Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 Earthquake hits the Maug Islands in the North Mariana Islands.

Two 5.3 Earthquakes his offshore Chiapas, Mexico.

5.0 Earthquake hits south go Fiji.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Sri Lanka - The death toll from mudslides and floods in Sri Lanka has climbed past 200, with 96 others missing, the government said Wednesday. The Disaster Management Center said that 202 people were confirmed dead. More than 77,000 have been displaced and over 1,500 homes destroyed since rains began swamping the southern and western areas of the Indian Ocean island nation last Friday.

Thailand - At least 29 spots in Bangkok experienced flash flooding following torrential rain across the capital on Tuesday morning, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) flood prevention centre. The highest rainfall was measured at 95.5 millimetres per hour in Bang Khen district, while the average flood water level went from 10 to 20 centimetres, the centre said.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Siberia

Forest fires raging through Siberia’s Trans-Baikal Region have more than doubled in one day from 1,200 hectares to 2,700 hectares, the regional Natural Resources and Ecology Department reported today.

"On Monday morning, there were five blazes in the region scorching a total of 1,300 hectares, while four more blazes engulfing 288.5 hectares had been contained. In addition, two forest fires are raging on the Russian Defense Ministry’s territory of 40 hectares, and one fire covering 1,000 hectares has been contained. There is no danger to any communities," the statement said.

The main culprit for the fires, according to the regional department, is human activity, whereas they keep spreading because of a higher daytime temperature and powerful winds. A total of 447 people, including 160 paratroopers, and 78 military vehicles are engaged in the fire-fighting operations.

The conflagration worsened in some Siberian regions last week. Blazes broke out in 10 communities in the Krasnoyarsk and Irkutsk Regions, consuming 179 buildings in their path that were home to 720 people, six economic facilities and 15 non-residential facilities. Three people lost their lives as the blazes tore through the Krasnoyarsk Region. The Trans-Baikal Region has been placed under a state of emergency restricting access to forests, or entering them in any vehicles.

Disease

Niger Hepatitis E Update

In a follow-up on the hepatitis E outbreak in southeastern Niger, officials with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports (computer translated) the case count has risen to 664 suspected and confirmed cases in the Diffa region. To date, at least 30 fatalities have been reported this year.

Romania: Measles Update

In a follow-up on the large measles outbreak in Romania, the National Center for Surveillance and Control of Communicable Diseases (computer translated) puts the outbreak case count at 6,434 confirmed cases since last September. The number of measles-related fatalities are confirmed at 26, with a 27th possible death still being investigated in Dolj.

Kenya: Kala-Azar Outbreak

A six-year-old child has died while forty people are recuperating at Marsabit County Referral Hospital after an outbreak of kala-azar. The hospital Chief Officer Abshiro Hapicha said that up to 20 people were also referred to Kenyatta National Hospital. He said, the outbreak began a month ago along the Garrisa-Marsabit border.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.6 Earthquake hits Sulawesi, Indonesia.

A strong, shallow earthquake rocked Indonesia's central Sulawesi province Monday evening, injuring at least three people and damaging some buildings and houses.

5.7 Earthquake hits Bio-Bio, Chile.

5.7 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.4 Earthquake hits southern Alaska.

5.4 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.

5.3 Earthquake hits southern Sumatra, Indonesia.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Santa Cruz Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Ryukyu Islands off Japan.

Three 5.0 Earthquakes hit Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone (tc) 02b (Two), located approximately 38 nm north-northeast of Chittagong, Bangladesh, is tracking northward at 21 knots.

NewsBytes:

Bangladesh - Cyclone Mora has battered Bangladesh, killing at least three people and wreaking havoc in camps housing Rohingya refugees. The tropical storm has forced almost 500,000 people to flee coastal villages. Packing heavy rain and winds, the storm made landfall between Cox's Bazar and the port city of Chittagong early on Tuesday morning.

Brazil - Heavy rains and flooding have driven tens of thousands of Brazilians from their homes in the country's northeast and caused at least six deaths, authorities said Monday. The state of Pernambuco has declared a state of emergency in 14 cities affected by heavy rains in recent days. More than 40,000 people have fled their homes, some of which have been destroyed, as flood waters rose waist-high in some places. Two people have died, state officials said. In the neighboring state of Alagoas, more than 2,000 families have been forced from their homes and four people have died, authorities said.

Global Warming

Great Barrier Reef can no longer be saved

The Great Barrier Reef can no longer be saved in its present form partly because of the “extraordinary rapidity” of climate change, experts have conceded.

Like coral across the world, the reef has been severely damaged by the warming of the oceans with up to 95 per cent of areas surveyed in 2016 found to have been bleached.

Bleaching is not always fatal but a study last year found the “largest die-off of corals ever recorded” with about 67 per cent of shallow water coral found dead in a survey of a 700km stretch.

Now experts on a committee set up by the Australian government to improve the health of the reef have revealed that they believe the lesser target of maintaining its “ecological function” is more realistic.

The concept of ‘maintaining ecological function’ refers to the balance of ecological processes necessary for the reef ecosystem as a whole to persist, but perhaps in a different form, noting the composition and structure may differ from what is currently seen today.

Disease

Guinea worm disease

There were 3.5 million Guinea worm disease cases in 21 countries in Africa and Asia in 1986. According to the Carter Center, 25 human cases of Guinea worm disease in three countries were reported in 2016.

The first three months of 2017, only three cases have been reported, all from Chad.

However, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) Weekly Outbreak Bulletin today, it is reported that there were 21 suspected cases of Guinea worm reported from Tonj East County, in Warrap State in northwest South Sudan.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.0 Earthquake hits Antofagasta, Chile.

5.0 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits western Turkey.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone (tc) 02b (Two), located approximately 277 nm south of Chittagong, Bangladesh, is tracking north-northeastward at 08 knots.

NewsBytes:

Sri Lanka, Update - At least 126 people have been killed and nearly 500,000 displaced in Sri Lanka following flooding and mudslides triggered by monsoon rains, the government says. A further 97 people are still missing. Rescuers had set up 185 camps for displaced people and the town of Matara in the south of the island was being evacuated because of the risk of flooding.

Global Warming

Early Collapse of Arctic Sea Ice

Earth’s already-beleaguered northern icecap suffered another blow this month with the early collapse of a barrier that kept some of Arctic’s most durable ice in place.

The ice arch across the Nares Strait, which separates Greenland from Ellesmere Island in Canada’s far northeast, gave way two months earlier than usual, said Laurence Dyke, a paleoglaciologist at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland.

“On May 10, this arch disintegrated, leaving the oldest and thickest sea ice in the Arctic vulnerable to being swept south where it will melt away,” Dyke told Seeker. “Over the last two weeks, the area of broken ice has expanded massively to the north, and lots of Arctic sea ice is flowing southwards through the Nares Strait.”

The channel and the Lincoln Sea, at the northern tip of Greenland, are normally covered by a sheet of ice several meters thick until around July, Dyke said. Usually, ice sheets that cover the strait are anchored to land and don’t move, blocking the passage of sea ice through the strait.

But as heat-trapping fossil-fuel emissions like carbon dioxide build up in the atmosphere, the Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the globe. And this year, land-anchored ice in the strait failed to form amid the record warmth and record low sea ice coverage recorded across the Arctic. That left only an arch of ice at the northern end of the strait, where it joined the Lincoln Sea — the structure that gave way earlier this month.

“This is especially important as the Lincoln Sea contains the last bastion of old, thick multi-year sea ice,” Dyke said.

This image shows the boundary between permanent and seasonal sea ice in the Arctic Ocean, northwest of Greenland

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

The southern-most points of Australia and New Zealand have been treated to an extraordinary spectacle as unusually colourful aurora australis lights swept across the skies.

Disease

New Cholera Cases in Zanzibar

As torrential rains still pound different parts of Zanzibar, causing anxiety about the eruption of communicable diseases, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has said 23 people have been reported to be suffering from cholera.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 Earthquake hits Alaska.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Andreanof Islands in the Aleutian Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.

5.0 Earthquake hits western Turkey.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone (tc) 02b (Two), located approximately 457 nm south of Chittagong, Bangladesh, is tracking northeastward at 08 knots.

NewsBytes:

Ivory Coast - At least seven people have died between Wednesday and Thursday following floods that have soaked the Ivorian capital Abidjan. Ivorian firefighters said on Friday that the deaths were mainly caused by collapsing walls following the heavy rains that pounded the capital.

Arkansas, USA - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared 23 Arkansas counties disaster areas after recent flooding. Counties designated as disasters include Faulkner, Lonoke and Randolph.

