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Global Snow Cover from MODIS
Title Global Snow Cover from MODIS
Abstract The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) provides data in 36 spectral bands, some of which are used in an algorithm to map global snow cover. The animation shows the dynamic behavior of the advance and retreat of continental snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere for the winter of 2001 - 2002 from MODIS-derived 8-day composite snow maps with a spatial resolution of about 5 km. A time series of MODIS snow-cover maps of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, derived from MODIS-derived daily snow maps with 500-m resolution, is also shown for the winter and spring of 2001.
Completed 2002-06-26
Global Snow Cover from MODIS
Title Global Snow Cover from MODIS
Abstract The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) provides data in 36 spectral bands, some of which are used in an algorithm to map global snow cover. The animation shows the dynamic behavior of the advance and retreat of continental snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere for the winter of 2001 - 2002 from MODIS-derived 8-day composite snow maps with a spatial resolution of about 5 km. A time series of MODIS snow-cover maps of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, derived from MODIS-derived daily snow maps with 500-m resolution, is also shown for the winter and spring of 2001.
Completed 2002-06-26
National Map Showing Habitat …
Title National Map Showing Habitat Suitability for Tamarisk Invasion
Abstract The spread of invasive species is one of the most daunting environmental, economic, and human-health problems facing the United States and the World today. It is one of several grand challenge environmental problems being addressed by NASA's Science Mission Directorate through a national application partnership with the US Geological Survey. NASA and USGS are working together to develop a National Invasive Species Forecasting System (ISFS) for the management and control of invasive species on Department of Interior and adjacent lands. The system provides a framework for using USGS's early detection and monitoring protocols and predictive models to process MODIS, ETM+, ASTER and commercial remote sensing data, to create on-demand, regional-scale assessments of invasive species likely habitats. Recent work on the Invasive Species Forecasting System (ISFS) project has shown the importance of remotely-sensed time-series data in geostatistical models for mapping the distribution of Tamarisk and other invasive plant species. This video shows the habitat suitability for a Tamarisk invasion in the continental United States. Red indicates areas that are highly suitable and yellow indicates areas which are less suitable. Texas, New Mexico, and Nevada are the most highly suitable states. Utah and Arizona have the next greatest risk. California, Arizona, Montana, Colorado, Oregon, Ohio, Wyoming, and Florida also have a significant risk.
Completed 2005-10-18
National Map Showing Habitat …
Title National Map Showing Habitat Suitability for Tamarisk Invasion
Abstract The spread of invasive species is one of the most daunting environmental, economic, and human-health problems facing the United States and the World today. It is one of several grand challenge environmental problems being addressed by NASA's Science Mission Directorate through a national application partnership with the US Geological Survey. NASA and USGS are working together to develop a National Invasive Species Forecasting System (ISFS) for the management and control of invasive species on Department of Interior and adjacent lands. The system provides a framework for using USGS's early detection and monitoring protocols and predictive models to process MODIS, ETM+, ASTER and commercial remote sensing data, to create on-demand, regional-scale assessments of invasive species likely habitats. Recent work on the Invasive Species Forecasting System (ISFS) project has shown the importance of remotely-sensed time-series data in geostatistical models for mapping the distribution of Tamarisk and other invasive plant species. This video shows the habitat suitability for a Tamarisk invasion in the continental United States. Red indicates areas that are highly suitable and yellow indicates areas which are less suitable. Texas, New Mexico, and Nevada are the most highly suitable states. Utah and Arizona have the next greatest risk. California, Arizona, Montana, Colorado, Oregon, Ohio, Wyoming, and Florida also have a significant risk.
Completed 2005-10-18
National Map Showing Habitat …
Title National Map Showing Habitat Suitability for Tamarisk Invasion
Abstract The spread of invasive species is one of the most daunting environmental, economic, and human-health problems facing the United States and the World today. It is one of several grand challenge environmental problems being addressed by NASA's Science Mission Directorate through a national application partnership with the US Geological Survey. NASA and USGS are working together to develop a National Invasive Species Forecasting System (ISFS) for the management and control of invasive species on Department of Interior and adjacent lands. The system provides a framework for using USGS's early detection and monitoring protocols and predictive models to process MODIS, ETM+, ASTER and commercial remote sensing data, to create on-demand, regional-scale assessments of invasive species likely habitats. Recent work on the Invasive Species Forecasting System (ISFS) project has shown the importance of remotely-sensed time-series data in geostatistical models for mapping the distribution of Tamarisk and other invasive plant species. This video shows the habitat suitability for a Tamarisk invasion in the continental United States. Red indicates areas that are highly suitable and yellow indicates areas which are less suitable. Texas, New Mexico, and Nevada are the most highly suitable states. Utah and Arizona have the next greatest risk. California, Arizona, Montana, Colorado, Oregon, Ohio, Wyoming, and Florida also have a significant risk.
Completed 2005-10-18
National Map Showing Habitat …
Title National Map Showing Habitat Suitability for Tamarisk Invasion
Abstract The spread of invasive species is one of the most daunting environmental, economic, and human-health problems facing the United States and the World today. It is one of several grand challenge environmental problems being addressed by NASA's Science Mission Directorate through a national application partnership with the US Geological Survey. NASA and USGS are working together to develop a National Invasive Species Forecasting System (ISFS) for the management and control of invasive species on Department of Interior and adjacent lands. The system provides a framework for using USGS's early detection and monitoring protocols and predictive models to process MODIS, ETM+, ASTER and commercial remote sensing data, to create on-demand, regional-scale assessments of invasive species likely habitats. Recent work on the Invasive Species Forecasting System (ISFS) project has shown the importance of remotely-sensed time-series data in geostatistical models for mapping the distribution of Tamarisk and other invasive plant species. This video shows the habitat suitability for a Tamarisk invasion in the continental United States. Red indicates areas that are highly suitable and yellow indicates areas which are less suitable. Texas, New Mexico, and Nevada are the most highly suitable states. Utah and Arizona have the next greatest risk. California, Arizona, Montana, Colorado, Oregon, Ohio, Wyoming, and Florida also have a significant risk.
