Wildfires - Australia
A number of homes on the New South Wales south coast remain under threat from two out-of-control bushfires being whipped up by increasingly strong winds. An emergency warning has been issued for people near Yankees Gap Road at Bemboka and for the Mount Kingiman fire south of Ulladulla.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 8 August -14 August 2018
Etna | Sicily (Italy) : INGV reported that during 6-12 August activity at Etna was similar to the previous week, characterized by gas emissions at the summit craters, Strombolian activity, and ash emissions. Strombolian explosions continued from vents in Bocca Nuova, and were particularly visible at night. Activity at Northeast Crater (NEC) consisted of frequent ash emissions and Strombolian explosions. Explosions at the E crater on the E flank of the New Southeast Crater (NSEC) generated gray-brown ash plumes that sometimes rose several hundred meters above Etna’s summit and quickly dissipated.
Great Sitkin | Andreanof Islands (USA) : AVO reported that a small phreatic explosion at Great Sitkin was recorded by the seismic network at 1105 on 11 August. The event was preceded by small local earthquakes. Cloudy satellite images prevented views of the volcano during 12-14 August. The Aviation colour Code remained at Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Advisory.
Nevados de Chillan | Chile : Servicio Nacional de Geología and Minería (SERNAGEOMIN) Observatorio Volcanológico de Los Andes del Sur (OVDAS) and ONEMI reported that at 1212 on 8 August an explosion-type earthquake was recorded by Nevados de Chillán’s seismic network. A grayish ash plume rose 1.5 km above Nicanor Crater and incandescent material was ejected around the vent. 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.
Rincon de la Vieja | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that a three-minute-long eruption at Rincón de la Vieja began at 1828 on 14 August. Foggy conditions prevented webcam views and an estimate of a plume height.
Sangay | Ecuador : In a special report IG stated that a new phase of activity at Sangay began on 8 August, with surficial activity characterized by low-energy ash emissions rising as high as 2.3 km above the crater rim and a possible new lava flow on the SE flank. The Washington VAAC reported that prior to 1500 on 8 August an ash emission rose to an altitude of 5.8 km (19,000 ft) a.s.l., or 500 m above the crater rim, and drifted SW. On 11 August a possible ash plume rose to 7.6 km (25,000 ft) a.s.l., or 2.3 km above the crater rim, and drifted WNW. Thermal anomalies were identified in satellite data on 14 August. That same day a webcam image showed incandescence on the upper part of the SE flank, suggesting a lava flow from the Ñuñurco dome. The report stated that no activity at Sangay had been observed since the last eruption ended in November 2017.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 earthquake hits the South Sandwich Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits Panama.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Subtropical Depression Five is located about 1015 mi...1630 km w of the Azores with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...n or 350 degrees at 5 mph...7 km/h.
Invest 98L is an area of disturbed weather in the Atlantic Ocean that had the potential for further tropical development.
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Depression 19w (Leepi), located approximately 54 nm north-northeast of Pusan, South Korea, is tracking north-northeastward at 10 knots.
Tropical storm 20w (Bebinca), located approximately 200 nm west-southwest of Hong Kong, is tracking westward at 06 knots.
Tropical storm 21w (Rumbia), located approximately 186 nm north-northwest of Kadena AFB, is tracking northwestward at 13 knots.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Tropical Depression Fourteen-E is located about 1170 mi...1880 km sw of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...w or 265 degrees at 14 mph...22 km/h.
Tropical Depression Hector is located about 1317 nm northwest of Johnston island, and is tracking northwestward at 20 knots.
In the Central Pacific Ocean: Invest 94L is an area of disturbed weather in the Central Pacific Ocean that has the potential for further tropical development.
NewsBytes:
Northeast USA - Heavy rain is forecast to continue falling in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey, with flood warnings in place Tuesday through Wednesday in some areas. Rising water levels over the weekend and Monday prompted evacuations and emergency declarations in Pennsylvania with numerous water rescues. Torrents of brown water swept through streets and under bridges. The worst flooding has been west of Philadelphia to Reading and Allentown.
Leptospirosis - Israel
Israeli health officials are reporting 27 leptospirosis cases up to now, about half of them had been hospitalized. Hundreds more who visited the streams are expected to be examined, the ministry said. The bacterial infection has been linked to swimming in streams in the southern Golan Heights.
Foot and Mouth Disease - China
China’s Ministry of Agriculture reported on Tuesday an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in its central province of Henan. The O-type strain of the disease was found in five pigs at a slaughter plant, leading to the culling of 173 pigs, the ministry said, adding that the outbreak was under control. This is the seventh case of the O-type strain of the disease found in livestock this year.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.9 earthquake hit the South Sandwich Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.1 earthquake hits Tarapaca, Chile.
5.1 earthquake hits the south-western Ryukyu Islands, Japan.
5.0 earthquake hits south of Africa.
5.0 earthquake hits Reykjanes Ridge.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Invest 98L is an area of disturbed weather in the Atlantic Ocean that had the potential for further tropical development.
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm 19w (Leepi), located approximately 274 nm south-southeast of Iwakuni, Japan, is tracking northwestward at 15 knots.
Tropical storm 20w (Bebinca), located approximately 83 nm south-southwest of Hong Kong, is tracking west-northwestward at 02 knots.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm Hector is located about 250 mi...400 km sw of Midway island with maximum sustained winds...50 mph...85 km/h. Present movement...wnw or 290 degrees at 17 mph...28 km/h.
NewsBytes:
Suden - July Floods - Flooding has affected over 45,000 people, led to 23 human deaths and 61 injuries. In addition, more than 8,900 families have been rendered homeless and are currently putting up in temporary sites in their neighbours and relative’s houses. These rains have caused significant damage to key infrastructure such as bridges and roads as well as amenities like schools, latrines and local dispensaries. In addition, livelihoods have been significantly affected as farms were submerged in water and livestock washed away. Power outages occur severally due to collapsing of power lines.
China - Heavy floods have continued to sweep through China leaving numerous cities battling with dangerous driving conditions and causing flight delays in the country.
New Caledonia protects coral reefs
New Caledonia agreed on Tuesday to tougher protections around a huge swathe of some of the world's last near-pristine coral reefs, in a move conservationists hailed as a major breakthrough.
The Pacific nation, a French overseas territory, is home to a rich array of wildlife including 2.5 million seabirds and over 9,300 marine species, such as dugongs -- marine mammals related to manatees -- and nesting green sea turtles, many of which thrive in and around remote zones off the island nation's coast.
The archipelago boasts some of the world's healthiest reefs, including Astrolabe, Petrie, Chesterfield and Bellona, which are considered exceptional examples of coral ecosystems.
After years of work, the New Caledonia government Tuesday voted to set up marine protected areas (MPAs) surrounding the reefs, and to strengthen an existing one around Entrecasteaux, which is already a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The move will see 28,000 square kilometres (10,810 square miles) of waters safeguarded from commercial and industrial fishing and other exploitation, helping conserve habitats and allow marine life to feed and reproduce undisturbed. Tourist activity around the reefs is also set to be more rigorously controlled.
Serbia measles: 5,700 cases in 10 months
Since October 2017, the Republic of Serbia has reported a total of 5715 cases of measles through Aug 10, of which, 2875 were laboratory confirmed at the Torlak Institute. In addition, the total number of registered deaths due to complications caused by measles is 15. The majority of patients (94%) are non-vaccinated, incomplete vaccinated or unknown vaccine status.
Cholera - Niger
According to the authorities, as of 28 July, 520 cholera cases, including eight deaths, have been recorded in the Madaroufa health district, in the southern Maradi region. The number of recorded cases has tripled compared to the previous week when 148 cases had been recorded as of 19 July.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.1 earthquake hits northern Alaska.
6.0 earthquake hits northern Alaska.
5.6 earthquake hits south-east of Easter Island.
5.5 earthquake hits northern Alaska.
5.4 earthquake hits Halmahera, Indonesia.
5.2 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.0 earthquake hits Tonga.
5.0 earthquake hits Yunnan, China.
Two 5.0 earthquakes hit northern Alaska.
New estimate on coral age hints at recovery hope
The symbiotic relationship between corals and micro-algae is much older and more robust than previously thought – a finding that implies the world’s reefs might be more resilient to global warming than predicted.
Coral cells rely on long-term mutually beneficial relationships with algae known as zooxanthellae. These live inside the cells and facilitate the capture and exploitation of sunlight that powers the creation of reefs. It is the death of these plant-like micro-organisms in response to warming temperatures that catalyses coral bleaching.
