The Doñana National Park in southern Spain is the largest ecological reserve in Europe. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it encompasses various biotopes such as lagoons, marshlands, and dunes. The park, which is home to diverse flora and fauna, is the annual wintering site for numerous species of waterfowl. In recent years, the...

The Great Blue Hole is an enormous sinkhole off the coast of Belize. With a depth of 125 metres and a width of 300 metres, the hole is composed of interconnected underwater caverns with stunning formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, dripstone sheets, and columns. The area’s crystal-clear water and diverse marine life make the Great Blue...

Lake Natron, located in northern Tanzania at the border with Kenya, is one of the world’s most colourful lakes. Though its hypersaline water teems with a species of bacteria poisonous to most organisms, flamingos thrive in this unique environment. In fact, Lake Natron is the world’s largest breeding ground for lesser flamingos. The flamingos...

Following a two-year drought, the department of Alpes-Maritimes in southeastern France received record amounts of rain in February 2024. As a result of the heavy rainfall, the water of Lake Broc has been replenished to a near-normal level. Locals rejoiced at the revitalised landscape, taking the opportunity to go for leisurely strolls along the...

After receiving record-breaking amounts of rainfall, Australia has been impacted by severe flooding over the past few days. The worst affected area is New South Wales, where authorities issued evacuation orders for some residents. The water levels of three rivers in western Sydney continued to rise even after the rain subsided, posing a threat...

The month was, at global scale, warmer than any previously recorded March, with an average ERA5 surface air temperature 0.73°C above the 1991-2020 average. In Europe, March 2024 was the second warmest March on record, with the average temperature 2.12°C above the 1991-2020 average. The warmest recorded March in Europe was in 2014, with average...

On 8 April 2024, a total solar eclipse swept across parts of North America, allowing tens of millions of people in its path to marvel at the spectacle. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, creating a shadow on Earth and partially or completely obscuring our view of the sun.  This Copernicus Sentinel-3 image...

A wildfire recently broke out on the island of Chira, which is home to the greatest biodiversity of tropical dry forest flora in Costa Rica. The blaze affected around 300 hectares of land. Costa Rica is in the midst of its dry period, during which it is affected by high temperatures and little rainfall. Firefighters in the country have reported...

On 6 April 2024, a wildfire broke out in a mountainous forest on the Greek island of Crete, leading authorities to order the evacuation of four villages affected by the fire. Though the blaze was fanned by strong winds, firefighters from Ierapetra and Agios Nikolaos were able to bring the fire under control with the help of water bomber...

In northern Canada, the Winter Road opens each year between late January and early April to serve as the main access route to diamond mines in the remote Arctic region. This year, the road opened with a two-week delay, disrupting the movement of goods along the 400-km artery built on ice. The delay was caused by relatively warm weather in the...

In Chile, the Cogotí Reservoir used to be one of the main sources of water supply for the Coquimbo region. Now, the area is in the midst of one of the worst droughts in the last 15 years, which has resulted in most of the reservoir drying up. The lack of water affects mining production and agricultural irrigation in the region. These Copernicus...

In southern Mexico, over 70 active wildfires are ablaze, while over 14,000 hectares of forest have already been burnt. This time of year is known as Mexico’s fire season, and is characterised by warm and dry conditions that can fuel wildfires. Areas with substantial forest cover are especially vulnerable to wildfires. Human activities, such as...

On the Reykjanes Peninsula in southern Iceland, a series of volcanic eruptions has been ongoing since December 2023. The eruption has affected the area near Grindavik, a small fishing town 30 miles southwest of Reykjavik. In addition to producing gas pollution, the volcanic activity has changed the landscape of the surrounding area. These...

Over the past few days, dust from the Sahara Desert has continued to move into parts of North Africa, Asia, and Europe, where it has reached as far north as Estonia and Finland. In Greece, forecasts suggest that the presence of dust will continue to ebb and flow until the end of May. The dust carried by strong seasonal winds could pose a health...

On 18 March 2024, an enormous wildfire broke out in La Tigra National Park, near the capital of Honduras, Tegucigalpa. The fire prompted the Honduran Air Force (FAH) to respond with helicopters to extinguish the flames. The combined efforts of the Honduran Fire Department and FAH successfully controlled the blaze. While details are unknown, the...

A massive dust storm originating from the Sahara Desert is engulfing the skies of the central Mediterranean Basin. The dust cloud has negatively impacted the air quality in affected countries and may cause restricted visibility, and mud rain, a mixture of rain and dust. Last week, a similar dust cloud enveloped the Iberian Peninsula. In this...

Eastern Spain is one of the most important habitats for nesting birds in Europe. In 2023, the number of nesting pairs in the area reached an all-time high, totalling over 43,407 pairs of breeding waterbirds belonging to 48 different species. The most prevalent species were seagulls, glossy ibises, and flamingos. In the Albufera Natural Park,...

The ancient oasis of Cuatro Cienegas is the most important wetland in Mexico’s Chihuahuan Desert. The wetland contains many important species endemic to the area, and the geological uniqueness of the region can help scientists study climate change, the origin of Earth, and the probability of life on Mars. Farmers have undertaken agricultural...

A massive dust storm originating in the Saharan Desert moved into Europe last week. The storm has so far reached the Spanish Canary Islands and the Iberian Peninsula, bringing hazy, orange skies. In Portugal, the Directorate-General of Health issued an air quality warning and recommended limiting time outdoors. In some of the affected areas,...

With a population of more than 2 million inhabitants, Paris is renowned for its rich history, cultural heritage, and iconic landmarks. The city embodies a vibrant tapestry of life. This image of the city and its suburbs was acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 7 October 2023. The data provided by the Copernicus Sentinel...