Airburst in Central Pacific and Pygmy Sperm Whale strands in New Zealand

2026, January 31. Equatorial Central Pacific, 470km NE of Howland Island. Airburst: (4.1N, 173.4W). Time: 18:07UT. Altitude: 32 km. Energy: e = 3.6e10, -e = 0.12kt or 120,000 kg/TNT. Velocity: NA. Second airburst of the year.

2026, February 3. New Zealand, W North Island, Kawhia, Ocean Beach. Pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) calf stranded and refloated. Unlikely to survive.

Meteor Airburst off the coast of New Zealand

2026, January 30. New Zealand, east of South Island. Airburst. Time: 23:25 NZT or 10:25:27UT. Coordinates: (45.0S, 174.5E). Altitude: 89 km. Energy: e = 3.4e10, -e = 0.12 or 120,000 kg/TNT. Total Velocity: 71.07 km/s. This high velocity is quite characteristic of objects originating from further out in the solar system or those meeting Earth head-on in its orbit. Sound: Concurrent and delayed sound heard. Duration: 5+ sec. Direction: WSW? (further data to come). Left behind a glowing contrail. Seen the length of the South Island and in the southern parts of the North Island. Canterbury Region, Manawatū-Whanganui Region, Marlborough Region, Nelson Region, Otago Region, Southland Region, Tasman Region, Wellington Region. 

A Marine Animal Disturbance alert should be noted for the region from Stewart Island in the south to Hawkes Bay in the North. Further data regarding the meteor flux before and after this event in later days. A broad precautionary watch for the Chatham Islands, Farewell Spit and even the west side coastal regions of the country. 

Historically, the airbursts in the southern regions have shown a detrimental effect over a large area.  So far Tasmania has reported no data; however, this island is in a data blind. Usually, any high activity in New Zealand can result in strandings in Tasmania. Therefore, a watch should be noted for species not commonly seen in stranding events, and it can be months after the incident stream has occurred.

Fireballs Aotearoa: Facebook

A second event:

2026, January 30. New Zealand. Fireball. Time: 22:32NZDT or 09:32 UT. Seen: Manawatū-Whanganui Region, Marlborough Region, Taranaki Region, Wellington Region  

Mexico: Clear Skies, Calm Seas. A Hopeful Start to the 2025/2026 Whale Season

As we settle into the first month of 2026, the news from the Mexican lagoons and migratory corridors is exceptionally encouraging. For those of us tracking the environmental factors that impact our Gray whale population, this year has brought a much-needed period of stability. So far, the run down the USA coast has been clear of any significant meteor events. 

The 2024/2025 Season: A Year of Crisis. Last year was one of the most critical on record for the Eastern North Pacific population. Key data points included: Airburst Events: There were 4 significant airburst events marked in the Mexico/Baja region. This period of high atmospheric activity coincided with a record spike in navigational anomalies. Strandings: A staggering 92 strandings were reported in Baja California Sur alone—a major jump from previous years. Record Low Births: Only 85 calves were counted during the spring 2025 northward migration, the lowest since monitoring began in 1994.

The 2025/2026 Season: The "Quiet" Turnaround. As of January 27, 2026, the comparison is stark. This absence of high-energy atmospheric events is a key factor in the improved conditions we are seeing: Airburst Count: Currently stands at 0. Atmospheric Stability: Unlike the previous cycle, there have been no recorded meteor airbursts or significant disturbances in the region. Early Success: San Diego sightings have already surpassed last year's early counts, with 7 healthy newborn babies spotted passing through those waters in early January—compared to just one at the same time last year.

A Promising Beginning. In the lagoons of Baja California Sur, early observers are reporting calm conditions and plenty of whales. San Ignacio Lagoon is "full of life," with mothers already nursing calves inside the protected waters. This suggests the whales are navigating with significantly less interference, arriving in better body condition and on a more traditional schedule.

Hopefully, the graph below stays the same for the next couple of months. 

