Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 earthquake hits the Russia-Mongolia border.
5.2 earthquake hits the Scotia Sea.
5.2 earthquake hits Ascension Island.
5.1 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits the Scotia Sea.
5.0 earthquake hits the southern east Pacific rise.
Waste Personal Protective Equipment from Covid-19 is Killing Wildlife
Waste from lifesaving personal protective equipment is killing birds, fish and other wildlife across the globe, a study has found. Animals are fatally ingesting or becoming entangled in discarded latex gloves and disposable face masks, while others have started building their homes using the same material, researchers said.
Scientists found a fish trapped in medical latex gloves in a canal cleanup in the Dutch city of Leiden in August, which prompted researchers to explore whether there was a larger problem.
The biologists found hundreds of discarded face masks in Leiden’s historical canals over the course of a few months and soon realized a worrying picture was emerging. Those affected are not confined to small fish and birds, rather the entire animal kingdom globally will suffer from COVID-19 litter.
Wildfires – Nepal
Hundreds of wildfires are burning across Nepal, sending smoke and ash across its cities during one of the worst fire seasons in recent years.
Nepal’s dry season, which runs from late fall to early summer, typically peaks with the most severe fires in March and April. Since November, 73 of Nepal’s 77 districts have reported forest fires — the highest level on record in the past five fire seasons.
The country has recorded up to 2,087 forest fires nationwide since November 15, 2020. And as of March 25, there were still at least 524 active fires burning across the country, spreading a combination of dust, smoke and ash into the air.
Interesting Images
A resident of Hoboken, New Jersey spotted the unusual worm spiral after days of heavy rainfall.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Mysterious Brain Disease – Canada
Officials in Canada are racing to find the cause of a mysterious brain disease that has afflicted more than 40 people in the New Brunswick province, according to news reports.
Symptoms of the mystery illness resemble those of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a rare and fatal brain disorder; and include memory loss, hallucinations and muscle atrophy.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.5 earthquake hits western Xizang, China.
5.4 earthquake hits the Beaufort Sea.
5.2 earthquake hits the Mariana Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits the Mariana Islands.
Humans are throwing Earth’s energy budget off balance
Earth is on a budget – an energy budget. Our planet is constantly trying to balance the flow of energy in and out of Earth’s system. But human activities are throwing that off balance, causing our planet to warm in response.
Radiative energy enters Earth’s system from the sunlight that shines on our planet. Some of this energy reflects off of Earth’s surface or atmosphere back into space. The rest gets absorbed, heats the planet, and is then emitted as thermal radiative energy the same way that black asphalt gets hot and radiates heat on a sunny day.
Eventually this energy also heads toward space, but some of it gets re-absorbed by clouds and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The absorbed energy may also be emitted back toward Earth, where it will warm the surface even more.
Adding more components that absorb radiation – like greenhouse gases – or removing those that reflect it – like aerosols – throws off Earth’s energy balance, and causes more energy to be absorbed by Earth instead of escaping into space. This is called a radiative forcing, and it’s the dominant way human activities are affecting the climate.
Climate modelling predicts that human activities are causing the release of greenhouse gases and aerosols that are affecting Earth’s energy budget. Now, a NASA study has confirmed these predictions with direct observations for the first time: radiative forcings are increasing due to human actions, affecting the planet’s energy balance and ultimately causing climate change. The paper was published online on 25 March 2021, in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
Russian Arctic coast has planet’s quickest warming
It was the second warmest year in the Arctic on record, and parts of the vast region saw air temperatures far beyond the traditional freeze. The year 2020 follows the trend of the past decades and its spring months were the absolutely warmest since measurements started more than 100 years ago, a weather report from Russian meteorological service Roshydromet reads.
Parts of the Russian Arctic are now several degrees warmer than just few years ago. The warming is the most significant along parts of the North Siberian coast, and especially around the peninsulas of Taymyr and Yamal. Heat maps show that an area on the coast of Taymyr in 2020 had average temperatures up to 7’C higher than normal.
Wildfires – Utah, USA
Two wildfires burning in eastern Utah have merged, and multiple structures are threatened. The two fires began Monday near the town of Myton, in eastern Duchesne County. Fire officials said the combined fire — later dubbed the “East Myton Complex Fire” — had burned 2,200 acres as of Monday night and was 10 percent contained.
Wildfires – South Dakota, USA
Wildfires in the Black Hills of South Dakota have forced evacuations of more than 400 homes northwest of Rapid City and shut down Mount Rushmore, authorities said Monday. A fire that started near Schroeder Road in the Nemo area, about 15 miles northwest of Rapid City, had burned as much as 800 acres and was “still moving” on Monday afternoon, according to the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Several outbuildings and possibly two homes have been destroyed, officials said.
The “6” Fire was reported in Jones County, five miles north of Okaton and nine miles northwest of Murdo. The fire is estimated at 5,000 acres but size is unconfirmed.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.5 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.3 earthquake hits southern Sumatra, Indonesia.
5.2 earthquake hits Barbados in the Windward Islands.
5.2 earthquake hits the northern mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.0 earthquake hits the South Shetland Islands.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
USA – At least 4 people have died after flash floods and severe weather swept through parts of Tennessee USA on 27 March 2021. State authorities said that severe weather crossed Tennessee on 27 March, bringing two rounds of heavy rain, high winds, flash flooding and tornado warnings. The mostly localized impacts of the severe storms included flooding of homes and businesses, scattered structures damaged, closed roads, downed trees, and power outages.
Wildfires – Alberta, Canada
Wildfires that forced approximately 275 residents to leave their village in southern Alberta on Sunday have now been contained. More than 5,000 hectares were damaged as a result of the fire. RCMP also said they responded to three semi-truck rollovers and two other collisions as a result of the winds. 1 person was transported to hospital in critical condition as a result of fire.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.9 earthquake hits the Adriatic Sea.
5.7 earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.
5.1 earthquake hits Taiwan.
Horns Down
Wildlife experts in Africa say they have found it is safer to relocate the critically endangered black rhinoceros upside down, sedated and blindfolded by helicopter rather than by land.
It is sometimes necessary to move rhinos from local overcrowding and to make them less vulnerable to poaching. Their blood oxygen levels are higher when they are upside down, compared to lying on their side on a flatbed truck. Nearly 98% of black rhinos disappeared in the wild after the 1960s, when more than 100,000 roamed the deserts, shrublands and savannas from Kenya to Namibia.
Wildfires – India
A thick layer of smoke has covered Nawalpur due to bushfires in various community forests in the district. Bushfires have spread to around 2,000 hectares of forests in the district. It is believed the fires were lit deliberately.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Swine Flu – USA
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a case of human infection with a novel influenza A virus, or “swine flu” in North Carolina.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.0 earthquake hits northeast of Taiwan.
5.4 earthquake hits Halmahera, Indonesia.
5.3 earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.
5.2 earthquake hits Jan Mayen Island.
5.1 earthquake hits northern Sumatra, Indonesia.
5.1 earthquake hits the southeast Indian ridge.
5.0 earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.
5.0 earthquake hits Arunachal Pradesh, India.
Amazon Adds to Global Warming
The first broad study of all greenhouse gases in the Amazon rainforest reveals that on balance the damaged ecosystem is now a net contributor to climate change. Part of the problem comes from local damaging activities like logging, dam-building, and cattle ranching. But planet-wide warming is also disrupting the water cycles in the Amazon, intensifying floods and drought that create more greenhouse gases and further decrease the ecosystem’s ability to capture and store carbon emissions.
US wildfires cause mass bird die off
After an abnormally large number of migratory birds turned up dead in people’s backyards in Colorado and other parts of western and central U.S. states.
Around the same period as the birds’ deaths, more than 3 million hectares (7.8 million acres) of land burned, which resulted in habitat loss and the emission of toxic compounds that threaten the health of both avian species and humans. In addition, snowstorms struck parts of the Northwest in early September while these birds were in the midst of their annual migration. Some areas experienced temperature drops of as much as 40°C (72°F) in just a few hours.
Researchers found that the wildfires and also the toxic air were the two factors that influenced the birds’ mortality. There was a strong correlation between the observations of dead birds and wildfires and the toxic gases they produced, but there was not enough information to conclude that the avian mortality was connected to the early winter storms.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 earthquake hits Guadeloupe in the Leeward Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits the southeast Indian ridge.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
Indonesia – Heavy rain on 25 March caused the Citarum river and its tributaries to overflow in Bandung Regency, West Java, Indonesia. Flooding was reported in Dayeuhkolot, Baleendah, Bojongsoang, Cicalengka and Rancaekek districts, with a depth of over 1 metre in some areas. According to disaster authorities, as of 26 March more than 10,000 homes have been damaged, along with schools, public buildings and roads. A total of 60,539 people have been affected by the floods.
Brazil – At least one person has died in flash floods in the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. Meanwhile flooding from overflowing rivers in the northern state of Pará has prompted authorities to declare a state of emergency. A storm brought strong winds and heavy rain to parts of Santa Catarina state in southern Brazil on 23 March 2021. The worst of the damage was reported in the city of Blumenau.
Floods and Pests
Southeastern Australia’s worst floods in 50 years have forced thousands from their homes and driven a frightening number of snakes and spiders into populated areas. Other wildlife are also scrambling for higher ground, including skinks, ants and crickets.
The hordes of spiders invading people’s homes have proven to be the most traumatic for many residents. But they are advised not reach for insecticides because the arachnids will eventually leave when the waters recede.
Plastic Pathogens
Researchers say they have found that the vast amounts of microplastics released into the environment from wastewater treatment plants each day may be “hubs” for antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other pathogens. A team from the New Jersey Institute of Technology says the plastic pollution forms a slimy layer of film on the surface of wastewater, which collects dangerous microorganisms and allows them to commingle and mix with antibiotic waste. The scientists say this poses a threat to marine life and human health if the plastic-borne pathogens bypass the treatment process, which is typically not designed to remove the plastics.
Cause of mysterious bald eagle deaths found
A mysterious neurodegenerative disease has been killing bald eagles and other animals at lakes across the United States. And after 25 years of sleuthing, researchers have finally figured out its cause. The disease, known as vacuolar myelinopathy (VM), was first discovered in 1994 when a large number of bald eagle carcasses were found near DeGray Lake in Arkansas.
Scientists eventually identified an invasive plant and later a particular species of cyanobacteria that seemed to be responsible. Now, a new study has uncovered the culprit: a neurotoxin called aetokthonotoxin that is produced under certain circumstances by the cyanobacteria living on the invasive plants.
Scientists discovered that VM was found only in lakes where an invasive plant species, Hydrilla verticillata, was also found. The Hydrilla, which is native to Central Africa, was first found in the U.S. in 1960 in Florida and has since become one of the most successful invasive plant species in history. It only takes a few fragments of the Hydrilla plant or some of its tubers to be introduced into a lake before it takes over and becomes almost impossible to remove.
It is highly unlikely that VM will ever be eradicated from U.S. lakes, but now that scientists better understand the toxin responsible for it, they can figure out ways to control the spread and manage the disease.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45.0 degrees Celsius) in Maïné-Soroa, Niger.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 82.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 63.3 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 countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the Week 17 March 2021 – 23 March 2021
Aira – Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that during 15-22 March incandescence from Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was visible nightly. An explosion on 15 March produced an eruption plume that rose 1.5 km above the crater rim and ejected bombs 500-700 m away from the crater. The explosions on 20 March generated plumes that rose as high as 1.6 km. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was 1,800 tons per day on 12 March. 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 16-23 March ash plumes from Dukono rose to 2.1-2.4 km (7,000-8,000 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 explosions during 12-15 and 18-19 March that sent ash plumes to 2.6 km (8,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E, NE, and NW. Ashfall was reported in Severo-Kurilsk on 12 March. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Kilauea – Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that two vents on the inner NW wall of Kilauea’s Halema`uma`u Crater continued to supply the lava lake during 17-23 March. Lava flowed from both the main vent and a vent several meters NE into the lake through submerged inlets. Another lava flow emerged from about halfway up the cone structure starting at 0220 on 16 March, but had ended by the next day. The depth of the western part of the lake rose from about 221 m to 223 m and lava continued to circulate in that part. The E half of the lake remained solidified and lower that the W half, with the crusted E half expanding towards the W. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was 650, 700, and 1,100 tons/day on 17, 18, and 19 March, respectively. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.
Klyuchevskoy – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that the Strombolian eruption from vents on Klyuchevskoy’s lower NW flank continued during 12-19 March. A large, bright thermal anomaly over the vents was identified in satellite images. Kamchatka Volcanological Station scientists visited the eruption site on 16 March and observed decreased activity. A small lava flow effused from a vent at the W base of the cone and lava flowed from the N side. Every few seconds material was ejected as high as 100 m above the cone’s rim. On 22 March the cinder cone was weakly incandescent and lava effusion continued to be observed in webcam images. The temperature of the thermal anomaly identified in satellite data also significantly decreased. The Aviation colour Code was lowered to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-colour scale) on 22 March. Two days later, on 24 March, the Aviation colour Code was lowered to Green (the lowest level); weak incandescence from the cone and flows visible in webcam images reflected cooling.
Laguna del Maule – Central Chile-Argentina border : SERNAGEOMIN reported that during 1-15 March the seismic network at Laguna del Maule recorded a total of 123 volcano-tectonic earthquakes. The largest event was a local M 2.4 located 8.2 km WSW of the lake, at a depth of 4.4 km. One tremor event was also recorded. Recent carbon dioxide emission measurements showed an upward trend and that the area of anomalous emissions had expanded. Deformation rates were higher than maximum averages. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, the second lowest level on a four-colour scale. ONEMI maintained a Yellow Alert for San Clemente and recommended restricted access within a radius of 2 km from the center of elevated carbon dioxide emissions.
Lewotolok – Lembata Island (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that the Strombolian eruption at Lewotolok continued during 17-23 March. Daily gray-and-white ash plumes rose as high as 700 m above the summit and drifted mainly E and SE. Incandescent material was ejected 300 m E of the summit on 20 March. The next day incandescent material was ejected 100 m above the summit and as far as 200 m E. On 22 March explosions ejected incandescent material 250-350 m SE. The eruptive events were accompanied by rumbling and banging sounds. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the public was warned to stay 4 km away from the summit crater.
Nevados de Chillan – Chile : SERNAGEOMIN reported that activity at Nevados de Chillán’s Nicanor Crater was ongoing with sporadic gas-and-ash emissions and continuing lava effusion during 1-15 March. Explosions produced eruption plumes that rose as high as 1.3 km above the crater rim, and sometimes ejected material as far as 160 m onto the NE flank. The L5 lava flow on the N flank was about 925 m long and 80 m wide at the distal end, and continued to slowly advance. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, the second lowest level on a four-colour scale. ONEMI stated that Alert Level Yellow (the middle level on a three-colour scale) remained in place for the communities of Pinto and Coihueco, noting that the public should stay at least 2 km away from the crater.
Raung – Eastern Java (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that daily gray-and-white ash plumes rose 300-900 m above Raung’s summit during 16-23 March. Ash plumes drifted mainly N, E, and 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.
Reventador – Ecuador : IG reported that a high level of activity continued to be recorded at Reventador during 16-23 March; adverse weather conditions sometimes prevented visual confirmation. Seismicity was characterized by 31-81 daily explosions, volcano-tectonic and harmonic tremor events, and long-period earthquakes as well as signals indicating emissions. Gas, steam, and ash plumes were often observed multiple times a day with the webcam or reported by the Washington VAAC; they rose as high as 1.5 km above the summit crater and drifted mainly NE, E, and SW. Crater incandescence and incandescent blocks rolling at least down the N, NE, and E flanks were observed nightly.
