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 strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit Argentina at 14:01 UTC on November 13, 2016. The agency is reporting a depth of 100.6 km (62 miles). The epicenter was located 3.1 km (1.9 miles) E of Famatina (population 0), 26.5 km (16.4 miles) N of Chilecito…
A major earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.8 hit near Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand at 11:02 UTC on November 13, 2016. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). New Zealand's GEONET is reporting M7.5 at a depth of 16 km (9.9 miles). A…
A new eruptive phase has started at Peru's Sabancaya volcano with a violent explosion registered at 01:42 UTC on Monday, November 7, 2016, INGEMMET-OVI said. Since then, the volcano is constantly emitting steam and ash. Ashfall is reported in communities up to…
A series of earthquakes hit parts of Oklahoma on November 11, 2016, just days after damaging M5.0 in Cushing, north-central Oklahoma, one of the world's key oil hubs. Between 00:08 and 15:49 UTC today, USGS registered a total of 6 earthquakes with magnitudes…
A strong earthquake registered by the JMA as M5.8 hit near Sendai, the capital of Miyagi Prefecture, Japan at 21:52 UTC on November 11, 2016. The agency is reporting a depth of 60 km (37 miles). USGS is reporting M6.2 at a depth of 44.8 km (27.8 miles). According to…
A massive chunk of space debris has fallen from the sky on Thursday, November 10, 2016 and hit a jade mining area in Hpakant, Kachin state, Myanmar. At about the same time, another piece of metal emblazoned with Chinese writing tore through the roof of a nearby…
On November 9, 2016, Swedish capital Stockholm has broken its all-time snowfall record for any November day since measurements began in 1905. During the early morning hours of November 9, national weather agency SMHI recorded 21 cm (8.26 inches) of snow with another…
Heavy rain hit South Africa on November 9, 2016, causing devastating flash floods in country's capital Johannesburg, Gauteng province. Media reports on November 10 mention at least 6 people killed, dozens of vehicles swept away and houses damaged. At this time,…
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New activity was reported for 6 volcanoes between November 2 and 8, 2016. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 12 volcanoes. New activity/unrest: Cleveland, Chuginadak Island (USA) | Copahue, Central Chile-Argentina border | Iya, Flores Island…
Light pillars and halos are formed when the freezing cold atmospheric air is filled with tiny ice particles in suspension. When the wind is low and the sky is clear, you might observe strange beams coming from different sources of light. Ice particles reflect and…
