Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features smoke plumes stretching across the Iberian Peninsula, as wildfires suddenly intensified across Spain and Portugal.



The image was captured on August 15 by the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) sensor on NASA’s Terra satellite.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-record-breaking-fire-season-nbsp">Record-breaking fire season&nbsp;</h2>



Hot, dry conditions pushed fire risk to extreme levels, leaving vast landscapes scorched. The fires aren’t just dramatic visuals - they are shaping the year’s record-breaking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fire-weather-seasons-are-overlapping-more-than-ever-before/">fire season</a>.



“As of August 19, fires in Spain had scorched more than 382,000 hectares (944,000 acres) since the start of the year, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS),” noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154691/smoke-blankets-the-iberian-peninsula" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



This exceeds any previous yearly total in the EFFIS records, which date back to 2006. Firefighters were stretched thin, tackling roughly 20 major blazes nationwide, with a particularly severe cluster near Ourense.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fire-devastation-in-portugal">Fire devastation in Portugal</h2>



Portugal faced a similarly devastating season. By mid-August, more than 347,000 hectares (857,000 acres) had been consumed by fire.&nbsp;



The European Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre reported 10 large fires burning across the country at that time. The largest fire, near Trancoso, alone had already scorched over 39,000 hectares.



The blazes forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. Essential services were disrupted, including the high-speed rail line between Madrid and Galicia, which had been closed for nearly a week.&nbsp;



Firefighters worked tirelessly under extreme conditions, navigating both flames and smoke to protect people and property.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smoke-pollution-and-far-reaching-effects">Smoke, pollution, and far-reaching effects</h2>



The fires didn’t stay local. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-delivers-a-double-hit-to-air-quality/">Smoke</a> from the Iberian Peninsula carried high into the atmosphere, drifting across France, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia.&nbsp;



It even mixed with smoke from wildfires in Canada, creating hazy skies across parts of Europe. Carbon emissions from these fires hit record levels in Spain and near-record levels in Portugal, according to the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service.



Black carbon, a component of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) released by wildfires, poses serious health risks. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, potentially aggravating respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.&nbsp;



Residents in affected regions were warned to limit outdoor activity and monitor air quality as smoke lingered.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfires-in-spain-and-portugal">Wildfires in Spain and Portugal </h2>



Spain and Portugal are no strangers to wildfires, but the 2025 season is unusual for its speed and scale.&nbsp;



Heatwaves have become more frequent in southern Europe, with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/state-of-the-climate-2024-record-heat-and-rising-seas/">rising temperatures</a> and prolonged droughts creating tinderbox conditions for forests and grasslands.&nbsp;



Experts link this increase to ongoing climate change, which has amplified the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events in the region.



The EFFIS database shows that Spain’s burned area this year surpassed previous records, while Portugal’s figures ranked second only to the catastrophic fires of 2017. These trends highlight the growing challenge of managing wildfires in a warming climate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-human-toll-of-wildfires-nbsp">The human toll of wildfires&nbsp;</h2>



Beyond environmental impacts, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfires-are-changing-the-quality-of-our-air/">wildfires</a> take a heavy toll on communities. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced, and homes, farms, and critical infrastructure have suffered extensive damage.&nbsp;



Emergency services scrambled to coordinate evacuations and protect residents, while volunteers and local authorities provided support on the ground.



Firefighters faced particularly difficult conditions, battling flames under record heat and through thick <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-making-wildfire-smoke-more-deadly/">smoke</a>. The work was physically demanding and dangerous.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-satellite-technology-and-firefighting">Satellite technology and firefighting</h2>



NASA’s Terra satellite and the MODIS sensor provide crucial monitoring for wildfire activity. These tools allow authorities to track the spread of fires in near-real time, identify hotspots, and deploy resources more efficiently.&nbsp;



The data feeds into systems like EFFIS and the Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS), offering a broader picture of wildfire patterns and trends across Europe.



This combination of satellite monitoring, on-the-ground firefighting, and coordination among emergency services is vital for managing the ongoing crisis. As wildfires continue to grow in frequency and intensity, technology can help limit damage and protect communities.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Wildfires scorch Spain and Portugal amid extreme heat

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features...

Today's Image of the Day from NASA features the spiral galaxy NGC 2566, which is located 76 million light-years away in the constellation Puppis. 



The striking image was captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.



“A prominent bar of stars stretches across the center of this galaxy, and spiral arms emerge from each end of the bar. Because NGC 2566 appears tilted from our perspective, its disk takes on an almond shape, giving the galaxy the appearance of a cosmic eye,” said <a href="https://phys.org/news/2024-12-hubble-spies-spiral-galaxy-ngc.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



“As NGC 2566 appears to gaze at us, astronomers gaze right back, using Hubble to survey the galaxy's star clusters and star-forming regions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-appearance-of-ngc-2566">Complex appearance of NGC 2566</h2>



NGC 2566 lies at a considerable distance from Earth, making it a challenging object for amateur astronomers to observe in detail without powerful telescopes.&nbsp;



It can be seen in the Southern Hemisphere sky and is better observed from locations with minimal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-light-pollution-influences-interest-in-astronomy/">light pollution</a>. 



