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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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16 people have been killed and 140 injured after a lightning hit Seventh-Day Adventist church in Rwanda on Saturday, March 10, 2018.
The incident occurred in the town of Gihemvu in mountainous Nyaruguru District in the Southern Province, killing 14 victims on the spot. Two others died later from their injuries, local mayor Habitegeko Francois said.

Francois said that 140 people had been rushed to the hospital and district health centers.

"Doctors say that only three of them are in critical condition but they are getting better," he said.

According to the mayor, a similar accident took place on Friday, March 9 when lightning struck a group of 18 students, killing one of them.

The deadly church incident comes less than two weeks after the closure of more than 700 Rwandan churches for failing to comply with building regulations and for noise pollution, BBS reported.

Lightning strikes are frequent across mountainous Rwanda. In 2016, lightning killed 30 people, injured 61 and killed 48 livestock, the most recent year with full figures, according to Rwanda's Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs.

Featured image credit: Richard Hurd (Flickr)

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Single lightning strike kills 16, injures 140 in Rwanda

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16 people have been killed and 140 injured after a lightning hit Seventh-Day Adventist church in Rwanda on Saturday, March 10, 2018. The incident occurred in the town of Gihemvu in mountainous Nyaruguru District in the Southern Province, killing 14 v...

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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A new low will form off the Southeast Coast by Monday morning and bring a multitude of hazards to the Mid-Atlantic and New England through Tuesday, including snow, minor coastal flooding and the potential for strong winds. This will be the third nor'easter to hit the region in 10 days. Its track is still uncertain and any small change can drastically change the forecast.
An evolving storm system over the south-central United States on Sunday, March 11 will be the main weather story through early Tuesday, NWS forecaster David Hamrick said.

A surface low over the Deep South is forecast to become better organized as a shortwave disturbance approaches from the western High Plains. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to be widespread across most of the southeast US as deep moisture from the Gulf of Mexico surges northward and interacts with a warm front.

Some areas from Mississippi to southern Georgia could get 25 mm (1 inch) or more of rainfall through Monday, and there is also a slight risk for severe thunderstorms over the central Gulf Coast region.

By Monday morning, a new surface low is forecast to develop near the southeast coast and become a nor'easter as it intensifies and moves toward the northeast, Hamrick said.

There is still some uncertainty on the future track of this storm and thus the direct impacts it will have from the Mid-Atlantic to New England.

The best prospects for accumulating snow will be for the southern and central Appalachians and interior portions of New England. If the nor'easter tracks closer to the coast, then high winds and coastal flooding will be an issue.

"The storm is expected to rapidly strengthen Monday night into Tuesday, potentially undergoing bombogenesis," said Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

While the strongest and most damaging winds should remain offshore, the storm is still anticipated to track close enough to threaten the coast with gusty winds and coastal flooding and spread disruptive snow from the southern mid-Atlantic to New England, Pydynowski added.

As the storm tracks to the coast, snow or rain changing to snow is expected to unfold from Kentucky to Virginia and North Carolina Sunday night into Monday.

Several inches of snow may accumulate across central Kentucky, southwestern Virginia and the northern mountains of North Carolina. Motorists planning to travel on interstates 64, 77 and 81 on Monday morning can face reduced visibility and slick travel.

Parents should prepare for possible school delays or cancellations.

Featured image credit: TropicalTidbits.com

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Third nor'easter: A multitude of hazards expected from Mid-Atlantic to New England

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A new low will form off the Southeast Coast by Monday morning and bring a multitude of hazards to the Mid-Atlantic and New England through Tuesday, including snow, minor coastal flooding and the potential for strong winds. This will be the third nor&...

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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The storm wreaked havoc in 24 provinces this week, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said. 14 of them are in the country's Northeast, 4 in North, 2 in Central Plains, 2 in the eastern region and two others in the South.

Strong winds damaged 1 239 houses and structures in 189 villages and 57 districts within 5 days, brought down trees and electricity poles, blocking roads and causing widespread power outages.

One person, a 46-year-old man was killed in his shelter after it was hit by a lightning in Chachoengsao's Tha Takiab district on Wednesday, March 7, according to the Bangkok Post.

At least one tornado was spotted in Amphoe Muang, Sakon Nakhon on Friday, March 9. It was recorded by Anuchit Kanchana:

Severe weather is expected to continue across the upper part of the country today, as well as in the Northeast, Central Plains, Bangkok and nearby provinces.

Featured image: Tornado in Sakon Nakhon on Friday, March 9, 2018. Credit: Anuchit Kanchana.

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Deadly thunderstorm, tornado hits Thailand

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At least one person was killed this week in Thailand as intense thunderstorms swept across the country. The storm wreaked havoc in 24 provinces this week, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said. 14 of them are in the country's ...

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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A major flooding is affecting the North Tropical Coast of Queensland, Australia following four straight days of heavy rain. This flood situation has seen communities isolated, schools closed and highways cut, with overall flood impacts comparable to the February 2009 flood event.
A disaster situation has been declared and evacuations ordered following flooding across north Queensland. A record major flood in the Murray River at Murray Flats was expected to peak possibly around 9 m (29.5 feet) during Friday afternoon, March 9, 2018, BOM Senior Meteorologist Adam Morgan said. At the same time, levels on the Tully River at Euramo were expected to reach close to the major flood level.

The main focus yesterday was on the Herbert River. "The flood peak is currently around Ingham Pump Station and major flood levels are around 14.7 m (48.2 miles). A major flood peak similar to the February 2009 floods is expected at Ingham during Friday afternoon."

More than 200 homes were flooded the town and flood waters are now starting to recede.

See #Ingham from above! #flooding #Northqld #Townsville #qldweather video via Tracey Castles pic.twitter.com/wNyDEDxgAe
- Andrew Backhouse (@Andytwit123) March 9, 2018

The highest rainfall in the 24 hours to 09:00 local time Friday, March 10 was 409 mm (16.1 inches) at Kirrama Range.

Over the past four days (ending March 9), 853 mm (33.6 inches) was registered at Bulgun Creek, with widespread totals in the range of 500 to 700 mm (19.7 - 27.5 inches). 621 mm (24.4 inches) fell at Tully, 403 mm (15.8 inches) at Innisfail and 322 mm (12.7 inches) at Cairns Racecourse. 973 mm (38.3 inches) fell inland of Babinda over the past 4 days to 09:00 local time today. Boulders, south of Cairns, received 1 009 mm (39.7 inches) in the seven days to 09:00 local time Saturday, March 10.

"What's unique this time around too is that very heavy rain extended further inland from the coast than we'd normally see in these situation, which means stronger flood peaks in through the upper reaches of many river systems," Morgan said.

"Although showers will continue along the coast into early next week, the heavy rain should gradually clear south of about Cairns by the end of Friday night," he said. "That doesn't mean the flood threat is over yet though, as flood peaks gradually progress downstream though river systems towards the coast."

The monsoon trough will gradually move into the northern Gulf of Carpentaria by Sunday, March 11, but compared to earlier this week, any significant development of this low now looks to be pushed back a little into early next week.

Conditions in the atmosphere do still look favorable for the potential development of a tropical cyclone next week. This system could bring more rain to already saturated ground, regardless whether it forms a cyclone.

Queensland flood - 3/2018

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the full extent of the damage would not be known for weeks, but that flooding would have a detrimental impact on banana and sugar cane crops, and the aquaculture industry.

"We will get the full assessments over the next few weeks about the impact on the economy and I think everyone should spare a thought for the farmers who are going to feel a huge impact," she said.

Featured image: Floods at Ingham, Queensland - March 2018. Credit: Tracey Castles

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Major flooding hits Queensland, comparable to 2009 flood event

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A major flooding is affecting the North Tropical Coast of Queensland, Australia following four straight days of heavy rain. This flood situation has seen communities isolated, schools closed and highways cut, with overall flood impacts comparable to the February 2009 flood event. A disaster situation has been declared and evacuations ordered following flooding across north Queensland.

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued new warnings for Shinmoedake volcano in Kyushu following a series of explosive eruptions on Friday, March 9, 2018. Explosive eruptions continued into March 10.
A worker from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology involved in an on-site inspection of Kirishimayama's Shinmoedake crater informed the JMA that lava could be seen flowing from the northwest section of the mountain's crater at 01:10 UTC, March 9 (10:10 JST). The agency later confirmed that lava is flowing over the northwestern side of the volcano.

JMA officials said large volcanic explosions on Friday and Saturday launched large rocks as far as 1.8 km (1.1 miles) from the crater. Ash rose up to 6 km (20 000 feet) above sea level or 4.5 km above the crater, highest since March 1.

In light of this new development, JMA expended its advisory for the Shinmoedake crater for flying rocks from 3 to 4 km (2.5 miles) of the crater, but the Alert Level remains at 3 - people should keep away from the mountain.

The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan said March 9 that lava dome now measures around 650 m (2 132 feet) in diameter, up from about 550 m (1 804 feet) on March 7.

JMA's Fukuoka Regional Headquarters said the latest eruption has striking similarities to one in 2011 and estimates that the volcanic activity will continue for several months.

March 9 and 10, 2018

March 8, 2018

March 7, 2018

Live imagery at http://kirishima-live.jpn.org/

Geological summary

Kirishimayama is a large group of more than 20 Quaternary volcanoes located north of Kagoshima Bay. The late-Pleistocene to Holocene dominantly andesitic group consists of stratovolcanoes, pyroclastic cones, maars, and underlying shield volcanoes located over an area of 20 x 30 km (12.4 - 18.6 miles). The larger stratovolcanoes are scattered throughout the field, with the centrally located, 1700-m-high (5 577 feet) Karakunidake being the highest.

Onamiike and Miike, the two largest maars, are located SW of Karakunidake and at its far eastern end, respectively. Holocene eruptions have been concentrated along an E-W line of vents from Miike to Ohachi, and at Shinmoedake to the NE. Frequent small-to-moderate explosive eruptions have been recorded since the 8 th century. (GVP)

Featured image: Shinmoedake erupting on March 9, 2018. Image copyright: TN

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Large explosive eruptions at Mount Shinmoedake, lava flow observed

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The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued new warnings for Shinmoedake volcano in Kyushu following a series of explosive eruptions on Friday, March 9, 2018. Explosive eruptions continued into March 10.

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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The Peruvian government declared a state of emergency for the district of Llusco in the department of Cusco last week after a massive slow-moving landslide destroyed over 100 homes and other structures. There are no reports of injuries and IGP said such events are common in this mountainous region after very heavy rains.
Residents of the town of Lutto in the district of Llusco first reported the event on February 23, after very heavy rains hit the region.

The president of the Peru Geophysical Institute (IGP), Hernando Tavera, said that the landslide was caused by a saturation of water in the earth and not by an earthquake.

The town of Lutto is situated at the bottom of a slope in a mountainous area. See the map at the end of the article.

"Over 30 hectares [74 acres] of earth has moved, causing widespread alarm among residents," Tavera said.

More than 100 homes were destroyed, a school, a clinic, and numerous fields and roads.

The state of emergency will last 60 days, with the aim of bringing aid to hundreds of displaced.

Approximate location of the landslide area

Featured image: Destroyed houses after a slow-moving landslide in Peruvian Andes - February/March 2018. Credit: Corazón ANTABAMBINO

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State of emergency after landslide destroys over 100 homes, Peru

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The Peruvian government declared a state of emergency for the district of Llusco in the department of Cusco last week after a massive slow-moving landslide destroyed over 100 homes and other structures. There are no reports of injuries and IGP said s...

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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A very bright explosion, believed to be produced by a minivan-sized bolide, lit up the night sky over British Columbia, Washington and Oregon around 03:15 UTC, March 8, 2018 (19:15 PST, March 7). The event lasted several seconds and ended up in a bright flash followed by a sonic boom.
The American Meteor Society (AMS) received only 11 reports, but the event is believed to be seen by thousands of people. 5 people reported sonic boom associated with the event.

Local media said some people said they heard a loud rumbling sound that lasted for several minutes.

Dr. Marc Fries of NASA's Johnson Space Center said the meteor appeared to travel northwest over Washington and landed about 22.5 km (14 miles) off the coast.

Credit: AMS

"Really large meteors are called fireballs," he said. "Really large fireballs are called bolides... This was a bolide roughly the size of a minivan."

Fries said that the object was tracked with seismographs, weather satellites and other NASA equipment, some registering readings as far away as Manitoba, Canada.

"This was one of the largest bolides produced in the past 20 years," Fries said.

Featured image: Very bright fireball explodes over Washington on March 8, 2018. Credit: Trina P.

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Bright flash, sonic boom as minivan-sized bolide explodes over Washington

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A very bright explosion, believed to be produced by a minivan-sized bolide, lit up the night sky over British Columbia, Washington and Oregon around 03:15 UTC, March 8, 2018 (19:15 PST, March 7). The event lasted several seconds and ended up in a bri...

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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Scientists from the University of Rochester used new data from sites in southern Africa to help explain recent and ongoing changes in Earth's magnetic field, best expressed by a deepening area of low field called the South Atlantic Anomaly. Their research extended the record of Earth's magnetic field back thousands of years to the first millennium.
The strength of Earth's magnetic field has been decreasing at an alarming rate for the past 160 years. The region where it is weakest, and continuing to weaken, is a large area stretching from Chile to Zimbabwe called the South Atlantic Anomaly.

"We've known for quite some time that the magnetic field has been changing, but we didn't really know if this was unusual for this region on a longer timescale, or whether it was normal," says Vincent Hare, lead author of the new open access paper published in Geophysical Research Letters say.

In order to put these relatively recent changes into historical perspective, Rochester researchers led by professor John Tarduno gathered data from sites in southern Africa, which is within the South Atlantic Anomaly, to compile a record of Earth's magnetic field strength over many centuries.

Data previously collected by Tarduno and research scientist Rory Cottrell, together with theoretical models developed by Eric Blackman, a professor of physics and astronomy at Rochester, suggest the core region beneath southern Africa may be the birthplace of recent and future pole reversals.

"We were looking for the recurrent behavior of anomalies because we think that's what is happening today and causing the South Atlantic Anomaly," Tarduno says. "We found evidence that these anomalies have happened in the past, and this helps us contextualize the current changes in the magnetic field."

The researchers discovered that the magnetic field in the region fluctuated from 400 - 450 AD, from 700 - 750 AD, and again from 1225 - 1550 AD. This South Atlantic Anomaly, therefore, is the most recent display of a recurring phenomenon in Earth's core beneath Africa that then affects the entire globe.

"We're getting stronger evidence that there's something unusual about the core-mantle boundary under Africa that could be having an important impact on the global magnetic field," Tarduno says.

Seismological data has revealed a denser region deep beneath southern Africa called the African Large Low Shear Velocity Province. The region is located right above the boundary between the hot liquid outer core and the stiffer, cooler mantle. Sitting on top of the liquid outer core, it may sink slightly, disturbing the flow of iron and ultimately affecting Earth's magnetic field.

Comparison of Southern Africa paleomagnetic and archeomagnetic data of this study, combined with the data of Neukirch et al. (2012) and Tarduno et al. (2015), to the predicted geomagnetic field of five published field models. Paleomagnetic/archeomagnetic and field model predicted directions are reduced to a common site location (Mapungubwe: 22.212°S, 29.387°E). Color scale denotes age of data and corresponding model age values. Curve connecting site data is drawn for visual aid. (a) Stereonet projection of predicted geomagnetic field directions using the A_FM model (Licht et al., 2013) for 400 to 1600 CE and paleomagnetic/archeomagnetic directional data for Southern Africa during that interval. (b) PFM9k geomagnetic field model of Nilsson et al. (2014). (c) CALS3k.4 (Korte & Constable, 2011). (d) ARCH3k.1(MAST) (Korte et al., 2009). (e) SHA_DIF_14 K (Pavón-Carrasco et al., 2014). (f) Ratio of quadrupole to dipole energy components (〈Q〉/〈D〉) evolution over time using three geomagnetic field models (following Gallet et al. (2009)). Red dashed line: ARCH3k.1(MAST) (Korte et al., 2009); blue dashed line: A_FM (Licht et al., 2013); green dashed line: SHA_DIF_14 K (Pavón-Carrasco et al., 2014). Arrows show periods of archeomagnetic jerks in the archeointensity record (Gallet et al., 2009). Thick black bars show rates for changes of field direction observed in the paleomagnetic/archeomagnetic data for Southern Africa. Arrows are times of geomagnetic jerks as proposed by Gallet et al. (2009). Credit: Hare et al.

A major change in the magnetic field would have wide-reaching ramifications. Because the magnetic field stimulates currents in anything with long wires, including the electrical grid, changes in the magnetic field could cause navigation system malfunctions, satellite breakdowns and electrical grid failures, which, depending on the severity and how long we stay without electricity, could lead to a catastrophic cascading event and rapid civilization collapse. A weakening of the magnetic field also allows more cosmic radiation to reach Earth, affecting planet's climate system as well as human health.

Hare and Tarduno warn, however, that their data does not necessarily portend a complete pole reversal.

"We now know this unusual behavior has occurred at least a couple of times before the past 160 years, and is part of a bigger long-term pattern," Hare says. "However, it's simply too early to say for certain whether this behavior will lead to a full pole reversal."

