Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 earthquake hits Alberta, Canada.
5.3 earthquake hits Reykjanes ridge.
5.2 earthquake hits Reykjanes ridge.
5.2 earthquake hits Fiji.
5.2 earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.
5.1 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits the Ryukyu Islands off Japan.
5.1 earthquake hits Reykjanes ridge.
5.1 earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.0 earthquake hits the Aegean Sea.
5.0 earthquake hits Tonga.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are currently no tropical storm systems.
Newsbytes:
Cameroon - A massive landslide struck in the city of Yaoundé, capital of Cameroon, on 27 November 2022. Media report at least 14 fatalities. The landslide occurred late on 27 November in the Antenne Damas neighbourhood in Yaounde, Centre Region. The victims were gathered for a religious service near a soccer pitch at the base of a 20 metre high soil embankment, which then collapsed. The cause of the collapse is not clear. Some media reports speculated that it was triggered by heavy rain.
Salmonella - Norway
Norway’s Institute of Public Health, or Folkhälsomyndigheten (FHI) discovered a national outbreak caused by the gastrointestinal bacterium Salmonella Agona. So far, infection has been detected in 31 people living in several counties.
Monkeypox - Chile
The Chile Ministry of Health reported the second monkeypox death in the country. The patient was a older male who was unvaccinated and diagnosed on October 20. He had underlying pathologies and a weakened immune system (immunosuppression).
The World Health Organisation has decided to rename 'monkeypox' as 'mpox' due to a perceived discriminatory connotation in third world societies.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.2 earthquake hits southern Xinjiang, China.
5.2 earthquake hits south of the Kermedec Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits Seram, Indonesia.
Australia fires damaged ozone layer - caused major warming
Australia’s fire season in late 2019 and early 2020 was extreme. It blew smoke some 20 miles into the sky, not unlike what a nuclear blast might cause. Smoke from the fires circled the globe and hovered in plumes over the Pacific.
Now, a study published Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports suggests the smoky aerosols caused the highest temperatures in the stratosphere in about three decades and probably damaged the ozone layer — which has been slowly recovering since the substances that deplete it were largely phased out through the 1987 Montreal Protocol.
Hawaii
Hawaii's Mauna Loa, the world's largest active volcano, is erupting for the first time in nearly 40 years.
Dozens of earthquakes — one of them a magnitude 4.2 quake — have swarmed the region after the volcano’s Moku'āweoweo summit caldera erupted on Sunday (Nov. 27) night. Officials have issued an ashfall advisory for Hawaii's Big Island and residents have been asked to remain vigilant. So far the eruption’s lava flows pose no risk to people living downhill from the eruption and air travel is currently unaffected.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Cholera - Kenya
The Kenya Ministry of Health announced a multicounty cholera outbreak on October 19. The first cases of Vibrio cholerae -01 Ogawa serotype were detected following a wedding festival that was held in Limuru sub-county, Kiambu County October 8, 2022. As of 13 November 2022, a total of 568 cases with 281 confirmed (48 cases by culture and 233 by rapid diagnostic test) and 15 deaths (CFR = 2.6%), have been reported so far. This is the second cholera outbreak to be declared in almost one month this year for Kenya.
Ebola - Uganda
Uganda health officials reported today an additional Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) case and death, the first in eleven days.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.1 earthquake hits the Azores.
5.4 earthquake hits Tonga.
5.2 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits the Pacific Antarctic ridge.
5.0 earthquake hits southern Xinjiang, China.
5.0 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits the Mariana Islands.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are currently no tropical storm systems.
Newsbytes:
Italy - Heavy rainfall triggered massive landslides and floods on the island of Ischia in southern Italy early on 26 November 2022. Houses in northern parts of the island were damaged or destroyed as a torrent of mud, flood water and debris crashed down slopes of Mount Epomeo. Some areas were under mud and debris several metres deep. Dozens of vehicles were swept into the sea in areas of Casamicciola Terme. As of 27 November authorities reported the bodies of 3 victims have been found. Four people are still missing. Poor weather conditions have hampered rescue and damage assessment efforts.
The Dead Sea is Dying
The Dead Sea is the lowest exposed place on Earth. It is 10 times saltier than the ocean. So you don't sink in it. You float. The mud and the waters are full of minerals - great therapeutic for your skin. But the Dead Sea is dying. The lake level is dropping 4 feet every single year. The cause is that in the last several decades, the freshwater sources that feed into the Dead Sea have been diverted for drinking water and irrigation. Also, Israeli and Jordanian companies pump out and evaporate Dead Sea water to harvest its rich minerals for export. Cavities along the shore open up into sinkholes.
Climate change makes this worse. The area is getting hotter. Rainfall is dropping. Populations are growing, and there's not enough water for drinking and irrigation, let alone for saving the Dead Sea.
Dengue Fever - Bangladesh
The Bangladesh Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reported an additional 513 dengue fever cases and three fatalities today, bringing the country’s total to 56,130 cases and 257 deaths year to date.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
5.3 earthquake hits Easter Island.
5.1 earthquake hits Taiwan.
5/1 earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
5.1 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.1 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
5.0 earthquake hits Tonga.
5.0 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.
5.0 earthquake hits near the coast of Nicaragua.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are currently no tropical storm systems.
Newsbytes:
Trinidad and Tobago - Several parts of Trinidad and Tobago are experiencing flooding as an active low-level tough traverses westward over the country. Affected areas include Biche, Ortoire, Santa Cruz, St Joseph, Maracas, Caparo and Arouca. There have also been reports of landslides.
The warming Arctic Ocean is bringing more snowfall to Siberia
Global warming has increased the evaporation and retreat of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean. The climate change-induced impacts in the Arctic Ocean could be responsible for an increase in snow cover in Siberia, a new study has suggested.
Enhanced evaporation deposits more moisture in the Arctic atmosphere, which makes its journey towards the western parts of Siberia where the moisture is deposited as snow.
It was also found that increased snow cover in western Russia increased the risk of summer heat waves in Europe and Northeast Asia. More research needs to be done to fully understand the interplay for global weather effects consequent on a rapidly warming Artic.
Wildfires - Europe
Over 20 wildfires raged across Portugal and several burned in western Spain yesterday, menacing villages and disrupting tourists’ holidays amid a heatwave that meteorologists expect to push temperatures into the high 40s Celsius.
In Spain’s western region of Extremadura bordering Portugal firefighters evacuated a few hundred villagers overnight as a precaution and continued to battle a blaze that on Tuesday swept into Salamanca province in the region of Castile and Leon.
In France too, about 800 firefighters, supported by six water-bomber aircraft, were battling two wildfires in the southwest, which have already prompted the evacuation of thousands of campers. About 2 700 hectares were burned.
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever - Iran
Iranian health officials have reported a significant increase in Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) cases in deaths in 2022 compared to recent years. Since March, Iran reported 78 CCHF cases, including nine deaths. This a a more than 500% increase from last year.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.5 earthquake hits the Pagan region, North Mariana Islands.
5.3 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.3 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.2 earthquake hits Fiji.
5.1 earthquake hits the Mariana Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits Vancouver Island, Canada.
5.0 earthquake hits near the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are currently no tropical storm systems.
Measles - South Africa
In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in South Africa, the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) reports 71 cases of measles with laboratory confirmation between September 1 and November 22, 2022.
Cholera - Lebanon
In an update on the cholera outbreak in Lebanon, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) reports that as of today, since the first case was confirmed on October 5, 4,337 cumulative suspected and confirmed cases, including 595 confirmed. The total fatalities has increased to 20.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week 16 November - 22 November 2022
Aira - Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) and nighttime crater incandescence during 14-21 November. Sulfur dioxide emissions were slightly high on 14 November at 1,100 tons per day. Six eruptive events and four explosions (during 15-16 and 20-21 November) produced volcanic plumes that rose as high as 2.2 km above the crater rim and ejected large blocks as far as 900 m from the vent.
Alaid - Kuril Islands (Russia) : Activity has been gradually decreasing since the last ash plume was recorded on 26 October. A thermal anomaly continued to periodically be identified in satellite images when weather conditions permitted views, though the temperature of the thermal anomaly began decreasing on 29 October.
Ebeko - Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that moderate activity at Ebeko was ongoing during 10-17 November. According to volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island, about 7 km E) explosions during 12-13 and 16 November generated ash plumes that rose to 2.6 km (8,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in eastern directions. Ash fell in Severo-Kurilsk on 16 November. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images on 16 November; weather clouds prevented satellite views on the other days of the week.
Great Sitkin - Andreanof Islands (USA) : AVO reported that slow lava effusion continued at Great Sitkin during 15-22 November and the flow field continued to grow. Flow lobes extended about 600 m E of the vent and about 430 m S. Seismicity was low, with the occasional detection of low-frequency earthquakes. Satellite and webcam images were often cloudy through the week.
Karymsky - Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly at Karymsky was identified in satellite images on 13 and 15-17 November. Gas-and-steam emissions persisted.
