Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.5 earthquake hits Kepulauan Kai, Indonesia.
5.4 earthquake hits southern Sumatra, Indonesia.
5.2 earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.
5.0 earthquake hits Salta, Argentina.
5.0 earthquake hits the South Shetland Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits the Mariana Islands.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
Tropical cyclone (tc) 15p (ana), located approximately 44 nm south-southwest of Suva, Fiji, is tracking southward at 07 knots.
Tropical cyclone (tc) 16p (Sixteen), located approximately 431 nm northwest of Suva, Fiji, is tracking eastward at 14 knots.
Tropical cyclone (tc) 17p (Lucas), located approximately 901 nm west-northwest of Port Vila, Vanuatu, is tracking eastward at 09 knots.
Newsbytes:
California, USA – A drenching storm that brought California much-needed rain in what had been a dry winter is winding down after washing out Highway 1 near Big Sur and burying the Sierra Nevada in heavy snow. One skier was reported to have died in Mammoth.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.0 earthquake hits northwest of Australia.
5.6 earthquake hits the Panama-Costa Rica border.
5.4 earthquake hits the Panama-Costa Rica border.
5.3 earthquake hits Seram, Indonesia.
5.2 earthquake hits the Komandorskiye Ostrova region, Russia.
5.1 earthquake hits the South Shetland Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits near the coast of Nicaragua.
5.0 earthquake hits the Panama-Costa Rica border.
5.0 earthquake hits eastern Uzbekistan.
5.0 earthquake hits the southwestern Atlantic Ocean.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 15p (Ana), located approximately 121 nm northwest of Suva, Fiji, is tracking southeastward at 07 knots. (98S, 94P and 99P on the map indicate tropical cyclone formation alerts. These areas of disturbance may or my not develop and strengthen to become tropical cyclones).
Newsbytes:
Papua New Guinea – At least 5 people have died in a landslide in Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea. The landslide struck in Mumeng in Bulolo District, early on 27 January 2021. The slide buried a makeshift camp, killing at least 5 people. Search and rescue teams were looking for 3 people still missing.
Wildfires Decline Globally
The dystopian images of wildfires ravaging vast swathes of woodland around the globe belie a rare positive signal for the Earth’s climate — the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by burning forests actually fell in 2020.
That’s the conclusion of atmospheric scientists at the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. They use satellites to take pictures and collect air-quality data from hotspots around the world. Despite this year’s widely-shared images of the raging infernos, which disrupted economies from Australia to the US west coast to Siberia, the amount of land that went up in flames declined. While areas such as the Arctic Circle and western United States suffered wildfires of unprecedented intensity and emissions, 2020 was one of the lowest years for active fires at the global scale.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
No 5.0 magnitude or greater earthquakes have been reported so far today.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Climate Change Puts Hundreds of Coastal Airports at Risk of Flooding
Even a modest sea level rise, triggered by increasing global temperatures, would place 100 airports below mean sea level by 2100, a new study has found. They found that 269 airports are at risk of coastal flooding now. A temperature rise of 2C – consistent with the Paris Agreement – would lead to 100 airports being below mean sea level and 364 airports at risk of flooding. If global mean temperature rise exceeds this then as many as 572 airports will be at risk by 2100, leading to major disruptions without appropriate adaptation.
Alpine plants face extinction
Alpine flowers could go extinct after glaciers disappear as more competitive species colonise terrain higher up the mountain, new research has warned.
Glaciers are retreating at historically unprecedented rates, exposing new land for plants to grow, which benefits delicate alpine species in the short term. However, these early pioneers – some of which are endemic – soon become endangered as more aggressive species take over, driving them out of their remaining habitat and decreasing overall biodiversity.
Up to 22% of species studied on four glaciers in the Italian Alps would disappear from the area once the glaciers have gone, the researchers found. Endemic plants such as mossy saxifrage, purple mountain saxifrage and mignonette-leaved bitter-cress would probably become extinct 150 years after the glaciers disappeared.
Proglacial environments are highly sensitive to global warming, and mountain species are subject to the “escalator to extinction”. They need to move to a higher-altitude habitat as the climate warms, but there is no more space for them to do this.
Disappearing Bees
About a quarter of all known bee species haven’t been seen since the 1990s even though efforts by scientists and amateurs to survey them have increased by about 55% since the turn of the century. Eduardo Zattara and Marcelo Aizen of Argentina’s National University of Comahue found that the decline isn’t the same for all bee populations, and the lack of sightings for those missing doesn’t mean the species have gone extinct. The researchers say it just means those bees are now rare enough that people who tend to report bee sightings aren’t coming across them. The destruction of natural habitats, heavy use of pesticides and climate change are likely to be causing the decline, according to Zattara.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 111 degrees Fahrenheit (43.9 degrees Celsius) in Port Augusta, South Australia.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 72.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 57.8 degrees Celsius) at Nyurba, 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.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the Week 20 January 2021 – 26 January 2021
Aira – Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that during 18-25 January incandescence from Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was often visible nightly. The sulfur dioxide emission rate slightly high, reaching 1,500 tons per day on 18 January. Two explosions, on 18 and 20 January, produced eruption plumes that rose 1.3-1.7 km above the crater rim and ejecting bombs 1.3-1.7 km away from the crater. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).
Dukono – Halmahera (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that at 0823 on 25 January an ash plume from Dukono rose 300 m and drifted S. 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 20 January that sent ash plumes to 3.1 km (10,200 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and NE. Ashfall was reported in Severo-Kurilsk that same day. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Fuego – Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that 5-11 explosions were recorded per hour during 19-25 January at Fuego, generating ash plumes as high as 1.1 km above the crater rim that drifted no more than 15 km W, SW, and S. Shock waves rattled buildings around the volcano and were felt by residents as far as 12 km away. Block avalanches descended the Ceniza (SSW), Seca (W), Trinidad (S), Taniluyá (SW), El Jute, Las Lajas (SE), and Honda drainages, often reaching vegetated areas. Incandescent material was ejected 100-300 m above the summit almost daily. Ashfall was reported on most days in several areas downwind including Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Finca Palo Verde, Santa Sofía (12 km SW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), and San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km NW).
Ibu – Halmahera (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that during 20-26 January gray-and-white ash plume from Ibu rose 200-800 m above the summit and drifted N, W, and S. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay at least 2 km away from the active crater and 3.5 km away on the N side.
Karymsky – Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over a lava dome in Karymsky’s summit crater was visible in satellite images during 14-15 and 20-21 January. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Kilauea – Hawaiian Islands (USA) ; HVO reported that low lava fountains from a vent on a cone on the inner NW wall of Kilauea’s Halema`uma`u Crater fed flows that traveled down a channel into a perched lava lake during 20-26 January. The western half of the lake deepened from 202 to 205 m and was perched ~4 m above the solidified lava crust adjacent to the crater wall. The stagnant E half remained slightly lower, perched ~2 m above the adjacent crust. The islands remained stationary in the E part of the lake; the dimensions of the largest island remained unchanged and was 23 m above the lake’s surface at the highest point. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was 2,200 tons/day on 23 January.
Klyuchevskoy – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that Strombolian and sometimes Vulcanian activity at Klyuchevskoy continued during 15-22 January and lava advanced down the Kozyrevsky drainage on the S flank and the Apakhonchich drainage on the SE flank. A large bright thermal anomaly was identified daily in satellite images. Steam-and-gas plumes with some ash rose to 6 km (19,700 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 200 km in multiple directions. A notable eruptive event on 18 January generated an ash plume that rose as high as 7.5 km (24,600 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 500 km W. Ashfall (1 cm thick) was reported in Kozyrevsk. On 24 January collapses from the lava flow at about 2,200 elevation sent large amounts of material and pyroclastic flows down the Apakhonchich drainage. KVERT estimated that the ash plumes from the event rose to 8.5 km (27,900 ft) a.s.l. The Tokyo VAAC stated that ash plumes rose as high as 10.4 km (34,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W on the same day. The Aviation colour Code remined at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Kuchinoerabujima – Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA lowered the Alert Level for Kuchinoerabujima to 2 (the second lowest level on a scale of 1-5) on 19 January, noting downward trends in activity data since mid-2020. Specifically, after May 2020 no volcanic earthquakes were detected, inflation slowed to baseline levels, and sulfur dioxide emissions began decreasing though remained slightly high. Additionally, crater incandescence had not been visible after July and no eruptions were recorded after August 2020.
