Search｜Photos & Images & Videos｜KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

China: Mysterious Glowing Objects Flash Across Night Sky Over Jinan

On May 7, 2026, in Pingyin County, Jinan, a video captured bright unidentified objects flashing across the dark sky above the city. The glowing light appeared to move rapidly while emitting a strong white and bluish glow, instantly attracting the attention of people on the ground. The footage showcased the object hovering or streaking through the night sky as nearby residents watched in surprise.

E

China: Rare Sun Halo Dazzles Residents in Hunan

On May 10, 2026, residents in Changsha, Hunan, China, were treated to a rare sun halo — a colorful ring of light encircling the sun — caused by sunlight refracting through ice crystals in cirrostratus clouds above the city.

E

China: Mysterious Ink-Like Shadow Filmed Expanding in Shaanxi Sky

On May 6, 2026, in Shaanxi, a video recorded a strange dark shadow appearing in the sky. After a plane flew past, the black shape gradually spread outward above the filmer. The shadow expanded through the sky like spilled ink, creating an unusual and unclear visual effect. It did not immediately resemble a common cloud shape. Chinese viewers discussed possible explanations in the comments. Some guessed it might be a swarm of flying insects, while others questioned whether the video had been made with AI.

E

China: Massive Dust Whirlwind Spirals Into Sky Over Yongcheng, Henan

On April 29, 2026, in Yongcheng, Henan, a video captured a massive dust whirlwind forming on flat ground as strong winds swept across an open area. The towering column of dust rapidly spiraled upward, creating a long twisting shape that stunned people nearby. Witnesses said the dust tornado remained visible for more than ten minutes as it continued spinning intensely in the distance.

E

China: Intense Rainfall Triggers Cliff Waterfall Along Hunan Mountain Road

On April 27, 2026, in Shaoyang, Hunan, a video captured an intense downpour that triggered a dramatic waterfall along a mountain roadside. As the man drove through the stormy weather, he was left stunned after spotting the powerful stream of water cascading down the rocky cliff face beside the road.

E

China: Dramatic Ice Flood Sweeps Through Kanas Scenic Area in Xinjiang

On January 6, 2026, in Altay, Xinjiang, a video captured a dangerous ice flood scene at the Kanas Scenic Area as strong currents carried large slabs of broken ice rapidly down the river. The surging water pushed the floating ice blocks through the river channel, creating a dramatic flowing ice phenomenon that drew attention from onlookers nearby.

E

Spain: Waterspout Forms Off Murcia Coast Near La Manga del Mar Menor

A waterspout was spotted off the coast of La Manga del Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain, on the morning of Thursday, May 7, amid increased atmospheric instability in the southeastern Iberian Peninsula.

E

China: Rare Circular Cloud Formation Spotted Over Inner Mongolia

On April 23, 2026, in Inner Mongolia, a video captured a rare circular cloud formation suspended high in the sky. The phenomenon looked almost artificial from a distance, adding to its striking visual impact.

E

China: Video Shows Water Freezing Instantly Inside Sealed Bottle in Shaanxi

On January 2, 2026, in Shaanxi, a video captured a woman holding a bottle of mineral water outdoors on a cold winter day. The footage showed that when she gently shook the sealed bottle, the clear liquid inside suddenly turned into ice within seconds. The freezing process happened right before the camera, with the water changing from transparent to solid almost instantly, creating a visually dramatic and surprising effect.

E

China: Surreal ‘Sky City’ Illusion Stuns Onlookers in Ngari, Tibet

On April 5, 2026, in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet, a video captured a surreal daytime scene where what appeared to be high-rise buildings emerged above the horizon. The structures seemed to hover in mid-air, partially obscured by layers of mist and clouds, creating the illusion of a distant city suspended in the sky.

E

China: Guangdong Night Sky Glows in Shade of Purple

On March 31, 2026, in Guangdong, a video captured a breathtaking scene where the night sky suddenly turned a vivid shade of purple.

E

US: Rare Mammatus Clouds Spotted Over Beatrice, Nebraska

Beautiful mammatus clouds were captured in Beatrice, Nebraska on Thursday, April 9.

