Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 Earthquake hits the Ryukyu Islands off Japan.

5.0 Earthquake hits southern Iran.

5.0 Earthquake hits offshore Guatemala.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Storm Harvey is located about 30 mi...50 km NNE of Alexandria Louisiana and about 100 mi...160 km SE of Shreveport Louisiana with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement…NNE or 30 degrees at 9 mph...15 km/h.

Tropical Storm Irma is located about 590 mi...950 km W of the Cabo Verde islands with maximum sustained winds...70 mph...110 km/h. Present movement…W or 280 degrees at 12 mph...19 km/h.

In the Eastern Pacific: Tropical Storm Lidia is located about 115 mi...185 km SSE of Cabo San lucas Mexico with maximum sustained winds...45 mph...75 km/h. Present movement…NNW or 335 degrees at 8 mph...13 km/h.

In the Western Pacific: Tropical storm 17w (Sanvu), located approximately 12 nm west-northwest of Chichi Jima, is tracking north-northeastward at 08 knots.

NewsBytes:

Texas, USA - Tropical Storm Harvey bore down on eastern Texas and Louisiana on Wednesday, bringing the catastrophic downpours that paralyzed the U.S. energy hub of Houston, where record rainfall drove tens of thousands of people from their homes. The storm that first came ashore on Friday near Corpus Christi, Texas, as the most powerful hurricane to hit Texas in more than 50 years has killed at least 17 people and forced 30,000 people to flee to emergency shelters. Damage has been estimated at tens of billions of dollars, making it one of the costliest U.S. natural disasters. Clear skies in Houston on Wednesday brought relief to the fourth-largest U.S. city after five days of downpours, as Harvey headed northeast, drenching cities including Port Arthur, Texas, and Lake Charles, Louisiana. As Harvey churned out of the Houston area, it made landfall for a third time early on Wednesday, and was about 25 miles west of Lake Charles, Louisiana, at 8 a.m. ET with winds up to 45 miles per hour. It was expected to bring an additional 3 to 6 inches of rain to an area about 80 miles east of Houston as well as southwestern Louisiana, where some areas have already had more than 18 inches of rain.

Wildfires

Wildfires - California, USA

Authorities on Wednesday arrested a man suspected of starting an illegal campfire believed to have ignited a growing Northern California blaze that destroyed 10 homes, damaged five others and threatened hundreds more.

The wildfire sparked Tuesday near the town of Oroville, a region already hard-hit by fire and a massive evacuation earlier this year caused by damage to sections of the nation’s tallest dam.

It’s one of many wildfires burning across the U.S. West, including blazes in and around California’s Yosemite National Park that have closed a popular road into the park, shuttered the iconic Wawona Hotel and evacuated nearby towns. Some 58 homes near the park have been destroyed.

Wildfires - Oregon, USA

Wildfires in Oregon are burning an area roughly equivalent to half the state of Rhode Island.

The two dozen blazes around the state Wednesday are affecting air quality and have forced the evacuations of more than 4,500 people.

The largest fire is near the coastal town of Brookings near the California border. That 196-square-mile (508-square-kilometer) blaze is 5 percent contained and 4,568 people have fled their homes.

Disease

Yellow fever – France – French Guiana

On 22 August 2017, the National IHR Focal Point for France notified a confirmed fatal case of yellow fever in a 43-year-old Brazilian woman in French Guiana, with an unknown vaccination status. This was the first case of yellow fever in Fresh Guiana in two decades.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New Activity for the week of 23 August - 29 August 2017

Ibu | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite images and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 24 and 28 August ash plumes from Ibu rose 1.5-1.8 km (5,000-6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W.

Pacaya | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 21-28 August Strombolian explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney cone ejected material as high as 75 m above the crater rim, and during 27-28 August as far as 100 m onto the W flank. Cloud cover sometimes prevented visual observations; explosions could be heard within a 5-km radius.

Sangay | Ecuador : Based on satellite data, the Washington VAAC reported that a plume from Sangay with possible ash content rose 7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted over 30 km SW. A thermal anomaly was identified on 23 August.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 Earthquake hits the Babuyan Islands in the Philippines.

5.3 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.2 Earthquake hits Guam.

5.2 Earthquake hits off the coast of Guerrero, Mexico.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Storm Harvey is located about 5 mi...10 km w of Cameron Louisiana and about 30 mi...50 km ESE of Port Arthur Texas with maximum sustained winds...45 mph...75 km/h. Present movement…NNE or 30 degrees at 7 mph...11 km/h.

Potential tropical cyclone Ten is located about 85 mi...140 km NE of Cape Hatteras North Carolina with maximum sustained winds...45 mph...75 km/h. Present movement…NE or 50 degrees at 24 mph...39 km/h.

In the Western Pacific: Tropical storm 17w (Sanvu), located approximately 37 nm east of Chichi Jima, is tracking west-northwestward at 16 knots.

NewsBytes:

Houston, Texas, USA - Floodwaters reached the rooflines of single-story homes Monday and people could be heard pleading for help from inside as Harvey poured rain on the Houston area for a fourth consecutive day after a chaotic weekend of rising water and rescues. The nation's fourth-largest city remained mostly paralyzed by one of the largest downpours in U.S. history. And there was no relief in sight from the storm that spun into Texas as a Category 4 hurricane, then parked over the Gulf Coast. With nearly 2 more feet (61 centimeters) of rain expected on top of the 30-plus inches (76 centimeters) in some places, authorities worried that the worst might be yet to come. The flooding was so widespread that the levels of city waterways have equaled or surpassed those of Tropical Storm Allison from 2001, and no major highway has been spared some overflow. The city's normally bustling business district was virtually deserted Monday, with emergency vehicles making up most of the traffic.

Mumbai, India - Heavy monsoon rains have brought Mumbai to a halt for a second day as the worst floods to strike south Asia in years continued to exact a deadly toll. Streets in Mumbai have turned into rivers and people waded through waist-deep waters. On Tuesday, the city received about 12.7cm (5ins) of rain, paralyzing public transport and leaving thousands of commuters stranded in their offices overnight. Poor visibility and flooding also forced airport authorities to divert some flights while most were delayed by up to an hour.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

No 5+ magnitude Earthquakes reported so far today.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Storm Harvey is located about 100 mi…160 km ENE of Port O’Connor, Texas with maximum sustained winds...45 mph…75 km/h. Present movement…E or 90 degrees at 3 mph…6 km/h.

Potential tropical cyclone Ten is located about 95 mi...150 km ENE of Charleston South Carolina and about 65 mi...100 km SW of Wilmington North Carolina with maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/h. Present movement…NE or 45 degrees at 12 mph...19 km/h.

In the Western Pacific: Tropical storm 17w (Sanvu), located approximately 260 nm north-northeast of Agrihan, is tracking northward at 11 knots.

Disease

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – United Arab Emirates

On 29 July 2017, the national IHR focal point of the United Arab Emirates reported one additional case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

Mauritania reports confirmed Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever case

In May, health officials reported two imported cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Senegal imported from Mauritania. A third imported case was reported in June. On Aug 24, the Mauritania Ministry of Health notified WHO of a confirmed case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) from Arafat Village in Mohammedia.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.1 Earthquake hits the Admiralty Islands, Papua New Guinea.

5.0 Earthquake hits northwestern Iran.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Storm Harvey is located about 15 mi…25 km NNE of Port O’Connor, Texas with maximum sustained winds...40 mph…65 km/h. Present movement…SE or 130 degrees at 3 mph…6 km/h.

NewsBytes:

Houston, Texas, USA - Catastrophic flooding triggered by Tropical Storm Harvey inundated Houston on Sunday, forcing residents of the fourth most populous U.S. city to flee their homes in boats or hunker down in anticipation of several more days of "unprecedented" rainfall. The storm caused chest-deep flooding on some streets in Houston as rivers and channels overflowed their banks. More than 30 inches (76 cm) of rain had fallen in parts of Houston in the past 48 hours. The storm struck at the heart of the country's oil and gas industry, forcing operators to close several refineries and evacuate and close offshore platforms.

Disease

Nepal - Flood-Related Viral Outbreak

After going through the worst flooding in decade which has claimed lives of almost 150 people and left 90,000 homes destroyed, Nepal yet again seems to be facing with another shamble as an epidemic viral outbreak has taken hold of hundreds of flood- affected people in several districts of the country.

The viral outbreak has affected the lives of flood victims, who are now suffering from health problems like fever, cold, diarrhea, headache and skin infections.

Mozambique - Anthrax

Sporadic cases of the bacterial disease, anthrax, is responsible for the deaths of three animals at the Karingani Game Reserve in southwestern Mozambique, according to Dr Américo Da Conceicao, National Director, Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Maputo, Mozambique last week. Two African elephants and one greater kudu (a woodland antelope) fell victim to Bacillus anthracis, the agent of anthrax.

