The Boston Globe has set up an insanely beautiful feature called “The Big Picture.” Each week, they pick out a dozen or more stunning pictures on some topic and display them at huge size. The latest theme is “Earth From Above,” and the pictures are all from photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand. I don’t know why, but this picture really spoke to me (click through for the full size shot). It’s a fresh expanse of lava in Iceland that has cooled down enough for moss and other organisms to colonize it. Life always finds a way.
Originally published October 6, 2008. Copyright 2008 Carl Zimmer.