Slow-slip earthquake in progress near Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
A slow-slip earthquake (SSE) event has been occurring near New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay, along the Hikurangi Subduction Zone since early December.
Family of atmospheric rivers to bring heavy rain, flood, and snow to the U.S. West Coast
A series of atmospheric rivers (ARs) is forecast to bring heavy precipitation, flooding risks, and winter storm impacts to the U.S. West Coast this week, with the first AR making landfall on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. The fourth and fifth ARs are forecast to make landfall on December 21 and 22. Up to 500 mm (20 inches) of rain expected in some areas and significant streamflow rises in western Washington and Oregon.
Fog leads to a multivehicle crash on Pontchartrain Causeway, Louisiana
Foggy conditions on the Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana led to a massive multi-vehicle pileup involving 40 – 50 vehicles on Tuesday morning, December 17, 2024, injuring 33 people and shutting down the bridge for hours.
Widespread damage, casualties reported after major M7.3 earthquake hits Port-Vila, Vanuatu
A very strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.3 hit Vanuatu at 01:47 UTC (12:47 LT) on December 17, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 57.1 km (35.5 miles). EMSC is reporting M7.4 at a depth of 28 km (17 miles).
Before-and-after satellite images show Agalega after Cyclone Chido’s direct hit
Tropical Cyclone Chido devastated the island pair of Agalega after making landfall on Thursday, December 12, 2024, as a category 4 equivalent cyclone, forcing citizens to seek shelter at the airport.
Tropical Cyclone Chido ‘spares nothing’ in Mayotte, thousands feared dead
Tropical Cyclone Chido, the strongest storm to impact Mayotte in 90 years, struck the island on Saturday, December 14, 2024, claiming at least 21 lives, injuring over 830 people, and leaving one-third of the island’s 320 000 residents homeless. Authorities fear the death toll could rise to several hundred or even thousands as the full extent of the devastation becomes clear.
Severe dust storms hit Iraq and Iran
Severe dust storms swept across Iraq and Iran on Saturday, December 14, 2024, injuring at least 65 people and prompting officials to close schools and cancel flights. In Iran, the storm was described as one of the worst in recent years.
Subtropical Storm Biguá hits Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Powerful winds and torrential rains produced by Subtropical Storm Biguá wreaked havoc across the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul since its formation on Saturday, December 14, 2024. The storm toppled trees and power lines, and damaged homes, buildings, and infrastructure, leading to at least two injuries in Butiá.
Increased activity at White Island volcano, Aviation Color Code raised to Orange, New Zealand
The Aviation Color Code for White Island volcano in New Zealand was raised to Orange on December 16, 2024, following observations of occasional volcanic ash emissions alongside larger steam and gas plumes on December 14. The activity could lead to a new eruptive episode. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2.
Chido strikes Mozambique after catastrophic landfall in Mayotte
Tropical Cyclone Chido made landfall in Mozambique on Sunday, December 15, 2024, unleashing gale-force winds, cutting off communications in Pemba, and leaving 14 people dead as it moved across southern Africa, causing widespread damage and power outages.
