Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.6 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
5.3 earthquake hits off the coast of northern California.
5.3 earthquake hits the Lac Kivu region, DR Congo.
5.2 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.
5.1 earthquake hits northern Xinjiang, China.
5.0 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Subtropical Storm Rebekah is located about 535 mi…860 km wnw of the Azores with maximum sustained winds…45 mph…75 km/h. Present movement…ene or 65 degrees at 21 mph…33 km/h.
In the Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone 04a (Kyarr), located approximately 174 nm south-southeast of Masirah Island, is tracking southwestward at 06 knots.
Tropical cyclone (tc) 05a (Maha), located approximately 848 nm south-southeast of Karachi, Pakistan, is tracking north-northwestward at 06 knots.
NewsBytes:
Mississippi, USA – Heavy rain brought severe flash floods to Mississippi on October 30 as authorities warned motorists to avoid driving. The National Weather Service in Jackson said water continued to cover roads across the region.
South Sudan – South Sudan’s President declared an emergency in three of the country’s regions as floods swept through communities, affecting about one million people. The affected regions, including Upper Nile, have oil fields and farmlands key to the recovery of a nation that’s struggling to halt a five-year civil war that killed around 400,000 people. Oil Minister Awow Daniel Chuang said Tuesday that flooding in Upper Nile posed a challenge to production of crude, although it didn’t affect output.
Sea Level Rise Underestimated
Scientists have dramatically underestimated the impact rising seas will have on cities around the world, according to research published in the journal Nature Communications on Tuesday.
One hundred and fifty million people are currently living in places that will be below the high-tide line in 30 years — three times as many people as the old projection methods estimated.
Their model paints a grim picture: whole swaths of Vietnam, Thailand, coastal China, India, Egypt and Iraq swallowed by ocean. Where previous estimates showed one percent of Thailand’s population would live in areas under water by 2050, the revised estimates puts the figure closer to 10 percent. In Vietnam, a quarter of the country’s residents — 20 million people — presently live in areas that will be flooded at high tide. Almost all of Mumbai, where 1.6 percent of India’s population lives, will be inundated.
Wildfires – California
The race to stop an inferno torching the Los Angeles area has gotten more dangerous as furious winds — some as strong as in a hurricane — stoke the flames. Gusts of up to 70 mph will fuel the Getty Fire through Thursday, threatening more than 7,000 homes, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. And that’s just one of at least 10 wildfires burning across California.
The newly formed Easy Fire quickly consumed 1,300 acres in Ventura County, officials said. It threatened 6,500 homes and forced school closures and evacuations.
About 26,000 people were forced from their homes by the Simi Valley fire. Power had been shut off in some areas, affecting almost a million people.
Dengue Fever – Central America
Central American countries in 2019 have seen an increased incidence of dengue fever, in fact, the cumulative incidence rate of dengue in the Central America region is higher than in the previous five previous years, with an incidence of more than 100 people with dengue per 100,000 people,
Flu, Pneumonia – Global
Despite large declines since 1990 in child deaths from pneumonia and the flu, these and other lower respiratory infections (LRIs) remain a leading killer of children under age 5. A new scientific study finds LRIs responsible for one in seven child deaths globally.
White-nose Syndrome – Bats
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is announcing a $100,000 challenge to combat white-nose syndrome (WNS), a lethal fungus that has killed millions of bats in North America and pushed some native bat species to the brink of extinction. Funding will be awarded to individuals who identify innovative ways to permanently eradicate, weaken or disarm the disease.
Measles – Samoa and Tonga
In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Samoa, health authorities say there have been 15 confirmed cases, including three deaths. In addition, 314 suspected cases – most of them children under the age of four are being investigated. Meanwhile in Tonga, an outbreak of measles has occurred following the return of a squad of Tongan rugby players from New Zealand where one player developed measles. Twelve other players were in the incubation period of the illness during travel back to Tonga and developed symptoms on 6th- 9th October.
Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 23 October – 29 October 2019
Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : A small amount of ash began to be visible in gas-and-steam emissions at Klyuchevskoy beginning at 1020 on 24 October, prompting KVERT to raise the Aviation colour Code to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-colour scale). Later that day video images showed an ash plume rising as high as 6 km (19,700 ft) a.s.l. and drifting 40 km NE. The Aviation colour Code was raised to Orange. KVERT and the Tokyo VAAC noted that during 25-28 October ash plumes rose to 5.5 km (18,000 ft) a.sl. and drifted 15-20 km SE, E, and NW. A weak thermal anomaly over the volcano was identified on 18 and 24 October.
Kuchinoerabujima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : A large shallow earthquake at Kuchinoerabujima was recorded at 2133 on 27 October, prompting JMA to raise the Alert Level to 3 (the middle level on a scale of 1-5) within a few hours. The report also stated that the number of volcanic earthquakes had increased on 18 October. A large earthquake was also detected on 18 October but had occurred at a slightly deeper location (below the W part of Shindake Crater) than the 27 October event.
Pavlof | United States : AVO reported that after a small explosion at Pavlof was recorded on 19 October and before 25 October clear satellite and webcam views did not show any deposits associated with the event. Weakly elevated surface temperatures and a small steam plume were occasionally visible. No other activity was detected during 26-29 October. The Aviation colour Code remained at Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Advisory.
Shishaldin | Fox Islands (USA) : Pilot and local observations as well as webcam views all indicated that the incandescence at Shishaldin’s summit crater was from low-level Strombolian activity during 21-22 October. Seismicity and infrasound signals were consistent with low-level eruptive activity, and a steam plume was persistent. By 23 October lava had filled the crater and during 23-24 October overflowed the N crater rim. A 200-m-long lava flow on the N flank melted snow and caused a lahar which traveled 2.9 km and stopped at about 1,230 m elevation. A smaller lava flows caused a 1-km-long lahar to descend the NE flank. Spatter accumulated around the crater rim and melted snow. On 25 October AVO noted that trace ash deposits had extended at least 8.5 km SE. Low-level eruptive activity continued during 26-29 October. Seismicity remained elevated, with periods of high-amplitude tremor. Small explosions were recorded during 27-28 October. A satellite image from 28 October showed a 850-m-long SWIR anomaly on the NW flank from a lava flow. A central spatter cone was visible. Spatter deposits on the snow at the upper flanks was evident, and tephra deposits extended about 2.5 km N. The lahar on the NW flank branched extensively at lower elevations and was at least 5 km long. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.2 earthquake hits the Komandorskiye Ostrova region, Russia.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Western Pacific Ocean: Tropical Storm Matmo is located approximately 230 nm southeast of Da Nang, Vietnam, is tracking west-northwestward at 09 knots.
In the Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone 04a (Kyarr), located approximately 184 nm east-southeast of Masirah Island, is tracking southwestward at 05 knots.
Tropical cyclone 05a (Five), located approximately 620 nm south of Mumbai, India, is tracking northwestward at 14 knots.
NewsBytes:
Cameroon – Authorities in Cameroon have deployed soldiers and rescue workers after a torrential downpour caused a landslide that killed at least 34 people near the western town of Bafoussam. Rescue workers spent Tuesday searching through the wreckage of destroyed homes for more victims.
El Salvador – Heavy precipitation in El Salvador began on 12 October 2019 due to the influence and combination of a lowpressure system. The continual rain led caused rockslides and landslides, as well as falling trees and collapse of slopes, which disrupted transit on highways and roads. Unofficial figures report that at least four people have died following the heavy rain.
Kenya – Heavy rain has been affecting several counties since last week, causing flash flooding and landslides. According to media reports, as of 24 October, 9 people have died as a result, 4 in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, 4 in Wajir county and 1 in Turkana County. Thousands of people have been displaced and roads and houses have been damaged.
Ghana – Ghana experienced heavy rains combined with water releases from the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso in early October 2019 which caused serious flooding and extensive damage to farmlands, houses, properties and loss of lives across the country. Between the 6 to 12 October 2019, the Upper East Region, experienced torrential rains which resulted in damaged houses and farmlands leading to displacement of people and fatalities. Local media in Ghana reported that as many as 29 people have died in flood-related incidents. Media reports also suggested that between 1,000 and 4,000 buildings have been destroyed or severely damaged.
India – More than 130 of the 178 taluks in the state are either reeling under drought or affected by the worst flooding in more than a century during the southwest monsoon. The state government had recently declared 49 taluks as drought-hit, whereas 103 were designated as flood-affected in August. The drought list includes at least five taluks that were also flood-hit, posing an unusual challenge to the authorities.
