Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.7 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.1 Earthquake hits the southern Mid-Atlantic ridge.

5.0 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

Zimbabwe - The Bulawayo-Masvingo highway was closed to traffic yesterday after the Nkankezi bridge was washed away by raging floodwaters after the Sukasihambe dam burst it wall upstream on Sunday night flooding the Nkankezi river.

Massachusetts, USA - Conway, a small town in western Massachusetts is recovering after an EF-1 tornado cut a path of destruction through it Saturday night, destroying a barn, severely damaging several houses, and ripping apart hundreds of trees. It was the first-ever tornado to touch down in the Bay State in February.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

Researchers working in the South Pacific have captured stunning footage of a deep-sea jellyfish that looks like a flying saucer with tentacles. Marine biologists working on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Okeanos Explorer spotted this beautiful jelly at Utu Seamount in the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa.

Disease

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever death reported in Namibia

A farmworker from the Omaheke region on the eastern border of Namibia has died from Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), according to Namibia health officials. According to a report in The Namibian, The unidentified man died on Feb. 22 after being admitted to the Gobabis District Hospital when he vomited blood. He was treated for fever, diarrhoea, and coughing a few days earlier.

Chikungunya in Pakistan

Pakistan’s Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination has reported cases of chikungunya in the country for the first time. A total of 803 cases have been reported since 19 December 2016 in the Sindh province, including 29 cases reported in various towns in Karachi during the week of 10-16 February 2017.

New cholera cases in Haiti

Haiti has reported 1,897 cholera cases through January, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). 28 deaths were reported during this period. Since the cholera outbreak began in October 2010, months after the Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake, 797,691 cholera cases have been reported in Haiti, including 9,439 deaths.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Colorado, USA

Some residents in a rural area of El Paso County have been evacuated because of a prairie wildfire.The El Paso County Sheriff's Office says the fire was reported around noon Monday about 10 miles east of Fountain and near the small community of Hanover.

The fire has burned about 10 square miles, and smoke could be seen from Colorado Springs.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 Earthquake hits southern Sumatra, Indonesia.

5.2 Earthquake hits Vancouver Island, Canada.

5.1 Earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan.

5.0 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Bonin Islands off Japan.

5.0 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

Chile - Floods caused by Andean rainfall are causing havoc in central and northern Chile, and authorities said Sunday that at least three people had been killed and several were missing. Emergency officials in the South American country said waters rushing down from the Andes since Saturday afternoon had caused landslides, cutting roads and isolating thousands of people. Falling rocks and other debris overwhelmed the intakes for urban water systems, cutting service to about 1.2 million homes in the area around Santiago.

Ireland - Storm Ewan brought winds of 100km/hr when it made landfall today. Met Éireann says the south and south-east will be worst affected, but it did not reach the strength of Storm Doris. Several areas in the West and Midlands also felt the brunt of Ewan with flash flooding reported in parts.

Malaysia - More than 10,000 people from at least 15 longhouses as well as students from a school in the interior Baram district in northern Sarawak have been cut off due to floods. Over the past 24 hours, heavy rains have inundated these populated settlements, resulting in metre-deep waters.

Disease

Dengue Fever in Fiji

The Fiji Ministry of Health has recorded 143 dengue fever cases since the beginning of the year, according to a Fiji Times report. Health officials note that Western Division has reported the most at 88, followed by Northern Division (30) and the Central/Eastern Division (25). Health officials are urging the public to take immediate actions to destroy dengue mosquito breeding places.

Dengue infects nearly 400 million people across more than 120 countries each year. Most survive with few or no symptoms, but more than two million annually develop what can be a dangerous dengue hemorrhagic fever, which kills more than 25,000 people each year.

Swine fever outbreak hits western Tanzania

The African swine fever (ASF) has broken out in the western Tanzania’s district of Kalambo District, killing nearly 200 pigs, an official said Sunday.

Julieth Binyura, Kalambo District Commissioner, confirmed the outbreak of the deadly disease, saying villagers had been informed on the viral disease.

The disease, which has a high mortality rate in pigs, has caused panic in the area where pig farming has been a booming business.

Binyura said her office had banned pork business as well as transportation of live pigs in the district to contain the disease in the area, which is part of Rukwa Region bordering Zambia and Lake Tanganyika on its western side.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 Earthquake hits La Rioja, Argentina.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Philippines.

5.1 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.0 Earthquake hits eastern New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.

5.0 Earthquake hits Atacama, Chile.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

Bosnia - Flooding from a new lake created by a landslide of mine waste shut down one of Bosnia's main highways Saturday and raised fears of further flooding. Earlier this week, a massive landslide of mine waste from an open pit coal mine had blocked a river near the central Bosnia town of Kakanj, creating the lake. The lake overflowed Saturday morning following heavy rain overnight, forcing the closure of a busy highway connecting the capital of Sarajevo with the central town of Zenica. The town of Kakanj is 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Sarajevo.

Disease

H7N9 avian influenza: China

The China National Health and Family Planning Commission reported an additional 28 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9), including four deaths, for the period of February 13 to 23. The 22 male and six female patients aged from four to 81 had their onset from January 27 to February 17.

Seoul virus: North America

In a follow-up on the multistate Seoul virus outbreak in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports laboratory-confirmed infection in 16 people in nine states as of Feb. 23.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.3 Earthquake hits south of Fiji.

5.9 Earthquake hits Fiji.

5.2 Earthquake hits Tarapaca, Chile.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.

5.1 Earthquake hits Manipur, India.

5.0 Earthquake hits Kepulauan Tanimbar, Indonesia.

Global Warming

Spring coming sooner to Arctic

Nature’s clock is running fast in the Arctic, thanks to climate change. Due to diminishing sea ice cover, spring is coming sooner to some plant species in the low Arctic of Greenland, while other species are delaying their emergence amid warming winters, says a study.

The timing of seasonal events, such as first spring growth, flower bud formation and blooming make up a plant’s phenology - the window of time it has to grow, produce offspring, and express its life history. It can be called “nature’s clock.”

While how early a plant emerges from its winter slumber depends on the species, the study, published in the journal Biology Letters, demonstrates that the Arctic landscape is changing rapidly.

Such changes carry implications for the ecological structure of the region for years to come.

Warming winters and springs associated with declining arctic sea ice cover created a mixture of speed demons, slowpokes and those in between. One racehorse of a sedge species now springs out of the proverbial gate a full 26 days earlier than it did a decade ago.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

Shimmering Cave of the Crystals - giant selenite crystals in a chamber in the Naica Mine in Mexico.

Space Events

'Ring of Fire' Eclipse Will Be Visible from Southern Hemisphere Sunday

This Sunday (Feb. 26) brings the first solar eclipse of 2017. Unlike the total solar eclipse that will cross the continental United States in August, Sunday's spectacle is an annular eclipse, which means a sliver of the sun's surface will still be visible around the moon.

The moon will appear to block varying amounts of the sun depending on where you are located within the eclipse visibility zone. For those who are properly positioned along a narrow path some 8,500 miles (13,700 kilometres) long and averaging roughly 45 miles (72 km) wide, the dark disk of the moon will briefly be surrounded by a dazzling "ring of fire" as the lunar disk passes squarely in front of the sun.

Skywatchers positioned outside this path can still enjoy a partial solar eclipse. This spectacle will be visible to more than half a billion people living across the lower two-thirds of South America as well as the western and southern portions of Africa, as well as the sparse population in about half of Antarctica.

Disease

Yellow fever – Brazil

From 1 December 2016 to 22 February 2017, a total of 1336 cases of yellow fever infection (292 confirmed, 920 suspected, and 124 discarded), including 215 deaths (101 confirmed, 109 suspected, 5 discarded), have been detected in six states (Bahia, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Norte, São Paulo, and Tocantins). The estimated case fatality rate is 35% for confirmed cases and 12% for suspected cases. To date, the majority (86%) of the confirmed cases are men and of which, approximately 81% are aged between 21 and 60 years.

Wildfires

Wildfires - USA - Texas & Oklahoma

Crews are working to contain a wildfire that’s burning in a rural area of the Texas Panhandle while firefighters in Oklahoma fought back several blazes that popped up on an unseasonably warm and windy day. Crews attacked a fire that had burned nearly 11 square miles in Oldham County in the Panhandle. Texas A&M Forest Service said early Friday that the blaze was 50 percent contained and that the fire’s behaviour “has moderated.”

