Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.9 earthquake hits the south-west Indian Ridge.

5.2 earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.0 earthquake hits the state of Yap, Micronesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 21s (Flamboyan), located approximately 847 nm southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking south-southwestward at 08 knots.

NewsBytes:

Thailand - Flash floods hit four villages in Ta Phraya district of this eastern provinces on Saturday, leaving numerous houses under water and damaging farmland and public utilities, officials said. The flash floods followed rainstorms that early Saturday began pounding Ta Phraya village in tambon Ta Phraya, and Khlong Phaeng, Khlong Chaeng and Khlong Nai Sai villages in tambon Thap Sadet. Forty-three houses, farmland and several roads were inundated.

Kenya - At least 13 more people, including an infant, have been killed in separate floods related accidents, as heavy rains continue. In Tana River County, Governor Dhadho Godhana said 11 people were killed in floods. Most of the main roads leading to major towns and markets have been cut off, rendering the communities inaccessible and desperate to survive. Communities living along River Tana have lost crops to the floods and their farms and homesteads are submerged.

British Columbia, Canada - Flooding in the B.C. Interior has triggered more evacuation orders and alerts, affecting hundreds of properties, as the province is poised to grapple with the effects of warming temperatures and an above-average snowpack.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Siberia

Russia’s Federal Forest Fire Center said on April 29 that more than 70 wildfires in the previous 24 hours had destroyed about 1,870 square kilometers of forest land in the country’s Far East.

The center said on its website that the most difficult situation was in the Amur Region – including 370 square kilometers in the Khingan Nature Reserve. Fires also were reported in the Primorsky and Khabarovsk regions, and in the Jewish Autonomous region. The center said fires also raged through the Trans-Baikal, Omsk, and Bashkortostan regions.

More than 2,800 people and 495 vehicles, including 25 aircraft, were involved in efforts to extinguish the blazes.

Disease

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever: Mauritania

The Mauritania Ministry of Health has reported a confirmed case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Ould Yengé commune, Guidimaka region located in the southern-most part of the country. The case-patient is a 58-year-old male herder from Elghabra locality who became ill on 16 April 2018 (reportedly) after tending to a sick cow days earlier.

Chikungunya: Brazil

The number of chikungunya cases reported in Rio de Janeiro state during the first quarter of 2018 is nearly triple the number seen during the same period last year. From January to March of this year there were 4,262 notifications of chikungunya.

Malaria: Venezuela

Venezuela has the highest percentage increase of malaria cases in the world, according to the latest data from the World Health Organization. In fact, the number of cases in the country have increased by a factor of 10 since 2010. In 2010, the country had recorded 45,000 cases of malaria. By 2016, the rate was already 240,613. However, the data from Caracas was questioned and other estimates put it at 300,000 cases.

Malaria: Uganda

Malaria figures in Uganda are alarming; with 2017 Ministry of Health statistics showing the disease still claims about 80,000 lives per year, equivalent to an average of 200 people every day.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 earthquake hits the Hindu Kush, Afghanistan.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 21s (Flamboyan), located approximately 953 nm east-southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking southwestward at 15 knots.

Wildlife

Suicide Bombers

The first new species of “exploding ants” since 1935 has been discovered in the remote rainforests of Borneo, Thailand and Malaysia. The insects give their lives in selfless acts that produce a burst of toxic yellow goo to kill invaders.

“When threatened by other insects, minor workers can actively rupture their body wall,” said lead researcher Alice Laciny of Austria’s Natural History Museum. “Apart from leading to the ants’ imminent death, the ‘explosion’ releases a sticky, toxic liquid … to either kill or hold off the enemy.”

Disease

Dengue Epidemic Intensifies on Reunion

Health officials in France reported an additional 428 biologically confirmed and probable dengue fever cases in one week. This brings the total laboratory confirmed or probable cases to 1816 since the beginning of the year. Fifty people required hospitalization for their illness since early January.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.0 earthquake hits New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 21s (Twenty-one), located approximately 1193 nm east of Diego Garcia, is tracking west-southwestward at 18 knots.

NewsBytes:

Java - Extreme weather incidents are marking the ongoing shift from the rainy season to the dry season in Java, as various parts of the island have been hit with heavy rain and twisters, causing floods, landslides and lots of damage. Twisters lashed several areas in Central Java’s Wonogiri regency this week, collapsing 40 houses and damaging at least 60 others. Besides damaging houses, the tornado also knocked down numerous big trees.

Kenya - Hundreds of thousands of people across Kenya, especially those settled close to Tana River in the northern part, were displaced by heavy floods in the country. According to Red Cross officials, the elderly, women and children are the most affected as their flimsy houses are either swept away or left waist-deep in water. According to a recent flood update by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the floods have displaced more than 211,000 people and reportedly killed 72 people and injured 33 across Kenya since March 2018. OCHA said the floods have disrupted livelihoods, with at least 8,450 acres of farmland submerged in water and more than 6,000 livestock killed. The floods have destroyed houses and damaged infrastructure, such as roads and health facilities, it added.

Somalia - Over 427,000 people have been affected by heavy flooding across Somalia in April. In the Baidoa town alone, about 174,000 people have been affected by flooding. Over half of their existing shelters can’t withstand heavy rains, and many have already been washed away. Many community latrines have been destroyed or filled with flood water. Forecasts predict more heavy rains in the coming week.

Palestine - Two children were found dead in the city of Hevron in Judea, south of Jerusalem on Friday. Floods ravaged much of southern Israel Wednesday and Thursday, forcing closures of roads around the Arava region and parts of the Negev. Eilat Airport was also temporarily closed to air traffic on Thursday due to flooding.

Disease

Pakistan: Leishmaniasis

Officials in Pakistan’s Mohmand Agency are reporting a surge in infections with the parasite, Leishmania (leishmaniasis), according to a Daily Times report. To date, some 732 leishmaniasis cases have been reported from all three tehsils of Mohmand Agency.

Madagascar: Plague - Update

Plague is endemic in Madagascar, with hundreds of cases reported annually. Plague season typically lasts from Sept to April each year and the 2017-2018 season was quite remarkable. By the end of April 2018, some 2,671 cases of the plague had been recorded since the first case of the plague season was reported in August 2017.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

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

5.0 earthquake hits Salta, Argentina.

5.0 earthquake hits the Bouvet Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Jordan - The Civil Defence Department (CDD) on Thursday rescued “hundreds” of people trapped by water floods in houses, vehicles and streets across the Kingdom. A heavy downpour flooded streets and neighbourhoods in the northern and central regions of the Kingdom.

Wildlife

EU to ban bee-killing pesticides

EU countries voted on Friday for a near-total ban on insecticides blamed for killing off bee populations, in what campaigners called a "beacon of hope" for the winged insects.

Bees help pollinate 90 percent of the world's major crops, but in recent years have been dying off from "colony collapse disorder," a mysterious scourge blamed on mites, pesticides, virus, fungus, or a combination of these factors.

The 28 European Union member states approved a ban on three neonicotinoid pesticides after the European food safety agency said in February that must uses of the chemicals posed a risk to honey bees and wild bees.

Dolphins Compete for Fish

Damage to fishing nets caused by dolphins is increasing across the Mediterranean as overfishing forces the marine mammals to compete more with humans for seafood.

Damage to the typically small-scale fishing businesses are now costing thousands, or even tens of thousands, of dollars per year, according to University of Exeter researchers.

Acoustic “pingers” used in an attempt to deter dolphins haven’t worked, and may have acted as “dinner bells” that actually attracted the ocean animals in some cases, the researchers found.

Environment

Arboreal ‘Heartbeat’

Dutch researchers say they have found evidence of a kind of “heartbeat” in trees that causes them to change shape in a regular rhythm that is much shorter than a day-night cycle.

András Zlinszky and colleague Anders Barfod at Aarhus University scanned 21 species of trees in windless and lightless conditions and found seesaw oscillations in branches that were most pronounced in magnolia trees.

Branches move up and down an average of 0.6 inch during cycles that are 2 to 6 hours in duration.

The pair thinks the pulses are evidence that trees have a “heartbeat” in which they actively squeeze water upward from their roots.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 116 degrees Fahrenheit (46.7 degrees Celsius) in Jacobabad, Pakistan.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 87.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 66.1 degrees Celsius) at Vostok, Antarctica.

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

Disease

Uganda: Anthrax

An anthrax outbreak that began last month in Rhino Camp refugee settlement in Arua District has now sickened 19 people, including one fatality. The disease has now spread to Odupi and Pawor sub-counties and there is fear that it will spread to Ogoko, Omugo, Bileafe, Uriama and Okollo sub-counties due to uncontrolled movement of animals. More than 100 head of cattle have been killed in Pawor, Odupi and Rhino Camp Sub-county.

