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"Environmental Hazards Newsletter " 3rd Aug 2018

News Highlights

Welcome to the July 2018 edition of our environmental hazards newsletter

Wildfires sadly grabbed the headlines around the world in July, with the most destructive events recorded in Greece, where over 70 people perished during the worst wildfires to hit Greece in over a decade. Climate experts have been nonplussed by weather events in the northern hemisphere, as reports of intense heatwaves and Arctic wildfires raised both alarm and academic red flags about global warming changes.

In our volcanic activity section, the eruption of Kilauea, now entering its eighth week of activity, continued to generate news reports after one person was seriously injured and 22 other hurt after a `lava bomb` hit a tour boat near a point where lava is entering the ocean. Several floods and landslides caused widespread destruction and death in Laos (because of a dam collapse). In Japan, extreme weather followed on behind a deadly heatwave, in the same way it did in Vietnam.

In the Extreme Temeratures section, prominent news channels, such as the BBC and CNN,  reported on how a Jet Stream shift has resulted in a very large plume of very warm air wafting northwards across the USA and into large parts of Canada, causing record temperatures in the Arctic Circle. In the Earthquake section, there was an earthquake measuring 6.5 which hit Indonesia towards the end of July. The quake cause 14 deaths at a major tourist resort called Lombok.

Hurricanes and Cyclones
Scientists Study Eyes of Hurricanes to Predict Their Intensity
Climate scientists have said that warming sea and air temperatures have added more energy to the storms, something that affect intensity predictions. One project to gather more information to predict intensity is the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System, or CYGNSS for short.
Tropical Cyclone Son-Tinh makes landfall again
Tropical Cyclone Son-Tinh is heading to South West China after causing havoc in Vietnam and Laos. Phu Lien, on the floodplain of the Red River and its many branches, recorded 348mm of rain from this cyclone in the three days of Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Tropical locales bounce back after historic hurricanes
Within weeks of the record-breaking hurricanes Maria and Irma last year, many tropical locations for sun-worshipping tourists were on the road to recovery, and the restoration continues.
UK - Heatwave warning as Hurricane Chris expected to bring soaring temperatures
The Met Office has issued a heatwave warning as Hurricane Chris is expected to send temperatures soaring across the country. Forecasters have warned people to take extra care as a level two “alert and readiness” heat warning has been put in place in eastern parts of England from 9am Sunday to 9am Tuesday.
FEMA Internal Report Cites Problems With Agency"s Response To Hurricane Maria
An internal report released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency has concluded the agency was unable to provide adequate support to hurricane victims in Puerto Rico last year.
This year"s global hurricane boom could go into overdrive
The powerful weather pattern known as El Niño has been blamed for massive wildfires, crippling droughts, and global food shortages. And it’s looking increasingly likely that another one is on the way. The latest outlook from the National Weather Service, out Thursday, says there’s a 70 per cent chance that El Niño will arrive before the end of the year. Summertime outlooks for El Niño are generally pretty accurate, so it’s a big deal that the weather pattern is still in the forecast.
NASA surveys hurricane damage to Puerto Rico"s forests
In April a team of NASA scientists traveled to Puerto Rico with airborne instrumentation to survey damages from Hurricane Maria to the island's forests.
Newborn Baby Killed, Dozens Injured In North Dakota Tornado
The twister, which reportedly had wind speeds that reached 127 miles per hour, made landfall in a Watford City RV park on the 10th of July.
The El Niño forecast has changed, what it means for hurricane season
An El Niño watch issued last month will continue after the latest forecast for the global climate pattern increased its chances of appearing this fall or winter. The Climate Prediction Center is now forecasting a 65 per cent chance El Niño conditions will be in place by the fall, and up to a 70 per cent chance by winter.
The World Has Never Seen a Category 6 Hurricane, but the Day May Be Coming
According to Adam Sobel, professor of applied physics at Columbia University and director of its Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate, there’s almost unanimous agreement that hurricanes will produce more rain in a warmer climate.
Extreme Temperatures
Japan: Deadly heat wave continues as temp hits record 41.4C near Tokyo
... surface temperature for the first three months of the year was the sixth highest such period since global records began in 1880. Much of the northern hemisphere has been experiencing a scorching summer characterized by heatwaves and extreme weather.
Global temperatures reach extreme highs, breaking records
Heat waves broke records around the world this week. While Burbank airport in California touched 114 degrees, Montreal in Canada recorded a high of 97.9 degrees. In Glasgow, Scotland, the temperature was a record-breaking 89.4 degrees on June 28 and a new world record was set off the coast of Oman, where the temperature never dropped below 108.7 degrees for 24 hours.
A Global Heat Wave Has Set the Arctic Circle on Fire
The list of areas experiencing extreme temperatures keeps going: An Algerian city earlier this month broke the record for the highest temperature ever in Africa when it hit 124.3 degrees and a city in Oman recorded the highest low temperature — 108.7 ...
A mega-heat wave is gaining strength over Texas and the south-central United States
An extreme heat wave is hitting Texas and surrounding states. Temperatures in much of that region have been near and past 100 for days, and they will rise there and beyond in the days ahead. Heading toward its peak, this is the most significant heat wave in Texas since 2011, and some record highs could even be in jeopardy before it finishes.
Record-breaking summer marches on to the beat of climate change
2018 is the hottest La Niña year on record (the cooling of the ocean waters in the Pacific during La Niña tends to cool the planet), according to the World Meteorological Association, and with La Niña fading away and El Niño (which warms the Pacific Ocean) likely to take its place, things are only going to get hotter.
Quebec Heat Wave: Death Toll Rising Amid Extreme Temperatures
At least 33 people have died since a heat wave began June 29 in Eastern Canada, officials said Thursday. Of those who died, 18 were in Montreal, Quebec's largest city.
How New York City Is Tackling Extreme Heat in a Warming World.
New York City is increasingly vulnerable to rising temperatures rise. A growing number of casualties have been reported following the latest heat wave.
Huge wall of dust charges through Arizona during insane haboob storm
Parts of Arizona, US have been coated in dust after a haboob storm swept through the state. Stunning images of a cloud of dust swallowing Phoenix were splashed all over social media as the strange natural spectacle took hold.
Disneyland has hottest day on record as temperatures hit 45C
Temperatures at California's Disneyland hit a whopping 114F (45C) on Friday, the hottest day ever recorded at the popular family attraction.and more »
An Arctic heatwave pushed temperatures in Siberia anomalously high.
Nick Humphrey, a meteorologist living in Nebraska, wrote on his blog that temperatures rose to 90°F (32°C) in northern Siberia—some 40°F warmer than average for this time of year. Other parts of the extreme north are hot, too—cities in Scotland and Northern Ireland are also hitting records of almost 90°F, the Washington Post reports. In Quebec, Canada, excessive heat reaching similar temperatures killed 70 people last week, and thousands were left without electricity due to overheating power wires.
Heat Wave Bakes Parts Of The Midwest And Northeast With Extreme Temperatures
A massive heat wave roasting the central and eastern U.S. this weekend with temperatures that felt like the triple digits is expected to linger at least until the July 4th holiday.
Earthquakes
Sunday"s 5.2 quake where geology "starts to get quite complicated"
Sunday's magnitude 5.2 quake near Nelson happened at a depth where the geology "starts to get quite complicated", a seismologist says.
Indonesia earthquake: 14 dead on tourist island of Lombok
The 6.4 magnitude quake hit the central island of Lombok just before 07:00 local time (00:00 GMT) on Sunday. The 6.4 magnitude quake hit the central island of Lombok just before 07:00 local time (00:00 GMT) on Sunday. More than 160 people are injured and thousands of homes are damaged, officials say.
After an earthquake, drones to the rescue?
Davide Scaramuzza develops autonomous drones that rely on their own cameras and sensors to navigate dangerous and unpredictable search-and-rescue situations. He tells swissinfo.ch about some of the most promising applications — and risks — associated with autonomous drones.
Removing the Drudgery from Earthquake Seismology
New methods of machine learning are bringing the phase arrival time and polarity picking used for automatic determination of earthquake fault planes to accuracies better than human analysists.
Huge earthquake rocks country day after shake injures hundreds
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake shook south-east Iran early injuring 25, following three earthquakes in the country the previous day.
Iran Hit By Earthquakes, 25 Injured
A magnitude 5.9 earthquake has hit western Iran, injuring at least 25 people, hours after two quakes struck Hormozgan Province in the south, Iranian media reported.
Tremors shove Washington westward, offer clues into next big earthquake
Thousands of tiny tremors over the past few months have moved parts of Washington and Vancouver Island westward. It’s a near annual event that backs expectations by some scientists that a big earthquake may hit the Seattle area harder than their previous models suggested.
Vanuatu earthquake: Magnitude 6 quake hits volcano island that ...
A powerful magnitude 6 earthquake struck off one of the islands of the Republic of Vanuatu, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said, just days after the South Pacific nation was hit by another 6.1 quake.
Hawaii volcano eruption: Kilauea rocking island with more earthquakes as eruption persists
Hawaii's Big Island continues to be rocked by magnitude 5 earthquakes every day as the erupting Kilauea persistently pumps molten hot lava into a large network of volcanic channels that fill the ocean with lava..
Israeli earthquake prediction system put into use worldwide
An earthquake prediction system invented by an Israeli company will be put into use in several Asian and European countries, Israeli technology website Geektime reported.
Yemen rocked by magnitude 6.2 EARTHQUAKE – USGS confirms
An earthquake registering magnitude 6.2 has struck Yemen, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake struck 213 km northwest of Socotra island in the Gulf of Aden. There was no immediate no tsunami warning.
Earthquake in Mexico Cracked a Pyramid and Revealed an Ancient Temple
On Sept. 19, 2017, a magnitude-7.1 earthquake rocked central Mexico, following an 8.1-magnitude quake that struck 12 days earlier, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. The Sept. 19 quake killed more than 200 people and damaged multiple structures — including a pyramid in the archaeological site of Teopanzolco, about 43 miles (70 kilometers) south of Mexico City,
Your broadband cables can be used to detect earthquakes
The cables that bring you high-speed internet could provide a cheaper and more efficient alternative to the traditional ways of listening out for earthquakes. Optical fibre cables transmit information using light travelling through glass fibres. Light ...and more »
Volcanic Activity
This May Be the Most Dangerous US Volcano
Mount Rainier is a volcano that causes scientists genuine concern. It’s unclear when it will stir from its long slumber, and there’s no sign that anything is imminent. Nevertheless, a future eruption could cause one of the worst natural disasters in the U.S.
Here Is What A "Supervolcano" Actually Is, And What It"s Definitely Not
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a supervolcano is any volcanic center that has explosively erupted at least 1,000 cubic kilometres (240 cubic miles) of fresh volcanic material in a sudden, violent manner, in a so-called supereruption, often producing a huge depression crater named a caldera.
How volcano "voiceprints" could help predict eruptions
Researchers are unlocking new potential in an existing technique to eavesdrop on a volcano’s “music”, something that could improve the forecasting of eruptions.
At least 23 injured as "lava bomb" hits tour boat near Hawaii"s Kilauea volcano
One person was seriously injured and 22 others hurt after a "lava bomb" hit a tour boat near the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, according to emergency officials.
Scientists Risk Heat, Gas to Study Hawaii Volcano
Scientists have been in the area of the volcanic activity measuring the eruptions 24 hours a day, seven days a week since Kilauea first exploded. They are a mix of U.S. Geological Survey experts, University of Hawaii researchers and trained volunteers.
Many forms of sulfur are found on Kilauea Volcano
SO2 emissions from Kilauea ongoing eruption have increased substantially, levels are now three to seven times higher than before the current activity began. Most of the SO2 released on the LERZ occurs as lava is erupted from the active vents (fissures), although some SO2 is also emitted from the lava flows and ocean entry.
How Long Will the Current Kīlauea Volcano Eruption Last?
A US Geological Survey report to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on June 29, 2018, addressed time frames of activity for Kīlauea Volcano’s summit and Lower East Rift Zone.
Study finds deep subterranean connection between two Japan volcanoes
Scientists have confirmed for the first time that radical changes of one volcano in southern Japan was the direct result of an erupting volcano 22 kilometers (13.7 miles) away. The observations from the two volcanos—Aira caldera and Kirishima—show that the two were connected through a common subterranean magma source in the months leading up to the 2011 eruption of Kirishima.
Lava From The Mt. Kilauea Volcano May Be Creating Its Own Rainfall
Volcanic eruptions can produce thunderstorm type clouds. Some scientists now hypothesize that the lava field created by the Kilauea volcano may be causing its own rainfall, and weather radar seems to support the claim.
Hawaii volcano eruption: NEW river of lava emerges as fissure flow becomes unpredictable
A river of lava is spreading across Hawaii’s Big Island as the flow from fissure 8 begins to show signs of becoming unstable, with no end in sight for the eruption of the Kilauea volcano.
New Lava Flow Coming From Guatemalan Pacaya Volcano
A new eruption in Guatemala is reminding the local population of the dangers they face, as a 400-meter long and 30-meter wide lava flow comes down from the Pacaya volcano as the country continues to deal with the tragic aftermath of the eruption of Fuego volcano last month.
Done - Bali volcano explodes, sending rocks & flares of lava into the air
Mount Agung explodes, sending rocks & flares of lava into the air. A volcano on the Indonesian holiday island of Bali erupted sending rocks and lava spewing into the air and unleashing a wave of panic across the island.
Wildfires
Sweden is battling its most serious wildfire situation of modern times. Here"s what you need to know
Swedish firefighters have been battling throughout the summer in what has been described by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency as the country's "most serious" wildfire situation of modern times.
Greece wildfires: dozens dead as holiday resort devastated
At least 49 people have been killed, scores more injured and almost 700 others rescued from the sea after a devastating wildfire swept through a small resort town near Athens, the Greek fire department has said.
1 Person Dead and Hundreds of Homes Destroyed as Wildfires Sweep Through California
Firefighters battling wildfires throughout the U.S. West that have torched hundreds of homes got some help from the weather Saturday, even as they tallied damage from new fires that erupted amid a Southern California heat wave.
California wildfires: nine missing and two firefighters killed
Nine people were reported missing as wildfires in northern California that have killed two firefighters, destroyed hundreds of buildings and forced thousands of residents to flee their homes burned out of control on Saturday.
Heatwaves: The factors causing Arctic wildfires and Africa"s hottest temperature
An insight into why countries have experienced record temperature highs in recent weeks.
Fast-spreading California wildfire nears Yosemite park
A raging California mountain blaze that has already killed one firefighter grew over the weekend and bore down on Yosemite National Park, prompting the closure of some smoke-choked campgrounds and roads at the popular tourist destination.
Forest fires devastate western Latvia
Extreme heat has made the job difficult for Latvian firefighters, as hundreds of hectares have been scorched in the west of the country. Meteorologists have said that unfavorable conditions will continue for two weeks.
Yosemite wildfire doubles in size, could "become a major threat"
A deadly California wildfire more than doubled in size and raged through more than 14 square miles of brush and forest, blanketing much of Yosemite National Park in smoke and forcing closure of a major access road at the height of tourist season.
70 wildfires ignited by lightning in Southern Oregon, evacuations ordered
A lightning storm ignited between 50 and 70 wildfires in southwest Oregon on Sunday. Two of the fires caused major concern to the Rogue Valley, including the evacuation of around 20 to 30 homes outside Jacksonville.
Huge North Wales wildfires saw firefighters face biggest challenge in more than a decade
Firefighters have dealt with 225 wildfires in less than three weeks during what has already become the busiest summer in decades. Recent blazes in Carmel, Bethesda,Bangor, and Holyhead have been enraged by the hot weather.
Wildfires are making extreme air pollution even worse in the northwest U.S.
Air quality in states from Nevada to Montana is worse than it was 30 years ago on the days with the most extreme air pollution. Bigger and more frequent wildfires that spew plumes of fine particulate matter into the sky are largely to blame
Landslides
Earthquake-Triggered Landslides Could Soon Be Predicted With New Model
Several teams across the globe are working on tools that may foresee an earthquake sometime in the future, but recently, a team of researchers at Indiana University looked at another aspect of the case, landslides that those quakes can trigger.
Flooding and landslides hit Vietnam and Philippines
With the summer monsoon in full swing across Asia, heavy rain and extreme temperatures are wreaking havoc in Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea and China.
Devastating Floods, Landslides Bring Death in Cameroon
The official media refrain at the moment to provide data, but testimonies from the most damaged cities, Douala and Limbe, both in the southwest, ensure that several locations are isolated from the rest of the country due to landslides caused by rainfall.
How LiDAR helps in preventing and mitigating landslides
Combining LiDAR with GIS improves both the quality and the accuracy of geological data and enables geologists and disaster preparedness experts to identify landslide prone areas and study the underlying causes of a landslide and recurring patterns.
World weatherwatch: Monsoon brings floods and landslides to India
Monsoon season is under way across southern Asia, with India bearing the brunt of the torrential rains over the past week.
Homes left damaged in Hiroshima town after landslides wipe out mud control dam
As the Koyaura district of the Hiroshima Prefecture town of Saka baked in hot weather on July 14 and 15, the devastating impact of landslides following recent downpours remained strikingly visible from along the banks of the local Tenchi River flowing through the middle of the area.
Cases of landslide increasing in western hills
In Darchula, in the Himalayan region, there are increased cases of landslides caused by construction of roads without carrying out an impact assessment.
Floods
Laos Dam Collapses, and Hundreds Are Missing
Hundreds of people were missing on Tuesday after a billion-dollar hydropower dam that was under construction in Laos collapsed, killing several people and displacing more than 6,600 others, a state news agency said.
Japan floods and landslides kill dozens; millions evacuated
Heavy rains pounded southwest Japan, triggering flooding and landslides that killed 57 people and forced 2 million others to flee their homes
"Mini tsunami" hits Majorca and Menorca, flooding beaches and restaurants
A weather phenomenon known as a meteotsunami was blamed for the flooding which affected Ciutadella, on the west coast of Menorca, and Alcudia in the north of Majorca.
At least 49 killed, 20 missing in Nigeria floods
Flooding caused by torrential rains on Nigeria's border with Niger has left 49 people dead and another 20 missing, the emergency services said. Five villages in Jibia district were affected after a river burst its banks following hours of torrential rain.
Google teams up with Indian government to help forecast floodsk
Google is to team up with India's government and use its expertise in digital mapping to improve forecasts for deadly floods.

"Environmental Hazards Newsletter" 4th Apr 2018

Hurricanes and Cyclones
NETL study: the importance of coal for power during “Bomb Cyclones”
A new analysis conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) indicates that continued retirement of fossil fuel power plants could have an adverse impact on the nation’s ability to meet power generation needs during future severe weather events. A winter storm, known as a “bomb cyclone,” struck much of the eastern United States between December 27, 2017, and January 8, 2018, plunging the region into a deep freeze and sparking a significant rise in the demand for additional power for heat. Coal provided a majority of the daily power generation required to meet the emergency, according to the study. The report analyzes fossil fleet performance and its contribution to power system reliability and resilience during the bomb cyclone event.
New Research Explains Bomb Cyclones
Scientists have extensively studied potential causes behind “bomb cyclones” in attempt to better forecast storm tracks and their extreme impacts, but new research from scientists at the Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, funded by NOAA Research’s MAPP Program, identifies another crucial controlling force.
A Comparison Of How The Government Responded To Hurricanes Harvey And Maria
Politico reporter Danny Vinik found some striking differences in the way the federal government responded to Hurricanes Harvey and Maria. NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Vinik about the findings.
This Is How Science Will Save Us From Hurricanes
As the ocean waters continue to warm, the frequency of the most powerful classes making landfall has increased, forcing us to contend with our vulnerability to their destructive effects. But we thoroughly understand how hurricanes form and sustain their power, and if we can understand it, we can combat it using science. Researchers now think they've found a practical, cost-effective way to do exactly that.
Heatwaves, hurricanes, floods: 2017 costliest year ever for extreme weather and climate events, says UN
State of the Global Climate in 2017 Source: WMO Hurricanes, monsoon floods and continuing severe drought made 2017 the costliest year ever for severe weather and climate events, according to a new report by the United Nations weather agency
Tropical Cyclone Nora on track to hit Queensland coast as category three storm
Cyclones on the Gulf are highly unpredictable, and forecasters said there was still uncertainty over Nora’s path. The latest tracking map suggested it would be a category three storm on Saturday night, when it would be off Aurukun on the Cape York Peninsula’s western coast. It was expected to remain a category three on Sunday when it would be even closer to the coast, but further south between Kowanyama and the Gilbert river mouth. The emergency services minister, Craig Crawford, said residents on the Gulf Coast from Thursday Island to the NT border should prepare for strong winds and heavy rainfall.
US hurricanes contribute to £2bn annual loss for Lloyd’s of London
Pre-tax losses for Lloyd’s of London reached £2bn last year, the first time the insurer has incurred an annual loss in six years. According to BBC News, this was a sharp reversal after the insurance market made £2.1bn in profit during 2016. Lloyd’s of London cited a spate of bad weather as a key factor in the losses, including hurricanes in the US such as Harvey, Irma and Maria, wildfires in California, a Mexican earthquake and flooding in Bangladesh. The market paid a total of £18.3bn in claims, of which £4.5bn was directly attributable to the disasters. Lloyd’s of London’s chief executive Inga Beale said: “The market experienced an exceptionally difficult year in 2017, driven by challenging market conditions and a significant impact from natural catastrophes.”
Are Nor'easters and Bomb Cyclones the New Normal?
In the past three weeks three harsh nor’easter storms have battered the northeastern U.S., bringing the total to five for the winter. A sixth may be forming this week, which is highly unusual. Four of the five storms were bomb cyclones, a legitimate technical term that means the atmospheric pressure within the nascent storms dropped rapidly and radically, causing them to “blow up” into raging beasts. Scientists have been predicting these very circumstances. And now they have new data showing that the rapidly warming Arctic is at least partly to blame.
Bomb Cyclones, Nor'easters, and the Messy Relationship Between Weather and Climate
Led by Judah Cohen, a visiting scientist at M.I.T. and the director of seasonal forecasting for the climate-risk company Atmospheric and Environmental Research, the group looked back at meteorological records from twelve American cities, spanning from 1950 to 2016, and found that, when temperatures were anomalously high in the Arctic, extreme winter weather on the East Coast was between two and four times likelier to occur. The paper, Cohen said, does not attempt to explain why this might be. “Here we are just trying to establish that a warm Arctic really leads to a cold, more extreme winter,”
World weatherwatch: Nor'easter whips against US as cyclones slam South Pacific
Cyclone Hola continued its path south-eastwards across the South Pacific this week, brushing along the northern-most fringes of New Zealand’s North Island. The cyclone, which intensified to category 4, brought with it heavy rain and strong winds in excess of 70mph to communities along the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne as well as to the country’s capital, Auckland. It was the third big storm to strike the country this year.
Planet-sized cyclones just one highlight of Juno's new views of Jupiter
Some of the most beautiful images from the mission are of the enormous cyclones that encircle the poles. These storms resemble geometric arrangements of fiery roses, and according to Dr. Scott Bolton, the Principal Investigator for the Juno mission, and Associate Vice president of the Southwest Research for Science and Engineering, they were a significant surprise. Juno is the first spacecraft to fly over Jupiter's poles, so these storms were a new discovery. The north pole has eight cyclones circling a central storm, while the south pole contains five cyclones around a central storm. Researchers are now trying to better understand what drives these enormous storms, how long they might last, why they cluster as they do, and how deeply into the atmosphere they reach.
Extreme Temperatures
Extreme rainfall events in India are linked to man-made emissions, finds study
Here is more evidence on why we need to worry about climate change. A new study says extreme rainfall events are on the rise in India and it attributes the trend to man-made emissions or what scientists call “anthropogenic warming”. Not just this
Extreme weather is here to stay as whole world faces upsurge in major storms
A world addled by climate change has seen a four-fold increase in major flooding events since 1980, and a doubling of significant storms, droughts and heat waves, Europe’s national science academies jointly reported this week. In Europe, where precise data reaches back decades, the number of severe floods has jumped five fold since 1995, according to the report, which updates a 2013 assessment.
Marine heatwave recorded in Tasman Sea breaks records, prompts joint climate report
The Tasman Sea experienced a "marine heatwave" over summer that pushed the surface temperature to a record high, climate scientists say. Following a particularly hot summer on both sides of the Tasman and in between, the Bureau of Meteorology and New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research teamed up to release a "special climate statement". New Zealand's summer was the hottest ever recorded, while Tasmania had its hottest November-January on record. "Tasmania had its warmest November on record and its second-warmest December and second-warmest January," senior BOM climatologist Dr Blair Trewin said.
Wind gust in Friday's storm strongest in eight years
The strongest wind gust in eight years was recorded during Friday's thunderstorm which battered several farms in Lim Chu Kang. Wind speed hit a high of 133.3kmh at nearby Tengah at 3.50pm, said the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) yesterday. "This is the strongest wind gust recorded on our islandwide network of wind sensors since 2010," it added. The highest-recorded wind gust is 144.4kmh, also in Tengah, on April 25, 1984.
‘Extreme’ heatwave recorded in Tasman Sea breaks records
The Tasman Sea experienced a “marine heatwave” over summer that pushed the surface temperature to a record high, climate scientists say. Following a particularly hot summer on both sides of the Tasman and in between, the Bureau of Meteorology and New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research teamed up to release a “special climate statement”. New Zealand’s summer was the hottest ever recorded, while Tasmania had its hottest November-January on record. “Tasmania had its warmest November on record and its second-warmest December and second-warmest January,” senior BoM climatologist Dr Blair Trewin said.
Powerful images of extreme storms dominate campaign for World Climate Day
Storms have gotten stronger and more vicious, and their effects are highlighted in a new Colombian campaign for World Climate Day. In honor of the day, Conservative International has launched a new spot designed to highlight climate change and the fact that hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis happen more and more often in different countries all over the world, to often devastating effects.
Maximum temperatures in Singapore's cool months rising faster than warmer months:
December and January, traditionally the cooler months in Singapore, experienced the highest rate of increase in extreme warm temperatures between 1984 and 2017, according to the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS). In its 2017 Annual Climate Assessment Report released on Friday (Mar 23), MSS said during the two months of December and January, there has been the strongest rate of increase in warm days and decrease in the number of cool days. Between 1984 and 2017, the mean daily maximum temperatures for December and January increased by 0.19 degrees Celsius per decade, while the highest daily maximum temperatures increased by 0.31 degrees Celsius per decade.
Europe Saw a Spike in Extreme Weather Over Past 5 Years, Science Academies Say
Europeans are facing more frequent extreme weather as the planet warms. Floods and big landslides have quadrupled and extreme heat waves and crop-damaging droughts have doubled since 1980, with a sharp spike in the last five years, according to the European Academies' Science Advisory Council's latest extreme weather update. The increase in the frequency of extreme weather events should spur European countries to boost adaptation and resiliency efforts, said EASAC Environment Program Director Michael Norton.
Expert reaction to new report on extreme weather and climate change
Dr Phil Williamson, climate researcher at the University of East Anglia (UEA), said: “The linkage between climate change and individual weather events – such as the Beast from the East – is inherently uncertain. Nevertheless, the EASAC report does provide convincing evidence for an increasing frequency of extreme weather in Europe, with major economic consequences. “These results are fully consistent with the global trends, from this new report and other analyses, on the consequences of increased heat energy in the Earth system. For example, there have been roughly ten times more warm record-breaking temperatures than cold ones in the past 150 years. “On a day-to-day basis, we can’t choose what weather we get. But there is a societal choice on what the climate will be in future, with its associated weather extremes, depending on how rapidly national commitments relating to the Paris Agreement are implemented”.
Human influence on climate change will fuel more extreme heat waves in US
Human-caused climate change will drive more extreme summer heat waves in the western US, including in California and the Southwest as early as 2020, new research shows.
Extreme winter weather becoming more common as Arctic warms, study finds
A sharp increase in temperatures across the Arctic since the early 1990s has coincided with an uptick in abnormally cold snaps in winter, particularly in the eastern US, according to new research that analyzed temperature data from 1950 onwards. Extreme cold winter weather is up to four times more likely when temperatures in the Arctic are unusually high, the study found. Researchers compared daily temperatures from across the Arctic region with something called the accumulated winter season severity index, which grades winter weather based on temperature, snow fall and snow depth, across 12 US cities.
Weather warning: EXTREME weather ‘cost world economy £230 BILLION"
The alarming revelations were published by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in its Statement on The State of the Global Climate, timed to coincide with World Meteorological Day. Scientists have warned that about 30 per ent of the world’s ...
Earthquakes
5.3-magnitude earthquake in Iran's Kurdish region leaves at least 38 casualties
An earthquake in Iranian Kurdistan’s (Rojhilat) Kermanshan Province on Sunday left at least 38 people injured, local media reported. The 5.3-magnitude earthquake rocked the western Iranian region at 1:05 p.m. (local time), a report from the seismography center affiliated with Tehran University Geophysics Institute revealed. The tremor’s epicenter was located at a depth of eight kilometers underground near the town of Sarpol-e Zahab in Kermanshan