Sangay – Ecuador : IG reported a high level of activity at Sangay during 17-23 March. Seismicity was characterized by daily explosions, long-period earthquakes, and signals indicating emissions. Weather clouds and rain often prevented visual observations of the volcano, though based on the Washington VAAC, webcam images, and observer reports, ash plumes were noted most days rising as high as 1.5 km above the summit and drifting mainly N, W, and SW. A seismic station recorded occasional debris flows during 17-19 March. No ashfall was reported by residents.
Sheveluch – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 12-19 March. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Sinabung – Indonesia : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Sinabung continued during 16-23 March. Weather conditions often prevented visual observations of the volcano, particularly during the end of the week. Avalanches were detected daily by the seismic network and observed traveling 500-1,500 m down the E and SE flanks during 16-18 March. 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.
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 slowly grow during 17-23 March, expanding to the N and S. A team visited the dome on 19 and 23 March to make observations, take measurements, and maintain monitoring equipment. Gas-and-steam continued to rise from the top of the dome as well as along the contact between the old and new domes. As of 19 March the dome was 105 m tall, 912 m long, 243 m wide, and had an estimated volume of 13.13 million cubic meters. The Alert Level remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Suwanosejima – Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that the seismic network for Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater detected a total of 11 explosions during 12-19 March. These events produced eruption plumes that rose as high as 1.7 km above the crater rim and ejected bombs up to 700 m away from the crater. Incandescence from the crater was occasionally visible at night. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 earthquake hits offshore El Salvador.
5.1 earthquake hits south of Fiji.
5.1 earthquake hits off the coast of southern Peru.
5.0 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
Australia – Days of torrential rain have spawned massive flooding in eastern Australia, forcing the evacuation of some 40,000 people. In the country’s arid central section, it has sent waterfalls down the side of the country’s majestic Uluru rocks. The floods, which have submerged houses, stranded cattle and cut off towns, have inundated vast areas along the east coast from roughly Mackay, about 600 miles north of Brisbane in Queensland, to Bega in New South Wales, some 260 miles south of Sydney. Two fatalities have been reported.
Millions of dead jellyfish are washing up around the world
The by-the-wind sailor jellyfish (Velella velella) spends its days drifting aimlessly through the open sea, gorging itself on an endless buffet of complementary morsels.
Every year, on beaches around the world, colonies of sailor jellies become stranded by the thousands. There, they dry up and die, becoming a “crunchy carpet” of dehydrated corpses covering the sand. Sailor jelly strandings are common when seasonal winds change course, but some — like a 2006 event on the west coast of New Zealand — are on another level entirely, with the jellyfish corpses numbering not in the thousands, but in the millions. During spring months from 2015 to 2019, dead jellyfish littered more than 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) of continuous coastline
These exceptional jellyfish die-offs coincided with a massive marine heat wave known as “the blob.” Beginning in 2013, surface waters off the Pacific coast began heating up to levels never recorded before. The intense warming continued through 2016, tampering with every level of the marine food chain and resulting in mass die-offs of seabirds, baleen whales, sea lions and other creatures. According to a new study, it’s likely that the blob drove the mass die-offs of by-the-wind sailor jellyfish reported during those years.
Daytime Meteor
A rare daytime fireball meteor triggered a loud sonic boom across parts of the United Kingdom and France over the weekend. The sonic boom occurred at 2:50 p.m. local time on Saturday (March 20) and was reportedly heard in southwest England, Wales and northern France. However, a handful of people said they had witnessed a bright flash of light across the sky at the same time, and thanks to satellite images, it was later confirmed to be a fireball meteor.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the Week 17 March 2021 – 23 March 2021
Cleveland – Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that on 10 March an earthquake at Cleveland was large enough to be recorded by seismometers 100 km away on Umnak Island. On 17 March volcanic gas emissions increased and elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images. The Aviation colour Code was raised to Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level was raised to Advisory.
Etna – Sicily (Italy) : INGV reported continuing episodes of lava fountaining at Etna’s Southeast Crater (SEC) on 15, 17, and 19 March, though weather conditions often prevented visual observations. Strombolian activity at SEC began at 2110 on 14 March and turned into lava fountaining at 0048 on 15 March. Lava traveled towards the Valle de Bove and an eruption plume drifted E. Lava fountaining ceased by 0343 and only weak Strombolian activity followed. The lava flows continued to advance. Weak Strombolian activity at SEC on 17 March began to intensify at 0155 and changed into lava fountaining at 0319. An eruption plume drifted SE and lava flow advanced. Fountaining activity ceased at 0717 and was followed by explosive activity. By 1859 the lava flows had reached 2,200 m elevation. Explosions at SEC and the lava flow in the Valle de Bove were visible at 2142 on 18 March when the weather conditions allowed for partial visibility of the summit. Explosive activity at SEC was visible at 0734 on 19 March. The activity intensified at 0915 and ash emissions were visible. Lava fountaining started at 0935 and an ash plume drifted ENE. Lava fountaining activity ceased at 1136 and changed to Strombolian activity which gradually decreased; by 1350 only sporadic explosions were visible along with minor ash emissions. Lava flows were noted late in the morning.
Krysuvik-Trolladyngja – Iceland : IMO reported that a small eruption in the western part of the Krýsuvík-Trölladyngja volcanic system, close to Fagradalsfjall on the Reykjanes Peninsula, began at around 2045 on 19 March. The eruption was first visible in webcam images and confirmed by satellite data, and an orange glow in clouds on the horizon was seen from Reykjanesbaer and Grindavík (10 km SW). The Aviation colour Code was raised to Red. Reykjanesbraut, the main road from the capital region to Reykjanesbaer and the international airport at Keflavík, was closed. A fissure, 500-700 m long, had opened on a slope in the Geldingadalur valley about 4.7 km N of the coast and just off the SE flank of Fagradalsfjall mountain. Small lava fountains rose as high as 100 m above the fissure, and by 1110 on 20 March, the lava had covered an area less than 1 square kilometer and was approximately 500 m across. The extrusion rate was an estimated 5 cubic meters per second. The Aviation colour Code was lowered to Orange because there was little to no ash production that would affect aircraft. Reykjanesbraut reopened, but Sudurstrandarvegur, the road along the S coastline, was closed between Grindavík and Thorlakshofn. The eruption continued during 21-23 March with a consistent extrusion rate. About three cones had formed along the fissure; the tallest and widest was situated at the higher part of the fissure. Lava flows, mainly from the largest cone, fanned out to the NW, W, and SW, and also flowed S and fanned out to the E. Spatter was ejected above the cones. Video captured by visitors showed parts of the largest cone collapsing and rebuilding. The IMO periodically issued warnings about weather conditions that would cause high concentrations of volcanic gases to settle near the eruption site, causing hazardous conditions for visitors. IMO noted that through the night of 22-23 March night sulfur dioxide levels in Reykjavík had increased, though not to unsafe levels.
