Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.8 earthquake hits Alaska.

5.3 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

5.2 earthquake hits the Carlsberg ridge.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific: Tropical depression 36w (Thirty-six), located approximately 375 nm east-southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is tracking westward at 10 knots.

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 08p (Eight), located approximately 460 nm northwest of Cairns, Australia, is tracking northwestward at 04 knots.

NewsBytes:

Philippines - The death toll has risen. At least 22 people have died and a number are still missing after torrential rain triggered landslides and flash flooding in some regions in the Philippines, disaster officials and police said on Sunday (Dec 30). The deaths were mostly due to landslides and drowning in the Bicol region and Eastern Visayas in the central Philippines. As of Sunday morning, the council said a total of 1,274 families or 4,906 persons were affected by a tropical depression that dumped rains since it entered the Philippine area of responsibility. The agency also said that 78 areas were flooded in the Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions, while 59 areas experienced power outages in the southeast Asian country.

Syria - Thousands of families displaced by years of war in Syria are being displaced again. Two days of torrential rainfall in the country's northern region caused major flooding in refugee camps in Idlib and Aleppo. The affected occupants stared helplessly as their flimsy tents and makeshift shelters were washed away. Aid groups have appealed for international help.

DR Congo - Floods have affected the voting in the presidential elections held in DR Congo. Problems in the run-up to the Congolese elections have included torrential rain, broken voting machines, missing voter lists and complaints of harassment.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Australia

Three firefighters have been injured while battling an inferno on the NSW Central Coast this afternoon. The fire, which started in a car, before quickly spreading in multiple directions through the dry scrub, has burned through more than 150 hectares of bushland near Tooheys Road in Bushells Ridge, 22km north of Wyong.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.0 earthquake hits southern Sumatra, Indonesia.

5.5 earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan.

5.2 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.0 earthquake hits the Carlsberg ridge.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific: Tropical depression 35w (Thirty-five), located approximately 354 nm south of Manila, Philippines, is tracking west-northwestward at 08 knots.

NewsBytes:

Philippines - Four people were killed in landslides and thousands of others evacuated from their homes after a storm swept through the central Philippine islands on Saturday, officials said. Almost 12,000 people were also evacuated from their homes in the Bicol region after the low-pressure area, locally named "Usman", hit the eastern side of the country on Saturday. Although Usman's winds were not too powerful, it still brought heavy rains that caused landslides and flooding in areas it traversed.

USA - One snowstorm brought blizzard conditions to portions of the northern Plains and Upper Midwest and a second continues to dump heavy snow from Arizona to the Texas Panhandle. At least three people have died in car crashes due to the central U.S. storm. Meanwhile, drenching rain on the waterlogged southern and eastern United States has prompted flood watches and warnings that are affecting 50 million people. The pounding rain has swept away cars and led to dozens of water rescues.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

Cute:

This Mary River Turtle happens to be a tiny, green-mohawked turtle living in Australia.

In November, NASA satellites caught a glimpse of arguably the most poignant possible symbol of Earth's climate-hobbled future: A lone iceberg, shaped like a coffin, drifting into warm waters to die forever.

Disease

Rabies - North Caroline, USA

A black bear found dead in Hyde County has tested positive for rabies — the first known case of a rabies positive black bear in the state, according to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. The yearling male bear was found dead on Dec 17 at a game feeder.

Ebola - USA

A U.S. healthcare worker who may have been exposed to the Ebola virus while treating patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo arrived in the United States on Saturday and was put in quarantine in Nebraska. The medic, who is not exhibiting symptoms of Ebola, will remain under observation for up to two weeks at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha.

Symptoms such as fever and abdominal pain may appear up to three weeks after contact with the deadly virus.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Western Australia

A lightning strike on Boxing Day started a bushfire near the intersection of Pannawonica Road and North West Coastal Highway in Fortescue. It burned through 50,000 hectares of bush and closed down roads near the Pilbara town of Pannawonica. Temperatures on Friday reached 48 degrees after a scorching top of 49 degrees on Thursday. A total fire ban is in place for Western Australia.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

7.0 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.

5.9 earthquake hits the Philippines.

5.8 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

5.3 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.

5.1 earthquake hits the Nias region, Indonesia.

5.0 earthquake hits the Komandorskiye Ostrova region, Russia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific: Tropical depression 35w (Thirty-five), located approximately 209 nm southeast of Manila, Philippines, is tracking west-northwestward at 07 knots.

NewsBytes:

USA - Severe weather has flooded homes across Southeast Louisiana. Dozens of homes across Southeast Louisiana took on water overnight due to heavy rain. Heavy rains caused flooding across metro Atlanta. Most of the metro area and north Georgia will remain under a flash flood watch through early Saturday as Atlanta nears record rainfall. Heavy rain Friday felled trees, swelled rivers and flooded roads, closing streets and stranding several drivers who had to be rescued from the rising waters. Flooding from the heavy rain in the Tennessee Valley resulted in a number of road closures.

Florida, USA - Rare meteotsunami hits Florida, floods beaches. Scientists say Florida has been it hit by a rare meteotsunami that caused water levels to jump and sent beachgoers running from oncoming waves. Air pressure disturbances and quick-moving storms caused the meteotsunami. The phenomenon shouldn't be confused with tsunamis, which are caused by earthquakes and other seismic activity. The wave heights, which were projected to be around 1.7 feet (0.5 meters), reached 5 feet (1.5 meters) before decreasing. Wind gusts spiked at 54 mph (87 kph) as a storm brought heavy rains and tornado warnings to the Naples area. The meteotsunami didn't cause significant flooding inland.

Disease

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

From 31 October through 30 November 2018, the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) National Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported eight additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, including two deaths.

Coral Disease Outbreak Hits Florida Reef

Florida’s coral reef has suffered an outbreak of stony coral tissue loss disease.

While coral disease outbreaks are a relatively regular occurrence, this one is somewhat different since it is very widespread and covers a large geographic area. Scientists think that the disease is caused by a bacteria that is transmitted via direct contact and water circulation. with transmission via contact being a key cause of the disease spreading. It is recommended that divers and snorkelers decontaminate their gear, which should help prevent the spread of the disease.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.8 earthquake hits near the north coast of Papua, Indonesia.

5.2 earthquake hits Kodiak Island, Alaska.

Two 5.1 earthquakes hit the South Sandwich Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits Tonga.

5.0 earthquake hits southern Alaska.

5.0 earthquake hits Carabobo, Venezuela.

5.0 earthquake hits the Komandorskiye Ostrova region, Russia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific: Tropical depression 35w (Thirty-five), located approximately 461 nm east-southeast of Manila, Philippines, is tracking west-northwestward at 04 knots.

NewsBytes:

Midwest USA - There's a storm system covering much of the U.S. that's producing severe storms in the south and blizzard-like conditions in parts of the Plains and Midwest and east to New England. More wild weather is forecast for Friday across the nation: an ongoing blizzard in the north-central U.S. and flooding rains in the Southeast. Heavy rains Wednesday night flooded several Texoma highways. Overnight storms left many in deep East Texas with a mess to clean up on Thursday morning. Road closures, trees down, and power outages are just some of the damages left behind.

Israel - Israel was hit by a particularly wintry day Thursday as heavy rain spread from the north to the southern coastal plain. In the Western Galilee, 14 mm of rain dropped in one hour in Kibbutz Ayalon. Heavy rain also hit the Lower Galilee, the northern valleys, and the Sharon and Dan regions in the center. Hailstorms hit Caesarea, Pardes Hanna-Karkur, and other parts of the Sharon region on Thursday morning. In Dan region, the heavy downpours caused flooding in several streets.

Wildlife

Japan to Resume Commercial Whaling

Japan is withdrawing from the International Whaling Commission and will resume commercial whaling next year, a government spokesman has announced.

The move on Wednesday came more than three months after the global body for the conservation of whales rejected a Tokyo-led proposal to lift a 32-year ban on the commercial hunting of the ocean mammals.

"We have decided to withdraw from the International Whaling Commission in order to resume commercial whaling in July next year," Yoshihide Suga, top spokesperson for the Japanese government, told reporters. Suda said commercial whaling "will be limited to Japan's territorial waters and exclusive economic zones".

