Sycamore Gap Tree before it was cut down (Photo: adfoto/Depositphotos)

The UK recently lost one of its iconic natural wonders—the Sycamore Gap Tree. The picturesque tree decorated the Northumberland countryside for hundreds of years, occupying unique space between two hills and just beside the ruins of Hadrian's wall. It was discovered purposefully felled a couple of months ago, in September, breaking the hearts of people everywhere. However, some good news has emerged, suggesting that a part of the 200-year-old tree will live on.

“[We] are encouraged by positive signs of life, and are hopeful that over 30% of the mature seeds and half of the cuttings (scions) will be viable,” says Andy Jasper, the National Trust's director of gardens and parklands. He and a team will continue nurturing seeds and cuttings until they become healthy saplings. There is also still hope that the trunk of the sycamore gap tree will regrow, but it will be many years before it fills out the space left behind. Still, the news that not all is lost in such a beloved landmark is welcome after a tragic incident.

Although a teenager, two men in their 30s, and one man in his 60s were arrested at different points of the investigation, the police have released no further details on any of the suspects. Whoever is accused will face criminal charges for not only the tree, which belonged to the National Trust and Northumberland National Park, but also for damages to Hadrian's Wall, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Currently the National Trust and Northumberland National Park are working together on the best way to regrow the tree and also make a tribute to the one that was lost.

h/t: [NPR]

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READ: Felled Sycamore Gap Tree Shows Signs That It Will Regrow

“Between the stars” by Tibor Litauszki (Hungary). Grand Prize.
“I photographed this moment underwater. I was able to do it by putting my camera in an underwater case, attaching it to a metal weight and placing it all under the eggs. I waited nearby for it to be dark, and when the newt appeared, I lit it with an LED lamp. I started the camera with a homemade wired remote release. It turned out 1-2 sharp pictures.” (© Tibor Litauszki/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

The Nature Conservancy has announced the winner of its 2023 photo contest, which features images that help us connect to the power and peril of the natural world. After doubling the number of categories, the contest saw an explosion in the number of entries. In fact, entries nearly doubled over last year, with more than 80,000 photographers from 191 countries submitting over 189,000 photographs for consideration.

In the end, Tibor Litauszki from Hungary won the Grand Prize for his underwater photo of a newt eating freshly laid frog eggs. Litauszki was able to capture the underwater moment by attaching a metal weight to his camera and placing it underneath all of the eggs. It was a clever move that paid off when the newt came to feed.

Twelve category winners and a special celebrity judge award were also named. From Agnieszka Wieczorek‘s stunning aerial photo of a Polish village surrounded by yellow rapeseed fields to Benjamin Salb‘s close-up look at a wolf spider and her children, the photos show the true gamut of what makes our world extraordinary.

“Our annual photo contest is an inspiration. Photographers from all walks of life helped give voice to nature by showing us what mattered to them,” shared Alex Snyder, 2023 global photo contest director and judging coordinator. “The judges and I were taken on a visual journey as we reviewed thousands of images from amateurs and professionals alike. These impactful images underscored not only the power of photography but the importance of The Nature Conservancy’s global efforts in conservation.”

Check out 25 of the winning images below, which only lend support to the work that The Nature Conservancy carries out. Since 1951, this non-profit has worked with its members, over 400 scientists, and staff to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends, either through direct action or partner organizations.

Here are the incredible winners of The Nature Conservancy's 2023 photo contest.

