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Haiti
Deadly Fuel Tanker Explosion
At least 50 people were killed after a driver lost control and flipped his tanker truck as he swerved to avoid a motorcycle taxi. The accident caused an explosion that killed dozens on the scene and set ablaze 20 homes nearby. The number of additional victims from inside the houses is still unknown. The explosion occurred in Cap-Haitian, the second biggest city in the island nation. The nearby hospital was overwhelmed with patients and was unable to treat all of the seriously burned victims. Haiti has been struggling with severe fuel shortages and spiking gas prices, with pedestrians on the street scrambling to scoop up gasoline in buckets from the truck and surrounding area following the explosion. The Prime Minister of Haiti has announced three days of national mourning in memory of the victims.
This map depicts Cap-Haitien, where the truck carrying fuel exploded. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: AFP
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Indonesia
7.3 Quake Triggers Tsunami Alert
A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia on Tuesday, with no major damages or deaths yet reported; one person is said to have been injured, according to authorities. The quake triggered a tsunami warning, sending residents into a panic, however the tsunami alert was lifted soon after. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake struck at a depth of 18.5 km (11.5 miles) underneath the sea, and its epicenter was 112km (74 miles) north of Maumere, the second largest island in East Nusa Tenggara province.
This map depicts the location of the 7.3 magnitude earthquake in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Al Jazeera
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France
New Caledonia Vote Boycotted
The Pacific island territory of New Caledonia rejected independence from France in a planned third and final referendum held on Sunday. The final tally yielded 96.49% of voters wanting to stay part of France, but in contrast to prior referenda on the matter where turnout was strong, only 43.90% of the eligible population voted. Pro-independence groups largely boycotted the vote, objecting to the timing of the referendum while the islands battle a wave of coronavirus infections following the introduction of the Delta variant. New Caledonia is an important part of France's continued image as a world power. Despite its small size, the territory holds ten percent of the world's known nickel deposits, and many Western observers see an independent New Caledonia as a prime target for China to extend its influence, as it has done with many other island countries throughout the Pacific.
This map depicts the location of New Caledonia in relation to France, the islands that make up the territory, and the a timeline of important moments in the history of the territory leading up to Sunday's independence referendum. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: At 375,000 sq miles (971,246 sq km), and larger than entire countries such as Pakistan, Venezuela, or France, where is the largest national park in the world?
A: Northeast Greenland National Park
The park is so large it takes up the entirety of the northeastern portion of Greenland. The coastline is around 11,185 mi (18,000 km) in total, with the park hosting the largest ice cap in the Northern Hemisphere as well as the northernmost area of land. The park is also home to high Arctic species, including polar bears, giant walruses, Arctic foxes, seals, whales, and more. Various Inuit cultures have lived and thrived in this region. The park allows hunters from Ittoqqortoomiit regular access to the area, otherwise only about 40 inhabitants (staff at weather and monitoring stations) permanently live there.
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Q: Almost 90% of earthquakes occur in the 'Ring of Fire.' Where is the next most active seismic region, where 5-6% of earthquakes occur?
Stay tuned for the answer to today's question in tomorrow's DailyGeo.
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