Kerinci - Central Sumatra : PVMBG reported that brown ash plumes from Kerinci, often dense, rose as high as 150 m above the summit and drifted NE, E, and SE during 16-18 and 20-21 November. Weather clouds prevented visual observations during 18-20 November.
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 16-22 November entering the lava lake and flowing onto the crater floor. The active part of the lake remained at a steady level all week.
Manam - Northeast of New Guinea : The Darwin VAAC reported that on 20 November ash plumes from Manam rose to 1.8 km (6,000 ft) and drifted NW based on satellite images.
Pavlof - Alaska Peninsula, Alaska: AVO reported that a minor eruption at a vent on Pavlof’s upper E flank was ongoing during 16-22 November and nearly continuous seismic tremor was recorded. Almost daily elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images; weather clouds prevented views during 21-22 November. Webcam images showed occasional minor steaming and minor ash emissions in addition to a recent mass flow and ash deposits on the upper to lower flanks visible during 15-16 November, and incandescence at the vent during 16-17 November possibly associated with lava spattering or fountaining.
Semeru - Eastern Java : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 16-22 November. White gas-and-steam plumes rose 100-200 m above the summit and drifted in various directions during 16-17 November. Emissions were not visible during 18-20 November, though weather conditions sometimes prevented visual observations. At 0608 on 21 November a white-to-gray ash plume rose around 400 m and drifted E. On 22 November white-to-gray ash plumes rose 300 m and drifted S at 0405, 600 m at 0503, and 800 m at 1541.
Semisopochnoi - Aleutian Islands (USA) : AVO reported ongoing low-level seismicity at Semisopochnoi characterized by intermittent seismic tremor and occasional low-frequency earthquakes during 16-22 November. Satellite and webcam views were mostly obscured by weather clouds, though during clear views continuous gas-and-steam emissions from the N crater of Mount Cerberus were visible.
Sheveluch - Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that the ongoing eruption at Sheveluch during 11-17 November was generally characterized by explosions, hot avalanches, lava-dome extrusion, and strong fumarolic activity. A daily thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images. Collapses generated hot avalanches and ash plumes that drifted 85 km ENE during 13-14, and 16-17 November.
Suwanosejima - Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that the eruption at Suwanosejima's Ontake Crater continued during 14-21 November and crater incandescence was visible nightly. Eruption plumes generally rose 600 m above the crater rim and blended into weather clouds. An explosion at 0251 on 15 November ejected blocks 500 m from the vent and produced an eruption plume that rose 2.3 km above the crater rim and drifted SE.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.6 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.2 earthquake hits Luzon, Philippines.
5.2 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.2 earthquake hits near the coast of southern Peru.
5.1 earthquake hits Samoa.
5.0 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are currently no tropical storm systems.
Newsbytes:
Saudi Arabia - Two people have died in floods that swept across Saudi Arabia's coastal city of Jeddah on Thursday due to record rain levels. The floods have also caused flight delays at King Abdulaziz International Airport, school closures and blocked the road to Mecca, Islam's holiest city. According to Saudi Arabia's National Center for Meteorology, the rainfall in Jeddah’s southern area between 8am and 2pm on Thursday, which stood at 179 millimeters, was the "highest" ever recorded.
Portugal - Authorities in the municipality of Esposende in Braga District of northern Portugal report that 2 people have died after a landslide following heavy rainfall. A landslide and large rocks destroyed part of a single-family home in Palmeira de Faro in Esposende early on 23 November 2022. Two people died and 4 people were rescued unharmed.
Extinct Bird Rediscovered
An exotic bird thought to have gone extinct 140 years ago has been “rediscovered” by researchers on a tiny island off Papua New Guinea. The black-naped pheasant pigeon was spotted in images from remote cameras on Fergusson Island.
“It is the kind of moment you dream about your entire life as a conservationist and birdwatcher,” said expedition co-lead John Mittermeier. The team initially had help from one local who reported seeing the pheasant-pigeon several times in an area with steep ridges and valleys, and described hearing the bird’s distinctive calls.
Shark Protection
Representatives attending the world’s largest wildlife summit have voted for the first time to regulate the hunting of sharks, which kills millions of the fish each year to meet the huge demand for shark fin soup.
The 186-nation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES, signed an agreement to regulate the commercial fishing of 54 shark species, including tiger, bull and blue sharks, which are the most targeted for the fin trade.
Reproduction in Crisis
Drops in sperm counts of more than 60% in North American, European and Australian men between 1973 and 2018 means humans could face a reproductive crisis.
Writing in the journal Human Reproduction Update, researchers warn the decline is accelerating and that declines were also occurring in Central and South America, Africa and Asia. It’s unclear what might be behind the apparent trend, but exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals or other environmental factors could be factors.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 44.0 degrees Celsius (111 degrees F) at Rivadavia, Salta, Argentina.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 51.0 degrees Celsius (-60 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.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Dengue Fever - Vietnam
In a follow-up on the dengue fever situation in Vietnam this year, the Ministry of Health reports the case and death tally has increased to 314,271 cases and 115 deaths to date.
Dengue and Chikungunya - Paraguay
Currently, in the country there is a progressive increase in the curve of notifications of suspected cases of dengue and chikungunya. To date, 1,839 total dengue cases and 531 chikungunya cases have been reported in 2022.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New Activity for the week 16 November - 22 November 2022
Ahyi - Mariana Islands (USA) : On 18 November the USGS reported that hydroacoustic and seismic signals suggestive of underwater eruptive activity at Ahyi Seamount had declined over the past week. No other signs of volcanic unrest were detected at the seamount.
Bezymianny - Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 11-17 November a daily thermal anomaly over Bezymianny was identified in satellite images. Gas-and-steam emissions were visible and occasional collapses from the growing lava dome produced avalanches of hot material.
Copahue - Central Chile-Argentina : Based on information from Observatorio Argentino de Vigilancia Volcánica (OAVV), SERNAGEOMIN and SEGEMAR reported a minor increase of activity at Copahue. RSAM values based on volcanic tremor began to increase on 13 November. Weather conditions prevented views of the volcano during 13-14 November. On 15 November an increase in the magnitudes of tremor signals was accompanied by increased and denser gas emissions rising 200 m above El Agrio Crater. The emissions, seen in webcam images, were mostly whitish and contained particulate material.
Klyuchevskoy - Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Klyuchevskoy was first identified on 13 November and was visible daily through 20 November. An explosive Strombolian eruption began at 2330 local time on 17 November, the same day that the thermal anomaly intensified. Gas-and-steam plumes drifted SE. The Strombolian eruption and gas emissions persisted.
San Miguel - Eastern El Salvador : MARN reported that an eruption at San Miguel’s central crater began on 15 November, and by 1100 on 20 November a total of 62 phreatic explosions had been recorded, averaging 10 per day. An additional 24 explosions were recorded from 1100 on 20 November to 1100 on 21 November and 12 more were recorded between 1100 and 1100 during 21-22 November. Explosions generated gas, ash, and steam plumes that generally rose around 500 m above the crater rim, though at 1336 on 18 November and 1206 on 19 November eruption plumes rose as high as 1.1 km. Some of the events were accompanied by crater incandescence during 15-20 November. Sulfur dioxide emissions generally averaged 100-170 tons per day, below the baseline of 300 tons per day. Specific measurements during explosive events revealed that the emissions were sometimes higher; 1,200 tons per day was measured on 19 November during one of the largest explosions, and 378 tons per days was measured during an explosion on 21 November. Seismicity was characterized by volcano-tectonic events, long-period events, and tremor. Deformation data showed no significant changes.
Takawangha - Andreanof Islands (USA) : The number of small earthquakes detected near the volcano had increased during from 16 November and intensified during 17-18 November. The earthquakes were located at depths of 3-6 km below sea level with the largest magnitudes between 2 and 3. The seismicity possibly indicated magma movement at depth. The intensity of the seismicity was variable during 19-22 November.
Villarrica - Central Chile : During an overflight of Villarrica on 19 November, SERNAGEOMIN scientists observed a cone on the crater floor with an incandescent vent at its center, containing a lava lake. Deposits of ejected material were seen on the flanks. That same day a 75-minute-long series of volcano-tectonic earthquakes began at 1940. There was a total of 21 events located 7.8 km ESE of the crater. The largest event, a M 1.6, occurred at 2007 at a depth of 2.5 km based on data collection and analysis of Red Nacional de Vigilancia Volcánica (RNVV) and Observatorio Volcanológico de los Andes del Sur (OVDAS), respectively.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.5 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.4 earthquake hits the Norwegian Sea.
5.2 earthquake hits off the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.2 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits southwest of Sumatra, Indonesia.
5.1 earthquake hits off the coast of northern Peru.
5.0 earthquake hits Jan Mayan Island.
5.0 earthquake hits Luzon in the Philippines.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are currently no tropical storm systems.