Lewotolo – Lomblen Island (Indonesia) :PVMBG reported that a Strombolian eruption at Lewotolo continued during 19-26 January. Gray-and-white ash plumes rose 200-1,000 m above the summit daily and drifted E, SE, and W. Rumbling sounds were occasionally reported. Strombolian explosions ejected material 100-600 m above the summit, and incandescent material was sometimes ejected as far as 500 m E, SE, and W from the crater. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the public was warned to stay 4 km away from the summer crater.
Manam – Papua New Guinea : The Darwin VAAC reported that on 23 January ash plumes from Manam rose to 4.9 km (16,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE and N.
Pacaya – Guatemala : Strombolian activity and lava effusion continued at Pacaya during 19-26 January. Explosions from the cone in Mackenney Crater ejected material as high as 200 m above the vent. Occasionally ash plumes rose no higher than 200 m above the summit and drifted as far as 10 km W, SW, and S. Moderate-to-strong Strombolian explosions on 22 January generated ash plumes that drifted NW and caused ashfall in the regions of San Francisco de Sales and San Vicente Pacaya. The explosions rattled nearby structures. Lava flows were active on the S and SW flanks; avalanches from the S flow front reached the base on the volcano and the SW lava flow traveled as far as 1.7 km by 25 January.
Reventador – Ecuador : IG reported that a high level of activity continued to be recorded at Reventador during 19-26 January; adverse weather conditions sometimes prevented visual conformation. Seismicity was characterized by 42-106 daily explosions, volcano-tectonic and harmonic tremor events, and long-period earthquakes as well as signals indicating emissions. Gas, steam, and ash plumes, often observed multiple times a day with the webcam or reported by the Washington VAAC, rose as high as 1 km above the summit crater and drifted mainly NW, W, and SW. Crater incandescence and incandescent blocks rolling 600-800 m down the NE and S flanks were observed on some nights. A new lava flow was active on the N flank.
Sangay – Ecuador : IG reported a high level of activity at Sangay during 16-26 January. Seismicity was characterized by 30-166 daily explosions, occasional harmonic tremor, long-period earthquakes, and signals indicating emissions. Weather clouds often prevented visual observations of the volcano, but the Washington VAAC and IG webcams recorded daily ash plumes that rose as high as 2.1 km above the summit and drifted mainly NW, W, and SW. Ashfall was reported in the provinces of Chimborazo and Guayas on 23 January.
Santa Maria – Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 19-25 January explosions at Santa María’s Santiaguito lava-dome complex generated ash plumes that rose 600-900 m above the complex. The extrusion of blocky lava at Caliente dome generated block-and-ash flows that mainly descended the W and SW flanks, often reaching the base of the complex. Ash plumes drifted W and SW during 20-21 January, causing ashfall in Loma Linda (6 km WSW) and San Marcos Palajunoj (8 km SW). On 22 January collapses of material to the E and SE generated pyroclastic flows.
Semeru – Eastern Java (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that during 19-26 January daily incandescent avalanches of material from the Jonggring Seleko Crater at Semeru traveled 200-1,000 m down the Kobokan drainage on the SE flank. Incandescent material was ejected 50 m above the summit on most days and white-and-gray plumes rose 200-500 m and drifted in multiple directions. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), with a general exclusion zone of 1 km and extensions to 4 km in the SSE sector.
Sheveluch – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 15-22 January. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Stromboli – Aeolian Islands (Italy) : INGV reported that during 18-24 January activity at Stromboli was characterized by ongoing explosive activity from Area N (North Crater area) and in Area C-S (South-Central Crater area). Explosions from the N1 vent (Area N) ejected lapilli and bombs 80-150 m high, and produced minor ash emissions. Explosions at four N2 vents (Area N) ejected coarse material as high as 250 m. Periods of continuous and sometimes intense spattering was also visible. Explosions from at least two vents in Area C-S occurred at a rate of 10-18 events per hour; one vent ejected coarse material 250 m high and the other produced ash emissions. Lava emerged from the P1 and P2 vents in Area N four times, on 18, 22, and 24 January, and flowed onto the upper Sciara del Fuoco. On 18 January incandescent blocks from activity at the P1 vent rolled a few tens of meters down the upper parts of the Sciara del Fuoco. Later that same day blocks from the P2 vent traveled as far as the central part of the Sciara del Fuoco. Lava from P2 traveled down the Sciara del Fuoco on 22 January and accumulated at the coastline. A fourth lava overflow occurred on 24 January from P2, but had less volume than the third.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.0 earthquake his Taiwan.
5.0 earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.
5.0 earthquake hits the South Shetland Islands.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 13s (Thirteen), located approximately 925 nm southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking westward at 13 knots.
Newsbytes:
California, USA – A potent atmospheric river barreled through the San Francisco Bay Area, bringing high winds that knocked out power and flash flood evacuations from wildfire burn scar areas. Plus, heavy snow caused blizzard conditions in the Sierra Nevada. At least 5 000 residents were evacuated.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Ross Fever – Australia
Health officials with the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) have issued a health alert this week over an increase in Ross River fever cases in the southern Riverina in New South Wales. According to MLHD, there have been 18 cases notified from 1 – 22 January. There were less than five notified cases in the same period in 2020.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the Week 20 January 2021 – 26 January 2021
Merapi – Central Java (Indonesia) : BPPTKG reported that the “2021 lava dome” continued to grow just below Merapi’s SW rim during 15-21 January, producing a total of 282 incandescent lava avalanches that traveled as far as 1 km down the Krasak and Boyong river drainages on the SW flank. Pyroclastic flows were recorded 19 times and descended the SW flanks as far as 1.8 km. A comparison of photos taken on 14 and 21 January showed that the morphological changes in the summit area were attributed to the emergence of new lava domes. The 2021 dome volume was an estimated 104,000 cubic meters on 21 January, with a growth rate of about 8,600 cubic meters per day. Deformation continued, though at a lower rate; Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) data showed a distance shortening between points in the NW at a rate of 0.8 cm per day. Seismic activity was lower than the previous week. According to news articles ashfall was reported in several villages in the Musuk, Tamansari, and Kemalang districts on 19 January. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public were warned to stay 5 km away from the summit.
Raung – Eastern Java (Indonesia) : A brown-gray ash plume from Raung rose 100-400 m above the crater rim and drifted E at 0520 on 21 January, prompting PVMBG to raise the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Gray plumes rose 200-600 m above the crater rim and drifted E on the next day. White-and-gray plumes rose 200-500 m on 23 January and drifted WSW, and crater incandescence was visible in webcam images. During 24-25 January ash plumes rose 500 m and drifted E and S, and Strombolian activity was visible.
Sarychev Peak – Matua Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that lava began to effuse from a vent in Sarychev Peak’s summit crater 10 January, and by 20 January it had traveled about 400 m down the N flank. A gas-and-steam plume drifted 36 km NE on 12 January. A thermal anomaly was visible during 15 and 18-21 January. The Aviation colour Code remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-colour scale).
