https://www.sott.net/category/4-Earth-Changes Signs of the Times: The World for People who Think. Featuring independent, unbiased, alternative news and commentary on world events. en-us Original content Copyright 2026 by Signs of the Times/Sott.net. For other content, see our Fair Use Policy at www.sott.net. Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:05:59 +0000 https://www.sott.net/images/sottlogo_rss.jpg SOTT.net https://www.sott.net https://www.sott.net/article/506847-June-Snow-returns-to-the-Alps-Oregons-June-frost June Snow Returns To The Alps High Alpine passes have slipped back toward winter. On June 11, Passo Gardena in Italy's Dolomites was under a fresh white dusting at around 2,000 m (6,560 ft). Local forecasts had the pass down to -2C (28.4F), with temperatures at 3,000 m (9,840 ft) around -4C (24.8F). At Passo dello Stelvio, snow totaling 23 cm (9.1 in) has been reported, with the Stelvio glacier down to -8C (17.6F). Switzerland saw the same pattern. Swiss lowland highs were held to 16C (60.8F), with the central and eastern Alps seeing a few centimeters below 2,000 m. https://www.sott.net/article/506847-June-Snow-returns-to-the-Alps-Oregons-June-frost Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:04:03 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506846-Indonesia-raises-alert-levels-as-3-volcanoes-erupt-simultaneously Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia is home to around 120 - 130 active volcanoes, the highest number in the world, making volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis constant natural hazards. Indonesian authorities have raised alert levels as three active volcanoes, including Dukono, Ibu in North Maluku, and Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara, erupted simultaneously, sending ash columns 400 - 500 metres above their summits. According to Lana Saria, acting head of the Geological Agency under Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the three volcanoes are among the country's most active. Lewotobi Laki-laki is the site of a major eruption in November 2024 that killed at least nine people, damaged more than 2,300 homes and forced around 16,000 residents to evacuate. Dukono and Ibu, meanwhile, have experienced near-continuous volcanic activity for years, regularly releasing ash into the atmosphere and remaining under heightened monitoring. https://www.sott.net/article/506846-Indonesia-raises-alert-levels-as-3-volcanoes-erupt-simultaneously Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:37:56 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506845-Lightning-strike-kills-3-injures-5-in-Chhattisgarh-India A pall of gloom descended on Kalgaon under Chhattisgarh's Kanker district after three persons, including Deputy Sarpanch of the village, died and five others were critically injured after lightning struck a group of workers on Friday morning. The workers were engaged in pond construction work under the MGNREGA scheme in Antagarh police station area. According to preliminary information, around 80 workers were working at the site to complete the pond before the onset of the monsoon. At around 6 AM, the weather suddenly changed, bringing heavy rain and thunderstorms. To escape the heavy showers, several workers took shelter under a nearby tree. Moments later, lightning struck the tree, hitting those who had assembled beneath it. Deputy Sarpanch Dhanraj Patel, who was present at the site to supervise the work, was among those struck. https://www.sott.net/article/506845-Lightning-strike-kills-3-injures-5-in-Chhattisgarh-India Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:24:42 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506827-Three-killed-in-landslide-after-heavy-rains-in-northern-Vietnam Three men were killed after being buried in a landslide in Vietnam's northern mountainous province of Lai Chau on Wednesday (June 10), Xinhua reported, citing the Vietnam News Agency. According to local authorities, the victims were working in a forested area near a mountain stream in Mit Thai village when prolonged heavy rains hit the area. The downpour triggered a mountainside landslide, sending rocks and soil crashing into the stream below and burying all three men. Authorities are investigating the incident. Local officials have warned residents of landslide risks triggered by torrential rain and flooding, urging them not to work on upland farms, enter forests, stay overnight in field shelters or cross flooded spillways during heavy rain. Bernama-Xinhua https://www.sott.net/article/506827-Three-killed-in-landslide-after-heavy-rains-in-northern-Vietnam Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:20:22 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506826-Sinkhole-20-feet-wide-and-17-feet-deep-opens-up-on-airport-runway-in-Blountville-Tennessee A large sinkhole shut down the main runway of a Tennessee airport this week. The Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) announced on Wednesday, June 10, that its main runway remains closed due to the sinkhole. "Runway 5/23 remains closed today as repair work continues following the discovery of a sinkhole beneath the runway surface," a Facebook post from the airport reads. "Concrete has been poured, and crews are allowing adequate time for the material to cure before additional work and evaluations can be completed." The airport says passengers should check directly with their airlines regarding the status of upcoming flights. Local outlet WJHL reported Tuesday that the sinkhole measures approximately 20 feet by 20 feet and is 17 feet deep. https://www.sott.net/article/506826-Sinkhole-20-feet-wide-and-17-feet-deep-opens-up-on-airport-runway-in-Blountville-Tennessee Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:09:05 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506825-Torrential-hailstorm-paralyzes-Armenias-Gyumri-ice-layers-reach-1-5-meters A violent overnight hailstorm and torrential rain crippled traffic in Armenia's second-largest city, Gyumri, leaving swathes of neighborhoods submerged under water and encased in ice as layers reached up to 1.5 meters, municipal officials said on Thursday. Authorities reported the most severe disruption near the bridge connecting Teryan Street to Akhuryan, where massive ice deposits and floodwaters rendered the route impassable. "The volume of precipitation was unprecedented," said