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m_ashmawiMohammad Alashmawi
<?php
functiongetLink($city,$country) {
$city="".$city;
$country="".$country;
//test.csv is available on https://gist.github.com/anonymous/69693c7fa69284fabc1028fc96c4a2fa
$csvData=file_get_contents("test.csv");
$lines=explode(PHP_EOL, $csvData);
$array=array();
foreach ($linesas$line) {
$array[] =str_getcsv($line);
}
for ($x=0; $x<=152; $x++) {
$temp=explode(",", $array[$x][7]);
if (strcmp($city, $temp[1]) ==0||strcmp($country, $temp[1]) ==0){
return ("https://climate.nasa.gov/assets/images-of-change?id=".$array[$x][0]."#".$array[$x][0]);
break;
}
}
}
//Pass the city as the first parameter and the country as the second parameter
//Example:
echo getLink("Delhi","India");
?>
m_ashmawiMohammad Alashmawi
M
Mustafa Alesayi
M
Mustafa Alesayi
idimage_idimage_dateimage_date1image_date2image_date3image_categoryimage_titleimage_subtitlethumbnail_titlethumbnail_subtitleimage_map_locationimage_captionimage_altimage_creditimage_of_dayimage_thumbimage_largeimage_wall1image_wall2image_wall3image_wall4image_wall5image_wall6day_flagimage_flash_titleimage_flash_sub_titleimage_flash_animationimage_flashstatusdate_entereddate_modifiedimage_map_latitudeimage_map_longitudeimage_date4created_atupdated_atimage_main_file_nameimage_download_file_nameimage_thumb_file_nameimage_top_story_file_nameimage_download_full_file_nameimage_large_file_nameimage_flash_shadeimage_mobile_1_file_nameimage_mobile_2_file_namehas_mobile_imagesupdated_byimage_mobile_1_urlimage_mobile_2_urlog_description
6062017-04-27February 20, 1999February 5, 2017human impact, land coverRapid forest loss in CambodiaRapid forest lossCambodiacambodia<p>According to University of Maryland researchers who used Landsat satellite data, Cambodia had the world&rsquo;s most accelerated rate of deforestation between 2001 and 2014, losing 5,560 square miles (about 14,400 square kilometers) of forests during that time. The researchers attributed this rate in part to changes in global rubber prices and a surge in land-concession deals. In these images, dark green shows forests and pinkish-tan shows old, small-plot agricultural areas. In the lower left corner of the 2017 image (right), bright green landscapes peppered with darker blocks are crops, and bright green rectangles at&nbsp;the top left are agroforestry areas where rubber or oil palm plantations have emerged.</p><p>Left image taken by the Landsat 5 satellite. Right image by Landsat 8. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=2#700" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>: &ldquo;Cambodia Experiences Rapid Rate of Forest Loss&rdquo;; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/Cambodia_02052017-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png112.565679104.990962999999972017-04-27T10:30:03.626-07:002017-04-27T12:53:22.296-07:00Cambodia_02052017-320x240.jpg1Cambodia_02201999-2048px-80-before.jpgCambodia_02052017-2048px-80-after.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Cambodia_02201999-2048px-80-before.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Cambodia_02052017-2048px-80-after.jpgAccording to University of Maryland researchers who used Landsat satellite data, Cambodia had the world&rsquo;s most accelerated rate of deforestation between 2001 and 2014, losing 5,560 square miles (about 14,400 square kilometers) of forests during that time. The researchers attributed this rate in part to changes in global rubber prices and a surge in land-concession deals. In these images, dark green shows forests and pinkish-tan shows old, small-plot agricultural areas. In the lower left corner of the 2017 image (right), bright green landscapes peppered with darker blocks are crops, and bright green rectangles at&nbsp;the top left are agroforestry areas where rubber or oil palm plantations have emerged.
6052017-04-04March 24, 2016March 23, 2017water, land coverHeavy rains flood PeruFloodingPeruLago La Niña, Peru<p>Heavy rains that began in mid-March 2017 have devastated much of Peru. According to reports, more than 70,000 people lost their homes and more than 60 people died in floods and mudslides. Both the Lago La Ni&ntilde;a and Piura River have overflowed their banks. Official data report that about 4,660 miles (7,500 km) of roads and 509 bridges have been damaged. In these false-color images, clouds and salt pans (depressions in the ground in which salt water evaporates, leaving salt behind) appear light blue.</p><p>Images taken by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard the Aqua satellite. Source: <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=89931&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_title" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/peru-floodperu_amo_2017082_320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png1-5.7270515-80.643790599999992017-04-04T10:43:26.298-07:002017-04-04T10:45:54.742-07:00peru-floodperu_amo_2017082_320x240.jpg1peru-floodperu_amo_2016084_2048x1536-before.jpgperu-floodperu_amo_2017082_2048x1536-after.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_peru-floodperu_amo_2016084_2048x1536-before.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_peru-floodperu_amo_2017082_2048x1536-after.jpgHeavy rains that began in mid-March 2017 have devastated much of Peru. According to reports, more than 70,000 people lost their homes and more than 60 people died in floods and mudslides. Both the Lago La Ni&ntilde;a and Piura River have overflowed their banks. Official data report that about 4,660 miles (7,500 km) of roads and 509 bridges have been damaged. In these false-color images, clouds and salt pans (depressions in the ground in which salt water evaporates, leaving salt behind) appear light blue.
6042017-04-04March 1, 2017March 17, 2017extreme events, land coverWildfire near Ashland, KansasWildfireAshland, Kansasashland, kansas<p>These images show an area near Ashland, Kansas, before and after a wildfire. It was part of a group of four large fires encompassing nearly 780,000 acres in that state and neighboring Oklahoma. Burned areas appear black in the March 17 image.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=89886&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_readmore" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/ashland_oli_2017076_320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png137.1886376-99.76568342017-04-04T09:21:48.989-07:002017-04-04T10:44:18.304-07:00ashland_oli_2017076_320x240.jpg1ashland_oli_2017060_2048x1536-80-before.jpgashland_oli_2017076_2048x1536-80-after.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_ashland_oli_2017060_2048x1536-80-before.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_ashland_oli_2017076_2048x1536-80-after.jpgThese images show an area near Ashland, Kansas, before and after a wildfire. It was part of a group of four large fires encompassing nearly 780,000 acres in that state and neighboring Oklahoma. Burned areas appear black in the March 17 image.
6032017-03-27April 23, 1984July 20, 2016cities, human impact, land cover, top picksUrban expansion in Shanghai, ChinaUrban expansionShanghai, ChinaShanghai, China<p>Shanghai epitomizes China&rsquo;s urbanization trend over the last four decades. Its population doubled from 12 million in 1982 to 24 million in 2016. Analysis of satellite imagery found that the city&rsquo;s area ballooned from 119 square miles (308 square kilometers) in 1984 to 503 square miles (1,302 square kilometers) in 2014. As concrete replaced forests and farmland during that period, creating an urban heat island effect, Shanghai saw an 81 percent increase in area affected by higher temperatures. In these images, developed areas appear gray and white; farmland and forests are green; shallow, sediment-filled water is tan.</p><p>Images taken by Landsat 5 and 8. Source: <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/WorldOfChange/shanghai.php?src=features-hp&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=feature" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/shanghai_oli_2016202_320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png131.230416121.4737012017-03-27T07:25:14.318-07:002017-04-27T10:20:56.208-07:00shanghai_oli_2016202_320x240.jpg1shanghai_tm5_1984114_2048x1536-80-before.jpgshanghai_oli_2016202_2048x1536-80-after.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_shanghai_tm5_1984114_2048x1536-80-before.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_shanghai_oli_2016202_2048x1536-80-after.jpgShanghai epitomizes China&rsquo;s urbanization trend over the last four decades. Its population doubled from 12 million in 1982 to 24 million in 2016. Analysis of satellite imagery found that the city&rsquo;s area ballooned from 119 square miles (308 square kilometers) in 1984 to 503 square miles (1,302 square kilometers) in 2014. As concrete replaced forests and farmland during that period, creating an urban heat island effect, Shanghai saw an 81 percent increase in area affected by higher temperatures. In these images, developed areas appear gray and white; farmland and forests are green; shallow, sediment-filled water is tan.
6022017-03-24January 12, 1990January 29, 2017iceShrinking glaciers in New ZealandShrinking glaciersNew ZealandTasman Glacier<p>New Zealand contains over 3,000 glaciers, most of which are on the South Island&rsquo;s Southern Alps. The glaciers have been retreating since 1890, with short periods of small advances. In 2007, scientists at the country&rsquo;s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) attributed this change primarily to global warming. Without substantial climate cooling, they said, the glaciers would not return to their previous sizes. The differences between 1990 and 2017 can be seen in this pair of images, which include the Mueller Glacier, Hooker Glacier and Tasman Glacier, New Zealand&rsquo;s longest.</p><p>1990 image: Landsat 8 satellite. 2017 image: The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) onboard Terra satellite. Source: <a href="http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/pia21509" target="_blank">NASA/JPL-Caltech</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/PIA21509-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png1-43.5983151170.216734399999952017-03-24T09:34:12.847-07:002017-03-24T09:39:40.703-07:00PIA21509-320x240.jpg1PIA21509_fig1-2048x1536-80-before-v2.jpgPIA21509-2048x1536-80-after-v2.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_PIA21509_fig1-2048x1536-80-before-v2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_PIA21509-2048x1536-80-after-v2.jpgNew Zealand contains over 3,000 glaciers, most of which are on the South Island&rsquo;s Southern Alps. The glaciers have been retreating since 1890, with short periods of small advances. In 2007, scientists at the country&rsquo;s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) attributed this change primarily to global warming. Without substantial climate cooling, they said, the glaciers would not return to their previous sizes. The differences between 1990 and 2017 can be seen in this pair of images, which include the Mueller Glacier, Hooker Glacier and Tasman Glacier, New Zealand&rsquo;s longest.
6012017-03-24January 11, 2005September 14, 2016iceNeumayer Glacier shrinks on South Georgia IslandNeumayer Glacier shrinksSouth Georgia IslandNeumayer Glacier<p>Neumayer Glacier is on the east coast of South Georgia, an island some 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers) east of South America&rsquo;s southern tip. It has retreated more than 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) during the past 16 years. Neumayer flows into the ocean; even a tiny change in ocean temperature significantly affects the amount of heat available to melt the glacier.</p><p>2005 image: Advanced Land Imager onboard Earth Observing-1 satellite. 2016 image: Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: NASA Earth Observatory, <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=44972" target="_blank">August 1, 2010</a>&nbsp;and <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=89726" target="_blank">February 26, 2017</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/neumayer_oli_2016258_lrg_ioc-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png1-54.2444444-36.7100000000000362017-03-24T09:10:54.203-07:002017-04-11T07:16:14.125-07:00neumayer_oli_2016258_lrg_ioc-320x240.jpg1sgeorgiais_ali_11jan05_crop_ioc.jpgneumayer_oli_2016258_lrg_ioc.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_sgeorgiais_ali_11jan05_crop_ioc.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_neumayer_oli_2016258_lrg_ioc.jpgNeumayer Glacier is on the east coast of South Georgia, an island some 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers) east of South America&rsquo;s southern tip. It has retreated more than 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) during the past 16 years. Neumayer flows into the ocean; even a tiny change in ocean temperature significantly affects the amount of heat available to melt the glacier.
5992017-02-16January 24, 2017January 26, 2017ice, waterAntarctica's Pine Island Glacier calves icebergGlacier calves icebergAntarcticapine island glacier<p>Another block of ice, roughly a mile (one to two kilometers) long, has broken off Antarctica&rsquo;s Pine Island Glacier and floated into the adjacent bay. The glacier is estimated to deliver some 19 cubic miles (79 cubic kilometers) of ice to the bay each year. This is one of the principal means by which ice moves from the interior of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet to the ocean, where it melts and contributes to sea-level rise.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=89638&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_readmore" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/pine-island-glacier-croppineisland_oli_2017026_320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png1-75.16666699999999-1002017-02-16T07:16:11.111-08:002017-02-21T09:10:43.164-08:00pine-island-glacier-croppineisland_oli_2017026_320x240.jpg1pine_island_glacier_croppineisland_oli_2017024_lrgpine_island_glacier_croppineisland_oli_2017026_lrgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_pine_island_glacier_croppineisland_oli_2017024_lrg./system/gallery_images/mobile/2_pine_island_glacier_croppineisland_oli_2017026_lrg.Another block of ice, roughly a mile (one to two kilometers) long, has broken off Antarctica&rsquo;s Pine Island Glacier and floated into the adjacent bay. The glacier is estimated to deliver some 19 cubic miles (79 cubic kilometers) of ice to the bay each year. This is one of the principal means by which ice moves from the interior of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet to the ocean, where it melts and contributes to sea-level rise.
5972017-01-10September 13, 2015August 7, 2016extreme events, ice, land coverLandslide in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, AlaskaLandslideAlaskaGlacier Bay National Park and Preserve<p>On June 28, 2016, a 4,000-foot-high mountainside in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve collapsed, dropping rocky debris equivalent to 60 million mid-size SUVs onto nearby Lamplugh Glacier. Seismologists estimated that the material tumbled down the mountain for nearly one minute and then continued to slide along the glacier for another 6 miles. The southeast corner of Alaska, where this event took place, is geologically active and considered a hotspot for such landslides.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=2#542" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/Galcier_Bay_08072016_654-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png158.66580729999999-136.90021472017-01-10T07:21:37.140-08:002017-01-10T07:21:37.140-08:00Galcier_Bay_08072016_654-320x240.jpg1Glacier_Bay_09132015_654-2048px-90-before.jpgGalcier_Bay_08072016_654-2048px-90-after.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Glacier_Bay_09132015_654-2048px-90-before.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Galcier_Bay_08072016_654-2048px-90-after.jpgOn June 28, 2016, a 4,000-foot-high mountainside in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve collapsed, dropping rocky debris equivalent to 60 million mid-size SUVs onto nearby Lamplugh Glacier. Seismologists estimated that the material tumbled down the mountain for nearly one minute and then continued to slide along the glacier for another 6 miles. The southeast corner of Alaska, where this event took place, is geologically active and considered a hotspot for such landslides.
5962017-01-10July 8, 2016September 26, 2016extreme events, water, land coverStorms swell Cedar River, IowaStorms swell Cedar RiverIowaCedar Rapids<p>Storms that dropped some 10 inches of rain swelled the Cedar River to 6 feet above its major flood-stage designation at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on September 27, 2016. Authorities advised some 10,000 residents to evacuate. In these images, the countryside appears green during the growing season (July) and magenta when the crops were ready for harvest (September).</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=2#550" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/Cedar_River_Flood_09262016-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png141.9778795-91.665623200000032017-01-10T06:55:09.421-08:002017-01-10T07:25:13.731-08:00Cedar_River_Flood_09262016-320x240.jpg1Cedar_River_Flood_07082016-2048px-90-before.jpgCedar_River_Flood_09262016-2048px-90-after.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Cedar_River_Flood_07082016-2048px-90-before.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Cedar_River_Flood_09262016-2048px-90-after.jpgStorms that dropped some 10 inches of rain swelled the Cedar River to 6 feet above its major flood-stage designation at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on September 27, 2016. Authorities advised some 10,000 residents to evacuate. In these images, the countryside appears green during the growing season (July) and magenta when the crops were ready for harvest (September).
5952017-01-09July 11, 2015July 13, 2016land coverGypsy moth caterpillars damage Northeastern U.S. forestsInsect damage to forestsNortheastern U.S.Providence<p>An outbreak of European gypsy moth caterpillars defoliated forests across southern New England and the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. during spring and summer, 2016. In the 2015 image of countryside surrounding Providence, Rhode Island, healthy forest appears light green. Damage from the caterpillars appears as a dull peach color in the 2016 image. Two successive dry springs and an accompanying drought, which weakened a ground-dwelling fungus that can kill the caterpillars, are considered responsible for the unusually severe outbreak.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#556" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/Gypsy_Moth_07132016-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png141.8239891-71.412834299999992017-01-09T15:54:12.886-08:002017-01-10T07:28:01.783-08:00Gypsy_Moth_07132016-320x240.jpg1Gypsy_Moth_07112015-2048px-90-before.jpgGypsy_Moth_07132016-2048px-90-after.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Gypsy_Moth_07112015-2048px-90-before.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Gypsy_Moth_07132016-2048px-90-after.jpgAn outbreak of European gypsy moth caterpillars defoliated forests across southern New England and the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. during spring and summer, 2016. In the 2015 image of countryside surrounding Providence, Rhode Island, healthy forest appears light green. Damage from the caterpillars appears as a dull peach color in the 2016 image. Two successive dry springs and an accompanying drought, which weakened a ground-dwelling fungus that can kill the caterpillars, are considered responsible for the unusually severe outbreak.
5942017-01-09September 24, 1993August 22, 2016human impact, water, land coverThree Gorges Dam brings power, concerns to central ChinaThree Gorges DamCentral ChinaThree Gorges Dam<p>China&rsquo;s Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River became the world&rsquo;s largest hydroelectric power plant upon its completion in 2012. It has also eased flooding and river navigation and provided water for irrigation. However, construction forced some 1.2 million people to relocate and, according to a 2010 study, triggered about 3,400 earthquakes and numerous landslides from mid-2003 through 2009. Changes in river flow have raised concerns about silt accumulation and biodiversity loss. Important archeological sites and ancient monuments were reportedly inundated as the reservoir filled. Forested areas appear red in these images to represent measurements by infrared sensors.</p><p>1993 image: Landsat 5. 2016 image: Landsat 8. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=8#563" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/Three_Gorges_Dam_L8_08222016-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png130.822719111.003375300000022017-01-09T13:11:13.915-08:002017-01-10T07:35:54.068-08:00Three_Gorges_Dam_L8_08222016-320x240.jpg1Three_Gorges_Dam_LT5_09241993-2048px-90-before.jpgThree_Gorges_Dam_L8_08222016-2048px-95-after.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Three_Gorges_Dam_LT5_09241993-2048px-90-before.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Three_Gorges_Dam_L8_08222016-2048px-95-after.jpgChina&rsquo;s Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River became the world&rsquo;s largest hydroelectric power plant upon its completion in 2012. It has also eased flooding and river navigation and provided water for irrigation. However, construction forced some 1.2 million people to relocate and, according to a 2010 study, triggered about 3,400 earthquakes and numerous landslides from mid-2003 through 2009. Changes in river flow have raised concerns about silt accumulation and biodiversity loss. Important archeological sites and ancient monuments were reportedly inundated as the reservoir filled. Forested areas appear red in these images to represent measurements by infrared sensors.
5932017-01-05September 26, 2016October 12, 2016extreme events, water, land coverHurricane Matthew pounds southwestern HaitiHurricane MatthewHaitiRavine du Sud River<p>Hurricane Matthew pounded southwestern Haiti on October 4, 2016, washing away crops and other vegetation (green areas in the September image), which were often on steep slopes. Some of the eroded soil is visible as sediment at the mouth of the Ravine du Sud River. The storm dropped some 30 inches of rain on parts of the country and damaged or destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=2#553" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/HaitiFlooding_10122016-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png118.2771288-73.892288800000022017-01-05T05:42:53.171-08:002017-01-10T07:48:25.613-08:00HaitiFlooding_10122016-320x240.jpg1HaitiFlooding_09262016-1800px-before.jpgHaitiFlooding_10122016-1800px-after.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_HaitiFlooding_09262016-1800px-before.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_HaitiFlooding_10122016-1800px-after.jpgHurricane Matthew pounded southwestern Haiti on October 4, 2016, washing away crops and other vegetation (green areas in the September image), which were often on steep slopes. Some of the eroded soil is visible as sediment at the mouth of the Ravine du Sud River. The storm dropped some 30 inches of rain on parts of the country and damaged or destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes.
5922017-01-04October 27, 2013October 19, 2016waterPersistent drought shrinks Lake Cachuma, Southern CaliforniaShrinking Lake CachumaSouthern CaliforniaLake Cachuma<p>The amount of water in Lake Cachuma has fallen to about 7 percent of capacity, the result of a persistent drought in Southern California. The decline has exposed much of the bottom of the reservoir, which provides drinking water to Santa Barbara. Some 20 percent of the state has suffered exceptional drought, the most extreme drought classification, since early 2014.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=89110" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/lake_cachuma_after-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png134.5789534-119.948034800000022017-01-04T06:36:47.627-08:002017-01-05T05:21:19.870-08:00lake_cachuma_after-320x240.jpg1lake_cachuma_before.jpglake_cachuma_after.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_lake_cachuma_before.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_lake_cachuma_after.jpgThe amount of water in Lake Cachuma has fallen to about 7 percent of capacity, the result of a persistent drought in Southern California. The decline has exposed much of the bottom of the reservoir, which provides drinking water to Santa Barbara. Some 20 percent of the state has suffered exceptional drought, the most extreme drought classification, since early 2014.
5912016-11-10September 1984September 2016iceOlder, thicker Arctic sea ice declinesDeclining older, thicker iceThe ArcticThe Arctic<p>The area covered by Arctic sea ice at least four years old has decreased from 718,000 square miles (1,860,000 square kilometers) in September 1984 to 42,000 square miles (110,000 square kilometers) in September 2016. Ice that has built up over the years tends to be thicker and less vulnerable to melting away than newer ice. In these visualizations of data from buoys, weather stations, satellites and computer models, the age of the ice is indicated by shades ranging from blue-gray for the youngest ice to white for the oldest.</p><p>Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=89038&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_readmore" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/yearlySeaIceAge_4k.2337-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png181.084216-170.9629312016-11-14T10:29:52.809-08:002016-11-15T07:55:12.688-08:00yearlySeaIceAge_4k.2337-320x240.jpg1yearlySeaIceAge_4k.0000-2048x1536-80-before.jpgyearlySeaIceAge_4k.2337-2048x1536-80-after.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_yearlySeaIceAge_4k.0000-2048x1536-80-before.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_yearlySeaIceAge_4k.2337-2048x1536-80-after.jpgThe area covered by Arctic sea ice at least four years old has decreased from 718,000 square miles (1,860,000 square kilometers) in September 1984 to 42,000 square miles (110,000 square kilometers) in September 2016. Ice that has built up over the years tends to be thicker and less vulnerable to melting away than newer ice. In these visualizations of data from buoys, weather stations, satellites and computer models, the age of the ice is indicated by shades ranging from blue-gray for the youngest ice to white for the oldest.
5902016-10-27August 25, 2015August 27, 2016icePorcupine Glacier calves in British ColumbiaPorcupine Glacier calvesBritish ColumbiaPorcupine Glacier<p>A giant iceberg has broken off of the Porcupine Glacier in northern British Columbia. It is the largest single iceberg (by area) to calve from a North American glacier in recent decades, according to glaciologist Mauri Pelto, who has been analyzing satellite images of glaciers since the 1980s. It split from an ice tongue floating on water, rather than from ice supported by solid ground. These images were taken in shortwave infrared light, which is better than visible light for distinguishing between ice, snow and water.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=88857&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_readmore" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/porcupine_oli_2016240_320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png156.7716244-131.29821162016-10-27T07:50:28.591-07:002016-11-09T12:54:15.430-08:00porcupine_oli_2016240_320x240.jpg1porcupine_glacier_circle_before.jpegporcupine_glacier_circle_after.jpegholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_porcupine_glacier_circle_before.jpeg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_porcupine_glacier_circle_after.jpegA giant iceberg has broken off of the Porcupine Glacier in northern British Columbia. It is the largest single iceberg (by area) to calve from a North American glacier in recent decades, according to glaciologist Mauri Pelto, who has been analyzing satellite images of glaciers since the 1980s. It split from an ice tongue floating on water, rather than from ice supported by solid ground. These images were taken in shortwave infrared light, which is better than visible light for distinguishing between ice, snow and water.
5892016-09-20August 10, 2015August 21, 2016extreme events, water, land coverFlooding on the Ganges River, IndiaGanges River floodingIndiaGanges River<p>Heavy monsoon rains have caused catastrophic flooding along the Ganges and other rivers in eastern and central India. At least 300 people died and more than six million were affected by the flooding, according to news reports. These images show a stretch of the Ganges near Patna.</p><p>Images taken by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard NASA&rsquo;s Terra satellite. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=88624&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=nh" target="_blank">NASA&rsquo;s Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/ganges_tmo_2016234_320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png125.65094285.1234282016-09-20T10:53:15.905-07:002016-09-20T10:53:55.631-07:00ganges_tmo_2016234_320x240.jpg1ganges_tmo_2015222_2048x1536-before.jpgganges_tmo_2016234_1028x1536-after.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_ganges_tmo_2015222_2048x1536-before.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_ganges_tmo_2016234_1028x1536-after.jpgHeavy monsoon rains have caused catastrophic flooding along the Ganges and other rivers in eastern and central India. At least 300 people died and more than six million were affected by the flooding, according to news reports. These images show a stretch of the Ganges near Patna.
5882016-09-20June 24, 2016July 21, 2016ice, land coverIce avalanche in Tibet’s Aru RangeIce avalancheTibet’s Aru RangeDungru<p>The collapse of a glacier tongue on July 17, 2016, sent a huge stream of ice and rock tumbling down a narrow valley in Tibet&rsquo;s Aru Range. Nine people in the remote village of Dungru were killed along with their herds of 350 sheep and 110 yaks. The ice avalanche, one of the largest ever recorded, left debris as much as 98 feet (30 meters) thick across 4 square miles (10 square kilometers). The reason for the collapse has so far eluded glaciologists.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8 and ESA&rsquo;s Sentinel-2. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=88677&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_readmore" target="_blank">NASA&rsquo;s Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/icefall_sn2_2016203_320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png132.311925376.088501100000032016-09-20T09:38:42.351-07:002016-09-20T09:41:45.272-07:00icefall_sn2_2016203_320x240.jpg1icefall_oli_2016176_lrg-before.jpgicefall_sn2_2016203_lrg-after.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_icefall_oli_2016176_lrg-before.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_icefall_sn2_2016203_lrg-after.jpgThe collapse of a glacier tongue on July 17, 2016, sent a huge stream of ice and rock tumbling down a narrow valley in Tibet&rsquo;s Aru Range. Nine people in the remote village of Dungru were killed along with their herds of 350 sheep and 110 yaks. The ice avalanche, one of the largest ever recorded, left debris as much as 98 feet (30 meters) thick across 4 square miles (10 square kilometers). The reason for the collapse has so far eluded glaciologists.
5872016-08-17October 10, 1988June 17, 2016land coverFire and recovery in Yellowstone National Park, U.S.Fire and recoveryYellowstone National ParkYellowstone National Park<p>The 1988 image shows scars left by a wildfire that consumed 1.2 million acres in and around Yellowstone National Park that year. The 2016 image shows the recovery of trees and other vegetation. The park&rsquo;s western border is visible in the 1988 image as a line separating dark green forest where logging is prohibited from the lighter area where trees have been cut and removed.</p><p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper onboard Landsat 5 and the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#533" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>; &ldquo;Fire and Rebirth: Landsat Tells Yellowstone&rsquo;s Story&rdquo;; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/yellowstone-fire-recovery-before-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png144.4279684-110.58845422016-08-17T12:37:09.543-07:002017-01-09T09:20:41.423-08:00yellowstone-fire-recovery-before-320x240.jpg1yellowstone-fire-recovery-before-2048x1536-80.jpgyellowstone-fire-recovery-after-2048x1536-80.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_yellowstone-fire-recovery-before-2048x1536-80.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_yellowstone-fire-recovery-after-2048x1536-80.jpgThe 1988 image shows scars left by a wildfire that consumed 1.2 million acres in and around Yellowstone National Park that year. The 2016 image shows the recovery of trees and other vegetation. The park&rsquo;s western border is visible in the 1988 image as a line separating dark green forest where logging is prohibited from the lighter area where trees have been cut and removed.
5862016-08-17June 10, 2014June 15, 2016iceExceptionally early ice melt, GreenlandEarly ice meltGreenlandGreenland<p>Meltwater streams, rivers and lakes form in the surface of the Greenland Ice Sheet every spring or early summer, but melting began exceptionally early in 2016. Melting encourages further melting when ponds of meltwater develop, since they darken the surface and absorb more sunlight than ice does. Surface melt contributes to sea-level rise when the water runs off into the ocean and when it flows through crevasses to the base of a glacier and temporarily speeds up the ice flow.</p><p>Images taken by the Advanced Land Imager onboard the Earth Observing-1 satellite and the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=88288&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_readmore" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/greenland_ali_2016167_320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png171.706936-42.6043030000000162016-08-17T10:15:18.640-07:002016-08-17T10:17:23.879-07:00greenland_ali_2016167_320x240.jpg1greenland_oli_2014161_2048x1536-80-before.jpggreenland_ali_2016167_2048x1536-80-after.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_greenland_oli_2014161_2048x1536-80-before.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_greenland_ali_2016167_2048x1536-80-after.jpgMeltwater streams, rivers and lakes form in the surface of the Greenland Ice Sheet every spring or early summer, but melting began exceptionally early in 2016. Melting encourages further melting when ponds of meltwater develop, since they darken the surface and absorb more sunlight than ice does. Surface melt contributes to sea-level rise when the water runs off into the ocean and when it flows through crevasses to the base of a glacier and temporarily speeds up the ice flow.