“Living inside the yellow fields” by Agnieszka Wieczorek (Poland). First place, Aerials.
“Inspired by yellow color I decided to take a photo with a drone showing an aerial perspective of a small settlement of the city of Swidnica, Poland, which was
built in the middle of a field. In the spring months the buildings are surrounded by beautiful rapeseed fields.” (© Agnieszka Wieczorek /TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“Busy builder” by Grzegorz Długosz (Poland). First place, Birds.
“A penduline tit builds its unique nest in the marshes of Biebrza National Park, Poland. The male is shown leaving the nest to bring more material to finish up the build.” (© Grzegorz Długosz/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“Stranded” by Raphael Alves (Brazil). First place, Climate.
“Euridice Castro, 33, holds her nephew Otavio, in the window, while her son Aquiles plays in the rising rivers, in Anama, Brazil on May 24, 2021. Anama has been an “amphibian city” for years. Without work, adults stay at home most of the time; children, without classes and without public leisure spaces, are left playing in the flooded areas.​” (© Raphael Alves/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“Dry Fish Pond” by Jeanny Tang (Hong Kong). First place, Freshwater.
“The holes dug by fish for spawning can be seen after the pond has dried up.​ Tai Sang Wai, Yuen Long, Hong Kong. (© Jeanny Tang/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“Wolf Spider Mama” by Benjamin Salb (United States). First place, Insects & Arachnids.
“This image is a 129 frame focus bracket of a wolf spider with her babies. I encountered her in the middle of an asphalt path during an early morning macro outing this summer. You can usually expect some movement from the kids, which could ruin a stack attempt, but they were all completely still for this set.” (© Benjamin Salb/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“Sound and Vision” by Alessandro Carboni (Italy). First place, Lands.
“This picture represents one the most intense moments I could remember during my life. It was September, when after a two-week wait I was lucky enough to experience an amazing mix of extraordinary elements, which I will never forget: the impressive display of the autumn colours at their peak and the first snow of the season.” (​© Alessandro Carboni/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“Wolf Trinity” by Siddhartha Ghosh (India). First place, Mammals.
“Here you can see three wolves leaping through the air showcasing their enthusiasm and companionship. It's like a moment in time that captures their nature in the wild. Each wolf exudes happiness and energy with their eyes shining bright from the excitement and their strong bond as a pack. This image serves as a reminder of the elegance and charm of these animals, in their natural environment.” (© Siddhartha Ghosh/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“The Rangiroa gang” by Estebane Rezkallah (France). First place, Oceans.
“These dolphins jumped and played in front of our boat as we crossed Rangiroa, the largest of the Tuamotu Atolls and the second largest in the world. The dolphins play in the waves with each ship that passes by.” (© Estebane Rezkallah/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“Wildebeest Breakfast Balloon Safari” by Michael Hegyi (United States). First place, People & Nature.
“A small troop of wild blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) watches from a safe distance as a hot air balloon lands on the Maasai Mara, spills out its breakfast safari tourists and deflates. Maasai Mara National Park, Kenya. July 2018.” (© Michael Hegyi/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“SER*ES –  Lunático” by Jose Pereyra Lucena​ (Argentina). First place, Plants & Fungi.
“El Cardón, venerated by the native peoples of northwestern Argentina, surrounded by myths and legends. It is impossible not to be absorbed by its strange beauty. A direct shot on a winter moonlit night.​ Province of Salta, Argentina, 2021. (© Jose Pereyra Lucena/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

Over 189,000 photographs from nearly 80,000 photographers were entered into this year's competition.

“Alien Portrait” by Irina Petrova Adamatzky (United Kingdom). First place, Reptiles & Amphibians.
“In this photograph, the intricate skin of a Corn Snakelet (Pantherophis guttatus) is showcased in a unique way, using ultraviolet light. Scientifically proven, snakeskin exhibits a glowing effect under ultraviolet light, a phenomenon that herpetologists have utilized since the late 20th century to locate snakes in the dark.”

“Phantoms Adrift” by Russell Laman (United States). First place, Underwater Life.
“Pacific sea nettles (Chrysaora fuscescens) swarm in the murky waters off Monterey, California. August 2021.” (© Russell Laman/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“Peek-a-Boo” by Mike Krehbiel (United States). Second place, Birds.
“This lesser prairie chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) image was taken in western Kansas. I was in a blind overlooking a lek on April 1, 2023. It was a cold morning and by the time the activity died down enough to exit the blind I was shivering. I wasn't sure if it was due to the cold or the excitement of getting an opportunity to witness the non-stop activity of the prairie chicken.​ (© Mike Krehbiel/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“Farmland” by Mustafa Binol (Turkey). Second place, Climate.
“Although this is actually an irrigable land, it became dehydrated due to the decrease in the water level as a result of excessive water use. The vehicle, which has deep well drilling equipment, is about to start work to dig a new and deeper well on the land below, which has become ineffective. We must have water for a healthy future with conscious agriculture.​” (© Mustafa Binol/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“A cool drink” by Alan Taylor​ (United States). Second place, Freshwater.
“A bull elk stopping in the Oconaluftee River in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to a refreshing drink.” (© Alan Taylor/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“Galaxies at My Feet” by Soumya Ranjan Bhattacharyya​ (India).
“A yellow leafhopper came and sat on a spore dispersing bracket fungus. It stayed there until the fungul spore dispersal gained pace. I captured this moment inside the moist deciduous forest of Goa in India.” (​© Soumya Ranjan Bhattacharyya/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“Cotopaxi Volcano from the Antisana Glaciers” by Roberto Valdez​, Ecuador. Second place, Lands.
“After several hours of ascending and navigating the vast crevasses of the Antisana volcano's glacier, as the first rays of sunlight began to shine, I spotted the illuminated Cotopaxi in the distance with a massive column of steam rising from it. I carefully positioned myself between crevasses, pulled out my camera, and took the shot with a slow shutter speed, trying my best.” (© Roberto Valdez/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“Morning attack” by HJ Yang (United States). Second place, Mammals.
“An orca attacks two seals in the morning on the beach.” (© HJ Yang/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“Walking over wildlife” by Mano Aliczki (Hungary). Second place, People & Nature.
“A grey heron (Ardea cinerea) perches in a pond in an urban park in Budapest, Hungary as people walk by; the bird went unnoticed by most of the passers-by, just as we often do not generally notice the creatures living around us in the city. However, we do not need to leave the city to meet wildlife. If we slow down, we can see how many living creatures we share our habitat with.” (© Mano Aliczki/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“Snowy Night” by Cai Jialing (China). Second place, Underwater Life.
“Following the Taal Volcano eruption in the Philippines in early 2020, ocean sediments were stirred up into the water column. During a blackwater dive in Batangas Bay, I encountered a female paper nautilus hitchhiking on floating debris. The particles around it reflected my flashlight, resembling falling snowflakes. Rather than depicting post-disaster chaos, the scene created a serene fairytale.” (© Cai Jialing/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“Ghost Mushrooms” by Ashley Sykes (Australia). Third place, Plants & Fungi.
“This is a group of ghost mushrooms, Omphalotus nidiformis. They grow and then disappear quickly on warm nights after a few rainy days, particularly on rotting and decaying tree stumps in coastal forests. This clump I photographed was in a coastal woodland area in Gerroa, New South Wales, Australia. March 21, 2022.” (​© Ashley Sykes/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“Scarlet kingsnake” by Joseph Mullica (United States). Third place, Reptiles & Amphibians.
“A scarlet kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides) climbing down a pine tree presumably hunting lizards at dusk.” (© Joseph Mullica/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“Home bound” by Mostafijur Rahman Nasim (Bangladesh). Honorable mention, Aerials.
“Bangladesh is a densely populated country. The scenario of public transport changes during Eid festival as people leave Dhaka in over crowded transports. In the photo, huge crowded launches (water vessels) are seen in Sadarghat launch terminal in Dhaka. People took position on the roof of the river trucks.” (© Mostafijur Rahman Nasim/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

“Dawn's Whispers: Graceful Hoopoe Silhouette at Sunrise” by Hermis Haridas (United Arab Emirates). Celebrity Judge Choice.
“A Hoopoe took flight with its wings spread in a smooth motion across the canvas of the early-morning sky that was illuminated by the sunrise's bright hues. I saw that this bird would occasionally grab its prey in the air and other times on the ground. Additionally, I observed that each time it caught its prey, it flew in the same direction to a nearby tree.” (​© Hermis Haridas/TNC Photo Contest 2023)

The Nature Conservancy: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by The Nature Conservancy.

