Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.1 Earthquake hits Fiji.

5.9 Earthquake hits near the north coast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.

5.4 Earthquake hits Fiji.

5.2 Earthquake hits south of Fiji.

5.2 Earthquake hits Mindoro in the Philippines.

5.1 Earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Mariana Islands.

5.1 Earthquake hits Taiwan.

5.0 Earthquake hits west of MacQuarie Island.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Philippines.

5.0 Earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical cyclone 04s (Kate), located approximately 680 nm southwest of Cocos Island, Australia, and is tracking southwestward at 09 knots.

Tropical depression 23w (Jangmi), is located approximately 116 nm north of Zamboanga, Philippines, and is tracking southward at 06 knots.

Philippine officials say the death toll has risen to 53 from Tropical Storm Jangmi, which caused landslides and floods in the central and southern parts of the country. Most of the deaths occurred Tuesday as the storm moved away from southern Mindanao Island, where a day earlier its heavy rains closed highways and bridges.

Many local residents and authorities were caught off guard by the massive landslides that buried houses and vehicles under rocks and mud. Officials say dozens of homes were destroyed.

Disease

Bat-Filled Tree May Have Been Source of Current Ebola Outbreak

In the small village of Meliandou, in Guinea, there stood a tall, hollowed-out tree where children loved to play. But thousands of bats lived in the tree, and one toddler — a 2-year-old named Emile Ouamouno — may have contracted Ebola from playing there.

Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – China

On 27 December 2014, the Department of Health, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region confirmed a human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.

Flu deaths are at epidemic threshold - USA

We have passed an epidemic threshold of flu and pneumonia deaths in the U.S. this season, according to the Centres for Disease Control.

As of Dec. 20, 15 children in nine states had died of flu and pneumonia, and it is widespread in 36 states, said the CDC. The proportion of deaths from the disease was at the epidemic threshold, with 6.8 percent of deaths in 122 cities attributed to flu and pneumonia, said the CDC.

The U.S. experiences epidemics of seasonal flu each year, and so far, "what we are seeing is a typical pattern for the flu season," said CDC spokeswoman Darlene Foote. The current outbreak has shown a rise in influenza-like illness over baseline levels for the past five weeks. That was followed by a rise in detection of cases, then hospitalizations, and now an increase in flu-related deaths.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.7 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.2 Earthquake hits southern Iran.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.

5.0 Earthquake hits Fiji.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical cyclone 04s (Kate), located approximately 555 nm southwest of Cocos Island, Australia, and is tracking south-southwestward at 10 knots.

Tropical depression 23w (Jangmi), is located approximately 95 nm east-northeast of Puerto Princesa, Philippines, and is tracking west-southwestward at 08 knots.

Tropical storm Jangmi (known locally as Seniang) has claimed the lives of at least three people and left one missing in Mindanao, Philippines. Jangmi hit Surigao del Sur province on northern Mindanao in the early hours of Monday morning GMT. The storm, with winds of up to 80 kilometres per hour, hit the southern island of Mindanao, then crossed to the central islands. According to the Manila Airport Authority, Jangmi forced the cancellation of 32 domestic flights.

NewsBytes:

Malaysia Update - The severe flooding in Malaysia and Thailand has now killed at least 24 people and forced the evacuation of more than 200,000.

Sumatra, Indonesia - Heavy downpours in the last several days have triggered floods, engulfing the Trans-Sumatra highway in North Sumatra and villages on the border of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and Timor Leste. In East Nusa Tenggara, three villages in West Malaka district, Malaka regency, were engulfed by floods as a result of the bursting Benanain River.

Disease

Ebola outbreak: Scotland confirms its 1st case

A health-care worker returning from Sierra Leone has been diagnosed with Ebola and is receiving treatment in Glasgow, the Scottish government confirmed on Monday.

In a news release, the government said that "the risk to others is considered extremely low" because the patient was diagnosed in the very early stages of the illness. Officials are investigating everyone who possibly had contact with the patient and will monitor those deemed to be at risk.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Etna (Sicily, Italy): Yesterday evening a new paroxysm occurred on Etna (last was on December 2nd, 2013). Seismic tremor started to rise steeply about 16:00 (local time) followed by a strong seismo-volcanic event occurred at 16:50 (local time). The brief but intense eruption was characterized by lava fountains and lava flows but bad visibility prevented to observe which craters were involved. Occasional views especially from the NE side permitted to see several fronts of lava flows descending the western slope into the Valle del Bove . The fountaining generated a column of gas and tephra that has rose a few km above the volcano and was then bent by the winds to the east.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical cyclone 04s (Kate), located approximately 345 nm west-southwest of Cocos Island, Australia, and is tracking southwestward at 04 knots.

Tropical storm 23w (Jangmi), is located approximately 407 nm southeast of Manila, Philippines, and is tracking west-northwestward at 09 knots.

NewsBytes:

Malaysia Update - The worst flooding in Malaysia in more than a decade has claimed lives of at least 10 people including five in the worst-hit state of Kelantan. The flood situation in Kelantan is still critical with 111,376 victims at the relief centres this afternoon, Bernama. More storms are expected in Malaysia in the next three days. Meanwhile, Thailand and Sri Lankan authorities have also warned their people to brace for more floods.

Sri Lanka Update - The recent flooding in Sri Lanka has claimed the lives of 24 people and left 8 others missing. The floods have also destroyed 4,593 houses and damaged a further 14,649 houses. Eight bodies have been recovered in the Rilpola Haliela landslide affected area in Badulla and another seven persons are still missing.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.1 Earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.

5.4 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

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

5.0 Earthquake hits Tarapaca, Chile.

Disease

Human infection with avian influenza A(H5N6) virus – China

On 23 December 2014, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of 1 laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N6) virus.

WHO continues to closely monitor the H5N6 situation and conduct risk assessment. So far, the overall risk associated with the H5N6 virus has not changed.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): A series of small to moderate explosions occurred during 26-27 Dec at the volcano. The largest one, at 17:07 local time Friday, produced an ash plume that rose 3.5 km above the crater. Yesterday, CENAPRED recorded 6 explosions. Night-time incandescence is visible at the crater where a cake-like lava dome is growing, confirmed also during a recent overflight. This type of activity is still well within the normal range of the current state of semi-persistent mild activity at the volcano, and the alert level remains unchanged at "Yellow Phase 2".

San Miguel (El Salvador): The volcano remains restless with seismic activity above background and shows occasional pulsating gas and steam emissions. Overall, activity has been slowly decreasing over the past months. Monday marks the anniversary of the strong explosion on 29 Dec 2013, when a large ash plume caused ash falls in Chinameca, New Guadalupe, Santiago de María, San Jorge and other areas near the volcano.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 Earthquake hits Fiji.

5.3 Earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.

5.2 Earthquake hits the central Mid-Atlantic ridge.

5.1 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical cyclone 04s (Kate), located approximately 280 nm west-southwest of Cocos Island, Australia, and is tracking southwestward at 04 knots.

Tropical depression 23w (twentythree), forms in the Western Pacific, is located approximately 575 nm southeast of Manila, Philippines, and is tracking westward at 05 knots.

NewsBytes:

Malaysia - At least five people have been killed in the floods along Malaysia's east coast, with over 160,000 displaced. Malaysia has announced an extra $142m (£92m) to help victims of the country's worst flooding in decades.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Bardarbunga (Central Iceland): The eruption continues, but seems to be becoming slowly weaker. The latest measurement shows the Nornahraun lava field measures now more than 81 square km. Seismic activity under the caldera has been slowly decreasing overall as well. However, the decreasing trend is very weak and the eruption could still continue for many months, or take a new, unexpected evolution at any time. The future, or probably 2015 will tell!

Fogo (Cape Verde): According to local press, volcanologist João Fonseca, responsible for volcanic monitoring and equipment maintenance at Fogo volcano, mentioned that volcanic activity shows signs of decreasing and that the eruption could be approaching its end. Still, the northern lobe of the recently active lava flow to the west remained active during the past days and smaller lobes advanced through more farm land in the Cova Tina area.

Shiveluch (Kamchatka): Explosive eruptions, by explosions and or partial collapse events of the active lava dome continue to occur regularly. On 26 Dec at 04:37 UTC, an eruption was reported to produce an ash plume that rose to 26,000 ft (8 km) altitude and drifted west. (Tokyo VAAC)

Aso (Kyushu): The eruption from the volcano's Nakadake crater continues with relatively intense and near continuous strombolian activity. Incandescent material is frequently ejected several tens of meters above the crater rim. An ash plume rises a few hundred meters above the crater to up to 1-2 km altitude. A second vent inside the crater produces a dense steam plume and likely has some milder explosive activity as well.

