This supposed to be a "biblical" thingy with the Dragon in the water?
Delta
Lava flowing into sea creates delta, expands Spanish island
LOS LLANOS DE ARIDANE, Canary Islands (AP) â The surface of Spain's La Palma island is continuing to expand as lava from a volcano flows into the Atlantic Ocean and hardens when it comes into contact with the water, European Union scientists said Thursday.
Copernicus, the European Union's Earth observation program, said Thursday that its satellite imagery showed a D-shaped tongue of molten rock building up on the island's western shore measured 338 hectares (835 acres) by the end of Wednesday.
Trade winds typical of Spain's Canary Islands were helping dispel the plumes of water vapor and toxic gases that result when the lava with a temperature of over 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,800 F) meets the ocean, where the water is 22 degrees Celsius (71.6 F).
But authorities were on alert because Spain's weather forecaster, AEMET, indicated the wind's direction could change later Thursday and bring the toxic plumes toward the shore and farther inland.
The hydrochloric acid and tiny particles of volcanic glass released into the air can cause skin, eye and respiratory tract irritation.
The direction the lava flow could take was also a source of concern. Molten fluid emanating from the volcano that first erupted on Sept. 19 was still running downhill like a river and then tumbling over a cliff into the Atlantic. But uneven terrain could make the lava overflow its current path, spread to other areas, and destroy more houses and farmland.
At least 855 buildings and 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) of roads, as well as other key infrastructure, have been wiped out so far. Banana plantations that are the source of income for many islanders have also been either destroyed or damaged by volcanic ash.
Over 6,000 residents have been evacuated so far, and hundreds more were advised to stay home to avoid the possible inhalation of toxic gases. No casualties or injuries have been reported among La Palma residents since the eruption began.
La Palma, home to about 85,000 people, is part of the volcanic Canary Islands, an archipelago off northwest Africa. The island is roughly 35 kilometers (22 miles) long and 20 kilometers (12 miles) wide at its broadest point.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/lava-flowing-sea-creates-delta-101648699.html
Secret Joe Manchin âAgreementâ With Chuck Schumer Leaves Democrats Scrambling
WASHINGTON â Sen. Joe Manchinâs (D-W.Va.) secret agreement with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) took many of his Democratic colleagues by surprise on Thursday as they came face-to-face with the reality that their grand plans for an ambitious safety net and climate spending package may need to be scaled back.
Manchin revealed for the first time on Thursday that he wonât accept a package totaling more than $1.5 trillion, which is far lower than the $3.5 trillion figure Democrats have been seeking. The moderate Democrat outlined his spending cap and other conditions in a private document with Schumer in July, weeks before Democrats voted to begin drafting a bill that totaled $3.5 trillion.
âItâs pretty sad if you ask me,â Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) told reporters when asked about Manchinâs position on Thursday.
Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) said a bill totaling $1.5 trillion wouldnât be nearly enough investment to address the urgent threat of climate change. He cited an opinion article that former West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd, Manchinâs predecessor, wrote in 2009 arguing on behalf of robust action to address climate change. âHe was onto something,â Heinrich tweeted.
But other senators struck a more pragmatic tone, welcoming the fact that Manchin revealed exactly where he stands on their legislative priority. Progressive lawmakers in recent days have complained that Manchin wasnât being forthcoming about what he wanted to see in the bill as he negotiated with President Joe Biden at the White House.
âMy impression is he may have released that, surprising many of us, in order to make clear heâs had a list that showed some basic positions and principles,â Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) told HuffPost about the July document. âThatâs positive in that it moves us from we donât have much of a sense at all to hereâs a clear list.â
âNow that we know what his priority is, we will work on him to try to push him to do more⌠weâre closer to a deal,â Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) added.
A bill totaling $1.5 trillion would force Democrats to narrow many of their priorities or strip them out. The $3.5 trillion proposal, as it stands, includes funding for free community college and prekindergarten; monthly payments to most households with children, which started this summer; expanded health care coverage for seniors and the poor; and new subsidies for green energy. If Manchin holds firm on $1.5 trillion, Democrats would be forced to ditch many of those programs.
Manchin said in a Thursday briefing with reporters that he opposed adding too many new government programs because it would create an âentitlement mentalityâ among the American people. He said he preferred imposing âmeans testingâ and âwork requirementsâ for existing programs.
Democrats control only 50 seats in the Senate, and they need all 50 senators on board in order to pass a bill under the reconciliation process, which allows them to avoid a Republican filibuster. Manchin and other moderate senators who share his views, therefore, have outsized leverage in the talks.
The typed âagreementâ Manchin and Schumer both signed in July that Politico revealed outlining Manchinâs demands said he does not guarantee voting for the reconciliation bill if it exceeds $1.5 trillion, leaving open the possibility he could support a higher number. It also includes a written note from Schumer stating, âI will try to dissuade Joe on manyâ of the demands.
The news of the document landed like a bombshell on Capitol Hill, where reporters have tried for months to get Manchin to spell out his demands with little success. Asked Thursday why he wasnât more transparent about his position on reconciliation, including on the overall spending total he is willing to support, Manchin said he âwas trying to honor my agreementâ with Schumer. He didnât elaborate.
more
https://www.yahoo.com/news/secret-joe-manchin-agreement-chuck-010853849.html
Well that's shitty.