Wildlife

Sea Urchins in Distress

A mysterious epidemic that began in the Mediterranean at the start of the year looks set to wipe out all of the Mediterranean and Red Sea’s urchins, and possibly their coral reefs too. A sudden and deadly epidemic sweeping across the Red Sea has killed an entire species of sea urchin, stripping their flesh and turning them into skeletons.

A sudden and deadly epidemic sweeping across the Red Sea has killed an entire species of sea urchin, stripping their flesh and turning them into skeletons. Just two months ago, thousands of black sea urchins (Diadema setosum) lived in the Gulf of Aqaba, in the northern tip of the Red Sea, keeping the corals there healthy by snacking on excess algae. Now, only their skeletons remain, after their tissue was consumed by a mysterious pathogen.

Scientists are unsure of the exact disease causing the mass die-off, but they suspect it is a pathogenic ciliate parasite — a single-celled microorganism — which in 1983 eliminated the Caribbean’s entire sea urchin population. Before the parasite plague, the Caribbean was home to thriving tropical reefs, but since losing the sea urchins the reefs have been smothered by algal blooms that multiplied unchecked, blocking out sunlight and destroying around 90% of the region’s coral.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.7 earthquake hits the Auckland Islands, New Zealand.

5.5 earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.

5.1 earthquake hits Turkmenistan.

5.0 earthquake hits Kepulauan Batu, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Typhoon 02W (Mawar) is located approximately 287 nm south-southwest of Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan, is tracking northward at 05 knots.

Disease

Leptospirosis - Vanuatu

In a follow-up on the leptospirosis situation in Vanuatu, the Vanuatu Ministry of Health reported seven new leptospirosis cases from 15 May to 24 May. This brings the total cases to 75 since the beginning of the year (68 laboratory confirmed and 7 clinically diagnosed). A total of 6 deaths have been recorded since January 2023.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Typhoon 02W (Mawar) is located approximately 392 nm south-southwest of Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan, is tracking north-northwestward at 02 knots.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.8 earthquake hits the Volcano Islands, Japan.

5.4 earthquake hits southwest of Africa.

5.2 earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.1 earthquake hits the Drake Passage.

5.0 earthquake hits La Rioja, Argentina.

5.0 earthquake hits Mindoro in the Philippines.

Wildlife

Spy Whale

A Beluga whale spotted off the Swedish coast has been previously accused of spying for Russia. The several-metre-long white whale was first sighted a few years ago wearing a camera harness near Norway, fuelling suspicions it was being used for espionage.

It has since been nicknamed Hvaldimir, combining the words 'hval' (whale in Norwegian) and the common Russian first name Vladimir. When first spotted in 2019, the whale's harness was fitted with a base for a small camera with 'Equipment St. Peterburg' printed on the plastic strap.

The biologists who found Hvaldimir were able to remove the harness fixed around his head. The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries speculated at the time the whale had escaped from an enclosure where it was possibly trained by the Russian Navy since it was accustomed to human company and would approach ships.

Moscow has never officially commented on the case.

Environment

Hottest Day - Shanghai

Shanghai on Monday recorded its hottest May day in 100 years, the city's meteorological service announced, shattering the previous high by a full degree. "At 13:09, the temperature at Xujiahui station hit 36.1 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit), breaking a 100-year-old record for the highest temperature in May."

Disease

Dengue Fever - Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has reported 1,843 dengue fever cases through May 29, a 5.75 times increase compared to the same period in 2022 (320). In addition, 13 dengue related deaths have been reported during the first five months of this year.

Dengue Fever - Malaysia

The Malaysia Ministry of Health has reported 43,619 dengue fever cases through May 21, an increase of 170 percent compared to the same period in 2022 (16,144). In addition, a total of 28 deaths due to dengue fever complications have been reported.

Dengue Fever - Ethiopia

In a follow-up on the dengue fever outbreak in Afar, Ethiopia, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports a total of 1,638 suspected and confirmed cases and nine associated deaths (case fatality ratio= 0.5%) in Logia and Mille districts in the region from April 4 through May 10 this year.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever - Senegal

In a follow-up concerning Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Senegal, health officials report a second case of the disease on May 9, this case from the Linguère district in the Louga region.

Buruli Ulcer Epidemic - DR Congo

A Buruli ulcer epidemic was declared in the health zone of Bogose Nubea more than 40 kilometers from the town of Gemena, capital of Sud-Ubangi in the North-West of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). More than 450 cases of this disease commonly called “Mbasu” have been identified in this health zone.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 earthquake hits northern Peru.

5.2 earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.1 earthquake hits northern Colombia.

5.1 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.0 earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Typhoon 02W (Mawar) is located approximately 398 nm northeast of Manila, Philippines, is tracking northwestward at 05 knots.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Nova Scotia

A number homes were engulfed in flames as a N.S. wildfire was rapidly moving through a section of the Halifax suburb of Tantallon and towards neighboring Hammonds Plains. At 5:15 p.m. Sunday, an Emergency Alert was issued by the province about an evacuation order for the Westwood Hills subdivision due to “ongoing multiple structure and forest fires.” There are reports that the number of homes on fire is in double digits. A Halifax regional fire spokesperson couldn’t give an exact number to how many houses are on fire, but did say there are no reported injuries at this time.

Disease

Monkeypox - UK

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reports 10 cases of mpox diagnosed in the UK since the last epidemiological update on 4 May. This brings the total number of new cases in the UK since the beginning of the year to 20.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever - Afghanistan

The health department of Balkh province reported that in the past week 10 positive cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) have been recorded in north region of the country, and two people have died, according to local media.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever - Namibia

The Namibia Ministry of Health and Social Services reports an outbreak of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) after a man died of the disease in a Windhoek hospital. The male patient was first treated at a clinic in the eastern city of Gobabis on May 16. He died on May 18.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.8 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.

5.7 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.3 earthquake hits off the coast of Aisen, Chile.

5.2 earthquake hits Antofagasta, Chile.

5.2 earthquake hits the Hindu Kush, Afghanistan.

5.1 earthquake hits the Banda Sea.

5.0 earthquake hits the Svalbard region.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Typhoon 02W (Mawar) is located approximately 540 nm south of Kadena AFB. Okinawa, Japan, is tracking west-northwestward at 09 knots.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Israel

Forestry teams and Israel's Fire and Rescue Services fought at least 176 separate forest fires across Israel on Saturday, amid a severe heatwave felt throughout the country.

In the north of the country alone, 53 fires had to be put out on Saturday. The coastal area saw 32 fires, the greater Jerusalem area 28, the south 24, the central region 22, while the West Bank suffered 14 blazes throughout the day.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

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

5.7 earthquake hits Tonga.

5.6 earthquake hits the west Chile rise.

5.1 earthquake hits the Banda Sea.

5.0 earthquake hits the Prince Edward Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits Oruru, Bolivia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Typhoon 02W (Mawar) is located approximately 643 nm south-southeast of Kadena AFB. Okinawa, Japan, is tracking westward at 11 knots.

NewsBytes:

Spain - As of May 27, 2023, at least 13 people have been killed and dozens more injured in floods that have ravaged parts of Spain. The worst-hit areas have been in the southeastern region of Murcia, where the Segura River has burst its banks, flooding homes and businesses. The floods have also caused widespread damage to roads and infrastructure. The Spanish government has declared a state of emergency in the affected areas and is providing assistance to those who have been affected.

Italy - Thousands of animals drowned in the floods in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region according to animals rights activists. Almost 300 000 surviving livestock are at risk due to lack of fodder. The problem is that in intensive farming, animals are locked inside. Pigs and hens are all in cages.

Disease

Syphilis - Japan

The Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) reports 5,164 total syphilis cases through May 17. This compares to 3,630 cases during the same period last year. Tokyo accounts for 1,332 cases, followed by 699 in Osaka and 305 cases in Hokkaido.

Dengue Fever - Thailand

The Bureau of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control (DDC) for the Thailand Ministry of Public Health reports a significant increase in dengue fever cases during the first five months of 2023. Through epidemiology week 20, officials report 16,650 total dengue cases, including 14 deaths. This is up from 2220 cases and 3 deaths during the same period in 2022.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.2 earthquake hits Taiwan.

5.2 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.1 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits the Banda Sea.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Typhoon 02W (Mawar) is located approximately 881 nm southeast of Kadena AFB. Okinawa, Japan, is tracking westward at 12 knots.

NewsBytes:

Algeria - At least 2 people have died and dozens have been rescued or evacuated after flash floods in 9 provinces of Algeria from 24 May 2023. Civil Protection teams carried out interventions including rescues and evacuations in the provinces of Algiers, Blida, Tébessa, Oum El Bouaghi, Tipaza, Boumerdes, El Tarf, Batna and Guelma. Houses were damaged or destroyed, vehicles swept from roads and transport severely disrupted. Some of the worst of the flooding was reported in Tipaza Province, where roads, vehicles and buildings were destroyed or damaged. A young person died after the wall of a house collapsed.

Italy - More torrential rain in Italy has caused further flooding, this time in the southwestern Campania Region, where at least one fatality was reported. In the Campania Region, firefighters reported severe flooding in the municipalities of Forino and Montoro in the province of Avellino on 25 May 2023. In particular, the community of Celzi in Forino was severely impacted. Italy’s Fire Department said teams carried out numerous interventions including rescuing or evacuating families from flooded homes.

