Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

Two 5.3 earthquakes hit the island of Hawaii, Hawaii.

5.2 earthquake hit northern Colombia.

5.2 earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.0 earthquake hits the island of Hawaii, Hawaii.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic Ocean: Post-Tropical Cyclone Alberto is located about 20 mi...30 km wsw of Alpena Michigan with maximum sustained winds...30 mph...45 km/h. Present movement...nne or 20 degrees at 35 mph...55 km/h.

NewsBytes:

Ethiopia - A landslide after heavy rains in the Oromia region of Ethiopia has claimed the lives of at least 32 people. At least 23 people died in a landslide in the Sidama zone. Another nine people died in the Gamo Gofa zone.

Central, Eastern USA - Alberto is pushing deeper inland after making landfall in the Florida Panhandle on Memorial Day, causing flash flooding, mudslides, downed trees and power outages through parts of the South, East and central U.S. and prompting officials to warn of a possible dam failure in North Carolina. Even with that reprieve, flooding and mudslides shut down highways in the mountains of North Carolina, west of Charlotte. The N.C. Department of Transportation said Wednesday that even heavy trucks had been swept away by water.

India - Heavy rain on Tuesday claimed four lives in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi and crippled traffic in Mangaluru as roads were inundated. As a precaution, the district administration has declared holidays for schools and colleges in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district on Wednesday. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

The Deadliest Weather-Related Catastrophe You Probably Never Heard Of

In early August 1975, Typhoon Nina made landfall along the coast of China near Shanghai. The storm weakened as it moved inland and merged with a cold front that straddled Henan Province (in central China), resulting in the development of a series of near-stationary thunderstorms in and around the town of Linzhuang. The greatest short-term rainfall event in modern Chinese records ensued: some 1060 mm (41.73”) of rain fell in just 24 hours. The Banqiao Dam on the Ru River near Linzhuang, failed as a result of the rains and collapsed on August 7-8, sending a wave some 6 miles wide and 10–23 feet deep across the plains below. As a result some 100,000–230,000 people perished. By some accounts, this makes Typhoon Nina the fourth-deadliest tropical storm in modern world history.

The wide range in fatality estimates is because many of the deaths occurred as a result of famine and disease following the flood itself. The exact figures for each source of fatalities remains obscure. If the high-end figure of 230,000 is correct, then the event would rank as not only the fourth-deadliest tropical storm on record but perhaps the sixth-deadliest natural disaster of any kind since 1900.

The Banquao Dam was constructed with the help of Soviet consultants in 1951 as a project to control flooding and generate electricity. It was designed to survive a “once in 1000 years” return rainfall event (the area normally receives about 1000mm/40” of rainfall a year) which was calculated as being 300 mm (11.81”) of rainfall over 24 hours. In reality, that much rain fell in just two hours during the 1975 storm, with following maximum precipitation point rainfalls measured:

189.5 mm (7.46”) in 1 hour

494.6 mm (19.47”) in 3 hours

830.0 mm (32.68”) in 6 hours (world record)

954.4 mm (37.57”) in 12 hours

1060 mm (41.73”) in 24 hours

1629 mm (64.13”) in 3 days

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 23 May – 29 May 2018

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that the eruption at Kilauea’s Lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) and at Overlook Crater within Halema`uma`u Crater continued during 23-29 May. Lava fountaining and spatter was concentrated in the middle portion of the fissure system, feeding lava flows that spread through Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens subdivisions, and also traveled to the ocean.

Earthquakes beneath the summit and ash emissions from Overlook Crater continued as the summit area subsided and adjusted to the withdrawal of magma. Ash emissions were small and frequent, punctuated by larger plumes. The Overlook crater vent continued to widen to the W, and by 25 May the vent area was about 36 hectares. At 1244 on 25 May a M 4 earthquake was located in the summit region. That same day a new pit opened on the N part of Halema`uma`u Crater floor. Three explosions (at 0042, 0144, and 0500) on 26 May generated ash plumes that rose 3-3.3 km (10,000-10,800 ft) a.s.l. A small explosion at 0156 on 29 May sent an ash plume vertically to 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted slightly NW. The explosion was felt by residents in Volcano, and ejected incandescent blocks within Halema`uma`u Crater. On 28 May a M 4.1 earthquake occurred at 1739 along the Koa'e fault zone, S of the caldera.

Lava fountains from Fissure 22 continued to form a channelized lava flow that entered the ocean NE of MacKenzie State Park, causing explosions and generating a plume of hazardous laze (lava haze, a mixture of condensed acidic steam, hydrochloric acid gas, and tiny shards of volcanic glass). On 23 May relatively tall lava fountains at fissures 6 and 13 fed another channelized flow that created a second ocean entry. Observers noted that a perched lava pond/channel was 11 m above ground level, and that methane was seen overnight that burned blue in road cracks. On 24 May lava was entering the ocean at three points between Pohoiki Bay and MacKenzie State Park, though by the next day only two were active.

Overnight during 25-26 May vigorous spatter was observed from a cone on Fissure 8, and multiple booming gas emissions occurred at Fissure 17. By the morning of 26 May an estimated 9.6 square kilometers had been covered by new lava. Fissures 7 and 21 fed a perched lava pond and sent flows NE; the lava-flow fronts became ‘a’a. A perched pond on the W side of Fissure 7 was breached, sending short flows W. Later that day the flows turned S, and by dusk were cascading into Pawaii crater, adjacent to the W margin of the Fissure 6 flow that fed one of the ocean entries. Lava from Fissure 21 flowed onto Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV) property.

During 26-27 May activity at Fissure 7 increased; lava from fountains 45-60 m tall built a large, 30-m-high spatter rampart. Large cracks were observed overnight on Kupono St., near Fissure 9. Three vents active at Fissure 8 spattered and flamed, and doubled in size in one day. On 27 May lava flows from fissures 7 and 8 advanced NE on PGV property; at about 1900 a flow broke out in this area and advanced rapidly to the N and W, through the E portion of Leilani Estates, prompting several residents to evacuate. Three minor ocean entries were again active. Fissure 24 opened in Leilani Estates.

On 28 May the vents that fed the ocean entries stopped erupting, leading to only residual lava in the channel to occasionally enter the ocean. During 28-29 May fountains, lava flows, and spattering from multiple fissures persisted. Pele's hair from vigorous fountaining (60 m high) at Fissure 8 drifted downwind, with some strands falling in Pahoa. According to a news article, the LERZ eruption had destroyed at least 94 structures, including 53 homes, by 29 May. The flows also cut off road access to PGV, which had been evacuated.

Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Klyuchevskoy was identified in satellite images during 19-20 and 24 May. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Merapi | Central Java (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that a two-minute-long phreatic eruption at Merapi which began at 1349 on 23 May was heard from the Babadan observation post. A plume was not visible due to inclement weather, though minor ashfall was reported in Ngepos post. On 24 May an event at 0256 generated an ash plume that rose 6 km above the crater rim and drifted W. Roaring was heard from all of the Merapi observation posts. A two-minute-long event at 1048 produced an ash plume that rose 1.5 km and drifted W. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and PVMBG noted that all people within 3 km of the summit should be evacuated.

Piton de la Fournaise | Reunion Island (France) : OVPF reported that the eruption at Piton de la Fournaise which began on 27 April from fissures at Rivals Crater continued through 29 May. Tremor levels continued to decrease slightly, though were mostly stable at low levels. Observations on 24 May indicated flowing lava was mostly confined to tubes, though a small area of incandescence was visible at the main crater.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Nepal

Wildfires are raging through several forests, protected areas and bio-corridors in Kailali district, destroying local flora and fauna on their paths.

The district’s assistant forest officer Bhim Prasad Dhakal said on Tuesday that wildfires were raging in Mohana bio-corridor and the forests in Basanta, Karnali, Chure and Bhawar areas. “More than 500 hectares of forest cover has been destroyed so far,” Dhakal said.

In Kailali, there is no mechanism in place to control forest fires.

Wildfires - California, USA

A fire near Byron, California started to spread quickly on Wednesday, growing to include seven wildfires across 500 acres, authorities said. Firefighters from Contra Costa and Alameda counties were battling flames about 60 miles east of San Francisco, on Wednesday, the Alameda County Fire Department said.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.2 earthquake hits the Greenland Sea.

5.0 earthquake hits the Mayotte region.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic Ocean: Sub-Tropical Depression Alberto is located about 55 mi...90 km ssw of Evansville Indiana with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...n or 10 degrees at 15 mph...25 km/h.

Wildlife

Japanese Whale Slaughter

Japanese research vessels harpooned, killed and necropsied 333 Antarctic minke whales during an annual hunt last summer — and 122 of those whales were pregnant.

The expedition, reportedly mounted for "scientific research," also resulted in the slaughter of 114 immature whales, according to a report of the hunt released by the International Whaling Commission.

According to the report, researchers set out to acquire data on the age, size and stomach contents of minke whales in the South Ocean between Australia and Antarctica. This involved shooting the whales with grenade-tipped harpoons (a controversial killing method that results in instant death only 50 to 80 percent of the time), hauling the slain whales aboard a research vessel and cutting them apart on-site.

Killing the whales in this fashion was necessary, the researchers wrote, as "age information can be obtained only from internal earplugs and therefore only through lethal sampling methods."

Despite Japan's claims that continued whale hunts like these are purely scientific, the country also allows whale flesh to be sold in markets and restaurants and ultimately plans to revive its commercial whaling industry, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. This potential profit motive — coupled with recent footage of Japanese vessels slaying whales in an Australian whale sanctuary — has resulted in international condemnation of the country's brutal hunting practices.

Wildfires

Wildfires - British Columbia, Canada

Crews are making some progress containing two of three major wildfires that have forced evacuations in three regions of of BC.

The wildfire service says the 27-square kilometre Allie Lake blaze northwest of Kamloops is now 35 per cent contained. Guards are up around 25 per cent of the five-square kilometre Xusum Creek wildfire west of Lillooet.

But the nearly 170-square kilometre Tommy Lakes fire northwest of Fort St. John is still out of control, seven days after it was sparked by lightning.

Disease

Uganda - Cholera

With the current rainy season and the worsening slum conditions in and around Kampala district, the city didn’t wait long to face another cholera outbreak. Since February this year, most parts of the country have been struggling with cholera as a result of heavy rains. On Friday 4th May 2018, the Ministry of Health in Uganda declared another cholera outbreak in Kampala.

Chad - Measles, Meningitis

Since the start of the year, 400 measles cases, including 14 deaths, were reported as of 20 May compared to 205 cases and one death over the same period in 2017. Three districts have reached the epidemic threshold.

In addition, 218 meningitis cases and 34 deaths were recorded as of 20 May. Over the same period in 2017, 181 cases including 16 deaths were reported. Infections in Zour district in the northern Tibesti region reached epidemic levels in early May, while Goundi district in the south remains in alert phase.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.7 earthquake hits the Sumbawa region, Indonesia.

5.2 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.

5.2 earthquake hits the Nias region, Indonesia.

5.0 earthquake hits San Juan, Argentina.

5.0 earthquake hits Tarapaca, Chile.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic Ocean: Sub-Tropical Depression Alberto is located about 30 mi...45 km w of Montgomery Alabama with maximum sustained winds...30 mph...45 km/h. Present movement...nnw or 345 degrees at 13 mph...20 km/h.

NewsBytes:

South Carolina, USA - Rains on the fringes of Subtropical Storm Alberto have caused flooding along the South Carolina coast. Forecasters say Monday's floods could be just the beginning as Alberto moves onshore in the Florida Panhandle and to the west of the state. Monday's storms dumped up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) of rain, causing minor flooding around Myrtle Beach and Conway. Rains on the fringes of Subtropical Storm Alberto have caused flooding along the South Carolina coast. Alberto, came ashore Monday along the Florida Panhandle, bringing heavy rain to a wide swath of the Southeast and claiming the lives of two journalists on duty in North Carolina.

Environment

Drought in Mauritania

Mauritania is currently facing a very serious food and nutrition insecurity situation, the worst that the country has seen in the last five years. According to the results of the latest Harmonized Framework (HF) of March 2018, 350,600 people are currently in severe food insecurity (phase 3, 4) and these figures could reach 538,446 people for the projected period of June to August 2018. These projections for the period of June-August correspond to 14 percent of the population, raising fears of a major food crisis.

Disease

Dengue Fever - Easter Island

In a follow-up to a report one month ago, the dengue fever situation on Easter Island (Rapa Nui) has grown to 13 locally acquired cases, prompting a health alert for the area.

Mycoplasma bovis - New Zealand

New Zealand, the world’s biggest dairy exporter, will spend more than NZ$880 million ($610 million) in a bid to eradicate the mycoplasma bovis cattle disease, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday.

About 1,26,000 cows are expected to be culled, mainly over the next two years, as government and industry work to depopulate all infected farms, the government said in a statement.

The disease, which is common in many countries, was first detected in New Zealand at a farm in the South Island last July and some 37 properties have now tested positive for the illness. “Today’s decision to eradicate is driven by the government’s desire to protect the national herd from the disease and protect the base of our economy the farming sector,” Ms. Ardern said in a statement.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 earthquake hits Unimak Island, Alaska.

5.2 earthquake case Fiji.

5.1 earthquake hits the Jilin-Heilongjiang border, China.

5.0 earthquake hits Guam.

5.0 earthquake hits the Nicobar Islands off India.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic Ocean: Sub-Tropical Storm Alberto is located about 125 mi...200 km s of Destin Florida with maximum sustained winds...65 mph...100 km/h. Present movement...nw or 315 degrees at 7 mph...11 km/h.

NewsBytes:

England - Storms caused flash flooding across the West Midlands as more than a month's rainfall deluged parts of Birmingham in just one hour on Sunday. A man in his 80s died in Walsall after his vehicle was submerged in flooding and parts of Northamptonshire were hit. Met Office amber weather warnings of rain and thunderstorms are in place this afternoon for East Anglia, London and the South East and the South West. Homes and businesses were flooded across Shropshire after heavy rainfall.

Maryland, USA - Flash floods following violent thunderstorms have roared through Maryland state's Ellicott City sweeping away cars and causing major damage.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

When animals have their ‘silly’ moments

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 earthquake hits Fiji.

5.0 earthquake hits Fiji.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic Ocean: Sub-Tropical Storm Alberto is located about 85 mi...135 km wnw of the Dry Tortugas and about 330 mi...530 km s of Apalachicola Florida with maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/h. Present movement...nne or 15 degrees at 13 mph...20 km/h.

Storm Alberto has been officially named as the first storm of the 2018 hurricane season as it slowly sweeps through the Caribbean sea. The subtropical storm threatens to bring heavy rain and potential flooding to Mexico, Cuba, Florida and the US Gulf Coast. Tropical storm watches have been issued and experts have warned up to 12 inches of rain could fall in localised areas.

NewsBytes:

Oman - Cyclone Mekunu caused flash flooding that tore away whole roadways and submerged others in Salalah, Oman's third-largest city, stranding drivers. Strong winds knocked over street lights and tore away roofing. Rushing waters from the rain and storm surges flooded typically dry creek beds. The storm killed at least five people while more than 30 remain missing, officials said.

Disease

Chikungunya - India

India has reported 9,175 suspected chikungunya cases through April 2018, according to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program of the Ministry of Health. Karnataka state has reported the most cases at 4,879, followed by Gujarat (1357) and Maharashtra (966).

Rift Valley Fever - South Africa

An isolated outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) has been detected on a single farm in the Jacobsdal area of Free State, South Africa, bordering Northern Cape. A total of 250 sheep deaths/abortions were documented and laboratory confirmed on 16 May 2018. No human cases have been detected to date.

Foot and Mouth Disease - Zimbabwe

An outbreak of foot and mouth disease has hit Gutu district which became the latest hard-hit area after Chiredzi in just a month, forcing the veterinary department to issue an order restricting the movement of cattle from the two districts.

Masvingo Beef Farmers Association Chairman Robert Makado confirmed the latest outbreak of foot and mouth in Gutu and blamed the veterinary department for failing to be proactive in dealing with the problem.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 earthquake hits Kepulauan Barat Daya, Indonesia.

5.0 earthquake hits the Mayotte region.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone (tc) 02a (Mekunu), located approximately 41 nm west of Salalah, Oman, is tracking northwestward at 07 knots. This is the final warning for this system.

In the North Atlantic Ocean: Sun-Tropical Storm Alberto is located About 95 mi...150 km ese of Cozumel Mexico and about 145 mi...235 km ssw of the western tip of Cuba with maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/h. Present movement...nne or 15 degrees at 7 mph...11 km/h.

NewsBytes:

Czech Republic - Clean-up operations are underway in central, western and southern Bohemia which were hit by flash floods on Thursday night. Flood alerts have been called off, but a number of roads were still closed in the Karlovy Vary region on Friday and many homes remained without electricity. Firemen have been working around-the-clock to clear roads and pump water from cellars in the wake of Thursday’s storms. The severe storms hit the country following a lengthy period of drought.

Kenya - Two people and 70 livestock have been swept away by flash floods in Kabunyany river. 300 families have been displaced by floods as rains continue to pound Baringo County.

Iceland - The Iceland Met Office has issued a warning for heavy rainfall and possible flooding for South and South West Iceland, Friday. Heavy rainfall is forecast for the South and South-West parts of the county from Friday evening 25 May, continuing through the weekend.

Wildlife

Zambia to reinstate hippo cull

Just about two years ago, this website reported on the Zambian government sanctioned plan to cull 2,000 hippos as a ‘wildlife management tool’ to prevent the future spread of anthrax among wild animals.

Just a short period later, the government suspended the cull “to allow for further consultation with stakeholders”.