Andranik Chadryan, acting head of Gyumri's municipal utilities department. "Despite the drainage systems functioning, the sheer quantity of water made timely removal impossible." Emergency crews worked through the night in crisis mode, deploying heavy machinery to clear thick ice sheets and reopen blocked roads. The Interior Ministry's Rescue Service said its Shirak regional center received numerous distress calls after midnight, with homes inundated and vehicles trapped. Rescue crews carried out... https://www.sott.net/article/506825-Torrential-hailstorm-paralyzes-Armenias-Gyumri-ice-layers-reach-1-5-meters Thu, 11 Jun 2026 13:49:15 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506824-SOTT-Earth-Changes-Summary-May-2026-Extreme-Weather-Planetary-Upheaval-Meteor-Fireballs May 2026 confirmed what the post-maximum phase of Solar Cycle 25 has been signalling for months: the Sun is winding down, but it is doing so in fits and starts, and the planet is feeling every twitch. The official picture continues to show declining sunspot averages; the cycle's max-phase end was effectively dated to February, yet 2 active regions, AR4436 and AR4432, kept the month from going quiet. On May 10, AR4436 fired an M5.7-class flare with an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection that lit auroras at unusually low latitudes in the days that followed. The point we keep returning to is the one mainstream solar physics still resists: a "declining" cycle does not mean a quiet planet. Historically, the strongest events of any cycle tend to cluster in the descending phase, sometimes years after the official peak, and the terrestrial consequences, from jet-stream distortion to electromagnetic stress on the atmosphere, intensify rather than fade as the Sun loses coherence. https://www.sott.net/article/506824-SOTT-Earth-Changes-Summary-May-2026-Extreme-Weather-Planetary-Upheaval-Meteor-Fireballs Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:38:05 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506806-Indonesias-Mount-Lewotobi-Laki-laki-erupts-again-residents-warned Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province erupted again on Wednesday afternoon, prompting authorities to reiterate safety warnings for residents and visitors near the volcano. According to Indonesia's Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), the eruption occurred at 13:46 local time (WITA) on June 10. The volcanic ash column rose approximately 800 meters above the crater, reaching an altitude of 2,384 meters above sea level, News.az reports, citing ABC News. Officials reported that thick gray ash drifted westward and northwestward, while eruptive activity was still ongoing at the time of reporting. https://www.sott.net/article/506806-Indonesias-Mount-Lewotobi-Laki-laki-erupts-again-residents-warned Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:12:27 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506805-Rural-Manitoba-communities-without-power-and-clean-water-after-storm-induced-floods Residents in western Manitoba have been without power and clean drinking water after heavy rain on Sunday night caused severe flooding in several rural communities. Roads in the region have been washed away and communications in the area has been unreliable. A local state of emergency has been declared for the town of Swan River and the neighbouring municipality of Minitonas-Bowsman. As Vasilios Bellos reports, there are concerns more storms could be on the way. https://www.sott.net/article/506805-Rural-Manitoba-communities-without-power-and-clean-water-after-storm-induced-floods Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:54:15 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506804-Over-8-inches-of-summer-rain-causes-extreme-flash-flooding-in-Lanesville-Indiana Over eight inches of rain caused extreme flash flooding Tuesday afternoon in Lanesville, Indiana. The flash flooding turned streets into rivers, trapped neighbors in their homes and businesses and caused some to take shelter on rooftops. According to emergency management officials, live power lines were in the floodwaters and 500-gallon liquid propane tanks were floating. The measurement of rain as of 1 p.m. was 8.38 inches. "I'm kind of worried about the people that are living down there right now because no one really had any time to prepare for it this morning," resident Preston Martin said. "It only happened within a couple hours." Rescue crews from multiple counties responded with boats to help reach people. Sgt. Ryan Houchen, a spokesperson for the Highlander Fire Protection District, said emergency management officials were monitoring the situation after a warning came just after 11 a.m. from the National Weather Service. https://www.sott.net/article/506804-Over-8-inches-of-summer-rain-causes-extreme-flash-flooding-in-Lanesville-Indiana Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:43:44 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506797-June-snow-falls-in-Scotland-as-UK-hit-by-unsettled-weather Parts of Scotland witnessed distinctly wintry scenes on Tuesday - as the UK experiences a spell of unsettled weather. Residents in the village of Oldmeldrum in Aberdeenshire endured rapidly changing weather conditions, with sunshine giving way to torrential rain and even snow. Staff at local ice cream shop The Icer took to social media to express their bemusement, writing: https://www.sott.net/article/506797-June-snow-falls-in-Scotland-as-UK-hit-by-unsettled-weather Tue, 09 Jun 2026 19:47:40 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506791-Car-swallowed-by-sinkhole-after-road-suddenly-collapses-in-Akron-Ohio A routine drive in Summit County turned into a nightmare after a car plunged into a sinkhole that suddenly opened beneath the roadway. The incident happened Monday morning in Akron, where a section of pavement gave way without warning and left one vehicle partially swallowed by the collapse. Images from the scene showed the damaged car sitting at an awkward angle inside the hole while emergency crews responded. Akron officials later said the sinkhole was caused by a water main break underneath the road, which weakened the pavement and caused it to collapse. Fortunately, authorities said everyone involved was able to get out safely, and no serious injuries were immediately reported by Cleveland 