Earthweek: a diary of the planet

For the week ending Friday, Nov. 19.

Dangerously hot

Exposure to extreme heat has tripled in the world’s population since 1983, according to an analysis at Columbia University. The Associated Press analysis looked at the period from 1983 to 2016 and found that the more extreme heat now affects about a quarter of the world’s population. Instead of using the more common heat index, the study looked at the wet-bulb globe temperature, which takes into account temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover. This more accurately measures the amount of stress created for those who must endure conditions outside. South Asia is seeing the most added heat stress, with the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka suffering 50 more dangerously hot days each year than in 1983. Nearly half of urban centers around the world are also experiencing more heat exposure.

Eruption survivors

While several beehives on La Palma in the Canary Islands have been lost to lava flows and ash from the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano since September, thousands of bees were rescued from the ash alive after 50 days of being trapped. Beekeepers dug out six hives from beneath more than 3 feet of ash and found that five had survived. The thousands of bees rescued had sealed themselves in with a resinous material they can produce and survived on their honey food reserves. Cumbre Vieja continues to erupt with vast amounts of lava, but with less force than in previous weeks.

Arboreal deaths

Drying soils from climate change are causing trees to die at an increasing rate across Europe. A study at the Tartu Observatory in Estonia used millions of ground observations rather than satellite data to exclude tree losses from felling, disease and pests. It found that the Norway spruce has been hit the hardest, with mortality rates 60% higher on average from 2010 to 2020 than from 1995 to 2009. But they say all species in every European region are seeing higher mortalities since 2012, mainly because of unusually low soil moisture. The tree deaths increase wildfire risks and decrease carbon dioxide in forests.

Stinging attacks Scorpions forced into people’s homes by heavy rain around Aswan, Egypt, stung 450 residents, with three reportedly dying from the venom. Those stung suffered severe pain, fever, sweating, vomiting and diarrhea. The venom of these Arabian fat-tailed scorpions can kill an adult within an hour.

Volcanic blasts

The Philippines’ restive Taal Volcano produced three blasts that sent vapor and ash into the sky, 30 miles south of Manila. The steam explosions were caused by groundwater coming in contact with magma beneath the surface.