Newsbytes:
Italy - A wave of severe weather swept across Italy from 22 November 2022, including strong winds, high waves, storm surge and heavy rain. Emergency services carried out 2,500 interventions in 8 regions. Local media said the severe weather was brought by Storm Denise, which also affected the French island of Corsica. Many of the interventions were in response to damage caused by strong winds, including roofs ripped off buildings, and downed trees, branches and power lines. Vigili del Fuoco reported winds of more than 100 km/h in Trieste in Friuli Venezia Giulia Region. Stormy weather and roughs seas also affected areas in Sicily where ferry services were disrupted from the port at Milazzo.
Panama - Civil Protection authorities in Panama report that two people have died after heavy rain triggered a landslide in Colón Province. Meanwhile flooding continues to affect communities in Los Santos and Herrera Provinces where dozens of homes have been damaged. Heavy rain since the start of November has caused flooding and landslides in several provinces of the country. The rain is expected to continue until at least the end of the month.
Guyana - Torrential rain flooded large parts of Georgetown yesterday afternoon underlining the vulnerability of the capital to inundation in the context of climate change and a key pump went down after it came into a contact with a piece of wood. Although all other pumps and sluices were operable, the four inches of rain that drenched the capital left knee-high floods as kokers could not be opened due to the high tide.
Australia - Flooding in New South Wales continues with residents in Euabalong having been ordered to evacuate now as the Lachlan River rises toward a record peak. Moulamein residents are preparing to be isolated for weeks while Condobolin residents hope the worst of the crisis has passed.
Venice Flooding
Tourists know to beware of the ‘acqua alta’ in the fall and winter. The higher-than-normal high tides from the Adriatic Sea rush into the Venice Lagoon and over ancient squares, into ground floors and leave priceless monuments submerged. City leaders turned the tide and placed temporary glass barriers to protect the 900-year-old St. Mark’s Basilica.
A four-foot glass wall now surrounds the church to block priceless mosaics, marble, art, historical objects and crypts from the corrosive water. Engineers finished sinking the glass panels into the pavement to build the ring just in time for the November high tides. NASA scientists say that the Adriatic’s level is rising about 0.09 inches a year. Venice suffered only two high water events during the first half of the 20th Century, but recently, the city has been assaulted by 40 per decade. The city is also sinking. One study states that Venice sinks by 0.04 to 0.08 inches per year due to plate tectonics.
How China Avoids Paying for Climate Damage
In 1992, the United Nations classified China as a developing country, as hundreds of millions of its citizens lived in poverty.
A lot has changed since then: China is now the world’s second-largest economy and the biggest annual emitter of planet-warming greenhouse gases. Average Chinese today are 34 times richer and nearly four times more polluting. But the classification has stayed the same for the past three decades, frustrating diplomats from developed nations who say it has allowed Beijing to avoid paying its fair share to help poor countries cope with the ravages of climate change.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.2 earthquake hits offshore Baja California, Mexico.
5.9 earthquake hits western Turkey.
5.9 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.6 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.4 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.2 earthquake hits Maule, Chile.
5.2 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are currently no tropical storm systems.
Newsbytes:
The Balkans - Heavy rain during the weekend was blamed for a number of deaths in Western Balkan countries, while in some towns transportation was affected and some schools were suspended in Serbia and Albania. In Montenegro, heavy rains caused flooding in northern and central parts and some local roads were cut off in the towns of Berane, Danilovgrad and Tuzi. On Sunday, police reported that three people drowned after their car was caught in the river near the capital, Podgorica. Rivers overflowed in the southwest of Serbia in the Raska region. The towns of Novi Pazar, Tutin and Prijepolje were heavily flooded and a two-year-old boy drowned near Tutin in the river Vidrenjak, swollen by several hours of rain.
Cholera - Ethiopia
A cholera outbreak has been ongoing in Ethiopia since 27 August 2022, according to the World Health Organization. The index case was reported from Bekay Kebele, Harana Buluk Woreda of Bale Zone, Oromia Region. As of 13 November 2022, a total of 399 suspected cases of cholera have been reported.
Leptospirosis - Philippines
The number of deaths due to the bacterial infection, leptospirosis, have reached 370 through the end of October this year.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
7.2 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
Two 6.0 earthquakes hit the Solomon Islands.
5.6 earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Gunea.
5.6 earthquake hits the Fox Islands in the Aleutian Islands.
5.3 earthquake hits the Azores.
5.3 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.2 earthquake hits off the coast of Oregon, USA.
5.2 earthquake hits neat the east coast of Kamchatka.
Two 5.1 earthquakes hit the Solomon Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.0 earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
5.0 earthquake hits south of Fiji.
5.0 earthquake hits near the east coast of Kamchatka.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are currently no tropical storm systems.
Newsbytes:
Rwanda and DR Congo - Over 40 people have lost their lives after heavy rain caused landslides and flooding in eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighbouring Rwanda over the last 2 weeks. 32 people lost their lives in landslides in the mining towns of Rubaya and Bihambwe in the chiefdom of Bahunde, Masisi Territory in North Kivu Province, DR Congo. The landslides were triggered by heavy rains and flooding overnight 17 to 18 November 2022. Meanwhile in neighbouring Rwanda, local media reported 3 people died after heavy rain caused floods in the capital city of Kigali on 17 November 2022.
Unabated Carbon Is Shrinking Earth's Upper Atmosphere
Rising levels of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere could exacerbate efforts to clean up our increasingly cluttered shell of orbiting space junk.
According to two new studies, the greenhouse gas has significantly contributed to the contraction of the upper atmosphere. This contraction has been hypothesized for decades; now, for the first time, it's been actually observed. Some of the observed shrinkage is normal, and will bounce back; but the contribution made by CO2 is, scientists say, probably permanent.
This means that defunct satellites and other bits of old technology in low Earth orbit is likely to remain in place longer due to the reduction of atmospheric drag, cluttering up the region and causing problems for newer satellites and space observations.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
HIV/AIDS - DR Congo
Based on UN/AIDS figures, 14,000 people died of HIV/AIDS in 2021, in the DRC. Access and availability of treatment remains problematic due to lack of funding. More than 500,000 people are currently living with HIV/AIDS in the DRC.
Measles - South Africa
The South Africa National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) reports 57 measles outbreak cases were reported in Limpopo province and Mpumalanga province from September 1 to November 16, 2022.
Cholera - Haiti
Since the notification of the first two confirmed cases of Vibrio cholerae O1 in the greater Port-au-Prince area on 2 October 2022, to 16 November 2022, the Haitian Ministère de la Santé Publique et de la Population (MSPP) reported a total of 9,660 suspected cases across the country, including 816 confirmed cases.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.6 earthquake hits Crete.
5.4 earthquake hits Java, Indonesia.
5.4 earthquake hits Timor, Indonesia.
5.3 earthquake hits the Izu Islands, Japan.
5.2 earthquake hits Catamarca, Argentina.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are currently no tropical storm systems.
Newsbytes:
Albania - A father and son were missing in Albania on Sunday after their car was swept into a river during floods in the north of the country as heavy rains led emergency services to evacuate those at risk. Some schools were closed in the affected areas and Albanian emergency services had begun to evacuate people close to the town of Shkoder as a result of the flood danger. Albania, which relies all its electricity domestic production from hydro, has seen its worst drought in years during 2022, forcing the government to import more power. Although neighbouring Kosovo was also flooded, there were only reports of damage and no loss of life.
Huge Undeclared Gas Faring Emissions
Major oil companies are not declaring a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. The BBC found millions of tonnes of undeclared emissions from gas flaring at oil fields where BP, Eni, ExxonMobil, Chevron and Shell work.
Flared gases emit a potent mix of carbon dioxide, methane and black soot which pollute the air and accelerate global warming.
The BBC has also found high levels of potentially cancer-causing chemicals in Iraqi communities near oil fields where there is gas flaring. These fields have some of the highest levels of undeclared flaring in the world.
Fire Ant Invasion - Hawaii
The discovery of millions of fire ants in Kauai, Hawaii, marks the island’s most extensive infestation since the invasive species was first detected there in 1999. The infestation of millions of ants poses a risk to pets, the agriculture industry, and residents and tourists visiting Hawaii’s fourth-largest island.
Now when people go out hiking and go to the beach the ants rain down on them and sting them. There are a lot of reports of the ant stinging people while they sleep in their beds.
Fire ant stings can cause red, swollen welts that burn and itch. They can also, on occasion, cause painful pus-filled lesions. Welts caused by the stings can last for weeks.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.2 earthquake hits near the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.
5.1 earthquake hits Taiwan.
5.1 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits Java, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are currently no tropical storm systems.
Newsbytes:
Scotland - Heavy rain fell across Scotland from 16 November, in particular areas of the north east. The UK’s Met Office said close to a month’s worth of rain fell across parts of Aberdeenshire and Angus in 48 hours to 18 November. As much as 140 mm of rain was recorded in Charr in Aberdeenshire. The village of Aboyne in Aberdeenshire recorded 71.4 mm of rain in 24 hours on 18 November. Rail services were severely impacted. Hundreds of travellers were left stranded in Newcastle, England, due to the cancelled services to Scotland. Earlier in the week heavy rain caused flooding on roads in southern England, in particular in West Sussex. Local media reported 20 vehicles trapped on a flooded road in Chichester on 16 November 2022.
