I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.
An earthquake swarm with over 300 events over 48 hours is in progress on the Reykjanes Ridge southwest of Eldey, Iceland, since March 23, 2026, with the largest earthquake thus far registered as M4.4. The Icelandic Meteorological Office said there are no indications linking the activity to volcanic processes on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
A new volcanic eruption occurred at Whakaari/White Island, New Zealand, at 17:35 LT on March 24, 2026, producing a dark grey ash plume rising to about 1 300 m (4 265 feet) above the vent. Authorities raised the Volcanic Alert Level to 3 and the Aviation Color Code to Orange following the event. Activity has since ceased, but further explosive events remain possible with little or no warning.
Record heat is forecast to persist across parts of the western and central United States through March 25, 2026, with the National Weather Service warning that more than 200 daily record highs could be set as above-normal temperatures spread from the West back into the central and southern Plains. A brief cooldown over parts of the central and eastern U.S. on March 23 is expected to be short-lived. The Storm Prediction Center has issued a severe thunderstorm outlook for Thursday, March 26, covering areas from northeast Missouri to western and northern Ohio.
An intense early-season heatwave pushed temperatures to extreme levels across the southwestern United States between March 18 and 22, 2026, as a persistent high-pressure ridge produced widespread daily and monthly March temperature records. Record heat was reported across Arizona, California, Nevada, and other parts of the western United States.
Flooding triggered by heavy rainfall across Malawi between March 15 and 18, 2026, affected 9 598 households, displaced 128 households, and left 13 people dead and 35 injured, according to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA). Preliminary impacts were reported across 16 districts and city councils, with 12 evacuation camps established and road access disrupted in several areas.
Severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rain and gusty winds struck Karachi, Pakistan overnight on March 18–19, 2026, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 50. The deadliest incident occurred in Mawachh Goth, Baldia, where a wall collapse killed 13 people, while six others died in separate rain-related incidents across the city. Authorities launched rescue and medical response operations.
A second Kona low is expected to affect the Hawaiian Islands beginning the evening of March 19, 2026, bringing additional rainfall to areas already impacted by record-breaking flooding from a previous storm. A Flood Watch is in effect from 18:00 LT on March 19 through 18:00 LT on March 22 for Maui County, Oʻahu, and Hawaiʻi Island.
A slow-moving Kona low brought extreme rainfall to the Hawaiian Islands between March 10–16, 2026, producing record-breaking totals at multiple long-term stations, particularly on Maui and Oʻahu. Honolulu and Kahului both set new daily rainfall records on March 13, while multi-day accumulations on Maui reached up to about 1 170 mm (46 inches), triggering flooding, landslides, and widespread disruption.
La Niña conditions persisted across the equatorial Pacific Ocean during February 2026, but forecasters expect the pattern to transition to ENSO-neutral within the next month. The Climate Prediction Center said on March 12, 2026, that El Niño is likely to emerge during June–August 2026 with a probability of 62% and could persist through at least the end of the year.
More than 23 million m³ (812 million feet³) of magma have accumulated beneath the Svartsengi volcanic system on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula since the July 2025 eruption. Monitoring data released March 17, 2026, by the Icelandic Meteorological Office show this is the largest magma accumulation between eruptions since activity began on the Sundhnúksgígar crater row in December 2023. The official hazard assessment for the area remains unchanged and is valid until March 31.
