Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 earthquake hits the southwestern Ryukyu Islands off Japan.
5.1 earthquake hits the mid-Indian ridge.
5.0 earthquake hits the Hindu Kush, Afghanistan.
5.0 earthquake hits Kepulauan Barat Daya, Indonesia.
Great Barrier Reef – More bleaching
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is suffering its third mass coral bleaching event in five years, with some reefs that had survived earlier episodes being affected again.
A new survey reveals that 80 reefs between Tully and Townsville have been badly bleached.
“We could see that some of those corals were big enough that they must have survived the 2017 bleaching and now they re-bleached,” said reef expert Terry Hughes.
Interesting Images
Some Wildlife Photography Award Finalists
Orangutang Drinking
Monkeys in Japan taking a bath in hot springs
COVID-19
Worldwide fatalities are over 37 500. More than 784 000 people have been infected.
USA – The number of people infected with the virus in the United States hit more than 164 000, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally, with the number of fatalities surpassing 3 000.
New York – New York reported almost 7,000 new cases of the virus, bringing the total to nearly 66,500. Most of the cases were in New York City, where, officials reported later on Monday, 38,087 people had been infected. Some 1 218 deaths have been recorded statewide.
Italy – Italian health officials reported an additional 4,050 COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, putting the country total over the 100,000 case mark with 101,739. 812 more deaths were also reported bringing the total to 11,591. .
Germany – The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany has reached 66,885. Meanwhile, the death toll rose to 583.
Iran – Iran’s death toll from the new coronavirus has increased to 2,898. There have been 3 111 new cases in the last 24 hours.
Spain – Spain’s coronavirus death toll rose by 849 cases overnight to 8,189, the highest jump in fatalities since the start of the epidemic, the health ministry said. The total number of infections rose to 94,417 from 85,195 the previous date.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.6 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.
5.4 earthquake hits the Colombia-Ecuador border.
5.3 earthquake hits the Fox Islands in the Aleutian Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits the northern mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.0 earthquake hits south of Tonga.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
NewsBytes:
Kenya – A 67-year-old man died after he was swept away by flash floods in Rarieda, Siaya County on Saturday. Hundreds of families have been displaced in various parts of Nyanza and Busia County, following the heavy rains pounding most parts of the country.
Ohio, USA – Northeast Ohio residents are seeing flooded roads, intersections and high waters in their neighborhoods.
This weekend’s heavy rain has caused flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses, as well as other drainage and low-lying areas. Several Northeast Ohio counties, including Cuyahoga, remain under flood warnings or watches.
Climate change forcing whales into dangerous shipping lanes
Climate change is imperilling the world’s largest animals by increasing the likelihood of fatal collisions between whales and big ships that ply the same waters.
Warming ocean temperatures are causing some species of whales in pursuit of food to stray more frequently into shipping lanes, scientists say.
The phenomenon already has increased ship strikes involving rare North Atlantic right whales on the East Coast and giant blue whales on the West Coast, researchers say.
When whales are killed in a ship collision, they often sink and don’t always wash ashore. So scientists and conservationists say fatal ship strikes are dramatically under-reported.
Vessels strikes are among the most frequent causes of accidental death in large whales, along with entanglement in fishing gear.
Scientists say the changing ocean environment and a shift in food sources with global warming is causing right whales and some other species to stray outside protected zones designed to keep them safe from ships.
COVID-19
Worldwide fatalities are over 34 000. More than 724 000 people have been infected.
USA – The number of people infected with the virus in the United States hit more than 143 000, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally, with the number of fatalities surpassing 2 400.
New York – The Governor announced today 7,681 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 52,318 confirmed cases in New York State. The number of cases in New York City is pushing 30,000 as of today. Some 700 deaths have been recorded.
Italy – The Civil Protection department said 756 people had died in the last day, bringing the total to 10,779 — more than a third of all deaths from the virus worldwide. While the total number of confirmed cases rose to 97,689 on Sunday from a previous 92,472, it was the lowest daily rise in new cases since Wednesday.
Germany – The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany has reached 62,435. Meanwhile, the death toll rose to 541.
Iran – Iran’s death toll from the new coronavirus has increased to 2,757 with 117 new deaths in the past 24 hours, a health ministry spokesman told state TV, adding that the total number of cases has climbed to 41,495.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.8 earthquake hits Sulawesi, Indonesia.
5.7 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.3 earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
5.2 earthquake hits New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
NewsBytes:
Hawaii – Many Kauai residents woke Saturday to parts of the islands under water after heavy rainfall moved in overnight. Kauai was under a flash flood warning for much of Friday night and Saturday morning. Numerous properties were inundated by high water levels. Portions of Oahu also saw some of the heavy rain, particularly on the northern and windward side.
Urban Avians
A new study finds why some birds thrive in cities while others go extinct due to human activities — they can either grow large brains or produce more offspring.
“On the one hand, species with large brains, like crows or gulls, are common in cities because large brain size helps them deal with the challenges of a novel environment,” said lead author Ferran Sayol of Sweden’s University of Gothenburg.
“On the other hand, we also found that small-brained species, like pigeons, can be highly successful if they have a high number of breeding attempts over their lifetimes.”
Venetian Revival
Fish and even dolphins have returned to the now-calmed waters of Venice’s famed canals due to the shutdown of tourism and daily life during Italy’s coronavirus health crisis.
The hundreds of speeding motorboat taxis and tourist boats that used to churn La Serenissima’s canals are now docked in silence. The huge cruise ships are also gone, while even most of the gondolas are moored.
The city’s typically turbid canals are now clear enough to see the native seaweed and returning schools of fish.
COVID-19
Worldwide fatalities are over 30 982. More than 669 000 people have been infected.
USA – The number of people infected with the virus in the United States hit more than 124 686, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally, with the number of fatalities surpassing 2 192.
New York – Thew Governor announced today 7,681 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 52,318 confirmed cases in New York State. The number of cases in New York City is pushing 30,000 as of today. Some 700 deaths have been recorded.
Italy – Italy’s death toll is now the highest in the world at 10,023. Fatalities passed the grim milestone on Saturday, with an increase of 889 since the last figures were released on Friday. With 92,472 confirmed cases, Italy appears to have the highest death rate on the planet.
Germany – The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany has reached 52,547 after 3,965 people tested positive overnight, according to the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases’ latest tally. Meanwhile, the death toll rose to 443 from 325 the previous day.
South Korea – Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 105 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections throughout the outbreak in the country to 9,583.
Spain – The Spain Ministry of Health is now reporting more than 78 797 COVID-19 cases, with an additional 8200 cases reported in the last 24 hours. In addition, 838 new coronavirus deaths, marking the country’s highest daily jump in fatalities, brought the total to 6,528.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.6 earthquake hits Papua, Indonesia.
5.1 earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan.
5.0 earthquake hits Santiago del Estero, Argentina.
5.0 earthquake hits New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
NewsBytes:
Kenya – Ravaged by floods, Nyando residents are staring at a bleak future even as the country steps up efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus. The situation worsened yesterday after raging floods swept through several villages, leaving a trail of destruction. Hundreds of families were displaced by the floods, which swept away some of the homes. And businesses around Lake Victoria are staring at huge losses as the region starts to feel the impact of the lake’s swelling waters.
COVID-19
Worldwide fatalities are over 27 000. More than 600 000 people have been infected.
USA – The number of people infected with the virus in the United States hit more than 104,000, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally, with the number of fatalities surpassing 1,700.
Italy – The Italy Ministry of Health reported 969 COVID-19 deaths in the past day, making it the highest single day death count to date. This brings the country’s total fatalities to 9,134. In addition, more than 5,500 additional cases were reported in the past 24 hours, putting Italy’s total case count at 86,498.
New York – New York City is now reporting more than 26 600 cases. New York City has also reported nearly 450 fatalities.
Germany – The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Germany rose by 6,294 compared with the previous day while the death toll climbed by 55, the Robert Koch Institute reported. In total, Germany has reported 48,582 infections and 325 deaths.
South Korea – South Korea has reported 146 more cases of the new coronavirus in the country, bringing the total to 9,478.