Now, the wildlife conservation organization, Born Free, reports the 2016 decision not to cull has been reversed, prompting calls for Zambian leaders to personally intervene and call a permanent halt to this damaging and distressing plan, with immediate effect.

According to a Born Free press release Thursday– In a shocking and secretive move, Zambian authorities have overturned their 2016 decision to suspend the brutal culling of up to 2,000 hippos in the world-famous Luangwa Valley over the next five years. The cull is once again being promoted to trophy hunters as a hunt, this time by the South African hunting outfitter Umlilo Safaris.

Global Warming

The Chemicals That Were Harming The Ozone Layer Are Back

One of humanity’s big achievements when it comes to managing our environment has been the phasing-out of chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs - the chemicals that were blasting a hole in Earth’s ozone layer.

However, there may now be a new problem. Scientists from the US, UK and the Netherlands have discovered that someone, for some unknown reason, is continuing to produce CFCs, which were banned under the 1987 Montreal Protocol.

The specific chemical in question is CFC-11, which was once widely used in appliances and foam building insulation. Still found in some old freezers, it was supposed to be completely out of production by 2010. But an analysis of long-term atmospheric measurements suggests it’s still being made somewhere in East Asia—and that means the concentrations of CFC-11 in the atmosphere are declining more slowly than they should be.

The researchers found that emissions of CFC-11 were between 2014 and 2016 up by a quarter from the average between 2002 and 2012. If the source can be identified and controlled soon, they said, the damage to the ozone layer “should be minor.” If not, then it will take substantially longer than anticipated for the ozone layer to recover.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 earthquake hits the central mid-Atlantic Ridge.

5.4 earthquake is Fiji.

5.0 earthquake hits Madagascar.

5.0 earthquake hits the mid-Indian Ridge.

5.5 earthquake hits the south east Indian Ridge.

5.0 earthquake hits north-west of the Ryukyu Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone (tc) 02a (Mekunu), located approximately 83 nm south-southeast of Salalah, Oman, is tracking north-northwestward at 06 knots.

In the North Atlantic Ocean: A broad surface low centered over the southeastern Yucatan Peninsula continues to develop along Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula with a 70% chance of tropical cyclone formation.

NewsBytes:

Sri Lanka - Monsoon rains have caused flooding across much of Sri Lanka, leading to the deaths of at least 13 people and displacement of more than 400,000 others. A number of major rivers to burst their banks affecting more than 120,000 people in half of the country's 25 districts. The military has been deployed to help.

Wildlife

France - Asian Worm Invasion

A silent invasion of giant hammerhead flatworms has been occurring for the past two decades in France and some of its territories.

The extent of the invasion was uncovered by citizen scientists, who found that several non-native species now slither across urban areas of southern France and its overseas territories from the Caribbean to Oceania.

The ecological impact of the invasion is unclear, but the worms prey on animals living in the ground, including earthworms.

The Asian natives are believed to be inadvertently spreading through international trade.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

Eerie blue flames flared from the ground on Hawaii's Big Island on Tuesday night (May 22), marking a rarely seen phenomenon that can arise during volcanic eruptions. When red-hot lava buries plants and shrubs, the burning vegetation produces methane, a colorless gas that burns blue, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

When methane is heated, it can seep into voids below the surface — in this case, the cracks on Kahukai Street in the residential area of Leilani Estates. Heated methane can explode, but when it was ignited on Tuesday night, its blue flames simply burned out of the fractures in the road, several feet away from the lava, the USGS reported.

Environment

Asia - Heat Wave

A searing pre-monsoon heat wave that has baked parts of South Asia for weeks killed at least 65 people during a three-day period in the southern Pakistan city of Karachi, according to a social welfare organization.

Temperatures soaring to 111 degrees Fahrenheit caused the deaths during the opening days of Ramadan, when most Muslims do not eat or drink in daylight hours. Power failures made finding relief from the heat nearly impossible for many.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 121 degrees Fahrenheit (49.4 degrees Celsius) in Bahariya, Egypt.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 92.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 68.9 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.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Australia

Life-threatening bushfires in Western Australia's south have destroyed at least one home and buildings at a holiday-stay farm. An emergency warning was issued for parts of Napier, Redmond and Marbelup in the City of Albany on Thursday night and also for Elleker on Friday afternoon.

More than 50 bushfires have torn through the region since Thursday, including at Stirling Range National Park, where over 17,800 hectares have been burnt.

The two most dangerous bushfires had burnt through about 4300 hectares by Friday afternoon and more strong winds are expected.

Disease

Dengue Fever - Reunion

Public Health France has reported an additional 387 biologically confirmed and probable dengue fever cases in the past week on Reunion Island. This brings the total since the beginning of the year to 3416 laboratory confirmed or probable cases. Seventy-five people required hospitalization for their illness, nine with severe dengue.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Obgoing Activity for the week of 16 May – 22 May 2018

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that there were 13 events and 20 explosions at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 14-21 May. Tephra was ejected as far as 1.1 km from the crater, and ash plumes rose as high as 2.7 km above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

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

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 12-14 May that sent ash plumes as high as 2.8 km (9,200 ft) a.s.l. Ash plumes drifted about 20 km SW on 13 May. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Fuego | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that beginning at 1400 on 17 May a lahar descended the Seca (Santa Teresa) drainage on Fuego’s W flank. The lahar was 25 m wide, 1 m deep, and carried trees and blocks 1.5 m in diameter. During 19-21 May explosions occurred at a rate of 5-8 per hour, and generated ash plumes that rose almost 1 km and drifted 10-20 km S, SW, and W. Some explosions were accompanied by rumbling audible more than 30 km away, and shock waves that vibrated structures in Morelia (9 km SW) and Panimaché (8 km SW). Incandescent material was ejected 200-300 m above the crater rim, and generated avalanches of material within the Seca, Ceniza (SSW), and Las Lajas (SE) drainages that reached vegetated areas. Ash fell in areas downwind including in Santa Sofía (12 km SW), Morelia, Panimaché I and II, and Finca Palo Verde. A lava flow 700-800 m long was active in the Ceniza drainage.

Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 13-15 May a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was identified in satellite images, as well as ash plumes drifting about 150 km SW on 14 May. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Kirishimayama | Kyushu (Japan) : The Tokyo VAAC reported that on 15 May ash plumes from Shinmoedake (Shinmoe peak), a stratovolcano of the Kirishimayama volcano group, were identified in satellite images drifting S at an altitude of 7.6 km (25,000 ft) a.s.l. JMA noted that white plumes rose 100 m above the crater rim during 18-21 May. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-5).

Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Klyuchevskoy was identified in satellite images during 13-14 May. Strong explosions began at 0315 on 15 May, and generated ash plumes that rose as high as 10.5 km (34,400 ft) a.s.l. The ash clouds lingered around Klyuchevskoy and surrounding volcanoes for about eight hours before gradually dissipating. Nighttime summit incandescence and a hot avalanche were noted. The Aviation Color Code was raised to Orange.

Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosive activity at Sabancaya was comparable to the previous week; explosions averaged 30 per day during 14-20 May. Seismicity was dominated by long-period events and signals indicating emissions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 1.9 km above the crater rim and drifted N and NW. The MIROVA system detected nine thermal anomalies, and on 19 May the sulfur dioxide gas flux was high at 3,147 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 on 28 and 11-16 May. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Sinabung | Indonesia : PVMBG reported that during 16-21 May gray-to-white plumes from Sinabung rose as high as 700 m above the crater rim and drifted in multiple directions. At 0900 on 20 May an event produced an ash plume that rose 700 m and drifted NW. An ash plume from an event later that day at 2122 rose 2.5 km and drifted W and NW. 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.

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that an event at Turrialba at 0900 on 21 May generated a plume that rose to an unknown height due to poor visibility.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 earthquake hits south of Panama.

5.0 earthquake hits Namibia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone (tc) 02a (Mekunu), located approximately 254 nm south-southeast of Salalah, Oman, is tracking northward at 06 knots.

The tropical storm which developed in the southwest Arabian Sea intensified yesterday evening into Cyclone Mekunu. The cyclone is moving currently north-northwest at a speed of 06 nm. Mekunu is expected to continue moving in this direction during the remainder of this week and make landfall near Salalah, Oman on about Saturday 26 May.

In the North Atlantic Ocean: A broad surface low centered over the southeastern Yucatan Peninsula has become better defined since yesterday, and it continues to produce a large area of cloudiness and showers extending from the northwestern Caribbean Sea across Cuba into the Florida Straits. Continued slow development of this system is possible during the next couple of days as it drifts northward near the Yucatan Peninsula.

NewsBytes:

Southeast USA - Heavy rains from the Gulf of Mexico spawned flooding in the Southeastern states Wednesday ahead of what could become the year's first tropical storm, just as tourist season begins. The National Hurricane Center said a disturbance still over water in the western Caribbean had a 70 percent chance of becoming a subtropical or tropical system by Memorial Day, and rain is forecast to continue even if it doesn't. In southeastern Alabama, downpours already covered roads and bridges in Lee County. Emergency management officials said at least two bridges collapsed and multiple roads were barricaded because of high water.

