| Built: | 2006-2007 |
| Status: | In Outfitting |
| Tonnage: | 113,000 gross tons |
| Length: | 290.0 Meters |
| Depth: | 41.30 Meters |
| Max Speed: | 21.5 Knots |
| Decks: | 19 |
| Complement: | 3,100 passengers, 1,200 crew |
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
EMARLAND PRINCESS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SHIPS IN THE WORLD
RMS queen mary 2
| RMS Queen Mary 2 | |
 QM2 bow | |
| Career |  British Red Ensign |
|---|---|
| Nationality: | British |
| Owner: | Carnival Corporation & plc |
| Operated by: | Cunard Line |
| Builder: | Chantiers de l'Atlantique |
| Ordered: | 6 November 2000 |
| Laid down: | 4 July 2002 |
| Floated: | 21 March 2003 |
| Named: | 8 January 2004 by Queen Elizabeth II |
| Maiden voyage: | 12 January 2004 |
| Registry: | United Kingdom |
| Home port: | Southampton |
| Status: | in service |
| General Characteristics | |
| Tonnage: | 148,528 gross tons[1] |
| Displacement: | 76,000 tonnes (approx) |
| Length: | 345 m (1,132 ft) |
| Beam: | 41 m (135 ft) waterline, 45 m (147.5 ft) extreme (bridge wings) |
| Draft: | 10 m (32 ft 10 in) |
| Height: | 72 m (236.2 ft) keel to funnel (includes 13 passenger decks [2]) |
| Power: | 117 MW (157,000 horsepower) CODAG |
| Propulsion: | four 21.5 MW electric propulsor pods: 2 fixed and 2 azimuthing |
| Speed: | approximately 30 knots (56 km/h) |
| Complement: | 2,620 passengers, 1,253 officers and crew |
| Cost: | UK £460 million (€700 million) (US $900 million) |
| IMO Number: | 9241061 |
genesis class the worlds largest passenger ship
| Genesis class | |
| Ordered: | February 6,2006/April 2, 2007 |
| Laid down: | (TBA) |
| Delivery: | Autumn 2009/2010 (Target Dates) |
| Christened: | (TBA) |
| Maiden Voyage: | (TBA) |
| Status: | Being designed |
| Built by: | Aker Yards in Turku, Finland |
| General Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Tonnage: | 220,000 gross |
| Displacement: | app. 100,000 tons |
| Length: | 1,181 feet (360 m) |
| Beam: | 154 feet (47 m) |
| Draft: | 30 feet (9+ m) |
| Height: | 213 feet (65 m) above water line |
| Power: | 8 Wärtsilä V12 Engine @ 17,500 hp each |
| Propulsion: | (4) 18 MW Asea Brown Boveri Azipod - 2 fixed and 2 azimuthing |
| Speed: | 20.2 Knots |
| Complement: | 8,400 passengers,officers,and crew |
| Cost: | USD 1.2 billion (EUR 900 million) |
Iguazu Falls - World's most spectacular waterfalls!
Below is a panoramic view of the waterfalls as you walk along a path on the Brazilian side
In the middle of the shoe horn is the "garganta del diablo" (in English, the devil's throat) on a normal day. This picture was taken from a postcard. Note the nice viewing platform they built for getting a great panoramic view of the falls as they wrap around you
See ...... this is what the effects of El Nino look like. This is the exact same viewing platform as above. It was the third highest water period in history at Iguazu. Much of northern Argentina was also underwater. The majority of the paths - just like this one - along the Iguazu trails were shut down since water was flowing over them.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
CYCLONE CATRINA WHICH OCCURED IN BRAZIL ON MARCH 2004
Cyclone Catarina was an extremely rare South Atlantic tropical cyclone. Catarina hit southeastern Brazil in late March 2004, and though not the first southern Atlantic tropical cyclone, it was the first positively identified hurricane-strength system in the basin. The storm killed at least three people and caused an estimated $350 million (2004 US dollars) in damages.
history
On March 12, a cold-core stationary upper-level trough became established offshore southern Brazil. A disturbance formed along it on the 19th, and moved east-southeastward until the 22nd, when a ridge to its southeast kept it stationary. With exceptionally unusual favorable upper level winds and above average if marginally warm water temperatures from 24 to 26 °C (75 to 79 °F), it gradually developed, resembling a subtropical storm by the 24th. Located 630 statute miles (1010 km) east-southeast of Florianópolis, it headed slowly westward, and appeared to become a tropical storm on the 25th.