Global Warming

Military Emissions

A new report finds that if all the world’s combined militaries were a country, they would have the fourth-highest carbon footprint, right behind China, the United States and India. The ongoing war on Ukraine by Russia, and the increasing number of military exercises being conducted around the world, are only adding to the war industry’s contribution to the mounting climate crisis.

Scientists for Global Responsibility and the Conflict and Environment Observatory say that while it is very difficult to precisely determine the total greenhouse gases being emitted by the military, their study finds that its total carbon footprint is approximately 5.5% of all global emissions.

Wildlife

Orca Attack

Orcas have attacked and sunk a third boat off Spain in a behaviour marine mammal experts suggest is being copied by others of the species. Three orcas recently launched a coordinated attack on a yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar, prompting assistance by a Spanish coastal rescue vessel.

“The little ones shook the rudder at the back while the big one repeatedly backed up and rammed the ship with full force from the side,” skipper Werner Schaufelberger told the German publication Yacht. He added that the smaller orcas appeared to be imitating the larger one. There have been up to 500 attacks off the Iberian Peninsula, many not causing damage, since May 2020.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 120.0 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) in Jacobabad, Pakistan.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 105.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 76 degrees Celsius) at Vostok, Antarctica.

Temperatures were tabulated from the more than 10,000 worldwide synoptic weather stations. The United Nations World Meteorological Organization sets the standards for weather observations, and provides a global telecommunications circuit for data distribution.

Disease

Carbon Illness

A new report by Boston University and University of North Carolina researchers says air pollution from oil and natural gas production is responsible for thousands of early deaths and cases of childhood asthma each year across the U.S. It adds that respiratory and cardiovascular-related hospitalisations, adverse pregnancy outcomes and other health challenges the pollution brings are responsible for about $77 billion in annual health care costs. The report calls for comprehensive nationwide regulations to protect Americans from such pollution.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 17 May - 23 May 2023

Aira - Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported ongoing activity at both Minamidake Crater and Showa Crater (Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 15-22 May. Crater incandescence was observed nightly at Minamidake Crater. At 1429 on 17 May an eruptive event at Showa Crater produced an ash plume that rose 1.2 km above the crater rim and drifted N. An explosion from Minamidake Crater at 2027 generated an ash plume that rose 400 m and ejected large blocks 600-900 m from the crater; another eruptive event at 2051 produced an ash plume that rose as high as 1 km and drifted N. An explosion at Minamidake was recorded at 1519 on 18 May. Showa Crater sent an ash plume 1.5 km high at 1125 on 22 May.

Bulusan - Luzon (Philippines) : In a special advisory, PHIVOLCS reported that from 0500 on 21 May to 1600 on 22 May the seismic network at Bulusan recorded a total of 37 volcanic earthquakes. Out of those, 34 were volcano-tectonic earthquakes associated with rock fracturing and three were low-frequency volcanic earthquakes associated with movement of volcanic gas. Minor steam emissions from an active vent on the SE flank were occasionally visible. Ground deformation data from electronic tiltmeter stations continued to record short-term inflation of the SE flanks, first detected in December 2022.

Cotopaxi - Ecuador : IG reported that moderate eruptive activity continued at Cotopaxi during 17-23 May. Seismic activity was mainly characterized by long-period earthquakes and tremors associated with emissions that occurred almost daily; a total of six volcanic-tectonic earthquakes were recorded during the week. Emissions of steam, gas, and variable amounts of ash were observed on most days; clouds obscured views on 19 May. Weak steam-and-gas emissions that barely rose above the crater level were recorded during 17 and 20-22 May; the emissions drifted W on 22 May. Starting at 0510 on 18 May emissions of steam-and-ash rose 1-3 km above the crater and drifted N and NE; ashfall was reported in Machachi (23 km NW). During the morning of 23 May several steam-and-gas emissions with possible minor ash content were observed rising 1 km above the crater and drifting S.

Ebeko - Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that moderate activity at Ebeko was ongoing during 11-18 May. According to volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island, about 7 km E) explosions during 12-16 May generated ash plumes that rose as high as 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images during 13-14 May.

Fuego - South-Central Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that 1-4 weak explosions per hour were recorded at Fuego on most days during 16-23 May. The explosions generated ash plumes that rose 250-750 m above the crater; the plumes drifted S and SW during 18-20 May and as far as 10 km SW during 21-22 May. Slight incandescent at the crater was occasionally visible during dark hours a few times during the week. Very minor ashfall was reported in Morelia (9 km SW) and Panimaché (8 km SW) during 20-22 May.

Great Sitkin - Andreanof Islands (USA) : AVO reported that slow lava effusion continued at Great Sitkin during 16-23 May. Satellite data acquired on 16 May showed that the thick lava continued to expand towards the E but remained confined to the summit crater. Elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images during 18 and 21-23 May. Seismicity was low with some variations; five small earthquakes occurred during 19-20 May and small low-frequency earthquakes that began at 1000 on 23 May were ongoing at least through 1206.

Ibu - Halmahera : PVMBG reported that Ibu continued to erupt during 18-23 May. An average of approximately 80 eruption-related earthquakes were recorded by the seismic network during 18-22 May. White-and-gray emissions of variable densities rose as high as 1 km above the summit and drifted N, E, SE, and W. At 2021 and 2140 on 21 May dense gray ash plumes rose 600 m and 1 km above the summit, respectively, and drifted W. T

Lewotolok - Lembata Island : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Lewotolok was ongoing during 17-23 May. Almost daily white-and-gray ash plumes rose as high as 700 m above the summit and drifted in variable directions; only white gas-and-steam plumes were visible on 19 May. A nighttime webcam image of incandescent material being ejected above the summit was captured at 1844 on 17 May.

Merapi - Central Java : BPPTKG reported that the eruption at Merapi (on Java) continued during 12-18 May and seismicity remained at elevated levels. The SW lava dome produced 182 minor lava avalanches that traveled as far as 1.8 km down the SW flank (upstream in the Bebeng and Boyong drainages) and one that traveled 500 m NW (upstream of the Senowo River). Morphological changes to the SW lava dome due to continuing collapses of material were evident in webcam and drone images.

Nevado del Ruiz - Colombia : Servicio Geológico Colombiano’s (SGC) Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Manizales reported that the eruption at Nevado del Ruiz continued during 17-23 May and was characterized by periodic gas, steam, and ash emissions, thermal anomalies at the lava dome in Arenas Crater, and elevated seismicity. Seismic signals indicating rock-fracturing events were located 3-8 km around the Arenas Crater at depths of 1-6 km. The largest event, a M 2.1, was recorded at 0341 on 21 May and was located 2 km below the Arenas crater. Gas-and-ash emissions rose as high as 1.5 km above the crater and drifted multiple directions. A thermal anomaly was observed within the crater on 18 May.

Rincon de la Vieja - Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that small phreatic eruptions periodically occurred at Rincón de la Vieja during 16-23 May. Four small events occurred during 16-17 May; the last one, recorded at 1255 on 17 May, produced a gas-and-steam plume that rose 700 m above the crater rim. Sulfur dioxide emissions were almost as high as 5,000 tonnes per day on 17 May; emissions averaged around 132 tonnes per day during the previous week. Events were recorded at 1537 on 18 May and at 0727 and 1025 on 19 May. Vigorous gas emissions were visible in the early morning of 20 May and a phreatic event occurred at 1648 that same day. At 1349 a phreatic event generated a plume mostly comprised of steam that rose 1 km above the crater rim.

Sabancaya - Peru : Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported moderate levels of activity at Sabancaya during 15-21 May with a daily average of 37 explosions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 2.4 km above the summit and drifted NE, E, and SE. Eight thermal anomalies originating from the lava dome in the summit crater were identified in satellite data. Seismic sensors detected 232 volcanic activity-related earthquakes, in addition to volcano-tectonic earthquakes.

Sangay - Ecuador : IG reported a high level of activity at Sangay during 17-23 May, though weather clouds sometimes prevented visual observations. Incandescent material at the crater and along the lava flow extending 1 km down the SE flank was visible nightly. On 17 May steam-and-ash emissions rose 500 m above the summit and drifted SW. On 18 May an ash plume rose 1.7 km and drifted N and SW. At 2000 on 20 May ash plumes rose 2 km above the summit and drifted to the SW. Continuous ash emissions persisted during 21-22 May, drifting W and SW. Ashfall during 20-22 May was reported in Chauzan, Guamote, Tixán, Palmira, Cebadas, and Alausí cantons in the Province of Chimborazo.

Santa Maria - Southwestern Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that the eruption at Santa María’s Santiaguito lava-dome complex continued during 16-23 May. Effusion from the Caliente dome complex fed lava flows that descended the San Isidro and Zanjón Seco drainages on the W and SW flanks; the main lava flow was 4.3 km long and remained active. Avalanches of material from the growing dome and occasional explosions descended all sides of the dome and avalanches from the lava flow descended the S and SW flanks. Explosions generated gas, steam, and ash plumes that drifted S and SW on a few days. Incandescence from the dome and lava flows was visible during the nights and early mornings. An average of 40 explosions per day were recorded during 21-22 May, generating ash plumes that rose up to 1 km above the dome and drifted SW.