Disease

Legionnaires’ disease cases in Europe: Linked to Dubai travel

In recent months, there has been an increase in the number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease among European travelers returning from Dubai. As the source has not yet been identified, there could still be a risk for exposure to Legionella for persons visiting or living in Dubai.

Between 1 October 2016 and 23 May 2017, there have been 60 cases of Legionnaires’ disease reported to European Centres for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) with a history of travel to Dubai. The majority of cases stayed in commercial accommodation sites.

Thailand: Dengue Fever

Through May 22, Thailand health authorities have reported 11062 cases of dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS), accounting for 19 deaths across the country.

India: Zika Virus

Indian health officials have reported the country’s first local Zika virus infections this month in the westernmost state of Gujarat. The three laboratory-confirmed cases of Zika virus disease were reported in Bapunagar area of Ahmedabad District in the state. These cases show that there is circulation of the virus in India.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 Earthquake hits offshore El Salvador.

5.1 Earthquake hits Kepulauan Barat Daya, Indonesia.

5.1 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.1 Earthquake hits off the coast of Aisen, Chile.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

New Hampshire, USA - An astronomical high tide is responsible for flooding of dozens of homes and businesses on the seacoast overnight. Thursday's flooding was enhanced by a strong onshore wind as an area of low pressure tracked up the east coast, bringing heavy rain to New England.

Sri Lanka - Flooding and mudslides triggered by monsoon rains have left at least 91 people dead and more than 100 missing in Sri Lanka. About 20,000 have been forced from their homes in the south and west of the country. Military boats and helicopters have been sent to help rescue operations.The flooding is believed to be the worst since May 2003 when a similarly powerful south-west monsoon destroyed 10,000 homes and killed 250 people. Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said the death toll was rising as reports filtered in from outlying areas.

Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease in USA

Death rates from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) increased 55 percent between 1999 and 2014, according to data released today in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The number of Alzheimer’s deaths at home also increased during the same period, from 14 percent to 25 percent.

Zika virus infection – India

On 15 May 2017, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare-Government of India (MoHFW) reported three laboratory confirmed cases of Zika virus disease in Bapunagar area, Ahmedabad District, Gujarat, State, India.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 Earthquake hits Luzon in the Philippines.

5.1 Earthquake hits Fiji.

Wildlife

Locust Swarms

A plague of locusts has denuded much of the Greek Aegean island of Agios Efstratios, causing sheep to starve because so much vegetation has been devoured.

Vegetable gardens across the island have also been ravaged. The BBC quotes a local expert who says the locusts will disappear by July or August, but are likely to come back because they are not of the migratory variety.

Efforts to eradicate the swarms have failed.

Space Events

Radio Shield

Earth appears to be protected from space radiation by a type of radio signal mainly used by the military and government agencies.

Very Low Frequency (VLF) signals have been transmitted since the 1960s, some with the intense power necessary to reach submarines in the oceans.

But they also radiate past Earth’s atmosphere, creating a protective “bubble” that extends to the innermost edges of the Van Allen Radiation Belts, which also shield against harmful radiation.

The VLF bubble seems to add additional protection to Earth’s surface from potentially dangerous space weather, such as bursts of charged particles ejected during solar storms.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 118.0 degrees Fahrenheit (47.8 degrees Celsius) in Nawabshah, Pakistan.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 89.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 67.2 degrees Celsius) at Vostok, Antarctica.

Temperatures were tabulated from the more than 10,000 worldwide synoptic weather stations. The United Nations World Meteorological Organization sets the standards for weather observations, and provides a global telecommunications circuit for data distribution.

Disease

Yemen - Cholera Update

About 10,000 cholera cases and nearly 100 deaths have been reported in war-torn Yemen since our last report earlier this week.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that an aircraft carrying 67 tons of intravenous fluids and cholera kits has successfully landed at Sana’a airport. The supplies, sufficient for the treatment of 10,000 patients, are a welcome boost to the country’s response to a cholera outbreak which has caused more than almost 70,000 suspected cases since it began in October 2016. The epidemic had shown signs of slowing but recently reignited, causing 42,207 suspected cases and 420 deaths between 27 April 2017 and 24 May 2017.

South Sudan - Cholera

A cholera epidemic in Sudan’s White Nile has killed 62 people and infected almost 1800 since the first cases emerged several weeks ago, says a report released by the independent union of Sudan Doctors Committee (SDC) on Thursday.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 17 May - 23 May 2017

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that 10 events at Showa Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) were detected during 15-18 May. One of the events, an explosion at 2302 on 17 May, generated a large ash plume that rose 3 km above the crater rim and ejected material 500-800 m from the crater. That same day at 1526 an explosion at Minamidake summit crater produced an ash plume that rose 1.1 km above the crater. At 0058 on 19 May a plume rose 1.4 km above Showa Crater's rim. Very small events occasionally occurred at Minamidake summit crater during 19-22 May. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Bagana | Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 20-22 May ash plumes from Bagana rose 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W.

Bezymianny | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported gas-and-steam activity at Bezymianny during 12-19 May, and a thermal anomaly identified in satellite images daily. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Bogoslof | Fox Islands (USA) : AVO reported that the eruption at Bogoslof which began at 2232 on 16 May lasted about 73 minutes. Trace amounts of ash fell in the community of Nikolski on Umnak Island. Later that day the Aviation colour Code (ACC) was lowered to Orange and the Volcano Alert Level (VAL) was lowered to Watch; no further ash emissions were detected and seismicity was low. Satellite data showed that the event altered the N coastline of the island. The crater lake was breached with a 550-m-wide gap along the N shore, and the NE shore had been extended 300 m from new tephra deposits.

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that a short-lived explosion at Cleveland was detected in both seismic and infrasound data at 1938 on 16 May; the seismic signal lasted about 11 minutes. An ash cloud observed in satellite images rose to an altitude of 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW for about five hours. The explosions completely destroyed the lava dome that was emplaced in the summit crater during April-May. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Colima | Mexico : On 19 May the Centro Universitario de Estudios e Investigaciones de Vulcanologia - Universidad de Colima reported that during the previous week seismic data revealed 25 high-frequency events, 15 long-period events, 2.2 hours of tremor, 12 landslides, and three low-intensity explosions. During 15-16 May sulfur dioxide emissions were below detectable limits (8.6 t/d).

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 18-23 May 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.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that on 15 May explosions at Ebeko were observed by residents of Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island) about 7 km E. Ash plumes rose as high as 2 km (6,600 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Ibu | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 19-20 and 23 May ash plumes from Ibu rose 1.5-1.8 km (5,000-6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, E, and S.

Kambalny | Southern Kamchatka (Russia) : On 19 May KVERT reported that the eruption at Kambalny likely had ended, with only gas-and-steam activity observed during the previous month. The explosive phase began on 24 March and ended on 10 April. The Aviation colour Code was lowered to Green.

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 17-23 May HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise, fall, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook crater; the lake rose as high as 15 m below the crater rim and was visible from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park's Jaggar overlook. Webcams recorded incandescence from long-active sources within Pu'u 'O'o Crater, from a vent high on the NE flank of the cone, and from a small lava pond in a pit on the W side of the crater. The 61G lava flow, originating from a vent on Pu'u 'O'o Crater's E flank, continued to enter the ocean at Kamokuna adding to a growing delta. Surface lava flows were active above and on the upper slopes of the pali.

Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : Based on video and satellite data, KVERT reported that explosions at Klyuchevskoy on 17 May generated ash plumes that rose to 6 km (19,700 ft) a.s.l. and drifted about 180 km N and NE. A weak thermal anomaly was identified daily. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Langila | New Britain (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 19 May an ash plume from Langila rose 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted almost 170 km WSW and dissipated. During 19-20 May ash plumes drifted N and NNW at 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. On 23 May ash plumes rose 2.1 and 3 km (7,000 and 10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW and SW, respectively.

Piton de la Fournaise : OVPF reported that a seismic crisis at Piton de la Fournaise began at 1340 on 17 May and was accompanied by rapid deformation that suggested rising magma; volcanic tremor was recorded at 2010. The seismic and deformation activity was located in the NE part of l’Enclos Fouqué caldera. During an overflight at 1100 on 18 May scientists observed no surface activity at the base of the Nez Coupé de Sainte Rose rampart (on the N side of the volcano) nor outside of l'Enclos Fouqué caldera, and suggested that fractures opened but did not emit lava. Seismicity increased at 0400 on 18 May. The number of shallow (2 km depth) volcano-tectonic earthquakes progressively decreased over the next three days: 40 shallow and 22 deep on 18 May, 18 shallow and 22 deep on 19 May, 7 shallow and 9 deep on 20 May, 8 shallow and 1 deep on 21 May. Carbon dioxide concentrations in soils measured at remote stations were high. During a field visit on 22 May scientists mapped the deformation associated with the 17 May event and measured displacements that did not exceed 35 cm. On 23 May OVPF reported that the 17-18 May activity resulted in two new zones of fumaroles that followed the trends seen in seismic and deformation data.

Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that during 15-21 May explosive activity at Sabancaya was similar to the previous week, with an average of 39 explosions detected per day. The number and magnitude of long-period and hybrid events was low. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 4.2 km above the crater rim and drifted more than 40 km NE, E, and SE. The MIROVA system detected six thermal anomalies.

San Miguel | El Salvador : On 19 May SNET reported that during the previous 24 hours RSAM values at San Miguel continued to decrease, fluctuating between 69 and 80 units (typical background levels average 50 units). Sulfur dioxide flux was also lower, though changing winds may have affected readings.

Sinabung | Indonesia : Based on PVMBG observations, webcam and satellite images, and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 17-20 and 24 May ash plumes from Sinabung rose 4.3-8.8 km (14,000-29,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. BNPB reported a high-intensity eruption at the volcano on 20 May. An ash plume rose 4 km and drifted SE. There were 2,038 families (7,214 people) displaced to eight shelters, and an additional 2,863 people living in refugee camps. 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 : OVSICORI-UNA reported that low-to-moderate amplitude tremor was recorded at Turrialba during 17-23 May. Small numbers of volcano-tectonic and long-period events were recorded during 18-19 May, and low-frequency and volcano-tectonic events were detected during 21-22 May. Ash emission were observed during 17-23 May, rising as high as 1 km above the vent. Ashfall was reported in El Tapojo and Juan Viñas (15 km SSE) during 17-18 May, and in Capellades (along with a strong sulfur odor) during 19-20 May.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.8 Earthquake hits the Fox Islands in the Aleutian Islands.

5.7 Earthquake hits south ofFiji.

5.3 Earthquake hits the Fox Islands in the Aleutian Islands.

5.2 Earthquake hits south of Java, Indonesia.

5.0 Earthquake hits Veracruz, Mexico.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Nias region, Indonesia.

5.0 Earthquake hits Taiwan.

5.0 Earthquake hits the western Indian-Antarctic ridge.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

California, USA - A massive landslide has buried a section of California's iconic Highway 1 in Big Sur. More than one million tons of rock and dirt buried a .25 mile stretch of Highway 1 under 40-feet of debris. Authorities have no estimate when it might re-open. The area remains unstable.

Philippines - Hour-long rains in Quezon City left certain areas flooded Thursday morning, rendering some streets impassable to traffic and leaving some commuters stranded.

Hong Kong - A downpour disrupted flights, hospital clinics closed, the judiciary adjourned hearings, schools suspended classes, and people and traffic waded through flooded streets today in the wake of a heavy downpour from early morning. Rainfall in Kowloon and the eastern part of Lantau Island exceeded 200 millimeters. In Kwai Tsing and Sham Shui Po, rainfall exceeded 300 millimeters.

Global Warming

US growing season extends by 13 frost-free days

The number of frost-free days in the northern United States has increased by more than 13 days in the past 100 years, according to new research.

The other main areas of the mainland US also saw significant increases in the number of days without frost, essentially the growing season – 10.7 days in the west, 8.6 in a central region and 7.7 days in the south.

Global warming was one of the reasons for the trend, but the researchers also found changes to local cloud cover and atmospheric circulation patterns played a part.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Siberia

More than 500 people have lost their homes in large-scale wildfires sweeping across Russia’s Krasnoyarsk Region on Thursday. According to verified data, fires destroyed 130 houses in the Krasnoyarsk Region, leaving 533 people, including 67 children, homeless. The death of two people has been confirmed,"

Disease

Malaria outbreak: South Africa

In an update on the malaria situation in South Africa, health officials in Mpumalanga province have reported more than 1300 malaria cases and 14 deaths, according to a South African media report Thursday. The Bushbuckridge area recorded the highest number of malaria cases accounting for about half of the 1,330 reported cases were in the area.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New Activity for the week of 17 May - 23 May 2017

Manam | Papua New Guinea : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 18-20 May ash plumes from Manam rose 2.1-2.7 km (7,000-9,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W and WNW.

Nishinoshima | Japan : The Japan Coast Guard reported that during an overflight of Nishinoshima during 1300-1345 on 2 May observers noted frequent (every 40-60 seconds) Strombolian explosions at a new pyroclastic cone in the crater. Ash plumes rose 500 m. Two lava flows originating from the N part of the cone traveled 180 m SW and 170 m W, and entered the ocean. The island continued to grow and was estimated to be 2 km E to W and about 1.9 km N to S, with an area of 2.75 square kilometers (it was 2.68 square kilometers on 15 September 2016).

Poas | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that tremor levels at Poás were at low-to-moderate levels during 17-21 May and at higher levels during 22-23 May. Low-amplitude long-period earthquakes were recorded on 19 May, and some low-frequency and volcano-tectonic events were detected during 21-22 May. Plumes consisted mainly of gas and water vapor, but sometimes included solid material, and rose no more than 1 km above the vent.

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 13-14 May a series of explosions at Sheveluch generated ash plumes that rose 4.5-5 km (14,800-16,400 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW and SE. Powerful explosions on 16 May generated ash plumes that rose as high as 11 km (36,100 ft) a.s.l. and drifted about 150 km ENE. Pyroclastic flows descended the S flank. Two explosions were detected on 18 May. Ash plumes during 16-19 May drifted 400 km ENE. The Aviation colour Code (ACC) remained at Orange during 13-19 May, except for a few hours on 16 May when the strong explosions prompted KVERT to raise the ACC to Red.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.8 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.

5.6 Earthquake hits Sulawesi, Indonesia.

5.1 Earthquake hits Unimak Island, Alaska.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Kenya - The country has been experiencing increasingly intense rainfall over the last weeks with significant amounts of rainfall currently being witnessed in the Coastal, North Eastern, Central and parts of Western region. Current estimates indicate that about 26 people have lost their lives and a further 24,803 people have been displaced in 13 counties across the country following heavy rains and flooding.

Disease

DRC: Ebola Update

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) Situation Report today, officials report six additional Ebola virus disease (EVD) cases in Likati Health Zone, bringing the total to 43.

Yemen: Cholera Update

Since the last report on the cholera epidemic in Yemen, Sunday, an additional 3000 suspected cases were recorded, bringing the outbreak total to more than 32,300 cases in 25 days. The death toll has risen to 332.

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

On 5 May 2017, the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China (NHFPC) notified WHO of 24 additional laboratory-confirmed human infections with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in China.

On 13 May 2017, the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China (NHFPC) notified WHO of 23 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in China.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 Earthquake hits Tonga.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Midwest USA - Nebraska’s corn fields are so flooded that farmers are posting videos of themselves wakeboarding. Spring downpours are pummeling U.S. grain farmers, causing soggy fields and threatening crop disease. In the past 30 days, about 40 percent of the Midwest got twice the amount of normal rainfall, with soils saturated from Arkansas to Ohio, according to MDA Weather Services. While spring showers usually benefit crops, the precipitation has come fast enough to flood some corn and rice fields and trigger quality concerns about maturing wheat. A storm system brought more than 2 inches of rain through the weekend to parts of Texas and eastward to Ohio and West Virginia, according to the Weather Prediction Center. Flood advisories have been posted along the Mississippi River and other waterways, many of which are still high after earlier downpours.

Space Events

Nuclear Explosions and Submarine Comms Distort Space Weather Near Earth

Space weather typically refers to charged particles ejected by the sun that can interact with Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field. However, a new study shows that humans also can change the near-Earth space environment.

According to the study, examples of human activity that can cause these changes include the use of very-low-frequency radio communications, and nuclear explosions detonated high in the atmosphere.

Most space weather comes from the influence of the sun, which sends out a steady stream of high-energy particles called the solar wind. The sun can also release bursts of highly energetic charged particles, called coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Near Earth, most of these particles are deflected by the magnetosphere, the protective magnetic field that surrounds the planet. These powerful particles, particularly those from CMEs, can cause satellites to short out or even create currents in the magnetic field that can reach the ground and damage power grids.

Similar effects were observed when both the United States and the Soviet Union denotated nuclear bombs at altitudes of between 16 miles and 250 miles (26 kilometers and 402 kilometers) between 1958 and 1962. Both countries ran high-altitude nuclear tests for military purposes, but the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty put an end to the tests in 1966.

