The epicenter, with a depth of 38.615 km, was initially determined to be at 6.5986 degrees south latitude and 132.0763 degrees east longitude.
Earth Changes
The epicenter, with a depth of 38.615 km, was initially determined to be at 6.5986 degrees south latitude and 132.0763 degrees east longitude.
A view shows the area affected by an avalanche in Gorno-Badakhshan region, Tajikistan, February 15, 2023. Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense of Tajikistan
Most of the avalanches hit the Gorno-Badakhshan autonomous region, which borders China and Afghanistan, and where more than 400 households have been relocated away from dangerous areas.
Avalanches have hit homes as well as roads, the government said, and all international traffic has been suspended.
The mayor of provincial capital Khorog, Rizo Nazarzoda, urged its 30,000 residents to stay at home as heavy snow and rain fell.
Videos from the area showed one-storey buildings covered up to their roofs with snow and ice blocks, with rescue teams digging through the snow in search of bodies.
Officials said the conditions are outstanding with an 80-inch base.
"We've had one of the most incredible storm cycles I've seen in years," said Jack Dant, manager of Ski Santa Fe. "This is gonna help us get through the rest of the season without having to do any additional snow making."
Dant says they would've loved to see this much snow back in October, but is thrilled for a fresh dumping just before spring break. He expects a lot of locals will be hitting the mountain this weekend.
© Rachele Matthews
A crowd of Far North locals turned out to help save pilot whales on Ninety Mile Beach.
A crowd of Far North locals turned out to help save pilot whales on Ninety Mile Beach.
A massive rescue effort took place on Tuesday afternoon that lasted until sunset after five whales were discovered marooned on the shores of the west coast beach.
The Department of Conservation (DoC) on Wednesday confirmed there had been four pilot whales and a sperm whale.
Ahipara kaitiaki (guardian) and Ahipara Takiwa komiti member Patau Tepania said three pilot whales had been buried together after they became stranded again.
© City Hall São Gonçalo
Landslide in São Gonçalo Brazil, 14 February 2023.
Landslide in São Gonçalo Brazil, 14 February 2023.
Municipal authorities declared a state of emergency after torrential. São Gonçalo City Hall reported 192.4 mm of rain fell in 24 hours in the Gradim neighbourhood of the city. Around 143 incidents of flooding and landslides were reported across the municipality. Almost 300 people have been displaced.
The USGS said the epicentre was 11 kilometres (seven miles) from the nearest village of Miaga, in Uson municipality, on the province's main island of Masbate. The strong and shallow quake happened after 2:00 am local time, jolting people awake.
The Masbate education department reportedly suspended classes for Thursday due to "continuous aftershocks being felt" in the province, the report said.
"It was a bit strong," Masbate provincial police chief Rolly Albana told AFP. "I was sleeping when we were shaken and woken up," Rolly Albana added.
Albana said police had not reported any effects of the quake.
Uson police chief Captain Reden Tolledo told news agency AFP some residents fled their homes. "Even I went outside because of possible aftershocks," Tolledo said.
© Kyle Moore/CTV Atlantic
More than 40 centimetres fell on some parts of the island, making it the largest snowfall so far this winter.
More than 40 centimetres fell on some parts of the island, making it the largest snowfall so far this winter.
More than 40 centimetres fell on some parts of the island, making it the largest snowfall so far this winter.
"It's unbelievable. Welcome to winter. It finally came in February," said Don Vaters, who lives in Glace Bay, N.S.
Vaters was out shovelling in the early morning hours, daydreaming of a warmer climate.
© Alta Ski Area Facebook
Never-ending snow
Never-ending snow
In 1981-1982 Alta set its long-standing record for the most snowfall between October and January with an astounding 442 inches. Without shock to the locals who have experienced a miraculously snowy winter, Alta broke that record on January 25th, 2023, with a total of 445 inches of snowfall between October and January.
Alta joins Mammoth Mountain, CA, as the only two resorts in the world with over 500″ of fresh snow this season.
The resort has a 132″ base, and there are a couple more feet of snow in the forecast.
In the last ten years, Alta has surpassed 500″ in 19/20 (542″), 18/19 (626″), and 16/17 (596.5″).
© Avalanche CA
The scene of the fatal avalanche.
The scene of the fatal avalanche.
The skiers had accessed the area using snowmobiles but were skiing at the time of the accident. Both victims were fully buried and did not survive. Search and Rescue was notified when the victims were reported overdue. The victims were located and recovered from the accident location.
The size 2 deep, persistent slab avalanche ran on a layer of facets approximately 10-25″ from the base of the snowpack. The slope was highly wind-affected, containing deeply wind-drifted snow and areas where the snow cover was thin and rocky. The crown depth was reported to be highly variable, between 25 and 50″.
© Laura Philion
A male North Atlantic right whale washed up at Chic's Beach on Feb.13.
A male North Atlantic right whale washed up at Chic's Beach on Feb.13.
Curious beachgoers with their dogs crowded around the whale near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Monday and Tuesday to take pictures and pay their respects.
A Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response team completed a necropsy on the whale on Tuesday with support from NOAA staff. It will be buried near where it washed ashore. Its cause of death may not be known for weeks.
