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 Polyhymnia’s density beyond known elements

    ByTW

    A groundbreaking study by the University of Arizona reveals that asteroid Polyhymnia has a density exceeding that of any known elements on Earth. Led by Jan Rafelski, the research team used the Thomas-Fermi model to predict the existence of superheavy elements that could account for this extraordinary density. These findings not only challenge our understanding of the Periodic Table but also have significant implications for future asteroid mining endeavors.

  • Study reveals Earth’s core may be leaking helium-3

    ByTW

    An unprecedented discovery of elevated helium-3 to helium-4 ratios in ancient lava flows on Baffin Island, Canada, suggests that these rare isotopes may be leaking from Earth’s core. Published on October 18, 2023, the groundbreaking study led by geochemist Forrest Horton of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution opens new avenues for understanding Earth’s deepest regions and its formative history.

  • Seismic activity intensifies at Colombia’s Nevado del Huila volcano

    ByTW

    At 00:38 local time on October 21, 2023, Colombia’s Nevado del Huila volcano experienced a significant earthquake with a magnitude of 3.6 at a depth of 1 km (0.6 miles) below its Central Peak. From then until 08:00 local time, a total of 320 earthquakes were recorded, associated with rock fracturing inside the volcano.

  • Freight train derailed by landslide on South Island’s West Coast, New Zealand

    ByTW

    A freight train operated by KiwiRail found itself engulfed by a landslide on the South Island’s West Coast near Hawks Crag in the early hours of Monday, October 16, 2023. The incident, which led to a minor derailment, saw the lone engineer on board escaping without any injury.

  • Rare pure sine wave detected in Earth’s magnetic field

    ByTW

    On October 17, Rob Stammes, a Norwegian citizen scientist, detected a rare magnetic oscillation in Earth’s magnetic field from his space weather observatory in Lofoten, Norway. The event, termed a “pulsation continuous” or Pc3 in this case, lasted for over 20 minutes and was caused by a gentle gust of solar wind.

  • Strong winds and heavy rainfall wreak havoc in eastern Mexico’s Veracruz State

    ByTW

    One person was killed in Coatzacoalcos City, and over 700 houses were affected by floods in Veracruz State, Mexico, due to heavy rainfall and strong winds over the past few days. Additionally, a new tropical cyclone named Norma is expected to approach Baja California Sur on October 22 – 23, 2023.

  • Overflow from Akosombo Dam affects thousands in Ghana’s Volta Region

    ByTW

    On October 13, 2023, an overflow from the Akosombo Dam in the River Volta led to flooding in south-eastern Ghana, particularly in the Volta Region. The event resulted in seven injuries and the displacement of over 4 000 people. Essential services like water and electricity were also disrupted.

  • Massive sandstorm engulfs parts of Jordan

    ByTW

    A massive sandstorm swept through several areas of Jordan, including the city of Azraq and the capital Amman, on October 15, 2023. The event resulted in drastically reduced visibility and poor air quality, prompting local authorities to issue multiple safety warnings.

  • New Zealand’s massive Taupō eruption dated by Antarctic ice core study

    ByTW

    A recent study published in Scientific Reports discovered volcanic debris from the Taupō eruption approximately 1 800 years ago deeply embedded in Antarctic ice. The findings, made at a depth of 279 m in West Antarctica, offer a precise date for the historical New Zealand eruption.