Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 earthquake hits near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.1 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm (td) 15w (Jongdari), located approximately 207 nm south-southeast of Sasebo, Japan, is tracking northwestward at 09 knots.

Tropical depression 16w (sixteen), located approximately 483 nm north-northwest of Minami Tori Shima, Japan, is tracking northwestward at 18 knots.

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Invest 93E is an area of disturbed weather in the eastern Pacific Ocean that has the potential for further tropical development.

NewsBytes:

Malaysia - Flash floods have hit several parts of Malaysia following heavy rain that fell throughout the night into the wee hours of Monday morning. Flash floods were also reported in Bayan Baru, Dhoby Ghaut, Jalan Zoo and Jalan Dato Keramat.

Wildlife

Red Tide Affecting Florida’s Marine Wildlife

Scores of dead fish litter the shorelines of beaches in southwest Florida, and hundreds of dead and ailing sea turtles have washed up on shores there in recent weeks — all victims of a toxic red tide caused by the single-cell alga Karenia brevis.

Algal blooms occur seasonally in the Gulf of Mexico, when water conditions enable their populations to explode and spread. But this year's event includes especially high quantities of algae that produce a toxin, and the impact on marine wildlife is devastating, affecting sea birds as well as fish and turtles in unprecedented numbers.

A 230-pound male loggerhead turtle was suffering from the effects of red tide.

Disease

Rift Valley, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever outbreaks - Uganda

The World Health Organization (WHO) says 42 suspected cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever have been detected in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in northern Uganda. In its latest epidemiological analysis, WHO said the first case, involving a female who came from Rwanda through the Democratic Republic of Congo, was confirmed by the Uganda Virus Research Institute.

Meanwhile, the WHO has says at least 3 out of 8 suspected cases of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) have died since the outbreak was confirmed at a farm in the Nakivale Refugee Camp on June 28.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 earthquake hits off the coast of Oregon, USA.

5.3 earthquake hits the island of Hawaii, Hawaii.

5.3 earthquake hits eastern New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.

5.2 earthquake hits Tonga.

5.1 earthquake hits Alaska.

5.1 earthquake hits offshore Atacama, Chile.

5.0 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

The magnitude 6.4 earthquake that struck the popular tourist island of Lombok in Indonesia on Sunday killed 14 people and sent villagers fleeing from their beds into open fields to avoid collapsing buildings. The quake, which rocked the island early in the morning when many people were still asleep, injured 162 people and damaged thousands of houses.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Depression (td) 15w (Jongdari), located approximately 169 nm south of Sasebo, Japan, is tracking southward at 07 knots.

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Invest 93E is an area of disturbed weather in the eastern Pacific Ocean that has the potential for further tropical development.

NewsBytes:

Thailand - Northeastern provinces have been warned of heavy flooding due to the overflowing Mekong River and reservoirs, following days of heavy rains. Rising water levels in Mekong River yesterday caused flooding in many areas of Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan provinces, which are located along the international waterway. In Sakon Nakhon, following five days of heavy rains, large amounts of overflowing water from small dams and reservoirs increased the water level in Nong Han Lake, which is spread over 72,000 rai (28,466 acres) in the northeastern province’s Muang district.

Pakistan - Floods caused by melting glaciers continued to swell streams and rivers across Gilgit-Baltistan on Saturday, damaging houses, crops, bridges and roads. The floods have also stranded thousands of people in remote areas. Authorities said floods from melting glacier in Bazgang nullah continued on the third day on Saturday, with debris brought by it damaged over 40 houses in Tumik area of Rondu valley of Skardu, forcing residents to migrate to safe places. The floods damaged crops standing over hundreds of kanals, trees, cattle farms, causing loss worth millions of rupees.

Myanmar - Surging floodwaters have killed at least 10 people and forced tens of thousands from their homes across swathes of Myanmar, a government official said on Sunday (July 29) as more heavy monsoon rain battered the region. Vast areas of farmland have been submerged by muddy water stretching to the horizon, with only the rooftops of some houses visible. Some stranded people were plucked from the churning waters by rescuers in boats, while volunteers used rafts made from barrels and pieces of wood. Other flood victims waded through waist-deep water to escape, carrying children on their shoulders while trying to keep precious belongings out of the water

Environment

Oldest Evidence for Life on Land Unearthed in South Africa

About 3.22 billion years ago, slimy layers of microbes coated pebbles in what was perhaps an ancient riverbed. Those ancient microbial mats, preserved for eons and only recently discovered in South Africa, may be the oldest fossil evidence of life on land, according to a new study.

The ancient evidence of terrestrial life is about a half billion years older than the previous record holder — fossilized remains of microbes found decades ago in South Africa and Australia, said Stefan Lalonde, a geochemist from the European Institute for Marine Studies in France and a co-author of the new study, published July 23 in the journal Nature Geoscience.

Geological evidence has hinted that life existed in the oceans as far back as 3.8 billion years ago. But signs of terrestrial life have been rarer — possibly because most of the planet might have been under water until 3 billion years ago.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Sydney, Australia

Sydney residents are set to endure poor air quality as smoke from a large uncontrolled bushfire in a military reserve spreads across the city. Wollongong and South Coast residents are also expected to be affected by smoke from the large blaze in the Holsworthy military reserve, 25km southwest of Sydney’s CBD.

Unexploded military ordnance and dense bushland has hampered efforts to contain the blaze, with aircraft and firefighters told to avoid getting too close to the fire front. Instead, firefighters have begun a 4000-hectare backburning campaign, which has greatly contributed to the smoke haze.

Wildfires - California, Texas, Oregon, USA

More than 50,000 people have been evacuated in Northern California bushfires that have killed six, including two children and their great-grandmother, as fire crews battled on to quell flames that have destroyed entire neighbourhoods.

Officials said a second firefighter, who died fighting a huge blaze near Yosemite National Park, was among the six confirmed deaths.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said on Sunday that 12,000 firefighters were battling 17 significant fires in California.

The Carr fire, the deadliest and most destructive of nearly 90 fires burning from Texas to Oregon, has charred 36,095 hectares of drought-parched vegetation since erupting last Monday. More than 5,012 structures were threatened by the fire, officials said. The flames destroyed 517 structures and damaged 135.

Disease

Typhoid Fever - El Salvador

In a follow-up on the Typhoid Fever situation in El Salvador, officials have reported that the cumulative case count for 2018 has risen to 937. This is significantly higher than 2017 which saw the total annual case count reach 675.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

6.4 earthquake hits the Lombok region, Indonesia.

6.0 earthquake hits the Flores Sea.

5.6 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands, New Zealand.

5.5 earthquake hits the Lombok region, Indonesia.

5.3 earthquake hits the island of Hawaii, Hawaii.

5.2 earthquake hits the Lombok region, Indonesia.

5.1 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua and New Guinea.

5.0 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits Kepulauan Tanimbar, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm (td) 15w (Jongdari), located approximately 27 nm southwest of Iwakuni, Japan, is tracking west-southwestward at 15 knots.

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Tropical Depression Gilma is located about 1215 mi...1955 km e of Hilo Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...w or 280 degrees at 15 mph...24 km/h.

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

NewsBytes:

India - As many as 537 people have lost their lives in floods and rains in six states during the monsoon season so far. According to the Home Ministry's National Emergency Response Centre (NERC), 139 people have died in Maharashtra, 126 in Kerala, 116 in West Bengal, 70 in Uttar Pradesh, 52 in Gujarat and 34 in Assam due to the floods and rains. The deluge and rains have hit 26 districts in Maharashtra, 22 in West Bengal, 21 in Assam, 14 in Kerala, 10 in Gujarat and a large part of Uttar Pradesh so far. In Assam, 10.17 lakh people have borne the brunt of rains and floods, of which 2.17 lakh are living in relief camps. 

Japan - Typhoon Jongdari made landfall east of Kyoto, Japan, just after midnight local time on Sunday, coming ashore as the latest in a long string of weather-related disasters to plague the Japanese archipelago. The weather has not been kind to Japan this month. The typhoon’s landfall comes after weeks of intense rainfall, widespread flooding, and a deadly heatwave. Jongdari came ashore in Ise Bay with maximum sustained winds near 80 MPH. The typhoon will weaken as it traverses the island nation over the next day. While the storm is rather tiny in size, some areas affected by the historic floods that struck western Japan earlier this month could see even more heavy rain from this storm. Uda, east of Osaka, recorded 4.33 inches of rain in just one hour as Jongdari made landfall on Sunday. One man is missing after several cars were washed into the ocean by high waves near Tokyo as the typhoon approached on Saturday.

