Earthweek: a diary of the planet
Viral winds
Scientists have for the first time determined that astounding numbers of viruses are being swept up from Earth’s surface and blown around the world in the planet’s atmospheric circulation. Researchers from Spain, Canada and the United States believe there are at least 800 million viruses per square meter from just above the surface of the stratosphere. The global winds are spreading them, as well as bacteria, for thousands of miles, possibly from one continent to another. The scientists say the bacteria and viruses become airborne after winds pick them up in dust and sea spray.
Earthquakes
At least 10 people died in a magnitude 6.4 earthquake that struck a popular tourist resort in the middle of Taiwan’s eastern coast. The violent shaking wrecked numerous buildings. Earth movements also were felt in southern Myanmar, Croatia and southwestern British Columbia. Ozone oddity
The ozone layer high above the poles might be healing, thanks to an international ban on ozonekilling chemicals, but new research finds stratospheric ozone above more populated areas is not recovering. The ozone layer absorbs much of the UV radiation from the sun, protecting humans and other life on the surface. Scientists say they don’t quite know what is causing the atmospheric discrepancy, but suggest altered wind patterns due to climate change could be blowing the ozone away from where it is created in the lower latitudes. Another possibility
is that fumes of very shortlived substances, like those increasingly used in solvents, paint strippers and degreasing agents, could be rising to the lower stratosphere and destroying the ozone.
Volcanic danger
Residents near Popocatepetl volcano, by Mexico City, were warned that an explosive eruption could occur at any time. Popocatepetl, erupting off and on since 2005, is considered North America’s most threatening volcano. That’s because of its potential to produce a Vesuvius-like eruption stronger than any other in a thousand years. Southward cyclone
Cyclone Cebile churned the southern Indian Ocean for a second week, remaining a threat to shipping lanes in the extremely remote region. Cebile reached Category 4 in its first week.
Cat plague
A deadly feline virus is spreading among cats in Australia after remaining quiet for nearly 40 years. There have been multiple cases of the feline parvovirus, or cat plague, among stray kittens in Melbourne. Australia was one of the first countries to develop a vaccine against panleukopenia, which causes great suffering among its victims as it temporarily wipes out the animals’ bone marrow. Treatment can cost thousands of dollars and doesn’t guarantee survival. Because many of Australia’s feral felines carry the disease, pet owners are urged to vaccinate their cats.
Plastic threat
Scientists warn that tiny bits of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans and other waters are putting filter-feeding marine animals such as whales and manta rays at great risk of contamination. That’s in addition to the nearly 600 other species thought to be harmed by the pollution. “Marine filter-feeders are likely to be at risk because they need to swallow hundreds to thousands of cubic meters of water daily in an effort to capture plankton,” researcher Elitza Germanov of Australia’s Murdoch University explained in her findings. “They can ingest microplastics directly from polluted water or indirectly through contaminated prey.”