Spain – Spain’s death toll from the coronavirus pandemic jumped to 5,690 on Saturday, with 832 fatalities in the past 24 hours, according to the health ministry. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in Spain has increased by almost 8,000 in one day, pushing the total number of cases to 65,700, among whom 9,444 are health workers.
Iran – The number of coronavirus fatalities in Iran surged to 2,517 as health officials announced 139 new deaths over the past 24 hours. The health ministry spokesperson, said that 3,076 people were confirmed to have contracted the virus, bringing the total to 35,408.
Russia – Russia reported 196 new cases of coronavirus, a daily record, taking its official total for those infected with the disease to 1,036.
Australia – Australia imposed stricter rules on social distancing as the number of confirmed cases jumped by 469 to 3,635, with a death toll of 14.
Turkey – Turkey suspended all intercity trains and limited domestic flights as part of measures to contain a fast-growing coronavirus outbreak, as the number of cases jumped by a third in a day to 5,698, with 92 dead.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.0 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
5.8 earthquake hits southern Iran.
5.8 earthquake hits near the north coast of papua, Indonesia.
5.7 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.3 earthquake hits south of Fiji.
5.0 earthquake hits western Texas, USA.
Arctic Ozone Aperture
NASA satellites have just detected one of the largest holes ever observed in the ozone layer over the Arctic.
Although the holes above Antarctica are much larger and dramatic, allowing dangerous ultraviolet light to reach the surface, those over the Arctic are usually much smaller, and often called “gaps” rather than holes due to their sizes.
But experts say the hole that opened from northern Canada to Siberia in March exceeds the record sizes set in 2011 and 1997.
Meanwhile Earth’s Ozone Hole Over Antarctica Continues to Repair Itself
It has been more than 30 years since the world banned the chemicals that were depleting Earth’s protective ozone layer and simultaneously triggering some troubling changes in atmospheric circulation in the Southern Hemisphere.
Now, new research published this week in Nature finds that those changes have paused and might even be reversing because of the Montreal Protocolan international treaty that successfully phased out use of ozone-depleting chemicals.
Ozone depletion has shifted the midlatitude jet stream and the dry regions at the edge of the tropics toward the South Pole. However, there are signs that this shift in wind circulation has paused and may even be reversing to original conditions.
Bolide over Nepal
The object seen in the Nepali sky Thursday evening is probably a fireball or a bolide, The Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) said.
A bright object was seen in western Nepal mainly reported from Pokhara, Syanga and Baglung with loud crashing sound heard around 8pm. A bolide is an extremely bright meteor, especially one that explodes in the atmosphere.
Monarch Decline
Even though the number of monarch butterflies that reached their wintering grounds in Mexico decreased by more than half this season, experts said the plunge is not alarming.
The Mexico director of the World Wildlife Fund told reporters that the previous winter’s numbers were unusually high because the first generation of the migrating insects in the spring of 2018 had encountered favorable breeding conditions as they headed northward toward the eastern U.S. and Canada.
But those fluttering northward in 2019 encountered colder conditions in Texas, which made them less able to reproduce.
Early reports from Texas this spring say the monarchs have arrived at least three weeks earlier than expected, thanks to unseasonably warm weather in Mexico.
Coronavirus Risk
A refuge that is home to many of East Africa’s mountain gorillas has been closed to protect the endangered primates from exposure to the COVID-19 virus.
Officials at Congo’s Virunga National Park say they will bar visitors until at least June 1 after experts warned that the gorillas are likely susceptible to complications from the coronavirus.
Similar actions have been taken in neighboring Rwanda to protect that country’s gorillas and chimpanzees.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 112 degrees Fahrenheit (45.0 degrees Celsius) in Diffa, Niger.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 104.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 75.6 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.
COVID-19
Worldwide fatalities are nearly 24 054. More than 540 000 people have been infected.
USA – The United States now has more coronavirus cases than any other country with close to 86,000 infections, surpassing both China and Italy.
Italy – The death toll in Italy rose to 8 215, with 80 589 infections.
New York – New York state health officials reported more than 8 000 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 39 000 confirmed cases. New York City is now reporting more than 23 000 cases. New York City has also reported nearly 430 fatalities.
Germany – Germany recorded 4,191 new cases of the coronavirus and 36 more deaths, raising the total number of infections to more than 37 000.
South Korea – South Korea has reported 91 new coronavirus cases on Friday. The total number of cases in the country has now reached 9,332.
Spain – Spain recorded 769 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths in the country due to the coronavirus to 4,858. The health ministry said the number of confirmed cases now stands at 64,059.
France – The death toll in the country from the pandemic rose to 1,696 yesterday. There have been 29 144 cases confirmed in the country, a rise of about 13 percent in 24 hours. Data showed 42,000 people had been registered by their GP as having the coronavirus over the last week alone, again revealing that testing in France has only revealed a minority of cases.
Iran – Iran announced 144 new deaths from the novel coronavirus, bringing the official number of fatalities to 2,378 in one of the world’s worst-hit countries. Overall confirmed cases are 32,332.
Russia – Russia reported 196 new cases of coronavirus, a daily record, taking its official total for those infected with the disease to 1,036.
Ebola – DR Congo
No new cases have been reported in the ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 17 February 2020.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the Week 18 March 2020 – 24 March 2020
Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that during 16-23 March incandescence from Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was visible nightly. Occasional eruptive events were recorded along with seven explosions. Ash plumes rose 2.8-3 km above the crater rim and material was ejected 1.1-1.7 km away from the crater. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).
Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 18-24 March ash plumes from Dukono rose to 1.5-2.3 km (5,000-8,000 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 bursts of gas, steam, and a small amount of ash that rose up to 2.5 km (8,200 ft) a.s.l. on 13 and 17 March. Ash plumes drifted NE and SE. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Fuego | Guatemala : On 16 March INSIVUMEH reported an increased number of avalanches at Fuego, traveling down the Ceniza (SSW), Trinidad (S), and Las Lajas (SE) ravines. A 600-m-long lava flow advanced down the Trinidad drainage. Weak explosive activity accompanied lava effusion. There were 4-12 explosions per hour recorded at Fuego during 17-24 March, generating ash plumes that rose as high as 1.1 km above the crater rim and generally drifted 10-22 km S, SW, and W. Almost daily 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), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), and La Cruz. Explosions sometimes produced shock waves that rattled nearby houses and were felt in communities within a 25-km radius. Incandescent material was ejected 100-400 m high and caused avalanches of material that occasionally traveled long distances (reaching vegetated areas) down the Seca (W), Taniluyá (SW), Ceniza, Trinidad, Honda, and Las Lajas ravines. Lava flows of variable lengths (400-1,000 m) descended the Trinidad and Ceniza ravines each day but were inactive by the evening of 23 March.
Ibu | Halmahera (Indonesia) : The Darwin VAAC reported that during 18-19 March ash plumes from Ibu rose to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W based on satellite images and weather models. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay at least 2 km away from the active crater, and 3.5 km away on the N side.
Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that Strombolian activity at Klyuchevskoy was visible during 13-20 March, and the number of hot avalanches descending all of the flanks continued to increase. A bright thermal anomaly was identified daily in satellite images. Gas-and-steam plumes containing some ash drifted as far as 170 km E, NE, and N at altitudes of 5.5-6.5 km (18,000-21,300 ft) a.s.l. during 15 and 18-19 March. Vulcanian activity was visible on 19 March. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.
Krakatau | Indonesia : PVMBG reported that on 18 March a dense white-gray plume rose 300 m above the summit of Anak Krakatau and drifted S. The event lasted just over 10 minutes based on seismic data. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to remain outside of the 2-km-radius hazard zone from the crater.
Nevado del Ruiz | Colombia : Servicio Geológico Colombiano’s (SGC) Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Manizales reported that small and periodic ash-and-gas emissions from Nevado del Ruiz were visible in satellite and webcam images during 18-24 March. These emissions drifted NE and SE. A gas-and-steam plume rose 1.5 km above the crater rim on 23 March. The Alert Level remained at 3 (Yellow; the second lowest level on a four-colour scale).
Pacaya | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 17-24 March Strombolian explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney Crater ejected material as high as 100 m above the crater rim. Multiple lava flows (as many as four per day) traveled 100-300 m NW, W, and SW flanks.