Newly declassified information about these tests is included in the new study, in an effort to understand how the tests affected the space environment near Earth."Upon detonation, a first blast wave expelled an expanding fireball of plasma, a hot gas of electrically charged particles," NASA said in the statement. "This created a geomagnetic disturbance, which distorted Earth's magnetic-field lines and induced an electric field on the surface."

The Van Allen radiation belts are large, doughnut-shaped rings of highly energetic charged particles, trapped in their respective loops by magnetism, that loop outward from the Earth. NASA's Van Allen Probes are currently studying these belts. Surprisingly, they found that some of the nuclear tests created artificial belts that stayed in place for weeks and, in a single case, years.

The charged particles left from the explosions caused some satellites to fail, which is similar to what can happen during a space weather event.

While the effect of the nuclear explosions has passed, very-low-frequency (VLF) signals can still be observed by the Van Allen Probes. These VLF signals, emitted by ground stations, are transmitted "at huge powers," so they can reach submarines deep below the ocean's surface, according to a second statement from NASA. They also extend up beyond the planet's atmosphere, "shrouding Earth in a VLF bubble."

The Earth's Van Allen belts (shown in blue and purple) are massive loops of magnetically controlled, highly energetic charged particles.

Disease

Nigeria: Meningitis

In an update on the Nigeria meningitis outbreak that began in mid-December 2016, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported 14,005 suspected cases from 24 states through May 2017. The death toll has risen 1,114.

Niger: Meningitis

Since the beginning of the year through May 7, Niger has reported 3,037 meningococcal meningitis cases, including 179 fatalities. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has deployed several emergency teams in Niger in order to contain the meningitis C outbreak that has been affecting many regions of the country since March. More than 358,800 people have been vaccinated.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Florida, USA

While the Tampa Bay area and much of the state saw much-needed rain over the weekend, it wasn’t enough to end drought conditions or threats of wildfires, according to state officials. As of Monday, in fact, 125 active wildfires continued to burn across the state. Most counties in Central and Southwestern Florida were also still experiencing moderate to very high wildfire risks, state officials say.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 Earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

5.2 Earthquake hits southern Xinjiang, China.

5.2 Earthquake hits New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.

5.0 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Thailand - The heaviest floods in 15 years have forced the closure of several businesses in the commercial heart of Khiri Mat district in Sukhothai. The water level in the central area of the district surged as a result of floodwater flowing from upstream Phran Kratai district of nearby Kamphaeng Phet province combined with runoff from mountains in Ramkhamhaeng Sukhothai National Park. The downtown area was under 60cm of water. Owners of small cars were told to keep off the flooded roads as residents raced against time to create sandbag embankments around their homes and shops.

Disease

Pakistan: Chikungunya Update

In a follow-up on the chikungunya outbreak in Pakistan, the Sindh Health Department has reported 627 suspected cases of the mosquito borne disease in Karachi since May 1, according to a Pakistan Today report Saturday. This brings the total case count in the city to 2722 since the beginning of the year.

Anthrax: Switzerland

In a follow-up on the animal anthrax case in Jura, Switzerland, the surveillance system set up by the Consumer and Veterinary Affairs Department in Jura detected a second bovine case, according to a Swiss media report. The infected cow was detected on May 12 from the Jura farm after presenting symptoms of the lethal disease.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.7 Earthquake hits Chiapas, Mexico.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Mid-Indian ridge.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Guyana - The government today said that floods were receding six Region Eight villages and that some villages in Region Seven have now been affected. The flooding in both regions is mainly as a result of excessive recent rainfall in the highland regions. The government has sent a number of relief flights to assist in the flooded areas.

Wildfires

Wildfires - California, USA

A wildfire burning south of Jamul, near San Diego had scorched more than 1,000 acres by Saturday night and was threatening Dulzura. The blaze, called the Gate fire, broke out south of Otay Lakes Road and west of state Route 94, near a Border Patrol checkpoint. The fire is 75% contained and is not threatening any structures.

Disease

DRC Ebola outbreak

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), three new Ebola virus disease (EVD) cases were reported on May 19, bringing the outbreak total to 32.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.9 Earthquake hits Bohol in the Philippines.

5.8 Earthquake hits off the coast of Colima, Mexico.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.

5.2 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.

5.0 Earthquake hits Kepulauan Babar, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Norway - The Arctic Doomsday Seed Vault Floods. It was designed as an impregnable deep-freeze to protect the world’s most precious seeds from any global disaster and ensure humanity’s food supply forever. But the Global Seed Vault, buried in a mountain deep inside the Arctic circle, has been breached after global warming produced extraordinary temperatures over the winter, sending meltwater gushing into the entrance tunnel.

The vault is on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen and contains almost a million packets of seeds, each a variety of an important food crop. When it was opened in 2008, the deep permafrost through which the vault was sunk was expected to provide “failsafe” protection against “the challenge of natural or man-made disasters”.

But soaring temperatures in the Arctic at the end of the world’s hottest ever recorded year led to melting and heavy rain, when light snow should have been falling. “It was not in our plans to think that the permafrost would not be there and that it would experience extreme weather like that,” said Hege Njaa Aschim, from the Norwegian government, which owns the vault.

The vault managers are now taking precautions, including major work to waterproof the 100m-long tunnel into the mountain and digging trenches into the mountainside to channel meltwater and rain away. They have also removed electrical equipment from the tunnel that produced some heat and installed pumps in the vault itself in case of a future flood.

Disease

Yemen cholera crisis spreading at ‘unprecedented’ speed

More than 50 deaths due to cholera have been reported in Yemen since the beginning of the week. According to WHO, more than 240 people have died from cholera in just the last three weeks, out of a total of 23,400 infections.

DRC Ebola outbreak

In an update on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Likati Health Zone, Bas Uele Province in north-east Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the World Health Organization (WHO) reported nine additional suspected EVD cases Thursday in Ngayi and Azande. This brings the total EVD cases to 29 (two confirmed, two probable and 25 suspected) and three deaths.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 10 May - 16 May 2017

Bagana | Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 10-14 May ash plumes from Bagana rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW, W, NW, and E.

Bezymianny | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported gas-and-steam activity at Bezymianny during 5-12 May, and a thermal anomaly identified in satellite images during 5 and 8-9 May. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Bogoslof | Fox Islands (USA) : AVO reported that an increase in seismic and infrasound activity from Bogoslof was detected from stations on nearby islands starting at 2232 on 16 May, suggesting the beginning of an explosive eruption. The Aviation colour Code (ACC) was raised to Orange and the Volcano Alert Level (VAL) was raised to Watch. A pilot reported an ash plume rising as high as 10.4 km (34,000 ft) a.s.l., and the Worldwide Lightning Location Network detected lightning associated with the cloud. The ACC was raised to Red and the VAL was raised to Warning. The eruption lasted about 73 minutes.

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that no significant volcanic activity at Cleveland was detected in seismic, infrasound, or satellite data during 10-16 May. The webcam recorded some gas plumes during 13-14 May. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Colima | Mexico : On 12 May the Centro Universitario de Estudios e Investigaciones de Vulcanologia - Universidad de Colima reported that during the previous week seismic data revealed 26 high-frequency events, 21 long-period events, 2.5 hours of tremor, 12 landslides, and three low-intensity explosions.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 10-16 May ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.4 km (6,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions as far as 150 km.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that an ash plume from Ebeko was identified in satellite images drifting about 50 km NE on 7 May. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Ibu | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 10-11 May ash plumes from Ibu rose to an altitude of 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and SW. An ash plume on 16 May rose to 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l.

Karangetang | Siau Island (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind data, and ground-based visual observations, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 10 May a gas-and-steam plume, possibly containing ash, rose from Karangetang to an altitude of 3.6 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted over 35 km SE.

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that the lava delta at Kamokuna (the ocean entry area at Kilauea), which had been growing since late March, collapsed on 3 May. Two large cracks parallel to the coast were visible on 27 April, suggesting instability. Between 0935 and 0940 on 3 May a large steam plume appeared in the middle of the lava delta in the area of large cracks. Weak fountaining or spattering likely occurred initially, because new tephra deposits were visible in the steaming area; that activity ended by 0940. Images acquired over the next 25 minutes showed a progressively weaker steam plume, and a subsiding delta. Photos of the ocean entry taken on 7 May showed multiple streams of lava flowing into the ocean. During 10-16 May HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise, fall, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook crater. Webcams recorded incandescence from long-active sources within Pu'u 'O'o Crater, from a vent high on the NE flank of the cone, and from a small lava pond in a pit on the W side of the crater. The 61G lava flow, originating from a vent on Pu'u 'O'o Crater's E flank, continued to enter the ocean at Kamokuna. Surface lava flows were active above and near the pali.

Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that ash plumes from Klyuchevskoy were identified in satellite images drifting 270 km SE and NW during 5-6 and 10-11 May, respectively. A weak thermal anomaly was noted on 5 and 10 May. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Langila | New Britain (Papua New Guinea) :Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 10-14 May ash plumes from Langila drifted N, NW, and S at altitudes of 1.8-2.4 km (6,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l.

Nevado del Ruiz | Colombia : Servicio Geológico Colombiano’s (SGC) Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Manizales reported that during 9-15 May seismicity at Nevado del Ruiz continued to indicate unrest; the number and magnitude of events were higher compared to the previous week. Significant amounts of water vapor and gas continued to be emitted. Gas, steam, and ash plumes rose 1.7 km above the crater rim on 12 May and drifted NW and SW. According to the Washington VAAC the Bogota MWO reported an ash emission on 13 May. The Alert Level remained at III (Yellow; the second lowest level on a four-colour scale).

Reventador | Ecuador : During 10-16 May IG reported a high level of seismic activity at Reventador including explosions, long-period earthquakes, harmonic tremor, and signals indicating emissions. Steam, gas, and ash plumes rose as high as 700 m above the crater rim during 10-12 May. Crater glow was noted during 11-12 May.

Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that during 8-14 May explosive activity at Sabancaya slightly decreased from the previous week, with an average of 38 explosions detected per day. The number of long-period events continued to increase, while hybrid events were sporadic. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 4.2 km above the crater rim and drifted more than 40 km NE, E, and SE.

Sinabung | Indonesia : Based on PVMBG observations, webcam and satellite images, and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 10-16 May ash plumes from Sinabung rose to altitudes of 3-4.9 km (10,000-16,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and NE.

Suwanosejima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : Based on JMA notices and satellite-image analyses, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 10 May plumes from Suwanosejima rose to an altitudes of 2.7 km (9,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E.

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported an explosion at Turrialba on 10 May, followed by weak and passive ash emissions during 10-11 May. Several long-period earthquakes were recorded, and inflation continued. Gas measurements indicated a sulfur dioxide flux of 1,000 tons/day, and a high carbon dioxide/sulfur dioxide ratio. An event at 0900 on 12 May generated a plume, though poor visibility prevented a height estimate. An event at 0730 on 14 May generated a plume that rose 500 m above the crater rim and drifted N. Low-amplitude tremor was detected during 15-16 May, and a discontinuous ash plume rose no more than 500 m and drifted N and NW.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 Earthquake hits Mendoza, Argentina.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Fox Islands in the Aleutian Islands.

Wildlife

California tortoises died trying to reproduce during drought

Scientists examining the deaths of female desert tortoises in Southern California said it appears the animals died while exhausting their water and energy to lay eggs during California's historic drought.

Researchers want to know why female tortoises are dying in greater numbers than males in the Joshua Tree National Park.

U.S. Geological Survey biologist Jeffrey Lovich said he believes the tortoises died during a desperate attempt to fight extinction. He called it an "evolutionary gamble" — choosing to try and reproduce despite harsh conditions.

"Females will go out of their way to produce a clutch of four or so eggs," Lovich told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "They'll do it during a drought, when they can't find the water they need, to have a chance to win at the game of life."

Over the past three decades, Joshua Tree's tortoise population has plummeted from about 30,000 to an all-time low of roughly 3,000.

Desert tortoises are a threatened species that typically have 50-year lifespans in the wild, with some living 80 years.

Chimp Extinction

Tanzanian experts fear that chimpanzees could join elephants and rhinos as the most threatened wildlife species in the country due to their dwindling populations.

“A hundred years ago, there were probably 2 million, but now only 150,000 to 200,000,” said Anthony Collins, a baboon researcher at Gombe Stream National Park.

He told Tanzania’s The Citizen daily that destruction of habitat, illegal hunting and capture for medical research are the greatest threats to the chimps’ survival.

Global Warming

Antarctica is going green - not in a good way

Plant life is growing on Antarctica like never before in modern times, fueled by global warming which is melting ice and transforming the landscape from white to green.

Scientists studying moss in an area spanning 400 miles (640 kilometers) have found a sharp increase in growth over the past 50 years, said the report in the journal Current Biology.

Plant life exists on only about 0.3 percent of Antarctica.

Five moss cores -- or column-like samples drilled from the Earth -- showed evidence of what scientists called "changepoints," or points in time after which biological activity clearly increased.

Areas sampled included three Antarctic islands -- Elephant Island, Ardley Island, and Green Island -- where the deepest and oldest moss banks grow, said the report.

The polar regions are warming more rapidly than the rest of the Earth, as greenhouse gasses from fossil fuel burning build up in the atmosphere and trap heat.

The Arctic is warming the fastest, but Antarctica is not far behind, with annual temperatures gaining almost one degree Fahrenheit (half degree Celsius) each decade since the 1950s.

"The sensitivity of moss growth to past temperature rises suggests that ecosystems will alter rapidly under future warming, leading to major changes in the biology and landscape of this iconic region," said researcher Dan Charman, a professor at Exeter.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 115.0 degrees Fahrenheit (46.0 degrees Celsius) in Kaédi, Mauritania.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 103.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 75.0 degrees Celsius) at Vostok, Antarctica.

Temperatures were tabulated from the more than 10,000 worldwide synoptic weather stations. The United Nations World Meteorological Organization sets the standards for weather observations, and provides a global telecommunications circuit for data distribution.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Florida, USA

State Wildland Firefighters are assisting Avon Park Air Force Bombing Range with an approximately 8,000-acre brush fire on the Highlands/Polk County line Wednesday night.

The wildfire is located south of Arbuckle Lake and southeast of Lake Wales Ridge State Forest. The fire is currently zero percent contained. No one in the area has been evacuated. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Disease

Cholera Outbreak in Nairobi, Kenya

The Nairobi county has activated cholera treatment centres following an outbreak of the disease in the city.

Health executive Bernard Muia and chief officer Sam Ochola yesterday said five cases of the disease have been confirmed. There were also reports that three people died after contracting the disease in the city.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New Activity for the week of 10 May - 16 May 2017

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : According to JMA, fieldwork at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano revealed that the sulfur dioxide flux rose from 300 tons on 28 April to 1,700 tons on 8 May; the last time sulfur dioxide flux was above 1,000 tons was 23 June 2015. At 1312 on 12 May an explosion at Showa Crater generated a plume that rose 700 m above the crater rim, into a weather cloud. Four events were detected during 13-15 May; one of the events, an explosion at Showa Crater on 14 May, produced a plume that rose 2.3 km above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Fuego | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 9-16 May explosions at Fuego generated ash plumes that rose as high as 950 m above the crater rim and drifted 7-12 km W, SW, S, and E. Ashfall was reported in San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km N), Morelia (9 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), and Panimache I and II (8 km SW) during 9-12 May. On 14 May a hot lahar descended the Río Ceniza (SSW) and Santa Teresa (W) drainages, carrying blocks 2 m in diameter, branches, and tree trunks. Sounds from colliding blocks were audible more than 1 km away, and steam plumes rose from the lahar. During 14-16 May avalanches descended the Ceniza and Las Lajas (SE) drainages, and gas emissions rose from pyroclastic-flow deposits in the ravines.

Manam | Papua New Guinea : RVO reported that during 11-14 May Manam’s Main Crater was quiet, emitting only dense white vapor. On 12 May Southern Crater emitted dark gray ash plumes, and on 13 May only whitish-blue vapor emissions were observed. During 0100-0400 on 14 May roaring and explosions were heard in Bogia Station; incandescent lava fragments were ejected from the crater. Seismicity was low (RSAM averaged 50 units) and dominated by low-frequency events during 11-12 May. RSAM increased on 13 May, peaking at 450 units at 2330, and then dropped to 110 units at 0500 on 14 May. RSAM increased to 250 by 0800 and remained at that level through 14 May. The Alert Level remained at Stage 2.

Masaya | Nicaragua : The Washington VAAC reported that on 13 May a west-drifting ash emission from Masaya was identified in satellite images and observed by a pilot.

Poas | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA noted ash emissions at Poás on 10 May. Gas emissions were measured by an instrument mounted on a drone, revealing a gas plume rich in sulfur dioxide and low in carbon dioxide. During 10-11 May tremor amplitude was variable but low, and several volcano-tectonic events were detected. During 11-13 May tremor was constant, and volcano-tectonic and long-period events were detected; the seismicity possibly indicated small eruptions. Deformation was high, with vertical inflation of 3 cm since February.