India: Anthrax

Thirteen suspected cutaneous anthrax cases have been treated at a Visakhapatnam hospital in the past week and medical officials say the patients are all stable. A spokesperson with King George Hospital said it was believed that the victims belonging to a local village, contracted the infection after reportedly eating the meat of a dead cow a week ago.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 18 April - 24 April 2018

Agung | Bali (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that although there were often foggy conditions during 18-24 April, white plumes were observed rising as high as 300 m above Agung’s crater rim and drifting E. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the exclusion zone continued at a 4-km radius.

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that there were eight events and 13 explosions at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 16-23 April. Tephra was ejected as far as 1.1 km from the crater, and plumes rose as high as 2.5 km above the crater rim. At 0038 on 22 April an explosion produced an ash plume that rose 3.3 km and ejected tephra as far as 1.3 km. Crater incandescence was visible on most nights. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Ambae | Vanuatu : Vanuatu Geohazards Observatory (VGO) reported that during April the eruption from a cone in Ambae’s Lake Voui continued through 23 April, with ash emissions and some lava fountaining. Ash, scoria, and acid rain fell on the island. Observations on 21 April confirmed that the cone had grown, and that the crater in the center of the cone was larger; a small lake was present in the crater. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 0-5), and the report reminded residents to stay at least 3 km away from the active crater.

Ambrym | Vanuatu : On 25 April the Vanuatu Geohazards Observatory (VGO) reported that the lava lakes in Ambrym’s Benbow and Marum craters continued to be active, and produced gas-and-steam emissions. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 0-5); the report reminded the public to stay outside of the Permanent Danger Zone defined as a 1-km radius from Benbow Crater and a 2.7-km radius from Marum Crater.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 19-24 April 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) : Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 15 and 17-19 April that sent ash plumes as high as 2.6 km (8,500 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that the last explosive event at Karymsky occurred on 27 January, and the last thermal anomaly was detected on 26 March. The Aviation colour Code was lowered to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-colour scale).

Kuchinoerabujima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that a low-temperature thermal anomaly persisted near the W fracture in Kuchinoerabujima Shindake crater. In addition, both the number of volcanic earthquakes (generally occurring in a large quantity) and sulfur dioxide flux remained above baselines levels in August 2014. No eruptions have occurred since 19 June 2015, and deflation had been recorded since January 2016; the Alert Level was lowered to 3 (on a scale of 1-5).

Mayon | Luzon (Philippines) : PHIVOLCS reported that during 18-24 April white steam plumes from Mayon drifted NW, W, SW, and NE. Crater incandescence was visible at night. The sulfur dioxide flux was 796 tonnes/day on 17 April. 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.

Pacaya | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported increased activity at Pacaya’s Mackenney Crater during 18-19 April. Strombolian explosions ejected material as high as 50 m above the crater rim, and four lava flows traveled 200-500 m down the SW, W, and NW flanks. Strombolian explosions continued to be detected during 21-23 April.

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; explosions averaged 19 per day during 16-22 April. Seismicity was dominated by long-period events, with a rise in signals indicating emissions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 2.2 km above the crater rim and drifted 40 km NW, W, and SW. The MIROVA system detected five thermal anomalies, and on 17 April the sulfur dioxide gas flux was high at 3,421 tons/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 weak thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 14-18 April. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.8 earthquake hits the Bali Sea.

5.1 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits Seram, Indonesia.

5.0 earthquake hit South of Java, Indonesia.

5.0 earthquake hits Coquimbo, Chile.

Oklahoma Suffers Its 2,724th Earthquake Since 2010

A cluster of earthquakes in Oklahoma earlier this month helped push the state to 62 temblors this year alone of magnitude 3.0 or more — and 2,724 of that magnitude or more since 2010.

This year is on track for a huge decline from the peak of Oklahoma's restlessness in 2015, when the state felt a staggering 903 quakes of magnitude 3 or greater. But it's also a far cry from Oklahoma's norm before 2009, when the state recorded an average of one or two magnitude 3.0 or more earthquakes each year.

The rapid rise in quakes and subsequent fall bolsters the findings that Oklahoma's foundations are moving because of oil and gas activities. Most quakes are due to the injection of large amounts of wastewater from wells into subterranean rock layers. A few localized quakes are likely the direct result of fracking, in which underground charges are set off to puncture rock and improve the flow of oil and gas into a well. As Oklahoma regulators have finally limited the amount of wastewater that oil and gas operators can inject underground, quakes have fallen off.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Israel - Two teenagers died in flash floods on Wednesday as Israel endured heavy rains and hail on Wednesday. Towns in the northern Negev were hit hard by the rains and Dimona and Arad saw heavy flooding and all the nearby streams overflowed.

Cape Town, South Africa - Cape Town got some much-needed rain throughout the evening of April 25, but the heavy downpour resulted in flooded roads. Several areas including Somerset West, Edgemead and parts of Blouberg were affected. More rain is forecast.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Siberia

As many as 37 wildfires have been reported in Siberia and Russia's Far East, sweeping across more than 4,200 hectares of land. Russia's Federal Forest Protection Service said on April 25 that the largest wildfires were raging in the Amur and Zabaikalye regions. Wildfires were also reported in the regions of Buryatia, Irkutsk, and Tuva.

Russia's wildfire season usually starts in April or May each year and mainly affects thick forests in Siberia and the Far East.

Disease

Yemen diphtheria and cholera update

As of 14 April 2018, the local health authorities reported a total of 1,584 suspected diphtheria cases including 85 associated deaths (CFR=5.4%).

In week 15, there are 1,942 suspected cases and 2 associated deaths. The cumulative total of suspected cholera cases reported since April 2017 to 14 April 2018 is 1,089,507 with 2,274 associated deaths across the country.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 18 April - 24 April 2018

Ibu | Halmahera (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that at 0637 on 20 April an eruption at Ibu generated a gray-white ash plume that rose at least 600 m above the crater rim and drifted S. 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.

Kanlaon | Philippines : PHIVOLCS reported that during 17-19 April dirty-white steam plumes from Kanlaon rose as high as 1.2 km above the crater rim and drifted SW, NW, and NE. White steam plumes rose 300-600 m and drifted SW and NW during 20-24 April. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 0-5).

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 18-24 April HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise, fall, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook crater. The lake level was high, and by late on 21 April had overflowed the S crater rim. As of midday on 23 April the new flows has covered about 16 ha of the floor, or about 30%. Overflows of the crater rim continued through 24 April, flowing as far as 375 m onto the N, SW, and S parts of the crater floor. HVO noted that the overflows were the first significant ones since May 2015. Surface lava flows were active above Pulama pali. On 18 April geologists observed the pit crater on the W side of Pu'u 'O'o Crater, noting that overflows had built up the crater rim to several meters above the crater floor and 7 m higher compared to late March.

Kirishimayama | Kyushu (Japan) : An explosive eruption at Iwo-yama (also called Ioyama, NW flank of Karakuni-dake), a stratovolcano of the Kirishimayama volcano group, occurred at 1555 on 19 April prompting JMA to raise the Alert Level to 3 (on a scale of 1-5). This was the first eruption in that area since 1768; frequent and recent activity has occurred from Shinmoedake (Shinmoe peak). Ash plumes rose as high as 500 m above new vents in the SE part of the crater, and a large amount of ejected tephra including boulders were deposited around the crater area. Webcams showed expansion of vents by 2100. A new fumarole was observed at 1630 on 20 April in the vicinity of the highway, on the W side of Iwo-yama. During overflights on 20 and 21 April scientists observed multiple vents with fumarolic emissions, and intermittent ejections of black-gray muddy water. The activity continued through 23 April.

Langila | New Britain (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 24 April an ash plume from Langila rose to an altitude of 4 km (13,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW. An image acquired around six hours later indicated that the ash from the event had dissipated.

Maly Semyachik | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that activity at Maly Semyachik increased during the second half of March; the ice covering the crater lake melted within a 5-6-day period, and a weak thermal anomaly was visible in satellite images. The Aviation colour Code was raised to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-colour scale) on 22 March. A weak thermal anomaly continued to be detected through 20 April, though no further activity prompted KVERT to lower the Aviation colour Code to Green.

Nevados de Chillan | Chile : Servicio Nacional de Geología and Minería (SERNAGEOMIN) Observatorio Volcanológico de Los Andes del Sur (OVDAS) reported continuing activity during 17-18 April associated with growth of the Gil-Cruz lava dome in Nevados de Chillán’s Nicanor Crater. Seismicity consisted of long-period events and tremor associated with explosions. The webcam recorded pulsating white gas emissions with possible ash, nighttime incandescence, and an intermittent ejection of ballistics from explosions. The Alert Level remained at Orange, the second highest level on a four-colour scale. ONEMI maintained an Alert Level Yellow (the middle level on a three-colour scale) for the communities of Pinto, Coihueco, and San Fabián.