Note: Meteor activity is Northern Hemisphere compared to Southern Hemisphere means wet and cold, and dry and hot.

The quiet atmosphere

As of 20260125 still no meteor airbursts this year. The last one was on the 16th of December. There was brief activity over the UK, Ireland and the North Sea that saw a dolphin group strand. New Zealand experienced a stranding event following meteor activity. A couple of beaked whales also died at this time. Apart from these, background meteor activity has been uneventful, which mirrors single strandings corresponding to unrelated COD's. Note: The G4 CME has not affected data, which historically fits that solar activity has no bearing on cetacean strandings. 

The "Kanto Corridor". Mass cetacean strandings and meteor activity in Japan.

2015: All of these major meteor events (Feb, Mar, and May) occurred over the Kanto region, which is exactly where the mass stranding happened. I've added two bookmarked airbursts that occurred in the region. This supports the idea that certain geographic "corridors" become active with meteor debris, creating a localised navigation hazard for cetaceans using biosonar or magnetic sensing in the Pacific.

2014, December 12. Japan, north pacific. Airburst. Time: 06:48. Coordinates: (33.5, 144.9). e = 3.3, -e = 0.11 or 110,000 kg/TNT. Altitude: 26.3 km. Velocity: 12 km/sec.

2015, February 14. Japan. "Valentine's Bolide". Location: Eastern Japan (Kanto/Izu Peninsula). The Event: A bright bolide was captured by weather cameras and dashcams across eastern Japan. Significance: It suggests that the region was entering a period of increased meteor density well before the whales actually hit the beach.

2015, March 12. Japan. "Green Fireball”. Location: Widely seen across the Kanto and Tohoku regions (which includes the Ibaraki coastline). The Event: A very bright, greenish-colored fireball was reported at approximately 11:30 PM JST. Correlation: This occurred almost exactly 30 days before the mass stranding. Just like the 2023 event, this fits the pattern of a major atmospheric disturbance occurring about a month prior to the biological event on the shore.

2015, April 10. Japan, Hokata, Ibaraki Prefecture. A mass stranding of 150 (mostly melon-headed whales or pilot whales). Stretched along 10km of the Hokota coast. Scientists speculated causes such as parasitic infection and disorientation in sandy shoals.

2015, May 11. Japan. The Kanto Fireball: Just one month after the Hokota stranding, a very bright fireball was witnessed across the Kanto and Tokai regions. It was captured on numerous automotive dashcams and outdoor security cameras.

2015, May 18. Japan, Pacific Ocean. Airburst. Coordinates: (32.4, 139.1). Time:17:13. E = 4.3. -e = 0.14, or 140,000 kg/TNT. Altitude: 29 km. Velocity: NA.

2023

2023, February 27. Japan. Fireball. Time: approximately 8:00 PM JST. Witnessed in various places including Kanagawa Prefecture's Hiratsuka City, as well as in Kanto and Hokuriku regions. Sightings were widely reported in western Japan including Fukuoka Prefecture and various locations in Kyushu, as well as in the San'in and Kinki regions.

2023, April 3 and 5. Japan, on Tsurigasaki coast, Chiba Prefecture. A mass stranding of 32 melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra). This occurred 35 days after February 27th fireball. On the morning of April 3rd, locals discovered the pod scattered across roughly 500 meters of beach. A total of 32 or 33 whales had washed ashore. Although many people on the coast, especially surfers, attempted to move the whales back into the ocean to save their lives, by April 5, 15 of them had died. Scientific Analysis: Researchers from the National Museum of Nature and Science conducted necropsies on the deceased animals. They looked for signs of disease, parasite infection, or acoustic trauma, but no definitive "smoking gun" was immediately announced. The Chiba/Ibaraki Hotspot: This specific stretch of coastline in Japan is a known "stranding trap."

