Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 earthquake hits the Sunda Strait, Indonesia.

5.1 earthquake hits the Ceram Sea,

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Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Tropical depression 01e (Agatha), located about 55 mi…90 km n of Salina Cruz Mexico with maximum sustained winds…35 mph…55 km/h. Present movement…ne or 45 degrees at 8 mph…13 km/h.

Newsbytes:

India – During the early morning hours, heavy rains with strong winds lashed Jammu and its adjoining districts in the plains in Kashmir causing a flash flood which marooned vehicles and flooded homes close to the Devak river.

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Disease

Monkeypox – Nigeria

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported six confirmed monkeypox (MPX) cases in May 2022, bringing the total confirmed cases to 21 this year, including one fatality.

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Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.0 earthquake hits offshore Chiapas, Mexico.

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Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Tropical storm 01e (Agatha), located about 100 mi…165 km sw of Puerto Angel Mexico with maximum sustained winds…110 mph…175 km/h. Present movement…ne or 55 degrees at 6 mph…9 km/h.

Newsbytes:

Guatemala – At least 7 people have died after heavy rain caused a landslide in Alta Verapaz Department of Guatemala following heavy rainfall. The landslide struck in the village of Los Pinos, Tucurú, late on 27 May, 2022, destroying homes. A mother and her 6 children were buried under the rubble. Their bodies were later found by search and rescue teams which included firefighters, local volunteers and neighbours. Wide areas of the country have seen weather-related incidents over the past few days. A total of 38,918 people have been affected.

Brazil – Authorities in Brazil report that at least 80 people have now died following severe flooding and landslides in the north east of the country. As reported on 26 May, days of heavy rain triggered flooding and landslides in the states of Pernambuco, Alagoas and Paraíba. Since then and the situation has deteriorated, in particular in Pernambuco. As of 29 May 2022, National Civil Defence reported 79 fatalities and at least 3,957 people displaced across the state of Pernambuco. A total of 14 cities or municipalities have declared a state of emergency. Many more people are thought to be still missing and search and rescue operations are continuing.

China – Days of Torrential rains have triggered severe floods across the Southern region of China leaving at least 15 dead

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Wildfires

Wildfires – New Mexico, USA

The Black Fire in southwest New Mexico 25 miles west of Truth or Consequences has grown to 228,312 acres. The movement over the last week has mostly been to the north and south.

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Disease

Covid-19

The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:

Monkeypox

Mexico – The Ministry of Health confirmed the first imported case of monkeypox, detected in Mexico City in a 50-year-old man with mild symptoms, who is preventively isolated. The person is a permanent resident of New York City and was likely infected in the Netherlands. Monkeypox is spread from person to person by direct contact.

Argentina – The National Ministry of Health reports a second case of confirmed monkeypox.

USA – Washington and Virginia report their first monkeypox cases.

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Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.6 earthquake hits Tonga.

5.5 earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.2 earthquake hits the northern mid-Atlantic ridge.

5.2 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits the Santa Cruz Islands.

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Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Tropical storm 01e (Agatha), located approximately 1503 nm southeast of San Diego, is tracking north-northwestward at 03 knots.

Newsbytes:

Brazil – Landslides caused by heavy rains killed at least 31 people in the state of Pernambuco in northeast Brazil on Saturday, authorities said. In Alagoas, another state in the region, two people died when they were swept away in river flooding on Friday. More than 1,000 people have been forced to leave their homes because of the flooding in Pernambuco, civil defense officials said. In Alagoas, the state government said 33 municipalities have declared an emergency due to the effects of the heavy rains in the past several days.

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Wildfires

Wildfires – California, USA

The Lost Lake Fire which had been burning in California on the west side of the Colorado River, crossed the river Saturday prompting evacuations of about a dozen homes of the Colorado River Indian Tribes near Poston, Arizona. The blaze is 11 air miles southwest of Parker, AZ and until it crossed the river it was 3 miles west of Poston. Saturday morning it had burned 5,900 acres but the afternoon growth is adding to that total.

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Disease

Monkeypox

Portugal – The Directorate-General for Health (DGS) confirms 16 more cases of human infection with the Monkeypox virus in Portugal, with a total of 74 cases so far. Most infections have been reported to date in Lisbon and Vale do Tejo, but there are also cases in the North and Algarve regions.

USA, Colorado – Colorado health officials have reported two presumptive monkeypox cases in consecutive days this week. The first case who acquired the virus recently traveled to Canada where an outbreak of monkeypox is occurring. The second case was a close contact of a person known to public health as a presumptive case of monkeypox.

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Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 earthquake hits the northern east Pacific rise.

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Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Tropical storm 01e (Agatha), located approximately 1589 nm southeast of San Diego, is tracking westward at 03 knots.

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Wildfires

Wildfires – New Mexico

The Hermits Peak Fire began around 4:30 p.m. on April 6, 2022 after the Las Dispensas prescribed burn on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest got out of control. Unexpected winds caused the fire to spread outside the prescribed burn boundary. The fire has now burned 312,230 acres and is 47% contained.

The Cerro Pelado Fire is about 7 miles east of Jemez Springs, south of the Valles Caldera. It has burned 45,605 acres and is 92% contained.

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Disease

Covid-19

The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:

Polio – Pakistan

Pakistan officials report two more confirmed wild polio cases from North Waziristan, leaving a young boy and a girl paralyzed. Both children are 18-months old.

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Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.7 earthquake hit southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

6.3 earthquake hits East Timor.

5.3 earthquake hits off shore Atacama, Chile.

5.2 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits the west Chile Rise.

5.1 earthquake hits the southern east Pacific Rise.

5.1 earthquake hits near the coast of central Peru.

5.0 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.

Global Warming

Climate Change Ravages Southern Iraq

Southern Iraq was once known as the “black land” – the vast swaths of palm trees blocking out everything else, and providing food, shelter, and shade.

But the palm trees, as well as fruit trees and vegetable farms, have now mostly disappeared in and around the southern port city of Basra. Instead, real estate projects have taken over, as well as deserts.

The effect of climate change on agricultural land in Iraq, including rising water salinity and higher temperatures, has forced many farmers to turn to building and selling houses. Where farmers used to grow pomegranates, figs, olives, oranges, and other fruits and vegetables, the land has now turned into a desert.

Environment

Sandstorms in Middle East

Many parts of the Middle East have suffered from an unprecedented series of blinding sandstorms this spring, sending thousands of people to hospitals with respiratory problems.

Businesses and schools were forced to close due to the severity of the storms.

Spanish sandstorm expert Carlos Pérez Garcia-Pando says unusual heat and drought this year in East Africa, the Middle East and Asia could have amplified some sandstorms. Other experts point to climate change and mismanagement of water resources as important factors in the more frequent sandstorms.

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Wildlife

Monarch Recovery

Experts at Mexico’s El Rosario butterfly sanctuary say there were 35% more monarch butterflies spending the past winter there than during the previous season. They suggest the colourful insects could be adapting to the changing climate by adjusting the date they begin migrating northward to the United States and Canada for the summer. “They left very late. We still had butterflies in April,” said Gloria Tavera of Mexico’s National Commission for Natural Protected Areas.

The migration has been challenged by more extreme bouts of heat and drought, along with a loss of the milkweed that their caterpillars feed on north of the border. Illegal felling of trees around the sanctuary also threatens the species.

Vanishing Birds

Almost half of all known bird species are suffering population losses as the winged creatures die from climate change, habitat loss and overexploitation, according to a new report. “We are now witnessing the first signs of a new wave of extinctions of continentally distributed bird species,” says conservation biologist Alexander Lees from Britain’s Manchester Metropolitan University.

He and colleagues at Cornell University and other institutions document in the report State of the World’s Birds how approximately 48% of all bird species are believed to be experiencing population declines. They say climate change is the greatest factor in the bird losses.

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Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week’s hottest temperature was 49.0 degrees Celsius (120.2 degrees F) at Jacobabad, Pakistan.

The week’s coldest temperature was minus 74.0 degrees Celsius (-101.2 degrees F) 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.

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Disease

Anthrax – Sierra Leone

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation in Sierra Leone has declared an outbreak of human anthrax in the country after identifying 3 lab confirmed cutaneous anthrax cases in Karene district. This is subsequent to an investigation of 7 suspected anthrax cases, all residing in Buya chiefdom.

Polio – Pakistan

The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme reported today on the fourth wild poliovirus case of the year in North Waziristan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The 13-month-old boy had an onset of paralysis on 5 May in Mir Ali.

DR Congo – Multiple Outbreaks

Cholera: In 2022 through May 1, 5,485 suspected cholera cases including 79 deaths (CFR: 1.4%) were recorded in 54 health zones across 11 provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Measles: From 1 January to 1 May 2022, 47,514 suspected measles cases and 684 deaths (CFR 1.4%) were reported in 349 health zones in 26 provinces.

Monkeypox: In the first four months of 2022, DRC has reported 1,238 monkeypox cases, including 57 deaths (CFR 4.6%).

