Images
July 31, 2023 - Al-Nafud Desert
Tweet
The Al-Nafud Desert sweeps across northern Saudia Arabia. Part of the larger Arabian Desert, this sand-filled basin spans about 25,000 square miles (65,000 sq km) and sits at an average elevation of 3,000 feet (900 meters). Al-Nafud is famous for its brick-red sand and massively tall crescent-shaped dunes which are constantly shifting location. It is infamous for its merciless nature—not only is Al-Nafud parched and hot, but it is also frequently battered by sudden and powerful winds that push dense clouds of sand across the desert. Although a popular tourist destination, travel sites caution that the desert should be visited with a knowledgeable guide for safety’s sake.
On July 27, 2023, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board NASA’s Terra satellite acquired a true-color image of Al-Nafud. The striking color of the sand stands out against the dull tan backdrop of the surrounding landscape. Patches of green along the edges of Al-Nafud mark oases—places where water is plentiful enough to allow vegetation to grow.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 7/27/2023
Resolutions:
1km (188.1 KB), 500m (523.7 KB), 250m (257.7 KB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
The Al-Nafud Desert sweeps across northern Saudia Arabia. Part of the larger Arabian Desert, this sand-filled basin spans about 25,000 square miles (65,000 sq km) and sits at an average elevation of 3,000 feet (900 meters). Al-Nafud is famous for its brick-red sand and massively tall crescent-shaped dunes which are constantly shifting location. It is infamous for its merciless nature—not only is Al-Nafud parched and hot, but it is also frequently battered by sudden and powerful winds that push dense clouds of sand across the desert. Although a popular tourist destination, travel sites caution that the desert should be visited with a knowledgeable guide for safety’s sake.
On July 27, 2023, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board NASA’s Terra satellite acquired a true-color image of Al-Nafud. The striking color of the sand stands out against the dull tan backdrop of the surrounding landscape. Patches of green along the edges of Al-Nafud mark oases—places where water is plentiful enough to allow vegetation to grow.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 7/27/2023
Resolutions:
1km (188.1 KB), 500m (523.7 KB), 250m (257.7 KB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
