Severe drought across northern Indiana after 3rd driest October in 127 years
The latest version of the U.S. Drought Monitor released on Thursday, October 31, 2024, showed most of northern Indiana is under severe drought conditions.
Heavy snowfall hits Whitehorse, Canada
An unexpected and heavy October snowfall blanketed Whitehorse with 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches) of snow. The storm began on October 30, 2024, in Yukon’s capital, following a series of early snowfalls earlier in the month.
Violent lava overflow at Erta Ale volcano forms temporary lava lake, Ethiopia
A significant lava overflow occurred at Erta Ale’s summit vent on October 29, 2024, resulting in the formation of a temporary lava lake and high-spattering plumes.
Cleanup begins in Valencia after Spain’s worst floods in history claim over 200 lives
Cleanup operations have begun across Valencia, which has been declared a disaster zone by Spain’s prime minister after more than a year’s worth of rain in just one day caused the country’s worst floods on record. Since Tuesday, October 29, 2024, the flooding has claimed at least 158 lives and left dozens missing. Three days of mourning have been declared nationwide as Valencia faces severe damage with impassable roads, destroyed bridges, and overflowing rivers submerging homes in neck-deep waters.
Steady uplift in Svartsengi raises likelihood of magma intrusion by late November, Iceland
With the end of October, uplift and magma accumulation continued steadily in Iceland’s Svartsengi volcanic region, increasing the likelihood of an intrusion or possible eruption toward late November. Seismic activity near the Sundhnúkar crater remains low, with only minor daily tremors recorded.
Intense explosions at Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano, Indonesia
Intense explosions at the Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano in Flores, Indonesia, on October 31, 2024, have generated ash plumes up to 2.5 km (1.5 miles) above sea level, impacting nearby communities. This series of eruptions began in late October 2024, with regular blasts occurring 3 to 4 times daily. The activity has continued since June 13, when the Alert Level was raised to Level 3 (Siaga).
Kong-rey makes landfall in Taiwan as strongest typhoon since 1996 and first ever after mid-October
Typhoon “Kong Rey” made landfall at the coast of Taiwan’s Taitung county at around 05:00 UTC on Thursday, October 31, unleashing destructive winds and heavy rainfall that claimed one life and knocked power out for over half a million homes in the regions and forced eveacuations of over 8 000 people. Around 500 flights have been canceled and schools and markets have been shut down due to the storm’s impact.
Mount Hutt buried in late snow, 5 m (16 feet) snowdrifts spark reopening possibility, New Zealand
Mount Hutt skifield in New Zealand received nearly a meter (3 feet) of unexpected late-season snow, creating snowdrifts as high as 5 m (16 feet), which could prompt a rare reopening. The snowfall occurred over the long holiday weekend, peaking on October 26, 2024.
Historic storm from October 17 to 20 produced severe snowfall in Colorado and record rains in New Mexico
A complex storm brought record-breaking rainfall to New Mexico and severe snowfall to Colorado from October 17 to 20, 2024. According to the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E), the storm was driven by a mid-level shortwave trough that deepened into a cutoff low-pressure system over Arizona, pulling in abundant moisture and creating conditions for intense thunderstorms.
The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: October 23 – 29, 2024
New activity/unrest was reported for 5 volcanos from October 23 to 29, 2024. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 17 volcanoes.