Cape Town, South Africa - From drought to Floods. The City of Cape Town's Disaster Risk Management Centre on Wednesday warned of heavy rain and flooding in the metro and in the Overberg district.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

A remotely operated vehicle named Hercules filmed a rarely seen jellyfish that looks like a cross between an alien and a pinkish makeup bag.

Disease

Nipah Virus - India - Update

In a follow-up on the Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala state, India, the Ministry of Health provided the following numbers as of May 24:

Total number of confirmed cases: 13

Total number of suspected cases: 16

Total number of deaths: 11

Measles - Japan - Update

A measles outbreak that began in March in Okinawa has grown to near 150 cases across the country, according to the Japanese National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID). As of May 16, 149 cases have been confirmed including the 99 in Okinawa. In addition to Okinawa, health officials have reported 23 cases in Aichi, 17 in Fukuoka and at least two in Tokyo.

Cholera - Nigeria

A cholera outbreak has killed 12 people and may have infected at least 134 others in the northeast Nigerian state of Adamawa, a medical official said on Wednesday.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 16 May – 22 May 2018

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : On 16 May HVO reported ongoing deflation at Kilauea’s summit, where the lava lake continued to recede in the Overlook Crater; by the afternoon the caldera floor had dropped a total of almost 1 m since the onset of the lake drainage. The drop of the floor stressed faults around the caldera causing earthquakes as strong at M 4.4. HVO and National Park staff reported frequent ground shaking, and damage to roads and buildings. Phreatic explosions had ejected blocks up to 60 cm in diameter that were found in the parking lot a few hundred meters from Halema’uma’u Crater. Ash plume heights varied, but generally rose no higher than 1.2 km and drifted N. Lava continued to erupt from multiple vents at the NE end of the active fissure system at the Lower East Rift Zone (LERZ). Lava from fissure 17 advanced about 90 m. Weak spattering arose from fissure 18, and fissure 20 was again active.

At about 0415 on 17 May an explosive event (or a series of explosions) at Overlook Crater generated an ash plume that, according to the Washington VAAC, rose as high as 9.1 km (30,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE. Ash fell in areas downwind, including in the Volcano Golf Course and Volcano Village. Subsequent gas, steam, and ash emissions rose to 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW. Fissure 17 actively spattered, though its lava flow had nearly stalled. Fissures 18, 19, and 20 reactivated, and a new fissure (21) opened between fissures 7 and 3. A 50-100-m-wide depression with cracks formed parallel to the fissures between Highway 130 and Lanipuna Gardens, into which pahoehoe lava flowed from fissures 20 and 21. Fissure 22 opened just downrift of fissure 19.

On 18 May a robust gas-and-steam plume rose from Overlook Crater, punctuated by several minor ash emissions. At 2358 a short-lived explosion generated an ash plume that rose up to 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW. Spattering continued from fissures 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, and 22, with pahoehoe lava flows being erupted from fissures 17, 18, and 20. Large fountains at fissure 17 ejected bits of spatter 100 m high. Lava flows from fissure 18 traveled almost 1 km SE, and a flow from fissure 15 crossed Pohoiki Road. A fast-moving lava flow (275-365 m per hour) emerged from fissure 20 and traveled SE, across Pohoiki Road. Gas emissions remained elevated in areas downwind of the fissure system; air quality was poor from gas emissions as well as smoke from burning vegetation. Earthquake locations had not moved farther downrift in the previous few days.

Small ash emissions from Overlook Crater occurred intermittently on 19 May. The eruption of lava and ground cracking in the area of Leilani Estates subdivision continued. Fissure 17 was weakly active after fountaining earlier in the day. Fissures 16-20 merged into a continuous line of spatter and fountaining; flows from this fissure 20 complex flowed 275 m/hour S. Two of the flows joined less than a 1.6 km from the ocean and continued to flow S between Pohoiki and Opihikao roads.

During 19-20 May there were two explosive eruptions from Overlook Crater, and several smaller ash emissions. Lava flows reached the ocean overnight (late on 19 May) along the SE Puna coast. On 20 May spatter was ejected from fissures 6 and 17, and fissure 20 produced significant lava flows. A ground crack opened under the E lava channel diverting lava into underground voids. Gas emissions tripled as a result of the voluminous eruptions from fissure 20. Photos take in the afternoon showed two ocean entries along approximately 1 km of coastline.

A small explosion at Overlook Crater at 0055 on 21 May produced an ash plume that rose around 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW. Several smaller emissions throughout the day ejected abundant ash. Robust steam-and-gas plumes also rose from the crater. Lava fountains from fissure 22 fed a channelized lava flow that entered the ocean N of MacKenzie State Park. Spattering occurred at fissures 6, 17, and 19. Small ash emissions from Overlook Crater continued on 22 May. Lava continued to enter the ocean, though by the afternoon only one entry was active. Most of the LERZ activity shifted to the middle part of the fissure system. The Aviation colour Code remained at Red and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Warning.

Langila | New Britain (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 17-18 and 21-22 May ash plumes from Langila rose to altitudes of 2.1-2.4 km (7,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted WSW, W, and WNW.

Merapi | Central Java (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that a phreatic eruption at Merapi began at 0125 on 21 May and lasted for 19 minutes, generating an ash plume that rose 700 m above the crater and drifted W. A six-minute-long phreatic eruption began at 0938 and produced an ash plume that rose 1.2 km above the crater. Ashfall from both events was reported in areas 15 km downwind. A third event, detected at 1750, lasted three minutes and produced a plume of unknown height. After the events one volcano-tectonic earthquake and one tremor event were recorded. The seismicity along with increased phreatic events prompted PVMBG to raise the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Piton de la Fournaise | Reunion Island (France) : OVPF reported that the eruption at Piton de la Fournaise which began on 27 April from fissures at Rivals Crater continued through 22 May. Flowing lava was mostly confined to tubes, though spatter was ejected 20-30 m above the highest-elevation (and most active) vent of the three. Lava was weakly ejected from the lowest-elevation vent. CO2 concentrations at the summit were high. Inflation continued to be detected. Tremor levels had increased around 15 May but then began to steadily decrease on 18 May. Observers noted a significant decrease in activity on 19 May at the highest-elevation vent, and by 22 May was quiet; the main cone continued to spatter.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 earthquake hits the central mid-Atlantic Ridge.

5.4 earthquake hits Tonga.

5.4 earthquake hits near the East Coast of Kamchatka.

5.2 earthquake hits off the coast of northern Peru.

5.0 earthquake hits Colombia.

5.0 earthquake hits south of Java, Indonesia.

5.0 earthquake hits the Mayotte region.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone (tc) 02a (Mekunu), located approximately 555 nm south-southwest of Masirah Island, is tracking north-northwestward at 04 knots.

NewsBytes:

India - Six people died and almost 18,000 are living in relief camps after flash floods triggered mudslides in Tripura. Parts of the state capital Agartala and outskirts of West Tripura, Khowai, Gomati and Sepahijala districts have been submerged.

Somalia - At least six people died and hundreds of homes were destroyed following heavy rainfall and flooding in Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia.

Sweden - Few would complain about the warmer weather Sweden is basking in these days, but in some parts of the country it has caused problems, thawing vast bodies of snow at a faster rate than usual. That is the case for the Vindelälven river in northern Sweden, where fast-melting snow caused the river to burst its banks and flood nearby buildings as the water level almost doubled. Photographer Grahame Soden, who captured dramatic images of the flood, described the river as a "raging torrent" for the last few days.

Virginia, USA - Heavy rainfall and storms that hit Central Virginia on Tuesday afternoon have reportedly caused damage and flooded roads throughout the area. Flooding has been reported on the Midlothian Turnpike and Forest Hill and Westover Hills Boulevard.

Disease

Nipah Virus - India

A rare virus spread by fruit bats, which can cause flu-like symptoms and brain damage, has killed 10 people in southern India, health officials said on Tuesday, with at least nine more being treated. There is no vaccine for the Nipah virus, which is spread through body fluids and can cause encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. Symptoms of Nipah virus can begin with headache and drowsiness but quickly transform into a coma within a matter of days.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.7 earthquake hits Guam.

5.4 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.

5.3 earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.

5.1 earthquake hits Guam.

5.1 earthquake hits Tunisia.

5.1 earthquake hits the Kazakhstan – Xinjiang border.

5.0 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone (tc) 02a (Two), located approximately 655 nm south of Masirah Island, is tracking northward at 05 knots.

NewsBytes:

Turkey - A mass clean up operation is underway after heavy rainfall caused parts of Ankara to flood. Roads turned into rivers as rain came down on the Turkish capital city. Dramatic footage showed people standing on top of their vehicles waiting for help. The flood waters damaged local shops causing severe damage. Firefighters have been helping the operation to save people stuck in the floods and clean up the city.

