Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.0 earthquake hits the Macquarie Island region.
5.3 earthquake hits the southern mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.2 earthquake hits Taiwan.
5.1 earthquake hits Tonga.
5.1 earthquake hits Fiji.
Storms and Floods
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Typhoon 03w (Guchol), located approximately 410 nm south-southeast of Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan, is tracking north-northeastward at 08 knots.
In the North Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone 02a (Biparjoy), located approximately 457 nm south of Karachi, Pakistan is tracking northward at 05 knots.
Tropical cyclone 03a (Three), located approximately 84 nm south of Chittagong, is trackingnorthward at 06 knots. This is the final warning for this system.
Wildfires
Wildfires – Canada
The Canadian wildfires are the largest in the country’s history. They have burned over 10 million hectares of land and destroyed over 10,000 homes. Of the more than 400 fires burning in Canada, more than one-third are in Quebec, which has little experience with so many and such large wildfires.
The smoke from the hundreds of wildfires, which has already blanketed parts of the US and placed around 75 million people under air quality alerts, has reached as far as Norway, according to scientists in that country.People in Norway may be able to smell and even notice the smoke as a light haze but there should be no health impacts due to the smoke being very diluted. Over the coming days, the plume is expected to spread across swaths of Europe but it’s unlikely people will be able to smell or notice the smoke.
Disease
Dengue Fever – Sri Lanka
The Sri Lanka National Dengue Control Unit reported today that the country has reported 42,184 dengue fever cases. including 22 deaths through June 9. This is a 1955% increase compared to the 2052 cases reported during the same period in 2022.
Leptospirosis – Peru
The Peru Ministry of Health reports 6833 cumulative leptospirosis cases through May 27 this year. This is a 188% increase compared the the same period in 2022 (2372). 74.8% are considered probable cases.
Earthquakes
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.6 earthquake hits the Rat Islands in the Aleutian Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits Guam.
5.0 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
Storms and Floods
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Typhoon 03w (Guchol), located approximately 537 nm south-southeast of Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan, is tracking north-northwestward at 06 knots.
In the North Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone 02a (Biparjoy), located approximately 557 nm southeast of Masirah Island, is tracking north-northeastward at 04 knots.
Tropical cyclone 03a (Three), located approximately 151 nm south of Chittagong, is tracking eastward at 02 knots.
NewsBytes:
Iran – A period of severe weather has caused fatalities and damage to homes, infrastructure and livestock in various regions of Iran over the last few days, with floods reported in several provinces. The Iranian Red Crescent has been actively assisting flood-affected communities in 13 provinces throughout the country, focusing on Isfahan, Tehran, Semnan, Zanjan, Qazvin, and East Azerbaijan. The Ardestan district in Isfahan Province witnessed devastating floods that claimed the lives of at least four individuals. Additionally, 9 people sustained injuries, 2 were reported missing and at least 15 houses were destroyed due to the deluge. In the city of Ahar, located in East Azerbaijan Province, one person died while two others were injured as a result of heavy rain and flash floods.
Environment
Heat Wave
Thousands of schools across Bangladesh were forced to shut down because of power cuts and the longest heat wave for the country in decades. “We have never seen such a prolonged heat wave since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971,” said Bazlur Rashid of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
The government has been forced to shutter its largest power plant because it cannot afford the coal to fuel it, while other plants are unable to keep up with demand. The onset of the southwest monsoon typically brings relief by early June from the late-spring heat, but it is late in arriving.
Panama Canal Drought Intensifies
Dwindling water levels on lakes Gatun and Alajuela, which feed the locks of the Panama Canal, are resulting in weight limits and rising surcharges for ships passing through the key waterway. A protracted Panamanian drought is raising further supply chain concerns just as delivery bottlenecks are easing around the world.
Economists warn that should the lake levels fall further, shipping rates could soar and revive some of the chaos of 2021, when high costs and shortages helped drive inflation worldwide. The El Niño ocean warming in the Pacific, which is just developing, typically brings hotter and drier weather to Panama, threatening to cause the two lakes to lose even more water.
