Nature

1870 Atlantic hurricane season A brief account of the 1870 Atlantic hurricane season, its limited recorded activity, how storms were observed in the 19th century, and why historical hurricane records are uncerta…

1967 Atlantic hurricane season Seasonal summary of the 1967 Atlantic hurricane season, its storms, notable Hurricane Beulah, impacts, and meteorological context.

1970 Pacific hurricane season Summary of the 1970 Pacific hurricane season, its timeline, storm counts, basin behavior, and notable characteristics including central Pacific activity and cross-dateline developm…

1981 Atlantic hurricane season Summary of the 1981 Atlantic hurricane season: timeline, meteorological summary, notable storms (including Hurricane Dennis and Hurricane Katrina), impacts and distinguishing facts…

1987 Atlantic hurricane season A near‑average Atlantic hurricane season running June 1–November 30, 1987. Activity was muted, producing mainly weak storms: three became hurricanes and one reached major hurricane…

1987 Pacific hurricane season Summary of the 1987 Pacific hurricane season, its timeframe, notable storms (Eugene, Pilar, Norma, Ramon, Peke), basin monitoring, and overall impacts including limited landfall ac…

1990 Atlantic hurricane season: summary, storms, and impacts 1990 Atlantic hurricane season Review of the 1990 Atlantic hurricane season, its storms, timelines, impacts, and significance; includes storm counts, notable features, and why the season was noteworthy.

1994 Pacific hurricane season The 1994 Pacific hurricane season ran from May to November and featured an unusual cluster of very intense storms (Emilia, Gilma, John, Olivia) and deadly impacts from Hurricane Ro…

1996 Atlantic hurricane season An above-average Atlantic hurricane season running June–November 1996, featuring multiple hurricanes including several notable landfalls and the late-season Hurricane Marco that en…

1997 Atlantic hurricane season A below-average Atlantic hurricane season running June 1–November 30, 1997, with seven named storms, limited damage and fatalities, and notable influence from a strong El Niño.

1997 Pacific hurricane season An active Pacific season influenced by a strong El Niño, producing several intense hurricanes (notably Linda) and causing significant damage and loss of life across Mexico and near…

1999 Atlantic hurricane season The 1999 Atlantic hurricane season produced 12 named storms, including 8 hurricanes and 5 major hurricanes. It is remembered for Hurricane Floyd and the unusual eastward-tracking H…

2000 Atlantic hurricane season Overview of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season: timing, meteorological context, impacts, forecasting, and notable characteristics of storms that formed between June 1 and November…

2001 Atlantic hurricane season Summary of the 2001 Atlantic hurricane season: timeline, statistics, notable impacts, and meteorological context for an active six‑month period of tropical cyclone formation.

2010 Atlantic hurricane season The 2010 Atlantic hurricane season (June 1–November 30) was an extremely active year with 19 named storms, 12 hurricanes and 5 major hurricanes; notable storms included Earl, Igor…

2017 Atlantic hurricane season A very active and destructive Atlantic hurricane season (June–November 2017) that produced 17 named storms, 10 hurricanes and 6 major hurricanes and caused catastrophic damage in t…

Acherontia styx — the Asian death's‑head hawkmoth Acherontia styx Acherontia styx is a large sphingid moth from Asia, one of three death's‑head hawkmoths. Noted for a skull‑like thoracic mark, honey‑robbing behaviour and striking larval forms.

Agano River Major river in northern Honshu, Japan, rising in Fukushima and flowing northwest into Niigata; noted for length, watershed, historic pollution incident and cultural recognition amo…

Amber — fossil resin used in jewelry, science and cultural history Amber Amber is fossilized tree resin prized for jewelry, inclusions and historical significance. It ranges from ancient, fully polymerized resins to younger copal and occurs in a variety…

Ambergris: origin, properties, history and uses Ambergris Ambergris is a rare, waxy substance produced by sperm whales and prized historically and in perfumery; it forms in the gut, ages at sea, and is collected from beaches or the ocean…

Amethyst — the violet variety of quartz Amethyst Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz, valued as a gemstone and ornamental stone. This article explains its properties, formation, main sources, uses, care, and notable varietie…

Ancient woodland: definition, ecology, history and conservation Ancient woodland Ancient woodland in the UK is a long-continuous forest present since at least 1600 (1750 in Scotland). It supports distinctive species, complex habitats and is a conservation prior…

Animal track: footprints, identification, and fossil traces Animal track An animal track is the imprint left by an animal on a surface. This article explains how tracks form, their features, methods of identification and tracking, and how some tracks ar…

Annapurna I Main Annapurna I Main is an 8,091 m Himalayan peak in Nepal, part of the Annapurna Massif. Noted for being the first 8,000‑metre summit climbed and for its challenging routes and high h…

Annapurna II: overview, geography, and climbing history Annapurna II Annapurna II is a 7,937 m peak in the Annapurna massif of Nepal. This article summarizes its geography, mountaineering history, climbing challenges, and its place among the world's…