19.com. https://www.sott.net/article/506791-Car-swallowed-by-sinkhole-after-road-suddenly-collapses-in-Akron-Ohio Tue, 09 Jun 2026 19:17:32 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506790-China-Sudden-hailstorm-bombards-Langfang-with-large-hailstones-on-June-4 On June 4, 2026, in Langfang, Hebei, a sudden and severe hailstorm was captured on video. The sky darkened rapidly as thick clouds moved in, and large hailstones began falling almost immediately, hammering the ground and bouncing off pavements with considerable force. https://www.sott.net/article/506790-China-Sudden-hailstorm-bombards-Langfang-with-large-hailstones-on-June-4 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:58:30 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506781-Shallow-earthquake-with-6-1-magnitude-hits-offshore-Cuba-shaking-buildings-in-Havana A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck near western Cuba on Monday, shaking buildings in Havana and beyond. No injuries or damage were immediately reported. The quake struck at a depth of six miles (10 kilometers) in waters just west of the capital, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Flavia Pupo, a manager at the Pinar del Río hotel, in Pinar del Rio, described how the building shook and caused some fear. "Everyone here is OK," she said by telephone. "The people on the street are a little bit scared." The latest earthquake was felt as far away as Florida. The National Weather Service in Miami said in a tweet that it received several reports of shaking in the southwestern part of the state. The Oriente fault zone is located just off Cuba's southeast coast and has unleashed damaging earthquakes in recent centuries, including a 7.7 magnitude quake on January 2020 in open waters that caused damage in Cuba and the Cayman Islands. AP https://www.sott.net/article/506781-Shallow-earthquake-with-6-1-magnitude-hits-offshore-Cuba-shaking-buildings-in-Havana Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:11:31 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506779-Cars-swept-away-and-roads-collapsed-The-aftermath-of-flooding-in-western-El-Salvador-following-heavy-rains Last night, June 5th, the department of Santa Ana experienced a resurgence of vulnerability due to the intense rainfall that battered the region. The storms that occurred during the night caused the immediate collapse of drainage systems in various parts of the city, leaving several streets and avenues completely flooded. In a matter of minutes, the streets were transformed into raging rivers, causing serious problems for pedestrians and completely paralyzing vehicular traffic. The force of the currents and flash floods took dozens of people by surprise as they tried to return home. Among the most serious incidents reported overnight, emergency crews had to be urgently deployed to 25th Street West. There, the force of the current trapped a driver, whose vehicle began to be dangerously swept away by the water. Thanks to the swift intervention of the rescue teams, the individual was safely evacuated and taken to a protected area, preventing the situation from escalating or resulting... https://www.sott.net/article/506779-Cars-swept-away-and-roads-collapsed-The-aftermath-of-flooding-in-western-El-Salvador-following-heavy-rains Mon, 08 Jun 2026 19:52:29 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506773-A-simple-yet-expensive-way-to-climate-proof-the-grid-Bury-the-power-lines Underground power lines are far less vulnerable to extreme weather, but burying them doesn't come cheap. After a historic ice storm in northern Michigan, utilities there are reconsidering the cost. Power lines across the country weren't designed for a changing climate, with much of the nation's grid built more than half a century ago. Today, stronger storms and heavier precipitation cause hundreds of outages a year, many because of trees falling on above-ground power lines. In northern Michigan, some utilities want to change that. In March 2025, a devastating ice storm hit the region, knocking down trees and snapping utility poles. Thousands of people lost power for weeks. https://www.sott.net/article/506773-A-simple-yet-expensive-way-to-climate-proof-the-grid-Bury-the-power-lines Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:52:59 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506768-Teenager-attacked-by-3-coyotes-in-Orleans-Ontario The City of Ottawa is investigating after a teenager was attacked by several coyotes at Lalande Conservation Park in Orléans this week. The mother of a 14-year-old boy says her son was attacked by three coyotes in the park. CTV News Ottawa has agreed not to share her identity over privacy concerns. She says her son was biking home through the park at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Thursday when a coyote started charging at him without provocation. Two more then came from the side. "One of them was clamped to his shoe and then the other one got to his leg," she said. "There was three of them, one was pretty big. He said it pretty much at his waist, and the other one a little bit smaller, and the other one a little bit smaller than that." https://www.sott.net/article/506768-Teenager-attacked-by-3-coyotes-in-Orleans-Ontario Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:47:38 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506767-Eight-dogs-euthanised-after-woman-mauled-to-death-in-Klerksdorp-South-Africa The SPCA has euthanised eight dogs after an unidentified woman was allegedly mauled to death by dogs in Klerksdorp, North West, in the early hours of Friday morning. The South African Police Service (Saps) has registered an inquest docket and is investigating the gruesome death of a woman believed to be in her 30s. Unidentified woman mauled to death North West police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh said the incident, which occurred on Magaretha Prinsloo Street, was reported on 5 June at around 5:45am. "It is alleged that the body of the deceased was discovered by a man from a nearby residence while on his way to work," Myburgh said. The man immediately reported the matter to the police, and Emergency and Medical Rescue Services declared the woman dead at the scene. https://www.sott.net/article/506767-Eight-dogs-euthanised-after-woman-mauled-to-death-in-Klerksdorp-South-Africa Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:37:58 