The galaxy's arms are populated with young, bright stars, regions of active star formation, and interstellar gas and dust - giving it a dynamic and complex appearance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-the-ages-of-stars">Measuring the ages of stars</h2>



According to NASA, data from Hubble is especially valuable for studying stars that are just a few million years old. “These stars are bright at the ultraviolet and visible wavelengths to which Hubble is sensitive.”



“Using these data, researchers can measure the ages of NGC 2566's stars, which helps piece together the timeline of the galaxy's star formation and the exchange of gas between star-forming clouds and the stars themselves.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-in-galaxies">Star formation in galaxies</h2>



Star formation in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shapes-of-one-million-galaxies-hint-at-the-universes-origins/">galaxies</a> is a fascinating and complex process that unfolds over millions of years. It begins in vast clouds of gas and dust, known as molecular clouds, which are often found in the spiral arms of galaxies or in regions of irregular or starburst galaxies. 



These clouds provide the raw material for star formation, consisting primarily of hydrogen and helium, with trace amounts of heavier elements.



As the molecular clouds collapse under their own gravity, regions within them begin to condense and fragment, forming dense clumps. Within these clumps, protostars emerge. Their formation is driven by the gravitational pull drawing in surrounding gas.&nbsp;



During this process, the gas heats up due to increasing pressure, eventually igniting nuclear fusion in the core, signaling the birth of a new star.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rates-of-star-formation">Rates of star formation</h2>



The rate of star formation varies across galaxies is influenced by numerous factors. In spiral galaxies like the Milky Way, star formation is most active in the spiral arms, where density waves compress gas and dust, triggering the collapse of molecular clouds.&nbsp;



Elliptical galaxies, which often have little cold gas and dust, typically exhibit low rates of star formation or none at all.



On the other hand, starburst galaxies experience episodes of exceptionally high star formation, often triggered by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-captures-a-galaxy-collision-with-a-radiant-smile/">galactic collisions</a> or interactions.



These events can funnel large amounts of gas into central regions, leading to intense star-forming activity. However, such bursts are usually short-lived on cosmic timescales, exhausting the available gas quickly.



The environment within a galaxy also plays a significant role. Stellar winds and supernova explosions from existing stars can both inhibit and promote star formation. They may disperse gas, preventing further collapse, or compress nearby clouds, triggering new star formation.&nbsp;



As galaxies evolve over time, the availability of gas diminishes, leading to a gradual decline in star formation activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-puppis-constellation-nbsp">The Puppis constellation&nbsp;</h2>



The Puppis constellation in the southern sky represents the stern of a ship. It was once part of a larger constellation known as Argo Navis, which depicted the mythical ship of Jason and the Argonauts.&nbsp;



However, Argo Navis was later divided into three separate constellations: Puppis, Carina (the keel), and Vela (the sails). Puppis is the largest of these three and contains many notable celestial objects.



This constellation is home to several bright stars, including Naos (Zeta Puppis), a hot, massive star that emits intense ultraviolet radiation. Puppis also hosts a wide variety of deep-sky objects, such as open <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stunning-star-clusters-captured-in-the-extreme-outskirts-of-the-milky-way/">star clusters</a> and nebulae. 



Among these, Messier 46 and Messier 47 stand out. Both are beautiful star clusters that are visible through binoculars or small telescopes. The region is dense with stars because it lies along the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-way-collision-may-change-everything-we-know-about-our-galaxy/">Milky Way</a>, making it a prime area for stargazing and astrophotography. 



Image Credit: NASA



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Eye in the sky: A galaxy that appears to be gazing back

Today's Image of the Day from NASA features the spiral...

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features a large phytoplankton bloom in the Gulf of Maine.



The image was captured on June 21, 2025, by the Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) on NASA’s PACE satellite.&nbsp;



“In summer 2025, waters in the Gulf of Maine popped with vivid swirls of blue and green. The cause was a massive bloom of phytoplankton - microscopic plant-like organisms that often float near the ocean surface,” noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154472/a-booming-bloom-returns-to-the-gulf-of-maine">NASA</a>.



“Scientists say it was one of the largest blooms of its kind to show up in the Gulf’s waters in recent years.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bloom-in-the-gulf-of-maine">Bloom in the Gulf of Maine </h2>



Catherine Mitchell is a satellite oceanographer at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. She noted that the Gulf of Maine bloom contained coccolithophores, a type of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-phytoplankton-that-feed-ocean-life-are-rapidly-disappearing/">phytoplankton</a> that makes the water appear milky blue.



“The tiny organisms, along with other types of phytoplankton, including diatoms that bloom here in spring, lie at the base of the marine food web,” explained NASA.



“Their presence - or absence - in Gulf of Maine waters can affect the entire ecosystem, from finfish to shellfish, and the region’s fisheries that depend on them.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-conditions-and-plankton-communities-nbsp">Shifting conditions and plankton communities&nbsp;</h2>



Mitchell said that coccolithophore blooms like this one became less common in the Gulf’s waters starting around 2010. But in recent years, they’ve started to come back.&nbsp;



Scientists have also seen more dinoflagellates (a type of phytoplankton that move with tiny tails) and an overall drop in phytoplankton productivity over the past few decades.