5852016-08-12June 29, 1984June 21, 2016human impact, land coverOpen-pit coal mine growth in Powder River Basin, WyomingOpen-pit coal minesWyomingPowder River, Wyoming<p>Wyoming&rsquo;s Powder River Basin hosts the North Antelope Rochelle Complex&mdash;largest coal mine in the U.S.&mdash;and the Black Thunder Mine. Together, they produced 22 percent of the U.S. coal supply in 2014. These images show the landscape&rsquo;s change from predominantly agricultural use to open-pit mining. USGS officials estimate that these mines have less than 20 years of economically recoverable coal remaining, after which the companies will be required to reclaim the land.</p><p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper onboard Landsat 5 and the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#531" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>; &ldquo;Landsat Reveals Industrial Growth in Powder River Basin&rdquo;; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/wyoming-coal-mines-after-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png143.0321863-106.98727852016-08-12T15:26:40.618-07:002017-01-09T09:25:28.967-08:00wyoming-coal-mines-after-320x240.jpg1wyoming-coal-mines-before-2048x1536-80.jpgwyoming-coal-mines-after-2048x1536-80.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_wyoming-coal-mines-before-2048x1536-80.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_wyoming-coal-mines-after-2048x1536-80.jpgWyoming&rsquo;s Powder River Basin hosts the North Antelope Rochelle Complex&mdash;largest coal mine in the U.S.&mdash;and the Black Thunder Mine. Together, they produced 22 percent of the U.S. coal supply in 2014. These images show the landscape&rsquo;s change from predominantly agricultural use to open-pit mining. USGS officials estimate that these mines have less than 20 years of economically recoverable coal remaining, after which the companies will be required to reclaim the land.
5842016-08-11March 27, 2016July 28, 2016extreme events, water, land coverCostly flooding in Yangtze River Basin, ChinaCostly flooding Yangtze River Basin, ChinaYangtze River<p>Summer 2016 brought the second costliest disaster in China&rsquo;s history from a combination of monsoon rains and Cyclone Nepartak. Flooding and mudslides in June killed 128 people, destroyed 40,000 homes and ruined more than 3.7 million acres of crops. Cyclone Nepartak destroyed an additional tens of thousands of homes in July and forced hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate. Additional storms extended and exacerbated the flooding, which would have been even worse if Poyang Lake, Dongting Lake and other wetlands along the Yangtze River had not been at unusually low levels in March. Damage from these floods has been estimated at more than $22 billion (U.S.). Numerous studies indicate that global warming is increasing the severity of Asian monsoons.</p><p>Images taken by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA&rsquo;s Terra satellite. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=88467&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_readmore" target="_blank">NASA&rsquo;s Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/Yangtze-River-Basin_-China-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png130.5146484112.868837400000072016-08-11T16:44:17.157-07:002016-08-11T16:44:47.891-07:00Yangtze-River-Basin_-China-320x240.jpg1Yangtze-River-Basin_-China-2048x1536-80-before.jpgYangtze-River-Basin_-China-2048x1536-80-after.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Yangtze-River-Basin_-China-2048x1536-80-before.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Yangtze-River-Basin_-China-2048x1536-80-after.jpgSummer 2016 brought the second costliest disaster in China&rsquo;s history from a combination of monsoon rains and Cyclone Nepartak. Flooding and mudslides in June killed 128 people, destroyed 40,000 homes and ruined more than 3.7 million acres of crops. Cyclone Nepartak destroyed an additional tens of thousands of homes in July and forced hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate. Additional storms extended and exacerbated the flooding, which would have been even worse if Poyang Lake, Dongting Lake and other wetlands along the Yangtze River had not been at unusually low levels in March. Damage from these floods has been estimated at more than $22 billion (U.S.). Numerous studies indicate that global warming is increasing the severity of Asian monsoons.
5832016-08-11April 13, 2015April 15, 2016iceEarly sea-ice breakup in Beaufort Sea, ArcticEarly sea-ice breakupBeaufort Sea, ArcticBeaufort Sea<p>Ice in the Beaufort Sea, off the Arctic Ocean, suffered significant fracturing and breakup by mid-April in 2016, considerably earlier than the late-May period when this usually happens. NASA ice specialists attribute the change to unusually warm air temperatures during the first months of the year and to strong winds caused by a stalled high-pressure system over the area. The thicker, multi-year ice that once covered the region has largely given way to seasonal, first-year ice that is thinner, weaker and more easily broken up by strong winds.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#528" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>; &ldquo;Beaufort Sea Ice Experiences Unusually Early Breakup&rdquo;; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/beaufort-sea-ice-breakup-after-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png172.8431409-145.568484300000022016-08-11T15:45:54.473-07:002017-01-09T09:29:10.469-08:00beaufort-sea-ice-breakup-after-320x240.jpg1beaufort-sea-ice-breakup-before-2048x1536-80.jpgbeaufort-sea-ice-breakup-after-2048x1536-80.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_beaufort-sea-ice-breakup-before-2048x1536-80.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_beaufort-sea-ice-breakup-after-2048x1536-80.jpgIce in the Beaufort Sea, off the Arctic Ocean, suffered significant fracturing and breakup by mid-April in 2016, considerably earlier than the late-May period when this usually happens. NASA ice specialists attribute the change to unusually warm air temperatures during the first months of the year and to strong winds caused by a stalled high-pressure system over the area. The thicker, multi-year ice that once covered the region has largely given way to seasonal, first-year ice that is thinner, weaker and more easily broken up by strong winds.
5822016-08-11April 23, 2016July 18, 2016waterIran's Lake Urmia changes colorColor-changing lakeLake Urmia, IranLake Urmia<p>Some combination of algae and bacteria is periodically turning Iran&rsquo;s Lake Urmia from green to red. The change typically occurs when summer heat and dryness evaporate water, increasing the lake&rsquo;s saltiness. Data from satellites indicate that the lake has lost about 70 percent of its surface area over the last 14 years.</p><p>Images taken by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard NASA&rsquo;s Aqua satellite. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=88395&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_title" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/lake-urmia-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png137.682201945.394331200000012016-08-11T09:26:22.749-07:002016-08-11T09:26:22.749-07:00lake-urmia-320x240.jpg1lake-urmia-before-2048x1536-60.jpglake-urmia-after-2048x1536-60.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_lake-urmia-before-2048x1536-60.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_lake-urmia-after-2048x1536-60.jpgSome combination of algae and bacteria is periodically turning Iran&rsquo;s Lake Urmia from green to red. The change typically occurs when summer heat and dryness evaporate water, increasing the lake&rsquo;s saltiness. Data from satellites indicate that the lake has lost about 70 percent of its surface area over the last 14 years.
5812016-08-03August 17, 1984August 23, 2015ice, land coverVanishing glaciers in Glacier National Park, MontanaVanishing glaciersGlacier National ParkGlacier National Park<p>Glacier National Park, in Montana&rsquo;s portion of the Rocky Mountains, is expected to be virtually glacier-free by around 2030. The roughly 150 glaciers it contained in 1850 dwindled to 83 by 1968 and to 25 today. The area shown here is the central portion of the park. Most of the blue bodies in these false-color images are permanent snow and ice. Glaciers in the Blackfoot-Jackson basin decreased from 21.6 square kilometers (8.3 square miles) in area in 1850 to just 7.4 square kilometers (2.9 square miles) in 1979. The 2015 image also shows burn scars from wildfires.</p><p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper onboard Landsat 5 and the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/WorldOfChange/glacier.php?src=features-hp&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=feature" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/glaciernp_tm5_1984230_320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png148.7596128-113.787022500000032016-08-03T16:47:11.506-07:002016-08-03T16:47:11.506-07:00glaciernp_tm5_1984230_320x240.jpg1glaciernp_tm5_1984230_lrg-2048x1536-80-before.jpgglaciernp_oli_2015235_lrg-2048x1536-80-after.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_glaciernp_tm5_1984230_lrg-2048x1536-80-before.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_glaciernp_oli_2015235_lrg-2048x1536-80-after.jpgGlacier National Park, in Montana&rsquo;s portion of the Rocky Mountains, is expected to be virtually glacier-free by around 2030. The roughly 150 glaciers it contained in 1850 dwindled to 83 by 1968 and to 25 today. The area shown here is the central portion of the park. Most of the blue bodies in these false-color images are permanent snow and ice. Glaciers in the Blackfoot-Jackson basin decreased from 21.6 square kilometers (8.3 square miles) in area in 1850 to just 7.4 square kilometers (2.9 square miles) in 1979. The 2015 image also shows burn scars from wildfires.
5802016-07-19July 18, 2015June 10, 2016extreme events, land coverBoreal forest wildfire on Kamchatka Peninsula, RussiaBoreal forest wildfireKamchatka Peninsula, RussiaKamchatka Peninsula<p>A massive wildfire on the Kamchatka Peninsula in far-eastern Russia has consumed nearly 600,000 acres of boreal forest and tundra since late May 2016.&nbsp;Fires appear orange in the 2016 image and smoke looks light blue.&nbsp;The large, brown area is the burn scar. <em>The Siberian Times</em>&nbsp;reported that smoke from the Russian wildfire was &ldquo;producing exceptional sunsets&rdquo; in the western United States and Canada. The newspaper attributed the Kamchatka fire and others this spring in eastern Russia partially to an unusually warm, dry winter and faster than normal snowmelt.&nbsp;</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8 and the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus onboard Landsat 7. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#529" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>; &ldquo;Large Wildfire Consumes Boreal Forest in Eastern Russia;&rdquo; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/Kamchatka-Peninsula-wildfire-after-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png156.1327377159.531439800000042016-07-19T10:56:34.195-07:002017-01-09T09:29:38.443-08:00Kamchatka-Peninsula-wildfire-after-320x240.jpg1Kamchatka-Peninsula-wildfire-before-2048x1536-60.jpgKamchatka-Peninsula-wildfire-after-2048x1536-60.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Kamchatka-Peninsula-wildfire-before-2048x1536-60.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Kamchatka-Peninsula-wildfire-after-2048x1536-60.jpgA massive wildfire on the Kamchatka Peninsula in far-eastern Russia has consumed nearly 600,000 acres of boreal forest and tundra since late May 2016.&nbsp;Fires appear orange in the 2016 image and smoke looks light blue.&nbsp;The large, brown area is the burn scar. The Siberian Times&nbsp;reported that smoke from the Russian wildfire was &ldquo;producing exceptional sunsets&rdquo; in the western United States and Canada. The newspaper attributed the Kamchatka fire and others this spring in eastern Russia partially to an unusually warm, dry winter and faster than normal snowmelt.&nbsp;
5792016-07-18March 14, 1991March 2, 2016cities, human impact, land coverUrban expansion in New Delhi, IndiaUrban expansionNew Delhi, IndiaNew Delhi<p>Between the times these two images were taken, the population of India&rsquo;s capital and its suburbs (known collectively as &ldquo;Delhi&rdquo;) ballooned from 9.4 million to 25 million. It is now second in population only to Tokyo, which has 38 million people. The United Nations Report on World Urbanization projects that Delhi will have 37 million residents by 2030.</p><p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper on board Landsat 5 and the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#530" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>; &ldquo;New Delhi Among Fastest Growing Urban Areas in the World;&rdquo; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/new-delhi-expansion-after-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png128.613939177.209021200000052016-07-19T10:39:33.466-07:002017-01-09T09:40:00.675-08:00new-delhi-expansion-after-320x240.jpg1new-delhi-expansion-before-2048x1536-60.jpgnew-delhi-expansion-after-2048x1536-60.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_new-delhi-expansion-before-2048x1536-60.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_new-delhi-expansion-after-2048x1536-60.jpgBetween the times these two images were taken, the population of India&rsquo;s capital and its suburbs (known collectively as &ldquo;Delhi&rdquo;) ballooned from 9.4 million to 25 million. It is now second in population only to Tokyo, which has 38 million people. The United Nations Report on World Urbanization projects that Delhi will have 37 million residents by 2030.
5782016-07-15October 17, 2015May 12, 2016extreme events, land coverFort McMurray wildfire aftermath in Alberta, CanadaWildfire aftermathFort McMurray, Canadafort mcmurray<p>The Fort McMurray wildfire, one of the most destructive in Canada&rsquo;s history, has burned some 600,000 acres, including nearly 10 percent of the city.&nbsp;In the 2016 false-color image, blue haze indicates smoke, bright orange shows active fires and the reddish-brown areas are burn scars. Fire destroyed more than 2,400 structures and damaged at least 500 more. See also <a href="http://climate.nasa.gov/assets/images-of-change#576-wildfires-near-fort-mcmurray-in-alberta-canada">this account</a>.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#524" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>; &ldquo;Landsat 8 Shows Burn Extent, Active Fire at Fort McMurray;&rdquo; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/fort-mcmurray-aftermath-after-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png156.72637959999999-111.380340700000032016-07-15T15:50:18.882-07:002017-01-09T09:41:45.461-08:00fort-mcmurray-aftermath-after-320x240.jpg1fort-mcmurray-aftermath-before2048x1536-60.jpgfort-mcmurray-aftermath-after-2048x1536-60.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_fort-mcmurray-aftermath-before2048x1536-60.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_fort-mcmurray-aftermath-after-2048x1536-60.jpgThe Fort McMurray wildfire, one of the most destructive in Canada&rsquo;s history, has burned some 600,000 acres, including nearly 10 percent of the city.&nbsp;In the 2016 false-color image, blue haze indicates smoke, bright orange shows active fires and the reddish-brown areas are burn scars. Fire destroyed more than 2,400 structures and damaged at least 500 more. See also this account.
5772016-07-11February 18, 1975March 2, 2015iceShrinking glaciers along western AntarcticaShrinking glaciersWestern Antarctica<p>A new analysis of satellite data reveals that glaciers along the Bellingshausen Sea coast of western Antarctica have been shrinking for at least four decades. The likely cause is relatively warm ocean water licking&nbsp;at the underside of ice floating near &ldquo;grounding lines,&rdquo; where ice flowing from the continent is connected to the seafloor. In these images, ice loss is most pronounced along the ice stream named for Jane Ferrigno, a U.S. Geological Survey scientist who used satellite data to map Antarctica.</p><p>Images taken by the Multispectral Scanner onboard Landsat 2 (left) and the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8 (right). Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=88241&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_readmore" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/antarctica_oli_2015061_320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png1-73.560544-81.8454322016-07-11T10:15:28.474-07:002016-07-15T10:19:42.476-07:00antarctica_oli_2015061_320x240.jpg1antarctica_ms2_1975049_2048x1536-80.jpgantarctica_oli_2015061_2048x1536-80.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_antarctica_ms2_1975049_2048x1536-80.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_antarctica_oli_2015061_2048x1536-80.jpgA new analysis of satellite data reveals that glaciers along the Bellingshausen Sea coast of western Antarctica have been shrinking for at least four decades. The likely cause is relatively warm ocean water licking&nbsp;at the underside of ice floating near &ldquo;grounding lines,&rdquo; where ice flowing from the continent is connected to the seafloor. In these images, ice loss is most pronounced along the ice stream named for Jane Ferrigno, a U.S. Geological Survey scientist who used satellite data to map Antarctica.
5762016-07-11April 17, 2016May 3, 2016extreme events, land coverWildfires near Fort McMurray in Alberta, CanadaWildfires near Fort McMurrayAlberta, CanadaFort McMurray<p>A massive wildfire near Fort McMurray in Alberta, Canada, destroyed at least 1,600 structures and forced the largest evacuation on record in Canada, involving more than 88,000 people.&nbsp;By May 5, fire had consumed almost 210,000 acres.&nbsp;The false-color images in the May picture depict active hot spots as bright orange, the burned area as dark red and smoke as hazy blue. This location is home to the Athabasca oil sands, the largest known reservoir of crude bitumen in the world.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=2#523" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>; Wildfire Forces Evacuations in Fort McMurray, Alberta; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/fort-mcmurray-evacuations-after-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png156.72637959999999-111.380340700000032016-07-11T10:02:25.808-07:002017-01-09T09:41:26.270-08:00fort-mcmurray-evacuations-after-320x240.jpg1fort-mcmurray-evacuations-before-2048x1536-60.jpgfort-mcmurray-evacuations-after-2048x1536-60.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_fort-mcmurray-evacuations-before-2048x1536-60.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_fort-mcmurray-evacuations-after-2048x1536-60.jpgA massive wildfire near Fort McMurray in Alberta, Canada, destroyed at least 1,600 structures and forced the largest evacuation on record in Canada, involving more than 88,000 people.&nbsp;By May 5, fire had consumed almost 210,000 acres.&nbsp;The false-color images in the May picture depict active hot spots as bright orange, the burned area as dark red and smoke as hazy blue. This location is home to the Athabasca oil sands, the largest known reservoir of crude bitumen in the world.
5752016-06-22March 4, 2016March 20, 2016extreme events, water, land coverFlooding Mississippi River, Southern U.S.Flooding Mississippi RiverSouthern U.S.Mississippi River, Louisiana<p>Following January storms that raised the lower Mississippi River to the top of its banks, storms in March 2016&nbsp;drenched areas of Louisiana, eastern Texas, Mississippi and Arkansas with up to 20 inches of rain.&nbsp;Louisiana officials say the resulting flooding there was among the most widespread for any non-hurricane event, causing evacuations and significant damage.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=2#517" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>; Mississippi River Floods Deep South; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/Mississippi-River-flood-2016-before-2048x1536-80.jpg/assets/public/missing.png133.774745-91.1104962016-06-22T15:51:36.225-07:002017-02-27T12:50:52.271-08:00Mississippi-River-flood-2016-before-2048x1536-80.jpg1Mississippi-River-flood-2016-before-2048x1536-80.jpgMississippi-River-flood-2016-after-2048x1536-80.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Mississippi-River-flood-2016-before-2048x1536-80.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Mississippi-River-flood-2016-after-2048x1536-80.jpgFollowing January storms that raised the lower Mississippi River to the top of its banks, storms in March 2016&nbsp;drenched areas of Louisiana, eastern Texas, Mississippi and Arkansas with up to 20 inches of rain.&nbsp;Louisiana officials say the resulting flooding there was among the most widespread for any non-hurricane event, causing evacuations and significant damage.
5742016-06-21May 15, 1984May 23, 2016waterLake Mead at record lowLake Mead at record lowNevada and ArizonaLake Mead, Nevada<p>Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the U.S., has fallen to the lowest level since it began filling in the 1930s, the result of 16 years of drought in the Colorado River Basin.&nbsp;The 1984 image shows the lake nearly full, compared to 37 percent full in the 2016 image. Lake Mead supplies water to 25 million people, including virtually all of Las Vegas and farms, tribes and businesses in Arizona, California, Nevada and northern Mexico. Also see <a href="http://climate.nasa.gov/assets/images-of-change#363-lake-mead-shrinkage-nevada" target="_blank">this image pair</a>.</p><p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper on board Landsat 5 and the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=8#527" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>; Lake Mead Reaches Historic Low; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/Lake-Mead-record-low-after-20x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png136.1771464-114.417332100000012016-06-22T15:26:10.063-07:002017-01-09T09:42:33.945-08:00Lake-Mead-record-low-after-20x240.jpg1Lake-Mead-record-low-before-2048x1536-80.jpgLake-Mead-record-low-after-2048x1536-80.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Lake-Mead-record-low-before-2048x1536-80.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Lake-Mead-record-low-after-2048x1536-80.jpgLake Mead, the largest reservoir in the U.S., has fallen to the lowest level since it began filling in the 1930s, the result of 16 years of drought in the Colorado River Basin.&nbsp;The 1984 image shows the lake nearly full, compared to 37 percent full in the 2016 image. Lake Mead supplies water to 25 million people, including virtually all of Las Vegas and farms, tribes and businesses in Arizona, California, Nevada and northern Mexico. Also see this image pair.
5732016-06-21March 14, 2016April 7, 2016extreme events, land cover350 Complex Fire and Anderson Creek Fire, Oklahoma and KansasAnderson Creek FireOklahoma and KansasFreedom, Oklahoma<p>On April 5, 2016, four fires sparked by downed power lines merged and burned almost 57,500 acres near Freedom, OK, in three days. In late March, the Anderson Creek Fire started in Oklahoma and spread into Kansas, burning almost 400,000 acres and becoming the largest blaze ever in the latter state. The red areas in the April image are burn scars from the fires.&nbsp;In both images, a minor scar from an earlier fire appears orange. As of April 8, the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, reported that 817,480 acres had burned year-to-date across the country, the largest tally in that time frame since 2006.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8 and the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus onboard Landsat 7. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#520" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>; Wildfires Scorch Large Swaths Along Oklahoma-Kansas border; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/Oklahoma-Kansas-wildfire-after-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png136.7689204-99.11287892016-06-21T13:40:19.315-07:002017-01-09T09:43:04.189-08:00Oklahoma-Kansas-wildfire-after-320x240.jpg1Oklahoma-Kansas-wildfire-before-2048x1536-80.jpgOklahoma-Kansas-wildfire-after-2048x1536-80.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Oklahoma-Kansas-wildfire-before-2048x1536-80.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Oklahoma-Kansas-wildfire-after-2048x1536-80.jpgOn April 5, 2016, four fires sparked by downed power lines merged and burned almost 57,500 acres near Freedom, OK, in three days. In late March, the Anderson Creek Fire started in Oklahoma and spread into Kansas, burning almost 400,000 acres and becoming the largest blaze ever in the latter state. The red areas in the April image are burn scars from the fires.&nbsp;In both images, a minor scar from an earlier fire appears orange. As of April 8, the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, reported that 817,480 acres had burned year-to-date across the country, the largest tally in that time frame since 2006.
5722016-06-21March 31, 2016May 18, 2016extreme events, water, land coverFlooding, Sri LankaFloodingSri LankaSri Lanka<p>Flooding from the heaviest rains in a quarter century forced 200,000 people out of the low-lying parts of the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo, sent 400,000 fleeing to state-run relief camps and covered entire villages in walls of mud, according to officials in the country&rsquo;s Disaster Management Center. Per international treaty, Sri Lanka&rsquo;s government was provided rapid access to Landsat and other satellite data for assessing the extent of damage and helping with disaster response.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=2#525" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>; Landsat 8 Imagery Reveals Heavy Flooding in Sri Lanka; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/Sri-Lanka-flooding-after-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png17.87305399999999980.771796999999992016-06-21T13:17:03.949-07:002017-01-09T09:45:03.532-08:00Sri-Lanka-flooding-after-320x240.jpg1Sri-Lanka-flooding-before-2048x1536-80.jpgSri-Lanka-flooding-after-2048x1536-80.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Sri-Lanka-flooding-before-2048x1536-80.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Sri-Lanka-flooding-after-2048x1536-80.jpgFlooding from the heaviest rains in a quarter century forced 200,000 people out of the low-lying parts of the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo, sent 400,000 fleeing to state-run relief camps and covered entire villages in walls of mud, according to officials in the country&rsquo;s Disaster Management Center. Per international treaty, Sri Lanka&rsquo;s government was provided rapid access to Landsat and other satellite data for assessing the extent of damage and helping with disaster response.
5712016-06-21March 13, 2002March 11, 2016water, land coverRising Lakes Enriquillo and Azuéi, Dominican Republic and HaitiRising Hispaniola lakesDominican Republic and HaitiLake Enriquillo<p>The Dominican Republic&rsquo;s Lake Enriquillo has doubled in size since 2002. By March 2016, it had engulfed 40,000 acres of farmland and displaced thousands of families. Similarly in Haiti, Lake Azu&eacute;i grew by 40 percent in that time period, stretching farther into the neighboring country. Dominican leaders hope damming the Rio Yaque del Sur, the nation&rsquo;s second-longest river, will keep the lakes from swallowing more farmland and further threatening the fragile ecosystem.</p><p>Images taken by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus onboard Landsat 7 and the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#522" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>; Lake Levels in Hispaniola Rise Dramatically; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/Hispaniola-Lakes-after-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png118.4787964-71.596132799999962016-06-21T12:58:07.824-07:002017-01-09T09:45:39.871-08:00Hispaniola-Lakes-after-320x240.jpg1Hispaniola-Lakes-before-2048x1536-80.jpgHispaniola-Lakes-after-2048x1536-80.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Hispaniola-Lakes-before-2048x1536-80.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Hispaniola-Lakes-after-2048x1536-80.jpgThe Dominican Republic&rsquo;s Lake Enriquillo has doubled in size since 2002. By March 2016, it had engulfed 40,000 acres of farmland and displaced thousands of families. Similarly in Haiti, Lake Azu&eacute;i grew by 40 percent in that time period, stretching farther into the neighboring country. Dominican leaders hope damming the Rio Yaque del Sur, the nation&rsquo;s second-longest river, will keep the lakes from swallowing more farmland and further threatening the fragile ecosystem.
5702016-06-03May 4, 2013May 28, 2016extreme events, water, land coverFlooding in Brazos River, TexasFlooding in Brazos RiverTexasBrazos River, Texas<p>Six weeks after record-setting rainfall,&nbsp;much of Texas has been inundated again by a stream of thunderstorms. The Brazos River, near Houston, crested higher than in more than a century. (In 2014, drought nearly dried parts of the river.) News sources report that at least six people have died and hundreds have been evacuated by boat from flooded homes. Meteorologists attribute the wet spring to El Ni&ntilde;o and kinks in the jet stream.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=88129&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_readmore" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/texas-flood-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png131.2393756-97.696263899999962016-06-03T12:47:22.593-07:002016-06-03T12:57:21.954-07:00texas-flood-320x240.jpg1texas-flood-2048x1536-80-before.jpgtexas-flood-2048x1536-80-after.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_texas-flood-2048x1536-80-before.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_texas-flood-2048x1536-80-after.jpgSix weeks after record-setting rainfall,&nbsp;much of Texas has been inundated again by a stream of thunderstorms. The Brazos River, near Houston, crested higher than in more than a century. (In 2014, drought nearly dried parts of the river.) News sources report that at least six people have died and hundreds have been evacuated by boat from flooded homes. Meteorologists attribute the wet spring to El Ni&ntilde;o and kinks in the jet stream.
5692016-05-10April 10, 2016April 20, 2016waterWhiting event in Lake Kivu, Central AfricaWhiting event in Lake KivuCentral Africalake kivu<p>Lake Kivu&rsquo;s color turned milky in April 2016, raising fears of a potentially deadly gas release from volcanoes of the East African Rift, to which the lake is connected. But scientists found that instead, the lake was going through a <em>whiting event</em> similar to those of North America&rsquo;s Great Lakes and several large lakes in Europe. It may have been caused by a phytoplankton bloom, by calcite particles precipitating out of the water, or by a combination of both. The lake is a transportation route and source of drinking water and fish for nearly two million people.</p><p>Images taken by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer&nbsp;(MODIS) instruments onboard Terra and Aqua. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=87931&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_readmore" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/lakekivu_amo_2016111_320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png1-2.044843129.185578500000022016-05-10T12:00:32.858-07:002016-05-10T12:02:25.219-07:00lakekivu_amo_2016111_320x240.jpg1lakekivu_tmo_2016101_2048x1536-before.jpglakekivu_amo_2016111-2048x1536-after.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_lakekivu_tmo_2016101_2048x1536-before.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_lakekivu_amo_2016111-2048x1536-after.jpgLake Kivu&rsquo;s color turned milky in April 2016, raising fears of a potentially deadly gas release from volcanoes of the East African Rift, to which the lake is connected. But scientists found that instead, the lake was going through a whiting event similar to those of North America&rsquo;s Great Lakes and several large lakes in Europe. It may have been caused by a phytoplankton bloom, by calcite particles precipitating out of the water, or by a combination of both. The lake is a transportation route and source of drinking water and fish for nearly two million people.
5682016-05-03November 2, 2011November 13, 2015waterShrinking Great Salt Lake, UtahShrinking Great Salt LakeUtahGreat Salt Lake<p>The water level of the north arm of Great Salt Lake, Utah, has reached a record low of 4,191.6 feet because the smaller snowpack of recent years has reduced the spring runoff that feeds the lake. The south arm&rsquo;s water has dropped below the level where it could cross the breach that separates the arms. Water from the north arm is pumped to evaporation ponds, seen on the right side of these images, from which salt, potassium&nbsp;and other minerals are extracted. Also see this <a href="http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=4426#.VszKbJMrKL5" target="_blank">USGS article</a>.</p><p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5 and the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#510" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>&nbsp;&ldquo;Great Salt Lake North Arm Reaches Record Low.&rdquo; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA; and <a href="http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=4426#.VszKbJMrKL5" target="_blank">USGS Newsroom</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/great-salt-lake-after-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png141.115791-112.47682872016-05-03T13:57:15.771-07:002017-01-09T09:48:27.669-08:00great-salt-lake-after-320x240.jpg1great-salt-lake-before-2048x1536-80.jpggreat-salt-lake-after-2048x1536-80.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_great-salt-lake-before-2048x1536-80.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_great-salt-lake-after-2048x1536-80.jpgThe water level of the north arm of Great Salt Lake, Utah, has reached a record low of 4,191.6 feet because the smaller snowpack of recent years has reduced the spring runoff that feeds the lake. The south arm&rsquo;s water has dropped below the level where it could cross the breach that separates the arms. Water from the north arm is pumped to evaporation ponds, seen on the right side of these images, from which salt, potassium&nbsp;and other minerals are extracted. Also see this USGS article.
5672016-05-03January 10, 2015January 3, 2016extreme events, water, land coverFlooding Mississippi River, United StatesFlooding Mississippi RiverUnited StatesCape Girardeau<p>After more than a week of heavy rain in Missouri and Illinois, St. Louis began 2016 with its third-highest level for the Mississippi River. South of that city, surging water caused the highest flood on record at Cape Girardeau (48.86 feet or 14.89 meters) and Thebes by Jan. 2. Above 32 feet is considered flood stage; above 42 feet is major flooding. The floodwaters breached levees near Miller City, Illinois, close to the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, and threatened the homes of about 500 people in the Illinois towns of Olive Branch, Hodges Park, and Unity.</p><p>Images taken by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) onboard the Terra satellite. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=87265&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_image" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/mississippi-river-flood-after-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png137.3058839-89.518147600000022016-05-03T13:50:41.476-07:002016-05-03T13:51:30.292-07:00mississippi-river-flood-after-320x240.jpg1mississippi-river-flood-before-2048x1536-80.jpgmississippi-river-flood-after-2048x1536-80.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_mississippi-river-flood-before-2048x1536-80.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_mississippi-river-flood-after-2048x1536-80.jpgAfter more than a week of heavy rain in Missouri and Illinois, St. Louis began 2016 with its third-highest level for the Mississippi River. South of that city, surging water caused the highest flood on record at Cape Girardeau (48.86 feet or 14.89 meters) and Thebes by Jan. 2. Above 32 feet is considered flood stage; above 42 feet is major flooding. The floodwaters breached levees near Miller City, Illinois, close to the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, and threatened the homes of about 500 people in the Illinois towns of Olive Branch, Hodges Park, and Unity.
