Earthquakes

Aftershock Can't Make Torture Fun

How Is NYC Suddenly The Most Dangerous Place To Live?

So wonders drag star Vodka Stinger, who certainly has a point. And Vodka elaborates: "Hurricanes, nor'easters, terrorist attacks, earthquakes, tourists.... "It's all too much!"

Wyclef Jean

Fall Guide 2012: Books

Obama Admin Okays Monitoring of Reporters? No, No, Says Homeland Security Flack

The web is abuzz today with reports that the Department of Homeland Security has approved collecting of personal information from television anchors, news reporters, bloggers, and anyone else who uses social media. The so-called Media Monitoring Initiative allows the government to keep data on peop ... More >>

Jane Birkin

Euro Crisis Meeting; Earthquake in Turkey; Gaddafi's Autopsy

​EU leaders are in Brussels today for a crisis meeting on how to resolve the Euro's financial woes. Germany is resisting calls to increase the bailout fund and cut Greece's debt. Bloomberg reports "measures on the table include writedowns of as much as 50 percent on Greek debt, 100 billion eur ... More >>

What It Was Like Inside the Washington Monument During Last Month's Earthquake

This video recently released by the National Park Service shows what it was like inside the Washington Monument during the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Virginia, sending vibrations up the Northeast coast, last month. It is unexpectedly scary!

Free Will Astrology: August 10-16, 2011

Cibo Matto+Sxip Shirey

The Rapture Didn't Happen...Yet

Everyone okay?​Hey, where's Jesus at? Are the holy people going up to heaven right now, and if so, is it too late to get in on that? It's looking like...well, maybe it's too early to say, but it seems as though the world is not in fact ending right now. Maybe I'm jumping the gun and I'm about ... More >>

7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Japan, Tsunami Warning Issued [Updated: Warning Canceled]

Orange indicates 2 meter high waves, via JMA​Initially reported as a 7.4 magnitude, an earthquake struck Japan this morning, leading to another tsunami alert issued for the already ravaged northeastern coast. The Japanese Meteorological Agency has a map indicating seismic activity. Tsunami wav ... More >>

SONIC RELIEF

Two benefits for Japan draw marquee names

Indian Point Not Only Seismically at Risk, Also a Fire Trap

​There's more troublesome news coming out of the Indian Point nuclear power plant. Last week, we spoke to Columbia University disaster expert Klaus Jacob about vulnerability at the Westchester County plant, which supplies around 20 percent of New York City's power. Today, we learned that the ... More >>

A Musical Guide to Japan Benefits and Valiantly Intentioned Fundraising Efforts, Featuring Thrill Jockey and Rebecca Black

​"I've been inspired by Japan for many years and have a true love, appreciation and respect for the Japanese people and their culture," said early American-adopter and purveyor of Japan's Harajuku girl style, Gwen Stefani. "The disaster in Japan is beyond heartbreaking and I want to do anythin ... More >>

Liz Taylor Late to Her Own Funeral; Earthquake Kills 74 in Myanmar; 100-Year Anniversary of Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

​• Elizabeth Taylor was late to her own funeral, because she asked to be. She was laid to rest in L.A.'s Forest Lawn Memorial Park yesterday in a ceremony that began 15 minutes late at her stipulation. Westboro Baptist, who'd threatened to picket, did not appear. Taylor shares a "large, mult ... More >>

Maru the Cat Says Hi, Is Well

We were all very happy to learn that Maru was safe following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Here he is, in case you were worried, too. His owner thanks everyone for their messages and concern. We're hoping for the best for everyone in the aftermath of the disaster.

Wyclef's Jean's Trouble With The Truth: A Recent History

​This weekend, the Internet was abuzz with reports from Wyclef Jean and his people that the ex-Fugee and former Haitian presidential candidate had been shot in the hand while campaigning for fellow performer Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly in Port-Au-Prince. Well, "grazed" by a bullet. Or was it ... More >>

Klaus Jacob, Columbia Disaster Expert: Why Closing Indian Point Makes Sense

​In October 2008, the Voice profiled Klaus Jacob, Columbia University's expert on urban environmental disasters. In that story, we examined how the Ivy League school had ignored warnings by its own expert about expanding into areas subject to flooding because of climate change. Today we talke ... More >>

Eat and Drink for Japan

​Tonight from 6 to 8 p.m., 100 percent of proceeds at Mehtaphor will go to the Japanese Red Cross to benefit disaster efforts in Japan. But even if you can't make it to the restaurant, there are other places where you can put your appetites to more philanthropic use.

What Is the Red Cross Doing With Your Donations to Japan?

​Earlier today we were asked some questions about how organizations like the Red Cross are dealing with donations received for Japan. Specifically, how long do those text donations take to reach aid organizations? Are donations even reaching Japan, and will they? Gizmodo addressed the question ... More >>

Now a Volcano Is Erupting in Japan

The Shinmoedake volcano in southern Japan began erupting again yesterday, after last erupting January 19. It's uncertain whether the eruption is related to the earthquake that occurred on Friday; the volcano is located about 950 miles from the epicenter of that quake. According to the L.A. Times, "J ... More >>

Japan Fights to Avoid Nuclear Disaster; Death Toll From Tsunami Could Top 10,000

Reuters/Toru Hanai​Japan is facing what prime minister Naoto Kan called its "toughest and most difficult crisis" since World War II, as workers struggle to prevent meltdowns in two reactors at the Fukushima power plant. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said that a third reactor would possibly e ... More >>

Rightbloggers Find the Lesson of the Japanese Disaster: We Need More Nuclear Power Plants! (Plus Obama Sux!)

