Additional menu

Outforia

Your Ultimate Guide to the Great Outdoors

×

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Natural World

Cirrocumulus Clouds: What Are They and How Do They Form?

Written by:
Amy Hayes
Amy Hayes
Amy Hayes is an outdoor enthusiast and freelance writer based in Virginia. She has been fascinated by the wonders of nature since she was a child and has always loved exploring the great outdoors. Her written works display her passion for research and thirst for knowledge.
Last updated on:

Several different types of clouds come in many shapes and sizes. They’re also indicators of various types of weather.  Clouds are categorized into four main groups. These groups include …

Continue Reading about Cirrocumulus Clouds: What Are They and How Do They Form? →

How Are Igneous Rocks formed? The Hot, Grainy Details

Written by:
Leah Markum
Leah Markum
Leah is a writer, photographer, and hiker who is always ready to explore. She enjoys sharing scientific knowledge, nature art, and outdoor adventures to inspire others to get out and experience for themselves.
Last updated on:

In short, if you want to know what igneous rock is and how it formed, you can just imagine a volcanic eruption. But if you have more curiosity, you want to know the gritty details of how something …

Continue Reading about How Are Igneous Rocks formed? The Hot, Grainy Details →

What Is Virga and How Does It Form?

Written by:
Amy Hayes
Amy Hayes
Amy Hayes is an outdoor enthusiast and freelance writer based in Virginia. She has been fascinated by the wonders of nature since she was a child and has always loved exploring the great outdoors. Her written works display her passion for research and thirst for knowledge.
Last updated on:

Virga is a weather phenomenon that occurs when precipitation falls from a cloud but evaporates before reaching the ground. Virga can occur from different types of clouds. This can make it hard to …

Continue Reading about What Is Virga and How Does It Form? →

What Is an Estuary? Estuaries Around the World & More!

Written by:
Alex Moore
Alex Moore
Alex is a full-time van dweller and avid outdoorsman. He has spent the last year documenting his travels, hoping to share his love of nature with others.
Last updated on:

Estuaries are incredibly diverse ecosystems, with many habitats available. Different bird, fish, mammal, and invertebrate species inhabit these delta-like structures. Estuaries are a section of …

Continue Reading about What Is an Estuary? Estuaries Around the World & More! →

What Is a Tornado? Facts & Full Guide to Understanding Twisters

Written by:
Amy Hayes
Amy Hayes
Amy Hayes is an outdoor enthusiast and freelance writer based in Virginia. She has been fascinated by the wonders of nature since she was a child and has always loved exploring the great outdoors. Her written works display her passion for research and thirst for knowledge.
Last updated on:

Tornadoes are powerful types of storms that can occur almost anywhere when conditions are right. Have you ever wondered where tornadoes come from and how they form? Not all tornadoes are the same, …

Continue Reading about What Is a Tornado? Facts & Full Guide to Understanding Twisters →

Lenticular Clouds: Why Are They Shaped Like UFOs?

Written by:
Amy Hayes
Amy Hayes
Amy Hayes is an outdoor enthusiast and freelance writer based in Virginia. She has been fascinated by the wonders of nature since she was a child and has always loved exploring the great outdoors. Her written works display her passion for research and thirst for knowledge.
Last updated on:

Lenticular clouds are one of the rarest types of clouds that form in our atmosphere. These clouds have a unique disk-like shape, making them look like flying saucers. They’re formed by special …

Continue Reading about Lenticular Clouds: Why Are They Shaped Like UFOs? →

Cumulonimbus Clouds: The Sky’s Severe Weather Billboard

Written by:
Michelle VanGurp
Michelle VanGurp
Michelle M. VanGurp is a lifelong writer and outdoor enthusiast as well as a mom to two aspiring scientists. She loves writing about all things wild and free, especially if she can do so under the wide open sky
Last updated on:

Have you ever spent the afternoon lazing in the grass, watching the clouds go by? Have you ever looked into the sky and seen clouds resembling dragons or birds? Clouds are a part of our sky every …

Continue Reading about Cumulonimbus Clouds: The Sky’s Severe Weather Billboard →

What is Subsidence and How Does it Affect the Earth?