Plague: Through May 1, DRC has seen 88 cases of plague, including 2 deaths (2.0% CFR). Lokpa remains the epicentre reporting 95% of cases reported this year.

Typhoid fever: In 2022, through May 1, 634,401 suspected cases of typhoid fever including 279 deaths were recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In addition, outbreaks of yellow fever, meningitis and circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) are reported and being monitored.

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Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week 18 May – 24 May 2022

Aira – Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that a very small eruptive event was recorded at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 16-23 May. Crater incandescence was visible at night. At 0900 on 17 May an eruptive event produced a plume that rose 1.5 km above the crater rim. That same day the sulfur dioxide rate was slightly high at 1,700 tons per day.

Dukono – Halmahera : Based on satellite and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 17-20 May ash plumes from Dukono rose to 2.1-2.4 km (7,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W and NW. The plumes on 17 May drifted 185 km W.

Etna – Sicily (Italy) : INGV reported that at around 1900 on 12 May a new vent opened along the N flank of Etna’s Southeast Crater (SEC) at an elevation of 3,250 m, and produced ash emissions that rose to 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW. Small pyroclastic flows descended the flank. Lava effused from the vent and traveled N and NE into the snowy Valle del Leone, where lava blocks that rolled onto the snow caused steam plumes. The lava flow slowly advanced during 13-22 May, reaching 2,300-2,400 m elevation by 17 May. Discontinuous Strombolian activity of variable intensities occurred at SEC; ash emissions were visible during more intense phases, though the plumes dissipated rapidly. A new lava flow emerged from the vent on the N flank at around 2300 on 17 May and traveled N and NE alongside the previous lava flow. During fieldwork conducted on 18 May, scientists observed that lava had reached an elevation of 2,700 m in the Valle del Leone. A new vent opened on the N flank of SEC by 1730 on 20 May, at 3,250 m elevation, just NW of the previous vent. The vent produced a small lava flow that curved N and NE, joining the previous flow. By 21 May lava flows were not advancing below the summit area, at elevations of 2,700-2,800. Strombolian activity of varying intensity continued at SEC; periodic ash emissions generated ashfall in areas as far as Catania. At 2305 on 21 May a pyroclastic flow from the 20 May vent traveled 700 m NNE. Ash emissions intensified during 0300-0400 on 22 May. By that evening, lava flows from the 12 May vent had ceased and the 20 May vent produced short lava flows.

Fuego – South-Central Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that on 23 May lahars descended Fuego in the Las Lajas drainage (SE), the Ceniza drainage (SSW), and the Honda drainage (E); all three lahars carried fine material along with tree trunks, branches, and blocks as large as 1.5 m in diameter.

Great Sitkin – Andreanof Islands (USA) : AVO reported that the eruption at Great Sitkin continued during 17-24 May. Almost daily elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite data, consistent with lava effusion. Steam emissions were visible during 23-24 May.

Ibu – Halmahera : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Ibu continued during 17-24 May. Daily gray-and-white ash plumes of variable densities generally rose 200-1,500 m above the summit and drifted in multiple directions.

Karymsky – Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 13-20 May daily explosions at Karymsky generated ash plumes that rose 3-9.5 km (9,800-31,200 ft) a.s.l. and drifted more than 450 km in various directions. A thermal anomaly over the volcano was visible in satellite images during 13-14 and 17-19 May.

Katmai – Alaska : AVO reported that on 20 May strong winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes blew unconsolidated ash WNW at an altitude up to 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta eruption in 1912.

Kilauea – Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that lava continued to effuse from a vent in the lower W wall of Kilauea’s Halema`uma`u Crater during 17-24 May, entering the active lava lake and flowing onto the crater floor. The surface of the lava lake was active all week, though the height of the lake was high and relatively stable. Breakouts of lava occurred along the E, N, NW, and W margins of the lake.

Lewotolok – Lembata Island : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Lewotolok continued during 17-24 May. Daily white steam plumes were visible rising 50-800 m above the summit and drifted multiple directions. White-and-gray emissions were visible on 19 and 21 May rose as high as 500 m above the summit and drifted SE, W, and NW.

Manam – Northeast of New Guinea : The Darwin VAAC reported that during 17-19 May ash plumes from Manam rose to 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW and W based on satellite images and weather models.

Merapi – Central Java : BPPTKG reported that the eruption at Merapi continued during 13-19 May. The heights and morphologies of the SW lava dome and the central lava dome were unchanged from the previous week, and seismicity remained at high levels. As many as 82 lava avalanches traveled a maximum of 2 km, mostly down the Bebeng drainage on the SW flank. One pyroclastic flow traveled 2.5 km down the Bebeng drainage. Seismicity remained high.

Nevados de Chillan – Central Chile : SERNAGEOMIN reported low levels of activity at Nevados de Chillán during 1-15 May. The area of the lava dome on the floor of Nicanor Crater was 1,626 square meters, similar to measurements from March (1,665 square meters); deformation measurements indicated that extrusion had ceased. Crater incandescence was sometimes visible; thermal anomalies were identified in satellite images on 3, 5, 8, 10, 13, and 15 May. There were 217 explosions in the active crater recorded by the seismic network. The explosions mainly produced steam, though the plumes occasionally contained tephra. Material from explosive activity accumulated in the NE part of the crater. An energetic explosion on 16 May produced an ash plume that rose 900 m and pyroclastic flows that descended the SE, NE, and W flanks as far as 400 m. Seismicity remained at moderate levels. Sulfur dioxide emissions averaged 466 ± 54 tons per day, peaking at 802 tons per day on 7 May. An explosion was recorded on 21 May.

Pavlof – Alaska Peninsula, Alaska : AVO reported that the eruption at a vent on Pavlof’s upper E flank was ongoing during 17-24 May, and seismic tremor persisted. Daily elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images consistent with the effusion of short lava flows on the upper flank.

Rincon de la Vieja – Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that a few small phreatic explosions at Rincón de la Vieja were recorded during the previous week. A phreatic explosion at 1343 on 18 May produced a steam-and-gas plume that rose 200 m above the crater rim. At 1710 on 19 May an eruptive event produced a gas-and-steam plume that rose 100 m above the summit. More small eruptive events at 0251 and 0443 on 21 May were recorded by seismic and infrasound instruments.

Ruapehu – North Island (New Zealand) : On 24 May GeoNet reported that elevated unrest at Ruapehu continued, though at reduced levels. During the previous week the levels of volcanic tremor further declined, were variable, but remained above normal. The lake water temperature decreased from a peak of 41 degrees Celsius on 8 May to 30 degrees Celsius, showing a cooling trend. A gas measurement flight on 13 May confirmed continuing high levels of gas emissions, though at values lower than measured two weeks prior; sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide flux rates were at 179 and 1,658 tonnes per day, respectively; data from new instruments confirmed that these levels remained elevated.

Semeru – Eastern Java : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 17-24 May. White plumes were occasionally visible rising 100-700 m above the summit. Several eruptive events (recorded at 0525 on 19 May, at 0552 on 20 May, at 0525 on 21 May, at 0632 on 22 May, and at 0624 on 23 May) produced ash plumes that rose 200-500 m above the summit and drifted S and SW.

Semisopochnoi – Aleutian Islands (USA) : AVO reported that low-level eruptive activity at Semisopochnoi’s North Cerberus cone continued during 17-24 May. Seismicity continued to be elevated with intermittent tremor and several daily explosions recorded by infrasound and seismic instruments. Low-level ash emissions were visible in clear satellite images and webcam views; clouds sometimes obscured views towards the end of the week. A sulfur dioxide plume drifted 240 km N during 17-18 May, and sulfur dioxide emissions were detected during 23-24 May.

Sheveluch – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 13-20 May, and lava-dome extrusion continued.

Suwanosejima – Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that eruptive activity continued to be recorded at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater during 16-23 May. Eruption plumes rose as high as 1.9 km above the crater rim and material was ejected 400 m above the vent. Ash fell in Toshima village (3.5 km SSW) and in other areas within 5 km. Three explosions were recorded during 20-23 May and crater incandescence from the crater was visible at night.

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Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.9 earthquake hits southern Peru.

5.6 earthquake hits the South Indian Ocean.

5.5 earthquake hits Oaxaca, Mexico.

5.1 earthquake hits Tonga.

5.0 earthquake hits Tonga.

5.0 earthquake hits near the coast of Nicaragua.

5.0 earthquake hits eastern Xizang, China.

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Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are currently no active tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

Brazil – Heavy rain in north-eastern Brazil over the last few days has caused flooding and landslides in the states of Pernambuco, Alagoas and Paraíba. At least one person has died, several injured and hundreds displaced. Stormy weather caused flooding and wind damage in parts of Pernambuco state, Brazil on 23 May 2022. Flooding was reported in Olinda and Recife, where the Tejipió river broke its banks. One person was injured as a result of strong winds. Heavy rain has continued since then in particular in Greater Recife areas. The coastal town of Olinda recorded 199 mm of rain in 24 hours to 25 May, and the city of Recife recorded 196 mm. Some southern areas of Alagoas state saw more than 250 mm of rain in 24 hours on 24 May, which is the amount normally seen for the whole of an average May.