Nishino-shima (Volcano Islands, Japan): The eruption continues well into its second year, steadily enlarging the island with lava flows. During the past weeks, most activity has been concentrated to produce flows towards the north and northwest where the island has been growing considerably. By now, nothing is left of the former small island, result of the 1973 eruption, and the surface of the island is currently about 10 times of what it had been before the ongoing eruption.

Santiaguito (Guatemala): Explosive activity at the Caliente dome has picked up. Explosions with ash plumes rising several hundred meters have become more frequent. The lava flow on the eastern side remains active, according the the observatory's latest report.

Pacaya (Guatemala): INSIVUMEH reported a week ago that activity decreased and that there are currently no signs of explosive activity from the Mackenney crater. Only a steam and gas plume is being emitted.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 Earthquake hits south of Panama.

5.3 Earthquake hits Reykjanes ridge.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical cyclone 04s (Kate), located approximately 155 nm west-southwest of Cocos Island, Australia, and is tracking southwestward at 01 knot.

Disease

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Saudi Arabia

Between 8 and 16 December 2014, the National IHR Focal Point for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) notified WHO of 3 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, including 1 death.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images:

Breathtaking Timelapse Video Of Earth Made by ISS Astronaut:

YouTube Url

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 Earthquake hits Iceland.

5.1 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.0 Earthquake hits western Xizang, China.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical cyclone 04s (Kate), located approximately 155 nm west of Cocos Island, Australia, and is tracking westward at 03 knots.

NewsBytes:

India - The north India cold wave has claimed 12 more lives in the 24 hours leading to Wednesday evening, taking the death toll due to the extreme winter to 92 since December 1. Dense fog disrupted train services in several parts of India on Thursday, leading to the delay of 115 trains in Delhi.

Sri Lanka - More than 650,000 people have now been displaced after days of heavy rains triggered massive floods and landslides in Sri Lanka. Six days of heavy rains have affected the Northern, North Central and Eastern provinces of the Asian country. Irrigation tanks and hydropower reservoirs in the northern and central parts of the country have become flooded as a result of the downpour. So far, only 80,000 displaced people have been provided with accommodation in makeshift camps set up by the government.

Global Warming

Siberia - Global Warming Time Bomb

Global warming could leave parts of Siberia exposed to a wave of underground explosions like those behind the recent unexplained giant craters phenomenon.

Scientists studying one of the massive holes on the Yamal Peninsula say there is growing evidence that rising temperatures is the main catalyst triggering the blasts.

They believe warming air is melting the thick permafrost, leading to the accumulation and release of volatile 'fire ice' gases which then explodes to create the giant funnels.

Overall temperatures in Yamal, in northwest Siberia, in the past 14 years alone have risen by at least two degrees Celsius.

Any continued increase – as is predicted by meteorologists – could create the ideal conditions for more craters to be formed across the icy region, and other parts of Siberia.

Disease

Ebola - Update

The global death toll from Ebola has risen to 7,588 out of 19,497 confirmed cases recorded in the year-old epidemic raging in West Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) says.

The virus is still spreading intensely in Sierra Leone, especially in the north and west, with 315 new confirmed cases reported in the former British colony in the week to December 21, it said. These included 115 cases in the capital Freetown.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.7 Earthquake hits the North Pacific Ocean.

5.2 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.2 Earthquake hits Kepulauan Tanimbar, Indonesia.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Gulf of California.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits off the east coast of North Island, New Zealand.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical cyclone 04s (Kate), forms in the eastern Indian Ocean and is tracking westward at 06 knots.

NewsBytes:

Indonesia - Floods in Indonesia's Aceh province in the northern tip of Sumatra Island have displaced more than 120,966 people. The waters submerged by up to 400 cm high in the districts of North Aceh and East Aceh. Floods have mainly affected the provincial capital of Banda Aceh, the districts of Aceh Tamiang, South Aceh, Pidie, and Lhoksemawe.

Malaysia - The floods ravaging five states in Malaysia have displaced 90,250 people. It is the biggest number of flood evacuees in the nation's history. The highest number of flood evacuees are in Kelantan (32,343), followed by Terengganu (28,991), Pahang (24,316), Perak (4,335) and Perlis (265). The 102 local and foreign tourists stranded at Mutiara Taman Negara Resort got relief when the Fire and Rescue Department arrived with much needed food supplies. Apart from Malaysians, the tourists were from Germany, France, Canada and the Czech Republic. The park witnessed its highest rainfall on Tuesday since 1971.

Disease

Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – China

On 16 December 2014, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of 11 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, including 5 deaths.

WHO continues to closely monitor the H7N9 situation and conduct risk assessment. So far, the overall risk associated with the H7N9 virus has not changed.

Measles in Bali

Tourists have been warned of a measles outbreak in Bali after two Australians return home to Perth with the disease.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Fogo (Cape Verde): Lava effusion continues from the vents, while explosive activity there has more or less ended. Lava is fed through tubes to active breakouts at different locations inside the Cha caldera. One area with active breakouts remains the former locations of Portela-Bangaeira villages, where by now almost all buildings have disappeared.

Kilauea (Hawai'i): The lava flow front that has been progressing towards the Pāhoa Marketplace, is currently stalled at approx. 600 m distance, to the relief of Pahoa. However, several breakouts are active in several areas behind the inactive front.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 Earthquake hits west of MacQuarie Island.

5.3 Earthquake hits Papua, Indonesia.

5.2 Earthquake hits west of MacQuarie Island.

5.1 Earthquake hits south of Fiji.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Saipan region in the North Mariana Islands.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.

5.1 Earthquake hits west of MacQuarie Island.

5.0 Earthquake hits offshore Chiapas, Mexico.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Mississippi, USA - Tornadoes in Mississippi, have claimed the lives of at least four people and injured 20 others. At least five tornadoes touched down across the southeast, including Mississippi, Georgia, and Louisiana.

Sri Lanka - Three people died and more than 60,000 had to be evacuated to safer locations due to floods and mudslides caused by heavy rains around Sri Lanka. Three days of heavy rain in 15 districts also injured two persons and destroyed 1,900 homes. Hospitals and government offices were inundated and some inmates of a prison were transferred to other facilities.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

Two 5.2 Earthquakes hit the Solomon Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits Kepulauan Babar, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Scotland - Flash flooding caused significant problems and disruption to transport in parts of Scotland. Flood warnings have been put in place across the north and west of Britain as Scotland suffered a day of travel chaos and a significant rail signalling problem stopped trains running through Gatwick railway station in West Sussex. The Met Office issued alerts for parts of northern England and Scotland, with up to 80mm of rain expected in Yorkshire, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and parts of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire over the next 24 hours.

Indonesia - Floods were still engulfing areas across the country on Sunday, killing two children in a village in North Sumatra. On Monday, floods engulfing thousands of homes in a number of regions in North Sumatra started to recede. Meanwhile, heavy rains have been pouring over the southern parts of Central Java for the past five days and floods are inevitable. The floods have hit a number of areas in Cilacap regency, Central Java, over the past four days. No casualties have been reported yet, but thousands of homes and tens of thousands of hectares of rice fields have been swamped. Hundreds of families have evacuated as the floods have further expanded following incessant rain.

Global Warming

Pacific Coral Bleaching

An El Nino weather pattern had been developing in recent months, raising ocean temperatures and stressing delicate coral reefs.

The Marshall Islands is experiencing its worst-ever coral bleaching as global warming threatens reefs across the entire northern Pacific.

"The worst coral bleaching event ever recorded for the Marshall Islands has been occurring since mid-September," Karl Fellenius, a Majuro-based marine scientist with the University of Hawaii said.

C Mark Eakin, manager of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Coral Reef Watch program, said recent observations showed the problem was widespread across the vast waters of the northern Pacific.

"Major bleaching was seen in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, the northwestern Hawaiian Islands, the Marshall Islands, and Kiribati," he said.

"Thermal stress levels set new record highs in CNMI and the NWHI and we saw the first widespread bleaching event in the main Hawaiian Islands."

Fellenius said coral bleaching was a naturally occurring phenomenon but not on the scale currently being seen.

"While bleaching can occur on very hot days in pools of water with little circulation (such as) very low tides on reef flats, it has become a global problem due to greenhouse gas emissions causing elevated temperatures under climate change."

He said sea surface temperatures had been on average half to a full degree Celsius higher than normal for months, adding: "This does not seem like a lot but it makes a big difference to corals."