In Oklahoma, multiple fires broke out, and Oklahoma Army National Guard helicopters were dispatched to help battle the blazes.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 15 February-21 February 2017 - cont.

Nevado del Ruiz | Colombia : Servicio Geológico Colombiano’s (SGC) Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Manizales reported that during 14-20 February seismicity at Nevado del Ruiz continued to indicate unrest. Earthquakes were located at depths of 1.1-1.7 km, in areas N, NE, SE, and SW of the volcano, but mainly beneath Arenas Crater. The largest event was a local M 1.4. Signals indicating fracturing rock increased in both size and number as compared to the previous week. Significant amounts of water vapour and gas continued to be emitted. Gas, steam, and ash plumes rose 1.2 km above the crater rim on 18 February and drifted NE, SE, and SW. Thermal anomalies were identified by the MIROVA system during 14, 16-17, and 19-20 February. The Alert Level remained at III (Yellow; the second lowest level on a four-colour scale).

Reventador | Ecuador : During 15-21 February IG reported a high level of seismic activity including explosions, long-period earthquakes, harmonic tremor, and signals indicating emissions at Reventador. Although cloud cover often prevented visual observations, activity was noted almost daily. Minor ashfall was reported on 15 February, and the next morning crater incandescence was visible. During 17-19 and 21 February steam, gas, and ash plumes rose 1-2 km above the crater rim and mainly drifted S and W. "Gunshot” sounds were heard on 18 February.

Sabancaya | Peru : Based on webcam views, satellite images, and seismic data the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that during 14-21 February sporadic gas-and-ash puffs rose from Sabancaya, and during 16-17 and 20 February rose to altitudes of 7.3-8.2 km (24,000-27,000 ft) a.s.l. Weather clouds often hindered observations of the volcano.

Santa Maria | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 16-17, 19, and 20-21 February a few explosions at Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex generated ash plumes that rose 700 m above the complex and drifted SW. Minor ashfall was reported in La Florida (5 km S) on 19 February and in Monte Claro (S) during 20-21 February.

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 10-17 February lava-dome extrusion onto Sheveluch’s N flank was accompanied by strong fumarolic activity, dome incandescence, ash explosions, and hot avalanches. Satellite images showed a daily thermal anomaly over the dome. The Aviation Colour Code remained at Orange.

Sinabung | Indonesia : Based on PVMBG observations, satellite and webcam images, and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 16-18 and 20-21 February ash plumes from Sinabung rose to altitudes of 3-4.3 km (10,000-14,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W, SW, and S.

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that during 15-16 February high-amplitude tremor at Turrialba remained constant, and sporadic gas emissions with minor amounts of ash drifted S and E. Occasional ballistics were ejected from the crater. During 16-17 February sporadic gas emissions with low ash content rose no higher than 300 m and drifted NW and SW. Tremor amplitude had decreased to moderate levels. Similar emissions were observed during 20-21 February, although they drifted NW and NE.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.8 Earthquake hits Lake Tanganyika, Africa.

5.4 Earthquake hits eastern New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.

5.3 Earthquake hits south of Fiji.

5.3 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.2 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.1 Earthquake hits southern Peru.

5.0 Earthquake hits north of Severnaya Zemlya.

5.0 Earthquake hits northern Sumatra, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

South Africa - Three people have been killed during heavy rains in the North West province, the provincial government said on Thursday. A primary school boy drowned in Leporung, near Makgobistad, while attempting to cross a stream, and two others died in Phokeng, near Rustenburg, after their vehicle was swept away by water while trying to cross a flooded bridge.

Wildlife

Deep Sea Harbingers

The sudden appearances of giant oarfish, which typically live deep in the ocean near the seafloor, have sparked fears in parts of the Philippines that the fish are warning signs of an impending large earthquake.

Three have been found off the northern coast of Mindanao since Feb. 8, with the first appearing just two days before a 6.7 magnitude temblor rocked the island.

The fish can weigh up to 600 pounds and are known in Japan as “Messengers from the Sea God’s Palace.”

Ocean Suffocation

Earth’s oceans have lost more than 2 percent of their oxygen during the past 57 years in a trend scientists warn could threaten the future of marine life.

A study at Germany’s Geomar Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research confirmed earlier predictions that if climate change and the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for it continue unabated, ocean oxygen loss will accelerate and reach up to 7 percent on average by the year 2100.

“Since large fish in particular avoid or do not survive in areas with low oxygen content, these changes can have far-reaching biological consequences,” said lead researcher Sunke Schmidtko.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 109.0 degrees Fahrenheit (42.8 degrees Celsius) in Bourke, New South Wales, Australia.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 69.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 56.1 degrees Celsius) at Oimyakon, Siberia

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

Meningococcal disease – Togo

Since 1 January 2017, 201 suspected cases of meningitis with 17 deaths were reported by 19 health districts. In week 2, the district of Akebou which is part of the Plateau Region issued an alert after four cases of meningitis were reported. In week 4, the epidemic threshold was reached with nine cases and an attack rate of 12.4 per 100 000 inhabitants. From 2 January to 12 February 2017, 48 suspected meningitis cases with three deaths were reported (case fatality rate of 6.3%).

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 15 February-21 February 2017

Bagana | Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 16 and 18-20 February ash plumes from Bagana rose to altitudes of 2.4-3.4 km (8,000-11,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SSE, S, and SW. Ash plumes drifted as far as 85 km during 19-20 February.

Bogoslof | Fox Islands (USA) : AVO reported that during 15-16 February cloud cover prevented satellite views of Bogoslof; no other data indicated eruptive activity. At 0955 on 17 February seismic data indicated the beginning of an explosive event, prompting AVO to raise the Aviation Colour Code (ACC) to Red and the Volcano Alert Level (VAL) to Warning. Individual pulses of seismicity was recorded until 1140, and then afterwards seismicity was low. Satellite images and pilot observations indicated that an ash plume rose to an altitude of 11.6 km (38,000 ft) a.s.l. The event was also verified by infrasound and lightning data. Another short-lived explosive event began at 1546, detected in infrasound and seismic data. A volcanic cloud identified in satellite images rose as high as 7.6 km (25,000 ft) a.s.l.

An explosion at 0450 on 18 February was detected in seismic, infrasound, and lightning data. The seismic data suggested that ash emissions lasted several minutes, and then seismicity decreased. A preliminary evaluation of satellite data indicated that a cloud rose at least as high as 7.6 km (25,000 ft) a.s.l.; the cloud drifted SW. On 19 February the ACC was lowered to Orange and the VAL was lowered to Watch. Later that day seismic and infrasound data recorded a series of short-lived explosive pulses during 1708-1745. The ACC was raised to Red and the VAL was raised to Warning. A plume identified in satellite images rose as high as 7.6 km (25,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 160 km SE over Unalaska Island. AVO geologists on the island described the cloud has having a white upper portion and a slightly darker lower portion. Storms in the region impacted data communications at AVO's facility in Dutch Harbour on 20 February, limiting AVO's ability to forecast and detect eruptions at Bogoslof.

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that although weather clouds mostly prevented satellite and webcam views of Cleveland during 15-21 February, slightly elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite imagery during 18-19 February. The Aviation Colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Colima | Mexico : Based on Centro Universitario de Estudios e Investigaciones de Vulcanologia - Universidad de Colima observations, the Unidad Estatal de Protección Civil de Colima reported that during 10-16 February there were 10 low-intensity explosions at Colima. Gas emissions were at low-to-moderate levels. The report noted that the public should not enter the 8-km-radius exclusion zone.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 14 and 16-21 February ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 2.1-2.4 km (7,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions.

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 15-21 February HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise and fall, circulate, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook vent. Webcams recorded incandescence from long-active sources within Pu'u 'O'o Crater and from a vent high on the NE flank of the cone. All surface flows were active within 2.4 km of Pu'u 'O'o. The 61G lava flow, originating from a vent on Pu'u 'O'o Crater's E flank, continued to enter the ocean at Kamokuna.

Langila | New Britain (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 17-18 February ash plumes from Langila rose to an altitude of 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 Earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.

5.0 Earthquake hits the southern Mid-Atlantic ridge.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the South Pacific: Tropical cyclone 08p (Eight), located approximately 388 nm south-southwest of Tonga, is tracking southeastward at 35 knots.

Newsbytes:

California, USA - Flooding in San Jose, Calif., has prompted the evacuation of at least 14,000 residents. The mandatory evacuation orders began overnight, and will remain in effect for at least another day. Flooding along Coyote Creek came after a series of heavy rainstorms combined with water rushing down the spillway of nearby Anderson Reservoir, which is now filled to capacity. In addition to the 14,000 mandatory evacuations, some 22,000 people were encouraged to leave their homes.

