Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.1 Earthquake hits offshore Honduras.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Macquarie Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits off the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
Storms and Floods
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the North Atlantic:
Hurricane Matthew is located about 130 mi…215 km NNW of Curacao and about 535 mi…860 km ESE of Kingston Jamaica with maximum sustained winds…100 mph…155 km/h. Present movement…W or 265 degrees at 14 mph…22 km/h.
In the Eastern Pacific:
Tropical Depression Ulika is located about 885 mi…1420 km E of Hilo Hawaii and about 1075 mi…1735 km E of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds…35 mph…55 km/h. Present movement…WNW or 290 degrees at 9 mph…15 km/h.
Invest 97E is an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.
In the Western Pacific:
Tropical Storm 21w (Chaba), located approximately 934 nm southeast of Kadena AB, Guam, is tracking northwestward at 07 knots.
Newsbytes:
Caribbean – Hurricane Matthew, the fifth hurricane of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season, triggered flooding and landslides on eastern Caribbean islands claiming the life of one person. A tropical storm watch has been issued for Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba along Colombia/Venezuela border to Riohacha. Government offices in Aruba have been closed today and Curacao’s parliamentary elections have been postponed until next week.
West Java, Indonesia – According to the Indonesian Red Cross Society, at least 37 people have died and 20 others are still missing after flash floods and landslides struck Garut and Sumedang regencies in West Java. Reports from the National Disaster Management Agency indicate that 858 houses were destroyed and 1,600 others were damaged. Nearly 6,400 people have been displaced in the Garut regency, where water reaching 2 meters high in some areas inundated at least eight sub-districts. Landslides displaced 1,300 people in the villages within the Sumedang regency.
Wildlife
Bumblebee Set to Become Officially Endangered
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has proposed listing a species of bumblebee as an endangered species, the first bee species to be granted such federal protection in the continental United States.
The rusty patched bumblebee – the workers of which can be identified by a small rust-colored mark on the middle of their second abdominal segment – was historically widespread along the east coast of North America, from Quebec down to Georgia, and across much of the midwest as far west as the Dakotas. However, says USFWS, since the late 1990s, the species’ numbers have decreased precipitously, and its range is now a mere 8 percent of its historical extent.
According to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, the bee faces numerous threats from disease, pesticides, habitat loss, and climate change. The society says that the species’ recent decline — and that of other, closely related, bumblebees — was likely initiated by the spread of pathogens from commercial bees (which are raised and sold to pollinate greenhouse tomatoes and other crops) into the wild population.
Additionally, there’s concern over the widespread use of neonicotinoid insecticides within the species’ range. These insecticides have been implicated in declines of other bee species and were introduced around the time that the rusty patched bumblebee entered its downward spiral.
Rare frog goes extinct
A rare tree frog — the last documented member of a species relatively new to science — has died at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
The body of the Rabbs’ fringe-limbed tree frog was discovered in its enclosure Monday morning during a routine daily health inspection.
n 2005, the three groups sent a team of scientists to Panama to collect live animals before a disease called chytridiomycosis struck the area. Among the frogs they brought back to Atlanta was a species of tree frogs (Ecnomiohyla rabborum) that hadn’t been seen before. Identified in 2005 by Zoo Atlanta herpetology curator Joseph Mendelson, it was later named for conservationists George and Mary Rabb. In time, the disease did arrive in Panama, and many of the frogs disappeared.
Jellyfish Invasion
Swarms of invasive comb jellyfish threaten to devastate fish stocks in the Adriatic Sea.
While not dangerous to humans, population blooms of the jellies have devastated fisheries in the Black Sea.
The invaders arrived in oil tanker ballast waters from the Atlantic off North America in 1982, then spread rapidly without any natural enemies.
Since then, they have cost the seafood industry billions of dollars as they spread from the Black Sea to the Caspian and Baltic seas, and now the Adriatic.
Global Warming
Northward Migrating Terns
American researchers were startled this past summer to find a pair of Caspian terns nesting 1,000 miles farther north than the species had ever before been seen.
Typically not found north of Washington state, the birds successfully bred in Alaska’s Cape Krusenstern National Monument.
“[For these birds] to be 1,000 miles further north attests to how much the globe has warmed,” Stanford University biologist Terry Root told The Guardian.
Environment
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was again 113.0 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus -93.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 69.4 degrees Celsius) at Russia’s Vostok Antarctic research station.
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
Diphtheria reappears in Venezuela after long absence: Another symptom of a broken health system
The governor of Bolivar state, Venezuela, Francisco Rangel Gómez confirmed this week that there are 13 cases of diphtheria in the town of San Antonio, Sifontes municipality, according to a El Diario de Guayana report. The Venezuelan Society of Public Health says diphtheria was eradicated in Venezuela in the late 1940s.
Rift Valley fever in Niger
On 30 August 2016, WHO received reports about unexplained deaths among humans, along with death and abortion in livestock in the North Western parts of Niger, and the areas bordering Mali.
