Images
December 22, 2015 - Argentina and Rio de la Plata
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On December 10, 2015, NASA’s Terra satellite flew over northeastern Argentina, allowing the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board to capture a clear, true-color image of the region.
The most notable feature is the large, sediment-laden Rio de la Plata which can be seen as a tan-colored notch in the eastern coastline. The Rio de la Plata is the widest estuary in the world, as well as the second-largest river basin in South America (the first is the Amazon basin). The Rio de la Plata divides Uruguay (north) and Argentina (south). It is formed at the confluence of the muddy Uruguay River, which enters from the north, and the Parana River, which flows from the northeast along a twisting course before joining with the Parana to create the Rio de la Plata. The watershed begins in central Brazil and the Rio de la Plata ultimately collects water from many rivers flowing through Brazil, Northern Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
On the south bank of the Rio de la Plata a large group of gray pixels marks the city of Buenos Aires, the capital of and the largest city in Argentina. South of the city lies the green-tinted land of Argentina’s pampas. At higher resolution it is clear that the grasslands, in particular, are covered by the rectangular-shaped plots that indicate agricultural activity.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 12/10/2015
Resolutions:
1km (384.1 KB), 500m (1.7 MB), 250m (4.1 MB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
On December 10, 2015, NASA’s Terra satellite flew over northeastern Argentina, allowing the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board to capture a clear, true-color image of the region.
The most notable feature is the large, sediment-laden Rio de la Plata which can be seen as a tan-colored notch in the eastern coastline. The Rio de la Plata is the widest estuary in the world, as well as the second-largest river basin in South America (the first is the Amazon basin). The Rio de la Plata divides Uruguay (north) and Argentina (south). It is formed at the confluence of the muddy Uruguay River, which enters from the north, and the Parana River, which flows from the northeast along a twisting course before joining with the Parana to create the Rio de la Plata. The watershed begins in central Brazil and the Rio de la Plata ultimately collects water from many rivers flowing through Brazil, Northern Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
On the south bank of the Rio de la Plata a large group of gray pixels marks the city of Buenos Aires, the capital of and the largest city in Argentina. South of the city lies the green-tinted land of Argentina’s pampas. At higher resolution it is clear that the grasslands, in particular, are covered by the rectangular-shaped plots that indicate agricultural activity.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 12/10/2015
Resolutions:
1km (384.1 KB), 500m (1.7 MB), 250m (4.1 MB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
