An offshore oil platform owned by Mariner Energy, Inc. explodes about 100 miles off the Louisiana coast on September 2, 2010. The accident occurred about 200 miles west of the blown-out BP well that spewed millions of gallons of crude into the gulf. Thirteen men aboard the rig were accounted for and no deaths were reported.
via news.yahoo.com
Raging wildfires in western Russia have reportedly doubled average daily death rates in Moscow. Diluvial rains over northern Pakistan are surging south – the UN reports that 6 million have been affected by the resulting floods.
via www.newscientist.com
Did you know that about 80% of the world’s surface is volcanic in origin? How about the fact that the earth’s atmosphere was formed by emissions from those very volcanoes? To get more familiar with volcanoes and their destructive beauty, check out the infographic.
via www.popjolly.com
Fluorosurfactants are widely used for smothering forest fires. The chemicals are harmful for the environment causing irreversible genetic mutations of animals and destroying the ozone layer.
via en.rian.ru
This map shows the global state of the planet in relation to forest fires in "real time".
via firefly.geog.umd.edu
Throughout the history of civilization, one of the great fears of mankind has been large urban fires. When a city burns the loss of life and property damage can be horrific, but afterwards a city may rebuild and renew itself. Here are 6 of the most devastating examples.