The Meteor-Cetacean Connection: Case Studies from 2015 and 2023

Major atmospheric meteor events consistently precede large-scale cetacean disorientation. By comparing the 2015 Hokota disaster and the 2023 Chiba stranding, we can observe a repeating "delayed effect" that suggests a direct link between meteoroid airbursts and navigation failure in deep-sea species.

Case Study 1: The 2015 Ibaraki Event

The mass stranding at Hokota, Ibaraki on April 10, 2015, remains one of the most significant events in modern records, involving over 150 melon-headed whales.

Precursor Meteor Activity: March 12, 2015: A brilliant green fireball was witnessed across the Kanto and Tohoku regions.

The Window: This major atmospheric event occurred exactly 29 days before the whales washed ashore. Both the meteor and the stranding occurred within the same Kanto coastal corridor, suggesting a localized area of atmospheric disturbance.

Case Study 2: The 2023 Chiba Event

A remarkably similar pattern occurred in April 2023, providing modern proof for the hypothesis.

Atmospheric Event (Feb 27, 2023): A high-magnitude bolide was documented over the Kanto region and Western Japan. Curators at the Hiratsuka City Museum captured this high-energy airburst, which was characterized by intense luminosity.

Biological Event (April 3, 2023): Approximately 35 days later, 33 melon-headed whales stranded at Ichinomiya and Isumi in Chiba Prefecture.

The Pattern: The timeline (approx. 30–35 days) and the species involved (melon-headed whales) are identical to the 2015 event. This consistency suggests that the "debris field" or resulting echo location anomalies, (Resulting in limited feeding abilities), from a meteor airburst take roughly one month to manifest as a navigational crisis for deep-sea pods .

Both events involved melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra). As deep-diving toothed whales, these animals rely on sophisticated biosonar and magnetic sensing to navigate the open ocean. Traditional theories often point to solar activity or naval sonar, but the data does not support those claims as accurately as the meteor connection. The precision of the 30-day window following significant fireball sightings in the same geographic region suggests that meteoroid airbursts are the primary environmental stressor responsible for these mass strandings. Whether we look at the historical records of the 1858–1958 Tunguska window or these modern examples from 2015 and 2023, the evidence is clear: the sky and the sea are intrinsically linked. When the atmosphere is disturbed by meteoric debris, the ocean’s most sensitive navigators pay the price.

Mass dolphin stranding in Orkney

2026, January 13. Orkney, Westray. A mass stranding of six common dolphins, including two calves. Two died. The dolphins were spread across a wide area, with some located up to 800 metres apart, making the rescue effort difficult.

Image: by Tom H, Sophie J and Chris S  

2026, January 2. North Sea. East of Orkney Islands. Fireball. Time: 16:37 UT, 16:37GMT. Travelling SSW.

Mass stranding in New Zealand and meteor activity

2025, December 30. New Zealand, Tasman Sea west of South Island. Fireball. Time: 14:47UTC. Velocity: 68.45 km/s. Duration: 3.78 sec travelling SW. Coordinates: ( -41.33, 170.98), LLE: (-42.51, 168.49). Altitude: 114.87 to 105.67 km.

2026, January 4. New Zealand. Cook Strait. Fireball. Time: 21:18NZDT, twilight. Heading SE. Seen from Wellington. This event was bright, as it wasn't fully dark. 45 degrees above horizon.

2026, January 5. New Zealand, North Island, west coastal region/Tasman Sea. Fireball. Time: 08:49UTC. Duration: 3.97 sec travelling NW south of Auckland. Coordinates: LLB: (-38.06, 175.84), LLE: (-36.73, 173.65). Altitude: 120.85 to 101 km.  

2026, January 8. New Zealand, Golden Bay/Mohua, Farewell Spit, near Triangle flat car park. A mass stranding of 63 Black Dolphins (pilot whales) occurred across three groups. Small up to large. Jan 9; 7:30AM. Of the 66 whales that stranded yesterday, 15 have restranded over 1km of beach and six deceased.

Update: 20260111. The 15 whales that were refloated have restranded at two sites - Pūponga and Farewell Spit. 