Vietnam – Disaster authorities in Vietnam report at least 3 people have died after severe flooding and landslides in northern provinces following days of heavy rain, with more expected. Over 900 mm of rain has fallen in 3 days in some areas. In total, 317 houses have been damaged. Two people died in a landslide in Tuyen Quang where 4 people were also injured and several houses collapsed. A third fatality was reported in Hoa Binh where a person drowned in flood waters.

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Wildlife

Starving Manatees Gain Some Relief

Wildlife officials working to prevent threatened Florida manatees from starving to death say they’re encouraged that some of the marine mammals’ favorite food is growing naturally in a key area.

Seagrasses have been found growing recently in small areas of the Indian River Lagoon along Florida’s east coast where chronic pollution has wiped out much of it, officials said.

The lack of seagrass forage during winter months has triggered an unprecedented die-off of manatees, including a record of more than 1,100 last year. The deaths recorded so far in 2022 are at 551, according to commission statistics.

The FWC and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in March completed an experimental program that fed manatees more than 202,000 pounds (91,600 kilograms) of donated lettuce near a power plant where the animals gather during colder months. Officials say a similar program is in the works for the coming winter.

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Disease

Covid-19

The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:

Monkeypox

Finland – The Finland National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reports a suspected monkeypox case in the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District (HUS). An infection caused by a virus belonging to the orthopox group has been diagnosed in an adult male patient. Monkey and smallpox viruses are orthopoxviruses.

Canada – In a follow-up on the monkeypox situation in Quebec, Canada, the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) reports 15 confirmed cases of monkeypox as of May 23.

UAE – The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has announced the first case of monkeypox in the UAE. The ministry explained that this first case was detected in a 29-year-old woman who arrived from West Africa.

Ebola – DR Congo

The World Health Organization African Region reported today about a fifth Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) case in the Equateur province in western Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). According to the report, there are now 5 cases (4 confirmed, 1 probable) and all were fatal cases. Two health zones are affected (Mbandaka & Wangata).

Acure Diarrhoea – Peru

The National Center for Epidemiology, Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) of the Ministry of Health (Minsa) provides recommendations to prevent acute diarrheal diseases, also known as ADD, after reporting 277,218 episodes of this disease and 9 deaths. CDC Peru explained that EDAs are caused by microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria or parasites, which, for the most part, are transmitted by water or food with fecal contamination. Likewise, the entity specified that infection by acute diarrheal diseases is more common when there is a shortage of clean water for drinking, cooking or washing.

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Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week 18 May – 24 May 2022

Bezymianny – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : On 24 May KVERT reported that the effusive eruption at Bezymianny continued, characterized by strong fumarolic emissions, lava-dome incandescence, and hot avalanches. Notable hot avalanches descended the E flank. Gas-and-steam plumes with some ash content drifted 30 km NW on 24 May and 25 km NE on 25 May, at altitudes of 3-4.5 km (9,800-14,800 ft) a.s.l.

Cleveland – Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that during 17-24 May almost daily elevated surface temperatures over Cleveland were identified in satellite images. Daily sulfur dioxide emissions were visible, and steam plumes rose from the crater during 22-24 May. A series of small, local earthquakes were detected on 18 May.

Krakatau – Sunda Strait : The Darwin VAAC reported that on 18 May a diffuse ash plume from Anak Krakatau rose to 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted WNW based on satellite images and weather models. On 19 May a dense steam plume with diffuse ash rose to 2.4 km and drifted N.

Reykjanes – Reykjanes Peninsula : IMO reported an ongoing seismic swarm and uplift on the Reykjanes Peninsula, indicative of a magma intrusion. Satellite data analysis indicated that 4-4.5 cm of uplift occurred during 27 April-21 May centered just NW of Mt. Thorbjorn. Magma was accumulating at depths of 4-5 km, and the intrusion was possibly 7-8 km long. During 22-23 May about 400 earthquakes were recorded; a M 3 earthquake was recorded at 1113 on 22 May and a M 3.5 earthquake was recorded at 0715 on 23 May, both were located about 3 km E of Mt. Thorbjorn.

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Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 earthquake hits Fiji.

5.0 earthquake hits Greece.

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Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are currently no active tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

Bangladesh – Ongoing flooding in north-eastern Bangladesh has affected over 4 million people, including 1.6 million children, according to the United Nations. Flooding began following a prolonged period of heavy rainfall in Bangladesh and catchment areas in neighbouring India from around 09 May. By 16 May rivers including the Surma and the Kushiyara in Sylhet Division in north-eastern Bangladesh jumped above the danger mark. The Kushiyara river at Amalshid reached 17.15 metres on 19 May, well above the danger mark of 15.40 metres. The Surma river at Sylhet reached 11.25 metres on the same day, above the danger mark of 10.80 metres. At least 16 people have died as a result of the severe weather in Sylhet Division, including 11 who were struck by lightning whilst working in fields. One person died in a landslide triggered by the heavy rain, another drowned in flood waters and 3 died in a capsized boat.

India – Flash floods and landslides in India’s northeast Assam state killed at least 25 people and displaced over 650,000 from their homes in the past 10 days, officials said on Tuesday. The Brahmaputra River, one of the largest rivers in the world which flows from Tibet to India and finally into Bangladesh, burst its banks in Assam, inundating more than 1,800 villages in 26 districts this month.

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Wildfires

Wildfires – Pakistan

Forest fires continue to wreak havoc in Balochistan, Pakistan, after more than two weeks of activity. At least three deaths have been reported as of May 22, 2022 and several people have been injured. Authorities are struggling to contain the fire, as the country lacks proper equipment.

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Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.7 earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.4 earthquake hits Atacama, Chile.

5.3 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.3 earthquake hits La Paz, Bolivia.

5.2 earthquake hits the Rota region, North Mariana Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.0 earthquake hits north of Svalbard.

5.0 earthquake hits the Hindu Kush, Afghanistan.

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Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are currently no active tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

Brazil – Rising rivers in Brazil’s Amazonas state have affected over 300,000 people according to state officials. Rivers including the Negro, Amazon, Jurua, Purus, Madeira and Solimões have been rising for some time. The Negro River at Manaus, the state capital, reached above severe flood stage (29 metres) in early May 2022. By 10 May the level was 29.10 metres and by 23 May the Negro River reached 29.37 metres. In a report of 19 May 2022, Amazonas Civil Defence reported flooding has affected a total of 306,861 people from 76,715 families across wide areas of the state. As of 23 May, as many as 35 municipalities had declared a state of emergency.

Colombia – Officials in the department of Meta, Colombia, report at least 5,000 people have been affected by recent heavy rainfall caused flooding and landslides including in areas of the department capital, Villavicencio where the airport runway and terminal was flooded. The government of Meta reported heavy rain has impacted 25 municipalities in recent days, causing damage, flooding and landslides. A total of 5,000 people have been affected and 4,000 hectares of crops, around 30 bridges and 94 roads damaged. Dozens of landslides were reported in the municipalities of Mesetas and San Juan de Arama. At least 16 villages were flooded across the municipalities of Cubarral, El Castillo and El Dorado.

Indonesia – Heavy rainfall has caused flooding and landslides in Indonesia where authorities say at least 4 people have died in and thousands have been affected. A landslide triggered by heavy rain destroyed homes in Cipelang Village, Cijeruk District, Bogor Regency in West Java Province on 21 May 2022. Indonesia’s disaster management agency said 4 people died. Meanwhile flooding in Kendal and Pemalang Regencies in Central Java Province on 22 May damaged around 2,500 homes and affected around 12,000 residents. Flooding and severe weather also impacted areas of the island of Sumatra, where around 45,000 people were affected and 11,442 homes damaged by floods in Medan City, North Sumatra Province on 20 May. Meanwhile heavy rainfall has also caused flooding in the provinces of North and Central Kalimantan and Gorontalo Provinces.

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Disease

Covid-19

The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:

Monkeypox

Germany – In Germany, the first cases of monkeypox were identified in May 2022. The number of cases has now risen to 5.

Argentina – A resident of the province of Buenos Aires consulted today at a health care provider in the City of Buenos Aires with symptoms compatible with monkeypox presenting with pustules on different parts of the body and fever.

Norway – The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has received information that a foreign person who visited Oslo from 6 to 10 May has since had monkey pox confirmed in his home country. The infected person is a traveling person from a European country where there is an outbreak of monkey pox. Infection tracking has started.

Portugal – In a follow-up on the monkeypox clusters in Portugal, The Directorate-General for Health (DGS) informs that 14 more cases of human infection by Monkeypox virus have been confirmed in Portugal, with 37 confirmed cases so far in the North, Lisbon and Tagus Valley and Algarve regions.

Hand, foot and mouth disease – Malaysia

In a follow-up on the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreak in Malaysia, the Ministry of Health reports through May 21, a total of 47,209 cases of HFMD, which is a 20 -fold increase compared to 2021 during the same period, which saw only 2,237 cases.