Pacaya – Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported periods of intense activity at Pacaya’s Mackenney Crater during 17-18 March. Explosions produced dense ash plumes that rose 500-1,000 m above the crater rim and drifted 25-30 km S, SW, W, NW, and N. Incandescent material was ejected 300-500 m above the crater and fell within a 600 m radius of the crater. Lava flows on the S flank were 1.5 km long and set fire to vegetation at the advancing edge. Two new lava flows were visible; one traveled 400 m E and the other traveled 500 m S. Ashfall was reported in El Rodeo (4 km WSW), Patrocinio (about 5 km W), El Cedro (9 km NNW), San Francisco de Sales (5 km N), Amatitlán (12 km N), and Villa Nueva (16 km N). Strong explosions during 21-23 March generated dense ash plumes that rose as high as 1.5 km above the summit. The plumes drifted 25-30 km NE, E, SE, and S, causing ashfall in Los Llanos, Los Pocitos (5 km S), Los Dolores (6 km SE), El Rodeo, Patrocinio, Mesías Alta and Mesías Baja, and Santa Elena Barillas (6 km ENE). Incandescent material was ejected 500 m above the crater and fell within 300-600 m of the crater. A lava flow on the SW flank was 1.5 km long, a flow on the S flank was 300 m long, and the E-flank lava flow had lengthened to 500 m. On 23 March ash plumes drifted 50 km NW, N, and NE, causing ashfall in Pepinal San Francisco de Sales, Los Pocitos, Los Dolores, Mesías Altas and Mesías Bajas, Santa Elena Barillas, Villa Nueva, and in the capital of Guatemala City (25-30 km NNE). Ash fell at Guatemala’s international airport, Aeropuerto Internacional La Aurora, 50 km N of Pacaya, causing the airport to close. Soldiers swept ash off of the runway and incoming flights were diverted to El Salvador.
San Cristobal – Nicaragua : The Washington VAAC reported that on 19 March a notable ash cloud from San Cristóbal rose at least to 12.2 km (40,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted over 80 km ENE based on satellite data, ash dispersion models, and weather models.
Semisopochnoi – Aleutian Islands (USA) : AVO reported that satellite data showed minor ash deposits on Semisopochnoi’s flanks and a possible gas cloud on 14 March. Two small explosions on 19 March, at 0350 and 0534, were recorded by regional infrasound sensors and prompted AVO to raise the Aviation colour Code and the Volcano Alert Level to Orange and Watch, respectively. A small explosion at 0230 on 21 March was followed by a series of smaller explosions. A volcanic gas cloud was visible in satellite data during the previous day. Three small explosions were detected during 22-23 March, though high weather cloud cover, at 9.1 km (30,000 ft) a.s.l., prevented satellite confirmation; no ash was visible above the cloud deck.
Taal – Luzon (Philippines) : PHIVOLCS reported that at Taal during 16-23 March there were 36-193 daily volcanic earthquakes and 27-156 daily periods of volcanic tremor with variable durations (1-15 minutes). Three hybrid earthquakes were recorded each day on 18 and 19 March. Diffuse steam plumes from fumarolic vents in Main Crater rose as high as 100 m. Daily measurements of sulfur dioxide emissions were 603-1,184 tonnes per day. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 0-5). PHIVOLCS strongly recommended no entry onto the island, and access to the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissure (along the walking trail) was strictly prohibited.
Veniaminof – United States : AVO reported that the eruption at Veniaminof continued during 17-23 March. Low surface temperatures were visible in satellite images along with steam-and-gas plumes. Low-level tremor was recorded in local seismic data. During the morning of 21 March small explosions were identified using seismic data and infrasound sensors in Chignik Lagoon. A volcanic gas cloud drifted SE at or below 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. Small explosions were detected again during 21-23 March. Sulfur dioxide plumes were identified in satellite data. Minor ash emissions rose hundreds of meters and rapidly dissipated, though on 23 March a pilot saw an ash plume rise to 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. Satellite data during 22-23 March showed highly elevated surface temperatures and subsidence of the glacial ice over the flank vent where lava was erupting. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch and the Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 earthquake hits southern Xinjiang, China.
5.3 earthquake hits the Greenland Sea.
5.0 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
Colombia – More heavy rain caused severe flooding in the municipality of Dabeiba in Antioquia Department on 22 March. The departments disaster agency Dagran Antioquia reported 237 buildings damaged, 10 vehicles damaged along with road and infrastructure, including a local market square. As of 185 families affected. No major injuries were reported.
Pakistan – Heavy rain fell in parts of northern Pakistan from 22 March 2021. Authorities reported severe material damages and fatalities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. A total of 38 houses were completely destroyed while one person was electrocuted by downed power lines.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.2 earthquake hits Easter Island.
5.0 earthquake hits the southeast Indian ridge.
5.0 earthquake hits north Island, New Zealand.
5.0 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits eastern Xizang, China.
5.0 earthquake hits off the east coast of North Island, New Zealand.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
Colombia – At least 8 houses were destroyed after heavy rain in Santiago de Cali (also known as Cali), capital of Valle del Cauca department in southwestern Colombia early 22 March, 2021. Authorities said 116mm of rain fell in the space of a few hours, causing flash floods and landslides. Widespread damage was reported across several points of the city, including falling trees, damaged roads and collapsed houses.
Australia – Australian authorities are planning to evacuate thousands more people on Monday from flood-affected suburbs in Sydney’s west, which is set for its worst flooding in 60 years with drenching rain expected to continue for the next few days. Unrelenting rains over the past three days swelled rivers in Australia’s most populous state of New South Wales (NSW), causing widespread damage and triggering calls for mass evacuations.
More than 50 new environmental chemicals detected in people
Researchers have detected more than 50 new environmental chemicals lurking in people’s bodies, the vast majority of which are little known or unknown compounds. The findings are concerning given that very little is known about these chemicals and their potential health effects.
Of these newly detected chemicals, two were perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. These chemicals, used in consumer products such as nonstick cookware and pizza boxes, stay in the human body for a long time and can accumulate, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Ten of the newly detected substances were plasticizers, or chemicals used in the production of plastics. For example, one of the detected plasticizers, a group of chemicals called phthalates, are often found in fast-food packaging and have been associated with adverse health effects. Two of the newly detected chemicals are used in cosmetics; one in pesticides. But most — 37 — of these newly detected chemicals are ones that researchers have little to no information on.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.2 earthquake hits Chiuquisaca, Bolivia.
5.1 earthquake hits off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.
5.0 earthquake hits potosi, Bolivia.
5.0 earthquake hits Colombia.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
Peru – Heavy rain has caused severe flooding in parts of northern Peru over the last few days. As many as 3,000 homes were flooded after a short period of torrential rain caused flooding in the city of Yurimaguas, capital of Alto Amazonas Province in Loreto region. The city recorded around 160 mm of rain in 24 hours to 20 March. Much of that total fell in a 3 hour period, according to media reports. Some areas of the city were under 2 metres of water as a result of the floods which affected 7 districts of the city in particular around Yurimaguas Airport. Heavy rain also caused flooding in parts of San Martín region in recent days. In Amazonas region, heavy rain triggered a landslide in Bagua Grande district, Utcubamba province on 17 March, damaging 7 homes and affecting 28 people. Meanwhile 10 homes were damaged after a landslide in the district of Corosha, Bongará province, displacing 6 people. On 18 March, heavy rain caused a landslide in the district of Camporredondo, province of Luya. Five homes were left uninhabitable and 5 families displaced. In Cajamarca region, heavy rain caused a landslide in the district of Chirinos, province of San Ignacio on 16 March 2021 where 20 homes were damaged. On the same day 5 homes, roads and infrastructure were damaged by a landslide in Jorge Chávez district, Celendín province. On 21 March heavy rainfall caused the Chililique canal to overflow, flooding 15 homes in the district of Jaén, province of Jaén and affecting around 45 people. Also on 21 March heavy rain caused the overflow of the Monzón River and a landslide in Monzón district, Huamalíes province, affecting around 10 people.
Mice Plague – Eastern Australia
Mice in the cabinets. Mice in the streets. Thousands upon thousands of mice in the barn, pooing so much it takes six hours to clean up their waste.
These are scenes from Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, where an out-of-control mouse infestation is making life miserable for farmers, grocers and other citizens of the eastern Australian states. One farmer described the rodent frenzy as “an absolute plague,” more severe than anything locals have seen in decades.
Some farmers have already lost entire grain harvests to the rampaging mice, according to local media reports, while hotels have had to close because they can’t keep the critters out of the rooms. Staff at a grocery store in a small town northwest of Sydney reported catching as many as 600 mice a night. So far, at least three people have visited the hospital with rodent bites.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Lassa fever – Nigeria
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported 30 confirmed Lassa fever cases the week ending March 14, bringing the country total to 191 for the year to date.
HIV-Aids – Ukraine
Ukrainian health officials reported in February 2021, 1,395 new cases of HIV infection were officially registered in Ukraine. In addition, 389 patients were diagnosed with AIDS, and 123 people died of AIDS.
Harp seal Pups Struggle to Survive
Harp seal pups — with their beady eyes and soft, pillowy fur — are tremendously adorable. Yet new heartbreaking images show the pups in danger, stranded on beaches as sea ice failed to form after an unprecedentedly warm winter.
National Geographic traveled to Gulf of St. Lawrence, where a population of harp seals migrates south from the Canadian Arctic and Greenland to give birth on the sea ice every March.
Its team captured images of the pups struggling to climb onto ice chunks and stranded on dangerous, predator-filled beaches.
Global warming is thwarting ice formation, and sea ice cover in the gulf is at its lowest since 1969, according to NatGeo. Satellite images of the Gulf of St. Lawrence taken in 2008 are starkly different from this year’s. Normally, over 90,000 square miles of ice covers the cold body of water, but 2021 images appear to show the gulf ice-free.
As ice dissolves into slush, these pups are in danger of drowning, being crushed by large ice chunks or being eaten by predators.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
5.3 earthquake hits western Xizang, China.
5.2 earthquake hits Colombia.
5.2 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.
5.2 earthquake hits the Anatahan region in the North Mariana Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits offshore Chiapas, Mexico.
5.0 earthquake hits Kepulauan Barat Daya, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
Australia – Record rains and widespread flooding prompted evacuations along Australia’s east coast Saturday and filled Sydney’s main reservoir to overflowing for the first time in 30 years, officials said. Authorities warned of potentially “life-threatening” flash floods as the torrential rains pummeled a vast coastal region already soaked by an unusually wet summer. Police said hundreds of people had flocked to evacuation centres in areas north of Sydney in New South Wales state, and they expected many more to seek shelter as the rains moved south down the coast. Towns in the area have already seen record rainfall of more than 400 millimetres since Friday morning, the bureau said.
Melting Glaciers Contribute to Alaska Earthquakes
In a recently published research article, scientists with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute found that ice loss near Glacier Bay National Park has influenced the timing and location of earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.0 or greater in the area during the past century.
Scientists have known for decades that melting glaciers have caused earthquakes in otherwise tectonically stable regions, such as Canada’s interior and Scandinavia. In Alaska, this pattern has been harder to detect, as earthquakes are common in the southern part of the state.
Alaska has some of the world’s largest glaciers, which can be thousands of feet thick and cover hundreds of square miles. The ice’s weight causes the land beneath it to sink, and, when a glacier melts, the ground springs back like a sponge. The disappearance of glaciers has also caused Southeast Alaska’s land to rise at about 1.5 inches per year.
When the earth rebounds following a glacier’s retreat, it does so much like bread rising in an oven, spreading in all directions. This effectively unclamps strike-slip faults, such as the Fairweather in Southeast Alaska, and makes it easier for the two sides to slip past one another.
Large Asteroid to Pass Earth
The largest asteroid to sweep past Earth this year will make its closest approach on Sunday. But scientists have told people not to panic as it poses no threat to the planet.
The giant space rock that researchers call 2001 FO32 has a diameter of several hundred metres and will approach Earth at a distance of about two million kilometres (1.2 million miles), US space agency NASA said. That distance is more than five times as far as the Earth to the moon.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
7.0 earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.4 earthquake hits west of Macquarie Island.
5.4 earthquake hits Guerrero, Mexico.
5.3 earthquake hits off the east coast of North Island, New Zealand.
5.3 earthquake hits south of Tonga.
5.2 earthquake hits the northern mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.1 earthquake hits west of Macquarie Island.
Two 5.1 earthquakes hit the Kermedec Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.0 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.0 earthquake hits the Flores Sea.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the Week 10 March 2021 – 16 March 2021
Aira – Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that during 8-15 March incandescence from Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was visible nightly. Seven explosions and 10 non-explosive events generated eruption plumes that rose 2.4-2.7 km above the crater rim and ejected bombs 0.8-1.7 km away from the crater. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was 2,300 tons per day on 10 March. 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 10-16 March ash plumes from Dukono rose to 2.1-2.4 km (7,000-8,000 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 explosions during 5, 7-9, and 11-12 March that sent ash plumes to 2.3 km (7,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE and E. Ashfall was reported in Severo-Kurilsk during 7-8 March. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Kadovar – Papua New Guinea : Based on satellite and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 11 March ash plumes from Kadovar rose to an altitude of 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W.
Kilauea – Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that vents on the inner NW wall of Kilauea’s Halema`uma`u Crater continued to supply the lava lake during 10-16 March. Lava flowed from both the main vent and a newer vent several meters NE into the lake through submerged inlets. Another lava flow emerged from about halfway up the cone structure starting at 0220 on 16 March. The depth of the western part of the lake rose from 221 m to 222 m and lava continued to circulate in that part. The E half of the lake remained solidified and lower that the W half, with the crusted E half expanding towards the W. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was 900 tons/day on 14 March. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.
Klyuchevskoy – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that the Strombolian eruption from vents on Klyuchevskoy’s lower NW flank continued during 5-12 March. A large, bright thermal anomaly over the vents was identified daily in satellite images. A plume of re-suspended ash drifted 375 km E on 5 March. IVS FEB RAS posted that the lava traveled downslope, melting ice and snow on the Erman glacier; the meltwater formed mud flows along the along the Krutenkaya River. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Lewotolok – Lembata Island (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that the Strombolian eruption at Lewotolok continued during 10-16 March. Daily gray-and-white ash plumes rose as high as 1.5 km above the summit and drifted mainly E and SE. The eruptive events were accompanied by rumbling and banging sounds. Visual observations were hindered by weather on 10 March; each day during 11-16 March incandescent material was ejected as high as 500 m above the crater. Almost daily incandescent material was ejected 500-1,300 m E and 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.
Merapi – Central Java (Indonesia) : BPPTKG reported that the 2021 lava dome just below Merapi’s SW rim and the lava dome in the summit crater both continued to grow during 5-11 March. The 2021 lava-dome volume was an estimated 785,600 cubic meters on 11 March, with a growth rate of about 13,500 cubic meters per day, and continued to shed material down the flank. A total of 12 pyroclastic flows traveled a maximum of 1.9 km down the SW flank. Incandescent avalanches, recorded 226 times, traveled as far as 1.3 km down the SW flank. The height of the summit lava dome was relatively steady at 45 m. 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.
Popocatepetl – Mexico : During an overflight of Popocatépetl on 5 March scientists from Instituto de Geofísica de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and CENAPRED observed that the inner crater was 360-390 m in diameter and 150-182 m deep. Tephra deposits on the crater floor were visible and there was no sign of a lava dome. Each day during 10-15 March there were 35-104 steam, gas, and ash emissions that drifted mainly SSW and NW. Minor ashfall was reported in the municipalities of Amecameca (20 km NW) and Tlalmanalco (30 km NW) around 2250 on 12 March. An explosion was recorded at 2351 on 13 March. Minor ashfall was reported in Amecameca the next day. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two (middle level on a three-colour scale).
Raung – Eastern Java (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that daily gray ash plumes rose 100-1,200 m above Raung’s summit during 10-16 March. Ash plumes drifted mainly N, NE, E, and 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.
