Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 earthquake hits northwestern Kashmir.
5.2 earthquake hits northwestern Kashmir.
5.1 earthquake hits southern Iran.
5.0 earthquake hits the Bonin Islands off Japan.
5.0 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits the Nicobar Islands off India.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 04p (Sarai), located approximately 259 nm west-southwest of Niue, is tracking east-northeastward at 10 knots.
Tropical cyclone 05s (Calvinia), located approximately 72 nm south-southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius, is tracking southwestward at 03 knots.
Wildfires – Australia
Thousands of holidaymakers and locals were forced to flee to beaches in fire-ravaged southeast Australia Tuesday, as blazes ripped through popular tourist areas leaving no escape by land.
Four thousand people were trapped on the foreshore of the town of Mallacoota and many others sought refuge on beaches in fire-encircled seaside towns up and down a 200-kilometre (135-mile) strip of coast.
Some residents with boats even took to the sea, hoping for refuge from one the worst days yet in Australia’s months-long bushfire crisis.
Dozens of properties were feared to have been destroyed since late Monday and at least seven people were unaccounted for in New South Wales and Victoria states as flames reached well-populated towns like Batemans Bay.
In some places the blazes were so intense, the smoke so thick and the fire-provoked dry lightning storms so severe that aerial reconnaissance and waterbombing had to be halted, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service said.
In Mallacoota, smoke turned day to night and the authorities said nearby fires were causing extreme thunderstorms and “ember attacks”. The bushfires in Australia are now so big that they are generating their own weather, in the form of giant thunderstorms that start more fires, according to the Bureau of Meteorology in Victoria. “Pyro-cumulonimbus clouds have developed to altitudes over 16km in East #Gippsland this afternoon. These fire-induced storms can spread fires through lightning, lofting of embers and generation of severe wind outflows.”
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 earthquake hits the Bonin Islands off Japan.
5.2 earthquake hits southwest of Africa.
5.1 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
5.0 earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 04p (Sarai), located approximately 439 nm west-southwest of Niue, is tracking east-southeastward at 12 knots.
Tropical cyclone 05s (Calvinia), located approximately 90 nm east-southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius, is tracking southwestward at 05 knots.
NewsBytes:
Indonesia - Five people went missing as flash floods destroyed houses in Indonesia's North Sumatra province on Sunday. The natural disaster swept away nine houses, seriously damaging 17 others and several bridges and destroying horticultural plantations as well as triggering landslides in the district.
Rwanda - At least 12 people have died and others displaced following a downpour on Christmas night in Rwanda, the government has confirmed. The torrential rain destroyed 113 houses and 49 hectares of crops across the country. The downpour also caused traffic chaos in the capital Kigali as roads were submerged in floodwaters.
Iran - Eight months after the devastating flood that destroyed more than 25 of Iran’s provinces, Khuzestan Province has once again been flooded and completely paralyzed. As a result of the three-hour rainfall, the city's streets were flooded with water and sewage, and many homes in Ahvaz were flooded, offices and schools were closed too, and this was the beginning of another catastrophe for the people of this province. The traffic in the city completely collapsed. The power of the city was cut off for many hours.
Minnesota, USA - The city of Duluth closed some streets and parking lots near Lake Superior and the harbor for several hours Sunday due to flooding. East winds that gusted in excess of 60 mph on Sunday morning are kicking up big waves on the lake.
Rabies - Yemen
Stray dogs roaming the streets of the Yemeni capital of Sana’a have caused a terror and huge public health problem. Medical sources confirmed that the number of “rabies” infections in the capital, Sana'a, is estimated at thousands, including hundreds of deaths.
Measles - Argentina
In a follow-up report on the measles outbreak in Argentina, the Ministry of Health is now reporting 88 confirmed cases of measles, of which 86 are local 2 and were detected in Spain with two weeks left in 2019. This is the highest incidence of Measles in Argentina in 20 years.
Dengue Fever - Malaysia
Malaysian health authorities have reported a record season for dengue fever in 2019. According to officials data, 130,101 dengue cases were reported through December 28 this year, with 174 deaths.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 earthquake hits the Prince Edward Islands.
5.2 earthquake hits Kepulauan Sangihe, Indonesia.
5.1 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits Halmahera, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.0 earthquake hits Puerto Rico.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 04p (Sarai), located approximately 164 nm south-southeast of Suva, Fiji, is tracking east-southeastward at 07 knots.
NewsBytes:
Fiji - Nearly 2,000 people took refuge in emergency shelters and one man was missing after being swept away in floodwaters as Tropical Cyclone Sarai pounded Fiji on Saturday causing widespread damage. With wind gusts strengthening to 150 kilometres per hour during the day, Sarai destroyed houses and crops, brought down trees, cut power and caused considerable flooding in low-lying areas. Thousands of holidaymakers were stranded with flights to and from Fiji either cancelled or rescheduled.
Kenya - Torrential rains caused massive floods in western Kenya on Saturday, affecting thousands of families in the region. Government officials said over 6,000 families in Kisumu were displaced and had lost their property, much of which was destroyed following a night of heavy rain. Many local residents have said they have no dry place to sleep and feared the flooding could worsen as they wait for aid.
Another record year for manatee deaths
Wildlife experts say more manatees were killed by boaters in Florida this year than in any other.
At a time when boaters are supposed to slow down, wildlife experts say some aren’t following the rules, with deadly results. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says last year, 125 manatees were killed by boat, and so far this year, 129 manatees were killed.
Although manatees are no longer listed as endangered, they still face many dangers.
Koala Receives Water from Passing Cyclists
This desperate koala can be seen hastily drinking water in a bid to cool down amid the soaring heat in Australia. The marsupial approached a group of cyclists who were riding towards Adelaide, where temperatures are nearing 40C. The group saw the stricken animal in the middle of the road when they went round a bend in the state of South Australia and came to its assistance.
Wildfires - Australia
Victorian authorities have told thousands of visitors and residents in East Gippsland – an area half the size of Belgium – to leave immediately as a bushfire threat looms.
There were three active fires in east Gippsland on Sunday with a combined area of more than 130,000ha. An evacuation warning has been issued for the east Gippsland town of Goonergah, which is surrounded by high-value old growth forests.
East Gippsland is popular with campers and holidaymakers over the New Year period. Up to 30,000 people are on holiday at Lakes Entrance, 300km east of Melbourne.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week 18 December-24 December 2019
Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that incandescence from Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was visible at night during 16-23 December. There were 16 explosions and nine non-explosive eruptive events detected by the seismic network. Ash plumes rose as high as 2.5 km above the crater rim and material was ejected 0.5-1.3 km away from the crater. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).
Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite and wind model data, and information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 18-24 December ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E, ESE, and SE. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to remain outside of the 2-km exclusion zone.
Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 15-17 December that sent ash plumes up to 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. Ash plumes drifted E, causing ashfall in Severo-Kurilsk during 16-17 December. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Fuego | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that there were 8-18 explosions per hour recorded at Fuego during 18-24 December, generating ash plumes that rose as high as 1 km above the crater rim and drifted 10-205 km S, SW, and W. Ashfall was reported in several areas downwind including Santa SofÃa (12 km SW), Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Finca Palo Verde, San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km NW), Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW), and El Porvenir (8 km ENE). Explosions sometimes produced shock waves that rattled houses in nearby communities. Incandescent material was ejected 100-300 m high and caused avalanches of material that occasionally traveled long distances (reaching vegetated areas) down the Seca (W), Taniluyá (SW), Ceniza (SSW), Trinidad (S), and Las Lajas (SE) ravines. Incandescent material traveled about 300 m down the Seca drainage during 23-24 December.
Karangetang | Siau Island (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that during 16-22 December lava continued to effuse from Karangetang’s Main Crater (S), traveling as far as 1.8 km down the Nanitu, Pangi, and Sense drainages on the SW and W flanks. Sometimes dense white plumes rose to 150 m above the summit. Incandescence from both summit craters was visible at night. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).
