Geographical

Official magazine of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

Phenomena

Parakeet on branch

Phenomena: the parakeets of urban Britain

ByGrace GourlayJan 26, 2026
Discover how these 'green intruders' are making their mark across urban landscapes in Britain
A globster

Globsters: the strange ‘beasts’ found on beaches

ByGrace GourlayDec 23, 2025

Discover more about a mysterious, recurring ocean phenomenon that has captivated attention for decades From time to time, the sea…

Dallol volcano danakil depression Ethiopia

Five strange natural places in the world

ByAmber BryanDec 12, 2025
Discover some of the most interesting but strange natural wonders of the planet, from Blood Falls to Spotted Lake
Bouvet island

Phenomena: the mystery of Bouvet Island

ByGrace GourlayOct 27, 2025

The lifeboat at the world’s end – an icy, unhabitated island only few have seen Far out in the subantarctic, well…

The Maud Rise polynya in 2017, roughly the same size as Switzerland

Phenomena: Polar polynyas

ByGeographical StaffJun 26, 2025
Polynyas are more than holes in Antarctic ice – they’re vital hotspots where marine life thrives and the ocean breathes
Death valley wandering rocks

Phenomena: Death Valley’s wandering rocks

ByGeographical StaffMay 10, 2025
For over a century, the mysterious ‘sailing stones’ of Death Valley baffled scientists and visitors alike – until a blend of ice, wind and serendipity finally revealed their secret
Baarle Hertog, Belgium and Baarle Nassau, the Netherlands October 10, 2019. The most complicated International border in Europe. Baarle territory is divided into a bits of Belgian and Netherlands

Phenomena: What are enclaves and exclaves?

ByGrace GourlayFeb 20, 2025

Discover more about the complex world of enclaves and exclaves, along with the geopolitical patchwork they form Enclaves and exclaves…

Church tower of Graun, Vinschgau, Curon, sunken village

Phenomena: Sunken villages

ByGrace GourlayFeb 4, 2025
Discover more about sunken villages across Europe – from Wales to Greece – and how exactly their existence came about
Woman standing on frozen methane bubbles at Abraham Lake, Alberta, Canada

Phenomena: frozen methane bubbles

ByGrace GourlayOct 3, 2024
The fascinating methane bubbles underneath lakes across the world hide a darker secret that can harm our planet.
St elmos fire at night

Phenomena: St Elmo’s fire explained

ByGrace GourlayJul 9, 2024
Learn about the captivating phenomenon of St Elmo's fire: a crackling display of atmospheric electricity that occurs during thunderstorms.
Lenticular cloud during sunrise in Bursa, Türkiye

What are leticular clouds and how they are formed

ByGrace GourlayApr 20, 2024
High altitude clouds which have often been mistaken for UFOs
Geo Explainer: How common are tornadoes in the UK?

Geo Explainer: How common are tornadoes in the UK?

ByBryony CottamApr 16, 2024
Tornadoes are a surprisingly common occurrence in the UK, and are most likely to form in three 'tornado hotspots'
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