Fellenius said the last major bleaching event was in 1997, when an exceptionally strong El Nino system affected about a quarter of the world's coral reefs.

He said the bleached coral was becoming covered with algae, hindering its chances of recovery.

Disease

Ebola Epidemic Continues in Africa, Despite Progress in Some Places

The Ebola epidemic in West Africa has undergone a dramatic change in the past several months, according to U.S. health officials.

There has been "real progress" in the fight against the deadly viral disease, but eliminating Ebola will require much more work, Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters.

"The response is inspiring, but the challenges are sobering," said Frieden, who just returned from a trip to the region of West Africa affected by the outbreak.

In Guinea, officials with Doctors Without Borders said they'd seen "the scariest thing I've heard," Frieden said: For the first time since the outbreak began, there were not enough beds for sick patients in treatment centres in the capital city of Conakry.

And in Sierra Leone, at least 10 people die every day in their communities, rather than in treatment centres, Frieden said. The number of people dying in communities is important because those deaths indicate the region faces a greater risk that the disease will spread to others, compared with places where most deaths occur in treatment centres.

Of the three countries hit hardest by the outbreak — Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia — Sierra Leone now has the most cases of Ebola, he said. However, in the country's capital city Freetown, there is now an "impressive" command centre that is staffed by about 100 people, Frieden said. If the outbreak in Freetown proceeds similarly to how it did in Liberia's capital city of Monrovia, then within the next few weeks, there should be a significant decrease in cases, he said.

Of the three countries, the most hopeful situation is that of Liberia, Frieden said. The number of cases there has decreased quickly, and the country's Ebola treatment centre is well run, and has only a handful of patients. Moreover, there are now fewer deaths in places where people previously had been barely able to keep up with the number of dead who needed to be buried, he said.

There have been more than 19,000 cases of Ebola since the outbreak began during the early part of 2014, and about 7,400 people have died of the disease, according to the latest numbers from the CDC.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Fogo (Cape Verde): The eruption continues its destructive work: the lava effusion from the vents remains at moderate intensity and feeds various active flows that spread in the Cha Caldera. While the foremost front that had destroyed Portela and Bangaeira two weeks ago is no longer active, several lateral breakouts continue to spread in the caldera.

Shiveluch (Kamchatka): A moderately strong explosive eruption occurred Saturday night. An ash plume rose to estimated 22,000 ft (6.5 km) altitude and bright glow was visible on webcam imagery, likely from incandescent material deposited during a dome collapse event.

Kilauea (Hawai'i): The lava flow advance has further slowed down, giving Pahoa some hope it might not reach it or at least not as soon as feared. "Since yesterday ,the leading edge of the active flow had advanced about 78 m since Saturday morning flight, and is currently about 0.6 miles (1.0 km) up slope from the intersection of Highway 130 and Pāhoa Village Rd. This number reflects an overall decrease of advancement rate during the past several days." (HVO)

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.4 Earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

5.8 Earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.

5.3 Earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Maug Islands in the Northern Mariana Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Sri Lanka - Torrential rains and flashfloods in Sri Lanka have marooned more than 40,000 people. According to the National Disaster Management Centre, around 30,000 people are from the worst hit Batticaloa district in eastern Sri Lanka. Nearly 14,000 people are having to shelter in 107 welfare camps. Severe weather and flooding have affected the people in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Puttalam, Mannar and Trincomalee.

Malaysia - Floods worsened in north-east Malaysia Sunday due to heavy rains, local authorities said, as evacuees in other areas began to return home amid improving weather. The number of people who were evacuated in the state of Kelantan rose to 21,868 from more than 15,000 on Saturday. Four fatalities were previously reported in the state. In the nearby state of Terengganu, rains eased and some of the roads became passable as official evacuee numbers dropped. Floods also subsided and many evacuees were able to return home in Pahang and Johor states.

Disease

Mystery Disease Outbreak in Odisha, India

A mystery disease has claimed the lives of at least 11 children in Potrel and adjoining villages in the last few days. The disease has also been detected in nearby villages including Chimtapalli, Arabamnpalli burudi and Chinturwada of the district.

Blood samples collected from Potrel and adjoining villages have been sent to the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) laboratory at Bhubaneswar and another lab at Pune.

Preliminary reports suggest that the disease could be viral encephalitis.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 Earthquake hits Samar in the Philippines.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Philippines.

5.1 Earthquake hits Vancouver Island, Canada.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Myanmar-India border.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.

5.0 Earthquake hits northwest Kashmir.

5.0 Earthquake hits southwest of Sumatra, Indonesia.

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

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Malaysia - A sudden but severe flash flood struck Kajang in Kuala Lumpur Saturday afternoon, but waters subsided as rapidly as they appeared. In more floods, at least four people drowned in floods that hit north-eastern Malaysia during the past three days and more than 25,000 people have fled to evacuation centres, welfare and rescue officials said Saturday.

Indonesia - Around 15,000 homes in Bandung regency, West Java, were inundated following heavy rain over the past few days, while more floods and bad weather are expected throughout the archipelago in the coming week.

Wildlife

Mass Turtle Strandings on Cape Cod

Wildlife rescue volunteers in Cape Cod have become overwhelmed during the past month by the nearly 1,200 stranded sea turtles that lingered too long this fall in the cooling waters of the North Atlantic.

Nearly all were young Kemp’s Ridley turtles, the most endangered turtle species, and were in a state of shock from exposure to the cold.

“Cold-stunning events are really hard things to explain,” Oregon State University biologist Selina Heppell told The New York Times.

“They are caused by local conditions, such as sharp changes in temperature, but the role of currents and turtle behavior and condition prior to the events are not well understood.”

Once rescued, the turtles were taken to the Wellfleet Audubon Society and the New England Aquarium for further treatment.

Many have since been driven or airlifted to other aquariums as far away as Texas for safekeeping until they are healthy enough to be released.

Disease

Chikungunya Outbreak In Americas

Chikungunya virus is similar to Dengue fever but can cause severe and debilitating joint pains that can last for months. It infected more than one million people and killed 155 since it started to spread in the Americas last year.

The name of this disease means "bending over in pain" as characterised by its hallmark wherein the patients infected with the virus will manifest symptoms of severe body and joint pains that can last from weeks to months.

The disease is not new for people in Central America because it has long been diagnosed in travellers returning from countries in Asia and Africa. However, exactly a year ago, the outbreak started in the Caribbean Islands and has spread to neighbouring countries. In fact, it is the first ever outbreak in the western hemisphere as confirmed by health officials.

Based on the latest data, all countries in Central America have reported cases of the disease. United States have reported a total of 11 confirmed cases of local infection this year.

Listeria - Caramel Apples

Caramel apples are responsible for a listeria outbreak that has already cost the lives of at least four people around the United States.

Listeria from commercially-prepared caramel apples has been diagnosed in 28 patients, living in 10 different states. Five people have died, so far, after being hospitalized with listeria infections, and the disease contributed to at least four of the fatalities.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Kilauea (Hawai'i): The June 27th lava flow continues to advance slowly, at a rate of approx. 100 m per day. The active northern flow front was approx. 800 m from the west edge of the Pahoa Marketplace and about 1 km from Highway 130, measured in a straight line.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.9 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.6 Earthquake hits the Guadeloupe region in the Leeward Islands.

5.3 Earthquake hits the Nicobar Islands off India.

5.1 Earthquake hits south of New Zealand.

5.1 Earthquake hits the north Indian Ocean.

5.1 Earthquake hits off the east coast of North Island, New Zealand.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Mozambique - Five people have died in floods in the capital Maputo, after days of torrential rain, according to Mozambican authorities. Five homes were also swept away by floodwater. Mudslides have damaged roads, making it difficult to reach affected areas. The water was waist-high as people were forced to evacuate their homes, carrying as many of their belongings as they could.

Environment

Oil Spill Blackens Parts of Southern Israel

A massive oil spill near an Israeli nature preserve has become the worst environmental disaster in that country’s history.

More than 1.3 million gallons of crude oil polluted an area near the Gulf of Aqaba port of Eilat after a break occurred earlier this month in the 153-mile Trans-Israel pipeline.

More than 80 people in the area were hospitalized from inhaling benzene fumes generated by evaporation of the oil.

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) says it has attempted to keep birds from the spill area, but warns it could take years for all of the pollution to be removed.