Global Warming

Global warming, overfishing threaten Earth's "super-zoos,"

The six ocean hot spots that teem with the biggest mix of species are also getting hit hardest by global warming and industrial fishing, a new study finds.

An international team looked at more than 2,100 species of fish, seabirds, marine mammals and even tiny plankton to calculate Earth’s hot spots of marine biodiversity.

These underwater super-zoos are in patches of ocean that are overfished and warming fast, and these pressures hurt the lush life there, according to a study appearing in Wednesday’s journal Science Advances.

While scientists in the past have identified key areas of biodiversity, the new work is more detailed. Researchers found the liveliest ocean hot spot also happens to be where the science of evolution sprouted: the Pacific Ocean off the central South American coast. It includes the area around the Galapagos Islands.

Other hot spots include the southwestern Atlantic Ocean off Argentina; the western Indian Ocean off the African coast; the central western Pacific Ocean surrounding Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines; the southwestern Pacific off Australia’s southern and eastern coast; and the Oceania region of the Pacific around the international date line. Four of the six hot spots are in the Pacific; all are either in the southern hemisphere or just north of the equator.

Space Events

Astronomers Find 7 Earth-Size Planets Where Life Is Possible

Astronomers have found a nearby solar system with seven Earth-sized planets, three of which circle their parent star at the right distance for liquid surface water, bolstering the prospect of discovering extra-terrestrial life, research published on Wednesday showed.

The star, known as TRAPPIST-1, is a small, dim celestial body in the constellation Aquarius. It is located about 40 light years away from Earth, close by astronomical standards, but about 44 million years away at the average cruising speed of a commercial passenger jet.

Researchers said the proximity of the system, combined with the proportionally large size of its planets compared to the small star, make it a good target for follow-up studies. They hope to scan the planets’ atmospheres for possible chemical fingerprints of life.

“The discovery gives us a hint that finding a second Earth is not just a matter of if, but when,” Nasa chief scientist Thomas Zurbuchen said at a news conference on Wednesday.

This is the first time that so many Earth-sized planets are found around the same star,” lead researcher Michael Gillon, with the University of Liege in Belgium, told reporters.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Chile's wildfires continue to burn

Chilean authorities said that 40 homes and almost 3,500 hectares of forest were destroyed by fires overnight. The Parral region, he said, some 345 kilometres south of Santiago, remained on red alert.

Disease

Mystery outbreak on São Tomé and Príncipe

An unknown disease that has afflicted some 2,000 people on the African island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe remains a mystery as Portuguese doctors try to figure out the etiology and cure, according to Portugal media.

WHO sent a specialist from Benin because the pathology was similar to a common disease in Africa, particularly in Benin; however, a conclusion has yet to be met.

Earlier this month, media accounts reported the mystery disease may have been Buruli ulcer.

Mumps outbreak reported in Toronto

Toronto Public Health (TPH) is currently investigating 14 lab-confirmed cases of mumps involving individuals 18 to 35 years of age. While TPH continues to follow up with exposed individuals who are known to the confirmed cases, the investigation to date has identified that many of these cases have frequented bars in the west downtown core area.

Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – China

On 4 February 2017, Taipei Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported one laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus. This is the fifth human case with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus reported from Taipei CDC.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New Activity for the week of 15 February-21 February 2017

Barren Island | Andaman Islands (India) : The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), part of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), reported that a new eruption at Barren Island began on 23 January. Scientists aboard a research vessel were collecting sea floor samples when they observed a sudden ash emission. The team moved closer, about 1.6 km from the volcano, and noted small eruptive episodes lasting 5-10 minutes. Ash emissions were visible in the daytime, and lava fountains feeding lava flows on the flanks were visible at night. The team revisited the volcano on 26 January and observed similar activity during the four hours they stayed. They sampled sediments and water in the vicinity of the eruption and recovered volcanic ejecta.

Krakatau | Indonesia : PVMBG reported that seismicity at Anak Krakatau increased on 17 February, with earthquakes indicating emissions slowing transforming into continuous tremor. Harmonic tremor began to be recorded at 1810 on 19 February. Almost an hour later, at 1904, Strombolian explosions ejected incandescent material 200 m high.

Lanin | Central Chile-Argentina border : Servicio Nacional de Geología and Minería (SERNAGEOMIN) Observatorio Volcanológico de Los Andes del Sur (OVDAS) reported that beginning at 1524 on 15 February a seismic swarm at Lanin, consisting of 59 volcanic-tectonic, long-period, and spasmodic tremor events, lasted for 45 minutes. The largest volcano-tectonic event was a M 1.8. The Alert Level was raised to Yellow (second highest level on a four-colour scale); ONEMI declared an Alert Level Yellow (the middle level on a three-colour scale) for the community of Curarrehue (32 km N).

Pacaya | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 14-21 February small Strombolian explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney cone periodically generated small lava flows (200 m long on 21 February) that were active for hours at a time. CONRED noted that at night on 15 February residents in Los Positos in Villa Canales (13 km NE), and in Mesillas Altas and Bajas in Amatitlán (12 km N) reported vibrations and rumbling.

Piton de la Fournaise | Reunion Island (France) : OVPF reported that volcanic tremor at Piton de la Fournaise fluctuated during 14-21 February. Lava was mainly transported through a lava tube, and a few branches at end of tube were active.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.5 Earthquake hits Chuquisaca, Bolivia.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage to property.

5.3 Earthquake hits the Scotia Sea.

5.1 Earthquake hits Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia.

5.0 Earthquake hits the southwest Indian ridge.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the South Pacific: Tropical cyclone 07p (Bart), located approximately 617 nm southwest of Papeete, Tahiti, is tracking southeastward at 37 knots.

Tropical cyclone 08p (Eight), located approximately 431 nm south-southwest of Pago Pago, is tracking east-southeastward at 30 knots.

Newsbytes:

California - Creeks and rivers are topping their banks and hundreds of homes were evacuated as heavy rains from a winter storm soak much of California. The "atmospheric river" walloping California with drenching rains and gale-force winds prompted daring water rescues Tuesday and kept thousands of residents from flooded or threatened homes. Hundreds were rescued from their flooded homes in San Jose by crews steering boats full of people, some with babies and pets, in chest-deep water. The city had declared a local emergency Tuesday afternoon. The storms even battered portions of Nevada. The weather service issued a flash flood warning for Dayton, Nev., on Tuesday, where authorities said they feared a dam might break and send 2 to 4 feet of water into low-lying areas.

Environment

'Atmospheric Rivers' Wreak Havoc Around The Globe

An "atmospheric river" is a colorful term for a sinuous plume of moisture that travels up from the tropics — a single plume can carry more water than the Mississippi River at its mouth. But new research shows that atmospheric rivers are also among the most damaging weather systems around.

The atmospheric rivers that soaked California this winter did some good — they ended an epic drought in the state.

Waliser studied two decades of storms around the globe at mid-latitudes — that is, outside the tropics. When he focused on the very windiest — the top 2 percent — he found that "atmospheric rivers are typically associated with 30 and even up to 50 percent of those very extreme cases." Atmospheric rivers were also responsible for almost that percentage of the very wettest storms, too.

Atmospheric rivers are famously wet. But atmospheric scientist Duane Waliser has done some new research that shows they're also remarkably windy. Waliser found that winds during an atmospheric river are typically twice the speed of the average storm.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 Earthquake hits Fiji.

5.0 Earthquake hits Panama.

5.0 Earthquake hits off the east coast of North Island, New Zealand.

5.0 Earthquake hits off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.

5.0 Earthquake hits New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the South Pacific: Tropical cyclone (tc) 07p (Seven), located approximately 190 nm east of Niue, is tracking southeastward at 13 knots over the past six hours.

Newsbytes:

Jakarta, Indonesia - Torrential rains in the Indonesian capital have overwhelmed drains and flooded roads and thousands of homes. The disaster mitigation agency says more than 50 areas are flooded in Jakarta with waters up to 1.5 metres (4.9 feet) high in East Jakarta. It said the city’s drains couldn’t accommodate the runoff and rivers also overflowed. The city, which has about 30 million people in its greater metropolitan area, says it has reduced the number of flood prone areas since then by dredging rivers and other measures.