Research into the evolutionary history of the symbiosis, however, raises at least a faint hope that over longer time periods resilience and recovery may be possible.
Originally held to be a single species, classified in its own genus, Symbiodium, by the turn of the century researchers were noting considerable diversity among the zooxanthellae, and classifying lineages accordingly. However, available sequencing techniques provided only relatively crude results for the age and divergence dates of the newly identified species, together with a rough estimate suggesting the symbiosis with coral began around 60 million years ago.
Past estimates placed the initiation of these symbiotic relationships at 50 to 65 million years ago. The research indicates that modern corals and their algal partners have been entwined with each other for much longer – since the time of the dinosaurs, approximately 160 million years ago.
The relationship between the algae and the coral, thus, began during the Jurassic period – a finding with potentially optimistic implications. During their long existence, they have faced severe episodes of environmental change, but have managed to bounce back after each one.
Heat-resistant Coral Reefs Found in Indonesia
A recent scientific survey off the coast of Sulawesi Island in Indonesia suggests that some shallow water corals may be less vulnerable to global warming than previously thought.
Between 2014 and 2017, the world’s reefs endured the worst coral bleaching event in history, as the cyclical El Niño climate event combined with anthropogenic warming to cause unprecedented increases in water temperature.
But the June survey found the Sulawesi reefs were surprisingly healthy. In fact they were in better condition than when they were originally surveyed in 2014 - a surprise for British scientist Dr Emma Kennedy, who led the research team.
Indonesia is situated in the heart of the Coral Triangle - home to the greatest levels of marine biodiversity on the planet. There are reefs here that contain more species than the entire Caribbean, which is why the bioregion is of particular interest to scientists looking into reef resilience.
The hope is that if key reefs can be protected from other stressors such as plastic pollution and overfishing, they can ride out the worst impacts of climate change and replenish adversely affected reefs once ocean temperatures stabilise.
The findings of the Sulawesi survey will help scientists and conservationists target coral conservation programmes elsewhere in the world. With perhaps three decades left to rescue a vital global ecosystem from extinction, it is progress that’s sorely needed.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Invest 98L is an area of disturbed weather in the Atlantic Ocean that had the potential for further tropical development.
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical storm (ts) 18w (Yagi), located approximately 145 nm south-southwest of Shanghai, China, is tracking northwestward at 22 knots.
Typhoon 19w (Leepi), located approximately 609 nm southeast of Sasebo, Japan, is tracking northwestward at 12 knots.
Tropical storm 20w (Bebinca), located approximately 116 nm south- southwest of Hong Kong, is tracking eastward at 03 knots.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm Hector is located bout 245 mi...390 km ssw of Midway island with maximum sustained winds...65 mph...100 km/h. Present movement...wnw or 295 degrees at 17 mph...28 km/h.
Invest 97E is an area of disturbed weather in the Eastern Pacific Ocean that has the potential for further tropical development.
NewsBytes:
India - More than half of the 14 districts in India's Kerala state have been put on high alert, officials said, as the death toll from one of the worst floods in the southern state reached 34. Torrential rains and landslides during India's June-September monsoon season have ravaged farmlands and prompted massive evacuation efforts across Kerala state. More than 31 000 people have been evacuated. Kerala state authorities have taken the unprecedented step of opening the gates of 25 water reservoirs to prevent potentially disastrous breaches. The state, which has 44 rivers, witnessed its worst floods in 1924 following torrential rains.
New York, Massachusetts, USA - Localized torrential rainfall led to street flooding from Boston to Long Island on Sunday. Flooding washed cars from a New Jersey dealership into a river.
Philippines - More than 54,000 people were moved to safer ground in the Philippine capital and nearby provinces. Marikina City implemented forced evacuations affecting at least 21,000 people after its river, the catch basin of water flowing from the mountains, reached critical level. In nearby Rizal province, 19,000 people were moved. Families were on rooftops in Marikina waiting for rescue. More than 9,000 people were evacuated in Quezon City, Valenzuela, Manila, Malabon and Pasig — all in the capital region. Floodwaters in some areas are chest high, rendering roads impassable, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. Gates of several dams have been opened, the weather bureau said. Train services were halted and schools shut.
Wildfires - Russia
Russia this year has suffered the most Arctic wildfires since satellite monitoring started as climate change creates the conditions necessary for blazes to start and then take hold.
Monitoring by two Nasa satellites recorded 10,057 hotspots in Russia's Arctic territory by the start of August, 10 times more than were found in the same period a decade ago. That number is the highest since the satellites recorded their first full year of images in 2003.
Wildfires - Greece
Greek fire crews have evacuated two villages on an island near Athens as a fire continues to rage through a pine forest, fanned by strong winds. The blaze took hold in a dry pine forest in the Dirfyon municipal region at 3.20pm (local time) Sunday and is heading towards the evacuated villages, close to Athens. The fires prompted the mass evacuation of Kontodespoti and Stavros village in central Evia, about 70 km (44 miles) from Athens, which was described as a precaution.
Wildfires - Washington, USA
Lightning strikes this weekend sparked dozens of Washington state wildfires. Strong winds spread new and existing ones, even as the cooler, wetter weather provided temporary aid to fire crews in some areas.
There are two dozen large fires in Washington and Oregon involving 256,451 acres, the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center (NWCC) said Sunday morning. More than 8,580 people, including firefighters and support personnel, are assigned to fight the blazes.
Washington recorded more than 180 lightning strikes over the 24 hours that ended at 8 a.m. Sunday, as thunderstorms rolled across the Northwest. Strong winds fanned flames across an already dry landscape.
West Nile Virus - Romania - Update
In a follow-up on the West Nile virus (WNV) situation in Romania, since the start of surveillance on May 2, 2018, 23 meningitis / meningo-encephalitis cases have been reported due to West Nile virus infection and one death.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 earthquake hit the southern mid-Atlantic Ridge.
5.2 earthquake hits west of MacQuarie Island.
5.1 earthquake hits Albania.
5.0 earthquake hits south of the Kermedec Islands.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical storm (ts) 18w (Yagi), located approximately 87 nm northeast of Taipei, Taiwan, is tracking northwestward at 12 knots.
Tropical Storm 19w (Leepi), located approximately 126 nm south-southeast of Iwo To, Japan, is tracking north-northwestward at 13 knots.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Hurricane Hector is located about 330 mi...530 km se of Midway Island and about 260 mi...420 km s of Lisianski island with maximum sustained winds...85 mph...135 km/h. P149sent movement...nw or 305 degrees at 15 mph...24 km/h.
Invest 97E is an area of disturbed weather in the Eastern Pacific Ocean that has the potential for further tropical development.
Black Widow Spiders Are Heading North
As climate change warms the earth, black widow spiders are moving north. The spiders are notorious, because venom is 15 times stronger than a rattlesnake’s. A bite can cause aches, pains, and paralysis of the diaphragm which make breathing difficult.
In a study published in PLOS One on Wednesday, Canadian researchers reported that over the past 60 years the northernmost point black widow spiders live has moved 31 miles north, into southern Canada. The scientists believe that the spread of the spiders, which prefer a temperate climate, is due to climate change.
Wildfires - British Columbia, Canada
Crews continued to do battle against a surge of new wildfires across the province, as thousands of residents in B.C.'s northwest are on alert for potential evacuation.
On Saturday morning, the Cariboo Regional District issued an expanded evacuation order for 900 properties in the northwest corner of the region. Another evacuation alert was issued for a large area an hour's drive west of Quesnel which affects around 2,000 residents.
Spain: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
On 8 August 2018, a case of Crimea-Congo virus infection, acquired locally, was reported in Spain, in the Autonomous Community of Castile and León. The affected man claimed to have been bitten by a tick on July 24, while participating in a hunt in a rural area.
Anthrax - China
Local government officials in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province are reporting an outbreak of cutaneous anthrax. As of Friday, one patient has been discharged and 13 others are undergoing hospital treatment in three cities. Local authorities are examining the pathogens. A total of 818 sheep in the affected and high-risk areas in Huanan and Yilan counties have been investigated.
Ebola - DR Congo - Update
The Democratic Republic of the Congo Ministry of Health (MOH) has provided updated information on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu province that shows there is now a total of 49 cases of hemorrhagic fever have been reported in the region, 22 confirmed and 27 probable. 53 suspected cases are under investigation. One new confirmed EVD death has been reported in Beni, bringing the death total to 38.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.1 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
5.5 earthquake hits the Balleny Islands.
