Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 Earthquake hits south of the Kermedec Islands.
5.3 Earthquake hits Tonga.
5.1 Earthquake hits northern Xinjiang, China.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.0 Earthquake hits south of Panama.
Tropical Storms
In the Western Pacific Ocean
Typhoon (TY) 06w (Tapah), is located approximately 457 nm southeast of Iwo To, and is tracking north-northwestward at 06 knots.
NewsBytes:
USA - More thunderstorms, flash floods and wind gusts are expected to hit the US East Coast - just as thousands try to recover from the damage wreaked by twisters. Tornadoes may take place in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
A day after a half-mile-wide tornado carved an 80-mile path of destruction through the suburbs of Little Rock, Ark., more tornadoes flattened homes and businesses, flipped trucks over on highways, and bent telephone poles into 45-degree angles as they barrelled through the South on Monday. The death toll now stands at 34.
Tens of thousands of customers were without power in Alabama, Kentucky, and Mississippi, and thousands more hunkered down in basements and shelters as the National Weather Service issued watches and warnings for more tornadoes throughout the night in Alabama.
The system is the latest onslaught of severe weather after at least 15 people were killed in Arkansas on Sunday. Tornadoes also killed one person each in Oklahoma and Iowa on Sunday.
Ebola virus disease, West Africa – update
As of 18:00 on 26 April 2014, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 224 clinical cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), including 143 deaths. To date, 202 patients have been tested for ebolavirus infection and 121 cases have been laboratory confirmed, including 74 deaths. In addition, 41 cases (34 deaths) meet the probable case definition for EVD and 62 cases (35 deaths) are classified as suspected cases. A revised number of 25 health care workers (HCW) have been affected (19 confirmed), with 16 deaths (12 confirmed); the number of HCW was previously reported as 26.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 Earthquake hits Fiji.
5.3 Earthquake hits the southwest Indian Ridge.
Tropical Storms
In the Western Pacific Ocean
Typhoon (TY) 06w (Tapah), is located approximately 151 nm northeast of Saipan, and is tracking northward at 08 knots.
NewsBytes:
USA - The death toll in the first major US tornado outbreak of 2014 has claimed the lives of at least 21 people. Dozen of tornadoes have been reported in Franklin, Davis, Monroe, Linn, York, Polk and Lee counties. At least sixteen people died in suburbs of Little Rock, the state capital and largest city in Arkansas. A state of emergency has been declared in Georgia.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): After a calm week during 12-20 April, the volcano is back with its typical average of 1-2 daily vulcanian explosions. Ash plumes have ranged from reaching 5-10,000 ft (1.5-3 km) altitude.
Batu Tara (Sunda Islands, Indonesia): The volcano seems to have entered a stronger phase of eruptions during the past days. A series of ash plumes from explosions were detected on satellite imagery since 26 April. The estimated altitude of the ash plumes is 8-10,000 ft (2.4-3 km) (VAAC Darwin).
Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): The volcano continues to slowly aliment the large viscous lava lobe on the SE flank. Its growth is mainly manifested by numerous small to medium-sized rockfalls from its flanks and front, but also occasional pyroclastic flows that have reappeared since mid April. These new(, but much smaller than those earlier this year) pyroclastic flows have been triggered by comparably larger collapses that originated from the upper part of the lobe. The reason for the new pyroclastic flows might be that most arriving new lava, rather than contributing to the growth of the lobe as a whole, which is now a large and stiff mass difficult to move, now accumulates near the vent and starts to form a new lobe on top or at the side of the existing one. As the slope in the upper areas is steeper, it is easier for new lava masses to collapse into more energetic avalanches, i.e. pyroclastic flows.
Dukono (Halmahera): Ash plumes from (probably strong strombolian) explosions continue to be spotted on a more or less daily basis, suggesting that activity remains high.
Ahyi (United States, Mariana Islands): USGS raised the alert level for the submarine volcano due to abnormal seismicity detected in the area by hydroacoustic devices and land-based network devices on neighboring islands. However, the latter are relatively distant, such as Pagan located 270 km south. The source of the unusual signals that appreaed on 24 April can only be located approximately, and could originate from other seamounts near Ahyi volcano. For the time being, no other indications of possible volcanic submarine activity have been detected.
Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): Activity at the volcano remains low and essentially unchanged. The frequency of small steam-gas emissions was less than one per hour yesterday. Weak incandescence continues to be visible at the summit at night.
Santa MarÃa / Santiaguito (Guatemala): Activity remains relatively low and unchanged. Occasional explosions from the lava dome produce small ash plumes generally lower than 1 km. Only few avalanches were reported lately, suggesting that effusion rate has dropped.
Fuego (Guatemala): Activity has remained at normal, but relatively high levels, characterized by intermittent small to moderately strong strombolian explosions at intervals ranging from 10 minutes to more than 1 hour. The strongest explosions eject abundant glowing material to 150 m above the crater and ash plumes up to near 1 km, and are usually accompanied by shock waves felt in several km radius.
San Miguel (El Salvador): The Chaparrastique volcano remains restless. An increase in degassing and seismic activity on Sunday was reported. According to a local press article, MARN observed pulsating gas emissions that reached heights between 200 and 600 meters between 9-11 pm yesterday local time as well after midnight.
Reventador (Ecuador): The volcano's activity remains moderate to high, with continuing sporadic explosions. Cloud cover has prevented direct observations most of the time.
Tungurahua (Ecuador): Activity of the volcano remains comparably low, with only few and weak emissions of low energy. A number of lahars, caused by heavy rains remobilizing loose deposits, occurred in the riverbeds of Ingapirca, La Rea, Achupashal and others streams on the S and SW sides.
Ubinas (Peru): Activity has decreased since 23 April: less and generally smaller explosions have occurred since, with a possible pause during 23-25 April when webcam images show no plume during daytime. However, during that time the volcano continued to produce an abundant degassing plume that sometimes contained some ash.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.6 Earthquake hits the Babuyan Islands region, Philippines.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Lake Baikal region, Russia.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Islands, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 Earthquake hits northern Qinghai, China.
5.1 Earthquake hits Kepulauan Tanimbar, Indonesia.
5.0 Earthquake hits Papua Indonesia.
Tropical Storms
In the Western Pacific Ocean
Tropical depression Six is located approximately 144 nm southeast of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
NewsBytes:
New Zealand - Cyclone Ita devastated West Coast forests. The totara forests on New Zealand's west coast appear to have taken the biggest hit from Cyclone Ita, with several parts of forests completely flattened. The full scale of the destruction Ita wrought upon the West Coast's native bush and tree population may not be known for weeks.
USA - Tornadoes ripped through the south-central United States on Sunday, killing at least 17 people in Arkansas and Oklahoma and wiping out entire neighbourhoods, authorities said as rescue workers searched in darkness for survivors.
Sixteen of the victims were in several suburbs of Little Rock in Arkansas, officials said.
One other person was killed in the town of Quapaw in the north-east of Oklahoma where officials said many buildings were badly damaged.
Tornadoes also struck in Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri.
Winds ripped houses off their foundations and flipped cars on top of the rubble in the small town of Vilonia in central Arkansas' Faulkner county, one of the worst-hit communities, television pictures showed.
Arkansas authorities said at least 10 people had died in Faulkner and six more across the state - the first reported fatalities of this year's tornado season. Another person was killed in neighbouring Oklahoma.
"An entire neighbourhood of 50 or so homes has been destroyed. Many homes are completely gone except the foundation ... There is more devastation like this in other parts of Arkansas," state congressman Tim Griffin told Reuters.
Cable television's Weather Channel showed videotape of mangled, overturned cars, some with people still inside, lining miles of Interstate 40 near Mayflower, 22 miles northwest of state capital Little Rock.
Motorists searched crushed vehicles for victims while others stood dazed on the road. Authorities closed the route.
A tornado hit the east side of Mayflower at around 7.30 pm, killing at least one person, tearing up trees and bringing down power lines, making it difficult for the emergency services to find stricken areas in the dark.
Ebola virus disease, West Africa – update
As of 18:00 on 23 April, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 218 clinical cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), including 141 deaths. To date, 191 patients have been tested for ebolavirus infection and 115 cases have been laboratory confirmed, including 72 deaths. In addition, 42 cases (34 deaths) meet the probable case definition for EVD and 61 cases (35 deaths) are classified as suspected cases. Twenty-six (26) health care workers (HCW) have been affected (18 confirmed), with 16 deaths (12 confirmed).