Texas, USA - Residents in San Antonio were picking up the pieces Monday after severe overnight storms ripped through south-central Texas, damaging more than 150 homes. The National Weather Service confirmed Monday that at least four six tornadoes hit San Antonio. Five minor injuries were reported, the Associated Press said.

La Niña Ends

The La Niña ocean cooling in tropical Pacific has ended, according to the U.S. Climate Prediction Centre (CPC). Climate experts there also say a fresh El Niño warming may soon return. La Niña appeared last year for the first time since 2012, but was among the weakest and shortest on record. “Even though it was fairly weak and short-lived ... it did leave impacts,” said CPC Deputy Director Mike Halpert, pointing to unusual cold in Alaska, western Canada and the U.S. Northern Plains in December and January.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

Residents in Singapore were treated to a truly unusual phenomenon, as a so-called fire rainbow lit up the sky in the city-state. NASA says that fire rainbows are actually called circumhorizon arcs, which are created by a unique set of circumstances. A spokesman said: "The sun must be at least 58 degrees high in a sky where cirrus clouds are present. Furthermore, the numerous, flat, hexagonal ice-crystals that compose the cirrus cloud must be aligned horizontally to properly refract sunlight like a single gigantic prism. Therefore, circumhorizon arcs are quite unusual to see."

Disease

Cholera Found in Travellers from the Philippines

The Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) issued a warning Friday (computer translated) concerning a cholera outbreak reported in travellers from Cebu, Philippines.

Travellers that arrived Friday, Feb. 17 on Air Asia Z29048 (Cebu – Incheon, Seoul flight) at Incheon International Airport tested positive for cholera (V Cholerae O1 Ogawa, CTX +). The number infected was not disclosed.

Farmers kill thousands of pigs in disease-hit Latvia

Latvia has culled more pigs in the past two weeks than in the last three years, due to African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks. Nearly 15,000 head of pigs were culled as the result of the two recent ASF outbreaks in the country, according to Latvia’s Food and Veterinary Service (SFVS).

On 23 January, SFVS reported an outbreak of ASF at the Rukas farm of local pig manufacturer Ancers, where veterinary inspectors decided to cull the whole pig population of 5,023 head. This outbreak has been identified as the largest one ever in Latvia.

On 7 February, ASF was also detected at the Bunchi farm, which also belongs to Ancers. Here the total pig population was over 10,000 head and SFVS had to destroy the herd completely. Following these outbreaks, the Latvian government has introduced a state of emergency in several districts of the country for the first time since mid-2014.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 Earthquake hits northern Peru.

5.3 Earthquake hits the Santa Cruz Islands.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Sunda Strait, Indonesia.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Mariana Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits Simeulue, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the South Pacific: Tropical cyclone 06p (Alfred), located approximately 396 nm east-southeast of Darwin, Australia, is tracking east-southeastward at 03 knots.

Newsbytes:

Malaga, Spain - Malaga, the city on Spain's Costa del Sol is suffering from the effects of flash flooding - after a storm brought torrential rain to the area. Roads collapsed, buildings flooded and cars were washed away as the storm lashed the tourist resort last night, according to local media. There were also a number of landslides as heavy rain - and hail - struck the city.

Zimbabwe - The remnants of Tropical Cyclone Dineo have brought welcome relief to the drought stricken Bulawayo area. The city’s dams, which were almost empty are starting to overflow.

Disease

Seoul virus – United States of America and Canada

On 24 January 2017, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through their Health Alert Network (HAN) publication, reported 8 cases of infection with Seoul virus in the states of Wisconsin (n=2) and Illinois (n=6). The first two cases were reported in early December 2016, when two home-based pet rat breeders in Wisconsin State developed an acute febrile illness, later confirmed as Seoul virus infection. Rats (Rattus norvegicus) at some facilities also tested positive for Seoul virus. Human infection with Seoul virus is not commonly found in the United States; this virus family also includes Sin Nombre virus, which is the most common hantavirus causing disease in the United States. This is the first known outbreak associated with pet rats in the United States.

Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – China

Between 19 January and 14 February 2017, a total of 304 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection have been reported to WHO from mainland China though the China National IHR focal point.

Brazil yellow fever - Update

The Brazilian Ministry of Health, or Ministério da Saúde now puts the confirmed yellow fever death toll at 89.

Through Friday, 263 cases of the disease have been confirmed (Minas Gerais-225, Espírito Santo-34 and São Paulo-4). In all, 1,258 suspected cases were reported, of which 882 remained under investigation and 113 were discarded.

Concerning yellow fever related fatalities, of the 200 reported deaths, 89 were confirmed, 108 are still under investigation and 3 were discarded. Eighty-six percent of the confirmed deaths were reported in Minas Gerais (77).

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.1 Earthquake hits Bio-Bio, Chile.

5.0 Earthquake hits Guam.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

California, USA - Torrential downpours were inundating Southern California on Friday, flooding streets and prompting water rescues. Officials said at least four people had died in the storm. One was found in a vehicle that was under water. It was snowing heavily at higher elevations. Flash-flood warnings were in effect for Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, the National Weather Service said. Parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties were under a similar watch.

Java, Indonesia - Flooding has struck several areas in Central Java over recent days, displacing thousands of local residents and cutting off access via main roads. For the last two days, the overflowing Pemali, Cisaranggung and Babakan rivers have damaged embankments, causing flooding in several areas, including Brebes, Wanasari, Banjarharjo, Losari and Jatibarang. Flooding struck 10 villages in Brebes regency, forcing 4,930 people to be evacuated from the area.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Australia

Devastated residents are being allowed back into Carwoola after a mammoth bushfire destroyed up to 15 homes and numerous other properties. The fast-moving fire swept through the town of Carwoola, near the ACT, as firefighters fought desperately to contain the flames late yesterday. wo firefighters were injured fighting the severe blaze east of Queanbeyan.

Some residents did not know whether they would return to find their house still standing after reports that more than 15 homes had been lost. High winds and 34C heat fanned the flames that hit homes around lunchtime and had burned more than 2700ha by last night.

Wildfires - Florida, USA

A wildfire burning in southeastern Polk County has now consumed 5,500 acres as it continues to smoulder, but was 75 percent contained late Friday night, county officials say.

High winds initially fanned the flames Wednesday, allowing the fire to rapidly spread and force evacuations in the Indian Lake Estates area. County officials say they've found another home destroyed by fire there, bringing the total number to 12.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.3 Earthquake hits Jujuy, Argentina.

5.3 Earthquake hits near the north coast of Papua, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

Saudi Arabia - A Saudi train derailed near the eastern city of Dammam on Friday, injuring 18 people, after flooding from heavy rains caused the rail line to drift, the Saudi Railways Organization (SRO) said in a statement. The 193 passengers and six crew members were transferred to another train and taken to Dammam after the incident that occurred at about 1 a.m., it said, adding that all injuries were minor.

Disease

Malaria increases reported in Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela in 2016

According to a new Pan American Health Organization Epidemiological Alert this week, in 2015, a total of 451,242 malaria cases were reported in the Region of the Americas, representing a 62% decrease in comparison with cases reported in 2000, but representing a 16% increase compared to the cases reported in 2014, the year with the lowest number of malaria cases in the last four decades.

In 2015, eight of the 21 endemic countries (the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Peru) reported an increase in cases compared to the previous year.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 8 February-14 February 2017 - cont.

Sabancaya | Peru : Based on webcam views, satellite images, and seismic data the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that during 8-10 and 12-14 February sporadic gas-and-ash puffs rose from Sabancaya as high as an altitude of 9.1 km (30,000 ft) a.s.l.

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 3-10 February lava-dome extrusion onto Sheveluch’s N flank was accompanied by strong fumarolic activity, dome incandescence, ash explosions, and hot avalanches. Satellite images showed an ash plume that drifted 112 km NW on 4 February and a thermal anomaly over the dome during 5 and 7-9 February. The Aviation Colour Code remained at Orange.

Sinabung | Indonesia : Based on PVMBG observations, satellite and webcam images, and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 8-13 February ash plumes from Sinabung rose to altitudes of 3.4-6.7 km (11,000-22,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W, SW, and SE.

Suwanosejima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : Based on JMA notices and satellite-image analyses, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 9 February an explosion generated an ash plume from Suwanosejima that rose to an altitude of 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE.