“We don’t have experience with something of this scale,” said INPA spokeswoman Tali Tenenbaum. Her agency warned that any rainfall could quickly spread the disaster.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Fogo (Cape Verde): It seems that after a short period of quietening down (9-14 December) the Fogo eruption has regained its strength. This confirms our earlier report of increased emission of sulphur dioxide thought to indicate the rise of a new magma batch.

After nearly 20 years of inactivity, the Pico de Fogo awakened with a violent flank eruption on the 23rd of November 2014. In less than 4 weeks , this eruption has devastated local communities and caused a humanitarian crisis as it forced 1500 local people to flee and it is likely that another 2000 will have to move to temporary shelters. Media coverage of this natural disaster has so far been remarkably small despite the fact that it is Fogo’s largest volcanic eruption in decades, causing more damage to nearby settlements, and in a shorter time, than the 1995 eruption.

Gamalama (Halmahera): The volcano, one of the most active in the region, erupted unexpectedly last night (Thursday evening, 22:41 local time).

Unfortunately, it seems that the eruption claimed at least some victims: Several people (10-12 according to varying news reports) were on the volcano, a popular hiking destination, when the initial explosion occurred at night. At least two of them were reported missing, presumably killed, and several others wounded, mainly from injuries suffered when falling during their escape.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.6 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.5 Earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan.

5.1 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.

5.0 Earthquake hits Nepal.

5.0 Earthquake hits south of Fiji.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Thailand - Heavy rain and flooding along the Thai-Malaysian border have left one child dead, two people missing, dozens of villages inundated, and the Sungai Kolok border crossing closed.

Malaysia - Two Malaysian provinces are also suffering from two days of heavy rain across the peninsula. A total of 3,930 people have fled their homes in several areas of Kelantan due to flooding caused by two days of heavy rains. In the adjacent state of Terengganu, 4,209 people fled to evacuation centres after their homes were inundated by floodwaters.

Wildlife

Carnivore Comeback: Bears and Wolves Are Thriving in Europe

Despite having half the land area of the contiguous United States and double the population density, Europe is home to twice as many wolves as the U.S.

A new study finds that Europe's other large carnivores are experiencing a resurgence in their numbers, too — and mostly in non-protected areas where the animals coexist alongside humans. The success is owed to cross-border cooperation, strong regulations and a public attitude that brings wildlife into the fold with human society, rather than banishing it to the wilderness.

With the exception of Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, every European country in the study has a permanent and reproducing population of at least one of the four large carnivores, the researchers reported. The continent is home to 17,000 brown bears in 10 populations spread over 22 countries. There are 9,000 lynx in 11 populations in 23 countries. Wolves are thriving, with more than 12,000 individuals found in 10 populations in 28 countries.

Wolverines can live only in the cold climates of Scandinavia, so Norway, Sweden and Finland are the only countries in the study that host all four of Europe's major large carnivore species. There are two populations of wolverines in Europe, with an estimated total of 1,250 individuals.

Environment

CO2 Map of the Earth

This past summer, NASA launched its first satellite devoted to measuring atmospheric carbon dioxide, a heat-trapping gas that is driving global warming.

Scientists with the space agency unveiled the first carbon maps obtained by the spacecraft, named the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2, or OCO-2.

A map of the globe that uses about 600,000 data points taken by OCO-2 from Oct. 1 through Nov. 17 shows hotspots of carbon dioxide over northern Australia, southern Africa and eastern Brazil.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Victoria, Australia

Two persistent fires that had destroyed homes and killed animals in the state's north east were brought under control on Thursday evening. It was the first time Victoria had been without a fire threat in days.

The 5740 hectare Lake Rowan fire, north of Wangaratta, was declared contained after 10pm, with crews halting its spread with containment lines.

Fire conditions also abated at the Creightons Creek fire, near Euroa, which destroyed three homes earlier this week after it was sparked by a dry lightening strike on Tuesday.

Although crews still patrolled the fire ground, residents were being let back into areas that had been affected by the blaze.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 112.6 degrees Fahrenheit (44.8 degrees Celsius) at Oodnadatta, South Australia.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 62.5 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 52.5 degrees Celsius) at Russia's Siberian outpost of Toko.

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

Bardarbunga (Central Iceland): The eruption continues with little variation. The Nornahraun lava field is now almost 80 square km in size. An extensive lava tube system has formed inside it, bringing supply of lava to the outer areas.
Earthquake activity remains significant under the caldera, which continues to subside. Occasional quakes reach magnitudes above 5.

Kilauea (Hawai'i): The lava flow is now less than 1 km (0.7 mi) from the Pahoa marketplace. During yesterday's overflight, it was seen that had advanced about 340 m during the previous 24 hours.
Its front has split into two branches, one following the steepest descent path in the area and another following a "tributary" path to the north that intersects the main descent path a few hundred meters.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 Earthquake hits Iceland.

5.2 Earthquake hits Tonga.

5.2 Earthquake hits Simeulue, Indonesia.

5.2 Earthquake hits near the coast of Nicaragua.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Japan - Strong winds and heavy snow in Japan have forced the cancellation of almost 300 flights, halted bullet train services and claimed the life of one person. More than 70 centimetres of snow had fallen on parts of Hokkaido in the 24 hours to 12 noon.

Global Warming

Arctic Is Heating Up Twice as Quickly as Rest of World

Bad news for polar bears: The Arctic is still warming at twice the pace of the rest of the planet, according to a new federal report.

Last year, air temperatures in the northernmost regions of the globe were, on average, 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius) higher than normal. Unusually warm years like 2014 have only become more frequent in the Arctic in the past decade, even as the rate of temperature increase slowed for the rest of the world.

In 2014, the Greenland Ice Sheet's heat-deflecting brightness hit a low; spring snow cover dwindled to record lows in Eurasia; polar regions had a below-average extent of summer sea ice, and as for the polar bears that depend on that ice to survive, some populations have declined, according to the report.

The findings are included in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association's (NOAA) annual "Arctic Report Card," a comprehensive review of the North Pole's health that is assembled by more than 60 scientists.

The Arctic warms at a higher rate than lower latitudes because of a well-documented effect known as Arctic amplification of global warming, Richter-Menge told reporters. Arctic amplification is a self-feeding cycle. Because of their light colour, sea ice and snow bounces radiation from the sun back into the atmosphere. But when more ice and snow melts, more of the dark-coloured patches of earth and ocean are exposed, locking more heat into the already-warming planet's surface.

Rising temperatures in the Arctic are thought to affect the rest of the planet. Some research has suggested that warming around the North Pole can cause the typical path of the jet stream to go haywire, though scientists have yet to reach a consensus. Without data for a long period of time, it's difficult to tell whether this phenomenon is really a trend or part of the "normal chaos" of the atmosphere, said James Overland, an oceanographer with NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory. Regardless of the cause, a wavy jet stream can have a huge influence on weather, the report illustrates. For example, a twisted jet stream led to remarkable temperature spikes in Alaska in January, when the region experienced temperatures as much as 18 degrees F (10 degrees C) higher than normal.

Disease

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Saudi Arabia

Between 20 November and 7 December 2014, the National IHR Focal Point for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) notified WHO of 11 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, including 4 deaths.

Ebola affects food supplies

The Ebola epidemic has seriously affected food supply chains in West Africa, leaving 500 000 people without enough to eat, UN agencies said on Wednesday in Rome.

Without intervention, the number of people facing food insecurity could reach 1 million by March, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) said in Rome.

The global death toll for the Ebola outbreak is now 6,841, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday, December 15.

The WHO also stated that 18,464 cases of the disease had been confirmed in new statistics updated till Saturday, December 13.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Tokachi (Hokkaido): Japanese authorities raised the alert level of the Tokachidake volcano to 2, as signs of volcanic unrest have recently increased. An access restriction is in place of 1 km radius around the crater left by the violent eruption in 1962 ("62-2 crater"). Volcanologist started to note an increase in seismic and fumarolic activity during 1995-2000 and again since 2006. In 2007, deformation of the volcanic edifice started to be noticed. Increased temperatures at depth were detected in 2008 using geomagnetic measurements.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.6 Earthquake hits the Kapulauan Mentawai region, Indonesia.

5.3 Earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Santa Cruz Islands.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands off New Zealand.

5.0 Earthquake hits near the south coast of Papua, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Morocco - Wind and torrential rain pounded the Casablanca area of Morocco claiming two lives. At least four people were injured.

Ecuador - A landslide at the construction site of the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric power plant the in Amazon region of Ecuador has claimed the lives of at least 13 people.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Australia

Two bushfires in South Australia have been contained this morning after the Country Fire Service (CFS) issued their first emergency warning of the season.

The fire at the iconic Barossa Valley winemaking district is still continuing and has burnt 1436 hectares, but no lives or homes are under threat at the moment.

The first fire broke out in a paddock near Angaston just after 11.30am (ACST), with the flames driven by 70km/h winds.

Less than three hours later, another fire whipped up at nearby Springton, pushing crews even further.

The CFS issued a bushfire emergency warning at 1pm (ACST), but the fire has now been contained with approximately 675 hectares of grass burnt from the blaze.

Multiple bushfires are also burning in Australia's Victoria state, fanned by strong winds and high temperatures.

The fires are affecting the north-east of the state, including one close to Boweya, near Wangaratta. The state fire chief says some property and stock losses have been reported.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Ijen (East Java, Indonesia): Impressions from our last expedition, which included a night-time visit at Ijen volcano to see the famous blue flames.

Kilauea (Hawai'i): HVO reported that the active branch of the June 27th lava flow remains very active and advanced at an average of 285 meters per day. It is now only about 1.5 km (0.9 mi) from the Pahoa Marketplace, located near the intersection of Highway 130 and Pāhoa Village Road.

Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): No significant changes in activity have occurred recently. The volcano has occasional small explosions producing steam and ash plumes, and lava continues to arrive and slowly fill the inner summit crater, resulting in glow visible at night.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 Earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.

5.0 Earthquake hits south of Fiji.

Environment

Lima Climate Agreement

After running long past its scheduled finish time, the United Nations Lima climate talks finally delivered an agreement on Sunday that should see all countries, not just developed ones, pledge to cut their emissions after 2020.

But the deal still leaves much uncertainty and could reduce the amount of scrutiny that countries' climate plans will receive as the negotiations inch their way towards a possible deal at the crucial talks in Paris next December.

The Lima climate deal has two critical consequences for developing countries . First, clause 4 urges developed countries to “provide and mobilize” financial support to help developing countries deal with the effects of climate change. To date, only US$10 billion (A$12 billion) has been allocated to the Green Climate Fund (10% of the annual target). This is clearly insufficient, and as Secretary of State John Kerry announced to delegates: “When Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines last year, the cost of responding to the damage exceeded US$10 billion.”

Second, developing countries succeeded in reintroducing clause 11, which recognises their “special circumstances” in setting emissions-reduction targets. Australia (alongside the United States) fought against special status, arguing that: “It doesn’t matter where the emissions come from, they are global emissions." This was the deepest fault line to emerge in Lima and we should expect it to erupt as pressure builds to reach a binding deal in Paris next year.

The Agreement - Link

Disease

West Nile virus – Brazil

On 9 December 2014, the Ministry of Health of Brazil reported a case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in the state of Piauí (PI). This is the first detection of a human case of WNV infection in Brazil.

West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne zoonotic arbovirus belonging to the genus Flavivirus in the family Flaviviridae. People who get WNV usually have no symptoms or mild symptoms. The symptoms include a fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands. They can last a few days to several weeks, and usually go away on their own.

If West Nile virus enters the brain, however, it can be life-threatening. It may cause encephalitis, or meningitis.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Zhupanovsky (Kamchatka, Russia): Intermittent ash emissions continue to occur from time to time from the volcano. A plume of volcanic ash at 14,000 ft (4.2 km) altitude extending ENE was reported last night (Tokyo VAAC).

Lopevi (Vanuatu ): Vanuatu's Geohazard unit has raised the alert level for the stratovolcano, as seismic activity has strongly increased "in a very short time span. From visual and satellite observations, it is clear that the volcano is in an eruption phase." The island of Lopevi has been declared a "NO GO ZONE" until further notice.

Kilauea (Hawai'i): The active lava lobe that has been advancing along the northern flow margin of the lava flow that had entered Pahoa in Nov, but then stopped, continues to advance towards the town and is now only approx. 1700 m away from the commercial center of the town. Its speed in the past days averaged about 250 m, i.e. it could reach Pahoa in about a week if it continues at this speed and if it continues to follow the path of steepest descent. This path, calculated by HVO, would intersect the main road near the supermarket.

Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia): Eruptive activity has started at the volcano in the form of abundant ash emissions from the volcano's summit crater since yesterday. The volcano had been under increased vigilance since 3 Dec, when seismic activity started to pick up and suggest important internal changes. It is impossible to say whether the new activity is or will become a magmatic eruption and how it will continue. For now, the Manizales observatory maintains alert level 3 (yellow) unchanged.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 Earthquake hits Fiji.

5.4 Earthquake hits Iceland.

5.1 Earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Nepal - Heavy rain and snowfall in Nepal have disrupted flights and power supply across the country. A French National died after falling from 4 200 metres while returning after scaling Mera Peak.

Thailand - Floods ravage two provinces in the South of the country. Several parts of Phatthalung and Nakhon Si Thammarat have been flooded after persistent heavy rainfall started on Saturday night. At least two people are missing in the floods. Soldiers were mobilised to help with evacuations.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Australia

Lives and homes are in danger from an out-of-control bushfire burning at Whiteman Park in Perth’s north-east.

An emergency warning has been issued for people in the parts of Brabham and Henley Brook bounded by Lord Street, Henley Street, Murray Street and Woollcott Street, in the City of Swan.

Firefighters are working to contain the blaze, and aerial support has been sent to assist ground crews.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Fogo (Cape Verde): Lava emission has slowed down a lot, sign the eruption could be over soon. For more than 5 days, no significant explosive activity and only minor lava effusion was observed at the vents. On the other hand, magmatic SO2 (sulfur dioxide) emissions remain high and even increased from 7,500 to 9,000 tons per day. That could mean that a new batch of magma is on the rise and lead to a rejuvenation of the volcanic activity. The next days will probably tell. The lava front stopped 600 m from what was once Bangaeira village, at 3.5 km distance from the next inhabited place, Fernao Gomes village, which could be at risk if the lava flows resume from there. On the other hand, if the old channels and tubes have now been blocked, which is likely the case due to lack of supply, new flows would need to re-start from the source and travel all the way to there first. In other hand, the threat to villages on the eastern coast now seems minimal.

Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): The volcano has been relatively active recently. Lava-rich explosions can often be seen even on webcams as the screenshot from an explosion on Friday shows.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.1 Earthquake hits Easter Island.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands off New Zealand.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

No current tropical storms.

NewsBytes:

Indonesia - Update - The death toll in the landslide in central Indonesia has risen to 26 with 80 still missing. Heavy equipment is now being used to look for survivors. Hundreds of rescuers were digging through the mud with shovels and their bare hands in a desperate hunt for any survivors.

Disease

Ebola - New Outbreak in Sierra Leone

An especially deadly outbreak of Ebola burned unseen in a remote part of Sierra Leone for several weeks, giving public health experts a reality check. It's also a perfect embodiment of the warning that they've been giving for months: that a single spark can set off a conflagration of disease and death.

It happened in Kono, a remote district bordering Guinea. World Health Organization workers heard rumours of deaths and traveled there to find scenes out of a horror movie. At least 87 people had died and been hastily buried, often without the precautions needed to stop the corpses from infecting the living.

Sierra Leone has overtaken Liberia as the country where the Ebola epidemic is the worst, with hundreds of new cases reported every week.

It's still bad — WHO reports more than 18,000 cases and more than 6,500 deaths in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. Experts now say it'll be the middle of next year in the best-case scenario for getting the epidemic under control.

Environment

Ants Clean Food Scraps off New York Streets

A new study finds that armies of ants are keeping New York City clean by eating food litter left by the pedestrians who walk the streets of the city that never sleeps.

Writing in the journal Global Change Biology, a team of researchers reveals how ants and other arthropods on a stretch of just 150 blocks of median strips in Manhattan can remove the equivalent of about 60,000 pounds of hot dogs or 600,000 potato chips each year.

Lead researcher Elsa Youngsteadt from North Carolina State University says the insects are helping New Yorkers by competing with rats for food.

“You may not like ants, but you probably like rats even less,” she told The New York Times.

Ants and other arthropods recycle as much as 59 percent of the food litter that humans leave on New York City streets each day.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.8 Earthquake hits Fiji.

5.1 Earthquake hits southern Iran.

5.1 Earthquake hits the northern Mid-Atlantic ridge.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical cyclone (tc) 03s (Bakung), located approximately 466 nm west-northwest of Cocos Island, and is tracking west-northwestward at 08 knots.