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Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.1 earthquake hits off the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.5 earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan.

5.5 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.3 earthquake hits Tonga.

5.1 earthquake hits south of Fiji.

5.1 earthquake hits southeastern Iran.

5.0 earthquake hits Fiji.

5.0 earthquake hits southern Sumatra, Indonesia.

Two 5.0 earthquakes hit off the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.0 earthquake hits south of Fiji.

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Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are currently no active tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

South Africa – More heavy rain has caused flooding and landslides in parts of KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa. Areas of the province saw devastating flooding last month which left over 400 dead and 40,000 displaced. The heavy rainfall has resulted in flooding of roads, human settlements, and damage to properties. Some areas are inaccessible and have become islands. Around 240 mm of rain fell in Mount Edgecombe in 24 hours to 22 May 2022. The city of Durban saw 202 mm during this time and Sezela 151 mm.

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Disease

Monkeypox – Belgium

Belgium is the first country to make a 21-day quarantine compulsory for monkeypox patients after four cases of the disease had been reported last week.

Legionnaires Disease – USA

The New York City Health Department announced Friday an investigation into a community cluster of Legionnaires’ disease in the Bronx and bordering communities. Four people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease since May 9, 2022, and results for other individuals are pending.

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Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.0 earthquake hits south of Fiji.

5.8 earthquake hits Luzon in the Philippines.

5.5 earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.3 earthquake hits south of Fiji.

5.2 earthquake hits south of Fiji.

5.2 earthquake hits Tonga.

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Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are currently no active tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

Bangladesh – Rivers in Bangladesh have burst their banks and caused the worst floods in the country’s northeast for nearly two decades, with about two million people marooned by rising waters, officials said Saturday (May 21). Floodwater rushing from India’s northeast breached a major embankment on the Barak River, inundating at least 100 villages at Zakiganj in Bangladesh.

India – The flood situation in Assam further deteriorated on Saturday with the death of four more persons, taking the death toll to 18, officials said, adding over 8.39 lakh people have been affected in 32 of the state’s 34 districts. 839,691 people, including 145,126,children, of 3,246 villages in 32 districts have been affected. Over 1,00,732 hectare of crops have been affected.

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Wildfires

Wildfires – Texas, USA

The Mesquite Heat Fire has destroyed approximately 27 homes 7 miles southwest of Abilene, Texas. Since it started May 17 alongside Highway 277 it has burned 7 miles to the northeast, consuming 9,613 acres during extreme weather conditions — temperature of 107 degrees, 10 percent relative humidity, and high winds.

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Disease

Covid-19

The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:

Monkeypox

Germany – A case of monkeypox has been confirmed in Munich. The patient comes from Brazil and is already isolated in the Munich Clinic Schwabing. This is the first case of monkeypox in Germany.

Israel – The Israel Ministry of Health has repored the confirmation of a monkeypox case in the country.

Ebola – DR Congo

Health authorities in DRC confirmed a 4th case of Ebola on 19 May. The case patient, a 12-year-old boy in Wangata, passed away today.

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Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.0 earthquake hits north of Svalbard.

5.2 earthquake hits north of Svalbard.

5.2 earthquake hits the Strait of Gibraltar.

5.1 earthquake hits offshore Atacama, Chile.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical cyclone 26p (Gina), located approximately 197 south-southeast of Port Vila, Vanuatu, is tracking southeastward at 10 knots.

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Wildlife

Breaching humpback whale body slams boat in Mexico

Watching a gigantic whale fly through the air as it breaches the ocean’s surface is one of the most beautiful sights in the natural world. But for the crew of one boat in Mexico, that experience quickly turned into a nightmare when they got too close to a 7-ton (6.4 metric tons) humpback whale that subsequently body slammed them, wrecking the vessel and injuring everyone on board.

The humpback — a juvenile despite its hefty size — rose out of the water and landed directly on top of a small boat. Local authorities have suggested that the “Andrea” had been harrassing the humpback whale, which may have caused the distressed cetacean to purposefully breach on top of the vessel.

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Global Warming

Kyoto cherry blossoms blooming sooner

Kyoto, Japan’s, iconic cherry blossoms marking the start of spring are now fully blooming 11 days sooner due to climate change warming.

The full flowering of Kyoto’s cherry trees in 2021 was on March 26, the earliest date recorded in 1200 years, according to a study published Friday in the journal Environmental Research Letters.

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Wildfires

Wildfires – New Mexico, USA

The 303,701-acre Calf Canyon / Hermits Peak Fire northwest of Las Vegas was subject to single digit humidity and strong winds Thursday afternoon, 10 to 20 mph with 30 to 40 mph gusts out of the west. Since the east side is somewhat secure most of the additional spread was limited to the west side, which experienced in some areas fire behavior described as “extreme, crowning, group torching, and spotting.”

The Black Fire 28 miles west-northwest of Truth or Consequences consumed more vegetation on the northwest, northeast, east, and southeast sides. Fire officials said in some places it spread for three miles, growing on the southeast side to within one or two miles of Hermosa. It has burned 104,969 acres.

Most of the spread of the 21,687-acre Bear Trap Fire 34 miles southwest of Socorro was on the south side Thursday.

The 45,605-acre Cerro Pelado Fire six miles southwest of Los Alamos has been relatively quiet for several days.

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Disease

Covid-19

The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:

Monkeypox

France – France’s Ministère des Solidarités et de la Santé reported the first confirmed monkeypox case,

England – In a follow-up on the monkeypox situation in England, he UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected 11 additional cases of monkeypox in England. The latest cases bring the total number of monkeypox cases confirmed in England since 6 May to 20.

Spain – The Ministry of Health and the communities have activated the health alert for monkeypox , a very rare disease caused by a virus endemic to central and western Africa, after the detection on May 18 of eight probable cases in Madrid.

Portugal – In a follow-up on the monkeypox situation in Portugal, The Directorate-General for Health (DGS) informs that nine more cases of human infection by the Monkeypox virus have been confirmed in Portugal, with 23 confirmed cases so far.

Australia – The Australia Department of Health (DOH) the National Incident Centre has been activated to support the national response after Victoria and New South Wales both confirmed a monkeypox case today.

Dengue Fever – Singapore

In a follow-up on the dengue fever outbreak in Singapore in 2022, the National Environment Agency (NEA) reports 9,895 total cases through May 20.

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Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.7 earthquake hits offshore Coquimbo, Chile.

5.4 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

5.0 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits off the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.0 earthquake hits near the coast of central Peru.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical cyclone 26p (Gina), located approximately 64 south-southwest of Port Vila, Vanuatu, is tracking south-southwestward at 03 knots.

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Environment

Pollution Kills

Approximately 1 in 10 premature deaths worldwide during 2019 were linked to pollution, according to a new report by the Lancet Commission. It says 9 million people died during the year due to breathing toxic outside air and from lead poisoning.

Pollution is an “existential threat to human health and planetary health, and jeopardises the sustainability of modern societies,” the report concludes. While pollution rarely kills immediately, it does trigger heart disease, cancer, respiratory problems, diarrhea and other serious illnesses, according to the report.

Deadly Heat

South Asia’s blistering heat wave worsened, with temperatures soaring to above 51 degrees Celsius in parts of Pakistan. The heat is evaporating water supplies and causing misery among those who have to work outdoors.

“It’s like fire burning all around,” Jacobabad, Pakistan, labourer Shafi Mohammed told AFP. Farmers in the Cholistan Desert report that some of their sheep have died from heatstroke and dehydration. But relief could be on the way, with cooling monsoon rains predicted to initially reach southern India earlier than normal on May 27.

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Global Warming

Four Critical Climate Change Indicators Broke Records in 2021

Humanity’s over-reliance on fossil fuels and ecological damage has released historic levels of greenhouse gases to the point that four critical indicators of climate change broke records in 2021, according to a new report by the UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

The world smashed records for all global indicators: greenhouse gas concentrations, sea level rise, ocean temperatures and acidification. Carbon dioxide and methane – a potent planet-warming gas – emissions have soared to unprecedented levels in 2021 despite worldwide pandemic lockdowns and travel restrictions, the State of the Global Climate in 2021 report found. CO2 concentration has also reached 50% higher than pre-industrial levels.

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Wildlife

Nature’s War Victims

The coastlines, forests and wetlands of southern Ukraine have suffered untold destruction and contamination by Russia’s war on the country.

The bombardments and missile attacks have inflicted damage to wildlife and the environment that will take decades to recover once the war ends, according to Yevhenia Zasiadko of the Ukrainian environmental organization Ecoaction. “We are seeing a frightening amount of landscape damage,” Zasiadko told Spain’s RTVE.

Russia’s military has targeted many of Ukraine’s mines, refineries, fuel depots and chemical plants, polluting the surrounding areas.

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Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week’s hottest temperature was 51.0 degrees Celsius (123.8 degrees F) at Jacobabad, Pakistan.

