Rare January disturbance/subtropical storm forms in the NW Atlantic Ocean
A rare January disturbance/subtropical storm formed in the North Atlantic Ocean on January 16, 2023. The system was designated by the NHC as Invest 90L.
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.
A week of intense solar activity: 2 X- and 25 M-class flares, with 2 Earth-directed CMEs
The period of January 9 to 15, 2023, was marked by intense solar activity, with numerous M and X-class flares being observed. The largest event of the period was an X1.9 flare on January 9, followed by an X1.0 on January 10. There were a total of 2 X-flares and 25 M-flares during the period but only two Earth-directed CMEs were observed from this flurry of activity.
Deep M6.1 earthquake hits Bonin Islands region, Japan
A deep earthquake registered by the JMA as M6.1 hit off the west coast of Ogasawara Islands, Japan at 04:49 UTC on January 16, 2023 (13:49 LT). The agency is reporting a depth of 400 km (248 miles). The USGS is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 405 km (252 miles).
Shallow M6.2 earthquake hits northern Sumatra, Indonesia
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the BMKG and USGS as M6.2 hit northern Sumatra, Indonesia at 22:29 UTC on January 15, 2023 (05:30 LT, January 16). BMKG is reporting a depth of 23 km (14.3 miles) and USGS 37 km (23 miles).
Increased solar activity – glancing blow possible on January 19
Solar activity reached high levels in the past 24 hours, with the strongest event being an M6.0 flare from Region 3191. This event was accompanied by a Type II radio sweep and a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) signature, however, analysis and modeling indicate that no Earth-directed component was produced. A CME was also observed off the southwest limb at 22:00 UTC on January 14, with analysis and modeling suggesting the possibility of a glancing blow on January 19.
Asteroid 2023 AV flew past Earth at just 0.04 LD on January 12
A newly-discovered asteroid designated 2023 AV flew past Earth at a distance of just 0.04 LD / 0.00010 AU (15 551 km / 9 663 miles) from the center of our planet at 20:09 UTC on January 12, 2023. That’s approximately 9 180 km (5 704 miles) from the surface.
Devastating floods and landslides leave 17 dead and over half a million affected in the Philippines
Heavy rain and strong winds, caused by the combined effects of a low-pressure area, northeast monsoon, and shearline, have been affecting several parts of the Philippines in recent days, resulting in floods, and landslides that caused widespread damage and left at least 17 people dead.
Tornado outbreak in Alabama leaves extensive damage and at least 6 people dead
A severe weather outbreak in the Southeast United States on Thursday, January 12, 2023, has left at least seven people dead, several injured, and extensive damage in its wake. A series of tornadoes in central Alabama killed at least six people and in Georgia, a passenger in a vehicle was killed when a tree fell on the car during a severe storm.
The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: January 4 – 10, 2023
New activity/unrest was reported for 5 volcanoes from January 4 to 10, 2023. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 19 volcanoes.
Shallow M6.0 earthquake hits southern East Pacific Rise
A shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit the southern East Pacific Rise at 16:17 UTC on January 11, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M5.9 at a depth of 10 km.