Papua New Guinea earthquake: Strong tremor off New Britain island
A strong magnitude 6.9 earthquake has struck off the coast of Papua New Guinea's New Britain island, the US Geological Survey (USGS) says. Hazardous tsunami waves were forecast for some coastlines but there were no immediate reports of damage. The quake struck some 162km (100 miles) from Rabaul, on New Britain island, at 07:25 on Friday (21:25 GMT Thursday). The USGS originally estimated a shallow depth of 10km but later revised it to 35km.
Three earthquakes strike south of San Jose
Three small earthquakes struck south of San Jose early Saturday morning, the United States Geological Survey reports. The first, a magnitude 2.7, was centered 6 miles east of Gilroy. It hit at 2:05 a.m. The second arrived at 7:33 a.m. and registered 3.0 on the Richter scale. It was located 3 miles from San Juan Bautista. The third, measured at 2.8, happened at 8:07 in the morning and was in nearly the same location, 3 miles from Aromas and San Juan Bautista. All of the quakes occurred about 30 miles from downtown San Jose. They were felt across sections of San Benito County and southern Santa Clara County. No injuries were reported.
How effective are earthquake early warning systems?
Earthquake early warning detection is more effective for minor quakes than major ones. This is according to a new study from the United States Geological Survey. Seismologists modelled ground shaking along California's San Andreas Fault, where an earthquake of magnitude 6.5 or more is expected within 30 years. They found that warning time could be increased for residents if they were willing to tolerate a number of "false alarms" for smaller events. This would mean issuing alerts early in an earthquake's lifespan, before its full magnitude is determined. Those living far from the epicentre would occasionally receive warnings for ground shaking they could not feel.
Something’s Going On At Yellowstone: Earthquake Swarm Ongoing For 5 Weeks
The Yellowstone earthquake swarm has been going on for little over five weeks now with no end in sight. As you may know, this is especially terrifying considering the super volcano that calls Yellowstone home. Researchers have recorded well over 1,200 earthquakes at Yellowstone National Park. This phenomenon has been being monitored by several seismologists from the University of Utah since it first began around June 12th. Although this activity is cause for alarm experts do not think these events will cause any sort of eruption from the super volcano.
Magnitude 4.3 earthquake rattles central Taiwan
A magnitude 4.3 earthquake jolted central Taiwan's Nantou County at 12:02 a.m. Monday morning (April 2), according to the Central Weather Bureau (CWB). The epicenter of the quake was located 17.5 kilometers east-southeast of Nantou County, at a depth of 23.7 kilometers, according to CWB data. The strongest intensity of level felt from the quake was a level 4 recorded in Chanhua County, while an intensity level of 3 was felt in Nantou County, Yunlin County, Changhua County and Taichung City. An intensity level of 2 was felt in Miaoli County and Tainan City, while an intensity level of 1 was felt in Chiayi County, Hualien County, Taichung County, Kaohsiung City, Yilan County and Penghu County.
Mexico earthquake devastation spurs California cities to action, despite the costs
A number of cities big and small in Southern California are taking steps to identify seismically vulnerable buildings for the first time in a generation, acting in part on the devastating images of earthquake damage in Mexico and elsewhere around the world. “What happened last year in Mexico City, we don’t want to experience in California,” David Khorram, Long Beach’s superintendent of building and safety, said of the quake that left more that 360 people dead. “We want to be progressive.” In hopes of mitigating the loss of life from a major quake that experts say is inevitable, Long Beach is discussing spending up to $1 million to identify as many as 5,000 potentially vulnerable buildings. The city of Moorpark already has agreed to spend up to $10,000 for its own survey of at-risk buildings.
Volcano popocatepetl on brink of eruption as Mexico fears
Popocatepetl, a “stratovolcano” located near the city, was once again awakened by a small earthquake on Friday evening. During the night vast amounts of thick smoke, along with gas and vapour, were seen pouring out of the mouth of the active volcano. Mexican authorities have set up equipment to keep monitoring the natural phenomenon, but understand its activity can be highly unpredictable. A yellow warning has been issued, urging people “not to approach” the volcano, especially the crater, due to possibility of spewing debris.
Light earthquake in Alaska is aftershock from January
A light earthquake was reported Friday afternoon in the Gulf of Alaska. The Alaska Earthquake Center says the magnitude 4.3 quake was centered about 160 miles (255 kilometers) southeast of Kodiak Island. It was located at a depth of about 6 miles (10 kilometers). There are no reports of it being felt or causing damage. The earthquake center said it was an aftershock of the Jan. 23 magnitude 7.9 earthquake that was widely felt throughout south-central Alaska and briefly prompted a tsunami warning. Another light earthquake earlier Friday shook the Cook Inlet region of southern Alaska, not far from Anchorage. The earthquake with a magnitude of 4.1 was centered about 23 miles (37 kilometers) north of Anchorage. The quake had a depth of about 29 miles (47 kilometers).
5.2-magnitude earthquake hits parts of KP
A 5.2-magnitude earthquake jolted parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province late Friday, according to the seismological centre. The quake, with its epicenter in Afghanistan-Tajikistan border area, had an estimated depth of 230 kilometres, the seismological centre said. Tremors were felt in Peshawar, Mardan, Malakand Division and adjacent areas. There has been no loss of life or property reported in the wake of the earthquake.
Light earthquake shakes southern Alaska's Cook Inlet region
Officials say a light earthquake has shaken the Cook Inlet region of southern Alaska, not far from Anchorage. The Alaska Earthquake Center says an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.1 struck at approximately 3:30 a.m. Friday, and was centered about 23 miles (37 kilometers) north of Anchorage. The quake had a depth of about 29 miles (47 kilometers). There was no immediate word of any damage or injuries.
Tokyo hit by 5.3 magnitude earthquake as "buildings shake" in Japan capital
Tokyo has been hit by an earthquake as buildings shook in the Japanese capital and promoted a slew of residents to express their worries on social media, it has emerged. Early reports are stating the ground shaking quake was of a 5.3 magnitude. The USGS confirmed the earthquake and downgraded it to a 5.0 magnitude. One resident declared that they saw buildings shake in the city while others expressed relief that “everyone is okay”. One wrote: “Well just felt my first earthquake - in Tokyo. Everyone ok. Just a small jolt.”
Massive earthquake strikes off Australian coast
The huge 6.9 magnitude quake struck 96 miles from the town of Kokopowhich. It is home to about 20,000 people. Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) boffins issued a warning and forecast hazardous waves from the coast. A PTWC spokesman said: "Government agencies responsible for threatened coastal areas should take action to inform and instruct any coastal populations at risk. "Persons located in threatened coastal areas should stay alert for information."
Earthquakes - 2001-2015 (Video)
This animation shows every recorded earthquake in sequence as they occurred from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2015, at a rate of 30 days per second.
Landslide computer modelling helps earthquake first responders
Just hours after the 7.8 magnitude Kaikoura earthquake hit New Zealand in 2016 research by Dr Tom Robinson, Department of Geography, was helping to inform the work of first responders in the area. At the time of the earthquake Dr Robinson was collaborating with colleagues from the universities of Canterbury and Otago in New Zealand, to test a computer modelling approach to predict earthquake-related landslides. When the earthquake struck, the team were able to use their modelling approach to generate information about where significant landslides might have blocked roads and rivers and share this information with first responders in New Zealand. The findings of their modelling approach are published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America.
Revealed: Why some earthquakes are more devastating than others
A team of seismologists from UC Santa Cruz and California Institute of Technology has developed a new measurement of seismic energy that could help us understand why some earthquakes are more destructive than others. Unlike magnitude scales, which indicate an earthquake’s relative size by measuring the amount of ground movement (or seismic waves with specific wave periods), the new measure – Radiated Energy Enhancement Factor (REEF) – reveals the complexity of different ruptures including variations in the amount and duration of slip along the fault.
Potent Mexico City earthquake was a rare "bending" quake, study finds
Six months have passed since a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Mexico City, toppling 40 buildings and killing over 300, but the memory remains fresh. Condemned structures dot many neighborhoods, their facades crumbling. And after an earthquake 225 miles away in Oaxaca state shook the capital city again on 16 February, the city mayor said hospitals treated dozens of people for panic attacks. Seismologists, too, are still studying the 19 September earthquake, trying to better understand what’s happening underneath Mexico City. Our new paper in Geophysical Research Letters brings critical findings to light.
Volcanic Activity
Scientists create 3D image of active volcano
Scientists have created what they say is the world's first 3D thermal image of an active volcano. The image of Stromboli in Italy was made using high-precision cameras mounted to an aerial drone. A team of geoscientists from the Universities of Aberdeen and Oslo are using the technology to detect subtle changes in the behaviour of the volcano. They hope it will be used to provide more accurate information on the likelihood of an eruption.
Europe's Most Active Volcano Is Sliding Into The Sea, And It Will Cause Devastation - ScienceAlert
Even the most fearsome forces of nature can't escape the laws of physics: the fiery furnace of Mount Etna is slowly sliding into the Mediterranean Sea at a steady rate, according to the latest measurements. It's the first time scientists have been able to observe the movement of a volcano in its entirety, thanks to more than 100 GPS stations dotted around the sides of Mount Etna, which have been logging positional data for the past 11 years. The slide is slow but has now become unstoppable, scientists say – and as the volcano sinks, we could be looking at a series of extra hazards for those around the area of Sicily, including the hordes of tourists and scientists who regularly turn up to take a peek at the natural wonder.
Caribbean volcano Kick "em Jenny: Ships warned off area
Ships sailing in the Caribbean have been told to steer clear of an underwater volcano after it started showing increased seismic activity. The volcano, called Kick 'em Jenny, is located 8km (5 miles) off Grenada. The government of Grenada has imposed a 5km exclusion zone around Kick 'em Jenny after the alert was raised to orange, which means an eruption could take place within 24 hours. Seismologists said there was no imminent danger to the region. Prof Richard Robertson, of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (SRC) in Trinidad, said there was no indication that the increased seismic activity would generate a tsunami.
Hawaii volcano blows: Kīlauea spouts twisting streams of lava in rare phenomenon
Several land spouts of twisting lava were seen just above the Pulama pali at sunrise on Thursday, helicopter footage shows. Mick Kalber, a videographer who was aboard a Paradise Helicopters flights, said: “[A] pink rainbow, amazing land spouts and a veritable plethora of lava flows made for a spectacular lava overflight this morning.
Volcano erupts in Baku
The eruption lasted up to seven minutes and was accompanied by flames, which reached a height of about 100-150 meters above the volcanic crater. The eruption covers an area of up to 2 hectares and varies from 0.3 to 1.2 meters in thickness.
Wider coverage of satellite data better detects magma supply to volcanoes
Using satellite imaging, Penn State researchers for the first time identified a major magma supply into a reservoir extending almost two miles from the crater of a volcano in Nicaragua. This shows that volcanoes can be fed magma through nearby underground channels and could help explain how volcanoes can erupt seemingly without warning because the active center of the volcano exhibits little deformation activity. The findings are published today (March 28) in Geophysical Research Letters.
Volcanoes, climate change, and the birth of Christianity
Volcanic eruptions in Iceland during the middle ages may have influenced the course of history.
Listen to the first-ever recordings of volcanic thunder
Researchers were listening for thunder in the middle of a volcanic eruption. That’s exactly what some researchers managed to record during eruptions of Alaska’s Bogoslof volcano last year. They noticed that cracks and pops in the recordings lined up with the timing of volcanic lightning in the same area. Volcanic lightning occurs when eruptions that send a lot of ash into the atmosphere. During their speed run into the air, the ash particles rub against each other, creating an electric charge a lot like when you rub a balloon against your hair. As the particles spread out, that electric charge discharges into lightning….and apparently, thunder.
The secrets of garnet reveal source of water to fuel powerful volcanoes and earthquakes
Among geologists who study powerful earthquakes and volcanoes, there is a mystery: as one of Earth's tectonic plates slides beneath another in a subduction zone, water is squeezed from certain minerals, lubricating earthquakes and fueling volcanoes in hot spots like the Pacific Ocean "Ring of Fire." But equations that predict where the forces of subduction wring water from stone consistently point to locations far from the site of actual cataclysms. By applying a new spectroscopy technique to garnet containing fragments of quartz, metamorphic petrologist Frank Spear of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute thinks he's solved the puzzle. His early research shows that the equations are incomplete, lacking the significant variable of "overstepping," the additional energy needed to initiate a process, in this case, the decomposition of water-bearing minerals.
Flying rocks spark fresh warnings about Japanese volcano that featured in James Bond film
Explosive eruptions at a volcano featured in a James Bond film have prompted authorities in Japan to issue heightened warnings of flying rocks within 2.5 miles of the crater. Increasing the alert to level three following two huge blasts at Mount Shinmoedake the Japan Meteorological Agency said that rocks more than 50cm wide could be hurled from the volcano, which was used in You Only Live Twice as the exterior of the villain Blofeld’s secret rocket base. Molten lava was seen running down one side of the crater.
Wildfires
Wildfire potential, April through July
“Wildfire activity will increase across portions of the nation in April. The central and southern Great Plains continue to experience significant wildland fire activity. While the activity observed is Above Normal, overall trends follow a traditional seasonal progression which keeps the fire potential elevated across these areas in early April but begins a westward shift further into the Southwest by month’s end. Periods of concern will be wind events coupled with low humidities that impact fire activity. Other areas of concern are the Florida Peninsula, eastern Georgia and South Carolina where drought conditions linger. Elevated potential exists across coastal portions of Southern California where drought continues and across portions of eastern Montana where very dry residual soil conditions exist. Pregreenup fire activity could elevate during westerly flow wind events.
Wildfire loss in March three times higher than last year
Wildfire has gutted more than 300 hectare of forest cover in Uttarakhand in March, the damage in a month being three times higher than that of last year, official data shows. On March 29, forest fire destroyed computers, a printer, biometrics system and other infrastructure of a government high school at Chaukhutiya in Almora district. Students were in the playground when the incident happened. According to forest department figures, 330.646-hectare forest cover has been damaged since February 15 when the official fire season began, leading to an estimated revenue loss of Rs 5,87,155. In February, only 31 hectare was burnt posing a loss of Rs 33,525. Nearly 300 hectare has been lost within 29 days this month, causing a loss of Rs 5,53,630. Last year, 100.35 hectare was damaged in March posing a loss of Rs 1,72,963. In 2016, when the state reported the worst wildfire, only 43.15 hectare was burnt in March with a loss of Rs 52,475, forest department data shows.
Prepare for a wildfire like you would hurricane
Officials with the Florida Forest Service recommend families create an emergency supply kit, similar to one they'd put together before hurricane season. Stock it with: Three-days worth of nonperishable foods and three gallons of water per person Map marked with at least two evacuation routes - Prescriptions or special medical items - Change of clothing - An extra set of car keys, credit cards, cash or traveler's checks - First aid kit - Flashlight - Battery-powered radio and extra batteries Copies of important documents (birth certificates, homeowner's insurance policy, passports) - Pet food and water
Governor signs wildfire legislation
Legislation sponsored by Rep. Tom Dent to improve wildfire preparedness and prevention was recently signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee, according to a news release. House Bill 2561 will require the commissioner of public lands direct the wildland fire advisory committee to review, analyze and make recommendations on wildfire prevention, response and suppression activities. The advisory committee also will evaluate the existing fire mobilization process and identify potential efficiencies or other reforms that may lead to a more effective, coordinated wildfire response.
EDITORIAL: California Paying the Price for Wildfires
In addition to the tragic loss of life and the devastating financial impact on the thousands of Californians who lost homes, businesses and agriculture, the state spent nearly $1.8 billion fighting fierce wildfires, it was reported early this month. Much of that will be reiumbursed by federal agencies — which, rather than actually being anything like good news for the American people, will help create an almost unbearable budget burden on the United States Forest Service, which can spend on few other line items these days other than fighting Western fires. Still, the state will need to come up with about $371 million of that money, and that’s on top of California’s existing wildfire budget, the Legislative Analyst’s Office told the state Senate Budget Committee.
We're Entering an Era of Mega-Fire
A new book by Heather Hansen explores the complicated world of wildland-urban interface firefighting as it unfolded in the Cold Springs Fire near Nederland, Colorado
Extreme fire season expected; officials urge safety
Local, state federal and tribal agencies are getting ready for an extreme fire season. The New Mexico State Forestry Division says since Jan. 1, there have already been more than 140 wildfires in New Mexico. Of those, 90 percent were human-caused. Gov. Susana Martinez declared March 25-31 as "New Mexico Wildfire Awareness Week." On Tuesday morning, agency leaders came together to encourage everyone in the state to do their part to prevent forest fires. The theme of this week is, "it’s not a matter of if, but when. Prepare now."
Vast boreal forest in Alberta threatened by climate change
New research shows the boreal forest in Alberta will be dramatically changed in the decades to come due to human induced climate change. As the climate warms, droughts longer and more frequent and forest fires become more prevalent the study says up to half of the western province’s vast boreal forest could be gone by 2100. The report was published this week in the journal Ecosphere, under the title, “Wildfire‐mediated vegetation change in boreal forests of Alberta, Canada”
In 20 Years, Wildfires Will Be Six Times Larger
Over the next two decades, as many as 11 states are predicted to see the average annual area burned increase by 500 percent, according to a recent study. That would mean a small fire, say 100 acres, becomes, on average, a 600-acre fire, with Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, and Nevada expected to increase 700 percent in burn size. It’s a grim picture for future fire seasons—one that might be inevitable, because researchers have been able to check their work from current trends.
Wildfires destroy dozens of homes, force hundreds to flee in Australia
Australian authorities urged people to remain alert on Monday as wildfires that have destroyed dozens of homes, killed cattle and forced hundreds of residents to flee continued to burn out of control in the southeast of the country. No deaths or serious injuries were reported as of Monday morning, but the bushfires have caused extensive damage in rural areas of Victoria and New South Wales (NSW). At least 75 homes had been destroyed, authorities said. “We can’t be 100 per cent sure that everybody is accounted for... but each one of those homes that have been affected by fire will need to be looked at and just confirm that,” NSW Rural Fire Service Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers told Australian Broadcasting Corp.
Wildfires will likely get worse in western North America
The massive wildfires that burned in California, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and British Columbia in 2017 exhibited a disturbing trend: a marked increase in the amount of area burned. While it may have been an exceptional year in some respects, new research predicts that years like 2017 are likely to become more common over time. States in the interior western United States, in particular, may be faced with large increases in total wildfire area burned, potentially beyond anything that has been experienced in the past, according to the study, published in the journal PLOS ONE on December 15, 2017, as the 2017 fire season was ending. The study projects where the greatest increases in area burned are likely to occur across the western U.S. and Canada in coming decades, suggesting that large fires years, such as the recent ones in southern and northern California may become more common.
The Energy 202: The next wildfire season starts soon. The government wants to use drones to fight it.
In response to the wildfires that have ravaged the Western United States last year, the federal government is planning to implement unmanned aircraft, which are increasingly cheaper to buy and deploy, more than ever to aid the efforts of firefighters on the ground.
Landslides
Avalanches, landslides to increase in Kashmir, says DRDO study
The frequency of avalanches and landslides would increase due to warming of Himalayas, says a study of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The study is authored by HS Negi, Neha Kanda, MS Shekhar and Ashwagosha Ganju from Snow and Avalanche Studies Establishment (SASE), a laboratory under DRDO. The recent study warned that rising trends in liquid precipitation over snowfall “can have a negative influence on Himalayan glaciers”. “It will increase the frequency of hazards like avalanches and landslides during late winters,” the study reads. Citing high rainfall and less snowfall for the flood threat in Kashmir in April 2017, the study analyzed that the increase in liquid precipitation over seasonal snow in winter has “induced enhanced melting and resulted in flood like situation”.
New NASA Model Could Help Predict Landslides (Video)
A new NASA computer model identifies landslide hazards around the world every 30 minutes, potentially allowing scientists and first responders to get a jump on these natural disasters, a new study reports.
Landslides are Canada’s forgotten menace. How can we predict them and save lives?
Quebec received 350 reports of landslides in 2017 that caused property damage, nearly triple the recent average. Homes have been destroyed, a hydro tower was damaged and a major freeway closed for more than a month after ground gave away.
Engineering student develops technology to predict and monitor landslides
New Zealand engineering student Johnathan Olds from University of Victoria, Wellington, has developed an automated technology solution that uses inexpensive battery or solar powered GPS sensors to provide advance notice of life-threatening landslides.
UGM-BPNB`s landslide warning system designated as international guide
The Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS), developed by Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University (UGM) and the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has been adopted as an international landslide warning guide. The International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) officially designated LEWS as ISO 22327 after handing over the ISO certificate to the university at its Plenary Meeting Office in Sydney, Australia, on Friday. With over 40 million people in Indonesia vulnerable to landslides, it is considered one of the country`s deadliest disasters. "What we have achieved is the result of a long struggle," Teuku Faisal Fathani, one of LEWS` developers, said in a university statement.
Kaikoura quake caused one of the largest underwater landslides in history
A massive underwater landslide caused by the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake moved more than 100 million dump trucks of mud and sand hundreds of kilometres, scientists say.
Drones will be used to investigate Auckland's big landslide threats as part of EQC-funded study
Indonesia has recorded more than 400 earthquakes between January and February this year, including the 6.1 Richter-scale earthquake that struck off the coast of Banten in the most western part of Java, an official at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said. "We are reporting that a total of 434 earthquakes have struck between January and February," head of the MEMR’s Geological Agency, Rudy Suhendar, told reporters at a press conference in Jakarta on Monday (05/03). One of those earthquakes, which struck off the coast of Banten, caused tremors that were felt across cities in the western part of the densely-populated island, including in the capital. Rudy added that most of the earthquakes had a magnitude between 4 and 4.9 on the Richter scale. Nearly 2,900 buildings and houses in various areas of Indonesia were reportedly damaged from the earthquakes. The agency also recorded 252 landslides within the same period, which Rudy said took place in 25 districts, most of them in Java.
Papua New Guinea landslides triggered by 6.8 magnitude earthquake
Several remote villages in Papua New Guinea have been decimated by landslides triggered by a powerful offshore earthquake. At 4.39am, PNG was struck by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake 103 km from Kokopo, the capital of East New Britain. Aftershocks from the quake collapsed the sides of Mt Sisa, an extinct volcano around which eight villages reside. This morning's shock is the latest in a series of powerful earthquakes that have rocked Papua New Guinea since late February.
The science of landslides, and why they’re so devastating in PNG
The Papua New Guinea government has declared a state of emergency in the region. There is growing concern over several valleys that have been dammed by landslides and are beginning to fill with water, now ready to collapse and surge downstream, directly towards villages.
Expert Warns Bigger-than-expected Tsunami Could Hit Japanese Coastal Regions
The March 11th, 2011 disaster prompted the Japanese government to revise the estimated scale of tsunami that could hit coastal regions. But an expert says the revised figures may still be too modest. Tokoha University Professor Ikuo Abe, an expert on tsunami and disaster prevention, visited a temple in Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture known to possess some puzzling historical records on tsunami. The documents indicate that in the 15th century, the area was hit by tsunami that reached 11 meters above sea level. That's much higher than the maximum 5-meter tsunami that Shizuoka Prefecture has projected in studies conducted after the March 11th disaster. Abe says he believes the 15th-century tsunami was not the result of a normal earthquake. He says a massive localized tsunami most likely occurred, possibly due to a landslide on the seabed that was caused by the quake. A mass collapse of soil in this kind of landslide can cause seawater to swell and produce a tsunami.
GIS and Remote Sensing tools to analyze landslides
Landslides are one of the major disasters that occur in hilly region. They are unpredictable by nature and thus their analysis is complex to study. RS and GIS tools can be of utmost importance in analyzing the effect of factors on which the occurrence of a landslide event depends.
Floods
Climate change: Ganges might swell to twice its capacity, flooding northern India
Several countries across the world face a serious risk of food shortage if temperatures go beyond the Paris Accords' agreed upon two degree Celsius rise over the next few decades. The biggest risk to food sustainability comes from floods and droughts. A new study carried out by the University of Exeter, has found that conditions might get so severe that rivers like Ganges and Amazon will likely swell up, flooding large regions. Ganges runs through China, Nepal, Bhutan, India, and Bangladesh. Over 630 million people live along this river and in the coming century, that number will only get bigger.
Flooding in Fiji claims at least four lives after Tropical Cyclone Josie
Tropical Cyclone Josie has caused severe flooding in parts of Fiji, with four people reported dead and one missing. Fiji Village reported four people were dead, while a 19-year-old man was still missing after he was washed away by floodwaters. The category one cyclone is moving southeast, away from Fiji, but heavy rain and flooding is still affecting the country. The Fiji National Disaster Management Office tweeted about 9.45am NZT that water levels were slowly receding, and roads were starting to reopen.
Super typhoon may flood one third of central Tokyo
One third of central Tokyo could be left under water and nearly four million people affected if a super typhoon strikes the capital causing storm surges, a new study from local authorities has warned. The Tokyo metropolitan government unveiled its first estimate of the Japanese capital's vulnerability to damage from typhoon-related high tidal waves Friday, as risks of storm damage continue to increase globally. According to the report, 212 square kilometres (85 square miles), or one third of the capital's central area, could be inundated to a maximum depth of 10 metres (33 feet) if a super typhoon creates high tidal waves. A severe event of this type would be estimated to affect as many as 3.95 million people in the city, flooding business and entertainment districts as well as major railway stations, the local government said
Floods Spark State of Emergency in Northern Greece (video)
A state of emergency has been declared in parts of northern Greece after a swollen River Evros broke its banks, causing widespread flooding. The village of Praggi was among the areas in Evros prefecture affected by the floodwaters earlier this week. Now, the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace regions have been declared to be in a state of emergency as the authorities attempt to prevent more damage from the rising floodwaters. Local officials had called upon the government to declare the region in a state of emergency after the river rose above dangerous levels at Pythio in Didymoteicho. The region’s deputy governor, Dimitris Petrovic, said that the level of water in the river has been above dangerous levels for four consecutive days.
Northern Ireland floods: Half a million pounds for rivers
Half a million pounds is to be spent fixing rivers in the north west of Northern Ireland which were badly affected by flash floods last August. The Loughs Agency will spend the money re-setting the courses of four rivers which overflowed their banks. Some of it will also be used to remove debris and manage overhanging trees. Fences will be erected along the banks to keep grazing animals out and improve water quality.
Racing to avert a monsoon catastrophe in Bangladesh
Almost surrounded by a chest-deep stream, they know the coming wet season in Bangladesh could bring the deadly dangers they narrowly escaped in Myanmar. “None of us can swim,” says Mohammad, a father of three. “If we are here in the monsoon, we will surely drown.” With the rainy season a few weeks away, the Bangladeshi government, supported by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and its partners, is in a race against time to avert a catastrophe threatening the world’s largest refugee settlement. More than 670,000 Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh since August to escape killings, arson and rape in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, many settling spontaneously on the unsuitable hillsides around Kutupalong.
Homes Hit, Residents Evacuated As South Siberia Snowmelt Triggers Flooding
The government of Russia's Republic of Tuva in southern Siberia says the region has been hit by floods triggered by melting snow. In a March 29 statement, the Tuva government said 88 homes were hit by flooding in the Kyzyl district, adding that hundreds of residents were affected by the floods, while rescue teams are providing people with shelter and food. Authorities in the neighboring Republic of Khakasia announced a state of emergency on March 28 as snowmelt caused massive floods there as well. Authorities in the nearby Altai Krai, where a state of emergency was declared on March 27, said on March 28 that two men had died in the floods.
Ten Years, Nine Floods: Local-Level Climate Adaptation in China
The Lanjiang river in Eastern Zhejiang, China, reached its peak water level of 100 feet the night of June 25, 2017. Lanxi residents remember this day as “6.25,” marking the worst flood since 1955. Elsewhere in China that month, 7.3 million people were affected by floods, landslides, and heavy rains in northwestern Sichuan Province alone. Northern Guangxi suffered direct economic losses of 2.9 billion RMB (US$460 million). In the autonomous regions, 92,000 people were relocated. Flash floods caused the deaths of 10 people and forced 76,800 people to evacuate from Shanxi Province.

