Historically, Castle Valley in central Utah has been a coal center, with active mining operations on the slopes of the Wasatch Plateau to the west since the late 19th century. A different energy development came to the region in June 2026, when a large solar and battery storage plant came online in the sunny valley
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
Wildfire activity in Canada increased in July 2026, a time of year when lightning ignition typically increases, according to a seasonal outlook published by several North American fire agencies. The fires caused plumes of smoke across the United States and Canada, affecting air quality in both countries. This animation tracks brown carbon, the organic aerosols
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
Twice a day, the tides ebb and flow through a labyrinth of sandy channels, salt marshes and mangrove forests that flank the 88 islands and islets of Guinea-Bissau’s Bijagós Archipelago (Arquipélago dos Bijagós in Portuguese). Seen from above, the process leads to radical changes in the landscape: during low tide, intertidal mudflats and sand flats