Soufriere St. Vincent – St. Vincent : University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC) and National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) reported that the lava dome in Soufrière St. Vincent’s main crater continued to grow during 20-26 January. Gas-and-steam plumes were often visible from Belmont Observatory, on Richmond Peak, about 6 km SSW of the crater. Another seismic station and a webcam became operational, and additional instrumentation was prepped. Weather conditions sometimes prevented visual observations of the crater, though observations on 22 and 25 January confirmed that the previously-identified area of burnt vegetation had expanded, including towards the top of the E crater rim. During a monitoring visit on 24 January scientists took video and still photos of the dome and installed both a camera and an EDM reflector on the S crater wall. The Alert Level remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Suwanosejima – Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that incandescence at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater was occasionally visible at night during 15-22 January. Intermittent explosions produced ash plumes that rose as high as 2.5 km above the crater rim and ejected bombs 400 m away from the crater. Ashfall was reported in Toshima village (4 km SSW). The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 earthquake hits Colombia.
5.2 earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan.
5.0 earthquake hits Fiji.
5.0 earthquake hits Minahasa, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 13s (Thirteen), located approximately 1342 nm southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking westward at 13 knots.
Ice Loss
Global ice loss has increased rapidly over the past two decades, and scientists are still underestimating just how much sea levels could rise, according to alarming new research published this month.
From the thin ice shield covering most of the Arctic Ocean to the mile-thick mantle of the polar ice sheets, ice losses have soared from about 760 billion tons per year in the 1990s to more than 1.2 trillion tons per year in the 2010s, a new study released Monday shows. That is an increase of more than 60 percent, equating to 28 trillion tons of melted ice in total — and it means that roughly 3 percent of all the extra energy trapped within Earth’s system by climate change has gone toward turning ice into water.
There is good reason to think the rate of ice melt will continue to accelerate. A second, NASA-backed study on the Greenland ice sheet, for instance, finds that no less than 74 major glaciers that terminate in deep, warming ocean waters are being severely undercut and weakened.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Syphilis – Japan
For the fourth year in a row, Japan’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Tokyo (NIID) has reported more than 5,000 syphilis cases in the country. In 2020, 5,784 syphilis cases were reported in Japan with 1,550 reported in Tokyo and 889 in Osaka.
Monkeypox – DR Congo
The number of monkeypox cases, confirmed and suspected, reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was nearly a 1,000 case increase compared to 2019. In 2019, DRC reported 5,288 suspected monkeypox cases, a high number indeed; however, this number was eclipsed in 2020 where a total of 6,257 suspected and confirmed cases were reported.
Kenya – Rift Valley Fever
Health officials in Isiolo County in central Kenya were alerted in November 2020 to a number of herders who died who presented a number of symptoms to include fever, headache, nosebleeds and vomiting blood, among others. The Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus was confirmed in mid-December 2020. As of 22 January 2021, there were four confirmed cases, 17 suspected cases and nine deaths (case fatality ratio 43.0%). All those affected were male, herders, and aged between 13 and 70 years.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 earthquake hits the Syria-Iraq border.
5.1 earthquake hits the Santa Cruz Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 earthquake hits Fiji.
5.0 earthquake hits Taiwan.
5.0 earthquake hits south of Fiji.
5.0 earthquake hits southern Alaska.
5.0 earthquake hits Tonga.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 13s (Thirteen), located approximately 1450 nm east-southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking westward at 06 knots.
Newsbytes:
Brazil – Further heavy rain has triggered flooding and landslides in the city of Florianópolis and areas of Santa Catarina state, Brazil. Civil Defence of Santa Catarina (DCSC) said almost 40mm of rain fell in Florianópolis in a 1 hour period around midday on 24 January. Roads were blocked by flood waters or landslide debris in several parts of the city. Around 35 houses were damaged. Two people died when a landslide in the Saco Grande neighbourhood caused a wall of a house to collapse.
Southern Africa – Disaster authorities report that 6 people have died in Mozambique after Tropical Cyclone Eloise made landfall in Sofala Province early on 23 January 2021. Eloise caused severe flooding in parts of Sofala Province, but also affected Zambezia, Inhambane and Manica provinces as the storm made its way west. Flooding caused severe damage to thousands of homes and over 8,000 people have been displaced, mostly in Sofala Province. INGD estimated that a total of 136,755 hectares of farmland has been flooded in affected areas. In Zimbabwe, heavy rains caused flooding, mudslides and destruction of infrastructure in Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Central, Matabeleland South and Masvingo provinces. Three people died after being swept away by flood waters in Chipinge, Manicaland Province. In South Africa, SA Weather Service said heavy rain affected parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, with some flooding reported in Venda in the far north of Limpopo.
Global Temperature Chart
Global warming led to 2020 and 2016 being around 1.2 degrees Celsius hotter than the average temperature during the 19th century.
Global warming forces Bangladeshi tribals to migrate
Global warming has dried up water resources in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in southeastern Bangladesh, forcing thousands of Indigenous tribal people out of their traditional settlements. Rainfall has become very erratic making it impossible to successfully grow traditional crops. Even centuries old waterfalls have dried up.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.9 earthquake hits the Virgin Islands.
5.4 earthquake hits Alaska.
5.2 earthquake hits North Island, New Zealand.
5.2 earthquake hits the South Shetland Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 earthquake hits the southwestern Ryukyu Islands off Japan.
5.1 earthquake hits southwest of Africa.
5.1 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
5.0 earthquake hits Tajikistan.
5.0 earthquake his Papua, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan.
5.0 earthquake hits the South Shetland Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits southern Sumatra, Indonesia.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 13s (Thirteen), located approximately 277 nm south-southwest of Cocos Island, Australia, is tracking southwestward at 04 knots.
Wildfires – Australia
Up to eleven buildings, including at least two houses, are believed to have been damaged as a bushfire continues to burn out-of-control in the hills southeast of Adelaide. More than 400 firefighters were working to control the blaze, which has burned more than 2,500 hectares of land and has recorded a fire perimeter of 24km.
South Australia’s Department for Health and Wellbeing has also issued a warning about smoke across the the state caused by the bushfires in Cherry Gardens.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Argentina – Salmomella
The supervisor of the Epidemiological Surveillance program said since the beginning of the year, 145 confirmed salmonellosis cases have been reported in Salta province. More than 80 percent of the infections were concentrated in the city of Salta.
African Swine Fever – Philippines
In a follow-up on the Africa swine fever (ASF) situation in Leyte, Philippines, local authorities said at least 1,451 hogs were culled in three Leyte towns in the past seven days as the government rushes to curb the spread of African swine fever (ASF) in the province.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
7.1 earthquake hits the South Shetland Islands.
5.7 earthquake hits eastern New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.
5.6 earthquake hits region Metropolitana, Chile.
5.4 earthquake hits the Auckland Islands, New Zealand.
5.4 earthquake hits the South Shetland Islands.
5.2 earthquake hits Fiji.
5.2 earthquake hits Colombia.
5.2 earthquake hits south of Fiji.
5.1 earthquake hits Fiji.
5.0 earthquake hits the South Shetland Islands.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 13s (Thirteen), located approximately 234 nm south of Cocos Island, Australia, is tracking southward at 07 knots.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Cholera – Nigeria
The African nation is dealing with another blow of cholera outbreaks, as recent reports have shown 20 people in the state of Delta have died due to cholera. The outbreak was recorded from the coastal communities of Bomadi and Burutu Local Government Areas, mostly children.
Typhoid – Fiji
The Ministry of Health in the Pacific island nation of Fiji has recorded three new cases of typhoid, making the total count to 13 after the nation has been hit by Tropical Cyclone Yasa.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 earthquake hits eastern New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.
5.7 earthquake hits south of the Kermedec Islands.
5.4 earthquake hits eastern Sichuan, China.
5.2 earthquake hits eastern New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.
5.2 earthquake hits offshore Guatemala.
5.0 earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan.