"Environmental Hazards Newsletter " 1st Feb 2018

Hurricanes and Cyclones
Locals share pain of post-hurricane Puerto Rico
Just as the damage from Hurricane Maria is still a raw wound in Puerto Rico, where half of its residents remain without power, emotions are still raw among Bloomington-Normal residents with ties to the battered island. “We are here because we need to keep having Puerto Rico in the news,” Daynali Flores-Rodriguez said Friday at a teach-in at Illinois State University on the effects of hurricanes in Puerto Rico. “This is a long-term recovery.”
Powerful storm wreaks havoc across western Europe
Germany and the Netherlands woke up to scenes of devastation Friday after a powerful storm flattened buildings, disrupted travel and killed at least eight people. Six people died in Germany, including two firefighters killed by falling trees and debris. A 68-year-old van driver was killed when his vehicle was blown onto the other side of the street, police said. In Cologne, a baby was born in a car after road closures made it impossible for the mother to reach hospital, the city's fire service said.
Tropical Cyclone Berguitta Lashes Mauritius, Reunion Island
A pair of islands in the Indian Ocean were impacted by the wind and rain from Tropical Cyclone Berguitta, which raked both as it continued its journey southward. Widespread flooding was reported on Mauritius and Reunion Island as the storm passed, according to the Express. Citing a local French-language newspaper, the Express reported no fatalities on Mauritius following a press briefing from Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth.
Dangerous Cyclone Berguitta pulls away from Mauritius, La Reunion after bringing damaging winds and flooding
Severe Tropical Storm Berguitta passed dangerously close to La Reunion and Mauritius, but now looks to pull away from the islands, decreasing the impacts to the area. "Despite some recent weakening, Berguitta is still a very dangerous tropical cyclone ...
Bomb Cyclone could signal stronger winter storms, flooding ahead
Vacations across the Northeast were interrupted early this month by “bomb cyclone,” which dropped up to 15 inches of snow onto cities and freeways, disrupting transportation for days. Unfortunately for residents, climate trends may suggest that New ...
"Our own personal cyclone" as severe thunderstorm rips through WA farming community of Cunderdin
Residents in Cunderdin have described a severe storm that tore through the region yesterday afternoon as "our own personal cyclone". The Bureau of Meteorology recorded winds of up to 126 kilometres per hour yesterday as ex-Tropical Cyclone Joyce moved into the far south.
Cyclone Joyce TRACK: Storm Joyce to smash Australia "threat to lives and homes
BBC weather presenter Helen Willetts warned Perth could be in for “record-breaking” weather if it is hit with the remains of high energy Tropical Cyclone Joyce over the weekend.
Passengers recall horrors of cruise ship that sailed into "Bomb Cyclone
Passengers aboard the Norwegian Breakaway said they feared for their lives as the ship sailed through 'bomb cyclone' Storm Grayson. Karoline Ross said her daughter called her fiance in order 'to say goodbye.' Passenger Brenda Walsh-Matias said people were 'vomiting all over the boat.' The cruise was at the end of its 14-day journey when it sailed into winter storm. The 'bomb cyclone' storm dumped heavy snow and ice across the Northeast.
Explainer: "bomb cyclones" – the intense winter storms that hit the US (and Australia too)
The eastern United States experienced a very severe winter storm last week, which caused damaging winds, heavy snow and the highest tide on record for Boston. Meteorologists call this type of storm a “bomb cyclone”, or simply a “bomb”. But what is it ...
Panicking residents clear supermarket shelves in preparation for destructive 130km/h winds as tropical cyclone bears down
Police have warned Western Australia residents not to hold 'cyclone parties.' The state's north is bracing for its second monster storm in just two weeks. Controversial trend sees residents bunker indoors stockpiled with alcohol. Locals put on notice as Tropical Cyclone Joyce approaches town of Broome. Supermarkets are running low on stock as locals prepare for the cyclone.
Cyclone Ava kills at least 29 in Madagascar
A statement by the National Bureau for Risk and Catastrophe Management said that 22 people were still missing by Monday. Overall, Ava affected more than 83,000 people. The cyclone struck the eastern part of Madagascar the hardest. There, towns flooded and buildings collapsed. Roads were also damaged and communications were knocked out. "There was a huge amount of rainfall and very strong winds. As a result, houses have collapsed and buildings have fallen on top of people," Samantha Cameron, an aid worker, told Al Jazeera from the southcentral city of Fianarantsoa.
Bomb cyclone: What is the shocking-sounding storm sweeping the US, and how long will the chilly weather last? - The Independent
"Bombogenesis is the technical term. Bomb cyclone is a shortened version of it, better for social media," said Weather.US meteorologist Ryan Maue, who helped popularize polar vortex in 2014. "The actual impacts aren't going to be a bomb at all," Maue said. "There's nothing exploding or detonating." Storm intensity is measured by central pressure — the lower the pressure, the stronger. A storm is considered a "bomb" when the pressure drops rapidly — at least 24 millibars in 24 hours.
Snow tapers off but Northeast still dealing with cold, icy streets
Frigid water poured into the streets of some coastal New England cities Thursday, as a bomb cyclone pounded the region with record-high tides and blinding snow. "Stay away from the coasts," the National Weather Service in Boston tweeted. On Thursday afternoon, the tide gauge at Boston Harbor matched its record at 15.1 feet -- previously set during the blizzard of 1978. In Hull, Massachusetts, just to the southeast of Boston, the icy mess inundated street with water above the wheel wells of cars and coming up to the doors of homes.
WATCH: Bomb cyclone winter storm – New York bound plane forced to abort landing
New York has been hit by a bomb cyclone winter storm. Several flights have been diverted, causing widespead chaos. Passenger Manoel Gerlach took a video of his Singapore Airlines flight after it was diverted. A bomb cyclone winter storm is associated with extremely strong winds.
The "Bomb Cyclone" Has Put a Freeze on the Power Supply in Parts of the East Coast
A severe winter storm froze pipes and disrupted services at refineries on the U.S. Atlantic coast on Thursday, sending fuel prices higher as heavy snowfall and high winds caused electricity outages for almost 80,000 homes and businesses. The only nuclear plant in Massachusetts was shut just after 2 p.m. because of the failure of a line that connects the reactor to the power grid. Entergy Corp, which operates the Pilgrim Station, said it had not identified the cause of the line problem. ISO New England, which operates the region’s power grid, attributed the shutdown to blizzard conditions. The company did not say when the station would restart.
A "bomb cyclone" flooded downtown Boston and trapped cars in ice — here's what it looked like on the ground
After a massive Nor'easter hit Boston, Massachusetts on Thursday, water flooded the city's downtown. The icy floodwater submerged roads, forced some people to evacuate their residences, and prompted first responders to rescue those trapped in their cars. And on Friday morning, some residents of Revere, Massachusetts — a Boston suburb — woke up to their cars frozen in ice. Adam Abougalala, who lives in Revere, posted the following video, which shows frozen water that reached the wheel wells of cars parked along the street.
"Bomb cyclone" is gone, but bitter cold remains
The ferocious "bomb cyclone" that hammered the East Coast with snow, ice, and wind Thursday may be gone, but in its place a blast of intense, Arctic cold has arrived. Dangerously low wind chill temperatures will continue over the next couple of days ...
"Bomb cyclone": Explosive winter storm hits US
A severe winter storm is hitting eastern North America, extending a cold snap that has already claimed 11 lives. Forecasters say a severe pressure drop has led to an explosive winter storm along the eastern US, and has already brought snow to Florida. The US is currently on its 11th day of record-breaking frigid temperatures which began around Christmas. But the predicted new storm has led meteorologists to deploy a new term - bomb cyclone.
Storm Grayson map: Where will the bomb cyclone hit the USA today?
The weather bomb is forecast to push northwards, reaching New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and Maine today and into Friday. Latest maps show that people living between Boston, Bangor and Caribou face up to 18 inches of snow by the end of Friday. Meanwhile, Washington DC is expected to receive as much as eight inches and Charleston could still get another 4-6 inches.
"Bomb Cyclone" Winter Storm Was Best Seen From Space
What we might have just called a powerful Nor'easter in the past goes by the more colorful and ominous name "Bomb Cyclone" today. That is actually a real meteorological term, as my colleague Dennis Mersereau explained earlier. While the powerful winter storm may not have blown anything up just yet, it did bring the storm surges you'd expect to see from a hurricane. Parts of coastal New England saw flooding and the storm generated the odd spectacle of "thundersnow" near Providence, Rhode Island, as captured in the below radar image from Baron.
"It Will Be Noteworthy." Here"s What"s Coming Next From the "Bomb Cyclone" Winter Storm
After the fast-moving weather system pushes off toward Nova Scotia, freezing temperatures building up across Canada will rush into the central and eastern parts of the U.S., said David Hamrick of the U.S. Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland. “It will be noteworthy,” he said. “We will see records.” The storm has continued to grow increasingly powerful in a process called bombogenesis — known to some as a bomb cyclone — which occurs when a system’s central air pressure drops 24 millibars in 24 hours.
Storm Eleanor CYCLONE warning: UK faces Category 1 level storm and 105kph winds
Gusts of up to 90mph ripped through the entire country overnight putting the nation on alert for falling trees, flying debris, flooding and power cuts. Worrying weather charts showed the storm, a deep area of low pressure in the Atlantic, strengthening as it hurtles towards the UK. The European Joint Cyclone Centre predicted maximum gusts of 105kph as Eleanor strengthened to a Category-3 storm overnight. The Met Office at 6pm last night upgraded its weather warning to Amber for the north of England. Between 7.30pm last night and 4am on this morning strong winds blasted Northern Ireland and England.
The "bomb cyclone" heading for the eastern US – is that even a thing?
Experts said that while the term explosive cyclogenesis was “probably a better option” when describing the phenomenon behind a bomb cyclone, mentions of bombs and explosive impacts have been common for decades among meteorologists. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration defines the “bomb” phenomenon as being a mid-latitude cyclone that rapidly intensifies as cold air collides with warm air, typically over warmer ocean waters. This process causes a steep drop in atmospheric pressure of at least 24 millibars over 24 hours.
Extreme Temperatures
How Australia's extreme heat might be here to stay
While it is record-breaking that tends to make news, scientists say it is the unbroken run of hot days in the high 30s and 40s that causes the significant problems for human health, and other life. Health officials in Victoria highlighted the threat of heatwaves when they found about 374 more people died during an extreme three-day period in January 2009 than would have been expected had it been cooler. There has, however, been relatively little investment in research into the health impact of escalating maximum temperatures. A paper published in the journal Nature Climate Change last year said while a government report called for greater focus on the area 25 years ago, less than 0.1% of health funding since has been dedicated to the impact of climate change.
Extreme weather forces changes at Australian national championships
Expected temperatures in the high 30's have forced changes to the Saturday programme for the Australian national championships. The schedule for the day's racing: a Gran Fondo, men’s and women's U19 road races, and the U23 men's road race in Buninyong – had previously been adjusted but now further changes have been made to combat the expected heat.
Hottest global five-year period in recorded history confirmed by Aussie scientists
The last five years have been the hottest on earth since records began, Australia's Climate Council has confirmed. Data released by the Climate Council and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) revealed that the global average temperature between 2013 and 2017 were the highest in any five-year period since global temperature has been tracked. Will Steffen, a Climate Council scientist, said that 2017 was the third-warmest year on record an the warmest where temperatures were not boosted by an El Nino event in the southern Pacific. The findings mean that 17 of world's 18 warmest years have occurred this century. "Temperatures and extreme weather records have toppled one after the other around the globe in 2017," Steffen said in a media release on Friday.
World entering "critical period of intensified risks" in 2018, WEF says
WEF's latest Global Risks Report 2018, published Wednesday, showed that environmental disasters, cybercrime, large-scale involuntary migration and illicit trade were among the most notable risks, in terms of likelihood, facing the world this year. As with previous reports, the top-ranking global risk in terms of impact was the use of weapons of mass destruction. But this was followed in the table of top 10 risks by three environmental risks: Extreme weather events, natural disasters and a failure of climate-change mitigation and adaptation.
2017, a year of extreme disasters, was also one of the hottest on record
Throughout 2017, extreme weather events reached epic proportions: In January, the Arctic and Australia suffered serious heat waves that melted ice caps and cut power to 40,000 homes. By February, droughts dried out Somalia and lasted the full year. And ...
Extreme weather a factor in 2015 mass death of saiga antelopes
Unusually high temperatures helped contribute to the dramatic sudden death of more than 200,000 "critically endangered" saiga antelopes in Central Asia's remote Steppe grassland in 2015, according to a new study. Over the course of three weeks in May 2015, a bacterial disease caused blood poisoning and wiped out more than 80 percent of the saiga population in Kazakhstan's Betpak-Dala region. In some herds, not a single animal survived.
Animals Are Shrinking and Freezing to Death in a Changing Arctic
To understand how extreme weather may be hitting these massive creatures, the scientists, like their subjects, huddled in the dark through good weather and bad, taking photographs and notes. They tracked animal sizes and weather events and used ...
Scientists refine climate models, link human activities to extreme weather
A related advance has been in the science of event attribution, which seeks to determine whether individual severe weather events that have already occurred may have been caused or exacerbated by human activities. In the field of event attribution, Princeton University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration accurately predicted that the burning of fossil fuels would lead to an increase in destructive cyclones in the Arabian Sea by 2015. This marks one of the first instances that modeled climate predictions have been verified by recorded weather events.
There have been some weird weather events so far this year
We're less than two weeks into 2018, and already we’ve had more than our fair share of strange weather events. This week, for example, we were flooded with the strange sight of snow on the red dunes of the Sahara desert. According to local news reports, around 15 inches of snow fell in some northwestern parts of Algeria last weekend. Although the sight is extremely striking, geologist Stefan Kröpelin told the New York Times that it’s possible that it’s not that rare, as there are parts of the Sahara desert that aren’t frequently monitored.
Looming Landslide Stokes Fears, May Help Disaster Predictions
Landslides occur daily around the world and kill thousands of people each year. Many are fast and furious, occurring without much warning. These are usually triggered by natural disasters: In the months since Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico more than 50,000 landslides occurred across the island, and the rain hitting To help provide early warnings about precarious hillsides in the future, the USGS is planning to collect LiDAR data that would allow them to peer beneath vegetation in search of any ground deformation. NASA also plans to launch (pdf) a satellite in 2020 that will allow the agency to identify and track subtle movements of Earth’s surface. “That may revolutionize monitoring landslide activity across the country and the globe,” Godt says. Meanwhile in Yakima County, officials are placing heavy barriers between the major highway and millions of cubic yards of moving rock and earth. Just in case.
Humans Did Not Cause the US Cold Snap
The cold snap that sent temperatures plunging last week and brought the most frigid new year in recorded history, in some places, had nothing to do with climate change, according to a new study. In recent years, climate scientists have studied the connection between global warming and freezing temperatures. They are examining how shifting air patterns over the Arctic, and their incursion into North America and Europe, are connected to climate change. But the two-week deep freeze didn't carry the hallmarks of human activity, according to a rapid attribution study from Climate Central, a science communication project based in Princeton, N.J. World Weather Attribution, a group of international researchers, performed the analysis.
Scientists can now quickly link extreme weather events to climate change
The United States is in the middle of a deep cold snap, and meteorologists are saying that a “bomb cyclone” — essentially a freezing hurricane — will hit parts of the East Coast tonight. It's a weather cycle that's prompted a number of climate change ...
A "Bomb Cyclone" Forming off the East Coast Could Bring the Coldest Temperatures in 100 Years
Meteorologists are calling the event Winter Storm Grayson, and they say it could bring snow to the Southeast on Wednesday, as well as possible blizzard conditions to the Northeast Wednesday night and Thursday. After the wet winter weather passes, the cold air would make the east coast even more miserable. Boston, for instance, could see its coldest week in 100 years.
Scientists Can Now Blame Individual Natural Disasters on Climate Change
Over the last few years, dozens of studies have investigated the influence of climate change on events ranging from the Russian heat wave of 2010 to the California drought, evaluating the extent to which global warming has made them more severe or more likely to occur. The Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society now issues a special report each year assessing the impact of climate change on the previous year's extreme events. Interest in the field has grown so much that the National Academy of Sciences released an in-depth report last year evaluating the current state of the science and providing recommendations for its improvement.
First in Science: Report on 2016 Extreme Weather Confirms Human Impact on Climate
In December, scientists released a report that determined some extreme weather events from 2016 would not have been possible without human-caused climate change. The new report from the American Meteorological Society contains 27 peer-reviewed analyses of extreme weather events from across the world. Scientists have long documented that human activities are increasing the risks of extreme weather events. However this is the first time that scientists have determined certain extreme weather events were not possible without human influence making it clear we are creating a new climate.
2017 Was The Year Of Extreme Weather
This year will go down in history for its extreme weather. Researchers have now definitively attributed three major extreme weather events to climate change. The average temperature around the globe in 2016. It was 1.7 degrees Fahrenheit above the average in the 20th century. And that is just enormous. The second one - extreme heat waves in Asia, especially India and Pakistan. Hundreds of people died. The temperatures were just beyond belief. And the third one - one not noticed that much - but something called the blob, which was a section of water in the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska that was just unusually warm - again, so warm that it's just beyond what could be modeled as being - as happening in a natural world.
Three Observations About Conversations On The Extreme Cold Weather This Week
Much of the U.S. is experiencing an Arctic air mass. Climatologist Brian Brettschneider, one of my favorite Follows on Twitter, tweeted that "the last four runs of the GFS (one of the U.S. weather models) show the eastern half of the Lower 48 ringing in the New Year with the lowest average temperature in at least 70 years – edging out 1977 by just over 2°F." Brettschneider also messaged to point out that areas west of 100°W will be about 1 degree F above the 1948-2017 average according to the GFS.
From "angry summer" to "weird winter": 2017 was riddled with extreme weather
As the year draws to a close, it remains on track to become the third hottest year on record and the hottest in a non-El Nino year. Despite the United States and Europe continuing their decade-long decline in greenhouse gas pollution, Australia has been missing in action. Australia’s pollution has been rising year on year since March 2015. This pollution is contributing to driving worsening extreme weather here and around the world.
Global warming fuelled five extreme weather events
In a new collection of papers published last Wednesday in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, researchers around the world analysed 27 extreme weather events from 2016 and found that human-caused climate change was a “significant driver” for 21 of them. The effort is part of the growing field of climate change attribution, which explores connections between warming and weather events that have already happened.
Will the weather get worse in 2018? What the experts say
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC, an international body set up to assess the science of climate change, we can continue to expect an increase in the average global temperature. That means we will be experiencing warmer years in the future. But at the same time, we may see changes to the extremes, which could become more frequent in the case of high temperature or heavy rainfall, or less frequent in the case of extreme cold. This means that the distribution, occurrence and expected averages of our weather (for example, temperature and rain) throughout the year may change, resulting in warmer years on average with more extreme hot days, and fewer extreme cold days in the future.
Earthquakes
DONE Earthquakes, Volcanoes Shake Opposite Ends of Pacific
A series of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions jolted locations on opposite ends of the Pacific Ocean Tuesday. The U.S. Geological Survey says a massive 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck about 280 kilometers southeast of Alaska's Kodiak Island, initially ...
DONE Alaska Earthquake: "Ring of Fire" earthquake zone will shake planet to its core
The Ring of Fire is the largest and most active fault line in the world, stretching from New Zealand, all around the east coast of Asia, over to Canada and the USA and all the way down to the southern tip of South America. And with the current spate of catastrophic quakes, people around the globe are worried that more devastation is on the way.
6.3-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Mexico's Gulf of California
A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck offshore in Mexico's Gulf of California on Friday morning, but there were no immediate reports of damage. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered about 48 miles (78 kilometers) north-northeast of Loreto, in the waters between the states of Baja California Sur and Sonora. The USGS reported that it struck at a depth of 6 miles (10 kilometers). The area is a desert coastline dotted with small towns and fishing villages popular with U.S. tourists who park their recreational vehicles at seaside campsites.
Mexico earthquakes: Thousands of people homeless
More than 32 years ago thousands of people lost their homes after a massive earthquake in Mexico City. Today, hundreds are still living in temporary camps and others have only recently been re-housed in permanent homes. In September last year, the list of those looking for a home grew even longer when another big quake struck Mexico City.
Did Michigan Meteor Really Cause an Earthquake?
"There's no way to translate the actual energy from an air blast into seismometers," a spokesperson said. "They're not designed to measure vibrations coming from the air." In fact, given that the event wasn't a real earthquake, "I'm not sure why we even have it up there," he joked. "We just put it out there because we saw reports coming into our system about some vibrations in Michigan." So far, 330 people have reported feeling the ground shake on the "Did You Feel It?" USGS website.
Fox Creek earthquakes linked to completion volume and location of hydraulic fracturing
The volume of hydraulic fracturing fluid and the location of well pads control the frequency and occurrence of measurable earthquakes, new Alberta Geological Survey and UAlberta research has found. "If there is a pre-existing fault, but you're not connected to it by some sort of fluid pathway, you can hydraulically fracture the formation, and you're probably not going to cause a significant earthquake," said Schultz. "It's conceptually quite simple, but actually determining those things underground is really hard to do in practice."
Debunking the Myth That Earthquakes and Full Moons Are Linked
To analyze the supposed link, Susan Hough, a seismologist at the United States Geological Survey, scrutinized 204 earthquakes of magnitude 8 or greater over the past four centuries. She then matched those earthquakes to the lunar calendar and found that no more occurred during a full or new moon than on any other day of the lunar cycle. “The lore that the big earthquakes happen during the full moon — there’s no support for that in the catalog,” Dr. Hough said.
Earthquake in Öræfajökull last night
An earthquake measuring 3.2 occurred at 02:14 AM in the North Eastern part of Öræfajökull volcano. There are no signs of an eruption according to the Iceland Met Office. Last week, 220 earthquakes were detected using the SIL seismis system at the Iceland Met Office. The week before, 500 earthquakes were detected.
Minor earthquake strikes Missouri Bootheel — again
Another minor earthquake has struck the Missouri Bootheel area, only two days after the last one. The U.S. Geological Survey reported a 2.7 magnitude earthquake at about 2 p.m. Thursday near Malden, Missouri. The earthquake was felt in Missouri and Tennessee, according to KFVS. A 3.6-magnitude earthquake was recorded Tuesday, felt in Caruthersville and Kennett, Missouri. Malden is only about 40 miles from Caruthersville.
Analysis And Simulation Of Earthquake Ground Motion Records
There are series of oceanic trenches and volcanic belts due to the plate movements. Another of the most seismically active regions (5-6% of the total number of earthquakes) is the Alpide belt, which ranges from the Mediterranean in the west to the Himalayas in the east). Turkey and Iran are located in the western part of the Alpide belt while northern India is on its eastern part.
That giant fireball in Michigan last night did not trigger an earthquake
What the USGS had actually confirmed was that their instruments picked up tremors roughly equivalent to what they would register during a magnitude 2.0 earthquake. Seismometers are designed to detect vibrations in the ground coming from areas—usually ...
Earthquake shakes Greece with tremors felt in Athens
Greece is prone to earthquakes. Most cause no serious damage, but a 5.9-magnitude quake near Athens in 1999 killed 143 people. The quake came as protesters clashed with police outside Greece’s parliament over the government’s plans to implement further austerity measures and restrictions on workers’ right to strike.
EARTHQUAKE WARNING: West coast USA could "suffer magnitude 9 Big One within weeks"
The Netherlands based Frank Hoogerbeets, who uses astrology to warn of disasters, has issued an online warning about what he sees as the risk of a major earthquake in February or March. In a YouTube video Mr Hoogerbeets says the disaster will be ...
Deadly earthquake shakes southern Peru
Two people were killed when a 7.1-magnitude earthquake shook Peru on Sunday, according to a regional governor. One of the two victims was a 55-year-old man crushed by a rock in Yauca, tweeted Yamila Osorio, governor of the Arequipa region in southern Peru. The other victim died in the same region, Hernando Tavera, president of the Geophysics Institute of Peru, told TV Peru, without providing further details. At least 65 people have been injured in the cities of Arequipa, Ica and Ayacucho, also in southern Peru, the National Civil Defense Institute reported.
3.9-magnitude earthquake hits small town in Myanmar's Yangon
A 3.9-magnitude earthquake hit Htantabin town in Myanmar's Yangon region on Saturday afternoon, according to a press release from the Meteorology and Hydrology Department. The earthquake struck at 02:49:52 p.m. local time. The epicenter was 3.2 km southeast of Htantabin.Meanwhile, an earthquake of 6.0-magnitude struck in the early hours on Friday with its epicenter being at 27.3 km west-southwest of Phyu city in Bago region. So far, there have been several aftershocks since Friday's earthquake, a department official told Xinhua.
8 Earthquakes Strike Along Iran-Iraq Border
A series of eight earthquakes hit the Iran-Iraq border area and rattled even Baghdad and parts of the Iraqi countryside on Thursday, apparently aftershocks of a temblor in November that killed over 530 people. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. The U.S. Geological Survey said seven of the quakes struck near the Iraqi city of Mandali and an eighth struck near Mehran in western Iran. All struck within an hour of each other, beginning at 0659 GMT. Seven had a preliminary magnitude of at least 5, while the eighth earthquake was a magnitude 4. Earthquakes of magnitude 5 and up to 5.9 are classified as moderate.
Caribbean struck by huge 7.6 magnitude earthquake off coast of Honduras
One of the strongest earthquakes to hit the Caribbean in modern times struck off the coast of Honduras on Tuesday night, shaking the mainland and setting off tsunami warnings that were cancelled about an hour later. There were no early reports of serious damage or casualties on land after the quake struck shortly before 10pm EST. Officials in Honduras said shaking was registered across much of the nation and there were some reports of cracks in homes in Colon and Atlantida provinces along the northern coast and Olancho in eastern Honduras.
Powerful 4.5-Magnitude Earthquake Rattles California's Bay Area Today
Residents of the bay area of California were shaken awake today as a result of a strong 4.5-magnitude earthquake. The earthquake was centered below Berkeley, California and was a result of movement along the Hayward fault, according to the USGS.
Powerful earthquakes to ravage Earth in 2018 as planet"s rotation temporarily slows
The world is entering a period of higher seismic activity this year that will bring more earthquakes with it, scientists have predicted. While that's undoubtedly bad news for those living within affected areas, the ability to accurately predict when and where earthquakes will occur is growing all the time. This prediction comes from the fact that the Earth is currently experiencing a periodic slowdown of its rotation. Historically, these slowdowns have coincided with peak times for earthquakes and seismic activity. "So far we have only had about six severe earthquakes [in 2017]. We could easily have 20-a-year starting in 2018,” said Dr Roger Bilham from the University of Colorado.
Does the Moon's Phase Cause Earthquakes?
Scientists have wondered whether there might be some connection between the moon and quakes since the 1800s, reports Rebecca Boyle at The Atlantic. In 2004, USGS analysis suggested there was a very small increase in the number of earthquakes in deep ocean basins during low tide. And in 2016, a study by researchers at the University of Tokyo found that some of the largest recent earthquakes—including the 2004 Sumatra quake, the 2010 quake in Chile and the 2011 Tohoku-Oki off the coast of Japan—all occurred during close to times of peak tidal stress. But the study’s authors were careful to not infer that one necessarily caused the other. ​
Earthquake Swarm in US City Has Lasted 7 Days Straight—What"s Going On?
In the past month, parts of Reno, Nevada, have experienced a total of 274 known earthquakes. But if you're surprised you haven't heard about them by now, consider that the vast majority of those have been truly tiny tremors—just five of those quakes have been stronger than a magnitude 2.0, which means they've mostly been too gentle to feel. Some have even been so tiny that seismological networks haven't even alerted scientists there has been a quake. Instead, they've pored through data to identify the small quivers.
Volcanic Activity
Geology Makes the Mayon Volcano Visually Spectacular—And Dangerously Explosive
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the alert status for Mount Mayon to a 4 on a scale of 5, which means “hazardous eruption is imminent.” Officials strongly discourage civilians from going within 5 miles of Mayon’s summit.
VIDEO: Drone Captures the Activity of the Impressive Turrialba Volcano in Costa Rica
“We visited the peak of the Turrialba Volcano between the month of December 2017 and the first two weeks of January 2018 to work on taking samples of ash expelled recently and carry out measurements of the activity of the active crater. The activity is dominated by an intense degasification of the active crater, with sporadic explosions every 30 minutes to an hour. During this emanations, particles of ashes are released that reach heights of more than 300 meters above the crater. In the field we can clearly see a series of phreatic volcanic deposits, phreatomagmatic –strombolianic (eruptions resulting from interaction between water and magma and mildly explosive), generated since October 2014 and to date. In our visits we observed several explosions of superficial origin, through a camera installed on a drone."
Kadovar volcano (Papua New Guinea): eruption continues to be intense
According to the Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO), a short lava flow is descending on the island volcano's flank, but it is unclear whether it has reached the ocean. A seismometer has been installed on the island and is detecting ongoing tremor indicating the continued rise of magma. Emissions of sulfur dioxide also remain high, suggesting that magma supply remains significant. How the eruption evolves is impossible to predict, but due to its vicinity to the sea water, the risk of large phreatomagmatic explosions (caused when water gets in contact with magma) and potential tsunamis that could be triggered in this scenario is elevated. It will depend very much on the available amount of eruptible magma still stored inside the volcano's plumbing system.
Scientist says volcano could erupt in Papua New Guinea soon
Seismic activity beneath a Papua New Guinea volcano could mean that a major eruption was imminent, a scientist said Thursday. Thousands of people have been evacuated from islands surrounding Kadovar Island off the South Pacific nation's north coast since a volcano there began erupting on Jan. 5, spouting ash. Flights nearby have been canceled due to the risk posed by ash plumes and ships were warned to stay away from the island. Steve Saunders, principal geodetic surveyor at the Rabaul Volcano Observatory in Papua New Guinea, said seismic activity had recently increased beneath the volcano. "The reason we're getting activity is probably because new magma is moving up from deeper down," Saunders told Australian Broadcasting Corp.
Erupting volcano forces 34000 to flee Philippine villages
Glowing-red lava spurted in a fountain and flowed down the Philippines' most active volcano. The eruption has sent more than 34,000 villagers fleeing to safety and prompted police to set up checkpoints to stop tourists from getting too close. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the lava flowed as much as two kilometres (1.2 miles) from the often cloud-shrouded crater of Mount Mayon, while ash fell on several villages in northeastern Albay province.
Philippines: Thousands flee as volcano readies to blow
A restive volcano on the brink of a major explosion has forced more than 37,000 people to flee their homes. Mount Mayon, about 500km southeast of the capital, Manila, has spewed ash and streamed lava since Sunday, and authorities are bracing for a major eruption. The local volcanology agency has hoisted the third of a five-tier alert warning system, which means the volcano may be ripe for a "magmatic" eruption in a matter of weeks, or even days.
Here are the six hottest volcanoes to watch in 2018
The eruption of Mount Agung on the island of Bali has sparked worldwide media interest, yet volcanic eruptions in Indonesia are nothing new. Of the country’s 139 “active” volcanoes, 18 currently have raised alert levels, signifying higher than normal seismic activity, ground deformation or gas emissions. On a global scale, in any week in 2017, there were at least between 14 and 27 volcanoes erupting.
Mount Etna may not be a "real" volcano and "could be closer to a giant hot spring"
Etna, one of the world’s biggest and most powerful volcanoes, may have more in common with a giant hot spring than a volcano, a scientist has claimed. Long classed as a stratovolcano, the 3,350 metre-high mountain on the popular holiday island of Sicily also spews out some seven million tonnes of steam, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide every year. In a report published in the New Scientist, Professor Ferlito explains the widely-believed theory that the steam, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide produced from Etna's eruptions are released from magma as it rises to the surface. But he questions the validity of this conventional explanation, arguing for it to be true, Mount Etna would need to erupt ten times more lava than it already does.
New Eruption at Turrialba Volcano Costa Rica
The latest report from the National University’s Volcanology and Seismology Research Institute (OVSICORI) states that in the past 24 hours the activity in the Turrialba Volcano has been low except in the early hours of this Tuesday when seismic activity was registered between 4 and 4:30 a.m., wish coincides with the emanations of ash that were dispersed to the southwest of the volcano. The Rincon de la Vieja Volcano in Guanacaste also registered some low seismic activity as well as the Tenorio Volcano, area that has recently been affected by an earthquake swarm which caused last week the change of coloration of the Rio Celeste River, however, OVSICORI confirms the latest activity hasn’t affected the river color again.
Volcano in Papua New Guinea little known, hard to predict
People in Papua New Guinea are being warned that an eruption of a volcano in the South Pacific nation could also cause a tsunami. The volcano on small Kadovar Island has been erupting for more than a week, forcing 700 people to leave that island and 3,000 to be evacuated from nearby Biem Island. Flights in the area have been canceled due to the risk posed by the ash plumes. Chris Firth, a volcano expert from the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at Australia's Macquarie University, said Tuesday the steepness of the volcano meant an eruption may trigger landslides into the sea, which could create a tsunami. The volcano was also not well-studied so its activity would be harder to predict.
We All Nearly Missed The Largest Underwater Volcano Eruption Ever Recorded
The Kiwi passenger emailed photos of the strange ocean slick to scientists, who realised what it was – a raft of floating rock spewed from an underwater volcano, produced in the largest eruption of its kind ever recorded. "We knew it was a large-scale eruption, approximately equivalent to the biggest eruption we've seen on land in the 20th Century," says volcanologist Rebecca Carey from the University of Tasmania, who's co-led the first close-up investigation of the historic 2012 eruption. The incident, produced by a submarine volcano called the Havre Seamount, initially went unnoticed by scientists, but the floating rock platform it generated was harder to miss.
12000 flee as Philippines warns of volcano eruption
The crater of a rumbling Philippine volcano was glowing bright red Monday, with vulcanologists warning it could erupt within days, sending thousands fleeing from their homes. Volcanic earthquakes and rockfalls have shaken the summit of Mayon over the last 24 hours, after a number of steam-driven eruptions, scientists said. More than 12,000 people have been ordered to leave a seven-kilometre (four-mile) evacuation zone, and there are warnings of destructive mudflows and toxic clouds. "It is dangerous for families to stay in that radius and inhale ash," Claudio Yucot, head of the region's office of civil defence, told AFP.
Watch: Drones give closer view of active volcano
With the help of drones, researchers are investigating an active Nicaraguan volcano that could pose a hazard to millions of people. Masaya volcano is located in an active volcanic and seismic zone and is nearby Managua, Nicaragua’s capital. The researchers are using many methods, including drones, to study how the volcano and surrounding earth are changing over time. The drones are able to capture high-quality video footage and travel to places inaccessible to humans.
Visit to Biggest Underwater Volcano in Last 100 Years Reveals Deep Sea Mystery
Scientists knew something strange happened when they heard reports of a raft of floating rock near New Zealand back in 2012. That raft eventually grew to around 150 square miles—remains of the largest underwater volcanic eruption in the 20th or 21st century to date, bigger even than Mount St. Helens. But when researchers actually visited the Havre volcano, it was nothing like they expected. Instead of the explosive, underwater Krakatoa-type eruption expected, they found signs of slower-moving lava flows... and realized that a whole lot of data they could have been using literally floated away.
Volcano erupts in Indonesia's Bali, airport remains safe
The latest eruption of Mount Agung occurred at 5:54 p.m. local time (0954 GMT) Thursday. The volcano that has been active since September last year blasted back smoke, billowing 2,500 meters high into the air. Land tremors were also felt during the eruption, which lasted 130 seconds, the agency said. Rain of ash was reported to be affecting villages not far from the volcano summit as the eruption column was 2.5 km high, the agency said.
Surprise awakening of Papua New Guinea volcano forces evacuations
An island volcano in Papua New Guinea has begun spewing ash into the air, forcing the evacuation of more than 500 residents, media and non-profit groups have said. Kadovar Island, a 365 metre tall volcanic island just north-east of PNG, was thought to be dormant until it began erupting on 5 January. “It’s just a continuous emission of volcanic ash at the moment,” said Cheyne O’Brien, a forecaster at the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre.
Wildfires
Highway closures from wildfires help push Prince George airport to record year
Prince George's airport had its busiest year in 2017, driven by passengers trying to bypass wildfires and new flights to Edmonton, Alta., and Dawson Creek, B.C. The biggest increases came in July and August, which saw passenger traffic increase by 18 and 21 per cent over the same month in 2016, respectively. They were also the months that saw B.C. encounter its worst wildfire season on record, with thousands of evacuees from the Cariboo region forced into Prince George because highways further south were closed for weeks at a time.
California Today: Price Gouging Complaints After the Wildfires
The wildfires that have swept through California have led to numerous complaints about landlords drastically raising prices or evicting tenants to capitalize on rising demand. This has prompted Gov. Jerry Brown to impose a six-month ban on rent increases in excess of 10 percent, while Attorney General Xavier Becerra has warned against all forms of price gouging.
Australia: Hundreds saved from wildfires in Royal National Park
Firefighters have rescued hundreds of hikers and tourists from Australia's Royal National Park after wildfires ravaged the national park south of Sydney. One out-of-control fire was still burning in the park on Sunday, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service said, adding that people still in the vicinity should stay informed about wildfire conditions. More than 100 firefighters — with the help of water bombers and aircraft — responded to two blazes that have destroyed over 600 hectares of land in the 15,000-hectare park. They extinguished a smaller fire on Saturday, but worked through the night to Sunday to contain the spread of the larger fire.
Officials predict more wildfires for Kansas in 2018
The central and southern Plains, including western and southern Kansas, all of Oklahoma and most of Texas, face an elevated threat of wildfires through April. The prediction comes from Kansas State University scientists and a government organization that assesses risks, the Wichita Eagle reported. The warning issued earlier this week comes after back-to-back years of the worst wildfires in Kansas history. The fires burned thousands of acres and destroyed homes, cattle, fences and power lines. More than 700,000 acres burned in more than 20 counties last March.
State will not appeal FEMA denial for wildfire assistance
State emergency managers said they won’t appeal the federal government’s decision to deny millions of dollars in additional aid to deal with Montana’s historic 2017 wildfire season. Governor Steve Bullock sent a letter in November asking President Donald Trump to declare a major disaster in the state, in response to the dozens of major fires and thousands of smaller ones that burned across Montana last summer. That declaration would have given the state access to about $44 million dollars in federal aid. But last month, administrators with the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied the request, saying the damage wasn’t so severe and so extensive that it was beyond the state’s ability to respond to it.
100 Million Dead Trees Prompt Fears of Giant Wildfires
The more than 100 million trees that died in California after being weakened by drought and insect infestations have transformed large swaths of the Sierra Nevada into browned-out tree cemeteries. In some areas more than 90 percent of trees are dead.This week a group of scientists warned in the journal BioScience that the dead trees could produce wildfires on a scale and of an intensity that California has never seen.
NE Florida wildfire season is coming as Forestry Service does prescribed burns to head it off
The heat’s been on in some state forests in Northeast Florida lately, despite the frigid temperatures of recent weeks. State forestry crews have been systematically burning dead underbrush in an effort to prevent wildfires over the next few months. The hazard reduction burns were done in recent days after forestry firefighters fought 49 wildfires in Florida in the first week of 2018, a number that jumped to 97 as of Wednesday. Due to two periods of hard freezes that killed grass and trees, the wildfire danger index for Duval and Nassau counties is “high,” with St. Johns, Clay and Putnam in the “moderate” range, Florida Forest Service wildfire mitigation specialist Annaleasa Winter said.
Wine Country Wildfire Survivors Victimized by Skyrocketing Rents, Evictions
Some survivors of the wine country wildfires are being evicted from their homes after sharp rent increases. Evictions in burn-affected areas are up – and up dramatically. The wine country wildfires killed 24 and displaced thousands more.
After wildfires, it gets tougher to insure a home in California
California suffered record-breaking wildfires last year and now insurers are taking a harder look at fire risk. Urban areas are increasingly getting considered as a fire hazard. Insurers refused to renew thousands of policies in fire areas after previous disasters. A proposed state bill would limit insurers' ability to cut coverage in areas after a wildfire disaster.
Wildfires bust Routt County's budget
After spending more than $80,000 fighting wildfires in 2017, Routt County commissioners are studying how the county can more effectively spend that money to improve the county’s five rural fire protection districts. The county had budgeted $31,000 to fight wildfires, but spent $83,028. Emergency Management Director David “Mo” DeMorat believes the county and the rural fire protection districts in Steamboat Springs, North Routt, Yampa, West Routt and Oak Creek can realize greater long-term benefits by instead spending that money on upgrading the effectiveness of their volunteer firefighters and the tools available to them.
Cars in Northern California burn zones inspected to prevent fraud
Thousands of cars destroyed in Northern California during the October wildfires are being identified and having their state records updated this month as part of an effort spearheaded by the California Department of Motor Vehicles in partnership with local law enforcement agencies. The DMV announced Thursday it hopes by the end of this month to have finished examining an estimated 4,000 destroyed vehicles burned during the fires, most of them in Sonoma County. DMV investigators are working with the CHP, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office and the Santa Rosa Police Department on the operation, which began Jan. 11 at the direction of state emergency officials.
Napa's Sen. Dodd introduces bill to reduce wildfires from downed power lines
Sen. Bill Dodd has introduced a bill to reduce the risk of wildfires caused by downed power lines. The bill requires electric utilities to adopt comprehensive policies and procedures for proactively de-energizing power lines during extreme weather. “This last fire season underscored the need to think innovatively and proactively about fire prevention,” said Dodd, D-Napa. “We know downed power lines have caused devastating fires in the past, and we need electric utilities and the Public Utilities Commission to plan ahead and implement best practices.
Officials predict another bad year in Kansas for wildfires
This could be another bad year for wildfires in Kansas. That warning issued earlier this week comes after back to back years of the worst wildfires in state history, which burned thousands of acres and destroyed homes, cattle, fences and powerlines. “We’re setting up for about the same thing again this spring,” Comanche County Fire Chief Greg Ellis said. “Everybody’s nervous.”
How to save your town from wildfires
Given that global warming will intensify the problem, it may even be worth thinking in terms of managed retreat, gradually abandoning some of the highest-risk areas as we recognize that the cost of trying to protect them doesn't make financial or ecological sense. There are no simple solutions to the growing threat of wildfires in a warming world, but communities can take steps to protect themselves with a flexible, science-based, and collaborative approach. Grassroots involvement and good leadership can help make that happen.
California wildfires in 2017: A staggering toll of lost life and homes
This year will go down as one of the worst in California wildfire history, the latest state fire statistics show. As of Dec. 11: Large wildfires had destroyed or damaged more than 10,000 structures in California this year, a higher tally than the last nine years combined. Large wildfires had killed 43 people – 41 civilians and two firefighters. That’s higher than the last 10 years combined, state figures show.
The wildfires in California just keep shattering records this year
The catastrophic wildfires of 2017 didn't just destroy neighborhoods and livelihoods -- they also annihilated records. And the destruction's not over. The Thomas Fire, which has torched the equivalent of Dallas and Miami combined, is still raging in Southern California.
US launches ambitious plan to battle rangeland wildfires
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management on Friday said it will create an Environmental Impact Statement concerning fuel breaks and another on fuels reduction and restoration for Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, California, Utah, and Washington. The agency said the documents when finished will help speed the process for future landscape-scale projects in the Great Basin by providing a blanket approval for similar areas that will likely just need minor additional environmental reviews to proceed. “It saves teams from having to do the same kinds of analysis 10, 15, 20 times over the next 20 years,” BLM spokesman Ken Frederick said.
Floods
More than 200 killed in Philippines mudslides and floods as storm hits
A tropical storm in the Philippines has triggered mudslides and floods killing more than 200 people with many others reported missing, police and disaster officials said on Saturday. The casualties from storm Tembin, most of which occurred on Friday, were all on the main southern island of Mindanao. A search and rescue operation is underway for more than 30 people swept away by flash floods in the fishing village of Anungan in the south-east of the island, where five bodies have already been recovered.
Pope Tells Peruvian Flood Victims to Remain Faithful During Hard Times
Pope Francis told some 200,000 people at an outdoor Mass Saturday in an area of northwestern Peru that is still struggling to recover from devastating floods that took place last year not to lose faith during difficult times. “These times of being buffeted call into question and challenge our strength of spirit and our deepest convictions," the pontiff told the crowd at the beach town of Huanchaco just outside the city of Trujillo. "They make us realize how important it is to stand united, not alone, and to be filled with that unity which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit."
Washington's coast battered by major waves, flooding
A crowd of onlookers in Westport had taken to the observation tower to watch the show, and before long the area at the base of the tower had flooded with several inches of saltwater. The water overwhelmed the drains on Westhaven Drive and flooded the ...
A look at the flood, ice damage on Newfoundland's west coast
The cleanup continues after heavy rain and fast-melting snow caused massive damage on Newfoundland's west coast last weekend. Over the last few days, new problems emerged due to rising levels of the Humber River, caused by ice jams.
Residents of flooded Quebec City neighbourhood return to icy properties
Residents who were forced out of their homes in Quebec City's Duberger-Les Saules neighbourhood on Jan. 12 were able to go back Saturday and confront the damage. Heavy machinery was called in during the week to try to break the ice jam that had caused the nearby St. Charles River to overflow. Michael Pagé was throwing out pieces of drywall and debris from his basement. He says the water was almost two metres high.
Hundreds of flood line calls unanswered
Hundreds of calls to a flooding helpline went unanswered during last August's floods in Northern Ireland, the BBC has learned. More than 1,100 calls were made to the floods line on 22 August as record rain fell across the north west.
Why Montecito's mudslide victims don"t need flood insurance to recover their losses
California courts have struck down policy provisions that exclude recovery for floods and mudslides, as long as they were set in motion by a fire. The leading case on this topic is Howell vs. State Farm, in which California Court of Appeal judges in 1990 held that exclusions for flooding and earth movements may not apply when they were caused by a fire. Klein goes on to say that flood insurance is "your best hope" to recover. That suggestion is wholly unacceptable due to the inadequacies and dollar restrictions in flood insurance policies. Virtually all victims who lost their homes in Montecito are entitled to recover their losses under their homeowners' policies.
“We can't stop the rainfall, but we can stop the tide”: Meet the man who stops London flooding
If A, the amount of rainwater forecast to flow down the Thames, plus B, the height of the next incoming tide, equals more than C, the amount of water the river can contain without flooding, the barrier must be closed. As a result, Andy Batchelor works with a constantly updating bank of computer-generated forecasts. “We can’t stop the rainfall, but we can stop the tide,” he says. When the barrier was designed in the 1970s, terms such as climate change and global warming “weren’t even in the dictionary”, Batchelor says. It was originally designed to be superseded by other flood defences by 2030, but more recent studies have shown that it is robust enough to remain the Environment Agency’s main point of protection for London until 2070.
Drone's-eye view of flood damage helps crews tackling repairs
Elevation was also important in assessing the damage at Rattler Brook, on the south shore of the Bay of Islands. ​"The amount of gravel and sediment and the amount of stuff that's washed away is absolutely extreme," he said. "When we got up in the air, again, it was to get a sense of scales. It's not even explainable until you actually see it." The elevated view helps repair crews get a better sense of what's needed for the work, he said, through three-dimensional models of the area. "When we take the data back and we actually do some additional analysis in a mapping environment, what we can do is actually measure the amount of fill required, or the amount of change," he said.
Evacuations Begin Along Kiski River Due To Ice Jam Flooding Concerns
Armstrong County 911 reported late Thursday night that about 65 people were evacuated from the Leechburg area because of flooding problems. The concern focuses on the massive ice jam on the Kiski River. Like the weather itself, ice jams are unpredictable and no one can say specifically when or how they’ll break up – in huge chunks or in small pieces – and causing more more flooding problems downstream.
Lawsuit: Army Corps knew for decades about Katy flooding risks
The lawsuit alleges that in its 1962 Reservoir Regulation Manual, the Corps' own data showed that federal engineers already had calculated that they needed to acquire 4,285 more acres of private land to accommodate the area that would be flooded by Addicks reservoir's maximum design pool. For Barker Reservoir, another 4,595 acres were needed. The problems got worse in the 1980s, when the dams were made higher and when spillways and flood gates were added, modifications that made the reservoir's maximum "flood pools" grow even larger, according to a raft of additional Corps' reports and studies cited in the lawsuit. According to reports issued in 1986 and later in the 1990s, the government knew that thousands of homes were at risk and still took no action, deciding to risk being sued.
North west floods: Families still unable to return home
Dozens of families are still unable to return to their homes almost five months after flooding devastated parts of the north west. Hundreds of homes and businesses were flooded when record rain fell across counties Londonderry, Tyrone and Donegal last August. Ten families, tenants of Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) homes, are currently living in mobile homes. The NIHE said a further 13 Londonderry families also remain displaced. Some private homeowners are also still out of their homes.
River Floods Will Threaten Tens of Millions in Next 25 Years
According to the study, published yesterday in Science Advances, more than half the United States alone will need to double existing flood protections—through the building of new dikes, levees and other infrastructure updates—to prevent additional people from being affected in the future. Other regions around the world, including central Europe and parts of Africa, Central and South America, as well as large areas of India, Pakistan, Indonesia and China, will also need to take similar measures to protect their populations.
Build "rain gardens" to prevent floods, says Wildlife Trusts
New homes should be built with “rain gardens” to prevent future flooding, the Wildlife Trusts has said. The national organisation believes the small depressions which can accommodate rainwater runoff, as well as permeable drives and connected waterways, could reduce the likelihood of damage for millions of householders. Responding to the Government’s pledge to build at least 300,000 homes a year for the next four years, the Trusts also called for wildflower road verges and wildlife-friendly green roofs in new developments.
Landslides
Bus driver saves 15 people from a sudden landslide
A bus of passengers narrowly avoided disaster thanks to a driver's keen eyesight and quick thinking. The bus driver saved 15 people on board from a sudden landslide in China. It happened in Sichuan province on Dec. 3. The driver hit the brakes after noticing some failing rocks. Seconds later, huge boulders came crashing down the road. No one on the bus suffered any injuries.
New images show intimidating landslide moving down Rattlesnake Ridge
Drone aerial photography paired with laser scanning shows a new view into the cracks widening in Rattlesnake Ridge’s slow-moving landslide. The hillside’s 20-acre landslide has gradually inched downward on Rattlesnake Ridge near Yakima for months. Since October, geologists and engineers have monitored it and conceived several scenarios – some including threats to the nearby Interstate 82.
Landslide holds up traffic on Manali-Chandigarh highway for 3 hours
A massive landslide at Seobagh area of Kullu blocked Chandigarh-Manali national highway for nearly three hours on Friday. Work for widening of Kullu-Manali highway, which involved sharp cutting of mountain faces, has created new sliding points where debris keeps sliding on the busy road. Such is the frequency that rolling boulders hitting vehicles do not surprise people here anymore
Several homes in Riverdale still threatened months after landslide
The City of Riverdale plans to drill wells in a neighborhood above a bluff in the coming weeks to help figure out what caused a massive landslide in November that led to the indefinite evacuation of four families. Chunks of the hill continue to break off, and the Utah Geological Survey said Friday they don't know when it'll stop. Video from this week shows steady streams of dirt tumbling down the hill behind the house where Gari Manning grew up.
Landslide threatens homes in Riverdale with a wet storm on the way
Several homeowners in this Weber County town are once again on edge, literally and figuratively. Three houses on a saturated hillslide were evacuated when their backyards started to slide in November. Now they're telling News4Utah that landslide seems to be accelerating. It started with a major slide on November 19th...and soggy chunks of this hill continue to collapse with the latest tumbling down on Tuesday. "It's still active," Ben Erickson of the Utah Geological Survey said. "It's still dangerous something you don't want to get near. Something that you need to be concerned about."
Yakima approves emergency proclamation ahead of landslide
A city in central Washington state issued an emergency proclamation in response to a mass of rock and soil crawling down a ridge that officials say could turn into a landslide.
Landslide causing cracks in roads near Mulino
County crews told FOX 12 they should have Eldorado Road closed at Highway 213 sometime before noon. Once the road closes, crews will open a detour on Union Hall Road. While there is no debris in the road from a landslide, the shifting ground has drastically widened cracks that first appeared a year ago. The cracks are also affecting Highway 213, and ODOT officials told FOX 12 it’s an ancient slide that became active again last year.
Landslide risk means some Trout River families still not allowed into homes
Five days after flooding forced people out of their homes in the small western Newfoundland community of Trout River — the lone town still under a state of emergency — some have still not been allowed to return because of landslide fears. Trout River resident Trudy Butler told CBC's Corner Brook Morning Show on Thursday that the flood was overwhelming.
Landslide threatens three-story hillside home in Malibu
An active landslide was threatening a three-story hillside home in Malibu on Wednesday, authorities said. Building and safety officials red-tagged the home in the 2800 block of Hume Road and were evaluating the stability of the land, Los Angeles County Fire officials said. The area around the home was closed to pedestrians and cars, and no one was allowed inside, said Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Gustavo Medina. "Fortunately, there weren't any residents that were injured or affected," Medina said. "They're out of town."
After Montecito, We Need to Get Serious About Landslide Zoning
The United States Geological Survey estimates that landslides kill 25 to 50 people a year in the U.S.—more than earthquakes or volcanoes. Yet landslides receive far less attention and research funding than other natural hazards. Part of the problem is ...and more »
Post-fire landslide problems aren't new and likely to get worse
Several weeks after a series of wildfires blackened nearly 500 square miles in Southern California, a large winter storm rolled in from the Pacific. In most places the rainfall was welcomed and did not cause any major flooding from burned or unburned hillslopes. But in the town of Montecito, a coastal community in Santa Barbara County that lies at the foot of the mountains blackened by the Thomas Fire, a devastating set of sediment-laden flows killed at least 20 people and damaged or destroyed more than 500 homes. In the popular press these flows were termed “mudslides,” but with some rocks as large as cars these are more accurately described as hyperconcentrated flows or debris flows, depending on the amount of sediment mixed with the water.
Deadly California mudslides show the need for maps and zoning that better reflect landslide risk
Scenic hill slopes can be inspiring – or deadly, as we are seeing after the disastrous debris flows that have ravaged the community of Montecito, California in the wake of heavy rains on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. At least 20 people are dead, and four remain missing. More than a hundred buildings have been destroyed or damaged by moving walls of mud and boulders that rumbled down creeks and canyons into houses and roads. As mountains rise, erosion tears them down. And Southern California’s mountains are rising fast, squeezed up by the action of the region’s active faults. This produces steep slopes that erode quickly, though much of that erosion happens in infrequent events, such as big rainstorms right after big wildfires.
Car plunges into ravine after Johor landslide
The main road linking Johor Baru and Kuantan was closed to all vehicles after a landslide yesterday. Three people, including a 60-year-old, travelling on the road escaped death when their car skidded and fell into a ravine near the landslide.
Bodies of Tacloban landslide victims retrieved
The bodies of four people buried by rain-induced landslides in Tacloban City's Quarry district were retrieved Monday night, January 15. The two-day retrieval operation concluded around 6 p.m. Monday after the recovery of the last two bodies buried by collapsed wall and landslide debris on Saturday night. The last body retrieved was that of Alejandro Mayolargo. Minutes earlier, the rescuers also unearthed the body of his common-law wife, Sherry Jane Amancio, the village secretary. Surviving children identified the two fatalities.
Franz asks for more money to judge landslide risks
It's been nearly 4 years since the Oso landslide killed 41 people. That event is called a glacial deep-seated landslide. The State Lands Commissioner is now asking the legislature for money to hire more geologists to research the entire State Route 530 corridor. “It is the fact that 18 of our counties in Washington state have similar land conditions to the SR 530 corridor and we believe understanding this situation in glacial deep-seated we will be much more able to protect the public health and safety,” said Hilary Franz.