Global Warming

CO2 Emissions Play Havoc with Ocean Life

The devastating impact of global warming on ocean life has been laid bare in a shocking new scientific report.

Coral reefs across the globe are being killed off by a combination of increasing temperatures and ocean acidification caused by rising carbon dioxide (CO2) levels.

Researchers found blooms of algae are blanketing the seabed in areas of high CO2 concentration, choking corals and lowering marine diversity.

If CO2 levels continue to rise at their current rate, the consequences will be 'catastrophic', scientists have warned.

Teams of British, Italian and Japanese researchers, including from the University of Plymouth, found a worrying lack of corals in areas of the Pacific where CO2 levels met present-day averages.

In contrast, marine areas with pre-industrial levels of CO2 flourished with corals and other species and sea-life.

Experts discovered the stark contrast by analysing volcanic CO2 seeps off Shikine Island, in Japan, where ocean currents cause CO2 levels to mimic those before the industrial revolution.

In areas with pre-Industrial levels of CO2 the coast has an impressive amount of calcified organisms such as corals and oysters.

But in areas with present-day average levels of surface seawater CO2 they found far fewer corals and other calcified life, and so there was less biodiversity.

It shows the extensive damage caused by humans due to CO2 emissions over the past 300 years and unless we can get a grip on reducing CO2 emissions we will undoubtedly see major degradation of coastal systems worldwide.

Proliferation of algae in areas with high CO2:

Disease

Hepatitis A - West Virginia, USA

In a follow-up on the hepatitis A outbreak that began in March in West Virginia, health officials now put the outbreak total at 699 cases, up some 160 cases in two weeks. 20 West Virginia counties have been affected.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 earthquake hits offshore El Salvador.

5.1 earthquake hits the Bering Sea.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Izu Islands off Japan.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific Ocean: Typhoon (td) 15w (Jongdari), located approximately 98 nm south-southeast of Yokosuka, Japan, is tracking northwestward at 24 knots.

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Remnants of Tropical Depression Nine-E is located about 1255 mi...2015 km ese of Hilo Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...30 mph...45 km/h. Present movement...w or 265 degrees at 13 mph...20 km/h.

Tropical Depression Gilma is located about 1560 mi...2515 km wsw of the southern tip of Baja California and about 1560 mi...2510 km e of south point Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...w or 280 degrees at 13 mph...20 km/h.

NewsBytes:

Greece - Greece has been hit by devastating flash floods — as the country still reels from the savage wildfires which ripped through the Attica region of the country. Heavy summer rainstorms over the past two days have caused flooding in several parts of Greece, including the area south of Athens. Floodwaters also forced the closure of several roads in the area. Flooding problems were also reported in the Halkidiki region of northern Greece.

Pennsylvania, USA - Five days of downpours brought a foot or more of rain to an over 100-mile swath of Pennsylvania. 2 people died in the floodwaters.

Global Warming

Animated Earth Map Shows Extent of Global Heat Wave

Earth is boiling under record-high temperatures. Global heat waves have landed thousands of people in the hospital and fueled massive wildfires in places ranging from Greece to the Arctic Circle.

An animation called "earth" shows just how high worldwide temperatures really are. The animation, designed by computer programmer Cameron Beccario, an engineering manager at Indeed Tokyo in Japan, updates every 3 hours with weather data taken from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction's Global Forecast System.

Wildlife

Worms Frozen for 42,000 Years in Siberian Permafrost Wriggle to Life

In Siberia, melting permafrost is releasing nematodes — microscopic worms that live in soil — that have been suspended in a deep freeze since the Pleistocene. Despite being frozen for tens of thousands of years, two species of these worms were successfully revived, scientists recently reported in a new study.

Their findings, published in the May 2018 issue of the journal Doklady Biological Sciences, represent the first evidence of multicellular organisms returning to life after a long-term slumber in Arctic permafrost, the researchers wrote.

However, the nematodes weren't the first organism to awaken from millennia in icy suspension. Previously, another group of scientists had identified a giant virus that was resuscitated after spending 30,000 years frozen in Siberian permafrost. (Amoebas are the only animal affected by this ancient attacker.)

Environment

Drought in El Salvador

In El Salvador, there will be a meeting of the United Nations country team tomorrow [27 July] to develop a plan of action following the declaration by the Government of a red alert emergency due to the severe drought affecting some 77,000 corn farmers. Lack of rain led to losses of over 90,000 metric tons of corn, one of the main staple foods in the country. The eastern part of the country has reported 33 consecutive days without rain and record temperatures reaching 41°C.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Oregon, USA

The Taylor Creek Fire roared to life Thursday, sending a smoke column 10,000 feet in the sky and crossing containment lines in a few places. The wildfire burning west of Grants Pass and Merlin grew to 16,500 acres by Friday morning. That's an increase of almost 3,000 acres, and a level 3 evacuation has been issued for Taylor Creek Road, near Galice outside Grants Pass, due to the Taylor Creek Fire.

Disease

Trichinosis - Argentina

In a follow-up on the trichinosis outbreak in the town of Canals, Argentina, the outbreak has grown from a several dozen to 232. In Río Cuarto, three other cases of trichinosis were also detected, which are related to an outbreak in the province of San Luis.

In response to the outbreak, confiscation operations, animal interdictions and gondola food recalls were carried out to prevent further infections.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.2 earthquake hits the island of Hawaii, Hawaii.

5.1 earthquake hits the northern mid-Atlantic Ridge.

5.0 earthquake hits the Savu Sea.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific Ocean: Typhoon (td) 15w (Jongdari), located approximately 565 nm southeast of Yokosuka, Japan, is tracking northeastward at 20 knots.

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Tropical Depression Nine-E is located about 1315 mi...2115 km ese of Hilo Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...w or 270 degrees at 12 mph...19 km/h.

Tropical Storm Gilma is located about 1245 mi...2005 km wsw of the southern tip of Baja California nd about 1940 mi...3125 km e of South Point Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/h. Present movement...wnw or 285 degrees at 16 mph...26 km/h.

NewsBytes:

Romania - Romanian authorities say two people have drowned in floodwaters after heavy rain in the country's northeast, with 51 000 emergency workers mobilized to help flood-rescue efforts.

Bangladesh - Heavy monsoon rains triggered landslides and flooding in southeastern Bangladesh on Wednesday, killing five children and forcing a thousand people to relocate, including in the Rohingya refugee camps.

Myanmar - More than 16,000 people are thought to have been displaced by floods following heavy monsoon rains in Myanmar, also known as Burma. The flood began at the weekend and worst hit the country's eastern Kayin state on the border with Thailand. Large areas have been evacuated and people were moved to shelters to wait for the waters to subside.

Environment

Erratic Jet Stream

The jet stream, the ribbon of wind that circles the Earth is contorting into extreme loops sharply towards the poles with ridges of high pressure and dips to the equator with low pressure.

The resultant calamity list includes wildfires across Scandinavia, Greece and California, record heat in Texas, Japan and Africa and flooding rains along the U.S. East Coast that could last another week. The world is hotter in general, which means when temperatures spike, they do so off a higher baseline.

Plastic Pollution in the Dominican Republic

Large waves of plastic pollution washed onto the coast of the Dominican Republic, prompting officials to dispatch more than 500 workers to remove the debris from a beach in the capital of Santo Domingo.

More than 1,000 tons of plastic waste, including bottles and foam takeout boxes mixed with seaweed, were hauled away. The debris was said to have washed onto the beach from a nearby polluted river.

Parley for the Oceans, a group working to reduce plastic waste in the world’s oceans, says the phenomenon occurs in many developing nations with a coastline.

Global Warming

Climate Change Threatens Greenland’s Sled Dog Culture

People in Greenland have long relied on sled dogs to hunt and fish on the ice.

But this tradition is slowly fading. Unstable winter seas are forcing fishermen to use boats instead of sled dogs to fish and hunt seals, threatening the historic tradition of its unique hunting lifestyle.

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 92.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 68.9 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

Wildfires - California, USA

Firefighters are battling several wildfires across the state that is prompting hundreds of people to evacuate.

The Cranston Fire is exploding in the mountains east of Los Angeles, growing to 4,700 acres in just a few hours near the town of Idyllwild -- 500 firefighters are battling giant flames, strong winds, and scorching temperatures. At least one home was destroyed. The entire community has been evacuated.

