tremor is still unknown (possibly mine related?) but the SAWDOS would like to advise members of the public to report any further seismic activity to the SAWDOS.
SAWDOS would like to take this opportunity to thank all earthquake observers who send in reports to the SAWDOS . Despite the lack of Richterscale and other seismic information from Geoscience it is imperative that every tremor in South Africa must be reported. To all those who monitors Earthquakes in South Africa, keep up the good work and continue to inform SAWDOS of tremor events. Keep Safe!!
- SAWDOS
What to Do During an Earthquake
Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some
earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur.
Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and if
you are indoors, stay there until the shaking has stopped and you are
sure exiting is safe.
If indoors
DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway.
Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
DO NOT use the elevators.
If outdoors
Stay there.
Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.
If in a moving vehicle
Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.
If trapped under debris
Do not light a match.
Do not move about or kick up dust.
Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.
- FEMA
If indoors
DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway.
Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
DO NOT use the elevators.
If outdoors
Stay there.
Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.
If in a moving vehicle
Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.
If trapped under debris
Do not light a match.
Do not move about or kick up dust.
Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.
- FEMA
Earth Tremor felt in parts of Gauteng (27 February 2013 00h31 SAST)
A large earth tremor was felt last night in many areas or Gauteng. The SAWDOS was alerted of the incident via Twitter at. It is not known at this stage whether this tremor was a mine related incident. The SAWDOS trust that the Council for Geoscience will release further info on the earth tremor. No reports of damage or injuries were received up to now.
TheVenomNib @SAWDOS1 earthquake apps not showing any seismic activity above 1 on Richter scale fo r job area . 3 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
NazliHamilton @SAWDOS1 Felt a tremor in Ridgeway, JHB South. It lasted quite long. Scary! 7 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
Sam_Bhikraj @ruby_clipper @ToxxiCat @SAWDOS1 Felt it in Linmeyer too. Freaked me out...Felt the whole building move! 7 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
GUNS1401 @SAWDOS1 still can't get back to sleep after the earth tremor felt in Linden at 0030B27022013. Sounded and felt like a (long) truck crash 7 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
RiekieE @SimoneGorven @SAWDOS1 @atlasville #Tremor I felt it in Wilropark Roodepoort 7 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
ValTheGranny @sawdos1 Tremor felt in Solheim just above Bedfordview aprox. 12.30 my bed bounced up and down I got such a fright 7 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
Alimano123 @SAWDOS1 felt it here in Riverlea as well. 7 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
REVOLP @SAWDOS1 gautrain is sleeping right. #NoAccident 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
SimoneGorven @SAWDOS1 felt the #Tremor in @atlasville shortly after 12:30am. Thought someone was breaking in! 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
HollidayTarryn @SAWDOS1 how can that be felt all the way here near Midrand and Centurion? Mine related? Is that possible? 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
BurgerGVN @SAWDOS1 Earth Tremor felt at +/- 00H25. Windows, Doors and Walls, rattle and rumble for about 10 seconds I think. #GVNBURGER 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
RiAiDi @SAWDOS1 We are very close too Fourways/Crowthorne area and I definitely felt very light tremor and heard the rumbling noise!Any other?? 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
TigerMunky @PietmanKahl @sawdos1 Jozi central too, I wonder if it reached the South? 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
HollidayTarryn Slight earth tremor here in Carlswald Midrand at +- 00h35! Thought I was imagining things! @SAWDOS1 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
SAWDOS1 To early to tell the exact cause of the tremor. Most likely mine related. 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
JoyRecruitRite "@FamilySmiths: @SAWDOS1 felt that earth tremor in sunnyridge too, hectic" ◄ and in Orange Grove. 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
RiAiDi @SAWDOS1 You could actually hear it too!! 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