5.3 earthquake hits Fiji.
5.1 earthquake hits southern Sumatra, Indonesia.
5.1 earthquake hits Fiji.
5.0 earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.0 earthquake hits the Jan Mayen Islands.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical storm (ts) 18w (Yagi), located approximately 87 nm south-southeast of Kadena AFB, Okinawa, is tracking westward at 11 knots.
Tropical depression 19w (Nineteen), located approximately 349 nm north of Andersen AFB, Guam, is tracking north-northwestward at 13 knots.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Hurricane Hector is located about 140 mi...225 km n of Johnston island and about 595 mi...960 km sse of Lisianski island with maximum sustained winds...120 mph...195 km/h. Present movement...wnw or 290 degrees at 12 mph...19 km/h.
Tropical Storm Kristy is located about 1320 mi...2120 km w of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...45 mph...75 km/h. Present movement...nnw or 345 degrees at 7 mph...11 km/h.
NewsBytes:
India - Dam reservoirs and rivers overflowed, sections of highways collapsed and homes were swept away in severe flooding in more than half of Kerala, after days of incessant rains left nearly 54,000 people homeless and killed at least 29, officials said today.
Philippines - Heavy rains poured on Saturday, August 11, flooding several areas in Metro Manila and Rizal. Tropical Storm Karding (Yagi) left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday morning, but it will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon.
Wildfires - California, USA
A smoky haze caused by the California wildfires stretching from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range to Sacramento and San Francisco appears to have drifted as far east as New York and parts of New England. The National Weather Service revealed Wednesday that smoke from the wildfires has made its way to the East Coast and beyond, although more than a mile above ground level.
Typhoid - Zimbabwe
Five people have died while 350 others have tested positive for typhoid in Gweru, the third largest city in Zimbabwe. The disease was initially thought to be confined to four villages of the city oldest, largest and most-run down high density suburb of Mkoba. However, Dr Parirenyatwa said it has spread to all parts of the city since detection on July 23.
Preliminary investigations suggest the outbreak was caused by the widespread consumption of contaminated water from council taps and boreholes.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.6 earthquake hits offshore Guatemala.
5.6 earthquake hits the South Atlantic Ocean.
Two 5.2 earthquakes hit the southern mid-Atlantic Ridge.
5.1 earthquake hits the Lombok region, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical storm (ts) 18w (Yagi), located approximately 323 nm southeast of Kadena AFB, is tracking west-southwestward at 02 knots.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Hurricane Hector is located about 500 mi...805 km wsw of Honolulu Hawaii and about 340 mi...545 km e of Johnston island with maximum sustained winds...130 mph...215 km/h. Present movement...w or 280 degrees at 16 mph...26 km/h.
Tropical Storm John is located about 660 mi...1065 km wnw of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...45 mph...75 km/h. Present movement...nw or 310 degrees at 10 mph...17 km/h.
Tropical Storm Kristy is located about 1325 mi...2135 km w of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...70 mph...110 km/h. Present movement...nne or 15 degrees at 9 mph...15 km/h.
NewsBytes:
Niger - Twenty-two people are dead and thousands have been left homeless in Niger after torrential rains caused heavy flooding, authorities said. More than 45 000 people have been affected by the floods. The floods have destroyed more than 3 000 homes and nearly 4 000 hectares of crops. Livestock has also been lost and drinking water supplies have been affected.
France - Hundreds of rescuers backed by helicopters evacuated about 1,600 people, most of them campers, in three regions of southern France where heavy rain caused flash flooding and transformed rivers and streams into torrents, the interior minister said Thursday. Hardest hit was the Gard region, where 119 children, many of them from Germany, were evacuated from their campsite at Saint-Julien-de-Peyrolas.
Heat Refugees
Temperatures have soared so high in Norway’s Arctic region this summer that reindeer are taking shelter from the heat in traffic tunnels and in other shaded places.
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration took the unusual measure of urging motorists to be on the lookout for the tundra grazers after at least 44 traffic collisions with reindeer and sheep occurred during July.
Lost Wilderness
Only 13 percent of the world’s oceans remain untouched by such human influences as shipping, pollution and fishing, according to an international team of researchers.
Writing in the journal Current Biology, they determined that the areas remaining “mostly free of human disturbance” are now almost entirely in the Arctic and Antarctic, and around some isolated Pacific islands.
Global Temperature Extremes
The week's hottest temperature was 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50.0 degrees Celsius) in Death Valley, California.
The week's coldest temperature was minus 80.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 62.2 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.
Perseid Meteor Shower
Every 133 years or so, the massive Swift-Tuttle comet careens through our solar system at 150 times the speed of sound, spreading a dirty trail of ice, dust and sundry space schmutz behind it. This weekend, Earth will do its part to clean up that interstellar mess during an annual event we call the Perseid meteor shower.
The Perseids occur every year from mid-July to late August, when Earth passes through the wide band of debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle's various visits to our part of the galaxy. Each time the comet swings by (most recently in 1992), it drops trillions of tiny pieces of itself into our inner solar system. Most of these little specks of metal and stone are as small as grains of sand, but that doesn't prevent them from flashing across the night sky when they collide with Earth's atmosphere at about 133,200 mph (214,365 km/h).
The resultis one of the most dazzling meteor showers of the year — and the best time to watch it is this weekend. On Sunday night (Aug. 12) and into early Monday morning (Aug. 13), Earth will push through the densest band of the Swift-Tuttle debris cloud that our planet has access to.
Wildfires - Portugal
More than 1,000 firefighters are battling blazes for a seventh day in the popular tourist area of the Algarve in Portugal. Extremely high temperatures have been blamed for sparking the wildfires.
Wildfires - Australia
Three bushfires that were burning out of control near Darwin in the Northern Territory have been downgraded to Advice level warnings after threatening homes at one stage. Earth-movers and water-bombing aircraft were brought in to help bring the fires under control.
Mad Cow Disease reported in Mongolia
The Mongolia Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry is reporting two cases of mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the northern Darkhan-Uul Province. Officials have been instructed to take all necessary measures to prevent the disease from spreading to other places.
Syphilis - Victoria, Australia
Notifications for primary and secondary syphilis reached a record high Victoria in 2017, according to health officials. A total of 1,337 cases of infectious syphilis were notified in Victoria.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 1 August - 7 August 2018
Agung | Bali (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that white plumes rose 100-300 m above Agung’s crater rim during 1 and 2-7 August. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) with the exclusion zone set at a 4-km radius.
Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that there were eight events and seven explosions at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 30 July-6 August, with ash plumes rising as high as 2.5 km above the crater rim and material ejected as far as 700 m. Crater incandescence was seldom visible at night. Sulfur dioxide emissions were very high at 3,200 tons per day on 2 August. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).
Copahue | Central Chile-Argentina border : According to ONEMI, OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN reported that during 16-31 July there were 107 volcano-tectonic events recorded at Copahue, and 266 earthquakes indicating fluid movement. Webcams recorded gas-and-ash plumes rising from El Agrio crater as high as 1.5 km and nighttime incandescence. The Alert Level remained at Yellow (second highest level on a four-colour scale); SERNAGEOMIN recommended no entry into a restricted area within 1 km of the crater. ONEMI maintained an Alert Level Yellow (the middle level on a three-colour scale) for the municipality of Alto Biobío.
Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite data, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 1 and 3-7 August ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N and NE.
Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 29-31 July and on 1 August that sent ash plumes as high as 6 km (19,700 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was identified in satellite images during 27-29 and 31 July, as well as ash plumes drifting 200 km SE, E, and NE during 28-31 July. The Aviation colour Code remained at 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 1-2 August, with lava flowing through the channel and into the ocean producing laze at several points along a broad 2-km-wide flow front at Ahalanui. A few spillovers from the channel set vegetation on fire. By 3 August the lava-flow velocity in the channel was low and on 4 August the output at Fissure 8 had waned. Part of the flow field shifted W about 250 m; the westernmost edge was about 70 m NE of the boat ramp in Isaac Hale Park by 5 August. The lava channel was completely crusted over by 6 August, and a lava lake bubbled in the Fissure 8 cone. The laze plumes at the ocean entry were greatly diminished. During 7-8 August the lava lake in Fissure 8 was 5-10 m below the spillway into the channel. A decreasing number of small active ooze outs near the coast were visible. A collapse event at the summit was recorded at 1155 on 2 August. Seismicity increased afterwards as has been typical since early on in the LERZ eruption, but then decreased along with the rate of deformation. By 7 August deformation had almost stopped. The quiet conditions at the summit represented a significant change from the pattern of seismicity and deformation detected over the past several months.
Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosions at Sabancaya averaged 19 per day during 30 July-5 August. Hybrid earthquakes were infrequent and low magnitude. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 2.6 km above the crater rim and drifted 30 km SE, E, and NE. On 2 August the sulfur dioxide gas flux was high at 5,000 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 27-29 July and 1-2 August. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that during 2-4 August activity at Turrialba was characterized by sporadic, passive gas-and-ash emissions. Events at 0023 and 0700 on 2 August generated diffuse ash plumes that rose 1 km and 300 m, respectively, and drifted W. An event at 1600 on 4 August produced a diffuse ash plume that rose 300 m.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.9 earthquake hits the Lombok region, Indonesia.
5.1 earthquake hits off the coast of El Salvador.
5.1 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
5.0 earthquake hit the Philippine Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits the Scotia Sea.
5.0 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Storm Debby is located about 1020 mi...1640 km wnw of the Azores with maximum sustained winds...45 mph...75 km/h. Present movement...ne or 55 degrees at 17 mph...28 km/h.
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm (ts) 17w (Shanshan), located approximately 120 nm north-northeast of Narita Airport, Japan, is tracking north-northeastward at 12 knots.
Tropical storm (ts) 18w (Yagi), located approximately 458 nm southeast of Kadena AFB, is tracking southwestward at 07 knots.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Hurricane Hector is located about 325 mi...525 km s of Honolulu Hawaii and about 730 mi...1170 km e of Johnston Island with maximum sustained winds...115 mph...185 km/h. Present movement...w or 270 degrees at 16 mph...26 km/h.
Tropical Storm John is located about 385 mi...620 km w of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...70 mph...110 km/h. Present movement...nw or 305 degrees at 16 mph...26 km/h.
Tropical Storm Kristy is located about 1405 mi...2255 km wsw of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...50 mph...85 km/h. Present movement...nnw or 345 degrees at 6 mph...9 km/h.
NewsBytes:
Turkey - Torrential rains have caused massive flooding and landslides in the northern and southern regions of Turkey, particularly hitting the Black Sea region where at least four bridges collapsed and hundreds of people were rescued after being stuck in their homes or cars.
Toronto, Canada - Widespread flooding has been reported in the downtown core and in North York as up to 100 mm of rain fell on Tuesday night. Power outages have also been reported across the city.
Baltimore, Maryland, USA - Heavy rain from a slow-moving storm flooded roads and neighborhoods in eastern Baltimore County early Tuesday evening. Numerous houses were also flooded.
Measles - Ukraine - Update
In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Ukraine, the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine reported an additional 755 cases in the past week, bringing the total to 28,185 this year. The death tally remains at 13.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 1 August - 7 August 2018
Ambae | Vanuatu : According to news articles and the Vanuatu Red Cross, residents of Ambae began to evacuate the island during 1-8 August under the governments orders due to the effects of significant ashfall from the ongoing eruption at Lake Voui. The Red Cross noted that by 8 August over 3,000 people had been moved to Espiritu Santo (W) and Maewo (NE) islands. Video from 3 August showed lahars blocking roads in S Ambae.
Etna | Sicily (Italy) : Based on two field inspections and webcam data, INGV reported that during 30 July-5 August activity at Etna was characterized by gas emissions at the summit craters and Strombolian activity. Three vents at the bottom of the Bocca Nuova crater were active, with gas emissions rising from two vents and sporadic Strombolian activity occurring at a third. Three vents were also active at the bottom of Northeast Crater (NEC); one produced ash emissions, one steam emissions, and Strombolian explosions at the third ejected incandescent material as high as the crater rim. After several months of quiet conditions, explosive activity resumed at the E crater on the E flank of the New Southeast Crater (NSEC). The activity began at 0608 on 1 August with a brownish-gray ash emission that rose several hundred meters above the summit. The event was followed by more ash emissions and then Strombolian activity in the evening.
Krakatau | Indonesia : PVMBG reported that on 2 August multiple events at Anak Krakatau generated ash plumes that rose as high as 300 m above the summit and drifted N. A dense, black ash plume from an event at 1757 rose 200 m and drifted N. During 5-7 August dense gray ash plumes rose 200-600 m above the summit, and summit incandescence was visible at night. 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) and ONEMI reported continuing activity through 6 August associated with growth of the Gil-Cruz lava dome in Nevados de Chillán’s Nicanor Crater. Seismicity was at moderate-to-high levels, and consisted of long-period events and tremor. 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.
Sierra Negra | Isla Isabela (Ecuador) : IG reported that the eruption at Sierra Negra continued during 1-7 August. Incandescence from active lava flows was visible daily. An increase of tremor began at 2220 on 3 August and lasted two hours, signifying a new pulse of activity on the N flank. Small gas emissions were visible on 4 August, and steam-and-gas emissions were noted on 6 August.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.7 earthquake hits the Greenland Sea.
5.6 earthquake hits off the east coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.5 earthquake hit northern Colombia.
5.3 earthquake hits Fiji.
5.0 earthquake hits south of Java, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits the Mariana Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits Java, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Storm Debby is located about 1175 mi...1890 km wnw of the Azores with maximum sustained winds...45 mph...75 km/h. Present movement...nne or 15 degrees at 9 mph...15 km/h.
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Typhoon (ts) 17w (Shanshan), located approximately 120 nm southeast of Yokosuka, Japan, is tracking northwestward at 06 knots.
Tropical storm (ts) 18w (Yagi), located approximately 521 nm southeast of Kadena AFB, is tracking east-northeastward at 09 knots.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Hurricane Hector is located about 290 mi...470 km se of Hilo Hawaii about 500 mi...800 km se of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...125 mph...205 km/h. Present movement...w or 275 degrees at 16 mph...26 km/h.
Hurricane John is located about 230 mi...365 km ssw of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...100 mph...155 km/h. Present movement...nnw or 330 degrees at 13 mph...20 km/h.
Tropical Storm Kristy is located about 1355 mi...2180 km wsw of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...45 mph...75 km/h. Present movement...wnw or 285 degrees at 8 mph...13 km/h.
NewsBytes:
Thailand - As people in Phetchaburi brace for devastating floods tonight at around 10pm, after a massive volume of water was released from a major dam to the Phetchaburi River, residents were using sandbags and even cement to wall off the front of their homes and businesses Monday so as not to be inundated.
Earth risks tipping into 'hothouse' state - study
The planet urgently needs to transition to a green economy because fossil fuel pollution risks pushing the Earth into a lasting and dangerous "hothouse" state, researchers warned.
If polar ice continues to melt, forests are slashed and greenhouse gases rise to new highs – as they currently do each year – the Earth will pass a tipping point.
Crossing that threshold "guarantees a climate 4-5°C higher than pre-industrial times, and sea levels that are 10-60m higher than today", cautioned scientists in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. And that "could be only decades ahead", they said.
"Hothouse Earth is likely to be uncontrollable and dangerous to many," said the article by scientists at University of Copenhagen, Australian National University and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany.
Rivers would flood, storms would wreak havoc on coastal communities, and coral reefs would be eliminated – all by century's end or even earlier. Global average temperatures would exceed those of any interglacial period – meaning warmer eras that come in between Ice Ages – of the past 1.2 million years. Melting polar ice caps would lead to dramatically higher sea levels, flooding coastal land that is home to hundreds of millions of people.
Researchers suggest the tipping point could come once the Earth warms to 2°C over pre-industrial times. The planet has already warmed 1°C over pre-industrial times, and is heating up at a rate of 0.17°C per decade.
"A 2°C warming could activate important tipping elements, raising the temperature further to activate other tipping elements in a domino-like cascade that could take the Earth System to even higher temperatures," said the report.
Ocean temperatures hit record high off San Diego
By East Coast standards, a water temperature of 78.8 degrees isn't all that toasty. But it was an all-time record for the Pacific Ocean near San Diego last week.
Scientists at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography have measured the ocean temperature at a pier in San Diego for 102 years – and on Friday Aug. 3, it was warmer than any other time on record.
It was yet another extreme temperature record for a planet that's seen a slew of them this summer, from 90 degrees north of the Arctic Circle in Finland to a possible all-time record high for Africa of 124 degrees, among many others.
Wildfires - California, USA
California is battling its largest wildfire ever recorded, along with 15 other major ones across the state.
