|
United States
Driver Runs Over Eight
A driver in a U-Haul truck went on a deadly 48-minute rampage on Monday in Brooklyn, New York, killing one and injuring 8. The driver was allegedly suffering from a mental health crisis, claiming to have seen an “invisible object” coming toward him. He then veered onto sidewalks, hitting bicyclists, a moped rider, and at least one pedestrian. The truck also rammed into a police car, injuring the officer inside. The driver, Weng Sor, 62 was charged yesterday with murder and attempted murder.
This map depicts significant points along the U-Haul driver’s rampage, where he injured civilians and then eventually stopped. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
Graphic Source: NY Post
__________________________________________
|
|
Argentina
South American Drought
Scientists believe a third consecutive La Niña is driving extremely hot and dry weather, causing Argentina and other South American countries to face the worst drought conditions in 60 years. This situation has resulted in projected losses in the billions, affecting farmers and ranchers in Argentina and Uruguay. In addition to decreased crop yields and agricultural losses, the dry heat has worsened deadly forest fires in Chile, linking South America to a global pattern of increasing droughts and fires.
This map depicts drought conditions across South America, driven by La Niña weather patterns and climate change. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
Graphic Source: Barron’s
__________________________________________
|
|
United States
United Flight Takes Scary Plunge
Officials are continuing to investigate the reasons behind United Airlines flight 1722 suddenly plummeting 1,400 ft (425 m) before missing the Pacific Ocean and regaining altitude. Headed to San Francisco, CA on December 18th, about one minute after takeoff from Kahului Airport in Maui, Hawaii, the flight took a sudden steep nose dive after reaching an altitude of 2,200 ft (670 m). An investigation by United with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to determine the cause of the incident resulted in a retraining program for the pilots. Experts from the National Transportation Safety Board – which investigates U.S. plane crashes – will produce another report in coming weeks.
This map depicts the path and dip of the United Airlines flight, which came within just 775 feet (236 m) of sea level. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q: What is the name of the last paleocontinent of which modern-day Australia was the largest part?
A: Sahul
Comprised of the combined land masses of what are now Australia, New Guinea, Tasmania, and Indonesia’s Aru Islands, at its largest, Sahul covered an area of about 4,100,000 square miles (10,600,000 km sq). In the Pleistocene era, sea levels were around 490 feet (150 m) lower than today, and areas between these landmasses that are now submerged beneath the ocean were once exposed. Around that time, Southeast Asia and many of the islands that are currently part of Indonesia and Malaysia were also combined into a landmass called Sunda, which at the closest point was separated from Sahul by only 55 miles (90 km) of water. It was under these conditions, between 75,000 and 50,000 years ago, that humans first sailed from Sunda to Sahul, gradually settling the continent from the north into the modern Australian mainland. Once the last Ice Age ended, the ocean rose to define the shorelines we recognize today, and the people who are now indigenous Australians became separated from much of the rest of the world.
Source
|
|
|
|
|
Q: What South American capital city is enclosed by mountains on all cardinal points?
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 © 2023 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.
|
|
|
|
|