0690RGG @ruby_clipper @sawdos1 i felt it too 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
warrenegates "@moe_omarjee: Hectic Earth Tremor In Auckland Park,Rattled doors windows with Loud Rumble.What's the cause?@SAWDOS1" felt in Alberton too. 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
PietmanKahl .@PietmanKahl @SAWDOS1 how wide spread was it? #atlasville in East to #aucklandpark in the west! #tremor 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
atlasville @sawdos1 That earth tremor has not affected OR Tambo. Planes taking off. #Tremor felt right across Jhb from east to west and south. 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
FamilySmiths @SAWDOS1 felt that earth tremor in sunnyridge too, hectic 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
HollidayTarryn "@atlasville: Earth tremor in#Atlasville Wed, Feb 27, 2013 00:31:12. Woke up the birds! @sawdos1" @Trevornoah 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
kwbjhb @SAWDOS1 earth tremor roodepoort at 00h30 about 20secs 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
sumptiousbitch1 @mwmoz @SAWDOS1 @Trevornoah @atlasville I'm in edenvale felt it to whole house. windows shook 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
RiAiDi @SAWDOS1 Felt a light tremor in Centurion, Monavoni!! Wow! Scary! 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
smanjoo "@moe_omarjee: Hectic Earth Tremor In Auckland Park,Rattled doors windows with Loud Rumble.What's the cause?"@SAWDOS1 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
trustfreetks @atlasville @sawdos1 now they really shouting! Wonder wot they know next ! It was rather a cracking one #yikes! 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
moe_omarjee Hectic Earth Tremor In Auckland Park,Rattled doors windows with Loud Rumble.What's the cause?@SAWDOS1 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
ParwezLidimo @SAWDOS1 00:25 Benoni Earth tremor , bed shaking and windows rattling . Ricter scale? 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
mwmoz @Trevornoah did you feel it too? I'm in boksburg, @atlasville mentioned it too @SAWDOS1 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
mwmoz @SAWDOS1 nice earth tremor in atlasville, boksburg a few seconds ago! 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
ruby_clipper Earth tremor, quite strong, shaking windows, doors, security gates etc for about 20secs in Glenvista JHB 00H31 @SAWDOS1 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
atlasville Earth tremor in#Atlasville Wed, Feb 27, 2013 00:31:12. Woke up the birds! @sawdos1 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
TheVenomNib @SAWDOS1 earthquake apps not showing any seismic activity above 1 on Richter scale fo r job area . 3 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
NazliHamilton @SAWDOS1 Felt a tremor in Ridgeway, JHB South. It lasted quite long. Scary! 7 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
Sam_Bhikraj @ruby_clipper @ToxxiCat @SAWDOS1 Felt it in Linmeyer too. Freaked me out...Felt the whole building move! 7 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
GUNS1401 @SAWDOS1 still can't get back to sleep after the earth tremor felt in Linden at 0030B27022013. Sounded and felt like a (long) truck crash 7 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
RiekieE @SimoneGorven @SAWDOS1 @atlasville #Tremor I felt it in Wilropark Roodepoort 7 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
ValTheGranny @sawdos1 Tremor felt in Solheim just above Bedfordview aprox. 12.30 my bed bounced up and down I got such a fright 7 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
Alimano123 @SAWDOS1 felt it here in Riverlea as well. 7 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
REVOLP @SAWDOS1 gautrain is sleeping right. #NoAccident 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
SimoneGorven @SAWDOS1 felt the #Tremor in @atlasville shortly after 12:30am. Thought someone was breaking in! 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
HollidayTarryn @SAWDOS1 how can that be felt all the way here near Midrand and Centurion? Mine related? Is that possible? 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
BurgerGVN @SAWDOS1 Earth Tremor felt at +/- 00H25. Windows, Doors and Walls, rattle and rumble for about 10 seconds I think. #GVNBURGER 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
RiAiDi @SAWDOS1 We are very close too Fourways/Crowthorne area and I definitely felt very light tremor and heard the rumbling noise!Any other?? 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
TigerMunky @PietmanKahl @sawdos1 Jozi central too, I wonder if it reached the South? 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
