Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.7 Earthquake hits New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.

5.6 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.

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

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic:

Hurricane Gaston is located about 850 mi...1365 km E of Bermuda and about 1335 mi...2150 km W of the Azores with maximum sustained winds...120 mph...195 km/h. Present movement...NE or 50 degrees at 9 mph...15 km/h.

Tropical Depression Eight is located about 75 mi...120 km ESE of Cape Hatteras North Carolina with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...NE or 45 degrees at 5 mph...7 km/h.

Tropical Depression Nine is located about 405 mi...655 km SSW of Apalachicola Florida and about 425 mi...680 km SW of Tampa Florida with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...N or 360 degrees at 2 mph...4 km/h.

In the Eastern Pacific:

Hurricane Lester is located about 1160 mi...1865 km E of Hilo Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...140 mph...220 km/h. Present movement...W or 265 degrees at 12 mph...19 km/h.

Hurricane Madeline is located about 235 mi...380 km E of Hilo Hawaii and about 440 mi...705 km ESE of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...90 mph...150 km/h. Present movement...W or 260 degrees at 12 mph...19 km/h.

In the Western Pacific:

Typhoon 12w (Lionrock), located approximately 246 nm northwest of Misawa, Japan, is tracking northwestward at 35 knots.

In the Central Pacific:

Invest 92C is an area of disturbed weather in the Central Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

Invest 93C is an area of disturbed weather in the Central Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

Newsbytes:

Japan - Typhoon Lionrock made landfall Tuesday evening near the city of Ofunato, 310 miles northeast of Tokyo on the Pacific coast and crossed the main island of Honshu before heading out to the Sea of Japan. It was the first time a typhoon has made landfall in the northern region since 1951, when the Japan Meteorological Agency started keeping records. At least 11 people were found dead in Japan on Wednesday, most of them elderly residents at a nursing home, as heavy overnight rain from Typhoon Lionrock left towns flooded across the country’s north.

India - The monsoon floods in India's Ganges river this year have broken previous records, according to local officials. They said water levels reached unprecedented levels at four locations in northern India. The highest record was in Patna, the state capital of Bihar where flood waters reached 50.52m (166ft) on 26 August, up from 50.27m in 1994. Floods across India this year have killed more than 150 people and displaced thousands. "We have also recorded unprecedented flood levels at Hathidah and Bhagalpur of Bihar state and Balliya of Uttar Pradesh," chief of India's Central Water Commission GS Jha said.

Wildlife

Elephant Numbers Decline Across Africa

A pan-African survey of African savannah elephants has revealed declines of a staggering 30% – 144 000 elephants, between 2007 and 2014 in the areas covered by the survey. The Paul G Allen’s Great Elephant Census (GEC) is the first continent-wide aerial survey of African elephants using standardized methodology.

Among the worst declines were Angola (22% decline), Mozambique (53% decline) and Tanzania (60% decline).

Extremely low numbers of elephants were also found in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, northern Cameroon and southwest Zambia. The “populations there face local extinction.

Regional areas in both Zimbabwe and Zambia, especially along the Zambezi valley, are showing that poachers are decimating elephant numbers. Zimbabwe’s overall population was down by 6% with a carcass ratio of 8%, which is bad enough, but within the Sebungwe region, on the Zambezi River and Lake Kariba north of Hwange National Park, populations were down a whopping 74% while Zambia experienced a startling 85% carcass ratio in Sioma Ngwezi Park on the border with Namibia and Angola.

In contrast, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, parts of Malawi, and the W-Arli-Pendjari conservation complex of protected areas that span Benin, Niger and Burkina Faso were found to have stable or slightly increasing elephant populations. The W-Arli-Pendjari area is the only large savannah elephant population left in West Africa.

Namibia also showed increasing numbers of elephants especially in the Zambezi-Caprivi area, but this is possibly because the territory runs the length of the unfenced border with Botswana, the country with the largest single population of elephants, which stands at about 130 000 strong. The bulk of Botswana’s elephants are in the north close to Namibia. And since elephants are not confined by national boundaries there is a constant movement of large herds between the two countries.

American Pika Is Disappearing Due to Climate Change

The American pika, a pint-size rabbit relative, is feeling the heat: Hotter summers induced by climate change are threatening these cute creatures' habitats throughout the western United States.

The small herbivores make their home in rocky slopes, known as taluses, across the West's mountain ranges. A new study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) found that whole populations of the tiny mammal are disappearing due to climate change. The pika's mountainous habitats have become hotter and drier in the summer and harsher in the winter, with less snow cover to insulate their burrows in the ground, the researchers said.

According to the survey, American pikas have completely disappeared from Zion National Park in Utah, where there had been sightings of the animals as recently as 2011. In Cedar Breaks National Monument, also in Utah, pikas were found within only one-quarter of their historical range. And in northeastern California, the animals were found in just 11 of their 29 confirmed habitats.

According to the USGS, the pika is also seen as an "indicator species," meaning the animal can offer scientists an early warning about ecosystem changes.

Disease

Zika Virus - Miami, Florida, USA

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported today on three additional locally acquired Zika virus cases. The cases were reported in Miami-Dade County, one is associated with the Miami-Beach investigation. This brings the total in the state to 46. In addition, 16 new travel related cases were reported today.

Zika Virus - Singapore

A local Zika outbreak is blooming in Singapore, as 82 cases of the disease without links to travel have emerged on the island city-state in less than a week.

The country’s first locally transmitted Zika case was announced on Saturday when a 47-year-old Malaysian woman living in the neighborhood of Aljunied Crescent tested positive for the virus. Since then, disease detectives used surveillance techniques to identify additional cases. A second cluster of cases appeared at a nearby construction site in Sims Drive, and health officials added a batch of 26 to the tally this evening.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 Earthquake hits the southern Mid-Atlantic ridge.

5.2 Earthquake hits offshore Maule, Chile.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic: Hurricane Gaston is located about 630 mi...1015 km E of Bermuda and about 1575 mi...2535 km W of the Azores with maximum sustained winds...100 mph...155 km/h. Present movement...NE or 55 degrees at 6 mph...9 km/h.

Tropical Depression Eight is located about 85 mi...135 km SSE of Cape Hatteras North Carolina with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...NNW or 345 degrees at 5 mph...8 km/h

Tropical Depression Nine is located about 305 mi...495 km W of Key West Florida and about 270 mi...435 km W of Havana Cuba with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...W or 275 degrees at 7 mph...11 km/h.

Invest 92L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.

In the Eastern Pacific: Hurricane Lester is located about 1435 mi...2305 km E of Hilo Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...125 mph...205 km/h. Present movement...W or 275 degrees at 14 mph...22 km/h.

Hurricane Madeline is located about 490 mi...790 km E of Hilo Hawaii and about 680 mi...1095 km E of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...130 mph...215 km/h. Present movement...W or 280 degrees at 9 mph...15 km/h.

In the Western Pacific: Typhoon 12w (Lionrock), located approximately 164 nm south of Misawa, Japan, is tracking north-northwestward at 18 knots.

In the Central Pacific: Invest 92C is an area of disturbed weather in the Central Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

Newsbytes:

USA - Storms brought heavy downpours and flooding in parts of Cincinnati, Colorado Springs and Chicago over the weekend with road closures and water rescues by emergency services.

Wildlife

Whale stays to say thank you

A whale rescued from being entangled off the Cape coast, South Africa, did the most extraordinary thing moments later… the animal swam up to the volunteers, rested its head on the boat, and stayed there for 20 minutes.

Before its rescue, the 9m-long adult male Humpback had been entangled in rope and floatation buoys in the area of Rocky Banks, offshore at Cape Point, said NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon.

Once all ropes and the floatation buoy were removed, in a most incredible reaction from the animal, the whale swam right up alongside the sea rescue craft, almost hugging the rescue boat (all motors had been switched off) and he gently placed his head on the gunnel of the sea rescue craft. The whale remained there for almost 20 minutes seemingly staring at his rescuers.

Global Warming

The Future of Animal Migrations

The natural world is under siege by climate change. Rising temperatures are pushing plants and animals outside their current range. To keep pace with climate change, species will need a path to follow northward or up in elevation, minimally interrupted by human development.