"Environmental Hazards Newsletter " 12th Mar 2018

Hurricanes and Cyclones
Bomb cyclone: Storm hammers northeast US bringing flooding and tidal surges - as it happened
A powerful "bomb cyclone" storm is lashing the US northeast, bringing snow, flooding and tidal surges all along the coast. Many areas were buffeted by wind gusts exceeding 50 mph, with possible hurricane-strength winds of 80 to 90 mph on Cape Cod.
New cyclone may be on horizon for NZ
According to forecaster Weather Watch, a tropical depression forming near Fiji could become a tropical cyclone later in the week. The system could then track near, or into, the New Zealand area
Tropical Cyclone Dumazile
Tropical Cyclone Dumazile is moving southward between Madagascar and La Réunion Island with winds up to 120 km/h (Category 1 hurricane) strengthening (up to Category 3 hurricane) in the upcoming days.
Mountains of trash left behind by hurricanes inflame debate in US Virgin Islands
Over the past 4½ months, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local contractors have collected more than 736,000 cubic yards of debris left behind by the hurricanes that have ravaged the US Virgin Islands in recent months.
State of emergency declared over cyclone in Russia's Far East
The cyclone has paralyzed transportation throughout Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Due to zero visibility, bus and train services have been halted. Several flights at the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk airport have been delayed or canceled.
Extreme Temperatures
Tens of thousands of starfish wash up on British beach following extreme change in temperature
Thousands of dead starfish washed up on a British beach following the 'beast from the east' weather snap. She estimated "hundreds of thousands" of starfish and other sea life were washed ashore this weekend following the spell of subzero temperatures.
Death toll rises as snow causes chaos across Europe
Conditions are expected to improve by the end of the weekend, but average temperatures across the UK could remain lower than normal over the next month as the polar air gradually returns to the Arctic.
Extreme fire danger threatens south-central US on Sunday
Rising temperatures and strong winds have forces meteorologists to issues warnings against extreme fire danger which may pose a threat to South-Central areas of the US in the incoming days.
ASU researchers to help cities cope with extreme temperatures
ASU researchers are working with academics and officials in Tempe and Buffalo, New York to create smarter and more resilient strategies to cope with extreme temperatures.
Earthquakes
Counting the cost of PNG's devastating earthquake – many uncertainties -
At this stage, the outcome is still uncertain after the devastation and loss of life – now more than 100 – of Papua New Guinea’s Highlands earthquake. Obviously the biggest concern remains the human impact of the earthquake – reaching the victims and providing emergency relief. Many households and communities have no drinking water and food gardens have been destroyed. Repairs will costs tens of millions of kina, with the government unfortunately only budgeting each year a fraction of what’s needed for infrastructure maintenance, let alone for emergency repairs and restoration.
Magnitude 4.5 earthquake strikes 8 miles off coast of Petrolia Thursday night
A magnitude 4.5 earthquake shook 18 miles west of the coast near Petrolia Thursday night, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake hit at 10:01 p.m. on March 8, at a depth of 8.2 miles
Over 100 Mount Kinabalu climbers rush to safety after earthquake strikes Sabah
More than 100 climbers rushed down to the safety point at Laban Rata in Mount Kinabalu after a 5.2 magnitude earthquake hit Sabah's Ranau area on Thursday (March 8) night. There were no reports of any casualties or damage in the 9.06pm incident, said former Mount Kinabalu Mountain Guides Association president Richard Soibi. Kundasang residents said that it was quite a strong quake that lasted two to three seconds.
Magnitude 5.4 earthquake hits southeast Iran: state media
A magnitude 5.4 earthquake hit southeast Iran on Wednesday evening, state media said. The epicenter of the earthquake was about 14 km (9 miles) away from the town of Kahnooj in Kerman province, state media reported. There were no immediate reports of any dead or injured, or any property damage. Two teams from the local chapter of the Red Crescent were sent to the location, state media said. A magnitude 4.9 earthquake shook the same area a few minutes after the first earthquake. Last November, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit western Iran along the mountainous border with Iraq, killing at least 620 people and injuring thousands of others.
Earthquake jolts Sibi, surroundings
An earthquake of mild intensity jolted Balochistan including the Sibi district on Saturday, but no causality or property loss was reported. According to the geological wing of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), tremors measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale were felt in different parts of the province. Earlier this year, an earthquake of 6.1 magnitude rocked Quetta, Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Charsadda, Murree, Sargodha, Shangla, Haripur and Gujranwala, as well as parts of India, Kashmir and Afghanistan on January 31. The quake had left two including a girl child dead with 15 others injured.
No reports of Singaporeans injured in Sabah earthquake: MFA
There have been no reports of Singaporeans injured in the 5.2-magnitude earthquake that hit Ranau, Sabah on Thursday night (Mar 8), the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Friday. In a statement, MFA said it has reached out to e-registered Singaporeans in Ranau and the surrounding areas, and has ascertained that they are safe. "Singaporeans in the affected areas should take the necessary precautions for their personal safety, heed the instructions of the local authorities, and closely monitor the local news, as there may be aftershocks. You should also stay in touch with family and friends so that they know you are safe," it added.
Mount Etna eruption: Rapid earthquakes spark fears of fiery volcano about to blow
Residents of the ancient city of Catania on the eastern shores of Sicily were struck with panic after several shocks reverberated through Etna in just five minutes of each other. The terrifying Etna which only sits 18miles from the coastal town, was rocked by three shallow tremors on its southern slopes. The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) of Catania recorded the shocks in the early morning hours. The strongest of the quakes, of magnitude 3.3, struck at 9.50am local time just over 4 miles north of Ragalna, a small commune southeast of Palermo.
3 Potential Earthquake Sources that Can Destroy Jakarta
According to the Indonesian geological agency, there are two earthquake sources other than the megathrust earthquake in the Sunda Strait that can severely affect Jakarta. “The two other spots are the active fault in the vicinity of Jakarta and the intraslab underneath Jakarta,” said Sri Hidayati, Head of earthquake mitigation at the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) on Thursday, March 8. Sri explained that the closest megathrust earthquake can originate from South Java and the Sunda Strait, which is less than 200 kilometers. “If a massive magnitude 8 to 9.5 earthquake from those locations occurred, it can devastate Jakarta,” said Sri. The effects of the quake can potentially amplify because of Jakarta’s sedimentary soil basin.
Mozambique, Malawi - 5.6 M earthquake
An earthquake of magnitude 5.6 M at a depth of 25 km hit central Mozambique (Zambesia Province) in an area close to the border with Malawi on 8 March at 9.49 UTC. Approximately 3 million people live within a 100 km radius of the epicenter which was located 26 km northeast of Nsanje (Southern Region, Malawi). USGS PAGER estimated a shaking up to "very strong" for 22 000 people and "strong" for 63 000 people. An aftershock of 5.2 M at a depth of 10 km occurred a few minutes later, approximately 10 km south of the first earthquake. According to the national authorities of Malawi, several people have been slightly injured and several houses have been damaged in the area of Nyasa.
Deep moderate earthquake in Southern Alaska - March 9, 2018
The epicenter area has had multiple smaller earthquakes the last couple of days and even weeks. The origin van this earthquake is the Pacific plate diving below the gradually thicker getting North American plate at several cm a year. This is generating lot of stress resulting in regular earthquakes, even massive ones as every person in Alaska knows very well. Due to the depth of the hypocenter, people even at several hundred km will have felt the earthquake as very weak to weak shaking. Based on the present earthquake parameters (Magnitude, Depth, Population, etc) and our experience with earthquake damage impact, earthquake-Report.com does not expect any serious damage from this earthquake.
Strong very deep earthquake in between Fiji and Tonga - March 9, 2018
As it is middle of the night in this area at the moment of the earthquake, we believe that most of the people will not have felt it. This earthquake looks spectacular, but isn't as the breaking point (hypocenter) is located in the deep solid hot mantle of the earth. Based on the present earthquake parameters (Magnitude, Depth, Population, etc) and our experience with earthquake damage impact, earthquake-Report.com does not expect any damage from this earthquake
Papua New Guinea earthquake: anger grows among "forgotten victims"
Aid workers and government officials have been threatened by people in Papua New Guinea who are angry at the slow delivery of emergency help 10 days after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the highlands. Care Australia estimate half a million people have been affected by the quake, with 150,000 in desperate need of emergency supplies and more than 100 believed to be dead. Anna Bryan, Care’s program director in the country, said frustration has grown in the worst hit areas as aftershocks continued to strike. On Wednesday, a 6.8 magnitude aftershock killed a family of six when their house collapsed and burst into flames.
The ground has been shaking in Kansas. What"s causing these earthquakes?
Some of Oklahoma’s most-powerful earthquakes in the past year gave Kansans a shake in the past week, and a research geophysicist says it is safe to assume these quakes were due to wastewater injections in Kansas and Oklahoma. “This is not particularly surprising — we’re not surprised by this,” said Justin Rubinstein, who is also the deputy chief of the United States Geological Survey's Induced Seismicity Project. While the cause of these quakes has not been confirmed, Kansas Geological Survey senior scientist Rick Miller agreed that they were likely “human-induced earthquakes.”
Papua New Guinea aftershocks prompt fears earthquake toll could exceed 100
At least 55 people have been confirmed dead and authorities fear the toll could exceed 100 from last week’s powerful earthquake in Papua New Guinea, as survivors faced more shaking from the strongest aftershock so far. Southern Highlands governor William Powi said people were feeling traumatised from the disaster and ongoing aftershocks. The latest was a magnitude 6.7 quake that struck just after midnight local time, the strongest shake since last Monday’s deadly magnitude 7.5 quake that destroyed homes, triggered landslides and halted work at four oil and gas fields.
Papua New Guinea earthquake death toll reaches 67
Aid workers in Papua New Guinea say the death toll from last week’s 7.5 earthquake has reached at least 67, as the country’s remote highlands were again rocked by strong aftershocks. Three aftershocks, each stronger than magnitude 5, shook the rugged Southern Highlands early on Monday, spreading fear in a region already badly damaged when the largest quake to hit the region struck a week ago. 'People are slowly dying': PNG earthquake sparks state of emergency. Aid is beginning to trickle into the worst affected regions but the extent of the devastation has taken days to emerge because of the area’s remoteness – about 500km from the capital Port Moresby.
Volcanic Activity
Volcano fires ash 3000m into air
The eruption of a volcano in southern Japan spewed ash 3,000 metres into the air. The authorities warned people not to approach Mount Shinmoedake, which has erupted 29 times, its most active since 2011. No injuries have been reported.
Lava flow confirmed at Mt. Shinmoe following eruptions
At around 10:10 a.m. on March 9, a worker from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology involved in an on-site inspection informed the JMA that lava could be seen flowing from the northwest section of the mountain's crater. The agency later confirmed a lava flow, and is investigating its range. The JMA had announced on the same day that eruptions of the volcano, which straddles Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, had stopped at 1:45 a.m., but it seems that lava built up inside the crater subsequently spilled over.
Mayon volcano eruption: Rumbling heard for miles as lava explodes 7 times in 24 hours
But the Philippines most active volcano shows no signs of letting up as officials revealed lava continued to flow from 7.19am on Thursday to 6am (local time) today erupting on seven separate periods during the timeframe.
Study: Gunma volcano erupted more frequently than thought
A volcano in Gunma Prefecture that erupted Jan. 23, killing one and injuring 11, likely had many more such events than previously thought, volcanologists said. Researchers with the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) identified traces of similar eruptions that occurred repeatedly at Mount Moto-Shiranesan, one of the peaks that constitute the Mount Kusatsu-Shiranesan volcano complex. The January eruption formed more than one string of volcanic vents, which stretched a maximum of 500 meters.
Shinmoedake volcano in southern Japan erupts, spewing smoke and ash into air
A volcano in southern Japan that appeared in a James Bond film had its biggest eruption in years on Tuesday, shooting smoke and ash thousands of metres into the sky and grounding dozens of flights at a nearby airport, officials said. The Meteorological Agency said the Shinmoedake volcano on Japan’s southernmost main island of Kyushu erupted violently several times, and some lava was rising inside a crater.
Long-Period Earthquake Swarm Detected Under Volcano
An ongoing long-period earthquake swarm at 5-10 km depth began last night beneath the Kīlauea Volcano caldera, scientists report, noting that “otherwise, seismicity is within normal, background rates, with tremor fluctuations associated with lava lake spattering.” On Tuesday, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory measured the level of the lava lake at 74 ft. below the floor, which meant excited visitors could catch a glimpse of lava spatter from the Jaggar Overlook inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Kyushu volcano continues to belch ash over wide region
Kyushu’s Mount Shinmoedake remained active March 7 as smoke and fumes rose as high as 3,000 meters from the volcano. The Japan Meteorological Agency is maintaining the alert level at 3, warning people to stay away from the 1,421-meter mountain and cautioning that large rocks may be spat out up to a distance of 3 kilometers. It also said that glasses may break due to vibrations and that wind-borne volcanic debris may be carried over long distances.
Japanese volcano erupts, spewing ash
A volcano on Japan's Kyushu island is erupting, sending a plume of ash more than two kms above the crater. It was the first time in about seven years that such a powerful eruption was observed at Mount Shinmoe on the border between the prefectures of Kagoshima and Miyazaki on the southern island, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Japan's "James Bond" Volcano Erupts In A Spectacular Display Of Fire And Smoke
The volcano sent ash and smoke thousands of meters into the sky, canceling flights and creating unease for local residents. Shinmoedake volcano appeared in the 1967 James Bond movie You Only Live Twice, with Sean Connery as the film's agent 007.
Taupo in the running for the Volcano Cup
Which volcano is the best? Fans of the lava-spewing killers are trying to find out once and for all. Over the past few weeks a knockout competition has been taking place on social media site Twitter, under the hashtag #VolcanoCup. Thousands of geologists, science fans and people who just like things that burn have been voting for their favourite fiery mountains and calderas. New Zealand is represented in the informal competition by Taupo, which last blew around 1800 years ago. The goal is not just to entertain, but educate.
Hawaii Dumped 1.5 Billion Gallons Of Lava Into Pacific As Volcano Wall Collapses
A rare volcano wall collapse was captured recently on Kīlauea volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The collapse occurred on February 10th, at 8:21 a.m. local time when a massive chunk of the volcano collapsed. The sudden collapse was on Kīlauea volcano's active East Rift Zone, specifically on the northeast rim of the west pit in Pu’u O’o. This collapse was coincident with subsidence as the adjacent ground fell. Kīlauea volcano is actively monitored by the USGS on the island, looking for evidence of new eruptions and danger to local communities.
Violent blasts from Indonesia's Sinabung volcano
On February 19, 2018, Mount Sinabung volcano, on the Indonesian island of On February 19, 2018, Mount Sinabung volcano, on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, erupted violently, spewing ash at least 16,000 to 23,000 feet (5 to 7 km) into the air. The stratovolcano has been sporadically active since 2010, following four centuries of quiet. According to a report from the Associated Press, the lava dome obliterated a chunk of the peak as it erupted. Plumes of hot gas and ash flowed down the volcano’s summit and spread out in an area about 3 miles (5 km) in diameter. Ash falls were recorded as far away as the town of Lhokseumawe, some 160 miles (260 km) to the north.
Indonesia issues volcanic ash flight warnings after Mount Sinabung erupts
Indonesia has raised flight warnings around the Mount Sinabung volcano to their highest level after it sent a plume of ash more than 7km (4.4 miles) into the air, turning day into night for people nearby. Areas around the crater of the volcano, located about 1,900km north-west of the capital, Jakarta, on the island of Sumatra have been off-limits for several years because of frequent volcanic activity.
The Costs Of Waiting For A Volcano To Erupt
Earthquakes began rumbling under Agung volcano on the “Paradise Island” of Bali in Indonesia on August 10, 2017. These small earthquakes drew immediate attention because Mt. Agung, which dominates the island’s landscape, had erupted in 1963, killing more than 1100 people. Was Agung reawakening? Could a major eruption be imminent?
Terrawatch: Montserrat's volcano remains a risk
It is now more than 20 years since Montserrat’s long-dormant volcano had a dramatic return to life. The action began in 1995 and reached a crescendo in 1997, when 19 people lost their lives. Plymouth, the island’s capital, ended up buried in more than 12m (40ft) of mud. Since then an exclusion zone has been imposed over the southern two-thirds of the Caribbean island and the population has dwindled from 12,500 to just 4,500. Sporadic smaller eruptions have occurred in the intervening years, but for the past eight years the volcano has been completely silent, and locals are impatient to return to their homes. So is it safe?
Wildfires
Wildfires will likely get worse in western North America
States in the interior western United States, in particular, may be faced with large increases in total wildfire area burned, potentially beyond anything that has been experienced in the past, according to the study, published in the journal PLOS ONE on December 15, 2017, as the 2017 fire season was ending.
Wildfires: Smoke and cloud interactions unexpectedly result in cooling
For years, scientists determined that smoke, overall, diminishes clouds' cooling effect by absorbing light that the clouds beneath the aerosols would otherwise reflect. A new study found that smoke and cloud layers are closer to each other than previously thought. This makes the clouds more reflective of light and, thus, accelerates the clouds' cooling effect.
California Spent $1.8B Fighting 2017 Wildfires
California state agencies spent nearly $1.8 billion fighting fierce wildfires that killed dozens of people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses last year, legislative budget experts reported Thursday. The federal government will reimburse most of the costs, but the state will still need to come up with about $371 million on top of the state’s existing wildfire budget, the Legislative Analyst’s Office told the Senate Budget committee. That shouldn’t be a problem because state revenue has far exceeded expectations so far this fiscal year and the general fund is flush with cash.
Crews tackle wildfires through the night on two Scottish islands
Crews have been tackling a number of wildfires through the night across two Hebridean islands. Emergency services have been working to extinguish a three kilometre-long blaze at Portree, Skye, since around 7.40pm on Saturday. A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: “It looks like they are going to be there for a while.” Crews were also called to the Creachan Hill area on the remote isle of Barra after reports of a 500 x 600 metre fire at 7.38pm on Saturday.
Several homes lost in wildland fire south of Kiowa
Firefighters have fully contained a 377-acre brush fire that broke out Sunday morning south of Kiowa, burning four homes. The Elbert County Sheriff's Office announced the fire was full contained just after 8 p.m. after breaking out earlier Sunday morning around 10:15 a.m. It began near County Road 118 and County Road 45 and spread quickly due to high winds and dry conditions in the area.
Agricultural policy can reduce wildfires
The introduction of new agricultural policies can reduce the damage caused by wildfires in Southern Europe. Last year, once again, forest fires took their toll in southern Europe. In Portugal alone, at least 500,000 acres were burned, 100 people were killed, and 500 houses were lost.
NASA's new weather satellite will show us wildfires and storms in ...
The launch of NASA's GOES-S satellite will provide the capability to monitor the weather of the United States in incredible detail. The satellite will focus on concerning storms and wildfires, giving people in those areas updated information every 30 seconds.
California spent nearly $1.8 billion last year fighting major wildfires
California state agencies spent nearly $1.8 billion fighting fierce wildfires that killed dozens of people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses last year.
US and Cuban forces unite to fight a common foe: wildfire at Guantanamo
For a few days last week, soldiers from the U.S. and Cuba fought on the same side, battling a massive wildfire that threatened Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. The blaze set off nearly 1,000 land mines and burned 1,700 acres, forcing the evacuation of six neighborhoods on the naval base.
Landslides
Death Toll Climbs as Aftershocks Rattle Earthquake-Hit Papua New Guinea
One week after Papua New Guinea was rattled by a powerful earthquake, aftershocks have reportedly caused the death toll to rise to at least 67, while landslides have made the worst-hit highlands nearly unreachable.
Bulgaria's long weekend ends: Avalanche warnings, landslides and swollen rivers
Several warnings have been issued in Bulgaria for possible avalanches in some mountain areas alongside the closure of roads. Heavy traffic is affecting the country across the national road network as people deal with unusual levels of precipitation during a national holiday period.
Huge underwater landslides and tsunamis may be caused by ooze
The largest landslides on Earth happen in the oceans, and an ooze of dead plankton may be responsible. If so, it could help us predict the risk of devastating tsunamis triggered by these events. Far beneath the waves, huge “megaslides” can transport 3000 cubic kilometres of sediment at speeds of up to 80 metres per second. The largest such event on record was the Storegga Slide 8150 years ago off the coast of Norway. Dwarfing every slide known on land,
Floods
Monsoon floods and landslides threaten 100000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh
Nearly 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh since last August to escape a military crackdown in neighboring Myanmar. Most now live in flimsy, bamboo-and-plastic structures perched on what were once forested hills. Bangladesh is lashed by typhoons, and the Rohingya camps are clustered in a part of the country that records the highest rainfall. Computer modeling by the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) shows that more than 100,000 refugees will be threatened by landslides and floods in the coming monsoon.
Queensland schoolchildren trapped by floods for almost a week wait to be evacuated
Torrential rain for much of the past week has caused flooding across the region, with the area between Cairns and Townsville declared a disaster by the state government and labelled an official catastrophe by the Insurance Council of Australia
UK braces for floods and water shortages as temperatures rise
The repercussions of the extreme weather are being felt across the UK, with flood warnings and water shortages threatening thousands of households. After last week’s snow, ice and freezing temperatures combined with the impact of Storm Emma, residents in London and south-east England have been told to use as little water as possible because of burst pipes. Thames Water said about 12,000 homes had no running water following the deep freeze and thaw, while several other water companies said they were also tackling multiple burst pipes on their networks.
How Architecture Is Tackling Increasing Floods From Climate Change
Sea level rise and increased rain have posed serious flood risks for several Asian cities. An Harvard graduate is trying to address the problem by implementing architectural techniques to mitigate the impact of floods on private and public buildings.
Icy roads and floods still a risk as big thaw begins
Thousand of people in southwest England as well as in the North East and North West are at risk of flooding as temperatures rise and the snow that fell in recent weeks starts to melt.
Brace yourselves for round two: North East to be hit by a second storm in less than a week after deadly ...
More bad weather expected in the East Coast after nine people lost their lives and several homes were destroyed by the deadly nor'easter 'bombogensis' which tore through the region on Friday leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. But officials warn that severe weather is still to come in areas along the East Coast this week.

"Environmental Hazards Newsletter" 3rd May 2018

News Highlights

Hello everyone and welcome to April’s news roundup of global Environmental Hazards coverage.

April’s highlights include reporting on fears that the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, will be worse than usual. The Earthquake section highlights a USGS study entitled “The Hay-Wired Earthquake Scenario,” which explains how the public can better prepare for a major earthquake. There is also a review of a book written by Lucy Jones, a science advisor for risk reduction for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

A variety of April articles examined the impact of Extreme Temperatures more closely. Joyce Coffee posed an interesting question in Triplepundit.com ‘if we, as a human race, have managed to learn valuable ancient lessons about the consequence of concern climate change or are we doomed to repeat past mistakes?’ In reports elsewhere, the IMD (The Indian Meteorological Department) is predicting above normal temperatures between April and June in India.

The Volcanoes section looks at possible links between climate change and volcanic eruptions. There are also stories about scientists from the University of Aberdeen creating the world`s first 3D thermal image of an active volcano (video).  Then there are stories about eruption warnings in Chile and Mexico.

There is U.S. coverage of Wildfires – focusing in on the blazes raging across Oklahoma, Colorado and Kansas, with some reporting looking closer at potential links between climate change and wildfires, as well as the cascading impact of these destructive events.

The Landslides section moved the attention of readers towards deadly mudslides in China and Kenya. It also highlighted an appeal by residents battling to remain in their homes after a series of landslips in Ystalyfera (Wales).

Finally, Floods explored the crisis engulfing Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, pointing to warnings that makeshift shelters in Bangladeshi camps could be destroyed by a toxic combination of mudslides and flooding.

Hurricanes and Cyclones
USDA to provide $2.36B for wildfire, hurricane recovery
The USDA will make disaster payments up to $2.36 billion, as provided by Congress, to help America’s farmers and ranchers recover from hurricanes and wildfires.
Forecasters Are Warning This Year's Hurricane Season Will Be Worse Than Usual
Forecasters say the chances of a major hurricane landfall along the East Coast or Florida's peninsula are 39 percent, above the last half-century average at 31 percent. That scale pegs a Category 3 storm as having sustained winds between 111 and 129 miles per hour.
Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate Retired
Due to the extensive damage caused in the United States and Caribbean last year, the World Meteorological Organization’s Region IV Hurricane Committee has officially retired Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate as names to be used to label tropical storms. Storm names are retired if they were so deadly or destructive that the future use of the name would be insensitive - otherwise names are reused by NOAA’s National Hurricane Center on a six-year cycle. The committee also selected the replacement names for Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate with Harold, Idalia, Margot and Nigel respectively that will first appear in the 2023 list of storm names.
Hurricanes slowing down in just about every ocean on Earth
Research shows slower storms in recent years have produced heavier rainfall, according to the presentation by James Kossin of NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.
Climate change-fueled migration will add to global instability
Whether planned or not, migration movements caused in whole or in part by climate change will be part of the future. A 2016 report by the US National Intelligence Council highlighted what many other researchers have also noted: “Over 20 years, the net effects of climate change on the patterns of global human movement and statelessness could be dramatic, perhaps unprecedented.”
10 Weather Myths Everyone Gets Wrong
An insight on the wrong perceptions people have about basic weather facts.
INTERVIEW-New storm forecasting methods mark 'huge leap forward' - U.S. official
The director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center said new ways of forecasting extreme weather events, including identifying storms before they fully develop, mark a "huge leap forward in the science of hurricanes".
How Deep Learning Is Mitigating Climate Change Threats
Machine learning and deep learning are now helping detect extreme weather conditions and predict climate changes, which is turning out to be a crucial step towards building a sustainable environment without compromising vital resources of the earth.
CFAN Takes the Lead in the Race to Provide Better Forecasts of Hurricane Paths
Public and private sector scientists are racing to provide hurricane forecasts that provide better warnings. In 2017, Climate Forecast Applications Network (CFAN) provided more accurate Atlantic hurricane track forecasts than those of the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) and the official forecasts of NOAA?s National Hurricane Center.
Forecasters plan storm-readiness mission in Caribbean and Mexico
National Hurricane Center (NHC) director Ken Graham and several federal hurricane specialists will visit with residents of vulnerable communities and discuss hurricane preparedness, resilience and how they can become “weather-ready.” Among their stops will be Jamaica on April 27 and Puerto Rico the following day.
Geoscience professor Gabriel Vecchi clarifies future hurricane predictions
Geosciences professor Gabriel Vecchi gave a talk concerning the potential future trends of hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean.
Fiji bracing for category 3 Cyclone Keni
The country's Meteorological Service is warning the cyclone could make landfall over southwest Viti Levu around midday today. Winds at the centre are around 130 km/h with gusts up to 185 km/h. The Disaster Management Office is urging residents to have a three day emergency kit at hand.
Can Cold Air Bubbles Prevent Destructive Hurricanes From Forming?
With memories of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, which ravaged Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico in 2017, still fresh in their minds, residents of the US Atlantic and Gulf Coasts are bracing for yet another busy hurricane season. Researchers at Colorado State University predict a slightly above-average 2018 season with 14 tropical storms, at least three of which are expected to be major hurricanes, Category 3 or higher!
Let’s Build Fiji Stronger Together To Withstand Mother Nature’s Wrath
Preparedness strategies have been implemented in Fiji to prepare vulnerable communities to the incoming hurricane season. The training, which is funded by the Government through the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development, Disaster Management and Meteorological Services, intends to equip rural dwellers with skills and techniques to construct quality and durable homes.
Bahamas Facing 'Hard Choices' On $710m Storm Woe
The Bahamas has been warned that "the era of tough choices has arrived" after Hurricanes Matthew and Irma caused a combined $710 million in economic damages and loss.
At least four dead as Cyclone Josie hits Fiji
At least four people were killed and another was missing in Fiji after Cyclone Josie caused severe flooding in the South Pacific island nation, local media reported.
Extreme Temperatures
Why Africans need to support the Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary Project
Dr. Gbujie Daniel a Climate Reality Project fellow, calls for Africans to support the Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary project (MAPS).
Students evacuated in southern France as heavy snow surprises them during hike
Extreme weather patterns are affecting crops in the US.
7 things we’ve learned about Earth since the last Earth Day
Here are seven of the most troubling and encouraging things we learned about the Earth since the last Earth Day.
Cullman County Hailstone sets four extreme climate records in Alabama, per NOAA
NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) released Friday additional information regarding the hailstone that fell in Cullman County on March 19, 2018.
Climate change threat
On this Earth Week, environmental advocates talk about their efforts to raise awareness and get more people to pay attention to climate change. From extreme weather, and shorter ski seasons, to the threat of new invasive species and changes in habit for songbirds and wildlife, they say climate change is having a dramatic impact on the Adirondacks.
Trump's new Nasa chief Jim Bridenstine a 'climate change denier' who could make 'terrifying' decisions, US senators warn
As Tea Party congressman is appointed to head Nasa, senators warn of 'terrifying' danger that a man who has 'made a career out of ignoring science' might disregard scientific advice about the safety of a space launch
We Survived Climate Change Eons Ago, but Could We Survive Today? Not Unless We Act Much More Swiftly Immediately
An insight into the abrupt shift in past extreme climate conditions which triggered population crashes and cultural changes.
Australia must build to withstand extreme weather
Sustainable building techniques should be implemented in the Australian construction industry in view of deteriorating climate conditions.
IMD Predicts Summer to be Hotter Than Normal This Year
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted warmer days in most parts of India this year. There will be above normal temperatures between April and June. Last year was regarded as the hottest year till now. And this year also some parts will witness intense heat wave conditions. The IMD, however, said the temperatures in east, east-central and southern India, which include Odisha, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, are likely to be lower than the usual, indicating that the onset of monsoon will be on time. India has long suffered deadly heatwaves. Periods of extreme temperatures have led to thousands of deaths since the 1990s, largely in rural areas where basic infrastructure is poor.
Wind gust in Friday's storm strongest in eight years
The strongest wind gust in eight years was recorded during Friday's thunderstorm which battered several farms in Lim Chu Kang. Wind speed hit a high of 133.3kmh at nearby Tengah at 3.50pm, said the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) yesterday. "This is the strongest wind gust recorded on our islandwide network of wind sensors since 2010," it added. The highest-recorded wind gust is 144.4kmh, also in Tengah, on April 25, 1984.
Earthquakes
USGS confirms 3.6 magnitude earthquake rattled Detroit
The U.S. Geological Survey has confirmed a 3.6 magnitude earthquake occurred Thursday just across the border in Canada. The USGS said the quake's epicenter was 15.5 miles south of Detroit in Amherstburg, Ontario. Thousands of residents in Michigan said they felt tremors around 8:15 p.m. Thursday.
San Francisco area fault could produce devastating earthquake
A new study by the US Geological Survey (USGS) has revealed the shocking potential of an earthquake generated by the Hayward fault, a 52-mile fault that stretches throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, which is home to millions of people.
The Next Big Bay Area Earthquake Could Kill Hundreds, Strand 20,000 In Elevators
The U.S. Geological Survey has spearheaded a project to simulate what the aftermath of a 7.0-magnitude earthquake along the Bay Area's Hayward Fault - dubbed the "HayWired scenario" - could look like. The results are disconcerting to say the least, beginning with the potential for 800 deaths and $100 billion in economic losses.
‘Earthquake Lady’ Relates Her Decades of Understanding Science and Disasters
Lucy Jones has written a book, appropriately titled, Big Ones: How Natural Disasters Have Shaped Us (and What We Can Do About Them). Jones said the book is really a summation of the things she’s learned in her career about how disasters, and impending ones, affect humans and how she learned to express her scientific knowledge in a way that most of us could understand and in a way that would motivate people to act.
Yellowstone volcano eruption: Millions trapped in kill zone of hot ash and lava
USGS scientists Larry Mastin and Jacob Lowenstern, and National Science Foundation researcher Alexa Van Eaton, published a study estimating where Yellowstone ash would fall if it erupted today.
Sounds of Eruptions Used to Describe Volcanoes
A new case study done by a team of international scientists led by UC Santa Barbara geophysicist Robin Matoza examined data from the 2015 eruption of the Calbuco volcano in Chile using a network from the United Nations’ International Monitoring System (IMS), to track volcanic eruptions in remote locations.
Something’s Going On At Yellowstone: Earthquake Swarm Ongoing For 5 Weeks
The Yellowstone earthquake swarm has been going on for little over five weeks now with no end in sight. As you may know, this is especially terrifying considering the super volcano that calls Yellowstone home. Researchers have recorded well over 1,200 earthquakes at Yellowstone National Park. This phenomenon has been being monitored by several seismologists from the University of Utah since it first began around June 12th. Although this activity is cause for alarm experts do not think these events will cause any sort of eruption from the super volcano.
PNG earthquake: Women and children facing "double trauma" from
The recent earthquake in Papua New Guinea left local vulnerable people exposed to exploitation.
Magnitude 4.3 earthquake rattles central Taiwan
A magnitude 4.3 earthquake jolted central Taiwan's Nantou County at 12:02 a.m. Monday morning (April 2), according to the Central Weather Bureau (CWB). The epicenter of the quake was located 17.5 kilometers east-southeast of Nantou County, at a depth of 23.7 kilometers, according to CWB data. The strongest intensity of level felt from the quake was a level 4 recorded in Chanhua County, while an intensity level of 3 was felt in Nantou County, Yunlin County, Changhua County and Taichung City. An intensity level of 2 was felt in Miaoli County and Tainan City, while an intensity level of 1 was felt in Chiayi County, Hualien County, Taichung County, Kaohsiung City, Yilan County and Penghu County.
5.3-magnitude earthquake in Iran's Kurdish region leaves at least 38 casualties
An earthquake in Iranian Kurdistan’s (Rojhilat) Kermanshan Province on Sunday left at least 38 people injured, local media reported. The 5.3-magnitude earthquake rocked the western Iranian region at 1:05 p.m. (local time), a report from the seismography center affiliated with Tehran University Geophysics Institute revealed. The tremor’s epicenter was located at a depth of eight kilometers underground near the town of Sarpol-e Zahab in Kermanshan
23 injured in Iran's 5.3-magnitude earthquake
At least 23 people were injured in a 5.3-magnitude earthquake that jolted Iran's Kermanshah province on Sunday.
Waiting (And Waiting) For The Big One
Seismologist Lucy Jones explains what makes the San Andreas fault ripe for large earthquakes.
Volcanic Activity
Climate change could trigger volcanic eruptions across the world, warn scientists
Melting of ice on volcanoes can increase risk of landslides and destabilise magma ‘plumbing system’ inside, say researchers. According to Gioachino Roberti, a PhD student at the University of Clermont Auvergne, glaciers can suppress volcanic eruptions by providing mountains with structural stability
Total grain-size distribution of four subplinian–Plinian tephras from Hekla volcano, Iceland: Implications for sedimentation dynamics and eruption source parameters
Here we present TGSD data associated with Hekla volcano, which has been very active in the last few thousands of years and is located on critical aviation routes. In particular, we have reconstructed the TGSD of the initial subplinian–Plinian phases of four historical eruptions, covering a range of magma composition (andesite to rhyolite), eruption intensity (VEI 4 to 5), and erupted volume (0.2 to 1 km3).
Mass transfer processes in a post eruption hydrothermal system: Parameterisation of microgravity changes at Te Maari craters, New Zealand
Here we describe processes occurring in a hydrothermal system following the 2012 eruption of Upper Te Maari crater on Mt Tongariro, New Zealand, from observations of microgravity change and deformation. Our aim is to assess the post-eruption recovery of the system, to provide a baseline for long-term monitoring
Satellite Data Used to Detect Magma Flow in Volcanoes
Using satellite imaging, Penn State researchers for the first time identified a major magma supply into a reservoir extending almost 2 miles from the crater of a volcano in Nicaragua.
Sulfuric Volcanoes May Have Quickened Life on Earth
A new study looks at the key ingredients in the atmosphere when the first life was forming in the hopes of how living beings came into existence. The researchers from MIT and Harvard focuses on molecules known as sulfidic anions. Sulfur is an essential element to life as crucial several amino acids are sulfuric in nature.
Chile raises alert on rumbling Chillan volcano
Chile has raised the alert at the Nevados de Chillan ahead of a possible eruption at one of the most active volcanoes in Chile, after plumes of white smoke and registered tremors were reported by authorities.
What on Earth Is This Fiery Blob?
Dome fountain of episode 10, October 10–13, 1969, eruption of Kilauea Volcano. This dome fountain is about 20 m (65 ft) high. Symmetrical dome fountains such as this are rare
Is the Ring of Fire becoming more active?
Seismic restiveness in Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia is a fact of life along the "ring of fire," the horseshoe-shaped belt in the Pacific Ocean that is home to about three-quarters of the world's most active volcanoes. Yet after what some experts call a relatively subdued 20th century for seismic activity, the 21st has seen an uptick in "great" earthquakes. And the first 18 years of this century has seen about 25 significant volcano eruptions globally, compared with some 65 in the entire 20th century.
Mt Fuji eruption scenario to be studied
The Japanese Government's Central Disaster Management Council will launch the first full-scale study of evacuation and other measures to deal with massive amounts of volcanic ash that could fall in the Tokyo metropolitan area if Mt Fuji erupts.
Kilauea volcano: rare landspout phenomenon filmed over Hawaiian lava flows
A rare phenomenon was caught on camera above Hawaii’s Kīlauea volcano as it spewed out lava.
World's first 3D thermal image of volcano
Scientists from the University of Aberdeen have created the world's first 3D thermal image of an active volcano. The spectacular 3D image of Stromboli in Italy was made using high-precision cameras which are mounted to an aerial drone. The team of geoscientists from the Universities of Aberdeen and Oslo created the image by using drone technology to develop a technique that can detect subtle changes in the behavior of the volcano, providing more accurate information on the likelihood of an eruption.
Using Infrasound Sensors to Detect and Monitor Remote Volcanic Eruptions
The framework of the United Nations’ Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, an International Monitoring System was created to discover any nuclear explosion on Earth - in the atmosphere, underwater, or underground. The system includes a network for the detection of atmospheric infrasound - sound waves that have frequencies less than the lower limit of human audibility. Researchers can use this network to detect volcanic eruptions in remote locations.
Volcano popocatepetl on brink of eruption as Mexico fears
Popocatepetl, a “stratovolcano” located near the city, was once again awakened by a small earthquake on Friday evening. During the night vast amounts of thick smoke, along with gas and vapour, were seen pouring out of the mouth of the active volcano. Mexican authorities have set up equipment to keep monitoring the natural phenomenon, but understand its activity can be highly unpredictable. A yellow warning has been issued, urging people “not to approach” the volcano, especially the crater, due to possibility of spewing debris.
High sea levels may have shaped volcanic Mount Etna
Mount Etna may owe its iconic cone to more than just centuries of eruptions, a new study found. The study, by Dr. Iain Stewart of the University of Plymouth, looked at geological changes at Mount Etna over the past 130,000 years. The volcano switched from a shield volcano to a cluster of stratovolcanoes during that period, he said.
Wildfires
Raging wildfires leave at least two dead in Oklahoma
Wildfires which have killed two people in western Oklahoma could spread and more could ignite as wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour whip an area where scant rain has fallen in five months, fire and forestry officials said.
U.S. COLORADO This Map Shows Where All the Colorado Wildfires Are Burning
Colorado is facing extreme wildfire conditions this week, the National Weather Service in Boulder warned Tuesday. The service said critical to extreme fire weather conditions will develop throughout the Denver metro area, Palmer Divide, South Park, southern Foothills and the east-central and southeast Plains, and that new fires can start and rapidly grow.
Kansas Wildfire Disaster
Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer has issued a disaster declaration in response to a series of wildfires in the western part of the state.
Much-needed rain arrives in drought-, fire-stricken Southwest
A disturbance that developed in the high Plains is bringing a mix of rain and snow to parts of Colorado, and heavy rain and strong storms to parts of the central and southern Plains on Saturday. The storms are also bringing beneficial rain to parts of the drought-stricken Southwest.
Unravelling a scientific mystery: Could wildfire ash end up in our fish dinner?
Scientists are studying how of ash produced by wildfire may affect the marine ecosystem.
Wildfires rage in several states with homes destroyed, neighborhoods at risk
Millions face elevated to extreme fire conditions, as crews battle blazes in Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado, where dozens of homes have been destroyed and thousands of acres burnt.
Forecasters warn of rare, life-threatening wildfire weather
Forecasters warned of dangerous, life-threatening wildfire conditions in parts of the Southwest and Southern Plains on Tuesday, as a forestry official warned firefighters battling a terrifying deadly blaze in Oklahoma that it would be a ‘‘historically critical day.’’
Boulder Sues Exxon Over Climate Change: Wildfires, Droughts and Water Are a Few Reasons Why
The city and Boulder County joined San Miguel County, home to the ski slopes of Telluride, in suing two fossil fuel companies—ExxonMobil and Suncor—over the costs of dealing with climate change.
Climate Change, Wildfire, and the Future of Forests
Researchers studied 1,500 Rocky Mountain forests that had been burned by wildfires. They found that most of the woods aren't recovering after the blaze—and in some cases, they're not returning at all. The culprit? A warming planet.
State of disaster declared to fight drought and wildfire
Extensive drought and wildfire threats statewide led Governor Greg Abbott to declare a threat of imminent disaster for at least 72 counties, including many in the South Plains.
Wildfire potential, April through July
“Wildfire activity will increase across portions of the nation in April. The central and southern Great Plains continue to experience significant wildland fire activity. While the activity observed is Above Normal, overall trends follow a traditional seasonal progression which keeps the fire potential elevated across these areas in early April but begins a westward shift further into the Southwest by month’s end. Periods of concern will be wind events coupled with low humidities that impact fire activity. Other areas of concern are the Florida Peninsula, eastern Georgia and South Carolina where drought conditions linger. Elevated potential exists across coastal portions of Southern California where drought continues and across portions of eastern Montana where very dry residual soil conditions exist. Pregreenup fire activity could elevate during westerly flow wind events.
Wildfire loss in March three times higher than last year
Wildfire has gutted more than 300 hectare of forest cover in Uttarakhand in March, the damage in a month being three times higher than that of last year, official data shows. On March 29, forest fire destroyed computers, a printer, biometrics system and other infrastructure of a government high school at Chaukhutiya in Almora district. Students were in the playground when the incident happened. According to forest department figures, 330.646-hectare forest cover has been damaged since February 15 when the official fire season began, leading to an estimated revenue loss of Rs 5,87,155. In February, only 31 hectare was burnt posing a loss of Rs 33,525. Nearly 300 hectare has been lost within 29 days this month, causing a loss of Rs 5,53,630. Last year, 100.35 hectare was damaged in March posing a loss of Rs 1,72,963. In 2016, when the state reported the worst wildfire, only 43.15 hectare was burnt in March with a loss of Rs 52,475, forest department data shows.
Landslides
Landslide In China Kills 9, Several Others Injured
A landslide hit a village in North China and ended up trapping and killing 9 people Monday morning. Several others were reportedly injured
Several dead in Muranga landslide
A deadly landslide in Muranga county killed a couple and two children after their home was swept away.
15 landslides need to be cleared on Kuhio Hwy. for it to reopen
Crews from the state, county, and community continue to push through piles of mud, rock, and debris in an effort to reopen a portion of Kuhio Highway that's been shut down for a week. The affected stretch of road has cut off the communities of Wainiha and Haena from Hanalei and the rest of Kauai. At least 15 landslides need to be cleared.
Stress, anxiety and costs' for landslip zone residents fighting to stay in their homes
An appeal brought by residents battling to remain in their homes after a series of landslips in Ystalyfera will come down to whether they face an "imminent risk of serious harm".
Floods
Rohingya refugees face fresh turmoil as monsoon rains could wash away temporary homes and spread disease
Aid workers are scrambling to train emergency response teams as the coming monsoon season looms over Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, threatening to bring potentially fatal flooding and landslides.
Flooding in Fiji claims at least four lives after Tropical Cyclone Josie
Tropical Cyclone Josie has caused severe flooding in parts of Fiji, with four people reported dead and one missing. Fiji Village reported four people were dead, while a 19-year-old man was still missing after he was washed away by floodwaters. The category one cyclone is moving southeast, away from Fiji, but heavy rain and flooding is still affecting the country. The Fiji National Disaster Management Office tweeted about 9.45am NZT that water levels were slowly receding, and roads were starting to reopen.
Day of dramatic weather in Kashmir Valley
Marking the first major wet spell of the season, rains continued to lash plains of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday with Qazigund in southern Kashmir recording the highest rainfall at 31.4 mm by Friday afternoon.
Evacuations ordered in parts of B.C.'s Okanagan due to flooding, mudslides
Multiple evacuation orders have been issued to residents of British Columbia’s Okanagan region due to threats of mudslides and flooding.
Climate change: Ganges might swell to twice its capacity, flooding northern India
Several countries across the world face a serious risk of food shortage if temperatures go beyond the Paris Accords' agreed upon two degree Celsius rise over the next few decades. The biggest risk to food sustainability comes from floods and droughts. A new study carried out by the University of Exeter, has found that conditions might get so severe that rivers like Ganges and Amazon will likely swell up, flooding large regions. Ganges runs through China, Nepal, Bhutan, India, and Bangladesh. Over 630 million people live along this river and in the coming century, that number will only get bigger.
India at risk of food shortage due to climate change, says study
Warming is expected to lead to wetter conditions on average - with floods putting food production at risk - but agriculture could also be harmed by more frequent and prolonged droughts in some areas, researchers have said.
Super typhoon may flood one third of central Tokyo
One third of central Tokyo could be left under water and nearly four million people affected if a super typhoon strikes the capital causing storm surges, a new study from local authorities has warned. The Tokyo metropolitan government unveiled its first estimate of the Japanese capital's vulnerability to damage from typhoon-related high tidal waves Friday, as risks of storm damage continue to increase globally. According to the report, 212 square kilometres (85 square miles), or one third of the capital's central area, could be inundated to a maximum depth of 10 metres (33 feet) if a super typhoon creates high tidal waves. A severe event of this type would be estimated to affect as many as 3.95 million people in the city, flooding business and entertainment districts as well as major railway stations, the local government said