Kirishimayama | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that the increase in the number of volcanic earthquakes with hypocenters just below Shinmoedake (Shinmoe peak), a stratovolcano of the Kirishimayama volcano group, only lasted during 17-18 November. The number of volcanic earthquakes was low after that and no other data indicated increased activity. Scientists noted no changes to geothermal areas on the crater floor and below cracks on the W flank during a field survey on 12 December. The Alert Level was lowered to 1 (on a scale of 1-5) on 20 December.
Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a weak thermal anomaly over Klyuchevskoy was identified in satellite images during 12-15 and 17 December, and Strombolian activity was visible during 13-15 and 17 December. Gas-and-steam plumes rose to 5-5.5 km (16,400-18,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 45 km NE on 14 and 19 December. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.
Sangeang Api | Indonesia : The Darwin VAAC reported that during 18-19 December discrete minor ash emissions from Sangeang Api rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).
Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 13-20 December. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Shishaldin | Fox Islands (USA) : AVO reported that the eruption at Shishaldin continued during 18-24 December. Elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images, though clouds sometimes prevented views. Seismicity remained elevated and was characterized by ongoing tremor and periodic weak explosions. Satellite imagery indicated that the active summit cone had grown after collapsing the week before. Minor ash emissions drifted S on 19 December and E at 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l. on 21 December. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.1 earthquake hits the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia.
5.0 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits the Rat Islands in the Aleutian Islands.
African Locust Swarms
Somalia’s worst locust swarms in 25 years have devoured vast tracts of crops and grazing land across the country and parts of neighbouring Ethiopia.
Farmers faced with starvation have urged their governments to request aid from the international community to avert the looming famine.
The swarms were made worse by unseasonably heavy rainfall and the resulting floods that have killed hundreds of people across the Horn of Africa in recent months.
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization says the infestations have become far worse than its experts feared earlier this year.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Depression 30w (Phanfone), located approximately 336 nm east-southeast of Da Nang, Vietnam, is tracking westward at 13 knots.
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 04p (Sarai), located approximately 132 nm south-southwest of Suva, Fiji, is tracking southeastward at 06 knots.
NewsBytes:
England - Floods have closed roads in south-west England and dozens of warnings remain in place. The rain is expected to ease into the weekend but groundwater levels continue to rise in parts of southern England after prolonged downpours. The Environment Agency (EA) has warned of flooding in 30 areas.
Global Warming Defined
The terms "climate change" and "global warming" are often used interchangeably but have distinct definitions.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) defines global warming as the “long-term heating of Earth’s climate system observed since the pre-industrial period (between 1850 and 1900).” Global warming focuses on the changes in global average surface temperatures caused by human activity, mainly the burning of fossil fuels, which increases the overall amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Climate change is the long-term change in the average weather patterns that are typical for a local, region, or the globe; these changes can be natural or human-induced. Human activities that contribute to climate change include urbanization, fossil fuel burning, agriculture, deforestation, and many others. Natural processes that contribute to climate change include volcanic activity, mountain growth, El Nino and La Nina, changes in solar output, and shifts in the planet's orbit.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 118 degrees Fahrenheit (47.8 degrees Celsius) in Birdsville, Queensland.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 62.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 52.2 degrees Celsius) at Verkhoyansk, Siberia.
Temperatures were tabulated from the more than 10,000 worldwide synoptic weather stations. The United Nations World Meteorological Organization sets the standards for weather observations, and provides a global telecommunications circuit for data distribution.
Measles - Tonga
The Tonga Ministry of Health reported an additional 18 new measles cases with onset dates in the last week, bringing the outbreak total to 596 confirmed or suspected cases of measles.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New Activity for the week 18 December-24 December 2019
Bezymianny | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : Activity at Bezymianny remained elevated during 13-20 December; nighttime crater incandescence, strong fumarolic emissions, and a lava flow on the W flank of the lava dome were visible. The temperature of a thermal anomaly had continued to increase. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Semisopochnoi | United States : AVO reported that ash plumes below 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. from Semisopochnoi were identified in satellite images on 14 and 17 December; ash plumes on 17 December drifted about 15 km SE. During 17-20 December seismicity was characterized by tremor bursts and small explosions, though cloudy weather conditions prevented visual confirmation. Elevated seismicity was recorded on 21 December. Nothing significant was detected during 22-24 December. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.
White Island | North Island (New Zealand) : GeoNet reported that during 18-23 December the level of volcanic tremor at White Island remained low and gas-and-steam plumes were strongly emitted from the new vent area. The highest-temperature emissions were more than 650 degrees Celsius measured during an overflight on 19 December. Volcanologists also measured about 1,300 tons/day of sulfur dioxide, slightly lower than 12 December measurements of about 1,730 tons/day. A small part of the SW slope of the 1914 landslide (inside the crater rim and opposite the former viewing area) had collapsed into the crater lake and active vent area, leaving a scarp 12 m high. The area had been unstable prior to the 9 December eruption. According to the New Zealand Police the death toll from the 9 December eruption had reached 17. Two people remained missing; the search was suspended on 24 December.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 earthquake hits the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia.
5.3 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits Panay in the Philippines.
5.0 earthquake hits eastern Turkey.
5.0 earthquake hits off the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.0 Earthquake hits the western Indian-Antarctic ridge.
5.0 earthquake hits southern Iran.
5.0 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits Fiji.
5.0 earthquake hits Hubei, China.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm 30w (Phanfone), located approximately 479 nm east of Da Nang, Vietnam, is tracking west-northwestward at 04 knots.
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 04p (Sarai), located approximately 166 nm west of Suva, Fiji, is tracking southward at 12 knots.
NewsBytes:
Philippines - The death toll from Typhoon Phanfone's battering of the Philippines on Christmas Day has risen to 28, and will likely climb further, authorities said on Friday. The storm, with wind gusts of up to 200 kilometres per hour, swept across remote villages and popular tourist destinations in the central Philippines on Wednesday.
Turkey - dana has been inundated by heavy rains since Monday which resumed Thursday after a brief break. Flash floods have severely affected this southern Turkish province, which is known for its extremely hot climate. Government officials visited the city Thursday and vowed to build new houses in the neighborhoods most affected by the floods. The floods damaged 123,151 decares of agricultural lands.
California - San Diego drivers who found themselves stranded in flood waters were rescued Thursday morning in Grantville after a severe storm brought flooding to the area.
Koalas starving and dying of thirst after bushfires destroyed their habitat
Koalas are starving to death because bushfires plaguing the country are destroying their food. The bushfires in the Adelaide Hills have burned 25,000 hectares of land and left koalas desperately searching for food and water. Its often at least four days before they are found. Koalas eat eucalyptus leaves - but thousands of trees have been decimated by fires.
Mosquito-borne Disease - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Three important mosquito-borne diseases– dengue, Zika and chikungunya–were all up in 2019 in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
City officials have reported 17,637 dengue fever cases through December 18 this year, a 216 percent compared to 5,577 cases reported in 2018 and the most cases reported in the city since 2016.
Concerning Zika, Rio city officials reported 1,064 cases year-to-date, a 76 percent increase compared to the 603 cases recorded last year. In 2016, a record 31,000-plus Zika cases were reported in Rio.
The largest increase of the three mosquito-borne diseases in Rio this year was with chikungunya infections. Year-to-date, more than 38, 000 cases have been seen. This is up from 10,746 chikungunya cases reported last year.
All three viruses are spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). These mosquitoes bite during the day and night.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Qatar
On 5 December 2019, the National IHR Focal Point for Qatar reported three laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) infection to WHO.