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Photo: nadik29/Depositphotos

After the devastating fires that hit Maui a couple of months ago, one of the biggest questions regarding the community’s cultural heritage was whether Lahaina's 150-year-old banyan tree would survive. The storied tree, which was first planted in 1873, was severely burned during the wildfires. Now, the arborists working on the tree have shared some uplifting updates. According to those working on the tree, it has sprouted new leaves, raising hopes about its future.

“After not being here for two weeks and looking at the new sprouts, especially on the makai side of the tree it is enlightening and exciting to see all the new growth, but also how high up in the canopy it is,” arborist Steve Nimz, part of the Lahaina Treescape Restoration Project, said in a news release.

Nimz explained that one-third of the tree is showing really strong recovery, another third is showing a little progress, and the final third has not shown anything yet. “In my opinion the tree is still in a coma. I relate it to people,” the arborist explains. “They’re in a coma and all of a sudden they blink an eye or move a finger. This tree needs to put out enough foliage and green to be able to feed itself.” According to experts, the soil beneath the tree became extremely hot during the fire, which altered the ground’s ability to absorb water.

The banyan fig, which now stands 60 feet tall, was first planted in the 19th century when it was an 8-foot-tall sapling. It was placed in downtown Lahaina by the sheriff to mark the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first Protestant mission. Despite the attachment the community has to it, the Ficus benghalensis is not a species native to Hawai'i. It was actually shipped from India, becoming a symbol of Hawai'i's burgeoning multicultural exchange.

The historic banyan tree is not the only plant the Lahaina Treescape Restoration Project is taking care of. With the help of volunteer construction companies, they've been watering the banyan tree as well as numerous ulu (breadfruit trees), kukui nut, and Royal palm trees. “We’re also taking care of a lot of other historical trees in Lahaina, but most of them have been charred pretty bad,” Landscaping business owner Chris Imonti told CNN. “I mean, everything is gone. We’re running around watering a few trees in town and that’s all that’s left.” Since most landmarks were destroyed, the landscaper describes the tree as “your only compass in town.”

While the locals have more pressing matters as they rebuild their life following the fire, those looking after it know it can be a good vehicle for change, and a symbol for the resilience of those who call Maui home. “People see it as a sign of hope,” Imonti says. “A sign of new beginnings.”

After the devastating fires that hit Maui a couple of months ago, one of the biggest questions regarding cultural heritage was whether Lahaina's 150-year-old banyan tree would survive.

Photo: PiKappa/Depositphotos

Now, the arborists working on the tree have shared some uplifting updates. According to those working on the tree, it has sprouted new leaves, raising hopes about its future.

“It is enlightening and exciting to see all the new growth, but also how high up in the canopy it is,” says Steve Nimz, an arborist part of the Lahaina Treescape Restoration Project.

“In my opinion the tree is still in a coma. I relate it to people. They’re in a coma and all of a sudden they blink an eye or move a finger. This tree needs to put out enough foliage and green to be able to feed itself.”

Signs of #hope:

the historic banyan tree burned during the #Lahaina fire last month has sprouted new leaves, showing signs of resilience and recovery pic.twitter.com/z2oPnP91e3

— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) September 20, 2023

h/t: [CNN]

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READ: Lahaina Banyan Tree Has Sprouted New Leaves Since the Devastating Maui Wildfires

Photo: surangastock/Depositphotos

The Northern Lights are one of the most fascinating phenomena of the natural world. Typically, the best chances to see it are from very remote Arctic locations during the coldest months of the year; however, soon it may become easier to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis. Sunspot observations, a key predictor for the likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights, have increased since the end of last year, and could continue to grow. This means that the natural phenomenon will not only appear more frequently, but they could also be seen from more places.

As NBC News explains, every glimmer of the Northern Lights begins as a spot on the Sun’s surface. According to the The Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel, a group of scientists that forecasts sunspot activity, the next 18 months will bring the strongest Northern Lights activity of both the coming decade and the past 20 years if the upward trend continues.

