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United States
Worst Spring Drought on Record
The United States is facing its worst spring drought on record. More than 60% of the continental U.S. has been under a drought watch of moderate or worse since early April. Dry conditions have been reported across the country, impacting crops, livestock, water supplies, and wildfire conditions. The drought developed across multiple regions, but its impacts are most visible in the Southeast, Great Plains, and Western states. In the Southeast, the period between September 2025 through March 2026 saw soils, streams, and vegetation depletion heading into spring. In the Great Plains, drought and spring freezes damaged winter wheat from Montana to Texas, with 44% of this year’s winter wheat crop rated poor or very poor. In the western U.S., the drought is connected to limited snowpack and low reservoir levels. Lake Mead and Lake Powell rely on these reserves and are critical for irrigation in a region that supplies much of the nation’s produce.
This map depicts current drought intensity across the United States, using categories from abnormally dry to exceptional drought. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: Drought.gov
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Albania
Mass Protests Over Resort
Thousands of Albanians took to the streets of Tirana, the nation’s capital, on Thursday to protest the construction of a resort backed by U.S. President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. The project is planned for two locations: one along the Adriatic coast and the other on nearby Sazan Island. The development would be built in a protected wetland that is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including Mediterranean monk seals, loggerhead sea turtles, and over 200 species of birds. The flamingo, in particular, has emerged as a symbol of the protests, appearing on banners and signs carried by demonstrators. Opponents of the project argue that the resort threatens fragile ecosystems and could cause lasting environmental damage. The Albanian government, which approved the development, maintains that the project will create jobs, boost tourism, and stimulate economic growth in the region. Officials also insist that the resort complies with all environmental regulations and will not harm surrounding habitats. Although the protests began near the project site in Zvernec, they have since spread to Tirana and other parts of the Balkan country.
This map depicts the uninhabited island of Sazan, located off the western coast of Albania in the Adriatic Sea. The island is the planned location for the luxury resort. Click on the map to learn more. Click on the map to learn more.
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Graphic Source: AOL News
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World
Mangroves Are Coming Back
After decades of decline, worldwide reports indicate mangrove forests are making a comeback. In a study conducted by researchers at Tulane University, satellite imagery in multiple countries (including the U.S., Australia, and China) show promising signs of regrowth and recovery. Since 2010, net gains outpaced net losses. To track the changes, satellite imagery from Landsat by NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was overlaid with high-resolution imagery from PlanetScope by the European Space Agency. Machine-learning techniques and change-detection methods were also applied to calculate losses and gains. Despite promising results, scientists warn that rising sea levels and climate change could threaten the hard-won gains.
This map interactive depicts satellite imagery showing recent healthy mangrove growth in Indonesia. Click on the map to learn more.
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Q: Known for having the most active volcanoes in the world, what is the most active volcano in Indonesia?
A: Mt. Merapi
Standing 9,551 ft (2,911 m) tall, Mount Merapi (meaning Mountain of Fire in Javanese) is located on Indonesia’s Java Island, about 20 miles (32 km) north of the city of Yogyakarta, and is situated along the Ring of Fire. Of Indonesia’s nearly 130 active volcanoes, Mount Merapi erupts most frequently, with small eruptions occurring every two to three years and larger ones every 10 to 15 years. Because Merapi is highly active, the volcano produces extremely fertile soil, with lush vegetation growing at the foot of its slopes. Since 1548, the stratovolcano has seen 68 historic eruptions, including the series of eruptions in late 2010, which killed over 350 people and displaced more than 300,000. Almost half of Merapi’s eruptions are accompanied by pyroclastic flows – clouds of superheated gases and incandescent solid particles – which have proven deadly in many of its major eruptions. Nevertheless, the mountain attracts hikers and climbers, and is central to the livelihoods and culture of the local population.
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Q: What state has the most imperiled biodiversity in the contiguous U.S.?
Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in Monday’s DailyGeo.
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