Completed 2005-10-18
National Map Showing Habitat …
Title National Map Showing Habitat Suitability for Tamarisk Invasion
Abstract The spread of invasive species is one of the most daunting environmental, economic, and human-health problems facing the United States and the World today. It is one of several grand challenge environmental problems being addressed by NASA's Science Mission Directorate through a national application partnership with the US Geological Survey. NASA and USGS are working together to develop a National Invasive Species Forecasting System (ISFS) for the management and control of invasive species on Department of Interior and adjacent lands. The system provides a framework for using USGS's early detection and monitoring protocols and predictive models to process MODIS, ETM+, ASTER and commercial remote sensing data, to create on-demand, regional-scale assessments of invasive species likely habitats. Recent work on the Invasive Species Forecasting System (ISFS) project has shown the importance of remotely-sensed time-series data in geostatistical models for mapping the distribution of Tamarisk and other invasive plant species. This video shows the habitat suitability for a Tamarisk invasion in the continental United States. Red indicates areas that are highly suitable and yellow indicates areas which are less suitable. Texas, New Mexico, and Nevada are the most highly suitable states. Utah and Arizona have the next greatest risk. California, Arizona, Montana, Colorado, Oregon, Ohio, Wyoming, and Florida also have a significant risk.
Completed 2005-10-18
Habitat Suitability for Tama …
Title Habitat Suitability for Tamarisk Invasion in the State of Nevada
Abstract The Invasive Species Forecasting System (ISFS) is a partnership between NASA and The US Geological Survey (USGS). The ISFS combines NASA Earth observations and statistical models to enhance USGS capabilities to map, monitor and predict the spread of significant invasive plant species. This video shows the habitat suitability for a Tamarisk invasion in the state of Nevada. Tamarisk spreads quickly along riverbeds and when it's leaves shed they secrete salt on the soil, thereby hindering other plant growth. Red indicates areas that are highly suitable for Tamarisk. Yellow indicates areas which are less suitable, and grey are areas which are not suitable.
Completed 2005-10-18
Habitat Suitability for Tama …
Title Habitat Suitability for Tamarisk Invasion in the State of Nevada
Abstract The Invasive Species Forecasting System (ISFS) is a partnership between NASA and The US Geological Survey (USGS). The ISFS combines NASA Earth observations and statistical models to enhance USGS capabilities to map, monitor and predict the spread of significant invasive plant species. This video shows the habitat suitability for a Tamarisk invasion in the state of Nevada. Tamarisk spreads quickly along riverbeds and when it's leaves shed they secrete salt on the soil, thereby hindering other plant growth. Red indicates areas that are highly suitable for Tamarisk. Yellow indicates areas which are less suitable, and grey are areas which are not suitable.
Completed 2005-10-18
Terra/MODIS Rapid-Response F …
Title Terra/MODIS Rapid-Response Fires: California Fires
Abstract Fire outlines for 8/18/01 in orange and yellow. Burn scars from 8/13/01 to 8/17/01 are in black and gray. Underlying true color image from 8/13/01. Animation pans over the Trough, Fish, Blue Complex, and Quartz fires respectively.
Completed 2001-08-20
Terra/MODIS Rapid-Response F …
Title Terra/MODIS Rapid-Response Fires: California Fires
Abstract Fire outlines for 8/18/01 in orange and yellow. Burn scars from 8/13/01 to 8/17/01 are in black and gray. Underlying true color image from 8/13/01. Animation pans over the Trough, Fish, Blue Complex, and Quartz fires respectively.
Completed 2001-08-20
Terra/MODIS Rapid-Response F …
Title Terra/MODIS Rapid-Response Fires: California Fires
Abstract Fire outlines for 8/18/01 in orange and yellow. Burn scars from 8/13/01 to 8/17/01 are in black and gray. Underlying true color image from 8/13/01. Animation pans over the Trough, Fish, Blue Complex, and Quartz fires respectively.
Completed 2001-08-20
Terra/MODIS Rapid-Response F …
Title Terra/MODIS Rapid-Response Fires: California Fires
Abstract Fire outlines for 8/18/01 in orange and yellow. Burn scars from 8/13/01 to 8/17/01 are in black and gray. Underlying true color image from 8/13/01. Animation pans over the Trough, Fish, Blue Complex, and Quartz fires respectively.
Completed 2001-08-20
Terra/MODIS Rapid-Response F …
Title Terra/MODIS Rapid-Response Fires: California Fires
Abstract Fire outlines for 8/18/01 in orange and yellow. Burn scars from 8/13/01 to 8/17/01 are in black and gray. Underlying true color image from 8/13/01. Animation pans over the Trough, Fish, Blue Complex, and Quartz fires respectively.
Completed 2001-08-20
Terra/MODIS Rapid-Response F …
Title Terra/MODIS Rapid-Response Fires: California Fires
Abstract Fire outlines for 8/18/01 in orange and yellow. Burn scars from 8/13/01 to 8/17/01 are in black and gray. Underlying true color image from 8/13/01. Animation pans over the Trough, Fish, Blue Complex, and Quartz fires respectively.
Completed 2001-08-20
Terra/MODIS Rapid-Response F …
Title Terra/MODIS Rapid-Response Fires: California Fires
Abstract Fire outlines for 8/18/01 in orange and yellow. Burn scars from 8/13/01 to 8/17/01 are in black and gray. Underlying true color image from 8/13/01. Animation pans over the Trough, Fish, Blue Complex, and Quartz fires respectively.
Completed 2001-08-20
Terra/MODIS Rapid-Response F …
Title Terra/MODIS Rapid-Response Fires: California Smoke Plumes
Abstract True color data on 8/13/01.
Completed 2001-08-20
Terra/MODIS Rapid-Response F …
Title Terra/MODIS Rapid-Response Fires: California Smoke Plumes
Abstract True color data on 8/13/01.
Completed 2001-08-20
MODIS Snow Cover over the Si …
Title MODIS Snow Cover over the Sierra Nevada Mountains
Abstract The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) provides data in 36 spectral bands, some of which are used in an algorithm to map global snow cover. The animation shows a time series of MODIS snow-cover maps of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, derived from MODIS-derived daily snow maps with 500-m resolution for the winter and spring of 2001.
Completed 2002-06-26
MODIS Snow Cover over the Si …
Title MODIS Snow Cover over the Sierra Nevada Mountains
Abstract The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) provides data in 36 spectral bands, some of which are used in an algorithm to map global snow cover. The animation shows a time series of MODIS snow-cover maps of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, derived from MODIS-derived daily snow maps with 500-m resolution for the winter and spring of 2001.