Red Sea Coral Reefs Defy Climate Change
The vast majority of the world’s coral reefs are likely to be severely damaged in the coming decades if the planet keeps warming at its current rate.
But the wildly colourful coral reefs in the waters outside the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh, where the annual United Nations climate conference is taking place, are an anomaly: They can tolerate the heat, and perhaps even thrive in it, making them some of the only reefs in the world that have a chance of surviving climate change.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.6 earthquake hits southwest of Sumatra, Indonesia.
5.5 earthquake hits southwest of Sumatra, Indonesia.
5.3 earthquake hits southwest of Africa.
5.1 earthquake hits Luzon in the Philippines.
5.0 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits Yunnan, China.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are currently no tropical storm systems.
Newsbytes:
Venezuela - More heavy rain, landslides and floods have caused damage and fatalities in northern Venezuela. According to government figures, almost 100 people have now lost their lives as a result of heavy rains in the country over the last few months. The state government of Táchira in Venezuela reported heavy rain from around 11 November 2022. Táchira Civil Protection reported 49 mm of rain in 2 hours. Heavy rainfall from around 08 November 2022 caused flooding and landslides in Mérida State in north-western Venezuela.
Scotland - Flooding shuts schools and disrupts travel, with severe weather warnings in place and ‘highest risk to riverside communities’. Police Scotland have “stood down” searches for a woman who was swept into the River Don near Inverurie in Aberdeenshire on Friday as heavy rain continued to batter much of eastern Scotland. Schools have closed, roads were left impassable and rail journeys severely disrupted as heavy rain drenched parts of Scotland. Elsewhere in the UK, rivers burst their banks, sometimes trapping drivers, after the torrential downpours on Thursday. Rest centres have been opened in some parts of Aberdeenshire after flood warnings were escalated to severe.
Top 3 Carbon Emitters
Central to the COP27 discussions in Egypt is a question: Who is responsible for climate change? The issue is complicated, but a few pieces of data about current and past emissions can begin to answer it.
Blocking the Sun
Climate experts and activists have directed intense criticism at COP27 for being sponsored by the likes of Coca-Cola, the world's leading plastic polluter.
On Oct. 13, the White House announced that it was funding a five-year-research plan into one of the most controversial proposals for fighting climate change out there: geoengineering, or the technologies and innovations that can be used to artificially modify the Earth’s climate including schemes to artificially block the Sun.
Climate experts have repeatedly warned against tampering with the Earth's natural order to achieve short term, opportunistic climate goals. Such tampering is a sure road to extinction of all life on the planet.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.6 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.
5.3 earthquake hits southern Iran.
5.1 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits near the east coast of Kamchatka.
5.0 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits Southern Alaska.
5.0 earthquake hits Kepulauan Aku, Indonesia.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are currently no tropical storm systems.
Greenland Ice Loss
A new study finds that Greenland’s ice sheet is disappearing faster and sliding into the sea more quickly than earlier predicted, threatening greater sea level rises. “It’s not something that we expected,” said Danish glaciologist Shfaqat Abbas Khan. ”Greenland and Antarctica’s contributions to sea level rise in the next 80 years will be significantly larger than we have predicted until now.”
The main contributor to Greenland’s ice loss is the increasing flow of two fast-moving glaciers, which drain about 12% of the interior ice sheet into the sea.
Earth's Thermostat
Earth appears to have a climate-stabilising process that keeps global temperatures within a habitable range over the long term. A team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology looked at a process called “silicate weathering,” which over hundreds of thousands of years draws carbon dioxide out of the air and stores it in ocean floor sediment.
This helps explain how life on Earth has survived dramatic global temperature swings in the past. “On the one hand, it’s good because we know that today’s global warming will eventually be cancelled out through this stabilising feedback,” said study author Constantin Arnscheidt. “But on the other hand, it will take hundreds of thousands of years to happen, so not fast enough to solve our present-day issues.”
Emissions Rise Once Again
As leaders met in Egypt to find a way to curb carbon emissions, a comprehensive study finds that instead of declining, carbon emissions will reach yet another record high by the end of 2022. A report by the Global Carbon Project says there are no signs of the decline needed to meet the warming limit goal of 1.5 degrees C.
It projects fossil fuel CO2 emissions will rise another 1% worldwide this year, while China’s emissions are, in contrast, likely to drop by 1% in 2022. “If governments respond by turbocharging clean energy investments and planting, not cutting down, trees, global emissions could rapidly start to fall,” said Corinne Le Quéré of the University of East Anglia, who was part of the study.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 42.0 degrees Celsius (107 degrees F) at Rivadavia, Salta, Argentina.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 56.0 degrees Celsius (-69 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.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Dengue Fever - Philippines
Concerning total cases, authorities have reported 187,560 dengue cases, with 613 deaths, substantially higher than the 213 deaths for the whole of 2021.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week 9 November - 15 November 2022
Aira - Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) and nighttime crater incandescence during 9-15 November. An eruptive event at 2130 on 10 November generated an eruption plume that rose to 1 km above the crater rim. An explosion at 2010 on 15 November produced an ash plume that rose 600 m above the crater and drifted SE. Seven volcanic earthquakes were detected.
Alaid - Kuril Islands (Russia) : KVERT reported that the eruption at Alaid was ongoing during 3-10 November. A weak thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images on 3, 6, and 8-9 November; the volcano was obscured by clouds the other days of the week. On 10 November, KVERT reported that the eruptive activity was gradually decreasing.
Bezymianny - Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 3-10 November a daily thermal anomaly over Bezymianny was identified in satellite images. Strong fumarolic activity was visible, the lava dome continued to grow and was sometimes incandescent at night, and occasional collapses from the dome produced avalanches of hot material.
Dukono - Halmahera : PVMBG reported that daily white-and-gray gas-and-steam plumes from Dukono rose as high as 800 m above the summit and drifted NE, E, and S during 9-15 November. The Darwin VAAC reported a continuous ash plume that rose to 2.1 km altitude and extended E on 11 November, based on satellite imagery. A discrete ash plume on 14 November rose to 10.7 km altitude and drifted SW. In addition, a strong hotspot and sulfur dioxide signal was observed in satellite imagery. On the same day, a continuous ash plume rose to 2.1-2.4 km altitude and drifted NE, which persisted through 15 November.
Ebeko - Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that moderate activity at Ebeko was ongoing. According to volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island, about 7 km E) explosions on 4, 5, 7, and 9 November generated ash plumes that rose to 2.2-3.1 km altitude and drifted in E, NE, and N directions. Ashfall was reported at Severo-Kurilsk on 7 November. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images on 4 November; the volcano was covered by clouds the other days of the week.
Fuego - South-Central Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that 5-12 explosions per hour were recorded at Fuego during 9-15 November, generating daily ash plumes that rose as high as 4.5-4.8 km above the crater rim. The ash plumes drifted as far as 10-15 km S, SE, E, NE, SW, and W, causing fine ashfall in areas downwind, including Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Morelia (9 km SW), La Asunción, La Rochela, Ceilán, San Andrés Osuna, El Rodeo, Ceylén, Santa Sofía (12 km SW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), Finca Palo Verde, Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW), and Yepocapa (8 km NW). The explosions generated weak and moderate rumbling that vibrated the roofs and windows of nearby houses. Daily block avalanches descended the Seca (W), Taniluyá (SW), Ceniza (SSW), Trinidad (S), Las Lajas (SE), Honda, Santa Teresa, and El Jute (ESE) drainages, often reaching vegetated areas. The avalanches uplifted fine material 200 m high that dispersed to the S and SW. Explosions ejected incandescent material as high as 400 m above the summit. Weak crater incandescence was observed accompanied by gas-and-steam emissions. On 9 November lahars were generated in the Las Lajas and Ceniza drainages, which carried branches, tree trunks, and blocks 30 cm to 1.5 m in diameter.
Great Sitkin - Andreanof Islands (USA) : AVO reported that slow lava effusion continued at Great Sitkin during 9-15 November and seismicity was low. Satellite images were often cloudy, though elevated surface temperatures were identified on 9, 13, and 15 November.
Heard - Kerguelen Plateau : Satellite images of Heard Island’s Big Ben volcano showed thermal anomalies of varying intensity over Mawson Peak (the summit area) and on the NW flank on 9 and 14 November. Weather clouds prevented views of the volcano for the rest of the month. The thermal anomaly on 9 November consisted of three pixels that trended NE-SW from the summit. The activity on 14 November was visible as a larger anomaly over a vent or multiple vents about less than 1 km NW of the peak.
Ibu - Halmahera : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Ibu continued during 9-15 November. Daily white and gray gas-and-steam emissions rose 200-1,000 m above the summit and drifted S, SW, and NW. On 11 November similar emissions rose as high as 1.5 km above the summit and drifted SW and NW. The Darwin VAAC reported that discrete ash emissions rose to 2.1 km altitude and drifted W on 13 November. A possible weak thermal anomaly was observed in satellite imagery. On 15 November a hotspot was visible, accompanied by multiple ash emissions that rose to 2.7 km altitude and drifted NE.