Global Warming
Doomed Arctic Sea Ice
A new report says it is now too late to prevent the Arctic from becoming ice-free in summer, even with aggressive efforts to slash greenhouse gas emissions. “There’s nothing really we can do about this complete loss anymore because we’ve been waiting for too long,” said oceanographer Dirk Notz of Germany’s University of Hamburg.
The most recent UN-sponsored climate report suggested there would be no summertime ice surrounding the North Pole around 2050 if carbon emissions continue at high or moderate levels. But a new study published in Nature Communications says this will happen in the 2030s even with cuts.
Ocean Warming Record
Global oceans were warmer last month than any other May in records stretching back to the 19th century, the European Union’s climate monitoring unit reported Wednesday. Sea temperatures at a depth of about 10 metres were a quarter of a degree Celsius higher than ice-free oceans in May averaged across 1991 to 2020, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Environment
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 118.0 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius) in Matam, Senegal.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 103.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 75 degrees Celsius) 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.
Disease
Cholera – South Africa
South Africa’s National Department of Health announced on Thursday that the cholera death toll now stands at 31, following the outbreak in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria. According to the department, Gauteng accounts for 29 deaths, while Free State and Mpumalanga account for one fatality each. Data shows that the country has recorded a total cumulative number of 166 laboratory-confirmed cases and 202 suspected infections of cholera in five provinces between 1 February and 6 June 2023.
Marburg Virus – Equatorial Guinea
The Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak that was declared on February 13 in Equatorial Guinea, on the west coast of Central Africa, has been declared over today, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced. No new cases were reported over the past 42 days after the last patient was discharged from treatment. A total of 17 laboratory-confirmed cases and 12 deaths were recorded. All the 23 probable cases reported died.
Volcanos
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 31 May – 6 June 2023
Aira – Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported ongoing activity at both Minamidake Crater and Showa Crater during 29 May-5 June. On 29 May sulfur dioxide emissions were high at 2,900 tons per day. Crater incandescence was observed nightly at both craters during 29 May-2 June, and very small eruptive events periodically occurred. Eruptive events at Minamidake at 0237 and 0454 on 4 June produced ash plumes that rose about 1.1 km above the crater rim. An explosion at 0012 on 5 June generated an ash plume that rose 1 km and drifted SE, and ejected blocks 500-700 m from the crater. At Showa, eruptive events at 0211, 0352, 0440, and 1436 on 5 June generated ash plumes that rose 1.3-1.5 km above the crater rim and drifted SE and E, or rose straight up; blocks were ejected as far as 300 m from the crater. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale), and residents were warned to stay 2 km away from both craters.
Bezymianny – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that eruptive activity at Bezymianny was generally characterized by lava effusion, gas-and-steam emissions, and lava dome incandescence during 25 May-1 June. A daily thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images.
Bulusan – Luzon (Philippines) : In a special advisory, PHIVOLCS reported that from 0500 on 31 May to 1500 on 1 June the seismic network at Bulusan recorded a total of 19 volcanic earthquakes. Out of those, five were located at depths of 2.7-6.6 km beneath the E part of the volcano and had local magnitudes of 1.8-2.7. Minor white steam emissions from the summit crater and active vents on the SE flank were occasionally visible. Ground deformation data from electronic tiltmeter stations continued to record short-term inflation of the SE flanks, first detected in December 2022.
Cotopaxi – Ecuador : IG reported that moderate eruptive activity continued at Cotopaxi during 30 May-6 June. Seismic activity was mainly characterized by long-period earthquakes and tremors associated with daily emissions. Although weather clouds often obscured views, emissions were visible almost daily. During 30-31 May ash-and-gas emissions rose as high as 500 m above the summit and drifted W and NW. A tremor signal associated with an ash emission was detected on 1 June, though weather clouds prevented visual confirmation; ashfall was reported in San Ramón (108 km N) and San Agustín de Callo (16 km WSW). Multiple ash emissions were reported on 3 June; ash plumes rose as high as around 1 km above the summit and drifted SW, W, and NW. During 4-5 June several gas-and-ash emissions rose 400-800 m and drifted W and SW.
Ebeko – Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that moderate activity at Ebeko was ongoing during 25 May-1 June. According to volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island, about 7 km E) explosions during 25 and 27-28 May generated ash plumes that rose as high as 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images on 26 May and 1 June.
Fuego – South-Central Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that daily gas emissions rose from Fuego during 31 May-4 June. During 2-3 June minor explosions occurring at a rate of two per hour produced diffuse ash plumes that rose 450 m above the summit and drifted 10 km W and SE. Minor ashfall was reported in El Zapote (10 km SSE), La Rochela (8 km SSW), and San Andrés Osuna (12 km SSW).
Great Sitkin – Andreanof Islands (USA) : AVO reported that slow lava effusion continued at Great Sitkin during 30 May-6 June producing a thick lava flow confined to the summit crater. Seismicity remained low; a few local earthquakes were recorded daily. Slightly elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images during 30-31 May and 3-4 June. Satellite data during 5-6 June confirmed that the flow was expanding E.
Ibu – Halmahera : PVMBG reported that Ibu continued to erupt during 31 May-6 June. White-and-gray ash plumes of variable densities rose as high as 1 km above the summit and drifted in multiple directions during 31 May-1 June. According to the Darwin VAAC ash plume rose 2.1-2.4 km (7,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE, E, and NE on 2 and 5 June.
Iliamna – Alaska Peninsula : AVO reported that seismic activity at Iliamna began to increase at around 1200 on 5 June. Initially earthquakes occurred about every one minute, then became more closely spaced. The source of the activity was possibly from movement of magma or hydrothermal fluids beneath the volcano, though similar activity had been observed before large mass movements or avalanches; AVO could not rule out either. The earthquake activity culminated in an ice-rock avalanche just before 1714. There was no visual confirmation, but the signals matched historical observations associated with avalanches at Red Glacier on the E flank. Seismicity declined to background levels.
Krakatau – Sunda Strait : PVMBG reported that at 1434 on 6 June a dense gray ash plume from Anak Krakatau rose around 500 m above the summit and drifted NW.
Lewotolok – Lembata Island : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Lewotolok continued during 31 May-6 June. Ash plumes were periodically visible through the week. Dense white-and-gray ash plumes rose as high as 600 m above the summit and drifted W and NW on 1 June. Ash plumes on 2 June rose as high as 1 km and drifted W and SW. A dense ash plume rose 550 m and drifted SW on 5 June.
Merapi – Central Java : BPPTKG reported that the eruption at Merapi (on Java) continued during 26 May-1 June and seismicity remained at elevated levels. The SW lava dome produced 155 lava avalanches that traveled as far as 2 km down the SW flank (upstream in the Bebeng and Boyong drainages) and one that traveled 500 m NW (upstream of the Senowo River). Morphological changes to the SW lava dome due to continuing collapses of material were evident in webcam images.
Nevado del Ruiz – Colombia : Servicio Geológico Colombiano’s (SGC) Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Manizales reported that the eruption at Nevado del Ruiz continued during 31 May-6 June and was characterized by periodic gas, steam, and ash emissions, and thermal anomalies at the lava dome in Arenas Crater. Seismicity fluctuated at low levels; on 31 May SGC stated that during the past several days seismicity had decreased compared to the previous weeks. Daily gas-and-steam emissions were visible in webcam images and contained ash on most days; emissions rose as high as 2 km above the crater and mainly drifted NW. Ash emissions were confirmed in satellite images on the other days according to the Washington VAAC. A significant thermal anomaly was observed within the crater on 31 May. That same day a sulfur odor was reported in Cerro Gualí. Minor ashfall was reported in the municipalities of Villamaría (28 km NW) and Manizales (28 km NW) on 4 June.
