Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.7 Earthquake hits New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.
5.6 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.0 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
Storms and Floods
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the North Atlantic:
Hurricane Gaston is located about 850 mi…1365 km E of Bermuda and about 1335 mi…2150 km W of the Azores with maximum sustained winds…120 mph…195 km/h. Present movement…NE or 50 degrees at 9 mph…15 km/h.
Tropical Depression Eight is located about 75 mi…120 km ESE of Cape Hatteras North Carolina with maximum sustained winds…35 mph…55 km/h. Present movement…NE or 45 degrees at 5 mph…7 km/h.
Tropical Depression Nine is located about 405 mi…655 km SSW of Apalachicola Florida and about 425 mi…680 km SW of Tampa Florida with maximum sustained winds…35 mph…55 km/h. Present movement…N or 360 degrees at 2 mph…4 km/h.
In the Eastern Pacific:
Hurricane Lester is located about 1160 mi…1865 km E of Hilo Hawaii with maximum sustained winds…140 mph…220 km/h. Present movement…W or 265 degrees at 12 mph…19 km/h.
Hurricane Madeline is located about 235 mi…380 km E of Hilo Hawaii and about 440 mi…705 km ESE of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds…90 mph…150 km/h. Present movement…W or 260 degrees at 12 mph…19 km/h.
In the Western Pacific:
Typhoon 12w (Lionrock), located approximately 246 nm northwest of Misawa, Japan, is tracking northwestward at 35 knots.
In the Central Pacific:
Invest 92C is an area of disturbed weather in the Central Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.
Invest 93C is an area of disturbed weather in the Central Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.
Newsbytes:
Japan – Typhoon Lionrock made landfall Tuesday evening near the city of Ofunato, 310 miles northeast of Tokyo on the Pacific coast and crossed the main island of Honshu before heading out to the Sea of Japan. It was the first time a typhoon has made landfall in the northern region since 1951, when the Japan Meteorological Agency started keeping records. At least 11 people were found dead in Japan on Wednesday, most of them elderly residents at a nursing home, as heavy overnight rain from Typhoon Lionrock left towns flooded across the country’s north.
India – The monsoon floods in India’s Ganges river this year have broken previous records, according to local officials. They said water levels reached unprecedented levels at four locations in northern India. The highest record was in Patna, the state capital of Bihar where flood waters reached 50.52m (166ft) on 26 August, up from 50.27m in 1994. Floods across India this year have killed more than 150 people and displaced thousands. “We have also recorded unprecedented flood levels at Hathidah and Bhagalpur of Bihar state and Balliya of Uttar Pradesh,” chief of India’s Central Water Commission GS Jha said.
Wildlife
Elephant Numbers Decline Across Africa
A pan-African survey of African savannah elephants has revealed declines of a staggering 30% – 144 000 elephants, between 2007 and 2014 in the areas covered by the survey. The Paul G Allen’s Great Elephant Census (GEC) is the first continent-wide aerial survey of African elephants using standardized methodology.
Among the worst declines were Angola (22% decline), Mozambique (53% decline) and Tanzania (60% decline).
Extremely low numbers of elephants were also found in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, northern Cameroon and southwest Zambia. The “populations there face local extinction.
Regional areas in both Zimbabwe and Zambia, especially along the Zambezi valley, are showing that poachers are decimating elephant numbers. Zimbabwe’s overall population was down by 6% with a carcass ratio of 8%, which is bad enough, but within the Sebungwe region, on the Zambezi River and Lake Kariba north of Hwange National Park, populations were down a whopping 74% while Zambia experienced a startling 85% carcass ratio in Sioma Ngwezi Park on the border with Namibia and Angola.
In contrast, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, parts of Malawi, and the W-Arli-Pendjari conservation complex of protected areas that span Benin, Niger and Burkina Faso were found to have stable or slightly increasing elephant populations. The W-Arli-Pendjari area is the only large savannah elephant population left in West Africa.
Namibia also showed increasing numbers of elephants especially in the Zambezi-Caprivi area, but this is possibly because the territory runs the length of the unfenced border with Botswana, the country with the largest single population of elephants, which stands at about 130 000 strong. The bulk of Botswana’s elephants are in the north close to Namibia. And since elephants are not confined by national boundaries there is a constant movement of large herds between the two countries.
American Pika Is Disappearing Due to Climate Change
The American pika, a pint-size rabbit relative, is feeling the heat: Hotter summers induced by climate change are threatening these cute creatures’ habitats throughout the western United States.
The small herbivores make their home in rocky slopes, known as taluses, across the West’s mountain ranges. A new study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) found that whole populations of the tiny mammal are disappearing due to climate change. The pika’s mountainous habitats have become hotter and drier in the summer and harsher in the winter, with less snow cover to insulate their burrows in the ground, the researchers said.
According to the survey, American pikas have completely disappeared from Zion National Park in Utah, where there had been sightings of the animals as recently as 2011. In Cedar Breaks National Monument, also in Utah, pikas were found within only one-quarter of their historical range. And in northeastern California, the animals were found in just 11 of their 29 confirmed habitats.
