The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: August 9 – 15, 2023
New activity/unrest was reported for 4 volcanoes from August 9 to 15, 2023. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 16 volcanoes.
Euphrates River’s water level hits historic low at Tabqa Dam, Syria
The water level of the Euphrates River has plummeted drastically over the past three weeks, reaching a concerning historical low at Tabqa Dam, Syria. This alarming decline has left the Alouk water station non-functional since June 23, impacting close to one million residents of the Hassakeh governorate in various vital sectors.
Floods and mudslides claim 21 lives, leave 6 missing in Xi’an, China
Mudslides and floods triggered by excessive summer rains took a devastating toll in the northwestern Chinese city of Xian, causing 21 deaths and leaving 6 individuals unaccounted for.
Waterspout capsizes tourist boat in Thailand, leaving one person dead and another missing
A waterspout that formed on the Bangtaboon River in Phetchaburi’s Ban Laem district on August 12, 2023, capsized a tourist boat, leaving one person dead and another missing.
Five villages in Tenerife evacuated amidst escalating wildfire threat
A rapidly spreading wildfire, which ignited on Tuesday night, August 15, 2023, in a Tenerife national park, has since spread across 300 ha (741 acres), leading to the evacuation of five villages and sealing off the forest near Mount Teide volcano.
Strong M6.5 earthquake hits Vanuatu at intermediate depth
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.5 hit Vanuatu at 12:47 UTC on August 16, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 193 km (119 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Tropical Cyclone “Lan” makes landfall in Japan, bringing record-breaking rainfall
Tropical Cyclone “Lan” made landfall near Cape Shionomisaki in Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture just before 05:00 LT on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 (20:00 UTC, August 14), with winds near 160 km/h (100 mph) — equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane in the Atlantic.
Vehicles, bridges, and buildings washed away as catastrophic floods hit Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, India
Intense rainfall in India’s northern Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand has led to catastrophic floods and landslides, killing at least 58 people, including nine in a temple collapse in Shimla, as of Monday.
Widespread floods hit Primorsky Krai, Russia
Remnants of Tropical Cyclone “Khanun” dropped heavy rains over Primorsky Krai, Russia over the past couple of days causing widespread floods. Khanun made landfall in South Korea late August 9 (UTC) and continued moving north toward Russia.
Deadly EF-2 tornado hits China’s Jiangsu
At least two people were killed and 15 others injured when an EF-2 tornado accompanied by a hailstorm hit the town of Yancheng, China’s Jiangsu Province on August 13, 2023. This is the first deadly tornado to hit China and Jiangsu since July 20, 2022.