A compact storm, it continued westward while steadily intensifying, reaching hurricane strength on the 26th. A Brazilian newspaper indicated a "Furacão (hurricane) threatening Santa Catarina (the Brazilian state)." Partly because of this headline, the storm was unofficially named Catarina. It continued to encounter favorable conditions and reached a peak of 100 mph (160 km/h) estimated sustained winds on the 28th,[1] which made the storm a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. Gusts peaked at around 110 mph (180 km/h). The cyclone made landfall at that intensity, hitting just north of the town of Torres (in the northeast of the extreme southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul). Catarina rapidly dissipated over land in the normal manner of a tropical cyclone.
Naming
Brazilian meteorologists named the storm Catarina for its proximity to (and eventual landfall near) the state of Santa Catarina, although government forecasters initially denied that the storm, which clearly had an open eye and various other tropical morphologies, was a hurricane at all. More than a year after the storm made landfall, Brazilian meteorologists finally classified the storm as a tropical cyclone.[2]
North American forecasters, however, surprised as they were, considered this a hurricane immediately upon the satellite-derived evidence. Since it had clear eyewall structure bounded by deep convective central dense overcast, well-defined spiral outer bands and outflow structure, warm water temperatures of 79°F (26°C), little shear, a warm core low, and overall tropical characteristics, it was considered a hurricane by the National Hurricane Center in the United States.[3]
Though it is most commonly known as Catarina, all names for this storm are "unofficial," in that no World Meteorological Organization-affiliated meteorological agency that monitors hurricanes named it. (Tropical cyclone names are predetermined by an international committee of the World Meteorological Organization.)[4] It has also been unofficially called "Aldonça"[5], and the advisory names for it were "01T-ALPHA" from the United Kingdom's Met Office, and "50L-NONAME" from the United States' National Hurricane Center, which keeps it well outside normal designation, which start at 1L for named storms and use 90L to 99L for possible storms.
There is also no official naming convention for the meteorological term of tropical cyclones with winds of at least 74 mph (119 km/h) (i.e., hurricane, typhoon, cyclone) in the South Atlantic basin; however, because it was in the Southern Hemisphere, it is typically considered Cyclone Catarina, the predominant term for Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclones.
Rare formation
Typically, tropical cyclones do not form in the South Atlantic Ocean, due to strong upper level shear, cool water temperatures, and the lack of a convergence zone of convection. Occasionally though, as seen in 1991 and early 2004, conditions can become slightly more favorable. For Catarina, it was a combination of climatic and atmospheric anomalies. Water temperatures on Catarina's path ranged from 24 to 25 °C, slightly less than the 26.5 °C temperature of a normal tropical cyclone, but sufficient for a storm of baroclinic origin.