5.0 earthquake hits Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits the southern mid-Atlantic ridge.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 12s (Eloise), located approximately 363 nm west-northwest of Europa Island, is tracking west-southwestward at 09 knots.
Tropical cyclone 13s (Thirteen), located approximately 1089 nm west-southwest of Learmonth, Australia, is tracking south-southwestward at 04 knots.
Newsbytes:
Indonesia – Authorities in Indonesia say the country has seen 185 disasters since the start of the year, including earthquakes, tornadoes, landslides and floods. According to the National Disaster Management Agency, BNPB, hydrometeorological disasters dominate the list, with 127 flood events and 30 landslides recorded in several regions of the country during the period 01 to 21 January 2021. At least 166 people have died in the disasters, including 91 in earthquakes, 41 in landslides and 34 as a result of floods. The worst of the recent flooding occurred in South Kalimantan, where at least 15 people died. Flooding in Banjarmasin City, capital of the province, has affected over 100,000 people.
Burundi – The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that flooding in Bujumbura province of Burundi has forced thousands of people from their homes. Heavy rainfall from 08 January caused the Rusizi river to flood and Lake Tanganyika to rise, inundating areas of the Rukaramu and Gatumba zones in Mutimbuzi commune of Bujumbura province. OCHA said that “structural factors such as the saturated water table, siltation of the bed of the Rusizi river and the weakness of the artisanal dikes have accentuated the extent of the flooding.”
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Dengue Fever – 2020
Brazil was the country with the most dengue fever cases in 2020, hitting a total of 1,418,296 cases, more than half the cases seen in the Americas last year (2,245,733). Following Brazil last year was Paraguay (223,082), Vietnam (121,398 during the first 11 months), Mexico (120,239) and Malaysia with more than 88,000.
Foot and Mount Disease – Namibia
Nambia’s Ministry of Agriculture has reported another outbreak of highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). This comes after an outbreak in October of 2020. The unfortunate and continued presence of FMD outbreaks in Namibia is a serious concern. While the latest outbreak occurred in the buffer zone and north of the cordon fence, this is the second occurrence of FMD in a matter of months.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.9 earthquake hits Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia.
5.4 earthquake hits Cyprus.
Two 5.0 earthquakes hit the northern mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.0 earthquake hits the southern east Pacific rise.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 12s (Eloise), located approximately 239 nm north-northwest of Europa Island, is tracking west-southwestward at 15 knots.
Tropical cyclone 13s (Thirteen), located approximately 80 nm east-southeast of Cocos Island, is tracking southward at 02 knots.
Tropical cyclone 14s (Fourteen), located approximately 118 nm east-northeast of Port Hedland, Australia, is tracking southward at 09 knots.
Carbon Capture
Researchers are urging governments and industry to develop systems to collect carbon dioxide pollution at power plants and factories, condense it and then pump it into deep wells to prevent the greenhouse gas from worsening climate change.
They say it needs to be a priority to meet the goals of the Paris climate accord.
“Carbon capture and storage is going to be the only effective way we have in the short term to prevent our steel industry, cement manufacture and many other processes from continuing to pour emissions into the atmosphere,” said Stuart Haszeldine of Edinburgh University. Research is also underway to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, but the process is expensive and would require an enormous investment to curb global heating.
Plausible Alibi
A tagged racing pigeon once believed to have flown from a competition in the United States to the Australian city of Melbourne, 8,000 miles away, briefly faced a death sentence as officials deemed it a foreign biohazard.
Since the bird had seemingly bypassed the country’s strict quarantine regulation forbidding the importation of live animals or birds, plans were made to euthanize it. But sharp eyes from racing experts saw that the tag, allegedly from a U.S. bird organization, was not authentic. So “Joe,” named after new U.S. President Joe Biden, was found innocent and will be given the chance to fly freely around the neighborhood where it was first spotted.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45.0 degrees Celsius) in Learmonth, Western Australia.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 72.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 57.8 degrees Celsius) at Shologontsy, 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.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Anthrax – Kenya
Kenya officials are reporting a anthrax outbreak in Sotik Constituency. Six people from Itoik village were hospitalized and one died. It is believed the group came into contact with a cow who died from suspected anthrax. Residents say seven cows have already died in the area.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the Week 13 January 2021 – 19 January 2021
Aira – Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that during 11-18 January incandescence from Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was often visible nightly. The sulfur dioxide emission rate remained high, reaching 2,100 tons per day on 13 January. Five explosions and three eruptive events were recorded, producing eruption plumes that rose 1.3-2 km above the crater rim and ejecting bombs 500-900 m 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, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 13-14 January ash plumes from Dukono rose to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and WSW. 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 7-10 and 13-14 January; ash plumes rose up to 4.5 km (14,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Etna – Sicily (Italy) : INGV reported that during 11-17 January activity at Etna was characterized by intra-crater Strombolian activity at Northeast Crater (NEC), occasional ash emissions from the Voragine (VOR) and Bocca Nuova (BN) craters, and Strombolian activity, lava effusion, and ash emissions at the Southeast Crater (SEC). In general, the activity was similar to the pervious week, though activity at SEC on 18 January was notable. Lava effusion began around 0700 on 17 January but was confined to the SEC summit cone. At around 0740 the lava breached the crater and lava flowed down to the base of the cone. The effusion rate increased by 0819 and an ash emission was possibly visible; the lava flow lengthened and had reached an elevation of 3,000 m by 1000. Weather clouds moved in and prevented visual observations until 1830 on 18 January when the lava flow was visible again; it was no longer being fed and was cooling. Volcanic tremor amplitude increased and Strombolian activity intensified at 2000. A new lava flow emerged at 2015 and traveled towards the Valle del Bove, reaching an elevation of 2,900 m. Low lava fountains were visible at 2130 and an ash plume drifted ESE, causing ashfall on the downwind flank. Lava flows descended the SE, E, and NE flanks of the SEC. Explosive activity significantly decreased at 2200. Two distinct lava flows were visible, with one heading N and the other moving towards the Valle del Bove. Tremor and infrasound signals decreased to pre-episode levels by 2230. The the lava flows were stable and cooling on 19 January.
Karymsky – Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was visible in satellite images during 8-15 January. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Klyuchevskoy – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that Strombolian and sometimes Vulcanian activity at Klyuchevskoy continued during 8-15 January and lava advanced down the Kozyrevsky drainage on the S flank. A large bright thermal anomaly was identified daily in satellite images. Steam-and-gas plumes with some ash rose to 6 km (19,700 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 90 km in multiple directions. The Aviation colour Code remined at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Lewotolo – Lomblen Island (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that a Strombolian eruption at Lewotolo continued during 13-19 January. Gray-and-white ash plumes rose 200-700 m above the summit daily and rumbling sounds were reported. Strombolian explosions ejected material 100-500 m above the summit, and incandescent material was ejected as far as 1.5 km SE from the crater. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the public was warned to stay 4 km away from the summer crater.
Ruapehu – North Island (New Zealand) : GeoNet reported that volcanic tremor at Ruapehu declined to low levels on 29 December 2020, and remained low; volcanic gas emissions returned to background levels by the next day. Water chemistry had only slightly changed compared to data collected a few weeks prior. Although the temperature of the crater lake water remained high (40 degrees Celsius), the period of heightened unrest was over; the Volcanic Alert Level was lowered to 1 and the Aviation colour Code was lowered to Green on 11 January.
Sabancaya – Peru : Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported a daily average of 29 explosions at Sabancaya during 11-17 January. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 3 km above the summit and drifted in multiple directions. One thermal anomaly over the crater was identified in satellite data. Minor inflation continued to be detected in areas N of Hualca Hualca (4 km N) and on the SE flank. The Alert Level remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale) and the public were warned to stay outside of a 12-km radius.