Near Yosemite, the Ferguson Fire continues to grow, now at 41, 576 acres and 26 percent contained. As the fire inches closer, visitors to the park forced to leave. Thick smoke is everywhere.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 18 July – 24 July 2018

Agung | Bali (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that plumes rose 200-500 m above Agung’s crater rim on 18, 20, and 23 July. Gray plumes rose as high as 1.5 km on 22 July. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the exclusion zone was stable at a 4-km radius.

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that at 1336 on 17 July an event at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) produced a plume that rose 1.2 km above the crater rim. Sulfur dioxide emissions were 1,300 tons per day that same day. Occasional small events were recorded during 20-23 July, and crater incandescence was visible on 22 and 23 July. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Ambae | Vanuatu : Based on satellite data, webcam observations, and wind model data, the Wellington VAAC reported that during 17-24 July ash plumes from the vent at Ambae’s Lake Voui rose to altitudes of 2.1-5.5 km (7,000-18,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N, NE, E, and SE. According to news articles, activity intensified on 17 July with significant ashfall impacting the N and E parts of the island, causing dark conditions for residents. Rumbling noises were reported at Penama Provincial Headquarters at Saratamata, more than 30 km away. Volcanologists conducting field work in the areas noted widespread damage and disruption to the local population; roads going to the W part of the island had been washed away.

Bagana | Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 22 July an ash plume from Bagana rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W.

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that unrest at Cleveland continued during 18-23 July, though nothing significant was detected in seismic or infrasound data. Weakly elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images during 18 and 23-24 July; meteorological cloud cover hindered views of the crater on most of the other days. A small deposit of blocks within the summit crater and just below the E crater rim observed only in satellite data suggested the occurrence of a very small explosion undetectable in seismic and pressure sensor data. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on PVMBG observations and satellite data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 18-23 July ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW, N, NE, and E.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 13-20 July that sent ash plumes as high as 3.4 km (11,200 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 during 19-20 and 23-24 July avalanches of material from Fuego’s crater descended the S, SW, and W flanks (Santa Teresa, Las Lajas, El Jute, and Cenizas drainages). Weak explosions during 23-24 July sent low ash plumes N.

Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was identified in satellite images during 13-20 July, along with ash plumes that drifted as far as 500 km W and SW during 14-19 July. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Kerinci | Indonesia : Based on satellite data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 22 July an ash plume from Kerinci rose to an altitude of 4.3 km (14,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW.

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that the eruption at Kilauea’s Lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) and within Halema`uma`u Crater continued during 18-24 July. Lava fountaining and spatter was concentrated at Fissure 8, feeding lava flows that spread through Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens subdivisions, and built out the coastline at multiple ocean entries.

Inward slumping of the crater rim and walls of Halema`uma`u continued, adjusting from the withdrawal of magma and subsidence of the summit area. Explosions from collapse events occurred almost daily, often followed by a surge in activity at Fissure 8. Sulfur dioxide emissions from the summit were very low.

Fountaining at Fissure 8 continued, producing Pele's hair and other volcanic glass that fell within Leilani Estates. The fountains continued to feed the lava flow that traveled NE, and then SSE, W of Kapoho Crater. Channel overflows on 18 July destroyed structures in the Leilani Subdivision. The channelized ‘a’a flow was incandescent along its entire length as it flowed towards the ocean. It generated plumes of laze (a corrosive steam plume mixed with hydrochloric acid and fine volcanic glass particles) at several points along a broad 6-km-wide flow front, though the main entry area was at Ahalanui, a few hundred meters E of the flow edge which was 175 m NE of Isaac Hale Park (by 24 July). HVO noted that the lava delta was unstable as it has been built out as far as 800 m from the original coastline on unconsolidated lava fragments and sand.

Pacaya | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 19-20 and 23-24 July Strombolian explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney Crater ejected material as high as 30 m above the crater rim. A 200-m-long lava flow originating from Mackenney Crater was visible on NW flank.

Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosions at Sabancaya averaged 25 per day during 16-22 July. Hybrid earthquakes were infrequent and low-magnitude. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 2.5 km above the crater rim and drifted 30 km S, SE, and E. The MIROVA system detected one thermal anomaly, and on 18 July the sulfur dioxide gas flux was very high at 12,068 tons/day. The report noted that the public should not approach the crater within a 12-km radius.

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that satellite images showed a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch during 13-20 July, and a plume of re-suspended ash drifting 62 km SE on 18 July. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported increased activity at Turrialba during 23-24 July characterized by small sporadic emissions. A very low and diffuse ash plume rose from the crater on 24 July, causing ashfall in Coronado, Tibás (35 km WSW), Goicoechea (28 km WSW), Moravia (31 km WSW), and other areas in the Valle Central.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.7 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.2 earthquake hits Easter Island.

5.2 earthquake hits the Banda Sea.

5.0 earthquake hits Easter Island.

5.0 earthquake hits the mid-Indian Ridge.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm 14w (Wukong), located approximately 580 nm east of Misawa, Japan, is tracking north-northwestward at 14 knots.

Tropical Storm (td) 15w (Jongdari), located approximately 158 nm southwest of Iwo To, Japan, is tracking northeastward at 08 knots.

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Invest 91E is an area of disturbed weather in the eastern Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

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

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

NewsBytes:

Georgia, Caucasus - On 5 July 2018, due to heavy rain, melting of snow and glacier in the upper part of the river Nenskra basin, a part of the mountain Khokrili (Samegrelo Zemo Svaneti Region, Georgia) collapsed, blocking the Nenskra River bed. As a result, accumulated water flooded the Nenskra valley villages. In total 1,143 people (323 families) live in Chuberi community villages. All of them were affected by the flooding.

USA - Millions of Americans on the East Coast were bracing Tuesday for more heavy rain and the risk of flash flooding — some of it "life-threatening" — as states in the West struggled with another day of record-setting heat. At least two people died Monday amid strong downpours pummeling states in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, which turned low-lying roads into lakes and saturated the ground.

Cameroon - Local media in Cameroon are reporting of floods in parts of the country. On Tuesday, the city of Limbe in the country’s South West was hit by floods. While in Douala, the country’s largest city and economic capital located in the Littoral region, heavy rains accompanied by landslides are said to have left scores stranded. Floods continue to cause havoc across parts of Africa where high rain patterns have resulted in loss of lives and destruction to properties. The most recent was in the capital of Ivory Coast, Abidjan where government was forced to evacuate close to 200 families.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 18 July – 24 July 2018

Asamayama | Honshu (Japan) : JMA stated that during 16-23 July white plumes rose as high as 300 m above Asamayama’s summit crater. Weak crater incandescence was visible for the first time since 23 December 2017. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-5).

Etna | Sicily (Italy) : INGV reported that during 16-22 July gas plumes rose from Etna’s summit crater; low-energy Strombolian activity also occurred from three vents at the bottom of Northeast Crater (NEC) and from two vents in Bocca Nuova. The activity was mostly confined to the craters, with material falling back into the craters, though occasionally incandescent lava was ejected about 100 m above the crater rim. The activity sometimes generated ash emissions that dissipated near the summit.

Krakatau | Indonesia : Based on satellite and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 18-20 July ash plumes from Anak Krakatau rose to an altitude of 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, E, SW, and W. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4); residents and visitors were warned not to approach the volcano within 1 km of the crater.

Nishinoshima | Japan : Based on Japan Coast Guard (JCG) observations, JMA reported that a very small eruption at Nishinoshima occurred at 1124 on 12 July, producing a brownish plume that rose from near the crater. During an aerial survey, JCG noted deposits 400 m from the vent. No thermal anomalies were detected. The report warned people to stay at least 500 m away from the crater.

Semeru | Eastern Java (Indonesia) : Based on analysis of satellite images, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 20 July a minor eruption at Semeru generated an ash plume that rose to an altitude of 4.9 km (16,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW.

Sierra Negra | Isla Isabela (Ecuador) : IG reported that the eruption at Sierra Negra continued through 23 July, and continued to vary in intensity. Four fissures had initially opened on 26 June, at the start of the eruption. Fissure 1 is 4 km long and located at the edge of the caldera in the area of Volcán Chico. Lava flows from this fissure traveled 7 km down the flanks, and 1.7 km within the interior of the caldera, covering an area of 16.1 square kilometers. Fissure 2 is about 250 m long, located NW of the caldera, and produced lava flows that traveled 3 km and covered an area of 2.3 square kilometers. Fissure 3, located W of the caldera, is 250 m long and produced lava flows that descended the flanks 2 km, covering an area of 0.3 square kilometers. Fissures 1-3 were active until 27 June. Fissure 4, 250 m long and located on the NW flank, continued to be active. Lava from this fissure reached the ocean between 9 and 10 July, and by 16 July had covered an area of 11.6 square kilometers (30.4 square kilometers was covered by lava from all four fissures).

