Powerful explosive eruption at Sheveluch volcano, Aviation Color Code raised to Red, Russia
A new explosive eruption began at the “300 years of RAS” lava dome at Sheveluch volcano, Kamchatka, Russia at 11:45 UTC on August 17, 2024.
Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.
Very strong M7.0 earthquake hits off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia — hazardous tsunami waves possible
A very strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.0 hit off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia at 19:10 UTC on August 17, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 50 km (31 miles). EMSC is reporting M7.0 at a depth of 51 km (32 miles).
G3 – Strong geomagnetic storm following CME impact produced by X1.3 solar flare
The coronal mass ejection (CME) produced by the X1.3 solar flare on August 14, 2024, impacted Earth around 14:30 UTC on August 18, producing G3 – Strong geomagnetic storming.
Increased volcanic gas emissions detected from new vent at White Island volcano, New Zealand
White Island’s volcanic activity has intensified with increased gas emissions from a new vent, confirmed during a monitoring flight on August 14, 2024. GeoNet reported the findings on August 16, noting that while volcanic ash concentrations have risen, the likelihood of impact on the mainland remains very low.
Strong and shallow M6.1 earthquake hits Taiwan
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit near the east coast of Taiwan at 23:35 UTC on August 15, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 14 km (22.5 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: August 7 – 13, 2024
New activity/unrest was reported for 2 volcanoes from August 7 to 13, 2024. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 18 volcanoes.
Violent eruption at Etna volcano, Italy
Another phase of intense strombolian activity started at Etna’s Voragin crater during the afternoon hours of August 14, 2024, and over the next couple of hours evolved into violent lava fountaining — the 6th paroxysm at the volcano since July 4 when the series started.
Long-duration X1.1 solar flare erupts from geoeffective Region 3784, CME produced
A major, long-duration solar flare measuring X1.1 erupted from a large, geoeffective Active Region 3784 at 06:40 UTC on August 14, 2024. The event started at 06:00 and ended at 07:08 UTC.
Tropical Storm “Ernesto” forms near Leeward Islands
Tropical Storm “Ernsesto” formed at 12:00 UTC on Monday, August 12, 2024, near the Caribbean Sea as the 5th named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. The system is expected to bring tropical storm force winds and heavy rains to portions of the Leeward Islands beginning late tonight.
Shallow M4.4 earthquake hits Los Angeles, California
A shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M4.4 hit near Highland Park and South Pasadena, Los Angeles, California at 19:20 UTC (12:20 local time) on August 12, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 11 km (6.8 miles).