India - Swine Flu

With one more swine flu death reported in Indore on Friday, the death toll of the dreaded disease reached three on Saturday. Meanwhile, after one more patient tested positive of swine flu on Saturday, the total number of affected patients rose to 17 in city.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.4 Earthquake hits the Admiralty Islands.

5.6 Earthquake hits the Greenland Sea.

5.5 Earthquake hits south of Java, Indonesia.

5.4 Earthquake hits north of Macquarie Island.

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

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Storm Harvey is located about 50 mi...80 km ESE of San Antonio Texas and about 95 mi...155 km NW of Port O’Connor Texas with maximum sustained winds...45 mph...75 km/h. Present movement…SSW or 200 degrees at 1 mph...2 km/h.

In the Western Pacific: Tropical storm 16w (Pakhar), located approximately 54 nm southwest of Hong Kong, is tracking northwestward at 23 knots.

NewsBytes:

Texas, USA - Hurricane Harvey was downgraded to a tropical storm after thrashing southern Texas, bringing heavy rain and “widespread devastation” in its wake. High howling winds, downed power lines and intense flooding hit the Lone Star State in one of the strongest storms to slam into Texas in a decade. Upwards of 20 inches of rain had hit the Corpus Christi area, which was in the path of the storm, and an additional 20 to 30 inches were expected elsewhere. By midday Saturday, some 338,000 customers along the Texas coast were without power. Extremely serious flooding was possible throughout the state.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Greece

A wildfire broke out at the village Anafonitria, in northern Zakynthos. The village is being evacuated after fire reached the front porches of some houses. Two more wildfires broke out in the Ano Volima area of the island, about five kilometres west of the first Anafonitria fire front.

Disease

Romania - Measles

The National Center for Surveillance and Control of Communicable Diseases puts the total case count at 8937 from 41 counties through Aug. 25 with 33 deaths reported.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 Earthquake hits south of Panama.

5.1 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic Ocean: Hurricane Harvey is located about 20 mi...30 km WSW of Victoria Texas and about 95 mi...150 km SE of San Antonio Texas with maximum sustained winds...80 mph...130 km/h. Present movement…NNW or 340 degrees at 6 mph...9 km/h.

Hurricane Harvey smashed into Texas late Friday, lashing a wide swath of the Gulf Coast with strong winds and torrential rain from the fiercest hurricane to hit the U.S. in more than a decade. It was downgraded to a Category 1 storm just after 5 a.m.

In the Western Pacific: Tropical storm 16w (Pakhar), located approximately 271 nm northwest of Manila, Philippines, is tracking west-northwestward at 16 knots.

NewsBytes:

South Asia - Torrential monsoon rains triggered flooding and landslides that have killed more than 1,200 people in India, Bangladesh and Nepal over the past month. The floodwaters also stranded families and washed away crops. U.N. agencies rushed to provide aid to damaged areas, estimating that 41 million people have been affected in the three countries. “I could not find a single dry patch of land,” said the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent’s Matthew Marek, who flew over Bangladesh to survey the damages, Reuters reported. “Farmers are left with nothing, not even with clean drinking water.”

Wildlife

USA Investigates Right Whale Deaths

Fearing an existential threat to one of the largest mammals in the sea, the United States government has launched an investigation into a string of deaths of endangered North Atlantic right whales.

At least 13 of the whales have been found dead this year off Atlantic Canada and New England, an unprecedented number experts say threatens the survival of the species.

“The North Atlantic right whale is one of the most critically endangered populations of large whales in the world,” David Gouveia with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s fisheries branch said Friday. “The population numbers are very low and recovery is very slow. It’s a significant die off.”

In response to the troubling raft of deaths, NOAA Fisheries has declared “an unusual mortality event.”

The designation triggers a sweeping investigation into the cause of the deaths, including environmental and habitat conditions, threats from commercial fishing and shipping and other risk factors.

The U.S. Coast Guards find a young right whale in Cape Cod Bay.

Wildfires

First Nations Affected by British Columbia Wildfires

A First Nation in British Columbia's Cariboo region is calling for a moratorium on hunting until officials can confirm sufficient numbers of wildlife have survived the wildfire season. The Nazko First Nation is concerned that wildfires in his traditional lands in the Cariboo Chilcotin region may have dramatically reduced the number of moose and deer.

The Nazko have survived as traditional hunters on their ancestral land for thousands of years with moose, deer and salmon as staple proteins.

Most of the community has been evacuated to Quesnel for weeks, while some remain on the First Nation's main reserve, west of Quesnel.

The Cariboo Chilcotin has had 11 fires of note since early July which have caused a number of evacuations, a temporary ban on backcountry travel and burned 783,699 hectares of land.

A herd of wild horses was recently reported burned to death by the neighbouring Tsilhqot'in First Nation.

On top of the anxiety surrounding the annual hunting season, this year's salmon returns have been dismal. Salmon are susceptible to liquid fertilizers found in fire retardant and ammonia compounds found in retardant can kill aquatic life if not diluted.

Disease

Chikungunya – France

Local transmission of chikungunya has been confirmed in south eastern France, with four cases diagnosed in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region as of 23 August 2017. In addition, there is one probable case, and eight suspected cases.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

No magnitude 5+ earthquakes so far today.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Storm Harvey is located about 180 mi...290 km SE of Corpus Christi Texas and about 185 mi...295 km SSE of Port O’Connor Texas with maximum sustained winds...105 mph...165 km/h. Present movement…NW or 320 degrees at 9 mph...15 km/h.

In the Western Pacific: Tropical storm 16w (Pakhar), located approximately 138 nm east-northeast of Manila, Philippines, is tracking west-northwestward at 09 knots.

NewsBytes:

Uganda - One person is feared dead and more than 2,000 people around Elegu border market in Amuru district are believed to now be homeless after the Unyama stream burst its bank, giving way to destructive floods. The area experienced a downpour that started Monday night and did not let up until Tuesday late-morning. Several people in Amuru district have since reported that some bridges were swept away, leaving the areas cut off in the two sub-counties of Atiak and Pabbo.

Alaska - Heavy rainfall in the southeast Alaska city of Ketchikan caused road damage and flooded homes. Ketchikan received 7-10 inches of rain Monday into Tuesday.

Macau - Update - The death toll from Typhoon Hato has increased to 16. Another 153 were injured amid extensive flooding, power outages, and the smashing of doors and windows by high winds and driving rain.

Wildlife

Walrus Island

Rapidly retreating Arctic sea ice has driven several hundred Pacific walrus to an Alaskan barrier island weeks earlier than ever observed.

The marine mammals have historically conducted their “haulout” on sea ice, where they rest and feed.

But they began showing up instead on Point Lay along the Chukchi Sea coast in 2007 as global warming melted their icy habitat.

This year, they arrived two weeks before the previous earliest date in 2011.

Up to 40,000 of the marine mammals have crowded onto the narrow island in recent years, putting them at risk of deadly stampedes.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 120.0 degrees Fahrenheit (48.9 degrees Celsius) in Al Qaysumah, Saudi Arabia.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 95.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 70.5 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 - British Columbia, Canada

An evacuation order affecting about 1,100 people living east of Kelowna, B.C., was issued Thursday because of the threat of a new wildfire. Fire crews from the Joe Rich, Kelowna, Ellison and Lake Country departments along with the BC Wildfire Service were fighting the blaze that was reported shortly after 1:30 p.m.

Wildfires - South Africa

Farmers are still counting the cost of wildfires that killed livestock, and destroyed more than 60 000ha of grazing and 4 500 bales of feed across the Free State in the space of a week, according to Free State Agriculture (FSA).

In the Petrus Steyn district, an estimated 11 500ha were destroyed by a fire that is believed to have started in a nearby township.

A fire in the Frankfort area on the same day burnt a 26km swathe along the N3. About 50 000ha were destroyed in the district

A second fire that occurred in the Cornelia area at the same time, burnt [along a] 14km [stretch] before it could be brought under control.

Disease

Canadian Invaders

The species of mosquito most responsible for the transmission of human Zika virus cases has been found for the first time in Canada. An adult Aedes aegypti mosquito was captured in a southern Ontario trap only a week after two Aedes albopictus mosquitoes were also found in the area. “Once they establish themselves here it would be more difficult to control, and maybe we’ll see some diseases we haven’t seen before,” medical official Wajid Ahmed told the CBC. It has long been predicted that climate change will result in expanding habitats for disease-carrying insects.

Sweden - Newcastle Disease

Up to 4,000 laying birds have been culled following an outbreak of Newcastle Disease on a poultry farm in Sweden.