Global Warming

Dying Ancients

The world’s oldest flowering trees are mysteriously dying after having provided food, water and shelter from the African sun to both humans and animals for thousands of years.

The deaths of four of the continent’s 13 oldest baobab trees, and the withering to near death of five others over the past 12 years, is being blamed by some on climate change.

Towering over Africa’s savannah, the iconic trees can live to be nearly 3,000 years old. One village held a funeral for its dead baobab, calling it the “mother of us all”.

 

Disease

Typhoid Fever - Pakistan

Pakistan Health Authorities have reported an ongoing outbreak of extensively drug resistant (XDR) typhoid fever that began in the Hyderabad district of Sindh province in November 2016. From 1 November 2016 through 9 December 2018, 5 274 cases of XDR typhoid out of 8 188 typhoid fever cases were reported by the Provincial Disease Surveillance and Response Unit (PDSRU) in Sindh province, Pakistan.

Viral Winds

Scientists determined that astounding numbers of viruses are swept up from Earth’s surface and blown around the world in the planet’s atmospheric circulation.

Researchers believe there are at least 800 million viruses per square yard from just above the surface to the stratosphere.

The global winds are spreading them and bacteria for thousands of miles, possibly from one continent to another.

The scientists say the bacteria and viruses become air- borne after winds pick them up in dust and sea spray.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 127 degrees Fahrenheit (45.0 degrees Celsius) in Death Valley, California.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 116.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 48.9 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.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.7 earthquake hits Tonga.

5.6 earthquake hits Carabobo, Venezuela.

5.4 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits Myanmar,

5.0 earthquake hits Tonga.

5.0 earthquake hits Vanuatu.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific: Tropical depression 35w (Thirty-five), located approximately 579 nm east-southeast of Manila, Philippines, is tracking west-northwestward at 04 knots.

Disease

Classical Swine Fever - Japan

In a follow-up on the initial outbreak report of Classical Swine Fever (CSF) in Japan in September, the first in 26 years, the Ministry of Agriculture reports a sixth farm outbreak of the year. The outbreak was confirmed on a pig farm in the city of Seki in Gifu Prefecture. The outbreak affected nearly 7,500 fattening and breeding pigs.

Foot and Mouth Disease - Bhutan

The movement of live animals and dairy products including meat from Nichula gewog in Dagana is strictly banned from yesterday after an outbreak of foot and mouth diseases (FMD) in cattle were reported from the gewog. The first case was reported on December 22 from Chakramari in Gangtokha chiwog and Maula herd in Nichula gewog. The notification states that the source of the outbreak is suspected to be from across the border area (Assam, India) as cross-border grazing is a common practice along the border.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.1 earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.0 earthquake hits Sicily.

5.0 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific: Tropical depression 35w (Thirty-five), located approximately 728 nm east-southeast of Manila, Philippines, is tracking westward at 06 knots.

NewsBytes:

Drought, Somalia - Parts of the Horn of Africa nation have not received rain for three consecutive years and, as a result, crops and livestock have perished. Many fear a repeat of the 2011 famine in which nearly 260,000 people died.

Wildlife

Climate change strands sea turtles on Cape Cod shores

At the New England Aquarium’s sea turtle hospital in a repurposed shipyard building south of Boston, the casualties of climate change swim in tanks as they recover after being pulled stunned from the beach.

Every year, as autumn turns to winter and ocean temperatures off Massachusetts drop below 10C (50F), dead, dying and stricken sea turtles wash up on the shores of Cape Cod as those shelled reptiles that have failed to migrate south start to die in the chilly waters.

In the 1980s, the number of sea turtles stranded on the shores of Cape Cod every year averaged in the dozens. That average went up through the 1990s and 2000s, but over the past decade it has risen dramatically: 2014 saw more than 1,200 turtles make landfall. This year, more than 790 sea turtles have washed up on Cape Cod so far. Some 720 of those are Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles, a critically endangered species that nests on the shores of the much warmer Gulf of Mexico.

Reindeer now smaller and lighter due to climate change

Reindeer herders in Finnish Lapland are concerned their prized animals are getting smaller because of climate change.

Finland’s reindeer population reaches 200,000 in the wintertime with around 1,500 herders relying on them for their livelihood, breeding Santa’s favourite animal for its meat, milk and fur. They are also a major tourist attraction with 300,000 people visiting the area annually for sleigh rides.

But climate change in the region — mean temperatures in Lapland have increased by 1.5 degrees Celsius over the past 150 years — make it harder for reindeer to graze on their food as warmer winters mean more rain. Reindeer can’t dig the lichen from the ground through the ice.

Research conducted over 20 years on Norway’s Svalbard archipelago found that although reindeer numbers had doubled, their size and weight had decreased — mostly due to greater competition for food. The survey, released in 2016 by the James Hutton Institute, found that adult reindeers born in 1994 weighed 55kg while those born in 2012, weighed 48kg.

Meanwhile, the number of caribous or wild reindeer in the Arctic region has decreased by more than 50% since the mid-1980s, according to a report released earlier this month by the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. The study found that “climate indicators accounted for 54% of the variability in vital rates.”

Disease

African swine fever - China

China on Tuesday reported the third outbreak of African swine fever in Guangdong, the southern province that borders Hong Kong, in less than a week. In the latest incident, in Boluo county, Huizhou, 11 of 90 pigs on a farm were killed by the deadly disease, the agriculture ministry said. On Saturday, similar infections were found in 30 pigs on a farm of more than 6,000 in the Huangpu district of Guangzhou. Nine of the animals have since died of the illness. Local authorities responded by sealing off the area and slaughtering 6,027 hogs.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.0 earthquake hits the Komandorskiye Ostrova region, Russia.

5.4 earthquake hits the Komandorskiye Ostrova region, Russia.

5.3 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

5.2 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

5.2 earthquake hits off the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.0 earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.

5.0 earthquake hits south of the Kermedec Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits the Komandorskiye Ostrova region, Russia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific: Tropical depression 35w (Thirty-five), located approximately 72 nm northeast of Koror, Palau, is tracking northwestward at 09 knots.

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 07s (Cilida), located approximately 696 nm southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius, is tracking southeastward at 13 knots.

NewsBytes:

Indonesia - Indonesian rescuers on Tuesday used drones and sniffer dogs to search for survivors along the devastated west coast of Java hit by a series of tsunamis that killed at least 373 people, warning more victims are expected to be uncovered as the search expands. Thick ash clouds continued to spew from Anak Krakatau, a volcanic island where a crater collapse at high tide on Saturday sending tsunamis smashing into coastal areas on both sides of the Sunda Strait between the islands of Sumatra and Java. At least 128 people remain missing. More than 1,400 people were injured, and thousands of residents had to move to higher ground, with a high-tide warning extended to Wednesday.

Global Warming

Climate change is destroying Lebanon's biblical cedar trees

The cedar trees of Lebanon have survived for millennia. King Solomon is said to have used the tall, strong evergreens to build his temple in Jerusalem. The Phoenicians chopped them down to build ships, the ancient Egyptians to make paper.

But conservationists are warning the usually resilient trees are now facing the biggest threat to their existence - climate change. Today in the Chouf Biosphere Reserve south of the Lebanese capital Beirut, black branchless trunks jut from the ground where young, healthy ones once stood.

The cedars, which grow in Lebanon and a handful of other Mediterranean countries where they enjoy the high altitude and humid climate, are suffering from the longer, hotter summers and drier winters.

In the 1950s, it typically rained or snowed here 100 days a year or more. The relatively cool temperatures through winter would keep snow on the ground for months. However, the last few winters have seen an average of just 40-50. Temperatures, meanwhile, have risen 2 degrees.

The warming earth has encouraged greater numbers of sawflies, the Cephalcia tannourinensis, which burrow into the cedars’ trunks and feast on their needles. While the larvae first began to appear in the 1990s, they have previously gone unnoticed because their cycles did not interfere with the trees, now, the insects mostly target the relatively younger trees - those aged between 20-100 years. Last year, 170 trees dried up completely and died. It was like a fire had ravaged the forest.

