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Category Archives: Islands

Monster GT Breakoff Hallaniyat Islands Southern Oman – Video

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Monster GT Breakoff Hallaniyat Islands Southern Oman
Fishing in Hallaniyat Island Southern Oman at our Lodge. Chris hooks into a steam train and cannot stop the fish and break off on the Hots prototype BFT73XXXH with PE12 (150lbs) Braid and a Stella 18000. The drag was locked at about 20kg+ drag. Some fish cannot be stopped! But Chris the next day caught a beast that measured 149cm and estimated weight 62kgs!

By: oceanactivenick

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Monster GT Breakoff Hallaniyat Islands Southern Oman - Video

Future explosive hotspot brewing under Samoan islands

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Future explosive hotspot brewing under Samoan islands

By David Self Newlin

February 12th, 2013 @ 11:06am

SALT LAKE CITY The Samoan islands are lush and tropical, a place where one can relax and feel the pacific breeze. Travel 1800 miles down below the surface of the islands, though, and there's trouble brewing of explosive proportions.

A University of Utah researcher said that he's found the collision site of two continent-size "piles" of rock below the islands, and in a couple hundred million years, the area will be ready to blow.

"This is the type of mechanism that may generate massive plume eruptions, but on the timescale of 100 million to 200 million years from now," said seismologist Michael Thorne. "So don't cancel your cruises."

Thorne is lead author of a study that will appear in the latest issue of the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters. He's done more computer simulations and amassed the largest set of data ever compiled to model the border between the Earth's core and the mantle just above.

After 200 days of supercomputer processing, he found that two "large low sheer velocity provinces" are colliding, creating an "ultra low velocity zone."

What does all that mean? It indicates that the mantle at that area is largely molten, so seismic waves travel through the area slower, hence "low velocity." But molten means hot, which means that the area has the potential to become very active in the future, much like Yellowstone Park currently is. Large enough to cause serious ecological devastation.

"These very large, massive eruptions may be tied to some extinction events," Thorne said.

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Future explosive hotspot brewing under Samoan islands

Villa Del Palmar At The Islands Of Loreto Set To Welcome New Daily Alaska Airlines Flights Beginning Feb 24, 2013

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LORETO, Mexico, Feb. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto, the newest member of Villa Group Resorts and Baja's first "million-star" resort, today announced that it is rolling out the red carpet for guests when Alaska Airlines begins daily flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Loreto on February 24, 2013.

The resort, which abuts one of the most pristine coastlines in the world and unobstructed nighttime views of "a million" stars, has become a popular tourist destination for travelers from the West Coast of the United States, especially for those who are looking to disconnect from their daily hassles and reconnect with one another. With new daily flights to and from the Islands of Loreto, that's sure to bring even more tourism to the area.

Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto has created a series of air-inclusive packages with air travel provided by Alaska Airlines. Subject to availability, promotional air-inclusive packages start at just $149 per person, per night, based on double occupancy, plus taxes. Details are available by calling toll free to 866-209-0726.

These dedicated packages include airfare provided by Alaska Airlines to the Islands of Loreto via Los Angeles International Airport and originating in multiple destinations including Seattle; Portland; Vancouver, B.C.; the San Francisco Bay Area and the Los Angeles area.

"We are thrilled to have Alaska Airlines expand its number of flights and begin daily service next month, and we know our guests will love the flexibility this new schedule provides, as well," said Owen Perry, owner and president of Villa Group. "Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto provides unique beauty, authentic culture, and access to truly unparalleled sporting opportunities. We look forward to sharing those experiences with a whole new set of travelers and showing them what we mean when we say 'Your Story Starts Here.'"

The Islands of Loreto, located on the east coast of the Baja California Peninsula on the Sea of Cortez, is known for its quiet beaches, scenic vistas, rich history and astounding natural habitats. The region caters to adventurous travelers looking to explore the many outdoor opportunities including snorkeling, hiking, fishing, diving and mountain biking, as well as people looking for a getaway where they can enjoy the beauty and authentic culture of the region without the commotion of heavily-trafficked Mexican destinations. The destination is fast becoming an alternative for travelers looking for a slower pace with all the options and amenities they have come to expect from a vacation in Mexico.

For more information about Villa del Palmar and its Alaska Airlines packages, or to book, contact your preferred travel professional, visit http://www.villadelpalmarloreto.com/ or call 866.209.0726 from the U.S. or 855.440.5590 from Canada.