The causal agent for the outbreak in Kalmar County in the south of the country has been identified as avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1) but the source of the outbreak remains inconclusive.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 16 August - 22 August 2017

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported 26 events at Showa Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 18-21 August, one of which was explosive. Material was ejected as high and as far as 500 m. Ash plumes rose as high as 1.7 km above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Bezymianny | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 11-18 August a daily thermal anomaly over Bezymianny was identified in satellite images. A lava flow continued to flow down the W flank of the dome; incandescence from the dome was visible at night. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Bogoslof | Fox Islands (USA) : AVO reported that photographs of Bogoslof taken during an overflight on 15 August showed that the vent area (which had dried out during the 7 August eruption) had refilled with water. Seismicity decreased on 16 August and remained low at least through 18 August. Weakly elevated surface temperatures consistent with a warm lake were identified in satellite data during 19-20 August. Satellite data acquired on 21 August showed an approximately 125-m-diameter lava dome within the intra-island lake, just W of the 1992 lava dome. A cold volcanic plume, likely from the lava dome, drifted about 55 km S of the island. Some minor explosions were detected in infrasound data at about 0410 on 22 August. The lava dome had grown to 160 m in diameter. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that elevated surface temperatures at Cleveland were identified in satellite data during 17-21 August. Minor degassing from the summit was observed in satellite and webcam images during 20-21 August. A 1-minute-long moderate explosion was detected at 1043 on 22 August in infrasound and seismic data. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 16-22 August ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E, NE, NW, and W. Ash plumes drifted as far as 150 km on 17 August.

Fuego | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that the eighth effusive episode at Fuego in 2017 began on 20 August. Constant explosions generated ash plumes that rose 2.3 km above the crater and drifted more than 50 km W and SW. Ashfall was reported in areas downwind including Panimaché I (8 km SW), Morelia (9 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW), and Yepocapa (8 km WNW). Two lava fountains, each 300 m high, fed lava flows that traveled 1.4 km SSW down the Ceniza ravine and 1.2 km W down the Seca (Santa Teresa) ravine. Incandescent block avalanches occurred throughout the crater. Some explosions generated shock waves that rattled nearby structures. Seismicity decreased on 21 August. Weak explosions generated ash plumes that rose 1 km and drifted 20 km. Suspended ash from explosions and pyroclastic flows was visible. The lava flows had lengthened 200 m in the Ceniza ravine and 100 m in the Santa Teresa ravine. The report warned that pyroclastic flows were concentrated in the Santa Teresa ravine, possibly filling the drainage with deposits (similar to activity from 5 May) and increasing the chances for lahars. Ash fell in San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km N) and Chimaltenango (21 km NNE). On 22 August INSIVUMEH noted that after 48 hours the effusive episode was over. Explosions produced ash plumes that rose 1.2 km and drifted SW, and continued to vibrate nearby structures. Incandescent material was ejected as high as 200 m above the crater rim.

Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : A thermal anomaly over Karymsky was identified in satellite images on 11 August, as well as ash plumes drifting about 400 km SE during 12-13 August. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 16-22 August 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. 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 breakout 120 m up-slope of the ocean entry began at 0410 on 19 August and lasted about 9.5 hours; it produced a lava fall over the sea cliff W of the ramp and a small ‘a’a flow on the W portion of the delta. At 2135 a large littoral explosion occurred near the front of the delta, producing spatter that was ejected higher than the sea cliff (about 28 m high). Another smaller explosion was observed five minutes later. HVO scientists documented ongoing littoral explosions on 21 August, as well as continued widening of the cracks running parallel to the coastline.

Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that ash plumes from Klyuchevskoy were identified in satellite images drifting 315 km E and NW during 11-12 and 15-17 August. 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, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 16 August an ash plume from Langila rose 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW.

Manam | Papua New Guinea : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 21 August an ash plume from Manam rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NNW.

Piton de la Fournaise | Reunion Island (France) : Mainly based on seismicity, OVPF reported that the eruption at Piton de la Fournaise that began on 14 July continued during 16-22 August; weather clouds prevented visual and satellite observations most of the week. Volcanic tremor rapidly increased in the early evening on 15 August, concurrent with the presence of ephemeral lava fountains, at the cone and another area, visible in webcam images. The signal fluctuated at high levels until the evening of 19 August, when it began to stabilize at low levels. Satellite data from 19 August indicated a decreased lava-flow rate.

Poas | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that an event at Poás at 1517 on 22 August generated a plume that rose 300 m above the crater rim.

Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosive activity at Sabancaya was similar to the previous week; there was an average of 41 explosions recorded per day during 14-20 August. The earthquakes were dominated by long-period signals, with fewer numbers of hybrid events recorded. Gas-and-ash plumes rose 3.4 km above the crater rim and drifted no more than 30 km SE. The report warned the public not to approach the crater within a 12-km radius.

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly was identified daily in satellite images over Sheveluch during 11-18 August. Ash plumes drifted about 180 km E, NW, and NE during 12 and 15-16 August. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.

Sinabung | Indonesia : PVMBG reported that the lava dome in Sinabung’s crater that had been growing since April was destroyed during the 2-3 August events. The dome had grown to an estimated volume of 2.3 million cubic meters. Measurements on 6 August indicated that a new dome had a volume of 23,700 cubic meters. Based on PVMBG ground observations, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 16 August an ash plume from Sinabung rose to 2.7 km (9,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted ESE.

Suwanosejima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : Based on JMA notices, the Tokyo VAAC reported explosions at Suwanosejima during 19-20 August.

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that an event at Turrialba at 1012 on 21 August generated a plume that rose 200 m above the crater rim and drifted NW.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 Earthquake hits the Iran-Iraq border.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Celebes Sea.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Revilla Gigedo Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Storm Harvey is located about 380 mi...615 km SE of Port O’Connor Texas and about 335 mi...540 km SE of Port Mansfield Texas with maximum sustained winds...60 mph...95 km/h. Present movement…NNW or 345 degrees at 10 mph...17 km/h.

In the Western Pacific: Tropical Depression 16w (Sixteen), located approximately 301 nm east-northeast of Manila, Philippines, is tracking westward at 14 knots.

NewsBytes:

Macau - Chaos and confusion gripped Macau on Thursday after one of the strongest typhoons on record hit the territory, killing at least nine people, and leaving more than half the city still without water and power, and casinos relying on backup generators. Rescuers on Thursday searched submerged cars for trapped people in the former Portuguese territory, while overwhelmed emergency services scrambled to respond to crisis calls.

Switzerland - Eight people, including German, Austrian and Swiss citizens, are missing following a landslide that forced the evacuation of a village in the Swiss Alps, police said Thursday. The Wednesday morning landslide sent mud, rocks and dirt flooding down the Piz Cengalo mountain into the outskirts of the village of Bondo, near the Italian border. Roughly 100 people were evacuated, with some airlifted out with helicopters.

Northern Ireland - More than 100 people had to be rescued in Northern Ireland after being trapped by overnight flooding. The north west was worst affected, particularly Londonderry, as well as other parts of the county and Tyrone. Firefighters rescued 93 people who were trapped by flood water in their cars or homes. The Met Office confirmed that 63% of the average August rainfall fell within an eight-to-nine-hour period.

Global Warming

Climate Change Is Causing Fish to Shrink

Fishermen over the past several years have noted that fish appear to be shrinking. That observation was validated in 2014 by research that found commercially important fish stocks in the North Sea, such as sole, herring, and haddock, have decreased in maximum body size over a 40-year period.

New research published in the journal Global Change Biology explains that these species and many others are ectotherms, meaning that their body temperature depends on environmental temperature.

As the oceans warm up, their bodies will do so as well. Higher temperature within the scope that the fish can tolerate generally increases the rate of biochemical reactions in the fish’s body and thus increases their body metabolic rate. Metabolic rate refers to an animal’s oxygen consumption, which also naturally increases as fish grow into adulthood because their body mass becomes larger.

One might wonder why fish and other marine ectotherms aren’t just taking in ever more oxygen to coincide with this natural growth due to maturation and the rise of ocean temperatures. They don’t because at a certain point they cannot keep up.

The researchers point out that the surface area of an animal’s gills — where oxygen is obtained — does not grow at the same pace as the rest of its body. This is because gills, in order to work, must function as a two-dimensional surface — width by height — and thus cannot grow as fast as the three-dimensional volume — width by height by depth — they have to supply with oxygen.

The reductions will be in the range of 20–30 percent if ocean temperatures continue to climb due to climate change. At the higher end of that range is one of the world’s most important commercial fish: tuna.

Tunas are active, mobile, and fast-swimming animals that need a lot of oxygen to maintain their lifestyle. They have to keep swimming non-stop in order to get more water through their gills to obtain sufficient oxygen. Thus, when temperature increases, they are particularly susceptible to not having sufficient oxygen to support their body growth.