These changes in plankton are linked to shifting ocean conditions. For instance, heavy rainfall from 2006 to 2009 made the Gulf’s waters fresher. Then, starting in 2008, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invisible-forest-of-phytoplankton-thrives-in-a-warming-climate/">warm water</a> from deep in the North Atlantic began heating the Gulf from the bottom up.&nbsp;



However, by spring 2025, bottom-water temperatures were cooler than they’ve been in 20 years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-research-efforts">Ongoing research efforts</h2>



“The relationship between these changing water conditions and phytoplankton communities in the gulf remains unclear, but ongoing research could begin to provide some answers,” noted NASA.



“In fact, Mitchell and colleagues scrutinized this PACE image just days before heading out on a research expedition to study the bloom and other ocean properties up close. The cruise, the third so far this year, offers scientists the chance to validate ocean color data collected by PACE with real-world ocean samples.”



Mitchell pointed out that a major benefit of the PACE satellite is its ability to “see the rainbow,” which makes it easier for scientists to distinguish between groups of phytoplankton.



“With our continuing field measurements, we will validate ocean color observations from PACE, enabling satellite observations in the Gulf of Maine and supporting the region’s fisheries and aquaculture industries.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vital-signs-of-ocean-health">Vital signs of ocean health</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-from-africa-sparked-a-massive-phytoplankton-bloom/">Phytoplankton blooms</a> like the one captured in the Gulf of Maine are vital signs of ocean health. These microscopic organisms form the foundation of marine food webs, feeding everything from tiny zooplankton to large fish, whales, and seabirds.&nbsp;



When conditions are right - such as warm temperatures, abundant sunlight, and available nutrients - phytoplankton populations can grow rapidly, creating colorful blooms that are visible from space.



The Gulf of Maine is particularly sensitive to environmental change. Located at the intersection of cold northern currents and warmer waters from the south, it’s a dynamic ecosystem where small shifts in temperature or salinity can have outsized effects.&nbsp;



This region is also one of the fastest-warming ocean areas on the planet, with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-temperatures-are-rising-faster-than-expected-and-likely-to-accelerate/">temperatures</a> rising more than three times the global ocean average in some years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forecasting-changes-with-ocean-monitoring-nbsp">Forecasting changes with ocean monitoring&nbsp;</h2>



Changes in water temperature and salinity have ripple effects across the food chain. Warmer waters can favor certain types of phytoplankton over others, shifting the balance of species in ways that affect what fish and shellfish are available to predators - and to the region’s fisheries.&nbsp;



For example, coccolithophores may thrive in clearer, warmer waters, while traditional spring-blooming diatoms do better in colder, more nutrient-rich conditions.



Long-term monitoring is essential to understand and predict these shifts. Satellites like PACE provide a global view of ocean color, which reflects the presence and composition of phytoplankton.&nbsp;



By combining these observations with ship-based sampling, scientists can get a more complete picture of how plankton communities are evolving and how that affects everything from carbon cycling to fisheries sustainability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warming-in-the-gulf-of-maine-nbsp">Warming in the Gulf of Maine&nbsp;</h2>



The Gulf’s warming trend has already caused noticeable ecological changes. Some species of fish have moved farther north or into deeper waters in search of cooler temperatures.&nbsp;



Lobsters, a key commercial species, have shifted their range as well. Meanwhile, harmful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-algae-in-lake-erie-may-be-hiding-toxic-deadly-compounds/">algal blooms</a> - caused by certain types of phytoplankton - have become more frequent in some parts of the Gulf, threatening shellfish harvests and public health.



Scientists are working to better predict how blooms will respond to future climate conditions.&nbsp;



Understanding which species are likely to dominate under warmer, fresher, or more acidic conditions can help predict changes in fish stocks, shellfish safety, and ecosystem stability.&nbsp;



This kind of forecasting is especially important in the Gulf of Maine, where marine resources are closely tied to local economies.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Giant bloom in the Gulf of Maine signals change

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features Lake Chad in central Africa. The photograph was taken by an astronaut on the International Space Station.



According to <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154407/lake-chads-water-wetlands-and-dunes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>, Lake Chad once ranked among the largest natural lakes in the world. It was a critical resource for millions of people and animals, supporting agriculture and fishing across the region.&nbsp;



Lake Chad straddles the borders of Chad, Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon. The shallow <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lakes-are-warming-toward-the-point-of-no-return/">lake</a> is primarily fed by the Chari River, which brings water from the Central African Republic. 



The water levels are also influenced by seasonal rainfall. The rainfall patterns vary significantly across the basin but generally follow a wet-dry seasonal cycle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-decline-and-shrinkage-nbsp">Environmental decline and shrinkage&nbsp;</h2>



From the 1960s to the early 2000s, the lake lost more than 90 percent of its surface area. It transformed from a vast expanse of open water into a patchwork of wetlands, reed beds, and scattered pools.&nbsp;



This environmental decline has had severe consequences for local communities, leading to food and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-water-security-relies-on-the-origins-of-rainfall/">water insecurity</a>, loss of livelihoods, and increasing competition over scarce resources.