"Environmental Hazards Newsletter" 7th Jun 2018

Hurricanes and Cyclones
Are you hurricane ready?
The article discusses Hurricane preparedness after reports suggesting that the 2018 hurricane season could be as busy as the 2017 season.
The National Hurricane Center Will Make Important Changes To Their Forecasts In 2018
A look at some of the changes in forecasting techniques that will be brought forward by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) during the upcoming hurricane season.
Improving Tropical Cyclone Predictions in the Gulf of Mexico
Gao et al. evaluate the ability of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory’s latest High Resolution Atmospheric Model (HiRAM) to simulate this relationship on the basis of retrospective seasonal predictions for the 25-year period between 1990 and 2014. Their results indicate that HiRAM successfully captures the influence of intraseasonal oscillations on tropical cyclone activity in the Gulf of Mexico region, including the formation of tropical storms and major hurricanes, as well as those that make landfall.
Trump wants to cut $107M in Hurricane Sandy relief funds
President Trump will send Congress a $15 billion rescission package on Tuesday that includes pulling back $107 million for Hurricane Sandy relief in the Northeast. The White House says the money wouldn’t have been used anyway by New York and New Jersey residents hard hit by 2012 disaster.
Unwavering Preparation, Swift Response Key to Hurricane Food Relief
Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria – each Category 4 – all made landfall in less than a month between August and September 2017. It will be hard to ever forget these historic disasters and the toll they took on millions of American families. In ...
Hurricanes and the Sea: It Takes Two to Tango
Recognizing that tropical cyclones are among the most destructive and costly natural hazards on Earth, and they always develop over the ocean, a new special issue of JGR: Oceans aimed to address the oceanic responses and feedbacks to tropical cyclones. Indeed, improving our understanding, simulation, and forecasts of tropical cyclones is both a scientific and societal imperative.
3-6 tropical cyclones expected in Central Pacific this hurricane season
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Central Pacific Hurricane Center anticipates normal to above-normal tropical cyclone activity during the 2018 Central Pacific Hurricane Season. The season starts on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. The outlook, which was released Wednesday morning, indicates equal chances of an above-normal and near-normal season at 40 percent each, and a 20 percent chance of a below-normal season.
Conagua forecasts four more cyclones than average for this year
The National Water Commission (Conagua) is predicting 32 tropical cyclones will affect Mexico this hurricane season, four more than the average recorded in recent years. Conagua director Roberto Ramírez de la Parra told attendants at a national civil protection meeting in Acapulco yesterday that 18 of the cyclones are forecast for the eastern Pacific Ocean and 14 for the Atlantic.
Extreme Temperatures
As India temperatures in northern India near 50 C, 47 die in storms
Extreme heat has also gripped many parts of India, with a high of 48.6 degrees recorded Monday in Khajuraho in the central state of Madhya Pradesh.In Delhi and much of northern India, daytime temperatures have been above 40 C for the past week.
More temperature highs and typhoons expected this year
Shanghai will officially enter the typhoon season this Friday, Shanghai's Meteorological Bureau warns, with scorching temperatures and extreme weather on the way.
Death toll climbs in Karachi heatwave
An intense heatwave across south Asia has killed dozens of people with sustained temperatures in excess of 40C (104F) coinciding with power cuts and Ramadan, when many Muslims avoid eating or drinking water. At least 65 people have died in Karachi in recent days according to the charitable organisation that runs the central morgue in the Pakistani port city, as volunteers handed out water to labourers and others working outside in temperatures as high as 44C. Local media reports claimed the death toll could have exceeded 100 in the sprawling megacity of 15 million, where high temperatures are exacerbated by an absence of green space, estimated to make up just 7% of the urban area.
Pediatricians are concerned about climate change, and here's why
A new paper highlights some studies on the implications of climate change for children's health and then calls for the world to better prepare for these health risks, not just in the future but in the present. "We already have seen the impacts," said Dr. Kevin Chan, chairman of pediatrics at Memorial University and head of child health at Eastern Health in Canada, who co-authored the paper.
Climate change will boost global lake evaporation - with "extreme" consequences
The accelerated rate of evaporation over the coming decades will, among other outcomes, trigger stronger precipitation events, researchers say.
Another extreme heat wave strikes the North Pole
In just the past few days, the temperature at the North Pole has soared to the melting point of 32 degrees, which is about 30-35 degrees (17-19 Celsius) above normal. Much of the entire Arctic north of 80 degrees latitude is abnormally warm. The temperature averaged over the whole region appears to be the warmest on record for the time of year, dating back to at least 1958. It is about 18 degrees (10 Celsius) above the normal of 4 degrees (minus 16 Celsius).
What is going on with India's crazy weather?
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted another week of extreme weather across the country. While the current spate of bad weather has a lot to do with local conditions, notably the western disturbance, a low-pressure system bringing in moisture from the west towards India, the rise in temperatures makes these types of weather events more frequent and extreme.
A Pakistani City Hit 122.4 Degrees In April, Probably Setting A World Record
On Monday, the southern Pakistani city of Nawabshah likely set a world record for the hottest ever observed temperature in April, topping out at a blistering 122.4 degrees Fahrenheit. What’s more, the city of 1.1 million people has regularly approached those temperatures since mid-April. Accuweather data shows Nawabshah has exceeded a 113-degree high every day since April 23.
"Umbrella in a hurricane" - U.N. says climate funding far too low
Worldwide investments in limiting climate change are far too low and as flimsy as using an umbrella in a hurricane, the United Nations climate chief Patricia Espinosa said on Wednesday.
Scientists Record Hottest April Temperature Ever Anywhere On Earth
This year is setting new standards in terrifying extreme temperatures. The latest example comes from Nawabshah, Pakistan, where it was 50.2ºC (122.4ºF) on April 30. Meteorologists think this is the hottest shaded temperature ever recorded for a reliable weather station in April, anywhere on Earth.
Planning for extreme temperatures could help five billion people worldwide
The research from the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre and Columbia University (US), identified vulnerable areas of the world where the seasonality of these changes can be modeled and predicted, and where heatwave and cold weather plans could help mitigate the impact of those temperature extremes.
A Temperature Roller Coaster Could Be Coming
New research suggests that global warming could cause temperature swings to get unusually extreme. And the regions where the biggest swings will occur are among the poorest in the world and the least responsible for the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming.
Earthquakes
Strong earthquake rocks Hawaii
Video report of earthquakes in Hawaii which triggered a volcanic eruption. Two days after the most active volcano on the big island of Hawaii erupted, some residents there continue to experience seismic activity associated to toxic gases and lava flows which are threatening properties and infrastructure.
South African gold miners die in earthquake
Four miners were killed and three others were missing underground after an earthquake hit the Masakhane gold mine west of Johannesburg, the Sibanye-Stillwater company said on May 4. Thirteen miners were initially trapped about 2.6km below the surface.
Global earthquake forecast passes test
A newly-accepted study by the journal, Seismological Research Letters, analyzes the Global Earthquake Activity Rate (GEAR1) model. The test they conducted provides support for the model’s validity for worldwide annual earthquake forecasting.
Huge earthquake strikes Afghanistan-Tajikistan border leaving homes shaking
A huge earthquake has rocked the Afghanistan border leaving homes shaking and people fearing for their lives.
Tenerife volcano MEGA-ERUPTION fears: 270 earthquakes rock Brit holiday hotspot
An incredible 270 quakes have struck near Tenerife and Gran Canaria since April 29. According to recent research, there is a huge submarine fault between the two islands, which is exactly where the current quakes are being experienced. And they are particularly threatening as the world's third-tallest volcanic structure – Mount Teide – sits menacingly nearby. The director of the National Seismic Network from Spain’s National Geographic Institute said the biggest quake reached a magnitude of 3.2 on the Richter scale at only about 35km from Puerto La Luz, Port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
How Do Earthquakes Affect Flying Planes?
The effects of earthquakes in the aviation industry
Earthquake simulation to be held in Accra this week
A simulation exercise to test the country’s level of readiness to deal with an earth-quake would be held this week in Accra. The week-long exercise would involve organisations that are directly responsible for disaster management such as the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Fire Service, the Ambulance Service, and the 48 Engineer Regiment
Preparations continue for major earthquake
Instead of waiting for the big event and dealing with the aftermath for years the state is trying to get ahead of the Cascadia earthquake, so it will only take about three years to reach a so-called “new normal”.
Huge 6.1-magnitude earthquake smashes Philippines hours after Hawaii quake
The quake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale rattled the Catanduanes province early this morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) said. The tremor struck around 2.19pm local time (7.19am GMT), with its epicentre around 69km northwest of Pandan, Catanduanes. Tremors were felt miles away from its epicentre, with residents in the municipalities of Guinayangan, Quezon and Sorsogon City experiencing powerful shaking.
Huge earthquake strikes Hawaii amid volcano eruption
It was just south of where the Kilauea volcano has been spewing flows of lava into residential areas, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate, the US Geological Survey said. The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the strongest tremor at 12.32pm local time measured 6.9, a magnitude capable of causing severe damage. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the quake, whose epicentre was on the south flank of the volcano, was not large enough to cause a tsunami although it generated sea level changes around the island of up 15.7 inches.
Earthquake could devastate California's Sunset Strip, study finds
An analysis conducted by the city of West Hollywood, an upscale enclave of Los Angeles that hosts much of the colourful route, found that more than 800 buildings in the area are uniquely vulnerable to a powerful tremblor.
USGS confirms 3.6 magnitude earthquake rattled Detroit
The U.S. Geological Survey has confirmed a 3.6 magnitude earthquake occurred Thursday just across the border in Canada. The USGS said the quake's epicenter was 15.5 miles south of Detroit in Amherstburg, Ontario. Thousands of residents in Michigan said they felt tremors around 8:15 p.m. Thursday.
Evidence suggests fracking linked to South Korea’s 2017 earthquake
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake shook the industrial city of Pohang in South Korea on 15 November 2017, injuring almost 100 people and damaging thousands of buildings at a cost of millions of US dollars. Six months on, two academic papers have suggested that fracking was probably the cause of this earthquake.
Volcanic Activity
Kilauea Volcano Eruption Update: Hot, Fast Lava Flows Force New Evacuations
More neighborhoods on the Big Island of Hawaii are being advised to evacuate as the ongoing eruption in Kilauea Volcano's East Right Zone spreads and lava flows grow more swift. The Hawaii County Civil Defense Authority sent out an alert urging residents of two subdivisions in the Kapoho area on the island's southeastern corner to evacuate as lava threatens to cut off road access to the beach community.
Yellowstone volcano update: "Major tectonic shift" detected sparking fears of eruption.
Fears surrounding the Hawaii volcanic eruptions have led to increased focus on the activity at the Yellowstone Supervolcano. Increased activity above and below the surface at the US supervolcano has set off alarm bells for those who are monitoring the site for a potential eruption.
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano belches another plume of ash
As an explosive eruption on the Kilauea volcano sent another plume of ash high into the air, and as more residents were evacuated from a nearby subdivision, officials at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) warned against toasting marshmallows over the Hawaiian volcano's vents.
This Volcano Near Fresno Once Packed A Mammoth Punch
765,000 years ago, the blink of an eye in geologic time, a volcanic eruption created the Long Valley Caldera near present day Mammoth Lakes and forever transformed the eastern Sierra landscape. It's just 76 miles from Fresno, and it created a caldera 20 miles long and ten miles wide. While no eruptions are anticipated in the area anytime soon, Mammoth is still a hotbed for geologic activity.
A California volcano once obliterated a forest and propelled ash 280 miles. Experts say it offers a warning
Lassen Peak, a dormant volcano in California erupted 103 years ago in spectacular fashion sending volcanic ash 280 miles away. Including the Lassen Volcanic Center, there are eight volcanic regions considered worth watching for future eruptions in California, according to the USGS, from the far north of the state to near the Mexican border. Most have been confirmed to have partly molten rock underneath them.
Five myths about volcanoes
Erik Klemetti, an associate professor of geosciences at Denison University, discusses the myths associated with volcanoes.
Total grain-size distribution of four subplinian–Plinian tephras from Hekla volcano, Iceland: Implications for sedimentation dynamics and eruption source parameters
Here we present TGSD data associated with Hekla volcano, which has been very active in the last few thousands of years and is located on critical aviation routes. In particular, we have reconstructed the TGSD of the initial subplinian–Plinian phases of four historical eruptions, covering a range of magma composition (andesite to rhyolite), eruption intensity (VEI 4 to 5), and erupted volume (0.2 to 1 km3).
Japan volcano ERUPTION: Mount Shinmoedake spews hot ash and smoke in Ring of Fire
Japan’s volatile volcano Mount Shinmoedake roared back into life, choking out the skies with a monsters column of ash and smoke as high as 4,500m into the sky in the terrifying Ring of Fire region.
Evacuations in Indonesia as one of world's most active volcanoes erupts
Mount Merapi erupted sending a cascade of ash and smoke some 16,400ft into the sky. The government ordered residents living within a three-mile radius of the crater on Java island to leave as ash covered surrounding communities and even reached parts of Yogyakarta, Indonesia's cultural capital.
Super low sounds let scientists monitor far-off volcanoes
Infrasound sensors, which detect sound waves with frequencies below the lower limit of human hearing, can also track volcanic eruptions in remote locations, a new case study suggests.
Volcano fears for Brit tourists after 270 earthquakes strike near holiday hotspots Tenerife and Gran Canaria in past ...
The popular Brit holiday spots of Tenerife and Gran Canaria could be ravaged by volcanic eruptions - after scientists detected what could be warning signals. Scientists believe a huge amount of seismic activity in the past 10 days could be sign that the volcanoes are about to blow their tops.
GATES TO HELL: Volcanoes are SPLITTING Africa - NASA satellite images reveal
Three tectonic plates are believed to be slowly moving away from each other, opening holes and exposing large swathes of magma. The most significant crack appeared near to the Erta Ale volcano – known by locals as the 'Gateway To Hell'. The site is ...
Wildfires
Floods, wildfires spark evacuation concerns from some northern Albertans
Nine wildfires burning in the High Level forest area Saturday prompted the most recent emergency alert for Mackenzie County, an area of northern Alberta larger than Prince Edward Island. The wildfires temporarily closed Highways 58 and 35, and some residents were on standby for a possible evacuation.
Wildfires engulf over 74,000 hectares in Russia's regions
Over the past day of May 10, forest fire crews extinguished 92 wildfires covering 25,301 hectares. By 00:00 Moscow time May 11, 54 forest fires covering 63,564 hectares were active on the territory of the Russian Federation, and extinguishment efforts were underway," the report says.
Wildfires continue to burn in Contra Costa, Alameda counties
Firefighters continued to combat strong headwinds Thursday as they tried to put out seven wildfires that erupted a day prior in Contra Costa County. As of 1:30 p.m. they had reached 80 percent containment, officials said. The fires were first reported around 1 p.m. Wednesday and are burning in the area between Camino Diablo and the Alameda County line.
Scientists race to reveal how surging wildfire smoke is affecting climate and health
Emily Fischer, an atmospheric scientist at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, is preparing to spend the summer flying through plumes of wildfire smoke aboard a C-130 cargo plane jammed full of scientific equipment. The flights are the highlight of an unprecedented effort to better understand the chemistry and physics of wildfire smoke, as well as how it affects climate, air pollution, and human health.
2018 Predicted to be Challenging Wildfire Year
The USDA Forest Service is well prepared to respond to wildfires in what is currently forecast to be another challenging year. In 2018, the agency has more than 10,000 firefighters, 900 engines, and hundreds of aircraft available to manage wildfires.
California burning: life among the wildfires
George Marshall’s book Don’t Even Think About It: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Ignore Climate Change. After spending 15 years studying climate change-denying microcultures, Marshall concluded that facts don’t change people’s minds – only stories do. We’re so motivated by wanting to belong that we’d rather risk the dangers of climate change than the more immediate symbolic death of estrangement from our peers. In order to address climate change in our communities, Marshall suggests, we must appeal to the same desires that religion does: belonging, consolation and redemption.
Landslides
Rwanda landslides after heavy rain bring 2018 death toll to 200
Landslides in Rwanda have killed at least 18 people over the weekend, bringing the death toll this year to 200. Residents have been digging to search for those buried after heavy downpours.
At least 32 dead in Ethiopia landslides
Landslides caused by heavy rain killed at least 32 people in southern Ethiopia at the weekend. Nine people died in the Gamo Gofa zone, with 17 injured. The state-affiliated Fana Broadcast Corporate reported that 23 people were killed in a landslide in the Sidama zone.
Help NASA create the world’s largest landslide database
NASA researchers have launched a citizen science project requesting people to report on landslides.
Landslides can be stabilized: Expert
Keeping in mind the increased cases of landslides and with a goal to mitigate its effects, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Gondwana Geological Society, Nagpur (GGS)a daylong national workshop on ‘Recent trends in engineering geology and landslide studies’ at Auden Hall, GSI, on Monday. N Kutumba Rao, director general, GSI, IB Chibber, retired director, GSI, S Natesan, additional director general, GSI, central region, AK Chatterjee, vice-president, GGS, Nagpur, A Thiruvengadam, additional director general, policy support system, GSI and Milind Dhakate, director (G), GSI, central region, were the dignitaries who inaugurated the workshop.
A Near-Real-Time Tool to Characterize Global Landslide Hazards
Kirschbaum and Stanley have developed a system that generates near-real-time estimates of potential rainfall-triggered landslide activity. Their Landslide Hazard Assessment for Situational Awareness (LHASA) model melds information regarding slope, lithology, deforested areas, and proximity to fault zones and roads to derive a map of landslide susceptibility, which is then combined with satellite-derived estimates of precipitation from the past week to develop “nowcasts” of areas that are susceptible to landslides.
Vietnam to invest big in dealing with landslides in Mekong Delta
Vietnam needs nearly 308 million U.S. dollars to deal with landslides along river banks, canals and seashores in its southern Mekong Delta, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The ministry said that landslides have occurred at 562 locations of river banks and seashores, with a total length of 786 km, of which 42 spots stretch 149 km in specially dangerous conditions, and it needs about 6,990 billion Vietnamese dong (307.9 million U.S. dollars) to reinforce such eroded locations
Europe's road and rail transport more often exposed to landslides this century
More heavy precipitation events will probably increase the number of landslides in parts of Europe that are susceptible to landslides because of their steep hills and geological subsoil. This is especially the case for a number of regions along the north side of the Alps: the Jura Mountains, the Vosges, the Black Forest, the Swabian Jura, the Bavarian Pre-alps, the foothills of the Austrian Alps and the Bohemian Forest. These regions are also important transport corridors for Europe’s road and rail network. More landslides may disrupt these corridors and cause a lot of damage.
Help NASA create the world's largest landslide database
In March 2018, NASA scientist Dalia Kirschbaum and several colleagues launched a citizen science project that will make it possible to report landslides you have witnessed, heard about in the news, or found on an online database. All you need to do is log into the Landslide Reporter portal and report the time, location, and date of the landslide – as well as your source of information.
Hawaii volcano eruption: Landslides plague island following horrifying earthquakes
Hawaii has been plagued with landslides as earthquakes continue to strike the region in the midst of the Kilauea volcano horror that has prompted mass evacuations, it has emerged.
Floods
Flash floods in Afghanistan kill at least 34
Flash floods caused by heavy rain in the past week have killed at least 34 people in several Afghan provinces and caused serious damage to property and livestock, officials said on Tuesday
Lightning strikes and flooding risk as storms continue to hit UK
Thunderstorms will continue to strike the UK as hot weather brings the risk of flooding, travel disruption and power cuts, forecasters have warned. Those enjoying the half-term break have been warned of potential flash floods and sudden worsening of visibility amid heavy rain and balmy temperatures.
Flash floods hit Worthing, Littlehampton and Adur
Flash floods struck Worthing, Littlehampton and parts of Adur. Firefighters were called into action as thunderstorms and torrential downpours swept the county during the afternoon.
UN, Somali Government seek $80 million in immediate relief for flood-affected populations
The United Nations and the Somali Government on Sunday launched a joint appeal for $80 million to provide immediate help for the people affected by recent flooding in the country’s centre and south.
Rising Sea Levels in the Netherlands: The Dutch Battle Against Flooding
While the United States continues to debate the validity of Climate Change science, countries such as the Netherlands are investing in R&D solutions to effectively address the challenges of tomorrow’s climate. Particular attention is given by the Dutch to water management solutions, as more than 26% of the country is located under the sea level.
Lapland braces for worst spring floods in decades
The Finnish regions of Lapland (north) is likely to see flooding in the coming weeks, as warm temperatures set spring thaws in motion. The Finnish Environment Institute’s leading hydrologist Bertel Vehviläinen says that current data point to the worst flooding in 20 years.
Flash flooding hits Hobart after torrential rain, snow falls in NSW
New South Wales was hit by Flash flooding with water sweeping away cars and with more than 13,000 properties losing power. Flash flooding also hit the suburbs of Blackmans Bay, Sandy Bay and Kingston on the city’s outskirts. The University of Tasmania’s Sandy Bay campus was closed after some buildings flooded and power was cut.
Lethal flash floods hit east African countries already in dire need .
Heavy rains and severe flash floods have left more than 300 people dead and displaced thousands of others across parts of east Africa, with Kenya and Rwanda being the worst hit.

"Environmental Hazards Newsletter" 9th Jul 2018

News Highlights
Hurricanes and Cyclones
This Atlantic hurricane season may be quieter than expected, and no one is complaining
Conditions in the Atlantic are showing signs that the 2018 hurricane season might be quieter than forecasters initially thought.
Just 4 Hurricanes in 2018 Predicted by Most Accurate Forecasting Model for 2017
A University of Arizona model predicts that the number of hurricanes this year will be below average, with just four, two of which will reach Category 3, 4 or 5 status.
Prospects for busy 2018 hurricane season diminished by cooler Atlantic: Klotzbach
“Prospects for a second straight busy hurricane season have diminished markedly,” according to Phil Klotzbach of the Colorado State University tropical forecasting team, as cooler Atlantic sea surface temperatures point to “profound impacts” for the 2018 hurricane season.
The water in the tropical Atlantic is the coldest in decades. That may stymie hurricane season.
Temperatures at the surface of the tropical Atlantic Ocean have become remarkably colder than normal. The cold water could have profound impacts on this year’s hurricane season, since warm water is the fuel source for tropical storms.
The World"s Largest Sand Desert Is Covered in Lakes After Tropical Cyclone Mekunu
When Tropical Cyclone Mekunu rumbled over Oman in May, it dumped torrential rainfall on the city of Salalah. Now, a new satellite image reveals the extent of unloaded rainfall in the nearby desert of Rub’ al-Khali, the world’s largest sand desert and (normally) one of the driest places on Earth. The image, taken by NASA’s Operational Land Imager after heavy rains in the region shows water lakes in the flat lowlands between the sand dune tops.
More reasons than ever to be hurricane-ready | Opinion
Guest columnist Albert B. Kelly explains in this opinion piece highlights, in an analysis of U.S. hurricanes since 1980, how the number of hurricanes with winds above 124 mph (Category 3) has doubled, while the number of hurricanes with winds reaching 155 mph (Category 5) has tripled. Because of these changes in frequency and severity, the article goes on to cite Penn State University climate scientist Michael Mann, who thinks a "Category 6" is needed to the scale as a way to distinguish even stronger storms.
Superensemble hurricane model hailed as "one of FSU greatest contributions to science"
The National Hurricane Center in Miami is ground zero for tracking tropical disturbances. Among the models used at the centre is the Florida State University Superensemble, a breakthrough forecasting system created in 1998 by T.N. Krishnamurti, a meteorology professor who became internationally known as the “Father of Modern Tropical Meteorology.” The FSU Superensemble quickly gained a reputation for its accuracy in predicting storm tracks. “The development of the Superensemble Hurricane model is one of FSU’s greatest contributions to science,” said Gary Ostrander, FSU’s vice president for research.
Extreme Temperatures
UK weather: Heatwave causes railway slowdown and wildfires, and it will get even hotter until weekend
As scorching temperatures are set to last until the weekend, Network Rail has deployed “extreme weather action teams” in readiness for even warmer conditions following a peak of 30.1C (86.1F) on Monday, which was the hottest day of the year so far. The announcement came as wildfires took hold in parts of northern England and the Met Office issued its first “yellow” health warning for heatwave conditions of 2018 from Tuesday until Thursday evening.
Swansea firefighters battle wildfires in Langland
Fire crews are battling wildfires across Swansea as thousands descended on the city for the Wales Airshow. The fire on Langland Bay can be seen from Swansea Bay which is packed with people watching a vast array of aircraft in full flight.
Wildfires force evacuations in heat-stricken Colorado
Bone-dry conditions and scorching temperatures hampered firefighters Thursday as they battled two wildfires in Colorado — one that has burned structures in the southern part of the state and another that has forced evacuations near Rocky Mountain National Park.
Western states brace for most severe wildfire outbreak since 2012
In a briefing to members of Congress, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue shared predictions of above-average potential for significant wildfire activity this summer across the West. Some states are bracing for the worst severe wildfire outbreak since 2012, fearing it may eclipse even that historic fire year.
More than 50 wildfires rage amid persistently hot, dry conditions
At least 52 wildfires are burning throughout the United States, mostly out West, including Alaska. Very hot, very dry conditions have ignited dozens of fires from Texas to Oregon to California, forcing numerous evacuations.
CO2 Can Directly Impact Extreme Weather, Research Suggests
Rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere may have direct effects on the climate system, according to scientists. In other words, even if global temperatures stay locked in at a certain point, higher CO2 concentrations could continue to affect the planet.
Earthquakes
Japan earthquake: Strong tremor shakes Osaka, killing at least 4 ... - CNN
A strong earthquake hit the Japanese city of Osaka during morning rush hour Monday, killing at least four people and injuring 214
No, World Cup Fans Didn"t Trigger an Earthquake. Here"s Why.
t 11:35 am, when Hirving Lozano scored the game-winning goal at a match in Russia, seismometers in Mexico City picked up a spike in seismic activity. Mexico’s Institute of Geological and Atmospheric Research claims these tremors were caused by thousands of soccer fans jumping up and down in celebration, but some scientists are not so sure.
Site of the next major earthquake on the San Andreas Fault?
Many researchers hypothesize that the southern tip of the 1300-km-long San Andreas fault zone (SAFZ) could be the nucleation site of the next major earthquake on the fault, yet geoscientists cannot evaluate this hazard until the location and geometry of the fault zone is documented.
San Andreas Fault: Scientists Find "Slow Earthquakes" That Could Trigger More Destructive Quakes
Researchers from Arizona State University (ASU) found that instead of a smooth and steady motion, the San Andrea fault is marked by small “stick-and-slip” movements—sometimes referred to as “slow earthquakes”, which release energy over a period of hours to months, rather than seconds to minutes like a typical quake. These slow earthquakes often go completely unnoticed by people, however, they have the potential to trigger larger, more destructive earthquakes, according to the researchers.
World"s largest offshore-earthquake research centre to open in Halifax
Scientists from universities across the country are working to open the world's largest offshore-earthquake research centre in Halifax within the next two years. The new lab will take in data from more than 100 sensors placed offshore to carry out monitoring.
5.2-magnitude earthquake in parts of Punjab
A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck parts of Punjab on Sunday evening. Tremors were felt in Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Uch Sharif and DG Khan. The epicentre of the earthquake was 42 kilometres west of DG Khan with a depth of 10 km, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.
Magnitude 5.2 earthquake rocks northeastern Taiwan
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake shook residents in northeastern Taiwan's Yilan County on June 16). The epicenter of the earthquake was situated 9.2 kilometers East-Southeast of Yilan County Hall and was measured at a depth of 62.3 kilometers.
Underwater fiber-optic cables could moonlight as earthquake sensors
The global network of seafloor cables could also serve as underwater earthquake detectors, according to researchers. It’s a very exciting proposition,” says Barbara Romanowicz, a seismologist at the University of California, Berkeley and the Collège de France in Paris. Almost all seismic stations around the world are based on land, leaving many oceanic earthquakes undetected. Harnessing the million-plus kilometers of underwater fiber-optic cables to monitor seafloor earthquakes would be “a great step forward” for studying Earth’s interior, Romanowicz says.
Doubt cast on the predictive value of earthquake foreshocks
A new study questions previous findings of the value of foreshocks as warning signs that a big earthquake is coming, instead of showing them to be indistinguishable from ordinary earthquakes.
Volcanic Activity
New Zealand"s Mount Taranaki "almost certain" to erupt
A civil defence plan for New Zealand’s North Island found the popular Mount Taranaki, about four hours from Wellington, was “almost certain” to erupt in the next 50 years.
Lava From Kilauea"s Eruption In Hawaii Is Flowing Faster Than You Can Run
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that "standing waves" were visible in a channel of lava flowing at speeds up to 17 miles per hour. Of course, the eruption slows down as it spreads out, forming so-called "pahoehoe" flows that creep along. But it's important to know just how fast the stuff can move because there's no reason a channel can't suddenly change. Running at 17 mph would be a pretty fast sprint for a person that's in good athletic shape. You could cover a 100 meter dash in about 13 seconds at that rate, provided you're on a nice flat and even track. So to be able to escape a close-range, full-speed lava flow coming right at you, you'd need to run at full-speed the other direction and your full speed had better be on par with the fastest people you know.
Volcanic Eruptions: A Complex and Largely Overlooked Risk
Volcanic eruptions are complex phenomena that may affect populations and economies in ways we may not be familiar with. Large volcanic eruptions can spew ash spreading hundreds or even thousands of kilometers; and deposited ash may damage ...
Which Volcanoes Are Most Overdue for Eruption?
Like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions are almost impossible to predict. Scientists aren’t at the stage yet where they can reliably tell when an eruption is imminent, but they’re steadily getting there. What’s more, the suggestion that some volcanoes are more “overdue” than others is a notion that resides in the eye of the beholder.
Hawaii"s Volcano Is Literally Erupting Gems
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano has been fiercely erupting for well over a month. Now, residents are finding little green gems that have fallen out of the sky during Kilauea's eruption. The green gems are olivine crystals, a common mineral found in Hawaii's lava. At jewelry quality, the mineral is called peridot. As the volcano erupts, it blasts apart molten lava, allowing for green olivine minerals to be separated from the rest of the melt and fall as tiny gemstones.
Guatemala warns of falling ash as volcanic activity picks up
Guatemalan officials warned of falling ash from the Fuego volcano late on Thursday and urged caution with flights as the Central American country recovers from devastating eruptions that have killed at least 109 people.
Volcanic activity, declining ocean oxygen triggered mass extinction of ancient organisms
Global climate change, fueled by skyrocketing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, is syphoning oxygen from today's oceans at an alarming pace, so fast that scientists aren't entirely sure how the planet will respond.
Is Volcanic Activity on the Rise? High-Profile Eruptions Don"t Signal Increase in Volcanism.
Are volcanoes actually more active than usual, or are we just hearing more about their activity than usual? It turns out to be the latter, according to Ed Venzke, who manages the database of Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program.
Wildfires
Wildfires scorch drought-stricken West
A fast-moving brush fire destroyed homes in Utah, while more than 3,000 people in Colorado and Wyoming fled multiple wildfires on Wednesday.
4 big myths about wildfire
Wildfires are growing larger and more destructive than ever before due to climate change, drought, a lack of funding for prevention programs and other factors. This makes wildfire an especially pressing issue. Unfortunately, it is frequently misunderstood. Especially with more and more people moving and building homes closer to wildlands, it is vital that we separate wildfire myths and facts.
Flash flooding feared as Colorado wildfires rage
At least 18 large wildfires burning in eight Western states have torched nearly 155,000 acres. Near Durango, Colorado, more than 1,000 firefighters are trying to control a drought-fueled fire in the San Juan National Forest.
Goats hired to help prevent deadly wildfires in Portugal
Dozens of herds have been hired by the government to destroy the thick grasses that make wildfires a regular occurrence.event.
Hundreds of firefighters battling 250 acre wildfire in Laguna Beach.
A wind-driven brush fire has consumed 250 acres and was threatening structures near a canyon between Aliso Viejo and Laguna Beach.
Landslides
Landslides after monsoon rains; 4 dead in Arunachal, road blockage hits Amarnath yatra
Rains lashed several parts of the country triggering landslides in some hill states, which killed at least four ITBP personnel in Arunachal Pradesh and affected the Amarnath pilgrimage in Jammu and Kashmir, as monsoon covered the entire length and breadth of India two weeks ahead of its schedule.
Floods, landslides in northern Vietnam kill 7, leave 12 missing
Flash floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains have killed at least seven people and left 12 missing in northern Vietnam since Saturday, the government’s Disaster Management Authority said on Monday.
Landslides and Flooding Threaten 200,000 Rohingya Refugees as Monsoon Rains Lash Into Bangladesh Camps
As monsoon rains bare down on sprawling Rohingya camps in Bangladesh, the U.N. warns that some 200,000 refugees sheltering on the swampland are at risk from landslides and flooding. Half of those threatened by the rising waters and requiring relocation are children.
Landslides claim 13 lives in SE Bangladesh
At least 13 people including a Rohingya refugee were killed and many dwellings damaged in rain-triggered landslides in two districts in southeastern Bangladesh. Three incidents of landslides claimed at least 11 lives alone in Rangamati district, some 391 km from capital Dhaka, when huge chunks of mud collapsed on their houses, said the local official who declined to be named.
Floods
Coral reefs save billions of dollars worldwide by preventing floods
Coral reefs act as a natural flood protection barrier from powerful ocean storms, but with reefs in danger around the world, much of this valuable flood protection could be lost. A study pinpoints the value of coral reefs, finding coastal flood-related damages around the world would be twice what they are now if not for this natural flood barrier.
Flooding And Rising Seas Threaten America’s Oldest Farmland
Maryland’s Eastern Shore has been impacted by climate change, the phenomenon is hurting farmers in the region. Kate Tully, an agro-ecologist with the University of Maryland believes that the Atlantic Ocean is heating up and it’s expanding causing higher tides and more flooding.
7 killed and 12 missing in floods, landslides in northern Vietnam
Flash floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains have killed at least seven people and left 12 missing in northern Vietnam since last Saturday (June 23).
Days of torrential rain lead to Texas worst flooding since Hurricane Harvey
Days of torrential rain have led to widespread flooding in southeastern Texas, the state's worst floods since Hurricane Harvey last year.
Flooding kills at least 18 in Ivory Coast Abidjan
At least 18 people were killed by flooding in Ivory Coast’s commercial capital Abidjan on Tuesday after intense rainfall overnight, authorities said.
60 Sinkholes open in Michigan after flash floods strike upper midwest
The upper Midwest experienced a deluge of rainfall and flash flooding over the weekend that caused 60 sinkholes in Michigan and other damage.
Assam flood toll is 11, over 5 lakh affected
Flood fury continued in Assam on Monday with two more deaths reported from Barak Valley, taking the flood-related death toll to 11, even as over five lakh people were affected in six districts.
Tropical storm floods southern China
Tropical Storm 05W, known as Ewiniar, has deluged the Chinese island of Hainan and the neighboring coastal region of mainland China. Rainfall totals of 50 to 100 millimetres were widespread across the island and 112mm was reported in Dongfang.
Flooding from high tides has doubled in the US in just 30 years
The frequency of coastal flooding from high tides has doubled in the US in just 30 years, with communities near shorelines warned that the next two years are set to be punctuated by particularly severe inundations, as ocean levels continue to rise amid serious global climate change concerns.

"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.