Completed 2002-06-26
Angora Fire
Title Angora Fire
Description On the weekend of June 23, 2007, a wildfire broke out south of Lake Tahoe, which stretches across the California-Nevada border. By June 28, the Angora Fire [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14323 ] had burned more than 200 homes and forced some 2,000 residents to evacuate, according to The Seattle Times and the Central Valley Business Times. On June 27, the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) [ http://asterweb.jpl.nasa.gov ] on NASA's Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov ] satellite captured this image of the burn scar left by the Angora fire. The burn scar is dark gray, or charcoal. Water bodies, including the southern tip of Lake Tahoe and Fallen Leaf Lake, are pale silvery blue, the silver color a result of sunlight reflecting off the surface of the water. Vegetation ranges in color from dark to bright green. Streets are light gray, and the customary pattern of meandering residential streets and cul-de-sacs appears throughout the image, including the area that burned. The burn scar shows where the fire obliterated some of the residential areas just east of Fallen Leaf Lake. According to news reports, the U.S. Forest Service had expressed optimism about containing the fire within a week of the outbreak, but a few days after the fire started, it jumped a defense, forcing the evacuation of hundreds more residents. Strong winds that had been forecast for June 27, however, did not materialize, allowing firefighters to regain ground in controlling the blaze. On June 27, authorities hoped that the fire would be completely contained by July 3. According to estimates provided in the daily report from the National Interagency Fire Center, [ http://www.nifc.gov/information.html ] the fire had burned 3,100 acres (about 12.5 square kilometers) and was about 55 percent contained as of June 28. Some mandatory evacuations remained in effect. You can download a 15-meter-resolution KMZ file of the Angora fire [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/Images/tahoe_ast_2007178.kmz ] suitable for use with Google Earth. [ http://earth.google.com/ ] NASA image by Jesse Allen, using data provided courtesy of the NASA/GSFC/MITI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team.
Blizzards in the Western Uni …
Title Blizzards in the Western United States
Description A series of heavy winter storms pummeled parts of the western United States between December 24, 2003, and January 3, 2004, blanketing the region with deep snow. Salt Lake City, Utah, reported more than six feet of snow, according to news reports. The blizzards that rolled through California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado closed roads, knocked out power, and claimed at least two lives in subsequent avalanches. These Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov ] (MODIS) images, taken on January 5, 2004, by the Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov/ ] satellite, show the extent of the snowfall from California in the west to the Dakotas, Nebraska, and Colorado in the east. The Great Salt Lake is the two-toned body of water in the center of the images. In the top image, shown in true color, only a sliver of green land west of the Sierra Nevada Mountains can be see on the left side of the image?clouds and snow obscure the rest of the landscape. The bottom image shows the same scene in false color. Here, snow and ice are dark red and orange, while clouds are white and peach. Water is black. The false color image helps differentiate between cloud cover and snow and ice on the ground. The high resolution images provided above are at 500 meters per pixel. Image courtesy Jesse Allen, based on data from the MODIS Rapid Response Team [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov ] at NASA GSFC
Blizzards in the Western Uni …
Title Blizzards in the Western United States
Description A series of heavy winter storms pummeled parts of the western United States between December 24, 2003, and January 3, 2004, blanketing the region with deep snow. Salt Lake City, Utah, reported more than six feet of snow, according to news reports. The blizzards that rolled through California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado closed roads, knocked out power, and claimed at least two lives in subsequent avalanches. These Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov ] (MODIS) images, taken on January 5, 2004, by the Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov/ ] satellite, show the extent of the snowfall from California in the west to the Dakotas, Nebraska, and Colorado in the east. The Great Salt Lake is the two-toned body of water in the center of the images. In the top image, shown in true color, only a sliver of green land west of the Sierra Nevada Mountains can be see on the left side of the image?clouds and snow obscure the rest of the landscape. The bottom image shows the same scene in false color. Here, snow and ice are dark red and orange, while clouds are white and peach. Water is black. The false color image helps differentiate between cloud cover and snow and ice on the ground. The high resolution images provided above are at 500 meters per pixel. Image courtesy Jesse Allen, based on data from the MODIS Rapid Response Team [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov ] at NASA GSFC
Blizzards in the Western Uni …
Title Blizzards in the Western United States
Description A series of heavy winter storms pummeled parts of the western United States between December 24, 2003, and January 3, 2004, blanketing the region with deep snow. Salt Lake City, Utah, reported more than six feet of snow, according to news reports. The blizzards that rolled through California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado closed roads, knocked out power, and claimed at least two lives in subsequent avalanches. These Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov ] (MODIS) images, taken on January 5, 2004, by the Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov/ ] satellite, show the extent of the snowfall from California in the west to the Dakotas, Nebraska, and Colorado in the east. The Great Salt Lake is the two-toned body of water in the center of the images. In the top image, shown in true color, only a sliver of green land west of the Sierra Nevada Mountains can be see on the left side of the image?clouds and snow obscure the rest of the landscape. The bottom image shows the same scene in false color. Here, snow and ice are dark red and orange, while clouds are white and peach. Water is black. The false color image helps differentiate between cloud cover and snow and ice on the ground. The high resolution images provided above are at 500 meters per pixel. Image courtesy Jesse Allen, based on data from the MODIS Rapid Response Team [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov ] at NASA GSFC