Disease

China reports new African swine fever outbreak in Fujian province

China's agriculture ministry on Monday reported another new outbreak of African swine fever, this time in the southeastern province of Fujian, which has killed 11 pigs on a farm of 5,776 pigs.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.4 earthquake hits Tonga.

5.7 earthquake hits western Xizang, China.

5.6 earthquake hits off the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.5 earthquake hits off the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.1 earthquake hits Antofagasta, Chile.

5.0 earthquake hits Tonga.

5.0 earthquake hits southern Sumatra, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 07s (Cilida), located approximately 532 nm southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius, is tracking southeastward at 12 knots.

NewsBytes:

Indonesia - The unt for survivors continues as the Indonesian tsunami death toll tops 280. More than 1 000 people were injured and the death toll is expected to rise further. Hundreds of buildings were destroyed by the wave that left a tangled mess of corrugated steel roofing, timber and rubble at Carita beach, a popular spot for day-trippers on the west coast of Java.

Sri Lanka - Over 45,000 people and 13,646 families have been affected by the recent floods in the Northern Province due to heavy rains and winds. Around 8,539 people have been given shelter at 52 relief camps and all the necessary food and medicinal supplies have been provided. One hundred and fifty-one houses have been partially damaged by the adverse weather. The affected areas had received a rainfall exceeding 350 mm causing flash floods in many places.

Disease

Cholera - Zimbabwe

A fresh cholera outbreak has claimed three lives from 10 cases recorded since Tuesday in the Chomubobo mining area in Mberengwa, Midlands province. Government is still searching for the source of the waterborne disease.

Volcanos

Tsunami set off by volcano sweeps Indonesia coast

A tsunami killed at least 168 people and injured hundreds on the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra following an underwater landslide caused by the eruption of Anak Krakatau, officials said on Sunday.

Anak Krakatau is the island that emerged from an area once occupied by Krakatau, which was completely destroyed in the 1883 disaster which killed more than 36,000 people in a series of tsunamis following an eruption of Krakatau. It first appeared in 1927 and has been growing ever since.

Coastal residents reported not seeing or feeling any warning signs, like receding water or an earthquake, before waves of up to two meters washed ashore, according to media.

Hundreds of homes and other buildings, including hotels were "heavily damaged" in the tsunami which struck along the rim of the Sunda Strait 21h27 on Saturday.

Authorities warned residents and tourists in coastal areas around the Sunda Strait to stay away from beaches and a high-tide warning remained in place through till Dec. 25.

With height of 30-90 cm, the event has produced 168 fatalities, 745 injured, 30 missing, 558 houses damaged, 9 hotel units damaged, 60 damaged food stalls, 350 boats damaged.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.8 earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.6 earthquake hits the Komandorskiye Ostrova region, Russia.

5.3 earthquake hits the Komandorskiye Ostrova region, Russia.

5.0 earthquake hits the Komandorskiye Ostrova region, Russia.

5.0 earthquake hits the Sunda Strait, Indonesia.

5.0 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 07s (Cilida), located approximately 216 nm east-southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius, is tracking southeastward at 17 knots.

NewsBytes:

Cuba - Huge waves have broken through Havana's sea wall, flooding the streets of the Cuban capital in scenes unknown in living memory. Lashed by heavy rains and winds in excess of 110 kph, residents of ground floor apartments have been moved upstairs, and many people deemed at risk have been evacuated.

Disease

Measles - Ukraine - Update

The Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine reported this week that the total measles cases reported through mid-December is nearly 50,000 cases. New data shows that an additional 2,652 people were diagnosed – 893 adults and 1,579 children, bringing the total for the year to 49,518. IN addition, 16 people died.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 earthquake hits the Lombok region, Indonesia.

5.5 earthquake hits Mozambique.

Two 5.4 earthquakes hit the Komandorskiye Ostrova region, Russia.

5.2 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.1 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.0 earthquake hits the Komandorskiye Ostrova region, Russia.

5.0 earthquake hits New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 06s (Kenanga), located approximately 687 nm south-southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking southwestward at 04 knots.

Tropical cyclone (tc) 07s (Cilida), located approximately 196 nm north-northeast of Port Louis, Mauritius, is tracking south-southeastward at 09 knots.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

Giant ice-filled crater on Mars - An 82 kilometre-wide crater on Mars that may be topped with snow has been photographed by the ESA’s (European Space Agency) Mars Express.

The stunning untrodden snow scene comes as the mission prepares to celebrate 15-years since it entered the Red Planet’s orbit on Christmas Day. Korolev, as the crater is known, is thought to be 1.8 kilometres deep, filled with around 2,200 cubic kilometres of ice.

Disease

Cholera - Southern and Central Africa

Ongoing cholera outbreaks have been reported in Zimbabwe, Angola, Tanzania, Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Since the Zimbabwe outbreak, there have been four laboratory-confirmed cases of cholera in South Africa.

Over 10,000 cases were reported in Zimbabwe, claiming 59 lives.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

7.4 earthquake hits the Komandorskiye Ostrova region, Russia.

5.9 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.8 earthquake hits the Komandorskiye Ostrova region, Russia.

5.7 earthquake hits the Komandorskiye Ostrova region, Russia.

5.7 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.6 earthquake hits the Komandorskiye Ostrova region, Russia.

5.3 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.1 earthquake hits the Komandorskiye Ostrova region, Russia.

Two 5.0 earthquakes hit the Komandorskiye Ostrova region, Russia.

5.0 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.0 earthquake hits offshore Chiapas, Mexico.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 06s (Kenanga), located approximately 701 nm southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking west-northwestward at 04 knots.

Tropical cyclone (tc) 07s (Cilida), located approximately 332 nm north of Port Louis, Mauritius, is tracking south-southwestward at 04 knots.

NewsBytes:

Australia - Australia's largest city was picking up the pieces on Friday after a series of lightning and hailstorms pummelled cars with ice blocks the size of tennis balls. The authorities issued a severe storm warning, but that was not enough to prevent damage that is already running into the tens of millions of dollars. When the storms hit, Sydneysiders looked on in desperation as cauliflower-shaped hail smashed through car windshields and turned the Harbour into a bubbling and splashing cauldron. Many drivers sought refuge under roofed petrol stations and a few brave surfers in the water at the city's famed Bondi Beach hid under their boards.

Turkey - The building site of Istanbul’s massive new airport has been inundated after heavy rains. Images from the site show buses almost fully submerged in water in a lake of rainwater left by the floods.

Wildlife

Wise Old Bird

The world’s oldest known wild bird has become a mother yet again, hatching at the approximate age of 68 what is about her 40th egg.

The Laysan albatross known as Wisdom was first banded in 1956 and has regularly nested to hatch her eggs on the remote Midway Atoll in the central Pacific.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the blessed event, saying that Wisdom spends about 90 percent of her life at sea, feeding on squid and fish eggs between hatchings.

She and her current mate, Akeakamai, have returned to the same nest site on Midway each year since 2006.

Environment

Roach Recyclers

Food waste from China’s expanding cities has become such a problem that firms are being encouraged to set up urban waste farms that use countless cockroaches to devour the scraps.

Reuters reports that one facility on the outskirts of Jinan, capital of Shandong province, feeds food waste the equivalent in weight to seven adult elephants each day to a billion captive roaches. The bugs have the potential to provide nutrition for livestock once they die, and some say their dead bodies could also be used to cure stomach ailments and create beauty products.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 116 degrees Fahrenheit (45.0 degrees Celsius) in Moomba, South Australia.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 60.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 48.9 degrees Celsius) at Oimyakon, Siberia.

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

Disease

Marburg Virus Found in West Africa

The Marburg virus is in the same family as Ebola and causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. Case fatality rates in Marburg outbreaks have ranged from 24% to 88%.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports laboratory confirmed cases have been reported in Uganda, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Angola, and South Africa.

The virus has not been found in West Africa–until now. Scientists have discovered live Marburg virus in fruit bats in Sierra Leone.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 12 December - 18 December 2018

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that there were seven events and an additional five explosions at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 10-17 December, with ash plumes rising as high as 2 km above the crater rim and material ejected as far as 700 m. Crater incandescence was occasionally visible at night. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite data, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 14 and 16-17 December ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.5-2.1 km (5,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted mainly SW, S, and SE. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and visitors were warned to remain outside of the 2-km exclusion zone.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 7-14 December that sent ash plumes to 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. Ash plumes drifted E. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Krakatau | Indonesia : PVMBG reported that events at Anak Krakatau were recorded at 1445 on 14 December and 1823 on 18 December, producing ash plumes that rose 200 and 300 m above the summit and drifted NE and E, respectively. The event on 14 December lasted 48 seconds and the ash plume was dense and black. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and residents were warned to remain outside of the 2-km radius hazard zone from the crater.

Kuchinoerabujima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that at 1637 on 18 December an eruption at Kuchinoerabujima’s Shindake Crater produced an ash plume that rose 2 km and then disappeared into a weather cloud. The event ejected material that fell in the crater area, and generated a pyroclastic flow that traveled 1 km W. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-5).

Merapi | Central Java (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that during 7-13 December the lava dome in Merapi’s summit crater grew at a rate of 2,200 cubic meters per day. By 13 December the volume of the dome, based on photos taken from the SE, was an estimated 359,000 cubic meters. White emissions of variable density rose a maximum of 200 m above the summit. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and residents were warned to remain outside of the 3-km exclusion zone.

Pacaya | Guatemala : In a special notice posted on 13 December INSIVUMEH reported that rumbling at Pacaya was heard within a radius of 8 km, and weak Strombolian explosions at Mackenney Crater ejected material as high as 50 m above the crater rim. Active lava flows were 200-300 m in length and traveled down the NW flank, generating avalanches of blocks that were as large as 1 m in diameter. The report also noted that the cone in the crater continued to grow, filling the crater, and was 75 m above the crater rim. During 15-16 December lava continued to flow NW and Strombolian explosions ejected material 5-25 m high.

Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that an average of 18 explosions per day occurred at Sabancaya during 10-16 December. Long-period seismic events were recorded, and hybrid earthquakes were infrequent and of low magnitude. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 2.2 km above the crater rim and drifted 40 km W and SW. MIROVA detected five thermal anomalies, and on 13 December the sulfur-dioxide gas flux was high at 3,100 tons per day. The report noted that the public should not approach the crater within a 12-km radius.

Sangay | Ecuador : IG reported that the eruption at Sangay that began on 8 August ended on 7 December after about four months of activity. The eruption was characterized by the extrusion of lava flows, and ash emissions that rose between 0.5-1.4 km (and occasionally higher than 2 km) and mainly drifted W and NW. Minor amounts of ash fell in Guayaquil on 18 September. Lava flows traveled 1-2 km down the ESE flank, and both block avalanches and possible small pyroclastic flows from the flow fronts traveled additionally as far as 7 km.

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 7-8 and 11-13 December. A small explosion, recorded at 1222 on 12 December, generated an ash plume that rose 6.5-6.8 km (21,300-22,300 ft) a.s.l. That same day a gas-and-steam plume, containing a small amount of ash and drifting 150 km NE, was visible in satellite data. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported semi-continuous activity at Turrialba during 11-16 December. Ash emissions rose as high as 500 m above the vent rim and drifted NW and SW during 11-12 December. Ashfall was reported in Guadalupe (32 km WSW) on 13 December. Pulsing ash emissions were visible on 13 December and caused ashfall in areas of Valle Central. During 14-16 December emissions had diffuse amounts of ash and drifted W and SW.

Veniaminof | United States : AVO reported that seismic data indicated that the eruption of lava from the cone in Veniaminof’s ice-filled summit caldera possibly paused on 6 December. Satellite data acquired on 10 December suggested lava effusion had stopped, though weak explosive activity from the vent possibly still occurred. No eruptive activity was evident in satellite and webcam images on the morning of 13 December. However, beginning in the afternoon intermittent tremor appeared and gradually became continuous. A plume, possibly containing ash, and elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite and webcam images. A strong thermal anomaly was visible in satellite and webcam data during 14-15 December, and together with an eruption plume, was consistent with lava fountaining at the summit vent. By 16 December a lava flow was erupting from the vent. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale) and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch (the second highest level on a four-level scale).

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.3 earthquake hits southern Xinjiang, China.

5.1 earthquake hits the Santa Cruz Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

5.0 earthquake hits Chuquisaca, Bolivia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 06s (Kenanga), located approximately 785 nm southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking westward at 02 knots.

Tropical cyclone (tc) 07s (Cilida), located approximately 473 nm north-northeast of Port Louis, Mauritius, is tracking southwestward at 07 knots.

Disease

African Swine Fever - China

The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs reported today the first African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in Guangdong Province in southern China. The outbreak was reported in a slaughterhouse in Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai City. 11 pigs were killed. Guangdong is the twenty-third province to report ASF.

Botched Cicumcisions - Kenya

A Kenyan news source reports that two teen boys from Bungoma County have died from tetanus after receiving a circumcision. Apparently the circumcisions were performed by a “traditional circumsicor”, who has since gone missing.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 12 December - 18 December 2018

Ambrym | Vanuatu : The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department (VMGD) reported that a fissure eruption in the ESE part of the Ambrym summit caldera near the Lewlembwi crater (4 km SE of Marum) began at 0600 on 15 December, heralded by elevated seismicity detected by the seismic network and ash emissions visible in the webcam. A notice issued later that day by VMGD stated that lava flows and lava fountains were visible, and explosions were occurring. John Tasso, a local guide, visited the caldera a few hours after the new activity started and observed lava fountains from a fissure eruption; his video was posted to his website. The lava fountains were about 40 m high; lava flows spread to the E part of the caldera. Although partially obscured by a steam plume directly above the eruption site, infrared imagery from the Sentinel-2 satellite on 15 December showed lava filling much of the 500 x 900 m Lewlembwi crater and a lava flow almost as large a few hundred meters SW of that crater. VMGD raised the Alert Level to 3 and stated that the eruption was characterized as “small scale.” The eruption continued during 16-17 December, though reports on 17 December only described ongoing ash-and-gas emissions.

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : A small explosion at Cleveland was recorded by the seismic network at 1155 on 8 December. A second small explosion with a higher peak amplitude was detected at 1153 on 12 December, prompting AVO to raise the Aviation Color Code to Orange and the Volcano Alert Level to Watch. No ash cloud was observed, though weather clouds obscured views of the volcano. Elevated surface temperatures were visible in satellite data on 15 December. A small explosion which occurred at 0737 on 16 December generated a minor ash cloud that drifted NE.

Planchon-Peteroa | Central Chile-Argentina border : Observatorio Volcanológico de los Andes del Sur (OVDAS)-SERNAGEOMIN and ONEMI reported increased activity at Planchón-Peteroa beginning in the morning of 16 December. Low-intensity pulses of tremor were detected by the seismic network and associated with pulsating grayish gas emissions which rose no higher than 800 m above the vent rim. Webcams recorded crater incandescence during the night of 15-16 December. The Alert Level remained at Yellow (the middle level on a three-color scale) for the volcano, and ONEMI maintained Alert Level Yellow for the communities of Molina (66 WNW), Curicó (68 km NW), Romeral (75 km NW), and Teno (68 km NW).

Soputan | Sulawesi (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that seismic activity at Soputan rapidly and significantly increased at 1700 on 15 December. An eruption began at 0102 on 16 December though dark and foggy conditions prevented views of emissions. The event lasted for almost 10 minutes, and thunderous sounds were heard at the Soputan Volcano Observation Post located in Silian Raya (about 10 km SW). The conditions improved about two hours later, and a dense ash plume was visible rising 3 km above the summit and drifting SE. Incandescence from the summit was also visible. An event that began at 0540 produced dense gray-to-black ash plumes that rose as high as 7 km above the summit and drifted SE. The event lasted for 6 minutes and 10 seconds based on the seismic network. Ash plumes from events at 0743 and 0857 rose as high as 7.5 km and drifted SW. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4). Residents and tourists were advised not to approach the craters within a radius of 4 km, or 6.5 km on the WSW flank.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.2 earthquake hits southeast of Easter Island.

5.4 earthquake hits south of Fiji.

5.4 earthquake hits the northern Mid-Atlantic ridge.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 06s (Kenanga), located approximately 806 nm southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking south-southwestward at 04 knots.

Tropical cyclone (tc) 07s (Cilida), located approximately 582 nm north-northeast of Port Louis, Mauritius, is tracking south-southwestward at 03 knots.

Global Warming

Climate Change Threatening Kenya's Smallholder Farm Crop Production

In sub-Saharan Africa, climate change is seen as a threat to food security because of the region's dependence on rain-fed agriculture. In Kenya alone, the Ministry of Agriculture estimates that, in the past year, the adverse effects of climate change resulted in losses of more than 50 percent of the yield of major crops, with smallholder farmers bearing the greatest hardships.

Disease

Hepatitis A - Louisiana, USA

Joining several other states that have declared hepatitis A (HAV) outbreaks in the past several years, Louisiana announced yesterday that a hepatitis A outbreak has been declared. The Louisiana Department of Health reports that most of the recent cases have been reported in Morehouse Parish; however, cases have been reported in other parts of the state. As of December 14, 2018, Louisiana has 28 reported cases of HAV infection.

Yellow Fever - Netherlands

On 22 November 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) was informed by Dutch authorities of a laboratory-confirmed case of yellow fever. The patient visited Gambia shortly before showing symptoms of the disease.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.2 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.1 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits Vanuatu.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 06s (Kenanga), located approximately 808 nm east-southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking southwestward at 08 knots.

NewsBytes:

Turkey - The Aegean resort town of Bodrum in southwestern Turkey’s Muğla province was pounded with heavy rains that flooded many houses and businesses and left the town underwater on Dec. 16. Electricity and water grids were also damaged in the town.

Thailand - Floods have ravaged three southern provinces over the past few days, leaving behind widespread damage and one person missing. More rain is forecast. The hard-hit provinces are Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani and Phatthalung, according to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department. The department estimated that the floods had disrupted the lives of more than 166,000 people in the three southern provinces since Saturday.

USA - The Eastern and Southern US have been having a wet December with many areas registering floods.

Wildlife

Global warming, land use hit European mountain bird population

Global warming and land use change are reducing liveable habitats of European mountain birds and in turn their populations, says a study.

The researchers from the University of Helsinki found that population of mountain bird species declined by 7 per cent between 2002 and 2014, which is similar to the declining rate in common birds in Europe. But, the mountain-specialist birds showed a significant reduction — 10 per cent decline in population.

Other than population, the study also found distribution shifts of species towards mountaintops.

The study, which was published in the journal Global Change Biology, examined the population trends of 44 bird species in the mountain and fell regions of Fennoscandia, Great Britain, the Alps and the Iberian Peninsula. As many as 14 of the observed species’ population had decreased, while eight of them had increased.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.6 earthquake hits western Australia.

5,2 earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.1 earthquake hits eastern New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.

5.0 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.0 earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.0 earthquake hits Antofagasta, Chile.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 06s (Kenanga), located approximately 927 nm east-southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking southwestward at 13 knots.

In the Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone (tc) 08b (Phetai), located approximately 111 nm south-southwest of Visakhaputnam, India, is tracking north-northwestward at 14 knots.

NewsBytes:

Australia - A man has died north of Townsville in northern Queensland after being swept away in raging floodwaters in the wake of ex-tropical Cyclone Owen.

Disease

Measles - Ukraine - Update

Ukraine health officials report an additional 2,611 measles cases the week ending Dec. 8, including 847 adults and 1,764 children. Since the beginning of 2018, 44,937 people (17,418 adults and 29,519 children) have contracted measles in Ukraine, including 15 deaths.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.1 earthquake hits Papua, Indonesia.

5.6 earthquake hits the Sichuan-Guizhou border region, China.

5.6 earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.5 earthquake hits Vanuatu.

Two 5.2 earthquakes hit Vanuatu.

5.1 earthquake hits Taiwan.

5.1 earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.

5.0 earthquake hits the Colombia-Ecuador border.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 06s (Kenanga), located approximately 1097 nm east of Diego Garcia, is tracking southwestward at 07 knots.

In the Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone (tc) 08b (Phetai), located approximately 330 nm south of Visakhaputnam, India, is tracking north-northwestward at 12 knots.

NewsBytes:

South Africa - A severe hailstorm hit the North West region of the Pilanesberg and surrounding areas, seriously damaging the Sun City Resort. The popular resort says the storm has caused substantial damage to buildings and vehicles in the area. Numerous hotel rooms and facilities were damaged or flooded, the two golf courses were closed for extensive repairs and day visitors were advised to return home.

Singapore - Heavy rain led to flash floods at Jalan Boon Lay (International Road) and Yuan Ching Road on Saturday.

Malaysia - More people were evacuated overnight after more heavy rains, raising to 163 the number of flood evacuees in Terengganu as at 8 am today, according to the Civil Defence Force (APM). Several areas were still experiencing rain and people in the low-lying places face the risk of floods at any time, according to local officials.

Global Warming

Poland Conference Bring Paris Climate Deal to Life

Negotiators in Poland have finally secured agreement on a range of measures that will make the Paris climate pact operational in 2020. Delegates believe the new rules will ensure that countries keep their promises to cut carbon. The Katowice agreement aims to deliver the Paris goals of limiting global temperature rises to well below 2C.

Disease

Chagas Disease - Brazil

The Tocantins State Department of Health in Central Brazil is reporting 14 confirmed Chagas disease cases after a family consumes contaminated juice in Aparecida do Rio Negro. All the infected are from the same family and drank the juice of the bacaba, a type of palm tree from the Amazon.

Hepatitis A - Florida, USA

In a follow-up on the hepatitis A outbreak in Florida, state health officials reported 100 cases in the month of November. This brings the total this year to 413 in 30 counties. The central Florida region has the highest hepatitis A activity levels so far this year.

Measles - Madagascar

In a follow-up on the measles epidemic in Madagascar, the Ministry of Health reports that the number of measles cases in the current outbreak has topped 10,000. 10,294 cases have been reported from 44 districts in Madagascar in the past three months.

Anthrax - Kenya

Health officials in Igembe, Meru County have issued a warning to the public concerning consuming uninspected meat after four people died from anthrax in Nyambene.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 earthquake hits the Bonin Islands off Japan.

5.2 earthquake hits Sulawesi, Indonesia.

5.1 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 05p (Owen), located approximately 106 nm west-southwest of Cairns, Australia, is tracking east-southeastward at 16 knots.

In the Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone (tc) 08b (Eight), located approximately 800 nm south-southwest of Kolkata, India, is tracking northwestward at 09 knots.

NewsBytes:

South Carolina, USA - Heavy storms on Friday dumped several inches of rain on the Charleston area, inundating low-lying spots with floodwaters and jamming traffic during the morning rush hour.

Melbourne, Australia - After Friday's freak storm, the forecast for Saturday wasn't looking good either: more heavy rain, thunderstorms and flash flooding.

Global Warming

Mountain of Evidence Confirms: Climate Change Is Really, Really Bad for Human Health and Well-Being

It's now beyond official: Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, pose a danger to public health and welfare, according to an exhaustive review that looked at 275 scientific studies published over the past nine years.

Researchers did the report to investigate whether the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2009 Endangerment Finding, which found that greenhouse gases pose a risk to human health, still held up. The new study showed that there is now even more evidence that greenhouse gases are harming human health and welfare. The investigation also found an additional four areas, not listed in the original report, in which greenhouse gases threaten people.

"There's absolutely no scientific basis for questioning the Endangerment Finding," review lead researcher Philip Duffy, president and executive director of the Woods Hole Research Center in Falmouth, Massachusetts said. "The case for endangerment is stronger than ever."

Disease

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) - Saudi Arabia

In a follow-up on the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) situation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Health (MOH) reports a second case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) for the month of December.

Zika Virus - Rajastan

An outbreak of Zika virus infection in Rajasthan, India and surrounding states has prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a travel notice for the region.

