Earth Report – Global Disaster Watch
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.7 Earthquake hits the Near Islands in the Aleutian Islands.
5.9 Earthquake hits near the north coast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Near Islands in the Aleutian Islands.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Ryukyu Islands off Japan.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
NewsBytes:
Mexico – Heavy rainfall and landslides caused by tropical storm Beatriz claimed the lives of three people in parts of Oaxaca, Mexico. Landslide damage has been reported at 16 places on state highways. TS Beatriz has since dissipated, but heavy rains are still expected in some areas.
Taiwan – Roads turned into rivers in northern Taiwan Friday as rain lashed the island, killing one woman and leaving two others missing. State power company Taipower said a transmission pylon on a hill in New Taipei city toppled during torrential downpours, causing a reactor at a nuclear plant there to cut out. Water surged into cars, homes and businesses after 600 millimetres of rain fell in under 11 hours in some areas.
Sri Lanka – The death toll in Sri Lanka’s devastating floods and landslides has risen to 206, with 92 people still reported missing, media reports said on Friday. As of Thursday night, almost 6,50,000 people in 15 districts were still affected by the severe rains and strong winds that have ravaged Sri Lanka since 26 May, resulting in major floods and landslides.
Interesting Images
The northern lights shimmer over Europe in a new Space Station photo.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.1 Earthquake hits the Macquarie Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
Tropical Depression Beatriz is located about 55 mi…90 km NNE of Puerto Angel Mexico with maximum sustained winds…35 mph…55 km/h. Present movement…NNE or 25 degrees at 7 mph…11 km/h.
NewsBytes:
Moscow, Russia – At least 16 people died and 168 others injured in a hurricane that hit Russia’s capital Moscow and the adjacent areas. Eleven people died in Moscow and five others in the suburbs were killed as high winds and rain ripped through the city on Monday, felling trees, tearing off roofs and damaging more than 2,000 cars. Hurricane damage at Alexander Golod’s pyramid in Istrinsky District, Moscow.
The Larsen C Iceberg Is on the Brink of Breaking Off
The saga of the Larsen C crack is about reach its stunning conclusion. Scientists have watched a rift grow along one of Antarctica’s ice shelves for years. Now it’s in the final days of cutting off a piece of ice that will be one of the largest icebergs ever recorded.
It’s the latest dreary news from the icy underbelly of the planet, which has seen warm air and water reshape the landscape in profound ways.
The crack has spread 17 miles over the past six days, marking the biggest leap since January. It’s also turned toward where the ice shelf ends and is within eight miles of making a clean break. There’s not much standing in its way either.
“The rift has now fully breached the zone of soft ‘suture’ ice originating at the Cole Peninsula and there appears to be very little to prevent the iceberg from breaking away completely,” scientists monitoring the ice with Project MIDAS wrote on their blog.
Trump Pulls USA Out of Global Climate Change Pact
President Donald Trump is pulling the United States out of the Paris Agreement, a worldwide accord that was developed to curb rising global temperatures and limit climate change in the coming years.
“In order to fulfill my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris climate accord,” Trump said at a news conference on June 1.
The Paris Agreement is designed to slow global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and by stepping up investments in “green” technology. Nearly 200 countries agreed on the deal in December 2015 and signed it in 2016. By working together, nations around the world are trying to keep the planet’s average temperature from rising more than 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) above Earth’s average temperature during preindustrial times. However, the agreement has an even more ambitious goal: “to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius [2 degrees F],” according to the United Nations.
The United States’ departure won’t cause the agreement to fall apart, but it will likely weaken it, especially if other countries follow suit. Moreover, countries that remain a part of the agreement might cooperate less with the United States in the future and, in a worst-case scenario, even impose carbon tariffs on the U.S., according to The New York Times.
Methane ‘blowout’
Giant craters on the Arctic sea floor were formed when methane gas previously trapped in ice was released with such force it blew through bedrock, Norwegian researchers say.
A study published in the latest edition of the journal Science says that during the last ice age, a sheet of ice up to two kilometres thick lay on the floor of the Barents Sea off Norway, holding vast amounts of methane in hydrate form — an ice-like mix of gas and water.
According to the researchers, when a warming climate caused the ice sheet to dissipate around 12,000 years ago, the methane concentrated in mounds and then was “abruptly released,” causing the craters.
Methane continues to seep out into the water to this day, Andreassen said, through more than 600 “gas flares” that remain near the craters.
Methane gas in northern waters is also an issue in Canada. This August 2009 photo shows methane gas bubbles in the Mackenzie River Delta in the Northwest Territories.
