The Great Escape

Objects of myth that inspire both fear and hope, clouds are as much cultural icons as they are subjects of scientific exploration. They shape ecosystems and ocean cycles, provide vital water, and have long been a source of human fascination and inspiration. Across four destinations and diverse ecosystems—from the Pacific coast of Chile to the cloud cap of Mount Fuji and the “tablecloth” of Africa’s Table Mountain—cloud hunters, meteorologists, scientists, enthusiasts, and indigenous communities help us decode these extraordinary giants. By supplying moisture to the environment, clouds sustain life and make it possible for unique animal and plant species to thrive, even in the driest regions, while creating some of the most spectacular natural scenes on Earth.