Wildfires – Australia
Hundreds of koalas are feared to have died in an out-of-control bushfire in northern New South Wales which has raged unchecked for days in the heartland of their prime habitat. The blaze, reportedly caused by a lightning strike near Port Macquarie, has burned more than 3,000 hectares, including an important koala breeding ground.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.5 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
5.8 earthquake hits the Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea.
5.8 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
5.5 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
5.2 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
5.1 earthquake hits the southwest Indian ridge.
5.1 earthquake hits south of Fiji.
Three 5.0 earthquakes hit Mindanao in the Philippines.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone 04a (Kyarr), located approximately 257 nm east-southeast of Masirah Island, is tracking northwestward at 03 knots.
NewsBytes:
Tanzania – Floods have affected the north-east of Tanzania since last week. According to media reports, 14 people died in Handeni district (Tanga Region). Since mid October, several floods have led to a total death toll of 44. In addition, a number of houses, roads, bridges and crop farms have been damaged. For the next 24 hours, moderate to heavy rain is forecast over the central and northern regions.
UAE – Roads in the eastern region of Sharjah and Fujairah have been closed after high waves caused flooding in both emirates. Corniche Roads in Khor Fakkan and Kalba were closed on Monday after midnight as high waves breached the barricade and flooded the surrounding streets amid an unusually high tide combined with the effect of Tropical Cyclone Kyarr.
Nigeria – Over 100 villages in Nigeria’s northeastern state of Adamawa have been trapped by floods, caused by persistent rainfall in that part of the country, a local official said on Monday. He described the current flood situation as the worst ever experienced in the state. The villages affected cut across seven local government areas of Adamawa, affecting mostly farmers.
UK – Thousands of homes remain at risk of flooding after torrential downpours this weekend caused rivers across the country to burst their banks.
Rift Valley Fever – Sudan
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Sudan reports that since late September, Sudan has seen 193 Rift Valley Fever (RVF) cases, including four deaths. The cases were reported from Red Sea, River Nile and Khartoum states.
Measles – Ukraine
The measles outbreak in the Ukraine seems to be declining. In an update on the measles outbreak in Ukraine, 45 additional people became ill with measles during the past week, which includes 18 adults and 27 children.
Killer brain disease arrives in UK
A disease that can harm the brain and which is spread to humans by tick bites has been identified in the insects in Britain for the first time. Public Health England (PHE) has confirmed the presence of the tick-borne encephalitis virus in Thetford Forest and on the Hampshire-Dorset border. PHE says the risk is ‘very low’, but it is investigating how common the infected ticks might be. Ticks are becoming more common in parts of the UK, mainly due to increasing deer numbers. They can also live in other animals, such as dogs, and in undergrowth.
Leptospirosis – Ireland
People have been warned not to swim or go boating in the Royal Canal in north Dublin after there was an outbreak of rat-borne diseases recently. There have been a number of cases of Leptospirosis reported to the HSE recently after people had been exposed to the water in the canal. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection usually spread through contact with rats or rat urine.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.2 earthquake hits the Gansu-Qinghai border, China.
5.1 earthquake hits San Juan, Argentina.
5.1 earthquake hits the Solomon Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits Halmahera, Indonesia.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Atlantic Ocean: Tropical Storm Pablo is located about 725 mi…1165 km ne of Lajes air base in the Azores with maximum sustained winds…50 mph…85 km/h. Present movement…n or 360 degrees at 5 mph…7 km/h.
In the Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone 04a (Kyarr), located approximately 362 nm east-southeast of Masirah Island, is tracking westward at 06 knots.
NewsBytes:
UK – Heavy rain on Friday and Saturday led to several football matches being cancelled, train delays and flooded roads. The River Ouse in York broke its banks causing flooding in the city centre as images show street signs submerged underwater. The Environment Agency has 96 flood warnings and 123 flood alerts in place as of Sunday morning.
Interesting Images
A trio of divers off the western coast of Norway had a close encounter with a drifting gelatinous blob — a squid’s egg sac as big as an adult human, filled with hundreds of thousands of baby squid.
Earth Report 