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](images/154043/glacial-losses-in-the-swiss-alps)

Image of the Day Mar 14, 2025

[Glacial Losses in the Swiss Alps](images/154043/glacial-losses-in-the-swiss-alps)

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Images bridging four decades show where Switzerland’s largest glacier and its neighbors have been losing ice.

[Snow and Ice](/topic/snow-and-ice)

[](/images/154018/what-was-behind-idalias-rapid-intensification)

Featured

### [What Was Behind Idalia’s Rapid Intensification?](/images/154018/what-was-behind-idalias-rapid-intensification)

A new analysis suggests that a large freshwater plume in the hurricane’s path helped fuel its extraordinary growth.

### What Was Behind Idalia’s Rapid Intensification?

[Image of the Day](/topic/image-of-the-day) [Heat](/topic/heat) [Water](/topic/water)

[](/images/154047/bahia-blanca-inundated)

Natural Event Published Mar 14, 2025

### [Bahía Blanca Inundated](/images/154047/bahia-blanca-inundated)

Torrential rains set off dangerous flash flooding in the Argentinian port city.

### Bahía Blanca Inundated

[Atmosphere](/topic/atmosphere) [Water](/topic/water) [Drought](/topic/drought) [Fires](/topic/fires) [Floods](/topic/floods) [Severe Storms](/topic/severe-storms) [Human Presence](/topic/human-presence) [Temperature Extremes](/topic/temperature-extremes)

Atmosphere  

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Snow & Ice  

Water  

Human  

Natural Event  

Life  

Climate Indicators

The World

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[](/blogs//eokids/)

[](/images/154037/nyamulagira-brings-the-heat)

Image

#### [Nyamulagira Brings the Heat](/images/154037/nyamulagira-brings-the-heat)

Clouds parted to reveal fresh lava flows on the slopes of the East African Rift volcano.

Published Mar 13, 2025

[Image of the Day](/topic/image-of-the-day) [Remote Sensing](/topic/remote-sensing)

[](/images/154032/a-small-blue-gray-marble)

Image

#### [A Small Blue-Gray Marble](/images/154032/a-small-blue-gray-marble)

A digital camera on the Blue Ghost lander looked back at Earth and captured this ethereal image.

Published Mar 12, 2025

[Image of the Day](/topic/image-of-the-day) [Atmosphere](/topic/atmosphere)

[](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/earthmatters/?p=12340)

Earth Matters

#### [March Puzzler](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/earthmatters/?p=12340)

Your challenge is to tell us the location of the satellite image and why it is interesting.

Published Mar 11, 2025

[](/images/153978/spotting-disruptions-to-earths-vegetation)

Image

#### [Spotting Disruptions to Earth’s Vegetation](/images/153978/spotting-disruptions-to-earths-vegetation)

Using NASA data, researchers can track vegetation changes around the planet, not just in forests but also in grasslands and savannas like the Brazilian Cerrado.

Published Mar 11, 2025

[Image of the Day](/topic/image-of-the-day) [Land](/topic/land) [Human Presence](/topic/human-presence)

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](/blogs/eokids/)

[](/images/154026/a-bejeweled-plateau)

Image

#### [A Bejeweled Plateau](/images/154026/a-bejeweled-plateau)

The turquoise waters of Ngangla Ringco add vivid color to the otherwise brown landscape in this part of the Tibetan Plateau.

Published Mar 9, 2025

[Image of the Day](/topic/image-of-the-day) [Land](/topic/land)

[](/images/154029/alfreds-strange-and-destructive-journey)

Image

#### [Alfred’s Strange and Destructive Journey](/images/154029/alfreds-strange-and-destructive-journey)

The tropical cyclone took a sharp turn toward Australia’s east coast, bringing flooding and other hazards to an area that rarely sees this type of storm.

Published Mar 7, 2025

[Image of the Day](/topic/image-of-the-day) [Drought](/topic/drought) [Fires](/topic/fires) [Floods](/topic/floods) [Severe Storms](/topic/severe-storms) [Human Presence](/topic/human-presence) [Temperature Extremes](/topic/temperature-extremes)

[](/images/154022/iceberg-grinds-to-a-stop-off-south-georgia-island)

Image

#### [Iceberg Grinds to a Stop off South Georgia Island](/images/154022/iceberg-grinds-to-a-stop-off-south-georgia-island)

Antarctic iceberg A-23A has slowed its drift and appears stuck in the shallow waters off the British overseas territory.