Yellow fever – Mali
From 3 November through 8 December 2019, three laboratory confirmed cases of yellow fever including two deaths (case fatality rate = 67%) were detected through the national surveillance system in Mali.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Bezymianny (Central Kamchatka Depression): KVERT reported that activity at volcano remained elevated during 13-20 December. Nighttime crater incandescence, strong fumarolic emissions, and a lava flow on the W flank of the lava dome were visible. The temperature of a thermal anomaly had continued to increase.
Aso (central Kyushu, Japan): Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Tokyo (VAAC) issued the following report: ACTIVITY CONT. VA AT 20191227/0000Z FL060 EXTD SE OBS VA DTG:26/2350Z
Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Tokyo warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 6000 ft (1800 m) altitude or flight level 060 and is moving at 30 kts in SE direction.
Sangeang Api (Indonesia): Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Darwin warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 10000 ft (3000 m) altitude or flight level 100 and is moving at 10 kts in SW direction. The full report is as follows: INTERMITTENT DISCRETE EMISSIONS TO FL100 OBS VA DTG:27/0040Z to 10000 ft (3000 m)
Dukono (Halmahera): Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Darwin warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 7000 ft (2100 m) altitude or flight level 070 and is moving at 10 kts in SE direction.
Novarupta (United States, Alaska Peninsula): Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Anchorage warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 6000 ft (1800 m) altitude or flight level 060 .
Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Washington (VAAC) issued the following report: VA DISP
Reventador (Ecuador): Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Washington warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 16000 ft (4900 m) altitude or flight level 160 and is moving at 10-15 kts in W direction. The full report is as follows: CONT VA EMS to 16000 ft (4900 m)
Sabancaya (Peru): Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Buenos Aires (VAAC) issued the following report: UNABLE TO DETECT
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
5.3 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.
5.2 earthquake hits the southern east Pacific rise.
5.2 earthquake hits Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia.
5.2 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.
5.2 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.1 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.1 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.
Two 5.0 earthquakes hit southeast of the Loyalty Islands.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Typhoon 30w (Phanfone), located approximately 584 nm east-southeast of Da Nang, Vietnam, is tracking west-northwestward at 07 knots.
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 04p (Four), located approximately 320 nm north-northwest of Suva, Fiji, is tracking south-southeastward at 11 knots.
NewsBytes:
Turkey - An entire neighborhood and tens of streets and avenues have been flooded during the unremitting rainfall which started in the southern province of Adana in the evening on Dec. 23. Damage to both housing and agriculture from the torrential rains is being assessed. Schools were suspended for two days, and rescue teams are being dispatched to save stranded people.
China’s Incentive To Pollute: Global Warming Is Big Business
While most countries are fast decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, China’s overall carbon emissions almost tripled between 2000 and 2018. The country now accounts for almost 30 percent of the world’s carbon emissions, while only numbering 18 percent of the world’s population.
China’s rapid economic growth, averaging about 9.1 percent annually since 2000, according to self-reported figures and based in large part on fossil-fuels, is alone sufficient to push global warming beyond the safe temperature of 2°C within 16 years.
China is disincentivized to limit its own greenhouse gas emissions as 1) its internal economy depends on the burning of cheap energy, and 2) its growing clean energy exports, including solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear, depend on world demand to limit the effects of global warming. China’s authoritarian leadership depends for its survival on compensating its population, which cannot vote, through quick and dirty economic growth.
The Northeast warms ahead of rest of USA
Northeast states are among the fastest warming in the U.S., a trend that can be detected down to the county level. Here’s a look at how air temperatures in each county over the past five years compares with 20th century averages. In much of the region, the greatest temperature changes follow the coastline.
Wildfires - Chile
Firefighters struggled to control the blaze on a hillside in ValparaÃso on Christmas Eve which destroyed dozens of homes. The city’s mayor said the fire might have been set intentionally.
Measles - Samoa
UN health officials report the measles situation in Samoa is stabilizing and post-peak, with decreasing numbers of cases. The Samoa Ministry of Health confirms a total of 5,603 measles cases have been reported since the outbreak started. There were 23 recorded in the last 24 hours. To date, 80 measles related deaths were reported.+
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.3 earthquake hits Vancouver Island, Canada.
6.0 earthquake hits Colombia.
6.0 earthquake hits Santiago del Estero, Argentina.
5.2 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
5.2 earthquake hits Colombia.
5.1 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.0 earthquake hits Tonga.
5.0 earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical storm 30w (Phanfone), located approximately 151 nm south of Manila, Philippines, is tracking west-northwestward at 11 knots.
NewsBytes:
DR Congo - More than 40 people have died from floods that have worsened the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Over 876 000 have been affected by the floods that have hit 12 provinces (out of 25) in the country resulting in high risks of cholera outbreaks and a resurgence of diarrheal diseases. Poor hygiene conditions and water contamination raise such fears. The floods that claimed 41 lives have further exacerbated local populations’ vulnerabilities by rendering access to basic services such as schools and health centres inaccessible or destroyed.
The ice we’ve lost to climate change
One of the most poignant climate moments of 2019 was a funeral for ice: an August ceremony in Iceland for the country’s Okjökull glacier. As can be seen in these NASA satellite images, the glacier declined dramatically between 1986 and 2019.
The Arctic in particular is warming twice as fast as the global average and experienced many historic heat waves. The warming, in turn, is causing an unprecedented amount of melt in the world’s ice. We are currently in the midst of the fastest decline of Arctic sea ice in 1,500 years.
In the past decade, the rate of ice melt in Antarctica tripled compared to 2007.
We’ll likely lose even more from the coldest parts of the world in the coming decade. But the actions we all take will shape just how much is lost.
Rhino Poaching - Botswana
Thirteen rhinos have been poached in Botswana in the last two months, the tourism ministry said, as the government tries to crack down on hunting of the endangered species.
The country is home to just under 400 rhinos, according to Rhino Conservation Botswana, most of them roam the grassy plains of the northern Okavango Delta.
The number of rhinos poached since October 2018 now stands at 31. Twenty-three of those were white rhinoceros and eight were black rhinoceros, which are classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Wildfires - Australia
The number of homes razed by bushfires this season has climbed to almost 1,000, the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) says in its latest impact assessment.
After re-entering the charred remains of towns ravaged by fire in the past week, the RFS confirmed 873 homes had been destroyed since July 1. That figure is in addition to 100 homes believed destroyed since last Thursday, which the RFS has not yet included in its official count. The RFS said an additional 2,048 outbuildings and 68 facilities were levelled by the blaze.
Meanwhile, residents and travellers have been left stranded by extensive road closures caused by the bushfires. Hundreds of kilometres of roads, including major highways and busy arteries, around the state were closed in both directions.
Chicken Pox - Taiwan
In a follow-up on the chickenpox outbreak in Taiwan, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says the chickenpox epidemic is heating up, reminding the public to be alert. They reported 940 outpatient visits for chickenpox last week, which was higher than the previous two weeks.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
Two 6.0 earthquakes hit Vancouver Island, Canada.
5.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Chiapas, Mexico.
5.7 earthquake hits Vancouver Island, Canada.
5.4 earthquake hits near the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.
5.2 earthquake hits Vancouver Island, Canada.
5.1 earthquake hits the Nicobar Islands off India.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical storm 30w (Phanfone), located approximately 384 nm east-southeast of Manila, Philippines, is tracking west-northwestward at 11 knots.
NewsBytes:
California, USA - A strong winter storm dumped heavy rain across Southern California on Monday, flooding roads and snarling traffic with a series of crashes, and bringing down several trees. Monday’s storm also dusted Southern California mountains with fresh snow. Wrightwood picked up 7 inches of powder Monday, with snow continuing throughout the day.