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update
On 26 April 2014, the Ministry of Health of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported seven additional laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Ahyi submarine volcano (Marianas): possible new volcanic activity
USGS raised the alert level for the submarine volcano due to abnormal seismicity detected in the area by hydroacoustic devices and land-based network devices on neighboring islands. However, the latter are relatively distant, such as Pagan located 270 km south. The source of the unusual signals that appreaed on 24 April can only be located approximately, and could originate from other seamounts near Ahyi volcano. For the time being, no other indications of possible volcanic submarine activity have been detected.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 Earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge.
5.0 Earthquake hits Guatemala.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
Tropical Storms
No current tropical storms.
NewsBytes:
USA - Residents, meteorologists and emergency officials in eastern North Carolina were surveying the damage Saturday from multiple tornadoes that damaged more than 200 homes the previous day and sent more than a dozen people to the emergency room.
The National Weather Service said Saturday that it confirmed an EF-3 tornado touched down in Beaufort County with winds estimated at 150 mph. It's the latest in the season that an EF-3 tornado or stronger has been recorded since records going back to 1950.
Tropical Storms
No current tropical storms.
Floods in Afghanistan
Flash floods after heavy rains in northern Afghanistan killed at least 75 people and damaged thousands of homes, leaving authorities scrambling to help survivors in the remote region, officials said.
The rains began late Thursday and continued into Friday in four provinces. The worst affected appeared to be Jawzjan, where at least 36 people were killed, according to police spokesman Abdul Manan Raoufi. Other officials put the death toll there at 43.
Azizul Rahman Aymaq, who heads the disaster relief committee in Jawzjan, said more than 5,000 people have been displaced, and medicine and drinking water are running short. Afghan army helicopters are helping rescuers reach the affected areas, he said.
In Faryam province west of Jawzjan, the floods killed 33 people, damaged more than 2,150 homes and caused widespread damage to farmland.
Another six people were killed in Badghis province. Suri Pul province was also affected by the flooding.
Latest reports put the death toll at over 100.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.4 Earthquake hits Tonga.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Greenland Sea.
5.0 Earthquake hits southern Iran.
5.0 Earthquake hits eastern New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
Spate of Wildfires in New Jersey, USA
A forest fire was reported around 11 a.m. in Wharton State Forest in Shamong Township, Burlington County. It burned 50 acres within a half hour, and was expected to char at least 200 acres before being contained.
No injuries and only minor property damage had been reported from a quartet of fires that broke out on Thursday, fanned by strong gusty winds. But by Friday morning, those winds had died down considerably, and a steady rain forecast for late Friday into Saturday was expected to drastically shrink the fires if not extinguish them completely.
A blaze in Berkeley Township that burned more than 300 acres and forced hundreds of evacuations was fully contained Friday morning,. Residents were allowed to return to their homes late Thursday.
A smaller fire in a different part of Berkeley had burned 220 acres and was 40 percent contained as of Friday.
A fire that burned more than 1,500 acres in Downe Township in Cumberland County, at the far southern end of the state, was declared under control Friday morning. That fire, in the Bevans Wildlife Management Area, was far from homes or other buildings.
And a blaze that burned 569 acres in Franklin Township in Gloucester County was 50 percent contained.
Several smaller brush fires also broke out around the state on Thursday, fed by the high winds but did not approach the size of the four largest ones.
Winds were sustained at 20 to 25 mph, with gusts of 35 to 40 mph on Thursday. Combined with dry conditions in much of the state, the winds led state officials to ban outdoor fires Thursday.
Dozens of firefighters battled the blazes on the ground. Bulldozers built walls to stop the spread of flames and several helicopters and firefighting planes dropped water on the fires.
There was no initial indication of what touched off any of the blazes.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.9 Earthquake hits south of Fiji.
5.1 Earthquake hits Fiji.
5.0 Earthquake hits Tonga.
Tropical Storms
No current tropical storms.
NewsBytes:
USA - Severe storms loom across central US this weekend - Forecasters are predicting a significant chance of strong tornadoes this weekend across a large part of the central U.S.
Storks Nest in Britain After 600-Year Absence
Wild storks observed nesting in eastern England could be the first pair to breed in Britain for nearly 600 years.
The BBC reports the birds are nesting on a chimney at Norfolk’s Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens, near Great Yarmouth, and are engaging in mating rituals.
The last stork to be documented breeding in Britain was at St. Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, back in 1416.
Conservation efforts elsewhere in Northern Europe have resulted in a modest return of the birds, which now appear to have ventured across the North Sea to raise a proper English brood.
“We gave the storks a helping hand by building a structure for their nest on the hall’s front chimney,” said Ken Sims, director of the wildlife gardens. ”But they turned their back on our handiwork and have built their own nest on one of the rear stacks.”
Sims said the gardens had been trying to get storks to nest there for many years.
The storks nest in North Africa, across Europe and into Asia. They are known throughout the world as a symbol of fertility.
Dolphins Put Sponges on Snouts to Snag Elusive Snacks
Dolphins apparently use sponges as tools to snag food they could not otherwise grab.
This is the first direct evidence that dolphins can use tools to carve out unique places in the food chain.
Dolphins are often ranked among the smartest members of the animal kingdom. They engage in complex forms of communication, may recognize themselves in mirrors, can understand sign language, and can learn to poke an underwater keyboard to request toys to play with.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week's hottest temperature was 113.9 degrees Fahrenheit (45.5 degrees Celsius) at Linguere, Senegal.
The week's coldest temperature was minus 97.6 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 72.0 degrees Celsius) at Russia's Vostok Antarctic research station.
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.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week's hottest temperature was 113.9 degrees Fahrenheit (45.5 degrees Celsius) at Linguere, Senegal.
The week's coldest temperature was minus 97.6 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 72.0 degrees Celsius) at Russia's Vostok Antarctic research station.
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.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week's hottest temperature was 113.9 degrees Fahrenheit (45.5 degrees Celsius) at Linguere, Senegal.
The week's coldest temperature was minus 97.6 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 72.0 degrees Celsius) at Russia's Vostok Antarctic research station.
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.
Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – update
On 23, 20 and 17 April 2014, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of 6 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.
Measels in USA
Measles has infected 129 people in 13 states so far this year, the most in the first four months of any year since 1996, officials from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Reventador (Ecuador): A new phase of intense activity with possible lava fountains and new lava flows began at the volcano yesterday. Over the past weeks, the volcano had been in a state of mild intermittent strombolian explosions, but experienced a rapid increase in activity yesterday after around 15:00 local time. Infrared webcam images (collected by Culture Volcan) suggest that a phase of lava fountaining or much stronger strombolian explosions took place. The apparent surge in lava emission also seems to have produced a new lava flow about 3-400 m long. This increase in activity is clearly visible in the corresponding seismic signal and likely continues at the moment.
Tungurahua (Ecuador): While surface activity has been fluctuating at generally low levels with only sporadic small steam and ash emissions, IGPEN reports that there are signs that suggest that a new batch of magma might be on its way to the surface. During the past days, there had only been sporadic steam emissions of up to 500 m height and 3 small ash explosions on 22 April with no explosion sounds and ash plumes not exceeding 2 km.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.5 Earthquake hits Vancouver Island, Canada.
5.3 Earthquake hits south of Fiji.
5.2 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.1 Earthquake hits the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Santa Cruz Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.
5.0 Earthquake hits offshore O’Higgins, Chile.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands off New Zealand.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Ryukyu Islands off Japan.
5.0 Earthquake hits Vancouver Island, Canada.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Fuego (Guatemala): Activity has decreased at the volcano, although the volcano observatory doesn't rule out that this is only a temporary pause and a new phase of lava fountaining and flows could occur in the near future. Strombolian explosions at the summit vent have been weak and moderate, at typical levels, over the past days.
Yellow fever in the Democratic Republic of Congo
On 12 March 2014, 2 events of yellow fever were reported in the North and in the South of DRC. Six laboratory-confirmed cases with yellow fever virus infection were reported. Of these, 3 were from Bondo health zone, Orientale Province, 2 from Buta health zone, Orientale Province and 1 from Kikondja health zone, Katanga Province. In total 139 suspected, probable and confirmed cases, including 6 death were reported.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update
On 22 April 2014, the Ministry of Health of Jordan reported an additional laboratory-confirmed case of infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
Tropical Storms
No current tropical storms.
