Large wildfire in Oropos burns through pine forest under strong winds, Greece
A large wildfire broke out near Asprochori in Oropos, East Attica, Greece, on July 9, 2025, burning through pine forests under strong winds and prompting evacuations.
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.
Possible ball lightning observed during thunderstorm near Rich Valley, Alberta
A possible ball lightning event was recorded near Rich Valley, Alberta at approximately 19:00 LT on July 2, 2025, during a thunderstorm with active lightning. The luminous blue orb moved eastward with the prevailing winds for around 23 seconds before vanishing.
True polar wander of 1.13 m (3.72 feet) linked to global dam-building from 1835 to 2011
Storage of water in artificial reservoirs shifted Earth’s rotational poles by 113 cm (44 inches) and caused a 21 mm (0.83 inches) global sea level drop between 1835 and 2011, according to new research published in Geophysical Research Letters on 23 May, 2025.
Five missing, 7 000 evacuated after record rainfall triggers floods and landslides in Yunnan, China
Record rainfall of up to 254 mm (10 inches) hit Zhaotong, China’s Yunnan Province from July 8 to 9, 2025, triggering severe flooding and landslides in Weixin County and leaving five people missing. Over 7 000 residents have been evacuated.
Rare summer cold front brings 30 cm (12 inches) of snow to the Alps
A rare summer cold front swept across the Alps from late July 7 to July 8, 2025, bringing significant snowfall and sub-seasonal temperatures to elevations above 2 300 m (7 500 feet). Up to 30 cm (12 inches) of fresh snow was recorded in the Mont-Blanc massif, with temperatures dropping 5–10°C (9–18°F) below seasonal averages.
Extremely rare gigantic jet captured from the International Space Station over Mexico and U.S. Southwest
An extremely rare gigantic jet, powerful bolt of upward lightning, was captured from the International Space Station as it soared above a thunderstorm over northern Mexico and the U.S. Southwest on July 3, 2025. The striking image, taken by NASA astronaut Nichole Vapor Ayers, shows the jet piercing into the ionosphere, offering a rare glimpse of one of Earth’s most elusive atmospheric phenomena.
U.S. West flood risk increases sharply with wet soils during atmospheric river storms
Wet antecedent soil moisture increased streamflow magnitudes by 2–4.5 times during atmospheric river storms across 122 U.S. West Coast watersheds between 1980 and 2023, according to a new analysis. The study, published in the Journal of Hydrometeorology on June 4, 2025, establishes a nonlinear threshold effect in soil moisture, above which flood response to atmospheric rivers increases sharply.
Damaging tornado impacts Ginunggung and Bajugan villages, Tolitoli, Indonesia
A tornado accompanied by heavy rain struck Galang Subdistrict, Tolitoli Regency, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, at around 14:00 local time (LT) on July 7, 2025, injuring two residents and damaging several homes.
Video shows destructive flash flood submerging Texas Hill Country bridge in minutes
Severe flash flooding struck central Texas from July 4 to 6, 2025, after extreme rainfall of up to 517 mm (20.3 in) fell within hours, causing rivers to surge by more than 9 m (30 feet) and resulting in extensive damage and loss of life.
Severe hailstorm leaves thick hail cover across León and Moroleón, Guanajuato, Mexico
A severe hailstorm struck the municipalities of León and Moroleón in Guanajuato, Mexico, at approximately 17:30 local time (LT) on July 6, 2025, producing significant hail accumulation across multiple neighborhoods.