Sri Lanka - Ongoing monsoon rains have affected 64,608 people (18,840 families), with two persons reported dead, 62 houses fully damaged and 1,463 houses partially damaged. 17,766 people (5,255 families) have been evacuated to the 133 locations set up to assist people displaced. Intense rainfall from the north-eastern monsoon has led to an overflow of most of the water reservoirs and tanks in East, North, North-central and North-western provinces, triggering floods in several villages and affecting over 30,000 individuals.
Florida, USA - Floodwaters shut down Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport for several hours Monday, blocking access to the passenger terminals on one of the busiest travel days of the year and paralyzing major streets up and down Southeast Broward. The airport eventually reopened before 7 a.m., but not before more than 100 flights were delayed for many eager to get to their holiday destinations. Severely flooded streets in the area followed a beat-down of heavy rain from midnight into the early morning hours.
Wildfires - Australia's Bushfires And Scorching Heat Threaten Rare Animal Species
As bushfires rage amidst scorching temperatures across Australia, several animals have been reportedly dropping dead due to the extreme weather conditions. Unlike humans who have access to technology and easier access to water, animals are falling victims to temperatures as high as 50-degree C. Several locals have posted photos on social media showing birds who have fallen from heat exhaustion. While some survived, some could not. At the same time, Native Wildlife Rescue revealed their team has been rescuing hundreds of flying foxes who aren't coping well with the heat.
Malaria - Burundi
In a follow-up on the malaria situation in Burundi in 2019, the World Health Organization reports a progressive increase in cases in the past year across all 46 districts of Burundi. Since the beginning of the year, 8,392,921 malaria cases, including 3,113 deaths have been reported.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 earthquake hits the State of Yap, Micronesia.
5.3 earthquake hits Tonga.
5.1 earthquake hits western Iran.
5.1 earthquake hits the Pagan region in the North Mariana Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits Kodiak Island, Alaska.
5.0 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical storm 30w (Phanfone), located approximately 717 nm east-southeast of Manila, Philippines, is tracking west-northwestward at 18 knots.
NewsBytes:
Europe - A one-two punch of winter storms has hit Europe with strong winds and rain over several days, leaving at least nine people dead. The first storm swept across Portugal, Spain, and southern France on Thursday and Friday, and severe flooding hit parts of Britain over the weekend. The storms killed at least seven people in Spain, where high winds also downed power lines, scattered debris on roads and railroad tracks, and forced some flight cancellations. Smaller towns in the north of the country were hit by flooding. Residents were evacuated on Friday from Reinosa, about 240 miles north of Madrid, while others watched from their balconies as vehicles were swept down the streets by the floodwaters.
Wildfires - Australia
The devastation from Australia’s bushfire crisis became clearer on Sunday, as the South Australian premier said 72 homes had been destroyed and his New South Wales counterpart revealed there was “not much left” of the town of Balmoral, south-west of Sydney. It is feared the figures for homes lost may get much worse as authorities continue to assess the damage from Saturday, and with dozens of fires still active.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus - Saudi Arabia
The National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported 10 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) infection and one associated death in the month of November.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 earthquake hits Tonga.
5.2 earthquake hits the Carlsberg ridge.
5.0 earthquake hits the Drake Passage.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical storm 30w (Phanfone), located approximately 96 nm south of Yap, is tracking northwestward at 14 knots.
NewsBytes:
Italy - Two people died as an adverse weather system battered the Italian peninsula on Saturday, causing floods, road collapses and landslides, rescue services and local media reported. The two fatalities were swept away by swollen rivers, one in Tuscany and one in the northern Friuli region.
Tanzania - The Tanzania Fire and Rescue Force on Saturday warned people against crossing over flooded rivers lest they were swept away by raging waters. The state-run force said in a statement that ongoing torrential rains across the country have flooded rivers, which made it difficult to establish whether bridges were still intact.
Dutch court rules people have a fundamental right to be protected from climate change
The highest court in the Netherlands ruled Friday that the nation's government must cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by the end of next year. The landmark case marks the first time a country has been held responsible by its courts to take action against climate change.
"The lives, well-being and living circumstances of many people around the world, including in the Netherlands, are being threatened" by climate change, Presiding Judge Kees Streefkerk, said in the decision. "Those consequences are happening already."
The government was attempting to appeal earlier rulings that it must cut emissions by at least 25% by the end of 2020 from 1990 levels. The Supreme Court upheld the rulings that humans have a fundamental right to be protected from the potentially catastrophic effects of climate change by their government, because "there is a serious risk that a dangerous climate change will occur that threatens the lives and well-being of many in the Netherlands."
Wildfires - Australia
Dramatic footage has emerged of homeowners’ desperate attempts to save their properties from ember fires today, with as many as 20 homes now feared destroyed.
Soaring temperatures into the mid-40s and strong winds have made bushfires erratic and difficult to control. Authorities have warned main highways, including the Princes Highway and Hume Highway, may be closed and motorists will be asked to turn around if they try to enter dangerous areas. People have been told to delay any travel plans..
A ‘mega-blaze’ has taken hold in Lithgow, two hours west of Sydney, with flames moving just metres from homes. Multiple homes are now destroyed and one resident is unaccounted for.
Measles - Turkey
The number of measles cases have risen across the globe and in Turkey, cases have nearly quadrupled since 2018. Confirmed cases of measles have increased from 716 in 2018 to 2719 in the first 11 months of 2019. Of the 2700 cases, 1800 are in children under five years of age.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.1 earthquake hits the Hindu Kush, Afghanistan.
5.3 earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.
5.1 earthquake hits the southern mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.0 earthquake hits the southern mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.0 earthquake hits the Bismarck Sea.
5.0 earthquake hits Tonga.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical Storms.
NewsBytes:
Spain - flooding hit the town of Reinosa in Cantabria and has been described by residents as the worst in history, with reports saying water levels rose because of heavy winds and rain. Roads in the town became raging torrents carrying away cars. Reinosa has 9,000 inhabitants and there are reports of blackouts. Residents have been evacuated with powerful waves flowing through doors and garages.
Washington, USA - A storm that has brought record rainfall to the Northwest has prompted flood warnings, disrupted train traffic, closed roads and caused some power outages. In Washington state flood warnings were posted Friday for the Skokomish, Newaukum Tolt, Chehalis and Snoqualmie rivers and flood watches were in effect for other rivers. The National Weather Service also issued a flood watch for much of Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington.
England - Flooding is causing travel disruption across the south east of England after heavy rain overnight. Major roads and numerous railway lines have been closed.
Wildfires - Australia
Australia is braced for another day of “catastrophic” fires on Saturday, with people urged to delay travel to holiday destinations, as soaring temperatures and strong winds led to further loss of life and homes on Friday.
The warnings come as Australian temperature records continued to tumble, with the country recording its three hottest days ever on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Nine people have now dies as a result of the fires.
Horses Culled on Turkish Island
Authorities have culled 81 horses on an island off Istanbul following an outbreak of a fatal equine disease, local officials said Thursday.
The local administrator’s office said the horses on Buyukada Island were slaughtered after being diagnosed with glanders disease, which also affects donkeys and mules.
A quarantine has been put into place, barring the entry and exit of animals on the island to prevent the disease from spreading, the office said.
Ebola - DR Congo
Eleven new confirmed cases were reported from 11 to 17 December in the ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri provinces.
Chikungunya - Brazil
Brazil has reported a dramatic increase in chikungunya cases in 2019 during the first 11 months of 2019. To date, 37,973 cases of chikungunya have been reported in the city. This compares to 9,545 cases reported during 2018, a nearly 300 percent increase.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.9 earthquake hits offshore Guatemala.
5.6 earthquake hits the Pagan region in the North Mariana Islands.
5.5 earthquake hits Sao Tome and Principe.
5.1 earthquake hits offshore Guatemala.
5.1 earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.
5.0 earthquake hits western Xizang, China.
5.0 earthquake hits offshore Guatemala.
5.0 earthquake hits Reykjanes ridge,
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical Storms.