Semeru – Eastern Java (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that during 1-15 January incandescent avalanches of material from the Jonggring Seleko Crater at Semeru sometimes traveled 500-1,000 m down the Kobokan drainage on the SE flank. Incandescent material was ejected 10-30 m above the summit and white-and-gray plumes rose 200-300 m and drifted N. Weather conditions often prevented visual observations. A pyroclastic flow was detected at 1451 on 1 January, though weather clouds prevented visual confirmation. At 1724 on 16 January incandescent avalanches traveled as far as 1 km down the Kobokan drainage and a pyroclastic flow traveled about 4-4.5 km down the same drainage. A large ash cloud rose along the length of the pyroclastic flow to 2 km above the summit and drifted NE and N. Ashfall was reported in areas to the N. During 18-19 January dense gray-white plumes rose 300-500 m above the summit and drifted N. Rumbling was heard and incandescent material was ejected 30 m high. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), with a general exclusion zone of 1 km and extensions to 4 km in the SSE sector.
Sheveluch – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 8-15 January. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Shishaldin – Fox Islands (USA) : AVO reported that several outages affected GPS, seismic, and infrasound stations used to monitor Shishaldin. On 15 January AVO changed both the Aviation colour Code and the Volcano Alert Level to Unassigned, reflecting the lack of this data to detect unrest. The volcano continued to be monitored with local webcams, satellite data, and remote infrasound, seismic, and lightning networks.
Sinabung – Indonesia : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Sinabung continued during 13-19 January, though weather conditions often prevented visual conformation. White-and-gray ash plumes rose as high as 500 m above the summit during 14-15 January, and avalanches of material traveled 700-1,000 m down the SE flank. Dense white-and-gray ash plumes rose 500 m during 17-18 January. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), with a general exclusion zone of 3 km and extensions to 5 km in the SE sector and 4 km in the NE sector.
Veniaminof – United States : AVO reported that seismic data for Veniaminof had not been received since 8 December 2020 due to a problem with the satellite link at Port Heiden. Both the Aviation colour Code and the Volcano Alert Level were changed to Unassigned on 15 January, reflecting the lack of available seismic data to detect unrest.
Yasur – Vanuatu : Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD) reported that an ash-and-gas emission rose above Yasur’s crater rim at 1734 on 18 January. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 0-4). VMGD reminded residents and tourists that hazardous areas were near and around the volcanic crater, and that volcanic ash and gas could reach areas impacted by trade winds.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.8 earthquake hits the Russia-Mongolia border.
5.7 earthquake hits the Russia-Mongolia border.
5.6 earthquake hits near the coast of central Peru.
5.6 earthquake hits the Sea of Okhotsk.
5.2 earthquake hits the Gulf of California.
5.2 earthquake hits near the coast of central Peru.
5.1 earthquake hits near the coast of central Peru.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 12s (Eloise), located approximately 365 nm north-northeast of Europa Island, is tracking west-southwestward at 11 knots.
Tropical cyclone 13s (Thirteen), located approximately 30 nm southeast of Cocos island, is tracking westward at 13 knots.
Newsbytes:
Madagascar – Tropical Cyclone Eloise formed over the Indian Ocean on 17 January and moved towards Madagascar, making landfall close to the coastal town of Antalaha in Antsiranana Province, on 19 January, with maximum sustained wind up to 95 kmh. The storm flooded 134 houses and destroyed 56, while nearly 100 schools were impacted, including 87 that were damaged and 11 destroyed, OCHA added. As it re-enters the Mozambique Channel, Eloise is expected to gain considerable strength before reaching Mozambique.
Brazil – More than 250mm of rain in 24 hours caused flooding in parts of the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. Flooding and landslides struck in the city of Peruíbe on 19 January, 2021, causing damage to roads and infrastructure. No fatalities or injuries were reported.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the Week 13 January 2021 – 19 January 2021
Kilauea – Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that low lava fountains from a vent on a cone on the inner NW wall of Kilauea’s Halema`uma`u Crater fed flows that traveled down a channel into a perched lava lake during 13-19 January. The western half of the lake deepened from 198 m to 202 m while the stagnant eastern half remained a few meters lower. The lake was perched 1-2 m above the rim. On 13 January a small portion of the cone collapsed, causing a second vent to open adjacent to the main vent and effuse lava for less than 20 minutes. The islands remained stationary in the E part of the lake; the dimensions of the largest island remained unchanged. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was 4,700 tons/day on 14 January.
Langila – New Britain (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 13 January an ash plume from Langila produced an ash plume that rose to 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted WSW.
Merapi – Central Java (Indonesia) : BPPTKG reported that the “2021 lava dome” continued to emerge just below Merapi’s SW rim during 8-14 January, producing a total of 128 incandescent lava avalanches that traveled as far as 900 m down the Krasak River drainage on the SW flank. A comparison of photos taken on 7 and 14 January showed that the morphological changes in the summit area were attributed to the emergence of new lava domes. The 2021 dome volume was an estimated 46,766 cubic meters on 14 January, with a growth rate of about 8,500 cubic meters per day. Deformation continued, though at a lower rate; Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) data showed a distance shortening between points in the NW at a rate of 6 cm per day. Seismic activity significantly decreased compared to the previous week. At around 0400 on 16 January a pyroclastic flow descended 1.5 km down the Krasak drainage and produced an ash plume that rose 500 m. A pyroclastic flow was visible in webcam images around 1700 on 16 January, though somewhat obscured due to weather clouds, and traveled an estimated 1 km. From 1800 on 16 January to 0600 on 17 January there were a total of 56 incandescent lava avalanches that went a maximum distance of 1.5 km SW. During the first six hours of 18 January six incandescent avalanches descended 600 m SW. At 0543 a pyroclastic flow traveled about 1 km down the Krasak drainage and produced an ash plume that rose 50 m above the summit and drifted SE. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public were warned to stay 5 km away from the summit.
Pelee – Martinique (France) : L’Observatoire Volcanologique et Sismologique de Martinique (OVSM) reported that seismicity at Pelée remained at significant levels during 8-15 January, though had slightly decreased compared to the previous week. The seismic network recorded at least 22 high-frequency, volcano-tectonic earthquakes with magnitudes less than 1, located at shallow depths between 600 and 1,000 m above sea level. Two low-frequency, long-period earthquakes were also noted. The Alert Level remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale).
Sarychev Peak – Matua Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sarychev Peak was identified during 7-10 and 12-13 January. A gas-and-steam plume drifted 40 km NE on 12 January. The Aviation Color Code was raised to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale) on 10 January.
Soufriere St. Vincent – St. Vincent : University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC) and National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) reported that the lava dome in Soufrière St. Vincent’s main crater continued to grow during 13-19 January. Observations on 14 January revealed that the dome was growing taller as well as expanding to the E and W. During an overflight on 15 January scientists saw extensive vegetation damage on the E, S, and W inner crater walls; damage previously noted along the upper part of the SW crater rim had expanded downslope. The dome dimensions were estimated to be 340 m long, 160 m wide, and 90 m high. Scientists visited the dome on 16 January and collected rock samples from the W part of the dome. They recorded temperatures around 590 degrees Celsius from the expanding dome front. Gas emissions were most notable from a small circular depression at the top of the dome. At night during 15-17 January residents to the W saw incandescence emanating from the crater, a phenomenon likely to be more frequent as the dome grows higher. Gas emissions were visible in the afternoon of 17 January rising from the top of the dome as well as from areas of contact between the new and old domes. An area of burnt vegetation extended from the dome along the W part of the crater floor. By the end of the week both new seismic and continuous GPS monitoring stations had been installed and were transmitting data, bring the total number of dedicated seismic stations to five. The Alert Level remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).