For a 2 degree Celsius (3.6 degree Fahrenheit) increase in water temperature, which is approximately what is expected to occur in oceans around the world by the mid-21st century, tunas such as the Atlantic bluefin tuna will potentially decrease in body size by 30 percent.

Disease

Philippines - HIV

At least 1,103 people tested positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the Philippines in June, official figures show. The reported infections bring to 5,491 the total number of new HIV cases from January to June this year, the Department of Health (DOH) said. HIV can potentially develop into the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (Aids).

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New Activity for the week of 16 August - 22 August 2017

Kanlaon | Philippines : PHIVOLCS reported that between 24 June and 18 August the seismic network at Kanlaon detected 244 volcanic earthquakes. The report stated that the increased seismic activity could be followed by phreatic explosions at the summit crater, despite the absence of visible degassing or steaming from the active vent during 2017. The Alert Level was raised to 1 (on a scale of 0-5), and the public was warned to not enter the 4-km-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ).

Pacaya | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 20-22 August Strombolian explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney cone ejected material as high as 75 m above the crater rim and onto the flanks, generating avalanches mainly on the W flank.

San Cristobal | Nicaragua : According to a news report, at 0518 on 18 August SINAPRED received reports of ash fall in some communities near San Cristóbal, including La Grecia, and the municipalities of El Viejo (18 km WSW) and El Realejo (25 km SW). Based on analysis of satellite images and information from INETER, the Washington VAAC reported that a small ash puff from the volcano rose 300 m above the crater rim and drifted NW. Later that day a gas emission possibly containing ash rose 300 m and drifted W. An ash plume identified in satellite images extended as far as 265 km W. Seismicity was elevated. Steam-and-gas emissions continued through the rest of the day.

Sangay | Ecuador : Based on information from IG, the Guayaquil MWO, and satellite data the Washington VAAC reported continuing ash emissions at Sangay. On 16 August an ash plume drifted W. On 17 August an ash plume rose to an altitude of 8.2 km (27,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW, and was followed by several more ash puffs. During 19-20 August ash plumes rose to 5.8 km (19,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW and W. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images on 20 August.

Ulawun | New Britain (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 17-18 August ash plumes from Ulawun rose to 2.7 km (9,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.0 Earthquake hits Leyte in the Philippines.

Two persons died in Ormoc City after a shallow magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck Leyte on Wednesday morning.

Italy - A small but deadly earthquake on the Italian holiday island of Ischia exposed a deep political fault line on Tuesday over the country’s proliferation of unsafe, illegal housing. The tremor, officially recorded in Italy at a modest strength of 4.0, toppled buildings, killed two people and injured dozens in a district where seven years ago residents rioted to prevent bulldozers from razing illegally built homes.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Eastern Pacific: Hurricane Kenneth is located about 1545 mi...2490 km W of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds…60 mph…95 km/h. Present movement...NNW or 340 degrees at 10 mph...17 km/h.

In the Western Pacific: Tropical storm (ts) 15w (Hato), located approximately 72 nm west of Hong Kong, is tracking west-northwestward at 16 knots.

Typhoon Hato, a maximum category 10 storm, slammed into Hong Kong on Wednesday lashing the Asian financial hub with wind and rain that uprooted trees and forced most businesses to close, while in some places big waves flooded seaside streets. There were reports of 34 people injured in Hong Kong while in the city of Macau, across the Pearl River estuary, three people were killed, authorities there said.

NewsBytes:

Kansas, USA - Torrential rains caused historic flooding in the Kansas City area Tuesday, leaving one man dead in Kansas and others stranded for hours by high water. Flooding made many roads impassable, trapping people at homes and businesses along the Blue River and Indian Creek, which set a new record of 28.22 feet overnight and topped its banks after record flooding last month. Water spilling out of Indian Creek inundated bridges, businesses, apartments and houses.

India, Update - Devastating floods that have swept across large swathes of Bihar, Assam and Uttar Pradesh claimed 57 more lives today, with Bihar alone accounting for 51 causalities. The figure of flood fatalities rose by three each in Assam and Uttar Pradesh. However, life in the deluge-ravaged areas of West Bengal slowly limped back to normalcy, with the water level of rivers receding. The death toll in Bihar floods has crossed the 300 mark with 51 people losing their lives since yesterday. The flood toll stood at 253 till yesterday. 1.38 crore people are battling the deluge in 18 districts of the state. Around 7.34 lakh people have been shifted to safer areas. Close to 3.27 lakh people are putting up in 1,346 relief camps.

Sudan - Sudan on Monday warned Khartoum residents along the Nile of likely "massive floods" as water levels of the river rose to a record high following heavy rains in neighbouring Ethiopia. The Blue Nile flowing to Sudan from Ethiopia converges with the White Nile in Khartoum, and from there they become the Nile which runs through the country into Egypt.

Global Warming

Russia says it halted global warming for one year

Russia has reduced the quantity of emitted greenhouse gases by almost 50% since 1990, which has slowed down the global warming for one year, CEO of the Center for Energy Efficiency Igor Bashmakov said on Friday at the Climate Forum of the Russian Cities.

"We have considerably reduced the volume of emissions, almost by one half, and then held on to this level," Bashmakov said. "If we in Russia preserved the level of the 1990 emissions, we would have emitted by 41 bln tonnes of equivalent more by this time, which is close to what all global sources emit. That is, Russia has actually suspended the global warming for a whole year on its own, and it has a considerable result."

In October 2004, Russia undertook the obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. Russia also signed the Paris climate accord in 2016.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Croatia

Several wildfires are raging on the Adriatic coast in Croatia, prompting the evacuation of dozens of villages. Strong winds are spreading the blazes, officials said, making it difficult for firefighters to operate. Firefighting planes have been called to tackle the pine forest blaze near the resorts of Sibenik and Zadar. Fires also raged on the islands of Hvar and Brac. The main road from the capital, Zagreb, to the port of Split was closed briefly.

Disease

Scotland - Syphilis

Scotland health officials are reporting an increase in syphilis cases, in fact, overall incidence of infectious syphilis in Scotland was at its highest level since implementation of the current surveillance system in 2002/2003. A total of 356 diagnoses of infectious syphilis were reported during 2016 a 13% increase on that reported in 2015.

South Dakota, USA - Anthrax

A cattle herd in southeastern Pennington County, South Dakota was hit by anthrax recently, according to state officials. State Veterinarian Dr. Dustin Oedekoven says that at least 9 adult cattle died suddenly last week in the herd, which had not been vaccinated against anthrax.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 Earthquake hits Samoa.

5.0 Earthquake hits offshore Chiapas, Mexico.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Eastern Pacific: Hurricane Kenneth is located about 1465 mi...2355 km W of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds…90 mph…150 km/h. Present movement...NW or 325 degrees at 10 mph...17 km/h.

In the Western Pacific: Tropical storm (ts) 15w (Hato), located approximately 276 nm east-southeast of Hong Kong, is tracking west-northwestward at 12 knots.

Global Warming

Alaska's Grizzly Bears Drop Salmon for Berries as Climate Changes

When Kodiak Island's elderberries started ripening earlier, its icon bears changed their diet. It's another ecological shift amid climate change, scientists say.

Each summer, the shallow freshwater streams of Kodiak Island, Alaska, are so thick with sockeye salmon, you literally cannot cross the waterways without stepping on the brightly colored fish. With the salmon come brown bears, often dozens of grizzlies per stream, hauling the fish onto nearby banks for an easy meal.

During an unusually warm summer in 2014, however, no bears could be found. At the peak of the annual salmon run, as the fish made their way upstream to spawn, the roughly 1,000-pound bears were busy feasting on berries instead, according to a study published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. A similar phenomenon is believed to have also occurred in 2016, after the study period ended, but the bears were not closely monitored to confirm their feeding behavior.

Biologists who study Alaska's iconic omnivores say changes in seasonal phenomenon caused by a warming planet were behind the bears' unusual behavior, which could affect the entire ecosystem.

Different species are responding to climate change in different ways, "so what you have is a scrambling of the schedule," said William Deacy, a biologist at Oregon State University in Corvallis and lead author of the study.

The island's brown bears typically feed first on salmon, followed by elderberries later in the season. An earlier-than-usual ripening of red elderberries, however, forced the bears to make a choice.

Disease

Nigeria - Lassa Fever

During the week ending on August 13, Nigeria reported an additional 10 confirmed Lassa fever cases as the incidence continues to increase despite ongoing efforts to control the disease.

Syria - Polio

In a follow-up on the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) situation in Syria, three new cases were officially reported in the past week, according to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). This brings the total to 33.

