diff --git "a/SOURCE_DOCUMENTS/dataset2.txt" "b/SOURCE_DOCUMENTS/dataset2.txt"
new file mode 100644--- /dev/null
+++ "b/SOURCE_DOCUMENTS/dataset2.txt"
@@ -0,0 +1,21623 @@
+One of the wettest wet seasons in northern Australia transformed
+
+large areas of the country’s desert landscape over the course of many months in 2023. A string 
+of major rainfall events that dropped 690 millimeters (27 inches) between October 2022 and 
+April 2023 made it the sixth-wettest season on record since 1900–1901.This series of false-color 
+images illustrates the rainfall’s months-long effects downstream in the Lake Eyre Basin. Water 
+appears in shades of blue, vegetation is green, and bare land is brown. The images were acquired 
+
+by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite between 
+January and July 2023.In the January 22 image (left), water was coursing through seasonally 
+dry channels of the Georgina River and Eyre Creek following weeks of heavy rains in northern 
+Queensland. By April 21 (middle), floodwaters had reached further downstream after another 
+intense period of precipitation in March. This scene shows that water had filled in some of 
+
+the north-northwest trending ridges that are part of a vast fossil landscape of wind-formed 
+dunes, while vegetation had emerged in wet soil upstream. Then by July 26 (right), the riverbed 
+had filled with even more vegetation.The Georgina River and Eyre Creek drain approximately 
+210,000 square kilometers (81,000 square miles), nearly the area of the United Kingdom. Visible 
+in the lower part of the images, the lake gets refreshed about every three years; when it 
+
+reaches especially high levels, it may take 18 months to 2 years to dry up. Two smaller neighboring 
+lakes flood seasonally. These three lakes and surrounding floodplains support hundreds of 
+thousands of waterbirds and are designated as an Important Bird Area.Seasonal flooding is 
+a regular occurrence in these desert river systems. However, the events of the 2022-2023 rainy 
+season stood out in several ways. They occurred while La Niña conditions were in place over 
+
+the tropical Pacific Ocean. (The wettest seasons in northern Australia have all occurred during 
+La Niña years, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.) In addition, major rains occurring 
+in succession, as was the case with the January and March events, have the overall effect 
+of prolonging floods. That’s because vegetation that grows after the first event slows down 
+the pulse of water that comes through in the next rain event.The high water has affected both 
+
+local communities and ecosystems. Floods have inundated cattle farms and isolated towns on 
+temporary islands. At the same time, they are a natural feature of the “boom-and-bust” ecology 
+of Channel Country, providing habitat and nutrients that support biodiversity.NASA Earth Observatory 
+image by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. Story by 
+Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerRepeated heavy rains in Australia set off waves 
+
+of new growth across Channel Country.Image of the Day for August 7, 2023 Image of the Day 
+Land Water View more Images of the Day: Floods The waves off the coast of Teahupo’o can heave 
+a crushing amount of water toward the shore and onto unlucky surfers. Image of the Day Water 
+Waves of heavy rainfall left towns and farmland under water in October 2022. Image of the 
+Day Water Floods Acquired February 26, 2011, and February 5, 2011, these false-color images 
+
+show the impact of heavy rains in marshy areas southeast of Georgetown, Guyana. Land Floods 
+January 22 - July 26, 2023JPEGOne of the wettest wet seasons in northern Australia transformed 
+large areas of the country’s desert landscape over the course of many months in 2023. A string 
+of major rainfall events that dropped 690 millimeters (27 inches) between October 2022 and 
+April 2023 made it the sixth-wettest season on record since 1900–1901.This series of false-color 
+
+images illustrates the rainfall’s months-long effects downstream in the Lake Eyre Basin. Water 
+appears in shades of blue, vegetation is green, and bare land is brown. The images were acquired 
+by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite between 
+January and July 2023.In the January 22 image (left), water was coursing through seasonally 
+dry channels of the Georgina River and Eyre Creek following weeks of heavy rains in northern 
+
+Queensland. By April 21 (middle), floodwaters had reached further downstream after another 
+intense period of precipitation in March. This scene shows that water had filled in some of 
+the north-northwest trending ridges that are part of a vast fossil landscape of wind-formed 
+dunes, while vegetation had emerged in wet soil upstream. Then by July 26 (right), the riverbed 
+had filled with even more vegetation.The Georgina River and Eyre Creek drain approximately 
+
+210,000 square kilometers (81,000 square miles), nearly the area of the United Kingdom. Visible 
+in the lower part of the images, the lake gets refreshed about every three years; when it 
+reaches especially high levels, it may take 18 months to 2 years to dry up. Two smaller neighboring 
+lakes flood seasonally. These three lakes and surrounding floodplains support hundreds of 
+thousands of waterbirds and are designated as an Important Bird Area.Seasonal flooding is 
+
+a regular occurrence in these desert river systems. However, the events of the 2022-2023 rainy 
+season stood out in several ways. They occurred while La Niña conditions were in place over 
+the tropical Pacific Ocean. (The wettest seasons in northern Australia have all occurred during 
+La Niña years, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.) In addition, major rains occurring 
+in succession, as was the case with the January and March events, have the overall effect 
+
+of prolonging floods. That’s because vegetation that grows after the first event slows down 
+the pulse of water that comes through in the next rain event.The high water has affected both 
+local communities and ecosystems. Floods have inundated cattle farms and isolated towns on 
+temporary islands. At the same time, they are a natural feature of the “boom-and-bust” ecology 
+of Channel Country, providing habitat and nutrients that support biodiversity.NASA Earth Observatory 
+
+image by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. Story by 
+Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerRepeated heavy rains in Australia set off waves 
+of new growth across Channel Country.Image of the Day for August 7, 2023 Image of the Day 
+Land Water View more Images of the Day: Floods The waves off the coast of Teahupo’o can heave 
+a crushing amount of water toward the shore and onto unlucky surfers. Image of the Day Water 
+
+Waves of heavy rainfall left towns and farmland under water in October 2022. Image of the 
+Day Water Floods Acquired February 26, 2011, and February 5, 2011, these false-color images 
+show the impact of heavy rains in marshy areas southeast of Georgetown, Guyana. Land Floods 
+August 25, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGAugust 25, 2023September 18, 2023August 25, 2023JPEGSeptember 
+18, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGHeavy rain from a cyclone in the Mediterranean inundated 
+
+cities along the northeastern coast of Libya in early September 2023, causing thousands of 
+deaths. The port city of Derna (Darnah), home to about 90,000 people, was one of the worst 
+hit by the storm and suffered extensive flooding and damage. On September 10 and 11, over 
+100 millimeters (4 inches) of rain fell on Derna. The city lies at the end of a long, narrow 
+valley, called a wadi, which is dry except during the rainy season. Floods triggered two dams 
+
+along the wadi to collapse. The failure of the second dam, located just one kilometer inland 
+of Derna, unleashed 3- to 7-meter-high floodwater that tore through the city. According to 
+news reports, the flash floods destroyed roads and swept entire neighborhoods out to sea. 
+The images above show the city before and after the storm. The image on the right, acquired 
+by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9 on September 18, shows eroded banks 
+
+of Wadi Derna near where it meets the Mediterranean. Water just off the coast appears muddier 
+than in the image on the left, which shows the same area on August 25 and was acquired by 
+Landsat 8. Preliminary estimates by the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) indicate 
+that 3,100 buildings in Derna were damaged by rushing water. According to the UN International 
+Organization for Migration (IOM), about 40,000 people in the country were displaced by the 
+
+storm, and 30,000 of those were displaced from Derna. Tropical-like cyclones in the Mediterranean, 
+or “medicanes,” develop only once or twice a year, according to NOAA, and typically form in 
+autumn. According to meteorologists at Yale Climate Connections, this storm was the deadliest 
+in Africa’s recorded history. A recent assessment by scientists at World Weather Attribution 
+estimated that precipitation received by the region was a one-in-300 to one-in-600-year event. 
+
+NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological 
+Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerFlash floods in the port city 
+destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods out to sea.Image of the Day for September 21, 2023 
+Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The melting 
+of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can send rivers 
+
+out of their banks.A Mediterranean cyclone contributed to deadly flooding along the country’s 
+coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Record rainfall inundated towns and farmland 
+in the country’s Thessaly region. Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence A stalled storm 
+dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive flooding. 
+Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential downpours 
+
+in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Floods 
+Human Presence January 22 - July 26, 2023JPEGOne of the wettest wet seasons in northern Australia 
+transformed large areas of the country’s desert landscape over the course of many months in 
+2023. A string of major rainfall events that dropped 690 millimeters (27 inches) between October 
+2022 and April 2023 made it the sixth-wettest season on record since 1900–1901.This series 
+
+of false-color images illustrates the rainfall’s months-long effects downstream in the Lake 
+Eyre Basin. Water appears in shades of blue, vegetation is green, and bare land is brown. 
+The images were acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s 
+Terra satellite between January and July 2023.In the January 22 image (left), water was coursing 
+through seasonally dry channels of the Georgina River and Eyre Creek following weeks of heavy 
+
+rains in northern Queensland. By April 21 (middle), floodwaters had reached further downstream 
+after another intense period of precipitation in March. This scene shows that water had filled 
+in some of the north-northwest trending ridges that are part of a vast fossil landscape of 
+wind-formed dunes, while vegetation had emerged in wet soil upstream. Then by July 26 (right), 
+the riverbed had filled with even more vegetation.The Georgina River and Eyre Creek drain 
+
+approximately 210,000 square kilometers (81,000 square miles), nearly the area of the United 
+Kingdom. Visible in the lower part of the images, the lake gets refreshed about every three 
+years; when it reaches especially high levels, it may take 18 months to 2 years to dry up. 
+Two smaller neighboring lakes flood seasonally. These three lakes and surrounding floodplains 
+support hundreds of thousands of waterbirds and are designated as an Important Bird Area.Seasonal 
+
+flooding is a regular occurrence in these desert river systems. However, the events of the 
+2022-2023 rainy season stood out in several ways. They occurred while La Niña conditions were 
+in place over the tropical Pacific Ocean. (The wettest seasons in northern Australia have 
+all occurred during La Niña years, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.) In addition, 
+major rains occurring in succession, as was the case with the January and March events, have 
+
+the overall effect of prolonging floods. That’s because vegetation that grows after the first 
+event slows down the pulse of water that comes through in the next rain event.The high water 
+has affected both local communities and ecosystems. Floods have inundated cattle farms and 
+isolated towns on temporary islands. At the same time, they are a natural feature of the “boom-and-bust” 
+ecology of Channel Country, providing habitat and nutrients that support biodiversity.NASA 
+
+Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerRepeated heavy rains in Australia set 
+off waves of new growth across Channel Country.Image of the Day for August 7, 2023 Image of 
+the Day Land Water View more Images of the Day: Floods The waves off the coast of Teahupo’o 
+can heave a crushing amount of water toward the shore and onto unlucky surfers. Image of the 
+
+Day Water Waves of heavy rainfall left towns and farmland under water in October 2022. Image 
+of the Day Water Floods Acquired February 26, 2011, and February 5, 2011, these false-color 
+images show the impact of heavy rains in marshy areas southeast of Georgetown, Guyana. Land 
+Floods August 25, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGAugust 25, 2023September 18, 2023August 25, 
+2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGHeavy rain from a cyclone in the Mediterranean 
+
+inundated cities along the northeastern coast of Libya in early September 2023, causing thousands 
+of deaths. The port city of Derna (Darnah), home to about 90,000 people, was one of the worst 
+hit by the storm and suffered extensive flooding and damage. On September 10 and 11, over 
+100 millimeters (4 inches) of rain fell on Derna. The city lies at the end of a long, narrow 
+valley, called a wadi, which is dry except during the rainy season. Floods triggered two dams 
+
+along the wadi to collapse. The failure of the second dam, located just one kilometer inland 
+of Derna, unleashed 3- to 7-meter-high floodwater that tore through the city. According to 
+news reports, the flash floods destroyed roads and swept entire neighborhoods out to sea. 
+The images above show the city before and after the storm. The image on the right, acquired 
+by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9 on September 18, shows eroded banks 
+
+of Wadi Derna near where it meets the Mediterranean. Water just off the coast appears muddier 
+than in the image on the left, which shows the same area on August 25 and was acquired by 
+Landsat 8. Preliminary estimates by the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) indicate 
+that 3,100 buildings in Derna were damaged by rushing water. According to the UN International 
+Organization for Migration (IOM), about 40,000 people in the country were displaced by the 
+
+storm, and 30,000 of those were displaced from Derna. Tropical-like cyclones in the Mediterranean, 
+or “medicanes,” develop only once or twice a year, according to NOAA, and typically form in 
+autumn. According to meteorologists at Yale Climate Connections, this storm was the deadliest 
+in Africa’s recorded history. A recent assessment by scientists at World Weather Attribution 
+estimated that precipitation received by the region was a one-in-300 to one-in-600-year event. 
+
+NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological 
+Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerFlash floods in the port city 
+destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods out to sea.Image of the Day for September 21, 2023 
+Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The melting 
+of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can send rivers 
+
+out of their banks.A Mediterranean cyclone contributed to deadly flooding along the country’s 
+coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Record rainfall inundated towns and farmland 
+in the country’s Thessaly region. Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence A stalled storm 
+dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive flooding. 
+Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential downpours 
+
+in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Floods 
+Human Presence July 2002 - June 2022JPEGThe deep-blue sea is turning a touch greener. While 
+that may not seem as consequential as, say, record warm sea surface temperatures, the color 
+of the ocean surface is indicative of the ecosystem that lies beneath. Communities of phytoplankton, 
+microscopic photosynthesizing organisms, abound in near-surface waters and are foundational 
+
+to the aquatic food web and carbon cycle. This shift in the water’s hue confirms a trend expected 
+under climate change and signals changes to ecosystems within the global ocean, which covers 
+70 percent of Earth’s surface. Researchers led by B. B. Cael, a principal scientist at the 
+U.K.’s National Oceanography Centre, revealed that 56 percent of the global sea surface has 
+undergone a significant change in color in the past 20 years. After analyzing ocean color 
+
+data from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument on NASA’s Aqua 
+satellite, they found that much of the change stems from the ocean turning more green. The 
+map above highlights the areas where ocean surface color changed between 2002 and 2022, with 
+darker shades of green representing more-significant differences (higher signal-to-noise ratio). 
+By extension, said Cael, “these are places we can detect a change in the ocean ecosystem in 
+
+the last 20 years.” The study focused on tropical and subtropical regions, excluding higher 
+latitudes, which are dark for part of the year, and coastal waters, where the data are naturally 
+very noisy. The black dots on the map indicate the area, covering 12 percent of the ocean’s 
+surface, where chlorophyll levels also changed over the study period. Chlorophyll has been 
+the go-to measurement for remote sensing scientists to gauge phytoplankton abundance and productivity. 
+
+However, those estimates use only a few colors in the visible light spectrum. The values shown 
+in green are based on the whole gamut of colors and therefore capture more information about 
+the ecosystem as a whole. A long time series from a single sensor is relatively rare in the 
+remote sensing world. As the Aqua satellite was celebrating its 20th year in orbit in 2022—far 
+exceeding its design life of 6 years—Cael wondered what long term trends could be discovered 
+
+in the data. In particular, he was curious what might have been missed in all the ocean color 
+information it had collected. “There’s more encoded in the data than we actually make use 
+of,” he said. By going big with the data, the team discerned an ocean color trend that had 
+been predicted by climate modeling, but one that was expected to take 30-40 years of data 
+to detect using satellite-based chlorophyll estimates. That’s because the natural variability 
+
+in chlorophyll is high relative to the climate change trend. The new method, incorporating 
+all visible light, was robust enough to confirm the trend in 20 years. At this stage, it is 
+difficult to say what exact ecological changes are responsible for the new hues. However, 
+the authors posit, they could result from different assemblages of plankton, more detrital 
+particles, or other organisms such as zooplankton. It is unlikely the color changes come from 
+
+materials such as plastics or other pollutants, said Cael, since they are not widespread enough 
+to register at large scales. “What we do know is that in the last 20 years, the ocean has 
+become more stratified,” he said. Surface waters have absorbed excess heat from the warming 
+climate, and as a result, they are less prone to mixing with deeper, more nutrient-rich layers. 
+This scenario would favor plankton adapted to a nutrient-poor environment. The areas of ocean 
+
+color change align well with where the sea has become more stratified, said Cael, but there 
+is no such overlap with sea surface temperature changes. More insights into Earth’s aquatic 
+ecosystems may soon be on the way. NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) 
+satellite, set to launch in 2024, will return observations in finer color resolution. The 
+new data will enable researchers to infer more information about ocean ecology, such as the 
+
+diversity of phytoplankton species and the rates of phytoplankton growth. NASA Earth Observatory 
+image by Wanmei Liang, using data from Cael, B. B., et al. (2023). Story by Lindsey Doermann.Two 
+decades of satellite measurements show that the sea surface is shading toward green.Image 
+of the Day for October 2, 2023 Image of the Day Life Water View more Images of the Day:Datasets 
+from the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite will build upon three decades of sea level 
+
+measurements. Image of the Day Heat Water Remote Sensing Image of the Day Life Water Image 
+of the Day Water The use of plastic on farms has become so common in recent decades that there 
+there’s a term for it—plasticulture. Image of the Day Human Presence January 22 - July 26, 
+2023JPEGOne of the wettest wet seasons in northern Australia transformed large areas of the 
+country’s desert landscape over the course of many months in 2023. A string of major rainfall 
+
+events that dropped 690 millimeters (27 inches) between October 2022 and April 2023 made it 
+the sixth-wettest season on record since 1900–1901.This series of false-color images illustrates 
+the rainfall’s months-long effects downstream in the Lake Eyre Basin. Water appears in shades 
+of blue, vegetation is green, and bare land is brown. The images were acquired by the Moderate 
+Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite between January and 
+
+July 2023.In the January 22 image (left), water was coursing through seasonally dry channels 
+of the Georgina River and Eyre Creek following weeks of heavy rains in northern Queensland. 
+By April 21 (middle), floodwaters had reached further downstream after another intense period 
+of precipitation in March. This scene shows that water had filled in some of the north-northwest 
+trending ridges that are part of a vast fossil landscape of wind-formed dunes, while vegetation 
+
+had emerged in wet soil upstream. Then by July 26 (right), the riverbed had filled with even 
+more vegetation.The Georgina River and Eyre Creek drain approximately 210,000 square kilometers 
+(81,000 square miles), nearly the area of the United Kingdom. Visible in the lower part of 
+the images, the lake gets refreshed about every three years; when it reaches especially high 
+levels, it may take 18 months to 2 years to dry up. Two smaller neighboring lakes flood seasonally. 
+
+These three lakes and surrounding floodplains support hundreds of thousands of waterbirds 
+and are designated as an Important Bird Area.Seasonal flooding is a regular occurrence in 
+these desert river systems. However, the events of the 2022-2023 rainy season stood out in 
+several ways. They occurred while La Niña conditions were in place over the tropical Pacific 
+Ocean. (The wettest seasons in northern Australia have all occurred during La Niña years, 
+
+according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.) In addition, major rains occurring in succession, 
+as was the case with the January and March events, have the overall effect of prolonging floods. 
+That’s because vegetation that grows after the first event slows down the pulse of water that 
+comes through in the next rain event.The high water has affected both local communities and 
+ecosystems. Floods have inundated cattle farms and isolated towns on temporary islands. At 
+
+the same time, they are a natural feature of the “boom-and-bust” ecology of Channel Country, 
+providing habitat and nutrients that support biodiversity.NASA Earth Observatory image by 
+Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. Story by Lindsey 
+Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerRepeated heavy rains in Australia set off waves of new 
+growth across Channel Country.Image of the Day for August 7, 2023 Image of the Day Land Water 
+
+View more Images of the Day: Floods The waves off the coast of Teahupo’o can heave a crushing 
+amount of water toward the shore and onto unlucky surfers. Image of the Day Water Waves of 
+heavy rainfall left towns and farmland under water in October 2022. Image of the Day Water 
+Floods Acquired February 26, 2011, and February 5, 2011, these false-color images show the 
+impact of heavy rains in marshy areas southeast of Georgetown, Guyana. Land Floods August 
+
+25, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGAugust 25, 2023September 18, 2023August 25, 2023JPEGSeptember 
+18, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGHeavy rain from a cyclone in the Mediterranean inundated 
+cities along the northeastern coast of Libya in early September 2023, causing thousands of 
+deaths. The port city of Derna (Darnah), home to about 90,000 people, was one of the worst 
+hit by the storm and suffered extensive flooding and damage. On September 10 and 11, over 
+
+100 millimeters (4 inches) of rain fell on Derna. The city lies at the end of a long, narrow 
+valley, called a wadi, which is dry except during the rainy season. Floods triggered two dams 
+along the wadi to collapse. The failure of the second dam, located just one kilometer inland 
+of Derna, unleashed 3- to 7-meter-high floodwater that tore through the city. According to 
+news reports, the flash floods destroyed roads and swept entire neighborhoods out to sea. 
+
+The images above show the city before and after the storm. The image on the right, acquired 
+by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9 on September 18, shows eroded banks 
+of Wadi Derna near where it meets the Mediterranean. Water just off the coast appears muddier 
+than in the image on the left, which shows the same area on August 25 and was acquired by 
+Landsat 8. Preliminary estimates by the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) indicate 
+
+that 3,100 buildings in Derna were damaged by rushing water. According to the UN International 
+Organization for Migration (IOM), about 40,000 people in the country were displaced by the 
+storm, and 30,000 of those were displaced from Derna. Tropical-like cyclones in the Mediterranean, 
+or “medicanes,” develop only once or twice a year, according to NOAA, and typically form in 
+autumn. According to meteorologists at Yale Climate Connections, this storm was the deadliest 
+
+in Africa’s recorded history. A recent assessment by scientists at World Weather Attribution 
+estimated that precipitation received by the region was a one-in-300 to one-in-600-year event. 
+NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological 
+Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerFlash floods in the port city 
+destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods out to sea.Image of the Day for September 21, 2023 
+
+Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The melting 
+of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can send rivers 
+out of their banks.A Mediterranean cyclone contributed to deadly flooding along the country’s 
+coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Record rainfall inundated towns and farmland 
+in the country’s Thessaly region. Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence A stalled storm 
+
+dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive flooding. 
+Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential downpours 
+in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Floods 
+Human Presence July 2002 - June 2022JPEGThe deep-blue sea is turning a touch greener. While 
+that may not seem as consequential as, say, record warm sea surface temperatures, the color 
+
+of the ocean surface is indicative of the ecosystem that lies beneath. Communities of phytoplankton, 
+microscopic photosynthesizing organisms, abound in near-surface waters and are foundational 
+to the aquatic food web and carbon cycle. This shift in the water’s hue confirms a trend expected 
+under climate change and signals changes to ecosystems within the global ocean, which covers 
+70 percent of Earth’s surface. Researchers led by B. B. Cael, a principal scientist at the 
+
+U.K.’s National Oceanography Centre, revealed that 56 percent of the global sea surface has 
+undergone a significant change in color in the past 20 years. After analyzing ocean color 
+data from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument on NASA’s Aqua 
+satellite, they found that much of the change stems from the ocean turning more green. The 
+map above highlights the areas where ocean surface color changed between 2002 and 2022, with 
+
+darker shades of green representing more-significant differences (higher signal-to-noise ratio). 
+By extension, said Cael, “these are places we can detect a change in the ocean ecosystem in 
+the last 20 years.” The study focused on tropical and subtropical regions, excluding higher 
+latitudes, which are dark for part of the year, and coastal waters, where the data are naturally 
+very noisy. The black dots on the map indicate the area, covering 12 percent of the ocean’s 
+
+surface, where chlorophyll levels also changed over the study period. Chlorophyll has been 
+the go-to measurement for remote sensing scientists to gauge phytoplankton abundance and productivity. 
+However, those estimates use only a few colors in the visible light spectrum. The values shown 
+in green are based on the whole gamut of colors and therefore capture more information about 
+the ecosystem as a whole. A long time series from a single sensor is relatively rare in the 
+
+remote sensing world. As the Aqua satellite was celebrating its 20th year in orbit in 2022—far 
+exceeding its design life of 6 years—Cael wondered what long term trends could be discovered 
+in the data. In particular, he was curious what might have been missed in all the ocean color 
+information it had collected. “There’s more encoded in the data than we actually make use 
+of,” he said. By going big with the data, the team discerned an ocean color trend that had 
+
+been predicted by climate modeling, but one that was expected to take 30-40 years of data 
+to detect using satellite-based chlorophyll estimates. That’s because the natural variability 
+in chlorophyll is high relative to the climate change trend. The new method, incorporating 
+all visible light, was robust enough to confirm the trend in 20 years. At this stage, it is 
+difficult to say what exact ecological changes are responsible for the new hues. However, 
+
+the authors posit, they could result from different assemblages of plankton, more detrital 
+particles, or other organisms such as zooplankton. It is unlikely the color changes come from 
+materials such as plastics or other pollutants, said Cael, since they are not widespread enough 
+to register at large scales. “What we do know is that in the last 20 years, the ocean has 
+become more stratified,” he said. Surface waters have absorbed excess heat from the warming 
+
+climate, and as a result, they are less prone to mixing with deeper, more nutrient-rich layers. 
+This scenario would favor plankton adapted to a nutrient-poor environment. The areas of ocean 
+color change align well with where the sea has become more stratified, said Cael, but there 
+is no such overlap with sea surface temperature changes. More insights into Earth’s aquatic 
+ecosystems may soon be on the way. NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) 
+
+satellite, set to launch in 2024, will return observations in finer color resolution. The 
+new data will enable researchers to infer more information about ocean ecology, such as the 
+diversity of phytoplankton species and the rates of phytoplankton growth. NASA Earth Observatory 
+image by Wanmei Liang, using data from Cael, B. B., et al. (2023). Story by Lindsey Doermann.Two 
+decades of satellite measurements show that the sea surface is shading toward green.Image 
+
+of the Day for October 2, 2023 Image of the Day Life Water View more Images of the Day:Datasets 
+from the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite will build upon three decades of sea level 
+measurements. Image of the Day Heat Water Remote Sensing Image of the Day Life Water Image 
+of the Day Water The use of plastic on farms has become so common in recent decades that there 
+there’s a term for it—plasticulture. Image of the Day Human Presence August 16, 2023JPEGThe 
+
+Canary Islands were at the center of a mélange of natural events in summer 2023. The Moderate 
+Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this assemblage 
+of phenomena off the coast of Africa on August 16, 2023.In the center of the scene, smoke 
+is seen rising from a wildfire burning on Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The blaze started 
+amid hot and dry conditions on August 15 in forests surrounding the Teide Volcano. Authorities 
+
+issued evacuation orders to five villages, and responders focused on containing the fire’s 
+spread and protecting residential areas near the coast, according to news reports. Other fires 
+have burned on the Canary Islands this summer, including on La Palma in July.To the west, 
+a swirling cloud moves across the Atlantic. Cloud vortices appear routinely downwind of the 
+Canary Islands—sometimes in great abundance—and are produced when the tall volcanic peaks 
+
+disrupt the air flowing past them.Elsewhere in the atmosphere, dust from the Sahara Desert 
+was lofted out over the ocean. The river of dust crossing the Atlantic was more pronounced 
+in previous days, when it reached islands in the Caribbean. Traveling on the Saharan Air Layer, 
+dust sometimes makes it even further west toward Central America and the U.S. states of Florida 
+and Texas.To round out the list, the patch of bright blue off the Moroccan coast is most likely 
+
+a bloom of phytoplankton. While the exact cause and composition of the bloom cannot be determined 
+from this image, mineral-rich desert dust has been shown to set off bursts of phytoplankton 
+growth.In addition to the Earth’s processes seen here, one remote sensing artifact is present. 
+A diagonal streak of sunglint makes part of this scene appear washed out. Sunglint, an effect 
+that occurs when sunlight reflects off the surface of the water at the same angle that a satellite 
+
+sensor views it, is also the reason for the light-colored streaks trailing off the islands.NASA 
+Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerAn assortment of natural phenomena 
+visible from space appeared together in one image.Image of the Day for August 17, 2023 Image 
+of the Day Atmosphere Land Water View more Images of the Day:Flights were grounded as visibility 
+
+was severely hampered by a Calima event. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze Human 
+Presence In one frame International Space Station astronauts were able to capture the evolution 
+of fringing reefs to atolls. As with the Hawaiian Islands, these volcanic hot spot islands 
+become progressively older to the northwest. As these islands move away from their magma sources 
+they erode and subside. Image of the Day Land Water The dry, volcanic terrain of this Canary 
+
+Island is suitable for lichen and crops … and for training astronauts. Image of the Day Land 
+The event, known locally as “la calima,” turned skies orange and degraded air quality in Gran 
+Canaria and neighboring islands. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze January 22 
+- July 26, 2023JPEGOne of the wettest wet seasons in northern Australia transformed large 
+areas of the country’s desert landscape over the course of many months in 2023. A string of 
+
+major rainfall events that dropped 690 millimeters (27 inches) between October 2022 and April 
+2023 made it the sixth-wettest season on record since 1900–1901.This series of false-color 
+images illustrates the rainfall’s months-long effects downstream in the Lake Eyre Basin. Water 
+appears in shades of blue, vegetation is green, and bare land is brown. The images were acquired 
+by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite between 
+
+January and July 2023.In the January 22 image (left), water was coursing through seasonally 
+dry channels of the Georgina River and Eyre Creek following weeks of heavy rains in northern 
+Queensland. By April 21 (middle), floodwaters had reached further downstream after another 
+intense period of precipitation in March. This scene shows that water had filled in some of 
+the north-northwest trending ridges that are part of a vast fossil landscape of wind-formed 
+
+dunes, while vegetation had emerged in wet soil upstream. Then by July 26 (right), the riverbed 
+had filled with even more vegetation.The Georgina River and Eyre Creek drain approximately 
+210,000 square kilometers (81,000 square miles), nearly the area of the United Kingdom. Visible 
+in the lower part of the images, the lake gets refreshed about every three years; when it 
+reaches especially high levels, it may take 18 months to 2 years to dry up. Two smaller neighboring 
+
+lakes flood seasonally. These three lakes and surrounding floodplains support hundreds of 
+thousands of waterbirds and are designated as an Important Bird Area.Seasonal flooding is 
+a regular occurrence in these desert river systems. However, the events of the 2022-2023 rainy 
+season stood out in several ways. They occurred while La Niña conditions were in place over 
+the tropical Pacific Ocean. (The wettest seasons in northern Australia have all occurred during 
+
+La Niña years, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.) In addition, major rains occurring 
+in succession, as was the case with the January and March events, have the overall effect 
+of prolonging floods. That’s because vegetation that grows after the first event slows down 
+the pulse of water that comes through in the next rain event.The high water has affected both 
+local communities and ecosystems. Floods have inundated cattle farms and isolated towns on 
+
+temporary islands. At the same time, they are a natural feature of the “boom-and-bust” ecology 
+of Channel Country, providing habitat and nutrients that support biodiversity.NASA Earth Observatory 
+image by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. Story by 
+Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerRepeated heavy rains in Australia set off waves 
+of new growth across Channel Country.Image of the Day for August 7, 2023 Image of the Day 
+
+Land Water View more Images of the Day: Floods The waves off the coast of Teahupo’o can heave 
+a crushing amount of water toward the shore and onto unlucky surfers. Image of the Day Water 
+Waves of heavy rainfall left towns and farmland under water in October 2022. Image of the 
+Day Water Floods Acquired February 26, 2011, and February 5, 2011, these false-color images 
+show the impact of heavy rains in marshy areas southeast of Georgetown, Guyana. Land Floods 
+
+August 25, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGAugust 25, 2023September 18, 2023August 25, 2023JPEGSeptember 
+18, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGHeavy rain from a cyclone in the Mediterranean inundated 
+cities along the northeastern coast of Libya in early September 2023, causing thousands of 
+deaths. The port city of Derna (Darnah), home to about 90,000 people, was one of the worst 
+hit by the storm and suffered extensive flooding and damage. On September 10 and 11, over 
+
+100 millimeters (4 inches) of rain fell on Derna. The city lies at the end of a long, narrow 
+valley, called a wadi, which is dry except during the rainy season. Floods triggered two dams 
+along the wadi to collapse. The failure of the second dam, located just one kilometer inland 
+of Derna, unleashed 3- to 7-meter-high floodwater that tore through the city. According to 
+news reports, the flash floods destroyed roads and swept entire neighborhoods out to sea. 
+
+The images above show the city before and after the storm. The image on the right, acquired 
+by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9 on September 18, shows eroded banks 
+of Wadi Derna near where it meets the Mediterranean. Water just off the coast appears muddier 
+than in the image on the left, which shows the same area on August 25 and was acquired by 
+Landsat 8. Preliminary estimates by the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) indicate 
+
+that 3,100 buildings in Derna were damaged by rushing water. According to the UN International 
+Organization for Migration (IOM), about 40,000 people in the country were displaced by the 
+storm, and 30,000 of those were displaced from Derna. Tropical-like cyclones in the Mediterranean, 
+or “medicanes,” develop only once or twice a year, according to NOAA, and typically form in 
+autumn. According to meteorologists at Yale Climate Connections, this storm was the deadliest 
+
+in Africa’s recorded history. A recent assessment by scientists at World Weather Attribution 
+estimated that precipitation received by the region was a one-in-300 to one-in-600-year event. 
+NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological 
+Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerFlash floods in the port city 
+destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods out to sea.Image of the Day for September 21, 2023 
+
+Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The melting 
+of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can send rivers 
+out of their banks.A Mediterranean cyclone contributed to deadly flooding along the country’s 
+coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Record rainfall inundated towns and farmland 
+in the country’s Thessaly region. Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence A stalled storm 
+
+dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive flooding. 
+Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential downpours 
+in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Floods 
+Human Presence July 2002 - June 2022JPEGThe deep-blue sea is turning a touch greener. While 
+that may not seem as consequential as, say, record warm sea surface temperatures, the color 
+
+of the ocean surface is indicative of the ecosystem that lies beneath. Communities of phytoplankton, 
+microscopic photosynthesizing organisms, abound in near-surface waters and are foundational 
+to the aquatic food web and carbon cycle. This shift in the water’s hue confirms a trend expected 
+under climate change and signals changes to ecosystems within the global ocean, which covers 
+70 percent of Earth’s surface. Researchers led by B. B. Cael, a principal scientist at the 
+
+U.K.’s National Oceanography Centre, revealed that 56 percent of the global sea surface has 
+undergone a significant change in color in the past 20 years. After analyzing ocean color 
+data from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument on NASA’s Aqua 
+satellite, they found that much of the change stems from the ocean turning more green. The 
+map above highlights the areas where ocean surface color changed between 2002 and 2022, with 
+
+darker shades of green representing more-significant differences (higher signal-to-noise ratio). 
+By extension, said Cael, “these are places we can detect a change in the ocean ecosystem in 
+the last 20 years.” The study focused on tropical and subtropical regions, excluding higher 
+latitudes, which are dark for part of the year, and coastal waters, where the data are naturally 
+very noisy. The black dots on the map indicate the area, covering 12 percent of the ocean’s 
+
+surface, where chlorophyll levels also changed over the study period. Chlorophyll has been 
+the go-to measurement for remote sensing scientists to gauge phytoplankton abundance and productivity. 
+However, those estimates use only a few colors in the visible light spectrum. The values shown 
+in green are based on the whole gamut of colors and therefore capture more information about 
+the ecosystem as a whole. A long time series from a single sensor is relatively rare in the 
+
+remote sensing world. As the Aqua satellite was celebrating its 20th year in orbit in 2022—far 
+exceeding its design life of 6 years—Cael wondered what long term trends could be discovered 
+in the data. In particular, he was curious what might have been missed in all the ocean color 
+information it had collected. “There’s more encoded in the data than we actually make use 
+of,” he said. By going big with the data, the team discerned an ocean color trend that had 
+
+been predicted by climate modeling, but one that was expected to take 30-40 years of data 
+to detect using satellite-based chlorophyll estimates. That’s because the natural variability 
+in chlorophyll is high relative to the climate change trend. The new method, incorporating 
+all visible light, was robust enough to confirm the trend in 20 years. At this stage, it is 
+difficult to say what exact ecological changes are responsible for the new hues. However, 
+
+the authors posit, they could result from different assemblages of plankton, more detrital 
+particles, or other organisms such as zooplankton. It is unlikely the color changes come from 
+materials such as plastics or other pollutants, said Cael, since they are not widespread enough 
+to register at large scales. “What we do know is that in the last 20 years, the ocean has 
+become more stratified,” he said. Surface waters have absorbed excess heat from the warming 
+
+climate, and as a result, they are less prone to mixing with deeper, more nutrient-rich layers. 
+This scenario would favor plankton adapted to a nutrient-poor environment. The areas of ocean 
+color change align well with where the sea has become more stratified, said Cael, but there 
+is no such overlap with sea surface temperature changes. More insights into Earth’s aquatic 
+ecosystems may soon be on the way. NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) 
+
+satellite, set to launch in 2024, will return observations in finer color resolution. The 
+new data will enable researchers to infer more information about ocean ecology, such as the 
+diversity of phytoplankton species and the rates of phytoplankton growth. NASA Earth Observatory 
+image by Wanmei Liang, using data from Cael, B. B., et al. (2023). Story by Lindsey Doermann.Two 
+decades of satellite measurements show that the sea surface is shading toward green.Image 
+
+of the Day for October 2, 2023 Image of the Day Life Water View more Images of the Day:Datasets 
+from the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite will build upon three decades of sea level 
+measurements. Image of the Day Heat Water Remote Sensing Image of the Day Life Water Image 
+of the Day Water The use of plastic on farms has become so common in recent decades that there 
+there’s a term for it—plasticulture. Image of the Day Human Presence August 16, 2023JPEGThe 
+
+Canary Islands were at the center of a mélange of natural events in summer 2023. The Moderate 
+Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this assemblage 
+of phenomena off the coast of Africa on August 16, 2023.In the center of the scene, smoke 
+is seen rising from a wildfire burning on Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The blaze started 
+amid hot and dry conditions on August 15 in forests surrounding the Teide Volcano. Authorities 
+
+issued evacuation orders to five villages, and responders focused on containing the fire’s 
+spread and protecting residential areas near the coast, according to news reports. Other fires 
+have burned on the Canary Islands this summer, including on La Palma in July.To the west, 
+a swirling cloud moves across the Atlantic. Cloud vortices appear routinely downwind of the 
+Canary Islands—sometimes in great abundance—and are produced when the tall volcanic peaks 
+
+disrupt the air flowing past them.Elsewhere in the atmosphere, dust from the Sahara Desert 
+was lofted out over the ocean. The river of dust crossing the Atlantic was more pronounced 
+in previous days, when it reached islands in the Caribbean. Traveling on the Saharan Air Layer, 
+dust sometimes makes it even further west toward Central America and the U.S. states of Florida 
+and Texas.To round out the list, the patch of bright blue off the Moroccan coast is most likely 
+
+a bloom of phytoplankton. While the exact cause and composition of the bloom cannot be determined 
+from this image, mineral-rich desert dust has been shown to set off bursts of phytoplankton 
+growth.In addition to the Earth’s processes seen here, one remote sensing artifact is present. 
+A diagonal streak of sunglint makes part of this scene appear washed out. Sunglint, an effect 
+that occurs when sunlight reflects off the surface of the water at the same angle that a satellite 
+
+sensor views it, is also the reason for the light-colored streaks trailing off the islands.NASA 
+Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerAn assortment of natural phenomena 
+visible from space appeared together in one image.Image of the Day for August 17, 2023 Image 
+of the Day Atmosphere Land Water View more Images of the Day:Flights were grounded as visibility 
+
+was severely hampered by a Calima event. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze Human 
+Presence In one frame International Space Station astronauts were able to capture the evolution 
+of fringing reefs to atolls. As with the Hawaiian Islands, these volcanic hot spot islands 
+become progressively older to the northwest. As these islands move away from their magma sources 
+they erode and subside. Image of the Day Land Water The dry, volcanic terrain of this Canary 
+
+Island is suitable for lichen and crops … and for training astronauts. Image of the Day Land 
+The event, known locally as “la calima,” turned skies orange and degraded air quality in Gran 
+Canaria and neighboring islands. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze July 17, 2023JPEGFour 
+funnel-shaped estuarine inlets, collectively known as Rías Baixas, line the coast of Galicia, 
+in northwest Spain. The nutrient-rich water in these inlets supports a wealth of marine life, 
+
+making the Galicia coast one of the most productive places for aquaculture.On July 17, 2023, 
+the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, acquired this image of the Rías de Arousa 
+(Arousa estuary), the largest and northernmost of the inlets. Small dots skirt the coasts 
+of the embayment. In most cases, these dots are rectangular rafts designed for raising bivalves 
+like mussels. Buoys keep the lattice mussel rafts afloat on the surface of the water, and 
+
+hundreds of ropes are suspended into the water column from each structure. Mussels attach 
+to the ropes and filter feed on phytoplankton and other suspended organic particles. The rafts 
+allow for high yields of mussels in a small area of the water. The Rías Baixas are on the 
+northern end of the Canary current and are in a major upwelling zone. Upwelling, which brings 
+colder, nutrient-rich water up from the bottom of the ocean, typically occurs in this area 
+
+between April and October. Much of the mussel production in the Rías Baixas occurs during 
+this time, as the mollusks filter feed on nutrients and plentiful phytoplankton supported 
+by upwelling. Spain is the top mussel producing country in the world. Rías de Arousa alone 
+contains over 2,400 mussel rafts, producing about 40 percent of Europe’s mussels. NASA Earth 
+Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story 
+
+by Emily Cassidy. Buoys keep the lattice mussel rafts afloat on the surface of the water, 
+and hundreds of ropes are suspended into the water column from each structure. Mussels attach 
+to the ropes and filter feed on phytoplankton and other suspended organic particles. The rafts 
+allow for high yields of mussels in a small area of the water. The Rías Baixas are on the 
+northern end of the Canary current and are in a major upwelling zone. Upwelling, which brings 
+
+colder, nutrient-rich water up from the bottom of the ocean, typically occurs in this area 
+between April and October. Much of the mussel production in the Rías Baixas occurs during 
+this time, as the mollusks filter feed on nutrients and plentiful phytoplankton supported 
+by upwelling. Spain is the top mussel producing country in the world. Rías de Arousa alone 
+contains over 2,400 mussel rafts, producing about 40 percent of Europe’s mussels. NASA Earth 
+
+Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story 
+by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerThe estuarine inlets of Spain’s Galicia coast 
+are some of the most productive places to grow mussels.Image of the Day for September 19, 
+2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of the Day: Dust and Haze This 
+image shows Tropical Cyclones Eric and Fanele near Madagascar on January 19, 2009. Atmosphere 
+
+Water Severe Storms This natural-color image shows Saharan dust forming an S-shaped curve 
+off the western coast of Africa, and passing directly over Cape Verde. Atmosphere Land Dust 
+and Haze Acquired March 8, 2010, this true-color image shows two icebergs, Iceberg B-09B and 
+an iceberg recently broken off the Mertz Glacier, floating in the Southern Ocean, just off 
+the George V Coast. Water Snow and Ice Sea and Lake Ice January 22 - July 26, 2023JPEGOne 
+
+of the wettest wet seasons in northern Australia transformed large areas of the country’s 
+desert landscape over the course of many months in 2023. A string of major rainfall events 
+that dropped 690 millimeters (27 inches) between October 2022 and April 2023 made it the sixth-wettest 
+season on record since 1900–1901.This series of false-color images illustrates the rainfall’s 
+months-long effects downstream in the Lake Eyre Basin. Water appears in shades of blue, vegetation 
+
+is green, and bare land is brown. The images were acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite between January and July 2023.In the January 
+22 image (left), water was coursing through seasonally dry channels of the Georgina River 
+and Eyre Creek following weeks of heavy rains in northern Queensland. By April 21 (middle), 
+floodwaters had reached further downstream after another intense period of precipitation in 
+
+March. This scene shows that water had filled in some of the north-northwest trending ridges 
+that are part of a vast fossil landscape of wind-formed dunes, while vegetation had emerged 
+in wet soil upstream. Then by July 26 (right), the riverbed had filled with even more vegetation.The 
+Georgina River and Eyre Creek drain approximately 210,000 square kilometers (81,000 square 
+miles), nearly the area of the United Kingdom. Visible in the lower part of the images, the 
+
+lake gets refreshed about every three years; when it reaches especially high levels, it may 
+take 18 months to 2 years to dry up. Two smaller neighboring lakes flood seasonally. These 
+three lakes and surrounding floodplains support hundreds of thousands of waterbirds and are 
+designated as an Important Bird Area.Seasonal flooding is a regular occurrence in these desert 
+river systems. However, the events of the 2022-2023 rainy season stood out in several ways. 
+
+They occurred while La Niña conditions were in place over the tropical Pacific Ocean. (The 
+wettest seasons in northern Australia have all occurred during La Niña years, according to 
+Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.) In addition, major rains occurring in succession, as was 
+the case with the January and March events, have the overall effect of prolonging floods. 
+That’s because vegetation that grows after the first event slows down the pulse of water that 
+
+comes through in the next rain event.The high water has affected both local communities and 
+ecosystems. Floods have inundated cattle farms and isolated towns on temporary islands. At 
+the same time, they are a natural feature of the “boom-and-bust” ecology of Channel Country, 
+providing habitat and nutrients that support biodiversity.NASA Earth Observatory image by 
+Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. Story by Lindsey 
+
+Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerRepeated heavy rains in Australia set off waves of new 
+growth across Channel Country.Image of the Day for August 7, 2023 Image of the Day Land Water 
+View more Images of the Day: Floods The waves off the coast of Teahupo’o can heave a crushing 
+amount of water toward the shore and onto unlucky surfers. Image of the Day Water Waves of 
+heavy rainfall left towns and farmland under water in October 2022. Image of the Day Water 
+
+Floods Acquired February 26, 2011, and February 5, 2011, these false-color images show the 
+impact of heavy rains in marshy areas southeast of Georgetown, Guyana. Land Floods August 
+25, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGAugust 25, 2023September 18, 2023August 25, 2023JPEGSeptember 
+18, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGHeavy rain from a cyclone in the Mediterranean inundated 
+cities along the northeastern coast of Libya in early September 2023, causing thousands of 
+
+deaths. The port city of Derna (Darnah), home to about 90,000 people, was one of the worst 
+hit by the storm and suffered extensive flooding and damage. On September 10 and 11, over 
+100 millimeters (4 inches) of rain fell on Derna. The city lies at the end of a long, narrow 
+valley, called a wadi, which is dry except during the rainy season. Floods triggered two dams 
+along the wadi to collapse. The failure of the second dam, located just one kilometer inland 
+
+of Derna, unleashed 3- to 7-meter-high floodwater that tore through the city. According to 
+news reports, the flash floods destroyed roads and swept entire neighborhoods out to sea. 
+The images above show the city before and after the storm. The image on the right, acquired 
+by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9 on September 18, shows eroded banks 
+of Wadi Derna near where it meets the Mediterranean. Water just off the coast appears muddier 
+
+than in the image on the left, which shows the same area on August 25 and was acquired by 
+Landsat 8. Preliminary estimates by the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) indicate 
+that 3,100 buildings in Derna were damaged by rushing water. According to the UN International 
+Organization for Migration (IOM), about 40,000 people in the country were displaced by the 
+storm, and 30,000 of those were displaced from Derna. Tropical-like cyclones in the Mediterranean, 
+
+or “medicanes,” develop only once or twice a year, according to NOAA, and typically form in 
+autumn. According to meteorologists at Yale Climate Connections, this storm was the deadliest 
+in Africa’s recorded history. A recent assessment by scientists at World Weather Attribution 
+estimated that precipitation received by the region was a one-in-300 to one-in-600-year event. 
+NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological 
+
+Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerFlash floods in the port city 
+destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods out to sea.Image of the Day for September 21, 2023 
+Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The melting 
+of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can send rivers 
+out of their banks.A Mediterranean cyclone contributed to deadly flooding along the country’s 
+
+coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Record rainfall inundated towns and farmland 
+in the country’s Thessaly region. Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence A stalled storm 
+dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive flooding. 
+Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential downpours 
+in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Floods 
+
+Human Presence July 2002 - June 2022JPEGThe deep-blue sea is turning a touch greener. While 
+that may not seem as consequential as, say, record warm sea surface temperatures, the color 
+of the ocean surface is indicative of the ecosystem that lies beneath. Communities of phytoplankton, 
+microscopic photosynthesizing organisms, abound in near-surface waters and are foundational 
+to the aquatic food web and carbon cycle. This shift in the water’s hue confirms a trend expected 
+
+under climate change and signals changes to ecosystems within the global ocean, which covers 
+70 percent of Earth’s surface. Researchers led by B. B. Cael, a principal scientist at the 
+U.K.’s National Oceanography Centre, revealed that 56 percent of the global sea surface has 
+undergone a significant change in color in the past 20 years. After analyzing ocean color 
+data from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument on NASA’s Aqua 
+
+satellite, they found that much of the change stems from the ocean turning more green. The 
+map above highlights the areas where ocean surface color changed between 2002 and 2022, with 
+darker shades of green representing more-significant differences (higher signal-to-noise ratio). 
+By extension, said Cael, “these are places we can detect a change in the ocean ecosystem in 
+the last 20 years.” The study focused on tropical and subtropical regions, excluding higher 
+
+latitudes, which are dark for part of the year, and coastal waters, where the data are naturally 
+very noisy. The black dots on the map indicate the area, covering 12 percent of the ocean’s 
+surface, where chlorophyll levels also changed over the study period. Chlorophyll has been 
+the go-to measurement for remote sensing scientists to gauge phytoplankton abundance and productivity. 
+However, those estimates use only a few colors in the visible light spectrum. The values shown 
+
+in green are based on the whole gamut of colors and therefore capture more information about 
+the ecosystem as a whole. A long time series from a single sensor is relatively rare in the 
+remote sensing world. As the Aqua satellite was celebrating its 20th year in orbit in 2022—far 
+exceeding its design life of 6 years—Cael wondered what long term trends could be discovered 
+in the data. In particular, he was curious what might have been missed in all the ocean color 
+
+information it had collected. “There’s more encoded in the data than we actually make use 
+of,” he said. By going big with the data, the team discerned an ocean color trend that had 
+been predicted by climate modeling, but one that was expected to take 30-40 years of data 
+to detect using satellite-based chlorophyll estimates. That’s because the natural variability 
+in chlorophyll is high relative to the climate change trend. The new method, incorporating 
+
+all visible light, was robust enough to confirm the trend in 20 years. At this stage, it is 
+difficult to say what exact ecological changes are responsible for the new hues. However, 
+the authors posit, they could result from different assemblages of plankton, more detrital 
+particles, or other organisms such as zooplankton. It is unlikely the color changes come from 
+materials such as plastics or other pollutants, said Cael, since they are not widespread enough 
+
+to register at large scales. “What we do know is that in the last 20 years, the ocean has 
+become more stratified,” he said. Surface waters have absorbed excess heat from the warming 
+climate, and as a result, they are less prone to mixing with deeper, more nutrient-rich layers. 
+This scenario would favor plankton adapted to a nutrient-poor environment. The areas of ocean 
+color change align well with where the sea has become more stratified, said Cael, but there 
+
+is no such overlap with sea surface temperature changes. More insights into Earth’s aquatic 
+ecosystems may soon be on the way. NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) 
+satellite, set to launch in 2024, will return observations in finer color resolution. The 
+new data will enable researchers to infer more information about ocean ecology, such as the 
+diversity of phytoplankton species and the rates of phytoplankton growth. NASA Earth Observatory 
+
+image by Wanmei Liang, using data from Cael, B. B., et al. (2023). Story by Lindsey Doermann.Two 
+decades of satellite measurements show that the sea surface is shading toward green.Image 
+of the Day for October 2, 2023 Image of the Day Life Water View more Images of the Day:Datasets 
+from the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite will build upon three decades of sea level 
+measurements. Image of the Day Heat Water Remote Sensing Image of the Day Life Water Image 
+
+of the Day Water The use of plastic on farms has become so common in recent decades that there 
+there’s a term for it—plasticulture. Image of the Day Human Presence August 16, 2023JPEGThe 
+Canary Islands were at the center of a mélange of natural events in summer 2023. The Moderate 
+Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this assemblage 
+of phenomena off the coast of Africa on August 16, 2023.In the center of the scene, smoke 
+
+is seen rising from a wildfire burning on Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The blaze started 
+amid hot and dry conditions on August 15 in forests surrounding the Teide Volcano. Authorities 
+issued evacuation orders to five villages, and responders focused on containing the fire’s 
+spread and protecting residential areas near the coast, according to news reports. Other fires 
+have burned on the Canary Islands this summer, including on La Palma in July.To the west, 
+
+a swirling cloud moves across the Atlantic. Cloud vortices appear routinely downwind of the 
+Canary Islands—sometimes in great abundance—and are produced when the tall volcanic peaks 
+disrupt the air flowing past them.Elsewhere in the atmosphere, dust from the Sahara Desert 
+was lofted out over the ocean. The river of dust crossing the Atlantic was more pronounced 
+in previous days, when it reached islands in the Caribbean. Traveling on the Saharan Air Layer, 
+
+dust sometimes makes it even further west toward Central America and the U.S. states of Florida 
+and Texas.To round out the list, the patch of bright blue off the Moroccan coast is most likely 
+a bloom of phytoplankton. While the exact cause and composition of the bloom cannot be determined 
+from this image, mineral-rich desert dust has been shown to set off bursts of phytoplankton 
+growth.In addition to the Earth’s processes seen here, one remote sensing artifact is present. 
+
+A diagonal streak of sunglint makes part of this scene appear washed out. Sunglint, an effect 
+that occurs when sunlight reflects off the surface of the water at the same angle that a satellite 
+sensor views it, is also the reason for the light-colored streaks trailing off the islands.NASA 
+Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerAn assortment of natural phenomena 
+
+visible from space appeared together in one image.Image of the Day for August 17, 2023 Image 
+of the Day Atmosphere Land Water View more Images of the Day:Flights were grounded as visibility 
+was severely hampered by a Calima event. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze Human 
+Presence In one frame International Space Station astronauts were able to capture the evolution 
+of fringing reefs to atolls. As with the Hawaiian Islands, these volcanic hot spot islands 
+
+become progressively older to the northwest. As these islands move away from their magma sources 
+they erode and subside. Image of the Day Land Water The dry, volcanic terrain of this Canary 
+Island is suitable for lichen and crops … and for training astronauts. Image of the Day Land 
+The event, known locally as “la calima,” turned skies orange and degraded air quality in Gran 
+Canaria and neighboring islands. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze July 17, 2023JPEGFour 
+
+funnel-shaped estuarine inlets, collectively known as Rías Baixas, line the coast of Galicia, 
+in northwest Spain. The nutrient-rich water in these inlets supports a wealth of marine life, 
+making the Galicia coast one of the most productive places for aquaculture.On July 17, 2023, 
+the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, acquired this image of the Rías de Arousa 
+(Arousa estuary), the largest and northernmost of the inlets. Small dots skirt the coasts 
+
+of the embayment. In most cases, these dots are rectangular rafts designed for raising bivalves 
+like mussels. Buoys keep the lattice mussel rafts afloat on the surface of the water, and 
+hundreds of ropes are suspended into the water column from each structure. Mussels attach 
+to the ropes and filter feed on phytoplankton and other suspended organic particles. The rafts 
+allow for high yields of mussels in a small area of the water. The Rías Baixas are on the 
+
+northern end of the Canary current and are in a major upwelling zone. Upwelling, which brings 
+colder, nutrient-rich water up from the bottom of the ocean, typically occurs in this area 
+between April and October. Much of the mussel production in the Rías Baixas occurs during 
+this time, as the mollusks filter feed on nutrients and plentiful phytoplankton supported 
+by upwelling. Spain is the top mussel producing country in the world. Rías de Arousa alone 
+
+contains over 2,400 mussel rafts, producing about 40 percent of Europe’s mussels. NASA Earth 
+Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story 
+by Emily Cassidy. Buoys keep the lattice mussel rafts afloat on the surface of the water, 
+and hundreds of ropes are suspended into the water column from each structure. Mussels attach 
+to the ropes and filter feed on phytoplankton and other suspended organic particles. The rafts 
+
+allow for high yields of mussels in a small area of the water. The Rías Baixas are on the 
+northern end of the Canary current and are in a major upwelling zone. Upwelling, which brings 
+colder, nutrient-rich water up from the bottom of the ocean, typically occurs in this area 
+between April and October. Much of the mussel production in the Rías Baixas occurs during 
+this time, as the mollusks filter feed on nutrients and plentiful phytoplankton supported 
+
+by upwelling. Spain is the top mussel producing country in the world. Rías de Arousa alone 
+contains over 2,400 mussel rafts, producing about 40 percent of Europe’s mussels. NASA Earth 
+Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story 
+by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerThe estuarine inlets of Spain’s Galicia coast 
+are some of the most productive places to grow mussels.Image of the Day for September 19, 
+
+2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of the Day: Dust and Haze This 
+image shows Tropical Cyclones Eric and Fanele near Madagascar on January 19, 2009. Atmosphere 
+Water Severe Storms This natural-color image shows Saharan dust forming an S-shaped curve 
+off the western coast of Africa, and passing directly over Cape Verde. Atmosphere Land Dust 
+and Haze Acquired March 8, 2010, this true-color image shows two icebergs, Iceberg B-09B and 
+
+an iceberg recently broken off the Mertz Glacier, floating in the Southern Ocean, just off 
+the George V Coast. Water Snow and Ice Sea and Lake Ice May 18, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGMay 
+18, 2023September 7, 2023May 18, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGAfter going 
+dry in 2018, Laguna de Aculeo has begun to refill. NASA satellites began to detect water pooling 
+in the parched lake in late-August, after an intense winter storm dropped as much as 370 millimeters 
+
+(15 inches) of rain on some parts of central Chile. The storm was fueled by an atmospheric 
+river and exacerbated by the rugged terrain in central Chile.When the Operational Land Imager-2 
+(OLI-2) on Landsat 9 acquired this image (right) on September 7, 2023, Laguna de Aculeo covered 
+about 5 square kilometers (2 square miles) to a depth of roughly 1 meter (3 feet). The other 
+image (left) shows the dried water body on May 18, 2023, before the wet winter weather arrived. 
+
+Although it has refilled somewhat, water spans only half the area it did up to 2010 and contains 
+a quarter of the water volume, explained René Garreaud, an Earth scientist at the University 
+of Chile. Seasonal changes and the influx of water have led to widespread greening of the 
+landscape around the lake.Researchers have assessed that ongoing development and water use 
+in the nearby community of Paine, increasing water use by farmers and in homes and pools, 
+
+as well as several years of drought, likely contributed to the drawdown of the lake. Annual 
+rainfall deficits that averaged 38 percent between 2010 and 2018 likely played a large role, 
+according to one analysis from a team of researchers from the University of Chile.Before 2010, 
+the shallow water body was a popular haven for boaters, swimmers, and water skiers, but the 
+water hasn’t yet pooled up enough for swimmers or boaters to return. It is also unclear how 
+
+long the new water in Aculeo will persist. “Atmospheric rivers in June and August delivered 
+substantial precipitation along the high terrain and foothills that have giv­­en us a welcome 
+interruption to the drought,” Garreaud said. “But Aculeo is a small, shallow lagoon that can 
+fill up rapidly, and it's only partly filled. Bigger reservoirs and aquifers will take much 
+longer to recover.”NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from 
+
+the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerThe drought 
+in Chile isn’t over, but recent late-winter rains provided enough moisture for water to start 
+pooling up again.Image of the Day for September 16, 2023 Image of the Day Life Water View 
+more Images of the Day:Data from winter 2022-2023 show the greatest net gain of water in nearly 
+22 years, but groundwater levels still suffer from years of drought. Image of the Day Land 
+
+Water As a persistent drought drags on, water levels are dropping at a key reservoir that 
+supplies Santiago. Image of the Day Land Water A new web tool designed by NASA applied scientists 
+could help the tribe anticipate and respond to drought. Image of the Day Water Human Presence 
+Remote Sensing For more than 100 years, groups in the western United States have fought over 
+water. During the 1880s, sheep ranchers and cattle ranchers argued over drinking water for 
+
+their livestock on the high plains. In 1913, the city of Los Angeles began to draw water away 
+from small agricultural communities in Owen Valley, leaving a dusty dry lake bed. In the late 
+1950s, construction of the Glen Canyon Dam catalyzed the American environmental movement. 
+Today, farmers are fighting fishermen, environmentalists, and Native American tribes over 
+the water in the Upper Klamath River Basin. The Landsat 7 satellite, launched by NASA and 
+
+operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, documented an extreme drought in the area along the 
+California/Oregon border in the spring of 2001. Image of the Day Land Life January 22 - July 
+26, 2023JPEGOne of the wettest wet seasons in northern Australia transformed large areas of 
+the country’s desert landscape over the course of many months in 2023. A string of major rainfall 
+events that dropped 690 millimeters (27 inches) between October 2022 and April 2023 made it 
+
+the sixth-wettest season on record since 1900–1901.This series of false-color images illustrates 
+the rainfall’s months-long effects downstream in the Lake Eyre Basin. Water appears in shades 
+of blue, vegetation is green, and bare land is brown. The images were acquired by the Moderate 
+Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite between January and 
+July 2023.In the January 22 image (left), water was coursing through seasonally dry channels 
+
+of the Georgina River and Eyre Creek following weeks of heavy rains in northern Queensland. 
+By April 21 (middle), floodwaters had reached further downstream after another intense period 
+of precipitation in March. This scene shows that water had filled in some of the north-northwest 
+trending ridges that are part of a vast fossil landscape of wind-formed dunes, while vegetation 
+had emerged in wet soil upstream. Then by July 26 (right), the riverbed had filled with even 
+
+more vegetation.The Georgina River and Eyre Creek drain approximately 210,000 square kilometers 
+(81,000 square miles), nearly the area of the United Kingdom. Visible in the lower part of 
+the images, the lake gets refreshed about every three years; when it reaches especially high 
+levels, it may take 18 months to 2 years to dry up. Two smaller neighboring lakes flood seasonally. 
+These three lakes and surrounding floodplains support hundreds of thousands of waterbirds 
+
+and are designated as an Important Bird Area.Seasonal flooding is a regular occurrence in 
+these desert river systems. However, the events of the 2022-2023 rainy season stood out in 
+several ways. They occurred while La Niña conditions were in place over the tropical Pacific 
+Ocean. (The wettest seasons in northern Australia have all occurred during La Niña years, 
+according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.) In addition, major rains occurring in succession, 
+
+as was the case with the January and March events, have the overall effect of prolonging floods. 
+That’s because vegetation that grows after the first event slows down the pulse of water that 
+comes through in the next rain event.The high water has affected both local communities and 
+ecosystems. Floods have inundated cattle farms and isolated towns on temporary islands. At 
+the same time, they are a natural feature of the “boom-and-bust” ecology of Channel Country, 
+
+providing habitat and nutrients that support biodiversity.NASA Earth Observatory image by 
+Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. Story by Lindsey 
+Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerRepeated heavy rains in Australia set off waves of new 
+growth across Channel Country.Image of the Day for August 7, 2023 Image of the Day Land Water 
+View more Images of the Day: Floods The waves off the coast of Teahupo’o can heave a crushing 
+
+amount of water toward the shore and onto unlucky surfers. Image of the Day Water Waves of 
+heavy rainfall left towns and farmland under water in October 2022. Image of the Day Water 
+Floods Acquired February 26, 2011, and February 5, 2011, these false-color images show the 
+impact of heavy rains in marshy areas southeast of Georgetown, Guyana. Land Floods August 
+25, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGAugust 25, 2023September 18, 2023August 25, 2023JPEGSeptember 
+
+18, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGHeavy rain from a cyclone in the Mediterranean inundated 
+cities along the northeastern coast of Libya in early September 2023, causing thousands of 
+deaths. The port city of Derna (Darnah), home to about 90,000 people, was one of the worst 
+hit by the storm and suffered extensive flooding and damage. On September 10 and 11, over 
+100 millimeters (4 inches) of rain fell on Derna. The city lies at the end of a long, narrow 
+
+valley, called a wadi, which is dry except during the rainy season. Floods triggered two dams 
+along the wadi to collapse. The failure of the second dam, located just one kilometer inland 
+of Derna, unleashed 3- to 7-meter-high floodwater that tore through the city. According to 
+news reports, the flash floods destroyed roads and swept entire neighborhoods out to sea. 
+The images above show the city before and after the storm. The image on the right, acquired 
+
+by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9 on September 18, shows eroded banks 
+of Wadi Derna near where it meets the Mediterranean. Water just off the coast appears muddier 
+than in the image on the left, which shows the same area on August 25 and was acquired by 
+Landsat 8. Preliminary estimates by the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) indicate 
+that 3,100 buildings in Derna were damaged by rushing water. According to the UN International 
+
+Organization for Migration (IOM), about 40,000 people in the country were displaced by the 
+storm, and 30,000 of those were displaced from Derna. Tropical-like cyclones in the Mediterranean, 
+or “medicanes,” develop only once or twice a year, according to NOAA, and typically form in 
+autumn. According to meteorologists at Yale Climate Connections, this storm was the deadliest 
+in Africa’s recorded history. A recent assessment by scientists at World Weather Attribution 
+
+estimated that precipitation received by the region was a one-in-300 to one-in-600-year event. 
+NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological 
+Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerFlash floods in the port city 
+destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods out to sea.Image of the Day for September 21, 2023 
+Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The melting 
+
+of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can send rivers 
+out of their banks.A Mediterranean cyclone contributed to deadly flooding along the country’s 
+coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Record rainfall inundated towns and farmland 
+in the country’s Thessaly region. Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence A stalled storm 
+dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive flooding. 