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506766-Lightning-strike-kills-3-injures-2-at-Cambodian-farm A lightning strike killed three people, including two young children, and seriously injured two others while they were working in a rural rice field yesterday, local police said. The incident occurred during a heavy thunderstorm in Prey Russey village, located in the Phnom Sruoch district of Kampong Speu province. According to authorities, a group of five local farmers was out ploughing the fields when the lightning struck. Police identified the deceased as Sem Rin, 22, and two children, Chan Chetra, 6, and Chan Van, 4. The two survivors, identified as Hul Sona, 23, and Tut Leap, 21, suffered severe injuries and were rushed to a regional hospital, where they remain hospitalised. https://www.sott.net/article/506766-Lightning-strike-kills-3-injures-2-at-Cambodian-farm Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:42:23 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506765-Lightning-strikes-motorcyclist-on-Bangkok-flyover-in-Thailand A motorcyclist was seriously injured after being struck by lightning while riding on the Ratchavibha flyover in Bangkok on Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred at about 3.40pm on the flyover heading towards the Ratchayothin intersection on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. Authorities identified the victim as a male delivery rider. Heavy rain was falling at the time, and he was travelling on the flyover when a lightning bolt struck, causing him to lose control of the motorcycle and crash. Rescue workers from the Poh Tech Tung foundation rushed to the scene and found the 46-year-old rider lying unconscious on his back. A long burn mark extended from the left side of his neck toward his chest, according to local media reports. Preliminary findings indicated that lightning struck his helmet, leaving burn marks and causing a necklace holding an amulet to break. He was subsequently transported to a hospital for urgent medical treatment. https://www.sott.net/article/506765-Lightning-strikes-motorcyclist-on-Bangkok-flyover-in-Thailand Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:28:11 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506764-Heavy-rain-floods-southwest-China-red-alert-issued-for-mountain-torrents-tornado-strikes-Nanning Heavy rain has caused severe flooding in parts of Chongqing, Guizhou and Guangxi, with water levels reaching up to two metres and submerging vehicles, authorities said. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters dispatched a working group to Chongqing on Sunday, urging enhanced emergency duty and strict implementation of 24-hour duty and leadership shifts. The Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration issued a red alert for mountain torrents at 6pm on Sunday. From Sunday evening to Monday evening, parts of southwestern Hunan, northern Guangxi and southern Guizhou are at very high risk of mountain torrent disasters. In Chongqing, a 500-600 metre section of road in the High-tech Agricultural Industry Avenue was flooded, with only vehicle roofs visible. A resident said rain started around 1am and by 7am water was about one metre deep, reaching over two metres by morning. The Chongqing Hechuan District education authority confirmed that three... https://www.sott.net/article/506764-Heavy-rain-floods-southwest-China-red-alert-issued-for-mountain-torrents-tornado-strikes-Nanning Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:02:28 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506763-32-killed-and-over-200-injured-after-7-8-magnitude-earthquake-rocks-southern-Philippines-3-aftershocks-of-mag-6-5-6-0-and-6-0 A powerful offshore earthquake struck southern Philippines on Monday, killing at least 32 people and injuring over 200. The magnitude 7.8 earthquake also triggered tsunami waves exceeding a metre that impacted nearby coastlines. The city of General Santos bore the brunt of the event, experiencing building collapses and significant damage to critical infrastructure. The bustling port city is home to some 700,000 people and a hub for the tuna export industry. Tsunami damage was reported in at least one coastal village while smaller waves were observed as far afield as Indonesia, Palau, and southern Japan. "It's a major earthquake and we're expecting damage," Teresito Bacolcol, the director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, said. https://www.sott.net/article/506763-32-killed-and-over-200-injured-after-7-8-magnitude-earthquake-rocks-southern-Philippines-3-aftershocks-of-mag-6-5-6-0-and-6-0 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:29:34 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506750-6-1-earthquake-off-Sakhalin-Oblast-Russia A very strong magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred in the North Pacific Ocean 107 km (66 mi) from Sakhalin Oblast, Russia, in the evening of Sunday, Jun 7, 2026 at 9.41 pm local time (GMT +11). The quake had a shallow depth of 35 km (22 mi) and was reported felt by some people near the epicenter. https://www.sott.net/article/506750-6-1-earthquake-off-Sakhalin-Oblast-Russia Sun, 07 Jun 2026 15:10:15 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506749-Waterspout-sweeps-ashore-in-Trat-Thailand Residents of Laem Ngop district were startled on June 2 when a waterspout formed over the sea before moving ashore near a coastal community, prompting authorities to monitor the situation and assess possible damage. According to a report from Laem Ngop Police Station, the phenomenon was observed at approximately 12:45 p.m. in the Laem Ngop area of Trat province. Witnesses reported seeing the waterspout develop over the waters of Chong Chang before gradually moving toward shore and making landfall near the Laem Ngop community, creating concern among local residents who watched the dramatic weather event unfold. Authorities said initial inspections were underway to determine whether any homes, fishing facilities, boats, or other property had been affected. No immediate reports of injuries were released. Relevant agencies are continuing to monitor weather conditions and evaluate the extent of any damage caused by the waterspout. Officials have advised residents in coastal areas to... https://www.sott.net/article/506749-Waterspout-sweeps-ashore-in-Trat-Thailand Sun, 07 Jun 2026 13:47:10 