Large fireball explodes over Krasnoyarsk, Russia
A large fireball was seen and recorded over Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, Russia at 20:03 LT on January 31, 2023.
Europe experienced record number of hailstorms in 2022 for the second year in row
2022 saw a record-breaking number of hailstorms in Europe with 8 224 large hail reports. That is 2 791 large hail reports more than in 2021, which was already a record-breaking year. France had the most reports with 2 461 and was also the country with the largest economic impact of 4.8 billion €.
Increased seismicity at Lascar volcano, Alert Level raised to Orange, Chile
Seismic activity around Chile’s Lascar volcano has increased over the past 2 days, causing Sernageomin to raise its Alert Level to Orange. The security perimeter around the crater was expanded to 10 km (6.2 miles), with the community urged to avoid unnecessary exposure to potential dangers. The seismicity is primarily linked to fluid dynamics within the volcanic system, which could be a result of the destabilization of a remnant magmatic body. This activity could lead to explosive events, potentially causing ashfall in the area.
Seismic data reveals surprising pause in Earth’s inner core rotation and a shift in direction
According to a new study published in the journal Nature Geoscience, the inner core of the Earth may have stopped rotating faster than the rest of the planet around 2009 and then turned in an opposite direction.
Extreme cold hits China’s Heilongjiang province: Moha drops to -53.0 °C (-63.4 °F) — the lowest temperature in Chinese history
The minimum temperature at Jingtao automated weather station in the town of Amur, Mohe City in Heilongjiang Province, China fell to -53.0°C (-63.4°F) on January 22, 2023, marking the lowest temperate in the province and the lowest ever observed by the Chinese meteorological system.
Increased number of shallow earthquakes at Ijen volcano, Indonesia
The Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) reported that beginning in July 2022, the seismic network at Ijen volcano in East Java, Indonesia began detecting increasing numbers of shallow volcanic earthquakes and earthquake signals characteristic of emissions, indicating increasing pressure at shallow depths within the hydrothermal system.
Storm Gerard hits France with hurricane-force winds
A powerful low pressure system, named Storm Gerard by Météo France, brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, and thunderstorms to northern and western France on Sunday, January 15, and Monday, January 16, 2023, resulting in significant weather-related incidents and causing casualties and damage. This is the 22nd named storm of the 2022/23 European windstorm season, including two ex-hurricanes (Danielle and Martin).
Worst flooding since 1981 hits parts of central Latvia
Residents in parts of central Latvia were urged to evacuate their homes on January 15, 2023, due to the worst flooding the state has seen since 1981.
Unlocking solar activity: Correlation between the Sun’s Hale magnetic cycle and Extended Solar Cycle
New research from the Wilcox Solar Observatory (WSO) has found evidence for the correspondence of the “Extended Solar Cycle” (ESC) to the Sun’s Hale magnetic cycle. The research emphasizes the intrinsic power of synoptic observations, particularly at a time when it is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain such efforts.
The greatest concentration of lightning ever recorded
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano eruption on January 15, 2022, has set a new record for the greatest concentration of lightning ever detected. According to data from Vaisala’s Global Lightning Dataset GLD360, nearly 400 000 lightning events were detected within just six hours of the eruption, making it a truly exceptional phenomenon.