1. Oil spill on California's Huntington Beach
A 126.000 gallon oil spill from an oil mine pipeline in Huntington Beach, California, leaked into the Pacific Ocean. And it resulted in the pollution of that very popular beach and killing wildlife. This is the largest ecological disaster in history.
The oil spill spanned nearly 13 square miles from Huntington Beach to Newport Beach and is now extending further into the Talbert Marsh and threatens other wetlands.
This oil is very sticky and lumpy due to leaking pipes connected to offshore oil mines that are 4 miles or 8 kilometers from the coast.
Earlier at Huntington Beach there would be an annual air show that had attracted 1,5 million people to the venue the day before. However, as a result of this disaster, the beach was closed and the annual air show was canceled.
Officers led by the United States Coast Guard deployed skimmers and barriers, dubbed booms, to try to prevent oil from spilling over into the wetlands and Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.
2. Cumbre Vieja Volcano
Cumbre Vieja volcano on La Palma Island, Canary Islands, Spain erupted on Sunday, September 19, 2021 .
Since September 29, the mountain erupted 46 million cubic meters of lava and 6000 residents were evacuated.
This eruption emits plumes of smoke and ash and drains hot lava that continues to damage whatever it passes through.
Lava and ash have destroyed fields and irrigation systems and threatened the health of nearby residents.
The explosion continued to increase and a rapid lava flow spread towards the shore. Nine days after erupting, lava has reached 800 meters from the Atlantic Ocean.
It is feared that when lava reaches the Atlantic Ocean, it could lead to the release of toxic gases and explosions. This can trigger chemical reactions and involve chlorine, which can later irritate the skin and eyes and affect breathing.
Even so, the lava cools over time and meets uneven ground thus slowing the flow. However, if lava comes out of the highway, then the flow will continue and widen but can slow down the lava flow.
Miguel ngel Morcuende, technical director of the canary islands volcano emergency response department, is monitoring lava movements and looking for ways to slow its reach to shore.