Update: 20260112: The remaining 11 were ethunaised. 42 returned to sea. Total number 21 dead?

Preliminary Paper: The Tunguska Debris Stream: Atmospheric Concussive Events and Their Impact on Marine Megafauna (1816–2025)

This document examines the hypothesis that the Tunguska Event of 1908 was the differentiated core of a fragmented cometary body. It proposes that this body was part of a larger debris stream interacting with Earth's atmosphere over a 100-year window (1858–1958). In simple terms the comet was gravitationaly broken up in the outer solar system at least 60 years before impact. A critical component of this analysis is the correlation between high-energy meteoric airbursts—defined as Concussion Type Events (CTE)—and global cetacean strandings. By cross-referencing historical records of sea-Airburst meteors with stranding data, a pattern of barometric and acoustic trauma emerges as a primary driver of mass mortality in deep-diving species. Not taken into this essay is high probability that this object travelled around the sun before coming into Earths atmosphere. The Australian records highly suggest the objects stream moved or “toured” in direction before contact.

I. The Differentiated Core Hypothesis

The Tunguska Event (June 30, 1908) is characterized by a high-altitude airburst that released energy equivalent to 20–30 megatons of TNT. In a fragmented comet model, the "dirty snowball" exterior of the object would vaporize at higher altitudes, while a denser, differentiated core—likely composed of stony or iron-rich material—would penetrate deeper into the atmosphere before detonating.

Debris Stream Chronology: Scientific observations from 1908 noted the year was "specially favored" in the appearance of interesting meteors, with significant events recorded nearly every month. There is also a world wide slump in data either side of the main event, suggesting a gravitational parenting to the body. Basically, if material was too close it was attached to the main body and therefore needed to be at a distance before being freely removed. 

Companion Fragments: High-energy bolides recorded on May 9 and May 28, 1908, over Australia suggest that the primary Tunguska body was preceded by smaller, high-velocity fragments.

II. Concussion Type Events (CTE) and Marine Resonance

Meteoric airbursts generate intense low-frequency pressure pulses and acoustic shockwaves that couple with the ocean surface. These CTEs have a disproportionate effect on deep-diving cetaceans, particularly Physeter macrocephalus (sperm whale).

Pathology of CTE: Concussed animals often display "fish squisher" symptoms: internal hemorrhaging, blood-brain barrier breakdown, and increased intracranial pressure.

Navigational Disorientation: Historical records indicate that following a major airburst, stranded animals are often found "stretched out" along beaches rather than clustered in coves (the latter indicating a panic-driven Meteor Shower Type Event, or MSTE). These disoriented animals frequently swim on specific NNE or SSW compass points, showing some injury to the inner left ear.

III. Historical Correlation: The 1908 Window

The period surrounding the Tunguska Event shows a distinct cluster of cetacean distress signals, despite the limitations of the era.

Stranding Events: In September 1908, following the global atmospheric pulse of the Tunguska airburst, a mass stranding of five cachalots occurred at the Murray River mouth in South Australia.

Species Vulnerability: The 1911 stranding of 37 cachalots at Perkins Island, Tasmania, further illustrates the ongoing impact of the debris stream on species sensitive to barometric shifts.

IV. Data Suppression: Industrial Harvesting and Reporting Gaps

The historical record of strandings from the early 19th and 20th centuries must be interpreted through the lens of industrial whale harvesting and demographic shifts.

Removal of Evidence: During the peak of the global whaling industry, disoriented or injured whales were frequently intercepted and harvested at sea, preventing them from reaching the shoreline to be recorded as strandings.

Observation Bias: Historical data is heavily dependent on human population density. Many mass strandings in remote regions likely went undocumented due to a lack of modern communication networks and scientific organizations.

V. Modern Empirical Evidence (2024–2025)

Advancements in satellite data and real-time reporting have allowed for a more precise correlation between meteoric energy and marine events.