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 1610 on 8 February an ash plume rose 300 m above Turrialba's active vent and drifted N. An event at 1531 on 10 February also produced an ash plume but inclement weather prevented estimates of the plume height. During 11-12 February variable amplitude tremor was detected, and at night hot blocks ejected from the vent landed in Cráter Central. Several events on 13 February (at 0255, 0305, 0415, and 1459) produced ash plumes that rose as high as 1 km and drifted N, NW, and W. Several small ejections of incandescent material fell around the active crater during the early morning. On 14 February continuous emissions of gas and steam with low ash content were visible. A strong sulphur odor was reported in San Pablo de Oreamuno (25 km SW).

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 Earthquake hits Leyte in the Philippines.

5.1 Earthquake hits Fiji.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Pagan region in the North Mariana Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the South Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone 05s (Dineo) has dissipated as it moved in over Mozambique and eastern South Africa, although heavy rains and winds associated with its remnants remain hazardous.

The storm has killed seven people in Mozambique and already displaced 130,000 people and 20,000 houses, as well as clinics and schools, have been destroyed. It’s now made landfall in South Africa, in parts of Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

Newsbytes:

Israel - Winter storm buffets Israel with freezing rain, floods. Snow falls on Golan but not expected to reach Jerusalem, where temperatures forecast to hover above freezing. Flood warnings were issued for the Judean Desert and Dead Sea regions, and Israeli rescue units have warned citizens against approaching rivers in those areas either by car or foot. The Sea of Galilee rose one centimetre on Wednesday.

British Columbia, Canada - High temperatures in Prince George broke a weather record more than 100 years old this week, flooding homes and streets as ice from a recent deep freeze clogged up storm drains.

Saudi Arabia - Saudi authorities have reported the death of one person on Wednesday and the rescue of hundreds of others after severe flooding in Saudi Arabia’s Asir region. Flooding in the region caused road closures and the launch of warning sirens in Abha dam area.

Wildlife

Polar Bears - Good News

Polar bear populations are growing despite global warming, according to new research.

The new population estimates from the 2016 Scientific Working Group are somewhere between 22,633 to 32,257 bears, which is a net increase from the 2015 number of 22,000 to 31,000. The current population numbers are a sharp increase from 2005’s, which stated only 20,000 to 25,000 bears remained — those numbers were a major increase from estimates that only 8,000 to 10,000 bears remained in the late 1960s.

Until the new study, bear subpopulations in the Baffin Bay and Kane Basin (KB) were thought to be in decline due to over-hunting and global warming. The new report indicates this is not the case.

Scientists are increasingly realizing that polar bears are much more resilient to changing levels of sea ice than environmentalists previously believed, and numerous healthy populations are thriving.

Winged Extinction

The buzzing wings of crickets and grasshoppers could fall silent across the European landscape if action isn’t taken to protect the insects’ habitats, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The grassland inhabitants are an important food source for birds and reptiles, but more than a quarter of their species have been driven to extinction in recent decades. The disappearance has mainly been due to loss of habitat to wildfires, intensive agriculture and tourism development, according to the conservation group.

Monarch Losses

The number of monarch butterflies has dropped by 27 percent during recent months at the insects’ winter home in western Mexico. The plunge followed last year’s apparent recovery from the historically low numbers two years ago. Experts at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacán state say some of the decline could be due to storms late last winter that felled more than 100 acres of forests where the colourful butterflies winter. The monarchs also suffered a high level of mortality due to the same cold, wet and windy storms.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 117.0 degrees Fahrenheit (47.2 degrees Celsius) in Walgett, New South Wales, Australia.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 62.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 52.2 degrees Celsius) 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.

Global Warming

NASA Satellite Spots Mile-Long Iceberg Breaking Off of Antarctic Glacier

A massive, 1-mile-long (1.6 kilometers) chunk of ice has broken off Antarctica's fast-changing Pine Island Glacier, and NASA satellites captured the dramatic event as the icy surface cracked and ripped apart.

Disease

Chikungunya Outbreak in the Philippines

Health officials M’lang, North Cotabato on the southern island of Mindanao have declared a chikungunya outbreak after some 50 people contracted the mosquito borne viral disease in the past week.

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Vietnam

After reporting about 50,000 hand, foot and mouth disease cases in 2016, Vietnamese health officials with the General Department of Preventive Medicine are warning the public to take protective measures as more than 2100 cases have been seen in 57 localities so far in 2017.

More Bird Flu Cases in China

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 16) received notification from the National Health and Family Planning Commission that 61 additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9), including seven deaths, were recorded from February 6 to 12.

New Antibiotic Discovered

A new antibiotic, produced by bacteria found on a species of African ant, found in Kenya is very potent against antibiotic-resistant ‘superbugs’ like MRSA according to scientists. Researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the John Innes Centre (JIC) discovered a new member of the Streptomyces bacteria family, isolated from the African fungus-growing plant-ant Tetraponera penzigi.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 8 February-14 February 2017

Bogoslof | Fox Islands (USA) : AVO reported that during 8-12 and 14 February cloud cover prevented satellite views of Bogoslof; no other data indicated eruptive activity. At 0724 on 13 February seismicity significantly increased, prompting AVO to raise the Aviation Colour Code (ACC) to Red and the Volcano Alert Level (VAL) to Warning. Satellite images acquired through 0930 showed no ash emissions above the 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. cloud deck, and no lightning was detected. AVO concluded that, despite the intensity of seismic activity, a significant ash emission was not produced during this event; the ACC was lowered to Orange and the VAL was lowered to Watch.

Colima | Mexico : The Universidad de Colima reported that a large explosion at Colima was recorded at 1732 on 3 February, generating an ash plume that rose 6 km above the crater rim and drifted SSW. A small pyroclastic flow traveled down the E flank. The report stated that the internal crater is about 250 m in diameter and 50-60 m deep; previous lava domes had been destroyed in late September and mid-November 2016. On 9 February the sulphur dioxide gas flux was low (19 tons/day). Based on webcam and satellite images, the Washington VAAC reported that on 11 February an ash plume rose to an altitude of 4 km (13,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W. On 14 February an ash plume rose to an altitude of 5.2 km (17,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 8-14 February ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S, SE, and E

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : On 10 February KVERT reported that activity at Ebeko had declined, though gas-and-steam emissions continued. The Aviation Colour Code was lowered to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-colour scale).

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 8-14 February HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise and fall, circulate, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook vent. Webcams recorded incandescence from long-active sources within Pu'u 'O'o Crater and from a vent high on the NE flank of the cone. All surface flows were active within 2.4 km of Pu'u 'O'o. The 61G lava flow, originating from a vent on Pu'u 'O'o Crater's E flank, continued to enter the ocean at Kamokuna. A portion of the sea cliff just W of the ocean entry collapsed on 11 February.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 Earthquake hits northern Sumatra, Indonesia.

5.2 Earthquake hits offshore Coquimbo, Chile.

5.1 earthquake hits Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia.

5.1 Earthquake hits northern Sumatra, Indonesia.

5.0 Earthquake hits Java, Indonesia.

5.0 Earthquake hits the southern Mid-Atlantic ridge.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the South Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone 05s (Dineo), located approximately 345 nm west-southwest of Europa island, is tracking westward at 09 knots.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

It may look like a ribbon of cascading lava, but a so-called "firefall" in Yosemite National Park is actually a regular waterfall illuminated by the bright light of the setting sun.

Disease

Dengue Fever in Cape Verde

For the first time in ten years, the islands of Cape Verde, or Cabo Verde off the coast of western Africa have reported two dozen confirmed dengue fever cases, according to an Observador report.

Cameroon confirms H5N8 bird flu in the north

Cameroon has confirmed a case of the highly contagious H5N8 bird flu virus in the northern part of the country, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said on Wednesday, citing a report from the Cameroonian livestock ministry.

The virus was found early January in exotic peacocks, in village chickens and in ducks, the ministry said.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New Activity for the week of 8 February-14 February 2017

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that weakly elevated surface temperatures in Cleveland's summit crater were identified in satellite images during 7-9 February. Minor steaming was noted on 8 February. AVO noted that these observations were consistent with the presence of a lava dome that began extruding in the summit crater in late January. The Aviation Colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Pacaya | Guatemala : On 9 February INSIVUMEH reported that moderate explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney cone had been detected during the previous few days. Incandescent material was ejected 30-50 m high and filled a large part of the crater; lava spilled over the crater rim and traveled 300 m down the NW flank. Incandescent material was ejected as high as 30 m during 11-12 February. Small Strombolian explosions were visible on 13 February. The lava flow continued to advance the next day.