The maps don't show specific species (you're not going to be able to find the grizzly bear path, for example), but rather shows the general patterns scientists expect animals to follow as the world warms.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Argentina

Firefighters are trying to extinguish a wildfire in Villa de la Quebrada, 40 km from San Luis, Argentina. The wildfires in central Argentina have affected nearly 8,500 hectares of land, while on Saturday 80 people were evacuated.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Klyuchevskoy (Kamchatka): The activity of the volcano, mainly effusive, remains intense. There are currently 3 active lava flows descending the steep stratovolcano: two parallel ones on the eastern-southeastern flank and a new one on the upper southwestern slope which has appeared about a week ago. An intense thermal anomaly corresponding to the large output of lava is visible on satellite data. Small ash plumes from strombolian activity in the summit crater have been producing plumes today that reached 20,000 ft (6 km) altitude and drifted eastwards today.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.8 Earthquake hits north of Ascension Island.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.

5.2 Earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.1 Earthquake hits central Italy.

5.1 Earthquake hits the South Georgia Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits north of Ascension Island.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic:

Hurricane Gaston is located about 575 mi...925 km E of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds...115 mph...185 km/h. Present movement...N or 360 degrees at 1 mph...2 km/h.

Tropical Depression Eight is located about 210 mi...340 km se of Cape Hatteras North Carolina with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...NW or 310 degrees at 9 mph...15 km/h.

Tropical Depression Nine is located about 155 mi...245 km WSW of Key West Florida and about 95 mi...155 km WNW of Havana Cuba with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...W or 275 degrees at 9 mph...15 km/h.

In the Eastern Pacific:

Hurricane Lester is located about 1290 mi...2075 km W of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...125 mph...205 km/h. Present movement...W or 270 degrees at 15 mph...24 km/h.

Hurricane Madeline is located about 755 mi...1220 km E of Hilo Hawaii and about 955 mi...1535 km ESE of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...85 mph...140 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 300 degrees at 10 mph...17 km/h.

In the Western Pacific:

Typhoon 12w (Lionrock), located approximately 241 nm southwest of Yokosuka, Japan, is tracking north-northeastward at 14 knots.

In the Central Pacific:

Invest 92C is an area of disturbed weather in the Central Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

Newsbytes:

India - Bihar flood situation worsens. With four more deaths, the toll in Bihar floods on Saturday increased to 153, while 12 more panchayat areas were inundated affecting a total population of 34.69 lakh in twelve districts. The four fresh deaths were reported from Bhojpur and Begusarai, each district accounted for two. Caused by a spate in Ganga, Sone, Punpun, Burhi Gandak, Ghaghra, Kosi and other rivers, the flood affected 34.69 lakh people in 2,037 villages under 565 panchayats of 74 blocks in the state.

Wildlife

Reindeer struck by Lightning, Norway

More than 300 reindeer were killed by lightning during a storm in Norway on Friday.

On Sunday, the Norwegian Environment Agency released photos of reindeer bodies strewn across the Hardangervidda mountain plateau. According to the agency, 323 animals will killed during the lightning storm. Agency spokesman Kjartan Knutsen told AP that reindeer often huddle together during bad weather, which is likely why so many were killed during the storm.

Some 10,000 reindeer migrate to the area each year, according to Norwegian Environmental Agency.

Disease

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

On 11 August 2016, the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China notified WHO of five additional cases of laboratory-confirmed human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, including one death.

Zika in Singapore: Neighboring countries respond

With the announcement yesterday of 41 locally transmitted Zika virus infections in Singapore, health officials in at least two Asian countries have responded to the issue.

n Taiwan, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) raised the travel notice level for the country to Level 2: Alert for Zika virus on August 29, 2016.Pregnant women and women planning pregnancy are advised to postpone their trips to areas where Zika virus is active, travelers visiting areas with ongoing Zika transmission are advised to avoid mosquito bites, and people returning from Zika-affected areas are advised to follow the “2226 Principle”.

The “2226 Principle” is after leaving the affected areas to prevent Zika transmission, which specifies that female travelers are urged to postpone pregnancy 2 months after their return regardless whether they develop suspected Zika symptoms, and male travelers, if they do not develop suspected Zika symptoms, are urged to avoid sex or use condoms correctly for 2 months after their return from an affected-area, and if they develop suspected Zika symptoms, they are urged to avoid sex or use condoms correctly for 6 months after their return.

In Hong Kong, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is closely monitoring 41 additional local cases of Zika Virus Infection in Singapore, and urged the public to adopt strict anti-mosquito measures and safe sex during travel. Pregnant women and those planning pregnancy should not travel to affected areas.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Etna (Sicily, Italy): Over the past weeks, the volcano's activity (at Voragine and the New SE crater) has generally decreased and tremor levels are currently low. While not entirely stopped, the emissions of hot incandescent gasses and ash, along with weak strombolian activity from the new vent in the Voragine crater have become less pronounced. Similarly, the sporadic ash emissions from the New SE, observed intermittently until at least Saturday, have ceased or become even rarer. This could rapidly change, however.

Katla (Southern Iceland): At least one earthquake of magnitude 4.5 occurred this morning under the volcano, the strongest recorded for Katla in recent decades. It was felt in nearby areas. The Icelandic Met Office (IMO) reported two quakes, one at 01:47:02 local time at 3.8 km depth 8.1 km east of the summit (Goðabunga) followed 20 seconds later by another magnitude 4.5 quake at 0.1 km depth. Caution is required as these data are from automatic calculations which could actually in fact describe only one quake.

Bagana (Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea): Low-level ash emissions occur at the volcano, producing a plume at estimated 7,000 ft (2.1 km) altitude drifting west from the volcano. The latest Terra satellite image shows a narrow plume of mostly gas and possible light ash content extending about 70 km to the west of Bougainville Island. A moderate thermal hot spot is visible on MODIS data and has increased recently. This suggests that the volcano's activity (effusive or mildly explosive or both) has picked up recently.

Copahue (Chile/Argentina): Strombolian activity continues in the El Agrio crater at fluctuating, generally low intensity. Occasionally, incandescent bombs are projected higher than the crater rim and small ash plumes rise up to a few hundred meters before dissipating.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.7 Earthquake hits Papua, Indonesia.

5.0 Earthquake hits Alaska.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Azores.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic: Hurricane Gaston is located about 620 mi...1000 km E of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds...90 mph...150 km/h. Present movement...NW or 325 degrees at 6 mph...9 km/h.

Invest 99L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.

In the Eastern Pacific: Hurricane Lester is located about 865 mi...1395 km WSW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...100 mph...155 km/h. Present movement...W or 270 degrees at 14 mph...22 km/h.

Tropical Storm Madeline is located about 985 mi...1585 km ESE of Hilo Hawaii and about 1015 mi...1630 km E of South Point Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...60 mph...95 km/h. Present movement...NW or 305 degrees at 8 mph...13 km/h.

In the Western Pacific: Typhoon 12w (Lionrock), located approximately 465 nm south-southwest of Yokosuka, Japan, is tracking northeastward at 19 knots.

Newsbytes:

Kansas City, USA - The Kansas City area was flooded late Friday after a three-day downpour. News photos showed vehicles stopped or abandoned as flood waters swelled across streets. No injuries nor fatalities were reported.

Disease

Bird Flu in Togo

Togolese authorities said on Saturday they had slaughtered 11,500 chickens in response to an outbreak of H5N1 bird flu at two farms in the capital Lome and the town of Adetikope, about 25 km north of Lome.

Highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu has spread across a number of West African countries in the past two years, hitting poultry farms in Niger and Cameroon.

The outbreaks across West Africa have raised fears of transmission to humans, given poor health infrastructure in the region and a number of human H5N1 deaths since the virus first infected humans in 1997 during a outbreak in poultry in Hong Kong.

Third MERS Case in Thailand

On 30 July 2016, the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, announced a laboratory confirmed case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) in an 18-year-old Kuwaiti man who arrived in Thailand on 25 July with his family.

Crypto Outbreak in Devon, England

Twenty cases of severe sickness and diarrhea caused by a microscopic parasite have been reported in Devon.

An outbreak control team has been set up by Public Health England to investigate the cause after more than 200 cases of the illness caused by the Cryptosporidium organism have been recorded across the region.

Pubic Health England said by the start of the weekend there were 34 cases confirmed in Swindon, 27 in Wiltshire Council's area and 31 in Gloucestershire. Other cases have been reported in Dorset and Cornwall, with 23 in Somerset, 20 in Devon and 19 in Bristol.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.2 Earthquake hits eastern New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.

5.1 Earthquake hits Leyte in the Philippines.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Owen Fracture Zone.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic: Tropical Storm Gaston is located about 820 mi...1325 km ESE of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds...65 mph...100 km/h. Present movement...NW or 310 degrees at 15 mph...24 km/h.

Invest 91L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.

Invest 99L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.

In the Eastern Pacific: Tropical Storm Lester is located about 595 mi...960 km SW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...85 mph...140 km/h. Present movement...W or 280 degrees at 12 mph...19 km/h.

Tropical Storm Madeline is located about 1160 mi...1865 km ESE of Hilo Hawaii and about 1185 mi...1905 km ESE of South Point Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...50 mph...85 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 300 degrees at 10 mph...17 km/h.

In the Western Pacific: Typhoon 12w (Lionrock), located approximately 742 nm south-southwest of Yokosuka, Japan, is tracking east-northeastward at 08 knots.

Newsbytes:

Missouri, USA - Footage showing entire parking lots under water is emerging from nearby Kansas City, Missouri, where a flash flood emergency warning from the National Weather Service has been issued. ater levels have been described as going above car doors and emergency crews have been dispatched to assist stranded motorists and pedestrians.

Global Warming

Artic Study Reveals World's Worst Mass Extinction Due to Global Warming

A new study reveals that the world's last mass extinction happened because of global warming. This mass extinction, called the Great Dying Event, saw the demise of 96 percent of marine species and 70 percent of terrestrial life.

Jochen Knies, a researcher at CAGE who conducted the study in the Arctic, said the cause of this mass extinction is an "explosive event of volcanic eruptions" that happened in Siberia. He also said that amounts of volatiles such as carbon dioxides and methane were emitted by several eruptions that lasted for a million years. This emission made our planet "unbearably hot" during that time, Heritage Daily reports.

The Great Dying Event happened 252 million years ago, and it took nine million years after for life on Earth to recover from the catastrophe. The new study found clues in the Arctic and can now reveal why it took such a long time for recovery.

"What used to be the northwestern continental margin of the super continent Pangaea is now Canadian High Arctic. There we found evidence in geological records for a significant nutrient gap during this period. This means that global oceans were severely poor in nutrients such as nitrogen," Knies said via Science Daily.

During the Great Dying, the oceans' temperature (thermoclines) and nutrients (nutricline) suffered greatly because of high temperatures. Oceans are not a single body of water. There are actually layers and boundaries that are based on thermoclines and nutriclines. Both thermoclines and nutriclines deepened, ceasing the upwelling of nutrients from the bottom of the oceans. As a result, marine algae productivity decreased, crumbling down the base of the food chain.

Only around six to seven million years after the extinction did the oceans started cooling off. The boundaries that prevented nutrients from going up to the surface were weakened. This paved way for the nutrients to return to the surface and sustain life again.

The study also proves how global warming can affect marine ecosystems in the long haul. The Great Dying Event or Permian-Triassic mass extinction has reset evolution. After this event, dinosaurs came but they also died out due to another mass extinction. The study notes that it's possible that humanity is facing another impending mass extinction due to human activity.

Wildfires

Russian pilots put out 17 wildfires endangering Portugal

Seventeen blazes, charring a total area of 2,000 hectares in Portugal, have been extinguished by the Russian Emergencies Ministry’s aircraft over the past two weeks.

Wildfires - USA

Thirty-five large, uncontained wildfires were burning in the West, and firefighters were making initial attacks on another 112 new blazes to prevent them from spreading.

Firefighters in the region mostly faced windy, dry conditions that have fanned flames that destroyed buildings and forced evacuations in California, Washington, Idaho and elsewhere. Here's a look at the major wildfires in the West:

CALIFORNIA - Authorities say a wildfire that destroyed 45 homes on California's central coast was not intentionally set but they were still trying to determine the cause. Cal Fire says arson has been ruled out in the 10-day blaze that has charred 64 square miles of dry brush and timber. The fire was 39 percent surrounded and at least 2,400 people were under evacuation orders in San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties. Additional warnings for people to be ready to flee were issued Wednesday and one arm of Lake Nacimiento was closed to boaters. Cal Fire's Rich Eagan says flames were more than two miles from Hearst Castle, which remains closed but was no longer at immediate risk.

A fire burning for a month north of Big Sur grew again to 135 square miles. Hundreds of homes remain threatened by the fire in rugged wilderness coast along Highway 1. The blaze was sparked by an illegal campfire. It is 60 percent contained.

IDAHO - A fast-moving rangeland wildfire in eastern Idaho expanded to nearly 70 square miles Wednesday, forcing evacuations, threatening a windfarm and burning habitat needed by sage grouse, a federally protected bird. The Bonneville County Sheriff's Office says evacuations are in place, with up to 70 buildings along U.S. Highway 26 threatened.

Officials say the human-caused fire reported Sunday about 7 miles east of Idaho Falls is making wind-driven runs to the north and east.

In central Idaho, a 160-square-mile wildfire in a remote, mountainous area continues to defy containment and burn through timbered slopes that are difficult for firefighters to reach.

MONTANA - Cooler weather has slowed Montana's largest wildfire, though 45 homes are still evacuated and 130 more are on alert. The fire northeast of Thompson Falls had burned 33 square miles as of Wednesday morning. Fire officials say crews have made progress in securing fire lines and protecting structures. The weather was cooperating again Wednesday with lighter winds and higher relative humidity forecast.

Minimal fire activity is also being reported from a fire burning west of Lakeside. About 75 homes and other structures are within a half-mile of the fire's perimeter. No evacuations have been ordered.

UTAH - Firefighters in northern Utah are working to contain a growing wildfire near a ski resort that's now crossed the border into southern Idaho. Fire spokeswoman Sierra Hellstrom said Wednesday that wind and high temperatures Tuesday afternoon had pushed the fire to 1.4 square miles. It's burning about 23 miles northwest of Logan, and about one-fourth of a mile from the Beaver Mountain Ski Resort, which was on pre-evacuation notice this week. Hellstrom says no buildings are imminently threatened at the resort.

WASHINGTON - Favorable weather conditions helped crews make progress Wednesday against a series of wildfires in Eastern Washington that have burned at least 18 homes this week.

A fire burning on the Spokane Indian Reservation was 30 percent contained. That fire covered more than 27 square miles and had destroyed at least 13 homes on the reservation, said Jamie Sijohn, a spokeswoman for the tribe. "The devastating fire jumped the Spokane River from Lincoln County onto the Spokane reservation in three separate locations," Sijohn said. It roared toward the town of Wellpinit, forcing the evacuation of the entire town on Sunday. But that order has since been lifted, Sijohn said.

Meanwhile, a fire near the town of Davenport in Lincoln County covered 6.5 square miles, and was 20 percent contained.

Another fire south of Spokane, in the Valleyford area, was 50 percent contained. It had burned more than 10 square miles and destroyed at least five homes, officials said. Mandatory evacuations ended on that fire on Tuesday night.

WYOMING - Some tourists heading to Yellowstone National Park during the busy summer season were facing an hourlong detour Wednesday as a wildfire in neighbouring Grand Teton National Park kept a highway closed. Major tourist areas in both parks are open as the National Park Service holds events to celebrate its 100th anniversary this week. A route leading into Yellowstone's South Entrance was shut down, so visitors coming from the south through Wyoming had to take a detour into Idaho. But firefighters hope cooler weather slows the flames over the next couple of days.

Disease

White-nose Syndrome Research: Grants Awarded

Bat Conservation International (BCI) and the Tennessee Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) are pleased to award $100,000 in funding to support critical research in the fight against White-nose Syndrome (WNS). Together, BCI and TNC reviewed and selected three solution-oriented projects that aim to identify and develop tools to improve survival of bats vulnerable to WNS.

White-nose Syndrome is a devastating disease that has killed more than six million bats in North America since its arrival in 2006. The disease is confirmed in seven different species of bats and is in 29 states and five Canadian provinces.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.8 Earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic:

Tropical Storm Gaston is located about 1030 mi...1660 km ENE of the Leeward Islands and about 1195 mi...1925 km ESE of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds...65 mph...100 km/h. Present movement...NW or 320 degrees at 17 mph...28 km/h.

Invest 99L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.

In the Eastern Pacific:

Tropical Storm Lester is located about 510 mi...820 km SW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...60 mph...95 km/h. Present movement...W or 280 degrees at 7 mph...11 km/h.

Invest 98E is an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

In the Western Pacific:

Tropical Storm 12w (Lionrock), located approximately 279 nm southeast of Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, is tracking eastward at 04 knots.