“Ongoing droughts and the rising demand for fresh water have shrunk the lake to less than a tenth of the area it covered in the middle of the last century,” noted NASA.



“Although the lake has experienced dry and wet periods for thousands of years, there has been a significant decline in the amount of lake water available since the 1960s.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conflict-culture-and-economy">Conflict, culture, and economy</h2>



Lake Chad is a geopolitical hotspot. The region has been affected by conflict, including the insurgency led by Boko Haram, which has displaced millions and further complicated efforts to manage and protect the lake’s fragile ecosystem.&nbsp;



Despite these challenges, regional governments and international organizations are working to restore and sustain the lake, including ambitious proposals to divert water from the Congo River basin.



Culturally and economically, Lake Chad remains vital. It is a hub for trade and social exchange among diverse ethnic groups and continues to provide fish and fertile land despite its reduced size.&nbsp;



The future of Lake Chad hinges on sustainable water management, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-extremes-alter-how-sunlight-travels-through-clear-lakes/">climate</a> resilience, and political cooperation across national boundaries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-lake-chad-nbsp">Evolution of Lake Chad&nbsp;</h2>



According to NASA, the evolution of Lake Chad has been documented by astronaut photography over the past 60 years.&nbsp;



“During the Apollo 7 mission in 1968, an astronaut acquired an oblique <a href="https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/SearchPhotos/photo.pl?mission=AS07&amp;roll=8&amp;frame=1932" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photograph</a> of the lake as one large body of water. In 1982, another photo from the space shuttle mission STS-5 recorded receding water levels and encroaching sand dunes.”



“A photo taken in 2015 during space station Expedition 42 captured the lake’s remaining waters and wetlands in dark green, blue, and brown, contrasting with the sandy shades of the surrounding land.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-of-lake-chad">Wildlife of Lake Chad</h2>



Lake Chad still supports wildlife, though species diversity and abundance have declined significantly due to ecosystem degradation



The lake and its surrounding wetlands are home to several species of fish, including tilapia, catfish, and Nile perch, which are important both ecologically and economically.&nbsp;



These fish support a major regional fishing industry, although overfishing and changes in water conditions have put pressure on fish populations.



Birds are another key component of the ecosystem. The lake serves as a crucial habitat and stopover point for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-may-be-using-quantum-physics-for-migration/">migratory birds</a> traveling along the African-Eurasian flyway. 



Species such as herons, storks, ducks, and geese can be found in the region, especially during the wet season when parts of the lake flood and create rich feeding grounds.



Mammals that depend on the surrounding floodplains and wetlands include hippos and various antelope species, yet their numbers have declined.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-efforts-and-challenges">Conservation efforts and challenges</h2>



Reptiles like Nile crocodiles and turtles also inhabit the lake's waters and marshy areas. In the past, larger wildlife such as elephants and lions may have roamed the wider Lake Chad basin, but they are now mostly gone from the immediate lake area due to habitat loss and human activity.



Despite these challenges, Lake Chad remains an important, yet increasingly fragile, refuge for wildlife in a region where water and natural habitats are becoming more scarce.&nbsp;



Conservation efforts aim to balance the needs of people and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thousands-of-freshwater-species-are-threatened-with-extinction/">wildlife</a>, but the success of such efforts depends on managing the lake’s limited resources in the face of climate change, political instability, and population growth.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Lake Chad: A vanishing lifeline in Central Africa

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features the Bear Gulch Fire, which has persisted for weeks on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington.  



The fire was ignited on July 6, 2025. Over the past month, it has grown into one of the most significant wildfires in the region's recent history. 



The <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154682/fire-burns-through-olympic-wilderness">image</a> was captured by the Landsat 8 satellite on August 12. “On that day, smoke reached a height of nearly 30,000 feet because of significant fuel consumption and unstable atmospheric conditions,” noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-progression-of-the-bear-gulch-fire-nbsp">Progression of the Bear Gulch Fire&nbsp;</h2>



By August 12, the fire had expanded by approximately 1,200 acres in just 24 hours, burning a total of 7,390 acres.  



This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fast-wildfires-are-gaining-even-more-speed/">rapid growth</a> was fueled by a combination of high temperatures - reaching 93°F - and dry vegetation that had been primed by weeks of drought. Firefighting efforts were further complicated by the region's rugged terrain, making containment challenging. 



The fire's progression into the forest canopy in certain areas has been particularly concerning.  Flames have spread with the help of hanging moss. 



Rock outcrops - which normally act as natural firebreaks - have been consumed due to the burning of moss on them. This behavior demonstrates the fire's intensity and the unusual conditions contributing to its spread. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community-and-environmental-response">Community and environmental response</h2>



In response to the fire's advancement, the Staircase area of Olympic National Park, along with several trails and campgrounds in the adjacent Olympic National Forest and Mount Skokomish Wilderness Area, were closed as of August 14, 2025.  



