"Environmental Hazards Newsletter" 7th Sep 2018
News Highlights
Welcome to the August edition of the Environmental Hazards Newsletter
After three months of eruptions that destroyed more than 700 structures on Hawaii`s Big island, geologists say they are observing decreasing activity at the Kilauea volcano. The Smithsonoan/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity report (WVAR) reported 22 actively erupting volcanoes and 43 continually erupting ones, confirming a phase of increased volcanic activity.
The Extreme Temperature section highlighted the notion that temperatures around the world are increasing and increased global warming will mean it will become the new normal.
In the Volcanic section, experts pose the question as to how Indonesia can mitigate its vulnerability to earthquakes, after the latest tremor on the island of Lombok left 98 people dead and 20,000 homeless, according to National Disaster Mitigation Agency figures. Science Daily reported on new research which showed that a large earthquake can not only trigger other smaller quakes, but larger ones too, often on the opposite side of the world.
In the Wildfire section there are reports on events from around the world after one of the nottest August`s in human history. The Telegraph, and other sources, reported on twin northern California blazes fuelled by dry vegetation and hot windy weather, events which have combined to create the largest wildfire in Californian state history.
The Landslide section spoke about events which occured in Nepal, Japan and Italy which led to widespread destruction.
Hurricanes and Cyclones
Hurricane Hector enters central Pacific
Hurricane Hector was expected to cross into the central Pacific basin Sunday night and continue moving west near 14 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Hurricane Lane brings more than a foot of rain to Hawaii's Big Island
America's Pacific paradise is now under a state of emergency as Hurricane Lane soaks the Big Island.
Hurricane Norman and Miriam: Norman becomes 'MAJOR hurricane' - will it hit Hawaii?
Norman has intensified into a “major hurricane” as it hurtles westward in the Pacific Ocean behind another newly-named hurricane, Miriam.
Why is the Pacific having such a busy hurricane season compared to the Atlantic?
Hurricane Lane comes just weeks after Hurricane Hector, also a Category 4 storm, alarmed state officials. Hector ended up passing south of the state. While the forecast for Lane still remains uncertain, authorities are warning that it could make landfall in the Hawaiian islands in the coming days and Gov. David Ige urged residents to prepare 14 days of food and water.
New El Niño forecast, what it means for hurricane season
Chances that the global climate pattern El Niño will develop this fall were increased in the most recent forecast, boosting confidence in revised predictions for a below-normal hurricane season.
Death toll from Hurricane Maria estimated to be larger than previously thought
The number of people who died as a result of Hurricane Maria, which hit Puerto Rico on Sept. 20, 2017 maybe as high as 1,139, surpassing the official death count of 64, according to researchers.
Extreme Temperatures
Extreme temperatures 'especially likely for next four years'
Cyclical natural phenomena that affect planet’s climate will amplify effect of man-made global warming, scientists warn
Global warming: Ocean heats up to all time record in San Diego
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.
Extreme Weather? Mother Nature Has Gone Mad
The weather and climate these past weeks has been crazy. We’ve experienced the world’s hottest rain, a weird jet stream, red tide, unusually warm ocean water, raging wildfires and more. It’s as if Mother Nature has lost her mind.
"The planet is on fire": Extremely hot summers could become the norm
Environment Canada’s David Phillips warns that the extreme temperatures seen around the world in recent months will be the norm for this time of year in decades to come and that this summer’s weather is a “dress rehearsal” of what is to come.
Portugal"s skies turn orange as desert air sends temperature soaring
Temperatures may break records across Europe in the coming week with weather warnings currently in place across much of Spain and Portugal.
Extreme summer heat waves may become "the norm" for European cities, researchers say
By analyzing data from seven weather stations in northern Europe, researchers found that the closer a community is to the Arctic Circle, the more this summer’s heat stood out in the temperature record. A number of cities and towns in Norway, Sweden and Finland hit all-time highs this summer, with towns as far north as the Arctic Circle recording nearly 90-degree temperatures.
The heat is on: record temperatures forecast for Spain and Portugal
Temperatures may break records across Europe in the coming week with weather warnings currently in place across much of Spain and Portugal.
Earthquakes
Death toll in Indonesian earthquakes reaches 555
A string of earthquakes that rocked Indonesia’s Lombok island this summer killed 555 people and injured nearly 1,500, the disaster agency said Friday, with hundreds of thousands left homeless.
Research into deadly 2016 Italian earthquakes could improve future seismic forecasts
The timing and size of three deadly earthquakes that struck Italy in 2016 may have been pre-determined, according to new research that could improve future earthquake forecasts.
There are fears of a so-called 'megaquake' after the planet was shaken by 144 earthquakes in the past seven days.
There are fears of a so-called 'megaquake' after the planet was shaken by 144 earthquakes in the past seven days.
After devastating earthquakes, Indonesia must embrace radical change
An earthquake on Lombok island in Indonesia has left 98 people dead and 20,000 people homeless, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency. As the area recovers, questions are asked on how can Indonesia address its vulnerability to earthquakes?
Scientists Have Identified That Earthquakes Can Trigger Tremors a World Away
For the first time, researchers have found evidence of earthquakes triggering seismic events on the other side of the globe, suggesting a ripple effect that could potentially be used to forecast catastrophes in the future.
