Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 earthquake hits Tonga.
5.0 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
Storms and Floods
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Tropical depression 03e (Carlos), located approximately 1340 nm east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, is tracking west-southwestward at 07 knots.
Newsbytes:
Mexico – Heavy rainfall brought by an area of low pressure has caused flooding and landslides in the state of Oaxaca, southern Mexico . Thunderstorms and lightning were also reported and 2 people died in lightning strikes in Ocotlán de Morelos municipality. Mexico’s National Meteorological Service reported that over 440 mm of rain fell in Jacatepec, Oaxaca in a 48 hour period to 16 June 2021. Several rivers have broken their banks, including the Mala river in the municipality of San Juan Guichicovi, and the Los Perros river in the city of Ixtepec. Levels of the the Los Perros river jumped over 3 meters in the space of a few hours, reaching 6.8 meters on 16 June, well above the danger mark of 3.5 meters. At least 50 families have evacuated their homes as a result. Landslide and flooding has blocked numerous roads in the state. Local media reported that as many as 30 communities were cut off in different areas of the state.
Nepal Update – Five fatalities have now been confirmed, with a further 19 people reported missing after heavy monsoon rainfall in Nepal triggered floods and landslides. Disaster authorities in Nepal have reported over 70 incidents of rain damage, flooding and landslides since 15 June 2021. As many as 26 of Nepal’s 77 districts have been affected.
Wildlife
Sea of Spider Silk
Many residents of Victoria, Australia, evacuated their homes to avoid disastrous floods last week — and upon their return, they found the land, trees and road signs coated in thick veils of shimmering spider silk.
As the residents of Gippsland evacuated their homes, local arachnids also fled for higher ground. Using a behavior called “ballooning,” spiders clambered atop vegetation and flung fine silk threads into the wind; as the threads caught air, the spiders got plucked from their perches and lifted to safety leaving the remarkable carpet of silk, called gossamer, covering shrubs or fields behind.
Disease
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Dengue Fever – Reunion
Health officials in Reunion Island say despite the arrival of the southern winter, the dengue epidemic continues at a high level and above the epidemic peak of previous years. To date, 20,800 confirmed cases, including 12 deaths have been reported.
Volcanos
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the Week 9 June – 15 June 2021
Bagana – Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) : Based on satellite and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 14 June an ash plume from Bagana rose to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W.
Turrialba – Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that an eruption at Turrialba at 1800 on 31 June produced an ash plume that rose 300 m above the crater and drifted SW. Residents in several areas reported volcanic gas odors and rumbling, and minor ashfall was reported in Monte Calas and La Central.