"Environmental Hazards Newsletter" 10th Oct 2018

News Highlights

Welcome to the September edition of our environmental hazards newsletter

  • Indonesia`s disaster agency said it has recovered upwards of 2,000 bodies so far from the 7.5-magnitude and subsequent 3m (10ft) tsunami that struck Sulawesi on September 28th. Strong aftershocks rocked the city the following day and thousands of homes collapsed, along with local hospitals and a shopping centre
  • Two weeks earlier, another significant earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 rocked the Kermadec Islands 785km north-east of New Zealand
  • The world`s strongest storm this year, Super Typhoon Mangkhut, blasted the northern coast of the Philippines and South China with strong winds and heavy rains
  • This newsletter also highlights the flooding that hit south-eastern North Carolina as a result of Hurricane Florence
  • It reports on the cutting-edge volcanic activity measurement system, which can withstand the harsh conditions near the heart of an active volcano, pioneered by the University of Bristol in a recent eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau in Indonesia
  • 12 Nigerian states saw heavy rain and flooding which has set off a national disaster, leaving 200 dead and thousands of others facing the grim prospect of a cholera outbreak in the aftermath
  • Finally there was news of several landslides triggered by aftershocks, following a 6.6 earthquake on the northern island of Hokkaido
Hurricanes and Cyclones
Typhoons and hurricanes set to wreak havoc on multiple countries this week
Millions of people in the northern hemisphere are set to be smashed by strong winds, rain and flooding from typhoons and hurricanes later this week.
Hurricane Florence strengthening as it heads toward East Coast
Governors in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina have all declared states of emergency over the past two days in anticipation of the storm.
'This one feels different': Hurricane Florence can start a new conversation
While hurricanes have always pummeled the coast, research indicates they’re stronger than ever. A recent report notes that Hurricane Florence will produce 50% more rain due to climate change.
Hurricane Florence update: Latest NOAA warnings - Florence to hit Bermuda surf
The hurricane is expected to remain at a slower speed while turning towards the west-northwest. Winds speeds have decreased to around 105 mph (165 km/h) and the storm will weaken more over the next couple of days.
Typhoon Mangkhut: Philippines hit by strongest storm
The world's strongest storm this year, Super Typhoon Mangkhut, is blasting the northern coast of the Philippines with strong winds and heavy rain
Typhoon Trami brings heavy rainfall to Japan (Video report)
Typhoon Trami made landfall on Sunday at 20:00 local time (11:00 GMT) near the western city of Osaka, with gusts of up to 216 km/h (134 mph). The storm caused widespread disruption, with many flights and trains canceled. More than 750,000 homes lost power.
'Only A Matter of Time' Before Category 6 Hurricane Hits U.S.
More and more commentators and scientists are warning that the ferocity of the recent storms that have hit the US and the Philippines is linked to climate change.
A warmer world makes hurricanes wetter and more intense
The Associated Press consulted with 17 meteorologists and scientists who study climate change, hurricanes or both. A few experts remain cautious about attributing global warming to a single event, but most of the scientists clearly see the hand of humans in Florence.
Despite 2017 hurricane season, US lacks 'culture of preparedness,' says FEMA administrator
The approaching danger presented by Hurricane Florence and the damage caused by Tropical Storm Gordon serve as reminders that September is the most active month for these kinds of powerful storms. And yet, FEMA Administrator Brock Long has warned that the United States doesn’t have a “culture of preparedness,’’ even after being hammered in 2017 by Harvey, Irma and Maria, the first time three Category 4 hurricanes made landfall in U.S. territory on the same year.
Hurricane warning vs. watch: How are they different?
Hurricane warnings and watches have different meanings slightly concerning “hurricane conditions,” or sustained winds that hit 74 mph or above, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Ocean Service (NOS) says.
Hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones: What's the difference?
An explanation is provided about the difference between Hurricanes, Typhoons and Cyclones
Extreme Temperatures
The world is on fire. Here are five climate change wake-up calls from this summer.
For many across the northern hemisphere, the summer of 2018 has exposed the most extreme signs of climate change. Yet despite the series of powerful heatwaves, wildfires and droughts, this is likely only the (melting) tip of the iceberg. After this summer of fire, it’s time to wake up on climate change.
Elwell: Extreme weather events rise as planet warms
Recently, we’ve seen the water cycle seemingly get out of whack. Precipitation events have become more extreme, leading to increasing amounts of flooding. The likely reason for increased high-precipitation events is the global temperatures that are on the rise because of our changing climate.
Australia freezes through its coldest morning in 23 years as icy front sweeps across the nation's south and heads
Records plummeted below sub-zero temperatures as Australia's southern states woke to a chilly Sunday morning up to 10 degrees below average.
Climate Change Projected to Boost Insect Activity and Crop Loss
From rising global temperatures to more frequent "extreme" weather events like droughts and floods, climate change is expected to negatively affect our ability to produce food for a growing human population.
The Earth is dying - can we save her?
A UN environmental study involving 1,203 scientists, hundreds of scientific institutions, and more than 160 governments, brought together by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) found degradation of the world’s natural resources by humans was rapidly outpacing the planet’s ability to absorb the damage - meaning the rate of deterioration is increasing globally.
In just four days, extreme heat melted the snow off this massive glacier
Both NASA and European Space Agency satellites captured bounties of snow from the previous winter melting from a glacier over just four days in July.
Earthquakes
Strong quake hits near New Zealand but no tsunami threat
A strong but deep earthquake has struck near New Zealand but didn't immediately cause damage or injuries and a tsunami wasn't expected.
Indonesia earthquake: Hundreds dead in Palu quake and tsunami
More than 380 people have been confirmed dead after a tsunami triggered by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake hit an Indonesian city on Friday.
New earthquake risk model could better inform disaster planning
Researchers have developed a new way to model seismic risk, which they hope will better inform disaster risk reduction planning in earthquake-prone areas.
‘Deep Creep’ Movement Near San Andreas, San Jacinto Faults Explains Unusual California Earthquakes
Scientists discovered a strange movement deep below the Earth's surface near California's biggest fault lines.
Death toll from Hokkaido quake rises to 40, search operation ends
The death toll from a powerful earthquake that jolted Hokkaido last week rose to 40 Monday as the local government ended its search operations, with thousands of people still living in shelters.
We asked leading experts about the risk of Wales being hit by a tsunami
New research suggests the chance of a devastating wave hitting the Welsh coast has increased due to climate change. Experts discuss what would happen if a large wave hit Wales.
Lombok earthquake: 'Resilient' communities in flattened villages desperate for new homes ahead of rainy season
Resilient communities in earthquake-ridden Lombok are desperate for new homes ahead of the rainy season, as shocks continue to tremble the scenes of desolation.
Magnitude 6.4 earthquake jolts Davao region
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported a magnitude 6.4 earthquake with an epicenter near Manay, Davao Oriental at 3:16 p.m. It had earlier reported the magnitude as 6.3.
Major quake hits Fiji but no tsunami warning issued
A major 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the Fiji coast early on Friday (Sep 7), the United States Geological Survey said, but no tsunami threat was issued. The epicentre of the tremor was 102 kilometres southeast of the capital Suva.
Marlborough Sounds valleys drown further after quake
GPS monitoring in the Marlborough Sounds, which shows some areas dropped in the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, has proven what some locals thought all along.
Ring of Fire: World to be struck by ‘at least FIVE major earthquakes’ by end of year
THE Ring of Fire is likely to see several more earthquakes measuring in excess of 7.0 in magnitude before the end of 2018, a seismologist has warned as he stressed the awesome power of the “huge geological feature”
Volcanic Activity
No, the giant Katla volcano in Iceland isn't about to erupt
Despite screaming headlines in the British tabloids and even the normally staid Sunday Times, there is no sign that Iceland's Katla volcano will erupt any time soon, scientists say.
Anak Krakatau volcano eruption: fireballs as big as trucks explode in dramatic video
Dramatic images from the volcano, which lies in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, showed as billowing thick, black smoke spewed some 600 meters from the crater.
Reunion Island volcano eruption: Piton de la Fournaise erupts
The Reunion Island volcano has seen its fourth eruption of the year as it burst to life at the weekend after scientists noticed an increase in the volcano’s seismic activity.
What Happens When A Hurricane Hits An Active Volcano?
The results of a hurricane hitting a volcano can be catastrophic or negligible or anything in between.
'Dragon Eggs' Hatched to Monitor Volcanic Activity
The University of Bristol is pioneering the monitoring of volcanic activity by developing a cutting-edge measurement system that can withstand the harsh conditions around the heart of an active volcano
Guatemala’s deadly & unstable volcano triggers massive pyroclastic avalanche (VIDEO)
Still unstable following a devastating and deadly eruption in June, Guatemala’s 'Volcano of Fire' has spewed an avalanche of volcanic gas and rock, known as pyroclastic flow.
Alaska volcano restless again
Alaska Volcano Observatory scientists increased the threat level of Mount Veniaminof (VEN’-ee-ah-mean-off) from yellow to orange Tuesday. That color designation indicates that sudden explosions could send ash above 20,000 feet (6,100 meters) and threaten international air planes.
Did a Volcano Defeat Napoleon at Waterloo?
Napoleon's historic defeat at Waterloo may have been spurred by a volcano that erupted two months earlier, and nearly 8,000 miles (13,000 kilometers) away.
Lava hunter takes you close to erupting volcano
The Kilauea volcano eruption began in early May and isn't slowing down. Now, the lives of thousands of Hawaiians have been turned upside down. But the eruption has also attracted enthusiasts like Demain, who documents the lava's beauty and destructive power.
Wildfires
Using Technology To Assess Wildfire Risk And Combat Wildfires
Global losses from catastrophic events such as hurricanes and floods have steadily increased over the past decade, but wildfire-related losses in 2017 completely blindsided the property and casualty insurance industry.
Wildfire season: Is this the new normal?
According to Robert W. Sandford, a Fellow of the US Centre for Hydrology, and EPCOR Chair in Water and Climate Security with the United Nations University, a decade ago scientists predicted a whopping 75–120 percent increase in the amount of area burned each year, and now it is happening.
US deaths from wildfire smoke could double in the next century, despite human efforts
According to a study published by published by GeoHealth, U.S. deaths from chronic inhalation of wildfire smoke could double from 15,000 per year to 42,000 within the next 100 years.
We know exactly how to stop wildfires, with money
The newest Federal budget lets the various forest-related agencies pull other money in to deal with suppression. Fire scientists mostly agree that so-called active fuel management, setting controlled fires or cutting down small trees and clearing out undergrowth, is the way of the future.
Cal Fire Is Burning Through Their Budget, With Months Of The Fire Season Left
Cal Fire announced it already spent $432 million of the $443 million dollar budget, leaving only $11 million remaining. Fire officials anticipate needing an additional $234 million for the necessary resources to make it through the rest of the fire season.
Twenty-one new forest fires reported in Ontario, ministry says most caused by lightning
A spokesman for Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says the 21 new forest fires in northwestern Ontario reported Friday night were caused by lightning.
Progress Urged As Bangkok Climate Talks Open
Against the backdrop of severe and record heatwaves, bushfires, droughts and floods across the world, governments are convening a supplementary meeting in Bangkok to prepare the implementation guidelines of the Paris Climate Change Agreement. The guidelines are needed to make the Paris Agreement work fairly and transparently for all.
California lawmakers pass bill on PG&E wildfire liability
California’s legislature passed a bill late on Friday that could help the utility Pacific Gas and Electric Corporation (PG&E) avoid potentially crippling liabilities for wildfires that ravaged northern parts of the San Francisco Bay Area last year.
Landslides
Philippines villages buried by landslide after Typhoon Mangkhut
Dozens of people have been buried alive and at least 22 have died after a landslide engulfed two villages in the Philippines, triggered by extreme weather conditions in the aftermath of Typhoon Mangkhut.
Warnings Abounded Before Massive Alaska Landslide and Tsunami
A massive landslide and tsunami that denuded the slopes of an Alaskan fjord could reveal warning signs that could help predict future disasters.
Landslide risk prompts evacuation order for Zeballos
An evacuation order has been issued for properties in Zeballos on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island due to risk of a landslide.
Japan earthquake: landslide traps residents in homes
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.6 left residents trapped inside their homes as a landslide blocked roads, engulfed buildings and led to widespread power cuts on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido in the early hours of Thursday.
Melting glaciers increasing risk of landslide-triggered tsunamis, study reveals
Massive waves triggered by unstable rocks falling from melted slopes have already claimed lives, and phenomenon likely to worsen as climate gets warmer
New Software Can Predict Landslides Weeks Before They Happen
Australian researchers are using AI and mathematics to detect tiny changes that may precede the often-deadly events.
Floods
Flood waters rise, eight killed as Florence dumps 'epic' rain on Carolinas
Tropical Storm Florence dumped “epic” amounts of rain on North and South Carolina as it trudged inland, knocking out power and causing at least eight deaths as floodwaters that have devastated many communities kept rising.
Runoff, flooding caused by typhoon ravage North
Forest runoff and heavy flooding caused by typhoon Mangkhut swept through several northern provinces overnight and into Tuesday, with the Meteorological Department warning the North and Northeast of Thailand of more rain.
Ships destroyed, homes ruined and buildings flooded after cyclone 'Zorba' batters Greece with winds of 55mph and torrential rain
Greece was battered by cyclone 'Zorba' today which brought flash floods and torrential rain across parts of the country. Ships were submerged and partially destroyed by the extreme weather, while ships were held at Greece's main ports. There was heavy delays to traffic and power outages were reported.
Nigeria floods death toll hits 199
Heavy rains and flooding in 12 states deemed a national disaster with hundreds of thousands facing a cholera outbreak.
The terrifying, destructive force of glacial floods, and the growing threat to millions
Glaciers found in the country's awe-inspiring mountain ranges are melting as global temperatures rise. The meltwater collects as glacial lakes that are often only held back by thinning ice walls, or fragile earth banks.

"Environmental Hazards Newsletter" 15th Oct 2018

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Hurricanes and Cyclones
Hurricane Michael threatens Florida with 150mph winds - Live
Hurricane Michael has battered Florida with winds of 155mph, leaving a trail of devastation and leaving almost half a million without power as it swept into Georgia.
Storm Leslie: Portugal hit by hurricane-force winds
Hurricane-force winds have struck central and northern Portugal, leaving 300,000 homes without power.
2 gonzo ideas for slowing down a hurricane that might actually work
Weather modification has a long, sordid history and hurricanes have inspired some of the more far-fetched proposals, from bombarding cyclones with sonic booms from aircraft to beaming down microwaves from space into nascent storms. In one of the most ...and more »
11 cyclones could hit Pacific this season
The South Pacific is forecast to experience seven to eleven cyclones this season, and three or four of those are likely to be severe.
Storm Callum sparks danger to life; weather warnings as 80mph winds set to batter Britain
Gale-force winds are expected to blast Ireland and western Britain when Storm Callum blows in from the Atlantic this weekend
Should we change the way we talk about hurricanes? For meteorologists, it's a challenge.
The heavy rainfall and flooding from Florence, and the 51 people left dead in its wake (40 in North Carolina) have renewed debate about the wind speed-based classification system currently used for hurricanes.
Earthquakes
Indonesia limits foreign aid relief in wake of earthquake and tsunami that killed over 2,000 and left 5,000 missing
International aid groups with Indonesian sister organizations say foreign personnel they want to send are being vetted by the government in a process that takes several days or longer
As Indonesia Reels from the Earthquake and Tsunami, Experts Warn of More Deadly Disasters to Come
Indonesia is facing a long and painful recovery from the devastating earthquake and tidal wave of two weeks ago, but scientists say that this latest calamity could simply be a warning of more catastrophic events that may occur in the future.
Indonesia earthquake death toll could reach 5,000 as officials count missing
An Indonesian search and rescue team walk amongst the debris in Petobo. Thursday will be the official deadline for recovering bodies. About 5,000 people are still missing, feared dead, after an earthquake and the tsunami that followed.
Indonesia earthquake: soil liquefaction blamed for building collapses
The earthquake shook up saturated earth beneath the city of Palu causing it to flow like liquid, scientists believe
Magnitude 5.9 earthquake hits northern Haiti
At least 10 people were killed after a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck near Haiti on Saturday night, according to Haiti's civil protection agency
Russia hit by earthquake: 6.4 tremor strikes along Ring of Fire near Japan islands
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake has struck near Russia’s Kuril Islands in the volatile Pacific Ring of Fire.
Multiple Earthquakes Registered in Northern California
A few earthquakes struck Northern California early Wednesday morning, according to the USGS.
Trump Administration Seeks to Deploy Earthquake Sensors Faster
The Trump administration has ordered accelerated deployment of earthquake-detection equipment on federal lands to help West Coast cities prepare for a seismic disaster experts say is near-certain to hit in the coming years.
Fracking earthquake laws could be relaxed to encourage more shale gas sites
The government is planning to weaken seismic activity standards at fracking sites in a bid to encourage drilling for natural gas, it has emerged, days after the release of a major report calling for huge cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to avoid catastrophic climate change.
The following are disaster management methods from earthquake-prone countries
Many countries including Indonesia have difficulty detecting the presence of an earthquake. Various consequences of damage or loss of life can be minimized. Of course with various treatments prepared from the beginning.
The key to forecasting deadly megathrust earthquakes
Authorities have found the key to forecasting deadly megathrust earthquakes and say the answer could be right under our feet.
Volcanic Activity
‘Catastrophic collapse’ of Mount Etna could trigger tsunami, scientists warn
Danger that Europe’s biggest active volcano could ‘form a landslide that moves really fast into the sea’, although researchers have no idea when.
Salak volcano (West Java, Indonesia) activity update: Sudden large explosion- ash to 15km (50000ft)
The Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) has reported that a large explosion with an ash cloud up to 50,000ft. This is the first eruption of Salak in 80 years (1938).
Volcano researchers learn how Earth builds super-eruption-feeding magma systems
Vanderbilt University volcanologist Guilherme Gualda and his students conducted a project aimed at studying supereruptions and how the magma systems that feed them are built and how the Earth reacts to a repeated input of magma over short periods of time.
Stunning volcanic lost world discovered deep in the ocean
Experts on the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), vessel Investigator have discovered a lost world deep below the sea. made the find while mapping the sea floor 400 kilometers east of Tasmania.
VIDEO: Hawaii Volcano Eruption – The Aftermath
All across lower Puna, the color green is starting to return to the vegetation killed by the previous eruption of volcanic gases. As of October 8, placards to access Leilani Estates for residents and authorized personnel are being made available.
Indonesia volcano eruption: Gamalama becomes third volcano to blow after earthquake
The eruption of Gamalama, which makes up the Ternate island in Indonesia, sent plumes of thick ash into the sky.
A Volcano Just Erupted On Indonesia's Tsunami-Hit Island. Here's What You Need To Know
Soputan volcano, on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island, has erupted and has created a moderate ash column in an explosive blast sometime in the morning of October 3rd.
Extreme Temperatures
UN Says Climate Genocide Is Coming. It’s Actually Worse Than That.
An alarming new report from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change examines how hundreds of millions of lives are at stake should the world warm more than 1.5 degrees Celsius, which it will do as soon as 2040, if current trends continue.
Antarctic base station experiences warmest August on record amid blizzard run
Mawson Station in Antartica has experienced its warmest August on record. The mean temperature was about 6 degrees Celsius above the long-term average.
Climate-linked disasters cost soars: UN
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) noted that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events; such as floods and storms.
‘Stationary waves’ fuel extreme wet and dry weather
New research that examines the role of stationary low- and high-pressure systems projects that global warming will spawn more extreme wet and dry weather around the world.
Extreme weather 2018: Snow in the Sahara, wildfires and typhoons
From melting glaciers to snow in the Sahara, Sky News brings you the rundown of the most dangerous weather across the globe in 2018.
20 things we could do right now to reduce climate change and prevent extreme poverty
Project Drawdown researches connections between cutting planet-warming emissions and stopping poverty, disease and malnutrition
Cold weather warning: Freezing temperatures to be more common extreme events
A study of US weather patterns has revealed that conditions are becoming more extreme due to rapid Arctic warming.
Floods
Two Britons among 10 dead in Majorca flooding
Two Britons are among at least 10 people killed during flooding on the Spanish island of Majorca.
Death toll from Nigeria floods reaches 199
The death toll from floods across much of central and southern Nigeria has reached 199 almost doubling the number of people killed from three weeks earlier.
Central America: Floods and landslides
Heavy rains from two low pressure systems along Central America and the Caribbean affected Central American countries since October 4 , resulting in flash floods and mudslides across western Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica and the coast of Guatemala.
Landslides
Geoengineering may be used to combat global warming, experts say
IPCC authors suggest there is high agreement that injection of chemicals into stratosphere could help limit rises.
Landslides in Chattogram hills
At least four people have been killed in landslides in Chattogram’s Akbar Shah Thana’s Firoz Shah Colony and in Pachlaish’s Rahman Nagar area, triggered by heavy rain in the region in the wake of Cyclone Titli. Photo: Suman Babu
At least 22 dead after flash floods and landslides flatten school in Indonesia
A flash flood with mud and debris from landslides struck Mandailing Natal district in North Sumatra province. It smashed an Islamic school in Muara Saladi village, where 21 children were swept away on Friday afternoon, said local police chief Irsan Sinuhaji.
At least 36 dead in Uganda landslides as school disappears beneath mud
Rescuers search for 200 children after lives, homes and livestock are swept away following torrential rains in Bududa district.
Heavy rain causes floods, landslides in Central America
Heavy rain has lashed parts of Central America and has led to flash flooding and landslides.
Sulawesi Earthquake Caused Widespread Landslides
According to local authorities one week after the 7.5 magnitude earthquake on Sulawesi, 5,000 people are still missing and could be dead. Almost 2,000 victims are confirmed, many more could be buried by landslides or killed by collapsing building, as the earthquake caused widespread soil liquefaction around the city of Palu
Wildfires
Wildfires in North Wales more than tripled during summer heatwave
Between May and July, the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service tackled 446 grass and wildfires.This was more than three times the summertime yearly average from 2014 to 2017, Press Association analysis found
2015-2016 El Niño: Wildfires in Amazon led to over 30 million tonnes of CO2 emission
Almost one million hectare of primary and secondary forests was burned during the 2015–2016 El Niño season
Are Wildfires Getting Worse?
While this is a very small sample upon which to base judgments, there is a clear case to be made that the intensity and frequency of wildfires in California and beyond is becoming more extreme every year.
The quest to predict, and stop, the spread of wildfires
Previous attempts to forecast the spread of fire have been crude and inaccurate – but new experiments promise huge improvements.
Mapping and Analytics
This Map Shows Which Communities Need The Most Help In A Disaster
In 2003, the University of South Carolina developed a method for encapsulating all vulnerability factors in a single number, the Social Vulnerability Index. The index uses census data on income, education, age and other factors to chart the relative vulnerability of different communities.

"Environmental Hazards Newsletter - Special Project" 23rd Oct 2018

The September 28, 2018, M 7.5 earthquake near Sulawesi, Indonesia occurred as a result of strike-slip faulting at shallow depths within the interior of the Molucca Sea microplate, part of the broader Sunda tectonic plate. Focal mechanism solutions for the earthquake indicate rupture occurred on either a left-lateral north-south striking fault, or along a right-lateral east-west striking fault. Eastern Indonesia is characterized by complex tectonics in which motions of numerous small microplates are accommodating large-scale convergence between the Australia, Sunda, Pacific, and Philippine Sea plates. At the location of the September 28th earthquake, the Sunda plate moves south with respect to Molucca Sea plate at a velocity of about 30 mm/year. At least 1300 people have been confirmed dead, with more than 500 injured. 200,000 people were in urgent need of assistance, about a quarter of them children. The earthquake caused widespread liquefaction, which is when soil and groundwater mix. The ground becomes very soft, similar to quicksand. It causes foundations of buildings and other structures to sink into the ground.
A Very Unsual Tsunami: The 2018 Sulawesi Earthquake
Last Friday, an unusual sequence of events unfolded on Sulawesi Island in Indonesia, with catastrophic results.
Central Sulawesi quake, tsunami inflicted US$911 million in losses: Govt
The earthquake and ensuing tsunami that devastated Central Sulawesi resulted in at least Rp 13.82 trillion (US$911 million) in economic losses, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) data.
Volcano erupts on Indonesian island hit by tsunami and earthquake
A volcano has erupted in central Indonesia just days after the area was hit by an earthquake and tsunami. Mount Soputan in North Sulawesi province spewed ash nearly 20,000ft into the sky.
A Tsunami Didn’t Destroy These 1,747 Homes. It Was the Ground Itself, Flowing.
The earthquake that hit Palu in Sulawesi caused a phenomenon known as liquefaction which destroyed at least 1,747 homes in Balaroa. The area is now a vast wasteland of debris. Rooftops are all that remain of many houses. The minaret of a mosque, leaning precariously to one side, is one of the few structures still standing.
M 7.5 - 78km N of Palu, Indonesia
The September 28, 2018, M 7.5 earthquake near Sulawesi, Indonesia occurred as a result of strike-slip faulting at shallow depths within the interior of the Molucca Sea microplate, part of the broader Sunda tectonic plate.
2018 Sulawesi, Indonesia Earthquake and Tsunami Case Study
On Friday 28th September 2018 a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Palu, on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, just before dusk on Friday 28th September 2018 wreaking havoc and destruction across the city and triggering a deadly tsunami on its coast. The 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit only six miles from the country’s coast.
Indonesia Winds Down Search for Victims of Devastating Earthquake and Tsunami
At least 2,045 people have been confirmed dead and as many as 5,000 others are believed to be missing after a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck the coast of one of the Southeast Asian archipelago’s largest islands on Sept. 28.
Indonesia's double disaster exposes earthquake lessons not learned
Despite improvements at a national level in disaster management since a devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, local authorities in Indonesia often lack know-how and equipment. The country’s disaster response budget is currently 4 trillion rupiah ($262 million) a year, equivalent to 0.002 percent of the state budget.
WHO Indonesia: Sulawesi Earthquake and Tsunami Situation Report #9
Report on the Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami from the World Health Organization

"Environmental Hazards Newsletter " 6th Nov 2018


Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the Kingston University Environmental Hazards Newsletter. 

This release provides a synopsis of coverage from global media outlets from the second half of October and the first week of November 2018. Key stories featured during this period include reports of Hurricane Willa which has swept onto Mexico’s Pacific mainland with 120mph winds, analysis of the devastating bad weather that has affected Italy in recent weeks, links to videos of a spectacular eruption at Krakatoa volcano in Indonesia and coverage suggesting that Mount Etna in Sicily is slowing sliding into to then sea. In the Mapping and Analytics section, we highlighted how Esri Ireland, announced the launch of ArcGIS for Schools, and coverage discussing its implementation in the supply chain industry.


Hurricanes and Cyclones
Hurricane Willa makes landfall in Mexico with 120mph winds
The US National Hurricane Center said the category 3 storm hit near Isla del Bosque in Sinaloa state on Tuesday night, and federal officials said there were early reports of power blackouts and damage to tin-roofed structures. Damage assessments were ...
Hurricane Oscar weakens, still causing high surf in Bermuda
Hurricane Oscar is weakening but still producing high surf along Bermuda's beaches as it speeds north over the Atlantic Ocean.
Eastern Pacific records its most energetic hurricane season
As of October 22nd, the eastern Pacific recorded its most energetic cyclone season on record.
Death toll from Hurricane Michael rises to 36
At least 36 people have been confirmed dead as a result of Hurricane Michael, according to authorities.
Earthquakes
New Zealand earthquake: 6.2-magnitude shake halts parliament
Houses sway as strong quake under central New Zealand is felt in Wellington
Earthquake number 9: 4.0 quake strikes South East of Trinidad
Trinidad and Tobago has experienced its ninth earthquake in just under two weeks.
Micro-earthquakes preceding a 4.2 earthquake near Istanbul as early warning signs?
Researchers have observed foreshocks that, if analyzed accordingly and in real-time, may possibly increase the early-warning time before a large earthquake from just a few seconds up to several hours.
California's new earthquake warnings deliver critical seconds of notice
At the time, in 1994, Heaton was the lead scientist at the earthquake field office of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Pasadena. He drove to the office in darkness, imagining the fires, collapsed bridges, and crumbled buildings closer to the epicenter.
Number of earthquake and tsunami victims updated in Indonesia
Some 2,087 people died and 4,438 were injured as a result of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck the Indonesian island of Celebes on October 28th. According to Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, head of the Information and Public Relations Center of the National Disaster Countermeasure Agency, the natural phenomena have displaced 206,494 people.
Earthquake felt from Lisbon to Braga
An earthquake measiring 5.2 Richter Scale was recorded on Thursday morning 480 kilometres west of Peniche along the Portuguese West Coast.
Zante earthquake: 5.7-magnitude quake hits off west coast of Greece
A cluster of several smaller tremors also hit off the Greek coastline on Tuesday, according to the US Geological Survey
Volcanic Activity
Rare display lightning Indonesian volcano Krakatoa captured stunning footage
Volcanic lightning, which has only been observed some 150 times in the past few centuries, has been spotted coming out of Krakatoa by vulcanologist Dr Richard Roscoe.
Volcano decides eruptions are boring, tries sliding into the sea instead
In a new study published in Science Advances, a team of German researchers illustrates how the southeastern flank of Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, is sliding into the Ionian Sea.
A Vault of Glass and the Deepest Volcanic Eruption Ever Detected
In 2015, an international team of researchers sent robotic submersibles beneath the waves north of Guam. They discovered a spectacular glassy labyrinth, nearly three miles below sea level. It was recently cooled lava, the product of the deepest underwater volcanic eruption ever recorded by scientists.
Huge underwater volcano chain discovered off the coast of Tasmania
The find offers a glimpse into a previously unknown marine ecosystem — and spotlights just how little we know about the seafloor.
Some mud volcano erupted in Azerbaijan
Excavation work carried out near mud volcanoes provoked their eruption, the head of the mud volcanism department of the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan (ANAS), Professor Adil Aliyev told Trend on November 2.
What will Mexico do when its deadliest volcano erupts?
Popocatépetl, Mexico's largest active volcano, sits next to some major population hubs. With a major eruption forecasted within the next 100 years, will the public be ready?
Map: California volcanoes ‘very high threat’ on new list
Government scientists are classifying 18 U.S. volcanoes as a “very high threat” because of what’s been happening inside them and how close they are to people. Three are in California.
Öraefajökull volcano (Iceland): continuing seismic unrest cause worries about potential reawakening
The volcano is continuing to show signs of unrest. Over the past months, elevated numbers of small earthquakes have continued to occur beneath the glacier-covered volcano, suggesting that fresh magma has been accumulating at shallow depth around 5 km.
Eruption of the world’s deepest undersea volcano
A research team has documented a volcanic eruption in the western Pacific Ocean that’s deeper below the ocean surface than Mount Rainier’s height above sea level.
Volcanoes can kill thousands. We should pay closer attention to the moving earth beneath us
From 1500 to 2017, volcanoes have taken more than 200,000 lives, and yet most were not due to lava, a study determined last year. The updated volcanic fatality database, published in the Journal of Applied Volcanology, blames three other deadly forces: pyroclastic density currents; lahars; and particles. These hazards are more common in composite or stratovolcanoes, types with stickier and older lava sitting in magma chambers, waiting to explode. One such volcano featured recently in the news, too: Fuego in Guatemala.
Extreme Temperatures
Freak weather causes extreme hailstorm in Italy
After along spell of hot weather, temperatures plummeted with buildings in the Italian capital, Rome damaged from a major hailstorm and torrential rains.Widespreadn damage and fatalities were also reported in Sicily, Venice and the Alpine region.
How global warming caused mass extinctions twice in Earth's history
Mass extinction events spanning two global warming periods in Earth’s history wiped out huge amounts of ocean life and destroyed reef ecosystems, a new study warns.
15 Incredible Things Revealed by Extreme Weather
High waves, violent winds, and extreme droughts can wreak terrible destruction, but they can also uncover amazing treasures. Recently, Hurricane Michael's storm surge uncovered two ships grounded on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico during another hurricane 119 years ago
Fight against climate change losing steam
In unusually strong language, scientists have warned it is the "final call" to save the world from catastrophic global warming. The report, released after a meeting of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in South Korea, lays out the impact of the world not limiting the rise in temperature to 1.5 C.
Rising temperatures and human activity are increasing storm runoff
Researchers have demonstrated for the first time that runoff extremes have been dramatically increasing in response to climate and human-induced changes.
Why media need to turn up the temperature on climate change
Examining the UN's newly released IPCC report and what it reveals about the challenges of climate change reporting.
Are Extreme Weather Events Linked to Climate Change?
Can we attribute a single extreme weather event, like a particular heat wave or wildfire or flood, to climate change?
Floods
Italy floods: Death toll climbs to 17, as 14 million trees destroyed
Heavy rain and gales lashing parts of Italy have killed at least 17 people and razed thousands of hectares of forest, destroying 14 million trees.
Research-into-Action brief: Post-disaster educational continuity in urban floods
This brief explores how the evidence shows that flood (and associated hazards) affected people are not helpless bystanders but active first-responders and change agents.
Melbourne weather: Flash flooding as massive deluge hits
Thousands of Victorians were left power after a slow-moving storm caused flash flooding in Melbourne, with half of the city's November rainfall arriving in just three hours.
Deadly Flash Floods Spark Emergency in Padang, Indonesia
The Indonesian city of Padang, the capital of West Sumatra, declared a state of emergency after flash floods hit seven districts in the city on Friday, November 2, killing two children.
France weather: Red alert as flash floods kill 10 in south-west
At least 10 people have been killed by flash floods in the Aude region of southern France.
Search for missing after 15 killed in Europe floods
The search continues for missing people following flash flooding in parts of Spain, Italy, and France.
Landslides
Natonin landslide death toll now 18
The number of bodies recovered from the landslide-hit area in Natonin, Mountain Province in the Philippines, rose to 18 on Tuesday, the seventh day of search and retrieval operations.
At least 12 killed in landslides, flooding in Sicily
At least 12 people, including nine members of two families, have been killed in landslides and flooding on an island of Sicily, officials said Sunday.
Death toll in Uganda's landslide rises as more bodies recovered
At least 41 people killed in eastern Bududa district after heavy rains caused landslide, officials say.
Wildfires
Minorities Are Most Vulnerable When Wildfires Strike in U.S., Study Finds
The research illustrates how the kinds of disasters that are exacerbated by climate change often hit people of color and the poor the hardest.
Cape wildfires: 86000 hectares scorched
t's been 13 days of raging wildfires from George to Knysna and now threatening Plettenberg Bay. In the George area, the fire claimed the lives of eight people, all of them were members of the same family. So far, 86,000 hectares of vegetation has been destroyed, with that number set to increase.
Wildfires have memories - Wildfire Today (blog)
Researchers studying how wildfires have burned at a particular location found that subsequent fires have a “memory” that helped to self-regulate fire sizes and fire severity.
Two-minute explanation of how wildfires burn
The New York Times produced this quick explanation of how wildfires ignite, spread, and are suppressed.
Mapping and Analytics
GIS can improve supply chain and logistics
As more organizations realise how their processes in Supply Chain and Logistics are behind the curve, they are starting to focus their energy and resources into new and innovative technologies and solutions. One particular arena that has seen significant investment and attention is in the field of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). The volume of data at our fingertips from modern day reporting and operations has grown tremendously.
Colleges See GIS Playing A Larger Role in Business Education
From Pennsylvania State University to the University of Redlands in California, the academic world is beginning to recognize the need to develop GIS skills through undergraduate and MBA-level courses.
Esri Ireland makes digital mapping software available to every Longford classroom
Esri Ireland, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), has announced the launch of ArcGIS for Schools, making €500 million worth of digital mapping software available to every primary and secondary school in the country.
DJI and Propeller Unite on Drone Mapping Solution
Drone analytics company Propeller has announced that they're partnering with drone company DJI to create a mapping system for clients in the civil, mining, aggregates, and waste management industries.
GIS Day showcases technologies that create 3-D maps of earth, identify hazards
Lidar is just one of the many tools that are increasingly being harnessed by Geographic Information System (GIS) professionals working in state, local and tribal governments in Washington. A coordinated, statewide lidar strategy will be among the many topics to be discussed during the 7th annual Joint Agency GIS Day event on Nov. 14 in Olympia.
Caliper introduces a new DACH Country Package for its Maptitude mapping software
Caliper announces the release of a new 2018 DACH Country Package for its Maptitude mapping software. Maptitude Country Packages bring the power and flexibility of Maptitude product suite to a global audience and enable customers to make geolocation-based decisions internationally.

"Environmental Hazards Newsletter " 17th Nov 2018

News Highlights

Wildfires raging in California grabbed the headlines at the beginning of November. Severe hot and dry `Santa Ana Winds` of up to 40mph (64km/h) and gusts between 60mph (95 km/h) and 70mph (112 km/h) contributed to the death of at least 71 people with as many as 1,000 still missing and feared dead.

In the Volcano section, new research suggests that the magma reservoir in the massive Italian Campi Flegrei volcano has started refilling itself, so experts are preparing for a massive eruption.

The driving story in the Hurricane segment consisted of a Journal article, published in Nature magazine, which highlighted anthropogenic influences of major tropical cyclone events.

Under our Earthquakes category, we reported on the most notable seismic event of this period, which was recorded near a Norwegian volcanic island called Jan Mayen in the Arctic ocean, measuring 6.8 on the Richter Scale.

Other noteworthy incidents were the devastating floods in the Middle East and the displacement of large numbers of people as a consequence of global warming.

Remember readers you can access all of the coverage in the newsletter and read it for youself by clicking on this link: www.nfind.uk/beta

Hurricanes and Cyclones
There’s little doubt we’re to blame for hurricanes getting worse
Climate scientists are still scrapping over the details, but the increased ferocity, unpredictability and spread of tropical storms is in line with predictions
Climate Change Is Already Making Hurricanes Wetter, Study Confirms
New research published in Nature Wednesday has confirmed that some of the most destructive hurricanes to pummel the U.S. in the past decade were made worse by climate change.
Hurricane Season Is Almost Over - So Why Are Meteorologists Watching The Caribbean?
Meteorologists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Hurricane Center are keeping an eye on a tropical wave (below) that has formed just to the east of the Lesser Antilles. The Tropical Weather Outlook issued by the National Hurricane Center at 1:00 pm EST on November 11th provides the latest information.
Hurricane Michael is looking even more violent on closer scrutiny
Using data from instruments and sensors, the USGS concluded that Hurricane Michael storm surge at Mexico Beach had reached 15.55 feet, half a foot higher than the previous estimate. If you add the waves on top of the surge, the water level here reached 20.6 feet, or close to the height of a two-story building.
Strong Indian monsoons steer Atlantic hurricanes towards land, study finds
Strong monsoons in the Indian Ocean can induce easterly winds that push Atlantic Ocean hurricanes westward, increasing the likelihood they’ll make landfall in the Americas, according to new research.
UH study shows hurricanes move closer to Hawaii
A new study by researchers at the University of Hawaii is spelling out a grave future for the islands. Researchers say in the coming years we could see a trend of hurricanes moving closer to the islands.
Scientists want to put speed bumps in hurricane alley to slow down storms
“Offshore wind farms definitely could be a potential tool to weaken hurricanes and reduce their damage,” says Cristina Archer, a professor in the University of Delaware's College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, who conducted a recent study published ...
Earthquakes
Norway earthquake: Powerful 6.8-magnitude quake strikes in Arctic Sea off Jan Mayen island
A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 has struck in the Arctic Sea, off a Norwegian island. The Norwegian earthquake center NORSAR said it was recorded at 2.49am on Friday in the sea between the volcanic island of Jan Mayen.
Earthquake shakes Perth and WA's south after hitting Lake Muir moving and rumbling houses
The earthquake struck south-east of Manjimup just after 5:00 am at a depth of 7 kilometers and was felt as far away as Perth and Albany. More than 2,500 people have lodged reports with Geoscience Australia after the tremor.
One Month After The Tsunami And Earthquake, Indonesia's Needs Are Greater Than Ever
A locally-led recovery effort is putting in a superhuman effort – powered mostly by incredible women. The circumstances of carrying out the recovery are, to put it mildly, very difficult right now. Aftershocks continue, thousands of people are missing, and the official death toll has risen to over 2,000. Many fear the real figure is much higher.
Huge 6.3 magnitude earthquake strikes in Pacific Ring of Fire
Last week a 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck the Philippines, in the Northern Mindanao region, also known as Region X. Nearly 200,000 were within 15km of the of the quake which struck at 4 pm on November 4, but few casualties were reported.
Earthquake recorded offshore Barbados
An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 was recorded offshore Barbados shortly after 9:00 am (local time) on Sunday. The US Geological Survey says the earthquake was located at Latitude 15.56 N, Longitude 49.86W and at a depth of 7.3 kilometers.
Mount Vesuvius on brink as earthquake strikes Italian town - schools evacuated
Residents of Irpinia, in the municipality of Paternopoli were shaken when a 3.0 magnitude quake was felt at midday, local time, today. Although no damages to buildings nor injuries were reported, schools were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Near to the epicentre of the earthquake is the potentially catastrophic Mount Vesuvius, some 51 miles away
Volcanic Activity
Campi Flegrei Volcano’s Ancient Cycle Seems to End in Large Eruption
In a study published Wednesday in Science Advances, volcanologists report that Campi Flegrei is at the start of an eruption cycle, one that may result in a massive outburst at some point in the likely distant future.
UK team shares drone expertise to help Guatemalans better prepare for volcanic eruptions
Image credit: Universities of Birmingham, Bristol and INSIVUMEH A team of scientists and engineers from the Universities of Birmingham and Bristol have returned from Guatemala where they have been teaching local scientists how to use drones to map the Fuego volcano which violently erupted earlier this year.
World’s first automated volcano forecast predicts Mount Etna’s eruptions
System tracks infrasound waves to determine when an eruption is imminent and alerts the Italian government.
Japan volcano eruption: Stunning pictures of lightning as Mt Sakurajima erupts
A bolt of lightning also strikes the active volcano located in southern Kyushu which is home to more than 600,000 people. Thick smoke from the summit has reached over 4,000 meters and continue to pollute the Pacific ocean island.
Extreme Temperatures
210 million people have been displaced by climate change. We must act
Equally vital is a stable climate. Yet here too we are sleepwalking towards a disaster that is both environmental and humanitarian. Worldwide, extreme weather events, violent storms, floods and ...
Who's running late for the Paris agreement?
In order to limit global warming to 2°C above pre-industrial levels, should countries lower their emissions’ target to meet their climate change commitments?
Policies of China, Russia and Canada threaten 5C climate change, study finds
Ranking of countries’ goals shows even EU on course for more than double safe level of warming
Scientists Made A Mistake: The Oceans May Not Be Warming Faster After All
A study published earlier this month stating that the world's oceans had absorbed up to 60% more heat than initially thought over the previous 25 years is being re-evaluated.
Part of the Answer to Climate Change May Be America’s Trees and Dirt, Scientists Say
A new study found that better management of forests, grasslands, and soils in the United States could offset as much as 21 percent of the country’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.
Global warming never stopped in last hundred years
Global warming has never stopped in the past hundred years, with a maximum rate of change occurring after Second World War II, according to a study.
Floods
Jordan: flash floods kill 12 and force tourists to flee
Death toll rises a day after floods struck in several areas including the popular tourist spot of Petra
Italy disaster: 11 regions declare state of emergency as bad weather floods country
Italy has been ravaged by bad weather sending 11 regions into a state of emergency on the same day Sicily is paying respect to the nine people who died after they remained trapped in their house during a storm.
Shocking photos and videos show the chaos caused by flash floods in Kuala Lumpur
Flash floods in Malaysia's capital city brought roads to a standstill over the weekend
Freak Weather: Extreme deluge strikes Middle East - Mass flood sweeps desert
Extreme and unprecedented weather has struck the Middle East this week - unleashing a deluge of torrential rain and lightning storms across ancient sites and deserts in Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Venice flooding is getting worse – and the city’s grand plan won’t save it
Upcoming research conducted at the National Research Centre of Venice (CNR) shows that, without intervention, within 50 years this kind of flooding could occur with nearly every high tide. In fact, some experts have argued that Venice will be gone by the year 2100.
Drop of common sense: are humans to blame for the floods that have ravaged Spain's Costa Del Sol?
Heavy rainfall is not a recent phenomenon, but Mediterranean sea warming and building in the wrong places is adding to the recent flooding problems.
Tibet evacuates 25000 people from landslide-formed barrier lake
More than 25,000 people have been evacuated from the homes in the Tibet Autonomous Region as water levels continue to rise in a landslide-formed barrier lake, local authorities said Sunday. The municipal government of Changdu in Tibet said the water ...
Landslides
Heavy rain causes landslide in East Jakarta
Heavy rain on Sunday caused a landslide on Jl. Kampung Kramat in Setu, Cipayung in East Jakarta, preventing motorists from using the road, which serves as an alternative route that connects Jakarta and Bekasi in West Java.
Brazil landslide: At least 10 dead in Rio de Janeiro’s Niteroi
At least 10 people have been killed in Rio de Janeiro after a mudslide in the Niteroi area outside the city’s downtown on Saturday, officials reported. The mudslide was caused by heavy downpours, Rio’s civil defence department head told local media.
BNPB: Millions of People Live in Landslide Prone Areas
The Head of the Data Center, Information and Public Relations of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said millions of people live in areas prone to landslides under cliffs and hills.
Wildfires
Death toll jumps to 25 in California wildfires; 57000 buildings threatened
At least 25 people have died in massive wildfires in California, authorities reported late Saturday. In Northern California, 25 people have been reported dead in the Camp Fire, making this the second deadliest fire in California history.
Destructive California wildfires magnified by population and shifting climate
combination of dry ground, low relative humidity and gusty winds from the mountains are making conditions ripe for fires to spread out of control.
These Wind Patterns Explain Why California's Wildfires Are So Bad
The driving force has been extreme wind, gusts of up to 60 miles per hour, perhaps even 70 in the hills of Southern California, blowing through the state. Wind further desiccates already dry vegetation and pushes the fires along with incredible speed.
10 ways climate change can make wildfires worse
Deadly wildfires such as those raging in northern and southern California have become more common across the state and elsewhere in the world in recent years. Agence France-Presse talked to scientists about the ways in which climate change can make them worse. Other factors have also fuelled an increase in the frequency and intensity of major fires, including human encroachment in wooded areas, and questionable forest management.
Mapping and Analytics
10 Important Geopolitical Trends Captured Using GIS Technology
Geographic information systems (GIS) technology has many critical real-world applications. At Stratfor, our in-house creative team uses GIS to create original, illuminating graphics to highlight emerging trends in geopolitics that are defined by geography.
GIS Technology Aids in Effective Response to California Wildfires
GIS technology has been used to keep responders and the public updated, in real-time, about the spread of the fires and the areas most threatened by their unpredictable and uncontrollable nature.
GIS Day 2018 Showcases Location Intelligence around the World
Twentieth Annual Event Will Take Place November 14 and Feature the Launch of Geography.com

"Environmental Hazards Newsletter" 3rd Dec 2018

Welcome to the November/December edition of the Kingston University newsletter

In The Hurricanes and Cyclones section highlights the impact of Cyclone Gaja in India and the intensification of tropical storm Owen, whilst looking back to recap events from the 2018 hurrican season.

