Large fireball explodes over Krasnoyarsk, Russia
A large fireball was seen and recorded over Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, Russia at 20:03 LT on January 31, 2023.
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.
Europe had 782 tornados in 2022, causing 6 fatalities and 84 injuries
In 2022, there were 782 tornadoes reported in Europe, causing 6 fatalities and 84 injuries.
Strong and shallow M6.0 earthquake hits Mindanao, Philippines
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit Mindanao, Philippines at 10:44 UTC on February 1, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 13.5 km (8.3 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles); PHIVOLCS M6.0 at a depth of 27 km (16.8 miles).
East Epi submarine volcano erupts for the first time since 2004, 10 km danger zone established, Vanuatu
A submarine volcano located near the island of Epi in Vanuatu started erupting at 18:30 UTC on January 31, 2023, prompting authorities to raise the Volcano Alert Level to 1 and establish a 10 km (6.2 miles) danger zone. This marks the first eruption of the volcano since 2004 (VEI 2).
Earthquake swarm under Asosan volcano, Alert Level raised, Japan
A seismic swarm started under the Asosan volcano in Japan on January 30, 2023, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to raise the Volcanic Alert Level from 1 to 2.
Extensive and very dangerous ice storm hits U.S.
A glancing blow of Arctic air mixed with a surge in moisture set the stage for an extensive and very dangerous ice event in parts of the United States. The most likely corridor of icing with a mixture of sleet will occur from west-central Texas to the Tennessee and Lower Ohio Valleys. The ice accretion from Texas into Mid-South may approach 13 mm (0.5 inches) or more through Wednesday, February 1, 2023, and cause power outages and travel issues.
Sequence of strong explosions at Stromboli volcano, Italy
An explosive sequence at the Stromboli volcano in Italy on January 30, 2023, caused the launch of coarse pyroclastic material at several hundred meters in height and produced an ash cloud that quickly dispersed southward.
Catastrophic flooding devastates Zambia, displaces thousands
Southern and Central Provinces of Zambia are grappling with a “catastrophic situation” after prolonged rainfall caused widespread flooding. The floods caused damage to homes and farmlands as well as disrupted access to healthcare and education in communities in Bwengwa, Namwala, Monze in Southern Province, and Mumbwa district in Central Province since mid-January 2023. The government has assured a multi-sectorial response to ensure recovery and rehabilitation.
Red Warnings for Heavy Rain issued in Northland, Auckland north of Orewa, and the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand
Another atmospheric river event is forecast to bring more heavy rain across parts of New Zealand’s North Island in the coming days following an unprecedented rainfall event that brought severe flooding to the Auckland area and left 4 people dead on January 27, 2023.
Increased seismicity at Lascar volcano, Alert Level raised to Orange, Chile
Seismic activity around Chile’s Lascar volcano has increased over the past 2 days, causing Sernageomin to raise its Alert Level to Orange. The security perimeter around the crater was expanded to 10 km (6.2 miles), with the community urged to avoid unnecessary exposure to potential dangers. The seismicity is primarily linked to fluid dynamics within the volcanic system, which could be a result of the destabilization of a remnant magmatic body. This activity could lead to explosive events, potentially causing ashfall in the area.