These closures aim to protect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-is-an-escalating-public-health-emergency/">public safety</a> and allow firefighting efforts to proceed without interference. As of the latest reports, no structures have been damaged, but the situation is still evolving. 



Firefighters continue to battle the Bear Gulch Fire. They are using a number of strategies to contain its spread, including bucket drops from helicopters.  



The coming days will be critical in determining the fire's trajectory and the effectiveness of suppression efforts.  Residents and visitors are urged to stay informed through official channels and to follow all safety advisories. 



The Bear Gulch Fire serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, especially under the influence of climate change.&nbsp;&nbsp;



The wildfire highlights the need for ongoing vigilance, preparedness, and adaptation in the face of evolving environmental conditions.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-human-and-ecological-toll">The human and ecological toll</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fear-and-anxiety-the-mental-health-impacts-of-wildfires/">Wildfires</a> don’t just threaten trees and wildlife - they disrupt communities. Evacuations and road closures become part of life during fire outbreaks. 



Residents often have to adjust daily routines to reduce exposure to smoke, taking steps ranging from keeping windows closed to limiting outdoor activities. Local health services may see an increase in respiratory issues, particularly among children, the elderly, and those with preexisting conditions. 



At the same time, fire crews and emergency responders face heightened risks as they work to contain the flames - highlighting the human effort required to protect both communities and the environment during these events.



Smoke can travel miles from the blaze, affecting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-delivers-a-double-hit-to-air-quality/">air quality</a> and public health in nearby towns. 



Wildlife faces habitat loss, and even small changes to forest ecosystems can have ripple effects on biodiversity, soil health, and water quality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-and-wildfire-risks">Climate change and wildfire risks</h2>



The Bear Gulch Fire reflects a broader pattern affecting the Pacific Northwest. Increasing temperatures, prolonged droughts, and shifting precipitation patterns are making forests more susceptible to wildfires.&nbsp;



Over the past few decades, wildfire seasons in Washington and neighboring states have lengthened, and fires have become more intense and harder to control.



Scientists say climate change doesn’t just make fires more likely - it changes the way they behave.&nbsp;



Forests stressed by heat and dry conditions burn faster and hotter, with flames that can leap into tree canopies and travel across areas that would have naturally slowed a fire in the past.&nbsp;



The combination of high winds and dry vegetation can turn small ignitions into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fast-wildfires-are-gaining-even-more-speed/">fires</a> that cover thousands of acres within days.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Bear Gulch Fire rages across Washington forests

Outcrop Silver &amp; Gold has <a href="https://outcropsilver.com/site/assets/files/6252/nr_2025_drilling_morena_discovery_ips-ciro_ih_gh-final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a> a new high grade shoot at the Morena vein inside its Santa Ana project in Colombia. The highlight intercept includes 0.55 meters at 1,877 grams of silver per ton and 4.26 grams of gold per ton, which the company reports as 2,197 grams silver equivalent per ton.



The program marks the sixth new high grade shoot identified since April 2024 and follows systematic work around the La Ye target. Results arrive ahead of a planned mineral resource update.



The program is led by <a href="https://www.wsj.com/market-data/quotes/CA/XTSX/OCG/company-people/executive-profile/156430753" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Guillermo Hernandez</a>, Vice President of Exploration at Outcrop Silver &amp; Gold Corporation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-morena-silver-drill-cores">Morena silver drill cores</h2>



Hole DH471 cut 1.87 meters grading 680 g/t silver and 1.52 g/t gold for 794 g/t <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/remarkable-viking-silver-hoard-discovery-reveals-far-reaching-global-trade-links/">silver equivalent</a>, including the 0.55 meter zone running 1,877 g/t silver and 4.26 g/t gold. 



Converting widths to the U.S. system, those intervals measure about 6.1 feet and 1.8 feet, respectively.



Hole DH467 intersected 2.29 meters at 233 g/t silver and 0.37 g/t <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/copper-and-gold-deposit-found-near-canadas-golden-triangle-just-59-feet-below-the-surface/">gold</a> for 261 g/t <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/geologists-discover-the-largest-copper-gold-and-silver-deposit-in-the-last-three-decades/">silver</a> equivalent. That interval is roughly 7.5 feet.



Drilling at Morena totals 2,905 meters, or about 9,530 feet. The team outlines a mineralized footprint near 400 meters along strike, about 1,310 feet, and nearly 300 meters down dip, about 984 feet.



“We are excited to confirm the sixth new high grade shoot at Santa Ana since the mineral resource was published with the discovery at Morena,” stated Hernandez.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-morena-silver-and-gold-sits">Where Morena silver and gold sits</h2>



Work at Morena grew out of soil geochemistry and follow-up trenching around La Ye that flagged a structural corridor. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-how-gold-reaches-earths-surface-from-the-mantle/">Surface sampling</a> preceded the drilling that confirmed vein continuity along several hundred meters.



The Morena vein trends between 220 and 230 degrees, dips from 45 to 75 degrees, and sits in green schists. Orientation and host rocks help explain why drilling can step both along strike and down dip with a clear model.



Morena adds to a pipeline that already includes zones named Aguilar, Jimenez, Guadual, La Ye, and Los Mangos. 



