Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.3 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits Guerrero, Mexico.
Storms and Floods
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Tropical Depression 09w (Nine, located approximately 314 nm south-southwest of Yokosuka, Japan, is tracking northeastward at 05 knots.
In the North Indian Ocean: Tropical Cyclone 03a (Three), located approximately 199 nm south-southwest of Karachi, Pakistan, is tracking westward at 07 knots.
Environment
Unhealthy Rainwater
It is no longer safe to drink rainwater anywhere on the planet, even in the most remote areas around the poles and high on the Tibetan Plateau, according to a new Stockholm University and ETH Zurich study.
Researchers found rainwater is adulterated with fluorine-based PFAS, which accumulate in the body and are very slow to degrade. They are used in nonstick pans, firefighting foam, water-repellent clothing and scores of other products. The contamination of rainwater “greatly exceeds” safety levels virtually everywhere on Earth. “I’m not saying that we’re all going to die of these effects. But we’re in a place now where you can’t live anywhere on the planet and be sure that the environment is safe,” said Ian Cousins of Stockholm University.
Global Warming
Rate of Arctic Warming Underestimated
The Arctic has warmed nearly four times faster than the rest of the planet during the last 40 years, according to research published on Thursday that suggests climate models are underestimating the rate of polar heating.
An Arctic Council working group based in Troms, Norway, had reported in May 2021 that the increase in average Arctic surface temperature between 1971 and 2019 was 3.1 degrees Celsius (5.58 degree Fahrenheit), about three times higher than the global average.
Meanwhile the Eurasian sector of the Arctic Ocean, near the Svalbard and Novaya Zemlya archipelagos, has warmed as much as 1.25C (2.25F) per decade – seven times faster than the rest of the world.
Environment
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 49.0 degrees Celsius (120.2 degrees F) at Hofuf, Saudi Aranbia.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 72.0 degrees Celsius (-97.6degrees F) at the 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.
Disease
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Climate Diseases
More than half of diseases that infect humans from pathogens such as viruses and bacteria have been made worse by the deepening climate emergency, according to a new report. Researchers at the University of Hawaii reviewed more than 70,000 studies of all known infections and pathogenic diseases that have ever affected humanity, and looked at how global heating has affected them.
Writing in Nature Climate Change, they say diseases such as Zika, malaria, dengue and even COVID-19 have been made more severe to humans by climate-related events such as extreme rainfall, floods, drought, heat waves and wildfires. They add that altered rainfall patterns have expanded the ranges of disease-carrying pests such as ticks, fleas and mosquitoes, which carry malaria, Lyme disease, West Nile virus and other illnesses.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever – Spain
The Ministry of Health has confirmed two new cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in two men – one of them deceased – residing in the Bierzo region (León).
Monkeypox – Peru
To date, Peru has registered 583 cases of the monkeypox in 14 regions and there have already been 221 epidemiological discharges.
Malaria – Peru
CDC Peru reported that during epidemiological week 30, 15,381 cases of malaria have been reported since the beginning of 2022. These notifications include 4 deaths from autochthonous transmission; of which, 3 deaths were in young children.
Volcanos
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week 3 August – 9 August 2022
Ebeko – Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that moderate activity at Ebeko was ongoing during 28 July-4 August. According to volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island, about 7 km E) explosions generated ash plumes that rose up to 4.5 km (14,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. A thermal anomaly over the volcano was identified in satellite images during 1 and 3-4 August.
Fuego – South-Central Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that 3-10 explosions per hour were recorded at Fuego during 2-9 August, generating ash plumes that rose as high as 1.1 km above the crater rim. The ash plumes drifted as far as 30 km W and SW, causing daily ashfall in areas downwind including Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), Los Yucales (12 km SW), Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km NW), Ojo de Agua, and Finca Palo Verde. Daily shock waves rattled structures in communities around the volcano and rumbling was occasionally heard. Daily block avalanches descended the Ceniza (SSW), Seca (W), Trinidad (S), Taniluyá (SW), Honda, and Las Lajas (SE) drainages. Explosions ejected incandescent material 100-300 m above the summit each day.
Great Sitkin – Andreanof Islands (USA) : AVO reported that slow lava effusion at Great Sitkin likely continued during 2-9 August; no changes to the flow lengths were visible but the lava had deepened around the vent. Weather clouds often obscured satellite and webcam views during most of the week, though no activity was visible when views were clear. Seismicity was low and occasional local earthquakes were recorded. Elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images during 5-9 August.
Karymsky – Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that the eruption at Karymsky continued during 29 July-4 August. Explosions during 29-31 July, 1-2 August, and 4 August produced ash plumes that rose 4-8 km (13,100-26,200 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 230 km S, SE, and E. A thermal anomaly over the volcano was identified in satellite images during 31 July-4 August.
Kilauea – Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that lava continued to effuse from a vent in the lower W wall of Kilauea’s Halema`uma`u Crater during 2-9 August, entering the lava lake and flowing onto the crater floor. The lake level remained within the bounding levees. Daily minor ooze-outs were visible along the margins of the crater floor. Intense incandescence from the W vent was visible during 5-9 August.
Krakatau – Sunda Strait : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Anak Krakatau continued during 3-9 August. Several eruptive events occurred on 3 August (at 0034, 0115, and 1540), sometimes producing dense black ash plumes that rose as high as 1.5 km above the summit and drifted SW. At 0926 on 4 August a dense gray-to-black ash plume rose 1.5 km and drifted N. Incandescence at or near the vent was seen in nighttime photos on most days. Diffuse white plumes were visible rising from the volcano during 7-8 August.
