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Spain
Russian Cargo Ship Sinks
A Russian cargo ship believed to be en route to evacuate equipment from Syria has sunk after exploding in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria. Russia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the sinking of the Ursa Major, which is controlled by a company which is part of the Russian Defense Ministry’s military construction operations. Russian authorities said the ship was headed to Vladivostok, in Russia’s Far East, with parts for two cranes set to be used in the construction of a new nuclear-powered icebreaker. But Ukrainian and Western intelligence say it was likely the ship was also going to make a stop at the Syrian port of Tartus to retrieve military equipment being evacuated after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a Russian ally. Another similar Russian cargo ship, the Sparta, also encountered difficulties off the coast of Portugal yesterday, but has resumed its journey, with Syria believed to be its destination.
This map depicts the planned route of the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major, as reported by Russian authorities, as well as the location where it sank in the Mediterranean yesterday. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Daily Mail
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Australia
Extreme Heat & Victoria Bushfires
A total fire ban is in place across the Australian state of Victoria as one of its most popular national parks burns and officials warn of potentially “catastrophic” conditions in some areas over Christmas. A large bushfire near Grampians National Park, about 3 hours drive northwest of Melbourne, is still burning out of control and has destroyed over 109,000 acres (44,000 hectares) of land in the past week. Hundreds of firefighters have battled the bushfire, using more than 100 tankers and 25 aircraft. Four interstate firefighting taskforces and two incident management teams will be in Victoria on Thursday and Friday for additional support to emergency crews. Hot, dry, and windy conditions are expected to continue later in the week. Authorities have warned of a high-risk bushfire season this Australian summer after several quiet seasons.
This map depicts the extreme heat across Australia in degrees Celsius, which is driving bushfires. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: News.com.au
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Canada
Bill Gates Funds Carbon Removal
Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Catalyst is awarding US$40 million to Montreal-based Deep Sky to help it test atmospheric carbon removal technology as part of its Alpha project. Deep Sky is building a roughly $100-million pilot plant in Innisfail, Alberta, north of Calgary, where it plans to test eight different technologies that remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air. Over the past year, Deep Sky tested 100 different CO2 removal technologies with the eventual goal of storing the extra carbon underground. Deep Sky then picked the eight most promising systems to install and test at Innisfall. Microsoft Corp. and the Royal Bank of Canada have already committed to purchasing the carbon removed at Deep Sky’s Alpha project, which is scheduled to begin operations next year. Deep Sky CEO Damien Steel says he believes direct air capture (DAC) will become “a multi-trillion-dollar industry” during the next decade.
This map depicts the potential locations and supporting electricity infrastructure in Canada for direct air capture projects to lock up atmospheric carbon dioxide and sequester it underground. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: Which U.S. state has the most national parks?
A: California
Of the thirty states and two U.S. territories that have national parks, California has the most. California is home to nine national parks, which include: Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Redwood National Park, Sequoia National Park, Channel Islands National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Pinnacles National Park, and Yosemite National Park. Alaska has eight national parks, Utah five, and Colorado four. California not only has the most national parks, but also is home to the first government-protected park, Yosemite, designated a public trust by President Abraham Lincoln in 1864, as well as the largest in the lower 48 states, Death Valley.
Source
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Q: Which country is home to the largest archipelago, based on the number of islands?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
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