A new Saharan dust storm over western Europe

The island of Sicily in southern Italy, the largest in the Mediterranean Sea, lies at the crossroads of significant geological and coastal activity. Its landscapes range from fertile agricultural plains to the slopes of Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano.

Saharan dust events occur when strong winds lift fine particles from North African desert surfaces and carry them across the Mediterranean Sea, affecting air quality, visibility, and ecosystems across a wide area.

Located in the North Atlantic Ocean between Iceland and Norway, the Faroe Islands are an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, characterised by steep volcanic terrain and a highly dynamic marine climate.

Kelimutu volcano, on Flores Island in Indonesia, is known for its three summit crater lakes, each characterised by distinct colours as a result of volcanic activity.

Strasbourg, in north-eastern France near the German border, is a major European administrative centre and a key hub on the Upper Rhine.