NewsBytes:
Uzbekistan - A landslide in a construction site at Yunusabad metro line in Tashkent, Uzbekistan due to heavy rain has claimed the lives of at least six people.
England - Devon and Cornwall Police have declared a major incident after flash flooding in Heyler. According to the Cornwall Council, around 50 properties have been affected by flooding in the area. There are 18 flood warnings in place across England, mainly across the South, South West and River Severn.
Salmon Bonanza
Fishermen in Canada’s Northwest Territories say they have caught more Arctic salmon this year than in all of the previous 20 years combined.
The fish also emerged earlier than normal, mainly because of the virtual lack of ice in the Mackenzie River during the Arctic summer.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada says 2,400 salmon catches were submitted to the agency, compared to only 100 last year.
Agency biologist Karen Dunmall points to a warming climate and disappearing ice for the salmon bounty.
Acidic oceans are corroding the tooth-like scales of shark skin
Shark skin might look perfectly smooth, but inspect it under a microscope and you’ll notice something strange. The entire outer surface of a shark’s body is actually covered in sharp, little scales known as denticles. More remarkable still, these denticles are incredibly similar to human teeth, as they’re also comprised of dentine and enamel-like materials.
Your dentist will no doubt have warned you that acidic drinks like fizzy cola damage your teeth. This is because acid can dissolve the calcium and phosphate in the enamel tooth covering. For the first time, scientists have discovered a similar process acting on the tooth-like scales of sharks in the ocean.
The carbon dioxide (CO₂) that humans release into the atmosphere doesn’t just heat the planet. As more of it dissolves in the ocean, it’s gradually increasing the acidity of seawater. In the past 200 years, the ocean has absorbed 525 billion tonnes of CO₂ and become 30% more acidic as a result. Now scientists worry that the lower pH is affecting one of the ocean’s top predators.
Corrosion and weakening of the denticle surface could degrade the highly specialised drag-reducing ridges, affecting the ability of these sharks to swim and hunt. Many shark species are top-level predators, so if they’re not able to hunt as effectively, this might have an unpredictable impact on the population size of their prey and other animals in the complex marine environment. Some species of shark need to swim constantly to keep oxygen-rich water flowing over their gills and to expel CO₂ – another process which might be hindered by increased drag.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46.1 degrees Celsius) in Boulia, Queensland.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 64.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 53.3 degrees Celsius) at Verkhoyansk, Siberia.
Temperatures were tabulated from the more than 10,000 worldwide synoptic weather stations. The United Nations World Meteorological Organization sets the standards for weather observations, and provides a global telecommunications circuit for data distribution.
Wild Poliovirus - Pakistan
Seven additional wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases were reported in the past week in Pakistan–from Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces–bringing the total year-to date to 101. In 2018 at this time, Pakistan saw only nine cases.
Thailand: Dengue fever and chikungunya updates
The following are the latest case totals for dengue fever and chikungunya in Thailand through December 16 this year: Dengue fever Since the beginning of the year, the Thailand Bureau of Epidemiology has reported 125,235 dengue cases from all 77 provinces, including 131 fatalities. Health officials have reported 11,046 chikungunya cases this year to date from 59 provinces.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 11 December – 17 December 2019
Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that incandescence from Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was visible at night during 9-16 December. There were 15 explosions and 10 non-explosive eruptive events detected by the seismic network. Ash plumes rose 2.4 km above the crater rim, although explosions at 0115 and 2109 on 10 December generated ash plumes that rose 3 km above the crater rim. Blocks were ejected as far as 1.3 km away from the crater. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).
Asosan | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that the eruption at Asosan that began on 7 October continued through 16 December. Ash plumes rose as high as 1 km and caused ashfall in areas downwind. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was 3,000-3,300 tons per day on 11 and 16 September. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-5).
Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite and wind model data, and information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 11-17 December ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to remain outside of the 2-km exclusion zone.
Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 6-13 December that sent ash plumes up to 4 km (13,100 ft) a.s.l. Ash plumes drifted E, causing ashfall in Severo-Kurilsk during 10-12 December. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Karangetang | Siau Island (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that during 9-15 December lava continued to effuse from Karangetang’s Main Crater (S), traveling as far as 1.8 km down the Nanitu, Pangi, and Sense drainages on the SW and W flanks. Sometimes dense white plumes rose to 500 m above the summit. Incandescence from both summit craters was visible at night. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).
Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a weak thermal anomaly over Klyuchevskoy was identified in satellite images during 5, 7, and 11-12 December, and Strombolian activity was visible during 11-12 December. An ash plume rose to 4.5 km (14,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 30 km SE. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.
Sangay | Ecuador : Based on information from the Guayaquil MWO, satellite images, and wind model data, the Washington VAAC reported that during 10-17 December ash plumes from Sangay rose to 5.8-7.3 km (19,000-24,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. A thermal anomaly was visible on 17 December.
Sangeang Api | Indonesia : The Darwin VAAC reported that during 11-13 and 17 December discrete ash emissions from Sangeang Api rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW and W. A thermal anomaly was visible on 27 November. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).
Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 6-13 December. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Shishaldin | Fox Islands (USA) : AVO reported that seismicity at Shishaldin remained elevated during 10-11 December; low-level tremor was detected along with three small explosions. Elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images and a steam plume drifting from the summit was visible in webcam images. A short-lived explosion began at 0710 on 12 December and lasted about three minutes, coincident with a three-minute long period of elevated tremor. The event generated an ash plume that rose to altitudes of 6.1-7.6 km (20,000-25,000 ft) a.s.l., drifted almost 85 km/hour WNW, and then dissipated a few hours later. Three lightning strokes were detected between 0715 and 0717. The explosion may have collapsed the summit spatter cone. Highly elevated surface temperatures were visible in satellite images during 12-13 December, and the webcam showed nighttime incandescence and a robust steam plume emanating from the summit. Seismicity remained elevated through 16 December and elevated surface temperatures continued to be detected. A plume appearing to contain ash drifted from the summit on 14 December. A lava flow was reported by a pilot on 16 December; the next day satellite images showed a 2-km-long flow on the NW flank. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.5 earthquake hits south of Fiji.
5.1 earthquake hits southeastern Alaska.
5.1 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical Storms.
NewsBytes:
Indonesia - Jakarta: Kuningan, South Jakarta, where many of the capital's foreign embassies are located, was one of 19 areas around the city that suffered heavy floods after the first intense rains for months fell for a few hours in the afternoon.
Wildfires - Australia
Australia’s most populous state declared its second emergency in as many months on Thursday as extreme heat and strong winds stoked more than 100 bushfires, including three major blazes on Sydney’s doorstep. Authorities said nearly 120 fires remained ablaze by late afternoon, more than half of which are uncontrolled, and with temperatures forecast to top 45 degrees Celsius (113°F) in some areas, officials warned residents to be on high alert.
Australia has been battling wildfires across much of its east coast for weeks, leaving six people dead, more than 680 homes destroyed and nearly 3 million acres (1.2 million hectares) of bushland burnt. As many as 40 homes had been destroyed on Thursday.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 11 December – 17 December 2019
Bezymianny | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : Activity at Bezymianny began to increase at the beginning of December, characterized by nighttime crater incandescence, strong fumarolic emissions, a lava flow, and gradually increasing temperatures of a satellite-detected thermal anomaly. KVERT increased the Aviation colour Code to Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale) on 13 December.
Nishinoshima | Japan : The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) reported that during an overflight of Nishinoshima on 15 December surveyors observed that explosions were occurring from the main crater of the pyroclastic cone every second to several seconds. Blocks were ejected as high as 300 m above the crater rim; red hot blocks were scattered at the base of the cone. Gray plumes rose from the crater, and lava continued flowing E into the sea. A new crater had opened on the N flank of the cone and effused lava that flowed NW down to the sea. JMA expanded the marine exclusion zone around the island to 2.5 km the next day.