NewsBytes:
Bolivia - Torrential rainfall sparks flash flooding in Bolivia, leaving motorists stranded and turning city streets into rivers. At least 59 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands impacted by devastating floods in Bolivia this year.
Oman - A number of governorates in Oman received heavy rainfall on Tuesday, which led to flooding in some wadis. Flash floods were reported in the wadis of Al Kahla and Al Faleej as the wilayats of Ibra and Al Mudhaibi in North Al Sharqiyah received heavy rainfall.
USA - A large storm will form over the eastern half of the nation next week and will bring a swath of unsettled conditions that lasts for days. Millions of people looking for a long period of sunny, warm weather from the Midwest to the South and the Northeast will need to look elsewhere next week. The unsettled pattern will stretch from Chicago and Detroit to Atlanta, Washington, D.C., New York City and Boston.
Ebola virus disease, West Africa – update
As of 18:00 on 20 April, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 208 clinical cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), including 136 deaths. To date, 169 patients have been tested for ebolavirus infection and 112 cases have been laboratory confirmed, including 69 deaths. In addition, 41 cases (34 deaths) meet the probable case definition for EVD and 55 cases (33 deaths) are classified as suspected cases. Twenty-five (25) health care workers (HCW) have been affected (18 confirmed), with 16 deaths (12 confirmed).
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update
On 21 April 2014, 18 April 2014 and 16 April 2014, the Ministry of Health of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported an additional 9 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
Sleeping Sickness in Zambia
An outbreak of the deadly parasitic disease, African sleeping sickness, or African trypanosomiasis has been reported in Rufunsa District in Lusaka.
Ebola virus disease, West Africa – update
As of 18:00 on 17 April, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 203 clinical cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 129 deaths. To date, 158 patients have been tested for ebolavirus infection and 109 cases have been laboratory confirmed, including 61 deaths. In addition, 41 cases (34 deaths) meet the probable case definition for EVD and 53 cases (34 deaths) are classified as suspected cases. Twenty-four (24) health-care workers (HCW) have been affected (18 confirmed), with 15 deaths (11 confirmed).
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update
On 18 April 2014, the Ministry of Health of Greece reported 1 laboratory-confirmed case of infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
Update on polio in central Africa - polio confirmed in Equatorial Guinea, linked to outbreak in Cameroon
In Equatorial Guinea, three new wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases have been reported on 14 April 2014, the first polio in the country since 1999. Genetic sequencing indicates these cases are linked to an ongoing WPV1 outbreak in Cameroon which has subsequently been detected in Equatorial Guinea. The cases had onset of paralysis on 28 January 2014, 19 January 2014 and 24 March 2014, from Centro Sur, Bioko Norte and Litoral. Outbreak response in Equatorial Guinea is currently being planned, including National Immunization Days (NIDs) with bivalent oral polio vaccine (OPV) on 21-24 April 2014. An estimated 40% of children are fully immunized against polio in the country.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.5 Earthquake hits Luzon in the Philippines.
5.4 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.3 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.
5.3 Earthquake hits the Andreanof Islands in the Aleutian Islands.
5.3 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.3 Earthquake hits Tonga.
5.2 Earthquake hits Tonga.
Tropical Storms
In the South Indian Ocean:
Tropical cyclone Jack is located approximately 350 nm southwest of Cocos Island, Australia.
Tropical cyclone Jack was threatening to hamper the search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 on Monday, as a submarine drone neared the end of its search for the missing Malaysian jetliner in a remote stretch of the Indian Ocean. The search has entered the 45th day.
NewsBytes:
Europe - Three people, including a 13-year-old boy, have drowned and two are missing in floods that hit Romania over the weekend.
Philippines - Flash floods affected more than a thousand families in Carmen, Davao del Norte over the weekend. Waters quickly rose at around 6:30 a.m. Sunday, forcing 1,302 families to flee to higher ground.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Etna (Sicily, Italy): Occasional weak explosions continue at the New SE crater: two very small events were observed today at 03:45 and 04:05 (local time).
Kilauea (Hawai'i): (21 Apr) Here on Kilauea over the past week we have seen the lava lake at the summit rise and drop several times! This is due to the several DI tilt events that have occured. Gas emissions continued to be elevated at the summit as well. On the East Rift Zone, near Pu'u 'O'o we have seen no major changes - Spatter cones on the floor of Pu'u 'O'o crater displayed strong glow and the lava level of the circulating lava pond was elevated within the collapsed northeast spatter cone. USGS Webcams recorded continued activity from the small tube breakout that started Saturday morning and at the flow front.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.2 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 Earthquake hits off the west coast of northern Sumatra.
5.0 Earthquake hits the southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
5.0 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
Tropical Storms
In the South Indian Ocean:
Tropical cyclone Jack remains located approximately 380 nm west-southwest of Cocos Islands, Australia over open waters.
Philippines - LPA threatens east Visayas; potential cyclone approaches Philippines Area of Responsibility. State weather agency PAGASA is now tracking two weather disturbances, including a low-pressure area that may trigger flash floods and landslides.
New Zealand - Thousands still without power. Power remains out to a number of homes in Auckland and on the South Island's West Coast, days after being stung by Cyclone Ita's tail.
Big meteorite strikes in Russia - again!
Unlike the celestial object that exploded over the town of Chelyabinsk last year, this recent one injured no one on the ground according to local reports.
Video has emerged of a huge meteorite streaking through the sky near the northern Russian city of Murmansk. The moment was captured by many residents as the white-blue light of the meteorite moved through the sky in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Some 500 meteorites reach Earth each year, though many are small and are not spotted.
Dengue Fever Outbreaks
Dengue Fever Outbreak Reported In Mozambique’s Northern Cabo Delgado Province
Sixteen dengue fever cases have been confirmed and another nine suspected in the city of Pemba, the capital of the northern Cabo Delgado Province in the southeastern African country of Mozambique.
Health officials attribute the outbreak of the mosquito-borne viral disease to the heavy rains in the province in recent months while people already carry the virus.
Dengue fever outbreak imminent in Nigeria
Nigeria is in danger of Dengue fever outbreak, another deadly fever in the class of Ebola virus disease, said to be transmitted by two types of mosquitoes now rife in the country.
Dr Adeniji, Director of World Health Organisation (WHO) National Polio Laboratory, Department of Virology, University of Ibadan (UI), named the mosquitoes as Aedes aegypti mosquito (yellow fever mosquitoes) and Aedes albopictusis (tiger mosquitoes), adding that the mosquitoes had been observed in Nigeria and that they spent their lifetime in or around homes.
According to Dr Adeniji, “there is no house that these mosquitoes are not present, including big hotels. We have all the four stereotypes of Dengue fever in Nigeria. Although not all mosquitoes are infected with Dengue virus, if bitten by an infected one, it will spread the virus.”
The expert said these mosquitoes, black and tiny, with white patches on it, look alike, adding that a recent case people thought was Ebola virus disease turned out be a case of Dengue fever.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Fuego volcano (Guatemala): strong explosions, increase of activity. Activity at the volcano continues to be elevated and increased yesterday, prompting INSIVUMEH to issue a special bulletin yesterday, in which the agency warns that a possible new paroxysm could occur in the near future. The volcano observatory reported moderate to strong explosions with plumes up to 1 km height and drifting 12 km, causing ash falls ash on the villages Panimaché, Morelia, Santa Sofia and others. This activity was also accompanied by increased tremor. As of today, it has decreased again, but remains high, and the occurrence of another paroxysm is still a potential scenario. In this case, strong explosions and associated ash plum rising significantly more than 1-2 km above the summit, lava flows and potentially pyroclastic flows on the southern slopes could be expected.
Dukono volcano (Halmahera, Indonesia) activity update Explosions that are strong enough to leave ash plumes visible on satellite data continue to occur almost every day. This morning, VAAC Darwin reported an ash plume at 8,000 ft (2.4 km) altitude.
Merapi volcano (Central Java, Indonesia): powerful explosion yesterday morning A new explosion occurred at the volcano early yesterday morning (Sun, 20 April), at around 4:25 am local time. VAAC Darwin reported an ash plume rising to approx. 30-35,000 ft (9-11 km) altitude and drifting NWN, and raised the aviation alert level to red. VSI in turn has not changed the alert status (currently at 1, "normal", out of 4) of the volcano because it seems that scientists think that the explosion was phreatic in nature, i.e. not caused by fresh magma, but interaction of penetrating (rain) water into the hot rocks in the upper conduit system of the volcano. No unusual seismic activity is currently detected at Merapi. The explosion was not observed during the nighttime, but heard in several kilometres distance away, and ash falls occurred in villages around the volcano, prompting residents to wear dust masks and clean up roofs and streets from ash.