Newsbytes:

Sudan - Two months of torrential rain have killed more than 110 people in Sudan - and more rain is forecast. More than 160,000 people have been affected and 14,000 houses destroyed.

Ethiopia - The United Nations says more than 600,000 people have been displaced in Ethiopia since March, largely because of flooding. The African country was struggling with its worst drought in decades in 2015, but it ended when spring rains arrived in March. On Wednesday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said nearly 300,000 people were forced to flee their homes between March and June due to flooding. The report further said that others were stranded due to the inter-communal conflict in Ethiopia's southern Oromia and Somali regions.

Global Warming

Study: Global warming began earlier than previously thought

Man-made global warming may have started a few decades earlier than scientists previously figured, a new study suggests.

Instead of the late 1800s, a slight almost imperceptible warming can now be tracked to around 1850 in North America, Europe and Asia, according to a new study based on coral, microscopic organisms, ice cores, cave samples, tree rings and computer simulations.

And that happened when heat-trapping gases from burning fossil fuels were tiny compared with now, which means “the speed at which the climate responds to even a small change in greenhouse gases appears to be quite fast,” said study lead author Nerilie Abram, a paleoclimate scientist at the Australian National University. From about 1850 to 1880, Earth probably warmed around a third of a degree Fahrenheit. Still, that pales with about nine-tenths of a degree in the last 30 years or so.

Determining when warming started is more than just a historical question. Early heating could mean either a worse future climate than previously predicted if heat trapping gases aren’t controlled or, more optimistically, faster recovery by Earth if international efforts to cut greenhouse gases succeed.

Wildlife

Monarch Refuge Losses

Storms earlier this year toppled more than a hundred acres of forest in central Mexico, where migrating monarch butterflies spend each winter. Late reports say the severe weather was accompanied by rain, cold and high winds, which killed more than 7 percent of the wintering butterflies. “Never had we observed such a combination of high winds, rain and freezing temperatures,” monarch expert Lincoln Brower said of the storms, which hit Michoacán’s Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve on March 8 and 9.

‘Mosquitornado’

Hollywood has envisioned the implausible phenomenon of spinning columns of bloodthirsty sharks in recent years, but tornadoes of bloodsucking mosquitoes were actually observed and photographed near Russia’s central Ural Mountains. The photographer who shot a video of several “mosquito tornadoes” in Yekaterinburg on Aug. 13 said each column contained millions of the insects. A single mosquito tornado was photographed in Portugal during the spring of 2014.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

A poor Philippine fisherman found what may be the world’s largest pearl but kept it under his bed for a decade without knowing its worth, local authorities said. The man found the 34-kg pearl inside a giant clam that his boat’s anchor snagged as he waited out a storm at sea.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 117.0 degrees Fahrenheit (47.2 degrees Celsius) in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.

The week's coldest temperature was minus -102.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 74.4 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.

Disease

Japanese Encephalitis in Myanmar

An outbreak of Japanese encephalitis (JE) has killed 19 people, including four children in Myanmar this year to date prompting health officials to begin a vaccination campaign in the most needed areas.

Due to the cost of the vaccine and limited supplies, the Department of Health announced it would begin the campaign of vaccinating 40,000 from the mosquito borne virus focusing on Rakhine and northern Shan states.

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is the most important cause of viral encephalitis in Asia. About 68,000 clinical cases are reported annually. It usually occurs in rural or agricultural areas, often associated with rice farming.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Klyuchevskoy (Kamchatka): The effusive and sometimes mildly explosive eruption of the volcano continues with little changes. Bright glow at night and strong thermal signals detected on satellite show that the lava flow through the Apakhonchich drainage on the SE flank of the volcano continues to be well fed.

Suwanose-jima (Ryukyu Islands): After about a week of relative calm, the volcano's activity - probably strombolian explosions from Ontake crater - has again picked since last night. Bright glow is visible at the main crater from neighbouring islands and Tokyo VAAC reported several low-level ash plumes today.

Batu Tara (Sunda Islands, Indonesia): The volcano's activity seems to have been very low recently although there are no available direct observations. The heat signal from the volcano has been only intermittent and low and no significant ash emissions have been detected on satellite imagery during the past months (since about Dec 2015). Only a gas plume is visible on clear weather satellite imagery on most days. This indicates that the volcano is no longer producing the violent explosions we used to see during our regular expeditions in past years, usually in November each year as the best time weather-wise.

Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): The volcano has been producing a series of glowing avalanches and pyroclastic flows on the ESE and SE sides during the past 24 hours, reaching lengths of 1500-3500 m. The cause of the current violent phase is likely that the prominent viscous lava lobe that has been spilling over from the summit dome into a steep ravine of the upper flank has now become too unstable and is crumbling apart. During this process, rockfalls can turn into highly mobile and destructive glowing avalanches of disintegrating hot lava rock fragments, gasses released from these and ambient air (so-called pyroclastic density currents / flows).

Fuego (Guatemala): The activity at the volcano has again started to increase - while it continues with intermittent explosions, satellite-based measured heat emission from the summit is becoming more intense, typically a sign that the magma column is rising inside the conduit.  This could herald a new paroxysm in the near future (coming few days?).

Cotopaxi (Ecuador): Yesterday's ash plume from the volcano was the result of strong winds remobilizing older ash deposits (from the recent eruptive activity during 2015-16), NOT cause by a new eruptive phase. The volcano is currently calm both at the surface and internally (seismic activity, deformation etc) and only emits a steam plume.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.8 Earthquake hits the Flores Sea.

5.7 Earthquake hits Kepulauan Mentawai, Indonesia.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits central Italy.

5.0 Earthquake hits southeast of the loyalty Islands.

More than 240 people have died and at least 368 were injured in yesterday’s 6.1 magnitude earthquake in Italy. Many people are still believed to be buried under rubble and more than 4,300 rescuers are using heavy lifting equipment and bare hands to find them. Before and After Images:

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic: Hurricane Gaston is located about 1225 mi...1970 km E of the Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds...75 mph...120 km/h. Present movement...NW or 310 degrees at 17 mph...28 km/h.

Invest 99L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.

In the Eastern Pacific: Tropical Storm Lester is located about 185 mi...295 km SSW of Socorro island and about 475 mi...765 km SSW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 295 degrees at 12 mph...19 km/h

Invest 98E is an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

In the Western Pacific: Tropical Storm 12w (Lionrock), located approximately 247 nm southeast of Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, is tracking west-northwestward at 02 knots.

Newsbytes:

Indiana, USA - At least two confirmed tornadoes ripped through Central Indiana on Wednesday, causing only minor injuries but damaging several homes and leaving more than 30,000 people without power, including 3,400 in Indianapolis. The most damage appeared to occur in Kokomo, where an EF-3 tornado levelled a Starbucks and tore roofs off of apartment buildings, causing city and Howard County officials to declare states of emergency. Wind speeds typically associated with an EF-3 can range anywhere from 136 to 165 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.8 Earthquake hits Myanmar.

6.1 Earthquake hits central Italy.

An earthquake devastated a string of mountainous towns over a swathe of central Italy early on Wednesday, trapping residents under hills of rubble, with at least 38 people believed killed and many missing. The quake struck in the early hours of the morning when most people were asleep, razing homes and buckling roads in a cluster of towns and villages some 140km east of Rome. The emergency services released an aerial photograph showing whole areas of the town of Amatrice flattened, while debris filled the streets of nearby Accumoli. “Now that daylight has come, we see that the situation is even more dreadful than we feared, with buildings collapsed, people trapped under the rubble and no sound of life,” said Accumoli mayor Stefano Petrucci. Wide cracks appeared like open wounds on the buildings that were still standing. “Three quarters of the town is not there anymore,” Amatrice mayor Sergio Pirozzi told state broadcaster RAI. “The aim now is to save as many lives as possible. There are voices under the rubble, we have to save the people there.” The earthquake caused damage to towns in three regions, Umbria, Lazio and Marche.

6.0 Earthquake hits the Flores Sea.

5.5 Earthquake hits central Italy.

5.2 Earthquake hits New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.

5.1 Earthquake hits central Italy.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic:

Tropical Storm Gaston is located about 975 mi...1570 km W of the Cabo Verde islands with maximum sustained winds...70 mph...110 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 290 degrees at 17 mph...28 km/h.

Invest 99L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.

In the Eastern Pacific:

Invest 98E 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.