According to the USGS, the pika is also seen as an “indicator species,” meaning the animal can offer scientists an early warning about ecosystem changes.
Disease
Zika Virus – Miami, Florida, USA
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported today on three additional locally acquired Zika virus cases. The cases were reported in Miami-Dade County, one is associated with the Miami-Beach investigation. This brings the total in the state to 46. In addition, 16 new travel related cases were reported today.
Zika Virus – Singapore
A local Zika outbreak is blooming in Singapore, as 82 cases of the disease without links to travel have emerged on the island city-state in less than a week.
The country’s first locally transmitted Zika case was announced on Saturday when a 47-year-old Malaysian woman living in the neighborhood of Aljunied Crescent tested positive for the virus. Since then, disease detectives used surveillance techniques to identify additional cases. A second cluster of cases appeared at a nearby construction site in Sims Drive, and health officials added a batch of 26 to the tally this evening.
Storms and Floods
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the North Atlantic: Hurricane Gaston is located about 630 mi…1015 km E of Bermuda and about 1575 mi…2535 km W of the Azores with maximum sustained winds…100 mph…155 km/h. Present movement…NE or 55 degrees at 6 mph…9 km/h.
Tropical Depression Eight is located about 85 mi…135 km SSE of Cape Hatteras North Carolina with maximum sustained winds…35 mph…55 km/h. Present movement…NNW or 345 degrees at 5 mph…8 km/h
Tropical Depression Nine is located about 305 mi…495 km W of Key West Florida and about 270 mi…435 km W of Havana Cuba with maximum sustained winds…35 mph…55 km/h. Present movement…W or 275 degrees at 7 mph…11 km/h.
Invest 92L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.
In the Eastern Pacific: Hurricane Lester is located about 1435 mi…2305 km E of Hilo Hawaii with maximum sustained winds…125 mph…205 km/h. Present movement…W or 275 degrees at 14 mph…22 km/h.
Hurricane Madeline is located about 490 mi…790 km E of Hilo Hawaii and about 680 mi…1095 km E of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds…130 mph…215 km/h. Present movement…W or 280 degrees at 9 mph…15 km/h.
In the Western Pacific: Typhoon 12w (Lionrock), located approximately 164 nm south of Misawa, Japan, is tracking north-northwestward at 18 knots.
In the Central Pacific: Invest 92C is an area of disturbed weather in the Central Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.
Newsbytes:
USA – Storms brought heavy downpours and flooding in parts of Cincinnati, Colorado Springs and Chicago over the weekend with road closures and water rescues by emergency services.
Earthquakes
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 Earthquake hits the southern Mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.2 Earthquake hits offshore Maule, Chile.
Wildlife
Whale stays to say thank you
A whale rescued from being entangled off the Cape coast, South Africa, did the most extraordinary thing moments later… the animal swam up to the volunteers, rested its head on the boat, and stayed there for 20 minutes.
Before its rescue, the 9m-long adult male Humpback had been entangled in rope and floatation buoys in the area of Rocky Banks, offshore at Cape Point, said NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon.
Once all ropes and the floatation buoy were removed, in a most incredible reaction from the animal, the whale swam right up alongside the sea rescue craft, almost hugging the rescue boat (all motors had been switched off) and he gently placed his head on the gunnel of the sea rescue craft. The whale remained there for almost 20 minutes seemingly staring at his rescuers.
Global Warming
The Future of Animal Migrations
The natural world is under siege by climate change. Rising temperatures are pushing plants and animals outside their current range. To keep pace with climate change, species will need a path to follow northward or up in elevation, minimally interrupted by human development.
The maps don’t show specific species (you’re not going to be able to find the grizzly bear path, for example), but rather shows the general patterns scientists expect animals to follow as the world warms.
Wildfires
Wildfires – Argentina
Firefighters are trying to extinguish a wildfire in Villa de la Quebrada, 40 km from San Luis, Argentina. The wildfires in central Argentina have affected nearly 8,500 hectares of land, while on Saturday 80 people were evacuated.
Volcanos
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Klyuchevskoy (Kamchatka): The activity of the volcano, mainly effusive, remains intense. There are currently 3 active lava flows descending the steep stratovolcano: two parallel ones on the eastern-southeastern flank and a new one on the upper southwestern slope which has appeared about a week ago. An intense thermal anomaly corresponding to the large output of lava is visible on satellite data. Small ash plumes from strombolian activity in the summit crater have been producing plumes today that reached 20,000 ft (6 km) altitude and drifted eastwards today.
Earthquakes
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.8 Earthquake hits north of Ascension Island.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.2 Earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.
5.1 Earthquake hits central Italy.
5.1 Earthquake hits the South Georgia Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits north of Ascension Island.
Storms and Floods
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the North Atlantic:
Hurricane Gaston is located about 575 mi…925 km E of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds…115 mph…185 km/h. Present movement…N or 360 degrees at 1 mph…2 km/h.
Tropical Depression Eight is located about 210 mi…340 km se of Cape Hatteras North Carolina with maximum sustained winds…35 mph…55 km/h. Present movement…NW or 310 degrees at 9 mph…15 km/h.
