|
|
|
Syria-Turkey
Aftershocks Hit Damaged Region
Two weeks after a pair of massive earthquakes struck the border region of Turkey and Syria, the recovering area has been hit by another earthquake and over 90 powerful aftershocks. A 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey’s southern Hatay province on Monday evening, with massive tremors destroying already-damaged buildings. The epicenter was about 80 miles (130 km) from the 7.8 and 7.6 magnitude earthquakes which devastated the region earlier this month. The death toll is expected to continue to rise in both Turkey and Syria following the aftershocks, with 41,020 deaths reported in Turkey, and 5,800 deaths reported in Syria. More than 1 million people remain homeless as a result of the earthquakes. Turkish officials have declared a three-month state of emergency in provinces affected by the earthquake, and search and rescue operations in these regions are ongoing.
This map depicts areas along the Turkey/Syria border affected by the latest earthquake and aftershocks. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
Graphic Source: Al Jazeera
__________________________________________
|
|
|
|
United States
Bird Flu Spreads Across Flocks
Farmers have lost more than $1 billion after being forced to slaughter over 58 million chickens and turkeys to limit the spread of the ongoing avian influenza epidemic. With the flu entering its second year and the spring migration season looming, this outbreak already has cost the government roughly $661 million and added to consumers’ pain with rising egg prices. The highly contagious virus is easily spread by wild birds’ droppings and nasal discharges, so even with technological innovations and strict protocols, farmers are reaching the limit of what they can do to keep the virus out. After confirmation of infection, a farm’s entire flock must be killed to limit the spread of the disease. So far, 58.4 million birds have been slaughtered on more than 300 commercial farms in 47 states. Although most of the world’s biggest poultry producers have resisted vaccinating farmed birds, many world governments are looking to normalize the practice to reduce death rates.
This map depicts the number of confirmed breakouts per state and the total affected. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
United States
Ocean Treaty Talks Underway
Member countries of the United Nations are resuming discussions to formulate a treaty to protect the biodiversity of the ocean. The talks are formally known as the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, and are focused on creating a cohesive set of rules on activities in the ocean that fall outside national marine boundaries, constituting almost two-thirds of the ocean’s surface area. The U.N. Biodiversity Conference recently pledged to protect 30% of the world ocean, but there are no mechanisms to enforce that goal. This week’s talks are aimed at establishing a new regulatory body under the authority of the U.N. to accept and review submissions for specific protected marine areas.
This map depicts the areas of the world ocean that are within national maritime boundaries in light blue, and areas outside national jurisdictions in dark blue. Talks have begun at the United Nations this week aimed at establishing the international regulatory mechanisms to protect biodiversity in international waters. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q: What Icelandic peninsula is home to volcanoes, lava fields, and black sand beaches that have appeared in many Sci-Fi and fantasy films and series?
A: Reykjanes Peninsula
Bubbling with seismic and volcanic activity, the island of Iceland is known for its iconic volcanic landscapes. Its beaches are black due to eroding volcanic rock formed after lava has been cooled and solidified. The Southern Peninsula Reykjanesskagi, or Reykjanes Peninsula, in southwest Iceland, is home to the country’s main international airport as well as its top tourist attraction, the Blue Lagoon. With a population of almost 28,000, Reykjanes Peninsula is one of the more densely populated regions of the island, and just a 30 minute drive from Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik, the country’s largest city. The peninsula is also home to the famous Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, where basalt rock formations stand atop the coast, and deep black sands greet the ocean’s white wash. The peninsula’s Reynisfjara Beach has been featured in multiple films and television shows, including Game of Thrones, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Noah, and Star Trek Into Darkness.
Source
|
|
|
|
|
Q: Which West African country, known for being a geographic bridge between Africa’s Maghreb and Sahel regions, is home to the world’s largest ship graveyard?
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.
|
|
|
|
|