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported continuing lava-dome extrusion at Sheveluch’s N flank during 5-11 May. A daily thermal anomaly over the dome was identified in satellite images, and ash plumes drifted 90 km NNE and NW on 8 and 10 May. Strong explosions on 12 May generated ash plumes identified in satellite images that rose 9-10 km (29,500-32,800 ft) a.s.l., spread 70 km wide, and drifted 115 km NW. The Aviation Color Code was raised to Red. A few hours later satellite images showed a thermal anomaly and no ash emissions; the Aviation Color Code was lowered to Orange. Explosions on 16 May generated ash plumes that rose 8-9 km (26,200-29,500 ft) a.s.l., prompting KVERT to again raise the Aviation Color Code to Red. Pyroclastic flows descended the flanks and produced ash plumes that rose 3.5-4 km (11,500-13,100 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE. Within a few hours satellite images showed a thermal anomaly and no ash emissions; the Aviation Color Code was lowered to Orange. An ash cloud with the dimensions of 51 x 43 km was still visible in satellite images, moving E.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.0 Earthquake hits Macquarie Island.

Global Warming

American Trees Are Moving West Due to Climate Change

As the consequences of climate change strike across the United States, ecologists have a guiding principle about how they think plants will respond. Cold-adapted plants will survive if they move “up”—that is, as they move further north (away from the tropics) and higher in elevation (away from the warm ground).

A new survey of how tree populations have shifted over the past three decades finds that this effect is already in action. But there’s a twist: Even more than moving poleward, trees are moving west.

About three-quarters of tree species common to eastern American forests—including white oaks, sugar maples, and American hollies—have shifted their population center west since 1980. More than half of the species studied also moved northward during the same period.

These results, among the first to use empirical data to look at how climate change is shaping eastern forests, were published in Science Advances on Wednesday.

Trees, of course, don’t move themselves. But their populations can shift over time, and saplings can expand into a new region while older growth dies in another.

While climate change has elevated temperatures across the eastern United States, it has significantly altered rainfall totals. The northeast has gotten a little more rain since 1980 than it did during the proceeding century, while the southeast has gotten much less rain. The Great Plains, especially in Oklahoma and Kansas, get much more than historically normal.

Disease

China bird flu: 1st case in Shanxi Province

According to the Health and Family Planning Commission of Shanxi Province, a 66-year-old woman from Datong, Shanxi Province has contracted avian influenza A(H7N9), becoming the first such human case in the province. The patient is currently in serious but stable condition.

Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak in Rwanda

The Ministry of Agriculture has banned livestock movement from Nyagatare District following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the area. The disease was first detected on Tuesday in some cows in Gabiro area. Local farmers supply more than 60 000 liters of milk per day to local milk processors. The ban will result in a substantial loss to the local milk and beef cattle industry.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 Earthquake hits central Peru.

5.2 Earthquake hits off the coast of Guerrero, Mexico.

5.1 Earthquake hits south of Fiji.

5.1 Earthquake hits Salta, Argentina.

5.1 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Dodecanese Islands, Greece.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Malaysia - A two hour downpour in Ringlet, in the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia caused a flash flood that inundated numerous properties, including the police station and barracks. The flood lasted 30 minutes and no-one was injured.

South Africa, Durban - The N2 freeway at Zinkwazi‚ north of Durban‚ was partially closed early on Tuesday due to flooding caused by ongoing heavy rainfall. The floodwaters toppled several cars. Some injuries occurred when the waist high waters overturned the motor vehicles.

Global Warming

Ocean acidification is global warming’s forgotten crisis

Most of us are familiar with the climate change impacts we see and feel in our communities: heatwaves, storms, droughts, floods, and so on.

But a UN meeting this week about climate change and oceans reminds us a related crisis is unfolding largely away public attention: the one-two punch of ocean warming and acidification.

With record temperatures sweeping over continents year after year, it is easy to overlook that the ocean has absorbed some 90% of the heat trapped by the carbon dioxide dumped into the atmosphere since the industrial revolution; and how much of that CO2 has dissolved into seawater as carbonic acid, altering its basic chemistry.

The UN meeting follows on the heels of a new secretary general report that investigates the impacts of these changes and the findings are concerning, to say the least.

The report describes record ocean temperatures pushing fish species toward cooler latitudes and out of reach of artisanal fishers; it documents widespread coral bleaching across the tropical belt and how most reefs could enter a state of permanent decline by 2040; it shows how ocean acidification has damaged a range of calcifying marine life, such as corals and shellfish; and it raises fears that the cumulative effects of the impacts are degrading phytoplankton, zooplankton, and krill, the foundation of the ocean’s food chain.

A sea snail shell is dissolved over the course of 45 days in seawater adjusted to an ocean chemistry projected for the year 2100.

Wildlife

Global Warming Affecting Migratory Birds

The arrival of migratory birds at northern breeding grounds typically coincides with the growth of spring plants. A team of researchers from several universities studied data collected by citizen scientists and satellites between 2001 to 2012 in an attempt to see how climate change is affecting the birds’ ability to accurately time their arrival at these breeding grounds. Their research has been published in Scientific Reports.

Of the 48 North American songbird species that migrate north, the researchers found that nine — almost 20 percent — didn’t reach the grounds by the deadline critical for mating and breeding the next generation of birds. On average, the gap stretched by more than half a day each year across all species, for a total of five days per decade. However, the change for some species was far more drastic — double or triple that pace.

This delay was due to the effect of warmer temperatures on the growth cycles of plants. The birds leave their southern homes at the same time every year, basing their departure on the amount of daylight, which remains unaffected by climate change. However, climate change is altering when plants put out new leaves, with plants in eastern North America “greening up” sooner than normal, while plants in the western part of the continent are undergoing the process later.

This means birds are arriving either too soon and being met with frigid temperatures or too late and missing out on the insect boom that coincides with the new plant growth. Either condition means the birds have a much lower chance of surviving and reproducing, so the nine species identified in the study are therefore in danger of dwindling numbers.5

Environment

Trash Isn't Just A Problem For Henderson Island, It's Everywhere

The uninhabited Henderson Island has gained a lot of attention because of the fact that it has no people, but lots of trash.

A recent study determined that the island has become a dumping ground for plastic refuse. Unfortunately, it's not alone. Here are just a few examples of seemingly pristine locales that have become polluted by humanity's waste.

The Mariana Trench: The Mariana Trench is the deepest part of the ocean and, as such, one would expect it to be free from humanity's touch, but that is not the case. A study has discovered that sea life living in the trench were found to have high levels of cancer-causing pollutants in their bodies.

Ironically, the isolated nature of the Mariana Trench is part of the reason that these pollutants often end up there.

"[These chemicals] don't like water, and so they will stick to things in the water like plastic, and then that plastic will settle," said the study's co-author Stuart Piertney. "Because these deep-sea trenches are the very bottom of the sink for the oceans, there's a sort of inevitability that they're going to end up there."

We know less about the depths of the ocean than we do the surface of the moon, but this serves as a reminder that our actions have consequences regardless of whether we are aware of them.

"The fact that we found such extraordinary levels of these pollutants in one of the most remote and inaccessible habitats on Earth really brings home the long-term, devastating impact that mankind is having on the planet," said co-author Alan Jamieson.

Hawaii's Northwestern Islands: Hawaii is a tropical paradise and one of the world's top vacation spots, but it also has a string of uninhabited islands. Those islands serve as a wildlife refuge for many types of marine life, but, like Henderson Island, they too have became littered with trash.

The problem has gotten so bad that the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has organized cleanup efforts. A recent expedition uncovered more than 57 tons of garbage. In addition to polluting the water and ruining the area's natural beauty, the trash, which is mostly plastic, is dangerous to the local wildlife.

The debris, which includes lighters, bottle caps, and other hard plastic items, are often mistaken for food by seabirds, which will feed the trash to their offspring.

Smaller debris isn't the only problem facing these islands. Despite the fact that fishing is prohibited in wildlife sanctuaries, lost nets and lines that often end up in the area can kill larger marine life such as dolphins or sea turtles.

Plastic Is The Problem: In the case of both Henderson and Hawaii, the bulk of the discarded trash is made of plastic. Every year, roughly 8 million tons of plastic waste ends up the in ocean. This waste is then caught up in gyres that carry the garbage to remote locations.

Disease

Measles outbreak in Tajikistan: Update

The measles outbreak that began in mid-April in Rudaki district, Tajikistan, has grown to 345 cases through May 1, according to the International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The outbreak has now spread to the capital city of Dushanbe and the surrounding districts as well as Khatlon oblast and the trend of sharp increase in new cases is expected to continue.