The June 2024 Overlap: A massive airburst in the North Pacific on June 18, 2024 (1,200,000 kg/TNT), was followed by a mass stranding of 146 dolphins at Cape Cod on June 28.

Energy-to-Distress Ratio: The 2024–2025 data confirms that as energy release increases, "Marine Animal Disturbance" watches are required for birds and cetaceans many thousands of kilometers from the event epicenter.

Conclusion:

The 184-year timeline of recorded meteoric and marine events suggests that the Tunguska Event was the central pulse of a long-duration debris stream. The resulting CTEs provide a consistent mechanism for mass strandings that transcend simple environmental variables. While historical industrial practices masked the true scale of this phenomenon, modern data validates the link between the differentiated core's atmospheric entry and the concussive trauma observed in global cetacean populations.

Aus and NZ meteors from 1816 to 2023

Aus and NZ cetacean strandings 1816 to 2023

Beaked whales die in Western Australia and Florida

2025, December 29. Western Australia, Dunsborough, at a Quindalup beach (near Grove Street). Two beaked whales were stranded and euthanised. See December 16 post. 2025, December 12. Western Australia. Fireball. Travelling WSW. Velocity: 68km/s. Duration: 3:04 seconds. Altitude: (131 to 102km).

2025, December 29. USA, Florida, Fort Walton Beach. A beaked whale was found dead.

Florida

Cachalot dead in Spain

2025, December 27. Spain, Costa Brava, Platja d'Aro beach. A Cachalot (sperm whale) calf washed ashore dead after a days-long levanter storm. The tether line dragged the cetacean to shore. 

2025, December 27. Malaysia, Borneo, beach in Karambunai. Dolphin stranded prompted investigations by the relevant authorities, with officials confirming that a report has been received.

Image: Berta Artigas Fontàs

Seven dolphins die in Ireland after mass stranding

2025, December 21-22. Ireland, Ballyvaughan. A mass Stranding of 27 common dolphins in, Co. Clare on Sunday. The dolphins were in good body condition, suggesting they were healthy before the event. The most likely cause was navigational error on a dropping tide, leaving the pelagic pod trapped in shallow, muddy terrain. Sunday Response: The area was extremely difficult to work in due to deep mud, limiting intervention. Responders waited for the incoming tide to refloat the animals safely. 4 dolphins refloated around 13:30, and 24 more shortly before 15:00. Responders assisted several dolphins, including calves swimming in the wrong direction. 7 dolphins died, mostly those stranded on their sides. The remaining dolphins were seen swimming into deeper water as the tide rose. Monday Update: Several dolphins were again found in shallow water early Monday. Volunteers and NPWS located 8 dolphins, kept them upright, monitored them, and waited for the tide. All 8 were successfully refloated and herded out of the bay. No dolphins were seen afterward, suggesting they remained offshore. See November 29th post.

Images: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

New Zealand Fireball: If you find dead birds, this could be a contributing factor

2025, December 16. New Zealand, South Island, Otago Region and Southland Region. Fireball. Overland. Travelling ESE. Time: around 04:19 UT or 17:19 NZST. Reports of concurrent and delayed sound. If you find dead birds, this could be the cause. See 24th April 2024 post for a previous meteor that contributed to bird deaths.

Two Beaked whales die in Taiwan and Argentina. Update: 20251223 Japan

2025, December 16. Argentina, at San Clemente del Tuyú. A beaked whale (Ziphiidae) stranded on the beach. Rescuers tried to refloat the animal however it was found lifeless the next morning. Preliminary necropsy results revealed pneumonia and a high gastrointestinal parasite load, likely causing its death. The stranded whale was a juvenile male, 4.32 meters long and weighing about one ton. Rescue was complicated by low visibility and the whale’s repeated circular swimming pattern, typical of cetaceans in poor health.

2025, December 17. Taiwan, Xiaoliuqiu. Shanfufu Fishing Harbor. Beaked whale, about 4 meters long at a depth of 12 meters underwater. The cause of death is currently unknown, but fishing gear entanglement is likely the cause. 