Written by:
Amy Hayes
Amy Hayes
Amy Hayes is an outdoor enthusiast and freelance writer based in Virginia. She has been fascinated by the wonders of nature since she was a child and has always loved exploring the great outdoors. Her written works display her passion for research and thirst for knowledge.
Last updated on:

What is Subsidence? Subsidence is the abrupt or gradual sinking of the Earth's surface. Typically, human action is the cause. But groundwater removal is one of the biggest causes. This natural …

Continue Reading about What is Subsidence and How Does it Affect the Earth? →

Schist: A Break Down on the Splitting Rock

Written by:
Leah Markum
Leah Markum
Leah is a writer, photographer, and hiker who is always ready to explore. She enjoys sharing scientific knowledge, nature art, and outdoor adventures to inspire others to get out and experience for themselves.
Last updated on:

Schist is a frequent victim of geology puns, but if we take it seriously, we can appreciate this rock.  It has been a part of the human story as our historical buildings and a host of gemstones. …

Continue Reading about Schist: A Break Down on the Splitting Rock →

How Are Deltas Formed? Full Explanation with Examples

Written by:
Kaylee Keech
Kaylee Keech
Kaylee is a science writer and outdoor enthusiast. She loves sharing the joy of nature with others, and hopes to inspire.
Last updated on:

What is delta and how is it formed? You might have never thought about this, but if you grew up close to a large lake or the ocean, it’s likely that you’ve seen a delta. Deltas form at the mouths of …

Continue Reading about How Are Deltas Formed? Full Explanation with Examples →

How Are Metamorphic Rocks Formed? (Full Explanation)

Written by:
Kaylee Keech
Kaylee Keech
Kaylee is a science writer and outdoor enthusiast. She loves sharing the joy of nature with others, and hopes to inspire.
Last updated on:

There are three types of rocks: sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. Sedimentary rocks are formed from sediments under pressure. Igneous rocks are formed by melting.  Metamorphic rocks are …

Continue Reading about How Are Metamorphic Rocks Formed? (Full Explanation) →

26+ Types of Gems: All About These Popular and Rare Jewels

Written by:
Alex Vexinath
Alex Vexinath
Alex Vexinath is a content contributor with a background in both freelance writing and academic research. He has an avid interest in exploring nature and learning more about his physical surroundings.
Last updated on:

share this image on your site 11 Popular Different Types of Gems Listed 1. Diamonds With their unrivaled strength and brilliance, diamonds have become a universal emblem of undying devotion …

Continue Reading about 26+ Types of Gems: All About These Popular and Rare Jewels →

9 Different Types of Weather: Facts, Definitions and Forecasting

Written by:
Gaby Pilson
Gaby Pilson
Gaby works professionally in the outdoors as a guide, instructor, and educator. She enjoys helping others gain the knowledge and experience they need to get out and adventure in the mountains.
Last updated on:

There are few things on this planet that affect our day to day lives more than the weather. But despite the importance of the weather, many of us know relatively little about the atmospheric …

Continue Reading about 9 Different Types of Weather: Facts, Definitions and Forecasting →

12 Different Types of Ecosystems and Why They Are Important

Written by:
Ann Briggs
Ann Briggs
Ann is a freelance writer specializing in travel, science, and the outdoors. She enjoys helping others gain an appreciation of nature and the knowledge to get outside and experience new adventures.
Last updated on:

Whether you realize it or not, you interact with an ecosystem every day.  We all live in ecosystems and have an impact on how they work and the other species that are able to live in our shared …

Continue Reading about 12 Different Types of Ecosystems and Why They Are Important →

10 Types of Habitats Around The World that Animals & Plants Call Home

Written by:
Alex Vexinath
Alex Vexinath
Alex Vexinath is a content contributor with a background in both freelance writing and academic research. He has an avid interest in exploring nature and learning more about his physical surroundings.
Last updated on:

Biomes, ecosystems, and habitats have a lot of overlap. The lines between them aren't always apparent. In a nutshell, a habitat is an environment in which a particular animal or plant (or type of …

Continue Reading about 10 Types of Habitats Around The World that Animals & Plants Call Home →

What Causes Tides?