5662016-05-0320122015cities, top picksLight pollution, MilanLight pollutionMilan, ItalyMilan, Italy<p>These photos of Milan, taken by astronauts onboard the International Space Station, are examples of the effect seen when cities replace their older street lighting with LED lamps. In the 2012 image, the illumination level of central Milan is similar to that of its suburbs. In the 2015 image, taken after the transition to LEDs in the city&rsquo;s center, the light there is noticeably brighter and bluer, further limiting the ability to see stars from within the city.</p><p>Source: <a href="http://www.iau.org/news/pressreleases/detail/iau1510/" target="_blank">International Astronomical Union</a>. Images: NASA/ESA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/milan-after-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png145.46542199.185924300000012016-05-03T13:26:29.306-07:002016-05-10T12:09:57.108-07:00milan-after-320x240.jpg1milan-before-2048x1536-80.jpgmilan-after-2048x1536-60.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_milan-before-2048x1536-80.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_milan-after-2048x1536-60.jpgThese photos of Milan, taken by astronauts onboard the International Space Station, are examples of the effect seen when cities replace their older street lighting with LED lamps. In the 2012 image, the illumination level of central Milan is similar to that of its suburbs. In the 2015 image, taken after the transition to LEDs in the city&rsquo;s center, the light there is noticeably brighter and bluer, further limiting the ability to see stars from within the city.
5652016-05-03April 12, 2013January 15, 2016human impact, water, land cover, top picksDrying Lake Poopó, BoliviaDrying Lake PoopóBoliviaLake Poopó, Bolivia<p>Lake Poop&oacute;, Bolivia&rsquo;s second-largest lake and an important fishing resource for local communities, has dried up once again because of drought and diversion of water sources for mining and agriculture. The last time it dried was in 1994, after which it took several years for water to return and even longer for ecosystems to recover. In wet times, the lake has spanned an area approaching 1,200 square miles (3,000 square kilometers). Its shallow depth&mdash;typically no more than 9 feet (3 meters)&mdash;makes it particularly vulnerable to fluctuations.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=87363" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/lake-poopo-after-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png1-18.7942434-67.046459099999992016-05-03T13:10:31.506-07:002016-05-10T12:09:43.076-07:00lake-poopo-after-320x240.jpg1lake-poopo-before-2048x1536-80.jpglake-poopo-after-2048x1536-80.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_lake-poopo-before-2048x1536-80.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_lake-poopo-after-2048x1536-80.jpgLake Poop&oacute;, Bolivia&rsquo;s second-largest lake and an important fishing resource for local communities, has dried up once again because of drought and diversion of water sources for mining and agriculture. The last time it dried was in 1994, after which it took several years for water to return and even longer for ecosystems to recover. In wet times, the lake has spanned an area approaching 1,200 square miles (3,000 square kilometers). Its shallow depth&mdash;typically no more than 9 feet (3 meters)&mdash;makes it particularly vulnerable to fluctuations.
5642016-05-03July 12, 2004August 4, 2015iceShrinking Ellesmere Island ice caps, CanadaShrinking ice capsNunavut, CanadaEllesmere Island, Canada<p>These images show how much two dome-shaped glaciers&mdash;or ice caps&mdash;north of St. Patrick Bay, on Ellesmere Island in Nunavut, Canada, have shrunk in the last 11 years. The larger one has reduced to 7 percent of the size it was in 1959 (yellow outline), when it was estimated at 2.9 square miles (7.5 square kilometers). The smaller ice cap has shrunk to 6 percent of its 1959 size. They are thought to have started forming about 5,000 years ago.</p><p>Images taken by the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer&nbsp;(ASTER) instrument onboard NASA&rsquo;s Terra satellite. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=87740&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_readmore" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/stpatrickbay_ast_2004194_320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png180.75039029999999-72.66519052016-05-03T13:02:31.692-07:002016-05-03T13:02:31.692-07:00stpatrickbay_ast_2004194_320x240.jpg1st-patrick-bay-2048x1536-80.jpgst-patricks-bay-after-2048x1536-80.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_st-patrick-bay-2048x1536-80.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_st-patricks-bay-after-2048x1536-80.jpgThese images show how much two dome-shaped glaciers&mdash;or ice caps&mdash;north of St. Patrick Bay, on Ellesmere Island in Nunavut, Canada, have shrunk in the last 11 years. The larger one has reduced to 7 percent of the size it was in 1959 (yellow outline), when it was estimated at 2.9 square miles (7.5 square kilometers). The smaller ice cap has shrunk to 6 percent of its 1959 size. They are thought to have started forming about 5,000 years ago.
5602016-03-15May 1, 1985May 1, 2014extreme events, waterHuang He (Yellow) delta growth, ChinaHuang He delta growthChinaHuang He River<p>China&#39;s Huang He (Yellow) River is the most sediment-filled river on Earth. Each year, it transports millions of tons of soil from a plateau it crosses to a delta it has built in the Bohai Sea. These images show the delta&#39;s growth from 1985 to 2014. The latter image also shows another change: ponds that hold shrimp and other seafood (seen here as dark geometric shapes along the coastline) were built on what were once tidal flats.</p><p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper onboard Landsat 5 and the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source:&nbsp;<a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#383" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>&nbsp;&quot;Huang He Delta and Lauzhou Bay,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/huang-he-river-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png134.81151697.426305400000052016-03-15T10:44:55.452-07:002017-01-09T09:49:04.925-08:00huang-he-river-320x240.jpg1Huang_He_Delta-A.jpgHuang_He_Delta-B.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Huang_He_Delta-A.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Huang_He_Delta-B.jpgChina&#39;s Huang He (Yellow) River is the most sediment-filled river on Earth. Each year, it transports millions of tons of soil from a plateau it crosses to a delta it has built in the Bohai Sea. These images show the delta&#39;s growth from 1985 to 2014. The latter image also shows another change: ponds that hold shrimp and other seafood (seen here as dark geometric shapes along the coastline) were built on what were once tidal flats.
5592016-03-15October 24, 2007December 23, 2011extreme events, land cover, top picksNew island appears, Red SeaNew island appearsRed SeaZubair<p>A volcano erupted in the Red Sea in December 2011, apparently creating a new island. According to news reports, fishermen witnessed lava fountains reaching up to 30 meters (nearly 100 feet) high on December 19. By December 23, what looked like a new island had appeared. A thick plume can be seen in the 2011 image, dark near the bottom and light near the top, perhaps a mixture of volcanic ash and water vapor. The activity occurred along the Zubair Group, a collection of small islands off the west coast of Yemen. Running in a roughly northwest-southeast line, the islands poke above the sea surface, rising from a shield volcano. This region is part of the Red Sea Rift, where the African and Arabian tectonic plates pull apart and new ocean crust regularly forms.</p><p>Images taken by the Advanced Land Imager onboard NASA&#39;s Earth Observing-1 satellite. Source:&nbsp;<a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=76801" target="_blank">NASA&#39;s Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/IC_NewislandappearsRedSea_320x240_80.jpg/assets/public/missing.png130.3879347.713022016-03-15T10:40:42.754-07:002016-05-03T16:09:35.798-07:00IC_NewislandappearsRedSea_320x240_80.jpg1Newislandappears_RedSea-A.jpgNewislandappears_RedSea-B.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Newislandappears_RedSea-A.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Newislandappears_RedSea-B.jpgA volcano erupted in the Red Sea in December 2011, apparently creating a new island. According to news reports, fishermen witnessed lava fountains reaching up to 30 meters (nearly 100 feet) high on December 19. By December 23, what looked like a new island had appeared. A thick plume can be seen in the 2011 image, dark near the bottom and light near the top, perhaps a mixture of volcanic ash and water vapor. The activity occurred along the Zubair Group, a collection of small islands off the west coast of Yemen. Running in a roughly northwest-southeast line, the islands poke above the sea surface, rising from a shield volcano. This region is part of the Red Sea Rift, where the African and Arabian tectonic plates pull apart and new ocean crust regularly forms.
5582016-03-15Autumn, circa 1956October 18, 2007ice, waterImja Glacier melt, HimalayasImja Glacier meltHimalayasImja Glacier<p>Imja Lake, the grayish glacial lake seen above Amphu Lake in the 2007 image, threatens to flood downstream communities if its unstable natural dam&mdash;consisting of dirt and rocks cemented by ice&mdash;gives way. It survived the Nepal earthquake of 2015 but remains hazardous. Imja Lake coalesced from a series of melt ponds that began forming on Imja Glacier, near Mt. Everest in the Himalayas, around 1960. By the mid-1970s, the ponds had merged into a single body of water, which has grown as the glaciers feeding it have retreated and thinned. The United Nations Development Programme has embarked on a project to lower the lake level and reduce the flood potential.</p><p>Images: 1956 picture courtesy of the Association for Comparative Alpine Research, Munich; photo taken by Erwin Schneider. 2007 picture courtesy of the Archives of Alton Byers and the Mountain Institute; photo taken by Alton Byers. Sources for text: &ldquo;<a href="http://www.nasa.gov/jpl/nepals-imja-lake-khumbu-region-appears-resilient-against-gorkha-quake" target="_blank">Nepal&#39;s Imja Lake, Khumbu Region, Appears Resilient Against Gorkha Quake</a>&rdquo;&nbsp;and <a href="http://www.np.undp.org/content/nepal/en/home/operations/projects/environment_and_energy/cfgorrp/home.html" target="_blank">United Nations Development Programme</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/Imja-Glacier-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png127.917754286.954898899999992016-03-15T10:32:50.161-07:002016-11-08T07:47:20.977-08:00Imja-Glacier-320x240.jpg1Icemelt_Himalayas-A.jpgIcemelt_Himalayas-B.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Icemelt_Himalayas-A.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Icemelt_Himalayas-B.jpgImja Lake, the grayish glacial lake seen above Amphu Lake in the 2007 image, threatens to flood downstream communities if its unstable natural dam&mdash;consisting of dirt and rocks cemented by ice&mdash;gives way. It survived the Nepal earthquake of 2015 but remains hazardous. Imja Lake coalesced from a series of melt ponds that began forming on Imja Glacier, near Mt. Everest in the Himalayas, around 1960. By the mid-1970s, the ponds had merged into a single body of water, which has grown as the glaciers feeding it have retreated and thinned. The United Nations Development Programme has embarked on a project to lower the lake level and reduce the flood potential.
5572016-03-15May 12, 2001June 19, 2005ice, land cover, top picksHelheim Glacier melt, GreenlandHelheim Glacier meltGreenlandHelheim Glacier<p>Along the margin of the Greenland Ice Sheet, outlet glaciers flow as icy rivers through fjords and out to sea. These pictures show a fjord in which Helheim Glacier (on the left) is crumbling into large and small icebergs (light blue, on the right). The glacier outlet (&quot;calving front&quot;) held steady from the 1970s until about 2001, then began to retreat towards its source about 7.5 kilometers (4.7 miles) between 2001 and 2005. The glacier&#39;s flow to the sea has also sped up.</p><p>NASA images created by Jesse Allen, NASA Earth Observatory, using data from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) on NASA&#39;s Terra satellite. Courtesy of NASA/GSFC/METI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and the U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/helheim-glacier-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png166.35-38.22016-03-15T10:29:03.079-07:002016-05-03T16:27:57.655-07:00helheim-glacier-320x240.jpg1Icemelt_Greenland-A.jpgIcemelt_Greenland-B.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Icemelt_Greenland-A.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Icemelt_Greenland-B.jpgAlong the margin of the Greenland Ice Sheet, outlet glaciers flow as icy rivers through fjords and out to sea. These pictures show a fjord in which Helheim Glacier (on the left) is crumbling into large and small icebergs (light blue, on the right). The glacier outlet (&quot;calving front&quot;) held steady from the 1970s until about 2001, then began to retreat towards its source about 7.5 kilometers (4.7 miles) between 2001 and 2005. The glacier&#39;s flow to the sea has also sped up.
5562016-03-1518982003ice, land cover, top picksArapaho Glacier melt, ColoradoArapaho Glacier meltColoradoArapaho Glacier<p>Arapaho Glacier has shrunk dramatically since it was photographed in 1898. Measurements collected since 1960 suggest the glacier has thinned by at least 40 meters since then; thinning between 1898 and 1960 is unknown but is probably considerably greater than 40 meters.</p><p>1898 photo taken by R. S. Brackett, published in &quot;Arapaho Glacier: A Sixty Year Record,&quot; University of Colorado Studies, Series in Geology, No. 3, R. S. Waldrop (1964). 2003 photo taken by Tad Pfeffer. Images courtesy of Tad Pfeffer, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/arapaho-glacier-320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png140.0240471-105.64785092016-03-15T10:24:51.118-07:002016-05-03T16:29:33.037-07:00arapaho-glacier-320x240.jpg1Icemelt_Colorado-A.jpgIcemelt_Colorado-B.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Icemelt_Colorado-A.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Icemelt_Colorado-B.jpgArapaho Glacier has shrunk dramatically since it was photographed in 1898. Measurements collected since 1960 suggest the glacier has thinned by at least 40 meters since then; thinning between 1898 and 1960 is unknown but is probably considerably greater than 40 meters.
5552016-03-15June 3, 2013June 25, 2015waterOscillating Goose Lake, California-Oregon borderOscillating Goose LakeCalifornia-Oregon borderGoose Lake<p>Goose Lake is one of several lakes on the California-Oregon border that come and go as the amount of water available to fill them changes. In the 2013 image, the lake is relatively full. In the 2015 image, it has completely dried out. When full, Goose Lake spans about 145 square miles (375 square kilometers). Its water is supplied primarily by California&rsquo;s Willow Creek. Additional water comes from Oregon&rsquo;s Thomas Creek. The quantity delivered varies with precipitation, snowmelt and the amount diverted for irrigation.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source:&nbsp;<a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=86358&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_image" target="_blank">NASA&#39;s Earth Observatory</a></p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/gooselake_oli_2015176_320x240.jpg/assets/public/missing.png141.9520566-120.42361612016-03-15T10:10:18.555-07:002016-05-03T16:31:07.212-07:00gooselake_oli_2015176_320x240.jpg1Goose-Lake-A.jpgGoose-Lake-B.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Goose-Lake-A.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Goose-Lake-B.jpgGoose Lake is one of several lakes on the California-Oregon border that come and go as the amount of water available to fill them changes. In the 2013 image, the lake is relatively full. In the 2015 image, it has completely dried out. When full, Goose Lake spans about 145 square miles (375 square kilometers). Its water is supplied primarily by California&rsquo;s Willow Creek. Additional water comes from Oregon&rsquo;s Thomas Creek. The quantity delivered varies with precipitation, snowmelt and the amount diverted for irrigation.
5432015-03-25July 1978July 2011ice, water, top picksMelting Qori Kalis glacier, PeruMelting Qori Kalis glacierPeruCordillera Oriental<p>Qori Kalis is the largest outlet glacier of the world&rsquo;s largest tropical ice cap, the Quelccaya Ice Cap, which lies on a plateau 18,670 feet (5,691 meters) high in the Andes mountains of south central Peru. In 1978, the glacier was still advancing. By 2011, the glacier had retreated completely back on the land, leaving a lake some 86 acres in area and about 200 feet (60 meters) deep.</p><p>Source: Dr. Lonnie G. Thompson,&nbsp;Distinguished University Professor, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center, The Ohio State University</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/Qori-Kalis-2011-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Qori-Kalis-1920px-60-v2.jpg1-13.9-70.82015-03-26T09:30:37.845-07:002016-05-04T10:11:39.864-07:00Qori-Kalis-930px-80-v2.jpgQori-Kalis-2011-320x240.jpgQori-Kalis-1920px-60-v2.jpg1Qori_Kalis_glacier_A.pngQori_Kalis_glacier_B.png1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Qori_Kalis_glacier_A.png/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Qori_Kalis_glacier_B.pngQori Kalis is the largest outlet glacier of the world&rsquo;s largest tropical ice cap, the Quelccaya Ice Cap, which lies on a plateau 18,670 feet (5,691 meters) high in the Andes mountains of south central Peru. In 1978, the glacier was still advancing. By 2011, the glacier had retreated completely back on the land, leaving a lake some 86 acres in area and about 200 feet (60 meters) deep.
5412015-03-12October 30, 2011January 2, 2015human impact, land coverTopaz Solar Farm installation, CaliforniaTopaz Solar Farm installedCalifornia9966 Blue Star Memorial Hwy Santa Margarita, CA 93453<p>The Topaz Solar Farm in Central California, one of the largest in the U.S., is a 550-megawatt power station that can produce enough electricity to power 160,000 homes. It consists of 9 million solar panels across 9.5 square miles (24.6 square kilometers). Construction began in 2012 and was completed in late 2014. The 2011 image shows that the land had been used for agriculture (green blocks). The 2015 image shows the solar installations as dark blocks. This second image also displays less overall greenness because of seasonal change.</p><p>Images taken by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus instrument onboard Landsat 7 and the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#397" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>&nbsp;&ldquo;Topaz Solar Farm, California,&rdquo; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/Topaz-Solar-Farm-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Topaz-Solar-Farm-1920x1200-60.jpg135.3516434-120.027877999999992015-03-12T14:54:16.582-07:002017-01-09T09:49:25.271-08:00Topaz-Solar-Farm-930px-57.jpgTopaz-Solar-Farm-320x240.jpgTopaz-Solar-Farm-1920x1200-60.jpg11_Topaz-Solar-Farm-A.jpg2_Topaz-Solar-Farm-B.jpg0holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_1_Topaz-Solar-Farm-A.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_2_Topaz-Solar-Farm-B.jpgThe Topaz Solar Farm in Central California, one of the largest in the U.S., is a 550-megawatt power station that can produce enough electricity to power 160,000 homes. It consists of 9 million solar panels across 9.5 square miles (24.6 square kilometers). Construction began in 2012 and was completed in late 2014. The 2011 image shows that the land had been used for agriculture (green blocks). The 2015 image shows the solar installations as dark blocks. This second image also displays less overall greenness because of seasonal change.
5402015-02-24November 7, 1984October 25, 2014water, land cover, top picksGrowing Wax Lake Outlet, LouisianaGrowing Wax Lake OutletLouisianaAtchafalaya Bay<p>Most of the Mississippi River delta plain is losing ground, but new land is forming in Atchafalaya Bay at the mouths of the Wax Lake Outlet and the Atchafalaya River. Wax Lake Outlet is an artificial channel built to reduce the severity of floods in Morgan City, Louisiana. The Atchafalaya is a distributary of the Mississippi River. Combined, their deltas grow an estimated 2.8 square kilometers (1.1 square mile) per year. Floods transport large amounts of sediment to Atchafalaya Bay, while hurricanes redistribute sediment within the bay and destroy coastal vegetation that would otherwise protect land from erosion.</p><p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper onboard Landsat 5 and the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=85261&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_image" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a>&nbsp;using data from the U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/wax-lake-delta-growth-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Mississippi_Delta_1920x1200.jpg129.3535882-91.29873492015-02-24T07:01:41.566-08:002016-05-04T10:13:58.052-07:00Mississippi_Delta_930x463.jpgwax-lake-delta-growth-320x240.jpgMississippi_Delta_1920x1200.jpg1waxlake_A.jpgwaxlake_B.jpg0holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_waxlake_A.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_waxlake_B.jpgMost of the Mississippi River delta plain is losing ground, but new land is forming in Atchafalaya Bay at the mouths of the Wax Lake Outlet and the Atchafalaya River. Wax Lake Outlet is an artificial channel built to reduce the severity of floods in Morgan City, Louisiana. The Atchafalaya is a distributary of the Mississippi River. Combined, their deltas grow an estimated 2.8 square kilometers (1.1 square mile) per year. Floods transport large amounts of sediment to Atchafalaya Bay, while hurricanes redistribute sediment within the bay and destroy coastal vegetation that would otherwise protect land from erosion.
5392015-02-12August 29, 2014January 4, 2015extreme events, land coverSampson Flat Fire, AustraliaSampson Flat FireAustraliaAdelaide, Australia<p>The Sampson Flat Fire started on January 2, 2015&mdash;summer in the Southern Hemisphere&mdash;near Adelaide, Australia. Hot, windy weather quickly and erratically spread the fire. By January 7, it had burned more than 46 square miles (120 square kilometers) of woodland and grassland within the Mount Lofty Ranges. In the January image, burned areas are brown and active fire appears red with white-blue smoke rising from it. As of January 9, the fire was contained, but firefighters continued to monitor unburned pockets of vegetation for flare-ups.&nbsp;</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#395" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>&nbsp;&quot;Sampson Flat Fire, Australia,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/sampson-flat-fire-australia-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Sampson_Flag_1920x1200.jpg1-34.92862119999999138.59995942015-02-12T07:48:30.413-08:002017-01-09T09:49:48.510-08:00Sampson_Flag_930x261.jpgsampson-flat-fire-australia-320x240.jpgSampson_Flag_1920x1200.jpg1Sampson_Flag_A.jpgSampson_Flag_B.jpg0holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Sampson_Flag_A.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Sampson_Flag_B.jpgThe Sampson Flat Fire started on January 2, 2015&mdash;summer in the Southern Hemisphere&mdash;near Adelaide, Australia. Hot, windy weather quickly and erratically spread the fire. By January 7, it had burned more than 46 square miles (120 square kilometers) of woodland and grassland within the Mount Lofty Ranges. In the January image, burned areas are brown and active fire appears red with white-blue smoke rising from it. As of January 9, the fire was contained, but firefighters continued to monitor unburned pockets of vegetation for flare-ups.&nbsp;
5382015-01-30February 1, 2014January 17, 2015extreme events, water, land coverLicungo River flooding, MozambiqueLicungo River floodingMozambiqueBaixo Licungo<p>Weeks of heavy rainfall capped by a particularly strong tropical disturbance caused the Licungo and other rivers in Mozambique&#39;s Zambezia province to flood. By January 20, the Licungo was higher than it had been since 1971. As of January 22, news media reported that floodwater had killed 86 Mozambicans, destroyed 11,000 homes and displaced tens of thousands of people.</p><p>Image taken by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument onboard NASA&#39;s Terra satellite. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=85145" target="_blank">NASA&#39;s Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/Mozambique_320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Mozambique_1920x1200.jpg1Images of changeFlooding, Mozambiquebottom1-17.442179437.289181800000052015-01-30T10:37:57.157-08:002016-05-03T16:45:53.038-07:00Mozambique_930x310.jpgMozambique_320x240.jpgMozambique_133x105.jpgMozambique_1920x1200.jpg1mozambique_A.pngmozambique_B.png1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_mozambique_A.png/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_mozambique_B.pngWeeks of heavy rainfall capped by a particularly strong tropical disturbance caused the Licungo and other rivers in Mozambique&#39;s Zambezia province to flood. By January 20, the Licungo was higher than it had been since 1971. As of January 22, news media reported that floodwater had killed 86 Mozambicans, destroyed 11,000 homes and displaced tens of thousands of people.
5372015-01-22January 28, 1985November 28, 2014cities, human impact, water, land coverUrban growth in Hurghada, EgyptUrban growth in HurghadaEgyptHurghada, Egypt<p>As recently as the 1980s, only 12,000 people lived in Hurghada. By 2014, more than 250,000 people lived there and more than 1 million tourists visited each year, drawn by some of the world&#39;s best diving and snorkeling. But the local environment, particularly the coral reef ecosystem, has paid a price. According to one study, corals near Hurghada have declined by as much as 50 percent over three decades due to the dredging and dumping of sediment, damage from careless snorkelers and divers, and other factors related to the area&#39;s development.</p><p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper onboard Landsat 5 and the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=85068" target="_blank">NASA&#39;s Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/urban-growth-hurghada-egypt-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Hurghada_1920x1200.jpg1Images of changeUrban growth, Egyptbottom127.257895733.811606699999972015-01-22T08:34:55.168-08:002016-05-03T16:46:38.393-07:00Hurghada_930x463.jpgurban-growth-hurghada-egypt-320x240.jpgHurghada_133x105.jpgHurghada_1920x1200.jpg1hurghada_A.pnghurghada_B.png1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_hurghada_A.png/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_hurghada_B.pngAs recently as the 1980s, only 12,000 people lived in Hurghada. By 2014, more than 250,000 people lived there and more than 1 million tourists visited each year, drawn by some of the world&#39;s best diving and snorkeling. But the local environment, particularly the coral reef ecosystem, has paid a price. According to one study, corals near Hurghada have declined by as much as 50 percent over three decades due to the dredging and dumping of sediment, damage from careless snorkelers and divers, and other factors related to the area&#39;s development.
5362015-01-16September 6, 2014January 3, 2015extreme events, land coverLava eruption in Vatnajökull, IcelandLava eruption in VatnajökullIcelandVatnajökull, Iceland<p>Since August 2014, lava has gushed from fissures just north of Vatnaj&ouml;kull, Iceland&rsquo;s largest glacier. As of January 6, 2015, the Holuhraun lava field had spread across more than 84 square kilometers (32 square miles), making it larger than the island of Manhattan. Its thickness is estimated to range from about 10 to 14 meters (33 to 46 feet). The eruption shows signs of slowing down but could continue for years.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=85031" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a></p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/volcano-eruption-holuhraun-iceland-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Holuhraun_1920x1200.jpg1Images of changeLava eruption, Icelandbottom164.422051-16.7901752015-01-16T08:21:29.772-08:002016-05-03T16:47:56.980-07:00Holuhraun_930x463.jpgvolcano-eruption-holuhraun-iceland-320x240.jpgHoluhraun_133x105.jpgHoluhraun_1920x1200.jpg1holuhraun_A.pngholuhraun_B.png1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_holuhraun_A.png/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_holuhraun_B.pngSince August 2014, lava has gushed from fissures just north of Vatnaj&ouml;kull, Iceland&rsquo;s largest glacier. As of January 6, 2015, the Holuhraun lava field had spread across more than 84 square kilometers (32 square miles), making it larger than the island of Manhattan. Its thickness is estimated to range from about 10 to 14 meters (33 to 46 feet). The eruption shows signs of slowing down but could continue for years.
5352014-12-08September 16, 1986September 20, 2014ice, land coverShrinking Mýrdalsjökull ice cap, IcelandShrinking Mýrdalsjök ice capIcelandIceland<p>More than half of Iceland&#39;s numerous ice caps and glaciers lie near or directly over volcanoes. Seen here is M&yacute;rdalsj&ouml;kull, Iceland&#39;s fourth largest ice cap, which covers the Katla volcano at the country&#39;s southern tip. In the 2014 image, the depressions at the southwest-central part of M&yacute;rdalsj&ouml;kull are ice cauldrons caused by geothermal heat from below. Along the northern part of the ice cap, ablation has exposed brown bands of ash from past eruptions. But not all of the changes are associated with volcanic activity. Most of the monitored glaciers have been shrinking since the 1990s, including S&oacute;lheimaj&ouml;kull (lower left), which has been retreating as much as 50 meters (164 feet) per year. A parking lot near this glacier is moved almost annually to accommodate tourists.</p><p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper onboard Landsat 5 and the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=84707&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_image" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a>, using data from the U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/My%CC%81rdalsjo%CC%88kull-Iceland-ice-melt-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Shrinking_Ice_Cap_1920x1200.jpg1Images of changeShrinking ice cap, Icelandbottom163.651151-19.1102262014-12-08T15:06:48.033-08:002016-05-03T16:50:33.696-07:00Shrinking_Ice_Cap_930x463.jpgMýrdalsjökull-Iceland-ice-melt-320x240.jpgShrinking_Ice_Cap_133x105.jpgShrinking_Ice_Cap_1920x1200.jpg1katlaA.jpgkatlaB.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_katlaA.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_katlaB.jpgMore than half of Iceland&#39;s numerous ice caps and glaciers lie near or directly over volcanoes. Seen here is M&yacute;rdalsj&ouml;kull, Iceland&#39;s fourth largest ice cap, which covers the Katla volcano at the country&#39;s southern tip. In the 2014 image, the depressions at the southwest-central part of M&yacute;rdalsj&ouml;kull are ice cauldrons caused by geothermal heat from below. Along the northern part of the ice cap, ablation has exposed brown bands of ash from past eruptions. But not all of the changes are associated with volcanic activity. Most of the monitored glaciers have been shrinking since the 1990s, including S&oacute;lheimaj&ouml;kull (lower left), which has been retreating as much as 50 meters (164 feet) per year. A parking lot near this glacier is moved almost annually to accommodate tourists.
5342014-11-10July 28, 1986July 2, 2014ice, water, top picksColumbia Glacier melt, AlaskaColumbia Glacier meltAlaskaColumbia Glacier, Alaska<p>Alaska&#39;s Columbia Glacier descends through the Chugach Mountains into Prince William Sound. When British explorers surveyed the glacier in 1794, its nose extended to the northern edge of Heather Island, near the mouth of Columbia Bay. The glacier held that position until 1980, when it began a rapid retreat. The glacier has thinned so much that the up and down motion of the tides affects its flow as much as 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) upstream, until the glacier bed rises above sea level and the ice loses contact with the ocean.</p><p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper onboard Landsat 5 and the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=84630" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a>, using data from the U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Columbia_Glacier-B_-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Columbia_Glacier_1920x1200.jpg1Images of changeShrinking glacier, Alaskabottom161.133845-147.0798272014-11-10T14:30:22.399-08:002016-05-03T16:13:04.290-07:00Columbia_Glacier_930x312.jpg2_Columbia_Glacier-B_-320x240.jpgColumbia_Glacier_133x105.jpgColumbia_Glacier_1920x1200.jpg1Columbia_Glacier-A_.jpgColumbia_Glacier-B_.jpg0holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Columbia_Glacier-A_.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Columbia_Glacier-B_.jpgAlaska&#39;s Columbia Glacier descends through the Chugach Mountains into Prince William Sound. When British explorers surveyed the glacier in 1794, its nose extended to the northern edge of Heather Island, near the mouth of Columbia Bay. The glacier held that position until 1980, when it began a rapid retreat. The glacier has thinned so much that the up and down motion of the tides affects its flow as much as 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) upstream, until the glacier bed rises above sea level and the ice loses contact with the ocean.
