|
|
|
United States
Early COVID Spread through NYC
A team of researchers from New York University performed phylogeographic analysis to model the spread of COVID-19 through New York City at the height of the outbreak in 2020, according to a paper recently published in PLOS Pathogens. The team collected genetic material of 828 COVID-positive nose swabs taken in New York between March and May of 2020 to chart out disease “family trees” and identify when and where new strains of the virus emerged and how they spread throughout the city. The researchers found 83% of importations of new versions of coronavirus arrived in the second half of March. The borough of Queens, likely due to the location of major airports, a high population of front-line medical workers, and a significant number of commuters, was identified as the primary transmission hub in the city, with northern Brooklyn and the Bronx also identified as transmission boroughs. By mapping the small-scale transmission of the virus, the authors hope to impact public health planning to limit future epidemics.
This maps depicts the paths of COVID strain moving into and out of the city (top), and ten models of virus spread between the boroughs (bottom). Click on the maps to learn more.
|
|
|
|
__________________________________________
|
|
Italy
Three Arrested For Accident
Three people were arrested for a cable car accident near Stresa, Italy, which killed 14 passengers on Sunday. Only one five-year-old Israeli boy survived the accident. Investigators believe the crash was caused when a lead cable broke and emergency brakes intended to keep the cable car steady failed to activate. The car then slid back hundreds of meters along its track before striking a pillar and plunging 40 feet (12 meters) to the ground. Those arrested face charges of manslaughter and negligence.
This map depicts the location where a cable car running between Stresa, Italy and Monte Mottarone crashed to the ground, killing 14 passengers. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
Graphic Source: BBC News
__________________________________________
|
|
Australia
Plague of Mice
For the past several months, millions of mice have been ravaging fields and infesting homes across eastern Australia, causing millions of dollars of damage to crops and agricultural machinery. The mice population ballooned following a bumper harvest in 2020, which saw more rain than in the previous two years combined. The successful crops included hay, which provides an ideal habitat for mice. As winter nears in Australia, reports are growing of mice swarming schools and homes across New South Wales and Queensland, with infestations nearing the city of Sydney. Last week the Australian government announced it had procured 1,320 gallons (5,000 liters) of an extremely lethal mouse poison in hopes of culling the growing population.
This map depicts concentrations of mice infestation in Australia, where crops and equipment are being damaged. Click on the map to learn more.
|
|
|
|
 |
Q: At 100 feet (30 m) tall, the highest tsunami ever documented followed an earthquake and a landslide in what body of water?
A: Alaska’s Lituya Bay
In 1958, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake along the Fairweather Faultline triggered a rockfall of about 90 tons in Lituya Bay, in southeastern Alaska. The subsequent tsunami was the tallest ever recorded and caused damage to trees 1,720 feet (524 meters) up the nearby hillside. Though the disaster caused significant damage in the surrounding landscape, only five people were killed in the incident and property damage was minimal, because there were few nearby towns.
Source
|
|
|
|
|
Q: This colorful hotspring was formed 900 years ago by a hydrothermal eruption in what volcanic zone?
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 AGS for the geography community. Feel free to share and encourage others to become part of the community too!
Copyright © 2021 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. |
|
|
|
|