In the Western Pacific:

Tropical Storm 12w (Lionrock), located approximately 269 nm east-southeast of Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, is tracking south-southwestward at 06 knots.

Tropical Depression 14w (Fourteen), located approximately 340 nm east-southeast of Iwo To, is tracking north-northeastward at 24 knots.

Newsbytes:

India Update - Floods across India have killed more than 30 people and displaced thousands. Central Madhya Pradesh state has suffered the highest death toll with at least 17 people killed in flood-related incidents, officials said. And in eastern Bihar state, at least 15,000 people have been evacuated from their homes after a "flood-like situation" in a dozen districts. Floods are common in India during the monsoon season between June and September. But excessive rains this year have caused the Ganges river and its tributaries to rise above the danger level in about 20 districts in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. At least 13 people have died in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh states because of drowning, electrocution or injuries sustained after house collapses. In Bihar, where at least six rivers are flowing above the danger mark, thousands of people have taken shelter in more than 80 relief camps.

Romania - Authorities say 11 people have been rescued after being trapped by a flash flood in a huge bat cave in western Romania. The group had taken shelter Monday afternoon from torrential rain, only to be trapped by the flood. They were rescued after a seven-hour operation. The Huda lui Papara cave is home to the largest bat colony in Europe, located in the Apuseni Mountains in northwestern Transylvania.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Western USA

In central California, a wildfire charred 33,173 acres and destroyed more than 30 homes while threatening 1,900 structures, forcing the evacuation of more than 2,400 people. Emergency crews had that blaze 35 percent contained late Monday, according to Cal Fire.

Nearly 2,000 emergency personnel continued to battle a massive blaze in northern California that started over one month ago but continues to gain ground. That fire, burning north of the Big Sur coastal area, has been blamed for one death and three injuries and has destroyed 57 homes, according to Cal Fire.

In Washington state, a cluster of wildfires ringed the city of Spokane, destroying more than a dozen homes and forcing hundreds to flee. The largest of those blazes, known as the Yale Road Fire, grew to nearly 3,500 acres on Monday, as crews struggled to suppress the flames that have so far destroyed 10 homes.

In Wyoming's Yellowstone National Park, a 35 square-mile wildfire did not keep visitors from enjoying the wildlife and scenery, even as it continued to expand in a remote area along the park's western boundary, the Associated Press reported.

Officials in Montana issued evacuation orders to a rural community after a wildfire doubled in size in one day, the AP reported. Winds blowing up to 40 mph created volatile conditions in which fires can quickly expand or change direction. Some 20 homes and other buildings were threatened as 317 firefighters responded to the blaze.

In Oregon, a fast-moving wildfire first spotted Sunday afternoon quickly became one of the state's largest active blazes, according to the AP. Officials say nearly 50 square miles have been burned near the Idaho state line as about one hundred firefighters struggled to contain it.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Sabancaya (Peru): The volcano remains restless. A strong emission of steam with some ash occurred this morning. In its latest report, IGP reported only low internal (seismic, deformation) and surface activity (degassing) of the volcano during the first half of August.

Villarrica (Central Chile): The volcano has increased its activity during the past two weeks: glow from the summit has reappeared in early August and become more pronounced lately. This suggests a rise of the magma column in the conduit where a small lava lake is often present (typical for the volcano) and/or spattering or small strombolian activity. Satellite-based measurements of heat output also show an increase recently.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 Earthquake hits Tonga.

5.3 Earthquake hits Myanmar.

5.2 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits Taiwan.

Two 5.0 Earthquakes hit the South Georgia Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic: Tropical Depression Fiona is located about 525 mi...845 km N of the northern Leeward Islands and about 455 mi...735 km S of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 290 degrees at 13 mph...20 km/h.

Tropical Storm Gaston is located about 545 mi...880 km W of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands with maximum sustained winds...50 mph...85 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 290 degrees at 20 mph...31 km/h.

Invest 99L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.

In the Eastern Pacific: Tropical Depression Kay is located about 605 mi...970 km W of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...W or 275 degrees at 8 mph...13 km/h.

Invest 98E 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.

In the Western Pacific: Tropical Depression 10w (Mindulle), located approximately 26 nm east-northeast of Misawa, Japan, is tracking north-northeastward at 28 knots.

Tropical Storm 12w (Lionrock), located approximately 346 nm east of Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, is tracking south-southwestward at 05 knots.

Tropical Depression 14w (Fourteen), located approximately 41 nm east of Andersen AFB, is tracking northward at 15 knots.

Global Warming

Blue lakes are appearing in Antarctica – and that’s a bad thing

In a new study, scientists who study the largest ice mass on Earth – East Antarctica – have found that it is showing a surprising feature reminiscent of the fastest melting one: Greenland.

More specifically, the satellite-based study found that atop the coastal Langhovde Glacier in East Antarctica’s Dronning Maud Land, large numbers of “supraglacial” or meltwater lakes have been forming – nearly 8,000 of them during summer months between the year 2000 and 2013. Moreover, in some cases, just as in Greenland, these lakes appear to have then been draining down into the floating parts of the glacier, potentially weakening it and making it more likely to fracture and break apart.

This is the first time that such a drainage phenomenon has been observed in East Antarctica, the researchers say – though it was previously spotted on the warmer Antarctic Peninsula and was likely part of what drove spectacular events there like the shattering of the Larsen B ice shelf in 2002.

When it comes to East Antarctica, however, “that’s the part of the continent where people have for quite a long time assumed that it’s relatively stable, there’s not a huge amount of change, it’s very, very cold, and so, it’s only very recently that the first supraglacial lakes, on top of the ice, were identified,” said Stewart Jamieson, a glaciologist at Durham University in the UK and one of the study’s authors.

The research raises concern, for the following reason: Mounting evidence suggests one reason that Greenland has been melting so fast lately is precisely these kinds of lakes. In the summer as air temperatures warm, lakes form on top of the ice sheet, and on its finger-like glaciers that extend outwards into deep ocean fjords.

These lakes can then suddenly disappear all at once, or flow into rivers that drain into the ice below, lubricating the ice and helping to increase the lurch forward of glaciers. Sometimes, researchers have even been able to document fresh water flowing outward directly into the sea from the base of a glacier. That injection of cold fresh water into salty water can then create tornado-like underwater flow patterns at the submerged glacier front that cause further ice loss.

Wildlife

Whaling - Activists to battle on after Japan whaling court victory

Japanese whalers on Tuesday celebrated what they described as a court victory in the US to end years of high seas clashes with anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd, which immediately vowed to fight on.

The arch enemies have waged a legal and public relations battle as Sea Shepherd has sought to disrupt an annual whale hunt in the Antarctic that Japan defends as scientific research.

However, the settlement between the US-based Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Japan's whaling body is unlikely to end the dispute as operations in Antarctic waters are mostly carried out by Sea Shepherd Australia, which does not come under the ruling.

On Tuesday, the Institute of Cetacean Research and Kyodo Senpaku -- key players in Japan's whaling industry -- announced a legal settlement that would bar the US group from attacking whaling ships or funding such activities.

The parties involved "successfully resolved the dispute through mediated negotiations earlier this month", it said.

But Sea Shepherd played down any suggestion of a global agreement, saying the settlement only applied to its US arm and that other branches, including its Australian office, would keep fighting.

The announcement comes after a US court issued a preliminary injunction against Sea Shepherd in late 2012, ordering it to steer clear of the whaling ships.

Japan initiated the legal battle after several hunts in which the anti-whaling activists pursued the fleet for months in the icy waters near Antarctica, seeking to stop the slaughter.

Activists harassed whalers with paint and stink bombs, rammed their ships, and snared ship propellers with ropes.

Japan claims it conducts vital scientific research using a loophole in an international whaling ban, but makes no secret that the mammals ultimately end up on dinner plates.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Washington, USA

A series of wildfires burning in the Spokane region have destroyed at least 16 homes and continued to grow on Monday. The fires started Sunday afternoon amid high winds and temperatures in the 90s.

One fire was near Davenport in Lincoln County, just west of Spokane. It had scorched more than nine square miles by Monday morning and destroyed at least six homes. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said 11 structures had been destroyed, a figure that included homes, garages and outbuildings.

The fire jumped the Spokane River and threatened the small community of Wellpinit on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Residents were told to evacuate after the town lost power.

