Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 Earthquake hits the Ryukyu Islands off Japan.

5.1 Earthquake hits Greece.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

South Africa - Two people died following an accident caused by heavy storms in Johannesburg, the City's emergency services said on Sunday. Between 30 and 40 houses in the Protea Glen and Braam Fisher areas in Soweto were found to have suffered damages from the storms which included a severe hailstorm. Parts of a roof collapsed at the Trade Route Mall.

Trinidad & Tobago - Incessant rainfall this week has led to widespread flooding and a massive landslide. Trinidad and Tobago's Meteorological Services has warned of increased fluvial flooding due to high rainfall. Areas of northern Trinidad have been affected by power failures and a major landslide that blocked the North Coast Road.

Global Warming

Global Warming Is Putting The Ocean's Phytoplankton In Danger

Phytoplankton are an essential part of the marine food chain. But according to new research, their numbers are dwindling.

Phytoplankton is one of the planet's most valuable resources. They form the basis of the marine food chain and provide half the ocean's oxygen (while trees, shrubs, and grasses provide the other half). Hurricanes churn the ocean, bringing up nutrients like nitrogen, phosphate, and iron from the depths of the ocean and introducing them to the surface levels where plankton live. In turn, the phytoplankton bloom and spread, and marine life grows with it.

As the climate warms, so will the oceans—bad news for phytoplankton, since warm waters contain less oxygen, and therefore less phytoplankton, than cooler areas. Already, gradually warming ocean waters have killed off phytoplankton globally by a staggering 40 percent since 1950.

Because phytoplankton migration would cause marine life to move with it (or die, should organisms fail to adapt quickly enough to the change in their environment), that has the potential to seriously affect fisheries and other economies in the coastal areas, including food security.

Disease

Listeriosis - South Africa

A prohibition notice has been issued to an abattoir in the Tshwane area halting it from distributing meat after samples taken from it tested positive for listeria‚ the Gauteng health department confirmed on Saturday. Investigators were led to the abattoir after a food sample from a patient who was confirmed to have listeriosis tested positive for the pathogen.

Gauteng is the province most affected with listeriosis‚ with over 365 cases having been detected in the province‚ and 28 related deaths from the beginning of the year to date.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.7 Earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.7 Earthquake hits the southern east Pacific rise.

5.5 Earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.

5.4 Earthquake hits the Nicobar Islands off India.

5.2 Earthquake hits Kepulauaan Mentawai, Indonesia.

5.2 Earthquake hits Tarapaca, Chile.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

Western Australia - Low-lying areas of Waitsburg along the Touchet River were flooded Friday as the river swelled due to a steady rain melting snow in the Blue Mountains. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the Waitsburg area Friday afternoon with the river running above its banks as it flowed through the town.

Philippines - Floods continue in Bicol with thousands inundated by 1.5 m floodwaters in three barangays in Lupi town, where a spillway overflowed, forcing villagers to use boats to get around.

Disease

Cholera - Zambia

Zambian President Edgar Lungu has directed the military to help fight the spread of cholera, which has killed 41 people in the nation’s capital and made more than 1,500 others sick since late September.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.7 Earthquake hits Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia.

5.2 Earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan.

5.1 Earthquake hits offshore Guatemala.

5.0 Earthquake hits Myanmar.

5.0 Earthquake hits Tajikistan.

5.0 Earthquake hits the central Mid-Atlantic ridge.

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

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

Arctic Tsunami - A huge landslide near the western Greenland settlement of Nuugaatsiaq spawned a tsunami on June 17 that killed four people and washed 11 buildings into the sea.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 127 degrees Fahrenheit (52.8 degrees Celsius) in Death Valley, California.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 111.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 79.4 degrees Celsius) at Vostok, Antarctica.

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

Wildfires

US Forests Not Regenerating After Wildfires

One-third of forests aren’t growing back after wildfires. Forests in the American West are having a harder time recovering from wildfires because of climate change, according to new research published in Ecology Letters.

Researchers measured the growth of seedlings in 1,500 wildfire-scorched areas in Colorado, Wyoming, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. Across the board, they found “significant decreases” in tree regeneration, a benchmark for forest resilience. In one-third of the sites, researchers found zero seedlings. The warmest, driest forests were hit especially hard.

Earlier this month, a separate study found that ponderosa pine and pinyon forests in the West are becoming less resilient due to droughts and warmer temperatures. Researchers told the New York Times that as trees disappear, some forests could shift to entirely different ecosystems, like grasslands or shrublands.

Disease

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – United Arab Emirates

On 11 December 2017, the National IHR Focal Point of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported one additional case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) infection.

Amoebiasis - Kenya

One person died while 29 were admitted after an amoebiasis disease outbreak in Tigania West, Meru county. Cases were reported on Tuesday afternoon in Kianjai and Mbeu wards, where residents feared a cholera outbreak but the county health officer reported an outbreak of amoebiasis.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 20 December - 26 December 2017

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) | 31.593°N, 130.657°E : JMA reported that very small events occurred at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 18-25 December. An event at 0514 on 25 December ejected material as far as 500 m from the crater. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Bagana | Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 25-26 December ash plumes from Bagana rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 20-25 December ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, E, SE, and S.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that on 16 December an ash plume from Ebeko was identified in satellite images drifting about 15 km SSW. A thermal anomaly was also visible. Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E, observed ash plumes from explosions rising as high as 3.5 km (7,500 ft) a.s.l. during 18-19 and 21-22 December. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that an ash plume from Karymsky was identified in satellite data drifting 114 km ENE on 14 December. No further ash emissions were noted afterwards; the Aviation colour Code was lowered to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-colour scale) on 24 December.

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 20-26 December HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise, fall, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook crater. Webcams recorded incandescence from long-active sources within Pu'u 'O'o Crater and from a small lava pond in a pit on the W side of the crater. Surface lava flows were active above and on the pali, and on the coastal plain.

Nevados de Chillan | Chile : On 19 December Servicio Nacional de Geología and Minería (SERNAGEOMIN) Observatorio Volcanológico de Los Andes del Sur (OVDAS) reported an increase in activity at Nevados de Chillán's Volcán Arrau dome complex during the previous three days. The activity was characterized by minor explosions occurring at a rate of four events per hour. Gas-and-tephra plumes rose 1 km above the crater rim. POVI reported that on 20 December explosions ejected incandescent material above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, the middle level on a three-colour scale, and the public was reminded not to approach the craters within a 3-km radius.

Oraefajokull | Iceland : On 22 December IMO reported that activity at Öræfajökull had been fairly stable during the previous weeks, though still above background levels; the Aviation colour Code remained at Yellow. In December the largest earthquake detected was a M2.5, but most events were smaller than M1. Earthquakes were located close to the caldera at depths between 2 and 10 km.

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 19-21 December. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.

Sinabung | Indonesia : Based on observations by PVMBG, satellite images, and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported ash plumes from Sinabung during 20-23 December. The plumes rose 3.7-4.9 km (12,000-16,000 ft) a.s.l. during 20-21 December and drifted E and SW; weather clouds prevented estimates of plume altitudes on the other days.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 Earthquake hits Antofagasta, Chile.

5.5 Earthquake hits Guam.

5.2 Earthquake hits south of Fiji.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.

5.0 Earthquake hits off the coast of Central America.

5.0 Earthquake hits eastern Iran.

5.0 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Santa Cruz Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical Cyclone (tc) 02s (Hilda), located approximately 94 nm south-southwest of Broome, Australia, is tracking southward at 05 knots.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 20 December - 26 December 2017

Agung | Bali (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that during 20-26 December gray-and-white plumes rose as high as 2 km above Agung’s crater rim and drifted W and E; weather clouds and fog sometimes prevented visual observations. Incandescence from the crater was sometimes observed at night. BNPB reported that during 22-23 December events generated dense gray ash plumes that rose as high as 2.5 km above the crater rim and drifted NE. Ash fell on the flanks and in Tulamben, Kubu. As of 25 December there were 71,045 evacuees spread out in 239 shelters. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4), and the exclusion zones continued at a general 8-km radius and 10 km in the NNE, SE, S, and SW directions.

Bezymianny | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that ash plumes from the 20 December explosive eruption at Bezymianny rose as high as 15 km (49,200 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 320 km NE. A thermal anomaly over the volcano was identified in satellite images during 21-22 December. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.

