Scientists are beginning to unravel what comes next, after the ice moves out and vegetation moves in.
Late-November snowfall blanketed large portions of the country and deposited record-breaking accumulations in Seoul.
Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Severe Storms Snow and Ice Temperature Extremes
The onset of autumn reds and yellows was delayed across the country following several unusually warm months.
Published Dec 14, 2024Accessible to the intrepid boater, Washington state’s northern San Juan Islands include a marine state park with abundant natural beauty and geologic wonders.
Published Dec 13, 2024Two decades of satellite data show that the most destructive U.S. fires burn in grasslands and shrublands fanned by strong winds.
Published Dec 12, 2024The rugged chain of islands is home to thousands of sheep and known for its white sand beaches.
Published Dec 11, 2024A lunette dune fringing this dried Australian lake preserves relics from ancient times, while today’s grazing patterns create sharp visible contrasts on the land.
Published Dec 10, 2024Satellite observations at night indicate that oil, gas, and mining have expanded across Earth’s northern latitudes.
Published Dec 9, 2024An astronaut’s sweeping nighttime photograph of Namibia and South Africa reveals the region’s lighted communities, many of which are centered around mining.
Published Dec 8, 2024Fire activity in the South American nation was remarkably intense and widespread in 2024.
Published Dec 7, 2024The southern California reservoir refilled from historic lows after two above-average years of rain.
Published Dec 6, 2024NASA satellites document how our world—forests, oceans, human landscapes, even the Sun—changes over months, seasons, and years.
Published Apr 29, 2009Ocean temperatures can influence weather, such as hurricane formation, and climate patterns, such as El Niño. These maps show the temperature at the surface of the world’s seas and oceans.
These maps depict monthly total rainfall around the world. Rainfall is the primary source of fresh water for humans, plants, and animals. Rain also moves heat between the atmosphere, oceans, and land.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a different part of the world? What would the weather be like? What kinds of animals would you see? Which plants live there? By investigating these questions, you are learning about biomes.
Published Aug 28, 2020The iconic trees and shrubs of the Florida Everglades are under increased stress due to more frequent, intense hurricanes.
Published Dec 5, 2024What do you do when presented with a new satellite image? Here's what the Earth Observatory team does to understand the view.
Published Nov 18, 2013Colorful swirls of water reveal the presence of phytoplankton in the South Atlantic Ocean near the Falkland Islands.
Published Dec 4, 2024Sea salt, volcanic ash, dust, wildfire smoke, and industrial pollution are types of airborne aerosols. Natural aerosols tend to be larger than human-made aerosols. These maps show when and where aerosols come from nature, humans, or both.
Lake water has quickly filled the void left by a trio of retreating glaciers in the southern part of the state.
Published Nov 28, 2024Your challenge is to tell us the location of the satellite image and why it is interesting.
Published Nov 19, 2024
Hurricane season in the basin runs from June 1 to November 30.
Published Jul 1, 2024People have developed systems to harvest and store energy from sources such as wind, sunlight, and tidal action. Many of these installations are visible from orbit.
Published May 10, 2024From ground-level ozone to particulate matter to nitrogen dioxide, an array of gasses and particles can affect the air people breathe, with implications for human health.
Published Apr 8, 2024When fuels such as coal, wood, and oil burn incompletely, they produce carbon monoxide. The gas is spread by winds and circulation. These maps show monthly averages of CO in the lower atmosphere.
In addition to making rain and snow, clouds can have a warming or cooling influence depending on their altitude, type, and when they form. These maps show what fraction of an area was cloudy each month.
Airborne aerosols can cause or prevent cloud formation and harm human health. These maps depict aerosol concentrations in the air based on how the tiny particles reflect or absorb visible and infrared light.
Warmer-than-average temperatures are showing up locally and globally, with consequences for people, landscapes, and ecosystems.
Published Mar 26, 2024Whether sparked by lightning, intentional land-clearing, or human-caused accidents, wildland fires are burning longer and more often in some areas as the world warms.
Published Feb 27, 2024Satellite images of Earth at night have been a curiosity for the public and a tool of fundamental research for at least 25 years. They have provided a broad, beautiful picture, showing how humans have shaped the planet and lit up the darkness.
Published Apr 12, 2017Warmer-than-average temperatures are showing up locally and globally, with consequences for people, landscapes, and ecosystems.
Published Aug 15, 202312 months of high-resolution global true color satellite imagery.
Published Oct 13, 2005