NewsBytes:

Algeria - A violent storm in Algeria has claimed the life of one person and left three others missing. A boat with a crew consisting of a captain and three others was hit by a huge wave of ten meters high. Rescue operations are continuing for the missing sailors.

Indonesia - A landslide triggered by torrential rain killed at least 17 people and left 107 others missing on Indonesia’s main island of Java. About 105 houses were buried when mud rolled down from surrounding hills late Friday into Jemblung village in Banjarnegara district of Central Java province.

Los Angeled, USA - A Pacific storm pounded Southern California with heavy rain and high winds on Friday, triggering flash floods and mudslides that prompted the evacuation of hundreds of homes, damaged dozens of others and disrupted passenger rail service along the coast.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Batu Tara (Sunda Islands, Indonesia): During our recent expedition to Batu Tara, we witnessed a spectacular increase in activity during the night 3-4 Nov, culminating in a small pyroclastic flow triggered by a collapsing lava fountain and increased effusive activity from the dome.

Stromboli (Eolian Islands, Italy): Activity has remained low - there is no lava effusion. At the vents in the summit craters, there are occasional small explosions and strong degassing. Tremor is low, and CO2 emissions have decreased a bit over the past weeks. Access to the area above 400 m remains closed.

Fogo (Cape Verde): Volcanic activity continues, but the advance of the lava flows has slowed down to approx. 5 meters per hour and it seems that the effusion rate has diminished. The abundant presence of gases and ash in the area of the Cha das Caldeiras caldera prompts authorities to maintain a total access restriction.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.7 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.4 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.

5.4 Earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

5.2 Earthquake hits off the west coast of South Island, New Zealand.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.

Two 5.2 Earthquake hit the South Sandwich Islands.

5.1 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.1 Earthquake hits Fiji.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical Depression 22w (Hagupit), located approximately 194 nm east-northeast of Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, and is tracking south-southwestward at 17 knots.

Tropical cyclone (tc) 03s (Bakung), located approximately 1214 nm east of Diego Garcia, and is tracking west-southwestward at 06 knots.

NewsBytes:

San Francisco, USA - Ferocious storm system pounded a huge swath of the West Coast with heavy rain, hurricane-force winds and power outages Thursday, causing at least two deaths. In some parts of northern California, the storm produced hurricane-force winds of 78 mph and one gust of 147 mph in the Sierra. There were flash flood warnings in several parts of the Bay Area, and portions of major highways were closed due to flooding. More than 4.5 inches of rain fell on Big Sur in just three hours, according to the National Weather Service. The storm is one of the strongest to hit the West Coast in years.

Canada - Wild winter weather flooded many parts of Atlantic Canada Thursday and may have been responsible for three deaths. Roads and bridges all over Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick were washed out, and flooding shut down many roads in Halifax just in time for the morning commute. Environment Canada said more than 100 mm of rain fell in some areas. Snow, ice and freezing rain created "treacherous" conditions all over New Brunswick.

Environment

El Niño Has Arrived

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) became the first weather bureau in the world to declare that the El Niño ocean warming in the tropical Pacific has returned.

The phenomenon occurs every few years and causes a variety of weather shifts around the world.

The JMA declaration came as the strongest Pacific storm to strike California since the last El Niño five years ago was roaring onshore.

Various weather agencies around the world have issued conflicting El Niño forecasts over the past few months, but JMA meteorologist Ikuo Yoshikawa said on Dec. 10 that it emerged between June and August.

He added that is likely to continue through the Northern Hemisphere winter.

El Niño frequently brings drought to Indonesia and parts of Australia, and potent winter storms into the western United States.

One is officially declared if the temperature of the western tropical Pacific rises 0.95 degrees Fahrenheit above the long-term average.

The extreme El Niño of 1997-98 saw a rise of more than 5.4 degrees.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 115.7 degrees Fahrenheit (46.5 degrees Celsius) at Oodnadatta, South Australia.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 56.9 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 49.4 degrees Celsius) at Russia's small Siberian settlement of Toko.

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

Bardarbunga (Iceland): The Icelandic Met Office (IMO) published two great graphics showing the gradual evolution of the Holuhraun (or now called Nornahraun) lava flow field and compares it with the two largest lava fields erupted on Iceland in historic times, Laki in 1783 and Eldgjá in 934 AD. Even though it is the largest eruption in more than 150 years on Iceland, it still is much much smaller than those two. According to the latest measurements, the lava field from Holuhraun now covers 77,5 km². The eruption which had its 100th day on 9 Dec, continues with little changes and there is no end in sight. Active breakouts are located on the northern margin of the lava field, now called "Nornahraun". Earthquake activity under the central volcano remains elevated, but over the past weeks, earthquakes larger than magnitude 4 have become more rare. Recent geochemical studies of the lava show that it seems to rise directly from a source at 9-20 km depth, i.e. is generated by decompressing mantle material.

Aso (Kyushu): Strombolian activity and low ash emissions are near continuous at the Nakadake crater.

Azuma (Honshu): Japan's Met Office (JMA) detected increased seismic activity at the volcano and raised the alert level to 2. Access to the crater, a popular walking trail, is now closed.

Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): The activity at the volcano remains similar as during the past weeks. The extrusion of viscous lava continues to feed a new tongue in the upper part of the southern slope. Its steep front suffers occasional collapses that trigger rockfalls and small to medium pyroclastic flows, sometimes reaching 2-3 km in length such as this morning.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.1 Earthquake hits Taiwan.

5.1 Earthquake hits the State of Yap, Micronesia.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Babuyan Islands in the Philippines.

5.0 Earthquake hits Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical Storm 22w (Hagupit), located approximately 354 nm east-northeast of Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, and is tracking west-southwestward at 9 knots.

NewsBytes:

Spain - Severe storm in Catalonia, Spain has claimed lives of at least three people and left one seriously injured. Winds reaching up to 120 kilometres per hour ripped off roof tops and tore down walls and trees in Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia. It is believed to the worst storm since 2009 in the area which caused power cuts to around 43,000 homes.

Britain - Hurricane-force winds, huge waves, lightning strikes and floods caused chaos as the winter's first major storm struck the British Isles with all its fury. Worst hit was the north west of Scotland where 27,000 homes lost power, 40 schools and nurseries closed, road bridges were shut and ferry and train services cancelled.

Environment

Awash in Plastic: Oceans May Hold 250,000 Tons of Trash

The world's oceans may contain about 10 times more plastic than the most recent studies suggest. The new figure estimates that the oceans hold more than 250,000 tons of trash, a number vastly different from a past estimate, which suggested the oceans' plastic is mysteriously disappearing.

Scientists arrived at the new number by combining visual estimates of trash volume with data collected from trawling the oceans with nets, said study co-author Markus Eriksen, director of research for the 5 Gyres Institute, an organization aiming to understand the plastic pollution in the ocean.

The detritus of everyday life has been pouring into the oceans for decades. Everything from plastic bags to water bottles have migrated from the coastlines, harbors and river mouths into the oceans, where gyres, or the ocean's giant conveyor belts, carry them to the most remote stretches of the seas.

About 15 years ago, scientists discovered the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a trash-filled region of the Pacific Ocean the size of Texas. A recent excursion even found that islands of trash were forming in the garbage patch.

The team combined both visual plastic surveys and net hauls with mathematical models for how ocean circulation would transport plastic, and compared these results based on the size categories of the plastic garbage. The new estimates suggest that about 5.25 trillion plastic particles, weighing about 269,000 tons, litter the oceans. Nearly 75 percent of that weight came from large plastic objects such as buoys, buckets and other fishing gear. The model also suggests that ocean circulation acts like giant shredders, breaking down large plastics that predominate at the coastlines into smaller bits, with the tiniest pieces overrepresented in the subpolar regions.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.0 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits Tonga.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical Storm 22w (Hagupit), located approximately 533 nm east-northeast of Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, and is tracking westward at 9 knots.

NewsBytes:

Greece - Flash floods in Thessalonika, Greece have claimed the lives of at least two people and prompted an alert along a river that divides Greece and Turkey.

Wildlife

North Pole's Reindeer Population Plummets

Reindeer populations worldwide are decreasing, according to the authors of a new study who hope that measures soon will be taken to save the majestic and iconic winter holiday animals.

Strengthening reindeer populations would have far reaching effects, according to the study, published in the Journal for Nature Conservation. Ecosystems, local economies and even climate change are just some of the matters that could be impacted, and not just in the northernmost polar region.

There are two subspecies of reindeer in the world: tundra reindeer and woodland reindeer. Some are wild or feral, while others are considered to be "semi-domesticated." The various types, also known as caribou, appear to be experiencing population decreases.

