Earth Report – Global Disaster Watch
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.2 earthquake hits the Peru-Ecuador border.
5.3 earthquake hits Easter Island.
5.2 earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan.
5.2 earthquake hits Tonga.
5.1 earthquake hits Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.0 earthquake hits Tonga.
5.0 earthquake hits south of Alaska.
5.0 earthquake hits the southern east Pacific rise.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Tropical depression 09e (Nine), located approximately 1330 nm south-southwest of San Diego, is tracking westward at 05 knots.
Tropical storm 08e (Hilda), located approximately 1175 nm south of San Diego, is tracking west-northwestward at 12 knots.
Newsbytes:
India – At least 7 people have died after torrential rain in India hit Jammu and Kashmir on 28 July 2021 causing flash floods. Local officials said a “cloudburst” dumped torrential rainfall in the Hanzor area of Dachhan in Kishtwar District, Jammu region, on 28 July. The rain sent flash floods, mud, rocks and other debris crashing through the community causing widespread damage and fatalities. At least 19 residential buildings collapsed or were severely damaged. Two others were partially damaged. Farm buildings and a bridge were also damaged or destroyed.
Light Pollution Disorientates Animals
When dung beetles in South Africa are ready to roll, they pick their path with the help of the Milky Way. But our home Galaxy is becoming harder and harder to spot as light pollution brightens the night sky, The New York Times reports. Researchers tested how dung beetles responded to two types of artificial light: a single bright beacon and the dull glow a nearby city might produce. They found that both kinds disoriented the dung beetles, throwing them off their usual path, the team reports in Current Biology. When exposed to the bright light, the beetles headed toward that, and when exposed to the ambient light, they went in circles. Because many animals seem to navigate using the stars—including birds, seals, and moths—the fading of the night sky could be having similar effects on other species as well, according to the researchers.
Wildfires – Italy
Italy’s emergency services continued to battle wildfires across the country. The regions sent 34 requests for support from firefighting aircraft, the country’s civil defence authority said Thursday evening. The requests came from Calabria in the south; Lazio, where the capital Rome is located; and the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In Sicily’s Agrigento, firefighters faced a five-kilometer (3.1-mile) fire front.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever – Georgia
A 49-year-old woman from the Samtskhe-Javakheti region has died from Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), according to Georgia media.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 earthquake hits south of Alaska.
5.3 earthquake hits Alaska.
5.1 earthquake hits south of Alaska.
5.1 earthquake hits Alaska.
Three 5.0 earthquakes hit Alaska.
5.0 earthquake hits Tajikistan.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
Afghanistan – Dozens of people are feared dead after flash floods in Nuristan Province in eastern Afghanistan. Flooding struck in Kamdesh district (also Kamdeish or Kamdish) in Nuristan Province late on 28 July 2021. As of 29 July, media reported at least 60 fatalities. Roads and telecommunications systems have been damaged.
Mexico – Storms and rain affecting parts of South West USA has also caused severe flooding in border areas of Mexico over the last few days. Authorities in Sonora State reported flooding in the border city of Heroica Nogales (more commonly known as Nogales) from 22 July when police were called on to rescue people from vehicles trapped in floods. Further storms and rain caused severe flooding on 27 July. Raging flood waters raced through streets, carrying along vehicles and damaging buildings.
Bird Bins
The new ability of sulfur-crested cockatoos to open trash bins in search of food appears to be spreading to more cities across southeastern Australia because the birds are copying each other’s behavior. The complicated process was first observed in 2018 and has since spread around metropolitan Sydney. It has been seen by citizen observers and researchers alike in 44 suburbs, where the birds are causing a growing mess by flinging out the rubbish they don’t want to eat. The birds have learned to grab a bin lid with their beaks, pry it open, then shuffle far enough along the edge to cause the lid to fall backward, revealing the tasty trash.
Primate vs Primate
Deadly unprovoked attacks by chimpanzees on gorillas have for the first time been observed in the West Africa nation of Gabon. Researchers at Loango National Park say two dozen chimps went after five gorillas in December 2019. An infant separated from its mother didn’t survive the assault.
Writing in the journal Nature, the scientists say more research is needed to determine what is behind the new lethal behavior. ”At first, we only noticed screams of chimpanzees and thought we were observing a typical encounter between individuals of neighbouring chimpanzee communities,” author Lara M. Southern said in a statement. “But then, we heard chest beats, a display characteristic for gorillas, and realized that the chimpanzees had encountered a group of five gorillas.”
Earth’s Vital Signs
An international coalition of more than 14,000 scientists has signed an initiative declaring that world leaders are consistently failing to cope with the main causes of climate change and the deepening climate emergency.