Tropical Storms
In the South Indian Ocean:
Tropical cyclone Jack is located approximately 380 nm west-southwest of Cocos Islands.
NewsBytes:
Europe - Floods in Bulgaria and serbia wreak havoc after heavy rains.
El Niño - “Averaged across the equatorial Pacific, there is a far larger than normal amount of heat, which is a necessary precondition for an El Niño. At the moment, the amount of heat is comparable to that prior to the extreme El Niño of 1997-98." according to the acting director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Centre.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
7.5 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
6.1 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.8 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.
5.7 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.6 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.4 Earthquake hits Easter Island.
5.3 Earthquake hits Guerrero, Mexico.
5.3 Earthquake hits off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.
5.3 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.3 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.3 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Nias region, Indonesia.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 Earthquake hits St Martin region, Leeward Islands.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.0 Earthquake hits Guerrero, Mexico.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
Wildfires in Siberia
Russian Emergency Situations Ministry uses 30 aircraft to extinguish wildfires in Far East, Siberia spokesperson Alexander Drobyshevsky said on Saturday.
As of Saturday morning, in Russia continue 103 wildfires at 27,412 hectares, including big 26 wildfires in the Far East and in Siberia," he said.
On Friday, 147 new fires began at 12,509 hectares, and 150 were extinguished at 5,437 hectares. Emergency situation has been introduced in the regions with most complicated situations - in the Amur region, in the Maritime and Baikal territories, he said.
The space monitoring has located 1,587 thermal points, where 1,362 thermal point were confirmed later on. Over 800 specialised vehicles, 30 aircrafts and 3,247 people are involved in extinguishing of the wildfires. Besides, 100 rescuers with knapsack fire extinguishers are working on the sites.
"On Friday, the aviation made 17 flights, 107 droppings of 1,175 litres of water."
EMERCOM is using in the Far East and Siberia planes Be-200 and Il-76, and helicopters Mi-8 and Mi-26.
More than 100 forest fires were registered in the Far East during the day.
In the Far East region 111 forest fires were registered per night, 48 of which were eliminated, according to Department of Forestry.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
7.3 Earthquake hits Guerrero, Mexico.
At least 127, mostly adobe homes were damaged in Guerrero. In the state capital Chilpancingo, a tower of the cathedral suffered cracks along with a few other public buildings, a spokesman for local emergency services said.
But there were no reports of deaths or major damage.
Some people in Mexico City fled homes in panic when the quake hit. Electricity was cut off in parts of the city and some residents said paintings fell off the walls, while small parts of masonry crumbled inside apartment buildings.
6.7 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.5 Earthquake hits the Balleny Islands.
5.4 Earthquake hits northern Alaska.
5.4 Earthquake hits northern Alaska.
5.2 Earthquake hits Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
5.2 Earthquake hits south of Java, Indonesia.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Komandorskiye Ostrova region, Russia.
5.0 Earthquake hits south of Java, Indonesia.
Tropical Storms
In the South Indian Ocean:
Tropical cyclone 24s (Jack), has formed in the southern Indian Ocean and is located approximately 343 nm west-southwest of Cocos Island, Australia, and is tracking southward at 06 knots.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Momotombo (Nicaragua): INETER reported that the shore of Lake Managua retreated in some areas close to the epicenters of the recent earthquakes. Residents from the area Xiloá-Apoyeque, located about 2 km east of Comarca el Marañonal (at km 17 on the Xiloá highway) observed that the beach retreated for 16 meters on a strech of 500 m length. This regression corresponds to a drop in lake level by 40 cm, but could also be a result of uplift of this area by the same amount. The latter seems a more plausible explanation, given that it appears that the lake shore only regressed in this area. As of 19 April, seismic activity has continued to show a gradual decrease as aftershocks from the 10 and 11 April quakes become less and less frequent.
Ubinas (Peru): A relatively strong ash emission was reported from last night (19:00 local time), inferred by seismic and infrared data. VAAC Buenos Aires issued an alert of an ash plume at 28,000 ft (8 km) altitude drifting SE. MODIS hot spot data show an increased thermal anomaly present at the volcano's summit, suggesting that the amount of lava present there has grown.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Chirpoi (Kuril Islands, Russia): SVERT reported that on 13 April satellite images over Snow, a volcano of Chirpoi, detected steam-and-gas emissions. Cloud cover obscured views on the other days during 9-15 April. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow.
Chirinkotan (Northern Kuriles): SVERT reported that satellite images of Chirinkotan showed gas-and-steam emissions on 9 April drifting more than 50 km SE. Cloud cover obscured views during 10-15 April. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow.
Nishino-shima (Volcano Islands): A possible explosive eruption occurred this morning; VAAC detected an ash plume at estimated 7,000 ft (2.1 km) altitude drifting east from the volcano. This could have been caused by a stronger phreato-magmatic explosion (sea water coming in contact with magma).
Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): The volcano has been unusually calm recently. No significant explosion was recorded since 12 April.
Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): A pyroclastic flow occurred yesterday afternoon (17:40 WIB) at the volcano. Most likely, it was triggered by a partial collapse of the steep lava tongue that had been emplaced on its southern flank during the past months.
Fortunately, the flow was rather small and only reached the now depopulated area at the feet of the mountain.
Dukono (Halmahera): Ash plumes from stronger explosions have become a more or less daily appearance in VAAC Darwin's reports of volcanic ash clouds. The volcano clearly is in an elevated state of activity at the moment.
Shishaldin (United States, Aleutian Islands): Alaska's Volcano Observatory (AVO / USGS) maintains alert status orange: "Minor steaming was observed in web camera images during clear periods over the past day. Satellite images show no evidence of eruptive activity. No significant changes observed in seismic data."
Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): No significant changes have occurred in the volcano's currently low activity. Small to moderate emissions of steam and minor amounts of ash were observed at rates of approx 1 per hour (CENAPRED counted 22 events during 16-17 April).
Santa MarÃa / Santiaguito (Guatemala): No significant changes in the currently relatively low activity have been reported. Occasional small to moderate explosions and weak avalanches from the active lava flow on the SE side of the dome occurred during 16-17 April.
Pacaya (Guatemala): INSIVUMEH only reports steaming and internal tremor, but no visible eruptive activity from the Mackenney crater at the moment.
Fuego (Guatemala): Moderate to strong explosions continue at the volcano with ash plumes rising almost 1 km above the crater.
All the explosions generated rumbling and degassing sounds as well as sometimes shock waves. Fine ash fell in the villages Panimaché, Morelia, Santa Sofia and Sangre de Cristo. Incandescent avalanches could be observed from the crater at night.
Reventador (Ecuador): The volcano continues to produce small to medium explosions with ash plumes rising up to 1.5 km. A MODIS hot spot indicates the presence of fresh lava at the summit, but there seems to be currently no lava flow.
Tungurahua (Ecuador): Activity at the volcano remains high with intermittent small to moderate explosions and ash emissions. Plumes of steam and various amounts of ash have been rising up to 3 km above the summit and drifting into westerly directions. Light ash fall occurred in Bilbao, Cusua, Choglontus, and Manzano.
Incandescence was observed at night, suggesting ongoing strombolian activity.
Ubinas (Peru): The latest report by Peru's Institute of Geophysics (IGP) issued a series of recommendations to authorities, among which to raise the alert level to orange, given that activity has gradually increased and is now comparable to the eruption during 2006.
IGP also recommends to fully evacuate the villages of Querapi and Tonohaya; according to local press Querapi (the closest to the volcano) seems already to have been more or less evacuated.
Greenhouse Gas Deadline Down to the Wire: U.N.
The latest report by the U.N. group responsible for assessing climate change says the world is running out of time to keep global warming from exceeding the 2 degrees Celsius limit (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) agreed to in 2010.
If greenhouse gas emissions are not curbed sharply, and soon, climate experts say that by 2100, temperatures will rise by between 3.7 and 4.8 degrees Celsius (6.6 and 8.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-industrial times.
China, the United States and Europe are the top emitters.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) cautions in the new report that there must be a “massive shift” to renewable energy to avert more severe heat waves, droughts and rising sea levels.
