Earth Report – Global Disaster Watch
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.0 earthquake hits Fiji.
5.0 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.
5.0 earthquake hits Tonga.
5.0 earthquake hits the Lombok region, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits near the coast of Nicaragua.
5.0 earthquake hits south of Fiji.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are currently no tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
USA – An outbreak of severe storms swept through the eastern half of Kansas and Nebraska Friday, unleashing tornadoes, destructive wind gusts and massive hail in both states. A major tornado developed just before sunset in the eastern Wichita suburbs before entering the city of Andover, where it caused substantial damage. There were no immediate reports of injuries, but many homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. A total of 14 tornadoes were reported.
Carbon Capture
Pulverized rock dust spread on farmland has the potential to remove vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping countries meet their net-zero carbon target by 2050, experts say. In Britain alone, researchers believe that almost half of the nation’s CO2 removal goals could be achieved in this way.
Enhanced rock weathering is a process in which basalt and other rocks are ground up, increasing their surface area to better absorb carbon from the atmosphere. Because no new technology is needed to prepare, distribute and spread the rock dust, it is far more practical and cheaper than other forms of direct air capture and storage under development.
Wildfires – New Mexico
The drought-driven Calf Canyon wildfire has destroyed 166 homes in northern New Mexico and is threatening hundreds more as fierce winds fan flames towards mountain villages. Thousands of residents were on standby to evacuate amid fears a Friday wind storm would push the blaze into communities in the Mora Valley, around 40 miles (64 kilometres) northeast of Santa Fe. The fire has so far burned 64,395 acres (26,060 hectares) or 101 square miles (260 square km).
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Measles – Africa
Africa is facing an explosion of preventable diseases due to delays in vaccinating children, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Thursday, with measles cases jumping 400%.
Twenty African countries reported measles outbreaks in the first quarter of this year, eight more than in the first three months of 2021. The Africa region recorded almost 17,500 cases of the highly contagious virus between January and March.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.9 earthquake hits eastern New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.
5.6 earthquake hits the central east Pacific rise.
5.2 earthquake hits the Bismarck Sea.
5.1 earthquake hits Leyte in the Philippines.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are currently no tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
Venezuela – Heavy rainfall since mid-April has caused flooding in several states in Venezuela. Thousands of families have been affected by floods in Sur del Lago de Maracaibo sub-region in Zulia state. Swollen rivers and failing embankments led to flooding in the municipalities of Sucre, Francisco Javier Pulgar, Colón and Catatumbo from around 20 April 2022. Homes, roads, livestock and crops have all been damaged. Heavy rain has also taken its toll in the neighbouring state of Mérida. One person died in floodwaters on 19 April in the municipality of Caracciolo Parra and another in Alberto Adriani municipality on 21 April after a landslide buried a house. The municipality Obispo Ramos de Lora declared a state of emergency on 22 April after more than 250 families were affected and at least 25 homes damaged or destroyed following flooding from the Guachizón river. The capital city Caracas has also seen heavy rain over the last few days. In a 48 hour period to 28 April, the city recorded 180 mm of rain, which is around 3 times the monthly average for April.
Extreme global warming could see major ocean life extinction
How badly will ocean animals be hit as Earth warms? A computer model based on the oxygen requirements of marine organisms may provide an answer.
Our oceans already contain about 2 per cent less oxygen than 50 years ago, because the gas is less soluble in warmer water. Many organisms are therefore moving polewards to cooler regions. As the oceans continue to warm, some will be left with nowhere to go, with polar species being hit hardest.
The model suggests marine extinctions will rise gradually alongside ocean warming, passing 10 per cent once around 6°C of warming on average across the seas is reached. After 8°C, the percentage will increase more rapidly, passing 40 per cent at around 14°C of warming.
Plastic Eaters
Chemical engineers in Texas say they have developed a new enzyme variant that can break down plastic in just hours or days, compared to the centuries it takes to degrade in nature.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin say this could eliminate billions of tons of landfill waste and bring about true recycling of plastic. Globally, less than 10% of all plastic has been recycled. Developed through machine learning, the FAST-PETase enzyme was found to break down 51 different types of consumer plastic containers, five different polyester fibers and fabrics, as well as water bottles. The team plans to scale up the production for industrial use and to experiment with spreading the enzyme across polluted sites.
Reptiles in Peril
An international study of reptiles by more than 900 scientists across six continents finds that more than a fifth of all species are threatened with extinction.
“If we remove reptiles, it could change ecosystems radically, with unfortunate knock-on effects, such as increases in pest insects,” said researcher Neil Cox. While many reptiles are found in arid regions, far more live in forests, where they are threatened by climate change, logging and expanding agriculture. Hunting, especially for crocodiles and turtles, is also a major threat.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 48.0 degrees Celsius (118.4 degrees F) at Nawabshah, Pakistan.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 77.0 degrees Celsius (-106.6 degrees F) at Vostok, Antarctica.