New Archeomagnetic Directional Records From Iron Age Southern Africa (ca. 425-1550 CE) and Implications for the South Atlantic Anomaly - Vincent J. Hare, John A. Tarduno, Thomas Huffman, Michael Watkeys, Phenyo C. Thebe, Munyaradzi Manyanga, Richard K. Bono, Rory D. Cottrell - OPEN ACCESS - Geophysical Research Letters - DOI: 10.1002/2017GL076007

New data helps explain recent fluctuations in Earth's magnetic field - University of Rochester (source)

Even if a complete pole reversal is not in the near future, however, the weakening of the magnetic field strength is intriguing to scientists, Tarduno says. "The possibility of a continued decay in the strength of the magnetic field is a societal concern that merits continued study and monitoring."

References

Featured image: Lac Léman Summer Evening. Credit: PiConsti

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Research helps explain ongoing changes in geomagnetic field

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Scientists from the University of Rochester used new data from sites in southern Africa to help explain recent and ongoing changes in Earth's magnetic field, best expressed by a deepening area of low field called the South Atlantic Anomaly. Their...

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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At 09:00 UTC today, the center of Tropical Cyclone "Hola" was located approximately 300 km (187 miles) W of Port Vila, Vanuatu and 507 km (315 miles) N of Noumea, New Caledonia and has tracked SSW at 7 km/h (4.6 mph) over the past six hours. Its maximum sustained winds were 175 km/h (109 mph) with gusts to 213 km/h (132 mph).

This made Hola a Category 4 tropical cyclone on the Fiji intensity scale or a Category 2 hurricane equivalent in the Atlantic.

Tropical Cyclone "Hola" RSMC Nadi forecast track at 07:24 UTC on March 8, 2018

Animated multispectral satellite imagery depicts a small but well defined tropical cyclone with a small eye, JTWC noted 09:00 UTC today.

Although hola is experiencing moderate vertical wind shear, it is benefiting from good equatorward outflow, excellent poleward outflow and favorable sea surface temperatures (29 - 30 °C / 84 - 86 °F).

Hola is expected to track southeastward along the periphery of subtropical ridge located to the east. In the short term, the system will continue to increase in intensity, reaching a peak intensity of 222 km/h (138 mph) by 09:00 UTC, March 9 before beginning to weaken. By 09:00 UTC on March 11, Hola will begin extratropical transition and complete it by 09:00 UTC, March 12.

Tropical Cyclone "Hola" at 10:50 UTC, March 8, 2018. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8

Tropical Cyclone "Hola" JTWC forecast track at 09:00 UTC on March 8, 2018

Dynamic model guidance remains in good agreement over the next 48 hours and calls for a direct hit to Loyalty Islands (population 18 000) as extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane equivalent.

By the time Hola reaches the islands on March 9, it is expected to have winds of 222 km/h (138 mph) and gusts to 259 km/h (161 mph), strong enough to cause catastrophic damage.

Potential damage: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.

Along with powerful winds, Hola is bringing very heavy rain, raising the threat of floods.

The two animations below show ECMWF wind gust and precipitation model:

Hola, or what's left of it, is expected to reach North Island, New Zealand on March 12, bringing heavy rain and damaging winds.

Update

Animated multispectral satellite imagery shows that the convection associated with Tropical Cyclone "Hola" is gradually weakening in intensity, JTWC noted 09:00 UTC on March 9.

The majority of the convection is located to the southeast of the low level circulation center as a result of increasing vertical wind shear.

At the time, Hola's maximum sustained winds were 148 km/h (92 mph) with gusts to 185 km/h (115 mph).

As hola tracks southeastward it will encounter deteriorating environmental conditions which will lead to a decrease in intensity. Hola is expected to begin its extratropical transition by 21:00 UTC, March 10 and complete it by 09:00 UTC, March 12.

"All dynamic model guidance indicates a general southeastward track but there remains a large spread among the consensus members. Therefore, there is a low confidence in the JTWC forecast track," the center said.

Featured image: Tropical Cyclone Hola at 10:50 UTC on March 8, 2018. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8

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Tropical Cyclone "Hola" heading toward Loyalty Islands

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At 09:00 UTC today, the center of Tropical Cyclone "Hola" was located approximately 300 km (187 miles) W of Port Vila, Vanuatu and 507 km (315 miles) N of Noumea, New Caledonia and has tracked SSW at 7 km/h (4.6 mph) over the past six hours.

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.8 hit near the coast of New Ireland, Papua New Guinea at 17:39 UTC on March 8, 2018. The agency is reporting a depth of 15.2 km (9.4 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.8 at a depth of 30 km (18.6 miles). This earthquake is expected to have a low humanitarian impact based on the magnitude and the affected population and their vulnerability.
According to the USGS, the epicenter was located 104 km (64.8 miles) E of Kokopo (population 26 273) and 331 km (206 miles) NW of Arawa (population 40 266).

There are about 65 000 living within 100 km (62 miles) and 6 300 within 50 km (31 miles).

Based on all available data, there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake, PTWC said.

The USGS issued a green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.

Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are mud wall and informal (metal, timber, GI etc.) construction.

Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.

The epicenter of this quake is located 1 180 km (733 miles) E of February 25, 2018 M7.5 earthquake.

M7.5 February 25 location vs M6.8 March 8, 2018. Credit: Google, USGS, TW

Estimated population to earthquake shaking

Regional seismicity

Seismotectonics of the New Guinea region and vicinity

The Australia-Pacific plate boundary is over 4000 km long on the northern margin, from the Sunda (Java) trench in the west to the Solomon Islands in the east. The eastern section is over 2300 km long, extending west from northeast of the Australian continent and the Coral Sea until it intersects the east coast of Papua New Guinea. The boundary is dominated by the general northward subduction of the Australia plate.

Along the South Solomon trench, the Australia plate converges with the Pacific plate at a rate of approximately 95 mm/yr towards the east-northeast. Seismicity along the trench is dominantly related to subduction tectonics and large earthquakes are common: there have been 13 M7.5+ earthquakes recorded since 1900. On April 1, 2007, a M8.1 interplate megathrust earthquake occurred at the western end of the trench, generating a tsunami and killing at least 40 people. This was the third M8.1 megathrust event associated with this subduction zone in the past century; the other two occurred in 1939 and 1977.

Further east at the New Britain trench, the relative motions of several microplates surrounding the Australia-Pacific boundary, including north-south oriented seafloor spreading in the Woodlark Basin south of the Solomon Islands, maintain the general northward subduction of Australia-affiliated lithosphere beneath Pacific-affiliated lithosphere. Most of the large and great earthquakes east of New Guinea are related to this subduction; such earthquakes are particularly concentrated at the cusp of the trench south of New Ireland. 33 M7.5+ earthquakes have been recorded since 1900, including three shallow thrust fault M8.1 events in 1906, 1919, and 2007.

The western end of the Australia-Pacific plate boundary is perhaps the most complex portion of this boundary, extending 2000 km from Indonesia and the Banda Sea to eastern New Guinea. The boundary is dominantly convergent along an arc-continent collision segment spanning the width of New Guinea, but the regions near the edges of the impinging Australia continental margin also include relatively short segments of extensional, strike-slip and convergent deformation. The dominant convergence is accommodated by shortening and uplift across a 250-350 km-wide band of northern New Guinea, as well as by slow southward-verging subduction of the Pacific plate north of New Guinea at the New Guinea trench. Here, the Australia-Pacific plate relative velocity is approximately 110 mm/yr towards the northeast, leading to the 2-8 mm/yr uplift of the New Guinea Highlands.

Whereas the northern band of deformation is relatively diffuse east of the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border, in western New Guinea there are at least two small (<100,000 km²) blocks of relatively undeformed lithosphere. The westernmost of these is the Birds Head Peninsula microplate in Indonesia's West Papua province, bounded on the south by the Seram trench. The Seram trench was originally interpreted as an extreme bend in the Sunda subduction zone, but is now thought to represent a southward-verging subduction zone between Birds Head and the Banda Sea.

There have been 22 M7.5+ earthquakes recorded in the New Guinea region since 1900. The dominant earthquake mechanisms are thrust and strike slip, associated with the arc-continent collision and the relative motions between numerous local microplates. The largest earthquake in the region was a M8.2 shallow thrust fault event in the northern Papua province of Indonesia that killed 166 people in 1996.

The western portion of the northern Australia plate boundary extends approximately 4800 km from New Guinea to Sumatra and primarily separates Australia from the Eurasia plate, including the Sunda block. This portion is dominantly convergent and includes subduction at the Sunda (Java) trench, and a young arc-continent collision.

In the east, this boundary extends from the Kai Islands to Sumba along the Timor trough, offset from the Sunda trench by 250 km south of Sumba. Contrary to earlier tectonic models in which this trough was interpreted as a subduction feature continuous with the Sunda subduction zone, it is now thought to represent a subsiding deformational feature related to the collision of the Australia plate continental margin and the volcanic arc of the Eurasia plate, initiating in the last 5-8 Myr. Before collision began, the Sunda subduction zone extended eastward to at least the Kai Islands, evidenced by the presence of a northward-dipping zone of seismicity beneath Timor Leste. A more detailed examination of the seismic zone along it's eastern segment reveals a gap in intermediate depth seismicity under Timor and seismic mechanisms that indicate an eastward propagating tear in the descending slab as the negatively buoyant oceanic lithosphere detaches from positively buoyant continental lithosphere. On the surface, GPS measurements indicate that the region around Timor is currently no longer connected to the Eurasia plate, but instead is moving at nearly the same velocity as the Australia plate, another consequence of collision.

Large earthquakes in eastern Indonesia occur frequently but interplate megathrust events related to subduction are rare; this is likely due to the disconnection of the descending oceanic slab from the continental margin. There have been 9 M7.5+ earthquakes recorded from the Kai Islands to Sumba since 1900. The largest was the great Banda Sea earthquake of 1938 (M8.5) an intermediate depth thrust faulting event that did not cause significant loss of life. (USGS)

Featured image credit: USGS

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Strong and shallow M6.8 earthquake hits New Ireland, Papua New Guinea

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A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.8 hit near the coast of New Ireland, Papua New Guinea at 17:39 UTC on March 8, 2018. The agency is reporting a depth of 15.2 km (9.4 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.8 at a depth of 30 km (18.6...

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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Two rare M5 earthquakes hit Mozambique - Malawi border region on March 8, 2018. The first, registered by the USGS as M5.6, hit at 08:49 UTC at a depth of 6.4 km (4 miles) and was followed by M5.2 at 09:52 UTC at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). The M5.6 earthquake is expected to have a medium humanitarian impact based on the magnitude and the affected population and their vulnerability.
According to the USGS, the epicenter was located 25.9 km (16.1 miles) NE of Nsanje (population 21 774) and 80.4 km (49.9 miles) S of Mulanje (population 16 483), Malawi.

There are 3 000 000 people living within 100 km (62 miles) and 8 800 within 5 km (3.1 miles).

Some 22 000 people are estimated to have felt very strong shaking, 63 000 strong, 195 000 moderate and 4 783 000 light.

Malawi media said it was the strongest quake in this region since the sequence of earthquakes that struck Karonga district in 2009 and that it lasted for about 15 seconds.

There are unverified reports of two people sustained minor injuries while trying to run for safety.

Some damage was reported and assessments are underway.

Mozambique is part of the East African Rift System extending south from the Gulf of Aden for more than 3 000 km (1 860 miles).

Though not for long considered completely an earthquake-free country, the preoccupation with seismic hazard was very small - if not at all inexistent - in Mozambique until the seismic events that took place in February 2006.

These events, which peaked with the M7.0 Machaze earthquake of February 23, 2006, showed that the possibility of seismic occurrence in the country is real and should not be lightly put aside.

Since February 2006 there has been an increase in the seismic activity in the region of Machaze, which is located about 500 km (310 miles) north of Maputo and about 200 km (124 miles) from Beira and Chimoio.

This activity was of such intensity that almost 40% of the seismic events registered in the country since 1973 took place throughout 2006.

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

Selected cities exposed

Regional seismicity

Seismotectonics of the East African Rift System

The East African Rift System (EARS) is a 3000 km long Cenozoic age continental rift extending from the Afar Triple Junction between the horn of Africa and the Middle East, to western Mozambique. Segments of active extension occur from the Indian Ocean west to Botswana and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It is the only rift system in the world that is active on a continent-wide scale, providing geologists with a view of how continental rifts develop over time into oceanic spreading centers like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Rifting in East Africa is not all coeval: volcanism and faulting have been an ongoing phenomenon on the continent since the Eocene (~45 Ma). The rifting began in northern East Africa, and led to the separation of the Africa (Nubia) and Arabia plates in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and in the Turkana area at the Kenya-Ethiopia border. A Paleogene mantle superplume beneath East Africa caused extension within the Nubia plate, as well as a first order topographic high known as the African superswell which now includes most of the eastern and southern segments of the Nubia plate. Widespread volcanism erupted onto much of the rising plateau in Ethiopia during the Eocene-Oligocene (45 - 29 Ma), with chains of volcanoes forming along the rift separating Africa and Arabia. Since the initiation of rifting in northeastern Africa, the system has propagated over 3000 km to the south and southwest, and it experiences seismicity as a direct result of the extension, as well as active magmatism.

Today extension and magmatism are localizing in distinct eastern, western, and southwestern branches, marking the edges of two or more microplates between the sub-parallel zones of extension in East Africa. The borders of the microplates (known as Victoria and Rovuma) with the Nubia plate to the west and Somalia plate to the east now represent the most seismically active zones on the continent where normal faulting earthquakes occur on a monthly basis. They are also the sites of volcano-tectonic earthquakes. Along the rift, models of sparse GPS data and earthquake slip vectors predict average spreading rates of 1-4 mm/yr, increasing from north to south in the western branch, and increasing from south to north in the east.

Seismicity in the East Africa Rift is widespread, but displays a distinct pattern. Seismicity is characterized by mainly shallow (< 40 km) normal faults (earthquakes rupturing as a direct result of extension of the crust), and volcano-tectonic earthquakes. The majority of events occur in the 10-25 km depth range. This pattern is widespread throughout the EARS, and the relationship between depth of earthquakes, the deformation of continental lithosphere, and magmatic processes in many segments of the rift.

The three limbs of the Afar triple junction zone experience major earthquakes, as well as frequent volcanic eruptions and dike intrusions. The magnitude of earthquakes during volcano-tectonic events is usually less than M 6, but large volumes of magma accommodating plate opening may occur during these intense, smaller magnitude swarms. The largest earthquakes recorded in this area occurred in a swarm, along a section of the evolving Arabia-Nubia plate boundary in Afar in August 1989. Studies of this earthquake swarm show that the events occurred as a result of slip on conjugate normal faults bounding the narrow Dobi graben. The swarm, made up of 25 M ≥ 4.2 earthquakes, occurred over 48 hours from 11:17 UT August 20, 1989. The events were all shallower than 15 km as a result of the thin crust beneath the triple junction compared to the surrounding continental crust. Conversely, the deepest earthquake ever recorded on the African continent (~62 km) also occurred beneath the Afar triple junction on November 8th, 1978. This M 4.9 earthquake occurred beneath an active spreading segment, and was probably associated with the movement of magma at depth during the rifting episode.

The western branch is divided into three main segments. The northern and middle segments border the Nubia - Victoria microplate boundary, and the southern segment borders the Nubia - Rovuma boundary. The northern segment comprises the West Nile region (WNR), and Lakes Albert, Kivu, and Edward (LAKE); the middle segment includes Lakes Tanganyika and Rukwa (LT, LR); and the southern segment encompasses Lake Malawi and central Mozambique (LM). The two largest instrumentally recorded events in Africa occurred ~ 300 km north of Lake Albert, in an area of Mesozoic (250-65 Ma) rifting. These M 7.1 earthquakes struck four days apart in May 1990, both at ~ 15 km depth. Their tectonic relationship to the Albert rift system or Mesozoic faults remains unclear. The most recent major earthquake to strike the region occurred on February 22nd, 2006. This M 7.0 event struck at a depth of 11 km in central Mozambique around midnight local time, killing two and injuring 15. The earthquake was felt in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, South Africa, and Zambia, but no major structural damage was reported.

The eastern branch is a discontinuous system of rifts, most of which have experienced magmatism since their onset. From north to south, these are the Ethiopian Rift (ER), the Kenya Rift (KR), the northern Tanzania divergence (NTD), and the Davie Ridge (DR). The Kenya Rift experienced a major M 6.9 earthquake in 1928, but has witnessed only small magnitude swarms since then. As in the Afar and Ethiopian rift segments where magma supply appears to be abundant, dike intrusions here accommodate extensional strain at lower stress levels than are required to cause slip along large fault systems bounding the rift, generally resulting in relatively smaller earthquakes. Seismicity near the northern Tanzania Divergence marks the diffuse, volcanically active Victoria - Somalia plate boundary. Consistent with the widespread magmatism in this rift sector earthquake magnitudes are generally less than M 6, and result from normal faulting. The Davie Ridge marks the Rovuma - Somalia plate boundary in the oceanic lithosphere of the western Indian Ocean basin. On May 14, 1985, two M 6.0 - 6.3 earthquakes struck this area, less than 100 km off the coast of northern Mozambique. (USGS)

Featured image credit: Google, TW

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Rare M5.6 earthquake hits Mozambique - Malawi border, followed by M5.2

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Two rare M5 earthquakes hit Mozambique - Malawi border region on March 8, 2018. The first, registered by the USGS as M5.6, hit at 08:49 UTC at a depth of 6.4 km (4 miles) and was followed by M5.2 at 09:52 UTC at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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Two rare M5 earthquakes hit Mozambique - Malawi border region on March 8, 2018. The first, registered by the USGS as M5.6, hit at 08:49 UTC at a depth of 6.4 km (4 miles) and was followed by M5.2 at 09:52 UTC at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). The M5.6 earthquake is expected to have a medium humanitarian impact based on the magnitude and the affected population and their vulnerability.
According to the USGS, the epicenter was located 25.9 km (16.1 miles) NE of Nsanje (population 21 774) and 80.4 km (49.9 miles) S of Mulanje (population 16 483), Malawi.

