Large sandstorm forms on the Mongolian plateau
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).
Large dust storm darkens skies across parts of Texas and New Mexico
A large storm system brought a rare snowfall to California and thunderstorms to the Southern Plains in late February 2023. The system also generated strong winds that caused a massive amount of dust to be lofted into the air, darkening skies across northwestern Texas, northern Mexico, and eastern New Mexico.
Thousands displaced by flooding in northern Syria after earthquakes trigger dam breach
Northern Syria is facing a dual humanitarian crisis after a series of devastating earthquakes in Turkey caused a dam breach along the Orontes river, resulting in widespread flooding and forcing thousands to evacuate their homes.
Decades-long growing rift in Brunt Ice Shelf finally breaks, creating new iceberg, Antarctica
On January 22, 2023, a massive rift on the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica finally gave way, resulting in the formation of a new iceberg measuring 1 550 km2 (~600 mi2). The U.S. National Ice Center has named it Iceberg A-81. The rift, spanning most of the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica, appeared ready to spawn an iceberg in 2019, posing an uncertain future for scientific infrastructure and a human presence on the shelf that was first established in 1955 by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
Extrusive eruption at Sheveluch volcano continues, Russia
The extrusive eruption at Sheveluch volcano in Russia continues, with the growth of the lava dome and strong fumarole activity observed. Incandescence of the lava dome, explosions, and hot avalanches have also been reported in conjunction with this process.
Lava dome growing at Sheveluch volcano, Russia
Lava dome at Sheveluch volcano, Russia continues growing, KVERT reported on January 2, 2023.
Sentinel-2 satellite views erupting Mauna Loa volcano, Hawai’i
Mauna Loa started erupting at around 09:30 UTC on November 28, 2022 (23:30 LT on November 27) in Moku‘āweoweo, the summit caldera of Mauna Loa, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on our planet. Its last eruption took place in 1984 (VEI 0).
Significant underwater gas emissions at Nishinoshima volcano, Japan
Satellites are registering significant underwater gas emissions at Nishinoshima volcano, Japan following increased eruptive activity at the volcano that started in September 2022. The activity at the volcano further intensified on October 2 and 3.
Bright daylight fireball over Arizona, U.S.
A bright daylight fireball was seen over Arizona, U.S. at around 18:48 UTC on November 6, 2022 (11:47 MST). The event was recorded on video and registered by GOES-East and -West satellites.
Floods affect over 1 million people in Chad, more than half of capital N’Djamena underwater
Authorities in Chad declared a state of emergency last week due to widespread floods affecting more than 1 million people. The floods affected 18 of the country’s 23 provinces.