Up to that point, no tropical cyclone had been observed to reach hurricane strength in the South Atlantic Ocean via satellite imagery, which dates back to the mid-1970s.[6] While Catarina formed in an unusual area, whether it is related to global warming or another type of global climatic change is still up for debate. The Brazilian Society of Meteorology attributed it to "climatic changes and atmospheric anomalies,"[2], while other researchers have indicated that it could be the result of the Southern Annular Mode or other seasonal variations in weather within the Southern Hemisphere, again linked to global changes in climate.[7] However, more research in the area is still needed to make a conclusion.[7]
Impact
Like normal tropical cyclones, Catarina brought heavy flooding with it. Because Brazilian government meteorologists refused to acknowledge the tropical characteristics and potency of Catarina, many people did not take shelter, increasing the threat for damage. In the end, the storm damaged around 40,000 homes and destroyed 1500; 85% of the banana crop and 40% of the rice crop were also lost. Total damages were estimated at $350 million (2004 USD, $359.45 million 2005 USD). It also killed at least three and injured at least 75. [8]
At Passo de Torres, many shipyards were destroyed, as they were not designed to withstand the pressure differentials caused by Catarina's winds; widespread roof damage was reported at this municipality as well.[9]. Near the Mampituba River, a house was blown about 50 meters (165 ft) upstream, literally landing in another state: it originally was built in the Torres municipality of Rio Grande do Sul, yet it ended up in Passo de Torres, within Santa Catarina. In rural areas, the corn, banana, and rice fields were the ones receiving the most damage, although rice farmers were able to partially recoup their losses, as they had harvested before Catarina made landfall. [9]
Overall, almost 36,000 residences were damaged as a result of Catarina's onslaught; of those, 993 collapsed completely. The commercial sector fared slightly better, as only 2,274 buildings were damaged and 472 collapsed. Finally, 397 public buildings were damaged and three were destroyed. These account for 26% of the total buildings in the region, and property damage of $25.6 million (2004 USD). Four-fifths of the damaged houses had some sort of roof failure or collapse. Most of the damage was blamed on the low quality of the construction; brick residences typically lacked plaster, beams, or columns, for example. The areas affected the most were those habitated by low-income families, usually with family salaries of less than $400 USDMOUNT EVEREST
Mount Everest or Qomolangma or Sagarmatha (सगरमाथा) or Chomolungma pronounced as (Jongmalunga) is the highest mountain on Earth , as measured by the height of its summit above sea level. The mountain, which is part of the Himalaya range in High Asia, is located on the border between Nepal and Tibet, China. As of the end of the 2006 climbing season, there have been 3,050 ascents to the summit, by 2,062 individuals, and 203 people have died on the mountain. The conditions on the mountain are so difficult that most of the corpses have been left where they fell; some of them are easily visible from the standard climbing routes.
Climbers are a significant source of tourist revenue for Nepal; they range from experienced mountaineers to relative novices who count on their paid guides to get them to the top. The Nepalese government also requires a permit from all prospective climbers; this carries a heavy fee, often more than $25,000 (USD) per person.| Elevation | 8,848 metres (29,029 ft)[1] Ranked 1st |
| Location |  Nepal Tibet, China[2] |
| Range | Mahalangur Himal, Himalaya |
| Prominence | 8,848 m (29,029 ft) |
| Coordinates | [3] |
| First ascent | May 29, 1953 Edmund Hillary Tenzing Norgay |
| Easiest route | South Col (Nepal) |
CLIMBING ROUTEDS:-
Mt. Everest has two main climbing routes, the southeast ridge from Nepal and the northeast ridge from Tibet, as well as many other less frequently climbed routes. Of the two main routes, the southeast ridge is technically easier and is the more frequently-used route. It was the route used by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953 and the first recognised of fifteen routes to the top by 1996. This was, however, a route decision dictated more by politics than by design as the Chinese border was closed to foreigners in 1949. Reinhold Messner (Italy) summited the mountain solo for the first time, without supplementary oxygen or support, on the more difficult Northwest route via the North Col to the North Face and the Great Couloir, on August 20 1980. He climbed for three days entirely alone from his base camp at 6500 meters. This route has been noted as the 8th climbing route to the summit.
Most attempts are made during April and May before the summer monsoon season. A change in the jet stream at this time of year reduces the average wind speeds high on the mountain. While attempts are sometimes made after the monsoons in September and October, the additional snow deposited by the monsoons and the less stable weather patterns makes climbing more difficult.
Southeast ridge
The ascent via the southeast ridge begins with a trek to Base Camp at 5,380 m (17,600 ft) on the south side of Everest in Nepal. Expeditions usually fly into Lukla (2,860 m) from Kathmandu and pass through Namche Bazaar. Climbers then hike to Base Camp, which usually takes six to eight days, allowing for proper altitude acclimatization in order to prevent altitude sickness. Climbing equipment and supplies are carried by yaks, dzopkyos (yak hybrids) and human porters to Base Camp on the Khumbu Glacier. When Hillary and Tenzing climbed Everest in 1953, they started from Kathmandu Valley, as there were no roads further east at that time.
