Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.8 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.7 Earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.
5.1 Earthquake hits Papua, Indonesia.
5.0 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits Simeulue, Indonesia.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits Coquimbo, Chile.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.
5.0 Earthquake hits Guatemala.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the North Atlantic: Invest 96L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.
Invest 97L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.
In the Western Pacific: Typhoon 06w (Nida), located approximately 231 nm north-northeast of Manila, Philippines, is tracking northwestward at 13 knots.
Newsbytes:
India - Rains lashing northern and eastern parts of the country have aggravated the flood situation in Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar and West Bengal, killing around 58 people while lightning strikes in Odisha have claimed 27 lives. Floods in Assam have killed 29 people and affected nearly 37 lakh people across more than 3,300 villages in 28 districts of the state, officials said. According to official reports, flood waters have risen following heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan as well as in the state. In Bihar, many rivers are flowing above danger level as floods continued to wreak havoc, affecting 26.19 lakh people. Two more districts of East Champaran and Muzaffarpur were declared as flood-hit on Saturday. Twenty-six deaths were reported in Bihar due to drowning and home collapses in 10 districts bordering Nepal, news agency AP reported on Saturday. In Odisha, 27 people were killed in lightning strikes -- eight from Bhadrak district, seven casualties in Balasore district, five in Khurda, three in Mayurbhanj and one each in Kendrapara, Jajpur, Keonjhar and Nayagarh, police said.
Jellyfish to flock to British beaches
Global warming is reputedly causing swathes of jellyfish to flock to British beaches as warmer seas attract the stinging menaces. The number of blooms, when jelly fish mass together, are on the rise in coastal waters, according to the Marine Conservation Society.
Some scientists argue that jellyfish numbers increase and then decrease normally every 20 years or so, however, others believe and these increases are linked to factors such as pollution, over-fishing and possibly climate change.
H1N1 influenza deaths in Panama rise to 62
In a follow-up to the coverage of the H1N1 influenza outbreak in Panama, the Ministry of Health is advising the public to get vaccinated as more fatalities and hospitalizations are reported (computer translated). Health officials say nearly 3,500 people have required hospitalization and 250 remain hospitalized to date.
Camelpox Outbreak in the West Bank
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received notification Thursday from the Ministry of Agriculture , NAPLOUSE, Palestinian Auton. Territories about a camelpox outbreak in the West Bank. Seven cases of the viral disease were confirmed in dromedary camels belonging to Bedouins in a very wide area or open desert from Bethlehem to the Dead Sea.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
7.7 Earthquake hits the Pagan region in the North Mariana Islands.
No tsunami warning has been issued.
5.2 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.0 Earthquake hits North island, New Zealand.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Pagan region in the North Mariana Islands.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the North Atlantic:
Invest 96L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.
Invest 97L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.
In the Eastern Pacific:
Invest 91E is an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.
In the Western Pacific:
Tropical depression 06w (Six), located approximately 318 nm east of Manila, Philippines, is tracking north-northwestward at 18 knots.
Puerto Rico is in the midst of a Zika epidemic
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ArboNET, as of July 7, Zika has been diagnosed in 5,582 people, including 672 pregnant women, in Puerto Rico according to a new report published today in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). Positive tests for people with suspected Zika virus infection have increased from 14 percent in February to 64 percent in June. Positive tests through blood supply screening also increased, reaching 1.8 percent during the latest week of reporting, which started on July 3.
Many of the 5,582 people who tested positive for Zika virus infections were tested because they had symptoms of Zika. Because Zika infection during pregnancy can harm the developing fetus, pregnant women in Puerto Rico and other areas where Zika is spreading should be routinely tested during prenatal care whether or not they got sick. Of the 672 pregnant women, 441 (66 percent) experienced symptoms of Zika and 231 (34 percent) had no symptoms. Because approximately 80 percent of people infected with Zika do not have symptoms, the 672 pregnant women with evidence of Zika infection likely represent only a fraction of those who may be infected to date.
In addition, 21 people with confirmed or suspected Guillain-Barré syndrome in Puerto Rico had evidence of Zika virus infection or recent unspecified flavivirus infection, and one person died after developing severe thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count).
Florida, USA - Zika Virus
Four cases of Zika infection in Florida are very likely to have been caused by mosquitoes there, the State Department of Health said Friday — the first documented instances of local transmission in the continental United States.
The C.D.C. and Florida officials said that for now, the area of concern is limited to one square mile in the Wynwood neighbourhood of Miami, a gentrifying area with restaurants and art galleries just north of downtown.
Researchers had long predicted that the Zika virus would gain a toehold in the continental United States, most likely in Florida and along the Gulf Coast. While the outbreak is not expected to escalate sharply, its course is uncertain.
None of the four patients in Miami had traveled to Zika-affected areas in Latin America or the Caribbean.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Bezymianny (Central Kamchatka Depression): Last night, Tokyo VAAC reported an ash plume from the volcano at 20:40 UTC, based on satellite data. While it is entirely possible that activity at the lava dome of Bezymianny has picked up or that a collapse occurred which generated an ash plume, it could also be an ash plume from nearby Klyuchevskoy volcano. At the moment, the latter possibility seems more likely. Cloud cover prevented direct observation to confirm whether or not there is new activity at Bezymianny. KVERT has not issued an alert about the latter.
Cleveland (Aleutian Islands, Alaska): A recent overflight by staff of the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) showed a small lava dome and active fumaroles inside the volcano's summit crater. Incandescence could be seen at the vent of the dome, indicating that it is still active even though no explosions or other eruptive activity have taken place recently. The current aviation color code of Cleveland is yellow.
Fuego (Guatemala): The paroxysm at Fuego, which had reached its peak phase during the night of Thu-Fri (28-29 July) has ended. Starting from the early afternoon yesterday (local time), activity gradually decreased and the volcano's activity has by now returned to intermittent smaller strombolian explosions. The lava effusion dropped as well. As of yesterday evening, the two lava flows on the SE side were still active and 1500 m long while explosions at the vent were still reaching 400 meters height; by this morning, the lava flows continued to be active, but had decreased to a few hundred of meters length and are probably going to stop soon. The recent paroxysmal eruptive phase (the 12th in 2016) with pulsating lava fountains and continuous ash emissions had lasted approx. 12 hours at its climax during the night 28-29 and morning of 29 July. It was described as one of the strongest so far this year.
Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia): Sporadic, usually small ash emissions continue to occur from time to time (every few days) such as last night (s. image attached). These explosions are likely phreatic in nature, i.e. driven by steam explosions inside the currently unstable hydrothermal system heated by an underlying magma intrusion at shallow depth. On 24 July, Washington VAAC reported a possible ash plume from Ruiz that rose to an altitude of 7.2 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l. On 26 July, an ash plume was detected that rose to an altitude of 6.9 km (22,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W.
Piton de la Fournaise (La Réunion): Signs that a new eruption of the volcano in the near future could be in the making have been increasing. In a bulletin yesterday, the volcano observatory (OVPF) reported elevated seismic activity, deformation and gas emissions that are consistent with the rise of magma to shallow depths. The recent seismic unrest began on 13 July; since then, OVPF recorded 163 shallow volcano-tectonic earthquakes (at depths within 2 km below the summit), including two swarms on 19 and 26 July, as well as 226 small collapses and rockfalls in the Dolomieu Crater. Also since 13 July ground inflation at Dolomieu crater (swelling of the edifice caused by magma intrusion) picked up significantly. It currently continues at rates similar to those recorded before the recent eruptions of 2015 and 2016 (rates around 1 mm distance gain / day). Last, but not least, gas measurements also show significant variations: since 21 July, a moderate increase in the average concentrations of H2S emissions has been detected from the summit - a volcanic gas released earlier than magma itself rises to the surface as the gas is very mobile and not very soluble at low pressure (shallow magma depth).
Colima (Western Mexico): Intermittent explosions continue at the volcano from time to time, but with comparably low intensity. No or little glow is visible from the volcano's summit at night, suggesting that the magma column is relatively deep inside the conduit currently.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 Earthquake hits Minahasa, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
5.1 Earthquake hits Samoa.
5.0 Earthquake hits south of Java, Indonesia.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the North Atlantic: Invest 96L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.
Invest 97L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.
In the Eastern Pacific:
Invest 91E is an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.
Arctic Eviction
Migratory birds that have throughout the ages spent the summer in the Arctic may soon find their breeding grounds there too warm and unsuitable because of climate change.
The Arctic is now warming faster than most other places on the planet, especially areas that are home to the most visiting bird species — western Alaska and eastern Russia.
Scientists from the University of Queensland say that climate change in those areas is already causing the “shrubification” of the tundra and creating an environment that invites such predators as red foxes to move northward.
Researcher Hannah Wauchope predicts most Arctic shorebirds won’t be able to breed in the Arctic by 2070.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week's hottest temperature was 119.0 degrees Fahrenheit (48.3 degrees Celsius) in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The week's coldest temperature was minus -112.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 80.0 degrees Celsius) at Russia's Vostok Antarctic research station.
