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!

  • The most powerful gamma-ray burst on record

    ByTW

    A record-breaking gamma-ray burst known as GRB 221009A was detected in October 2022, and now, a trio of papers has been submitted to The Astrophysical Journal Letters, revealing new insights about this rare and unique event. With up to 18 teraelectronvolts of energy packed in its emissions of light, GRB 221009A is considered the most powerful gamma-ray burst on record, and its afterglow has been challenging our current theoretical models of gamma-ray bursts.

  • Series of fatal avalanches strike Afghanistan and Tajikistan amid heavy snowfall

    ByTW

    A series of deadly avalanches caused by heavy snowfall have impacted Afghanistan and Tajikistan over the past couple of days, causing damage and leaving at least 25 people dead. The avalanches struck mountainous regions in both countries, including the Kunar and Badakhshan provinces of Afghanistan and Tajikistan’s eastern Gorno-Badakhshan region.

  • Southern Malawi hit by severe flooding, leaving four dead and three missing

    ByTW

    Severe flooding caused extensive damage to southern Malawi over that past couple of days, resulting in the deaths of at least four people and leaving three others missing, according to local authorities. The heavy rainfall on led to flooding in Blantyre and Chiradzulu District Councils, causing significant damage to roads, bridges, houses, and other properties.

  • Seven dead, thousands affected by severe flooding in southern Mozambique

    ByTW

    Heavy rainfall affecting southern Mozambique since February 8, 2023, has caused widespread flooding, particularly in the capital Maputo and the rest of Maputo Province. The National Institute for Disaster Management has reported six deaths and two injuries, as well as significant material damage to homes, health centers, schools, and agricultural land.

  • Solar polar vortex and the X-factor returns

    ByTW

    Our Sun went viral this week with a stunning polar vortex that revealed some of its mysterious dynamics in the one final region still uncharted by solar telescopes, that is until Solar Orbiter begins to climb to higher latitudes later in its mission.

  • Deadly landslide hits Merida, Venezuela

    ByTW

    A large landslide triggered by heavy rainfall hit Alberto Adriani municipality in the state of Mérida, Venezuela on February 8, 2023, leaving at least 2 people dead.

  • Severe storms wreak havoc across southern Brazil, leaving 7 people dead

    ByTW

    Heavy rain has wreaked havoc across southern Brazil, particularly in the São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro States, over the past two days. Residents have been dealing with flooding, devastating weather-related incidents caused by lightning, and landslides that have resulted in casualties and destruction.

  • Series of destructive landslides in Peru claim at least 40 lives, destroy 200 homes

    ByTW

    At least 40 people have lost their lives and 200 houses have been swept away by a series of landslides caused by heavy rains in the Peruvian department of Arequipa. The landslides began on Sunday, February 5, 2023, and affected the town of Secocha and other localities in the province of Camaná.