5312014-10-13August 25, 2000August 19, 2014human impact, water, land cover, top picksShrinking Aral Sea, central AsiaShrinking Aral SeaCentral AsiaAral Sea<p>The Aral Sea was the fourth largest lake in the world until the 1960s, when the Soviet Union diverted water from the rivers that fed the lake so cotton and other crops could be grown in the arid plains of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The black outline shows the approximate coastline of the lake in 1960. By the time of the 2000 image, the Northern Aral Sea had separated from the Southern Aral Sea, which itself had split into eastern and western lobes. A dam built in 2005 helped the northern sea recover much of its water level at the expense of the southern sea. Dry conditions in 2014 caused the southern sea&rsquo;s eastern lobe to dry up completely for the first time in modern times. The loss of the moderating influence of such a large body of water has made the region&rsquo;s winters colder and summers hotter and drier. See also <a href="http://climate.nasa.gov/state_of_flux#AralSeashrinks_centralAsia1.jpg" target="_blank">this image</a>.</p><p>Images taken by the Moderate Resolution imagine Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board NASA&rsquo;s Terra satellite. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/WorldOfChange/aral_sea.php?src=features-hp&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=feature" target="_blank">NASA&rsquo;s Earth Observatory</a></p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Aral_Sea_B-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Aral_Sea_1920x1200.jpg0Images of changeShrinking lake, central AsiatopLeft145.159.72014-10-14T16:05:58.151-07:002016-05-03T16:08:04.143-07:00Aral_Sea_930x463.jpg2_Aral_Sea_B-320x240.jpgAral_Sea_498x297.jpgAral_Sea_1920x1200.jpg11_Aral_Sea_A.jpgAral_Sea_B.jpeg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_1_Aral_Sea_A.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Aral_Sea_B.jpegThe Aral Sea was the fourth largest lake in the world until the 1960s, when the Soviet Union diverted water from the rivers that fed the lake so cotton and other crops could be grown in the arid plains of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The black outline shows the approximate coastline of the lake in 1960. By the time of the 2000 image, the Northern Aral Sea had separated from the Southern Aral Sea, which itself had split into eastern and western lobes. A dam built in 2005 helped the northern sea recover much of its water level at the expense of the southern sea. Dry conditions in 2014 caused the southern sea&rsquo;s eastern lobe to dry up completely for the first time in modern times. The loss of the moderating influence of such a large body of water has made the region&rsquo;s winters colder and summers hotter and drier. See also this image.
5262014-08-05March 25, 1999May 13, 2014human impact, water, top picksDrought in Lake Powell, Arizona and UtahDrought in Lake PowellArizona and UtahLake Powell<p>Prolonged drought coupled with water withdrawals have caused a dramatic drop in Lake Powell&#39;s water level. These images show the northern part of the lake, which is actually a deep, narrow, meandering reservoir that extends from Arizona upstream into southern Utah. The 1999 image shows water levels near full capacity. By May 2014, the lake had dropped to 42 percent of capacity.</p><p>Images taken by the Landsat series of satellites. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/WorldOfChange/lake_powell.php" target="_blank">NASA&#39;s Earth Observatory</a></p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_lakepowell_B-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Lakepowell_1920x1200.jpg1Images of changeDrought, Arizona and UtahbottomRight137.852249-110.4075402014-08-05T07:47:30.404-07:002016-05-03T16:06:53.857-07:00Lakepowell_930x544.jpg2_lakepowell_B-320x240.jpgLakepowell_498x297.jpgLakepowell_1920x1200.jpg1lakepowell_A.jpeglakepowell_B.jpeg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_lakepowell_A.jpeg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_lakepowell_B.jpegProlonged drought coupled with water withdrawals have caused a dramatic drop in Lake Powell&#39;s water level. These images show the northern part of the lake, which is actually a deep, narrow, meandering reservoir that extends from Arizona upstream into southern Utah. The 1999 image shows water levels near full capacity. By May 2014, the lake had dropped to 42 percent of capacity.
5132014-03-27January 18, 2014March 23, 2014extreme events, land coverLandslide near Oso, Washington stateLandslide near OsoWashington stateOso, Washington<p>On March 22, 2014, a rainfall-triggered landslide near Oso, Washington, sent muddy debris spilling across the North Fork of the Stillaguamish River, engulfing numerous homes. At least 14 people died and 176 people remained missing as of March 25. The slide left an earthen dam that blocked the river, forming a barrier lake. As water backed up, the National Weather Service issued a flash flooding watch, which remained in effect for parts of Snohomish county as of March 25. According to Durham University geologist Dave Petley, the landslide was a reactivation of an earlier landslide that caused problems in 1988 and 2006.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=83409&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=nh" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Oso_Washington_b-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Oso_Washington_1200x1200.jpg1Images of changeLandslide, Washington statetop148.281232-121.8374832014-03-27T07:38:55.398-07:002016-05-03T16:51:51.043-07:00Oso_Washington_930x463.jpg2_Oso_Washington_b-320x240.jpgOso_Washington_498x297.jpgOso_Washington_1200x1200.jpg1Oso_Washington_a.jpgOso_Washington_b.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Oso_Washington_a.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Oso_Washington_b.jpgOn March 22, 2014, a rainfall-triggered landslide near Oso, Washington, sent muddy debris spilling across the North Fork of the Stillaguamish River, engulfing numerous homes. At least 14 people died and 176 people remained missing as of March 25. The slide left an earthen dam that blocked the river, forming a barrier lake. As water backed up, the National Weather Service issued a flash flooding watch, which remained in effect for parts of Snohomish county as of March 25. According to Durham University geologist Dave Petley, the landslide was a reactivation of an earlier landslide that caused problems in 1988 and 2006.
5042014-01-06May 17, 2013October 24, 2013extreme events, water, land coverTyphoon Nari flood, CambodiaTyphoon Nari floodCambodiaPrey Veng, Cambodia<p>In October 2013, Typhoon Nari followed heavy seasonal rains to create substantial flooding along the Mekong and Tonl&eacute; Sap Rivers in Cambodia. The flood affected more than a half million people, and more than 300,000 hectares (about three-quarters of a million acres) of rice fields are believed to have been destroyed. The capital city of Phnom Penh is just south of the image center.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=2#338" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a> &quot;Flooding in Cambodia,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/typhoon-nari-flood-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Typhoon_Nari_1920x1200.jpg1Images of changeFlood, CambodiatopLeft111.486754105.3270862014-01-06T10:43:15.359-08:002017-01-09T09:50:32.657-08:00Typhoon_Nari_930x867.jpgtyphoon-nari-flood-320x240.jpgTyphoon_Nari_498x297.jpgTyphoon_Nari_1920x1200.jpg1Cambodia_A.jpgCambodia_B.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Cambodia_A.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Cambodia_B.jpgIn October 2013, Typhoon Nari followed heavy seasonal rains to create substantial flooding along the Mekong and Tonl&eacute; Sap Rivers in Cambodia. The flood affected more than a half million people, and more than 300,000 hectares (about three-quarters of a million acres) of rice fields are believed to have been destroyed. The capital city of Phnom Penh is just south of the image center.
4962013-11-21October 28, 2013November 13, 2013icePine Island Glacier calving, AntarcticaPine Island Glacier calvingAntarcticaPine Island Glacier, Antarctica<p>An iceberg estimated to be 35 by 20 kilometers (22 by 12 miles) separated from Antarctica&#39;s Pine Island Glacier between November 9 and 11, 2013. Such events happen about every five or six years but this iceberg, designated &quot;B-31,&quot; is about 50 percent larger than its predecessors in this area. A team of scientists from Sheffield and Southampton universities will track the 700 square-kilometer chunk of ice and try to predict its path using satellite data.</p><p>Images taken by the Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=82392&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=nh" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a></p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_PineIslandGlacier2-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Pine_Island_Glacier_1920x1200.jpg1Images of changeIce shelf calving, Antarcticabottom1-74.793143-104.8791512013-11-21T08:58:04.026-08:002016-05-04T09:25:07.565-07:00Pine_Island_Glacier_930x567.jpg2_PineIslandGlacier2-320x240.jpgPine_Island_Glacier_498x297.jpgPine_Island_Glacier_1920x1200.jpg1PineIslandGlacier1.jpgPineIslandGlacier2.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_PineIslandGlacier1.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_PineIslandGlacier2.jpgAn iceberg estimated to be 35 by 20 kilometers (22 by 12 miles) separated from Antarctica&#39;s Pine Island Glacier between November 9 and 11, 2013. Such events happen about every five or six years but this iceberg, designated &quot;B-31,&quot; is about 50 percent larger than its predecessors in this area. A team of scientists from Sheffield and Southampton universities will track the 700 square-kilometer chunk of ice and try to predict its path using satellite data.
4772013-05-28June 8, 2011June 18, 2012extreme events, land coverFire, ColoradoFireColoradoRoosevelt National Forest, Colorado<p>Sparked by lightning on June 9, 2012, the High Park Fire burned more than 87,000 acres near and in Roosevelt National Forest, just west of Fort Collins, Colorado. One person was killed and at least 259 homes were destroyed. High temperatures and strong winds hampered efforts to extinguish the blaze, which was the second largest in Colorado history.</p><p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5 and the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus onboard Landsat 7. Sources: <a href="http://landsat.usgs.gov/gallery_view.php?category=nocategory&thesort=mainTitle" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a> "High Park Fire, Colorado – June 2012," U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA, and <a href="http://www.denverpost.com/wildfires/ci_20979988/colorado-wildfire-all-high-park-evacuations-lifted-by" target="_blank">denverpost.com</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/High_Park_Fire_133x105.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/High_Park_Fire_1920x1200.jpg1Images of changeFire, Coloradobottom140.629173-105.50054832013-05-28T08:35:06.014-07:002014-01-23T11:05:58.331-08:00High_Park_Fire_930x463.jpgHigh_Park_Fire_133x105.jpgHigh_Park_Fire_498x297.jpgHigh_Park_Fire_1920x1200.jpg1High_Park_Fire_Comb_2.jpgHigh_Park_Fire_Comb_1.jpg1/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_High_Park_Fire_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_High_Park_Fire_Comb_1.jpgSparked by lightning on June 9, 2012, the High Park Fire burned more than 87,000 acres near and in Roosevelt National Forest, just west of Fort Collins, Colorado. One person was killed and at least 259 homes were destroyed. High temperatures and strong winds hampered efforts to extinguish the blaze, which was the second largest in Colorado history.
4702013-04-23October 21, 1987October 23, 2011waterSan Luis Valley stream change, ColoradoStream changeSan Luis Valley, ColoradoThe Great Sand Dunes National Park <p>The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, home of the tallest sand dunes in North America, is the newest U.S. national park. It is located in the San Luis Valley at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Range in Colorado. The valley&rsquo;s stream flows change from season to season and year to year, and these images show the difference between 1987 and 2011. Water access is especially critical in the region as center pivot irrigation systems (shown as circular features west of the feeder streams) rely on aquifer recharges. Originally a national monument, the area was given the distinction of national park in September 2004.</p><p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="http://landsat.usgs.gov/gallery_view.php?category=nocategory&amp;thesort=mainTitle" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a> &quot;The Great Sand Dunes National Park,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Great_Sand_Dunes_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Great_Sand_Dunes_1920x1200.jpg1Images of changeStream change, Coloradobottom137.7437572-105.50691322013-04-23T07:23:57.850-07:002016-05-04T10:04:00.817-07:00Great_Sand_Dunes_930x465.jpg2_Great_Sand_Dunes_Comb_1-320x240.jpgGreat_Sand_Dunes_498x297.jpgGreat_Sand_Dunes_1920x1200.jpg1Great_Sand_Dunes_Comb_2.jpgGreat_Sand_Dunes_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Great_Sand_Dunes_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Great_Sand_Dunes_Comb_1.jpgThe Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, home of the tallest sand dunes in North America, is the newest U.S. national park. It is located in the San Luis Valley at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Range in Colorado. The valley&rsquo;s stream flows change from season to season and year to year, and these images show the difference between 1987 and 2011. Water access is especially critical in the region as center pivot irrigation systems (shown as circular features west of the feeder streams) rely on aquifer recharges. Originally a national monument, the area was given the distinction of national park in September 2004.
4672013-04-09November 27, 2001November 12, 2012cities, human impact, water, land cover, top picksArtificial islands, United Arab EmiratesArtificial islandsDubai, United Arab EmiratesMina Jebel Ali - Dubai - United Arab Emirates<p>The city of Dubai is situated along the Persian Gulf in the United Arab Emirates. In 2001, work began to create artificial archipelagos along Dubai&#39;s shoreline. The results are visible in the 2012 image: Palm Jebel Ali, the smaller Palm Jumeirah and, north of the two &quot;palm islands,&quot; a group of smaller islands known as &quot;The World&quot; because they are roughly in the shape of a world map. The World provides an additional 144 miles of shoreline.</p><p>Images taken by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus sensor onboard Landsat 7. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#302" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a> &ldquo;Dubai&rsquo;s Islands,&rdquo; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Dubai_Islands_Comb_2-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Dubai_Islands_1920x1200.jpg1Images of changeArtificial islands, United Arab Emiratestop125.00901155.0739672013-04-09T08:29:50.664-07:002017-01-09T09:52:14.580-08:00Dubai_Islands_930x462.jpg2_Dubai_Islands_Comb_2-320x240.jpgDubai_Islands_498x297.jpgDubai_Islands_1920x1200.jpg1Dubai_Islands_Comb_1.jpgDubai_Islands_Comb_2.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Dubai_Islands_Comb_1.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Dubai_Islands_Comb_2.jpgThe city of Dubai is situated along the Persian Gulf in the United Arab Emirates. In 2001, work began to create artificial archipelagos along Dubai&#39;s shoreline. The results are visible in the 2012 image: Palm Jebel Ali, the smaller Palm Jumeirah and, north of the two &quot;palm islands,&quot; a group of smaller islands known as &quot;The World&quot; because they are roughly in the shape of a world map. The World provides an additional 144 miles of shoreline.
4642013-03-18December 10, 2005January 4, 2006extreme events, water, land coverFlood, Northern CaliforniaFloodNorthern CaliforniaSacramento<p>The 2006 image, taken after a series of severe storms passed through Northern California, shows flooding in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley region inland of San Francisco Bay. The governor declared several counties in the region flood disaster areas. Dark blue pools of water swamp far larger areas of ground in January than they did in December. The Sacramento River is very wide and turbid; the sediment in the water is reflective and gives the river its lighter blue appearance. The northern reaches of San Francisco Bay are also bright with sediment, which may be a mixture of river run-off and churning of the Bay by storm winds. Vegetation is bright green, snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is bright blue (upper right), and bare or sparsely vegetated ground appears pinkish or reddish tan.</p><p>Images taken by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA&#39;s Aqua satellite, courtesy of the MODIS Rapid Response Team, Goddard Space Flight Center. Source: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=6181" target="_blank">NASA Earth Observatory</a></p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Northern_California_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Northern_California_1920x1200.jpg1Images of changeFlood, CaliforniabottomRight138.5815719-121.494399600000012013-03-18T09:59:49.938-07:002016-05-04T10:02:00.602-07:00Northern_California_930x493.jpg2_Northern_California_Comb_1-320x240.jpgNorthern_California_498x297.jpgNorthern_California_1920x1200.jpg1Northern_California_Comb_2.jpgNorthern_California_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Northern_California_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Northern_California_Comb_1.jpgThe 2006 image, taken after a series of severe storms passed through Northern California, shows flooding in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley region inland of San Francisco Bay. The governor declared several counties in the region flood disaster areas. Dark blue pools of water swamp far larger areas of ground in January than they did in December. The Sacramento River is very wide and turbid; the sediment in the water is reflective and gives the river its lighter blue appearance. The northern reaches of San Francisco Bay are also bright with sediment, which may be a mixture of river run-off and churning of the Bay by storm winds. Vegetation is bright green, snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is bright blue (upper right), and bare or sparsely vegetated ground appears pinkish or reddish tan.
4622013-03-04July 25, 1988July 25, 2011cities, human impact, land coverTwin Cities growth, MinnesotaTwin Cities growthMinnesotaMinneapolis, Minnesota<p>In the 1950s and 1960s, automobile plants and grain mills dominated the economy of &quot;twin cities&quot; Minneapolis and St. Paul. The population of the greater Twin Cities area, including 334 smaller cities and townships, was approximately 1.5 million. As the local economy transitioned to high-tech, finance&nbsp;and information-technology industries, many people moved to the suburbs for retail jobs and lower living costs. The suburbs grew together and by 2011, the population of the &quot;Greater Twin Cities&quot; had grown to some 3.7 million. Improved transportation facilitated the growth. Planners and commercial analysts use satellite data to plan future transportation options and ways to accommodate the increased demand for services.</p><p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#295" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a> &quot;Urban Growth: The Minnesota Twin Cities,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Twin_Cities_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Twin_Cities_1920x1200.jpg1Twin Cities, MinnesotaUrban growth, MinnesotabottomLeft144.983334-93.266672013-03-04T12:35:46.302-08:002017-01-09T09:52:46.688-08:00Twin_Cities_930x462.jpg2_Twin_Cities_Comb_1-320x240.jpgTwin_Cities_498x297.jpgTwin_Cities_1920x1200.jpg1Twin_Cities_Comb_2.jpgTwin_Cities_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Twin_Cities_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Twin_Cities_Comb_1.jpgIn the 1950s and 1960s, automobile plants and grain mills dominated the economy of &quot;twin cities&quot; Minneapolis and St. Paul. The population of the greater Twin Cities area, including 334 smaller cities and townships, was approximately 1.5 million. As the local economy transitioned to high-tech, finance&nbsp;and information-technology industries, many people moved to the suburbs for retail jobs and lower living costs. The suburbs grew together and by 2011, the population of the &quot;Greater Twin Cities&quot; had grown to some 3.7 million. Improved transportation facilitated the growth. Planners and commercial analysts use satellite data to plan future transportation options and ways to accommodate the increased demand for services.
4572013-02-12August 8, 2006August 24, 2006extreme events, land coverCrystal Fire, IdahoCrystal FireIdahoCrystal Fire, Idaho<p>Lightning ignited the Crystal Fire on August 15, 2006. It began 10 miles west of Aberdeen in southeast Idaho and spread northeast toward Atomic City, consuming about 220,000 acres before being fully contained on August 31. In the August 8 image, taken before the fire, dark blue represents barren areas, including ancient lava flows. Craters of the Moon National Monument is just off the image to the northwest. In the August 24 image, the Crystal Fire has spread to nearly its maximum extent, creating newly barren areas which also appear dark blue.</p><p>Images taken by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus sensor onboard Landsat 7. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#599" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>. &quot;Crystal Fire, Atomic City, Idaho, USA.&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Crystal_Fire_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Crystal_Fire_1920x1200.jpg1Crystal Fire, Atomic City, IdahoFire, Idahobottom144.0682019-114.74204082013-02-12T08:25:41.073-08:002017-01-18T09:59:41.227-08:00Crystal_Fire_930x478.jpg2_Crystal_Fire_Comb_1-320x240.jpgCrystal_Fire_498x297.jpgCrystal_Fire_1920x1200.jpg1Crystal_Fire_Comb_2.jpgCrystal_Fire_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Crystal_Fire_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Crystal_Fire_Comb_1.jpgLightning ignited the Crystal Fire on August 15, 2006. It began 10 miles west of Aberdeen in southeast Idaho and spread northeast toward Atomic City, consuming about 220,000 acres before being fully contained on August 31. In the August 8 image, taken before the fire, dark blue represents barren areas, including ancient lava flows. Craters of the Moon National Monument is just off the image to the northwest. In the August 24 image, the Crystal Fire has spread to nearly its maximum extent, creating newly barren areas which also appear dark blue.
4522013-01-24May 19, 2007July 6, 2007extreme events, waterIndependence and Coffeyville floods, KansasFloodIndependence, KansasNeosho River<p>At the beginning of July 2007, Kansas and Missouri were hit hard by days of heavy rain and resulting flooding. The Neosho River (upper right corner of images) and Verdigris River (running north-south across the left side of the pictures) in Kansas rose to record levels, flooding the towns of Independence and Coffeyville.</p><p>Images taken by the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), courtesy of NASA/GSFC/METI/Japan Space Systems and the U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team. Source: <a href="http://asterweb.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery-detail.asp?name=kansasflood" target="_blank">ASTER Gallery</a>.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Flooding_Kansas_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Flooding_Kansas_1920x1200.jpg1Images of changeFlooding, Kansasbottom136.6135859-94.84687842013-01-24T08:08:14.397-08:002016-05-04T09:55:10.821-07:00Flooding_Kansas_930x414.jpg2_Flooding_Kansas_Comb_1-320x240.jpgFlooding_Kansas_498x297.jpgFlooding_Kansas_1920x1200.jpg1Flooding_Kansas_Comb_2.jpgFlooding_Kansas_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Flooding_Kansas_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Flooding_Kansas_Comb_1.jpgAt the beginning of July 2007, Kansas and Missouri were hit hard by days of heavy rain and resulting flooding. The Neosho River (upper right corner of images) and Verdigris River (running north-south across the left side of the pictures) in Kansas rose to record levels, flooding the towns of Independence and Coffeyville.
4512013-01-23February 3, 2012January 4, 2013extreme events, land coverTasmania fire, AustraliaTasmania fireAustraliaHobart, Tasmania<p>Extremely hot, dry weather in southern Australia has led to a number of brush fires. On the island of Tasmania, south of the Australian continent, more than 148,000 acres burned during the first half of January 2013. Losses reached $43 million and were predicted to exceed $100 million. In the township of Dunalley, over 40 percent of the structures have been destroyed. No deaths have been reported as of mid-January, but more than 100 people have been listed as missing. The 2012 image shows normal conditions; the 2013 image shows the burned areas and smoke rising from active fires in the upper right area.</p><p>Images taken by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus sensor onboard Landsat 7. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=2#296" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Brush Fires in Tasmania,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Brush_Fire_Tasmania_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Brush_Fire_Tasmania_1920x1200.jpg1Brush fires, TasmaniaFire, TasmaniabottomLeft1-42.8308532147.37462122013-01-23T07:56:23.114-08:002017-01-09T09:53:17.111-08:00Brush_Fire_Tasmania_930x436.jpg2_Brush_Fire_Tasmania_Comb_1-320x240.jpgBrush_Fire_Tasmania_498x297.jpgBrush_Fire_Tasmania_1920x1200.jpg1Brush_Fire_Tasmania_Comb_2.jpgBrush_Fire_Tasmania_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Brush_Fire_Tasmania_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Brush_Fire_Tasmania_Comb_1.jpgExtremely hot, dry weather in southern Australia has led to a number of brush fires. On the island of Tasmania, south of the Australian continent, more than 148,000 acres burned during the first half of January 2013. Losses reached $43 million and were predicted to exceed $100 million. In the township of Dunalley, over 40 percent of the structures have been destroyed. No deaths have been reported as of mid-January, but more than 100 people have been listed as missing. The 2012 image shows normal conditions; the 2013 image shows the burned areas and smoke rising from active fires in the upper right area.
4502013-01-17June 18, 1975March 15, 2008cities, human impact, water, land coverAgricultural impact in Aimogasta, ArgentinaAgricultural impactAimogasta, ArgentinaAimogasta<p>Aimogasta is a regional center of olive production, trade&nbsp;and tourism. Expansion of the agricultural frontier in this region has led to increased wind and water erosion, salinization, and loss of biodiversity. In the 2008 image, cultivated fields that did not exist in 1975 are visible around Aimogasta, Villa Maz&aacute;n and El Pajonal (seen as green areas with regular geometric patterns).</p><p>Source: <a href="http://www.cathalac.org/lac_atlas/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=7:aimogasta-argentina&amp;catid=1:casos&amp;Itemid=5" target="_blank">United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)</a>. From Latin America and the Caribbean Atlas of our Changing Environment (2010).</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Aimogasta_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Aimogasta_1200x654.jpg1Aimogasta, ArgentinaArgentinabottomRight1-28.5549145-66.81731412013-01-17T09:22:38.509-08:002016-05-04T09:33:32.995-07:00Aimogasta_930x506.jpg2_Aimogasta_Comb_1-320x240.jpgAimogasta_498x297.jpgAimogasta_1200x654.jpg1Aimogasta_Comb_2.jpgAimogasta_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Aimogasta_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Aimogasta_Comb_1.jpgAimogasta is a regional center of olive production, trade&nbsp;and tourism. Expansion of the agricultural frontier in this region has led to increased wind and water erosion, salinization, and loss of biodiversity. In the 2008 image, cultivated fields that did not exist in 1975 are visible around Aimogasta, Villa Maz&aacute;n and El Pajonal (seen as green areas with regular geometric patterns).
4312012-11-19January 30, 1987October 25, 2012human impact, land coverAgricultural growth near Qasr al Farafra, EgyptAgricultural growthQasr al Farafra, EgyptQasr al Farafra<p>Unlike much newly developed desert agriculture, the western Egyptian fields seen here are watered not by deep-well irrigation, but rather with surface water associated with the Al Farafra Oasis. These images show the increased agricultural activity near the town of Qasr al Farafra. Increased accessibility from improved infrastructure, including paved roads to the town, brings both agricultural laborers and tourists.</p><p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5 and the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus onboard Landsat 7. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#292" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Al Farafra Oasis,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Al_Farafra_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Desertchanges_Egypt.jpg1Al Farafra Oasis, EgyptDesert changes, EgypttopLeft12012-11-18T16:00:00.000-08:0027.031024327.96188992012-12-03T11:56:13.972-08:002017-01-09T09:54:26.716-08:00Desertchanges_Egypt.jpeg2_Al_Farafra_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-429.jpgDesertchanges_Egypt.jpg1Al_Farafra_Comb_2.jpgAl_Farafra_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Al_Farafra_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Al_Farafra_Comb_1.jpgUnlike much newly developed desert agriculture, the western Egyptian fields seen here are watered not by deep-well irrigation, but rather with surface water associated with the Al Farafra Oasis. These images show the increased agricultural activity near the town of Qasr al Farafra. Increased accessibility from improved infrastructure, including paved roads to the town, brings both agricultural laborers and tourists.
4282012-11-08July 5, 2011May 12, 2012human impact, waterElwha dam removal, Washington StateElwha dam removalWashingtonGlines Canyon dam<p>The Elwha and Glines Canyon dams were built in the 1920s to provide hydroelectric power. But the machinery became outdated over the decades and the reservoirs grew heavily silted. Further, the dams prevented salmon from reaching upstream habitat. The Elwha dam was removed in early 2012 and these images show the results in the Elwha River basin of the Washington State Olympic Peninsula. In the 2012 image, the reservoir behind the dam is gone, the exposed silt deposits are gradually diminishing, and natural river flow is returning. The Glines Canyon dam is scheduled for removal by late 2013.</p><p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5 and the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus onboard Landsat 7. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=8#268" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Elwha River restoration,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Elwha_River_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/ElwhaRiverrestoration_WashingtonState.jpg1Elwha River, Washington StateRiver restoration, Washingtonbottom12012-11-07T16:00:00.000-08:0048.0019444-123.62012-12-03T11:32:10.144-08:002017-01-09T09:55:09.568-08:00ElwhaRiverrestoration_WashingtonState.jpeg2_Elwha_River_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-426.jpgElwhaRiverrestoration_WashingtonState.jpg1Elwha_River_Comb_2.jpgElwha_River_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Elwha_River_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Elwha_River_Comb_1.jpgThe Elwha and Glines Canyon dams were built in the 1920s to provide hydroelectric power. But the machinery became outdated over the decades and the reservoirs grew heavily silted. Further, the dams prevented salmon from reaching upstream habitat. The Elwha dam was removed in early 2012 and these images show the results in the Elwha River basin of the Washington State Olympic Peninsula. In the 2012 image, the reservoir behind the dam is gone, the exposed silt deposits are gradually diminishing, and natural river flow is returning. The Glines Canyon dam is scheduled for removal by late 2013.
4234232012-11-01May 1, 2007May 17, 2007extreme events, water, land coverOb River flow, RussiaOb River flowRussiaOb River<p>From the time they thaw in early May, the Ob River and its tributary, the Irtysh, flow from the Altay Mountains of northern China to the Arctic Ocean. The northern reaches of the Ob flow over a flat permafrost plain past the cities of Ozernyy and Nefteyvgansk in northern Russia. Because the river cannot cut deep channels into the frozen land, it spreads out over the surrounding plain during the spring melt, as shown in the image on the right.</p>From the time they thaw in early May, the Ob River and its tributary, the Irtysh, flow from the Altay Mountains of northern China to the Arctic Ocean. The northern reaches of the Ob flow over a flat permafrost plain past the cities of Ozernyy and Nefteyvgansk in northern Russia. Because the river cannot cut deep channels into the frozen land, it spreads out over the surrounding plain during the spring melt, as shown in the image on the right.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="http://landsat.usgs.gov/gallery_view.php?category=nocategory&amp;thesort=mainTitle" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Ob River Flooding in Northern Russia,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Ob_River_Flood_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Flood_Russia.jpg0Ob River, Northern RussiaOb River flooding, Russiabottom12012-10-31T17:00:00.000-07:002012-10-31T17:00:00.000-07:0057.6556775.35592452012-11-13T23:30:04.000-08:002016-05-04T09:21:02.986-07:00Flood_Russia.jpg2_Ob_River_Flood_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-423.jpgFlood_Russia.jpg1Ob_River_Flood_Comb_2.jpgOb_River_Flood_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Ob_River_Flood_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Ob_River_Flood_Comb_1.jpgFrom the time they thaw in early May, the Ob River and its tributary, the Irtysh, flow from the Altay Mountains of northern China to the Arctic Ocean. The northern reaches of the Ob flow over a flat permafrost plain past the cities of Ozernyy and Nefteyvgansk in northern Russia. Because the river cannot cut deep channels into the frozen land, it spreads out over the surrounding plain during the spring melt, as shown in the image on the right.