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.
Wildfires - Siberia
The area of wildfires in Siberia has grown from 4,700 to 6,500 hectares over the last 24 hours. A total of 47 forest blazes is currently active in the region.
Most wildfires were registered on the territory of the Krasnoyarsk Krai.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Shiveluch (Kamchatka): The effusive and explosive activity at the volcano continue at currently relatively low levels. Occasional small avalanches occur from the active dome, but little or no glow can be seen on night-time webcam imagery, suggesting that the effusion rate is at the lower end at the moment.
Chirpoi (Kurile Islands, Russia): SVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Snow, a volcano of Chirpoi, was detected in satellite images during 18 and 20-24 July. Steam-and-gas emissions were visible drifting SW on 16 July and may have contained minor amounts of ash. Steam-and-gas emissions during 22-24 July drifted as far as 90 km N. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow.
Bagana (Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea): A small ash emission from the volcano was reported yesterday evening. According to Darwin VAAC, a plume at approx. 7,000 ft (2.1 km) altitude extended 35 km west from the volcano.
Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): Explosive and effusive activity continue with no significant changes at relatively low level. Almost every day, the lava dome produces small to moderate ash explosions at the summit.
Semeru (East Java, Indonesia): During an ongoing tour in East Java, our small group observed glow and mild explosive (strombolian) activity from Semeru volcano's summit crater. The lava flow in the southern ravine was inactive.
Kilauea (Hawai'i): As of yesterday evening (morning in Hawai'i), the new sea entry of the "61G" lava flow near the Kamokuna area continued to be active with and was at least 20 meters wide, spilling over the older sea cliff. It can be expected that the sea entry will widen over time. Another lobe of the main flow has been advancing along the west margin and might hit the ocean soon as well. At the summit and Pu'u 'O'o crater on the eastern rift zone, no significant changes have occurred. Halema'uma'u lava lake has risen a bit again to approx. 23 m below the crater floor rim and the lava pond inside Pu'u 'O'o is active as well.
Pavlof (Alaska Peninsula, USA): Weak eruptive activity has been observed at the volcano in the form of intense steaming and small ash emissions and the aviation color code was raised to orange yesterday. Most likely, the summit crater vent is currently producing strombolian-type activity, possibly along with the effusion of lava flows. Seismic activity has been elevated.
Pacaya (Guatemala): Mild strombolian activity continues from the Mackenney crater. According to a recent report, this activity ejected glowing material to 75 m above the crater and weak incandescence could be observed from the crater at night.
Fuego (Guatemala): Another intense eruptive phase with strong explosions, lava fountaining and abundant lava flow activity is in progress at the volcano. After increasing gradually over the past week, the new so-called paroxysm (the 12th such phase in 2016 according to INSIVUMEH) started yesterday morning and seems now to be at its peak. Strombolian-type explosions and/or pulsating lava fountains eject glowing lava to 400 m or more, generating abundant glowing avalanches on the upper cone, and are accompanied by shock waves that can be felt in up to 15 km distance. Two lava flows of each about 2000 m length are descending the Las Lajas and Santa Teresa gullies on the southeastern flank.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.1 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Ceram Sea, Indonesia.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the North Atlantic: Invest 96L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.
In the Eastern Pacific: Tropical Storm Frank is located about 875 mi...1410 km W of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 290 degrees at 9 mph...15 km/h.
Invest 91E is an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.
Newsbytes:
Nepal - In Nepal, flash floods and landslides have swept through villages, killing at least 58 people over the past two days, home ministry official Yadav Koirala told Reuters on Wednesday.
Two Humpback Whales Rescue a Seal Under Attack by Killer Whales
According to a first-hand account written by Robert L. Pitman of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:
At one point, the team witnessed a pod of killer whales (orcas) trying to knock a Weddell seal off an ice floe, presumably to eat the hapless seal.
The orcas teamed up and swam alongside each other, creating a wave that knocked the tasty-looking seal into the water — a typical hunting strategy used by killer whales.
“At one point, the predators succeeded in washing the seal off the floe," the scientists wrote. "Exposed to lethal attack in the open water, the seal swam frantically toward the humpbacks, seeming to seek shelter, perhaps not even aware that they were living animals."
Next thing they knew, one of the humpback whales rolled over, scooping up the seal onto his chest just before the killer whales reached their prey.
"Then, as the killer whales moved in closer, the humpback arched its chest, lifting the seal out of the water. The water rushing off that safe platform started to wash the seal back into the sea, but then the humpback gave the seal a gentle nudge with its flipper, back to the middle of its chest. Moments later, the seal scrambled off and swam to the safety of a nearby ice floe," wrote the scientists.
Mozambican poachers target SA rhinos
The depletion of elephants and rhinos in Mozambique has prompted poachers there to target rhinos in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, a report has revealed.
The report says, besides crossing into South Africa, the Mozambicans also take advantage of rhinos that stray into their country.
"Today, the only rhinos that occur in Mozambique are those that cross the border from the Kruger National Park. Rangers refer to them darkly as 'the suicidal ones'. There are estimated to be about twenty of them wandering across every day and, on average, ten are killed by poachers on Mozambican soil every year," the report says.
According to the report, while some conservationists are worried about rhino poaching, Mozambique’s most pressing environmental problems is illegal logging and elephant poaching.
Experts say insatiable demand for timber in China has seen trees harvested on such a scale in Mozambique that some believe the country will be stripped of its forests "in just a few years".
A report published by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) found that 93% of logging in Mozambique in 2013 was illegal and that "without major reforms, Mozambique’s forests and forest economy are staring down the barrel of a very bleak future".
The report, written by Global Initiative rhino investigator Julian Rademeyer, reveals that elephants in Mozambique have been slaughtered on a massive scale, with numbers falling by 48% in just five years - from more than 20 000, to just 10 300.
"The Niassa Reserve which, at 42 000 square kilometres, is twice the size of the Kruger National Park, was hardest hit. In 2012, there were an estimated 12 000 elephants there. Today only about 4 500 remain,” reads the report.
Branding Mozambique as a country in crisis, the report cites rampant corruption, a weak judiciary, an ineffectual and criminally compromised police force, and powerful criminal syndicates, as factors fuelling poaching and other transnational crimes.
Interesting Images
Mysterious Purple Sea Orb Stymies Scientists - Researchers aboard the E/V Nautilus were surprised to stumble across a mysterious purple blob during an exploration of Arguello Canyon near the Channel Island National Marine Sanctuary.
Solar Flare
The sun fired off its strongest solar flare of 2016 during an active weekend that saw three eruptions from star's surface.
Wildfires - California, USA
A bulldozer operator was killed Tuesday while helping battle a wildfire near Big Sur, as a northern California blaze consumed more than 23,000 acres.
The fire is one of two infernos devouring drought-stricken California, prompting thousands of evacuations and a massive response from fire agencies. In total, 6,000 firefighters are combating the pair of wildfires.
The fires have sent thick smoke as far away as the Bay Area and Las Vegas, and triggered air quality warnings in those areas.
The second fire, in Santa Clarita Valley northeast of Los Angeles, grew to 38,346 acres by Wednesday and killed one man, whose body was found over the weekend in a burned sedan in the driveway of his home. Both fires began Friday.
Lassa Fever - Nigeria
The Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health is reporting an increase in Lassa fever in 2016 to date, according to the latest data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. During the first six months of 2016, the west African country reported 744 suspected Lassa fever cases with 72 lab-confirmed and 87 deaths.
Cholera in Sudan
Hundreds of cholera cases have been reported in South Sudan in the last two weeks, leading to the death of 14 people.
The UN and its partners have responded by implementing a vaccination campaign aimed at reaching more than 14 000 people and creating rehydration and treatment centres, the UN reported on Wednesday.
With the conditions favourable for transmission of cholera due to increased population displacement, overcrowding, poor hygiene and sanitation, this outbreak could further exacerbate an already weak health system which is also battling malnutrition, measles and malaria.
The risk of further spread of diseases is a major concern. With the coming rains, it is realistic to expect an increase in malaria and water-borne diseases.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Chikurachki (Paramushir Island): A new eruption was reported by Tokyo VAAC who discovered new ash emissions from the volcano since yesterday morning. The ash plume observed on Himawari 8 satellite imagery rose to estimated 18,000 ft (5.4 km) altitude and drifted over 150 km to the NE passing the southern part of the Kamchatka peninsula. Based on satellite imagery, it seems that the eruption started as a violent explosive event yesterday at 03:20 UTC (14:20 afternoon local time). The ash plume reached Kamchatka's southern tip 3 hours later, spreading at an average of approx. 30 knots. Chikurachki, one of the many active and rarely directly observed volcanoes in the Kurile Arc, has often produced short-lived, but sudden and very violent explosive eruptions in the past years.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.3 Earthquake hits off the coast of Aisen, Chile.