Semeru - Eastern Java : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 17-23 May and several Volcano Observatory Notices for Aviation (VONAs) describing ash emissions were issued during the week. Daily white-to-gray ash plumes that were sometimes dense rose 200-800 m above the summit and drifted in multiple directions. VONAs were issued as follows: 0501, 0646, and 0919 on 17 May; 0517 and 0822 on 18 May; 0547, 0911, and 0936 on 19 May; 0545, 0733, 0742, and 1054 on 20 May.

Semisopochnoi - Aleutian Islands (USA) : On 17 May AVO reported that eruptive activity at Semisopochnoi had declined during the previous week, though seismicity remained slightly elevated and low-level steaming continued from Mount Young. Ash emissions had last occurred on 5 May leaving minor deposits on the NW flank of Mount Young’s N crater. Intense gas emissions were periodically visible in webcam images during 17-18 and 20-21 May. On 22 May a weak sulfur dioxide signal was detected, suggestive of low-level degassing.

Sheveluch - Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that the eruption at Sheveluch was ongoing during 11-18 May. A thermal anomaly over the active crater and Karan lava dome area was identified in satellite images all week. Intense fumarolic activity at the active crater was likely associated with dome growth. Plumes of ash, originally deposited during the 10-13 April eruption and resuspended by strong winds, were visible in satellite images drifting 400 km SE during 14-15 May.

Suwanosejima - Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that the eruption at Suwanosejima's Ontake Crater continued during 15-22 May. Incandescence was visible nightly, and seismicity remained elevated during 15-19 May. On 16 May an ash plume rose 1.8 km above the crater rim and caused ashfall in Toshima village (3.5 km SSW). On 17 May, an ash plume rose to 1.1 km and drifted NW. Four eruptive events were observed during 21-23 May. On 21 May an eruptive event ejected volcanic blocks up to 200 m from the crater and produced an ash plume that rose 1.8 km above the crater and drifted E. On 22 May an ash plume rose to 1 km above the crater and drifted SE. Two eruptive events on 23 May generated ash plumes that rose 600 m above the crater and drifted SE and S.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.5 earthquake hits the Panama-Colombia border.

6.3 earthquake hits Kepulauan Babar, Indonesia.

5.0 earthquake hits Fiji.

5.0 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Typhoon 02W (Mawar) is located approximately 124 nm west-northwest of Navsta, Guam, is tracking west-northwestward at 07 knots.

NewsBytes:

Afghanistan - 6 people have dies and dozens of homes have been washed away by floods in parts of Afghanistan after heavy rains funnelled down mountain valleys into villages leaving behind major destruction.

Guam - Powerful Typhoon Mawar smashed the U.S. territory of Guam and continued lashing the Pacific island with high winds and heavy rain Thursday, knocking down trees, walls and power lines and creating a powerful storm surge that threatened to wash out low-lying areas. The typhoon, the strongest to hit the territory of roughly 150,000 people since 2002, briefly made landfall Wednesday night as a Category 4 storm at Andersen Air Force Base on the northern tip of the island with 150 mph winds.

Wildlife

'Mini kangaroos on steroids' make comeback in South Australia

Adorable marsupials that look like "mini kangaroos on steroids" are bouncing back in southern Australia after disappearing from the region for more than 100 years.

Brush-tailed bettongs (Bettongia penicillata), also known as yalgiri in the language of the local Narungga People, are energetic creatures that once hopped and darted across much of the Australian mainland. Over the last two centuries, their numbers have dwindled due to predation by foxes and feral cats, as well as habitat loss. Now only a few thousand survive in pockets of Western Australia, in sanctuaries and on islands. But recently, the mini marsupials have made a comeback in the south after being reintroduced by conservationists.

Disease

Dengue Fever - Brazil

The recent resurgence of serotype 3 of the dengue virus in Brazil – which has not caused epidemics in the country for over 15 years – has raised the alarm about the risk of a new epidemic of the disease caused by this virus serotype.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New Activity for the week of 17 May - 23 May 2023

Ahyi - Mariana Islands (USA) : The U.S. Geological Survey reported that unrest at Ahyi Seamount was again detected, after activity paused in early April. Signals consistent with eruptive activity were recorded by underwater pressure sensors on Wake Island, 2,270 km E, beginning at about 2210 on 21 May and were continuing. A plume of discolored sea water was observed above the area of the vent in a satellite image on 22 May.

Etna - Sicily (Italy) : Strong explosive eruptions were reported at Etna by INGV starting on 18 May after continuous degassing and moderate seismicity over the previous few days, with significant Strombolian activity and a paroxysmal event at SE Crater on 21 May. Views were often obscured by persistent weather cloud cover. Strombolian activity from SE Crater at 0456 on 18 May was seen in webcam images from the camera located at Montagnola. A seismic swarm in the summit area at 1644 was immediately followed by ground deformation recorded at the Punta Lucia and Pizzi Deneri summit stations. At 1656 weak intra-crater Strombolian activity at SE Crater was observed in images taken by the INGV thermal camera at La Montagnola (3 km S). Explosive activity from Bocca Nuova crater starting at 1700 was visible in thermal images from the Bronte (13 km WNW) webcam, concurrent with infrasonic signals. The activity likely persisted for a few hours based on satellite images; weather conditions prevented confirmation with webcams. Tremor fluctuated and by 0927 on 19 May levels had begun to decrease. Intermittent explosive activity persisted at SE Crater during 19-20 May, with pulsating gas emissions rising from the crater. A sharp increase in volcanic tremors at 0720 on 21 May was a precursor to significant tall lava fountaining during 0730-1140, with ash plumes that rose to 10 km and drifted SW, S, and SE. At 0937 INGV field personnel observed ash and lapilli fall on the SW flank and ashfall in Adrano at 560 m elevation. Lava flows from SE Crater descended the W part of the Valle del Bove as far as 1.9 km E and the S flank as far as 2 km. Satellite data showed a large sulfur dioxide plume drifting E. Weather clouds prevented views of the activity. Tremor levels sharply decreased starting at 1135 and had stabilized by 1200. Ashfall was also reported in Catania and Aci Castello. According to news reports the ashfall caused the Catania-Fontanarossa Airport in Sicily to close until 0900 on 22 May. The runway had been covered in ash and at least 68 flights to and from the airport were cancelled.

Karangetang - Sangihe Islands : PVMBG reported that activity at Karangetang had intensified in May, leading to a change in the Alert Level status. During 1-17 May white gas-and-steam plumes were sometimes dense and rose as high as 250 m above the summit, slightly higher than the 200 m maximum height noted in April. Incandescence at North Crater was visible at night 10-25 m above the lava dome. Incandescence also emanated from Main Crater though the glow was less intense, reaching about 10 m above the dome. Sounds of falling rocks at Main Crater were heard on 15 May, the seismic network recorded 32 rockfall events in the crater on 17 May, and rock avalanches on 18 May traveled as far as 1.5 km down the SW and S flanks accompanied by rumbling sounds. On 19 May the Alert Level was raised to 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the public was warned to stay 2.5 km away from the craters on the S and SW flanks and 1.5 km away on the other flanks. A webcam image from 2025 on 19 May showed incandescent material traveling down the flanks. On 21 May white gas-and-steam plumes rose 400 m above the summit.

Nyamulagira - DR Congo : The Observatoire Volcanologique de Goma (OVG) reported that lava continued to erupt from vents in Nyamulagira’s summit crater during 17-23 May. Lava flows began moving into the N and NW parts of the crater beginning on 9 May, towards the low point of the crater rim. Intense incandescence from the summit was visible from Goma (27 km S) during the evenings of 17 and 19 May. Satellite images showed a notable sulfur dioxide plume drifting NW and W during 19-20 May. Drone footage acquired on 20 May captured images of narrow lava flows traveling about 100 m down the W flank. Intense incandescence emanating from the summit was again visible from Goma at around 1830. Data from the Rumangabo seismic station indicated a downward trend in activity during 17-20 May and a significant decrease during 20-21 May. Though weather clouds were dense over the summit, hot lava on the NW flank was visible in a 22 May Sentinel-2 infrared (SWIR) image.

