Severe wildfires in southern China claim 4 lives, spawn huge pyroCb clouds

Severe wildfires in southern China claim 4 lives, spawn huge pyroCb clouds

Devastating wildfires have swept through Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces in southern China since March 15, 2024, claiming four lives in Yunnan and leading to significant evacuations and damage. Reports from March 18 indicate that nearly 4 900 individuals have been evacuated in Sichuan’s Yajiang County alone, with the fires ravaging over 10 000 ha (24 710 acres) of land.

Historic drought drains crucial Sau Reservoir to a trickle, Spain

Historic drought drains crucial Sau Reservoir to a trickle, Spain

Spain’s Catalonia region is experiencing its worst drought on record, with the Sau Reservoir, a crucial water source, severely depleted as seen in March 2024 satellite images. The past three years have marked the driest period since 1914, prompting the Catalan government to declare a drought emergency on February 1, 2024, and impose water consumption restrictions on its residents and businesses.

Tinakula volcano in Solomon Islands erupts, sending lava toward the ocean

Tinakula volcano in Solomon Islands erupts, sending lava toward the ocean

Sentinel-2 satellite image acquired on March 11, 2024, shows Tinakula Volcano in the Solomon Islands undergoing a new effusive eruption, with lava flowing about 1 km down its western slope into the ocean. This eruption continues the activity that began in December 2018.

Oil spill from Tobago spreads over 160 km towards Grenada’s marine area

Oil spill from Tobago spreads over 160 km towards Grenada’s marine area

Satellite images from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission have revealed the scale of an oil spill off Trinidad and Tobago’s coast, following The Gulfstream shipwreck. The spill has extended over 160 km (100 miles) westwards, threatening neighboring marine areas.

Catalonia’s worst drought in a century prompts declaration of drought emergency, new water restrictions, Spain

Catalonia’s worst drought in a century prompts declaration of drought emergency, new water restrictions, Spain

Barcelona and the wider region of Catalonia have declared a drought emergency following three consecutive years of insufficient rainfall, leading to reservoir levels falling critically low. Pere Aragones, the head of the regional government, announced immediate water-saving restrictions affecting six million people. With reservoirs at less than 16% capacity, the emergency is described as the worst drought Catalonia has experienced in a century, necessitating drastic reductions in water usage for residents, municipalities, farmers, and businesses alike.

Slow lava eruption continues at Great Sitkin volcano, Alaska

Slow lava eruption continues at Great Sitkin volcano, Alaska

The Alaska Volcano Observatory reported a continuous slow eruption of lava in the summit crater of Great Sitkin Volcano as of 19:30 UTC on January 30, 2024. The Aviation Color Code remains at Orange and Alert Level at Watch.