Cannon Fire in California an …
Title Cannon Fire in California and Nevada
Description *Cannon Fire in California and Nevada* South of Lake Tahoe and north of Yosemite National Park, the Cannon Fire has crossed the California State Line and is burning northward into the Walker River area in Nevada. More than 1000 people were evacuated from homes and camps in the mountains near Walker River, and at least one residence has been destroyed. The fire nearly tripled in size on Monday, June 17, 2002, growing from 5,000 acres to just under 15,000. It was while fighting the Cannon Fire that an air tanker crashed as it made a flame-retardant drop, killing all three on board. The Canon is the largest fire (red dot) seen in this MODIS image acquired on June 17, 2002. Other large fires include the Sudden Ranch Fire on the Vandenberg Air Force Base (westernmost fire in the image), and the Bluecut Fire north of Los Angeles (easternmost fire in the images), which has produced numerous evacuations. Please note that the high-resolution scene provided here is 500 meters per pixel. For a copy of the scene at the sensor's fullest resolution, visit the MODIS Rapid Response Image Gallery. Image courtesy Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC
Cannon Fire in California an …
Title Cannon Fire in California and Nevada
Description *Cannon Fire in California and Nevada* South of Lake Tahoe and north of Yosemite National Park, the Cannon Fire has crossed the California State Line and is burning northward into the Walker River area in Nevada. The Canon is the largest fire (red dot) seen in this MODIS image acquired on June 18, 2002. Other large fires include the Sudden Ranch Fire on the Vandenberg Air Force Base (westernmost fire in the image), and the Bluecut Fire north of Los Angeles (easternmost California fire in the images), which has produced numerous evacuations. Please note that the high-resolution scene provided here is 500 meters per pixel. For a copy of the scene at the sensor's fullest resolution, visit the MODIS Rapid Response Image Gallery. Image courtesy Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC
Cannon Fire in California an …
Title Cannon Fire in California and Nevada
Description The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Terra satellite detected numerous fires burning in California on June 20, 2002. Along the California-Nevada border, southeast of Lake Tahoe, the Cannon Fire is more than 22,000 acres and is 75 percent contained. Please note that the high-resolution scene provided here is 500 meters per pixel. For a copy of the scene at the sensor's fullest resolution, visit the MODIS Rapid Response Image Gallery. Image courtesy Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC
Death Valley
Title Death Valley
Description Now the driest place in North America, Death Valley was once a verdant, water-filled haven. Between 128,000 and 186,000 years ago, ice covered the Sierra Nevada and rivers flowed into the long valley, feeding Lake Manly. At nearly 100 miles long and 600 feet deep, this massive lake filled Death Valley. To the west, on the other side of the Panamint Range (capped with snow in the top image), was the slightly smaller Panamint Lake. Though the lake and rivers dried as the ice retreated and the climate warmed, water has left its mark on the landscape. Evaporating water left a white salt pan in its place, so the beds of both lakes are clearly visible in these images, acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov ]) on NASA?s Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov/ ] satellite on March 10, 2005, (top) and March 11, 2004 (bottom). Driven by a mild El Niño, winter 2005 was wet. Southern California was inundated with heavy rain from December through late February. The effects on the landscape hearken back to an earlier age when water was more prevalent. On March 10, 2005, water had pooled in the former Lake Manly and, less noticeably, in Lake Panamint. To the northwest, Owens Valley?another remnant of the last ice age?is also filling with water. Aside from darkening the dry salt pans with water, the winter weather had another effect on the landscape. The mountains are darker and slightly greener with growing vegetation. On average, Death Valley receives less than two inches of rain per year. When the rain does fall, the desert springs to life, blossoming with flowers. This year, Death Valley National Park received over six inches of rain, and the result is a rainbow of wildflowers?one of the best blooms in modern history, the National Park Service reports. For daily wildflower updates, visit the Death Valley National Park [ http://www.nps.gov/deva/ ] home page. NASA images created by Jesse Allen, Earth Observatory, using data obtained courtesy of the MODIS Rapid Response team and the Goddard Earth Sciences DAAC.
Death Valley
Title Death Valley
Description Now the driest place in North America, Death Valley was once a verdant, water-filled haven. Between 128,000 and 186,000 years ago, ice covered the Sierra Nevada and rivers flowed into the long valley, feeding Lake Manly. At nearly 100 miles long and 600 feet deep, this massive lake filled Death Valley. To the west, on the other side of the Panamint Range (capped with snow in the top image), was the slightly smaller Panamint Lake. Though the lake and rivers dried as the ice retreated and the climate warmed, water has left its mark on the landscape. Evaporating water left a white salt pan in its place, so the beds of both lakes are clearly visible in these images, acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov ]) on NASA?s Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov/ ] satellite on March 10, 2005, (top) and March 11, 2004 (bottom). Driven by a mild El Niño, winter 2005 was wet. Southern California was inundated with heavy rain from December through late February. The effects on the landscape hearken back to an earlier age when water was more prevalent. On March 10, 2005, water had pooled in the former Lake Manly and, less noticeably, in Lake Panamint. To the northwest, Owens Valley?another remnant of the last ice age?is also filling with water. Aside from darkening the dry salt pans with water, the winter weather had another effect on the landscape. The mountains are darker and slightly greener with growing vegetation. On average, Death Valley receives less than two inches of rain per year. When the rain does fall, the desert springs to life, blossoming with flowers. This year, Death Valley National Park received over six inches of rain, and the result is a rainbow of wildflowers?one of the best blooms in modern history, the National Park Service reports. For daily wildflower updates, visit the Death Valley National Park [ http://www.nps.gov/deva/ ] home page. NASA images created by Jesse Allen, Earth Observatory, using data obtained courtesy of the MODIS Rapid Response team and the Goddard Earth Sciences DAAC.
