The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: May 8 – 14, 2024
New activity/unrest was reported for 8 volcanoes from May 8 to 14, 2024. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 11 volcanoes.
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Major X2.9 flare erupts on SE limb of the Sun, signals new wave of heightened solar activity
A powerful solar flare measuring X2.9 erupted on the Sun’s southeastern limb at 14:38 UTC on May 15, 2024. The event started at 14:20 and ended at 14:51 UTC. This is the second X-class solar flare after X3.4 at 08:37 UTC from Region 3664 — off the west limb.
X3.4+ solar flare erupts from Region 3664, solar radiation storm continues
A powerful solar flare registered as X3.4 erupted from Active Region 3664 — now located beyond the west limb — at 08:37 UTC on May 15, 2024. The event started at 08:18 and ended at 08:52 UTC. A solar radiation storm continues at S1 – Minor to S2 – Moderate levels since May 13.
Coldest early May on record in European Russia
The first ten days of May in the European part of Russia may be recognized as the coldest on record, according to Roman Vilfand of the Russian Hydrometeorological Center. Cold air masses from the Arctic Ocean caused temperatures to drop significantly, affecting not only Russia but also Turkey with severe weather.
Major X8.7 flare erupts from Region 3664 — the strongest solar flare of Solar Cycle 25
A powerful solar flare measuring X8.7 erupted from Active Region 3664 — currently located at the west limb of the Sun — at 16:51 UTC on May 14, 2024. The event started at 16:46 and ended at 17:02 UTC.
Late-season Kona low to strike Hawaii with severe weather
A Kona low forming north of Hawaii is expected to bring heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and flash flooding to the islands beginning Tuesday evening, May 14, 2024. The event comes after a weekend of heavy rains flooded major roads in Windward Oahu and triggered landslides on May 13.
Florida and Georgia brace for severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall
Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to move east on May 14, 2024, affecting northern Florida and southern Georgia with damaging winds and heavy rainfall. Additionally, heavy to excessive rainfall is expected over northern Florida, potentially leading to flash flooding. Another wave of heavy rainfall is forecast to impact parts of eastern Texas and the Lower Mississippi Valley later this week, and rain falling on saturated soils will likely cause additional flash flooding.
Rapidly spreading Canadian wildfires force thousands to evacuate, degrade air quality in U.S.
Multiple wildfires burning in British Columbia and Manitoba have forced thousands of people to evacuate and spread hazardous smoke into the northern United States, prompting air quality alerts.
X1.7 and long duration M6.6 solar flares erupt from Region 3664, solar radiation storm in progress
Active Region 3664 — the source of numerous Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) over the past 7 days — began its transit of the western limb on May 13, 2024. The region remains very active, producing a long-duration M6.6 flare on May 13, associated with a likely Earth-directed CME, and an X1.7 at 02:09 UTC on May 14. Meanwhile, a solar radiation storm is in progress due to activity associated with the same region.
Massive dust storm engulfs Mumbai, killing at least 14 and injuring 74
A catastrophic dust storm swept through Mumbai, India, on Monday, May 13, 2024, beginning at 15:00 local time and persisting for more than two hours. The storm claimed the lives of at least eight individuals and injured over 60 others, wreaking havoc across the city.