Another wildfire, south of Spokane near the town of Spangle, destroyed at least 10 homes and numerous other structures on Sunday, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Disease

Antibiotic resistant E. coli found in France - in drinking water

Antibiotic resistant E. coli has been found in multiple drinking water supplies in France. The resistance counters the critically important cephalosporin antibiotics. The findings highlight the presence of expanding reservoirs of these resistance genes, including reservoirs in the environment.

“Drinking water is a well-recognized source of direct human contamination with waterborne pathogens, but the risk of human transfer of resistance genes has rarely been documented,” the investigators write. They note just several studies of resistance gene-contaminated water in developing nations “with poor water supply systems and/or sanitation facilities, coupled with limited controls of antibiotic usage and residues.” But their study is likely the first report from a high income country that documents production of this resistance gene, by E. coli, in drinking water supplies.

In the study, the investigators sampled 28 water supply systems throughout France. They collected one litre water samples from the locations where drinking water enters the distribution system. The water supplies sampled were chosen on the basis of having had water quality failures—detection of coliform bacteria which serve as indicators of faecal contamination—during the previous three years.

Puerto Rico Zika outbreak rises

One week after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a Zika public health emergency for the Commonwealth, health officials in Puerto Rico reported an additional 2,506 Zika virus cases, bringing the total to 13,186 cumulative confirmed cases since the virus arrived on the island.

Of the total cases this past week, seventy-one were in pregnant women, putting the total to over 1100.

Anthrax in Bangladesh

Health officials in Sirajganj, Bangladesh are reporting an addition 25 human anthrax cases in Shahzadpur upazila in recent days, according to local media. This is the third wave of anthrax cases in the upazila since May. The outbreak is linked to anthrax tainted meat. All the cases are considered cutaneous anthrax, according to the report.

Nigeria - Lassa Fever

The Delta State Ministry of Health has confirmed one person dead and 32 others on surveillance following a reported case of Lassa fever.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Klyuchevskoy (Kamchatka): The eruption of the volcano continues with the effusion of a lava flow on the eastern flank and intermittent explosive activity at the summit. A phase of near-continuous small to moderate explosions occurred last night (this morning in Kamchatka), generating an ash plume that rose to 23,000 ft (7 km) and drifted southeast.

Chikurachki (Paramushir Island): KVERT lowered the Aviation Colour Code back to green. No more signs of eruptive activity (ash plumes, thermal anomalies) have been detected during the past days, but according to KVERT, a "moderate gas-steam activity of the volcano continues."

Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): Small to moderate explosions continue to occur at rates of once or twice per day on average. Yesterday morning (08:53 local time), an eruption generated an ash plume that rose 1300 m above the summit and dissipated into easterly directions. A small pyroclastic flow also descended the eastern flank and reached 1500 m length.

Disease

Pakistan reports 20 Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever deaths

Health officials in Pakistan have put the death tally at 20 so far this year due to the tick-borne viral disease, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), according to a report in The Nation today. This total includes 12 fatalities from Balochistan and five from Karachi. The remaining cases were from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Bahawalpur.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.6 Earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.

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

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

5.1 Earthquake hits the South Georgia Islands.

Two 5.1 Earthquakes hit off the east coast of Honshu Japan.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Komandorskiye Ostrava region, Russia.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Bonin Islands off Japan.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic:

Tropical Depression Fiona is located about 525 mi...845 km NE of the northern Leeward Islands and about 670 mi...1080 km se of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 290 degrees at 18 mph...30 km/h.

Invest 90L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.

Invest 99L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.

In the Eastern Pacific:

Tropical Storm Kay is located about 430 mi...690 km W of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...50 mph...85 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 300 degrees at 8 mph...13 km/h.

In the Western Pacific:

Typhoon 10w (Mindulle), located approximately 39 nm east-northeast of Yokota AB, Japan, is tracking north-northeastward at 18 knots.

Tropical Storm 12w (Lionrock), located approximately 338 nm east-northeast of Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, is tracking northeastward at 05 knots.

Newsbytes:

Japan - Typhoon Mindulle lashed Tokyo on Monday, dumping heavy rain across the capital while nationwide at least one person was feared dead in storm-related incidents. Storm water coursed down usually placid rivers and left many streets flooded, with conditions expected to peak by the afternoon. Staff at Narita International Airport abandoned the control tower when winds reached 126 kph, a Transport Ministry official said. The move shut down the airport for about an hour.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): The volcano has been getting more active again during the past night: a series of small explosions and associated ash emissions occurred from the older summit crater, Minamidake. It will be interesting to see whether or not Sakurajima returns to its previously so typical style of intermittent, often quite powerful vulcanian-type explosions (at rates ranging from one every few days to several per day).

Popocatépetl volcano (Mexico): The volcano's activity has been essentially unchanged over the past week. On average, 2-4 explosions have been occurring daily - mostly small events with plumes less than 1 km tall - and about 50-100 pulses of steam emissions ("exhalations”). Glow at night visible from the crater indicates that magma continues to slowly rise and accumulate there. The official alert level remains at "Yellow Phase 2".

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.1 Earthquake hits the South Georgia Islands.

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

5.3 Earthquake hits off the east coast of Honshu, japan.

Two 5.2 Earthquakes hit the South Georgia Islands.

5.1 Earthquake hits the South Georgia Islands.

5.1 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.0 Earthquake hits the South Georgia Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Ceram Sea, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic: Tropical Storm Fiona is located about 745 mi...1200 km ENE of the Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds...45 mph...75 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 295 degrees at 16 mph...26 km/h.

Invest 90L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.

Invest 99L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.

In the Eastern Pacific: Tropical Storm Kay is located about 300 mi...485 km WSW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/h. Present movement...NW or 305 degrees at 7 mph...11 km/h.

In the Western Pacific: Tropical Storm 10w (Mindulle), located approximately 301 nm south of Yokosuka, Japan, is tracking northward at 20 knots.

Tropical Storm 12w (Lionrock), located approximately 287 nm southeast of Sasebo, Japan, is tracking west-southwestward at 09 knots.

Tropical Depression 13w (Kompasu), located approximately 96 nm east of Misawa, Japan, is tracking northwestward at 14 knots.

Newsbytes:

India - Seventeen people have died since Friday across Madhya Pradesh in devastation caused by three days of continuous rain and resulting floods.

Wildlife

Yellowstone River Closed in Montana, USA

A human-spread parasitic disease may be the cause of Friday’s Yellowstone River closure, say Montana officials. Along a 183-mile stretch, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks closed the river to the public after thousands of fish turned up dead in an alarming way.

“This kill is unprecedented in magnitude. We haven’t seen something like this in Montana,” FWP spokeswoman Andrea Jones said. “It’s one of the most serious diseases to impact whitefish and trout.”

The river is closed indefinitely from Yellowstone National Park to Highway 212 in Laurel, Montana, and includes the Boulder, Shields, and Stillwater rivers. As of now, no one can raft, fish, or swim in the area until further notice.

Friday morning, the number of dead fish counted reached 4,000, but experts are sure the real figure is much higher. The massive deaths prompted FWP officials to call for the river’s closure until a source can be confirmed. According to samples sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Fish Health Center in Bozeman, the fish may have died from kidney disease.

It is believed a dangerous parasite in the water is being absorbed by the fish through their gills. The organism ultimately makes its way into the kidneys, causing them to fail. The microscopic creature is found mostly in Canada, the U.S., and parts of Europe. Authorities assure the parasite is not harmful to humans.

Disease

Measles Alert in New Zealand

Medical Officer of Health Michael Hale has confirmed a measles alert for various locations in central Auckland and Newmarket. People who have visited these locations at these times are likely to be exposed to the disease and if they are not immune could get measles.

France: More animal anthrax

In a follow-up to a report two weeks ago, authorities in Moselle department in Northeast France say the number of cattle that have died from the bacterial disease, anthrax, has risen to 25, according to a Europe 1 report.

The additional cases have been reported on several farms. Vaccination of animals, including sheep and cattle, has begun. Cases of anthrax near Lunéville have caused some problems with farmers as authorities have taken a long period (several days) to collect samples from the animals and to dispose of the diseased carcasses.

Zika may cause brain damage in adults, too

Zika may pose a danger for far many more of us than pregnant women and babies, a new study suggests.

Mosquitoes have now transmitted the virus in a second area in South Florida, officials announced on Friday, as they advised pregnant women not to travel to the zone in Miami Beach. As the virus spreads in the Americas, with more than 10,000 cases confirmed in the United States, researchers are working to understand its subtleties and develop a vaccine.