Piton de la Fournaise | Reunion Island (France) : OVPF reported that during 8-14 February volcanic tremor at Piton de la Fournaise was high, with levels reaching those observed at the onset of the eruption on 31 January. The eruptive vent was perched on top of a cone that was 30-35 m high and 190 m wide (at the base). The lava level inside of the cone was low, or about half of cone's height, and incandescent material was ejected from the vent. Lava was mainly transported through a lava tube, though a few branches at end of tube were active.

Takawangha | Andreanof Islands (USA) : On 10 February AVO stated that the seismic swarm that began at Takawangha on 23 January had significantly declined the previous week and that seismicity was nearly at background levels. The Aviation Colour Code was lowered to Green and the Volcano Alert Level was lowered to Normal.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.

5.0 Earthquake hits Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia.

5.0 Earthquake hits the southwestern Ryukyu Islands off Japan.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the South Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone 05s (Dineo), located approximately 136 nm west-southwest of Europa island, is tracking west-southwestward at 06 knots.

Newsbytes:

Western Australia – Update - The deadly floods in Western Australia have claimed another life after heavy rain fell across the state. Large parts of WA remain on alert after ongoing downpours swamped the state. As authorities assess the damage, a second man was killed in the floods.

Indonesia - Flash floods that took place in several parts of Sambelia district in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, over the weekend have inundated residential areas and displaced around 500 people. High-intensity rainfall on Lombok Island from Friday to Saturday caused floods that cut access to some locations. Floods had also caused a bridge to collapse in Sambelia village, while in Sugian village, a section of an embankment in the Kokok Pendek River collapsed, preventing road access, damaging an elementary school building and causing minor damages to at least 75 houses.

Disease

Africa yellow fever outbreak declared over

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) declared the end of the yellow fever outbreak in that country today following a similar announcement in Angola on 23 December 2016, bringing an end to the outbreak in both countries after no new confirmed cases were reported from both countries for the past six months.

Cholera in Somalia

The Somalia Ministry of Health reported 913 new suspected cases of cholera, including 10 deaths and a case–fatality rate of 1.1% during the past week. This brings the total since the beginning of the year to 4026 cumulative suspected cases of cholera including 57 deaths (case–fatality rate 1.5%).

China - Bird Flu

Two additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) have been reported on Mainland China.

Global Warming

Coders Race to Save NASA's Climate Data

A group of coders is racing to save the government's climate science data.

On Saturday (Feb. 11), 200 programmers crammed themselves into the Doe Library at the University of California, Berkeley, furiously downloading NASA's Earth science data in a hackathon, Wired reported. The group's goal: rescue data that may be deleted or hidden under President Donald Trump's administration.

The process involves developing web-crawler scripts to trawl the internet, finding federal data and patching it together into coherent data sets. The hackers are also keeping track of data as it disappears; for instance, the Global Data Center's reports and one of NASA's atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) data sets has already been removed from the web.

Climate Change Blocks Expansion of Austrian Airport

An Austrian court has blocked construction of a new runway at Vienna's airport mainly on the grounds that the project would increase climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions in violation of Austrian and European environmental laws.

The decision was seen as affirming Austrians' constitutional rights to a clean environment, including protection from climate change impacts. It may be the first time a court anywhere in the world has blocked a major public infrastructure project based heavily on climate-related laws or considerations, according to several legal experts.

Environment

India Beats China As Worst Air-Polluted Country On Earth

India now has the world's worst air pollution. They have beaten China. Specifically, it is New Delhi, India's capital that has the worst air pollution on Earth.

Industrialization, coal-fired power plants, and low regulation have made the air pollution in India so much worse. Technology Review has reported that there have been 1.1 million deaths recorded last year due to air pollution in India. The country has been tied with China as having deadly air pollution. India's rapid industrialization, too much use of coal for energy, growing population, and an ageing populace that is affected by air pollution are the factors why there are so many deaths.

Pollution Has Worked Its Way Down To The World's Deepest Waters

The Mariana Trench in the northern Pacific is the deepest part of the world's oceans. You might think a place that remote would be untouched by human activity.

But the Mariana Trench is polluted.

At its deepest — about 7 miles down — the water in the trench is near freezing. The pressure would crush a human like a bug. Scientists have only recently explored it.

Among them is biologist Alan Jamieson of Newcastle University in England. His team dropped what they call a mechanical "lander" down into the trench. It had cameras and water samplers and some baited traps. They didn't really know what they'd find.

When the lander surfaced, the traps contained amphipods — shrimplike crustaceans. That wasn't terribly surprising, as amphipods are known to live at great depths. But bringing them back from the Mariana Trench was a rarity, and Jamieson thought there might be something to learn from them. He took the creatures to an environmental scientist.

The amphipods were contaminated with PCBs — polychlorinated biphenyls — toxic chemicals used for decades in industry, as well as other industrial pollutants known as persistent organic pollutants.

Every sample we had," Jamieson says, "had contaminants in it at very high or extraordinarily high levels. How high? He compared the contamination level in his Mariana amphipods to crabs living in waters fed by one of China's most polluted rivers, as well as amphipods from other parts of the world. "And what we were finding in the deepest place in the world were (levels) hugely higher, 50 times in some cases," he says.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

A striking photo of an octopus won diver Gabriel Barathieu the title of Underwater Photographer of the Year 2017.

Wildfires

Wildfires - New Zealand

Hundreds of people in New Zealand's second-largest city were evacuated from their homes Wednesday as wildfires burned down several houses and threatened to encroach further into some suburbs. A helicopter pilot who was a decorated soldier died in a crash while fighting the blaze on Tuesday. The region had been unusually dry for three years and the grass in the hills had turned brown over the Southern Hemisphere summer. Smoke and ash were being blown across Christchurch.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 Earthquake hits Jujuy, Argentina.

5.0 Earthquake hits Fiji.

5.0 Earthquake hits northern Sumatra, Indonesia.

5.0 Earthquake hits offshore Chaipas, Mexico.

5.0 Earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the South Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone 05s (Dineo), located approximately 78 nm west of Europa island, is tracking southwestward at 03 knots.

Newsbytes:

Wyoming, USA - Residents along the Bighorn River in northern Wyoming are battling major flooding with the help of National Guard troops and others. The flooding began over the weekend when warm temperatures melted snow and ice jams caused water to back up. More than 100 homes were evacuated in Worland.

Western Australia - Update - Most of Western Australia - an area the size of Western Europe - has been declared a natural disaster area following flooding that has killed at least one person. The flooding that has lashed the state is the worst in 30 years in some areas and is estimated to have caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage with roads, bridges and farms affected.

Global Warming

Sea Ice Hits Record Lows at Both Poles

    

Arctic temperatures have finally started to cool off after yet another winter heat wave stunted sea ice growth over the weekend. The repeated bouts of warm weather this season have stunned even seasoned polar researchers, and could push the Arctic to a record low winter peak for the third year in a row.

Meanwhile, Antarctic sea ice set an all-time record low on Monday in a dramatic reversal from the record highs of recent years.

Sea ice at both poles has been expected to decline as the planet heats up from the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. That trend is clear in the Arctic, where summer sea ice now covers half the area it did in the early 1970s. Sea ice levels in Antarctica are much more variable, though, and scientists are still unraveling the processes that affect it from year to year.

The large decline in Arctic sea ice allows the polar ocean to absorb more of the sun’s incoming rays, exacerbating warming in the region. The loss of sea ice also means more of the Arctic coast is battered by storm waves, increasing erosion and driving some native communities to move. The opening of the Arctic has also led to more shipping and commercial activity in an already fragile region.

Sea ice area isn’t the only way to measure the health of Arctic sea ice; the thickness of the sea ice has also suffered during the repeated incursions of warmth.

Antarctic sea ice is an altogether different beast. Instead of an ice-filled ocean surrounded by land, it is a continent surrounded by ocean that sees much more variability in sea ice levels from year to year for reasons that aren’t fully understood.

For several of the past few years, the sea ice that fringed Antarctic reached record highs. That growth of sea ice could have potentially been caused by the influx of freshwater as glaciers on land melted, or from changes in the winds that whip around the continent (changes that could be linked to warming or the loss of ozone high in the atmosphere).

But this year, a big spring meltdown in October and November suddenly reversed that trend and has led to continued record low sea ice levels as the summer melt season progressed. On Monday, Antarctic sea ice dropped to an all-time record low, beating out 1997.

Sea ice has been particularly low in the Amundsen Sea region of Western Antarctica, thanks to unusually high temperatures there. But it’s not clear what is ultimately driving this dramatic reversal in Antarctic sea ice, or whether it will be temporary or marks a longer-term shift.