5.3 Earthquake hits the Fox Islands in the Aleutian Islands.
5.3 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.3 Earthquake hits Salta, Argentina.
5.2 Earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
5.1 Earthquake hits offshore Valparaiso, Chile.
5.0 Earthquake hits Tonga.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the North Atlantic:
Invest 96L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.
In the Eastern Pacific:
Hurricane Frank is located about 625 mi...1005 km W of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...80 mph...130 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 295 degrees at 12 mph...19 km/h.
Tropical Storm Georgette is located about 1270 mi...2045 km W of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/h. Present movement...NW or 310 degrees at 6 mph...9 km/h.
In the Western Pacific:
Tropical storm 05w (Mirinae), located approximately 99 nm southeast of Hanoi, Vietnam, is tracking west-northwestward at 14 knots.
Newsbytes:
Assam, India - At least seven people have died and 1.2 million others were displaced from their homes in India's northeastern state of Assam after heavy monsoon rains and flooding inundated the country. According to the Associated Press, army soldiers rescued thousands of people using boats. Many residents were stranded on the roofs of their homes and had to be taken to a safe location. Much of Assam is under water after the Brahmaputra and its tributaries breached their banks, with 18 of the state's districts affected. Large stretches of main roads and highways have been washed away and power pylons have come down. District officials said more than 200 relief camps have been set up for flood victims. Thousands of acres of farmlands have been flooded.
Dengue in Delhi, India
The Indian capital of Delhi saw 40 dengue fever cases during the past week in the city, including the first fatality, which has prompted health officials to open 350 dengue clinics. The fatality, reported late last week, was a 17-year-girl who had the most severe form of the viral disease, dengue shock syndrome.
Egypt reports 3 human H5N1 avian influenza cases
Three new laboratory-confirmed human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection were reported to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Anthrax outbreak in Yamalsky District, Russia
At least nine people in the Yamal region of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous district (YNAD) in northern Russia are hospitalized due to anthrax, according to a Siberian Times report. Four children are reported as being treated in intensive care.
This is the first anthrax outbreak recorded in more than seven decades.
1200 reindeer died suddenly in the areas around Tarko-Sale but the authorities are unclear so far how many perished from anthrax. Health authorities are deeply concerned about nomadic herders and their families in the Tarko-Sale camp, some 540 kilometres (350 miles) south-east of regional capital Salekhard. A mass evacuation is underway. Vaccination of deer not affected has begun and is expected to be completed in three days.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Kilauea (Hawai'i): Over the weekend, the lava flow in the coastal flat had advanced significantly, bringing the closest lava flow front to only 370 m distance from the coast as of Monday morning (Hawaiian time). Chances to see lava entering the sea in the coming days or weeks are increasing with each day. At the summit caldera, the level of Halema'uma'u's active lava lake has again dropped to 26 meters below the crater floor, hiding it from direct view from the volcano observatory. The so-called 61G lava flow continued its rapid advance and reached the ocean early yesterday morning at 01:12 local time. It crossed the emergency coastal road and created a new narrow ocean entry where new land is now being formed to again enlarge the surface of Big Island.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.3 Earthquake hits Atacama, Chile.
6.3 Earthquake hits the Admiralty Islands, Papua New Guinea.
5.7 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.5 Earthquake hits the Ryukyu Islands off Japan.
5.4 Earthquake hits the central Mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.2 Earthquake hits New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.
5.0 Earthquake hits northern Colombia.
5.0 Earthquake hits New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Eastern Pacific:
Post-Tropical Storm Darby is located about 130 mi...215 km WNW of Barking Sands Hawaii and about 265 mi...425 km WNW of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...30 mph...45 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 300 degrees at 9 mph...15 km/h.
Tropical Storm Frank is located about 390 mi...630 km WSW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...60 mph...95 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 285 degrees at 7 mph...11 km/h.
Hurricane Georgette is located about 1240 mi...1995 km W of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...80 mph...130 km/h. Present movement...NW or 315 degrees at 5 mph...7 km/h.
In the Western Pacific:
Tropical storm 05w (Mirinae), located approximately 132 nm southeast of Haikou, China, is tracking west-northwestward at 12 knots.
Newsbytes:
Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa - Heavy rains and storms in the province have caused havoc with roads and railway lines flooded, landslides and tornadoes. Beaches in Durban have been closed while emergency services have battled to keep up with rescue services. Across the high altitudes, snowfalls have been seen across large areas of the Drakensburg.
Hawaii - Oahu reported heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Darby, and officials said dozens called for help as their homes were surrounded by water.
Moscow, Russia - Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has been mocked online after extraordinary flooding wreaked havoc in the Russian capital and briefly submerged a street next to the Kremlin in knee-deep water. City authorities said the flooding on July 22 was the result of a freak rainfall. During the heavy downpour, social networks were inundated with pictures of cars driving through what looked like rivers and lakes that had formed on iconic central Moscow streets.
Haiti Cholera Count
Through July 9, Haiti has reported 21,661 suspected cholera cases and 200 related deaths. In all of 2015, the island country saw 36,644 cholera cases and 321 deaths. Since the cholera outbreak began in October 2010, months after the Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake, 776,633 cases and 9,163 deaths have been recorded. And this cumulative number may be lowballing it, according to a recent study in the journal, Emerging Infectious Diseases, which reveals from house-to-house surveys in four communities that there were an estimated nearly three times more cholera deaths in the first six months of the epidemic than officially recorded.
Prior to Oct. 2010, Haiti had not seen a cholera outbreak in a century.
In neighbouring Dominican Republic, 894 cholera cases and 17 deaths have been reported this year to date.
Zika Virus Epidemic in Colombia Over
Colombian health officials declared on Monday that the worst of a Zika outbreak in the Andean nation had passed just 10 months after its arrival, raising questions about how the virus is affecting parts of Latin America differently.
Vice Health Minister Fernando Ruiz told journalists that the number of infections in Colombia has been falling by 600 cases a week. While Zika is still circulating in the country, Colombia considers the drop-off sufficient to say it has moved into an endemic phase from the epidemic phase. Colombia has reported nearly 100,000 cases of infection, with 21 cases of Zika-related microcephaly.
An Aedes Aegypti mosquito
Wildfires - California, USA
A massive wildfire destroyed at least 18 homes and threatened 1,500 more as flames churned through tinder-dry canyons north of Los Angeles. The fire on Sunday had gained ferocious new power two days after it broke out, sending so much smoke in the air that planes making drops on it had to be grounded for part of the afternoon.
About 480km up the coast, crews were battling another fire spanning more than 44 square kilometres that destroyed six homes on Sunday and forced evacuations outside the scenic Big Sur region. About 900 firefighters were battling the blaze in temperatures exceeding 41 degrees Celsius, aided by 28 water-dropping helicopters and eight fixed-winged aircraft.
Wildfires - Utah, USA
Battling triple-digit temperatures, crews were close to completing containment lines around a nearly 15,000-acre wildfire on tinder-dry rangelands of the Great Salt Lake's Antelope Island.
Crews adopted a defensive stance at the lightning-caused Lower Ebbs Fire, which had burned 5,000 acres of sage, pinyon and juniper about 4 miles southwest of the Millard County town of Scipio. Fire Information officer Adam Solt said the three-day-old blaze was 15 percent contained, with about 250 firefighters and several air-tankers and helicopters assigned to the battle in the Ebbs and Wild Goose canyons.
The Major Evans Fire, ignited Sunday by a recreational vehicle explosion, had burned 15 acres of steep oak brush and timber terrain northeast of the Tibble Fork Reservoir. Fire Information Officer Kathy Jo Pollock said about 40 firefighters were battling the flames, located at the junction of Major Evans Gulch and North Fork of American Fork Canyon. It was 85 percent contained Monday night.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Kliuchevskoi (Kamchatka): The volcano continues to erupt a lava flow that descends on the eastern flank. It also sometimes (such as during much of yesterday) has phases of near-continuous explosions at the summit craters, generating ash plumes that rise up to approx. 1 km from the summit. Today, no significant ash emissions were observed.
Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): After more than 3 weeks with no recorded eruption, a strong vulcanian-type explosion occurred this evening at 00:02 past midnight (15:02 UTC). The initial estimate of the ash plume was corrected from 10,000 to 20,000 ft (6 km) altitude, making the event one of the larger ones among Sakurajima's long list of vulcanian explosions throughout the past years. Whether or not the volcano will return to a more regular style of explosive activity remains to be seen.
Suwanose-jima (Ryukyu Islands): Judging from recent webcam imagery, activity has decreased again at the volcano although the On-take crater continues to produce a significant steam plume and occasional ash emissions, but much less vigorous than earlier this month. Only week glow if any can be seen at night.
Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): Explosive activity continues. The most recent eruption was reported by PVMBG and VAAC Darwin yesterday at 10:28 local time. It generated an ash column that rose approx. 1500 m above the volcano's summit.
Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): The activity at the volcano has remained essentially unchanged and been rather low during the past week. On average, CENAPRED recorded 100-200 low-energy emissions ("exhalations") and few, generally weak explosions with ash emissions, accompanied by intermittent phases of weak tremor. Glow at the volcano's summit at night indicates the continued slow growth of a lava dome inside the inner crater.
Fuego (Guatemala): A small lava flow is descending on the upper SE flank into the Santa Teresa drainage, generating near-constant small glowing avalanches. Explosive strombolian activity is relatively week at the moment; the volcano observatory counted 20 explosions for the past 24 hours, generating ash plums that rose up to approx. 500 m and drifted 10-12 km S and SW before dissipating. Many of them were accompanied by shock waves and jet-engine like degassing sounds that lasted up to 2 minutes. Incandescent bombs were seen to reach to 150-200 m height above the crater.
Turrialba (Costa Rica): A series of eruptions has been occurring from the volcano's active western crater during the night and this morning and is likely still going on. Costa Rican volcanologist describe the explosions which each lasted a few minutes as phreatic, i.e. driven by overheated water from the hydrothermal system suddenly flashing into steam. The first explosions occurred at 21:22 and 22:16 local time last night and were followed by similar ones at 07:22 and 08:25 this morning. The eruptions were similar to many others in the ongoing phase of intermittent explosions at the volcano during the past months; they ejected ballistic blocks of high temperature to the crater rim and generated ash plumes that rose several hundreds of meters before drifting SW where ash fall occurred in nearby areas.
Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia): The Manizales volcano observatory reported a small ash emission yesterday afternoon, but cloud cover prevented detailed observations.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.9 Earthquake hits the western Indian-Antarctic ridge.
5.4 Earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
5.4 Earthquake hits the central Mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.1 Earthquake hits New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.
5.0 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Eastern Pacific: Tropical Storm Darby is located about 30 mi...45 km N of Lihue Hawaii and about 125 mi...195 km NW of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/h. Present movement...NW or 320 degrees at 12 mph...19 km/h.
Tropical Storm Frank is located about 285 mi...460 km SW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...65 mph...100 km/h. Present movement...W or 280 degrees at 3 mph...6 km/h.
Hurricane Georgette is located about 1170 mi...1885 km WSW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...130 mph...215 km/h. Present movement...NW or 315 degrees at 10 mph...17 km/h.
Swathes Of The Great Barrier Reef Suffer ‘Complete Ecosystem Collapse’
It’s been a wretched year for Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the largest living structure and one of the most complex natural ecosystems on Earth.
The area suffered the worst bleaching event ever, one that impacted over 90 percent of the reef and killed more than a third of its corals. Earlier this year, shocking photos and video revealed total devastation in parts of the reef.
Now, entire swathes of the Great Barrier Reef are suffering from “complete ecosystem collapse,” marine researcher Justin Marshall said after spending a week conducting surveys near Lizard Island in the northern region of the reef.
“The lack of fish was the most shocking thing,” Marshall told The Guardian. “In broad terms, I was seeing a lot less than 50 percent of what was there [before the bleaching]. Some species I wasn’t seeing at all.” Previously-common fish species in the area like the black-and-white striped humbug damselfish and green chromis had almost completely disappeared, said Marshall.
China reports 1st Rift Valley Fever case, imported from Angola
Chinese health officials have already reported 11 imported cases of the mosquito borne viral disease, yellow fever, in people working overseas in Angola, now health officials have reported the first case of another disease that can be transmitted by mosquitoes, Rift Valley Fever (RVF).
Japan reports dengue fatality
A woman from Niigata Prefecture, on the west coast of Japan’s Honshu island, has died from dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) after contracting the mosquito borne viral disease in the Philippines, according to the Japan Health Ministry (computer translated). This was the first dengue related death recorded in Japan since 2005.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Mauna Loa (Big Island, Hawai'i): The volcano is not erupting, but continues to show unrest. Deformation and seismic activity remain above long-term background levels. According to HVO's latest update, earthquakes at Mauna Loa during the past week "occurred beneath the west and north flanks of the volcano mostly in the 5 – 11 km (3 – 7 miles) depth range. In addition, earthquakes are occurring in south caldera and upper Southwest Rift Zone at depths less than 5 km (3 mi).
Kilauea (Hawai'i): The 61G lava flow southeast of Pu'u 'Ō'ō remains active in the coastal plain and its most advanced front was 730 m (0.45 miles) from the ocean yesterday morning (local time on Hawaii). At the summit, the level of the Halema'uma'u lava lake has risen a bit and was 21.5 m (70 ft) below the crater rim. Parts of it have again come sometimes into view from the volcano observatory's public viewing terrace.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 Earthquake hits Alaska.
5.7 Earthquake hits Tonga.
5.3 Earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Santa Cruz Islands.
5.2 Earthquake hits south of Fiji.
5.0 Earthquake hits Potosi, Bolivia.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Eastern Pacific:
Tropical Storm Darby is located about 55 mi...85 km W of Kailua-Kona Hawaii and about 145 mi...230 km SSE of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 290 degrees at 10 mph...17 km/h.
Tropical Storm Frank is located about 240 mi...385 km SSW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...65 mph...100 km/h. Present movement...NW or 305 degrees at 8 mph...13 km/h.
Hurricane Georgette is located about 1085 mi...1740 km WSW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...80 mph...130 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 290 degrees at 10 mph...17 km/h.
In the Western Pacific:
Tropical storm 04w (Lupit), located approximately 985 nm east of Yokosuka, Japan, is tracking north-northeastward at 25 knots.
Newsbytes:
China - Update - Torrential rains that have swept through China have killed at least 154 people and left 124 missing, officials said Saturday, with most of the casualties reported from the northern province, Hebei where villagers complained about lack of warning before a deadly flash flood. The rains, which began on Monday, have flooded streams, triggered landslides and destroyed homes across the country. Most of the fatalities were reported in the northern province of Hebei, where the provincial Department of Civil Affairs said 114 people were killed and 111 others were missing. More than 300,000 people were evacuated in Hebei, and the province made another round of appropriations of tents, blankets, rain boots and generators, the department said. In the Hebei city of Xingtai alone, 25 people were killed and another 13 were missing.
India - Update - The flood situation remained grim in Arunachal Pradesh with several overflowing rivers submerging fresh areas in the state on Saturday.
Wildfires - California, USA
A burned body was found Saturday at the scene of a brushfire north of Los Angeles that has scorched 31 square miles and prompted the evacuation of 1,500 homes, authorities said.
The area was one of several neighbourhoods ordered evacuated as the fire raged through bone-dry canyons and ranch lands. The fire burned through the area Saturday evening. Firefighters reported that some buildings had been engulfed, but it was not immediately clear whether they were homes, outbuildings or garages.
The fire was only 10 percent contained Saturday night as it burned on the edge of Santa Clarita and into the Angeles National Forest and showed no sign of calming. More than 900 firefighters and water-dropping helicopters planned to battle the flames overnight, but they could face several fronts.
About 300 miles up the coast, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection firefighters battled a 10-square-mile blaze in rugged mountains north of the majestic Big Sur region.
The blaze 5 miles south of Garrapata State Park posed a threat to about 1,000 homes and the community of Palo Colorado was ordered evacuated, Cal Fire said.
NASA Study reveals nearly one-fifth of Global Warming over the years has been missed
A new NASA-led study finds that almost one-fifth of the global warming that has occurred in the past 150 years has been missed by historical records due to quirks in how global temperatures were recorded. The study explains why projections of future climate based solely on historical records estimate lower rates of warming than predictions from climate models.
The study applied the quirks in the historical records to climate model output and then performed the same calculations on both the models and the observations to make the first true apples-to-apples comparison of warming rates.
The Arctic is warming faster than the rest of Earth, but there are fewer historic temperature readings from there than from lower latitudes because it is so inaccessible. A data set with fewer Arctic temperature measurements naturally shows less warming than a climate model that fully represents the Arctic.
The new study also accounted for two other issues. First, the historical data mix air and water temperatures, whereas model results refer to air temperatures only. This quirk also skews the historical record toward the cool side, because water warms less than air.
The final issue is that there was considerably more Arctic sea ice when temperature records began in the 1860s, and early observers recorded air temperatures over nearby land areas for the sea-ice-covered regions. As the ice melted, later observers switched to water temperatures instead. That also pushed down the reported temperature change.
These quirks hide around 19 percent of global air-temperature warming since the 1860s. That’s enough that calculations generated from historical records alone were cooler than about 90 percent of the results from the climate models that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) uses for its authoritative assessment reports. In the apples-to-apples comparison, the historical temperature calculation was close to the middle of the range of calculations from the IPCC’s suite of models.
Zika Virus - Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands
With the addition of 1145 new confirmed locally acquired Zika virus cases during the past week, health officials in Puerto Rico now put the island’s tally at 5582 cases since the arrival of the virus to the island in Dec. 2015.