Villarrica | Chile : POVI reported that sometime during mid-morning on 18 July webcam images captured two vapor-and-gas emissions with some ash rising from Villarrica. Between 1100 and 1200 that same day a thermal anomaly (the largest since December 2017) was identified in satellite images. Crater incandescence was visible later that day. An earthquake, possibly a volcano-tectonic signal, was detected at about 0627 on 20 July, a few hours after gas-and-steam emissions decreased. Crater incandescence was visible on 23 July.

Disease

Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo

As 42 days (two incubation periods) have passed since the last possible exposure to a confirmed Ebola virus disease case, on 24 July 2018, the Minister of Health, Dr Oly Ilunga announced the end of the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.6 earthquake all hits off the coast of Northern California.

5.6 earthquake hits the island of Hawaii, Hawaii.

5.5 earthquake hits south-east of the Ryukyu Islands.

5.2 earthquake hits off the coast of Northern California.

5.0 earthquake hits off the coast of northern California.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific Ocean: Typhoon 14w (Wukong), located approximately 615 nm north-northeast of Minami Tori Shima, is tracking northward at 12 knots.

Tropical Storm (td) 15w (Jongdari), located approximately 301 nm southwest of Iwo To, Japan, is tracking northeastward at 08 knots.

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

NewsBytes:

Lao People's Democratic Republic - Due to the monsoon season and heavy rainfall resulting from Tropical Storm Son-Tinh passing over Northern, Central and Southern Laos PDR between 18-19 July 2018, flooding occurred in 10 provinces: Attapeu, Savanhnakhet, Khammouan, Xayabuly, Bolikhamsay, Luang Prabang, Bokeo, Sekong, Xiengkhouang, Oudomxay. Due to the heavy rainfall, there was an overflow from Xepien-Xenamnoyu dam which resulted in flooding affecting downstream villages and more than 1,000 families were evacuated. The Xenamnoy dam in Attapeu province, 550 kilometres south of the capital Vientiane, was reportedly built to hold 1 billion tons of water, and is 1.6 kilometres wide. A volunteer emergency organisation, Vientiane Rescue, said the dam wall broke on Monday night after heavy monsoonal rains. Reports on one media site said millions of tons of water had inundated surrounding land, washing away villages and homes. More than 6,600 people were made homeless. Hundreds of people are missing and the death toll is as yet unknown.

Wildlife

Geese Fly to Exhaustion in Race Against Climate Change

Every spring, thousands of barnacle geese make a grand migration from their temperate winter habitat in northern Europe and northwestern Russia to their summer nesting grounds in the Arctic. It's a journey of more than 1,800 miles (3,000 kilometers) that usually takes about a month, but new research has found that rising temperatures in the Arctic are pressuring the geese to make the trip in a grueling one-week sprint.

Barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis) are medium-size water birds found in Europe, Russia, the United Kingdom, Wales and the Arctic. Until recent years, the timing of the birds' spring migration meant they arrived in the Arctic right as the snowmelt exposed their nesting sites and initiated plant growth. The birds would almost immediately lay their eggs, which would then hatch 30 or so days later, right at the peak season for plant growth — perfect timing for hungry, growing goslings.

But in the past few decades, scientists noticed that things have changed. Temperatures in the Arctic have been getting warmer earlier and earlier in the season — by about a day per year — and this is putting significant pressure on the migrating barnacle geese.

The geese are trying to keep up with these environmental changes, but they're struggling. Scientists have found that the geese still leave at about the same time every year, but the animals have shortened their travel time to the Arctic. A trip that used to take about a month now takes the geese only about a week, as the birds will spend less time at their stopover sites or will skip them altogether and just keep flying.

Instead of promptly laying their eggs as they usually do when they arrive at their Arctic nesting grounds, the exhausted geese need more than a week to recuperate and build up enough energy before they can start nesting. By the time the animals are ready to lay their eggs, the grasses and plants the birds feed on have been growing for a few weeks. As a result, goslings emerge from their eggs after the peak growing season rather than during it, and that's causing the young birds' survival rate to decline.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Greece - Update 

The death toll has risen to 74. Hundreds of firefighters have been battling the flames, which have been fanned by winds of up to 60mph (100km/h) and have devastated the seaside village of Mati, engulfing homes and vehicles. Scores of people rushed into the sea to escape the flames.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Depression 11w (Son-Tinh), located approximately 181 nm northeast of Hanoi, Vietnam, is tracking north-northwestward at 06 knots.

Tropical Depression (td) 12w (Ampil), located approximately 433 nm west of Inchon, South Korea, is tracking north-northwestward at 15 knots.

Tropical depression (td) 13w (Thirteen), located approximately 308 nm north-northeast of Taipei, Taiwan, is tracking north-northwestward at 19 knots.

Tropical storm 14w (Wukong), located approximately 437 nm northeast of Minami Tori Shima, is tracking northward at 08 knots.

Tropical depression (td) 15w (Fifteen), located approximately 432 nm southwest of Iwo To, Japan, is tracking northward at 07 knots.

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

NewsBytes:

India - Five people were washed away in flash floods while they were taking bath in Cauvery at Reddiyur, near Mettur, on Sunday. By dusk, the rescue teams managed to recovere the bodies of four.

Philippines - Tropical depression Josie is on its way out of the country but will continue to induce heavy rain over the western sections of Luzon and Visayas today. At least five people have died and more than 700,000 were affected by days of heavy rain, which caused flooding and landslides, the Philippine authorities said yesterday.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Greece

At least 50 people have died and 170 have been injured in wildfires ravaging woodland and villages in the Athens region, as Greek authorities rush to evacuate residents and tourists stranded on beaches along the coast on Tuesday.

The death toll soared with a Red Cross official reporting the discovery of 26 bodies in the courtyard of a villa at the seaside resort of Mati. The authorities had previously announced 24 deaths and scores of injuries with the majority of casualties found in their homes or cars in Mati, 40km northeast of the capital.

By dawn on Tuesday, fires were still burning around the capital, while others broke out elsewhere during the night.

Wildfires - California, USA

The so-called Ferguson Fire, which started on July 13 in the Sierra National Forest, grew by more than 10 percent in size over the weekend, sending smoke billowing for miles (km) and causing air quality alerts for parts of the San Joaquin Valley, officials said on Sunday.Parts of the Ferguson Fire were about 20 miles to 30 miles (30-50 km) south and southwest of the park as of Sunday. Nearly 3,000 firefighters were battling the blaze that has burned through nearly 30,500 acres (12,340 hectares) of bone-dry terrain and was 6 percent contained as of Sunday.

Disease

Cholera - NIger

The government of Niger says four people have died while 123 cases are being monitored following the outbreak of cholera in the Maradi region on July 13. The outbreak is concentrated in the Madarounfa district, which sits on the border with Nigeria.

Measles - Mauritius

The World Health Organization (WHO) says 3 people have died while 453 cases of measles have been confirmed since the latest outbreak hit Mauritius late in March.

Schistosomiasis - Myanmar

On Saturday, Union Minister announced the number of schistosomiasis cases has risen into the hundreds. The first cases of schistosomiasis in the country were discovered in March 2018, with about 59 cases in Sittwe Town of Rakhine State. Now officials say that more than 500 cases have been seen Inle, Shan State and Rakhine.

Diarrhoea - Philippines

A Philippine News Agency report last week stated 169 people were sickened with diarrhea and vomiting symptoms recently in Sibulan, Negros Oriental due to what is believed to have been fecal contamination of water sources. Majority of the cases are from Barangay Looc, Sibulan, near a quarry site. Water samples were found to have fecal contamination.

Malaysia - Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Malaysian health officials reported an additional 3,852 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) during the week of July 15-21, bringing the outbreak total for the year to 35,886 cases.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.8 earthquake hits western Iran.

5.7 earthquake hits the central mid-Atlantic Ridge.

5.6 earthquake hits eastern Iran.

5.6 earthquake hits Kepulauan Sangihe, Indonesia.

5.5 earthquake hits Vanuatu.

5.5 earthquake hits the island of Hawaii, Hawaii.

5.2 earthquake hits the Revilla Gigedo Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits Veracruz, Mexico.

5.1 earthquake hits off the West Coast of northern Sumatra.

5.0 earthquake hits the Gulf of Aden.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical storm 11w (Son-Tinh), located approximately 238 nm east of Hanoi, Vietnam, is tracking north-northeastward at 09 knots.

Tropical Depression (td) 12w (Ampil), located approximately 399 nm west of Kunsan AFB, South Korea, is tracking northwestward at 10 knots.

Tropical depression (td) 13w (Thirteen), located approximately 220 nm north-northeast of Taipei, Taiwan, is tracking northward at 22 knots.

Tropical storm 14w (Fourteen), located approximately 315 nm eastnortheast of Minami Tori Shima, is tracking northward at 10 knots.

Tropical depression (td) 15w (Fifteen), located approximately 381 nm north-northwest of Ulithi, is tracking north-northwestward at 07 knots.

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

NewsBytes:

Philippines - Heavy rains brought about by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) enhanced by Tropical Depression Josie caused flooding over the weekend not just in Metro Manila, but also in provinces. In Hermosa, Bataan, six barangays were flooded, according to a report on Balitanghali Weekend by Saleema Refran on Sunday. In Barangays Almacen and Parayray, the water level reached over a man's height and up to the welcome arch of the two barangays. The floodwaters reached chest level in Barangay Daungan.

Vietnam - Flash floods in Vietnam have now claimed at least 19 lives, the government said on Sunday, as residents in affected areas sought safety in higher ground.

Environment

Radioactive Traces from the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Found in California Wine

Following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant accident, radioactive waste leaked into surrounding areas and contaminated waters and food. Seven years later, traces of the disaster were found half a world away — in California's wine.

A group of French nuclear physicists tested 18 bottles of California's rosé and cabernet sauvignon produced in 2009 and onward and found that the wines produced after the disaster had increased levels of a man-made radioactive particles. Cabernet sauvignon, for example, had double the amount.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Ontario, Canada

Authorities say more than 50 homes have been evacuated in northeastern Ontario this weekend due to the threat of raging forest fires. A mandatory evacuation order was issued Friday for the Key Harbour area and the municipality of Killarney, south of the French River Provincial Park, after a fire more than quadrupled in size to about 19 square kilometres.

An additional order was issued Saturday for an area from the western and northern borders of French River Provincial Park, east to the Trans-Canada Highway, and as far south as the south shore of the Key River.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.5 earthquake hits the Gulf of Aden.

5.4 earthquake hit southern Iran.

5.4 earthquake hits the island of Hawaii, Hawaii.

5.3 earthquake hits the south east Indian Ridge.

5.2 earthquake hits Antofagasta, Chile.

5.1 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical storm 11w (Son-Tinh), located approximately 173 nm southeast of Hanoi, Vietnam, is tracking eastward at 04 knots.

Tropical Storm (td) 12w (Ampil), located approximately 130 nm northwest of Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan, is tracking northwestward at 21 knots.

Tropical depression (td) 13w (Thirteen), located approximately 239 nm southeast of Taipei, Taiwan, is tracking northeastward at 15 knots.

Tropical storm 14w (Fourteen), located approximately 338 nm east of Minami Tori Shima, is tracking north-northeastward at 08 knots.

Tropical depression (td) 15w (Fifteen), located approximately 277 nm north-northwest of Ulithi, is tracking north-northwestward at 14 knots.

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Invest 90E is an area of disturbed weather in the eastern Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

NewsBytes:

India - The death toll in rain-related incidents in Kerala has gone up to 41 since the onset of monsoon on 29 May. As many as 1.18 lakh people have taken refuge in 606 relief camps across Kerala, as rains continued to batter several parts of the state.

Vietnam - At least 10 people have died after floods spurred by Typhoon rains struck central and northern Vietnam, authorities said on Saturday. Typhoon Son Tinh - the third tropical storm to hit Vietnam since the start of the year - made landfall on Wednesday night, damaging infrastructure and crops through Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces. Heavy rains have continued in the wake of the typhoon, unleashing floods and landslides across vast areas of the country, including in the capital Hanoi.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Washington, Oregon, USA

Wildfires erupted July 19 and 20 across Eastern Washington, burning tens of thousands of acres and closed major highways. A wildfire in Kittitas County has burned 70,000 acres and closed eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 near Vantage. The Boylston fire is among several that are scorching scrubland and wheat fields in Eastern and central Washington, and Eastern Oregon.

Wildfires - British Columbia, Canada

People living in nearly 1,000 homes have either been forced to evacuate or must be prepared to leave at a moment's notice as wildfires rip through British Columbia's scenic Okanagan region. A lightning storm hit the popular tourist area in B.C.'s southern Interior earlier this week, sparking multiple wildfires including one major blaze that has grown to 10 square kilometres.

Disease

Dengue Fever - Philippines

The city of Baybay, Leyte, south of Tacloban has declared a state of health emergency earlier this week due to an increase in dengue fever cases, according to the Philippine News Agency. According to regional health officials, 170 cases have been reported, including three fatalities.

Cholera outbreak stalks Cameroon

The Government of Cameroon says 53 cases of cholera have been confirmed across three regions close to the border with Nigeria since the disease outbreak was reported on May 18. In its latest epidemiological update, the government identified the cholera strain as vibrio cholerae 01 sero-type Inaba. It is widely believed to have come from Nigeria where cholera remains endemic in a number of states.

STI’s - France

Between 2012 and 2016, the number of new diagnoses of Chlamydia and gonococcal infections is increasing, according to the results of the LaboIST1 survey published by Public Health France. In fact, data show that the number of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea diagnoses in 2016 has tripled compared to 2012.

Rift Valley Fever Warning - Kenya

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a travel alert for people going to Kenya due to a Rift Valley fever outbreak. Health officials have reported an ongoing outbreak of RVF in Kenya that began in June 2018.

Anthrax - Queensland, Australia

A case of anthrax in cattle was confirmed in the Dirranbandi-St George area in early July 2018. This detection is the fourth incident in cattle in the region since 2016. Animal owners in southern Queensland – particularly in the Dirranbandi to St George area – should be alert to anthrax and the risks to humans and livestock.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.9 earthquake hits the Pagan region, North Mariana Islands.

5.6 earthquake hits Santiago del Estero, Argentina.

5.4 earthquake hits Alaska.

5.2 earthquake hits southern Sumatra, Indonesia.

5.2 earthquake hits Kapulauan Mentawai, Indonesia.

5.0 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits the Hindu Kush, Afghanistan.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm (td) 12w (Ampil), located approximately 130 nm northwest of Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan, is tracking northwestward at 21 knots.

Tropical depression (td) 13w (Thirteen), located approximately 238 nm north-northwest of Manila, Philippines, is tracking east-northeastward at 13 knots.

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Invest 90E is an area of disturbed weather in the eastern Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

NewsBytes:

Pakistan - Pakistani officials say the melting of a glacier has unleashed landslides and floods in the country's northern district of Ghizer, inundating dozens of homes and displacing hundreds of people. Also Friday, two people were killed in the northwestern city of Peshawar after a roof caved in, and rains also lashed the eastern city of Lahore.

Slovakia - Tourists and local residents were forced to evacuate due to floods after hours of heavy rain in northern Slovakia and in the High Tatra mountains area, local media reported Friday. The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute has issued a first-degree alert in connection with the heavy rainfall in northern Slovakia as well as a first-degree flood alert.

Global Warming

Human 'fingerprints' detected in Earth's seasonal temperature changes

For the first time, scientists have shown that human-caused climate change is affecting seasonal temperature cycles, a study released Thursday suggests.

The study shows that summers are warming more rapidly than the other three seasons as the planet's temperature rises, especially in portions of the Northern Hemisphere.

It concludes that there's no "natural" way the temperatures could have changed this way without the influence of rising atmospheric greenhouse-gas concentrations. Human-inflicted climate change is caused by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, which release heat-trapping greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere.

The findings deliver another blow against two refrains commonly repeated by climate deniers: that the satellite record doesn't show that the planet is warming, and that it's impossible to know how much warming is from nature and how much is from human beings. Both claims are wrong, say the authors of the study, published Thursday in the journal Science.

The study looked at the satellite record going back to the late 1970s to trace how warming is impacting seasons differently. They found that while year-round temperatures are rising, the rate of that temperature increase is happening faster in the mid-latitudes during the summer than it is during the winter. That's even more pronounced in the Northern Hemisphere.

The team found that at the mid-latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, from about 40° North (close to the Kansas-Nebraska border) to about 60° North (mid-Canada), there is a gap between how much temperatures are rising in summer compared to how much they are rising in winter. That gap grew by roughly a tenth of a degrees Celsius each decade over the 38-year satellite record as the summers warmed faster.

The reason for this, the study explains, is that much of the world's land is in the Northern Hemisphere, as opposed to the Southern Hemisphere, which has more ocean. Ocean temperatures don't fluctuate as much and are slower to reflect change.