+
+Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential downpours 
+in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Floods 
+Human Presence July 2002 - June 2022JPEGThe deep-blue sea is turning a touch greener. While 
+that may not seem as consequential as, say, record warm sea surface temperatures, the color 
+of the ocean surface is indicative of the ecosystem that lies beneath. Communities of phytoplankton, 
+
+microscopic photosynthesizing organisms, abound in near-surface waters and are foundational 
+to the aquatic food web and carbon cycle. This shift in the water’s hue confirms a trend expected 
+under climate change and signals changes to ecosystems within the global ocean, which covers 
+70 percent of Earth’s surface. Researchers led by B. B. Cael, a principal scientist at the 
+U.K.’s National Oceanography Centre, revealed that 56 percent of the global sea surface has 
+
+undergone a significant change in color in the past 20 years. After analyzing ocean color 
+data from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument on NASA’s Aqua 
+satellite, they found that much of the change stems from the ocean turning more green. The 
+map above highlights the areas where ocean surface color changed between 2002 and 2022, with 
+darker shades of green representing more-significant differences (higher signal-to-noise ratio). 
+
+By extension, said Cael, “these are places we can detect a change in the ocean ecosystem in 
+the last 20 years.” The study focused on tropical and subtropical regions, excluding higher 
+latitudes, which are dark for part of the year, and coastal waters, where the data are naturally 
+very noisy. The black dots on the map indicate the area, covering 12 percent of the ocean’s 
+surface, where chlorophyll levels also changed over the study period. Chlorophyll has been 
+
+the go-to measurement for remote sensing scientists to gauge phytoplankton abundance and productivity. 
+However, those estimates use only a few colors in the visible light spectrum. The values shown 
+in green are based on the whole gamut of colors and therefore capture more information about 
+the ecosystem as a whole. A long time series from a single sensor is relatively rare in the 
+remote sensing world. As the Aqua satellite was celebrating its 20th year in orbit in 2022—far 
+
+exceeding its design life of 6 years—Cael wondered what long term trends could be discovered 
+in the data. In particular, he was curious what might have been missed in all the ocean color 
+information it had collected. “There’s more encoded in the data than we actually make use 
+of,” he said. By going big with the data, the team discerned an ocean color trend that had 
+been predicted by climate modeling, but one that was expected to take 30-40 years of data 
+
+to detect using satellite-based chlorophyll estimates. That’s because the natural variability 
+in chlorophyll is high relative to the climate change trend. The new method, incorporating 
+all visible light, was robust enough to confirm the trend in 20 years. At this stage, it is 
+difficult to say what exact ecological changes are responsible for the new hues. However, 
+the authors posit, they could result from different assemblages of plankton, more detrital 
+
+particles, or other organisms such as zooplankton. It is unlikely the color changes come from 
+materials such as plastics or other pollutants, said Cael, since they are not widespread enough 
+to register at large scales. “What we do know is that in the last 20 years, the ocean has 
+become more stratified,” he said. Surface waters have absorbed excess heat from the warming 
+climate, and as a result, they are less prone to mixing with deeper, more nutrient-rich layers. 
+
+This scenario would favor plankton adapted to a nutrient-poor environment. The areas of ocean 
+color change align well with where the sea has become more stratified, said Cael, but there 
+is no such overlap with sea surface temperature changes. More insights into Earth’s aquatic 
+ecosystems may soon be on the way. NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) 
+satellite, set to launch in 2024, will return observations in finer color resolution. The 
+
+new data will enable researchers to infer more information about ocean ecology, such as the 
+diversity of phytoplankton species and the rates of phytoplankton growth. NASA Earth Observatory 
+image by Wanmei Liang, using data from Cael, B. B., et al. (2023). Story by Lindsey Doermann.Two 
+decades of satellite measurements show that the sea surface is shading toward green.Image 
+of the Day for October 2, 2023 Image of the Day Life Water View more Images of the Day:Datasets 
+
+from the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite will build upon three decades of sea level 
+measurements. Image of the Day Heat Water Remote Sensing Image of the Day Life Water Image 
+of the Day Water The use of plastic on farms has become so common in recent decades that there 
+there’s a term for it—plasticulture. Image of the Day Human Presence August 16, 2023JPEGThe 
+Canary Islands were at the center of a mélange of natural events in summer 2023. The Moderate 
+
+Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this assemblage 
+of phenomena off the coast of Africa on August 16, 2023.In the center of the scene, smoke 
+is seen rising from a wildfire burning on Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The blaze started 
+amid hot and dry conditions on August 15 in forests surrounding the Teide Volcano. Authorities 
+issued evacuation orders to five villages, and responders focused on containing the fire’s 
+
+spread and protecting residential areas near the coast, according to news reports. Other fires 
+have burned on the Canary Islands this summer, including on La Palma in July.To the west, 
+a swirling cloud moves across the Atlantic. Cloud vortices appear routinely downwind of the 
+Canary Islands—sometimes in great abundance—and are produced when the tall volcanic peaks 
+disrupt the air flowing past them.Elsewhere in the atmosphere, dust from the Sahara Desert 
+
+was lofted out over the ocean. The river of dust crossing the Atlantic was more pronounced 
+in previous days, when it reached islands in the Caribbean. Traveling on the Saharan Air Layer, 
+dust sometimes makes it even further west toward Central America and the U.S. states of Florida 
+and Texas.To round out the list, the patch of bright blue off the Moroccan coast is most likely 
+a bloom of phytoplankton. While the exact cause and composition of the bloom cannot be determined 
+
+from this image, mineral-rich desert dust has been shown to set off bursts of phytoplankton 
+growth.In addition to the Earth’s processes seen here, one remote sensing artifact is present. 
+A diagonal streak of sunglint makes part of this scene appear washed out. Sunglint, an effect 
+that occurs when sunlight reflects off the surface of the water at the same angle that a satellite 
+sensor views it, is also the reason for the light-colored streaks trailing off the islands.NASA 
+
+Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerAn assortment of natural phenomena 
+visible from space appeared together in one image.Image of the Day for August 17, 2023 Image 
+of the Day Atmosphere Land Water View more Images of the Day:Flights were grounded as visibility 
+was severely hampered by a Calima event. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze Human 
+
+Presence In one frame International Space Station astronauts were able to capture the evolution 
+of fringing reefs to atolls. As with the Hawaiian Islands, these volcanic hot spot islands 
+become progressively older to the northwest. As these islands move away from their magma sources 
+they erode and subside. Image of the Day Land Water The dry, volcanic terrain of this Canary 
+Island is suitable for lichen and crops … and for training astronauts. Image of the Day Land 
+
+The event, known locally as “la calima,” turned skies orange and degraded air quality in Gran 
+Canaria and neighboring islands. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze July 17, 2023JPEGFour 
+funnel-shaped estuarine inlets, collectively known as Rías Baixas, line the coast of Galicia, 
+in northwest Spain. The nutrient-rich water in these inlets supports a wealth of marine life, 
+making the Galicia coast one of the most productive places for aquaculture.On July 17, 2023, 
+
+the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, acquired this image of the Rías de Arousa 
+(Arousa estuary), the largest and northernmost of the inlets. Small dots skirt the coasts 
+of the embayment. In most cases, these dots are rectangular rafts designed for raising bivalves 
+like mussels. Buoys keep the lattice mussel rafts afloat on the surface of the water, and 
+hundreds of ropes are suspended into the water column from each structure. Mussels attach 
+
+to the ropes and filter feed on phytoplankton and other suspended organic particles. The rafts 
+allow for high yields of mussels in a small area of the water. The Rías Baixas are on the 
+northern end of the Canary current and are in a major upwelling zone. Upwelling, which brings 
+colder, nutrient-rich water up from the bottom of the ocean, typically occurs in this area 
+between April and October. Much of the mussel production in the Rías Baixas occurs during 
+
+this time, as the mollusks filter feed on nutrients and plentiful phytoplankton supported 
+by upwelling. Spain is the top mussel producing country in the world. Rías de Arousa alone 
+contains over 2,400 mussel rafts, producing about 40 percent of Europe’s mussels. NASA Earth 
+Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story 
+by Emily Cassidy. Buoys keep the lattice mussel rafts afloat on the surface of the water, 
+
+and hundreds of ropes are suspended into the water column from each structure. Mussels attach 
+to the ropes and filter feed on phytoplankton and other suspended organic particles. The rafts 
+allow for high yields of mussels in a small area of the water. The Rías Baixas are on the 
+northern end of the Canary current and are in a major upwelling zone. Upwelling, which brings 
+colder, nutrient-rich water up from the bottom of the ocean, typically occurs in this area 
+
+between April and October. Much of the mussel production in the Rías Baixas occurs during 
+this time, as the mollusks filter feed on nutrients and plentiful phytoplankton supported 
+by upwelling. Spain is the top mussel producing country in the world. Rías de Arousa alone 
+contains over 2,400 mussel rafts, producing about 40 percent of Europe’s mussels. NASA Earth 
+Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story 
+
+by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerThe estuarine inlets of Spain’s Galicia coast 
+are some of the most productive places to grow mussels.Image of the Day for September 19, 
+2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of the Day: Dust and Haze This 
+image shows Tropical Cyclones Eric and Fanele near Madagascar on January 19, 2009. Atmosphere 
+Water Severe Storms This natural-color image shows Saharan dust forming an S-shaped curve 
+
+off the western coast of Africa, and passing directly over Cape Verde. Atmosphere Land Dust 
+and Haze Acquired March 8, 2010, this true-color image shows two icebergs, Iceberg B-09B and 
+an iceberg recently broken off the Mertz Glacier, floating in the Southern Ocean, just off 
+the George V Coast. Water Snow and Ice Sea and Lake Ice May 18, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGMay 
+18, 2023September 7, 2023May 18, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGAfter going 
+
+dry in 2018, Laguna de Aculeo has begun to refill. NASA satellites began to detect water pooling 
+in the parched lake in late-August, after an intense winter storm dropped as much as 370 millimeters 
+(15 inches) of rain on some parts of central Chile. The storm was fueled by an atmospheric 
+river and exacerbated by the rugged terrain in central Chile.When the Operational Land Imager-2 
+(OLI-2) on Landsat 9 acquired this image (right) on September 7, 2023, Laguna de Aculeo covered 
+
+about 5 square kilometers (2 square miles) to a depth of roughly 1 meter (3 feet). The other 
+image (left) shows the dried water body on May 18, 2023, before the wet winter weather arrived. 
+Although it has refilled somewhat, water spans only half the area it did up to 2010 and contains 
+a quarter of the water volume, explained René Garreaud, an Earth scientist at the University 
+of Chile. Seasonal changes and the influx of water have led to widespread greening of the 
+
+landscape around the lake.Researchers have assessed that ongoing development and water use 
+in the nearby community of Paine, increasing water use by farmers and in homes and pools, 
+as well as several years of drought, likely contributed to the drawdown of the lake. Annual 
+rainfall deficits that averaged 38 percent between 2010 and 2018 likely played a large role, 
+according to one analysis from a team of researchers from the University of Chile.Before 2010, 
+
+the shallow water body was a popular haven for boaters, swimmers, and water skiers, but the 
+water hasn’t yet pooled up enough for swimmers or boaters to return. It is also unclear how 
+long the new water in Aculeo will persist. “Atmospheric rivers in June and August delivered 
+substantial precipitation along the high terrain and foothills that have giv­­en us a welcome 
+interruption to the drought,” Garreaud said. “But Aculeo is a small, shallow lagoon that can 
+
+fill up rapidly, and it's only partly filled. Bigger reservoirs and aquifers will take much 
+longer to recover.”NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from 
+the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerThe drought 
+in Chile isn’t over, but recent late-winter rains provided enough moisture for water to start 
+pooling up again.Image of the Day for September 16, 2023 Image of the Day Life Water View 
+
+more Images of the Day:Data from winter 2022-2023 show the greatest net gain of water in nearly 
+22 years, but groundwater levels still suffer from years of drought. Image of the Day Land 
+Water As a persistent drought drags on, water levels are dropping at a key reservoir that 
+supplies Santiago. Image of the Day Land Water A new web tool designed by NASA applied scientists 
+could help the tribe anticipate and respond to drought. Image of the Day Water Human Presence 
+
+Remote Sensing For more than 100 years, groups in the western United States have fought over 
+water. During the 1880s, sheep ranchers and cattle ranchers argued over drinking water for 
+their livestock on the high plains. In 1913, the city of Los Angeles began to draw water away 
+from small agricultural communities in Owen Valley, leaving a dusty dry lake bed. In the late 
+1950s, construction of the Glen Canyon Dam catalyzed the American environmental movement. 
+
+Today, farmers are fighting fishermen, environmentalists, and Native American tribes over 
+the water in the Upper Klamath River Basin. The Landsat 7 satellite, launched by NASA and 
+operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, documented an extreme drought in the area along the 
+California/Oregon border in the spring of 2001. Image of the Day Land Life September 16, 2023JPEGSeptember 
+10, 2021JPEGSeptember 16, 2023September 10, 2021September 16, 2023JPEGSeptember 10, 2021JPEGSeptember 
+
+10, 2021JPEGMonths of excessive heat and drought parched the Mississippi River in the summer 
+and early fall of 2023. In September, low water levels limited barge shipments downriver and 
+threatened drinking water supplies in some Louisiana communities, according to the Associated 
+Press.Water levels were especially low near Memphis, Tennessee. The images above show the 
+Mississippi River near Memphis on September 16, 2023 (left), compared to September 10, 2021 
+
+(right). The river was significantly slimmed down in 2023, exposing some of the river bottom.This 
+is the second year in a row drought has caused the river to fall to near-record lows at many 
+gauges. On September 26, 2023, the river level at a gauge in Memphis was -10.26 feet, close 
+to the record low level, -10.81 feet, measured at the same place on October 21, 2022. That 
+was the lowest level recorded there since the start of National Weather Service records in 
+
+1954. Water levels, or “gauge heights,” do not indicate the depth of a stream; rather, they 
+are measured with respect to a chosen reference point. That is why some gauge height measurements 
+are negative.Farther upstream, water levels at New Madrid, Missouri, have been around -5 feet—near 
+the minimum operating level—since early September 2023. Water levels on the Mississippi normally 
+decline in the fall and winter, and in 2022, the river did not get that low until mid-October. 
+
+September 26, 2023JPEGA hot, dry summer is the main reason water levels dropped so low in 
+2023. Across the globe, temperatures in summer 2023 were 1.2°C (2.1°F) warmer than average. 
+In the U.S., Louisiana and Mississippi experienced their hottest Augusts on record, according 
+to NOAA.The U.S. Drought Monitor map above—the product of a partnership between the U.S. Department 
+of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the University of 
+
+Nebraska-Lincoln—shows conditions during the week of September 20-26, 2023. The map depicts 
+drought intensity in progressive shades of orange to red. It is based on an analysis of climate, 
+soil, and water condition measurements from more than 350 federal, state, and local observers 
+around the country. NASA contributes measurements and models that aid the drought monitoring 
+effort.During that week, about 38 percent of the contiguous U.S. was experiencing drought. 
+
+Lack of precipitation and high temperatures over several months severely dried out soils in 
+states along the Mississippi River Valley. The Drought Monitor reported that 80 percent of 
+soils in Louisiana were dry (short or very short on water) as of September 24. And for most 
+states in the river valley, over 50 percent of topsoil was dry or very dry.Shallow conditions 
+along the river interrupted normal shipments of goods. According to the Associated Press, 
+
+barge companies reduced the weight carried in many shipments in September because the river 
+was not deep enough to accommodate their normal weight. Much of U.S. grain exports are transported 
+down the Mississippi, and according to AP, the cost of these shipments from St. Louis southward 
+has risen 77 percent above the three-year average. The lack of freshwater flowing into the 
+Gulf of Mexico has also allowed saltwater to make its way up the river and into some water 
+
+treatment plants in southern Louisiana, according to the Associated Press. Some parts of Plaquemines 
+Parish are under drinking water advisories and have relied on bottled water for cooking and 
+drinking since June.Significant rainfall would be needed to flush out saltwater in the river 
+in Plaquemines. According to the National Weather Service’s Lower Mississippi River Forecast 
+Center, the forecast does not look promising. If enough rainfall doesn’t arrive before mid-to-late 
+
+October, saltwater could make its way to New Orleans.NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren 
+Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and data from the United States 
+Drought Monitor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area 
+in EO ExplorerIn September, low water levels made it more challenging to ship goods down the 
+river and allowed a wedge of saltwater to move upstream.Image of the Day for October 1, 2023 
+
+Image of the Day Water Drought View more Images of the Day:Persistent dry conditions can affect 
+water resources, ecosystems, and agriculture.Severe drought is reducing the number of daily 
+passages on the transoceanic shipping route. Image of the Day Water Human Presence Prolonged 
+drought in Kansas set the stage for what may be one of the state’s smallest wheat harvests 
+in decades. Image of the Day Land Water Drought The most severe drought in 70 years of record 
+
+keeping threatens the Horn of Africa with famine. Image of the Day Land Water Drought Low 
+water levels are making it difficult to ship goods down the river and allowing a wedge of 
+saltwater to move upstream. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Remote Sensing January 
+22 - July 26, 2023JPEGOne of the wettest wet seasons in northern Australia transformed large 
+areas of the country’s desert landscape over the course of many months in 2023. A string of 
+
+major rainfall events that dropped 690 millimeters (27 inches) between October 2022 and April 
+2023 made it the sixth-wettest season on record since 1900–1901.This series of false-color 
+images illustrates the rainfall’s months-long effects downstream in the Lake Eyre Basin. Water 
+appears in shades of blue, vegetation is green, and bare land is brown. The images were acquired 
+by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite between 
+
+January and July 2023.In the January 22 image (left), water was coursing through seasonally 
+dry channels of the Georgina River and Eyre Creek following weeks of heavy rains in northern 
+Queensland. By April 21 (middle), floodwaters had reached further downstream after another 
+intense period of precipitation in March. This scene shows that water had filled in some of 
+the north-northwest trending ridges that are part of a vast fossil landscape of wind-formed 
+
+dunes, while vegetation had emerged in wet soil upstream. Then by July 26 (right), the riverbed 
+had filled with even more vegetation.The Georgina River and Eyre Creek drain approximately 
+210,000 square kilometers (81,000 square miles), nearly the area of the United Kingdom. Visible 
+in the lower part of the images, the lake gets refreshed about every three years; when it 
+reaches especially high levels, it may take 18 months to 2 years to dry up. Two smaller neighboring 
+
+lakes flood seasonally. These three lakes and surrounding floodplains support hundreds of 
+thousands of waterbirds and are designated as an Important Bird Area.Seasonal flooding is 
+a regular occurrence in these desert river systems. However, the events of the 2022-2023 rainy 
+season stood out in several ways. They occurred while La Niña conditions were in place over 
+the tropical Pacific Ocean. (The wettest seasons in northern Australia have all occurred during 
+
+La Niña years, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.) In addition, major rains occurring 
+in succession, as was the case with the January and March events, have the overall effect 
+of prolonging floods. That’s because vegetation that grows after the first event slows down 
+the pulse of water that comes through in the next rain event.The high water has affected both 
+local communities and ecosystems. Floods have inundated cattle farms and isolated towns on 
+
+temporary islands. At the same time, they are a natural feature of the “boom-and-bust” ecology 
+of Channel Country, providing habitat and nutrients that support biodiversity.NASA Earth Observatory 
+image by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. Story by 
+Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerRepeated heavy rains in Australia set off waves 
+of new growth across Channel Country.Image of the Day for August 7, 2023 Image of the Day 
+
+Land Water View more Images of the Day: Floods The waves off the coast of Teahupo’o can heave 
+a crushing amount of water toward the shore and onto unlucky surfers. Image of the Day Water 
+Waves of heavy rainfall left towns and farmland under water in October 2022. Image of the 
+Day Water Floods Acquired February 26, 2011, and February 5, 2011, these false-color images 
+show the impact of heavy rains in marshy areas southeast of Georgetown, Guyana. Land Floods 
+
+August 25, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGAugust 25, 2023September 18, 2023August 25, 2023JPEGSeptember 
+18, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGHeavy rain from a cyclone in the Mediterranean inundated 
+cities along the northeastern coast of Libya in early September 2023, causing thousands of 
+deaths. The port city of Derna (Darnah), home to about 90,000 people, was one of the worst 
+hit by the storm and suffered extensive flooding and damage. On September 10 and 11, over 
+
+100 millimeters (4 inches) of rain fell on Derna. The city lies at the end of a long, narrow 
+valley, called a wadi, which is dry except during the rainy season. Floods triggered two dams 
+along the wadi to collapse. The failure of the second dam, located just one kilometer inland 
+of Derna, unleashed 3- to 7-meter-high floodwater that tore through the city. According to 
+news reports, the flash floods destroyed roads and swept entire neighborhoods out to sea. 
+
+The images above show the city before and after the storm. The image on the right, acquired 
+by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9 on September 18, shows eroded banks 
+of Wadi Derna near where it meets the Mediterranean. Water just off the coast appears muddier 
+than in the image on the left, which shows the same area on August 25 and was acquired by 
+Landsat 8. Preliminary estimates by the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) indicate 
+
+that 3,100 buildings in Derna were damaged by rushing water. According to the UN International 
+Organization for Migration (IOM), about 40,000 people in the country were displaced by the 
+storm, and 30,000 of those were displaced from Derna. Tropical-like cyclones in the Mediterranean, 
+or “medicanes,” develop only once or twice a year, according to NOAA, and typically form in 
+autumn. According to meteorologists at Yale Climate Connections, this storm was the deadliest 
+
+in Africa’s recorded history. A recent assessment by scientists at World Weather Attribution 
+estimated that precipitation received by the region was a one-in-300 to one-in-600-year event. 
+NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological 
+Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerFlash floods in the port city 
+destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods out to sea.Image of the Day for September 21, 2023 
+
+Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The melting 
+of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can send rivers 
+out of their banks.A Mediterranean cyclone contributed to deadly flooding along the country’s 
+coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Record rainfall inundated towns and farmland 
+in the country’s Thessaly region. Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence A stalled storm 
+
+dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive flooding. 
+Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential downpours 
+in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Floods 
+Human Presence July 2002 - June 2022JPEGThe deep-blue sea is turning a touch greener. While 
+that may not seem as consequential as, say, record warm sea surface temperatures, the color 
+
+of the ocean surface is indicative of the ecosystem that lies beneath. Communities of phytoplankton, 
+microscopic photosynthesizing organisms, abound in near-surface waters and are foundational 
+to the aquatic food web and carbon cycle. This shift in the water’s hue confirms a trend expected 
+under climate change and signals changes to ecosystems within the global ocean, which covers 
+70 percent of Earth’s surface. Researchers led by B. B. Cael, a principal scientist at the 
+
+U.K.’s National Oceanography Centre, revealed that 56 percent of the global sea surface has 
+undergone a significant change in color in the past 20 years. After analyzing ocean color 
+data from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument on NASA’s Aqua 
+satellite, they found that much of the change stems from the ocean turning more green. The 
+map above highlights the areas where ocean surface color changed between 2002 and 2022, with 
+
+darker shades of green representing more-significant differences (higher signal-to-noise ratio). 
+By extension, said Cael, “these are places we can detect a change in the ocean ecosystem in 
+the last 20 years.” The study focused on tropical and subtropical regions, excluding higher 
+latitudes, which are dark for part of the year, and coastal waters, where the data are naturally 
+very noisy. The black dots on the map indicate the area, covering 12 percent of the ocean’s 
+
+surface, where chlorophyll levels also changed over the study period. Chlorophyll has been 
+the go-to measurement for remote sensing scientists to gauge phytoplankton abundance and productivity. 
+However, those estimates use only a few colors in the visible light spectrum. The values shown 
+in green are based on the whole gamut of colors and therefore capture more information about 
+the ecosystem as a whole. A long time series from a single sensor is relatively rare in the 
+
+remote sensing world. As the Aqua satellite was celebrating its 20th year in orbit in 2022—far 
+exceeding its design life of 6 years—Cael wondered what long term trends could be discovered 
+in the data. In particular, he was curious what might have been missed in all the ocean color 
+information it had collected. “There’s more encoded in the data than we actually make use 
+of,” he said. By going big with the data, the team discerned an ocean color trend that had 
+
+been predicted by climate modeling, but one that was expected to take 30-40 years of data 
+to detect using satellite-based chlorophyll estimates. That’s because the natural variability 
+in chlorophyll is high relative to the climate change trend. The new method, incorporating 
+all visible light, was robust enough to confirm the trend in 20 years. At this stage, it is 
+difficult to say what exact ecological changes are responsible for the new hues. However, 
+
+the authors posit, they could result from different assemblages of plankton, more detrital 
+particles, or other organisms such as zooplankton. It is unlikely the color changes come from 
+materials such as plastics or other pollutants, said Cael, since they are not widespread enough 
+to register at large scales. “What we do know is that in the last 20 years, the ocean has 
+become more stratified,” he said. Surface waters have absorbed excess heat from the warming 
+
+climate, and as a result, they are less prone to mixing with deeper, more nutrient-rich layers. 
+This scenario would favor plankton adapted to a nutrient-poor environment. The areas of ocean 
+color change align well with where the sea has become more stratified, said Cael, but there 
+is no such overlap with sea surface temperature changes. More insights into Earth’s aquatic 
+ecosystems may soon be on the way. NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) 
+
+satellite, set to launch in 2024, will return observations in finer color resolution. The 
+new data will enable researchers to infer more information about ocean ecology, such as the 
+diversity of phytoplankton species and the rates of phytoplankton growth. NASA Earth Observatory 
+image by Wanmei Liang, using data from Cael, B. B., et al. (2023). Story by Lindsey Doermann.Two 
+decades of satellite measurements show that the sea surface is shading toward green.Image 
+
+of the Day for October 2, 2023 Image of the Day Life Water View more Images of the Day:Datasets 
+from the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite will build upon three decades of sea level 
+measurements. Image of the Day Heat Water Remote Sensing Image of the Day Life Water Image 
+of the Day Water The use of plastic on farms has become so common in recent decades that there 
+there’s a term for it—plasticulture. Image of the Day Human Presence August 16, 2023JPEGThe 
+
+Canary Islands were at the center of a mélange of natural events in summer 2023. The Moderate 
+Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this assemblage 
+of phenomena off the coast of Africa on August 16, 2023.In the center of the scene, smoke 
+is seen rising from a wildfire burning on Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The blaze started 
+amid hot and dry conditions on August 15 in forests surrounding the Teide Volcano. Authorities 
+
+issued evacuation orders to five villages, and responders focused on containing the fire’s 
+spread and protecting residential areas near the coast, according to news reports. Other fires 
+have burned on the Canary Islands this summer, including on La Palma in July.To the west, 
+a swirling cloud moves across the Atlantic. Cloud vortices appear routinely downwind of the 
+Canary Islands—sometimes in great abundance—and are produced when the tall volcanic peaks 
+
+disrupt the air flowing past them.Elsewhere in the atmosphere, dust from the Sahara Desert 
+was lofted out over the ocean. The river of dust crossing the Atlantic was more pronounced 
+in previous days, when it reached islands in the Caribbean. Traveling on the Saharan Air Layer, 
+dust sometimes makes it even further west toward Central America and the U.S. states of Florida 
+and Texas.To round out the list, the patch of bright blue off the Moroccan coast is most likely 
+
+a bloom of phytoplankton. While the exact cause and composition of the bloom cannot be determined 
+from this image, mineral-rich desert dust has been shown to set off bursts of phytoplankton 
+growth.In addition to the Earth’s processes seen here, one remote sensing artifact is present. 
+A diagonal streak of sunglint makes part of this scene appear washed out. Sunglint, an effect 
+that occurs when sunlight reflects off the surface of the water at the same angle that a satellite 
+
+sensor views it, is also the reason for the light-colored streaks trailing off the islands.NASA 
+Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerAn assortment of natural phenomena 
+visible from space appeared together in one image.Image of the Day for August 17, 2023 Image 
+of the Day Atmosphere Land Water View more Images of the Day:Flights were grounded as visibility 
+
+was severely hampered by a Calima event. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze Human 
+Presence In one frame International Space Station astronauts were able to capture the evolution 
+of fringing reefs to atolls. As with the Hawaiian Islands, these volcanic hot spot islands 
+become progressively older to the northwest. As these islands move away from their magma sources 
+they erode and subside. Image of the Day Land Water The dry, volcanic terrain of this Canary 
+
+Island is suitable for lichen and crops … and for training astronauts. Image of the Day Land 
+The event, known locally as “la calima,” turned skies orange and degraded air quality in Gran 
+Canaria and neighboring islands. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze July 17, 2023JPEGFour 
+funnel-shaped estuarine inlets, collectively known as Rías Baixas, line the coast of Galicia, 
+in northwest Spain. The nutrient-rich water in these inlets supports a wealth of marine life, 
+
+making the Galicia coast one of the most productive places for aquaculture.On July 17, 2023, 
+the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, acquired this image of the Rías de Arousa 
+(Arousa estuary), the largest and northernmost of the inlets. Small dots skirt the coasts 
+of the embayment. In most cases, these dots are rectangular rafts designed for raising bivalves 
+like mussels. Buoys keep the lattice mussel rafts afloat on the surface of the water, and 
+
+hundreds of ropes are suspended into the water column from each structure. Mussels attach 
+to the ropes and filter feed on phytoplankton and other suspended organic particles. The rafts 
+allow for high yields of mussels in a small area of the water. The Rías Baixas are on the 
+northern end of the Canary current and are in a major upwelling zone. Upwelling, which brings 
+colder, nutrient-rich water up from the bottom of the ocean, typically occurs in this area 
+
+between April and October. Much of the mussel production in the Rías Baixas occurs during 
+this time, as the mollusks filter feed on nutrients and plentiful phytoplankton supported 
+by upwelling. Spain is the top mussel producing country in the world. Rías de Arousa alone 
+contains over 2,400 mussel rafts, producing about 40 percent of Europe’s mussels. NASA Earth 
+Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story 
+
+by Emily Cassidy. Buoys keep the lattice mussel rafts afloat on the surface of the water, 
+and hundreds of ropes are suspended into the water column from each structure. Mussels attach 
+to the ropes and filter feed on phytoplankton and other suspended organic particles. The rafts 
+allow for high yields of mussels in a small area of the water. The Rías Baixas are on the 
+northern end of the Canary current and are in a major upwelling zone. Upwelling, which brings 
+
+colder, nutrient-rich water up from the bottom of the ocean, typically occurs in this area 
+between April and October. Much of the mussel production in the Rías Baixas occurs during 
+this time, as the mollusks filter feed on nutrients and plentiful phytoplankton supported 
+by upwelling. Spain is the top mussel producing country in the world. Rías de Arousa alone 
+contains over 2,400 mussel rafts, producing about 40 percent of Europe’s mussels. NASA Earth 
+
+Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story 
+by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerThe estuarine inlets of Spain’s Galicia coast 
+are some of the most productive places to grow mussels.Image of the Day for September 19, 
+2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of the Day: Dust and Haze This 
+image shows Tropical Cyclones Eric and Fanele near Madagascar on January 19, 2009. Atmosphere 
+
+Water Severe Storms This natural-color image shows Saharan dust forming an S-shaped curve 
+off the western coast of Africa, and passing directly over Cape Verde. Atmosphere Land Dust 
+and Haze Acquired March 8, 2010, this true-color image shows two icebergs, Iceberg B-09B and 
+an iceberg recently broken off the Mertz Glacier, floating in the Southern Ocean, just off 
+the George V Coast. Water Snow and Ice Sea and Lake Ice May 18, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGMay 
+
+18, 2023September 7, 2023May 18, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGAfter going 
+dry in 2018, Laguna de Aculeo has begun to refill. NASA satellites began to detect water pooling 
+in the parched lake in late-August, after an intense winter storm dropped as much as 370 millimeters 
+(15 inches) of rain on some parts of central Chile. The storm was fueled by an atmospheric 
+river and exacerbated by the rugged terrain in central Chile.When the Operational Land Imager-2 
+
+(OLI-2) on Landsat 9 acquired this image (right) on September 7, 2023, Laguna de Aculeo covered 
+about 5 square kilometers (2 square miles) to a depth of roughly 1 meter (3 feet). The other 
+image (left) shows the dried water body on May 18, 2023, before the wet winter weather arrived. 
+Although it has refilled somewhat, water spans only half the area it did up to 2010 and contains 
+a quarter of the water volume, explained René Garreaud, an Earth scientist at the University 
+
+of Chile. Seasonal changes and the influx of water have led to widespread greening of the 
+landscape around the lake.Researchers have assessed that ongoing development and water use 
+in the nearby community of Paine, increasing water use by farmers and in homes and pools, 
+as well as several years of drought, likely contributed to the drawdown of the lake. Annual 
+rainfall deficits that averaged 38 percent between 2010 and 2018 likely played a large role, 
+
+according to one analysis from a team of researchers from the University of Chile.Before 2010, 
+the shallow water body was a popular haven for boaters, swimmers, and water skiers, but the 
+water hasn’t yet pooled up enough for swimmers or boaters to return. It is also unclear how 
+long the new water in Aculeo will persist. “Atmospheric rivers in June and August delivered 
+substantial precipitation along the high terrain and foothills that have giv­­en us a welcome 
+
+interruption to the drought,” Garreaud said. “But Aculeo is a small, shallow lagoon that can 
+fill up rapidly, and it's only partly filled. Bigger reservoirs and aquifers will take much 
+longer to recover.”NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from 
+the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerThe drought 
+in Chile isn’t over, but recent late-winter rains provided enough moisture for water to start 
+
+pooling up again.Image of the Day for September 16, 2023 Image of the Day Life Water View 
+more Images of the Day:Data from winter 2022-2023 show the greatest net gain of water in nearly 
+22 years, but groundwater levels still suffer from years of drought. Image of the Day Land 
+Water As a persistent drought drags on, water levels are dropping at a key reservoir that 
+supplies Santiago. Image of the Day Land Water A new web tool designed by NASA applied scientists 
+
+could help the tribe anticipate and respond to drought. Image of the Day Water Human Presence 
+Remote Sensing For more than 100 years, groups in the western United States have fought over 
+water. During the 1880s, sheep ranchers and cattle ranchers argued over drinking water for 
+their livestock on the high plains. In 1913, the city of Los Angeles began to draw water away 
+from small agricultural communities in Owen Valley, leaving a dusty dry lake bed. In the late 
+
+1950s, construction of the Glen Canyon Dam catalyzed the American environmental movement. 
