Mauna Loa is no longer erupting, Hawai’i
The eruption at Mauna Loa that started on November 28, 2022, ended on December 13. This was the first eruption at the world’s largest active volcano since 1984 (VEI 0).
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.
Raging floods hit Kumluca and Finike, Turkey
Raging floods swept through Kumluca and Finike districts of Turkey’s Antalya Province on December 12, 2022.
Observation flight confirms continued emissions of minor to moderate steam and gas plume at White Island volcano, New Zealand
An observation-gas flight confirms the active vents at White Islands volcano, New Zealand are continuing to emit a minor-moderate steam and gas plume, GeoNet reported on December 12, 2022. The Volcanic Alert Level (VAL) remains at 2.
Massive storm to impact the Central and Southern U.S.
A massive storm system will impact the Central and Southern U.S. over the next few days. Widespread heavy snow with blizzard conditions and a zone of wintry mix is possible from the north-central High Plains to the Upper Midwest. Meanwhile, in the warm sector of the storm, a severe weather event with all hazards is possible in the southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley to Florida.
Asteroid 2022 XX to fly past Earth at 0.5 LD on December 14
A newly-discovered asteroid designated 2022 XX will fly past Earth at 0.5 LD / 0.00139 AU (208 456 km / 129 529 miles) at 10:43 UTC on December 14, 2022. This is the 116th known asteroid to fly past Earth since the start of the year.
Rare winter sandstorm hits Beijing, China
A rare winter sandstorm swept over northern China on Monday, December 12, 2022, causing Beijing to suffer its worst bout of air pollution in nearly two years. This is the latest sand and dust warning signal issued by Beijing since 2015.
Intense explosions, dense volcanic ash emissions at Fuego volcano, Guatemala
Activity at Guatemala’s Fuego volcano increased on December 11, 2022, producing intense explosions, heavy ash and notable lava flow in the Ceniza ravine.
Strong and shallow M6.0 earthquake hits Guerrero, Mexico
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit Guerrero, Mexico at 14:31 UTC on December 11, 2022. The agency is reporting a depth of 18.8 km (11.7 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 60 km (37.3 miles).
Major storm system bringing heavy mountain snow and coastal rain to the West, U.S.
A powerful storm system with heavy mountain snow and heavy lower-elevation rain is affecting the U.S. West, potentially bringing as much as 150 cm (5 feet) of snow accumulation to California. Flooding and debris flows will be possible on burn scars in southern California.
Strong explosion, pyroclastic flows at Lascar volcano, Chile
A strong vulcanian explosion took place at Lascar volcano, Chile at 15:36 UTC on December 10, 2022.