Popocatepetl | Mexico : CENAPRED reported that each day during 17-23 March there were 74-182 steam-and-gas emissions from Popocatépetl, some of which contained minor amounts of ash. An explosion at 2210 on 17 March ejected incandescent material onto the flanks and produced an ash plume that rose 1.2 km above the crater rim and drifted SE. Minor ashfall was reported in the municipalities of Tetela del Volcán (20 km SW), San Andrés and Hueyapan (16 km SW), and Ocuituco (24 km SW) during 17-18 March. Some emissions were accompanied by incandescent material ejected out of the crater between 2229-2315 on 18 March. An explosion at 1928 on 19 March ejected incandescent material a short distance from the crater. On 22 March an ash plume rose 1 km and drifted S and ejected incandescent tephra fell onto the flanks at a distance of 800 m from the crater. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two (middle level on a three-colour scale).
Reventador | Ecuador : IG reported that during 17-24 March seismic data from Reventador’s network indicated a high level of seismic activity, including explosions, long-period earthquakes, and signals indicating emissions. Gas-and-ash emissions were observed almost daily, though cloudy weather often prevented views of the volcano; IG and the Washington VAAC reported gas-and-ash emissions rising around 500-900 m above the crater rim, and as high as 2 km, and drifting NE, SE, S, and W. Ashfall was reported in San Rafael (8 km ESE) on 17 March. Incandescent blocks rolled 900 m down the S and SE flanks during 23-24 March.
Santa Maria | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that explosions at Santa MarÃa’s Santiaguito lava-dome complex generated ash plumes that rose 500-900 m above the crater and drifted as far as 1 km NW, W, and SW. Avalanches of blocks descended the SE, E, S, and SW flanks of Caliente cone.
Semisopochnoi | United States : AVO reported that activity at Semisopochnoi had decreased compared to the previous week. Seismicity remained elevated during 19-24 March and no surface activity was observed on most days, though weather clouds often prevented visual confirmation. A steam plume was visible in a satellite image on 21 March and weakly elevated surface temperatures were identified in one satellite image during 21-22 March. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.
Shishaldin | Fox Islands (USA) : AVO reported that seismicity at Shishaldin was characterized as near-continuous tremor during 18-20 March and continuous tremor during 21-24 March. Steam-and-gas plumes rising from the summit crater were recorded daily by the webcam and sometimes identified in satellite images. Elevated surface temperatures, consistent with lava in the summit crater, were also identified in satellite images. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch and the Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.
Suwanosejima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that during 13-19 March incandescence from Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater was visible nightly. On 14 March an ash plume rose 400 m above the crater rim. On 23 March the Tokyo VAAC reported that an explosion produced an ash plume that rose to an altitude of 0.9 km (3,000 ft) a.s.l., or 120 m above the summit, and drifted SE. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 earthquake hits the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia.
5.6 earthquake hits the Volcano Islands off Japan.
5.5 earthquake hits Northern California.
5.1 earthquake hits the southern mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.1 earthquake hits east of the Kuril Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits Tajikistan.
5.0 earthquake hits northern Algeria.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
NewsBytes:
Yemen – Severe flooding triggered by heavy rainfall has claimed the lives of at least two people in Aden, the temporary capital of Yemen. Power outages have also been reported in Aden.
Mississippi, USA – A large tornado ripped across northeastern Mississippi and northwestern Alabama causing injuries and damage to buildings in the town of Tishomingo, Mississippi, near the Alabama state line.
Wildfires – Florida, USA
Florida currently has 39 active wildfires sweeping across the state; this is down from the 51 fires that were recorded as of 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. These fires are actively burning 1 688.7 acres of land statewide.
COVID-19
Worldwide fatalities are nearly 20 500. More than 454 000 people have been infected.
Italy – The death toll in Italy rose to 7,503, with 74,386 infections.
New York – New York state health officials reported 5,146 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 30,811 confirmed cases. New York City is now reporting close to 18,000 cases after seeing nearly 3,000 additional cases today. New York City has also reported nearly 200 fatalities. Meanwhile the United States has registered more than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths as the country confirmed more than 69,000 cases.
Germany – Germany recorded 4,191 new cases of the coronavirus and 36 more deaths, raising the total number of infections to 31,554.
South Korea – South Korea confirmed 104 new cases, bringing the total to 9,241, with five more deaths.
Spain – Spain is the second-worst off country after Italy, with 47,610 cases. The country’s health ministry announced a record increase in the number of confirmed cases Wednesday, reporting a one-day increase of 7,937. Its death tally rose by the largest number too, by 738, to reach 3,434.
France – The death toll in the country from the pandemic rose to 1,331 yesterday. There have been 25,233 cases confirmed in the country, a rise of about 13 percent in 24 hours.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the Week 18 March 2020 – 24 March 2020
Manam | Papua New Guinea : The Darwin VAAC reported that during 20-21 March ash plumes from Manam rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E, based on satellite data and weather models.
Soputan | Sulawesi (Indonesia) : The Darwin VAAC reported that on 23 March an ash plume from Soputan was seen by a pilot rising to an altitude of 4.3 km (14,000 ft) a.s.l.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
7.6 earthquake hits east of the Kuril Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits offshore Male, Chile.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
NewsBytes:
Morocco – Various regions throughout Morocco have experienced floods, thunderstorms, and snowfall since Monday, March 23.
COVID-19
Worldwide fatalities are nearly 18 900. More than 424 000 people have been infected.
Italy – In Italy, 743 people died from the virus on Tuesday. As of Wednesday morning, a total of 6,820 people have died in Italy due to the pandemic. However, the number of new confirmed cases of coronavirus slowed down for a third consecutive day. The total number of infections in the country now stands at 69,176.
New York – Governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed 4,790 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 25,665 confirmed cases in New York State. This includes nearly 15,000 total cases in New York City..
Germany – Germany recorded 4,191 new cases of the coronavirus and 36 more deaths, raising the total number of infections to 31,554.
South Korea – South Korea has reported 100 more cases of the new coronavirus over the past 24 hours, raising the country’s total to 9,137.
Spain – The Spanish Ministry of Health reports the COVID-19 outbreak has grown to nearly 40,000 cases as of Mar. 24. Spain’s death toll has also topped 2,800, an increase in some 500 deaths and the third most in any single country. Given the unprecedented pressure on hospitals, funeral homes and crematoriums around Madrid, an ice rink in the city has been transformed into a temporary morgue.
France – The coronavirus has killed another 240 people in France, the top French health official said on Tuesday (Mar 24), bringing the death toll in the country from the pandemic to 1,100. 22,300 people had tested positive for the virus in France, with a total of 10,176 hospitalised of whom 2,516 people are in intensive care. However, the actual coronavirus death toll in France is believed to be much higher than the official figures which reflect only those deaths in hospitals and not the deaths in retirement facilities and at home.
India – India’s 1.3 billion people have joined the global lockdown triggered by the outbreak as the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern at the acceleration of the pandemic in the United States.
Dengue Fever – Paraguay
On February 18, the Government of Paraguay declared a State of Health Emergency throughout the country in response to the dengue epidemic. Through the week ending March 13, Paraguay has reported 203,922 total dengue fever cases, including 51 deaths.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.1 earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
5.1 earthquake hits off the coast of Aisen, Chile.
5.0 earthquake hits offshore Coquimbo, Chile.
5.0 earthquake hits the Andreanof Islands in the Aleutian Islands.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
NewsBytes:
Iran – Floods across Iran have killed at least 11 people, according to reports, at a time when one of the world’s worst coronavirus outbreaks has already overstretched first responders and hospitals. Heavy rainfall in 10 provinces, from Hormuzgan on Iran’s Persian Gulf coast to northern Mazandaran and Qom — the original epicenter of the virus in Iran, is inundating villages and towns.
COVID-19
Worldwide fatalities are nearly 16 500. More than 380 000 people have been infected.
Italy – The country’s latest tally reported a total of 6,078 deaths from 63,928 infections, with a world-leading fatality rate of more than 9 percent.
New York – New York officials reported another large increase in coronavirus disease 2-19 cases today saying they confirmed 5,707 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 20,875 confirmed cases in the State. 157 deaths have been reported. New York City accounts for 12,305 cases.
