On 14 December 2024, Cyclone Chido, a Category 4 storm, hit Mayotte, a French archipelago in the Indian Ocean near Madagascar. With winds exceeding 220 km/h, Chido was the strongest storm to affect the islands in over 90 years, destroying buildings and key infrastructure, including roads and electrical grids, and impacting the ability of rescue...

On 15 December 2024, the Pyrenees mountains were hit by an intense snowstorm. In Spain, the Ebro Valley was affected by morning fog and widespread frost, especially in low-lying areas and depressions. Amid the snowfall, fog, and frost, authorities have advised drivers and residents to take precautions, as these conditions can impact visibility...

In 2024, Ecuador was hit by a series of devastating forest fires, exacerbated by the worst drought in sixty years. In mid-November, local authorities declared a national state of emergency for 60 days, mobilising resources to fight the fires and tackle the energy crisis caused by the drought. The province of Azuay, home to Ecuador's third...

Lake Engure, a shallow coastal lake in Latvia, is a key bird habitat and Ramsar site. The lake is home to 186 species of nesting birds, 48 of which are considered threatened in Europe, and hosts at least 25,000 waterbirds at the end of the breeding season. The area is rich in botanical diversity, with over 800 plant species and features varied...

Jebel Uweinat is a prominent mountain massif located at the border of Egypt, Libya, and Sudan, within the Sahara Desert. Known for its dramatic, rugged peaks and striking geological features, Mount Uwaynat rises to about 2,000 metres, making it one of the highest points in the region. The area is renowned for its prehistoric rock art, depicting...