The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: April 16–22, 2025
New activity/unrest was reported for 6 volcanoes from April 16–22, 2025. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 16 volcanoes.
Istanbul earthquake raises concern over heightened seismic risk
An M6.2 earthquake struck Istanbul, Turkey, on April 23, 2025, injuring more than 350 people, damaging buildings, and prompting warnings from seismologist Prof. Dr. Naci Görür about the potential for an M7+ event. He called for urgent action to strengthen the city’s seismic preparedness.
Flash floods claim 7 lives in Nairobi, Kenya
At least 7 people died in flash floods in Nairobi, Kenya, officials reported on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. The flooding displaced more than 500 people and affected over 60 000 across the city.
Tennis ball-sized hail causes widespread damage near Austin, Texas
A severe hailstorm struck Georgetown and nearby areas in the Austin metropolitan region of Texas on the evening of April 22, 2025. The storm produced hailstones measuring 3.8 cm to 7.6 cm (1.5 to 3 inches) in diameter, causing significant property damage and widespread power outages.
Over 500 homes damaged as severe storm lashes Tripura, India
A severe storm damaged or destroyed more than 500 homes across Tripura, India, over a three-day period from Sunday, April 20, to Tuesday, April 22, 2025. The worst damage occurred on Monday when the storm damaged over 400 homes and injured two people.
Jones Road Wildfire in New Jersey explodes in size, burning over 3 400 ha (8 500 acres)
The Jones Road Wildfire broke out in Ocean County, New Jersey, on April 22, 2025, rapidly expanding overnight to more than 3 400 ha (8 500 acres), forcing thousands of residents to evacuate and prompting closures of major roadways, including a portion of the Garden State Parkway. The event comes amid a 266% increase in wildfire activity in New Jersey compared to the same period in 2024, with three fires this year classified as major, each burning more than 40.5 ha (100 acres).
Strong M6.2 earthquake hits Istanbul, Turkey, injuring over 350 people
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul, Turkey, at 09:49 UTC (12:49 local time) on April 23, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) and EMSC are reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Severe weather returns to central U.S. after storms kill 5 in Oklahoma over Easter weekend
Severe weather is forecast to return to the central United States on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, following a destructive Easter weekend storm system that produced tornadoes and flash floods, resulting in five fatalities in Oklahoma.
Deadly floods hit Nigeria, destroy rice fields across 30 communities in Niger and Kwara states
At least 13 people have died in Nigeria’s Kwara and Niger states due to flooding triggered by the water released from the Jebba Dam on April 16, 2025. The floods have affected over 5 000 dry-season farmers across Niger and Kwara, impacting over 10 000 ha (24 700 acres) of paddy farms in Niger State’s Mokwa region alone.
M6.2 earthquake hits off the coast of Philippines
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit off the coast of the Philippines at 10:17 UTC on April 22, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 118 km (73 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
