The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: April 10 – 16, 2024
New activity/unrest was reported for 8 volcanoes from April 10 to 16, 2024. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 12 volcanoes.
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Potential tsunami risk after major eruption at Ruang volcano, Indonesia
Indonesia’s Ruang volcano in North Sulawesi experienced several violent eruptions on April 16 and 17, 2024, forcing authorities to raise the Alert Level to 4 of 4 and warn nearby residents there is a potential of a tsunami if parts of the volcano collapse into the sea, similarly to what happened in 1871. The last eruptive episode at this volcano was in September 2002 (VEI 4).
Severe weather claims 141 lives in Pakistan and Afghanistan amid unprecedented rainfall
Recent extreme weather conditions have led to significant casualties and destruction in Pakistan and Afghanistan, with a combined death toll of 141 as of April 18, 2024. Torrential rains and flash floods have devastated large areas, resulting in extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture.
Strong M6.4 earthquake hits Shikoku, Japan
A strong earthquake registered by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) as M6.4 hit Shikoku at 14:14 UTC (23:14 LT) on April 17, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 50 km (31 miles). USGS is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 25.7 km (16 miles).
Historic rainfall in UAE results in major flooding, traffic chaos in Dubai
On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, the UAE was struck by an exceptional weather event, with record-breaking rainfall reaching up to 254.8 mm (10 inches) in Al Ain, surpassing the country’s annual average in less than 24 hours. The National Centre of Meteorology (NMC) issued a red alert as the rains caused significant flooding, traffic disruptions, and at least one death in Dubai. This severe weather follows similar impacts in neighboring Oman, where 19 fatalities were reported.
Asteroid 2024 HA flew past Earth at just 0.04 LD – the closest flyby of the year and 20th closest on record
A newly-discovered asteroid designated 2024 HA flew past Earth at a distance of just 0.4 LD / 0.00010 AU (15 550 km / 9 662 miles) at 17:42 UTC on April 16, 2024.
G2 – Moderate geomagnetic storm levels forecast as two more CMEs approach Earth
Solar wind parameters in 24 hours to 00:30 UTC on April 17, 2024, continued to be enhanced by a passing coronal mass ejection (CME) which impacted Earth around 17:25 UTC on April 15 (launched from the Sun on April 12). Two more CMEs, produced on April 14 and 15, are expected to make a combined impact at around 00:00 UTC on April 18.
Piece of largest object ever jettisoned from ISS crashes into Florida home, U.S.
In March 2021, NASA ground controllers deployed the International Space Station’s (ISS) robotic arm to discard a cargo pallet (EP-9) containing obsolete nickel hydride batteries, following upgrades to lithium-ion units. This operation set a record for the heaviest item jettisoned from the ISS. While the entire pallet was expected to disintegrate before reaching Earth’s surface, a fragment of this hardware survived atmospheric re-entry and struck a residence in Naples, Florida, in March 2024.
Tornado outbreak in Midwest: SPC reports at least 17 tornadoes, 10 in Iowa and 4 in Nebraska
Severe thunderstorms swept across parts of the Plains and Midwest on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, producing multiple damaging tornadoes. The NWS Storm Prediction Center reported at least 17 tornadoes — most of them in Iowa and Nebraska. The tornadoes caused widespread damage, and more severe weather was forecast for Wednesday.
Massive eruption at Ruang volcano forces mass evacuation, ash to 16.7 km (55 000 feet) a.s.l., Indonesia
A series of powerful eruptions took place at Ruang volcano in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province starting at 17:08 UTC on April 16, 2024 (01:08 LT, April 17). As a result, the Aviation Color Code was raised to Red, the Alert Level to 3 of 4, and local authorities started evacuating more than 800 people living on the island as a preventive measure. The last eruptive episode at this volcano was in September 2002 (VEI 4).