Wildlife

Humans just 0.01% of all life but have destroyed 83% of wild mammals – study

Humankind is revealed as simultaneously insignificant and utterly dominant in the grand scheme of life on Earth by a groundbreaking new assessment of all life on the planet.

The world’s 7.6 billion people represent just 0.01% of all living things, according to the study. Yet since the dawn of civilisation, humanity has caused the loss of 83% of all wild mammals and half of plants, while livestock kept by humans abounds.

The new work is the first comprehensive estimate of the weight of every class of living creature and overturns some long-held assumptions. Bacteria are indeed a major life form – 13% of everything – but plants overshadow everything, representing 82% of all living matter. All other creatures, from insects to fungi, to fish and animals, make up just 5% of the world’s biomass.

Another surprise is that the teeming life revealed in the oceans by the recent BBC television series Blue Planet II turns out to represent just 1% of all biomass. The vast majority of life is land-based and a large chunk – an eighth – is bacteria buried deep below the surface.

The new work reveals that farmed poultry today makes up 70% of all birds on the planet, with just 30% being wild. The picture is even more stark for mammals – 60% of all mammals on Earth are livestock, mostly cattle and pigs, 36% are human and just 4% are wild animals. A cattle farm in Mato Grosso, Brazil. 60% of all mammals on Earth are livestock.

The destruction of wild habitat for farming, logging and development has resulted in the start of what many scientists consider the sixth mass extinction of life to occur in the Earth’s four billion year history. About half the Earth’s animals are thought to have been lost in the last 50 years.

But comparison of the new estimates with those for the time before humans became farmers and the industrial revolution began reveal the full extent of the huge decline. Just one-sixth of wild mammals, from mice to elephants, remain, surprising even the scientists. In the oceans, three centuries of whaling has left just a fifth of marine mammals in the oceans.

Environment

Russia's Floating Nuclear Power Plant

Russia's got a floating nuclear plant on a barge, and it's heading for the Bering Strait — just a short hop from Alaska.

The "Akademik Lomonosov," according to a statement from Russian nuclear energy company Rosatom, docked in the Russian port of Murmansk on Saturday (May 19). There it will receive its supply of nuclear fuel. Tugboats will eventually haul the nuclear plant to the town of Pevek in the Russian Far East — just 53 miles (86 kilometers), as Reuters noted, from the western edge of Alaska, across the Bering Strait.

The St. Petersburg-built power plant will replace a coal plant and an older, landlocked nuclear plant. It will serve a population of about 50,000 people.

Rosatom pitches the Lomonosov as the first in a series of floating plants that will serve remote Russian communities and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Global Warming

Siberia’s mining potential grows due to global warming

As the Siberian land becomes more accessible because of global warming, it seems that we'll see a greater influx of mining operations in the region, assumes mining-technology.com. According to Globaldata's analyst Alok Shukla, there were over 220 operating mines in Siberia in 2017, which was 44% higher than the total number of mines in 2000. ''Siberia has a lot of mining potential,'' says the expert. ''There are over 25 mineral deposits currently having a life of over 20 years and 30 deposits having a life of over 30 years; [there are] approximately 10 deposits that can produce for another 40 years and three deposits having a life extending for another 70 years.''

However, the exploration is hindered by some of the harshest conditions in the world. Kupol gold mine in the Chukotka region exploited by Canadian company Kinross is only accessible by air for most of the year. All of the supplies for the year for its 1,000 workers are transported between November and April when a 220-mile ice road is opened. The isolation makes Siberian mines hard places to live and work.

Although Siberia is one of the coldest places on earth, global warming has already begun to affect the northern landscape. Less snow and ice in areas such as Siberia is potentially easing aspects such as transport, extraction and recruitment like it happens in the oil and gas industry, where the melting of Arctic ice has opened areas previously inaccessible or too treacherous for operations.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Siberia

Firefighters have extinguished nearly 100 wildfires across Russia on a total area of more than 7,400 hectares over the past 24 hours, the press service of the Aerial Forest Protection Service said on Tuesday.

"As of midnight on May 22, 45 wildfires were raging in the territory of 23,648 ha, and an active firefighting effort has been ongoing," the statement said.

On Monday, 55 fire hotspots on the area of 20,700 ha were registered in the Russian forests. The largest blazes are raging in the Far Eastern Amur Region, with 13,700 hectares covered by 12 blazes. Large areas engulfed by fires have also been registered in the Khabarovsk Region (960 ha), Primorye (17 ha), Yakutia (2 ha) and the Jewish Autonomous Region (50 ha).

Besides Russia’s Far East, the wildfires have been registered in the Transbaikal Region on the area of more than 8,600 ha, in the Chelyabinsk Region (200 ha), in the Murmansk Region (21 ha), the Republic of Dagestan (16 ha), in the Sverdlovsk, Murmansk, Chelyabinsk, and Tyumen Regions, and also in some areas of the Tyva Republic.

The firefighting effort involves some 2,500 people and more than 550 pieces of equipment. Some 33 aircraft are monitoring the situation.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 earthquake hits the Mayotte region.

5.2 earthquake hits near the East Coast of Kamchatka.

5.2 earthquake hits Guerrero, Mexico.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Sri Lanka - Three people were killed and more than 8,000 affected as heavy rains and strong winds lashed out across Sri Lanka. Flood warnings have been issued to several areas of Sri Lanka as a result of the heavy downpour.

Environment

Biodiversity Under Pressure

In what's being called a "stunning reality check," a new study published in the journal Science reveals that despite global efforts to safeguard biodiversity by establishing nature reserves, nearly a third of the world's "protected land is under intense human pressure."

While more than 90 percent of protected land worldwide has been degraded to some degree due to human activity, 32.8 percent—more than 2.3 million square miles—has been significantly impacted by human activity, according to the report.

"What we found was massive amounts of high-level human infrastructure, for example mining activity, industrial logging activity, industrial agriculture, townships, roads, and energy," lead author James Watson, a conservation scientist at the University of Queensland in Australia, told the Guardian.

"These are the places that nations have said they are setting aside for nature's needs not human needs," he added. "So for us to find such a significant amount of human infrastructure in places governments have set aside for safeguarding biodiversity is staggering."

Although the damage was most common in densely populated parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe, researchers emphasized that it is a global issue. Their findings bolster concerns generated from other recent reports that have shown that human activity—most notably, anthropogenic climate change—is causing "a major biodiversity crisis."

One example of a protected area that has been degraded by human activity is Barrow Island in Western Australia.

Global Warming

German Cities to Ban Diesel Cars

German cities are entitled to ban older diesel vehicles from streets with immediate effect to bring air pollution levels in line with European Union rules, Germany’s top administrative court confirmed on Friday.

Germany opened the door to diesel bans in February when it allowed environmental groups to sue cities which fail to enforce Europe’s clean air rules, despite fierce lobbying to oppose bans from carmakers.

Disease

Newcastle Disease - USA

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has detected virulent Newcastle disease in a small flock of backyard exhibition chickens in Los Angeles County. This is the first case of virulent Newcastle disease, previously referred to as exotic Newcastle disease, in the U.S. since 2003.

Anthrax - Uganda

Outbreaks of human and animal anthrax have been reported in the Arua, Kween and Kiruhura districts of Uganda. Goats, sheep and cattle have been affected by the outbreaks. The UN Children’s Fund says ten animal and twelve human cases had been reported.

Ebola - DRC - Update

Democratic Republic of Congo's health ministry says there is one new death from Ebola, bringing to 26 the number of deaths from the deadly outbreak in Equateur province in the country's northwest.

Four new cases have been confirmed as Ebola, said the health ministry in a statement released early on Sunday. A total of 46 cases of hemorrhagic fever have been reported in the current outbreak, including 21 confirmed cases of Ebola, 21 probable and four suspected.

Volcanos

Hawaiian lava eruptions continue

Hawaii residents coping with Kilauea's volcanic eruption faced a potentially deadly new hazard on Sunday as authorities warned that lava flows reaching the Pacific Ocean could produce noxious clouds of acid fumes, steam and tiny, glass-like particles.

The civil defense notices cautioned motorists, boaters and beachgoers to beware of caustic plumes of "laze" formed from two streams of hot lava pouring into the sea after cutting across Highway 137 on the south coast of Hawaii's Big Island late on Saturday and early Sunday.

The bulletins also warned that reports of toxic sulfur dioxide gas being vented from various points around the volcano had tripled, urging residents to "take action necessary to limit further exposure."

Laze - a term combining the words "lava" and haze" - is a mix of hydrochloric acid fumes, steam and fine volcanic glass specks created when erupting lava, which can reach 2 000 degrees Fahrenheit (1 093 degrees Celsius), reacts with sea water, Hawaii County Civil Defense said in a statement.

The lava also started a number of wildfires, which were contained by local authorities.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 earthquake hits Tonga.

5.1 earthquake hits the Mayotte region.

5.0 earthquake hits new Britain, Papua and New Guinea.