The mid-latitudes are also where many of the world's crops are grown, and as the temperature rises and the soil dries out, that could have major implications for food sources.

Above 60° North latitude—going into the Arctic—the scientists saw the trend reverse. There, the winters are getting warmer faster, giving seasonal sea ice less time to regrow each year.

Disease

Measles - Brazil

Brazilian health officials are reporting (computer translated) two outbreaks of measles, in Roraima and Amazonas states. The outbreaks are imported cases, officials say, pointing to the genotype of the virus (D8) that was identified, which is the same that circulates in Venezuela. As of July 17, 444 cases of measles had been confirmed in Amazonas, while in the state of Roraima, 216 cases of the disease were confirmed.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.9 earthquake hits Alaska.

5.8 earthquake hits New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

5.8 earthquake hits Puebla, Mexico.

5.4 earthquake hits south of Java, Indonesia.

5.4 earthquake hits the Batan Islands in the Philippines.

5.2 earthquake hits the island of Hawaii, Hawaii.

5.1 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits Kepulauan Talud, Indonesia.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm (td) 12w (Ampil), located approximately 250 nm southeast of Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan, is tracking northwestward at 05 knots.

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

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Invest 90E is an area of disturbed weather in the eastern Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

NewsBytes:

Nepal - Landslides and floods triggered by heavy rains at least killed four people, injured six others and displaced scores of families in Gorkha, Parbat and Baglung and Darchula districts on Tuesday night and Wednesday. In Gorkha, three people perished after a landslide buried a house at Andheri. Police said six people were injured while fleeing the area.

Environment

Global Temperature Extremes

The week's hottest temperature was 124 degrees Fahrenheit (51.1 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.

Disease

Swine flu outbreak spreads in Namibia

The Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services has advised the public to take precautions to avoid contracting the spreading influenza H1N1 or swine flu virus.

In a public notice issued on July 17, acting Permanent Secretary Petronela Masabane said the virus had spread across the country since the disease outbreak was reported early in June. The ministry said to date, 70 cases have been confirmed through laboratory tests, with 35 coming from the capital Windhoek while the rest came from six other local government areas.

Foot and Mouth Disease - Botswana

A leading regional livestock farmers association says efforts to control the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Northern Botswana is being complicated by the presence of nearly 22 000 free-ranging stray cattle.

The outbreak, which has affected large areas of communal farmlands around the Lake Ngami area, was confirmed on June 10. The Ngamiland Farmers Association said that while farmers could account for their cattle and ensure they are vaccinated, large herds of stray cattle were roaming through the region and complicating disease control efforts.

Hand, Fit and Mouth Disease - Malaysia

The hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreak has gone “beyond the danger level” in Penang, according to the state Health Committee. On Wednesday (July 18), a further 88 children had contracted the disease, with an earlier 127 cases reported on Tuesday (July 17). From January to July 18 (Wednesday), 2,170 cases had already been reported.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 11 July – 17 July 2018

Agung | Bali (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that an event at 1409 on 13 July generated an ash plume that rose 1.5 km above Agung’s crater rim and drifted W. An event was detected at 0452 on 15 July, though no ash was visible. An ash plume from an event at 0905 rose 1.5 km and drifted W and SE. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the exclusion zone was unchanged at a 4-km radius.

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that there were nine events at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 9-17 July generating plumes that rose as high as 2.3 km above the crater rim. At 1538 on 16 July an explosion produced an ash plume that rose 4.6 km, and ejected material as far as 1.7 km E. Crater incandescence was visible at night during 16-17 July. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Ambae | Vanuatu : Based on satellite data, webcam and pilot observations, and wind model data, the Wellington VAAC reported that during 16-17 July ash plumes from the vent at Ambae’s Lake Voui rose to altitudes of 2.3-9.1 km (8,000-30,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE.

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that unrest at Cleveland continued during 11-17 July, though nothing significant was detected in seismic or infrasound data. Weakly elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images on 11 July; meteorological cloud cover prevented views of the crater on the other days. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on PVMBG observations and satellite data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 11-12 and 14-17 July ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW, NNE, NE, and E.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 8-12 July that sent ash plumes as high as 4 km (13,100 ft) a.s.l. Satellite data showed ash plumes drifting 37 km W during 10-11 July. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Etna | Sicily (Italy) : INGV reported that during 9-15 July gas emissions continued to rise from Etna’s summit craters. Visibility of the fairly continuous, low-energy, Strombolian activity deep within the Northeast Crater (NEC) and Bocca Nuova was sometimes hindered by gas emissions. Ejected incandescent material fell back into the crater. Strong and prolonged roars (up to several tens of seconds) from NEC were sometimes accompanied by gray-brown and reddish ash emissions. Collapses of the crater’s inner walls widened the crater. Gas emissions from New Southeast Crater (NSEC) were weak and sometimes pulsating.

Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 8 and 10-12 July a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was identified in satellite images, as well as diffuse gas-and-steam plumes with some ash on 10 July. An explosion at 0550 on 17 July generated an ash plume that rose as high as 5 km (16,400 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 11 km WSW. The Aviation colour Code was raised to Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that the eruption at Kilauea’s Lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) and within Halema`uma`u Crater continued during 11-17 July. Lava fountaining and spatter was concentrated at Fissure 8, feeding lava flows that spread through Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens subdivisions, and built out the coastline at multiple ocean entries.

Inward slumping of the crater rim and walls of Halema`uma`u continued, adjusting from the withdrawal of magma and subsidence of the summit area. Explosions from collapse events occurred almost daily, producing gas-and-ash-poor plumes. Sulfur dioxide emissions from the summit were very low.

Fountaining at Fissure 8 continued, producing Pele's hair and other volcanic glass that fell within Leilani Estates. The fountains continued to feed the lava flow that traveled NE, and then SSE, W of Kapoho Crater. A few channel overflows occurred. The channelized ‘a’a flow reached the ocean on 12 July, producing a large plume of laze (a corrosive steam plume mixed with hydrochloric acid and fine volcanic glass particles), and covering the Kua O Ka La Charter School and Ahalanui Beach Park. Lava entered the ocean at several points along a broad 6-km-wide flow front, though the main entry area was at Ahalanui (750 m NE of Isaac Hale Park) by 17 July. On 13 July a new island, 6-9 m in diameter, formed a few meters offshore, possibly fed by a submarine tumulus. On 16 July explosions were noted at the main ocean entry, some were strong. Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency noted that an explosion early in the morning ejected tephra that injured 23 people on a nearby tour boat. That same day volcanologists using a RADAR gun measured an average flow velocity of 29 km/hr of lava exiting Fissure 8.

Mayon | Luzon (Philippines) : PHIVOLCS reported that at 1509 on 13 July a minor rockfall descended the Mi-isi drainage on Mayon’s S flank, generating a brownish ash cloud. The event was preceded by heavy rainfall on the upper flanks. Sulfur dioxide emissions were 2,398 tonnes/day. Precise leveling data obtained during 2-14 April indicated inflation relative to data collected in late March; electronic tilt data showed pronounced inflation on the mid-flank beginning on 25 June possibly due to a deep aseismic magma intrusion. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 0-5 scale) and PHIVOLCS reminded residents to stay away from the 6-km-radius Permanent Danger Zone and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone on the SSW and ENE flanks.

Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosions at Sabancaya averaged 23 per day during 9-17 July. Hybrid earthquakes were infrequent and low magnitude. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 2.5 km above the crater rim and drifted 30 km S, SE, and E. The MIROVA system detected two thermal anomalies. 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 6-13 July. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Stromboli | Aeolian Islands (Italy) : INGV reported that activity at Stromboli during 9-15 July was characterized by ongoing Strombolian activity and degassing from multiple vents. Explosions mainly from two vents in Area N (north crater area) and three vents in Area C-S (South Central crater area) occurred at a rate of 14-19 per hour, except four per hour were recorded on 15 July. Low-intensity explosions from the N1 vent (NCA) ejected lapilli and bombs as high as 80 m. Explosions at the N2 vent (NCA) ejected tephra 120 m high. Vent C (Area C-S) produced gas emissions and sporadic spattering. Low-intensity explosions at S2 (Area C-S) ejected tephra less than 80 m high.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 earthquake hits Alaska.

5.3 earthquake case the island of Hawaii, Hawaii.

5.1 earthquake hits Colombia.

5.0 earthquake hits eastern New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm 11w (Son-Tinh), located approximately 122 nm south of Hanoi, Vietnam is tracking westward at 12 knots.

