A period of increased seismic activity started at Kamaʻehuakanaloa volcano (previously known as Lōʻihi) near Hawaii on November 1, 2024, with over 70 recorded earthquakes and two reaching M4.3. Seismicity remains above normal levels today, indicating magma movement beneath the volcano.
A complex storm brought record-breaking rainfall to New Mexico and severe snowfall to Colorado from October 17 to 20, 2024. According to the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E), the storm was driven by a mid-level shortwave trough that deepened into a cutoff low-pressure system over Arizona, pulling in abundant moisture and creating conditions for intense thunderstorms.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit off the coast of Oregon, U.S. at 20:15 UTC on October 30, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
The United States experienced a record-breaking 24 “billion-dollar” weather and climate disasters thus far in 2024, each incurring significant economic damage and resulting in the loss of 418 lives. This year’s toll greatly exceeds the long-term annual average of 8.5 events recorded between 1980 and 2023 and surpasses the recent five-year average of 20.4 events.
The first major snowfall of the 2024/25 winter season arrived in Southcentral Alaska on Monday, October 28, 2024, prompting authorities to issue multiple warnings and advisories.
Record-breaking rains caused a massive landslide in Bellingham, Washington, on Sunday, October 27, 2024, blocking a three-mile stretch of northbound Interstate 5.
A bright fireball was observed across six U.S. states — Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia at around 23:57 UTC on October 26, 2024.
An earthquake swarm consisting of 64 recorded events has been occurring in the Death Valley region of California since October 24, 2024, with magnitudes ranging from 0.5 to 4.7 and focal depths reaching a maximum of 15.9 km (9.9 miles). The seismic activity is characterized by shallow to mid-crustal depths, typical of intraplate swarms in tectonically active regions.
A powerful atmospheric river (AR) is expected to bring significant rainfall to the West Coast, particularly affecting Washington and Oregon starting October 25, 2024, and continuing into early October 27. Following this, a second AR may impact the California-Mexico border and parts of the southwestern U.S. on October 28 – 29.
New temporary sensors were deployed by the USGS and PNSN around Mount Adams this month in response to the volcano experiencing an unusual spike in seismic activity since September 2024.