The week’s coldest temperature was minus 76.0 degrees Celsius (-104.8 degrees F) 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.

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Wildfires

Wildfires – Texas, USA

In Texas, the Texas A&M Forestry Service said the Mesquite fire that has burned dozens of homes was still only 5% contained Thursday afternoon after charring more than 15 square miles of juniper and mesquite brush 18 miles southwest of Abilene.

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Disease

Covid-19

The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:

Japanese Encephalitis – Australia

In a follow-up on the Japanese encephalitis situation in Australia, the Department of Health now reports 42 human cases in Australia, including four fatalities.

Monkeypox

Canada – Health authorities report 17 cases of unusual oral and genital ulcers possibly linked to monkeypox in Greater Montreal.

Sweden – A person in the Stockholm region has been confirmed infected with monkeypox, Folkhälsomyndigheten, the Swedish Public Health Agency reported today.

USA – Massachusetts state health officials today confirmed a single case of monkeypox virus infection in an adult male with recent travel to Canada. This is the first monkeypox case reported in the US this year.

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Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week 11 May – 17 May 2022

Aira – Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that a very small eruptive event was recorded at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 9-13 May. An eruptive event at 1141 on 15 May generated a plume that rose 1.2 km above the crater rim.

Etna – Sicily (Italy) : INGV reported that at around 1900 on 12 May new vents opened along the N flank of Etna’s Southeast Crater (SEC) and produced ash emissions that rose to 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW. Lava flowed from the vents and traveled to the N base of the crater. Lava effusion continued over the next several days, and by 17 May the flow had descended ENE into Valle del Leone, reaching 2,300-2,400 m elevation. Discontinuous Strombolian activity of variable intensities occurred at SEC; during more intense phases ash emissions were visible, though the plumes dissipated rapidly.

Fuego – South-Central Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that 2-9 explosions per hour were recorded at Fuego during 10-17 May, generating ash plumes that rose as high as 1.1 km above the crater rim. The ash plumes drifted 10-15 km E, SE, S, and SW causing daily ashfall in areas downwind including Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), Finca Palo Verde, Finca la Asunción, El Zapote (10 km S), Ceylon, Yucales (12 km SW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), Alotenángo (8 km ENE), San Miguel Dueñas (10 km NE), San Sebastián, and La Rochela. Daily shock waves rattled structures in communities around the volcano and occasional rumbling was heard. Block avalanches descended the flanks in all directions, but most commonly were visible in the Ceniza (SSW), Seca (W), Trinidad (S), Taniluyá (SW), Honda, and Las Lajas (SE) drainages. Daily explosions ejected incandescent material 100-350 m above the summit.

Great Sitkin – Andreanof Islands (USA) : AVO reported that minor advancement of the lava flows at Great Sitkin indicated continuing slow lava effusion during 10-17 May. Daily elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite data.

Ibu – Halmahera : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Ibu continued during 11-17 May. Daily gray-and-white ash plumes of variable densities generally rose 200-800 m above the summit and drifted mainly W and N. Eruptive events at 0903 and 1807 on 14 May and at 1759 on 15 May produced ash plumes that rose 0.8-1 km above the summit and drifted W and SW. At 1646 on 16 May dense gray ash plumes rose around 2.5 km and drifted W.

Karymsky – Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was visible in satellite images during 6-13 May. Explosions on 12 May generated ash plumes that rose as high as 6 km (19,700 ft) a.s.l. by 1120 local time and drifted about 30 km NW. Explosions on 14 May produced ash plumes that rose to 5.7 km (18,700 ft) a.s.l. by 0940 local time and drifted 28 km NE.

Katmai – Alaska : AVO reported that on 13 May strong winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes blew unconsolidated ash SE towards Kodiak Island at an altitude up to 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta eruption in 1912.

Kilauea – Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that lava continued to effuse from a vent in the lower W wall of Kilauea’s Halema`uma`u Crater during 10-17 May, entering the active lava lake and flowing onto the crater floor. By 10 May the total volume of erupted lava was an estimated 77 million cubic meters, and the lake which had risen a total of 106 m since 29 September 2021. The surface of the lava lake was active all week, though the height of the lake was high and relatively stable. Breakouts of lava occurred along the NE and NW margins of the lake during 10-11 May, and more notably from the E margins the rest of the week.

Lewotolok – Lembata Island : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Lewotolok continued during 10-17 May. An increase in gas emissions along with continuing ash emissions was observed on 14 and 17 May. The ash emissions rose to 1-2.4 km above the summit and drifted W, N, and NE.

Manam – Northeast of New Guinea : The Darwin VAAC reported that during 13-16 May ash plumes from Manam rose to 2.4-3.7 km (8,000-12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, SW, and W based on satellite images and weather models.

Merapi – Central Java : BPPTKG reported no significant morphological changes at Merapi’s summit lava dome during 6-12 May, though the height of the dome below the SW rim had increased by around 2 m. As many as 92 lava avalanches traveled a maximum of 2 km, mostly down the Bebeng drainage on the SW flank. Two pyroclastic flows traveled 2 km down the Bebeng drainage. Seismicity remained high.

Pavlof – Alaska Peninsula, Alaska : AVO reported that the eruption at a vent on Pavlof’s upper E flank was ongoing during 10-17 May, and seismic tremor persisted. Daily elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images consistent with the effusion of short lava flows on the upper flank.

Reventador – Ecuador : IG reported that a high level of activity continued at Reventador during 10-17 May, though cloudy weather conditions sometimes prevented visual observations, particularly during 14-15 May. Gas-and-ash plumes, often observed multiple times a day as reported by the Washington VAAC, rose as high as 1 km above the summit and drifted mainly NW and W. Incandescence from the crater and incandescent blocks rolling 600 m down the flanks was visible during 10-13 May. During the morning of 17 May a new lava flow descended the NE flank.

Rincon de la Vieja – Costa Rica : On 13 May OVSICORI-UNA reported that 23 small phreatic explosions at Rincón de la Vieja were recorded during the previous week. Eruptive events at 2328 on 10 May and 0700 on 11 May were recorded by the seismic network through darkness and cloudy weather conditions prevented visual confirmation. Tremor levels decreased significantly on 12 May.

Ruapehu – North Island (New Zealand) : On 17 May GeoNet reported that elevated unrest at Ruapehu continued, though at reduced levels. During the previous two weeks the level of volcanic tremor declined from strong to moderate. The lake water temperature decreased from a peak of 41 degrees Celsius on 8 May to 37 degrees Celsius. A gas measurement flight on 13 May confirmed continuing high levels of gas emissions, though at values lower than measured two weeks prior; sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide flux rates at 179 and 1,658 tonnes per day, respectively. Lake upwelling over the northern vent area was also visible during the overflight.

Sangay – Ecuador : IG reported a high level of activity at Sangay during 10-17 May. Weather clouds and rain often prevented visual and webcam observations of the volcano, though almost daily ash-and-gas plumes were identified in satellite images by the Washington VAAC; plumes rose as high as 1.5 km above the volcano and drifted W. Almost daily, multiple daily thermal anomalies over the volcano were visible in satellite data. The seismic network detected signals indicating lahars or possible lahars during 13-17 May.

Santa Maria – Southwestern Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that the eruption at Santa María’s Santiaguito lava-dome complex continued during 10-17 May. Incandescence from Caliente crater and the lava flows on the W and SW flanks was visible nightly and during some early mornings. The lava flows continued to advance in the San Isidro channel, and produced block avalanches from the ends and sides of the flows that descended the S, SW, and S flanks. Ash from these avalanches fell in areas on and around the volcano.

Semeru – Eastern Java : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 11-17 May. An eruptive event at 0608 on 14 May generated an ash plume that rose 200 m and drifted N. Another event recorded at 0634 on 17 May produced an ash plume that rose 300 m and drifted SW.

Semisopochnoi – Aleutian Islands (USA) : AVO reported that low-level eruptive activity at Semisopochnoi’s North Cerberus cone continued during 10-17 May. Seismicity continued to be elevated with intermittent tremor detected by the seismic network. Several daily explosions were recorded in infrasound and seismic data. Daily low-level ash emissions were visible in clear satellite images and webcam views.

Sheveluch – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 6-13 May, and lava-dome extrusion continued.

Sinabung – Northwestern Sumatra : During 1 January-17 May gas emissions were frequently visible and detected by instruments; daily averages of sulfur dioxide emissions from passive degassing were below 250 tons per day, though a high value of about 4,000 tons per day was recorded in January, and white plumes of varying densities rose as high as 500 m above the summit. During the previous four months deformation data showed a downward trend and indicated deflation, and the number of deep and shallow volcanic earthquakes signals generally declined. Growth of the SE part of the lava dome continued at a low rate as indicated by low numbers of earthquake signals caused by fluid movement. Avalanches of material were indicated by seismic signals though not visually confirmed.