Each target is being tested for inclusion in the next resource update without assuming that today’s results translate directly into resources tomorrow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-grades-are-reported">How grades are reported</h2>



Silver grades are <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2025/mcs2025-silver.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">typically reported</a> in tons, which simply means grams of metal per metric ton of rock and remains a standard measure used by agencies like the U.S. Geological Survey (<a href="https://www.usgs.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USGS</a>).



Many explorers also report equivalency grades that roll multiple metals into a single number based on metal prices and recoveries. 



Industry guidance stresses that any equivalency should disclose the underlying grades, prices, and recovery assumptions, and that equivalents are not appropriate when recoveries cannot be reasonably estimated, which keeps comparisons honest for readers and investors.



For context, Santa Ana’s current technical <a href="https://outcropsilver.com/site/assets/files/6003/0723022_santa_ana_mineral_resource_estimate_ni_43-101_s.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a> lists an indicated resource of 24.2 million ounces silver equivalent at 614 g/t and an inferred resource of 13.5 million ounces at 435 g/t, providing a baseline snapshot before any impact from Morena is considered.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rigorous-sampling-and-analysis">Rigorous sampling and analysis</h2>



Reliable assays depend on procedures such as inserting blanks, duplicates, and certified reference materials at planned intervals. 



Regulators and professional bodies outline best <a href="https://www.bcsc.bc.ca/-/media/PWS/Resources/For_Companies/Mining/CIM-Best-Practices-Guidelines-November-29-2019.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">practices</a> for how results should be collected and reported to avoid bias and to ensure transparency for investors and communities alike.



Independent labs commonly use methods like aqua regia digestion followed by ICP <a href="https://actlabs.com/geochemistry-analysis/exploration-geochemistry/aqua-regia-partial-digestion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analysis</a> to measure multi element chemistry, with clearly defined quality controls stated for each batch and instrument run.



Core handling routines matter too. Sawing core, sending half for assay, and retaining half for verification work allow later reconciliation and potential re testing as the model evolves.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-context-for-santa-ana-and-mariquita">Context for Santa Ana and Mariquita</h2>



Santa Ana sits in the historic Mariquita District, where <a href="https://www.loc.gov/item/2021670142" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">records</a> of mining date to at least 1585. Archival materials even depict active workings at the Santa Ana mines during the nineteenth century, underlining the long mining tradition in the area.



Geologically, the district hosts epithermal style silver and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/copper-and-gold-deposit-found-near-canadas-golden-triangle-just-59-feet-below-the-surface/">gold</a> veins, a deposit type known for narrow but very high grades and strong structural controls. 



Descriptive models of epithermal systems published by the U.S. Geological Survey lay out the mineralogy, textures, and temperature ranges that guide exploration in districts like this one.



Academic <a href="https://www.geo.arizona.edu/Antevs/Theses/VargasMS08.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work</a> focused specifically on Santa Ana has described a volcanic hosted silver polymetallic system with multiple vein sets, which aligns with the present exploration approach that tracks structure and chemistry together.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-watch-next">What to watch next</h2>



Morena’s early footprint suggests practical next steps. Step outs along strike and down dip will test continuity and spacing, which are essential for resource modeling.



Metallurgical testing also carries weight because it underpins any <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drilling-hole-reveals-significant-presence-of-high-grade-gold-and-silver-navidad-deposit/">silver</a> equivalent calculations and informs whether certain byproduct metals can be recovered efficiently. 



Clear disclosure of prices and recoveries keeps future equivalents aligned with professional guidance rather than assumptions.



Investors and local stakeholders will likely focus on how quickly new holes fill the gaps around the current intercepts. 



Consistent widths and grades, supported by strong QA/QC and independent lab checks, set the stage for any future resource addition.



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New silver and gold discovery confirmed to be extraordinarily high grade deposits

Outcrop Silver &amp; Gold has reported a new high grade...

Prehistoric,Hand,Paintings,At,The,Cave,Of,The,Hands,(spanish:

Ancient Maya artists carved scenes of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tattoo-ink-travels-through-the-body-and-may-cause-long-term-risks/">marked skin</a> on stone and bone, demonstrating they had the ability to tattoo themselves. Yet the tools they used to create those personal tattoos have remained a mystery. 



Now, archaeologists have finally tied the art to the instruments that made it. Their recent study points to the first physical tattoo implements used by Classic-period <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-caused-the-maya-collapse-the-answer-was-hidden-in-a-cave/">Maya</a>, placing them inside a cave in Belize. 



The find connects body marking to ceremony and status, not casual personal style.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unearthing-the-tools">Unearthing the tools</h2>



“The recovery of two implements from a cave raises questions about the ritual nature and context of ancient Maya tattooing in the Classic period (AD 250-900),” wrote <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=zSNuYIkAAAAJ&amp;hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">W. James Stemp</a> of <a href="https://www.keene.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Keene State College</a>, lead author of the study.



Two retouched flakes of stone chert, from burin (specialized stone tools with a chisel-like tip, used for engraving or carving materials like bone, antler, ivory, and wood), were recovered from travertine pools on an upper ledge of Actun Uayazba Kab in central Belize. 