In addition to causing the birth defect microcephaly, Zika can wreak havoc in our brains’ stem cells, researchers from Rockefeller University and La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology found in a study published in the journal Cell Stem Cell Thursday.

The stem cells, known as neural progenitor cells, help replace damaged neurons—the main components of our brain and spinal cord—and assist with learning and memory. Using a mouse model, the researchers found that Zika can target those cells, which can lead to reduced brain volume and complications in brain functioning—similar to the long-term effects of microcephaly.

“Getting infected with Zika as an adult may not be as innocuous as people think,” Joseph Gleeson, the study’s lead author and head of Rockefeller’s paediatric brain disease laboratory, said in a release.

Volcanos

Roundup of Weekly Global Volcanic Activity

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

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

5.7 Earthquake hits the South Georgia Islands.

5.5 Earthquake hits the South Georgia Islands.

5.3 Earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.2 Earthquake hits the South Georgia Islands.

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

5.1 Earthquake hits the southern east Pacific rise.

5.1 Earthquake hits the South Georgia Islands.

Three 5.0 Earthquakes hit the South Georgia Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic:

Tropical Storm Fiona is located about 1000 mi...1610 km E of the Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 295 degrees at 13 mph...20 km/h.

Invest 99L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.

In the Eastern Pacific:

Tropical Storm Kay is located about 140 mi...225 km WNW of Socorro island and about 310 mi...495 km SW of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...50 mph...85 km/h. Present movement...NW or 310 degrees at 6 mph...9 km/h.

In the Western Pacific:

Tropical Storm 10w (Mindulle), located approximately 152 nm south of Iwo To, Japan, is tracking northward at 19 knots.

Tropical storm 12w (Lionrock), located approximately 302 nm southeast of Iwakuni, Japan, is tracking west-southwestward at 13 knots.

Tropical storm 13w (Kompasu), located approximately 288 nm east of Yokosuka, Japan, is tracking northwestward at 26 knots.

Global Warming

Alaskan Village votes to relocate due to Global Warming

The village of Shishmaref in Alaska voted on Tuesday to relocate to the state’s mainland because global warming and rising sea levels.

Shishmaref Council secretary Donna Barr said the vote was largely symbolic because it will be costly financially to the community. “About 15 years ago, they estimated the cost at $180 million, but I would figure it’s much higher now,” Barr said, according to CNN. “We don’t see the move happening in our lifetime because of the funding.”

The village’s roughly 650 residents have seen warming temperatures melt sea ice and permafrost, which has resulted in houses falling into the water, CNN reports. At least 31 villages in Alaska face “imminent threats” due to climate change, the Government Accountability Office reported in 2009 but they do not qualify for federal funding and lack the means to relocate without it.

Wildlife

Zebra finches sing to eggs to prepare babies for global warming

Zebra finches program their offspring to prepare for global warming by singing to eggs before they hatch. In especially hot areas, finch parents make a special call to incubating eggs, basically telling them it’s really hot outside and they better not grow too big. The hatchlings listen — and this mechanism might explain how birds learn to adapt, and survive climate change.

Many bird species sing to their eggs. These calls have been shown to do everything from improving learning to synchronizing hatching times. When it comes to the Australian zebra finch, we already know that they make a specific call when it’s unusually hot outside, which in this case means over 79 degrees Fahrenheit no matter what season it is. Finch parents start making these calls about five days before the eggs are supposed to hatch and the calls become more frequent the closer it gets to hatch time. This suggests the calls are a way to tell the soon-to-be-born finches about the world outside, and not just the parents complaining about the heat.

Wildfires

Wildfires - California, USA

The Blue Cut fire in California is hot. That heat allowed thermal sensors aboard the Landsat 8 satellite to capture a glowing image of the blaze at night.

The satellite image shows the active flames north of San Bernardino County, California, on Aug. 17, at 10:36 p.m. PDT (1:35 a.m. EDT). The fire continues to move north, northwest and northeast, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The satellite image shows the active flames north of San Bernardino County, California, on Aug. 17, at 10:36 p.m. PDT (1:35 a.m. EDT). The fire continues to move north, northwest and northeast, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire).

The Blue Cut Fire started the morning of Aug. 16 in the Cajon Pass, west of Interstate 15; As of Aug. 18, the blaze had ballooned to about 35,969 acres, with 22 percent of that contained, according to CalFire. 96 Homes and 213 other buildings have been destroyed by the fires.

Disease

Zika Virus in Miami, Florida, USA

Federal health officials on Friday warned pregnant women not to travel to trendy Miami Beach after Florida confirmed that the mosquito-borne Zika virus was active in the popular tourist destination.

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention also suggested that pregnant women who are especially worried about exposure to Zika, which has been shown to cause the severe birth defect known as microcephaly - might consider avoiding all of Miami-Dade County.

The new warnings represent a challenge to Florida’s multibillion dollar tourism industry, with Miami Beach accounting for nearly half of visitor stays in the Greater Miami area. They also heighten concerns over Zika’s spread in the continental United States.

Deadly Yellow Fever Spreading, Amid Global Vaccine Shortages

As deadly yellow fever spreads to seven provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), new measures have been introduced to ensure that as many people as possible are immunised, despite global shortages of the yellow fever vaccine.

Global emergency stocks of just 6 million yellow fever vaccines have been strained by the current outbreak, which began in Angola and has now spread to neighbouring DRC. To reach as many people as possible with the limited supply of vaccines, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has started recommending the use of partial doses.

So far in DRC there are 74 actual confirmed cases and there’ve been 16 deaths from those cases. This means that more than 20% of people who have contracted yellow fever in the DRC have died. The number of suspected cases in the DRC and Angola is much higher. A big city like Kinshasa is worrisome, no-one really knows how many people there are in Kinshasa, no census has been done since the 1980s but the estimate is around 10 million. The current campaign aims to reach 420,000 people in Kinshasa over 10 days.

Tuberculosis in Sweden

The number of reported cases of the dreaded lung disease tuberculosis is increasing rapidly in Sweden. Whereas the unparalleled influx of refugees is the main reason to blame for the outbreak, additionally many former Swedish patients have fallen ill again.

During the first half of the year, 421 new cases of tuberculosis were reported in Sweden, with a marked increase in the 15-19 age bracket with 90% being foreign born.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

7.4 Earthquake hits the South Georgia Islands.

5.5 Earthquake hits the southern east Pacific rise.

5.3 Earthquake hits the South Georgia Islands.

5.2 Earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

Three 5.2 Earthquakes hit the South Georgia Islands.

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

5.1 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits Kepulauan Barat Daya, Indonesia.

Two 5.0 Earthquakes hit the Kermedec Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits north of the Kermedec Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic: Tropical Storm Fiona is about 1240 mi...1995 km W of the Cabo Verde islands with maximum sustained winds...45 mph...75 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 300 degrees at 10 mph...17 km/h.

Invest 99L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.

In the Eastern Pacific: Tropical Storm Kay is located about 315 mi...510 km SSW of the southern tip of Baja California and about 30 mi...45 km SSE of Socorro island with maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/h. Present movement...NW or 315 degrees at 7 mph...11 km/h.

In the Western Pacific: Tropical Storm 10w (Mindulle), located approximately 402 nm south of Iwo To, Japan, is tracking northwestward at 08 knots.

Tropical Storm 11w (Dianmu), located approximately 36 nm east-southeast of Hanoi, Vietnam is tracking west-northwestward at 12 knots.

Tropical Storm 12w (Twelve), located approximately 199 nm southeast of Yokosuka, Japan, is tracking westward at 19 knots.

In the Central Pacific: Invest 91C is an area of disturbed weather in the Central Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 122.0 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius) in Death Valley, California.

The week's coldest temperature was minus -84.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 64.4 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.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Chikurachki (Paramushir Island): The new eruptive phase, detected through satellite images since yesterday, continues. Ash emissions have increased today and form a plume stretching about 50 km to the NE and reaching the southern tip of Kamchatka. Tokyo VAAC estimates the altitude of the plume which is moving at 35 knots to be at 10,000 ft (3 km).

Santiaguito (Guatemala): The volcano's activity remains very high. Another strong explosion occurred at the Caliente dome yesterday morning at 08:08 local time. Similar in size as the previous one two days earlier, it was accompanied by heavy ballistic bombardment of the cone and its surroundings and generated pyroclastic flows. The resulting ash plume rose to es, approx. 18,000 ft (6 km) altitude and drifted NW into the border region with Mexico before dissipating.

