The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: July 13 – 19, 2022
New activity/unrest was reported for 2 volcanoes from July 13 to 19, 2022. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 16 volcanoes.
Destructive tornado outbreak hits Jiangsu Province, China
A severe weather outbreak hit China’s Jiangsu Province on July 20, 2022, producing at least 5 tornadoes and leaving significant damage. The number of confirmed tornadoes is expected to rise as more information comes in.
More than 480 000 people told to evacuate as record-breaking rainfall hits southwestern Japan
More than 480 000 people living in southwestern Japan have been told to evacuate on July 19, 2022, as record-breaking rains continue falling over the region. Heavy rains are expected to continue through July 20. Residents in the affected region are urged to be on their guard against landslides, floods in low-lying areas, and river flooding.
Temperatures in the UK exceed 40.2 °C (104.3 °F) for the first time on record
A provisional temperature of 40.2 °C (104.3 °F) was recorded at Heathrow, UK at 12:50 LT on July 19, 2022, which, if confirmed, will beat the previous record of 38.7 °C (101.6 °F) set in 2019 by 1.5 °C (2.7 °F).
More than 1 000 heat-related deaths reported in Spain and Portugal
The second heatwave to hit Europe since mid-June 2022 has claimed more than 1 000 lives over the past 8 days, with most of them in Portugal. Numerous high temperature records have been broken and more are expected to fall over the next few days. This is the second heatwave to hit Europe since mid-June.
Earthquake swarm beneath Kamaʻehuakanaloa (Lōʻihi) seamount likely the result of magma movement, Hawai’i
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) has detected increased seismic activity beneath Kamaʻehuakanaloa (formerly known as Lōʻihi) seamount, south of the Island of Hawaiʻi over the past few days. The activity is likely the result of magma movement beneath Kamaʻehuakanaloa seamount and currently shows no sign of leading to an eruption. The last eruption at this volcano took place in 1996 (VEI 0).
Shallow M6.4 earthquake hits off the coast of Aisen, Chile
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.4 hit off the coast of Aisen, Chile at 19:37 UTC on July 15, 2022. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.4 at a depth of 2 km (1.2 miles).
A ‘highly unusual weather event’ produces destructive swells in the Cook Islands and French Polynesia
A high pressure system pushing up from New Zealand this week produced swells of up to 4.5 m (14.7 feet) in the Cook Islands, inundating coastal areas and damaging homes and roads. The same event produced destructive swells as large as 9 m (29.5 feet) in French Polynesia.
United Kingdom issues first Red Extreme heat warning
For the first time ever, temperatures of 40 °C (104 °F) have been forecast in the United Kingdom for Monday and Tuesday, July 18 and 19, 2022. As a result, the UK Met Office has issued the first ever Red warning for exceptional heat. The current record high temperature in the UK is 38.7 °C (101.6 °F), set in Cambridge in 2019.
More than 40 people unaccounted for after severe storms and floods hit Virginia, U.S.
Severe storms hit parts of Virginia on July 12, 2022, causing major flooding in Buchanan County where more than 100 homes were damaged and 44 people were unaccounted for, as of July 14.
