In 2024, Brazil, the world's largest exporter of soya and corn, faced one of the worst droughts in its recent history. Among the worst affected rivers is the Tapajós, a key artery for grain trade from the state of Mato Grosso, the beating heart of Brazil's agricultural production. In October, its water level reached historic lows, forcing the...

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...

In 2024, Sicily, Italy faced its worst drought in almost 20 years, with nearly empty reservoirs and water rationing affecting up to two million people.  In response, authorities declared a state of emergency, with plans to manage the drought through the reintroduction of desalination plants. Lake Caccamo, located in Sicily, is shown in this...

The Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve on Siargao Island in the Philippines was recently designated a Ramsar Site of International Importance.  Spanning nearly 4,900 hectares, the reserve forms the country's largest contiguous mangrove forest. The area’s intertidal flats and upland forests are connected by the mangroves, providing a way for birds to...

EU Space Days, formerly known as EU Space Week, is the Union's flagship event for space policy and the EU Space Programme. 

Many ski resorts in the Alps have welcomed the new ski season thanks to heavy snowfall after the recent Arctic blast which hit Europe in November 2024. In the French Alps, some areas above 1,900 metres received up to 60 cm of snow, with additional accumulations from recent storms. Snow has also accumulated in the Swiss and Italian Alps and in...

On 27 November 2024, DG DEFIS and EEAS hosted the 3rd meeting of STM subgroup 1 on civilian and military STM requirements.

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...

Lahemaa, located in northern Estonia on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland, is the country’s oldest and largest national park, spanning over 725 km². Established in 1971, it is renowned for its diverse ecosystems, including lush forests, wetlands, and beaches. A Natura 2000 site, the park is home to a variety of wildlife, such as moose,...

Many areas along the border between the Czech Republic and Austria are rich in biodiversity and protected under the EU Habitats Directive. One example is the area which includes the Podyjí National Park in the Czech Republic and the Thayatal National Park in Austria, both Natura 2000 sites. Covering an area of 63 km², the Podyjí National Park...

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,...

For the last decade, Copernicus Sentinel-1 has been delivering a wealth of radar data for a wide range of applications to users around the world. Building on the legacy of pioneering European satellite missions such as ERS and ENVISAT, Sentinel-1 has provided invaluable data serving diverse sectors and many types of users in a variety of...

Budapest, Hungary’s capital and largest city, is situated along the banks of the Danube River, dividing the city into Buda and Pest. The western side, Buda, is connected by numerous bridges to the eastern Pest. Since 1934, Budapest has been known as the Spa City thanks to its rich heritage of thermal baths, which are supplied by more than 100...

DWD | Munich | German

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...

Document describing the event methodology and workflow of Copernicus4Schools - The Great Disaster Challenge.