Suwanosejima – Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that incandescence at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater was visible nightly during 11-15 January. Intermittent explosions produced ash plumes that rose as high as 1.4 km above the crater rim and ejected bombs 400 m away from the crater. The Alert Level was lowered to 2 (on a 5-level scale) on 14 January; JMA noted that no large bombs were ejected more than 1 km from the crater beginning on 29 December 2020.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.1 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.0 earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone (tc) 12s (Eloise), located approximately 200 nm north of Antananarivo, Madagascar, is tracking westward at 15 knots.
Newsbytes:
Syria – At least 41,200 people have been impacted floods brought by heavy rainfall in North West Syria. Flooding swamped over 60 camps housing internally displaced people in parts of northern Idlib and western Aleppo on 18 January 2021. Save the Children said that as many as 2,558 tents were damaged or destroyed, along with people’s already thin belongings destroyed. Families are struggling to protect their tents and find sources of heating. Most of the people affected have already faced years of being uprooted from their homes due to conflict.
Climate change will alter the position of the Earth’s tropical rain belt
Future climate change will cause a regionally uneven shifting of the tropical rain belt — a narrow band of heavy precipitation near the equator. This development may threaten food security for billions of people.
In a study published today in Nature Climate Change, an interdisciplinary team of environmental engineers, Earth system scientists and data science experts stressed that not all parts of the tropics will be affected equally. For instance, the rain belt will move north in parts of the Eastern Hemisphere but will move south in areas in the Western Hemisphere.
According to the study, a northward shift of the tropical rain belt over the eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean will result in future increases of drought stress in southeastern Africa and Madagascar, in addition to intensified flooding in southern India. A southward creeping of the rain belt over the eastern Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean will cause greater drought stress in Central America.
The planet is dying faster than we thought
Humanity is barreling toward a “ghastly future” of mass extinctions, health crises and constant climate-induced disruptions to society — one that can only be prevented if world leaders start taking environmental threats seriously.
A eam of 17 researchers based in the United States, Mexico and Australia describes three major crises facing life on Earth: climate disruption, biodiversity decline and human overconsumption and overpopulation. Citing more than 150 studies, the team argues that these three crises — which are poised only to escalate in the coming decades — put Earth in a more precarious position than most people realize, and could even jeopardize the human race.
What will that future look like? Nature will be a lot lonelier. Since the start of agriculture 11,000 years ago, Earth has lost an estimated 50% of its terrestrial plants and roughly 20% of its animal biodiversity. If current trends continue, as many as 1 million of Earth’s 7 million to 10 million plant and animal species could face extinction in the near future.
Such an enormous loss of biodiversity would also disrupt every major ecosystem on the planet, with fewer insects to pollinate plants, fewer plants to filter the air, water and soil, and fewer forests to protect human settlements from floods and other natural disasters.
Meanwhile, those same phenomena that cause natural disasters are all predicted to become stronger and more frequent due to global climate change. Overpopulation will not make anything easier. By 2050, the world population will likely grow to ~9.9 billion. This booming growth will exacerbate societal problems like food insecurity, housing insecurity, joblessness, overcrowding and inequality.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Lassa fever – Nigeria
After reporting a record year of Lassa fever in Nigeria last year, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported nine confirmed Lassa fever cases, including 2 deaths in Bauchi state among the confirmed cases.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.5 earthquake hits San Juan, Argentina.
5.6 earthquake hits Kepulauan Barat Daya, Indonesia.
5.4 earthquake hits south of the Kermedec Islands.
5.2 earthquake hits San Juan, Argentina.
5.0 earthquake hits San Juan, Argentina.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 10s (Joshua), located approximately 1029 nm southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking west-southwestward at 11 knots.
Tropical cyclone (tc) 12s (Eloise), located approximately 358 nm northeast of Antananarivo, Madagascar, is tracking southwestward at 04 knots.
Newsbytes:
Bolivia – Heavy rain has caused flooding in several parts of Bolivia over the last few days, in particular in the departments of Cochabamba and La Paz. Flooding came after heavy rain caused rivers to overflow, including the Taquiña River. Damage was reported to homes, infrastructure and crops. Some families have evacuated their homes, mostly in Villa Tunari. One person died in floods in Cercado. Meanwhile heavy rain also caused the Mapiri and Tipuani rivers to break their banks on 18 January, flooding the town of Guanay in Larecaja province in northern La Paz Department.
Paraguay – araguay’s National Emergency Secretariat (SEN) reports it is distributing humanitarian supplies to around 4,000 families affected by flash floods in the Municipality of Concepción. Flash floods struck in around 7 districts of the city from 16 January, 2021. As of 18 January, around 1,000 families remained displaced as of 18 January. Almost 230 mm of rain fell in the city on 17 January 2021. Levels of the Paraguay River jumped from around 1.6 metres on 17 January to 2.28 metres the following day.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Typhoid – Fiji
The Fiji Ministry of Health is reporting at least 10 cases of typhoid fever on the island of Vanua Levu. According to the Minister for Health, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete, the cases were reported in the provinces of Cakaudrove and Macuata.
African Swine Fever – Philippines
Agriculture officials in Leyte province in the Visayas region of the Philippines are reporting Africa swine fever (ASF) in several barangays (villages). Blood samples taken from hogs in Abuyog tested positive for ASF, the first case reported in the Eastern Visayas.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.2 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits offshore Coquimbo, Chile.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 10s (Joshua), located approximately 1160 nm east-southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking southwestward at 08 knots.
Tropical cyclone (tc) 12s (Eloise), located approximately 386 nm north of Port Louis, Mauritius, is tracking westward at 15 knots.
Tropical cyclone (tc) 11p (Kimi), located approximately 92 nm southeast of Cairns, Australia, is tracking south-southeastward at 08 knots.
Newsbytes:
Indonesia – Disaster authorities in Indonesia report that over 20 people have died and thousands have been displaced by recent flooding in South Kalimantan and North Sulawesi Provinces. Authorities in the country are currently fighting disasters on several fronts after string of floods and devastating landslides was followed by a massive earthquake in West Sulawesi Province on 15 January which left at least 81 people dead in Mamuju and Majane Regencies. The current spate of flooding in South Kalimantan Province began on 12 January and affected Banjar and Tabalong regencies. The situation worsened over the following days. The provincial capital, Banjarmasin City, recorded over 270mm of rain in 24 hours to 14 January. On the same day the Provincial Government of South Kalimantan declared a state of emergency. As of 17 January, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported over 24,000 houses have been flooded, causing thousands of residents to evacuate. Meanwhile 6 people have died after heavy rain triggered floods and landslides in Manado City, North Sulawesi Province on 16 January, 2021. The city recorded around 250mm of rain in 48 hours to 17 January.
Most Animals Are Decreasing In Size As Result Of Global Warming
Scientists from the University of Granada (UGR) and the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile have succeeded in explaining why ectotherms (animals whose body temperature depends mainly on environmental temperature—that is, most animals) are reducing in size as a result of global warming.
heir study, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, offers the first plausible physiological explanation for the general reduction in organism size that has been observed, as a consequence of global warming. Rising temperatures lead to metabolic restrictions which restrict growth—in other words, the animals cannot develop to achieve larger sizes. With increasing size, death due to thermal stress occurs at a lower metabolic rate compared to rest at a non-stressful temperature.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Cholera – Nigeria
A cholera outbreak in the Benue region in Nigeria has resulted in 14 deaths in the region’s Agatu Local Government Area and Abinse, a riverine community in the Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.
Bird Flu – Iraq
The province of Salahudin, located north of Iraq’s capital Baghdad, has recorded a new bird flu outbreak, as the country’s Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture assured that all protecting procedures were adopted to curb the spread of the virus. Over 60,000 chickens in the province were detected to have acquired the bird flu.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 earthquake hits the Hindi Kush, Afghanistan.
5.2 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.2 earthquake hits near the east coast of Kamchatka.
5.2 earthquake hits Taiwan.