Ultrastable laser interferometry for earthquake detection with terrestrial and submarine cables
Seismic networks detect earthquakes and are common on continents, where they are easy to install. However, most of Earth's surface is under the oceans, where placing seismometers is difficult. Marra et al. now find that ordinary submarine telecommunication cables can be used to detect earthquakes.
Volcanic Activity
Volcanic activity slows in Puna and at Kilauea summit
Activity at Kilauea Volcano’s summit and lower East Rift Zone has slowed down recently, and scientists are working to determine the significance of the diminished activity, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
Size matters: if you are a bubble of volcanic gas
The chemical composition of gases emitted from volcanoes, which are used to monitor changes in volcanic activity, can change depending on the size of gas bubbles rising to the surface and relate to the way in which they erupt. The results, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, could be used to improve the forecasting of threats posed by certain volcanoes.
22 volcanoes actively erupting, 43 volcanoes with ongoing eruptions: We are in a period of high volcanic activity
Although detailed statistics are not kept on daily activity, generally there are around 20 volcanoes actively erupting at any particular time. Last week, the Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report (WVAR) reported 22 actively erupting volcanoes and 43 continuous erupting volcanoes. We are in a phase of increased volcanic activity.
Kilauea Volcano eruptions subside
After three months of eruptions that destroyed more than 700 structures on Hawaii's Big Island, geologists said they've observed decreasing activity at Kilauea Volcano.
Why there"s a ring of natural disasters around the Pacific
The chemical composition of gases emitted from volcanoes - which are used to monitor changes in volcanic activity - can change depending on the size of gas bubbles rising to the surface, and relate to the way in which they erupt. The results, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, could be used to improve the forecasting of threats posed by certain volcanoes.
Wildfires
California wildfires now largest in state history
Twin Northern California blazes fuelled by dry vegetation and hot, windy weather grew to become the largest wildfire in state history, becoming the norm as climate change makes the fire season longer and more severe. The two fires burning a few miles ...
Wildfire smoke is wreaking havoc on air quality in the Western US
The destructive wildfires that continue to burn thousands of acres across California have created an air pollution nightmare for millions of residents on the West Coast.
In Photos: The 2018 California Wildfires as Seen from Space
The 2018 California Wildfires as Seen from Space in a series of photographs
Authorities release new details on wildfires still burning across western, central Colorado - The Denver Channel
Firefighters continue to work on wildfires in western and central Colorado. Fire authorities have released new estimates on how big these fires have grown (or how much they have decreased in size), if they are contained and more.
Yosemite Valley Is Closed Indefinitely, Due to Wildfires
You won't be seeing Yosemite National Park's iconic El Capitan or Half Dome anytime soon. In light of the Ferguson wildfire that has already burned more than 90,000 acres since July 13, national park service officials have decided to scrap a reopening
Why wildfires are becoming the new normal
CNN's Allison Chinchar explains why wildfire season in the US is lasting longer and burning more acres of land than ever.
California firefighters battle an enemy they can"t beat
More than 1,000 homes have burned, but countless more were saved by firefighters. More than 4,000 firefighters from across the country are assigned to the fire, battling flames in triple-digit temperatures and choking smoke.
How Climate Change Contributed to This Summer"s Wildfires
Ninety-five wildfires are scorching the country from Texas to Oregon, and have burned 4.8 million acres. “This is just July,” Lynne Tolmachoff, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, told CBS.
Landslides
Predicting landslide boundaries two weeks before they happen
Researchers have developed a software tool that uses applied mathematics and big data analytics to predict the boundary of where a landslide will occur, two weeks in advance.
Two dead, 100 evacuated after landslides in northern Italian town
Two landslides close to the northern resort town of Courmayeur have killed one tourist and caused panic among many others, with over 100 people evacuated.
New Model Of Predicting Landslides Caused By Earthquakes
A group of researchers from Indiana University developed a model that can address risks by calculating the chances of earthquake-caused landslides. This concept can be applied to any location worldwide.
14 dead in landslides and floods in Nepal
Landslides have killed at least 14 people in Nepal as officials issued warnings on the risk of more landslides and flash floods due to torrential rain.
2000 households in Yamagata told to evacuate amid landslides and flooding
Thousands of households in Yamagata Prefecture were told to evacuate on Monday as heavy rain pounded northeastern Japan, causing landslides and flooding.
Bangladesh: Rohingya Endure Floods, Landslides
The Bangladeshi government should relocate Rohingya refugees living in a severely overcrowded mega camp to safer ground in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, Human Rights Watch said in a report issued today. The refugees, who fled the Burmese military’s campaign of ethnic cleansing that began in August 2017, should not have to face flooding and landslides, and should have sturdier shelters and adequate education for their extended stay.
Landslides hit Nagaland
Incessant rain coupled with landslides damaged 61 roads in Nagaland and cut off many areas in the state, according to an official report on Thursday.
Advance landslide warning system for Sikkim
Sikkim will soon have an advance warning system against landslides that would enable authorities to safely evacuate people before disaster strikes. The system, being installed by the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham targets the Sikkim-Darjeeling belt.
Floods
Thousands displaced by Laos floods at risk from "moving" landmines
Much of Laos is still contaminated by landmines, despite decades of clearance efforts, with about 300 new casualties each year, many of them children
Lynchburg floods: Flooding dam sparks evacuations in US city
Evacuation orders have been issued in parts of Lynchburg, Virginia, over fears a dam may fail amid flooding.