Medications, pesticides, found in blood of sea turtles on Great Barrier Reef
Heart and gout medications, pesticides, herbicides and other industrial chemicals have all been found in the blood of green sea turtles in the Great Barrier Reef, according to researchers.
The discovery was made as part of project led by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which compared samples from turtles in urban areas to the more remote locations.
Chemical exposure has been linked to stress and other side effects in wildlife, and the indications of inflammation and liver dysfunction were found in some green turtles.
The scientists said the worrying thing was there are more chemicals they could not identify than chemicals they could identify.
Faceless Fish
An Australian museum expedition has come across a species of fish not seen near the country since 1873. It has no visible eyes, gills or any other facial features except for two nostrils and a mouth at the bottom of its body.
Dubbed the “faceless cusk,” the fish measures roughly 22 inches in length and was captured by trawling a deep ocean trench off Australia’s eastern coast at a depth of around 2 miles.
According to Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, the creature, known as a cusk eel, has been previously observed from the Arabian Sea, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Japan to Hawaii. But living at depths of up to 14,000 feet, it is rarely seen.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 126.0 degrees Fahrenheit (52.2 degrees Celsius) in Sibi, Pakistan.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 88.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 66.7 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.
Novovirus: Yolo County, California, USA
Since May 1, the norovirus outbreak in Yolo County in northern California has topped the 4,000 case mark as of Wednesday. The Yolo County Health & Human Services Agency puts the case count at 4,001. The outbreak prompted the closure of several county schools just prior to the Memorial Day weekend.
China: H7N9 avian influenza case in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
The Health and Family Planning Commission of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region reported their first human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) in a male patient from Wuyuan County of Bayannur City. Health officials say the patient is in stable condition and the source of infection was probably poultry reared in his place of residence.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 24 May – 30 May 2017
Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported 22 events at Showa Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 22-29 May, seven of which were explosive. The explosions ejected material as high as 800 m above the crater rim, and as far away as 500 m. Ash plumes rose as high as 3.3 km on 23 May and 3.4 km on 29 May. Crater incandescence was detected on 25 May. A very small event occurred at Minamidake summit crater on 26 May. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).
Bezymianny | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : On 26 May KVERT reported that after an explosive eruption at Bezymianny on 9 March, and the effusion of several lava flows onto the dome flanks, the volcano became quiet. Gas-and-steam emissions continued, along with a thermal anomaly identified in satellite images. The Aviation colour Code was lowered to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-colour scale).
Bogoslof | Fox Islands (USA) : An eruption at Bogoslof began at 1416 on 28 May prompting AVO to raise the Aviation colour Code (ACC) to Red and the Volcano Alert Level (VAL) to Warning. Pilot and satellite observations indicated than ash plumes rose at least 10.7 km (35,000 ft) a.s.l. and possibly as high as 13.7 km (45,000 ft) a.s.l. An observer on Unalaska Island reported seeing a large white-gray mushroom cloud form over Bogoslof, with ashfall to the W. The event lasted 50 minutes. On 29 May the ash cloud continued to drift NE. No detectable activity was observed in data from seismic or infrasound stations located on nearby Islands, and no new activity has been observed in satellite data. The ACC was lowered to Orange and the VAL was lowered to Watch.
Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that no significant volcanic activity at Cleveland was detected in seismic, infrasound, or mostly cloudy satellite images during 24-30 May. The webcam periodically recorded steam emissions. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.
Colima | Mexico : On 26 May the Centro Universitario de Estudios e Investigaciones de Vulcanologia – Universidad de Colima reported that during the previous week seismic data revealed 36 high-frequency events, 20 long-period events, 2.6 hours of tremor, 12 landslides, and three low-intensity explosions. On 23 May sulfur dioxide emissions were below detectable limits (8.6 tons/day). A short-lived, low-amplitude episode of tremor was detected on 24 May.
Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind model data the Darwin VAAC reported that during 24-30 May ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW, W, and SW. Plumes drifted over 230 km W on 27 May.
Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 23-24 May explosions at Ebeko were observed by residents of Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island) about 7 km E. Ash plumes rose as high as 2 km (6,600 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 24-30 May HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise, fall, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook crater. A portion of the N Overlook crater wall collapsed into the lake, causing lake agitation and depositing tephra at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Jaggar Museum. 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 adding to a growing delta. Narrow cracks on the delta parallel to the coast were noted. Surface lava flows were active above and on the upper slopes of the pali.
Langila | New Britain (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 24-27 May ash plumes from Langila rose 2.1-3 km (7,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 75-85 km W and NW.