From 2 August to 22 September 2016, 64 human cases including 23 deaths have been reported in Tchintabaraden health district in Tahoua region. The area is mainly populated by nomadic stockbreeders. The deaths have now been attributed to Rift Valley Fever.
Dengue Fever Cases Increase in Vietnam
Officials in Ho Chi Mihn City (HCM City) say that recent increased rainfall has resulted in an increase in the mosquito population in Vietnam’s largest city and the resulting increase in dengue fever.
More than 11,300 dengue cases in the city have been reported this year, an increase of 35 per cent compared to the same period last year and the trend is expected to continue for the next several weeks as Vietnam’s peak dengue season continues through October.
According to local media, Cu Chi District is the hottest spot for dengue infections besides Hoc Mon, Binh Chanh, Thu Duc and Binh Thanh districts.
Hawaii Hepatitis A cases now at 284 as outbreak continues
Eight new cases this week have increased the state Department of Health’s tally of hepatitis A cases to 284 as the worst outbreak of the viral disease in two decades in Hawaii continues to run its course.
The health department first issued a medical advisory to all health care providers on June 30 urging them to report all suspected hepatitis A infections in the search for the cause of the outbreak. The infectious liver disease is usually spread through food or drink contaminated with traces of the feces of an infected person. It can also spread through close personal contact.
Volcanos
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Barujari (Indonesia): Indonesian officials distributed more than 300,000 face masks to residents of Lombok Island as ash from restive Mount Barujari threatened to rain down. While ash from a sudden eruption soared more than 6,000 feet into the sky, most of it blew offshore to the southwest of the volcano. Tremors of up to 5.2 in magnitude jolted Mount Barujari before the eruption.
Earthquakes
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 Earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands off New Zealand.
5.2 Earthquake hits southeast of Easter Island.
5.1 Earthquake hits Nicaragua.
5.1 Earthquake hits Oaxaca, Mexico.
5.0 Earthquake hits Ascension Island.
5.0 Earthquake hits Fiji.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Mariana Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits Tonga.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Santa Cruz Islands.
Storms and Floods
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the North Atlantic: Tropical Storm Matthew iOS located about 320 mi…510 km SSE of San Juan Puerto Rico and about 310 mi…500 km ENE of Curacao with maximum sustained winds…65 mph…100 km/h. Present movement…W or 275 degrees at 16 mph…26 km/h
Invest 97L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.
In the Eastern Pacific: Tropical Depression Roslyn is located about 345 mi…555 km W of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds…30 mph…45 km/h. Present movement…NNW or 345 degrees at 7 mph…11 km/h.
Tropical Storm Ulika is located about 1080 mi…1740 km E of Hilo Hawaii with maximum sustained winds…50 mph…85 km/h. Present movement…NNW or 340 degrees at 6 mph…9 km/h.
Invest 97E is an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.
In the Western Pacific: Tropical Storm 21w (Chaba), located approximately 198 nm west-northwest of Navsta, Guam, is tracking westward at 14 knots.
Newsbytes:
Taiwan – Typhoon Megi (Typhoon Helen in Philippines) has claimed the lives of a least five people. At least four died across Taiwan, while more 625 others have been injured by the disaster. The typhoon left at least one person dead in China. Heavy rainfall accompanying the typhoon caused flooding in Chinese coastal cities. At least 32 people have been missing after a massive landslide hit part of a village in the eastern Zhejiang Province.
Volcanos
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) | 56.056°N, 160.642°E | Elevation 4754 m
KVERT reported that a Strombolian eruption at Klyuchevskoy continued during 16-23 September. Volcanic bombs that were ejected above the summit crater and the cinder cone landed in the Apakhonchich drainage on the E flank. A lava flow traveled down the Apakhonchich drainage and also down the SW flank. Satellite images showed a large and bright daily thermal anomaly at the volcano. During 20-22 September explosions generated ash plumes that rose as high as 7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 100 km SW, E, and SE. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
Tengger Caldera | Eastern Java (Indonesia) | 7.942°S, 112.95°E | Elevation 2329 m
PVMBG reported that during 1 June-25 September brownish gray plumes from Tengger Caldera’s Bromo cone rose as high as 1.2 km above the crater. A sulfur odor was noted at the Bromo observation post, thunderous noises sometimes vibrated the post doors, and occasionally crater incandescence was observed. Seismic activity was dominated by shallow volcanic earthquakes and tremor. The deformation network measured inflation. Based on analyses of satellite images and information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 22-23 September ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. (720 m above the crater) and drifted almost 40 km SW. On 26 September the Alert Level was raised to 3 (on a scale of 1-4); residents and visitors were reminded not to approach the crater within a radius of 2.5 km.
Tungurahua | Ecuador | 1.467°S, 78.442°W | Elevation 5023 m
IG reported that Tungurahua’s seismic network detected a significant increase in the number of long-period (LP) earthquakes on 12 September and small episodes of tremor beginning on 16 September. A swarm of 24 LP events were detected during 0408-0424 on 18 September. Starting at 1400 on 24 September the number of LP events again increased. Gas emissions were low, and together with the increased seismicity, possibly indicates a blocked conduit. IG noted that a possible large-scale eruption may happen within hours to days. In response, the Secretaría de Gestión de Riesgos (SGR) announced that the Alert Level was raised from Yellow to Orange (the second highest on a 4-color scale) on 26 September.
