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.
Heavy snowfall, strong winds, and blizzards, unleashed by Storm Bettina, have led to severe weather-related incidents and extensive damage in parts of Romania and Bulgaria on November 26 and 27, 2023. The storm resulted in the deaths of at least 3 people and left dozens injured in several countries, including Moldova, Ukraine, and Russia.
In a rare winter weather phenomenon, the western Indian state of Gujarat experienced severe thunderstorms and lightning strikes, resulting in 24 deaths and approximately 25 injuries. The state, known for rain-related calamities, was unprepared for such a storm during the winter months.
The Anak Krakatau volcano in Indonesia entered a period of intense eruptive activity around 05:28 UTC on November 26, 2023. The volcano has since produced numerous explosions, with ash columns reaching heights of up to 2.1 km (7 000 feet) above sea level. Officials are urging residents to stay away at least 5 km (3.1 miles) from the volcano.
Hurricane-force winds reaching speeds of 144 km/h (90 mph) and a significant tidal surge caused by a powerful Mediterranean cyclone named Storm Bettina have devastated parts of the Crimean Peninsula, particularly impacting Sevastopol and surrounding districts on November 25 and 26, 2023. The storm has led to widespread power outages, affecting nearly 500 000 residents, and causing considerable flooding and property damage. Bettina’s center moved over land early November 27 and is heading northward.
As Arctic air sweeps across the Great Lakes, meteorologists are warning of the season’s first significant lake-effect snow event, poised to cause travel disruptions and potentially feet of snow in some areas. This weather phenomenon, intensifying early next week, is expected to bring hazardous conditions, particularly along I-90 and in snow-prone regions of Michigan, Ohio, and New York.
Since the early hours of November 24, 2023, Mount Etna has exhibited intensified Strombolian activity at its SE Crater, as observed by INGV-OE. Over the following days, this activity has persisted, marked by modest ash emissions and fluctuating seismic intensity, with the Aviation Color Code maintained at Orange.
A very strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.1 hit the Mariana Islands region at 09:05 UTC on November 24, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 12.4 km (7.7 miles). EMSC is reporting M7.1 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.7 hit Vanuatu at 04:47 UTC (15:47 LT) on November 22, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 22.5 km (14 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.7 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles); BMKG M7.0 at a depth of 12 km (7.5 miles).
A strong earthquake registered by the BMKG as M6.6 hit Halmahera, Indonesia at 02:48 UTC (09:48 LT) on November 22, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 109 km (67.7 miles). USGS and EMSC are reporting M6.0 at a depth of 119 km (73.9 miles).
On November 21, 2023, the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported a decrease in seismic activity in the Reykjanes Peninsula, with 165 earthquakes, all below magnitude 2, detected since midnight. This decline contrasts with the previous days’ average of 1 500 to 1 800 earthquakes per 24-hour period.
