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On January 14, 2025, thick dust filled the eastern Taklamakan Desert, creating a rippling tan cloud that was so thick it obscured the ground from view. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired this true-color image of the scene on that same day.
Located in the arid Tarim Basin in western China, the Taklamakan Desert received no more than 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) of rain each year. Very few plants can survive in the searing heat and parched conditions, and without vegetation to hold sand in place, any strong wind can raise huge dust storms. About 85 percent of the Taklimakan consists of soaring sand dunes that can reach 200-300 meters (650 to 900 feet) high. These dunes shift position over time, pushed by the frequent winds.
The bright blue buildings just east of the dust is Lop Nur, a town that is essentially a large-scale mining operation for potash. This potassium salt provides a major nutrient required for plant growth, making it a key ingredient in fertilizer. The bright blue rectangular shapes show typical features of solar evaporation ponds.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 1/14/2025
Resolutions:
1km (170 KB), 500m (447.5 KB), 250m (522.2 KB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC