Earthquake swarm near Eldey and Reykjanestá, Iceland
More than 220 earthquakes have been recorded near Reykjanestá and Eldey, Iceland, since May 23, 2026, with the largest measuring M3.5 at 05:06 UTC on May 24.
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
State of Emergency declared as Garden Grove chemical tank heats up, California
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency for Orange County on May 23, 2026, after the state said a methyl methacrylate storage tank at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove began heating up and emitting toxic fumes, leaving about 50 000 residents subject to evacuation orders.
China detains mine officials after deadliest coal mine disaster since 2009 kills 82 in Shanxi
Chinese authorities have detained mine officials and launched an investigation after a gas explosion at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi Province killed 82 people, the deadliest coal mine disaster in China since 2009. The operations at the company’s four mines had been suspended following the explosion.
Fire Weather Watches issued, SPC forecasts Critical conditions across parts of Nevada and Oregon
Critical fire weather conditions are forecast across a corridor from northwestern Nevada into southeastern Oregon on Monday afternoon, May 25, with sustained southwesterly winds of 32–40 km/h (20–25 mph), minimum RH of 10–15%, and recent fire activity showing fuels becoming more receptive to wildfire spread. NWS offices issued Fire Weather Watches for parts of northern Nevada, northeastern California, and the West Humboldt Basin for Monday afternoon and evening.
40 000 ordered to evacuate after chemical tank failure risk in Garden Grove, California
A methyl methacrylate leak from a storage tank at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove, California, was reported at around 15:30 LT (22:30 UTC) on May 21, 2026, prompting evacuation orders for about 40 000 people across northwestern Orange County.
Strong M6.0 earthquake hits the Island of Hawai’i, Hawai’i
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit 12 km (7.5 miles) Hawai’i at 07:46 UTC on May 23, 2026 (21:46 LT on May 22). The agency is reporting a depth of 22.4 km (13.9 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 16 km (9.9 miles). According to PTWC, there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: May 14-20, 2026
New activity/unrest was reported for 7 volcanoes from May 14 to 20, 2026. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 20 volcanoes.
Bright fireball lights up skies over New South Wales, Australia
A bright fireball was observed over New South Wales, Australia, at 08:35 UTC on May 21, 2026, with reports from Sydney, Canberra, and several inland NSW locations.
NOAA forecasts 8-14 named storms in below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane outlook
NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) forecast a 55% chance of a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, with 8 to 14 named storms, 3 to 6 hurricanes, and 1 to 3 major hurricanes between June 1 and November 30.
New analysis sheds light on unexpected reversal in Earth’s molten outer core beneath the Pacific
A new analysis of geomagnetic observations from 1997 to 2025 shows that the unexpected reversal in Earth’s outer-core flow beneath the equatorial Pacific around 2010 has weakened since 2020, refining scientists’ understanding of one of the most unusual deep-Earth changes detected in recent decades.