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506748-Infant-dies-after-reported-dog-attack-in-Augusta-Georgia A three-month-old child has died Saturday morning after an alleged dog attack inside a home, according to the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. Deputies said they were called to a residence in the 500 block of Hillwood Circle around 9:21 a.m., after receiving a report of a deceased infant who may have been attacked by a dog. When deputies arrived, they found the infant, Zamora Robinson, dead inside the home. Officials said the scene was secured, and everyone inside the residence was safely removed. Authorities say a Cane Corso was removed from the residence by Animal Services as part of the investigation. According to the Richmond County Coroner's Office, Zamora was pronounced dead at 11:00 a.m. An autopsy has been scheduled. The sheriff's office said the investigation remains active and ongoing. Investigators are continuing to conduct interviews and gather more information. https://www.sott.net/article/506748-Infant-dies-after-reported-dog-attack-in-Augusta-Georgia Sun, 07 Jun 2026 13:17:11 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506747-Millions-of-pink-sea-cucumbers-wash-ashore-in-Rayong-Thailand Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin ordered the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources to conduct an urgent investigation after millions of pink sea cucumbers washed ashore along Suan Son Beach in Tambon Phe, Mueang District, Rayong Province, on June 6, turning several hundred meters of coastline a vivid pink-red and drawing considerable attention from beachgoers. The Minister directed the Department's Director-General, Dr. Pinsak Suraswadi, to dispatch officials to the site immediately to investigate the situation. A joint survey team from Marine and Coastal Resources Regional Office 1 confirmed the organisms are sea cucumbers—specifically the pink sea cucumber with the scientific name Cercodemas anceps. The species is a soft-bodied, cylindrical invertebrate that inhabits the seabed, identifiable by small surface spines and a color range from vivid pink to red-orange. Marine experts explained that sea cucumbers play a vital role in marine ecosystems,... https://www.sott.net/article/506747-Millions-of-pink-sea-cucumbers-wash-ashore-in-Rayong-Thailand Sun, 07 Jun 2026 12:04:57 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506746-Sakurajima-volcano-eruption-in-Japan-massive-ashfall Sakurajima Volcano unleashed one of its most intense eruptions on June 7, 2026, sending a towering plume of volcanic ash across Kagoshima City. What started as a clear June morning turned into a blanket of gray chaos within hours—visibility dropped to dangerous levels, ash coated streets, vehicles, and rooftops, and thousands of tourists found their summer vacation plans upended. The eruption was no minor event. Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) immediately raised alert levels, classifying it as high-intensity with ash plumes reaching kilometers into the sky. Residents and tourists received urgent warnings: stay indoors, wear masks, avoid all non-essential travel. The timing couldn't have been worse. Summer tourism season was in full swing, and travelers from across the globe were converging on Kagoshima to experience one of Japan's most dramatic natural attractions. https://www.sott.net/article/506746-Sakurajima-volcano-eruption-in-Japan-massive-ashfall Sun, 07 Jun 2026 11:54:06 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506745-Ice-Age-cometh-Mysterious-cold-blob-in-the-Atlantic-suggests-the-AMOC-is-weakening Over the past 150 years, Earth's entire surface has been warming, except for one patch of the north Atlantic. Located south-east of Greenland, this area has cooled by as much as 1°C and is known as the "warming hole" or the "cold blob". Scientists have been split over why this cold blob exists, but the latest evidence backs up the idea that it is caused by a weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), the system of currents that transports warmth from the tropics to Europe. The AMOC carries warm, salty water from the Gulf of Mexico towards the north Atlantic, where it cools and sinks, flowing back south along the ocean floor. Scientists are concerned that the surge of freshwater from Greenland's melting ice is making this salty water less dense, so it sinks more slowly, weakening the circulation. Some research suggests the AMOC could cross a tipping point within decades, locking in a future collapse that would freeze Europe and disrupt monsoon rains crucial... https://www.sott.net/article/506745-Ice-Age-cometh-Mysterious-cold-blob-in-the-Atlantic-suggests-the-AMOC-is-weakening Sun, 07 Jun 2026 11:22:21 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506744-Ice-Age-cometh-North-Atlantic-spring-storms-have-grown-more-common-since-1940-analysis-reveals Storm Dave, which swept across northern Europe over the Easter weekend, is an example of what new research from the University of Gothenburg has revealed. Spring storms forming over the North Atlantic have become more common than they were 80 years ago, and this is due to climate change. In the Northern Hemisphere, storm seasons follow a seasonal cycle. Storms are weakest and least frequent in summer and most intense in winter. As a result of global warming, storm patterns and their course have changed, and several studies have indicated that winter storms appear to be occurring more frequently and with even greater intensity. Less Arctic sea ice "One factor that may be contributing to the formation of more storms is the reduction in Arctic sea ice. Open water can release more heat and moisture into the atmosphere than when there is a layer of ice covering the sea. The shrinking sea ice also means that storms can take new paths across the Arctic oceans," says Zhi-Bo Li, a... https://www.sott.net/article/506744-Ice-Age-cometh-North-Atlantic-spring-storms-have-grown-more-common-since-1940-analysis-reveals Sun, 07 Jun 2026 11:04:46 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506743-Shiveluch-Volcano-eruption-triggers-highest-aviation-alert-over-Russias-far-east-ash-plume-10-kilometers-high The eruption of the Shiveluch volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia's Far East has sent a massive plume of ash 10 kilometers into the sky and triggered red-level aviation alerts for the