HollidayTarryn Slight earth tremor here in Carlswald Midrand at +- 00h35! Thought I was imagining things! @SAWDOS1 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
SAWDOS1 To early to tell the exact cause of the tremor. Most likely mine related. 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
JoyRecruitRite "@FamilySmiths: @SAWDOS1 felt that earth tremor in sunnyridge too, hectic" ◄ and in Orange Grove. 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
RiAiDi @SAWDOS1 You could actually hear it too!! 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
0690RGG @ruby_clipper @sawdos1 i felt it too 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
warrenegates "@moe_omarjee: Hectic Earth Tremor In Auckland Park,Rattled doors windows with Loud Rumble.What's the cause?@SAWDOS1" felt in Alberton too. 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
PietmanKahl .@PietmanKahl @SAWDOS1 how wide spread was it? #atlasville in East to #aucklandpark in the west! #tremor 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
atlasville @sawdos1 That earth tremor has not affected OR Tambo. Planes taking off. #Tremor felt right across Jhb from east to west and south. 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
FamilySmiths @SAWDOS1 felt that earth tremor in sunnyridge too, hectic 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
HollidayTarryn "@atlasville: Earth tremor in#Atlasville Wed, Feb 27, 2013 00:31:12. Woke up the birds! @sawdos1" @Trevornoah 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
kwbjhb @SAWDOS1 earth tremor roodepoort at 00h30 about 20secs 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
sumptiousbitch1 @mwmoz @SAWDOS1 @Trevornoah @atlasville I'm in edenvale felt it to whole house. windows shook 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
RiAiDi @SAWDOS1 Felt a light tremor in Centurion, Monavoni!! Wow! Scary! 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
smanjoo "@moe_omarjee: Hectic Earth Tremor In Auckland Park,Rattled doors windows with Loud Rumble.What's the cause?"@SAWDOS1 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
trustfreetks @atlasville @sawdos1 now they really shouting! Wonder wot they know next ! It was rather a cracking one #yikes! 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
moe_omarjee Hectic Earth Tremor In Auckland Park,Rattled doors windows with Loud Rumble.What's the cause?@SAWDOS1 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
ParwezLidimo @SAWDOS1 00:25 Benoni Earth tremor , bed shaking and windows rattling . Ricter scale? 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
mwmoz @Trevornoah did you feel it too? I'm in boksburg, @atlasville mentioned it too @SAWDOS1 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
mwmoz @SAWDOS1 nice earth tremor in atlasville, boksburg a few seconds ago! 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
ruby_clipper Earth tremor, quite strong, shaking windows, doors, security gates etc for about 20secs in Glenvista JHB 00H31 @SAWDOS1 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
atlasville Earth tremor in#Atlasville Wed, Feb 27, 2013 00:31:12. Woke up the birds! @sawdos1 8 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite
GFS Medium Range Forecasts of Vertical Velocity and Precipitation: South Africa
- U.S. National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)
What Exploded over Russia?
Feb. 26, 2013: When the sun rose over Russia's Ural
Mountains on Friday, Feb. 15th, many residents of nearby Chelyabinsk
already knew that a space rock was coming. Later that day, an asteroid
named 2012 DA14 would pass by Earth only 17,200 miles above Indonesia.
There was no danger of a collision, NASA assured the public.
Maybe that's why, when the morning sky lit up with a second sun and a shock wave shattered windows in hundreds of buildings around Chelyabinsk, only a few people picking themselves off the ground figured it out right away. This was not a crashing plane or a rocket attack.
"It was a meteor strike--the most powerful since the Tunguska event of 1908," says Bill Cooke of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office.
In a coincidence that still has NASA experts shaking their heads, a
small asteroid completely unrelated to 2012 DA14 struck Earth only
hours before the publicized event. The impactor flew out of the blue,
literally from the direction of the sun where no telescope could see it,
and took everyone by surprise.
"These are rare events and it is incredible to see them happening on the same day," says Paul Chodas of NASA's near-Earth Object Program at JPL.
Researchers have since pieced together what happened. The most telling information came from a network of infrasound sensors operated by the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). Their purpose is to monitor nuclear explosions.