They bear use-wear analysis signatures and dark residues that fit <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tattoos-lead-to-mistaken-assumptions-about-personality-and-values/">tattooing</a>, according to the study authors. 



The cave, also called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cueva_de_las_Manos" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Handprint Cave</a>, lies in the Roaring Creek Valley in Belize and has yielded human burials in earlier excavations, underscoring its long ritual history. 



That background helps frame the tools as instruments for skin marking rather than everyday craft.



The pieces are not knives configured for slicing. They are small points reshaped for puncturing, a form that suits repeated, precise <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tattoo-ink-travels-through-the-body-and-may-cause-long-term-risks/">entries into skin</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maya-tattoo-needles">Maya tattoo needles</h2>



A burin spall is a thin flake chipped to make a sharp, durable point. Chert takes a fine edge, and a carefully retouched tip can pierce cleanly without tearing.



In <a href="https://www.academia.edu/91605595/Drawing_with_great_needles_Ancient_tattoo_traditions_of_North_America_Aaron_Deter_Wolf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">puncture tattooing</a>, pigment rides on the tool’s tip and enters the skin with controlled taps or presses, a technique documented widely before electric machines. 



The method leaves characteristic microscopic wear and often traps ink in the final millimeters of the point.



Under magnification, rounding and polish at the tips, together with embedded dark residue, are exactly the traces repeated skin puncture and carbon-based ink can leave. 



That match is what moved the team to interpret the stones as tattoo implements rather than awls for hide or engravers for wood.



Body paint washes away. Tattooing stays, and permanence fits cultural and societal moments when status changed or vows were taken.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ink-identity-and-status">Ink, identity, and status</h2>



Tattooing in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/first-king-of-caracols-tomb-has-been-discovered-powerful-maya-cities/">Maya</a> lowlands signaled identity, rank, and life milestones, and images capture those codes. People marked jaws, torsos, and sometimes foreheads with signs that carried meaning inside a careful social order.



“They tattoo their bodies and are accounted valiant and brave in proportion to its amount, for the process is very painful,” wrote <a href="https://sacred-texts.com/nam/maya/ybac/ybac26.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diego de Landa</a> in a 16th century account of Yucatan. Chroniclers also noted figures such as snakes and eagles alongside sacred signs.



Colonial texts carry bias, yet they align with carvings that show captives, nobles, and ritual actors bearing permanent marks. The new tools give those records solid footing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-cave-with-a-message">A cave with a message</h2>



“Maya caves are exclusively ritual spaces,” argued <a href="https://www.academia.edu/35127401/Maya_Cave_Archaeology_A_New_Look_at_Religion_and_Cosmology_by_J_E_Brady_and_K_M_Prufer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James E. Brady and Keith M. Prufer</a>, who synthesized decades of cave archaeology across Mesoamerica. That perspective explains why a tattooing kit would end up far from households.



Caves anchored ideas about life and death, rain, fertility, and the underworld. A tool left there speaks to obligation, initiation, and power, not casual decoration.



The implements came from limestone pools on a ledge, a setting that does not invite everyday craft. Place and context help rule out bone or wood carving and keep the focus on skin.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-the-maya-tattoo-theory">Testing the Maya tattoo theory</h2>



Archaeologists have used experimental replicas to show how puncture tools behave and what marks they leave on artifacts and skin. 



A 2,000 year old cactus spine <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352409X18307508" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">device</a> from Utah helped set the standard for such tests in North America and demonstrated how use-wear and embedded pigment build up on working tips.



The Belize team looked for the same signs, including tip rounding, polish, and trapped pigment, and they found them. Consistency across different tools and materials strengthens the case.



This does not prove that every Classic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tattoo-ink-travels-through-the-body-and-may-cause-long-term-risks/">tattoo</a> began inside a cave, and the authors do not claim that. It shows that tattooing and ritual space intersected at least once, and likely more than once.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-this-matters">Why this matters</h2>



For years, scholars had images and ethnohistoric texts but no implements to connect the dots. Now there are tools that carry wear, residue, context, and time, all pointing in the same direction.



Next steps include identifying the exact pigment recipe and checking whether the ink came from soot, resins, or plant ash. 



Broader <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cave-art-discovery-depicts-animal-dicynodont-that-went-extinct-280-million-year-ago/">cave</a> surveys in Belize and Guatemala could tell us whether the cave setting is unusual or a recurring pattern.



This is not only a technique. It is about people who inscribed affiliation and belief on their bodies, and about the hands that did the work in places considered close to gods and ancestors.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352409X25001919" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports</a>.



Photograph of the Cave of Hands, Argentina, photograph by Gregory Crouch.



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Ancient Maya tattooed themselves with very detailed designs, now we know how they did it

Ancient Maya artists carved scenes of marked skin on stone...

History often remembers the Vikings as fierce raiders who swept across Europe in search of silver and gold treasure and artifacts. Yet, new scientific discoveries reveal a more intricate story. 



Silver, a symbol of wealth and power, was not just plundered but also traded, refined, and carried across vast distances. 



