Data Vis Dispatch, June 30: Venezuela, a heat dome, and Messi

Welcome back to the 251st edition of Data Vis Dispatch! Every week, we’ll be publishing a collection of the best small and large data visualizations we find, especially from news organizations — to celebrate data journalism, data visualization, simple charts, elaborate maps, and their creators.

Recurring topics this week include the double earthquake in Venezuela, the record-breaking heat dome, and Messi.

Starting this week with the most current topic, Europe is currently experiencing a heat dome, with record-breaking temperatures and high sea surface temperatures being recorded. Comparisons with past heatwaves have revealed changes in both intensity and frequency.

Dr. Dominic Royé: "🇫🇷 This chart speaks for itself — no words needed. 🥵 Daily temperature across France in 2026, compared to the 1961–1990 climate baseline. Each day, the median of 37 cities tells us whether the country is running warm, cold, or into historically extreme territory. Red: above the long-term normal. Dark red: beyond the 95th percentile. A reminder that extremes aren't outliers anymore — they're becoming part of the story [...], " June 26 (<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dominicroye_climatedata-dataviz-france-activity-7476202090709594113-PGc4?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAEk-01sBCowJ89EcV5BWcY4FwVC0aeG9xj0"><strong>LinkedIn</strong></a>) — Dr. Dominic Royé: "🇫🇷 This chart speaks for itself — no words needed. 🥵 Daily temperature across France in 2026, compared to the 1961–1990 climate baseline. Each day, the median of 37 cities tells us whether the country is running warm, cold, or into historically extreme territory. Red: above the long-term normal. Dark red: beyond the 95th percentile. A reminder that extremes aren't outliers anymore — they're becoming part of the story [...], " June 26 (**LinkedIn**)

The Economist: <a href="https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/06/24/global-warming-has-made-europes-heatwave-2-4c-worse"><strong>Global warming has made Europe’s heatwave 2-4°C worse</strong></a>, June 24 — The Economist: **Global warming has made Europe’s heatwave 2-4°C worse**, June 24

The Guardian: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/25/highest-june-minimum-temperature-record-broken-cardiff-savage-heatwave-continues"><strong>UK and Switzerland record hottest ever June day as health emergencies surge in Europe</strong></a>, June 25 — The Guardian: **UK and Switzerland record hottest ever June day as health emergencies surge in Europe**, June 25

Die Zeit: <a href="https://www.zeit.de/wissenschaft/2026-06/hitzeglocke-europa-hitzewelle-rekord-temperaturen-deutschland"><strong>Wie aus heißer Luft eine Hitzeglocke entsteht</strong></a> [<em>Chart title: This Is How the Heat Wave Is Moving Across Europe</em>], June 26 — Die Zeit: **Wie aus heißer Luft eine Hitzeglocke entsteht** [*Chart title: This Is How the Heat Wave Is Moving Across Europe*], June 26

BBC: <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78y4102n1zo"><strong>France, UK and Spain see record temperatures as heatwave grips western Europe</strong></a>, June 24 — BBC: **France, UK and Spain see record temperatures as heatwave grips western Europe**, June 24

The New York Times:<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/29/weather/heat-wave-eastern-europe-forecasts.html"> <strong>Europe’s ‘Heat Dome’ Has Moved East. Here’s What to Know.</strong></a>, June 29 — The New York Times: **Europe’s ‘Heat Dome’ Has Moved East. Here’s What to Know.**, June 29

World Weather Attribution: <a href="https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/fossil-fuel-emissions-have-rapidly-worsened-european-heatwaves-in-just-a-few-decades/"><strong>Fossil fuel emissions have rapidly worsened European heatwaves in just a few decades</strong></a>, June 26 — World Weather Attribution: **Fossil fuel emissions have rapidly worsened European heatwaves in just a few decades**, June 26

BIQdata: <a href="https://biqdata.wyborcza.pl/biqdata/7,159116,32879706,gdzie-jest-najgorecej-fala-upalow-na-mapie.html"><strong>Gdzie jest najgoręcej? [INFOGRAFIKI]</strong> </a>[<em>Where is it the hottest? [INFOGRAPHICS]</em>], June 26 — BIQdata: **Gdzie jest najgoręcej? [INFOGRAFIKI]** [*Where is it the hottest? [INFOGRAPHICS]*], June 26

Maps.com: Sea Surface Temperature, June 26

Sky News: <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/heatwave-temperatures-set-to-become-the-new-normal-in-many-uk-regions-is-yours-one-of-them-13557440"><strong>Heatwave temperatures set to become the new normal in many UK regions – is yours one of them?</strong></a><span>, June 25</span> — Sky News: **Heatwave temperatures set to become the new normal in many UK regions – is yours one of them?**, June 25