Listen to the infrasound recording, sped up 135x into the range of human hearing. Play it
Infrasound is a type of very low-frequency sound wave that only elephants and a few other animals can hear. It turns out that meteors entering Earth's atmosphere cause ripples of infrasound to spread through the air of our planet. By analyzing infrasound records, it is possible to learn how long a meteor was in the air, which direction it traveled, and how much energy it unleashed.
The Russian meteor's infrasound signal was was the strongest ever detected by the CTBTO network. The furthest station to record the sub-audible sound was 15,000km away in Antarctica.
Western Ontario Professor of Physics Peter Brown analyzed the data: "The asteroid was about 17 meters in diameter and weighed approximately 10,000 metric tons," he reports. "It struck Earth's atmosphere at 40,000 mph and broke apart about 12 to 15 miles above Earth's surface. The energy of the resulting explosion exceeded 470 kilotons of TNT." For comparison, the first atomic bombs produced only 15 to 20 kilotons.
Based on the trajectory of the fireball, analysts have also plotted its orbit. "It came from the asteroid belt, about 2.5 times farther from the sun than Earth," says Cooke.
Comparing the orbit of the Russian meteor to that of 2012 DA14, Cooke has shown that there is no connection between the two. "These are independent objects," he says. "The fact that they reached Earth on the same day, one just a little closer than the other, appears to be a complete coincidence." [orbit diagram]
Infrasound records confirm that the meteor entered the atmosphere at a shallow angle of about 20 degrees and lasted more than 30 seconds before it exploded. The loud report, which was heard and felt for hundreds of miles, marked the beginning of a scientific scavenger hunt. Thousands of fragments of the meteor are now scattered across the Ural countryside, and a small fraction have already been found.
Preliminary reports, mainly communicated through the media, suggest that the asteroid was made mostly of stone with a bit of iron--"in other words, a typical asteroid from beyond the orbit of Mars," says Cooke. "There are millions more just like it."
And that is something to think about as the cleanup in Chelyabinsk continues.
Maybe that's why, when the morning sky lit up with a second sun and a shock wave shattered windows in hundreds of buildings around Chelyabinsk, only a few people picking themselves off the ground figured it out right away. This was not a crashing plane or a rocket attack.
"It was a meteor strike--the most powerful since the Tunguska event of 1908," says Bill Cooke of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office.
A new ScienceCast video reviews what researchers have learned about the Russian meteor. Play it
"These are rare events and it is incredible to see them happening on the same day," says Paul Chodas of NASA's near-Earth Object Program at JPL.
Researchers have since pieced together what happened. The most telling information came from a network of infrasound sensors operated by the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). Their purpose is to monitor nuclear explosions.
Infrasound is a type of very low-frequency sound wave that only elephants and a few other animals can hear. It turns out that meteors entering Earth's atmosphere cause ripples of infrasound to spread through the air of our planet. By analyzing infrasound records, it is possible to learn how long a meteor was in the air, which direction it traveled, and how much energy it unleashed.
The Russian meteor's infrasound signal was was the strongest ever detected by the CTBTO network. The furthest station to record the sub-audible sound was 15,000km away in Antarctica.
Western Ontario Professor of Physics Peter Brown analyzed the data: "The asteroid was about 17 meters in diameter and weighed approximately 10,000 metric tons," he reports. "It struck Earth's atmosphere at 40,000 mph and broke apart about 12 to 15 miles above Earth's surface. The energy of the resulting explosion exceeded 470 kilotons of TNT." For comparison, the first atomic bombs produced only 15 to 20 kilotons.
Based on the trajectory of the fireball, analysts have also plotted its orbit. "It came from the asteroid belt, about 2.5 times farther from the sun than Earth," says Cooke.
