Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.3 Earthquake hits the central Mid-Atlantic ridge.
6.0 Earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
5.5 Earthquake hits New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.
5.4 Earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Sea of Japan.
Two 5.0 Earthquakes hit the Loyalty Islands.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Indian Ocean: Tropical Cyclone 03b (Three), located approximately 927 nm north-northeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking west-northwestward at 08 knots.
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical Cyclone 01s (Dahlia), located approximately 924 nm north-northwest of Learmonth, Australia, is tracking eastward at 18 knots.
Newsbytes:
Thailand - Heavy floods swept into southern Thailand this week killing five people, authorities said Thursday as photos of waterlogged and damaged roads spread on social media. The worst-hit provinces are located in the deep south on the border with Malaysia. More than 380,000 people from eight southern provinces have been affected by the rising waters in the southern Thailand but no formal evacuation plan has been announced.
Australia - A severe weather warning has been issued for all of Victoria as the bureau prepares for what could be the state's most significant rain event in more than 20 years. The city will be lashed with more than 100 millimetres of rain – almost double its December average rainfall – over Friday and Saturday alone with thunderstorms and hail likely to accompany the downpour.
Bali - Massive lava flows surge down the rivers surrounding Bali's erupting Mount Agung, as fears grow the volcano is set to blow. Cold lava flows, also known as lahar, have already flooded the rivers and canals of nearby villages, with many locals ignoring warnings to steer clear.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 22 November - 28 November 2017
Agung | Bali (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that at 1730 on 25 November, after the number of volcanic earthquakes significantly increased, ash plumes rose 1.5 km above Agung’s crater rim and drifted 12 km WSW. Ashfall was reported in areas SW including Besakih (7 km SW), hamlets in the upper part of Pempatan (7.5 km W), and Temukus, prompting remaining residents to evacuate to the S. Eight inbound and 13 outbound international flights were cancelled, affecting 2,087 passengers. Crater incandescence was observed at 2100, signifying the presence of lava in the crater. BNPB noted that the number of evacuees was 25,016 (spread out in 224 shelters)
On 26 November dark gray ash plumes rose 2 km at 0505, 3 km at 0545, and 4 km at 0620, and drifted E and SE. Ash emissions continued throughout the day; a few explosions were heard within a 12-km radius. PVMBG issued a Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) elevating the Aviation colour Code from Orange to Red. Satellite data recorded sulfur dioxide gas concentrations ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 tons/day. Ashfall was reported in several areas downwind including North Duda (9 km S), Duda Timur (12 km S), Pempetan, Besakih, Sideman (15 km SSW), Tirta Abang, Sebudi (6 km SW), Amerta Bhuana (10 km SSW) in Klungkung, and some villages in Gianyar (20 km WSW). Ashfall was the thickest (5 mm) in Sibetan (11.5 km S). News sources noted that Lombok International Airport closed during 26-27 November.
PVMBG raised the Alert Level to 4 (the highest level on a scale of 1-4) on 27 November, and the exclusion zones were expanded to a general 8-km radius and to 10 km in the NNE, SE, S, and SW directions. Dense ash plumes continued to rise 2-4 km above the crater rim. Based on satellite data, the Darwin VAAC reported that ash plumes rose as high as 9.1 km (30,000 ft) a.s.l., or just over 6 km above the crater rim. Pictures and video showed a white steam plume adjacent to a gray ash plume rising form the crater, signifying two distinct active vents. According to news articles the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali closed due to the airborne ash. On 28 November BNPB noted that the number of evacuees had increased to 38,678, and were distributed in 225 evacuation centers. The Ngurah Rai International Airport reopened on 29 November, after the Aviation colour Code was lowered to Orange.
Great Sitkin | Andreanof Islands (USA) : Recent observations of a robust steam plume and a period of gradually increasing seismicity over several months at Great Sitkin prompted AVO to raise the Aviation colour Code to Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level to Advisory on 22 November. On 19 November local observers photographed a light-coloured vapor plume rising about 300 m above the vent and drifting 15-20 km S. A satellite image acquired on 21 November showed steam continuously jetting from a small fumarole on the W side of the 1974 lava flow within the summit crater, and at least one area where snow and ice had been melted.
Seismicity had fluctuated but increased overall since July 2016, most notably in June 2017. The seismic activity was characterized by earthquakes less than M 1, and occurred either just below the summit or just offshore the NW cost of the island, 30 km below sea level. Possible explosion signals were recorded in seismic data on 10 January and 21 July 2017, but there were no confirmed emissions.
Monkeypox - Nigeria - Update
During the week ending Nov 25, Nigerian health officials reported 14 new confirmed monkeypox cases in the outbreak that began in September, bringing the total confirmed cases to 56.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 Earthquake hits near the coast of central Peru.
5.3 Earthquake hits the Norwegian Sea.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Pagan region in the North Mariana Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits the southern Mid-Atlantic ridge.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
Indonesia - Rain-triggered landslides and floods have killed 11 villagers on Indonesia's main island of Java. Nine people were buried by landslides before dawn Tuesday in two villages in the East Java district of Pacitan. Two other people drowned in floods that inundated thousands of houses in 13 villages in the same district. Torrential rain since Monday has caused rivers in the area to overflow their banks.
Malaysia - Malaysia's east coast monsoon floods claimed a second life on Tuesday (Nov 28), while over 10,000 people from Terengganu and Kelantan have been forced to evacuate to relief centres. Kelantan saw a steep rise in the number of flood victims after scattered thunderstorms on Tuesday night, with over 8,000 people seeking shelter at relief centres as at noon on Wednesday, compared to just over 5,000 people on Tuesday night.
Mount Agung on Bali Erupts
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency said 40,000 people had been evacuated from near Bali's erupting Mount Agung volcano, but tens of thousands still needed to move with an imminent large eruption warning issued on Monday.
Indonesia on Tuesday extended the closure of the airport on Bali as ash from a volcano swept the island, stranding thousands of tourists as authorities tried to persuade villagers to leave their homes near the erupting mountain.
The airport on Lombok island, to the east of Bali, has since been reopened, authorities said, as wind blew ash westward, toward the southern coast of Java island.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 Earthquake hits southern Alaska.
5.1 Earthquake hits Fiji.
5.0 Earthquake hits near the coast of Ecuador.
5.0 Earthquake hits Fiji.
5.0 Earthquake hits Antigua and Barbuda.
Migrating birds winter in Israel as climate change makes desert too dangerous
Climate change is turning Israel into a permanent wintering ground for some of the 500 million migrating birds that used to stop over briefly before flying on to the warm plains of Africa, Israeli experts say.
The birds now prefer to stay longer in cooler areas rather than cross into Africa, where encroaching deserts and frequent droughts have made food more scarce.
Cranes are one of the most abundant species to visit the Hula wetlands and Agmon said that the number that prefer to stay in Israel until the end of March has risen from less than 1,000 in the 1950s to some 45,000 currently.
Although migrating birds are a welcome attraction for ornithologists and tourists, their hunger for food from crop fields makes them a menace to farmers.
Climate change threatens olive trees across Mediterranean
Environmental groups have warned that the olive oil industry across the Mediterranean, worth billions of dollars, is under threat due to climate change.
From Italy to Tunisia, and Lebanon to Greece, increasingly hot summers and unpredictable winters have seen yields decline by as much as 20 percent.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
Greece - Update - Greek authorities on Monday raised to 23 the death toll from heavy flooding near Athens this month, after one more body was found and an injured woman died in hospital.
Gaza - Dozens of homes and shops flooded and many roads in Gaza City were blocked yesterday night due to heavy rainfall in the Gaza Strip. Eyewitnesses reported that the areas most affected by the heavy rainfall were Al-Shuja’iyya, Al-Zaytoun, Al-Tuffah, Sheikh Radwan, and Muftaraq Al-Sahaba, as rain water flooded homes and shops in these areas and dragged many cars away.
New Zealand - Homes flooded and a school sustained "significant" damage after 42.2 millimetres of rain fell in Roxburgh within a couple of hours on Sunday afternoon. The flash flooding closed roads, leaving the small town isolated on Monday and residents cleaning up mud and silt. Residents of a Central Otago town recovering from widespread flooding are being told to expect to be without water until at least Wednesday.
Mexico's New Ocean Reserve Protects Biodiversity
The Revillagigedo Archipelago, a chain of four volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean near Mexico, is home to a spectacularly diverse community of sea life, including dozens of fish species found nowhere else on Earth. Mexico's President Enrique Peña Nieto recently designated these islands and the surrounding waters as a marine reserve and national park, prohibiting natural resource extraction, commercial fishing and development, to preserve the island ecosystems and marine life.
Scarlet Fever - England
The age-old killer scarlet fever is on the rise in England and East Asia, according to research published Monday in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal, and investigators don't know why.
Since 2009, cases have been steadily increasing in several East Asian countries, including Vietnam, South Korea, Hong Kong and mainland China.
An outbreak then hit England, where cases tripled in one year, from 4,700 in 2013 to 15,637 in 2014. Infections continued to rise to nearly 20,000 in 2016, a 50-year high for the United Kingdom, according to the analysis.
Typhoid - Zimbabwe
Since the beginning of Oct. 2017, Zimbabwe has seen more than 1,000 typhoid fever cases in and around the capital city of Harare. Reports indicate however, that the incidence of new cases is declining.
Lassa Fever - Liberia
Since the beginning of the year, the Liberia Ministry of Health has reported a total of 70 suspected Lassa fever cases including 21 deaths (case fatality rate 30%) from nine counties in Liberia. Out of this, 28 cases have been confirmed as Lassa virus infection, including 10 deaths from six counties.
Rabies - Florida, USA
Last month, a human rabies case and fatality was reported in Highlands County, the first human case of rabies acquired in Florida since 1948.
Today, the Florida Department of Health reported that from Jan. 1 to Sep. 30, 60 animal rabies cases were reported across the state. Twenty-six cases were reported in raccoons, followed by bats (16), cats (9), foxes (6), skunks (2) and one dog.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.0 Earthquake hits New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.
5.2 Earthquake hits Tonga.
5.1 Earthquake hits Valparaiso, Chile.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
Kenya - Numerous vehicles were marooned as heavy rains cause flooding in Narok Town on November 26. The flash floods caused a traffic snarl-up at the Enkare Narok River as motorists waited for the water to subside. The business district was also flooded forcing traders out of their stores.
Thailand - As heavy rains continued to fuel rising rivers and canals, residents in six Trang districts near the Banthat Mountain Range have been told to move their belongings to higher ground due to possible floods. As of Sunday morning, floods had already hit many low-lying parts of Muang, Na Yong, Huay Yot and Rassada. Homes in Muang’s Tambon Na Yong Tai were under up to 80 centimetres of water, while a kilometre-long section of Trang-Phatthalung Road in Na Yong’s Tambon Lamore was under 30cm of water and was impassable for small vehicles. Vast areas of farmland have been submerged since Saturday evening.
Rift Valley Fever - Uganda
The Uganda Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry Of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) are reporting that there is an outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in Kiboga and Mityana districts. 2 deaths were reported.
Plague - Madagascar - Update
From the 1 August through 22 November 2017, a total of 2348 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of plague, including 202 deaths (case fatality rate 8.6 %), were reported by the Ministry of Health of Madagascar to WHO. There were 1791 cases of pneumonic plague, of which 22% were confirmed, 34% were probable, and 44% were suspected. In addition to pneumonic cases, there were reports of 341 cases of bubonic plague, one case of septicaemic plague and 215 cases with type unspecified.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa - Severe storms brought heavy rains to the province over the weekend. 3 people lost their lives in KwaMashu settlement when a wall collapsed.
Coral transplant - Great Barrier Reef
Coral bred in one part of the Great Barrier Reef was successfully transplanted into another area, Australian scientists said Sunday, in a project they hope could restore damaged ecosystems around the world.
In a trial at the reef’s Heron Island off Australia’s east coast, the researchers collected large amount of coral spawn and eggs late last year, grew them into larvae and then transplanted them into areas of damaged reef.
When they returned eight months later, they found juvenile coral that had survived and grown, aided by underwater mesh tanks. The coral transplant raises hope over the survival of the Barrier Reef.
Finches caught in act of becoming new species
A population of finches on the Galapagos has been discovered in the process of becoming a new species. This is the first example of speciation that scientists have been able to observe directly in the field. Researchers followed the entire population of Darwin’s finches on a tiny Galapagos island called Daphne Major, for many years, and so they were able to watch the speciation in progress.
In 1981, the researchers noticed the arrival of a male of a non-native species, the large cactus finch. They noticed that this male proceeded to mate with a female of one of the local species, a medium ground finch, producing fertile young. Almost 40 years later, the progeny of that original mating are still being observed, and number around 30 individuals.
This new finch population is sufficiently different in form and habits to the native birds, as to be marked out as a new species, and individuals from the different populations don't interbreed.
Typhoid - Malaysia
Malaysian health officials have reported nine typhoid fever cases this month in Belaga, Kapit division, Sarawak. The situation is reportedly under control with no death having been reported.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.1 Earthquake hits western Turkey
5.0 Earthquake hits Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Interesting Images
The Human Face of Endangered Species
British photographer Tim Flach documents some of Earth’s most treasured species pushed to the brink of extinction by manmade crises, from pangolins hunted for their scales to Brazil’s pied tamarin threatened by urbanisation.
The pied tamarin and shoebill:
Yellow fever – Brazil
Between July and mid-October 2017, a total of 71 suspected yellow fever cases were reported in São Paulo State, Brazil.
From July to early November, 580 epizootics in non-human primates (NHPs) were reported in São Paulo State, with an increase in the number of cases reported from 10 September 2017. Of these, 120 were confirmed for yellow fever, 233 are under investigation, 74 were classified as undetermined, and 153 were ruled out.
These are the first human cases of yellow fever that have been reported in Brazil since June 2017. These cases, alongside the occurrence of epizootics in the urban area of São Paulo City and in municipalities that were previously considered not at risk for yellow fever, are a public health concern.
Measles - England
There is a measles outbreak reported in Leeds and Liverpool, according to the NHS yesterday. While they offer no specifics on cases and locations on their social media posts, NHS advises people to ensure they and their children are vaccinated.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.2 Earthquake hits the Ryukyu Islands off Japan.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
Groundwater CO2
Using water from underground aquifers faster than it is being replenished is releasing large amounts of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
While small compared to the burning of fossil fuels, this groundwater depletion in the U.S. alone could be responsible for 1.7 million metric tons of atmospheric CO2 pollution each year, scientists from Michigan State University estimate.
That would rank among the top 20 sources of carbon pollution outlined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
“We were somewhat surprised that this hasn’t been accounted for … in the [EPA and IPCC] evaluations,” said study hydrogeologist David Hyndman.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week's hottest temperature was 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) in Telfer, Western Australia.
The week's coldest temperature was minus 55.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 48.3 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.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of15 November - 21 November 2017
Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that an explosion at Minamidake summit crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) detected at 2207 on 13 November, ejected material as far as 1.3 km. The explosion vibrated structures in Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures. Poor weather conditions prevented views of a plume. An explosion at Showa Crater at 0955 on 14 November produced a plume that rose 1.3 km above the crater rim. Another explosion at Minamidake occurred at 2343 on 14 November, generating a plume that rose 1.3 km above the crater rim. Sulfur dioxide flux measured that same day was 1,400 tons per day, up from 400 tons per day on 10 November. Very small events at Minamidake were occasionally detected during 17-20 November. 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 15-17 November ash plumes from Bagana rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N, SW, SSW, and W.
Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that during 15-20 November elevated surface temperatures in Cleveland's summit crater were sometimes identified in satellite data, consistent with lava at or near the surface; weather clouds sometimes prevented observations. No significant eruptive activity was detected by seismic or infrasound sensors. On 14 November a small explosion occurred from a vent in the middle of the dome. 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 15-21 November ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 2.1-2.3 km (7,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions.
Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Based on observations by volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, explosions on 16 November generated ash plumes that 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).
Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 15-21 November 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 and from a small lava pond in a pit on the W side of the crater. Surface lava flows were active above and on the pali, and on the coastal plain. On 17 November a field crew visited the Kamokuna ocean entry and observed only very sluggish, pasty flows in a few random spots and minor to no degassing in the usual places.
Kirishimayama | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that during 13-20 November activity at Shinmoedake (Shinmoe peak), a stratovolcano of the Kirishimayama volcano group, continued to be slightly elevated. White plumes rose 200 m above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-5).
Langila | New Britain (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 15-16 November ash plumes from Langila rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.7 km (6,000-9,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S and SW.
Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosive activity at Sabancaya increased compared to the previous week; there was an average of 82 explosions recorded per day during 13-19 November. Seismicity was dominated by long-period events, with signals indicating emissions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose 4 km above the crater rim and drifted 40 km NE, N, and NW. The MIROVA system detected eight thermal anomalies. The sulfur dioxide flux was high, at 3,103 tons per day on 13 November. The report noted that the public should not to approach the crater within a 12-km radius.
Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images on 11 November; weather clouds prevented observations on the other days during 12-17 November. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.
Sinabung | Indonesia : Based on observations by PVMBG, satellite and webcam images, and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 15-19 November ash plumes from Sinabung rose 4.3-4.9 km (14,000-16,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW, W, and SW. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4).
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.1 Earthquake hits Taiwan.
5.0 Earthquake hits western Turkey.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Chongqing-Hubei border, China.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
Washington, USA - Wednesday carried in Snohomish County’s first round of seasonal flooding, swelling the Stillaguamish River in Arlington and Silvana. Landslides are possible.
Ireland - Heavy rain caused flash flooding and road closures across the country on Wednesday. The heaviest rain fell in the Dublin region, with 47.4mm of rain falling in Dublin airport up to 3pm, 8.4mm of that falling between 7am and 8am. Two housing estates in Mountmellick, Co Laois were evacuated when the Owenass river burst its banks, flooding access roads.
UK - Dozens of roads have been closed and rail services suspended as parts of Britain are battered by torrential rain and 80mph winds. Dozens of people have been rescued from "major flooding" amid warnings for heavy rain, strong winds and snow. Forecasters have also warned "some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely". Families had to be evacuated in Lancashire after more than 4cm of rain fell in 24 hours. Further north in Cumbria, around half a month's rain - almost 9cm - was recorded in 36 hours. Flooding forced motorists to abandon their vehicles as roads and schools were closed.
The difference between night and day is disappearing
The distinction between day and night is disappearing in the most heavily populated regions of the Earth, a rapid shift with profound consequences for human health and the environment, according to a paper published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances.
From 2012 to 2016, the artificially lit area of the Earth's surface grew by 2.2 percent per year. Bright nighttime lighting only started becoming widespread about 100 years ago, meaning we have little idea how humans or other species adapt to it at an evolutionary level. Light has been introduced in places, times and intensities at which it does not naturally occur and [for] many organisms, there is no chance to adapt to this new stressor.
The past few years have seen the rapid adoption of highly efficient LED lights for indoor and outdoor use. The short-wavelength blue light emitted by most LEDs, because our eyes are particularly attuned to this type of light, it's been implicated in sleep deficiencies and other human health problems. Last year, the American Medical Association issued a warning about health risks associated with this type of light.
Kentucky, USA - Hepatitis A
Kentucky has become the latest in an ever growing list of states battling a hepatitis A outbreak–following California, Michigan and Utah. On Tuesday, The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) declared an outbreak of acute hepatitis A with cases in multiple counties in Kentucky. In total, 31 cases of acute (rapid onset with symptoms of illness) Hepatitis A have been reported throughout Kentucky in 2017.
Nigeria monkeypox update
Nigerian health officials have confirmed four additional monkeypox cases since our last report earlier this month, bringing the total cases in the outbreak to 42.
California birds nesting earlier to try to survive global warming
The early bird not only gets the worm, but may stand a better chance of riding out global warming.
A new study finds that birds in California are breeding up to 12 days earlier than they did a century ago, an apparent effort to maintain their optimal nesting temperatures as the planet warms.
The study of 202 species of California birds found that by nesting five to 12 days earlier in the year, birds are breeding at the same temperatures they did 75 to 100 years ago. Although other researchers have noted earlier nesting times, they theorized that birds were making the changes to when food was available — and that with spring coming earlier, insects and seeds were in greater supply earlier.
The study concludes that birds are moving up their nesting schedules to time the births of chicks with the temperatures they need to survive.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of15 November - 21 November 2017
Agung | Bali (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that a phreatic eruption at Agung began at 1705 on 21 November, following a low-frequency tremor signal. An ash plume rose 700 m above the crater rim and drifted ESE. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the exclusion zones remained intact (at 6 km, and an additional expansion to 7.5 km in the NNE, SE, S, and SW directions).
Oraefajokull | Iceland : The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported that on 17 November the Aviation colour Code for Öræfajökull was raised to Yellow because satellite images and photos showed that a new ice cauldron had formed within the caldera the previous week. The new cauldron was about 1 km in diameter and 15-20 m deep, and signified a recent increase in geothermal activity. Scientists conducted an overflight on 18 November; in addition, while on the ground, they took water samples, measurements of electrical conductivity, and gas levels at the Kvíárjökull outlet-glacier, a valley glacier on the SE flank of Öræfajökull. There was no obvious sign of flooding in the Kvíá river. A sulfur odor, which had been reported for about a week, was also noted. An increase in the seismic activity was recorded for the last few months (the largest earthquake, an M 3.4, occurred on the 3 October), but was low for the past few days. IMO noted that there were no signs of an imminent volcanic eruption, though there was considerable uncertainty about how the situation will evolve.
Sarychev Peak | Matua Island (Russia) : SVERT reported that weak steam-and-gas emissions from Sarychev Peak were observed on 13 November. Weather clouds prevented observations during 14-20 November. The Aviation colour Code remained at Green.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.2 Earthquake hits off the east coast of North Island, New Zealand.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
5.1 Earthquake hits Minahasa, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
5.1 Earthquake hits the central Mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
Saudi Arabia - Heavy rain has hit Jeddah, flooding streets and closing schools and universities in the Saudi city, and led to cars being stranded as the water level rose. Air traffic was also affected, as Saudi Airlines announced that several flights were delayed.
15 Years to Restore Italy’s Forests after Wildfires
Italian forests destroyed in wildfires this summer will take at least 15 years to regrow, according to the national farmers’ association.
Some 141,000 hectares of woodland have burned down in 2017 so far, a dramatic increase of 316 percent compared to the average over the past nine years. The destruction is costing Italy not only trees but plants, animals, traditional industries and a means of absorbing some of the carbon dioxide that causes climate change.
A long, rainless summer this year dried out much of Italy and left countryside from Piedmont to Sicily exceptionally vulnerable to wildfires.
Philippines - Japanese Encephelitis
Health officials in Nueva Vizcaya, in Cagayan Valley region in Luzon, are reporting eight confirmed cases of the mosquito borne disease, Japanese encephalitis (JE).
China: Human H5N6 avian influenza
Officials with China’s National Health and Family Planning Commission are reporting an additional human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) in a Guangxi man.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 Earthquake hits the Samoa Islands.
5.3 Earthquake hits the Nias region, Indonesia.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Iran-Iraq border.
5.1 Earthquake hits the western Indian-Antarctic ridge.
5.1 Earthquake hits off the coast of Chiapas, Mexico.
5.0 Earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Kuril islands.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
Fiji - Low lying areas in and around the Central Division experienced flooding due to the continuous heavy rain affecting the region. Police have confirmed that Nausori town and areas around Suva and Nasinu are currently flooded. Settlements around Wainadoi had experienced flooding last night.
Vietnam - Seven dams and reservoirs in Quảng Nam and Thừa Thiên-Huế provinces have begun releasing water as the central region experiences torrential downpours. The tropical depression that made landfall in the south-central region over the weekend, together with a cold spell coming down from the north, have brought heavy rain to four localities in the mid-central region, including the provinces of Quảng Trị, Thừa Thiên-Huế and Quảng Nam, as well as Đà Nẵng City. The weather centre has issued alerts on potential flash floods, landslides and flooding in lowland areas in these localities.
1st Interstellar Asteroid Is a Spinning Space Cigar
Astronomers using the Pan-STARRS1 telescope in Hawaii spotted a mysterious object dashing through our solar system on Oct. 19. Traveling at high speed and originating from interstellar space, this object was originally thought to be an ancient comet, but observations revealed it was, in fact, an asteroid from another star system.
Astronomers have determined that the mysterious object — which has been named 'Oumuamua and given the official scientific designation 1I/2017 U1 — looped around the sun on Sept. 9 and made its closest pass by Earth on Oct. 14. 'Oumuamua (whose name means "a messenger from afar arriving first" in Hawaiian) is now about 124 million miles (200 million kilometers) from Earth and is zooming away from us at about 85,700 mph (137,900 km/h) relative to the sun, NASA officials said.
They also found that it has a dark red color, similar to objects in the outer solar system, and confirmed that it is completely inert, without the faintest hint of dust around it. Oumuamua is thought to be at least 1,300 feet (400 m) long, rocky (with some metal perhaps mixed in), relatively dense and shaped like a cigar, researchers said. It likely acquired its ruddy hue after being bombarded by high-energy cosmic rays for the millions of years it's been drifting through interstellar space.
Madagascar - WHO plague update
WHO continues to support the Ministry of Public Health and other national authorities in Madagascar to monitor and respond to the outbreak of plague. From 6 to 17 November 2017, 216 cases of plague (1 confirmed, 20 probable and 195 suspect) were reported to WHO. From 1 August to 17 November 2017, a cumulative total of 2 267 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of plague, including 195 deaths (case fatality rate 9%), have been reported from 55 of 114 (48%) districts in Madagascar.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
7.0 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
Vanuatu and New Caledonia were hit by small tsunami waves of 0.3 to 1.0 meters after an undersea earthquake of magnitude 7.0 struck 82 kms (51 miles) east of the Loyalty Islands in the South Pacific.The quake, initially reported as magnitude 7.3, was the second major tremor in the same area in less than 24 hours and the third in the past month.
6.6 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
5.9 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
5.8 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
5.3 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
5.1 Earthquake hits Halmahera, Indonesia.
Two 5.1 Earthquakes hit the Loyalty Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits Myanmar.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits Seram, Indonesia.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
Vietnam - Vietnam's central region is making preparations for coping with potential floods and landslides caused by a recent tropical depression and a cold spell. Central provinces are ready to evacuate local people in flood or landslide-prone areas, and release water in important reservoirs, which are now full of water due to heavy rain over the past few days.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.6 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
5.7 Earthquake hits Halmahera, Indonesia.
5.3 Earthquake hits Halmahera, Indonesia.
5.2 Earthquake hits offshore Chiapas, Mexico.
5.1 Earthquake hits Guam.
Two 5.0 Earthquakes hit the Loyalty Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits Halmahera, Indonesia.
Upsurge in big earthquakes predicted for 2018 as Earth rotation slows
Scientists have warned there could be a big increase in numbers of devastating earthquakes around the world next year. They believe variations in the speed of Earth’s rotation could trigger intense seismic activity, particularly in heavily populated tropical regions.
Although such fluctuations in rotation are small – changing the length of the day by a millisecond – they could still be implicated in the release of vast amounts of underground energy.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Western Pacific: Tropical Depression 31w (Kirogi), located approximately 142 nm east-northeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is tracking west-northwestward at 15 knots.
Newsbytes:
Greece - The death toll from flooding in and around Athens rose to 19 on Saturday after three more bodies were recovered west of the Greek capital.
UAE - Five Indian nationals were rescued from a car that was washed away by wadi flood waters in Khor Fakkan on Friday after heavy rains and rescue personnel are searching for another missing student.
Australia - Heavy rain caused flash flooding in parts of Melbourne on Saturday (Nov 18), after the Australian city was lashed by a series of storms. Water poured down the steps to Flinders Street railway station in the heart of Melbourne, and commuters were seen removing their shoes to walk through ankle-deep water. Rain also seeped through the roof of Melbourne Airport’s international terminal, after 20mm of rainfall in under 10 minutes.
Nigeria - Hepatitis E
Since Feb. 2017, Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection was confirmed in 8 local government areas (LGAs) of Borno, with transmission still ongoing in Rann Kala Balge. The total number of jaundice cases reported since that time is 1262.
Infected Fugitives
Black Death patients are escaping hospital and refusing treatment sparking fears it may spread. Chief of medicine at a plague hospital in Madagascar says patients are scared of needles and not used to hospital treatment.
Security guards at the Central Anti-Plague Hospital in Ambohimindra, Madagascar, are tasked with keeping patients in as well as making sure those arriving follow safety procedures.
Malagasy people have also been told not to carry out their traditional burial tradition of Famidihana which involves digging up their dead relatives every seven years. It means 'turning the bones' and sees families cleaning the remains, rewrapping them and reburying them while other family members perform a special dance.
The African island's government has told citizens to pause the tradition for fear the plague bacteria is still active in the corpses and can be spread to the living.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.3 Earthquake hits eastern Xizang-India Border.
The quake's epicentre was in an uninhabited region and authorities have yet to receive any casualty reports.
5.5 Earthquake hits near the coast of Ecuador.
5.2 Earthquake hits near the coast of Ecuador.
5.1 Earthquake hits eastern Xizang-India Border.
5.1 Earthquake hits Merida, Venezuela.
5.0 Earthquake hits Tarapaca, Chile.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Western Pacific: Tropical Storm 31w (Kirogi), located approximately 397 nm east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is tracking west-northwestward at 18 knots.
US Lifts Ban on Import of African Elephant Hunting Trophies
Earlier this week, the Trump administration lifted a ban on importing hunting trophies from African elephants into the United States, claiming that this policy change would benefit elephants — but conservation officials are skeptical.
Representatives of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced yesterday (Nov. 16) that the department would begin issuing permits allowing the import of sport-hunted trophies collected from elephants killed in Zimbabwe from Jan. 21, 2016, through Dec. 31, 2018. However, a ban remains on importing elephant trophies from Tanzania, according to the statement.
According to the FWS, hunting trophies are defined as raw or preserved animal parts collected by a recreational hunter "for personal use." This may include "bones, claws, hair, head, hide, hooves, horns, meat, skull, teeth, tusks or any taxidermied part, including, but not limited to, a rug or taxidermied head, shoulder or full mount."
The African elephant's (Loxodonta africana) conservation status is listed as "vulnerable" by (IUCN), which is applied when a species' numbers have declined by more than 30 percent over the past decade or when their habitat is fragmented, deteriorating or greatly reduced. It warns that the species is facing a high level of vulnerability in the wild.
However, many conservation organizations are skeptical of the benefits of legal and trophy collection for preserving and protecting elephants. In addition, there is the additional concern that lifting the trophy ban will send a troubling message to poachers about the United States' commitment to ending trade in animal products from threatened and endangered species
This is the wrong move at the wrong time for protecting Africa's wildlife, according to conservationists.
Madagascar - Plague: Epidemic phase of the outbreak is ending
The number of new plague cases in Madagascar has steadily declined since mid-October. From 6 to 15 November 2017, 149 probable (12) and suspect (137) pneumonic cases, 18 bubonic cases and 8 unspecified cases of plague have been reported to WHO
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.8 Earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.
5.6 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.3 Earthquake hits the Drake Passage.
5.2 Earthquake hits south of Panama.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands, New Zealand.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current Tropical Storms.
Newsbytes:
Thailand - Torrential rain on Tuesday night triggered flash floods that hit parts of the five southern provinces of Krabi, Surat Thani, Songkhla, Phatthalung and Yala yesterday, affecting thousands of people. In Krabi, the downpours caused flash floods from 3am onward in several communities in Khao Phanom district. In Yala, more than 500 houses in the flood-prone zones of this district were flooded yesterday. Several roads, at least 40 houses and more than 500 rai of farmland in three tambons of this district -- tambon Phru Tiaw, tambon Khao Phanom and tambon Khao Din -- were affected by the sudden flooding. Schools in affected areas were closed for two days.
Seahorses Return
A breeding population of short-snouted seahorses has been discovered living in England’s River Thames in what biologists say is proof the once-polluted waterway is becoming cleaner.
The creatures are typically found from the Mediterranean Sea and Canary Islands to the English Channel.
Announcement of the discovery was delayed until the species became protected under law, with fines or imprisonment imposed on those found killing, injuring or capturing the seahorses.
Bat Slaughter
The carcasses of dozens of rare grey-headed flying foxes have been found along Australia’s Queensland coast after a slaughter locals describe as “horrific.”
The protected species is Australia’s largest bat and is crucial for pollination in Queensland’s forests.
The killings are the latest in a spate of animal mutilations that have mainly been focused in Victoria state, and include kangaroo, wallaby and koala.
Those who found the bat carcasses said they tried to help the baby bats whose mothers had been killed, but were able to save only two.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week's hottest temperature was 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45.0 degrees Celsius) in Catamarca, Argentina.
The week's coldest temperature was minus 55.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 48.3 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.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 8 November - 14 November 2017
Agung | Bali (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that white plumes from Agung rose as high as 500 m above the crater rim during 8-14 November. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the exclusion zones remained intact (at 6 km, and an additional expansion to 7.5 km in the NNE, SE, S, and SW directions).
Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that an explosion at Minamidake summit crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) detected at 1025 on 7 November generated an ash plume that rose 1.3 km above the crater rim. A very small event occurred at the same crater on 13 November. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).
Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that during 8-13 November elevated surface temperatures in Cleveland's summit crater were identified in satellite data, possibly indicative of a lava flow in the crater. No significant eruptive activity was detected by seismic or infrasound sensors; both sensors detected a signal associated with low-level emissions during 0056-0059 on 12 November. A small explosion was recorded at 0315 on 14 November. 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 8-14 November ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions.
Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Based on observations by volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, explosions during 5 and 7-8 November generated ash plumes that 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).
Katmai | United States : On 13 November AVO reported that a cloud of ash, resuspended by strong winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, was blown about 120 km SE over Shelikof Strait and Kodiak Island at an altitude of up to 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta eruption in 1912. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Normal and the Aviation colour Code remained at Green.
Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 8-14 November 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 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, ceased entering the ocean at Kamokuna on 8 November but then began reentering the ocean during 12-13 November. Surface lava flows were active above and on the pali, and on the coastal plain, and new breakouts were observed.
Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosive activity at Sabancaya increased compared to the previous week; there was an average of 66 explosions recorded per day during 6-12 November. Seismicity was dominated by long-period events, with signals indicating emissions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose 4 km above the crater rim and drifted 50 km NE, E, and SE. The MIROVA system detected six thermal anomalies. The sulfur dioxide flux was high, at 2,763 tons per day on 8 November. The report noted that the public should not to approach the crater within a 12-km radius.
San Cristobal | Nicaragua : INETER reported that a series of 14 explosions at San Cristóbal began at 2134 on 7 November. The first explosion was the strongest, causing an increase in RSAM to 150 units; RSAM dropped to 50 after the last explosion. Ash fell in areas to the W and NE, including in the communities of Los Farallones, San Agustín, La Mora, El Naranjo, and Chinandega.
Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images on 3, 6, and 8 November; weather clouds prevented observations on the other days during 4-10 November. Explosions on 8 November generated ash plumes that rose 8 km (26,200 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 990 km NE. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.
Sinabung | Indonesia : Based on observations by PVMBG, satellite and webcam images, and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 9 and 11-12 November ash plumes from Sinabung rose 4.6-4.9 km (15,000-16,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and ESE. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4).
Suwanosejima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : Based on JMA notices and satellite data, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 10 November an event at Suwanosejima produced a plume that rose 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW.
Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that an ash emission at Turrialba began before 0730 on 13 November and intensified around 0830. An ash plume rose 500 m above the crater rim and drifted SW.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.9 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
5,6 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
5.5 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
5.3 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
Two 5.2 Earthquakes hit the Loyalty Islands.
5.1 Earthquake hits Azerbaijan.
5.1 Earthquake hits off the coast of Costa Rica.
5.1 Earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.
5.1 Earthquake hits Kyrgyzstan.
5.0 Earthquake hits Palau.
Four 5.0 Earthquakes hit the Loyalty Islands.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current Tropical Storms.
Newsbytes:
Greece - Flash floods killed at least 15 people, made scores homeless and destroyed infrastructure in Greece on Wednesday after a raging torrent inundated two coastal towns west of Athens following a night of heavy rain. In devastation locals said was unprecedented in scale, an overnight deluge triggered flash floods in the industrial towns of Nea Peramos and Mandra in the foothills of a mountain just west of Athens.
Diphtheria returns to war-torn Yemen
Besides the starvation and destruction brought on by years of war and a current blockade, cholera has become nearly synonymous with Yemen with well over 900,000 cases reported since April.
Now returning to Yemen for the first time since 2012 is the deadly vaccine preventable disease, diphtheria. By November 8 in Yemen were recorded 118 cases in which diphtheria was suspected and 11 deaths from that disease in ten provinces
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 8 November - 14 November 2017
Aoba | Vanuatu : Based on analyses of satellite images and model data, the Wellington VAAC reported that during the morning of 8 November low-level ash plumes from Aoba rose 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W.
Dempo | Indonesia : According to PVMBG a three-minute-long phreatic eruption at Dempo began at 1651 on 9 November, and generated a dense ash plume that rose 4.2 km (13,800 ft) a.s.l., about 1 km above the crater rim, and drifted S. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).
Sarychev Peak | Matua Island (Russia) : SVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sarychev Peak was identified in satellite images during 6-7 November. Weak steam-and-gas emissions were observed on 8 November. Weather clouds prevented observations during 9-13 November. The Aviation Colour Code remained at Green.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.8 Earthquake hits Guam.
5.6 Earthquake hits Tonga.
5.5 Earthquake hits South Korea.
5.3 Earthquake hits Tonga.
5.3 Earthquake hits east of the South Sandwich Islands.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Volcano Islands off Japan.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
Two 5.0 Earthquakes hit the Kermedec islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Indian Ocean Triple Junction.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current Tropical Storms.
Warning to Humanity
In late 1992, 1,700 scientists from around the world issued a dire “warning to humanity.” They said humans had pushed Earth's ecosystems to their breaking point and were well on the way to ruining the planet. The letter listed environmental impacts like they were biblical plagues — stratospheric ozone depletion, air and water pollution, the collapse of fisheries and loss of soil productivity, deforestation, species loss and catastrophic global climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuels.
To mark the letter's 25th anniversary, researchers have issued a bracing follow-up. In a communique published Monday in the journal BioScience, more than 15,000 scientists from 184 countries assess the world's latest responses to various environmental threats. Once again, they find us sorely wanting.
“Humanity has failed to make sufficient progress in generally solving these foreseen environmental challenges, and alarmingly, most of them are getting far worse,” they write.
This letter, spearheaded by Oregon State University ecologist William Ripple, serves as a “second notice,” the authors say: “Soon it will be too late to shift course away from our failing trajectory.”
Global climate change sits atop the new letter's list of planetary threats. Global average temperatures have risen by more than half a degree Celsius since 1992, and annual carbon dioxide emissions have increased by 62 percent.
But it's far from the only problem people face. Access to fresh water has declined, as has the amount of forestland and the number of wild-caught fish (a marker of the health of global fisheries). The number of ocean dead zones has increased. The human population grew by a whopping 2 billion, while the populations of all other mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish have declined by nearly 30 percent.
The lone bright spot exists way up in the stratosphere, where the hole in the planet's protective ozone layer has shrunk to its smallest size since 1988. Scientists credit that progress to the phasing out of chlorofluorocarbons — chemicals once used in refrigerators, air conditioners and aerosol cans that trigger reactions in the atmosphere to break down ozone.
The authors offer 13 suggestions for reining in our impact on the planet, including establishing nature reserves, reducing food waste, developing green technologies and establishing economic incentives to shift patterns of consumption.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.1 Earthquake hits Fiji.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
Iran - Update
The powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake near the Iraq-Iran border has authorities now saying the quake killed 407 people in the country and injured 6,700.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Invest 96L remains an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.
Newsbytes:
Malaysia - Incessant heavy rain since 6.30 pm yesterday caused a landslide and flash floods in Miri today, according to the Miri Fire and Rescue Station. The worst-affected area was Kampung Lereng Bukit where a vacant house almost collapsed due to a landslide that occurred at about 7 am today and flash floods struck a village in Bekenu.
La Nina - La Nina, the cool flip side to El Nino, has returned, forecasters said Thursday. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said a weak La Nina has formed and is expected to stick around for several months. La Nina is a natural cooling of parts of the Pacific that alters weather patterns around the globe. La Nina typically brings drier conditions to the U.S. South and wetter weather to the Pacific Northwest and western Canada. Indonesia, the Philippines, northeastern South America and South Africa often see more rain during December, January and February in La Nina years. Last year's La Nina was unusually brief, forming in November and gone by February. This one should hang around through at least March.
Global Carbon Pollution Rises
Global carbon pollution rose this year after three straight years when levels of the heat-trapping gas didn't go up at all, scientists reported Monday.
Preliminary figures project that worldwide carbon dioxide emissions are up about 2 percent this year, according to an international team of scientists. Most of the increase came from China.
The report by the Global Carbon Project team dashed hopes that emissions from the burning of coal, oil and gas had peaked.
Estimates for 2017 put it at about 40.8 billion tons (37 billion metric tons). Sixty years ago, the world spewed only 9.2 billion tons (8.3 billion metric tons).
Southeast Michigan hepatitis A outbreak - Update
In a follow-up on the hepatitis A outbreak reported in southeastern Michigan, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) continues to see an elevated number of hepatitis A cases in the area. Since the beginning of the outbreak in August 2016 through Nov. 7, 2017, 495 cases have been recorded, including 19 deaths.
Nigeria - Yellow Fever - Update
Since the first case of yellow fever was reported in Ifelodun LGA in Kwara State, Nigeria in mid-September, the outbreak has expanded to a number of states, according to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC). A yellow fever (YF) outbreak is currently active in Nigeria with three states recording confirmed cases (Kwara, Kogi, and Zamfara). 15 cases have now been confirmed.
Disneyland Park Linked to Legionnaire’s Disease Outbreak
Disneyland park in California has been connected to an outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease. The Legionnaire’s disease outbreak includes 12 people that were infected by the illness. Of these 12 people, nine had visited the Disneyland park in California. 10 of the 12 people were hospitalized after contracting the disease. The people infected by the disease were between the ages of 52 and 94.
Disneyland says that it was able to track the Legionnaire’s disease outbreak to two of its 18 cooling towers at the park. These towers were closed down and disinfected to clear them of the disease.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
7.2 Earthquake hits the Iran-Iraq Border.
At least 332 people were killed in Iran and Iraq when a magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolted the region on Sunday, state media in the two countries said, and rescuers were searching for dozens trapped under rubble in the mountainous area. The earthquake was felt as far away as Turkey, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates
State television said more than 328 people were killed in Iran and at least 2 500 were injured. Local officials said the death toll would rise as search and rescue teams reached remote areas of Iran.
The earthquake was felt in several western provinces of Iran but the hardest hit province was Kermanshah, which announced three days of mourning. More than 236 of the victims were in Sarpol-e Zahab county in Kermanshah province, about 15 km (10 miles) from the Iraq border.
Iranian state television said the quake had caused heavy damage in some villages where houses were made of earthen bricks. Rescuers were laboring to find survivors trapped under collapsed buildings.
The quake also triggered landslides that hindered rescue efforts, officials told state television. At least 14 provinces in Iran had been affected, Iranian media reported.
6.7 Earthquake hits Costa Rica.
Three people suffered fatal heart attacks that coincided with the time of the earthquake. At least one building in Jacó had been evacuated due to apparent damage and there were reports of walls collapsing and objects falling in other parts of the country, but there were no reports of any further injuries.
5.9 Earthquake hits off the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.0 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.0 Earthquake hits near the north coast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Invest 96L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Invest 94E is an area of disturbed weather in the Eastern Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.
Newsbytes:
Kenya - More than 10,000 residents of Kiganjo in Thika constituency have been displaced by floods following heavy rains that hit the area on Saturday night. The rains have interrupted harvesting of maize and wheat while horticulture farmers cannot access markets for their produce after floods rendered most roads in the region impassable.
Climate Change Is Destroying World Wonders
From the Everglades in the US to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, climate change is destroying the many of the greatest wonders of the natural world.
A new report on Monday from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reveals that the number of natural world heritage sites being damaged and at risk from global warming has almost doubled to 62 in the past three years.
Those at high risk include iconic places from the Galapagos Islands to the central Amazon and less well known but equally vibrant and unique sites such as the karst caves of Hungary and Slovakia and the monarch butterfly reserves in Mexico.
Coral reefs are particularly badly affected by rising ocean temperatures, from the Seychelles to Belize, where the northern hemisphere’s biggest reef is situated. Global heating is also causing mountain glaciers to rapidly shrink, from Kilimanjaro in Kenya to the Rocky Mountains in Canada and the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch – home to the largest Alpine glacier.
Other ecosystems being damaged are wetlands, such as the Everglades, where sea level is rising as the ocean warms and salt water is intruding. In the Sundarbans mangrove forest on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal, two islands have already been submerged and a dozen more are threatened. Fiercer storms are also increasing the risk of devastation.
Rising numbers of wildfires are damaging the beautiful Fynbos flowerscapes in the Cape region of South Africa and the Monarch butterfly site in Mexico. Elsewhere, warming is melting the permafrost in the newly declared Qinghai Hoh Xil heritage site, which is at 4,500m altitude in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.
Australia is especially exposed as it has 10 natural heritage sites where climate change damage is rated as high or very high risk, from its Gondwana rainforests to Shark Bay in western Australia and islands such as Fraser and Macquarie.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 Earthquake hits the Carlsberg Ridge.
5.2 Earthquake hits the west Chile Rise.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Invest 96L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Invest 94E is an area of disturbed weather in the Eastern Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Depression 30w (Haikui), located approximately 283 nm east-northeast of Da Nang, Vietnam, is tracking westward at 05 knots.
Newsbytes:
Sri Lanka - Thousands are being affected by floods which are affecting the Jaffna District. The Jaffna office said that 456 families have been displaced, with 170 houses destroyed by the floods. Strong winds can be expected over the coastal areas of Northern, North-western, Western and Southern provinces.Winds between 70 and 80 kmph are forecast at certain seas, prompting rough seas.
Prehistoric, Dinosaur-Era Shark Found Swimming Off Coast Of Portugal
The rare frilled shark is considered a “living fossil,” as its makeup has remained unchanged for 80 million years. This summer, researchers found one alive and thriving off the coast of Portugal, adding evidence regarding the resilience of this ancient sea creature.
The shark was discovered off the Algarve coast by researchers. The frilled shark has remained the same, both inside and out, since the time of the dinosaurs, with scientists dating it back to the Cretaceous Period, a time when the Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops still roamed the planet. The creature is incredibly simply and unevolved, most likely due to the lack of nutrients found in its deep-sea dwellings. The examination revealed that its diet is 61 percent cephalopods—the same class that squids and octopus belong to.
Venezuela - Measles
First it was malaria and diphtheria, now in Venezuela’s Bolivar state measles has reared it’s ugly head. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), between the last week of August and the first of October, Bolivar State reported 570 cases of Measles, specifically in nine parishes of the Caroní municipality.
Yemen - Cholera
The problems in Yemen continue to get worse as they face the largest humanitarian crisis and the worst food crisis in the world.
In addition to the largest outbreak in the world, a cholera outbreak that has sickened more than 920,000 and killed about 2,200, the Nov. 6 closure of the Yemen’s airspace, sea and land ports by the Saudi-led coalition (SLC) has worsened the already shrinking space for the lifesaving humanitarian work. It is blocking the delivery of vital humanitarian assistance to children in desperate need in Yemen. And it is making a catastrophic situation for children far worse.
Tanzania - Cholera
An outbreak of cholera in Tanzania has left 18 dead in two months, the health ministry said Saturday, warning the situation could worsen as the rainy season continues.
The ministry said the outbreak had left "18 dead out of 570 cases recorded" between September 1 and October 30, and urged local authorities to take measures to avoid the disease from spreading.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.3 Earthquake hits Ascension Island.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits Kepulauan Tanimbar, Indonesia.
5.0 Earthquake hits near the east cost of Honshu, Japan.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm 30w (Haikui), located approximately 398 nm east-northeast of Da Nang, Vietnam, is tracking west-northwestward at 08 knots.
Newsbytes:
Malaysia - Fresh floods have hit Seremban. A three-hour downpour in Seremban caused flash floods in many areas of the town last evening. Many states are experiencing heavy rainfall, although not as severe as the one in Penang which flooded many areas and claimed seven lives last weekend. More than 6,000 people in Penang were also evacuated from their homes.
Radioactive Cloud Over Europe
European authorities are providing new details about a cloud of mysterious radioactive material that appeared over the continent last month. Monitors in Italy were among first to detect the radioactive isotope ruthenium-106 on Oct. 3. In total, 28 European countries saw the radioactive cloud.
Based on the detection from monitoring stations and meteorological data, the mysterious cloud — which has since dissipated — has been traced to somewhere along the Russia-Kazakhstan border, somewhere in South Russia.
Authorities say the amount of material seen in Europe was small. It was a very low level of radioactivity and it poses no problems for health and the environment in Europe.
But modeling suggests that any people within a few kilometers of the release — wherever it occurred — would have needed to seek shelter to protect themselves from possible radiation exposure.
Madagascar - Plague
From 1 August to 8 November 2017, a total of 2,034 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of plague, including 165 deaths (case fatality rate 8%), have been reported from 55 of the 114 districts in the country. Of these, 1,565 (77%) were clinically classified as pulmonary plague, 297 (15%) were bubonic plague, one was septicemic, and 171 were not yet classified.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Oman
On 1 November, the International Health Regulations (2005) national focal point of Oman reported one case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection. Prior to this case, the most recent case of MERS-CoV from Oman was reported on 30 August 2017.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.6 Earthquake hits the west Chile Rise.
5.3 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
5.3 Earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.
5.0 Earthquake hits Tonga.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm 30w (Haikui), located approximately 175 nm west-northwest of Manila, Philippines, is tracking northwestward at 12 knots.
Newsbytes:
Thailand - Flooding persists in 12 provinces, with 233,180 people affected by the floods that have claimed 18 lives over the last month.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week's hottest temperature was 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42.2 degrees Celsius) in Dampier, Western Australia.
The week's coldest temperature was minus 53.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 47.2 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.
Ukraine - Measles
A measles outbreak has been reported by health officials in Ukraine. As of the end of July, Ukraine had reported 1,386 cases of measles, compared to 10 cases in the same period in 2016. Most cases of measles were reported in the Ivano-Frankivsk (637) and Odessa regions (526).
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 1 November - 7 November 2017
Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that sulfur dioxide flux at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano was just under 800 tons per day on 30 October. An explosion at Minamidake summit crater at 1221 on 31 October generated an ash plume that rose 1 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 on 3 November an ash plume from Bagana rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE.
Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that small explosions at Cleveland on 28 and 30 October partly destroyed the lava dome within the summit crater. Elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite data during clear views during 1 and 5-7 November, possibly indicative of a lava flow in the crater. Otherwise no significant eruptive activity was recorded by seismic or infrasound sensors. 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 1-7 November ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N, NE, E, and ESE. Ash plumes drifted as far as 170 km during 4-5 November.
Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Based on observations by volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, explosions during 27 October-3 November generated ash plumes that 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).
Fuego | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 2-3 November tremor at Fuego increased. Explosions (6-8 per hour) generated ash plumes that rose as high as 1.3 km above the crater and drifted 15 km W and SW. During 4-5 November there were 5-8 explosions per hour producing ash plumes that rose 1.2 km and drifted 10-15 km W and SW. Incandescent material was ejected 300 m above the crater, causing avalanches that were confined to the crater. The 11th effusive eruption phase in 2017 began on 5 November. Lava flowed 1-1.2 km W down the Seca drainage and 800 m SSW down the Ceniza drainage. Avalanches of material from the ends of the lava flows descended the flanks and reached vegetated areas. About 6-8 explosions per hour generated ash plumes that rose as high as 1.1 km and drifted 10-15 km W and SW. Ashfall was reported in areas downwind including Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), Morelia (9 km SW), and El Porvenir. The effusive phase ended on 7 November.
Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 1-7 November 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 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 on the pali, and on the coastal plain.
Langila | New Britain (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 5 October an ash plume from Langila rose 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE and ESE.
Pacaya | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 4-7 November Strombolian explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney cone ejected material as high as 40 m above the crater rim.
Poas | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that an event at Poás at 0915 on 6 November generated a plume that rose 300 m above the crater rim.
Popocatepetl | Mexico : Each day during 1-7 November CENAPRED reported 200-361 emissions from Popocatépetl, some of which contained ash. Crater incandescence was noted almost nightly. Increased seismicity at 0146 on 3 November coincided with a period of Strombolian activity that ended at 0535; gas, water vapor, and ash emissions rose from the carter and incandescent material was ejected 500 m onto the flanks. An explosion was detected at 1027. On 4 November explosions were detected at 0145 and 0608. Following the second explosion a continuous gas plume with minor ash drifted WSW. Beginning at 0735 ashfall was reported in municipalities of Yecapixtla (31 km SW) and Zacualpan de Amilpas (30 km SW), in the state of Morelos. A Strombolian period began at 1029 and lasted for 80 minutes, causing ashfall in Tetela del Volcán (20 km SW). Explosions at 1440 and 2231 ejected incandescent material 200 m onto the flanks. Another explosion was recorded at 0411 on 5 November. An explosion at 1653 on 6 November generated a gas-and-ash plume that rose 2.5 km above the crater rim and drifted SW. Fragments were ejected 500 m onto the flanks. An explosion at 0100 on 7 November generated a gas-and-ash plume that rose almost 2 km above the crater rim and drifted SW. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two.
Reventador | Ecuador : IG reported that during the last week of October the intensity of explosions at Reventador slightly increased; ash plumes, generated from 4-5 explosions per hour, rose to more than 2.5 km above the crater rim and had a higher ash content. Plumes typically drifted W, but also occasionally S and N. Loud “cannon shot” sounds accompanying some explosions were heard in nearby towns. IG volcanologists conducting fieldwork on 23 and 25 October noted strong explosions producing “cannon shots” that vibrated windows in Hostería Reventador, 7.2 km away. On 27 October ash plumes rose as high as 4.9 km. During 30-31 October ashfall was reported in multiple towns in the Napo Province to the S, mainly due to a change in wind direction and not increased activity.
Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosive activity at Sabancaya increased compared to the previous week; there was an average of 57 daily explosions during 30 October-5 November. Seismicity was dominated by long-period events, with signals indicating emissions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose 3.8 km above the crater rim and drifted 40 km N, NE, and E. The MIROVA system detected five thermal anomalies. The sulfur dioxide flux was high, at 3,996 tons per day, on 30 October. The report noted that the public should not to approach the crater within a 12-km radius.
Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 26-30 October and 1-2 November. Explosions on 2 November generated ash plumes that rose 8 km (26,200 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.
Sinabung | Indonesia : Based on observations by PVMBG, satellite and webcam images, and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 2 and 5-7 November ash plumes from Sinabung rose 3.4-4.9 km (11,000-16,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E, ESE, and SSE.
Stromboli | Aeolian Islands (Italy) : INGV reported that a 3-minute-long explosive sequence began at the central vents of Stromboli’s southern crater area (Area CS) at 2129 on 1 November. The explosions ejected coarse pyroclastic material onto the Sciara del Fuoco, in the direction of Pizzo Sopra la Fossa, and produced a dense ash plume that quickly dissipated to the S. Seismicity returned to normal levels after the events.
Suwanosejima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : Based on JMA notices and satellite data, the Tokyo VAAC reported explosions at Suwanosejima during 31 October, and 1, 3, and 5 November; plumes rose 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW and W.
Turrialba | Costa Rica : The Washington VAAC reported that an ash emission from Turrialba was observed in webcam images on 4 November. Ash was not identified in satellite images, though weather cloud cover was increasing and may have obscured views.
Ulawun | New Britain (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 3 November an ash plumes from Ulawun rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NNE, though a RVO report noted only vapor emissions.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.0 Earthquake hits the Azu Islands off Japan.
5.5 Earthquake hits Halmahera, Indonesia.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Sunda Strait, Indonesia.
5.0 Earthquake hits Salta, Argentina.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Post Tropical Cyclone Rina is located about 360 mi...580 km E of Cape Race Newfoundland and about 1480 mi...2385 km SW of Reykjavik Iceland with maximum sustained winds...45 mph...75 km/h. Present movement…NE or 35 degrees at 40 mph...65 km/h.
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical depression 30w (Haikui), located approximately 51 nm south-southeast of Manila, Philippines, is tracking west-northwestward at 14 knots.
Newsbytes:
Colombia - Families and rescuers searched desperately on Wednesday (November 8) through mud-plastered rubble for victims of flooding after a mudslide in Colombia killed nine, with 19 still missing, according to police reports. River La Paila burst its banks near the southeastern municipality of Corinto in the Cauca department at 18:40 local time (23:40 GMT) on Tuesday (November 7), sending water, mud and debris crashing down streets and into houses. Troops and police helped residents in the rescue operation and heavy machinery was being used to clear mud from the devastated area.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 1 November - 7 November 2017
Agung | Bali (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that white plumes from Agung rose as high as 500 m above the crater rim during 1-7 November. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the exclusion zones remained at 6 km, with an additional expansion to 7.5 km in the NNE, SE, S, and SW directions.
Aoba | Vanuatu : Based on analyses of satellite and webcam images, and model data, the Wellington VAAC reported that during 6-7 November ash plumes from Aoba rose 2.1-4.3 km (7,000-14,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E, NW, W, and SW.
Kirishimayama | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that during 2-6 November activity at Shinmoedake (Shinmoe peak), a stratovolcano of the Kirishimayama volcano group, continued to be slightly elevated. White plumes rose 300-400 m above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-5).
Interesting Images
Burning Elephants!
An image of two elephants fleeing a mob that set them on fire in eastern India highlights the ongoing human-elephant conflicts in the region. The image shows a calf on fire as it and an adult elephant run for their lives — as a crowd of "jeering" people throw "flaming tar balls" and firecrackers at the pair. According to the Sanctuary Asia Foundation, these type of scenes are common in the Bankura district of West Bengal.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.5 Earthquake hits New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.
5.7 Earthquake hits Fiji.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Storm Rina is located about 705 mi...1135 km SSE of Cape Race Newfoundland with maximum sustained winds...60 mph...95 km/h. Present movement…N or 10 degrees at 20 mph...31 km/h.
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Depression 29w (Twenty-nine), located approximately 431 nm west of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is tracking westward at 06 knots.
Newsbytes:
Malaysia - Parts of Selangor state were inundated by flood waters early yesterday morning following several hours of heavy rain. The worst-hit locations were low-lying residential estates and areas in Klang and Shah Alam.
Hawaii, USA - Another round of especially high king tides are expected to arrive Tuesday and Wednesday, and the sea level increase could mean flooding for some low-lying areas on Oahu and Hawaii Island. Sea levels were expected to have risen by nearly 2.5 feet before 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, slightly less than the record highs that were set earlier this summer.
Paris Climate Agreement
Syria has become a signatory of the Paris climate agreement, leaving the US as the only country in the world not to support the framework deal to combat greenhouse gas emissions.
Wildfires - South Africa
Hundreds of personnel are still battling the Gordon's Bay fire in the Western Cape that started on Tuesday, which damaged and destroyed five homes. There have been no formal evacuations, but residential areas are in the line of fire.
Meanwhile, strong winds buffeting the False Bay area are preventing fire teams from bringing a runaway blaze under control.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Saudi Arabia
Between 27 September and 31 October 2017, the National IHR Focal Point of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reported 12 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, including two deaths. Additionally, one death from a previously reported case was reported to WHO.
Marburg virus disease – Uganda and Kenya - Update
On 17 October 2017, the Ugandan Ministry of Health (MoH) notified WHO of a confirmed outbreak of Marburg virus disease in Kween District, Eastern Uganda. The Ministry for Health officially declared the outbreak on 19 October 2017.
As of 3 November, the three cases that have been previously reported (two confirmed and one probable case, the latter being the index case) have died, thus, resulting in an overall case-fatality rate of 100%. The cases were epidemiologically linked and come from one family.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 Earthquake hits Fiji.
5.5 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.
5.1 Earthquake hits the western Indian-Antarctic ridge.
5.0 Earthquake hits Antofagasta, Chile.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Dodecanese Islands - Turkish border region.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Storm Rina is located about 880 mi...1420 km E of Bermuda and about 1370 mi...2200 km WSW of the Azores with maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/h. Present movement...n or 5 degrees at 12 mph...19 km/h.
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Depression 29w (Twenty-nine), located approximately 183 nm south of Bangkok, Thailand, is tracking northwestward at 05 knots.
Newsbytes:
Vietnam - The death toll from typhoon Damrey has risen to at least 61 people, with more than 28 missing. The typhoon caused extensive damage to the country's south-central region ahead of a summit that will draw leaders from around the world, the government said Monday. The Vietnam Disaster Management Authority said in a statement that widespread flooding was reported in the region and that more than 116,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged. The missing include nine crew members of cargo ships that sank off the coast of Khanh Hoa province.
Philippines - Floods continued to rise in the provinces of Isabela and Cagayan on Monday, submerging 500 low-lying villages due to monsoon rains in the areas for the past three days. ight bridges — Gucab, Bintacan, Cabiseria 8, Alicaocao, Santo Tomas-Cabagan, Cabagan-Santa Maria, Annafunan and Murong in Isabela — were impassable due to rising waters, isolating interior villages.
“Deadly’ Smog in Delhi, India
Visibility is poor as pollution levels reached 30 times the World Health Organization's recommended limit in some areas. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) declared "a state of medical emergency" and urged the government to "make every possible effort to curb this menace".
The levels of tiny particulate matter (known as PM 2.5) that enter deep into the lungs reached as high as 700 micrograms per cubic metre in some areas on Tuesday.
The chief minister of Delhi has asked his education minister to consider shutting down schools for a few days. Delhi sees pollution levels soar in winter due to farmers in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana states burning stubble to clear their fields. Low wind speeds, dust from construction sites, rubbish burning in the capital and firecrackers used in festivals also contribute to increasing pollution levels.
Interesting Images
What in the World Is This?
The image, from a scanning electron microscope, shows the end of a mosquito's leg, including a claw, scales and the pulvillus, a pad with adhesive hairs. These scales dot the entire bodies of mosquitos but are particularly dense near the foot, and may help protect the limb and enable the mosquito to land on water, where these insects lay their eggs.
