Earth Report – Global Disaster Watch
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.0 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.6 earthquake hits Haiti.
5.4 earthquake hits east of Trinidad.
5.2 earthquake hits Haiti.
5.2 earthquake hits east of North Island, New Zealand.
5.1 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits the northern mid-Atlantic ridge.
Two 5.0 earthquakes hit Tonga.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 07s (Ana), located approximately 153 nm southwest of Nacala, Mozambique, is tracking westward at 16 knots.
NewsBytes:
Uganda – At least 9 people have died and more are feared missing after heavy rain caused flash floods and mudslides in Kisoro District in the Western Region of Uganda. Heavy rain on the slopes of Mount Muhavura on 24 January 2022 sent floods, mud, boulders and debris crashing through parts of Kisoro District, destroying homes, roads and infrastructure. The affected Sub-Counties include Nyarusiza, Muramba and Bunagana.
Madagascar and Mozambique – More severe flooding has struck in Madagascar after Tropical Storm Ana passed over the country from 22 to 23 January 2022. Two people died in floods in Mozambique after heavy rain in Zambezia Province. Heavy rain and some flooding was also reported in Malawi and Zimbabwe. The region of Analamanga in Madagascar, including the capital Antananarivo, had already experienced deadly flooding and landslides after heavy rainfall from 17 January. According to the national disaster agency, 10 people died and hundreds were displaced. The storm has been raging in the central and northern regions since 24 January 2022. According to preliminary data, 2 people died and 49 were injured in the province of Zambezia, where the districts of Mocuba and Mocubela were the worst affected.
Newly Discovered Penguin Colony Cause for Concern
Scientists have discovered a previously unknown colony of gentoo penguins in one of the southernmost spots these waddling birds have ever been spotted. The discovery is a cause for concern, according to the researchers, who say that climate change is expanding the range of this temperate, non-ice-loving species of penguin.
In addition to this gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) colony with 75 nests on Andersson Island, gentoo penguins have also been sighted on an unexplored archipelago off the Antarctic Peninsula’s northern tip. Both are among the first records of the species breeding so far south on the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Previously, these areas were too icy for gentoo penguins, which prefer temperate climes where they can raise their chicks. These penguins, the third-largest living penguin species, are native to warmer sub-Antarctic islands, such as the Falkland Islands off Argentina; and they usually live in ice-free areas, such as flat, rocky beaches and low-lying cliffs where large colonies can gather.
These penguin colonies indicate how how far climate change has gone in terms of turning the Antarctic Peninsula into a more sub-Antarctic or more temperate climate.
Climate change is making it harder for plants to spread seeds via animals
The loss of biodiversity of birds and mammals from human-induced climate change has reduced the ability of plants to spread their seeds via animals, according to a new study.
Published in Science earlier this month, the study uses data from more than 400 networks of seed dispersal interactions between plants, birds and mammals to track the changes being seen by declines in animal populations due to climate change.
Half of all plant species rely on animals to disperse their seeds, either through their feces or hitching a ride on feathers, wings and fur, and seed dispersal networks lost or created in new ways to make up for biodiversity loss can influence how plants can adapt to climate change through migration, the study states.
The American and Dutch researchers estimate that mammal and bird losses have reduced the capacity of plants to adapt to climate change by 60 per cent across the globe.
Wildfires – South Australia
A bushfire burning in South Australia’s southeast, which claimed the life of a volunteer last week, has been reduced to hotspots as fire crews begin to return control of the area to local landowners. The blaze destroyed more than 3800 hectares of bluegum plantation, scrub and grassland near Lucindale. On Friday, Country Fire Service volunteer Louise Hincks was killed when she was hit by a burning branch. At the same time, a 62-year-old man was also hit and was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