Heatwave in Southern Califor …
Title Heatwave in Southern California
Description September 5, 2007, marked the end of a week-long heat wave that led to 31 deaths and triggered power outages across southern California, reported the L.A. Times. Temperatures climbed above 38 degrees Celsius (100 Fahrenheit) when a high-pressure system blocked cool air from the Pacific. The effect of the heat wave on different locations in the Southwest is shown in this pair of images, taken on September 5, at 11:25 a.m. local time (18:25 UTC) by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov ]) flying on NASA's Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov/ ], in Northern California filters down from the top edge of the scene. NASA image created by Jesse Allen, using data obtained from the Goddard Land Processes data archives (LAADS). [ http://laads.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ], satellite. The photo-like, natural-color image (top) and corresponding land surface temperature image (bottom) illustrate the relationship between land cover, elevation, and temperature. The images show much of California and Nevada, and a smaller portion of Arizona and Utah. Not surprisingly, the hottest areas, shown in yellow, correspond with sparsely vegetated desert regions. In the natural-color image, the brush-covered Mojave Desert on the California-Nevada border is tan with splashes of pink where iron-rich sandstone is exposed. The small-leafed, woody vegetation provides little shade, allowing the Earth's surface to be exposed to the Sun. The rock-and-dirt desert absorbs sunlight, and temperatures climb (yellow areas of bottom image). The other hot spots in the image occur in the cactus-dotted Sonoran Desert, which encompasses the southernmost portions of inland California and southwestern Arizona, and the much smaller Colorado Desert west of the Salton Sea. Irrigated land south of the Salton Sea and along the Colorado River is a web of brown-green. The presence of water and vegetation in these irrigated areas makes the land cooler. Elevation also plays a role in the surface temperatures of the Sonoran Desert. Pockets of low-elevation land are much warmer than the lines of mountains that separate them, particularly in southwestern Arizona. The coolest parts of California, shown in purple and blue, are in the mountains, most prominently the Sierra Nevada, but also the San Bernardino Mountains east of Los Angeles. In the photo-like images, the mountain ranges are dark green, colored by trees. The vegetation cover and the high elevation keep the land cooler than surrounding low-elevation sites. The other significant cool spot in the image is the San Joaquin Valley. Like the irrigated farm land bordering the Salton Sea and the Colorado River, this area is kept cool by the presence of water and plants. The coldest areas in the image appear to be in Arizona, Utah, and Nevada, which are marked by streaks of dark purple. These cold signatures are from clouds.The final correlation between land cover and temperature can be seen in urban areas along the coast. In the photo-like image, Los Angles sprawls as a silver-gray patch from the coast to the San Bernardino Mountains. Since urban surfaces absorb heat, Los Angles is slightly warmer in the surface temperature image than the surrounding landscape. In the north, the San Francisco urban area is similarly warmer than its surroundings. Though the extreme temperatures raised the fire danger in Southern California, MODIS did not detect any fires in the region. Fires, marked with red dots, were burning in Central California south and east of San Francisco. Smoke from a large fire [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14497 ]
Heatwave in the Western Unit …
Title Heatwave in the Western United States
Description The oppressive heat that crept over parts of the western United States during the first few days of July 2007 [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14380 ] took hold of the entire West during the week of July 4 through July 11. Deep red tones blanket every western state in this land surface temperature image, an indication that temperatures were warmer than in previous years. The image was made with data collected by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov ]) on NASA's Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov/ ] satellite and shows temperatures recorded between July 4 and July 11, 2007, compared to the average of temperatures observed during the same period in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Areas that are warmer than during that three-year period are red, while cooler areas are blue. Triple-digit temperatures broke or matched records from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Great Falls, Montana, during this period. In this image, a cluster of red-black over eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and eastern Montana indicates that these regions experienced much warmer temperatures than in previous years. Western South Dakota (the Black Hills region) was also exceptionally warm. On the other end of the scale, Texas was much cooler than it had been in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Heavy rains pounded Texas on and off throughout this period, contributing to wide-spread flooding. [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14363 ] You can download a global KMZ file of Land Surface Temperature anomaly [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/Images/kansas_ast_2007187.kmz ] suitable for use with Google Earth. [ http://earth.google.com/ ] NASA image created by Jesse Allen, using data obtained courtesy of the MODIS Land Processes [ http://modis-land.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] team.
Heatwave in the Western Unit …
Title Heatwave in the Western United States
Description Extreme heat lingered over much of the western United States in early July 2007. Temperatures soared to triple digits, meeting or breaking records from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Great Falls, Montana, said news reports. The oppressive heat contributed to creating prime fire conditions, so that, when dry thunderstorms (lightning storms accompanied by little or no rain) rolled through on July 7, lightning sparked dozens of fast-moving wildfires. [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14358 ] This image, created from data collected by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov ]) on NASA's Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov/ ] satellite from June 26 though July 3, 2007, shows land surface temperatures compared to average temperatures observed during the same period in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Deep red across the Southwest and the Intermountain West indicate that temperatures were much higher than they were in 2000-2002. The Southeast also experienced warmer temperatures. Northern California, Oregon, and Washington appear to be cooler than in previous years, as indicated by the blue tones. The heat wave started mid-way through the week-long period shown in this image. While temperatures may have soared at the end of the period, cooler temperatures earlier in the week dominate the signal. Land surface temperatures from July 4-11 [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14393 ] show that these areas warmed significantly the following week. The Southern Plains are dark blue where temperatures were much cooler than they had been in previous years. During this period, torrential rains drenched the region, causing wide-spread flooding in Texas and Oklahoma [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14363 ] and in Kansas and Missouri. [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14383 ] The gray region over Kansas and Oklahoma is an area in which MODIS could not record the land's temperature because of perpetual cloud cover during the week-long period. NASA image created by Jesse Allen, using data obtained courtesy of the MODIS Land Processes [ http://modis-land.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] team.
Drought in Southwestern Unit …
Title Drought in Southwestern United States
Description The southwestern United States pined for water in late March and early April 2007. This image is based on data collected by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov ] on NASA's Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov ] satellite from March 22 through April 6, 2007, and it shows the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, or NDVI, for the period. In this NDVI color scale, green indicates areas of healthier-than-usual vegetation, and only small patches of green appear in this image, near the California-Nevada border and in Utah. Larger areas of below-normal vegetation are more common, especially throughout California. Pale yellow indicates areas with generally average vegetation. Gray areas appear where no data were available, likely due to persistent clouds or snow cover. According to the April 10, 2007, update from the U.S. Drought Monitor, [ http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html ] most of the southwestern United Sates, including Utah, Nevada, California, and Arizona, experienced moderate to extreme drought. The hardest hit areas were southeastern California and southwestern Arizona. Writing for the Drought Monitor, David Miskus of the Joint Agricultural Weather Facility reported that March 2007 had been unusually dry for the southwestern United States. While California's and Utah's reservoir storage was only slightly below normal, reservoir storage was well below normal for New Mexico and Arizona. In early April, an international research team published an online paper in Science noting that droughts could become more common for the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, as these areas were already showing signs of drying. Relying on the same computer models used in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released in early 2007, the researchers who published in Science concluded that global warming could make droughts more common, not just in the American Southwest, but also in semiarid regions of southern Europe, Mediterranean northern Africa, and the Middle East. NASA image created by Jesse Allen, Earth Observatory, using data provided by Inbal Reshef, Global Agricultural Monitoring Project [ http://www.pecad.fas.usda.gov/glam.cfm ].
