Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.1 earthquake hits Sulawesi, Indonesia.
5.1 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.0 earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan.
Storms and Floods
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Storm Leslie is located about 720 mi…1155 km ene of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds…50 mph…85 km/h. Present movement…wsw or 240 degrees at 5 mph…7 km/h.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Hurricane Rosa is located about 385 mi…625 km sw of Punta Eugenia Mexico and about 585 mi…940 km ssw of San Felipe Mexico with maximum sustained winds…85 mph…140 km/h. Present movement…n or 5 degrees at 12 mph…19 km/h.
Tropical Storm Sergio is located about 485 mi…780 km s of Manzanillo Mexico with maximum sustained winds…50 mph…85 km/h. Present movement…w or 270 degrees at 12 mph…19 km/h.
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Typhoon 28w (Trami), located approximately 131 nm south-southeast of Iwakuni, Japan, is tracking northeastward at 25 knots.
Typhoon 30w (Kong-Rey), located approximately 288 nm north-northwest of Ulithi, is tracking northwestward at 09 knots.
In the Central Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm Walaka is located about 610 mi…980 km se of Johnston island about 725 mi…1165 km ssw of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds…40 mph…65 km/h. Present movement…w or 270 degrees at 16 mph…26 km/h.
NewsBytes:
California, USA – The moisture from Hurricane Rosa could pose a risk of flash flooding to Baja California, eastern California, Las Vegas and Arizona as it approaches the coast late Sunday. The remnants of Rosa could bring as much as a year’s worth of rain to desert areas such as California’s Imperial Valley and Arizona’s Yuma County — both significant producers of vegetables for the nation.
Greece – Swirling winds and torrential rain brought flash floods to parts of Greece on Saturday as a rare type of storm known as a “Medicane” which can develop in certain conditions over the Mediterranean Sea hit the country. Ships were held at Greece’s main ports and traffic was disrupted in several areas as roads flooded due to the heavy rain. Gusting winds blew garbage bins off the streets of Athens and led to power cuts and falling trees across the country.
Nigeria – Floods in Edo State have killed at least 6 people with no fewer than 42 communities, 8,000 houses and 35,150 persons affected by the floods.
Global Warming
This Stretch of Water Is Losing Oxygen Faster Than Almost Anywhere Else in The Ocean
A new study links rapid deoxygenation in the Gulf of St. Lawrence to two powerful currents: the Gulf Stream and the Labrador Current.
The broad, biologically rich waterway in Eastern Canada which drains North America’s Great Lakes and is popular with fishing boats, whales, and tourists has lost oxygen faster than almost anywhere else in the global oceans.
The paper, which appears in Nature Climate Change, explains how large-scale climate change already is causing oxygen levels to drop in the deeper parts of this waterway.
The findings confirm a recent study showing that, as carbon dioxide levels rose over the past century due to human emissions, the Gulf Stream has shifted northward and the Labrador Current has weakened.
The new paper finds that this causes more of the Gulf Stream’s warm, salty, and oxygen-poor water to enter the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Oxygen declines have been seen to affect Atlantic wolffish, and also threaten Atlantic cod, snow crabs, and Greenland halibut that all live in the depths.
Disease
Rabies – South Africa
In 2018 to date, South African health officials have reported 13 human rabies cases–seven cases were from KwaZulu-Natal Province and six from the Eastern Cape Province. In addition, two other cases from Eastern Cape could not be confirmed through laboratory testing, but are considered probable cases.
The rise in the number of human rabies cases is associated with the outbreak of rabies in dogs in the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Provinces.
Cholera – Zimbabwe
In a follow-up report on the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, in 15 areas across the country a cumulative total of 6,643 suspected cholera cases (98 confirmed) and 48 related deaths (case fatality ratio 0.73 per cent) have been reported three weeks into the outbreak.
Earthquakes
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
7.5 earthquake hits Minahasa, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
The 7.5 magnitude quake and tsunami, which hit the city of Palu about 1,500 km (940 miles) from Jakarta and further along the coastline, killed at least 384 people. Officials said on Saturday the death toll was likely to rise. Hundreds of people had gathered for a festival on the beach in Palu on Friday when waves as high as six metres (18 feet) smashed onshore at dusk, sweeping many to their death. The tsunami warning gauges apparently did not work properly, giving no warning to residents.