There are 3 000 000 people living within 100 km (62 miles) and 8 800 within 5 km (3.1 miles).

Some 22 000 people are estimated to have felt very strong shaking, 63 000 strong, 195 000 moderate and 4 783 000 light.

Malawi media said it was the strongest quake in this region since the sequence of earthquakes that struck Karonga district in 2009 and that it lasted for about 15 seconds.

There are unverified reports of two people sustained minor injuries while trying to run for safety.

Some damage was reported and assessments are underway.

Mozambique is part of the East African Rift System extending south from the Gulf of Aden for more than 3 000 km (1 860 miles).

Though not for long considered completely an earthquake-free country, the preoccupation with seismic hazard was very small - if not at all inexistent - in Mozambique until the seismic events that took place in February 2006.

These events, which peaked with the M7.0 Machaze earthquake of February 23, 2006, showed that the possibility of seismic occurrence in the country is real and should not be lightly put aside.

Since February 2006 there has been an increase in the seismic activity in the region of Machaze, which is located about 500 km (310 miles) north of Maputo and about 200 km (124 miles) from Beira and Chimoio.

This activity was of such intensity that almost 40% of the seismic events registered in the country since 1973 took place throughout 2006.

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

Selected cities exposed

Regional seismicity

Seismotectonics of the East African Rift System

The East African Rift System (EARS) is a 3000 km long Cenozoic age continental rift extending from the Afar Triple Junction between the horn of Africa and the Middle East, to western Mozambique. Segments of active extension occur from the Indian Ocean west to Botswana and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It is the only rift system in the world that is active on a continent-wide scale, providing geologists with a view of how continental rifts develop over time into oceanic spreading centers like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Rifting in East Africa is not all coeval: volcanism and faulting have been an ongoing phenomenon on the continent since the Eocene (~45 Ma). The rifting began in northern East Africa, and led to the separation of the Africa (Nubia) and Arabia plates in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and in the Turkana area at the Kenya-Ethiopia border. A Paleogene mantle superplume beneath East Africa caused extension within the Nubia plate, as well as a first order topographic high known as the African superswell which now includes most of the eastern and southern segments of the Nubia plate. Widespread volcanism erupted onto much of the rising plateau in Ethiopia during the Eocene-Oligocene (45 - 29 Ma), with chains of volcanoes forming along the rift separating Africa and Arabia. Since the initiation of rifting in northeastern Africa, the system has propagated over 3000 km to the south and southwest, and it experiences seismicity as a direct result of the extension, as well as active magmatism.

Today extension and magmatism are localizing in distinct eastern, western, and southwestern branches, marking the edges of two or more microplates between the sub-parallel zones of extension in East Africa. The borders of the microplates (known as Victoria and Rovuma) with the Nubia plate to the west and Somalia plate to the east now represent the most seismically active zones on the continent where normal faulting earthquakes occur on a monthly basis. They are also the sites of volcano-tectonic earthquakes. Along the rift, models of sparse GPS data and earthquake slip vectors predict average spreading rates of 1-4 mm/yr, increasing from north to south in the western branch, and increasing from south to north in the east.

Seismicity in the East Africa Rift is widespread, but displays a distinct pattern. Seismicity is characterized by mainly shallow (< 40 km) normal faults (earthquakes rupturing as a direct result of extension of the crust), and volcano-tectonic earthquakes. The majority of events occur in the 10-25 km depth range. This pattern is widespread throughout the EARS, and the relationship between depth of earthquakes, the deformation of continental lithosphere, and magmatic processes in many segments of the rift.

The three limbs of the Afar triple junction zone experience major earthquakes, as well as frequent volcanic eruptions and dike intrusions. The magnitude of earthquakes during volcano-tectonic events is usually less than M 6, but large volumes of magma accommodating plate opening may occur during these intense, smaller magnitude swarms. The largest earthquakes recorded in this area occurred in a swarm, along a section of the evolving Arabia-Nubia plate boundary in Afar in August 1989. Studies of this earthquake swarm show that the events occurred as a result of slip on conjugate normal faults bounding the narrow Dobi graben. The swarm, made up of 25 M ≥ 4.2 earthquakes, occurred over 48 hours from 11:17 UT August 20, 1989. The events were all shallower than 15 km as a result of the thin crust beneath the triple junction compared to the surrounding continental crust. Conversely, the deepest earthquake ever recorded on the African continent (~62 km) also occurred beneath the Afar triple junction on November 8th, 1978. This M 4.9 earthquake occurred beneath an active spreading segment, and was probably associated with the movement of magma at depth during the rifting episode.

The western branch is divided into three main segments. The northern and middle segments border the Nubia - Victoria microplate boundary, and the southern segment borders the Nubia - Rovuma boundary. The northern segment comprises the West Nile region (WNR), and Lakes Albert, Kivu, and Edward (LAKE); the middle segment includes Lakes Tanganyika and Rukwa (LT, LR); and the southern segment encompasses Lake Malawi and central Mozambique (LM). The two largest instrumentally recorded events in Africa occurred ~ 300 km north of Lake Albert, in an area of Mesozoic (250-65 Ma) rifting. These M 7.1 earthquakes struck four days apart in May 1990, both at ~ 15 km depth. Their tectonic relationship to the Albert rift system or Mesozoic faults remains unclear. The most recent major earthquake to strike the region occurred on February 22nd, 2006. This M 7.0 event struck at a depth of 11 km in central Mozambique around midnight local time, killing two and injuring 15. The earthquake was felt in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, South Africa, and Zambia, but no major structural damage was reported.

The eastern branch is a discontinuous system of rifts, most of which have experienced magmatism since their onset. From north to south, these are the Ethiopian Rift (ER), the Kenya Rift (KR), the northern Tanzania divergence (NTD), and the Davie Ridge (DR). The Kenya Rift experienced a major M 6.9 earthquake in 1928, but has witnessed only small magnitude swarms since then. As in the Afar and Ethiopian rift segments where magma supply appears to be abundant, dike intrusions here accommodate extensional strain at lower stress levels than are required to cause slip along large fault systems bounding the rift, generally resulting in relatively smaller earthquakes. Seismicity near the northern Tanzania Divergence marks the diffuse, volcanically active Victoria - Somalia plate boundary. Consistent with the widespread magmatism in this rift sector earthquake magnitudes are generally less than M 6, and result from normal faulting. The Davie Ridge marks the Rovuma - Somalia plate boundary in the oceanic lithosphere of the western Indian Ocean basin. On May 14, 1985, two M 6.0 - 6.3 earthquakes struck this area, less than 100 km off the coast of northern Mozambique. (USGS)

Featured image credit: Google, TW

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Rare M5.6 earthquake hits Mozambique - Malawi border, followed by M5.2

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Two rare M5 earthquakes hit Mozambique - Malawi border region on March 8, 2018. The first, registered by the USGS as M5.6, hit at 08:49 UTC at a depth of 6.4 km (4 miles) and was followed by M5.2 at 09:52 UTC at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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Another nor'easter will make its way up the East Coast Wednesday into Thursday, March 7 into 8, 2018, the second to hit the region in less than a week but much snowier this time, with totals expected to be over a 30 cm (1 foot) for some areas west of I-95. Major cities will be on the gradient in between substantial snowfall and light snowfall. Gusty winds and minor-to-moderate coastal flooding is also expected. More than 15 million people are under some kind of winter weather alert and more than 150 000 still without power since the last nor'easter just a few days ago.
A surface low pressure and an associated frontal system is quickly transitioning into to a nor'easter and will spread snow to much of the northern Mid-Atlantic and Northeast today through the end of the week, NWS forecaster Amy Campbell noted 03:06 EST (08:06 UTC).

Numerous Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect across portions of the northern Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast, Campbell added.

The storm is expected to track offshore the Del-Mar-Va peninsula northward while paralleling the Northeast Coast. By Thursday evening, snow accumulations could easily surpass 30 cm (1 foot) for areas west of the I-95 corridor.

This morning on AMHQ- We're tracking Winter Storm #Quinn as it brings heavy, wet #snow into the Northeast. Tune in for the latest forecast and updates.

Here's what we know right now: pic.twitter.com/pUnT3Igwul
- AMHQ (@AMHQ) March 7, 2018

Winter Storm #Quinn will create dangerous #travel conditions in the Northeast. If you can stay home, do so. BUT if you do have to drive, here is how to do it safely. pic.twitter.com/clTS11qs3B
- AMHQ (@AMHQ) March 7, 2018

The major cities will be on the gradient in between the substantial snowfall totals and light snowfall totals, so there is uncertainty in how much snow will fall in areas such as New York City.

This storm is named Winter Storm Quinn by The Weather Channel. Quinn brought heavy snow to the Mountain West last week and pounded the northern Plains and upper Midwest Monday into Tuesday.

Quinn will now hammer the storm-weary Northeast with heavy snow and strong winds, triggering additional power outages and tree damage just 5 days after another nor'easter knocked out power to over 2 million.

As of 06:00 EST today, there are still tens of thousands without power across the northeast.

The most affected states are Pennsylvania with 40 802 customers without power, New York with 36 807, New Jersey with 26 323 and Maryland with 8 302. In total, more than 150 000 customers are still without power.

Meanwhile, snow will persist over the Great Lakes region over the next couple of days as low pressure hangs around - with an additional 15 - 20 cm (6 to 8 inches) possible. For the Southeast, showers and thunderstorms are expected for portions of central and southern Florida today as the cold front pushes south.

Across the West, conditions will generally be dry through this afternoon before a low approaches the coast. Rain and mountain snow will spread into northern California and the Pacific Northwest this evening and into the Northern Rockies on Thursday. Rain and snow totals will be fairly light for this system through Thursday.

Featured image credit: NOAA GOES-East acquired 11:45 UTC, March 7, 2018

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Another nor'easter to slam the storm-weary Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

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Another nor’easter will make its way up the East Coast Wednesday into Thursday, March 7 into 8, 2018, the second to hit the region in less than a week but much snowier this time, with totals expected to be over a 30 cm (1 foot) for some areas w...

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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Australian monsoon is entering a more active phase in the wake of significant rainfall and flooding in Queensland's Townsville and inland areas associated with a tropical low. Tropical North Queensland is set to produce falls of 500+ mm (19.7 inches) over the course of this week, with isolated falls of as much as 700 mm (27.5 inches) likely to produce flooding.
While the rain was easing in the northwest, many catchments remain wet and vulnerable to further heavy rainfall, particularly in the far north, Queensland State Manager Bruce Gunn said. "We are seeing widespread flooding in a number of large inland rivers, and these are expected to remain in flood warnings for days and even weeks as flood waters move through these systems," he said.

"There has already been significant disruption to transport and isolation of communities caused by flooding and we are urging the public to check for road closures and current warnings, and avoid travel if possible when warnings are in place. The focus for the heaviest falls has now shifted back to the coast where a flood watch was issued yesterday for coastal catchments from Ingham to Cairns, and extending as far north as Cooktown."

New flood warnings were issued this morning for the Tully, Murray and Upper Herbert Rivers following heavy rainfall overnight with a peak of 313 mm (12.3 inches) recorded at Davidson Creek near Tully. Further widespread falls are expected in the 100 to 200 mm (3.9 - 7.9 inches) range, with isolated heavier falls possible, the Bureau of Meteorology warns.

"The monsoon really kicked off over the past two days, much earlier and more intense than models predicted," Higgins Storm Chasing reports.

While this rainfall isn't uncommon during the peak of the cyclone and monsoon season (late February to early April), its still quite extraordinary that several places could easily exceed 500 mm (19.7 inches) between March 5 and 12, and some places (such as Davidson Creek who already has a huge head start) pushing the 700 mm (27.5 inches) mark, the group said.

A flood watch has been issued for catchment areas between Cooktown and Ingham which includes the Daintree, Johnstone and Barron river catchments.

Featured image credit: BOM

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Burst of monsoon activity hits Tropical North Queensland, major flooding concerns

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Australian monsoon is entering a more active phase in the wake of significant rainfall and flooding in Queensland's Townsville and inland areas associated with a tropical low. Tropical North Queensland is set to produce falls of 500+ mm (19.7 inc...

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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Overall, high pressure weather dominated Ireland during February, Met Éireann said in their monthly weather summary for February 2018. Rainfall totals were below normal in many areas, while sunshine totals were above normal. After sunny, dry, calm weather in the final week of the month, the last day (28th) brought snow and record low temperatures. Gurteen, County Tipperary recorded a maximum air temperature of -1.1 °C (30 °F), 9.8 °C (17.6 °F) below its Long-Term Average (LTA).
Nearly all rainfall totals were below their LTA for the month. Percentage of monthly rainfall values ranged from 50% (monthly rainfall total of 48.7 mm / 1.91 inches) at Cork Airport to 127% (monthly rainfall total of 123.7 mm / 4.98 inches) at Belmullet, County Mayo.

Monthly rainfall totals ranged from 25.5 mm / 1 inch (percentage of LTA 53%) at Casement Aerodrome, Co Dublin to 155.6 mm / 6.12 inches (percentage of LTA 123%) at Newport, Co Mayo.

The month's wettest day was also recorded at Newport, Co Mayo with 43.1 mm (1.69 inches) on February 10. The number of rain days ranged from 14 days at Casement Aerodrome, Co Dublin to 23 days at Sherkin Island, Co Cork.

The number of wet days (those with 1 mm / 0.04 inches or more) ranged from 7 days at Dublin Airport to 18 days at Newport, Co Mayo and Valentia Observatory, Co Kerry. The number of very wet days (those with 10 mm / 0.4 inches or more) ranged from zero days at a few stations to 4 days at Newport, Co Mayo. Widespread snow occurred on the 28 th.

All mean air temperatures across the country were below their LTA for the month. Deviations from mean air temperature for the month ranged from -2.1 °C (-3.8 °F) at Oak Park and Markree (mean temperature 13.4 °C / 56.1 °F and 12.0 °C / 53.6 °F respectively) at various stations to -1.3 °C / -2.3 °F (4.1 °C / 39.4 °F mean temperature) at Finner, Co Dongeal.

Mean temperatures for the month ranged from 2.9 °C / 37.2 °F (difference from LTA -1.3 °C) at Knock Airport, Co Mayo to 6.1 °C / 43 °F (difference from LTA -1.4 °C / -2.5 °F) at Sherkin Island, Co Cork.

The month's highest temperature was reported at Fermoy (Moore Park), Co Cork on February 19 with a temperature of 14.3 °C / 57.7 °F.

The month's lowest air minimum was recorded on February 28 at Gurteen, Co Tipperary with -5.7 °C (21.7 °F) while the lowest grass minimum was -11.5 °C (11.3 °F) reported at Markree, Co Sligo on February 27.

All stations reported air and ground frost during the month. The number of days with ground frost ranged from 6 days at Sherkin Island, Co Cork to 27 days at both Dublin (Phoenix Park) and Ballyhaise, Co Cavan. The number of days with air frost ranged from 2 days at Mace Head, Co Galway to 15 days at both Markree, Co Sligo and Claremorris, Co Mayo.

All available sunshine totals were above their LTA. Percentage of monthly sunshine values ranged from 147% (monthly sunshine total of 104.4 hours) at Casement Aerodrome, Co Dublin to 157% at Knock Airport, Co Mayo (monthly sunshine total of 94.4 hours).

Monthly mean wind speeds ranged from 12 km/h (7.45 mph) at Fermoy (Moore Park), Co Cork and Mullingar, Co Westmeath to 31.9 km/h (19.8 mph) at Malin Head, Co Donegal.

The month's highest gust was reported at both Mace Head, Co Galway and Roche's Point, Co Cork on February 12 and 15 with 107.4 km/h (66.7 mph). The highest 10-minute wind speed was 83.3 km/h (51.7 mph) at Mace Head, Co Galway on the 11 th.

This report is based on Met Éireann monthly weather summary for February 2018 ( source)

Featured image: Snow day in Kinsale, Ireland on February 28, 2018. Credit: Daniel Carey @thedanielcarey

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Ireland had record cold February, below normal rainfall

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Overall, high pressure weather dominated Ireland during February, Met Éireann said in their monthly weather summary for February 2018. Rainfall totals were below normal in many areas, while sunshine totals were above normal. After sunny, dry, calm weather in the final week of the month, the last day (28th) brought snow and record low temperatures.

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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New activity/unrest was reported for 4 volcanoes between February 28 and March 6, 2018. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 14 volcanoes.
New activity/unrest: Ambae, Vanuatu | Kadovar, Papua New Guinea | Kirishimayama, Kyushu (Japan) | Kusatsu-Shiranesan, Honshu (Japan).