+Today, farmers are fighting fishermen, environmentalists, and Native American tribes over 
+the water in the Upper Klamath River Basin. The Landsat 7 satellite, launched by NASA and 
+operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, documented an extreme drought in the area along the 
+California/Oregon border in the spring of 2001. Image of the Day Land Life September 16, 2023JPEGSeptember 
+
+10, 2021JPEGSeptember 16, 2023September 10, 2021September 16, 2023JPEGSeptember 10, 2021JPEGSeptember 
+10, 2021JPEGMonths of excessive heat and drought parched the Mississippi River in the summer 
+and early fall of 2023. In September, low water levels limited barge shipments downriver and 
+threatened drinking water supplies in some Louisiana communities, according to the Associated 
+Press.Water levels were especially low near Memphis, Tennessee. The images above show the 
+
+Mississippi River near Memphis on September 16, 2023 (left), compared to September 10, 2021 
+(right). The river was significantly slimmed down in 2023, exposing some of the river bottom.This 
+is the second year in a row drought has caused the river to fall to near-record lows at many 
+gauges. On September 26, 2023, the river level at a gauge in Memphis was -10.26 feet, close 
+to the record low level, -10.81 feet, measured at the same place on October 21, 2022. That 
+
+was the lowest level recorded there since the start of National Weather Service records in 
+1954. Water levels, or “gauge heights,” do not indicate the depth of a stream; rather, they 
+are measured with respect to a chosen reference point. That is why some gauge height measurements 
+are negative.Farther upstream, water levels at New Madrid, Missouri, have been around -5 feet—near 
+the minimum operating level—since early September 2023. Water levels on the Mississippi normally 
+
+decline in the fall and winter, and in 2022, the river did not get that low until mid-October. 
+September 26, 2023JPEGA hot, dry summer is the main reason water levels dropped so low in 
+2023. Across the globe, temperatures in summer 2023 were 1.2°C (2.1°F) warmer than average. 
+In the U.S., Louisiana and Mississippi experienced their hottest Augusts on record, according 
+to NOAA.The U.S. Drought Monitor map above—the product of a partnership between the U.S. Department 
+
+of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the University of 
+Nebraska-Lincoln—shows conditions during the week of September 20-26, 2023. The map depicts 
+drought intensity in progressive shades of orange to red. It is based on an analysis of climate, 
+soil, and water condition measurements from more than 350 federal, state, and local observers 
+around the country. NASA contributes measurements and models that aid the drought monitoring 
+
+effort.During that week, about 38 percent of the contiguous U.S. was experiencing drought. 
+Lack of precipitation and high temperatures over several months severely dried out soils in 
+states along the Mississippi River Valley. The Drought Monitor reported that 80 percent of 
+soils in Louisiana were dry (short or very short on water) as of September 24. And for most 
+states in the river valley, over 50 percent of topsoil was dry or very dry.Shallow conditions 
+
+along the river interrupted normal shipments of goods. According to the Associated Press, 
+barge companies reduced the weight carried in many shipments in September because the river 
+was not deep enough to accommodate their normal weight. Much of U.S. grain exports are transported 
+down the Mississippi, and according to AP, the cost of these shipments from St. Louis southward 
+has risen 77 percent above the three-year average. The lack of freshwater flowing into the 
+
+Gulf of Mexico has also allowed saltwater to make its way up the river and into some water 
+treatment plants in southern Louisiana, according to the Associated Press. Some parts of Plaquemines 
+Parish are under drinking water advisories and have relied on bottled water for cooking and 
+drinking since June.Significant rainfall would be needed to flush out saltwater in the river 
+in Plaquemines. According to the National Weather Service’s Lower Mississippi River Forecast 
+
+Center, the forecast does not look promising. If enough rainfall doesn’t arrive before mid-to-late 
+October, saltwater could make its way to New Orleans.NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren 
+Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and data from the United States 
+Drought Monitor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area 
+in EO ExplorerIn September, low water levels made it more challenging to ship goods down the 
+
+river and allowed a wedge of saltwater to move upstream.Image of the Day for October 1, 2023 
+Image of the Day Water Drought View more Images of the Day:Persistent dry conditions can affect 
+water resources, ecosystems, and agriculture.Severe drought is reducing the number of daily 
+passages on the transoceanic shipping route. Image of the Day Water Human Presence Prolonged 
+drought in Kansas set the stage for what may be one of the state’s smallest wheat harvests 
+
+in decades. Image of the Day Land Water Drought The most severe drought in 70 years of record 
+keeping threatens the Horn of Africa with famine. Image of the Day Land Water Drought Low 
+water levels are making it difficult to ship goods down the river and allowing a wedge of 
+saltwater to move upstream. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Remote Sensing September 
+25, 2023JPEGLake Winnipeg, the world’s 10th largest freshwater lake by surface area, has experienced 
+
+algae blooms at a regular occurrence at least since the 1990s. A bloom of blue-green algae 
+once again covered parts of the lake in September 2023. Located in Manitoba, Canada, the long 
+lake has a watershed that spans one million square kilometers (386,000 square miles), draining 
+some of Canada’s agricultural land. The lake consists of a large, deep north basin and a smaller, 
+comparatively shallow south basin. Swirls of algae filled the south basin of the lake on September 
+
+25, 2023, when the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 9 acquired this image. Around 
+this time, satellite observations analyzed by Environment and Climate Change Canada indicated 
+that algae covered about 8,400 square kilometers (3,200 square miles), or about a third of 
+the lake’s area.Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are single-celled organisms 
+that rely on photosynthesis to turn sunlight into food. The bacteria grow swiftly when nutrients 
+
+like phosphorus and nitrogen are abundant in still water. The bloom pictured here may contain 
+blue-green algae, as well as other types of phytoplankton; only a surface sample can confirm 
+the exact composition of a bloom. Some cyanobacteria produce microcystin—a potent toxin that 
+can irritate the skin and cause liver and kidney damage.While algae are part of a natural 
+freshwater ecosystem, excess algae, particularly cyanobacteria, can be a nuisance to residents 
+
+and tourists using the lake and its beaches for fishing, swimming, and recreation. Beaches 
+in the south basin of Lake Winnipeg can get as many as 30,000 visitors a day during the summer 
+months. Water samples taken at Winnipeg Beach on the west shore found that cyanobacteria levels 
+were elevated in August, and visitors were advised to avoid swimming and fishing if green 
+scum was visible. The health of Lake Winnipeg has been in decline in recent decades. Between 
+
+1990 and 2000, phosphorous concentrations in the lake almost doubled and algae blooms proliferated, 
+both in terms of occurrence and extent. The major contributors to the influx of phosphorous 
+to the lake were increased agricultural activities in the watershed and a higher frequency 
+of flooding, which has increased runoff into the lake.Phosphorus concentrations are almost 
+three times higher in the south basin of Lake Winnipeg, compared to the north basin. A 2019 
+
+study using data from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument 
+on NASA’s Terra satellite found that the chlorophyll-a concentrations, which are used as a 
+measure of phytoplankton biomass, were on average more than twice as high in the south basin, 
+compared to the north. NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from 
+the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerAn influx 
+
+of nutrients in recent decades has contributed to the proliferation of algae in the large 
+Canadian lake.Image of the Day for October 6, 2023 Image of the Day Water Water Color View 
+more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like organisms reproduce abundantly when there are 
+sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. Extreme blooms of certain species can 
+become harmful to marine animals and humans.Cyanobacteria covered over half of the surface 
+
+of Florida’s largest freshwater lake in mid-June 2023. Image of the Day Life Water Water Color 
+Nearly half of the lake was covered with blue-green algae in early July 2022. Image of the 
+Day Water Remote Sensing Water Color More than 40 years after the explosive eruption of Mount 
+St. Helens, relics from the blast continue to haunt a nearby lake. Image of the Day Water 
+Venezuela’s Lake Maracaibo is choking with oil slicks and algae. Image of the Day Life Water 
+
+Human Presence Remote Sensing January 22 - July 26, 2023JPEGOne of the wettest wet seasons 
+in northern Australia transformed large areas of the country’s desert landscape over the course 
+of many months in 2023. A string of major rainfall events that dropped 690 millimeters (27 
+inches) between October 2022 and April 2023 made it the sixth-wettest season on record since 
+1900–1901.This series of false-color images illustrates the rainfall’s months-long effects 
+
+downstream in the Lake Eyre Basin. Water appears in shades of blue, vegetation is green, and 
+bare land is brown. The images were acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 
+(MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite between January and July 2023.In the January 22 image (left), 
+water was coursing through seasonally dry channels of the Georgina River and Eyre Creek following 
+weeks of heavy rains in northern Queensland. By April 21 (middle), floodwaters had reached 
+
+further downstream after another intense period of precipitation in March. This scene shows 
+that water had filled in some of the north-northwest trending ridges that are part of a vast 
+fossil landscape of wind-formed dunes, while vegetation had emerged in wet soil upstream. 
+Then by July 26 (right), the riverbed had filled with even more vegetation.The Georgina River 
+and Eyre Creek drain approximately 210,000 square kilometers (81,000 square miles), nearly 
+
+the area of the United Kingdom. Visible in the lower part of the images, the lake gets refreshed 
+about every three years; when it reaches especially high levels, it may take 18 months to 
+2 years to dry up. Two smaller neighboring lakes flood seasonally. These three lakes and surrounding 
+floodplains support hundreds of thousands of waterbirds and are designated as an Important 
+Bird Area.Seasonal flooding is a regular occurrence in these desert river systems. However, 
+
+the events of the 2022-2023 rainy season stood out in several ways. They occurred while La 
+Niña conditions were in place over the tropical Pacific Ocean. (The wettest seasons in northern 
+Australia have all occurred during La Niña years, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.) 
+In addition, major rains occurring in succession, as was the case with the January and March 
+events, have the overall effect of prolonging floods. That’s because vegetation that grows 
+
+after the first event slows down the pulse of water that comes through in the next rain event.The 
+high water has affected both local communities and ecosystems. Floods have inundated cattle 
+farms and isolated towns on temporary islands. At the same time, they are a natural feature 
+of the “boom-and-bust” ecology of Channel Country, providing habitat and nutrients that support 
+biodiversity.NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS 
+
+LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerRepeated 
+heavy rains in Australia set off waves of new growth across Channel Country.Image of the Day 
+for August 7, 2023 Image of the Day Land Water View more Images of the Day: Floods The waves 
+off the coast of Teahupo’o can heave a crushing amount of water toward the shore and onto 
+unlucky surfers. Image of the Day Water Waves of heavy rainfall left towns and farmland under 
+
+water in October 2022. Image of the Day Water Floods Acquired February 26, 2011, and February 
+5, 2011, these false-color images show the impact of heavy rains in marshy areas southeast 
+of Georgetown, Guyana. Land Floods August 25, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGAugust 25, 2023September 
+18, 2023August 25, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGHeavy rain from a cyclone 
+in the Mediterranean inundated cities along the northeastern coast of Libya in early September 
+
+2023, causing thousands of deaths. The port city of Derna (Darnah), home to about 90,000 people, 
+was one of the worst hit by the storm and suffered extensive flooding and damage. On September 
+10 and 11, over 100 millimeters (4 inches) of rain fell on Derna. The city lies at the end 
+of a long, narrow valley, called a wadi, which is dry except during the rainy season. Floods 
+triggered two dams along the wadi to collapse. The failure of the second dam, located just 
+
+one kilometer inland of Derna, unleashed 3- to 7-meter-high floodwater that tore through the 
+city. According to news reports, the flash floods destroyed roads and swept entire neighborhoods 
+out to sea. The images above show the city before and after the storm. The image on the right, 
+acquired by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9 on September 18, shows eroded 
+banks of Wadi Derna near where it meets the Mediterranean. Water just off the coast appears 
+
+muddier than in the image on the left, which shows the same area on August 25 and was acquired 
+by Landsat 8. Preliminary estimates by the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) indicate 
+that 3,100 buildings in Derna were damaged by rushing water. According to the UN International 
+Organization for Migration (IOM), about 40,000 people in the country were displaced by the 
+storm, and 30,000 of those were displaced from Derna. Tropical-like cyclones in the Mediterranean, 
+
+or “medicanes,” develop only once or twice a year, according to NOAA, and typically form in 
+autumn. According to meteorologists at Yale Climate Connections, this storm was the deadliest 
+in Africa’s recorded history. A recent assessment by scientists at World Weather Attribution 
+estimated that precipitation received by the region was a one-in-300 to one-in-600-year event. 
+NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological 
+
+Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerFlash floods in the port city 
+destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods out to sea.Image of the Day for September 21, 2023 
+Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The melting 
+of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can send rivers 
+out of their banks.A Mediterranean cyclone contributed to deadly flooding along the country’s 
+
+coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Record rainfall inundated towns and farmland 
+in the country’s Thessaly region. Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence A stalled storm 
+dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive flooding. 
+Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential downpours 
+in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Floods 
+
+Human Presence July 2002 - June 2022JPEGThe deep-blue sea is turning a touch greener. While 
+that may not seem as consequential as, say, record warm sea surface temperatures, the color 
+of the ocean surface is indicative of the ecosystem that lies beneath. Communities of phytoplankton, 
+microscopic photosynthesizing organisms, abound in near-surface waters and are foundational 
+to the aquatic food web and carbon cycle. This shift in the water’s hue confirms a trend expected 
+
+under climate change and signals changes to ecosystems within the global ocean, which covers 
+70 percent of Earth’s surface. Researchers led by B. B. Cael, a principal scientist at the 
+U.K.’s National Oceanography Centre, revealed that 56 percent of the global sea surface has 
+undergone a significant change in color in the past 20 years. After analyzing ocean color 
+data from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument on NASA’s Aqua 
+
+satellite, they found that much of the change stems from the ocean turning more green. The 
+map above highlights the areas where ocean surface color changed between 2002 and 2022, with 
+darker shades of green representing more-significant differences (higher signal-to-noise ratio). 
+By extension, said Cael, “these are places we can detect a change in the ocean ecosystem in 
+the last 20 years.” The study focused on tropical and subtropical regions, excluding higher 
+
+latitudes, which are dark for part of the year, and coastal waters, where the data are naturally 
+very noisy. The black dots on the map indicate the area, covering 12 percent of the ocean’s 
+surface, where chlorophyll levels also changed over the study period. Chlorophyll has been 
+the go-to measurement for remote sensing scientists to gauge phytoplankton abundance and productivity. 
+However, those estimates use only a few colors in the visible light spectrum. The values shown 
+
+in green are based on the whole gamut of colors and therefore capture more information about 
+the ecosystem as a whole. A long time series from a single sensor is relatively rare in the 
+remote sensing world. As the Aqua satellite was celebrating its 20th year in orbit in 2022—far 
+exceeding its design life of 6 years—Cael wondered what long term trends could be discovered 
+in the data. In particular, he was curious what might have been missed in all the ocean color 
+
+information it had collected. “There’s more encoded in the data than we actually make use 
+of,” he said. By going big with the data, the team discerned an ocean color trend that had 
+been predicted by climate modeling, but one that was expected to take 30-40 years of data 
+to detect using satellite-based chlorophyll estimates. That’s because the natural variability 
+in chlorophyll is high relative to the climate change trend. The new method, incorporating 
+
+all visible light, was robust enough to confirm the trend in 20 years. At this stage, it is 
+difficult to say what exact ecological changes are responsible for the new hues. However, 
+the authors posit, they could result from different assemblages of plankton, more detrital 
+particles, or other organisms such as zooplankton. It is unlikely the color changes come from 
+materials such as plastics or other pollutants, said Cael, since they are not widespread enough 
+
+to register at large scales. “What we do know is that in the last 20 years, the ocean has 
+become more stratified,” he said. Surface waters have absorbed excess heat from the warming 
+climate, and as a result, they are less prone to mixing with deeper, more nutrient-rich layers. 
+This scenario would favor plankton adapted to a nutrient-poor environment. The areas of ocean 
+color change align well with where the sea has become more stratified, said Cael, but there 
+
+is no such overlap with sea surface temperature changes. More insights into Earth’s aquatic 
+ecosystems may soon be on the way. NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) 
+satellite, set to launch in 2024, will return observations in finer color resolution. The 
+new data will enable researchers to infer more information about ocean ecology, such as the 
+diversity of phytoplankton species and the rates of phytoplankton growth. NASA Earth Observatory 
+
+image by Wanmei Liang, using data from Cael, B. B., et al. (2023). Story by Lindsey Doermann.Two 
+decades of satellite measurements show that the sea surface is shading toward green.Image 
+of the Day for October 2, 2023 Image of the Day Life Water View more Images of the Day:Datasets 
+from the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite will build upon three decades of sea level 
+measurements. Image of the Day Heat Water Remote Sensing Image of the Day Life Water Image 
+
+of the Day Water The use of plastic on farms has become so common in recent decades that there 
+there’s a term for it—plasticulture. Image of the Day Human Presence August 16, 2023JPEGThe 
+Canary Islands were at the center of a mélange of natural events in summer 2023. The Moderate 
+Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this assemblage 
+of phenomena off the coast of Africa on August 16, 2023.In the center of the scene, smoke 
+
+is seen rising from a wildfire burning on Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The blaze started 
+amid hot and dry conditions on August 15 in forests surrounding the Teide Volcano. Authorities 
+issued evacuation orders to five villages, and responders focused on containing the fire’s 
+spread and protecting residential areas near the coast, according to news reports. Other fires 
+have burned on the Canary Islands this summer, including on La Palma in July.To the west, 
+
+a swirling cloud moves across the Atlantic. Cloud vortices appear routinely downwind of the 
+Canary Islands—sometimes in great abundance—and are produced when the tall volcanic peaks 
+disrupt the air flowing past them.Elsewhere in the atmosphere, dust from the Sahara Desert 
+was lofted out over the ocean. The river of dust crossing the Atlantic was more pronounced 
+in previous days, when it reached islands in the Caribbean. Traveling on the Saharan Air Layer, 
+
+dust sometimes makes it even further west toward Central America and the U.S. states of Florida 
+and Texas.To round out the list, the patch of bright blue off the Moroccan coast is most likely 
+a bloom of phytoplankton. While the exact cause and composition of the bloom cannot be determined 
+from this image, mineral-rich desert dust has been shown to set off bursts of phytoplankton 
+growth.In addition to the Earth’s processes seen here, one remote sensing artifact is present. 
+
+A diagonal streak of sunglint makes part of this scene appear washed out. Sunglint, an effect 
+that occurs when sunlight reflects off the surface of the water at the same angle that a satellite 
+sensor views it, is also the reason for the light-colored streaks trailing off the islands.NASA 
+Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerAn assortment of natural phenomena 
+
+visible from space appeared together in one image.Image of the Day for August 17, 2023 Image 
+of the Day Atmosphere Land Water View more Images of the Day:Flights were grounded as visibility 
+was severely hampered by a Calima event. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze Human 
+Presence In one frame International Space Station astronauts were able to capture the evolution 
+of fringing reefs to atolls. As with the Hawaiian Islands, these volcanic hot spot islands 
+
+become progressively older to the northwest. As these islands move away from their magma sources 
+they erode and subside. Image of the Day Land Water The dry, volcanic terrain of this Canary 
+Island is suitable for lichen and crops … and for training astronauts. Image of the Day Land 
+The event, known locally as “la calima,” turned skies orange and degraded air quality in Gran 
+Canaria and neighboring islands. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze July 17, 2023JPEGFour 
+
+funnel-shaped estuarine inlets, collectively known as Rías Baixas, line the coast of Galicia, 
+in northwest Spain. The nutrient-rich water in these inlets supports a wealth of marine life, 
+making the Galicia coast one of the most productive places for aquaculture.On July 17, 2023, 
+the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, acquired this image of the Rías de Arousa 
+(Arousa estuary), the largest and northernmost of the inlets. Small dots skirt the coasts 
+
+of the embayment. In most cases, these dots are rectangular rafts designed for raising bivalves 
+like mussels. Buoys keep the lattice mussel rafts afloat on the surface of the water, and 
+hundreds of ropes are suspended into the water column from each structure. Mussels attach 
+to the ropes and filter feed on phytoplankton and other suspended organic particles. The rafts 
+allow for high yields of mussels in a small area of the water. The Rías Baixas are on the 
+
+northern end of the Canary current and are in a major upwelling zone. Upwelling, which brings 
+colder, nutrient-rich water up from the bottom of the ocean, typically occurs in this area 
+between April and October. Much of the mussel production in the Rías Baixas occurs during 
+this time, as the mollusks filter feed on nutrients and plentiful phytoplankton supported 
+by upwelling. Spain is the top mussel producing country in the world. Rías de Arousa alone 
+
+contains over 2,400 mussel rafts, producing about 40 percent of Europe’s mussels. NASA Earth 
+Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story 
+by Emily Cassidy. Buoys keep the lattice mussel rafts afloat on the surface of the water, 
+and hundreds of ropes are suspended into the water column from each structure. Mussels attach 
+to the ropes and filter feed on phytoplankton and other suspended organic particles. The rafts 
+
+allow for high yields of mussels in a small area of the water. The Rías Baixas are on the 
+northern end of the Canary current and are in a major upwelling zone. Upwelling, which brings 
+colder, nutrient-rich water up from the bottom of the ocean, typically occurs in this area 
+between April and October. Much of the mussel production in the Rías Baixas occurs during 
+this time, as the mollusks filter feed on nutrients and plentiful phytoplankton supported 
+
+by upwelling. Spain is the top mussel producing country in the world. Rías de Arousa alone 
+contains over 2,400 mussel rafts, producing about 40 percent of Europe’s mussels. NASA Earth 
+Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story 
+by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerThe estuarine inlets of Spain’s Galicia coast 
+are some of the most productive places to grow mussels.Image of the Day for September 19, 
+
+2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of the Day: Dust and Haze This 
+image shows Tropical Cyclones Eric and Fanele near Madagascar on January 19, 2009. Atmosphere 
+Water Severe Storms This natural-color image shows Saharan dust forming an S-shaped curve 
+off the western coast of Africa, and passing directly over Cape Verde. Atmosphere Land Dust 
+and Haze Acquired March 8, 2010, this true-color image shows two icebergs, Iceberg B-09B and 
+
+an iceberg recently broken off the Mertz Glacier, floating in the Southern Ocean, just off 
+the George V Coast. Water Snow and Ice Sea and Lake Ice May 18, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGMay 
+18, 2023September 7, 2023May 18, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGAfter going 
+dry in 2018, Laguna de Aculeo has begun to refill. NASA satellites began to detect water pooling 
+in the parched lake in late-August, after an intense winter storm dropped as much as 370 millimeters 
+
+(15 inches) of rain on some parts of central Chile. The storm was fueled by an atmospheric 
+river and exacerbated by the rugged terrain in central Chile.When the Operational Land Imager-2 
+(OLI-2) on Landsat 9 acquired this image (right) on September 7, 2023, Laguna de Aculeo covered 
+about 5 square kilometers (2 square miles) to a depth of roughly 1 meter (3 feet). The other 
+image (left) shows the dried water body on May 18, 2023, before the wet winter weather arrived. 
+
+Although it has refilled somewhat, water spans only half the area it did up to 2010 and contains 
+a quarter of the water volume, explained René Garreaud, an Earth scientist at the University 
+of Chile. Seasonal changes and the influx of water have led to widespread greening of the 
+landscape around the lake.Researchers have assessed that ongoing development and water use 
+in the nearby community of Paine, increasing water use by farmers and in homes and pools, 
+
+as well as several years of drought, likely contributed to the drawdown of the lake. Annual 
+rainfall deficits that averaged 38 percent between 2010 and 2018 likely played a large role, 
+according to one analysis from a team of researchers from the University of Chile.Before 2010, 
+the shallow water body was a popular haven for boaters, swimmers, and water skiers, but the 
+water hasn’t yet pooled up enough for swimmers or boaters to return. It is also unclear how 
+
+long the new water in Aculeo will persist. “Atmospheric rivers in June and August delivered 
+substantial precipitation along the high terrain and foothills that have giv­­en us a welcome 
+interruption to the drought,” Garreaud said. “But Aculeo is a small, shallow lagoon that can 
+fill up rapidly, and it's only partly filled. Bigger reservoirs and aquifers will take much 
+longer to recover.”NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from 
+
+the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerThe drought 
+in Chile isn’t over, but recent late-winter rains provided enough moisture for water to start 
+pooling up again.Image of the Day for September 16, 2023 Image of the Day Life Water View 
+more Images of the Day:Data from winter 2022-2023 show the greatest net gain of water in nearly 
+22 years, but groundwater levels still suffer from years of drought. Image of the Day Land 
+
+Water As a persistent drought drags on, water levels are dropping at a key reservoir that 
+supplies Santiago. Image of the Day Land Water A new web tool designed by NASA applied scientists 
+could help the tribe anticipate and respond to drought. Image of the Day Water Human Presence 
+Remote Sensing For more than 100 years, groups in the western United States have fought over 
+water. During the 1880s, sheep ranchers and cattle ranchers argued over drinking water for 
+
+their livestock on the high plains. In 1913, the city of Los Angeles began to draw water away 
+from small agricultural communities in Owen Valley, leaving a dusty dry lake bed. In the late 
+1950s, construction of the Glen Canyon Dam catalyzed the American environmental movement. 
+Today, farmers are fighting fishermen, environmentalists, and Native American tribes over 
+the water in the Upper Klamath River Basin. The Landsat 7 satellite, launched by NASA and 
+
+operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, documented an extreme drought in the area along the 
+California/Oregon border in the spring of 2001. Image of the Day Land Life September 16, 2023JPEGSeptember 
+10, 2021JPEGSeptember 16, 2023September 10, 2021September 16, 2023JPEGSeptember 10, 2021JPEGSeptember 
+10, 2021JPEGMonths of excessive heat and drought parched the Mississippi River in the summer 
+and early fall of 2023. In September, low water levels limited barge shipments downriver and 
+
+threatened drinking water supplies in some Louisiana communities, according to the Associated 
+Press.Water levels were especially low near Memphis, Tennessee. The images above show the 
+Mississippi River near Memphis on September 16, 2023 (left), compared to September 10, 2021 
+(right). The river was significantly slimmed down in 2023, exposing some of the river bottom.This 
+is the second year in a row drought has caused the river to fall to near-record lows at many 
+
+gauges. On September 26, 2023, the river level at a gauge in Memphis was -10.26 feet, close 
+to the record low level, -10.81 feet, measured at the same place on October 21, 2022. That 
+was the lowest level recorded there since the start of National Weather Service records in 
+1954. Water levels, or “gauge heights,” do not indicate the depth of a stream; rather, they 
+are measured with respect to a chosen reference point. That is why some gauge height measurements 
+
+are negative.Farther upstream, water levels at New Madrid, Missouri, have been around -5 feet—near 
+the minimum operating level—since early September 2023. Water levels on the Mississippi normally 
+decline in the fall and winter, and in 2022, the river did not get that low until mid-October. 
+September 26, 2023JPEGA hot, dry summer is the main reason water levels dropped so low in 
+2023. Across the globe, temperatures in summer 2023 were 1.2°C (2.1°F) warmer than average. 
+
+In the U.S., Louisiana and Mississippi experienced their hottest Augusts on record, according 
+to NOAA.The U.S. Drought Monitor map above—the product of a partnership between the U.S. Department 
+of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the University of 
+Nebraska-Lincoln—shows conditions during the week of September 20-26, 2023. The map depicts 
+drought intensity in progressive shades of orange to red. It is based on an analysis of climate, 
+
+soil, and water condition measurements from more than 350 federal, state, and local observers 
+around the country. NASA contributes measurements and models that aid the drought monitoring 
+effort.During that week, about 38 percent of the contiguous U.S. was experiencing drought. 
+Lack of precipitation and high temperatures over several months severely dried out soils in 
+states along the Mississippi River Valley. The Drought Monitor reported that 80 percent of 
+
+soils in Louisiana were dry (short or very short on water) as of September 24. And for most 
+states in the river valley, over 50 percent of topsoil was dry or very dry.Shallow conditions 
+along the river interrupted normal shipments of goods. According to the Associated Press, 
+barge companies reduced the weight carried in many shipments in September because the river 
+was not deep enough to accommodate their normal weight. Much of U.S. grain exports are transported 
+
+down the Mississippi, and according to AP, the cost of these shipments from St. Louis southward 
+has risen 77 percent above the three-year average. The lack of freshwater flowing into the 
+Gulf of Mexico has also allowed saltwater to make its way up the river and into some water 
+treatment plants in southern Louisiana, according to the Associated Press. Some parts of Plaquemines 
+Parish are under drinking water advisories and have relied on bottled water for cooking and 
+
+drinking since June.Significant rainfall would be needed to flush out saltwater in the river 
+in Plaquemines. According to the National Weather Service’s Lower Mississippi River Forecast 
+Center, the forecast does not look promising. If enough rainfall doesn’t arrive before mid-to-late 
+October, saltwater could make its way to New Orleans.NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren 
+Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and data from the United States 
+
+Drought Monitor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area 
+in EO ExplorerIn September, low water levels made it more challenging to ship goods down the 
+river and allowed a wedge of saltwater to move upstream.Image of the Day for October 1, 2023 
+Image of the Day Water Drought View more Images of the Day:Persistent dry conditions can affect 
+water resources, ecosystems, and agriculture.Severe drought is reducing the number of daily 
+
+passages on the transoceanic shipping route. Image of the Day Water Human Presence Prolonged 
+drought in Kansas set the stage for what may be one of the state’s smallest wheat harvests 
+in decades. Image of the Day Land Water Drought The most severe drought in 70 years of record 
+keeping threatens the Horn of Africa with famine. Image of the Day Land Water Drought Low 
+water levels are making it difficult to ship goods down the river and allowing a wedge of 
+
+saltwater to move upstream. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Remote Sensing September 
+25, 2023JPEGLake Winnipeg, the world’s 10th largest freshwater lake by surface area, has experienced 
+algae blooms at a regular occurrence at least since the 1990s. A bloom of blue-green algae 
+once again covered parts of the lake in September 2023. Located in Manitoba, Canada, the long 
+lake has a watershed that spans one million square kilometers (386,000 square miles), draining 
+
+some of Canada’s agricultural land. The lake consists of a large, deep north basin and a smaller, 
+comparatively shallow south basin. Swirls of algae filled the south basin of the lake on September 
+25, 2023, when the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 9 acquired this image. Around 
+this time, satellite observations analyzed by Environment and Climate Change Canada indicated 
+that algae covered about 8,400 square kilometers (3,200 square miles), or about a third of 
+
+the lake’s area.Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are single-celled organisms 
+that rely on photosynthesis to turn sunlight into food. The bacteria grow swiftly when nutrients 
+like phosphorus and nitrogen are abundant in still water. The bloom pictured here may contain 
+blue-green algae, as well as other types of phytoplankton; only a surface sample can confirm 
+the exact composition of a bloom. Some cyanobacteria produce microcystin—a potent toxin that 
+
+can irritate the skin and cause liver and kidney damage.While algae are part of a natural 
+freshwater ecosystem, excess algae, particularly cyanobacteria, can be a nuisance to residents 
+and tourists using the lake and its beaches for fishing, swimming, and recreation. Beaches 
+in the south basin of Lake Winnipeg can get as many as 30,000 visitors a day during the summer 
+months. Water samples taken at Winnipeg Beach on the west shore found that cyanobacteria levels 
+
+were elevated in August, and visitors were advised to avoid swimming and fishing if green 
+scum was visible. The health of Lake Winnipeg has been in decline in recent decades. Between 
+1990 and 2000, phosphorous concentrations in the lake almost doubled and algae blooms proliferated, 
+both in terms of occurrence and extent. The major contributors to the influx of phosphorous 
+to the lake were increased agricultural activities in the watershed and a higher frequency 
+
+of flooding, which has increased runoff into the lake.Phosphorus concentrations are almost 
+three times higher in the south basin of Lake Winnipeg, compared to the north basin. A 2019 
+study using data from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument 
+on NASA’s Terra satellite found that the chlorophyll-a concentrations, which are used as a 
+measure of phytoplankton biomass, were on average more than twice as high in the south basin, 
+
+compared to the north. NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from 
+the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerAn influx 
+of nutrients in recent decades has contributed to the proliferation of algae in the large 
+Canadian lake.Image of the Day for October 6, 2023 Image of the Day Water Water Color View 
+more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like organisms reproduce abundantly when there are 
+
+sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. Extreme blooms of certain species can 
+become harmful to marine animals and humans.Cyanobacteria covered over half of the surface 
+of Florida’s largest freshwater lake in mid-June 2023. Image of the Day Life Water Water Color 
+Nearly half of the lake was covered with blue-green algae in early July 2022. Image of the 
+Day Water Remote Sensing Water Color More than 40 years after the explosive eruption of Mount 
+
+St. Helens, relics from the blast continue to haunt a nearby lake. Image of the Day Water 
+Venezuela’s Lake Maracaibo is choking with oil slicks and algae. Image of the Day Life Water 
+Human Presence Remote Sensing October 8, 2022JPEGOctober 3, 2023JPEGOctober 8, 2022October 
+3, 2023October 8, 2022JPEGOctober 3, 2023JPEGOctober 3, 2023JPEGJuly through October fall 
+within the dry season in the western and northern Amazon rainforest, but a particularly acute 
+
+lack of rain during this period in 2023 has pushed the region into a severe drought.The OLI 
+(Operational Land Imager) instrument on Landsat 8 captured this image (right) of the parched 
+Rio Negro in the Brazilian province of Amazonas near the city of Manaus on October 3, 2023. 
