Images
February 7, 2019 - Dust from Iran and Pakistan over the Arabian Sea
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On January 13, 2019, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired a true-color image as it passed over the Gulf of Arabia, capturing a large dust storm in progress.
Sand and dust rise from the arid regions of Iran (west) and Pakistan (east) and blow to the southeast to concentrate over the Arabian Sea, where the dust is so thick that it entirely obscures the waters beneath. Dust also hangs over the green Indus Valley at the far eastern section of the image.
A dust storm this widespread suggests multiple sources of dust and strong, widespread wind. The sandy deserts of southwestern Pakistan and southeastern Iran are excellent sources of dust, as are dry lakebeds. Many impermanent lakes sit along the borders between Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 1/31/2019
Resolutions:
1km (772.9 KB), 500m (2 MB), 250m (1.4 MB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
On January 13, 2019, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired a true-color image as it passed over the Gulf of Arabia, capturing a large dust storm in progress.
Sand and dust rise from the arid regions of Iran (west) and Pakistan (east) and blow to the southeast to concentrate over the Arabian Sea, where the dust is so thick that it entirely obscures the waters beneath. Dust also hangs over the green Indus Valley at the far eastern section of the image.
A dust storm this widespread suggests multiple sources of dust and strong, widespread wind. The sandy deserts of southwestern Pakistan and southeastern Iran are excellent sources of dust, as are dry lakebeds. Many impermanent lakes sit along the borders between Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 1/31/2019
Resolutions:
1km (772.9 KB), 500m (2 MB), 250m (1.4 MB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