Iran – Iran is one of the hardest hit countries outside China, with more than 23,000 confirmed infections and more than 1,800 dead, according to the latest figures issued on Monday.
Germany – The Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases said 4,764 new cases of the coronavirus have been detecting in Germany, raising the total number of infections to 27,436. It added that the number of fatalities rose to 114 from 86 the previous day.
South Korea – South Korea has reported 76 new cases of the coronavirus, bring the total number of infections to 9,037.
Spain – Spain began its second week of total lockdown in the worst way possible on Monday. A total of 462 people died due to the coronavirus outbreak in just 24 hours. That’s the biggest daily rise seen up until today.
Spain – Spanish soldiers have found dead and dying people abandoned in multiple care homes after the army was called in to disinfect the properties over coronavirus fears. Some people’s bodies were found under the same roof as loved ones who were still alive. Reports say that some care home staff had been sent home after virus outbreaks were detected at the properties, making it likely that elderly residents were infected.
France – Since January 21, 2020, 19,856 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in France, including 860 deaths.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.1 earthquake hits the central east Pacific rise.
5.6 earthquake hits the central mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.1 earthquake hits Tonga.
5.1 earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
5.1 Earthquake hits southern Xinjiang, China.
5.0 earthquake hits the Volcano Islands off Japan.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
NewsBytes:
Fiji – Flooding triggered by heavy rainfall has claimed the lives of at least three people. Hundreds of people were stranded in Nausori, Central Division, on the island of Viti Levu. Damaging floods have been reported in Navua and capital Suva. Heavy downpours also triggered mudslides at a quarry in Mau, Namosi.
COVID-19
Worldwide fatalities are nearly 14 500. More than 336 000 people have been infected.
Italy – The Italy Ministry of Health recorded an additional 5,560 COVID-19 cases during the past 24 hours, bringing the epidemic total in the country to 59,138. Officials also reported 651 additional deaths.
Spain – Officials in Spain are now reporting nearly 30,000 COVID-19 cases as Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez decided Sunday to extend the state of emergency in the country.
New York – The New York Department of Health recorded an additional 4,812 COVID-19 cases, bringing the statewide total to 15,168. This includes 9,045 cases in New York City. Meanwhile total cases in the USA reach over 35 200.
Germany – Confirmed COID-19 cases in Germany have risen to 22,672 and 86 people have died from the disease.
China – The National Health Commission says there were 39 new confirmed cases on Sunday, down from 46 a day earlier. All involved travellers arriving from abroad.
South Korea – The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said there were 64 new cases on Monday, taking the total to 8,961. The death toll rose by one to 110.
India – Authorities in India have placed more than 80 cities and districts across the country under stringent lockdown after cases of coronavirus were detected there.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 earthquake hits Croatia.
5.2 earthquake hits south of Bali, Indonesia.
5.1 earthquake hits Papua, Indonesia.
5.1 earthquake hits Minahasa, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits Croatia.
5.0 earthquake hits New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.
5.0 earthquake hits the State of Yap, Micronesia.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
NewsBytes:
UAE – The Emirate of Fujairah and the cities of the emirate of Sharjah witnessed moderate to heavy rain on Saturday morning, which resulted in a significant decrease in temperatures and flooding in the main roundabouts and streets.
Further Effects of Australian Wildfires
Many waterways in Australia that have been inundated with ash and debris following the devastating bush fires this spring and summer, killing fish and other aquatic life and fouling drinking water supplies. The thick dark mud flowing into creeks and streams is killing insect larvae, tadpoles, freshwater shrine, crayfish oysters along with many protected species of fish. One of the primary impacts of the large pulse of ash was a rapid decline in dissolved oxygen levels in the water.
Wildfires – Australia
Smoke pollution that blanketed Australia for months during the bushfire crisis caused 416 deaths and thousands of hospitalisations, according to research published in the Medical Journal of Australia.Smoke was responsible for 1,124 cardiovascular-related hospital admissions, 2,027 respiratory-related hospital admissions, and 1,305 asthma-related emergency room admissions, according to the study. Most cases were in New South Wales, where thousands of residents were forced to flee their homes.
COVID-19
Worldwide fatalities are nearly 13 000. More than 304 500 people have been infected.
Italy – The Italy Ministry of Health reported an additional 6,557 COVID-19 cases and an additional 794 deaths in the past 24 hours. This brings the country’s total to 53,588 cases and 4825 deaths. Lombardy region in Northern Italy has reported 25,515 cases and 3,095 deaths alone, for a case fatality of more than 12%!
New York – New York State health officials report the number of coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19 cases have risen to 10,356 through Saturday afternoon. New York City accounts for for 60 percent of the state’s total (6,211).
South Korea – The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 98 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the national total to 8,897.
China – For a fourth consecutive day, China reported an increase in the number of cases imported from overseas, mostly from Chinese people returning home. The country recorded 46 new cases, all but one coming from outside China.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 earthquake hits Greece.
5.0 earthquake hits the Comoros Islands.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
NewsBytes:
Ohio, USA – Flash flooding swept through central Ohio Friday following severe thunderstorms in the early morning hours. The floods occurred after record rainfall in Columbus. On State Route 79, the road was washed away by flood waters overnight. Officials say the road may not be repaired for several months.
River Nile Is Threatened By Waste, Global Warming, Pollution
Egypt’s lifeline since Pharaonic days and the source of 97 percent of its water is under massive strain from pollution and climate change and now the threat of a colossal dam being built far upstream in Ethiopia.
No country is more reliant on the Nile than Egypt, whose teeming population has just passed 100 million people — over 90 percent of whom live along the river’s banks.
Despite its importance, the Nile is still heavily polluted in Egypt by wastewater and rubbish poured directly into it, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial waste, with consequences for biodiversity, especially fishing, and human health, experts say.
Around 150 million tonnes of industrial waste are dumped into it every year, according to the state-run Environmental Affairs Agency.
Climate change spells another threat as rising sea levels are set to push Mediterranean saltwater deep into the fertile Nile river delta, the nation’s breadbasket.
More than 3,000 kilometres (2,000 miles) upstream on the Blue Nile, the main tributary, thousands of workers have toiled for almost a decade to build the $4.5-billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, set to be Africa’s largest.
Downstream countries, mainly Egypt but also drought-plagued Sudan, fear that the dam’s 145-metre (475-foot) high wall will trap their essential water supplies once the giant reservoir, the size of London, starts being filled this summer.
Nuclear Highway
Workers near Moscow began building a highway over a Soviet-era dump of radioactive material despite protests by environmental advocates who warn the activity will release toxic particles into the air.
Moscow’s mayor insists that there are only “insignificant traces of contamination” over the site. The road is the initial phase of a project to redevelop the former industrial zone in the south of the Russian capital.
But Greenpeace says a state report shows that there are at least 66,000 tons of radioactive waste from a plant there that produced thorium for nuclear reactors.
COVID-19
Worldwide fatalities surged past 11,000 on Saturday. More than 277,000 people have been infected.
Italy announced another 627 deaths on Friday, the biggest day-to-day increase in the country’s four-week epidemic, a day after surpassing China’s death toll. The total number of deaths in Italy has now reached 4,032. Spain’s death toll has also increased to more than 1,300 while the number of registered cases in the country rose to 24,926 on Saturday from 19,980 in the previous tally announced on Friday, while in Iran, the number on fatalities hit another grim milestone of more than 1,500, as the country marks the beginning of the Persian New Year.
Switzerland – The latest numbers show the country has seen 5,544 cases to date, including 56 deaths. Meetings of more than five people in public spaces are prohibited.
New York, USA – New York State health officials reported an additional 2,950 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 7,102. 4,408 cases are reported in New York City. In addition, 42 total deaths have been reported.
South Korea – South Korea reported 147 new coronavirus infections on Saturday. The new cases bring the country’s total to 8,799.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.9 earthquake hits western Mongolia.
5.8 earthquake hits western Xizang, China.
5.6 earthquake hits off the east coast of North Island, New Zealand.
5.2 earthquake hits south of Africa.
5.2 earthquake hits Luzon in the Philippines.
5.1 earthquake hits south of the Kermedec Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits the Gulf of Alaska.