+On that date, the level of the river, the largest tributary of the Amazon River, had dropped 
+to 15.14 meters (50.52 feet), according to data collected by the Port of Manaus. For comparison, 
+
+the image on the left shows the same area on October 8, 2022, when the water level was 19.59 
+meters, a more typical level for October. Rio Negro water levels continued to drop in the 
+days after the image was collected, reaching a record low of 13.49 meters on October 17, 2023.Some 
+areas in the Amazon River’s watershed have received less rain between July and September than 
+any year since 1980, Reuters reported. The drought has been particularly severe in the Rio 
+
+Negro watershed in northern Amazonas, as well as parts of southern Venezuela and southern 
+Colombia.“Overall, this is a pretty unusual and extreme situation,” said René Garreaud, an 
+atmospheric scientist at the University of Chile. “The primary culprit exacerbating the drought 
+appears to be El Niño.” This cyclical warming of surface waters in the central-eastern Pacific 
+functions somewhat like a boulder in the middle of a stream, disrupting atmospheric circulation 
+
+patterns in ways that lead to wetter conditions over the equatorial Pacific and drier conditions 
+over the Amazon Basin.According to news outlets, the low river water levels on the Rio Negro 
+and other nearby rivers have disrupted drinking water supplies in hundreds of communities, 
+slowed commercial navigation, and led to fish and dolphin die-offs.Manaus, the capital and 
+largest city of the Brazilian state of Amazonas, is the primary transportation hub for the 
+
+upper Amazon, serving as an important transit point for soap, beef, and animal hides. Other 
+industries with a presence in the city of two million people include chemical, ship, and electrical 
+equipment manufacturing.NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data 
+from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerThe water 
+level of the largest tributary of the Amazon River has hit a record low.Image of the Day for 
+
+October 18, 2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The impact 
+of severe drought on the Negro River, a tributary of the Amazon River, and other rivers in 
+the basin is dramatically evident in this pair of images, which show that every body of water 
+has shrunk in 2010 compared to 2008. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land The volume of water 
+in New Mexico’s largest reservoir has dropped to historic lows due to drought and persistent 
+
+demand. Image of the Day Water Human Presence Acquired June 25, 2011, and June 22, 2010, these 
+false-color images compare conditions along the Souris River, which reached a historic crest 
+at Minot, North Dakota in June 2011. Land Floods Acquired May 11, 2011, and April 21, 2007, 
+these false-color images show the Mississippi River near Natchez, Mississippi. The image from 
+May 2011 shows flooded conditions. Land Floods January 22 - July 26, 2023JPEGOne of the wettest 
+
+wet seasons in northern Australia transformed large areas of the country’s desert landscape 
+over the course of many months in 2023. A string of major rainfall events that dropped 690 
+millimeters (27 inches) between October 2022 and April 2023 made it the sixth-wettest season 
+on record since 1900–1901.This series of false-color images illustrates the rainfall’s months-long 
+effects downstream in the Lake Eyre Basin. Water appears in shades of blue, vegetation is 
+
+green, and bare land is brown. The images were acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite between January and July 2023.In the January 
+22 image (left), water was coursing through seasonally dry channels of the Georgina River 
+and Eyre Creek following weeks of heavy rains in northern Queensland. By April 21 (middle), 
+floodwaters had reached further downstream after another intense period of precipitation in 
+
+March. This scene shows that water had filled in some of the north-northwest trending ridges 
+that are part of a vast fossil landscape of wind-formed dunes, while vegetation had emerged 
+in wet soil upstream. Then by July 26 (right), the riverbed had filled with even more vegetation.The 
+Georgina River and Eyre Creek drain approximately 210,000 square kilometers (81,000 square 
+miles), nearly the area of the United Kingdom. Visible in the lower part of the images, the 
+
+lake gets refreshed about every three years; when it reaches especially high levels, it may 
+take 18 months to 2 years to dry up. Two smaller neighboring lakes flood seasonally. These 
+three lakes and surrounding floodplains support hundreds of thousands of waterbirds and are 
+designated as an Important Bird Area.Seasonal flooding is a regular occurrence in these desert 
+river systems. However, the events of the 2022-2023 rainy season stood out in several ways. 
+
+They occurred while La Niña conditions were in place over the tropical Pacific Ocean. (The 
+wettest seasons in northern Australia have all occurred during La Niña years, according to 
+Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.) In addition, major rains occurring in succession, as was 
+the case with the January and March events, have the overall effect of prolonging floods. 
+That’s because vegetation that grows after the first event slows down the pulse of water that 
+
+comes through in the next rain event.The high water has affected both local communities and 
+ecosystems. Floods have inundated cattle farms and isolated towns on temporary islands. At 
+the same time, they are a natural feature of the “boom-and-bust” ecology of Channel Country, 
+providing habitat and nutrients that support biodiversity.NASA Earth Observatory image by 
+Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. Story by Lindsey 
+
+Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerRepeated heavy rains in Australia set off waves of new 
+growth across Channel Country.Image of the Day for August 7, 2023 Image of the Day Land Water 
+View more Images of the Day: Floods The waves off the coast of Teahupo’o can heave a crushing 
+amount of water toward the shore and onto unlucky surfers. Image of the Day Water Waves of 
+heavy rainfall left towns and farmland under water in October 2022. Image of the Day Water 
+
+Floods Acquired February 26, 2011, and February 5, 2011, these false-color images show the 
+impact of heavy rains in marshy areas southeast of Georgetown, Guyana. Land Floods August 
+25, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGAugust 25, 2023September 18, 2023August 25, 2023JPEGSeptember 
+18, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGHeavy rain from a cyclone in the Mediterranean inundated 
+cities along the northeastern coast of Libya in early September 2023, causing thousands of 
+
+deaths. The port city of Derna (Darnah), home to about 90,000 people, was one of the worst 
+hit by the storm and suffered extensive flooding and damage. On September 10 and 11, over 
+100 millimeters (4 inches) of rain fell on Derna. The city lies at the end of a long, narrow 
+valley, called a wadi, which is dry except during the rainy season. Floods triggered two dams 
+along the wadi to collapse. The failure of the second dam, located just one kilometer inland 
+
+of Derna, unleashed 3- to 7-meter-high floodwater that tore through the city. According to 
+news reports, the flash floods destroyed roads and swept entire neighborhoods out to sea. 
+The images above show the city before and after the storm. The image on the right, acquired 
+by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9 on September 18, shows eroded banks 
+of Wadi Derna near where it meets the Mediterranean. Water just off the coast appears muddier 
+
+than in the image on the left, which shows the same area on August 25 and was acquired by 
+Landsat 8. Preliminary estimates by the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) indicate 
+that 3,100 buildings in Derna were damaged by rushing water. According to the UN International 
+Organization for Migration (IOM), about 40,000 people in the country were displaced by the 
+storm, and 30,000 of those were displaced from Derna. Tropical-like cyclones in the Mediterranean, 
+
+or “medicanes,” develop only once or twice a year, according to NOAA, and typically form in 
+autumn. According to meteorologists at Yale Climate Connections, this storm was the deadliest 
+in Africa’s recorded history. A recent assessment by scientists at World Weather Attribution 
+estimated that precipitation received by the region was a one-in-300 to one-in-600-year event. 
+NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological 
+
+Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerFlash floods in the port city 
+destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods out to sea.Image of the Day for September 21, 2023 
+Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The melting 
+of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can send rivers 
+out of their banks.A Mediterranean cyclone contributed to deadly flooding along the country’s 
+
+coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Record rainfall inundated towns and farmland 
+in the country’s Thessaly region. Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence A stalled storm 
+dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive flooding. 
+Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential downpours 
+in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Floods 
+
+Human Presence July 2002 - June 2022JPEGThe deep-blue sea is turning a touch greener. While 
+that may not seem as consequential as, say, record warm sea surface temperatures, the color 
+of the ocean surface is indicative of the ecosystem that lies beneath. Communities of phytoplankton, 
+microscopic photosynthesizing organisms, abound in near-surface waters and are foundational 
+to the aquatic food web and carbon cycle. This shift in the water’s hue confirms a trend expected 
+
+under climate change and signals changes to ecosystems within the global ocean, which covers 
+70 percent of Earth’s surface. Researchers led by B. B. Cael, a principal scientist at the 
+U.K.’s National Oceanography Centre, revealed that 56 percent of the global sea surface has 
+undergone a significant change in color in the past 20 years. After analyzing ocean color 
+data from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument on NASA’s Aqua 
+
+satellite, they found that much of the change stems from the ocean turning more green. The 
+map above highlights the areas where ocean surface color changed between 2002 and 2022, with 
+darker shades of green representing more-significant differences (higher signal-to-noise ratio). 
+By extension, said Cael, “these are places we can detect a change in the ocean ecosystem in 
+the last 20 years.” The study focused on tropical and subtropical regions, excluding higher 
+
+latitudes, which are dark for part of the year, and coastal waters, where the data are naturally 
+very noisy. The black dots on the map indicate the area, covering 12 percent of the ocean’s 
+surface, where chlorophyll levels also changed over the study period. Chlorophyll has been 
+the go-to measurement for remote sensing scientists to gauge phytoplankton abundance and productivity. 
+However, those estimates use only a few colors in the visible light spectrum. The values shown 
+
+in green are based on the whole gamut of colors and therefore capture more information about 
+the ecosystem as a whole. A long time series from a single sensor is relatively rare in the 
+remote sensing world. As the Aqua satellite was celebrating its 20th year in orbit in 2022—far 
+exceeding its design life of 6 years—Cael wondered what long term trends could be discovered 
+in the data. In particular, he was curious what might have been missed in all the ocean color 
+
+information it had collected. “There’s more encoded in the data than we actually make use 
+of,” he said. By going big with the data, the team discerned an ocean color trend that had 
+been predicted by climate modeling, but one that was expected to take 30-40 years of data 
+to detect using satellite-based chlorophyll estimates. That’s because the natural variability 
+in chlorophyll is high relative to the climate change trend. The new method, incorporating 
+
+all visible light, was robust enough to confirm the trend in 20 years. At this stage, it is 
+difficult to say what exact ecological changes are responsible for the new hues. However, 
+the authors posit, they could result from different assemblages of plankton, more detrital 
+particles, or other organisms such as zooplankton. It is unlikely the color changes come from 
+materials such as plastics or other pollutants, said Cael, since they are not widespread enough 
+
+to register at large scales. “What we do know is that in the last 20 years, the ocean has 
+become more stratified,” he said. Surface waters have absorbed excess heat from the warming 
+climate, and as a result, they are less prone to mixing with deeper, more nutrient-rich layers. 
+This scenario would favor plankton adapted to a nutrient-poor environment. The areas of ocean 
+color change align well with where the sea has become more stratified, said Cael, but there 
+
+is no such overlap with sea surface temperature changes. More insights into Earth’s aquatic 
+ecosystems may soon be on the way. NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) 
+satellite, set to launch in 2024, will return observations in finer color resolution. The 
+new data will enable researchers to infer more information about ocean ecology, such as the 
+diversity of phytoplankton species and the rates of phytoplankton growth. NASA Earth Observatory 
+
+image by Wanmei Liang, using data from Cael, B. B., et al. (2023). Story by Lindsey Doermann.Two 
+decades of satellite measurements show that the sea surface is shading toward green.Image 
+of the Day for October 2, 2023 Image of the Day Life Water View more Images of the Day:Datasets 
+from the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite will build upon three decades of sea level 
+measurements. Image of the Day Heat Water Remote Sensing Image of the Day Life Water Image 
+
+of the Day Water The use of plastic on farms has become so common in recent decades that there 
+there’s a term for it—plasticulture. Image of the Day Human Presence August 16, 2023JPEGThe 
+Canary Islands were at the center of a mélange of natural events in summer 2023. The Moderate 
+Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this assemblage 
+of phenomena off the coast of Africa on August 16, 2023.In the center of the scene, smoke 
+
+is seen rising from a wildfire burning on Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The blaze started 
+amid hot and dry conditions on August 15 in forests surrounding the Teide Volcano. Authorities 
+issued evacuation orders to five villages, and responders focused on containing the fire’s 
+spread and protecting residential areas near the coast, according to news reports. Other fires 
+have burned on the Canary Islands this summer, including on La Palma in July.To the west, 
+
+a swirling cloud moves across the Atlantic. Cloud vortices appear routinely downwind of the 
+Canary Islands—sometimes in great abundance—and are produced when the tall volcanic peaks 
+disrupt the air flowing past them.Elsewhere in the atmosphere, dust from the Sahara Desert 
+was lofted out over the ocean. The river of dust crossing the Atlantic was more pronounced 
+in previous days, when it reached islands in the Caribbean. Traveling on the Saharan Air Layer, 
+
+dust sometimes makes it even further west toward Central America and the U.S. states of Florida 
+and Texas.To round out the list, the patch of bright blue off the Moroccan coast is most likely 
+a bloom of phytoplankton. While the exact cause and composition of the bloom cannot be determined 
+from this image, mineral-rich desert dust has been shown to set off bursts of phytoplankton 
+growth.In addition to the Earth’s processes seen here, one remote sensing artifact is present. 
+
+A diagonal streak of sunglint makes part of this scene appear washed out. Sunglint, an effect 
+that occurs when sunlight reflects off the surface of the water at the same angle that a satellite 
+sensor views it, is also the reason for the light-colored streaks trailing off the islands.NASA 
+Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerAn assortment of natural phenomena 
+
+visible from space appeared together in one image.Image of the Day for August 17, 2023 Image 
+of the Day Atmosphere Land Water View more Images of the Day:Flights were grounded as visibility 
+was severely hampered by a Calima event. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze Human 
+Presence In one frame International Space Station astronauts were able to capture the evolution 
+of fringing reefs to atolls. As with the Hawaiian Islands, these volcanic hot spot islands 
+
+become progressively older to the northwest. As these islands move away from their magma sources 
+they erode and subside. Image of the Day Land Water The dry, volcanic terrain of this Canary 
+Island is suitable for lichen and crops … and for training astronauts. Image of the Day Land 
+The event, known locally as “la calima,” turned skies orange and degraded air quality in Gran 
+Canaria and neighboring islands. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze July 17, 2023JPEGFour 
+
+funnel-shaped estuarine inlets, collectively known as Rías Baixas, line the coast of Galicia, 
+in northwest Spain. The nutrient-rich water in these inlets supports a wealth of marine life, 
+making the Galicia coast one of the most productive places for aquaculture.On July 17, 2023, 
+the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, acquired this image of the Rías de Arousa 
+(Arousa estuary), the largest and northernmost of the inlets. Small dots skirt the coasts 
+
+of the embayment. In most cases, these dots are rectangular rafts designed for raising bivalves 
+like mussels. Buoys keep the lattice mussel rafts afloat on the surface of the water, and 
+hundreds of ropes are suspended into the water column from each structure. Mussels attach 
+to the ropes and filter feed on phytoplankton and other suspended organic particles. The rafts 
+allow for high yields of mussels in a small area of the water. The Rías Baixas are on the 
+
+northern end of the Canary current and are in a major upwelling zone. Upwelling, which brings 
+colder, nutrient-rich water up from the bottom of the ocean, typically occurs in this area 
+between April and October. Much of the mussel production in the Rías Baixas occurs during 
+this time, as the mollusks filter feed on nutrients and plentiful phytoplankton supported 
+by upwelling. Spain is the top mussel producing country in the world. Rías de Arousa alone 
+
+contains over 2,400 mussel rafts, producing about 40 percent of Europe’s mussels. NASA Earth 
+Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story 
+by Emily Cassidy. Buoys keep the lattice mussel rafts afloat on the surface of the water, 
+and hundreds of ropes are suspended into the water column from each structure. Mussels attach 
+to the ropes and filter feed on phytoplankton and other suspended organic particles. The rafts 
+
+allow for high yields of mussels in a small area of the water. The Rías Baixas are on the 
+northern end of the Canary current and are in a major upwelling zone. Upwelling, which brings 
+colder, nutrient-rich water up from the bottom of the ocean, typically occurs in this area 
+between April and October. Much of the mussel production in the Rías Baixas occurs during 
+this time, as the mollusks filter feed on nutrients and plentiful phytoplankton supported 
+
+by upwelling. Spain is the top mussel producing country in the world. Rías de Arousa alone 
+contains over 2,400 mussel rafts, producing about 40 percent of Europe’s mussels. NASA Earth 
+Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story 
+by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerThe estuarine inlets of Spain’s Galicia coast 
+are some of the most productive places to grow mussels.Image of the Day for September 19, 
+
+2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of the Day: Dust and Haze This 
+image shows Tropical Cyclones Eric and Fanele near Madagascar on January 19, 2009. Atmosphere 
+Water Severe Storms This natural-color image shows Saharan dust forming an S-shaped curve 
+off the western coast of Africa, and passing directly over Cape Verde. Atmosphere Land Dust 
+and Haze Acquired March 8, 2010, this true-color image shows two icebergs, Iceberg B-09B and 
+
+an iceberg recently broken off the Mertz Glacier, floating in the Southern Ocean, just off 
+the George V Coast. Water Snow and Ice Sea and Lake Ice May 18, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGMay 
+18, 2023September 7, 2023May 18, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGAfter going 
+dry in 2018, Laguna de Aculeo has begun to refill. NASA satellites began to detect water pooling 
+in the parched lake in late-August, after an intense winter storm dropped as much as 370 millimeters 
+
+(15 inches) of rain on some parts of central Chile. The storm was fueled by an atmospheric 
+river and exacerbated by the rugged terrain in central Chile.When the Operational Land Imager-2 
+(OLI-2) on Landsat 9 acquired this image (right) on September 7, 2023, Laguna de Aculeo covered 
+about 5 square kilometers (2 square miles) to a depth of roughly 1 meter (3 feet). The other 
+image (left) shows the dried water body on May 18, 2023, before the wet winter weather arrived. 
+
+Although it has refilled somewhat, water spans only half the area it did up to 2010 and contains 
+a quarter of the water volume, explained René Garreaud, an Earth scientist at the University 
+of Chile. Seasonal changes and the influx of water have led to widespread greening of the 
+landscape around the lake.Researchers have assessed that ongoing development and water use 
+in the nearby community of Paine, increasing water use by farmers and in homes and pools, 
+
+as well as several years of drought, likely contributed to the drawdown of the lake. Annual 
+rainfall deficits that averaged 38 percent between 2010 and 2018 likely played a large role, 
+according to one analysis from a team of researchers from the University of Chile.Before 2010, 
+the shallow water body was a popular haven for boaters, swimmers, and water skiers, but the 
+water hasn’t yet pooled up enough for swimmers or boaters to return. It is also unclear how 
+
+long the new water in Aculeo will persist. “Atmospheric rivers in June and August delivered 
+substantial precipitation along the high terrain and foothills that have giv­­en us a welcome 
+interruption to the drought,” Garreaud said. “But Aculeo is a small, shallow lagoon that can 
+fill up rapidly, and it's only partly filled. Bigger reservoirs and aquifers will take much 
+longer to recover.”NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from 
+
+the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerThe drought 
+in Chile isn’t over, but recent late-winter rains provided enough moisture for water to start 
+pooling up again.Image of the Day for September 16, 2023 Image of the Day Life Water View 
+more Images of the Day:Data from winter 2022-2023 show the greatest net gain of water in nearly 
+22 years, but groundwater levels still suffer from years of drought. Image of the Day Land 
+
+Water As a persistent drought drags on, water levels are dropping at a key reservoir that 
+supplies Santiago. Image of the Day Land Water A new web tool designed by NASA applied scientists 
+could help the tribe anticipate and respond to drought. Image of the Day Water Human Presence 
+Remote Sensing For more than 100 years, groups in the western United States have fought over 
+water. During the 1880s, sheep ranchers and cattle ranchers argued over drinking water for 
+
+their livestock on the high plains. In 1913, the city of Los Angeles began to draw water away 
+from small agricultural communities in Owen Valley, leaving a dusty dry lake bed. In the late 
+1950s, construction of the Glen Canyon Dam catalyzed the American environmental movement. 
+Today, farmers are fighting fishermen, environmentalists, and Native American tribes over 
+the water in the Upper Klamath River Basin. The Landsat 7 satellite, launched by NASA and 
+
+operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, documented an extreme drought in the area along the 
+California/Oregon border in the spring of 2001. Image of the Day Land Life September 16, 2023JPEGSeptember 
+10, 2021JPEGSeptember 16, 2023September 10, 2021September 16, 2023JPEGSeptember 10, 2021JPEGSeptember 
+10, 2021JPEGMonths of excessive heat and drought parched the Mississippi River in the summer 
+and early fall of 2023. In September, low water levels limited barge shipments downriver and 
+
+threatened drinking water supplies in some Louisiana communities, according to the Associated 
+Press.Water levels were especially low near Memphis, Tennessee. The images above show the 
+Mississippi River near Memphis on September 16, 2023 (left), compared to September 10, 2021 
+(right). The river was significantly slimmed down in 2023, exposing some of the river bottom.This 
+is the second year in a row drought has caused the river to fall to near-record lows at many 
+
+gauges. On September 26, 2023, the river level at a gauge in Memphis was -10.26 feet, close 
+to the record low level, -10.81 feet, measured at the same place on October 21, 2022. That 
+was the lowest level recorded there since the start of National Weather Service records in 
+1954. Water levels, or “gauge heights,” do not indicate the depth of a stream; rather, they 
+are measured with respect to a chosen reference point. That is why some gauge height measurements 
+
+are negative.Farther upstream, water levels at New Madrid, Missouri, have been around -5 feet—near 
+the minimum operating level—since early September 2023. Water levels on the Mississippi normally 
+decline in the fall and winter, and in 2022, the river did not get that low until mid-October. 
+September 26, 2023JPEGA hot, dry summer is the main reason water levels dropped so low in 
+2023. Across the globe, temperatures in summer 2023 were 1.2°C (2.1°F) warmer than average. 
+
+In the U.S., Louisiana and Mississippi experienced their hottest Augusts on record, according 
+to NOAA.The U.S. Drought Monitor map above—the product of a partnership between the U.S. Department 
+of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the University of 
+Nebraska-Lincoln—shows conditions during the week of September 20-26, 2023. The map depicts 
+drought intensity in progressive shades of orange to red. It is based on an analysis of climate, 
+
+soil, and water condition measurements from more than 350 federal, state, and local observers 
+around the country. NASA contributes measurements and models that aid the drought monitoring 
+effort.During that week, about 38 percent of the contiguous U.S. was experiencing drought. 
+Lack of precipitation and high temperatures over several months severely dried out soils in 
+states along the Mississippi River Valley. The Drought Monitor reported that 80 percent of 
+
+soils in Louisiana were dry (short or very short on water) as of September 24. And for most 
+states in the river valley, over 50 percent of topsoil was dry or very dry.Shallow conditions 
+along the river interrupted normal shipments of goods. According to the Associated Press, 
+barge companies reduced the weight carried in many shipments in September because the river 
+was not deep enough to accommodate their normal weight. Much of U.S. grain exports are transported 
+
+down the Mississippi, and according to AP, the cost of these shipments from St. Louis southward 
+has risen 77 percent above the three-year average. The lack of freshwater flowing into the 
+Gulf of Mexico has also allowed saltwater to make its way up the river and into some water 
+treatment plants in southern Louisiana, according to the Associated Press. Some parts of Plaquemines 
+Parish are under drinking water advisories and have relied on bottled water for cooking and 
+
+drinking since June.Significant rainfall would be needed to flush out saltwater in the river 
+in Plaquemines. According to the National Weather Service’s Lower Mississippi River Forecast 
+Center, the forecast does not look promising. If enough rainfall doesn’t arrive before mid-to-late 
+October, saltwater could make its way to New Orleans.NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren 
+Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and data from the United States 
+
+Drought Monitor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area 
+in EO ExplorerIn September, low water levels made it more challenging to ship goods down the 
+river and allowed a wedge of saltwater to move upstream.Image of the Day for October 1, 2023 
+Image of the Day Water Drought View more Images of the Day:Persistent dry conditions can affect 
+water resources, ecosystems, and agriculture.Severe drought is reducing the number of daily 
+
+passages on the transoceanic shipping route. Image of the Day Water Human Presence Prolonged 
+drought in Kansas set the stage for what may be one of the state’s smallest wheat harvests 
+in decades. Image of the Day Land Water Drought The most severe drought in 70 years of record 
+keeping threatens the Horn of Africa with famine. Image of the Day Land Water Drought Low 
+water levels are making it difficult to ship goods down the river and allowing a wedge of 
+
+saltwater to move upstream. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Remote Sensing September 
+25, 2023JPEGLake Winnipeg, the world’s 10th largest freshwater lake by surface area, has experienced 
+algae blooms at a regular occurrence at least since the 1990s. A bloom of blue-green algae 
+once again covered parts of the lake in September 2023. Located in Manitoba, Canada, the long 
+lake has a watershed that spans one million square kilometers (386,000 square miles), draining 
+
+some of Canada’s agricultural land. The lake consists of a large, deep north basin and a smaller, 
+comparatively shallow south basin. Swirls of algae filled the south basin of the lake on September 
+25, 2023, when the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 9 acquired this image. Around 
+this time, satellite observations analyzed by Environment and Climate Change Canada indicated 
+that algae covered about 8,400 square kilometers (3,200 square miles), or about a third of 
+
+the lake’s area.Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are single-celled organisms 
+that rely on photosynthesis to turn sunlight into food. The bacteria grow swiftly when nutrients 
+like phosphorus and nitrogen are abundant in still water. The bloom pictured here may contain 
+blue-green algae, as well as other types of phytoplankton; only a surface sample can confirm 
+the exact composition of a bloom. Some cyanobacteria produce microcystin—a potent toxin that 
+
+can irritate the skin and cause liver and kidney damage.While algae are part of a natural 
+freshwater ecosystem, excess algae, particularly cyanobacteria, can be a nuisance to residents 
+and tourists using the lake and its beaches for fishing, swimming, and recreation. Beaches 
+in the south basin of Lake Winnipeg can get as many as 30,000 visitors a day during the summer 
+months. Water samples taken at Winnipeg Beach on the west shore found that cyanobacteria levels 
+
+were elevated in August, and visitors were advised to avoid swimming and fishing if green 
+scum was visible. The health of Lake Winnipeg has been in decline in recent decades. Between 
+1990 and 2000, phosphorous concentrations in the lake almost doubled and algae blooms proliferated, 
+both in terms of occurrence and extent. The major contributors to the influx of phosphorous 
+to the lake were increased agricultural activities in the watershed and a higher frequency 
+
+of flooding, which has increased runoff into the lake.Phosphorus concentrations are almost 
+three times higher in the south basin of Lake Winnipeg, compared to the north basin. A 2019 
+study using data from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument 
+on NASA’s Terra satellite found that the chlorophyll-a concentrations, which are used as a 
+measure of phytoplankton biomass, were on average more than twice as high in the south basin, 
+
+compared to the north. NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from 
+the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerAn influx 
+of nutrients in recent decades has contributed to the proliferation of algae in the large 
+Canadian lake.Image of the Day for October 6, 2023 Image of the Day Water Water Color View 
+more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like organisms reproduce abundantly when there are 
+
+sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. Extreme blooms of certain species can 
+become harmful to marine animals and humans.Cyanobacteria covered over half of the surface 
+of Florida’s largest freshwater lake in mid-June 2023. Image of the Day Life Water Water Color 
+Nearly half of the lake was covered with blue-green algae in early July 2022. Image of the 
+Day Water Remote Sensing Water Color More than 40 years after the explosive eruption of Mount 
+
+St. Helens, relics from the blast continue to haunt a nearby lake. Image of the Day Water 
+Venezuela’s Lake Maracaibo is choking with oil slicks and algae. Image of the Day Life Water 
+Human Presence Remote Sensing October 8, 2022JPEGOctober 3, 2023JPEGOctober 8, 2022October 
+3, 2023October 8, 2022JPEGOctober 3, 2023JPEGOctober 3, 2023JPEGJuly through October fall 
+within the dry season in the western and northern Amazon rainforest, but a particularly acute 
+
+lack of rain during this period in 2023 has pushed the region into a severe drought.The OLI 
+(Operational Land Imager) instrument on Landsat 8 captured this image (right) of the parched 
+Rio Negro in the Brazilian province of Amazonas near the city of Manaus on October 3, 2023. 
+On that date, the level of the river, the largest tributary of the Amazon River, had dropped 
+to 15.14 meters (50.52 feet), according to data collected by the Port of Manaus. For comparison, 
+
+the image on the left shows the same area on October 8, 2022, when the water level was 19.59 
+meters, a more typical level for October. Rio Negro water levels continued to drop in the 
+days after the image was collected, reaching a record low of 13.49 meters on October 17, 2023.Some 
+areas in the Amazon River’s watershed have received less rain between July and September than 
+any year since 1980, Reuters reported. The drought has been particularly severe in the Rio 
+
+Negro watershed in northern Amazonas, as well as parts of southern Venezuela and southern 
+Colombia.“Overall, this is a pretty unusual and extreme situation,” said René Garreaud, an 
+atmospheric scientist at the University of Chile. “The primary culprit exacerbating the drought 
+appears to be El Niño.” This cyclical warming of surface waters in the central-eastern Pacific 
+functions somewhat like a boulder in the middle of a stream, disrupting atmospheric circulation 
+
+patterns in ways that lead to wetter conditions over the equatorial Pacific and drier conditions 
+over the Amazon Basin.According to news outlets, the low river water levels on the Rio Negro 
+and other nearby rivers have disrupted drinking water supplies in hundreds of communities, 
+slowed commercial navigation, and led to fish and dolphin die-offs.Manaus, the capital and 
+largest city of the Brazilian state of Amazonas, is the primary transportation hub for the 
+
+upper Amazon, serving as an important transit point for soap, beef, and animal hides. Other 
+industries with a presence in the city of two million people include chemical, ship, and electrical 
+equipment manufacturing.NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data 
+from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerThe water 
+level of the largest tributary of the Amazon River has hit a record low.Image of the Day for 
+
+October 18, 2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The impact 
+of severe drought on the Negro River, a tributary of the Amazon River, and other rivers in 
+the basin is dramatically evident in this pair of images, which show that every body of water 
+has shrunk in 2010 compared to 2008. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land The volume of water 
+in New Mexico’s largest reservoir has dropped to historic lows due to drought and persistent 
+
+demand. Image of the Day Water Human Presence Acquired June 25, 2011, and June 22, 2010, these 
+false-color images compare conditions along the Souris River, which reached a historic crest 
+at Minot, North Dakota in June 2011. Land Floods Acquired May 11, 2011, and April 21, 2007, 
+these false-color images show the Mississippi River near Natchez, Mississippi. The image from 
+May 2011 shows flooded conditions. Land Floods September 6, 2020JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 
+
+6, 2020September 7, 2023September 6, 2020JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGAfter 
+rapidly growing in volume just a few years earlier, northwest Iran’s Lake Urmia nearly dried 
+out in autumn 2023. The largest lake in the Middle East and one of the largest hypersaline 
+lakes on Earth at its greatest extent, Lake Urmia has for the most part transformed into a 
+vast, dry salt flat. On September 7, 2023, the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 
+
+9 captured this image (right) of the desiccated lakebed. It stands in contrast to the image 
+from three years earlier (left), acquired by the OLI on Landsat 8 on September 8, 2020, when 
+water filled most of the basin and salt deposits were only visible around the perimeter of 
+the lake. The replenishment followed a period of above-average precipitation that sent a surge 
+of freshwater into the basin, expanding its watery footprint. Drier conditions have since 
+
+brought levels back down. The longer-term trend for Urmia has been one toward drying. In 1995, 
+Lake Urmia reached a high-water mark; then in the ensuing two decades, the lake level dropped 
+more than 7 meters (23 feet) and lost approximately 90 percent of its area. Consecutive droughts, 
+agricultural water use, and dam construction on rivers feeding the lake have contributed to 
+the decline. A shrinking Lake Urmia has implications for ecological and human health. The 
+
+lake, its islands, and surrounding wetlands comprise valuable habitat and are recognized as 
+a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Ramsar site, and national park. The area provides breeding grounds 
+for waterbirds such as flamingos, white pelicans, and white-headed ducks, as well as a stopover 
+for migratory species. However, with low lake levels, what water remains becomes more saline 
+and taxes the populations of brine shrimp and other food sources for larger animals. A shrinking 
+
+lake also increases the likelihood of dust from the exposed lakebed becoming swept up by winds 
+and degrading air quality. Recent studies have linked the low water levels in Lake Urmia with 
+respiratory health impacts among the local population.The relative effects of climate, water 
+usage, and dams on Lake Urmia’s water level is a topic of debate. The lake did see some recovery 
+during a 10-year restoration program beginning in 2013. However, the efficacy of that effort 
+
+has been difficult to parse since strong rains also fell during that period. Some research 
+has concluded that climatic factors were primarily responsible for the recovery. NASA Earth 
+Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. 
+Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerA few years after a fresh influx of 
+water raised its levels, the large lake has nearly gone dry.Image of the Day for October 10, 
+
+2023 Image of the Day Land Water View more Images of the Day:Water levels are at their lowest 
+since 1937. Image of the Day Water Drought Fires Long and short. Deep and shallow. Salty and 
+fresh. Blue and brown. These are Africa’s Lake Tanganyika and Lake Rukwa. Image of the Day 
+Land Water In May 2016, the reservoir behind Hoover Dam reached its lowest level since the 
+1930s. Image of the Day Water When the water gets saltier in Iran’s largest lake, the microscopic 
+
+inhabitants can turn the water dark red. Image of the Day Water Water Color January 22 - July 
+26, 2023JPEGOne of the wettest wet seasons in northern Australia transformed large areas of 
+the country’s desert landscape over the course of many months in 2023. A string of major rainfall 
+events that dropped 690 millimeters (27 inches) between October 2022 and April 2023 made it 
+the sixth-wettest season on record since 1900–1901.This series of false-color images illustrates 
+
+the rainfall’s months-long effects downstream in the Lake Eyre Basin. Water appears in shades 
+of blue, vegetation is green, and bare land is brown. The images were acquired by the Moderate 
+Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite between January and 
+July 2023.In the January 22 image (left), water was coursing through seasonally dry channels 
+of the Georgina River and Eyre Creek following weeks of heavy rains in northern Queensland. 
+
+By April 21 (middle), floodwaters had reached further downstream after another intense period 
+of precipitation in March. This scene shows that water had filled in some of the north-northwest 
+trending ridges that are part of a vast fossil landscape of wind-formed dunes, while vegetation 
+had emerged in wet soil upstream. Then by July 26 (right), the riverbed had filled with even 
+more vegetation.The Georgina River and Eyre Creek drain approximately 210,000 square kilometers 
+
+(81,000 square miles), nearly the area of the United Kingdom. Visible in the lower part of 
+the images, the lake gets refreshed about every three years; when it reaches especially high 
+levels, it may take 18 months to 2 years to dry up. Two smaller neighboring lakes flood seasonally. 
+These three lakes and surrounding floodplains support hundreds of thousands of waterbirds 
+and are designated as an Important Bird Area.Seasonal flooding is a regular occurrence in 
+
+these desert river systems. However, the events of the 2022-2023 rainy season stood out in 
+several ways. They occurred while La Niña conditions were in place over the tropical Pacific 
+Ocean. (The wettest seasons in northern Australia have all occurred during La Niña years, 
+according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.) In addition, major rains occurring in succession, 
+as was the case with the January and March events, have the overall effect of prolonging floods. 
+
+That’s because vegetation that grows after the first event slows down the pulse of water that 
+comes through in the next rain event.The high water has affected both local communities and 
+ecosystems. Floods have inundated cattle farms and isolated towns on temporary islands. At 
+the same time, they are a natural feature of the “boom-and-bust” ecology of Channel Country, 
+providing habitat and nutrients that support biodiversity.NASA Earth Observatory image by 
+
+Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. Story by Lindsey 
+Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerRepeated heavy rains in Australia set off waves of new 
+growth across Channel Country.Image of the Day for August 7, 2023 Image of the Day Land Water 
+View more Images of the Day: Floods The waves off the coast of Teahupo’o can heave a crushing 
+amount of water toward the shore and onto unlucky surfers. Image of the Day Water Waves of 
+
+heavy rainfall left towns and farmland under water in October 2022. Image of the Day Water 
+Floods Acquired February 26, 2011, and February 5, 2011, these false-color images show the 
+impact of heavy rains in marshy areas southeast of Georgetown, Guyana. Land Floods August 
+25, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGAugust 25, 2023September 18, 2023August 25, 2023JPEGSeptember 
+18, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGHeavy rain from a cyclone in the Mediterranean inundated 
+
+cities along the northeastern coast of Libya in early September 2023, causing thousands of 
+deaths. The port city of Derna (Darnah), home to about 90,000 people, was one of the worst 
+hit by the storm and suffered extensive flooding and damage. On September 10 and 11, over 
+100 millimeters (4 inches) of rain fell on Derna. The city lies at the end of a long, narrow 
+valley, called a wadi, which is dry except during the rainy season. Floods triggered two dams 
+
+along the wadi to collapse. The failure of the second dam, located just one kilometer inland 
+of Derna, unleashed 3- to 7-meter-high floodwater that tore through the city. According to 
+news reports, the flash floods destroyed roads and swept entire neighborhoods out to sea. 
+The images above show the city before and after the storm. The image on the right, acquired 
+by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9 on September 18, shows eroded banks 
+
+of Wadi Derna near where it meets the Mediterranean. Water just off the coast appears muddier 
+than in the image on the left, which shows the same area on August 25 and was acquired by 
+Landsat 8. Preliminary estimates by the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) indicate 
+that 3,100 buildings in Derna were damaged by rushing water. According to the UN International 
+Organization for Migration (IOM), about 40,000 people in the country were displaced by the 
+
+storm, and 30,000 of those were displaced from Derna. Tropical-like cyclones in the Mediterranean, 
+or “medicanes,” develop only once or twice a year, according to NOAA, and typically form in 
+autumn. According to meteorologists at Yale Climate Connections, this storm was the deadliest 
+in Africa’s recorded history. A recent assessment by scientists at World Weather Attribution 
+estimated that precipitation received by the region was a one-in-300 to one-in-600-year event. 
+
+NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological 
+Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerFlash floods in the port city 
+destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods out to sea.Image of the Day for September 21, 2023 
+Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The melting 
+of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can send rivers 
+
+out of their banks.A Mediterranean cyclone contributed to deadly flooding along the country’s 
+coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Record rainfall inundated towns and farmland 
+in the country’s Thessaly region. Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence A stalled storm 
+dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive flooding. 
+Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential downpours 
+
+in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Floods 
+Human Presence July 2002 - June 2022JPEGThe deep-blue sea is turning a touch greener. While 
+that may not seem as consequential as, say, record warm sea surface temperatures, the color 
+of the ocean surface is indicative of the ecosystem that lies beneath. Communities of phytoplankton, 
+microscopic photosynthesizing organisms, abound in near-surface waters and are foundational 
+
+to the aquatic food web and carbon cycle. This shift in the water’s hue confirms a trend expected 
+under climate change and signals changes to ecosystems within the global ocean, which covers 
+70 percent of Earth’s surface. Researchers led by B. B. Cael, a principal scientist at the 
+U.K.’s National Oceanography Centre, revealed that 56 percent of the global sea surface has 
+undergone a significant change in color in the past 20 years. After analyzing ocean color 
+
+data from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument on NASA’s Aqua 
+satellite, they found that much of the change stems from the ocean turning more green. The 
+map above highlights the areas where ocean surface color changed between 2002 and 2022, with 
+darker shades of green representing more-significant differences (higher signal-to-noise ratio). 
+By extension, said Cael, “these are places we can detect a change in the ocean ecosystem in 
+
+the last 20 years.” The study focused on tropical and subtropical regions, excluding higher 
+latitudes, which are dark for part of the year, and coastal waters, where the data are naturally 
+very noisy. The black dots on the map indicate the area, covering 12 percent of the ocean’s 
+surface, where chlorophyll levels also changed over the study period. Chlorophyll has been 
+the go-to measurement for remote sensing scientists to gauge phytoplankton abundance and productivity. 
+
+However, those estimates use only a few colors in the visible light spectrum. The values shown 
+in green are based on the whole gamut of colors and therefore capture more information about 
+the ecosystem as a whole. A long time series from a single sensor is relatively rare in the 
+remote sensing world. As the Aqua satellite was celebrating its 20th year in orbit in 2022—far 
+exceeding its design life of 6 years—Cael wondered what long term trends could be discovered 
+
+in the data. In particular, he was curious what might have been missed in all the ocean color 
+information it had collected. “There’s more encoded in the data than we actually make use 
+of,” he said. By going big with the data, the team discerned an ocean color trend that had 
+been predicted by climate modeling, but one that was expected to take 30-40 years of data 
+to detect using satellite-based chlorophyll estimates. That’s because the natural variability 
+
+in chlorophyll is high relative to the climate change trend. The new method, incorporating 
+all visible light, was robust enough to confirm the trend in 20 years. At this stage, it is 
+difficult to say what exact ecological changes are responsible for the new hues. However, 
+the authors posit, they could result from different assemblages of plankton, more detrital 
+particles, or other organisms such as zooplankton. It is unlikely the color changes come from 
+
+materials such as plastics or other pollutants, said Cael, since they are not widespread enough 
+to register at large scales. “What we do know is that in the last 20 years, the ocean has 
+become more stratified,” he said. Surface waters have absorbed excess heat from the warming 
+climate, and as a result, they are less prone to mixing with deeper, more nutrient-rich layers. 
+This scenario would favor plankton adapted to a nutrient-poor environment. The areas of ocean 
+
+color change align well with where the sea has become more stratified, said Cael, but there 
+is no such overlap with sea surface temperature changes. More insights into Earth’s aquatic 
+ecosystems may soon be on the way. NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) 
+satellite, set to launch in 2024, will return observations in finer color resolution. The 
+new data will enable researchers to infer more information about ocean ecology, such as the 
+
+diversity of phytoplankton species and the rates of phytoplankton growth. NASA Earth Observatory 
+image by Wanmei Liang, using data from Cael, B. B., et al. (2023). Story by Lindsey Doermann.Two 
+decades of satellite measurements show that the sea surface is shading toward green.Image 
+of the Day for October 2, 2023 Image of the Day Life Water View more Images of the Day:Datasets 
+from the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite will build upon three decades of sea level 
+
+measurements. Image of the Day Heat Water Remote Sensing Image of the Day Life Water Image 
+of the Day Water The use of plastic on farms has become so common in recent decades that there 
+there’s a term for it—plasticulture. Image of the Day Human Presence August 16, 2023JPEGThe 
+Canary Islands were at the center of a mélange of natural events in summer 2023. The Moderate 
+Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this assemblage 
+
+of phenomena off the coast of Africa on August 16, 2023.In the center of the scene, smoke 
+is seen rising from a wildfire burning on Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The blaze started 
+amid hot and dry conditions on August 15 in forests surrounding the Teide Volcano. Authorities 
+issued evacuation orders to five villages, and responders focused on containing the fire’s 
+spread and protecting residential areas near the coast, according to news reports. Other fires 
+
+have burned on the Canary Islands this summer, including on La Palma in July.To the west, 
+a swirling cloud moves across the Atlantic. Cloud vortices appear routinely downwind of the 
+Canary Islands—sometimes in great abundance—and are produced when the tall volcanic peaks 
+disrupt the air flowing past them.Elsewhere in the atmosphere, dust from the Sahara Desert 
+was lofted out over the ocean. The river of dust crossing the Atlantic was more pronounced 
+
+in previous days, when it reached islands in the Caribbean. Traveling on the Saharan Air Layer, 
+dust sometimes makes it even further west toward Central America and the U.S. states of Florida 
+and Texas.To round out the list, the patch of bright blue off the Moroccan coast is most likely 
+a bloom of phytoplankton. While the exact cause and composition of the bloom cannot be determined 
+from this image, mineral-rich desert dust has been shown to set off bursts of phytoplankton 
+
+growth.In addition to the Earth’s processes seen here, one remote sensing artifact is present. 
+A diagonal streak of sunglint makes part of this scene appear washed out. Sunglint, an effect 
+that occurs when sunlight reflects off the surface of the water at the same angle that a satellite 
+sensor views it, is also the reason for the light-colored streaks trailing off the islands.NASA 
+Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+
+Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerAn assortment of natural phenomena 
+visible from space appeared together in one image.Image of the Day for August 17, 2023 Image 
+of the Day Atmosphere Land Water View more Images of the Day:Flights were grounded as visibility 
+was severely hampered by a Calima event. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze Human 
+Presence In one frame International Space Station astronauts were able to capture the evolution 
+
+of fringing reefs to atolls. As with the Hawaiian Islands, these volcanic hot spot islands 
+become progressively older to the northwest. As these islands move away from their magma sources 
+they erode and subside. Image of the Day Land Water The dry, volcanic terrain of this Canary 
+Island is suitable for lichen and crops … and for training astronauts. Image of the Day Land 
+The event, known locally as “la calima,” turned skies orange and degraded air quality in Gran 
+
+Canaria and neighboring islands. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze July 17, 2023JPEGFour 
+funnel-shaped estuarine inlets, collectively known as Rías Baixas, line the coast of Galicia, 
+in northwest Spain. The nutrient-rich water in these inlets supports a wealth of marine life, 
+making the Galicia coast one of the most productive places for aquaculture.On July 17, 2023, 
+the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, acquired this image of the Rías de Arousa 
+
+(Arousa estuary), the largest and northernmost of the inlets. Small dots skirt the coasts 
+of the embayment. In most cases, these dots are rectangular rafts designed for raising bivalves 
+like mussels. Buoys keep the lattice mussel rafts afloat on the surface of the water, and 
+hundreds of ropes are suspended into the water column from each structure. Mussels attach 
+to the ropes and filter feed on phytoplankton and other suspended organic particles. The rafts 
+
+allow for high yields of mussels in a small area of the water. The Rías Baixas are on the 
+northern end of the Canary current and are in a major upwelling zone. Upwelling, which brings 
+colder, nutrient-rich water up from the bottom of the ocean, typically occurs in this area 
+between April and October. Much of the mussel production in the Rías Baixas occurs during 
+this time, as the mollusks filter feed on nutrients and plentiful phytoplankton supported 
+
+by upwelling. Spain is the top mussel producing country in the world. Rías de Arousa alone 
+contains over 2,400 mussel rafts, producing about 40 percent of Europe’s mussels. NASA Earth 
+Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story 
+by Emily Cassidy. Buoys keep the lattice mussel rafts afloat on the surface of the water, 
+and hundreds of ropes are suspended into the water column from each structure. Mussels attach 
+
+to the ropes and filter feed on phytoplankton and other suspended organic particles. The rafts 
+allow for high yields of mussels in a small area of the water. The Rías Baixas are on the 
+northern end of the Canary current and are in a major upwelling zone. Upwelling, which brings 
+colder, nutrient-rich water up from the bottom of the ocean, typically occurs in this area 
+between April and October. Much of the mussel production in the Rías Baixas occurs during 
+
+this time, as the mollusks filter feed on nutrients and plentiful phytoplankton supported 
+by upwelling. Spain is the top mussel producing country in the world. Rías de Arousa alone 
+contains over 2,400 mussel rafts, producing about 40 percent of Europe’s mussels. NASA Earth 
+Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story 
+by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerThe estuarine inlets of Spain’s Galicia coast 
+
+are some of the most productive places to grow mussels.Image of the Day for September 19, 
+2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of the Day: Dust and Haze This 
+image shows Tropical Cyclones Eric and Fanele near Madagascar on January 19, 2009. Atmosphere 
+Water Severe Storms This natural-color image shows Saharan dust forming an S-shaped curve 
+off the western coast of Africa, and passing directly over Cape Verde. Atmosphere Land Dust 
+
+and Haze Acquired March 8, 2010, this true-color image shows two icebergs, Iceberg B-09B and 
+an iceberg recently broken off the Mertz Glacier, floating in the Southern Ocean, just off 
+the George V Coast. Water Snow and Ice Sea and Lake Ice May 18, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGMay 
+18, 2023September 7, 2023May 18, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGAfter going 
+dry in 2018, Laguna de Aculeo has begun to refill. NASA satellites began to detect water pooling 
+
+in the parched lake in late-August, after an intense winter storm dropped as much as 370 millimeters 
+(15 inches) of rain on some parts of central Chile. The storm was fueled by an atmospheric 
+river and exacerbated by the rugged terrain in central Chile.When the Operational Land Imager-2 
+(OLI-2) on Landsat 9 acquired this image (right) on September 7, 2023, Laguna de Aculeo covered 
+about 5 square kilometers (2 square miles) to a depth of roughly 1 meter (3 feet). The other 
+
+image (left) shows the dried water body on May 18, 2023, before the wet winter weather arrived. 
+Although it has refilled somewhat, water spans only half the area it did up to 2010 and contains 
+a quarter of the water volume, explained René Garreaud, an Earth scientist at the University 
+of Chile. Seasonal changes and the influx of water have led to widespread greening of the 
+landscape around the lake.Researchers have assessed that ongoing development and water use 
+
+in the nearby community of Paine, increasing water use by farmers and in homes and pools, 
+as well as several years of drought, likely contributed to the drawdown of the lake. Annual 
+rainfall deficits that averaged 38 percent between 2010 and 2018 likely played a large role, 
+according to one analysis from a team of researchers from the University of Chile.Before 2010, 
+the shallow water body was a popular haven for boaters, swimmers, and water skiers, but the 
+
+water hasn’t yet pooled up enough for swimmers or boaters to return. It is also unclear how 
+long the new water in Aculeo will persist. “Atmospheric rivers in June and August delivered 
+substantial precipitation along the high terrain and foothills that have giv­­en us a welcome 
+interruption to the drought,” Garreaud said. “But Aculeo is a small, shallow lagoon that can 
+fill up rapidly, and it's only partly filled. Bigger reservoirs and aquifers will take much 
+
+longer to recover.”NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from 
+the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerThe drought 
+in Chile isn’t over, but recent late-winter rains provided enough moisture for water to start 
+pooling up again.Image of the Day for September 16, 2023 Image of the Day Life Water View 
+more Images of the Day:Data from winter 2022-2023 show the greatest net gain of water in nearly 
+
+22 years, but groundwater levels still suffer from years of drought. Image of the Day Land 
+Water As a persistent drought drags on, water levels are dropping at a key reservoir that 
+supplies Santiago. Image of the Day Land Water A new web tool designed by NASA applied scientists 
+could help the tribe anticipate and respond to drought. Image of the Day Water Human Presence 
+Remote Sensing For more than 100 years, groups in the western United States have fought over 
+
+water. During the 1880s, sheep ranchers and cattle ranchers argued over drinking water for 
+their livestock on the high plains. In 1913, the city of Los Angeles began to draw water away 
+from small agricultural communities in Owen Valley, leaving a dusty dry lake bed. In the late 
+1950s, construction of the Glen Canyon Dam catalyzed the American environmental movement. 
+Today, farmers are fighting fishermen, environmentalists, and Native American tribes over 
+
+the water in the Upper Klamath River Basin. The Landsat 7 satellite, launched by NASA and 
+operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, documented an extreme drought in the area along the 
+California/Oregon border in the spring of 2001. Image of the Day Land Life September 16, 2023JPEGSeptember 
+10, 2021JPEGSeptember 16, 2023September 10, 2021September 16, 2023JPEGSeptember 10, 2021JPEGSeptember 
+10, 2021JPEGMonths of excessive heat and drought parched the Mississippi River in the summer 
+
+and early fall of 2023. In September, low water levels limited barge shipments downriver and 
+threatened drinking water supplies in some Louisiana communities, according to the Associated 
+Press.Water levels were especially low near Memphis, Tennessee. The images above show the 
+Mississippi River near Memphis on September 16, 2023 (left), compared to September 10, 2021 
+(right). The river was significantly slimmed down in 2023, exposing some of the river bottom.This 
+
+is the second year in a row drought has caused the river to fall to near-record lows at many 
+gauges. On September 26, 2023, the river level at a gauge in Memphis was -10.26 feet, close 
+to the record low level, -10.81 feet, measured at the same place on October 21, 2022. That 
+was the lowest level recorded there since the start of National Weather Service records in 
+1954. Water levels, or “gauge heights,” do not indicate the depth of a stream; rather, they 
+
+are measured with respect to a chosen reference point. That is why some gauge height measurements 
+are negative.Farther upstream, water levels at New Madrid, Missouri, have been around -5 feet—near 
+the minimum operating level—since early September 2023. Water levels on the Mississippi normally 
+decline in the fall and winter, and in 2022, the river did not get that low until mid-October. 
+September 26, 2023JPEGA hot, dry summer is the main reason water levels dropped so low in 
+
+2023. Across the globe, temperatures in summer 2023 were 1.2°C (2.1°F) warmer than average. 
+In the U.S., Louisiana and Mississippi experienced their hottest Augusts on record, according 
+to NOAA.The U.S. Drought Monitor map above—the product of a partnership between the U.S. Department 
+of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the University of 
+Nebraska-Lincoln—shows conditions during the week of September 20-26, 2023. The map depicts 
+
+drought intensity in progressive shades of orange to red. It is based on an analysis of climate, 
+soil, and water condition measurements from more than 350 federal, state, and local observers 
+around the country. NASA contributes measurements and models that aid the drought monitoring 
+effort.During that week, about 38 percent of the contiguous U.S. was experiencing drought. 
+Lack of precipitation and high temperatures over several months severely dried out soils in 
+
+states along the Mississippi River Valley. The Drought Monitor reported that 80 percent of 
+soils in Louisiana were dry (short or very short on water) as of September 24. And for most 
+states in the river valley, over 50 percent of topsoil was dry or very dry.Shallow conditions 
+along the river interrupted normal shipments of goods. According to the Associated Press, 
+barge companies reduced the weight carried in many shipments in September because the river 
+
+was not deep enough to accommodate their normal weight. Much of U.S. grain exports are transported 
+down the Mississippi, and according to AP, the cost of these shipments from St. Louis southward 
+has risen 77 percent above the three-year average. The lack of freshwater flowing into the 
+Gulf of Mexico has also allowed saltwater to make its way up the river and into some water 
+treatment plants in southern Louisiana, according to the Associated Press. Some parts of Plaquemines 
+
+Parish are under drinking water advisories and have relied on bottled water for cooking and 
+drinking since June.Significant rainfall would be needed to flush out saltwater in the river 
+in Plaquemines. According to the National Weather Service’s Lower Mississippi River Forecast 
+Center, the forecast does not look promising. If enough rainfall doesn’t arrive before mid-to-late 
+October, saltwater could make its way to New Orleans.NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren 
+
+Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and data from the United States 
+Drought Monitor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area 
+in EO ExplorerIn September, low water levels made it more challenging to ship goods down the 
+river and allowed a wedge of saltwater to move upstream.Image of the Day for October 1, 2023 
+Image of the Day Water Drought View more Images of the Day:Persistent dry conditions can affect 
+
+water resources, ecosystems, and agriculture.Severe drought is reducing the number of daily 
+passages on the transoceanic shipping route. Image of the Day Water Human Presence Prolonged 
+drought in Kansas set the stage for what may be one of the state’s smallest wheat harvests 
+in decades. Image of the Day Land Water Drought The most severe drought in 70 years of record 
+keeping threatens the Horn of Africa with famine. Image of the Day Land Water Drought Low 
+
+water levels are making it difficult to ship goods down the river and allowing a wedge of 
+saltwater to move upstream. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Remote Sensing September 
+25, 2023JPEGLake Winnipeg, the world’s 10th largest freshwater lake by surface area, has experienced 
+algae blooms at a regular occurrence at least since the 1990s. A bloom of blue-green algae 
+once again covered parts of the lake in September 2023. Located in Manitoba, Canada, the long 
+
+lake has a watershed that spans one million square kilometers (386,000 square miles), draining 
+some of Canada’s agricultural land. The lake consists of a large, deep north basin and a smaller, 
+comparatively shallow south basin. Swirls of algae filled the south basin of the lake on September 
+25, 2023, when the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 9 acquired this image. Around 
+this time, satellite observations analyzed by Environment and Climate Change Canada indicated 
+
+that algae covered about 8,400 square kilometers (3,200 square miles), or about a third of 
+the lake’s area.Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are single-celled organisms 
+that rely on photosynthesis to turn sunlight into food. The bacteria grow swiftly when nutrients 
+like phosphorus and nitrogen are abundant in still water. The bloom pictured here may contain 
+blue-green algae, as well as other types of phytoplankton; only a surface sample can confirm 
+
+the exact composition of a bloom. Some cyanobacteria produce microcystin—a potent toxin that 
+can irritate the skin and cause liver and kidney damage.While algae are part of a natural 
+freshwater ecosystem, excess algae, particularly cyanobacteria, can be a nuisance to residents 
+and tourists using the lake and its beaches for fishing, swimming, and recreation. Beaches 
+in the south basin of Lake Winnipeg can get as many as 30,000 visitors a day during the summer 
+
+months. Water samples taken at Winnipeg Beach on the west shore found that cyanobacteria levels 
+were elevated in August, and visitors were advised to avoid swimming and fishing if green 
+scum was visible. The health of Lake Winnipeg has been in decline in recent decades. Between 
+1990 and 2000, phosphorous concentrations in the lake almost doubled and algae blooms proliferated, 
+both in terms of occurrence and extent. The major contributors to the influx of phosphorous 
+
+to the lake were increased agricultural activities in the watershed and a higher frequency 
+of flooding, which has increased runoff into the lake.Phosphorus concentrations are almost 
+three times higher in the south basin of Lake Winnipeg, compared to the north basin. A 2019 
+study using data from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument 
+on NASA’s Terra satellite found that the chlorophyll-a concentrations, which are used as a 
+
+measure of phytoplankton biomass, were on average more than twice as high in the south basin, 
+compared to the north. NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from 
+the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerAn influx 
+of nutrients in recent decades has contributed to the proliferation of algae in the large 
+Canadian lake.Image of the Day for October 6, 2023 Image of the Day Water Water Color View 
+
+more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like organisms reproduce abundantly when there are 
+sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. Extreme blooms of certain species can 
+become harmful to marine animals and humans.Cyanobacteria covered over half of the surface 
+of Florida’s largest freshwater lake in mid-June 2023. Image of the Day Life Water Water Color 
+Nearly half of the lake was covered with blue-green algae in early July 2022. Image of the 
+
+Day Water Remote Sensing Water Color More than 40 years after the explosive eruption of Mount 
+St. Helens, relics from the blast continue to haunt a nearby lake. Image of the Day Water 
+Venezuela’s Lake Maracaibo is choking with oil slicks and algae. Image of the Day Life Water 
+Human Presence Remote Sensing October 8, 2022JPEGOctober 3, 2023JPEGOctober 8, 2022October 
+3, 2023October 8, 2022JPEGOctober 3, 2023JPEGOctober 3, 2023JPEGJuly through October fall 
+
+within the dry season in the western and northern Amazon rainforest, but a particularly acute 
+lack of rain during this period in 2023 has pushed the region into a severe drought.The OLI 
+(Operational Land Imager) instrument on Landsat 8 captured this image (right) of the parched 
+Rio Negro in the Brazilian province of Amazonas near the city of Manaus on October 3, 2023. 
+On that date, the level of the river, the largest tributary of the Amazon River, had dropped 
+
+to 15.14 meters (50.52 feet), according to data collected by the Port of Manaus. For comparison, 
+the image on the left shows the same area on October 8, 2022, when the water level was 19.59 
+meters, a more typical level for October. Rio Negro water levels continued to drop in the 
+days after the image was collected, reaching a record low of 13.49 meters on October 17, 2023.Some 
+areas in the Amazon River’s watershed have received less rain between July and September than 
+
+any year since 1980, Reuters reported. The drought has been particularly severe in the Rio 
+Negro watershed in northern Amazonas, as well as parts of southern Venezuela and southern 
+Colombia.“Overall, this is a pretty unusual and extreme situation,” said René Garreaud, an 
+atmospheric scientist at the University of Chile. “The primary culprit exacerbating the drought 
+appears to be El Niño.” This cyclical warming of surface waters in the central-eastern Pacific 
+
+functions somewhat like a boulder in the middle of a stream, disrupting atmospheric circulation 
+patterns in ways that lead to wetter conditions over the equatorial Pacific and drier conditions 
+over the Amazon Basin.According to news outlets, the low river water levels on the Rio Negro 
+and other nearby rivers have disrupted drinking water supplies in hundreds of communities, 
+slowed commercial navigation, and led to fish and dolphin die-offs.Manaus, the capital and 
+
+largest city of the Brazilian state of Amazonas, is the primary transportation hub for the 
+upper Amazon, serving as an important transit point for soap, beef, and animal hides. Other 
+industries with a presence in the city of two million people include chemical, ship, and electrical 
+equipment manufacturing.NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data 
+from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerThe water 
+
+level of the largest tributary of the Amazon River has hit a record low.Image of the Day for 
+October 18, 2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The impact 
+of severe drought on the Negro River, a tributary of the Amazon River, and other rivers in 
+the basin is dramatically evident in this pair of images, which show that every body of water 
+has shrunk in 2010 compared to 2008. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land The volume of water 
+
+in New Mexico’s largest reservoir has dropped to historic lows due to drought and persistent 
+demand. Image of the Day Water Human Presence Acquired June 25, 2011, and June 22, 2010, these 
+false-color images compare conditions along the Souris River, which reached a historic crest 
+at Minot, North Dakota in June 2011. Land Floods Acquired May 11, 2011, and April 21, 2007, 
+these false-color images show the Mississippi River near Natchez, Mississippi. The image from 
+
+May 2011 shows flooded conditions. Land Floods September 6, 2020JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 
+6, 2020September 7, 2023September 6, 2020JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGAfter 
+rapidly growing in volume just a few years earlier, northwest Iran’s Lake Urmia nearly dried 
+out in autumn 2023. The largest lake in the Middle East and one of the largest hypersaline 
+lakes on Earth at its greatest extent, Lake Urmia has for the most part transformed into a 
+
+vast, dry salt flat. On September 7, 2023, the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 
+9 captured this image (right) of the desiccated lakebed. It stands in contrast to the image 
+from three years earlier (left), acquired by the OLI on Landsat 8 on September 8, 2020, when 
+water filled most of the basin and salt deposits were only visible around the perimeter of 
+the lake. The replenishment followed a period of above-average precipitation that sent a surge 
+
+of freshwater into the basin, expanding its watery footprint. Drier conditions have since 
+brought levels back down. The longer-term trend for Urmia has been one toward drying. In 1995, 
+Lake Urmia reached a high-water mark; then in the ensuing two decades, the lake level dropped 
+more than 7 meters (23 feet) and lost approximately 90 percent of its area. Consecutive droughts, 
+agricultural water use, and dam construction on rivers feeding the lake have contributed to 
+
+the decline. A shrinking Lake Urmia has implications for ecological and human health. The 
+lake, its islands, and surrounding wetlands comprise valuable habitat and are recognized as 
+a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Ramsar site, and national park. The area provides breeding grounds 
+for waterbirds such as flamingos, white pelicans, and white-headed ducks, as well as a stopover 
+for migratory species. However, with low lake levels, what water remains becomes more saline 
+
+and taxes the populations of brine shrimp and other food sources for larger animals. A shrinking 
+lake also increases the likelihood of dust from the exposed lakebed becoming swept up by winds 
+and degrading air quality. Recent studies have linked the low water levels in Lake Urmia with 
+respiratory health impacts among the local population.The relative effects of climate, water 
+usage, and dams on Lake Urmia’s water level is a topic of debate. The lake did see some recovery 
+
+during a 10-year restoration program beginning in 2013. However, the efficacy of that effort 
+has been difficult to parse since strong rains also fell during that period. Some research 
+has concluded that climatic factors were primarily responsible for the recovery. NASA Earth 
+Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. 
+Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerA few years after a fresh influx of 
+
+water raised its levels, the large lake has nearly gone dry.Image of the Day for October 10, 
+2023 Image of the Day Land Water View more Images of the Day:Water levels are at their lowest 
+since 1937. Image of the Day Water Drought Fires Long and short. Deep and shallow. Salty and 
+fresh. Blue and brown. These are Africa’s Lake Tanganyika and Lake Rukwa. Image of the Day 
+Land Water In May 2016, the reservoir behind Hoover Dam reached its lowest level since the 
+
+1930s. Image of the Day Water When the water gets saltier in Iran’s largest lake, the microscopic 
+inhabitants can turn the water dark red. Image of the Day Water Water Color July 1 - September 
+30, 2023MPEG For several months in 2023, global sea surface temperatures reached record-high 
+levels, fueled by decades of human-caused climate warming and a recent boost from the natural 
+climate phenomenon El Niño. Some areas—including the seas around Florida, Cuba, and the Bahamas—saw 
+
+particularly high temperatures, with implications for the health of coral reefs.Corals thrive 
+within a small range of temperatures and become stressed when water is too hot or cold. Bleaching 
+occurs when stressed corals expel the algae that live inside them, stripping corals of their 
+color. Extreme bleaching can leave a reef susceptible to starvation, disease, and even death. 
