A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.5 hit Jujuy, Argentina at 16:00 UTC on March 22, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 209 km (130 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.4 at a depth of 220 km (136 miles).
Southern California faces a barrage of extreme weather as record-breaking rainfall, powerful wind gusts, and widespread power outages impact the region. At least 5 people lost their lives. While the torrential downpour provides relief from the long-term drought, it brings additional challenges, including flooding, flight cancellations, and complications for communities in the mountains still recovering from recent snowstorms.
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.5 hit Hindu Kush, Afghanistan at 16:47 UTC on March 21, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 187.6 km (116.6 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.5 at a depth of 191 km (118.7 miles).
A large sandstorm formed on the Mongolian plateau on March 21, 2023, bringing visibility at the border of China and Mongolia to less than 500 m (1 640 feet).
A strong storm will move ashore across California today accompanied by strong winds, heavy rain and heavy snow for the higher terrain. Flooding will be of great concern for Southern California into portions of Arizona through Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
A vigorous eruption took place at Nevado del Ruiz volcano, Colombia at 14:02 UTC on March 20, 2023. The Alert Level remains at 3 (Yellow — the second lowest level on a four-color scale). The last major eruption of this volcano occurred in 1985 and resulted in the deaths of over 20 000 people due to lahars.
This winter season in California has been one for the books, with snowpack statewide doubling the normal levels and much above what’s typical by April 1st, historically the deepest snow depth of the season. Despite widespread flooding and mandatory evacuations around rivers and creeks, the southern Sierra region, particularly Soda Springs, has seen an impressive amount of snowfall, marking the second snowiest winter on record with over 17 m (56 feet) of snow. While still shy of the record set during the 1951-52 season, with more snow predicted, it’s expected to come close in the next couple of weeks.
Heavy rain affecting northeastern Brazil last week has caused flooding and landslides in at least 5 municipalities of Ceará State, resulting in the deaths of three people and the displacement of dozens. The landslides destroyed homes and forced residents to evacuate, while local governments have declared a state of emergency. The neighboring state of Maranhão has also declared a state of emergency for 20 municipalities.
Tropical Cyclone “Freddy” has left at least 582 people dead and hundreds missing in Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, and Mauritius. The worst affected was Malawi where at least 476 people lost their lives and 349 are still missing, as of March 20, 2023.
A 6.8 magnitude earthquake shook several provinces in central-southwestern Ecuador and Tumbes Province in north-western Peru on March 18, 2023, causing casualties and damage. The quake resulted in at least 14 fatalities, 462 injuries, and over 330 homes destroyed or damaged in Ecuador and Peru. Unofficial reports mention at least 15 fatalities.