Secretary of the Department of Health, Ana Ríus Armendariz also notes of the total, 119 additional cases were reported in pregnant women for a total of 672, 10 hospitalizations for a total of 65 and 2 cases of Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS) for a total of 21.
In the US Virgin Islands, the Department of Health (DOH) reported nine additional Zika virus cases in the territory, bringing the total to 56 confirmed cases. 18 cases have been reported on St. Croix and 38 on St. Thomas.
Anthrax in Bulgaria
Health officials in Bulgaria announced that four cows had died from the bacterial disease, anthrax, in Silistra district in northeastern Bulgaria. Bulgaria reported a number of anthrax outbreaks in humans and animals in 2015.
India - Encephalitis
The Manipur health department today confirmed the outbreak of Japanese encephalitis in the state with the detection of nine positive cases across six districts.
Director of the health department Okram Ibomcha Singh said nine positive cases had been confirmed so far and more blood samples are being examined. He, however, clarified that the outbreak has not taken the form of an epidemic.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 Earthquake hits north of the Kuril Islands.
5.4 Earthquake hits northwest of Sumatra, Indonesia.
5.4 Earthquake hits off the coast of Guerrero, Mexico.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Eastern Pacific Tropical Storm Darby is located about 150 mi...240 km ESE of Hilo Hawaii and about 360 mi...580 km ESE of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...60 mph...95 km/h. Present movement...W or 280 degrees at 10 mph...17 km/h.
Tropical Storm Frank is located about 360 mi...580 km W of Manzanillo Mexico and about 305 mi...490 km S of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...65 mph...100 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 300 degrees at 8 mph...13 km/h.
Tropical Storm Georgette is located about 940 mi...1515 km SW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...65 mph...100 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 290 degrees at 13 mph...20 km/h.
Newsbytes:
Assam, India - Floods today engulfed more districts in Assam amid heavy deluge and pouring waters of overflowing rivers in the state affecting three lakh (300 000) people even as the Army swung into action in Chirang district for rescue works. The state continued to be under the grip of floods with the deluge today spreading to nine districts from Thursday's seven, Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said. The affected districts are Lakhimpur, Golaghat, Morigaon, Jorhat, Dhemaji, Sivasagar, Kokrajhar, Barpeta and Bongaigain where three lakh people in 464 villages are affected by the swirling flood waters, it said.
Arunachal Pradesh, India - Incessant downpour over the past couple of days has triggered landslides and floods in several districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Besides damaging culverts and some buildings, the floods and mudslide submerged low-lying areas and a rural link road and disrupted power supply. Many domestic animals were also reported to be washed away in the mudslides.
Hippo-Sized Drought
A protracted drought in southwestern Africa has not only left more than a half-million humans in urgent need of food aid, but it has also affected thousands of endangered animals.
Namibia’s New Era reports that the drying up of the Chobe River is causing hippos and crocodiles to become trapped in muddy pools developing along the waterway.
“Hippos are known to be territorial animals. Even if the pools dry up, they just stay there,” environment official Colgar Sikopo told the state-owned daily.
Zika Virus - New York, USA
The Health Department today reported the first baby delivered with Zika-related microcephaly at a hospital in New York City. The baby and mother are currently in care and being monitored by physicians. The baby’s mother was infected while in an area with ongoing Zika transmission. The baby has been diagnosed with microcephaly.
Bird Flu - China
On 12 July 2016, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of 7 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, including 4 deaths.
Dengue Fever in Yemen
Local health officials in Yemen’s southern province of Shabwa have said an outbreak of mosquito-borne dengue fever has killed 27 people while roughly 3,000 others have contracted the disease.
Officials warn that the disease is spiralling out of control amid a chronic shortage of drugs and insecticide.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 Earthquake hits Tonga.
5.2 Earthquake hits Tonga.
5.1 Earthquake hits Kepulauan Barat Daya, Indonesia.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Eastern Pacific
Tropical Storm Darby is located about 460 mi...740 km E of Hilo Hawaii and about 660 mi...1060 km ESE of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...65 mph...100 km/h. Present movement...W or 265 degrees at 10 mph...17 km/h.
Tropical Storm Estelle is located about 1415 mi...2275 km W of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 295 degrees at 16 mph...26 km/h.
Tropical Storm Frank is located about 205 mi...330 km SW of Manzanillo Mexico and about 490 mi...785 km SSE of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...50 mph...85 km/h. Present movement...NW or 310 degrees at 12 mph...19 km/h.
Tropical Depression Eight-E is located about 865 mi...1390 km SSW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 295 degrees at 13 mph...20 km/h.
Newsbytes:
China - Update - Flash floods caused by heavy downpours in northern China have left nearly 100 people dead or missing over the past several days. According to China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs, at least 24 people have been confirmed dead in the country’s northern province of Hebei during the torrential rain and ensuing floods that have been lashing the region since Monday. Hebei, with 72 people missing, has been declared the worst-hit among other affected northern provinces such as Shanxi, Henan and Shaanxi. Around 123,000 people in 11 cities across Hebei were forced to evacuate and more than 7,000 houses were destroyed. Traffic, power and communications were also disrupted. The rainfall has also affected some neighborhoods of the capital, Beijing, as water submerged some roads by more than two meters. Hundreds of flights were canceled to and from the capital city’s main international airport. The rail authority in the capital also said some high-speed rail services had to be delayed.
Nepal - Heavy rains since Tuesday night in many places, particularly in the eastern and central regions of the country, caused the water levels to rise in most rivers. Several incidents of floods were reported in these regions. Floods triggered by torrential rainfall in rivers and streams inundated dozens of places in Jhapa district. The water level in Narayani River in the central region rose beyond the danger level, causing floods in many parts of Nawalparasi district. In Pyuthan, a landslide swept away several houses in Kabad village on Wednesday.
“Heat Dome” to Scorch USA
A blast of sweltering heat will sweep across the United States over the next four days, and some places will see temperatures as much as 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit above average for this time of year, according to the National Weather Service.
Angrier Birds
Yet another study comparing the lives of city birds and country birds found that those living in urban areas are “angrier” than their rural counterparts, exhibiting significantly higher levels of territorial aggression.
“A possible reason for this is that these birds have less space but better resources to defend,” said Scott Davies, a Virginia Tech researcher who conducted the study.
He added that living around humans gives birds better shelter, but also means there is more competition for limited urban food.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week's hottest temperature was 126.0 degrees Fahrenheit (52.2 degrees Celsius) in Nasiriyah, Iraq.
The week's coldest temperature was minus -93.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 69.4 degrees Celsius) at Russia's Vostok Antarctic research station.
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.
Hepatitis in Hawaii - Update
The hepatitis A outbreak in Oahu, Hawaii has grown by 22 cases in the past week, according to The Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH), bringing the total outbreak cases to 74. Health officials say all cases have been in adults, 26 have required hospitalization.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Kliuchevskoi (Kamchatka): The effusive-explosive eruption of the volcano continues with little changes. The lava flow remains active on the upper eastern flank while explosive activity in the summit crater and associated ash emissions have been more intermittent. A collapse of parts of the lava flow generated a pyroclastic flow that descended the Apakhonchic ravine on 17 July.
Alaid (Northern Kuriles): The thermal signal from the volcano detected via satellite data has become much weaker since its peak in the first week of July, when volcanic activity could be identified as new lava flows inside the summit caldera. This decrease suggests that the eruption (lava effusion) has either ended, or paused, or continues with greatly reduced strength only.
Nevados de Chillán (Central Chile): The volcano has been very calm during the past weeks, but now began again to emit occasional small ash puffs and pulsating gas emissions. In its latest bulletin, SERNAGEOMIN reported that no significant variations in monitoring parameters had been detected overall during the past 2 weeks, except a weak increase in SO2 output and the occurrence of (more than 700 in total) long-period earthquakes related to internal fluid movements.
Bristol Island (United Kingdom, South Sandwich Is): The eruption on the remote island continues. Recent satellite images show increased ash emissions as well as two dark stripes that likely are newly erupted lava flows to the west and northwest from Mount Sourabaya volcano.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.0 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.2 Earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Santa Cruz Islands.
5.0 Earthquake hits Kepulauan Barat Daya, Indonesia.
Earthquake Swarm - California
An earthquake swarm is continuing to rattle the South Bay near Hollister. In the past four days, more than 39 tremors have hit the area on a section of the San Andreas system known as the Calaveras Fault.
Florida 'Earthquake' Caused By 10,000-Pound Navy Bomb
A mysterious “earthquake” detected off the Florida coast over the weekend was actually the result of testing by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Geological Survey officials report.
Seismographs as far away as Minnesota, Texas and Oklahoma registered a 3.7 magnitude event around 4 p.m. Saturday, about 168 nautical miles east-northeast of Daytona Beach Shores, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reported.
But it appears those readings were triggered by a manmade explosion designed to test the seaworthiness of a new U.S. Navy vessel, the USS Jackson.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Eastern Pacific
Tropical Storm Darby is located about 735 mi...1185 km E of Hilo Hawaii and about 925 mi...1485 km E of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...65 mph...100 km/h. Present movement...WSW or 255 degrees at 14 mph...22 km/h.
