Earthquake hits the UK

Last night at 0056 GMT an earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale (according to the British Geological Society) hit the UK. Its epicentre was at Market Rasen in Lincolnshire, but its effects were felt as far away as Wales. Events like this are really unusual in the UK, and this is the largest quake to hit since 1984. The largest quake ever in the UK was off the Suffolk coast in 1931 - a 6.1 magnitude quake. Find out more on our website www.geoggers.net.

Castro steps down

So, it has finally happened - Fidel Castro, after a period of ill health, has stepped down as Cuba's leader, passing the reins to his brother Raul. American businesses have been poised for years ready to step in and westernise Cuba; hopefully, Cuba's charm and spirit will remain, though a more democratic system of government will be welcome. Cuba's recent history has been a complex and uncomfortable one, yet the country has a health service way better than many developed nations. Find out more by asking Miss Hammond, who visited the country a few years ago.

Half term in Africa

Just wanted to share a couple of photos from my half term travels in Marrakech, in the North African country of Morocco. Top is my sister being dressed as a "Berber" woman, middle is a local man outside the Kasbah and finally, in a spice shop getting anti-snoring remedies! So different from Europe and only 3 hours by plane.

The world's newest country

It looks like the world is set to get its newest country this afternoon. Kosovo has decided to split from Serbia and declare its independence, bringing the total number of European countries to forty six. Russia and, unsurprisingly, Serbia, have opposed this, but the USA and the EU largely support Kosovo. Time to book flights to Prishtina? Maybe not - the Serbian minority are threatening to take action. Watch this space...

Kenya

Most of you know that I am meant to be visiting Kenya for the Easter holidays; however, there is still some uncertainty concerning the flight (surprise, surprise!).

Most of you are asking me why this is and so I thought now would be a good time to give you some information on the current situation in Kenya.

Kenya, situated in East Africa, is a well loved tourist destination for people around the world. Many people visit the country for the superb wildlife, beaches and the hospitality of the people.

A general election took place in December 2007. Unfortunately civil unrest became apparent because supporters of the opposition leader, Raila Odinga, have claimed that the general election was rigged. Since December 2007 the following has happened:
1,000 people have been killed in political violence since the December 27 elections

600,000 people have been displaced

50 per cent of these are in camps

347 settlement camps for refugees have been set up

12,000 displaced Kenyans have fled into Uganda

45 per cent of the registered refugees in Ugandan camps are children

$47m planned US aid and humanitarian donation to Kenya this year

Sources: OCHA; Kenyan Red Cross; USAID

Many charities are being overwhelmed by the Kenyan situation and with tourism at a bare minimum it could be suggested that Kenya will suffer tremendously in building its reputation as a holiday destination.

There are some very informative websites and articles including this one from 'The Times' http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article3379100.ece
and the newsround site on the BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7180000/newsid_7186200/7186219.stm

Some great TV coming up!

This is Simon Reeve, the journalist, writer and TV presenter who wowed us with Equator, shown on the BBC last year. I met him today at Destinations, a travel fair at Earls Court in London, and he is every bit as handsome as he looks on the television. He was promoting a new series, called Tropic of Capricorn, which airs next Sunday, 10th February, on BBC2 at 8pm. One of the countries he visited was Paraguay, and I am proud to say he was impressed that I had been there too.

Have you seen the new Geoggers website?

The new Geoggers website is up and running.  Take a look at www.geoggers.net!

Earth Hour 08

29th March 2008 8PM!!!!


'Earth Hour' is simple! "Created to take a stand against the greatest threat our planet has ever faced, Earth Hour uses the simple action of turning off the lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming."

Check out their website for more information http://www.earthhour.org/

Guess the location!

If you can guess where Miss Habib is in this picture come and find her in T3 and try to win yourself a prize! Closing date: Thursday 31st January 08.

National Geographic Bee

Check out the video bar for the final of the National Geographic Bee (NGB). The NGB is a competition run for American high school children; see if you know any of the answers.

Stranded ships on the Yangtze!

The waters of the Yangtze river in China is at its lowest since 1866. The Yangtze river supplies drinking water to millions in China, stranding ships and posing a threat to some of the world's most endangered species. For an excellent article copy the following web address in to your browser http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jan/17/drought.china

A $10 million banknote!

Zimbabwe will be introducing a new 10 million dollar banknote in the hope of easing their current situation of hyperinflation. How much is this worth in British Pound Sterling you may be asking yourself? Well, the answer is just £2. For more information on this story copy the following link in to your web browser http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7195569.stm


KEEP CHECKING THE BLOG FOR A SPECIAL REPORT ON ZIMBABWE BY ONE OF OUR YEAR 8 PUPILS!

Iguacu Falls

Most people think of Niagara when they are asked about waterfalls, but here's somewhere that I think is more spectacular - Iguacu Falls, which straddles Argentina and Brazil. There are 275 separate waterfalls in all (above, top) ; the most dramatic is the Garganta del Diablo, or Devil's Throat (above, middle). I viewed it from above, in a helicopter, from the water's edge on a viewing platform, but most fun was in a jet boat - I got absolutely soaked! On the Brazilian side of the falls, there's an interesting bird park, where you can get dive bombed in the cage with these parrots (above, bottom).

Glacier photos from Argentina

Top: Icebergs from the glacier drift across the lake

Bottom: Miss Hammond in front of the lake

Not all the world's glaciers are shrinking!

In a time of rising global temperatures, it is reassuring to know that not all the world's glaciers are shrinking. In the summer, I was fortunate to visit Perito Moreno in Patagonia, Southern Argentina, where I took a boat out to see the glacier close up. It was an amazing sight, more so when you could hear the glacier creaking as it slowly crept down towards the lake.

Tata the environment?

The world's cheapest car has arrived in India. India whose population is over 1.1 billion had the Tata unveiled in the Indian capital on the 11th January. The price of this car is just £1,277! The car is aimed at the rising middle class, however with over 800 million of India's population surviving on 50 pence a day should we be worrying about what seems to be another environmental headache? Make your mind up by reading the article at the Independent newspaper, just copy this url in to your browser: http://environment.independent.co.uk/climate_change/article3328387

Volcano news

Tungurahua is active again! I visited this volcano in July 2006 in between eruptions. A few days before I was due to leave the UK, it started spitting out ash and lava and took a break while I visited. I was able to soak in an outdoor hot spring right at the bottom of the volcano, but it was so cloudy, you couldn't see the top! Three days later, I read in the newspaper that some large lumps of rock had fallen in the street outside the hotel in which I had been staying. Lucky escape, or what? The volcano has now started to erupt again and a thousand people have been evacuated. It looks spectacular but the people who live nearby face losing their livelihoods. There's a video news report on BBC's news website - search for Ecuador eruption.

China going green?

China has announced plans to ban the use of some types of plastic bags and to make consumers pay for others (The Guardian newspaper, 08-01-08). China has been criticised for its poor environmental standards so this is somewhat welcome news. We could all do a bit more towards our recycling efforts and we hope you are making full use of the recycling bins that have been placed in your form rooms.

Guess the location!

As most of you know Miss Habib went to New York, New York over the Christmas holidays. The above picture is a fire hydrant from Little Italy. Other pictures she has taken from her travels include the Brooklyn Bridge, Ice Skating at Central Park and images of skyscrapers.

Happy New Year 2008

Welcome back Geoggers for 2008. Some of you have had some fantastic holidays over the festive period of which the Geography teachers have loved hearing about your adventures. Don't forget to bring in your postcards for our 'Geoggers on tour' wall.