Karangetang - Sangihe Islands : PVMBG reported that incandescence from Karangetang’s S crater on 9 November and from both the N and S craters on 14 and 15 November. Daily white emissions rose generally 50-150 m above the summit, but sometimes as high as 200 m.
Karymsky - Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly at Karymsky was identified in satellite images on 4 and 9 November. Gas-and-steam emissions persisted.
Kerinci - Central Sumatra : PVMBG reported that diffuse white-and-brown plumes from Kerinci rose as high as 150 m above the summit and drifted W during 9-15 November. The
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 9-15 November, entering the lava lake and flowing onto the crater floor. On 9 November the sulfur dioxide emission rate was 600 tonnes per day (t/d). The active part of the lake remained at a steady level all week.
Krakatau - Sunda Strait : PVMBG reported that multiple ash plumes were visible in webcam images rising from Anak Krakatau during 11 and 14 November. Dense gray ash plumes rose as high as 200 m above the summit and drifted NE at 1047 and at 2343 on 11 November. On 14 November at 0933 ash plumes rose 300 m above the summit and drifted E. Daily white gas-and-steam emissions rose 25-300 m above the summit and drifted generally E and NE.
Manam - Northeast of New Guinea : The Darwin VAAC reported that on 14 November an ash plume from Manam rose to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) and drifted W based on RVO webcam images.
Mauna Loa - Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported continuing unrest at Mauna Loa during 9-15 November. The seismic network detected 27-74 daily small-magnitude (below M 3) earthquakes 2-5 km beneath Mokua’weoweo caldera and 6-8 km beneath the upper NW flank of Mauna Loa. An M 3.6 earthquake occurred NW of the summit on 9 November at 0621. Data from Global Positioning System (GPS) instruments at the summit and flanks showed continuing inflation, though data from tiltmeters at the summit did not show significant surface deformation over the past week.
Mayon - Luzon (Philippines) : PHIVOLCS reported that white gas-and-steam plumes from Mayon crept downslope and drifted generally W during 9-15 November. Sulfur dioxide emissions averaged 276 per day on 3 November. Faint crater incandescence was observed at night during 9-12 November. Five volcanic earthquakes were detected during 10-13 November. Electronic Distance Measuring (EDM), precise leveling, continuous GPS, and electronic tilt monitoring data showed that the volcano had been slightly inflated, especially on the NW and SE flanks, since 2020.
Merapi - Central Java : BPPTKG reported that the eruption at Merapi continued during 9-15 November and seismicity remained at high levels. Cloudy often prevented clear visuals of the summit. A seismogram detected a pyroclastic flow at 0905 on 11 November that lasted 135 seconds; it descended 1 km down the Boyong drainage (SW), though webcam images were cloudy. A second pyroclastic flow occurred at 1208 on the same day, lasting 104 seconds and descending 1 km down the Boyong drainage (SW). On 12 November a lava avalanche traveled as far as 800 m down the SW flank. Two lava avalanches were observed descending the SW for 1.5 km on 15 November.
Nevado del Ruiz - Colombia : Servicio Geológico Colombiano’s (SGC) reported that during 8-14 November seismicity associated with rock fracturing at Nevado del Ruiz increased in number and energy compared to the previous week. Some of the signals were associated with gas-and-ash emissions. The hypocenters were located 0.6-7 km deep. The largest event was an M 3.1 that was recorded at 0225 on 10 November at a depth of 3.6 km below the crater and 2.7 km SW of the crater. The Washington VAAC reported ash plumes that rose to 6.4-7.3 km altitude (21,000-24,000 ft) and drifted S and SE on 11 November, based on satellite and webcam images. During 13-14 November ash plumes rose to 6.7 km altitude (22,000 ft) and drifted NE based on satellite and webcam images. Several low-to-moderate thermal anomalies in Arenas Crater were identified in satellite images. Gas-and-steam plumes (mainly sulfur dioxide) continued to be emitted, rising as high as 1.8 km above the summit on 8 November and drifting NW, SW, SE, and NE.
Pavlof - Alaska Peninsula, Alaska : AVO reported that a minor eruption at a vent on Pavlof’s upper E flank was ongoing during 9-15 November and nearly continuous seismic tremor was recorded. Multiple explosions were detected almost daily in seismic and infrasound data. Elevated surface temperatures were seen in cloudy satellite images during 10 and 12-15 November. Clear webcam images taken on 12 and 15 November showed a lava flow and ash deposits on the upper flanks, though due to cloudy conditions earlier in the week the timing of these events is uncertain. Nighttime crater incandescence was visible in webcam images on 14 and 15 November.
Popocatepetl - Mexico : CENAPRED reported that there were 39-108 steam-and-gas emissions, sometimes containing minor amounts of ash, rising from Popocatépetl each day during 9-15 November. Weather clouds often prevented visual observations of activity. The seismic network recorded daily periods of tremor lasting from 33 minutes to 302 minutes. According to the Washington VAAC, daily ash plumes rose to 5.8-7.6 km altitude (19,000-25,000 ft) and drifted SW, S, SE, and E. Four minor explosions were detected at 1337, 1625, 1629, and 2026 on 10 November. Another four minor explosions were detected at 0141, 1109, 1223, and 1519 on 11 November. Three minor explosions were recorded at 0919, 1933, and 2057 on 12 November. Three minor explosions were detected at 1302 on 13 November, and four minor explosions at 0131, 0615, 1459, and 2330 on 14 November. A minor explosion was also detected at 0710 on 15 November. A total of five volcano-tectonic earthquakes were recorded on 11 and 12 November. Light ashfall was reported in Tochimilco, Puebla on 10 November.
Reventador - Ecuador : IG described the ongoing eruption at Reventador as moderate during 9-15 November. Daily seismicity was characterized by 18-47 explosions, 22-45 long-period earthquakes, and 2-18 signals that indicated emissions. During 9-12 November there were also 1-4 periods of daily harmonic tremor. Gas, steam, and ash plumes, observed almost daily with webcams or reported by the Washington VAAC, rose as high as 1.3 km above the summit and drifted S, W, SW, N, and NW. Crater incandescence was occasionally visible at night and the lava flow on the NE flank was active. Sulfur dioxide emissions averaged 22, 20.2, and 174.9 tons per day on 9, 11, and 12 November, respectively. An incandescent avalanche was visible on the N flank during the night of 9 November; by 10 November it had traveled to 800 m below the crater.
Sabancaya - Peru : Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported moderate levels of activity at Sabancaya during 7-13 November with a daily average of 33 explosions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 3 km above the summit and drifted S, E, and NE. 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).
Sangay - Ecuador : IG reported a high level of activity at Sangay during 9-15 November, which included daily explosions, volcanic tremor, and gas-and-steam emissions. Incandescence at the summit was periodically visible at night. Daily ash-and-gas plumes were identified in either or both IG webcam images and satellite images according to the Washington VAAC. Plumes generally rose as high as 1.8 m above the volcano and drifted SW, W, S, N, and NW. Moderate ashfall was reported in Zuñac on 9 November. During 10-14 November an incandescent avalanche was observed descending the SE flank during the night.
Santa Maria - Southwestern Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that nighttime incandescence was observed in the crater of Santa María’s Santiaguito lava-dome complex during 9-15 November. The lava flows continued to descend the San Isidro and El Tambor drainages, as well as the S flank. Block-and-ash avalanches from the dome, and from the middle and front of the lava flows, descended the W, SW, and S flanks. Fine ash fell on the perimeter of the volcano. Moderate gas-and-steam plumes rose as high as 500-700 m above the dome complex that extended 3-6 km E, SE, S, SW, and W.
Semeru - Eastern Java : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 9-15 November. A pyroclastic flow was observed descending the SE flank as far as 4.5 km at 1550 on 9 November. The event also generated a white-gray ash plume that rose 1.5 km above the summit and drifted NE. On 14 November an ash plume rose to 3.9 km altitude and drifted SW, according to the Darwin VAAC. White gas-and-steam emissions rose 100-1,000 m above the summit and drifted N, NE, S, and SW.
Sheveluch - Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that the ongoing eruption at Sheveluch during 3-10 November was generally characterized by explosions, hot avalanches, lava-dome extrusion, and strong fumarolic activity. A daily thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images. Collapses generated hot avalanches and ash plumes that drifted 400 km N, NE, and E during 5-7 November.
Suwanosejima - Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that the eruption at Suwanosejima's Ontake Crater continued during 9-15 November and crater incandescence was visible nightly. An explosion at 2238 on 11 November produced an eruption plume that rose 1.6 km above the crater rim. Ash plumes during 15 November rose 1-1.3 km above the crater and drifted SE.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.6 earthquake hits the Santa Cruz Islands.
5.4 earthquake hits western Texas, USA.
5.2 earthquake hits New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 earthquake hits Ecuador.
5.1 earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan.