Tropical Storm (td) 12w (Ampil), located approximately 398 nm south-southeast of Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan, is tracking northeastward at 07 knots.

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

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Invest 90E is an area of disturbed weather in the eastern Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

NewsBytes:

Colorado, USA - Heavy rain falling over the 416 Fire burn scare in southwestern Colorado caused flooding and mudslides. The 416 Fire started over a month ago near Durango and is no longer considered a threat. The blaze charred more than 54,000 acres of wilderness and forced the evacuation of over 2,000 homes. Floods and mudslides that emergency workers feared since rains started to hit the 416 Fire burn scar arrived Tuesday afternoon, with significant debris flows across U.S. Highway 550, railroad tracks and East Animas Road (County Road 250), north of Durango.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Washington, USA

A small but fast-moving wildfire in Spokane prompted evacuation notices for more than 700 homes, authorities said Tuesday. The so-called Upriver Beacon Fire, which was less than 1 square mile (2.6 sq. kilometer), broke out near a residential area. Several homes caught fire, according to Spokane Valley Fire Department spokeswoman Melanie Rose. State officials said at least one structure had been completely destroyed.

Wildfires - Oregon, USA

The growth of multiple wildfires in Southern Oregon led to evacuation orders in three areas Wednesday night. The Grants Pass, Applegate Valley and Wimer areas were each threatened by a wildfire dangerous enough to prompt officials to prepare or require locals to leave their homes.

There are more than 160 wildfires burning across Southern Oregon, most of them sparked by a lightning storm last Sunday.

Disease

Trichinosis - Argentina

In the town of Canals in Córdoba province in central Argentina, an outbreak of the parasitic infection, trichinosis has sickened at least 45 people. Six people required hospitalization and no cases were considered serious. The outbreak has been linked to the consumption of salamis and sausages that came from an authorized slaughter, according to the Cordovan government.

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity –New Activity for the week of 11 July – 17 July 2018

Ibu | Halmahera (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that during 10-15 July white-to-gray plumes rose 200-800 m above Ibu’s crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay at least 2 km away from the active crater, and 3.5 km away on the N side.

Krakatau | Indonesia : PVMBG reported that an event at Anak Krakatau was recorded at 1722 on 15 July that generated an ash plume that rose 700 m and drifted N. An ash plume from a 44-second-long event recorded at 1651 on 16 July rose 500 m and drifted N; thumping and vibrations were noted at the PGA observation post. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4); residents and visitors were warned not to approach the volcano within 1 km of the crater.

Nevados de Chillan | Chile : Servicio Nacional de Geología and Minería (SERNAGEOMIN) Observatorio Volcanológico de Los Andes del Sur (OVDAS) reported continuing activity during 11-17 July associated with growth of the Gil-Cruz lava dome in Nevados de Chillán’s Nicanor Crater. Seismicity consisted of long-period events and tremor associated with explosions. The webcam recorded pulsating white gas emissions, nighttime incandescence, and intermittent ejection of ballistics from explosions. A local M3.7 earthquake recorded at 2055 on 13 July was associated with an explosion, and located 430 m below Nicanor Crater. Another earthquake associated with an explosion was recorded at 1530 on 14 July. The event was a local M3.9 and occurred at a depth of 1.4 km. Weather conditions inhibited visual observations of the crater, though a thermal camera measured increased thermal output with a max temperaturs of 300 degrees Celsius. A third earthquake, a M3.8 located at a depth of 1.8 km, was recorded at 0324 on 15 July. Incandescent material was ejected 340 m high. These three explosions partially destroyed the lava dome, ejecting material onto the N and NE flank. The Alert Level remained at Orange, the second highest level on a four-colour scale, and residents were reminded not to approach the crater within 3 km. ONEMI maintained an Alert Level Yellow (the middle level on a three-colour scale) for the communities of Pinto, Coihueco, and San Fabián.

Oraefajokull | Iceland : After a series of meetings between the Icelandic Meteorological Office, the University of Iceland, and Iceland Geosurvey, the Iceland Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management stated on 13 July that Öræfajökull has shown clear signs of unrest for at least the past year and a half. The report noted ongoing inflation and increased seismicity, despite a decrease in geothermal activity since December 2017. The volume change since the beginning of the unrest was about 10 million cubic meters, likely from an injection of new magma.

Piton de la Fournaise | Reunion Island (France) : OVPF reported that inflation at Piton de la Fournaise began at the beginning of July. An abrupt seismic increase was detected at 2340 on 12 July, coupled with rapid deformation. Tremor beneath the N flank appeared at about 0330 on 13 July and gradually increased, and webcams recorded the emergence of lava at 0430. The eruption originated from four fissures which had a total length of 500 m, and were located upstream of Chapelle de Rosemont. Tremor intensity peaked at 0600. By 0800 all four fissures were ejecting lava as high as 20 m, and ‘a’a flows had traveled over 200 m. The most upstream fissure was inactive by 1230. After a period of decreasing tremor and pulsating gas emissions the eruption ended at 2200. Strong seismicity continued to be recorded on 14 July, but then decreased over the next two days. The lava flows covered about 400 m of the trail leading to the summit.

Sierra Negra | Isla Isabela (Ecuador) : Based on satellite data and wind model data, the Washington VAAC reported that on 11 July gas-and-ash plumes from Sierra Negra rose 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted almost 85 km W. Gas plumes on 13 July drifted N, NW, and SW. On 16 July gas plumes with minor amounts of ash rose 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW. Incandescence was visible in webcam images.

Villarrica | Chile : POVI reported that webcam images captured a powerful vapor plume rising from Villarrica at 1047 on 16 July. Tephra was deposited on the inner crater walls.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.3 earthquake hits near the north coast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical depression 11w (Eleven), Tropical storm (ts) 11w (Son-Tinh), located approximately 173 nm southeast of Hanoi, Vietnam is tracking westward at 12 knots.

Tropical depression (td) 12w (Twelve), located approximately 439 nm south of Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan, is tracking east-northeastward at 04 knots.

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

NewsBytes:

Vietnam - Flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains have killed at least seven people and left 12 others missing in northern Vietnam. In the worst-hit province of Lai Chau, five people were killed and authorities have been mobilising forces to search for the 12 missing, the provincial government said in a statement on Monday.

Massachusetts, USA - Thunderstorms have caused flights to be delayed and knocked out power in some parts of Massachusetts. Floods have been reported on many streets in Worcester and Oxford. Some towns, like North Grafton, received more than three inches of rain.

Mongolia - Between 3 July to 5 July 2018, heavy rainfall of unprecedented intensity caused flash flooding in several parts of Mongolia affecting more than 792 households across the country.

China - Update - Heavy and continuous rainfall since 7 July 2018 has caused flooding in most parts of Sichuan and the southeast region of Gansu Province. In some areas of North Central Sichuan, there have been heavy rainstorms and torrential rains for four consecutive days. These were also compounded by the effects of two weather systems in the area; Typhoon Prapiroon, and Typhoon Maria. According to reports from National Disaster Reduction Commission, as of 13 July 2018, floods have affected 1,381,000 people, where 3 persons have died; 222,000 have taken emergency resettlement; 22,000 needed emergency relief in Sichuan prefectures of Deyang, Mianyang, Guangyuan (that includes 15 cities and 70 counties); more than 900 houses have collapsed, and 29,000 houses have been damaged. A total of 36,900 hectares of crops have been affected by the floods and 5,200 hectares will have no harvests this year. Gansu province was hit even harder, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management. A heavy rainstorm occurred in Southeast Gansu from 10 to 11 July 2018. The provinces of Tianshui, Zhangye, Pingliang (including 10 cities and 46 counties) are flooded, and have affected 1,519,000 people where 12 have died; four are missing; and 30,000 were evacuated. More than 2,300 houses collapsed, and 19,000 were damaged to varying degrees.

Nature - Images

Interesting Images

In the Amazon, when turtles weep, butterflies drink. This image shot in the Peruvian Amazon shows an astonishing sight: colorful butterflies drinking tears directly from the eyes of turtles basking by the river.

Space Events

The Moons of Jupiter

While hunting for the proposed Planet Nine, a massive planet that some believe could lie beyond Pluto, a team of scientists, led by Scott Sheppard from the Carnegie Institution for Science, found the 12 moons orbiting Jupiter. With this discovery, Jupiter now has a staggering 79 known orbiting moons — more than any other planet in the solar system.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Sweden

Italian firefighting planes have been called in to help battle numerous wildfires across Sweden.

Sweden has been fighting wildfires all summer, and more were reported overnight, including in the Hälsingland region were firefighters have already spent days trying to put out blazes.

