"Happy 2025" from NASA Earth Observatory!

 

Happy 2025 from NASA Earth Observatory! We are kicking off 2025 with much to look forward to but also much to look back on. In 2024, over 7.5 million readers visited our website to read our stories, and many millions more viewed our imagery on the NASAEarth social media channels and elsewhere. Since our founding in 1999 (2024 marked our 25th anniversary), we have produced text and imagery for over 15,700 stories. Notable events A new fissure opened on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwestern Iceland near Grindavík in December 2023 and continued erupting throughout 2024. Whether sparked by lightning, intentional land-clearing, or human-caused accidents, wildland fires are burning longer and more often in some southern latitudes as the world warms. Auroras and a total solar eclipse darkened our days and lit our nights. Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated portions of the Southeast U.S. with winds, rain, and storm surge. Unique visualizations Global temperatures soared in 2023 and continued through 2024; climate scientists are trying to understand why. Methane emissions may be higher than previously thought, especially from landfills. Insufficient rainfall in 2023-2024 has taken a toll on rivers and groundwater and upended daily life in several South American countries. Satellite data show the shape of a wave as water sloshed around Dickson Fjord in Greenland after a rockslide triggered a tsunami. Tracking animals Animals – elephants in Africa (left) and tuna, sharks, and birds in the remote Pacific (right) – provide data that complement satellite observations, helping us better understand wildlife ecology in our changing climate. Human footprint Clockwise from the upper left: From growing fruits and vegetables in China and flowers in the Netherlands to building new capital cities in Egypt and Indonesia, people have transformed the land. Beautiful Earth Tidal currents stir up colorful swirls off the Kimberley Coast of Western Australia. Filaments of sea ice trace ocean currents, creating swirls visible along the coast of Labrador, in eastern Canada. Contrasting colors of lava and ash reveal the geologic origins of Harrat Khaybar’s volcanic cones. A burgeoning cumulus congestus displays dramatic structure near the shore of the Persian Gulf. NASA Earth Observatory Where every day is Earth day Visit earthobservatory.nasa.gov Follow NASAEarth   NASA Earth Science Division

NASA | 8800 Greenbelt Rd. | Greenbelt, MD 20771 US

Orthodox Academy of Crete,update

 

The Orthodox Academy of Crete, in collaboration with Medievalists.net, is pleased to announce a conference dedicated to examining the historical, theological, and liturgical aspects of determining Pascha (Easter), with a particular emphasis on the role of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325 AD). Scholars, theologians, historians, and liturgists are invited to share their research and insights on this significant topic, which remains vital to the unity and diversity of Christian traditions. View in browser

Read more After Constantine Journal Kolymbari, Greece, Chania Greece

NASA's Earth Observatory,update

 

January 6, 2025 Natural Events

Latest Images From the Past 7 Days view archive of natural events

Phytoplankton Flourish in Patagonian Waters Microscopic floating organisms proliferated to turn surface waters bright green and milky blue around the Falkland Islands. (Jan 3, 2025)       A Fiery Display at Kīlauea Fountains of lava burst from the Hawaiian volcano's summit caldera during a December 2024 eruption. (Dec 30, 2024)

Latest Images of the Day view the archive

Cold and Snow Wallop the U.S. The first major, widespread winter storm of 2025 delivered snow, ice, and frigid temperatures to a large swath of the country.       Cyclone-Damaged Mayotte Lush green hillsides turned brown after Cyclone Chido hit the islands in December 2024.       Ghana's Declining Forest Reserves Logging, farming, and fires have contributed to the loss and degradation of forest reserves in the West African country.       Ksudach's Nested Calderas and Craters The volcano, located on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, displays numerous depressions that collect meltwater during the warmer months of the year.       Phytoplankton Flourish in Patagonian Waters Microscopic floating organisms proliferated to turn surface waters bright green and milky blue around the Falkland Islands.       Maine's Scopan Lake The construction of a small hydroelectric power station in the northern part of the state helped form this V-shaped lake.       The Many Facets of Soderfjarden An impact crater in western Finland is a bucolic setting for agriculture and migratory birds—and its geometric shape resembles that of craters on other planets and moons.       Recent Blog Posts             Earth Matters Happy 2025 from NASA Earth Observatory! We are kicking off 2025 with much to look forward to but also much to look back on.

NASA | 8800 Greenbelt Rd., Greenbelt, MD 20771

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau,

 

Statement by the Prime Minister on the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters

January 8, 2025
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters:

“Today, we observe the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters. On this solemn occasion, we honour those who were taken from us as a result of these tragedies, and we renew our commitment to strengthening aviation safety and security for Canadians and people around the world.

“Five years ago today, the world was shocked by the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 (Flight PS752) by the Islamic Republic of Iran. One hundred and seventy-six lives were lost, including 55 Canadians, 30 permanent residents, and dozens more with connections to Canada. Following this tragedy, the Government of Canada established the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters to pay tribute to victims of Flight PS752 and all air disasters, including those from Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, Air India Flight 182, Swissair Flight 111, and Air Ontario Flight 1363.

“Canada is determined to hold the Iranian regime accountable for the unlawful downing of Flight PS752. To date, the Islamic Republic of Iran has refused to take full legal responsibility for the incident. In response, Canada, alongside its Coordination Group partners – Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom – initiated a case with the International Court of Justice, which remains ongoing. In January of last year, Canada and the Coordination Group also filed a dispute with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to further advance justice for the victims of Flight PS752 and their families. Together, these two initiatives are critical steps in holding the Islamic Republic of Iran accountable for this senseless tragedy. Last year, our government also took the extraordinary step of listing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity.

“In October 2024, we announced additional support for the families of the victims by introducing a new pathway to permanent residence, with applications open until October 2025. This latest initiative extends eligibility to family members who were previously excluded, underscoring our commitment to supporting families in their pursuit of transparency, accountability, and justice.

“As a member state and host country of ICAO, Canada continues to collaborate with international partners to promote aviation safety and security worldwide – a critical step in preventing future air disasters. We are advancing the Safer Skies Initiative to enhance aviation safety and security over or near conflict zones, while also focusing on improving ICAO’s aircraft accident investigation framework to ensure greater transparency and credibility in air disaster investigations.

“On this day, we honour the lives lost to all air disasters and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to building a safer and more resilient global aviation system for all.”

Prime Minister’s itinerary for Wednesday, January 8, 2025

January 7, 2025
Ottawa, Ontario

Note: All times local

National Capital Region, Canada

11:00 a.m. The Prime Minister will attend the National Caucus meeting.

Greater Toronto Area, Ontario

The Prime Minister will deliver remarks at a community commemoration event. The High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ralph Goodale, will also be in attendance.