Last year, the IPCC said there is a 95 percent probability that climate change since 1950 is mainly due to human activities rather than natural variations.
Nations have pledged to work out a deal to limit global warming by the end of 2015. The latest IPCC report was prepared to help almost 200 governments do that.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week's hottest temperature was 113.7 degrees Fahrenheit (45.4 degrees Celsius) at Matam, Senegal.
The week's coldest temperature was minus 97.1 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 71.7 degrees Celsius) at Russia's Vostok Antarctic research station.
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.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.2 Earthquake hits the Belleny islands.
6.0 Earthquake hits the Santa Cruz Islands.
5.5 Earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.
5.4 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich islands.
5.3 Earthquake hits the Santa Cruz Islands.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Balleny islands.
5.2 Earthquake hits off the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Philippine Islands.
5.2 Earthquake hits Santiago del Estero, Argentina.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
Tropical Storms
No current tropical storms.
New Zealand - Storm continues to pose problems. Thousands are without power and roads are closed in many parts of the country as the remnants of tropical Cyclone Ita washes out the start of the easter holiday.
Residents in the South and North Islands are battling stormy conditions. Weather from ex-tropical cyclone Ita bore down across the country yesterday and overnight, bringing widespread power outages, flooding and slips in many areas. Those along the West Coast - one of the worst hit areas - have been working all morning to clear flooded areas and debris, with more bad weather expected tomorrow.
NewsBytes:
A landslide at a goldmine in Guinea has claimed the lives of at least seven people. The landslide occurred in the Kintinian area of Guinea, West Africa.
An avalanche on Mount Everest has killed 13 Sherpa guides. 9 others are still missing.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update
On 17 April 2014, the Ministries of Health of Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported an additional 5 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Celebes Sea.
5.1 Earthquake hits southern Iran.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits the State of Yap, Micronesia.
5.0 Earthquake hits off the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.0 Earthquake hits central Alaska.
Idaho - USA
Hundreds of earthquake rattle nerves in central Idaho - Hundreds of low-level and medium-sized earthquakes have struck central Idaho since last month, puzzling geologists who wonder whether the ruptures portend a much larger temblor to come or are merely the rumblings of a seismic fault previously thought to be dormant.
The recent earthquake swarm, beginning on March 24 and climaxed by a 4.9 magnitude tremor on Saturday, has produced no reports of injuries or severe damage but has rattled nerves in a region where Idaho’s most powerful known quake, measured at 6.9, killed two children in 1983 and damaged hundreds of homes and businesses.
Tropical Storms
No current tropical storms.
New Zealand - The remnants of Cyclone Ita are speading down the country, ripping off roofs in Auckland, felling trees in the Waikato and disrupting travel. Wild weather pounding the country has caused widespread road closures, flooding, damaged properties, power outages and treacherous driving conditions.
NewsBytes:
USA - Maine emergency management officials said the flooding in Maine after heavy rains is statewide and the state is likely to remain under a flood warning until late Thursday. One person was reported to have died in the floods.
Canada - The spring thaw and steady rain triggered floods that inundated Quebec towns, washing away homes, forcing evacuations and causing a landslide. In Sherbrooke, Que., in the Eastern Townships, the Saint-Francois river reached a record 25 feet Wednesday and floodwaters cut the city in two.
Tanzania - At least 14 people have been killed and thousands displaced after heavy floods ravaged Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's commercial capital.
At least 14 people have been killed and thousands displaced after heavy floods ravaged Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's commercial capital,
Ebola virus disease, West Africa – update
As of 18:00 on 16 April, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 197 clinical cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), including 122 deaths. To date, 101 cases have been laboratory confirmed, including 56 deaths, 43 cases (33 deaths) meet the probable case definition for EVD and 53 cases (33 deaths) are classified as suspected cases. Twenty-four (24) health-care workers (HCW) have been affected with 13 deaths. Clinical cases of EVD have been reported from Conakry (47 cases, including 16 deaths), Guekedou (117/80), Macenta (22/16), Kissidougou (6/5), Dabola (4/4) and Djingaraye (1/1).
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.5 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.
5.5 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.3 Earthquake hits southeast of Easter Island.
5.3 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.
5.2 Earthquake hits New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 Earthquake hits Fiji.
5.0 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.
5.0 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.
Chile wildfires
With all of Valparaiso under military rule early Tuesday, 5,000 firefighters, police, forest rangers, soldiers, sailors and civil defence workers joined in a mammoth fight against wildfires licking around the hilltop shantytowns of this picturesque port city as the disaster entered its fifth day.
Helicopters and aeroplanes dropped water on the flames and smouldering ruins of some of the poor neighbourhoods throughout Monday, the third day since flames first erupted in a forested ravine on the outskirts of Valparaiso and then were quickly spread by strong winds that scattered glowing embers into slums.
An estimated 11,000 people were homeless as the toll of destroyed homes rose to more than 2,500. A contingent of sailors in riot gear stood ready to evacuate 700 more families whose homes could be lost if the winds shifted.
The fires have been so hot they created their own fierce winds, spreading flames that consumed a few entire neighbourhoods of ramshackle housing. Homes stood unscathed in other districts but remained in danger from the embers being whipped through the air.
Valparaiso is an oceanside city of 250,000 people surrounded by 42 ills that form a natural amphitheatre. The compact downtown includes Chile’s congress and its second-largest port, and the city owes its status as a Unesco World Heritage Site to the colourful homes built on slopes so steep that many people commute using stairs and cable cars.
Tropical Storms
No current tropical storms.
Weather Extremes: March 2014
March featured a number of anomalous extreme weather events such as the floods in portions of Egypt and New Zealand, a freak hailstorm in Asmara, Eritrea, RECORD warmth in much of Europe, severe cold and snow in the eastern half of the U.S. and heavy rainfall in the Pacific Northwest that culminated in a deadly landslide in Washington. Globally (land-ocean temperature index), it was the 4th warmest March on record (since 1880).
NORTH AMERICA - It was a long cold month for the eastern and midwestern U.S. with temperatures averaging 7°-10°F (4°-7°C) below normal. In fact, it was the coldest March on RECORD for Vermont and 2nd coldest for Maine and New Hampshire. A blizzard pounded Cape Cod and Nantucket on March 26th where wind gusts reached 83 mph and 10” (25 cm) of snow fell.
Ice coverage on Lakes Michigan and Superior reached their 2nd greatest extent since comprehensive records for such began in 1973. In the West a series of wet storms pounded Washington State resulting in a tragic landslide in the town of Oso where at least 35-40 people died. The airport in Seattle measured 9.44” (240 mm) of precipitation; a March RECORD for the site and Portland, Oregon measured 7.52” (191 mm) for its 2nd wettest March. On the other hand, no precipitation was measured in Las Vegas, Nevada tying with six other March’s for the driest such. Drought conditions worsened in the southern Plains and Southwest. Alaska has gotten off to its 3rd warmest start to the year and in Barrow it was the 3rd warmest March since records began there in 1921.
SOUTH AMERICA and CENTRAL AMERICA - Following the extreme rainfall in Asuncion, Paraguay on February 27th, more extreme rainfall deluged the country between March 14-18. EUROPE - March was the warmest such on RECORD for Germany and many other locations in Europe. In Germany the March average temperature was 7.0°C (12.6°F) above normal beating out the March’s of 2012 and 1989, the POR going back to 1881. The temperature peaked at 24.1°C (75.4°F) at Sachsenheim on March 20th and the coldest temperature observed in the country during the entire month was a relatively mild -8.6°C (16.5°F) at Oberstdorf on March 26th.
Record March heat was observed at many locations across the continent including 19.8°C (67.6°F) in Moscow. In the U.K. it was also warmer than normal (1.2°C/2.2°F above average) but not on the scale observed in other parts of Europe. Precipitation ran at 85% of the long-term average.
AFRICA - A freak hailstorm battered Asmara, Eritrea on March 12th. Hail drifts some one meter thick accumulated in downtown Asmara. Also of note was the exceptional rainstorm that deluged portions of the Upper Nile in Egypt on March 9-10. Luxor picked up 30 mm (1.18”) during the event. It’s average annual rainfall is just a little over 1 mm (.04”).
The Comoros Islands came within 0.1°C of setting it's all-time national heat RECORD on March 23rd when a temperature of 35.5°C (95.9°F) was observed at Grande Comore Airport.
