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July 12, 2026 - Idaho
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On July 3, 1890, Idaho officially became the 43rd state of the United States of America. Situated in the rugged western portion of the country, the state spans 83,557 square miles, making it the fourteenth-largest state, just behind Utah in area. It borders the states of Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington and, in the far north, the tip of the panhandle borders British Columbia, Canada.
Geographically, Idaho is split into three general regions: the Rocky Mountain region, the Columbia Plateau, and the Basin and Range Province. The Rocky Mountains cover most of the state, especially the north and center. The mountains are divided into 80 ranges, including the Bitterroot range that runs along the boundary with Wyoming along the eastern edge of Idaho. More than 50 peaks top out at over 10,000 feet with Borah Peak in the Wind River Range standing tallest at 12,662 feet.
The Basin and Range Region lies in southeast Idaho. It is filled with ridges, valleys, grassy plateaus, rivers, and streams. The Columbia Plateau spreads across the southern section of the state and surrounds the mighty Snake River. Volcanic activity about 10 million years ago created massive lava flows which helped flatten the land. Today the soil is rich and fertile, supporting agriculture.
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite acquired this true-color image centered on Idaho on July 9, 2026.
The Snake River Plain cuts across the lower section of the image and is darkened by the remnants of volcanic activity. The largest lava flow, created when lava seeped to the surface through rifts in the Earth’s surface, is the circular brownish blemish seen in the southeast. This is called Craters of the Moon. The Wapi Lava Field can also be seen to the south and Hells Half Acre darkens the plain to the east.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 7/9/2026
Resolutions:
1km (150.7 KB), 500m (439 KB), 250m (549.8 KB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
On July 3, 1890, Idaho officially became the 43rd state of the United States of America. Situated in the rugged western portion of the country, the state spans 83,557 square miles, making it the fourteenth-largest state, just behind Utah in area. It borders the states of Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington and, in the far north, the tip of the panhandle borders British Columbia, Canada.
Geographically, Idaho is split into three general regions: the Rocky Mountain region, the Columbia Plateau, and the Basin and Range Province. The Rocky Mountains cover most of the state, especially the north and center. The mountains are divided into 80 ranges, including the Bitterroot range that runs along the boundary with Wyoming along the eastern edge of Idaho. More than 50 peaks top out at over 10,000 feet with Borah Peak in the Wind River Range standing tallest at 12,662 feet.
The Basin and Range Region lies in southeast Idaho. It is filled with ridges, valleys, grassy plateaus, rivers, and streams. The Columbia Plateau spreads across the southern section of the state and surrounds the mighty Snake River. Volcanic activity about 10 million years ago created massive lava flows which helped flatten the land. Today the soil is rich and fertile, supporting agriculture.
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite acquired this true-color image centered on Idaho on July 9, 2026.
The Snake River Plain cuts across the lower section of the image and is darkened by the remnants of volcanic activity. The largest lava flow, created when lava seeped to the surface through rifts in the Earth’s surface, is the circular brownish blemish seen in the southeast. This is called Craters of the Moon. The Wapi Lava Field can also be seen to the south and Hells Half Acre darkens the plain to the east.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 7/9/2026
Resolutions:
1km (150.7 KB), 500m (439 KB), 250m (549.8 KB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