Zika is endemic (regularly found) in India. However, there is an unusual increase in the number of Zika cases in Rajasthan and surrounding states. Over 280 cases of Zika virus infection, including two deaths, were reported from three states from September to November.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.1 earthquake hits eastern Xizang, China.

5.1 earthquake hits the Hindu Kush, Afghanistan.

5.1 earthquake hits off the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.0 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits Reykjanes ridge.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 05p (Owen), located approximately 401 nm north-northwest of Cairns, Australia, is tracking eastward at 11 knots.

NewsBytes:

Canada - Heavy rains continued to cause mayhem in Metro Vancouver. Pounding rains caused a Burnaby creek to overflow, flooding streets, and a small landslide came down on the SkyTrain's Millennium Line. A rockslide was also reported overnight on the Sea to Sky Highway, near Horseshoe Bay. Up to nine centimetres of rain is expected to fall by Friday morning.

Global Warming

Satellite spies methane bubbling up from Arctic permafrost

For the first time, scientists have used a satellite to estimate how much methane is seeping into the atmosphere from Arctic lakes. Preliminary data presented this week at a meeting of the American Geophysical Union in Washington DC help to explain long-standing discrepancies between estimates of methane emissions from atmospheric measurements and data collected at individual lakes.

As icy permafrost melts to form lakes, microbes break down organic matter in the thawing ground beneath the water and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Researchers have measured the amount of methane seeping out of hundreds of lakes, one by one, but estimating emissions across the Arctic remains a challenge. Understanding how much methane is being released by these lakes is crucial to predicting how much permafrost emissions could exacerbate future climate change.

The results suggest that previous research over-estimated how much methane was coming from many large lakes, partly because scientists have spent more time studying smaller lakes with relatively high emissions.

In a 2,000-square-kilometre area around the Barrow Peninsula in northern Alaska, for instance, the research team calculated that lakes release an average of 0.6 grams of methane per square metre of water surface each year — which equates to around 141 kilograms of methane per square kilometre. That is about 84% lower than some previous estimates based on measurements at individual lakes, but lines up well with estimates based on atmospheric measurements.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45.0 degrees Celsius) in Nullagine, Western Australia.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 56.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 48.9 degrees Celsius) at Tombo, Siberia.

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

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 5 December - 11 December 2018

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that at least two events at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) were recorded during 3-10 December, producing plumes that rose as high as 1.1 km above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Copahue | Central Chile-Argentina border : The Buenos Aires VAAC reported that on 6 December a pilot observed ash from Copahue at an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. Ash was not visible in satellite data and could not be confirmed by unavailable webcams. An ash emission observed by a pilot and identified in satellite images on 7 December rose to 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite data, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 4-11 December ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.4 km (6,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted mainly W, SW, and SE. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and visitors were warned to remain outside of the 2-km exclusion zone.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 30 November-7 December that sent ash plumes to 3.6 km (11,800 ft) a.s.l. Ash plumes drifted E, causing ashfall in Severo-Kurilsk on 30 November, and 1 and 4 December. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Etna | Sicily (Italy) : INGV reported that during 3-9 December activity at Etna was characterized by gas emissions at the summit craters, with periodic Strombolian activity from vents in Bocca Nuova, Northeast Crater (NEC), and New Southeast Crater (NSEC). Strombolian explosions at the cone in NSEC became more frequent on 4 December. In addition, lava effusion became continuous with small overlapping flows traveling about 500 m down the E flank of the cone. Incandescent blocks generated by the lava flows rolled to the base of the cone, and occasional small collapses produced minor ash plumes. Strombolian activity and occasional ash emissions were characteristic of vents in the W part of Bocca Nuova’s (BN-1) crater floor. Gas emissions at Voragine Crater continued from a vent on the E rim of the crater, and Strombolian explosions were evident at NEC.

Ibu | Halmahera (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that on 11 December an ash plume from Ibu rose to 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l., according to the Darwin VAAC. Weather clouds prevented views of the plume in satellite data. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay at least 2 km away from the active crater, and 3.5 km away on the N side.

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that lava at Kilauea’s Fissure 8 cone was last visible on 4 September, signaling the end of the Lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) eruptive phase. Consequently, the end of the LERZ eruption also marks the end of the over-arching, on-going eruption at Kilauea that began at the East Rift Zone (ERZ) in 1983. That determination was made by HVO in part by using the Global Volcanism Program guideline that an eruption should be considered over on the date of the last eruptive activity, and when there has not been renewed activity in the following three months. HVO noted that geophysical data continued to show magma being supplied to Kilauea, including the refilling of the middle ERZ, and reminded the public that Kilauea remains an active volcano. As of 4 December the Volcano Alert Level remained at Advisory and the Aviation colour Code remained at Yellow.

Krakatau | Indonesia : PVMBG reported that events at Anak Krakatau were recorded at 0711 on 7 December, at 1050 on 9 December, and 1413 on 10 December. The event on 9 December generated a dense black ash plume that rose 700 m above the summit and drifted N.

Merapi | Central Java (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that during 30 November-6 December the lava dome in Merapi’s summit crater grew at a rate of 2,200 cubic meters per day. By 6 December the volume of the dome, based on photos taken from the SE, was an estimated 344,000 cubic meters. White emissions of variable density rose a maximum of 150 m above the summit. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and residents were warned to remain outside of the 3-km exclusion zone.

Nevados de Chillan | Chile : ONEMI and SERNAGEOMIN reported that at 0313 on 7 December an explosion at Nevados de Chillán was recorded by the seismic network, and produced a high-temperature emission of gas and tephra recorded by a webcam. The Alert Level remained at Orange, the second highest level on a four-colour scale, and residents were reminded not to approach the crater within 3 km. ONEMI maintained an Alert Level Yellow (the middle level on a three-colour scale) for the communities of Pinto, Coihueco, and San Fabián.

Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that an average of 17 explosions per day occurred at Sabancaya during 3-9 December. Long-period seismic events were recorded, and hybrid earthquakes were infrequent and of low magnitude. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 3 km above the crater rim and drifted 40 km E and SW. MIROVA detected seven thermal anomalies, and on 6 December the sulfur-dioxide gas flux was high at 3,600 tons per day. The report noted that the public should not 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 30 November, 1 December, and 3-4 December. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported continuing activity at Turrialba during 5-11 December. A minor emission from the vent was visible on 5 December, and an ash emission drifted S the next day. An event at 0749 on 8 December produced an ash plume that rose 500 m and drifted NW. Emissions of ash, steam, and gas rose as high as 1 km on 9 December and caused ashfall in areas of Valle Central. On 10 December diffuse emissions were periodically observed during periods of clear viewing. That same day ash fell in Moravia (31 km WSW) and Santa Ana, and residents of Heredia (38 km W) noted a sulfur odor.

Veniaminof | United States : AVO reported that on 2 December satellite data revealed that a third lobe of lava from the cone in Veniaminof’s ice-filled summit caldera had traveled a short distance down the SE flank of the cone. All three lobes produced sometimes voluminous steam plumes due to their interaction with the ice and snow. The eruption of lava continued during 4-5 December. Satellite and webcam data showed elevated surface temperatures. Steam plumes with possible diffuse ash were periodically identified in webcam and satellite images. On 6 December seismicity changed from nearly continuous, low-level volcanic tremor to intermittent, small, low-frequency events and short bursts of tremor, possibly indicating that lava effusion had slowed or stopped. Variable seismicity continued through 12 December, though there was no visual confirmation of lava effusion. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale) and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch (the second highest level on a four-level scale).

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.0 earthquake hits Pakistan.

5.0 earthquake hits New Caledonia.

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

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 05p (Owen), located approximately 362 nm east-southeast of Darwin, Australia, is tracking eastward at 06 knots.

NewsBytes:

Australia - Drivers trapped on the roofs of their cars have been dramatically airlifted to safety after becoming caught in rising floodwaters on the Hume Freeway as torrential rain lashes Victoria. Flash flooding also disrupted traffic in Melbourne.

Vietnam - The death toll from flooding in central Vietnam has risen to 14, state media reports say. Towns across central Vietnam began reporting rapid flooding beginning on Saturday as the region was hit by an unseasonal monsoon.