Nyiragongo – DR Congo : The Observatoire Volcanologique de Goma (OVG) characterized activity at Nyiragongo during 27 May-4 June as normal. Sulfur dioxide emissions were low. Faint incandescence at the crater was observed at 1900 on 4 June.
Sabancaya – Peru : Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported moderate levels of activity at Sabancaya during 29 May-4 June with a daily average of 24 explosions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 2.1 km above the summit and drifted NW and W. Six 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).
Sangay – Ecuador : IG reported that the eruption at Sangay continued at a high level during 30 May-6 June, though weather clouds often prevented visual observations. The seismic network recorded 504-528 explosions per day during 30 May-2 June and 158-384 per day during the rest of the week. Periods of occasional-to-frequent ash plumes were reported almost daily. Incandescence at the crater was visible during 31 May and 3-4 June; incandescent material traveled 1 km down the SE flank. Ashfall was reported on 1 June in Cebadas Parish, Chimborazo Province (33 km WNW). On 4 June an ash plume rose to 1.1 km above the crater and drifted W and SW. During 4-5 June incandescent material traveled 1 km down the SE flank. Several steam-and-ash plumes rose as high as 1.1 km above the summit and drifted W.
Santa Maria – Southwestern Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that the eruption at Santa María’s Santiaguito lava-dome complex continued during 31 May-6 June. Effusion from the Caliente dome complex fed lava flows that descended the San Isidro and Zanjón Seco drainages on the W and SW flanks; the main lava flow was 4.3 km long and remained active. Avalanches of material from the growing dome and occasional explosions descended all flanks of the dome, and avalanches from the margins of lava flows descended the S and SW flanks. Incandescence from the dome and lava flows was visible during the nights and early mornings. An average of 1-2 explosions per hour were recorded on most days, generating ash-and-steam plumes that rose up to 1 km above the dome and on some days drifted S and SE.
Semeru – Eastern Java : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 31 May-6 June. Steam-and-gas plumes were occasionally visible, though weather clouds often obscured visual observations. White-and-gray ash plumes rose 300-500 m above the summit and drifted W and NW on 3 June.
Semisopochnoi – Aleutian Islands (USA) : AVO reported that low-level unrest continued at Semisopochnoi during 30 May-6 June. Seismicity remained low and few earthquakes were detected. Minor steam emissions were occasionally visible in webcam images on 31 May and 2 and 4 June.
Sheveluch – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that the eruption at Sheveluch was ongoing during 25 May-1 June. Intense fumarolic activity at the active crater was likely associated with growth of Karan lava dome. A thermal anomaly over the active crater and Karan dome area was identified in satellite images during 25-30 May; weather clouds obscured the volcano on the other days. Plumes of ash, originally deposited during the 10-13 April eruption and resuspended by strong winds, were visible in satellite images drifting 120 km ESE during 27-28 May.
Suwanosejima – Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that the eruption at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater continued during 29 May-5 June. At 1407 on 30 May an explosion generated an ash plume that rose 800 m. Incandescence at the crater was visible at night during 2-5 June. Four eruptive events occurred during 4-5 June. Ash plumes rose to 1.1 km and drifted E and S at 1455 and 2327 on 4 June, respectively. At 1037 and 2349 on 5 June ash plumes rose 1-1.1 km and drifted E.