Popocatepetl - Mexico : CENAPRED reported that activity at Popocatépetl intensified during 16-23 May after recent activity characterized by the formation of small to medium lava domes on the summit crater floor and their subsequent destruction. There were 154-168 daily steam, gas, and ash emissions and minor-to-moderate explosions during 16-19 May. Periods of high-frequency tremor lasted more than 12 hours during 16-17 May and more than 10 hours during 17-18 May. Minor ashfall was reported on 18 May in the municipalities of Atlixco (25 km SE) and Cholula (35 km E), Puebla. Six volcano-tectonic earthquakes with magnitudes as high as 1.8 were recorded along with over 2 hours of high-frequency tremor on 19 May. Residents of Tétela del Volcán (18 km SW), Morelos, noted minor ashfall. According to the Washington VAAC ash plumes rose 6.7-7 km (22,000-23,000 ft) a.s.l., or 1.3-1.6 km above the summit, during 16-19 May. A period of high-frequency tremor that began at around 1800 on 19 May and lasted about 10 hours until about 0400 on 20 May was accompanied by steam, gas, and ash plumes that drifted NNW and continuous ejection of incandescent tephra onto the flanks as far as 1.5 km from the crater. On 20 May the Benito Juárez International Airport closed during about 0430-1000 and the Felipe Ángeles International Airport closed during 0600-1100 in order to clear ash from runways. Ash fell in multiple areas downwind including in the municipalities of Venustiano Carranza (66 km NW), Gustavo A. Madero (73 km NW), Azcapotzalco (78 km NW), Tlalpan (62 km NW), Iztapalapa (58 km NW), Amecameca (18 km NW), Ayapango (21 km NW), Ozumba (18 km W), Ecatzingo (15 km SW), Atlautla (16 km W), Valle de Chalco (44 km NW), La Paz (50 km NW), Chalco (38 km NW), Nezahualcóyotl (56 km NW), Temamatla (32 km NW), Tenango del Aire (29 km NW), Tlalmanalco (27 km NW), Juchitepec (28 km NW), Cocotitlán (34 km NW), and Tepetlixpa (21 km W). Ashfall in Puebla municipalities included Huejotzingo (28 km NE), Nealtican (21 km E), Chignahuapan (108 km NE), Puebla Capital (44 km E), San Martín Texmelucan (35 km NE), and San Felipe Teotlalcingo (26 km NE). Additional explosions were recorded at 1047, 1247, 1454, 2136, 2238, and 2253 on 20 May. Almost 19 hours of high-frequency tremor recorded during 20-21 May was accompanied by continuous emissions of steam, gas, and ash and occasional ejections of incandescent material short distances onto the flanks. The Washington VAAC reported that activity intensified at 1453 on 20 May as a large, dense ash plume was visible in webcam images. By 1551 the ash plume was visible in satellite images rising to 8.2 km (27,000 ft) a.s.l., or 2.8 km above the summit. By 2041 the dense ash plume had risen to 9.1 km (30,000 ft) a.s.l., or 3.7 km above the summit, and drifted ENE far over the Gulf of Mexico. The plume rose as high as 9.7 km (32,000 ft) a.s.l., or 4.3 km above the summit by 2136 and remained at that altitude at least through 0341 on 21 May as it fanned out to the NE and ENE. By 0951 on 21 May ash plumes were rising to 9.1 km and at 1436 plumes were reaching 8.5 km (28,000 ft) a.s.l., or 3.1 km above the summit. Satellite images showed a large dense ash plume drifting 388 km NE over the Bay of Campeche, but emissions were most dense within 65 km of the summit. Webcam images showed that continuing dense ash emissions. According to CENAPRED the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Popocatépetl Volcano announced on 21 May that the Alert Level was raised from Yellow, Phase 2, to Yellow, Phase 3, the highest of the three sub-phases based on the intensifying activity over the previous few days. The National Coordination of Civil Protection (CNPC) announced actions to be implemented by the state civil protection units including preparing evacuation routes and evacuation teams and shelters. Ashfall was reported in Puebla state, in the municipalities of San Andrés Cholula (36 km E), San Pedro Cholula (34 km E), Cuautlancingo (38 km E), Amozoc (61 km E), Puebla Capital (44 km E), Zacatlán (121 km NE), Tetela de Ocampo (121 km NE), and Chignahuapan (108 km NE). The Hermanos Serdán International Airport, in Puebla (30 km NE), closed at 2300 on 21 May until 0700 on 22 May according to Gobierno de Puebla. High-frequency tremor was almost constant for over 23 hours during 21-22 May. Steam, gas, and ash emissions were continuous with occasional ejections of incandescent material short distances onto the flanks. Explosions occurred at 1355 on 21 May and 0533 on 22 May. According to the Washington VAAC satellite images acquired at 0236, 0821, 1421, and 1936 revealed continuing ash emissions to 3.7 km above the summit, drifting E and ENE. An accompanying very large sulfur dioxide plume drifted as far as Cancun, 1,295 km E. Ashfall occurred in the municipalities of San Andrés Cholula (36 km E), San Pedro Cholula (34 km E), Cuautlancingo (38 km E), Amozoc (61 km E), Zacatlán (121 km NE), Tetela de Ocampo (121 km NE), San Nicolás de los Ranchos (15 km NE), Palmar de Bravo (115 km SE), Tepeaca (76 km E), in Izúcar de Matamoros (51 km S), Epatlán (51 km SE), Teopantlán (52 km SE), Tlapacoya (144 km NE), Huatlatlauca Chignahuapan (72 km SE), and in the Puebla capital, in the state of Puebla. Ash also fell in Juchitepec (28 km W), State of Mexico, Hueyapan (17 km SW), Locality of Xochitepec (municipality of Jolalpan) (68 km SW), in Morelos, and in the capital of the state of Tlaxcala (50 km NE). At 1651 on 22 May the Hermanos Serdán International Airport suspended operations due to ash on the runway. Tremor remained nearly continuous (more than 20 hours) during 22-23 May. Ongoing steam, gas, and ash emissions drifted NE, and occasional ejections of incandescent material short distances onto the flanks. Ash fell in the municipalities of Nealtican, Tianguismanalco, Atlixco, San Diego la Mesa, Huaquechula, and Atzizihuacán, State of Puebla. Ash plumes rose as high as 3.7 km above the summit and drifted E according to the Washington VAAC.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.6 earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.

5.2 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.

5.1 earthquake hits Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia.

5.1 earthquake hits New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.

5.0 earthquake hits New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.

5.0 earthquake hits south of Fiji.

5.0 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Typhoon 02W (Mawar) is located approximately 13 nm west-northwest of Andersen AFB, is tracking west-northwestward at 05 knots.

NewsBytes:

Spain - Andalusia, Murcia and Valencia were all on alert on Tuesday as heavy rainfall across southern Spain caused flash flooding and forced many schools to close. Classes were cancelled in more than 30 municipalities due to heavy rains on Tuesday, mainly in the areas of Murcia, Almería and Alicante. The conditions also forced the interruption of train services between Cartagena and Murcia. A record rainfall figure for the month of May, which hasn't been seen in a hundred years, was recorded in Ontinyent with 127.4 litres of rain per square metre falling in the last twelve hours.

Environment

Plastic Waste Creates Flood Risk

A devastating 2005 flood that killed 1,000 people in the Indian city of Mumbai was blamed on a tragically simple problem: plastic bags had blocked storm drains, stopping monsoon flood water from draining out of the city.

Now a new report, attempting to quantify this problem, estimates that 218 million of the world’s poorest people are at risk from more severe and frequent flooding caused by plastic waste. Researchers found that found that communities in Cameroon, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ghana, Bangladesh and Indonesia had experienced more severe flooding due to plastic waste blocking drainage systems in the last few years.

New York is Sinking

New York City is sinking—satellite data show that the metropolis is plunging 1 to 2 millimeters on average each year. Some of this is natural, such as residual effects of land settling after the last ice age, and some is caused by people withdrawing groundwater. But the immense weight of the Big Apple’s buildings is also playing a role, according to a study published this month in the journal Earth’s Future.

With the land slowly sinking, the threats already posed by rising sea levels and intense storms just get worse. The city’s 1,084,954 buildings weigh about 1.68 trillion pounds, the researchers estimated—almost double the weight of all of humanity combined. Depending on the underlying types of soil, bedrock and other factors, buildings have the potential to sink as much as 600 millimeters, or almost two feet.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.8 earthquake hits Tonga.

5.5 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.4 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.3 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits near the south coast of Honshu, Japan.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Super Typhoon 02W (Mawar) is located approximately 148 nm southeast of Andersen AFB, is tracking north-northwestward at 07 knots.

Wildlife

Rarest of rare

Residents of New South Wales, Australia, have spotted two extremely rare albino echidnas in the space of just two weeks. Echidnas are shy creatures, and even individuals without albinism are rarely seen in the wild. A local resident found one of the all-white, quill-covered creatures on a road in the Bathurst region, according to ABC News. He helped the echidna cross safely before reporting the sighting to local council officials,

Echidnas are one of two known mammals in the world (along with platypuses) whose females lay eggs but also produce milk. Short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) are common throughout temperate Australia and lowland New Guinea, while long-beaked echidnas (three living species belonging to the genus Zaglossus) only live in the highlands of New Guinea, according to the New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment.

Global loss of wildlife is ‘significantly more alarming’ than previously thought

The global loss of wildlife is “significantly more alarming” than previously thought, according to a new study that found almost half the planet’s species are experiencing rapid population declines. Humans have already wiped out huge numbers of species and pushed many more to the brink – with some scientists saying we are entering a “sixth mass extinction” event, this time driven by humans.

The main factor is the destruction of wild landscapes to make way for farms, towns, cities and roads, but climate change is also an important driver of species decline and is predicted to have an increasingly worse impact as the world warms.

The study’s authors analyzed more than 70,000 species across the globe – spanning mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects – to determine whether their populations have been growing, shrinking or remaining steady over time. They found 48% of these species are declining in population size, with fewer than 3% seeing increases, according to the study published Monday in the journal Biological Reviews.

Disease

Measles - Mauritania

The measles outbreak, which began in the last week of 2022 in Mauritania, has grown to 285 suspected cases of measles of which 186 cases were confirmed positive to date. In addition, three deaths have been reported.