Sinabung | Indonesia : PVMBG reported that during 18-22 April gray-to-white plumes from Sinabung rose as high as 500 m above the crater rim and drifted in multiple directions. At 1604 on 20 April an event produced an ash plume that rose 3 km and pyroclastic flows that traveled 1 km down the E, SE, W, and NW flanks. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4), with a general exclusion zone of 3 km and extensions of 7 km on the SSE sector, 6 km in the ESE sector, and 4 km in the NNE sector.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 earthquake hits south of Fiji.

5.3 earthquake hits Jan Mayan Island.

5.3 earthquake hits the Scotia Sea.

5.1 earthquake hits Myanmar.

5.0 earthquake is Tonga.

The third largest dam in the world could be triggering earthquakes

The Ataturk Dam in southeastern Turkey, and the associated water levels in the reservoir is believed to be responsible for induced seismicity in the region, including a M=5.0 in 2008. Because water levels in the reservoir have dropped significantly over the last year, it is possible that yesterday’s M=5.2 event to the east of the dam was induced.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 20s (Fakir), located approximately 288 nm south-southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius, is tracking southeastward at 12 knots.

NewsBytes:

Alberta, Canada - A local state of emergency has been declared in Southern Alberta after the worst flooding the region has seen in over twenty years. Homes and major roads are now completely engulfed in water. Dozens of people have been evacuated from their homes, and up to 560 kilometres of major roads have been shut down. Surprisingly, the floods aren't being caused by rain, but by melting snow from the spring weather spike. Alberta temperatures are expected to soar up to 22°C this week, way above average for this time of year. Meaning that water levels are rising way faster than Alberta can keep up with.

Wildfires

Cattle Die in Oklahoma Wildfires

An estimated 1,500 head of cattle have died following wildfires in Oklahoma that have burned for nearly two weeks, and that projection could increase.

Reports from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture earlier in the week projected that 1,100 cattle had died from the Rhea and 34 Complex wildfires that have burned in northwest Oklahoma since April 12.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.6 earthquake hits near the coast of Nicaragua.

5.4 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

5.2 earthquake hits Colombia.

5.2 earthquake hits Myanmar.

5.1 earthquake hits eastern Turkey.

Turkish officials say dozens were slightly injured after the earthquake in southeastern Turkey. Of those injured, 35 were still receiving treatment. The regional governor said the injuries were caused as people fled their homes in panic.

5.0 earthquake hit the southern East Pacific rise.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 20s (Fakir), located approximately 70 nm southeast of St Denis, Reunion, is tracking south-southeastward at 21 knots.

NewsBytes:

Ethiopia - Flash Floods - April 2018 - Reported flash flood incidences since the second week of April have left hundreds of thousands of people in need of immediate humanitarian support in Afar (Awsi), Oromia (Arsi, East Shewa, East and West Hararge zones) and Somali (7 zones) regions. Areas affected by recurring floods have been advocating for enhanced flood early warning, mitigation and preparedness mechanisms. In Somali region, more than 27,000 flood-affected households (165,000 persons) need urgent food, water, health services and NFI support. Overflow of Genale and Wabi Shebelle rivers and related tributaries due to recent heavy rains in the Somali region and the highlands of Oromia has affected more than 83 kebeles in 19 woredas (districts) of Afder, Fafan, Liben, Nogob, Siti, Shebele and warder Zones. Several Kebeles are submerged and farmlands are either flooded or washed away at flowering stage. Many people’s houses/shelters and livestock have reportedly been washed away, leaving people displaced and homeless.

Turkey - The heavy rains and flooding that have hit Turkey’s southern province of Hatay since April 20 have made their way to the historic Long Bazaar in Turkey’s south. The rain, which fell for about an hour on the night of April 21, also stopped daily life in Antakya. Traffic was blocked as cars were seen left halfway underwater. While many cars were damaged in construction sites when buildings collapsed, shops and residences were also severely hit by floods.

Wildlife

Climate change leaves birds hungry

Warmer springs due to climate change are leaving chicks in UK woodlands hungry, according to new research.

As springs get warmer earlier, caterpillar numbers spike too soon meaning by the time many birds' eggs have hatched later in the season, there is not enough food to go around.

The study adds to mounting evidence that the changing climate is playing havoc with the seasons and causing problems for animals and plants whose actions are calibrated to annual rhythms.

"With spring coming earlier due to climate change, leaves and caterpillars emerge earlier and birds need to breed earlier to avoid being mismatched. We found that the earlier the spring, the less able birds are to do this.”

Global Warming

Worrisome prediction about climate change coming true

Two years ago, former NASA climate scientist James Hansen and a number of colleagues laid out that possibility that gigantic pulses of fresh water from melting glaciers could upend the circulation of the oceans, leading to a world of fast-rising seas and even superstorms.

Hansen’s theory was based on a computer simulation, not hard data from the real world, and met with skepticism from a number of other climate scientists. But now, a new oceanographic study appears to have confirmed one aspect of this picture, in its early stages, at least.

The new research, based on ocean measurements off the coast of East Antarctica, shows that melting Antarctic glaciers are indeed freshening the ocean around them.

And this, in turn, is blocking a process in which cold and salty ocean water sinks below the sea surface in winter, forming ‘‘the densest water on the Earth,’’ in the words of study lead author Alessandro Silvano, a researcher with the University of Tasmania in Hobart, Australia.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

NASA scientists flying over the Arctic earlier this month spotted strange shapes out the window, but they aren't sure what caused them.

Three holes dot the sea ice, seen from the window of a NASA aircraft in the photo above, taken April 14. They're clustered together, each surrounded by one or two radiating layers of ridged, textured ice, almost as if a batch of archery targets had melted and gone lopsided. All around them are bumpy formations that mean the ice is thin and relatively new.

It's possible, NASA wrote, that some large mammal took advantage of that thin ice to poke holes through it to breathe.Ring sealsand harp seals are both known to poke holes through the ice that look somewhat similar to this.

Disease

Cholera - Congo - Update

Since mid-March, the Congo Ministry of Health reported a suspected cholera outbreak in Likouala Department, located in the northern part of the country. In a related event, health authorities in Plateau Department reported increasing cases of acute watery diarrhea in Mpouya District in the central part of Congo. As of 19 April 2018, a total of 46 suspected cholera cases, including two deaths (case fatality rate 4.4%) were reported from two departments: Plateaux (34 cases and one death) and Likouala (12 cases and one death).

Cholera - Zimbabwe - Update

A cholera outbreak has been reported in the suburbs of Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe. Since the beginning of the outbreak on 23 March 2018, a total of 36 suspected/ confirmed cases with three deaths (case fatality rate 8.3%) have been reported, as of 20 April 2018.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

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

5.4 earthquake hits the Banda Sea.

5.3 earthquake hits Papua, Indonesia.

5.2 earthquake hits Tonga.

5.1 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

5.1 earthquake hits Myanmar.

5.0 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits Antofagasta, Chile.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Somalia - April Floods Update - In Galgadud region, heavy rains resulted in flash floods that destroyed IDPs shelters in settlements in low lying land in Abudwaq town. Two children reportedly died due to flash flooding in Cadaado town. An estimated 9,300 displaced people in Danwadaag, Kulmiye and Wadajir settlements have been affected and an unknown number has moved to Cadaado town until flooding recedes. Some of the latrines built by humanitarian partners were also destroyed. In Jubaland, an estimated 28,200 people have been displaced by flash flooding. This includes 8,000 in Saakow; 6,000 in Bu’ale; 6,000 in Luuq; 6,000 in Afmadow; 1,200 in Ceel Waaq villages and some 7,000 people in Jilib and Jamaame riverine areas who have been temporarily displaced to nearby highland areas. One person is reported to have died as a result of flash floods in Ceel Waaq and another two in Ceel Cadde. In Afmadow, 1,000 latrines have been destroyed, raising fears of water-borne diseases.

Singapore - Heavy rain caused flash floods in several areas in Singapore on Monday afternoon, effectively closing several roads for some hours. All floods have since subsided.

Kenya - At least 15 people, including a mother and her five-year-old child, have been killed by floods and another 2,000 have been displaced by another wave of heavy rains in several parts of the country. The downpours have also washed away sections of roads and destroyed property across the 47 counties, leading to heavy losses and forcing motorists to seek alternative routes. Seven people died on Sunday morning after a car they were travelling in was swept by floods at Karati area in Kinangop constituency, Nakuru County. The flash floods occurred after rivers Kuja and Migori burst their banks.

