Women’s March

On Jan. 21, millions of people joined women’s marches across the United States and the world. Here are some of the roughly 500,000 people who marched in Washington, D.C.

AirPhotosLIVE

North Korea at Night

Tensions with North Korea were high this year, but much about the country remains a mystery. At night, North Korea has far fewer visible lights than its neighbors, leaving it shrouded in darkness.

CHINA NORTH KOREA Pyongyang Sea of Japan Seoul Lights of fishing boats SOUTH KOREA JAPAN Yellow Sea CHINA NORTH KOREA Pyongyang Seoul SOUTH KOREA Lights of fishing boats By The New York Times | Composite of nighttime light images from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration via Google, January through September 2017

The 100-Mile Iceberg That Broke Away from Antarctica

The iceberg that broke away from the Antarctic Peninsula in July was about the size of Long Island and New York City combined. Read more about how the crack developed over several years.

European Space Agency via Google

ISIS Leaves Behind Ruined Cities

The Islamic State lost substantial territory in Iraq and Syria this year, including Raqqa, its de facto capital in Syria, and Mosul, its largest population center in Iraq. When the fighting subsided in these cities, entire neighborhoods had been leveled.

Mosul Nov. 13, 2015 Mosul July 8, 2017 Raqqa Feb. 12, 2014 Raqqa Oct. 2, 2017 Images by DigitalGlobe

Solar Eclipse Across America

On Aug. 21, a total solar eclipse crossed the continental United States for the first time since 1979, stretching from Oregon to South Carolina.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

A Sprawling Refugee Camp for the Rohingya

More than half a million Rohingya fled the destruction of their homes, as well as killings and other atrocities, in northern Myanmar. This refugee camp at Kutupalong, Bangladesh, grew rapidly from February to November.

February September November November November November European Space Agency

An Onslaught of Hurricanes

This year’s string of hurricanes was relentless, and deadly storms battered Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and much of the Caribbean. This satellite image of Hurricane Harvey over Texas was taken on August 26. Lights are highlighted for clarity.

Austin Houston Acuña San Antonio HURRICANE HARVEY Laredo Gulf of Mexico Austin Houston HURRICANE HARVEY National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Lights Out in Puerto Rico

In September, Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, a commonwealth of the United States, leaving the island devastated and all but destroying its power grid.

June 24 Sept. 25 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Giant Algal Bloom

Lake Erie experienced one of the worst algal blooms in recent years, turning the lake bright green and alarming residents and local officials. At its peak, it stretched for miles south of Detroit, from Toledo to the shores of Ontario.

Landsat

Wildfires Across the Globe

Massive wildfires spread across parts of Chile; Western Canada and the United States; Portugal and Spain; France and even Greenland in 2017. California’s Thomas Fire, below, was the largest wildfire of the year in the state. Active fires are highlighted in red and orange, using infrared data collected by the satellite.