Earth Report – Global Disaster Watch
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
Two 5.2 earthquakes hit the South Sandwich Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits the Bay of Bengal.
5.0 earthquake hits Tarapaca, Chile.
5.0 earthquake hits the Kermedec islands.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Post Tropical Cyclone Henri is located about 50 mi…85 km e of Providence Rhode island and about 55 mi…90 km se of Boston Massachusetts with maximum sustained winds…25 mph…35 km/h. Present movement…e or 80 degrees at 14 mph…22 km/h.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Tropical storm 13e (Marty), located approximately 727 nm south of San Diego, is tracking westward at 11 knots.
Newsbytes:
Sudan – The United Nations reports that flooding in Sudan has affected over 60,000 people across 12 states. Furthermore, 3,848 houses have been destroyed and 8,514 damaged. A total of 43 people have lost their lives as a result of heavy rains and flooding. The Nile river is above the danger mark in several locations in the country. As of 22 August, the river stood at 16.12 metres at Atbara in River Nile State. The danger mark here is 15.78 metres.
USA – Tropical Storm Henri made landfall near Westerly, Rhode Island USA on 22 August 2021. The storm brought heavy rainfall to the region before landfall. A record 1.94 inches (49.28 mm) of rain fell in Central Park, New York in 1 hour late on 21 August 2021. Henri also brought strong winds and storm surge. At one point more than 120,000 people were without power across the Northeast. Some flights and trains were suspended temporarily.
Sand Dollar Die-Off
Thousands of sand dollars mysteriously washed ashore in Oregon in a “mass die-off” event. Last week, the circular sea creatures showed up in droves on Seaside Beach in northern Oregon. Sand dollars are species of sea urchins that live on the sandy seafloor, typically close to shore. Beachgoers are likely familiar with the white exoskeleton of the dead sand dollar. But living sand dollars are covered with tiny gray or purple spines that make the animals look fuzzy.
“At this time, we do not know what has caused this. The sand dollars were alive when they washed in during high tides and became stranded, but they “are unable to make it back to the water once the tide recedes,” aquarium representatives said. “This is resulting in them drying up and dying.”
Wildfires – California, USA
More than 13,500 firefighters were working Monday to contain a dozen large California wildfires that have destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands of people to flee to safety.
Containment increased to 40% at the Dixie Fire, which has burned more than 1,130 square miles (2,926 square kilometers) in the northern Sierra Nevada and southern Cascades. Ongoing assessments showed 1,259 buildings destroyed, including 678 single-family homes, Cal Fire said. Nearly 13,000 structures remained threatened.
Tallies of losses also increased at the Caldor Fire, which has incinerated more than 166 square miles (430 square kilometers) of El Dorado National Forest on Sierra slopes southwest of Lake Tahoe. Continuing assessments showed 447 buildings destroyed. More than 17,000 structures were still under threat.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
H5N6 avian influenza – China
For the third time in a week, Hong Kong health officials report monitoring a human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) on the Chinese mainland. He is a farmer and had contact with live poultry.