Cholera - DR Congo

More than 70 cases of cholera were reported in the space of one week, from May 14 to 20, 2023, in the city of Bukavu (South Kivu).

Anthrax - Kenya

The World Health Organization reports on an anthrax outbreak in Muranga County in central Kenya. Since April 10, a total of 15 cases and three deaths (20% case fatality) have been reported. It is not disclosed how it was contracted.

Dengue and Chikungunya update - Brazil: Minas Gerais

Through May 15 this year, health officials in Minas Gerais state report 311,908 probable cases of dengue. Of this total, 149,091 cases were confirmed for the disease. There are 79 confirmed deaths from dengue in Minas Gerais and 118 deaths under investigation. To date, Brazil has reported 1.5 million total dengue fever cases, including 387 deaths, according to the Pan American Health Organization.

With regard to Chikungunya fever, 62,343 probable cases of the disease were registered, of which 29,343 were confirmed. So far, 18 deaths from Chikungunya have been confirmed in Minas Gerais and 17 are under investigation. Through May 6, Brazil has reported 124,270 total chikungunya cases, including 25 deaths.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: The remnants of Tropical cyclone 19s (Fabian), located approximately 321 nm southwest of Diego Garcia, is tracking southward at 01 knot.

In the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Typhoon 02W (Mawar) is located approximately 281 nm south-southeast of of Andersen AFB, is tracking north-northwestward at 06 knots.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.3 earthquake hits the Prince Edward Islands.

6.1 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.

5.6 earthquake hits offshore northern California.

5.5 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.4 earthquake hits eastern New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.

5.4 earthquake hits west of Macquarie Island.

5.1 earthquake hits the Banda Sea.

5.1 earthquake hits the Prince Edward Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits near the south coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.0 earthquake hits Myanmar.

5.0 earthquake hits Tonga.

Disease

Cholera - South Africa

The death toll of people who died from cholera during an outbreak in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, has risen to 12. On Sunday Gauteng MEC for health and wellness confirmed the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal after hundreds of people presented with gastrointestinal symptoms. The City of Tshwane has urged Hammanskraal residents not to drink tap water.

Measles - South Africa

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in South Africa, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) reports 1,004 confirmed measles cases from October 2022 through May 11, 2023. A measles outbreak has been declared in all the provinces in South Africa except for the Eastern Cape.

Dengue Fever - Argentina

The Argentina Ministry of Health reported that during the current dengue and other arboviruses season starting July 31, 2022 through May 14, 2023, 100,675 cases of dengue were registered in Argentina, of which 93,844 are autochthonous.

Dengue Fever - Sri Lanka

In a follow-up on the dengue fever outbreak in Sri Lanka, an elevated level of dengue fever activity has been reported nationwide in Sri Lanka. Since the beginning of 2023, the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) in Sri Lanka has reported 35,419 dengue cases, with approximately half from the Western Province.

Dengue Fever, Chikungunya - Paraguay

The epidemiological scenario of arboviral diseases in Paraguay reflects the consolidation of the gradual decline in chikungunya, after eight consecutive weeks with fewer cases than reported in Epidemiological Week 11, which was the last peak so far in 2023, with 6,721 confirmed.

On the other hand, a gradual increase in the number of dengue cases is identified. So far this year, there have been 3,928 accumulated cases of the disease nationwide. The highest proportion of those affected (54%) is located in Central, Boquerón and Asunción.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.6 earthquake hits Tonga.

5.4 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

Two 5.2 earthquakes hit southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

Two 5.1 earthquakes hit southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 19s (Fabian), located approximately 304 nm southwest of Diego Garcia, is tracking south-southwestward at 03 knots.

In the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm 02W (Mawar) is located approximately 5429 nm south-southeast of of Andersen AFB, is tracking north-northwestward at 09 knots.

NewsBytes:

DR Congo - Local authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo report that 5,000 people are still missing two weeks after torrential rains triggered floods and landslides in South Kivu province, destroying villages and farms, and killing more than 400 people.

Environment

Everest Becoming 'Dry and Rocky'

Mount Everest is losing snow and turning "dry and rocky," British climber Kenton Cool, who made his 17th ascent of the world’s highest peak this week, the most by a foreigner, said on Saturday. The 49-year-old Cool, who climbed the 8,849-meter (29,032 foot) peak for the first time in 2004, said the giant mountain appears to be drying now. "If you go back to early mid-2000s there used to be a lot of snow," he told Reuters in an interview in Kathmandu after returning from his record-setting expedition which was confirmed by Nepali and hiking officials this week.

Also this week, a 53-year-old Nepali guide, Kami Rita Sherpa, improved his own record of most summits after scaling Everest for the 27th time.

Climate scientists say the earth’s temperature has increased by an average of 0.74 degrees Celsius over the past 100 years, but warming across the Himalayas has been greater than the global averages. Officials have said the average temperature in Nepal was rising by 0.06 degrees Celsius annually, due in part to its location between China and India, two of the world’s heaviest polluters.

Disease

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever - Iraq

The Iraqi Ministry of Health reported Thursday that the number of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) cases has risen to 119 across the country, with the most cases in Dhi Qar governorate (35) and Basra (18). A total of 18 CCHF deaths have been recorded.

Cholera

UNICEF reported earlier this month: Cholera doesn’t know borders. Despite being preventable and easily treatable, children continue to suffer from the potentially fatal disease. After years of steady decline, cholera has made a devastating comeback. More than 1.1 billion people in 43 countries are at risk, with children under 5 especially vulnerable.

Researchers conservatively estimate that every year, there are as many as 4 million cholera cases globally and as many as 143,000 deaths. Young children, especially those under the age of 5, bear the brunt of the disease. Furthermore, malnourished children are more vulnerable to experiencing severe symptoms. Cholera is a preventable and easily treatable disease.

In 2022, 30 countries faced cholera outbreaks – an alarming 145 per cent average increase from the previous five-year average. Countries like Lebanon and Syrian Arab Republic reported cholera for the first time in decades, while others like Haiti have experienced a resurgence after more than three years with no reported cholera cases. As of May 2023, at least 24 countries continue to report cholera cases, and outbreaks are spreading across borders.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

7.2 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

6.5 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.6 earthquake hits the Gulf of Aden.

Three 5.4 earthquakes hit southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.3 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

Six 5.1 earthquakes hit southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

Four 5.0 earthquakes hit southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits Crete.

5.0 earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.0 earthquake hits the Drake Passage.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 19s (Fabian), located approximately 258 nm southwest of Diego Garcia, is tracking northwestward at 01 knot.

In the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Tropical Depression 02W (Two) is located approximately 543 nm south-southeast of of Andersen AFB, is tracking north-northwestward at 04 knots.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Alberta, Canada

Wildfires which continue to rage in Alberta and British Columbia have created a sense of panic and fear, and forced thousands of residents to evacuate from their homes. As of today, May 20, 2023, there are 100 active wildfires burning in Alberta. 25 of these fires are out of control. The wildfires have forced the evacuation of over 20,000 people and have destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes and businesses. The fires are also having a significant impact on the environment, with smoke from the fires blanketing much of Alberta and parts of the United States. The wildfires are being fuelled by hot, dry weather and strong winds. The weather is expected to remain hot and dry in the coming days, which could lead to further growth of the wildfires. Oil production of about 245 000 barrels a day has been shut down as the flames approached.

Wildfires - Spain

Emergency crews evacuated around 600 villagers in western Spain overnight as a wildfire blamed on arsonists ravaged up to 8,000 hectares (19,800 acres) near the border with Portugal, officials said. Strong winds were making it harder to control the blaze in the densely forested areas of Las Hurdes and Sierra de Gata in the Extremadura region, emergency services said on Friday. An unusually dry winter across parts of southern Europe coming after three years of below-average rainfall in Spain has raised the risk of wildfires.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

7.5 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.8 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

Two 5.5 earthquakes hit southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.4 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

Five 5.3 earthquakes hit southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.2 earthquake hits eastern New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.

Four 5.2 earthquakes hit southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits Tarapaca, Chile.

Three 5.1 earthquakes hit southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

Two 5.0 earthquakes hit southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits Crete.

5.0 earthquake hits the Philippine Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 19s (Fabian), located approximately 224 nm southwest of Diego Garcia, is tracking southwestward at 05 knots.

NewsBytes:

Bosnia and Herzegovina - Heavy rainfall and elevated river levels in the Una and Sana basins have resulted in widespread flooding across various regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina over the last few days. According to reports from the Red Cross, approximately 10,000 individuals have been affected by the flooding, with 10 people displaced and 10 others sustaining injuries. More than 500 homes have been flooded.

Somalia - The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that over 460,000 people have been affected by devastating floods in Somalia since March this year. Most recently thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge from the rising waters of the Shabelle River in Hirshabelle State. In a report released on 14 May, OCHA revealed that the floods, which persisted from March to May, had ravaged shelters, latrines, farmland, and livestock. The education of thousands of children has suffered, with school buildings sustaining damage causing temporary closures. Preliminary estimates indicate that 460,470 people have been affected across the country, out of which nearly 219,000 have been displaced from their homes.