Update: 20251223. 2025, December 21. UK, Cornwall, Mount's Bay region, Marazion. Cuvier's beaked whale washed ashore in advanced state of decomposition. Muscle and skin samples were taken for genetic testing two teeth to go for Isotope examination.

2025, December 23. Indian Ocean, midway between Mauritius and Port Mathurin. Two Blainville's beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) were reported dead on the 19th. Both were found dead at sea and imaged at the side of a fishing trawler. They were not caught in trailing gear, and COD is unknown. No injuries were observed externally. It came after a large 6m long Layard's beaked whale was observed the day before with the same observation outcome. Over two dozen beaked whales observed dead in 2025 so far in southern Indian Ocean.

2025, December 5. Japan, Hokkaido, Shihidaka. A 537.8cm female Hubbs’ beaked whale (Mesoplodon carlhubbsi). Photo: ©Muroran Department of Public Works Management Mombetsu Branch.

  

Argentina

Taiwan

Japan

Large Fin whale dies in Bay of Biscay

2025 December 13. Spain, adrift off the coast of La Coruña. A large Fin whale, with an estimated weight of about 30 tons and about 25 meters in length, has been removed from the sea after appearing dead. Towed to Oza dock for disposal.  

2025, November 30. Bay of Biscay. Fireball. Travelling west. There were no reports of concurrent or delayed sound. I was just going to document this, without posting; however, it was the death of a large cetacean. I will update if a COD is found in the necropsy. 

Meteor Airburst over South Pacific Ocean

2025, December 16. South Pacific Ocean, between Isla de Pascua (Easter Island) and Chile. Airburst. Time: 20:58:12. Coordinates: (24.1S, 92.4W). Altitude: 25.0km. Energy: 9.6e10, or 290,000 kg/TNT. This is the 31st airburst of 2025.

Also watching two events. One in the North Sea on the 13th and the other in Western Australia on the 12th.

New Zealand stranding update after meteor

2025, November 29. New Zealand, east of South Island over the ocean. Long Duration Meteor. Time: 03.21. Duration: 15+ seconds. Travelling in a SW direction at 71.8 km/s. Height: (151 to 118km). See November 29th post. 

2025, December 10. New Zealand, SE South Island, Dunedin, Waitati, Blueskin Bay. A juvenile bottlenose dolphin was found stranded and refloated. The dolphin was approximately 600 metres from the water and alone.

2025, December 14. New Zealand, SE South Island, Oamaru. A dead Orca (Killer Whale) was located floating from shore in a moderate state of decomposition.  

Image: Oamaru Live Facebook

Alternate routes of the cachalot (sperm whale) in Indonesia after meteor activity

Indonesia, Bali. Multiple sperm whales have recently been spotted off the north coast of Bali, particularly near Pemuteran in Gerokgak District, Buleleng Regency. Sightings are not unusual but have become more frequent in recent weeks. Whales often appear in pairs, though sometimes individually. Up to four whales in one day. Sightings occurred across several points, from Pemuteran to waters north of Bukit Ser. These sightings do not indicate a permanent migration route. Northern Bali waters are enclosed, with only one eastern access point, so whales are likely just passing through. More consistent migration routes are found in the Sawu Sea, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua.

February 6th in the Cerman Sea, there was an airburst. October 1st in Malaysia/Brunei, there was a meteor explosion, and 4 days later on October 5^th in West Java, another large sonic boom was reported.  

The meteor incidents themselves are not the primary cause; rather, it is the meteor streams that accompany these events. As discussed in previous posts, these streams—occurring on either side of the main event—can last for minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, or even longer. Combine this with cetacean sensitivity, and they will reroute their passages.

This disorientation of habitat/migration could see an elevated risk of beaching events. 

Large and Long Fireball in New Zealand. Fireballs seen in UK, Ireland and Scotland

A number of bright fireballs seen from the 14^th of November to 25^th over water in UK/Ireland and Scotland region.