ASIA - Torrential rainfall pounded southern China and Hong Kong on March 30th with 174 mm (6.85”) measured in 24 hours at Guangzhou (Canton). The Kashmir of India and Pakistan experienced a tremendous snowfall on March 10-12 with Srinagar, India picking up 211 mm (8.31”) of melted precipitation and the snowfall ranging from 25-60 cm (10-25”) in and around the city. Avalanches resulted in the deaths of at least 16 and injured 30 in the region.
AUSTRALIA - March was warmer than average overall and the 7th warmest on record for Western Australia. Precipitation was 34% below the long-term average nation-wide although some extreme rain events resulted in flash floods in parts of Queensland and New South Wales. A two-day rainfall of 557 mm (21.93”) was measured at Pacific Heights in Yeppoon, Queensland on March 27-28.
NEW ZEALAND - A terrific storm, said to be the worst in 40 years, battered Christchurch, South Island on March 3-5. Flooding in Christchurch followed the storm which dropped 100-150 mm (4”-6”) of rain on the city in just 24 hours.
Precipitation was low again (50% of normal) for most of the North Island following a dry February. Many locations ranked in their top three for driest March on record. Hamilton experienced its second driest March on record with only 6 mm (0.24”) of rain (POR 1935, 7%), and Palmerston North had 9 mm (0.35”), driest on RECORD for March (POR 1928, 14%). The South Island was drier on the western side and wetter in the east and south.
Christchurch had its wettest March on RECORD , 200mm (7.87”) (POR 1863, 467%) as a result of the big March 3-5 storm. On the west coast of the South Island Westport had just 25mm (0.98”), its driest ever March (POR 1944, 18%).
ANTARCTICA - The coldest temperature in the southern hemisphere and the world during March was –74.5C (-102.1°F) recorded at Dome A on March 22nd. This was close to the coldest March temperature ever measured in Antarctica during a March which was -76.1°C (-104.1°) at Ago 4 site some years ago.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update
On 13 and 14 April 2014 United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported a cluster of ten laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection among health-care workers identified through screening of contacts of a previously laboratory-confirmed case from Abu Dhabi who died on 10 April 2014.
Chikungunya Disease in Tonga
Tongan health authorities say there's been an outbreak of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus affecting more than 10,000 people across the country.
It's the first time Tonga has had an outbreak of the virus, which causes acute fever and joint pain.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.8 Earthquake his the Bouvet Island region.
5.3 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits Crete.
5.0 Earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
Wildfires USA
More than 30 wind-driven wildfires scorched 2 500 acres across Kentucky Monday.
A number of wildfires broke out Sunday across north-central Pennsylvania and southern New York state.
A number of States have declared the start of the wildfire season on 15 April 2014.
Tropical Storms
No current tropical storms.
Australia - Cyclone Ita's damage to north Queensland sugar cane to cost millions. Sugar cane growers in far north Queensland say about 90 per cent of crops have been wiped out by now ex-Tropical Cyclone Ita.
NewsBytes:
Climate extremes batter U.S. Rockies and Midwestern states - During a time when most of the U.S. is experiencing sunny days, daffodils and spring weather, a swath of states from the Rockies to the Midwest are experiencing a stubborn system of storms, hail, snow and tornadoes. The area is being hit with winter again after being teased with a brief glimpse of spring, and the system will bring bitter cold and snow as it moves east.
Possible New Moon Forming Around Saturn
NASA's Cassini spacecraft has documented the formation of a small icy object within the rings of Saturn. Informally named "Peggy," the object may be a new moon. "WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. We may be looking at the act of birth, where this object is just leaving the rings and heading off to be a moon in its own right."
Images taken with Cassini's narrow angle camera on April 15, 2013 show disturbances at the very edge of Saturn's A ring -- the outermost of the planet's large, bright rings. One of these disturbances is an arc about 20 percent brighter than its surroundings, 750 miles (1,200 kilometres) long and 6 miles (10 kilometres) wide. Scientists also found unusual protuberances in the usually smooth profile at the ring's edge. Scientists believe the arc and protuberances are caused by the gravitational effects of a nearby object.
The object is not expected to grow any larger, and may even be falling apart. But the process of its formation and outward movement aids in our understanding of how Saturn's icy moons, including the cloud-wrapped Titan and ocean-holding Enceladus, may have formed in more massive rings long ago. It also provides insight into how Earth and other planets in our solar system may have formed and migrated away from our star, the sun.
Asian Pollution Boosts Pacific Storm Power
Pollution from China's coal-burning power plants is pumping up winter storms over the northwest Pacific Ocean and changing North America's weather, a new study finds.
Northwest Pacific winter storms are now 10 percent stronger than they were 30 years ago, before Asian countries began their industrial boom, according to research published today (April 14) in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
North America will be hardest hit by the intensifying storms, which move from west to east, said lead study author Yuan Wang, an atmospheric scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.
Pollution from Asia is also changing weather patterns over North America, Wang added.
Wang said this winter's unusually cold weather east of the Rocky Mountains could have been influenced by pollution-driven cyclones and high-pressure systems in the northern Pacific.
These Pacific weather patterns caused swoops in the jet stream that drove cold air south across the central and eastern United States — the so-called polar vortex. The same weather patterns are linked with record-high temperatures in Alaska this winter.
"This cold winter in the U.S. probably had something to do with stronger cyclones over the Pacific," Wang said.
Ebola virus disease, West Africa – update
As of 14 April, the Ministry of Health of Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 168 clinically compatible cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 108 deaths.
Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – update
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP), Hong Kong, SAR, China and the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China recently notified WHO of 2 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update
WHO has been informed of an additional 16 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.9 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.7 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.6 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.3 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.
5.3 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.3 Earthquake his the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Central Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
5.1 Earthquake hits Nicaragua.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
Tropical Storms
In the Southern Indian Ocean:
Tropical cyclone Ita is located approximately 332 nm north-northwest of Brisbane, Australia.
Australia - The Queensland sugar cane crop has been hard hit by Ita. Residents in Ingham will have to wait to assess the full damage, after the storm flattened sugar cane fields in the north. More than 27,000 homes and businesses remain without power in far north Queensland as the mop up from Cyclone Ita continues.
NewsBytes:
USA - Tornado reported in Midwest US as storms roll across plains. Strong thunderstorms brought rain and hail from the southwestern U.S. and Plains states to the upper Midwest on Sunday -- and at least one tornado.
Wildfires in Chile
A large and moving forest fire kills at least 16 people in Chile's port city of Valparaiso and forces more than 10,000 people to evacuate. Reports of more than 2 000 homes destroyed.
Some 1,200 firefighters are battling the large blaze, which has destroyed hundreds of homes since Saturday. The city, 110km (70 miles) west of Santiago, was declared a disaster zone. Security forces are on the streets to maintain order and prevent looting. Earlier, the authorities said 16 residents had died, but it turned out that one family had been counted twice. One official said it was the "worst catastrophe" he had ever seen.
The fire started on Saturday, and most of the damage was done overnight. Fires are frequent in central Chile, where summer sends temperatures soaring.
Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – update
On 11 April 2014, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of 4 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Karymsky (Kamchatka): (13 Apr) An eruption yesterday evening produced an ash plume that rose to estimated 14,000 ft (4.2 km) altitude.
Dukono (Halmahera): (13 Apr) Ash plumes from stronger (probably strombolian-type) explosions are regularly spotted on satellite imagery by VAAC Darwin. The semi-permanently erupting volcano apparently continues to be in a relatively elevated phase of activity.
Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): (13 Apr) A slight increase of activity (but no significant change) was reported by CENAPRED. During 11-12 April, the volcano had 120 exhalations of small to medium intensity, some of which have been followed by emissions of steam, gas and sometimes small amounts of ash. The most important of these were recorded yesterday morning at 02:19 and at 04:55 h (local time). The latter explosion threw some incandescent fragments to distances of approx. 100 m onto the upper eastern slope.
Momotombo (Nicaragua): (13 Apr) Seismicity in the volcanic chain between Momotombo and Apoyeque volcanoes remains high. Dozends of shallow earthquakes in the magnitude 3-5 range have been occurring daily in a cluster SE of Momotombo and near Apoyeque. There are no reports of unusual activity at either volcano.