Italy - Older and disabled people were trapped in their homes as rescuers worked under pounding rain throughout the night to save people in the most catastrophic flooding to affect Italy in 100 years. The floods in the northern Emilia-Romagna region have claimed 13 lives as of Thursday evening. An estimated 20,000 have been left homeless in a disaster that caused 23 rivers to burst their banks and 280 landslides, engulfing 41 cities and towns. Roads remained blocked, including the A1, after a landslide in Sasso Marconi on Thursday afternoon, and trains were cancelled or disrupted.

Environment

European Countries Set Wind and Solar Records

Solar and wind produced more than half of Portugal’s electricity for the first time last month, according to new data from clean energy think tank Ember. April saw the renewables reach 51 per cent of electricity production - beating the previous monthly record of 49 per cent in December 2021. Strong solar deployment, electricity imports from Spain and lower demand kept energy generated by fossil fuels to just 24 per cent - despite a drought-driven dip in hydropower.

Locusts in Afghanistan

Northern Afghanistan’s breadbasket is being carpeted by a new generation of Moroccan locusts, which the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says could ravage the region’s crops should they mature. Villagers and farmers have been collecting the young “hoppers” and killing them before they can fly and swarm across the land.

“You kill millions of locusts that way. The problem is there are billions of locusts,” said FAO representative Richard Trenchard. An invasion of Moroccan locust in 1981 wiped about a quarter of Afghanistan’s national harvest.

Urban Cloud Formation

New analysis of satellite data reveals that clouds form more often above cities and their suburbs than in surrounding rural landscapes, especially at night and during summer. Writing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researcher say they found that skies above urban areas, regardless of their size, saw 3% to 6% more cloud cover than in the countryside.

They believe that since summer nights and temperatures, in general, are warmer in cities due to the urban heat island effect, that warmth pulls up moisture from the landscape, creating the clouds. The effect disappears or is lessened during winter.

Wildlife

Seals make Comeback in Belgium

Seals are becoming an increasingly common sight on Belgium’s beaches. At the end of last century, there were almost none of these marine mammals left on the country’s coast.

But their numbers have been on the rise over the last 20 years, according to the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. Seals aren’t easy to count, but they estimate there are now between 100 and 200 individuals from two species: grey seals and harbour seals.

Global Warming

Climate change is drying out lakes

Water loss in large lakes around the world was more widespread during the past three decades than previously thought, according to a study of nearly 2,000 such lakes published in the journal Science on Thursday. A warming climate and human water consumption drove at least half of the decline in natural lakes, the study found. Reservoirs, or artificial lakes, also showed substantial drops.

The drying of lakes and reservoirs around the world is increasingly stressing water supplies for drinking and agriculture, endangering habitats for plants and fish, reducing the capacity to generate hydropower, and threatening marine recreation and tourism.

The study found that 53 percent of the world’s largest lakes experienced significant declines from 1992 to 2020, with a global decline of 19 to 24 gigatons per year (a gigaton is a billion metric tons), equivalent to the total amount of water used in the United States in one year. The decline was found in both arid regions prone to drought and humid regions prone to heavy rainfall, both of which are expected to become more frequent and intense in a warming world.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 117.0 degrees Fahrenheit (47 degrees Celsius) in Nawabshah, Pakistan.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 110.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 79 degrees Celsius) at Vostok, Antarctica.

Temperatures were tabulated from the more than 10,000 worldwide synoptic weather stations. The United Nations World Meteorological Organization sets the standards for weather observations, and provides a global telecommunications circuit for data distribution.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 10 May - 16 May 2023

Aira - Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported ongoing activity at both Minamidake Crater and Showa Crater (Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 8-15 May. Crater incandescence was observed nightly at Minamidake Crater. On 8 May sulfur dioxide emissions were extremely high at 3,900 tons per day. At 1315 on 9 May an explosion at Minamidake generated an ash plume that rose 1.2 km above the crater rim and drifted SW, and ejected blocks 1.1 km from the vent. Eruptive events at 1527, 1724, and 1817 on 11 May produced ash plumes that rose as high as 1.3 km and drifted NW and W. At Showa Crater eruptive events recorded at 1009, 1303, and 1401 on 8 May, at 0550, 0726, 2204, and 2321 on 11 May, at 1831 on 12 May, and at 0859 on 14 May produced ash plumes that rose as high as 1.7 km above the crater rim and drifted in multiple directions. Sulfur dioxide emissions were somewhat high on 12 May, averaging 1,800 tons per day.

Bezymianny - Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that activity at Bezymianny was generally characterized by gas-and-steam emissions, incandescence at the lava dome, and hot avalanches from the lava dome during 4-11 May. A daily thermal anomaly was identified daily in satellite images.

Cotopaxi - Ecuador : IG reported that moderate eruptive activity continued at Cotopaxi during 9-16 May. Daily seismic activity was characterized by long-period earthquakes and tremors indicating emissions; a few volcano-tectonic earthquakes were recorded during the week. Emissions of steam, gas, and variable amounts of ash were observed on most days. During 9-10 May plumes with moderate amounts of ash rose 2-3 km above the crater rim and drifted SW, N, and NE. Ashfall was reported in areas to the SW, including San Joaquín and San Agustín de Callo. On 11 May gas-and-steam plumes rose 700 m above the summit and drifted to the E and SE. Emissions with moderate ash content on 12 May rose 1-2 km above the crater rim and drifted to the SE; later that day ash plumes rose 700 m. On 13 May steam-and-gas emissions with low or no ash content rose 900 m above the summit and drifted S, and gas-and-ash plumes rose 800 m and drifted SE. On 15 May steam-and-ash plumes rose 400 m and drifted W and SW. Weather clouds often prevented views during 14-16 May.

Dukono - Halmahera : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Dukono was ongoing during 10-15 May. Daily dense white-and-gray ash plumes rose as high as 700 m above the summit and drifted E and N.

Ebeko - Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that moderate activity at Ebeko was ongoing during 4-11 May. According to volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island, about 7 km E) explosions during 4, 6-7, and 9-10 May generated ash plumes that rose as high as 4 km (13,100 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images on 9 May.

Etna - Sicily (Italy) : INGV reported that an explosion at Etna’s SE Crater occurred at 0839 on 14 May and produced an ash emission that rapidly dispersed around the summit area. No significant variations in the seismic data were associated with the explosion.

Great Sitkin - Andreanof Islands (USA) : AVO reported that lava likely continued to erupt at the summit of Great Sitkin during 9-16 May. Satellite data acquired on 11 May showed that the thick lava continued to expand towards the E but remained confined to the summit crater. Seismicity was low. Nothing significant was seen in satellite and webcam images during most of the week due to persistent weather clouds obscuring views.

Krakatau - Sunda Strait : During 10-13 May PVMBG reported that white-and-gray and white-and-brown ash plumes generally rose as high as 200 m above Anak Krakatau’s summit and drifted SW and NW, though a few Volcano Observatory Notices for Aviation (VONAs) described higher plumes. At 1241 on 11 May a gray ash plume rose 1 km above summit and drifted SW. At 0920 on 12 May a dense gray ash plume rose 2.5 km and drifted SW. At 2320 a dense gray ash plume rose 1.5 km and drifted SW. An accompanying webcam image showed incandescent material being ejected above the vent. At 0710 on 13 May a dense gray ash plume rose 2 km and drifted SW.

Lewotolok - Lembata Island : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Lewotolok was ongoing during 9-16 May. Almost daily white-and-gray ash plumes generally rose as high as 500 m above the summit and drifted in variable directions. At 0632 on 11 May a white-to-gray ash plume rose 500 m and drifted SW. At 0645 and 0957 on 11 May white-to-gray ash plumes rose 400-600 m and drifted E and SE, respectively. Nighttime webcam images of incandescent material being ejected above the summit were posted in daily reports during 10-13 May.

Merapi - Central Java : BPPTKG reported that the eruption at Merapi (on Java) continued during 5-11 May and seismicity remained at elevated levels. The SW lava dome produced 106 lava avalanches that traveled as far as 1.8 km down the SW flank (upstream in the Bebeng drainages). Morphological changes to the SW lava dome due to continuing collapses of material were evident in webcam images.

Nyamulagira - DR Congo : The Observatoire Volcanologique de Goma (OVG) reported that the lava lake in Nyamulagira’s summit crater continued to be active during 30 April-6 May. A Sentinel satellite image from 7 May showed active lava flows traveling towards the NW part of the crater. Another image on 12 May showed active flows along the NE margin of the dark and cooler 7 May flows. Weather clouds and possible volcanic emissions obscured parts of the crater.

