The best landscapes in the world

24/02/2021

Tornado devastation, Kaiyuan, China
Tornadoes can cause widespread devastation and this picture documents the destruction from a rare tornado hitting Kaiyuan in northeastern China, in July 2019. As well as upturning cars, knocking out power, and destroying buildings and factories, this turbulent twister killed at least six people and injured at least 190.

24/02/2021

Lightning, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
One of the most dazzling ways to observe Mother Nature’s beautiful yet terrifying power is in the eye of a storm. This photo captures a bolt of lightning through the window of a plane over Kuala Lumpur.

16/02/2021

16/02/2021

Eyjafjallajökull erupts, Iceland
The 2010 volcanic eruptions at Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland, saw volcanic ash being ejected into the atmosphere. As a result, it caused significant air travel disruption across northern Europe for close to a week, as well as a number of evacuations across Iceland.

16/02/2021

Lenticular clouds, Kamchatka, Russia
While these spherical floating shapes could be mistaken for UFOs, they’re actually lenticular clouds which are created when winds blow across and over hills and mountains. If there's enough moisture in the air, the clouds will form as the wind rises. Here, they float above the mountain ranges of Russia’s Far East.

16/02/2021

Vatnajökull glacier ice caves, Iceland
Mother Nature exerts her power and influence across all of the elements and in all terrains. In Iceland’s Vatnajökull region, giant ice caves are formed each winter, made from meltwater running underneath giant glaciers.

16/02/2021

Hurricane Ophelia, Porthcawl Lighthouse, Wales
Here, Hurricane Ophelia hits Porthcawl Lighthouse in Wales, causing gigantic waves. The storm also carried Saharan dust to the UK, resulting in hazy orange skies and a visibly red sun.

08/02/2021

Hurricane Ophelia, Ireland
One of the worst storms to hit Ireland in recent times, Hurricane Ophelia wreaked havoc across Ireland and beyond in 2017, causing three deaths, power failures and road closures. Gusts of up to 119 miles per hour were recorded.

08/02/2021

Mount Etna erupts, Sicily, Italy
Sicily’s Mount Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe and has been erupting regularly for thousands of years. Eruptions can create lava flows which measure hundreds of metres high.

08/02/2021

Strokkur geyser erupts, Haukadalsvegur, Iceland
Iceland’s most-visited active geyser is as terrifying as it is beautiful. It blasts water to heights of up to 40m (131ft) every five to 10 minutes. It’s caused by magma close to the Earth’s surface which boils melted water from nearby glaciers – quite the natural phenomenon.

04/02/2021

Perito Moreno Glacier, Santa Cruz, Argentina
Situated in the Los Glaciares National Park in the Santa Cruz province of Patagonia, this imposing ice formation measures a staggering 30km (18.6 miles) in length and perfectly demonstrates just how majestic some of Mother Nature’s creations can be.

04/02/2021

Northern Lights, Norway
The Aurora Borealis – otherwise known as the Northern Lights – is an elusive yet beautiful natural display created by charged particles from the sun combining with the Earth’s magnetic fields. This powerful combination can result in a technicolour display which can even be seen from space. Key places to spot them include Iceland, Norway and Canada.

04/02/2021

Nature at its most thrilling
While many of Mother Nature's creations can be staggeringly gorgeous (think rainbows, gushing geysers and technicolour coral), she also has the capacity to wreak havoc. From pink lakes and stunning natural light shows to humongous waves and lava flows, we take a look at the beautiful and terrifying power of Mother Nature.

04/02/2021