McNalley and Pines Fires in …
Title McNalley and Pines Fires in California
Description In the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, a large fire has sprung up in the Sequoia National Forest about 12 miles north of the town of Kernville. According to reports from the U.S.D.A Forest Service, the McNalley fire started on the afternoon of July 21, 2002, and by Monday, July 22, had spread to more than 9,000 acres. The fire, which spread rapidly in response to erratic winds, is threatening 100 residences. This Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) image from July 22, 2002, shows the fire (red outline) creating a large smoke plume that is streaming northward from the blaze. Image courtesy Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC
McNalley and Pines Fires in …
Title McNalley and Pines Fires in California
Description In the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, the McNalley Fire continues to burn in the Sequoia National Forest. It is 60, 000 acres and only 30% contained as of July 29, 2002. This Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) image from July 26, 2002 shows actively burning areas of the fire marked with red dots. Image by Jesse Allen, based on data from the MODIS Land Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC
McNalley and Pines Fires in …
Title McNalley and Pines Fires in California
Description On August 7, 2002, scattered fires were detected across California by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Terra satellite. In the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the southeast of the green vegetation in the San Joaquin Valley, the Mc Nalley Fire is burning in the Sequoia National Forest. At bottom right, smoke from the Pines Fire near San Diego wafts over the Salton Sea. Image courtesy Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC
McNalley and Pines Fires in …
Title McNalley and Pines Fires in California
Description In southern California, firefighters continue to battle the 120,000-acre McNalley Fire (red dots) in the Sequoia National Forest in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The fire was 70 percent contained as of the morning of August 11,2002, the day this image was acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Terra satellite. Image courtesy Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC
McNalley and Pines Fires in …
Title McNalley and Pines Fires in California
Description More than 100,000 acres have now burned in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains in the Sequoia National Forest as a result of the McNalley Fire, which is still only 50 percent contained. This image of the fire (red dots at right) was acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on August 3, 2002. Image courtesy Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC
MODIS Image Shows Below-Aver …
Title MODIS Image Shows Below-Average Snow Cover in North America
Description The winter of 1999/2000 brought relatively little snow cover to the North American continent. This MODIS eight-day composite map shows the maximum snow cover in North America during the period from March 5-12. When compared to the snow extent during average years, it is apparent that there was significantly less area covered by snow this year for each month from November through April. In this image, the areas covered by snow are colored white, the non-snow covered land surface is colored green, those regions obstructed by clouds appear as grey, and water is blue. The red line represents the "average" March snow line, and the yellow line represents the "average" February snow line, as determined from NOAA/NESDIS snow maps (1966-present). Note that the snow line in March of 2000 is considerably farther north than the average February or March snow lines. By February, scientists reported that water levels in the Great Lakes--the world's largest inland bodies of fresh water--were much lower than normal. Lakes Michigan and Huron were 18 inches below average, and Lakes Superior and Erie were 9 inches below average. From 30 to 40 percent of these lakes' annual water supply comes from melting snow, the lack of which is contributing to the lower water levels. A concern is that the paltry snowpacks of this past winter, combined with high evaporative rates this coming summer, could result in the lowest lake levels on record. By the time these data were acquired, the snow line had retreated into southern Canada, but in the continental U.S., the Rocky Mountains, Cascades, Coast Range, and Sierra Nevada were still covered by snow, as were other isolated areas in the western states. Additionally, there was a band of snow spanning parts of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. This band of snow was quite short-lived, lasting only a day or so, but was captured by MODIS because of its frequent coverage. The smaller extent and earlier northward retreat of the snow cover during this past winter has led to an earlier drying of the soils in many areas, which has contributed to the large number of wildfires so far this year. MODIS flies aboard the Terra spacecraft, launched in December 1999. The sensor first opened its doors and began acquiring data on Feb. 24, 2000. The MODIS sensor and Terra mission are managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Image data courtesy Dorothy Hall, Nick DiGirolamo, George Riggs, and Janet Chien - MODIS Land Science Team
Nevada Dust Storm Closes Int …
Title Nevada Dust Storm Closes Interstate 80
Description A fierce dust storm blew across northwestern Nevada on April 28, 2004, with winds that gusted up to 70 mph. This image of the blowing dust, which reduced visibility to nearly zero in some places, was captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's Terra satellite on that Wednesday morning at about 11:30 a.m. local (Pacific) time. The dust closed numerous highways, including Interstate 80, and the gusty winds even flipped a tractor-trailer. In the image, a cloud of light tan dust hangs over the rugged, arid terrain east of Lake Tahoe, which sits at the Nevada-California border at the left center edge of the image. To the north is Pyramid Lake, and to the south, in California, is Mono Lake. The snow-covered Sierra Nevada Mountains appear at the bottom left corner of the scene. Image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA-GSFC
Fires in California
Title Fires in California
Description In the mountains of the West, fires typically continue to spring up until the winter rains and snows put an end to the season. This Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) image from the Terra satellite on September 29, 2003, shows several fires (marked with red) burning in California. At the upper left, a spot of smoke indicates the location of the Canoe/Honeydew Complex Fire, which is burning partly in old growth redwood forest. Right of the image center, fires are burning the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, near Yosemite National Park. A few fires burning in California?s large central valley are probably related to agriculture. The high-resolution image provided above is 500 meters per pixel. The MODIS Rapid Response System provides this image at MODIS? maximum spatial resolution of 250 meters. Image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
Fires in California
Title Fires in California
Description Several lightning-caused fires are burning in California?s Sierra Nevada Mountains in early autumn, and are pictured here in this true-color Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) image from September 27, 2003. For the most part these fires are being allowed to burn in an effort to promote the long-term health of the forests by allowing fire to take its place in the natural cycle of the region?s forests. Several fires are burning in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, near Yosemite. According to local news reports, the fires in the park were originally being permitted to burn within a specified acreage, but over the weekend they grew larger than park managers were comfortable with, and additional firefighters were called in to battle the blazes. Image courtesy Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC
Fires in California
Title Fires in California