E

Japan: Two Ducks Glide Through Carpet of Cherry Blossoms on Kyoto’s Philosopher’s Walk

Two ducks were spotted gliding through a hanaikada — a "flower raft" of fallen cherry blossom petals — on the canal along Kyoto's Philosopher's Walk. The phenomenon occurs when petals shed from the canal's cherry trees settle on the water's surface, forming a continuous pink carpet. The Philosopher's Walk is one of Kyoto's most celebrated spring destinations, with hundreds of cherry trees lining its approximately two-kilometer path.

E

Japan: Sea Sparkle Lights Up Ocean Surface in Blue, Signaling the Arrival of Spring 2

Noctiluca scintillans, known as sea sparkle, a type of bioluminescent plankton, lit up the ocean surface with a vivid blue glow, signaling the arrival of spring. This video was filmed on Monday, March 30 in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture.

E

Japan: Sea Sparkle Lights Up Ocean Surface in Blue, Signaling the Arrival of Spring

Noctiluca scintillans, known as sea sparkle, a type of bioluminescent plankton, lit up the ocean surface with a vivid blue glow, signaling the arrival of spring. This video was filmed on Sunday, April 5 at Suma Beach in Kobe.

E

US: Huge Shelf Cloud Spotted in Northeast Ohio

A massive shelf cloud was spotted in Northeast Ohio on Tuesday evening, March 31, as powerful storms swept across the region.

E

Spain: Powerful Calima Blankets Canary Islands, Prompting Warning 2

A powerful calima — a weather phenomenon in which strong winds carry Saharan sand and dust across the Atlantic — has blanketed the Canary Islands prompting Spain's weather agency AEMET to issue a warning. Authorities are urging residents to stay indoors and avoid outdoor exercise, as poor air quality poses risks of respiratory problems and eye irritation.

E

Spain: Powerful Calima Blankets Canary Islands, Prompting Warning

A powerful calima — a weather phenomenon in which strong winds carry Saharan sand and dust across the Atlantic — has blanketed the Canary Islands prompting Spain's weather agency AEMET to issue a warning. Authorities are urging residents to stay indoors and avoid outdoor exercise, as poor air quality poses risks of respiratory problems and eye irritation.

E

China: Children Nearly Hit by Sudden Water Tornado in Henan

On March 22, 2026, in Xinyang, Henan, China, a sudden water tornado formed on a calm pond and rushed toward a group of children playing nearby — then vanished within seconds. The children were unharmed.

E

US: Stunning Solar Halo Spotted Over Rochester With Aircraft Passing Through

A stunning solar halo was captured over Rochester during the daytime on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, with an aircraft passing through the scene, adding a striking sense of scale to the atmospheric phenomenon.

E

China: Sudden Dust Devil Tears Through Farmland in Liaoning

This is the terrifying moment that a Chinese man experienced a sudden dust devil while working on farmland, as strong winds swept across the field and shook his tractor. On March 17, 2026, in Liaoning, China, the video captured a farmer sitting on a tractor as a powerful dust devil formed nearby and moved rapidly across the farmland. The swirling winds stirred up dust and debris, reducing visibility and creating a chaotic scene. Despite the danger, the man remained on the tractor, holding steady as the violent gusts whipped around him. The intensity of the wind could be seen in the way the surrounding crops bent sharply and loose soil spiraled into the air, highlighting the force of the natural phenomenon. The video ended with the dust devil drifting further across the field, leaving behind scattered dust as the winds slowly subsided.

E

US: Spectacular Sunset Lights Up Santa Cruz Coast, CA

A spectacular sunset was reported across Santa Cruz, California, on Saturday, March 7, 2026. According to a social media post, vivid colors illuminated the sky for over 30 minutes, with observers calling it one of the area's finest displays in years. The intense hues were visible from iconic coastal spots, including the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Seabright Beach.

E

US: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch Creates “Jellyfish Cloud”

An early morning SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station created a glowing “space jellyfish” effect over Florida on March 4, 2026. The phenomenon occurred when sunlight illuminated the rocket’s high-altitude exhaust plume before sunrise, producing a colorful, jellyfish-like cloud. The rocket successfully carried 29 Starlink satellites into orbit, and its booster landed safely at sea.

E

US: Time-Lapse Captures SpaceX “Jellyfish” Cloud

An early morning SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station created a glowing “space jellyfish” effect over Florida on March 4, 2026. The phenomenon occurred when sunlight illuminated the rocket’s high-altitude exhaust plume before sunrise, producing a colorful, jellyfish-like cloud. The rocket successfully carried 29 Starlink satellites into orbit, and its booster landed safely at sea.