Kanlaon | Philippines : PHIVOLCS reported that during 19-20 December there were 412 volcanic earthquakes detected at Kanlaon. A low-energy, explosion-type earthquake was detected at 0233 on 21 December associated with gas emissions from the summit area. Later in the day steam plumes rose 400 m and drifted NE. The number of daily volcanic earthquakes increased to 957 the next day and then decreased to less than 20 per day during 22-23 December; the daily count increased to 382 and 776 events on 24 and 25 December, respectively, and then decreased to 82 on 26 December. White plumes rose 300 m and drifted NE, NW, and SW on 21 December, and 700 m on 26 December; weather clouds prevented views on the other days. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 0-5).

Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : Based on satellite observations KVERT reported that gas-and-steam plumes from Klyuchevskoy contained some ash and drifted about 140 km E during 16-19 December. A weak thermal anomaly was visible on 16 December. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.

Pacaya | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 24-26 December Strombolian explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney cone ejected material as high as 50 m above the main cone. A 100-m-long lava flow on the W flank was visible.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 Earthquake hits Tarapaca, Chile.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

Philippines - Floods hit 4 towns in Camarines Sur. Some rivers and spillways in Camarines Sur's first district overflowed due to heavy rainfall, causing a surge of water in low-lying areas. In Ragay town, flooding reached to hip-deep in Barangay Poblacion Ilaod, affecting 175 families (735 persons in total). In Barangay Panaytayan, also in Ragay, at least 269 families (1,022 people) were affected when the Ragay River overflowed. Other villages affected by flooding were Apad, Amomokpok, and Laguio. The public market in Barangay Sinuknipan in Del Gallego town was also flooded.

Global Warming

Spring foliage appearing early in the Alps

Because of global warming, trees in the Alps are coming into leaf earlier than they used to – which could have negative consequences for forest ecosystems.

In the early 1960s, spring came to the mountains about five weeks after arriving in the lowlands – as observed by the appearance of leaves on the trees. Today, that delay is only about three weeks, says the Swiss Federal Research Station for Forest, Snow and Landscape in a report published on Monday.

Researchers came to this conclusion after assessing more than 20,000 observations recorded by volunteers and collected over the past six decades by MeteoSwiss, the Federal Office for Meteorology and Climatology. The data set pertains to beech, spruce, larch and walnut trees.

Premature leaf and needle development is even more pronounced at higher altitudes, meaning that those trees sprout foliage much faster after a warm winter.

The researchers explain the phenomenon in part by how long the trees are exposed to temperatures of 0-8°C (32-46°F) at the end of winter. The trees need this frost-free cold phase so that the buds can awake from their hibernation and develop normally in spring.

According to the study, this in turn has consequences for the structure and functioning of forest ecosystems, especially the interactions between plants and animals.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 Earthquake hits the Mid-Indian ridge.

5.3 Earthquake hits north of the Solomon Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits Guerrero, Mexico.

5.0 Earthquake hits Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific: Tropical Depression 33w (Tembin), located approximately 198 nm southwest of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and is tracking westward at 05 knots.

Newsbytes:

Vietnam - Authorities in Vietnam prepared to move a million people from low-lying areas along the south coast on Monday as a tropical storm Tembin approached after it battered the Philippines with floods and landslides that killed more than 230 people.

New Zealand - Parts of Wellington have been hit by flooding as the summer dry spell breaks in a dramatic fashion. On Tuesday morning, more rain fell in the Capital in one hour than in the past 48 days.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Iran

While winter is not normally thought of as wildfire season, a number of small wildfires have swept across several locations in its first week. At least three incidents have been reported this week following the huge blaze in the drought-stricken Meiqan Wetland located in Markazi Province on Dec. 22, which was linked to human activity. On Sunday, fire broke out in Abr Forest in Shahroud, Semnan Province and Bandar-e Gaz in Golestan Province saw flames erupted in the county's woodlands in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Wildfires - California

On Christmas Doay 1,500 firefighters and crew members worked around the clock to douse hot spots, maintain containment lines and mop up parts of the more than 280,000 acres charred by the massive Thomas Fire. Since it ignited Dec. 4, the fire has destroyed more than a thousand structures, spread from Santa Paula to Ventura and wrapped around Ojai before pushing toward Santa Barbara and inland forests. The fire is mostly contained now and is not expected to grow further.

Disease

Malaria - Angola

Health officials in Uíge Province in northwestern Angola have reported 275,000 malaria cases for the first 11 months of 2017. In addition, 700 malaria-related deaths were recorded, primarily in children.

Listeriosis - South Africa

In a follow-up on the Listeriosis outbreak in South Africa, since the beginning of the year through Dec. 21, a total of 658 laboratory-confirmed listeriosis cases have been reported to National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). In addition, the number of fatalities has risen to 61. Most cases have been reported from Gauteng Province (62%, 408/658).

Hepatitis E - Namibia

Officials with the Namibian Ministry of Health are reporting an hepatitis E outbreak in the capital city of Windhoek. 27 Cases have been reported with one death. The majority of hepatitis E cases during the current outbreak have reported in informal settlements where water and sanitation are compromised.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.2 Earthquake hits St Martin, Leeward islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits south of Panama.

5.0 Earthquake hits central Peru.

5.0 Earthquake hits Samoa.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific: Tropical storm 33w (Tembin), located approximately 208 nm southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and is tracking westward at 10 knots.

Disease

Hepatitis A outbreak: Europe

An Hepatitis A outbreak has expanded to 22 European countries since the end of September - including England and Wales - and has affected almost 1,000 people. Twenty two countries were affected by the outbreak, including England, Wales, France, Germany and Italy. Since the outbreak started in June 2016, 3,813 cases of hepatitis A have been confirmed. The viral infection was mainly affecting “men that have sex with men”.

Foot and Mouth Disease: Uganda

Nakaseke district Veterinary Authorities have suspended the slaughter of cattle ahead of Christmas. This follows an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in four of the districts sub-counties.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.1 Earthquake hits the Indian Ocean Triple Junction.

5.0 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.

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

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific: Tropical storm 33w (Tembin), located approximately 413 nm east-southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and is tracking westward at 11 knots.

Newsbytes:

Philippines - At least 200 people have been killed and scores are missing in the southern Philippines after a tropical storm triggered severe flooding and landslides that also wrecked Christmas for tens of thousands of survivors. Tropical Storm Tembin lashed Mindanao island, home to 20 million people, on Friday with strong gusts and torrential rain, wiping out at least one mountain village and prompting a massive rescue operation. Police said 144 people remained missing while more than 40,000 had fled their homes to evacuation camps as Tembin roared out into the South China Sea early Sunday.

Global Warming

Climate change in Lapland

Environmental changes in the far north are having disastrous effects on the region's indigenous people and tourism industry.

Besides being the name of Swedish and Finnish provinces, Lapland is the English name for a region largely above the Arctic Circle that stretches across the north of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia.

Research has revealed the disproportionate impact of climate change in the Arctic, where temperatures are currently rising at double the rate of the global average.

The far north is bearing the brunt of global warming, and, as much of Lapland’s population relies on its polar climate for their livelihoods, the effects are starting to be felt.

The wider region is the ancient home of the indigenous Sami people, who refer to it as Sapmi. Owing to its remote location and freezing temperatures, much of Lapland remains relatively pristine wilderness, and it is this wilderness that provides the Sami with space to practise their ancient tradition of reindeer herding.

The reindeer herders have become acutely aware of the impact climate change is having on their animals.

Unpredictable weather patterns and specifically rain replacing snow during the coldest months lead to crusts of ice forming on the ground, where normally there would be a soft layer of snow.

Reindeer, which typically feed by digging into the snow and grazing on lichen, are unable to either smell food under the ice or dig to access it. You can have herds starving to death just because they didn’t dig for food.

The role that reindeer have in shaping everything from the Sami language to their handcrafting traditions, which rely on products like reindeer skin and antlers. It’s an entire culture that would disappear with the reindeer.

Wildlife

Bees Stop Elephants From Trampling Trees

The humble bee is helping to keep elephants from destroying trees and wiping out crops in their quest for food. A project launched near South Africa’s Kruger National Park in 2015 has found success.

An elephant’s skin is thick but sensitive. The animals will try to avoid a bee sting whenever possible, experts say. They’re terrified of it coming up the trunk and then they could potentially suffocate.

Project founder Michelle Henley says beehives have proven to be “significantly effective” at protecting indigenous trees from being trampled. “It’s amazing how a creature so small can actually scare away an elephant”.

Disease

Bird Flu - Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has confirmed an outbreak of highly contagious bird flu in Riyadh that led to the culling of nearly 16,000 ducks.

The highly pathogenic H5N8 strain infected and killed 14 birds at an unspecified location in the Saudi capital, says the World organisation for Animal Health (OIE), which is based in Paris. Other birds in a flock of around 60,000 exposed to the virus were culled.

Bird flu strains have hit poultry flocks in a number of countries across the world in recent years, with some types of the disease also causing human infections and deaths.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Kamchatka.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Andaman Islands off India.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific: Tropical storm 33w (Tembin), located approximately 769 nm east-southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and is tracking westward at 11 knots.

Newsbytes:

Philippines - The death toll from a tropical storm in the southern Philippines climbed swiftly to 133 on Saturday, as rescuers pulled dozens of bodies from a swollen river, police said. Tropical Storm Tembin has lashed the nation's second-largest island of Mindanao since Friday, triggering flash floods and mudslides. Rescuers retrieved 36 bodies from the Salog River in Mindanao on Saturday, as officials reported more fatalities in the impoverished Zamboanga peninsula. Tembin struck less than a week after Tropical Storm Kai-Tak left 54 dead and 24 missing in the central Philippines.

Brunei - Powerful rains lashed across the Tutong District, causing flash floods in several areas of the district on Thursday. Heavy rains that began on Tuesday evening and prolonged until midmorning Thursday, damaged several houses in Kampong Kiudang. One of the worst affected residential areas was Jalan Batang Mitus, where according to the Lamunin Fire Station, water reached 0.50 metre high, flooding roads.

Global Warming

Global Warming May Increase Volcanic Activity

Increased volcanic activity is likely to occur as the planet continues to warm from human-induced climate change, a recent study revealed.

According to the study published in the journal Geology, pressure exerted on the Earth's surface from glaciers, known by geologists as "surface loading," will decrease as global warming melts the massive ice sheets. This, in turn, will likely impact magma flow beneath the surface, the scientists said.

When glaciers expand, the weight of the ice puts immense pressure on Earth’s surface. It can affect magma flow and the voids and gaps in the Earth where magma flows to the surface, as well as how much magma the crust can actually hold.

The researchers studied Icelandic eruptions from 4,500 to 5,500 years ago – an era that had a cooler climate but not a full-blown ice age. They looked at the record of ash that fell on peat bogs and lakes in Europe to draw their conclusions.

They found that eruptions were significantly fewer as the climate cooled and the ice cover increased. In addition, eruptions that did occur seemed to be of a lesser magnitude.

The team found the exact opposite to be true when the planet warmed and glaciers melted. After glaciers are removed the surface pressure decreases, and the magmas more easily propagate to the surface and thus erupt.

Space Events

Halloween Asteroid to Pass Earth in 2018 Again

Astronomers will soon get another look at the big, ghoulishly weird space rock that buzzed Earth on Halloween three years ago.

The roughly 2,100-foot-wide (640 meters) Halloween asteroid 2015 TB145 gave Earth a close shave on Oct. 31, 2015, coming within just 300,000 miles (480,000 kilometers) of our planet. (For perspective, the moon orbits at an average distance of about 239,000 miles, or 384,600 km.)

The asteroid may actually be an extinct comet that has lost its water and other volatile materials after many laps around the sun, researchers have said. Each of those laps takes 3.04 Earth years — which means 2015 TB145 will make another swing by our planet in mid-November 2018.

Disease

Novovirus - USA

A significant number of students from Eureka City Schools are sick from an outbreak of what Public Health officials believe to be Norovirus. Based on advice from Public Health officials, all Eureka City Schools’ sites will be closed on Thursday, December 21st and Friday, December 22nd in an effort to prevent further spread of the Norovirus illness. This closure includes all school-sponsored sports and other extracurricular activities.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.6 Earthquake hits the northern Yukon Territory, Canada.

5.2 Earthquake hits central Iran.

5.1 Earthquake hits Fiji.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific: Tropical Depression 32w (Kai-Tak) is located approximately 297 nm north-northeast of Singapore, and is tracking southwestward at 07 knots.

Tropical storm 33w (Tembin), located approximately 446 nm south-southwest of Manilla, Philippines, and is tracking westward at 20 knots.

Wildlife

Deafening Spawn

Dolphins and other sea mammals swimming in Mexican waters may be made deaf from exposure to the loud noises generated in the spawning frenzies of one fish species.

A new report documents how this happens at a single site each spring in the far northern Gulf of California when Gulf corvina gather by the millions to spawn.

“These spawning events are among the loudest wildlife events found on planet Earth,” said researcher Timothy Rowell of the University of California San Diego.

The sounds, which are described as resembling “a really loud machine gun,” could at least temporarily deafen nearby seals, sea lions and dolphins.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45.0 degrees Celsius) in Oodnadatta, South Australia.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 53.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 47.2 degrees Celsius) at Oimyakon, Siberia.

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

Monkeypox – Nigeria

From 4 September through 9 December, 172 suspected and 61 confirmed cases have been reported in different parts of the country. The majority of cases are male (75%) and aged 21–40 years old (median age = 30 years old). One death has been reported in an immune-compromised patient not receiving anti-retroviral therapy.

Cholera - Nigeria

Four persons have been killed following the outbreak of cholera disease in Shege ward of Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. Thirty-eight cases of the disease were confirmed in the area and four of the patients died on their way to the primary healthcare facility in the ward.

Cholera - Yemen - Update

It had already become the world's biggest cholera outbreak in recent history, but now the number of suspected cholera cases in Yemen since April has hit 1 million, and at an incredibly fast speed. While the rate of cholera contraction is beginning to slow in Yemen, doctors are concerned the reprieve will be short, and fear the onset of diphtheria, another disease that can be deadly, especially for children. A rapid response by nongovernmental organizations has meant that, although 2,227 people so far have died, according to the WHO, the survival rate has been relatively high.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 13 December - 19 December 2017

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that very small events occurred at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) on 14 and 18 December, and at Showa Crater on 16 December. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that a small explosion at Cleveland was detected in seismic and infrasound data at 1817 on 17 December; no eruption plume was visible in satellite observations, though conditions were cloudy. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 13-19 December ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, ENE, and E.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Based on observations by volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, explosions during 8-9 and 11 December generated ash plumes that rose as high as 2.3 km (7,500 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Fuego | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that activity at Fuego increased on 14 December. Vulcanian explosions generated ash plumes that rose 1.7 km above the crater and drifted 15 km NW, N, and NE. Ashfall was reported in San Miguel Dueñas, Alotenango (8 km ENE), and Ciudad Vieja (13.5 km NE). Explosions caused rumbling noises and shock waves that rattled nearby structures. The high level of activity continued during 14-15 December with 5-8 explosions per hour causing shock waves and rumbling. Ash plumes rose 1.2 km and drifted 20 km W and SW, and incandescent material was ejected 200-250 m above the crater. Ash fell in Panimaché I (8 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), Morelia (9 km SW), and El Porvenir. Explosions occurred at a rate of 4-6 per hour during 16-19 December, and weak shock waves were generated. Ash plumes rose as high as 1 km and drifted 12-15 km W and SW, causing ashfall in areas downwind including Panimaché I and II, Morelia, Santa Sofia, Sangre de Cristo, Palo Verde farm, and Yepocapa. Incandescent material was ejected 150-200 m above the crater.

Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that an ash plume from Karymsky was identified in satellite data drifting 50 km E on 14 December. The Aviation colour Code was raised to Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 13-19 December HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise, fall, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook crater. Webcams recorded incandescence from long-active sources within Pu'u 'O'o Crater and from a small lava pond in a pit on the W side of the crater. Surface lava flows were active above and on the pali, and on the coastal plain.

Lopevi | Vanuatu : The Wellington VAAC noted that on 20 December a low-level eruption plume from Lopevi was visible in satellite and webcam images drifting NW at an altitude of 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l.

Reventador | Ecuador : IG reported that on most days during 12-19 December gas, steam, and ash plumes rose 600 m above Reventador’s summit vent and drifted in multiple directions; weather clouds sometimes prevented visual observations. Crater incandescence was often visible, and blocks rolled as far as 600 m down the flanks. The Alert Level remained at Orange.

Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosive activity at Sabancaya decreased compared to the previous week; there was an average of 55 explosions recorded per day during 11-17 December. Seismicity was dominated by long-period events, with signals indicating emissions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose 2.5 km above the crater rim and drifted 50 km NW, W, and SW. The MIROVA system detected six thermal anomalies. The sulfur dioxide flux was high, at 2,200 tons per day on 15 December. The report noted that the public should not approach the crater within a 12-km radius.

