The first major snowfall of the 2024/25 winter season arrived in Southcentral Alaska on Monday, October 28, 2024, prompting authorities to issue multiple warnings and advisories.
The Santiaguito volcanic dome complex in southwestern Guatemala is experiencing increased eruptive activity, with frequent explosions and lava block detachment from the Caliente Dome. The eruptions produce ash plumes reaching 3.5 km (11 500 feet) a.s.l. and dispersing it up to 30 km (19 miles) southwest and south.
Mount Marapi experienced four explosions on October 27, 2024, producing thick ash columns up to 4 km (13 000 feet) a.s.l. that drifted westward over populated areas, blanketing them in ash.
Record-breaking rains caused a massive landslide in Bellingham, Washington, on Sunday, October 27, 2024, blocking a three-mile stretch of northbound Interstate 5.
A recent report by China’s Ministry of Emergency Management reveals that natural disasters, primarily floods and extreme weather, hit China hard in the first three quarters of 2024, impacting over 84 million people and incurring an economic loss of 323.2 billion yuan.
An earthquake swarm consisting of 64 recorded events has been occurring in the Death Valley region of California since October 24, 2024, with magnitudes ranging from 0.5 to 4.7 and focal depths reaching a maximum of 15.9 km (9.9 miles). The seismic activity is characterized by shallow to mid-crustal depths, typical of intraplate swarms in tectonically active regions.
Severe Tropical Storm “Trami” made landfall in Divalacan, Isabela, Philippines on October 23, 2024, causing widespread flooding and landslides in which at least 90 people died and 36 remain missing. Trami reached Vietnam on October 27 and made landfall in Thua Thien-Hue and Da Nang at around 03:00 UTC, with maximum sustained winds of 88 km/h (55 mph).
Ecuador is facing a severe energy crisis caused by the worst drought in six decades drastically reducing water levels in reservoirs powering hydroelectric plants that supply over 70% of the nation’s electricity. Since October 23, 2024, power cuts have expanded from 8 to 14 hours per day, impacting cities like Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca, and causing economic losses of about $12 million per hour.
At least four people have been reported dead due to Severe Cyclonic Storm “Dana” in the Indian state of West Bengal while over 113 312 ha (280 000 acres) of crops have been submerged in the state of Odisha as of Saturday, October 26, 2024.
Popocatépetl volcano in Mexico has shown increased activity over the past few days, with significant ash and SO2 emissions recorded since October 24. On October 26, volcanic ash cloud was estimated at approximately 9.1 km (30 000 feet) above sea level, extending about 833 km (517 miles) northeast of the summit into the Gulf of Mexico.
