I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
A period of increased seismic activity started at Kamaʻehuakanaloa volcano (previously known as Lōʻihi) near Hawaii on November 1, 2024, with over 70 recorded earthquakes and two reaching M4.3. Seismicity remains above normal levels today, indicating magma movement beneath the volcano.
The Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island, Philippines, produced three minor ash plumes from its summit crater on November 2, 2024, during brief eruptions lasting between four and twelve minutes each. The plumes rose to approximately 400 m (1 310 feet) above the crater and drifted southwest. No seismic or infrasonic signals accompanied the events, indicating low-energy emissions.
A major solar flare registered as X2.0 erupted from Active Region 3878 at 21:20 UTC on October 31, 2024. The event started at 21:12 and ended at 21:27 UTC. The flare was immediately followed by a long-duration M9.5 flare. Meanwhile, the solar radiation storm that started on October 26 entered the 7th day and continues at S1 – Minor levels.
With the end of October, uplift and magma accumulation continued steadily in Iceland’s Svartsengi volcanic region, increasing the likelihood of an intrusion or possible eruption toward late November. Seismic activity near the Sundhnúkar crater remains low, with only minor daily tremors recorded.
A newly discovered asteroid designated 2024 UG9 flew past Earth at a distance of 0.021 LD / 0.00006 AU (8 850 km / 5 499 miles) from the center of our planet at 12:42 UTC on October 30, 2024. This places it about 2 479 km (1 540 miles) from Earth’s surface.
New activity/unrest was reported for 5 volcanos from October 23 to 29, 2024. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 17 volcanoes.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit off the coast of Oregon, U.S. at 20:15 UTC on October 30, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
A deep earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit near the coast of Papua New Guinea at 12:18 UTC on October 30, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 521 km (323 miles).
A newly-discovered asteroid designated 2024 UZ6 flew past Earth at just 0.046 LD / 0.00012 AU (17 524 km / 10 889 miles) at 07:24 UTC on October 27, 2024.
Typhoon “Kong-rey” is rapidly intensifying as it moves west-northwest toward Taiwan. The current forecast track calls for landfall on Taiwan’s southeastern coast within the next 48 – 60 hours. However, a shift westward could also lead to a direct landfall on Batanes, Philippines. Kong-rey is forecast to significantly strengthen and potentially reach super typhoon status as it approaches Taiwan.