Disease

Dengue epidemic on Reunion Island

Officials with Public Health France reported nearly 400 confirmed or probable dengue cases in the past week, bringing the outbreak total to 1388 indigenous cases reported since 1st January 2018.

Hepatitis A - Kentucky, USA

Health officials say three people have died in Kentucky from a hepatitis A outbreak. The Kentucky State Department of Health says it has seen more than 300 cases of hepatitis A in more than six counties. Officials have not released which six counties have been affected. Health officials say more than 200 people have been hospitalized from the outbreak.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 earthquake hits near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.2 earthquake hits the Nias region, Indonesia.

5.1 earthquake hits Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia.

5.0 earthquake hits the Western Indian Antarctic Ridge.

5.0 earthquake hits the Bonin Islands, Japan.

5.0 earthquake hits Kepulauan Barat Daya, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Finland - The water level of the Kyrö river in Ostrobothnia rose past flood limits on Saturday afternoon. Flood hatches have been opened and excess water is being siphoned toward nearby embankments to lower the levels. Finnish national road 3 was closed in Jalasjärvi when the flood waters reached the highway asphalt.

Kauai, Hawaii - More rain has fallen on the island, adding to the flooding caused by last weekend’s deluge, but weather officials have downgraded the flash flood alerts. Cleanup crews have been working to clear landslides and flood damage.

Environment

Plastic Eaters

Mutant plastic-dissolving enzymes could help curb the increasing global plastic pollution that threatens marine life and even the humans who eat it.

Researchers from the University of Portsmouth were studying a bacterium discovered at a Japanese dump in 2016 that had naturally evolved to eat plastic.

While using ultra-intense beams of X-rays to examine the structure of the key enzyme produced by the bacterium, they accidentally improved the enzyme’s ability to break down the kind of plastic used to make beverage bottles.

Global Warming

Antarctic Melt

Antarctica’s Larsen C ice shelf now melts in the dead of winter when the average temperature on the adjacent Antarctic peninsula is only 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

It’s been known for a while that Antarctic ice shelves are thinning and retreating, mainly because warmer currents below are melting them. But new remote sensors have found that downslope winds can also cause them to thin.

These “foehn winds” blowing off Antarctica’s mountains can cause air temperatures to rise several degrees, sometimes to above freezing. The phenomenon had earlier been observed in summer, but it’s now happening in the depth of winter.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.1 earthquake hits Myanmar.

5.0 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Kauai, Hawaii - Hundreds of people have been evacuated from homes and hiking trails as historic levels of rain pummeled the Hawaiian island of Kauai last weekend, causing multiple landslides and flooding.The rains have forced families and travelers to leave their flooded properties. Landslides triggered by the rain have wiped out homes and shut down the main highway leading to the island’s north shore, stranding residents who live in Kauai’s most remote neighborhoods, but no injuries have been reported. After last weekend’s rains, a significant number of homes “were severely damaged and there were several homes that were completely ripped from their foundation,” Blane said, adding that the county does not have an official tally on how many homes were damaged. At least 350 people have had to evacuate the island’s north shore, while flooding in other parts of the island has displaced families from about 20 homes. Even more heavy rain is expected across Hawaii as emergency officials and Kauai residents work on recovery efforts in their communities.

Namibia - Five schools in the Zambezi Region have temporarily closed due to heavy floods that have swamped schools in the low-lying areas following heavy rains.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Oklahoma - Update

As firefighters enter the second week of raging Oklahoma wildfires, the cooperative weather allowed them to make more progress than they have in days.

The wildfires have scorched across more than 400,000 acres, killed two people and hurt 20, emergency management officials have said.

More than 283,000 acres have burned in Dewey County, where the Rhea fire was 15 percent contained. The number is up from the 3 percent of containment reported the last few days, according to the Oklahoma Forestry Service.

More than 67,000 acres have burned in Woodward County, where the 34 Complex fire was 45 percent contained.

A third, much smaller fire reported in Beaver and Harper counties was 80 percent contained, forestry officials reported.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.9 earthquake hits the Prince Edward Islands.

5.3 earthquake hits Tonga.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Malawi - Floods in Karonga have killed three people and have affected 4 499 people from 818 households in the district. Three children sustained various degrees of injuries as a result of collapsed houses.

Environment

Another Kenyan Fracture

A second massive crack has ripped through the Kenyan landscape, but geologists assure nervous residents that neither means their country will break apart anytime soon.

They say both fissures were caused by heavy rains that soaked the area, causing the volcanic soil beneath to give way.

The latest “fault line” near the town of Naivasha is more than a mile long and has destroyed crops and forced at least 16 families to move to safer ground. The earlier fissure, about 20 miles to the southeast, severed a road and forced other people to flee in late March.

Scientists say a growing split in the African tectonic plate will eventually cause a slice of Africa to break away.

Coral Shield

Australian scientists have developed a “sun shield” they hope can save the Great Barrier Reef from the coral bleaching that has ravaged the reef since 2016.

The shield is an ultra-thin biodegradable film that floats on the ocean’s surface. The shield contains calcium carbonate — the same compound corals use to make their hard skeletons.

While it would be impractical to deploy the film over the entire 135,000-square-mile reef, the scientists say it could be selectively placed to protect the most precious or high-risk areas.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 115 degrees Fahrenheit (45.6 degrees Celsius) in Sharurah, Saudi Arabia.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 95.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 64.4 degrees Celsius) at Vostok, Antarctica.

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

Disease

Lassa Fever - Nigeria

From 1 January through 15 April 2018, 1849 suspected cases have been reported from 21 states (Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Federal Capital Territory, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Kogi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ondo, Osun, Plateau, Rivers, and Taraba). Of these, 413 patients were confirmed with Lassa fever, nine were classified as probable 1422 tested negative and were classified as non-cases and for the five remaining suspect cases laboratory results are pending. Among the 413 confirmed and the nine probable Lassa fever cases, 114 deaths were reported (case fatality rate for confirmed cases is 25.4% and for confirmed and probable cases combined is 27%).

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 11 April - 17 April 2018

Agung | Bali (Indonesia) : Based on webcam views, satellite data, and ground-based observations, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 11 April an event at Agung generated an ash plume that rose to an altitude of 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW.

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that there were four events and nine explosions at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 9-16 April. Tephra was ejected as far as 1.3 km from the crater, and plumes rose as high as 2.5 km above the crater rim. Crater incandescence was visible on most nights. 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 14-15 April ash plumes from Bagana rose to altitudes of 2.1-2.4 km (7,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted about 110 km SW.

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that a small explosion at Cleveland was detected in seismic and infrasound data at 0759 on 13 April; no eruption plume was visible in satellite images. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 11-16 April ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted mainly NW, W, SW, and NNE.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 7 and 11-12 April that sent ash plumes as high as 1.8 km (5,900 ft) a.s.l. Ashfall was reported in Severo-Kurilsk on 6 April. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Fuego | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that on 9 April a lahar descended the Seca (Santa Teresa) drainage on Fuego’s W flank. The lahar was 10 m wide, 1.5 m deep, and had a consistency similar to cement mix. During 12-13 April explosions generated ash plumes that rose as high as 1 km and drifted 15 km SW and W. Incandescent material was ejected as high as 300 m above the crater rim, and generated avalanches of material in the Seca, Cenizas (SSW), Las Lajas (SE), and Honda (E) ravines. Ash fell in areas downwind including in Santa Sofía (12 km SW), Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché (8 km SW), (SSW), Las Lajas (SE), and Honda (E) ravines. Ash fell in areas downwind including in Santa Sofía (12 km SW), Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché (8 km SW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), and Finca Palo Verde.

Activity increased on 14 April and remained elevated through 17 April. Moderate-to-strong explosions were detected at a rate of 6-9 per hour, and sometimes produced shock waves that vibrated houses in Morelia and Panimaché. Dense ash plumes rose as high as 1.1 km and drifted 20 km W and S, though winds also carried the ash to higher altitudes to the SE. Incandescent material was ejected as high as 300 m above the crater rim, and generated avalanches of material in the crater area. Ashfall was reported in areas downwind including in Santa Sofía, Morelia, Panimaché I and II, El Porvenir, and Finca Palo Verde. The rate of explosions increased to 7-10 per hour on 16 April; explosions sometimes caused structures in Panimache, Morelia, La Reina, and Alotenango (8 km ENE) to vibrate. A lava flow traveled 1.3 km down the Seca drainage.

Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a weak thermal anomaly over Karymsky was identified in satellite data on 11 April. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 11-17 April HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise, fall, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook crater. The lake level was high, with spattering visible from HVO and Jaggar Museum; by 16 April the lake level was 10 m below the rim of the Overlook crater. Surface lava flows were active above Pulama pali. On 11 April a moderate swarm of over 200 earthquakes occurred at depths of 7-9 km below the summit. The largest event was a M 2.4. Seismicity returned to background levels at 0230. Three minor ledge collapses were detected on 12 April, one at 1157 and two just after 1830. Surface lava flows were active above Pulama pali; on 13 April most scattered breakouts were within 2.2 km from Pu'u 'O'o Crater, and one was about 5 km away.

Mayon | Luzon (Philippines) : PHIVOLCS reported that during 11-17 April white steam plumes from Mayon drifted NW, WNW, WSW, and SW. Crater incandescence was visible at night. The sulfur dioxide flux was 2,800, 1,918, 1,621, and 1,617 tonnes/day on 11, 12, 13, and 16 April, respectively. 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.

Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosive activity at Sabancaya was similar to the previous week; explosions averaged 15 per day during 9-15 April. Seismicity was dominated by long-period events, with signals indicating emissions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 2.2 km above the crater rim and drifted 30 km NW and SW. Minor ashfall was reported in Huambo and Cabanaconde. The MIROVA system detected three thermal anomalies. 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 weak thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 6 and 10-12 April. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.

Turrialba | Costa Rica : The Washington VAAC reported that on 11 April an ash emission from Turrialba were seen through an OVSICORI-UNA web camera.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 earthquake hits south of the Mariana Islands.

5.3 earthquake hits south of Panama.

5.3 earthquake hits the Banda Sea.

5.3 earthquake hits the Ceram Sea, Indonesia.

5.0 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits Antofagasta, Chile.

Global Warming

Natural World - Out of Synch

A major study has concluded that the delicately choreographed interactions between species that keep food webs functioning are more and more out of synch and the increasing mismatch is consistent with the fact that the environment is getting warmer.

Caribou calves are born later during the thick of blackfly season. Migrating hummingbirds, adapted for a specific spring flower, miss its bloom. Seabirds no longer rear their chicks when fish are most abundant.

The research team found that, as the climate has warmed, events in those relationships have been occurring an average of four days earlier per decade since the early 1980s — about 14 days in total.

Mismatches at the bottom of the food chain could reduce resources all the way up, Kharouba said. One study in a lake found the timing of blooms for the one-celled plants and animals that underlie aquatic life is off by 34 days.

Conservation managers looking after endangered species may have to start taking environmental mismatches into account, the ecologist suggested.

Not all species rely on specialized, carefully timed interactions with other organisms. Others may be able to adapt.

But it’s not always possible for species to work things out for themselves. Some events are driven by warmth and some by day length. One is changing; the other isn’t.

Although more and long term research is needed, there is an undoubted, measurable impact on the long-established relationships between species in nature.

Environment

Cold water devastates Japan’s coral reefs

Unusually cold water has devastated some of the world’s most northerly coral reefs, which lie off the coast of western Japan, an environment ministry official said on Wednesday.

The ministry surveyed the reefs in recent months and found widespread bleaching, with between 90% an 100% of each of the six spots surveyed being affected.

In four of the surveyed areas, researchers reported between 85% and 95% of the bleached areas were now dead, said Yuto Takahashi, a ranger at the regional ministry office that conducted the survey.

The devastation is thought to be the result of unusually cold water temperatures in the area this year, partly produced by the meandering of the Kuroshio current.

Very strong cold fronts of the winter contributed to the low water temperature. The meandering of the Kuroshio current is also known to have lowered water temperatures off Wakayama and other areas along the Pacific coast.

The Kuroshio is a warm current in the north-western Pacific Ocean, and its unusual movement away from the area brought up cold water from the depths. Little is known about exactly why the Kuroshio current changes its flows, but scientists have observed the meandering phenomenon six times since 1965, most recently last summer.

Coral bleaching and death is irreversible, but differs from similar events seen in other more southerly reefs.

Whereas coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef or Okinawa is caused by unusual warming of water temperatures, cold water also makes the corals very vulnerable.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 earthquake hits the Ceram Sea, Indonesia.

5.4 earthquake hits the Izu Islands, Japan.

5.2 earthquake hits the Ceram Sea, Indonesia.

5.1 earthquake hits Halmahera, Indonesia.

5.0 earthquake hits Halmahera, Indonesia.

5.0 earthquake hits the Ceram Sea, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Tanzania - Floods caused by incessant rains in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam have killed at least nine people, emergency officials said Monday. Public schools have been closed to avoid more casualties from the rains that began last Saturday. Residents living in lowland areas have been affected by the floods the most.

USA - The East Coast was hit with heavy rain and flooding on Monday as a severe storm made its way toward the Atlantic. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning in and around New York City and northeastern New Jersey from Monday morning to the afternoon. The floods ravaged the area, closing subway stations and roads as water levels rose quickly. The storm brought heavy snow to the Midwest over the weekend that canceled flights and killed two before turning to rain on the East Coast.

- Roads are being cleared, but the heavy rain Sunday night and Monday morning caused many problems in the D.C. area, including blocked roads and half-submerged cars. Thunderstorms gave way to localized flash flooding Monday and caused large pools of standing water in the D.C. area.

- Runners in the Boston marathon battled freezing rain and fierce headwinds on Monday as wild spring weather battered the US north-east.

Space Events

Asteroid Close Shave

Earth received a cosmic close shave on Sunday (April 15) when a football field-size boulder passed by at half the moon's distance from our planet. Named 2018 GE3, the asteroid was detected only a few hours before its flyby, spotted by the automated Catalina Sky Survey.

At its closest approach, at 2:41 a.m. EDT (0641 GMT), 2018 GE whipped by Earth at a distance of only 119,500 miles (192,300 kilometers), according to EarthSky. That's a close call, given that the asteroid has an estimated diameter of 157 to 361 feet (48 to 110 meters), making it much larger than the cosmic object that exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, in 2013.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Oklahoma

Wildfires that have killed two people in western Oklahoma are nearing conditions not seen in at least a decade because of the mixture of high temperatures, low humidity and heavy winds, the National Weather Service said Monday.

Firefighters sent by the U.S. Forest Service's Southern Area Coordination Center are fighting one fire that's burned more than 245,000 acres (990 sq. kilometers) near Leedey, about 110 miles (180 kilometers) northwest of Oklahoma City and another blaze that's burned nearly 68,000 acres (275 sq. kilometers) near Woodward, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Leedey.

Wildfires - New Mexico

Authorities say firefighters report making progress on wildfires burning near Grants in northwestern New Mexico in advance of expected windy conditions Monday.

The fires are burning on a mountain and a mesa about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northwest of Grants. As of Sunday, authorities say one wildfire has charred about 9.5 square miles (2,741 hectares) while the other wildfire some four miles to the north has burned nearly 4 square miles (1,024 hectares).

Disease

Measles - Ukraine

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Ukraine, the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine (computer translated) has reported 9091 measles cases – 3270 adults and 5821 children since the beginning of 2018. In addition, seven fatalities due to complications of measles have been reported this year–five children and two adults.

Massive Egg Recall - Salmonella

On Friday (April 13), egg producer Rose Acre Farms announced that it was recalling about 207 million eggs that came from its North Carolina farm. The eggs were distributed to nine states, and were sold under multiple brand names, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). So far, the outbreak has sickened 22 people.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.9 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

5.3 earthquake hits Luzon, Philippines.

5.2 earthquake hits the Sunda Strait, Indonesia.

5.2 earthquake hits south of Fiji.

5.2 earthquake hits Tonga.

5.1 earthquake hits the Azores.

5.1 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits New Guinea, Papua and New Guinea

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Kenya - About 100 people escaped death narrowly after 10 vehicles were swept by raging flash floods in the Suswa area along the Narok-Maai Mahiu road Sunday night following a heavy downpour that hit the area. The incident happened at around 6P.M and saw motorists trapped in a traffic jam for over three hours as the raging floods carrying heavy boulders swept away vehicles.

Environment

China Changes Trash Import Policy - Refuses to be a Trash Dumping Ground

For decades, China was the world's largest importer of waste but that's changing after Beijing banned 24 types of scraps from entering its borders starting January.

The ban was hailed as a big win for global green efforts by environmentalists, who said it would not only clean up China, but also force other countries to better manage their own trash.

More than three months into the ban, waste exporters such as the U.S., Europe and Japan are still scrambling for an alternative to China.

China was the dumping ground for more than half of the world's trash before the ban and, at its peak, was importing almost 9 million metric tons of plastic scrap a year, according to Greenpeace.

