Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 earthquake hits the State of Yap, Micronesia.
5.4 earthquake hits off the east coast of Kamchatka.
5.1 earthquake hits off the east coast of Kamchatka.
Storms and Floods
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical Cyclone 11s (Freddy) is located approximately 119 nm north-northwest of Europa Island, is tracking northwestward at 07 knots.
Newsbytes:
Brazil – Severe flooding struck in northern parts of Rio Grande do Sul State in Brazil after heavy rain that began around 05 March 2023. One person died after a vehicle was swept away by the flooding of the Três Forquilhas river in Terra de Areia. Homes, roads and bridges were damaged or destroyed. Classes have been suspended.
Ecuador – At least 3 people died after heavy rain caused flooding and landslides in the Manabí Province of Ecuador on 07 March 2023. The worst of the flooding struck in Chone city and areas of Chone canton after several small rivers and streams – tributaries of the Chone River – broke their banks. Flood water, mud and debris swept through parts of Chone city and the parishes of Santa Rita, Canuto, Ricaurte and San Antonio. Dozens of homes were severely damaged or destroyed. Meanwhile, the heavy rains triggered several landslides in the area which blocked several roads. A landslide caused the collapse of a house in Santa Rita parish. Two people died in the event.
Ghana – A heavy downpour lasting several hours caused flooding in parts of Accra, the capital of Ghana, on 07 March 2023. Roads were swamped severely disrupting traffic in a city regularly impacted by flooding. Two young children died after a building collapsed in the Ngleshi Amanfro neighbourhood in the west of the city.
Global Warming
Antarctica’s sea ice reaches its lowest level since records began
The amount of sea ice surrounding Antarctica has reached its lowest level since modern records began, for the second year in a row.
Sea ice is frozen seawater that floats on the ocean’s surface around the planet’s polar regions. It forms at much lower sustained temperatures than freshwater ice does, at around 28.8 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 1.8 degrees Celsius). Sea ice builds up during the winter until it reaches its maximum extent, and then melts away in the spring and summer until it reaches its minimum extent.
In Antarctica, where summer and winter are flipped relative to the Northern Hemisphere, sea ice normally reaches its maximum extent in September, when sea ice covers around 7 million square miles (18.5 million square kilometers). At its minimum extent, at the end of February, historically only around 1 million square miles (2.5 million square km) remains.
Last year, the minimum sea ice extent was less than 772,000 square miles (2 million square km), the lowest total since scientists began recording sea ice extent with satellites in 1979. On Feb. 21 this year, that number had shrunk to just 691,000 square miles (1.8 million square km), which is roughly 40% less than the average between 1981 and 2010
Wildlife
More than half of native plants are under threat in the UK and Ireland
More than half of the UK and Ireland’s native plants are in decline – and invasive species now outnumber native flora.These are the stark conclusions of a 20 year research project published in Plant Atlas this week.
The report paints a bleak picture of how climate change is decimating local ecosystems in both countries.According to the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI), 53 per cent of native plants and 62 per cent of ancient introductions have declined since the 1950s.In contrast, 58 per cent of modern introductions have increased.
Volcanos
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New activity for the week 1 March – 7 March 2023
Aniakchak – Alaska Peninsula, Alaska : AVO reported that the earthquake swarm at Aniakchak was ongoing with 120 earthquakes located during 25 February-3 March. Magnitudes were as high as M3.1 and several earthquakes had magnitudes between M2 and M3. The earthquakes were located at shallow depths (less than 5 km) and below the S part of the caldera and to the E of the volcano. Daily, small, shallow earthquakes with magnitudes as high as M2.7 were recorded during 4-7 March.
Karangetang – Sangihe Islands : According to PVMBG the eruption at Karangetang’s Main Crater (S crater) continued during 1-7 March. Nighttime webcam images posted with daily reports showed flows of incandescent material descending the flanks, though incandescence decreased towards the end of the week.
Suwanosejima – Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that the number of explosions at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater began to increase on 2 February and further increased on 2 March. Activity intensified and a total of 25 explosions were recorded during 1-5 March. Ash plumes rose as high as 1.4 km above the crater rim and large blocks were ejected as far as 500 m from the vent. Crater incandescence was visible at night. Occasional ashfall and rumbling noises were reported in Toshima village (3.5 km SSW). Explosions continued during 5-7 March. Ash plumes rose as high as 2 km above the crater rim and large blocks were ejected as far as 500 m.
Tanaga – Andreanof Islands (USA) : At 2215 on 7 March AVO raised the Aviation Color Code for Tanaga to Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level to Advisory due to increased seismicity. Earlier that afternoon, starting at about 1330, seismicity began to increase and by around 2045 earthquakes were occurring at a rate of 2-3 per minute. The events were located at shallow depths and the largest events were M2-3.
Trident – Alaska : AVO reported that the earthquake swarm at Trident was ongoing during 1-7 March. Daily small earthquakes with magnitudes less than 1 were recorded at a rate of about 1-5 per day. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale) and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Advisory (the second lowest level on a four-level scale).