• Severe storm, torrential rains hit parts of Spain, causing widespread floods

    Torrential rains have swept across parts of Spain, including the Balearic Islands, on Thursday, August 15, 2024, causing widespread flooding, evacuations, and flight cancellations. The Spanish Emergency Military Unit (UME) confirmed on August 15, that it had been deployed to Mallorca to assist with the crisis.

  • Japan narrowly avoids catastrophic impact as rare Typhoon “Ampil” skirts the Tokyo region

    The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued warnings for fierce winds, high waves, and potential landslides as Typhoon “Ampil” grazed the country on August 16, 2024. The storm, currently located off the Pacific coast, has prompted evacuation orders for over 340 000 residents and led to significant disruptions in transportation and power supply.

  • Strong and shallow M6.1 earthquake hits Taiwan

    A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit near the east coast of Taiwan at 23:35 UTC on August 15, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 14 km (22.5 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.

  • 2024 sees Southern California’s highest M4+ earthquake count since 1988, return to long-term average

    Since 1932, Southern California has averaged 10 – 12 M4 earthquakes annually. However, in the last 20 years, this number dropped to around 5 per year. In 2024, with 13 M4s already recorded, the region is seeing a return to its long-term average. Southern California is experiencing a significant increase in seismic activity this year,…

  • Violent eruption at Etna volcano, Italy

    Another phase of intense strombolian activity started at Etna’s Voragin crater during the afternoon hours of August 14, 2024, and over the next couple of hours evolved into violent lava fountaining — the 6th paroxysm at the volcano since July 4 when the series started.

  • Violent thunderstorms hit Switzerland

    Violent thunderstorms swept through Switzerland on Monday evening, August 12, 2024, causing significant disruptions, damage, and the evacuation of residents. The storms were accompanied by over 70 000 lightning strikes, heavy rainfall, and strong winds, resulting in widespread flooding, landslides, and mudslides.