The country started importing waste in the 1980s to fuel a growing manufacturing sector. It grew a whole waste processing and recycling industry, but improper handling of trash and a lack of effective supervision turned the country into a major polluter.

China, now the second-largest economy in the world, has been doubling down on efforts to clean up its air, water and land. Under President Xi Jinping, the country has shuttered tens of thousands of factories that contributed pollution, pushed for greater use of renewable energy and became a green finance giant.

Global Warming

World shipping industry agrees to halve carbon emissions by 2050

Members of the UN International Maritime Organization on Friday struck a deal to halve carbon dioxide emissions from shipping by 2050 in a deal that will force the industry to redesign fleets.

“The initial strategy envisages for the first time a reduction in total GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions by at least 50 percent by 2050 compared to 2008,” the IMO said in a statement.

Major shipping nations such as Saudi Arabia and the United States had objected to earlier drafts in two weeks of discussion at the 173-member organization based in London.

Some countries such as the Marshall Islands, which are at risk of rising seas but are also a major flag state, had wanted a stronger commitment and the EU wanted a 70 to 100 percent cut. But the agreement was widely hailed by stakeholders.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Australia

A massive bush fire burning in Sydney's southwest is getting closer to Australia's only nuclear reactor. The bushfire on Sydney's outskirts, which has been burning since Saturday, has so far burnt through more than 2400 hectares. More than 100 firefighters are working ti bring the fire under control.

Disease

Thailand dengue fever update

Through Apr. 9, 2018, Thailand health officials have reported 6,565 total dengue cases from 75 of the 76 provinces. Included in this number is nine dengue related fatalities. The 6,565 total cases can be broken down by dengue fever cases (3,878), dengue hemorrhagic fever (2,610 cases and 2 deaths) and dengue shock syndrome (77 cases and 7 deaths).

Dengue Fever - Pakistan

In Pakistan, 250 dengue fever cases have been reported since the beginning of the year. 235 of the cases, including one death has been reported in the provincial capital of Karachi. In just the past week, 21 cases were reported from Sindh, including 19 from Karachi.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 earthquake hits the Azores.

5.1 earthquake hits the Galapagos Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits the Volcano Islands, Japan.

5.0 earthquake hits Alaska.

5.0 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Hawaii - Moving up the east side of Oahu, flooding in Waimanalo not only swept through businesses and homes. The force of the water even tore apart a vital roadway. The cleanup went on all day Saturday after torrential rains tore through many parts of the island Friday night, including Waimanalo. The State Department of Transportation had to shut down Kalanianaole Highway from Aina Haina to Makapuu.

Kenya - Several parts of the country are continuing to experience heavy rainfall which has in turn led to flash floods in some areas causing the destruction of property and massive traffic snarl-ups inconveniencing motorists particularly along the Nairobi-Naivasha highway and areas of Suswa, in Narok county.

USA - Tornadoes, Wildfires, and Blizzards - Severe storms wreaked havoc across the U.S. over the weekend, with the South warned to brace for tornadoes, Oklahoma battling wildfires, and a blizzard expected in the upper Midwest. One town in western Arkansas reported that several homes were “completely gone” after a tornado touched down on Friday, and parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle were told to prepare for damaging winds and hail throughout the rest of the weekend. In Oklahoma, where wildfires have already prompted evacuations and scorched 350,000 acres of land, residents were warned high winds and dry conditions could spark new fires. Parts of Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota, meanwhile, were facing blizzard warnings, with between 8 inches and two feet of snow expected in some areas. More than 100 motorists in Nebraska had to be rescued Friday as winter weather paralyzed major roads, causing at least one fatality.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Australia

A passenger has filmed the moment a Sydney train drove through a fierce fire zone, as 1000 hectares of bushland went up in flames. Sydney Trains said buses had replaced trains between East Hills and Glenfield on the T8 Airport and South Lines. Although conditions have eased today, there are fears strong winds will challenge the efforts of 500 firefighters battling the Holsworthy blaze.

Disease

Measles – France

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in France, French health officials report an additional 181 measles cases in the past week, bringing the total to 1,605 cases reported since November 6, 2017 (1,547 cases (95%) reported since January 1, 2018). 72 departments reported cases, up from 69 during the last report.

Syphilis – New Zealand

A significant increase in syphilis cases in New Zealand has prompted health officials to urge the public to practice safe sex, including the use of condoms.

The incidence of syphilis has been on the rise in New Zealand since 2012. Provisional data from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) Ltd, indicates that the number of syphilis cases reported in 2017 has more than doubled since 2015, with 470 cases reported.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 earthquake hits the Scotia Sea.

5.4 earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan.

5.0 earthquake hits off the East Coast of the North Island, New Zealand.

5.0 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Kenya - On Friday evening motorists were stranded for several hours as flood waters from the Suswa escarpment and Mt Longonot flowed down the hills to the lower lying area, cutting off the Narok-Nairobi highway.

Kenya - About 1200 families have been affected by floods in Garrisa.The recent floods have left scores homeless and property destroyed. Locals lay blame on unfinished road construction and careless dumping that has clogged drainages within Garissa town.

Global Warming

The arid US midwest just crept 140 miles east thanks to climate change

There’s a line that stretches down North America, singeing into the continent a border that separates an arid west from a humid east. And it’s on the move.

Called “the 100th Meridian,” the line slices through Canada, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and eastern Mexico. It exists because the Rocky Mountain range blocks moisture that would sweep into the Great Plains from the Pacific Ocean, while storms in the Atlantic Ocean push moisture into the US midwest, bumping against more moisture that barrels north and slightly east from the Gulf of Mexico during the summer.

Drawing on climate models, regional vegetation data, US Department of Agriculture data, land model simulations, and weather station data, Seager was able to confirm in a recent study (pdf) that the 100th Meridian is more or less as Powell predicted. Except, as he shows in an accompanying study, by now the line has shifted eastward 140 miles.

The 100th Meridian’s eastward march will eventually force changes to the US economy. There will need to be a farm economy adjustment to this because of the environmental changes, say the researchers. The places over the western parts of the high plains will become more arid.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Oklahoma, USA

An outbreak of wildfires has most of Oklahoma under a state of emergency Friday evening. High wind and severe drought are creating blow torch conditions. At least one person has died and more than 200,000 acres have burned. About 1,400 people have been forced from their homes.

Wildfires are raging in Vici, Oklahoma, where they are burning homes and killing cattle.

In some places, the fire is spreading a mile every 8 to 12 minutes.

Disease

Africa - Meningitis

The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa recently reported updated meningitis numbers for the countries of the African Meningitis Belt and surrounding areas. For the first three months of 2018, 7,403 suspect and confirmed cases were reported, including 566 deaths for a case fatality rate of 7.6 percent.

Typhoid - Pakistan

The first known epidemic of extensively drug-resistant typhoid is spreading through Pakistan, infecting at least 850 people in 14 districts since 2016, according to the National Institute of Health Islamabad.

The typhoid strain, resistant to five types of antibiotics, is expected to disseminate globally, replacing weaker strains where they are endemic. Experts have identified only one remaining oral antibiotic — azithromycin — to combat it; one more genetic mutation could make typhoid untreatable in some areas.

Prior to this outbreak, only four isolated cases of extensively drug-resistant, or XDR, typhoid had previously been reported worldwide.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 earthquake hit the South Sandwich Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits New Guinea, Papua and New Guinea.

5.0 earthquake hits near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan.

Wildlife

Winged Tragedy

Wildlife experts in Idaho Falls, Idaho, say a gaggle of more than 100 geese found dead in a parking lot and on nearby rooftops were brought down by lightning in a “freak accident.”

A violent hailstorm was in progress just before the migrating snow geese fell from the sky.

But since the dead birds had exploded internal organs, Idaho Department of Fish and Game officer Jacob Berl said it’s proof lightning caused their demise.

“Mother nature is sometimes cruel to the wildlife kingdom,” said colleague James Brower. “We worry about accidents with cars and trucks — sometimes animals are affected just by the weather.”

Zombie Raccoons

Seemingly crazed raccoons standing on their hind legs have terrorized a city in Ohio. Dozens of people have called the police in Youngstown to report the normally nocturnal animals standing up in broad daylight, baring their teeth then falling over in what was described as a comatose state.

Wildlife biologists say the weird behavior could be caused by distemper, which isn’t a threat to humans.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 116 degrees Fahrenheit (46.7 degrees Celsius) in Nawabshah, Pakistan.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 93.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 69.4 degrees Celsius) at Vostok, Antarctica.

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

Wildfires

Wildfires - Oklahoma, USA

More than 135,000 acres of grasslands and woodlands have burned Thursday across the state, the Oklahoma Forestry Services reported.

