Cloud inversion on the Arran granite

'Part of the island of Arran (Scotland) is made of mechanically strong granite, so forms these rugged peaks. The mountains in turn affect the local weather and climate, an instance of which is seen here by the flow of clouds early on a spring morning. I photographed this view whilst teaching on an undergrad field trip, when a cold and damp run unexpectedly took me above the clouds into bright sunshine and fantastic views. I often think of that day when setting off on a run in miserable weather, hoping that the same might happen again, but it rarely does! To me, this photo is a miniature snapshot of the interplay between the solid Earth, the atmosphere, and the hydrosphere, and makes me think about the global reach and implications of these types of interaction.
The photo was taken using my phone, with no later adjustments or enhancements.'

Alex Copley

Institution: University of Cambridge