Published Mar 7, 2025

[Image of the Day](/topic/image-of-the-day) [Snow and Ice](/topic/snow-and-ice)

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[](Features/NightLights/)

Article

#### [Earth at Night](Features/NightLights/)

Satellite 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, 2017

[Atmosphere](/topic/atmosphere) [Land](/topic/land) [Human Presence](/topic/human-presence) [Remote Sensing](/topic/remote-sensing)

[](/global-maps/MYDAL2_M_SKY_WV)

Global Maps Jul 2002 — Feb 2025

#### [Water Vapor](/global-maps/MYDAL2_M_SKY_WV)

These maps show the average amount of water vapor in a column of atmosphere by month. Water vapor is the key precursor for rain and snow and one of the most important greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

[Atmosphere](/topic/atmosphere)

[](/images/154015/storm-brings-a-potpourri-of-hazards-to-the-us)

Image

#### [Storm Brings a Potpourri of Hazards to the U.S.](/images/154015/storm-brings-a-potpourri-of-hazards-to-the-us)

A powerful mid-latitude storm fueled dust storms, tornadoes, blizzards, and downpours across the country.  

Published Mar 5, 2025

[Image of the Day](/topic/image-of-the-day) [Atmosphere](/topic/atmosphere) [Land](/topic/land) [Dust and Haze](/topic/dust-and-haze)

[](/images/154011/a-proliferation-of-lakes-on-the-tibetan-plateau)

Image

#### [A Proliferation of Lakes on the Tibetan Plateau](/images/154011/a-proliferation-of-lakes-on-the-tibetan-plateau)

Satellites have documented lakes on the “roof of the world” becoming larger and more numerous over the past three decades.

Published Mar 5, 2025

[Image of the Day](/topic/image-of-the-day) [Land](/topic/land) [Water](/topic/water)

[](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/fromthefield/?p=12611)

Notes from the Field

#### [Adventures and Preparing To Be On the Land](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/fromthefield/?p=12611)

"Leaf-to-orbit" activities began as the campers arrived in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

Published Mar 4, 2025

[](/images/154008/fire-grows-unusually-large-in-japan)

Image

#### [Fire Grows Unusually Large in Japan](/images/154008/fire-grows-unusually-large-in-japan)

Following a record dry month, a fire near Ofunato spread to become the country’s largest in decades.

Published Mar 3, 2025

[Image of the Day](/topic/image-of-the-day) [Land](/topic/land) [Fires](/topic/fires)

[](/global-maps/MOD_LSTAD_M)

Global Maps Feb 2000 — Jan 2025

#### [Land Surface Temperature Anomaly](/global-maps/MOD_LSTAD_M)

These maps depict anomalies in land surface temperatures (LSTs); that is, how much hotter or cooler a region was compared to the long-term average. LST anomalies can indicate heat waves or cold spells.

[Heat](/topic/heat) [Land](/topic/land)

[](/images/154002/snowy-south-georgia-island)

Image

#### [Snowy South Georgia Island](/images/154002/snowy-south-georgia-island)

Penguins outnumber people on this remote, mountainous island in the southern Atlantic Ocean.

Published Mar 2, 2025

[Image of the Day](/topic/image-of-the-day) [Snow and Ice](/topic/snow-and-ice)

[](/global-maps/MOD10C1_M_SNOW)

Global Maps Mar 2000 — Feb 2025

#### [Snow Cover](/global-maps/MOD10C1_M_SNOW)

Snow and ice influence climate by reflecting sunlight back into space. When it melts, snow is a source of water for drinking and vegetation; too much snowmelt can lead to floods. These maps show average snow cover by month.

[Snow and Ice](/topic/snow-and-ice)

[](Features/BlueMarble/)

Article

#### [Blue Marble Next Generation](Features/BlueMarble/)

12 months of high-resolution global true color satellite imagery.

Published Oct 13, 2005

[Atmosphere](/topic/atmosphere) [Land](/topic/land) [Water](/topic/water) [Snow and Ice](/topic/snow-and-ice)

[](/global-maps/MOP_CO_M)

Global Maps Mar 2000 — Oct 2024

#### [Carbon Monoxide](/global-maps/MOP_CO_M)

When 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.

[Atmosphere](/topic/atmosphere)

[](biome/)

Article

#### [Mission: Biomes](biome/)

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, 2020

[Land](/topic/land) [Life](/topic/life)

[](/global-maps/MODAL2_M_AER_RA)

Global Maps Jan 2005 — Sep 2016

#### [Aerosol Size](/global-maps/MODAL2_M_AER_RA)

Sea 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.

