M2.4 solar flare erupts from the northeast limb
After 18 days with no notable flaring, our star unleashed an M2.4 solar flare from an emerging region on the northeast limb. The flare began at 03:42, peaked at 04:17 and ended at 04:37 UTC.
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Strong and shallow M6.3 earthquake hits near South Island, New Zealand
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 hit near the southern coast of South Island, New Zealand at 12:53 UTC on July 7, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). GeoNet is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 12 km (7.5 miles).
Major eruption at Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki sends ash to 19.6 km, triggers ashfall in nearby villages, Indonesia
A major explosive eruption occurred at Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, Indonesia, on July 7, 2025, producing an ash column that rose to over 19 km (63 000 feet) above sea level (a.s.l.). The Aviation Color Code was raised to Red, resulting in the cancellation of multiple flights to and from Bali. Heavy ashfall is falling over the nearby villages.
Early stratospheric warming waves emerging around Antarctic polar vortex
The Antarctic stratosphere is showing initial signs of disruption, as early warming waves form around a persistently cold polar vortex core. Further intensification and broadening of the anomalies are forecast for July 2025.
Rare July snowfall blankets highlands of Rize and Trabzon, Turkey
Rare snowfall blanketed high-altitude regions of Rize and Trabzon in northeastern Turkey in early July, creating a winter-like landscape amid peak summer.
At least 15 dead as polar air mass brings record low temperatures to Argentina, Chile and Uruguay
A polar air mass originating from Antarctica brought record low temperatures to Argentina, Chile and Uruguay between June 30 and July 3, 2024, causing at least 15 deaths and prompting emergency shelter activation and gas supply restrictions across the region.
Nuclear power plants shut down in France and Switzerland as heatwave impacts river cooling
Nuclear power plants in France and Switzerland were forced to shut down or reduce output between July 1 and 3, 2025, as a major heatwave raised river water temperatures above regulatory cooling thresholds.
The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: June 25–July 1, 2025
New activity/unrest was reported for two volcanoes from June 25 to July 1, 2025. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 20 volcanoes.
Explosive eruption at Shinmoedake blankets parts of Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures with ash, Japan
A strong explosive eruption occurred at Shinmoedake volcano, part of the Kirishima volcanic complex on Kyushu Island, Japan, at approximately 15:37 JST (06:37 UTC) on July 3, 2025, sending an ash plume up to 6.7 km (22 000 feet) above sea level (a.s.l.). The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) had raised the volcanic alert to Level 3 on June 27, following increased volcanic unrest.
A11pl3Z confirmed as third interstellar object, Mars flyby expected in October 2025
A new interstellar object, provisionally named A11pl3Z and approximately 20 km (12 miles) wide, has been confirmed as only the third known visitor from another star system to enter the Solar System.