Written by:
Gaby Pilson
Gaby Pilson
Gaby works professionally in the outdoors as a guide, instructor, and educator. She enjoys helping others gain the knowledge and experience they need to get out and adventure in the mountains.
Last updated on:

Have you ever spent a day at the beach and noticed that the water levels are constantly changing? You’re not alone. The ever-changing water levels of our ocean are a well-studied phenomenon known as …

Continue Reading about What Causes Tides? →

15 Different Types of Terrain You Should Know About: Complete Guide

Written by:
Alex Vexinath
Alex Vexinath
Alex Vexinath is a content contributor with a background in both freelance writing and academic research. He has an avid interest in exploring nature and learning more about his physical surroundings.
Last updated on:

The word "terrain" derives from the Latin word "terra," which means "earth." Terrain is a term used to describe the layout of the landscape, and it can also be referred to as topography or relief. …

Continue Reading about 15 Different Types of Terrain You Should Know About: Complete Guide →

All About The 4 Types of Volcanoes+ Formation, Eruption, and Facts

Written by:
Kaylee Keech
Kaylee Keech
Kaylee is a science writer and outdoor enthusiast. She loves sharing the joy of nature with others, and hopes to inspire.
Last updated on:

Volcanoes can produce devastating destruction. They can create flows of lava that can cover communities at speeds of 450 miles (724 km) and hour. They spew hot ash and boulders in the air to rain down …

Continue Reading about All About The 4 Types of Volcanoes+ Formation, Eruption, and Facts →

26 Different Types of Biomes From Around The World + Pictures & Chart

Written by:
Gaby Pilson
Gaby Pilson
Gaby works professionally in the outdoors as a guide, instructor, and educator. She enjoys helping others gain the knowledge and experience they need to get out and adventure in the mountains.
Last updated on:

Earth is a truly remarkable place. It’s home to everything from vast arid deserts and dense tropical rainforests to coral reefs and high alpine meadows. But have you ever stopped to wonder how many …

Continue Reading about 26 Different Types of Biomes From Around The World + Pictures & Chart →

30 Types of Rock That You Shouldn’t Take For Granite: Pictures and Facts

Written by:
Gaby Pilson
Gaby Pilson
Gaby works professionally in the outdoors as a guide, instructor, and educator. She enjoys helping others gain the knowledge and experience they need to get out and adventure in the mountains.
Last updated on:

Wherever you go in this world, rocks are sure to abound. Rocks are our firm footing on this planet Earth, and without them, our home would be a vastly different place. But, not all rocks are the …

Continue Reading about 30 Types of Rock That You Shouldn’t Take For Granite: Pictures and Facts →

19 Incredible Types of Storms

Written by:
Gaby Pilson
Gaby Pilson
Gaby works professionally in the outdoors as a guide, instructor, and educator. She enjoys helping others gain the knowledge and experience they need to get out and adventure in the mountains.
Last updated on:

Regardless of where you live in this world, at some point in your life, you’ve probably experienced a major storm. From snowstorms to hurricanes and tornadoes, there are a whole host of different …

Continue Reading about 19 Incredible Types of Storms →

Types of Landforms: From the Top of the Globe to the Depths of the Sea

Written by:
Amanda Readman
Amanda Readman
Amanda is a writer, avid climber, and outdoor enthusiast. She has traveled extensively, around the U.S., throughout Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Everywhere she treks, she takes time to enjoy the outdoors. She works through writing and leadership to educate people on the link between the outdoors to mental and global stability.
Last updated on:

The earth is a fascinating place with all kinds of variation and geographical interest. Have you ever seen an unlabeled picture come up as a screensaver and been able to guess where it’s at based on …

Continue Reading about Types of Landforms: From the Top of the Globe to the Depths of the Sea →

24 Types of Natural Disasters That You Need To Know

Written by:
Gaby Pilson
Gaby Pilson
Gaby works professionally in the outdoors as a guide, instructor, and educator. She enjoys helping others gain the knowledge and experience they need to get out and adventure in the mountains.
Last updated on:

Fact: Regardless of where you live in the world, natural disasters are always a threat. From hurricanes and blizzards to earthquakes and wildfires, natural disasters affect all of us on planet …

Continue Reading about 24 Types of Natural Disasters That You Need To Know →

11 Types of Precipitation To Know For Your Next Outdoor Adventure (Facts, Photos And More)

Written by:
Gaby Pilson
Gaby Pilson
Gaby works professionally in the outdoors as a guide, instructor, and educator. She enjoys helping others gain the knowledge and experience they need to get out and adventure in the mountains.
Last updated on:

Love it or hate it, precipitation is a fact of everyday life.  But, rain, sleet, hail, and snow are just a small fraction of all the different types of precipitation that we can experience …

Continue Reading about 11 Types of Precipitation To Know For Your Next Outdoor Adventure (Facts, Photos And More) →