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New Zealand
North Island Landslides Kill 2
Two people are confirmed dead, and several more are missing, following landslides earlier today on Mount Maunganui on New Zealand’s North Island. The landslides, which struck homes as well as recreational areas, resulted from heavy rains over the last few days, and the results were described by the country’s Emergency Minister as resembling a “war zone.” The landslide originated from Mount Maunganui’s inactive volcanic dome. Rescuers with dogs are continuing to search for victims in destroyed houses and crushed trailers and tents at a popular campground for visitors to the mountain, which is also considered a sacred site to New Zealand’s indigenous Māori people.
This map depicts the landslide area. Click on the map to learn more.
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United States
California’s Urban Experiment
The developers behind an ambitious plan to create a new municipality in northern California have signed an agreement with major labor unions to provide construction workers. The development project “California Forever” is backed by billionaires hoping to create a Maritime Prosperity Zone in Solano County, northeast of the San Francisco Bay Area. As the “largest construction labor agreement in history,” the project aims to build a defense manufacturing hub with a focus on maritime infrastructure and shipbuilding. In 2024, the group revealed its plans for the 40-year construction of a sprawling walkable city to host about 400,000 people, though this announcement received pushback from local residents. Particular outrage surrounds California Forever’s desire to annex and expand Suisun City, which has a population of 30,000.
This map depicts California Forever’s expansion plans in relation to neighboring military bases and facilities. Click on the map to learn more.
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World
32 Firms Release Half of All CO
A recent study has revealed that just 32 fossil fuel companies were responsible for about half of all global carbon dioxide emissions in 2024. The number is down slightly from 36 companies the year before. The data show that government-owned firms dominate the list, with state-run producers making up 17 of the top 20 emitters in the Carbon Majors report. These top emitters include Saudi Aramco, a state-owned company, as well as ExxonMobil, an investor-owned firm, and are linked to countries that have opposed various proposals for a fossil fuel phaseout. The findings of the report highlight the influence of major oil, gas, and coal producers on climate change, and the concentration of pollution among so few companies is fueling calls for greater accountability.
This map depicts international litigation cases and policy measures against fossil fuel companies responsible for a large part of global carbon emissions. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: What country is home to Africa’s lowest point, a lake lying 509 ft (155 m) below sea level?
A: Djibouti
Lake Assal, literally ‘honey lake’ due to the high viscosity of its brines, is a water-filled crater lake in central-western Djibouti at the western end of gulf of Tadjoura. The lake is some 68 miles (110 km) west of the nation’s capital, Djibouti City. The lake depression lies in the Ghoubbat al Kharab (Ardoukoba) rift at the top of the Great Rift Valley. It is the lowest point on land in Africa and the third-lowest point on Earth after the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. It occupies the lowest part of the Afar Rift. The Afar Rift is a unique geological zone where three tectonic plates (Nubian, Somali, and Arabian) are pulling apart, creating a “triple junction” of the Earth’s crust splitting.
Source
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Q: What country’s capital city is the only one in the world without traffic lights?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
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