Earthweek: A Diary of the Planet (Feb. 1, 2013)

South Sea Slaughter
Around 900 dolphins were slaughtered by a group of disgruntled villagers in the Solomon Islands over a financial dispute between them and an environmental charity.  The Earth Island Institute had convinced villagers in 2011 to stop the regular slaughter in exchange for funding for sustainable fishing, alternative energy and water sanitation projects.  But apparent mismangement of the funds angered some, who resumed the hunt and killed nearly a thousand of the marine mammals for their meat and teeth.  Some villagers accused the charity of simply not giving them the money.  Earth Island Institute claims a "renegade group" based in the capital of Honiara "grabbed funds that were supposed to go to the community."  The dolphins were herded into bays or onto beaches by fishermen using stones to make noises in their boats that frightened the animals.
Headaches in a Flash
Researchers say they have found that lightning can cause headaches and migraines, even if those suffering them don't know the electrical storms are around.  Scientists at the University of Cincinnati say the link between the painful conditions and nearby thunderstorms is profound.  "Many studies show conflicting findings on how weather, including elements like barometric pressure and humidity, affect the onset of headaches," said Geoffrey Martin, who conducted the research with his father, Vincent.  "But this study very clearly shows a correlation between lightning, associated meteorological factors and headaches."  The scientists aren't exaxtly sure how lightning and headaches are related, but the electromagnetic waves or increased ozone from the lightning could be the culprits.
Clouds are Alive
Bacteria and other tiny life forms arethriving high in Earth's atmosphere as they are carried around the world by prevailing winds, according to new research.  "We did not expect to find so many microorganisms in the troposphere, which is considered a difficult environment for life," said microbiologist Kostas Konstantinidis of the Georgia Institute of Technology.  "There seems to be quite a diversity of species."  Some of the bacteria and other organic materisl, living up to six miles high, are believed to have an effect on the weather.  Researchers think that common sea spray catapults them from the top of the ocean up into the atmosphere.  But it's unknown how long these organisms can survive or reproduce in the high-altitude and low-oxygen environments.  "I wouldn't be surprised if there is active life and growth in clouds, but this is something we cannot say for sure now," said Konstantinidis.
Earthquakes
The northern half of Chile was jolted by a strong quake that knocked out windows and sent residents rushing into the streets.
* Earth movements were also felt in northern Italy, southeastern Kazakhstan, New Zealand's South Island, southeast Alaska and eastern Texas.
Tropical Cyclones
The Seychelles were swamped by more than a month's worth of rainfall within a single dday as outer bands of developing Cyclone Felleng swept over the western Indian Ocean island republic.  The storm later reached Category 4 force as it passed between Madagascar and the French overseas territory of Reunion.
* Cyclone Garry brought locally heavy rains to the Cook Islands, but the South Pacific storm spared the archipelago any significant damage.
Russian Lava
Far East Russia's Plosky Tolbachik volcano spewed jets of hot lava up to 650 fet above the Kamchatka Peninsula's frozen wintertime landscape.  The volcano roared back to life in November after lying dormant for almost 40 years.  Vulcanologists say the eruption may be creating the first lava lake ever recorded on the Kamchatka Peninsula.  This means the flow from deep beneath the surface is fast enough to keep all the lava fluid long enough to form a lake.
Pastoral Adoption
A red deer has been "adopted" by a flock of sheep on the U.K.'s Suffolk coast.  The young buck apparently joined the woolly grazers after his herd passed by in early December.  The deer has been living among the sheep ever since.  "I've been involved with sheep all my life, but I'venever seen deer interact with them," said shepherd Andrew Capell.  "They seem to have accepted him as one of their own."  The National Trust, a U.K. charity that specializes in protecting everything from historical sites to endangered species, is watching over the buck and hopes he will rejoin his herd if it ever roams by again.  For now, the deer seems to be living well among his new family, eating, playing and sleeping with the flock.  "He seems to be happy living with the sheep and has made a few friends, but he comes and goes and hops over the fence to visit them when he likes," said Capell.