IN some respects, Irma is an unusual and record-breaking storm.

acquired September 8, 2017download large image (4 MB, JPEG, 4095x2730)


Meteorologists struggled to find the right words to describe the situation as a line of three hurricanes—two of them major and all of them threatening land—brewed in the Atlantic basin in September 2017.

Forecasters were most concerned about Irma, which was on track to make landfall in densely populated South Florida on September 10 as a large category 4 storm. Meanwhile, category 2 Hurricane Katia was headed for Mexico, where it was expected to make landfall on September 9. And just days after Irma devastated the Leeward Islands, the chain of small Caribbean islands braced for another blow—this time from category 4 Hurricane Jose.

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the Suomi NPP satellite captured the data for a mosaic of Katia, Irma, and Jose as they appeared in the early hours of September 8, 2017. The images were acquired by the VIIRS “day-night band,” which detects light signals in a range of wavelengths from green to near-infrared, and uses filtering techniques to observe signals such as city lights, auroras, wildfires, and reflected moonlight. In this case, the clouds were lit by the nearly full Moon. The image is a composite, showing cloud imagery combined with data on city lights.

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite acquired a natural-color image of Irma (below) at 10:00 a.m. local time (16:00 Universal Time) on September 8, 2017.




The NASA Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center remarked on the storm’s “buzzsaw appearance.” The National Weather Service field office in Miami warned of “large airborne projectiles” and cautioned that some locations may be “uninhabitable for weeks or months” after the storm. Eric Blake, a meteorologist with the National Hurricane Center, simply tweeted that he had “never seen anything like this in the modern record” and that the forecast made him “sick to his stomach.”

In some respects, Irma is an unusual and record-breaking storm. On September 8, the storm had generated more accumulated cyclone energy—a term meteorologists use to describe the destructive potential of a hurricane—than any other Atlantic storm on record, according to meteorologist Philip Klotzbach of Colorado State University. Irma also broke a record for generating the most accumulated cyclone energy in a 24-hour period.

As all three storms approach land, meteorologists will be using assets on the ground, in air, and in space to track them. “Our human assets and aircraft penetrations are critical but limited,” said Marshall Shepherd, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Georgia. “Satellites provide a unique perspective on clouds, rainfall, sea surface state, sea surface temperature, and more. Only the satellite vantage point can provide continuous coverage of all three storms without having to refuel or sleep.”

Earthquake Hits Mexico M 8.1 - Sep 8th 2017 tsounami alert

At least five have been killed including two children after a massive 8.1 earthquake struck off the south coast of Mexico triggering a tsunami. The earthquake was felt across Mexico, toppling houses and shaking buildings in the country's capital amid reports tremors were detected as a far away as Austin, Texas - more than 1,300 miles from the epicentre. A tsunami has already been detected in Mexico after the quake struck at 11.49pm last night, 76 miles southwest of the town of Pijijiapan, at a depth of 43 miles. Terrified residents in Mexico City ran out into the streets after the quake struck, witnesses said. Tremors were stronger than a devastating earthquake in 1985 that hit the capital flattening swathes of the city and killing thousands. The US Tsunami Warning System said widespread hazardous tsunami waves were possible within the next three hours on the Pacific coasts of several central American countries - Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Ecuador and Honduras. Seismologists have warned of a tsunami of more than 12 ft. As far as 8700 miles away in the Philippines, the national disaster agency put the country's entire eastern seaboard on alert. The only tsunami detected so far, however had a largest wave measured at 2.3ft, experts said. The death toll has already risen to at least five people, including two children in Tabasco state. Tabasco Gov. Arturo Nunez said that one of the children died when a wall collapsed, and the other was a baby who died in a children's hospital that lost electricity, cutting off the supply to the infant's ventilator. The other three deaths were in Chiapas state, in San Cristobal de las Casas, with two crushed when buildings collapsed on them. The quake hit offshore in the Pacific, the US Geological Survey said, putting the magnitude at 8.1. But Mexico's seismologic service gave a magnitude of 8.4, which if confirmed would be the most powerful ever recorded in this quake-prone country. Terrified residents fled into the streets amid chaotic scenes in the wake of the huge tremor. 'The house moved like chewing gum and the light and internet went out momentarily,' said Rodrigo Soberanes, who lives near San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas, a poor, largely indigenous state popular with tourists. Chiapas Gov. Manuel Velasco told television station Televisa the roofs of homes and a shopping centre had collapsed in San Cristobal. 'There are damages in hospitals that have lost energy,' he said. 'Homes, schools and hospitals have been affected.' Civil Defense in Chiapas said on its Twitter account that its personnel were in the streets aiding people and warned residents to prepare for aftershocks. Buildings swayed strongly for more than one minute, loosening light fixtures from ceilings. Helicopters crisscrossed the sky above Mexico City with spotlights. Some neighborhoods kept electricity while others remained in darkness.

