Renowned for its extensive network of parks, forests, lakes, and rivers, Berlin, the capital of Germany, is considered one of Europe’s greenest capitals, with almost half of its territory covered by green and blue spaces. The city appears under a blanket of snow in this Copernicus ...

Large wildfires have been ongoing in Argentine Patagonia since early January 2026, impacting vast areas of native forest and shrubland. According to the local authorities, the fires spread across the provinces ...

Prolonged heavy rainfall in early January 2026 caused rivers to overflow across parts of central and western Albania, leading to flooding in low-lying areas and along major river corridors. The event affected several cities, including Fier and Berat, where floodwaters inundated

In addition to Trenčín, Slovakia, Oulu, Finland has been awarded the title of European Capital of Culture in 2026, thanks to its dedication to fostering a “Cultural Climate Change” to address global challenges. Located in northern Finland, Oulu is known for its strong technology sector, innovative cultural scene, and close connection to nature...

After more than a decade in orbit, the Copernicus Sentinel-2A satellite is still helping to push the boundaries of Earth Observation. Originally designed to acquire high-resolution, daylight images of land and coastal areas, Sentinel-2A has recently been used in experimental night-time imaging to assess its performance in darkness.  ...

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has released the 2025 Global Climate Highlights report, summarising the key trends in global and regional climates for the year. 2025 was the third warmest year on record globally, following 2023 and 2024. Average global temperatures over the 2023–2025 period exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels...

The Szczecin Lagoon, also known as the Oder Lagoon, is a large transboundary coastal wetland shared between Poland and Germany. Designated under the Ramsar Convention and belonging to the Natura 2000 network, it is recognised as a wetland of international importance. Situated at the mouth of the Oder River, near the cities of Świnoujście in...

Multiple uncontrolled bushfires have affected the Australian state of Victoria in recent days, forcing communities to evacuate, leading to the closure of hundreds of schools, and leaving thousands of homes without electricity.  This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, acquired on 9 January 2026, shows the area south of the town of Longwood in northern...

Triglav National Park is Slovenia’s only national park and a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, located in the Julian Alps in the northwest of the country. Dominated by Mount Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak, the park is characterised by alpine ridges, high plateaus, and karst landscapes.   This false-colour image, acquired on 27 December...

The Copernicus Sentinel-2 optical satellites carry 13 multispectral bands which allow for the detailed observation of the Earth’s surface and coastal areas.  These spectral bands are acquired a fraction of a second apart. As a result, the Earth’s surface is not observed from the exact same viewing angle at the same time. This slight temporal...

In early January 2026, severe rainfall affected the Lazio region in Italy, with river levels rising rapidly in several areas. As a result, regional and national civil protection authorities issued red alerts where precipitation was most intense. This Copernicus Sentinel-1 image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellites on 6...

Cyprus, the third-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, is characterised by a diverse landscape shaped by mountains, plains, and an extensive coastline. Despite its semi-arid climate, the island supports a mosaic of ecosystems, including forested areas in the Troodos Mountains, agricultural lowlands, and coastal wetlands which provide...

On 1 January 2026, Mount Etna entered a new eruptive phase, with lava emerging from a fissure vent located approximately 2,000- 2,100 metres above sea level in the Valle del Bove. According to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), no residential areas were at immediate risk, and no infrastructural damage has been...

In early January 2026, heavy snowfall and icy conditions affected large parts of the Netherlands, triggering a severe weather alert in several provinces. The widespread snow cover led to major disruptions, including long traffic tailbacks, hazardous road conditions, and hundreds of cancelled or delayed flights at Schiphol Airport. Rail services...

Greenland’s mountains are crucial for shaping regional climate patterns, influencing ice-sheet dynamics, and directing meltwater to the coast. They also host some of the world’s largest outlet glaciers, which channel ice from the interior towards the ocean and play a key role in sea level rise. In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite image,...

On 3 December 2025, waters along Belgium’s North Sea coast showed clear colour contrasts, revealing active sediment dynamics driven by tidal currents and shallow bathymetry. Such conditions favour the frequent resuspension of sediments, leading to spatially variable turbidity along the coast. This image, acquired on 3 December 2025 by one of...

São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and a key economic hub in Latin America. Located in the south-eastern region of the country, it serves as the capital of the state of São Paulo. The city has undergone rapid urban growth in recent decades, resulting in a vast metropolitan area characterised by high population density, extensive...

Sal Island, part of the Cape Verde archipelago in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, is characterised by a flat, arid landscape shaped by volcanic origins and persistent trade winds. The island and its marine surroundings host fragile ecosystems, including coral reefs, salt flats, and nesting sites for seabirds and marine turtles. These environments...

2025 represented an unprecedented year for the EU Space Programme, particularly regarding the expansion of the Copernicus Sentinel family. Europe achieved a notable pace of satellite deployments, with the successful launches of Sentinel-4A, Sentinel-5A, Sentinel-1D, and Sentinel-6B. In parallel with these milestones, the Copernicus Image of the...

Daugavpils, Latvia’s second-largest city, lies to the south-east of the country and has long served as a key regional centre. Its development and identity are closely tied to the Daugava River, which flows through the city, shaping both the landscape and local life. Along its banks, forests, wetlands, and floodplains support diverse wildlife,...