• Dust from West Africa over the Atlantic Ocean

    Dust hovered over the Atlantic Ocean in early January 2013, continuing an intermittent pattern of dust-storm activity in the region. A veil of dust stretched from the coast of Mauritania westward to Cape Verde.Sand seas cover most of Mauritania and parts of Western

  • Australia sweltering in record heatwave

    Australia experienced the hottest day in recorded history yesterday, on January 7. The average maximum temperature across Australia reached 40.33 degrees Celsius, beating the previous record of 40.17 degrees set in December 21, 1972. There was only three times in

  • Phreatic eruption of Colima volcano, Mexico

    According to news articles, a scientific advisory committee reported that a phreatic eruption from Colima on January 6 ejected tephra and an ash plume that rose 2 km above the crater.Ashfall was reported in Atenquique (20 km E). Visitors were evacuated from the national

  • Tropical Storm Sonamu continues to weaken

    JTWC and JMA  upgraded to a Sonamu to a severe Tropical Storm yesterday. The system continues to move across the South China Sea, for now staying south of Vietnam. Heavy rains and strong winds remain offshore although light rains may affect Southern Vietnam in the

  • Active volcanoes in the world: December 26, 2012 – January 1, 2013

    New unrest has been noticed around 5 volcanoes, ongoing activity was reported for 5 volcanoes. This report covers active volcanoes in the world recorded from December 26, 2012 – January 1, 2013 based on Smithsonian/USGS criteria.New activity/unrest: | Chirpoi,