Flash flood hits Johannesburg, leaving 14 people dead and 3 missing, South Africa
A group of people performing a baptism ritual along the Jukskei River in Johannesburg were swept away by a flash flood on December 3, 2022.
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.
Massive highway landslide in Paranà, Brazil
Heavy rainfall caused a massive landslide on the BR-367 highway near Guaratuba in Paranà, Brazil on November 28, 2022, leaving around 21 vehicles — 15 cars and 6 trucks — buried under the debris and an estimated 30 people missing.
Rare M5.5 earthquake hits Gabon – the strongest since 1974
A rare earthquake, registered by the USGS as M5.5, hit Gabon at 09:53 UTC on December 4, 2022. The agency is reporting a depth of 3.6 km (2.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M5.5 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
Strong and shallow M6.7 earthquake hits Samoa Islands region
A strong and shallow earthquake, registered by the USGS as M6.7 hit Samoa Islands region at 19:24 UTC on December 4, 2022. The agency is reporting a depth of 36 km (22.3 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.7 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
Large pyroclastic flow at Stromboli volcano generates a local tsunami, Italy
Intense explosions and large pyroclastic flows took place at Stromboli volcano, Italy on December 4, 2022, generating a small local tsunami.
Massive eruption at Semeru volcano, volcanic ash up to 15.2 km (50 000 feet) a.s.l., Indonesia
A high-level eruption occurred at Indonesia’s Semeru volcano on December 4, 2022, prompting authorities to raise the Alert Level from III to IV. The last major eruption at this volcano took place on December 4, 2021, leaving 51 people dead and several hundred others injured.
Large fireball over Ohio and Pennsylvania, U.S.
A large fireball was recorded east of Columbus at 00:33 UTC on December 2, 2022. The event lasted more than 10 seconds.
Asteroid 2022 WN9 flew past Earth at just 0.12 LD
A newly-discovered asteroid designated 2022 WN9 flew past Earth at a distance of just 0.12 LD / 0.00032 AU (48 384 km / 30 065 miles) at 22:32 UTC on November 27, 2022.
The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: November 23 – 29, 2022
New activity/unrest was reported for 6 volcanoes from November 23 to 29, 2022. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 17 volcanoes.
Mauna Loa eruption – Lava flow crosses Mauna Loa Weather Observatory Road
The eruption of Mauna Loa volcano that started on November 28, 2022, in its Northeast Rift Zone continues, with several fissures and lava flows active.
