One of the major rivers of Europe, the Elbe flows more than 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) across the continent before reaching the North Sea. At its mouth, the low-lying landscape is continually reshaped by the rise and fall of the tides. These dynamic tidal flats are a boon to biodiversity while sometimes posing challenges for
Alpine glaciers, wild coastlines, temperate rainforests and deep river valleys coexist on the Olympic Peninsula, in the northwest corner of Washington state. Surrounded by blue waters, peaceful islands and bustling population centres, its rugged interior remains a relatively remote bastion of nature. The stunning terrain of the Olympic Mountains comes into focus in this oblique
The Wabanaki people have a wealth of creation myths that explain the rocky shores of the Bay of Fundy, Downeast Maine, and Acadia National Park. Many involve Glooscap, a magical figure said to have floated around the Bay of Fundy in a stone canoe, sculpting coastal features by scraping the boat across the landscape and
Seattle, Washington, sometimes known as the “Emerald City,” sparkled in the morning sunlight when an astronaut aboard the International Space Station took this photo on June 16, 2026. The city’s parks and tree-filled neighborhoods give the metropolis a lush, green look, while tall downtown buildings cast long shadows and boats cruise the surrounding canals. The
Editor’s Note: Today’s story is the answer to the July Puzzle. Call it an alluvial showdown. At the southern tip of Severny Island in the Russian Arctic, rivers descend from rugged terrain flanking a wide valley. Upon reaching flatter terrain, the waters slow down and distribute the sediments in the shape of cones called alluvial