|
United States
‘Hurriquake’ Strikes Southern CA
Southern California was struck by what has been dubbed a ‘hurriquake’ on Sunday. Ventura County was hit by a 5.1 magnitude earthquake at the same time as torrential rains from Hurricane Hilary. No tropical storm had made landfall in Southern California since 1939. By the time Hilary entered southern California, it had been downgraded to a tropical storm, and it has since dissipated over central California. The 5.1 magnitude marks the first level 5 earthquake in the Ventura basin since 1932. There are no immediate reports of significant damage due to the ‘hurriquake,’ but school districts have pushed off first days of classes, and the storm disrupted the California legislature and businesses.
This map depicts Southern California where an earthquake and tropical storm hit the region at the same time. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
Japan
Release of Fukushima Water
Japan has announced plans to release treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean starting on Thursday. About 137 miles (220 km) north-east of Tokyo along the country’s east coast, Fukushima was destroyed by a large tsunami that followed an earthquake, creating the worst atomic disaster since Chernobyl. The Japanese government stated that releasing the water is necessary to decommission the plant, and the UN’s nuclear oversight agency approved the plan. 1.34 million tons of contaminated water are being stored at the site. The water will be released over 30 years after being filtered and diluted. Many people across Asia and the Pacific fear that the discharged water will affect their livelihoods. A crowd of protesters in Tokyo staged a rally today outside the prime minister’s official residence, urging the government to stop the release.
This map depicts the layout of the Fukushima nuclear power plant, highlighting the buildings damaged by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, and the storage tanks that have accumulated contaminated water from the aftermath of that disaster. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
Graphic Source: Barrons
__________________________________________
|
|
|
|
Ecuador
Voters Reject Amazon Oil Drilling
Ecuadorians voted against drilling for oil in a protected area of the Amazon over the weekend, in a decision that will require the state oil company to end its operations in a region that’s home to isolated tribes and is a hotspot for biodiversity. Six in 10 Ecuadorians rejected the oil exploration in Block 43, situated within Yasuni National Park, one of the most ecologically rich places on Earth, at the meeting point of the Amazon, the Andes, and the Equator. The referendum took place along with the presidential election. Yasuni National Park is inhabited by the Tagaeri and Taromenani, who live in voluntary isolation. In 1989, it was designated, along with neighboring areas, a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO. For decades, oil has been Ecuador’s main export. Accidents have been commonplace, mostly through oil spills into the rivers.
This map depicts Yasuni National Park, a biodiverse Amazonian preserve in Ecuador, where 60% of voters rejected the development of all new oilwells. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q: What city built upon 118 islands was once an independent maritime empire?
A: Venice
Venice is built upon 118 islands in a lagoon in northeast Italy, on the Adriatic Sea. The city was capital of the Republic of Venice from 810 to 1797. It was a major financial and maritime power during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and a staging area for the Crusades, as well as an important center of commerce — especially for the trading of silk, grain, and spices. It is considered to have been the first real international financial center. Beginning with the control of a trade route to the Levant, Venice emerged from the Fourth Crusade (1202-04) as ruler of a colonial empire which included Crete, Euboea, the Cyclades, and the Ionian Islands. In 1381, it defeated Genoa for commercial supremacy in the Levant and eastern Mediterranean. In the 15th century it was an extensive Italian state. After many years losing lands to the Ottoman Turks, the republic dissolved in 1797 at the hands of Napoleon.
Source Britannica
|
|
|
|
|
Q: Having long been described as a triangle, what animal shape has been used to more accurately resemble the geography of Polynesian society and navigation pathways?
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 the American Geographical Society (AGS) for the geography community. If you are receiving this email, it is because you are an affiliate of AGS or a participant in one of our programs. 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.
|
|
|
|
|
The American Geographical Society will explore the geographical aspects of events like this and more at GEOGRAPHY 2050: The Changing Map of Risk, Hazards, and Finance
