#kuriller

[inatcanids]

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Observed by irkuem, CC BY-NC

[captain-price-unofficially]

Japanese Type 97 tank on Kuril Islands, Russia

[uglynicc]

Random post grouping my random doodles of random turian npcs

[who-is-riley]

Group chat shenanigans

[sowhatifiliveinfukuoka]

Places to visit...

Кури́льские острова́

[thepastisalreadywritten]

This is what an erupting volcano looks like from space.

📽: NASA Johnson

—

A fortuitous orbit of the International Space Station allowed the astronauts this striking view of Sarychev Volcano (Kuril Islands, northeast from Hokkaido in Japan to Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia) in an early stage of eruption on 12 June 2009.

Sarychev Peak is one of the most active volcanoes in the Kuril Island chain, and it is located on the northwestern end of Matua Island.

Prior to June 12, the last explosive eruption occurred in 1989, with eruptions in 1986, 1976, 1954, and 1946 also producing lava flows.

Ash from the multi-day eruption has been detected 2,407 kilometers east-southeast and 926 kilometers west-northwest of the volcano.

Commercial airline flights are being diverted away from the region to minimize the danger of engine failures from ash intake.

This detailed astronaut photograph is exciting to volcanologists because it captures several phenomena that occur during the earliest stages of an explosive volcanic eruption.

The main column is one of a series of plumes that rose above Matua Island on June 12.

The plume appears to be a combination of brown ash and white steam. The vigorously rising plume gives the steam a bubble-like appearance.

In contrast, the smooth white cloud on top may be water condensation that resulted from rapid rising and cooling of the air mass above the ash column.

This cloud, which meteorologists call a pileus cloud, is probably a transient feature: the eruption plume is starting to punch through.

The structure also indicates that little to no shearing wind was present at the time to disrupt the plume.

(Satellite images acquired 2-3 days after the start of activity illustrate the effect of shearing winds on the spread of the ash plumes across the Pacific Ocean.)

By contrast, a cloud of denser, gray ash — probably a pyroclastic flow — appears to be hugging the ground, descending from the volcano summit.

The rising eruption plume casts a shadow to the northwest of the island.

Brown ash at a lower altitude of the atmosphere spreads out above the ground at image lower left.

Low-level stratus clouds approach Matua Island from the east, wrapping around the lower slopes of the volcano.

Only about 1.5 kilometers of the coastline of Matua Island are visible beneath the clouds and ash.

Credit: NASA Earth Observatory

[tautline-hitch]

movin out west-of-west, gonna get those oceanic breakers rollin in <3

[pacific-rimbaud]

🤙

[castelnou]

onekotan island

kuril islands (russia)

[inatcanids]

Red Fox Vulpes vulpes

Observed by nkomolova, CC BY-NC

[captain-price-unofficially]

Soviet Marines posing in front of a destroyed Type-95 Ha-Go tank on the Island of Shumshu. August, 1945

[nonrussian]

Ainu. Peoples of Russia Series. 1910.1911 Айну. Серия "Народности России". 1910.1911

models by Pavel Kamensky автор модели Павел Каменский

[ukrainenews]

Daily Wrap Up December 6, 2022

Under the cut:

Ukrainian embassies have received more “bloody packages”, according to its foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, in what Kyiv has described as a “campaign of terror and intimidation”. Over the past week, Ukraine said its diplomatic missions in countries across Europe had been targeted with packages soaked in liquid with a distinctive smell and containing animals’ eyes. Kuleba said Ukraine’s embassies in Romania and Denmark received such packages today.

Norway to allocate 14.5 million euros to military assistance for Ukraine. Norway’s government said it would supply Ukraine with 55,000 units of winter clothing, an M109 self-propelled howitzer, spare parts for military equipment repairs, individual first-aid kits, and 30,000 field rations.

