The Mongolian Mountains (Matter Most)

These stunning snow-peaked mountains form part of the Altai mountain range in Mongolia; recent research has shown that mountains in this region have a profound impact on Earth's climate, surprisingly much more than the taller and more extensive Himalaya and Tibetan plateau. Whilst in this photo they are peacefully reflected in a calm lake, their presence is forcing planetary-scale atmospheric waves, influencing the climate across the globe, from the ocean to the upper atmosphere.