ABOUT VILLA DEL PALMAR Baja's First Million Star Resort Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto is a self-contained destination resort on the Sea of Cortez, off the eastern coast of the Baja peninsula overlooking Danzante Island (one of five in the region). It features 181 new, spacious, beautifully appointed Deluxe Ocean View, one, two and three bedroom Suiteswith balcony or terrace, stunning ocean views, mountain views, outstanding restaurants, an attentive English-speaking staff, five swimming pools, a 39,000 square feet Spa, two tennis courts , beautiful beaches and a mild and warm climate year-round. The New York Times lists Loreto in its Top Ten Places to go in 2011. The travel article featuring the Islands of Loreto, Baja California South, Mexico ranked first among readers.

Guests can enjoy scuba and snorkeling tours in the protected Marine Park within the five prominent Loreto Islands, horseback riding, swimming, world-class fishing (catch a Dorado and bring it home to have a Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto chef prepare it for you), paddle boarding, kayaking, whale watching and mountain biking. With complimentary shuttle service, guests can explore the historic town at the Islands of Loreto and visit the 1697 mission that made the town famous. The area is also known for its wildlife, including the 900 species of fish off the coast and in an area that has been declared a World Heritage Site. Hotel perks include a spa and fitness center, massages, salsa dance lessons and movie nights for children.

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Villa Del Palmar At The Islands Of Loreto Set To Welcome New Daily Alaska Airlines Flights Beginning Feb 24, 2013

WSPA Disaster Response Team in Solomon Islands

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Following the 8.0 earthquake and tsunami in Solomon Islands on Wednesday, WSPA teams in the region have been on high alert and ready to help stray and injured animals and assist with the limited veterinary capacity on the islands. As a result, WSPA has now deployed two members of its Disaster Response Team to Santa Cruz Islands in southern Solomon Islands, to determine how the disaster has affected local animal populations and what response is required.

Animals are often the forgotten victims of disasters, but they too suffer the immediate dangers and terrible aftermaths of unexpected and violent events.

Country Director for WSPA NZ, Bridget Vercoe, explains why it is also critical for animals to be considered in a disaster: "Saving animals has a crucial benefit: it protects the damaged communities that they are such a vital a part of, ensuring that people have a solid foundation from which to rebuild their health and livelihoods.

"For the Solomon Islands in particular - due to the remote nature of the affected areas - there are infrequent deliveries of goods from ships and limited flights with minimal carrying capacity. Food security and water are therefore priority concerns in the immediate aftermath of this event.

"Further, losses of animals whether from death or those gone loose from shelter/tethering damages can create increased hardship and food security concerns on animal owners. Loose animals may also graze freely in community gardens which may already be damaged from tsunami impacts, further adding pressure on available resources."

With local veterinary capacity on the islands presently being limited and close to non-existent, in the aftermath of this disaster, the WSPA Disaster Response Team is now working closely with the Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office to assist, on the ground.

The WSPA Disaster Response team is accompanied by Kiwi, Ritchie Dawson, Chief Inspector at the Wellington, New Zealand SPCA and member of the National Animal Welfare Emergency Management Advisory Group (NAWEM) of which WSPA is a co-chair. Ritchie Dawson has also been WSPA trained in emergency response and brings specialised expertise following his work in the aftermath of the Canterbury Earthquake.

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WSPA Disaster Response Team in Solomon Islands

07-12-2012 – Montage 8 – Tour of ’43 islands – Wake Island – Video

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07-12-2012 - Montage 8 - Tour of #39;43 islands - Wake Island
Have you did ever ran around the whole islands? i did it! 😀 I love the sea and run in the sand, This is the first "Tour of #39;43 islands #39; and here is Wake Island, the last step of the tour. ps i know it #39;s boring to see 10 minutes of a soldier running, no hard battles, no spectacular actions, no awesome kills, but i can say at least enjoy the music! 🙂 Soundtrack 1: Pure Shores Author: All Saints Soundtrack 2: Shout Author: Tears For Fears

By: Ziu Paddori

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07-12-2012 - Montage 8 - Tour of '43 islands - Wake Island - Video

Jack Lew's Cayman Islands investment flagged

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Talesha Reynolds and Rich Gardella , NBC News 1 day

Jack Lew, President Barack Obamas Treasury Secretary nominee, previously held up to $100,000 in investments in an offshore hedge fund located in the Cayman Islands, according to financial disclosure forms.

Lews financial disclosure forms, filed in 2009 and 2011, showed that Lew had invested between $50,000 and $100,000 in a fund called Citigroup Venture Capital International Growth Partnership (Employee) II, L.P. -- the very type of fund President Obama has repeatedly criticized.

The fund is an international venture capital fund for employees of Citigroup. According to his official White House biography, Lew served as managing director and chief operating officer of Citi Global Wealth Management and then Citi Alternative Investments (CAI) from 2006 to 2008.

Lew himself isn't commenting, but a person familiar with Lews investment told NBC News that Lew invested a total of $56,000 and sold it at a loss for $54,418 in November 2010 after being confirmed as director of the federal Office of Management and Budget.