Sudan - Malaria

An outbreak of malaria in South Sudan has killed over 4,000 people since February, a senior health official disclosed last week describing this year’s malaria as the most severe the country has ever seen. A total of over 900,000 malaria cases had so far been registered with 4 073 deaths recorded.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Eastern Pacific: Hurricane Kenneth is located about 1355 mi...2180 km WSW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...130 mph...215 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 300 degrees at 10 mph...17 km/h.

In the Western Pacific: Tropical storm (ts) 15w (Hato), located approximately 237 nm east-southeast of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, is tracking west-northwestward at 11 knots.

NewsBytes:

India, Update - Floods continued to wreak havoc in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Assam which reported 88 more deluge-related deaths on Sunday, while West Bengal heaved a sigh of relief in the absence of major rainfall.

The death toll in Bihar floods rose from 202 to 253. About 1.26 crore people are grappling with the flooding in 18 districts of the State. A total of 4.21 lakh people have been shifted to 1,358 relief camps in different parts of the State.

Meanwhile, four more persons lost their lives in Assam and nearly 19 lakh people were suffering in 15 districts of the State.

33 more deluge-related deaths had been reported in Uttar Pradesh over the last two days. Raging waters of the rivers emanating from Nepal have caused havoc in vast swathes of human habitation in the region.

Rising floodwaters have inundated large parts of a famous wildlife reserve in northeastern India, killing more than 225 animals and forcing hundreds of others to flee. About 15 rare rhinos, 185 deer, and at least one Royal Bengal tiger have died in the devastating floods that submerged almost the entire Kaziranga National Park in Assam state, the park's director said on Saturday.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 Earthquake hits Guatemala.

5.2 Earthquake hits the northern Mid-Atlantic ridge.

5.1 Earthquake hits central Peru.

5.1 Earthquake hits east of North Island, New Zealand.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Oregon, USA

600 people are evacuated because of the Milli Wildfire near the town of Sisters. And fire officials said Saturday that another thousand residents have been told to be ready to leave if necessary. That fire is burning eight thousand acres and is causing smokey skies all over central Oregon. Firefighters are working hard to save nearby buildings.

And a level one evacuation notice was issued Saturday for the Kah-Nee-Ta Resort in the Warm Springs Reservation. The Nena Springs Fire is burning 66 thousand acres nearby. In the last two days, that fire has grown by 19 thousand acres.

Some campsites and recreational areas are also shut down in the Deschutes National Forest because of a 12-square-mile wildfire that jumped the fire lines this weekend.

Wildfires - British Columbia, Canada

A handful of small fires in B.C.'s west Cariboo region have merged to create what is now the largest fire in the province. The Plateau wildfire, northwest of Williams Lake, is estimated to be about 438,000 hectares and 130 kilometres from one end to the other. The fire information officer said the fire hasn't grown significantly in size, but several wildfires burning since about July 7 have now joined together.

Disease

Nigeria - ‘Mystery Disease’

At least 62 people are confirmed dead by a yet-to-be-diagnosed disease, a health official in Nigeria’s north central Kogi state has said. Preliminary laboratory tests of samples from the affected areas tested negative for lassa fever -- a disease whose symptoms include high fever, swelling and bleeding.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.0 Earthquake hits the State of Yap, Micronesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Atlantic Ocean: Remnants of Harvey are located about 135 mi…215 km N of the northern tip of the Guajira Peninsula, Colombia and about 765 mi…1230 km E of Cabo Gracias, Honduras, with maximum sustained winds…35 mph…55 km/h. Present movement…W or 275 degrees at 22 mph...35 km/h.

In the Eastern Pacific: Tropical Storm Kenneth is located about 1155 Mi…1860 Km WSW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds…70 Mph…110 Km/H. Present Movement...W or 280 Degrees at 15 Mph...24 Km/H.

In the Western Pacific: Tropical Depression 15 is an area of disturbed weather in the western Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

Disease

Dengue updates for Vietnam and Sri Lanka

Vietnam

The number of dengue fever cases in Vietnam spiked by some 10,000 cases in the past week. Tran Đac Phu, head of the ministry’s preventive medicine department, said the country had recorded 90,626 dengue cases since the beginning of 2017, a year-on-year rise of 67.8 per cent, including 24 fatalities, local media reports.

This is up by about 10,000 since the last total case count was released on Aug. 3. The outbreak is stretching the country’s medical system as more than 78,000 of the cases required hospitalization. In the capital city of Hanoi, there has been 17,027 recorded dengue cases, seven of whom died since the beginning of the year.

Sri Lanka

Since the beginning of the year, Sri Lanka has reported 137,279 suspected dengue cases and more than 300 deaths. Approximately 44.53% of dengue cases were reported from the Western province.

This compares with approximately 39,000 cases reported in January-August 2016 and 55,150 cases during the entire year.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.2 Earthquake hits Fiji.

5.4 Earthquake hits the Banda Sea.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.

5.1 Earthquake hits off the coast of Aisen, Chile.

5.1 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits central Peru.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Storm Harvey is located about 280 mi...450 km SSW of St. Croix and about 235 mi...375 km ENE of Curacao with maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/h. Present movement…W or 275 degrees at 21 mph...33 km/h.

In the Eastern Pacific: Tropical Storm Kenneth is located about 840 Mi...1350 Km SW of the Southern Tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...40 Mph...65 Km/H. Present Movement...WNW or 285 Degrees at 16 Mph...26 Km/H,

NewsBytes:

Sierra Leone, Update - The death toll from devastating floods in Sierra Leone has climbed to more than 400 people with hundreds still missing in the stricken capital. Large-scale burials have begun as an estimated 600 people remain missing. People continue to search through tonnes of mud and debris amid the remains of mangled buildings.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Oregon, USA

Fire officials have ordered about 1,200 people living in central Oregon to get ready to evacuate due to a 3,000-acre wildfire. The Milli Fire grew from 300 acres on Wednesday to 3,000 on Thursday because of high winds, pushing back firefighters. The fire in Deschutes County now threatens 434 structures. More than 1,000 people living in Sisters, Ore., have been advised to prepare for evacuation, officials said.

Wildfires - Montana, USA

One of several wildfires burning in Montana destroyed two homes after jumping control lines as firefighters braved another day Friday of high temperatures, gusty winds and low humidity. The homes, southwest of the town of Lolo, were among 750 residences evacuated after the fire, started by lightning in July, blew up late Wednesday. Several outbuildings were burned late Thursday. The blaze burned nearly 30 square miles (76 square kilometers) of forest land.

A wall of flames hundreds of feet high burn on a ridge south of Lolo, Montana

Space Events

Large Asteroid to pass Earth in September

An asteroid called Florence will pass within 4.5 million miles of Earth on Sept. 1, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory announced in a Thursday press release.

That’s 18 times the distance from the Earth to the moon. If that doesn’t sound impressive, consider its size: At 2.7 miles, Florence is the largest asteroid to pass Earth since NASA began tracking near-Earth asteroids. And this particular asteroid won’t come this close again until 2500, NASA says.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 9 August - 15 August 2017

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported 44 events at Showa Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 10-14 August, one of which was explosive. Material was ejected as high as 500 m and as far as 300 m. Ash plumes rose as high as 1.8 km above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Bagana | Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 9-10 and 13 August ash plumes from Bagana rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W and NW. Plumes drifted 120 km W on 13 August.

Bezymianny | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 4-11 August a daily thermal anomaly was identified over Bezymianny in satellite images. A lava flow continued to flow down the W flank of the dome; incandescence from the dome was visible at night. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Bogoslof | Fox Islands (USA) : AVO reported that on 9 August seismic and infrasound data suggested low-level eruptive activity at Bogoslof; weakly elevated surface temperatures and a minor steam emission were identified in satellite images. No significant activity was observed in cloudy satellite images, and no activity was detected in seismic, infrasound, or lightning data during 10-13 August. Two short pulses of tremor were detected (at 0853, lasting five minutes, and at 0913, lasting three minutes) in seismic data; seismicity returned to baseline levels afterwards. A sequence of seismic events began at 0000 on 15 August; no activity was observed in infrasound, lightning, or satellite data. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that elevated surface temperatures at Cleveland were identified in satellite data during 9-15 August; weather clouds occasionally obscured views. No significant activity was observed in seismic and infrasound data. On 11 August AVO noted that lava-dome growth had stopped or slowed, based on satellite observations. Steam emissions from the summit crater were occasionally visible in webcam images. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 9-15 August ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW and W.

Fuego | Guatemala : CONRED reported that during 8-9 August the lava flow that had descended Fuego’s Ceniza (SSW) drainage was still active, producing avalanches of material and emissions. Explosions generated ash plumes that rose 650 m above the crater. According to INSIVUMEH ash plumes from explosions during 11-12 and 14-15 August rose 650-850 m and drifted 7-8 km W and SW. Ashfall was reported in areas downwind including in Panimache (8 km SW), Morelia (9 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), Yepocapa, and Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW). Incandescent material was ejected 100-150 m above the crater rim, and caused avalanches of material that traveled down multiple ravines.

Ibu | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on PVMBG observations, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 15 August an ash plume from Ibu rose to an altitude of 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N.

Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : A thermal anomaly over Karymsky was identified in satellite images during 4 and 6-10 August, as well as ash plumes drifting about 70 km NE and SW during 4 and 7-9 August. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 9-15 August 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. The 61G lava flow, originating from a vent on Pu'u 'O'o Crater's E flank, continued to enter the ocean at Kamokuna. Slumping of seaward portions of the delta continued, and cracks running parallel to the coastline continued to widen. HVO warned of the potential for larger-scale delta collapses.

Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that ash plumes from Klyuchevskoy were identified in satellite images drifting 300 km SW, SE, and NE during 4 and 7-11 August. A thermal anomaly was identified on 4 and 7 August. 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, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 9 August a minor ash emission from Langila rose 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N.

Manam | Papua New Guinea : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 13 August an ash plume from Manam rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted almost 40 km NW.

Nevado del Ruiz | Colombia : Servicio Geológico Colombiano’s (SGC) Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Manizales reported that during 8-14 August seismicity at Nevado del Ruiz continued to indicate unrest; seismicity decreased as compared to the previous week. Plumes of water vapor and gas continued to be emitted from the volcano. A gas-and-steam plume rose 450 m above the crater rim on 8 August and drifted NW. A thermal anomaly was identified on 14 August. The Alert Level remained at III (Yellow; the second lowest level on a four-colour scale).

Poas | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that during 11-14 August seismicity at Poás was characterized by low-amplitude tremor, some volcano-tectonic earthquakes, and high-frequency signals indicating gas emissions. Weather clouds mostly prevented visual observations.

Popocatepetl | Mexico : Each day during 9-13 and 15 August CENAPRED reported 97-355 and steam and gas emissions from Popocatépetl; the daily count increased to 702 on 14 June. Crater incandescence was visible on some nights. A small explosion at 0815 on 14 August produced a plume with low ash content that rose 500 m above the crater rim and drifted SW. Explosions at 1759 and 1805 generated ash plumes that rose 0.8 and 1.5 km, respectively, and drifted W. On 15 August an explosion produced an ash plume that rose 1 km and drifted WNW. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two.

Reventador | Ecuador : During 9-15 August IG reported a high level of seismic activity including explosions, long-period earthquakes, harmonic tremor, and signals indicating emissions at Reventador. Steam, gas, and ash plumes rose as high as 550 m above the crater rim and drifted mainly W and SW. Incandescent blocks rolled as far as 800 m down the flanks. During 10-12 August pyroclastic flows traveled as far as 600 m down the ESE and W flanks. Weather clouds sometimes prevented visual observations.

Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosive activity at Sabancaya decreased compared to the previous week; there was an average of 49 explosions recorded per day during 7-13 August. The earthquakes were dominated by long-period signals, with fewer numbers of hybrid and tremor events recorded. Gas-and-ash plumes rose 3.2 km above the crater rim and drifted no more than 40 km NE and E. Sulfur dioxide flux was as high as 912 tons per day, recorded on 8 August. The MIROVA system detected 12 thermal anomalies. The report reminded the public not to approach the crater within a 12-km radius.

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly was identified daily in satellite images over Sheveluch during 4-11 August. Strong explosions on 8 August produced a large ash cloud (300 x 400 km in size) that rose as high as 10 km (32,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted more than 550 km SSE during 8-9 August. Ashfall was reported in Klyuchi Village (50 km SW) on 8 August. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.

Sinabung | Indonesia : Based on PVMBG ground observations, the Jakarta MWO, satellite images, and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 9-10 and 13 August ash plumes from Sinabung rose 3.4-5.2 km (11,000-17,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W and ESE.

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that an event at Turrialba at 1607 on 9 August generated a plume that rose 200 m above the crater rim and drifted NW. The report noted that since 6 August a monitoring station in Coronado San José had been detecting the presence of ash in emissions. Sporadic and passive emissions of ash, water vapor, magmatic gases, and aerosols continued to be observed at least through 14 August.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.6 Earthquake hits north of Ascension Island.

5.1 Earthquake hits Guerrero, Mexico.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Storm Harvey is located about 30 mi ... 45 km east-southeast of Barbados and about 135 mi ... 220 km east-southeast of Santa Lucia with maximum sustained winds ... 40 mph ... 65 km / h. Present movement ... west or 270 degree at 18 mph ... 30 km / h.

NewsBytes:

India - Update - Heavy rains, inundation, and floods continue to wreak havoc in India, with the death toll rising in Assam, Bihar and West Bengal this week. Over a crore people have been affected by the situation, with many shifted to relief camps and temporary shelters. Train and rail services of the Eastern Railway have also taken a hit, with many lines inundated or damaged in the rains. The number of lives claimed by the floods in Assam has touched 123; 11 more deaths were reported on Wednesday. Nearly 33.45 lakh people in 24 districts of the state have been affected till now. The death toll in Bihar has risen to 72, with over 73 lakh people affected by incessant rains and inundation. Fears of floods have gripped the state, after at least 14 districts in the north were submerged, the latest being Gopalganj. The toll in West Bengal hit 32 on Wednesday. Over 14 lakh people have been affected in six northern districts of the state, namely Malda, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and South and North Dinajpur. Around 1.2 lakh people have been displaced in the West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya due to floods caused by the rising of the Brahmaputra tributary, the Jingiram River. Meanwhile, the capital of Karnataka received the highest rainfall in a day in August in 127 years on Tuesday. Heavy rains lashed the city, which received 12.8 cm of rain in five hours from Monday night to Tuesday morning, while no deaths were reported, power lines were snapped, vehicles submerged, streets were flooded and trees were uprooted.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 121.0 degrees Fahrenheit (49.4 degrees Celsius) in Al Qaysumah, Saudi Arabia.

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 - Balkans, Europe

Firefighters in Montenegro and Croatia are trying to extinguish several wildfires on and near the Adriatic coastline that have already destroyed swathes of forest and threatened villages.

A fire on Mount Lovcen national park in central Montenegro is endangering a mountain top mausoleum in which the well-known 19th century Montenegrin poet and ruler Petar Petrovic Njegos was buried. Officials say the fires are worsened by strong winds.

In neighboring Croatia, a huge fire that has threatened villages near the Adriatic resort of Sibenik has been put under control with the help of 150 firefighters, army troops and firefighting planes.

Disease

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

Between 4 July and 12 August 2017, the national IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported 26 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection including six deaths, and two deaths among previously reported cases.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New Activity for the week of 9 August - 15 August 2017

Kerinci | Indonesia : Based on satellite data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 13 August an ash plume from Kerinci rose to an altitude of 4.3 km (14,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted WSW. Plumes drifted almost 30 km on 17 November.

Pacaya | Guatemala : On 12 August INSIVUMEH reported that Strombolian explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney cone were observed. During 12-13 August the number of Strombolian explosions increased to a rate of 5-7 per hour, and ejected incandescent material was mainly visible at night. Explosions vibrated structures in communities within a 5-km radius. Activity continued at a similar level on 15 August.

Piton de la Fournaise | Reunion Island (France) : OVPF reported that the eruption at Piton de la Fournaise that began on 14 July continued through 15 August. Weather clouds often prevented visual confirmation of activity, though observers periodically noted that small amounts of material were ejected from a small vent on the N flank of the eruptive vent. Some active pahoehoe flows were visible at a distance of 2 km from the cone, though most of the flow activity was confined to lava tubes.

Sangay | Ecuador : Based on information from the Guayaquil MWO, the Washington VAAC reported that on 12 August an emission from Sangay rose to altitudes of 6.1-6.4 km (20,000-21,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW and NW. Ash in the emission was not detected in satellite data. On 13 August satellite data showed a well-defined thermal anomaly over the volcano, and an ash plume drifting 55 km SW.

Sangeang Api | Indonesia : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 12 August an ash plume from Sangeang Api rose to 2.7 km (9,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW.

Ulawun | New Britain (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 9-10 August ash plumes from Ulawun rose to 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW and W.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 Earthquake hits northwest of the Ryukyu Islands off japan.

5.3 Earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.

5.2 Earthquake hits Ascension Island.

5.2 Earthquake hits the southern Mid-Atlantic ridge.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Atlantic Ocean: Hurricane Gert is located about 410 nm ... 665 km south of Halifax, Nova Scotia and about 525 nm … 850 km south-southwest of Cape Race, Newfoundland with maximum sustained winds ... 105 mph ... 165 km/h. Present movement ... north-northeast or 65 degrees at 37 mph ... 59 km/h.