Leonid Meteor Shower
The annual Leonid meteor shower will peak this week as Earth passes through the trail of icy, rocky debris left behind nearly 30 years ago by the comet Tempel-Tuttle. On Thursday (Nov. 17) around 7 p.m. EST, Earth will swoop near a particularly dense patch of debris, resulting in sightings of about 15 meteors per hour. On Saturday (Nov. 19), stargazers may have another chance to see the Leonids, when Earth may pass through a stream of debris left by the comet more than 300 years ago.
Middle East respiratory syndrome - Saudi Arabia
The Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has reported four locally-acquired laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) through October 31 this year.
Ebola - Uganda
To date, the Ministry of Health has reported that the ebola outbreak has increased to 140 confirmed cases, including 55 deaths. A first case reported from Jinja district showing the disease is not contained.
Dengue Fever - Vietnam
According to the Vietnam Ministry of Health, since the beginning of the year through November 15, 303,637 dengue fever cases, including 112 fatalities have been reported.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New Activity for the week 9 November - 15 November 2022
Ahyi - Mariana Islands (USA) : On 15 November the USGS reported that hydroacoustic sensors at Wake Island began to record signals in mid-October that are consistent with submarine volcanic activity. A combined analysis of the hydroacoustic signals and seismic data from stations on Guam and Chichijima Island, Japan, suggest the source of this activity is at or near Ahyi seamount. Contrary to initial observations of there being discolouration on the water’s surface, a reanalysis of satellite imagery from 6 November showed no evidence of water discolouration at the ocean surface.
Ambae - Vanuatu : On 15 November the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD) reported that at approximately 1300 satellite data showed a large sulfur dioxide emission from Ambae. Seismicity also slightly increased. Residents on the southern and northern parts of the island reported a strong smell of sulfur dioxide gas and heard explosions.
Kavachi - Solomon Islands :Satellite data showed distinct yellow-green discoloured water in the vicinity of the submarine Kavachi volcano on 2, 7, 12, and 22 September, 2, 7, 12, 17, and 27 October, and 1, 6, and 11 November.
Kikai -Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that minor eruptive activity continued to be recorded at Satsuma Iwo-jima, a subaerial part of Kikai’s NW caldera rim, during 7-14 November. White gas-and-steam plumes rose 600 m above the crater rim. Surveillance cameras observed nightly incandescence.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.5 earthquake hits southwest of Sumatra, Indonesia.
5.2 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits the Sunda Strait, Indonesia.
5.1 earthquake hits southern Sumatra, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits south of Australia.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are currently no tropical storm systems..
Newsbytes:
Australia - Emergency services in New South Wales are facing the largest flood operation in the state's history as more defence force personnel and volunteers from around the world join rescue and relief efforts. Hundreds more homes are expected to go under this week and more than 1,000 people have been evacuated as flood levels rose faster than expected overnight on Monday. Volunteers are coming from New Zealand, the US, and Singapore. Upwards of 200 people have been rescued from floodwater in the past 24 hours.
Population - 8 Billion People
There are now eight billion humans on the planet. A baby born somewhere on Tuesday will be the world's eight billionth person, according to a projection by the United Nations. The UN attributes the growth to human development, with people living longer thanks to improvements in public health, nutrition, personal hygiene and medicine. It is also the result of higher fertility rates, particularly in the world's poorest countries -- most of which are in sub-Saharan Africa -- putting their development goals at risk.
Population growth has also magnified the environmental impacts of economic development. But while some worry that eight billion humans is too many for planet Earth, most experts say the bigger problem is the overconsumption of resources by the wealthiest people.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.5 earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.
5.0 earthquake hits Tonga.
5.0 earthquake hits the Banda Sea.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are currently no tropical storm systems..
Newsbytes:
Colombia - Flooding continues in Colombia. Heavy rains have triggered floods and landslides in parts of Bogotá and surrounding areas of Capital District and Cundinamarca Department in Colombia, where at least 2 people have died and 1 is missing. Meanwhile 5 people are still missing after a landslide destroyed several homes in Norte de Santander Department.
Efforts to Save the Giant Sequoias
Devastating fires over the last three years in California have endangered the limited number of giant sequoias to the point where scientists are cloning the huge trees and planting them farther north where climate change may produce suitable growing conditions. Preliminary surveys found that in a two year period, 2020 and 2021, almost 20 percent of all giant sequoias has been lost to wildfires.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.3 earthquake hits Bio-Bio, Chile.
5.8 earthquake hits near the south coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.8 earthquake hits south of Fiji.
5.4 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
5.2 earthquake hits Java, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits the Mariana Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits Reykjanes Ridge.
5.0 earthquake hits eastern New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Tropical depression 28w (Yamaneko), located approximately 276 nm north of Wake island, is tracking north-northwestward at 10 knots.
Newsbytes:
Australia - Flooding and thunderstorms are continuing across inland areas of New South Wales, with the wet weather not expected to clear until Monday afternoon. More than 50 schools will be closed across Adelaide on Monday because of ongoing blackouts and storm damage. SA Power Networks says 423,000 lightning strikes and winds up to 106kph were recorded. The State Emergency Service has attended 1,000 calls for assistance. Some 65,000 homes and businesses remain without electricity after Saturday’s wild storms, with SA Power Networks saying many will not be reconnected until at least Tuesday.
Climate Change - The Devastating Toll On Africa's Animals
Climate change has produced a number of threats to wildlife. Over time, changing rainfall patterns have transformed habitats and forced animals to move. Increasing temperatures are causing mass die-off events during heat waves and making it hard for animals to find food.
Drought is recurring in parts of the continent. The increased frequency means there's little or no time to recover before the next one occurs. The wildlife in some of these regions lives alongside people who are also struggling to survive and keep their livestock alive. This puts people and wildlife into conflict as they compete for diminishing sources of water and food.
Climate change can also strongly influence the physiology, behaviour and breeding success of animals. Over the past two decades, the Horn of Africa - specifically Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya - has experienced more intense and frequent droughts. Drought adds to the pressure on resources like water and pasture. This makes livestock and wildlife more susceptible to malnutrition, disease, mass mortalities and competition with each other over resources.
Gabon is home to some of the highest densities of forest elephants. Many of them live in Lopé National Park, a 5,000km² protected area. The condition of these elephants has declined by 11% since 2008 due to a massive collapse in tree-fruiting events.
For birds in arid zones, rising temperatures pose a significant problem. They usually breed in response to rainfall, which often occurs during the hottest time of the year. And birds are mostly active during the day, when they are exposed to the sun's heat. This is when their vital processes for reproduction take place - such as territorial defence, courtship, finding food for their young and attending the nest.
Breeding attempts of the Kalahari Hornbill all failed when average daily maximum air temperatures exceeded 35.7°C. In the Kalahari, air temperatures have already risen more than 2°C in a few decades. At this rate, by 2027, these birds will not breed at all at this site. They will quickly become locally extinct.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.1 earthquake hits offshore Bio-Bio, Chile.
5.3 earthquake hits Nepal.
5.2 earthquake hits Java, Indonesia.
5.1 earthquake hits Tonga.
5.1 earthquake hits Taiwan.
5.0 earthquake hits Samoa.
5.0 earthquake hits offshore Bi-Bio, Chile.
5.0 earthquake hits Tonga.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Tropical storm 28w (Yamaneko), located approximately 183 nm north of Wake island, is tracking northward at 02 knots.
Newsbytes:
Colombia - Colombians are picking up the pieces after heavy rainfall caused the Cauca River to overflow. The National Unit for Risk Management said more than 390 towns are on red alert across the country.
Spain - Heavy rain causes floods in eastern Spain. Firefighters were seen rescuing people from stranded cars in flooded streets. Water overflowed from a ravine in the town of Aldaia, near Valencia city, where airport authorities were forced to shut the runway until further notice. Spanish national meteorology agency (AEMET) declared maximum level of alert for the Valencia region, with the storm moving towards Catalonia and the interior of Spain.
Dengue Fever
Malaysia - Malaysia health officials report the cumulative number of dengue fever cases reported to date is 51,262 cases. In addition, there were 35 deaths due to dengue complications.
Nepal - Nepal’s Epidemiology and Disease Control Division reported on November 9 that the cumulative total of dengue fever cases have reached 51,177. 57 deaths due to dengue have been reported to date.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
7.0 earthquake hits Fiji.
6.5 earthquake hits Fiji.
5.5 earthquake hits Guatemala.
5.4 earthquake hits the Ryukyu Islands off Japan.
5.3 earthquake hits the southern mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.1 earthquake hits Fiji.
5.0 earthquake hits Acre, Brazil.
5.0 earthquake hits the southern mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.0 earthquake hits Halmahera, Indonesia.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are currently no tropical storm systems.
Newsbytes:
Malaysia - Flash floods were reported in 34 areas of mainland Penang, especially in housing estates, after heavy rain since 5pm. Photographs showed streets and driveways awash in about 30cm of water, while flood water entered some houses.
Wildfires - Kentucky, USA
52 wildfires are burning across 28 counties in the state. The fires cover about 6,000 acres, and Division of Forestry officials said people need to be careful about any sparks they might cause.
