Flooding triggered by intense rainfall leaves one dead in Caracas, Venezuela
Heavy rainfall on the night of August 17–18, 2025, caused flash flooding in Caracas, Venezuela, leaving one person dead on the old road to El Junquito.
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.
Odds increase for tropical development behind Hurricane Erin in the Atlantic
A disturbance in the Atlantic Ocean’s Main Development Region has a medium chance of developing into a tropical cyclone within the next seven days. If the system develops into a tropical storm, it will be named Fernand, the next designation on the 2025 Atlantic hurricane list.
Category 4 Hurricane Erin located just east of southeast Bahamas, life-threatening surf expected along U.S. East Coast
Category 4 Hurricane Erin was located 220 km (140 miles) north-northeast of Grand Turk Islands at 18:00 UTC (14:00 EDT) on August 18, 2025, with maximum sustained winds of 220 km/h (140 mph), maintaining Category 4 strength while moving northwest at 20 km/h (13 mph).
Shallow M5.8 earthquake in Central Sulawesi kills one, injures 41; church collapse and minor tsunami reported
A shallow M5.8 earthquake struck near Poso in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia at 22:38 UTC on August 16, 2025. The tremor caused one fatality and injured 41 people, triggered the partial collapse of a church during worship, damaged dozens of buildings across the region, and produced a small tsunami.
Lewotobi volcano eruption sends ash cloud to 9.8 km (32 000 feet), Indonesia
Lewotobi volcano in Indonesia erupted on August 17, 2025, emitting volcanic ash up to 9 800 m (32 000 feet) above sea level, according to the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC).
Research on 2025 M7.7 Mandalay earthquake reveals variable rupture behavior of the Sagaing Fault
A study published on August 11, 2025, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences analyzes the Mw7.7 Mandalay earthquake of March 28, 2025, revealing that the Sagaing Fault in Myanmar is capable of unusually long supershear ruptures and irregular recurrence patterns.
M5.6 earthquake, largest onshore in Queensland in 50 years, strikes near Kilkivan, Australia
A strong earthquake registered by Geoscience Australia as M5.6 hit near Kilkivan, Queensland at 23:49 UTC on August 15 (09:49 local time) on August 16, 2025, at a depth of 10 km (6 miles). The quake caused temporary power outages and minor structural damage, and marked the state’s largest on-shore earthquake in 50 years.
Wildfire in Molezuelas, Zamora becomes largest in Spain’s recorded history, leaves three dead
A wildfire that began near Molezuelas de la Carballeda (Zamora) at about 14:25 local time (12:25 UTC) on August 10, 2025, has burned between 36 500 and 39 700 hectares (90 200 to 98 100 acres) and spread into neighboring León. It is the largest single wildfire in Spain since official records began in 1968, with three people and extensive damage to homes, farmland, forest, and infrastructure.
Rapidly spreading Sunset Fire forces evacuations, destroys three structures near Athol, Idaho
The Sunset Fire burning northeast of Athol, Idaho, reached approximately 650 ha (1 600 acres) by the evening of August 14, 2025, with zero containment and multiple evacuation orders in place. At least three structures have been destroyed.
At least 60 dead, over 250 missing after severe flash floods in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
A massive cloudburst struck Chosoti village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district at around 12:00 local time (LT) on August 14, 2025, killing at least 60 people, injuring more than 300, and leaving over 250 others missing.