4204202012-10-22July 21, 2012September 7, 2012extreme events, land coverMustang Complex Fire, IdahoMustang Complex FireIdahoMustang Complex, Idaho<p>The Mustang Complex Fire, sparked by a lightning strike on July 30, 2012, has consumed more than 330,000 acres of the Salmon-Challis National Forest in northeastern Idaho. By the end of September, the U.S. Forest Service announced that the fire had been &quot;significantly moderated&quot; and that rehabilitation was beginning. Still, high winds and extreme drought continued to hamper the efforts of those working to extinguish the flames, and many homes were still threatened. The July image shows the area shortly before the fire began. The September image shows the forest when the fire was active.</p>The Mustang Complex Fire, sparked by a lightning strike on July 30, 2012, has consumed more than 330,000 acres of the Salmon-Challis National Forest in northeastern Idaho. By the end of September, the U.S. Forest Service announced that the fire had been "significantly moderated" and that rehabilitation was beginning. Still, high winds and extreme drought continued to hamper the efforts of those working to extinguish the flames, and many homes were still threatened. The July image shows the area shortly before the fire began. The September image shows the forest when the fire was active.<p>Images taken by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus sensor onboard Landsat 7. Source: <a href="http://landsat.usgs.gov/gallery_view.php?category=nocategory&amp;thesort=mainTitle" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Mustang Complex Fire,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Mustang_Complex_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Fire_Idaho1.jpg0Mustang Complex Fire, IdahoFire, Idahobottom12012-10-21T17:00:00.000-07:002012-10-21T17:00:00.000-07:0044.0682019-114.74204082012-11-13T23:30:04.000-08:002016-05-04T08:08:02.226-07:00Fire_Idaho1.jpg2_Mustang_Complex_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-420.jpgFire_Idaho1.jpg1Mustang_Complex_Comb_2.jpgMustang_Complex_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Mustang_Complex_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Mustang_Complex_Comb_1.jpgThe Mustang Complex Fire, sparked by a lightning strike on July 30, 2012, has consumed more than 330,000 acres of the Salmon-Challis National Forest in northeastern Idaho. By the end of September, the U.S. Forest Service announced that the fire had been &quot;significantly moderated&quot; and that rehabilitation was beginning. Still, high winds and extreme drought continued to hamper the efforts of those working to extinguish the flames, and many homes were still threatened. The July image shows the area shortly before the fire began. The September image shows the forest when the fire was active.
4184182012-10-16June 5, 1980May 16, 1989May 13, 2011ice, water, land coverBear Glacier melt, AlaskaBear Glacier meltAlaskaBear Glacier<p>This series of images shows the shrinkage of Bear Glacier from 1980 to 2011. Warming in the region has caused less buildup of snow and therefore less material for glacial growth. As the glacier has receded, ice at the end of the glacier has broken off the main body, forming icebergs in the open water. The 2011 image shows considerable retreat of the glacier&#39;s &quot;tongue.&quot; Also see <a href="http://climate.nasa.gov/sof/#Icemelt_Alaska2.jpg">this image pair of the same glacier</a>.</p>This series of images shows the shrinkage of Bear Glacier from 1980 to 2011. Warming in the region has caused less buildup of snow and therefore less material for glacial growth. As the glacier has receded, ice at the end of the glacier has broken off the main body, forming icebergs in the open water. The 2011 image shows considerable retreat of the glacier's "tongue." Also see <a href='http://climate.nasa.gov/sof/#Icemelt_Alaska2.jpg'>this image pair of the same glacier</a>.<p>Left image taken by the Multispectral Scanner onboard Landsat 3. Center image taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 4. Right image taken by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus sensor onboard Landsat 7. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=8#253" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Bear Glacier, Alaska,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/IC_IcemeltAlaska5_320x240_80.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Icemelt_Alaska15.jpg0Bear Glacier melt, AlaskaIce melt, Alaskabottom12012-10-15T17:00:00.000-07:002012-10-15T17:00:00.000-07:0059.9938889-149.61833332012-11-13T23:30:04.000-08:002017-01-09T09:55:33.491-08:00Icemelt_Alaska15.jpgIC_IcemeltAlaska5_320x240_80.jpgImageFlash-418.jpgIcemelt_Alaska15.jpg1Bear_Glacier_A.jpgBear_Glacier_B.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Bear_Glacier_A.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Bear_Glacier_B.jpgThis series of images shows the shrinkage of Bear Glacier from 1980 to 2011. Warming in the region has caused less buildup of snow and therefore less material for glacial growth. As the glacier has receded, ice at the end of the glacier has broken off the main body, forming icebergs in the open water. The 2011 image shows considerable retreat of the glacier&#39;s &quot;tongue.&quot; Also see this image pair of the same glacier.
4144142012-10-01October 11, 1991October 2, 2011water, land coverThe Coteau des Prairies flood, South DakotaCoteau des Prairies floodSouth DakotaThe Coteau des Prairies<p>The Coteau des Prairies is a plateau with many small lakes, created from repeated glaciation in northeastern South Dakota. In the past two decades, rising lake waters have been swallowing up farm fields, pasture ranges, roads and homesteads. Bitter Lake is the southern boundary for water flowing from Waubay, Blue Dog, and Rush Lakes from the north, with no established outlet for the water to flow further south. During wet times such as those preceding the 2011 picture, the groundwater levels rise, lake water can&#39;t drain into the soil and the area floods.</p>The Coteau des Prairies is a plateau with many small lakes, created from repeated glaciation in northeastern South Dakota. In the past two decades, rising lake waters have been swallowing up farm fields, pasture ranges, roads and homesteads. Bitter Lake is the southern boundary for water flowing from Waubay, Blue Dog, and Rush Lakes from the north, with no established outlet for the water to flow further south. During wet times such as those preceding the 2011 picture, the groundwater levels rise, lake water can't drain into the soil and the area floods.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#288" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;The Lakes of Eastern Day County, South Dakota,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Eastern_Day_Lakes_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Flooding_SouthDakota.jpg0Eastern Day County, South DakotaFlooding, South Dakotabottom12012-09-30T17:00:00.000-07:002012-09-30T17:00:00.000-07:0044.3499664-96.33365252012-11-13T23:30:04.000-08:002017-01-09T09:57:04.293-08:00Flooding_SouthDakota.jpg2_Eastern_Day_Lakes_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-414.jpgFlooding_SouthDakota.jpg1Eastern_Day_Lakes_Comb_2.jpgEastern_Day_Lakes_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Eastern_Day_Lakes_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Eastern_Day_Lakes_Comb_1.jpgThe Coteau des Prairies is a plateau with many small lakes, created from repeated glaciation in northeastern South Dakota. In the past two decades, rising lake waters have been swallowing up farm fields, pasture ranges, roads and homesteads. Bitter Lake is the southern boundary for water flowing from Waubay, Blue Dog, and Rush Lakes from the north, with no established outlet for the water to flow further south. During wet times such as those preceding the 2011 picture, the groundwater levels rise, lake water can&#39;t drain into the soil and the area floods.
4094092012-09-13August 1, 2012September 2, 2012extreme events, water, land coverHurricane Isaac landfall, LouisianaHurricane Isaac landfallLouisianaManchac Wildlife Management Area<p>Hurricane Isaac made landfall in Louisiana on August 28, 2012, and moved very slowly north. Levees protected the New Orleans area, but strong winds, rain, and storm surges caused massive flooding in the region between Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain, northwest of the city. In the September 2 image, dark tones show saturated land and the lighter blue tones of the two lakes represent turbid water and sediment flow. These images provide a base set of information to help officials plan reclamation and remediation efforts.</p>Hurricane Isaac made landfall in Louisiana on August 28, 2012, and moved very slowly north. Levees protected the New Orleans area, but strong winds, rain, and storm surges caused massive flooding in the region between Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain, northwest of the city. In the September 2 image, dark tones show saturated land and the lighter blue tones of the two lakes represent turbid water and sediment flow. These images provide a base set of information to help officials plan reclamation and remediation efforts.<p>Images taken by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus sensor onboard Landsat 7. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=2#287" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Hurricane Isaac Flooding,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Hurricane_Isaac_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Flooding_Louisiana1.jpg0Hurricane Isaac, LousianaFlooding, Louisianabottom12012-09-12T17:00:00.000-07:002012-09-12T17:00:00.000-07:0030.2623039-90.36542042012-11-13T23:30:04.000-08:002017-01-09T09:57:29.246-08:00Flooding_Louisiana1.jpg2_Hurricane_Isaac_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-409.jpgFlooding_Louisiana1.jpg1Hurricane_Isaac_Comb_2.jpgHurricane_Isaac_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Hurricane_Isaac_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Hurricane_Isaac_Comb_1.jpgHurricane Isaac made landfall in Louisiana on August 28, 2012, and moved very slowly north. Levees protected the New Orleans area, but strong winds, rain, and storm surges caused massive flooding in the region between Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain, northwest of the city. In the September 2 image, dark tones show saturated land and the lighter blue tones of the two lakes represent turbid water and sediment flow. These images provide a base set of information to help officials plan reclamation and remediation efforts.
4044042012-08-27September 21, 1986September 10, 2011cities, human impact, land coverUrban growth in Montgomery, AlabamaUrban growth in MontgomeryAlabamaMontgomery, Alabama<p>Montgomery, the capital of Alabama, sits by the Alabama River in the south central portion of the state. Its population has nearly doubled during the past 30 years, from just under 125,000 to more than 200,000, thanks to increased tourism and commercial and industrial development. These images show changes from forest and croplands to urban and industrial areas around Montgomery and Prattville, located across the river on the northern side. The changes have been a major factor in altering regional air quality and the production of crops and lumber.</p>Montgomery, the capital of Alabama, sits by the Alabama River in the south central portion of the state. Its population has nearly doubled during the past 30 years, from just under 125,000 to more than 200,000, thanks to increased tourism and commercial and industrial development. These images show changes from forest and croplands to urban and industrial areas around Montgomery and Prattville, located across the river on the northern side. The changes have been a major factor in altering regional air quality and the production of crops and lumber.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#249" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Urban Growth of the Montgomery, Alabama, area,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Montgomery_Alabama_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Urbangrowth_Alabama.jpg0Montgomery, AlabamaUrban growth, Alabamabottom12012-08-26T17:00:00.000-07:002012-08-26T17:00:00.000-07:0032.3668052-86.29996892012-11-13T23:30:04.000-08:002017-01-09T09:57:55.906-08:00Urbangrowth_Alabama.jpg2_Montgomery_Alabama_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-404.jpgUrbangrowth_Alabama.jpg1Montgomery_Alabama_Comb_2.jpgMontgomery_Alabama_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Montgomery_Alabama_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Montgomery_Alabama_Comb_1.jpgMontgomery, the capital of Alabama, sits by the Alabama River in the south central portion of the state. Its population has nearly doubled during the past 30 years, from just under 125,000 to more than 200,000, thanks to increased tourism and commercial and industrial development. These images show changes from forest and croplands to urban and industrial areas around Montgomery and Prattville, located across the river on the northern side. The changes have been a major factor in altering regional air quality and the production of crops and lumber.
4034032012-08-23June 6, 2011June 8, 2012extreme events, water, land coverMissouri River flood, NebraskaMissouri River floodNebraskaOmaha, Nebraska<p>In the spring and summer of 2011, the Missouri River experienced extreme flooding. Record snowfall in the Rocky Mountains of Montana and Wyoming, along with near-record spring rainfall in central and eastern Montana, triggered dangerously high reservoir levels in Montana and the Dakotas. A record amount of water was released into the river to prevent overtopping of dams, which contributed to flooding downstream. Warm, dry weather has allowed the river to return to its banks, while cleanup continues on the highways and areas along the entire Missouri River. See also <a href="http://climate.nasa.gov/sof/#Flooding_Iowa.jpg" target="_blank">Flooding, Iowa</a>.</p>In the spring and summer of 2011, the Missouri River experienced extreme flooding. Record snowfall in the Rocky Mountains of Montana and Wyoming, along with near-record spring rainfall in central and eastern Montana, triggered dangerously high reservoir levels in Montana and the Dakotas. A record amount of water was released into the river to prevent overtopping of dams, which contributed to flooding downstream. Warm, dry weather has allowed the river to return to its banks, while cleanup continues on the highways and areas along the entire Missouri River. See also <a href='http://climate.nasa.gov/sof/#Flooding_Iowa.jpg' target='_blank'>Flooding, Iowa</a>.<p>Images taken by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus sensor onboard Landsat 7. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=8#276" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Missouri River near Omaha, NE - one year after flooding,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Omaha_Nebraska_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Floodingrecovery_MissouriRivernearOmaha.jpg0Missouri River, Omaha, NebraskaFlooding recovery, Missouri River near Omaha, Neb.bottom12012-08-22T17:00:00.000-07:002012-08-22T17:00:00.000-07:0041.2523634-95.99798832012-11-13T23:30:04.000-08:002017-01-09T09:58:17.439-08:00Floodingrecovery_MissouriRivernearOmaha.jpg2_Omaha_Nebraska_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-403.jpgFloodingrecovery_MissouriRivernearOmaha.jpg1Omaha_Nebraska_Comb_2.jpgOmaha_Nebraska_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Omaha_Nebraska_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Omaha_Nebraska_Comb_1.jpgIn the spring and summer of 2011, the Missouri River experienced extreme flooding. Record snowfall in the Rocky Mountains of Montana and Wyoming, along with near-record spring rainfall in central and eastern Montana, triggered dangerously high reservoir levels in Montana and the Dakotas. A record amount of water was released into the river to prevent overtopping of dams, which contributed to flooding downstream. Warm, dry weather has allowed the river to return to its banks, while cleanup continues on the highways and areas along the entire Missouri River. See also Flooding, Iowa.
3993992012-08-09January 25, 1989April 14, 2012cities, human impact, land coverUrban growth in Manila, PhilippinesUrban growth in ManilaPhilippinesManila<p>The Philippine capital of Manila is the most densely populated city in the world, with more than 1.6 million inhabitants in 14.8 square miles (38.5 square kilometers). The greater metro area covers 246 square miles (638 square kilometers) and hosts a population of over 11 million. These satellite images illustrate how much the city has expanded in little more than two decades, bringing significant infrastructure and environmental problems. The Pasig River, which cuts through the urban area, is one of the most polluted rivers in the world.</p>The Philippine capital of Manila is the most densely populated city in the world, with more than 1.6 million inhabitants in 14.8 square miles (38.5 square kilometers). The greater metro area covers 246 square miles (638 square kilometers) and hosts a population of over 11 million. These satellite images illustrate how much the city has expanded in little more than two decades, bringing significant infrastructure and environmental problems. The Pasig River, which cuts through the urban area, is one of the most polluted rivers in the world.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 4 and the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus sensor onboard Landsat 7. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#280" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Manila, Philippines,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Manila_Philippines_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Urbangrowth_Philippines.jpg0Manila, PhilippinesUrban growth, PhilippinestopLeft12012-08-08T17:00:00.000-07:002012-08-08T17:00:00.000-07:0014.5995124120.98421952012-11-13T23:30:04.000-08:002017-01-09T09:58:48.905-08:00Urbangrowth_Philippines.jpg2_Manila_Philippines_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-399.jpgUrbangrowth_Philippines.jpg1Urbangrowth_Philippines-A.jpgUrbangrowth_Philippines-B.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Urbangrowth_Philippines-A.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Urbangrowth_Philippines-B.jpgThe Philippine capital of Manila is the most densely populated city in the world, with more than 1.6 million inhabitants in 14.8 square miles (38.5 square kilometers). The greater metro area covers 246 square miles (638 square kilometers) and hosts a population of over 11 million. These satellite images illustrate how much the city has expanded in little more than two decades, bringing significant infrastructure and environmental problems. The Pasig River, which cuts through the urban area, is one of the most polluted rivers in the world.
3953952012-07-26June 1, 1984 / September 1, 1985February 18 / August 4, 2007human impact, water, land coverBalbina Dam impact, BrazilBalbina Dam impactBrazilUatumâ River<p>The Balbina hydroelectric plant, on the Uatum&acirc; River in Amazon State, occupies about a third of the Waimiri-Atroari indigenous territory. The dam&#39;s reservoir covers 2,360 square kilometers (911 square miles). More than 100,000 million metric tons of vegetation were flooded to build the dam. It was designed to produce up to 250 megawatts to supply the energy demand of the city of Manaus, but a study shows that it generates less than half that amount.</p>The Balbina hydroelectric plant, on the Uatum&acirc; River in Amazon State, occupies about a third of the Waimiri-Atroari indigenous territory. The dam's reservoir covers 2,360 square kilometers (911 square miles). More than 100,000 million metric tons of vegetation were flooded to build the dam. It was designed to produce up to 250 megawatts to supply the energy demand of the city of Manaus, but a study shows that it generates less than half that amount.<p>Source: <a href="http://www.cathalac.org/lac_atlas/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=18:balbina-brazil&amp;catid=1:casos&amp;Itemid=5" target="_blank">United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)</a>. From Latin America and the Caribbean Atlas of our Changing Environment (2010).</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Balbina_Brazil_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Damimpact_Brazil.jpg0Balbina, BrazilDam impact, Brazilbottom12012-07-25T17:00:00.000-07:002012-07-25T17:00:00.000-07:00-2.5725343-58.15512552012-11-13T23:30:04.000-08:002016-05-04T08:57:19.587-07:00Damimpact_Brazil.jpg2_Balbina_Brazil_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-395.jpgDamimpact_Brazil.jpg1Balbina_Brazil_Comb_2.jpgBalbina_Brazil_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Balbina_Brazil_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Balbina_Brazil_Comb_1.jpgThe Balbina hydroelectric plant, on the Uatum&acirc; River in Amazon State, occupies about a third of the Waimiri-Atroari indigenous territory. The dam&#39;s reservoir covers 2,360 square kilometers (911 square miles). More than 100,000 million metric tons of vegetation were flooded to build the dam. It was designed to produce up to 250 megawatts to supply the energy demand of the city of Manaus, but a study shows that it generates less than half that amount.
3933932012-07-19Winter to early summer, 1920s–1940sAugust 12, 2005ice, land coverNorthwestern Glacier melt, AlaskaNorthwestern Glacier meltAlaskaNorthwestern Glacier<p>Looking north from the west shoreline of Harris Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park, Kenai Mountains, Alaska. The rocky shoreline in the foreground is covered by small icebergs, calved by the retreating Northwestern Glacier. During the roughly 60 to 80 years between photographs, Northwestern Glacier retreated some 6 miles (10 kilometers) to the northwest, out of the field of view.&nbsp;</p>Northwestern Glacier. With few exceptions, glaciers around the world have retreated at unprecedented rates over the last century.<p><a href="https://www2.usgs.gov/climate_landuse/glaciers/repeat_photography.asp" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey</a>, Department of the Interior. Earlier image is from a postcard, photographer unknown, courtesy of Kenai Fjords National Park. Later image is a USGS photograph by Bruce F. Molina.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Northwestern_Glacier_Comb_1(actual)-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Icemelt_Alaska14.jpg0Northwestern Glacier, AlaskaIce melt, Alaskabottom12012-07-18T17:00:00.000-07:002012-07-18T17:00:00.000-07:0059.8252778-150.0552012-11-13T23:30:04.000-08:002016-10-07T07:53:43.077-07:00Icemelt_Alaska14.jpg2_Northwestern_Glacier_Comb_1(actual)-320x240.jpgImageFlash-393.jpgIcemelt_Alaska14.jpg1Northwestern_Glacier_Comb_2(actual).jpgNorthwestern_Glacier_Comb_1(actual).jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Northwestern_Glacier_Comb_2(actual).jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Northwestern_Glacier_Comb_1(actual).jpgLooking north from the west shoreline of Harris Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park, Kenai Mountains, Alaska. The rocky shoreline in the foreground is covered by small icebergs, calved by the retreating Northwestern Glacier. During the roughly 60 to 80 years between photographs, Northwestern Glacier retreated some 6 miles (10 kilometers) to the northwest, out of the field of view.&nbsp;
3903902012-07-10March 24, 1985April 6, 2007human impact, waterColorado River evolution, MexicoColorado River evolutionMexicomontague island, mexico<p>These two pictures illustrate the extremes of water flow in the Colorado River since measurements began in the late 1800s. The 1985 image was taken in the midst of record high flow, while the 2007 image shows the driest period. Excessive rains or severe droughts directly change the amount of water available in the Colorado River Basin, and so does the increasing pressure of human needs throughout the western states. The river, which has its headwaters in the snowmelt of the Rocky Mountains, is 1,400 miles (2,253 kilometers) long and empties into the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez. It provides water for drinking, irrigation, electricity, industry, and recreation for seven U.S. and two Mexican states, serving more than 25 million people.</p>These two pictures illustrate the extremes of water flow in the Colorado River since measurements began in the late 1800s. The 1985 image was taken in the midst of record high flow, while the 2007 image shows the driest period. Excessive rains or severe droughts directly change the amount of water available in the Colorado River Basin, and so does the increasing pressure of human needs throughout the western states. The river, which has its headwaters in the snowmelt of the Rocky Mountains, is 1,400 miles (2,253 kilometers) long and empties into the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez. The river provides water for drinking, irrigation, electricity, industry, and recreation for seven U.S. and two Mexican states, serving more than 25 million people.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="http://landsat.usgs.gov/gallery_view.php?category=nocategory&amp;thesort=mainTitle" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Colorado River into the Gulf of California,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Colorado_River_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Riverflow_California1.jpg0Colorado River, Gulf of CaliforniaRiver flow, CaliforniatopLeft12012-07-09T17:00:00.000-07:002012-07-09T17:00:00.000-07:0031.716541-114.72616542012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002016-05-04T09:26:01.994-07:00Riverflow_California1.jpg2_Colorado_River_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-390.jpgRiverflow_California1.jpg1Colorado_River_Comb_2.jpgColorado_River_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Colorado_River_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Colorado_River_Comb_1.jpgThese two pictures illustrate the extremes of water flow in the Colorado River since measurements began in the late 1800s. The 1985 image was taken in the midst of record high flow, while the 2007 image shows the driest period. Excessive rains or severe droughts directly change the amount of water available in the Colorado River Basin, and so does the increasing pressure of human needs throughout the western states. The river, which has its headwaters in the snowmelt of the Rocky Mountains, is 1,400 miles (2,253 kilometers) long and empties into the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez. It provides water for drinking, irrigation, electricity, industry, and recreation for seven U.S. and two Mexican states, serving more than 25 million people.
3883882012-06-26July 29, 1985July 5, 2011human impact, water, land coverSalmon River Reservoir growth, New YorkReservoir growthSalmon River, New YorkSalmon River Reservoir, New York<p>The Salmon River Reservoir in New York State was created in 1914, when a hydroelectric power dam was built. Water levels fluctuate with spring showers and winter snowmelt, but the reservoir has steadily grown since the Landsat satellite began monitoring it in 1985. Record rainfall in September 2010 was a major cause of the reservoir&#39;s expansion seen in the 2011 picture. When lowlands flooded after the rain, the reservoir proved critical in holding back waters that would have caused extensive damage to shoreline property downstream. Land managers and other officials use Landsat images to help them make decisions about additional growth or diversion of water in this area.</p>The Salmon River Reservoir in New York State was created in 1914, when a hydroelectric power dam was built. Water levels fluctuate with spring showers and winter snowmelt, but the reservoir has steadily grown since the Landsat satellite began monitoring it in 1985. Record rainfall in September 2010 was a major cause of the reservoir's expansion seen in the 2011 picture. When lowlands flooded after the rain, the reservoir proved critical in holding back waters that would have caused extensive damage to shoreline property downstream. Land managers and other officials use Landsat images to help them make decisions about additional growth or diversion of water in this area.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#255" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Salmon River Reservoir, New York 1985-2011,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Salmon_River_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Reservoirgrowth_NewYork.jpg0Salmon River Reservoir, New YorkReservoir growth, New Yorkbottom12012-06-25T17:00:00.000-07:002012-06-25T17:00:00.000-07:0043.5374691-75.87953782012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:02:38.305-08:00Reservoirgrowth_NewYork.jpg2_Salmon_River_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-388.jpgReservoirgrowth_NewYork.jpg1Salmon_River_Comb_2.jpgSalmon_River_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Salmon_River_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Salmon_River_Comb_1.jpgThe Salmon River Reservoir in New York State was created in 1914, when a hydroelectric power dam was built. Water levels fluctuate with spring showers and winter snowmelt, but the reservoir has steadily grown since the Landsat satellite began monitoring it in 1985. Record rainfall in September 2010 was a major cause of the reservoir&#39;s expansion seen in the 2011 picture. When lowlands flooded after the rain, the reservoir proved critical in holding back waters that would have caused extensive damage to shoreline property downstream. Land managers and other officials use Landsat images to help them make decisions about additional growth or diversion of water in this area.
3873872012-06-21May 14, 1984May 25, 2011cities, human impact, water, land coverLand change in The Villages, FloridaLand change in The VillagesFloridaThe Villages<p>As the U.S. population has aged, more older people have been moving from northern states to southern communities. Sumpter County in central Florida grew 75 percent since 2000, largely due to expansion of The Villages, a master-planned retirement community with a strong emphasis on golf. Started as a mobile home park in the early 1980s, The Villages was the fastest growing micro-population area in the United States by 2008. These images illustrate the changes that have accompanied this growth. Agricultural land has turned into more than 40 golf courses, and small bodies of water (shown as black) have been converted to water hazards. Lakes have been drained to provide irrigation and residential communities (very light tones) have popped up around the golf courses.</p>As the U.S. population has aged, more older people have been moving from northern states to southern communities. Sumpter County in central Florida grew 75 percent since 2000, largely due to expansion of The Villages, a master-planned retirement community with a strong emphasis on golf. Started as a mobile home park in the early 1980s, The Villages was the fastest growing micro-population area in the United States by 2008. These images illustrate the changes that have accompanied this growth. Agricultural land has turned into more than 40 golf courses, and small bodies of water (shown as black) have been converted to water hazards. Lakes have been drained to provide irrigation and residential communities (very light tones) have popped up around the golf courses.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#261" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;The Villages, Florida,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Villages_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Imagesofchange.jpg0The Villages, FloridaUrban growth, Floridabottom12012-06-20T17:00:00.000-07:002012-06-20T17:00:00.000-07:0028.9377778-81.97111112012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:03:08.870-08:00Imagesofchange.jpg2_Villages_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-387.jpgImagesofchange.jpg1Villages_Comb_2.jpgVillages_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Villages_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Villages_Comb_1.jpgAs the U.S. population has aged, more older people have been moving from northern states to southern communities. Sumpter County in central Florida grew 75 percent since 2000, largely due to expansion of The Villages, a master-planned retirement community with a strong emphasis on golf. Started as a mobile home park in the early 1980s, The Villages was the fastest growing micro-population area in the United States by 2008. These images illustrate the changes that have accompanied this growth. Agricultural land has turned into more than 40 golf courses, and small bodies of water (shown as black) have been converted to water hazards. Lakes have been drained to provide irrigation and residential communities (very light tones) have popped up around the golf courses.
3853852012-06-14November 1986/1987November 2010/2011human impact, water, land coverEverglades National Park restoration, FloridaEverglades restorationFloridaEverglades National Park<p>Florida&#39;s Everglades National Park contains the largest tract of wilderness east of the Rocky Mountains. It&#39;s an important wildlife habitat that also provides millions of people with water, cropland and pastures, and recreation. Urban development, recreation demands and storms have been hard on the ecosystem, and climate change poses a significant new challenge. In an effort to protect the Everglades, the U.S. Congress authorized the largest restoration project in American history in 2000. It includes buying land (over 207,000 acres to date), establishing large-scale aquifer storage systems and developing treatment marshes and water-flow channels. Each picture shown here is a mosaic of five scenes taken by satellite. Comparing 1986/1987 and 2010/2011 allows the project&#39;s staff to evaluate gradual changes in the fragile Everglades ecosystem.</p>Florida's Everglades National Park contains the largest tract of wilderness east of the Rocky Mountains. It's an important wildlife habitat that also provides millions of people with water, cropland and pastures, and recreation. Urban development, recreation demands and storms have been hard on the ecosystem, and climate change poses a significant new challenge. In an effort to protect the Everglades, the U.S. Congress authorized the largest restoration project in American history in 2000. It includes buying land (over 207,000 acres to date), establishing large-scale aquifer storage systems and developing treatment marshes and water-flow channels. Each picture shown here is a mosaic of five scenes taken by satellite. Comparing 1986/1987 and 2010/2011 allows the project's staff to evaluate gradual changes in the fragile Everglades ecosystem.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="http://landsat.usgs.gov/gallery_view.php?category=nocategory&amp;thesort=mainTitle" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Monitoring the Everglades,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Everglades_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Landscapechange_Florida.jpg0Everglades, FloridaLandscape change, Floridabottom12012-06-13T17:00:00.000-07:002012-06-13T17:00:00.000-07:0025.2866149-80.89865022012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002016-05-04T08:03:29.320-07:00Landscapechange_Florida.jpg2_Everglades_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-385.jpgLandscapechange_Florida.jpg1Everglades_Comb_2.jpgEverglades_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Everglades_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Everglades_Comb_1.jpgFlorida&#39;s Everglades National Park contains the largest tract of wilderness east of the Rocky Mountains. It&#39;s an important wildlife habitat that also provides millions of people with water, cropland and pastures, and recreation. Urban development, recreation demands and storms have been hard on the ecosystem, and climate change poses a significant new challenge. In an effort to protect the Everglades, the U.S. Congress authorized the largest restoration project in American history in 2000. It includes buying land (over 207,000 acres to date), establishing large-scale aquifer storage systems and developing treatment marshes and water-flow channels. Each picture shown here is a mosaic of five scenes taken by satellite. Comparing 1986/1987 and 2010/2011 allows the project&#39;s staff to evaluate gradual changes in the fragile Everglades ecosystem.