The forestry services report the hardest hit area is in Woodward County, about four miles north of Woodward. As of about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, a group of fires known as the 34 Complex Fire scorched an estimated 115,000 acres in the area and is expected to continue to grow overnight.

Residents in the area have been evacuated as structures are threatened by the fires. Fire crews are expected to continue to battle the blaze throughout the night, officials said.

Wildfires - New Mexico, USA

State Forestry and USDA Forest Service crews are working to contain a prescribed fire that turned into a wildfire near the Zuni Mountains. Officials said the Diener Canyon Fire is burning on federal land in the Cibola National Forest. As of Thursday at 8:30 p.m., the fire has burned an estimated 1,000 acres.

The Bluewater Fire is an estimated 1,000 acres and crews haven't been able to contain it. Officials said residents in Bluewater Acres and Bluewater Village are on a pre-evacuation notice.

Another fire, the 206 fire, is an estimated 60,000 acres and is between Tatum and Milnesand. At least 12 homes on Bledsoe Road have been ordered to evacuate in that area. This fire has spread to Texas.

Disease

Cholera - Malawi

At least 30 people have died and 893 are ill in a cholera outbreak in Malawi, the health ministry said Thursday. The drinking of contaminated water and poor food hygiene practices in affected areas have been blamed for the cholera outbreak, the ministry said.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 4 April - 10 April 2018

Agung | Bali (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that an event at Agung at 1737 on 5 April generated an ash plume that rose 500 m above the crater rim and drifted W. Seismicity was dominated by high- and low-frequency earthquakes. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the exclusion zone continued at a 4-km radius.

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that there were two events and 10 explosions at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 2-9 April. Tephra was ejected as far as 1.1 km from the crater, and plumes rose as high as 3.4 km above the crater rim. An event at Showa Crater generated a plume that rose 1.3 km. An explosion at 0909 on 9 April at Minamidake crater ejected large boulders 1.3 km, and produced a plume that rose 1 km. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Bezymianny | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Bezymianny was identified in satellite images during 29-30 March and 2-3 April. The Aviation colour Code remained at Yellow.

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that seismic and infrasound sensors recorded a small explosion at Cleveland at 0355 on 4 April. A subsequent satellite image indicated that hot material ejected from the event was deposited on the W flank, possibly reaching the coastline. A small ash cloud drifted SW at or below 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation colour Code was raised to Orange and the Volcano Alert Level was raised to Watch. Hours later, a small, short-duration seismic event coupled with satellite data suggested a small ash emission. The Alert level was lowered back to Yellow/Advisory on 6 April due to no further signs of activity.

Copahue | Central Chile-Argentina border : According to ONEMI, OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN reported that during 1-31 March there were 83 volcano-tectonic events recorded at Copahue, and 204 earthquakes indicting fluid movement. Tremor levels increased on 24 March, the same day as the phreatic explosion, though by the next day decreased to baseline levels. Webcams recorded gas plumes rising from El Agrio crater as high as 1 km. During an overflight on 3 April scientists observed the crater lake, and continuous white gas plumes rising almost 400 m. The Alert Level remained at Yellow (second highest level on a four-colour scale); SERNAGEOMIN recommended no entry into a restricted area within 1 km of the crater. ONEMI maintained an Alert Level Yellow (the middle level on a three-colour scale) for the municipality of Alto Biobío.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 4-10 April ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.5-2.1 km (5,000-7,000 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 31 March-6 April generated ash plumes that rose as high as 2.7 km (8,900 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 7-10 April explosions at Fuego generated ash plumes that rose as high as 1.1 km and drifted 10-15 km SW and S. Sometimes the explosions were accompanied by weak shock waves. Incandescent material was ejected as high as 200 m above the crater rim, and generated avalanches of material in the Seca (Santa Teresa, W), Cenizas (SSW), Las Lajas (SE), and Trinidad (S) ravines. During 9-10 April ash fell in areas downwind including in Santa Sofía (12 km SW), Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché (8 km SW), Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW), and San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km NW).

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 4-10 April HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise, fall, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook crater. Surface lava flows were active above Pulama pali. Webcams recorded spattering from a small lava pond in a pit on the W side of Pu'u 'O'o Crater. The lava flow from a vent on the SE part of the crater floor continued to expand through 6 April. A rockfall at 1028 on 6 April triggered an explosion in the lava lake, damaging the webcam power system on the crater rim.

Mayon | Luzon (Philippines) : PHIVOLCS reported that during 4-10 April white steam plumes from Mayon drifted WNW, WSW, and SW. Crater incandescence was visible at night. The sulfur dioxide flux was 899 tonnes/day on 5 April. Tiltmeter data recorded deflation since 20 February despite short-term episodes of inflation at the lower and middle flanks. Precise leveling data showed deflation during 22-29 March relative to surveys conducted during 10-19 March. Overall ground deformation data suggested inflation compared to baseline levels. 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.

Pacaya | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 7-10 April Strombolian explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney Crater ejected material as high as 40 m above the crater rim. Lava flows had traveled 250 m down the NW flank, 200 m down the W flank, and 150 m down the SW flank.

Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosive activity at Sabancaya was similar compared to the previous week; explosions averaged 15 per day during 2-8 April. Seismicity was dominated by long-period events, with signals indicating emissions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 3.2 km above the crater rim and drifted 30 km NE, SE, and S. Ashfall was reported in Achoma (25 km NE), Chivay (36 km NE), and Huanca. The MIROVA system detected three thermal anomalies. The report noted that the public should not to approach the crater within a 12-km radius.

Suwanosejima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : Based on JMA notices and satellite data, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during 4-6 and 9 April explosions at Suwanosejima produced plumes that rose 1.2-2.4 km (4,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N, NE, and E.

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that events at Turrialba at 1230 on 5 April and 0609 on 9 April generated plumes that rose 500 and 300 m above the crater rim, and drifted S and W, respectively.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.1 earthquake hits eastern Sea of Japan.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

Environment

Climate-Regulating Ocean Current Is the Weakest It's Been in 1,500 Years

In the Atlantic Ocean, the current known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) ferries warm surface waters northward — where the heat is released into the atmosphere — and carries cold water south in the deeper ocean layers, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Its circulation transports heat around the globe like a conveyor belt, and if its movement were to stop, that heat would not get distributed, and weather havoc could ensue.

But the AMOC has been getting weaker, and cold, freshwater infusions by the runaway melting of glaciers, sea ice and permafrost are to blame, and the AMOC may weaken even further if temperatures on Earth continue to rise and ice reserves continue to melt, scientists reported in the two studies.

A research team estimated that, since the current began to lose strength in the mid-1800s, it has weakened by about 15 to 20 percent.

Prior research has suggested that a feeble AMOC brings more dryness to the Sahel, a region of Africa bordering the Sahara Desert; spurs sea-level rise in U.S. coastal cities; and encourages patterns of increasingly cold winters in Europe and the northeastern U.S.

New Ocean Current Discovered Off the Coast of Madagascar

A previously unknown ocean current was recently discovered "by accident" off the coast of Madagascar, a rare find in the 21st century.

In oceanic terms, the Southwest Madagascar Coastal Current is fairly small: At only 62 miles (100 kilometers) long and 330 yards (300 meters) deep, it transports about 264 million gallons (1.3 gigaliters) of warm, salty water a second, or the equivalent of more than 500 Olympic swimming pools' worth of water.

But the current's location, rather than its size, makes it vital in understanding the world's oceans, the researchers said. The Mozambique Channel feeds the Agulhas Current, one of the strongest currents in the world. The Agulhas Current affects the path of tropical storms and carries heat toward higher latitudes. The Agulhas is the equivalent of the Gulf Stream, but for [the] Southern Hemisphere.

Global Warming

Alaskan Glacier Melting at Fastest Pace in 400 Years

One of the USA's tallest glaciers is melting at the fastest pace in 400 years, a new study reports. The study said melting on Mount Hunter in Alaska’s Denali National Park can be linked mainly to rising summer temperatures in the region. "We have not seen snow melt like this in at least four centuries,” said study lead author Dominic Winski, a glaciologist at Dartmouth College.

New ice cores taken from the top of Mt. Hunter show summers there now are least 2 to 3 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than they were during the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. Specifically, the ice core record shows 60 times more snow melt occurs today than did 150 years ago.

Ice cores are good records of past climate because the water, snow and air in the ice contain evidence of atmospheric conditions over hundreds to thousands of years, the Byrd Polar Research Center said. The seasonal snowfall and its gradual change to ice provide an annual record of snowfall amounts and atmospheric conditions throughout the year.

