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In the early 20th century, sailors near Alaska reported seeing black bubbles seeming to boil out from the sea, each one the size of the dome of the capitol building in Washington, D.C. They weren't the only sailors who reported the bizarre phenomenon, and they weren't mistaken, except for one thing … the bubbles were much larger. When the mostly underwater Bogoslof volcano in the Aleutian Islands erupts, it produces giant bubbles that can reach up to 1,444 feet (440 meters) across, according to a new study. These bubbles are filled with volcanic gas, so when they burst they create...

A team of researchers from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UHM) published a study this week that estimated the probability of a Magnitude 9+ earthquake in the Aleutian Islands--an event with sufficient power to create a mega-tsunami especially threatening to Hawai'i. In the next 50 years, they report, there is a 9% chance of such an event. An earlier State of Hawai'i report has estimated the damage from such an event would be nearly $40 billion, with more than 300,000 people affected. Earth's crust is composed of numerous rocky plates. An earthquake occurs when two sections of crust suddenly...

This week five Chinese navy ships have been spotted in the Bering Sea. In a bold and ambitious move, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) sent five ships in a show of force off the waters of Alaska during Barack Hussein Obama’s visit. The Pentagon confirmed the PLA Navy presence in the narrow passage between Russia and Alaska. The sighting marks the first time the Chinese military was in the arctic region. (1) (2) The PLAN is the naval warfare branch of the People’s Liberation Army, the national armed forces of the People’s Republic of China. Established in 1950, it...

Researchers at Oregon State University report their studies suggest salmon use magnetism to find their way to their home rivers during spawning migrations. Sockeye salmon typically swim as much as 4,000 miles into the ocean and then, years later, can navigate back to the upstream reaches of the river in which they were born to spawn their young, they said. Writing in the journal Current Biology, the researchers suggest salmon find those home rivers by sensing the river's unique magnetic signature. They studied the routes salmon had taken from their ocean destinations, mostly near Alaska or the Aleutian Islands in...

Emergency vessels are expected to reach a cargo ship struggling off Alaska's remote Aleutian Islands by Saturday evening. The 738-foot Golden Seas is carrying nearly half a million gallons of fuel oil and a full load of canola seed. Engine problems caused it to drift in strong winds and rough waters on Friday. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Dana Warr says the ship was able to motor under limited power away from land Friday night and Saturday, easing fears that it might run aground and break apart on Atka Island, about 1,300 miles southwest of Anchorage. Plans call for a...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. .................................................................. .................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should...

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A small cruise ship catering to eco-tourists was seriously damaged after running aground in the Aleutian Islands. The accident Saturday night punctured the 340-foot Clipper Odyssey's forward fuel tank and forced 153 people to abandon ship, a Coast Guard official said Sunday. There were no reports of injuries. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Roddy Corr said about 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled from the ruptured tank, as was some waste water. He said swift currents dispersed the spilled fluid before it could be cleaned up.

By MARY PEMBERTON ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A small cruise ship catering to eco-tourists was seriously damaged after running aground in the Aleutian Islands. The accident Saturday night punctured the 340-foot Clipper Odyssey's forward fuel tank and forced 153 people to abandon ship, a Coast Guard official said Sunday. There were no reports of injuries. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Roddy Corr said about 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled from the ruptured tank, as was some waste water. He said swift currents dispersed the spilled fluid before it could be cleaned up. Fishing boats and a freighter in the area...

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- A small cruise ship catering to eco-tourists was seriously damaged after running aground in the Aleutian Islands.

Magnitude 6.5 UNIMAK ISLAND REGION, ALASKA 2003 February 19 03:32:37 UTC Preliminary Earthquake Report U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center World Data Center for Seismology, Denver Magnitude 6.5 Date-Time 2003 02 19 03:32:37 UTC Location 53.55N 164.55W Depth 2.6 kilometers Region UNIMAK ISLAND REGION, ALASKA Reference 105 km (65 miles) SE of Akutan, Alaska 140 km (90 miles) ESE of Dutch Harbor, Alaska 1230 km (760 miles) SW of Anchorage, Alaska 1935 km (1210 miles) W of JUNEAU, Alaska Source Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Fairbanks, USA The following is a release by the United States Geological Survey, National...