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Russia
Wildfires Hit Arctic Circle
Wildfires have swept across more than a million acres of Russia’s Sakha Republic, contributing to the Arctic Circle’s third highest carbon emissions for the month of June in two decades. This is the third time in the past five years the region has experienced high intensity fires. Carbon emissions have hit 6.8 megatons, a level only surpassed by fires in 2019 and 2020. The European Union’s climate change monitor Copernicus reported a combination of unusually high temperatures and dry conditions in May, leaving the region in an ideal state for fires. Smoke emissions have left an increased aerosol depth over areas of Russia and the Arctic Ocean, which has sparked concern from scientists regarding the ability of Arctic ice to reflect solar radiation. The deposition of black carbon and soot from smoke can darken snow and ice, increasing sunlight absorption and making the surface more prone to melting.
This map depicts the increased aerosol optical depth (AOD) values over the Arctic Circle due to wildfire smoke from Russia’s northeast region. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Copernicus
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India
Delhi Airport Roof Collapses
A roof collapsed at Delhi Airport Terminal 1 due to heavy rain, leaving one person dead and eight more injured. Officials said the fall of the roof sheet and support beams caused damage to four cars parked in the pick-up and drop-off area of the terminal. All flights out of the terminal have been canceled and some airlines have moved their departures and arrivals to the two operational terminals left at the airport. Aviation authorities described the tragedy as “very serious” and pledged compensation for the victim’s family and injured parties.
This map depicts the location of the roof collapse at the Delhi airport’s Terminal 1. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Reuters
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Morocco
“Pompeii” Trilobite Discovery
A new Science study has unearthed the most well-preserved trilobite fossil yet discovered and dubbed it “Pompeii.” The research team discovered the most pristine specimen in the High Atlas, the highest peak of a mountain range in central Morocco. The creature was instantly fossilized by hot ash in sea water from a nearby volcano, similar to the fate of victims of the Mount Vesuvius eruption in 76AD found in Pompeii. The 3D preservation is exceptional because the volcanic ash preserved the entire body of the trilobite, including its soft tissues, hair-like structures, and digestive tract. Using CT scanning and computer modelling of virtual X-ray slices, the researchers uncovered new insights on how trilobites fed, noting a clustering of specialized leg pairs around the mouth, similar to horseshoe crabs. The lead author says pyroclastic deposits should become new targets for study, due to their potential for preserving biological remains.
This map depicts the geology of the Anti-Atlas and High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, where the trilobite fossils were found. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: What country forms a symbolic northern border between western and eastern Europe?
A: Finland
Finland forms a symbolic northern border between western and eastern Europe: dense wilderness and Russia to the east, the Gulf of Bothnia and Sweden to the west. A part of Sweden from the 12th century until 1809, Finland was then a Russian grand duchy until the Finns declared independence on December 6, 1917, following the Russian Revolution. Throughout the Cold War era, Finland maintained a neutral political position, although a 1948 treaty with the Soviet Union (terminated 1991) required Finland to repel any attack on the Soviet Union carried out through Finnish territory by Germany or any of its allies. Finland became a full member of the European Union in 1995.
Source
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Q: What country is home to the largest artificial island in the world?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in Monday’s DailyGeo.
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