The researchers, however, believe that at least six factors are causing the reindeer population to decline.

The first is inbreeding. Since reindeer populations here and in other locations are low, there is a greater risk for genetic deterioration. The second factor is poaching, often for the very same antlers that grab our attention on holiday cards. The third are natural predators. As the scientists mention, "Bears, wolves and lynx are the three main predators of reindeer, and may kill as many as a third of reindeer calves each year.

Lack of herders and breeders, climate change, and changes to the tourism industry round out the list. To attract more tourists, herders have been moving closer to where people tend to congregate, putting reindeer at risk from traffic, the aforementioned poaching and other problems.

Disease

Whooping Cough in California.

The whooping cough has come back to California in full force, with the state confirming 9,935 cases by the end of last month, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The outbreak has been deemed as the state's worst in 70 years.

With nearly 1,000 more cases reported than the state's last major whooping cough outbreak in 2010, the highly contagious bacterial disease is considered to be cyclical because cases peak every three to five years.

The disease, also known as pertussis, is known to especially attack infants by causing uncontrollable, violent coughing. Even though it can be cured by a vaccine called TDaP, children are not required to take the vaccine until they are 2 months old.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.9 Earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

5.6 Earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.

5.5 Earthquake hits near the north coast of Papua, Indonesia.

5.3 Earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Panama-Costa Rica border.

5.1 Earthquake hits near the north coast of Papua, Indonesia.

5.1 Earthquake hits the southern east Pacific rise.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.

5.1 Earthquake hits the western Indian-Antarctic ridge.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical Storm 22w (Hagupit), located approximately 134 nm southwest of Manila, Philippines, and is tracking west-southwestward at 8 knots.

Hagupit, although weakened, will continue to bring heavy rains with flooding along a 450km wide swathe as it travels across the Philippines.

Wildlife

Hippo kills man in Limpopo, South Africa

A Limpopo man has died following an attack by a hippo. The man was fishing on Friday afternoon when the hippo attacked him. Following his ordeal, the 34-year-old man survived to tell the tale but due to the nature of his injuries he died in hospital on Sunday. Following his ordeal, the 34-year-old man survived to tell the tale but due to the nature of his injuries he died in hospital on Sunday.

The death comes less than a week after golfer was killed by a crocodile at Skukuza golf course in the Kruger National Park.

Elephant Twins Born in South Africa

Pongola Game Reserve, a privately-owned big-four game reserve in Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal, today reported the birth of African elephant twins. Scientific evidence suggests that there is less that one percent prevalence rate of elephants twinning and even less of a chance that both twins survive into adulthood, making the birth of these young elephant twins an incredibly rare natural occurrence.

The yet unnamed twins were born to a 31-year-old elephant cow called Curve, so named for the curve of one of her tusks. She birthed three offspring before delivering the twins, all of which were male. The sex of the twins remains unconfirmed as Curve is given enough space and a fighting chance to beat the mortality odds for the twins.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Aso (Kyushu): Mild strombolian activity and ash emissions continue at Nakadake crater.

Turrialba (Costa Rica): A new eruption occurred last evening at 21:30 local time. Not much detail about the eruptions is available, but it seems to have been a rather small event. Light ash fall was noted in areas up to 20 km distance. There are no reports of damage or injuries. A volcanologist from the National Seismic Network said in an interview that the new eruption possibly was triggered by the recent earthquakes in the region.

Laguna del Maule (Central Chile): The volcanic field of Laguna del Maule is a potentially dangerous volcano. Scientists have found alarming levels of uplift, suggesting its magma chamber is filling up.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.5 Earthquake hits the Panama-Costa Rica border.

5.9 Earthquake hits offshore Guatemala.

5.5 Earthquake hits east of the Kuril Islands.

5.3 Earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

5.3 Earthquake hits near the coast of Southern Peru.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

Two 5.0 Earthquakes hit the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.

5.0 Earthquake hits St Lucia in the Windward Islands.

Two 5.0 Earthquakes hit the Mariana Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Tropical Storm 22w (Hagupit), located approximately 81 nm southeast of Manila, Philippines, and is tracking west-northwestward at 9 knots.

Typhoon Hagupit weakened to a tropical storm as it churned close to the Philippine capital on Monday, after killing 27 people on the eastern island of Samar island where it flattened homes, toppled trees and cut power and communications. Manila shut down as Hagupit, which means "lash" in Filipino, took aim at the tip of the main island Luzon, just south of the capital city of 12 million people.

NewsBytes:

Japan - A heavy snowstorm in Japan has claimed the lives of at least six people and left 1,400 homes in Tokushima Prefecture without power.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Fogo (Cape Verde): The new lava flow, more fluid than the earlier one, continues to advance rapidly. It has reached and started to engulf Bangaeira village, downslope of the already destroyed Portela village. If the eruption continues long enough, the lava flow, following the downwards slope, would eventually reach the eastern coast.

Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): The volcano remains active and dangerous although it has been generally quieter during the past weeks as compared to the surge in activity in Oct. However, sudden collapses of the still growing lava flow and/or explosions occur from time to time: a moderately sized, 2 km long pyroclastic flow traveled down the southern flank Saturday noon (local time).

Pavlof (Alaska Peninsula, USA): Weak activity continues at the volcano. The volcano observatory showed photographs showing the volcano emitting a steam plume and reports seismic activity is still elevated. Increased temperatures at the summit, detectable on satellite data, are coming from the recent lava flow.

Cerro Negro de Mayasquer (Colombia): Seismic activity continues to be important. In the last week, almost 20,000 earthquakes with a daily average of 2845 were detected. 5 of them were felt by the local population, the largest one was a 3.8 event on 2 Dec at 17:58 local time. Compared to October and November this year, when daily averages were 3740 and 4579, respectively, seismic activity has declined a lot, but remains high.

Erebus (Antarctica): The Mount Erebus Volcano Observatory (MEVO) reported yesterday that "it has been an active time for the last 24 hours. There were 6 significant eruptions which show up nicely on the MACZ (short period single vertical component) seismometer. ... There is no knowing if this will continue or was just a one off. It does show that gas is accumulating somewhere at depth and migrates to the lava lake as a big bubble where it bursts explosively sending volcanic bombs shooting above the lava lake and sometimes out onto the crater rim where people may be working."

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.8 Earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.

6.0 Earthquake hits the Banda Sea.

5.8 Earthquake hits the Panama-Costa Rice border.

5.8 Earthquake hits offshore Guatemala.

5.7 Earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Super Typhoon 22w (Hagupit), located approximately 198 nm east-southeast of Manila, Philippines, and is tracking northwestward at 5 knots.

At 10:00 a.m. local time, the eye of Typhoon Hagupit (local name 'Ruby') was located 20 km East of Cataingan, Masbate. The typhoon ripped through the central Philippines on Sunday, bringing howling winds that flattened houses and toppled trees and power lines in areas still scarred from a deadly super-storm just over a year ago. In the coastal villages of Dolores, on Samar island, where Typhoon Hagupit first made landfall on Saturday night, Mayor Emiliana Villacarillo said around 80 percent of homes were destroyed. More than 1.2 million people had crowded into over 1,500 schools, civic centres, town halls, gyms and churches used as evacuation centres across the central Philippines.

NewsBytes:

Bulgaria - The state of emergency declared after heavy flooding in southeast of Bulgaria continues on Saturday and Sunday. Torrential rainfall caused flooding in both Galabovo and Radnevo, with blackouts in Galabovo, Novinite reported. A “code red” danger warning has been issued for the Maritsa River valley near the town of Svilengrad and along the Tundzha River valley near Elhovo in southern Bulgaria.

Global Warming

Global Warming Already Causing Great Changes

Earth has already undergone significant climate and environmental changes since world leaders first gathered to try to solve global warming more than two decades ago.

Diplomats from more than 190 nations are now meeting in Lima, Peru, to prepare for a new treaty slated to be signed next year to finally reduce greenhouse gas emissions—albeit many years from now.

An Associated Press survey found that worldwide CO2 emissions are up 60 percent, sea level has risen 3 inches and the average global temperature is up 0.6 degree Fahrenheit since 1996.

Almost 5 trillion tons of ice that once covered Greenland and Antarctica also have melted during the period.

The number of climate, water and weather disasters each year has more than doubled, compared to the period from 1983 to 1992, according to Belgium’s Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters.

“Simply put, we are rapidly remaking the planet and beginning to suffer the consequences,” Michael Oppenheimer, professor of geosciences and international affairs at Princeton, told the AP.

