Red alerts in effect as Tropical Cyclone “Cheneso” makes landfall in Madagascar
Tropical Cyclone “Cheneso” formed around 12:00 UTC on January 18, 2023, as the fourth named storm of the 2022/23 Southwest Indian Ocean cyclone season.
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The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: January 11 – 17, 2023
New activity/unrest was reported for 5 volcanoes from January 11 – 17, 2023. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 15 volcanoes.
Seismic unrest at Dieng volcano, Alert Level raised to Level 2, Indonesia
Observational data shows an increase in seismicity at Indonesia’s Dieng volcano, prompting the Indonesian Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) to raise the Alert Level from 1 to 2 (on a scale of 4) on January 13, 2023. The Dieng Volcanic Complex, which is made up of multiple stratovolcanoes and more than 20 small Pleistocene-to-Holocene craters, last erupted in April 2021 (VEI 1).
Tropical Cyclone “Irene” forms, forecast to pass over Vanuatu as a Category 2, bringing hazardous weather conditions
Tropical Cyclone “Irene” formed on January 18, 2023 north of New Caledonia as the 4th named storm of the 2022/23 Australian region cyclone season.
Significant M5.8 earthquake hits northern Iran
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M5.8 hit Turkey-Iran border region at 10:08 UTC on January 18, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M5.6 at a depth of 2 km (1.2 miles).
Increased number of shallow earthquakes at Ijen volcano, Indonesia
The Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) reported that beginning in July 2022, the seismic network at Ijen volcano in East Java, Indonesia began detecting increasing numbers of shallow volcanic earthquakes and earthquake signals characteristic of emissions, indicating increasing pressure at shallow depths within the hydrothermal system.
Intense lava fountaining at Villarrica volcano, Chile
Intense strombolian activity continues at Villarrica volcano, Chile, with lava fountains reaching up to 150 m (490 feet) in height. The Alert Level remains at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale).
Very strong and shallow M7.0 earthquake hits northern Molucca Sea, Indonesia
A very strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS hit the northern Molucca Sea, Indonesia at 06:06 UTC on January 18, 2023 (15:06 LT). The agency is reporting a depth of 48 km (29.8 miles). BMKG is reporting M7.1 at a depth of 64 km (39.7 miles); EMSC reporting M7.1 at a depth of 60 km (37.3 miles).
M6.0 earthquake hits Sulawesi, Indonesia
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit Sulawesi, Indonesia at 00:34 UTC on January 18, 2023 (08:34 LT). The agency is reporting a depth of 152.5 km (64.6 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 159 km (98.8 miles).
Storm Gerard hits France with hurricane-force winds
A powerful low pressure system, named Storm Gerard by Météo France, brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, and thunderstorms to northern and western France on Sunday, January 15, and Monday, January 16, 2023, resulting in significant weather-related incidents and causing casualties and damage. This is the 22nd named storm of the 2022/23 European windstorm season, including two ex-hurricanes (Danielle and Martin).
