Earth Report – Global Disaster Watch
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.9 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.
5.8 earthquake hits Fiji.
5.5 earthquake hits Papua, Indonesia.
5.4 earthquake hits the Bouvet Islands.
5.2 earthquake hits the Nicobar Islands off India.
5.2 earthquake hits the mid-Indian ridge.
5.0 earthquake hits Morocco.
5.0 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Tropical Depression Raymond is located about 390 mi…625 km ssw of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds…35 mph…55 km/h. Present movement…n or 10 degrees at 9 mph…15 km/h.
Tropical Depression Twenty One-E is located about 535 mi…860 km s of Zihuatanejo Mexico with maximum sustained winds…30 mph…45 km/h. Present movement…wnw or 290 degrees at 8 mph…13 km/h.
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm 26w (Fengshen), located approximately 166 nm north-northeast of Minami Tori Shima, Japan, is tracking eastward at 28 knots.
Tropical Storm 27w (Kalmaegi), located approximately 258 nm east-northeast of Manila, Philippines, is tracking north-northhwestward at 09 knots.
Venice Floods and Local Government
Venice regional council’s offices on the city’s Grand Canal were flooded for the first time in history just minutes after officials rejected a plan to combat climate change.
Greenland airport becomes victim of climate change
Greenland’s main airport is set to end civilian flights within five years due to climate change, as the melting of permafrost is cracking the runway. Kangerlussuaq Airport, the country’s main hub, had 11,000 planes landing or departing last year. Permafrost, the layer of soil usually frozen solid, is shrinking as temperatures rise.
Oxygen bar sells fresh air in pollution-hit New Delhi
With India’s capital engulfed in choking pollution, someone has sniffed an opportunity.
A bar offering fresh puffs of oxygen is proving popular among middle-aged and elderly residents of New Delhi. It was introduced in June but has proven a hit in recent weeks. The bar offers a 15-minute session to inhale a cocktail of oxygen in different flavours, for 500 rupees (€6.32).
Rhino, calf and zebra electrocuted by collapsed power pylon
A female rhino, her calf and two zebra were electrocuted when an Eskom electricity pylon collapsed at Tshwane’s Rietvlei Nature Reserve near Pretoria, South Africa. Scrap metal thieves have been targeting electricity pylons across Gauteng Province, removing structural members to sell as scrap metal to illicit dealers. It seems that this may have been the cause for the failure of one leg of the pylon.
Poachers killed in motor vehicle accident – South Africa
Eight people died in a head-on collision between a bakkie and car on the R531 road between Hoedspruit and Swadini, Limpopo Province, on Saturday. One of two injured people transported to hospital for treatment after the crash died later. The police endangered species unit was called to the scene after buckets containing snake skins, starfish, crabs and other dead sea creatures were found scattered about the crash site.
Measles – Tonga
In an update on the measles outbreak in Tonga, the Ministry of Health now reports 251 cases of confirmed or suspected measles. The vast majority of cases (86 percent) are reported on the island of Tongatapu and the remainder in Vava’u.
Officials say the outbreak of measles in Tonga occurred following the return of a squad of Tongan rugby players from New Zealand where one player had developed the illness. A further 12 players developed measles on their return to Tonga.