Mount Etna, located on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, is known as the most active stratovolcano in the world, with regular, ongoing volcanic activity. As of 8 February 2025, a new eruptive phase of Etna has begun.  The volcano spewed out ash clouds and a lava flow extending approximately 3 kilometres. As a result of the volcanic activity,...

WG Africa | Webinar | English

At the confluence of the Morava and Dyje Rivers, where Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia meet, lies Central Europe's largest floodplain forest ecosystem. This vast wetland landscape, protected under the Ramsar Convention, is characterised by riparian forests, meadows, and waterways which support a rich diversity of species.  To...

In early February 2025, large swaths of Japan were affected by what the national meteorological agency deemed the strongest cold front in several years.   Many areas in northern Japan were covered in heavy snow, disrupting rail and air travel. Hokkaido prefecture and the coast of the Japan Sea were among the worst-hit regions.  As of 10...

Situated within the Sutjeska National Park in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Perućica is one of the last remaining primeval rainforests in Europe. Spanning deep valleys and steep mountain slopes, this untouched forest is a biodiversity hotspot, home to ancient beech, fir, and spruce trees, some over 300 years old. The area supports numerous rare and...

The EU defence, aeronautics, and space sectors thrive on innovation, but can they truly innovate if entire groups of talented people are left out? Today, these industrial sectors are among the least diverse in Europe, with barriers preventing many from accessing or advancing within them. According to a recent Union of Equality report, in the...

The Grampians National Park, a nature reserve in Victoria, Australia, is known for its waterfalls, wildlife, and Aboriginal heritage. However, since December 2024, the park has been affected by a series of bushfires which have destroyed homes and devastated wildlife.  The first of the fires, called the Yarram Gap fire, was started by lightning...

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has published its latest monthly Climate Bulletin, focused on key climate trends in January 2025. The bulletin reports that January 2025 was the warmest January on record globally, with an average surface air temperature of 13.23°C, which is 0.79°C higher than the average for the month between 1991...

Since 1985, the European Commission has named cities across Europe as Capitals of Culture to showcase the diversity and richness of European cultures, strengthen citizens' sense of belonging to a shared cultural space, and promote the role of culture in urban development. Cities are chosen through a detailed, multi-year selection process. Once...

NSII | Reykjavik & Online | English

Starting on 27 January 2025, heavy rainfall in western France from Storm Ivo led to the worst flooding in decades in the departments of Ille-et-Vilaine and Loire-Atlantique.   The tributaries in the upstream Vilaine basin are facing major flooding, with overflow occurring in parts of the Seiche and Vilaine rivers.  On 29 January 2025, the...

Training material about detecting phytoplankton surface blooms from Copernicus data (in Estonian).

Since 27 January 2025, the Cyclades Islands have been struck by more than 1,000 undersea earthquakes, with some exceeding a magnitude of 5.0. The earthquakes’ epicentres have mainly been located between the islands of Santorini and Amorgos.  The continuous tremors have prompted thousands to leave Santorini. Approximately 6,000 people have...

On 2 February 2025, Spanish authorities issued a yellow warning for precipitation ahead of snowfall which affected the Sierra Nevada region on 3 February. At the Sierra Nevada ski resort, the snow provided optimal conditions for winter sport enthusiasts. Authorities mandated the use of snow chains for vehicles traveling on parts of certain...

Copernicus continues to demonstrate its responsiveness to the needs and demands of the user community with the recently announced exceptional and temporary extension of the availability of the data from the Sentinel-2A satellite mission for one year. In September 2024, the third Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite (Sentinel-2C) was successfully...

On 2 February 2025, residents in southern Italy were affected by a cloud of Saharan dust transported there by a cyclone originating in North Africa. The dust was carried by strong gusts of wind to Sicily and Calabria, where the sky turned a yellowish hue. The suspension of dust in the atmosphere can affect air quality, visibility, and...

The Nahuel Huapi National Park is the oldest and second-largest national park in Argentina. On 25 December 2024, a wildfire broke out in the Nahuel Huapi National Park in Argentina. Started by a thunderstorm, the fire has so far burnt over 6,900 hectares of land as firefighters work to contain the flames. On 26 January 2025, authorities urged...

2 February is World Wetlands Day, dedicated to celebrating and raising awareness about the essential role wetlands play in preserving biodiversity and supporting environmental health.  An example of one of these important ecosystems is Secoveljske soline, a Ramsar Site in Slovenia containing tidal mudflats, salt pans, and saltmarsh. This site...

Sørvágsvatn, visible in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image acquired on 4 September 2024, is the largest lake on the Faroe Islands. Located near the village of Sørvágur on the island of Vágar, the lake covers approximately 3.4 square kilometres.  From a particular viewpoint, the cliff near the lake's edge creates the illusion that Sørvágsvatn is...

In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image acquired on 27 January 2025, the partially frozen Niagara Falls can be seen from above. Situated on the border between Canada and the USA, the Niagara Falls were partially frozen after an Arctic air mass passed through the region starting on 20 January, bringing historically cold temperatures for the month to...