Lake Powell – The Second Largest Reservoir in the United States – Reaches New Low
Water levels at Glen Canyon Dam have fallen to their lowest level since 1969 and are still dropping. As North America approaches the end of…
Earth Observatory
Cumbre Vieja Lights Up the Night – Astronaut Photo Captures Volcanic Eruption From Space
An astronaut photograph shows the proximity of a volcanic eruption to nearby cities on the Spanish island of La Palma. A volcanic eruption on La…
Southern California Under Smoke – Groves of Giant Sequoias Threatened by Intense Fires
The KNP fire complex and Windy fire are threatening groves of giant sequoias and prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders. NASA satellites first detected signs…
Fire Encroaching on Giant Sequoias – California’s Natural Treasures Threatened
In the midst of another brutal fire season, several of California’s natural treasures have also been threatened. In the midst of another brutal fire season that has…
Unusual Snowfall in Greenland – “A Dramatic End to a Season of Extreme Events”
The remnants of Hurricane Larry dropped abundant snowfall on Greenland just as the summer melt season was coming to an end. Hurricanes are known for…
Mapping Methane Emissions in California Using Precision Instruments and Machine-Learning
Using precision instruments and new mapping and machine-learning tools, a research team has been pinpointing sources of the greenhouse gas. In October 2016, an aircraft…
Hurricane Ida Leaves a Trail of Oil in the Gulf of Mexico
Federal and state agencies and private companies are working to find and contain oil leaks in the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane Ida left an extensive trail…
A Changed Landscape in Southern Louisiana After Hurricane Ida: Large New Patches of Open Water
The storm left behind large new patches of open water that scientists will be watching closely to see if vegetation and healthy marshes return. Hurricane…
Rapid Intensification for Super Typhoon Chanthu
The potent storm in the Western Pacific intensified from a tropical depression to a super typhoon in less than 48 hours. In recent years, meteorologists…
Ice Persists in the Northwest Passage, Despite Global Warming
The decline of sea ice in the Arctic has made the passage increasingly viable for ships, but it’s still not always smooth sailing. For centuries,…
Movie Mars on Earth: Wadi Rum as a Stand-In for the Red Planet
Several filmmakers have used the desert landscapes of Wadi Rum as a stand-in for the Red Planet. Wadi Rum looks like few other places on…
Lake Mead – The Largest Reservoir in the United States – Drops to a Record Low
The reservoir stands at its lowest level since the 1930s. Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States and part of a system…
Climate Change Is Pushing Fires to Higher Ground
Wildfires in the western United States have been spreading to higher elevations due to warmer and drier conditions. Scientists have known for decades that climate…
Stunning Astronaut Photo From the Space Station Captures Tokyo’s Lights at Night
Strings of light emanate from the Imperial Palace in the city’s center and follow the expressway system outward. Months before the world turned its eye…
Arc of Fires in the U.S. West – Many Fierce Fires Still Actively Burning
The Caldor fire, nearing the south end of Lake Tahoe, is one of many potent fires still burning at the end of August 2021. As…
Flash Floods From Ida Swamp the Northeast – Areas Hit With 6-10″ of Rain Fall in Just a Few Hours
August 27 – September 2, 2021 Many of the worst-hit areas in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York saw 6 to 10 inches of…
Smoky Skies in the Western Amazon – Fire Activity Driven Primarily by Deforestation Fires
Increasing numbers of deforestation fires are darkening skies in Rondônia and Amazonas. Since the 1970s, tree clearing in the Amazon basin has reduced the size…
NASA Satellite Observes Massive Power Outages in New Orleans
Three days after Hurricane Ida, many people in Louisiana are going without electric power due to downed power lines and damaged transmission towers. Three days…