Comparing the orbit of the Russian meteor to that of 2012 DA14, Cooke has shown that there is no connection between the two. "These are independent objects," he says. "The fact that they reached Earth on the same day, one just a little closer than the other, appears to be a complete coincidence." [orbit diagram]
Infrasound records confirm that the meteor entered the atmosphere at a shallow angle of about 20 degrees and lasted more than 30 seconds before it exploded. The loud report, which was heard and felt for hundreds of miles, marked the beginning of a scientific scavenger hunt. Thousands of fragments of the meteor are now scattered across the Ural countryside, and a small fraction have already been found.
Preliminary reports, mainly communicated through the media, suggest that the asteroid was made mostly of stone with a bit of iron--"in other words, a typical asteroid from beyond the orbit of Mars," says Cooke. "There are millions more just like it."
And that is something to think about as the cleanup in Chelyabinsk continues.
Tropical Cyclone Rusty
On February 25, 2013, Tropical Cyclone Rusty was bearing down on the northwestern coast of Australia. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra
satellite captured this natural-color image the same day. Although
Rusty lacked a distinct eye, the storm sported the spiral shape
characteristic of strong storms.
On February 25, the U.S. Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) reported that Rusty was located roughly 370 nautical miles (685 kilometers) northeast of Learmonth. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 60 knots (110 kilometers per hour) and gusts up to 80 knots (150 kilometers per hour). Over the next 24 hours, the JTWC forecast, sustained wind speeds could increase to 100 knots (185 kilometers per hour), and gusts could reach 125 knots (230 kilometers per hour). The storm was expected to make landfall east of Port Hedland on February 26.
On February 25, the U.S. Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) reported that Rusty was located roughly 370 nautical miles (685 kilometers) northeast of Learmonth. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 60 knots (110 kilometers per hour) and gusts up to 80 knots (150 kilometers per hour). Over the next 24 hours, the JTWC forecast, sustained wind speeds could increase to 100 knots (185 kilometers per hour), and gusts could reach 125 knots (230 kilometers per hour). The storm was expected to make landfall east of Port Hedland on February 26.
References
- Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Accessed February 22, 2013.
NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, LANCE MODIS Rapid Response. Caption by Michon Scott.
- Instrument:
- Terra - MODIS - NASA
Saharan Dust over the Mediterranean Sea
Most of the dust blew off the coast of Egypt, partially obscuring the satellite sensor’s view of the Nile Delta. An especially thick river of dust stretched northward past the Greek island of Kriti (Crete). In the north, the dust encountered cloudbanks.
Sand seas extend over large portions of Libya and Egypt. In Egypt, a little less than 3 percent of the land is arable; in Libya, just over 1 percent of the land is arable. Dust storms rank among the most frequent natural hazards for both countries.
References
- CIA World Factbook. (2013, February 13) Egypt. Accessed February 25, 2013.
- CIA World Factbook. (2013, February 19) Libya. Accessed February 25, 2013.
NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, LANCE MODIS Rapid Response. Caption by Michon Scott.
- Instrument:
- Aqua - MODIS - NASA
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
SA National Severe Weather Warnings: 26 February 2013 16h00 SAST
SAWDOS: Once again weather warnings are misleading and confusing. A weather advisory appears to be issued for Kwazulu Natal Province. However no detail is reflected. Weather advisory in effect for KZN? Readers, please note that the SAWDOS is not responsible for the contents or correctness of Severe Weather Warnings by the SA Weather Service. SAWDOS will not be held accountable for incorrect warnings nor for any grammar or spelling mistakes. The issue of severe weather warnings are the sole responsibility of the SA Weather Service.
- SAWS
NATIONAL SEA RESCUE INSTITUTE (NSRI) MEDIA RELEASES.
SEA RESCUE – LANGEBAAN – Monday, 25th February, 2012. Kite Boarder assisted:
Gerard Brune, NSRI Mykonos station commander, said:
"On Monday, 25th February, early evening, NSRI Mykonos volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following reports of kite boarder in difficulty off-shore in the Bay between Saldanha Bay and Langebaan.
"Our NSRI Mykonos volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched our sea rescue craft Gemini Rescuer II and responded.