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 8, 11, and 13-14 December. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.

Sinabung | Indonesia : Based on observations by PVMBG, satellite and webcam images, and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 13-19 December ash plumes from Sinabung rose 4-5.5 km (13,000-18,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted ENE, ESE, SE, and S. PVMBG noted that avalanches of hot material traveled as far as 3.5 km S, SE, ESE, and E.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.7 Earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.

5.4 Earthquake hits Kyushu, Japan.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Izu Islands of Japan.

5.1 Earthquake hits Kyushu, Japan.

5.0 Earthquake hits Kyushu, Japan.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.

5.0 Earthquake hits northern Iran.

5.0 Earthquake hits Oaxaca, Mexico.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific: Tropical Depression 32w (Kai-Tak) is located approximately 286 nm south-southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and is tracking west-southwestward at 08 knots.

Tropical storm 33w (Tembin), located approximately 297 nm northwest of Sonsorol, is tracking westward at 11 knots.

Newsbytes:

Philippines - Five of six provinces in Eastern Visayas region were placed by their respective provincial boards under a state of calamity as Tropical Storm “Urduja” (international name: Kai-tak) swept through central Philippines, dumping heavy rains that triggered flash floods and landslides. The declaration covered the provinces of Biliran, Leyte, Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar. Only Southern Leyte province was unaffected by the storm in the region. Reports from local governments and disaster response agencies showed that at least 47 people died in Urduja’s onslaught, with the island province of Biliran posting the highest death toll at 33. Nine people were killed in Leyte, three in Eastern Samar and two in Samar. Although no storm-related fatality was reported in Northern Samar, heavy rains dumped by Urduja triggered floods that displaced 20,851 families, reports said. Reports from the Eastern Visayas police said at least 18 bodies had been retrieved in Barangay Lucsoon in Naval town, Biliran. Reports gathered by the Inquirer from various agencies in the region showed that at least 27 people remained missing, 20 of them in Biliran. But a report from Agence France-Presse (AFP), citing figures from the government’s disaster monitoring agency, said 45 others remained missing, many of them feared buried by mud avalanches that struck Biliran.

Tropical Storm Tembin is heading for the Philippines and is expected to bring further flooding and landslides.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 13 December - 19 December 2017

Agung | Bali (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that during 13-19 December gray-and-white plumes rose as high as 2.5 km above Agung’s crater rim and drifted W, N, and E; weather clouds and fog sometimes prevented visual observations. Incandescence from the crater was sometimes observed at night. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4), and the exclusion zones continued at a general 8-km radius and 10 km in the NNE, SE, S, and SW directions. BNPB posted two map-view images of Agung, one from 20 October showing pre-eruptive conditions and one from 16 December showing the lava that had erupted onto the crater floor, noting that about 1/3 of the crater had been filled with an estimated 20 million cubic meters of lava.

Bezymianny | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : On 18 December hot avalanches on the SE flank of Bezymianny’s lava dome were recorded by a webcam, prompting KVERT to raise the Aviation colour Code to Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale). A strong explosion that started at 1555 on 20 December generated ash plumes that rose 10-15 km (32,800-49,200 ft) a.s.l., prompting KVERT to raise the Aviation colour Code to Red. Ash plumes were identified in satellite data drifting 85 km NE. Later that day satellite images indicted decreased activity; the Alert level was lowered back to Orange.

Kanlaon | Philippines : PHIVOLCS reported between 1 and 7 volcanic earthquakes at Kanlaon were recorded each day during 2-8 December, prior to the phreatic eruption on 9 December. Only three events were detected on 10 December, and then the number increased to 155 the next day. The number of daily volcanic earthquakes increased to 578 on 13 December, rising to 1,007 the next day, and peaking at 1,217 on the 15th. The earthquake count dropped to 149 on 16 December before returning to six or less through 19 December. White steam plumes rose 800 and 300 m above the crater on 13 and 14 December, respectively. White plumes were diffuse on 15 December; weather clouds prevented views of the summit area during 16-18 December. Sulfur dioxide emissions were 603-687 tons per day during 13-14 December. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 0-5).

Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : Based on satellite observations KVERT reported that gas-and-steam plumes from Klyuchevskoy contained some ash and drifted about 95 km E and SW on 7 and 13 December, respectively. A weak thermal anomaly was visible on 11 December. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.

Pacaya | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 12-19 December Strombolian explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney cone ejected material as high as 100 m above the main cone. A 75-m-long lava flow on the NW flank was visible.

Shishaldin | Fox Islands (USA) : AVO reported that seismic and infrasound data from Shishaldin continued to indicate elevated activity during 13-19 December. Robust steaming was recorded by a webcam during 13-14 December; ice and poor weather conditions prevented views during the rest of the period. The Aviation colour Code remained at Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Advisory.

Stromboli | Aeolian Islands (Italy) : INGV reported after an effusive eruption during August-November 2014, activity at Stromboli remained at modest levels. In recent months however activity was characterized by frequent explosions from different vents on the crater terrace, punctuated by four major explosions (on 26 July, 23 October, 1 November, and 1 December 2017). Activity remained high after the last explosion, prompting authorities to restrict access to the summit areas. In the late morning on 15 December one of the vents began spattering, and by 1400 lava flows from two vents had begun to fill the crater depression. At 1430 the lava spilled onto the N flank of the Sciara del Fuoco. Spattering rapidly stopped later in the afternoon and the lava flows stopped advancing.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 Earthquake hits Tonga.

5.2 Earthquake hits eastern Xizang-India border region.

5.0 Earthquake hits the west Chile rise.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific: Tropical Storm 32w (Kai-Tak) is located approximately 388 nm east-southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and is tracking southwestward at 09 knots.

Newsbytes:

Malaysia - Incessant rain that started late Tuesday (Dec 19) night and continued into the early hours of Wednesday saw seawater overflowing into a number of coastal villages in northern Sarawak. Flash floods also hit inland settlements located along rivers as well as residential areas in Miri and Limbang. Strong waves also saw a number of boats at fishing villages in Kuala Baram being dragged far inland. In Limbang, at least seven villages and longhouses were hit by flash floods. The Fire And Department there reported that dozens of families had to move out temporarily from their homes to higher ground due to the sudden floods.

Disease

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

Between 31 October and 8 December 2017, the National IHR Focal Point of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reported 18 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, including five deaths. Additionally, two deaths from a previously reported case were reported to WHO.

Nigeria monkeypox: Update

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported the first death due to monkeypox in the current outbreak. According to officials, the patient was a confirmed case with a “background immune-compromised condition”. In addition, five additional confirmed cases and two probable cases have been reported since the last update, bringing the total confirmed cases to 61.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.6 Earthquake hits the southern east Pacific rise.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.

5.1 Earthquake hits southeast of Shikoku, Japan.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific: Tropical Storm 32w (Kai-Tak) has strengthened again and is located approximately 496 nm southwest of Manila, Philippines, is tracking southwestward at 07 knots.

Newsbytes:

New Zealand - A sudden bout of heavy rain flooded dozens of houses in Rotorua and sparked flash flooding in the Bay of Plenty overnight.

Malawi - Authorities have confirmed that six people have died after being washed away by flood waters along Mchesi Stream in the capital Lilongwe following heavy rains on Saturday afternoon.

Wildlife

A Tiny, 'Extinct' Marsupial Re-Emerges in the Australian Desert

A species of tiny, adorable marsupial that scientists thought had been locally extinct for more than 100 years has re-emerged in New South Wales, Australia.

The crest-tailed mulgara (Dasycercus cristicauda), which weighs just 5 ounces (150 grams), was once a common small carnivore in desert inland regions of the continent. But researchers in the modern era knew the mulgara lived in New South Wales only from fossilized bone fragments.

Rabbits, cats and foxes are all invasive species in Australia; they arrived with European settlers and have had devastating effects on the continent's native wildlife. In the case of the crest-tailed mulgara, the invaders munched on the small plants the mulgara needed for cover, and then the cats and foxes hunted and ate it, driving the population out of the region.

Some scrappy mulgaras must have found a way to survive the dark times, though. In the last couple decades, the Australian government released a viral plague which caused a rabbit decline precipitating a mulgara rebound, leading to the mulgara found alive in Sturt National Park.

Global Warming

Alaskan snow more than doubles

Snowfall in central Alaska has more than doubled since the mid 1800s, said a study Tuesday which pointed the finger at global warming.

Two ice cores drilled into Mount Hunter in the Denali National Park, revealed a 117-percent increase in wintertime snowfall in south-central Alaska since about 1840, researchers wrote in the journal Scientific Reports. Summer snow also increased, by nearly 50 percent.

Scientific models predict that global precipitation -- rain or snow -- would increase by as much as two percent per degree of global warming. Warmer air holds more moisture.

This accounted for some, but not most, of the Denali snowfall increase, the team said.

They found another contributor: the strengthening of a low-pressure system called the Aleutian Low in the Bering Sea off the Alaskan coast, driven by warmer tropical oceans. The Aleutian Low brings a northward flow of warm, moist air to Alaska.

Disease

Hepatitis A - Poland

Authorities have recorded 663 Hepatitis A patients in the Mazowieckie region around Warsaw between January and the end of November, with the figure standing at 551 people in the Polish capital alone.

In 2016 no more than 35 cases of the disease were reported nationwide. In 2015 there were 49 cases. This year, there were 1,685 cases between January and the end of September.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 Earthquake hits the State of Yap, Micronesia.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.

5.2 Earthquake hits the State of Yap, Micronesia.

5.1 Earthquake hits the Philippines.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific: Tropical Depression 32w (Kai-Tak), located approximately 280 nm south-southwest of Manila, Philippines, is tracking west-southwestward at 07 knots.

Newsbytes:

Philippines - Rescuers used bulldozers to dig through mountains of mud in the eastern Philippines to search for over 30 people missing after a powerful storm triggered landslides on the weekend, authorities said Monday. Tropical Storm Kai-Tak continued to drag its way westward across the archipelago nation Monday after leaving at least 28 dead over the weekend from drowning and landslides, the government monitoring agency said. Most of the dead were in the island province of Biliran, which suffered the worst of the landslides, with many homes buried.

Dubai - Floods hit Dubai yesterday after heavy rain. Schools were closed and more than 541 traffic accidents were reported. Rough seas kept fishing vessels in port.

Malaysia - At least 10 houses in Kampung Pampang collapsed and were swept off in a flash flood which hit the district since yesterday, caused by water from Sungai Pampang overflowing. Meanwhile, in Kota Belud district, 74 flood victims from 37 families were moved to the temporary evacuation centre at Tun Said community hall after their village was flooded following continuous rain since noon.

Wildlife

International call for Japan to halt Antarctic whaling

The European Union and 12 other nations condemned Japan's Antarctic whaling programme Monday, rejecting Tokyo's argument that the annual slaughter is for scientific research.

Japan's whaling fleet left for the Southern Ocean again last month, planning to kill 333 minke whales over a four-month period.

Its fisheries agency says the hunt is needed to study whale behaviour and biology, but critics say such lethal research is unnecessary and acts as a cover for commercial whaling.

In addition to the EU, the letter was signed by Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, Peru and Uruguay.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Australia

More than 250 firefighters are battling a large bushfire that's burning out of control in Victoria's Gippsland. The blaze is burning in bushland east of Cann River and had spread to almost 10,000 hectares on Monday, forcing some road closures. It currently poses no threat to homes but with hot weather forecast for coming days, authorities are telling locals to be alert.

Wildfires - California

The army of firefighters, heavy equipment and aircraft battling the Thomas Fire which has become the third-largest wildfire in California history faced a forecast of extreme fire danger caused by high winds and dry conditions over the weekend.

The Thomas Fire has burned more than 400 square miles northwest of Los Angeles and is only 35 percent contained. Forecasters expect strong Santa Ana winds to whip the flames with gusts up to 40 mph. No rain is forecast, and the National Weather Service reported the area is enduring its second-driest water season on record.

As of Sunday morning, the Thomas Fire had burned 259,000 acres, with the potential to become the biggest single fire in California history. The current record is held by the 2003 Cedar Fire, which killed 15 people and burned just over 273,000 acres in San Diego. The fire has burned more than 1,000 buildings, including well over 750 homes, authorities said.

As of Sunday morning, about 8,300 firefighters, 29 helicopters and 77 bulldozers were working the fire. Two people have been killed in the blaze.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 Earthquake hits the central Mid-Atlantic ridge.

5.4 Earthquake hits Fiji.

5.3 Earthquake hits Salta, Argentina.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific: Tropical Storm 32w (Kai-Tak), located approximately 175 nm southeast of Manila, Philippines, is tracking westward at 15 knots.

Newsbytes:

Philippines - Moderate to heavy rains caused flooding and landslides in central Philippines as tropical storm Kai-tak made landfall on Saturday afternoon, and may hit more areas while moving westward. Locally known as Urduja, Kai-tak was barreling through the eastern region of Visayas, hitting islands and coastal towns. Heavy rains and large waves have stranded at least 11,000 people in various ports in the region. More than 10,000 people have fled to evacuation centers, local media reported. Disaster officials were verifying reports that three people, including a two-year-old boy, had been killed during the storm.

Environment

Oil drilling plans for Arctic wildlife refuge

Alaska is a long way north and four time zones away from Washington. But there is one item folded into United States President Donald Trump's tax reform package, whose effects will be profound at the very tip of the northern-most state - the proposed opening up of part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to the oil and gas industry, leasing vast tracts of land in an area - believed to hold 27 billion barrels of oil and 3.7 trillion cubic metres of natural gas.

Long eyed by the oil and gas industry, the ANWR has been jealously guarded by environmentalists and local indigenous people who, to a significant degree, still live off the land and on the herds of caribou that roam it.

The environmentally unfriendly Trump Administration appears to be quite unconcerned about the disastrous impact oil drilling will have on the ANWR, its wildlife and people, so long as the US President’s big business supporters can capture and exploit more natural resources - just to make a bit more profit.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.4 Earthquake hits Java, Indonesia.

The 6.4 Earthquake rocked the Indonesian capital of Jakarta and other cities on the country's island of Java late Friday, with authorities reporting at least two deaths.

Disaster relief officials say buildings collapsed in several western Java districts and a hospital was evacuated after suffering damage. The quake made buildings sway in Jakarta.

5.6 Earthquake hits Java, Indonesia.

5.3 earthquake hits Tonga.

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

5.1 Earthquake hits Tonga.

5.1 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.

5.1 Earthquake hits the South Sandwich islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits offshore Guerrero, Mexico.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific: Tropical Storm 32w (Kai-Tak), located approximately 310 nm east-southeast of Manila, Philippines, is tracking westward at 08 knots.

Newsbytes:

Philippines - From blue, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRMC) has raised its disaster alert level to red over a wide area of Eastern and Western Visayas due to widespread flooding and several landslides as Tropical Storm Urduja continues to dump heavy rains and remains almost stationary. According to the weather agency, moderate to heavy rains are expected within the 500-kilometer diameter of the tropical storm. It adds that scattered to widespread rains will continue over Eastern Visayas and are expected to prevail in Bicol and the rest of Visayas.

Disease

Yemen cholera and diphtheria

While the cholera outbreak appears to be slowing in war-torn Yemen, with the number of cases closing in on 1 million since April, diphtheria has raised it’s ugly head in the country for the first time in a quarter century and even longer since the last outbreak.

According to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), as of Dec. 4, 318 suspected cases of diphtheria and 28 deaths had been reported in 15 of Yemen’s 20 governorates. Half the suspected cases are children between the ages of five and 14, and nearly 95 per cent of deaths are children under 15. Nearly 70 per cent of all suspected cases are in Ibb governorate.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 Earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty islands.

5.4 Earthquake hits northern Qinghai, China.

5.2 Earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

5.1 Earthquake hits Guatemala.

5.0 Earthquake hits offshore Tarapaca, Chile.

5.0 Earthquake hits the State of Yap, Micronesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific: Tropical Depression 32w (Kai-Tak), located approximately 423 nm east-southeast of Manila, Philippines, is tracking westward at 01 knot.

Newsbytes:

Philippines - Tropical Storm Urduja (Kai-tak) on Thursday, December 14, caused landslides and floods in at least 3 towns in Eastern Samar, making some roads impassable for a good part of the day. Landslides have closed sections of roads in the towns of Giporlos and Arteche, while some streets in Quenapondan were flooded. Meanwhile in Tacloban City, the declared the suspension of classes at all levels in public and private schools for Friday, December 15. Some low-lying areas in the city were flooded by evening, prompting city rescue officials to advise residents to evacuate. Tropical Storm Urduja was expected to bring strong winds and the continous rains overnight, which could cause water levels to rise.

Global Warming

Arctic - Annual Report Card

A new “report card” on how climate change is affecting the Arctic reveals that permafrost is now thawing more quickly, as polar sea ice melts at its fastest pace in 1,500 years.

