Extraordinary snowfall hits Mallorca, Spain
Snowfall and strong winds brought chaos to Spain’s holiday island of Mallorca on February 28, 2023, as Storm Juliette ravaged large parts of the country.
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.
Deep M6.5 earthquake under Bismarck Sea, Papua New Guinea
A strong and deep earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.5 hit under the Bismarck Sea, Papua New Guinea at 05:36 UTC on March 1, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 598.9 km (372.5 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.5 at a depth of 610 km (380 miles).
Severe Tropical Cyclone “Judy” – Red Alert in effect for Penama, Malampa, Shefa, and Tafea provinces, Vanuatu
Category 3 – Severe Tropical Cyclone “Judy” is expected to bring destructive winds and heavy rainfalls to Vanuatu’s central and southern islands.
Moderately strong M8.6 solar flare erupts from Region 3234
A moderately strong solar flare measuring M8.6 erupted from Active Region 3234 at 17:50 UTC on February 18, 2023. The event started at 17:35 and ended at 17:56 UTC.
Tropical Cyclone “Judy” moving over Vanuatu Islands — Red Alert in effect for Torba, Sanma, and Penama
Tropical Cyclone “Judy” formed on February 26, 2023, over the South Pacific Ocean and is now moving SW over the northern Vanuatu Islands. A Red Alert is in effect for Torba, Sanma, and Penama
CME impacts Earth, sparking G3 – Strong geomagnetic storm
Coronal mass ejection (CME) produced by a long-duration M3.7 solar flare at 20:30 UTC on February 24, 2023, reached Earth at 19:25 UTC on February 26. A glancing blow impact from CME produced by M6.3 solar flare on February 25 is expected during the afternoon hours on February 27. The resulting geomagnetic storm activity is expected to be significant, with both CMEs interacting with a negative-polarity coronal hole high-speed stream, potentially producing G3 – Strong or higher levels of geomagnetic storming.
Asteroid 2023 DR flew past Earth at 0.2 LD
A newly-discovered asteroid designated 2023 DR flew past Earth at a distance of 0.2 LD / 0.00051 AU (76 294 km / 47 407 miles) at 05:47 UTC on February 25, 2023.
Strong and shallow M6.2 earthquake hits Papua New Guinea
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit the New Britain region, Papua New Guinea at 21:24 UTC on February 25, 2023 (07:24 LT on February 26). The agency is reporting a depth of 38.2 km (23.7 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.2 at a depth of 60 km (37 miles).
Long-duration M6.3 solar flare erupts from AR 3229, CME produced, S1 solar radiation storm
A long-duration solar flare measuring M6.3 erupted from Active Region 3229 at 19:44 UTC on February 25, 2023. The event started at 18:40 and ended at 20:27 UTC.
Strong M6.1 earthquake hits Hokkaido, Japan
A strong earthquake registered by the JMA as M6.1 hit near the coast of Hokkaido, Japan at 13:27 UTC (22:27 LT) on February 25, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 60 km (37.3 miles). The USGS is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 50.2 km (31 miles); EMSC M6.1 at a depth of 50 km (31 miles).