5.0 earthquake hits the island of Hawaii, Hawaii.

5.0 earthquake hit the South Sandwich Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits southern Sumatra Indonesia.

Earthquake Swarm - El Salvador

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources reported a seismic swarm in the area located between the municipalities of Chirilagua in San Miguel Department, and in Intipucá and El Carmen department in La Union Department since 5 May 2018. Some 733 seismic events occurred between 5 and 9 May, as reported by the National Seismic Network. The epicentre area was located between the municipalities mentioned above. Ninety-five of these earthquakes, whose magnitude range between 2.4 and 5.6, were felt by the population. The strongest of these earthquakes (magnitude 5.6 and intensity VII) was recorded on 6 May at 1:02 p.m. in Chirilagua and Intipucá. It caused severe damage to homes made of mud, adobe, or wattle and daub.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone 01a (Sagar), located approximately 88 nm south-southeast of Djibouti City, Djibouti, is tracking southwestward at 07 knots. This is the final warning for this system.

The tropical cyclone formed in the Gulf of Aden between Yemen and northern Somalia on 16 May 2018. The cyclone system caused heavy rains along the coast of Puntland on 17 May. Flash flooding was reported in the Bari region, which were not limited to seasonal riverbeds. The road linking Bossaso and points south has reportedly been affected. There are also reports of some fishing boats having been washed away by waves off the coast of Sanaag region, which along with Sool are disputed between Somaliland and Puntland. The two authorities have been engaged in an armed standoff in Sool that had displaced almost 10,000 people prior to the storms arrival, further complicating an already complex humanitarian picture. By 18 May, the cyclone had gained strength, reaching tropical storm-wind levels and assigned the name Tropical Cyclone Sagar. Heavy rains are projected for the escarpment and plateau of Somaliland. Tropical Storm SAGAR will likely have transformed into a Tropical Depression when it reaches Ethiopia - expected for Sunday early afternoon. Wind speeds will reach up to 56 km/h. SAGAR is expected to cause increased rainfall when it hits.

NewsBytes:

New Orleans, USA - Heavy rainstorms pounded the metropolitan area late Friday afternoon, thrashing tents at Bayou Boogaloo and flooding streets in Orleans and Jefferson parishes. The storm pelted parts of Metairie and Lakeview with hail, cut power to more than 11,000 residents and snarled traffic in Mid-City, where at least a couple of cars drove into a large hole where the standing water had obscured road construction.

Kenya - The floods in Kenya continue as more than 500 families have been displaced from their homes after River Sondu Miriu broke its banks. There are fears of disease outbreaks since most pit latrines too have been washed away. Several houses, farms were destroyed following the flash floods as a result of the heavy rains upstream.

Disease

Chicken pox: Vietnam

Chickenpox is being reported in increasing numbers in the northern regions of Vietnam. The Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi has received hundreds of adults with chickenpox, including dozens of severe complications such as multiple skin infections, pneumonia and encephalitis.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 earthquake hits south of Panama.

5.3 earthquake hits Minahasa, Sulawesi, Indonesia.

5.2 earthquake hits south of Panama.

5.2 earthquake hits near the north coast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.

5.1 earthquake hit the South Sandwich Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits Valparaiso, Chile.

5.1 earthquake hits Minahasa, Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone 01a (Sagar), located approximately 85 nm southeast of Djibouti City, Djibouti, is tracking west-southwestward at 05 knots.

The northern part of Sagar brought heavy rain and some minor flooding to coastal towns in Yemen's Hadramawt and Mahra provinces and Socotra Island.

NewsBytes:

South Carolina, USA - The National Weather Service says 2.75 inches of rain fell in Orangeburg in two hours. A flash flood warning was issued for the area during that time. 34 children had to be rescued from an Orangeburg daycare Friday after the building was overcoming by flash flood waters.

Virginia, USA - Downpours punctuating the workweek caused multiple water rescues and school closures Friday as the threat of flash flooding loomed over a weekend packed with scheduled outdoor events in the Richmond region. Rainfall totals ranged from less than 1 inch for some areas to more than 6 inches in some spots on the northwest side of the metro region. Totals topping 4 inches fell across a zone that extends from Midlothian to Tuckahoe to just north of Ashland, which triggered the flash flooding overnight Thursday.

Global Warming

Warming Waters Push Fish To Cooler Climes

The oceans are getting warmer and fish are noticing. Many that live along U.S. coastlines are moving to cooler water. New research predicts that will continue, with potentially serious consequences for the fishing industry.

As a warming climate is heating up their coastal habitats, fish and other marine animals are shifting their habitats further north quite rapidly.

The study considered 686 marine species ranging from bass and flounder to crab and lobster. It projected how much warmer oceans would get over the next 80 years, using various scenarios for emissions of greenhouse gases and the rate of global warming.

Some would move just a few miles. Others, like the Alaskan snow crab that gained fame on the television show Deadliest Catch, a lot more. They are projected to move up to 900 miles farther north, really dramatic changes for a species that’s very important.

But even a shift of a couple hundred miles can put fish or lobster out of range for small boats with limited fuel and time to get to a new fish habitat. And it’s a serious problem for organizations that manage fish stocks.

Disease

Measles in Europe: Significant outbreaks continue

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported Friday that Romania and France lead EU/EEA countries this year in measles.

The highest number of cases to date in 2018 were in Romania (2,712), France (2,173), Greece (1,948) and Italy (805) respectively. Twenty two deaths have also been reported by these countries in 2018. Additionally, there is an ongoing outbreak in England, UK with 440 confirmed measles cases reported this year.

Cameroon reports human monkeypox infections

On Thursday, Cameroon’s Public Health Minister issued a press statement saying human monkeypox cases have been reported in Njikwa, Momo Division, in the North West Region and Akwaya, Manyu, in the South West Region. The number of cases was not disclosed.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.1 earthquake hits east of North Island, New Zealand.

5.8 earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan.

5.7 earthquake hits south of the Kermedec Islands.

5.5 earthquake hits Guam.

5.3 earthquake hit the southern mid-Atlantic Ridge.

5.1 earthquake hits Samoa.

5.1 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits near the coast of central Peru.

5.0 earthquake hits the loyalty Islands.

Two 5.0 earthquakes hit the Kermedec Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone 01a (Sagar), located approximately 89 nm southeast of Aden, Yemen, is tracking west-southwestward at 06 knots.

El Niño Outlook

 

The recent La Niña ocean cooling across the tropical Pacific may be replaced toward the end of this year by an El Niño warming, which could bring its own set of weather disruptions. The U.S. agency NOAA predicts there is a 50 percent chance El Niño will return by the 2018-19 Northern Hemisphere winter. The last El Niño was linked to crop damage, deadly wildfires and flash floods during 2016.

Global Warming

400th straight warmer-than-average month

It was December 1984, and President Reagan had just been elected to his second term, Dynasty was the top show on TV and Madonna's Like a Virgin topped the musical charts.

It was also the last time the Earth had a cooler-than-average month.

Last month marked the planet's 400th consecutive month with above-average temperatures, federal scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Thursday.

The cause for the streak? Unquestionably, it’s climate change, caused by humanity's burning of fossil fuels.

Environment

Towelette Pollution

Masses of wet wipes accumulating along riverbanks are causing concern that the waste product is altering the ecology and shape of some of the world’s waterways.

The moist towelettes and baby wipes are made with polyester or polypropylene, and are not biodegradable.

British researchers recently found more than 5,000 of them along the River Thames in an area the size of half a tennis court.

“People get confused and don’t realize that you are not supposed to flush wet wipes down the toilet,” environmental advocate Kirsten Downer of Thames 21 told The Guardian.

Wildlife

Dam Good Work

Returning wild beavers to their former habitats can help clean up polluted waterways and restore the natural environment for other wildlife, according to a new study by the University of Exeter.

The British scientists worked with the Devon Wildlife Trust to find that the toothy animals can remove large amounts of sediment, as well as nitrogen and phosphorus pollution created by agriculture, from the water that flows through the ponds they create with their dams.

All that material can create problems for wildlife and, without the beavers, needs to be removed at processing plants before the water can be used by humans.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 118 degrees Fahrenheit (47.8 degrees Celsius) in Newabshah, Pakistan.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 78.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 61.1 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

Dengue Fever - Thailand

In a follow-up report, Thailand health officials recently reported the number of dengue cases has topped 10,000 for 2018. Since the beginning of the year through May 15, a total of 10,446 cases were reported from 77 provinces (morbidity rate was 15.97 / 100,000 population).

Emerging Virus

A new virus that causes acute illness and even death in pigs has shown the ability to be passed on to humans, according to researchers at Ohio State University and Holland’s Utrecht University.

Porcine deltacoronavirus was first identified in 2012 among Chinese pigs. It has since caused sometimes-fatal diarrhea and vomiting in Ohio swine.