“2017 continued to show us we are on this deepening trend where the Arctic is a very different place than it was even a decade ago,” said NOAA arctic researcher Jeremy Mathis.

He told the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union that what’s happening in the Arctic is affecting the rest of the planet.

Earlier studies found that changes in Arctic sea ice and temperature can alter the jet stream — a major influence on weather across North America, Europe and Asia.

“The Arctic has traditionally been the refrigerator to the planet, but the door of the refrigerator has been left open,” Mathis said.

Decrease in Himalayan glaciers

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology and National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee have found that the number of glaciers had gone down from 103 to 97 and a total area of 41.2 ± 10.5 km2 (18.1 ± 4.1%) lost in a short span of 35 years- between 1976 and 2011.

Smaller glaciers were observed to have lost more of their surface area than large glaciers, making them more sensitive climate change indicators.

The study warns of a long-term decline of water resources and impending flash floods due to the glacial lake outburst as warming climate may accelerate the glacial recession in the area. The researchers studied changes to glaciers in the Baspa basin, western Himalayan region and have also determined the factors affecting this change.

Indian Himalaya is home to about 9675 glaciers, most of them unexplored. Only two glaciers in the Indian Himalaya have been monitored properly and their mass balance studied- Chhota Shigri and Dokriani.

Wildlife

Oceans - Noise Pollution

The noise pollution produced by ships and marine construction projects in the Gulf of Maine is drowning out the sounds that Atlantic cod and haddock need to communicate with each other, according to a new study.

The U.S. environment agency NOAA says this is altering the behavior, feeding, mating and socializing of the commercially important fish.

The study concludes that since the fish make sounds to attract mates and listen for predators, not hearing those signals could threaten their breeding success and survival.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

Antarctic Cubes

Although Antarctica's enormous masses of ice may look solid to human eyes, the reality is that they're in constant motion, flowing and bumping and grinding against one another. That motion causes patterns to appear — not through carving but rather a long period of pulling.

A massive slab of flowing ice begins to go afloat, and initially, because it is very thick, it spreads laterally [side to side], creating deep along-flow troughs. Later, with further flow, the ice begins to stretch out longitudinally, and the surface snow breaks perpendicular to the first troughs creating the huge cubes.

Disease

Foot and Mouth Disease - Zimbabwe

A foot-and-mouth disease outbreak has hit Mvuma District in the Midlands Province. The outbreak is as a result of trans-boundary movements. Officials have recorded cases of foot and mouth at various dip tanks in Mvuma communal areas that border with Masvingo Province. No disease was found in commercial farms.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) in Julia Creek, Queensland, Australia.

The week's coldest temperature was minus 64.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 53.3 degrees Celsius) at Oimyakon, Siberia.

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

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 6 December - 12 December 2017

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that an explosion at Showa Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) occurred at 1845 on 4 December and generated an ash plume that rose 1.4 km above the crater rim. Very small events occurred at Minamidake Crater during 7 and 9-10 December, and at Showa Crater on 10 December. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Ambrym | Vanuatu : On 7 December Vanuatu Geohazards Observatory (VGO) lowered the Alert Level for Ambrym to 2 (on a scale of 0-5), noting that activity had stabilized by the end of November and was characterized by gas-and-steam emissions. Seismicity had also declined. The report reminded the public to stay outside of the Permanent Danger Zone defined as a 1-km radius from Benbow Crater and a 2.7-km radius from Marum Crater.

Aoba | Vanuatu : Vanuatu Geohazards Observatory (VGO) reported that observations of Aoba’s Lake Voui on 22 and 29 November confirmed that activity had declined, characterized by less frequent explosions, steam emissions, and decreased seismicity. On 7 December the Alert level was reduced to 2 (on a scale of 0-5) and residents and tourists were reminded to stay outside of the Danger Zone defined as a 2-km radius around the active vent in Lake Voui.

Bogoslof | Fox Islands (USA) : On 6 December AVO decreased the Aviation colour Code and Volcano Alert Level for Bogoslof to Unassigned, noting that no significant activity had been observed in seismic, infrasound, satellite, or lightning data during the past three months. The last detected explosive activity occurred on 30 August 2017.

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that during 6-12 December no thermal anomalies were visible in mostly clear satellite images, and no activity was detected by seismic or infrasound sensors. AVO noted that lava effusion may have paused or stopped; a satellite image acquired on 26 November showed that the lava dome had the appearance of rubble in the bottom of the shallow crater. On 12 December AVO lowered the Aviation colour Code to Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level to Advisory, though an explosion the next day prompted a return to Orange and Watch, respectively. That explosion on 13 December was detected at 0420, and produced an eruption cloud identified in satellite data rising to an altitude of 6.1 km (20,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifting E.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 6-10 and 12 December ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, E, and SE.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Based on observations by volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, explosions during 2-5 and 7 December generated ash plumes that rose as high as 2 km (6,600 ft) a.s.l. Ashfall was reported in Severo-Kurilsk during 1-4 and 7 December. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Fuego | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that the 12th effusive/explosive eruption at Fuego in 2017 began on 10 December and, based on seismicity, lasted for about 36 hours. Ash plumes from moderate-to-strong explosions rose as high as 1.2 km above the crater rim and drifted 20 km S and SW. Lava flowed as far as 1.5 km W down the Seca (Santa Teresa), SW down the Taniluyá, and SSW down the Ceniza ravines. Ash fell in the communities of La Rochela, San Andrés Osuna, Morelia (9 km SW), and Panimaché I and II (8 km SW). On 12 December there was an average of 10 explosions per hour, generating avalanches in the Ceniza and Taniluyá drainages and ashfall in nearby areas.

Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was identified in satellite data during 3 and 5-6 December. An ash cloud rose to an altitude of km (9,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 200 km E on 4 December. The Aviation colour Code was raised to Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 6-12 December HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise, fall, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook crater. Webcams recorded incandescence from long-active sources within Pu'u 'O'o Crater and from a small lava pond in a pit on the W side of the crater. Surface lava flows were active above and on the pali, and on the coastal plain.

Lopevi | Vanuatu : On 7 December Vanuatu Geohazards Observatory noted that unrest continued at Lopevi, and the Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 0-4). Photos and satellite images acquired at the end of November confirmed ongoing activity from the vents in the summit crater characterized by gas-and-steam emissions.

Nevados de Chillan | Chile : POVI reported that observations of Nevados de Chillán's Volcán Arrau dome complex during 7-11 December indicated phreatic explosions, ash emissions, and a new sulfur deposit on the flank. On 11 December Servicio Nacional de Geología and Minería (SERNAGEOMIN) reported that explosive activity generated an ash plume to 3 km above the complex. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, the middle level on a three-colour scale, and the public was reminded not to approach the craters within a 3-km radius.

Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosive activity at Sabancaya decreased compared to the previous week; there was an average of 63 explosions recorded per day during 4-10 December. Seismicity was dominated by long-period events, with signals indicating emissions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose 3 km above the crater rim and drifted 50 km NE and SW. The MIROVA system detected four thermal anomalies. The sulfur dioxide flux was high, at 1,392 tons per day on 4 December. The report noted that the public should not to approach the crater within a 12-km radius.

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 2 and 4-6 December. A strong explosive event on 5 December generated ash plumes that rose as high as 10.5 km (34,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE. Ash plumes at 5 km (16,400 ft) a.s.l. drifted E. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.

Sinabung | Indonesia : Based on observations by PVMBG, satellite and webcam images, and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 6-9 and 11-12 December ash plumes from Sinabung rose 4.3-4.9 km (14,000-16,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted ENE, E, SE, and SW.

Yasur | Vanuatu : On 7 December the Vanuatu Geohazards Observatory stated that the Alert Level for Yasur remained at 2 (on a scale of 0-4) and that, based on seismic data and visual observations, explosions continued to be intense. VGO reminded residents and tourists that hazardous areas were near and around the volcanic crater, within a 395-m-radius permanent exclusion zone, and that volcanic ash and gas could reach areas impacted by trade winds.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.9 Earthquake hits the Bouvet Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific: Tropical Depression 32w (Kai-Tak), located approximately 404 nm east-southeast of Manila, Philippines, is tracking westward at 03 knots.

Newsbytes:

UK - Melting snow and heavy rain prompted flood warnings today over fears rivers could burst their banks after wintry conditions forced schools to shut for a third day. Most of the 14 flood alerts in England and Wales are because of melting snow and rain, while coastal areas will be hit by high tides.

