Seismic activity on our planet is steadily increasing, yet it remains largely overlooked by both the scientific community and the global public. Of particular concern are deep-focus earthquakes, which occur at depths greater than 300 km. This report covers these unusual seismic events as well as other climate-related disasters that took place between February 12 and 18.
Australia
On February 14, Cyclone Zelia struck the Pilbara region with wind gusts reaching 290 km/h and torrential rains. Some areas received up to 500 mm of rainfall in just three days, leading to record-breaking floods.
- Several ports in the region, including Port Hedland — one of the world’s largest iron ore export hubs — were forced to shut down.
- The storm caused extensive damage to infrastructure, uprooted hundreds of trees, destroyed buildings, and severely impacted agriculture.
Saudi Arabia
Starting February 14, a severe storm with hail caused a sudden cold snap in western Saudi Arabia.
- Heavy rains triggered flooding, while strong winds stirred up dust and sand. Waves in the Red Sea reached heights of up to 2 meters.
- In the city of Taif, hailstorms created rushing ice-filled rivers.
- In the capital, Riyadh, more than 6,500 emergency workers and 1,800 vehicles were deployed to respond to the crisis.
United States
- February 13: An atmospheric river hit California, bringing torrential rain, thunderstorms, and hurricane-force winds. The worst damage occurred in wildfire-ravaged southern areas, where the burnt ground repelled water like asphalt. This led to devastating mudslides, flash floods, and landslides.
- In Malibu, a fire department vehicle carrying a firefighter was swept into the ocean by debris-filled floodwaters. Fortunately, the firefighter survived with minor injuries.
- February 15–16: A powerful storm swept across the southeastern U.S., affecting over 128 million people. At least 10 fatalities were reported.
- Kentucky was hardest hit, with up to 178 mm of rainfall recorded in some areas. River levels reached historic highs, submerging entire neighborhoods and more than 300 roads.
Italy
Extreme climate events continued across Italy:
- Mount Etna: The volcano remains highly active, with explosive eruptions and lava flows stretching nearly 3 km. As the lava met snow, it generated massive steam emissions, sending melted water rushing down the slopes into nearby valleys.
- Campi Flegrei: From February 15 onward, a seismic swarm shook the region surrounding the supervolcano. By February 19, a total of 647 tremors had been recorded.
Greece
- Earthquakes in the Santorini region have not ceased. Due to ongoing seismic activity, three additional Greek islands in the Aegean Sea have declared a state of emergency.
- On February 18, two strong quakes measuring 5.1 magnitude struck between Santorini and Amorgos.
Russia
- On the morning of February 15, residents of the Altai Republic awoke to shaking walls, trembling beds, and swaying chandeliers. The cause was a 6.4-magnitude earthquake centered in the Kosh-Agachsky District.
- The tremors were felt across Siberia, even on the lower floors of buildings in Barnaul. Neighboring countries, including Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and China, also recorded aftershocks.
Deep-Focus Earthquakes
In just the first 50 days of this year, at least 123 deep-focus earthquakes (magnitude 4 or higher) have been recorded in Italy, Japan, Russia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Fiji, and other regions.
- These types of earthquakes remain poorly understood by mainstream science because they occur at depths where the mantle material is highly plastic, making fractures unlikely — unlike in typical shallow earthquakes.
- Why do these deep quakes form, and why are they especially dangerous now?
Find out more in the full video report.