Global Warming

Climate Change will Strengthen El Niños

El Niños will be stronger and more frequent in the decades ahead because of global warming, causing "more extreme events" in the United States and around the world, a study said Wednesday.

A natural phenomenon marked by warmer-than-average seawater in the tropical Pacific Ocean, El Niño is Earth's most influential climate pattern. A weak one is forecast to form at some point this winter, scientists have said.

Rather than once every 15 years, powerful El Niños will occur roughly once every 10 years. They found that the physical processes in the ocean and atmosphere that produce strong El Niños will be supercharged by human-caused climate change.

The entire natural climate cycle is officially known as El Niño – Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which swings between warmer and cooler seawater in the tropical Pacific. Cooler-than-average ocean water is known as La Niña. The cycle is the primary factor government scientists consider when announcing their winter weather forecast.

Strong El Niños can lead to floods in the western United States, Ecuador and northeast Peru and to droughts in nations that border the western Pacific Ocean, the study finds.

During extreme El Niños, marine life in the eastern Pacific can die off, and mass bleaching of corals across the Pacific and beyond can occur.

Disease

Lassa Fever - Benin

Benin health officials announced this week of three Lassa fever cases (2 confirmed, 1 probable) reported in the municipality of Parakou in Borgou Department in the northern part of the country.

Chikungunya - Thailand - Update

Since our last report on the chikungunya outbreak, primarily in the southern provinces of Thailand one month ago, the number of cases has quadrupled from 538 to 2,143 cases through Dec. 10. No deaths have been reported.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 5 December - 11 December 2018

Manam | Papua New Guinea : The Darwin VAAC reported that on 6 December ash plumes from Manam were identified in satellite images rising to an altitude of 5.2 km (17,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifting SE. RVO noted that at 1215 on 8 December seismicity increased and indicated an eruption had begun, according to a news article. The eruption was characterized by forceful ash emissions, explosions that ejected lava fragments above the crater, and rumbling and roaring noises. Around 1300, based on pilot observations, information from RVO, and satellite images, large ash plumes rose as high as 15.2 km (50,000 ft) a.s.l and drifted E. Island reports noted that ejections of material ceased around 1900; audible noises ended around 1930. Satellite data indicated that ash from the high-altitude plume had begun to dissipate by 2020, and that on-going ash emissions rose to 8.2 km (27,000 ft) a.s.l. Island residents described heavy ashfall and that the sun was blocked by airborne ash, based on second-hand social media posts. News reports indicated that residents in Bokure and Kolang (NE and ENE flanks, respectively) had evacuated. Seismicity had declined by the end of the day. Dark ash plumes continued to be visible the next day, rising as high as 7.6 km (25,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifting E, though were less frequent.

Mayon | Luzon (Philippines) : PHIVOLCS reported that during 5-11 December white steam plumes periodically emitted from Mayon drifted mainly WSW. Crater incandescence was sometimes visible at night. A four-minute long event recorded by the seismic network began at 1224 on 9 December, and produced a grayish-brown ash plume that drifted W. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 0-5 scale) and PHIVOLCS reminded residents to stay away from the 6-km-radius Permanent Danger Zone and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone on the SSW and ENE flanks.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.

5.3 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.3 earthquake hits Kepulauan Mentawai, Indonesia.

5.2 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

5.2 earthquake hits Tonga.

5.2 earthquake hits Magallanes, Chile.

5.1 earthquake hits eastern Tennessee, USA.

5.0 earthquake hits the Nias region, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 05p (Owen), located approximately 349 nm east-southeast of Darwin, Australia, is tracking westward at 06 knots.

Global Warming

The Arctic Is Not Doing Well (at All)

A new "report card" from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Arctic Program paints a dire picture for the frozen North. According to the program's 2018 Arctic Report Card, Arctic surface air temperatures are warming twice as fast as in the rest of the globe, while populations of wild reindeer and caribou have tumbled by 50 percent over the last 20 years.

And the Arctic is setting alarming new records all the time. Air temperatures from 2014 to 2018 in the Arctic were warmer than in any prior year dating back to 1900, according to the report. The past 12 years have shown the lowest extents on record of Arctic sea ice. And the Greenland ice sheet is melting faster than it has in at least 350 years.

The annual report is the 13th issued by NOAA's Arctic Program. One of the most dramatic changes in today's Arctic, the report found, is the loss of the region's sea ice. The winter maximum sea ice of 2018, measured in March, was the second lowest in 39 years of record-keeping, behind only 2017. In 1985, the report authors wrote, ice that had survived multiple years of freezing and thawing made up 16 percent of the Arctic's sea ice. Today, that number is a mere 1 percent. The thinner, single-year ice that makes up 99 percent of the ice pack is more prone to melt and flow.

Warming temperatures, lost sea ice and long-term declines in snowpack on land have caused chaos for the Arctic's wildlife. While reindeer are mythologized in Christmas carols, real herds are suffering. Wild reindeer and their fellow foragers, tundra caribou, have been in decline since the 1990s, according to the report. Where there were once 4.7 million animals combined, there are now 2.1 million. Of 22 herds being monitored by researchers today, 20 are on the decline.

Climate is to blame for much of the decline, according to the report. Longer, warmer summers mean more parasites and heat stress for the winter-adapted grazing animals, along with a greater risk of grass-killing drought.

Meanwhile, toxic algal blooms driven by warming waters represent a new threat to marine life in the Arctic, the researchers wrote. Algal toxins have been found in ill or dead animals ranging from seabirds to seals to whales.

East Antarctica glacial stronghold melting as seas warm

A group of glaciers spanning an eighth of the East Antarctica coastline are being melted by the warming seas, scientists have discovered.

This Antarctic region stores a vast amount of ice, which, if lost, would in the long-term raise global sea level by tens of metres and drown coastal settlements around the world.

Freezing temperatures meant the East Antarctica region was until recently considered largely stable but the research indicates that the area is being affected by climate change.

The vast Totten glacier was known to be retreating but the new analysis shows that nearby glaciers in the East Antarctica area are also losing ice.

To the east of Totten, in Vincennes Bay, the height of the glaciers has fallen by about three metres in total since 2008, before which no loss had been recorded.

To the west of Totten, in Wilkes Land, the rate of height loss has doubled since 2009, with glaciers losing height by about two and a half metres to date.

The data comes from detailed maps of ice movement speed and height created by Nasa from satellite information.

Environment

Researchers suggest broiler chicken is the hallmark of the Anthropocene

A team of researchers from several institutions in the U.K. and one in South Africa has come to the conclusion that the broiler chicken offers perhaps the most striking evidence of the rise of the Anthropocene. In their paper published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the group outlines their reasons for choosing the chicken as a signal of human biosphere reconfiguration.

Scientists have begun suggesting that we are now living in a new epoch, which thehy call the Anthropocene—the age of man-made impacts on the planet. In this new effort, the researchers suggest the broiler chicken is a prime example of the changes we have wrought. They note, for example, that the broiler chicken is now by far the most populous bird on the planet—at any given moment, there are approximately 23 billion of them. The second most populous bird, by comparison, is the red-billed quelea, and there are just 1.5 billion of them.

There are so many chickens that their body mass is greater than all other birds combined. And they are not anywhere close to their initial native state—the modern broiler is unable to survive and reproduce in the wild. It has been bred to eat non-stop, allowing it to grow to a desired size in just five to nine weeks. And as it grows, its meaty parts outgrow its organs, making it impossible for many to survive to adulthood. And all these chickens are being cooked and eaten, and their bones are discarded. Billions of bones wind up in landfills where they are covered over in an oxygen-free environment, making it likely that they will, over time, become fossilized. If we do not survive due to global warming, pandemics or nuclear warfare, the researchers suggest, the next dominant life form will likely dig up our landfills and find evidence of our love for the broiler chicken.

Disease

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) update for November

During the month of November, a total of 8 laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) were reported globally (all from Saudi Arabia), including 2 associated deaths.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

7.1 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits Tarapaca, Chile.

5.0 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Thailand - The Bang Saphan Noi municipality was flooded again on Monday after overnight heavy rains pounded the town and nearby areas. The downpour made reservoirs overflow, flooding Bang Saphan Noi district. The water levels downstream are still rising. Municipality workers are reinforcing sandbags in the town centre to prevent more water flowing into the area.