Le Monde: <a href="https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2026/06/27/canicule-peut-on-comparer-la-vague-actuelle-avec-celles-de-1976-et-2003_6716154_4355770.html"><strong>Canicule : peut-on comparer la vague actuelle avec celles de 1976 et 2003 ?</strong></a> [<em>Heat Wave: Can We Compare the Current One to Those of 1976 and 2003?</em>], June 27 — Le Monde: **Canicule : peut-on comparer la vague actuelle avec celles de 1976 et 2003 ?** [*Heat Wave: Can We Compare the Current One to Those of 1976 and 2003?*], June 27

cnnnews18: "A visual guide to how extreme heat is becoming more frequent and longer-lasting around the world — and why temperatures often feel hotter than thermometers suggest," June 25 (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ91OEWiCIP/?img_index=4"><strong>Instagram</strong></a>) — cnnnews18: "A visual guide to how extreme heat is becoming more frequent and longer-lasting around the world — and why temperatures often feel hotter than thermometers suggest," June 25 (**Instagram**)

Heatwaves have increased the need for cooling and electricity, along with the risk of death and wildfires. Carbon capture is increasingly regarded as ineffective in combating global warming, while solar power continues to grow.

Bloomberg: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-26/europe-heat-wave-how-record-breaking-temperatures-cause-widespread-disruption"><strong>Why Is Europe Warming Twice as Fast as the World Average?</strong></a>, June 26 — Bloomberg: **Why Is Europe Warming Twice as Fast as the World Average?**, June 26

Frank Hodgson: "With more heat waves, are we starting to see a reversal of Great Britain's dominant temperature-demand trend? For most of the year, higher temperatures are correlated with lower peak transmission system demand. This dynamic is driven mainly by lower demand for heating, summer holidays, as well as the growth of solar capacity connected on the lower voltage distribution networks [...]," June 23 (<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/frank-hodgson_with-more-heat-waves-are-we-starting-to-activity-7474818720930971649-XEGV?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAEk-01sBCowJ89EcV5BWcY4FwVC0aeG9xj0"><strong>LinkedIn</strong></a>) — Frank Hodgson: "With more heat waves, are we starting to see a reversal of Great Britain's dominant temperature-demand trend? For most of the year, higher temperatures are correlated with lower peak transmission system demand. This dynamic is driven mainly by lower demand for heating, summer holidays, as well as the growth of solar capacity connected on the lower voltage distribution networks [...]," June 23 (**LinkedIn**)

The Economist: <a href="https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2026/06/25/where-will-europes-heatwave-be-most-deadly?utm_campaign=editorial-social&utm_content=discovery.content&utm_medium=social-media.content.np&utm_source=facebook"><strong>Where will Europe’s heatwave be most deadly?</strong></a>, June 25 — The Economist: **Where will Europe’s heatwave be most deadly?**, June 25

The New York Times: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/weather/critical-fire-weather-utah-arizona.html"><strong>Its Landscape Parched, Southwest Faces ‘Extremely Critical’ Fire Weather on Friday</strong></a>, June 25 — The New York Times: **Its Landscape Parched, Southwest Faces ‘Extremely Critical’ Fire Weather on Friday**, June 25

ProPublica: <a href="https://projects.propublica.org/why-carbon-capture-cant-solve-climate-change/"><strong>Why carbon capture and storage won’t fix our climate crisis.</strong></a>, June 25 — ProPublica: **Why carbon capture and storage won’t fix our climate crisis.**, June 25

In Venezuela, two major earthquakes struck the country last week, affecting countless people. Alerts were sent to mobile phones following the detection of seismic activity.

ABC: <a href="https://www.abc.es/sociedad/producido-cuatro-terremotos-gran-magnitud-apenas-ocho-20260625123916-nt.html"><strong>¿Por qué se han producido cuatro terremotos de gran magnitud en apenas ocho horas?</strong></a> [<em>Why have there been four major earthquakes in just eight hours?</em>], June 25 — ABC: **¿Por qué se han producido cuatro terremotos de gran magnitud en apenas ocho horas?** [*Why have there been four major earthquakes in just eight hours?*], June 25

The New York Times: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/06/24/world/venezuela-earthquake"><strong>Venezuela Updates: Chaos and Fear After Deadly Earthquakes</strong></a>, June 28 — The New York Times: **Venezuela Updates: Chaos and Fear After Deadly Earthquakes**, June 28

The Wall Street Journal: <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/venezuela-earthquakes-caracas-aftershocks-8e8bf961?mod=e2twg"><strong>The Night the Ground Wouldn’t Stop Shaking in Venezuela</strong></a>, June 26 — The Wall Street Journal: **The Night the Ground Wouldn’t Stop Shaking in Venezuela**, June 26