The latest prediction model points to a steady increase of sunspot observations until fall 2024, when the probability of a visible aurora borealis, reaches its peak. “Skywatchers are excited,” says Mark Miesch, a research scientist at the University of Colorado – Boulder and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

So far, the increase has brought some promising opportunities. Earlier this year, some cities in the continental U.S.—including Minneapolis, MN; Lansing, MI; and Portland, ME—were able to marvel at the aurora. While it may still sound pretty northern, the views they got were previously reserved for Alaska and upper Canada.

But even with improved chances to spot the Northern Lights, there are certain things you must consider. The best time to catch the aurora is “within an hour or two of midnight (between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time),” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Getting away from city lights and any light pollution is also key to enjoying the aurora at its best.

“Auroras are a spectacular sign that our planet is electrically connected to the Sun,” states NASA. “These light shows are provoked by energy from the Sun and fueled by electrically charged particles trapped in Earth's magnetic field.” Hopefully, they could soon be easier to see for more people around the globe.

According to scientists, sunspot observations (a key predictor for the likelihood of seeing the northern lights) have increased since the end of last year, and could continue to grow.

Photo: Johann/Depositphotos

This means that the Northern Lights will not only appear more frequently, but they could also be seen from more places.

Photo: AlexGukBO/Depositphotos

h/t: [Interesting Engineering]

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Photo: PantherMediaSeller/Depositphotos

People have used manmade rock stacks—also called rock cairns—since prehistoric times. These markers have served a myriad of purposes, but are usually placed to give directions to travelers and provide protection from the wind. However, while cairns have a long history, their function is currently being misused by many hikers and travelers. That is why Yosemite National Park reminds its visitors to knock over any rock stacks they see.

While some may have mixed feelings about toppling over these towers, there is a good reason to do it. Places like Yosemite aim to maintain their pristine nature without traces of humans, so removing these manmade structures is a necessary part of that.

“Why did Wilderness Restoration Rangers dismantle this rock cairn? According to Leave No Trace ethics when we recreate in wilderness spaces, our goal is to leave no signs of our impact on the land and respect other creatures living in it,” Yosemite National Park says. “Unfortunately, this dramatically oversized cairn is a mark of human impact and is distracting in a wilderness setting. Building rock cairns also disturbs small insects, reptiles, and microorganisms that call the underside home!”

Their message was shared alongside a video of a park ranger pushing over an oversized rock cairn which disturbed the otherwise natural landscape—both visually and ecologically. “When used appropriately, rock cairns are great for navigation, safety, and delineating a new or hard-to-follow trail. In general, rock cairns should only be constructed by rangers and trail workers. Please dismantle and refrain from building rock cairns when you visit Yosemite.”

This is an important reminder to anyone visiting not just Yosemite, but other national parks in the U.S. or around the world.

Yosemite National Park reminds visitors that if they come across rock cairns—or manmade rock stacks—they should knock them over.

Yosemite National Park: Website | Facebook | Instagram
h/t: [PetaPixel]

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Photo: surangastock/Depositphotos

The Northern Lights are one of the most fascinating sky phenomena out there. Although they are more common in places closer to the North Pole, strong geomagnetic storms can make them more visible at lower latitudes than usual. One such storm is taking place later this week, and with it, the skies of some states may light up at night this Wednesday and Thursday.

A forecast made by the University of Alaska Fairbanks a few days ago stated that the aurora may be visible from many U.S. cities in the Lower 48 states. However, this report has since been updated, and it turns out that many urban areas in the mid-continental U.S. have been removed from the list. Still, there is some hope for those in northern states, as well as Canada.

According to the latest report, the Northern Lights may be visible in Alaska and a handful Canadian provinces and territories, such as Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, and the Northwest Territories. As for places in the continental U.S., cities closer to the northern border may have the best shot, such as Minneapolis, MN; Great Falls, MT; Bismarck, ND; Madison, WI; Lansing, MI; and Portland, ME.

