Images
March 15, 2018 - Dust storms in the Middle East
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Strong winds pushed clouds of sand across the Middle East in early March 2018. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired a true-color image of the storm on March 9.
Large patches of light tan sand can be seen spreading over Iraq (inland), Jordan, and Syria in the north while additional sand blows across Iraq and northern Saudi Arabia in the south. The dust is so thick that the ground beneath is obscured from view.
Dust storms are common across the Middle East and present the number one natural hazard in the region. When the air is particularly unsettled, as in front of a storm or during spring and fall, dust storms become even more frequent. Dust storms reduce visibility, create travel hazards, and the suspended dust is a health hazard, especially for the elderly, the very young, or anyone with respiratory problems.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 3/9/2018
Resolutions:
1km (143 KB), 500m (460.3 KB), 250m (1.1 MB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
Strong winds pushed clouds of sand across the Middle East in early March 2018. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired a true-color image of the storm on March 9.
Large patches of light tan sand can be seen spreading over Iraq (inland), Jordan, and Syria in the north while additional sand blows across Iraq and northern Saudi Arabia in the south. The dust is so thick that the ground beneath is obscured from view.
Dust storms are common across the Middle East and present the number one natural hazard in the region. When the air is particularly unsettled, as in front of a storm or during spring and fall, dust storms become even more frequent. Dust storms reduce visibility, create travel hazards, and the suspended dust is a health hazard, especially for the elderly, the very young, or anyone with respiratory problems.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 3/9/2018
Resolutions:
1km (143 KB), 500m (460.3 KB), 250m (1.1 MB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
