Follow new content about Geotechnologies and R

Popocatépetl is one of Mexico's most active and iconic volcanoes. Its name, which means “Smoking Mountain” in Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, aptly reflects its nature. Located about 70 km from Mexico City, Popocatépetl rises approximately 5,426 meters above sea level, making it the second-highest volcano in the country.

In the northeastern corner of South America, the Sinnamary River winds its way through the lush forests of French Guiana before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. Along this journey, the river’s flow is interrupted by the Petit Saut Dam, a hydroelectric project that has brought both energy benefits and environmental changes to the region. The reservoir created by the dam stands as a significant infrastructure achievement, but one that also highlights the environmental considerations of large-scale water projects in sensitive ecosystems.

In late October 2024, eastern Spain experienced severe flash flooding as intense rainfall battered the region, specifically the province of Valencia. The floods, caused by a weather phenomenon locally known as DANA, led to substantial loss of life, extensive damage to infrastructure, and significant environmental impacts. Satellite images from NASA’s Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 provide a striking visual account of the flood's impact, capturing the extensive inundation of both urban and agricultural landscapes.

In October 2024, the Río Negro, a crucial tributary of the Amazon River, recorded its lowest water levels in over a century. As the main source of water for Manaus, the largest city in the Amazon Basin, the Río Negro has been an essential lifeline for drinking water, food resources, and transportation. This historic drought—recorded by the European Union’s Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite—has alarmed scientists and local communities alike, marking an unprecedented crisis for the Amazon.