E

“Blood Moon” Lunar Eclipse Observed Across Asia, Australia and the Americas 3

A total lunar eclipse, also known as a “blood moon,” was observed on Tuesday, March 3 across parts of Asia, Australia, Pacific island nations, and North and South America, turning the moon a reddish-orange color.

E

“Blood Moon” Lunar Eclipse Observed Across Asia, Australia and the Americas 2

A total lunar eclipse, also known as a “blood moon,” was observed on Tuesday, March 3 across parts of Asia, Australia, Pacific island nations, and North and South America, turning the moon a reddish-orange color.

E

“Blood Moon” Lunar Eclipse Observed Across Asia, Australia and the Americas

A total lunar eclipse, also known as a “blood moon,” was observed on Tuesday, March 3 across parts of Asia, Australia, Pacific island nations, and North and South America, turning the moon a reddish-orange color.

E

Japan: Cedar Pollen Reaches Its Peak With Heavy Dispersal Reported 3

Cedar pollen levels reached their peak across a wide area of Japan, including Tokyo, on Saturday, February 28, as strong winds and rising temperatures created ideal conditions for mass dispersal. In several regions, a "pollen corona" was observed around the sun, a visual phenomenon indicating an extreme concentration of pollen in the atmosphere.

E

Japan: Cedar Pollen Reaches Its Peak With Heavy Dispersal Reported 5

Cedar pollen levels reached their peak across a wide area of Japan, including Tokyo, on Saturday, February 28, as strong winds and rising temperatures created ideal conditions for mass dispersal. In several regions, a "pollen corona" was observed around the sun, a visual phenomenon indicating an extreme concentration of pollen in the atmosphere.

E

Japan: Cedar Pollen Reaches Its Peak With Heavy Dispersal Reported 4

Cedar pollen levels reached their peak across a wide area of Japan, including Tokyo, on Saturday, February 28, as strong winds and rising temperatures created ideal conditions for mass dispersal. In several regions, a "pollen corona" was observed around the sun, a visual phenomenon indicating an extreme concentration of pollen in the atmosphere.

E

Japan: Cedar Pollen Reaches Its Peak With Heavy Dispersal Reported

Cedar pollen levels reached their peak across a wide area of Japan, including Tokyo, on Saturday, February 28, as strong winds and rising temperatures created ideal conditions for mass dispersal. In several regions, a "pollen corona" was observed around the sun, a visual phenomenon indicating an extreme concentration of pollen in the atmosphere.

E

Japan: Cedar Pollen Reaches Its Peak With Heavy Dispersal Reported 2

Cedar pollen levels reached their peak across a wide area of Japan, including Tokyo, on Saturday, February 28, as strong winds and rising temperatures created ideal conditions for mass dispersal. In several regions, a "pollen corona" was observed around the sun, a visual phenomenon indicating an extreme concentration of pollen in the atmosphere.

E

Japan: Hay Fever Alert Issued as Mass Pollen Dispersal Expected to Peak Nationwide

As of February 16, the start of cedar pollen dispersal has been confirmed in parts of the region stretching from Kyushu to Tokai. By late February, dispersal is expected to begin across a wide area ranging from Kyushu to southern Tohoku. In Shizuoka Prefecture specifically, cedar pollen began dispersing in early February 2026; total volume is expected to reach 1.9 times the average of the past 10 years. Thick pollen is visible in the video, creating hazy conditions across the mountain range.

E

US: Rainbow Arches Over Studio City, Los Angeles

A large rainbow appeared over Studio City, Los Angeles, viewed from Mulholland Drive near Fryman Canyon Park on Tuesday, February 17.

E

US: Thundersnow Captured in Northern Minnesota

Thundersnow was captured in northern Minnesota on Tuesday, February 17, as a powerful storm system moved into the region.

E

Indonesia: Mount Semeru Erupts, Sending Ash Plume 2,000 Meters High

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted early Saturday, February 14, sending hot clouds up to 6 km from the crater and ash columns as high as 2,000 meters. Authorities maintained the Level III alert and warned residents to stay clear of river valleys and areas within 13 km of the summit.

