April 30, 2008 - Dust Storm by the Aral Sea

Dust Storm by the Aral Sea

Southwesterly winds appeared to be blowing dust and sand from Kazakhstan out over the Aral Sea on April 29, 2008. The MODIS on the Aqua satellite captured this image on that day. The Aral Sea, green in color, is partially obscured by the dust.

Black lines show country borders - Kazakhstan lies to the north, and Uzbekistan to the south. The border between these countries cuts through the South Aral Sea. The Aral Sea is actually an inland body of freshwater - since the 1960s it has shrunk in size, splitting it into the North and South Aral Seas. The South Aral Sea has also been split in two as well. For more on the Aral see, check out this Earth Observatory image and caption.

Image Facts
Satellite: Aqua
Date Acquired: 04/29/2008
Resolutions: 1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit: Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC