The Watchers News Brief: August 17, 2018
Post-Tropical Cyclone "Ernesto" threatens Ireland and UK with strong winds and heavy rain
Subtropical Depression "Ernesto" formed over the Central Atlantic Ocean on August 15 and strengthened into a tropical storm by 21:00 UTC on August 16.
Ernesto's current NHC track takes it toward Ireland and the United Kingdom on August 18.
The main threat will be strong winds.
This is the first tropical system of the year heading toward Ireland and UK.
Tropical Storm "Bebinca" hits Vietnam, flooding homes and cutting off villages
Tropical Storm "Bebinca" made landfall in northern Vietnam late August 16 with wind gusts up to 130 km/h (81 mph).
The province of Nghe An recorded 280 mm (11 inches), nearly 90% of entire average August rainfall.
Numerous homes were flooded and some villages cut off due to floods.
Authorities warned northern provinces to be vigilant to possible landslides and flash floods.
Tropical Cyclone "Soulik" forms, heading toward Osumi islands and Kyushu, Japan
A new Tropical Cyclone named "Soulik" formed over the North West Pacific Ocean on August 15, close to Guam.
Over the next 48 hours, it is forecast to continue moving north-northwest towards Osumi islands and southern Kyushu island, Japan, while strengthening.
M2.2 under Vesuvius volcano near Napoli, Italy
Some tabloids and YouTube channels are spreading fake news these days about M5.2 earthquake rocking the Italian city of Napoli and saying this is the reason why Vesuvius is about to erupt. The quake in question is August 16 M5.3, located some 124 km (77 miles) NNE of the city and the volcano. If anything, reports about this quake should be focused on nearby cities and much closer Amatrice.
Meanwhile, a small earthquake registered by the EMSC as M2.2 hit the volcano at a depth of 1 km (0.62 miles).
Since October 2004, EMSC registered 5 earthquakes under the volcano, all of them over the past 16 months. They were M2.0 in April 2017, two M2.5 in October 2017, M2.1 in April 2018 and today's M2.2.
Mount Vesuvius is one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world as millions of people live close to its crater.
This volcano last erupted in 1944, but its eruption cycle is about 20 years.
You can read more about it here.
Powerful earthquake swarms in Bárðarbunga, Torfajökull volcanoes
Earthquake swarms were detected in Icelandic subglacial volcanoes Bárðarbunga and Torfajökull on August 16. Seismic activity is very common in Bárðarbunga, and while Torfajökull does not tremble as frequently as Bárðarbunga it is known for regular tremors, Iceland Magazine reported
The two earthquake swarms included three significant magnitude 3+ quakes. According to the Seismic Monitoring System of the Icelandic Meteorological office the first quake, a 3.5 magnitude tremor in the caldera of Bárðarbunga volcano at a depth of 2.9 km (1.8 mi) hit at 15:05 in the afternoon. This one tremor was not followed by any aftershocks, but an hour later a powerful earthquake swarm hit Torfajökull volcano, north of Mýrdalsjökull glacier in the southern Central Highlands.
Parts of eastern Spain underwater, heatwave ends abruptly
A severe storm hit parts of eastern Spain on August 17, leaving streets, cars and homes flooded and tourists surprised.
The rain is expected to continue in parts of the country on August 18. Meteoalarm issued a yellow alert for Alicante, Cadiz, Ibiza y Formentera, Menorca, Valencia, Barcelona, Girona, Mallorca, and Tarragona.
Snowing in Hokkaido, 4 days earlier than the previous record
It was snowing on the mountains of Hokkaido today, at an altitude of 1.9 m (6.2 feet) in the Daisetsuzan mountain range.
According to the Japan Times, this is the earliest snowfall since records began being kept in 1974, coming four days earlier than the previous mark of August 21 in 2002.
本日、8月17日0時52分黒岳石室にて初冠雪です☃️
現在の石室気温0℃と冷え込んでおります～！！ pic.twitter.com/WjW3wkecR1— 大雪山層雲峡黒岳ロープウェイ (@rinyu_kurodake) August 16, 2018
Anak Krakatau, Indonesia
Activity at the volcano remains intense.
Volcano Discovery Indonesia reported around 70 explosions per day during their recent expedition.
"Activity of explosions remains continuous with now around 70 times a day and going down with long interval of explosions. Activity is more explosive with more viscous lava erupted."
Anak #Krakatau #volcano (Sunda Strait, Indonesia): activity remains intense, field report 10-15 August 2018 – Th…https://t.co/KS1o1OMFv1
— VolcanoDiscovery (@volcanodiscover) August 17, 2018
Gunung Anak Krakatau erupsi dengan tinggi kolom abu teramati ± 500 m di atas puncak (± 805 m di atas permukaan laut). Kolom abu teramati berwarna hitam dengan intensitas tebal condong ke arah utara pada 17/8/2018 pukul 18:30 WIB. Status Level II (Waspada). pic.twitter.com/N2hwSBNNSP
— Sutopo Purwo Nugroho (@Sutopo_PN) August 17, 2018
Children particularly affected by the Ebola outbreak in the DRC
Children represent an unusually high proportion of people affected by the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), UNICEF said today.
Two children have already died from the disease. The Ebola treatment centers in Beni and Mangina are currently treating six children that are infected by the disease or suspected to be. UNICEF has identified 53 orphaned children who have lost their parents to Ebola.
Very deep M6.7 earthquake under Flores Sea, Indonesia
A very deep earthquake registered by the BMKG as M6.7 hit under the Flores Sea, Indonesia at 15:35 UTC on August 17, 2018. The agency is reporting a depth of 559 km (347 miles).
The quake had no tsunami potential, BMKG said.
There are about 3 000 people living within 100 km (62 miles). Some 26 659 000 people are estimated to have felt weak shaking.
Hurricane "Lane" rapidly strengthening, expected to pass south of Hawaii next week
Hurricane "Lane," the 12th named storm of the 2018 Pacific typhoon season is rapidly strengthening and this phase is expected to continue for the next 24 hours. Lane is expected to become a major hurricane today and pass south of Hawaii on August 21/22.
Sonic boom, very bright fireball reported over Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina
A very bright fireball, at least 40 times as bright as the Full Moon, streaked across the night sky over the U.S. Southeast at 05:19 UTC (12:19 CDT) on August 17, 2018. The event lasted several seconds and was followed by a sonic boom.
Strong and shallow M6.1 earthquake hits Costa Rica
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit Costa Rica at 23:22 UTC on August 17, 2018. The agency is reporting a depth of 15.9 km (9.8 miles).
There are about 880 000 people living within 100 km (62 miles).
The USGS issued a green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
This earthquake can have a low humanitarian impact based on the magnitude and the affected population and their vulnerability.
Featured image: Anak Krakatau erupting on August 17, 2018. Credit: Sutopo Purwo Nugroho
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