Writing in the journal BioScience, the group calls for the elimination of fossil fuel use, the slashing of pollutants, the restoration of ecosystems, a switch to plant-based diets and the stabilization of the planet’s human population. They say the planet’s vital signs are deteriorating at a record rate, and also call for climate change to be included in core curricula in schools for the generation that will have to cope with the hotter decades to come.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 122 degrees Fahrenheit (54.4 degrees Celsius) in Al Qaysumah, Saudi Arabia.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 103.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 75.0 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 – Turkey
Turkish authorities on Thursday began investigating the cause of a string of forest fires in Turkey’s Mediterranean and southern Aegean regions, including two near the coastal resort town of Manavgat that killed three people and sent over 50 others to the hospital as homes burned down.
A wildfire that broke out Wednesday in Manavgat, in Antalya province, and was fanned by strong winds and scorching temperatures, was largely contained. But another fire that started overnight and swept through the district of Akseki, 50 kilometers (30 miles) north, kept firefighters engaged.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
African Swine Fever – Dominican Republic
African swine fever (ASF) has been confirmed in samples collected from pigs in the Dominican Republic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory reports.
Lassa Fever – Liberia
Between 1 January and 18 July 2021, a total of 71 suspected cases were reported, of which 13 (18.3%) were confirmed, and 9 deaths among confirmed cases (CFR: 69%).
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the Week 21 July – 27 July 2021
Dukono – Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 13-19 July ash plumes from Dukono rose to 2.1-2.4 km (7,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW, N, NE, and ESE.
Ebeko – Paramushir Island (Russia) : According to volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, explosions during 10-14 July produced ash plumes that rose as high as 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images on 10 and 12 July.
Fuego – Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that 5-15 explosions per hour were recorded during 13-20 July at Fuego, generating ash plumes as high as 1.1 km above the crater rim and shock waves that often rattled buildings around the volcano. Ash plumes mostly drifted 10-20 km NW, W, and SW and caused daily ashfall in several areas downwind, including Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), Finca Palo Verde, Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW), and San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km NW). Block avalanches descended the Ceniza (SSW), Seca (W), Trinidad (S), Taniluyá (SW), Las Lajas (SE), and Honda drainages, often reaching vegetated areas. Explosions ejected incandescent material 100-400 m above the summit during 13-19 July.
Karymsky – Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that ash plumes from Karymsky were identified in satellite data drifting 80 km NW, NE, and ESE during 8-11 and 15 July. A thermal anomaly was visible during 8 and 10-13 July.
Krysuvik-Trolladyngja – Iceland : The fissure eruption in the W part of the Krýsuvík-Trölladyngja volcanic system, close to Fagradalsfjall on the Reykjanes Peninsula, continued during 14-20 July. Lava fountaining and overflows from the fifth vent were sometimes visible, and lava from the crater flowed in tubes as well as on the surface. Visible activity at the vent occasionally paused for various lengths of time. IMO warned of the potential for lapilli and scoria fallout within a 650 m radius of the active vent. Authorities warned of increased gas emissions hazards.
Lewotolok – Lembata Island (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that daily white-and-gray plumes from Lewotolok rose as high as 1 km and drifted W, NW, NE, and E during 13-20 July. Rumbling was heard daily. Incandescent material was ejected as far as 1 km from the summit vent in various directions during 16-18 July.
Merapi – Central Java (Indonesia) : BPPTKG reported that the lava dome just below Merapi’s SW rim and the lava dome in the summit crater both remained active during 9-15 July. The SW rim lava-dome volume was an estimated 1.83 million cubic meters and continued to shed material down the flank. One pyroclastic flow traveled 1.1 km down the SW flank and as far as 1.5 km SE. Avalanches traveled a maximum of 1.5 km SE (58 times), 2 km SW (98 times), 1 km W (one time), and 700 m NW (three times). The volume of the summit lava dome was 2.796 million cubic meters.
Nevado del Ruiz – Colombia : On 21 July Servicio Geológico Colombiano’s (SGC) Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Manizales reported that seismicity at Nevado del Ruiz was generally characterized by higher number of earthquakes that had larger magnitudes than the previous week. Gas-and-steam emissions were sometimes visible in webcam images rising as high as 1.1 km above the summit and drifting WNW and WSW; these emissions sometimes contained ash. Episodes of drumbeat seismicity were recorded during 13-14 and 17 July, indicating ascent or growth of a lava dome in Arenas Crater.
