June 2, 2008 - Dust storm in Northern China

Dust storm in Northern China

Near the end of May 2008, a springtime dust storm lingered over northern China (center right) and Mongolia (center left). The MODIS on NASA's Aqua satellite took this picture on May 27, 2008. Streams of dust and clouds swirl over the region, tan dust mixing with the puffy white clouds in the north.

By the next day, May 28, the storm had moved eastward, as well as southward, towards Beijing. According to a May 28 report from Bloomberg, the dust storm pushed Beijing’s pollution rating to “hazardous.” The heavy air pollution in the capital city raised doubts about the air quality that could be expected for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Image Facts
Satellite: Aqua
Date Acquired: 05/27/2008
Resolutions: 1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit: Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC