Earth ChangesS

Wolf

Three women attacked by dingoes on K'gari (Fraser Island), Australia

Dingo (Canis lupus dingo) pack
© Juergen & Christine Sohns/Nature PlDingo (Canis lupus dingo) pack
Three women have been assessed by paramedics after being bitten by dingoes on K'gari just days before the Easter school holidays begin.

A Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) spokesperson said the women, aged in their 20s, were on a tour of the heritage-listed island when they were attacked at around 2:30pm on Tuesday.

A Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science (DETSI) and Innovation spokesperson said the incident occurred while the women were walking on a track after visiting Lake Wabby, about 6 kilometres north of Eurong on the east coast of the island.

Tour guides administered first-aid before taking the women to the QAS station at Happy Valley for assessment, where paramedics treated them for minor lacerations shortly before 6pm.

Butterfly

Half of UK butterfly species in long-term decline

Newly released data has shown that 2024 was one of the worst years on record for butterflies in the UK and, for the first time on record, more than half of butterfly species in the UK are now in long-term decline.

The Chalk Hill Blue had its worst year on record.
© Iain H LeachThe Chalk Hill Blue had its worst year on record.
Nine species had their worst year since counting began, including the much-loved Small Tortoiseshell, Chalk Hill Blue and Small Copper.

Worryingly, last year was also the second-worst year on record for 'wider countryside species' - the common butterflies that live in gardens, parks and across the landscape such as Common Blue, Gatekeeper and Large White.

The figures come from the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS) which has asked volunteers to count butterflies across the country since 1976 and now monitors more than 3,000 sites. The scheme is led by Butterfly Conservation, the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC).

Overall, 2024 was the fifth worst year since records began for UK butterflies. Butterfly numbers always fluctuate annually, and last year's low numbers are partly the result of a wet spring and relatively cool summer, however UKBMS data also show that 31 of the 59 resident UK species are now in long-term decline.

Volcano

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano lava fountain reaches 700 feet during latest eruption on April 1

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A lava fountain was visible at Hawaii's Kilauea volcano during episode 16 of its latest eruption on April 1.

Footage captured by Chenay Noelani Borja shows lava shooting high into the air on Tuesday.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), lava fountains reached heights of 600 to 700 feet.

Kilauea's current eruption began on December 23, 2024, with each episode lasting anywhere from 13 hours to 8 days, the USGS said.

Officials reported that the 16th episode ended on Wednesday, April 2.

"Volcanoes in both Hawaii and Iceland, the Earth's two largest hotspots, are erupting today. Happy April Fools' Day! And they actually are erupting, no fooling!" the USGS wrote on X on Tuesday.


Doberman

2-month-girl dies in dog attack in Brownstown, Indiana

PIT BULL ATTACK
A 2-month-old girl died Thursday after police say she was severely injured in a dog attack at a home in Brownstown.

The girl's name has not been released.

Deputies with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department were dispatched to a home in the 1800 block of South County Road 100 East outside of Brownstown around 12:30 p.m. Thursday after a 911 caller reported a dog attacked her 2-month-old daughter.

Brownstown firefighters also responded to the scene soon after and started CPR on the girl.

Seismograph

Tsunami threat warning for Papua New Guinea after shallow 6.9 magnitude earthquake strikes

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A 6.9 magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Papua New Guinea on Saturday.

The United States Geological Survey has reported the quake was at a depth of 10km and and the US Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami threat warning.

The epicentre of the earthquake was about 178km east-southeast of Kimbe, a town on the north east of the island, which was just north of Australia.

An early prediction from the US National Weather Service NOAA said there was a 1-3m tsunami threat for Papua New Guinea, issued at 9.29am.

Aftershocks have also begun with a 5.3 magnitude quake hitting near the epicentre at 9.39am.

Snowflake

Minnesota's April Blizzard: 15 inches of snow stuns north

A surprise April snowstorm hit Minnesota.
A surprise April snowstorm hit Minnesota, with northern areas receiving up to 15 inches, causing travel disruptions. The Twin Cities saw minimal snowfall. While the snow melted quickly, the event highlights Minnesota's unpredictable spring weather.
Minnesota's Surprise Spring Snowstorm: A Weather Forecast Recap

Mother Nature threw a curveball at Minnesota this spring! An unexpected April snowstorm dumped impressive amounts of snow across the state, leaving many residents surprised by the late-season blizzard. While the Twin Cities metro area saw only a couple of inches, central and northern Minnesota experienced significantly heavier snowfall, causing disruptions to travel and daily life.

Significant Snow Totals Across Minnesota

The multi-day storm, arriving on Tuesday, brought a rain-snow mix to the Twin Cities, but northern regions were hit hardest. A winter storm warning was issued, and snowfall totals were substantial. Hovland, Minnesota, led the pack with a whopping 15.2 inches of snow. Other areas in northern Minnesota also saw impressive totals, including Finland (14.4 inches), Detroit Lakes (13.6 inches), and Lutsen (13.1 inches). Central Minnesota wasn't spared either, with several locations receiving over a foot of snow. Fergus Falls reported 15.1 inches, Garfield 12.5 inches, and Alexandria 12 inches.


Tsunami

Heavy rainfall batters many regions of New Zealand - flooding, power outages throw life out of gear - nearly 8 inches of rainfall overnight

Flooding at Omaunu Road, Kฤeo, Northland.
© Peter de GraafFlooding at Omaunu Road, Kฤeo, Northland.
Heavy rainfall across New Zealand, particularly in Auckland and Northland, has caused flooding, power outages, and disruptions. Several regions of the country have been receiving heavy rains along with strong winds due to an atmospheric river phenomenon.

The heavy rain on Friday (April 4) was caused by a deep low crossing the Tasman Sea, bringing a band of warm air and moisture. MetService issued weather warnings and watches for several regions, including Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Waikato, and the top of the South Island.

Auckland experienced significant disruptions with all Gulf Harbour ferries cancelled and replaced by buses. Power outages were reported in Remuera, Piha, Karekare, and Glenfield. Vector estimated restoration times between 3 pm and 4 pm New Zealand time for some areas.


Tsunami

Delta govt calls for collective action as flood sweeps away vehicles, motorbikes in Agbor, Nigeria on April 2

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Delta State government has called on residents, stakeholders, and organisations to take collective and proactive measures in mitigating the impact of natural disasters.

The state government which made the call on Thursday emphasised the need for community engagement, preparedness, and sustainable practices to safeguard lives and property threatened by flooding, erosion, and other environmental hazards.

Reacting to last Wednesday's torrential rain and flood erosion that swept away some vehicles and motorcycles along Old Lagos -Asaba Road, Boji-Boji Agbor in Ika South Local Government Area of the state

Speaking at a press conference in Asaba , the State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu urged residents to adopt environmentally friendly practices, adhere to safety guidelines, and work together in building a more resilient Delta State.

Reports had gone virile indicating the state government negligence in flood and erosion control in the hilly urban center thus resulting in the devastation.


Arrow Down

10 dead as landslide during rainfall hits passing cars on Indonesia's Java island

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Indonesian rescuers recovered 10 bodies after a landslide struck vehicles on a hilly road on the country's main island of Java, police said.

Torrential rains pushed mud, rocks and trees down the mountainside road on Thursday, burying a van with seven people aboard and a pick-up truck with three traders and full of vegetables near Watu Lumpang, a resort area in East Java's Mojokerto district.

Rescuers pulled out the body of the van's driver late on Thursday while his six family members, including three children, his wife and parents, were retrieved on Friday, together with the bodies of the three traders.

Footage released by East Java's search and rescue agency showed the road covered by thick mud, rocks and uprooted trees.

Seasonal rains from about October to April frequently cause flooding and landslides in Indonesia, a vast archipelago of 17,000 islands where millions of people live in mountainous areas or near fertile flood plains.


PA News Agency

Volcano

Italy's Etna volcano erupts again, spitting ash and lava

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Mount Etna, the active volcano in southern Italy, reportedly erupted once more, releasing ash and lava.

Volcanic activity at the southeast crater of Mount Etna, at 3,357 meters (11,014 feet) in height, continued from Wednesday night to Thursday night, according to local sources, News.Az reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

The Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) confirmed the activity.

Due to the ash clouds, INGV issued a red code warning for airplanes passing through the region, according to local media reports.

Mount Etna is one of the world's most active volcanoes, with an almost constant state of activity. The last time it erupted significantly was on Nov. 13-16.