Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.5 earthquake his Antofagasta, Chile.
5.1 earthquake hits south of Africa.
5.0 earthquake hits Fiji.
5.0 earthquake hits south of Africa.
5.0 earthquake hits the Santa Cruz Islands.
5.0 earthquake hits Jalisco, Mexico.
5.0 earthquake hits Tonga.
5.0 earthquake hits near the coast of central Peru.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
There are no current tropical storm systems.
Newsbytes:
Scotland – Flooding has caused travel disruption across Scotland after heavy rain in many parts of the country. Several rail services were cancelled and sections of the M9 and the M74 motorways have been closed. The warning was raised to severe in Whitesands, Dumfries after intense rain through the day brought a “rapid and extreme rise” to the River Nith. Sepa said the river was forecast to exceed levels seen in Storm Frank in December 2015 and also the higher flooding of December 1982.
New Zealand – Over the Christmas period, the upper North Island of New Zealand experienced stormy conditions, grounding flights and flooding roads. Thunderstorms broke out on 22 December, leading to heavy rainfall and an incredible 4,500 lightning strikes in just two hours. Unfortunately, one of these lightning strikes set a property alight in the town of Waitōtara in the south of the island. Although no injuries were reported, the property and surrounding farmlands were mostly destroyed. Furthermore, a small tornado was spotted in the Southland region of the South Island, though thankfully, no damage was caused.
Summer wildfires in England almost quadrupled in 2022
Fire services in England dealt with nearly 25,000 wildfires this summer, almost four times that recorded over the same period in 2021, figures show. Some forces tackled more than 50 wildfires a day amid droughts and record-breaking temperatures of more than 40C. More than 800 wildfires were recorded on 19 July alone. The parched land saw many areas succumb to fires including London, Yorkshire, Dorset, Hampshire and Norfolk.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.6 earthquake hits Mindanao in the Philippines.
5.4 earthquake hits Tonga.
5.3 earthquake hits off the coast of Aisen, Chile.
5.3 earthquake hits Kepulauan Batu, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits the Molucca Sea.
5.0 earthquake hits Kepulauan Batu, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits southwest of Sumatra, Indonesia.
5.0 earthquake hits the Timor Sea.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 05s (Darienn, located approximately 797 nm east-southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius, is tracking southwestward at 08 knots.
Quadrantid Meteor Shower
The first meteor shower of 2023, the Quadrantids, is coming up — and it may be one of the most spectacular showers of the year. The Quadrantids are active from Dec. 26 to Jan. 16 but will peak on Jan. 2 and 3. At the peak, viewers can expect an average of 80 meteors per hour streaking through Earth’s atmosphere, according to NASA(opens in new tab). — although the shower could produce up to 200 per hour. Most notably, the Quadrantids are known for producing dramatic fireball meteors, which are longer and brighter than typical meteors because they originate from bigger pieces of debris.
The Quadrantids are the debris trail of an asteroid called 2003 EH1, which was discovered in the Lowell Observatory Near-Earth-Object Search (LONEOS) in 2003. The asteroid is about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) across and may be the remnants of an extinct comet
Global Temperature Extremes
The week’s hottest temperature was 53.0 degrees Celsius (127 degrees F) at Death Valley, California.
The week’s coldest temperature was minus 79.0 degrees Celsius (-110 degrees F) at Vostok, Antarctica.
Temperatures were tabulated from the more than 10,000 worldwide synoptic weather stations. The United Nations World Meteorological Organization sets the standards for weather observations, and provides a global telecommunications circuit for data distribution.
Covid-19
The countries with the 10 greatest number of Covid-19 cases:
Rabies
South Africa – The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) reported a confirmed case of human rabies in Limpopo Province in December 2022. This is the 13th confirmed case of human rabies in South Africa this year.
Vietnam – A 30-year-old patient (in Phu Tho) entered the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases on December 21, 2022 in a state of panic and anxiety. It transpired that about 3-4 months ago, the patient was bitten by a strange dog. The patient then beat the dog to death and ate it. The patient tested positive for rabies infection.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week 21 December – 27 December 2022
Ahyi – Mariana Islands (USA) : Unrest continued to be detected at Ahyi Seamount during 21-27 December. Wake Island hydrophone sensors detected daily signals that possibly indicated explosions. An underwater plume was visible in satellite images during 26-27 December.
Aira – Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 19-26 December. Crater incandescence was visible nightly. Sulfur dioxide emissions were slightly high at 1,500 tons per day on 19 December. An explosion at 0449 on 22 December ejected blocks 600-900 m from the vent. An explosion at 1954 on 24 December produced an ash plume that rose 1.2 km above the crater rim and ejected large blocks as far as 1.1 km from the vent.
Alaid – Kuril Islands (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Alaid was identified in satellite images on 17 and 22 December; weather clouds obscured observations on the other days during 16-21 December.