Global Warming

Climate change is not only influencing extreme weather events, it's causing them

Extreme weather events that spanned the globe in 2017 have been directly linked to -- and in some cases were even caused by -- continued warming of the planet via human influence through greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new report.

For the second year in a row, the annual report from the American Meteorological Society found weather extremes that could not have happened without human-caused warming of the climate. Advances in scientific modeling and additional climbs in temperatures are making the connection between global warming and extreme weather much more concrete.

Scientists found that record warm waters in the Tasman Sea in 2017 and 2018 "were virtually impossible without global warming," and they concluded that a crippling drought in East Africa that has led to food shortages for millions of people would not have occurred naturally before the Industrial Revolution, when humans began to interfere with the climate system.

Included in the 17 events identified in the report in which global warming played a role were major floods such as those with Hurricane Harvey, fires, heat waves over land and in the ocean, and even record low sunshine in Japan in August 2017.

The findings are part of an annual report titled "Explaining Extreme Events in 2017 from a Climate Perspective," which reveals clear ties between recent extremes in weather and human influences of the climate

Environment

Scientists Reveal a Massive Biosphere of Life Hidden Under Earth's Surface

Earth is not the home you think it is. Far below the scant surface spaces we inhabit, the planet is teeming with an incredibly vast and deep 'dark biosphere' of subterranean lifeforms that scientists are only just beginning to comprehend.

Hidden throughout this subsurface realm, some of the world's deepest and oldest organisms thrive in places where life shouldn't even exist, and in new research, scientists have quantified this 'dark matter' of the microbial world like never before.

In a preview of results from an epic 10-year collaboration by over 1,000 scientists, Lloyd and fellow researchers with the Deep Carbon Observatory (DCO) estimate the deep biosphere – the zone of life under Earth's surface – occupies a volume of between 2 to 2.3 billion cubic kilometres (0.48 to 0.55 billion cubic miles).

That's almost twice the volume of all the world's oceans – another enormous natural environment that lies largely unexplored by humans.

And just like the oceans, the deep biosphere is an abundant source of countless lifeforms – a population totalling some 15 to 23 billion tonnes of carbon mass (between 245 to 385 times greater than the equivalent mass of all humans on the surface).

The findings, representing numerous studies conducted at hundreds of sites around the world, are based on analyses of microbes extracted from sediment samples sourced 2.5 kilometres (1.6 miles) under the seafloor, and drilled from surface mines and boreholes more than 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) deep.

Space Events

Voyager 2 Spacecraft Reaches Interstellar Space

It's time to say goodbye to one of the most storied explorers of our age: Voyager 2 has entered interstellar space, NASA announced Dec. 10.

Voyager 2, which launched in 1977, has spent more four decades exploring our solar system, most famously becoming the only probe ever to study Neptune and Uranus during planetary flybys. Now, it has joined its predecessor Voyager 1 beyond the bounds of our sun's influence, a milestone scientists weren't able to precisely predict when would occur.

Disease

Plague count grows in Madagascar

In an update on the human plague situation in Madagascar this season, since early August, 124 cases of plague have been recorded with 91 bubonic form (73.4 %), 31 pulmonary form (25%), 1 septicemia case and one unspecified.

Ebola Update - DR Congo

In a update on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, the Democratic Republic of the Congo Health Ministry is now reporting 498 cumulative cases (450 confirmed) and 285 deaths (237 confirmed).

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 earthquake hits Vancouver Island, Canada.

5.1 earthquake hits the Sumbawa region, Indonesia.

5.1 earthquake hits the Prince Edward Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits Taiwan.

5.0 earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.0 earthquake hits southern Alaska.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

West Java, Indonesia - Four people were killed and as many as 236 villagers were forced to flee home as landslides and floods struck East Java province of western Indonesia, a disaster agency official said on Sunday. The landslides occurred after soils of a hill slid down and hit a house, where the four were staying, situated in Sidomulyo village of Kebonagung sub-district in Pacitan district.

Malaysia - Parts of Bintulu district in northern Sarawak were hit by flash floods on Monday (Dec 10) morning. The downpour that began in the early hours of the morning led to several roads in and out of Bintulu being flooded by 8am, including Jalan Sebiew.

Global Warming

US, Russia block key global warming report from climate summit

A landmark study on global warming has been blocked from being endorsed by a world climate summit by the United States, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

"I think it was a key moment," said Alden Meyer of the Union of Concerned Scientists. "The fact that a group of four countries were trying to diminish the value and importance of a scientific report they themselves, with all other countries, requested three years ago in Paris is pretty remarkable."

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's special report on what would happen if average global temperatures rise by 1.5 degrees Celsius, and how to ensure they don't go higher, was widely regarded as a wake-up call for policy-makers when it was released in October.

As diplomats wrapped up a week of technical talks on Saturday (Sunday NZT), almost all 200 countries present in Katowice, Poland, had wanted to "welcome" the IPCC report, making it the benchmark for future action.

Space Events

Meteor over Mexico City - Geminids

A spectacular meteor lit up the sky of Mexico City in the early hours of Sunday. The meteor is estimated to have been travelling at more than 12,000mph and could be seen hurtling through the skies over Acapulco and Mexico City's Xochimilco neighbourhood. Although the precise size of the meteor is hard to determine, experts say its diameter is estimated to be around 500 metres.

Later this week the stunning cosmic light show known as the Geminids meteor shower is expected to reach its peak.

Disease

Leisgmaniasis - Uruguay

Uruguay health officials reported the first human leishmaniasis case in a minor from Salta, according to a news release Wednesday. The sandfly vector was first found in the country in 2010 and canine infections had been reported prior to this human case.

Epidemic and emerging disease alerts in the Pacific

An increasing number of dengue positive cases (serotype unknown) has been reported in Nauru. From 25 October to 5 December 2018, 114 samples were tested in the laboratory using NS1Ag Combo and 42 were positives..

Diarrhoea outbreak in Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia: A total of 270 diarrhoea cases were reported from September 4th to November 30th, 2018. The Majority of cases are children under 4 years of age.

Three (3) imported cases of DENV-1 with travel history to Nauru were reported by Queensland Health (notifiable conditions data).

Eighteen (18) imported cases of dengue (4 cases of DENV-1, 1 case of DENV-2, 7 cases of DENV-4 and 6 cases of dengue serotype unknown) with travel history to Papua New Guinea were reported by Queensland Health (notifiable conditions data).

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 earthquake hits southern Sumatra, Indonesia.

5.0 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Kurdistan - The latest floods caused by yet another bout of rainfall in the Kurdistan Region have resulted in the death of a teen, shut down multiple roads linking cities, and caused substantial damage to a camp for displaced persons and to local infrastructure in several areas. In southern Sulaimani Province, a bridge on a road linking the cities of Kalar and Darbandikhan collapsed, halting all intra-city traffic.

Texas, USA - Harris County Flood Control District officials are keeping a close eye on several Houston area waterways after the Houston area was inundated heavy rain, causing flooding along some creeks and bayous.

Disease

Typhoid - Fiji

The Fiji Health Ministry is reporting a typhoid outbreak in Naitasiri subdivision. To date, 31 confirmed typhoid cases have been reported and an additional 14 cases are classified as suspected at this time. The source of the outbreak is still under investigation.

Hepatitis A - West Virginia, USA

In a follow-up on the hepatitis A outbreak in West Virginia, through Dec. 7, 2,018 Hepatitis A outbreak cases have been reported, including 5 fatalities. Slightly more than half the cases required hospitalization (1035).

Foot and Mouth Disease - Vietnam

A new outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been reported among pigs in Hanoi’s Ba Vi District. Local reports say 261 pigs belonging to 19 households in six communes of the rural district have been affected by the disease. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Department of Animal Health has asked provincial authorities to kill the affected pigs. Local veterinary units have initiated vaccinations of cattle in the area and disinfected the infected farms with chemicals and lime powder in an effort to control the spread of the disease.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.1 earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.1 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

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

Two 5.0 earthquakes hit southeast of the Loyalty Islands.