In the Western Pacific: Typhoon 14w (Banyan), located approximately 1120 nm northeast of Wake Island, is tracking northeastward at 29 knots.

Wildfires

Wildfires - British Columbia, Canada

B.C. wildfires have destroyed a record amount of forest, brush and grassland, surpassing the devastation of nearly 60 years ago. About 8,944 square kilometres have been scorched by fires, breaking the 1958 record of 8,550 square kilometres.

With no rain in the forecast for the wildfire-ravaged southern parts of the province, it seems inevitable that more land will be burned.

A total of 1,029 fires have occurred since the April 1 start of the wildfire season, and 149 of them are still burning.

A fire that destroyed dozens of homes near Ashcroft six weeks ago has now consumed even more structures in the Green Lake area almost 100 kilometres away. Crews have not been able to access the site to determine exactly what has been lost as the active blaze that is more than 1,600 square kilometres in size continues to pose a danger.

Global Warming

The Escalating Global-Warming Crisis, in One Chart

Last month tied July of 2016 for the hottest month on record, according to a new analysis from researchers at NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Sixteen of the 17 hottest years on record have occurred in the 21st century, including 2015 and 2016, both of which saw a temperature boost thanks to a strong El Niño event. (El Niños bump up surface temperatures by churning warm water to the ocean surface.) Record-setting temperatures in 2017 are especially concerning now that there is no El Niño; in other words, most of the excess heat this year is due to human-induced climate change.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

A gorgeous cloud phenomenon called von Kármán vortices paints the sky with a series of spirals in an image captured from space.

Disease

Texas, USA - Anthrax

The first Anthrax cases of 2017 have been confirmed in five cattle on a Crockett County premises, according to the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) this week. The premises in Crockett County is located approximately 13 miles east of Ozona and has been quarantined.

Samoa - Dengue Fever

The Samoan Ministry of Health issued a dengue fever alert after two dozen cases were reported, including two suspected dengue-related deaths.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 Earthquake hits offshore Coquimbo, Chile.

5.4 Earthquake hits Kepulauan Mentawai, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Atlantic Ocean: Hurricane Gert is located about 330 nm ... 530 km northwest of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds ... 90 mph ... 150 km/h. Present movement ... northeast or 45 degrees at 21 mph ... 33 km/h.

In the Western Pacific: Typhoon 14w (Banyan), located approximately 810 nm northeast of Miami Tori Shima, is tracking northeastward at 28 knots.

NewsBytes:

India, Nepal, Bangladesh - Nearly 250 people have died in the last few days as a result of flooding and landslides that have devastated parts of northern India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Millions of people have been displaced across the region, and 245 people are recorded to have been killed by collapsed buildings or by drowning.

In Nepal, incessant rain has flooded hundreds of villages leaving 110 people dead. The government has come under fire for not responding fast enough to the disaster.

As security forces scrambled to rescue those marooned on rooftops and helicopters distributed food and water to the worst-hit districts yesterday, the home ministry spokesman Ram Krishna Subedi said relief supplies were being mobilised as soon as possible. Elephants were deployed to help rescue those stranded following three days of torrential rain, including 700 tourists in the popular town of Chitwan.

Across Nepal’s southern border, 13 districts have been hit by severe flooding in the Indian state of Bihar, leaving 41 people dead. Boats and helicopters were used to distribute food packets, medicine and drinking water to those affected and some 200,000 people have been provided with temporary shelter across 250 relief camps set up by the authorities in schools and government buildings.

In the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, emergency workers have been scouring the area hit by a massive landslide that swept two buses into a deep gorge on Sunday, killing 46 people.

A further 21 people died in the remote north-eastern state of Assam, where soldiers were deployed to rescue those stranded on rooftops.

Meanwhile a third of Bangladesh is flooded after monsoon rains swept through the densely populated riverine country.

At least 27 people have died and a further 600,000 have been marooned across the low-lying delta region, according to Bangladesh’s disaster management minister, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury.

Global Warming

Fast-melting Arctic - Cause and Effects

International researchers embarked on a month-long, 10,000 kilometer (6,200-mile) journey to document the impact of climate change on the forbidding ice and frigid waters of the Far North

Glaciers, sea ice and a massive ice sheet in the Arctic are thawing from toasty air above and warm water below. The northern polar region is heating up twice as fast as the rest of the planet and that's setting off alarm bells.

"The melting of the Arctic will come to haunt us all," said German climate scientist Stefan Rahmstorf.

While global leaders set a goal of preventing 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) of man-made warming since pre-industrial times, the Arctic has already hit that dangerous mark. Last year, the Arctic Circle was about 3.6 degrees (6.5 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than normal.

CAUSES OF WARMING

The Arctic is mostly ocean covered with a layer of ice; changes from ice to water often kick in a cycle that contributes to global warming.

Sea ice is white and it reflects the sun's heat back into space. But when it melts, it's replaced with dark ocean that strongly absorbs it, said former NASA chief scientist Waleed Abdalati, who heads the environmental research program at the University of Colorado.

That heat gets transferred back up to the atmosphere in the fall and winter. As that happens, water vapor — a greenhouse gas — hangs around, trapping more heat. More clouds form around that time, also acting as a blanket, said Mark Serreze, director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado.

ROLE OF WINTER

Winter is crucial. Three times in the past two cold seasons, air temperatures near the North Pole were near or even a shade above freezing. That's about 50 degrees warmer than it should be. From last November through February, Barrow, Alaska — the northernmost U.S. city — was 7 degrees Celsius (13 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than the 20th century average, and much of the Atlantic Arctic off Norway and Greenland was as hot.

Warm winters weaken sea ice, which floats on the ocean surface. It's supposed to recover, spread more across the Arctic and get thicker in the winter so it can withstand the warmth of the summer. But a warmer winter means less protection when the heat hits.

In September 2016, the time of year the spread of ice across the Arctic is at its lowest, Arctic sea ice was the second lowest day on record, about 40 percent below the lowest day measured in 1979 when satellite records started. Between those two days 37 years apart, the Arctic lost enough sea ice to cover Alaska, Texas and California combined.

Then it didn't grow back that much this winter, setting record low amounts from November through March, when sea ice reaches its peak spread.

BEYOND THE ARCTIC

Of all the global warming warning signs in the Arctic, "it is the sea ice that is screaming the loudest," Serreze said.

That's a problem because a growing body of studies connects dwindling sea ice to wild weather. The reduced winter sea ice interacts with warmer oceans to change conditions in the air that then triggers a potent noticeable shift in the jet stream, the giant atmospheric river that controls much of our weather, said Rutgers University climate scientist Jennifer Francis. This theory is still debated by scientists, but increasingly more researchers are agreeing with Francis.

It's not just sea ice on the decline. Glaciers in the Arctic are shrinking. And the massive Greenland ice sheet is slowly but steadily melting and that can add a big dose to sea level rise. Since 2002, it has lost 4,400 billion tons (4,000 billion metric tons) of ice.

Then there's the Arctic carbon bomb. Carbon dioxide and methane — which traps even more heat — are stuck in the permafrost in places like Alaska and Siberia.

WILDLIFE

No Arctic creatures have become more associated with climate change than polar bears. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimated in January that about 26,000 specimens remain in the wild. Population counts of polar bears are notoriously difficult, and researchers are unsure how much their numbers have changed in recent years. But the Fish and Wildlife Service warned that melting sea ice is robbing the bear of its natural hunting ground for seals and other prey.

While some polar bears are expected to follow the retreating ice northward, others will head south, where they will come into greater contact with humans — encounters that are unlikely to end well for the bears.

The walrus, for example, may spend more time on the mainland. They're very prone to disturbance so that's not a good place for walrus to be.

Alarms bells are ringing about the future of the red king crab — a big earner for Alaska's fishing industry — because rising levels of carbon dioxide, a driver of global warming, are making oceans more acidic. Scientists found that juvenile crabs exposed to levels of acidification predicted for the future grew more slowly and were more likely to die.

Algae that cling to the underside of sea ice are also losing their habitat. If they vanish, the impact will be felt all the way up the food chain. Copepods, a type of zooplankton that eats algae, will lose their source of food. The tiny crustaceans in turn are prey for fish, whales and birds.

Meanwhile, new rivals from the south are already arriving in the Arctic as waters warm. Orca have been observed traveling further north in search of food in recent years, and some wildlife experts predict they will become the main seal predator in the coming decades, replacing polar bears.

Humans are also increasingly venturing into the Arctic in search of untapped deposits of minerals and fossil fuels — posing a threat to animals. The potential for oil spills from platforms and tankers operating in remote locations has been a major cause for concern among environmentalists since the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster off Alaska killed a quarter of a million seabirds, as well as hundreds of seals and sea otters.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Zambia

Two boys have perished in a bush fire in Milenge District of Luapula Province. The two were playing in the bush when they were caught up in the fire at Talayi Village, they were following a burning fire that was started by an unknown person.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 Earthquake hits Papua, Indonesia.