Viral Spillover
The melting Arctic could soon become "fertile ground" for new viral pandemics to emerge, according to a Canadian study of an Arctic lake bed.
A team from the University of Toronto sequenced DNA and RNA from samples taken at Lake Hazen and looked at the family tree of its viruses to determine the threat they pose to other organisms as polar melt allows them to mingle. Altered landscapes have been proven to push pathogens, parasites and hosts together in new ways. The new study suggests that increased melting in the Arctic could similarly bring greater chances of of viruses “spilling over” into other hosts.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
7.3 earthquake hits Tonga.
5.0 earthquake hits Tonga.
5.0 earthquake hits Kepulauan Mantawai, Indonesia.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Depression Nicole is located about 70 mi...115 km sw of Macon Georgia with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...nnw or 335 degrees at 16 mph...26 km/h.
Newsbytes:
Florida, USA - Several homes have collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean following damage caused by Hurricane Nicole in Florida, USA. Authorities also report at least 4 fatalities as a result of the storm. Hurricane Nicole made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on 10 November 2022 along the east coast of Florida just south of Vero Beach. Nicole weakened to a tropical storm as it moved over central east Florida. Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed an emergency declaration for all 67 counties in the state on 10 November. Coastal flooding was reported in several cities on the east coast of Florida including Hollywood, Palm Beach Shores, Fort Lauderdale, Saint Augustine and Daytona Beach.
Bahamas - Tropical Storm Nicole made landfall in the Abaco Islands of the Bahamas on 09 November 2022, strengthening into a hurricane. Storm surge was expected to raise water levels around 4 feet (1.2 metres) to 6 feet (1.8 metres) above normal tide, and large swells were forecasted to affect the northern Bahamas. As of 10 November, coastal flooding from storm surge was reported in areas of Abaco Islands, in particular Green Turtle Cay and Marsh Harbour, and in Freeport and West End in Grand Bahama. Two roads were closed due to flooding in coastal areas near Nassau, New Providence.
COP27 Climate Conference
Data shows that fossil fuel lobbyists outnumber almost every national delegation at COP27. Campaigners say that “Those perpetuating the world's fossil fuel addiction should not be allowed through the doors of a climate conference”.
UN chief António Guterres told those attending the COP27 climate summit in Egypt that the world must quickly cooperate to curb global heating or face “collective suicide.”
He also described the World Meteorological Organisation’s (WMO) provisional 2022 State of the Global Climate report as a “chronicle of chaos” because it details the catastrophic speed of a changing climate that is devastating lives and livelihoods on every continent. Since little is being done to eliminate carbon emissions and reduce the likelihood of more climate disasters and extreme weather events around the world, Guterres says there must be a rush to develop early warning systems to prepare before they strike. “We must answer the planet’s distress signal with action — ambitious, credible climate action,” he urged.
Climate Refugees
Latin America’s first residents to be moved by the government due to rising sea levels will soon abandon Panama’s Gardi Sugdub Island as it is slowly engulfed by the Caribbean.
“When the tide goes up, the water enters some houses and the people have to move their belongings to higher ground,” said local teacher Pragnaben Mohan. Students and teachers on the tightly packed small island already have to wade through floodwaters with rubber boots at times. The move to modern homes in the new mainland community of La Barriada late next year has been planned for more than a decade, according to The Wall Street Journal. Three other nearby islands will also soon have to be evacuated
Tame Wolves
Wolves in one area of the Netherlands have become so unafraid of humans that authorities are authorizing the use of paintballs to scare them away.
The move followed the emergence of a video that showed a wolf confidently walking past a clearly nervous young family in the Hoge Veluwe national park. The animal-rights group De Faunabescherming says wolves are naturally wary of humans and believes park wardens are taming them by deliberately feeding the predators to keep them away from sheep and other animals.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 42.0 degrees Celsius (107 degrees F) at Wyndham, Western Australia.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 58.0 degrees Celsius (-70 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.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Ebola - Uganda
In a follow-up on the outbreak Ebola disease caused by the Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV) in Uganda, since the outbreak was declared on September 20 through today, a total of 136 confirmed cases and 54 confirmed deaths (CFR 39.7%) have been reported. 18 cases have been reported in health care workers, including seven deaths.
Measles - Ohio, USA
Officials with Columbus Public Health (CPH) and Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) report investigating a measles outbreak associated with a local child care facility. Currently, there are four confirmed cases, all in unvaccinated children with no travel history. The child care facility is cooperating, has notified parents, and has temporarily closed down.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week 2 November - 8 November 2022
Aira - Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) and nighttime crater incandescence during 31 October-7 November. Six eruptive events and two explosions produced volcanic plumes that rose as high as 1.3 km above the crater rim and ejected large blocks as far as 900 m from the vent. Sulfur dioxide emissions were slightly high on 1 November at 1,900 tons per day.
Alaid - Kuril Islands (Russia) : KVERT reported that the eruption at Alaid was ongoing during 27 October-3 November. A daily thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images.
Askja - Iceland : On 9 November Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) lowered the Aviation Color Code for Askja to Green noting that although deformation data indicted continuing magma accumulation at depth, with a total uplift of 40 cm since August 2021, it was not accompanied by elevated seismicity.
Bagana - Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) : The Darwin VAAC reported that on 2 November ash plumes from Bagana rose to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE based on satellite data. A thermal anomaly was present at the summit.
Dukono - Halmahera : PVMBG reported that daily white-and-gray ash plumes from Dukono rose as high as 400 m above the summit and drifted NE, E, and S.
Ebeko - Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that moderate activity at Ebeko was ongoing. According to volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island, about 7 km E) explosions on 28 and 31 October and 1 November generated ash plumes that rose to 3.6 km (11,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in eastern directions. Ash plumes drifted 110 km SE on 1 November. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images during 1-3 November.
Fuego - South-Central Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that 4-10 explosions per hour were recorded at Fuego during 1-8 November, generating daily ash plumes that rose as high as 1.1 km above the crater rim. The ash plumes drifted as far as 15 km NW, W, SW, and SSW, causing almost daily ashfall in areas downwind including Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), Los Yucales (12 km SW), Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km NW), La Rochela, San Andrés Osuna, Finca la Asunción, and Ceilán. Daily shock waves rattled structures in communities around the volcano. Daily block avalanches descended the Ceniza (SSW), Seca (W), Trinidad (S), Taniluyá (SW), Honda, Las Lajas (SE), and El Jute (ESE) drainages, often reaching vegetated areas. Explosions ejected incandescent material as high as 200 m above the summit on some of the days.
Great Sitkin - Andreanof Islands (USA) : AVO reported that slow lava effusion continued at Great Sitkin during 2-8 November and seismicity was low. Satellite images were often cloudy, though elevated surface temperatures were identified almost daily. The flow field continued to grow, with lobes of lava extending more than 600 m E and around 430 m S.
Grimsvotn - Iceland : On 9 November Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) lowered the Aviation Color Code for Grímsvötn to Green noting no short-term increases in activity, though long-term trends remained above background levels. Seismicity continued to be characterized as unusual, with an increasing number of earthquakes that were also intensifying over the past months. The levels of deformation had already exceeded the level measured before the last eruption in 2011.
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 2-8 November entering the lava lake and flowing onto the crater floor. The active part of the lake remained at a steady level all week.
Mauna Loa - Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported continuing unrest at Mauna Loa during 1-8 November. The seismic network detected 13-50 daily small-magnitude (below M 3) earthquakes 2-5 km beneath Mokua’weoweo caldera and 6-8 km beneath the upper NW flank of Mauna Loa. Data from Global Positioning System (GPS) instruments at the summit and flanks showed continuing inflation, though data from tiltmeters at the summit did not show significant surface deformation over the past week.
Merapi - Central Java : BPPTKG reported that the eruption at Merapi continued during 28 October-3 November and seismicity remained at high levels. The SW lava dome produced lava avalanches that traveled as far as 1.2 km down the W flank (upstream in the Kali Sat drainage). No significant morphological changes to the central and SW lava domes were evident in drone photographs.
Pavlof - Alaska Peninsula, Alaska : AVO reported that a minor eruption at a vent on Pavlof’s upper E flank was ongoing during 2-8 November and nearly continuous seismic tremor was recorded. Multiple explosions were detected almost daily in seismic and infrasound data. Trace ash deposits on the NW flank were identified in satellite images during 1-2 November, and minor steaming was visible on 3 November. Minor steam-and-ash emissions were visible in webcam images and observed by pilots during 3-4 November, and ash deposits on the flanks were visible. Elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images during 4-8 November.
Sabancaya - Peru : Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported moderate levels of activity at Sabancaya during 31 October-6 November with a daily average of 30 explosions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 3 km above the summit and drifted 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).