Three 5.8 earthquakes hit Minahasa, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Two 5.6 earthquakes hit Minahasa, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
5.5 earthquake hits Martinique in the Windward Islands.
5.5 earthquake hits the Indian Ocean triple junction.
Two 5.4 earthquake hit Minahasa, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
5.2 earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.
Two 5.2 earthquakes hit Sulawesi, Indonesia.
5.2 earthquake hits Minahasa, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Three 5.1 earthquakes hit Minahasa, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits Minahasa, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Three 5.0 earthquakes hit Sulawesi, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits the Indian Ocean triple Junction.
Storms and Floods
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Subtropical Storm Leslie is located about 820 mi…1320 km ene of Bermuda and about 1345 mi…2165 km w of the Azores with maximum sustained winds…45 mph…75 km/h. Present movement…sw or 225 degrees at 7 mph…11 km/h.
The Remnants of Kirk are located about 190 mi…310 km ssw of St. Croix and about 230 mi…370 km s of San Juan Puerto Rico with maximum sustained winds…40 mph…65 km/h. Present movement…wnw or 300 degrees at 14 mph…22 km/h.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Hurricane Rosa is located about 545 mi…875 km ssw of Punta Eugenia Mexico and about 760 mi…1220 km ssw of San Felipe Mexico with maximum sustained winds…105 mph…165 km/h. Present movement…n or 355 degrees at 12 mph…19 km/h.
Tropical Storm Sergio is located about 345 mi…555 km ssw of Acapulco Mexico with maximum sustained winds…40 mph…65 km/h, Present movement…wnw or 285 degrees at 13 mph…20 km/h.
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Typhoon 28w (Trami), located approximately 90 nm north-northeast of Kadena AFB, Japan, is tracking northeastward at 18 knots.
Tropical storm 30w (Kong-Rey), located approximately 186 nm north of Fais, is tracking westward at 15 knots.
NewsBytes:
Vietnam – More breakthrough solutions are needed to help farmers in the Mekong Delta cope with unpredictably rising water levels, according to experts. This year, floodwaters caused by heavy rains and water of the Mekong River have been rising at alarming levels, submerging thousands of hectares of rice and crops and causing losses for farmers in Mekong Delta provinces. The water levels, which are higher than the average over the past decade, are forecast to reach warning Level 2 on the Tiền and Hậu rivers in the next few days.
Global Warming
Arctic ice reaches lowest recorded extent
The extent of Arctic sea ice, with reached its 2018 lowest extent on 23 September and again on 23 September, has tied with 2008 and 2010 for the sixth lowest summertime minimum extent in the satellite record.
This is the conclusion from satellite data by NASA and the NASA-supported National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC) at the University of Colorado Boulder, which showed that, at 1,77-million square miles (4,59-million square kilometres), 2018 effectively tied with.
Arctic sea ice, the cap of frozen seawater blanketing most of the Arctic Ocean and neighbouring seas in wintertime, follows seasonal patterns of growth and decay. It thickens and spreads during the fall and winter and thins and shrinks during the spring and summer.
But in the past decades, increasing temperatures have led to prominent decreases in the Arctic sea ice extents, with particularly rapid decreases in the minimum summertime extent.
The shrinking of the Arctic sea ice cover can ultimately affect the planet’s weather patterns and the circulation of the oceans.
Earthquakes
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.1 earthquake hits Minahasa, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
5.6 earthquake hits the Indian Ocean Triple Junction.
5.5 earthquake hits the Indian Ocean Triple Junction.
5.5 earthquake hits Fiji.
5.4 earthquake hits Minahasa, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
5.1 earthquake hits western Xizang, China.
Storms and Floods
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Storm Kirk is located about 75 mi…120 km wsw of St. Lucia and about 125 mi…200 km ssw of Martinique with maximum sustained winds…50 mph…85 km/h. Present movement…wsw or 240 degrees at 12 mph…19 km/h.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Hurricane Rosa is located about 605 mi…975 km sw of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds…145 mph…230 km/h. Present movement…w or 265 degrees at 9 mph…15 km/h.