EL PAÍS: <a href="https://elpais.com/internacional/2026-06-25/mapas-y-primeros-datos-del-devastador-doble-terremoto-en-venezuela.html"><strong>Mapas y gráficos del devastador doble terremoto en Venezuela</strong></a> [<em>Maps and Charts of the Devastating Double Earthquake in Venezuela</em>], June 26 — EL PAÍS: **Mapas y gráficos del devastador doble terremoto en Venezuela** [*Maps and Charts of the Devastating Double Earthquake in Venezuela*], June 26

El Diario Vasco: <a href="https://www.diariovasco.com/internacional/america-latina/mapas-graficos-terremoto-venezuela-20260625100238-ntrc.html?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.diariovasco.com%2Finternacional%2Famerica-latina%2Fmapas-graficos-terremoto-venezuela-20260625100238-ntrc.html%3Fref%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.diariovasco.com%2Finternacional%2Famerica-latina%2Fmapas-graficos-terremoto-venezuela-20260625100238-ntrc.html"><strong>Mapas y gráficos del doble terremoto en Venezuela</strong> </a>[<em>Chart title:</em> <em>Population exposed to the earthquake by locality</em>], June 26 — El Diario Vasco: **Mapas y gráficos del doble terremoto en Venezuela** [*Chart title:* *Population exposed to the earthquake by locality*], June 26

The New York Times: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/06/27/world/americas/venezuela-earthquakes-android-alerts.html"><strong>How Phones Alerted Millions Before Quakes Shook Venezuela</strong></a>, June 27 — The New York Times: **How Phones Alerted Millions Before Quakes Shook Venezuela**, June 27

Turning to the World Cup, Messi has broken the record to become the World Cup's top goalscorer, though French soccer player Kylian Mbappé is not far behind. Many of this year's players were born outside the countries they represent. Similarly, some US citizens can trace their ancestry back to participating countries.

South China Morning Post: <a href="https://multimedia.scmp.com/infographics/sport/article/3250175/messi/index.html"><strong>Lionel Messi: the living legend</strong></a>, June 25 — South China Morning Post: **Lionel Messi: the living legend**, June 25

NBC News: <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/mbappe-messi-goal-record-fifa-world-cup-2026-scores-race-rcna351571"><strong>Mbappé vs. Messi: Who will kick their way to the World Cup goal record?</strong></a>, June 26 — NBC News: **Mbappé vs. Messi: Who will kick their way to the World Cup goal record?**, June 26

Reuters: <a href="https://www.reuters.com/graphics/SOCCER-WORLDCUP/zgvolqqoypd/"><strong>World Cup in graphics and charts</strong></a>, June 26 — Reuters: **World Cup in graphics and charts**, June 26

We end this Dispatch with a selection of other important topics: Transit activity in the Strait of Hormuz, jet fuel imports, U.S. National Park visitors, and Seinfeld.

The Wall Street Journal: <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-plans-to-make-billions-in-fees-from-reopening-the-strait-of-hormuz-92bdfa76?mod=e2twg"><strong>Iran Estimates $40 Billion Windfall From Reopening Hormuz With Gulf States</strong></a>, June 25 — The Wall Street Journal: **Iran Estimates $40 Billion Windfall From Reopening Hormuz With Gulf States**, June 25

Bloomberg: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2026-iran-war-jet-fuel-supply/"><strong>Hormuz Crisis Exposed Fragility of How the World Keeps Planes Flying</strong></a>, June 27 — Bloomberg: **Hormuz Crisis Exposed Fragility of How the World Keeps Planes Flying**, June 27

Bloomberg: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/america-national-parks-guide/?srnd=phx-graphics-v2"><strong>How to See the Most Popular US National Parks, Without the Crowds</strong></a>, June 29 — Bloomberg: **How to See the Most Popular US National Parks, Without the Crowds**, June 29

Andy Kirk: "People of Bluesky, may I present to you 'The Seinfeld Chronicles: Digital Edition," June 26 (Bluesky, project website) Even better with sound

What else we found interesting

Denis Artur: <a href="https://www.behance.net/gallery/251814995/Baltimore-Oriole-Seasonal-Migration-Animation?platform=direct"><strong>Baltimore Oriole Seasonal Migration Animation</strong></a>, June 27 — Denis Artur: **Baltimore Oriole Seasonal Migration Animation**, June 27

Applications are open for…

A data Journalist at Oceanographic

A junior graphics storyteller at Kontinentalist

A visual story designer at Kontinentalist

A senior designer, story design & UX at CNN

A senior data & graphics editor at CNN

A senior visuals editor at CNN
A senior visuals developer at CNN

A data journalist at Die Zeit

A graphics journalist at Dow Jones

An interactive visual journalist at The Economist

A PostDoc in Health Data Science at The Complexity Science Hub

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Data Vis Dispatch, June 30: Venezuela, a heat dome, and Messi

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