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Indonesia
Mount Semeru Erupts
Twenty-two people are dead and dozens more are unaccounted for after Indonesia’s largest volcano erupted this weekend, first on Saturday and again on Monday. Mount Semeru on the island of Java erupted suddenly on Saturday after days of heavy rainfall collapsed the volcano’s lava dome. Many of the casualties are due to the dangerous mudflows that occurred after the eruption. Victims were reported to suffer severe burns from the hot mudflows they mistook for normal flooding. High wind and rain has impeded rescue operations. Currently one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, Mount Semeru last erupted in January with no casualties.
This map depicts volcanoes located in Indonesia, as well as the location of Mount Semeru, Indonesia’s largest active volcano. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Reuters
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India
14 Civilians Killed Accidentally
Fourteen civilians are dead in India’s Nagaland state when protests against a failed ambush targeting local militants by Indian security forces descended into violence. On Saturday, security forces mistook a group of laborers for militants and opened fire, killing six. Villagers protesting the fatal blunder later that day descended on the security forces’ camp, burning buildings and vehicles, with the troops’ response resulting in seven more civilians being killed. An eighth protestor was killed in further confrontations on Sunday. Nagaland’s chief minister said an investigation is underway, and the original incident was the result of intelligence failure. People in Nagaland have frequently accused the government of wrongly targeting innocent locals during their counterinsurgency operations.
This map depicts the state of Nagaland and the district of Mon, where a protest broke out after 14 innocent civilians were murdered by Indian security forces. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Yahoo!
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Antarctica
Antarctic Summer Sees Eclipse
A swath of the continent of Antarctica in and around the Ronne Ice Shelf was darkened Saturday by a total eclipse, with most of the rest of the continent seeing a partial eclipse. At this time during the southern hemisphere’s late spring and summer, Antarctica has continuous sunlight for nearly four months, making the near-total darkness of Saturday’s eclipse a stunning contrast for the handful of scientists and adventure tourists who viewed the event. A total eclipse occurs when the Moon is perfectly aligned between the Sun and the Earth, totally covering the Sun from view, and is also only possible when the Moon is close enough to the Earth. Earth’s next total eclipse will darken parts of Canada, Mexico, and the United States in April 2024.
This map depicts the timing and visibility of Saturday’s eclipse in Antarctica and the Southern Hemisphere. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: Which canal is the most vital strategic waterway for shipping between Asia and North America, shortening voyages by around 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km)?
A: The Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is considered one of the greatest engineering feats in history. Connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans via a series of locks, the canal is 51 miles (82 km) long, and the trip through takes about eight hours to complete. Every year, the canal generates around $2 billion in revenue. Construction of the canal began in 1880, however poor planning, disease, and political upheaval delayed completion. In 1903, the United States tried to purchase the rights to build the canal, but the Colombian government (which governed Panama at the time) rejected this proposition. Revolts encouraged by the United States erupted in Panama shortly thereafter, and the U.S. secured rights to the canal after Panama declared independence from Columbia. The canal was under U.S. jurisdiction from 1903 until 1999, when full control was officially given to Panama.
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Q: How many countries have territorial claims to the Arctic?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
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