Stromboli – Aeolian Islands (Italy) : INGV reported that during 9-15 May activity at Stromboli was characterized by ongoing explosions from three vents in Area N (North Crater area) and two vents in Area C-S (South-Central Crater area). During 9-13 May explosions from Area N vents (N1 and N2) averaged 2-4 events per hour; explosions from the N1 vent ejected lapilli and bombs mixed with ash 80-150 m high and those at two N2 vents ejected material less than 80 m high. No explosions occurred at the S1 and C vents in Area C-S; low- to medium-intensity explosions at the two S2 vents occurred at a rate of 0-5 per hour and ejected coarse material 80-150 m high. A sequence of six major explosions occurred at S1 and S2 in Area C-S during 1643-1647 on 13 May. The first, and most energetic, occurred at 1643 and ejected an abundant amount of coarse material 300 m high. The material fell in areas to the E and SE, and at Pizzo Sopra la Fossa (an area atop the volcano about 100 m above the crater terrace). The second explosion was lower in intensity but also ejected coarse material. The third through the sixth explosion all ejected ash. Deposits from the explosions seen during a field visit the next day were found as far at 450 m elevation, and impacts from ballistics were found along the switchbacks up the Liscione between 700 and 830 m elevation. Decimeter to meter-sized bombs were observed near 850 m elevation. Elongated tephra, centimeter to decimeter in size, was seen near Pizzo Sopra la Fossa. The CS vent area had deepened and the vents were elongated towards the central part. After the sequence of explosions on 13 May, through 15 May, explosive activity at N1, N2, and Area C-S was low.

Suwanosejima – Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that eruptive activity continued to be recorded at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater during 9-16 May. Eruption plumes rose as high as 1 km above the crater rim and material was ejected 400 m above the vent; no explosions were recorded. Ash fell in Toshima village (3.5 km SSW) during 13-16 May.

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Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.6 earthquake hits the Macquarie Island region.

5.9 earthquake hits Tonga.

5.8 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.6 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.5 earthquake hits the Macquarie Island region.

5.3 earthquake hits the southern east Pacific rise.

5.1 earthquake hits Fiji.

5.1 earthquake hits the southern east Pacific rise.

5.0 earthquake hits the southwestern Ryukyu Islands off Japan.

5.0 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

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Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical cyclone 26p (Gina), located approximately 87 north-northeast of Port Vila, Vanuatu, is tracking south-southwestward at 07 knots.

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Global Warming

Rainforest trees may have been dying faster since the 1980s because of climate change

Tropical trees in Australia’s rainforests have been dying at double the previous rate since the 1980s, seemingly because of climate impacts, according to the findings of a long-term international study. This research has found the death rates of tropical trees have doubled in the last 35 years, as global warming increases the drying power of the atmosphere.

Deterioration of such forests reduces biomass and carbon storage, making it increasingly difficult to keep global peak temperatures well below the target 2 °C, as required by the Paris Agreement.

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Disease

Covid-19

The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:

Monkeypox – England

In a follow-up on the monkeypox situation in England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected 2 additional cases of monkeypox, one in London and one in the South East of England. The latest cases bring the total number of monkeypox cases confirmed in England since May 6 to 9.

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Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week 11 May – 17 May 2022

Awu – Sangihe Islands : PVMBG had raised the Alert Level for Awu to 2 (on a scale of 1-4) on 12 December 2021 because of a notable increase in the number of both shallow and deep volcanic earthquakes. Since then the number of shallow and deep volcanic earthquakes averaged 8 and 5 events per day, respectively. Gas emissions had not been visible, though weather conditions sometimes prevented views of the volcano. Another significant seismic increase was recorded on 9 May, with 88 shallow events and 147 deep events, and then again the following day with 90 shallow events and 203 deep events. At 1500 on 11 May a white emission was observed rising about 30 m above the crater rim.

Cleveland – Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that during 11-17 May elevated surface temperatures over Cleveland were identified in satellite images. No significant seismic or infrasound activity was detected. A continuous sulfur dioxide plume drifted 500 km during 15-16 May.

Krakatau – Sunda Strait : The Darwin VAAC reported that during 10-12 May ash plumes from Anak Krakatau rose to 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E, N, NW, and W based on satellite images and weather models. On 13 May satellite images showed a narrow ash plume drifting SE and E at an altitude of 2.4 km. Dense steam plume with minor ash content rose to 2.4 km and drifted NE, N, NW, and W during 14-16 May.

Reykjanes – Reykjanes Peninsula : The National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police declared a level of “uncertainty” for the Reykjanes Peninsula on 15 May, noting that the declaration meant that responders and agencies were to review their preparedness plans in response to recent increases in seismicity and deformation. More than 3,000 earthquakes had been detected near Eldvörp in the Reykjanes/Svartsengi volcanic system during the past week. Nine earthquakes above M 3 and two earthquakes above M 4 were recorded during 15-16 May; the largest event was a M 4.3 which was recorded at 1738 on 15 May. The earthquakes were located at depths of 4-6 km. GPS and InSAR data detected inflation W of Thorbjörn during the previous two weeks, likely caused by a magmatic intrusion at 4-5 km depth.

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Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan.

5.4 earthquake hits off the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.3 earthquake hits the Rat Islands in the Aleutian Islands.

5.2 earthquake hits off the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.1 earthquake hits south of the Mariana Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits the Hindu Kush, Afghanistan.

5.0 earthquake hits the Timor Sea.

5.0 Earthquake hits western Iran.

5.0 earthquake hits south of the Mariana Islands.

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Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical cyclone 26p (twenty-six), located approximately 178 north-northeast of Port Vila, Vanuatu, is tracking northwestward at 06 knots.

Newsbytes:

India – The flood situation has worsened in the state of Assam, India, where authorities report over 400,000 people are now affected across 1,089 villages in 26 districts. Rivers are at record high levels in Nagaon district. Heavy rain, flooding and landslides have also affected other parts of the region, including Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Meghalaya states in India, and Sylhet Division in Bangladesh. There are 24,681 people affected by floods in 94 villages across the districts of Cachar, Dhemaji, Hojai, Karbi Anglong West, Nagaon and Kamrup. Three people lost their lives in a landslide in Dima Hasao district. The worst of the flooding occurred in Cachar district where the Barak River broke its banks.

Thailand – Disaster authorities in Thailand report that flooding in 6 northern provinces has damaged homes and affected hundreds of households. Almost 300 households have been affected in total. Some of the worst of the flooding occurred in Ngao and Muang Pan districts of Lampang Province. Images showed roads, bridges and houses all suffered damage.

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Global Warming

Climate change affecting deepest parts of the ocean

Climate change is leading to a rise in temperatures in the deepest parts of the ocean, scientists from the University of Exeter have warned. New research indicates that much of the “excess heat” stored in the subtropical North Atlantic is in the deep ocean, below 700 metres.

Oceans have absorbed about 90% of warming caused by humans. The study found that in the subtropical North Atlantic (25°N), 62% of the warming from 1850-2018 is held in the deep ocean. The researchers – from the University of Exeter and the University of Brest – estimate that the deep ocean will continue to warm by a further 0.2°C in the next 50 years.

Ocean warming can have a range of consequences including: sea-level rise, changing ecosystems, currents and chemistry, and deoxygenation.

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Wildfires

Wildfires – New Mexico, USA

The Calf Canyon – Hermits Peak Fire 21 miles east of Santa Fe has become the largest fire in the recorded history of New Mexico. At 299,565 acres it has eclipsed the previous record set by the 297,845-acre Whitewater and Baldy Fires when they burned together in May of 2012 in Southwest New Mexico.

The Cerro Pelado Fire, 25 miles from Santa Fe has now burned 45 605 acres.

The Black Fire 30 miles west-northwest of Truth or Consequences has burned 56,132 acres since it was reported May 13 at 9 p.m.

Since it started May 1 the Bear Trap Fire has burned 15,215 acres 34 miles southwest of Socorro. It is nine miles south of the Very Large Array radio astronomy observatory.

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Disease

Covid-19

The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:

Polio – Mozambique

Mozambique health officials declared an outbreak of wild poliovirus type 1 after confirming that a child in the country’s north-eastern Tete province had contracted the disease, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This follows a report in February of an outbreak in Malawi. This is the first such case in Mozambique since 1992.

Monkeypox – Portugal

In a follow-up on the confirmed monkeypox cases reported in England, Portugal’s Direção-Geral da Saúde (DGS) reports more than 20 suspected cases of monkeypox infection in May, all in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region. Five of which have already been confirmed.

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease – Malaysia

In a follow-up on the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreak in Malaysia, the Ministry of Health reported today a total of 31,661 cases of HFMD were reported through May 14. This is an increase of 15 times compared to 2021 during the same period (2121 cases).

Leishmaniasis – Panama

Last week, health authorities reported that there has been an increase in cases of Leishmaniasis in the country, according to a El Siglo report. He detailed that to date more than 240 have been reported, a higher number compared to previous years.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Oman

Just days after the World Health Organization (WHO) reported two Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) cases in Qatar, they now report on a case in Oman in the Arabian Peninsula.

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Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.1 earthquake hits southwest of Sumatra, Indonesia.

5.9 earthquake hits south of New Zealand.