Last week Japan was hit by earthquake, tsunami, and volcano. As the country tries to come back from this series of disasters, donations are pouring in from world citizens. Rightbloggers are doing their part, too. They're using the catastrophe as a teachable moment to explain that Obama sucks, glob ... More >>

Japan Quake Death Toll Could Rise to 1300; Nuclear Plant Explosion Causes Radiation Leak, Fear of Meltdown

Reuters via NYT​The death toll from yesterday's 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami in northern Japan could rise to more than 1300, government officials told Japanese news media. CNN is reporting that the number of deaths is 900 and is expected to rise. Half the population of one town, Minamisanr ... More >>

Relax, the Next Big New York City Earthquake Could Happen 'Any Minute'

​Typically impatient New Yorkers are freaking out because we haven't gotten our earthquake yet. And we're due for an earthquake! Where's our earthquake? No, we are not going to wait in line for our earthquake! Nature, do you know who the fuck we are? Fortunately, seismologist Won-Young Kim fro ... More >>

The Dumbest Quotes of 2010

​"I am not a witch" - Senatorial candidate Christine O'Donnell, who is also not employed. "It may be a blessing in disguise" - Evangelist Pat Robertson on the Haiti earthquake that killed possibly more than 100,000 people.

An Earthquake Hit Long Island Today. Did the Earth Move for You?

via NYT/Google Maps​This is nothing to our West Coast brethren, but it's kind of a big deal to us. A 3.9 magnitude earthquake in the Atlantic Ocean, about 80 miles off the coast of Long Island's Southampton, occurred around 10:45 a.m. today. According to WNYC, it was even "felt by a New York T ... More >>

Hurricane Rips Into a Haiti Still Waiting for Post-Earthquake Aid

Photo: Ariana Cubillos While Hurricane Tomas batters Haiti today, none of the $1.15 billion in aid pledged by the United States after last January's devastating earthquake has arrived. Ten months since the 7.3 magnitude quake killed 230,000 people and only weeks after news of a cholera outbreak, th ... More >>

Earthquake Strikes Oklahoma, Moves Man in La-Z-Boy

​A 4.3 magnitude earthquake struck Oklahoma southeast of Oklahoma City, near Norman, at about 9 a.m. this morning. Aftershocks were apparently felt in Texas and Kansas. Midwesterners are all abuzz on Twitter, not least because earthquakes are somewhat rare in the Midwest. Tulsa World has the b ... More >>

Christchurch, New Zealand Not Exactly Protected from "Acts of God"

Click to Enlarge.Photo illustration by F. Kamer.​The religious type would think a place named "Christchurch" would be a little more protected from anything not covered via an "Acts of God" insurance clause. But, uh, not so much.

Vote No On Wyclef Jean: Why the Former Fugee's Run For the Haitian Presidency Is Totally Misguided

Wyclef Jean opens NASDAQ on the six month anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti. Photo via Yele Haiti.​So it's official: Wyclef Jean is running for the Haitian presidency. The former Fugee confirmed the news to the New York Times last night; later today, he's expected to go on Larry King Live ... More >>

Where Cleavage Meets Geology: The Boobquake Backlash Is Proving To Be Quite a Handful

"With the power of our scandalous bodies combined, we should surely produce an earthquake," reads McCreight's Facebook invitation to the first ever "Boobquake" today. The purpose and sole activity of the day is for as many women as possible to dress immodestly in whatever way they choose, be it low ... More >>

Your Morning Links

​Wednesday is, as our mom always told us, "Hump Day," which means only two more days until the weekend ... Woot. In the meantime, here's what you should know for today: • Speaking of moms, childbirth will probably not kill you. Dealing with your child may. • Sad news in China: A 7.1 mag ... More >>

Earthquake Strikes Baja California

​A 7.2-magnitude earthquake -- the biggest to strike in the area since 1892 -- hit Baja California Sunday at 3:40 p.m., according to the United States Geological Survey.

In Case of Earthquake, Follow That Toad

​Something no one ever brings up at cocktail parties is the fact that Manhattan has its fair share of earthquake faults. In 1737 and 1884, the city experienced minor quakes that knocked down chimneys and generated palpable shocks. Scientists say that the "juxtaposition of geological extremes" ... More >>

Carnegie Hall: Not the Place to Hold a Benefit in NYC

Carnegie Hall photo via wallyg's photostream​So, of the $189,793 worth of proceeds Carnegie Hall will take in if Sunday's Haiti fundraiser--featuring the world-beating pianist Lang Lang, conductor Christoph Eschenbach, the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra, and Wyclef Jean--sells out compl ... More >>

IS NYC SINKING?

Women and children first!

HEARTS ON FIRE

Capturing devastation one disaster at a time

'A Night of Haitian Rara'

RESCUE HAITI

Laughing for a good cause

Food Network Back on Cablevision; Brooklyn Gets a Gay Cookbook

​A week after losing its high-profile chef, Fabio Trabocchi, who had only been in the position for three months, The Four Seasons restaurant is also saying farewell its dining room manager, James Olson, who will be the general manager at the new Tavern on the Green. [NY Post] The Cablevision- ... More >>

Pat Robertson: Haitian Earthquake Caused by a "Pact To the Devil"

The cataclysmic 7.0 earthquake in Haiti has "flattened" the capital city, Port-Au-Prince, and killed perhaps more than a hundred thousand people*. National Geographic says it's the strongest earthquake in Haiti in 200 years, and caused by the release of seismic stresses on tectonic plates. Above, ... More >>

Fault Lines: David Schwimmer Brings You Some Chat About Semen

Tremor town

Loomings