Earth Report – Global Disaster Watch
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.2 Earthquake hits near the coast of southern Peru.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.1 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.
5.0 Earthquake hits south of Tonga.
5.0 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the South Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone Ernie (tc) 15s, located approximately 467 nm north-northwest of Learmonth, Australia, is tracking southward at 05 knots.
In the South Pacific Ocean: Tropical cyclone 14p (Fourteen), located approximately 455 nm northwest of Nadi, Fiji, is tracking southwestward at 04 knots.
NewsBytes:
Indonesia – At least four people have been confirmed dead and more than 30 others are missing after a landslide struck Indonesia’s Java island. The landslide was 1.5 kilometres long and engulfed farmers harvesting ginger in Banaran village in East Java province’s Ponorogo district.
New Zealand – Jet boats and tractors have been used to help rescue around 2,000 people in a New Zealand town after a river burst through a concrete levee, flooding hundreds of homes and businesses. Authorities declared a state of emergency after the levee failed in the town of Edgecumbe on the North Island. New Zealand has been drenched in recent days by the remnants of Cyclone Debbie, which flooded parts of Australia’s east coast last week. The rains also affected the town of Kaikoura, where access roads were closed due to mudslides. Access to the town has been reduced since a powerful earthquake last November brought down hillsides and closed the main northbound route.
Georgia, South Carolina – USA – Suspected tornadoes were reported in Georgia and South Carolina, and damaging winds, thunderstorms and flooding pummelled the Southeast Wednesday. In Sumter County, Ga., a suspected tornado up to a mile and a half wide was spotted in the afternoon. A large tornado touched down around noon in rural Stewart in rural southwest Georgia, toppling trees and power lines. In Johnston, S.C., several buildings were damaged, and trees and power lines were down in a possible tornado.
Outback Rush
Vast numbers of coastal birds have flocked to Western Australia’s northern desert region after record rains filled some lakes to their highest levels in 30 years.
After noticing in satellite images how much the Outback had been transformed by torrential January rains, wildlife experts launched an aerial survey that found tens of thousands of birds had flown across the country to nest around the new inland sea. One lake was hosting about 90,000 birds.
The coastal birds may not breed for years during dry times in the interior, but appear to have an uncanny ability to sense major rainfall events in the Outback.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 116.0 degrees Fahrenheit (46.7 degrees Celsius) in Linguere, Senegal.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 101.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 73.9 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.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 29 March-4 April 2017
Ambrym | Vanuatu : The Wellington VAAC reported that a low-level ash emission from Ambrym was identified in satellite images on 3 April.
Bagana | Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 29 March an ash plume from Bagana rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW. On 31 March a NOTAM (notice to airmen) and pilot report suggested that an ash plume rose to an altitude of 2.1 km though ash was not identified in mostly clear satellite images. An ash plume observed on 2 April rose to an altitude of 2.1 km and drifted almost 40 km E.
Bezymianny | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 24-31 March lava continued to advance down the NW flank of Bezymianny’s lava dome. A thermal anomaly was identified daily in satellite images. The Aviation Colour Code remained at Orange.
Bogoslof | Fox Islands (USA) : AVO reported that no significant volcanic activity at Bogoslof was detected in seismic or infrasound data during 29 March-4 April, and satellite views were often obscured by clouds or showed nothing noteworthy. Weakly elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images during 28-29 March. The Aviation Colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Warning.
Chirinkotan | Kuril Islands (Russia) : Based on Tokyo VAAC satellite data, SVERT reported that on 31 March an ash plume from Chirinkotan rose to an altitude of 7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 165 km NE. The Aviation Colour Code was raised to Yellow (on a four-colour scale) on 2 April.
Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that no significant volcanic activity at Cleveland was detected in seismic or infrasound data during 29 March-4 April, and satellite views were often obscured by clouds. The Aviation Colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Warning.
Colima | Mexico : On 31 March the Centro Universitario de Estudios e Investigaciones de Vulcanologia – Universidad de Colima reported that during the previous week the seismic data revealed 45 high-frequency events, 33 long-period events, 2.5 hours of tremor, 11 landslides, and two low-intensity explosions. The sulphur dioxide flux was 360 tons/day, an increase compared to the week before.
Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 29 March-4 April ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions.
Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 24-31 March several explosions per day at Ebeko were observed by residents of Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island) about 7 km E. Ash plumes rose to altitudes of 1.5-3.4 km (4,900-11,200 ft) a.s.l. Minor amounts of ash fell in Severo-Kurilsk on 26 March. The Aviation Colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Fuego | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that activity at Fuego increased on 1 April, with the beginning of a new effusive eruption, the third one in 2017. Explosions occurring an average of 10 per hour generated shock waves that vibrated local structures. An ash plume rose an estimated 1.3 km and drifted 10 km W, SW, and S; weather clouds hindered observations. Later that day lava fountains rose 100-300 m high and fed lava flows that traveled 400 m down the Trinidad (S) and Las Lajas (SE) drainages. The effusive phase lasted about 16 hours, ending on 2 April, with lava flows stopping as far as 3 km, and expanding into the Santa Teresa (W) drainage. Ash plumes drifted as far as 80 km W, causing ashfall in areas downwind including Atitlan Lake, Chicacao, Mazatenango, Retalhuleu, and El Palmar. On 4 April explosions generated ash plumes that rose 750 km and drifted S, and avalanches pf material descended the Ceniza drainage.
Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 29 March-4 April HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise, fall, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook crater. Webcams recorded incandescence from long-active sources within Pu’u ‘O’o Crater, from a vent high on the NE flank of the cone, and from a small lava pond in a pit on the W side of the crater. The 61G lava flow, originating from a vent on Pu’u ‘O’o Crater’s E flank, continued to enter the ocean at Kamokuna from the end of the lava tube, about 20 m above the water. National Park Service officials estimated that the lava delta was about 40 m wide and 100 m long. Surface lava flows were active above the pali, and small, short-lived breakouts occurred on the coastal plain.
Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 27-30 March explosions at Klyuchevskoy generated ash plumes that rose to an altitude of 7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l. Satellite images showed a thermal anomaly over the volcano during the previous week, and ash plumes that drifted 300 km in multiple directions. The Aviation Colour Code remained
Lokon-Empung | Sulawesi (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that on 25 March six climbers between the ages of 15 and 20 climbed to Lokon-Empung’s Tompaluan Crater, into the restricted area, where one of the climbers fell into the crater and died. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Residents and tourists were reminded not to approach the crater within a radius of 1.5 km.
Reventador | Ecuador : During 28 March-4 April IG reported a high level of seismic activity including explosions, long-period earthquakes, harmonic tremor, and signals indicating emissions at Reventador. Although cloud cover often prevented visual observations, activity was noted almost daily. During 28 March-3 April steam, gas, and ash plumes rose as high as 1.3 km above the crater rim and drifted SW and NE. Incandescence from the crater was sometimes visible during the night. Incandescent blocks rolled 1 km down the flanks on 1 April, and 1.6 km down the SW flank on 3 April. A small lava flow was observed traveling 1.6 km down the SW flank on 3 April.
Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that during 27 March-2 April there were an average of 41 explosions recorded per day. The number and magnitude of hybrid events decreased while long-period events increased. Ash plumes rose as high as 4.8 km above the crater rim and drifted more than 40 km NW, N, and SW. Ashfall was reported in Pinchollo (20 km N) and Cabanaconde (22 km NW). Overall activity increased compared to the precious week. The Alert Level remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 24-31 March lava-dome extrusion onto Sheveluch’s N flank was accompanied by strong fumarolic activity, dome incandescence, ash explosions, and hot avalanches. Satellite images showed a daily thermal anomaly over the dome, and ash plumes that drifted 20 km SW on 24 and 26 March. The Aviation Colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Sinabung | Indonesia : Based on PVMBG observations, satellite data, and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 29 March an ash plume from Sinabung rose to altitudes of 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted ESE.
Suwanosejima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : Based on JMA notices and satellite-image analyses, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 1 April an explosion at Suwanosejima generated a plume that rose to an altitude of 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E
Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that ash-and-gas plumes from Turrialba rose 500 m above the crater during 31 March-1 April. Ashfall was reported at the Juan Santamaría airport, 48 km W. Ash plumes rose 500 m at 1700 on 2 April, and 200 m at 0601 on 4 April.