Semisopochnoi | United States : AVO reported that during 10-17 December activity at Semisopochnoi remained elevated, with bursts of tremor and small explosions detected in both seismic and infrasound data. An 80-km-long gas-and-steam plume possibly containing ash was visible in satellite images during 11-12 December. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.
White Island | North Island (New Zealand) : GeoNet reported that the deadly 9 December eruption at White island modified the active crater area. The basin previously containing a hot acidic lake was mostly filled by debris with numerous, isolated ponds after the event. During overflights observers identified three main vents within a 100-square-meter area. Volcanic tremor significantly increased at around 0400 on 11 December and was accompanied by vigorous steaming and localized mud jetting from the active vent area. By the early evening tremor was at the highest level recorded since the 2016 eruption. On 12 December the Volcanic Alert Level was lowered to 2 (since no more eruptions had occurred since 9 December), though the Aviation colour Code remained at Orange. Later that day tremor levels decreased but remained very high compared to normal levels. Energetic steam-and-mud bursts continued from the active vent area. Gas emissions had increased compared to 10 December measurements. Tremor levels continued to decline during 12-13 December and then significantly dropped later on 13 December. During an overflight on 13 December observers noted small-scale gas jetting and steam bursts from the active vents. High heat flow was confirmed by a glow emanating from the vent area in overnight webcam images during 12-15 December; high-temperature (more than 200 degrees Celsius) volcanic gas was being emitted at a high rate when observed during an overflight on 15 December. GeoNet noted that data from various measurements suggested a magma source not far below the surface, possibly as shallow as tens of meters deep. According to the New Zealand Police the death toll from the 9 December eruption was 15, with two people still missing.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
5.5 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.5 earthquake hits southeast of Easter Island.
5.3 earthquake hits south of Fiji.
5.3 earthquake hits Tarapaca, Chile.
5.3 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.
5.2 earthquake hits eastern Sichuan, China.
5.1 earthquake hits the Ryukyu Islands off Japan.
5.0 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical Storms.
NewsBytes:
France - Two departments are still on orange alert for flooding in the southwest, after three people died and thousands of homes were left without electricity due to storms over the weekend. The Landes and Charente-Maritime will remain on alert until tomorrow morning, Météo-France has announced. The Adour and Charente rivers are flooded. Drivers are told to take extra care and are warned not to use flooded roads.
Uganda - Five people, including a police marine officer, died and properties worth millions of shillings were destroyed after floods ravaged different parts of Kampala on Saturday.
Malaysia - The flood situation in Johor has improved, as the authorities closed several temporary evacuation centres and allowed many flood victims to return home. In Johor, the number of flood victims has dropped to 8,527 on Tuesday (Dec 17), from 9,151 on Monday. Meanwhile, the state's wildlife agency has warned people to look out for stray crocodiles. The monsoon rains have caused floods in nine out of 10 districts in Johor as well as two districts in Pahang, and at least three in Sabah.
Toxic Cities
On Sept. 9, 2019, a mountain lion was found dead in the Santa Monica Mountains. It was the fifth mountain lion to die from consuming rat poison in that region. Rodenticides aren’t the only health risks that urban wildlife face. Wildlife living in cities or suburban areas experience unique health challenges compared to their country cousins, often due to human activities.
A recent study found that overall, urban wildlife had poorer health than wildlife in more natural areas. This was mostly due to urban animals having more toxicants in their tissues. Toxicants are toxic substances artificially introduced into the environment by human activity and include pesticides, industrial pollutants and heavy metals.
Toxicants can potentially harm animals’ reproduction, development and survival. Exposure to heavy metals has been found to weaken the immune system of tree swallows, possibly making animals more susceptible to disease or less able to recover from infection.
Another study demonstrated that exposing amphibians to pesticides increased their susceptibility to infection with a parasitic worm. Amphibian populations are in decline globally, in part due to disease, and so it is important to understand how toxicants influence disease to conserve threatened populations.
Earth's Magnetic North Pole Moving Towards Siberia at a Fast Pace
Our planet is restless, and its poles are wandering. Of course, the geographic north pole is in the same place it always was, but its magnetic counterpart – indicated by the N on any compass – is roaming towards Siberia at record-breaking speeds that scientists don't fully comprehend.
It's worth stating that while the pace is remarkable, the movement itself isn't. The magnetic north pole is never truly stationary, owing to fluctuations in the flow of molten iron within the core of our planet, which affect how Earth's magnetic field behaves.
"Since its first formal discovery in 1831, the north magnetic pole has travelled around 1,400 miles (2,250 km)," the NOAA's National Centres for Environmental Information (NCEI) says. "This wandering has been generally quite slow, allowing scientists to keep track of its position fairly easily."
That slow wander has quickened of late. In recent decades, the magnetic north pole accelerated to an average speed of 55 kilometres (34 miles) per year.
The most recent data suggest its movement towards Russia may have slowed down to about 40 kilometres (25 miles) annually, but even so, compared to theoretical measurements going back hundreds of years, this is a phenomenon scientists have never witnessed before.
Heatwave - Australia
Tuesday, 17 December, was Australia’s hottest day on record. Ever. The average maximum temperature across the country was 40.9C. Temperatures of 46C and above were recorded in multiple localities in three states (SA, WA, NT) on Wednesday.
Lassa fever - Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone health officials, supported by WHO, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other partners, are responding to an outbreak of Lassa fever.
On 20 November 2019, WHO was informed by The Netherlands’ International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point of one imported case of Lassa fever from Sierra Leone. The patient was a male doctor, a Dutch national who worked in a rural Masanga hospital in Tonkolili district, Northern province in Sierra Leone.
On 22 November 2019, WHO was informed of a second laboratory confirmed case of Lassa fever in another Dutch health care worker, who also worked in the Masanga hospital.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.5 earthquake hits southern Sumatra, Indonesia.
5.5 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
5.1 earthquake hits south of Fiji.
5.0 earthquake hits Taiwan.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical Storms.
NewsBytes:
New Zealand - Sightings of a tornado in East Waikato have been reported as a "wall of wind" hit the region, and monsoon-type rain has drenched the upper North Island. Very heavy showers are moving through Northland and Auckland with isolated downpours. Rain covered about 80 percent of the country this morning and continued for many regions, along with gales, into last evening. In the South Island, flooding has closed a number of arterial roads.
Indonesia - Heavy rain in west Sumatra and central Sulawesi have caused floods, resulting in fatalities and damage. According to the Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB), 2 people died, 60 families have been displaced, 707 people affected and 57 houses damaged following flash floods in Sigi Regency (Central Sulawesi Province). 5,000 people have been displaced and 1,000 homes flooded in South Solok Regency (West Sumatra).
Wildfires - Australia
Authorities in Australia have issued fresh warnings about the "mega blaze" burning near Sydney after it spread beyond containment lines and razed 20 houses. The fire, burning over about 400,000 hectares, has moved further into the Blue Mountains - a popular tourist area which lies west of the city. It is a blow to crews who are already battling over 100 fires and bracing for extreme temperatures this week.
Leishmaniasis - Kenya
Health officials continue to report cases of the parasitic disease, Leishmaniasis in Kenya. During the week ending December 8, officials saw 34 additional cases. This brings the Leishmaniasis outbreak tally this year to 2,822, including 34 deaths. Most cases of leishmaniasis have been reported from Mandera, Marsabit, Wajir and Garissa counties.
Measles - DR Congo
UN health officials reported nearly an additional 10,000 measles cases in week 48 this year, bringing the outbreak total to 280,677, the most cases reported in any single country this year.
Diphtheria - Sudan
Health officials in Sudan are reporting an outbreak of diphtheria that began in August. From that time to date, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) Sudan has seen a total of 63 suspected diphtheria cases with 11 associated deaths.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 earthquake hits Halmahera, Indonesia.