Cotopaxi – Ecuador : On 23 December IG issued a special report about increased activity at Cotopaxi. A total of 27 ash emissions had been recorded since the eruption began on 21 October; one ash emission was recorded in October, four were recorded in November, and 22 were recorded by 23 December. Based on Washington VAAC notices, ash clouds drifted the farthest, 60 km NNW, on 26 November and 20 December after rising 2.2 km (the maximum recorded height) and 1.5 km above the crater rim, respectively. Ashfall on those two days was reported in the Mejía, Rumiñahui, and Quito regions. Ash samples from 21 October and 26 November revealed a slight increase in the total percentage of juvenile material; an analysis of 20 December ash was in progress. Increases in sulfur dioxide emissions were measured both by satellite and ground-based Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) instruments. Gas measurements taken during periodic overflights showed increases in the ratio of sulfur dioxide to hydrogen sulfide. Based on these and other monitoring data, IG reiterated that the activity was caused by magma in the volcano’s conduit, though not from new magma entering the system after the 2015 eruption. Daily emissions with ash continued to be observed in webcam images and reported by the Washington VAAC during 23-27 December; weather clouds obscured views on 26 December. Gas-and-steam plumes with low ash content rose as high as 1.5 km above the crater rim and drifted in various directions.
Dukono – Halmahera : PVMBG reported that almost daily white-and-gray plumes of variable densities rose from Dukono as high as 400 m above the summit and drifted N and E during 23-27 December. Inclement weather conditions sometimes prevented visual observations.
Ebeko – Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that moderate activity at Ebeko was ongoing during 15-22 December. According to volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island, about 7 km E) explosions on 18 December generated ash plumes that rose to 2.5 km (8,200 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images that same day; the volcano was obscured by weather clouds on the other days of the week.
Great Sitkin – Andreanof Islands (USA) : AVO reported that satellite data acquired on 22 December confirmed that the lava flow field at Great Sitkin was advancing E. Slow lava effusion likely continued during 23-27 December, though nothing significant was visible in sometimes cloudy satellite images or detected in seismic data. Elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images during 21-23 and 25-27 December.
Klyuchevskoy – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : As from 22 December, the eruption had ended in November and the thermal anomaly that had been identified in satellite images had returned to background levels.
Manam – Northeast of New Guinea : The Darwin VAAC reported that on 26 December an ash plume from Manam rose to 3 km (10,000 ft) and drifted S and SSE based on satellite images.
Merapi – Central Java : BPPTKG reported that the eruption at Merapi continued during 16-22 December and seismicity remained at high levels. The SW lava dome produced three lava avalanches that traveled as far as 1.5 km down the SW flank (upstream in the Kali Bebeng drainage). Sounds of falling material were noted four times. No significant morphological changes to the central and SW lava domes were evident.
Reventador – Ecuador : IG described the ongoing eruption at Reventador as moderate during 21-27 December. Daily seismicity was characterized by explosions, long-period earthquakes, periods of harmonic tremor, and signals that indicated emissions. Gas, steam, and ash plumes, observed daily with webcams or reported by the Washington VAAC, rose as high as 1.3 km above the summit and drifted in multiple directions. Weather clouds occasionally prevented webcam and satellite views of the volcano. Crater incandescence was visible nightly or during the early morning hours; incandescent blocks rolled down all flanks, descending as far as 700 m.
Sangay – Ecuador : IG reported a high level of activity at Sangay during 20-27 December, which included daily explosions, volcanic tremor, and gas, steam, and ash emissions. The daily count of explosions ranged from 708-1,250, though seismic data transmission was sometimes interrupted. Almost daily ash-and-gas plumes were identified in IG webcam images and satellite images according to the Washington VAAC; weather clouds sometimes prevented observations of the summit. Gas, steam, and ash plumes rose as high as 1.2 km above the volcano and drifted mainly NW, W, SW, and S. Multiple daily thermal anomalies were identified in satellite images. Crater incandescence was visible some nights and early mornings. Incandescent material was observed rolling down the SE flank during 26-27 December.
Sheveluch – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that the ongoing eruption at Sheveluch during 15-22 December was generally characterized by explosions, hot avalanches, lava-dome extrusion, and strong fumarolic activity. A daily thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images, and ash plumes were visible drifting 110 km NNE on 16 December.
Stromboli – Aeolian Islands (Italy) : INGV reported that both explosive and effusive activity at Stromboli were observed during 19-25 December at four vents in Area N, one N1 vent and three N2 vents; all were located in the upper portion of the Sciara del Fuoco. Explosions from the vents were variable in intensity and ejected coarse material (bombs and lapilli) 80-150 m high at a rate of 3-10 explosions per hour. Intense spattering from all four vents occurred during the week. Lava flows reached about halfway down the Sciara del Fuoco. At 0942 on 19 December lava overflowed vents in the N2 area, after a period of intense spattering. The lava flowed part way down the Sciara del Fuoco, likely channeled in the ravine that had formed in October, out of view from webcams. The flow was well-fed for a couple of hours but then effusion slowed or stopped, and it began to cool. The same activity occurred again, with a lava overflow occurring at 1547 on 21 December and traveling about the same distance. On 22 December explosive activity at the Central-South area (CS) ejected fine-to-coarse material as high as 150 m above the vent.