5.0 earthquake hits eastern Turkey.
5.0 earthquake hits the Mariana Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
NewsBytes:
Kurdistan – Senior officials from the Kurdistan Region pledged on Thursday to provide three billion Iraqi dinars ($2.52 million) in emergency relief for families in the cities of Duhok and Zakho who sustained property or other damage from devastating flash floods that swept through the area over the past two days. Duhok province has been experiencing heavy rains since Monday, which caused a rise in the water level in rivers and around population centers. This led to surprise flash floods that damaged some 400 homes, dozens of vehicles, and hundreds of shops, in addition to killing two individuals in Zakho district.
Permafrost Herds
A German researcher says that sending large herds of horses and other grazing animals to roam across regions where global heating is thawing the permafrost could help preserve about 80% of those soils in a frozen state until 2100.
Christian Beer points to Siberian studies where scientists resettled herds of bison, reindeer and horses more than 20 years ago.
They found that when the snow cover is scattered and compressed by the grazing animals’ stomping hooves, its insulating effect is dramatically reduced, intensifying the freezing of of the permafrost in winter.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 112 degrees Fahrenheit (44.4 degrees Celsius) in Rivadavia, Argentina.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 96.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 71.1 degrees Celsius) at Concordia, 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.
COVID-19
Globally, the death toll from the virus has risen to almost 10,000 with more than 232,000 cases in 158 countries and territories.
The number of infections in Italy has also risen to more than 41,000, while cases in Germany, Iran and Spain rose to more than 15,000 each. Cases in the US also surged past 13,000, while the number of deaths hit 200, forcing the state of California to order a state-wide lockdown.
Germany – Germany’s Robert Koch Institute (RKI) said the number of cases of COVID-19 rose by 2,958 overnight to 13,957. The number of fatalities rose by 11 to a total of 31 so far.
Spain – Spain’s Ministry of Health continue to report large numbers of COVID-19 cases. The latest numbers put the country at nearly 18,000 total cases and more than 800 fatalities.
Iran – As of Thursday, the official number of infections in Iran has reached more than 18,000 with 1,284 deaths.
South Jorea – South Korea has reported 87 new cases of the novel coronavirus and three more deaths, bringing its totals to 8,652 cases and 94 deaths.
Lassa fever – Nigeria
The Nigerian CDC reported an additional 51 confirmed Lassa fever cases during the week ending March 15, bringing the total for the first 11 weeks of 2020 to 906.
Ebola – DR Congo
There have been no new cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) reported in the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 17 February 2020. However, because there is still a risk of re-emergence of EVD, it is critical to maintain surveillance and response operations until and after the end of outbreak declaration.
Coronavirus – Natural Pathogen
A new study finds that the coronavirus responsible for the current worldwide health crisis is a product of natural evolution and was not created in a lab as some rumors have claimed.
The evidence for natural evolution came from comparing the genome sequences of previously known coronavirus strains with that causing COVID-19.
If a new coronavirus had been engineered as a pathogen, it would have been constructed from the backbone of a virus known to cause illness, according to lead researcher Kristian Andersen of Scripps Research.
But writing in the journal Nature Medicine, Andersen and his team say they instead found that the backbone of the virus responsible for COVID-19 differs substantially from previously known coronaviruses, and mostly resembles viruses already found in bats and pangolins.
Coronaviruses can cause illnesses ranging widely in severity. The first known severe illness caused by a coronavirus emerged during the 2003 SARS epidemic in China. A second outbreak of severe illness began during 2012 in Saudi Arabia with a disease known as MERS.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the Week 11 March 2020 – 17 March 2020
Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that during 9-16 March incandescence from Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was visible nightly. Occasional eruptive events were recorded. An eruption at 1433 on 12 March generated an ash plume that rose 2.1 km above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).
Asosan | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that eruptive activity at Asosan was recorded during 9-16 March. Gray-to-white ash plumes rose 600-800 m above the crater rim and caused ashfall in areas downwind. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was high at 1,600-1,700 tons per day on 11 and 16 March. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-5).
Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 11-17 March ash plumes from Dukono rose to 2.1 km (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 on 8 March that sent ash plumes up to 2.5 km (8,200 ft) a.s.l. Ash plumes drifted NE. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Ibu | Halmahera (Indonesia) : The Darwin VAAC reported that on 17 March multiple discrete ash plumes from Ibu rose to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW based on satellite images and weather models. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay at least 2 km away from the active crater, and 3.5 km away on the N side.
Kadovar | Papua New Guinea : Based on satellite and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 13-15 March ash plumes from Kadovar rose to an altitude of 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE.
Kerinci | Indonesia : PVMBG reported that at 1633 on 14 March a brown ash emission rose 500 m above Kerinci’s summit and drifted WNW. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to remain outside of the 3-km exclusion zone.
Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that Strombolian activity at Klyuchevskoy was visible during 6-13 March, and the number of hot avalanches descending the flanks in all directions significantly increased. A bright thermal anomaly was identified daily in satellite images, and gas-and-steam plume containing some ash drifted 135 km E, NE, and N during 8-9 and 12 March. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.
Nevado del Ruiz | Colombia : Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC) reported that three gas-and-ash emissions from Nevado del Ruiz recorded on 10 March (at 0742, 1029, and 1055) rose 345-700 m above the summit and drifted SW, S, and SE. Minor ashfall was reported around the volcano and in towns downwind. The Alert Level remained at 3 (Yellow; the second lowest level on a four-colour scale).
Nevados de Chillan | Chile : SERNAGEOMIN lowered the Alert Level for Nevados de Chillán to Yellow, the second lowest level on a four-colour scale, on 5 March. ONEMI maintained an Alert Level Yellow (the middle level on a three-colour scale) for the communities of Pinto, Coihueco, and San Fabián, and stated that the public should stay at least 3 km away from the crater on the SW flank and 5 km away on the ENE flank.
Nishinoshima | Japan : During an overflight on 9 March the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) noted continuous activity from the central vent at Nishinoshima, including an ash plume rising as high as 1 km. Ejected material landed near the cone’s base. Lava from the NE side of the central vent flowed 1 km N and into the sea. Steam plumes rose along the E coast where lava entered the sea. Lava also effused from a vent on the SW flank of the cone. Discoloured yellow-green water was visible offshore to the W, N, and E. Sulfur dioxide emissions had increased since 17 February measurements. The marine exclusion zone was defined as a radius of about 2.6 km from the island.
Reykjanes | Iceland : On 18 March IMO raised the Aviation colour Code for Reykjanes to Yellow noting that recent InSAR and GPS data indicated that during the second week of March deformation had restarted. The uplift was concentrated in the same place as that recorded in January-February, though at a slower rate. The cause of the deformation was likely an intrusion of magma at 4.5 km depth. A large (M 4.6) earthquake was recorded on 12 March and located 3.5 km NE of Thorbjorn, possibly connected to the inflation. A sequence of aftershocks lasted for a few days and was characterized by eight earthquakes over M 3 and about 80 events with magnitudes between 2 and 3. Since the large event a total of 850 earthquakes were recorded in the area.
Rincon de la Vieja | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported a minor increase in tremor amplitude at Rincón de la Vieja beginning at 0200 on 12 March. At 1845 on 14 March an eruption was recorded by the seismic network, but weather conditions prevented visual confirmation; strong tremor was recorded during 1845-2030. Tremor levels increased at around 0300 on 15 March and stopped around 0100 on 17 March, possibly indicating a small eruption.
Semisopochnoi | United States : Seismicity at Semisopochnoi increased over a period of a few days and by 15 March was characterized by nearly continuous tremor and frequent signals indicating small explosions. The unrest prompted AVO to raise the Aviation colour Code to Orange and the Volcano Alert Level to Watch on 15 March. A robust steam plume rising from the N cone of Mount Cerberus and minor ash deposits around the crater rim were visible in a clear satellite image acquired on 16 March.
Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 6-13 March. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Shishaldin | Fox Islands (USA) : Lava and a possible new cone in Shishaldin’s summit crater were visible in a satellite image on 14 March prompting AVO to raise the Volcano Alert Level to Watch and the Aviation colour Code to Orange. Weak but elevated seismicity was also recorded along with small explosion signals during 14-17 March. Elevated surface temperatures, consistent with lava in the summit crater, were identified in satellite images during 15-17 March. A small steam plume rising from the summit crater was visible in a webcam image on 17 March.