"On arrival on-scene, following a search, a kite and board was located drifting at sea and recovered but no sign of the kite boarder could be found.
"While a search continued for a suspected missing kite boarder and investigations were launched at local kite boarding shops and at launch sites and while investigating we were approached by a local kite board shop that confirmed that a Swedish man had abandoned his kite at sea and swum safely ashore, after getting into difficulties, and he had gone in search of someone to help him raise the alarm that his kite and board were adrift at sea and to try to find someone willing to help him try to retrieve his kite and board from the sea.
"The kite boarder, Sven Metlig, from Sweden, was reunited with his kite and board at the NSRI sea rescue base in Mykonos.
"He claimed that he had been out on a final sail, before returning home to Sweden, when he got into difficulties before abandoning his kite and board. He is due to fly home to Sweden today, Tuesday, 26th February."
-ENDS-
SEA RESCUE – SHELLY BEACH – Tuesday, 26th February, 2012. Scuba diver missing:
On Tuesday, 26th February, at 08h30, NSRI Shelly Beach volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following reports of a scuba diver gone missing while diving at Protea Banks, approximately 5 nautical miles off-shore of Shelly Beach, from a Dive Charter Boat.
NSRI Shelly Beach volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched two sea rescue craft and a sea rescue craft from NSRI Port Edward has joined in the search.
The Dive Charter Boat, from which the scuba diver has gone missing, initiated a search while raising the alarm.
It appears that the scuba diver missing is the Dive Master. According to reports – when the divers emerged from diving the Dive Master was reported missing but the sequence of events are not as yet clear and are subject to an investigation to determine.
Police Search and Rescue are on high alert and the Transnet National Ports Authority rescue helicopter has joined in the search. A further 4 private boats, some of them are also charter boats, have joined in the search.
The divers, on the dive charter boat, are due to be ferried to shore while the search continues.
The missing scuba diver is aged in his late 20's.
Further updates to follow.
SEA RESCUE SHELLY BEACH – UPDATE: Missing diver found:
Mark Harlen, NSRI Shelly Beach station commander, said:
"Jean-Pierre Els, 30, from Uvongo, Shelly Beach, the dive master of African Dive Adventures, who went missing this morning (Tuesday, 26th February), 5 nautical miles off-shore of Shelly Beach, on the Kwa-Zulu Natal South Coast, at Protea Banks, while conducted a group charter dive, was located by the Transnet National Ports Authority rescue helicopter at 15h20 off-shore of Port Edward, approximately 45 kilometers (24 nautical miles) from where he originally went missing.
"An NSRI rescue swimmer was deployed into the water from the rescue helicopter to secure the casualty who was then winch hoisted into the rescue helicopter and airlifted to shore to our NSRI Shelly Beach rescue base.
"Despite exhaustion, dehydration and some sunburn he is not injured and he will not require to be hospitalized.
"It appears that he was separated from the dive charter group, at around 08h00, while diving and when he surfaced from the dive he had no sight of the dive charter boat. He drifted for over 7 hours in the 2 to 3 meter rough sea swell and a 30 knot wind until he was found.
"In total we deployed the Transnet National Ports Authority rescue helicopter, 2 NSRI Shelly Beach sea rescue craft, 1 NSRI Port Edward sea rescue craft and there were 5 private boats assisting in the search. (Two of the private boats assisting in the operation are also from African Dive Adventures).
"NSRI commend all involved in this sea rescue operation for their cooperation and assistance."
-ENDS-
Released by:
Craig Lambinon
Sea Rescue Communications
SA Weather Satellite Image: 26 February 2013 06h00 SAST
- Eumetsat (Click on image for larger view.)
GFS Medium Range Forecasts of Vertical Velocity and Precipitation: South Africa
- U.S. National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)
Do solar storms cause heat waves on Earth?
Although solar flares, and associated coronal mass ejections, can bombard Earth’s outermost atmosphere with tremendous amounts of energy, most of that energy is reflected back into space by the Earth’s magnetic field. Because the energy does not reach our planet’s surface, it has no measurable influence on surface temperature.