The source also told NBC News that Lew had no role in creating, managing or operating the fund, and that Citigroup had organized the fund in the Cayman Islands and made it available to other employees. The source said that many other Citigroup employees had investments in the fund.

According to a Securities and Exchange Commission document, the fund was registered at what has been called a notorious address in the Cayman Islands, located in the Caribbean in the British West Indies. Specifically, the funds address was a post office box in a building called Ugland House, in the capital city of George Town on Grand Cayman, the largest of the three Cayman islands.

In 2007 as a presidential candidate and in 2009 as president, Obama identified Ugland House as part of an outrageous tax scam, because according to filings, it housed 12,000 businesses that all claimed the building as their headquarters.

For years, we've talked about shutting down overseas tax havens that let companies set up operations to avoid paying taxes in America, Obama said in remarks about tax reform in 2009. Either this is the largest building in the world, or the largest tax scam in the world. And I think the American people know which it is. That's the kind of tax scam that we need to end.

A political ad targeting Republican candidate Mitt Romney during the 2012 presidential campaign asked, Why would Mitt Romney invest millions in the Cayman Islands?

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Jack Lew's Cayman Islands investment flagged

Solomon Islands Assess Tsunami Damage

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Six thousand people are now thought to have been made homeless by a tsunami that struck the Solomon Islands Wednesday. The government says at least 13 people were killed. Charities say food and water is running low in makeshift hillside camps where villagers in the Santa Cruz Islands have sought shelter. Another huge aftershock has again rattled the South Pacific archipelago.

The damage inflicted by the tsunami is far worse than first thought, according to disaster management officials in the Solomon Islands. Several people are still missing after a magnitude 8 earthquake triggered a destructive wave that swept through low-lying villages.

At least 10 aftershocks were reported Friday, including a powerful tremor that forced villagers to flee to higher ground, although no tsunami alert was issued. Aftershocks continued Saturday, further unsettling islanders.

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Damage to the local airstrip had prevented aid reaching stricken communities, but medical supplies and other essentials are now being delivered.

Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo visited the region Friday and declared it an official disaster zone. His government has received offers of help from its neighbors.

Solomon Islands journalist Dorothy Wickham says Australia and New Zealand have volunteered to join the relief effort.

These two countries might be helping out and maybe we also have the Japanese and European Union here, so I am pretty sure they will be either offering or will be asked for assistance," said Wickham. "But this is going to be a difficult one. It is a very remote place. Boats hardly go there and if it is bad weather it is really tough to get into the communities in that area.

Charity workers say several villages have been destroyed, while many others have been badly damaged. The homeless have sought shelter in makeshift camps, where food and water are becoming increasingly scarce. There are also concerns about sanitation and the spread of the disease.

One aid worker said that many wells were covered by debris or had been contaminated, while water storage tanks had been destroyed and coastal areas littered with dead fish and poultry.

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Solomon Islands Assess Tsunami Damage

Powerful aftershock rattles Solomon Islands

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A powerful aftershock rattled the Solomon Islands Sunday as aid agencies struggled to get a clear picture of the devastation four days after a 8.0-magnitude quake triggered a deadly tsunami.

The confirmed death toll rose to 10 with the discovery of a child's body in a ditch in the remote Santa Cruz Islands, while more than 3,000 people are squatting in shelters after their homes were destroyed.

Two boats carrying urgently needed supplies of medicine, food, water and tents have arrived at Lata, the main town in the island group, but the fragile communications system meant further shipments were on hold.

Officials in the capital Honiara said they had not been able to receive full assessments of the situation in the outlying islands.

"At the moment we don't know if we are still in the relief stage or have moved to the recovery stage," Red Cross secretary general for the Solomon Islands, Joanne Zoleveke, told AFP.

"We don't know if what we have sent is sufficient or if more is required and we have to charter more boats. We can't make those decisions until we receive assessment reports from Lata and communications are intermittent."

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake which rocked the region early Sunday was centred just 29 kilometres (18 miles) south-southwest of Lata at a depth of 18 kilometres, and followed a 7.0 aftershock late Friday night.

The Solomon Islands government has declared the Santa Cruz Islands a disaster area. Aerial surveys indicate most of the damage is confined to the Lata region.

It was estimated about 590 houses had been destroyed, with most of the destruction caused in the initial earthquake on Wednesday and the metre-high tsunami which swept through coastal villages soon after.

Initial reports put the death toll at 13, but Zoleveke said the intermittent communications with Lata indicated it was not that high.