Temperatures were tabulated from the more than 10,000 worldwide synoptic weather stations. The United Nations World Meteorological Organization sets the standards for weather observations, and provides a global telecommunications circuit for data distribution.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Acute Hepatitis in Children – USA
The Wisconsin Department of Health issued a health alert to physicians yesterday concerning the recent increase in cases of acute hepatitis and adenovirus infection in children. Since being notified of the cluster of acute hepatitis of unknown etiology in Alabama earlier this month, Wisconsin health officials are investigating four similar cases among children and one death.
Bird Flu Spreads
Massive numbers of wild birds across more than 25 US states and parts of Canada have been made ill or killed by the H5N1 strain of the avian influenza virus, including bald eagles. Tens of millions of domestic poultry have also been culled.
“This outbreak in wild bird populations is a lot more extensive than we saw in 2014 and 2015,” University of Georgia bird flu researcher David Stallknecht told public broadcaster NPR. “Just a lot more birds appear to be affected.” The virus can fall to the ground in the droppings of passing wild birds, and is easily spread on shoes and even vehicles traveling to and between farms. The H5N1 strain is also causing France’s worst bird flu crisis in history and infecting wild birds and poultry in other parts of Europe, Africa and Asia.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week 20 April – 26 April 2022
Aira – Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that very small eruptive events at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) were recorded during 18-25 April. Crater incandescence was periodically visible at night. The sulfur dioxide emissions were slightly high at 1,300 tons per day on 19 April but then dropped to 500 tons per day on 22 April.
Davidof – Aleutian Islands (USA) : AVO lowered both the Aviation Color Code and the Volcano Alert Level for Davidof to Unassigned on 21 April, noting that the earthquake swarm which began in January had declined in the previous few weeks. It is unknown if the swarm was due to tectonic processes or volcanic unrest. The level “Unassigned” means that there is not sufficient instrumentation on the volcano for AVO to characterize a base level of activity; the closest seismometer was on Little Sitkin (15 km E).
Dukono – Halmahera : Based on satellite and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 21-23 and 25 April ash plumes from Dukono rose to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions.
Fuego – South-Central Guatemala :INSIVUMEH reported that 2-10 explosions per hour were recorded at Fuego during 21-25 April, generating ash plumes that rose as high as 1.3 km above the crater rim. The ash plumes mainly drifted as far as 15 km SE, S, and SW causing daily ashfall in areas downwind including Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW), Finca Palo Verde, Finca la Asunción, El Zapote (10 km S), San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km NW), Ceylon, San Andrés Osuna, and La Rochela. Shock waves rattled structures in communities around the volcano on most days and occasional rumbling was heard. Block avalanches descended the flanks in all directions, but most commonly were visible in the Ceniza (SSW), Seca (W), Trinidad (S), Taniluyá (SW), Honda, and Las Lajas (SE) drainages, often reaching vegetated areas. Explosions ejected incandescent material 100-350 m above the summit during 21-24 April.
Great Sitkin – Andreanof Islands (USA) : AVO reported that slow lava effusion at Great Sitkin continued during 20-26 April, and very low seismicity persisted.
Ibu – Halmahera : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Ibu continued during 22-26 April. Daily dense gray ash plumes generally rose 400-1,500 m above the summit and drifted W and NE, though at 0948 on 25 April ash plumes rose up to 3 km above the summit and drifted W.
Kilauea – Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that lava continued to effuse from a vent in the lower W wall of Kilauea’s Halema`uma`u Crater during 19-26 April, entering an active lava lake and flowing onto the crater floor. The surface of the lava lake was active all week, and the height of the lake fluctuated; the lake occasionally overflowed the rim, sending lava onto the crater floor. Daily breakouts occurred along the N, NE, E, and S parts of the crater.
Langila – New Britain (Papua New Guinea) : The Darwin VAAC reported that on 24 April an ash plume from Langila rose 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW. The plume had dissipated within 5.5 hours.
Lewotolok – Lembata Island : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Lewotolok continued during 19-26 April. Daily white-and-gray ash plumes rose 50-400 m above the summit and drifted W, NW, and E.
Merapi – Central Java : BPPTKG reported that the eruption at Merapi continued during 15-21 April. The heights and morphologies of the SW lava dome and the central lava dome were unchanged from the previous week, and seismicity remained at high levels. As many as 150 lava avalanches traveled a maximum of 2 km mostly down the Bebeng drainage on the SW flank. One pyroclastic flows traveled 2 km SW down the Bebeng.
Pavlof – Alaska Peninsula, Alaska : AVO reported that the eruption at a vent on Pavlof’s upper E flank was ongoing during 20-26 April, though weather conditions sometimes prevented visual observations. Seismic tremor persisted and daily elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images.