Description The combined smoke from the Freds and Power Fires in northern California southwest of Lake Tahoe was filling in the northern end of the Sacramento Valley on October 14, 2004. This image was captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA?s Aqua satellite in the afternoon, when smoke had become so thick the actively burning areas of the fire that MODIS on the Terra satellite detected during its morning overpass [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/subsets/?AERONET_Fresno/2004288/AERONET_Fresno.2004288.terra ] could no longer be picked up. Southwest of Lake Tahoe, the northernmost band of thick smoke is associated with the Freds Fire, while the central and southern ones are associated with the Power Fire. The smoke has risen far enough into the air to be casting a shadow onto another, thinner layer of smoke below. Smoke nestles into the ravines and canyons of the many rivers that run off the Sierra Nevada Mountains, causing them to stand out from the forested terrain. Other landmarks in the scene include San Francisco Bay, along the bottom edge to the left of center, Clear Lake, in the upper left quadrant, the southern end of Nevada?s Pyramid Lake, at upper right, and the gray-colored rock of Yosemite National Park, to the west of Mono Lake at bottom right. A small fire was detected by MODIS in that area and is outlined in red. NASA image courtesy the MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center
Fires in Idaho and Eastern O …
Title Fires in Idaho and Eastern Oregon
Description MODIS Rapid Response Team [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov ] at NASA GSFC, Strong winds fanned wildfires across the western United States on July 19, 2007. The hot, dry, windy conditions led the National Interagency Fire Center to move to a National Preparedness Level [ http://www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/pl_desc.html ] of 5 on a five-point scale, indicating that the fires were numerous, large, and widespread enough to potentially exhaust fire-fighting resources. More than a million acres were burning across the United States in 72 large wildfires on July 19, 2007, said the National Interagency Fire Center. [ http://www.nifc.gov/fire_info/nfn.htm ] Among the largest fires were the Rowland and Elk Mountain fires burning in southwestern Idaho. The active fronts of these fires are outlined in red in this pair of photo-like images acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov ]) on July 19, 2007. The top image was taken at 12:25 p.m., Mountain Daylight Time, when the MODIS on NASA's Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov/ ] satellite passed over head. The active parts of the Elk Mountain fire surround a dark brown oval of charred land. The fast-moving flames had consumed much of this area in the previous 24 hours. A MODIS image taken on the afternoon of July 18, [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14396 ] reveals that the fire had been relatively small the previous day, and little land around the fire was charred. The Rowland fire, by contrast, was smaller on July 19 than it had been on July 18. At 2:05 p.m. on July 19, less than two hours after the top image was taken, the MODIS sensor aboard NASA's Aqua [ http://aqua.nasa.gov/ ] satellite captured the lower image. In the two-hour period between images, winds and fire activity picked up substantially. By the time of the second image, the fires were racing through grass and sagebrush and pumping out dense plumes of smoke. The smoke obscures the burned land and the surrounding desert landscape. Strong winds were pulling the smoke north in long plumes that stretch over the green and gold Snake River Plain. The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reported that both the Rowland and Elk Mountain fires exhibited extreme fire behavior, [ http://www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/glossary.html#E ] with fast-moving or unpredictable flames, and that it threatened structures and power lines. On July 20, the Rowland fire had burned 95,000 acres and was 15 percent contained, while the Elk Mountain fire had burned 160,000 acres (up from 25,000 acres the day before) and was 10 percent contained, said NIFC. The large images provided above are at MODIS' maximum resolution (level of detail) of 250 meters per pixel. They stretch south to include much of Nevada and Utah. Both the 12:25 and 2:05 images are available in a variety of resolutions from the MODIS Rapid Response System. Images courtesy Jeff Schmaltz,
Fires in Idaho and Eastern O …
Title Fires in Idaho and Eastern Oregon
Description MODIS Rapid Response Team [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov ] at NASA GSFC, Strong winds fanned wildfires across the western United States on July 19, 2007. The hot, dry, windy conditions led the National Interagency Fire Center to move to a National Preparedness Level [ http://www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/pl_desc.html ] of 5 on a five-point scale, indicating that the fires were numerous, large, and widespread enough to potentially exhaust fire-fighting resources. More than a million acres were burning across the United States in 72 large wildfires on July 19, 2007, said the National Interagency Fire Center. [ http://www.nifc.gov/fire_info/nfn.htm ] Among the largest fires were the Rowland and Elk Mountain fires burning in southwestern Idaho. The active fronts of these fires are outlined in red in this pair of photo-like images acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov ]) on July 19, 2007. The top image was taken at 12:25 p.m., Mountain Daylight Time, when the MODIS on NASA's Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov/ ] satellite passed over head. The active parts of the Elk Mountain fire surround a dark brown oval of charred land. The fast-moving flames had consumed much of this area in the previous 24 hours. A MODIS image taken on the afternoon of July 18, [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14396 ] reveals that the fire had been relatively small the previous day, and little land around the fire was charred. The Rowland fire, by contrast, was smaller on July 19 than it had been on July 18. At 2:05 p.m. on July 19, less than two hours after the top image was taken, the MODIS sensor aboard NASA's Aqua [ http://aqua.nasa.gov/ ] satellite captured the lower image. In the two-hour period between images, winds and fire activity picked up substantially. By the time of the second image, the fires were racing through grass and sagebrush and pumping out dense plumes of smoke. The smoke obscures the burned land and the surrounding desert landscape. Strong winds were pulling the smoke north in long plumes that stretch over the green and gold Snake River Plain. The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reported that both the Rowland and Elk Mountain fires exhibited extreme fire behavior, [ http://www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/glossary.html#E ] with fast-moving or unpredictable flames, and that it threatened structures and power lines. On July 20, the Rowland fire had burned 95,000 acres and was 15 percent contained, while the Elk Mountain fire had burned 160,000 acres (up from 25,000 acres the day before) and was 10 percent contained, said NIFC. The large images provided above are at MODIS' maximum resolution (level of detail) of 250 meters per pixel. They stretch south to include much of Nevada and Utah. Both the 12:25 and 2:05 images are available in a variety of resolutions from the MODIS Rapid Response System. Images courtesy Jeff Schmaltz,
Fires in Idaho and Eastern O …
Title Fires in Idaho and Eastern Oregon