Popocatepetl - Mexico : CENAPRED reported that there were 127-281 daily steam, gas, and ash emissions and minor-to-moderate explosions recorded at Popocatépetl during 9-16 May. Plumes mostly drifted SE, ESE, and ENE. On 9 May minor explosions were recorded at 1141, 2009, and 2310, and on 10 May moderate explosions were recorded at 0152 and 0316. Ashfall was reported in Tlalmanalco (30 km NW) and Tetela del Volcán (20 km SW) in Morelos during 9-10 May. On 11 May minor explosions were recorded at 0135, 0215, and 1621, while moderate explosions were recorded at 0526, 0811, 0838, 1601, and 1646. Minor explosions occurred at 1318 and 1452 on 12 May. On 13 May minor explosions occurred at 0012, 0805, and 2146, and a moderate explosion occurred at 1012. Ashfall was reported in the municipalities of Nealtican (20 km E), Huejotzingo (21 km E), and Domingo Arenas (20 km NE). On 14 May minor explosions were recorded at 0605, 0711, 0831, 1413, 1439, and 2312; moderate explosions were recorded at 1253, 1444, 1608, and 1941. On 15 May the network detected minor explosions at 0033 and 0051, and moderate explosions at 0352, 0512, 0617, 0852, 1051, 1232, and 1613. Minor amounts of ash fell in the municipalities of Puebla (43 km E) and Atlixco (24 km SE) and moderate amounts fell in municipalities near the volcano to the S. Weather clouds prevented views on 16 May. According to the Washington VAAC daily ash plumes were identified in satellite images rising 6.1-7.3 km (20,000-24,000 ft) a.s.l. (0.7-1.9 km above the crater rim) and drifting E and SE.

Reventador - Ecuador : IG reported that the eruption at Reventador was ongoing during 10-16 May. Seismicity was characterized by explosions, long-period earthquakes, harmonic tremors, and emission-related tremors. Steam, gas, and ash plumes were observed in some webcam images, though weather conditions occasionally obscured views. Ash emissions on 12 May rose 500 m above the crater rim and drifted N. On 14 May a steam-and-ash plume rose 250 m and drifted NE. On 16 May an ash plume rose as high as 1 km above the crater and drifted W and SW. Incandescence at the crater was visible at night during 10-12 and 16 May, and incandescent blocks rolled 200-700 m down the flanks.

Rincon de la Vieja - Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that periodic phreatic eruptions occurred at Rincón de la Vieja during 9-16 May. Phreatic events recorded at 1945 on 9 May, at 1419 on 10 May, and at 1100 on 11 May produced plumes that rose less than 1.5 km above the crater rim. Additional phreatic activity were recorded at 2232 on 11 May, and at both 2332 and 2338 on 12 May, though it was not known if emissions were generated. A short-lived explosive event at 0258 on 14 May ejected material onto the N flank and caused lahars to descend the Penjamo, Azul, and Azufrado rivers. Phreatic events at 1155 and 1748 that same day produced emissions that rose 500 m and 1.5 km above the crater rim, respectively. Gas emissions were occasionally visible during 15-16 May.

Sangay - Ecuador : IG reported a high level of activity at Sangay during 9-16 May, though weather clouds prevented visual observations during most of the week. Ash plumes rose 500 m and drifted SW on 9 May. A webcam image from 1833 on 14 May showed lava flowing 500 m down the SE flank.

Santa Maria - Southwestern Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that the eruption at Santa María’s Santiaguito lava-dome complex continued during 10-16 May. Effusion from the Caliente dome complex fed lava flows that descended the San Isidro and Zanjón Seco drainages on the W and SW flanks; the main lava flow was 4.3 km long and remained active. Daily weak-to-moderate explosions generated gas, steam, and ash plumes that generally rose up to 800 m above the crater and drifted SE, S, SW, and W. Explosions were sometimes accompanied by block-and-ash flows that descended multiple flanks of the dome. Incandescence from the dome and lava flows was visible during the nights and early mornings. An average of 40 explosions per day were recorded during 9-10 and 13-14 May, generating ash plumes that rose up to 1 km above the dome and drifted S and SW. Ashfall was reported in Fincas El Patrocinio, El Faro (7 km S), Las Marías (10 km S), and others nearby on 10 May.

Semeru - Eastern Java : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 10-16 May and a few Volcano Observatory Notices for Aviation (VONAs) describing ash emissions were issued during the week. White-to-gray ash plumes that were sometimes dense rose 500-700 m above the summit and drifted S, SW, W, and N at 1115 on 10 May, at 0725 and 0830 on 12 May, at 0858, 1010, and 1241 on 13 May, at 0523 and 1656 on 14 May, and at 0757 on 16 May.

Semisopochnoi - Aleutian Islands (USA) : AVO reported that low-level unrest continued at Semisopochnoi during 9-16 May. Weather clouds mostly obscured satellite and webcam views. Volcanic tremor was detected during 9-10 May; there was no evidence of explosive or earthquake activity in the geophysics data during the rest of the week.

Sheveluch - Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that the ongoing eruption at Sheveluch was generally characterized by occasional explosions, continuing lava-dome growth, incandescence, and strong fumarolic activity during 4-11 May. A thermal anomaly over the active crater and Karan lava dome area was identified in satellite images all week. Intense fumarolic activity was likely associated with dome growth. During 8-9 May ash from pyroclastic flow deposits on the SE flank were resuspended by winds and blown 60 km W based on satellite images.

St. Helens - Washington : USGS reported that at 2045 on 14 May a debris flow in Mount St. Helens' South Coldwater Creek destroyed a Highway SR 504 bridge, cutting off access and power to Johnston Ridge Observatory. While the loss of power interrupted a major telemetry hub, other stations remined operational and continued to provide data; the debris flow was recorded in seismic data from nearby stations. The source material in the flow originated from the climactic 1980 debris avalanche and eruption of Mount St. Helens. According to a news article at least 11 people had to spend the night at the Johnston Ridge Observatory and were airlifted out the next day. Officials noted that the highway will be closed for an indefinite amount of time.

Stromboli - Aeolian Islands (Italy) : INGV reported ongoing Strombolian activity at Stromboli during 8-14 May. Activity was centered at two vents (one each at craters N1 and N2) in Area N, within the upper part of the Sciara del Fuoco, and from three vents in the Area C-S (South-Central Crater area) in the crater terrace area. Explosions at the N1 and N2 craters in Area N were low intensity and ejected coarse material (bombs and lapilli), sometimes mixed with ash at N1, as high as 80 m at a rate of 4-9 explosions per hour. Medium- to high-intensity explosions at the two vents in sector S2 (Area C-S) ejected ash sometimes mixed with coarse material at an average rate of 5-8 explosions per hour. Low-intensity gas explosions occurred at S1 in Area C-S. No significant activity was identified in Sector C in Area C-S.

Suwanosejima - Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that the eruption at Suwanosejima's Ontake Crater continued during 8-15 May and crater incandescence was reported nightly. Explosions recorded at 0701, 1200, and 2330 on 8 May produced ash plumes that rose as high as 1 km above the crater rim and mainly drifted SE. Explosions were also recorded at 1358 and 1648, though characteristics of associated emissions were unknown. Eruptive events at 2001 on 8 May, 1753 on 9 May, 0405, 0647, and 1236 on 11 May, and 1919 on 13 May generated ash plumes that rose as high as 1.3 km and generally drifted S, SW, and N.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.2 earthquake hits Guatemala.

5.0 earthquake hits Svalbard.

5.0 earthquake hits eastern New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 19s (Fabian), located approximately 125 nm south-southwest of Diego Garcia, is tracking west-southwestward at 06 knots.

NewsBytes:

El Niño - NASA has identified early signs of El Niño from space, after one of its satellites spotted warm water in the Pacific Ocean moving eastward toward the west coast of South America in March and April.

Disease

Rabies - Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee said that statistics over the past 5 years across the country show that rabies has killed 410 people, over 2.7 million people have to receive preventive treatment, affecting public health, cause great economic loss. Currently, the risk of rabies continues to occur and cause very high mortality in humans.

Swine Fever - Philippines

Officials in Negros Occidental province reports that more than 2,000 heads of swine have died of hog cholera, or classical swine fever in the province since last month.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New Activity for the week of 10 May - 16 May 2023

Fuego - South-Central Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that a range of 1-7 weak explosions per hour were recorded at Fuego during 10-16 May. The explosions generated ash plumes that rose to a maximum height of 850 m above the crater and drifted up to 12 km E, SE, S, and SW. Occasional weak avalanches of material were visible near the crater. During 9-10 May wind entrained loose ash that was deposited along the Ceniza, Las Lajas, and Seca drainages. On 12 May a minor lahar descended the Ceniza drainage, carrying branches, tree trunks, and volcanic blocks up to 1.5 m in diameter. Minor incandescent over the crater was visible overnight during 12-13 and 15-16 May. Wind entrained ash deposits during 15-16 May causing localized “curtains” of ash.

Kita-Ioto - Volcano Islands : Japan Coast Guard reported that a small area of bluish-white discolored water above Funka Asane, a submarine vent 4-5 km NW of Kita-Ioto, was visible on 11 May. This was the first time discolored water was seen over the vent in about two years.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.0 earthquake hits New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.

5.0 earthquake hits San Luis Potosí, Mexico.

5.0 earthquake hits the Kazakhstan-Xinjiang border.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 19s (Fabian), located approximately 118 nm south-southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking westward at 05 knots.

NewsBytes:

Italy - In an update statement of 17 May, the regional government of Emilia-Romagna reported 8 people have now died as a result of floods and landlsides in the region since 16 may. Six fatalities occurred in the province of Forlì-Cesena, one in the province of Ravenna and another in the Bologna area. Several people are still thought to be missing and thousands have evacuated their homes. Over twenty rivers and streams have broken their banks, causing flooding in 37 municipalities. Authorities reported 250 landslides, including 120 severe landslides, in 48 municipalities.