Sangay – Ecuador : IG reported a high level of activity at Sangay during 10-16 March. Seismicity was characterized by daily explosions, long-period earthquakes, and signals indicating emissions. Weather clouds often prevented visual observations of the volcano, but satellite and webcam images recorded daily ash plumes. Ash plumes were notable during 10-11 March and impacted communities downwind with ashfall. Pyroclastic flows, visible in webcam images, descended the flanks at 0950 on 10 March. The Washington VAAC stated that ash plumes rose 6.7-8.5 km (22,000-28,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W at lower altitudes and NW at higher altitudes. A period of explosions recorded during 0315-0545 on 11 March produced ash plumes that rose as high as 13.7 km (45,000 ft) a.s.l., or 8.5 km above the summit, and drifted NW, W, and SW. Ash plumes drifted N, NW, and W, causing significant ashfall in Guamote (42 km WNW), notable ashfall in Chambo (43 km NW), Riobamba (50 km NW), Penipe (55 km NW), and Guano (55 km NW), and minor ashfall in Colta (55 km NW), Alausí (60 km SW), and Macas. According to a social media video post the ash plumes caused widespread darkness in Riobamba for several hours. Other residents posted photos of crops covered in ash. The eruption released 31 kilotons of sulfur dioxide, the highest value recorded during the current eruptive period that began in May 2019. Heavy rainfall overnight during 11-12 March caused hot lahars in the Volcán River drainage that reached the confluence of the Upano River. Overflows in the Upano River resulting in additional lahars and debris flows. Weather clouds hindered visual observations. During 13-15 March gas-and-ash plumes rose as high has 2 km above the summit and drifted NE. Seismic signals indicating lahars were recorded on 14 March. The VAAC reported that ash plumes rose to 6-9 km (20,000-30,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W and WNW on 16 March.
Sheveluch - Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 5-12 March. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Sinabung – Indonesia : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Sinabung continued during 10-16 March. Avalanches of material traveled 500-1,500 m down the E, SE, and S flanks almost daily. Pyroclastic flows traveled 2-3 km down the E and SE flanks on 11 March. Ash plumes rose to 2.4-4.3 km (8,000-14,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE, SW, and W during 10-12 and 15 March. 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.
Suwanosejima – Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that the seismic network for Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater detected a total of 29 explosions during 5-12 March, less than the 131 explosions recorded previous week. These events produced eruption plumes that rose as high as 1.5 km above the crater rim. Incandescence from the crater was occasionally visible at night. Rumbling was heard in a village 4 km SSW. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 earthquake hits eastern Xizang, China.
5.2 earthquake hits the D’Entrecasteaux Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits the D’Entrecasteaux Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia.
Two 5.0 earthquakes hit the D’Entrecasteaux Islands.
Smoke alarm
Intense, widespread bushfires in Australia injected huge amounts of smoke into the stratosphere in 2020. Hirsch and Koren found that this smoke caused record-breaking levels of aerosols over the Southern Hemisphere, as much as that from a moderate volcanic eruption. The severity was caused by a combination of the vigour of the fires and their location at a latitude with a shallow tropopause and within the midlatitude cyclones belt. This aerosol increase caused considerable cooling over oceanic cloud-free areas.
Pulveriszing Plastic
Scientists say they have found a way to cleanly, efficiently and cheaply break down polystyrene, a type of plastic used in packaging material, food containers, cutlery and other items.
A team from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory and Clemson University says it has found a way to grind up the polystyrene with metal ball bearings until a desired chemical reaction occurs. This type of “mechanochemistry” deconstructs the plastic through chemical events in which the metal bearings and oxygen in the air act as co-catalysts. The resulting debris can be used to create other products. “We think this proof of concept is an exciting possibility for developing new recycling technologies for all kinds of plastics,” said senior scientist Viktor Balema.
Early Blooms
Japan’s renowned cherry blossoms are in full bloom again, bursting forth in vivid pink at the earliest date on record around Tokyo. The first blooms were observed in the capital on March 14, the same date as during last year’s record early appearance. The early blossoms are said to be the result of the ongoing global heating that brought Japan unusual February warmth.
Quietly Disappearing
An Australian songbird is slowly fading into extinction as it loses its mating song crucial for its survival.
Scientists at the Australian National University say the young regent honeyeaters are struggling to learn mating calls because the adult birds are disappearing and not passing on the tunes. “This lack of ability to communicate with their own species is unprecedented in a wild animal,” said researcher Dejan Stojanovic. He adds that the honeyeaters are now so rare that some younger birds never find an adult male to teach them their love song.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) in Maïné-Soroa, Niger.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 92.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 68.9 degrees Celsius) at Vostok, Antarctica.
Temperatures were tabulated from the more than 10,000 worldwide synoptic weather stations. The United Nations World Meteorological Organization sets the standards for weather observations, and provides a global telecommunications circuit for data distribution.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the Week 10 March 2021 – 16 March 2021
Bagana – Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) : Based on satellite and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 10 March ash plumes from Bagana rose to 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW and WNW.
Etna – Sicily (Italy) : INGV reported continuing episodes of lava fountaining at Etna’s Southeast Crater (SEC) on 9 and 12 March. The eleventh episode began with Strombolian activity at SEC observed at 1914 on 9 March. Just after midnight activity quickly intensified with lava fountaining and a large eruption plume that rose at least 9 km a.s.l. The plume drifted ENE and caused ash and lapilli to fall in Mascali (18 km E), Giarre (17 km ESE), and Fiumefreddo (19 km ENE). Lava reached an elevation of 1,800 m, also effusing from the flank of the S vent. Lava fountaining ceased at 0430 on 10 March and sporadic ash emissions continued until 0700. The twelfth episode began at 0630 on 12 March with Strombolian activity at SEC and ash emissions. The activity intensified at 0754 and lava overflowed the E part of SEC, traveling towards the Valle de Bove. Lava fountaining began at 0841, with jets up to 500 m, and an eruption plume rose 6 km a.s.l. and drifted E. Lava advanced to 2,800 m elevation and within another hour had reached 2,000 m elevation. At 0939 the plume had risen 9-10 km and had caused ashfall in Milo and Fornazzo (10 km E), Giarre, Santa Venerina (15 km SE), and Torre Archirafi (20 km ESE). Lava fountaining ceased at 1050, though weak Strombolian activity and ash emissions continued until 1115. The lava flow advanced as far as 1,700 m elevation and a second lava flow expanded SE on the W slope of the Valle del Bove, stopping at 3,000 m a.s.l.
Krysuvik-Trolladyngja – Iceland : IMO reported that seismicity in the Reykjanes Peninsula remained elevated with thousands of earthquakes recorded during 10-16 March, in the western part of the Krýsuvík-Trölladyngja volcanic system in the Fagradalsfjall fissure swarm area. About 16,500 earthquakes had been detected over the week. Some of the largest events, M 4.3-5.4 recorded during 10-12 and 14-15 March, were felt as far as Hvanneyri (97 km NNE of Grindavik), Hvolsvollur (110 km ESE of Grindavik), and Saudakrokur (250 NE of Grindavik). A few, short-lived pulses of tremor were also recorded. The magma intrusion continued to move SW along a fault between Keilir and Fagradalsfjall, and was as shallow as 1 km below the surface. GPS, satellite, and seismic data indicated that the intrusion had expanded S to Nátthaga, a valley just E of Borgarfjall and S of Fagradalsfjall, and was 3-5 km long. Ground fracturing was visible in the area above the intrusion. The Aviation colour Code for Krýsuvík remained at Orange.
Momotombo – Nicaragua : The Washington VAAC reported that on 14 March a possible ash emission was visible in webcam and satellite data just above Momotombo. Ash was not visible in a subsequent satellite image captured around six hours later.
