Home Reef is an underwater volcano in the Tonga Archipelago, characterised by cyclical eruptions which can last from a few days to several weeks. While not constantly active, its eruptions can produce hazards such as tsunamis, ashfall, and pyroclastic flows, as in the eruption of January 2022, which caused widespread damage to nearby islands.  ...

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has published its latest monthly Climate Bulletin, focused on key climate trends in November 2024. The bulletin indicates that November 2024 was the second-warmest November globally, following November 2023, with an average surface air temperature of 14.10°C, which is 0.73°C above the 1991-2020...

The Albufera Natural Park is one of Europe’s most biodiverse coastal wetlands. Home to over 372 bird species and endangered freshwater fish, the Park’s water quality has deteriorated significantly after the disastrous floods which affected the Valencia Region, Spain, at the end of October 2024.  This is evident in the change in the water’s...

On 28 November 2024, the international Nuuk Airport opened in Greenland’s capital, ushering in an era of increased accessibility for the Arctic region.  With a 2,200-metre runway, the airport will connect larger jet aircraft flying between Iceland, Denmark, Canada, and the US. The new facility is expected to boost tourism in the country,...

This image from the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite, acquired on 2 October 2024, shows part of the Koyukuk River in Alaska, USA. The area has been the subject of studies which have provided valuable insights into the Earth's permafrost. In Alaska, where many riverbanks are permanently frozen, mapping the extent of permafrost and analysing the...

At the end of November 2024, heavy snowfall covered large parts of South Korea for two consecutive days, blanketing large areas of the country. In the capital, Seoul, 16 cm of snow accumulated—the highest recorded for November since 1907. The severe weather led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights, nationwide road closures, and at least...

Parts of the United Kingdom have been affected by severe floods after Storm Bert made landfall on 22 November 2024, bringing over 100mm of rain to some areas.  On 24 November, authorities had issued over 100 flood alerts across the country as wind gusts reached over 120 km/h in coastal areas and 104 km/h inland. The storm has led to at least...

On 20 November 2024, the Sundhnúkur volcano near the town of Grindavík in southwestern Iceland erupted for the seventh time since December 2023. While it has not disrupted air travel, evacuations were carried out at a nearby geothermal power plant and two hotels at the Blue Lagoon, one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions. These...

A powerful storm struck the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and British Columbia, Canada, on 19 November 2024, leaving 290,000 buildings without power and claiming at least two lives in Washington state. More than 70,000 people in British Columbia were also left without electricity. The storm, called a “bomb cyclone” by weather...

On 15 November 2024, Tropical Storm Sara made landfall in Honduras, causing extensive damage and bringing over 50 centimetres of rain to the northern region of the country.  The torrential downpour has resulted in devastating flash floods and mudslides, affecting more than 110,000 people and isolating hundreds of communities. This image,...

In November 2024, the northeastern US was hit by numerous wildfires, intensified by drought conditions and high winds. The Jennings Creek Fire on the New York-New Jersey border burned over 2,000 hectares, leading to the evacuation of about 160 people from their homes and the death of a park ranger. In the New England region, states such as...

On 4 November 2024, the Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted, impacting seven villages and killing at least ten people. Officials declared a state of emergency to ensure that aid can reach affected residents. On 13 November, a new eruption occurred, impacting the ability of flights to land or depart from the Bali...

The Dhofar Mountains in southern Oman are home to the desert cloud forest, a unique ecosystem supporting a rich diversity of wildlife. During the monsoon season, the mountains capture moisture-laden clouds from the Indian Ocean, supplying over 90% of the region’s groundwater and creating conditions for species to thrive in an otherwise arid...

Severe air pollution is a common issue in South Asia in the autumn and winter, occurring when cold air traps dust, emissions, and smoke from fires. Authorities in the Pakistani province of Punjab have ordered schools in several areas to close until 17 November 2024, shifting to online classes to protect children from hazardous air pollution....

Mount Fuji, Japan's iconic landmark and highest peak at 3,776 meters, recently saw its first snowfall this year —marking the end of the mountain's longest snow-free period since records began 130 years ago. Typically, Mount Fuji receives snow in early October, but unusually warm weather delayed snowfall until November. This delay follows...

During the second weekend of November 2024, the Spanish Canary Islands were affected by a light haze and record-breaking temperatures for the month. La Aldea de San Nicolás, a municipality of the island of Gran Canaria, reached 35.7°C on 9 November. This surpasses the previous record set in 2023, when the Islands were hit by the warmest...

In early November 2024, Hurricane Rafael, visible in this Copernicus Sentine-3 image acquired on 7 November 2024, made landfall in Cuba as a Category 3 storm, destroying hundreds of homes and other infrastructure and causing island-wide power outages.  Over 283,000 people have been evacuated, including nearly 100,000 people in Havana. Rafael,...

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has published its latest monthly Climate Bulletin, focused on key climate trends in October 2024.The bulletin reports that October 2024 was the second-warmest October on record globally, surpassed only by October 2023. The month was 0.80°C warmer than the 1991-2020 October average, with an absolute...

Extensive destruction and the tragic loss of over 200 lives have resulted from severe flash floods which struck the Community of Valencia, Spain, on 29 October 2024. As of 4 November, recovery operations continue in previously inaccessible areas in the region. The Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) has been activated (EMSR773) to...

On 29 October 2024, the Community of Valencia in Spain has been hit by severe flooding, causing widespread devastation and the tragic loss of more than 200 lives. In response to the crisis, the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) has been activated (EMSR773) to provide a comprehensive assessment of the extent of the flooding in the...