5.1 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 10s (Joshua), located approximately 1222 nm southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking southwestward at 09 knots.
Tropical cyclone (tc) 12s (Eloise), located approximately 528 nm north-northeast of Port Louis, Mauritius, is tracking westward at 12 knots.
Tropical cyclone (tc) 11p (Kimi), located approximately 99 nm north-northeast of Cairns, Australia, is tracking south-southeastward at 03 knots.
Wildfires – Colorado, USA
A wind-driven wildfire is burning in southeastern Colorado near Fort Lyon, which has been evacuated. The fire is approximately 80% contained and is estimated to be between 3,000 and 4,000 acres. The fire is burning in the John Martin Reservoir State Wildlife Area, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Wildfires – California, USA
Evacuation orders have been lifted for a community in California’s San Jacinto Mountains that was threatened by a wildfire. Residents in Mountain Center were told to leave their homes after a wildfire broke out in dry, windy conditions early Friday morning. The fire had burned about 1 square mile and was 20% contained.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 earthquake hits southwest of Sumatra, Indonesia.
A powerful earthquake rocked Indonesia’s Sulawesi island early Friday, killing at least 34 people, levelling a hospital and severely damaging other buildings, authorities said.
5.4 earthquake hits southern Iran.
5.4 earthquake hits offshore Guatemala.
5.3 earthquake hits Coquimbo, Chile.
5.3 earthquake hits near the south coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.2 earthquake hits Tonga.
Two 5.1 earthquakes hit the Southern mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.1 earthquake hits the Bismarck Sea.
5.1 earthquake hits near the south coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.1 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits offshore Guatemala.
5.1 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.
5.0 earthquake hits near the coast of Ecuador.
5.0 earthquake hits south of Panama.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 10s (Ten), located approximately 1325 nm east-southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking westward at 06 knots.
Australia’s “dinosaur trees” afforded special status
A group of exceptionally rare wollemi pine trees in Australia’s Blue Mountains were officially designated an Asset of Intergenerational Significance by state authorities on Friday. Having narrowly avoided extinction during last summer’s bushfire crisis, the designation allows extra protection measures for the trees.
Prior to their discovery in 1994, wollemi pines were known only in fossil records, with evidence suggesting they existed up to 90 million years ago during the late-cretaceous period. The wollemi pines are often described as a living fossil, having been around when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Some of the adult trees are estimated to be up to 1,000 years old with their exact location kept secret from the public.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Covid-19 – Gorillas
Members of the Gorilla Troop at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park tested positive for coronavirus and were quarantined, in the first known case of Covid-19 transmission in these mammalian animals, it was reported.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.2 earthquake hits Sulawesi, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits Tristan da Cunha.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
India – As many as 843 people moved to 17 emergency shelters after flooding from in Tamil Nadu, south India. Days of heavy rain caused the Thambirabarani river to break its banks on 13 January 2021, flooding areas close to the river in Tirunelveli district. Flooding was worsened by releases from Papanasam and Manimutharu Dams.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 112 degrees Fahrenheit (44.4 degrees Celsius) in Learmonth, Western Australia.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 69.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 56.1 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.
Ghastly Future
An international group of scientists warns that Earth is headed for a “ghastly future of mass extinction, declining health and climate-disruption upheavals” because of ignorance and dithering.
Writing in the journal Frontiers in Conservation Science, experts say that the scale of the threat is so great that it’s difficult even for experts to grasp. The report warns that climate-induced mass migrations, more pandemics and conflicts over resources will become inevitable unless urgent action is taken. It asks world leaders to meet the challenges posed by the climate emergency.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the Week 6 January 2021 – 12 January 2021
Aira – Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that during 4-11 January incandescence from Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was often visible nightly. The sulfur dioxide emission rate remained high and reached extremely high levels of 5,000 tons per day on 6 January. An explosion at 1642 on 4 January produced an ash plume that rose 1.8 km above the crater rim and merged into weather clouds. An explosion at 1133 on 11 January generated an ash plume that rose 1.3 km. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).
Dukono – Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 6-12 January 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 during 31 December and 6-7 January; ash plumes rose up to 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S and NE. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Ibu – Halmahera (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that at 1058 on 7 January an ash plume from Ibu rose 500 m above the summit and drifted N. 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 5-7 January ash plumes from Kadovar rose to altitudes of 1.5-1.8 km (5,000-6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW and W.
Karymsky – Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was visible in satellite images during 1-4 and 6-7 January. Explosions on 2 January produced ash plumes that rose to 5.5 km (18,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted almost 130 km SE. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Klyuchevskoy – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that Strombolian and sometimes Vulcanian activity at Klyuchevskoy continued during 1-8 January and lava advanced down the Kozyrevsky drainage on the S flank. A large bright thermal anomaly was identified daily in satellite images. Steam-and-gas plumes with some ash rose to 6 km (19,700 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 70 km in multiple directions. The Aviation colour Code remined at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Lewotolo – Lomblen Island (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that a Strombolian eruption at Lewotolo continued during 6-12 January. Gray-and-white ash plumes rose 200-700 m above the summit and rumbling and banging sounds were reported. Incandescent material was ejected as far as 700 m SE from the crater during 6-8 January. Strombolian explosions ejected material 100-200 m above the summit crater on 7 January. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the public was warned to stay 4 km away from the summer crater.
Pacaya – Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that the lava flow that began on 2 January from a vent on the SW flank, 200 m below Pacaya’s Mackenney Crater, formed 3-4 branches and was 400 m long by 6 January. Avalanches of material descended the W, SW, and S flanks. Strombolian explosions produced ash plumes that rose 100-150 m above the cone and drifted 10 km S and SW. Explosions on 7 January produced ash plumes that rose 300-500 m above the crater and ejected ballistics 300 m away from the crater. Explosions rattled structures in nearby villages. Two new lava flows emerged on the N flank at 0740; one traveled 50 m and the other 200 m. Active lava flows on the W and SW flanks were 550 m long. Overnight during 7-8 January a new lava flow on the SW flank descended 425 m. During 9-12 January Strombolian explosions continued to ejected material up to 300 m above the cone. The lava flow on the SW flank reached a length of 1.2 km on 9 January and 1.5 km by 10 January; it remained active through 12 January. Ash plumes drifted 10 km W during 10-11 January, and avalanches form the crater area descended the SW and S flanks.
Popocatepetl – Mexico : CENAPRED reported that each day during 5-12 January there were 11-31 steam, gas, and ash emissions from Popocatépetl. Minor ashfall was reported in several municipalities in Puebla including San Salvador el Verde (30 km NNE), Atlixco (23 km SE), San Andrés Cholula (35 km E), San Nicolás de los Ranchos (15 km ENE), and Domingo Arenas. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two (middle level on a three-colour scale).
Sheveluch – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 1-8 January. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Sinabung – Indonesia : PVMBG reported that on 5 January gray ash plumes rose 800 m above Sinabung’s summit and drifted E and SE. Avalanches of material traveled 500-1,000 m down the E and SE flanks. Eruptive events were recorded during 7 and 9-10 January though weather clouds mostly obscured visual confirmation of ash clouds; an ash plume rose 1 km above the summit late on 9 January. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), with a general exclusion zone of 3 km and extensions to 5 km in the SE sector and 4 km in the NE sector.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.8 earthquake hits Sulawesi, Indonesia.
5.6 earthquake hits the Russia-Mongolia border.
5.1 earthquake hits Halmahera, Indonesia.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
Indonesia – An estimated 50,000 people have been affected by flooding in Solok City, West Sumatra Province, Indonesia. Flooding struck after heavy rain that began on 11 January 2021. Indonesia’s meteorological agency BMKG reported 86.4mm of rain in 24 hours to 12 January in the nearby city of Padang, capital of West Sumatra Province. Over 1,000 homes were submerged after flooding in Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan Province, Indonesia on 12 January 2021. Heavy rainfall caused flooding that affected around 25 villages across 7 sub-districts in the regency.
