Aotearoa Summary. 16 December 2020 - 23 December 2020
A major Pacific volcanic period is underway in December. Global weather is very disturbed. Cyclone Yasa briefly reached Cat 5 as it passed over Fiji, the first Southern Hemisphere Cat 5 since Cyclone Winston in 2016. Northern Hemisphere winter storms are making little news with the mainstream media focusing on hot weather and climate change. NE USA, Tokyo, European Alps, Northern India received record breaking snowfall and cold temperatures during this period and inevitably a major contributor to the increase in Covid 19 infections. Japanese and German hospitals have started breaking down under the patient load and more major winter storms are forecasted for Boxing Day. New Zealand has received some cold windy weather during this time with some spectacular high altitude cloud formations. Sunspot AR2790 has caused a major jetstream shift in addition to volcanic heating. New spaceweather has arrived late 23 December and a new forecast is being processed. South Island seems likely to be a quake hotspot. Ruapehu may also heat up to eruption temperature with the onset of stronger spaceweather. 17 December. Mt Arthur 4.5 5.34am 19 December. South of Kermadecs 5.1 9.49am 21 December. Northwest of Snares Islands 4.2 12.16am Seaward Kaikouras/Manakau 4.7 5.55am USGS,EMSC 22 December. Northeast of East Cape 4.0 11.43am 270km West of Snares 4.5 11.58pm 23 December. Christchurch/Avon Estuary 3.7 12.36am Reefton 4.2 6.32am 45km Northeast of Akaroa Peninsula 3.9 1.40pm 270km West of Snares 4.3 7.29pm Aotearoa Earthquake and Volcano Forecast Service © 2013 - 2024 |