There are reports about the impact of climate change, focussing on the strengthening of precipation, a dieback in Arctic plants, a `browning` of Arctic regions, and on how cold weather still occurs even in cimate warming conditions.

The Earthquake section features Alaska, Italy, Mexico, Fiji and the Solomon Islands. There is also a report on how AI is now capable of accurately simulating earthquakes, which helps scientists better understand the true nature and impact of global seismic events.

Guatemala`s Fuego volcano erupted, leading to unscheduled large scale evacuation.

Another report told the story of how automated forecasting is being introduced to predict activity at Mount Etna in Siciliy. Elsewhere, readers learn that huge amounts of methane are being released from a glacier connected to Katla, one of Iceland`s largest and most active volcanoes.

In the Wildfire section, smoke generated by the deadly California wildfires has swept right across the country and caused a haze to envelop the U.S. eastern seaboard, including Washington DC and New York.

News bulletins from the landlside section saw reports of the death of 14 people from the Vietnamese resort city of Nha Trang, after landlsides destroyed several homes. There was a similar tale in the Spanish press with a train derailment near Barcelona caused by a landslide. The incident resulted in red and one fatality. 

Our Flooding section tells the story of devastating floods that hit the French region of Languedoc and also hit Jordan and the historic town of Petra.


Hurricanes and Cyclones
Donations pour in for TN in the aftermath of Cyclone Gaja
A day after TN Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami announced Rs 1000 crore as relief money towards the damages caused by Cyclone Gaja, a government order was issued on Tuesday with more details on how the money would be spent.
A Recap of the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season
The Atlantic Hurricane Season came to end on November 30th. This season was slightly above-average. From Alberto to Oscar, there were 15 named storms, including eight hurricanes of which two were “major” (Category 3, 4 or 5).
Tropical Cyclone Owen forecast to “intensify further”
Tropical Cyclone Owen is expected to intensify further as it continues its south-southeast track in the northern Coral Sea.
As Samuel inches away from PAR, PAGASA monitors new tropical cyclone
Tropical Depression Samuel moves over the West Philippine Sea and is forecast to exit the Philippine jurisdiction between tonight and Friday early morning.
NASA sees Tropical Cyclone Bouchra being blown apart
Tropical Cyclone Bouchra may have been reborn over the weekend of Nov. 17 and 18 but by Nov. 20 it was blown apart by wind shear and NASA's Aqua satellite confirmed that. In general, wind shear is a measure of how the speed and direction of winds change with altitude. Wind shear can tear a tropical cyclone apart or weaken it.
Extreme Temperatures
Extreme weather is turning the Arctic brown and could impact on climate change
In recent years evidence has emerged that increasing numbers of extreme events are causing dieback of Arctic plants, or ‘browning’, across Arctic regions.
Why extreme rains are gaining strength as the climate warms
From Atlantic hurricanes to the Indian monsoons, storms are getting worse and becoming more erratic. Climate scientists expect that as global temperatures rise, much more rain will fall in extreme storms.
Trump just hinted that cold weather disproves global warming. Here’s why he’s wrong
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, “Even though the planet is getting warmer, cold weather still happens in winter or at very high elevations or high latitudes year-round.
No action on climate change could mean even more extreme weather for the UK
Weather in the UK could become increasingly extreme with summer temperatures up to 5.4C (9.7F) hotter and winters up to 4.2C (7.6F) warmer by 2070, according to latest projections.
The coldest Thanksgiving in over a century for millions plus traffic troubles
New York may even see its coldest low temperature for the holiday since weather records have been kept in Central Park. In 1901 and 1876, the low got down to 19 degrees Fahrenheit on Thanksgiving.
More megastorms will smash Brit holiday spots like Majorca and Tenerife as climate change ‘fuels fire’ of destructive weather, expert warns
Climate scientists say a warming Atlantic adds fuel to the fire of extreme weather The warning to tourists comes after monster 40ft waves demolished balconies in Tenerife and the Costa Blanca was hit by severe flooding in just the past few days.
Earthquakes
Back-to-back earthquakes shatter roads and windows in Alaska
Back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.0 and 5.7 shattered highways and rocked buildings in Anchorage, Alaska and the surrounding area, sending people running into the streets and briefly triggering a tsunami warning for islands and coastal areas south of the city.
Earthquake of magnitude 6.6 strikes Solomon Islands: USGS
An earthquake of magnitude 6.6 struck east of a provincial capital in the Solomon Islands on Friday, the United States Geological Survey said. There was no immediate tsunami threat or reports of damage or casualties from the quake, which hit at a depth of 33 km (21 miles) about 161 km (100 miles) east of Kira Kira, a provincial capital in the South Pacific nation.
4.8-magnitude earthquake in Mexico felt in Yuma area
A 4.8 magnitude earthquake in Baja California had a wide enough range to potentially be felt in Yuma and other southwestern parts of our state.
Strong undersea earthquake off Fiji, but no tsunami
A 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Fiji Monday, the United States Geological Survey said, but it was too deep to cause any damage.
Italy earthquake sees 4.6 magnitude tremor rock Ravenna region near Venice
A 4.6 earthquake on the Ritcher scale is classified as a light earthquake. It is felt by most people and objects do move and fall as well as light sleepers will be woken up. Significant damage is unlikely. The EMSC is an independent organisation that ...
Earthquake shakes Turkey’s south-eastern province
An earthquake with a 4.1 magnitude occurred in the Silopi district of Turkey’s south-eastern Sirnak province, the Turkish media reported on Nov. 22.
Earthquake Confirmed in Washington's Olympic Peninsula
A magnitude 4.1 earthquake has shaken an area beneath Olympic National Park south of Port Angeles, the U.S. Geological Survey has confirmed. The USGS reported the earthquake hit just after 3 a.m. Monday. There were no immediate reports of damage.
The AI shaking up earthquake research
An AI is now capable of accurately simulating earthquakes to help us understand the true impact of quakes around the world.
“Dinosaurs on the Moon” — The Impossible Magnitude-12 Earthquake That Changed Our World
Sixty Six million years ago a 14 kilometer long, Mount Everest sized asteroid blasted a hole in the ground, the Chicxulub Impact, releasing the equivalent of 100 million megatons of TNT creating a 20-mile deep, 110-mile hole. The seismic shaking would be comparable to a magnitude 12 earthquake.
Volcanic Activity
Guatemala volcano: Evacuation ordered as deadly Volcano of Fire erupts
Authorities in Guatemala have called for communities around the southern Volcano of Fire to evacuate, after observing increased activity and intensifying eruptions in the area.
Iceland Volcano and Glacier Are Releasing Huge Amounts of Methane, Scientists Discover
Huge amounts of methane are being released from a glacier connected to Katla one of Iceland’s largest and most active volcanoes. Researchers found that up to 41 tonnes of methane is released through meltwater from the Sólheimajökull glacier every day over the summer months. The study, published in Scientific Reports, is the first to show methane is released from glaciers on such a large scale.
World's first automated volcano forecast predicts Mount Etna's eruptions
Maurizio Ripepe, a geophysicist at the University of Florence and his colleagues have created the world's first automated volcano early-warning system, which alerts authorities near Mount Etna in Sicily about one hour before an eruption.
Alaska volcano eruption: Red aviation warning as Veniaminof spews ash 15000 feet in air k
Activity at Veniaminof, a volcano on the Alaskan Peninsula has intensified significantly, spewing ash 15,000 feet into the air, prompting the United States Geological Survey to increase the aviation colour code warning to red, while raising the overall warning level from watch to warning, with some communities warned to brace themselves for the possibility of ash fall.
ANAS on link between earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
Azerbaijan is one of the countries where mud volcanoes are most widespread. Over 350 mud volcanoes are located in the Absheron peninsula and the Caspian Sea. The head of the department of mud volcanism of the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Azeraijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), Professor Adil Aliyes believes that activation of volcanoes indicates a possible earthquake.
Wildfires
California’s wildfires: is this the new normal?
In The Case for Letting Malibu Burn, the historian Mike Davis once argued that wildfire damage to the exclusive coastal community west of Los Angeles had become so inevitable that state resources would more fairly be deployed by abandoning it to its fate.
California wildfires and environmental radicalism
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on Breitbart News Sunday blamed California’s 7,421 wildfires that have burned 1,665,746 acres, destroyed 30,000 structures and killed at least 82 individuals and six firefighters so far in 2018.
California wildfires: smoke spreads to New York, 3000 miles away
The US east coast has been provided a firsthand reminder of the deadly California wildfires after smoke swept across the country and caused a haze to envelop the eastern seaboard, including Washington DC and New York City.
Better Forest Management Won't End Wildfires, But It Can Reduce The Risks
In cases like the Camp Fire in Northern California, where low humidity, dry vegetation, hot temperatures and high winds have created extreme fire conditions, there is little that homeowners, forest landowners or land managers can do to affect fire behavior. Fire is a natural hazard, like earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes. It is unique in that it can develop with little warning and last for weeks or even months.
California wildfires: Rain brings threat of mudslides
Rain has come to northern California, helping to contain deadly wildfires but bringing fears of mudslides that may complicate recovery efforts.
How Wildfires Are Making Some California Homes Uninsurable
California's wildfires keep growing bigger, more frequent and more destructive. Of the 20 worst wildfires in state history, four were just last year, giving rise to a record $12.6 billion of insurance claims. It hasn't gotten any better this year. The ...and more »
Hurricanes Get Nearly Three Times the News Coverage as Wildfires, Report Says
Despite the fact that there have been thousands of wildfires in California in 2018, including one considered the deadliest in the state's history, and just 10 hurricanes in North America, there have been nearly three times as many media stories about ...
Who is to blame for the massive wildfires in California?
As crews continue to search for victims for the devastating Camp Fire, a political firestorm is brewing over whether climate change or resource mismanagement is to blame
Death toll rises further to 79 in Californian wildfires
The number of people now feared missing in the wake of the Californian wildfires has risen to almost thirteen hundred with 79 people confirmed to have died.
Landslides
Vietnam faces new threat from Usagi after landslides kill at least 14
At least 14 people died after landslides destroyed several homes and buried victims in some villages in the resort city of Nha Trang, according to the Associated Press. Four others remain missing.
Catalonia train crash: one dead in landslide derailment
One person has died and 44 have been injured after a commuter train came off the tracks outside Barcelona as a result of a landslide that affected the tracks
Buildings evacuated, following landslide in Lesvos
A landslide in the town of Plomari on Lesvos island has resulted in numerous buildings being evacuated. A team of experts decided to evacuate 29 buildings, of which 15 are residences and decisions affects a total of 37 people in Plomari, who have been moved to local hotels.
Expert suggests using scrap tires to fight landslides
Le Anh Tuan, an expert on Mekong Delta, in his article on Thoi Bao Kinh Te Sai Gon, has suggested using tires in the fight against landslides.
Floods
Devastating floods hit Languedoc vineyard region
Whole vineyards were submerged by water following mass flooding in the Aude region of southern France, which is reported to have killed 14 people and caused tens of millions of euros-worth of damage to property.
Petra floods: At least 12 dead as thousands of tourists flee ancient city in Jordan
At least 12 people have died after flash floods hit Jordan and forced 4,000 tourists to evacuate the ancient city of Petra. Visitors were forced to run for higher ground as a deluge of water surged through a narrow canyon and flooded the historic site in ...
California wildfires: Rain will help stop the blaze but brings danger of flash floods
The National Weather Service has warned about the threat of flash floods with rain predicted for areas in northern California affected by the state's deadliest wildfire.
Mapping and Analytics
Geographic Information System (GIS) market scrutinized in new research
The geographic information system (GIS) market was valued at USD 5.33 Billion in 2016 and is expected to reach USD 10.12 Billion by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 9.6% between 2017 and 2023.
Esri India to empower schools with GIS
Esri India, country’s leading Geographic Information System (GIS) Software & Solutions provider launched the “GeoMentor Program”, which is focused on encouraging the GIS enthusiasts and practitioners in India to come forward and skill school students in India in GIS technology.

"Environmental Hazards Newsletter" 11th Nov 2018

Welcome to the November/December edition of the Kingston University newsletter

In The Hurricanes and Cyclones section highlights the impact of Cyclone Gaja in India and the intensification of tropical storm Owen, whilst looking back to recap events from the 2018 hurrican season.

There are reports about the impact of climate change, focussing on the strengthening of precipation, a dieback in Arctic plants, a `browning` of Arctic regions, and on how cold weather still occurs even in cimate warming conditions.

The Earthquake section features Alaska, Italy, Mexico, Fiji and the Solomon Islands. There is also a report on how AI is now capable of accurately simulating earthquakes, which helps scientists better understand the true nature and impact of global seismic events.

Guatemala`s Fuego volcano erupted, leading to unscheduled large scale evacuation.

Another report told the story of how automated forecasting is being introduced to predict activity at Mount Etna in Siciliy. Elsewhere, readers learn that huge amounts of methane are being released from a glacier connected to Katla, one of Iceland`s largest and most active volcanoes.

In the Wildfire section, smoke generated by the deadly California wildfires has swept right across the country and caused a haze to envelop the U.S. eastern seaboard, including Washington DC and New York.

News bulletins from the landlside section saw reports of the death of 14 people from the Vietnamese resort city of Nha Trang, after landlsides destroyed several homes. There was a similar tale in the Spanish press with a train derailment near Barcelona caused by a landslide. The incident resulted in red and one fatality. 

Our Flooding section tells the story of devastating floods that hit the French region of Languedoc and also hit Jordan and the historic town of Petra.


"Environmental Hazards Newsletter" 16th Dec 2018

Welcome to the last edition of KUEHN 2018

This edition includes a report in the Extreme Temperatures section, on the latest Climate Risk Index, which shows the countries worst-affected by climate change. Our stories also discuss the worsening of patterns of extreme weather in Australia, pointing in particular at the recent heatwave which caused disruption in Queensland as well as intense flooding in the state of Victoria.

The Hurricane and Cyclones section highlights the launch of a new NASA satellite which monitors hurricane formation. There was also news of Cyclone Owen, which is fast approaching Australia. Then there was also a Weather.com report which said hurricanes in 2017 had caused more damage in financial terms (an estimated $369.6bn) than at any time since 1960.

The Earthquakes section reported on Japan`s preparation for the next big earthquake likely to hit the nation, which many believe will be within the next 30 years. There was also news of significant seismic activity in New Caledonia and Antarctica.

Volcanic eruptions have been recorded at Mount Soputan in Indonesia, Turrialba in Costa Rica, Mount Etna in Italy and in Guatemala at the Fuego volcano. 

Floods hit the Australian state of Victoria. In the UK Cornwall was badly affected. In Malaysia the eastern parts of Terengganu state were also hit by flooding.

The Mapping and Analytic section focussed on the future of mapping technology (Lidar, Lasar and GIS) and it provides readers with a link to a roundup of interesting books on the topic of cartography.

Finally, we`d like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2019!

The KUEHN Team


Hurricanes and Cyclones
Hurricanes of 2017 Were Most Devastating in 48 Years
With an estimated damage of around $369.6 billion worldwide, hurricanes have been the costliest in 2017 since 1960, according to the Global Climate Risk Index 2019 released at the 24th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, underway in Katowice, Poland.
The 2018 hurricane season was full of extremes. Here's what we expect in 2019.
Both the Atlantic and Pacific areas saw a record number and intensity of storms.
The Startling Thing Hurricanes Are Doing To Puerto Rico Watersheds
While challenges associated with loss of life and infrastructure were vigorously reported, new research presented this week at the 2018 American Geophysical Union reveals something surprising and of concern. Hurricanes are having long-term impacts on watersheds and coastal ecosystems.
Queensland Cyclone Owen: Powerful system may 'wreak havoc'
Cyclone Owen is moving slowly over waters off the Northern Territory with winds of up to 200km/h (124mph), meteorologists said. It is expected to intensify into a category four system before making landfall sometime early on Saturday local time (late on Friday GMT).
SPACE: NASA Launches Hurricane Satellites December 15
NASA launched its new hurricane-monitoring satellites on Thursday, December 15. The launch of the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System, or CYGNSS, went smoothly after its original launch was postponed due to weather and necessary repairs on Monday.
Cyclone Phethai to hit Andhra Pradesh: Story behind naming cyclones
Cyclone Phethai is all set to hit the Andhra Pradesh coast by Monday. There is deep depression in the Bay of Bengal around 900 km off Chennai. Thus, not only Andhra Pradesh, but also Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh and Odisha are expected to experience heavy rainfall and some amount of damage.
Extreme Temperatures
Climate Risk Index: 2017 broke records for extreme weather
Puerto Rico, Honduras and Myanmar have topped a 173-nation ranking of countries most affected by climate disasters. Extreme weather caused record damage in 2017, and developing nations bear the brunt, authors say.
Impacts of climate change being felt in region, but uncertainty lingers on the causes
According to the U.S. Fourth National Climate Change Assessment report, climate projections suggest that the number of heavy precipitation events is projected to increase
Extreme climate change suffocated nearly all ocean life 250 million years ago
Some 250 million years ago, around 95 percent of ocean species vanished during the planet's largest-known extinction event, also called the Great Permian Extinction. The culprit is suspected to be extreme climate change, as epic volcanism filled the atmosphere with carbon dioxide, which gradually heated both the air and the seas.
In 2017, India second worst in extreme weather deaths
India was globally the 14th most vulnerable country to climate risk in terms of extreme weather-related losses in 2017, improving its tally from sixth in 2016 and fourth in 2015.
Climate change increases India's vulnerability to extreme weather events: Report
India is all set to submit the second biennial update report (BUR) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which takes stock of India’s action to tackle climate change and notes that India is on track to achieve the major milestones promised.
2018 farm income down 15% due to extreme weather
Average farm income for 2018 has been down 15% due to the extreme weather conditions we’ve had this year, according to economists for Teagasc. Teagasc has also revealed that feed costs for an average dairy farm jumped up by 50% – these farms also saw ...
Queensland fire conditions to worsen as temperatures continue to soar
Amid extreme weather conditions, Queensland Health activated a heatwave response plan to warn the public for the first time in Queensland to educate people on how to stay safe during extreme temperatures.
Extreme weather events made a big impact in 2018
Extreme weather events made a big impact in 2018. Snow and heat affected people’s lives, Met Éireann says expect more in the years ahead
Earthquakes
Huge quake may ‘wreck’ St. Louis and liquefy the ground in next 50 years, experts say
A huge earthquake could strike metropolitan areas in the central U.S.and if it does, it will be bad, experts say.
Tsunami warning for Vanuatu and New Caledonia after 7.6 magnitude earthquake
A tsunami warning has been issued for the Pacific island of New Caledonia, after a shallow 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the country’s coast, prompting warnings that hazardous tsunami waves up to three metres high could reach New Caledonia and Vanuatu.
Magnitude, epicenter, liquefaction: Researchers explain some of the top-used earthquake terms
Much has happened in the few weeks since the big Anchorage-area earthquake on Nov. 30th. Much has been discussed, too, including what all the earthquake ...
Japan preparing for monster earthquake and 30-METRE tsunami that could kill and hurt One million in next 30
The Japanese government is readying plans to evacuate millions of people from its southern coastline in a bid to avoid the almost inevitable disaster. A report has estimated that there is a 70 to 80 per cent chance that the quake will strike within the next three decades. It estimates the potential death toll at around 323,000 with the wounded numbering almost double at 623,000.
Please keep your promise, it's been months now: Lombok locals plead
It's now been more than four months since a magnitude 7 earthquake hit Lombok, and reconstruction of shattered homes and lives has been painfully slow.
2 earthquakes shake Southeastern US
Two earthquakes struck Wednesday morning in eastern Tennessee, rattling people awake across several Southeastern states.
7.1-Magnitude Earthquake Near Antarctica, No Tsunami Warning
A magnitude 7.1 quake struck on Monday in the southern Pacific Ocean, close to the South Sandwich Islands north of Antarctica, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
Volcanic Activity
Central Indonesia’s Mount Soputan erupts sending thick ash high into sky
Indonesia’s Mount Soputan has erupted, sending thick ash as high as 7,500m into the air.
What’s next for Kilauea? Volcano might enter into lull, research article says
The recent Kilauea eruption produced some staggering numbers, even for a volcano considered one of the world’s most active.
Etna volcano (Italy): lava flows and strombolian explosions from SE crater
Mild effusive/explosive activity continues at the eastern vent of the New SE crater, feeding two small lava flows traveling a few hundred meters down the eastern slope of the crater towards the upper Valle del Bove.
Astonishing video shows Guatemala volcano eruption up close
A group of hikers who ascended Guatemala's Fuego volcano captured the moment they witnessed an unexpectedly large eruption at close range.
Volcano Ash Caused Delays in Flights at the Juan Santamaria Airport in Costa Rica
The eruptions of the Turrialba Volcano the morning of this Wednesday caused the delay of almost two hours of five flights that were departing from the Juan Santamaria Airport.
America’s Most Hazardous Volcano Erupted This Year. Then It Erupted and Erupted.
A landmark study unspools a timeline of the most destructive eruption in the recorded history of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano.
Yellowstone volcano was hit by earthquake swarm of 2,5000 tremors and scientists now know why
Yellowstone volcano was hit by swarm of 2,500 tremors and scientists now know why.
Scientists Blew Up Lava in a Backyard Volcano to Unlock the Secrets of the Most Violent Eruptions
Ingo Sonder, Ph.D., a research scientist at the University at Buffalo and his team of six researchers have been trying to understand what conditions cause the most violent eruptions in hopes of someday being able to conduct risk assessments for people living in volcanically active regions of the world.
Climate change, receding glaciers increase eruption risk for this ‘grumpy’ B.C. volcano
Climate change is causing glaciers atop Mount Meager in British Columbia to shrink, increasing the chances of landslides and even a new eruption, says an expert studying the volcano.
Mexican volcano erupts twice in one hour
Popocatepetl volcano in Mexico erupted twice in the space of an hour, sending columns of ash and smoke 2km (1.2miles) in the air.
Wildfires
Fire services count costs of Wales' summer wildfires
North Wales Fire Service spent almost £300,000 battling one fire, while the south Wales service's expenditure at least trebled compared to previous years in the space of just two months.
Wildfire scientists brace for hotter, more flammable future as Paradise lies in ashes
The Camp Fire may be studied for lessons in disaster management and community resilience, those who study fire, water, wind and climate see it as a warning to brace for a hotter, more flammable future.
Wildfires Will Only Get Worse in the Southeast Because of Climate Change, Report Says
More than 300 experts took part in the 1,600-plus-page report, ranging from 13 government agencies, universities, climate scientists and other experts. It is the first such report under the Trump administration and fourth overall. The report is mandated by law.
California’s 2018 Wildfires Have Emitted A Year’s Worth of Power Pollution
California’s record-breaking 2018 wildfire season has released emissions equivalent to about 68 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere – equal to the emissions produced from generating one year’s worth of electricity in the state, or about 15 percent of California’s total annual emissions.
Landslides
Heavy Rain Causes Landslides in Lesvos
Heavy rain that fell in Lesvos overnight has caused further landslides in the municipality of Plomari, local authorities reported on Sunday.
Eight in Bali and East Java die in landslides
Eight people died in two separate landslides in Gianyar regency in Bali and Pacitan regency in East Java on Friday and Saturday, the disaster mitigation agency reported.
Malaysia among countries especially prone to landslides
Malaysia sits among the top 10 countries that had a high number of landslides over the past decade.
Floods
Parts of Malaysia's Terengganu state hit by floods due to monsoon rains
Parts of eastern Malaysia's Terengganu state have been hit by floods due to heavy rains from the annual monsoon season. There were 163 evacuees at flood relief centres on Sunday (Dec 16) morning.
163 evacuated as Terengganu floods worsen
Fourteen more people were evacuated overnight, raising to 163 the number of flood evacuees in Terengganu as at 8 am today, according to the Civil Defence Force.
680mm in 24 hours: Record rain floods fire-ravaged Queensland
EX-Tropical Cyclone Owen has dumped more than half a metre of rain in parts of Far North Queensland, just two weeks after the region was scorched by fire.
Flooding problems hit Devon and Cornwall
Widespread flooding reported in Cornwall with disruption to major road links
Graignamanagh floods again with no relief in sight
Despite numerous assurances from successive governments, Graignamanagh is once again flooded. The Duiske River has burst its banks and the Main Street has been closed.
Victoria hit by destructive thunderstorms as bureau warns NSW is next
Flash floods have caused havoc for some in Melbourne on Saturday afternoon, with flash flooding turning backyards, suburban streets and ponds into gushing rivers.
India: a turbulent tale of rivers, floods and monsoons
The Indian novelist Amitav Ghosh focus on the Indian subcontinent, dominated by the monsoon, climate extremes and the great Himalayan rivers, such as the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra. It’s a tale of drought, flooding, famine, water management and mismanagement — and, looming over all these today, the uncertain consequences of climate change.
World weatherwatch: torrential rain brings flash floods to Sydney
Torrential rains have brought flash flooding to Sydney
Mapping and Analytics
This interactive map shows how wrong we picture the world
Interactive mapmaker Neil Kaye has animated a world map that is true to scale. In this version, Greenland is shown a full 16 times smaller than its likeness in the classic Mercator projection
Service lines to be mapped using GIS
GIS to be adapted to map utility networks
ScanEagle Unmanned Aerial System Proves Valuable for Firefighting Crews at Northern California’s Camp Fire
Insitu provided vital information to firefighters with its ScanEagle UAS, and its TacitView™ and Catalina™ software payload. The ScanEagle’s camera data and software generated daily operational maps and full motion video detailing the fire’s movement.
Drones, lasers, and the future of mapping: Verda Kocabas, geomatics guru, and SAIT Geographic Information Systems program academic chair Q&A
Interview with Verda Kocabas, the Academic Chair for the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program at SAIT, on the future of mapping technologies.
Perfect mapping books for geographers
Here's a rundown of some of the best map books that could make perfect stocking fillers for the cartography fanatics in your life.

"Environmental Hazards Newsletter - Special Edition" 1st Jan 2019

Top 10 Worst natural Disasters in 2018

Thousands of people around the world lost their lives to natural disasters in 2018, a tragic reminder of how rapidly natural disasters such as the wildfires in California can become deadly. The year ended with a deadly tsunami in Indonesia, capping the country’s worst annual death toll in more than a decade from natural disasters.

Here are 10 of the deadliest natural disasters in 2018, according to data from the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, based in Belgium.

1. Indonesia: Earthquake and Tsunami

Deaths: 2,783

A 7.5 magnitude earthquake and subsequent 20-foot tsunami brought widespread devastation to Sulawesi island in Indonesia in late September, leveling entire cities and rendering more than 330,000 people homeless, according to World Vision, a global humanitarian nonprofit.

2. Indonesia: Earthquake

Deaths: 468

On Aug. 5, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Lombok and neighboring Bali. The earthquake was preceded with a 6.4 magnitude quake in late July, and the areas also were hit with a number of aftershocks.

3. Indonesia: Tsunami

Deaths: At least 430

A Dec. 22 tsunami struck the western coast of Java in Indonesia, killing at least 430 people and triggering a state of emergency in the region. A crater collapse on the volcanic island of Anak Krakatau, or child of Krakatau, came at high tide and triggered waves of up to 5 meters (16 feet) high into the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra islands.

The disaster recalled the Dec. 26, 2004, earthquake and tsunami that killed at least 226,000 people in 14 countries along Indian Ocean coastlines, including more than 120,000 people in Indonesia.

4. Guatemala: Volcanic Eruption

Deaths: 425

When the Fuego volcano in Guatemala erupted in early June, surrounding areas were soon engulfed in a deadly pyroclastic flow, a mixture of hot gas and volcanic rock that can move at speeds up to 90 miles per hour, according to The New York Times. The ground was so hot in areas that the soles of some rescue workers’ boots were coming apart.

5. India: Floods

Deaths: 361

Monsoon flooding in India killed more than 300 people in August, mostly in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The Kerala government said many victims died after being crushed by debris after landslides, the BBC reported. Officials said it was the worst flood recorded in 100 years.

6. Japan: Floods

Deaths: 220

Torrential rain and landslides impacted large areas of Japan in July, killing more than 200 people. Officials said the flooding was particularly bad because much of the rain fell in mountainous areas and funneled down into cities, CNN reported. In Uwajima, a city on Japan’s Shikoku island, local news stations reported that almost 15 inches of rain fell in two hours on one Sunday morning, according to CNN’s report.

7. Nigeria: Floods

Deaths: 200

September flooding in Nigeria displaced more than half a million people and, according to FloodList, destroyed more than 13,000 homes. The floods struck one-third of Nigeria`s 36 states, affecting nearly 2 million people.

8. Pakistan: Heat Wave

Deaths: 180

Temperatures in the Pakistani city of Karachi stayed above 104 degrees Fahrenheit for several days in May, according to news reports. The heat wave coincided with power cuts and Ramadan, a month when many Muslims refrain from eating or drinking during the daytime. Most of those who died were from poor areas, and included children and elderly people, the reports said.

9. North Korea: Floods

Deaths: 151

Heavy rains at the end of August and in early September caused dangerous flooding and landslides in North Korea, which destroyed more than 800 buildings, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported.

10. Papua New Guinea: Earthquake

Deaths: 145

A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Southern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea in February, triggering a major aftershock and some landslides. Close to half a million people were affected by the disaster, according to ReliefWeb.


"Environmental Hazards Newsletter" 1st Jan 2019

Hurricanes and Cyclones
Cyclone could form off Qld coast by New Years
As Cairns recorded its wettest December in four decades, RACQ has urged Queenslanders in the far north to remain vigilant and to prepare their homes for a cyclone, which was predicted to form by New Years Day.
Tropical cyclone warning for the Fiji Group
A gale warning is now in force for Rotuma, Yasawa Group, Northern Viti Levu from Ba, Rakiraki to Tailevu North, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, and nearby smaller Islands.
Philippine cyclone leaves at least 22 dead
A three-year-old boy was among those confirmed dead in landslides and flooding triggered by the tropical cyclone
Changing pattern: on Andhra Pradesh cyclones
With global warming, the tropical storms or cyclones are getting more intensified, say, scientists
Cyclone Cilida Passing Perilously Close To The Island Of Mauritius
The southern Indian Ocean and southwestern Pacific have seen an uptick in tropical activity over the past couple of weeks, and the latest storm is in the process of passing dangerously close to Mauritius.
Hurricane force winds recorded near Tofino during December windstorm
Gale force winds, heavy surf pounding the shoreline and fallen trees, just some of the elements that caused major damage during a severe windstorm across Vancouver Island on Thursday.
Earthquakes
Etna volcano (Italy): volcano remains restless as small earthquakes and steam emissions continue
The volcano remains highly restless. Although no more lava is being erupted right now, strong gas and dense ash emissions continue from the Bocca Nuova crater as a sign that magma is close to the surface.
Magnitude 7.2 earthquake rocks Davao Oriental
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck off east of Governor Generoso town in Davao Oriental on Saturday, December 29, with possible tsunami threat for parts of the Philippines and Indonesia.
Plenty of earthquakes in New Zealand in 2018 but few of significance
GNS Science seismologist Sam Taylor-Offord said this week the King Country shake was the most "felt" quake of the year, with 15,666 felt reports sent into GeoNet. Of those, 11,084 people reported either light or moderate shaking, and 979 strong movements.
Earthquake in Bárðarbunga of a magnitude of 4.8
A powerful earthquake measuring 4.8 occurred in Bárðarbunga last night. The earthquake took place in the north rim of the caldera at 01.16 and three powerful quakes followed, the largest measuring 3.7. at 01.38. This is the third largest quake in Bárðarbunga since the last eruption ended.
Zimbabwe shaken by 5.5 magnitude earthquake
An earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale has struck Zimbabwe, the country’s media reported on Saturday. The US Geological Service agency (USGS) said the quake had occurred 53km south-east of the town of Chipinge, affecting parts of Zimbabwe and neighboring Mozambique.
7.4 magnitude earthquake shakes eastern coast of Russia, prompts tsunami warning
An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 shook Nikol'skoye, Russia, which is off the far east coast of Russia, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The earthquake had a depth of about 9.6 kilometers, or almost 6 miles, and struck before 5 a.m. local time on Friday about 50 miles west of Nikol’skoye.
Measuring Earthquakes from a Balloon
At the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, researchers described progress on balloon-borne infrasound detectors that observe seismic events on Earth and could eventually go on Venus.
Can Rivers Cause Earthquakes?
According to Sean Gallen, a Colorado State University geologist who has long been interested in Appalachian landscapes, the Tennessee River removed about 500 vertical feet of rock (a good third of the height of the Empire State Building) from a large patch of eastern Tennessee over the past 9 million years. A new study by Gallen and geologist Ryan Thigpen at the University of Kentucky suggests that rapidly removing so much weight from the crust causes earthquake
Volcanic Activity
Indonesian volcano that triggered tsunami loses two-thirds of its height
Anak Krakatoa, the Indonesia volcano that triggered a deadly tsunami a week ago, has lost two-thirds of its height, a government agency said. The volcano's height went from 338 meters (1,108 feet) above sea level to 110 meters (360 feet), Indonesia's Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation said in a report.
Bali volcano shoots new burst of ash; flights unaffected
Mount Agung erupted for about three minutes, spewing white clouds of smoke and ash more than 700 meters into the air, the Volcanology and Geological Mitigation Agency said in a statement.
Mount Etna volcano triggers 4.8-magnitude quake in Sicily
An earthquake triggered by Mount Etna has jolted eastern Sicily, injuring several people and prompting villagers to flee their homes
Tourists flock to erupting volcanoes, putting pressure on emergency services
Every year more and more tourists flock to erupting volcanoes in a hope to witness a powerful experience - some even pay local helicopters to take them in secret after dark, a paper says.
'Megatsunami’ could devastate Britain if active Canary Island volcano erupts, expert claims
In a worst-case scenario, Britain's southernmost coastal cities and town could be wiped out within hours - but experts say this wouldn't happen for thousands of years.
'There is a huge range in activity': Indonesia's erupting volcanoes
Anak Krakatau is one of 127 active volcanoes across Indonesia and seven, including Krakatau, are currently in an "eruption phase", volcanologist Dr Janine Krippner at Concord University said.
Anak Krakatoa: The dark history of volcano emerging from the sea
Anak Krakatoa formed over years after explosive eruption of Krakatoa volcano in 1883, one of worst in recorded history
Why Indonesia's 'volcano tsunami' gave little to no warning
Unlike past disasters triggered by earthquakes, this week's deadly tsunami was likely sparked by unrest of the Anak Krakatau volcano.
Extreme Temperatures
Extreme weather in 2018 was a raging, howling signal of climate change
Record rainfall and flooding in Japan, followed by a heat wave that sent tens of thousands of people to the hospital. Astonishing temperature records set across the planet, including sweltering weather above the Arctic Circle. Historic, lethal wildfires in Greece, Sweden and California, terrible flooding in India, a super typhoon with 165-mph winds in the Philippines, and two record-setting hurricanes that slammed the Southeast United States.
Extreme heatwave in Australia: catastrophic fire conditions as temperature records broken
Marble Bar in WA reaches 49.3C as parts of SA and Victoria issued bushfire warning, and extreme weather forecast to continue into next week
Could Wales face a repeat of 2018's extreme weather?
Met Office experts who study long-term weather trends produced a State of the UK Climate report which found a repeat of the 2018 heatwave is 30 times more likely because of climate change.
Extreme cold warning set for northern Alberta
Extreme wind chills for the northern part of the province at -40 degrees C
Brace yourself for a brutal winter: Experts say disruptions in the polar vortex could cause temperatures to plummet in parts of the US
Activity in an Arctic climate pattern could send the polar vortex barreling towards more southern latitudes to envelop parts of North America, Europe, and Asia.
How extreme weather in 2018 cost the world billions
Floods, drought, hurricanes and fires cost the world nearly $100billion in 2018, as well as causing untold human damage, according to an analysis of the world’s most extreme weather of the year.
'Silent emergency' as heat risks rise in Hong Kong, and globally
Average summer temperatures in this city of 7.4 million people have risen swiftly over the past century, according to a study by researchers including Emily Chan, who directs the Centre for Global Health at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Wildfires
Wildfires: Attorney General says PG&E could face murder charges
In a brief submitted to a federal court, the California Attorney General wrote that Pacific Gas & Electric could be prosecuted for murder, manslaughter or lesser criminal charges if investigators determine that “reckless operation” of its power equipment caused any of the wildfires in which people were killed during the last 15 months.
Top videos for 2018: Wildfires rage
Counting down the top videos stories for 2018 in the Okanagan and Shuswap
'The scale was devastating': How the Athens wildfires became one of the deadliest in the world
Wildfires broke out in Greece in the coastal town of Attica, north of Athens, in mid-July, and as the mercury climbed, so too did the blaze.
After year of deadly wildfires, who will pick up the tab for natural disasters?
The rising cost of climate-driven disasters including hurricanes and fires is prompting Fema to shift more responsibility to states
New satellites can aid in management of wildfires
GOES-16, operating as NOAA’s GOES East satellite, is proving to be an invaluable asset in detecting wildfires and helping forecasters provide proactive tactical decision-support services.
How Houses Themselves Become Fuel For Wildfires
It's long been a misperception that most homes burn when that initial big, dramatic wall of flames from the fire blows through. But the science shows most homes actually tend to burn long after this, sometimes even a day later.
How Do Wildfires Start?
An insight in the causes that trigger wildfires
Landslides
Images Show Landslide Likely Caused Indonesian Tsunami
Radar images appear to show the southwestern flank of the Anak Krakaktau volcano sheared off into the sea
At least 12 bodies retrieved from Camarines Sur landslides
At least 12 bodies have been retrieved from two separate landslides in this province, local disaster officials said Sunday in the aftermath of tropical depression Usman.
Climate change, receding glaciers increase landslide risk on B.C.’s Mount Meager
Climate change is causing glaciers atop Mount Meager, in British Columbia, to shrink increasing the chances of landslides and even a new eruption, says one expert.
3 dead as floods trigger landslide in Legazpi City
The combined effect of Tropical Depression Usman and the Amihan has triggered thunderstorms and caused flooding in Legazpi City.
Floods
Tropical cyclone to exacerbate flooding in northern Queensland
Relentless rain has fallen in northeast Australia recently, with Daintree Village reporting 827mm over the last week and Cairns Racecourse receiving 452mm. The average rainfall in the whole of December in Cairns is only 181mm
Heavy rains, floods displace thousands of refugees in Syria
Two days of torrential rain in northern Syria caused major flooding in Idlib and Aleppo.
More than 50 million under flood and flash flood watches as severe US storm system brings towns 'to a standstill'
Two people have died as a result of a severe storm system that caused blizzard conditions in the US Midwest and torrential rain and flood threats in the south.