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Powerful aftershock rattles Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands earthquake triggers tsunami 2013 – Video

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Solomon Islands earthquake triggers tsunami 2013
Tsunami alerts across the south Pacific region cancelled following a magnitude-8 earthquake. Link to video: Tsunami alerts cancelled after Solomon earthquake A powerful earthquake off the Solomon Islands generated a tsunami up to 1.5 metres (5ft) high that damaged dozens of homes and left several people missing, presumed dead. Authorities cancelled tsunami warnings on more distant coasts in the Pacific. Officials on the chain of islands reported two 1.5-metre waves hitting the western side of Santa Cruz island on Wednesday, damaging 70 to 80 properties, said George Herming, a spokesman for the prime minister of the Solomon Islands. Many villagers had headed to higher ground as a precaution. The islands #39; police commissioner, John Lansley, said there were unverified reports from local patrols that several people were presumed dead. "At the moment we potentially know of four, but there may of course be more." One of those presumed dead was fishing in a canoe when the first wave hit, sweeping him out to sea, Herming said. Officials were searching for his body. Another woman was believed to have drowned when the water rushed into her village. Four villages on Santa Cruz were hit, two of which were severely damaged, Lansley said. Other areas of the Solomons did not appear to have been seriously affected. Officials were struggling to reach remote parts after the tsunami flooded the airstrip at the nearest airport, littering it with debris. The tsunami formed after a magnitude ...

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Solomon Islands earthquake triggers tsunami 2013 - Video

Solomon Islands villagers flee huge aftershock

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A huge aftershock has rocked the Solomon Islands, sending villagers fleeing to higher ground two days after an 8.0 magnitude quake and tsunami killed 13 people.

The 7.1 magnitude tremor on Friday was the latest in a series of aftershocks that have been hampering relief efforts on Ndende island in the eastern Solomons, where Wednesdays tsunami inundated some 20 villages and left thousands homeless.

The latest quake, at a shallow depth of nine kilometres, and just 23 kilometres from the main town, Lata, rocked buildings for 30 to 40 seconds, national disaster management office spokesman Sipuru Rove said.

Rove, who was in the coastal town when the tremor hit, said villagers fled for higher ground.

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The aftershocks have prevented villagers from returning home and hampered their efforts to salvage supplies from damaged houses and bring them to makeshift camps in the rugged interior.

Planes attempting to fly aid to the area have been wary of landing at the damaged airstrip in Lata amid the continuing quakes.

Geoscience Australia said while the latest tremor was smaller than the one which caused the destructive tsunami, as it was much closer to the island of Ndende the intensity of the shaking would have been much greater.

Seismologist David Jepsen said there were no reports of a tsunami wave, and if one was generated it would be smaller than two days ago.

I was more worried about the shaking aspect, he said. This could have caused further issues.

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Solomon Islands villagers flee huge aftershock

Aftershocks hamper relief efforts in tsunami-hit Solomons Islands

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SYDNEY Strong aftershocks rattled the Solomon Islands on Friday, hampering relief efforts to tsunami-ravaged villages and forcing the South Pacific nation's prime minister to forgo a visit to the stricken area, where nine deaths have been confirmed.

Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo was on a plane to Santa Cruz Island in the eastern Solomons to assess damage when an aftershock hit, said Silas Lilo, a spokesman for his office, forcing his plane to return to the capital, Honiara.

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The plane made a second attempt to reach the island and landed successfully late Friday, said Andrew Catford, the Solomon Islands director for the relief agency World Vision. The plane - the first to attempt to reach Santa Cruz since Wednesday's tsunami - was carrying shelter kits, water carriers, medical supplies and medical staff, though the prime minister was not able to join the crew on the second trip. A boat with more supplies was expected to arrive Friday night, Catford said.

Officials were already struggling to reach the isolated region when a magnitude-6.6 aftershock hit Friday morning, damaging roads in the island's main town of Lata and preventing aid workers stationed there from reaching people on the coast, Catford said. The aftershock, the most significant since the 8.0 earthquake that sparked Wednesday's tsunami, didn't produce any tsunami warnings itself.

"My staff said it felt stronger than the initial earthquake and people are very concerned. Most of Lata town was evacuated. It's like a ghost town," Catford said. "We've had over 115 aftershocks, but unlike all the others, this one moved vertically up and down. For the first time, it's created cracks in the roads."

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A stronger magnitude-7.1 magnitude aftershock struck late Friday. There was no tsunami risk and no immediate reports of damage.

Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr announced Friday that his government will help deliver emergency food and medical supplies and conduct aerial reconnaissance of disaster-affected areas. Carr plans to fly to the Solomons on Sunday to discuss the recovery effort.

Wednesday's earthquake triggered waves 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall that roared inland on Santa Cruz, damaging or destroying around 100 homes.

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Aftershocks hamper relief efforts in tsunami-hit Solomons Islands


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