Ongoing activity: Agung, Bali (Indonesia) | Aira, Kyushu (Japan) | Bagana, Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) | Cleveland, Chuginadak Island (USA) | Dukono, Halmahera (Indonesia) | Ebeko, Paramushir Island (Russia) | Fuego, Guatemala | Kilauea, Hawaiian Islands (USA) | Mayon, Luzon (Philippines) | Pacaya, Guatemala | Sabancaya, Peru | San Miguel, El Salvador | Santa Maria, Guatemala | Sheveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia).
The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards Program. Updated by 23:00 UTC every Wednesday, notices of volcanic activity posted are preliminary and subject to change as events are studied in more detail. This is not a comprehensive list of all of Earth's volcanoes erupting during the week. Carefully reviewed, detailed reports on various volcanoes are published monthly in the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network.
New activity/unrest

Ambae, Vanuatu

Based on satellite and webcam observations, the Wellington VAAC reported that during 4-6 March ash plumes from Ambae rose to altitudes of 3.7-4.6 km (12,000-15,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE and N.

Geological summary: Ambae, also known as Aoba, is a massive 2500 km3 basaltic shield that is the most voluminous volcano of the New Hebrides archipelago. A pronounced NE-SW-trending rift zone dotted with scoria cones gives the 16 x 38 km island an elongated form. A broad pyroclastic cone containing three crater lakes is located at the summit within the youngest of at least two nested calderas, the largest of which is 6 km in diameter. Post-caldera explosive eruptions formed the summit craters of Lake Voui (also spelled Vui) and Lake Manaro Ngoru about 360 years ago. A tuff cone was constructed within Lake Voui about 60 years later. The latest known flank eruption, about 300 years ago, destroyed the population of the Nduindui area near the western coast.

Kadovar, Papua New Guinea

According to the Darwin VAAC a pilot observed an ash plume from Kadovar on 2 March drifting SE at an altitude of 4 km (13,000 ft) a.s.l.

Geological summary: The 2-km-wide island of Kadovar is the emergent summit of a Bismarck Sea stratovolcano of Holocene age. Kadovar is part of the Schouten Islands, and lies off the coast of New Guinea, about 25 km N of the mouth of the Sepik River. The village of Gewai is perched on the crater rim. A 365-m-high lava dome forming the high point of the andesitic volcano fills an arcuate landslide scarp that is open to the south, and submarine debris-avalanche deposits occur in that direction. Thick lava flows with columnar jointing forms low cliffs along the coast. The youthful island lacks fringing or offshore reefs. No certain historical eruptions are known; the latest activity was a period of heightened thermal phenomena in 1976.

Kirishimayama, Kyushu (Japan)

JMA reported that volcanic earthquakes at Shinmoedake (Shinmoe peak), a stratovolcano of the Kirishimayama volcano group, increased during 24-25 February. Volcanic tremor began to be recorded at 0815 on 1 March and intensified within a few hours. Residents in Takahara-machi, 12 km E (Miyazaki prefecture), reported ashfall at 1100; poor weather conditions prevented visual observations of the volcano. Later that day a small eruption was confirmed. Ashfall was reported in the Takahara-cho neighborhood, 12 km E (Miyazaki prefecture), around 1615. The eruption was observed at 1707 during an overflight. The sulfur dioxide flux was 5,500 tons/day, but then decreased to 2,200 tons/day on 2 March. During 2-3 March gray ash plumes rose as high as 1 km above the crater, and ash fell in Takahara-cho on 3 March. Ash plumes rose 400 m on 4 March. Explosive events on 6 March generated ash plumes that rose 2.3 km. During an overflight observers noted new lava on the E side of the crater, and plumes rising from both the center of the crater and an area on the N side. Ashfall was confirmed over a wide area from Kirishima prefecture and Kagoshima prefecture to the S, to Miyakonojo city (Miyazaki prefecture) to the E. A high number of volcanic earthquakes continued to be recorded. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-5).

Geological summary: Kirishimayama is a large group of more than 20 Quaternary volcanoes located north of Kagoshima Bay. The late-Pleistocene to Holocene dominantly andesitic group consists of stratovolcanoes, pyroclastic cones, maars, and underlying shield volcanoes located over an area of 20 x 30 km. The larger stratovolcanoes are scattered throughout the field, with the centrally located, 1700-m-high Karakunidake being the highest. Onamiike and Miike, the two largest maars, are located SW of Karakunidake and at its far eastern end, respectively. Holocene eruptions have been concentrated along an E-W line of vents from Miike to Ohachi, and at Shinmoedake to the NE. Frequent small-to-moderate explosive eruptions have been recorded since the 8th century.

Kusatsu-Shiranesan, Honshu (Japan)

JMA reported that during 26 February-5 March the number of volcanic earthquakes recorded at the Kusatsu-Shiranesan complex remained elevated. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Geological summary: The Kusatsu-Shiranesan complex, located immediately north of Asama volcano, consists of a series of overlapping pyroclastic cones and three crater lakes. The andesitic-to-dacitic volcano was formed in three eruptive stages beginning in the early to mid-Pleistocene. The Pleistocene Oshi pyroclastic flow produced extensive welded tuffs and non-welded pumice that covers much of the E, S, and SW flanks. The latest eruptive stage began about 14,000 years ago. Historical eruptions have consisted of phreatic explosions from the acidic crater lakes or their margins. Fumaroles and hot springs that dot the flanks have strongly acidified many rivers draining from the volcano. The crater was the site of active sulfur mining for many years during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Ongoing activity

Agung, Bali (Indonesia)

PVMBG reported that on 28 February gray-white plumes rose as high as 300 m above Agung's crater rim. During 1-5 March white plumes rose as high as 500 m above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4) with an exclusion zone set at a 6-km radius.

Geological summary: Symmetrical Agung stratovolcano, Bali's highest and most sacred mountain, towers over the eastern end of the island. The volcano, whose name means "Paramount," rises above the SE caldera rim of neighboring Batur volcano, and the northern and southern flanks extend to the coast. The summit area extends 1.5 km E-W, with the high point on the W and a steep-walled 800-m-wide crater on the E. The Pawon cone is located low on the SE flank. Only a few eruptions dating back to the early 19th century have been recorded in historical time. The 1963-64 eruption, one of the largest in the 20th century, produced voluminous ashfall along with devastating pyroclastic flows and lahars that caused extensive damage and many fatalities.

Aira, Kyushu (Japan)

JMA reported that very small events occurred at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera's Sakurajima volcano) during 26 February-5 March, two of which were explosive. An explosive event at 0031 on 27 February ejected tephra as far as 700 m and generated a plume that rose 1.3 km above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Geological summary: The Aira caldera in the northern half of Kagoshima Bay contains the post-caldera Sakurajima volcano, one of Japan's most active. Eruption of the voluminous Ito pyroclastic flow accompanied formation of the 17 x 23 km caldera about 22,000 years ago. The smaller Wakamiko caldera was formed during the early Holocene in the NE corner of the Aira caldera, along with several post-caldera cones. The construction of Sakurajima began about 13,000 years ago on the southern rim of Aira caldera and built an island that was finally joined to the Osumi Peninsula during the major explosive and effusive eruption of 1914. Activity at the Kitadake summit cone ended about 4850 years ago, after which eruptions took place at Minamidake. Frequent historical eruptions, recorded since the 8th century, have deposited ash on Kagoshima, one of Kyushu's largest cities, located across Kagoshima Bay only 8 km from the summit. The largest historical eruption took place during 1471-76.

Bagana, Bougainville (Papua New Guinea)

Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 2 March an ash plume from Bagana rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE.

Geological summary: Bagana volcano, occupying a remote portion of central Bougainville Island, is one of Melanesia's youngest and most active volcanoes. This massive symmetrical cone was largely constructed by an accumulation of viscous andesitic lava flows. The entire edifice could have been constructed in about 300 years at its present rate of lava production. Eruptive activity is frequent and characterized by non-explosive effusion of viscous lava that maintains a small lava dome in the summit crater, although explosive activity occasionally producing pyroclastic flows also occurs. Lava flows form dramatic, freshly preserved tongue-shaped lobes up to 50 m thick with prominent levees that descend the flanks on all sides.

Cleveland, Chuginadak Island (USA)

AVO reported that elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images of Cleveland during 28 February-3 March. Local seismic and infrasound sensors recorded a small explosion at 0557 on 2 March prompting AVO to raise the Aviation Color Code to Orange and the Volcano Alert Level to Watch. A volcanic cloud rose to an altitude of 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted ENE. A satellite image acquired on 5 March showed no new lava effusion in the crater. The Aviation Color Code was lowered to Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level was lowered to Advisory.

Geological summary: Beautifully symmetrical Mount Cleveland stratovolcano is situated at the western end of the uninhabited, dumbbell-shaped Chuginadak Island. It lies SE across Carlisle Pass strait from Carlisle volcano and NE across Chuginadak Pass strait from Herbert volcano. Cleveland is joined to the rest of Chuginadak Island by a low isthmus. The 1730-m-high Mount Cleveland is the highest of the Islands of the Four Mountains group and is one of the most active of the Aleutian Islands. The native name for Mount Cleveland, Chuginadak, refers to the Aleut goddess of fire, who was thought to reside on the volcano. Numerous large lava flows descend the steep-sided flanks. It is possible that some 18th-to-19th century eruptions attributed to Carlisle should be ascribed to Cleveland (Miller et al., 1998). In 1944 Cleveland produced the only known fatality from an Aleutian eruption. Recent eruptions have been characterized by short-lived explosive ash emissions, at times accompanied by lava fountaining and lava flows down the flanks.

Dukono, Halmahera (Indonesia)

Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 28 February, and 1-2 and 4 March, ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions.

Geological summary: Reports from this remote volcano in northernmost Halmahera are rare, but Dukono has been one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. More-or-less continuous explosive eruptions, sometimes accompanied by lava flows, occurred from 1933 until at least the mid-1990s, when routine observations were curtailed. During a major eruption in 1550, a lava flow filled in the strait between Halmahera and the north-flank cone of Gunung Mamuya. This complex volcano presents a broad, low profile with multiple summit peaks and overlapping craters. Malupang Wariang, 1 km SW of the summit crater complex, contains a 700 x 570 m crater that has also been active during historical time.

Ebeko, Paramushir Island (Russia)

Based on observations by volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, explosions during 23-25 and 27-28 February generated ash plumes that rose as high as 3.3 km (10,800 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Geological summary: The flat-topped summit of the central cone of Ebeko volcano, one of the most active in the Kuril Islands, occupies the northern end of Paramushir Island. Three summit craters located along a SSW-NNE line form Ebeko volcano proper, at the northern end of a complex of five volcanic cones. Blocky lava flows extend west from Ebeko and SE from the neighboring Nezametnyi cone. The eastern part of the southern crater contains strong solfataras and a large boiling spring. The central crater is filled by a lake about 20 m deep whose shores are lined with steaming solfataras; the northern crater lies across a narrow, low barrier from the central crater and contains a small, cold crescentic lake. Historical activity, recorded since the late-18th century, has been restricted to small-to-moderate explosive eruptions from the summit craters. Intense fumarolic activity occurs in the summit craters, on the outer flanks of the cone, and in lateral explosion craters.

Fuego, Guatemala

INSIVUMEH reported that explosions at Fuego during 27-28 February and 3-5 March generated ash plumes that rose as high as 1.1 km and drifted 10-20 km W, SW, and S. Sometimes the explosions were accompanied by weak shock waves. Incandescent material was ejected as high as 300 m above the crater rim, and generated avalanches of material in the Seca (Santa Teresa, W), Cenizas (SSW), Las Lajas (SE), and Honda (E) ravines. Ash fell in areas downwind including in Santa Sofía (12 km SW), Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché (8 km SW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), and Finca Palo Verde.

Geological summary: Volcán Fuego, one of Central America's most active volcanoes, is one of three large stratovolcanoes overlooking Guatemala's former capital, Antigua. The scarp of an older edifice, Meseta, lies between 3763-m-high Fuego and its twin volcano to the north, Acatenango. Construction of Meseta dates back to about 230,000 years and continued until the late Pleistocene or early Holocene. Collapse of Meseta may have produced the massive Escuintla debris-avalanche deposit, which extends about 50 km onto the Pacific coastal plain. Growth of the modern Fuego volcano followed, continuing the southward migration of volcanism that began at Acatenango. In contrast to the mostly andesitic Acatenango, eruptions at Fuego have become more mafic with time, and most historical activity has produced basaltic rocks. Frequent vigorous historical eruptions have been recorded since the onset of the Spanish era in 1524, and have produced major ashfalls, along with occasional pyroclastic flows and lava flows.

Kilauea, Hawaiian Islands (USA)

During 28 February-6 March HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise, fall, and spatter in Kilauea's Overlook crater. Webcams recorded incandescence from a small lava pond in a pit on the W side of Pu'u 'O'o Crater. Surface lava flows were active above and on the pali.

Geological summary: Kilauea volcano, which overlaps the east flank of the massive Mauna Loa shield volcano, has been Hawaii's most active volcano during historical time. Eruptions are prominent in Polynesian legends; written documentation extending back to only 1820 records frequent summit and flank lava flow eruptions that were interspersed with periods of long-term lava lake activity that lasted until 1924 at Halemaumau crater, within the summit caldera. The 3 x 5 km caldera was formed in several stages about 1500 years ago and during the 18th century; eruptions have also originated from the lengthy East and SW rift zones, which extend to the sea on both sides of the volcano. About 90% of the surface of the basaltic shield volcano is formed of lava flows less than about 1100 years old; 70% of the volcano's surface is younger than 600 years. A long-term eruption from the East rift zone that began in 1983 has produced lava flows covering more than 100 sq km, destroying nearly 200 houses and adding new coastline to the island.

Mayon, Luzon (Philippines)

PHIVOLCS reported that during 27 February-5 March activity at Mayon was characterized by lava effusion from the summit crater, lava fountains, steam and ash emissions, advancing lava flows on the flanks, and pyroclastic flows. Weak and intermittent lava fountains generated steam and ash plumes that rose as high as 800 m and drifted in multiple directions; rumbling sounds were audible at least within a 10-km radius. Active lava flows extended 3.3 km, 4.5 km, and 1.9 km in the Mi-isi (S), Bonga (SE), and Basud (E) drainages, respectively. During 27 February-5 March pyroclastic flows generated by collapses of lava at the fronts and margins of flows traveled 4-5 km down the flanks. On 6 March PHIVOLCS lowered the Alert Level to 3 (on a 0-5 scale) noting a decline in the intensity and frequency of events during the previous week. Data from precise leveling surveys and real-time electronic tilt continued to record deflation of the lower flanks that began on 20 February. The report reminded residents to stay away from the 6-km-radius Permanent Danger Zone and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone on the SSW and ENE flanks.

Geological summary: Beautifully symmetrical Mayon, which rises above the Albay Gulf NW of Legazpi City, is the Philippines' most active volcano. The structurally simple edifice has steep upper slopes averaging 35-40 degrees that are capped by a small summit crater. Historical eruptions date back to 1616 and range from Strombolian to basaltic Plinian, with cyclical activity beginning with basaltic eruptions, followed by longer term andesitic lava flows. Eruptions occur predominately from the central conduit and have also produced lava flows that travel far down the flanks. Pyroclastic flows and mudflows have commonly swept down many of the approximately 40 ravines that radiate from the summit and have often devastated populated lowland areas. A violent eruption in 1814 killed more than 1,200 people and devastated several towns.

Pacaya, Guatemala

INSIVUMEH reported that during 27-28 February and 3-5 March Strombolian explosions at Pacaya's Mackenney Crater ejected material as high as 20 m above the main cone. Lava flows on the SW flank advanced to 250 m.

Geological summary: Eruptions from Pacaya, one of Guatemala's most active volcanoes, are frequently visible from Guatemala City, the nation's capital. This complex basaltic volcano was constructed just outside the southern topographic rim of the 14 x 16 km Pleistocene Amatitlán caldera. A cluster of dacitic lava domes occupies the southern caldera floor. The post-caldera Pacaya massif includes the ancestral Pacaya Viejo and Cerro Grande stratovolcanoes and the currently active Mackenney stratovolcano. Collapse of Pacaya Viejo between 600 and 1500 years ago produced a debris-avalanche deposit that extends 25 km onto the Pacific coastal plain and left an arcuate somma rim inside which the modern Pacaya volcano (Mackenney cone) grew. A subsidiary crater, Cerro Chino, was constructed on the NW somma rim and was last active in the 19th century. During the past several decades, activity has consisted of frequent strombolian eruptions with intermittent lava flow extrusion that has partially filled in the caldera moat and armored the flanks of Mackenney cone, punctuated by occasional larger explosive eruptions that partially destroy the summit of the growing young stratovolcano.

Sabancaya, Peru

Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosive activity at Sabancaya decreased compared to the previous week; there was an average of 12 explosions recorded per day during 26 February-4 March. Seismicity was dominated by long-period events, with signals indicating emissions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose 2 km above the crater rim and drifted 30 km NW, W, and SW. The sulfur dioxide flux was high, at 2,440 tons per day on 3 March. The report noted that the public should not to approach the crater within a 12-km radius.