Further heavy rain fell in the region from 15 May 2023, increasing river levels and triggering landslides. Italy’s fire and rescue service, Vigili del Fuoco, said 500 firefighters were working in the affected areas of Ravenna, Forlì-Cesena, Rimini and Bologna Provinces. The Savio River in Cesena broke its banks, flooding wide areas of the city. Vigili del Fuoco said people were stranded on the roofs of buildings due to the high water levels. Rescue operations were carried out using boats and helicopters.

Environment

Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon Falls

Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell by 68 per cent last month compared to April 2022. This is the first significant drop since President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office at the start of this year.

Lula, as the left-leaning President is known, campaigned on transforming Brazil into a ‘green superpower’. One of his promises was to combat illegal deforestation, which rose to a 15-year high under former right wing President Jair Bolsonaro. Deforestation typically shoots up between July and September, meaning it is too early to determine if this downwards trend will continue.

President Lula has committed to ending all illegal logging by 2030. A Bolsonaro measure that encouraged illegal mining on protected Indigenous lands has been revoked, and a military campaign has been launched to eject illegal miners. Some Indigenous territories have been demarcated.

Yet several major infrastructure projects in the Amazon threaten to derail this progress. These include the major Ferrograo railway project to transport grains, and the restoration of an abandoned highway that runs through protected parts of the rainforest. The renewal of a licence for the huge Belo Monte hydroelectric dam and a potential licence for an oil drilling project near the mouth of the Amazon River are also being considered by Ibama.

Wildlife

Bird Flu - Brazil

The detection of the first cases of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus – H5N1 in three wild birds on the coast of Espírito Santo, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock however, maintains that Brazil retains its status as a country free of HPAI.

Chlamydia is killing Australia's koalas

Conservationists in Australia have begun vaccinating wild koalas against a highly contagious and deadly form of chlamydia. In recent decades, the marsupials have been plagued with a destructive strain of chlamydia, which belongs to a closely related species of the sexually-transmitted disease in humans.

In koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), chlamydia causes gastrointestinal problems, urinary tract infections and conjunctivitis that eventually leads to blindness, according to Wildlife Health Australia(opens in new tab). Blind and sick koalas are unable to climb trees to eat or escape predators and can die as a result. The disease can also cause infertility in females due to large cysts growing in their ovaries, which has massively decreased koala birth rates.

In an ongoing trial, researchers are catching and vaccinating wild koalas in New South Wales, AP News reported. The percentage of infected koalas in the state has jumped from an estimated 10% in 2008 to a likely 80% today. As a result, the species was listed as endangered in New South Wales(opens in new tab) in early 2022.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 earthquake hits the Jan Mayan Island region.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 19s (Fabian), located approximately 180 nm east of Diego Garcia, is tracking southwestward at 08 knots.

NewsBytes:

Ethiopia - The United Nations reports that continued flooding in Ethiopia has caused widespread destruction and displacement in the regions of Somali, Oromia, SNNP (Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples’), South West and Afar. Over 90 fatalities have lost their lives. Flooding has worsened since April, causing significant damage and displacements. According to the latest UN report, around 190,000 households have been affected by flooding across the country, with over 200,000 people forced to leave their homes. The flooding has deepened the vulnerability of populations whose resilience is already highly affected by the impact of a prolonged drought since 2020 as the areas most affected by flooding and drought overlap.

Myanmar, Bangladesh and India - Since 13 May, the affected areas, including Rakhine, Chin, Magway, and Mandalay in Myanmar, Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, and the states of Mizoram, Tripura, and Manipur in India, have experienced heavy rainfall and strong winds. Additionally, coastal areas have been hit by storm surges. Before Mocha made landfall, storm surge with a height of 3 to 3.5 metres was predicted to inundate low-lying areas of north Myanmar and adjoining Southeast Bangladesh coasts, areas highly prone to flooding and home to thousands of refugees living in precarious conditions.

Croatia - Rescue teams and hundreds of soldiers were deployed Monday to help people in parts of Croatia hit by floods. Heavy rain in recent days caused some rivers to overflow their banks, flooding homes, roads and public buildings in some towns. Classes in the town of Obrovac were canceled after water got into in the schools there. Parts of the town were left without electricity, and water covered the center of Obrovac. In nearby Gracac, about a dozen people had to move to upper floors or evacuate their homes to avoid surging water.

South Africa - More than 1,000 residents of Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape Province were evacuated to places of safety across the metro yesterday due to heavy rains that resulted in flooding in certain areas. Disaster management officials have been dispatched to affected areas to rescue the situation. Affected areas include KwaZakhele, New Brighton and Walmer. Residents are blaming the municipality for a poor drainage system and not being fully prepared to handle such events.

Disease

Dengue Fever - Argentina

From July 31, 2022 to May 6, 2023, the Argentina Ministry of Health reported 93,694 total cases of dengue, of which 87,405 are autochthonous, or locally acquired.

Monkeypox - Japan

Japan health officials reported eight additional monkeypox, or mpox cases from May 1, 2023 to May 7, 2023, bringing the country total to 135. The latest cases include seven from Tokyo and one from Kanagawa Prefecture.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.

5.1 earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.

5.1 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

5.1 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits Jujuy, Argentina.

5.0 earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 19s (Fabian), located approximately 370 nm east-northeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking west-southwestward at 10 knots.

NewsBytes:

Somalia - Flash flooding in central Somalia has killed 22 people and affected over 450,000, the UN's humanitarian agency OCHA said Sunday, after the Shabelle River burst its banks, forcing tens of thousands out of their homes. Heavy rainfall earlier in the week sent water gushing into homes in Beledweyne town in Hiran region, submerging roads and buildings as residents grabbed their belongings and waded through flooded streets in search of refuge.

Myanmar - Storm surges whipped up by a powerful cyclone moving inland from the Bay of Bengal inundated the Myanmar port city of Sittwe on Saturday, but largely spared a densely-populated cluster of refugee camps in low-lying neighbouring Bangladesh. Some 400,000 people were evacuated in Myanmar and Bangladesh ahead of Cyclone Mocha making landfall, as authorities and aid agencies scrambled to avert heavy casualties from one of the strongest storms to hit the region in recent years.

Disease

Cholera - Zimbabwe

Government officials in Zimbabwe report cholera cases are on the rise, Since the first cholera case was recorded in February in the town of Chegutu in northwest Zimbabwe, 834 cases had been recorded from the country’s 10 provinces. The capital Harare is one of the cholera hotspots. Government has attributed the outbreak to poor sanitation and contaminated water.

Dengue Fever

Brazil - The Ministry of Health in Brazil reports more than 201,000 dengue diagnoses in São Paulo from January through April this year, a 13 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022. Nationally in 2023, until the end of April, there was a 30% increase in the number of probable cases of dengue compared to 2022.

Sri Lanka - The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) in Sri Lanka reports a total of 33,656 dengue cases, including 20 deaths since the beginning of the year. This includes about 4,000 cases reported during the first two week of this month, raising grave concerns of a potential epidemic.

Colombia - The Colombia Instituto Nacional de Salud reports 32,206 total dengue cases through April 29 this year. The national incidence for dengue is 90.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.6 earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.

5.5 earthquake hits the Fox Islands in the Aleutian Islands.

Two 5.4 earthquakes hit the Izu Islands off Japan.

5.2 earthquake hits the Philippine Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits the Banda Sea.

5.1 earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.

5.1 earthquake hits. The State of Yap, Micronesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In. The North Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone 01b (Mocha), located approximately 155 nm south-southeast of Chittagong, Bangladesh, is tracking northeastward at 14 knots.

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 19s (Fabian), located approximately 598 nm east-northeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking west-southwestward at 11 knots.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Alberta, Canada (Update)

As of today, May 14, 2023, there are 83 active wildfires burning in Alberta. 21 of these fires are out of control. The wildfires have forced the evacuation of over 16,500 people and have destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes and businesses. The fires are also having a significant impact on the environment, with smoke from the fires blanketing much of Alberta and parts of the United States.

The wildfires are being fueled by hot, dry weather and strong winds. The weather is expected to remain hot and dry in the coming days, which could lead to further growth of the wildfires.

Disease

Respiratory syncytial virus - Paraguay

Currently, the number of people affected by respiratory symptoms, mainly by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), is increasing, according to the Paraguay Ministry of Health. Through Epi Week 17, 154 RSV cases have been reported within Sentinel Surveillance.

Rat Hepatitis to Human Transmission - Hong Kong

Hong Kong health officials report investigating a case of human infection of rat Hepatitis E virus (HEV). The case involves a 32-year-old man with underlying illnesses. He was found to have a abnormal liver function during his follow-up in Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The patient is now in stable condition.

Zika virus - Singapore

The Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA) have confirmed three local cases of Zika virus infection. All three cases either reside or work in the Kovan area. Two are currently recovering at home while one is hospitalized and is stable. None of the three cases is pregnant.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 earthquake hits south of Fiji.

5.2 earthquake hits northern California.

5.1 earthquake hits Guam.

5.1 earthquake hits the Ryukyu Islands, Japan.

5.0 earthquake hits Leyte, Philippines.

5.0 earthquake hits offshore Bio-Bio, Chile.