|
|
|
Democratic Republic of Congo
Kinshasa Floods Kill 120
Heavy rains that began Monday night have brought flooding and landslides to Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo, killing at least 120 people so far. Most of the fatalities came by landslides that ripped through neighborhoods built in flood-prone, hilly areas of the city. Kinshasa is one of Africa’s megacities, with around 15 million people, however urbanization and growth has been poorly regulated, with much of the housing built being vulnerable to natural disasters. Transport has also been affected, with the N1 highway from Kinshasa to Congo’s major seaport, Matadi, submerged in muddy water and set to be closed for at least four days. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, in Washington for a U.S.-Africa summit, blamed climate change for driving the heavy rains, a sentiment echoed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
This map depicts points of the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, that have been impacted by flooding following heavy rains. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
Graphic Source: All Africa
__________________________________________
|
|
|
|
United States
Keystone Pipeline Spill in Kansas
Repair and remediation workers have been deployed to Washington County, Kansas, following a leak in the Keystone Pipeline that released 14,000 barrels of crude oil. Most of the spill entered nearby Mill Creek, prompting the owner of the pipeline, TC Energy, to build an earthen dam three miles downstream to limit contamination in the region. Federal regulators are reporting the area’s groundwater has not been affected. While environmental damages appear to be relatively limited, the spill has interrupted supply to storage and delivery facilities further down the pipeline. TC Energy campaigned for years to expand the Keystone system with the Keystone XL project, which was met with protests from environmentalists and Indigenous groups, and was blocked by President Joseph Biden upon taking office. TC compensated by increasing pressure on the existing pipeline to increase its rate of delivery.
This map depicts the area of central Kansas near Mill Creek that was affected by a leak from the Keystone Pipeline last week. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
United States
Biden Signs Marriage Bill
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA), the new federal legislation granting protections and extending federal benefits to marriages of same-sex and interracial couples. The bill passed the House with a vote of 258-169 last Thursday after it passed the Senate with a vote of 61-36 last month, with bi-partisan support in both houses. Although RFMA does not require all states to legalize same-sex marriage, it mandates all states to recognize a legal out-of-state marriage, meaning no state can deny legal recognition to any marriage based on sex, race, or ethnicity, that is legal elsewhere in the U.S. By codifying RFMA, the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was repealed. Even though the Supreme Court struck it down partially, parts of DOMA remained in effect, barring same-sex couples from receiving federal benefits.
This map depicts where same-sex marriage has been legalized through court decisions or legislation around the world. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q: Frequently touted as having the world’s whitest sands, at what beach can you also catch seasonal glowing “blue tides?”
A: Jervis Bay, Australia
Jervis Bay is a 10 by 6 mile (16 x 10 km) inlet of the Tasman Sea in southeastern New South Wales, Australia. While it’s known for its clear waters, white sand beaches, and surf, Jervis Bay is also one of the few places on the continent to host the phenomena of “blue tide,” or bioluminescence. Bioluminescence makes the ocean glow blue, green, and sometimes red. It is the chemical reaction within some living organisms that generates light, including some sea creatures and even mushrooms. Only when conditions are perfect, usually through an algae bloom of phytoplankton occurring with the right temperatures and wind, will the ocean glow with bioluminescence. Within Jervis Bay, the blue tide has been seen at night at Barfluer Beach, Callala Bay, and Blenheim Beach. In 2020, a light show of bioluminescence was recorded to be the brightest ever.
Source
|
|
|
|
|
Q: Covering about 20 square miles (52 km sq) of land, where can you find the naturally-formed “Chocolate Hills?”
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
|
|
|
|
|
AGS is accepting DailyGeo GeoQuestion suggestions.
Write to ags@americangeo.org with any ideas!
Please include GeoQuestions in the subject line, along with your answer and source.
|
|
|
|
DailyGeo is a daily digital communication created by AGS for the geography community. Feel free to share and encourage others to become part of the community too!
Copyright © 2022 American Geographical Society, All rights reserved.
We understand this might not be for everyone. Although we would hate to see you go, you can unsubscribe here.
How are we doing? We want to hear your feedback on the DailyGeo – what are we doing right and what should we be doing differently. Talk to us by emailing ags@americangeo.org.
|
|
|
|
|