Humans accelerating global warming by 170 times: study

Humans are driving the warming of the Earth 170 times faster than natural forces, according to a new mathematical formula.

Scientists in Australia and Sweden have developed the equation, which assesses the impact of human activity on the climate and compares it to events such as volcanic eruptions and changes to the planet’s orbit.

Professor Will Steffen, a climate scientist from the Australian National University (ANU), said no natural events came close to the impact humans have made.

“Over the last century or so, we can see that the impact of humans – through fossil fuels, through forest clearing, through all sorts of changes to the biosphere – have become more important than these other forces,” he said.

Professor Steffen, who is also on the Climate Council, and his fellow researchers have labelled the formula the Anthropocene Equation.

Officially, the Earth is in the Holocene period, but scientists such as Professor Steffen are pushing for the modern era to be reclassified to reflect the massive impact humans have had. The scientists behind the formula found the biggest change in the climate has come since 1970.

“Since 1970, temperature has been rising at a rate of about 1.7 degrees per century,” Professor Steffen said.

“When you compare those two, since the 1970s, the climate has been changing at a rate 170 times faster than that long-term background rate.”

Wildlife

Climate Threat to Wildlife May Have Been Massively Underreported

More than 700 of the world's threatened and endangered animal species may be directly affected by climate change, according to a new study — vastly more than the number of animal species scientists initially thought would face risks from global warming.

Scientists had previously determined that only 7 percent of mammals and 4 percent of birds on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) "Red List" of threatened species are affected by climate change. However, a new study finds that the threat from climate change may have been massively underreported.

In a comprehensive analysis of 130 previous studies on the subject, researchers found that nearly half of the world's threatened and endangered mammals and nearly a quarter of birds are already seriously impacted — more than 700 species total.

Most climate change studies focus on impacts in the future, but the researchers said the effects of global warming are being felt "here and now." And research on present threats were focused on specific species and were spread across numerous journals, according to study co-author James Watson, director of the Science and Research Initiative at the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Primates, in particular, are threatened because they have specialized diets and their tropical homes are vulnerable to extreme weather events caused by climate change. In some cases, species can adapt to the changes, but others are facing dire consequences.

For instance, mountain gorillas live on top of mountains — they've got nowhere else to go if the climate changes," Watson said. "They're stuck on top of these mountains, so they might not survive climate change because they can't move anywhere else."

Though birds can fly from mountaintop homes, the researchers found that species that live at higher altitudes and experience little seasonal temperature changes are negatively affected by climate change. Animals that dwell in aquatic environments also face even higher risks because these ecosystems are among the most vulnerable to global warming, according to the scientists.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

Supernova

Life in this universe begins and ends with supernovae. In a spectacular eruption powerful enough to outshine a galaxy, a star is killed — and new elements are forged. The shock wave from the star’s death throes can cause nearby clouds of gas to collapse, triggering the birth of new suns. The ashes of the exploded star spread out into the dark void of space, filling it with ingredients for future stars and planets. Supernovae are creative catastrophes.

This image made by the Hubble Space Telescope shows the tattered remains of a supernova explosion known as Cassiopeia A.

Disease

Lassa Fever - Liberia

Two people from Nimba County, Liberia have died from infections of Lassa fever, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH) last week. Dr. Thomas Nagbe, Disease Prevention and Control head at the MOH said the first three Lassa fever cases were from Nimba, which included two fatalities and one individual who has hospitalized for the past two week. In addition, at least 100 contacts are being observed. Dr. Nagbe is calling Lassa a “major threat” that has now been seen in three counties: Bong, Lofa and Nimba.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.6 Earthquake hits Papua, Indonesia.

5.3 Earthquake hits near the north coast of Colombia.

5.3 Earthquake hits central Alaska.

5.2 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Sumbawa region, Indonesia.

5.1 Earthquake hits eastern New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.

5.1 Earthquake hits near the north coast of Papua, Indonesia.

5.0 Earthquake hits offshore Atacama, Chile.

5.0 Earthquake hits near the coast of western Turkey.

5.0 Earthquake hits South Island, New Zealand.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

California, USA - Nearly 200,000 people were ordered to be evacuated as California authorities try to fix America's tallest dam that could unleash uncontrollable floods if it fails. Civilians were told to get in their cars and leave the area surrounding the Oroville Dam in Northern California because of its damaged spillway. Heavy rainfall meant water in Lake Oroville reached a 50-year high and a gaping chasm in the main spillway disrupted the flow of the water, prompting fears a 30-foot wall of water would be unleashed in flash floods akin to a tsunami. The extra water meant the dam's emergency spillway was called into action for the first time in half a century. Experts estimated the dam would be breached at 4.45pm yesterday, but dropping huge rocks into the 170-foot by 250-foot hole appears to have relieved the problem temporarily.

Western Australia - Grape growers are facing multimillion-dollar losses after floods inundated vineyards across the Swan Valley today. Hundreds of tonnes of wine and table grapes were wiped out after the Swan River burst its banks, drowning vines and infrastructure.

Disease

Measles in Spain

Health officials in Catalonia have reported twelve measles cases among young adults in Barcelona, according to a La Vanguardia report. The twelve cases diagnosed so far in the metro Bracelona area are linked to the same original patient, a person who became infected in China in early January.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Oklahoma, USA

A large wildfire burned near Oklahoma City as dangerous conditions existed across that state and part of Texas. Hundreds of people were being evacuated as strong winds pushed the flames near homes.

Wildfires - Australia

Several homes were destroyed and two firefighters injured by huge wildfires that tore across Australia's most populous state over the weekend, officials said Monday.

Scorching temperatures and fierce winds fanned the flames across a wide swathe of New South Wales on Saturday and Sunday. More than 2,500 firefighters fought nearly 100 fires as temperatures climbed to 47 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit) in parts of the state. One fire alone burned through 50,000 hectares (124,000 acres).

The full extent of property damage was still unknown on Monday, but an initial assessment showed that at least 19 homes were destroyed, the fire service said.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 Earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.

5.1 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits south of Java, Indonesia.

5.0 Earthquake hits south of Fiji.

5.0 Earthquake hits New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the South Indian Ocean: Tropical Cyclone "Carlos" (04S) Carlos continues to weaken and is expected to dissipate as it moves southeast at 19 mph into the southern Indian Ocean.

Newsbytes:

Northern California, USA - Heavy floods continue to damage parts of Northern California Saturday. Despite seeing a break in the rain, residents continued to feel the effects of the latest storm. Evacuations have been issued in the low-lying areas of Wilton and Point Pleasant.

Western Australia - With much of the continent enduring intense heat, several small communities in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region are dealing with floodwaters. Water levels within the Avon River catchment are expected rise over the weekend with up to 70mm of rain recorded in the 24 hours to Friday night, the Bureau of Meteorology says. Flooding hit the community of Toodyay, along Stirling Terrace, and Mortlock River East at O'Driscolls Farm on Saturday morning. Moderate flooding was also expected along the river in Beverley, with water under the town's bridge at 1.75m and rising. Residents in Northam were also told to expect minor flooding with some already deciding to head to higher ground.

Indonesia - At least 13 people have been killed and thousands more made homeless after devastating floods swept across Indonesia. The idyllic tourist hotspot of Bali was partially submerged after five days of torrential rain triggered deadly landslides. Rivers on Sumbawa Island burst their banks following rainfall of 12 to 28 inches, flooding seven sub-districts. Some 8,000 were stranded in their villages in two sub-districts which are now only accessible by boat. The agency warned more heavy rains could be on the way, bringing with it further flooding and landslides adding to the misery of remaining residents, many of whom live in stilt houses. Millions of people live in mountainous areas or on flood plains, with heavy rainfall regularly causing landslides and floods on the archipelago.

Wildfires

Out of control bushfires rage across New South Wales, Australia

There are now 87 fires across NSW, with five at the most serious emergency warning status and Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons warned that a southerly change expected to sweep across the state in the next few hours could make conditions far worse.

However there are hundreds of firefighters in action and thousands more at the ready from a total pool of some 2500 firefighters, with no firefighters needing to be called in from inter state.

While the Sir Ivan fire continues to rage near Dunedoo, with a fire front now some 20km long, and the Pappinbarra Rd fire near Port Macquaire shows no sign of slowing, there are also emergency warnings in place for fires at Binalong Rd Boggabri, White Cedars Rd, Kains Flat north east of Mudgee and Spring Hill Rd Dondingalong southwest of Kempsey.

