The Watchers team and our contributors bring the latest on extreme weather, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, space weather, and all things science. We're all about making sense of the natural world and keeping you informed on what’s happening. Got a tip or a question? Hit us up using the form at newstips!
A powerful cyclone hit Great Britain on Thursday, January 12, 2017 and rapidly strengthened over the English Channel and northern France, bringing hurricane-force winds to the region. Its center then moved over Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany and Poland….
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New activity/unrest was observed at 6 volcanoes between January 4 and 10, 2017. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 13 volcanoes. New activity/unrest: Bezymianny, Central Kamchatka (Russia) | Bogoslof, Fox Islands (USA) | Ebeko, Paramushir…
A devastating landslide took place on Saturday, January 7, 2017, in Agwagune Community of the Nigerian Cross River State. The slide swept away more than 50 houses into the Cross River. This area is well known for landslides and flooding. In 1997, a deadly landslide…
More than 60 people have died in Europe since the beginning of the month when cold Arctic airmass started descending south, toward the Mediterranean. The most vulnerable, and many of the victims, are homeless and migrants. The temperatures are expected to somewhat…
Another round of heavy rainfall has caused deadly flooding in the South African provinces of Limpopo, bordering Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, and Mpumalanga, bordering the nations of Swaziland and Mozambique. At least 7 people have lost their lives. The South…
Three fireballs were recorded over Brazil in the past couple of days. Over Campina Grande on January 6, north of Rio de Janeiro on January 7, and over Espirito Santo on January 9, 2017. Fireballs over Brazil on January 6, 7 and 9, 2017. Image credit: Google The…
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.4 hit near the coast of Makira, Solomon Islands at 15:27 UTC on January 10, 2017. The agency is reporting a depth of 46 km (28.6 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.2 at a depth of 45 km (27.9 miles). According to the USGS,…
A very strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.3 (upgraded from M6.9) hit off the coast of the Philippines at 06:13 UTC on January 10, 2017. The agency is reporting a depth of 612.7 km (380 miles). EMSC is reporting M7.0 at a depth of 626 km (389 miles)….
A massive storm is affecting the western United States, dropping heavy rain and causing floods, mudslides, and evacuations. Significant flooding is expected in parts of drought-stricken California and western Nevada. At least three people have lost their lives by…
A newly discovered asteroid named 2017 AG13 will make a very close approach to our planet on January 9, 2017. This asteroid belongs to Aten group of asteroids. 2017 AG13 has an estimated size between 11 and 34 m (36 and 111 feet). It will flyby our planet at 12:47…