<a href="https://www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/collections/collections-highlights/the-bedale-hoard/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bedale hoard</a>, unearthed in North Yorkshire, offers a unique window into this overlooked side of Viking life.



Through cutting-edge scientific analysis, researchers uncovered how Viking treasure connects England not only to its European neighbors but also to distant Islamic lands. 



These findings highlight how Viking wealth was tied to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/archaeologist-sailed-on-a-viking-boat-for-three-years-and-made-surprising-discoveries/">global trade networks</a> that reached far beyond the battlefield.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vikings-and-the-silver-network">Vikings and the silver network</h2>



Led by Dr. Jane Kershaw of the <a href="https://www.arch.ox.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Archaeology</a>, University of Oxford, the research traced the origins of silver in the Bedale hoard, discovered in 2012. 



The findings show that Vikings drew not only from local raids but also from long-distance trade reaching into the Islamic world.



Geochemical analysis confirmed that while much of the silver came from western Europe - likely Anglo-Saxon and Carolingian coinage - a substantial portion originated from Islamic dirhams. 



These coins traveled through Scandinavian trade routes before reaching England.



The hoard, with 29 silver ingots and elaborate neck-rings, dates to the late ninth or early tenth century. Its variety highlights the cultural and economic blending in Viking Age England. 



This study challenges the idea that Viking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-vikings-traveled-great-distances-to-hunt-walruses-for-ivory/">wealth</a> came only from looting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-raiding-and-looting">Beyond raiding and looting</h2>



"Most of us tend to think of the Vikings primarily as raiders, who looted monasteries and other wealthy places in search of wealth. What the analysis of the Bedale hoard shows is that that is only part of the picture," noted Dr. Jane Kershaw.



She explained that while the Vikings did engage in looting and pillaging - with some of that wealth preserved in the rings and ingots found in the hoard - they also profited significantly from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vikings-landed-in-the-americas-500-years-before-columbus/">long-distance trade routes</a> connecting northern Europe to the Islamic Caliphate.



"We can now see that they brought large quantities of this Islamic silver with them when they established settlements in England," Dr. Kershaw continued.



Reflecting on the significance of the find, she added: "I love to think how Bedale - today a quintessentially English market town in north Yorkshire - was, in <a href="https://en.natmus.dk/historical-knowledge/denmark/prehistoric-period-until-1050-ad/the-viking-age/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Viking Age</a>, at the heart of a much wider, Eurasian Viking economy." 



The Vikings weren't only extracting wealth from the local population, they were also bringing wealth with them when they raided and settled.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-the-silver-origins">Tracing the silver origins</h2>



The research team used lead isotope and trace element analyses to pinpoint the silver’s origins. They identified three main sources: western European coinage, Islamic dirhams, and blended sources. 



Nine ingots - almost a third of the collection - were traced directly to the Islamic Caliphate, particularly regions corresponding to modern-day Iran and Iraq.



This silver traveled through the Austrvegr, the eastern trade routes, before reaching Scandinavia and later England. 



The movement of these coins demonstrates the reach of Viking trade networks. It shows how far-flung economic connections fed into local <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/enduring-earth-mystery-partially-solved-artificial-intelligence-nazca-geoglyphs/">settlements</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vikings-mixed-silver-with-skills">Vikings mixed silver with skills</h2>



The findings also suggest that Viking metalworkers refined some of the silver with local lead, particularly from the North Pennines. This indicates advanced metalworking skills and regional production. 



One striking artifact, a large neck-ring made from twisted rods, was created using a mix of eastern and western silver. The craftsmanship points to innovation and adaptation in northern England.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/viking-silver-hoard_discovery_UOxford_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/viking-silver-hoard_discovery_UOxford_1s.webp" alt="The Bedale hoard. Credit: York Museums Trust/University of Oxford" class="wp-image-1982530"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Bedale hoard. Click image to enlarge. Credit: York Museums Trust/University of Oxford</figcaption></figure>



The Archaeometry study adds that mixing silver sources was not random. Instead, it was deliberate, reflecting choices to maintain consistent silver quality and weight standards across regions. 



Such practices suggest that Viking metalworkers were highly skilled, operating with knowledge of purity levels and alloying techniques.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-the-viking-history-books">Expanding the Viking history books</h2>



The analysis adds to growing evidence that Viking wealth came from multiple strategies. Military campaigns and tribute collection remained important, but commercial exchange played a central role. 



Silver coins were melted down, recast, and shaped into jewelry and ingots, circulating within the Scandinavian bullion economy.



The study also highlights how silver acted as more than wealth. It was a medium of exchange in a bullion-based economy, where ingots and jewelry could be weighed and traded like currency. 



This system supported both local markets and international trade, embedding Viking communities into a wider economic network.



The research emphasizes how advanced scientific methods can reveal hidden layers of history. By examining the silver itself, researchers uncovered the complexity of Viking settlement and integration in England. 



The findings are published in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/arcm.70031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Archaeometry</a>, offering fresh insights into how Vikings balanced raiding with global trade.



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Remarkable Viking silver hoard discovery reveals far-reaching global trade links

History often remembers the Vikings as fierce raiders who swept...

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