Ebola Cases - DRC

Between 15 May and 16 May 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on two new suspected Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases in Azande (one case) and Nambwa (1 case) health areas in Lakati Health Zone in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

This brings the total suspected EVD cases to 21, including three deaths (case fatality rate of 14.3%).

The outbreak has now spread to the capital city of Dushanbe and the surrounding districts as well as Khatlon oblast and the trend of sharp increase in new cases is expected to continue.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.1 Earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.7 Earthquake hits Taiwan.

5.5 Earthquake hits Guam.

5.4 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.1 Earthquake hits offshore El Salvador.

Two 5.1 Earthquakes hit the South Sandwich islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Andreanof Islands in the Aleutian islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

Environment

One of the World's Most Polluted Islands

A tiny, uninhabited piece of land in the South Pacific Ocean, called Henderson Island, is considered one of the most remote islands in the world. But now, researchers say it has earned a much more worrisome new title: the world's most polluted island.

Henderson Island is so remote that it's visited only every five to 10 years, for research purposes, and is listed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). But this isolation from humanity has not prevented the island's beaches from becoming filled with trash. In a new study, researchers estimate that 37.7 million pieces of plastic — amounting to 17 tons of plastic debris — litter the beaches of Henderson Island.

Disease

Diarrhoea, gastro outbreak hits Punjab - Pakistan

As per official record of the health department, the number of gastro and diarrhea patients reached 210,954 in the government-run hospitals, including 74,337 cases in Lahore since January 1, 2017. Moreover, the death toll due to the disease is being willfully not recorded in the hospitals in a bid to minimise the havoc in the province.

To make matters worse, the statistics compiled by the provincial headquarters did not include the figures of those patients who are visiting private hospitals, clinics and health centres in large numbers. If all data is included, the number of patients might be three times the current figures.

Although the government-run hospitals are crowded with gastroenteritis and diarrhea patients, the functionaries of the Punjab health department are hesitant to declare the outbreak officially.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.9 Earthquake hits Potosi, Bolivia.

5.6 Earthquake hits Antofagasta, Chile.

5.5 Earthquake hits the Ryukyu Islands off Japan.

5.3 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.2 Earthquake hits north of Ascension Island.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

South Africa - Twenty-two people who were trapped inside a bus after it submerged in flood water following heavy rains had to be rescued in Richards Bay. The incident was one of several that occurred at the weekend after heavy rains pounded KwaZulu-Natal. The rains, which began on Friday led to localised flooding over the weekend. There were no reports of fatalities, although one person was still missing.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Greece

Greece's fire department says that one person has died after a wildfire broke out west of Athens. A body was found in a ravine outside the town of Agioi Theodoroi, 65 kilometers (40 miles) west of Athens. The fire, which has been contained, burned through a forest area and severely damaged a house on the outskirts of the town.

Disease

Cholera Outbreak in Yemen - Update

The cholera outbreak in war-torn Yemen has killed 115 people and left 8,500 ill as hospitals struggle to cope with an influx of patients, the International Committee of the Red Cross said Sunday. 24 cholera cases were registered in the Habra prison. The degrading of sanitation and health systems have been cited as the cause of the outbreak of the disease.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 Earthquake hits northeastern Iran.

5.3 Earthquake hits offshore Valparaiso, Chile.

5.1 Earthquake hits north of Severnaya Zemlya, Russia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Louisiana, USA - At least three tornadoes have touched down in Louisiana, injuring at least one person. The National Weather Service confirms two EF-1 twisters hit Baton Rouge and the town of White Castle in Iberville Parish with winds of about 90 mph, while an EF-0 tornado struck Marrero in Jefferson Parish, packing winds of about 70 mph.

Oklahoma, USA - The National Weather Service in Tulsa rated the tornado that destroyed approximately 58 homes in Owasso-Rogers County on Thursday afternoon as an EF-1. According to that scale, Thursday afternoon’s tornado reached speeds up to 100 mph, and caused considerable damage. Damage included roofs torn from well-constructed homes, collapsed structures, RVs flipped on their sides, large trees snapped or uprooted, carports blown over or moved to another part of the property. No injuries have been reported.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Florida, USA

A portion of I-75 in south Sarasota County that was closed yesterday because of a large brush fire burning has been reopened. Early this morning, the Florida Forestry Service tweeted that road was re-opening, but warned there is still light smoke from the 3,200-acre fire burning there. The fire is 30 percent contained.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.2 Earthquake hits offshore El Salvador.

5.4 Earthquake hits offshore El Salvador.

5.0 Earthquake hits offshore Guerrero, Mexico.

Alaska

There have already been about 3,000 Alaska earthquakes this month. A series of significant May earthquakes and their aftershocks are being examined by seismologists, who say Alaska is markedly above its usual rate of earthquakes for the month. With the aftershocks, close to the monthly average have been recorded in just the first 10 days. The catalog of May temblors as of Wednesday included at least three larger than a 6, seven larger than a 5 and 50 larger than a 4 on the Richter scale, according to an overview compiled by the earthquake centre.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Quebec, Canada - More heavy rain is predicted after more than 13,000 homes in Quebec flooded this week as the region experienced torrential rainfall. A state of emergency was declared in Montreal on Sunday after three dikes gave way in the Pierrefonds-Roxboro borough, near the Rivieres des Prairies. Oofficials said they haven't seen water levels this high in 55 years.

East Africa - The seasonal rains have come with a vengeance across eastern Kenya and Tanzania. Heavy and steady torrential downpours have many areas under water, leaving at least nine people dead. In Tanzania, communication in Tanga station on Tanzania's north coast was cut off for a time. An astonishing 316mm of rain fell in 24 hours setting a new record for the period, records going back to 1949.

Wildlife

Mystery of How Narwhals Use Their Tusks Solved

The unicorn of the sea just got a little less mysterious.

Until now, how narwhals used their long tusks has been subject to much speculation by scientists.

Behavior captured for the first time on camera shows narwhals using the long tusks protruding from their heads to stun Arctic cod by hitting them, using jagged, quick movements. This behavior immobilizes the fish, making them easier to prey upon.

Disease

Rabies: Virginia. USA

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is investigating a rare confirmed case of human rabies. The Virginia resident was bitten by a dog while traveling in India.

Ebola confirmed in Democratic Republic of Congo

The DRC Ministry of Health in a statement said case was confirmed from tests on nine people who came down with a hemorrhagic fever in Bas-Uele province in the northeast of the country on or after Apr. 22. According to reports, at least 3 people have died.

Officials say this is a very remote area.

Ebola was confirmed by the reference laboratory in Kinshasa.

This is the first EVD case reported in Africa since the West Africa outbreak in 2014-2015 where a total of 28,616 Ebola cases have been reported in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, with 11,310 deaths.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 3 May - 9 May 2017

Bagana | Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 7-9 May ash plumes from Bagana rose to altitudes of 2.1-3 km (7,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted over 110 km SE, SSE, and S.

Bezymianny | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported gas-and-steam activity at Bezymianny during 28 April-5 May, and a daily thermal anomaly identified in satellite images. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 3-6 May ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 2.1-2.4 km (7,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W, E, 90 km ESE, and 185 km NE.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 28 April-5 May satellite images of Ebeko showed quiet conditions or weather cloud cover. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale). Based on satellite observations, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during 8-9 May plumes rose to altitudes of 2.4-2.7 km (8,000-9,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S and NE. The cause of the plumes was unclear, and weather clouds hindered observations.

Kambalny | Southern Kamchatka (Russia) : On 5 May KVERT reported that conditions at Kambalny were quiet the previous week. The Aviation colour Code was lowered to Yellow.

Kanlaon | Philippines : On 5 May PHIVOLCS reported that since the last phreatic eruption at Kanlaon, which occurred on 15 June 2016, there has been a general decline in activity: seismicity was at baseline levels, no significant deformation had been detected since August 2016, sulfur dioxide emissions were low, and no steaming had been observed since 29 September 2016. The Alert Level was lowered to 0 (on a scale of 0-5), though the public was warned to not enter the 4-km-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ).

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 3-9 May HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise, fall, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook crater. Webcams recorded incandescence from long-active sources within Pu'u 'O'o Crater, from a vent high on the NE flank of the cone, and from a small lava pond in a pit on the W side of the crater. The 61G lava flow, originating from a vent on Pu'u 'O'o Crater's E flank, continued to enter the ocean at Kamokuna adding to the growing delta. Surface lava flows were active above the pali.

Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a weak thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images over Klyuchevskoy during 30 April-1 May, and an ash plume drifted about 52 km E on 1 May. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Nevados de Chillan | Chile : The Buenos Aires VAAC reported that on 3 May a webcam recorded a puff rising from Nevados de Chillán and dissipating rapidly.

Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that during 1-7 May explosive activity at Sabancaya increased, with an average of 41 explosions detected per day. The number of long-period and hybrid events also increased. Ash plumes rose as high as 3.5 km above the crater rim and drifted more than 40 km NE and E. Based on webcam images, satellite views, and seismic data the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that during 3-9 May sporadic gas-and-ash puffs rose to altitudes of 7-8.2 km (23,000-27,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE, E, and NE.

San Miguel | El Salvador : SNET reported that during 28 April-5 May RSAM values at San Miguel had decreased and fluctuated between 50 and 173 units (typical background levels average 50 units). Sulfur dioxide flux was also lower, though changing winds may have affected readings.

Santa Maria | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that 10-12 explosions at Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex were detected by the seismic network during 4-5 May. Beginning at 2145 on 6 May a strong lahar, 30 m wide and 2.5 m deep, descended the Cabello de Ángel drainage, a tributary of the Nimá I river drainage on Santa María’s S flank, carrying branches, tree trunks, and blocks up to 2 m in diameter.

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 28 April-5 May lava-dome extrusion onto Sheveluch’s N flank was accompanied by strong fumarolic activity, dome incandescence, ash explosions, and hot avalanches. A thermal anomaly at the dome was identified daily in satellite images. Ash plumes drifted more than 730 km SE, SW, and NW during 27 April-3 May; explosions on 30 April generated ash plumes that rose to an altitude of 9.1 km (30,000 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Sinabung | Indonesia : Based on PVMBG observations, webcam and satellite images, and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 3-9 May ash plumes from Sinabung rose to altitudes of 3-5.5 km (10,000-18,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions.

Suwanosejima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : Based on JMA notices and satellite-image analyses, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 8 May plumes from Suwanosejima rose to altitudes of 1-2.1 km (3,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N and SW.

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that an event at Turrialba at 1700 on 5 May generated a weak ash plume that rose 500 m above the crater and drifted SW. Two short-amplitude events occurred at 1702 and 1820 though there was no confirmation if they had corresponded to eruptions. During 5-7 May volcano-tectonic and long-period earthquakes were detected, as well as variable-amplitude tremor. At 1250 on 6 May an event produced a plume that rose 300 m and drifted W. Between 1250 and 1730 a passive ash emission rose no higher than 1 km. Another passive ash emission rose about 500 m at 1000 on 7 May and drifted WNW. At 0902 on 9 May an event generated an ash plume that rose 500 m and drifted NW.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.8 Earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.

5.6 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.5 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.5 Earthquake hits the Kodiak Islands, Alaska.

Two 5.3 Earthquakes hit the South Sandwich Islands.

Two 5.1 Earthquakes hit the South Sandwich Islands.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits eastern Turkey.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the East Pacific: Post-Tropical Depression Adrian is located about 350 mi...565 km SSE of Salina Cruz Mexico with maximum sustained winds...30 mph...45 km/h. Present movement...NW or 315 degrees at 7 mph...11 km/h.

NewsBytes:

Zanzibar - All schools on the islands of Zanzibar have been temporarily closed because of flooding following weeks of heavy rains, says the education minister. The decision was taken for the safety of children and teachers after some schools were left submerged in water, minister Riziki Pemba Juma said. The rains have also destroyed property and roads.

Wildlife

Winged Tragedy

Nearly 400 migratory birds died after they smashed into a Galveston, Texas, office tower during a storm, falling onto the sidewalk below. Three surviving birds were taken to a wildlife centre.

Most of the victims were Nashville warblers or Blackburnian warblers that were flying northward from Central and South America.

The fierce storm probably forced the birds to fly low and strike the American National Building, Galveston’s tallest.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 118.0 degrees Fahrenheit (47.8 degrees Celsius) in Sibi, Pakistan.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 102.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 74.4 degrees Celsius) at Vostok, Antarctica.

Temperatures were tabulated from the more than 10,000 worldwide synoptic weather stations. The United Nations World Meteorological Organization sets the standards for weather observations, and provides a global telecommunications circuit for data distribution.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Florida, USA

More than 140 wildfires are burning in the state of Florida today.

It's a "red flag warning" day in inland portions of West Central Florida today, which means high winds, no rain in sight and low humidity. Florida remains under a state of emergency because of a rash of wildfires, with a declaration from the governor last month.

The Brooksville office of the Florida Forest Service says nine of the current wildfires they're monitoring are in Hernando and Pasco Counties, including a fire in Starkey Wilderness Preserve that has charred more than 2,000 acres.

Disease

Anthrax in Kenya

A slaughterhouse in Makongeni, Thika has been shut down after six people were admitted at Thika level 5 Hospital following an anthrax outbreak suspected to have emanated from the abattoir.

Brazil declares end to Zika emergency after fall in cases

Brazil declared an end to its public health emergency over the Zika virus on Thursday, 18 months after a surge in cases drew headlines around the world.

The mosquito-borne virus wasn't considered a major health threat until the 2015 outbreak revealed that Zika can lead to severe birth defects. One of those defects, microcephaly, causes babies to be born with skulls much smaller than expected.

From January through mid-April, the Health Ministry recorded 95% fewer cases than during the same period last year. The incidence of microcephaly has fallen as well.

Cholera in Yemen

The United Nations on Thursday confirmed 58 cases of cholera and 47 cholera-associated deaths across war-torn Yemen in the past two weeks, the second such outbreak in a year.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New Activity for the week of 3 May - 9 May 2017

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that nine events at Showa Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) were detected during 1-8 May. One of the events was explosive, generating an ash plume that rose 4 km above the crater rim and ejecting material 300-500 m from the crater. Ashfall was reported in the cities of Kagoshima (3 km NW), Hioki (25 km WNW), and Ichikikushikino (40 km NW). Nighttime crater incandescence was noted on 2 and 5 May. An event at 1213 on 5 May at Minamidake summit crater produced a plume that rose 500 m above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Fuego | Guatemala : In a special report INSIVUMEH reported that a new phase of activity (the fourth of the year) at Fuego began on 5 May and was the strongest activity recorded since 2012. Strong explosions, sometimes producing shock waves, generated dense ash plumes that rose 1.3 km above the crater and drifted more than 50 km S, SW, and W. Ashfall was reported in many areas downwind, including San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km N), Morelia (9 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), finca Palo Verde, Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa (23 km SW), Siquinala, San Andrés Osuna, Chuchu, and La Reunión. Lava flows traveled 2 km down the Santa Teresa (W) drainage and 3 km down the Las Lajas drainage. Pyroclastic flows descended the Trinidad (S), Las Lajas (SE), Ceniza (S), and Santa Teresa drainages. Residents of Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW) were evacuated. Explosions were not reported that next day and the lava flows may have stopped advancing. According to a news article, about 300 people had been evacuated from Panimache (8 km SW). During 7-8 May lower-energy explosions generated ash plumes that rose as high as 750 m above the crater and drifted 8-20 km W and SW. Gases were observed rising from pyroclastic flow deposits in the ravines.

Manam | Papua New Guinea : RVO reported that another phase of Strombolian activity at Manam’s Southern Crater began around 1700 on 4 May when RSAM values increased to 100-150. A sharp increase in values was detected at 0330 on 5 May, though the highest RSAM value (1,400) occurred between 0500 and 0600. RSAM dropped rapidly to 200 by around 0700, and then by 1400 RSAM values were around 50. Strombolian activity on 5 May was characterized by loud roaring and rumbling, ejected incandescent material, and ash and scoria fall; some phases of very strong activity occurred during 0530-0600. A lava flow traveled down the SW valley and stopped at 600 m elevation. Minor amounts of ash fell in all parts of the island including Warisi (E), Dugulaba (S), and Boda and Baliab (NW). Though weather clouds prevented visual observations of Manam during 6-8 May, activity in general was very low; noises and crater incandescence were absent, and seismicity was lower than it had been for many weeks (RSAM

Poas | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that an eruption at Poás was detected at 1724 on 6 May though poor visibility prevented visual confirmation of the event. During 6-7 May volcano-tectonic and long-period earthquakes were detected, as well as moderate-amplitude tremor.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.4 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.6 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.5 Earthquake hits southern Xinjiang, China.

A moderate earthquake that struck close to the Earth's surface killed eight people and injured more than 20 others in far western China on Thursday, the region's earthquake administration said.

5.4 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.1 Earthquake hits Azerbaijan.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Andreanof Islands in the Aleutian Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Indian Ocean Triple Junction.

5.0 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits southern Xinjiang, China.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Andreanof Islands in the Aleutian Islands.