Scientists from the University of Oregon have discovered a vast underground aquifer beneath Oregon’s Cascade Range, storing at least 81 km3 (19.4 mi3) of water — almost three times the maximum capacity of Lake Mead. The research detailing the findings was published on January 13, 2025, reshaping the understanding of the region’s water resources and volcanic hazards.
Comet C/2024 G3 (Atlas), which made its closest approach to Earth on January 14, 2025, and reached perihelion a day later, is creating spectacular photographic opportunities as it brightens in the night sky. Astronomers and skywatchers in the Southern Hemisphere have reported a visible coma and an extended tail, making it one of the most striking comets of recent years.
A new eruption took place at Purace volcano in Colombia around 09:00 UTC on Monday, January 20, 2025, ejecting ash up to 5.8 km (19 000 feet) above sea level. Ashfall was reported in the municipalities of Coconuco and Purace in the department of Cauca. The last eruption at this volcano took place in 2023.
Japan has increased the estimated probability of a magnitude 8 and 9 megaquake occurring in the Nankai Trough within the next 30 years to around 80% on January 16, 2025, after an M6.8 earthquake hit near the coast of Kyushu. The probability was previously estimated at 70 to 80%.
A meteorite measuring approximately 2 cm (0.8 inches) in diameter smashed the windscreen of a parked Toyota in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon near Birmingham, UK on December 26, 2024.
Ethiopia’s southern Afar and northern Oromia regions are experiencing an ongoing seismo-volcanic crisis that has injured two people, displaced over 60 000 residents, and caused extensive infrastructure damage since December 22, 2024.
A strong eruption at Ibu volcano produced lava fountains reaching hundreds of meters and ash plumes rising to 5.5 km (18 000 feet) a.s.l., on January 11, 2025, accompanied by volcanic lightning and active lava dome growth. The Aviation Color Code remains at Orange following an upgrade to Red on January 11 for a brief time.
The Palisades Fire broke out on Tuesday morning, January 7, 2025, and has burnt through 6 975 ha (17 234 acres) in Los Angeles County by Thursday, destroying and damaging over 1 000 structures by some reports. The blaze forced tens of thousands to evacuate, terrifying the residents who were forced to flee with just essentials.
A large piece of space debris measuring 2.5 m (8.2 feet) and weighing 500 kg (1 102 pounds) fell in Mukuku Village, Makueni County, Kenya, on December 30, 2024. Such incidents are rare, with only a few large debris objects surviving reentry each year and an even smaller number impacting populated areas.
Two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) produced on December 29, 2024, impacted Earth on December 31, causing G4 – Severe geomagnetic storm on January 1, 2025. A slow return to nominal levels is expected by late on January 2. Late on January 3 to early on January 4, a potential glancing blow from the January 1 CME is likely to cause another enhancement.