The heat wave that affected the eastern and central United States in March 2012 coincided with a flurry of solar eruptions, and it’s not unreasonable to wonder if such events are related. After all, the Sun’s energy is the source of Earth’s warmth.
But most of the energy released by solar storms like those on March 8-10 is not like the visible and ultraviolet light that penetrates Earth’s atmosphere and warms the surface. Instead, solar storms hurl bursts of electrically charged particles through space, and the particles aimed at the Earth encounter our planet’s magnetic field and upper atmosphere, the thermosphere.
The stream of energetic particles warms the thermosphere. Carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide, coolants in the thermosphere, absorb the energy and then re-radiate heat back into space. A small fraction of the extra heat from the solar flare radiates to layers of the atmosphere below the thermosphere, but it is miniscule compared to the normal amount of heating the lower layers of the atmosphere already experience from incoming visible and ultraviolet sunlight.
Solar flares don’t cause heat waves, but they do have other impacts on Earth. Consequences include pretty auroras, as well as hazards. They can rain extra radiation on satellites, and increase the drag on satellites in low-Earth orbit. Increased electromagnetic activity due to solar storms can also disrupt power grids and radio communications. Passengers on commercial jets flying polar routes may be exposed to increased electromagnetic radiation.
Short-lived solar explosions don’t influence weather events like the March 2012 heat wave, but longer-term variations in solar output might affect Earth’s climate. The latter half of the seventeenth century experienced a decades-long stretch of minimal solar activity known as the Maunder Minimum, which many scientists suspect may have triggered the Little Ice Age—a cold spell that chilled the Northern Hemisphere from about 1650 to 1850.
Over the long term, however, multiple records indicate that the amount of energy the Earth receives from the Sun is quite stable. Astronomers have aimed telescopes at the Sun since the Scientific Revolution, and recent studies have reconstructed solar activity over the past three centuries. Satellites have observed the Sun since 1978, and found that solar activity varies on a roughly 11-year cycle by about one-tenth of one percent.
As for the solar storm in early March 2012, it released a substantial amount of energy, but almost all of it was re-radiated back into space, and very little penetrated the lower atmosphere. Martin Mlynczak, associate principal investigator for NASA’s Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) instrument, says, “The extra energy from this storm is on the order of 100,000 times less than the energy we normally get at the Earth’s surface. It’s so small that you wouldn’t even notice it.”
Reviewer: Martin Mlynczak, NASA Langley Research Center. Title graphic based on extreme ultraviolet image of the Sun from the Solar Dynamics Observatory mission.
References
Foster, G., and Rahmstorf, S. (2011). Global temperature evolution 1979–2010. Environmental Research Letters, 6(4), 044022.
Herring, D. (2009, September 1). Climate change: Incoming sunlight. NOAA ClimateWatch Magazine. Accessed April 4, 2012.
IPS Radio and Space Services. (2012). Solar activity and weather – Is there a connection? Australian Government. Accessed April 4, 2012.
Kulmala, M., Riipinen, I., Nieminen, T., Hulkkonen, M., Sogacheva, L., Manninen, H. E., Paasonen, P., Petäjä, T., Dal Maso, M., Aalto, P. P., Viljanen, A., Usoskin, I., Vainio, R., Mirme, S., Mirme, A., Minikin, A., Petzold, A., Hõrrak, U., Plaß-Dülmer, C., Birmili, W., and Kerminen, V.-M. (2010). Atmospheric data over a solar cycle: No connection between galactic cosmic rays and new particle formation, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 10, 1885-1898.
Meehl, G.A., Washington, W.M., Wigley, T.M.L., Arblaster, J.M., and Dai, A. (2003). Solar and greenhouse gas forcing and climate response in the twentieth century. Journal of Climate, 16, 426-444.
NASA. (2011, April 14). Space Weather 101. Mission: Science Webpage. Accessed April 4, 2012.
