Abstract
Landscape views can be dynamic; many of the elements within an environmental vista may change from one moment to the next.
Features such as a vibrant sunrise or sudden storm are often brief and unexpected, they are ephemeral, and might significantly alter the way an environment is perceived and experienced.
Yet existing research has tended to focus on appraisals of urban and rural scenes under uniformly clement, ‘blue-sky’ conditions, with few studies considering how diurnal rhythms and fleeting meteorological processes might impact landscape appraisals.
We assessed ratings of beauty, awe, and willingness-to-pay to visit in each condition … Sunrise and sunset were the most valued conditions within both the urban and natural environments, outcomes that were partially mediated through increased ratings of beauty and awe.
Natural environments are particularly good at facilitating awe-inspiring experiences which are often triggered by epic and overwhelming scenes, and marked by increases in amazement, wonder, and joy.
Awe is increasingly considered an important affective response to place-based experiences, with these encounters demonstrating the potential to improve mood, enhance prosocial behavior, and increase positive emotions.
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