Suwanosejima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that during 28 February-6 March incandescence from Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater was visible nightly. Occasional eruptive events generated ash plumes that rose as high as 900 m above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).
Taal | Luzon (Philippines) : PHIVOLCS reported that during 11-17 March weak steam plumes at Taal rose 50-100 m above Volcano Island lake and drifted SW and NE. According to the Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) there were a total of 4,131 people in 11 evacuation centers, and an additional 17,563 displaced people were staying at other locations as of 11 March. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 0-5) and PHIVOLCS recommended no entry onto Volcano Island, the area defined as the Permanent Danger Zone.
Yasur | Vanuatu : Based on webcam images and satellite data the Wellington VAAC reported that during on 13 and 17 March low-level ash plumes from Yasur rose to an altitude of 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N and SE.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.3 earthquake hits south of Bali, Indonesia.
5.6 earthquake hits Wasatch Front Urban area, Utah, USA.
5.2 earthquake hits offshore Northern California.
5.0 earthquake hits off the east coast of North Island, New Zealand.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 22s (Herold), located approximately 827 nm east-southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius, is tracking east-southeastward at 12 knots.
NewsBytes:
Timor Leste – Heavy rainfall on Friday, 13 March 2020 from 16:00 to 18:00 local time caused an overflow of river and huge floods in Timor Leste. The flood brought water and mud along the road, damaging vehicles, houses and electricity lines in Dili municipality, mainly in administration posts of Cristo Rei, Nain Feto, Dom Aleixo, and Vera Cruz, and outside of Dili, namely in Hera. 1,664 households or 9,126 people (4,875 female and 4,251 male) are affected. The flood has destroyed at least 190 houses and injured seven teenagers.
Madagascar – After meandering near the northeastern corner of Madagascar as a tropical storm, a tropical cyclone developed on Sunday and was given the name Herold. During late last week and into the weekend, Herold produced 449 mm (17.68 inches) of rain in Sambava and 274 mm (10.79 inches) in Antlaha, both along the northeastern coast of Madagascar.
Wildfires – China
Two bushfires that broke out Wednesday in Beijing’s northern suburbs of Yanqing and Pinggu have been put out, with cleanup work currently underway, local authorities said.
The first fire broke out at 4:33 p.m. Wednesday on a mountain in Yanqing. More than 600 firefighters rushed to the scene to fight the blaze, and as of 8:30 p.m., the fire was put out and the site was brought under control.
In the city’s northeastern suburb of Pinggu, some 300 firefighting personnel and 37 fire engines were sent by the municipal fire corps after another forest fire broke out at around 7:40 p.m. Wednesday. The fire had been brought under control as of 10:40 p.m.
Illegal Wildlife Trade under Attack in Vietnam
Vietnam’s prime minister, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, has asked the country’s agriculture ministry to draft a directive to stop illegal trading and consumption of wildlife over fears it spreads disease.
The directive, seen as a victory for animal rights organisations, will lead to a clamping down on street-side markets dotted across the country, increase prosecutions of online traders and ideally put pressure on thousands of farms with known links to illegal wildlife trading.
Vitenam’s move to ban the wildlife trade follows similar moves by the Chinese government, after the new coronavirus pandemic appeared to have emerged from a wet market in Wuhan.
Both illegal and “legal” wildlife trading flourishes in Vietnam, where the trade has grown into a billion-dollar industry. There are thousands of markets around the country, many of which include stalls selling animals for food or as pets. Anyone walking around some of the street-side stalls of the Mekong delta can see fish tanks stuffed with sea turtles or skinned-alive frogs.
COVID-19
Nearly 220,000 people have now been confirmed with the coronavirus globally, and while at least 84,000 people have recovered from COVID-19, more than 8,800 have died.
China has reported no new locally transmitted coronavirus cases for the first time since the the pandemic began, marking a major turning point in the global battle to contain Covid-19. At a news conference on Thursday morning, officials from China’s National Health Commission announced there had been just 34 new cases in the past 24 hours — all imported from overseas — and eight new deaths.
Italy – Italy, the country most affected by the coronavirus outside China, reported a further 475 deaths from COVID-19 on Wednesday, as the world stepped up efforts against the pandemic by closing schools, shutting down cities and imposing strict border controls.
South Korea – The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 152 new cases, taking the national tally to 8,565.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the Week 11 March 2020 – 17 March 2020
Antillanca Volcanic Complex : On 11 March SERNAGEOMIN raised the Alert Level for the Antillanca Volcanic Complex to Yellow because of increased seismicity near Casablanca stratovolcano. Volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes began to be recorded in August 2019 and were located about 6.3 km NE of the stratovolcano. During 31 January-1 February a total of 131 VT events were located to the W and NW; the two largest events were M 3.1 and 3.2. A swarm of 73 VT events were detected on 9 March with epicenters located 2.4 km NNW and a maximum local magnitude of 1.8.
Kanlaon | Philippines : PHIVOLCS reported that ground-deformation data at Kanlaon indicated long-term slow inflation of the volcano since 2017, slow inflation of the lower flanks since May 2019, and notable inflation of the upper flanks beginning near the end of January 2020. The seismic network recorded a total of 80 volcanic earthquakes since 9 March; 77 of them were low-frequency events associated with magmatic fluids. The deformation and seismic data both indicated unrest; PHIVOLCS raised the Alert Level to 1 (on a scale of 0-5) on 11 March and reminded the public to remain outside of the 4-km-radius Permanent Danger Zone. During 12-17 March there were between two and eight volcanic earthquakes recorded daily.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.9 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.9 earthquake hits Samoa.
5.7 earthquake hits Halmahera, Indonesia.
5.5 earthquake hits the Santa Cruz Islands.
5.3 earthquake hits the eastern Sea of Japan.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 22s (Herold), located approximately 516 nm east-southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius, is tracking southeastward at 14 knots.
NewsBytes:
Kenya – About 1,000 families were left marooned and road infrastructure destroyed in Nyando Constituency, Kisumu, after floods hit the area since the weekend.
“Ruminant Plague” Threatens Populations of Wildlife
A disease already known for causing massive die-offs of wildlife in Asia is spreading.
Publishing their findings in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science, a team of scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and more than 20 other organizations say that the spillover of the Peste des Petits Ruminants virus (PPRV) from sheep and goats to wildlife has global implications for biodiversity.
Initially discovered in Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa in 1942, Peste des Petits Ruminants (French for small ruminant plague) is now recognized as a major global burden on the health and production of sheep and goats along with the human communities who depend on them for their livelihoods. This severe disease is typically observed as respiratory and digestive symptoms frequently followed by death. Until recently PPR has been considered a disease of domestic small ruminants, but there have been several recent outbreaks in wildlife, including the 2016-2017 outbreak in the Mongolia saiga antelope, which reduced the population of this critically endangered species by 80 percent.
There is growing evidence that wildlife species from the ‘mountain monarchs’ like the Siberian Ibex and Mountain Sheep to the wild ruminants of the great plains of Asia, like the Saiga antelope and Goitered gazelle, can be infected with PPRV.
COVID-19
Globally, the virus has infected 184,976 people and killed just more than 7,500, according to the WHO.
The coronavirus can survive up to four hours on copper, up to three days on plastic, stainless steel and a day on cardboard, according to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).
Italy – The Italy Ministry of Health is reporting that the total COVID-19 cases in the country now stands at 31,506. The death toll has also risen to 2,503.
Iran – Iran reported 147 more deaths from the coronavirus, its single biggest jump. The 15 percent spike raised the death toll to 1,135 people nationwide. The rise in deaths comes as the number of infections continues to grow each day, with some 17,361 people infected.
South Korea – The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saying there were 93 new cases on Wednesday, bringing total infections to 8,413.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 earthquake hits offshore Bio-Bio, Chile.
5.0 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 22s (Herold), located approximately 185 nm east-northeast of Port Louis, Mauritius, is tracking east-southeastward at 21 knots.
NewsBytes:
Indonesia – Flash floods in Indonesia’s West Sumatra province turned streets into a muddy river as water rushed through a market.
