The Week in Hazards: Volcano, Storm & Quake Update (1 – 7 November 2025)
Welcome to your weekly review of the Earth’s natural forces, providing a concise summary of significant volcanic, seismic, and tropical storm activity across the globe. We source all data directly from official meteorological and geological agencies, including the USGS and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program (GVP), and deliver the report in UK English.
Global Seismic Review
This week, the world’s seismic network, as reported by the USGS, recorded significant activity, with a focus on several notable events across the Ring of Fire.
Major Earthquakes of the Week
The most significant seismic event of the past seven days was the Magnitude 6.3 earthquake that struck near Khulm, Balkh, Afghanistan, making it the largest recorded globally this week. Additionally, a strong Magnitude 5.6 quake occurred near Santa Rosalia, Mexico. Although the Magnitude 7.6 event near the South Shetland Islands occurred just outside this specific weekly window, it remains one of the largest tectonic events of the month. In total, the USGS recorded dozens of earthquakes of magnitude 4.5 or greater, highlighting the constant, powerful tectonic movement globally.
Global Volcanic Watch
Forty-four volcanoes were confirmed to be in a continuing state of eruption as of the latest comprehensive GVP update. This week’s volcanic activity was defined by renewed lava effusion in the Indian Ocean and continued unrest in the North Atlantic.
Iceland and the North Atlantic
The situation on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland currently shows no visible eruption, as the ninth eruption of the Sundhnúkur series concluded on 5 August 2025. However, reports from the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) confirm that ground uplift has resumed beneath Svartsengi. As of 28 October 2025, approximately 14 million cubic metres of magma had accumulated, indicating a high likelihood of a new magma intrusion and potential eruption in the coming weeks. This pattern of accumulating and releasing pressure continues to be the dominant geological story for the region, a topic often covered in depth on the Volcoholics YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@volcoholics.
The Pacific Ring of Fire
In the Ring of Fire, persistent activity was noted at several sites. Barren Island in the Indian Ocean entered a new effusive phase this week, producing a visible new lava flow. Meanwhile, the GVP notes the ongoing events at volcanoes such as Sabancaya in Peru and Fuego in Guatemala, where daily Strombolian explosions continue to generate gas-and-ash plumes, requiring constant vigilance from local authorities.
Tropical Storm Outlook
Tropical cyclonic activity is concentrated heavily in the Western Pacific, while the North Atlantic and Eastern Pacific basins enter their quiet phase.
The North Atlantic & Eastern Pacific
With the official hurricane season drawing to a close, the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific basins are currently very quiet. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports no active tropical cyclones and is tracking no areas of concern, with the likelihood of tropical cyclone formation remaining low over the next seven days.
Western Pacific & Southern Hemisphere
The Western Pacific remains the most active basin. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) is tracking Typhoon Fung-Wong and Typhoon Kalmaegi. Kalmaegi recently intensified into a Category 3-equivalent typhoon and has caused catastrophic impacts across the central Philippines before moving inland over Vietnam. Authorities in the Philippines have declared a National State of Calamity in response to Kalmaegi’s impacts and the looming threat of Fung-Wong, which is currently tracking east of the Philippines and is forecast to intensify further.
Looking Ahead
We will continue to track the key systems identified, with particular attention to the ongoing magma accumulation beneath Iceland and the developing threat posed by Typhoon Fung-Wong in the Western Pacific, ensuring all reports are based solely on the most authoritative sources.