The Mendocino Complex Fire is actually two separate fires, both of which began burning in late July: the Ranch Fire and the River Fire. They haven't merged yet, but they are close enough to each other that officials from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection are counting them as one huge wildfire.
As of the morning of Aug. 7, the Mendocino Complex Fire has burned 283,800 acres (115,000 hectares) of land in northern California around Clear Lake and is only 30 percent contained. Fueled by high temperatures, low humidity and wind, the fire has destroyed nearly 170 homes and other structures.
Wildfires - Colorado, USA
Authorities have released details on the numerous wildfires still burning across western, central Colorado here.
Nipah virus – India
As of 17 July 2018, a total of 19 Nipah virus (NiV) cases, including 17 deaths, were reported from Kerala State: 18 of the cases were laboratory-confirmed and the deceased index case was suspected to have NiV but could not be tested. The outbreak was localized to two districts in Kerala State: Kozhikode and Malappuram. No new cases or deaths have been reported since 1 June 2018 and, as of 30 July, human-to-human transmission of NiV has been contained in Kerala State.
Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 – Nigeria
On 5 June 2018, a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreak was confirmed in Sokoto State, Nigeria. From 30 January through 23 May 2018, ten environmental samples collected from two collection sites all tested positive for genetically-related VDPV2 viruses. No associated cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) have been detected with this cVDPV2.
Hepatitis A - Arkansas, USA
In a follow-up on the hepatitis A outbreak in northeastern Arkansas, state health officials are now reported 77 cases since February, more than double the number of cases reported in mid-June.
African swine fever, Anthrax: Romania
Romania’s veterinary authority (ANSVSA) is reporting (computer translated) some 500 outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) over the past year.
Officials say in the SE area of Romania, the evolution of the disease is aggressive. The disease was confirmed in 84 localities in the counties of Tulcea, Constanţa, Braila, Ialomita and Galati. 11,772 domestic pigs were killed in households and 49,647 pigs were slaughtered in 3 commercial farms through Thursday.
The National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority in Bucharest, Romania has reported a confirmed anthrax case in a pig on a farm in the town of Saveni near the Moldova border. The infection killed the one pig and 13 others are considered at risk.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 earthquake hits south of Sumbawa, Indonesia.
Two 5.1 earthquakes hit the Lombok region, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits Panama.
5.0 earthquake hits New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Invest 97L is an area of disturbed weather in the Atlantic Ocean that has the potential for further tropical development.
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Typhoon (ts) 17w (Shanshan), located approximately 319 nm southeast of Yokosuka, Japan, is tracking north-northwestward at 09 knots.
Tropical depression 18w (Eighteen), located approximately 509 nm south-southeast of Kadena AFB, Japan, is tracking northwestward at 03 knots.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Hurricane Hector is located about 640 mi...1025 km ese of Hilo Hawaii and about 850 mi...1365 km ese of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...145 mph...230 km/h. Present movement...w or 280 degrees at 16 mph...26 km/h.
Hurricane John is located about 310 mi...495 km sw of Cabo Corrientes Mexico and about 390 mi...630 km s of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...90 mph...150 km/h. Present movement...nw or 320 degrees at 9 mph...15 km/h.
Tropical Storm Ileana is located about 170 mi...275 km w of Manzanillo Mexico and about 310 mi...500 km se of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...50 mph...85 km/h. Present movement...wnw or 295 degrees at 23 mph...37 km/h.
Tropical Storm Kristy is located about 1155 mi...1860 km wsw of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...50 mph...85 km/h. Present movement...w or 265 degrees at 12 mph...19 km/h.
Invest 94E is an area of disturbed weather in the Eastern Pacific Ocean that has the potential for further tropical development.
NewsBytes:
Mongolia - Floods in Mongolia have killed 63 people, including 15 children, so far this year, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said Monday. Heavy downpours have been hitting Mongolia since the beginning of July, triggering massive flooding in some areas. Meteorologists said the heavy rainfall will not stop until mid August.
Cambodia - Six Cambodians have died so far and nearly 5,000 families have evacuated to higher grounds after Mekong floods hit five provinces along the river, a disaster control spokesman said on Monday.
Nepal - At least 14 people, including four members of the same family, have died in Nepal as meteorologists on Monday warned of more rains in the country hit by monsoon-triggered landslides and floods. People living near rivers in the capital Kathmandu should beware of floods, said weather officials, forecasting heavy rains in central and western Nepal on Tuesday. Six people were swept away by swollen rivers in as many districts across the country over the weekend, the state National Emergency Operation Centre said on Monday. Eleven people were injured on Sunday when a passenger bus was swept away by a flooded river in the midwestern Dang district. On the outskirts of Kathmandu, several neighborhoods were inundated after torrential rains on Monday. A car sank in a swollen Godavari River, while the driver was rescued by locals.
Thailand - Residents in Thailand's western provinces have been urged to move to higher ground as dams in the region are rapidly filling up due to heavy downpours while authorities raced to reduce the impact from possible flooding. More water will have to be released from the dams to keep the levels stable, but it could cause floods in the downstream areas, the RID said. Officials urged people living along the river in these provinces to closely monitor the water level in the river, move their belongings to higher ground, and evacuate children, elderly and sick persons from flood-risk areas.
Scrub Typhus - Nepal
The Nepal Epidemiology and Disease Control Division reported that as of Aug. 1, there has been 105 scrub typhus cases reported in the country in just the past two months.
Scrub typhus, caused by the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi, which is transmitted by chiggers encountered in high grass and brush, is endemic in northern Japan, Southeast Asia, the western Pacific Islands, eastern Australia, China, maritime areas and several parts of south-central Russia, India, and Sri Lanka. More than 1 million cases occur annually. Scrub typhus kills at least 140,000 people a year in the Asia-Pacific.
Swine Flu - Michigan, USA
Michigan Michigan state and local health officials have identified two confirmed cases of influenza A in individuals with exposure to swine at the Fowlerville Family Fair in Livingston County. The fair took place July 23-28, and several pigs from the fair tested positive for swine flu on July 27.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.8 earthquake hits the Lombok region, Indonesia.
5.4 earthquake hits the Lombok region, Indonesia.
5.3 earthquake hits the Lombok region, Indonesia.
5.3 earthquake hits the Nicobar Islands, India.
5.1 earthquake hits the Lombok region, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hit the Lombok region, Indonesia.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Invest 97L is an area of disturbed weather in the Atlantic Ocean that has the potential for further tropical development.
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Typhoon (ts) 17w (Shanshan), located approximately 209 nm east of Chichi Jima, is tracking northward at 10 knots.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Hurricane Hector is located about 1010 mi...1625 km ese of Hilo Hawaii and about 1215 mi...1960 km ese of Honolulu Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...140 mph...220 km/h. Present movement...w or 280 degrees at 15 mph...24 km/h.
Tropical Storm John is located about 335 mi...540 km sw of Manzanillo Mexico and about 565 mi...910 km sse of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...60 mph...95 km/h. Present movement...wnw or 300 degrees at 8 mph...13 km/h.
Tropical Storm Ileana is located about 120 mi...195 km ssw of Acapulco Mexico and about 370 mi...600 km se of Manzanillo Mexico with maximum sustained winds...65 mph...100 km/h. Present movement...nw or 310 degrees at 17 mph...28 km/h.
Invest 94E is an area of disturbed weather in the Eastern Pacific Ocean that has the potential for further tropical development.
Wildfires - California, USA
A massive, out-of-control Northern California wildfire that destroyed 68 homes and forced thousands to flee has become the fifth largest in state history, officials said on Sunday, as crews battled high temperatures and strong winds.
The Mendocino Complex Fire, made up of two separate conflagrations that merged near Ukiah, north of Sacramento, exploded by 25 percent overnight and had blackened nearly 400 square miles as of Sunday morning, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. The Mendocino Complex Fire has charred more than 254,000 acres, making it the fifth largest blaze in California's history.
Wildfires - Portugal
Temperatures in Portugal, at the crest of a European heat wave, began to ease from near record levels on Sunday, but a forest fire raged for a third day in the south, battled by 800 firefighters and 12 aircraft. Flames have consumed more than 1000 hectares of forest, in the hilly Monchique area in the southern Algarve region popular with tourists.
Ebola - DR Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Ministry of Health reported today (computer translated) that some 33 deaths are suspected linked to the latest Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the country.
