2012: Places of the year

News imageBradley Ambrose/Caters Scientist Geoff Mackley investigates the interior of the Marum Volcano in Vanuatu. He stood only 30 metres from the boiling lava for 45 minutes. (Copyright: Bradley Ambrose/Caters)Bradley Ambrose/Caters
Scientist Geoff Mackley investigates the interior of the Marum Volcano in Vanuatu. He stood only 30 metres from the boiling lava for 45 minutes. (Copyright: Bradley Ambrose/Caters)

Images of some of Earth's most striking places in 2012, from a slumbering volcano to the Arctic wilderness.

More amazing image galleries of the year:

A year in space

The year in technology

A year of discovery

People of the year

The year in weather

The year in wildlife

Weird and wonderful

Future visions

New frontiers

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