Wildfires

Wildfires - California - Update

Four major wildfires are still burning in Southern California, and most are nearing full containment – except for the Thomas Fire.

The Thomas Fire (Ventura County), which is the largest, had burned 238,500 acres and was 30 percent contained as of Wednesday night, according to authorities. It is threatening 18,000 structures and has destroyed a total of 930 structures.

The Lilac Fire broke out at 11 a.m. Thursday in San Diego County. It was 4,100 acres, according to Cal Fire, and was 96 percent contained as of Wednesday night.

The Creek Fire (Los Angeles County) had burned 15,619 acres and was 98 percent contained Wednesday night.

The Skirball Fire (Los Angeles County) had burned 422 acres with 85 percent containment Monday night, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. It had destroyed six structures and damaged 12 others.

Disease

Dengue Fever - Samoa

Samoa health officials are reporting an outbreak of dengue fever, serotype 2 (DEN-2) that was first detected in October. A cumulative total of 1,522 clinical and confirmed cases with 339 hospital admissions were recorded as of December 3rd. There have been 4 dengue related deaths recorded.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 6 December - 12 December 2017

Agung | Bali (Indonesia) : Based on BNPB and PVMBG reports, the eruption at Agung continued during 6-12 December, with high seismicity and nighttime crater incandescence often visible. On 8 December at 0759 an event generated a dense ash plume that rose 2.1 km above the crater rim and drifted W. Minor amounts of ash were deposited on the flanks, and lapilli was reported in Temakung. An ash plume rose 3 km at 1457. The number of evacuees on 10 December was 70,079 (spread out in 237 shelters). Ash plumes rose as high as 2 km. Lahars were observed in a drainage originating on the flanks of Agung. An explosion at 0549 on 11 December generated a dense ash plume that rose 2.5 km and drifted W and NW. Multiple ash-plume events were observed during 11-12 December, with plumes rising 1.5 km above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4), and the exclusion zones continued at a general 8-km radius and 10 km in the NNE, SE, S, and SW directions.

Kanlaon | Philippines : PHIVOLCS reported that an approximately 10-minute-long, low-energy phreatic eruption at Kanlaon began at 0947 on 9 December. A plume of voluminous steam and dark ash rose 3-4 km above the summit vent. The event was heard as far away as La Castellana, Negros Occidental. Minor amounts of ash fell in Sitio Guintubdan, and barangays Ara-al, Sag-ang, and Ilihan. The eruption was preceded by the resumption of degassing at the summit crater at 0634, detectable as continuous low-energy tremor during periods when the summit was not visible; degassing was last observed September 2016. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 0-5).

Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a weak thermal anomaly over Klyuchevskoy was identified in satellite images during 5-6 December. Ash plumes rose as high as 5.5 km (18,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted about 180 km during 5-8 December. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.

Pacaya | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 9-12 December Strombolian explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney cone ejected material as high as 25 m above the main cone. Lava flows traveled 100 m NW towards Cerro Chino cone, and 75 m SE.

Shishaldin | Fox Islands (USA) : AVO increased the Aviation colour Code for Shishaldin to Orange and the Volcano Alert Level to Watch on 6 December following several weeks of increasing seismicity and pressure waves recorded by infrasound sensors. Continuous infrasound waves were detected for more than 10 hours on instruments located in Sand Point, ~230 km E. Steam emissions visible in satellite and webcam images during 5 and 8-12 December were rising hundreds of feet above the summit crater. The steam emissions were occasionally accompanied by infrasound signals indicating episodes of short-duration energetic gas emissions and/or small explosions.

Villarrica | Chile : On 10 December POVI reported that the surface of the lava lake in Villarrica’s crater was stable at 70 m below the crater rim. Ejected lava from the lake was not evident in images captured during the previous five days, and incandescence and seismicity slowly decreased.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.1 Earthquake hits eastern Iran.

5.0 Earthquake hits eastern Iran.

5.0 Earthquake hits near them east coast of Kamchatka.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

Malaysia - Some 129 people from villages in flood prone Kota Belud district were evacuated overnight after Sungai Kadamaian overflowed its banks following heavy rains in west coast Sabah since late Monday. More monsoon rains are expected to hit the state over three to four days. Several roads were also flooded with some not passable to light vehicles.

Florida, USA - As South Florida raises groundwater levels to fight saltwater intrusion, the threat of inland flooding will only increase, according to newly published research results. Although high groundwater levels in South Florida are a major contributor to inland floods, especially during the wet season or extreme rain events, traditional flood models don't account for the groundwater beneath our feet, scientists have found. South Florida protects its drinking water sources from saltwater intrusion by keeping groundwater levels high. As sea level rises, groundwater levels may need to be raised even higher, which could cause yet more flooding.

Wildlife

Overfishing and climate change push seabirds to extinction

Overfishing and climate change are pushing some of the world’s most iconic seabirds to the brink of extinction, according to a new report.

The study reveals that kittiwakes and gannets are among a number of seabirds that have now joined the red list of under-threat birds drawn up by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The study found that overfishing and changes in the Pacific and north Atlantic caused by climate change have affected the availability of sand eels which black-legged kittiwakes feed on during the breeding season.

This has caused “disastrous chick survival rates”, it says, with nesting kittiwake numbers plummeting by 87% since 2000 on the Orkney and Shetland Islands, and by 96% on the Hebridean island of St Kilda.

Globally, the species is thought to have declined by about 40% since the 1970s, justifying its move from the “least concern” category to “vulnerable” on the Red List.

“The alarming decline of the black-legged kittiwake and other North Atlantic and Arctic seabirds, such as the Atlantic puffin, provides a painful lesson in what happens when nations take an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ approach to conservation.

The study also found that the number of Cape gannets – which breed around Namibia and South Africa – has dropped 50% since the 1950s as food stocks dwindle from overfishing and climate change.

The study also found that the yellow-breasted bunting, once super-abundant, has declined by 80% since 2002, putting it in the highest category, “critically endangered”. It blames illegal trapping in China.

In the North American Arctic, the report found the snowy owl population is much smaller than previously thought and in rapid decline. It said climate change, which has caused snow to melt and reduce rodent cover, was one the key factors.

However, the study did find some positive trends. The Dalmatian pelican has seen its numbers increase in Europe thanks to the introduction of artificial nesting rafts and disturbance prevention. In New Zealand two species of kiwi are more numerous to the control of predators and a programme of egg rearing.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

Pyrocumulus Clouds: A dark, ominous cloud that formed over the massive Thomas Fire in Southern California is a pyrocumulus cloud, a special cloud that forms during fires.

Disease

Plague in Dogs in Colorado, USA

A dog that was being treated at Colorado State University (CSU) was diagnosed with plague and euthanized Friday. The CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital notified faculty, staff, and students Monday. Local media reports this was the seventh case of plague in a domestic animal in Colorado this year.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.9 Earthquake hits eastern Iran.

5.5 Earthquake hits offshore Chiapas, Mexico.

5.5 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

Indonesia - Jakarta was struck by heavy rain and strong winds starting from noon on Monday, peaking at around 2 p.m. It continued to drizzle throughout the capital until about 5 p.m. Flood waters of up to 1 meter in height were reported on Jl. Adityawarman in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. Vehicles were unable to pass the roads. The heavy rainfall and strong winds toppled trees and flooding made it impossible for buses and cars to pass through several areas.

Wildlife

Scientists urge endangered listing for cheetahs

A comprehensive assessment of cheetah populations in southern Africa supported by the National Geographic Society reveals the dire state of one of the planet's most iconic big cats. In a study published today in the open-access journal PeerJ, researchers present evidence that low cheetah population estimates in southern Africa and population decline support a call to list the cheetah as "Endangered" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

The findings show that free-ranging cheetahs were present across approximately 789,700 square kilometers in Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe between 2010 and 2016.

he study estimates only 3,577 adult cheetahs exist in this extensive area, which is larger than France, and a majority (55 percent) of individuals are found within only two habitats. This estimate is 11 percent lower than the IUCN's current assessment, supporting the call for the uplisting of cheetahs from "Vulnerable" to "Endangered."

Bee Disease Outbreak in New Zealand

Hawke's Bay beekeepers have been warned to be vigilant after 66 cases of American Foulbrood disease have been confirmed over the past three months. This outbreak affects many thousands of hives and potentially threatens the viability of pollination in the area.

AFB is caused by the bacteria Paenibacillus larvae, which infects food fed to bee larvae while they develop in hive cells. The larvae are transmitted into the gut of developing bees, killing them just before they are fully grown. The disease can spread quickly through the exchange of equipment and movement of infected combs, and any hive found with it must be burned.