NASA. (2012, January 19). The Sun-Earth connection: Heliophysics solar storm and space weather – Frequently asked questions. Accessed April 4, 2012.
NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. (2012, March 13). Preliminary Report and Forecast of Solar Geophysical Data, No. 1906 (pdf). Accessed April 11, 2012.
NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. (2011, November). SWPC Frequently Asked Questions. Accessed April 4, 2012.
Phillips, T. (2012, March 22). Solar storm dumps gigawatts into Earth’s upper atmosphere. NASA Science News. Accessed April 4, 2012.
Riebeek, H. (2010, June 24). Has the Sun been more active in recent decades, and could it be responsible for some global warming? NASA Earth Observatory. Accessed April 4, 2012.
Skeptical Science. (2012). Solar activity and climate: Is the sun causing global warming? Accessed April 4, 2012.
Wang, Y.-M., Lean, J.L., Sheeley, N.R., Jr. (2005). Modeling the Sun’s magnetic field and irradiance since 1713. The Astrophysical Journal, 625, 522-538.
- NOAA
Tropical Cyclone Haruna
Haruna formed as a tropical storm over the southern Indian Ocean on February 19, 2013, and strengthened into a cyclone the next day. On February 22, the U.S. Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) reported that Haruna was located roughly 300 nautical miles (555 kilometers) southwest of Antananarivo, Madagascar. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 80 knots (150 kilometers per hour) and gusts up to 100 knots (185 kilometers per hour).
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite captured this natural-color image of Haruna on February 22. MODIS on the Aqua and Terra satellites also captured earlier images of the storm, on February 21 and February 20.
As of February 22, 2013, the JTWC forecast map showed Haruna heading eastward across southern Madagascar then out to sea. The storm was expected to weaken significantly over the next 48 hours.
References
- Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Accessed February 22, 2013.
- Unisys Weather. (2013, February 22) Haruna Tracking Information. Accessed February 22, 2013.
NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, LANCE MODIS Rapid Response. Caption by Michon Scott.
- Instrument:
- Aqua - MODIS
Monday, 25 February 2013
SEA RESCUE – TABLE BAY – Sunday, 24th February, 2013. Alleged stowaway rescued
Pat van Eyssen, NSRI Table Bay station commander, said:
"At 22h27 on Sunday, 24th February, NSRI Table Bay volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority following reports of a stowaway adrift at sea on a life-raft in the vicinity of East of Robben Island.
"Our NSRI Table Bay volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched our sea rescue craft SPIRIT OF VODACOM and the SA Police Services Sea Borderline responded.
"It was reported that the SAFMARINE ship CHA CHAI, lying at anchor at 4 Buoy in Table Bay, waiting at anchor to enter the Port of Table Bay, had noticed an unidentified man launching a life-raft from their ship. The life-raft was successfully launched by the man but he was drifting towards Robben Island and the ship requested assistance from the Transnet National Ports Authority.
"On arrival on-scene a search commenced and in full moon good sea conditions the life-raft was located East of Robben Island by the Police boat and Police Sea Borderline officers recovered the man from the life-raft.
"The man, a 19 year old from Libya, was then recovered onto our sea rescue craft and he was medically checked by our NSRI medics and although dressed only in a pair of shorts he was found to be suffering only mild dehydration.
"The life-raft was returned to the ship.
"The Police boat escorted our sea rescue craft (with the man onboard our sea rescue craft) to our sea rescue base and a Netcare 911 ambulance was dispatched to further evaluate the medical condition of the man. He was in a satisfactory condition suffering only mild dehydration.
"The man was taken to the Table Bay Port Police Station and he remains in Police custody. The operation was completed at 01h30.
"The man, who speaks very good english, told NSRI rescuers that he was from Jobey, in Libya, and that he had boarded the ship in Ghana as a stowaway and he claimed that he was not aware where the ship was headed.
"Police are investigating and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation have been informed."
-ENDS-
Released by:
Craig Lambinon
Sea Rescue Communications
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