Appeal to Nature (informal logical fallacy) Appeal to nature An informal fallacy that asserts something is good because it is 'natural' or bad because it is 'unnatural', often conflating description with value and used in marketing, ethics,…

Aquanaut: underwater resident — history, roles, physiology and habitats Aquanaut An aquanaut lives and works on the seafloor for 24+ hours at ambient pressure. This article explains who aquanauts are, habitats, risks, notable programs and how they differ from o…

Archedictyon: the reconstructed ancestral wing venation of insects Archedictyon Archedictyon denotes a hypothetical, reconstructed network of wing veins thought to represent the ancestral venation pattern of winged insects, used in paleontology and comparative…

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty A UK statutory landscape designation protecting notable countryside for its natural beauty, managed through planning, partnerships and conservation to balance protection, quiet rec…

Artificial: Meaning, Origins, Types, and Practical Uses Artificial Concise encyclopedia entry on 'artificial': definition, materials and methods, etymology, examples, distinctions from natural and synthetic, ethical and environmental consideration…

Astraphobia: fear of thunder and lightning Astraphobia Astraphobia is an intense, disproportionate fear of thunder and lightning. This article explains symptoms, causes, history, animal responses, and common treatments and coping strat…

Atlantic hurricane A tropical cyclone in the Atlantic basin with sustained winds of at least 74 mph; covers seasonality, formation, hazards, monitoring, preparation, records and links to related topi…

Aurora (northern and southern lights) Aurora A natural light display in high-latitude skies produced when charged solar particles interact with Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere, creating curtains, arcs and colors known a…

Autumn (Fall): Season, Characteristics, Ecology and Cultural Roles Autumn Autumn, also called fall in North America, is the transitional season between summer and winter, marked by cooling temperatures, shorter daylight, leaf color change, harvests, migr…

Avalanche: Causes, Types, Hazards and Safety Avalanche An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow and debris down a slope. This article explains how avalanches form, their hazards, historical study, common types, and best practices for preve…

Backpacking (wilderness): self-contained hiking, gear, safety, and practice Backpacking (wilderness) Wilderness backpacking is self-contained multi-day hiking with a pack. This article covers gear, planning, navigation, safety, camping techniques, Leave No Trace, history and commo…

Bardiya National Park, Nepal Bardiya National Park Bardiya National Park is a protected area in western Nepal, conserving lowland Terai forest, grassland and riverine habitats and notable wildlife including rhinoceros, tiger, eleph…

Beijing Museum of Natural History: collections, history and public role Beijing Museum of Natural History An overview of the Beijing Museum of Natural History, its collections, development since 1951, research and public education role, and highlights such as fossil and vertebrate disp…

Bird Bath: Design, Purpose, Care, and Types Bird bath A bird bath is a shallow water feature placed outdoors to provide birds with drinking and bathing water. This article explains design, placement, materials, maintenance, history, a…

Birdwatching (Birding): Guide to Observing and Appreciating Wild Birds Birdwatching An accessible overview of birdwatching: what it is, how to start, equipment and etiquette, seasonal patterns and migration, community science and conservation, and how it differs f…

Blackwater river: origins, chemistry, ecology and conservation Blackwater river A blackwater river is a darkly stained, slow-moving channel draining forested wetlands. Tannins and humic acids give it low nutrients, acidity, and a distinctive ecology distinct f…

Blindness: Causes, Definitions, Adaptations, and Notable Figures Blindness Overview of blindness: types, common causes, legal definitions, prevention and treatments, daily adaptations and notable historical figures connected to vision loss.

Bluebell wood: spring carpets of Hyacinthoides in ancient woodland Bluebell wood A bluebell wood is a deciduous woodland that in spring produces a dense carpet of bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta). This article explains their ecology, history, cultural role…

Bocage: hedgerow landscapes, their form, ecology, and historical role Bocage Bocage describes a patchwork of fields enclosed by hedges, trees and earth banks—common in parts of Normandy and western Europe—known for its agricultural, ecological and wartime s…

Bog (peatland): ecology, formation, uses and conservation Bog A bog is a peat-accumulating wetland with acidic, waterlogged soils. This entry covers bog formation, characteristic plants and animals, human uses, threats, restoration and their…

Brazilianite: yellow‑green phosphate mineral from pegmatites Brazilianite Brazilianite is a yellow‑green sodium aluminum phosphate mineral found in phosphate‑rich pegmatites. Valued by collectors and occasionally cut as a gem, it forms well‑defined prism…

Bristle: stiff hairs and filaments used in brushes and brooms Bristle A bristle is a short, stiff hair or filament—natural or synthetic—used in brushes, brooms, and many industrial and domestic tools for cleaning, painting, scrubbing, and sealing.

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is Singapore's largest remaining primary rainforest, centred on the island's highest natural point. It protects diverse native species and provides trail…