• Study links Earth’s orbital variations, sea ice and ice ages

    Earth is currently in what climatologists call an interglacial period, a warm pulse between long, cold ice ages when glaciers dominate our planet's higher latitudes. For the past million years, these glacial-interglacial cycles have repeated roughly on a…

  • Worst wildfires in Chile’s modern history

    As of January 26, 2017, forest fires burning across central and southern Chile over the last couple of weeks have consumed an area of 238 600 hectares (589 600 acres / 981 mi2 / 2 386 km2) and killed 6 people. Red Alert for forest fires is in effect in the regions…

  • New flank eruption at Erta Ale volcano, Ethiopia

    A fissure eruption at the SE flank of Ethiopia's most active volcano seems to be in progress approximately 7 km (4.3 miles) from the summit caldera and lava lake. "According to our local correspondents, the activity at the summit has decreased a lot, which…

  • Newly discovered asteroid 2017 BX to flyby Earth at 0.68 LD

    A newly discovered Apollo-class asteroid 2017 BX will flyby Earth at 0.68 LD (261 120 km / 162 252 miles) from the surface of our planet on January 25, 2017. Its estimated size is between 4 and 14 m (13 and 46 feet). At the time of its closest approach to Earth -…

  • Chile wildfires prompt state of emergency

    Fueled by strong winds and a heat wave, dozens of wildfires are burning in central and southern Chile, threatening towns, factories and vineyards. Four firefighters have lost their lives since December 28. Chile has declared a state of emergency on Friday, January…

  • Large earth fissure opens in Northern Cape, South Africa

    A large earth fissure has opened up between the cities of Daniëlskuil and Kuruman in Northern Cape, South Africa after heavy rains hit the region at the beginning of the month. The fissure is still growing and is nearing dangerously close to the R31 road…

  • TD 01W Auring reformed near southern Vietnam, dropping heavy rain

    Tropical Depression 01W, named Auring by PAGASA, has reformed along the coast of southern Vietnam and is dropping heavy rain. The system will make landfall after 06:00 UTC on January 16, 2017, cross the southern Vietnam into the Gulf of Thailand and dissipate. The…

  • New eruption at Lopevi volcano, Alert Level raised to 3

    A new eruption is underway at Vanuatu's Lopevi volcano and the Alert Level was raised to 3 (of 5) on Friday, January 13, 2017. At 01:00 UTC today, pilot reports confirmed volcanic plume to 3 km (10 000 feet) above sea level. The last known eruption of this…

  • More than 50 houses swept away into Cross River, Nigeria

    A devastating landslide took place on Saturday, January 7, 2017, in Agwagune Community of the Nigerian Cross River State. The slide swept away more than 50 houses into the Cross River. This area is well known for landslides and flooding. In 1997, a deadly landslide…

  • Three fireballs recorded over Brazil

    Three fireballs were recorded over Brazil in the past couple of days. Over Campina Grande on January 6, north of Rio de Janeiro on January 7, and over Espirito Santo on January 9, 2017. Fireballs over Brazil on January 6, 7 and 9, 2017. Image credit: Google The…