Shiveluch volcano (Kamchatka): The activity of the volcano remains essentially unchanged at currently low to moderate levels. The slow growth of the lava dome continues as viscous (sticky) lava accumulates in the dome. A (small) part of the inherently unstable dome collapsed yesterday morning and generated a pyroclastic flow that traveled down the SW valley between the dome and the remnants of the 1964 collapse scar, which forms a horse-show shaped wall around the dome. The flow reached approx. 1500 m length and was 300-400 m wide. A second flow of similar size occurred immediately after. The resulting ash plume rose approx. 1 km.

Fuego volcano (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.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.7 Earthquake hits Queensland, Australia.

5.3 Earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.2 Earthquake hits Fiji.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Bismarck Sea.

5.0 Earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits Fiji.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic: Tropical Storm Fiona is located about 1080 mi...1740 km W of the Cabo Verde islands with maximum sustained winds...45 mph...75 km/h. Present movement...WNW or 300 degrees at 16 mph...26 km/h.

In the Eastern Pacific: Invest 97E is an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

In the Western Pacific: Tropical Depression 10w (Ten), located approximately 167 nm northwest of Andersen AFB, is tracking east-northeastward at 09 knots.

Tropical Depression 11w (Dianmu), located approximately 78 nm northeast of Haikou, China, is tracking westward at 06 knots.

Tropical Storm 12w (Twelve), located approximately 605 nm east-southeast of Yokosuka, Japan, is tracking west-northwestward at 20 knots.

In the Central Pacific: Invest 91C is an area of disturbed weather in the Central Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Suwanose-jima (Ryukyu Islands): Activity has been more intermittent over the past days, but occasional (presumably strombolian) explosions continue to occur, producing small ash plumes that rise up to approx. 2 km altitude and quickly disperse.

Sabancaya volcano (Peru): A pilot reported seeing a small ash plume from the volcano today. On satellite imagery, no ash is visible, but it's plausible that a small eruption occurred. The volcano has been producing sporadic emissions from time to time during the past months. Buenos Aires VAAC keeps Aviation Colour Code at yellow.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.1 Earthquake hits off the coast of Tarapaca, Chile.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic:

Tropical Depression Six is located about 775 mi...1245 km WSW of the Cabo Verde Islands with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...NW or 305 degrees at 15 mph...24 km/h.

In the Eastern Pacific:

Invest 97E is an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

In the Western Pacific:

Tropical Storm 09w (Chanthu), located approximately 171 nm north-northeast of Yokosuka, Japan, and is tracking north-northwestward at 15 knots.

In the Central Pacific:

Invest 91C is an area of disturbed weather in the Central Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

Newsbytes:

Louisiana, USA - Federal officials are expanding a disaster declaration in Louisiana after devastating floods killed at least 11 people and caused widespread property damage. Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Tuesday that 20 parishes are now under a disaster declaration with a "historic flood event" damaging some 40,000 homes and leading to the evacuation of 30,000 people from flood-soaked areas.

Wildlife

Neonic pesticide link to long-term wild bee decline

The large-scale, long-term decline in wild bees across England has been linked to the use of neonicotinoid insecticides by a new study. Over 18 years, researchers analysed bees who forage heavily on oilseed rape, a crop widely treated with "neonics".

The scientists attribute half of the total decline in wild bees to the use of these chemicals while industry sources say the study shows an association, not a cause and effect.

In recent years, several studies, conducted in the lab and in the field, have identified a negative effect on honey bees and bumble bees from the use of neonics. But few researchers have looked at the long term impacts of these substances.

This new paper examined the impacts on populations of 62 species of wild bees across England over the period from 1994-2011. The team, from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), used distribution data on wild bees, excluding honey and bumblebees collected by the bees, ants and wasps recording scheme. They were able to compare the locations of these bees and their changing populations with growing patterns of oilseed rape across England over 18 years. The amount of this crop being sown has increased significantly over the period of the study, from around 500,000 hectares in 1994 to over 700,000 in 2011.

A key innovation was the commercial licensing of neonicotinoid insecticides for the crop in the UK in 2002. Seeds are coated with the chemical and every part of the plant becomes toxic to pests.

Manufacturers hailed the development as a major advance, reducing the need for leaf spraying with other insecticides. Around 85% of the oilseed rape crop in England now uses this method for pest protection.

But this new work suggests, for the first time, that the detrimental impacts seen in the lab can be linked to large scale population extinctions of wild bees, especially for those species of bees that spend longer foraging on oilseed rape.

There was a decline in the number of populations of 10%, attributable to neonicotinoids, across the 34 species that forage on oilseed rape. Five of the species showed declines of 20% or more, with the worst affected declining by 30%. Overall, half the total decline in wild bees could be linked to the chemicals.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

A purple squid with eyes so googly it could easily be mistaken for a character in the movie "Finding Nemo" was recently spotted by scientists off the coast of Southern California.

The so-called stubby squid (Rossia pacifica) is a species of bobtail squid native to the northern Pacific Ocean. These adorable sea creatures can be found in waters from Japan to Southern California, and typically dwell along the ocean floor, at depths of around 984 feet (300 meters), though they have been spotted as deep as 4,260 feet (1,300 m), according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI).

Wildfires

Wildfires Disrupt Olympic Games - Brazil

Wildfires near Deodoro, a suburb of Rio and a site for several events at the Games, caused the precautionary evacuation Monday of Olympic venues for mountain biking, canoe slalom and BMX racing, according to reports. In addition, high winds blew ash onto the field at the stadium where women’s field hockey quarterfinals were being played, although it did not disrupt any games.

Disease

High Rate of Syphilis in London, England

Health officials in England say the rate of syphilis diagnoses is 3 times higher in London than anywhere else in England. In 2015, nearly 3,000 cases were diagnosed in the capital, accounting for 56% of all cases in England (5,042), according to a new report published today.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Santiaguito (Guatemala): A particularly strong vulcanian explosion occurred at the Caliente lava dome this morning (at 06_58 local time), sending a massive mushroom-shaped ash plume to several kilometres height that eventually reached approx. 20,000 ft or 7 km altitude). The cone and its immediate surroundings were showered by volcanic blocks and bombs and collapsing material from the eruption produced avalanches that engulfed the cone on several sides (pyroclastic flows). The ash plume drifted to the WNW and caused significant ash falls in areas as far as the border with Mexico (e.g. Cacahotàn, 75 km distance). Light ash fall was even recorded in greater distances, e.g. the Mexican town of Soconusco in 145 km distance. The eruption came bare 48 hours after the previous one on Sunday. It can well be that the volcano is currently entering a phase of particularly increased activity.

Colima (Western Mexico): The volcano's activity seems to have picked up a little bit. Several explosions occurred today, producing ash plumes that rose to up to 14-18,000 ft (4-6 km) altitude and dispersed into westerly directions. During intervals between eruptions, degassing is visible from several vents inside the summit crater (where a small lava dome is likely continuing to grow slowly).

Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): The volcano's activity has been essentially unchanged over the past week. On average, 2-4 explosions have been occurring daily - mostly small events with plumes less than 1 km tall - and about 50-100 pulses of steam emissions ("exhalations"). Glow at night visible from the crater indicates that magma continues to slowly rise and accumulate there. The official alert level remains at "Yellow Phase 2".

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 Earthquake hits Antofagasta, Chile.

5.1 Earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Atlantic:

Invest 98L is an area of disturbed weather in the North Atlantic that has the potential for further tropical development.

In the Eastern Pacific:

Invest 95E is an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

Invest 96E is an area of disturbed weather in the East Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

In the Western Pacific:

Tropical Storm 09w (Chanthu), located approximately 145 nm southeast of Yokosuka, Japan, and is tracking north-northwestward at 19 knots.

In the Central Pacific:

Invest 91C is an area of disturbed weather in the Central Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

Newsbytes:

Russia - Heavy rain in Moscow has caused the Yauza River to burst its banks and flooded streets, trapping people in cars and buses.The weather service said that by early evening 92 millimetres (3.7 inches) of rain had fallen in Moscow, which is well over the monthly average for August.

Myanmar - Floods caused by monsoon rains have killed at least eight people and disrupted the lives of 400,000 across Myanmar, the government said, a year since the worst floods in decades left thousands homeless and inundated vast tracts of farmland. Weeks of torrential rains have flooded more than 400,000 acres of paddy fields, exacerbating last year's damage, a senior Agriculture Ministry official said on Monday.