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Typhoon 28w (Trami), located approximately 234 nm south of Kadena AFB, Japan, is tracking northwestward at 06 knot.
Tropical depression (td) 30w (Thirty), located approximately 531 southeast of Anderson AFB, Japan, is tracking westward at 18 knots.
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 02p (Liua), located approximately 514 nm northwest of Port Vila, Vanuatu, is tracking westward at 06 knots.
NewsBytes:
Nigeria – Nearly 200 people have died in flooding caused by heavy seasonal rains across 12 states in Nigeria. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said on Thursday that 199 people were killed after the main Niger and Benue rivers burst their banks.A national disaster was declared in several central and southern states. More than 286 000 people have been left homeless.
Connecticut, USA – South Connecticut was hit by flash floods with some areas seeing more than six inches of rain. Some roads were completely impassable following the downpour and fire departments warned motorists to avoid driving.
Wildlife
Squirrel Scourge
Farmers in New England are vexed by unusually large numbers of squirrels that are gnawing their way through pumpkin patches, corn fields and apple orchards this fall.
Robert Randall, who has a 60-acre orchard in Standish, Maine, told The Associated Press: “They’re raising some hell this year. It’s the worst I’ve ever seen.”
The squirrel population boom appears to have been fueled by a bumper crop of acorns and other food, according to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
Growers say one of the more infuriating aspects of the squirrels is that they often take a single bite then move on. But just one bite is all it takes to ruin fruit.
The rodents are now being killed in greater numbers by passing vehicles as they dart to find their next meal.
Environment
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 114 degrees Fahrenheit (45.6 degrees Celsius) in Al Qaysumah, Saudi Arabia.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 91.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 68.3 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
Ebola, DR Congo
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo could spread quickly across the northeast of the country and beyond due to attacks by armed rebel groups and local resistance to vaccination in the area where the disease has already spread.
The U.N. agency says this “perfect storm” of conditions could mean the hemorrhagic fever could go on to kill far more than the 100 people who have already died in the outbreak, out of about 150 reported cases.
The WHO has been forced to suspend its operations in one city due to a rebel attack that killed 21 people and caused the community to shut down in mourning.
Volcanos
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 19 September – 25 September 2018
Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that there were eight events and an additional five explosions at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 18-25 September, with ash plumes rising as high as 2.1 km above the crater rim and material ejected as far as 1.1 km. Crater incandescence was occasionally visible at night. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).
Ambae | Vanuatu : On 21 September the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department reported that during September activity at Ambae’s Lake Voui was characterized only by steam emissions; the eruption had ceased. The Alert Level was lowered to 2 (on a scale of 0-5).
Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite data, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 19-25 September ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions.
Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 14-21 September that sent ash plumes to 4.2 km (13,800 ft) a.s.l. A thermal anomaly over the volcano was occasionally visible in satellite data, and an ash plume was identified drifting about 80 km E on 14 September. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Fuego | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 20-21 and 24-25 September explosions at Fuego generated ash plumes that rose almost as high as 1 km above the crater and drifted 12 km W and SW. Incandescent material was ejected 150 m above the crater rim, and caused avalanches of material within the crater area. Ashfall was reported in areas downwind including Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW), Finca Palo Verde, Panimaché (8 km SW), and San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km NW). On 25 September hot, steaming lahars descended the El Jute (SE) and Las Lajas (SE) drainages, carrying blocks up to 2 m in diameter, and branches and tree trunks.
Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was identified in satellite images on 19 September; the volcano was obscured by weather clouds the rest of the days during 14-21 September. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported no incandescence from a collapse pit in the central part of Kilauea’s Fissure 8 cone during 19-25 September, though a small amount of fuming was visible during the day. Seismicity and ground deformation remain low at the summit, and small aftershocks from the M 6.9 earthquake in early May were located along faults on the south flank. The combined rate of sulfur dioxide emission from the summit and the LERZ (less than 1,000 tonnes/day) were lower than any time since late 2007. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch and the Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.