Disease

H1N1 influenza - Ghana

In late November, an outbreak of influenza A H1N1 was reported Kumasi Academy Senior High School in Kumasi City, Ashanti Region in central Ghana. At that time, 13 cases of severe acute respiratory illness was reported.

Since that time, the Ghana Ministry of Health has reported 77 cases with four deaths (case fatality rate 5.2%). The majority of the cases, 66%, were males and over 95% of the cases are teenagers. Thus far, the disease is still localized in the school as no cases have been reported among community members.

Cholera - Kenya

From 1 January though 29 November 2017, a total of 3967 laboratory-confirmed and probable cases including 76 deaths (case fatality rate = 1.9%) were reported by the Ministry of Health to WHO.

Cholera - Zambia

On 6 October 2017, the Minister of Health declared an outbreak of cholera in the Zambian capital, Lusaka. From 28 September through 7 December 2017, 547 cases including 15 deaths (case fatality rate = 1.8%), have been reported since the beginning of the outbreak. The initial outbreak period was from 28 September through 20 October. From 21 October through 4 November 2017 there were less than five cases reported each week. However, from 5 November 2017 an increase in the number of cases was observed with a total of 136 cases reported in the week beginning 26 November.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.9 Earthquake hits Tonga.

5.4 Earthquake hits the Iran-Iraq border.

5.3 Earthquake hits the Loyalty Islands.

Space Events

Geminid Meteor Shower

This display of celestial fireworks is due to reach its peak during the long, dark hours from Wednesday night (Dec. 13) into early Thursday morning (Dec. 14).

Most meteor showers are strongest just before the first light of dawn, because that's when your side of the Earth faces forward in the planet's rush along its orbit, so your side plows through meteor debris streams head-on.

Wildfires

Wildfires - California

A massive California wildfire that has already destroyed nearly 800 structures scorched another 56,000 acres on Sunday, making it the fifth largest such blaze in recorded state history, as it ran toward the picturesque coastal city of Santa Barbara. Some 5,000 residents remained under evacuation orders in the two communities, near Santa Barbara and about 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Los Angeles. Some 15,000 homes were considered threatened.

The Thomas Fire, the worst of six major blazes in Southern California in the last week and already the fifth largest in the state since 1932, has blackened 230,000 acres (570,000 hectares), more than the area of New York City. It has destroyed 790 houses, outbuildings and other structures and left 90,000 homes and businesses without power.

The fires burning across Southern California have forced the evacuation of more 200,000 people and destroyed some 1,000 structures.

Disease

Anthrax - Kenya

Four people from the town of Nyeri have been hospitalized with suspected anthrax after consuming tainted meat.

Indonesia - Diptheria

Indonesian health officials have reported a substantial increase in diphtheria cases in 2017, calling it an “extraordinary event”. 593 diphtheria cases have been reported from 95 cities in 20 provinces of the country, including 32 fatalities.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.1 Earthquake hits the State of Yap, Micronesia.

5.1 Earthquake hits the southeast Indian ridge.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Fox Islands in the Aleutian Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Andreanof Islands in the Aleutian Islands.

5.0 Earthquake hits Vanuatu.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

Thailand - Floods persist in seven southern provinces, with more than 900,000 people affected by inundations that have resulted in 22 deaths over the past 15 days. The northeastern monsoon that began on Nov 25 has brought flooding to 11 southern provinces: Pattani, Yala, Songkhla, Phatthalung, Trang, Satun, Chumphon, Narathiwat, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Surat Thani and Krabi.

Disease

Measles - Greece

While Europe has been seeing a measles outbreak during the past two years or so, affecting thousands, Greece has been largely unaffected until recent months. However, since Aug. 2017, 364 measles cases have been reported with 167 reported in October alone.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.2 Earthquake hits the State of Yap, Micronesia.

6.0 Earthquake hits Tonga.

5.0 Earthquake hits northern Sumatra, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone (tc) 04b (Four), located approximately 245 nm south- southwest of Kolkata, India, is tracking north-northeastward at 06 knots.

Wildlife

Starving Polar Bear's Last Hours Captured in Heartbreaking Video

A hard-to-watch video from Canada's Baffin Islands shows an emaciated polar bear in what were likely the last few hours of its life. The video shows the bear staggering toward a trash can and searching in vain for something to eat. It ends with the bear resting on the ground, exhausted.

See video here.

Disease

Diptheria - Bangladesh

According to a news release from the World Health Organization (WHO), diphtheria has been spreading among Rohingya refugees located in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. More than 110 suspected cases of diphtheria have already been reported in Bangladesh. A total of 6 individuals have died.

Marburg Virus - Uganda

Uganda said on Friday it had successfully contained an outbreak of the Marburg virus, a highly infectious haemorrhagic fever announced by officials on Oct. 19, which killed three people.

Wildfires

Wildfires - California

The Thomas Fire in Ventura is the largest of Southern California's volatile and intense blazes that started this week. It has grown to encompass 143,000 acres, destroying at least 439 homes and buildings. More than 190,000 people have evacuated from fire Zones. More than 5,000 firefighters doing their best to battle and contain the flames. This morning, six mammoth fires burning through more than 140,000 acres of land in southern California. The biggest concern for the nearly 6,000 firefighters battling that inferno, the blistering winds. These conditions combined with heat makes this an extremely threatening environment.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.5 Earthquake hits the State of Yap, Micronesia.

6.2 Earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.

5.4 Earthquake hits the State of Yap, Micronesia.

5.3 Earthquake hits Tonga.

5.1 Earthquake hits Fiji.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storms.

Newsbytes:

Vietnam - High tides have exceeded warning level three of six, submerging HCM City streets and causing terrible traffic congestion. The tides have flooded several streets and alleys since Wednesday. The city’s central area, moreover, experienced rising tides for the first time. Business activities were suspended and homes and assets were damaged. Hundreds of vehicles stalled due to flood water.

Thailand - Rising flood water forced Nakhon Si Thammarat airport in Pak Phun to temporarily close yesterday, while land transport in many areas of the South remain paralysed due to widespread flooding. Flat-bottomed boats loaded with relief bags and food supplies went to stranded communities in Moos 1, 4 and 5, with residents having gone without basic necessities for more than a week. Community roads were swallowed up by rising floods. Water levels in the district have continued to rise as a result of persistent torrential rain.

Environment

Global Cleansing Plan

Nations of the world have agreed to move toward a pollution-free planet, curbing contamination of the oceans, rivers, soil and air.

Every day, nine out of 10 people worldwide breathe in pollution that exceeds health guidelines, with 17,000 dying prematurely from it. Wildlife is also being poisoned.

Meeting at a U.N. Environment Assembly in Nairobi, members also called for a shift in how goods are produced and used, especially plastics that wind up in the world’s oceans.

But the non-binding declaration has no timetable and has not been signed onto by the United States.

Wildlife

Vaquita Rescue Failure

A desperate attempt to save the 30 surviving members of the world’s most endangered marine mammal species by capturing them and keeping them in human care has been abandoned. T

he plan to rescue the vaquitas by patrolling their small habitat in the Gulf of California with the help of dolphins trained by the U.S. Navy was halted soon after the first vaquita captured quickly showed signs of extreme stress and had to be released. A second died a few hours after being caught

. “This is a very, very serious setback,” said project scientist Barbara Taylor, of the U.S. agency NOAA. She said the vaquita’s only hope now is to curb the illegal net fishing that inadvertently ensnares them.

Wildfires

Wildfires - California

The owners of a California ranch in the path of one of the devastating wildfires in the region have returned home to a gruesome sight.

The charred remains of 29 horses were left behind by the Creek Fire, one of five that has led to the evacuation of nearly 200,000 people in Southern California. Their dark black bodies lay in their metal and concrete pens, left behind after their owners were forced to evacuate in the middle of the night as flames rushed towards the area.

The Skirball Fire burned 475 acres in the Bel Air area of Los Angeles and destroyed six structures. Twelve other structures were damaged.

The Thomas Fire in Ventura County scorched 115,000 acres on Thursday and destroyed 439 structures, fire officials said at a news conference.

KGTV flew over a mobile home park in San Diego County last night, where at least 19 structures were burning. Flames swept through rows of homes in the Rancho Monserate Country Club retirement community in Fallbrook.

The 2,500-acre Lilac Fire has destroyed at least 20 structures and damaged several others.

The wildfires can be seen clearly from space.