Tropical Storm Estelle is located about 1115 mi...1790 km W of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...60 mph...95 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 285 degrees at 15 mph...24 km/h.
Invest 90E is an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.
Invest 99E is an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.
Newsbytes:
North Dakota, USA - Baseball-sized hail, flash floods and high winds have hit North Dakota. The weather service advised residents in Grand Forks to avoid flooded roads. Reports of damage from the storm, especially in Pembina and Cavalier indicate substantial damage from the hailstones and high winds with roofs, windows, cars bearing the brunt of the hail while numerous trees were also uprooted.
Extinction threat for South Africa’s great white sharks
They have roamed South Africa’s waters for millions of years but South Africa’s great white sharks are swimming dangerously close to extinction.
This is according to the "gloomy" findings from a groundbreaking six-year great white research project, the results of which were released this morning in Cape Town.
The research by a team led by Dr Sara Andreotti and her colleagues from Stellenbosch University as well as "Shark man" Michael Rutzen of Shark Diving Unlimited, reveal there are 353 to 522 great white sharks left on the country's coastline.
This is 52% fewer than what was estimated in previous similar studies, explains Andreotti.
The findings are based on six years of fieldwork in South Africa’s shark mecca, Gansbaai, and along the South African coastline.
South Africa's great whites, says Andreotti, are in double jeopardy. "Not only do these sharks have the lowest genetic diversity of all white shark populations worldwide; there are also only between 353 to 522 individuals left."
Andreotti blames some of the reasons for the sharp decline on the impact of shark nets and baited hooks implemented on the eastern seaboard of South Africa.
Other contributing factors are poaching, habitat encroachment, pollution and depletion of their food sources. The survival of white sharks in South African water is also threatened by the illegal poaching for trophies (jaw sets) and fins.
2016: Hottest Year Ever?
This year may be only half over, but 2016 is already on track to be the hottest year ever on record, with each of the first six months, from January to June, setting new temperature records, NASA officials announced this week. For the first time, NASA shared a midyear climate analysis, doing so because temperature averages this year have been so in excess of previous data.
NASA's data showed that each month in 2016 was the warmest respective month globally in the modern temperature record, which dates to 1880. This trend suggests 2016 will surpass 2015 as the hottest year on record, NASA said.
So far this year, the planet's average temperature has been 2.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 degrees Celsius) warmer than the late 19th century. In 2009, international climate negotiators agreed in the Copenhagen Accord that warming should not increase more than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) this century. The Accord's temperature threshold was put in place to hopefully avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
A strong El Niño this past year did contribute to these temperatures, but Schmidt said the continued warming trend is mostly due to the effects of greenhouse gases. While the impacts of El Niño will dissipate by 2017, leaving temperatures slightly lower than this year, Schmidt said 2017 will still average to 1 degree C (1.8 degrees F) above the pre-industrial average.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Etna (Sicily, Italy): The volcano remains calm at the surface but is restless. Its internal seismic activity continues to be higher than normal and SO2 gas emissions have increased a bit recently (to approx. 7,000 tons/day), which could indicate the influx of fresh magma.
Additionally, occasional small ash puffs, along with pulsating gas emissions, have been observed at the New SE crater since 10 July. These are likely signs of deep-seated explosive activity (degassing from the magma column inside the conduit). Volcanic tremor remains currently stable with no clear trend, but this can change quickly.
Bagana (Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea): The volcano's activity seems to have increased a bit during the past days although it is currently unknown what is exactly going on (growing lava dome? effusion of lava flows?).
Overall heat emission (by presence of new lava in its summit area) has become stronger and smaller ash plumes drifting from the volcano to distances of 20-30 km have been reported more frequently by Darwin VAAC.
Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): The volcano's activity has not changed significantly. Several smaller explosions with ash plumes about 1000-1500 m height occurred over the past days and this morning.
Kilauea (Hawai'i): No significant changes have occurred over the past days. The lava flow in the coastal flat remains active, but has not advanced in the past days. The flow front remains stalled at 850 m (0.5 miles) from the coast.
The active lava lake in Halema'uma'u crater is currently 25 m (82 ft) below the crater rim. Seismic activity and degassing are at normal levels.
Pavlof (Alaska Peninsula, USA): Seismic activity of the volcano has increased again during the past 48 hours. Satellite data show at least some small ash emissions have taken place although the Alaska Volcano Observatory does not speak of a new eruption taking place (such ash emissions could be related to collapses in the crater etc without new magma erupting).
The current Volcano Alert Level on the USGS scale is "Advisory" and the current Aviation Color Code is YELLOW.
Wildfires - Catalonia, Spain
The heat wave which is lashing Catalonia this week has forced the Catalan Government to set the alert level for forest fires at its maximum. In particular 30 regions have been warned of high risk of wildfires and 17 municipalities have totally restricted those activities which may increase this risk. The worst episode so far was on Tueday, since 86 wild fires hit different regions of Catalonia simultaneously. However, the most important one occurred this Tuesday in Vallbona de les Monges, a small village 40 kilometres west from the city of Lleida. In less than 5 hours, the fire burned nearly 900 hectares, most of them cereal crops. The firefighters sent 55 land resources and 3 aerial’s, which achieved to stabilise the fire by Wednesday morning. However, they continue to water the perimeter to prevent the fire from reviving.
Wildfires - Russia
A huge wildfire, raging in Russia's far eastern Yakutia region for the past three weeks, has been extinguished, a forest official said on Wednesday.
The wildfire, covering an area of more than 3,000 hectares of woods, was raging in the Lena Pillars Nature Park, a world natural heritage site, since June 28.
Yakutia has so far this year witnessed 109 wildfires, destroying 8,000 hectares of woods.
The area of wildfires in Russia has decreased by seven percent over the weekend, from 15,400 to around 14,400 hectares
Dengue Fever in the Philippines
Dengue in the PhilippinesOfficials with Philippines Department of Health (DOH) report that the number of dengue fever cases reported from the beginning of the year through June 25 is nearly 36 percent higher than the same period in 2015 when the archipelago reported in excess of 200,000 cases.
To date, DOH there were 57,026 dengue cases recorded nationwide, compared to 42,026 cases last year during the first six months. In addition, dengue related fatalities are up–248 compared with 148 in 2015 during the same period.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 Earthquake hits Minahasa, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
5.3 Earthquake hits the southern Mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.2 Earthquake hits southern Xinjiang, China.
5.1 Earthquake hits near the coast of Ecuador.
5.1 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.0 Earthquake hits the southern Mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.0 Earthquake hits eastern Honshu, Japan.
5.0 Earthquake hits Guerrero, Mexico.
5.0 Earthquake hits Jujuy. Argentina.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Ryukyu Islands off Japan.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Eastern Pacific
Tropical Storm Darby is located about 1050 mi...1695 km E of Hilo Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...65 mph...100 km/h. Present movement...W or 270 degrees at 13 mph...20 km/h.
Tropical Storm Estelle is located about 825 mi...1330 km WSW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...70 mph...110 km/h. Present movement...W or 270 degrees at 12 mph...19 km/h.
In the South Indian Ocean
Tropical Cyclone Abela is located approximately 392 nm north-northwest of Port Louis, Mauritius, and is tracking westward at 09 knots.
Newsbytes:
Arizona, USA - Monsoon season is in full swing in the Southwest. Heavy rain and damaging winds have caused flooding and plenty of storm damage in the Phoenix area. The soft, saturated ground coupled with strong winds uprooted trees and snapped others in half.
Navy’s submarine hunts are too disturbing for marine wildlife - US Court
On Friday, a federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled that the Navy violated marine mammal protection laws, reversing a lower court’s decision that allowed military vessels to use a type of loud, low-frequency sonar approved in 2012.
Whales and other marine mammals have incredibly sensitive ears — blue whales can hear frequencies deeper than any human could hear, down to about 14 Hz. Whale songs can travel for thousands miles. It’s important to understand that the ocean is a world of sound, not sight.
In 2004 some 150 to 200 melon-headed whales came churning into Hawaii’s Hanalei Bay like a single mass. It was a strange sight for the Kauai islanders to behold. Melon-headed whales live in the deep ocean, feasting on squid. But here they were, swimming in the shallows no more than 100 feet from shore.
Over the course of July 3 and 4, 2004, volunteers and rescuers shepherded the animals back to sea, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s account of the mass stranding. The Washington Post reported at the time that it was the largest event of its kind in 150 years of Hawaiian history. Almost all of the whales made it back out into the open water. But not the entire pod. A young calf, split off from the rest of the herd, perished the next day.
A year later, 34 whales died when they were stranded at North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Three years after that and half the world way, 100 melon-headed whales were again stranded en masse, this time on the shores of Madagascar. The reasons why whales beach themselves are not always clear — strandings have been likened to car crashes in that the causes are myriad but the conclusion is never good. With the melon-headed whales, however, something was different. The events were unusual enough, and involved such large numbers, to prompt scrutiny. In both cases, a prime suspect emerged: sonar.
Prior to the 2004 stranding, the problematic relationship between sonar and whales was thought to be likely, though not exactly clear. Once the melon-headed whales started appearing in the shallows, evidence began to accumulate. The acoustic blasts used to detect objects like submarines in deep water — up to a whopping 200 decibels, as loud as a rocket takeoff — had been used just prior to both strandings, in a U.S. naval exercise near Hawaii and by an Exxon Mobil contractor near Madagascar.
The Court decision, is a major victory, and not only for marine mammals, but for the law that protects them.
Mumps in Brazil
The outbreak of mumps in Brazil’s Federal District, which includes the Brazilian capital city, Brasília, has grown to nearly 1000 cases and has residents concerned as more cases are reported weekly.
Chikungunya in Brazil
While so much attention has been placed the Zika virus epidemic and to a lesser extent dengue fever in Brazil this year, another virus transmitted by the Aedes mosquito is being reported at a nearly 10 times amount compared to the first five months of the year in 2015.
Through May, 122,762 chikungunya cases were reported across the country compared to 13,160 cases in 2015 and more than 23,000 cases reported for the entire year. In addition, the generally considered rarely fatal mosquito borne viral disease has resulted in 17 deaths to date, compared to six reported all of last year.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Fuego (Guatemala): Strombolian-type explosions have increased in size and frequency during the past days. Many of the explosions ejected lava bombs to several hundred meters above the crater and caused spectacular incandescent avalanches on the upper slopes. So far, no lava flow has accompanied the current peak of activity; whether it will continue to evolve further or is about to end is difficult to judge.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.5 Earthquake hits offshore Coquimbo, Chile.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Ceram Sea, Indonesia.
5.0 Earthquake hits Fiji.
5.0 Earthquake hits Chiapas, Mexico.
5.0 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Eastern Pacific
Hurricane Darby is located about 1345 mi...2165 km E of Hilo Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...75 mph...120 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 285 degrees at 13 mph...20 km/h.
Tropical Storm Estelle is located about 585 mi...940 km WSW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...65 mph...100 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 285 degrees at 10 mph...17 km/h.
In the South Indian Ocean
Tropical Cyclone Abela is located approximately 540 nm east-northeast of Antananarivo, Madagascar, and is tracking westward at 17 knots.
Newsbytes:
Malaysia - Penang island is facing massive flash floods as heavy rain continues to hit several low-lying areas including Bayan Lepas, Batu Maung, Relau and Teluk Bahang as well as the Penang International Airport. The airport was also flooded as the water had entered the arrival hall and several inbound and departing flights had been delayed due to the weather condition. Meanwhile in Teluk Bahang, some 1,000 villagers from three villages had been affected by the floods.
India - Floods and landslides continue to wreak havoc as monsoon rages across the country. A rockfall at Darechok along Prithvi Highway damaged five vehicles in Chitwan district on Monday morning. Continuous rainfall inundated many homes in Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolis of Banke. Homes and streets in Belsapur, Shantinagar, Ganeshpur, Gharbaritol, Dhambojhi, Buspark Road and Phultekra were flooded. In Tikapur of Kailali, several houses were destroyed by a flood. Heavy rainfall since Sunday night has also raised flooding fears in other parts of Tikapur and adjoining villages, police said. As many as 10 families were forced to flee their homes because of flood danger at Johan VDC-2 in Gulmi. The raging Ulli River has spilled over its banks and edging close to the settlement, according to the locals. A couple was injured when a landslide destroyed their home at Rampur Municipality in Palpa. Police said about a dozen settlements in the district are at landslide risk. Police in Taplejung rescued seven families who were trapped because of landslides at Lamatar, Jaubari and Hekkuleka since Sunday. They were stranded after the landslides blocked all the exits. A flood in Ghunsa River, meanwhile, swept away a suspension bridge and damaged the foot trails of Kanchanjunga Conservation Area in the district. After the rain-swollen Mahakali River damaged the embankment at Bhimdutta Municipality in Kanchanpur, the local authorities have started emergency repair works to prevent the floodwaters from entering the nearby settlements.
Wildfires - Wyoming, USA
Wildfires continued to burn in western and southern Wyoming on Monday, with one blaze threatening Bondurant and forcing evacuations in the area.
The Cliff Creek Fire in the Bridger-Teton National Forest was spotted about 2:30 p.m. Sunday about 5 miles north of Bondurant, a town of less than 100 people in rural Sublette County, and quickly grew to scorch about 3 square miles. The fire, which was ignited by lightning, destroyed one pole barn.
The Lava Mountain Fire, meanwhile, is burning in the neighbouring Shoshone National Forest. The fire, which was started by lightning, has so far consumed about 280 acres of thick timber northwest of Dubois.
Near the Wyoming-Colorado border, firefighters continued to work a nearly 25,000-acre blaze that began last month. The Beaver Creek Fire grew about 1,900 acres on Sunday, with most of the increase happening on the southwestern corner of the blaze.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Suwanose-jima (Ryukyu Islands): A new eruptive phase has begun at the volcano. Near-constant ash emissions of several hundred meters height are currently visible from the volcano's On-take crater.The exact nature of the new activity is unknown, but could be phreatomagmatic explosions (magma-water interaction) or vigorous strombolian activity.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
Two 5.3 Earthquakes hit offshore Coquimbo, Chile.
5.2 Earthquake hits near the coast of central Peru.
5.2 Earthquake hits Kepulauan Babar, Indonesia.
5.2 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.1 Earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Darby is located about 1345 mi...2165 km W of the southern tip of Baja California and about 1625 mi...2615 km E of Hilo Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...80 mph...130 km/h. Present movement...W or 275 degrees at 10 mph...17 km/h.
Tropical Storm Estelle is located about 475 mi...765 km SW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...70 mph...110 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 290 degrees at 9 mph...15 km/h.
In the South Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclone Abela is located approximately 440 nm north-northeast of Port Louis, Mauritius, and is tracking west-southeastward at 14 knots.
Newsbytes:
India - The rain-swollen Kosi river has flooded about 50 villages in Supaul district of Bihar, forcing people to abandon their homes, and the river system is threatening hundreds of villages in over half a dozen districts, officials said. "Nearly 200 thatched houses in Ghogharia panchayat in Supaul have been washed away by waters overflowing from Kosi river," a district official said.
India - Out of the 51 districts in Madhya Pradesh, 23 are flooded while in total 33 have received above average rainfall. Thirty five people have died so far, nine are missing and thousands have had to leave their homes due to floods in Madhya Pradesh caused by heavy monsoon rains over the past two weeks, officials here said on Sunday. Over 300,000 people have been affected by the floods, including about 8,000 who had to leave their inundated homes to take shelter in 27 temporary relief camps provided by the state government, the officials said.
Dengue Fever
Philippines - Dengue fever is up overall in the Philippines by some 40 percent in 2016 to date, according to the latest data from the Department of Health. In the Davao City area and Region XI, dengue is up by 147 percent, prompting officials to call the situation “alarming”. Cases of Dengue fever in different areas in Davao Region rose from 1,850 cases with seven deaths in June to July 2015 to 4,564 cases with 40 deaths in the same period this year.
Argentina - Argentina Health Minister Jorge Lemus has called dengue fever in the country, including Buenos Aires City, an “epidemic”. To date, Argentina has reported 75,189 probable and 40,072 confirmed dengue fever cases, including 11 deaths, according to the most recent data from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The total dengue cases for the western hemisphere to date is 1,712,369 probable and 318,332 confirmed with Brazil accounting for the majority. More than 600 people have died to date.
E Coli Outbreak in England
Public Health England (PHE) officials report an additional 42 cases in England bringing the outbreak total to 151. This is 144 in England, 6 in Wales and 1 in Scotland, with the South West of England particularly affected. 62 of the cases are known to have received hospital care and sadly, 2 of the individuals with E.coli O157 infection have died.
Public Health England has been working to establish the cause of the outbreak and has identified that several of the affected individuals ate mixed salad leaves including rocket leaves prior to becoming unwell. Currently, the source of the outbreak is not confirmed and remains under investigation; they are not ruling out other food items as a potential source.
Zika Virus - Europe
With reports of an additional 32 travel associated Zika virus cases on mainland France, the total case count is now 620 through Jul 13, according to French health authorities.
Fifteen cases of the total case count have been reported in pregnant women and three cases of neurological complications. French health officials have also reported eight sexually transmitted Zika infections since the beginning of the year.
The Zika virus infection case counts in various French overseas territories include 22,190 suspected cases in Guadeloupe, 8,970 suspected cases in French Guiana and 32,960 suspected cases in Martinique.