Pacaya – Guatemala : INSIVUMEH and CONRED reported that pulses of moderate-to-strong Strombolian explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney Crater were commonly recorded during 9-16 March. Frequent ash plumes rose as high as 2 km and drifted as far as 30 km W, SW, and S. On 10 March lapilli (2 mm to 6 cm in length) fell in El Caracol (3 km SW), and ash fell in El Patrocinio (about 5 km W) and likely in other areas downwind. Ash plumes caused daily ashfall in variable places during 11-16 March, including El Patrocinio, San José El Rodeo, the municipality of San Vicente Pacaya (5 km NW), San Francisco de Sales (5 km N), San José el Bejucal (4 km N), San Antonio el Pepinal (7 km N), Concepción El Cedro (9 km NNW), San José Calderas, and the municipalities of Amatitlán (12 km N), Villa Nueva (16 km N), and Mixco (30 km N). Lapilli as long as 2 cm fell in El Patrocinio, San José El Rodeo and Concepción El Cedro on 16 March. Strombolian explosions and periodic lava fountaining ejected incandescent material as high as 800 m above the summit; tephra fell within a 500 m radius of Mackenney Crater. Explosions and ash emissions also rose from fissures on the S flank, 300 m below Mackenney Crater. The lava flow on the S flank had two branches and was 1 km on 10 March, but had lengthened to 1.8 km by 16 March. Block avalanches from the summit traveled down the S flank.
San Cristobal – Nicaragua : SINAPRED reported that a series of five explosions at San Cristóbal were recorded during 1306-1332 on 9 March. The strongest explosion, at 1325, produced an ash plume that rose 800 m above the crater rim. Ashfall as deep as 2 mm was reported in El Viejo (19 km WSW), Chinandega (16 km SW), and Chichigalapa (16 km S); ash also fell in other communities downwind including Las Grecias, La Mora, and La Bolsa.
Semisopochnoi – Aleutian Islands (USA) : On 12 March AVO reported that although no ash plumes were observed at Semisopochnoi and nothing was detected in regional infrasound data during the previous week, ash deposits within Mount Cerberus’s N crater and extending 1.5 km on the flank were identified in satellite data. The Aviation colour Code and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Yellow/Advisory, respectively.
Taal – Luzon (Philippines) : PHIVOLCS reported that during 10-13 March there were around 51-55 volcanic earthquakes recorded daily at Taal, and about 23-49 periods of volcanic tremor with variable durations. One hybrid earthquake was recorded during 11-12 March. Diffuse steam plumes from fumarolic vents in Main Crater rose only 5 m. Sulfur dioxide emissions were 1,327 tonnes per day on 10 March, and fluctuated between 518 and 795 tonnes per day through 14 March. At 1411 on 12 March a short-lived (2.5 minutes) burst of steam-rich gas from Main Crater generated white plumes that rose 400-500 m. Diffuse steam plumes rose 50 m above fumarolic vents on the inner N and E walls during the rest of the day. The number of volcanic earthquakes per day rose to 74 during 13-14 March and to 252 during 15-16 March. Episodes of tremor persisted, with 17-46 periods recorded per day. Five hybrid events were detected during 14-15 March. An episode of high-temperature gas upwelling to the crater lake’s surface occurred during 1830-2045 on 14 March. Sulfur dioxide emissions were 1,216 tonnes per day on 15 March. Steam emissions rose 10 km during 15-16 March. The seismic network recorded 42 volcanic earthquakes and 34 periods of tremor. The Alert Level for Taal remained at 2 (on a scale of 0-5). PHIVOLCS strongly recommended no entry onto the island, and access to the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissure (along the walking trail) was strictly prohibited.
Veniaminof – United States : AVO reported that the eruption at Veniaminof continued during 9-16 March. Ash emissions rose to 2.1-3 km (7,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 200 km NE and SE during 9-10 March. Explosions and ash emissions declined to lower levels the rest of the week, though new ash deposits within the caldera, and as far as 10 km SE, were sometimes identified in satellite images. Lava continued to effuse under the intra-caldera glacier in an area on the flank about 1 km E of the cone’s summit. Elevated surface temperatures over this area were identified in a satellite images during most days, along with steam plumes and a broadening collapse pit in the ice from melting around the eruption site. Data from local seismic stations were back online by 12 March and showed elevated seismicity and tremor through 15 March. Steam-and-has plumes were identified in satellite images during 15-16 March. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch and the Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 earthquake hits northern Algeria.
5.3 earthquake hits Hamahera, Indonesia.
5.2 earthquake hits the western Mediterranean Sea.
5.2 earthquake hits off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.
5.2 earthquake hits near the south coast of Papua, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits the Arafura Sea.
Two 5.0 earthquakes hit off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.
5.0 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits the Bonin Islands off Japan.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
Angola – Severe flash floods triggered by heavy rain affected areas of Luanda Province, Angola from 16 March 2021. At least 4 people died and 3 people were missing. Flood waters swept through central parts of the city causing widespread traffic disruption. As many as 554 homes were damaged in districts surrounding the city, including Viana, Cacuaco, Talatona and Belas. Authorities said 1,770 residents have been affected. Figures show the city recorded around 100 mm of rain in 24 hours to early 17 March 2021.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Dengue Fever – Paraguay
Dengue cases continue to increase in Paraguay in 2021. More than 6,000 suspected and confirmed cases have been reported to date, one of the highest totals in the Americas. The highest percentage of infected is located in Concepción, Boquerón and Alto Paraguay.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.6 earthquake hits near the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.
5.5 earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
5.3 earthquake hits the southeast central Pacific Ocean.
5.2 earthquake hits the Carlsberg ridge.
5.2 earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.
5,2 earthquake hits near the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.
5.1 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.0 earthquake hits the Kermedec islands.
5.0 earthquake hits near the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.
5.0 earthquake hits Fiji.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storms.
Newsbytes:
Congo and DR Congo – Heavy rainfall on 16 March 2021 caused severe flash flooding in the neighbouring cities of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), and Brazzaville, capital of Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville. As of 17 March 2021 local media reported evacuations in areas close to the Tsiemé river in Brazzaville after flood water invaded homes. Flooding also caused severe traffic problems in the city. Local media in DR Congo reported 4 children died in the floods, with several houses swept away in Kisenso municipality in the east of Kinshasa. The Ndjili bridge collapsed causing severe transport problems, in particular to and from N’Djili International Airport. The collapse of the bridge also left some communities of Tshangu district cut off from the rest of the city.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.2 earthquake hits Libertador O’Higgins, Chile.
Two 5.2 earthquakes hit the Kermedec Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits eastern Honshu, Japan.
5.0 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits Greece.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 24s (Habana), remnants are located approximately 454 nm southeast of Port Mathurin, Rodriguez Island, Mauritius, is tracking westward at 02 knots.
Newsbytes:
Colombia – Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) reported that 15 people have lost their lives due to severe weather so far this year (01 January to 12 March 2021). UNGRD added that a further 16 people have been injured and 2 are still missing. A total of 5,854 families have been directly affected. During this period there have been 289 severe weather events, including 146 landslides, 45 floods and 32 flash floods. Severe weather events have been registered in 176 municipalities in 23 departments.
Orange veil of dust chokes Beijing in record-breaking sandstorm
Beijing has been enveloped in one of its most severe sandstorms in over a decade, which has combined with air pollution to create a toxic, gritty haze that turned skies orange and made the skyline disappear.
The sandstorm hit the Chinese capital on Monday morning (March 15) after gale-force winds from Mongolia blew dust from the Gobi desert over the border. In Mongolia, 341 people are missing after the same sandstorm blew across the country.
Arctic walrus takes a nap on an iceberg, wakes up in Ireland
A walrus spotted on an Irish beach yesterday (March 14) may have floated there from the Arctic Circle after falling asleep on an iceberg.
Most walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) live near the Arctic Circle, where they hunt for shellfish in shallow water and clamber up onto the icebergs and beaches to rest. The large creatures rarely crop up along the Irish shoreline.
How does a young walrus end up in County Kerry? “I’d say what happened is, he fell asleep on an iceberg and drifted off, and then he was gone too far, out into the mid-Atlantic or down off Greenland possibly,” Kevin Flannery, a marine biologist with the Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium said.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.3 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
5.2 earthquake hits south of Fiji.
5.2 earthquake hits southern Iran.
