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Lebanon
Oil Drilling at Maritime Border
An oil drilling rig, chartered by French energy group TotalEnergies, has arrived in Lebanese waters. The arrival of the rig comes after Lebanon and Israel officially outlined their disputed maritime border during a United States-brokered agreement last year. Lebanese waters have been divided into 10 blocks, with block 9 and block 4 awarded a drilling license. Block 9, where the new rig is located, is on the maritime border. Previous negotiations with Israel over Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) have meant Lebanon was unable to explore its southern offshore reserves. If all hydrocarbon reserves found by this rig reside within Lebanon’s EEZ, then Lebanon is free to reap the rewards. However, there are doubts around the ability to develop a profit-sharing mechanism if some of the hydrocarbon reserves in Block 9 cross into Israel’s EEZ. Drilling is expected to start by the end of August and conclude within two to three months.
This map depicts Lebanon’s maritime energy blocks. Blocks granted drilling licenses are highlighted in orange, including block 9, that sits along the disputed maritime border and where a French-owned drilling rig is currently preparing to begin exploration. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Aljazeera
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United States
Northern California Wildfires
A rapidly spreading wildfire fueled by thunderstorm winds tore through national forest land in Northern California, prompting evacuation orders. The Head Fire in Siskiyou County near the Oregon border was one of at least 19 fires that erupted in the Klamath National Forest, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Most are small, but forest officials said the Head Fire exploded in size over the course of a few hours on Tuesday. The fire scorched an estimated 4.7 to 6.3 square miles (12.2-16.2 km sq) in less than a day, with lightning and downdrafts from the thunderstorms driving the flames through timber and rural lands. The Head Fire is burning close to the site of the McKinney Fire of July 2022, which ultimately killed four people and destroyed the community of Klamath River.
This map depicts the over 50 wildfires caused by lightning storms throughout Northern California, including the rapidly spreading Head Fire, which has prompted evacuation orders. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: NBC
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The Moon
Russia, India Prepare Landers
Russia’s Luna-25 spacecraft has entered orbit near the south pole of the Moon, joining India’s Chandrayaan-3. Both missions are now preparing to drop landing vehicles onto the surface in the south polar region, with Russia set to begin the landing between August 21-24, and India planning to deploy on August 23 or 24. Russia’s last mission to the moon was in 1976, while India is a more recent entrant to the lunar space race, hoping to join the company of the United States, Soviet Union, and China in having achieved a successful soft landing of a craft on the Moon’s surface after the failure of Chandrayaan-2 in 2019. The south polar region is a target of attention for exploration, given the presumed presence of water ice, which could be used to sustain future human settlement on the Moon.
This map depicts the locations of previous landings on the Moon’s surface, as well as the planned landing locations of India’s upcoming Chandrayaan-3 and Russia’s Luna-25 spacecraft. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: Where is the largest underground city in the world?
A: Turkey
More than 93 yards (85 meters) beneath the famous fairy chimneys of the volcanic landscape of Cappadocia lies a city that was in near-constant use for thousands of years. As the region lay on the Silk Road, various civilizations have laid claim to its territory, and these underground networks protected inhabitants from invasion. Spanning 18 floors, the ancient city of Elengubu, now known as Derinkuyu, is an elaborate underground network with discrete entrances, ventilation shafts, wells, and passageways. Built in 8th-7th century BC by the Phrygians, it could protect 20,000 inhabitants for months at a time, along with livestock and food stores. More than 200 underground cities with at least two levels have been discovered in the area between Kayseri and Nevsehir provinces in Central Anatolia.
Source BBC
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Q: Where is the largest mangrove forest in the world?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
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