Environment

• Wednesday, August 13th 2014 - 05:34 UTC

  Earthquake strikes Quito kills two and violently shakes buildings

  

  A shallow 5.1-magnitude earthquake has struck the Ecuadorian capital Quito, triggering landslides that killed at least two people and violently shaking buildings and homes. Another eight people were injured and three others trapped in the landslides at quarries on the outskirts of Quito, the country's risk management agency said on Twitter.

• Wednesday, August 13th 2014 - 01:15 UTC

  Chile's massive 2010 earthquake caused Antarctica glaciers to calve and 'icequakes'

  

  A massive earthquake that struck Chile in 2010 caused glaciers thousands of miles away in Antarctica to calve, a study published Sunday in the journal Nature Geoscience found. Seismic surface waves radiating away from the earthquake’s epicenter traveled some 4,700 kilometers before passing through Antarctica’s ice sheets and causing small tremors, or “icequakes.”

• Wednesday, August 13th 2014 - 01:04 UTC

  EU sanctions 10 countries for overfishing with reduction of fishing quotas

  

  The European Commission (EC) has decided to sanction Spain and nine other Member States for exceeding their fishing quotas during the past financial year, and reduce their fishing opportunities for 2014. This measure is intended to repair the damage caused to resources and in this way ensure the sustainable capture of resources.

• Monday, August 11th 2014 - 07:46 UTC

  Blackouts, trees and posts knocked down by gales in Ushuaia and Punta Arenas

  

  Hurricane strong winds on Saturday blew roofs, knocked down lamp posts and trees and left big areas of Ushuaia, Argentina and Puntas Arenas, Chile without power according to reports from both cities in the extreme south of the continent.

• Tuesday, August 5th 2014 - 06:21 UTC

  IDB finances photovoltaic solar energy project for private sector in Uruguay

  

  The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a 40.9 million dollars loan from its ordinary capital and 25 million from the Canada Climate Fund, which is administered by the Bank, to finance the private sector in Uruguay in the construction, operation and maintenance of a photovoltaic solar energy plant and its related facilities.

• Wednesday, July 30th 2014 - 15:18 UTC

  Sao Paulo faces water rationing; in 100 days the system could run dry

  

  Federal prosecutors have asked the government of Sao Paulo to present water rationing plans for Brazil's most populous state to prevent the collapse of its main reservoir. If such plans are not presented in 10 days, the prosecutor's office said on its website it may ask courts to force rationing.

• Tuesday, July 29th 2014 - 21:31 UTC

  Falkland Islands nominated finalists in the Travel Agents Choice Award

  

  The Falkland Islands have been nominated and are finalists in the Travel Agents Choice Awards sponsored by “Selling Travel Magazine” in the UK. (Previously known as Selling Long Haul Magazine), announced the Falkland Islands Tourism Board. The Falkland Islands have been nominated for “Best Destination for Wildlife and Nature”.

• Friday, July 25th 2014 - 19:30 UTC

  Falklands Tourist Board planning strong presence at UK Bird Fair and World Market Travel

  

  Falkland Islands Tourist Board (FITB) has been busy over the past weeks planning for upcoming events in the UK. The first event is in just three weeks when FITB will again be attending Bird Fair at Rutland Wildlife Reserve in Oakham, UK.

• Tuesday, July 22nd 2014 - 08:10 UTC

  “Busy and diverse tourism season” South Georgia tells IAATO meeting

  

  In the Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands’ annual address to the tourism industry at the IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) meeting in Providence, Richard McKee, GSGSSI Executive Officer summarized the 2013-14 season as “incredibly busy and diverse” given the 55 cruise ship calls.

• Friday, July 18th 2014 - 07:52 UTC

  IAATO commends Norwegian court for convicting violator of Antarctic Treaty

  

  The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has commended the Nord-Troms District Court for convicting Jarle Andhøy of violating the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.