Researchers say they have found the virus can readily infect laboratory-cultured cells of humans and other species. No human cases have so far been documented, but scientists say they are concerned about the possibility.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 9 May – 15 May 2018

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that during 7-11 May there were 12 events, three of which were explosions, at Minamidake crater (at Aira caldera’s Sakurajima volcano). Tephra was ejected as far as 700 m from the crater, and ash plumes rose as high as 2.8 km (9,200 ft) above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Bagana | Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 11 May at 0900 an ash plume from Bagana rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW. The plume dispersed within six hours.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 9-15 May ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.5-2 km (4,500-6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and S.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions at Ebeko on 4 May and during 6-10 May that sent ash plumes as high as 2.4 km (7,875 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Fuego | Guatemala : Small ash explosions at Fuego on 11 and 12 May rose to 5 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l., or approximately 1 km (3,280 ft) above the summit. The ash dispersed quickly to the southwest and was visible on webcams.

Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : Based on satellite data, KVERT reported that during 11-14 May explosions at Karymsky generated ash plumes that rose as high as 3.5 km (11,500 ft) and drifted 145 km SW. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Kirishimayama | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that at Shinmoedake (Shinmoe peak), a stratovolcano of the Kirishimayama volcano group, an eruption occurred between 1444 and 1610 on 14 May. The plume rose to 4.5 km (15,000 ft) above the crater and drifted SE. A pyroclastic flow travelled 2 km down the flank. Volcanic earthquake rates under the crater increased after the eruption. Shallow, low-frequency earthquakes and tremor were also reported. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-5).

Langila | New Britain (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 13 May at 0709 an ash plume from Langila rose to an altitude of 5.5 km (17,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W. An image acquired around six hours later indicated that the ash from the event had dissipated.

Popocatepetl | Mexico : CENAPRED reported that each day during 9-15 May there were 51-137 steam and gas emissions from Popocatépetl as well as ongoing incandescence from the summit. Additionally, three explosions were recorded: at 1834 on 11 May, at 0912 on 11 May, and at 1452 on 14 May. These explosions dispersed ash to the S and SW. Volcano-tectonic earthquakes with magnitudes up to M 2.8 also occurred throughout the time period.

Reventador | Ecuador : During 9-15 May, IG reported ongoing high levels of eruptive activity at Reventador. Steam, gas, and ash emissions continued, with plumes moving to the N and W. On 12 and 13 May, a small lava flow was observed on the E flank 700 m below the summit.

Sabancaya | Peru : Intermittent ash and gas emissions at Sabancaya during 9-15 May were reported by the Buenos Aires VAAC, with plume altitudes reaching 7-9 km (2,300-3,000 ft) a.s.l.

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a weak thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 10-14 May. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.

Stromboli | Aeolian Islands (Italy) : INGV reported typical activity at Stromboli from 7 to 13 May, with 2-4 hourly low-intensity explosions to heights of less than 80 m (300 ft) above the crater, in the North crater area. Fine ash as well as lapilli and bombs were ejected. The South Central crater area vents produced between 5-12 hourly, low-intensity explosions, also to heights of less than 80 m above the crater. Continuous degassing was also observed from these vents. On 13 May there was an increased frequency of explosions, with 16 events/hour. No significant variations were reported in seismological, deformation, or geochemical parameters.

Suwanosejima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : The Tokyo VAAC reported that explosions occurred at Suwanosejima on 15 May, based on information from JMA.

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI reported that there were strong emissions of SO2 from Turrialba, accompanied by vigorous fumarolic activity and jetting noises. An ash plume was reported on 10 May, with ashfall in La Pastora de Santa Cruz de Turrialba and Pacayas. A weak water vapor and gas plume was detected at 0920 on 13 May, rising 300-500 m (1000-1600 ft) above the summit. Seismicity was low, with low-amplitude long-period earthquakes and some low-amplitude tremor. Continuous low-amplitude tremor was report on 13 May.

Kilauea Spews Boulders in 5-Mile-High Eruption

An explosion at Kilauea volcano's summit spawned chunky boulders and a tremendous volcanic cloud that reached as high as commercial airplanes fly — about 30,000 feet (5.6 miles, or 9.1 kilometers) above sea level — early yesterday morning (May 17) local time.

The explosion began as the volcano spewed out boulders hundreds of feet into the air at 4:15 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The earth-shattering event happened at the Overlook Vent, which holds a lava lake known as Halema'uma'u. On May 10, geologists with the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) said that as Halema'uma'u drained further, there was a risk it could intersect with the water table underground, and heat that groundwater. If the crater's conduit became plugged by infalling boulders, the trapped steam could erupt dramatically, spewing boulders.

The new explosion sent Kilauea into code red, the highest-level warning for the volcano on Hawaii's Big Island.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.8 earthquake hits south of the Kermedec Islands.

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

5.1 earthquake hits near Mexico City.

5.0 earthquake hits south of Java, Indonesia.

5.0 earthquake hits southern Greece.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Northwest Pacific Ocean : Tropical depression 01e (One), located approximately 1388 nm southwest of San Diego, is tracking westward at 06 knots.

NewsBytes:

Colombia - The Hidroituango dam on the river Cauca was in the final stages of construction when a blocked tunnel was cleared on Saturday night, causing flooding downstream that swept through a riverside hamlet. Six hundred people were left homeless and two bridges, two schools and a health centre were destroyed. On Wednesday, authorities issued evacuation orders for eight municipalities downstream from the dam amid fears of another wave of flooding as heavy rains continue to batter the megaproject. The total number of inhabitants in the eight municipalities is believed to number up to 120,000. So far no deaths or missing people have been reported.

Maryland, USA - A surge of rainwater flooded streets and submerged cars in Maryland. Golf-ball size hail and up to six inches of rain fell in about two hours, overwhelming creeks and flooding roads. Several roads in the Frederick area remained closed Wednesday morning as crews monitored receding waters.

Afghanistan - The death toll in the floods in Afghanistan has risen to 60 with 5 people injured. Five people were injured, the agency said in a statement. It did not specify the casualties by province. Some 343 homes were destroyed, while 663 more were partially damaged, by the floods.

Disease

Dengue Fever - Reunion

In continuing coverage of the 2018 dengue epidemic on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion off the African coast, French health officials reported an additional 388 biologically confirmed and probable cases in the past week, bringing the total cases to 2980 confirmed or probable cases reported since the Jan. 1.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 9 May – 15 May 2018

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : On 9 May the intermittent eruption of lava in Leilani Estates in the lower East Rift Zone (ERZ) of Kilauea continued. In the northeast part of the area, fissure 15 extended across Poihiki Road, generating a pahoehoe flow about 20 m (66 ft) long. In the summit caldera, steady lowering of the Overlook Crater lava lake within Halema`uma`u crater raised the potential for steam-driven explosions if the lava column dropped to the groundwater level and allowed water into the conduit. On 10 and 11 May, little new extrusive activity was noted from the ERZ fissures, though there were continued earthquakes, ground deformation, and considerable gas discharge. Tiltmeters recorded ongoing deflation and the Overlook crater lava level continued to drop.

Fissure 16 opened at 0645 on 12 May near the end of Hinalo Road. It produced a lava flow that traveled about 230 m before stalling around 1430. An area that had been actively steaming developed into fissure 17, reported at 1800 just east of fissure 16, and was actively spattering and degassing. At the summit, rockfalls from the steep walls into Overlook crater generated intermittent small steam-and-ash clouds throughout the day.

Lava eruptions continued on 13 May along the lower ERZ. Aerial observations showed that a new outbreak in the early morning about 900 m NE of the end of Hinalo Street and 900 m S of Highway 132 was several hundred yards long and ejected spatter along with a slow-moving lava flow. By late in the day this activity from fissure 17 was dominated by lava fountaining, explosions that sent spatter bombs to 100 m into the air, and several advancing lava flow lobes moving generally NE; as of 1900 one lobe was 2 m thick and advancing roughly parallel to Highway 132. Steady, vigorous plumes of steam and occasionally minor amounts of ash rose from the Overlook vent and drifted downwind to the SW. Later in the day, ash clouds rose up to 650 m (2,000 ft) above the vent. Several strong earthquakes shook the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and the surrounding area overnight.

Activity on the morning of 14 May in the lower ERZ was dominated by lava fountaining, explosions of spatter more than 30 m (100 ft) into the air, and an advancing flow from fissure 17 at the NE end of the fissure system. As of 0630, the fissure 17 flow had traveled about 1.6 km roughly ESE parallel to the rift zone. Fissure 18 was weakly active. A 19th fissure spotted around 0800 just NE of Pohoiki Road and N of Hinalo Street produced a sluggish lava flow. Volcanic gas emissions remained elevated throughout the area downwind of the vents. Deflationary tilt at the summit continued and seismicity remained elevated.