Greece - West Nile Virus
Greek health officials have reported 21 additional confirmed human West Nile virus (WNV) cases during the past week, bringing the country total to 43 in 2018. Of the total, 35 presented with neuro-invasive disease (WNND, encephalitis and/or meningitis and/or acute flaccid paralysis) and eight (8) cases with mild symptoms (febrile syndrome).
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.6 earthquake hits Kepulauan Mentawai, Indonesia.
5.1 earthquake hits offshore Guatemala.
5.0 earthquake hits the sea of Okhotsk.
5.0 earthquake hits Kepulauan Mentawai, Indonesia.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Invest 97L is an area of disturbed weather in the Atlantic Ocean that has the potential for further tropical development.
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Typhoon (ts) 17w (Shanshan), located approximately 328 nm north-northeast of Agrihan, is tracking northward at 10 knots.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Hurricane Hector is located about 1360 mi...2190 km e of South Point Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...125 mph...205 km/h. Present movement...w or 275 degrees at 12 mph...19 km/h.
Tropical Depression Eleven-E is located about 190 mi...305 km s of Puerto Angel Mexico with maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h. Present movement...wnw or 285 degrees at 12 mph...19 km/h.
Invest 94E is an area of disturbed weather in the Eastern Pacific Ocean that has the potential for further tropical development.
Invest 95E is an area of disturbed weather in the Eastern Pacific Ocean that has the potential for further tropical development.
NewsBytes:
China - Floods caused by heavy rainfall in the northwestern Chinese Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region left 20 people dead and eight more missing, local authorities said on Friday. According to the local authorities, more than 5,500 residents were evacuated to safe places. The Hami prefecture-level city in the northeastern part of Xinjiang was the most affected by the disaster, which ruined 8,700 buildings and damaged roads and railways in the area. The floods also damaged a dam of a local water reservoir.
India - A fresh wave of flooding in the north east Indian state of Assam began on 02 August, 2018. This follows an earlier wave of flooding that began in June which left over 30 people dead and 200,000 displaced. Around 90,000 people have been affected in 9 districts since 02 August, with 3 people dead and around 25,000 displaced. The Dhansiri river in Golaghat district has exceeded its previous highest ever flood level by almost 30 cm. As of 03 August, flooding was reported in Golaghat, Sivasagar, Barpeta, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Darrang and Charaideo. Flooding affected Biswanath and Udalguri districts on 02 August but has since subsided. By far the worst hit district is Golaghat, where flooding has affected 67,724 people in 99 villages. Four hundred homes have been damaged or destroyed by flooding in the district.
Sweden loses its tallest peak to global warming
Sweden has a new highest point. The Scandinavian country's highest peak lost its title this week because record heat has been melting away the tip of a glacier that sits atop the Kebnekaise mountain, experts say.
A month ago, the mountain's southern peak held the title, soaring to 2,101 metres above sea level.
On Tuesday, after weeks of high temperatures, it was 2,097 metres high - only 20 centimetres, or about six inches, taller than the north peak, said Professor Gunhild Rosqvist, head of the Tarfala Research Station near the mountain.
By Wednesday, enough had melted to take it below the critical height, Rosqvist said, handing the northern peak the crown. "We can estimate the melt rate based on temperature measurements. We know that it has melted because it is very hot," she said. "We are going to measure again later this summer when the melting stops. In a month, we'll know how bad it is."
The shrinking peak is symbolic of climate change that also brought marked shifts for animals and vegetation, she said, and badly affected the region's reindeer herders. July was the hottest on record in many parts of Sweden, with drought and some of the worst forest fires the country has seen.
Even if the northern peak is higher when the mountain is measured at summer's end, the southern tip is likely to grow again in winter. The peaks could then take turns as Sweden's highest point over the next few years.
Wildfires - California, USA
Twin wildfires fueled by dry vegetation and hot, windy weather continued to grow in Northern California, destroying 55 homes and forcing thousands of residents to flee their neighborhoods.
California fire officials said Saturday that the two fires about 100 miles (161 kilometers) north of San Francisco were 27 percent contained and have grown to almost 250 square miles (648 kilometers).
Wildfires - Oregon, USA
Currently, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, there are 16 fires burning in Oregon, totally roughly 151,603 acres.
Chikungunya - Philippines
The Municipality of Maripipi, in the province of Biliran, Philippines was declared under state of calamity this week due to a chikungunya outbreak. As of Aug. 2, there were 101 cases of chikungunya reported in the city.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.8 earthquake hits the central mid-Atlantic Ridge.
5.3 earthquake hits Vanuatu.
5.2 earthquake hits Tarapaca, Chile.
5.1 earthquake hits the Xinjiang-Xizang border, China.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Invest 97L is an area of disturbed weather in the Atlantic Ocean that has the potential for further tropical development.
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Typhoon (ts) 17w (Shanshan), located approximately 212 nm northeast of Agrihan, is tracking north-northwestward at 08 knots.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Hurricane Hector is located about 1590 mi...2555 km e of Hilo Hawaii with maximum sustained winds...120 mph...195 km/h. Present movement...w or 270 degrees at 12 mph...19 km/h.
Invest 94E is an area of disturbed weather in the Eastern Pacific Ocean that has the potential for further tropical development.
Invest 95E is an area of disturbed weather in the Eastern Pacific Ocean that has the potential for further tropical development.
Record heat is stoking wildfires in Europe — and it's setting off World War II bombs
At the end of July, firefighters grappling with a forest fire southwest of Berlin were further challenged by unexploded World War II ammunition still buried there.
Firefighters had trouble getting inside a pine forest near Fichtenwalde, which is about 35km from the German capital, because of safety concerns. There were signs that some explosives had already gone off because of the fire.
The fire came within about a half-mile (almost 1km) of the village of Fichtenwald before firefighters were able to halt the flames. Because of the leftover ammunition, they employed an extinguishing tank — a tracked vehicle used by emergency responders in dangerous situations. Such tanks are sometimes built on the frame of a battle tank.
The heatwave in Germany has driven water levels so low along the Elbe River that weapons and ammunition from World War II have started to emerge. At the city of Magdeburg, the water level is just a few centimeters above the historic low measured in 1934.
In Saxony-Anhalt in eastern Germany, police have warned people not to touch the grenades, mines, or other weapons that have started to appear. Munitions were found in five places last week, and over the past few weeks there have been 24 such finds.
African Swine Fever - China
China reported its first outbreak of the deadly African swine fever (ASF) on Friday, as authorities in Liaoning province in the country’s northeast culled almost 1,000 hogs and rushed to control the highly contagious disease.
News of the infection will stoke concern about its spread in the world’s largest pig herd, and possibly to Japan, the Korean Peninsula and other parts of Asia. Cases have been recorded across Europe, Russia and sub-Saharan Africa, but it has never occurred in East Asia until now, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Some 913 hogs were slaughtered near Shenyang, capital of Liaoning, and the outbreak has been effectively contained, the Chinese provincial animal health bureau said.
West Nile Virus - Italy
Authorities in the northern Italian region of Veneto have diagnosed 19 with the mosquito-borne illness which can lead to meningitis or encephalitis in severe cases.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.0 earthquake hits Kepulauan Tanimbar, Indonesia.
5.5 earthquake hits east of North Island, New Zealand.
5.3 earthquake hits the island of Hawaii, Hawaii.
5.2 earthquake hits southern Qinghai, China.
5.0 earthquake hits South East of the Loyalty Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Depression (td) 15w (Jongdari), located approximately 45 nm east of Shanghai, China, is tracking west-northwestward at 28 knots.
Tropical storm (ts) 17w (Shanshan), located approximately 413 nm northeast of Andersen AFB, is tracking west-northwestward at 02 knots.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Hurricane Hector is located about 1320 mi...2125 km wsw of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...105 mph...165 km/h. Present movement...w or 270 degrees at 12 mph...19 km/h.
NewsBytes:
Austria - Unusually strong thunderstorms in Austria on Wednesday evening unleashed exceptionally heavy rainfall in the region of Tyrol giving way to major flash floods. The storms began in the afternoon of Friday releasing 60mm of rain, nearly a month's worth of water, according to the Central Institute of Meteorology and Geodynamics. Trees were reportedly uprooted as strong gusts of winds battered the Western Austria region while basements were flooded when rivers overflowed their banks.
Canadian Geese - Death-Defying Strategy For Surviving Hailstorms
These Canadian geese stare up into the sky as hail pounds the pavement all around them.
If you or I were to try this form of high-intensity storm watching, we'd likely walk away with bruises or a black eye. However, according to Jeremy Ross, a biologist and bird expert at the University of Oklahoma, this behavior has been spotted before in feathered creatures when hail is falling. And it probably helps them survive the storms, by presenting a smaller target for the falling ice, he said.
What's more, "a few individuals seem to be actually reacting to individual hailstones," Ross said. "So not only are they looking up into the sky to reduce their profile, but perhaps when a hailstone was imminently going to hit them in the face, they dodge it really quickly."
Vanishing Penguins
The population of king penguins in what was once the world’s largest colony has plummeted by nearly 90 percent over the last 35 years, and scientists say they don’t know why.
The Île aux Cochons colony in the southern Indian Ocean was also once the second-largest colony of all penguins. But satellite images revealed the number of birds there dropped from 502,400 breeding pairs in 1982 to 59,200 in April 2017.
Scientists say overfishing, feral cats and invasive diseases or parasites could be responsible for the disappearing penguins in the remote French territory.
Earth's Soil Is Hyperventilating
According to a new study published Aug. 1 in the journal Nature, there's about twice as much carbon dioxide (CO2) stored in Earth's soil as there is floating around the atmosphere, and for the last few decades, that underground greenhouse gas has been leaking out at a significantly increased rate.
Based on more than 2,000 sources of climate data taken from ecosystems around the world, a team of soil scientists found that the rate of CO2 released from Earth's soil has increased globally by about 1.2 percent in just 25 years — and you can blame that on hot, hungry microbes.
Dirt doesn't actually breathe, of course, but it sort of looks that way when tiny, underground organisms help release the CO2 stored in plant roots, dead leaves and other natural detritus. Hungry microbes gorge on the tasty carbon stored in this plant matter, and then release carbon dioxide as a natural byproduct of this feeding, just as you do when you exhale after a deep breath.
This process is known as "soil respiration," and it's an important complement to photosynthesis — the process by which plants turn CO2, water and light into energy — helping to keep ecosystems around the world running smoothly.
But lately, researchers have found that as global temperatures rise, microbes in the soil have been releasing CO2 faster than plants can snatch it up again. Previous studies have indicated that tree roots and certain microbes both respire more frequently at higher temperatures (up until a certain point, when the intense heat causes the organisms to stop functioning completely). But the exact effects of that increase in respiration had never been studied on a global scale until now.
The data showed that the rate of global soil respiration had increased by about 1.2 percent in the 25-year window between 1990 and 2014. Most of that growth was due to increased microbial action; the tiny creatures in Earth's soil are freeing more and more greenhouse gases from our planet's surface.
While a 1.2 percent increase might not seem significant on its face, the researchers made it clear that even a modest change like this represents a "massive" ecosystem shift over a relatively short time. And while the full effects of this microbial huffing and puffing are hard to estimate, it's possible that all that extra CO2 will feed a self-intensifying loop of atmospheric warming and soil respiration over the years to come.
Global warming threatens Arctic fauna
Infections, untypical for the Arctic, have been coming into the Arctic zone due to climate change, Director of the Academy of Sciences’ Institute for Ecology and Evolution Studies Vyacheslav Rozhnov said in St. Petersburg. "The new information is alarming," he said. "Animals in the Arctic are facing infections, which have not been typical there." The new infections adapt quickly to the changing temperatures and threaten the animals, he continued.
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 78.0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 61.1 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.
Reunion dengue outbreak update
Health officials in Reunion are reporting an additional 59 dengue fever cases from the week of July 16, bringing the outbreak total to 6,345 cases confirmed since the beginning of 2018 (including 5 imported from Polynesia, Brazil and Thailand). To date, 134 patients required hospitalization and one death has been assessed as indirectly related to dengue fever.
Measles - Ukraine - Update
In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Ukraine, the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine reports 822 cases in week 30 of 2018, bringing the case total to 27,502 this year. The good news is Ukraine officials are reporting a 7 percent decrease in cases compared to the previous week.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 25 July – 31 July 2018
Agung | Bali (Indonesia) : According to PVMBG a ground-based observer reported that at 0041 on 25 July an event at Agung produced a dense ash-and-gas plume that rose 700 m and drifted E and SE. Seismic data recorded the event for two minutes and 15 seconds. At 1406 on 27 July an event lasting one minute and 32 seconds produced a dense ash-and-gas plume that rose 2 km and drifted W. 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 there were four events and 11 explosions at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 23-30 July, with ash plumes rising as high as 2.5 km above the crater rim and material ejected as far as 1.3 km. Crater incandescence was sometimes visible at night. Sulfur dioxide emissions were 2,100 tons per day on 26 July. 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 29-30 July ash plumes from Bagana rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW. A thermal anomaly was visible on 29 July.
Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that unrest at Cleveland continued during 25-31 July, though nothing significant was detected in seismic or infrasound data. Meteorological cloud cover prevented views of the crater on most days, though steaming from the crater was visible in satellite and webcam views during 25-26 July. 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 25-31 July ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.8-3.4 km (6,000-11,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N, NE, E, and S.
Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 20-21 and 25-26 July that sent ash plumes as high as 4 km (13,100 ft) a.s.l. An ash plume drifting about 15 km E was identified in satellite images on 20 July. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Fuego | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 29-30 July avalanches of material descended the Cenizas drainage on Fuego’s SSW flank. Hot lahars generated by heavy rains on 30 July descended the Taniluyá (SW), Las Lajas (SE), El Jute (SE), and Cenizas drainages, carrying blocks 2-3 m in diameter and smelling of sulfur.
Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that an ash cloud from Karymsky was identified in satellite images drifting 100 km SE on 20 July, and thermal anomalies were visible on 25 and 27 July. The Aviation colour Code remained at 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 18-24 July. Lava fountaining and spatter was concentrated at Fissure 8, feeding lava flows that continued to spread through Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens subdivisions, and entered the ocean at Ahalanui.
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 about every other day (38.5 and 53.5 hours in between a few of the events). 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; lava occasionally overflowed the channel, and on 28 July ignited nearby vegetation. Small plumes of laze (a corrosive steam plume mixed with hydrochloric acid and fine volcanic glass particles) were generated at several points along a broad 2-km-wide flow front at Ahalanui. The westernmost edge was less than 175 m NE of the boat ramp in Isaac Hale Park (by 30 July).
Kirishimayama | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that during 23-30 July white fumarolic plumes rose 300-500 m above a vent on the S side of Iwo-yama (also called Ioyama, NW flank of Karakuni-dake), a stratovolcano of the Kirishimayama volcano group. A hot pool of water was visible on the S side, and muddy water flowed down the W side. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-5).
Piton de la Fournaise | Reunion Island (France) : OVPF reported that inflation at Piton de la Fournaise resumed after 13 July, the end of the last eruption. A period if increased seismicity was detected on 26 July, with 32 volcano-tectonic events less than 2 km deep being recorded during 0400-1600; 23 of those events were detected during 1200-1300.
Popocatepetl | Mexico : CENAPRED reported that each day during 25-31 July there were 24-42 steam-and-gas emissions from Popocatépetl, and nightly crater incandescence. Explosions were detected almost every day: five on 26 July; nine on 27 July; one on 28 July; three on 30 July. A series of gas-and-ash emissions began at 0307 on 31 July and lasted for 215 minutes. Ejected incandescent tephra landed on the flanks. The gas-and-ash plumes rose 2 km above the crater rim and drifted WSW, causing ashfall in Tetela del Volcán, Yecapixtla, Tlalnepantla, and Totolapan (Morelos state), and in Amecameca, Acuautla, Ecatzingo, Ozumba, and Tepetlixpa (Mexico state). The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two.
Rinjani | Lombok Island (Indonesia) : PVMBG and BNPB reported that a M 6.4 earthquake was recorded at 0547 on 29 July, shaking the islands of Lombok, Bali, and Sumbawa, and causing significant damage to buildings (including collapses) and roads, ground cracks, multiple injuries, and the death of 17 people in Lombok. The hypocenter was 24 km deep, and 47 km NE of Mataram City. Aftershocks were numerous and as large as M 5.7. The earthquakes caused remobilization of ash deposits on Rinjani as well as landslides. There were 1,226 visitors to the Mount Rinjani National Park Area at the time, and, according to news articles, about 690 climbers were on the volcano and had to be rescued. One person in the national park died from rockfalls. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4); the public was warned not to approach the crater within a 1.5-km radius.
Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosions at Sabancaya averaged 19 per day during 23-29 July. Hybrid earthquakes were infrequent and low magnitude. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 3 km above the crater rim and drifted 40 km SE and E. On 26 July the sulfur dioxide gas flux was high at 4,195 tons/day. The report noted that the public should not approach the crater within a 12-km radius.