Texas, USA – Parts of Old East Dallas recorded nearly 4 inches of rain in just a few hours overnight Sunday into Monday morning. Flash Flooding resulted in some cars partially submerged in water in Old East Dallas. Some streets were temporarily closed because of street flooding.
COVID-19
Globally, the virus has now infected more than 168,000 people and killed at least 6,610, according to the WHO.
Italy – The Italy Ministry of Health reported an additional 3,233 coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19 cases and 349 deaths in the past 24 hours. This brings the lockdowned country to 27,980 total cases and 2,158 deaths.
Iran – According to an Iranian health official, there were 135 new deaths due to the coronavirus, raising the total death toll to 988.
Spain – Spain’s tally of coronavirus rose to 11,178 in one day up from a previous tally of 9,161 cases on Monday and the number of fatalities rose to 491.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.5 earthquake hits southern Iran.
5.5 earthquake hits south of Sumbawa, Indonesia.
5.3 earthquake hits the Santa Cruz Islands.
5.3 earthquake hits Kepulauan Sula, Indonesia.
5.2 earthquake hits off the coast of Central America.
5.1 earthquake hits Reykjanes ridge.
5.1 earthquake hits the Gulf of Paris, Venezuela.
5.1 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 22s (Herold), located approximately 295north- nm northwest of St Denis, La Reunion, is tracking east-southeastward at 09 knots.
NewsBytes:
Indonesia – Flooding triggered by incessant heavy rains submerged 316 homes located in two villages in Mount Ijen area, Bondowoso District, East Java Province, on Saturday.
Burnt Koalas Starve Weeks after the Bushfires
Koalas that survived the flames are now dying from starvation, dehydration, smoke inhalation and other hazards.
Over the past three weeks in one wildlife conservation property alone, our rescue team found koalas recently crushed under fire-damaged trees, and koalas with burnt paws after descending to the smouldering ground after the inferno had passed, hoping to change trees and find food. One of our most recent rescues was an orphaned, emaciated koala with all four paws burnt.
Koalas are also at risk of dying from infections associated with these injuries, or from the ongoing effects of smoke inhalation. Even uninjured koalas are struggling to find food in their burnt habitat and may soon starve.
Wildfires – South Africa
The City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service is battling a blaze on the slopes of Table Mountain, which began below Tafelberg Road on Sunday. Spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said on Monday a total of 30 firefighting appliances and over 230 firefighters are still on the scene. Several structures have been affected and motor vehicles destroyed in the fire. Six firefighters were injured and taken to hospital [and] one firefighting appliance was lost in the blaze.
COVID-19
More than half a billion children and youth are unable to go to school because of the coronavirus, the UN education agency said, as the outbreak continues to spread to new countries.
The Jewish faithful should refrain from kissing the stones of the Western Wall, the chief rabbi of the Jerusalem site said.
The USA Federal Reserve took the extraordinary step on Sunday of slashing its benchmark interest rate to near zero and unveiled measures to unfreeze credit markets as the US central bank moved to defend the US and global economies against the impact of coronavirus pandemic disruptions.
Italy – Italy recorded 368 more deaths from the coronavirus outbreak on Sunday, its biggest one day rise, amid growing concern about the ability of its strained health system to cope with the relentless increase in new cases. With 24,747 cases and 1,809 deaths by Sunday – a rise of 368 or 25% in the death toll in just 24 hours – Italy’s experience has offered an alarming example for other European countries which have begun seeing sharp rises in cases over recent days.
Switzerland – The number of cases increasing rapidly, 2,200 coronavirus cases to date.
Spain – Spain’s tally of coronavirus cases rose to 8,744 and the number of fatalities rose to 297.
South Korea – The KCDC announced 74 new cases in South Korea on Monday, bringing the total to 8,236.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.1 earthquake hits the Philippines.
5.1 earthquake hits offshore Chiapas, Mexico.
5.0 earthquake hits Halmahera, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 22s (Herold), located approximately 336 nm northeast of Antananarivo, Madagascar, is tracking eastward at 05 knots.
Tropical cyclone (tc) 23p (Gretel), located approximately 158 nm west of Noumea, New Caledonia, is tracking southeastward at 21 knots.
Bears are Waking Up Too Soon
Europe just had its warmest winter ever, the US has just had its hottest December and January on record — and as a result, the bears are waking up from hibernation early because they think it’s spring.
According to the Guardian, there have been bear sightings in February and early March in Russia, Finland, Canada, and the US. In Banff in Canada, a grizzly bear was spotted on March 3, and in Yellowstone Park in the US, another grizzly was seen on March 7.
According to Yellowstone’s website, male grizzlies normally come out of hibernation in mid- to late March, and females with cubs emerge later, in April to early May.
If they wake up too early, there isn’t enough of their omnivorous diet for them to eat. And if they don’t have enough to eat, they go in search of food, where a run-in with humans is a possibility as they rifle through garbage and gardens.
COVID-19
Spain and France have announced sweeping new restrictions on daily life in a bid to contain the coronavirus outbreaks in their countries, as the Philippines seals off Manila in the most aggressive response to the pandemic yet seen in Southeast Asia, and Australia orders all arrivals from overseas to go into quarantine for 14 days.
The Vatican said its traditional Easter week celebrations would be held this year without worshippers.
Spain – Two weeks ago the country reported 32 cases. Today, Spanish health officials put the outbreak total at 5,753 cases, an increase of some 1,500 cases in 24 hours. The death toll is now at 136.
Italy – The Italian Health Ministry reported an additional 3,497 coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19 cases, bringing the country’s total to 21,157. In addition, 175 new deaths have been recorded. Italy is now reporting a total of 1,441 fatalities.
Iran – Iran’s death toll from the new coronavirus has reached 724, with 113 new deaths in the past 24 hours, an Iranian health official said, adding that about 13,938 people have been infected across the country.
Malaysia – Malaysia reported 190 new cases of coronavirus, most linked to a religious event at a mosque that was attended by more than 10,000 people from several countries. The new cases bring the total number of infections in the country to 428.
El Salvador – El Salvador has not reported a single confirmed case of coronavirus, but congress there has declared a state of emergency and approved a partial suspension of the country’s constitution to tackle any outbreak.
Japan – Japan’s Health Ministry has announced 64 new cases of the coronavirus over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases to 780. The death toll stands at 29.
South Korea – South Korea reported 76 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in its morning update on the country’s coronavirus outbreak, down from 107 on Saturday. The country now has 8,162 confirmed cases of the virus, with 75 deaths.
Lassa fever – Nigeria
Nigeria health officials reported an additional 81 confirmed Lassa fever cases the week of Mar. 2-8, bringing the country total to 855 since the beginning of the year. This total is nearly double the 472 confirmed cases reported during the same period last year.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.3 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits the mid-Indian ridge.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
NewsBytes:
Egypt – Thunderstorms and flooding around Egypt entered a second day Friday, interrupting daily life in much of the country, including the capital Cairo, as the death toll rose to 21, authorities said. Most of the victims were in rural areas and slums. At least six children died either from electrocution or when their houses collapsed on them. Late on Thursday, Cairo’s Water Authority announced it had suspended water service to the entire megacity because heavy rain had overwhelmed the vast sewage system. The floods forced the country’s railway authorities to suspend train service nationwide. Power outages were also reported in several parts of the country, including parts of Cairo.
Pakistan – Torrential rains flooded large swathes of land in the Tank district and the Kulachi tehsil of DI Khan. A flood protection wall in Tank was reported to have been destroyed owing to the strong flow of waters. As a result, nearby villages were inundated with floodwater. It forced the Tank district administration to make announcements from loudspeakers, advising residents to take refuge at elevated places. The administration town of Tank district was also reported to have at least been partially submerged. The heavy rains in the province caused at least four rain-related deaths reported in Dera Ismail (DI) Khan in two separate incidents.
Climate Change Model Identifies Global Warming’s Impact on Electricity Usage
Global warming alone could push Chicago to generate 12% more electricity for each person each summer month by 2030. According to projections from a new climate change model developed by Purdue University researchers, U.S. midwest cities could easily face widespread power shortages if this percentage is lower. This would mean that the city would need to implement stringent measures to avoid rolling blackouts.
