It's not unusual for a month to pass after a natural disaster has occurred—a typhoon, an earthquake, perhaps even a volcanic eruption. But the magnitude of the disasters and phenomena of this past September 2017 has left us with numerous images, news reports, and videos worthy of review.
So today, we're going to dedicate this post to listing some of the phenomena we've experienced. The most significant ones that have shaken the world the most. Questions arise about whether they're related, whether any of them may have triggered another, and the role that the sun or climate change may have played... This may even vary depending on the source you look at. Everyone is free to draw their own conclusions.
Hurricane Harvey
It began on August 17 and ended on September 3. Given its proximity in the month and its significance, we have included it. It had maximum sustained winds of 215 km/h. It caused 60 deaths and $25.000 billion in economic losses. Its greatest impact was in the Eastern Caribbean and the United States. This hurricane is an example of the natural disasters that can affect millions of people every year, as is the case with the worst natural disasters in history , which are important to analyze to understand their long-term effects.
Hurricane Irma
It originated on August 30th and lasted until September 15th. One of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded, breaking historical records, Irma was one of the worst disasters of the month. With maximum sustained winds of 295 km/h, it caused 127 deaths and $118.000 billion in economic losses. The Caribbean, including the Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and Cuba, and the United States, with Florida being bisected from end to end, were all affected. The lessons learned from disasters like Irma are crucial for preparing for future events, a topic also discussed in relation to the economic effects of natural disasters and their impact on society. Further examples can be found in the worst natural disasters of 2016.
Hurricane Mary
From September 15th to October 1st. It had maximum sustained winds of 280 km/h, 243 deaths , and caused €75.000 billion in economic damage. This hurricane caused more deaths than the other two combined and struck many areas with severe impact, such as Puerto Rico, the Windward Islands, Dominica, and Martinique. It also passed through territories that were still recovering from the previous hurricane, and without any respite, it finished off the devastation. The devastation of Maria has led many to reflect on how ethical projects for the recovery of affected areas are crucial for rehabilitation after natural disasters, something that is vital when considering the magnitude of these catastrophes.
2 Mexico Earthquakes
On the night of September 7th, an 8,2 magnitude earthquake struck the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Chiapas , leaving dozens dead. The epicenter was 133 km from Pijijiapan. Then, on October 19th, central Mexico was shaken by a 7,1 magnitude earthquake . To date, the death toll has risen to over 360, with 220 of those deaths occurring in Mexico City. Considering both earthquakes, the total number of fatalities has reached 400. These events have reminded many of the connection between earthquakes and tsunamis, a topic discussed in the context of earthquakes and tsunamis , and a relevant issue in risk management in many parts of the world. Given the magnitude of these earthquakes, it is also important to consider how these natural disasters, which have a significant impact on the world , can affect communities.
The eruption of the Popocatepetl volcano
Although the expert community initially doubted whether the strong earthquakes in Mexico were related to the eruption, this connection was ultimately ruled out. Once again, Mexico was in the spotlight for another story about Mother Nature. Popocatépetl has been erupting regularly throughout September. At the end of the month, it began emitting incandescent material. Popocatépetl's activity is reminiscent of other volcanic events around the world, as discussed in articles on why volcanoes erupt and their implications for local and national populations. The story of this volcano serves as a reminder of how crucial protected natural areas in Mexico are for the safety of nearby communities.
Typhoon Talim
Although it didn't receive much attention, it was another episode of strong winds in Japan. Nevertheless, we wrote a report about it on the blog on September 17th. It forced the evacuation of more than 640.000 people. The final death toll was one, with 42 injured. In addition, there were countless floods in the area. This type of event also highlights the need to create natural protection against hurricanes and how these measures can help mitigate the impact on vulnerable communities. These extreme events remind us that we must prepare for future occurrences and learn from what has been documented.
Solar Flares
Earth's Magnetic Field
Of the several solar flares that occurred throughout the month, the most abrupt of the last decade took place on September 6th and 10th . There were various failures in GPS and radio signals, in addition to a significant disruption to Earth's magnetic field. The solar flares reached speeds of 1000 km per second. The magnetic storm even impacted the Earth, registering speeds of up to 700 km per second . Solar flares are a less discussed phenomenon when talking about natural disasters, but their impact on infrastructure is significant, something that can be seen in disaster movies and in how solar storms can affect our everyday technology.
Agung volcano, Bali, Indonesia
The volcano's alert level increased throughout September. By the 20th, 12.000 people had been evacuated. By the 26th, the number of evacuees had reached 75.000 following seismic activity within a 12km radius. This area, which receives 200.000 tourists monthly, already experienced the effects of Mount Agung in 1963. The eruptions lasted almost a year and claimed the lives of 1.100 people. The impact of these types of eruptions reminds us of the importance of preparedness, especially in areas prone to natural phenomena. Ultimately, nature always leaves its mark, and natural disasters are a constant reminder of our fragility.