Disease

Cholera in Ghana

The Goaso Government Hospital in the Brong Ahafo region has recorded 94 cholera cases with three deaths in two months despite reports of the drastic reduction in the rate of infection for the past few months.

Cholera has claimed over 100 lives with more than 10,000 cases recorded across the country since its outbreak this year.

Chikungunya in Mexico

The number of locally acquired chikungunya cases in Mexico have climbed to 74 in epidemiological week 49 ending Dec 5. The North American country, south of the border, saw its first autochthonous case of the painful mosquito borne viral disease the epidemiological week 45 ending Nov. 7, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

Local transmission, or autochthonous means that mosquitoes in the area have been infected with chikungunya and are spreading it to people.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Fogo (Cape Verde): The eruption intensified according to news reports on Saturday, and destroyed most of what still had been left of Portela. The new lava flow advanced at 30 meters per hour and consumed another 20 houses and the sports center. The flow is now headed towards Bangaeira village, which is threatened to suffer the same fate as Portela in a short time. Authorities ordered full evacuation of the area. One of the main access roads, only opened a few days ago, was also destroyed again by the lava flows, making the evacuation of people and remaining goods difficult.

Aso (Kyushu): The strombolian activity from Nakadake crater continues to be quite intense. At least 2 vents are active, producing frequent explosions with incandescent ejecta and ash plumes that rise a few 100 meters.

Reventador (Ecuador): A new lava flow started to descend the southwest flank of the summit cone on 2 Dec and is still active. It has reached the base of the cone and is now approx. 1 km long. The recent surge in lava effusion began on 2 Dec. A similar lava flow occurred earlier in November.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.6 Earthquake hits Yunnan, China.

5.5 Earthquake hits Yunnan, China.

5.4 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.3 Earthquake hits Iceland.

5.2 Earthquake hits near the coast of western Turkey.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.

5.0 Earthquake hits near the coast of western Turkey.

5.0 Earthquake hits western Honshu, Japan.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Super Typhoon 22w (Hagupit), located approximately 360 nm east-southeast of Manila, Philippines, and is tracking westward at 8 knots.

The typhoon will only weaken slightly as it nears the Philippines, and is expected to come very close to the Eastern Samar province late Saturday. Forecasts then take Hagupit directly over the country with current predictions expecting the storm to come very close to the capital, Manila, on Monday. Along with damaging winds and flooding rains, the typhoon is expected to bring a destructive tidal surge to eastern areas of the country. More than 600 000 people have fled the approach of Hagupit.

NewsBytes:

Australia - A severe thunderstorm that hit parts of Sydney, Australia has damaged more than 100 properties. More thunderstorms, hail and powerful winds are expected in New South Wales.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images:

A great horned owl went for an unexpected swim in Lake Michigan this week, after two peregrine falcons forced it into the water, according to Chicago birders who saw the territorial skirmish firsthand.

And later, on the beach:

YouTube URL

Space Events

Geminid Meteor Shower

The Geminid meteor shower will peak on 13 and 14th of December this year and is expected to see up to 100 shooting stars per hour.

The Geminid meteor shower will start on Sunday 7 December and continue until December 17. Geminid meteor shower Dec. 13-14 will the best evenings to view as experts have predicted to see a 'shooting star' every minute from around 10 p.m. till dawn.

The Geminid meteor shower can be viewed from locations all around the world. Astronomers suggest the best time to view the Geminid meteor shower between 9 p.m. (21:00) local time and before dusk.

According to the NASA's Solar System Exploration, unlike most meteor showers which originate from comets, the Geminids originate from an asteroid.

The Geminid meteor shower takes place every December and is one of the most anticipated events in the stargazing calendar.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Fogo (Cape Verde): The eruption continues. A new lava flow that appeared last night is heading again towards the village of Portela, which it might hit in less than 2 days. At the eruptive fissure, 3 vents seem to still be active and explosive activity has decreased a lot. The eruption continues to be dominated by lava effusion.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 Earthquake hits south of Fiji.

5.1 Earthquake hits Assam, India.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Banda Sea.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Super Typhoon 22w (Hagupit), located approximately 465 nm east-southeast of Manila, Philippines, and is tracking west-northwestward at 6 knots.

Super Hagupit is expected to make landfall Saturday evening over the Eastern Samar-Northern Samar area of the Philippines. Tens of thousands of residents in coastal areas have evacuated their homes one day before the expected landfall.

NewsBytes:

Kenya - Landslide in Mombasa, Kenya has collapsed several houses and left 300 people homeless. Residents of Zaire Village in Jomvu constituency in Mombasa were advised to evacuate their houses.

Vietnam - floods in Vietnam's central Thua Thien - Hue Province have claimed lives of at least two children, Vietnam News reported. Heavy rainfall and a huge volume of water released from the Huong Dien power plant reservoir caused flooding in many low-lying areas of Phong Dien, Quang Dien and Huong Tra.

California, USA - Drought-stricken Yosemite Falls, one of Yosemite National Park's top attractions, roared back to life Wednesday (Dec. 3). The falls reappeared in full glory after two days of significant rain in the Sierra Nevada, the National Park Service said. The tallest waterfall in North America and a popular stop for park visitors, Yosemite Falls went dry in early summer because of California's exceptional drought.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 110.8 degrees Fahrenheit (43.8 degrees Celsius) at Western Australia's Telfer Mining Center.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 54.9 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 48.3 degrees Celsius) at Russia's Siberian community of Selagoncy.

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

Fogo (Cape Verde): The intensity of the eruption has strongly decreased, and the lava flows that have been destroying Portela seems to have at least temporarily stopped.

Cerro Negro de Mayasquer (Colombia): The volcano's alert level was decreased to Yellow. Seismic remains above background, but has decreased significantly recently.

Momotombo (Nicaragua): The volcano remains restless. A small earthquake swarm started this morning under the northern flank of the volcano. The earthquakes are small (below mag. 3) and located at 5-10 km depth.

Copahue (Chile/Argentina): The volcano continues to produce steam and ash emissions of varying intensity. Phases of hour-long continuous ash emissions have become more frequent recently and incandescence is often visible from the El Agrio crater at night.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 Earthquake hits North Island, New Zealand.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Pagan region in the North Mariana Islands.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Mid-Indian ridge.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

Typhoon 22w (Hagupit), located approximately 640 nm east-southeast of Manila, Philippines, and is tracking west-northwestward at 12 knots.

Super Typhoon Hagupit has become a potentially catastrophic tropical cyclone in the tropical western Pacific Ocean after undergoing a period of explosive and rapid intensification. Uncertainty remains high in its future track, but there is increasing concern that the super typhoon could eventually strike the Philippines -- where it has been named Ruby -- with devastating force.

NewsBytes:

Morocco - Fresh floods triggered by torrential rains have killed 11 people in Morocco, a week after a storm left 36 dead. Storms again lashed the south of the kingdom, with the resort of Agadir experiencing the equivalent of an entire year's rainfall - more than 250mm (10 inches).

Global Warming

No standstill in global warming: 2014 will be world's hottest year ever

This year is set to be the hottest on record both in Britain and around the world, with climate scientists pointing to rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide as the most likely cause.

Records for January to October show that the global average air temperature over land and sea surface was about 0.57C above the average of 14C for the period between 1961 to 1990, and 0.09C above the average for the past 10 years, according to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

The global figures suggest that 2014 is set to become the hottest ever, beating the previous records of 2010, 2005 and 1998. Much of the extra warmth is being detected in the oceans, both at the surface and at deeper depths where the bulk of the extra heat is ending up.

Meanwhile the central England temperature record, which dates back to 1659 and is the longest set of instrumental records in the world, shows that 2014 is also set to be one of the warmest British years on record, according to the Met Office.

Every month of this year so far, except August, has seen above-average temperatures in the UK, and while no single month has set a new temperature record, the year as a whole has been consistently and unusually warm, the Met Office said.

Climate researchers will use the latest data to puncture the myth that global warming has stalled and will urge negotiators at the climate change negotiations in the Peruvian capital Lima to take note of what they see as incontrovertible evidence that the world is on path towards dangerous global warming.

Disease

Foot and Mouth Disease

Namibia - Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Linyanti. A foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak was detected in the Zambezi region's Linyanti constituency on Monday. According to Iita, the affected animals are to be found on an island between the Sapisi and Linyanti rivers. Linyantu is located 80 kilometres (km) south-west of Katima Mulilo.

North Korea - An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been confirmed Thursday at a pig farm located some 100 kilometres south of Seoul.