Earth ChangesS


Snowflake

Rare snow blankets Atacama, the world's driest desert in Chile

This handout picture released by the ALMA Observatory in the Atacama Desert shows snowfall at dawn, a phenomenon that had not occurred in 10 years at this altitude in the driest desert in the world.
© M. AGUIRRE / ALMAThis handout picture released by the ALMA Observatory in the Atacama Desert shows snowfall at dawn, a phenomenon that had not occurred in 10 years at this altitude in the driest desert in the world.
In a rare and stunning weather event, residents of northern Chile's Atacama Desert — the driest desert on Earth — woke up Thursday to find their arid surroundings covered in snow.

"INCREDIBLE! The Atacama Desert, the world's most arid, is COVERED IN SNOW," the ALMA observatory, situated 2,900 meters (9,500 feet) above sea level, wrote on X, alongside a video of vast expanses covered in a dusting of white, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The observatory added that while snow is common on the nearby Chajnanator Plateau, situated at over 5,000 meters and where its gigantic telescope is situated, it had not had snow at its main facility in a decade.


Tsunami

Flash floods trap 73, drown 17 in Swat, Pakistan

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Video grab
Flash floods in Swat River have left 73 people trapped, with 17 from two families from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab confirmed drowned in Fizagat, ARY News reported quoting Deputy Commissioner.

According to Deputy Commissioner Shahzad Mahboob, rescue teams have so far recovered seven bodies, including those of two children, as operations continue to face challenges due to strong flood.

The incidents occurred on Friday at Fizagat, where tourists from two families were having breakfast near the riverbank when a sudden surge in water swept them away.

A viral video circulating on social media captured the harrowing moment, showing women and children trapped in the river as onlookers watched in shock.


Doberman

84-year-old man dies after dog attack in Tarrant County, Texas

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An 84-year-old man died Monday following a dog attack at his home in northwest Tarrant County, authorities said.

The incident occurred on Slay Street near Ten Mile Bridge Road, just south of Eagle Mountain Lake.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as Ronald Grant Anderson. He was pronounced dead just before 4:30 p.m. Monday.

Anderson was found seated in a chair with wounds consistent with dog bites, according to the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office. Investigators believe the man was attacked in his yard, then walked inside, where he died.

Doberman

Woman found dead, dog attack suspected in Redding, California

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A young Redding woman died after apparently being attacked by dogs, Redding Police Chief Brian Barner said on Thursday.

Police were called to the 1300 block of Riviera Drive in south Redding in the afternoon on June 16, where they found the 28-year-old woman dead, Barner said.

Two dogs found on the property are suspected to have caused the fatal injuries and have been seized, said Barner.

Barner said the woman's fiancé came home from work to find her dead in the backyard, he said.

Barner said the investigation indicated that the fatal injury was "due to an animal attack."

The woman's death is being investigated as suspicious, he said, adding that the Shasta County Coroner's Office and a veterinary expert have been consulted in connection with the case.

The victim's identity has not been released, Barner said.

Arrow Down

At least 22 dead, 8 missing in Colombia landslide triggered by heavy rainfall (UPDATED)

People gather at the site of a landslide in Bello, Antioquia, Colombia June 24, 2025.
© Andres JulianPeople gather at the site of a landslide in Bello, Antioquia, Colombia June 24, 2025.
At least 10 people were killed and eight others injured on Tuesday after a landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall, struck an area near the Colombian city of Medellín.

Locals were warned to evacuate the area in the municipality of Bello, which remained vulnerable to landslides, the governor of the Antioquia department Andres Julian Rendon said while confirming the casualties, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.

At least 15 people were still missing after the tragedy, which was caused by flooding in a ravine, according to media reports.

Images shared by local media showed houses buried under earth on a mountain bordering Colombia's second-biggest city.


Comment: Update June 28

The Associated Press reports:
The number of people killed in a landslide this week in northwest Colombia has risen to 22, with eight still missing, according to authorities.