5.6 earthquake hits off the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.0 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.0 earthquake hits Morocco.

5.0 earthquake hits south of Tonga.

5.0 earthquake hits off the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.0 earthquake hits the Babuyan Islands, Philippines.

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Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are currently no tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

Kazakhstan – Disaster authorities in Kazakhstan say at least one person has died after heavy rain caused a landslide in the Almaty Region. A landslide struck in a residential areas of the city of Tekeli, Almaty Region on 15 May 2022. The landslide covered an area 50 metres by 25 metres and buried several homes in mud up to 3.5 metres deep. Two homes were completely destroyed and a nearby apartment building and roads were damaged.

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Disease

Covid-19

The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:

Monkeypox – England

In a update on the monkeypox situation in England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected 4 additional cases of monkeypox, 3 in London and one linked case in the north east of England.

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Wildfires

Wildfires – New Mexico, USA

The Black Fire 31 miles north-northeast of Silver City, New Mexico made an impressive run to the east Sunday. Fire officials said that morning it was 1,174 acres; when it was mapped by an aircraft that night at 9:04 it had grown to 18,762 acres and was 11 miles long. Satellite data at 3:26 Monday morning indicated that it had continued to spread vigorously to the east through the night.

Meanwhile large quantities of smoke from the Black and Calf Canyon Fires in New Mexico is impacting other states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Kansas.

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Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.6 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

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Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are currently no tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

India – At least 5 people have died and thousands affected after heavy rain, landslides and flooding in parts of Assam and Meghalaya states in northeastern India. Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) reported heavy rain, flooding and landslides affected around 25,000 people across several districts in the state from 13 May 2022. Three people died in a landslide in Dima Hasao district. The overflowing Barak river flooded wide areas of Cachar District. Local media in India reported heavy rain caused flooding and damages in areas of Meghalaya state, from 12 May 2022. One person died in a landslide in Jongksha village in Mawkynrew subdivision of East Khasi Hills district. Another person died after rain caused a tree to fall onto a vehicles in Ri-Bhoi district.

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Global Warming

World’s Monthly CO2 Levels Reached Highest in Human History

The monthly average of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has reached the highest levels on record this past April, reaching up to 420 parts per million (ppm) for the first time since observations started, according to new data released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The numbers from Hawaii’s Mauna Loa Observatory, which is home to the longest continuous record of atmospheric carbon dioxide in the world, showed last month’s CO2 levels have surpassed the highest record of 419.13 ppm from May, 2021.

Twenty years ago, the highest recorded level was at 375.93 ppm and in 1958 when scientists first started collecting CO2 data at Mauna Loa, the maximum level was just at 317.51 ppm.

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Wildfires

Wildfires – New Mexico, USA

The spread of the Calf Canyon / Hermits Peak Fire in Northern New Mexico has slowed in recent days compared to the rapid spread seen early last week during very strong winds and ultra low humidity. The fire was mapped Saturday evening at 288,942 acres.

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Disease

Covid-19

The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:

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Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.9 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.

5.3 earthquake hits south of the Mariana Islands.

5.2 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

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Wildfires

Wildfires – Michigan, USA

Crews in Montmorency and Cheboygan counties are currently battling a wildfire estimated to already have burned approximately 2,300 acres. No structures have been lost and 15 people have been evacuated from Black River Ranch.

Wildfires – Colorado, USA

The High Park fire in Teller County has burned more than 1,000 acres and is 10% contained, fire officials said. Firefighters on Saturday carried out water and retardant drops on the fire from the air, in support of ground crews.

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Disease

Covid-19

The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:

Middle East respiratory syndrome – Qatar

The National IHR Focal Point of Qatar has reported two confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) from late March to early April this week. Both cases had frequent close contact with dromedary camels and consumption of their raw milk in the 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms.

Monkeypox – United Kingdom

Two individuals have been diagnosed with monkeypox in London, confirms the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The cases live together in the same household. They are not linked to the previous confirmed case announced on 7 May. Where and how they acquired their infection remains under investigation.

Measles – DR Congo

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak reported in Kasaï-Oriental province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the epidemic continues to spread in Kasaï-Oriental province. 18 health zones are now affected.

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Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 earthquake hits Papua, Indonesia.

5.0 earthquake hits the Hindi Kush, Afghanistan.

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Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are currently no tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

Canada – Ice jams, rain and melting snow have caused rivers to overflow in northern parts of Canada. Whole communities have been ordered to evacuate in Northwest Territories and hundreds have been displaced in northwestern Alberta Province. An ice jam caused flooding of the Hay River in Northwest Territories, Canada, from 07 May 2022. Around 250 residents pre-emptively evacuated their homes in the town of Hay River and surrounding areas. Meanwhile about 280 km (175 miles) south of Hay River, local officials declared a state of emergency on 09 May 2022 after snowmelt and heavy rain caused flooding in Chateh and John D’or Prairie in northwestern Alberta Province. Around 1,000 people evacuated their homes in Chateh.

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Wildlife

Collateral Damage – Dolphins

Beyond the human casualties, destruction and misery from Russia’s war on Ukraine, Turkish marine life experts say they believe the conflict is also causing a sharp rise in dolphin deaths along the Black Sea coast.

They believe underwater noise pollution from about 20 Russian navy vessels has been driving the marine mammals southward, where they are becoming stranded or caught in fishing nets.

Neighbouring Bulgaria also reports an increase in dolphin strandings. “Acoustic trauma is one of the possibilities that come to mind,” said Bayram Öztürk of the Turkish Marine Research Foundation. He adds that while the underwater noise may not directly kill the dolphins, it could cause them to head into unfamiliar territory.

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Disease

Covid-19

The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:

Lassa fever – South Africa

South African health authorities reported today a case of Lassa fever diagnosed in a man from KwaZulu-Natal on 12 May 2022. The man had extensive travel history in Nigeria before returning to South Africa. This is the first case in South Africa since 2007.

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Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.8 earthquake its eastern Uzbekistan.

5.5 earthquake hits near the coast of Central Peru.

5.2 earthquake hits Colombia.

5.2 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits south of Fiji.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are currently no tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

Australia - At least one person has died and emergency services have rescued serval others from flood waters across the state of Queensland, Australia, after days of heavy rainfall from 09 April. Many areas received over 100 mm in 24 hours 10 to 11 May. The state’s highest was 244 mm at Mourilyan on the Cassowary Coast.

Colombia - Flooding has affected over 5,000 residents and damaged around 1,000 homes in Apartadó in Antioquia Department, Colombia, local authorities report. Apartadó saw some heavy rainfall on 02 May, causing flooding in the municipality which affected around 500 people. Around 163 mm of rain fell in 24 hours to 02 May 2022. Further heavy rainfall caused the overflow of the Apartadó River on 10 May. According to national Civil Defence reports, 5,100 people have been affected, with around 1,000 homes suffering damage and 2 homes completely destroyed. Further south, heavy rain on 07 May caused some urban flooding in Medellín which disrupted traffic and public transport in the city. Around the same time a landslide struck in Itagüí to the south of the city, leaving 2 homes damaged and affecting 50 people.

DR Congo - More people have died as a result of heavy rain, landslides and flooding in eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). Heavy rain from 26 to 27 April caused landslides and flooding in Kalehe territory in South Kivu, where at least 4 fatalities were reported. 7,500 people were displaced in Bushushu village, Kalehe territory (South Kivu) following heavy rains on 27 April and overflow of the Cishova River. Landslide resulted in the deaths of at least four people and several others injured. At least 400 houses were damaged by flooding and more than 200 others completely destroyed. Public buildings such as schools were also destroyed.

Global Warming

Climate-change-linked droughts have increased dramatically since 2000

Thanks in part to climate change, the number and frequency of droughts on the planet have increased by 29% in the past 22 years, according to a United Nations report released Wednesday. As a result, roughly one-third of the Earth's population, 2.3 billion people, now face the risk of water scarcity.

Droughts like the one gripping the American Southwest, where water restrictions have been imposed in states like California and Arizona and reservoir levels continue to fall heading into the dry summer months, are being felt across the globe. A severe drought in the Horn of Africa has put the lives of millions of people in Somalia at risk. The combination of drought and an intense heat dome that has lingered over parts of Pakistan and India is threatening the current wheat harvest and putting millions more lives in danger. Thanks to a series of drought years, Australia's agriculture industry registered economic declines of 18% between 2002 and 2010, the U.N. report said.

France has seen a 25% drop in rainfall since the start of April, accompanied by a rise in normal temperatures not usually experienced until summer, France24 reported, with dire consequences for crops like corn, sunflowers and beets.

Numerous studies have established the link between rising global temperatures and drought. Hotter temperatures speed up evaporation, reducing the amount of available surface water, drying out crops and other plants. The hotter it gets, the quicker that reaction plays out, raising the risks of wildfires that can feed off dried-out vegetation.

Environment

Locust Swarms

Namibia is suffering from the country’s worst brown locust invasion in history, with an estimated 1.2 million hectares of crops already ravaged in one agricultural region alone.