Manam | Papua New Guinea : RVO reported that Strombolian activity at Manam’s Southern Crater during 13-14 and 18 May generated lava flows that descended the SW valley. Lava flows traveled to 180-220 m elevation during 13-14 May but were significantly small on 18 May. Activity was low on other days during 13-26 May; ash plumes rose from the crater during 15-18 May. Conditions were quiet at Main Crater. RVO recommended that the Alert Level be lowered to Stage 1.
Nevado del Ruiz | Colombia : Servicio Geológico Colombiano’s (SGC) Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Manizales reported that during 23-29 May seismicity at Nevado del Ruiz continued to indicate unrest. Five episodes of drumbeat seismicity (low-energy long-period events) were recorded between 1343 and 1930 on 29 May, likely signifying growing lava domes. Significant amounts of water vapor and gas continued to be emitted. Gas, steam, and ash plumes rose 880 m above the crater rim on 27 May and drifted NW and SW. A thermal anomaly was identified on 28 May. The Alert Level remained at III (Yellow; the second lowest level on a four-colour scale).
Pacaya | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported nighttime crater incandescence and small Strombolian explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney cone during 27-28 May.
Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that during 22-28 May explosive activity at Sabancaya slightly increased from the previous week, with an average of 41 explosions detected per day. Seismcity was dominated by long-period events, and the number and magnitude of hybrid events were low. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 2.8 km above the crater rim and drifted more than 30 km E and SE. The MIROVA system detected two thermal anomalies.
Santa Maria | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 24-25 May avalanches of material from Santa María’s Santiaguito lava-dome complex traveled short distances down the flanks. During 27-30 May weak explosions generated ash plumes that rose 600-700 m and drifted W and SW. Ashfall was reported in Monte Claro (S).
Sinabung | Indonesia : Based on PVMBG observations, webcam and satellite images, and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 24-29 May ash plumes from Sinabung rose 3.7-5.8 km (12,000-19,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions.
Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that tremor amplitude at Turrialba fluctuated from low to high levels during 23-30 May, often corresponding to emission characteristics. Periods of volcano-tectonic and long-period events were also recorded. During 24-26 May several passive and sporadic ash emissions rose no higher than 500 m above the vent and drifted NW and SW. Frequent and small explosions during 26-27 May generated ash plumes that rose higher than 500 m above the vent, and ejected material higher than 200 m and no farther than 100 m towards Central Crater. Small explosions during 27-29 May produced ash plumes that rose 300-500 m.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.0 Earthquake hits Antofagasta, Chile.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Svalbard region.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
Tropical Depression Two-E is located about 50 mi…80 km WSW of Puerto Angel Mexico and about 215 mi…345 km ESE of Acapulco Mexico with maximum sustained winds…35 mph…55 km/h. Present movement…NNE or 20 degrees at 6 mph…10 km/h.
NewsBytes:
India – Torrential rain in the wake of cyclone Mora led to flooding at many places along river banks in Manipur’s hills and valleys on Wednesday. Although there were no human casualties, many localities in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, Senapati districts faced flash flood after many rivers including Imphal, Sekmai, Wangjing and Senapati breached their banks at various locations in the morning. Rain and flash floods also destroyed standing crops in Kakching,Thoubal and Ukhrul districts. Villagers in Riha in Ukhrul district vacated their houses after the water level in the Mapithel dam suddenly rose 10 feet.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 24 May – 30 May 2017
Poas | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that tremor amplitude at Poás fluctuated between low and high levels during 23-30 May, often corresponding to the vigor of emissions of water vapor, magmatic gases, and material from fumarolic vents. During 25-26 May ashfall was reported in some communities around the volcano. Low magnitude volcano-tectonic earthquakes and small phreatic eruptions were recorded sporadically during 27-30 May.
Rincon de la Vieja | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that a small hydrothermal explosion occurred at 1020 on 23 May in Rincón de la Vieja’s crater lake, producing a small lahar that traveled down the N flank of the crater.
Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 23-25 May powerful explosions at Sheveluch generated ash plumes that rose 8 km (26,200 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 715 km in different directions. At 0830 on 25 May explosions generated ash plumes that rose 9-10 km (29,500-32,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 16 km NE. The Aviation colour Code (ACC) was raised to Red (the highest colour on a four-colour scale). Around 30 minutes later the ash plume was identified in satellite images drifting 45 km ENE. Strong steam-and-gas emissions rose from the lava dome. The ACC was lowered to Orange. Within the next hour the ash plume drifted 82 km E.