[Atmosphere](/topic/atmosphere)

[](/images/154005/summer-heat-wave-in-south-america)

Image

#### [Summer Heat Wave in South America](/images/154005/summer-heat-wave-in-south-america)

February 2025 was a scorcher, with record temperatures in parts of Brazil and notable heat in Argentina.

Published Feb 28, 2025

[Image of the Day](/topic/image-of-the-day) [Heat](/topic/heat) [Drought](/topic/drought) [Fires](/topic/fires) [Floods](/topic/floods) [Severe Storms](/topic/severe-storms) [Temperature Extremes](/topic/temperature-extremes)

[](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/fromthefield/?p=12585)

Notes from the Field

#### [A Colorful Scientific Homecoming](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/fromthefield/?p=12585)

After 31 years, scientist Joaquin Chaves returned to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica for another international expedition.

Published Feb 27, 2025

[Water](/topic/water)

[](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/fromthefield/?p=12575)

Notes from the Field

#### [Preparing for an On-The-Land Camp](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/fromthefield/?p=12575)

A new camp in Canada’s Northwest Territories would allow youth to view wetland environments from a ‘leaf-to-orbit’ perspective.

Published Feb 25, 2025

[](world-of-change)

Article

#### [World of Change](world-of-change)

NASA satellites document how our world—forests, oceans, human landscapes, even the Sun—changes over months, seasons, and years.

Published Apr 29, 2009

[Atmosphere](/topic/atmosphere) [Heat](/topic/heat) [Land](/topic/land) [Life](/topic/life) [Human Presence](/topic/human-presence) [Snow and Ice](/topic/snow-and-ice)

[](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/earthmatters/?p=12331)

Earth Matters

#### [February Puzzler](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/earthmatters/?p=12331)

Your challenge is to tell us the location of the satellite image and why it is interesting.

Published Feb 25, 2025

[](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/fromthefield/?p=12564)

Notes from the Field

#### [Day 12: A Whirlwind Journey](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/fromthefield/?p=12564)

AVUELO's many moving parts has made time fly by by for the campaign’s project scientist.

Published Feb 21, 2025

[](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/fromthefield/?p=12551)

Notes from the Field

#### [Waiting for Better Weather](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/fromthefield/?p=12551)

What does AVUELO have in common with a Joni Mitchell song? The answer lies in the clouds.

Published Feb 19, 2025

[](Features/ColorImage/)

Article

#### [How to Interpret a Satellite Image: Five Tips and Strategies](Features/ColorImage/)

What 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, 2013

[Remote Sensing](/topic/remote-sensing)

[](/global-maps/MOD_NDVI_M)

Global Maps Feb 2000 — Jan 2025

#### [Vegetation](/global-maps/MOD_NDVI_M)

Greenness is an important indicator of health for forests, grasslands, and farms. The greenness of a landscape, or vegetation index, depends on the number and type of plants, how leafy they are, and how healthy they are.

[Land](/topic/land) [Life](/topic/life)

[](images/event/153026/2024-north-atlantic-hurricane-season)

Article

#### [2024 North Atlantic Hurricane Season](images/event/153026/2024-north-atlantic-hurricane-season)

Hurricane season in the basin runs from June 1 to November 30.

Published Jul 1, 2024

[Atmosphere](/topic/atmosphere)

[](collection/1702/renewable-and-alternative-energy)

Article

#### [Renewable and Alternative Energy](collection/1702/renewable-and-alternative-energy)

People 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, 2024

[Land](/topic/land) [Human Presence](/topic/human-presence)

[](collection/1722/air-quality)

Article

#### [Air Quality](collection/1722/air-quality)

From 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, 2024

[Atmosphere](/topic/atmosphere) [Human Presence](/topic/human-presence)

[](images/event/152603/temperature-extremes-2024)

Article

#### [Temperature Extremes 2024](images/event/152603/temperature-extremes-2024)

Warmer-than-average temperatures are showing up locally and globally, with consequences for people, landscapes, and ecosystems.

Published Mar 26, 2024

[Heat](/topic/heat)

[](images/event/152498/2024-fires-in-the-northern-hemisphere)

Article

#### [2024 Fires in the Northern Hemisphere](images/event/152498/2024-fires-in-the-northern-hemisphere)

Whether 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, 2024

[Atmosphere](/topic/atmosphere) [Land](/topic/land) [Human Presence](/topic/human-presence)

[](images/event/151691/temperature-extremes-2023)

Article

#### [Temperature Extremes 2023](images/event/151691/temperature-extremes-2023)

Warmer-than-average temperatures are showing up locally and globally, with consequences for people, landscapes, and ecosystems.

Published Aug 15, 2023

[Heat](/topic/heat)

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