Also: Puerto Rico has seen two large fireballs recently, one creating a daylight sonic boom.

November 16. Puerto Rico, over Cabo Rojo. A fireball was spotted streaking across the sky.

November 23. Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands. A very bright daylight fireball was observed across the skies as it disintegrated, producing a sonic boom.

I'm still watching Florida and The Bahamas for stranding activity after the Nov 11th airburst. The meteor exploded at 40+km height, 240,000 TNT/kg energy release, so this could still drive a mass stranding in future weeks.

New Zealand has continued to have fireball activity. Australia: Tasmania has been quiet, while Victoria has had some activity, but nothing out of the ordinary. Strandings in both countries have been single events. 

Update: I was writing this post when this came in from New Zealand. A long-duration meteor, 15+ seconds. The video is incredible: Aurora Australis (NZ) | If anyone else in the South Island had security cameras with motion detection running overnight, check your feed from 03.21am 29-11-25 | Facebook 

Trajectory Maps: Fireballs Aotearoa New Zealand. Facebook

This event is unlikely to have caused the displacement or stranding of cetaceans; however, a MAD (Marine Animal Disturbance) “watch” should still be noted for the region. Although the meteor remained at high altitude and disintegrated—similar to the “Portugal” incident—such occurrences generally appear to be non-events with respect to cetacean strandings. At present, I am unable to establish any definitive acoustic parameters associated with the event, though it is highly improbable that it produced audible signals detectable at the surface. The primary uncertainty stems from the difficulty in isolating and removing very low frequency (VLF) radio waves from the analysis. Nevertheless, incidents of this kind contribute incremental data to the developing meteor–cetacean stranding catalogue, and each documented case improves our understanding of potential correlations. A Watch and See Event.

Update: 20251130, At the same time as this event, a meteor was detected breaking up over Cook Strait. It was heading SW also. Height: (83 to 61km).

Two Beaked whales strand in the Philippines

Two Beaked whales have washed ashore in the Philippines today. There could be further individuals. Species to be determined.

2025, November 25. Philippines, Sitio Wawa, Barangay 1, Santa Cruz, Occidental Mindoro. A suspected pregnant cuvier beaked whale was found washed up on the beach. Signs of rubbish in the stomach.

2025, November 25. Philippines, Barangay Sta Lucia, Sablayan. 32 kilometres south of the event above is another Beaked whale, this one a male mesoplodon hotaula.

Three whale sharks dead in Myanmar

I'm not saying these meteor events are responsible for the whale shark deaths; it's just to show the activity. Is it coincidental, though? Meteor reports from Myanmar are not common. 

2025, November 16. Myanmar, Dawei Peninsula, Sin Htauk Beach. Three dead whale sharks. The Dawei Peninsula has been closed to foreigners for 6 years. The endangered species, measured about 28 feet long and the other two being over 10 feet long. One was female and two juvenile males (or females). Important note that all three whale sharks did not have any serious external injuries.

The Meteor Events:

2025, August 4. Thailand, Singsang Korat District. North of Khao Yai National Park. Fireball. People across the country reported a bright fireball with an accompanying loud sound tonight Aug. 3, 2025 around 16:56 (UT), approximately 23:52 and 23:55 on Sunday, 3rd August. Report: At first 23:53LT, it was seen as a red, orange light with a tail. Then it burned, changed to blue and disappeared. Duration: 15 seconds plus. Report: Witnesses reported seeing a large green light streak across the sky for about 10 seconds, travelling from the east, followed by a loud, explosion-like sound.

2025, August 8 and 13. Myanmar (Burma). Two large green fireballs appeared from the eastern sky. These two events were in the Laos, Myanmar and Thailand border region. I placed these in to be transparent on the meteor activity and to show that these two events were the only ones recorded in a year.

2025, October 26. Thailand, eastern and central regions. Fireball. Time: 00:27. Duration: 10 sec. According to media reports, people in Pattaya, Chon Buri, Rayong, Prachin Buri and Bangkok saw the moving yellow-orange fireball. A sonic boom was heard, and vibration felt 4 minutes after the explosion.