"Environmental Hazards Newsletter" 16th Jan 2019

Welcome to the first 2019 edition of the KUEHN newsletter

The beginning of the year was marked by extreme weather around the world, with temperatures in South Australia running 10-12 degrees Celsius above average, creating heatwave conditions. At the other end of the spectrum, The Washington Post claimed that a fracture in the polar vortex is causing a punishing stretch of winter weather along the eastern U.S. seaboard.

Simultaneously, snow blizzards in the Alps continue to make headlines, as a massive storm moved westward into Switzerland, after first battering Austria and parts of Germany.

The Volcano section discussed how central Java is preparing for the worst, after registering an increase in seismic activity on Mt Merapi since the start of the year.

Indonesia`s decision to double its disaster response budget to 15m Rupiah ($1.06bn) in 2019, caught readers` attention in the Earthquakes category. The same section also focused on recent studies indicating a connection between earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, a story which was featured by the Podcast `The Big One.` `The Big One` explained the potential fallout of an earthquake caused by the San Andreas Fault, a story which was also picked up by the New Yorker website. Another report examined the potential for a `megathrust` earthquake in New Zealand along the Hikurangi subduction zone.

The Hurricane section saw the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes highlighted. This is a new scale designed to help people and businesses better appreciate the full impact of hurricanes.

Elsewhere in the report, the Mapping and Analytics section brought readers` attention to the words of Jack Dangermond. The Esri founder was a keynote speaker at the GeoBuiz Summit, where he addressed issues impacting businesses such as innovation and government dynamics.

Our Floods section reported on the heavy flooding in Argentina, Israel and recent dire forecasts issued for Northern Ireland and the cities of Venice and Jerusalem. 

Hurricanes and Cyclones
AccuWeather's new RealImpact™ Scale for Hurricanes will revolutionize damage predictions for greater public safety
AccuWeather has announced the introduction of a new important scale to help people and businesses better understand the full impact of hurricanes
World’s oceans warming more rapidly than previously thought, warn US and Chinese scientists
Last year was hottest on record for ocean temperatures, raising risk of natural disasters and higher sea levels
How Arctic Cyclones Change the Sea Ice
Whirlwinds disrupt the sea ice in the Arctic Ocean. Scientists are now beginning to understand how
Integrating big data sources to monitor and respond to natural disasters
Building on a cyclone monitoring prototype, a team spent the past couple months developing an integrated big data analytics prototype to provide timely insights for natural disaster monitoring, emergency response, and management of cyclones, earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods in Indonesia and countries in the Pacific region.
Stronger, Wetter Hurricanes Predicted in Decades Ahead
NOAA says long-term trends indicate longer and more intense storms well into the future. With people and businesses increasingly relocating to coastal regions, the potential environmental changes affecting hurricanes will have significant implications for public safety and the U.S. economy.
Frequent cyclones and tourist evacuations show vulnerabilities at Andamans
In the last two months, Andaman Islands have seen Cyclone Pabuk and Cyclone Phethai, which disrupted the tourism season, forcing officials to carry out large evacuations.
5 Weather Questions About 2019
The article explores some broad indicators that could influence global weather in 2019, for instance, how many tropical storms and hurricanes form. Let's walk through five of the key weather questions of 2019 and explain what some outlooks and recent research suggest might happen.
LIST: PAGASA's names for tropical cyclones in 2019
The names for tropical cyclones in 2019 range from the very local Amang to the foreign-sounding Zigzag.
Extreme Temperatures
New extreme heat wave hits Australia causing temperatures to soar
Australians are sweltering in temperatures as much as 12 degrees Celsius (21.6 Fahrenheit) above average after another extreme heatwave swept across the country Monday, the second in under a month.
Thousands stranded in Swiss ski resorts as extreme weather continues to wreak havoc in the Alps
Extreme weather in the Alps continues to make headlines as the massive snow storms that have been battering parts of Austria for the past week move westward into Switzerland.
The polar vortex has fractured, and the eastern U.S. faces a punishing stretch of winter weather
The polar vortex has fractured, and the eastern U.S. faces a punishing stretch of winter weather. Forecasts call for a very cold and stormy pattern, just underway, to peak in a few weeks.
Climate change CALAMITY: ‘Melting ice caps throwing north pole OFF-KILTER’
Climate change is increasingly unsettling Earth’s core and it could have dire consequences for humanity, a consortium of scientists has announced.
Ice loss from Antarctica has sextupled since the 1970s, new research finds
An alarming study shows massive East Antarctic ice sheet already is a significant contributor to sea-level rise
Ocean temperatures rising faster than previously...
The world´s oceans are rising in temperature faster than previously believed as they absorb most of the world's growing climate-changing emissions, scientists have said.
Earthquakes
Indonesia to double disaster relief budget in 2019 after year of tragedies
Indonesia will more than double its disaster response budget to 15 trillion rupiah ($1.06 billion) in 2019, officials said on Tuesday, after a series of major natural disasters devastated three regions of the vast archipelago last year.
Can earthquakes trigger volcano eruptions? Get the facts.
Possible links between these two geologic titans have long fascinated and divided scientists. Here’s what the latest studies have to say.
“The Big One” Podcast: Anticipating a Devastating L.A. Earthquake
Sarah Larson reviews “The Big One,” a new podcast from the Southern California NPR station KPCC about the potential devastation an earthquake could cause to the city of Los Angeles.
Northland's earthquake swarm continues with 22 quakes in 20 days
Experts are mystified by an earthquake swarm off the coast of Northland, normally a seismically quiet area. Since Boxing Day, Northland has experienced 22 earthquakes.
4.6-magnitude earthquake strikes north-east Italy
Some people fled their homes after the quake hit near the city of Ravenna shortly after midnight, followed by a large aftershock around half an hour later and smaller ones throughout the night.
Santorini volcano (Greece): earthquake swarm southwest off the island
An earthquake swarm has been occurring near the island since this morning. So far, 16 quakes of magnitudes between 2 and 3.9 and at depths ranging ...
Indonesia rocked by more than 11000 earthquakes last year
Indonesia was rattled by more than 11,500 earthquakes last year, almost double the annual average of the past decade, according to the nation's meteorological agency.
Alaska earthquakes: Is THIS the reason for 98 earthquakes in Alaska in just 10 DAYS?
Alaska is no stranger to earthquakes, and just over a month ago experienced a magnitude 7.0 quake which triggered a tsunami alert along the coast. The earthquakes which have shaken Alaska in 2019 have ranged from magnitude 2.5 to magnitude 5.9. The latest quake to shake the US state occurred Thursday, January 10 and measured a magnitude of 4.1.
New computer modeling approach could improve understanding of megathrust earthquakes
The research could help enhance scientists' understanding of forces driving megathrust earthquakes and improve earthquake hazard assessment.
'Case of when, not if': Preparing for the big 'megathrust' earthquake from the Hikurangi subduction zone
It's a case of when, not if, New Zealand's largest fault ruptures potentially producing a "megathrust" earthquake with devastating effects.
America's first public earthquake-warning app gives seconds to prepare
Experts hope ShakeAlertLA will encourage other west coast cities to make similar investments
Deep low-frequency earthquakes indicate migration of magmatic fluids beneath Laacher See Volcano
Magma could rise from the upper mantle into the middle and upper crust beneath the Laacher See Volcano (Germany).
Trends involving injection-induced earthquakes are providing seismologists with useful information
Data is beginning to show it may be possible to head off a damaging earthquake when it is linked to a well that injects saltwater underground...
Earthquake of 6.4 magnitude strikes off south Japan
A 6.4 magnitude earthquake stuck off south Japan on Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. There were no immediate reports of damage.
Volcanic Activity
Central Java prepares for worst as Mt Merapi eruptions increase
Mount Merapi, which stands on the border between Yogyakarta and Central Java, has shown heightened volcanic activity over the past few days, spewing incandescent lava from its crater.
Scientists are home-brewing lava to crack deadly volcanic mysteries
At the University at Buffalo in New York state, scientists are experimenting by melting volcanic rock before spraying it with pressurised water. The resulting explosions can help the researchers understand how magma interacts with water at undersea volcanoes, or those located in the ocean, like Anak Krakatau.
Costa Rica announces increased security measures for active volcanoes
The National Emergency Commission (CNE) announced Monday increased security measures at the country's active volcanoes.
Krakatau volcano update: Rakata Island (Krakatoa): beach destroyed by tsunami waves
The northern coast of Rakata Island, facing Anak Krakatau, was hit by massive waves (up to approx 30 m high) during the catastrophic landslide and tsunami on the evening of 22 Dec. The entire beach and the slightly higher, up to 50 m wide forested platform behind it, separating it from the cliff, have been washed away and/or collapsed in landslides following the receding wave.
When worlds collide: Volcanic Lightning
Volcanic lightning (sometimes referred to as a “dirty thunderstorm”) is a phenomenon in which a volcano eruption generates a thunderstorm, and only recently have researchers been able to understand how this happens
Commentary: Why the 'Child of Krakatoa' volcano remains dangerous
The eruption of Anak Krakatoa that caused an underwater landslide and tsunami that struck land last year could have been predicted, says one volcanologist.
A New Tool for Studying Volcanic Eruptions Like Kīlauea
A new study sheds light on how magma erodes the conduit it flows through.
Wildfires
Thousands of lightning strikes spark wildfires in Australia
Around 2,500 lightning strikes have ignited dozens of fires across Australia's island state of Tasmania, adding to a number of dangerous blazes, authorities said.
Wildfire rapidly spreads in Hawaii, forces evacuations
Video: A quick moving wildfire rapidly spread near Maui, Hawaii, on January 6th. The fire scorched through more than 200 acres, as crews worked to contain it.
Shutdown Could Have Long-Term Effects On Wildfire Disaster Response
Firefighters and forest managers are losing valuable time to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season. It's one of the long-term impacts of the government shutdown imposed by President Trump.
California utility firm suspected of starting deadly wildfires goes bankrupt
A firefighter battling the Camp fire, which became California’s deadliest in history. Photograph: Noah Berger/AP The utility company that services more than a third of California announced Monday it plans to file for bankruptcy by the end of the month.
Modern energy infrastructure could mitigate California’s wildfire crisis
By 2050 the area burned by fire in the state will increase by 77 percent and costs will go up by 24 percent.
This Is What More Than A Century Of Wildfires In California Looks Like
In the last two decades, 13 percent of the state has gone up in flames.
More wildfires, drought and climate change bring devastating changes to California wildlands
Southern California's native landscapes are famously tough. But repeated wildfire and drought amplified by climate change pose a growing threat to wildlands ...
Climate change doubled risk of B.C.'s record-setting 2017 wildfires: study
Research suggests British Columbia's record-setting 2017 wildfire season wasn't an accident and Environment Canada scientists say that climate change stacked the deck against the province from the start.
Trump threatens to cut off federal funding for California wildfire relief
President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to cut off federal relief aid to California for wildfires, prompting a swift response from new Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom that "disasters and recovery are no time for politics."
Landslides
Philippines landslide death toll rises to 85 as rescue workers search for 20 missing people
The death toll across the Philippines is rising following the impact of Storm Usman, triggering landslides and floods which left 85 people dead and 20 still missing.
Landslide engulfs Pakistani bus with workers, killing 8
Pakistani police say a landslide triggered by this week's rains engulfed a bus carrying workers on a dam project in the northwest, killing eight people.
New landslide fears at Gower beach where boulders the size of small houses have been falling
Landowner urges people to stay well back from rock fall at Oxwich Bay as 'there is clearly going to be more movement'
Landslide in West Java destroys Sirnaresmi village, leaving at least 15 dead
The landslide came with a sudden roar, shocking residents of Sirnaresmi village. Fifteen bodies have been pulled from the debris and another 20 people are missing. Rain is making the search and rescue operation extremely difficult.
Terrawatch: landslide tsunami lessons from Anak Krakatau
Tsunami warning systems are in place around Indonesia, but they are tailored to earthquake tsunamis.
Floods
Flooding in northern Argentina expected to continue
Since the beginning of the year, the area has received about five times the long-term expected average rainfall.
Towns flood in north as forecasts see cold snap, snow in Jerusalem
Unusually strong rains break five-year drought, force evacuations of hikers, stranded motorists, and schoolchildren in mountainous areas
The death of Venice? City’s battles with tourism and flooding reach crisis level
A tax on daytrippers has hit the headlines, but La Serenissima's mounting problems also include rising waters, angry locals and a potential black mark from ...
Future flood warning means 45000 NI homes at risk
Around 45,000 properties in Northern Ireland are at risk of flooding as the country braces for stormier and more extreme weather, a report said.
Consultation explores opportunities for flood and coastal erosion management at a local level
Government is beginning a conversation on increasing local funding for flood and coastal erosion management.
BBC Weather: Europe to be crushed with more HEAVY snow and flash flooding
Europe has been hit with devastating winter weather conditions in recent days and BBC Weather has warned snow and heavy rain could continue across the continent.
Lebanon: Syrian refugees endure more floods from new storm
Refugees seek shelter in incomplete housing units, garages or evacuated schools after Storm Norma hit last week.
Hull's £42m tidal flood scheme gets the green light
Construction of a multi-million pound scheme to protect thousands of homes and businesses in Hull from flooding from the Humber has been given the go ahead.
Mapping and Analytics
Esri President Jack Dangermond to Keynote GeoBuiz Summit
Esri, the global leader in location intelligence, announced that its founder and president, Jack Dangermond, will be a keynote speaker at GeoBuiz Summit, addressing issues impacting businesses, innovation, and governance dynamics.
Tech response to disasters starts with culture, CIO of California's emergency services says
The technological response to natural disasters begins with a strong workforce culture, the information technology chief for California’s Office of Emergency Services said Tuesday. The State Department of Health and Human Services, which developed GIS-powered maps to help it figure out which hospitals and other facilities need to be evacuated during wildfires.
Parsons Acquires Imaging, Mapping and Data Analytics Firm OGSystems
Pasadena-based engineering and security consulting firm Parsons Corp. announced Jan. 8 that it has acquired OGSystems, an imaging, mapping and data ...
Chorus software helps police forces solve crimes | Suffolk and Essex Business News
Technology developed by Woodbridge firm helps police forces across the UK solve crimes more quickly
Geospatial data analytics: The way forward in analytics
GIS tools have the unique ability to slice and dice terabytes of data in real time to derive decisive insights into understanding spatial trends and associations. Organizations can foresee customer demands through predictive models and drive supply chains more effectively”, says Nishikant Nigam, EVP and Chief Delivery Officer, CSS Corp.

"Environmental Hazards Newsletter - Jan - March 2019" 12th Mar 2019

Hello and welcome to our news-digest with the most prominent stories from the first three months of 2019. As usual, we highlighted several reports linked with increased evidence on the impacts of climate change alongside the most relevant stories associated with environmental hazards from around the world. You can access and share all the coverage highlighted in the news-digest in our news portal at https://www.news-finder.net/beta.

Hurricanes and Cyclones
New Zealand could be hit by tropical cyclones over the next week
Tropical cyclones are likely to form north of New Zealand over the next ten days, bringing the potential for severe weather closer to the country, a forecaster says.
Expect more extreme hurricanes on the East Coast due to faster ice melts in Greenland, study says
A lot of 'unusual melting’ going on in Greenland’s southwest region, says geophysics
Is Climate Change Making Hurricanes More Destructive?
"This year has shown us that climate change is a present-day threat to the safety and livelihoods of communities across America," Georgia Institute of Technology climate scientist Kim Cobb told The New York Times last September, shortly after Hurricane Florence struck North Carolina.
In Alabama’s tornado outbreak, two tornadoes hit just a mile apart in the same hour
It’s been eight days since a swarm of more than three dozen tornadoes wrought havoc in the Deep South, killing 23 and razing the ground bare in many areas. Among them were twin funnels, roaring through Lee County, Ala., barely an hour apart.
Clean-up efforts begin after tornado touches down in Mississippi town
The U.S. National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado touched down in Walnut, Mississippi over the weekend. Preliminary results show it was an EF-0 tornado with peak winds between 65 and 70 miles per hour.
Wildfires, hurricanes and other extreme weather cost the nation 247 lives, nearly $100 billion in damage during 2018
The number of billion-dollar weather disasters in the United States has more than doubled in recent years, as devastating hurricanes and ferocious wildfires that experts suspect are fueled in part by climate change have ravaged swaths of the country, according to data released by the federal government.
More U.S. companies discussing climate change in wake of hurricanes, wildfires
The bankruptcy of major California utility PG&E Corp as a result of over $30 billion in costs from California wildfires sparked by the state’s prolonged drought will likely prompt more companies to discuss how they will respond to the effects of climate change on their businesses.
2019 Hurricane Predictions – 2 Major Impact Hurricanes - Press Release
For the last 10 years former NOAA Meteorologist Professor David Dilley has issued the most accurate preseason and in-season hurricane predictions, averaging a stunning 87%+ accuracy rate.
‘It’s Making Us Less Prepared’: Shutdown Slows Planning for Hurricanes and Other Disasters
The partial government shutdown — the longest in United States history — has brought much of that fieldwork and instruction to a halt. Most researchers have been furloughed, and training academies and courses have been canceled, with no makeup dates in sight.
Early cyclones bring relief, and even a near-record soaking, to dry far north Queensland farmers
Two early cyclones in far north Queensland this summer have changed the fortunes of one of the country's most intensive farming areas.
Earthquakes
New gravity earthquake detection method might buy more time for early warnings
Scientists from Japan, one of the most seismically active regions of the globe, claim that a new earthquake detection method based on gravity could provide an earlier warning than traditional methods.
Scientists Uncover What Caused The Devastating Indonesian Earthquake – And Predict What It Means For The Future
When a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck Palu, Indonesia last September, scientists were left stumped and the city of 300,000 people devasted. More than 2,000 people were killed as a result of the earthquake and the soil liquefaction, tsunami, and landslides that followed, but such calamity shouldn’t have resulted from a 7.5-magnitude earthquake, and certainly not in this area. Now, a set of studies published in Nature Geosciences helps to explain why – and what it means for future projections.
Indonesian earthquake broke a geologic speed limit
The magnitude-7.5 earthquake that devastated Palu, Indonesia, in September 2018, razing buildings in the nearby village of Perumnas Balaroa, traveled at rare “supershear” speed, potentially heightening its damage.
Fracking company requests permission to cause larger earthquakes in UK
Fracking company Cuadrilla has requested an urgent review of existing earthquake safety levels, in the hope permission to generate larger tremors will allow it to extract greater quantities of shale gas from Lancashire.
BBC World Service - The Science Hour, Detecting Earthquakes with Fibre Optics
Podcast: How a system designed to carry TV and internet traffic can help detect earthquakes.
Earthquake in super slo-mo: Ultra-slow earthquake indicates deep crustal movement near Istanbul
A big earthquake occurred south of Istanbul in the summer of 2016, but it was so slow that nobody noticed. The earthquake, which took place at mid-crustal depth, lasted more than fifty days.
Deadly earthquake traveled at 'supersonic' speeds, why that matters
A powerful temblor in Indonesia offered a detailed look at supershear, a phenomenon that can create the geologic version of a sonic boom.
'Earthquake swarm' in Palghar: Why Maharashtra district is being hit since November
Experts say the situation cannot be taken lightly as many major earthquakes in the region have been preceded by earthquake swarm activity
Mexico earthquake: 6.6 magnitude at southern border
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Mexico’s southern state of Chiapas on Friday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The epicenter of the quake hit at a depth of 42 miles near the Pacific coast and Mexico’s border with Guatemala, according to the USGS.
Extreme Temperatures
Time to Panic
The planet is getting warmer in catastrophic ways. And fear may be the only thing that saves us.
World Government Summit: Leaders prioritize climate change solutions
The 7th edition of the World Government Summit was held in Dubai, gathering world leaders alongside experts in the sectors of technology, economy, environment and wellbeing. The event, which ran from 10th to 12th February, hosted approximately 4,000 participants from 140 countries to discuss key global solutions.
Goodbye, polar bears: Why climate change is much worse than you think
Climate 'alarmist' David Wallace-Wells says scientists' warnings are too tentative.
A third of Himalayan ice cap doomed, finds report
Even radical climate change action won’t save glaciers, endangering 2 billion people
Australia’s Burning, Flooding, Disastrous New Normal
We have moved into a new age of climate volatility. According to the 2018 State of the Climate Report, compiled by the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Southern Hemisphere oceans are absorbing most of the extra heat generated by global warming.
Why cold weather doesn’t mean climate change is fake
Weather and climate aren't the same thing, meaning you can expect harsher winters in a warming world.
There's 'no place on the planet', not even Hawaii, to escape climate change, experts say
Climate experts in the Aloha State told on Monday that tourists cannot escape climate change — not even on the islands, where 60-foot waves and ...
With climate change, what will your city's weather feel like in 60 years?
Within your child or grandchild's lifetime, the weather may be dramatically different because of climate change. The past five years have already been the hottest ...
Climate change: World heading for warmest decade, says Met Office
The world is in the middle of what is likely to be the warmest 10 years since records began in 1850, say scientists. The Met Office is forecasting that temperatures ...
Polar vortex grips the Midwest in a deep and dangerous freeze
Millions across the Midwest experienced a freeze normally reserved for the Arctic Circle on Wednesday as temperatures dropped to nearly 50 degrees below zero.
Extreme weather shatters records around the world
It's only one month into 2019 and meteorologists are already talking in superlatives as extreme weather patterns have brought cities and towns across the globe to a standstill.
Australia's extreme heat is sign of things to come, scientists warn
Hottest month ever shows temperatures rising faster than predicted, say climate experts.
Extreme Weather Is Already Breaking Records Around The World In 2019
Temperatures dipped to -38 degrees in Minnesota as Australia battled a heat wave that topped 115 degrees.
This Is Why Global Warming Is Responsible For Freezing Temperatures Across The U.S.
Weather isn't climate. The President isn't a scientist. And physics is still real.
Volcanic Activity
Mountains rumbling: Five most active volcanoes in the archipelago
The eruption of little-known volcano Mount Karangetang in Siau Island, North Sulawesi, has added to the list of active volcanoes that have recently awakened in the archipelago, home to more than 230 million people.
Revising the history of big, climate-altering volcanic eruptions
Researchers have developed a new isotopic method to analyze the recent history of large stratospheric volcanic eruptions, using 2,600 years' worth of records contained in ice cores from Antarctica.
Thirsty mantle: Subduction zones swallow more water than thought
A new study peering beneath the Mariana Trench in the Western Pacific has revealed that some subduction zones might pull significantly more water into Earth’s interior than previously thought.
Five explosive things the 2018 eruption taught us about Kilauea
Kilauea's 2018 eruption allowed volcanologists a clear window into the processes that have shaped and influenced the world's most watched volcano.
Before-and-after photos from space show the collapse of the Indonesian volcano that caused a deadly tsunami
In December, a section of the Anak Krakatau crater collapsed into the ocean, causing a tsunami. These images show what the volcano looks like now.
Wildfires
Will the government shutdown make it difficult to suppress wildfires?
Today the wildfire danger was “elevated” or “critical” in parts of New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas according to the National Weather *Service's* Storm Prediction ...
Government Shutdown Adversely Affects Workers Fighting Wildfires
Steve Inskeep talks to Scott Gorman and Sarah Barnes, a husband and wife who have had to make difficult decisions for their family as a result of the government shutdown.f the ...
Landslides
Death Toll From Indonesia Landslide Climbs to 17
A weeklong, round-the-clock search for victims of a landslide that may have buried dozens of miners in Indonesia is still underway...
Peru: Deadly floods and landslides hit Huancavelica
Two more people have been killed in a landslide in Peru, bringing to at least 50 the number of people who have died since the rainy season started in September, according to the Centre for National Emergency Operations.
More extreme coastal weather events likely to increase bluff erosion, landslide activity
Unstable slopes on Oregon's coastline could see a 30 percent jump in landslide movements if extreme storms become frequent enough to increase seacliff erosion by 10 percent, a new study by Oregon State University shows.
Varying Impact of Earthquake- and Monsoon-Induced Landslides
Using nearly 50 years of satellite data and records stretching back millennia, scientists determine the relative frequency and the erosional power of the monsoon- and earthquake-induced landslides in Nepal.
California's Big Sur's $54 Million 'Catastrophic Landslide' a Result of Drought Followed by Deluge, Scientists Say
A $54 million catastrophic landslide near Big Sur, California, was the result of heavy rains that came on the heels of a five-year drought, scientists say.
Major London train route closed until the weekend by a 400 tonne landslip
A major train route into London has been closed until the weekend after 400 tonnes of soil and trees slid onto the track.
Floods
Australian flooding kills 500,000 cattle (Video)
Devastating floods, following seven years of drought, have killed half a million cattle in Queensland, Australia.
River swells to 37 miles wide in 'once-in-a-century' floods in Queensland, Australia
The waters force thousands to flee, as well as closing airports and schools and leaving cars and houses submerged.
World's Driest Desert Floods as Extreme Weather Events Rise
The world's driest desert is flooding and some of the planet's wettest woodlands are burning. Welcome to summer in Chile. Rains high up in the Andes ...
Thousands of Syrian children at risk as flooding hits refugee camps
More than 11,000 children living in camps in northern Syria have been affected by torrential rains that have caused floods and washed away tents.

"Environmental Hazards Newsletter - Oct / Nov 2019" 23rd Nov 2019

The most prominent coverage from around the world in recent weeks has discussed the impact of climate change on the planet’s environments and ecosystems and on its links with the devastating wildfires that have once again ravaged California and Australia. In this edition we also bring focus to the growing threat of Hurricanes and Cyclones, and how these events are allegedly fuelled by mutating climatic conditions. We hope you’ll enjoy the read and don’t forget that you can access daily coverage discussing environmental hazards that are affecting our planet in our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hazardsnews

Extreme Temperatures
A Scary Year for Climate Change
Scientists’ warnings about climate change have intensified over the past 12 months. Will world leaders finally listen?
Climate crisis opportunity: Making money on the road to hell
Extreme weather events are reinforcing the urgency. In Alaska, more than 90% of days were warmer than normal in 2019, bushfires are raging in Australia and cyclones and floods hit parts of Africa that are not accustomed to extreme weather
Stalled weather patterns will get bigger due to climate change: Relationship between jet stream, atmospheric blocking events
Climate change will increase the size of stalled high-pressure systems that can cause heatwaves, droughts and other extreme weather, according to a new study.
Photos from space reveal what climate change looks like, from melting Arctic ice to rampant California fires
In 2019 alone, satellites captured images of the northeastern US ravaged by a polar vortex event, Europe's back-to-back deadly heat waves, and wildfires that spread through California as well as parts of Russia, Greenland, and Canada. Photos from space also show how Antarctic and Arctic glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates: The extent of Arctic sea is currently the second smallest it has been since 1979.
Climate change isn’t just about extreme weather. Entire ecosystems are collapsing.
As fires rage on land, a massive ecosystem just off California’s northern coast that has buoyed a thriving fishing industry has collapsed. It’s an example of a much larger, potentially more ominous climate change story: the ongoing collapse of our planet’s biodiversity.
1.5 million more people may die in India by 2100 due to extreme heat by climate change: Study
Around 1.5 million more people may die in India each year due to extreme heat by 2100, a new study has found. The study conducted by Tata Centre for Development (TCD) at the University of Chicago, USA, which was released at UChicago Centre here on Thursday, said that continued high emissions of greenhouse gases are projected to lead to a four degree celsius rise in average annual temperature in India by 2100.
Climate change reinforces inequalities - even in developed countries
Climate change exacerbates inequalities, not only in poor, developing countries, but also in industrialized, wealthy ones. The poor should be given special importance when planning, experts say
El Niño weather events are about to become more extreme thanks to climate change, study says
Climate change will cause El Niños to be stronger, a new study suggests.
Hurricanes and Cyclones
A new paper concludes that hurricane damage is increasing
Hurricanes are fed by warm ocean waters, so it's expected that we'll see larger, more dangerous storms as the planet continues to heat up due to climate change.
Hagibis storm intensifies and becomes strongest on Earth
Haitian Migrants, Devastated by Dorian, Face Deportation From Bahamas
More than 100 Haitian migrants were deported on Thursday, six weeks after Hurricane Dorian leveled Abaco and Grand Bahama in the northern Bahamas with a devastating wallop that struck the Haitian community especially hard.
NASA Smallsats Can Aid Hurricane Forecasts with GPS
Eight briefcase-size satellites flying in a row may be key to improving forecasts of a hurricane's wind speed - detecting whether it will make landfall as a Category 1 or a Category 5.
Earthquakes
Research sheds new light on earthquake that killed 9,000 people
A new understanding of a fault that caused a deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2015 that killed nearly 9,000 people, injured 22,000 and destroyed 600,000 homes in Gorkha, Nepal, can help scientists better understand where and when the next big one will hit.
Haiti and the failed promise of US aid
After an earthquake struck in 2010, the US pledged to help rebuild the Caribbean country. A decade later, nothing better symbolises the failure of these efforts than the story of a new port that was promised, but never built.
Drones reveal earthquake hazards hidden in the abyss
a team led by David Chadwell, a geophysicist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego, California, has found a way to cut costs by replacing the expensive GPS equipped ships with ocean-going drones.
Distinguishing earthquake foreshocks and aftershocks
The results of a study recently published in Nature by Laura Gulia and Stefan Wiemer from the Swiss Seismological Service (SED) at ETH Zurich awaken hopes that we will soon be able to predict whether a powerful earthquake is likely to be followed by one of even greater magnitude.
Southeastern France rocked by 5.4-magnitude earthquake
An unusually strong earthquake hit southeastern France on Monday, seriously injuring at least one person, authorities said.
Thailand earthquake: High rise buildings sway as quake hits Bangkok and Laos
Powerful Earthquake Shakes Northern Thailand and Rattles BangkokThe New York Times500 year old temple shaken in Nan earthquake this morningThe ThaigerEarthquake shakes Thailand, Laos, sways Bangkok high-risesThe Washington PostStrong earthquake strikes near Thai-Laos borderreuters.comView full coverage on Google News
Iran earthquake: 'significant casualties likely' after 5.9 tremor hits north-west
Five die, 120 injured when the shallow quake struck near the town of Hastrud, 500km north-west of Tehran just before 2.30 am
Indonesia issues tsunami alert following 7.1 magnitude earthquake
Indonesia issued a tsunami alert after a powerful earthquake struck in the sea near the Moluccas, prompting panicked islanders to flee to higher ground, according to residents and a media report
Third Strong Earthquake This Month Jolts Philippines
The third strong earthquake this month jolted the southern Philippines, further damaging structures already weakened by the earlier shaking.
Pakistan: Magnitude 5.2 earthquake hits various parts of country
A moderate earthquake measuring 5.2 magnitude on the Richter scale hit various parts of the country including Peshawar,Chitral, Malakand, Swat, Mardan, Islamabad, Abbottabad. No damage and causalities have been reported.
Volcanic Activity
The largest known volcano in the world has been discovered in the Philippine Sea
It's official, the Philippines has the earth's largest known caldera. In a recently-published study, titled "Benham Rise unveiled: Morphology and structure of an Eocene large igneous province in the West Philippine Basin," a group of marine geophysicists found the seismically active underwater region in the Philippine Sea.
NASA mission explores Santorini’s submerged volcano with Greek and Australian participation
A NASA-funded oceanographic seabed survey of the submerged Columbus volcano of Santorini was launched on Wednesday night at the port of Lavrion. The international mission has the participation of 30 scientists from the US, Greece, Australia and Germany, who will research the submarine volcano located seven kilometers northeast of Santorini.
Unlocking the Secrets of Explosive Volcanism for Better Eruption Prediction
Examination of samples from Indonesia’s Mount Merapi show that the explosivity of stratovolcanoes rises when mineral-rich gases seal the pores and microcracks in the uppermost layers of stone. These findings result in new possibilities for the prediction of an eruption.
Africa is Splitting in Two, Creating Dozens of Volcanoes
The process of rifting in Africa means that the continent is slowly breaking apart and with that comes lots of volcanoes, some with the potential for massive explosive eruptions
Indoneisa's most active volcano erupts, sending plumes of ash 3,000 feet into the air
Mount Merapi erupted at 10.46 a.m. local time, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPNP) said. The eruption lasted for 155 seconds, according to the agency.
White Island's volcanic alert level raised to two
An increase in volcanic activity has led to a rise in White Island/Whakaari's alert level. The island now has an alert level of two, with an aviation colour code of yellow.
Volcanic eruption creates new island in Tongan archipelago
An undersea volcanic eruption in the Tongan archipelago has sunk one island and created another one that is three times larger, according to Taaniela Kula, of the Tonga Geological Service
After epic volcano eruption, Hawaii’s national park is rebuilding
Visitors of the National Park near Kilauea volcano can now easily witness the resulting dramatic transformation of the park’s summit area, and return to most of the previously closed sites
Watching this volcano erupt from space is absolutely epic
NASA astronauts were treated to an amazing sight this past summer when the Raikoke Volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Eastern Russia erupted into a massive cloud of dark smoke
Wildfires
California wildfires signal the arrival of a planetary fire age
The transition to a fossil fuel civilization affects how people in industrial societies live on the land and what kind of fire practices they adopt.
Australia Wildfire Map: Homes Destroyed As About 150 Fires Burn in New South Wales, Queensland
The wildfire threat in Australia's New South Wales (NSW) could be catastrophic, and with about 150 fires burning in both that state and Queensland, officials said flames still posed a risk to residents.
Scientists disprove Bolsonaro government claim devastating Amazon wildfires had nothing to do with deforestation
Fires raging across the Amazon this summer were not “normal” new research shows, counteracting claims made by the Brazilian government that they were “below the historical average”.
Brazil wildfires: Blaze advances across Pantanal wetlands
A 50 kilometre-long (31 mile) wildfire is advancing across Brazil's Pantanal wetlands.
Landslides
The landslide laboratory
n Taiwan, Taroko National Park, famous for a precipitous marble gorge that cuts through it, is in a futile fight with gravity. The scars of at least a dozen landslides punctuate the view in all directions. Maintenance crews are perpetually spraying concrete on slopes in a last-ditch effort to stabilize them
A country notoriously prone to landslides
The collapse of Highland Towers in Ulu Klang, Selangor in December 1993 is one of the most tragic in Malaysia's history of landslides.
The mountain valley 'one landslide away' from radioactive catastrophe
Decades-old uranium stockpiles are threatening the water supply of millions of people in the mountainous peaks of Kyrgyzstan - prompting an urgent call for help to prevent a radioactive catastrophe.
Dozens killed in Cameroon landslide
At least 42 people were killed after their houses were swept away Tuesday in a landslide caused by torrential rain in the western Cameroon city of Bafoussam, state media reported, showing images of rescuers desperately sifting through rubble for survivors.
Rescuers hunt for missing as landslides, floods kill 10 in Japan
Rescuers worked by hand to clear debris from a landslide triggered by heavy rains in central Japan, as the toll from the storms rose to 10 dead with a further three people reportedly missing.
Floods
‘We have nothing’: Somalia floods raise spectre of famine
Communities already hit by war and drought face fresh disaster as 370,000 are forced from homes
Venice floods: Race to save art as 70% of Lagoon city submerged by floods
St Mark's Square was closed to tourists as it was covered in knee-high water, while shops and hotels were submerged
UK weather: More rain falls overnight as floods force 1,200 homes to evacuate
The Environment Agency said around 830 properties have been flooded, with homes evacuated in Bentley and Fishlake, near Doncaster.

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