The prime time for viewing the Northern Lights is “within an hour or two of midnight (between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time),” according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Finding a dark place, away from the city lights and any light pollution is also key to enjoying the aurora at its best. Don't forget to check the weather forecast, too, as an overcast sky may block your view.

“Auroras are a spectacular sign that our planet is electrically connected to the Sun,” states NASA. “These light shows are provoked by energy from the Sun and fueled by electrically charged particles trapped in Earth's magnetic field.” Since they are harder to come by the farther south you are, this could be a good chance to get a glimpse of this amazing natural occurrence.

The Northern Lights may be visible from some U.S. areas this Wednesday and Thursday after a strong geomagnetic storm was forecasted. Cities closer to the northern border may have the best viewpoint.

Photo: Johann/Depositphotos

The prime time for viewing the Northern Lights is “within an hour or two of midnight (between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time),” according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Photo: AlexGukBO/Depositphotos

h/t: [The Guardian]

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Photo: Screenshot from YouTube

As dangerous as a volcanic eruption can be, there is something mesmerizing about the burning lava flows that come out of the crater. It's almost as if nature was sketching with fire. Beyond the thrilling visuals, vulcanologists around the world rely on cameras situated strategically close to these sites to monitor any activity. As one of the one of the world's most active (and famous) volcanoes, the Kilauea constantly posits a threat to the inhabitants of Hawaii. To keep tabs on it, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) offers a 24/7 Kīlauea Volcano Live Stream from the Halemaʻumaʻu crater.

With a long history of activity, the Kilauea erupted again this month. By the afternoon of June 7, the initial lava flows were between 13 and 30 feet high and covered about 370 acres of the crater floor. This prompted the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) to upgrade the Volcano Alert Level to Red, which indicates potential hazards. While the Halemaʻumaʻu crater has been closed to the public since 2007, volcanic smog can cause health issues for people and livestock, as well as damages to crops. As of June 12, the alert level has been decreased to level watch and color code orange.

The good news for now is that the eruption is confined to Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Kīlauea's summit caldera, and it doesn't pose an immediate threat to populated areas. This has inspired many adventurers to flock to the area to marvel at this phenomenon. It is considered a sacred event by Native Hawaiian culture, so it’s important to be respectful should you plan a trip to the area.

For those hoping to watch the eruption unfold from the comfort of their homes, the Kīlauea Volcano Live Stream offers some thrilling vistas, which are even more spectacular at dusk and dawn. You can join the live stream here. To learn more about the Kilauea and other active volcanoes, visit the USGS website.

To keep tabs on the Kilauea Volcano, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) offers a 24/7 live stream from the Halemaʻumaʻu crater.

Photo: Screenshot from YouTube

On top of being a resource for vulcanologists, the Kīlauea Volcano Live Stream offers some thrilling vistas, which are even more spectacular at dusk and dawn.

Photo: Screenshot from YouTube

You can watch the live stream here:

USGS: Website | YouTube | Instagram
h/t: [Boing Boing]

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Photo: gpointstudio/Depositphotos

Many hikers have a story about accidentally going off a trail. They thought they were headed in the right direction only to find that they’d strayed far from their intended path. At best this is a minor frustration. At worst, it’s dangerous and requires a rescue mission. Hiking apps are a big help, as they often provide routes and reviews of trails.

But what if you don't have any cell reception? In that case, you'd need offline maps. This feature, however, is often unavailable on hiking apps unless you are a paying subscriber. An Irish hiking app called HiiKER is changing that. It has released all of the trails in its database—over 25,000 routes—and made them available to download free of charge. Users can choose to download a map to their phone or smartwatch for easy access. It also saves their devices’ battery by not having to constantly ping GPS.

“Hiker Safety is our absolute priority,” explains Paul Finlay, CEO and founder of HiiKER. “Offering hikers Free Offline maps on HiiKER, means that everyone can feel confident that they’re on track, regardless of mobile service.”

The app is used by over half a million hikers worldwide, and with this feature it will surely help many who find themselves lost when out in the wilderness.

