Editors’ picks – The Watchers

Early stratospheric warming waves emerging around Antarctic polar vortex

Teo Blašković — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 18:39:00 +0000

The Antarctic stratosphere is showing initial signs of disruption, as early warming waves form around a persistently cold polar vortex core. Further intensification and broadening of the anomalies are forecast for July 2025.

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Deadly flooding in central Texas leaves at least 51 dead, 27 missing

Rishav Kothari — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 17:31:00 +0000

At least 51 people died and 27 remain missing from Camp Mystic after major flooding affected Kerr, Travis, Burnet, and Kendall counties in central Texas between July 3 and 6, 2025. The floods were caused by extreme rainfall brought by the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry.

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A11pl3Z confirmed as third interstellar object, Mars flyby expected in October 2025

Teo Blašković — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 19:32:50 +0000

A new interstellar object, provisionally named A11pl3Z and approximately 20 km (12 miles) wide, has been confirmed as only the third known visitor from another star system to enter the Solar System.

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Ridge of Pennata islet collapses after the strongest earthquake in 40 years strikes Campi Flegrei, Italy

Rishav Kothari — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 18:04:47 +0000

An earthquake swarm with the strongest quake registered as an M4.6 quake struck the Campi Flegrei area in southern Italy on June 30, 2025, prompting evacuations and train delays in the region. It was the strongest tremor to strike the region in 40 years, surpassing the M4.4 quakes of March and May.

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Rare snowstorm hits Earth’s driest desert in Atacama, Chile

Harsh Vardhan — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 18:22:40 +0000

Snow blanketed Chile’s Atacama Desert on June 26, 2025, disrupting transport and closing schools across Tarapacá, Antofagasta, and Atacama regions.

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Brazilian tourist trapped 500 m (1 640 feet) deep inside Mount Rinjani crater for over 72 hours, Indonesia

Reet Kaur — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 09:28:07 +0000

A 26-year-old Brazilian tourist is trapped inside the crater of Mount Rinjani, an active volcano in Indonesia, since 06:30 local time (LT) on June 21, 2025, after falling approximately 500 m (1 640 feet) into a steep ravine near the crater rim. Rescue operations are still in progress.

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Mount Shinmoedake erupts for first time since 2018, Japan

Teo Blašković — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 13:51:00 +0000

A moderate eruption occurred at Mount Shinmoedake, part of the Kirishimayama volcano group in Kyushu, Japan, at approximately 16:37 JST (07:37 UTC) on June 22, 2025. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported an ash plume rising 500 m (1 640 feet) above the crater rim. The alert level remains at 2, with a 2 km (1.2 miles) exclusion zone around the crater.

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Forsyth Fire explodes to over 6 300 ha (15 700 acres), destroys 17 homes in Pine Valley, Utah

Reet Kaur — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 18:38:32 +0000

The Forsyth Fire in Washington County, Utah, has burned 6 377 ha (15 756 acres) as of June 21, 2025, destroying at least 17 homes and forcing mandatory evacuations in the Pine Valley area. Containment remains at 0% amid extreme weather conditions.

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Two fatalities reported following Hurricane Erick’s historic landfall in Oaxaca, Mexico

Rishav Kothari — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 14:01:40 +0000

At least two people were reported dead following Hurricane Erick's historic landfall over the coast of Oaxaca on June 19, 2025. Heavy rains associated with the storm triggered floods and landslides across multiple Mexican states, causing widespread damage and leaving around 276 000 without power in Guerrero and Oaxaca alone.

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Five injured as damaging tornado rips through Aparan, Armenia

Reet Kaur — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 11:12:16 +0000

A damaging tornado struck the town of Aparan on Sunday afternoon, June 15, 2025, injuring five people and causing significant destruction in the area.

Source

Editors’ picks – The Watchers

Early stratospheric warming waves emerging around Antarctic polar vortex

Deadly flooding in central Texas leaves at least 51 dead, 27 missing

A11pl3Z confirmed as third interstellar object, Mars flyby expected in October 2025

Ridge of Pennata islet collapses after the strongest earthquake in 40 years strikes Campi Flegrei, Italy

Rare snowstorm hits Earth’s driest desert in Atacama, Chile

Brazilian tourist trapped 500 m (1 640 feet) deep inside Mount Rinjani crater for over 72 hours, Indonesia

Mount Shinmoedake erupts for first time since 2018, Japan

Forsyth Fire explodes to over 6 300 ha (15 700 acres), destroys 17 homes in Pine Valley, Utah

Two fatalities reported following Hurricane Erick’s historic landfall in Oaxaca, Mexico

Five injured as damaging tornado rips through Aparan, Armenia

Brazilian tourist trapped 500 m (1 640 feet) deep inside Mount Rinjani crater for over 72 hours, Indonesia