Turrialba | Costa Rica | 10.025°N, 83.767°W | Elevation 3340 m
OVSICORI-UNA reported that during 21-22 September multiple eruptive episodes at Turrialba generated ash, gas, and steam emissions that generally rose as high as 700 m above the crater and drifted N, NW, W, and SW. Ashfall and a sulfur odor were reported in some areas of Valle Central. An energetic episode that began at 0320 on 22 September produced an ash plume that rose 2 km and drifted WSW. Another episode accompanied by tremor which began at 1345 generated an ash plume that rose 1 km. Surficial activity significantly decreased on 23 September; a few short episodes were detected but weather clouds prevented observations. Seismicity remained high, characterized by very-long-period events. Seismicity decreased on 24 September and activity was very low through the afternoon of 25 September; a few minor eruptions were detected. At 2110 on 25 September an eruption was detected seismically, but cloud cover blocked views. Ashfall and a sulfur odor was reported in Valle Central communities, including San José and Heredia. An eruption at 1225 on 26 September produced an ash plume that rose 1 km and drifted NW. Cloud cover again prevented visual observations of activity that began at 1242, and lasted for four hours. Based on the amplitude of the seismic signal, webcam images, and observations from scientists in the field, ash plumes were estimated to rise as high as 2 km. Continuous passive emissions continued to rise as high as 2 km until 1000 on 27 September; between 1000 and 1242 ash plumes rose 300-500 m.
Earthquakes
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.2 Earthquake hits the Dodecanese Islands on the Turkish border.
5.0 Earthquake hits southern Greece.
5.0 Earthquake hits south of the Kermedec Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Almagan region in the North Mariana Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Mid-Indian ridge.
Storms and Floods
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the North Atlantic: Invest 97L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.
In the Eastern Pacific: Tropical Storm Roslyn is located about 405 mi…650 km WSW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds…40 mph…65 km/h. Present movement…NNE or 25 degrees at 9 mph…15 km/h.
Hurricane Ulika is located about 1135 mi…1830 km ESE of Hilo Hawaii with maximum sustained winds…75 mph…120 km/h. Present movement…NNE or 30 degrees at 7 mph…11 km/h.
In the Western Pacific: Typhoon 20w (Megi), located approximately 141 nm west of Taipei, Taiwan, is tracking west-northwestward at 12 knots.
Tropical depression 21w (Chaba), located approximately 127 nm east-northeast of Andersen AFB, Guam, is tracking westward at 14 knots.
Newsbytes:
Australia – An entire Australian state lost power as a strong storm lashed the region Wednesday, causing traffic chaos, stranding people in elevators and prompting police to warn residents to stay inside. South Australia state Premier Jay Weatherill said it wasn’t clear what caused the power outage, which occurred as heavy rain and fierce winds swept across the state that is home to 1.7 million people.
Global Warming
World’s Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Passes 400 PPM Threshold. Permanently
In the centuries to come, history books will likely look back on September 2016 as a major milestone for the world’s climate. At a time when atmospheric carbon dioxide is usually at its minimum, the monthly value failed to drop below 400 parts per million. That all but ensures that 2016 will be the year that carbon dioxide officially passed the symbolic 400 ppm mark, never to return below it in our lifetimes, according to scientists.
September is usually the month when carbon dioxide is at its lowest after a summer of plants growing and sucking it up in the northern hemisphere. As fall wears on, those plants lose their leaves, which in turn decompose, releasing the stored carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. At Mauna Loa Observatory, the world’s marquee site for monitoring carbon dioxide, there are signs that the process has begun but levels have remained above 400 ppm.
Volcanos
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Rinjani (Indonesia): More than 1,100 people have been evacuated as 2,000-metre column of ash spewed from Rinjani volcano on Lombok island. Several flights to and from Bali’s Denpasar Airport have been cancelled due to volcanic ashes.
Disease
Newcastle Disease Outbreak in Namibia
About 27 poultry farms in Omusati Region face closure due to the outbreak of Newcastle disease that for the past three months has wreaked havoc in rural villages. Doctors have warned people not to consume or buy chickens from Omusati Region until further notice.
According to the chief veterinarian for Omusati Region, Dr Josephat Peter, the contagious disease that affects domestic and wild avian species entered Namibia from neighbouring Angola, from where people cross the border on a daily basis to sell live chickens in Namibia. The situation now threatens the availability of a viable key protein source in the region that is already grappling with the effects of a severe drought.
Nepal – Tropical Diseases reach Nepal
At least 20 people, including residents of Kathmandu Valley, have tested positive for dengue virus, according to National Public Health Laboratory.
The government’s central laboratory has also confirmed that of the 499 samples, at least two, including a resident of Kathmandu, tested positive for chikungunya.