Eruption at Yasur volcano, Vanuatu
A small eruption took place at Vanuatu’s Yasur volcano at 06:09 UTC on April 4, 2023. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2 since October 28, 2016.
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.
Strong and shallow M6.6 earthquake hits off the coast of the Philippines
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by PHIVOLCS as M6.6 hit off the eastern coast of the Philippines at 12:54 UTC on April 4, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 9 km (5 miles). The USGS is reporting M6.2 at a depth of 15 km (9 miles); EMSC M6.2 at a depth of 46 km (28.5 miles).
Strong EF-3 tornado hits Bridgeville, Delaware – state’s strongest in over 60 years
The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed that the city of Bridgeville in Delaware was hit by a strong EF-3 tornado on Saturday, April 1, 2023, making it the strongest tornado in the state since 1961.
Nevado del Ruiz – Evacuations in progress after seismicity increases to levels not seen since major eruption in 1985, Colombia
Colombian officials began to evacuate people living on the slopes of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano on Monday, April 3, 2023. The decision follows the highest levels of seismicity since the 1985 eruption (VEI 3) when 25 000 people were killed.
Warmest March in recorded history for much of Japan
In 2023, much of Japan experienced the warmest March in recorded history. The unprecedented warmth has led to a record early bloom of cherry blossoms in many places.
Large plume of Saharan dust over the Canary Islands and Cabo Verde
A large plume of Saharan dust lifted off West Africa on March 31, 2023, and started spreading west toward the Canary Islands and Cabo Verde.
Strong M6.4 earthquake hits Sumatra, Indonesia
A strong earthquake registered by the BMKG as M6.4 hit Sumatra, Indonesia at 14:59 UTC on April 3, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 102 km (63.4 miles). USGS is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 84.5 km (52.5 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 95 km (59 miles).
Landslide near Jammu and Kashmir’s T5 tunnel affects traffic, army vehicle
A large rockslide hit near the T-5 tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar highway in Ramban district on April 2, 2023, damaging an army vehicle and disrupting traffic.
Deadly landslide claims 20 lives in Bulwa, Democratic Republic of Congo
A deadly landslide occurred in the village of Bulwa, Democratic Republic of Congo on April 2, 2023, resulting in at least 20 fatalities, with the death toll likely to rise.
Meteorites expected after intensely bright fireball sighted over Toledo, Spain
A fireball brighter than the full Moon was observed over Toledo, Spain at 19:28 UTC (21:28 LT) on April 2, 2023. Numerous casual eyewitnesses reported the event on social networks.