Lewotolok – Lembata Island : PVMBG reported that the Strombolian eruption at Lewotolok continued during 2-9 August. Daily white or white-and-gray emissions rose as high as 400 m above the summit and drifted in multiple directions. Photos in some posted reports showed Strombolian activity.
Merapi – Central Java : BPPTKG reported that the eruption at Merapi continued during 29 July-4 August. Seismicity remained at high levels. As many as 34 lava avalanches traveled down the Bebeng drainage on the SW flank, reaching a maximum distance of 1.8 km. The volumes of both the SW and central lava domes were unchanged based on photo analyses.
Nevado del Ruiz – Colombia : On 2 August Servicio Geológico Colombiano’s (SGC) reported that during the previous week the number and size of seismic signals indicating fluid movement had increased at Nevado del Ruiz compared to the week before, though they remained at moderate levels. Although seismic signals indicating rock fracturing increased in number, magnitudes were similar to the previous week. Several episodes of drumbeat seismicity were recorded, indicating continuing growth of the lava dome. Gas-and-steam emissions rose from the crater, reaching just over 2.4 km above the summit on 30 July. Several thermal anomalies in Arenas Crater were identified in satellite images during 0500-0600 on 4 August, and seismic signals indicating emissions were recorded during 4-5 August. Ashfall was reported in the municipalities of Santa Rosa de Cabal, Pereira, Villamaría, Manizales, and Dosquebradas. Tephra deposits were visible near the crater and in areas up to 3 km away.
Pavlof – Alaska Peninsula, Alaska : AVO reported that a minor eruption at a vent on Pavlof’s upper E flank was ongoing during 3-9 August. Seismic tremor persisted and multiple daily explosions were detected in local and regional seismic and infrasound data. The explosions likely produced minor ash emissions that rose no higher than 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l., though cloud cover prevented confirmation on most days. Strongly elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images during 7-8 August.
Sabancaya – Peru : Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported moderate levels of activity at Sabancaya during 1-7 August with a daily average of 19 explosions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 2.7 km above the summit and drifted E, SE, SW, and W. As many as seven thermal anomalies originating from the lava dome in the summit crater were identified in satellite data. Minor inflation continued to be detected near Hualca Hualca (4 km N).
Santa Maria – Southwestern Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that the eruption at Santa María’s Santiaguito lava-dome complex continued during 2-9 August. Lava flows continued to advance in the San Isidro and El Tambor drainages on the W and SW flanks and were as long as 3.7 km by 5 August. Block avalanches from the W part of Caliente cone, and from both the ends and sides of the flows descended the S, SW, and W flanks. The avalanches generated ash plumes that rose about 1 km and drifted SW, S, and E, causing ashfall in areas downwind including La Florida, Monte Claro, San Marcos Palajunoj, Loma Linda, and Las Marías. Incandescence from Caliente cone and the lava-flow fronts was sometimes visible at night.
Semeru – Eastern Java : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 3-9 August. Eruptive events recorded at 0810 on 3 August, 0628 on 4 August, 1245 on 5 August, and 0720 on 6 August produced ash plumes that rose 500-700 m above the summit and drifted SW and N.
Sheveluch – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that the ongoing eruption at Sheveluch was characterized by explosions, hot avalanches, and lava-dome extrusion during 29 July-4 August. A daily thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images, and ash plumes were visible drifting 24 km SW on 31 July.
Stromboli – Aeolian Islands (Italy) : INGV reported that during 1-7 August activity at Stromboli was characterized by ongoing explosions from two vents in Area N (North Crater area) and two vents in Area C-S (South-Central Crater area). Low-intensity explosions from the N1 vent (Area N) ejected mostly ash, with some course material, 80-150 m high at a rate of 2-6 explosions per hour. The N2 vent (Area N) emitted gases. No explosions occurred at the S1 and C vents in Area C-S; low-intensity explosions at two S2 vents ejected coarse material 80-150 m high at a rate of 3-4 explosions per hour.
Suwanosejima – Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that the number of explosions at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater increased during 2-8 August, when around 30 were recorded; nine of those were detected on 7 August. During 7-8 August eruption plumes rose as high as 2 km above the crater rim and mingled with weather clouds. Large ballistics were ejected 600 m from the crater’s center. Incandescence from the crater was visible at night.
Taal – Luzon (Philippines) : PHIVOLCS reported increases in both sulfur dioxide emissions at Taal and activity in Main Crater Lake. Sulfur dioxide emissions averaged 1,289 tonnes per day from May to mid-June, and increased to an average of 4,952 tonnes per day during 15 July-3 August. Sulfur dioxide emissions further increased to 12,125 and 17,141 tonnes per day on 3 and 7 August, respectively, prompting PHIVOLCS to issue advisories. Vog was present over the W part of Taal Caldera during 2-3 August; dense vog in Laurel and Banyaga (Agoncillo, Batangas Province) also damaged vegetation. A sulfur odor was reported by residents of Tagaytay City and Bugaan East. Upwelling gasses and hot fluids in the lake, and voluminous steam-rich plumes rising as high as 2.8 km above the lake, were visible during 1-9 August. Recent low-frequency seismic events and tremor were characterized as above background.