3793792012-05-24July 30, 1992April 8, 2012cities, human impact, water, land coverBinhai New Area growth, ChinaBinhai New Area growthChinaBinhai<p>The Binhai New Area &mdash; once home to salt farms, reed marshes and wasteland &mdash; has grown into one of China&#39;s key economic hubs. Since development began in the 1990s, it has become the home of numerous aerospace, oil, chemical and other manufacturing industries. Plans for coming years include an international airport. The changes over 20 years can be seen in these images acquired in 1992 and 2012. The Binhai New Area is located on the coast of the Bohai Sea Region southeast of China&#39;s capital city, Beijing.</p>The Binhai New Area &#8212; once home to salt farms, reed marshes and wasteland &#8212; has grown into one of China's key economic hubs. Since development began in the 1990s, it has become the home of numerous aerospace, oil, chemical and other manufacturing industries. Plans for coming years include an international airport. The changes over 20 years can be seen in these images acquired in 1992 and 2012. The Binhai New Area is located on the coast of the Bohai Sea Region southeast of China's capital city, Beijing.<p>1992 image taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. 2012 image taken by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus sensor onboard Landsat 7. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#258">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Binhai New Area, China,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Binhai_China_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Urbangrowth_China.jpg0Binhai New Area, ChinaUrban growth, Chinabottom12012-05-23T17:00:00.000-07:002012-06-04T17:00:00.000-07:0039.003143117.7106872012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:03:38.216-08:00Urbangrowth_China.jpg2_Binhai_China_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-379.jpgUrbangrowth_China.jpg1Binhai_China_Comb_2.jpgBinhai_China_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Binhai_China_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Binhai_China_Comb_1.jpgThe Binhai New Area &mdash; once home to salt farms, reed marshes and wasteland &mdash; has grown into one of China&#39;s key economic hubs. Since development began in the 1990s, it has become the home of numerous aerospace, oil, chemical and other manufacturing industries. Plans for coming years include an international airport. The changes over 20 years can be seen in these images acquired in 1992 and 2012. The Binhai New Area is located on the coast of the Bohai Sea Region southeast of China&#39;s capital city, Beijing.
3763762012-05-14August 13, 1941August 31, 2004ice, top picksMuir Glacier melt, AlaskaMuir Glacier meltAlaskaMuir Glacier, Alaska<p>The 1941 photograph shows the lower reaches of Muir Glacier and its tributary, Riggs Glacier. The two glaciers filled Muir Inlet. In the 2004 photograph, Muir Glacier, continuing a retreat nearly two centuries long, is located about 4 miles (7 kilometers) to the northwest, out of the field of view. Riggs Glacier has retreated some 0.4 miles (0.6 kilometers). Both glaciers have thinned substantially.</p>Muir Glacier. Also see <a href='http://climate.nasa.gov/sof/#Icemelt_Alaska9.jpg' >this image pair </a>, <a href='http://climate.nasa.gov/sof/#Icemelt_Alaska10.jpg'>this image pair </a> and <a href='http://climate.nasa.gov/sof/#Icemelt1.jpg'>this image pair </a> of the same glacier.<p><a href="https://www2.usgs.gov/climate_landuse/glaciers/repeat_photography.asp" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey</a>, Department of the Interior. Earlier image by W. O. Field, courtesy of the National Snow and Ice Data Center and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Archive. Later image is a USGS photograph by Bruce F. Molina.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Muir_Glacier_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Icemelt.jpg0Muir Glacier, AlaskaIce melt, Alaskabottom12012-05-13T17:00:00.000-07:002012-05-21T17:00:00.000-07:0059.1047222-136.38222222012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002016-10-07T07:45:40.465-07:00Icemelt.jpg2_Muir_Glacier_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-376.jpgIcemelt.jpg1Muir_Glacier_Comb_2.jpgMuir_Glacier_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Muir_Glacier_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Muir_Glacier_Comb_1.jpgThe 1941 photograph shows the lower reaches of Muir Glacier and its tributary, Riggs Glacier. The two glaciers filled Muir Inlet. In the 2004 photograph, Muir Glacier, continuing a retreat nearly two centuries long, is located about 4 miles (7 kilometers) to the northwest, out of the field of view. Riggs Glacier has retreated some 0.4 miles (0.6 kilometers). Both glaciers have thinned substantially.
3743742012-05-07April 21, 2010May 7, 2010extreme events, waterMississippi River flood, TennesseeMississippi River floodTennesseehayti, Missouri<p>Record-breaking rainfall from severe storms on May 1 and 2, 2010 caused the Mississippi River to swell along the borders of Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas and Missouri. These images show the area before and after the flooding.</p>Record-breaking rainfall from severe storms on May 1 and 2, 2010 caused the Mississippi River to swell along the borders of Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas and Missouri. These images show the area before and after the flooding.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="http://landsat.usgs.gov/gallery_view.php?category=nocategory&amp;thesort=mainTitle" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Tennessee Flooding,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/IC_Flood_Tennessee_320x240_80.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Flooding_Tennessee.jpg0Mississippi River, TennesseeFlooding, TennesseetopLeft12012-05-06T17:00:00.000-07:002012-05-07T17:00:00.000-07:0036.233679-89.74952722012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002016-05-04T08:15:09.960-07:00Flooding_Tennessee.jpgIC_Flood_Tennessee_320x240_80.jpgImageFlash-374.jpgFlooding_Tennessee.jpg1Tennessee_Flooding_Comb_2.jpgTennessee_Flooding_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Tennessee_Flooding_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Tennessee_Flooding_Comb_1.jpgRecord-breaking rainfall from severe storms on May 1 and 2, 2010 caused the Mississippi River to swell along the borders of Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas and Missouri. These images show the area before and after the flooding.
3733732012-05-03April 20 and 21, 1973March 21 and April 13, 2000human impact, land coverDeforestation near Angangueo, MexicoDeforestationAngangueo, MexicoAngangueo, Mexico<p>These images show a mountainous region of central Mexico near the town of Angangueo. Mexico City lies in the eastern part of each picture. Red areas show fir trees found on only about 40 to 50 thousand acres in Mexico. Monarch butterflies need thick forests of these trees for protection from the elements and predators after the long migration from the eastern U.S. and southern Canada. But many people who live along this area depend on the land for subsistence through farming, grazing and woodcutting, and the forest is being thinned despite the Mexican government having declared a number of reserves here for the Monarchs.</p>These images show a mountainous region of central Mexico near the town of Angangueo. Mexico City lies in the eastern part of each picture. Red areas show fir trees found on only about 40 to 50 thousand acres in Mexico. Monarch butterflies need thick forests of these trees for protection from the elements and predators after the long migration from the eastern U.S. and southern Canada. But many people who live along this area depend on the land for subsistence through farming, grazing and woodcutting, and the forest is being thinned despite the Mexican government having declared a number of reserves here for the Monarchs.<p>1973 image taken by the Multispectral Scanner onboard Landsat 1. 2000 image taken by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus sensor onboard Landsat 7. Source: <a href=" http://earthshots.usgs.gov/Angangueo/Angangueo" target="_blank">Earthshots: Satellite Images of Environmental Change</a>, U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Deforestation_Mexico_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Deforestation_Mexico1.jpg0Angangueo, MexicoDeforestation, Mexicotop12012-05-02T17:00:00.000-07:002012-05-02T17:00:00.000-07:0019.6087699-100.29470112012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002016-05-04T08:58:45.474-07:00Deforestation_Mexico1.jpg2_Deforestation_Mexico_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-373.jpgDeforestation_Mexico1.jpg1Deforestation_Mexico_Comb_2.jpgDeforestation_Mexico_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Deforestation_Mexico_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Deforestation_Mexico_Comb_1.jpgThese images show a mountainous region of central Mexico near the town of Angangueo. Mexico City lies in the eastern part of each picture. Red areas show fir trees found on only about 40 to 50 thousand acres in Mexico. Monarch butterflies need thick forests of these trees for protection from the elements and predators after the long migration from the eastern U.S. and southern Canada. But many people who live along this area depend on the land for subsistence through farming, grazing and woodcutting, and the forest is being thinned despite the Mexican government having declared a number of reserves here for the Monarchs.
3723722012-04-30May 26, 1984May 21, 2011cities, human impact, land coverUrban growth, Tucson, ArizonaUrban growthTucson, ArizonaTucson, Arizona<p>Tucson in the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona. It is one of the oldest continually inhabited areas of North America, with evidence of settlements 3,000 years ago. The city has grown quickly over the past 30 years, due in part to the rapid growth of technology firms. Population in the greater Tucson area has increased from about 600,000 in 1980 to more than one million in 2011. Expansion has been largely in the eastern region since mountains on the north, west and south restrict development. As with many western cities, Tucson was organized on a grid pattern, which can be seen from space.</p>Tucson is in the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona. It is one of the oldest continually inhabited areas of North America, with evidence of settlements 3,000 years ago. The city has grown quickly over the past 30 years, due in part to the rapid growth of technology firms. Population in the greater Tucson area has increased from about 600,000 in 1980 to more than one million in 2011. Expansion has been largely in the eastern region since mountains on the north, west, and south restrict development. As with many western cities, Tucson was organized on a grid pattern, which can be seen from space.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#257" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Tuscon, Arizona,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_1_Tucson_Arizona_Comb_1_cp-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Urbangrowth_Arizona.jpg0Tucson, ArizonaUrban growth, ArizonatopLeft12012-04-29T17:00:00.000-07:002012-05-21T17:00:00.000-07:0032.2217429-110.9264792012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:04:10.436-08:00Urbangrowth_Arizona.jpg2_1_Tucson_Arizona_Comb_1_cp-320x240.jpgImageFlash-372.jpgUrbangrowth_Arizona.jpg12_Tucson_Arizona_Comb-2_cp.jpg1_Tucson_Arizona_Comb_1_cp.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_2_Tucson_Arizona_Comb-2_cp.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_1_Tucson_Arizona_Comb_1_cp.jpgTucson in the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona. It is one of the oldest continually inhabited areas of North America, with evidence of settlements 3,000 years ago. The city has grown quickly over the past 30 years, due in part to the rapid growth of technology firms. Population in the greater Tucson area has increased from about 600,000 in 1980 to more than one million in 2011. Expansion has been largely in the eastern region since mountains on the north, west and south restrict development. As with many western cities, Tucson was organized on a grid pattern, which can be seen from space.
3663662012-04-13June 25, 2007August 28, 2007extreme events, land coverPeloponnesus fires, GreecePeloponnesus firesGreeceSparta, Greece<p>On August 24, 2007, the first of more than 170 fires broke out on the Greek Peloponnesus. The fires, of undetermined origin, cut a swath of destruction across the peninsula. They razed hundreds of villages, threatened the ancient historic site of Olympia and endangered the city of Sparta. These images show the area before and after the fires.</p>On August 24, 2007, the first of more than 170 fires broke out on the Greek Peloponnesus. The fires, of undetermined origin, cut a swath of destruction across the peninsula. They razed hundreds of villages, threatened the ancient historic site of Olympia and endangered the city of Sparta. These images show the area before and after the fires.<p>Images taken by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus sensor onboard Landsat 7. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#603" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Greece Fires,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Greece_Fires_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Fire_Greece.jpg0Pelopennesus, GreeceFire, Greecebottom12012-04-12T17:00:00.000-07:002012-04-12T17:00:00.000-07:0037.07430122.4325842012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-18T10:00:24.626-08:00Fire_Greece.jpg2_Greece_Fires_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-366.jpgFire_Greece.jpg1Greece_Fires_Comb_2.jpgGreece_Fires_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Greece_Fires_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Greece_Fires_Comb_1.jpgOn August 24, 2007, the first of more than 170 fires broke out on the Greek Peloponnesus. The fires, of undetermined origin, cut a swath of destruction across the peninsula. They razed hundreds of villages, threatened the ancient historic site of Olympia and endangered the city of Sparta. These images show the area before and after the fires.
3653652012-04-09July 30, 1909August 11, 2004ice, top picksMcCarty Glacier melt, AlaskaMcCarty Glacier meltAlaskaMcCarty Glacier, Alaska<p>The 1909 photograph shows the west side of the terminus of McCarty Glacier. In the 2004 image, the terminus has retreated about 9 miles (15 kilometers) to the north. The area in the foreground, which had been covered by glacial deposits, is now open ocean water, thanks to the melting of glacier ice under the sediment deposits. The former barren zone and adjacent hillside are now covered by dense vegetation.</p>McCarty Glacier in southern Alaska.<p><a href="https://www2.usgs.gov/climate_landuse/glaciers/repeat_photography.asp" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey</a>, Department of the Interior. Earlier image by W. O. Field, courtesy of the National Snow and Ice Data Center and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Archive. Later image is a USGS photograph by Bruce F. Molina.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/IC_McCartyGlacierMelt_Alaska13_320x240_80.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Icemelt_Alaska13.jpg0McCarty Glacier, AlaskaIce melt, AlaskatopLeft12012-04-08T17:00:00.000-07:002012-05-02T17:00:00.000-07:0059.77-150.22083332012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002016-10-07T07:44:33.358-07:00Icemelt_Alaska13.jpgIC_McCartyGlacierMelt_Alaska13_320x240_80.jpgImageFlash-365.jpgIcemelt_Alaska13.jpg1McCarty_Glacier_Comb_2(actual).jpgMcCarty_Glacier_Comb_1(actual).jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_McCarty_Glacier_Comb_2(actual).jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_McCarty_Glacier_Comb_1(actual).jpgThe 1909 photograph shows the west side of the terminus of McCarty Glacier. In the 2004 image, the terminus has retreated about 9 miles (15 kilometers) to the north. The area in the foreground, which had been covered by glacial deposits, is now open ocean water, thanks to the melting of glacier ice under the sediment deposits. The former barren zone and adjacent hillside are now covered by dense vegetation.
3633632012-04-02December 12, 1982August 11, 2010human impact, water, land coverLake Mead shrinkage, NevadaLake Mead shrinkageNevada / ArizonaLake Mead, Nevada<p>Lake Mead is one of the largest reservoirs in the world, supplying water to California, Arizona, Nevada and Mexico, including the water-guzzling Las Vegas. Through dam turbines, the lake also provides power to Nevada, southern California and northern Mexico. Since 2000, the water level has been dropping at a fairly steady rate due to lower-than-average snowfall and over a decade of drought, and as of July 2010, the lake was at 38 percent of its capacity. Water supply has been further diminished by the drawing off of water from upstream reservoirs in the upper Colorado River Basin which, historically, has been the source for the Lake Mead Reservoir. Also see <a href="http://climate.nasa.gov/sof/#Reservoirshrinkage_Nevada-Arizona.jpg">this image pair of Lake Mead</a>.</p>Lake Mead, in Nevada/Arizona. Lake Mead is one of the largest reservoirs in the world, supplying water to California, Arizona, Nevada and Mexico, including the water-guzzling Las Vegas. Through dam turbines, the lake also provides power to Nevada, southern California and northern Mexico. Since 2000, the water level has been dropping at a fairly steady rate due to lower-than-average snowfall and over a decade of drought, and as of July 2010, the lake was at 38 percent of its capacity. Water supply has been further diminished by the drawing off of water from upstream reservoirs in the upper Colorado River Basin which, historically, has been the source for the Lake Mead Reservoir. Also see <a href='http://climate.nasa.gov/sof/#Reservoirshrinkage_Nevada-Arizona.jpg'>this image pair of Lake Mead</a>.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="http://landsat.usgs.gov/gallery_view.php?category=nocategory&amp;thesort=mainTitle" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Lake Mead, Nevada,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/Lake-Mead-after-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Reservoirshrinkage_Nevada-Arizona1.jpg0Lake Mead, NevadaReservoir shrinkage, Nevada / ArizonabottomLeft12012-04-01T17:00:00.000-07:002012-04-09T17:00:00.000-07:0036.1311317-114.44109722012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002016-05-03T16:38:22.432-07:00Reservoirshrinkage_Nevada-Arizona1.jpgLake-Mead-after-320x240.jpgImageFlash-363.jpgReservoirshrinkage_Nevada-Arizona1.jpg1Lake_Mead_A.jpgLake_Mead_B.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Lake_Mead_A.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Lake_Mead_B.jpgLake Mead is one of the largest reservoirs in the world, supplying water to California, Arizona, Nevada and Mexico, including the water-guzzling Las Vegas. Through dam turbines, the lake also provides power to Nevada, southern California and northern Mexico. Since 2000, the water level has been dropping at a fairly steady rate due to lower-than-average snowfall and over a decade of drought, and as of July 2010, the lake was at 38 percent of its capacity. Water supply has been further diminished by the drawing off of water from upstream reservoirs in the upper Colorado River Basin which, historically, has been the source for the Lake Mead Reservoir. Also see this image pair of Lake Mead.
3583582012-03-14October 9, 2010December 12, 2010extreme events, waterFlood, southern AustraliaFloodSouthern AustraliaAustralia<p>The worst flooding in decades affected an area in southern Australia the size of Germany and France combined, causing at least 10 deaths. It cut off 22 towns, affected over 200,000 people, closed 75 percent of the area&#39;s coalmines, devastated the country&#39;s wheat crop, and severely damaged housing and transport networks. The October image shows conditions before the flooding. Green tones represent vegetation, much of it wheat crops. Blue and black tones show lakes and meandering rivers. In the December picture, taken during the flood, the lakes and rivers have expanded and lowlands and agricultural fields have become saturated, as shown by the darker colors.</p>Left: October 9, 2010. Right: December 12, 2010. The worst flooding in decades affected an area in southern Australia the size of Germany and France combined, causing at least 10 deaths. It cut off 22 towns, affected over 200,000 people, closed 75 percent of the area's coalmines, devastated the country's wheat crop, and severely damaged housing and transport networks. The October image shows conditions before the flooding. Green tones represent vegetation, much of it wheat crops. Blue and black tones show lakes and meandering rivers. In the December picture, taken during the flood, the lakes and rivers have expanded and lowlands and agricultural fields have become saturated, as shown by the darker colors.<p>Images taken by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus sensor onboard Landsat 7. Source: <a href="http://landsat.usgs.gov/gallery_view.php?category=nocategory&amp;thesort=mainTitle" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Flooding in southern Australia,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Australia_Flooding_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Flooding_Australia2.jpg0Images of changetopLeft12012-03-19T17:00:00.000-07:002012-03-19T17:00:00.000-07:00-30.300147.9002012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002016-05-04T09:39:14.865-07:00Flooding_Australia2.jpg2_Australia_Flooding_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-358.jpgFlooding_Australia2.jpg1Australia_Flooding_Comb_2.jpgAustralia_Flooding_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Australia_Flooding_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Australia_Flooding_Comb_1.jpgThe worst flooding in decades affected an area in southern Australia the size of Germany and France combined, causing at least 10 deaths. It cut off 22 towns, affected over 200,000 people, closed 75 percent of the area&#39;s coalmines, devastated the country&#39;s wheat crop, and severely damaged housing and transport networks. The October image shows conditions before the flooding. Green tones represent vegetation, much of it wheat crops. Blue and black tones show lakes and meandering rivers. In the December picture, taken during the flood, the lakes and rivers have expanded and lowlands and agricultural fields have become saturated, as shown by the darker colors.
3563562012-03-13August 25, 1984August 20, 2011cities, human impact, land coverDenver Airport growth, ColoradoDenver Airport growthColoradoDenver International Airport<p>Denver International Airport covers 53 square miles (nearly 140 square kilometers), making it the largest airport in the United States and the third largest in the world. The 1984 image shows the landscape before airport construction began, and the 2011 image shows the same area with the airport in operation. In addition to the aviation hub itself, hotels, manufacturing and residential development have expanded, covering what had previously been farmland. Data from the Landsat satellite are used by regional and local officials to monitor the rate and direction of the expanded development.</p>Left: August 25, 1984. Right: August 20, 2011. Denver International Airport covers 53 square miles (nearly 140 square kilometers), making it the largest airport in the United States and the third largest in the world. The 1984 image shows the landscape before airport construction began, and the 2011 image shows the same area with the airport in operation. In addition to the aviation hub itself, hotels, manufacturing and residential development have expanded, covering what had previously been farmland. Data from the Landsat satellite are used by regional and local officials to monitor the rate and direction of the expanded development.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#252" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Denver International Airport,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Denver_International_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Urbangrowth_Colorado.jpg0Denver International AirporttopLeft12012-03-12T17:00:00.000-07:002012-03-14T17:00:00.000-07:0039.849512-104.6738562012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:04:50.018-08:00Urbangrowth_Colorado.jpg2_Denver_International_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-244.jpgUrbangrowth_Colorado.jpg1Denver_International_Comb_2.jpgDenver_International_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Denver_International_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Denver_International_Comb_1.jpgDenver International Airport covers 53 square miles (nearly 140 square kilometers), making it the largest airport in the United States and the third largest in the world. The 1984 image shows the landscape before airport construction began, and the 2011 image shows the same area with the airport in operation. In addition to the aviation hub itself, hotels, manufacturing and residential development have expanded, covering what had previously been farmland. Data from the Landsat satellite are used by regional and local officials to monitor the rate and direction of the expanded development.
3543542012-03-07January 12, 1976February 2, 2007human impact, land coverBaban Rafi deforestation, NigerBaban Rafi deforestationNigerBaban Rafi<p>Baban Rafi Forest is the most significant area of woodland in the Maradi Department of Niger, a west African country on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. Located at the southern extreme of the Sahel, Baban Rafi has areas of both savannah and Sahelian vegetation. These pictures show the loss of a significant fraction of the natural landscape (darker green areas) of the forest to agriculture. Population in this region quadrupled during the 40 years leading up to the 2007 image, and intense demand for agricultural land has led to near-continuous use, with shortened or no fallow period to recover fertility. The remaining woodlands are overly exploited for fuel wood and non-wood forest products.</p>Left: January 12, 1976. Right: February 2, 2007. Baban Rafi Forest is the most significant area of woodland in the Maradi Department of Niger, a west African country on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. Located at the southern extreme of the Sahel, Baban Rafi has areas of both savannah and Sahelian vegetation. These pictures show the loss of a significant fraction of the natural landscape (darker green areas) of the forest to agriculture. Population in this region quadrupled during the 40 years leading up to the 2007 image, and intense demand for agricultural land has led to near-continuous use, with shortened or no fallow period to recover fertility. The remaining woodlands are overly exploited for fuel wood and non-wood forest products.<p>Source: <a href="http://na.unep.net/atlas/webatlas.php?id=355" target="_blank">United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)</a>. From Africa Atlas of our Changing Environment (2008); Division of Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA), UNEP, Nairobi, Kenya.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Baban_Rafi_Forest_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Deforestation_Niger.jpg0Baban Rafi Forest, NigertopLeft12012-03-06T16:00:00.000-08:002012-03-06T16:00:00.000-08:0013.184356.8356042012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002016-05-04T09:40:11.946-07:00Deforestation_Niger.jpg2_Baban_Rafi_Forest_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-242.jpgDeforestation_Niger.jpg1Baban_Rafi_Forest_Comb_2.jpgBaban_Rafi_Forest_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Baban_Rafi_Forest_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Baban_Rafi_Forest_Comb_1.jpgBaban Rafi Forest is the most significant area of woodland in the Maradi Department of Niger, a west African country on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. Located at the southern extreme of the Sahel, Baban Rafi has areas of both savannah and Sahelian vegetation. These pictures show the loss of a significant fraction of the natural landscape (darker green areas) of the forest to agriculture. Population in this region quadrupled during the 40 years leading up to the 2007 image, and intense demand for agricultural land has led to near-continuous use, with shortened or no fallow period to recover fertility. The remaining woodlands are overly exploited for fuel wood and non-wood forest products.
3523522012-02-22January 25, 2011January 28, 2012ice, land coverPine Island Glacier calving, AntarcticaPine Island Glacier calvingAntarcticaPine Island Glacier<p>Pine Island is one of the largest and fastest-moving glaciers in Antarctica. The Pine Island Glacier Basin contributes more ice to the sea than any other ice-drainage basin in the world, and this has increased due to recent acceleration of the ice stream caused by thinning of the glacier. Scientists are concerned about the impact Pine Island&#39;s continued thinning will have on sea level. The 2011 image shows a series of splits along the western edge of the glacier. The same area in 2012 reveals a major break that will eventually extend all the way across the glacier and calve a giant iceberg expected to cover about 350 square miles (900 square kilometers).</p>Left: January 25, 2011. Right: January 28, 2012. Pine Island is one of the largest and fastest-moving glaciers in Antarctica. The Pine Island Glacier Basin contributes more ice to the sea than any other ice-drainage basin in the world, and this has increased due to recent acceleration of the ice stream caused by thinning of the glacier. Scientists are concerned about the impact Pine Island's continued thinning will have on sea level. The 2011 image shows a series of splits along the western edge of the glacier. The same area in 2012 reveals a major break that will eventually extend all the way across the glacier and calve a giant iceberg expected to cover about 350 square miles (900 square kilometers).<p>Images taken by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus sensor onboard Landsat 7. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=8#251" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Pine Island Glacier,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Pine_Island_Glacier_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Icemelt_Antarctica.jpg0Pine Island Glacier, AntarcticatopLeft12012-02-26T16:00:00.000-08:002012-03-12T17:00:00.000-07:00-75.1666667-1002012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:05:13.080-08:00Icemelt_Antarctica.jpg2_Pine_Island_Glacier_Comb_1-320x240.jpgImageFlash-234.jpgIcemelt_Antarctica.jpg1Pine_Island_Glacier_Comb_2.jpgPine_Island_Glacier_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Pine_Island_Glacier_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Pine_Island_Glacier_Comb_1.jpgPine Island is one of the largest and fastest-moving glaciers in Antarctica. The Pine Island Glacier Basin contributes more ice to the sea than any other ice-drainage basin in the world, and this has increased due to recent acceleration of the ice stream caused by thinning of the glacier. Scientists are concerned about the impact Pine Island&#39;s continued thinning will have on sea level. The 2011 image shows a series of splits along the western edge of the glacier. The same area in 2012 reveals a major break that will eventually extend all the way across the glacier and calve a giant iceberg expected to cover about 350 square miles (900 square kilometers).
3513512012-02-16July 24, 2010August 25, 2010extreme events, land coverLong Butte fire, IdahoLong Butte fireIdahoLong Butte, Idaho<p>Left: July 24, 2010. Right: August 25, 2010. A series of wildfires, triggered by lightning strikes during the weekend of August 21 and 22, 2010, burned more than 300,000 acres of sage and grasses in the south-central region of Idaho. On August 23, the fire burned over 200,000 acres in a single day. Smoke from the fires dramatically impacted air quality in a number of local communities. The July 24 image shows burn marks from earlier, smaller fires, while the August 25 image shows the dark brown tone of the large fire scar. Fire and regional vegetation-management teams used the imagery to track the fire and to plan rehabilitation of the affected areas.</p>Left: July 24, 2010. Right: August 25, 2010. A series of wildfires, triggered by lightning strikes during the weekend of August 21 and 22, 2010, burned more than 300,000 acres of sage and grasses in the south-central region of Idaho. On August 23, the fire burned over 200,000 acres in a single day. Smoke from the fires dramatically impacted air quality in a number of local communities. The July 24 image shows burn marks from earlier, smaller fires, while the August 25 image shows the dark brown tone of the large fire scar. Fire and regional vegetation-management teams used the imagery to track the fire and to plan rehabilitation of the affected areas.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="http://landsat.usgs.gov/gallery_view.php?category=nocategory&amp;thesort=mainTitle" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Long Butte, Idaho Fire,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Idaho_Fire_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Fire_Idaho.jpg0Long Butte, IdahoFire, IdahotopLeft12012-02-15T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-15T16:00:00.000-08:0042.55462319999999-115.570632999999992012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002016-05-03T15:04:52.433-07:00Fire_Idaho.jpg2_Idaho_Fire_Comb_1-320x240.jpgFire_Idaho.jpg1Idaho_Fire_Comb_2.jpgIdaho_Fire_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Idaho_Fire_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Idaho_Fire_Comb_1.jpgLeft: July 24, 2010. Right: August 25, 2010. A series of wildfires, triggered by lightning strikes during the weekend of August 21 and 22, 2010, burned more than 300,000 acres of sage and grasses in the south-central region of Idaho. On August 23, the fire burned over 200,000 acres in a single day. Smoke from the fires dramatically impacted air quality in a number of local communities. The July 24 image shows burn marks from earlier, smaller fires, while the August 25 image shows the dark brown tone of the large fire scar. Fire and regional vegetation-management teams used the imagery to track the fire and to plan rehabilitation of the affected areas.
3193192012-02-08April 30, 2011July 3, 2011extreme events, land coverHoney Prairie Fire, Georgia, U.S.Honey Prairie FireGeorgia, United StatesOkefenokee<p>Lightning sparked wildfires near the Okefenokee National Wildlife refuge in the Honey Prairie region of Georgia, US, on April 30, 2011, after the left-hand image was taken. Dry conditions helped fuel the fires and continued lightning strikes started new ones. By July 7, over 290,000 acres had burned. The red tones of the July 3 image represent recovering vegetation in previously burned areas. Light tones are the smoke of active fires.</p>Left: April 30, 2011. Right: July 3, 2011. Lightning sparked wildfires near the Okefenokee National Wildlife refuge in the Honey Prairie region of Georgia on April 30, 2011, after the left-hand image was taken. Dry conditions helped fuel the fires and continued lightning strikes started new ones. By July 7, over 290,000 acres had burned. The red tones of the July 3 image represent recovering vegetation in previously burned areas. Light tones are the smoke of active fires.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor aboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=2#222" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Honey Prairie Fires,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Honey_Prairie_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Fire_Georgia.jpg0Honey Prairie Fires, GeorgiatopLeft12012-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-09T16:00:00.000-08:0030.7375-82.12666662012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:05:47.524-08:00Fire_Georgia.jpg2_Honey_Prairie_Comb_1-320x240.jpgFire_Georgia.jpg1Honey_Prairie_Comb_2.jpgHoney_Prairie_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Honey_Prairie_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Honey_Prairie_Comb_1.jpgLightning sparked wildfires near the Okefenokee National Wildlife refuge in the Honey Prairie region of Georgia, US, on April 30, 2011, after the left-hand image was taken. Dry conditions helped fuel the fires and continued lightning strikes started new ones. By July 7, over 290,000 acres had burned. The red tones of the July 3 image represent recovering vegetation in previously burned areas. Light tones are the smoke of active fires.