Description MODIS Rapid Response Team [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov ] at NASA GSFC, Strong winds fanned wildfires across the western United States on July 19, 2007. The hot, dry, windy conditions led the National Interagency Fire Center to move to a National Preparedness Level [ http://www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/pl_desc.html ] of 5 on a five-point scale, indicating that the fires were numerous, large, and widespread enough to potentially exhaust fire-fighting resources. More than a million acres were burning across the United States in 72 large wildfires on July 19, 2007, said the National Interagency Fire Center. [ http://www.nifc.gov/fire_info/nfn.htm ] Among the largest fires were the Rowland and Elk Mountain fires burning in southwestern Idaho. The active fronts of these fires are outlined in red in this pair of photo-like images acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov ]) on July 19, 2007. The top image was taken at 12:25 p.m., Mountain Daylight Time, when the MODIS on NASA's Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov/ ] satellite passed over head. The active parts of the Elk Mountain fire surround a dark brown oval of charred land. The fast-moving flames had consumed much of this area in the previous 24 hours. A MODIS image taken on the afternoon of July 18, [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14396 ] reveals that the fire had been relatively small the previous day, and little land around the fire was charred. The Rowland fire, by contrast, was smaller on July 19 than it had been on July 18. At 2:05 p.m. on July 19, less than two hours after the top image was taken, the MODIS sensor aboard NASA's Aqua [ http://aqua.nasa.gov/ ] satellite captured the lower image. In the two-hour period between images, winds and fire activity picked up substantially. By the time of the second image, the fires were racing through grass and sagebrush and pumping out dense plumes of smoke. The smoke obscures the burned land and the surrounding desert landscape. Strong winds were pulling the smoke north in long plumes that stretch over the green and gold Snake River Plain. The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reported that both the Rowland and Elk Mountain fires exhibited extreme fire behavior, [ http://www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/glossary.html#E ] with fast-moving or unpredictable flames, and that it threatened structures and power lines. On July 20, the Rowland fire had burned 95,000 acres and was 15 percent contained, while the Elk Mountain fire had burned 160,000 acres (up from 25,000 acres the day before) and was 10 percent contained, said NIFC. The large images provided above are at MODIS' maximum resolution (level of detail) of 250 meters per pixel. They stretch south to include much of Nevada and Utah. Both the 12:25 and 2:05 images are available in a variety of resolutions from the MODIS Rapid Response System. Images courtesy Jeff Schmaltz,
Record Snow in California
Title Record Snow in California
Description A powerful Alaskan storm swept over California during the final week of October, drenching the state with record rain and snow. The storm was the second large storm to move over California in as many weeks, and it left the Sierra Nevada Mountains coated in snow. In this Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov ]) image, taken by NASA's Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov/ ] satellite on October 31, 2004, after the clouds cleared, snow highlights the peaks of the long mountain chain that forms California's eastern border with Nevada. According to the Associated Press, the central Sierra Nevada received as much as 48 inches (1.2 meters) of snow in October, allowing ski resorts to open earlier than normal. Ski resort owners are not the only people who are pleased with the snowfall?California relies heavily on melting snow for its water supply. Like much of the west, California has been in drought for the past six years, and while this snowfall alone is not enough to end the drought, it will help. At the end of October, many locations in California had set new records for monthly rain or snowfall totals. The snow extends all the way down the 400-mile length of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in this image. On October 30, MODIS captured an image [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=12560 ] of snow even further south in the San Bernardino Mountains around Los Angeles. NASA image created by Jesse Allen, Earth Observatory, using data obtained from the MODIS Rapid Response team.
Record Snow in California
Title Record Snow in California
Description A powerful Alaskan storm swept down over California during the final week of October 2004, bringing record snow to the Sierra Nevada. The central Sierra Nevada received as much as 48 inches (1.2 meters) of snow in October, breaking the previous record of 36 inches (0.9 m), reported the Associated Press. This Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov ]) image, acquired by NASA?s Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov/ ] satellite on October 30, 2004, shows snow in the mountains around Los Angeles. The city forms a cement-colored grid extending into the center of the image from the left. In addition to dumping record snow in the mountains, the storm inundated the lower elevations with heavy rain, triggering flash floods across the state. The high resolution image provided above has a resolution of 250 meters per pixel. It is available in additional resolutions from the MODIS Rapid Response Team. NASA image courtesy Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Rapid Response Team [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov ] at NASA GSFC
Record Snow in California
Title Record Snow in California
Description A powerful Alaskan storm swept down over California during the final week of October 2004, bringing record snow to the Sierra Nevada. The central Sierra Nevada received as much as 48 inches (1.2 meters) of snow in October, breaking the previous record of 36 inches (0.9 m), reported the Associated Press. This Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov ]) image, acquired by NASA?s Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov/ ] satellite on October 30, 2004, shows snow in the mountains around Los Angeles. The city forms a cement-colored grid extending into the center of the image from the left. In addition to dumping record snow in the mountains, the storm inundated the lower elevations with heavy rain, triggering flash floods across the state. The high resolution image provided above has a resolution of 250 meters per pixel. It is available in additional resolutions from the MODIS Rapid Response Team. NASA image courtesy Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Rapid Response Team [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov ] at NASA GSFC
Sierra Nevada Range, Mokelum …
Title Sierra Nevada Range, Mokelumne Wilderness
Description South of Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, the boundaries of three national forests—Stanislaus, El Dorado, and Humboldt-Toiyabe—meet. At the intersection of these boundaries sits the Mokelumne Wilderness Area, [ http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/stanislaus/visitor/mokelumne.shtml ] which straddles the crest of the Sierra Nevada. On June 29, 2007, the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) [ http://asterweb.jpl.nasa.gov/ ] flying on NASA's Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov/ ] satellite captured this image of the Mokelumne and surrounding forests. In this simulated true-color image, dark green indicates thick vegetation, pale green indicates sparse vegetation, dark blue indicates water, and beige and gray indicate bare ground. National Park boundaries appear in white. The terrain in the area is rugged, with steep mountain crags interspersed with occasional lakes with jagged contours. At high elevations, forests give way to alpine plants, and finally, to bare rock. A pale shoreline outlines Spicer Reservoir, near the bottom of the image, suggesting a dip in the lake's water level, consistent with warm, dry [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14393 ] conditions that predominated in the American West in the early summer of 2007. Not all national forests are wilderness area, many forests offer timber concessions. In Stanislaus National Forest, in the lower left corner of this image, tiny pale patches break the forest cover. In the high-resolution imagery, the precise geometric outlines of these patches are more obvious, such patterns are consistent with clear-cut logging. You can download a 15-meter-resolution KMZ file of the Mokelumne Wilderness [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/Images/eldorado_ast_2007180.kmz ] suitable for use with Google Earth. [ http://earth.google.com/ ] NASA image by Jesse Allen, using data provided courtesy of the NASA/GSFC/MITI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team.
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