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Pacific Ring of Fire's Volcanic Glaciers Pose Unique Hazards, Impacting U.S. Pacific Coast

Pacific Ring of Fire's Volcanic Glaciers Pose Unique Hazards, Impacting U.S. Pacific Coast

The Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for its high seismic and volcanic activity, also hosts numerous glaciated volcanoes, particularly along the Pacific coast of Alaska, Canada, and the U.S. These glaciated volcanoes present unique hazards due to the interaction of ice and volcanic activity. When eruptions occur beneath glaciers, the meltwater can lead to powerful phreatomagmatic explosions, as seen with Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull eruption in 2010, which disrupted European airspace. The melting of glaciers by volcanic heat can also create subglacial lakes that, when drained, cause massive floods known as jökulhlaups. Additionally, volcanic activity can cause glaciers to accelerate their movement due to meltwater lubrication, or conversely, lead to their destruction or retreat. The presence of glaciers can also influence the type and impact of volcanic ash, with rapid cooling leading to highly abrasive ash that can damage jet engines.
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Climate Change Increases Landslide Risks in Alaska

Climate Change Increases Landslide Risks in Alaska

Climate change is significantly raising the risk of landslides in Alaska, particularly in areas like Haines and Juneau. According to geologist Josh Roering, the region's steep slopes, exposure to intense storms, and rain-on-snow events contribute to frequent landslides. Additionally, the thawing of permafrost, which acts as a natural glue for bedrock, is further destabilizing the terrain. Local governments have created maps to identify high-risk areas, but concerns over property values have delayed formal adoption. Landslides are not unique to Alaska; they occur in all 50 U.S. states and cause billions of dollars in property damage annually. However, Alaska's unique geography and climate make it particularly vulnerable to these events. Source time: 2026-09-22T20:42:25 GMT.
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Triple Jeopardy Flood Event Hits U.S. East Coast

Triple Jeopardy Flood Event Hits U.S. East Coast

A rare 'triple jeopardy' flood event occurred along the U.S. East Coast on January 16–17, 2022, combining three distinct hazards: a storm surge from an extratropical cyclone, a meteotsunami caused by mesoscale atmospheric disturbances, and a tsunami triggered by the Hunga Tonga volcanic eruption. The extratropical cyclone, described as a 'bomb cyclone,' brought rapid pressure changes of 36 hPa in 24 hours, while the meteotsunami resulted from atmospheric gravity waves moving at 18 m/s. The Hunga Tonga eruption, over 13,000 km away, generated atmospheric pressure waves that circled the globe, creating tsunami waves along the Atlantic Coast. These combined events led to hazardous water levels of 1–1.5 meters, peaking near Atlantic City, New Jersey.
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Triple Jeopardy Flood Event: Rare Marine Hazards Combine

Triple Jeopardy Flood Event: Rare Marine Hazards Combine

A rare combination of marine hazards led to extreme sea levels along the U.S. East Coast on January 16–17, 2022. The event involved a storm surge from an extratropical cyclone, a meteotsunami triggered by mesoscale atmospheric disturbances, and a tsunami caused by the Hunga Tonga volcanic eruption. These processes collectively resulted in hazardous water levels of 1–1.5 m, particularly near Atlantic City, New Jersey. The storm surge was driven by air pressure drops and strong winds, while the meteotsunami was caused by atmospheric gravity waves. The Tonga tsunami waves travelled over 13,000 km, impacting the region through air-sea resonance mechanisms.
USA TodayUSA Today
New sea spider species has hairy legs, red eyes and 3 lips

New sea spider species has hairy legs, red eyes and 3 lips

Scientists have discovered two new sea spider species in the Salish Sea, including one with hairy legs, red eyes and a three-lipped mouth.
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Understanding Flood Zones and Property Risks

Understanding Flood Zones and Property Risks

Flood zones, as defined by FEMA, categorize areas based on their likelihood of flooding, with zones labeled A or V indicating higher risk and Zone X representing moderate or lower risk. A '100-year flood zone' signifies a 1% chance of flooding in any given year, not a once-in-a-century event. However, flood maps have limitations, as they rely on historical data and models that may not account for changing conditions like urban development, aging drainage systems, or climate change. In 2024, floods caused over $8.8 billion in damages across the U.S., with nearly $3.9 billion occurring in areas not classified as high-risk. Homeowners are encouraged to assess their property's specific risk factors, such as elevation, drainage, and local flood history, to better understand their exposure.
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Tribal and Indigenous Communities Face Funding Barriers for Disaster Resilience, EDA Offers Grant Programs

Tribal and Indigenous Communities Face Funding Barriers for Disaster Resilience, EDA Offers Grant Programs

Tribal and Indigenous communities in the U.S. are disproportionately affected by natural hazards such as hurricanes, wildfires, and flooding, leading to significant damage, disruption of essential services, and impacts on natural resources and sacred sites. Despite adopting various strategies to mitigate disaster impacts, these communities frequently encounter funding limitations that hinder their recovery and resilience efforts. The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) provides several funding programs designed to assist federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native Villages, and other Indigenous communities in preparing for, mitigating, and recovering from disasters. These programs include Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance, Planning, and Disaster Recovery. Eligible projects can encompass hazard mitigation planning, construction and repair of public infrastructure, capacity building, site planning, and workforce training programs. A community's history of presidentially declared disas...
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Nepal's leader, at UN, says recent floods serve as a 'warning to the world' about climate change

Nepal's leader, at UN, says recent floods serve as a 'warning to the world' about climate change

A month after deadly floods, Nepal's prime minister says the climate-connected catastrophe is a warning to the rest of the world
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ICD-10 Code X38.XXXA Designates Floods as External Cause of Injury for Billing Purposes

ICD-10 Code X38.XXXA Designates Floods as External Cause of Injury for Billing Purposes

The ICD-10-CM code X38.XXXA is specifically used in medical billing to document a flood as the external cause of an injury during a patient's initial encounter for treatment. This code is not a principal diagnosis but rather a supplementary external cause code, meaning it explains how an injury occurred and must always follow the primary injury code on a claim. For instance, if a patient sustains a fracture during a flash flood, the fracture code would be listed first, followed by X38.XXXA. The code is part of the X30-X39 block, which covers exposure to forces of nature, and is valid for FY2026 claim submissions. It includes various flood scenarios, such as those arising from remote storms, melting snow, or direct storm impact. The seventh character 'A' signifies an 'initial encounter' for active treatment, while 'D' is used for subsequent encounters and 'S' for sequela care.
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Barrick Gold Corp Seeks Exploration Geologist for Cortez District Operations

Barrick Gold Corp Seeks Exploration Geologist for Cortez District Operations

Barrick Gold Corp Seeks Exploration Geologist for Cortez District Operations
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Understanding Nor'easters: Impacts and Preparedness

Understanding Nor'easters: Impacts and Preparedness

Nor'easters are powerful storms that can bring heavy rain, strong winds, and coastal flooding to the eastern United States. Learn about their impacts and how to prepare for these seasonal weather events.
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Prediction Markets Expand to Natural Disasters, Raising Ethical Concerns and Information Value Debates

Prediction Markets Expand to Natural Disasters, Raising Ethical Concerns and Information Value Debates

Prediction Markets Expand to Natural Disasters, Raising Ethical Concerns and Information Value Debates