3213212012-02-08June 24, 1984August 6, 2011human impact, water, land coverSamuel Dam impact / Deforestation in Rondonia, Brazil Dam impact / DeforestationRondonia, BrazilJamari River<p>The Samuel Dam is located along the Jamari River in Rondonia, Brazil. These images show the area in 1984, shortly after construction of the hydroelectric dam began, and in 2011. The reservoir created by the dam flooded the upstream forest and displaced many people. Also evident in the images is the deforestation that has affected much of the region.</p>Left: June 24, 1984. Right: August 6, 2011. The Samuel Dam is located along the Jamari River in Rondônia, Brazil. These images show the area in 1984, shortly after construction of the hydroelectric dam began, and in 2011. The reservoir created by the dam flooded the upstream forest and displaced many people. Also evident in the images is the deforestation that has affected much of the region.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor aboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#236" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Samuel Dam, Rondonia, Brazil,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Samuel_Dam_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Flooding_Brazil.jpg0Samuel Dam, Rondonia, Brazil topLeft12012-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-09T16:00:00.000-08:00-8.567442-63.5504152012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:06:20.803-08:00Flooding_Brazil.jpg2_Samuel_Dam_Comb_1-320x240.jpgFlooding_Brazil.jpg1Samuel_Dam_Comb_2.jpgSamuel_Dam_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Samuel_Dam_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Samuel_Dam_Comb_1.jpgThe Samuel Dam is located along the Jamari River in Rondonia, Brazil. These images show the area in 1984, shortly after construction of the hydroelectric dam began, and in 2011. The reservoir created by the dam flooded the upstream forest and displaced many people. Also evident in the images is the deforestation that has affected much of the region.
3223222012-02-08August 1985September 2010extreme events, waterGreat Salt Lake shrinkage, UtahGreat Salt Lake shrinkageUtahAntelope Island<p>Dramatic change in the area of the Great Salt Lake over the past 25 years. The lake was filled to near capacity in 1985 because feeder streams were charged with snowmelt and heavy rainfall. In contrast, the 2010 image shows the lake shriveled by drought. The Promontory Peninsula (protruding into the lake from the top) is surrounded by water on three sides in the first image, but is landlocked on its eastern side in the second. Similarly, Antelope Island was encircled by water in 1985, but was connected to marshy areas in 2010. Mosaics of four satellite images were used to illustrate the changes over the full lake area.</p>Dramatic change in the area of the Great Salt Lake over the past 25 years. Left: August 1985. Right: September 2010. The lake was filled to near capacity in 1985 because feeder streams were charged with snowmelt and heavy rainfall. In contrast, the 2010 image shows the lake shriveled by drought. The Promontory Peninsula (protruding into the lake from the top) is surrounded by water on three sides in the first image, but is landlocked on its eastern side in the second. Similarly, Antelope Island was encircled by water in 1985, but was connected to marshy areas in 2010. Mosaics of four satellite images were used to illustrate the changes over the full lake area.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor aboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#202" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Great Salt Lake&mdash;1985-2010,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Great_Salt_Lake_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Lakeshrinkage_Utah.jpg0Great Salt Lake, UtahtopLeft12012-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-09T16:00:00.000-08:0040.9579977-112.20717022012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:06:42.372-08:00Lakeshrinkage_Utah.jpg2_Great_Salt_Lake_Comb_1-320x240.jpgLakeshrinkage_Utah.jpg1Great_Salt_Lake_Comb_2.jpgGreat_Salt_Lake_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Great_Salt_Lake_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Great_Salt_Lake_Comb_1.jpgDramatic change in the area of the Great Salt Lake over the past 25 years. The lake was filled to near capacity in 1985 because feeder streams were charged with snowmelt and heavy rainfall. In contrast, the 2010 image shows the lake shriveled by drought. The Promontory Peninsula (protruding into the lake from the top) is surrounded by water on three sides in the first image, but is landlocked on its eastern side in the second. Similarly, Antelope Island was encircled by water in 1985, but was connected to marshy areas in 2010. Mosaics of four satellite images were used to illustrate the changes over the full lake area.
3233232012-02-08July 2, 1985June 24, 2011cities, human impact, land coverUrban growth, southwestern MoroccoUrban growthSouthwestern MoroccoAgadir<p>The Moroccan cities of Agadir, Inezgane and Tikiouine are close to the Atlantic coastline (seen in blue in the images), and stretch into the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Agadir was nearly destroyed by an earthquake in 1960. Reconstruction has focused on tourism, turning this area into a winter destination. The 1985 image shows the area 25 years into the rebuilding. By 2011, the urban areas reach into the Sahara Desert. Growth has been influenced by the expanding fishing industry and modern commercial ports.</p>Left: July 2, 1985. Right: June 24, 2011. The Moroccan cities of Agadir, Inezgane and Tikiouine are close to the Atlantic coastline (seen in blue in the images), and stretch into the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Agadir was nearly destroyed by an earthquake in 1960. Reconstruction has focused on tourism, turning this area into a winter destination. The 1985 image shows the area 25 years into the rebuilding. By 2011, the urban areas reach into the Sahara Desert. Growth has been influenced by the expanding fishing industry and modern commercial ports.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#238" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Urban Growth in Morocco, 1985-2011,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Urban_Growth_Morocco_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Urbangrowth_Morocco.jpg0Images of changetopLeft12012-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-15T16:00:00.000-08:0030.4-9.62012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:08:30.414-08:00Urbangrowth_Morocco.jpg2_Urban_Growth_Morocco_Comb_1-320x240.jpgUrbangrowth_Morocco.jpg1Urban_Growth_Morocco_Comb_2.jpgUrban_Growth_Morocco_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Urban_Growth_Morocco_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Urban_Growth_Morocco_Comb_1.jpgThe Moroccan cities of Agadir, Inezgane and Tikiouine are close to the Atlantic coastline (seen in blue in the images), and stretch into the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Agadir was nearly destroyed by an earthquake in 1960. Reconstruction has focused on tourism, turning this area into a winter destination. The 1985 image shows the area 25 years into the rebuilding. By 2011, the urban areas reach into the Sahara Desert. Growth has been influenced by the expanding fishing industry and modern commercial ports.
3253252012-02-08August 7, 1993July 8, 2011human impact, water, land coverCoastal change in Sonora, MexicoCoastal change in SonoraMexicoSonora<p>Left: August 7, 1993. Right: July 8, 2011. These images show changes to the western coastline of Sonora, Mexico due to the construction of shrimp farms over the past two decades. While the shrimp industry has generated profits and jobs, there have been concerns about its effect on the ecosystems of the region, and disputes have arisen about property rights to the communal coastal lands.</p>Left: August 7, 1993. Right: July 8, 2011. These images show changes to the western coastline of Sonora, Mexico due to the construction of shrimp farms over the past two decades. While the shrimp industry has generated profits and jobs, there have been concerns about its effect on the ecosystems of the region, and disputes have arisen about property rights to the communal coastal lands.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#237" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Aquaculture Changes Mexican Shoreline,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Mexican_Shoreline_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Shorelinechange_Mexico.jpg0Shoreline, Sonora, MexicotopLeft12012-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-09T16:00:00.000-08:0028.668901-111.8641662012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:11:19.775-08:00Shorelinechange_Mexico.jpg2_Mexican_Shoreline_Comb_1-320x240.jpgShorelinechange_Mexico.jpg1Mexican_Shoreline_Comb_2.jpgMexican_Shoreline_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Mexican_Shoreline_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Mexican_Shoreline_Comb_1.jpgLeft: August 7, 1993. Right: July 8, 2011. These images show changes to the western coastline of Sonora, Mexico due to the construction of shrimp farms over the past two decades. While the shrimp industry has generated profits and jobs, there have been concerns about its effect on the ecosystems of the region, and disputes have arisen about property rights to the communal coastal lands.
3263262012-02-08September 24, 2010August 2, 2011extreme events, human impact, water, top picksFlood in Hamburg, IowaFlood in HamburgIowaHamburg, Iowa<p>In the spring of 2011, heavy rains and snowpack resulted in record releases from dams in Montana and the Dakotas, and near-record flooding along parts of the Missouri River. One especially hard-hit community was Hamburg, Iowa, where levee failure in early June caused extensive flooding and the evacuation of many homes. By late June, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had rebuilt the levees and Hamburg was protected from additional flooding.</p>Left: September 24, 2010. Right: August 2, 2011. In the spring of 2011, heavy rains and snowpack resulted in record releases from dams in Montana and the Dakotas, and near-record flooding along parts of the Missouri River. One especially hard-hit community was Hamburg, Iowa, where levee failure in early June caused extensive flooding and the evacuation of many homes. By late June, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had rebuilt the levees and Hamburg was protected from additional flooding.<p>2010 image taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. 2011 image taken by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus onboard Landsat 7. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=2#233" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Missouri River Flooding Near Hamburg, Iowa,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/Flooding_Iowa-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Flooding_Iowa.jpg0Missouri River, IowatopLeft12012-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:002012-05-21T17:00:00.000-07:0040.6058333-95.6552012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:11:42.558-08:00Flooding_Iowa.jpgFlooding_Iowa-320x240.jpgFlooding_Iowa.jpg1Missouri_River_Comb_2.jpgMissouri_River_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Missouri_River_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Missouri_River_Comb_1.jpgIn the spring of 2011, heavy rains and snowpack resulted in record releases from dams in Montana and the Dakotas, and near-record flooding along parts of the Missouri River. One especially hard-hit community was Hamburg, Iowa, where levee failure in early June caused extensive flooding and the evacuation of many homes. By late June, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had rebuilt the levees and Hamburg was protected from additional flooding.
3283282012-02-08August 6, 1987July 23, 2011human impact, land coverMining impact in Mangystau Province, KazakhstanMining impactMangystau, KazakhstanMangystau<p>The landscape of Kazakhstan&#39;s Mangystau Province, near the Caspian Sea, has changed since oil and gas deposits in the region began to be exploited in the early 1990s. The 2011 image shows production facilities in the desert with settlements built around them. Increased fossil fuel production in this area has raised concerns about the quality and availability of freshwater needed for rural development and public health.</p>Left: August 6, 1987. Right: July 23, 2011. The landscape of Kazakhstan’s Mangystau Province, near the Caspian Sea, has changed since oil and gas deposits in the region began to be exploited in the early 1990s. The 2011 image shows production facilities in the desert with settlements built around them. Increased fossil fuel production in this area has raised concerns about the quality and availability of freshwater needed for rural development and public health.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#239" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Expanding Oil Production in Mangystau Province, Kazakhstan,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Mangystau_Oil_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Oilproduction_Kazakhstan.jpg0Mangystau Province, KazakhstantopLeft12012-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-15T16:00:00.000-08:0044.59080253.84995082012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:12:11.488-08:00Oilproduction_Kazakhstan.jpg2_Mangystau_Oil_Comb_1-320x240.jpgOilproduction_Kazakhstan.jpg1Mangystau_Oil_Comb_2.jpgMangystau_Oil_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Mangystau_Oil_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Mangystau_Oil_Comb_1.jpgThe landscape of Kazakhstan&#39;s Mangystau Province, near the Caspian Sea, has changed since oil and gas deposits in the region began to be exploited in the early 1990s. The 2011 image shows production facilities in the desert with settlements built around them. Increased fossil fuel production in this area has raised concerns about the quality and availability of freshwater needed for rural development and public health.
3293292012-02-08October 25, 1993October 27, 2011cities, human impact, land coverUrban growth in Aguascalientes, MexicoUrban growthAguascalientes, MexicoAguascalientes<p>Noted as one of the fastest growing cities in Mexico, Aguascalientes is home to many manufacturers. Over the past 10 years, the urban area of Aguascalientes has spread into neighboring municipalities, some of which have been annexed into Aguascalientes as suburbs.</p>Left: October 25, 1993. Right: October 27, 2011. Noted as one of the fastest growing cities in Mexico, Aguascalientes is home to many manufacturers. Over the past 10 years, the urban area of Aguascalientes has spread into neighboring municipalities, some of which have been annexed into Aguascalientes as suburbs.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#240" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Aguascalientes, Mexico &mdash; Booming Growth,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Aguascalientes_Growth_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Urbangrowth_Mexico.jpg0Aguascalientes, MexicotopLeft12012-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-15T16:00:00.000-08:0021.700-103.1002012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:12:37.961-08:00Urbangrowth_Mexico.jpg2_Aguascalientes_Growth_Comb_1-320x240.jpgUrbangrowth_Mexico.jpg1Aguascalientes_Growth_Comb_2.jpgAguascalientes_Growth_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Aguascalientes_Growth_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Aguascalientes_Growth_Comb_1.jpgNoted as one of the fastest growing cities in Mexico, Aguascalientes is home to many manufacturers. Over the past 10 years, the urban area of Aguascalientes has spread into neighboring municipalities, some of which have been annexed into Aguascalientes as suburbs.
3303302012-02-08January 18, 1985January 10, 2011human impact, waterLake Basaka growth, EthiopiaLake Basaka growthEthiopiaLake Basaka<p>Lake Basaka in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia&nbsp;has expanded greatly during the past 35 years, raising the groundwater table and increasing the salinity of water reserves. That salinity has impacted local sugarcane production, a major source of income for the region, and many agricultural fields have been abandoned. While the cause of the lake&#39;s expansion is still being studied, a likely cause is the discharge of excess irrigation water directly into the lake.</p>Lake Basaka, Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Left: January 18, 1985. Right: January 10, 2011. Lake Basaka has expanded greatly during the past 35 years, raising the groundwater table and increasing the salinity of water reserves. That salinity has impacted regional sugarcane production, a major source of income for the region, and many agricultural fields have been abandoned. While the cause of the lake’s expansion is still being studied, a likely cause is the discharge of excess irrigation water directly into the lake.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#241" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Lake Basaka, Ethiopia,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Lake_Basaka_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Lakeexpansion_Ethiopia.jpg0Lake Basaka, EthiopiatopLeft12012-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-15T16:00:00.000-08:008.868038639.86819832012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:13:01.972-08:00Lakeexpansion_Ethiopia.jpg2_Lake_Basaka_Comb_1-320x240.jpgLakeexpansion_Ethiopia.jpg1Lake_Basaka_Comb_2.jpgLake_Basaka_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Lake_Basaka_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Lake_Basaka_Comb_1.jpgLake Basaka in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia&nbsp;has expanded greatly during the past 35 years, raising the groundwater table and increasing the salinity of water reserves. That salinity has impacted local sugarcane production, a major source of income for the region, and many agricultural fields have been abandoned. While the cause of the lake&#39;s expansion is still being studied, a likely cause is the discharge of excess irrigation water directly into the lake.
3323322012-02-08June 6, 1987June 8, 2011human impact, land coverSurface mining expansion, West VirginiaSurface mining expansionWest VirginiaWest Virginia<p>More than half of the U.S.&#39; electrical power comes from coal burning and a large percentage of that coal comes from West Virginia. Of the nearly 150 million tons of coal extracted each year from the state&#39;s mines, an increasing amount (60 million tons in 2009) comes from surface mining and mountaintop removal. Mountaintop removal can have serious impacts on the health of local people &mdash; through the pollution of groundwater by mine runoff and exposure to airborne toxins and dust &mdash; and on the environment &mdash; through permanent loss of critical ecosystems, destruction of forests and loss of streams. Scientific evidence suggests that these impacts are pervasive and irreversible and that efforts to reclaim the disturbed land can&#39;t make up for the impacts felt by the mining process.</p>The expansion of surface mining in West Virginia. Left: June 6, 1987. Right: June 8, 2011. More than half of the U.S.’ electrical power comes from coal burning and a large percentage of that coal comes from West Virginia. Of the nearly 150 million tons of coal extracted each year from the state’s mines, an increasing amount (60 million tons in 2009) comes from surface mining and mountaintop removal. Mountaintop removal can have serious impacts on the health of local people &#8212; through the pollution of groundwater by mine runoff and exposure to airborne toxins and dust &#8212; and on the environment &#8212; through permanent loss of critical ecosystems, destruction of forests and loss of streams. Scientific evidence suggests that these impacts are pervasive and irreversible and that efforts to reclaim the disturbed land can’t make up for the impacts felt by the mining process.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#242" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;West Virginia Surface Mining,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_West_Virginia_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Mininggrowth_WestVirginia.jpg0Surface Mining, West VirginiatopLeft12012-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-15T16:00:00.000-08:0038.5976262-80.45490262012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:13:22.777-08:00Mininggrowth_WestVirginia.jpg2_West_Virginia_Comb_1-320x240.jpgMininggrowth_WestVirginia.jpg1West_Virginia_Comb_2.jpgWest_Virginia_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_West_Virginia_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_West_Virginia_Comb_1.jpgMore than half of the U.S.&#39; electrical power comes from coal burning and a large percentage of that coal comes from West Virginia. Of the nearly 150 million tons of coal extracted each year from the state&#39;s mines, an increasing amount (60 million tons in 2009) comes from surface mining and mountaintop removal. Mountaintop removal can have serious impacts on the health of local people &mdash; through the pollution of groundwater by mine runoff and exposure to airborne toxins and dust &mdash; and on the environment &mdash; through permanent loss of critical ecosystems, destruction of forests and loss of streams. Scientific evidence suggests that these impacts are pervasive and irreversible and that efforts to reclaim the disturbed land can&#39;t make up for the impacts felt by the mining process.
3343342012-02-08October 1, 2010October 4, 2011extreme events, waterProctor Lake drought, TexasProctor Lake droughtTexasProctor Lake<p>Dry conditions since mid-2010 have caused a large portion of Texas to be in an &quot;exceptional&quot; state of drought, the worst condition on the Federal government&#39;s drought monitor scale. The 12-month period between October 2010 and September 2011 was the driest in Texas since 1895, when the state began keeping rainfall records. Not only have crops and farmland been affected, but the levels of many lakes in the state have also fallen. Seen here is the area surrounding Proctor Lake, southwest of Dallas. Much of 2010&#39;s green vegetation has given way to barren ground (lighter shades) in 2011. Reduced water levels from the two major feeder rivers, the Sabanna and Leon Rivers, are responsible for the lake&#39;s receding shoreline. Proctor Lake reservoir was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1963 as a flood-control measure, and provides drinking water and recreation facilities to neighboring communities.</p>Left: October 1, 2010. Right: October 4, 2011. Dry conditions since mid-2010 have caused a large portion of Texas to be in an “exceptional” state of drought, the worst condition on the Federal government’s drought monitor scale. The 12-month period between October 2010 and September 2011 was the driest in Texas since 1895, when the state began keeping rainfall records. Not only have crops and farmland been affected, but the levels of many lakes in the state have also fallen. Seen here is the area surrounding Proctor Lake, southwest of Dallas. Much of 2010’s green vegetation has given way to barren ground (lighter shades) in 2011. Reduced water levels from the two major feeder rivers, the Sabanna and Leon Rivers, are responsible for the lake’s receding shoreline. Proctor Lake reservoir was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1963 as a flood-control measure, and provides drinking water and recreation facilities to neighboring communities.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#243" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Proctor Lake Affected by Texas Drought,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Proctor_Lake_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Drought_Texas.jpg0Proctor Lake, TexastopLeft12012-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-15T16:00:00.000-08:0031.9908495-98.47052842012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:13:40.910-08:00Drought_Texas.jpg2_Proctor_Lake_Comb_1-320x240.jpgDrought_Texas.jpg1Proctor_Lake_Comb_2.jpgProctor_Lake_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Proctor_Lake_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Proctor_Lake_Comb_1.jpgDry conditions since mid-2010 have caused a large portion of Texas to be in an &quot;exceptional&quot; state of drought, the worst condition on the Federal government&#39;s drought monitor scale. The 12-month period between October 2010 and September 2011 was the driest in Texas since 1895, when the state began keeping rainfall records. Not only have crops and farmland been affected, but the levels of many lakes in the state have also fallen. Seen here is the area surrounding Proctor Lake, southwest of Dallas. Much of 2010&#39;s green vegetation has given way to barren ground (lighter shades) in 2011. Reduced water levels from the two major feeder rivers, the Sabanna and Leon Rivers, are responsible for the lake&#39;s receding shoreline. Proctor Lake reservoir was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1963 as a flood-control measure, and provides drinking water and recreation facilities to neighboring communities.
3353352012-02-08May 25, 1985June 7, 2010human impact, waterYacyreta Dam impact, ParaguayYacyreta Dam impactSouth AmericaParaguay-Parana River<p>Left: May 25, 1985. Right: June 7, 2010. The Paraguay-Parana River system is the second largest river system in South America &mdash; second only to the Amazon. More than 100 million people and some of the rarest species on Earth depend on its waters for survival. The 1985 image shows a section of the river system shortly after construction began on the Yacyreta Dam, a joint hydroelectric project between Paraguay and Argentina. River levels rose dramatically upon completion of the dam, initially displacing 15,000 residents and endangering the homes of 800,000 more. Flooded lands included the habitats of jaguars, giant river otters, maned wolves, giant anteaters, 650 species of birds and more than 10,000 species of plants.</p>Left: May 25, 1985. Right: June 7, 2010. The Paraguay-Parana River system is the second largest river system in South America &#8212; second only to the Amazon. More than 100 million people and some of the rarest species on Earth depend on its waters for survival. The 1985 image shows a section of the river system shortly after construction began on the Yacyretá Dam, a joint hydroelectric project between Paraguay and Argentina. River levels rose dramatically upon completion of the dam, initially displacing 15,000 residents and endangering the homes of 800,000 more. Flooded lands included the habitats of jaguars, giant river otters, maned wolves, giant anteaters, 650 species of birds and more than 10,000 species of plants.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5 and the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus onboard Landsat 7. Source: <a href="http://landsat.usgs.gov/gallery_view.php?category=nocategory&amp;thesort=mainTitle" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Parana River Diversion,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Parana_River_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Damimpact_SouthAmerica.jpg0Parana River, ParaguaytopLeft12012-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:002012-05-21T17:00:00.000-07:00-21.8053084-52.23371842012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002016-05-03T14:58:17.591-07:00Damimpact_SouthAmerica.jpg2_Parana_River_Comb_1-320x240.jpgDamimpact_SouthAmerica.jpg1Parana_River_Comb_2.jpgParana_River_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Parana_River_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Parana_River_Comb_1.jpgLeft: May 25, 1985. Right: June 7, 2010. The Paraguay-Parana River system is the second largest river system in South America &mdash; second only to the Amazon. More than 100 million people and some of the rarest species on Earth depend on its waters for survival. The 1985 image shows a section of the river system shortly after construction began on the Yacyreta Dam, a joint hydroelectric project between Paraguay and Argentina. River levels rose dramatically upon completion of the dam, initially displacing 15,000 residents and endangering the homes of 800,000 more. Flooded lands included the habitats of jaguars, giant river otters, maned wolves, giant anteaters, 650 species of birds and more than 10,000 species of plants.
3373372012-02-08September 18, 1986August 5, 2002ice, land coverPatagonia Glacier retreat, ChilePatagonia Glacier retreatChilePatagonia<p>Patagonia, Chile. Left: September 18, 1986. Right: August 5, 2002. The 1986 image shows the region prior to a major retreat of the glaciers. The 2002 image shows a retreat of nearly 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of the glacier on the left side. The smaller glacier on the right has receded more than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles). In front of the smaller glacier, two ribbon lakes have formed behind the debris left by the glacier&#39;s advance. Scientists and government managers are using satellite imagery like this to monitor the retreat of the glaciers and the impact on water bodies caused by the changes in the glaciers&rsquo; size and direction.</p>Patagonia, Chile. Left: September 18, 1986. Right: August 5, 2002. The 1986 image shows the region prior to a major retreat of the glaciers. The 2002 image shows a retreat of nearly 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of the glacier on the left side. The smaller glacier on the right has receded more than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles). In front of the smaller glacier, two ribbon lakes have formed behind the debris left by the glacier's advance. Scientists and government managers are using satellite imagery like this to monitor the retreat of the glaciers and the impact on water bodies caused by the changes in the glaciers’ size and direction.<p>Left image taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Right image taken by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus sensor onboard Landsat 7. Source: <a href="http://landsat.usgs.gov/gallery_view.php?category=nocategory&amp;thesort=mainTitle" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Patagonia Region - Retreating Glaciers,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Patagonia_Retreat_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Icemelt_Chile.jpg0Patagonia Glacier, ChiletopLeft12012-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-26T16:00:00.000-08:00-48.90-74.302012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002016-05-03T15:07:12.326-07:00Icemelt_Chile.jpg2_Patagonia_Retreat_Comb_1-320x240.jpgIcemelt_Chile.jpg1Patagonia_Retreat_Comb_2.jpgPatagonia_Retreat_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Patagonia_Retreat_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Patagonia_Retreat_Comb_1.jpgPatagonia, Chile. Left: September 18, 1986. Right: August 5, 2002. The 1986 image shows the region prior to a major retreat of the glaciers. The 2002 image shows a retreat of nearly 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of the glacier on the left side. The smaller glacier on the right has receded more than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles). In front of the smaller glacier, two ribbon lakes have formed behind the debris left by the glacier&#39;s advance. Scientists and government managers are using satellite imagery like this to monitor the retreat of the glaciers and the impact on water bodies caused by the changes in the glaciers&rsquo; size and direction.
3383382012-02-08April 16, 2011May 18, 2011extreme events, human impact, waterMississippi River rises, LouisianaMississippi River risesLouisianaMorganza<p>In 2011, an extremely snowy winter and several intense rainstorms upstream caused the lower Mississippi River to rise to extremely high levels. To relieve pressure on downstream levees that protect Baton Rouge and New Orleans, gates at the Morganza Spillway were opened. The April image shows the area before the gates were opened; the May image shows the scene afterwards. The released water inundated the Atchafalaya River Basin, displacing more than 25,000 residents.</p>Left: April 16, 2011. Right: May 18, 2011. In 2011, an extremely snowy winter and several intense rainstorms upstream caused the lower Mississippi River to rise to extremely high levels. To relieve pressure on downstream levees that protect Baton Rouge and New Orleans, gates at the Morganza Spillway were opened. The April image shows the area before the gates were opened; the May image shows the scene afterwards. The released water inundated the Atchafalaya River Basin, displacing more than 25,000 residents. Also see “Flooding Devastates U.S. Midwest” for another view of the floods caused by the Mississippi River.<p>Images taken by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plussensor onboard Landsat 7. Source: <a href="http://landsat.usgs.gov/gallery_view.php?category=nocategory&amp;thesort=mainTitle" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Flood Diversion Measures Along the Lower Mississippi River,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Mississippi_River_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Flooding_Louisiana.jpg0Lower Mississippi River, LouisianatopLeft12012-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-15T16:00:00.000-08:0030.738518-91.59428192012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002016-05-04T09:23:04.652-07:00Flooding_Louisiana.jpg2_Mississippi_River_Comb_1-320x240.jpgFlooding_Louisiana.jpg1Mississippi_River_Comb_2.jpgMississippi_River_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Mississippi_River_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Mississippi_River_Comb_1.jpgIn 2011, an extremely snowy winter and several intense rainstorms upstream caused the lower Mississippi River to rise to extremely high levels. To relieve pressure on downstream levees that protect Baton Rouge and New Orleans, gates at the Morganza Spillway were opened. The April image shows the area before the gates were opened; the May image shows the scene afterwards. The released water inundated the Atchafalaya River Basin, displacing more than 25,000 residents.
3433432012-02-08August 17, 1992August 3, 2010human impact, water, land coverIrrigation impact in Chihuahua, MexicoIrrigation impactChihuahua, MexicoChihuahua<p>These images illustrate major changes in agricultural practices in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Increased diversion of water from the Luis L. Leon Reservoir for agricultural irrigation has affected vegetation patterns in the northeastern part of Chihuahua and significantly reduced the amount of water reaching the Rio Grande River. Farmers use center pivot irrigation systems (marked by red circles) to grow alfalfa and sorghum for dairy farms and cattle feedlots. The drop in water supplying the Rio Grande seriously threatens wildlife habitat and natural vegetation.</p>Left: August 17, 1992. Right: August 3, 2010. These images illustrate major changes in agricultural practices in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Increased diversion of water from the Luis L. Leon Reservoir for agricultural irrigation has affected vegetation patterns in the northeastern part of Chihuahua and significantly reduced the amount of water reaching the Rio Grande River. Farmers use center pivot irrigation systems (marked by red circles) to grow alfalfa and sorghum for dairy farms and cattle feedlots. The drop in water supplying the Rio Grande seriously threatens wildlife habitat and natural vegetation.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="http://landsat.usgs.gov/gallery_view.php?category=nocategory&amp;thesort=mainTitle" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Irrigation Expansion in Mexico,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Mexico_Irrigation_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Irrigationexpansion_Mexico.jpg0Irrigation, Chihuahua, MexicotopLeft12012-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:002012-05-07T17:00:00.000-07:0028.6352778-106.08888892012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002016-05-04T09:24:21.033-07:00Irrigationexpansion_Mexico.jpg2_Mexico_Irrigation_Comb_1-320x240.jpgIrrigationexpansion_Mexico.jpg1Mexico_Irrigation_Comb_2.jpgMexico_Irrigation_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Mexico_Irrigation_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Mexico_Irrigation_Comb_1.jpgThese images illustrate major changes in agricultural practices in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Increased diversion of water from the Luis L. Leon Reservoir for agricultural irrigation has affected vegetation patterns in the northeastern part of Chihuahua and significantly reduced the amount of water reaching the Rio Grande River. Farmers use center pivot irrigation systems (marked by red circles) to grow alfalfa and sorghum for dairy farms and cattle feedlots. The drop in water supplying the Rio Grande seriously threatens wildlife habitat and natural vegetation.
