I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
A strong earthquake registered by the SGC as M5.6 hit Cartago, Colombia’s Valle del Cauca Department at 11:26 UTC (06:26 local time) on January 19, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 52 km (32 miles). USGS and EMSC are reporting M5.6 at a depth of 61 km (38 miles).
New activity/unrest was reported for 6 volcanoes from January 10 – 16, 2024. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 14 volcanoes.
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.4 hit Tonga at 22:12 UTC on January 18, 2024 (11:12 LT, January 19). The agency is reporting a depth of 218 km (135 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Recent volcanic activity in the Svartsengi area has led to continuous land uplift, although the exact rate is still being determined through GNSS measurements. Around 200 earthquakes, the largest measuring M1.4, have been recorded near the magma conduit since yesterday. Despite a reduction in earthquake frequency, significant risks, including ground collapse, remain for the nearby Grindavík area.
A very bright meteor was seen streaking through the early morning sky over France and Spain at 06:46 UTC on January 16, 2024.
The M7.6 earthquake that struck Japan’s Noto Peninsula on January 1, 2024, has caused significant changes in the coastal landscape, leaving at least 15 ports unusable and impacting local fisheries.
Recent discoveries of new small mud volcanoes in Trinidad’s eastern region have prompted local authorities to prepare evacuation plans, following a small eruption in the Cascadoux Trace area last week. Three homes closest to the new mud volcanoes were already evacuated.
Violent thunderstorms and heavy rainfall affecting KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, since January 12, 2024, have led to devastating floods, resulting in at least 11 fatalities and significant property damage in the Durban City area, particularly in eThekwini Municipality.
Record flooding of the Congo River has resulted in a catastrophic situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), affecting 15 provinces, leading to over 300 deaths, and impacting at least 304 000 families.
A day after a new volcanic eruption started near the evacuated city of Grindavik, Iceland, authorities are reporting a reduced flow of lava. While it’s unclear how long the eruption will last, they warn new cracks may be appearing on the surface within the city in the next few days.