Santa Maria | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 28-30 July explosions at Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex generated white plumes that rose 600-800 m and drifted SW. Avalanches of material descended the NW, E, and SE flanks of the lava dome.
Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that satellite images showed a weak thermal anomaly over Sheveluch during 19 and 21-22 July. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).
Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that during 23-31 July activity at Turrialba was characterized by sporadic, passive gas-and-ash emissions detected almost daily. The plumes rose no higher than 300 m above the vent rim, and drifted NW, W, and SW. Ashfall was reported in several neighborhoods in the Valle Central, including Coronado, Tibás (35 km WSW), Goicoechea (28 km WSW), and Moravia (31 km WSW) on 24 July, and in Tres Ríos (27 km SW) on 31 July. A sulfur odor was occasionally reported.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 earthquake hits Bismarck Sea.
5.2 earthquake hits southern Sumatra, Indonesia.
5.2 earthquake hits offshore Chiapas, Mexico.
5.1 earthquake hits western Xizang, China.
5.0 earthquake hits near the north coast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Depression (td) 15w (Jongdari), located approximately 178 nm north-northwest of Kadena AFB, Japan, is tracking northward at 07 knots.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm Hector is located about 1065 mi...1710 km wsw of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...70 mph...110 km/h. Present movement...wnw or 285 degrees at 12 mph...19 km/h.
NewsBytes:
Sweden -The Uppsala Central Station, the main railway station located in Uppsala - Sweden's fourth-largest city - was flooded due to a torrential bout of summer rain on Sunday. Traffic in the city was also disrupted.
Myanmar - Fears that embankments could burst under fresh rains mounted on Wednesday in flooded southeastern Myanmar, where more than 130,000 people have been forced from their homes and a dozen people killed. A vast area of farmland across four provinces lies under muddy water with rescue teams trying to reach villages by boat to provide food to those who are unable or refuse to leave their homes.
This Duck Supermom Leads 76 Ducklings
While it's not unusual to see 20 or 30 ducklings following a single mom, a group of 50 or more is really remarkable. This Common Merganser duck mom almost certainly did not hatch all those ducklings herself. Female ducks can usually lay only about a dozen eggs at once and can incubate up to 20.
How a mother duck might come to incubate more eggs than she actually laid could be due to the fact that female ducks have an interesting habit of leaving a few of their eggs in other mothers' nests. It's probably a way to ensure that at least some of her offspring have a chance to hatch even if something tragic should happen to her or her nest.
Furthermore, in a duck crèche, female birds will sometimes entrust their newborn young into the care of an older, wiser female.
Koalas Starve - Australia
Animal rescuers on an Australian island off the south coast say koalas are starving to death as residents cut down trees to prevent bushfires, destroying the native animal’s habitat and food source.
Australia is currently experiencing extreme dry weather, although the most intense drought conditions are located further north in the state of New South Wales.However, in trying to prevent uncontrolled fires, the clearing of land threatens koalas, which mostly survive off a diet of eucalyptus leaves.
Ebola - Democratic Republic Congo
Just days after the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak had been declared over in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the DRC health ministry and World Health Organization (WHO) report that preliminary laboratory results indicate a cluster of 4 cases of Ebola virus in North Kivu province, while there are reports of at least 20 deaths from a related haemorrhagic virus in the province.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 25 July – 31 July 2018
Ambae | Vanuatu : Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department (VMGD) reported that during overflights on 13 and 20 July, observers took photos of explosions at Ambae’s Lake Voui ejecting hot tephra from vents and producing ash plumes. Increased activity prompted VMGD to raise the Alert Level to 3 (on a scale of 0-5) on 21 July, and warn residents to stay at least 3 km away from the active crater. The report noted that current activity was similar to that in March, but with more sustained ash emissions. At about 2100 on 26 July explosions generated an ash cloud that rose as high as 12 km above the vent and spread NE, E, and SE. According to news articles, the event caused darkness in the daytime and prompted an order for an island-wide evacuation of the 10,000 residents. Another explosive event occurred early on 27 July. The Wellington VAAC reported sulfur dioxide emissions, and ash plumes rising to 2.4-4.6 km (8,000-15,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifting SE and NW. Pilots reported heavy ashfall over eastern Fiji. Smaller events producing ash-and-gas emissions continued throughout the day. On 1 August VMGD stated that the ashfall has had a significant impact on the island’s food and water supplies, and the health of the island residents.
Ibu | Halmahera (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that at 1852 on 28 July an event at Ibu generated an ash plume that rose 5.5 km above the crater rim and drifted SE. An event at 1612 on 29 July produced an ash plume that rose 4.8 km and drifted N. Ash plumes later drifted SE. Seismic signals for both events were characterized by explosions and avalanches. 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 : Based on satellite and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 25-26 July minor ash plumes from Anak Krakatau rose to an altitude of 1.2 km (4,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW and NW. PVMBG noted that inclement weather conditions prevented views of the volcano during 27-30 July. 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.
Rincon de la Vieja | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that a small explosion at Rincón de la Vieja was recorded at 1828 on 28 July, and was followed by tremor.
Semeru | Eastern Java (Indonesia) : Based on analysis of satellite images, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 31 July an ash plume from Semeru rose to an altitude of 4.3 km (14,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W.
Sierra Negra | Isla Isabela (Ecuador) : IG reported that the eruption at Sierra Negra continued during 25-31 July. Sulfur dioxide flux was as high as about 1,400 tons per day (on 28 July), and daily counts of volcano-tectonic and long-period events were 24-65 and 3-32, respectively. Nightly incandescence from advancing lava flows was visible. Gas plumes rose more than 1.8 km above the vents and drifted N, NW, and W.
Villarrica | Chile : POVI reported that on 24 July the vent in Villarrica’s summit crater was about 10-15 m in diameter and 90-100 m below the crater rim. Minor explosions and weak fumarolic emissions were noted. On 29 July a break in the cloud cover revealed more significant incandescence emanating from the summit than in the previous few days, and the largest thermal anomaly since August 2015 was identified in satellite images on 30 July. Ash and lapilli deposits on the E edge of the crater was also visible on 30 July.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 earthquake hits the island of Hawaii, Hawaii.
5.2 earthquake hits Antofagasta, Chile.
5.0 earthquake hits off the coast of Costa Rica.
6.4 Earthquake Indonesia - Update
The 6.4 magnitude earthquake has struck off Lombok, province of West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, at 05:47 local time, on 29 July 2018, followed by 66 aftershocks with the highest of those with a recorded magnitude of 5.7. The West Nusa Tenggara administration declared a seven-day state of emergency. The earthquake has claimed at least 17 lives. As of 1 August, the National Disaster and Mitigation Agency (BNPB) had recorded 10,062 displaced people and 5,448 destroyed houses across Lombok, most of which are located in East Lombok regency.
Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Depression (td) 15w (Jongdari), located approximately 198 nm north-northwest of Kadena AFB, Japan, is tracking west-southwestward at 010 knots.
Tropical depression 16w (sixteen), located approximately 568 nm southeast of Misawa, Japan, is tracking north-northwestward at 16 knots.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm Hector is located about 905 mi...1455 km sw of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds...40 mph...65 km/h. Present movement...wnw or 285 degrees at 15 mph...24 km/h.
NewsBytes:
Vietnam - Seasonal floods have killed three people and threaten to submerge parts of Vietnam's capital, officials said Tuesday. Two children and a man drowned Monday in Chuong My district, a suburb of Hanoi, where water has overflowed one bank of the Bui River and engulfed several villages. On the other side of the river, sandbags have been piled for 10 kilometers (6 miles) to prevent water in a dike from spilling into the inner city of the capital, Hanoi, which has a population of 7.5 million.
Wildfires - California, Oregon, USA
Since July 13, the Ferguson Fire has burned more than 56,000 acres in California’s Sierra National Forest. Yosemite National Park, a neighbor, has avoided the flames, but not the smoke — or the closures. Much of the park has been closed since last week, although officials hope to reopen those sites on Friday.
The Taylor Creek Fire burning west of Grants Pass has closed a popular section of the Rogue River, as of Tuesday morning. The fire also brought a new round of evacuation warnings along the river, even as fire teams made progress on the blaze. The wildfire in Oregon reached 24,965 acres Monday morning, even with fire teams making some progress during the past two days.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.3 earthquake hits near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan.
5.1 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
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.