Sangay - Ecuador : IG reported a high level of activity at Sangay during 1-8 November. Almost daily thermal anomalies were identified in satellite images, though weather clouds often prevented views. Incandescence at the summit was periodically visible at night. Daily ash-and-gas plumes were identified in either or both IG webcam photos and satellite images according to the Washington VAAC. Plumes generally rose as high as 2.1 km above the volcano and drifted NW, W, and SW. Ash emissions were first observed at 0520 on 4 November and then the amplitude of tremor signals increased at 0650. A pyroclastic flow descended the Volcán River drainage on the SE flank at 0700. The emissions intensified at 0840 and a plume rose 8.3 km above the crater rim and drifted NW, W, and SW. Minor-to-moderate amounts of ash fell in several cities including Riobamba (50 km NW), Guamote (42 km WNW), Colta (55 km NW), Alausí (60 km SW), Pallatanga (70 km W), Chambo (40 km NW), and Chunchi (73 km SW) during 4-5 November.
Santa Maria - Southwestern Guatemala : On 6 November INSIVUMEH reported that activity at Santa María’s Santiaguito lava-dome complex transitioned from more extrusive to more explosive. The rate of lava effusion and advancement of the lava flows in the San Isidro and El Tambor drainages on the W and SW flanks had notably decreased. Explosivity had become more intense and audible in the recent weeks and particularly in the previous few days, according to seismic and infrasound data, webcam images, and reports from surrounding residents. Gas emissions had increased, and sulfur dioxide emissions were identified in satellite images during recent days. Gas, ash, and steam plumes rose as high as 500 m above the dome complex. Block avalanches from the dome, along with the ends and sides of the flows, descended the S, SW, and W flanks. Some block collapses generated ash clouds that rose to several hundred meters high. Lahars descended the Cabello de Ángel drainage (a tributary of Nimá I on the SE flank) on 3 November, carrying tree trunks, branches, and blocks up to 1 m in diameter. Minor ashfall was reported in Finca San José and La Quina on 5 November.
Semeru - Eastern Java : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 2-8 November. An eruptive event at 0507 on 3 November produced a white-and-gray ash plume that rose 300 m above the summit.
Semisopochnoi - Aleutian Islands (USA) : On 7 November AVO stated that small explosions at the N crater of Mount Cerberus at Semisopochnoi had been detected in geophysical data during the previous week and volcanic tremor simultaneously resumed. Though ash emissions were not visually observed, the type of unrest was similar to previous periods associated with ash emissions below 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l.
Sheveluch - Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that the ongoing eruption at Sheveluch during 27 October-3 November was generally characterized by explosions, hot avalanches, and lava-dome extrusion. A daily thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images. Collapses generated hot avalanches and ash plumes that drifted 200 km SE on 31 October and 1 November. The Kamchatka Volcano Station reported that activity notably increased on 5 November. Debris avalanches and small pyroclastic flows were visible throughout the day and incandescent avalanches were seen traveling SE and SW at night.
Suwanosejima - Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that the eruption at Suwanosejima's Ontake Crater continued during 31 October-7 November and crater incandescence was visible nightly. An explosion at 0137 on 4 November produced an eruption plume that rose 2.4 km above the crater rim and ejected large blocks 200 m from the vent. Ashfall was reported in Toshima village (3.5 km SSW).
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.8 earthquake hits south of Fiji.
6.6 earthquake hits south of Fiji.
5.9 earthquake hits Arunachal Pradesh, India.
5.3 earthquake hits south of Fiji.
5.2 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Storm Nicole is located about 25 mi...35 km nw of Vero each Florida and about 60 mi...95 km se of Orlando Florida with maximum sustained winds...70 mph...110 km/h. Present movement...wnw or 295 degrees at 14 mph...22 km/h.
Newsbytes:
California, USA - Severe weather including record heavy rain affected parts of Southern California, USA, and bordering parts of Baja California State in northern Mexico. At least 1 person has died and 2 are still missing after being swept away by flood waters in Ontario, California. San Diego, California reported 9.14 inches / 232.15 mm of rain fell in 48 hours to 08 November in Lytle Creek in the San Gabriel Mountains, within San Bernardino County. San Sevaine in San Bernardino County recorded 7.28 inches / 184.91 mm during the same period. Wind gusts of 89 mph (145 km/h) were also reported.
Cholera - Haiti
The Haitian Ministère de la Santé Publique et de la Population (MSPP) is now reporting as of November 6, a total of 6,446 suspected cases in 7 departments of the country, including 639 confirmed cases, 5,628 hospitalized suspected cases, and 130 registered deaths.
Measles - Minnesota, USA
In a follow-up on the measles situation in Minnesota, state health officials are reporting 21 cases since June in the Twin Cities area. This includes 14 imported cases, two exposed within U.S. but linked to imported case and five classified as “other”. Nine children have been hospitalized.
Dengue Fever - Laos
The Laos Centre of Information and Education for Health reports that the dengue fever cases in the country has topped the 30,000 mark in 2022 this month. Through November 8, officials report 30,085 total dengue cases, including 22 deaths.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New Activity for the week 2 November - 8 November 2022
Bezymianny - Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 27 October-1 November a thermal anomaly over Bezymianny was identified in satellite images. Strong fumarolic activity was visible, the lava dome continued to grow and was sometimes incandescent at night, and occasional collapses from the dome produced avalanches of hot material. The activity had significantly decreased by 2 November.
Kerinci - Central Sumatra : PVMBG reported that diffuse white-and-brown plumes from Kerinci rose as high as 400 m above the summit and drifted NE and NW on most days during 2-7 November.
Manam - Northeast of New Guinea : The Darwin VAAC reported that on 7 November an ash plume from Manam rose to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) and drifted NE based on satellite images and weather models. The plume had dissipated within four hours.
Villarrica - Central Chile : SERNAGEOMIN and Observatorio Argentino de Vigilancia Volcánica (OAVV) reported that activity at Villarrica increased during 1 October-7 November. Seismic signals indicated above-baseline activity, including intensifying continuous tremor and an increase in the number of long-period earthquakes. The largest earthquake was a M 2.3 event located 5.3 km ESE of the crater at a depth of 4.8 km. Acoustic data indicated that explosions became larger. Sulfur dioxide emissions recorded on two stations, 10 km ENE and 6 km ESE, averaged around 541 tons per day, with a maximum value of 1,273 tons per day on 13 October; the values were within normal ranges, though they were preceded by two months with high values. Sulfur dioxide emissions were identified in satellite images on 1 November. The lava lake occupied an area of about 36 square meters on the crater floor based on a 14 October satellite image. During October webcam images showed eruption plumes rising as high as 460 m above the crater rim. Plumes deposited tephra on the E, S, and SW flanks within 500 m of the crater on 2, 18, 23, and 31 October. Nighttime crater incandescence seen in webcam images intensified during 1 October-7 November, and strombolian explosions ejected incandescent tephra onto the NW and SW flanks on 18 and 31 October and during 1, 2, and 6-7 November. Thermal anomalies were identified in satellite images on 2, 10, 15, 22, 27, and 31 October, and 1, 4, and 6 November. POVI reported that the width of lava fountains rising above the crater rim on 2 November suggested that the vent on the crater floor was about 6 m in diameter. Analysis of satellite images and reports from observers indicated that more material was being ejected onto the upper flanks in November, with clasts up to 20 cm in diameter and deposits trending NW. On 8 November SERNAGEOMIN raised the Alert Level to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale) and warned that material could be ejected within 500 m of the crater.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.5 earthquake hits south of Fiji.
5.7 earthquake hits central Italy.
5.6 earthquake hits the Peru-Ecuador border.
5.6 earthquake hits Nepal.
5.2 earthquake hits Luzon in the Philippines.
5.1 earthquake hits Cuba.
5,0 earthquake hits Taiwan.
5.0 earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Storm Nicole is locatedabout 90 mi...140 km e of Great Abaco island and about 270 mi...435 km e of West Palm Beach Florida with maximum sustained winds...70 mph...110 km/h. Present movement...wsw or 250 degrees at 13 mph...20 km/h.
Newsbytes:
Colombia - Authorities in Colombia report flooding and landslides in 13 municipalities of Atlántico Department in the north of the country on the Caribbean Sea. Heavy rain has been falling since 05 November. Local media said the rain fell continuously for a period of more than 30 hours. The rain has also triggered landslides which have damaged homes and infrastructure and impacted lives in Barranquilla, Galapa, Piojó, Polonuevo, Puerto Colombia, Sabanagrande, Sabanalarga and Usiacurí. At least 84 homes have been completely destroyed . A further 585 homes have been damaged.
Dominican Republic - Torrential rain caused damaging floods in southern parts of the Dominican Republic on 04 November 2022. Authorities report hundreds of homes and vehicles were damaged, and at least 6 people have lost their lives. Flooding has also affected other countries in the Caribbean over the last few days, including Guadeloupe, Saint Lucia and Dominica.
Blackwater from Victoria Floods - Australia
There have been mass fish deaths on the Murray River in Victoria after flooding led to blackwater, an event often caused by flooding when high levels of organic material are washed into the river systems, and which basically sucks all the oxygen out of the water. Blackwater can also be caused by sewage leaks into the river system. A substantial number of fish deaths have been observed in the affected areas.