Sangay – Ecuador : IG reported a high level of activity at Sangay during 13-20 July. Weather clouds and rain sometimes prevented visual and webcam observations of the volcano. Daily ash plumes were identified in satellite images by the Washington VAAC, rising between 900 m to as high as 5.4 km above the volcano and drifting W, SW, SE, and NE. Ashfall was reported in Barca and Guamote (40 km WNW) on 14 July and in Guamote on 19 July. Signals indicating lahars were recorded by the seismic network during 15-16 and 18-20 July.
Santa Maria – Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 13-20 July daily explosions at Santa María’s Santiaguito lava-dome complex generated ash plumes that rose as high as 1 km above the summit and drifted as far as 12 km SW and W. Collapses of blocky lava from Caliente dome sent avalanches down the SW and W flanks, often reaching the base, and caused minor ashfall mostly on the volcano’s flank. Ashfall was also reported in San Marcos (8 km SW) and Loma Linda Palajunoj (6 km WSW) during 14-15 and 19-20 July. On 15 July blocks of extruded lava formed a lava flow on the W flank that was 700 m long. Block-and-ash flows descended the W and NE flanks.
Semisopochnoi – Aleutian Islands (USA) : AVO reported that unrest continued at Semisopochnoi during 13-20 July. Periods of low-level tremor and steam plumes from Mount Cerberus were occasionally recorded. Elevated surface temperatures at the N cone of Mount Cerberus were identified in satellite images during 13-14 July and robust steam-and-gas emissions were seen in webcam images. A plume with low amounts of sulfur dioxide drifting about 200 km N was identified in satellite data on 17 July. Sulfur dioxide emissions were also detected the next day.
Sheveluch – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 9-16 July.
Sinabung – Indonesia : Video taken on 13 July and posted on social media showed new vents on the upper W flank of Sinabung that were producing steam-and-ash emissions. PVMBG reported that white-and-gray plumes rose 100-300 m from the summit and drifted E and SE. During 14-18 June white plumes rose as high as 300 m. An eruptive event that began around 1850 on 19 July and lasted about 11 minutes produced an ash plume that rose 1 km and drifted ESE.
Whakaari/White Island-North Island (New Zealand) : GeoNet reported continuing unrest at Whakaari/White Island. During overflights of the island on 15 and 20 July scientists observed minor steam-and-gas activity around the 2019 Primary Crater lava domes and noted that the Main Crater area continues to fill with water. Other fumarolic vents remained active and unchanged. Overall, seismicity was at low levels during the previous few months, punctuated by a few notable events; a short-lived tremor episode was recorded on 2 June, discrete acoustic signals recorded during 18-20 June were associated with geysering in a new vent N of 2019 Crater, and a 15-minute low-frequency volcanic earthquake occurred on 30 June. Nighttime incandescence has persisted in webcam views since the 30 June earthquake.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
7.8 Earthquake hits Alaska.
In Alaska, small tsunami waves measuring under a foot above tide level were observed in Sand Point, Old Harbor, King Cove, Kodiak, Unalaska and Alitak Bay, according to the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC). There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage to property. Several Alaskan coastal communities were
evacuated following the quake.
6.2 earthquake hits Alaska.
6.1 earthquake hits Alaska.
5.6 earthquake hits south of Alaska.
5.5 earthquake hits near the coast of northern Peru.
5.4 earthquake hits Myanmar.
5.4 earthquake hits Alaska.
5.4 earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.
5.3 earthquake hits the central east Pacific rise.
5.1 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.0 earthquake hits south of Alaska.
5.0 earthquake hits Alaska.
5.0 earthquake hits Iceland.
5.0 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits Macquarie Island.
5.0 earthquake hits the Santa Cruz Islands.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Tropical depression 11w (Nepartak), located approximately 127 nm west-northwest of Misawa, Japan, is tracking west-northwestward at 15 knots.
Newsbytes:
Pakistan – Flash floods swept through parts of Islamabad, capital city of Pakistan on 28 July 2021 after what officials described as a “cloudburst” dumped heavy rainfall. Saidpur, a village just to the north of Islamabad recorded 123 mm of rain in a few hours, while Golra Sharif, a town situated near the Margalla Hills in the Islamabad Capital Territory next to the E-11 sector recorded 103 mm. Media showed cars swept along city streets like boats. Police said 2 people from the same family died after floods entered the basement of a house.
Myanmar – Days of heavy rain have caused flooding in Shan, Rakhine, Kayin and Mon states in Myanmar. Mawlamyine in Mon State recorded 553 mm of rain in 48 hours to 27 July. 3,016 people were evacuated/affected and 11,903 persons pre-emptively evacuated into 16 evacuation centres. In Mon State, 19,840 people were evacuated/affected and 10,770 pre-emptively evacuated into 8 evacuation centres.