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.
Strombolian activity continues at Etna’s Southeast Crater on November 30, 2023. Additionally, an M2.5 earthquake was recorded at 06:52 UTC today close to Piano Pernicana, ENE of the crater.
New activity/unrest was reported for 6 volcanoes from November 22 – 28, 2023. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 19 volcanoes.
Multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) produced on November 27 and 28, 2023 are heading toward Earth, with impacts expected from late November 30 to mid-day UTC on December 1, 2023. As a result, a G3 – Strong Geomagnetic Storm Watch is in effect for December 1.
A very strong solar flare measuring M9.8 erupted from Active Region 3500 at 19:50 UTC on November 28, 2023. The event started at 19:35 UTC and ended at 20:09 UTC.
On November 1, 2023, a new island was born approximately 1 km (0.62 miles) off the southern coast of Iwoto Island, Japan, following intense volcanic activity. This latest addition to the Ogasawara island chain, now nearly merging with Iwoto, was first identified by military personnel stationed there.
Eastern Europe is still grappling with the aftermath of Storm Bettina, a severe snowstorm that rapidly intensified over the Black Sea and impacted the region on November 26 and 27, 2023. Ukraine has reported significant casualties, with at least five deaths and 19 injuries in the Odesa region. The storm has not only disrupted life in Ukraine but also inflicted damage and caused fatalities in neighboring countries such as Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Russia.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.5 hit near the north coast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea at 21:46 UTC on November 27, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 8 km (5 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Heavy snowfall, strong winds, and blizzards, unleashed by Storm Bettina, have led to severe weather-related incidents and extensive damage in parts of Romania and Bulgaria on November 26 and 27, 2023. The storm resulted in the deaths of at least 3 people and left dozens injured in several countries, including Moldova, Ukraine, and Russia.
In a rare winter weather phenomenon, the western Indian state of Gujarat experienced severe thunderstorms and lightning strikes, resulting in 24 deaths and approximately 25 injuries. The state, known for rain-related calamities, was unprepared for such a storm during the winter months.
The Anak Krakatau volcano in Indonesia entered a period of intense eruptive activity around 05:28 UTC on November 26, 2023. The volcano has since produced numerous explosions, with ash columns reaching heights of up to 2.1 km (7 000 feet) above sea level. Officials are urging residents to stay away at least 5 km (3.1 miles) from the volcano.