Geological summary: Sabancaya, located in the saddle NE of Ampato and SE of Hualca Hualca volcanoes, is the youngest of these volcanic centers and the only one to have erupted in historical time. The oldest of the three, Nevado Hualca Hualca, is of probable late-Pliocene to early Pleistocene age. The name Sabancaya (meaning "tongue of fire" in the Quechua language) first appeared in records in 1595 CE, suggesting activity prior to that date. Holocene activity has consisted of Plinian eruptions followed by emission of voluminous andesitic and dacitic lava flows, which form an extensive apron around the volcano on all sides but the south. Records of historical eruptions date back to 1750.

San Miguel, El Salvador

On 2 March SNET reported that gas plumes rose as high as 400 m above San Miguel's crater rim during the previous week. Ash was in the emissions on 24, 26, and 28 February, and 1 March. RSAM values fluctuated between 70 and 179 units (normal values are 50-150 units) during 1-2 March. At 2200 on 5 March seismic amplitude began to increase, with RSAM values rising to 318 units by 0600 on 6 March. A webcam recorded minor gas emission during 5-6 March.

Geological summary: The symmetrical cone of San Miguel volcano, one of the most active in El Salvador, rises from near sea level to form one of the country's most prominent landmarks. The unvegetated summit rises above slopes draped with coffee plantations. A broad, deep crater complex that has been frequently modified by historical eruptions (recorded since the early 16th century) caps the truncated summit, also known locally as Chaparrastique. Radial fissures on the flanks of the basaltic-andesitic volcano have fed a series of historical lava flows, including several erupted during the 17th-19th centuries that reached beyond the base of the volcano on the N, NE, and SE sides. The SE-flank flows are the largest and form broad, sparsely vegetated lava fields crossed by highways and a railroad skirting the base of the volcano. The location of flank vents has migrated higher on the edifice during historical time, and the most recent activity has consisted of minor ash eruptions from the summit crater.

Santa Maria, Guatemala

INSIVUMEH reported that explosions at Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex, detected by the seismic network during 27-28 February and 3-5 March, generated ash plumes that rose as high as 700 m and drifted S and SW. Avalanches of material descended the SE flank of the lava dome. Ash fell locally on the flanks and in San José.

Geological summary: Symmetrical, forest-covered Santa María volcano is one of the most prominent of a chain of large stratovolcanoes that rises dramatically above the Pacific coastal plain of Guatemala. The 3772-m-high stratovolcano has a sharp-topped, conical profile that is cut on the SW flank by a large, 1.5-km-wide crater. The oval-shaped crater extends from just below the summit to the lower flank and was formed during a catastrophic eruption in 1902. The renowned plinian eruption of 1902 that devastated much of SW Guatemala followed a long repose period after construction of the large basaltic-andesite stratovolcano. The massive dacitic Santiaguito lava-dome complex has been growing at the base of the 1902 crater since 1922. Compound dome growth at Santiaguito has occurred episodically from four westward-younging vents, the most recent of which is Caliente. Dome growth has been accompanied by almost continuous minor explosions, with periodic lava extrusion, larger explosions, pyroclastic flows, and lahars.

Sheveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)

KVERT reported that a weak thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images on 26 February and 1 March. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Geological summary: The high, isolated massif of Sheveluch volcano (also spelled Shiveluch) rises above the lowlands NNE of the Kliuchevskaya volcano group. The 1300 cu km volcano is one of Kamchatka's largest and most active volcanic structures. The summit of roughly 65,000-year-old Stary Shiveluch is truncated by a broad 9-km-wide late-Pleistocene caldera breached to the south. Many lava domes dot its outer flanks. The Molodoy Shiveluch lava dome complex was constructed during the Holocene within the large horseshoe-shaped caldera; Holocene lava dome extrusion also took place on the flanks of Stary Shiveluch. At least 60 large eruptions have occurred during the Holocene, making it the most vigorous andesitic volcano of the Kuril-Kamchatka arc. Widespread tephra layers from these eruptions have provided valuable time markers for dating volcanic events in Kamchatka. Frequent collapses of dome complexes, most recently in 1964, have produced debris avalanches whose deposits cover much of the floor of the breached caldera.

Source: GVP

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The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: February 28 - March 6, 2018

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New activity/unrest was reported for 4 volcanoes between February 28 and March 6, 2018. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 14 volcanoes. New activity/unrest: Ambae, Vanuatu | Kadovar, Papua New Guinea | Kirishimayama, Kyushu (Japan) | Kusatsu-Shiranesan, Honshu (Japan).

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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Papua New Guinea's aid agencies have expressed grave concern for people fleeing their villages due to rumors of a volcanic eruption at Mount Bosavi.
PNG's Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) and its associated ministry, Christian Radio Missionary Fellowship (CRMF) said scientists have been helicoptered in to view and study the volcano. "They have declared that there is no danger from an eruption and have been to speak to people in the villages," MAF said.

"We have also confirmed this information with scientists at the University of PNG," MAF said, adding that due to rumors on social media, many people are fleeing their villages on the mountain and are going to the valleys away from the mountain.

"This is a bad choice," MAF warns.

"First, there is a great danger of flooding in the valleys right now. Secondly, helicopters are bringing food, water and medical aid to the villages and if you leave the villages, they won't be able to find you.

MAF, CRMF and many other aid agencies are requesting people to stay near their village so they can be found.

The first report of extinct Mount Bosavi volcano waking up came from former PNG basketball representative player Colin Pine on February 28, 2018. "As we speak we are seeing smoke building up at the top of the mountain. We had never seen Mount Bosavi as a volcanic mountain but now it's showing signs," Pine told Post Courier.

Featured image credit: Google, USGS, TW

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Mount Bosavi eruption rumors are making people flee, Papua New Guinea

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Papua New Guinea's aid agencies have expressed grave concern for people fleeing their villages due to rumors of a volcanic eruption at Mount Bosavi. PNG's Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) and its associated ministry, Christian Radio Missionary Fellowship (CRMF) said scientists have been helicoptered in to view and study the volcano.

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) lowered Mayon Volcano's status from Alert Level 4 (hazardous eruption imminent) to Alert Level 3 (decreased tendency towards hazardous eruption) on March 6, 2018.
The volcano's condition in the past week has been characterized by a general decline in unrest reflected by moderate seismicity and degassing, deflation of the edifice and a decrease in eruptive activity at the summit crater, the agency said.

These observations are supported by the following monitoring parameters:

Activity has diminished to sporadic degassing with associated ash plumes, weak lava fountaining, quiet lava flow and lava collapse, interspersed with two to four days of relative quiescence. The decline in the intensity and frequency of events suggests a gradual depletion of eruptible magma at the shallow levels of the edifice.

Seismic activity has been dominated by low frequency events associated with degassing at the summit and signals of rockfall and small-volume pyroclastic density currents or PDCs generated by the collapsing front and margins of lava flows on the Miisi, Bonga and Basud Gullies and intermediary channels. This is reflected in the diminishing overall seismic energy release from the volcano despite the infrequent occurrence of effusive activity at the summit crater. In the past 24 hours, a total of only 4 volcanic earthquakes and 44 rockfall events were recorded by the seismic monitoring network.

Ground deformation data from Precise Leveling (PL) surveys and real-time electronic tilt continue to record deflation of the lower slopes that began on February 20, 2018. The downtrend in ground deformation follows a period of continuous inflation that began in October-November 2017 and indicates a decrease in magma recharge from deep to shallow levels of the edifice. However, based on medium-term PL data, the volcano is still inflated relative to January 2010 baselines.

Measured magmatic sulfur dioxide or SO2 flux throughout the eruption has varied from a maximum of 4 270 tonnes/day on February 21 to 1 400 tonnes/day on March 3. These concentrations are significantly lower than those measured for past eruptions (e.g. up to >8 000 tonnes/day in 2009) and are consistent with batches of partially degassed magma that have incrementally risen to shallow depths within the edifice. SO2 emission was measured at an average of 2 560 tonnes/day yesterday, March 5, 2018.

"In view of the above observations, PHIVOLCS-DOST is lowering the alert status of Mayon from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 to reflect the overall decrease in the level of unrest," the agency said.

"Alert Level 3 means that there is a decreased tendency towards hazardous explosive eruption BUT should not be interpreted that unrest has ceased. The volcano can be expected to continue generating volcanic earthquakes, magmatic gas output and weak surface processes such as sporadic degassing and lava effusion events, steam-driven explosions, rockfall and PDCs, while shallow remnant magma rests within the edifice," it added.

There are still 2 665 families or 10 933 persons in evacuation centers as of March 6, 2018.

Should the potential for hazardous explosive eruption be forewarned by an uptrend or pronounced change in monitoring parameters, the Alert Level may be raised back to Alert Level 4.

Conversely, should there be a persistent downtrend in monitoring parameters, then the Alert Level will be further lowered to Alert Level 2.

PHIVOLCS-DOST reminds the public that sudden explosions, lava collapses, PDCs and ashfall can still occur at Alert Level 3 and threaten areas in the upper to middle slopes of Mayon.

The agency recommends that entry into the 6 km-radius (3.7 miles) Permanent Danger Zone or PDZ and a precautionary 7 km-radius (4.3 miles) Extended Danger Zone or EDZ in the south-southwest to east-northeast sector, stretching from Anoling, Camalig to Sta. Misericordia, Sto. Domingo, must be strictly prohibited.

People residing close to these danger areas are also advised to observe precautions associated with rockfalls, PDCs and ashfall.

Active river channels and those perennially identified as lahar prone areas in the southern and eastern sectors should also be avoided especially during bad weather conditions or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall.

Featured image: Lava fountaining and lava flow at Mayon summit crater - February 25, 2018. Credit: PHIVOLCS

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Mount Mayon volcano status lowered to Alert Level 3, Philippines

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The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) lowered Mayon Volcano's status from Alert Level 4 (hazardous eruption imminent) to Alert Level 3 (decreased tendency towards hazardous eruption) on March 6, 2018.

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.7 hit Papua New Guinea at 14:13 UTC on March 6, 2018. The agency is reporting a depth of 22.9 km (14.2 miles). Geoscience Australia is reporting M6.8 at a depth of 0 km. This is the strongest aftershock to hit the region since the massive M7.5 earthquake on February 25, 2018.
According to the USGS, the epicenter of today's M6.7 was located 56.5 km (35.1 miles) SW of Tari (population 8 186), 116.8 km (72.6 miles) W of Mendi (population 26 252), and 147.4 km (91.6 miles) E of Kiunga (population 11 536).

The USGS issued a green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.

Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are unreinforced brick with concrete floor and precast concrete frame with wall construction.

Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.

Update

At least 18 people have been killed by this aftershock, William Bando, Hela Province administrator said Wednesday.

"I have just received reports that 18 people were killed last night," he told Reuters. "It appears Hides was hardest hit. We haven't heard about potential casualties there yet, but it is a big village with many people."

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

Selected cities exposed

Regional seismicity

This region was hit by 122 M4+ earthquakes since February 25, 2018, including M7.5 mainshock.

It's still unclear how many people died in the M7.5 earthquake due to severely disrupted transport and telecommunications, but PNG's Red Cross said it believes the number has reached 80.

However, unofficial reports received on Saturday, March 3, mention at least 156 deaths and at least 10 villages covered in debris after massive landslides.

Image credit: USGS

List updated 15:55 UTC, March 6, 2018. Data source: USGS

Seismotectonics of the New Guinea region and vicinity

The Australia-Pacific plate boundary is over 4000 km long on the northern margin, from the Sunda (Java) trench in the west to the Solomon Islands in the east. The eastern section is over 2300 km long, extending west from northeast of the Australian continent and the Coral Sea until it intersects the east coast of Papua New Guinea. The boundary is dominated by the general northward subduction of the Australia plate.

Along the South Solomon trench, the Australia plate converges with the Pacific plate at a rate of approximately 95 mm/yr towards the east-northeast. Seismicity along the trench is dominantly related to subduction tectonics and large earthquakes are common: there have been 13 M7.5+ earthquakes recorded since 1900. On April 1, 2007, a M8.1 interplate megathrust earthquake occurred at the western end of the trench, generating a tsunami and killing at least 40 people. This was the third M8.1 megathrust event associated with this subduction zone in the past century; the other two occurred in 1939 and 1977.

Further east at the New Britain trench, the relative motions of several microplates surrounding the Australia-Pacific boundary, including north-south oriented seafloor spreading in the Woodlark Basin south of the Solomon Islands, maintain the general northward subduction of Australia-affiliated lithosphere beneath Pacific-affiliated lithosphere. Most of the large and great earthquakes east of New Guinea are related to this subduction; such earthquakes are particularly concentrated at the cusp of the trench south of New Ireland. 33 M7.5+ earthquakes have been recorded since 1900, including three shallow thrust fault M8.1 events in 1906, 1919, and 2007.

The western end of the Australia-Pacific plate boundary is perhaps the most complex portion of this boundary, extending 2000 km from Indonesia and the Banda Sea to eastern New Guinea. The boundary is dominantly convergent along an arc-continent collision segment spanning the width of New Guinea, but the regions near the edges of the impinging Australia continental margin also include relatively short segments of extensional, strike-slip and convergent deformation. The dominant convergence is accommodated by shortening and uplift across a 250-350 km-wide band of northern New Guinea, as well as by slow southward-verging subduction of the Pacific plate north of New Guinea at the New Guinea trench. Here, the Australia-Pacific plate relative velocity is approximately 110 mm/yr towards the northeast, leading to the 2-8 mm/yr uplift of the New Guinea Highlands.

Whereas the northern band of deformation is relatively diffuse east of the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border, in western New Guinea there are at least two small (<100,000 km²) blocks of relatively undeformed lithosphere. The westernmost of these is the Birds Head Peninsula microplate in Indonesia's West Papua province, bounded on the south by the Seram trench. The Seram trench was originally interpreted as an extreme bend in the Sunda subduction zone, but is now thought to represent a southward-verging subduction zone between Birds Head and the Banda Sea.

There have been 22 M7.5+ earthquakes recorded in the New Guinea region since 1900. The dominant earthquake mechanisms are thrust and strike slip, associated with the arc-continent collision and the relative motions between numerous local microplates. The largest earthquake in the region was a M8.2 shallow thrust fault event in the northern Papua province of Indonesia that killed 166 people in 1996.

The western portion of the northern Australia plate boundary extends approximately 4800 km from New Guinea to Sumatra and primarily separates Australia from the Eurasia plate, including the Sunda block. This portion is dominantly convergent and includes subduction at the Sunda (Java) trench, and a young arc-continent collision.

In the east, this boundary extends from the Kai Islands to Sumba along the Timor trough, offset from the Sunda trench by 250 km south of Sumba. Contrary to earlier tectonic models in which this trough was interpreted as a subduction feature continuous with the Sunda subduction zone, it is now thought to represent a subsiding deformational feature related to the collision of the Australia plate continental margin and the volcanic arc of the Eurasia plate, initiating in the last 5-8 Myr. Before collision began, the Sunda subduction zone extended eastward to at least the Kai Islands, evidenced by the presence of a northward-dipping zone of seismicity beneath Timor Leste. A more detailed examination of the seismic zone along it's eastern segment reveals a gap in intermediate depth seismicity under Timor and seismic mechanisms that indicate an eastward propagating tear in the descending slab as the negatively buoyant oceanic lithosphere detaches from positively buoyant continental lithosphere. On the surface, GPS measurements indicate that the region around Timor is currently no longer connected to the Eurasia plate, but instead is moving at nearly the same velocity as the Australia plate, another consequence of collision.

Large earthquakes in eastern Indonesia occur frequently but interplate megathrust events related to subduction are rare; this is likely due to the disconnection of the descending oceanic slab from the continental margin. There have been 9 M7.5+ earthquakes recorded from the Kai Islands to Sumba since 1900. The largest was the great Banda Sea earthquake of 1938 (M8.5) an intermediate depth thrust faulting event that did not cause significant loss of life. (USGS)

Featured image credit: USGS

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Strong and shallow M6.7 aftershock hits Papua New Guinea

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A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.7 hit Papua New Guinea at 14:13 UTC on March 6, 2018. The agency is reporting a depth of 22.9 km (14.2 miles). Geoscience Australia is reporting M6.8 at a depth of 0 km. This is the stronge...

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The activity at Shinmoedake volcano in Kyushu, just one of 20 Quaternary volcanoes making Kirishimayama volcano group, is at elevated levels since March 5 with near-continuous ash emissions and ejections of very hot material. At 11:20 UTC today, ash column was rising 3.9 km (13 000 feet) above sea level.
After several months of being quiet, the activity at Kirishimayama's Shinmoedake crater resumed again around 02:00 UTC on March 1, 2018 (11:00 local time).

The Japan Meteorological Agency said Kirishima erupted violently several times today and some lava was rising inside a crater.

Due to the recent activity, officials restricted access to the entire mountain, and the danger zone may be expanded to a 3-km (1.8 miles) radius from the crater.

Today's activity, the strongest since 2011, grounded more than 80 flights at the nearby Kagoshima airport.

Video courtesy Earth Uncut TV

This volcano roared back to life on September 7, 2017 after 6 years of quiescence, coating nearby cities and towns with a thin layer of ash.