There are nine more fires at watch an act status across the state.

The Baptist Church at Aberdare has been destroyed by fire. The evening service reportedly had only finished five minutes earlier. No one was hurt.

Disease

Bolivia - Yellow Fever

The Bolivia Ministry of Health has confirmed yellow fever in a 27-year-old male Danish tourist who likely contracted the mosquito borne virus while visiting the jungle, according to a Terra report. This is the first confirmed case in the country in ten years.

Saudi Arabia: MERS case reported in Mecca

The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health reported an additional infection of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) from a patient in Mecca. The 60-year-old male expatriate is reportedly hospitalized in critical condition. The probable source of the infection is noted as direct contact with camels.

Bird flu hits poultry markets in major Chinese city

Authorities in China's third-largest city warned that about 30 percent of its live poultry markets were contaminated with the H7N9 avian flu virus, as an eastern province ordered markets to shut, state media reported on Saturday.

East China's Zhejiang province has ordered all markets across the province to halt live poultry trade on Saturday over bird flu concerns

In January, Zhejiang reported 35 infections of the H7N9 strain of bird flu, according to the provincial Health and Family Planning Commission.

Earlier on Saturday, China Daily said the disease control authority in Guangzhou, capital of the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, urged residents to avoid contact with live poultry after tests in the past week.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 Earthquake hits Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada.

5.3 Earthquake hits Taiwan.

5.3 Earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.

5.2 Earthquake hits New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.

5.1 Earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.1 Earthquake hits Sulawesi, Indonesia.

5.0 Earthquake hits Mozambique.

5.0 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the South Indian Ocean: Tropical Cyclone "Carlos" (04S) Tropical Storm Carlos' maximum sustained winds were near 51.7 mph (45 knots/83.3 kph). Carlos' winds peaked on February 9. The Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC) expects Carlos to continue weakening. Carlos was centred near 28.5 degrees south latitude and 60.8 degrees east longitude, about 502 nautical miles southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius. Carlos was moving to the southeast at 17 mph (15 knots/28 kph).

Newsbytes:

USA - Winter storm Niko has blanketed the Northeast with between 8 and 12 inches of snow, with some areas of New England expecting up to 18 inches (46 centimetres) over the past two days. The storm canceled thousands of flights and closed numerous schools and businesses in New York, Boston, Philadelphia and smaller communities. And the snow continues to fall.

Colorado, USA -Winds on the Front Range, foothills and mountains created problems throughout the state on Friday, from delayed flights to blown over tractor-trailers on State highways. The National Weather Service in Boulder said gusts could be north of 95 mph. On Berthoud Pass, one gust was clocked at 101 mph.

Wildlife

More Whales Stand in New Zealand

The mass stranding of whales on a remote beach in New Zealand has taken a turn for the worse as 240 more arrived. Earlier on Saturday, volunteers had refloated some 100 of the more than 400 pilot whales which beached on Thursday. But a human chain, with volunteers wading neck-deep into the water, failed to prevent a fresh pod making landfall.

The whale stranding, at Farewell Spit at the top of South Island, is one of the worst ever in New Zealand. Dozens of volunteers turned out to help. More than 300 of the 400 original arrivals died while medics and members of the public tried to keep survivors alive by cooling them with water.

It is not clear why the whales continue to arrive on the 5km-long (three mile-long) beach next to Golden Bay. One theory is that they may have been driven on to land by sharks, after bite marks were found on one of the dead whales. Sometimes the whales are old and sick, injured, or make navigational errors particularly along gentle sloping beaches. Whales that become beached will send out distress signals attracting other members of their pod, who then also get stranded by a receding tide.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

In September 2015, ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen captured the storm above India through the International Space Station’s cupola windows for Turbulence Heating ObserveR (THOR) experiment. He witnessed blue jets stream upward.

Space Events

A Strange Green Comet Is Heading Our Way

An unusual green comet reaches maximum brightness on Saturday, providing a treat for early-morning risers.

Comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova (named after three astronomers who discovered it in 1948) travels into the inner solar system every 5.25 years. On Saturday, 45P will pass just 7.4 million miles from Earth, a stone's throw by celestial yardsticks.

With binoculars or a small telescope, comet-watchers should be able to spot 45P in the pre-dawn skies between Thursday and Sunday. The comet will be racing through the constellation Hercules high in the eastern sky.

Comet 45P will look like fuzzy bluish-green ball with a fan-shaped tail. Its distinctive colour comes from vaporizing diatomic carbon, a gas which glows green in the near-vacuum of space.

Drought

Drought in Kenya

Kenya declared a national disaster on Friday, calling for aid to counter drought that is posing a major risk to people, livestock and wildlife.

The Kenya Red Cross has estimated around 2.7 million people are in need of food aid after low rainfall in October and November and the next rainy season not due before April.

The UN World Food Programme said it was short of $22 million for the next six to nine months to provide support such as school meals for 428,000 children who often depend on them as their only substantial meal of the day.

Early this month, residents in drought-struck northern Kenya said at least 11 people were killed and a tourist lodge torched due to conflicts when armed cattle herders flooded onto farms and wildlife reserves.

Disease

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Saudi Arabia

Between 10 January and 3 February 2017 the National International Health Regulations Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported seventeen (17) additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) including four (4) fatal cases. Three (3) deaths among previously reported MERS cases (case no. 1 and 2 in DON published on 26 January 2017 and case no. 6 in DON published on 17 January 2017) were also reported.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 1 February-7 February 2017 - cont.

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 1-7 February HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise and fall, circulate, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook vent. Webcams recorded incandescence from long-active sources within Pu'u 'O'o Crater and from a vent high on the NE flank of the cone. The 61G lava flow, originating from a vent on Pu'u 'O'o Crater's E flank, continued to enter the ocean at Kamokuna. All surface flows were active within 2.4 km of Pu'u 'O'o.

HVO geologists noted an extensive crack running parallel to the sea cliff about 5-10 m behind the stream of lava entering the ocean at Kamokuna. The crack was 30 cm wide on 28 January and 70 cm wide four days later, on 1 February. In addition, the seaward block bounded by this crack was visibly moving up to 1 cm, and ground shaking could be felt up to several hundred meters away. On 2 February the crack was wider and steaming, and the stream of lava that had been pouring into the ocean from an opening in a lava tube about 20 m above the water was no longer visible (though lava continued to enter the ocean). At about 1255 almost the entire section of the sea cliff that was seaward of the hot crack collapsed. The collapsed block generated a wave that propagated outward from the coast. After the collapse, no lava was visible entering the ocean though a steam plume and spatter from explosions indicated that the entry remained active.

Sabancaya | Peru : Based on webcam and satellite views, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that sporadic gas-and-ash puffs rose from Sabancaya during 2-6 February. Weather clouds sometimes prevented visual observations.

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 27 January-3 February lava-dome extrusion onto Sheveluch’s N flank was accompanied by strong fumarolic activity, dome incandescence, ash explosions, and hot avalanches. Satellite images showed a daily thermal anomaly over the dome. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Sinabung | Indonesia : Based on PVMBG observations, satellite and webcam images, and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 2-7 February ash plumes from Sinabung rose to altitudes as high as 7.3 km (24,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, E, SE, and SW.

BNPB reported that each day during 2-7 February there were 8-12 ash-producing events with plumes rising as high as 2 km above the crater and drifting E. Pyroclastic flows traveled as far as 2 km S, SE, and E. BNPB noted that more areas had been designated disaster prone, therefore the number of people needed to be relocated also increased. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4), with an exclusion zone of 7 km from the volcano on the SSE sector, and 6 km in the ESE sector, and 4 km in the NNE sector.

Turrialba | Costa Rica : On 1 February OVSICORI-UNA reported that since 27 January the seismic network at Turrialba recorded variable-amplitude, discontinuous tremor indicative of moving pressurized volcanic fluid. Passive emissions of ash were observed during 1-2 February, rising as high as 500 m above the crater. Ashfall was reported in Desamparados, Calle Blancos, and Tres Ríos, and a sulphur odour was noted in San Pablo Heredia. An eruption at 0900 on 4 February generated an ash plume that rose 300 m and drifted W. Almost continuous ash emissions rose at most 500 above the crater during 4-5 February and drifted WSW. Variable-amplitude tremor continued to be recorded.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.3 Earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.

5.3 Earthquake hits the southern Mid-Atlantic ridge.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.

5.2 Earthquake hits Tonga.

5.1 Earthquake hits near the coast of western Turkey.