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!
Global forced displacement has escalated sharply in 2015, reaching the highest level ever recorded and representing immense human suffering. By the end of the year, 65.3 million individuals were forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict,…
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 hit Vanuatu at 09:47 UTC on June 19, 2016. The agency is reporting a depth of 13.6 km (8.5 miles). Geoscience Australia is reporting M6.4 at a depth of 0 km. According to the USGS, the epicenter was…
Torrential rainfall since Saturday, June 18, 2016, has triggered severe flooding and mud avalanches across Central Java, Indonesia. At least 24 people have been killed, with 26 still missing, officials said Sunday. Thousands of homes have been inundated in Central…
A deep area of low pressure moved over Poland on Friday, June 17, 2016, causing severe damage across the country and claiming lives of four people. 28 people were injured. The storm brought hurricane-force winds, uprooted thousands of trees and damaged power lines….
A series of steam and ash eruptions occurred at the active crater of Kanlaon volcano in the central Philippines starting at 01:19 UTC on June 18, 2016. Based on visual observations, the eruption lasted for around 27 minutes. The first event was a steam and ash…
More than 1 200 firefighters are battling the so-called Sherpa Fire in California's Santa Barbara County after it almost tripled in size overnight Friday, June 17, to more than 4 000 acres. As of mid-Friday, the fire was only 5% contained; one outbuilding has…
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A strong explosion occurred at Santa Maria's Santiaguito lava-dome complex, Guatemala at 15:15 UTC on June 17, 2016. INSIVUMEH reported the eruption sent volcanic ash 5 km (16 500 feet) above sea level. The ash is drifting west. Pyroclastic flows descended the…
India's Meteorological Department declared the arrival of the of the 2016 Southwest Monsoon over the state of Kerala on June 8, 2016. The agency has announced earlier it is expecting an above normal season, easing fears over farm and economic growth after two…
A new spike in the activity of Costa Rica's Turrialba volcano, located some 50 km (31 miles) east of capital San José, was recorded on June 16, 2016. Strong tremors, caused by the passage of fluids (gas, water or magma) through the interior of the…
A significant increase in frequency and the intensity of sand and dust storms has been observed in the Middle East over the past 15 years. Although the Middle East has been the worst hit, with Iran and Kuwait the most affected, meteorologists say they are now also…
