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November 24, 2016 - South Shetland Islands, Antarctica
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The South Shetland Islands are a remote and heavily glaciated group of islands sitting only about 75 miles (120 kilometers) north of the Antarctic Peninsula. Less than three percent of the rugged land are free of ice. These areas, found primarily along the coast, form the centers of activity, where both animals and humans cluster as they attempt to live in this harsh environment.
The largest island, King George Island, is relatively ice-free and easy to reach – and it is here where people tend to gather. With a population of roughly 500 people, many of which are only part-time residents, the island hosts science and military bases belonging to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, South Korea, Peru, Poland, Russia and Uruguay. It is also home to a variety of animals, including a variety of penguins and several species of seal.
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite captured a true-color image of the South Sandwich Islands on November 19, 2016. King George Island is the easternmost large island of the group.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 11/19/2016
Resolutions:
1km (51.8 KB), 500m (50.6 KB), 250m (120.6 KB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
The South Shetland Islands are a remote and heavily glaciated group of islands sitting only about 75 miles (120 kilometers) north of the Antarctic Peninsula. Less than three percent of the rugged land are free of ice. These areas, found primarily along the coast, form the centers of activity, where both animals and humans cluster as they attempt to live in this harsh environment.
The largest island, King George Island, is relatively ice-free and easy to reach – and it is here where people tend to gather. With a population of roughly 500 people, many of which are only part-time residents, the island hosts science and military bases belonging to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, South Korea, Peru, Poland, Russia and Uruguay. It is also home to a variety of animals, including a variety of penguins and several species of seal.
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite captured a true-color image of the South Sandwich Islands on November 19, 2016. King George Island is the easternmost large island of the group.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 11/19/2016
Resolutions:
1km (51.8 KB), 500m (50.6 KB), 250m (120.6 KB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