Southern Ocean Meteor Airburst

Another meteor airburst in this region at this time of year is not great for cetaceans. See the October 17 post regarding Orca deaths in Argentina.

2025, November 15. Southern Ocean, approximately 1500km SW of South America and 1300 km NW of Antarctica. Airburst. Time: 00:48:43. Coordinates: 62.2S, 94.7W. Altitude: 30.0 km. Energy: e = 10.5e10 and 0.32 or 320,000 kg/TNT. This is the 30th airburst of 2025.

Also, like other regions in the world, there has been a high influx of material coming into the UK/Eastern Europe region with corresponding strandings. There will be a delay in data collection, but I will update as soon as it becomes available.

Oregon whale stranding

2025, November 9. Oregon, Pacific Ocean off Westport. Fireball. Time: 01:31 LT or 09:26 UT.

2025, November 15. USA, Oregon, Yachats. A juvenile Humpback whale, live stranding. Reports that crabbing gear (fishing line) was cut away from the whale's upper body. I'm more interested in this event in case there are further strandings in the region. 

Florida, Gulf of Mexico and Australia see large fireballs

Update of Florida fireballs and a large event in Gulf of Mexico. 2025, November 9. Gulf of Mexico. Large Fireball. Witness from a ship or oil platform: Smoke trail glowing green. Witness: Mexico, Yucatan, Holbox, Quintana Roo. Time: Approx 9.15pm. A group of tourists witnessed the event. Whizzing noise heard.

2025, November 13. Victoria. Tallarook Ranges. Time: about 21:28:38 (AESDT). Large Fireball. Overland. Duration: 10sec. Travelling in a NE direction. Blue green and white in colour, Blue/Greenish tail, Green head and orange white tail. Broke up on decent (fragmented).  

Full Video: Australian Meteor Reports | Facebook

Meteor airburst off the coast of Florida

2025, November 11. Florida, North Atlantic, 40km east of Port St. Lucie and 100km NW of Grand Bahama. Airburst. Time: 17:39:51. Coordinates: 27.3N;79.8W. Altitude: 42.0 km. Energy: 9.3e10, e = 0.28 or 280,000 kg/TNT.

Also: 2025, November 11. New Zealand, South Island. Fireball. Overland. Travelling SW. Seen over Canterbury Region, Otago Region and West Coast Region. Time: around 09:10 UT or 22:10NZDT. Concurrent and delayed sound.

Meteor Map – Fireballs Aotearoa

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BV9LN9j5r/

Japan Minke Whale cluster

Three Minke whales stranded in the Hokkaido prefecture in 16 days. I'm awaiting data for other regions. 

2025, October 20. Japan, Tokoro-cho, Kitami City, Hokkaido, Jounam Beach Beach. Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). Location: 44.127234N 144.045590E. Length: 5m Gender: Female.

2025, November 2. Japan, Hokkaido, Mokoto Abashiri City. Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). Location: 43.977015N 144.308199E. Length: 5m. Gender: Female.

2025, November 5. Japan, Hokkaido, Hamatonbetsu. Minke whale, (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). Long-Lat: 45.130366N 142.396021E. In advanced decomposition. Body length:5.1m

Sex: U.

Florida and Bahamas at risk of strandings

A high level of atmospheric fireballs has been detected in the northern hemisphere. Florida, California, and the UK region have had above-average events. A watch should be noted for coastlines. 

2025, November 11. Fireball. The Southwest Florida sky in broad daylight at 12:39. It is shown over land in the lower state.

A mass stranding in Nauru, western Pacific

2025, November 9. Nauru, Micronesia, northeast of Australia, Menen on east side of island. A mass stranding of 6 pilot whales. All died and were buried by the authorities. There are reports that fish have also washed ashore. 

Report from Nauru Media News - NTV: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14WjftcFF6S/