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Venezuela
Back-to-Back Major Earthquakes
Two strong earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday afternoon, collapsing buildings in the capital Caracas and killing at least 164 people. The first earthquake registered a magnitude of 7.2, while the second one came less than a minute later with a magnitude of 7.5 – the strongest quake to hit the country since 1900. The epicenter for both quakes was located outside of Morón, a community roughly 100 miles (170 km) to the west of Venezuela’s capital, Caracas. There were 30 reported aftershocks, with extensive damage within the area and the proximity of Caracas. There are currently 971 injured with thousands feared dead as community-led rescue and search operations continue in the rubble of collapsed buildings in Caracas and along the Caribbean coast. The quakes damaged the country’s main airport, Simón Bolívar International Airport, and La Guaira, on the nation’s northern coast, was the hardest hit state. Interim leader Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency and pledged to set up a $200 million relief fund. Other countries including the U.S., Spain, and Mexico have also pledged to send help.
This map depicts the intensity of two earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: The Guardian
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France
Severe Heatwave Breaks Records
A severe summer heatwave is breaking records across Europe, including France’s national average, and raising concerns about Europe’s readiness for a hotter climate. The heat has extended across the continent, with Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom all affected along with France. An Omega block weather pattern is helping trap hot air over the region and pushing temperatures far above normal, putting outdoor workers including builders and couriers at risk throughout the affected areas. The United Kingdom recorded its hottest June day on record, with temperatures of 97.5°F (36.4°C). In France, the national thermal indicator, an average of 30 temperature stations, hit a new record of 86.5ºF (29.8ºC), with red alert heat warnings in place across the country. Paris reached a June record of 105°F (40.9°C) and and the Louvre and Eiffel Tower closed early for multiple days.
This map depicts Europe experiencing significant heatwave conditions with the continent warming at twice the global average rate. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Reuters
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Australia
Ancient Crater Age Verified
Scientists at Curtin University in Australia have found new evidence confirming the age of the oldest known asteroid impact crater on Earth. Located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, the North Pole Dome crater has been dated to approximately 3.02 billion years ago. The researchers used multiple geochronological techniques to ascertain the age of the structure, helping to resolve a long-running debate among scientists over the crater’s age. The surrounding region is exceptionally well preserved and contains some of Earth’s oldest geological records, including ancient rock formations that retain evidence of early life and some of the oldest known mineral grains. Together, these features provide a rare window into the earliest chapters of Earth’s history and the evolution of the early solar system.
This map depicts the location and extent of the North Pole Dome, in northwestern Australia, which is believed to be the oldest known impact crater on Earth. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Daily Mail
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Q: What country is home to the world’s highest coastal mountain range, with snow-capped peaks only 26 miles (42 km) from the beaches?
A: Colombia
The Santa Marta montane forests are a unique and biodiverse ecoregion located in northern Colombia, distinguished as the highest coastal mountain range in the world, with peaks reaching approximately 18,700 feet (5,700 meters). This region exhibits a remarkable range of ecosystems due to its varying altitudes, from snow-capped summits to lush lowland rainforests, and covers an area of about 4,600 square miles (12,000 square kilometers). The montane forests begin between 1,650 and 2,620 feet (500 and 800 meters) and are noted for their high levels of endemism, with over 1,046 vertebrate species and more than 3,000 vascular plant species identified, many of which are endemic to the region. The region is also culturally significant, inhabited by several Indigenous groups, such as the Kogui, Ika, Wiwa, and Kankuamo, who maintain a deep connection to the land.
Source
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Q: What country is home to the highest known subterranean waterfall?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
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