Russia’s defense ministry said Monday it has deployed mobile coastal defense missile systems on a northern Kuril island, part of a strategically located chain of islands that stretch between Japan and the Russian Kamchatka Peninsula. Japan lays claim to the Russian-held southern Kuril islands, which Tokyo calls the Northern Territories, a territorial row that dates to the end of World War Two, when Soviet troops seized them from Japan.

Russian and Ukrainian authorities have confirmed the exchange of 120 people in a prisoner swap.

“Ukrainian embassies have received more “bloody packages”, according to its foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, in what Kyiv has described as a “campaign of terror and intimidation”.

Over the past week, Ukraine said its diplomatic missions in countries across Europe had been targeted with packages soaked in liquid with a distinctive smell and containing animals’ eyes. Kuleba said Ukraine’s embassies in Romania and Denmark received such packages today.

As of Friday, Ukraine said 17 embassies had been targeted, indicating that another was delivered on Saturday. Ukraine’s foreign ministry said the packages had been delivered to its embassies in Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Croatia and Italy, to general consulates in Naples and Kraków, and the consulate in Brno in the Czech Republic.

On Monday, Spanish police said they had intercepted three more envelopes containing animal eyes addressed to Ukraine’s embassy in Madrid and its consulates in Barcelona and Málaga.

A Ukrainian embassy employee in Madrid was injured on Wednesday by a letter bomb, which was addressed to Ukraine’s ambassador to Spain. A further four letter bombs were sent on Wednesday to addresses in Spain, including to a Spanish arms manufacturer that has produced rockets donated to Ukraine, as well as Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, and the US embassy in Madrid.

In an interview with CNN on Friday, Kuleba described what followed the Madrid attack as “more weird” and “even sick”.

Asked who he thought was behind the packages, Kuleba said he “feels tempted to name Russia” as it benefits from sowing fear among Ukrainian diplomats. But he added that it could also be someone who sympathises with Russia, so he would await the findings of ongoing investigations.”-via The Guardian

~

“Norway will make a voluntary financial contribution to the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine, according to the Council of the European Union. “Norway’s financial support…will give an additional boost to train and equip the Ukrainian Armed Forces as they continue their courageous fight against the Russian aggression,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.

The EU military assistance mission was established on Oct. 17 to provide individual, collective and specialized training to Ukraine’s Armed Forces. The mission aims to train up to 15,000 Ukrainian servicemen on the territory of EU member states.

On Nov. 25, Norway’s government said it would supply Ukraine with 55,000 units of winter clothing, an M109 self-propelled howitzer, spare parts for military equipment repairs, individual first-aid kits, and 30,000 field rations.”-via Kyiv Independent

~

“Montenegro will donate 11% of its military budget to Ukraine, the prime minister's office said Monday.

The donation, along with "receiving thousands of refugees," shows the Montenegrin government’s "clear determination to support the defence of Ukrainians," the statement from the Office of the Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazović said.

The terms were agreed by Abazović and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who signed a joint declaration on Monday, according to Zelensky’s Telegram channel.

"Today, we signed the Joint Declaration, which defines the priority areas of cooperation between Ukraine and Montenegro within the strategic course of our country to acquire full membership in NATO," Zelensky said in the Telegram post.

"I am grateful to Montenegro for the strong political support and important practical help to Ukraine," he added. Abazović said on Twitter that Montenegro "wants peace."

"That is why we express our unequivocal support for Ukraine and its people with a view to safeguarding their integrity, sovereignty and right to a free life," added Abazović.”-via CNN

~

“Russia’s defense ministry said Monday it has deployed mobile coastal defense missile systems on a northern Kuril island, part of a strategically located chain of islands that stretch between Japan and the Russian Kamchatka Peninsula.

Japan lays claim to the Russian-held southern Kuril islands, which Tokyo calls the Northern Territories, a territorial row that dates to the end of World War Two, when Soviet troops seized them from Japan.

The Russian Bastion systems, which have missiles with a flight range of up to 500 km (310 miles), were deployed on the island of Paramushir, the Russian defense ministry said Monday.