New Zealand Steps Up Climate Change Fight With Oil Exploration Ban

New Zealand will stop granting offshore oil and gas exploration permits, saying it is committed to playing its part in tackling climate change. It will limit the 2018 offer of exploration permits to onshore acreage in the oil-rich province of Taranaki.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

This whale sneezed a rainbow.

Disease

Monkeypox - Liberia

Liberia’s chief medical officer Francis Kateh said monkeypox has been discovered in the southern county of Rivercess. The report also notes that four confirmed monkeypox cases are reported with some suspected cases are awaiting confirmation.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 4 April - 10 April 2018

Ambae | Vanuatu : Vanuatu Geohazards Observatory (VGO) reported sustained ash and/or gas emissions from Ambae’s Lake Voui during March through 4 April. Satellite data showed a significant sulfur dioxide gas emission (~0.15 Tg SO2) beginning in the very early hours of 6 April, indicating that the SO2 emission was the largest since Calbuco in April 2015. No significant high-altitude ash plume accompanied the emission, though the eruption generated lightning detected by the WWLLN (World Wide Lightning Location Network). Pictures of local areas posted on social media showed the continuing and significant ashfall on the island. Within a few days, by 8 April, the sulfur dioxide plume had spread across an area from the E coast of Australia to Tahiti, a distance of about 6,000 km. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 0-5).

Kirishimayama | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that an explosive eruption at Shinmoedake (Shinmoe peak), a stratovolcano of the Kirishimayama volcano group, occurred at 0531 on 5 April and generated an ash plume that rose 8 km above the crater rim. According to news articles lightning was detected in the ash plume. JMA noted that incandescent tephra was ejected 1.1 km from the vent, and a pyroclastic flow traveled 800 m down the SE flank. Sulfur dioxide emissions increased to 1,400 tons/day, from 300 tons/day last measured on 28 March. The eruption possibly ceased at 0715. During an overflight later that day scientists confirmed a large amount of ashfall in parts of Kobayashi City and other areas of the Miyazaki Prefecture, in part of Takahara Town, and in areas of the Kumamoto prefecture. White plumes rose 200 m during 6-9 April. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-5).

Lascar | Chile : OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN reported that, although seismicity at Láscar during March was low, characteristics of the signals were similar to patterns observed prior to previous minor phreatic explosions, particularly before events in 2013 and 2015. The Alert Level was raised to Yellow (second highest level on a four-color scale); SERNAGEOMIN recommended no entry into a restricted area within 5 km of the crater. ONEMI declared an Alert Level Yellow (the middle level on a three-color scale) for San Pedro de Atacama.

Nevados de Chillan | Chile : Servicio Nacional de Geología and Minería (SERNAGEOMIN) Observatorio Volcanológico de Los Andes del Sur (OVDAS) reported continuing activity through 5 April associated with growth of the Gil-Cruz lava dome in Nevados de Chillán’s Nicanor Crater. During 16-31 March the seismic network recorded 44 volcano-tectonic events with maximum local magnitude (ML) of 2.6. In addition, there were 3,874 earthquakes associated with fluid movement; of those 2,645 earthquakes were long-period events. A total of 1,229 tremor events were also detected. Explosive events totaled 765, mainly accompanying magmatic gas emissions and/or acoustic signals recorded by microphones on the flanks. Acoustic pressure from explosions increased on 24 March, and culminated with two major explosions on 30 and 31 March exceeding pressures much higher than previously recorded since the emergence of the dome. Webcam images showed mainly gas emission from explosions, rising no higher than 2 km above the crater rim. Incandescence associated with some explosions was sporadically visible at night. During an overflight on 3 April scientists observed intermittent whitish-to-grayish emissions rising from the SE-NW-trending fissure on the lava dome’s surface. They also noted lapilli deposits as far as 1 km. Even though subsidence in the central part of the dome was visible, the dome had grown compared to the last observation on 11 March. The dome had extended E to the edge of Nicanor Crater and rose higher than the crater rim, although was mostly circular. The maximum temperature of the dome surface was 670 degrees Celsius. The report noted that a decrease in daily seismic events (suggesting pressurization), two significant explosions, and the dome growing higher than the crater rim prompted OVDAS- SERNAGEOMIN to raise the Alert Level to Orange, the second highest level on a four-color scale. ONEMI maintained an Alert Level Yellow (the middle level on a three-color scale) for the communities of Pinto, Coihueco, and San Fabián.

Sinabung | Indonesia : PVMBG and BNPB reported that an eruption at Sinabung at 1607 on 6 April generated a dark gray ash plume that rose 5 km above the crater, and a pyroclastic flow that descended the SE and SW flanks 3.5 km. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4), with a general exclusion zone of 3 km and extensions of 7 km on the SSE sector, 6 km in the ESE sector, and 4 km in the NNE sector. According to news articles, ashfall affected hundreds of hectares of agricultural land in the district of Karo, North Sumatra, and the Alas Leuser airport was closed on 7 April due to ash. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4), with a general exclusion zone of 3 km and extensions of 7 km on the SSE sector, 6 km in the ESE sector, and 4 km in the NNE sector.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.6 earthquake hits offshore Oaxaca, Mexico.

5.0 earthquake hits Chuquisaca, Bolivia.

5.0 earthquake hits south of the Kermedec Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 19p (Keni), located approximately 540 nm south-southwest of Niue, is tracking southeastward at 25 knots.

Wildlife

Sperm Whale Dies from Plastic Trash

A young male sperm whale washed up dead on the southeastern coast of Spain in February, and now scientists know what killed the animal.

During a recent necropsy, investigators discovered nearly 65 lbs. (29 kilograms) of plastic trash crammed into the dead whale's stomach and intestines, including dozens of plastic bags, chunks of mangled rope and glass, a large water container and several "sacks of raffia [a fiber derived from palm trees].

The 33-foot-long (10 meters) whale was found dead on the beach at Cabo de Palos, near Murcia, Spain, on Feb. 27. Researchers at El Valle Wildlife Recovery Center performed the autopsy and determined that the whale likely died from a form of abdominal infection. The whale simply could not expel the vast amount of plastic it swallowed, the researchers said, causing the mammal's digestive system to become lethally impacted or infected.

This news provides another vivid example of the staggering amount of plastic waste humans are dumping into the world's oceans.

Disease

Lassa Fever - Nigeria

Nigerian health officials recorded eight new confirmed Lassa fever cases in the past week, putting the country’s total to 408 confirmed and 9 probable cases since the beginning of the year. In addition, three new deaths were confirmed and one backlog case bringing the total to 101 deaths in confirmed cases, 9 in probable cases.

Dengue Fever - Réunion

Public Health France has reported an additional 167 autochthonous, or locally transmitted dengue fever cases during the past week on Réunion Island, bringing the total cases to 755 since the beginning of the year. Confirmed cases have been reported in the north, west and south of the island.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.2 earthquake hits, Coquimbo, Chile.

5.1 earthquake hits off the East Coast of North Island, New Zealand.

5.0 earthquake hits Java, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 19p (Keni), located approximately 96 nm south-southeast of Suva, Fiji, is tracking east-southeastward at 22 knots.

Newsbytes:

Argentina, Chile - Heavy rain has been affecting central Argentina and southern Chile over the past days, causing floods. At least 50 people have been evacuated in Río Gallegos (Santa Cruz province, Argentina) and several roads have been affected. They also reported that several houses and a bridge have been damaged in Punta Arenas (Magallanes Region, Chile). Over the next 24 hours, more heavy rain is forecast to affect the area.

Wildlife

Race for Mexico’s ‘cocaine of the sea’ pushes 2 species toward extinction

The lucrative black market for totoaba swim bladders — prized in Chinese traditional medicine for their purported healing and beautifying properties — have turned the Gulf of California into a battleground, criss-crossed by armed poachers, Mexican navy vessels and environmental activists patrolling with pirate flags.

The casualties of this war include not only the critically endangered totoaba, but also the world’s smallest porpoise, the vaquita marina — of which just 30 remain, according to scientists — and local fishermen caught in the middle.

Mexican authorities say the vaquita has been virtually wiped out by totoaba fishing, because it gets stuck in the same kind of net.

Authorities say poachers filet the totoaba at sea, stash the swim bladders in hidden compartments and toss the bodies back into the water. Then they ship their haul in small quantities — the same strategy used by drug cartels.

In the faraway city of Guangzhou, in a shop on a busy street, a soft-spoken saleswoman shows an undercover AFP reporter her collection of dried totoaba swim bladders, fetched from a store room upstairs and carefully laid out on a wooden table. The prices range from 20,000 yuan ($3,160) to 130,000 yuan ($20,500).