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!
Asteroid 2016 QA2 made an exceptionally close flyby of our planet at 01:24 UTC on August 28, 2016, just hours after it was discovered. Its estimated size is 34 meters (111.5 feet), between 16 and 52 meters (52 – 170 feet). This is about twice as big as the asteroid…
A very strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.1 hit north of Ascension Island, central Atlantic Ocean at 04:29 UTC on August 29, 2016. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting Mw7.1 at a depth of 18 km (11.2 miles)….
A large annular eclipse will cover 97% of the Sun on Thursday, September 1, 2016. The whole event will last from 06:13 – 12:00 UTC and will be visible across central Africa southwards to Madagascar and into the Indian Ocean. The partial eclipse will be visible…
Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra's Karo District, Indonesia continues to erupt with ash reaching 6 km (20 000 feet) a.s.l. today. As of 05:40 UTC today, the Aviation Colour Code was still on Red. "The hot clouds are moving towards its previous trajectory -…
A weak area of low pressure extending from eastern Cuba northward to the central Bahamas is producing disorganized shower and thunderstorm activity today, NHC reports. Upper-level winds are expected to remain unfavorable for significant development during the next…
A tornado outbreak hit Indiana and Ohio on August 24 on 25, 2016. Between 12:00 UTC on August 24 and 25, at least 35 tornadoes were confirmed in those two states. A state of emergency was declared in Howard County, Indiana after an EF-3 tornado hit the town of…
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New activity/unrest was observed at 3 volcanoes between August 17 and 23, 2016. During the same period, ongoing activity was observed at 9 volcanoes. New activity/unrest: Aoba, Vanuatu | Chikurachki, Paramushir Island (Russia) | Santa Maria, Guatemala. Ongoing…
A very strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.8 hit Myanmar at 10:34 UTC on August 24, 2016. The agency is reporting a depth of 84.1 km (52.2 miles). 2 deaths occured in the Yenangyaung township, and 2 in the Pakokku township. The epicenter was located 25 km…
A severe earthquake registered by the EMSC as M6.2 hit central Italy at 01:36 UTC on August 24, 2016. The agency is reporting a depth of 4 km (2.48 miles). USGS is reporting M6.2 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). The tremors lasted for about 20 – 30 seconds,…
Lightning fatalities in the United States are on the rise this summer, NWS said. The death toll from such accidents this year rose to 29, which is the most since 2010. After floods, lightning is the second highest cause of weather-related deaths in the United States…