Crews on Saturday were still looking for victims in Medellín, Colombia's second-largest city, and the nearby city of Bello.

The landslide occurred early Tuesday following heavy rains. It unleashed mud and debris on crowded neighborhoods, enveloping dozens of homes and leaving hundreds homeless.



Tsunami

Flash Flood Emergency issued in Nebraska after torrential rain leads to flooded roads, streams - 7 inches of rainfall in just 12 hours

Grand Island flooding June 26 2025
© Jessica NelsonGrand Island flooding June 26 2025
According to the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Hastings, Nebraska, between 3 and 7 inches of rain fell within about 12 hours on Wednesday, most of which fell within four hours.

A rare Flash Flood Emergency was issued in parts of Nebraska on Wednesday after several inches of rain fell in less than a day, causing many roads in the Grand Island area to become impassable due to flooding.

The Grand Island Police Department took to social media on Wednesday night to urge people to stay home and stay safe due to the potentially dangerous situation.

"Travel is not advised," police said on Facebook. "Our officers are unable to access many stranded vehicles at this time."

Police said the Eddy Street and Sycamore underpasses were closed due to standing water, and many streets were flooding.


Tsunami

Two dead including child as France smashed by storms with Paris swamped by floods & 39k lightning bolts across country

A lighting bolt lights up the sky over Sacre Coeur Basilica in Montmartre during a thunderstorm, northern Paris, on June 25, 2025
© AFPA lighting bolt lights up the sky over Sacre Coeur Basilica in Montmartre during a thunderstorm, northern Paris, on June 25, 2025
At least two people including a child have died after a violent storm battered France and sparked flash floods in Paris.

Fierce winds sent locals rushing for cover as 39,000 lightning bolts flashed across the country.

After several days of sweltering heat, the French capital was swamped with floodwater last night as heavy rain and gusty winds wreaked havoc on the streets.

Footage showed streaks of lightning giving the sky above Paris an eerie yellow hue.

Metro stations and some streets in the capital were left underwater as torrential rain and lightning swept.

Parisians were seen walking down streets flooded with rainwater.


Arrow Down

Car dodges sinkhole as road collapses in China

A car in China narrowly avoided disaster when a section of the road suddenly collapsed, creating a large sinkhole.
A car in China narrowly avoided disaster when a section of the road suddenly collapsed, creating a large sinkhole.
A car in China narrowly avoided disaster when a section of the road suddenly collapsed, creating a large sinkhole.

According to China-based news outlet 'Xiaoxiang Morning Herald', the incident occurred in Aihua Town, Yunnan province, when a section of Yingxin Road suddenly collapsed.

Surveillance footage widely shared by local netizens shows the vehicle speeding across the affected area, nearly plunging into the hole. Local authorities confirmed that the incident occurred due to sudden road subsidence.

The Yun County Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau has begun emergency repairs at the site.


Tornado2

An impressive waterspout spotted near Varadero, Cuba

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The meteorological phenomenon was observed at 9:40 this morning.
A waterspout was spotted this Wednesday off the west coast of the Hicacos Peninsula, in the province of Matanzas.

According to a report by meteorologist Henry Delgado Manzor on Facebook, the phenomenon was observed at 9:40 a.m. from the toll area on Vía Blanca, right at the entrance to the tourist resort of Varadero.

According to the specialist, the waterspout showed little movement and lasted approximately 10 minutes.

Delgado shared an image and a short video of the natural event, captured by enthusiast Eddy Hernández Rodríguez, to whom he publicly expressed his gratitude for the report.


Seismograph

Shallow 6.2-magnitude quake hits southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge: USGS

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An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 jolted southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 22:16:15 GMT yesterday, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said today.

The epicenter, with a depth of 10.0 km, was initially determined to be at 35.56 degrees south latitude and 17.12 degrees west longitude.

UNI