Tropical Depression Nine is located about 155 mi…245 km WSW of Key West Florida and about 95 mi…155 km WNW of Havana Cuba with maximum sustained winds…35 mph…55 km/h. Present movement…W or 275 degrees at 9 mph…15 km/h.
In the Eastern Pacific:
Hurricane Lester is located about 1290 mi…2075 km W of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds…125 mph…205 km/h. Present movement…W or 270 degrees at 15 mph…24 km/h.
Hurricane Madeline is located about 755 mi…1220 km E of Hilo Hawaii and about 955 mi…1535 km ESE of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds…85 mph…140 km/h. Present movement…WNW or 300 degrees at 10 mph…17 km/h.
In the Western Pacific:
Typhoon 12w (Lionrock), located approximately 241 nm southwest of Yokosuka, Japan, is tracking north-northeastward at 14 knots.
In the Central Pacific:
Invest 92C is an area of disturbed weather in the Central Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.
Newsbytes:
India – Bihar flood situation worsens. With four more deaths, the toll in Bihar floods on Saturday increased to 153, while 12 more panchayat areas were inundated affecting a total population of 34.69 lakh in twelve districts. The four fresh deaths were reported from Bhojpur and Begusarai, each district accounted for two. Caused by a spate in Ganga, Sone, Punpun, Burhi Gandak, Ghaghra, Kosi and other rivers, the flood affected 34.69 lakh people in 2,037 villages under 565 panchayats of 74 blocks in the state.
Wildlife
Reindeer struck by Lightning, Norway
More than 300 reindeer were killed by lightning during a storm in Norway on Friday.
On Sunday, the Norwegian Environment Agency released photos of reindeer bodies strewn across the Hardangervidda mountain plateau. According to the agency, 323 animals will killed during the lightning storm. Agency spokesman Kjartan Knutsen told AP that reindeer often huddle together during bad weather, which is likely why so many were killed during the storm.
Some 10,000 reindeer migrate to the area each year, according to Norwegian Environmental Agency.
Disease
Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – China
On 11 August 2016, the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China notified WHO of five additional cases of laboratory-confirmed human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, including one death.
Zika in Singapore: Neighboring countries respond
With the announcement yesterday of 41 locally transmitted Zika virus infections in Singapore, health officials in at least two Asian countries have responded to the issue.
n Taiwan, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) raised the travel notice level for the country to Level 2: Alert for Zika virus on August 29, 2016.Pregnant women and women planning pregnancy are advised to postpone their trips to areas where Zika virus is active, travelers visiting areas with ongoing Zika transmission are advised to avoid mosquito bites, and people returning from Zika-affected areas are advised to follow the “2226 Principle”.
The “2226 Principle” is after leaving the affected areas to prevent Zika transmission, which specifies that female travelers are urged to postpone pregnancy 2 months after their return regardless whether they develop suspected Zika symptoms, and male travelers, if they do not develop suspected Zika symptoms, are urged to avoid sex or use condoms correctly for 2 months after their return from an affected-area, and if they develop suspected Zika symptoms, they are urged to avoid sex or use condoms correctly for 6 months after their return.
In Hong Kong, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is closely monitoring 41 additional local cases of Zika Virus Infection in Singapore, and urged the public to adopt strict anti-mosquito measures and safe sex during travel. Pregnant women and those planning pregnancy should not travel to affected areas.
Volcanos
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Etna (Sicily, Italy): Over the past weeks, the volcano’s activity (at Voragine and the New SE crater) has generally decreased and tremor levels are currently low. While not entirely stopped, the emissions of hot incandescent gasses and ash, along with weak strombolian activity from the new vent in the Voragine crater have become less pronounced. Similarly, the sporadic ash emissions from the New SE, observed intermittently until at least Saturday, have ceased or become even rarer. This could rapidly change, however.
Katla (Southern Iceland): At least one earthquake of magnitude 4.5 occurred this morning under the volcano, the strongest recorded for Katla in recent decades. It was felt in nearby areas. The Icelandic Met Office (IMO) reported two quakes, one at 01:47:02 local time at 3.8 km depth 8.1 km east of the summit (Goðabunga) followed 20 seconds later by another magnitude 4.5 quake at 0.1 km depth. Caution is required as these data are from automatic calculations which could actually in fact describe only one quake.
Bagana (Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea): Low-level ash emissions occur at the volcano, producing a plume at estimated 7,000 ft (2.1 km) altitude drifting west from the volcano. The latest Terra satellite image shows a narrow plume of mostly gas and possible light ash content extending about 70 km to the west of Bougainville Island. A moderate thermal hot spot is visible on MODIS data and has increased recently. This suggests that the volcano’s activity (effusive or mildly explosive or both) has picked up recently.
Copahue (Chile/Argentina): Strombolian activity continues in the El Agrio crater at fluctuating, generally low intensity. Occasionally, incandescent bombs are projected higher than the crater rim and small ash plumes rise up to a few hundred meters before dissipating.