Skin cancer is easy to prevent as long as you know what to look for

Doctors look at naked bodies all day—don't feel so awkward about yours

Moles, like their furry homonyms, should be roughly round, brown, and symmetrical. When they start changing, something could be very wrong. But it's not just existing moles you should keep an eye on.

When it comes to skin cancer, the advice most people get is to keep an eye on their moles for changes. Is the border getting wiggly? Are there raised portions? And was that strange purplish-black bit always there? But it turns out that most melanomas—about 70 percent—come from new spots rather than existing moles. That’s what a new study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found by looking at 38 studies of melanoma. There have been wildly varying numbers for just how many cases of cancer arise from moles in the past, so this meta-analysis offers a more accurate estimate since it’s averaging many results.

Melanoma is just one type of skin cancer—it’s the least common, but the most deadly. And it’s easily preventable. Apart from the standard advice to always wear broad spectrum sunscreen and avoid sunburns, here’s what to do:

Remember the ABCDs of melanoma

Every dermatologist uses roughly the same metric to determine whether a mole is concerning. They’re easy to remember, so use them when you check yourself and others:

• A: Asymmetry
• B: Border, which should be smooth, not irregular or lumpy
• C: Color, should be just one, and definitely not red or blue or white
• D: Diameter, which should be less than 6 millimeters (roughly the width of a pencil eraser)

Use that guide, and if anything seems out of the ordinary go see a dermatologist. They’ll be better equipped to tell you whether the spot has to be removed.

Don’t trust that you’ll notice when a new mark appears

It’s difficult to notice gradual changes on ourselves. You look at yourself in the mirror every day, so unless a boil erupts in an obvious spot overnight, you’re unlikely to realize that something is happening. It’s far more probable that you’ll spend a day in the sun, and then along with a lovely tan you’ll develop a few freckles. Maybe one of those freckles evolves into something...more than a freckle. It’s easy to see that spot every day and never make a mental note about it. That’s why we have dermatologists.

Many people end up at the dermatologist only when they’ve found something truly concerning. The reality is that we could prevent a lot of skin cancer deaths if we all saw our doctors regularly. If caught early enough, most melanomas are curable. It’s when the cancer gets a chance to grow and spread to other parts of the body that it becomes a serious threat.

A dermatologist can help prevent that growth by checking your entire body for potentially dangerous spots on a regular basis. They'll document your skin with photos—yes, they might be unflattering—and comparing the photos over time. Every spot gets photographed and noted on a map of your body, such that any new growths are easy to identify. It might feel slightly awkward sitting in a quiet room, naked, as someone examines your body up-close for about half an hour. But if they find a precancerous spot and remove it before it becomes a cancerous one, that awkwardness will be worth it.

Get a friend or partner to help you look

Bits of the body that get regular sun exposure are, perhaps counterintuitively, less likely to develop melanomas. Your face builds up a tan and a tolerance to UV radiation, so most people don’t get terrible sunburns there. Your back, on the other hand, usually doesn’t get much exposure on a daily basis since work- and school-appropriate clothing covers it up. During a swimsuit-clad trip to the pool or beach, that area gets a ton of exposure that it isn’t used to. Without proper precautions, that can result in a painful, peeling burn. The more sunburns like that someone gets in a lifetime, the higher their risk of melanoma.

When skin peels, it’s because the cells on top are so damaged by the UV radiation that they’re dying. And it’s that damage that causes melanoma.

The trouble is that melanomas developing on your back are much more difficult to see. But it's easy enough to ask for help. Let’s be honest—most of us don’t do any of the checks that doctors recommend. Women should check their breasts for lumps and men should check their testicles. Who really does, though? Who stands in the mirror checking for new freckles, much less asks someone else to? “Hey honey, could you check my back for new skin growths?” is not a sexy question. But if you’re fair-skinned and tend to burn, it could be well worth the few awkward minutes.

Keep an eye out for changing moles

Even though most melanomas come from new spots, that doesn’t mean you should ignore the old ones. 30 percent of melanomas still arise from existing moles, and it can be easier to notice when a previously small spot is turning into a lumpy, discolored mess.