#Volcan #Volcano #Kirishima #Shinmoedake Incandescences observées dans le cratère. #Vidéo https://t.co/Jjl8msAkz8
- Shérine (@SherineFrance) March 6, 2018

Today was without doubt the most impressing volcanic "audio" I've ever witnessed - at some points the explosions were echoing off surrounding peaks. Take a watch and crank up the volume! #Shinmoedake #volcano #Japan pic.twitter.com/DSU0kQLlpC
- James Reynolds (@EarthUncutTV) March 6, 2018

Damn!! Shinmoedake webcam looks AWESOME, lava filling the crater! #japan #volcano pic.twitter.com/im3WrxwU0L
- James Reynolds (@EarthUncutTV) March 6, 2018

Geological summary

Kirishimayama is a large group of more than 20 Quaternary volcanoes located north of Kagoshima Bay. The late-Pleistocene to Holocene dominantly andesitic group consists of stratovolcanoes, pyroclastic cones, maars, and underlying shield volcanoes located over an area of 20 x 30 km (12.4 - 18.6 miles). The larger stratovolcanoes are scattered throughout the field, with the centrally located, 1700-m-high (5 577 feet) Karakunidake being the highest.

Onamiike and Miike, the two largest maars, are located SW of Karakunidake and at its far eastern end, respectively. Holocene eruptions have been concentrated along an E-W line of vents from Miike to Ohachi, and at Shinmoedake to the NE. Frequent small-to-moderate explosive eruptions have been recorded since the 8 th century. (GVP)

Featured image: Aerial footage explosive eruptions and ash venting at Shinmoedake volcano in Japan on March 6, 2018. Image copyright: Earth Uncut TV

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Explosive eruptions and ash venting at Shinmoedake (Kirishimayama), Japan

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The activity at Shinmoedake volcano in Kyushu, just one of 20 Quaternary volcanoes making Kirishimayama volcano group, is at elevated levels since March 5 with near-continuous ash emissions and ejections of very hot material. At 11:20 UTC today, ash ...

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Tropical Cyclone "Hola" formed March 6, 2018 near Vanuatu as the third named storm of the 2017/18 South Pacific tropical cyclone season. This system will cross Vanuatu over the next 12 - 24 hours and then rapidly intensify as it heads toward the Loyalty Islands. Current models take Hola very near Loyalty Islands as Category 3 or 4 hurricane equivalent.
At 12:00 UTC on March 6, the center of Tropical Cyclone "Hola" was located 209 km (130 miles) NNE of Port Vila, Vanuatu. The system had 10-minute sustained winds at 65 km/h (40 mph) with gusts up to 83 km/h (52 mph) and was moving SW at 15 km/h (9.2 mph). Its minimum barometric pressure was 994 hPa.

Tropical Cyclone "Hola" forecast track by RSMC Nadi at 20:01 UTC, March 6, 2018

By 18:00 UTC, Hola was 20 km (12.4 miles) E of Poinkros and 23 km (15 miles) E of Fonwor, Vanuatu and at 21:00 UTC almost directly over Ambrym volcano in Vanuatu's Malampa Province.

Tropical Cyclone "Hola" at 20:40 UTC on March 6, 2018. Credit: JMA, Himawari-8

Hola's center is expected to pass very near or over the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia on February 9 with maximum sustained winds between 203 and 231 km/h (126 - 143 mph) and gusts to 278 km/h (172 mph).

We'll keep tracking this storm in the days ahead and as it tracks toward North Island, New Zealand. Right now, all eyes are on the Loyalty Islands.

Two ECMWF models below show potential wind and rain.

Featured image: Tropical Cyclone "Hola" at 20:40 UTC on March 6, 2018. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8

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Tropical Cyclone "Hola" crossing Vanuatu before turning toward Loyalty Islands

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Tropical Cyclone "Hola" formed March 6, 2018 near Vanuatu as the third named storm of the 2017/18 South Pacific tropical cyclone season. This system will cross Vanuatu over the next 12 - 24 hours and then rapidly intensify as it heads towar...

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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Tropical Cyclone "Hola" formed March 6, 2018 near Vanuatu as the third named storm of the 2017/18 South Pacific tropical cyclone season. This system will cross Vanuatu over the next 12 - 24 hours and then rapidly intensify as it heads toward the Loyalty Islands. Current models take Hola very near Loyalty Islands as Category 3 or 4 hurricane equivalent.
At 12:00 UTC on March 6, the center of Tropical Cyclone "Hola" was located 209 km (130 miles) NNE of Port Vila, Vanuatu. The system had 10-minute sustained winds at 65 km/h (40 mph) with gusts up to 83 km/h (52 mph) and was moving SW at 15 km/h (9.2 mph). Its minimum barometric pressure was 994 hPa.

Tropical Cyclone "Hola" forecast track by RSMC Nadi at 20:01 UTC, March 6, 2018

By 18:00 UTC, Hola was 20 km (12.4 miles) E of Poinkros and 23 km (15 miles) E of Fonwor, Vanuatu and at 21:00 UTC almost directly over Ambrym volcano in Vanuatu's Malampa Province.

Tropical Cyclone "Hola" at 20:40 UTC on March 6, 2018. Credit: JMA, Himawari-8

Hola's center is expected to pass very near or over the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia on February 9 with maximum sustained winds between 203 and 231 km/h (126 - 143 mph) and gusts to 278 km/h (172 mph).

We'll keep tracking this storm in the days ahead and as it tracks toward North Island, New Zealand. Right now, all eyes are on the Loyalty Islands.

Two ECMWF models below show potential wind and rain.

Featured image: Tropical Cyclone "Hola" at 20:40 UTC on March 6, 2018. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8

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Tropical Cyclone "Hola" crossing Vanuatu before turning toward Loyalty Islands

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Tropical Cyclone "Hola" formed March 6, 2018 near Vanuatu as the third named storm of the 2017/18 South Pacific tropical cyclone season. This system will cross Vanuatu over the next 12 - 24 hours and then rapidly intensify as it heads towar...

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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The first hit at 23:17 UTC on March 4 at a depth of 1.9 km (1.18 miles) and was followed by another M4.2 at 03:40 UTC on March 5 at a depth of 5 km (3.1 miles). The same area was hit by M2.7 at 06:35 UTC and M2.6 at 12:16 UTC on March 5.

USGS reported epicenters 3.5 km (2.2 miles) N of Breckinridge (population 245), 16 km (9.9 miles) ENE of Enid (population 51 776), 63 km (39.2 miles) WSW of Ponca City (population 24 758) and 112.6 km (70 miles) N of Oklahoma City (population 631 346).

Some 1 000 people are estimated to have felt moderate, 73 000 light and 5 122 000 weak shaking associated with the first M4.2 earthquake (depth 1.9 km (1.18 miles)). 64 000 people are estimated to have felt light and 5 146 000 weak shaking associated with the second M4.2 quake (depth 5 km (3.1 miles)).

At least one home in Breckenridge had major brick separation from doors and windows following the first quake, Enid and Garfield County Emergency Management Director Mike Honigsberg said. There were also structural issues with sheetrock cracking above doors and windows, and some stairstep cracking in some areas of brick, he said. "The home appeared to be safe enough to stay in, but a structural engineer will need to evaluate it."

Honigsberg advised that anyone living within at least 8 km (5 miles) of the epicenter should check for damage and contact their insurance agent if there is damage.

The strongest quake in the history of Oklahoma is September 3, 2016 M5.8, 15 km (9.3 miles) NW of Pawnee. Immediately after the quake, state authorities shut down 37 wastewater wells used by the fracking industry to extract oil and gas.

The USGS Geophysicist Daniel McNamara said at the time that the earthquake was not on a fault known by the USGS. Instead, it happened on a fault perpendicular which intersected the fault. Based on aftershock patterns, this one is an unknown fault that has now been activated.

"Aftershocks from that earthquake show the undiscovered fault line that runs near or through Stillwater, Oklahoma," McNamara said.

Animation of earthquakes in Oklahoma between 2004 and 2016

Many studies have investigated the relationship between seismic activity and wastewater injection, particularly in Oklahoma where scientists recorded a 4 000 % increase in the rate of earthquakes between 2008 and 2016.

The animation below, produced by the USGS Oklahoma shows all recorded earthquakes between 2004 and 2016. The size of the dots and volumes are proportional to earthquake strengths.

Earthquakes in the stable continental region

Natural occurring earthquake activity

Most of North America east of the Rocky Mountains has infrequent earthquakes. Here and there earthquakes are more numerous, for example in the New Madrid seismic zone centered on southeastern Missouri, in the Charlevoix-Kamouraska seismic zone of eastern Quebec, in New England, in the New York - Philadelphia - Wilmington urban corridor, and elsewhere. However, most of the enormous region from the Rockies to the Atlantic can go years without an earthquake large enough to be felt, and several U.S. states have never reported a damaging earthquake.

Earthquakes east of the Rocky Mountains, although less frequent than in the West, are typically felt over a much broader region than earthquakes of similar magnitude in the west. East of the Rockies, an earthquake can be felt over an area more than ten times larger than a similar magnitude earthquake on the west coast. It would not be unusual for a magnitude 4.0 earthquake in eastern or central North America to be felt by a significant percentage of the population in many communities more than 100 km (60 mi) from its source. A magnitude 5.5 earthquake in eastern or central North America might be felt by much of the population out to more than 500 km (300 mi) from its source. Earthquakes east of the Rockies that are centered in populated areas and large enough to cause damage are, similarly, likely to cause damage out to greater distances than earthquakes of the same magnitude centered in western North America.

Most earthquakes in North America east of the Rockies occur as faulting within bedrock, usually miles deep. Few earthquakes east of the Rockies, however, have been definitely linked to mapped geologic faults, in contrast to the situation at plate boundaries such as California's San Andreas fault system, where scientists can commonly use geologic evidence to identify a fault that has produced a large earthquake and that is likely to produce large future earthquakes. Scientists who study eastern and central North America earthquakes often work from the hypothesis that modern earthquakes occur as the result of slip on preexisting faults that were formed in earlier geologic eras and that have been reactivated under the current stress conditions. The bedrock of Eastern North America is, however, laced with faults that were active in earlier geologic eras, and few of these faults are known to have been active in the current geologic era. In most areas east of the Rockies, the likelihood of future damaging earthquakes is currently estimated from the frequencies and sizes of instrumentally recorded earthquakes or earthquakes documented in historical records.

Induced seismicity

As is the case elsewhere in the world, there is evidence that some central and eastern North America earthquakes have been triggered or caused by human activities that have altered the stress conditions in earth's crust sufficiently to induce faulting. Activities that have induced felt earthquakes in some geologic environments have included impoundment of water behind dams, injection of fluid into the earth's crust, extraction of fluid or gas, and removal of rock in mining or quarrying operations. In much of eastern and central North America, the number of earthquakes suspected of having been induced is much smaller than the number of natural earthquakes, but in some regions, such as the south-central states of the U.S., a significant majority of recent earthquakes are thought by many seismologists to have been human-induced. Even within areas with many human-induced earthquakes, however, the activity that seems to induce seismicity at one location may be taking place at many other locations without inducing felt earthquakes. In addition, regions with frequent induced earthquakes may also be subject to damaging earthquakes that would have occurred independently of human activity. Making a strong scientific case for a causative link between a particular human activity and a particular sequence of earthquakes typically involves special studies devoted specifically to the question. Such investigations usually address the process by which the suspected triggering activity might have significantly altered stresses in the bedrock at the earthquake source, and they commonly address the ways in which the characteristics of the suspected human-triggered earthquakes differ from the characteristics of natural earthquakes in the region. (USGS)

Featured image credit: USGS

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Two damaging M4.2 earthquakes hit NE of Enid, Oklahoma

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Two damaging M4.2 earthquakes were registered 16 km (9.9 miles) ENE of Enid, Oklahoma on March 4 and 5, 2018. The first hit at 23:17 UTC on March 4 at a depth of 1.9 km (1.18 miles) and was followed by another M4.2 at 03:40 UTC on March 5 at a depth ...

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A destructive tornado swept through Faro, Portugal on March 4, 2018, downing trees and damaging a number of cars and structures. At least 50 significant incidents were reported across the city, authorities said, adding it was a miracle that no one was killed. This is the second destructive tornado to hit the city in less than a week.
According to local media, the tornado hit the entrance to the city this time, destroying cars, walls and other structures.

Eye-witness John Slaughter described 'a very loud noise' as the tornado struck. "It sounded like machine gun shots," Slaughter said. He was in a restaurant near Faro Beach, the same place hit by a tornado last Wednesday, February 28, and said that most people started running for the exits screaming while many others tried to hide.

"People including myself immediately thought it was a terrorist attack," Slaughter told the Portugal Resident.

The tornado also affected Olhão - particularly the area of Pechão - Tavira, Castro Marim and Vila Real do Santo António, but it was in Faro and its neighboring town of Olhão that damage appears to have been worst.

According to sports paper O Jogo, the Moncarapachense football stadium was also hit as a game against Moura was approaching its 61 st minute. The game was suspended while benches "were destroyed and walls collapsed, damaging some parked cars."

The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) classed the tornado as F1, the lowest on the Fujita scale, but locals say there was nothing 'mini' about this tornado.

The same city was hit by another tornado on February 28. The phenomenon started as a waterspout around 15:30 local time, upturning boats, before it reached land and damaged cars and local bars. "It was all very fast," Faro ports captain Cortes Lopes told media.

Lopes said didn't see the tornado making landfall, he simply heard the 'incredible noise' as it scooped up boats, battered bars and sent shards of debris into the air.

The tornado then reached city center where it caused further damage, uprooted trees and damaged cars and various structures.

Featured image: Tornado damage in Faro, Portugal on March 4, 2018. Credit: Joao Paulo Soares

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Destructive tornado hits Faro, southern Portugal

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A destructive tornado swept through Faro, Portugal on March 4, 2018, downing trees and damaging a number of cars and structures. At least 50 significant incidents were reported across the city, authorities said, adding it was a miracle that no one wa...

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Record-breaking cold temperatures that hit Europe just before the start of 2018 meteorological spring, claiming lives of at least 50 people, are also responsible for severe agricultural damage. While the full extent of the damage won't be clear for quite some time, severe damage is already evident and some food prices have already gone up.
A prolonged period of extremely cold temperatures, accompanied by icy rain and snow that hit Europe after unusually warm January and February claimed lives of at least 50 people and caused severe agricultural damage across the continent.

While it's too early to know the full extent of the damage at this time, European farmers say many cultures were almost in bloom and ready for spring before extremely cold temperatures arrived.

Prolonged below freezing temperatures were latter accompanied by freezing rain and snow, accumulating damage with each passing day and forcing farmers to increase their food prices.

Protecting apricot field almost in bloom from strong frost - Italy, February 2018. Credit: Andrea Goggioli

Italy is just one of the countries affected by recent extremely cold temperatures and agricultural sector there speaks of significant damage, not only in stone fruit, but also in vegetables.

"In the coming days, we could see Spain taking over the demand for broccoli or lettuce which was covered by Italy, but it is still early to know. We are constantly in contact with customers to see how the market develops," says Fernando P. Góme, president of Proexport.

Images similar to the one above were coming from all over Europe just 11 months ago...

Just one of the results: 2017 EU wine harvest at historic low due to extreme weather

Featured image: Protecting apricot field almost in bloom from strong frost - Italy, February 2018. Credit: Andrea Goggioli

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Extreme cold results in severe agricultural damage across Europe, food prices rising

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Record-breaking cold temperatures that hit Europe just before the start of 2018 meteorological spring, claiming lives of at least 50 people, are also responsible for severe agricultural damage. While the full extent of the damage won't be clear for quite some time, severe damage is already evident and some food prices have already gone up.

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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Magnitude 6.0 aftershock hit Southern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea at 19:56 UTC on March 4, 2018. This is the 4th M6+ earthquake to hit this region after M7.5 mainshock on February 25. Unofficial reports received March 3 mention at least 156 deaths.
Today's aftershock hit at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles) as 110 th M4+ earthquake to hit the region since February 25. The quake was followed by M4.9 at 20:24 UTC.

It's still unclear how many people died in the M7.5 earthquake due to severely disrupted transport and telecommunications, but PNG's Red Cross said it believes the number has reached 80.

However, unofficial reports received on Saturday, March 3, mention at least 156 deaths and at least 10 villages covered in debris after massive landslides.

The scale of devastation in Tari, a town close to the epicenter of M7.5 earthquake and home to 10 000 people, is immense, Mr. Isaac Pulupe told Radio New Zealand. Most of its buildings had collapsed, he said, including schools and parts of the hospital.

"Most people have been traumatized emotionally from all that is happening and the continual earthquakes going on," he said. "Most people, their gardens and even homes have been collapsed."

Pulupe added that most of the town is now living in tents, under tarpaulins, or ramshackle huts built from the rubble, which sometimes toppled in the near constant aftershocks.

Nearly 150 000 people remain in urgent need of emergency supplies, the director of the International Red Cross in PNG, Udaya Regmi, told Reuters on Sunday. "The quake destroyed or damaged the homes of around 7 000 people, while 147 000 were in severe need of food, water and sanitation," he said.

"The challenge is road access, it's still not accessible to trucks and four-wheel drives," Regmi said. "Big trucks cannot go there. It's one of the reasons the food is becoming less and less. There are no fears of starvation yet but we've not got the full picture."

The country has declared a state of emergency across the earthquake-hit region last week but the scale of the disaster will not be known until relief workers and authorities can complete their assessments in the area, agencies said.