Hiking app HiiKER has made all of the trails in its database—over 25,000 routes—available to download free of charge.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by HiiKER: The Hiking Maps App (@hiiker_)

Hiiker: Website | Instagram | Facebook
h/t: [Good News Network]

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Embed from Getty Images

Trees are living history. These witnesses to time include an ancient olive tree at Vouves on the island of Crete which watched empires rise and fall, and Methuselah the twisted 4,800-year-old California bristlecone pine whose seed sprouted before the construction of the Egyptian pyramids. Now, scientists have discovered a Patagonia cypress tree in Chile known as “Great Grandfather” or Alerce Milenario is even older. Recent analysis of a segment of tree rings shows the giant is an estimated 5,484 years old—likely taking the award for oldest living tree.

Deep in the Chilean forest about 500 miles south of Santiago, the cypress tree stands amid dense foliage, sheltered from the elements in a ravine. A member of the Fitzroya cupressoides species, the magnificent tree is 13 feet in diameter and 92 feet tall. Moss flourishes on its surface and smaller trees have even taken root in its cracks. “It's a survivor, there are no others that have had the opportunity to live so long,” Antonio Lara of Austral University and Chile's center for climate science and resilience, noted to AFP. With her colleague Jonathan Barichivich of the Parisian Climate and Environmental Science Laboratory, she took a sample of the core (interior wood) of the tree using a thin borer to not harm the ancient creature.

The team counted 2,400 growth rings in the section of core. However, they were not even able to reach the center of the enormous tree. Therefore, they turned to a computer model to complete the ring count. By comparing to other alerce trees and taking into account what they know about variables affecting tree growth, they came to an 80% confidence estimate that Great Grandfather is over 5,000 years old. This makes him older than Methuselah, the former record holder. This discovery is exciting, as ancient trees contain a lot of “records” of climate change over he millennia within them.

“The ancient trees have genes and a very special history because they are symbols of resistance and adaptation. They are nature's best athletes,” Barichivich explains. “If these trees disappear, so too will disappear an important key about how life adapts to changes on the planet.” Publishing their findings and protecting the tree from trophy-seeking vandals are the next steps. A wooden platform has already been built to help prevent the trampling of the trees roots. Certainly at his age, Great Grandfather has earned respect. While he seems to be poised to take the title of oldest living tree, many others around the world—including even more ancient “clonal” trees—must be preserved, so their stored secrets are not lost forever.

Great Grandfather is a Patagonian cypress tree in Chile which researchers estimate to be over 5,400 years old.

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Researchers estimated the ancient tree's age by counting what rings they could reach and modeling the remainder with computers.

h/t: [IFL Science, The Guardian]

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READ: 5,400-Year-Old “Great Grandfather” Cypress Tree May Be Oldest in World

Funnel cloud just now over Mission Valley in Montana. #montana #tornados pic.twitter.com/LPcVWpxNvw

— ISLEY REUST (@isleyreust) May 9, 2023

A rare funnel cloud was spotted over snowy mountains in western Montana and, thankfully, quick-thinking onlookers filmed the event. Footage shot by Isley Reust has been making the rounds online and has viewers awestruck. The event occurred in Mission Valley around 5:30 p.m., as Reust was out doing yard work. She noticed the dark clouds forming and went inside, only to see a tornado appearing to form in the mountains.

While many people believe that tornados can't develop on mountains, the National Weather Service says that this is actually a myth. Though rare, there have been documented cases of tornados developing on top of mountains. In this case, what we're looking at isn't a full-blown tornado, but rather a funnel cloud.

What's the difference? Both are high-velocity columns of spinning air but have one striking difference. Tornados must touch the ground, while funnel clouds do not. In fact, funnel clouds can transform into tornados if they touch the ground or a waterspout if it touches down on water.

According to meteorologists, what we're looking at is a potential landspout tornado, which is weaker than a regular tornado but can still cause damage. Though the event was short-lived, it was long enough for everyone in the area to get a spectacular show.

A rare funnel cloud was spotted over snowy mountains in western Montana.

h/t: [Yahoo!]

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READ: Rare Footage of a Tornado Forming Over a Mountain in Montana