Namibia – Heavy rain has continued to fall in parts of Namibia, with flash flooding reported in the capital, Windhoek from 11 January, 2021. Flooding has affected the city since late December. In a statement of 07 January, the city government said emergency response teams attended to 14 flood-related incidents from 30 December 2020 to 05 January 2021. Around 80 households, mostly in areas of Otjomuise, were affected. The city plans to relocate at least 65 households adversely affected by flooding. Further flash flooding struck in the city from 11 January, blocking roads and causing problems for motorists. Several rivers broke their banks, including the Gammams river.
USA – Stormy weather caused floods and landslides in parts of Oregon and Washington states in the Pacific Northwest, USA, from 13 January 2021, thousands of homes were without power across the region. Two fatalities were reported as a result of wind damage.
Tanzania – Flash flooding has caused widespread damage in parts of Mtwara Region in southern Tanzania after heavy rain over the last few days. Mtwara, capital city of Mtwara Region, recorded 478mm of rain in 48 hours to 13 January 2021. Authorities reported 1 person died after being swept away by flash floods in Mtwara-Mikindani municipality on 12 January. Many people have moved from their homes to safer areas, including in makeshift shelters in local schools.
Turkey – Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in western Turkey from 12 January 2021. Media reported that a short period of torrential rain caused flash flooding in parts of Izmir Province, in particular the Metropolitan Municipality of Izmir where streets, houses and shops were inundated, while vehicles were dragged by flood waters.
Octopuses Adapt to Climate Change
With the impact of climate change increasing by the day, scientists are studying the ways in which human behavior contributes to the damage. A recent study at Walla Walla University, by a collaboration of researchers from Walla Walla University and La Sierra University, examined the effects of acidic water on octopuses, potentially bringing new insight into both how our activities impact the world around us, and the way that world is adapting in response.
The study focused on the metabolic rate of octopuses exposed to water acidified by carbon dioxide, and the changes it made to the animals. CO2 is a key indicator of the growing acidity of our oceans because much of the gas released into the air by humans is dissolving into the seawater.
For instance, studies on cuttlefish show no significant change in their metabolism after exposure to increased OA, while squid subjected to the same conditions showed a reduction in aerobic metabolism, indicating reduced oxygen circulation in the subjects. The results demonstrated a surprising amount of adaptability in the subjects.
Wildfires – Nepal
The winter coupled with the drought for the last few months has triggered wildfires in different parts of Nepal along the Himalayan range.
The forest fire in Annapurna Conservation Area in Manang district that started on Nov. 26 is yet to put out. The fire in the bushes in the district’s Tachai area has destroyed hundreds of hectares of the forest in the mountainous region.
Not only in Manang, hundreds of hectares of the forest in Kalinchowk in Taplejung district were destroyed in fire last month. The local administration used a helicopter to disperse water in order to bring the wildfire there under control.
The fire in Gatlang area in Rasuwa district in the Langtang conservation area has also destroyed the vegetation in a large scale. Similarly, a forest area in Kaski near the Machhapuchhre mountain range too saw a huge forest fire recently.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the Week 6 January 2021 – 12 January 2021
Kilauea – Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that lava effusion from vents on a cone on the inner NW wall of Kilauea’s Halema`uma`u Crater continued to feed a growing perched lava lake during 6-12 January. Lava flowed through a crusted channel into the lake during most of the week. A dome fountain of upwelled lava at the partially submerged inlet was 5 m tall early on 6 January. Dome fountaining had weakened early on 7 January, giving way to spattering at the top of the vent and the formation of a second cone. Dome fountaining was possibly visible again on 8 January. The lake was perched at least 1-2 m above its narrow edges, though late on 10 January the stagnant, eastern part of the lake had subsided and was 3-4 m shallower. Overall the lake had deepened just 2 m by 11 January, reaching 196 m, and the lake volume was estimated at more than 27 million cubic meters. An island of cooler, solidified lava and the 11 smaller islands were relatively stationary in the E part of the lake. The dimensions of the largest island remained unchanged (250 m long and 135 m wide), though on 8 January the W end was 9 m above the lake’s surface and the high point was 23 m above the lake, suggesting that the island was rising. Sulfur dioxide emissions were 2,700 and 2,300 tonnes/day on 7 and 10 January, respectively.
Langila – New Britain (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 9 January a short-lived eruption at Langila produced an ash plume that rose 4.9 km (16,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W.
Merapi – Central Java (Indonesia) : BPPTKG reported that a new lava dome, first observed on 4 January, continued to emerge just below Merapi’s SW rim during 5-12 January. Incandescent avalanches were observed 19 times during 4-7 January with material traveling as far as 800 m down the Krasak River drainage on the SW flank. At 0802 on 7 January a block-and-ash flow traveled down the upper part of the Krasak; the total distance was not observable due to weather clouds, though the seismic data suggested it was small and was not more than 1 km in length. The event also produced a 200-m-high ash plume. Similar events were recorded that same day at 1250, 1315, and 1402. Deformation continued; electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) data continued to measure a distance shortening between points in the NW at a rate of 15 cm per day. On 7 January BNPB noted that 1,342 residents were housed in evacuation centers. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public were warned to stay 5 km away from the summit.
Martinique (France) – L’Observatoire Volcanologique et Sismologique de Martinique (OVSM) reported that seismicity related to volcanism has typically remained low at Pelée since 1980, when monitoring instrumentation was first installed, with a few dozen earthquakes recorded per year. Swarms were recorded in 1980, 1985-1986, 2007, and 2014, though the latter two swarms were associated with tectonic events. Volcanic seismicity appeared in April 2019 centered 4-5 km below the summit and deeper (more than 10 km below sea level). In addition, tremor-type signals were recorded during 8-9 November 2020, possibly signifying a reactivation of the hydrothermal system. The seismic data recorded since April 2019 represented an increase above baseline levels recorded during 1 January 2015 to April 2019. As a result of this activity OVSM raised the Alert Level to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale) on 4 December 2020. Seismicity remained above background levels during 18 December 2020-1 January 2021, with at least 14 volcano-tectonic earthquakes detected with magnitudes less than or equal to 1. Scientists did not observe fumarolic activity during an overflight on 29 December 2020. The number of high-frequency, volcano-tectonic earthquakes (M 1 or less) totaled 65 during 1-8 January. A significant number (249) of long-period earthquakes in a volcanic tremor-type signal were distributed over two periods, 0000-0200 on 3 January and between 2100 on 3 January and 0200 on 4 January. Two isolated, low-frequency, long-period signals were also recorded. The data suggested ongoing perturbation of the hydrothermal system.
Sarychev Peak – Matua Island (Russia) : KVERT raised the Aviation Color Code to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale) for Sarychev Peak on 10 January, noting that the temperature of a thermal anomaly was 79.8 degrees Celsius above background temperatures, possibly indicating lava in the crater.
Soufriere St. Vincent – St. Vincent : University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC) and National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) reported that the lava dome in Soufrière St. Vincent’s main crater that first formed on 27 December continued to grow during 6-12 January. Observations were made during a field visit on 5 January, during a helicopter overflight on 6 January, and based on 9 January drone video. During that time the dome grew and expanded to the W, produced small, hot rockfalls, had a blocky appearance, and continued to emit gasses and steam. Gas-and-steam plumes were also visible from Belmont Observatory. The Alert Level remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).
Suwanosejima – Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that incandescence at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater was visible nightly during 4-11 January. Two explosions on 5 January produced ash plumes that rose 1.2 km above the crater rim and ejected bombs 400 m away from the crater. Two explosions during 9-10 January generated ash plumes that rose 1 km and again ejected bombs 400 m away. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).