Throughout Europe, 17 other countries have reported imported Zika virus infections: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
Malnutrition in Nigeria
More than 2300 children, under the age of five, die daily in Nigeria, with malnutrition accounting for over half of the deaths, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMH) has disclosed. Findings have shown that over 2.5 million children suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) yearly in Nigeria, with about 20 per cent of these at the risk of imminent death unless there is quick intervention.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.6 Earthquake hits Tonga.
5.2 Earthquake hits the northern Mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.1 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Balleny Islands.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Eastern Pacific
Hurricane Darby is located about 1125 mi...1815 km WSW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...100 mph...155 km/h. Present movement...W or 280 degrees at 9 mph...15 km/h.
Tropical Storm Estelle is located about 470 mi...755 km S of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...60 mph...95 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 285 degrees at 9 mph...15 km/h.
In the Western Pacific:
Tropical Depression Three is located approximately 392 nm south-southeast of Kadena AB, and is tracking north-northwestward at 08 knots.
In the South Indian Ocean
Tropical Cyclone One is located approximately 465 nm west-southwest of Diego Garcia, and is tracking west-southeastward at 12 knots.
Newsbytes:
Sudan - Heavy rains and flash floods in Sudan’s war-torn region of Darfur killed nine people, the official SUNA news agency reported. The deaths occurred in the town of El-Fasher, the capital of the state of North Darfur.
India - Floods triggered by incessant rains have swept away two motorable bridges and damaged a hydropower project along the swollen Tamor river. In Parbat, floods damaged an intake of Modikhola Hydropower Project, knocking out the 14-megawatt power generation. Water levels in a landslide-dammed lake in the Tamor River in Sawadin, Taplejung, has increased, leaving the downstream settlement at risk. A fresh rockfall blocked water flow in the river.
Peru: Dozens infected with Carrión’s disease
Health officials are reporting at least 26 cases of Carrión’s disease, or Bartonella bacilliformis infection in residents of Sánchez Carrión province in Northern Peru, according to a local media report (computer translated). The cases include children, young adults and elderly patients from Succha Centro and Yacopampa. In addition, a 7-month old infant from Huamachuco died from the infection after suffering from severe anemia.
Nigeria - Measles Outbreak
The number of children infected by measles at Maiduguri Arabic Teachers College (ATC) camp in Maiduguri has increased from 22 two days ago to 77, though the death toll remains at 6, even as state officials are seen battling to make the environment where the infected children are kept habitable.
The disease was introduced to the camp by people coming from Monguno whose communities were recently liberated after over two years of occupation by Boko Haram.
Wildfires - USA
Several destructive wildfires were raging across the Southwestern United States on Saturday, after consuming dozens of homes and forcing evacuations.
Firefighters have gained the upper hand on a blaze burning in the sparsely populated and wooded community of Timberon, New Mexico which had charred roughly 270 acres, destroyed 44 homes and damaged or demolished an additional two dozen structures since it was sparked on Wednesday.
Firefighters to the north in Colorado were facing a so-called red flag warning of low humidity and wind gusts of up to 30 miles per hour (48 kph) as they struggled to contain the 16,200 acre Hayden Pass Fire. Residents of about 140 homes were forced to flee the flames in Fremont County, which is about 65 miles (105 km) southwest of Colorado Springs. As of Saturday, fire personnel had carved out containment lines around only 5 percent of the inferno has fire officials suggested that it might take until October 1 to contain the fire.
To the southwest, in Arizona, firefighters aimed to keep the 3,700-acre Fuller Fire from reaching a highway that serves as a crucial artery in and out of the Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity
Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): No significant changes have occurred in the ongoing effusive-explosive eruption of the volcano. The slow lava dome growth continues to feed a prominent lava lobe on the upper ESE flank that sheds glowing avalanches. Occasional larger collapses of this lava lobe produce more violent pyroclastic flows. In addition, the volcano continues to produce explosions, caused by trapped, pressurized gasses contained in the magma from the upper conduit or the dome itself. These vertical explosions have been occurring at rates of one per day on average recently. This morning, an ash plume rose to 15,000 ft (4.5 km) altitude, i.e. approx. 2 km above the summit.
Bromo (East Java, Indonesia): Mild to moderate ash emissions continue, generating a plume that rises up to 500-1000 m and drifts mostly northwest before dissipating.
Kilauea (Hawai'i): The latest mapping of the active lava flow in the coastal plain shows that the leading tip was about 870 m from the coast yesterday. Most of the activity in recent days has been the overriding and widening of the lava flow field, with only little net advance of the farthest lava front towards ocean. However, if the feeding of fresh lava through the main tube into the lava field in the coastal plain continues, and eventually establishes itself over increasing distance, it is more and more likely that the lava eventually reaches the sea. This is likely to occur in the near or medium-term future (days to weeks).
Santiaguito (Guatemala): A strong explosion (another in the ongoing series) occurred at the Caliente lava dome yesterday at 13:30 local time. According to INSIVUMEH, it generated an ash column that rose to approx. 5 km altitude, i.e. about 2500 m above the dome.
Piton de la Fournaise (La Réunion): The volcano is showing signs of unrest that could be (but not necessarily) precursors of a new eruption. Since the beginning of the month, shallow (0-2 km depth) volcanic earthquakes of rock-fracturing type under the Dolomieu crater (the main vent of the volcano) have been more frequent, probably caused by a new magma intrusion. The volcano observatory's (OVPF) latest statement mentions that 111 "collapses" have occurred recently on the Dolomieu crater, the Enclos and on the lava flow of Aug-Oct 2015. In addition, it seems that new deformation has started during the past days, which would fit into the picture that the volcano is likely preparing itself for a new eruption, although the trend was still unclear and needs to be confirmed.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 Earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.
5.2 Earthquake hits the South Indian Ocean.
5.0 Earthquake hits the northern Mid-Atlantic ridge.
5.0 Earthquake hits the Anatahan region in the North Mariana Islands.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Eastern Pacific Post Tropical Cyclone Celia is located about 750 mi...1210 km ENE of Hilo Hawaii and about 905 mi...1460 km E of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...W or 280 degrees at 13 mph...20 km/h.
Hurricane Darby is located about 930 mi...1495 km WSW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...105 mph...165 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 300 degrees at 10 mph...17 km/h.
Tropical Storm Estelle is located about 390 mi...625 km SW of Manzanillo Mexico with maximum sustained winds...45 mph...75 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 295 degrees at 10 mph...17 km/h.
In the South Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclone One is located approximately 193 nm southwest of Diego Garcia, and is tracking south-southeastward at 02 knots.
Newsbytes:
Tasmania - Roads were closed due to flooding and power was cut as a precaution as the Huon River swelled to more than 4.3 metres following heavy rain and melting snow. Easing floodwaters will be challenged by a rising tide south of Hobart where some residents have been evacuated in the worst flood in two decades.
Gypsy Caterpillars' Rampage Through Forests
The gypsy moth caterpillar may be small, but the amount of destruction it's causing to the trees in New England and the Mid-Atlantic region is so vast that it's visible from space, NASA satellite photos show.
Britain Abolishes Department for Global Warming
Britain’s new government abolished its Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) Thursday morning, ridding the country of its global warming bureaucracy.
The decision to abolish the Department for Energy and Climate Change has been variously condemned as “plain stupid”, “deeply worrying” and “terrible” by politicians, campaigners and experts.
One of Theresa May’s first acts as Prime Minister was to move responsibility for climate change to a new Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.
Only on Monday, Government advisers had warned of the need to take urgent action to prepare the UK for floods, droughts, heatwaves and food shortages caused by climate change.
The news came after the appointment of Andrea Leadsom – who revealed her first question to officials when she became Energy Minister last year was “Is climate change real? – was appointed as the new Environment Secretary.
Zika Virus
Florida, USA - The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported Friday an additional 18 imported Zika virus cases with six in Miami-Dade, four in Orange, three in Osceola, two in Polk, one in Hillsborough, one in Manatee and one in Volusia counties.
Puerto Rico - The Puerto Rico Health Department is reporting an increase in confirmed Zika virus cases on the island as Secretary of the Department of Health, Ana Ríus Armendariz said today that 1,336 confirmed cases were reported in just the past week. This brings the total confirmed Zika cases in Puerto Rico to 4,437.
New York, USA - A New York City report of female-to-male sexual transmission of Zika virus infection is the first documented case of sexual transmission of Zika from a woman to her sex partner and adds to the growing body of knowledge about the sexual transmission of Zika.
Outbreak of leishmaniasis in Pakistan
The outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency has raised alarm following 193 cases of the disease were registered with the health authorities.
Agency Surgeon DrRazaullah feared the disease might break into other parts of the agency if it was not contained in early stages.He said a vaccination campaign to control the epidemic has been launched on emergency basis in the most affected Safi tehsil. He added that health authorities in other parts of the tribal region have also been alarmed about a possible outbreak.
According to the official, leishmaniasis is a disease transmitted by the bite of female Phlebotomine sand fly. It could be invariably fatal if not treated promptly.It affects the internal body organs including the spleen and the liver, the official said.