The country is just emerging from a six-year drought that officially ended in 2019. “The locusts have started feasting on the grass and trees near our cattle outposts and very soon, if they are not brought under control, nothing will be left for our livestock.”

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Wildlife

South Asia Heat

Wildlife rescuers in western India’s Gujarat state say they are picking up large numbers of dehydrated and exhausted birds that have fallen from the sky as the region remains in the grip of unprecedented heat.

Birds that were still alive were treated with water injections into their mouths and fed vitamin tablets. The heat has also been responsible for the deaths of more than two dozen humans across India.

Since the country suffered its hottest March in more than 100 years, the relentless heat has caused water shortages, power cuts and widespread misery, with temperatures soaring well above 40 degrees most days.

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Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week’s hottest temperature was 48.0 degrees Celsius (118.4 degrees F) at Jacobabad, Pakistan.

The week’s coldest temperature was minus 74.0 degrees Celsius (-101.2 degrees F) 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.

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Wildfires

Wildfires – New Mexico

Most of the growth of the Calf Canyon – Hermits Peak Fire Wednesday was on the north end where it spread for one to three miles further north and northeast. As of Wednesday night at 10:39 it remained west of Highway 434. It increased by about 22,000 acres Wednesday to bring the total up to 259,810 acres.

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Disease

Covid-19

The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:

Dengue Fever – Honduras

A total of 1,700 cases of dengue fever have been registered in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa and 21 of severe dengue.

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Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week 4 May – 10 May 2022

Aira- Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that sulfur dioxide emissions at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) were slightly high at 500 tons per day on 2 May. At 1453 on 3 May an eruption produced a plume that rose 1.1 km above the crater rim. Very small eruptive events were recorded during 6-9 May.

Dukono – Halmahera : Based on satellite and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 4-9 May ash plumes from Dukono rose to 2.1-2.4 km (7,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions.

Great Sitkin – Andreanof Islands (USA) : AVO reported that slow lava effusion at Great Sitkin likely continued during 3-10 May; a 5 May satellite image showed that the S flank flow had advanced 15 m. Elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite data during 6-10 May.

Kavachi – Solomon Islands : Satellite data showed discolored water around Kavachi on 10, 20, 25, and 30 April as well as on 5 May.

Kilauea – Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that lava continued to effuse from a vent in the lower W wall of Kilauea’s Halema`uma`u Crater during 3-10 May, entering the active lava lake and flowing onto the crater floor. The surface of the lava lake was active all week, though the height of the lake was relatively stable. Daily breakouts occurred along the NE, NW, and S margins of the lake. A short-lived lava flow effused from the W vent and onto the crater floor at around 0700 on 7 May.

Lewotolok – Lembata Island : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Lewotolok continued during 4-10 May. Eruptive events at 1245 on 4 May and 0544 on 6 May produced ash plumes that rose 600 m above the summit and drifted W.

Manam – Northeast of New Guinea : The Darwin VAAC reported that during 3-4 May ash plumes from Manam rose to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE and NW based on information from RVO, satellite images, and weather models. On 6 May ash plumes rose to 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW and WNW.

Merapi – Central Java : BPPTKG reported no significant morphological changes at Merapi’s summit lava dome during 29 April-5 May, though the height of the dome below the SW rim had decreased by around 3 m. Based on photo analyses, the volume of the SW lava dome had a volume of 1.52 million cubic meters while the central lava dome was 2.58 million cubic meters. As many as 120 lava avalanches traveled a maximum of 2 km, mostly down the Bebeng drainage on the SW flank. Seismicity remained high.

Nevado del Ruiz – Colombia : On 10 May Servicio Geológico Colombiano’s (SGC) reported that during the previous week the number of seismic signals indicating both rock fracturing and fluid movement at Nevado del Ruiz had increased compared to the week before. Several episodes of drumbeat seismicity were recorded on 5 and 8 May, indicting growth of the lava dome. Some low-temperature thermal anomalies were also identified at Arenas Crater. Gas-and-ash emissions were periodically visible in webcam images. A small ash emission on 3 May caused minor ashfall in the municipalities of Manizales (25 km N), Dosquebradas (40 km W), Santa Rosa, and Pereira (40 km WSW). At 0857 on 9 May an ash plume drifted NW, W, and SW, causing ashfall in Manizales, Villamaría (28 km NW), and Chinchiná (30 km WNW) in the department of Caldas, and in Pereira, Dosquebradas, and Santa Rosa de Cabal (33 km W) in the department of Risaralda.

Pavlof – Alaska Peninsula, Alaska : AVO reported that the eruption at a vent on Pavlof’s upper E flank was ongoing during 3-10 May, though weather conditions sometimes prevented visual observations. Seismic tremor persisted. Daily elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images and almost daily steam emissions were recorded in webcam images. The lava flow from the E vent was 500 m long by 8 May.

Rincon de la Vieja – Costa Rica : On 5 May OVSICORI-UNA reported an average of two daily phreatic explosions at Rincón de la Vieja during the previous week. The events did not eject material outside of the crater and produced steam plumes that rose no higher than 200 m above the crater rim. A phreatic explosion at 1650 on 6 May produced a steam plume that rose 500 m. A few phreatic explosions and several steam emissions were recorded on 7 May. Several steam emissions were also recorded on 8 May.

Ruapehu – North Island (New Zealand) : On 11 May GeoNet reported that elevated unrest at Ruapehu continued during the previous week, consisting of lake water heating, volcanic gas output, and strong volcanic tremor. The lake water temperature continued to rise, peaking at 41 degrees Celsius. Steam plumes were visible rising from the lake; an overflight confirmed that they were caused by a combination of the warming lake and atmospheric conditions, with no eruptive activity. Tremor levels declined but remained high. A gas measurement flight on 4 May confirmed high levels of gas emissions with sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide flux rates at 260 and 1,970 tonnes per day, respectively. Lake upwelling over the central and northern vents areas was also visible during multiple overflights. The sustained carbon dioxide and sulfur gas emissions, along with high tremor levels, continue to indicate that magma is driving this period of heightened unrest.

Sabancaya – Peru : Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported moderate levels of activity at Sabancaya during 2-8 May with a daily average of 53 explosions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 3 km above the summit and drifted N, NE, E, and SE. As many as five thermal anomalies originating from the lava dome in the summit crater were identified in satellite data. Minor inflation continued to be detected near Hualca Hualca (4 km N).

Semeru – Eastern Java : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 3-10 May. Ash plumes visible on 5, 7, and 9 May were rising 400-700 m above the summit and drifting mainly SW.

Semisopochnoi – Aleutian Islands (USA) : AVO reported that low-level eruptive activity at Semisopochnoi’s North Cerberus cone continued during 3-10 May. Seismicity continued to be elevated with intermittent tremor detected by the seismic network. Several daily explosions were recorded during 8-10 May. Weather clouds obscured views of the volcano, though daily minor, low-level ash emissions were seen in webcam views. A pilot reported a low-level eruption cloud on 9 May.

Sheveluch – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 29 April-6 May, and lava-dome extrusion continued.

Stromboli – Aeolian Islands (Italy) : INGV reported that during 2-8 May activity at Stromboli was characterized by ongoing explosions from three vents in Area N (North Crater area) and two vents in Area C-S (South-Central Crater area). Explosions from Area N vents (N1 and N2) averaged 3-6 events per hour; explosions from the N1 vent ejected lapilli and bombs mixed with ash 80-150 m high and those at two N2 vents ejected material less than 80 m high. N2 produced weak and occasional spattering. No explosions occurred at the S1 and C vents in Area C-S; low-intensity explosions at the two S2 vents occurred at a rate of 1-5 per hour and ejected coarse material no higher than 80 m.

Suwanosejima – Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that eruptive activity continued to be recorded at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater during 2-9 May. Eruption plumes rose as high as 1.3 km above the crater rim; no explosions were recorded. Crater incandescence was occasionally visible during 2-6 May and ash fell in Toshima village (3.5 km SSW).

Whakaari/White Island – North Island (New Zealand) : On 9 May GeoNet reported that activity at Whakaari/White Island remained at a low level based on observations and data collected during an overflight conducted on 27 April. Gas-and-steam emission temperatures were up to 111 degrees Celsius, down from 16 March highs of 288 degrees Celsius. Geysering activity at one of the water-saturated vents was observed. Satellite data indicated minor uplift in the active vent area. Seismicity was low.

Wolf – Isla Isabela (Galapagos) : On 5 May IG reported that the eruption at Wolf’s SE flank was over. The eruption began at 2320 on 6 January from an approximately 8-km-long radial fissure, trending NW-SE, that had at least five active vents. Lava flows from the vents traveled SE then E, covering an area of more than 30 square kilometers. The maximum length of the flow field was 18.5 km, with the farthest-reaching flow stopping 150-200 m from the coastline. The highest levels of heat, sulfur dioxide emissions, seismicity, and deformation were recorded in the early days of the eruption. Sulfur dioxide emissions had been absent for the previous 30 days.

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