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World
AstraZeneca Vaccine Approval
The World Health Organization (WHO) authorized the AstraZeneca vaccine for emergency use after a number of European countries refuse to authorize it for those above 65 years old. The AstraZeneca vaccine has self-branded as a “vaccine for the world” and thus far seemed to live up to its promise. According to an article from Think Global Health, over half of lower middle-income countries administering vaccines are using AstraZeneca’s and a total of 178 countries are expected to have access to it by the end of 2021. The popularity of the AstraZeneca vaccine comes from its lower price point, easier storage, and the Serum Institute of India’s licensing agreement to produce and distribute the vaccine. Most of Africa and much of southern Asia currently lack access to the Pfizer vaccine. Sanofi, a French manufacturer has agreed to help produce Pfizer vaccine but whether that will expand access to low and middle-income countries is unclear. Relatively few countries have finalized agreements to purchase Russian and Chinese vaccines, though more nations may turn to these non-Western options as more clinical trial data is being published.
This map depicts the countries around the world that have access to the AstraZeneca vaccine as of February 3, 2021. Click on the map to learn more.
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United States
Deadly Winter Storm
A winter storm with severely cold temperatures and multiple power outages swept across the United States over the weekend. The effects of the storm were especially felt in Texas, where over 4 million homes and businesses were left without power and at least 3 people lost their lives due to carbon monoxide poisoning. In North Carolina, the winter storm triggered a tornado in Brunswick County, taking the lives of 3 people and damaging over 50 homes. Five deaths in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Louisiana bring the total known casualties of the storm to 11. The winter storm also caused bitter cold temperature and snowfall across the Southern Plains and Midwest portions of the country. A second winter storm arriving this evening is expected to increase snow and ice coverage. Over the next several days, Oklahoma and Arkansas can expect to see as many as 8 inches of snow and more than 50 million people will experience temperatures below zero.
This map depicts the temperatures of the deadly winter storm extending through the coming week. Click on the map to expand.
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Antarctica
Perplexing Sea Sponge Discovery
Sea sponges and several new species of stationary animals were discovered beneath the ice shelves of Antarctica, according to new research published in Frontiers in Marine Science. Researchers were drilling through nearly 3,000 feet (900 m) of ice in the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf on the Weddell Sea when they uncovered some unexpected creatures firmly attached to a rock. Among the discoveries were sea sponges, and several potentially unknown species. Animals like sponges are not expected to live in these extreme locations due to the lack of sunlight and source of food. The group of sponges are located 100 miles (160 km) further under the ice shelf than any sponge has ever been documented. The accidental discovery was made by a team of geologists, who were drilling through the ice to collect mud samples.
This map depicts the the continent of Antarctica and the location of the discovery. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: Covering 1,900 square miles (5,000 sq km), the largest glacier in North America terminates in which body of water?
A: Vitus Lake
Located south of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, and just 6.2 miles (10 km) from the Gulf of Alaska, Vitus Lake is currently home to the Bering Glacier, the largest in North America. The terminus of the glacier has retreated as much as 7.5 miles (12 km) since 1900, due to lower levels of precipitation coupled with warmer temperatures. Because the weight of the Bering Glacier is enough to depress the Earth’s crust, the reduction in size is causing reduced compression along nearby fault lines, resulting in more earthquakes in the area.
Source
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Q: With a distance of 3,967 miles (6,384 km) from the center of the planet, what mountain is home to Earth’s closest point to the moon?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in tomorrow’s DailyGeo.
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