Climbers will spend a couple of weeks in Base Camp, acclimatizing to the altitude. During that time, Sherpas and some expedition climbers will set up ropes and ladders in the treacherous Khumbu Icefall. Seracs, crevasses and shifting blocks of ice make the icefall one of the most dangerous sections of the route. Many climbers and Sherpas have been killed in this section. To reduce the hazard, climbers will usually begin their ascent well before dawn when the freezing temperatures glue ice blocks in place. Above the icefall is Camp I at 6,065 m (19,900 ft).
From Camp I, climbers make their way up the Western Cwm to the base of the Lhotse face, where Camp II or Advanced Base Camp (ABC) is established at 6,500 m (21,300 ft). The Western Cwm is a relatively flat, gently rising glacial valley, marked by huge lateral crevasses in the centre which prevent direct access to the upper reaches of the Cwm. Climbers are forced to cross on the far right near the base of Nuptse to a small passageway known as the "Nuptse corner". The Western Cwm is also called the "Valley of Silence" as the topography of the area generally cuts off wind from the climbing route. The high altitude and a clear, windless day can make the Western Cwm unbearably hot for climbers.
From ABC, climbers ascend the Lhotse face on fixed ropes up to Camp III, located on a small ledge at 7,470 m (24,500 ft). From there, it is another 500 metres to Camp IV on the South Col at 7,920 m (26,000 ft). From Camp III to Camp IV, climbers are faced with two additional challenges: The Geneva Spur and The Yellow Band. The Geneva Spur is an anvil shaped rib of black rock named by a 1952 Swiss expedition. Fixed ropes assist climbers in scrambling over this snow covered rock band. The Yellow Band is a section of sedimentary sandstone which also requires about 100 metres of rope for traversing it.
On the South Col, climbers enter the death zone. Climbers typically only have a maximum of two or three days they can endure at this altitude for making summit bids. Clear weather and low winds are critical factors in deciding whether to make a summit attempt. If weather does not cooperate within these short few days, climbers are forced to descend, many all the way back down to Base Camp.
From Camp IV, climbers will begin their summit push around midnight with hopes of reaching the summit (still another 1,000 metres above) within 10 to 12 hours. Climbers will first reach "The Balcony" at 8,400 m (27,700 ft), a small platform where they can rest and gaze at peaks to the south and east in the early dawn light. Continuing up the ridge, climbers are then faced with a series of imposing rock steps which usually forces them to the east into waist deep snow, a serious avalanche hazard. At 8,750 m (28,700 ft), a small table-sized dome of ice and snow marks the South Summit.
From the South Summit, climbers follow the knife-edge southeast ridge along what is known as the "Cornice traverse" where snow clings to intermittent rock. This is the most exposed section of the climb as a misstep to the left would send one 2,400 m (8,000 ft) down the southwest face while to the immediate right is the 3,050 m (10,000 ft) Kangshung face. At the end of this traverse is an imposing 12 m (40 ft) rock wall called the "Hillary Step" at 8,760 m (28,750 ft).
Hillary and Tenzing were the first climbers to ascend this step and they did it with primitive ice climbing equipment and without fixed ropes. Nowadays, climbers will ascend this step using fixed ropes previously set up by Sherpas. Once above the step, it is a comparatively easy climb to the top on moderately angled snow slopes - though the exposure on the ridge is extreme especially while traversing very large cornices of snow. After the Hillary Step, climbers also must traverse a very loose and rocky section that has a very large entanglement of fixed ropes that can be troublesome in bad weather. Climbers will typically spend less than a half-hour on "top of the world" as they realize the need to descend to Camp IV before darkness sets in, afternoon weather becomes a serious problem, or supplemental oxygen tanks run out.
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