5.1 earthquake hits the central mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.0 earthquake hits Iceland.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 24s (Habana), located approximately 795 nm east-southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius, is tracking south-southwestward at 02 knots.
Wildfires – New Jersey, USA
A massive wildfire in Lakewood, NJ, has engulfed at least two commercial buildings, Sunday afternoon. Smoke can be seen over the Garden State Parkway, and the entire highway – in both directions – has been closed in the area of Exit 89.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Legionnaires Disease – New Jersey, USA
The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases in Union County. The Department is aware of 14 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease, including one death, among individuals who live in or spend time in the county.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.7 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
Two 5.4 earthquake hit the Kermedec Islands.
5.2 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.2 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
Two 5.1 earthquakes hit the Kermedec Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.0 earthquake hits southern Xinjiang, China.
5.0 earthquake hits south of the Kermedec Islands.
Two 5.0 earthquakes hit the Kermedec Islands.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 24s (Habana), located approximately 736 nm east of Port Louis, Mauritius, is tracking southeastward at 03 knots.
Climate Change Influences River Flow
Climate change is affecting the water balance of our planet: depending on the region and the time of year, this can influence the amount of water in rivers potentially resulting in more flooding or drought. River flow is an important indicator of water resources available to humans and the environment. The amount of available water also depends on further factors, such as direct interventions in the water cycle or land use change: if, for example, water is diverted for irrigation or regulated via reservoirs, or forests are cleared and monocultures grown in their place, this can have an impact on river flow.
However, how river flow has changed worldwide in recent years was so far not investigated using direct observations. Similarly, the question whether globally visible changes are attributable to climate change or to water and land management had not been clarified.
Now, an international research team led by ETH Zurich has succeeded in breaking down the influence of these factors, after analysing data from 7,250 measuring stations worldwide. The study, which has been published in the scientific journal Science, demonstrates that river flow changed systematically between 1971 and 2010. Complex patterns were revealed – some regions such as the Mediterranean and north-eastern Brazil had become drier, while elsewhere the volume of water had increased, such as in Scandinavia.
Climate Change in Siberia
Global warming is something of a boon for Russia, where 55% to 65% of the country is covered in permafrost. It is estimated that 60% of the country’s oil and 90% of its natural gas, as well as deposits of nonferrous metals and gold, lie under this thawing part of the planet.
President Vladimir Putin once shrugged off the perils of global warming, saying, “an increase of two or three degrees wouldn’t be so bad for a northern country like Russia. We could spend less on fur coats, and the grain harvest would go up.”
That was at least partially prophetic. According to Russia’s Federal State Statistics Service, grain production in 2020 was up 9.7% from the previous year, the second highest level after 2017. The amount of land under cultivation is also increasing.
But those shrugged-off perils are beginning to overshadow the bumper harvests.
In the Republic of Sakha in far eastern Siberia, the temperature is minus 50 C, yet white smoke rises from the snow-covered ground. In January, local media released an amazing image of a peat fire in the ground under the snow.
Roughly 140,000 sq. km of Russia, about the size of Greece, was lost to fire in 2020. Most of that was in once-frozen areas. When covered with snow in winter, the fires seem to be extinguished. However, the peat in the ground continues to smolder, and in summer it ignites on the surface. They’re being called zombie fires and are believed to be caused by global warming.
In Siberia, plants and other organisms that have been decomposing for more than 10,000 years are trapped in the soil as CO2 and methane gas. These gases are released by fires and other events, further accelerating global warming. The world’s permafrost zones are thought to contain twice the amount of carbon that is in the atmosphere.
In 2016, western Siberia experienced a different kind of crisis, an anthrax outbreak. One boy and over 2,000 reindeer died. The source of the bacterial infections was the melted corpse of a reindeer that had been frozen for more than 75 years. Some scientists have warned of the possibility of more dormant pathogens reactivating.
Although it was supposed to be a global warming “winner,” Russia has become an unexpected climate change victim.
Wildfires – India
Wildfires in Odisha, which had been raging on over the past two weeks, have now been fully contained, and we have nature to thank for it!
Similipal National Park in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha was the main hotspot, where vast tracts of forest were charred by the fires. Some forest regions surrounding the national park also fell into the grip of this massive wildfire, which persistently proved to be too difficult to control.
But finally, relief from this ecological disaster was brought by widespread rains and hail that poured over the burning forest starting Thursday, which effectively reduced the intensity of the fires.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5,6 earthquake hits Greece.
5.3 earthquake hits off the east coast of North Island, New Zealand.
5.2 earthquake hits offshore Chiapas, Mexico.
5.2 earthquake hits the South Georgia rise.
5.1 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits the Mariana Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits eastern New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.
5.0 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
5.0 earthquake hits the Komandorskiye Ostrova region, Russia.
5.0 earthquake hits Nicaragua.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 24s (Habana), located approximately 726 nm east of Port Louis, Mauritius, is tracking southwestward at 06 knots.
Wildfires – Argentina
Wildfires in Argentina’s Chubut and Rio Negro provinces have left at least eight people dead and dozens of people injured, while hundreds evacuated, and homes were destroyed. Officials said the fire may have started on Tuesday in a Las Golondrinas sector and then advanced towards Lago Puelo’s town.
The wind spread the flames rapidly, devastating forests and some 250 houses. About 350 people have been evacuated. The fires have already destroyed some 2,000 hectares.
Some 20 Argentine provinces have been affected by recurring fires since 2020, caused largely by drought. But many were started deliberately, authorities believe.
The province of Cordoba, in the center of the country, has been the most affected, with 331,000 hectares burned, while more than one million hectares have been destroyed nationwide. The lack of rain in 2020 made it the driest year in Argentina for a quarter of a century.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Lassa fever – Nigeria
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported 25 confirmed Lassa fever cases the week ending March 7, including one more death, bringing the country totals for 2021 to date to 161 cases and 32 deaths.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Saudi Arabia
In a follow-up report on Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) situation in Saudi Arabia in 2021, on Thursday, the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health (MOH) reported two additional cases in people from Riyadh City.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 earthquake hits south of Fiji.
5.4 earthquake hits off the east coast of North Islands, New Zealand.
5.4 earthquake hits Papua, Indonesia.
5.3 earthquake hits Salta, Argentina.
Two 5.2 earthquakes hit southeast of the Loyalty Islands.
5.2 earthquake hits Papua, Indonesia.
5.2 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.2 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits east of North Island, New Zealand.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 24s (Habana), located approximately 418 nm east of Port Mathurin, Rodriguez Island, Mauritius, is tracking southwestward at 07 knots.
Newsbytes:
Colombia – Two people have died after heavy rain triggered a landslide in the city of Santiago de Cali, capital of Valle del Cauca Department in Colombia. Heavy rain fell overnight 10-11 March, 2021. Central areas of the city were flooded after the Cañaveralejo river broke its banks. The Cauca river is also high and a Yellow Alert has been issued.
Another Chick for Wisdom
The world’s oldest known wild bird has hatched yet another chick at the ripe old age of at least 70.
The Laysan albatross known as Wisdom was first tagged in 1956 and is believed to have had at least 30 to 36 chicks during her lifetime. Since the species mates for life, it’s believed Wisdom has outlived previous partners before mating with Akeakamai (“lover of wisdom” in the Hawaiian language) in 2012.
Wisdom’s latest hatchling emerged in February at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in the mid-Pacific, where Wisdom and Akeakamai are feeding and caring for it jointly.
Rat Recovery
The ecology of a remote Alaskan island once known as Rat Island has quickly recovered from the damage inflicted by the invasive rodents just over 10 years after a coordinated effort eradicated them.
Writing in the journal Scientific Reports, University of California San Diego researcher Carolyn Kurle reveals that native species on what is now known as Hawadax Island have since thrived and are restoring the landscape’s natural balance.
Rats were introduced there by a Japanese shipwreck sometime before 1780, and they quickly ravaged native birds and other wildlife.