E

China: Qiantang River Tidal Bore Roars Upstream in Zhejiang

On October 13, 2025, in Zhejiang, China, a video captured the powerful Qiantang River tidal bore surging upstream. Walls of white water rolled forward with a loud roar, churning the river as onlookers watched from the bank.

E

US: Massive Ice Volcano Forms at Letchworth State Park Amid Winter Weather Advisories

A massive "ice volcano" was formed at Letchworth State Park, spanning Livingston and Wyoming counties, in upstate New York, as a frozen fountain inched upward to create a spectacular icy geyser. The phenomenon occurred amid a Cold Weather Advisory for western New York, where dangerously low wind chills posed a severe risk of frostbite.

E

Arctic Blast Turns Niagara Falls Into Icy Winter Spectacle 3

Visitors flocked to Niagara Falls to witness the rare sight of the iconic waterfalls partially frozen, with extreme cold and an Arctic blast coating railings, rocks and surrounding areas in thick ice.

E

China: Dust Devil Sweeps Through Chengdu Park, Lifting Debris

On February 1, 2026, a dust devil swept through the Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo Park in Chengdu, Sichuan, lifting debris into the air as campers and visitors filmed the dramatic scene.

E

Portugal: Storm Leonardo Moves Across Country With Heavy Rain and Flooding 2

Storm Leonardo battered Portugal, triggering flooding in several areas, including Alcacer do Sal, where dozens of people were rescued as the Sado River overflowed and parts of the town were submerged.

E

Spain: Firefighters Clear Storm Leonardo Debris from Fast-Moving Granada River

An 'extraordinary' storm has battered the Iberian Peninsula, forcing thousands in southern Spain to evacuate while shutting schools and canceling trains. As the Civil Guard and National Police conduct rescues, flooding in Granada’s Genil river basin has left roads and population centers under high alert.

E

Portugal: Storm Leonardo Moves Across Country With Heavy Rain and Flooding

Portugal is bracing for a second powerful storm less than a week after Storm Kristin killed six people and caused widespread destruction. Authorities warned on Tuesday, February 3, of potential urban flooding, flash floods, landslides, and coastal accidents between Tuesday, February 3 and Thursday, February 5 as Storm Leonardo moves across the mainland.

E

Arctic Blast Turns Niagara Falls Into Icy Winter Spectacle 2

Visitors flocked to Niagara Falls to witness the rare sight of the iconic waterfalls partially frozen, with extreme cold and an Arctic blast coating railings, rocks and surrounding areas in thick ice.

E

Arctic Blast Turns Niagara Falls Into Icy Winter Spectacle

Visitors flocked to Niagara Falls to witness the rare sight of the iconic waterfalls partially frozen, with extreme cold and an Arctic blast coating railings, rocks and surrounding areas in thick ice.

E

China: Soap Bubbles Freeze Instantly in Minus 27°C Cold

On January 21, 2026, in Jilin, northeastern China, a video showed extremely cold outdoor conditions with temperatures reaching minus 27 degrees Celsius. A young boy was seen blowing soap bubbles into the air. As the bubbles floated and landed on a nearby table, they quickly froze into crystal-like bubbles. Their surfaces reflected colorful light, creating a sparkling appearance. When the frozen bubbles eventually broke, they turned into soft white fragments instead of liquid. The unusual effect could only be observed under severe winter conditions.

E

China: Auroras Glow Over Heilongjiang After Geomagnetic Storm

Residents in Mohe, Heilongjiang, China, witnessed rare red and green auroras lighting up the night sky after a geomagnetic storm on January 20, 2026.

E

China: Soap Bubbles Freeze Within Seconds in Extreme Cold

A Chinese blogger captured soap bubbles freezing almost instantly in minus 15°C temperatures on December 26, 2025, in Mohe, Heilongjiang.

E

UK: Storm Ingrid Batters Southwest England

Huge waves battered the coasts of Cornwall and Devon on Friday, January 23, as Storm Ingrid brought disruptive weather to southwest England and south Wales.

E

US: Winter Storm Creates Rare Snow Rollers in New York Suburb

Dozens of rare “snow rollers” appeared overnight in the Rochester suburb of Chili, New York, after a winter storm brought strong winds and fresh snow. The unusual snow formations develop only under specific conditions, when wind, moisture and temperature combine to allow snow to roll and grow naturally.