5.3 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.1 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
5.0 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
5.0.earthquake hits Salta, Argentina.
5.0 earthquake hits Tucuman, Argentina.
5.0 earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.
5.0 earthquake hits the southwest Indian ridge.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical Storms.
Syphilis - Japan
For the send year in a row, Japanese health officials reported more than 6,000 syphilis cases in the country, about 10 time what was seen in 2010.
Dengue Fever - Bangladesh
Bangladesh saw the first dengue fever cases in 2000 and that time through 2017, the country reported from a few hundred cases a year to up to 6,000 a year. In 2018, the country reported more than 10,000 cases and 26 deaths. And then came 2019… Bangladesh has recorded some 101,000 dengue cases this year, including 133 deaths (officially). Dengue is now “endemic” in Bangladesh.
White Island - New Zealand
The death toll from New Zealand's White Island volcano eruption rose to 18 on Sunday, including two people whose bodies have not been recovered, police said.
A land search early Sunday failed to find any sign of the missing pair and divers returned to the sea in the afternoon amid increasing speculation both could be in the water.
Another 26 survivors remain in New Zealand and Australian hospitals, of which at least 18 are listed as "critical" and fighting for their lives after the eruption on the desolate island, which is the country's most active volcano.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.8 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
5.8 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
Four 5.0 earthquakes hit Mindanao in the Philippines.
5.0 earthquake hits southern Xinjiang, China.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
NewsBytes:
Malaysia - Authorities said Sunday that 3,835 residents were evacuated after floods hit Malaysia’s south Johor state. Authorities warned rainfall and floods would continue in the region.
Maine, USA - A warm December storm doused southern Maine with record-setting rainfall Saturday, swelling rivers and flooding roads on the front end of a weather system that’s expected to generate high winds in the region Sunday.
France -Deadly floodwaters have inundated parts of southwestern France, leaving two dead and several others injured. Authorities have evacuated hundreds of people living near the convergence of two rivers. Inclement weather on Saturday felled trees and cut off power supply to thousands in southwestern France. The storm triggered floodwaters that reportedly rose by 30 centimeters (1 foot) every hour in some areas.
Dengue Fever - Sri Lanka
The Sri Lanka Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health is reporting 88,371 dengue fever cases as of Friday, up some 3,000 cases since our last report four days ago.
Influenza USA
Here are the estimates: At least 2.6 million influenza cases, 23,000 hospitalizations and 1,300 flu related deaths since October 1, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Measles - Argentina
Health officials have reported a total of 85 confirmed cases of measles in Argentina through the first week of December. Of this total, 83 were detected in Argentina and 2 in Spain. Of the cases detected in Argentina, 7 were imported or import-related and 76 have no travel history.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.3 earthquake hits Halmahera, Indonesia.
5.1 earthquake hits North Island, New Zealand.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
NewsBytes:
Kenya - The Masinga Dam, the largest man-made lake in East and Central Africa has spilled, raising fears that it may cause floods and destruction of property in surrounding villages. Water levels have risen in the dam due to heavy rains pounding the area.
Uganda - The ongoing heavy rain in Bugisu Sub-region has washed away nearly 20 bridges on several roads connecting the sub-region to various districts, leaving travellers stranded. The rivers that burst their banks due to the downpour include, Manafwa, Solokho, Tsutu, Namatala and Nabuyonga.
Innkeeper Worms Wash Up on California Beach
Thousands of unusual marine worms, called fat innkeeper worms — or "penis fish"— washed up on Drake's Beach in California after a recent storm.
Wildfires - Australia
An out-of-control bushfire has burnt through more than 11,000 hectares of land north of Perth with residents urged to leave while they still can.
In regional Victoria, a spate of grassfires razed farmland and destroyed a shed, with police investigating the blazes, which started in “quick succession”.
Measles - Samoa
Health officials in Samoa released the latest numbers on the measles outbreak in the country today. The Ministry of Health confirms a total of 5,080 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team, since the outbreak started. There were 85 recorded in the last 24 hours. There are currently 169 measles deaths reported.
African Swine Fever - Indonesia
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported Thursday that Indonesia is the latest Asian country to report an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF). According to FAO: The Minister of Agriculture announced the confirmation of ASF outbreak in North Sumatra Province on 12 December 2019.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Thousands of baby flying foxes starve after Australian bushfires
Thousands of baby grey-headed flying foxes have been abandoned by their mothers in the latest example of wildlife devastation caused by Australia’s severe drought and bushfires, which disrupted the bats’ ability to produce milk for their offspring.
A threatened species, the grey-headed flying fox is one of the world’s largest bats, with a wingspan of up to a meter, and is covered in dark grey fur with an orange collar.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week's hottest temperature was 115.0 degrees Fahrenheit (46.1 degrees Celsius) in Birdsville, Queensland.
The week's coldest temperature was minus 59.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 50.5 degrees Celsius) at Verkhoyansk, Siberia.
Temperatures were tabulated from the more than 10,000 worldwide synoptic weather stations. The United Nations World Meteorological Organization sets the standards for weather observations, and provides a global telecommunications circuit for data distribution.
Ebola - DR Congo
Twenty-seven new confirmed cases were reported from 4 to 10 December in the ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri provinces.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 4 December - 10 December 2019
Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that incandescence from Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was visible at night during 2-9 December. There were 15 explosions and four non-explosive eruptive events detected by the seismic network. Ash plumes rose 2.3-2.6 km above the crater rim and blocks were ejected as far as 1.7 km away. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).
Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that incandescence from Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was visible at night during 2-9 December. There were 15 explosions and four non-explosive eruptive events detected by the seismic network. Ash plumes rose 2.3-2.6 km above the crater rim and blocks were ejected as far as 1.7 km away. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).
Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite and wind model data, and information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 4-9 December ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to remain outside of the 2-km exclusion zone.
Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 30 November and 1-2 and 5 December that sent ash plumes up to 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. Ash plumes drifted NE and E. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Karangetang | Siau Island (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that during 2-8 December lava continued to effuse from Karangetang’s Main Crater (S), traveling as far as 1.8 km down the Nanitu, Pangi, and Sense drainages on the SW and W flanks. Sometimes dense white plumes rose to 200 m above the summit. Incandescence from both summit craters was visible at night. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).
Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that Strombolian activity at Klyuchevskoy was visible on 29 November and 1 December, the same days a weak thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.
Reventador | Ecuador : IG reported that during 8-15 October seismic data from Reventador’s network indicated a high level of seismic activity, including explosions, long-period earthquakes, harmonic tremor, and signals indicating emissions. Weather sometimes prevented views of the summit area, although during clear conditions ash, gas, and steam plumes were visible rising sometimes higher than 1 km above the crater rim and drifting N, NW, W, and SW. Crater incandescence was periodically observed at night. Blocks rolled 500-700 m down the flanks in multiple directions during 7-10 December.
Sangay | Ecuador : IG reported that the eruption at Sangay that began on 7 May was continuing as of 4 December without a notable increase or decrease in activity levels. Activity was concentrated at two eruptive centers: the Central Crater and the Ñuñurcu dome (located 190 m SSE of Central Crater). Sporadic explosions at Central Crater produced ash plumes that rose as high as 2 km above the crater rim and drifted mainly NE during the previous month. Minor ashfall was recorded in the towns of Alao (20 km NW), Cebadas (35 km WNW), and Guaguallá (Chimborazo province), in Macas (42 km SSE, Morona-Santiago province), and in the Azuay province. Almost continuous lava effusion from the Ñuñurcu dome fed lava flows that traveled down the SE flank. Collapses along the margins of the lava flows generated small pyroclastic flows and small rockfalls that reached the upper channel of the RÃo Volcán. These deposits created dams which were remobilized by rainfall into lahars, which in turn partially dammed parts of the river at the confluence of the RÃo Upano. Parque Nacional Sangay and IG-EPN staff measured deposits at the confluence that were more than 2 m thick on 27 November; similar deposits were observed along a 16-km stretch upsteam. Sulfur dioxide emissions up to 640 tons/day were detected by satellite in recent weeks, and a strong sulfur odor was noted around 1 km above the crater rim during a 3 December overflight.
