On 26 June 2025, a rare snowfall event affected the arid expanse of the Atacama Desert, known as the driest place on Earth. The snow covered the Operations Support Centre of the ALMA Observatory in Chile, situated at an altitude of 2,900 metres. Snowfall in this location is highly uncommon, with the last significant event occurring over a...

The landscape of Fogo, one of the Cape Verde islands, is dominated by Pico do Fogo, the archipelago’s highest peak at nearly 2,830 metres. This active volcano last erupted in 2014. Its collapsed crater, Chã das Caldeiras, spans 8 kilometres and hosts a small village. To the south-west, the capital São Filipe sits on a 100-metre-high cliff...

Funafuti, an atoll of numerous islets in the west-central Pacific, is the capital of Tuvalu, the world’s fourth smallest country by land area. The country is vulnerable to challenges stemming from sea-level rise and coastal erosion. In this context, the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project helps reduce coastal risks by supporting coastal...

Bangkok is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The Chao Phraya River runs through the heart of the city, serving not only as a major waterway, but also as a key source of fertile land for agriculture in the city's outskirts. Over 40% of the country’s working population works in the agriculture and food sector, with rice, cassava,...

Since mid-June 2025, persistent heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul.  According to the state's Civil Defense, 5 casualties have been confirmed. More than 10,000 people have been evacuated, with 155 municipalities reporting damage. The water level of the Jacuí River  in Cachoeira do Sul...

The coastal town of Haapsalu, in western Estonia, is located on the shores of the Baltic Sea, an hour’s drive from the capital, Tallinn. Haapsalu is known for its mud baths and spa treatments, attracting visitors seeking relaxation to its many seaside resorts. The first bathhouse was opened in Haapsalu as early as 1825, though the local mud has...

A marine heatwave is ongoing in the Mediterranean Sea.  This data visualisation, based on Copernicus Marine Service data, shows sea surface temperature anomalies recorded on 22 June 2025. Areas in dark red indicate temperatures more than 5°C above the seasonal average. The most intense warming was observed in the western Mediterranean basin,...

On 22 June 2025, intense wildfires broke out on the Greek island of Chios, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency. Several villages were ordered to evacuate as hundreds of firefighters worked to contain the blaze. The fires have caused significant disruption, including power outages, water shortages, and damage to property. ...

The Ubinas Volcano, located in southern Peru within the Moquegua Region, is the most active volcano in the country. Rising to an elevation of about 5,672 metres, it forms part of the Central Volcanic Zone of the Andes. Ubinas has a long history of eruptions, with activity recorded as far back as the 16th century, and it remains closely...

The Venta River, one of Latvia’s major waterways, flows through the western part of the country, stretching approximately 346 km from its source in Lithuania to the Baltic Sea at Ventspils. The Venta River has long served as an important trade and transport route and continues to be a vital ecological and cultural feature in Latvia. Ventspils...

Grande Comore (Ngazidja) is the largest island of the Comoros archipelago, located in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa. It is known for its volcanic landscape, dominated by Mount Karthala, an active volcano and the highest point in the Comoros. The island's capital, Moroni, also serves as the national capital and features a blend...

Erick formed in the Pacific Ocean on 17 June 2025, rapidly intensifying to a Category 4 hurricane offshore, with winds reaching up to 230 km/h. Shortly before making landfall, it weakened to a Category 3 storm. On 19 June, it struck the Mexican coast near Pinotepa Nacional, in the state of Oaxaca, with wind speeds around 200 km/h. Despite...

Georgetown, the capital of Guyana, is situated on the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Demerara River. The city is the political and cultural heart of the country and home to one of the tallest wooden churches in the world. It further serves as the main commercial and manufacturing centre of Guyana, with exports including sugar, rice,...

Phytoplankton blooms occur almost every spring in the English Channel, driven by a combination of environmental factors which converge during the seasonal transition. As daylight hours increase and surface waters warm, nutrient inputs from terrestrial runoff and wind-driven vertical mixing create optimal conditions for microalgal growth in the...

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has published its latest monthly Climate Bulletin, focused on key climate trends in May 2025. The bulletin reports that May 2025 was the second warmest May on record globally, with an average surface air temperature of 15.79°C, 0.53°C above the 1991-2020 average for the month. In Europe, the average...

San Marino, one of the world’s smallest and oldest republics, is a landlocked microstate nestled within central Italy. Founded in 301 A.D, and despite its small size at just over 60 square km, San Marino has a rich historical and cultural heritage, with well-preserved medieval architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, and stunning views from...

Maldonado, a department and city in southeastern Uruguay, serves as a cultural hub and administrative centre of the department. It is situated near the internationally renowned beach resort of Punta del Este, one of Uruguay's most popular tourist destinations. The department of Maldonado is notable for its growing infrastructure, scenic...

Liechtenstein is a small, landlocked principality sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria in the heart of the Alps. With an area just over 160 square km, the country’s picturesque alpine landscapes make it a popular destination for hiking and winter sports, while its blend of traditional heritage and modern governance reflects a unique...

On 7 June 2025, a rare and intense low-pressure weather system affected parts of South Africa and Lesotho, bringing snow, heavy rainfall, and cold temperatures. The event caused widespread disruption to transportation infrastructure, prompting South African authorities to urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel. The storm further led to...

Lomé, the capital and largest city of Togo, lies on the Gulf of Guinea in the country’s south-western corner. Bordered directly to the west by the Volta Region of Ghana, Lomé serves as Togo’s administrative and industrial hub, as well as its principal port, exporting commodities such as coffee, cocoa, copra, and palm oil kernels. This image,...