“Coastal servicemen of the Pacific Fleet will keep a round-the-clock watch to control the adjacent water area and strait zones,” it said.”-via CNN

~

“Russian and Ukrainian authorities have confirmed the exchange of 120 people in a prisoner swap.

According to the Russian defense ministry, 60 Russian servicemen have been returned from "Kyiv-controlled territory."

Returned soldiers will be treated and rehabilitated at the defense ministry's facilities, it said.

Ukraine will receive 60 prisoners in return, said Andrii Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, on Telegram.

"This is the best news on the holiday," said Yermak. Of the total, there are 58 men and two women, with 14 prisoners captured during the siege of the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol.

Details surrounding the timing of the swap and location have not been released.”-via CNN

[sowhatifiliveinfukuoka]

Places to visit...

Кури́льские острова́

[carica-ficus]

Review: "Johnny's Girls"

Author: Vesna Kurilić

Date: 31/08/2023

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

________________________________________________________

Along with the horror novella "What Do Nightmares Dream Of" that I bought in Rijeka, I also snatched a copy of "Johhny's Girls", the first part of the "Ranger Paraversum" series. I've heard mixed opinions about this one, but I don't shy away from unconventional books. On the contrary, I actually love giving them a chance.

The book is set in Rijeka, a Croatian coastal town, during the second world war, and follows Lina Malnar who studies to become a so called Cartographer, a navigation specialist for traveling between parallel universes. When she gets asked for help in another world by none other than her doppelganger, Lina finds herself in the difficult situation of pretending to be someone she's not and giving in to her feelings toward another version of herself, while at the same time trying to solve the mystery behind the disappearance of a fellow Cartographer.

"Johnny's girls" centers around the building relationship between Lina and her doppelganger, Karol. It plays out as a romance novel first, and a mystery second. Set in an almost steampunk alternative world and played out in an extravagant mansion, it gives off a very "roaring 20's" aesthetic in the best sense of that word.

The mystery aspect of the novel would fall under the locked-room trope, with no obvious explanation behind the disappearance of Karol's friend, and no reasonable way to escape from the location undetected. It also incorporates the trope of a closed circle of suspects, which is excellently utilized in the closed off party in the mansion. There is a relatively small number of distinct characters, so it is easy to follow them throughout the story.

On the other hand, because Karol's and Lina's relationship often holds the spotlight, the elements connected to the mystery of the disappearance just don't reach up to their potential, especially considering the novel falls under science fiction and involves travel between universes. The suspects could've also used more development, and the grand reveal is underwhelming and, unfortunately, even somewhat disappointing.

The pairing between Karol and Lina definitely is unusual, but still offers an interesting, and special dynamic. Their affection starts of as relatively simple admiration, but quickly evolves into more. Even though they are similar in many ways, their physical appearance and behavior is different enough to establish that they should definitely not be regarded as same. Lina presents very feminine, has a calm and attentive demeanor. Karol, on the other hand, is very masculine, keeps to herself, but is protective and approachable. Their personalities ensure an intense chemistry, but also complement each other, which works well for the plot too.

The particular way in which the author approaches Lina's attraction to Karol makes her devotion incredibly convincing. So much so, that the reader easily falls in love with Karol just by going through Lina's thoughts. The attention to detail is admirable, especially the way Kurilić writes about simple gestures which would go unnoticed by the average bystander. Of course, Karol's physical appearance is talked about in great admiration, but it's her body language that's regarded as deeply alluring. This technique allows for a better impression of Lina and Karol's interest for one another, which in turn increases the interest for their relationship.

Unique, compelling, and striking, "Johnny's Girls" undeniably offers something original. Although the main pairing is obviously not for everyone, it is still extremely charming and offers a generous amount of sweet and passionate moments. I wouldn't exactly recommend this book if you're looking for a mystery, but it is a solid romance that comes with an engaging plot. I, for one, enjoyed it and plan to continue with the series.

[kvetch19]

Kuril Islands