Images
September 7, 2026 - The Shatt al-Arab
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The Shatt al-Arab River pours fresh water and sediment into the northern Persian Gulf, dramatically coloring the deep blue waters of the Gulf.
On September 3, 2026, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite acquired this true-color image of the Shatt al-Arab and the tan sediment flowing into the Persian Gulf. As sediment sinks, it first appears green and then ultimately light blue before it disappears into deeper waters.
The Shatt al-Arab forms near the town of Al Qurnah, Iraq, where the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers meet. The Karun River of Iran also joins the Shatt al-Arab before it flows into the Persian Gulf. Along the lower reaches, Shatt al-Arab forms the border between Iraq and Iran.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 9/3/2026
Resolutions:
1km (137.2 KB), 500m (350.3 KB), 250m (207.7 KB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
The Shatt al-Arab River pours fresh water and sediment into the northern Persian Gulf, dramatically coloring the deep blue waters of the Gulf.
On September 3, 2026, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite acquired this true-color image of the Shatt al-Arab and the tan sediment flowing into the Persian Gulf. As sediment sinks, it first appears green and then ultimately light blue before it disappears into deeper waters.
The Shatt al-Arab forms near the town of Al Qurnah, Iraq, where the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers meet. The Karun River of Iran also joins the Shatt al-Arab before it flows into the Persian Gulf. Along the lower reaches, Shatt al-Arab forms the border between Iraq and Iran.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 9/3/2026
Resolutions:
1km (137.2 KB), 500m (350.3 KB), 250m (207.7 KB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