On the morning of 15 May activity remained concentrated at fissure 17. The lava flow had advanced about 380 m since 1430 on 14 May. At 0645 the flow was nearly 2.5 km long. However, the advance of the flow had slowed significantly since that afternoon. Also in the morning a new fissure (20) located near fissure 18 produced two small pads of lava. Ash emission from the Overlook crater increased compared to previous days. Although varying in intensity, at times the plume contained enough ash to be gray in colour. Variable pulses sent the cloud to an estimated 1-1.3 km (3-4,000 ft) above the ground. The ash cloud drifted generally W and SW from the summit and ash fell in the Ka'u Desert. On 15 May the Aviation colour Code was raised from Orange to Red and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Warning.

Merapi | Central Java (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that an explosive eruption occurred at 0740 on 11 May. The eruption began with a small roar and vibrations that were felt at the observation post for 10 minutes. The eruption plume rose to 5.5 km (18,000 ft) above the peak. There was no seismic precursor and no seismic activity continued after the event. PVMBG did not change the alert level from Green/Normal; they interpreted the event as a minor eruption triggered by the accumulation of volcanic gases unlikely to be followed by further eruptions.

Oraefajokull | Iceland : On 4 May, the Icelandic Met Office reduced the Aviation colour Code at Öræfajökull from Yellow to Green due to signs of reduced activity. Since September 2017 there has been less earthquake activity, stable hydrological and geochemical measurements, and reduced geothermal heat output. There has been possible minor ongoing inflation, but no signs of an imminent eruption.

Piton de la Fournaise | Reunion Island (France) : OVPF reported that the eruption at Piton de la Fournaise, which began on 27 April from fissures at Rivals Crater, continued through 15 May. Field reconnaissance on 10 May revealed that activity was focused on the main cone, with some activity from a second cone that was ejecting material 10-20 m high. Over the next two days the crater of the main cone narrowed and lava projections at both cones became rare. Lava flows during this time were often confined to tubes, with some breakouts at the change in slope below Piton de Bert, about 3 km from the active cone. Burning vegetation as a result of the breakouts was visible on and at the foot of the rampart. Based on satellite data when surface flows were visible, lava emission rates were estimated to be about 1-2 cubic meters/second. Tremor intensity fluctuated over the week, with a sharp increase during 0500 and 0900 on 15 May.

Sangeang Api | Indonesia : Based on a VONA from PVMBG, on 9 May a gas emission was observed at 1807 from Sangeang Api that rose to 4,150 m (13,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted west. On 9 May the Aviation colour Code was changed from unassigned to Yellow.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.2 earthquake hits Papua, Indonesia.

5.5 earthquake hits the Mayotte region.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Afghanistan - Flash floods caused by heavy rain in the past week have killed at least 34 people in several Afghan provinces and caused serious damage to property and livestock, officials said on Tuesday. The flooding, hitting provinces mainly in the north and center of the country, had caused serious damage to around 900 houses, killed hundreds of cattle and damaged agricultural land.

Washington, Montana, British Columbia - Temperatures have warmed considerably in recent weeks in the Northwest, and that's causing big problems for several waterways as snowmelt has sent rivers rising to dangerous levels. This has created problems for parts of Washington, western Montana and British Columbia, where evacuations are ongoing and emergencies have been declared. In some areas, rivers are expected to remain above flood stage for days, if not weeks, as the snowmelt continues. In central Washington, residents are preparing to evacuate in Leavenworth as a dam appears to be threatened.

Wildlife

Florida's Coral Reefs Face Mysterious Disease

Around the world, coral reefs are facing trouble. Coral bleaching, due in part to rising ocean temperatures, has stressed reefs, leaving them weakened and susceptible to disease. Now, in Florida, scientists are struggling to combat a mysterious disease that's threatening the future of the world's third largest coral reef.

In just four years, the so-far unidentified disease has already had a dramatic impact on Florida's reef tract, which extends some 360 miles down the state's Atlantic coast.

When corals are affected by the disease, the tissue sloughs off the skeleton. Once a coral is infected, it usually kills the entire coral, sometimes within weeks.

It’s proved especially deadly for species of brain and star coral, which form the foundation for many reefs. In some areas now, almost all of those corals are dead.

Scientists believe ocean currents help spread the disease. Since it was first discovered, it's moved north, affecting reefs all the way up to the St. Lucie inlet. It's now moving south, through the Florida Keys.

A large number of researchers are working to tackle the disease on many fronts. Some are using DNA analysis to try to identify the pathogens involved. Others are looking for ways to stop the disease from spreading.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

Lenticular clouds above Mount Shasta in northern California, USA. Interestingly, Mount Shasta has a long history of flying saucer visitations.

Space Events

Asteroid Flyby

A jumbo-jet-size asteroid gave Earth a close shave yesterday, whizzing past our planet at a safe distance of 126,000 miles (203,000 kilometers) — or about half the distance between Earth and the moon.The asteroid, which is officially designated 2010 WC9, made its closest approach at 6:05 p.m. EDT (2205 GMT) while traveling at a speed of 28,655 mph (46,116 km/h).

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.8 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.4 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits the Mayotte region.

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

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

British Colombia, Canada - Unseasonable heat continues to melt the snowpack, bringing flooding to many areas. Image shows the high water flooding at Osoyoos Lake.

Disease

Sexually transmitted infections - California, USA

A record number of Californians were diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) in 2017, according to a new report released by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). More than 300,000 cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and early syphilis were reported: a 45 percent increase compared to five years ago.

Ebola - Democratic Republic of Congo

In a follow-up on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), since early April a total of 39 Ebola virus disease cases have been reported, including 19 deaths (case fatality rate = 49%) and three health care workers. Two probable cases (positive on rapid diagnostic test) were reported on 13 May 2018.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.

5.1 earthquake hits the south-west Indian Ridge.

5.0 earthquake hits south of Fiji.

Two 5.0 earthquakes hit the Nicobar Islands off India.

5.0 earthquake hits Oaxaca, Mexico

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Indian Ocean/Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical depression (td) 04w (Four), located approximately 131 nm northwest of Agrihan, is tracking west-northwestward at 06 knots.

NewsBytes:

Eastern Washington, USA - Flooding caused by recent rains and snow melt has fouled water and sewage treatment facilities, threatened state highways and local roads, and caused some people to leave their homes. Continued higher temperatures are predicted to increase snow melt and cause additional flooding as rivers and streams continue to rise to record or near record levels. The Okanogan River, which runs through Tonasket, reached a level of 19 feet early Friday morning, which is above the 15-foot flood stage. The Pend Oreille River is forecast to reach a flow of more than 118,000 cubic feet per second by next Thursday, which hasn’t occurred since 2011. The Kettle River reached a crest of 22 feet Friday and is expected to remain above record levels for the next week, according to the National Weather Service.

Sri Lanka - Over 8,000 people were affected as heavy rains caused flash floods in Sri Lanka's southern districts of Galle and Kalutara last Sunday, the Disaster Management Center said in a statement on Monday. A number of homes had been evacuated.

Global Warming

How We are Changing Our Plant

Global warming, deforestation, coral bleaching, urbanisation... the list of ways that we've managed to damage Earth in our time here isn't a pretty one, and a new online map called EarthTime brings all those effects into sharp focus.

You can watch the world change before your eyes between 1984 and 2016 – forests and glaciers disappear, coral gets damaged, and sea levels creep up, mostly thanks to the increased amount of carbon dioxide we're putting into the air.

To see EarthTime click here.

Environment

Mexico City - Water Shortage

One of the world’s largest cities, Mexico City is home to about 21 million people – rising to 27 million if you include the surrounding areas. About 20% of Mexico’s population lives there. By the year 2030, the authorities estimate that the population will grow to 30 million people.

Among other challenges, such a large population puts a costly strain on Mexico City’s water supplies. In fact, the parts of Mexico City’s infrastructure that supply water are crumbling. Its natural water reserves are also at risk; if trends continue, they are expected to dry out as soon as in 30 years. With so many people affected, this means one of the world’s largest water crises is in the making on the doorstep of the US.

Located more than 2,000m above sea level, the city is subject to heavy rainfall. The wet season between June and September, in particular, brings frequent flash floods.

Burst pipes aren’t the only reason that Mexico City’s sewage overflows. Rubbish disposed of on the streets often clogs pipe drains, backing up the system. That can have serious consequences quickly, since Mexico City produces about 40,000 litres of sewage every second.

Despite flooding events and heavy rainfall, the city is facing a water shortage. Much of this is because of the inefficient and ageing infrastructure of Mexico City’s water networks: some 40% of the water is lost.

As a result, many of the city’s inhabitants have an interrupted water supply, perhaps only being able to turn on the tap and get water twice a week.

Given Mexico City’s original geography, its lack of water may seem strange. The city was built on an island surrounded by a large natural lake basin. But when the Spanish colonised Mexico in the 1500s, they dried out the lake to build a bigger city.

This means that deep underground, Mexico City has fresh water reservoirs – which the city still depends on for about 40% of its water. But the shortage of water in the city means these natural water reserves are being emptied at a rate faster than they can be filled, especially during months of prolonged drought in the dry season. Projections show that the aquifers could be depleted in 30 to 50 years, if current exploitation trends continue.