Whether a new mole, or a change in an older mole, too many people wait to go see a doctor until something is seriously wrong. The good news is that by going earlier rather than later, you’re far more likely to catch it before it becomes cancerous. Dermatologists remove precancerous moles all the time. The whole process can take less than 15 minutes and a few tiny stitches on an area that has been helpfully numbed for the procedure. And getting a small chunk of skin removed is a lot less scary (and much less expensive) than chemotherapy.

2018 BMW M5 FIRST LOOK REVIEW

After five generations of rear-wheel-drive M5s, BMW’s heavy-hitting sport sedan will drive all four wheels for the first time ever for 2018. The new model is quicker and more powerful, but it is also more refined than the car it replaces.

The 2018 BMW M5 gets the latest version of the automaker’s twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 tuned to 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, up 40 hp and 53 lb-ft from the last-gen M5. Peak power is reached between 5,700-6,600 rpm, and peak torque is available from 1,800-5,700 rpm. The improvements are achieved in part because of redesigned twin-scroll turbochargers capable of delivering 24.46 psi of boost. Injection pressure has also been raised from 200 bar to 350 bar for a more efficient burn. Additionally, the lubrication and cooling systems have been redesigned, and the cross-bank exhaust manifolds have been optimized for more even exhaust pulses to the turbos. The engine is mated to a performance-oriented eight-speed automatic transmission. BMW estimates that the 2018 M5 can hit 60 mph from a standstill in 3.2 seconds and 124 mph in 11.1 seconds. Top speed is capped at 189 mph when equipped with the optional M Driver’s Package.

But the big news is the M5’s new M xDrive all-wheel-drive system with two-wheel-drive mode. The system defaults to all-wheel drive with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) turned on, but a rear-biased 2WD mode with no DSC is selectable. In this mode, the front wheels are only powered when traction is limited and the rear wheels can’t effectively put the power down by themselves. All other times, the transfer case routes all power to the rear, and the Active M Differential manages torque between the rear wheels. To find out what we think of this setup, read technical director Frank Markus’ M5 prototype drive.

BMW’s M Division had a good starting point in the G30-generation 5 Series, but a number of changes were made to the M5’s chassis. The double-A-arm front suspension and five-link rear suspension have been revised, and the track has been widened for better directional stability. The M5 gets thicker anti-roll bars and stiffer rubber mounts, along with a new steel X-brace. An available Variable Damper Control system adds electronically controlled shocks with three modes, and an available speed-sensitive M Servotronic Steering system gives drivers more options to adjust steering effort. The M5 rides on standard 19-inch wheels fitted with 275/40s in the front and 285/40s in the rear. A set of 20-inch alloys wrapped in 275/35s in front and 285/35 in back is available.

M compound brakes come standard and clamp down on perforated, vented 15.5-inch steel rotors in the front and 15-inch discs in the rear. Blue-painted six-piston front brake calipers emblazoned with the M logo are also standard. If that’s not enough stopping power for you, M carbon ceramic brakes with gold-finished calipers and larger front rotors are available. This option reduces unsprung weight by 50.7 pounds, according to BMW. Other weight-saving measures include a weight-optimized active exhaust, an aluminum hood, and a roof that uses carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP).

If you’ve seen the new 5 Series’ interior, then you’ve seen 90 percent of the M5’s interior, too. The M5 receives heated M Multifunction front seats with illuminated M5 logos and thicker side bolsters, an M Sports Steering Wheel, a red ignition switch, and red accents on the gear selector and paddle shifters. Like the 5 Series, the M5 features a wide central screen with gesture control. The M5 does get a unique head-up display that can project a shift light and other performance data in the driver’s line of sight, however.

The addition of all-wheel drive might upset some purists, but it marks a big step forward for BMW’s performance sedan. Will it be enough to take on Mercedes-AMG’s 603-hp E63 S, which has already had one generation to work out the all-wheel-drive bugs? We can’t wait to find out.

ΔΟΡΥΦΟΡΙΚΕΣ ΕΙΚΟΝΕΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΜΕΓΕΘΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΦΩΤΙΑΣ ΣΕ ΑΤΙΚΗ ΚΑΙ ΚΥΘΗΡΑ!

Wildfires have broken out across southern Europe as a heatwave grips the region. This animation created using images from the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites show the live blaze and aftermath of wildfires that devastated an area about 35 km northeast of Athens, Greece, in mid-August.

The images from 14 August show the blaze and billowing smoke, which extends far south pushed by strong winds.