This 12% estimated increase is much larger than previous projections, too, owing to the fact that it now accounts for how consumers use both electricity and water at the same time, such as when a dishwasher is used or when water is heated.
Overall, the model projected that the U.S. Midwest will be using 19% more electricity and 7% more water by 2030—and this is only accounting for the summer months.
COVID-19
The worldwide death toll from the coronavirus pandemic surged past 5,000 on Saturday with the total number of cases rising to more than 140,000, according to the WHO. About 68,000 victims have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking the virus. What is of concern is that recovered victims may have 20 – 30 per cent less lung capacity than before.
The virus has also spread to several countries on the African continent, with Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Guinea, Mauritania and Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) all confirming their first cases on Friday and Saturday.
USA – President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency over the coronavirus pandemic, opening the door to providing what he said was about $50bn in federal aid to fight the disease.
Spain – The Spain Ministry of Health has seen COVID-19 deaths more than double since Wednesday. Health officials report 122 deaths Friday, up from 54 on Wednesday. More than 80 deaths have been reported in Madrid alone. To date, the total case count has risen to 4,231.
Italy – Italy reported reported an additional 2,547 coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. This brings Italy’s outbreak total to 17,660. The death toll in the country is now 1,266, up from 1,016 deaths yesterday.
Iran – The coronavirus has killed another 97 people in Iran, pushing the death toll to 611 amid 12,792 cases, Iranian state TV said.
Ebola – DR Congo
It has been over 21 days since the last confirmed case of Ebola virus disease (EVD) has been reported (Figure 1). On 9 March, the last 46 contacts finished their follow-up. These are important milestones in the outbreak as over one maximum incubation period has passed without any confirmed cases of EVD. However, there is still a high risk of re-emergence of EVD, and a critical need to maintain response operations – as outlined in the WHO recommended criteria for declaring the end of the EVD outbreak.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 earthquake hits near the west coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.3 earthquake hits Tarapaca, Chile.
5.3 earthquake hits Tonga.
5.2 earthquake hits Luzon in the Philippines.
5.1 earthquake hits the Panama-Costa Rica border.
5.0 earthquake hits western Xizang, China.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
NewsBytes:
California, USA – Rain drenched portions of Southern California on Thursday, resulting in slick roads and long commutes as well as flash flood warnings and advisories across the region. Communities in southwestern San Bernardino County and northern Riverside and Orange Counties received some of the heaviest rainfall.
Ice Free Arctic
The Arctic may become “ice free” in as few as 15 years due to accelerating global heating, according to a team of U.S. scientists.
While areas of the thickest ice that surround islands near the North Pole are likely to survive until later this century, the region will be considered ice-free when the summer coverage is less than 386,000 square miles.
Writing in the journal Climate, the researchers say statistical models point to the first ice-free summer arriving during the 2030s, with 2034 the most likely year.
”The extent of Arctic ice is important to Arctic peoples, whose lands are being affected by increased coastal erosion,” NOAA said in a statement. “Conversely, the disappearance of ice creates economic opportunities, including the opening of oil fields and new shipping routes.”
Poaching Loss
The world’s last female white giraffe and one of its calves have been killed by armed poachers in Kenya, leaving only one of the slain female’s white offspring still alive.
The mother was first spotted in eastern Kenya’s Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy in 2017.
Their alabaster coats were caused by leucism, which is different from albinism, as dark pigments continue to grow in the animals’ soft tissues, giving them dark eyes.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46.1 degrees Celsius) in Bougouni, Mali.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 83.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 63.9 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.
COVID-19
The global death toll has surpassed 4,700 with infections exceeding 135,100 cases. China reported 15 new cases, its lowest number since the daily reporting on infections began seven weeks ago.
Italy – The Italy Ministry of Health reported a large number of cases in the past 24 hours. According to health ministry data, 2,651 additional cases were reported in the country, bringing to total to 15,113. Nearly 200 additional fatalities were also reported putting Italy over 1,000 deaths (1,016).
Iran – While most experts believe this number to be much higher, Iranian health officials reported an additional 1075 COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the “official” country total to 10,075.
USA – U.S. cases have now topped 1,500 with 39 deaths, according to the New York Times.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the Week 4 March 2020 – 10 March 2020
Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that during 2-9 March incandescence from Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was visible nightly. Occasional eruptive events were recorded. An eruption at 0457 on 7 March generated an ash plume that rose 1.3 km above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 2 (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 5-10 March ash plumes from Dukono rose to 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, E, 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 1-2 and 5 March that sent ash plumes up to 2 km (6,600 ft) a.s.l. Ash plumes drifted S and E. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Etna | Sicily (Italy) : INGV reported continuing eruptive activity at Etna’s Voragine Crater (VOR), New Southeast Crater (NSEC), and Northeast Crater (NEC) during 24 February-1 March. Strombolian explosions from the vent at the top of the cone in VOR crater ejected pieces of lava sometimes 150-200 m above the vent. Ash plumes rose from the vent and rapidly dissipated. Strombolian activity from a vent at the base of the N flank of the cone was observed on 29 February. Lava continued to effuse from the vent on top of a building lava mound on the S flank of the cone and flow into the adjacent Bocca Nuova Crater. Activity at NEC was characterized by discontinuous Strombolian activity and periodic emissions of very diffuse ash plumes. During 24-25 February observers noted continuous diffuse ash emissions at NSEC, originating from a cone in the saddle area.
Ibu | Halmahera (Indonesia) : The Darwin VAAC reported that on 10 March multiple discrete ash plumes from Ibu rose to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE based on satellite images, weather models, and information from PVMBG. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay at least 2 km away from the active crater, and 3.5 km away on the N side.
Kerinci | Indonesia : PVMBG reported that at 0710 on 4 March, 1625 on 5 March, and 0655 on 6 March brown ash emissions rose 200-500 m above Kerinci’s summit and drifted NW and NE. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to remain outside of the 3-km exclusion zone.
Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that Strombolian activity at Klyuchevskoy was visible during 28 February-6 March, and a bright thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images those same days. A gas-and-steam plume containing some ash drifted 60 km WNW on 2 March. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.
Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 28 February-6 March. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Stromboli | Aeolian Islands (Italy) : INGV reported that during 24 February-3 March activity at Stromboli was characterized by ongoing explosive activity mainly from three vents in Area N (north crater area) and at least three vents in Area C-S (south-central crater area). Variable-intensity explosions from Area N occurred at a rate of 7-10 events per hour and ejected lapilli and bombs 80-150 m above the vents. Ejected tephra fell onto the flanks and some blocks rolled down the Sciara del Fuoco to the coast. Explosions from Area C-S occurred at a rate of 2-9 events per hour and ejected coarse material mixed with ash to heights less than 150 m above the vents.
Suwanosejima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that during 28 February-6 March incandescence from Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater was visible nightly. Occasional eruptive events and two explosions were recorded; ash plumes rose as high as 900 m above the crater rim. Occasional eruption sounds were reported in a village 4 km SSW on 3 March. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).
Taal | Luzon (Philippines) : PHIVOLCS reported that during 4-10 March weak steam plumes rose 50-100 m above Taal’s Volcano Island lake and drifted SW and NE; moderate steam plumes rose 300-500 m and drifted SW during 8-9 March. According to the Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) there were a total of 4,212 people in 11 evacuation centers, and an additional 32,631 people were staying at other locations as of 6 March. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 0-5) and PHIVOLCS recommended no entry onto Volcano Island, the area defined as the Permanent Danger Zone.
White Island | North Island (New Zealand) : On 10 March GeoNet reported that data collected during recent flights over White Island showed elevated gas emissions compared to previous measurements, though overall both carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide flux have decreased since the 9 December 2019 eruption. Thermal infrared data indicated that the fumarolic gases and the five lobes of lava in the main vent remained very hot; the hottest temperature was 746 degrees Celsius and was the highest temperature measured to date. Small-scale jetting occurred from the small pond that had formed in the vent area, similar to September-December 2019 activity. The Volcanic Alert Level remained at 2 and the Aviation colour Code remained at Yellow.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 earthquake hits Tonga.
5.3 earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 earthquake hits Java, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits near the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.
