|
|
|
Mozambique
Cyclone Chido Kills 94
Cyclone Chido killed 94 people and injured 768 in Mozambique after it made landfall last week. After causing unprecedented damage in the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, the cyclone made landfall in Mozambique on December 15, affecting approximately 622,000 people. Mozambique’s provinces of Cabo Delgado, Niassa, and Nampula, in the path of Cyclone Chido, are frequently affected by cyclones. Educational infrastructure in Mozambique faced widespread destruction as a result, affecting upwards of 109,793 students. Essential healthcare services, including 52 sanitary units, also faced severe damage as wind gusts reached 160 miles per hour (260 kmh), and some areas experienced 10 inches (250 mm) of rain in one day. All levels of government, alongside the country’s risk and disaster management agency, are responding with rebuilding efforts. After reaching Zimbabwe, Cyclone Chido dissipated.
This map depicts which Mozambican health facilities were affected by Cyclone Chido and the subsequent sustained damage they suffered as a result. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
Graphic Source: ReliefWeb
__________________________________________
|
|
|
|
Panama-United States
Trump’s Canal Threat Rejected
Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino hit back at Donald Trump after the president-elect said he would demand the Panama Canal be “returned” to the US if the vital waterway was not operated to his liking. Speaking at his first post-election rally in Arizona, Trump accused the Central American country of charging excessive rates for use of the ocean-connecting ship passage. Trump said the Panama Canal was a “vital national asset” for the US, calling it crucial for commerce and national security, and warned of potential Chinese influence on the passage. The US relinquished control of the waterway to Panama in 1999 under a treaty signed in 1977 under President Jimmy Carter. The canal is crucial for Panama’s economy and generates about one-fifth of the government’s annual revenue. Mulino roundly rejected Trump’s statements by saying the sovereignty and independence of Panama is “non-negotiable.”
This map depicts the Panama Canal’s main shipping routes, container terminals, locks, and dams. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
Graphic Source: The Guardian
__________________________________________
|
|
|
|
Greenland
Ice Thinning Illustrated
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have released a report illustrating the extent of melting on the Greenland ice sheet. The measurements used to track the changes in the ice were taken by ESA’s radar-scanning CryoSat and NASA’s laser-scanning ICESat-2. Each of the two satellite’s respective strengths compensate for the other’s weaknesses, meaning their data can be aggregated for a more precise picture of the state of Greenland’s ice. The combined data shows that from 2010 to 2023, the average thinning across the ice sheet was around four feet (1.2 m), but at the sheet’s margins, the average melting was almost 21 feet (6.4 m). All told, over the 13 year period, Greenland ice was reduced by 563 cubic miles (2,347 km3) – roughly the same amount of water in Africa’s Lake Victoria.
This map from an animation released by the European Space Agency depicts areas of the most intense thinning of Greenland’s ice sheet. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q: What is the name of the world’s largest salt flat, renowned for its mirror-like reflection during the rainy season?
A: Salar de Uyuni
Located in southwest Bolivia, the Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat on Earth, spanning over 3,900 square miles (10,000 sq km). Formed by the evaporation of prehistoric lakes, the flat is a vast expanse of white salt crust, creating an otherworldly landscape. During the rainy season (January to March), a thin layer of water collects on the surface, turning the salt flat into a massive natural mirror that reflects the sky and creates mesmerizing optical illusions. This phenomenon has made Salar de Uyuni a hotspot for photographers and tourists. The area is also significant economically, as it holds one of the largest reserves of lithium, a vital component for batteries. Moreover, it supports diverse wildlife, including flamingos that thrive in its surrounding wetlands.
Source
|
|
|
|
|
Q: Which U.S. state has the most national parks?
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 © 2024 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.
|
|
|
|
|