Popocatepetl – Mexico : CENAPRED reported that the eruption at Popocatépetl continued during 19-26 April. Each day there were 6-27 steam-and-gas emissions that rose from the crater and drifted mainly SW. The plumes sometimes contained ash. Incandescence from the crater was sometimes visible at night. Two minor explosions were recorded at 0152 and 0559 on 21 April.
Rincon de la Vieja – Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that a small eruptive event at Rincón de la Vieja was recorded at 0618 on 25 April, though it was not visible due to weather conditions. Another small event was recorded at 0156 on 26 April; the plume was not visible due to conditions.
Sabancaya – Peru : Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported moderate levels of activity at Sabancaya during 18-24 April with a daily average of 37 explosions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 2.3 km above the summit and drifted N, NE, SE, and S. As many as 10 thermal anomalies originating from the lava dome in the summit crater were identified in satellite data. Minor inflation continued to be detected near Hualca Hualca (4 km N).
Santa Maria – Southwestern Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that the eruption at Santa María’s Santiaguito lava-dome complex continued during 21-25 April. Incandescence from Caliente crater and the lava flows on the W and SW flanks was visible nightly and early mornings. Avalanches of blocks descended the W and SW flanks of Caliente. The lava flows continued to advance, traveling as far as 2.5 km in the San Isidro channel, and produced block avalanches from the ends and sides of the flows that descended the S, SW, and S flanks. Ash from these avalanches fell in areas around the volcano and a sulfur odor was also occasionally noticed.
Semeru – Eastern Java : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 19-26 April. Almost daily ash plumes were visible rising 200-600 m above the summit that drifted N, S, SW, and W. Cloudy weather sometimes prevented visual observations.
Semisopochnoi – Aleutian Islands (USA) : AVO reported that low-level eruptive activity at Semisopochnoi’s North Cerberus cone continued during 19-26 April. Periods of seismic tremor were occasionally detected and small explosions were recorded in seismic data during 19-20 April. Minor, low-level, plumes with low ash content were visible in webcam images through each day during 19-20 April, with occasional more energetic ash plumes. Weather cloud cover often hindered webcam and satellite views during the rest of the week.
Sheveluch – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 15-22 April, and lava-dome extrusion continued. Explosions during 15-16 April produced ash plumes that rose as high as 5 km (16,400 ft) a.s.l. and drifted about 75 km SE.
Suwanosejima – Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that eruptive activity continued to be recorded at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater during 18-25 April. Eruption plumes rose as high as 1.5 km above the crater rim; no explosions were recorded.
Wolf – Isla Isabela (Galapagos) : IG reported that thermal anomalies over Wolf were periodically identified in satellite images during 19-26 April, though were absent on several of the days. Lava advancement was identified in images during 19-21 April; no surface activity was visible the rest of the week.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.5 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.3 earthquake hits Alaska.
Marsquakes
NASA’s InSight lander touched down on Mars in November 2018 carrying the most sensitive seismometer ever designed. Since the mission’s arrival, it has detected countless events dubbed marsquakes
The first seismic event, called S0976a, was of magnitude 4.2, occurred on Aug. 25, 2021 and originated in the Valles Marineris, a vast network of canyons that extends 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers), on the opposite side of the planet from InSight.
The second marsquake, called S1000a, occurred 24 days later, on Sept. 18, 2021. This event was slightly smaller, at magnitude 4.1, and the marsquake’s exact location remains unknown beyond that scientists have isolated it to the far side of Mars. S1000a also lasted for 94 minutes — the longest seismic event ever recorded on Mars.
Underwater Volcano Triggers 85 000 earthquakes
A long-dormant underwater volcano near Antarctica has woken up, triggering a swarm of 85,000 earthquakes. The swarm, which began in August 2020 and subsided by November of that year, is the strongest earthquake activity ever recorded in the region. And the quakes were likely caused by a “finger” of hot magma poking into the crust, new research finds.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are currently no tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
Brazil – Flooding from the Jari river has affected thousands of people in communities in the state of Amapá in northern Brazil. Levels of the Jari river increased after heavy rainfall in the region over the last few weeks. The Amapá state government said the river reached 3.01 metres on 26 April, the highest level of the year so far. As of 26 April, the state government reported 16,152 people affected in Laranjal do Jari and 8,340 in Vitória do Jari. Federal government sources said over 220 families have been displaced.
DR Congo and Rwanda – At least 20 people have died after heavy rain caused floods and landslides in areas of Rwanda and neighbouring parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) over the last few days. In Rwanda at least 11 people died and 13 were injured after heavy rain on 23 April caused flooding and landslides in several districts of the country. Damage to homes, roads and crops was also reported. A landslide occurred in Kadutu commune of Bukavu, capital of South Kivu Province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo late on 25 April 2022 after heavy rainfall. As of 27 April at least 9 fatalities had been reported, along with several serious injuries. At least 5 houses situated on steep slopes in Kadutu were totally destroyed. Several vehicles were also damaged or destroyed.