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China
New Nuclear Stockpile
A report from the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) says satellite imagery from Xinjiang province in western China has identified a nuclear missile silo field under construction, and the second nuclear base project uncovered in recent weeks. On June 30th, the Washington Post reported 120 silos under construction in Yumen, in Gansu province. Before then, China was only known to have 16 silos for the latest-generation intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Construction on the new field is believed to have started in March 2021 and estimated to eventually hold 110 silos, underground facilities used for storing and launching nuclear missiles.
This map depicts satellite imagery and estimated capacity of a nuclear missile silo field in western China. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: BBC
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Afghanistan
Fatal Flooding in Taliban Region
On Wednesday, devastating floods in the Kamdesh district of the Nuristan region in Afghanistan have killed a reported 150 people, a spokesman for the Taliban stated. Up to 200 people are reported missing and some 300 homes have been destroyed. The northeastern region of Afghanistan is currently under Taliban control, making it difficult for external aid to reach victims. The flash floods have made the Taliban mobilize their own rescue efforts, but the insurgents are requesting 5 million Afghanis ($62,000) of aid to help with the effort. The Taliban’s appeal for aid is directed towards to citizens and charitable organizations. With higher warming rates than the global average, and with unstable infrastructure, Afghanistan is vulnerable and prone to climate induced impacts, further complicating rescue efforts in the region.
This map depicts Kamdesh district in the Nuristan Region of Afghanistan, where flash flooding has killed up to 150 people. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: AFP
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United States
Alaska's 8.2 Earthquake
Last night at about 10:15pm local time, a powerful 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck about 75 miles (120 km) off the coast of Chignik, Alaska. It was the largest earthquake the United States has experienced in 50 years. A tsunami warning was put in place for about 2 hours after the earthquake across southern Alaska, the Alaskan Peninsula, and the Aleutian Islands instructing residents to move to higher ground. No tsunami was recorded so the warning was eventually lifted. There were about two dozen aftershocks recorded in the hours following, with the largest clocking in at 6.1 on the Richter scale near Perryville, on the Alaskan peninsula. Earthquakes in Alaska are not uncommon, the Alaska Earthquake Center reported more than 49,000 seismic events in the state and nearby regions in 2020.
This map depicts all recorded earthquakes in Alaska in the past 16 days, including the 8.2 magnitude earthquake last night. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: Covering around 169,000 square miles (438,000 km sq) and at around 40% salinity, where will you find the saltiest surface water in the world ocean?
A: The Red Sea
The world ocean is the body of salt water covering 71% of the earth, but varying conditions will affect salinity in different locations. Looking at the Red Sea, it's an isolated body with very little current between it and the rest of the world ocean, it's in a sunny and hot location causing a high level of evaporation, and it has very low inflow of fresh water. All these factors combined make for the Red Sea's high salinity level.
Source
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Q: With about 1,200 people per square mile (~466 people per square km), which state has the highest population density?
Stay tuned for the answer to today's question in tomorrow's DailyGeo.
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