Earth ChangesS


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Landslide in Azuay, Ecuador leaves 4 dead, houses destroyed

Floods and landslides in Sayausí, Ecuador, March 2022.
© Bomberos CuencaFloods and landslides in Sayausí, Ecuador, March 2022.
At least 4 people have lost their lives after heavy rain in southern Ecuador triggered floods and landslides in Azuay Province on 27 March 2022.

Floods and landslides pushed rocks and debris onto the small community of Sayausí in Cuenca Canton. The municipal government report a school building and 10 houses were completely destroyed, leaving 14 people homeless. A further 27 houses sustained damage and many more are at risk and are being assessed.


Arrow Down

Alaskan town covered by 40 feet of snow after avalanche

avalanche
Residents of Eagle River, Alaska, returned to their homes on March 28 after being evacuated following an avalanche, local media reported.

The avalanche, which occurred on March 24, left the community under more than 40 feet of snow and homes without power.

Officials in Eagle River said they successfully deployed explosives to reduce avalanche danger on Sunday, March 27.

Drone video filmed by Michael Larson shows the aftermath of the avalanche on March 27. Credit: Michael Larson via Storyful


Ambulance

Snow storm causes 60 vehicle deadly pile-up in Pennsylvania

pile
Carnage on a major highway as a snow storm caused a pileup of up to 60 vehicles in Pennsylvania. 3 people were killed with at least 20 injured.


Boat

Incredible drone footage of floods in Dalby, Australia

flood
Incredible drone footage has captured the scale of the Queensland floods in Dalby.

Dozens of homes have been inundated after Myall Creek rose to 3.6 metres overnight, as locals wait to inspect the damage.


Cloud Precipitation

Sydney battered by heavy rain

flood

Sydney has been battered by more storms from a month of record rainfall, with saturated soils causing trees to crash down across the city.


Bug

Locust swarms destroy crops in Eastern Cape, South Africa

LOCUST
Locust swarms hit Eastern Cape, South Africa on March 28 2022.

During March, a high number of locusts have been seen in the region, causing widespread damage to crops.

Traffic was stopped as locust swarms filled the sky, blocking visibility and making travel dangerous.

These locust swarms follow a period of drought in the region, with fears that it will lead to a shortage of food supplies in the area.

Authorities are working to contain the damage done, with warnings remaining in place.


Cloud Precipitation

Heavy rainstorms in Asunción, Paraguay leave at least 3 people dead

flood
After no casualties were reported initially following heavy rainfalls in the Paraguayan capítal of Asunción, fresh reports Wednesday mentioned that at least three people had died, in addition to houses and schools destroyed.

The storm that hit the Central Department and other areas of Paraguay between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning left three people dead, families displaced from their homes, houses, and schools unroofed, and countless damages in the streets.

In San Lorenzo, 34 years old Sergio Ortiz died Tuesday when the storm caused the collapse of one of the walls of his house, according to Telefuturo. The other family members had to be evacuated.

According to Paraguay's Meteorology and Hydrology Department, the rainfall registered during Tuesday's storm reached 70 millimeters. The highest amount of rainfall was in San Lorenzo.


Attention

This week in Volcano News - Potential eruption in Azores, Mauna Kea earthquake

Azores island prepares to evacuate amid major earthquake fears
Azores island prepares to evacuate amid major earthquake fears
Right now, there are 51 volcanoes actively erupting on the planet. This week's top story regards the Sao Jorge volcano in Portugal, where a shallow intrusion of magma is ongoing. Its alert level was raised three times in a week, and ground deformation and elevated gas levels have been detected. Thus, an eruption might occur in the next few days.

Meanwhile in Chile, the alert level at the Lonquimay volcano was raised to yellow due to a swarm of earthquakes underneath its edifice. And, in Hawaii, a large earthquake occurred underneath the flank of Mauna Kea. This video will discuss these volcano related news stories, as told and analyzed by a volcanologist.


Attention

Hiker found dead in Park County, Montana after an 'encounter with a grizzly'

bear
The Park County Sheriff's Office reports that a hiker who was reported missing on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, has been found dead.

Sheriff Brad Bichler said in a news release on Friday that after an extensive search, they located body of the the man, identified as Craig Clouatre; he was said to be "about 40 years old."

Clouatre was last seen on Wednesday. He did not return from a shed hunt to a rendezvous point, and his hiking companion then notified the Sheriff's Office.


Seismograph

Ring of Fire activity increases today, tremors hit Esmeraldas, Ecuador

quake
A series of earthquakes hitting Esmeraldas in Ecuador on March 26th and today, March 27th 2022.

Three earthquakes hit between 11 at night and 1 in the morning, with the largest measured at 5.8 magnitude on the Richter scale.

Residents ran from their homes as tremors rocked buildings. Power cuts were seen, as electricity supplies were affected.

Buildings were damaged by the earthquakes, with walls showing cracks and windows smashed in homes, businesses and hospitals.

This is the latest in a period of tectonic activity on the Pacific Ring of Fire, including an eruption of the Taal volcano in the Philippines. Authorities are assessing this situation as it develops.


Comment: Taal volcano: thousands flee after eruption in Philippines