Saharan Dust over the Mediterranean Sea - related image preview

850 x 1100
121 KB - JPEG

Saharan Dust over the Mediterranean Sea - related image preview

1700 x 2200
377 KB - JPEG

Saharan Dust over the Mediterranean Sea - related image preview

3400 x 4400
1 MB - JPEG

Saharan Dust over the Mediterranean Sea

A large plume of Saharan Desert dust (tan pixels) can be seen arcing across the northern Mediterranean Sea in this true-color image acquired on Aug. 29, 2003, by the Terra MODIS sensor. The dust is easy to distinguish from the much brighter, white clouds in this scene. Parts of Sardinia and Sicily are obscured from view as the dust cloud appears to be moving toward mainland Italy. The red dots shown here on Sicily indicate the locations of hot spots, most likely fires burning on the surface.


Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC

Published August 29, 2003
Data acquired August 29 - 29, 2003

Source:
Terra > MODIS
Topics:
Biosphere > Terrestrial Ecosystems > Deserts
Biosphere > Terrestrial Habitat > Desert
Human Dimensions > Natural Hazards > Fires
Collection:
Visible Earth