In Ljusdal municipality in Gävleborg county, residents in Enskogen and Ängra have been told to evacuate, and people in surrounding areas should stay inside and close doors and windows.

Dalarna, Jämtland and Gävleborg counties are the worst affected by the wildfires. At midnight, fire and rescue services in the Jämtland region reported 12 ongoing forest fires in their county.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.9 earthquake hits the Santa Cruz Islands.

5.8 earthquake hits the Balleny Islands.

5.5 earthquake hits the Western Indian-Antarctic Ridge.

5.3 earthquake hits the island of Hawaii, Hawaii.

5.2 earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.

5.1 earthquake hits near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.0 earthquake hits the Rota region, North Mariana Islands.

5.0 earthquake hits Michoacan, Mexico.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical depression 11w (Eleven), Tropical storm (ts) 11w (Son-Tinh), located approximately 177 nm south-southeast of Hong Kong, is tracking westward at 27 knots.

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

NewsBytes:

France - Eight departments in south-west France remained on alert on Monday morning after overnight storms caused flash flooding that closed roads and train lines in the region. Violent storms overnight left roads closed and train lines underwater, which meant travelling in the region was difficult. On Monday morning the departments of Ariège, Aveyron, Haute-Garonne, Gers, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées, Tarn, and Tarn-et-Garonne remained on alert with more downpours forecast.

New Mexico, USA - Rushing water tore through a small New Mexico community overnight, leaving behind a path of destruction. Waist high flood waters damaged about 20 homes in San Antonio.

Wildlife

8 Endangered Rhinos Died in Mission to Save Them

A mission meant to save critically endangered rhinoceroses by transferring them to a wildlife sanctuary in Kenya has ended in tragedy, with the deaths of eight of the odd-toed ungulates, according to Kenya's Ministry of Tourism.

But the culprit wasn't poaching. Rather, it was likely salty water, the ministry said.

Preliminary investigations showed that once the black rhinos (Diceros bicornis) arrived at the newly created sanctuary in Tsavo East National Park, they gulped down water with a high salt content. The more salty water the rhinos drank, the thirstier they became, leading to a vicious cycle ending in tragedy, the ministry reported on July 13.

Wildfires

Wildfires - Oregon, USA

A lightning storm ignited between 50 and 70 wildfires in southwest Oregon on Sunday. Most of the fires, however, remained small and were contained.

Two of the largest fires brought major concern, including the evacuation of around 30 homes near Jacksonville, officials said. The storm began in the morning and lasted throughout the day, bringing hundreds of strikes across the region. The two biggest fires, as of Sunday night, were the Sterling Creek Fire and Green Top Mountain Fire.

Wildfires - Yosemite, California, USA

A deadly California wildfire more than doubled in size and raged through more than 14 square miles of brush and forest Monday, blanketing much of Yosemite National Park in smoke and forcing closure of a major access road at the height of tourist season.

Fire officials had not determined the cause of the blaze that began burning Friday night along the park's western edge, where evacuation orders were issued for a handful of small communities.

Wildfires - Sri Lanka

A group of hikers trapped in a mountainous area that was engulfed in a bush fire was rescued by a team of Sri Lanka Army personnel on Friday (13). According to Army media, the hikers who remained trapped in a forested area were save after troops were rushed to put out a fast spreading wild fire in the hilly region of Haldummulla - Wangedigala.

Disease

Lassa Fever - Nigeria

The Federal Government of Nigeria says 115 people from across 21 states have died of Lassa fever since the disease outbreak was confirmed in January this year. In its latest epidemiological situation update on the Lassa fever outbreak, the government said 2,115 suspect cases were reported in the period between 1 January and 8 July.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.6 earthquake hits the Gulf of Aden.

5.2 earthquake is Fiji.

5.2 earthquake hits the island of Hawaii, Hawaii.

5.0 earthquake hit Hokkaido, Japan.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Atlantic Ocean: Sub-Tropical Cyclone Beryl is located about 455 mi...735 km nne of Bermuda and about 420 mi...675 km s of Halifax Nova Scotia with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...ene or 65 degrees at 13 mph...20 km/h.

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Invest 99E is an area of disturbed weather in the eastern Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical depression 11w (Eleven), located approximately 305 nm northeast of Manila, Philippines, is tracking westward at 12 knots.

NewsBytes:

Nigeria - Flooding and heavy rains are affecting many parts of Nigeria. Dozens of people have been killed and crops have been lost, raising fears of a food shortage.

New Zealand - Wild weather in New Zealand over the weekend has wreaked havoc closing numerous roads and highways around the country. In the Coromandel, SH25 remained closed. A number of Auckland roads were closed due to the severe weather.

Wildlife

Indonesian Villagers Kill Nearly 300 Crocodiles In Revenge Attack

Indonesian villagers armed with knives, hammers and clubs slaughtered 292 crocodiles in revenge for the death of a man killed by a crocodile at a breeding farm, an official said.

Photographs showed bloodied carcasses of the crocodiles in a large pile in the Sorong district of the eastern Indonesian province of West Papua.

The 48-year-old victim had entered the crocodile farm and was likely picking grass for animal feed when he was attacked. After the burial of the man on Saturday, villagers entered the farm and killed all the crocodiles.

Environment

High Garbage Dump

Mount Everest has a mountain of a problem: trash. And not just leftover camping meals, beer and fuel cans, but human waste, too. Climbers traveling to the bottom of the majestic mountain for the first time might be surprised to find half-buried fluorescent tents, fuel bottles and other miscellaneous pieces of old camp sites strewn about the base camps. The various lodges and villages in surrounding areas have also created dozens of landfills surrounding the base of the mountain.

Disease

Hepatitis A - Kentucky and West Virginia, USA

The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) has now reported 1,094 cases of hepatitis A in the current outbreak. Of this total, 57 percent, or 628 people required hospitalization and eight died. The outbreak, declared last November, is easily the largest in the country and primarily affects the homeless and drug users.

In neighboring West Virginia, the case count continues to climb since March 2018. As of Friday, West Virginia health officials have reported 540 hepatitis A cases, including 351 hospitalizations (65%) and two deaths.

Plague Death in Peru

Officials with the Gerencia Regional de Salud Lambayeque have reported on a human plague death, the first such death in two decades in the region. A 42-year-old man died on July 6 from septicemic plague; which later became complicated with a pneumonic plague, health officials note. The bacterium was acquired via a flea bite.

Cholera - Cameroon

Six people have died in Cameroon from a cholera outbreak that has infected 43 people in the northern region since May, the health ministry said.

Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global

5.4 earthquake hits the Gulf of Aden.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Atlantic Ocean: Sub-Tropical Storm Beryl has strengthened again and is located about 415 mi...670 km n of bermuda about 445 mi...715 km s of Halifax Nova Scotia with maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/h. Present movement...ne or 50 degrees at 3 mph...6 km/h.

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Invest 99E is an area of disturbed weather in the eastern Pacific that has the potential for further tropical development.

NewsBytes:

China - Heavy rain and thunderstorms are wreaking havoc across China, with floods along major rivers destroying bridges, blocking roads and railways and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate, state media reported on Saturday. State television said 241 rivers in 24 provinces had flooded in the last few days, causing direct economic losses of 25.9 billion yuan ($3.87 billion). Weather authorities are forecasting more downpours throughout the country on Saturday, with floods and landslides expected in the southwestern province of Sichuan.

Wildfires

Russia spikes clouds to drench raging wildfires

Russia is using Soviet-era technology to make chemically induced rain clouds in desperate bid to stop raging wildfires.

Black smoke has already travelled 5,000 miles, hitting Canada and parts of the US, as the out-of-control fires spreading.

Originally invented to bring sunshine to the Red Square for communist military parades, the high-tech plan sess clouds spiked with a chemical cocktail causing precipitation to drench out-of-control flames affecting Yakutia - the world’s coldest region.

Brown bears are fleeing the burning Siberian taiga and venturing close to towns and villages where they are being shot as a danger to people.

Greenpeace say territories equal to the size of Scotland and Northern Ireland combined has been destroyed in Russian wildfires in recent weeks - including swathes of irreplaceable ancient boreal forest.

Wildfires - British Columbia, Canada

As much of B.C. blisters under a heat wave, 11 new fires have sprung up across the province since Friday. Crews also continue to battle the 500-hectare East Shuswap Road wildfire east of Kamloops, which remains classified as “out of control.”

According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, there were 61 fires burning across the province on Saturday, about half of them lightning-caused and at least 18 of them human-caused.