Taal – Luzon (Philippines) : In a 2 June advisory PHIVOLCS reported continuing low-level unrest at Taal. Starting at 0635 on 2 June relatively weak but continuous volcanic tremor located at shallow depths along the Daang Kastila fissure was recorded by all 15 seismic stations of the Taal Volcano Network. At the same time webcams recorded upwelling in Main Crater Lake on Taal Volcano Island (TVI) and more intense thermal anomalies in the N portion of the lake. Pronounced inflation in the SW part of Taal Volcano Island was detected towards the end of May, following a longer phase of deflation in that same sector. Sulfur dioxide gas emissions had slightly increased during the previous two weeks, averaging 5,360 tonnes per day during 22 May-1 June, higher than the 3,000 tonnes per day average recorded during 1 April-21 May. Emissions averaged 5,831 tonnes per day on 1 June. PHIVOLCS stated that a new phase of magma degassing at depth was likely driving the increased shallow hydrothermal activity. At 2230 on 3 June visible upwelling of volcanic fluids in the lake produced voluminous steam-rich plumes that rose 3 km above TVI. Significant vog was detected in the caldera and reported by residents in the municipalities of Balete (E of Taal Lake), and Laurel and Agoncillo (both W of Taal Lake), Batangas. Upwelling of how fluids in the lake continued during 4-7 June and steam-rich plumes rose as high as 3 km above the lake and drifted NE and NNE. Sulfur dioxide gas emissions averaged 9,391 tonnes per day on 5 June and 7,680 tonnes per day on 6 June; significant vog persisted over the Taal region.
Earthquakes
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.2 earthquake hits south of Java, Indonesia.
5.3 earthquake hits near the coast of southern Peru.
5.2 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 earthquake hits the southern mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.1 earthquake hits near the west coast of Colombia.
5.0 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.
Storms and Floods
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Tropical storm 03w (Guchol), located approximately 646 nm south-southeast of Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan, is tracking west-northwestward at 06 knots.
In the North Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone 02a (Biparjoy), located approximately 559 nm southeast of Masirah Island, is tracking north-northwestward at 04 knots.
Global Warming
Wind and solar overtake fossil fuels in the EU
Wind and solar produced more energy in the EU during May than all fossil fuels combined, according to energy think tank Ember. This is the first full month on record where these renewables produced more power – with almost a third of the bloc’s electricity coming from wind and solar. Fossil fuels generated a record low of 27 per cent.
Solar alone generated 14 per cent of the EU’s electricity in May: an all-time high. Even without the summer sun, it overtook coal power for the first time which produced just a tenth of the total last month.
Largest Companies do Little to Limit Climate Change
The vast majority of the world’s biggest companies have done almost nothing in the past five years to cut their planet-heating pollution enough to avoid catastrophic climate change. Large companies are either more likely to contribute to extreme levels of warming or are not disclosing their greenhouse gas emissions at all, according to a new report from ESG Book, seen by CNN.
The leading sustainability data provider found that the efforts of just 22% of the world’s 500 biggest public companies by market value are aligned with the Paris Agreement, aimed at limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. That’s a measly gain from 18% of firms in 2018.
Major polluters such as Shell and BP (BP) are shifting their focus back to fossil fuel production following a year of bumper profits helped by soaring oil and gas prices.
Wildfires
Wildfires – Canada
A plume of Canadian wildfire smoke rapidly darkened the skies over New York City and around the Northeast on Wednesday, making the air dangerous to breathe and disrupting life across the region.
By afternoon, Midtown Manhattan was plunged into a deep hazy orange and smoky clouds obscured visibility across the five boroughs and the region, canceling some flights. Earlier in the day, commuters donned masks used amid the Covid-19 pandemic while walking the streets, children stayed indoors at recess, some schools closed and officials warned people against going outside.
Wildfires – Australia
An estimated 60 billion bugs were lost during the Black Summer bushfires in Australian rainforests and it’s having a major impact on the health of the ecosystem.
Scientists from La Trobe University studied 52 sites in East Gippsland in Victoria and southern NSW that were severely impacted by bushfires in 2019-2020. About 75 per cent of invertebrates visible to the naked eye had disappeared entirely a year after the natural disaster. Rainforests make up just one per cent of all forests in Australia and lead author Professor Heloise Gibb fears up to 120 trillion invertebrates could have been lost across the country.