Nyamuragira (DRCongo): News started to spread on twitter and other media that a new eruption of the volcano started today, including pictures from the 2010 eruption as (false) evidence. An overflight today by members of Nord-Kivu's government showed only intense degassing from a pit crater (but no lava erupting), although they suggested that "an eruption is imminent". While it is difficult to judge the situation from the current sources available, it seems that the eruption reports are a case of rumour spreading faster than actual evidence.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
7.8 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
An earthquake of magnitude 7.8 hit near the Solomon Islands, but there have been no reports of major damage or casualties. The undersea quake was registered at a depth of 29km (18 miles), 100km (60 miles) south-east of Kira Kira. A tsunami warning issued for the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia was later cancelled.
Strong waves were reported after the earthquake struck at 07:14 on Sunday (20:14 GMT Saturday). People had been warned to stay away from low-lying areas, as high seas battered the coast. But no injuries or structural damage have been reported.
7.5 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
6.1 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.3 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.
5.3 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.0 Earthquake his the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.0 Earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
Tropical Storms
In the Southern Indian Ocean:
Tropical cyclone Ita is located approximately 55 nm south-southeast of Cairns, Australia.
Category 4 Tropical Cyclone Ita powered ashore along Australia’s Queensland coast near 9 pm local time (10 UTC) on Friday with sustained winds rated at 145 mph by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Satellite loops show that Ita has weakened considerably since landfall, with the cloud tops in the eyewall clouds warming.
Ita leaves 7000 without power in Australia - About 7000 houses remain without power after Cyclone Ita battered Queensland and authorities have warned it could be months until power is restored.
Cyclone Ita ran south of Cairns but wind gusts of up to 100km per hour are still expected in the city. Residents in north Queensland are facing flooding and power outages as Tropical Cyclone Ita continues to make its way down the state's coast.
NewsBytes:
Weather-related blackouts in USA have doubled in 10 years. Most of the blackouts were triggered when extreme weather damaged large transmission lines and substations. Michigan had the most outages.
New Japanese Volcanic Islet Now Covers Older Island
Two small Japanese volcanic islands have merged into one after the younger islet grew to overwhelm its older brother.
Niijima Island broke through the ocean’s surface last Nov. 20 next to Nishinoshima, about 600 miles south of Tokyo.
While scientists at the time questioned how long the island would survive before being eroded by the sea, it defied expectations and grew to merge with its neighbor and form one landmass.
The newer portion is now larger than the original Nishinoshima, which last expanded during an eruption 40 years ago.
The combined islands now stretch about 3,300 feet across and have together reached about 200 feet in height above sea level.
NASA says that’s triple the height observed last December.
Many volcanic islets formed in the waters off Japan during the 1970s and 80s, but they have since been reclaimed by the pounding Pacific surf.
Top: Niijima Island shortly after it emerged just off Nishinoshima last November. Bottom: The new combined island after Niijima overwhelmed Nishinoshima.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.6 Earthquake hits near the coast of Nicaragua.
5.8 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.5 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.4 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.3 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.1 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
Tropical Storms
In the Southern Indian Ocean:
Tropical cyclone (tc) 23p (Ita), located approximately 31 nm west-northwest of Cairns, Australia, has tracked south-southeastward at 06 knots over the past 6 hours.
NewsBytes:
Lightning from freak thunderstorms, stronger than some southern Chile residents can remember ever experiencing before, killed 63 cows in two separate strikes. A single bolt killed 54 dairy cows that had taken refuge beneath a tree near Los Rios. One cow survived, but was left blinded, according to rancher. In a similar incident, nine other cows died beneath a tree hit by lightning near El Pilar.
Arctic Winter Sea Ice Still in Decline: Fifth-Lowest Ever
The winter ice cap around the North Pole reached its greatest extent on March 21, but it also fell to the fifth-lowest peak coverage on record.
Arctic sea ice usually grows to the largest expanse for winter on or about March 9.
The U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center said the annual peak would have occurred about then and been even smaller than the eventual coverage of 5.76 million square miles had it not been for strong and frigid surface winds that swirled around the Arctic in mid-March.
The Colorado-based center said the latest measurements reinforce previous studies that have revealed ice around the North Pole is disappearing much faster than earlier predictions.
The ice has steadily declined by an average of 12 percent per decade since 1978.
Experts predict the Arctic will lose all of its summer ice within decades, if not sooner.
This winter's maximum coverage of Arctic sea ice was much lower than the average for the past 30 years.
Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – update
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP), Hong Kong, SAR, China and the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China recently notified WHO of 2 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
7.2 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
There were no immediate reports of damage. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said a destructive widespread tsunami was not expected but said waves could be generated along coasts in the area from an earthquake of that magnitude.
6.7 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
6.1 Earthquake hits Nicaragua.
A strong 6.1 earthquake shook the Nicaraguan capital of Managua on Thursday, knocking out telephone lines and power in some areas.
6.1 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.
5.6 Earthquake hits Tonga.
5.4 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.
5.2 Earthquake hits Nicaragua.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 Earthquake hits offshore Valparaiso, Chile.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.
5.0 Earthquake hits Tarapaca, Chile.
5.0 Earthquake hits Tarapaca, Chile.
Tropical Storms
In the Southern Indian Ocean:
Tropical cyclone Ita is located approximately 146 nm north of Cairns, Australia.
Intense Category 4 Cyclone Ita bearing down on Australia. Expected to reach Category 5. With winds gusting up to 160-180 mph, Cyclone Ita is barreling toward the northern coast of Queensland, Australia.
It's violent winds, expected to reach 280km/h, put Ita in a worse category than Cyclone Larry, which hit north Queensland in March 2006, leaving a trail of destruction. More than 9000 people will be "directly impacted" by cyclone Ita when it crosses the north Queensland coast on Friday night. Evacuations have begun and Queensland's premier is returning from overseas as the strongest cyclone since Yasi in 2011 moves in on the state's far north. Tourists and coastal residents were evacuating parts of the Great Barrier Reef on Thursday
'Smog Domes' Proposed As Escapes From China's Pollution
A London-based architectural firm has a solution to China’s smog crisis — botanical gardens enclosed in giant “bubbles” where residents can take refuge.
Orproject presented the idea to Beijing officials, including plans for a lightweight dome that would house a climate-controlled park with air kept clean by the plants inside and filtered air from outside.
“The buildings surrounding the park, which are connected to the controlled air system, can house apartments, offices and retail, but may also offer sports or medical facilities which make specific use of the healthy air,” the company said.
Critics say more should be done to combat the pollution at its sources.
They also point out that the domes would separate those living inside from those unable to afford the luxury. Beijing smog has become so acute that outdoor sports are often banned.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update
On 9 April 2014, the Ministries of Health of Jordan notified WHO of an additional laboratory-confirmed case of infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
Ebola virus disease, West Africa – update
As of 9 April, a cumulative total of 158 clinically compatible cases, including 101 deaths have been officially reported. Laboratory investigations continue at the Institut Pasteur (IP) Dakar laboratory in Conakry (65 samples tested, of which 38 are positive by PCR for ebolavirus) and at the European Union Mobile Laboratory (EMLab) team in Guekedou (38 samples tested/28 positive).
Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – update
On 8 April 2014, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of two additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week's hottest temperature was 112.1 degrees Fahrenheit (44.5 degrees Celsius) at Abu Na'Ama, Sudan.
The week's coldest temperature was minus 93.3 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 69.6 degrees Celsius) at Russia's Vostok Antarctic research station.
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.
Global Volcanic Activity
Etna (Sicily, Italy): A small event this morning at 08:09 (local time) from the New SE crater produced a reddish-brown ash plume generated by partial collapse on the eastern flank of the cone
Bagana (Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea): A major magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck 50 km south of the volcano today.
Momotombo (Nicaragua): A shallow magnitude 6 earthquake occurred last evening 15 km NE from Momotombo volcano, followed by ongoing numerous aftershocks in the area east of the volcano, as well as near Apoyeque volcano on the peninsula in Lake Managua to the SE. The quakes are probably tectonic in origin, and INETER has not reported any unusual activity at the volcanoes. On the other hand, earthquakes of this size could disturb the plumbing system of the volcanoes and potentially help trigger new activity.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.
5.2 Earthquake hits Fiji.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge.
Drought USA
The persisting drought in many US States has caused beef prices to hit an all-time high in US. The extreme weather has thinned the nation's beef cattle herds to levels last seen in 1951, when there were about half as many mouths to feed in America.