Krakatau | Indonesia : Based on satellite data, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 18-24 September ash plumes from Anak Krakatau rose to altitudes of 0.9-3.7 km (3,000-12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4); residents and visitors were warned not to approach the volcano within 2 km of the crater.
Manam | Papua New Guinea : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that at 2050 on 23 September a short-lived eruption at Manam produced an ash plume that rose 8.5 km (28,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW.
Merapi | Central Java (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that during 17-23 September the new lava dome in Merapi’s summit crater continued to slowly grow. By 22 September the volume of the lava dome was an estimated 113,000 cubic meters, and the growth rate was 3,000 cubic meters per day. White emissions of variable density rose 100 m above the summit. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and resident were warned to remain outside of the 3-km exclusion zone.
Pacaya | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 17-18, 20-21, and 24-25 September Strombolian explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney Crater ejected material as high as 25 m above the crater rim. As many as four lava flows originating from Mackenney Crater traveled 50-250 m NW.
Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosions at Sabancaya averaged 16 per day during 17-23 September. Hybrid earthquakes were infrequent and of low magnitude. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 3.5 km above the crater rim and drifted 40 km N, NE, and SE. The MIROVA system detected eight thermal anomalies, and on 17 September the sulfur dioxide gas flux was high at 1,600 tons/day. The report noted that the public should not approach the crater within a 12-km radius.
Sangay | Ecuador : Based on satellite images and wind model data, the Washington VAAC reported that during 19-20 September ash emissions from Sangay rose to 5.8-6.1 km (19,000-20,000 ft) a.s.l., drifted WNW and W, and became diffuse after 37 km.
Santa Maria | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that heavy rain at Santa María on 20 September produced hot lahars in the San Isidro-Tambor River (S), a tributary of Salamá River. The lahars were 25 m wide, 2 m deep, had a sulfur odor, and carried branches, tree trunks, and blocks up to 2 m in diameter. Lahars also descended the Nimá I (S) drainage. On 21 September explosions generated ash plumes that rose 800 m above the crater rim and drifted W and SW; minor amounts of ash fell locally. Lahars descended the Nimá I, Salamá, and San Isidro drainages. During 24-25 September explosions produced ash plumes that rose 500-700 m and drifted SW. Avalanches of material traveled down the SE and NE flanks.
Semeru | Eastern Java (Indonesia) : Based on analysis of satellite images, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 19 September a possible ash-and-steam plume from Semeru rose to an altitude of 4 km (13,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SSW.
Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite data during 14, 16-17, and 19-20 September. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Earthquakes
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 earthquake hits east of the South Sandwich Islands.
5.2 earthquake hits southern Greece.
5.2 earthquake hits the Philippines.
5.1 earthquake hits Kepulauan Tanimbar, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits the Philippines.
5.0 earthquake hits Fiji.
5.0 earthquake hits Northern Sumatra, Indonesia.
Two 5.0 earthquakes hit the southern East Pacific rise.
Storms and Floods
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Storm Kirk is located about 60 mi…95 km ene of Barbados and about 170 mi…275 km ese of Martinique with maximum sustained winds…50 mph…85 km/h. Present movement…wnw or 290 degrees at 16 mph…26 km/h.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Hurricane Rosa is located about 630 mi…1015 km wsw of Puerto Vallarta Mexico and about 485 mi…780 km sw of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds…85 mph…140 km/h. Present movement…w or 270 degrees at 12 mph…19 km/h.
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Typhoon 28w (Trami), located approximately 298 nm south-southeast of Kadena AFB, Japan, is tracking northwestward at 01 knot.
Tropical depression (td) 29w (Twenty-nine), located approximately 536 nm north of Miami Tori Shima, Japan, is tracking northeastward at 13 knots.
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 02p (Liua), located approximately 480 nm northwest of Port Vila, Vanuatu, is tracking southeastward at 09 knots.
NewsBytes:
Alabama, USA – Flash floods trapped people in homes and vehicles in north Alabama on Wednesday, and forecasters said the threat could last another day. Torrents of rain from a cold front moving through the state caused water to quickly cover roads and low-lying areas near Birmingham.