Road damage after M7.5 earthquake on February 25. Credit: Earthquake Report

Damage to airport runway located 13 km (8 km) E of the M7.5 earthquake epicenter

Featured image: Road damage after M7.5 earthquake on February 25. Credit: Earthquake Report

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M6.0 aftershock hits Papua New Guinea, 4th M6+ after M7.5 on February 25

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Magnitude 6.0 aftershock hit Southern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea at 19:56 UTC on March 4, 2018. This is the 4th M6+ earthquake to hit this region after M7.5 mainshock on February 25. Unofficial reports received March 3 mention at least 15...

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Unrest continues at Alaska's Cleveland volcano following a small explosion detected in seismic and infrasound data at 14:57 UTC on March 2, 2018
The event generated a small volcanic cloud that drifted to the ENE at an altitude of approximately 4.5 km (15 000 feet) above sea level.

Prior to yesterday's explosion, elevated surface temperatures were observed in satellite data several times over the past week (February 28, March 1 and March 2). Other than during yesterday's explosion, little activity has been observed in seismic and infrasound data over the past week.

Future explosive activity is likely, and may occur without warning, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) said. Previous explosions have produced hazardous conditions primarily near the summit crater, but occasionally they have been large enough to produce a drifting ash cloud.

Cleveland volcano is monitored with a limited real-time seismic network, which inhibits AVO's ability to detect precursory unrest that may lead to an explosive eruption. Rapid detection of an ash-producing eruption may be possible using a combination of seismic, infrasound, lightning, and satellite data.

Cleveland's most recent significant period of eruption began in February 2001 and produced 3 explosive events that generated ash clouds as high as 11.9 km (39 000 feet) above sea level. The 2001 eruption also produced a lava flow and hot avalanche that reached the sea.

Since then, Cleveland has been intermittently active producing small lava flows, often followed by explosions that generate small ash clouds generally below 6 km (20 000 feet) above sea level. These explosions also launch debris onto the slopes of the cone producing hot pyroclastic avalanches and lahars that sometimes reach the coastline.

Geological summary

Beautifully symmetrical Mount Cleveland stratovolcano is situated at the western end of the uninhabited, dumbbell-shaped Chuginadak Island. It lies SE across Carlisle Pass strait from Carlisle volcano and NE across Chuginadak Pass strait from Herbert volcano.

Cleveland is joined to the rest of Chuginadak Island by a low isthmus. The 1730-m-high (5 675 feet) Mount Cleveland is the highest of the Islands of the Four Mountains group and is one of the most active of the Aleutian Islands. The native name for Mount Cleveland, Chuginadak, refers to the Aleut goddess of fire, who was thought to reside on the volcano.

Numerous large lava flows descend the steep-sided flanks. It is possible that some 18th-to-19th century eruptions attributed to Carlisle should be ascribed to Cleveland (Miller et al., 1998).

In 1944 Cleveland produced the only known fatality from an Aleutian eruption. Recent eruptions have been characterized by short-lived explosive ash emissions, at times accompanied by lava fountaining and lava flows down the flanks. (GVP)

Featured image: Summit of Mt. Cleveland volcano - dome visible in crater - July 25, 2018. Credit: Cindy Werner, AVO/USGS

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Unrest at Cleveland volcano, Aviation Color Code raised to Orange

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Unrest continues at Alaska's Cleveland volcano following a small explosion detected in seismic and infrasound data at 14:57 UTC on March 2, 2018 The event generated a small volcanic cloud that drifted to the ENE at an altitude of approximately 4....

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Tropical Storm "Dumazile" formed very close to Madagascar at 00:00 UTC on March 3, 2018 as the 5th named storm of the 2017/18 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season and the 11th named storm of the 2017/18 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season. On average, the southern hemisphere has 19 named storms between July 1 and March 2.
This system will pass very close to Madagascar over the next couple of days while strengthening to Category 3 hurricane equivalent (possibly 4). Strong winds and heavy rain are expected, as well as dangerous seas along the eastern shores of the island.

At 12:00 UTC on March 3, the center of Tropical Cyclone "Dumazile" was located 210 km (130 miles) E of Antalaha, Madagascar and 650 km (404 miles) NNW of St Denis. Its maximum sustained winds were 83 km/h (52 mph) with gusts to 102 km/h (63 mph).

Upper level analysis shows favorable conditions for continued development, JTWC noted. Sea surface temperatures and vertical wind shear are favorable and there is good radial outflow.

The combination of these factors will allow Dumazile to rapidly intensify to 157 km/h (98 mph) by 00:00 UTC, February 5 and reach a peak intensity of 204 km/h (126 mph) by 12:00 UTC, February 5.

Multi-model consensus takes Dumazile southwestward over the next 36 hours and then southeastward.

La Reunion should start feeling Dumazile's impacts late Sunday through Tuesday. Although landfall is not expected, residents are invited to follow its development through official channels and be ready for possible tropical cyclone winds and heavy rain.

Featured image: Tropical Cyclone "Dumazile" at 14:00 UTC, March 3, 2018. Credit: WISC/SSEC

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Tropical Storm "Dumazile" forms dangerously close to Madagascar

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Tropical Storm "Dumazile" formed very close to Madagascar at 00:00 UTC on March 3, 2018 as the 5th named storm of the 2017/18 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season and the 11th named storm of the 2017/18 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclon...

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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More than 1.9 million homes and businesses lost power after powerful nor'easter hit Mid-Atlantic and New England over the weekend. At least 9 people were killed and numerous injured.
A significant coastal storm is bringing major coastal flooding, beach erosion, and strong to damaging winds across much of the Middle Atlantic and New England into early Saturday. At the same time, interior portions of the Northeast are also receiving heavy wet snow.

The storm brought down trees and power lines all across the Mid-Atlantic, forced cancellations of nearly 3 000 domestic flights and left more than 1.6 million customers without power.

As of 21:50 UTC, the worst affected are Pennsylvania with 427 046 customers without power, New York with 359 313, Maryland with 243 518, New Jersey with 164 554 and Virginia with 151 004.

Strong winds killed at least one person and left many injured. Baltimore County Emergency officials said a 77-year-old woman from Kingsville, Maryland died when a large tree branch fell on her.

Strong winds, heavy rain, and accumulating snow will continue across the Northeast and northern Mid-Atlantic states Friday evening, but then conditions should gradually improve as a powerful storm system pulls away from the coast Friday night.

High pressure building in behind the existing storm should keep much of the region dry through the weekend, with the exception of some light snow showers across the Lower Great Lakes and interior New England.

Weather will become increasingly active across the Great Plains late this weekend as the anomalous Western U.S. trough edges out into the Nation's mid-section.

Moisture returning from the Western Gulf should help fuel precipitation developing across Texas and the Lower Mississippi Valley on Sunday, while strong winds and a swath of heavy snow are expected across the northern Plains as a surface low rapidly deepens in the lee of the Colorado Rockies.

Update:

At least nine people have been killed by this storm.

States of emergency were declared in Massachusetts, Maryland, New York and Virginia.

At the height of the storm, more than 1.9 million people lost power. Neary 600 000 were still without electricity on Sunday night.

Incredible washover on Rebecca road in Scituate, MA. Still have another high tide to go through at noon. Winds still gusting over 45mph. pic.twitter.com/NBWPKXt9qQ
- Jim Cantore (@JimCantore) March 3, 2018

Featured image credit: Watertown Police, MA

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Powerful nor'easter kills 9, leaves 1.9 million homes without power

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More than 1.9 million homes and businesses lost power after powerful nor'easter hit Mid-Atlantic and New England over the weekend. At least 9 people were killed and numerous injured. A significant coastal storm is bringing major coastal flooding, beach erosion, and strong to damaging winds across much of the Middle Atlantic and New England into early Saturday.

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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Japanese Shinmoedake volcano in Kyushu started erupting again around 02:00 UTC on March 1, 2018 (11:00 local time). After six years of quiescence, this volcano roared back to life on September 7, 2017, coating nearby cities and towns with a thin layer of ash.
The Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) said volcanic tremors on Mount Shinmoe in the Kirishima mountain range, bordering Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures, started around 08:15 JST today (00:15 UTC).

Volcanic ash is not identifiable in satellite images and webcams cannot confirm it due to a meteorological cloud, but ashfall was confirmed in the town of Takaharu, located east of the mountain. According to Kyodo, the town officials confirmed the presence of fallen ash, while residents also reported the sighting of ash. There were no immediate reports of injuries or property damage, according to police.

11：10ころ高原町役場の方が，県道祓川高崎線を通行した時に灰が降ってきたとのこと．フロントガラスにちょっとだけ火山灰が付いている．風向きから考えて桜島ではない． pic.twitter.com/U5FflrWR84
- Ryusuke IMURA (@tigers_1964) March 1, 2018

JMA said it will dispatch its officials to the area to probe the situation.

Increase in the number of volcanic earthquakes under the volcano was first detected on September 23, 2017. It further increased on October 4, prompting JMA to conduct a field survey on October 5 when they observed fumarolic activity and weak thermal anomalies. At 23:55 JST that day, JMA raised the alert level from 1 to 2, restricting entry to areas near the crater.

Earthquakes under Shinmoedake volcano before eruption on October 10, 2017

Shinmoedake started erupting for the first time in six years at 20:34 UTC on October 10 (05:34 JST, October 11), prompting JMA to raise the volcanic alert level to 3 for the first time since October 2013.

Alert Level 3 is still in place. It means residents and tourists are not allowed to approach the mountain within 2 km (1.2 miles) due to the possibility of flying rocks and pyroclastic flows.

Ash plume rising from Shinmoedake volcano on October 11, 2017. Credit: 谷山天一(たにやまひろかず)‏

Geological summary

Kirishimayama is a large group of more than 20 Quaternary volcanoes located north of Kagoshima Bay. The late-Pleistocene to Holocene dominantly andesitic group consists of stratovolcanoes, pyroclastic cones, maars, and underlying shield volcanoes located over an area of 20 x 30 km (12.4 - 18.6 miles). The larger stratovolcanoes are scattered throughout the field, with the centrally located, 1700-m-high (5 577 feet) Karakunidake being the highest.

Onamiike and Miike, the two largest maars, are located SW of Karakunidake and at its far eastern end, respectively. Holocene eruptions have been concentrated along an E-W line of vents from Miike to Ohachi, and at Shinmoedake to the NE. Frequent small-to-moderate explosive eruptions have been recorded since the 8 th century. (GVP)

Featured image: Shinmoedake volcano on October 11, 2017. Credit: NHK

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Mount Shinmoe erupts again, ashfall reported, Japan

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Japanese Shinmoedake volcano in Kyushu started erupting again around 02:00 UTC on March 1, 2018 (11:00 local time). After six years of quiescence, this volcano roared back to life on September 7, 2017, coating nearby cities and towns with a thin laye...

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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A deep low pressure system started drenching parts of the Australian state of Queensland on February 28, 2018, with up to 358 mm (14 inches) of rain in just 24 hours. This will be a multi-day heavy rainfall event with record, potentially historic, floods possible across Western Queensland in the days ahead.
At this time, the worst affected is Townville region where nearly 90 rain gauges all recorded more than 100 mm (3.93 inches) of rainfall in the past 24 hours. Bluewater on the city's northern outskirts received a whopping 202 mm (7.9 inches) within just 6 hours and 358 mm (14.09 inches) in 24 hours.

The city of Townsville received its highest rainfall in 3 years, leading to flooded roads and rising rivers, some of which reached major flood levels. As of 20:30 local time, flood warnings are in effect for the rivers Ross, Haughton, Don and Prosperine.

Major flood levels were recorded on the Haughton River at Giru, with levels having reached and exceeded the record flood (3.09 m / 10.13 feet in February 2011) level at Giru during early Thursday evening. The new record flood level for this location is now 3.10 m (10.17 feet).

Local media said parents have been forced to wade through floodwaters to pick up their children from Deeraqun childcare center, one of several closed due to flooding from a two-day deluge.

The Bureau of Meteorology said this complex system is expected to continue bringing rain to Townsville area for at least two more days.

"It's hammering down there at the moment and we probably have another 12 to 24 hours of this really heavy rain. It will probably start to ease off through the afternoon. Even for the next two, three or even four days there will be big heavy showers and storms around," BOM forecaster Livio Regano said, adding that the system is drifting west and by mid-tomorrow would be impacting the western side of the Northern Goldfields, Gulf Country and Mt Isa.

"All of Western Queensland need to prepare for a potential Major Record Flood which is forecast to impact the area during the next 5 days," Higgins Storm Chasing (HGS) warned a few hours ago. "It could rival anything during the past 44 years (since the 1974 flood), it may also be so significant that nothing has ever been experienced like it in this state. Widespread rainfall totals of 200 to 400 mm (7.9 - 15.8 inches) is likely with up to 550 mm (21.6 inches) possible!"

We are urging people to take action NOW to protect property and livestock against heavy rain and flooding. Locations are likely to be isolated for up to 1 or 2 weeks. Logistics transport, public and tourism travel are also likely to be disrupted for an extended period. Stay safe everyone and stay tuned to the latest forecasts, updates ​and warnings.

- Higgins Storm Chasing

Daily Heavy Rainfall is forecast with 24 hour totals of 100 to 200 mm (3.9 - 7.8 inches) likely and 300 mm (11.8 inches) possible will accompany the low as it tracks West on Thursday and Friday, HGS said. Areas forecast to be impacted on Thursday and Friday are the Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Northern Goldfields, Gulf and North West districts.

The low is then forecast to intensify and turn south over Mt Isa on Saturday, March 3 before stalling over Boulia in Western Queensland on Sunday, March 4.

"The following areas are at risk of record breaking rainfall over between 200 to 400 mm (7.9 - 15.8 inches) with possibly up to 550 mm (21.6 inches) - the North West and Channel Country districts, possibly the Central West district depending on exact movements of the low. These rainfall forecast figures should they eventuate will produce major flooding and potentially historic flooding through Western Queensland.

"Mt Isa's highest ever daily rainfall total is 213 mm (8.38 inches) in 2004 and monthly is 539 mm (21.22 inches) in 2009. Boulia's highest ever daily rainfall total is 209 mm (8.22 inches) in 1834 and monthly is 464 mm (18.26 inches) in 1974. These rainfall records at both locations may be broken from this system," HSC said, adding that amounts of rain forecast may vary depending on the exact track and intensity of the low.

Featured image: Flooding in Townsville on February 28, 2018. Credit: Joanna I

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Major rainfall event affecting Queensland, record floods possible

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A deep low pressure system started drenching parts of the Australian state of Queensland on February 28, 2018, with up to 358 mm (14 inches) of rain in just 24 hours. This will be a multi-day heavy rainfall event with record, potentially historic, fl...

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The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

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New activity/unrest was reported for 5 volcanoes between February 21 and 27, 2018. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 11 volcanoes.
New activity/unrest: Kadovar, Papua New Guinea | Mayon, Luzon (Philippines) | Sangay, Ecuador | Semeru, Eastern Java (Indonesia) | Sinabung, Indonesia.

Ongoing activity: Aira, Kyushu (Japan) | Ambae, Vanuatu | Bagana, Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) | Cleveland, Chuginadak Island (USA) | Dukono, Halmahera (Indonesia) | Ebeko, Paramushir Island (Russia) | Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) | Kilauea, Hawaiian Islands (USA) | Sabancaya, Peru | Sheveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia) | Turrialba, Costa Rica.
The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards Program. Updated by 23:00 UTC every Wednesday, notices of volcanic activity posted are preliminary and subject to change as events are studied in more detail. This is not a comprehensive list of all of Earth's volcanoes erupting during the week. Carefully reviewed, detailed reports on various volcanoes are published monthly in the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network.
New activity/unrest

Kadovar, Papua New Guinea
3.608°S, 144.588°E, Elevation 365 m
RVO reported that lava continued to flow from the SE Coastal Vent resulting in the connection of a reemerged lava island to the coast of Kadovar within a few days of the 1 February collapse. During 14-22 February continuous plumes of white vapor rose from both Main Crater and SE Coastal Vent, punctuated by dense ash emissions from both areas during 16 and 20-22 February and occasional booming noises. Ash plumes rose 370 m above the island and drifted SE, though on 22 February the winds blew the plumes N and NW. Incandescence from both areas was visible on 22 February. A sulfur odor was noticed by residents on Blup Blup (15 km N) on 16 and 22 February.

Geological summary: The 2-km-wide island of Kadovar is the emergent summit of a Bismarck Sea stratovolcano of Holocene age. Kadovar is part of the Schouten Islands, and lies off the coast of New Guinea, about 25 km N of the mouth of the Sepik River. The village of Gewai is perched on the crater rim. A 365-m-high lava dome forming the high point of the andesitic volcano fills an arcuate landslide scarp that is open to the south, and submarine debris-avalanche deposits occur in that direction. Thick lava flows with columnar jointing forms low cliffs along the coast. The youthful island lacks fringing or offshore reefs. No certain historical eruptions are known; the latest activity was a period of heightened thermal phenomena in 1976.

Mayon, Luzon (Philippines)
13.257°N, 123.685°E, Elevation 2462 m
PHIVOLCS reported that during 21-27 February activity at Mayon continued to be characterized by daily lava effusion from the summit crater, lava fountains on most days, steam-and-ash emissions, advancing lava flows on the flanks, and pyroclastic flows. Weak and sporadic lava fountaining events each lasted between 2 and 77 minutes, and were sometimes accompanied by rumbling sounds audible within a 10-km radius. Each day there were 1-21 pyroclastic flows generated by lava-collapse events traveling as far as 5 km down the Mi-isi, Bonga-Buyuan, and Basud drainages. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a 0-5 scale) and the public was warned to remain outside of the Danger Zone defined as an area within an 8-km radius.

