Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

7.1 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

6.1 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

5.9 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

5.8 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

5.5 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

Two 5.4 earthquakes hit the Molucca Sea.

Three 5.3 earthquakes hit the Molucca Sea.

5.2 earthquake hits Bali, Indonesia.

Three 5.1 earthquakes hit the Molucca Sea.

Eight 5.0 earthquakes hit the Molucca Sea.

5.0 earthquake hits the Nicobar Islands off India.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

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In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Tropical Depression Twenty-E is located about 655 mi…1055 km s of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds…35 mph…55 km/h. Present movement…nnw or 335 degrees at 6 mph…9 km/h.

In the Western Pacific Ocean: Typhoon 26w (Fengshen), located approximately 404 nm north-northwest of Andersen AFB, is tracking northwestward at 14 knots.

Tropical depression 27w (Kalmaegi), located approximately 323 nm east-northeast of Manila, Philippines, is tracking northwestward at 08 knots.

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NewsBytes:

Italy – Waters rose in Venice again Thursday, although to a much lower height than previous days. Venice officials said water reached a maximum height of 3 feet, 8 inches early Thursday and heavy rainfall will continue to bring further floods into the city. Two flood-related fatalities have been reported.

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Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week’s hottest temperature was 114 degrees Fahrenheit (45.5 degrees Celsius) in Mandora, Western Australia.

The week’s coldest temperature was minus 63.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 52.8 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.

Wildfires

Wildfires – Australia

More than 250 homes have been destroyed by bushfires in the last week in northern New South Wales, the Rural Fire Service (RFS) has confirmed, and the figure is set to rise. 259 homes were razed, 87 homes were damaged and almost 500 outbuildings were destroyed. Firefighters managed to save more than 2,000 buildings in direct fire areas.

Disease

Rift Valley Fever – Sudan

From 19 September 2019 until 11 November 2019, a total of 293 suspected human RVF cases, including 11 associated deaths have been reported from six states; including the Red Sea (120), River Nile (168), Kassala (2), White Nile (1), Khartoum (1), and Al Qadarif (1) States.

Climatic Ailments

A study published in the world’s leading medical journal says that children born today will face untold and lifelong health problems due to the effects of climate change and its root causes.

The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change study was a partnership of 120 experts from 35 institutions, including the World Health Organization, the World Bank, University College London and China’s Tsinghua University.

It warns that the most pressing health issue is the long-lasting effects of air pollution, which is worsening around the world.

The study goes on to caution that climate change is creating a world with more extreme weather events, the risk of food shortages and increasing cases of infectious diseases.

Ebola – DR Congo

Six new confirmed cases were reported in the past week (6 to 12 November) in the ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, continuing the downward trend of new infections.

Volcanos

Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 6 November – 12 November 2019

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that incandescence from Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was visible at night during 5-11 November. There were 13 explosions and 25 non-explosive eruptive events detected by the seismic network. Blocks were ejected as far as 1.3 km away. Explosions at 1557 and 1615 on 7 November generated ash plumes that rose 3.8 and 3.5 km above the crater rim, respectively. An explosion at 1724 on 8 November generated an ash plume that rose 5.5 km above the crater rim and drifted E, and ejected large blocks that fell 500-800 m away. The last time plumes rose over 5 km from the active vents was on 26 July 2016 at Showa Crater and on 7 October 2000 at Minamidake Crater. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Asamayama | Honshu (Japan) : On 6 November JMA lowered the Alert Level for Asamayama to 1 (on a scale of 1-5) noting that no eruptions had occurred since 26 August, volcanic tremor had not been recorded since early September, and volcanic gas emissions had been generally low.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite and wind model data, and information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 6-12 November ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to remain outside of the 2-km exclusion zone.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 2-6 November that sent ash plumes up to 3 km (10,00 ft) a.s.l. Ash plumes drifted N, E, and SE. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Karangetang | Siau Island (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that during 4-10 November lava continued to effuse from Karangetang’s Main Crater (S) and travel down the Nanitu, Pangi, and Sense drainages on the SW and W flanks. Incandescent blocks from the flows reached a distance of 1.8 km from the crater. Sometimes dense white plumes rose to 250 m above the summit craters. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Krakatau | Indonesia : PVMBG reported that during 4-10 November diffuse white plumes rose as high as 200 m above Anak Krakatau’s active vent. The seismic network detected 30 eruptive events; dense gray-to-black plumes rose as high as 300 m above the vent. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to remain outside of the 2-km-radius hazard zone from the crater.

Merapi | Central Java (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that at 0621 on 9 November an eruption was detected by the seismic network at Merapi and lasted two minutes and 40 seconds. A pyroclastic flow traveled 2 km down the Gendol drainage on the SE flank and an ash plume rose around 1.5 km above the summit. Minor ashfall was reported in areas to the W as far as 15 km away, including Wonolelo, Sawangan, Magelang, and Tlogolele. The event did not notably impact the morphology of the lava dome and the drainage. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and residents were warned to stay outside of the 3-km exclusion zone.

Sangeang Api | Indonesia : The Darwin VAAC reported that during 6-12 November discrete and short-lived ash emissions from Sangeang Api rose to 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW, W, and SW. Thermal anomalies were visible during 6-8 November. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 1-8 November. Ash plumes drifted as far as 640 km NW on 3 and 5 November. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Suwanosejima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that incandescence at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater was visible during 1-8 November. Very small eruptive events on 5 and 7 November generated grayish white plumes that rose 900 m above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).