3463462012-02-08September 21, 1985September 10, 2010human impact, waterOwens Lake degradation, CaliforniaOwens Lake degradationCaliforniaOwens Lake<p>Owens Lake lies in the Owens Valley between the Sierra Nevada and Inyo Mountains, about 130 miles north of Los Angeles, California. For thousands of years, it was one of the most important stopover sites in the western U.S. for migrating waterfowl and shore birds. However, in the early 20th century, the lower Owens River, which fed the lake, was largely diverted to the Los Angeles aqueduct. Water from springs and artesian wells kept some of the lake alive, but toxic chemicals and dust impinged on the regional environment and disturbed the bird habitat. Beginning in 1999, a plan was put in place to restore the lake region and alleviate the dust build-up, using ponds, native grasses, gravel deposits and limited shallow flooding.</p>Left: September 21, 1985. Right: September 10, 2010. Owens Lake lies in the Owens Valley between the Sierra Nevada and Inyo Mountains, about 130 miles north of Los Angeles, California. For thousands of years, it was one of the most important stopover sites in the western U.S. for migrating waterfowl and shore birds. However, in the early 20th century, the lower Owens River, which fed the lake, was largely diverted to the Los Angeles aqueduct. Water from springs and artesian wells kept some of the lake alive, but toxic chemicals and dust impinged on the regional environment and disturbed the bird habitat. Beginning in 1999, a plan was put in place to restore the lake region and alleviate the dust build-up, using ponds, native grasses, gravel deposits and limited shallow flooding.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#193" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Owens Lake restoration,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Owens_Lake_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Lakerecovery_California.jpg0Owens Lake, CaliforniatopLeft12012-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-09T16:00:00.000-08:0036.436157-117.96004662012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:14:01.001-08:00Lakerecovery_California.jpg2_Owens_Lake_Comb_1-320x240.jpgLakerecovery_California.jpg1Owens_Lake_Comb_2.jpgOwens_Lake_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Owens_Lake_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Owens_Lake_Comb_1.jpgOwens Lake lies in the Owens Valley between the Sierra Nevada and Inyo Mountains, about 130 miles north of Los Angeles, California. For thousands of years, it was one of the most important stopover sites in the western U.S. for migrating waterfowl and shore birds. However, in the early 20th century, the lower Owens River, which fed the lake, was largely diverted to the Los Angeles aqueduct. Water from springs and artesian wells kept some of the lake alive, but toxic chemicals and dust impinged on the regional environment and disturbed the bird habitat. Beginning in 1999, a plan was put in place to restore the lake region and alleviate the dust build-up, using ponds, native grasses, gravel deposits and limited shallow flooding.
3473472012-02-08August 21, 1985August 29, 2011extreme events, water, land coverRising water, Caspian SeaRising waterCaspian SeaCaspian Sea<p>The Caspian Sea is the world&#39;s largest landlocked body of water, and it&#39;s getting bigger. In the past couple of decades, heavy rains in the greater Volga Basin have greatly increased the incoming flow from the Volga River, the Caspian&#39;s primary source of water. These images show a small portion of the shoreline. In the 2011 image, coastal settlements have been flooded, displacing inhabitants and shutting down industrial facilities. The groundwater level has also risen, leading to swamping and increasing the salinity of lowland territories. Tyuleniy Island (the prominent island) has visibly lost land mass, with the rising water contributing to the decline of the island and the marshes around it that support fowl and other animals.</p>Left: August 21, 1985. Right: August 29, 2011. The Caspian Sea is the world’s largest landlocked body of water, and it’s getting bigger. In the past couple of decades, heavy rains in the greater Volga Basin have greatly increased the incoming flow from the Volga River, the Caspian’s primary source of water. These images show a small portion of the shoreline. In the 2011 image, coastal settlements have been flooded, displacing inhabitants and shutting down industrial facilities. The groundwater level has also risen, leading to swamping and increasing the salinity of lowland territories. Tyuleniy Island (the prominent island) has visibly lost land mass, with the rising water contributing to the decline of the island and the marshes around it that support fowl and other animals.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor onboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#247" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Rising Water Changes Caspian Shoreline,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Caspian_Shoreline_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Risingwater_CaspianSea.jpg0Rising Water, Caspian SeatopLeft12012-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-15T16:00:00.000-08:0041.93497750.6689452012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:14:20.511-08:00Risingwater_CaspianSea.jpg2_Caspian_Shoreline_Comb_1-320x240.jpgRisingwater_CaspianSea.jpg1Caspian_Shoreline_Comb_2.jpgCaspian_Shoreline_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Caspian_Shoreline_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Caspian_Shoreline_Comb_1.jpgThe Caspian Sea is the world&#39;s largest landlocked body of water, and it&#39;s getting bigger. In the past couple of decades, heavy rains in the greater Volga Basin have greatly increased the incoming flow from the Volga River, the Caspian&#39;s primary source of water. These images show a small portion of the shoreline. In the 2011 image, coastal settlements have been flooded, displacing inhabitants and shutting down industrial facilities. The groundwater level has also risen, leading to swamping and increasing the salinity of lowland territories. Tyuleniy Island (the prominent island) has visibly lost land mass, with the rising water contributing to the decline of the island and the marshes around it that support fowl and other animals.
3063062012-02-07August 29, 2011September 6, 2011extreme events, waterTropical Depression Lee landfall, LouisianaTropical Depression LeeLouisianaGulf Coast<p>Tropical Depression Lee made landfall here during Labor Day weekend, dumping up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain in the bayou communities of Louisiana. The September 6 image shows the low-lying areas filled with water (shown in blue). The August 29 picture shows the area before the storm arrived. Subsequent imagery will be used to monitor recovery of the region.</p>Gulf Coast, USA. Left: August 29, 2011. Right: September 6, 2011. Tropical Depression Lee made landfall here during Labor Day weekend, dumping up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain in the bayou communities of Louisiana. The September 6 image shows the low-lying areas filled with water (shown in blue). The August 29 picture shows the area before the storm arrived. Subsequent imagery will be used to monitor recovery of the region.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor aboard Landsat 5 and the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus aboard Landsat 7. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=2#231" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Lee_Soaks_Gulf_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Storm_Louisiana.jpg0Tropical Depression Lee, LouisianatopLeft12012-02-06T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-15T16:00:00.000-08:0030.30-93.202012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:14:38.707-08:00Storm_Louisiana.jpg2_Lee_Soaks_Gulf_Comb_1-320x240.jpgStorm_Louisiana.jpg1Lee_Soaks_Gulf_Comb_2.jpgLee_Soaks_Gulf_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Lee_Soaks_Gulf_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Lee_Soaks_Gulf_Comb_1.jpgTropical Depression Lee made landfall here during Labor Day weekend, dumping up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain in the bayou communities of Louisiana. The September 6 image shows the low-lying areas filled with water (shown in blue). The August 29 picture shows the area before the storm arrived. Subsequent imagery will be used to monitor recovery of the region.
3093092012-02-07July 30, 2011August 31, 2011extreme events, waterHurricane Irene flooding, New YorkHurricane Irene floodingNew YorkBlack Dirt region<p>Farmland in the Black Dirt region, New York. Flooding from Hurricane Irene, shown on the right, brought an early end to the region&#39;s vegetable harvest. Located about an hour&#39;s drive from New York City, farms in the area have provided onions and other vegetables for over a century. The area used to be the bottom of a shallow lake, resulting in rich organic soil, which can be seen as deep browns and reds in the images.</p>Farmland in the Black Dirt region, New York. Left: July 30, 2011. Right: August 31, 2011. Flooding from Hurricane Irene, shown on the right, brought an early end to the region’s vegetable harvest. Located about an hour’s drive from New York City, farms in the area have provided onions and other vegetables for over a century. The area used to be the bottom of a shallow lake, resulting in rich organic soil, which can be seen as deep browns and reds in the images.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor aboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=2#228" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Rural New York Flooding from Hurricane Irene,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_New_York_Flood_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Flooding_NewYork.jpg0Hurricane Irene, Rural New YorktopLeft12012-02-06T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-15T16:00:00.000-08:0041.80-74.4002012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:15:08.401-08:00Flooding_NewYork.jpg2_New_York_Flood_Comb_1-320x240.jpgFlooding_NewYork.jpg1New_York_Flood_Comb_2.jpgNew_York_Flood_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_New_York_Flood_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_New_York_Flood_Comb_1.jpgFarmland in the Black Dirt region, New York. Flooding from Hurricane Irene, shown on the right, brought an early end to the region&#39;s vegetable harvest. Located about an hour&#39;s drive from New York City, farms in the area have provided onions and other vegetables for over a century. The area used to be the bottom of a shallow lake, resulting in rich organic soil, which can be seen as deep browns and reds in the images.
3113112012-02-07July 11, 1987July 13, 2011human impact, waterGoksu River basin dam impact, TurkeyDam impactGoksu River basin, TurkeyGoksu River<p>In 1990, a series of seven dams was started in the Goksu River basin to provide long-term hydroelectric power to the region. Government officials and others are using Landsat satellite data to monitor the growth and impact of these dams, since the Goksu is one of the few remaining free-flowing rivers in Turkey. The Gezende dam, completed in the early 1990s, reduced flow downstream and significantly affected aquatic species, while construction of the Ermenek dam in the early 2000s created a large reservoir that flooded fragile wildlife habitat.</p>Goksu River basin, southeastern Turkey. Left: July 11, 1987. Right: July 13, 2011. In 1990, a series of seven dams was started in the Goksu River basin to provide long-term hydroelectric power to the region. Government officials and others are using Landsat satellite data to monitor the growth and impact of these dams, since the Goksu is one of the few remaining free-flowing rivers in Turkey. The Gezende dam, completed in the early 1990s, reduced flow downstream and significantly affected aquatic species, while construction of the Ermenek dam in the early 2000s created a large reservoir that flooded fragile wildlife habitat.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor aboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#225" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Goksu River Dam Project,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Goksu_River_Dam_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Damimpact_Turkey.jpg0Goksu River, TurkeytopLeft12012-02-06T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-09T16:00:00.000-08:0036.29634.0482012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:15:26.689-08:00Damimpact_Turkey.jpg2_Goksu_River_Dam_Comb_1-320x240.jpgDamimpact_Turkey.jpg1Goksu_River_Dam_Comb_2.jpgGoksu_River_Dam_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Goksu_River_Dam_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Goksu_River_Dam_Comb_1.jpgIn 1990, a series of seven dams was started in the Goksu River basin to provide long-term hydroelectric power to the region. Government officials and others are using Landsat satellite data to monitor the growth and impact of these dams, since the Goksu is one of the few remaining free-flowing rivers in Turkey. The Gezende dam, completed in the early 1990s, reduced flow downstream and significantly affected aquatic species, while construction of the Ermenek dam in the early 2000s created a large reservoir that flooded fragile wildlife habitat.
3123122012-02-07June 16, 1991June 4, 2010cities, human impact, land coverUrban growth, San Antonio, TexasUrban growthSan Antonio, TexasSan Antonio, Texas<p>San Antonio has grown faster during the last two decades than all but three other cities in the U.S., nearly doubling from 790,000 people in 1991 to 1.4 million in 2010. Under state law, which allows the city to direct growth and zoning in much of the surrounding unincorporated land, San Antonio has opposed the creation of other nearby municipalities and has preserved agricultural production areas. A series of military bases and airfields, which ring the larger community, have also contributed to the city&#39;s growth.</p>San Antonio, Texas. Left: June 16, 1991. Right: June 4, 2010. San Antonio has grown faster during the last two decades than all but three other cities in the U.S., nearly doubling from 790,000 people in 1991 to 1.4 million in 2010. Under state law, which allows the city to direct growth and zoning in much of the surrounding unincorporated land, San Antonio has opposed the creation of other nearby municipalities and has preserved agricultural production areas. A series of military bases and airfields, which ring the larger community, have also contributed to the city’s growth.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor aboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="http://landsat.usgs.gov/gallery_view.php?category=nocategory&amp;thesort=mainTitle" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;San Antonio, Texas 1991-2010,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/san-antonio-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Urbangrowth_Texas.jpg0San Antonio, TexastopLeft12012-02-06T16:00:00.000-08:002012-05-07T17:00:00.000-07:0029.4241219-98.49362822012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002016-05-03T16:01:48.750-07:00Urbangrowth_Texas.jpgsan-antonio-320x240.jpgUrbangrowth_Texas.jpg1San_Antonio_Comb_2.jpgSan_Antonio_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_San_Antonio_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_San_Antonio_Comb_1.jpgSan Antonio has grown faster during the last two decades than all but three other cities in the U.S., nearly doubling from 790,000 people in 1991 to 1.4 million in 2010. Under state law, which allows the city to direct growth and zoning in much of the surrounding unincorporated land, San Antonio has opposed the creation of other nearby municipalities and has preserved agricultural production areas. A series of military bases and airfields, which ring the larger community, have also contributed to the city&#39;s growth.
3153152012-02-07September 7, 2011September 23, 2011extreme events, land coverTanami Desert fires, AustraliaTanami Desert firesAustraliaTanami Desert<p>Extremely dry conditions have led to major fires in north-central Australia during the past year. In February, fires along the coast caused extensive damage and loss of life. More recently, dry conditions fed many fires in Australia&#39;s least populated area, the Tanami Desert region, which is about the size of Texas and Iowa combined. Vegetation on its sand ridges and plains is limited largely to short grasses and shrubs. The September 7 satellite image shows scars (dark area) from previous fires. The September 23 image shows further scarring from active fires.</p>Left: September 7, 2011. Right: September 23, 2011. Extremely dry conditions have led to major fires in north-central Australia during the past year. In February, fires along the coast caused extensive damage and loss of life. More recently, dry conditions fed many fires in Australia’s least populated area, the Tanami Desert region, which is about the size of Texas and Iowa combined. Vegetation on its sand ridges and plains is limited largely to short grasses and shrubs. The September 7 satellite image shows scars (dark area) from previous fires. The September 23 image shows further scarring from active fires.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor aboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=2#235" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Fires Scorch Northern Australia,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Fires_Scorch_Australia_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Fire_Australia1.jpg0Tunami Desert, AustraliatopLeft12012-02-06T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-15T16:00:00.000-08:00-19.9794235129.71759032012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:15:46.614-08:00Fire_Australia1.jpg2_Fires_Scorch_Australia_Comb_1-320x240.jpgFire_Australia1.jpg1Fires_Scorch_Australia_Comb_2.jpgFires_Scorch_Australia_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Fires_Scorch_Australia_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Fires_Scorch_Australia_Comb_1.jpgExtremely dry conditions have led to major fires in north-central Australia during the past year. In February, fires along the coast caused extensive damage and loss of life. More recently, dry conditions fed many fires in Australia&#39;s least populated area, the Tanami Desert region, which is about the size of Texas and Iowa combined. Vegetation on its sand ridges and plains is limited largely to short grasses and shrubs. The September 7 satellite image shows scars (dark area) from previous fires. The September 23 image shows further scarring from active fires.
3173172012-02-07June 18, 1990June 12, 2011extreme events, waterLake Meredith shrinkage, TexasLake Meredith shrinkageTexasBorger, Texas<p>Lake Meredith is a reservoir formed by the Sanford Dam on the Canadian River in the Texas panhandle. Continuous drought has diminished water levels significantly in the past few years, leading to a record low in 2011. In each image, the lake is the black feature near the center. Light tones at the lower end of the lake indicate dry land and former shores. Bright green indicates healthy vegetation along the river beds and irrigated fields in the upper center of each image. The nearby industrial area (a petroleum plant and a carbon-processing plant) appears as a dark spot. The light blue tone further east is Borger, Texas.</p>Left: June 18, 1990. Right: June 12, 2011. Lake Meredith is a reservoir formed by the Sanford Dam on the Canadian River in the Texas panhandle. Continuous drought has diminished water levels significantly in the past few years, leading to a record low in 2011. In each image, the lake is the black feature near the center. Light tones at the lower end of the lake indicate dry land and former shores. Bright green indicates healthy vegetation along the river beds and irrigated fields in the upper center of each image. The nearby industrial area (a petroleum plant and a carbon-processing plant) appears as a dark spot. The light blue tone further east is Borger, Texas.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor aboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="http://landsat.usgs.gov/gallery_view.php?category=nocategory&amp;thesort=mainTitle" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Shrinking Lake Meredith, Texas,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Lake_Meredith_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Lakeshrinkage_Texas.jpg0Lake Meredith, TexastopLeft12012-02-06T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-09T16:00:00.000-08:0035.6678203-101.39738762012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002016-05-04T07:53:14.827-07:00Lakeshrinkage_Texas.jpg2_Lake_Meredith_Comb_1-320x240.jpgLakeshrinkage_Texas.jpg1Lake_Meredith_Comb_2.jpgLake_Meredith_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Lake_Meredith_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Lake_Meredith_Comb_1.jpgLake Meredith is a reservoir formed by the Sanford Dam on the Canadian River in the Texas panhandle. Continuous drought has diminished water levels significantly in the past few years, leading to a record low in 2011. In each image, the lake is the black feature near the center. Light tones at the lower end of the lake indicate dry land and former shores. Bright green indicates healthy vegetation along the river beds and irrigated fields in the upper center of each image. The nearby industrial area (a petroleum plant and a carbon-processing plant) appears as a dark spot. The light blue tone further east is Borger, Texas.
3183182012-02-07May 15, 2010May 18, 2011human impact, waterLake Manitoba change, CanadaLake Manitoba changeCanadaLake Manitoba<p>The Portage Diversion system was built in 1970 to divert water from the Assiniboine River to an 18-mile channel which empties into Lake Manitoba. The channel was kept open during the latter half of May 2011 to prevent flooding in the urban Winnipeg area. That action eased pressure on downstream dikes, but raised the level of Lake Manitoba. Response agencies are using Landsat satellite data and field measurements to monitor water levels and the extent of water spreading downstream to help them decide how to control stream levels.</p>Left: May 15, 2010. Right: May 18, 2011. The Portage Diversion system was built in 1970 to divert water from the Assiniboine River to an 18-mile channel which empties into Lake Manitoba. The channel was kept open during the latter half of May 2011 to prevent flooding in the urban Winnipeg area. That action eased pressure on downstream dikes, but raised the level of Lake Manitoba. Response agencies are using Landsat satellite data and field measurements to monitor water levels and the extent of water spreading downstream to help them decide how to control stream levels.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensor aboard Landsat 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#215" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, &quot;Portage Diversion, Lake Manitoba,&quot; U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Portage_Diversion_Comb_1-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Floodcontrol_Canada.jpg0Lake Manitoba, CanadatopLeft12012-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-09T16:00:00.000-08:0050.626293-98.39875932012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:16:06.463-08:00Floodcontrol_Canada.jpg2_Portage_Diversion_Comb_1-320x240.jpgFloodcontrol_Canada.jpg1Portage_Diversion_Comb_2.jpgPortage_Diversion_Comb_1.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Portage_Diversion_Comb_2.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Portage_Diversion_Comb_1.jpgThe Portage Diversion system was built in 1970 to divert water from the Assiniboine River to an 18-mile channel which empties into Lake Manitoba. The channel was kept open during the latter half of May 2011 to prevent flooding in the urban Winnipeg area. That action eased pressure on downstream dikes, but raised the level of Lake Manitoba. Response agencies are using Landsat satellite data and field measurements to monitor water levels and the extent of water spreading downstream to help them decide how to control stream levels.
3043042012-02-06February 1, 1973January 24, 2005 to February 12, 2006human impact, waterOmo Delta growth, KenyaOmo Delta growthKenyaLake Turkana<p>The Omo Delta, at the north end of Lake Turkana, a lake now located mainly in Kenya. In 1973, the delta was contained entirely within the boundaries of Ethiopia. By 2005-2006, the southernmost point of the delta had moved roughly 12 kilometers (7 miles) to the south, and had crossed the Ethiopia-Kenya border. Reduced lake levels &mdash; from less rain, more diverted upstream water, and increased evaporation due to higher temperatures &mdash; are believed to be the primary cause, with an increase in sediment from agricultural activities also contributing. The expanded delta has provided new land for 20,000 Dassanech people, the area&rsquo;s traditional inhabitants. But severe flooding in 2006 killed 100 of them and destroyed houses, crops and infrastructure.</p>The Omo Delta, at the north end of Lake Turkana, a lake now located mainly in Kenya. Left: February 1, 1973. Right: January 24, 2005 to February 12, 2006. In 1973, the delta was contained entirely within the boundaries of Ethiopia. By 2005-2006, the southernmost point of the delta had moved roughly 12 kilometers (7 miles) to the south, and had crossed the Ethiopia-Kenya border. Reduced lake levels &#8212; from less rain, more diverted upstream water, and increased evaporation due to higher temperatures &#8212; are believed to be the primary cause, with an increase in sediment from agricultural activities also contributing. The expanded delta has provided new land for 20,000 Dassanech people, the area’s traditional inhabitants. But severe flooding in 2006 killed 100 of them and destroyed houses, crops and infrastructure.<p>Source: <a href="http://na.unep.net/atlas/webatlas.php?id=293" target="_blank">United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)</a>. From Kenya Atlas of our Changing Environment (2009); Division of Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA), UNEP, Nairobi, Kenya.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/2_Deltagrowth_Kenya-B-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Deltagrowth_Kenya.jpg0Images of changetopLeft12012-02-05T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-09T16:00:00.000-08:003.626822236.00232252012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002016-05-03T16:42:13.895-07:00Deltagrowth_Kenya.jpg2_Deltagrowth_Kenya-B-320x240.jpgDeltagrowth_Kenya.jpg1Deltagrowth_Kenya-A.jpgDeltagrowth_Kenya-B.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Deltagrowth_Kenya-A.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Deltagrowth_Kenya-B.jpgThe Omo Delta, at the north end of Lake Turkana, a lake now located mainly in Kenya. In 1973, the delta was contained entirely within the boundaries of Ethiopia. By 2005-2006, the southernmost point of the delta had moved roughly 12 kilometers (7 miles) to the south, and had crossed the Ethiopia-Kenya border. Reduced lake levels &mdash; from less rain, more diverted upstream water, and increased evaporation due to higher temperatures &mdash; are believed to be the primary cause, with an increase in sediment from agricultural activities also contributing. The expanded delta has provided new land for 20,000 Dassanech people, the area&rsquo;s traditional inhabitants. But severe flooding in 2006 killed 100 of them and destroyed houses, crops and infrastructure.
2652652012-02-03February 2, 1986February 21, 2016human impact, land coverWadi As-Sirhan agricultural growth, Saudi ArabiaAgricultural growthWadi As-Sirhan, Saudi ArabiaTubarjal<p>Water lying deep beneath the sand for thousands of years has enabled Saudi Arabia to transform desert in the Wadi As-Sirhan basin into productive farms. Some of the green fields seen here&mdash;circular because each is irrigated with a sprinkler system that rotates around the field like the hands of a clock sweep around the clock&rsquo;s face&mdash;are as large as 1 kilometer (about two-thirds of a mile) across. But the region&rsquo;s rainfall is too little to recharge the aquifer and hydrologists estimate that pumping will be feasible for only another 50 years. Farmers are encouraged to switch to more sustainable methods, such as greenhouse farming with drip irrigation.</p>Wadi As-Sirhan, Saudi Arabia. Left: February 2, 1986. Right: February 12, 2004. Once so barren it could barely support the towns of Al'Isawiyah and Tubarjal (upper left of each image), a vast desert region gradually blossomed into crop-producing fields (green dots) by use of center-pivot irrigation. The system used here draws from an ancient aquifer containing water as much as 20,000 years old. Judicious use of water resources and climate-appropriate technology has improved food production without harming the environment.<p>1986 image: Landsat 5. 2016 image: The Operational Land Imager onboard Landsat 8. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#571" target="_blank">Landsat Missions Gallery</a>; U.S. Department of the Interior / USGS and NASA.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/SaudiArabia20160221-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Agriculturalgrowth_SaudiArabia.jpg0Syrian Desert, Saudi ArabiatopLeft12012-02-02T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-09T16:00:00.000-08:0030.51547838.2216491000000362012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-10T08:02:21.489-08:00Agriculturalgrowth_SaudiArabia.jpgSaudiArabia20160221-320x240.jpgAgriculturalgrowth_SaudiArabia.jpg1SaudiArabia19860202-2048px-90-before.jpgSaudiArabia20160221-2048px-90-after.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_SaudiArabia19860202-2048px-90-before.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_SaudiArabia20160221-2048px-90-after.jpgWater lying deep beneath the sand for thousands of years has enabled Saudi Arabia to transform desert in the Wadi As-Sirhan basin into productive farms. Some of the green fields seen here&mdash;circular because each is irrigated with a sprinkler system that rotates around the field like the hands of a clock sweep around the clock&rsquo;s face&mdash;are as large as 1 kilometer (about two-thirds of a mile) across. But the region&rsquo;s rainfall is too little to recharge the aquifer and hydrologists estimate that pumping will be feasible for only another 50 years. Farmers are encouraged to switch to more sustainable methods, such as greenhouse farming with drip irrigation.
2792792012-02-03January 13, 1983January 2, 2011human impact, water, land cover, top picksWax Lake Delta restoration, LouisianaWax Lake Delta restorationLouisianaWax Lake, Louisiana<p>The delta, where the Atchafalaya River flows into the Gulf of Mexico, was formed by sediment following the construction of a canal through Wax Lake in 1941. Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the delta has served as a model for restoring wildlife habitat and protection against storm surge in the Mississippi River delta region.</p>Wax Lake Delta, Louisiana. Left: January 13, 1983. Right: January 2, 2011. The delta, where the Atchafalaya River flows into the Gulf of Mexico, was formed by sediment following the construction of a canal through Wax Lake in 1941. Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the delta has served as a model for restoring wildlife habitat and protection against storm surge in the Mississippi River delta region.<p>Images taken by the Thematic Mapper sensors aboard Landsat 4 and 5. Source: <a href="https://remotesensing.usgs.gov/gallery/gallery.php?cat=3#199" target="_blank">USGS Landsat Missions Gallery</a>, U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/wax-lake-delta-other-320x240.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Deltarestoration_Louisiana.jpg0Images of changetopLeft12012-02-02T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-09T16:00:00.000-08:0029.602712-91.41372042012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002017-01-09T10:16:29.886-08:00Deltarestoration_Louisiana.jpgwax-lake-delta-other-320x240.jpgDeltarestoration_Louisiana.jpg1Deltarestoration_Louisiana-A.jpgDeltarestoration_Louisiana-B.jpgholly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_Deltarestoration_Louisiana-A.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_Deltarestoration_Louisiana-B.jpgThe delta, where the Atchafalaya River flows into the Gulf of Mexico, was formed by sediment following the construction of a canal through Wax Lake in 1941. Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the delta has served as a model for restoring wildlife habitat and protection against storm surge in the Mississippi River delta region.
2122122012-02-01Summer, mid-1920s to early 1940sAugust 10, 2005ice, top picksPedersen Glacier melt, AlaskaPedersen Glacier meltAlaskaPedersen Glacier<p>The foreground water in the earlier image is part of a lagoon, adjacent to Aialik Bay, into which Pedersen Glacier was calving icebergs. In the 2005 photograph, most of the lagoon has filled with sediment and supports grasses, shrubs and aquatic plants. The dead trees visible among the grasses are remnants of a forest that was drowned when the coast sank by some 10 feet (3 meters) during the 1964 Alaskan Earthquake. Pedersen Glacier&rsquo;s terminus has retreated more than a mile (2 kilometers) and stands of trees have grown between the wetland and the glacier. The tributary high above Pedersen Glacier separated from it sometime during the third quarter of the 20th century.</p>PEDERSEN PAST AND PRESENT</br></br>The retreat of Pedersen Glacier, Alaska. Left: summer 1917. Right: summer 2005.<p><a href="https://www2.usgs.gov/climate_landuse/glaciers/repeat_photography.asp" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey</a>, Department of the Interior. Earlier image is from a postcard by an unknown photographer, courtesy of Kenai Fjords National Park. Later image is a USGS photograph by Bruce F. Molina.</p>/system/gallery_images/thumb/IC_Icemelt_Alaska8_320x240_80.jpg/system/gallery_images/large/Icemelt_Alaska8.jpg0Pedersen Glacier, AlaskaPedersen past and presenttopLeft12012-01-31T16:00:00.000-08:002012-02-09T16:00:00.000-08:0059.8927778-149.78055562012-09-18T16:44:46.000-07:002016-10-07T07:57:10.763-07:00Icemelt_Alaska8.jpgIC_Icemelt_Alaska8_320x240_80.jpgIcemelt_Alaska8.jpg1pedersen1920000002_old.jpgpedersen1920000002_new.jpg1holly.m.shaftel@jpl.nasa.gov/system/gallery_images/mobile/1_pedersen1920000002_old.jpg/system/gallery_images/mobile/2_pedersen1920000002_new.jpgThe foreground water in the earlier image is part of a lagoon, adjacent to Aialik Bay, into which Pedersen Glacier was calving icebergs. In the 2005 photograph, most of the lagoon has filled with sediment and supports grasses, shrubs and aquatic plants. The dead trees visible among the grasses are remnants of a forest that was drowned when the coast sank by some 10 feet (3 meters) during the 1964 Alaskan Earthquake. Pedersen Glacier&rsquo;s terminus has retreated more than a mile (2 kilometers) and stands of trees have grown between the wetland and the glacier. The tributary high above Pedersen Glacier separated from it sometime during the third quarter of the 20th century.
M
Mustafa Alesayi

This is the Landsat program gallery:

https://landsat.visibleearth.nasa.gov/

F
Faisal Jared

Hey :D
we discover this great resource.. https://www.programmableweb.com/category/astronomy/api
:
D

ctrlmohMohammed Ali AlGhamdi

Just started... So excited..!

m_ashmawiMohammad Alashmawi
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SpaceApps is a NASA incubator innovation program.