area and nearby regions. The ash cloud from Saturday's eruption stretched some 50 kilometers from the volcano as it traveled east toward the Bering Sea, according to the Volcanology and Seismology Institute of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. A more powerful explosion that could send ash up to 12 kilometers into the sky "could occur at any time," the institute warned. A video recorded by scientists and published on social media showed a massive plume of grey smoke and ash rising high into the sky above the volcano. https://www.sott.net/article/506743-Shiveluch-Volcano-eruption-triggers-highest-aviation-alert-over-Russias-far-east-ash-plume-10-kilometers-high Sun, 07 Jun 2026 10:42:00 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506726-Man-dies-in-Western-Australia-after-shark-attack-4th-such-death-in-the-country-this-year A man has died after he was bitten by a shark off the south coast of Michaelmas Island in Western Australia. The 35-year-old was attacked while spearfishing with his family close to the town of Albany, police said. The man was treated by paramedics but died of his wounds. Police said a 4.5metre (15ft) shark of an unknown species was spotted by a witness near Michaelmas Island, which does not receive many visitors. The state's Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development urged people to take "additional caution" in the area and to stay abreast of shark sightings. This is the fourth shark killing this year in Australia. https://www.sott.net/article/506726-Man-dies-in-Western-Australia-after-shark-attack-4th-such-death-in-the-country-this-year Sat, 06 Jun 2026 14:22:23 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506725-Typhoon-Jangmi-sweeps-northwards-leaving-23-injured-in-Japan-4-inches-of-rain-in-3-hours Typhoon Jangmi (also known as Typhoon No 6) moved northwards over the course of this week. From Okinawa to mainland Japan, prolonged and heavy rainfall led to landslide warnings and the flooding of rivers, with Japan issuing level 4 warnings for some rivers, signalling a risk of overflowing. This level is high enough for municipalities to issue evacuation orders. Three-hourly rainfall totals on Wednesday reached 105mm in Chiyoda, Tokyo, which was a record high for the month. Sustained wind speeds of 80mph (130kph) were recorded on Monday - making it a category 1 typhoon - bringing damage and disruption to businesses, transport, infrastructure and the environment. By Wednesday, 23 people had been injured, 17 of whom were in Okinawa. The typhoon damaged 57 homes and led to 60,000 homes losing electricity. In addition to this, 1.52 million people were advised to evacuate by authorities. The typhoon damaged the exterior wall of Himeji Castle, a Unesco world heritage site in western... https://www.sott.net/article/506725-Typhoon-Jangmi-sweeps-northwards-leaving-23-injured-in-Japan-4-inches-of-rain-in-3-hours Sat, 06 Jun 2026 14:09:26 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506724-Indonesias-Mount-Lewotobi-Laki-Laki-erupts-forcing-airport-to-close A highly active volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted several times on Friday (Jun 5), spewing towering ash columns into the sky and forcing a local airport to close, authorities said. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores Island erupted at 11.15am, sending volcanic material 2.5km into the air, the national volcanology agency said in a statement. It came after several other eruptions earlier on Friday. Lewotobi Laki-Laki falls under Indonesia's second-highest alert level for volcanic activity, with a 5km exclusion zone in force around its crater. https://www.sott.net/article/506724-Indonesias-Mount-Lewotobi-Laki-Laki-erupts-forcing-airport-to-close Sat, 06 Jun 2026 13:16:17 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506692-Banff-Sunshine-ski-resort-in-Alberta-gets-fresh-dump-of-10-inches-of-summer-snow Banff Sunshine Village got a fresh dump of snow in recent days as it gets set to offer summer skiing later this month. The resort says 25 centimetres fell over the weekend, and another 18 centimetres were expected to touch the ground on Monday and Tuesday. The snowfall comes as they get ready to reopen runs for June skiing, something that has happened only twice in the past three decades. The resort last offered summer skiing four years ago, and before that, not since 1991. Sunshine's VP of marketing, Kendra Scurfield, says the team moved quickly once it became clear the mountain was getting a late‑season boost. https://www.sott.net/article/506692-Banff-Sunshine-ski-resort-in-Alberta-gets-fresh-dump-of-10-inches-of-summer-snow Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:11:40 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506691-Rare-summer-snowfall-in-central-Mongolia On Wednesday, central Mongolia experienced an unusual summer snowfall, as reported by the National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring. In the Esönzüil sum, located in the Övörkhangai aimag, snow covered the ground with a layer of 10 to 15 centimeters. Despite Mongolia's reputation for its harsh continental climate and long winters, snowfalls during the summer months remain a rarity. https://www.sott.net/article/506691-Rare-summer-snowfall-in-central-Mongolia Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:49:28 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506689-Lightning-strike-kills-13-cattle-in-Bangladesh Thirteen cows and a buffalo were killed in a lightning strike in Juri upazila of Moulvibazar yesterday. The incident occurred in Kuchai Jhalai and Pathartila villages under Goalbari Union of the upazila. Local sources said 13 cows belonging to a tea worker family, which were grazing in a field, died on the spot after being struck by lightning. In a separate incident in the Pathartila area, a buffalo was also killed. The sudden disaster has caused significant financial losses to the affected families, for whom the livestock were a primary source of income. Local public representatives and residents have urged the government to provide assistance to the affected families. Md Moin Uddin, member of Ward No. 2 of Goalbari Union Parishad, confirmed the matter around 3:30pm over mobile phone, saying immediate government support is needed for the distressed tea worker families. https://www.sott.net/article/506689-Lightning-strike-kills-13-cattle-in-Bangladesh Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:29:10 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506688-Lightning-strike-kills-young-kayaker-on-Florida-river An 18 year old kayaker has died after being struck by lightning while paddling with his father on a Florida river, in what authorities describe as a rare but tragic outdoor accident. Michael Aidan Vargas was kayaking on the Blackwater River in Santa Rosa County, about 270 kilometres west of Tallahassee, when a lightning strike reportedly knocked him from his kayak and into the water. Witnesses, including his father and employees from a nearby US Navy recreation programme, immediately began searching for the teenager after he disappeared beneath the surface. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was notified shortly after midday on Sunday and coordinated a large scale search involving multiple agencies, including specialist dive teams and rescue personnel. Vargas' body was later recovered from the river. https://www.sott.net/article/506688-Lightning-strike-kills-young-kayaker-on-Florida-river Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:25:21 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506680-VIDEO-Bear-goes-on-rampage-in-Japan-injuring-four-people A bear attack left four people injured in two factories and a residential area in northern Japan's Fukushima on Tuesday, police and media reports said. A record 13 people were killed by bears in Japan last year, and there has been a jump in sightings as the animals emerge hungry from hibernation. "A bear-related human injury incident... occurred in Fukushima City, injuring four people," the prefectural police said in a statement. The bear was first spotted in a car parts factory, prompting an emergency call explaining that "employees had been bitten", the Yomiuri Shimbun daily reported citing police and fire department officials. https://www.sott.net/article/506680-VIDEO-Bear-goes-on-rampage-in-Japan-injuring-four-people Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:23:53 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506679-Record-sargassum-seaweed-swamps-Caribbean-US-beaches Record amounts of sargassum seaweed are slowly moving west and north across the Atlantic Ocean, piling up on the shores of the Caribbean and United States. Sargassum is a kind of seaweed, which is a type of algae. Sargassum never touches the seafloor until it dies. The algae tends to float in islandlike chunks and serves as breeding grounds for fish, turtles, birds and other animals. Where is the seaweed now, and where will it go? At the end of May, the largest concentration of the 28.9 million metric tons of sargassum was in the Atlantic east of the Leeward Islands, according to the latest sargassum outlook from the University of South Florida. Amounts in the Gulf, Caribbean, and East Atlantic set records for the month of May, while the West Atlantic and total Atlantic numbers were below records. The USF Optical Oceanography Laboratory began tracking seaweed bloom conditions in 2011. https://www.sott.net/article/506679-Record-sargassum-seaweed-swamps-Caribbean-US-beaches Wed, 03 Jun 2026 13:56:51 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506678-Russia-starts-June-cold-from-Krasnodar-to-the-Siberian-Belt Russia, broadly, has opened June cold. In the south, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, on the Sea of Azov, set a new daily minimum record on June 2. The temperature fell to 10.3C (50.5F), beating the previous June 2 record of 11.1C (52F), set in 1951. It followed a sharp late-May chill across Krasnodar Krai. On May 31, record lows were reported in Sochi, Tuapse, Primorsko-Akhtarsk and Krasnaya Polyana. Sochi fell to 8.6C (47.5F), beating a mark from 1904. Tuapse dropped to 9.6C (49.3F), undercutting its 1956 record. Krasnaya Polyana fell to 3C (37.4F). Russian reports blamed prolonged rain, heavy cloud and, crucially, an intrusion of Arctic air. Snow fell in the mountains. Heavy rain hit the coast. The cold carried into June and is threatening to break further records along Russia's southern edge. https://www.sott.net/article/506678-Russia-starts-June-cold-from-Krasnodar-to-the-Siberian-Belt Wed, 03 Jun 2026 11:05:56 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506667-Large-hailstones-crash-into-the-streets-of-Denver-Colorado A powerful storm system swept across northeastern Colorado, turning parts of Denver into a hail-covered disaster zone. Residents reported golf ball-sized hailstones crashing down with intense force, damaging streets, vehicles, and rooftops. The sudden severe weather event caught many off guard as skies darkened rapidly and the storm intensified. Authorities are now assessing the extent of damage caused by one of the most violent hail events to hit the region in recent times. https://www.sott.net/article/506667-Large-hailstones-crash-into-the-streets-of-Denver-Colorado Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:53:09 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506666-Hawaiis-Kilauea-volcano-begins-48th-episode Hawaii's Kilauea volcano experienced its latest eruption episode Monday. On Monday, June 1, at 4:40 a.m., Episode 48 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption at the summit of Kilauea began. The north vent is particularly active this episode, with occasional overflows from the south vent, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Around 6:30 a.m., officials observed fountaining over 500 to 650 feet above the north vent. The plume from this eruption is currently reaching 24,000 feet above sea level. The National Weather Service said tephra, which is material that emerges from a volcano during an eruption, could be dispersed to the north based on the winds from the south at 10,000 to 20,000 feet above sea level. https://www.sott.net/article/506666-Hawaiis-Kilauea-volcano-begins-48th-episode Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:42:55 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506662-Magnitude-6-2-earthquake-strikes-off-coast-of-southern-Italy A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck off the coast of southern Italy late Monday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake, recorded at a depth of 247 kilometers (153 miles), hit 38 kilometers (23 miles) away from Cosenza in the Calabria region. There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage following the tremor. https://www.sott.net/article/506662-Magnitude-6-2-earthquake-strikes-off-coast-of-southern-Italy Tue, 02 Jun 2026 10:19:54 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506647-Historic-storms-floods-and-overwhelmed-firefighters-in-Belgium Beginning Saturday evening, violent thunderstorms swept across much of the country, bringing locally unusually heavy rainfall. Several regions in the south of the country experienced significant downpours, including part of the night, leading to flooding. The Royal Meteorological Institute (IRM) issued an orange alert at 5:00 PM for all Walloon provinces and Brussels. The situation in some Walloon municipalities quickly became a nightmare for residents and motorists, as well as for firefighters who were sometimes overwhelmed. https://www.sott.net/article/506647-Historic-storms-floods-and-overwhelmed-firefighters-in-Belgium Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:58:26 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506646-Late-season-snowfall-in-Genhe-Inner-Mongolia-China A snowfall blanketed parts of Genhe, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Monday, caused by a combination of a cold vortex from Siberia and the city's high latitude and altitude, local meteorological authorities said. Video clips posted by residents in the early morning showed a white layer of snow on rooftops and roads in the city known as "China's Cold Pole". According to the local meteorological bureau, the snowfall occurred in the northern towns of Jinhe, Mangui, and Alongshan in the early hours of Monday, with accumulations of 3 to 5 centimeters in some areas. The snow had stopped around 10 am. With daytime temperatures rising to around 7 to 8 degrees Celsius, most of the snow melted. Local authorities reminded farmers and herders that losses of crops and agricultural products covered by compensation policies should be reported immediately. Residents vulnerable to the cold were advised to wear a light jacket with a down coat. Genhe, a county-level city under Hulunbuir, is one... https://www.sott.net/article/506646-Late-season-snowfall-in-Genhe-Inner-Mongolia-China Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:42:36 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506645-Over-6-inches-of-snow-falls-on-Mount-Washington-New-Hampshire-during-the-last-weekend-in-May While Monday marks the start of June, Mount Washington still looks and feels like winter after receiving more than six inches of snow over the weekend. https://www.sott.net/article/506645-Over-6-inches-of-snow-falls-on-Mount-Washington-New-Hampshire-during-the-last-weekend-in-May Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:24:31 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506644-Magnitude-6-0-earthquake-strikes-off-coast-of-Valparaiso-Chile A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck off the coast of central Chile on Sunday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The earthquake occurred at 2134GMT and was centered around 33 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of the port city of Valparaiso, the USGS said. The quake was recorded at a depth of 25 kilometers (15.5 miles). There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage following the tremor. https://www.sott.net/article/506644-Magnitude-6-0-earthquake-strikes-off-coast-of-Valparaiso-Chile Mon, 01 Jun 2026 08:50:25 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506634-The-pollution-that-outlives-war Long after fighting is over, the toxic leftovers of war continue to poison communities and the environment. War is measured first in lives lost, families uprooted and neighborhoods reduced to rubble. But there are also deadly consequences that are often ignored. Pollution caused by war can settle over cities, contaminate water and soil, and shape public health long after the fighting is over. This is the case with the Iran war. The six weeks of bombardment in Iran and the Gulf that saw attacks on energy infrastructure have already taken a toll. Burning fuel tanks send toxic particles into the air, while debris, run-off and oil residues threaten coastal waters and marine ecosystems across the Gulf, where pollution can spread far beyond the immediate strike zone. https://www.sott.net/article/506634-The-pollution-that-outlives-war Sun, 31 May 2026 18:39:25 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506630-Late-May-snowfall-in-the-Carpathians-Ukraine-as-temperature-drops-to-1C In the Carpathian Mountains, air temperature has dropped to -1°C, and snowfall is currently observed. According to Ukrinform, mountain rescuer of the State Emergency Service in Ivano-Frankivsk region Vasyl Fitsak reported this on Facebook and shared a video of snow-covered mountains. "In Chornohora, everything is stable: light snow is falling, and the thermometer shows -1°C," the post said. As Ukrinform reported, on Sunday, May 31, Ukraine is expected to see variable cloudiness with light rain. In the northeast, as well as in Zakarpattia and Prykarpattia, moderate short-term rain is forecast during the day, with thunderstorms in places in the east. https://www.sott.net/article/506630-Late-May-snowfall-in-the-Carpathians-Ukraine-as-temperature-drops-to-1C Sun, 31 May 2026 13:48:44 +0000 https://www.sott.net/article/506628-Mammoth-Mountain-California-records-5-inches-of-new-May-snow A storm moving its way down the west coast of the US is keeping Mammoth Mountain in the running for the last ski area standing. Forecasts earlier this week were calling for colder temperatures and significant precipitation as far north as central Oregon and into the Eastern Sierras. It would appear that these forecasts have come to fruition at Mammoth Mountain, as the ski area picked up 3-5″ of new snow on May 28, 2026. The ski area's mountain report is showing that Mammoth still has a base depth of 97 inches at the Summit, and the recent snow has brought their main lodge season total to 296″. Temperatures are hovering in the low to mid-30s today but are expected to warm up over the weekend. Forecasts earlier in the week were also showing that high elevations in the Sierras could see 6-9″ of snow by Thursday night, so this storm might not be quite done just yet. https://www.sott.net/article/506628-Mammoth-Mountain-California-records-5-inches-of-new-May-snow Sun, 31 May 2026 13:19:34 +0000