Tropical Storms
In the Southern Indian Ocean:
Tropical cyclone Ita is located approximately 355 nm north-northeast of Cairns, Australia. Tropical cyclone Ita struck Papua New Guinea at about 06:00 GMT on April 8.
In the Western Pacific:
Tropical depression Peipah is located approximately 724 nm east-southeast of Manila, Philippines.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update
The Ministries of Health of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently announced 5 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
Global Volcanic Activity
Paluweh (off Flores Island, Indonesia): The Indonesian Volcanological Survey (VSI) has lowered the status of the volcano from 3 to 2 (on a scale of 1-4), after no new significant activity has been detected at the volcano in recent months.
Seismicity also has decreased since the last week explosions and avalanches that were noticed from the new lava dome in last November.
Kilauea (Hawai'i): Kilauea eruption continued at the summit and within the East Rift Zone with no major changes over the past week. At the summit, the lava-lake level remained at about 43m (141ft) below the floor of the crater. On the East Rift Zone the NE spatter-cone complex continued to feed the Kahauale`a 2 lava flow at Pu`u `O`o, which continues to burn forests in the area (see photo, USGS). The rainy weather has cleared on Kilauea, making for excellent sunset viewings of the summit eruption!
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.1 Earthquake hits the D’Entrecasteaux Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
Tropical Storms
In the Southern Indian Ocean:
Tropical cyclone 23p (ita), located approximately 413 nm northeast of Cairns, Australia, and is tracking westward at 09 knots.
In the Western Pacific:
Tropical depression 05w (Peipah), located approximately 643 nm southeast of Manila, Philippines, and is tracking northwestward at 05 knots.
Floods in Argentina
Around 3,000 people have been evacuated due to the heavy rains and subsequent flooding that has taken place in eight provinces across the country since Saturday, leading to the suspension of classes, public transport and public services in some of the worst-affected districts.
The southern Neuquén and RÃo Negro provinces, the central-northern Córdoba, Santa Fe and Entre RÃos provinces, and Mendoza, Catamarca, Santiago del Estero in the northwest of the country have borne the brunt of the three-day storm with flooded streets, blocked highways and a widespread human impact, including the destruction of homes.
Neuquén yesterday suffered some of the most dramatic consequences, as classes were suspended, public transport was halted and civil servants were given the day off. Supermarkets in the capital also closed their doors.
Around 118 millimetres of rain had fallen across the province in 24 hours, just short of half the annual total. Seven hundred people were evacuated from the provincial capital, Neuquén City, and another 600 in smaller towns throughout the usually arid Patagonian province.
Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – update
On 4 April 2014, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, Hong Kong SAR, China, notified WHO of an additional laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.
On 4 April 2014, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of 3 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.
Wildfires in Colombia
The first three months of 2014 have seen the loss of over 80,000 acres of Colombian forest during a countrywide drought.
Most of the fires have been “caused by human hands,” with 185 municipalities in Colombia having been affected by the fires this year to date.
Authorities are asking citizens to “be cautious” when entering forested areas, and to report fires as quickly as possible.
The affected areas have experienced harsh droughts in recent months.
Global Volcanic Activity
Etna (Sicily, Italy): After a few days of bad weather that have prevented detailed observations, it seems that all is quiet again. Tremor is slightly above normal background levels. A new short pause or the end of activity?
Tungurahua (Ecuador): Smaller explosions and moderate ash emissions continue at the volcano. After the larger explosion last Friday had apparently cleared the conduit, magma is able to rise more easily to the summit and produce mild to moderate strombolian activity.
Ubinas (Peru): Smaller explosions continue at the volcano.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.5 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.
5.0 Earthquake hits France.
5.0 Earthquake hits Acre, Brazil.
5.0 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.
Tropical Storms
In the Southern Indian Ocean:
Tropical cyclone Ita is located approximately 531 nm northeast of Cairns, Australia. Tropical storm Ita is forecast to strike Australia as a tropical cyclone at about 10:00 GMT on 11 April.
In the Western Pacific:
Tropical depression Peipah is located approximately 759 nm southeast of Manila, Philippines.
Tropical Storm Domeng (international name Peipah) has weakened into a tropical depression but may still cause storm surges in the Philippines. Storm surge warnings are up in over 100 areas.
NewsBytes:
USA - Much of the South was facing the threat of severe storms, including possible tornadoes, through Monday night. Tornado watches were issued for Louisiana, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi.
Ebola virus disease, West Africa – update
As of 7 April, a cumulative total of 151 clinically compatible cases, including 95 deaths had officially been reported from Guinea. Laboratory investigations continue at the Institut Pasteur (IP) Dakar laboratory in Conakry (65 samples tested, of which 34 are positive by PCR for ebolavirus) and at the European Union Mobile Laboratory (EMLab) team in Guekedou (36 samples tested/20 positive). Medical observation is continuing for 535 contacts. There have been no new cases in health-care workers since the last report and no new areas are affected.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.8 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.
5.4 Earthquake hits Tonga.
5.4 Earthquake hits the Kuril islands.
5.3 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.
5.3 Earthquake hits the Near Islands in the Aleutian Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits offshore Chiapas, Mexiao.
5.0 Earthquake hits Fiji.
5.0 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.
5.0 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.
Tropical Storms
In the Southern Indian Ocean:
Tropical cyclone Ivanoe is located approximately 1664 nm south-southeast of Diego Garcia. The final advisory has been issued on this system.
Tropical cyclone Ita is located approximately 525 nm east-northeast of Cairns, Australia.
In the Western Pacific:
Tropical depression Peipah is located approximately 61 nm west of Koror, Palau.
Philippines - Domeng is coming. Tropical storm Domeng (international name: Peipah), the fourth storm to hit the country this year, is also the also the fourth to hit Mindanao, showing a weather pattern that has changed from only six typhoons making landfall in Mindanao from 1996 to 2010 to nine typhoons in 28 months since Typhoon Sendong in December 2011.
NewsBytes:
Canada - Flooded Prince Edward Island homes, businesses cope with melting snow. This year's snow amounts have been exceptional, leading to flooding.
Solomon Islands - The devastating flooding in the Solomon Islands has now claimed the lives of at least 21 people, left 40 missing and made up to 49,000 homeless.
El Niño
Record warm subsurface Pacific waters may Bring Moderate to Strong El Niño Event. There have been tremendous changes in the Pacific Ocean over the past two months which continue to favour a moderate to strong El Niño event later this spring and summer.
To begin, we are currently observing what looks to be The strongest downwelling oceanic Kelvin wave event since satellite records began in the 1970s. This still needs to be verified in reanalysis, but a large swath of 6°C (11°F) ocean temperature anomalies at a depth of 100 - 200 meters clearly illustrate the significance of this event. Oceanic Kelvin waves travel only from west to east at extremely slow speeds (2-3 m/s). These waves have been alluded to as the facilitators of El Niño.
There are two phases of an oceanic Kelvin wave, the “Upwelling” phase and the “Downwelling” phase. The Upwelling phase of an oceanic Kelvin wave pushes colder water from the sub-surface towards the surface, resulting in cooling at the surface. The Downwelling phase is the opposite, where warmer waters at the surface of the West Pacific warm pool are forced to sink, resulting a deepening of the thermocline and net warming in the sub-surface.
The entire West Pacific Warm Pool has begun to shift eastward, and there is a large adjustment in the Pacific Ocean currently underway. That being said, we still need to see some favourable atmospheric forcing this month to continue the forward advancement of a full-basin El Niño. In particular, west-to-east blowing winds along the Equator are needed to keep pushing warm water eastwards towards South America.
Ebola virus disease, West Africa – update
As at 4 April 2014, the Ministry of Health of Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 143 clinically compatible cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), of which 54 are laboratory confirmed by PCR. The total number includes 86 deaths (CFR 60%). New cases have been reported from Conakry, Guekedou and Macenta; 23 patients are currently in isolation units. The date of onset of the most recent laboratory confirmed case is 3 April.
A crowd angry about an Ebola outbreak that has killed at least 86 people across Guinea attacked a centre where victims were being held in isolation, prompting an international aid group to temporarily evacuate its team, officials said Saturday.
The violence took place in the southern town of Macenta, where at least 14 people have died since the outbreak emerged last month. The mob who descended upon the clinic accused Doctors Without Borders health workers of bringing Ebola to Guinea, where there had never previously been any cases.
Some young people threw rocks at the aid workers, though no one was seriously hurt, said Sam Taylor, a spokesman for Doctors Without Borders.
