Earthweek

A new study shows that the world's oceans have become louder in the last 40 years. Most of the added noise is due to increased ocean shipping. The report says if the increased noise is affecting marine mammals, shipping should be prevented in areas where there are large numbers of whales and dolphins.

Four towns in the central Philippines have declared a state of calamity. An oil tanker, the MT Solar 1, sank on August 11 near Iloilo province. It is estimated that 303,200 litres have already leaked into the sea, killing birds, fish and other wildlife. Hundreds of people have become ill, and one man has died after being exposed to the pollution.

Crews along the Lebanese coast are working to clean up an oil spill. The oil leaked after Israel bombed a power plant to the south of Beirut. However, Greenpeace released video showing large amounts of the fuel have already congealed and sunk to the sea floor.

Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano erupted violently on August 17, killing six people as it buried five villages in hot ash. Accompanying lava flows set fire to several homes. Thousands of farm animals were killed and crops were destroyed.

Tropical Storm Debby formed to the south of the Cape Verde islands. It was predicted to strengthen to near hurricane force, but is not expected to threaten any land areas.

Twelve members of an Air Force research vessel were forced to take shelter from a storm on Johnston Island. Hurricane Ioke hit the US Pacific Wildlife Refuge and nuclear material dump last week.

Hurricanes Hector and Ileana affected the eastern Pacific.