Vegetation appears red in the false-colour images from 19 August, and burn scars covering an area of over 2900 hectares appear black.

KALAMOS FIRES

Southern Europe experienced a relentless heatwave this summer, fuelling wildfires in a number of countries. The Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite pair captured the start of a fire on the Greek island of Kythira on 4 August. Five days later, a huge burn scar is visible across the western part of the island.
Greek authorities say they have contained the blaze, which destroyed more than 2000 hectares of land.
Carrying a high-resolution multispectral optical imager, Sentinel-2 is used to monitor changes in vegetation (in this ‘false-colour’ image, vegetation is in red). The mission offers key information to optimise crop yield, thereby helping to improve food security. It can be used to measure leaf area, leaf chlorophyll and leaf water content to monitor plant growth, which is particularly important during the growing season.

KYTHIRA WILDFIRES

Τουλάχιστον 78 άνθρωποι έχασαν τη ζωή τους στην πολιτεία του Μπιχάρ στην ανατολική Ινδία, όπου το ισχυρό ρεύμα του νερού έχει καταστρέψει πολλά χωριά, σπασμένα γέφυρες και προκάλεσαν κατολισθήσεις.

Al menos 78 personas han muerto en el estado de Bihar, en el este de la India, donde la fuerte corriente de agua ha destruido varias localidades, roto puentes y causado deslizamientos de tierra.

Imágenes dramáticas muestran a varias personas cayendo a la fuerte corriente de agua debido al derrumbamiento de un puente bajo sus pies.

Muchas personas se han visto obligadas a abandonar sus hogares sin apenas pertenencias personales hacia tierras que no estén amenazadas por la subida de las aguas. Las autoridades informan de que alrededor de 175.000 personas de 14 distritos distintos del estado de Bihar han sido rescatadas y puestas a salvo.

En los estados de Assam y Ittar Pradesh, donde se han registrado varias víctimas mortales, también están sufriendo las consecuencias de las inundaciones.

Las últimas inundaciones y deslizamientos de tierra han acabado con la vida de más de 250 personas en la India, Nepal y Balgladés. Hay millones de desplazados desde que comenzara la temporada de monzones el pasado junio.

Los deslizamientos de tierra mortales son episodios comunes en todo el sur de Asia durante la temporada estival de monzones, que suele comenzar en junio y se prolonga hasta septiembre. Mientras que la mayoría de los fallecidos perecen ahogados, se registran muchos muertos que quedan atrapados en viviendas que se derrumban o a causa de árboles caídos.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has now also publicly disputed the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne

Following Turkish President Erdogan’s remarks, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has now also publicly disputed the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne that set borders with Greece and claims that some islands should be “returned” to Turkey.

Speaking before Turkey’s National Assembly, Cavusoglu said Ankara will not accept “de facto situations” in the Aegean Sea and that a number of interconnected problems remain in the Aegean between the two neighbouring countries.

“Among these problems is the question of sovereignty of certain islets and rocky formations, and the fact that there are no sea borders which are set by an international agreement between Turkey and Greece,” he said.

The Turkish foreign minister said the problem concerns the interpretation of articles of the Lausanne Treaty of 1923 and the Paris Treaty of 1947, adding that issues are currently discussed within the context of existing channels of communication between Ankara and Athens.

“Our country wants to find a fair solution to all problems within the framework of international law and taking into account its basic rights and interests,” Cavusoglu said.

“In this context, we have announced that we shall not accept de facto situations that Greece may attempt to create in geographical areas with disputed [territorial] status,” he said.

180 ΝΕΚΡΟΙ ΑΠΟ ΜΕΓΑΛΕΣ ΠΛΥΜΗΡΕΣ ΣΤΗΝ SIERA LEONE(VIDEO)

Al menos 180 personas han fallecido como consecuencia de las inundaciones y las avalanchas de lodo que han asolado este lunes varias zonas de Sierra Leona debido a las lluvias torrenciales que han caído durante los últimos días sobre el país. El vicepresidente del país, Victor Foh, ha expresado su temor de que cientos de personas hayan quedado sepultadas en un lodazal en una localidad próxima a la capital, Freetown, informa Reuters.

"Es probable que cientos estén muertos bajo los escombros", ha dicho Foh en declaraciones a Reuters desde la montañosa localidad de Regent, donde ha tenido lugar el suceso. Foh ha explicado que en Regent había muchos edificios que se habían construido de forma ilegal, es decir, sin contar con los permisos necesarios.