Geological summary: Beautifully symmetrical Mayon volcano, which rises to 2462 m above the Albay Gulf, is the Philippines' most active volcano. The structurally simple volcano has steep upper slopes averaging 35-40 degrees that are capped by a small summit crater. Historical eruptions at this basaltic-andesitic volcano date back to 1616 and range from strombolian to basaltic plinian, with cyclical activity beginning with basaltic eruptions, followed by longer term andesitic lava flows. Eruptions occur predominately from the central conduit and have also produced lava flows that travel far down the flanks. Pyroclastic flows and mudflows have commonly swept down many of the approximately 40 ravines that radiate from the summit and have often devastated populated lowland areas. Mayon's most violent eruption, in 1814, killed more than 1200 people and devastated several towns.

Sangay, Ecuador
2.005°S, 78.341°W, Elevation 5286 m
The Washington VAAC reported that on 25 February emissions from Sangay with minor ash content rose to an altitude of 6.1 km (20,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted almost 170 km NE.

Geological summary: The isolated Sangay volcano, located east of the Andean crest, is the southernmost of Ecuador's volcanoes and its most active. The steep-sided, glacier-covered, dominantly andesitic volcano grew within horseshoe-shaped calderas of two previous edifices, which were destroyed by collapse to the east, producing large debris avalanches that reached the Amazonian lowlands. The modern edifice dates back to at least 14,000 years ago. It towers above the tropical jungle on the east side; on the other sides flat plains of ash have been sculpted by heavy rains into steep-walled canyons up to 600 m deep. The earliest report of a historical eruption was in 1628. More or less continuous eruptions were reported from 1728 until 1916, and again from 1934 to the present. The almost constant activity has caused frequent changes to the morphology of the summit crater complex.

Semeru, Eastern Java (Indonesia)
8.108°S, 112.922°E, Elevation 3657 m
According to the Darwin VAAC ash plumes from Semeru rose to an altitude of 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted almost 20 km ESE and WSW. A thermal anomaly preceded the emissions.

Geological summary: Semeru, the highest volcano on Java, and one of its most active, lies at the southern end of a volcanic massif extending north to the Tengger caldera. The steep-sided volcano, also referred to as Mahameru (Great Mountain), rises above coastal plains to the south. Gunung Semeru was constructed south of the overlapping Ajek-ajek and Jambangan calderas. A line of lake-filled maars was constructed along a N-S trend cutting through the summit, and cinder cones and lava domes occupy the eastern and NE flanks. Summit topography is complicated by the shifting of craters from NW to SE. Frequent 19th and 20th century eruptions were dominated by small-to-moderate explosions from the summit crater, with occasional lava flows and larger explosive eruptions accompanied by pyroclastic flows that have reached the lower flanks of the volcano.

Sinabung, Indonesia
3.17°N, 98.392°E, Elevation 2460 m
Based on observations by PVMBG, satellite and webcam images, and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 25-26 February ash plumes from Sinabung rose 3.4-3.7 km (11,000-12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW and W.

Geological summary: Gunung Sinabung is a Pleistocene-to-Holocene stratovolcano with many lava flows on its flanks. The migration of summit vents along a N-S line gives the summit crater complex an elongated form. The youngest crater of this conical andesitic-to-dacitic edifice is at the southern end of the four overlapping summit craters. An unconfirmed eruption was noted in 1881, and solfataric activity was seen at the summit and upper flanks in 1912. No confirmed historical eruptions were recorded prior to explosive eruptions during August-September 2010 that produced ash plumes to 5 km above the summit.

Ongoing activity

Aira, Kyushu (Japan)
31.593°N, 130.657°E, Elevation 1117 m
JMA reported that at 0820 on 19 February an explosion at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera's Sakurajima volcano) generated a plume that rose 1.5 km above the crater rim. An event at 1639 on 24 February produced a plume that rose 800 m. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Geological summary: The Aira caldera in the northern half of Kagoshima Bay contains the post-caldera Sakurajima volcano, one of Japan's most active. Eruption of the voluminous Ito pyroclastic flow accompanied formation of the 17 x 23 km caldera about 22,000 years ago. The smaller Wakamiko caldera was formed during the early Holocene in the NE corner of the Aira caldera, along with several post-caldera cones. The construction of Sakurajima began about 13,000 years ago on the southern rim of Aira caldera and built an island that was finally joined to the Osumi Peninsula during the major explosive and effusive eruption of 1914. Activity at the Kitadake summit cone ended about 4850 years ago, after which eruptions took place at Minamidake. Frequent historical eruptions, recorded since the 8th century, have deposited ash on Kagoshima, one of Kyushu's largest cities, located across Kagoshima Bay only 8 km from the summit. The largest historical eruption took place during 1471-76.

Ambae, Vanuatu
15.4°S, 167.83°E, Elevation 1496 m
Based on satellite and webcam observations, the Wellington VAAC reported that on 24 February an ash plume from Ambae rose to an altitude of 4 km (13,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW.

Geological summary: Ambae, also known as Aoba, is a massive 2500 km3 basaltic shield that is the most voluminous volcano of the New Hebrides archipelago. A pronounced NE-SW-trending rift zone dotted with scoria cones gives the 16 x 38 km island an elongated form. A broad pyroclastic cone containing three crater lakes is located at the summit within the youngest of at least two nested calderas, the largest of which is 6 km in diameter. Post-caldera explosive eruptions formed the summit craters of Lake Voui (also spelled Vui) and Lake Manaro Ngoru about 360 years ago. A tuff cone was constructed within Lake Voui about 60 years later. The latest known flank eruption, about 300 years ago, destroyed the population of the Nduindui area near the western coast.

Bagana, Bougainville (Papua New Guinea)
6.137°S, 155.196°E, Elevation 1855 m
Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 26-27 February ash plumes from Bagana rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted WNW.

Geological summary: Bagana volcano, occupying a remote portion of central Bougainville Island, is one of Melanesia's youngest and most active volcanoes. This massive symmetrical cone was largely constructed by an accumulation of viscous andesitic lava flows. The entire edifice could have been constructed in about 300 years at its present rate of lava production. Eruptive activity is frequent and characterized by non-explosive effusion of viscous lava that maintains a small lava dome in the summit crater, although explosive activity occasionally producing pyroclastic flows also occurs. Lava flows form dramatic, freshly preserved tongue-shaped lobes up to 50 m thick with prominent levees that descend the flanks on all sides.

Cleveland, Chuginadak Island (USA)
52.825°N, 169.944°W, Elevation 1730 m
AVO reported that a small explosion at Cleveland was detected in seismic and infrasound data at 2154 on 21 February. A satellite image acquired several hours after the event showed an area of moderately elevated surface temperatures extending about 2 km ESE from the summit, indicative of a warm deposit. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Advisory.

Geological summary: Beautifully symmetrical Mount Cleveland stratovolcano is situated at the western end of the uninhabited, dumbbell-shaped Chuginadak Island. It lies SE across Carlisle Pass strait from Carlisle volcano and NE across Chuginadak Pass strait from Herbert volcano. Cleveland is joined to the rest of Chuginadak Island by a low isthmus. The 1730-m-high Mount Cleveland is the highest of the Islands of the Four Mountains group and is one of the most active of the Aleutian Islands. The native name for Mount Cleveland, Chuginadak, refers to the Aleut goddess of fire, who was thought to reside on the volcano. Numerous large lava flows descend the steep-sided flanks. It is possible that some 18th-to-19th century eruptions attributed to Carlisle should be ascribed to Cleveland (Miller et al., 1998). In 1944 Cleveland produced the only known fatality from an Aleutian eruption. Recent eruptions have been characterized by short-lived explosive ash emissions, at times accompanied by lava fountaining and lava flows down the flanks.

Dukono, Halmahera (Indonesia)
1.693°N, 127.894°E, Elevation 1229 m
Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 21-27 February ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions.

Geological summary: Reports from this remote volcano in northernmost Halmahera are rare, but Dukono has been one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. More-or-less continuous explosive eruptions, sometimes accompanied by lava flows, occurred from 1933 until at least the mid-1990s, when routine observations were curtailed. During a major eruption in 1550, a lava flow filled in the strait between Halmahera and the north-flank cone of Gunung Mamuya. This complex volcano presents a broad, low profile with multiple summit peaks and overlapping craters. Malupang Wariang, 1 km SW of the summit crater complex, contains a 700 x 570 m crater that has also been active during historical time.

Ebeko, Paramushir Island (Russia)
50.686°N, 156.014°E, Elevation 1103 m
Based on observations by volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, explosions during 17-18 and 20-21 February generated ash plumes that rose as high as 2.4 km (7,900 ft) a.s.l. Ashfall was reported in Severo-Kurilsk during 17-18 February. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Geological summary: The flat-topped summit of the central cone of Ebeko volcano, one of the most active in the Kuril Islands, occupies the northern end of Paramushir Island. Three summit craters located along a SSW-NNE line form Ebeko volcano proper, at the northern end of a complex of five volcanic cones. Blocky lava flows extend west from Ebeko and SE from the neighboring Nezametnyi cone. The eastern part of the southern crater contains strong solfataras and a large boiling spring. The central crater is filled by a lake about 20 m deep whose shores are lined with steaming solfataras; the northern crater lies across a narrow, low barrier from the central crater and contains a small, cold crescentic lake. Historical activity, recorded since the late-18th century, has been restricted to small-to-moderate explosive eruptions from the summit craters. Intense fumarolic activity occurs in the summit craters, on the outer flanks of the cone, and in lateral explosion craters.

Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)
54.049°N, 159.443°E, Elevation 1513 m
KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was identified in satellite images on 18 February. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Geological summary: Karymsky, the most active volcano of Kamchatka's eastern volcanic zone, is a symmetrical stratovolcano constructed within a 5-km-wide caldera that formed during the early Holocene. The caldera cuts the south side of the Pleistocene Dvor volcano and is located outside the north margin of the large mid-Pleistocene Polovinka caldera, which contains the smaller Akademia Nauk and Odnoboky calderas. Most seismicity preceding Karymsky eruptions originated beneath Akademia Nauk caldera, located immediately south. The caldera enclosing Karymsky formed about 7600-7700 radiocarbon years ago; construction of the stratovolcano began about 2000 years later. The latest eruptive period began about 500 years ago, following a 2300-year quiescence. Much of the cone is mantled by lava flows less than 200 years old. Historical eruptions have been vulcanian or vulcanian-strombolian with moderate explosive activity and occasional lava flows from the summit crater.

Kilauea, Hawaiian Islands (USA)
19.421°N, 155.287°W, Elevation 1222 m
During 21-27 February HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise, fall, and spatter in Kilauea's Overlook crater. Webcams recorded incandescence from a small lava pond in a pit on the W side of Pu'u 'O'o Crater. Surface lava flows were active above and on the pali, and on the coastal plain. A small portion of material from the inner veneer of the crater wall collapsed into the lava lake just after 0700 on 23 February.

Geological summary: Kilauea volcano, which overlaps the east flank of the massive Mauna Loa shield volcano, has been Hawaii's most active volcano during historical time. Eruptions are prominent in Polynesian legends; written documentation extending back to only 1820 records frequent summit and flank lava flow eruptions that were interspersed with periods of long-term lava lake activity that lasted until 1924 at Halemaumau crater, within the summit caldera. The 3 x 5 km caldera was formed in several stages about 1500 years ago and during the 18th century; eruptions have also originated from the lengthy East and SW rift zones, which extend to the sea on both sides of the volcano. About 90% of the surface of the basaltic shield volcano is formed of lava flows less than about 1100 years old; 70% of the volcano's surface is younger than 600 years. A long-term eruption from the East rift zone that began in 1983 has produced lava flows covering more than 100 sq km, destroying nearly 200 houses and adding new coastline to the island.

Sabancaya, Peru
15.787°S, 71.857°W, Elevation 5960 m
Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosive activity at Sabancaya was similar to the previous week; there was an average of 17 explosions recorded per day during 19-25 February. Seismicity was dominated by long-period events, with signals indicating emissions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose 4.5 km above the crater rim and drifted 50 km NW, SW, S, and SE. The MIROVA system detected one thermal anomaly. The sulfur dioxide flux was high, at 2,092 tons per day on 25 February. The report noted that the public should not to approach the crater within a 12-km radius.

Geological summary: Sabancaya, located in the saddle NE of Ampato and SE of Hualca Hualca volcanoes, is the youngest of these volcanic centers and the only one to have erupted in historical time. The oldest of the three, Nevado Hualca Hualca, is of probable late-Pliocene to early Pleistocene age. The name Sabancaya (meaning "tongue of fire" in the Quechua language) first appeared in records in 1595 CE, suggesting activity prior to that date. Holocene activity has consisted of Plinian eruptions followed by emission of voluminous andesitic and dacitic lava flows, which form an extensive apron around the volcano on all sides but the south. Records of historical eruptions date back to 1750.

Sheveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)
56.653°N, 161.36°E, Elevation 3283 m
KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 16, 18, and 20-21 February. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Geological summary: The high, isolated massif of Sheveluch volcano (also spelled Shiveluch) rises above the lowlands NNE of the Kliuchevskaya volcano group. The 1300 cu km volcano is one of Kamchatka's largest and most active volcanic structures. The summit of roughly 65,000-year-old Stary Shiveluch is truncated by a broad 9-km-wide late-Pleistocene caldera breached to the south. Many lava domes dot its outer flanks. The Molodoy Shiveluch lava dome complex was constructed during the Holocene within the large horseshoe-shaped caldera; Holocene lava dome extrusion also took place on the flanks of Stary Shiveluch. At least 60 large eruptions have occurred during the Holocene, making it the most vigorous andesitic volcano of the Kuril-Kamchatka arc. Widespread tephra layers from these eruptions have provided valuable time markers for dating volcanic events in Kamchatka. Frequent collapses of dome complexes, most recently in 1964, have produced debris avalanches whose deposits cover much of the floor of the breached caldera.

Turrialba, Costa Rica
10.025°N, 83.767°W, Elevation 3340 m
OVSICORI-UNA reported that an event at Turrialba at 0800 on 27 February generated a plume that rose 100 m above the crater rim and drifted SW.

Geological summary: Turrialba, the easternmost of Costa Rica's Holocene volcanoes, is a large vegetated basaltic-to-dacitic stratovolcano located across a broad saddle NE of Irazú volcano overlooking the city of Cartago. The massive 3340-m-high Turrialba is exceeded in height only by Irazú, covers an area of 500 sq km, and is one of Costa Rica's most voluminous volcanoes. Three well-defined craters occur at the upper SW end of a broad 800 x 2200 m summit depression that is breached to the NE. Most activity originated from the summit vent complex, but two pyroclastic cones are located on the SW flank. Five major explosive eruptions have occurred during the past 3500 years. A series of explosive eruptions during the 19th century were sometimes accompanied by pyroclastic flows. Fumarolic activity continues at the central and SW summit craters.

Source: GVP

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The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: February 21 - 27, 2018

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New activity/unrest was reported for 5 volcanoes between February 21 and 27, 2018. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 11 volcanoes. New activity/unrest: Kadovar, Papua New Guinea | Mayon, Luzon (Philippines) | Sangay, Ecuador | Semeru, Eastern Java (Indonesia) | Sinabung, Indonesia.

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Tropical Cyclone ''Hola'' crossing Vanuatu before turning toward Loyalty Islands

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Major flooding hits Queensland, comparable to 2009 flood event

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Extreme cold results in severe agricultural damage across Europe, food prices rising

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M6.0 aftershock hits Papua New Guinea, 4th M6+ after M7.5

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Snow in Europe: Deadly winter storm brings chaos, Killed 50+ People

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Red alert: Met issues highest weather warning for extreme snow in UK

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Storm Emma meets Beast from the East: Met Office red weather warning still in place

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Climate & Extreme Weather News #101 (March 7th-10th 2018)

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Climate & Extreme Weather News #100 (March 4th-7th 2018)

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Climate & Extreme Weather News #99 (March 3rd-4th 2018)

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Climate & Extreme Weather News #98 (February 27th-3rd March 2018)

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Climate & Extreme Weather News #97 (February 23rd-26th 2018)

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what happened on our planet  9 -10 march 2018..?  part -1

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what happened on our planet ? this is a report 8 - 9 march 2018 ,что произошло на нашей планете?

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what happened on our planet 6 -7 march2018,eriptIon,meteor,flood,lightning

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THIS REPORT , what  happened in this world .......? ,ЭТО ОТЧЕТ, что случилось в этом мире .......?

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eruption Volcanic in Japan  ,2 march 2018  Извержение вулканов в Японии

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Waterspout in indonesia 27 , feb 2018, Водоем в Индонезии ,

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what happened on our planet 26 -27 feb 2018,Solar halo,meteor,flood,что произошло на нашей планете

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what happened on our earth 25 - 26 feb 2018,flood,tornado,lightning,что произошло на нашей земле

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Heavy rain floods roads in several regional , Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil 24 , feb 2018

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^^^Electromagnetic Radiation "Total UV" - Ultra Violet Sunlight for 3/11/2018^^^

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SOTT Earth Changes Summary - February 2018: Extreme Weather

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Spectacular Storm Cloud - Hawaii Big Flood Update!