Suwanosejima – Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that the eruption at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater continued during 19-26 December. No explosions were recorded. Eruption plumes rose at least 1 km above the crater rim and disappeared into weather clouds, and blocks were ejected as far as 30 m from the vent. Ashfall was occasionally reported in Toshima village (3.5 km SSW) during 23-26 December.
Villarrica – Central Chile : SERNAGEOMIN reported that at 0845 on 24 December a volcano-tectonic earthquake at Villarrica was followed by increased Strombolian activity. Explosions ejected material generally to heights of less than 100 m, though one explosion ejected incandescent tephra as far as 400 m onto the SW flank. According to POVI, there were 11 ejections of incandescent ballistics that impacted the upper SW flank between 2225 on 25 December to 0519 on 26 December. The Alert Level remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale) and the public was warned that material could be ejected within 500 m of the crater.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
6.3 earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty islands.
5.7 earthquake hits Kyrgyzstan.
5.3 earthquake hits south of Fiji.
5.2 earthquake hits near the coast of southern Peru.
5.0 earthquake hits the Eritrea-Ethiopia border region.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 05s (Darien) continues to swirl in the southern Indian Ocean, located approximately 921 nm south of Diego Garcia, is tracking southwestward at 17 knots.
Newsbytes:
Uganda – Floods in southern Uganda have killed at least 10 people, officials said on Tuesday. More than 400 families have also been displaced in the districts of Rakai and Lyantonde. Heavy rainfall that started on Dec. 20 caused the Rwizi River and Lake Kijjanibarora to overflow, submerging several nearby villages. Floodwaters have also reached the main palace of Kooki, a chiefdom in southern Uganda.
Chikungunya – Brazil
Of the three main diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti, chikungunya is the only one that shows an increase in cases this year in Brazil compared to 2019, the year of the last survey before the pandemic. This year through December 17, there were 172,082 probable cases of chikungunya. So far, 93 chikungunya deaths have been confirmed in Brazil, with Ceará concentrating more than 40% of them.
Measles – DR Congo
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a total of 296 cases including 6 deaths have been recorded in the Ruzizi health zone in the southern part of South Kivu province during the past month.
Plague – Madagascar
Five people have died of the plague approximately 75 km from Antananarivo in Ambohimiadana, Antsaharatsy, Ampanotokana commune, Ambohidratrimo district. Three others are being treated in hospital. Schools in the district have been temporarily closed as a safety precaution.
Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week 21 December – 27 December 2022
Etna – Sicily (Italy) : INGV reported that the vents at the NE base of Etna’s SE Crater, in the Valle del Leone at about 2,800 m elevation, continued to feed lava flows during 19-25 December. The active flow field consisted of overlapping lava flows that expanded into the Valle del Leone and the Valle del Bove. By 25 December the most active lava flow had descended to 2,150 m elevation. Gas emissions rose from the summit craters.
Kaitoku Seamount – Volcano Islands (Japan) : After JMA first reported new activity around the Kaitoku Seamount in August, discolored water continued to be periodically visible in Sentinel satellite images through 27 December. Though weather clouds sometimes prevented views of the vent area, and on occasion no activity was visible in clear images, plumes of discolored water drifting away from the vent area appeared to become more frequent in October. Images from 18 October, and 22 and 27 November possibly captured material at the surface or an eruption plume rising above the water. The Japan Coast Guard posted pictures of disturbed water around the vent in November. Recent Sentinel images on 17 and 27 December captured plumes of discolored water drifting as far as 10 km from the vent area.
Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes – Global
5.4 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands.
5.1 earthquake hits offshore Valparaiso, Chile.
5.0 earthquake hits eastern Greenland.
5.0 earthquake hits Seram, Indonesia.
Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:
In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 05s (Darien), located approximately 840 nm south-southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking southwestward at 13 knots.
Newsbytes:
Philippines – Severe weather including floods in the Philippines has left at least 17 people dead and a further 27 feared missing, according to disaster authorities. The combined effects of a Shear Line storm and a trough of low pressure caused widespread damages including floods and landslides over the last few days. As many as 284 homes have been completely destroyed and a further 828 damaged. Over 100 evacuation centres housed 46,636 people displaced from their homes, mainly in Northern Mindanao (Region X). Many of those reported missing are fishermen who went to sea despite treacherous conditions.
Jordan – The crowded stone corridors of the popular tourist destination Petra turned dangerous when floods forced evacuations and injured several people. Footage posted to social media on Dec. 26 showed floodwaters raging through the site. The chaotic scenes depicted sandy water cascading down cliffs, rivers running through what would usually be walkways, and people trying to escape in vehicles. The calamity at the UNESCO World Heritage site triggered the evacuation of 1,700 people.
Earth Report 