The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: October 18 – 24, 2023
New activity/unrest was reported for 5 from October 18 to 24, 2023. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 16 volcanoes.
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.
October 28 partial lunar eclipse visible in eastern Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia
A partial lunar eclipse will be visible across the eastern Americas, Europe, Africa, Russia, Asia, Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica on October 28, 2023. The event will peak at 20:14 UTC and will be part of the Saros 146 series.
Asteroid 2023 UH9 flew past Earth at 0.2 LD
A newly-discovered asteroid designated 2023 UH9 flew past Earth at a distance of 0.27 LD / 0.00070 AU (104 456 km / 64 906 miles) from the center of our planet at 17:12 UTC on October 18, 2023.
Intense earthquake swarm near Fagradalsfjall volcano, Iceland
An intense earthquake swarm started north of Grindavik and near Fagradalsfjall volcano, Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula early on October 25, 2023, prompting the Civil Protection Service to declare an uncertainty phase due to the seismic swarm.
Significant early-season winter storm brings heavy snowfall to portions of the Northwest, Northern Rockies, and Northern Plains
A long-duration, early-season snowstorm began Tuesday afternoon, October 24, 2023, across portions of the Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies, and Northern High Plains. Moderate to heavy snowfall is forecasted for these locations over the next few days. Heavy snow bands will likely result in hazardous travel conditions and poor visibility.
Increased seismic activity, Alert Level raised for Bogoslof volcano, Alaska
Increased seismic activity has been recorded at Bogoslof volcano in Alaska since October 21, 2023, leading authorities to raise the alert level.
Extremely dangerous Category 5 Hurricane “Otis” makes unexpected landfall near Acapulco, Mexico — at least 46 fatalities, 58 missing
Tropical Storm “Otis” explosively intensified from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane in just 12 hours and continued intensifying on its way toward Mexico where it made landfall at 06:25 UTC on October 25, 2023, as a Category 5 hurricane. This is now one of the fastest-intensifying hurricanes in the world’s history.
Tropical Cyclone “Hamoon” makes landfall in Bangladesh
Tropical Cyclone “Hamoon” formed on October 23, 2023, as the 4th named storm of the 2023 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. Hamoon approached the coast of Bangladesh on October 24, and made landfall over Cox’s Bazar at around 16:00 UTC with maximum 10-minute sustained winds between 110 km/h (70 mph) and 120 (75 mph).
Red Alert in Vanuatu, Lola becomes southern hemisphere’s earliest Category 5 tropical cyclone on record
The center of Tropical Cyclone “Lola” approached the islands of Maewo, Pentecost, and Ambae in Vanuatu at around 12:00 UTC on October 24, 2023, with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph). A Red Alert is now in effect for Torba, Sanma, Penama, Malampa, and Shefa, and a Blue alert for Tafea Province.
October snow in Fairbanks almost doubles the seasonal average for this time of year
On October 22, 2023, Fairbanks, Alaska experienced an uncommon surge in snowfall, with the National Weather Service (NWS) Fairbanks office recording 8.9 cm (3.5 inches) of snow on that day alone. The snow depth in the region has reached 22.9 cm (9 inches), pushing the seasonal total to a remarkable 36.3 cm (14.3 inches), which is nearly double the usual amount for this time of year.
