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United States
Wildires Rage In New Mexico
Firefighting crews continue to struggle with containing New Mexico wildfires fueled by strong winds of speeds up to 65 mph. The Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon fire east of Santa Fe began as two separate fires before merging and has so far burned over 120,000 acres (486 km sq), destroying at least 200 structures. A full damage assessment will not be possible until the blazes are suppressed, however. No deaths or injuries have been reported. Over 6,000 people from 32 communities near the expanding fire are under evacuation orders. Smoke from the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon fire and the Cerro Pelado fire in Jemez Springs has blanketed the northern area of the state. Officials expect the fires to expand in the coming days due to ongoing dry conditions and high winds, potentially doubling in size before containment.
This map depicts the latest activity of the combined Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon wildfire in New Mexico. Click on the map to learn more.
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North Korea
Missile Launch Announced
This morning, the North Korean military made its 14th test missile launch this year, a few days after the isolated country's leader, Kim Jong Un, promised accelerated nuclear weapons development. Military heads in neighboring South Korea stated the latest missile launch originated near the North Korean capital of Pyongyang and landed into the Sea of Japan, with details confirmed by the Japanese government. Both South Korea and Japan were quick to condemn the launch. North Korea is believed to be trying to increase pressure on the United States to make progress in nuclear weapons negotiations which have long stalled.
This map depicts the location and path of a missile launched by the North Korean military into the Sea of Japan this morning. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Barron's
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Africa
Severe Drought in the Horn
According to the UN, the worst drought to hit the Horn of Africa in decades will push 20 million people towards starvation. April and May are typically the wettest months of the year for the Horn of Africa, covering southern Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and Djibouti. However, there have been three consecutive below-average rainy seasons in this region. The nomadic way of life is disappearing, and people are thirsty and cannot grow food. Children are especially vulnerable to malnourishment and diseases such as cholera. In Ethiopia alone, approximately 6.5 million people are at risk of severe food insecurity. Across the entire region, 1.5 million livestock herds have died, making farming nearly impossible.
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Q: Last year, 11.1 million hectares of tree cover were lost. What country saw the highest tropical primary forest lost in 2021?
A: Brazil
In 2021, Brazil had the highest tropical primary forest loss in the world, losing over 1.5 million hectares (3.7 million acres) of tree cover. Of primary forest lost last year, 40% disappeared within Brazil, with the DRC, Bolivia, Indonesia, and Peru making up the top five. However, Cambodia felt the highest percentage of total forest loss at 1.5 percent of their total forests gone. Experts point to glimmers of hope however, as Indonesia has persistently reduced its forest loss for a fifth year in a row. According to new figures, many are becoming increasingly concerned that governments will not be able to meet the Cop26 deal to halt and reverse deforestation. Of the 11.1 million (27.4 million acres) hectares of tree cover lost last year, 3.75 million hectares (9.2 million acres) of primary forests critical to limiting biodiversity loss and global warming were lost. Experts call this continuing loss of forest a disaster for climate action, with the 143 governments pledging a "halt and reverse" of forest loss by 2030.
Source
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Q: Costa Rica enjoys a rich and diverse geography, from steep mountain ranges to miles of tropical beaches, dense rainforests, mangroves, and over 200 volcanoes. What are the only three climates on Earth that do not exist in the Central American country?
Stay tuned for the answer to today's question in tomorrow's DailyGeo.
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