Sangeang Api | Indonesia : The Darwin VAAC reported that during 4-5 and 7-9 December discrete ash emissions from Sangeang Api rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW, W, and SW. A thermal anomaly was visible on 27 November. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).
Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 29 November-6 December. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Shishaldin | Fox Islands (USA) : AVO reported that elevated surface temperatures at Shishaldin were identified in satellite images during 3-4 December consistent with lava effusion, and a pilot confirmed active lava flows on the flank. Continuous tremor was recorded by the seismic network during 4-5 December. Seismicity, including Strombolian explosion signals, continued to increase until 2100 on 5 December and then afterwards was characterized by episodic tremor bursts and occasional Strombolian activity. Intermittent, very minor, and low-level ash or steam emissions near the summit and along the N flank were visible in clear webcam views on 5 December. A new lava flow had traveled 1.4 km down the NW flank. The eruption either slowed or paused during 6-7 December as evidenced by decreased seismicity and slightly elevated surface temperatures in satellite data. Temperatures again increased and were slightly elevated during 7-9 December, likely signifying renewed lava effusion. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.2 earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
5.0 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.
5.0 earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Scientists detect methane surge in South Sudan
Scientists think they can now explain at least part of the recent growth in methane levels in the atmosphere. Researchers, led from Edinburgh University, UK, say their studies point to a big jump in emissions coming from just the wetlands of South Sudan.
Satellite data indicates the region received a large pulse of water from East African lakes, including Victoria. This would have boosted CH4 from the wetlands, accounting for a significant part of the rise in global methane.
Smoke Pollution - Sydney, Australia
Bushfire smoke smothered Sydney on Tuesday, setting off fire alarms, suspending ferry services and triggering health warnings over choking air pollution.
The Sydney Opera House and harbour bridge were barely discernible through the thick haze enveloping the city, with smoke stinging the eyes and making it difficult to breathe.
The Air Quality Index compiled by the state environment department reached as high as 2,552 in some eastern suburbs -- soaring past the “hazardous” threshold of 200. The pollution has been so bad it has set off smoke alarms in office buildings across the CBD, while ash has been washing up on the city’s usually pristine beaches. Flight arrivals at Sydney Airport were delayed by up to 30 minutes due to poor visibility.
Burn Victims - New Zealand
Doctors in New Zealand will have to import 1,292 square feet (120 square meters) of skin to treat victims of the recent White Island volcanic eruption, according to news reports.
The volcano erupted without warning on Monday (Dec. 9) in a sudden steam-driven reaction that sent ash billowing 12,000 feet (3,700 meters) into the air. White Island, which lies about 30 miles (48 kilometers) off the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, attracts tourists from around the world; 47 people were on the island during Monday's eruption. Six have been confirmed dead and 29 have been hospitalized in intensive care and burn units. Twenty-five of the victims remain in critical condition.
Now, medical officials need more skin to treat patients suffering from severe burns inflicted by the volcanic ash and gas.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New Activity for the week of 4 December - 10 December 2019
Nishinoshima | Japan : A thermal anomaly at Nishinoshima was identified in satellite images on 5 December, prompting JMA to expand the marine exclusion zone around the island to 1.5 km. The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) conducted an overflight the next day and observed Strombolian explosions ejecting blocks as high as 200 m above a crater on the E side of the central pyroclastic cone. Lava flows had traveled to within 200 m of the coastline. Light gray eruption plumes drifted E. During an overflight on 7 December observers confirmed continuing Strombolian activity and saw lava entering the sea.
Semisopochnoi | United States : Strong tremor at Semisopochnoi was recorded by local seismic and regional infrasound networks beginning at 0026 on 7 December, heralding the start of an eruption and prompting AVO to raise the Aviation colour Code to Orange and the Volcano Alert Level to Watch. The meteorological cloud deck over the volcano was at around 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l.; no ash signals were detected above this altitude. A period of intermittent explosions was detected, and afterwards seismicity remained elevated at least through 9 December.
White Island | North Island (New Zealand) : A deadly and short-lived (1-2 minutes) eruption at White Island began around 1411 on 9 December, prompting GeoNet to raise the Alert Level to 4 and the Aviation colour Code to Orange. The eruption originated from the crater floor and generated an ash plume that rose 3.7 km (12,000 ft) above the vent. Ashfall was confined to the island and covered the crater floor based on webcam views. Activity waned after the event and within a few hours the Alert Level was lowered to 3. An exclusion zone extending just under 10 km around the island was emplaced for all (non-police) vessels.
The New Zealand Police stated that 47 local and international people in a tour group were on the island at the time of the eruption. A majority of the people in the group were seriously injured and taken to area hospitals; six were confirmed dead. On 10 December the police concluded that there likely were no additional survivors after several reconnaissance flights conducted post-eruption; nine people remained missing and assumed to be on the island.
On 10 December GeoNet reported that although seismic activity had dropped to low levels after the eruption, localized steaming and mud jetting continued from the active vents. Tremor significantly increased starting around 0400 on 11 December. Results from an overflight to collect gas emission data, along with other monitoring data collected over time, suggested that a shallow magma source was driving the tremor, gas emissions, and jetting activity.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.9 earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.
5.4 earthquake hits Crete.
5.2 earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.1 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.
5.1 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 02s (Belna), located approximately 185 nm southwest of Atannanarivo, Madagascar, is tracking southward at 06 knots.
NewsBytes:
Congo - At least 170,000 people in the Republic of the Congo (ROC) have been hit by heavy rains while another 140,000 have been impacted by river flooding in Ethiopia, a UN spokesman said on Tuesday.
Mice Brutally Attack and Devour Albatross Chicks
House mice that were introduced to Gough Island in the South Atlantic are attacking and killing both adult and baby albatross.
Arctic Report Card 2019: Extreme Ice Loss, Dying Species as Global Warming Worsens
When dead salmon wash ashore along the coast of the Bering Sea, the problem is much bigger than dead fish. It's a sign of deeper trouble cascading through the Arctic's ecosystems.
It's been happening more and more the last few years—fish, dead or dying, rolling in with the tide, said Mellisa Johnson, executive director of the Bering Sea Elders Group. "The seals, they don't want to eat those types of fish. They know they're unhealthy for consumption. So then they don't have enough fat reserves to last them."
As the Arctic warms roughly twice as fast as the rest of the planet, the effects are reverberating far beyond any single species. Massive systems—from the sea ice and permafrost to the jet stream—are beginning to behave in unexpected ways.
The changes are impacting species, fishing industries and local communities, including the people who have long called Bering Sea communities home. Indigenous hunters are working harder than ever to find the food they have long relied on, and they're sometimes making macabre discoveries: sea birds dying en masse, nets filled with fish that have rarely been seen in those areas.
Enormous Craters Blasted in Seafloor by Nuclear Bombs Mapped for the First Time
Today, all seems quiet in the remote Bikini Atoll, a chain of coral reef islands in the central Pacific. But more than 70 years ago, this region's seafloor was rocked by powerful atomic bombs detonated by the U.S. Army.
For the first time, scientists have released remarkably detailed maps of this pockmarked seabed, revealing two truly massive craters. This new map shows that the seabed is still scarred by the 22 bombs detonated at Bikini Atoll between 1946 and 1958.
At the time of the tests, comedian Bob Hope joked grimly: "As soon as the war ended, we found the one spot on Earth that had been untouched by war and blew it to hell."
