Southern Pacific Rocks

At least 75 people are dead and thousands are trapped under rubble after a strong earthquake shook western Indonesia, officials say.

Watch news clips and read more on the BBC.

A tsunami triggered by a strong quake in the South Pacific has killed more than 100 people in several islands.

Watch news clips and read more on the BBC.

Recession Accentuates Impacts of Decentralizing of Retailing

The number of vacant shops in Rochdale is more than 10 times higher than it was a year ago.
In June 2008, 1.63 per cent of shops stood empty, compared to 17.43 per cent this June.
The figures were compiled by market analysis firm the Local Data Company, which studied shop vacancies in 675 town centres across England and Wales.
Of all the town centres studies, Rochdale had the 15th highest number of empty shops.
Since last June, the town centre has suffered a number of retail losses, with both high profile national chains and small independent businesses shutting up shop forever.
Several estate agents and the Toni and Guy hair salon in Yorkshire Street have also either relocated outside of Rochdale or folded.
Many of the closures are the result of national chains collapsing under the pressure of the recession, such as Principles, which had been trading in the Exchange Centre for more than 20 years before the firm slid into administration earlier this year.
In January, 53 people lost their jobs and a flagship Yorkshire Street store closed its doors forever with the national demise of Woolworths.

Has the worm turned?

The global recession and a range of government policies are likely to bring the biggest annual fall in the world's carbon dioxide emissions in 40 years.

For more information click this link to the BBC.

Alternatively, go direct to the International Energy Agency website.

You think it is wet in the Uk?

Take a look at these images of Istanbul in Turkey as flash floods hit the city.

Photo Comp Reminder

As there are just a couple days left of your summer hols a reminder about the photograph competition.

Entries need to be given to your Geography Teacher by the end of school on Monday 14 September.

The photograph needs to have been taken this summer by you and it must have a geographical scheme.

If you have not taken one yet get snapping!

61 Million and rising.

The UK population grew by 408,000 in 2008 - the biggest increase for almost 50 years, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The total number of people passed 61m for the first time, with changes in birth and death rates now a bigger cause of growth than immigration.
For information go to the Office of National Statistics.

GCSE Results Day!

Well done to you all for passing your GCSE Geography.

Watch out world there's whole new set of qualified geographers going out their to make a difference.

We look forward to seeing most of you next week at the start of your AS year. For those of you leaving us - best wishes for your futures.

A-level results day!

Well done to you all for passing your A-level Geography. Enjoy life at university and we hope to see you at the presentation evening in December.

No surprise there then!?

You will need your brolly at the start of August in the UK - the Met Office is issuing a revised forecast for more unsettled weather well into the month. Read more at the BBC by clicking this link.

We have just bought a bucket barbecue as well! I wonder if you can use it in the garage?

Back from hols!

Back from two weeks in Menorca. Let me know where you have been this summer and we will create a map of visists this summer.