5.3 Earthquake hits the Samoa Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits west of the Chile rise.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Atlantic Ocean: Hurricane Gert is located about 450 nm ... 725 km west of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds ... 75 mph ... 120 km/h. Present movement ... north or 360 degree at 12 mph ... 19 km/h.

In the Western Pacific: Typhoon 14w (Banyan), located approximately 478 nm east-northeast of Miami Tori Shima, is tracking northward at 13 knots.

NewsBytes:

Sierra Leone - At least 312 people were killed and more than 2 000 left homeless on Monday when heavy flooding and mudslides hit Sierra Leone's capital of Freetown, leaving excavators to pull bodies from rubble and overwhelming the city's morgues.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Portugal and Greece

Portuguese officials say 112 people have been evacuated from their homes in the central town of Vila de Rei as more than 3,700 firefighters continue to battle dozens of wildfires across the country. 45 people were slightly injured in the fires over the past two days. Firefighters were hoping to make the most of a slight drop in temperatures to make progress in extinguishing some 210 fires still active.

Authorities in Greece have declared a state of emergency on the island of Zakynthos where wildfires are burning for a fourth day. The Fire Service says that the blazes are burning on 12 fronts and not threatening homes or resorts on the island, which is popular with tourists.

A large wildfire north of Athens is threatening homes as it sweeps through pine forest for a second day, uncontained due to high winds. Fire Service officials, two planes and five helicopters are fighting the blaze at Varnava, 45 kilometers (28 miles) north of the Greek capital, while a main road in the area is closed to traffic to give fire trucks better access. The fire burned out of control for a second day Monday after damaging at least 20 homes the previous day and forcing the evacuation of holiday campsites used in the area for children's vacations.

Disease

South Africa: Diphtheria outbreak in Western Cape

Officials with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa are reporting a diphtheria outbreak that has affected four people, including one fatality, according to a local media report today. The four cases were reported in Helderberg in the Western Cape.

Australia - Flu

Australia is in the grip of the worst flu outbreak on record and experts are urging people to have a flu vaccine now to prevent further spread of the disease. More than 70,000 cases of flu have been reported so far this year including a record breaking 30,000 cases last month.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.6 Earthquake hits central Peru.

5.5 Earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.

5.2 Earthquake hits the northern Atlantic Ocean.

5.1 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.0 Earthquake hits the northern Mid-Atlantic ridge.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Storm Gert is located about 475 mi...760 km WSW of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds...45 mph...75 km/h. Present movement...NNW or 345 degrees at 9 mph...15 km/h.

In the Eastern Pacific: Post-Tropical Cyclone Jova is located about 650 mi...1045 km WSW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...30 mph...45 km/h. Present movement...W or 270 degrees at 14 mph...22 km/h.

In the Western Pacific: Typhoon 14w (Banyan), located approximately 343 nm northwest of Wake Island, is tracking north-northwestward at 07 knots.

NewsBytes:

Nepal - Update - Landslides and flooding triggered by heavy rain have killed at least 47 people in southern Nepal and left thousands homeless, police said Sunday. The death toll is expected to go up, with around two dozen other people missing and feared dead after three days of heavy downpours in at least nine southern districts of the Himalayan country. Around 31,000 families have been displaced by the floods and landslides, which began Friday.

India - Nearly twenty lakh people have been affected by the floods in Bihar, including thousands who have been forced to evacuate from their homes, officials said on Monday. Over ten lakh people were affected in the worst-hit districts of Kishanganj, Araria, Purnea and Katihar in last two days. Other affected districts are Darbhanga, Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Madhepura, Saharsa, Supaul, East and West Champaran. So far, at least 10 persons, including women and children, have been killed in the floods. Major rivers in the state including the Koshi, Mahananda, Gandak, Bagmati and Ganga are in spate, officials said. With heavy rainfall in the catchment areas in Nepal, the water level of these rivers has been rising for several days.

Disease

Yemen - Cholera Epidemic Rages on

The total number of suspected cholera cases in Yemen this year hit the half a million mark on Sunday, and nearly 2000 people have died since the outbreak began to spread rapidly at the end of April. From Apr. 27 through Aug. 13, 503,484 suspected cases have been reported, including 1,975 deaths.

The overall caseload nationwide has declined since early July, particularly in the worst affected areas. But suspected cases of the deadly waterborne disease continue to rage across the country, infecting an estimated 5000 people per day.

Fleas in Arizona test positive for plague

Health officials in Arizona have issued a public warning after fleas in the state tested positive for the plague, the highly infectious disease which tore through Europe and killed millions in the Middle Ages.

Navajo County and Coconino County district officials in the northern part of the state have confirmed that fleas in the area tested positive for the disease.

The disease can be transmitted to humans and other animals by the bite of an infected flea or by direct contact with an infected animal.

Plague tends to occur in rural and semi-rural areas in the west of the US, in particular New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Greece

A wildfire close to a village near Athens has damaged dozens of houses and caused people to flee their homes, officials said on Monday. More than 150 firefighters with 50 fire engines and three water-dropping helicopters battled the blaze, which broke out in Kalamos, a coastal area some 45 km (30 miles) northeast of Athens. No injuries had been reported but at least a dozen houses were heavily damaged.

Volcanos

Earth's Largest Volcanic Region Discovered In Antartica

The largest volcanic region on Earth, with nearly 100 volcanoes, has been discovered two km below the surface of the vast ice sheet in west Antarctica.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh in Britain found a staggering 91 previously unknown volcanoes, adding to the 47 others that had been discovered over the previous century of exploring the region.

These newly discovered volcanoes range in height from 100 to 3,850 metres, with the highest almost as tall as Switzerland's 3,970 metres Eiger mountain.

These active peaks are concentrated in a region known as the west Antarctic rift system- which stretches 3,500 km from Antarctica's Ross ice shelf to the Antarctic peninsula.

According to geologists, this huge region is likely to dwarf east Africa's volcanic ridge- currently rated as the densest concentration of volcanoes in the world.

There is concern that these volcanoes may become active causing further de-stabilizing of the Antarctic ice sheet.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.4 Earthquake hits southern Sumatra. Indonesia.

5.3 Earthquake hits southeast of the Ryukyu Islands off Japan.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Bali Sea.

5.1 Earthquake hits Ascension Island.

5.1 Earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.1 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.

5.0 Earthquake hits eastern Xizang, China.

Two 5.0 Earthquakes hit New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Depression Eight is located about 310 mi...500 km NNE of the southeastern Bahamas and about 545 mi...875 km SW of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...NNW or 335 degrees at 14 mph...22 km/h.

In the Eastern Pacific: Tropical Depression Jova is located about 345 mi...555 km WNW of Socorro island with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...W or 270 degrees at 15 mph...24 km/h.

In the Western Pacific: Typhoon 14w (Banyan), located approximately 201 nm northwest of Wake Island, is tracking north-northwestward at 05 knots.

NewsBytes:

Nepal - Floods and landslides caused by torrential monsoon rains have killed at least 25 people in the last two days across Nepal. Heavy rains have hit more than a dozen districts in the country's far eastern region as well as some areas in the west since Friday morning. Flooding has occurred across the densely populated lowlands that border India, while some remote districts in the hilly areas of the far east have been hit by landslides triggered by the monsoon rains. Floods triggered by heavy rainfall for the past two days have claimed the lives of nine people in Koshi zone of eastern Nepal. Floodwater inundated the entire Itahari Sub-Metropolitan City. More than 300 houses have been flooded after the water entered into the human settlements in Duhabi and Itahari. A red light has been light up at the Koshi Barrage after increase in water flow in the Saptakoshi River. The river recorded 192,300 cusec/per second water flow.

China - Thunderstorms lashed Beijing on Saturday, disrupting hundreds of flights at one of the world's largest airports, while authorities warned that rain and wind could cause landslides in the area where a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck this week.

Iran - The Friday flash floods triggered by heavy rains killed 12 people in the country's northeast, Iranian state TV reported Saturday. There are 38 people missing in Khorasan Razavi province.

Disease

Philippines - Bird Flu

The Philippines will cull at least 200,000 birds after confirming its first avian flu outbreak, but no animal-to-human transmission has been reported, officials said Friday.

Sudan - Foot and Mouth Disease

The Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries in Western Lakes State in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has confirmed the outbreak of Animal foot and mouth diseases in Manyiel cattle camp. 120, 000 heads of cattle, 19,000 goats and sheep, and 130 dogs are to be vaccinated against all forms of animals diseases.