+Observations made by divers in the Florida Keys found that the marine heatwave in summer 2023 
+
+caused widespread bleaching.Stress on corals can also be detected using data from satellites. 
+This animation shows the evolution of accumulated heat stress from July through September 
+2023. The colors depict “degree heating weeks” (°C-weeks)—a measure that provides an estimate 
+of the severity and duration of thermal stress. Data for the product are compiled by NOAA’s 
+Coral Reef Watch, which blends observations from polar orbiting satellites such as the NASA-NOAA 
+
+Suomi NPP, and from geostationary satellites such as GOES, with computer models.Observations 
+have shown that when the accumulated heat stress reaches a value of 4, significant coral bleaching 
+can result. At values of 8, coral bleaching and widespread mortality are likely. By midway 
+through this animation, in August, heat stress across much of the region already soared well 
+above both of those thresholds. According to NOAA, cumulative heat stress by late September 
+
+2023 hit 22°C-weeks (40°F-weeks), nearly triple the previous record for the region.Bleaching 
+was already observed in some areas as early as July. Notice that areas of coral reef (gray) 
+near the Florida Keys, Cuba, and the Bahamas, are among the first areas to show high cumulative 
+heat stress. Hurricane Idalia in late August helped cool surface waters somewhat, but only 
+temporarily.Nearing mid-October, waters around the Florida Keys were under a bleaching watch. 
+
+Further south, waters around parts of Cuba and the Bahamas remained at bleaching alert level 
+2, the highest level of the scale, signifying that severe bleaching and mortality are likely.NASA 
+Earth Observatory animation by Wanmei Liang, using Daily 5km Degree Heating Weeks data from 
+Coral Reef Watch. Coral reef data from UNEP-WCMC, WorldFish Centre, WRI, TNC. Story by Kathryn 
+Hansen.View this area in EO ExplorerThe seas around Florida, Cuba, and the Bahamas saw large 
+
+accumulations of heat stress beginning in summer 2023, with implications for the health of 
+coral reefs.Image of the Day for October 16, 2023 Image of the Day Water Temperature Extremes 
+View more Images of the Day:Warmer-than-average temperatures are showing up locally and globally, 
+with consequences for people, landscapes, and ecosystems. Image of the Day Water Image of 
+the Day Life Water Image of the Day Heat Life Water Studying corals from above could help 
+
+scientists understand how these critical ecosystems will weather a changing climate. Image 
+of the Day Land Life Water January 22 - July 26, 2023JPEGOne of the wettest wet seasons in 
+northern Australia transformed large areas of the country’s desert landscape over the course 
+of many months in 2023. A string of major rainfall events that dropped 690 millimeters (27 
+inches) between October 2022 and April 2023 made it the sixth-wettest season on record since 
+
+1900–1901.This series of false-color images illustrates the rainfall’s months-long effects 
+downstream in the Lake Eyre Basin. Water appears in shades of blue, vegetation is green, and 
+bare land is brown. The images were acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 
+(MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite between January and July 2023.In the January 22 image (left), 
+water was coursing through seasonally dry channels of the Georgina River and Eyre Creek following 
+
+weeks of heavy rains in northern Queensland. By April 21 (middle), floodwaters had reached 
+further downstream after another intense period of precipitation in March. This scene shows 
+that water had filled in some of the north-northwest trending ridges that are part of a vast 
+fossil landscape of wind-formed dunes, while vegetation had emerged in wet soil upstream. 
+Then by July 26 (right), the riverbed had filled with even more vegetation.The Georgina River 
+
+and Eyre Creek drain approximately 210,000 square kilometers (81,000 square miles), nearly 
+the area of the United Kingdom. Visible in the lower part of the images, the lake gets refreshed 
+about every three years; when it reaches especially high levels, it may take 18 months to 
+2 years to dry up. Two smaller neighboring lakes flood seasonally. These three lakes and surrounding 
+floodplains support hundreds of thousands of waterbirds and are designated as an Important 
+
+Bird Area.Seasonal flooding is a regular occurrence in these desert river systems. However, 
+the events of the 2022-2023 rainy season stood out in several ways. They occurred while La 
+Niña conditions were in place over the tropical Pacific Ocean. (The wettest seasons in northern 
+Australia have all occurred during La Niña years, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.) 
+In addition, major rains occurring in succession, as was the case with the January and March 
+
+events, have the overall effect of prolonging floods. That’s because vegetation that grows 
+after the first event slows down the pulse of water that comes through in the next rain event.The 
+high water has affected both local communities and ecosystems. Floods have inundated cattle 
+farms and isolated towns on temporary islands. At the same time, they are a natural feature 
+of the “boom-and-bust” ecology of Channel Country, providing habitat and nutrients that support 
+
+biodiversity.NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS 
+LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerRepeated 
+heavy rains in Australia set off waves of new growth across Channel Country.Image of the Day 
+for August 7, 2023 Image of the Day Land Water View more Images of the Day: Floods The waves 
+off the coast of Teahupo’o can heave a crushing amount of water toward the shore and onto 
+
+unlucky surfers. Image of the Day Water Waves of heavy rainfall left towns and farmland under 
+water in October 2022. Image of the Day Water Floods Acquired February 26, 2011, and February 
+5, 2011, these false-color images show the impact of heavy rains in marshy areas southeast 
+of Georgetown, Guyana. Land Floods August 25, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGAugust 25, 2023September 
+18, 2023August 25, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGHeavy rain from a cyclone 
+
+in the Mediterranean inundated cities along the northeastern coast of Libya in early September 
+2023, causing thousands of deaths. The port city of Derna (Darnah), home to about 90,000 people, 
+was one of the worst hit by the storm and suffered extensive flooding and damage. On September 
+10 and 11, over 100 millimeters (4 inches) of rain fell on Derna. The city lies at the end 
+of a long, narrow valley, called a wadi, which is dry except during the rainy season. Floods 
+
+triggered two dams along the wadi to collapse. The failure of the second dam, located just 
+one kilometer inland of Derna, unleashed 3- to 7-meter-high floodwater that tore through the 
+city. According to news reports, the flash floods destroyed roads and swept entire neighborhoods 
+out to sea. The images above show the city before and after the storm. The image on the right, 
+acquired by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9 on September 18, shows eroded 
+
+banks of Wadi Derna near where it meets the Mediterranean. Water just off the coast appears 
+muddier than in the image on the left, which shows the same area on August 25 and was acquired 
+by Landsat 8. Preliminary estimates by the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) indicate 
+that 3,100 buildings in Derna were damaged by rushing water. According to the UN International 
+Organization for Migration (IOM), about 40,000 people in the country were displaced by the 
+
+storm, and 30,000 of those were displaced from Derna. Tropical-like cyclones in the Mediterranean, 
+or “medicanes,” develop only once or twice a year, according to NOAA, and typically form in 
+autumn. According to meteorologists at Yale Climate Connections, this storm was the deadliest 
+in Africa’s recorded history. A recent assessment by scientists at World Weather Attribution 
+estimated that precipitation received by the region was a one-in-300 to one-in-600-year event. 
+
+NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological 
+Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerFlash floods in the port city 
+destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods out to sea.Image of the Day for September 21, 2023 
+Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The melting 
+of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can send rivers 
+
+out of their banks.A Mediterranean cyclone contributed to deadly flooding along the country’s 
+coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Record rainfall inundated towns and farmland 
+in the country’s Thessaly region. Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence A stalled storm 
+dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive flooding. 
+Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential downpours 
+
+in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Floods 
+Human Presence July 2002 - June 2022JPEGThe deep-blue sea is turning a touch greener. While 
+that may not seem as consequential as, say, record warm sea surface temperatures, the color 
+of the ocean surface is indicative of the ecosystem that lies beneath. Communities of phytoplankton, 
+microscopic photosynthesizing organisms, abound in near-surface waters and are foundational 
+
+to the aquatic food web and carbon cycle. This shift in the water’s hue confirms a trend expected 
+under climate change and signals changes to ecosystems within the global ocean, which covers 
+70 percent of Earth’s surface. Researchers led by B. B. Cael, a principal scientist at the 
+U.K.’s National Oceanography Centre, revealed that 56 percent of the global sea surface has 
+undergone a significant change in color in the past 20 years. After analyzing ocean color 
+
+data from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument on NASA’s Aqua 
+satellite, they found that much of the change stems from the ocean turning more green. The 
+map above highlights the areas where ocean surface color changed between 2002 and 2022, with 
+darker shades of green representing more-significant differences (higher signal-to-noise ratio). 
+By extension, said Cael, “these are places we can detect a change in the ocean ecosystem in 
+
+the last 20 years.” The study focused on tropical and subtropical regions, excluding higher 
+latitudes, which are dark for part of the year, and coastal waters, where the data are naturally 
+very noisy. The black dots on the map indicate the area, covering 12 percent of the ocean’s 
+surface, where chlorophyll levels also changed over the study period. Chlorophyll has been 
+the go-to measurement for remote sensing scientists to gauge phytoplankton abundance and productivity. 
+
+However, those estimates use only a few colors in the visible light spectrum. The values shown 
+in green are based on the whole gamut of colors and therefore capture more information about 
+the ecosystem as a whole. A long time series from a single sensor is relatively rare in the 
+remote sensing world. As the Aqua satellite was celebrating its 20th year in orbit in 2022—far 
+exceeding its design life of 6 years—Cael wondered what long term trends could be discovered 
+
+in the data. In particular, he was curious what might have been missed in all the ocean color 
+information it had collected. “There’s more encoded in the data than we actually make use 
+of,” he said. By going big with the data, the team discerned an ocean color trend that had 
+been predicted by climate modeling, but one that was expected to take 30-40 years of data 
+to detect using satellite-based chlorophyll estimates. That’s because the natural variability 
+
+in chlorophyll is high relative to the climate change trend. The new method, incorporating 
+all visible light, was robust enough to confirm the trend in 20 years. At this stage, it is 
+difficult to say what exact ecological changes are responsible for the new hues. However, 
+the authors posit, they could result from different assemblages of plankton, more detrital 
+particles, or other organisms such as zooplankton. It is unlikely the color changes come from 
+
+materials such as plastics or other pollutants, said Cael, since they are not widespread enough 
+to register at large scales. “What we do know is that in the last 20 years, the ocean has 
+become more stratified,” he said. Surface waters have absorbed excess heat from the warming 
+climate, and as a result, they are less prone to mixing with deeper, more nutrient-rich layers. 
+This scenario would favor plankton adapted to a nutrient-poor environment. The areas of ocean 
+
+color change align well with where the sea has become more stratified, said Cael, but there 
+is no such overlap with sea surface temperature changes. More insights into Earth’s aquatic 
+ecosystems may soon be on the way. NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) 
+satellite, set to launch in 2024, will return observations in finer color resolution. The 
+new data will enable researchers to infer more information about ocean ecology, such as the 
+
+diversity of phytoplankton species and the rates of phytoplankton growth. NASA Earth Observatory 
+image by Wanmei Liang, using data from Cael, B. B., et al. (2023). Story by Lindsey Doermann.Two 
+decades of satellite measurements show that the sea surface is shading toward green.Image 
+of the Day for October 2, 2023 Image of the Day Life Water View more Images of the Day:Datasets 
+from the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite will build upon three decades of sea level 
+
+measurements. Image of the Day Heat Water Remote Sensing Image of the Day Life Water Image 
+of the Day Water The use of plastic on farms has become so common in recent decades that there 
+there’s a term for it—plasticulture. Image of the Day Human Presence August 16, 2023JPEGThe 
+Canary Islands were at the center of a mélange of natural events in summer 2023. The Moderate 
+Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this assemblage 
+
+of phenomena off the coast of Africa on August 16, 2023.In the center of the scene, smoke 
+is seen rising from a wildfire burning on Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The blaze started 
+amid hot and dry conditions on August 15 in forests surrounding the Teide Volcano. Authorities 
+issued evacuation orders to five villages, and responders focused on containing the fire’s 
+spread and protecting residential areas near the coast, according to news reports. Other fires 
+
+have burned on the Canary Islands this summer, including on La Palma in July.To the west, 
+a swirling cloud moves across the Atlantic. Cloud vortices appear routinely downwind of the 
+Canary Islands—sometimes in great abundance—and are produced when the tall volcanic peaks 
+disrupt the air flowing past them.Elsewhere in the atmosphere, dust from the Sahara Desert 
+was lofted out over the ocean. The river of dust crossing the Atlantic was more pronounced 
+
+in previous days, when it reached islands in the Caribbean. Traveling on the Saharan Air Layer, 
+dust sometimes makes it even further west toward Central America and the U.S. states of Florida 
+and Texas.To round out the list, the patch of bright blue off the Moroccan coast is most likely 
+a bloom of phytoplankton. While the exact cause and composition of the bloom cannot be determined 
+from this image, mineral-rich desert dust has been shown to set off bursts of phytoplankton 
+
+growth.In addition to the Earth’s processes seen here, one remote sensing artifact is present. 
+A diagonal streak of sunglint makes part of this scene appear washed out. Sunglint, an effect 
+that occurs when sunlight reflects off the surface of the water at the same angle that a satellite 
+sensor views it, is also the reason for the light-colored streaks trailing off the islands.NASA 
+Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+
+Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerAn assortment of natural phenomena 
+visible from space appeared together in one image.Image of the Day for August 17, 2023 Image 
+of the Day Atmosphere Land Water View more Images of the Day:Flights were grounded as visibility 
+was severely hampered by a Calima event. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze Human 
+Presence In one frame International Space Station astronauts were able to capture the evolution 
+
+of fringing reefs to atolls. As with the Hawaiian Islands, these volcanic hot spot islands 
+become progressively older to the northwest. As these islands move away from their magma sources 
+they erode and subside. Image of the Day Land Water The dry, volcanic terrain of this Canary 
+Island is suitable for lichen and crops … and for training astronauts. Image of the Day Land 
+The event, known locally as “la calima,” turned skies orange and degraded air quality in Gran 
+
+Canaria and neighboring islands. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze July 17, 2023JPEGFour 
+funnel-shaped estuarine inlets, collectively known as Rías Baixas, line the coast of Galicia, 
+in northwest Spain. The nutrient-rich water in these inlets supports a wealth of marine life, 
+making the Galicia coast one of the most productive places for aquaculture.On July 17, 2023, 
+the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, acquired this image of the Rías de Arousa 
+
+(Arousa estuary), the largest and northernmost of the inlets. Small dots skirt the coasts 
+of the embayment. In most cases, these dots are rectangular rafts designed for raising bivalves 
+like mussels. Buoys keep the lattice mussel rafts afloat on the surface of the water, and 
+hundreds of ropes are suspended into the water column from each structure. Mussels attach 
+to the ropes and filter feed on phytoplankton and other suspended organic particles. The rafts 
+
+allow for high yields of mussels in a small area of the water. The Rías Baixas are on the 
+northern end of the Canary current and are in a major upwelling zone. Upwelling, which brings 
+colder, nutrient-rich water up from the bottom of the ocean, typically occurs in this area 
+between April and October. Much of the mussel production in the Rías Baixas occurs during 
+this time, as the mollusks filter feed on nutrients and plentiful phytoplankton supported 
+
+by upwelling. Spain is the top mussel producing country in the world. Rías de Arousa alone 
+contains over 2,400 mussel rafts, producing about 40 percent of Europe’s mussels. NASA Earth 
+Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story 
+by Emily Cassidy. Buoys keep the lattice mussel rafts afloat on the surface of the water, 
+and hundreds of ropes are suspended into the water column from each structure. Mussels attach 
+
+to the ropes and filter feed on phytoplankton and other suspended organic particles. The rafts 
+allow for high yields of mussels in a small area of the water. The Rías Baixas are on the 
+northern end of the Canary current and are in a major upwelling zone. Upwelling, which brings 
+colder, nutrient-rich water up from the bottom of the ocean, typically occurs in this area 
+between April and October. Much of the mussel production in the Rías Baixas occurs during 
+
+this time, as the mollusks filter feed on nutrients and plentiful phytoplankton supported 
+by upwelling. Spain is the top mussel producing country in the world. Rías de Arousa alone 
+contains over 2,400 mussel rafts, producing about 40 percent of Europe’s mussels. NASA Earth 
+Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story 
+by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerThe estuarine inlets of Spain’s Galicia coast 
+
+are some of the most productive places to grow mussels.Image of the Day for September 19, 
+2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of the Day: Dust and Haze This 
+image shows Tropical Cyclones Eric and Fanele near Madagascar on January 19, 2009. Atmosphere 
+Water Severe Storms This natural-color image shows Saharan dust forming an S-shaped curve 
+off the western coast of Africa, and passing directly over Cape Verde. Atmosphere Land Dust 
+
+and Haze Acquired March 8, 2010, this true-color image shows two icebergs, Iceberg B-09B and 
+an iceberg recently broken off the Mertz Glacier, floating in the Southern Ocean, just off 
+the George V Coast. Water Snow and Ice Sea and Lake Ice May 18, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGMay 
+18, 2023September 7, 2023May 18, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGAfter going 
+dry in 2018, Laguna de Aculeo has begun to refill. NASA satellites began to detect water pooling 
+
+in the parched lake in late-August, after an intense winter storm dropped as much as 370 millimeters 
+(15 inches) of rain on some parts of central Chile. The storm was fueled by an atmospheric 
+river and exacerbated by the rugged terrain in central Chile.When the Operational Land Imager-2 
+(OLI-2) on Landsat 9 acquired this image (right) on September 7, 2023, Laguna de Aculeo covered 
+about 5 square kilometers (2 square miles) to a depth of roughly 1 meter (3 feet). The other 
+
+image (left) shows the dried water body on May 18, 2023, before the wet winter weather arrived. 
+Although it has refilled somewhat, water spans only half the area it did up to 2010 and contains 
+a quarter of the water volume, explained René Garreaud, an Earth scientist at the University 
+of Chile. Seasonal changes and the influx of water have led to widespread greening of the 
+landscape around the lake.Researchers have assessed that ongoing development and water use 
+
+in the nearby community of Paine, increasing water use by farmers and in homes and pools, 
+as well as several years of drought, likely contributed to the drawdown of the lake. Annual 
+rainfall deficits that averaged 38 percent between 2010 and 2018 likely played a large role, 
+according to one analysis from a team of researchers from the University of Chile.Before 2010, 
+the shallow water body was a popular haven for boaters, swimmers, and water skiers, but the 
+
+water hasn’t yet pooled up enough for swimmers or boaters to return. It is also unclear how 
+long the new water in Aculeo will persist. “Atmospheric rivers in June and August delivered 
+substantial precipitation along the high terrain and foothills that have giv­­en us a welcome 
+interruption to the drought,” Garreaud said. “But Aculeo is a small, shallow lagoon that can 
+fill up rapidly, and it's only partly filled. Bigger reservoirs and aquifers will take much 
+
+longer to recover.”NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from 
+the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerThe drought 
+in Chile isn’t over, but recent late-winter rains provided enough moisture for water to start 
+pooling up again.Image of the Day for September 16, 2023 Image of the Day Life Water View 
+more Images of the Day:Data from winter 2022-2023 show the greatest net gain of water in nearly 
+
+22 years, but groundwater levels still suffer from years of drought. Image of the Day Land 
+Water As a persistent drought drags on, water levels are dropping at a key reservoir that 
+supplies Santiago. Image of the Day Land Water A new web tool designed by NASA applied scientists 
+could help the tribe anticipate and respond to drought. Image of the Day Water Human Presence 
+Remote Sensing For more than 100 years, groups in the western United States have fought over 
+
+water. During the 1880s, sheep ranchers and cattle ranchers argued over drinking water for 
+their livestock on the high plains. In 1913, the city of Los Angeles began to draw water away 
+from small agricultural communities in Owen Valley, leaving a dusty dry lake bed. In the late 
+1950s, construction of the Glen Canyon Dam catalyzed the American environmental movement. 
+Today, farmers are fighting fishermen, environmentalists, and Native American tribes over 
+
+the water in the Upper Klamath River Basin. The Landsat 7 satellite, launched by NASA and 
+operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, documented an extreme drought in the area along the 
+California/Oregon border in the spring of 2001. Image of the Day Land Life September 16, 2023JPEGSeptember 
+10, 2021JPEGSeptember 16, 2023September 10, 2021September 16, 2023JPEGSeptember 10, 2021JPEGSeptember 
+10, 2021JPEGMonths of excessive heat and drought parched the Mississippi River in the summer 
+
+and early fall of 2023. In September, low water levels limited barge shipments downriver and 
+threatened drinking water supplies in some Louisiana communities, according to the Associated 
+Press.Water levels were especially low near Memphis, Tennessee. The images above show the 
+Mississippi River near Memphis on September 16, 2023 (left), compared to September 10, 2021 
+(right). The river was significantly slimmed down in 2023, exposing some of the river bottom.This 
+
+is the second year in a row drought has caused the river to fall to near-record lows at many 
+gauges. On September 26, 2023, the river level at a gauge in Memphis was -10.26 feet, close 
+to the record low level, -10.81 feet, measured at the same place on October 21, 2022. That 
+was the lowest level recorded there since the start of National Weather Service records in 
+1954. Water levels, or “gauge heights,” do not indicate the depth of a stream; rather, they 
+
+are measured with respect to a chosen reference point. That is why some gauge height measurements 
+are negative.Farther upstream, water levels at New Madrid, Missouri, have been around -5 feet—near 
+the minimum operating level—since early September 2023. Water levels on the Mississippi normally 
+decline in the fall and winter, and in 2022, the river did not get that low until mid-October. 
+September 26, 2023JPEGA hot, dry summer is the main reason water levels dropped so low in 
+
+2023. Across the globe, temperatures in summer 2023 were 1.2°C (2.1°F) warmer than average. 
+In the U.S., Louisiana and Mississippi experienced their hottest Augusts on record, according 
+to NOAA.The U.S. Drought Monitor map above—the product of a partnership between the U.S. Department 
+of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the University of 
+Nebraska-Lincoln—shows conditions during the week of September 20-26, 2023. The map depicts 
+
+drought intensity in progressive shades of orange to red. It is based on an analysis of climate, 
+soil, and water condition measurements from more than 350 federal, state, and local observers 
+around the country. NASA contributes measurements and models that aid the drought monitoring 
+effort.During that week, about 38 percent of the contiguous U.S. was experiencing drought. 
+Lack of precipitation and high temperatures over several months severely dried out soils in 
+
+states along the Mississippi River Valley. The Drought Monitor reported that 80 percent of 
+soils in Louisiana were dry (short or very short on water) as of September 24. And for most 
+states in the river valley, over 50 percent of topsoil was dry or very dry.Shallow conditions 
+along the river interrupted normal shipments of goods. According to the Associated Press, 
+barge companies reduced the weight carried in many shipments in September because the river 
+
+was not deep enough to accommodate their normal weight. Much of U.S. grain exports are transported 
+down the Mississippi, and according to AP, the cost of these shipments from St. Louis southward 
+has risen 77 percent above the three-year average. The lack of freshwater flowing into the 
+Gulf of Mexico has also allowed saltwater to make its way up the river and into some water 
+treatment plants in southern Louisiana, according to the Associated Press. Some parts of Plaquemines 
+
+Parish are under drinking water advisories and have relied on bottled water for cooking and 
+drinking since June.Significant rainfall would be needed to flush out saltwater in the river 
+in Plaquemines. According to the National Weather Service’s Lower Mississippi River Forecast 
+Center, the forecast does not look promising. If enough rainfall doesn’t arrive before mid-to-late 
+October, saltwater could make its way to New Orleans.NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren 
+
+Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and data from the United States 
+Drought Monitor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area 
+in EO ExplorerIn September, low water levels made it more challenging to ship goods down the 
+river and allowed a wedge of saltwater to move upstream.Image of the Day for October 1, 2023 
+Image of the Day Water Drought View more Images of the Day:Persistent dry conditions can affect 
+
+water resources, ecosystems, and agriculture.Severe drought is reducing the number of daily 
+passages on the transoceanic shipping route. Image of the Day Water Human Presence Prolonged 
+drought in Kansas set the stage for what may be one of the state’s smallest wheat harvests 
+in decades. Image of the Day Land Water Drought The most severe drought in 70 years of record 
+keeping threatens the Horn of Africa with famine. Image of the Day Land Water Drought Low 
+
+water levels are making it difficult to ship goods down the river and allowing a wedge of 
+saltwater to move upstream. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Remote Sensing September 
+25, 2023JPEGLake Winnipeg, the world’s 10th largest freshwater lake by surface area, has experienced 
+algae blooms at a regular occurrence at least since the 1990s. A bloom of blue-green algae 
+once again covered parts of the lake in September 2023. Located in Manitoba, Canada, the long 
+
+lake has a watershed that spans one million square kilometers (386,000 square miles), draining 
+some of Canada’s agricultural land. The lake consists of a large, deep north basin and a smaller, 
+comparatively shallow south basin. Swirls of algae filled the south basin of the lake on September 
+25, 2023, when the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 9 acquired this image. Around 
+this time, satellite observations analyzed by Environment and Climate Change Canada indicated 
+
+that algae covered about 8,400 square kilometers (3,200 square miles), or about a third of 
+the lake’s area.Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are single-celled organisms 
+that rely on photosynthesis to turn sunlight into food. The bacteria grow swiftly when nutrients 
+like phosphorus and nitrogen are abundant in still water. The bloom pictured here may contain 
+blue-green algae, as well as other types of phytoplankton; only a surface sample can confirm 
+
+the exact composition of a bloom. Some cyanobacteria produce microcystin—a potent toxin that 
+can irritate the skin and cause liver and kidney damage.While algae are part of a natural 
+freshwater ecosystem, excess algae, particularly cyanobacteria, can be a nuisance to residents 
+and tourists using the lake and its beaches for fishing, swimming, and recreation. Beaches 
+in the south basin of Lake Winnipeg can get as many as 30,000 visitors a day during the summer 
+
+months. Water samples taken at Winnipeg Beach on the west shore found that cyanobacteria levels 
+were elevated in August, and visitors were advised to avoid swimming and fishing if green 
+scum was visible. The health of Lake Winnipeg has been in decline in recent decades. Between 
+1990 and 2000, phosphorous concentrations in the lake almost doubled and algae blooms proliferated, 
+both in terms of occurrence and extent. The major contributors to the influx of phosphorous 
+
+to the lake were increased agricultural activities in the watershed and a higher frequency 
+of flooding, which has increased runoff into the lake.Phosphorus concentrations are almost 
+three times higher in the south basin of Lake Winnipeg, compared to the north basin. A 2019 
+study using data from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument 
+on NASA’s Terra satellite found that the chlorophyll-a concentrations, which are used as a 
+
+measure of phytoplankton biomass, were on average more than twice as high in the south basin, 
+compared to the north. NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from 
+the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerAn influx 
+of nutrients in recent decades has contributed to the proliferation of algae in the large 
+Canadian lake.Image of the Day for October 6, 2023 Image of the Day Water Water Color View 
+
+more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like organisms reproduce abundantly when there are 
+sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. Extreme blooms of certain species can 
+become harmful to marine animals and humans.Cyanobacteria covered over half of the surface 
+of Florida’s largest freshwater lake in mid-June 2023. Image of the Day Life Water Water Color 
+Nearly half of the lake was covered with blue-green algae in early July 2022. Image of the 
+
+Day Water Remote Sensing Water Color More than 40 years after the explosive eruption of Mount 
+St. Helens, relics from the blast continue to haunt a nearby lake. Image of the Day Water 
+Venezuela’s Lake Maracaibo is choking with oil slicks and algae. Image of the Day Life Water 
+Human Presence Remote Sensing October 8, 2022JPEGOctober 3, 2023JPEGOctober 8, 2022October 
+3, 2023October 8, 2022JPEGOctober 3, 2023JPEGOctober 3, 2023JPEGJuly through October fall 
+
+within the dry season in the western and northern Amazon rainforest, but a particularly acute 
+lack of rain during this period in 2023 has pushed the region into a severe drought.The OLI 
+(Operational Land Imager) instrument on Landsat 8 captured this image (right) of the parched 
+Rio Negro in the Brazilian province of Amazonas near the city of Manaus on October 3, 2023. 
+On that date, the level of the river, the largest tributary of the Amazon River, had dropped 
+
+to 15.14 meters (50.52 feet), according to data collected by the Port of Manaus. For comparison, 
+the image on the left shows the same area on October 8, 2022, when the water level was 19.59 
+meters, a more typical level for October. Rio Negro water levels continued to drop in the 
+days after the image was collected, reaching a record low of 13.49 meters on October 17, 2023.Some 
+areas in the Amazon River’s watershed have received less rain between July and September than 
+
+any year since 1980, Reuters reported. The drought has been particularly severe in the Rio 
+Negro watershed in northern Amazonas, as well as parts of southern Venezuela and southern 
+Colombia.“Overall, this is a pretty unusual and extreme situation,” said René Garreaud, an 
+atmospheric scientist at the University of Chile. “The primary culprit exacerbating the drought 
+appears to be El Niño.” This cyclical warming of surface waters in the central-eastern Pacific 
+
+functions somewhat like a boulder in the middle of a stream, disrupting atmospheric circulation 
+patterns in ways that lead to wetter conditions over the equatorial Pacific and drier conditions 
+over the Amazon Basin.According to news outlets, the low river water levels on the Rio Negro 
+and other nearby rivers have disrupted drinking water supplies in hundreds of communities, 
+slowed commercial navigation, and led to fish and dolphin die-offs.Manaus, the capital and 
+
+largest city of the Brazilian state of Amazonas, is the primary transportation hub for the 
+upper Amazon, serving as an important transit point for soap, beef, and animal hides. Other 
+industries with a presence in the city of two million people include chemical, ship, and electrical 
+equipment manufacturing.NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data 
+from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerThe water 
+
+level of the largest tributary of the Amazon River has hit a record low.Image of the Day for 
+October 18, 2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The impact 
+of severe drought on the Negro River, a tributary of the Amazon River, and other rivers in 
+the basin is dramatically evident in this pair of images, which show that every body of water 
+has shrunk in 2010 compared to 2008. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land The volume of water 
+
+in New Mexico’s largest reservoir has dropped to historic lows due to drought and persistent 
+demand. Image of the Day Water Human Presence Acquired June 25, 2011, and June 22, 2010, these 
+false-color images compare conditions along the Souris River, which reached a historic crest 
+at Minot, North Dakota in June 2011. Land Floods Acquired May 11, 2011, and April 21, 2007, 
+these false-color images show the Mississippi River near Natchez, Mississippi. The image from 
+
+May 2011 shows flooded conditions. Land Floods September 6, 2020JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 
+6, 2020September 7, 2023September 6, 2020JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGAfter 
+rapidly growing in volume just a few years earlier, northwest Iran’s Lake Urmia nearly dried 
+out in autumn 2023. The largest lake in the Middle East and one of the largest hypersaline 
+lakes on Earth at its greatest extent, Lake Urmia has for the most part transformed into a 
+
+vast, dry salt flat. On September 7, 2023, the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 
+9 captured this image (right) of the desiccated lakebed. It stands in contrast to the image 
+from three years earlier (left), acquired by the OLI on Landsat 8 on September 8, 2020, when 
+water filled most of the basin and salt deposits were only visible around the perimeter of 
+the lake. The replenishment followed a period of above-average precipitation that sent a surge 
+
+of freshwater into the basin, expanding its watery footprint. Drier conditions have since 
+brought levels back down. The longer-term trend for Urmia has been one toward drying. In 1995, 
+Lake Urmia reached a high-water mark; then in the ensuing two decades, the lake level dropped 
+more than 7 meters (23 feet) and lost approximately 90 percent of its area. Consecutive droughts, 
+agricultural water use, and dam construction on rivers feeding the lake have contributed to 
+
+the decline. A shrinking Lake Urmia has implications for ecological and human health. The 
+lake, its islands, and surrounding wetlands comprise valuable habitat and are recognized as 
+a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Ramsar site, and national park. The area provides breeding grounds 
+for waterbirds such as flamingos, white pelicans, and white-headed ducks, as well as a stopover 
+for migratory species. However, with low lake levels, what water remains becomes more saline 
+
+and taxes the populations of brine shrimp and other food sources for larger animals. A shrinking 
+lake also increases the likelihood of dust from the exposed lakebed becoming swept up by winds 
+and degrading air quality. Recent studies have linked the low water levels in Lake Urmia with 
+respiratory health impacts among the local population.The relative effects of climate, water 
+usage, and dams on Lake Urmia’s water level is a topic of debate. The lake did see some recovery 
+
+during a 10-year restoration program beginning in 2013. However, the efficacy of that effort 
+has been difficult to parse since strong rains also fell during that period. Some research 
+has concluded that climatic factors were primarily responsible for the recovery. NASA Earth 
+Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. 
+Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerA few years after a fresh influx of 
+
+water raised its levels, the large lake has nearly gone dry.Image of the Day for October 10, 
+2023 Image of the Day Land Water View more Images of the Day:Water levels are at their lowest 
+since 1937. Image of the Day Water Drought Fires Long and short. Deep and shallow. Salty and 
+fresh. Blue and brown. These are Africa’s Lake Tanganyika and Lake Rukwa. Image of the Day 
+Land Water In May 2016, the reservoir behind Hoover Dam reached its lowest level since the 
+
+1930s. Image of the Day Water When the water gets saltier in Iran’s largest lake, the microscopic 
+inhabitants can turn the water dark red. Image of the Day Water Water Color July 1 - September 
+30, 2023MPEG For several months in 2023, global sea surface temperatures reached record-high 
+levels, fueled by decades of human-caused climate warming and a recent boost from the natural 
+climate phenomenon El Niño. Some areas—including the seas around Florida, Cuba, and the Bahamas—saw 
+
+particularly high temperatures, with implications for the health of coral reefs.Corals thrive 
+within a small range of temperatures and become stressed when water is too hot or cold. Bleaching 
+occurs when stressed corals expel the algae that live inside them, stripping corals of their 
+color. Extreme bleaching can leave a reef susceptible to starvation, disease, and even death. 
+Observations made by divers in the Florida Keys found that the marine heatwave in summer 2023 
+
+caused widespread bleaching.Stress on corals can also be detected using data from satellites. 
+This animation shows the evolution of accumulated heat stress from July through September 
+2023. The colors depict “degree heating weeks” (°C-weeks)—a measure that provides an estimate 
+of the severity and duration of thermal stress. Data for the product are compiled by NOAA’s 
+Coral Reef Watch, which blends observations from polar orbiting satellites such as the NASA-NOAA 
+
+Suomi NPP, and from geostationary satellites such as GOES, with computer models.Observations 
+have shown that when the accumulated heat stress reaches a value of 4, significant coral bleaching 
+can result. At values of 8, coral bleaching and widespread mortality are likely. By midway 
+through this animation, in August, heat stress across much of the region already soared well 
+above both of those thresholds. According to NOAA, cumulative heat stress by late September 
+
+2023 hit 22°C-weeks (40°F-weeks), nearly triple the previous record for the region.Bleaching 
+was already observed in some areas as early as July. Notice that areas of coral reef (gray) 
+near the Florida Keys, Cuba, and the Bahamas, are among the first areas to show high cumulative 
+heat stress. Hurricane Idalia in late August helped cool surface waters somewhat, but only 
+temporarily.Nearing mid-October, waters around the Florida Keys were under a bleaching watch. 
+
+Further south, waters around parts of Cuba and the Bahamas remained at bleaching alert level 
+2, the highest level of the scale, signifying that severe bleaching and mortality are likely.NASA 
+Earth Observatory animation by Wanmei Liang, using Daily 5km Degree Heating Weeks data from 
+Coral Reef Watch. Coral reef data from UNEP-WCMC, WorldFish Centre, WRI, TNC. Story by Kathryn 
+Hansen.View this area in EO ExplorerThe seas around Florida, Cuba, and the Bahamas saw large 
+
+accumulations of heat stress beginning in summer 2023, with implications for the health of 
+coral reefs.Image of the Day for October 16, 2023 Image of the Day Water Temperature Extremes 
+View more Images of the Day:Warmer-than-average temperatures are showing up locally and globally, 
+with consequences for people, landscapes, and ecosystems. Image of the Day Water Image of 
+the Day Life Water Image of the Day Heat Life Water Studying corals from above could help 
+
+scientists understand how these critical ecosystems will weather a changing climate. Image 
+of the Day Land Life Water Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version 
+with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up 
+to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to 
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+
+Scientific Data volume 7, Article number: 112 (2020) Cite this article 30k Accesses126 Citations88 
+AltmetricMetrics detailsRemotely sensed biomass carbon density maps are widely used for myriad 
+scientific and policy applications, but all remain limited in scope. They often only represent 
+a single vegetation type and rarely account for carbon stocks in belowground biomass. To date, 
+no global product integrates these disparate estimates into an all-encompassing map at a scale 
+
+appropriate for many modelling or decision-making applications. We developed an approach for 
+harmonizing vegetation-specific maps of both above and belowground biomass into a single, 
+comprehensive representation of each. We overlaid input maps and allocated their estimates 
+in proportion to the relative spatial extent of each vegetation type using ancillary maps 
+of percent tree cover and landcover, and a rule-based decision schema. The resulting maps 
+
+consistently and seamlessly report biomass carbon density estimates across a wide range of 
+vegetation types in 2010 with quantified uncertainty. They do so for the globe at an unprecedented 
+300-meter spatial resolution and can be used to more holistically account for diverse vegetation 
+carbon stocks in global analyses and greenhouse gas inventories.Measurement(s)biomass carbon 
+densityTechnology Type(s)digital curationFactor Type(s)climatic zone • above or below ground 
+
+• land coverSample Characteristic - Environmentorganic materialSample Characteristic - LocationEarth 
+(planet)Machine-accessible metadata file describing the reported data: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.11872383Terrestrial 
+ecosystems store vast quantities of carbon (C) in aboveground and belowground biomass1. At 
+any point in time, these stocks represent a dynamic balance between the C gains of growth 
+and C losses from death, decay and combustion. Maps of biomass are routinely used for benchmarking 
+
+biophysical models2,3,4, estimating C cycle effects of disturbance5,6,7, and assessing biogeographical 
+patterns and ecosystem services8,9,10,11. They are also critical for assessing climate change 
+drivers, impacts, and solutions, and factor prominently in policies like Reducing Emissions 
+from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) and C offset schemes12,13,14. Numerous methods 
+have been used to map biomass C stocks but their derivatives often remain limited in either 
+
+scope or extent12,15. There thus remains a critical need for a globally harmonized, integrative 
+map that comprehensively reports biomass C across a wide range of vegetation types.Most existing 
+maps of aboveground biomass (AGB) and the carbon it contains (AGBC) are produced from statistical 
+or data-driven methods relating field-measured or field-estimated biomass densities and spaceborne 
+optical and/or radar imagery12,15,16. They largely focus on the AGB of trees, particularly 
+
+those in tropical landscapes where forests store the majority of the region’s biotic C in 
+aboveground plant matter. Land cover maps are often used to isolate forests from other landcover 
+types where the predictive model may not be appropriate such that forest AGB maps intentionally 
+omit AGB stocks in non-forest vegetation like shrublands, grasslands, and croplands, as well 
+as the AGB of trees located within the mapped extent of these excluded landcovers17. Non-forest 
+
+AGB has also been mapped to some extent using similar approaches but these maps are also routinely 
+masked to the geographic extent of their focal landcover18,19,20,21. To date, there has been 
+no rigorous attempt to harmonize and integrate these landcover-specific, remotely sensed products 
+into a single comprehensive and temporally consistent map of C in all living biomass.Maps 
+of belowground biomass (BGB) and carbon density (BGBC) are far less common than those of AGB 
+
+because BGB cannot be readily observed from space or airborne sensors. Consequently, BGB is 
+often inferred from taxa-, region-, and/or climate-specific “root-to-shoot” ratios that relate 
+the quantity of BGB to that of AGB22,23,24. These ratios can be used to map BGB by spatially 
+applying them to AGB estimates using maps of their respective strata5. In recent years, more 
+sophisticated regression-based methods have been developed to predict root-to-shoot ratios 
+
+of some landcover types based on covariance with other biophysical and/or ecological factors25,26. 
+When applied spatially, these methods can allow for more continuous estimates of local BGB5,27. 
+Like AGBC, though, few attempts have been made to comprehensively map BGBC for the globe.Despite 
+the myriad of emerging mapping methods and products, to date, the Intergovernmental Panel 
+on Climate Change (IPCC) Tier-1 maps by Ruesch and Gibbs28 remains the primary source of global 
+
+AGBC and BGBC estimates that transcend individual landcover types. These maps, which represents 
+the year 2000, were produced prior to the relatively recent explosion of satellite-based AGB 
+maps and they therefore rely on an alternative mapping technique called “stratify and multiply”15, 
+which assigns landcover-specific biomass estimates or “defaults” (often derived from field 
+measurements or literature reviews) to the corresponding classified grid cells of a chosen 
+
+landcover map12. While this approach yields a comprehensive wall-to-wall product, it can fail 
+to capture finer-scale spatial patterns often evident in the field and in many satellite-based 
+products12,15. The accuracy of these maps is also tightly coupled to the quality and availability 
+of field measurements29 and the thematic accuracy and discontinuity of the chosen landcover 
+map.Given the wealth of landcover-specific satellite based AGB maps, a new harmonization method 
+
+akin to “stratify and multiply” is needed to merge the validated spatial detail of landcover-specific 
+remotely sensed biomass maps into a single, globally harmonized product. We developed such 
+an approach by which we (i) overlay distinct satellite-based biomass maps and (ii) proportionately 
+allocate their estimates to each grid cell (“overlay and allocate”). Specifically, we overlay 
+continental-to-global scale remotely sensed maps of landcover-specific biomass C density and 
+
+then allocate fractional contributions of each to a given grid cell using additional maps 
+of percent tree cover, thematic landcover and a rule-based decision tree. We implement the 
+new approach here using temporally consistent maps of AGBC as well as matching derived maps 
+of BGBC to generate separate harmonized maps of AGBC and BGBC densities. In addition, we generate 
+associated uncertainty layers by propagating the prediction error of each input dataset. The 
+
+resulting global maps consistently represent biomass C and associated uncertainty across a 
+broad range of vegetation in the year 2010 at an unprecedented 300 meter (m) spatial resolution.Our 
+harmonization approach (Fig. 1) relies on independent, landcover-specific biomass maps and 
+ancillary layers, which we compiled from the published literature (Table 1). When published 
+maps did not represent our epoch of interest (i.e. grasslands and croplands) or did not completely 
+
+cover the necessary spatial extent (i.e. tundra vegetation), we used the predictive model 
+reported with the respective map to generate an updated version that met our spatial and temporal 
+requirements. We then used landcover specific root-to-shoot relationships to generate matching 
+BGBC maps for each of the input AGBC maps before implementing the harmonization procedure. 
+Below we describe, in detail, the methodologies used for mapping AGBC and BGBC of each landcover 
+
+type and the procedure used to integrate them.Generalized, three-step workflow used to create 
+harmonized global biomass maps. In step one, woody AGB maps are prepared, combined, converted 
+to AGBC density and used to create separate but complementary maps of BGBC. In step two, a 
+similar workflow is used to generate matching maps of AGBC and BGBC for tundra vegetation, 
+grasses, and annual crops. In step three, all maps are combined using a rule-based decision 
+
+tree detailed in Fig. 3 to generate comprehensive, harmonized global maps. All input data 
+sources are listed and described in Table 1.Since the first remotely sensed woody AGB maps 
+were published in the early 1990s, the number of available products has grown at an extraordinary 
+pace16 and it can thus be challenging to determine which product is best suited for a given 
+application. For our purposes, we relied on the GlobBiomass AGB density map30 as our primary 
+
+source of woody AGB estimates due to its precision, timestamp, spatial resolution, and error 
+quantification. It was produced using a combination of spaceborne optical and synthetic aperture 
+radar (SAR) imagery and represents the year 2010 at a 100 m spatial resolution – making it 
+the most contemporary global woody AGB currently available and the only such map available 
+for that year. Moreover, GlobBiomass aims to minimize prediction uncertainty to less than 
+
+30% and a recent study suggests that it has high fidelity for fine-scale applications31.The 
+GlobBiomass product was produced by first mapping the growing stock volume (GSV; i.e. stem 
+volume) of living trees, defined following Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) guidelines32 
+as those having a diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than 10 centimeters (cm). AGB density 
+was then determined from GSV by applying spatialized biomass expansion factors (BEFs) and 
+
+wood density estimates. These factors were mapped using machine learning methods trained from 
+a suite of plant morphological databases that compile thousands of field measurements from 
+around the globe33. The resulting AGB estimates represent biomass in the living structures 
+(stems, branches, bark, twigs) of trees with a DBH greater than 10 cm. This definition may 
+thereby overlook AGB of smaller trees and/or shrubs common to many global regions. Unlike 
+
+other maps, though, the GlobBiomass product employs a subpixel masking procedure that retains 
+AGB estimates in 100 m grid cells in which any amount of tree cover was detected in finer 
+resolution (30 m) imagery34. This unique procedure retains AGB estimates in tree-sparse regions 
+like savannahs, grasslands, croplands, and agroforestry systems where AGB is often overlooked17, 
+as well as in forest plantations. The GlobBiomass product is the only global map that also 
+
+includes a dedicated uncertainty layer reporting the standard error of prediction. We used 
+this layer to propagate uncertainty when converting AGB to AGBC density, modelling BGBC, and 
+integrating with C density estimates of other vegetation types.Bouvet et al.35 – some of whom 
+were also participants of the GlobBiomass project – independently produced a separate AGB 
+density map for African savannahs, shrublands and dry woodlands circa 2010 at 25 m spatial 
+
+resolution35 (hereafter “Bouvet map”), which we included in our harmonized product to begin 
+to address the GlobBiomass map’s potential omission of small trees and shrubs that do not 
+meet the FAO definition of woody AGB. This continental map of Africa is based on a predictive 
+model that directly relates spaceborne L-band SAR imagery – an indirect measure of vegetation 
+structure that is sensitive to low biomass densities36 – with region-specific, field-measured 
+
+AGB. Field measurements (n = 144 sites) were compiled from 7 different sampling campaigns 
+– each specifically seeking training data for biomass remote sensing – that encompassed 8 
+different countries35. The resulting map is not constrained by the FAO tree definition and 
+is masked to exclude grid cells in which predicted AGB exceeds 85 megagrams dry mater per 
+hectare (Mg ha−1) – the threshold at which the SAR-biomass relationship saturates. To avoid 
+
+extraneous prediction, it further excludes areas identified as “broadleaved evergreen closed-to-open 
+forest”, “flooded forests”, “urban areas” and “water bodies” by the European Space Agency’s 
+Climate Change Initiative (CCI) Landcover 2010 map37 and as “bare areas” in the Global Land 
+Cover (GLC) 2000 map38. While the Bouvet map is not natively accompanied by an uncertainty 
+layer, its authors provided us with an analytic expression of its uncertainty (SE; standard 
+
+error of prediction) as a function of estimated AGB (Eq. 1) which we used to generate an uncertainty 
+layer for subsequent error propagation.We combined the GlobBiomass and Bouvet products to 
+generate a single woody biomass map by first upscaling each map separately to a matching 300 
+m spatial resolution using an area-weighted average to aggregate grid cells, and then assigning 
+the Bouvet estimate to all overlapping grid cells, except those identified by the CCI Landcover 
+
+2010 map as closed or flooded forest types (Online-only Table 1) which were not within the 
+dryland domain of the Bouvet map. While more complex harmonization procedures based on various 
+averaging techniques have been used by others39,40, their fidelity remains unclear since they 
+fail to explicitly identify and reconcile the underlying source of the inputs’ discrepancies41. 
+We thus opted to use a more transparent ruled-based approach when combining these two woody 
+
+biomass maps, which allows users to easily identify the source of a grid cell’s woody biomass 
+estimate. Given the local specificity of the training data used to produce the Bouvet map, 
+we chose to prioritize its predictions over those of the GlobBiomass product when within its 
+domain. In areas of overlap, the Bouvet map values tend to be lower in moist regions and higher 
+in dryer regions (Fig. 2), though, where used, these differences rarely exceed ±25 megagrams 
+
+C per hectare (MgC ha−1).Difference between underlying woody aboveground biomass maps in Africa. 
+Maps considered are the GlobBiomass30 global map and the Bouvet35 map of Africa. Both maps 
+were aggregated to a 300 m spatial resolution and converted to C density prior to comparison 
+using the same schema. The difference map was subsequently aggregated to a 3 km spatial resolution 
+and reprojected for visualization. Negative values denote lower estimates by Bouvet et al.35, 
+
+while positive values denote higher estimates.We then converted all woody AGB estimates to 
+AGBC by mapping climate and phylogeny-specific biomass C concentrations from Martin et al.42. 
+Climate zones were delineated by aggregating classes of the Köppen-Gieger classification43 
+(Table 2) to match those of Martin et al.42. Phylogenetic classes (angiosperm, gymnosperm 
+and mixed/ambiguous) were subsequently delineated within each of these zones using aggregated 
+
+classes of the CCI Landcover 2010 map (Online-only Table 1). Martin et al.42 only report values 
+for angiosperms and gymnosperms so grid cells with a mixed or ambiguous phylogeny were assigned 
+the average of the angiosperm and gymnosperm values and the standard error of this value was 
+calculated from their pooled variance. Due to residual classification error in the aggregated 
+phylogenetic classes, we weighted the phylogeny-specific C concentration within each climate 
+
+zone by the binary probability of correctly mapping that phylogeny (i.e. user’s accuracy)44 
+using Eq. 2where, within each climate zone, μc is the mean probability-weighted C concentration 
+of the most probable phylogeny, μm is the mean C concentration of that phylogeny from Martin 
+et al.42, pm is the user’s accuracy of that phylogeny’s classification (Table 3), and μn and 
+μo are the mean C concentrations of the remain phylogenetic classes from Martin et al.42. 
+
+Standard error estimates for these C concentrations were similarly weighted using summation 
+in quadrature (Eq. 3)where \({\sigma }_{c}\) is the probability-weighted standard error of 
+the most probable phylogeny’s C concentration and \({\sigma }_{m}\), \({\sigma }_{n}\) and 
+\({\sigma }_{o}\) are the standard errors of the respective phylogeny-specific C concentrations 
+from Martin et al.42. Probability-weighted C concentrations used are reported in Table 4.Mapped, 
+
+probability-weighted C estimates were then arithmetically applied to AGB estimates. Uncertainty 
+associated with this correction was propagated using summation in quadrature of the general 
+form (Eq. 4)where \({\mu }_{f}=f(i,j,\ldots ,k)\), \({\sigma }_{f}\) is the uncertainty of 
+μf, and \({\sigma }_{i},{\sigma }_{j},\ldots ,{\sigma }_{k}\), are the respective uncertainty 
+estimates of the dependent parameters (standard error unless otherwise noted). Here, μf, is 
+
+the estimated AGBC of a given grid cell, and is the product of its woody AGB estimate, and 
+its corresponding C concentration.The tundra and portions of the boreal biome are characterized 
+by sparse trees and dwarf woody shrubs as well as herbaceous cover that are not included in 
+the GlobBiomass definition of biomass. AGB density of these classes has been collectively 
+mapped by Berner et al.18,45 for the North Slope of Alaska from annual Landsat imagery composites 
+
+of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and a non-linear regression-based model 
+trained from field measurements of peak AGB that were collected from the published literature 
+(n = 28 sites). Berner et al.18 note that while these field measurements did not constitute 
+a random or systematic sample, they did encompass a broad range of tundra plant communities. 
+In the absence of a global map and due the sparsity of high quality Landsat imagery at high 
+
+latitudes, we extended this model to the pan-Arctic and circumboreal regions using NDVI composites 
+created from daily 250 m MODIS Aqua and Terra surface reflectance images46,47 that were cloud 
+masked and numerically calibrated to Landsat ETM reflectance – upon which the tundra model 
+is based – using globally derived conversion coefficients48. We generated six separate 80th 
+percentile NDVI composites circa 2010 – one for each of the MODIS missions (Aqua and Terra) 
+
+in 2009, 2010 and 2011 – following Berner et al.18. We chose to use three years of imagery 
+(circa 2010) rather than just one (2010) to account for the potential influence that cloud 
+masking may exert upon estimates of the 80th NDVI percentile in a single year. We then applied 
+the tundra AGB model to each composite, converted AGB estimates to AGBC by assuming a biomass 
+C fraction of 49.2% (SE = 0.8%)42 and generated error layers for each composite from the reported 
+
+errors of the AGB regression coefficients and the biomass C conversion factor using summation 
+in quadrature as generally described above (Eq. 4). A single composite of tundra AGBC circa 
+2010 was then created as the pixelwise mean of all six composites. We also generated a complementary 
+uncertainty layer representing the cumulative standard error of prediction, calculated as 
+the pixelwise root mean of the squared error images in accordance with summation in quadrature. 
+
+Both maps were upscaled from their native 250 m spatial resolution to a 300 m spatial resolution 
+using an area weighted aggregation procedure, whereby pixels of the 300 m biomass layer was 
+calculated as the area weighted average of contained 250 m grid cells, and the uncertainty 
+layer was calculated – using summation in quadrature – as the root area-weighted average of 
+the contained grid cells squared.Grassland AGBC density was modelled directly from maximum 
+
+annual NDVI composites using a non-linear regression-based model developed by Xia et al.19 
+for mapping at the global scale. This model was trained by relating maximum annual NDVI as 
+measured by the spaceborne Advanced Very High-Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) sensor to globally 
+distributed field measurements of grassland AGBC that were compiled from the published literature 
+(81 sites for a total of 158 site-years). Like the tundra biomass training data, these samples 
+
+did not constitute a random or systematic sample but do encompass a comprehensive range of 
+global grassland communities. Given the inevitable co-occurrence of trees in the AVHRR sensor’s 
+8 km resolution pixels upon which the model is trained, it’s predictions of grassland AGBC 
+are relatively insensitive to the effects of co-occurring tree cover. We thereby assume that 
+its predictions for grid cells containing partial tree cover represent the expected herbaceous 
+
+AGBC density in the absence of those trees. Maximum model predicted AGBC (NDVI = 1) is 2.3 
+MgC ha−1 which is comparable to the upper quartile of herbaceous AGBC estimates from global 
+grasslands49 and suggests that our assumption will not lead to an exaggerated estimation. 
+For partially wooded grid cells, we used modelled grassland AGBC density to represent that 
+associated with the herbaceous fraction of the grid cell in a manner similar to Zomer et al.17 
+
+as described below (See “Harmonizing Biomass Carbon Maps”).We applied the grassland AGBC model 
+to all grid cells of maximum annual NDVI composites produced from finer resolution 16-day 
+(250 m) MODIS NDVI imagery composites circa 201050,51. Here again, three years of imagery 
+were used to account for potential idiosyncrasies in a single year’s NDVI composites resulting 
+from annual data availability and quality. As with AGB of tundra vegetation, annual composites 
+
+(2009–2011) were constructed separately from cloud-masked imagery collected by both MODIS 
+missions (Aqua and Terra; n = 6) and then numerically calibrated to AVHRR reflectance using 
+globally derived conversion coefficients specific to areas of herbaceous cover52. We then 
+applied the AGBC model to each of these composites and estimated error for each composite 
+from both the AVHRR calibration (standard deviation approximated from the 95% confidence interval 
+
+of the calibration scalar) and the AGBC model (relative RMSE) using summation in quadrature. 
+A single map of grassland AGBC circa 2010 was then created as the pixelwise mean of all six 
+composites and an associated error layer was created as the pixelwise root mean of the squared 
+error images. Both maps were aggregated from their original 250 m resolution to 300 m to facilitate 
+harmonization using the area-weighted procedure described previously for woody and tundra 
+
+vegetation (see section 1.2).Prior to harvest, cropland biomass can also represent a sizable 
+terrestrial C stock. In annually harvested cropping systems, the maximum standing biomass 
+of these crops can be inferred from annual net primary productivity (ANPP). While spaceborne 
+ANPP products exist, they generally perform poorly in croplands53,54. Instead, cropland ANPP 
+is more commonly derived from crop yields20,21,53. We used globally gridded, crop-specific 
+
+yields of 70 annually harvested herbaceous commodity crops circa 2000 by Monfreda et al.20 
+– the only year in which these data were available. These maps were produced by spatially 
+disaggregating crop-yield statistics for thousands of globally distributed administrative 
+units throughout the full extent of a satellite-based cropland map20. These maps were combined 
+with crop-specific parameters (Online-only Table 2) to globally map AGBC as aboveground ANPP 
+
+for each crop following the method of Wolf et al.21. This method can be simplified as (Eq. 
+5)where y is the crop’s yield (Mg ha−1), ω is the dry matter fraction of its harvested biomass, 
+h is its harvest index (fraction of total AGB collected at harvest) and c is the carbon content 
+fraction of its harvested dry mass. This simplification assumes, following Wolf et al.21, 
+that 2.5% of all harvested biomass is lost between the field and farmgate and that unharvested 
+
+residue and root mass is 44% C.Total cropland AGBC density was then calculated as the harvested-area-weighted 
+average of all crop-specific AGBC estimates within a given grid cell. Since multiple harvests 
+in a single year can confound inference of maximum AGBC from ANPP, we further determined the 
+harvest frequency (f) of each grid cell by dividing a cell’s total harvested area (sum of 
+the harvested area of each crop reported within a given grid cell) by its absolute cropland 
+
+extent as reported in a complementary map by Ramankutty et al.55. If f was greater than one, 
+multiple harvests were assumed to have occurred and AGBC was divided by f to ensure that AGBC 
+estimates did not exceed the maximum standing biomass density.Since the yields of many crops 
+and, by association, their biomass have changed considerably since 200056,57, we calibrated 
+our circa 2000 AGBC estimates to the year 2010 using local rates of annual ANPP change (MgC 
+
+ha−1 yr−1) derived as the Theil-Sen slope estimator – a non-parametric estimator that is relatively 
+insensitive to outliers – of the full MODIS Terra ANPP timeseries (2000–2015)58. Total ANPP 
+change between 2000 and 2010 for each grid cell was calculated as ten times this annual rate 
+of change. Since MODIS ANPP represents C gains in both AGB and BGB, we proportionately allocated 
+aboveground ANPP to AGBC using the total root-to-shoot ratio derived from the circa 2000 total 
+
+crop AGBC and BGBC maps (described below). Since error estimates were not available for the 
+yield maps or the crop-specific parameters used to generate the circa 2000 AGBC map, estimated 
+error of the circa 2010 crop AGBC map was exclusively based on that of the 2000–2010 correction. 
+The error of this correction was calculated as the pixel-wise standard deviation of bootstrapped 
+simulations (n = 1000) in which a random subset of years was omitted from the slope estimator 
+
+in each iteration. The 8 km resolution circa 2000 AGBC map and error layer were resampled 
+to 1 km to match the resolution of MODIS ANPP using the bilinear method prior to ANPP correction 
+and then further resampled to 300 m to facilitate harmonization.Woody crops like fruit, nut, 
+and palm oil plantations were not captured using the procedure just described and their biomass 
+was instead assumed to be captured by the previously described woody biomass products which 
+
+retained biomass estimates in all pixels where any amount of tree cover was detected at the 
+sub-pixel level (see section 1.1).Matching maps of BGBC and associated uncertainty were subsequently 
+produced for each of the landcover-specific AGBC maps using published empirical relationships.With 
+the exception of savannah and shrubland areas, woody BGBC was modelled from AGBC using a multiple 
+regression model by Reich et al.25 that considers the phylogeny, mean annual temperature (MAT), 
+
+and regenerative origin of each wooded grid cell and that was applied spatially using maps 
+of each covariate in a fashion similar to other studies5,27. Tree phylogeny (angiosperm or 
+gymnosperm) was determined from aggregated classes of the CCI Landcover 2010 map37 (Online-only 
+Table 1) with phylogenetically mixed or ambiguous classes assumed to be composed of 50% of 
+each. MAT was taken from version 2 of the WorldClim bioclimatic variables dataset (1970–2000) 
+
+at 1 km resolution59 and resampled to 300 m using the bilinear method. Since there is not 
+a single global data product mapping forest management, we determined tree origin – whether 
+naturally propagated or planted – by combining multiple data sources. These data included 
+(i) a global map of “Intact Forest Landscapes” (IFL) in the year 201360 (a conservative proxy 
+of primary, naturally regenerating forests defined as large contiguous areas with minimal 
+
+human impact), (ii) a Spatial Database of Planted Trees (SDPT) with partial global coverage61, 
+(iii) national statistics reported by the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) on 
+the extent of both naturally regenerating and planted forests and woodlands within each country 
+in the year 201062, and (iv) national statistics reported by the FAOSTAT database (http://www.fao.org/faostat) 
+on the planted area of plantation crops in 2010. Within each country, we assumed that the 
+
+total area of natural and planted trees was equal to the corresponding FRA estimates. If the 
+FAOSTAT-reported area of tree crops exceeded FRA-reported planted area, the difference was 
+added to FRA planted total. All areas mapped as IFL were assumed to be of natural origin and 
+BGB was modelled as such. Likewise, besides the exceptions noted below, all tree plantations 
+mapped by the SDPT were assumed to be of planted origin. In countries where the extent of 
+
+the IFL or SDPT maps fell short of the FRA/FAOSTAT reported areas of natural or planted forests, 
+respectively, we estimated BGBC in the remaining, unknown-origin forest grid cells of that 
+country (BGBCu), as the probability-weighted average of the planted and natural origin estimates 
+using Eq. 6where \(BGB{C}_{p}\) and \(BGB{C}_{n}\) are the respective BGBC estimates for a 
+grid cell assuming entirely planted and natural origin, respectively, and \({\Delta }_{p}\) 
+
+and \({\Delta }_{n}\) are the respective differences between (i) the FRA/FAOSTAT and (ii) 
+mapped extent of planted and natural forest within the given grid cell’s country. While the 
+mapped extent of IFL forests within a given country never exceeded that country’s FRA reported 
+natural forest extent, there were infrequent cases (n = 22 of 257) in which the mapped extent 
+of tree plantations exceeded the corresponding FRA/FAOSTAT estimate of planted forest area. 
+
+In these cases, we down-weighted the BGB estimates of SDPT forests in a similar fashion such 
+that the weight of their planted estimate (\({\omega }_{p}\)) was equal to the quotient of 
+(i) the FRA/FAOSTAT planted area and (ii) the SDPT extent within the country, and the weight 
+of the natural origin estimate applied to the SDPT extent (\({\omega }_{n}\)) was equal to 
+\(1-{\omega }_{p}\).A BGBC error layer was then produced using summation in quadrature from 
+
+the standard error estimates of the model coefficients, the AGBC error layer, the relative 
+RMSE of MAT (27%), and the derived global uncertainty of the phylogeny layer. Phylogeny error 
+was calculated as the Bernoulli standard deviation (δ) of the binary probability (p) of correct 
+classification (i.e. “area weighted user’s accuracy”44; Table 3) using Eq. 7.Since savannahs 
+and shrublands are underrepresented in the regression-based model25, their BGBC was instead 
+
+estimated using static root-to-shoot ratios reported by Mokany et al.22, which are somewhat 
+conservative in comparison to the IPCC Tier-1 defaults23,24 put favoured for consistency with 
+methods used for grasslands (see below). Error was subsequently mapped from that of the AGBC 
+estimates and the root-to-shoot ratios applied (Table 5).BGBC of tundra vegetation was mapped 
+from AGBC using a univariate regression model derived by Wang et al.26 that predicts root-to-shoot 
+
+ratio as a function of MAT. We applied the model using the WorldClim version 2 MAT map59 and 
+propagated error from the AGBC estimates, the relative RMSE of MAT and the standard error 
+of regression coefficients. Where tundra AGB exceeded 25 Mg ha−1 – the maximum field-measured 
+shrub biomass reported by Berner et al.18 – vegetation was considered to include trees and 
+the Reich et al.25 method described earlier for woody vegetation was used instead.In the absence 
+
+of a continuous predictor of grassland root-to-shoot ratios, we applied climate specific root-to-shoot 
+ratios from Mokany et al.22 to the corresponding climate regions of the Köppen-Gieger classification43 
+(Table 2). Here, again, these ratios vary slightly from the IPCC Tier-1 defaults23,24 but 
+were chosen for their greater sample size and specificity. Grassland BGBC error was mapped 
+from the error of the AGBC estimates and the respective root-to-shoot ratios.Cropland BGBC 
+
+was again estimated from crop-specific yields and morphological parameters (Online-only Table 
+2) following Wolf et al.21 and Eq. 8where y is the crop’s yield (Mg ha−1), r is the root-to-shoot 
+ratio of the crop, and h is its harvest index. Here again we assume that 2.5% of all harvested 
+biomass is lost between the field and farmgate and that root biomass is 44% C, following Wolf 
+et al.21. BGBC error was mapped from the error of the 2000-to-2010 ANPP correction for BGBC 
+
+allocation as described above for cropland AGBC.The AGBC and BGBC maps were harmonized separately 
+following the same general schema (Fig. 3). Given that our harmonized woody biomass map contains 
+biomass estimates for grid cells in which any amount of tree cover was detected at the subpixel 
+level (see section 1.1), we conserved its estimates regardless of the landcover reported by 
+the 2010 CCI map in order to more fully account for woody biomass in non-forested areas17. 
+
+We then used the MODIS continuous vegetation fields percent tree cover map for 201063 to allocate 
+additional biomass density associated with the most probable herbaceous cover (grass or crop) 
+to each grid cell in quantities complementary to that of the grid cell’s fractional tree cover 
+estimate (Eq. 9)where μT is the total biomass estimate of a grid cell, μw is the woody biomass 
+estimate for the grid cell, μh is its herbaceous biomass estimate, and q is the MODIS fractional 
+
+tree cover of the grid cell. Since MODIS tree cover estimates saturate at around 80%64, we 
+linearly stretched values such that 80% was treated as complete tree cover (100%). Moreover, 
+we acknowledge that percent cover can realistically exceed 100% when understory cover is considered 
+but we were unable to reasonably determine the extent of underlying cover from satellite imagery. 
+As such, our approach may underestimate the contribution of herbaceous C stocks in densely 
+
+forested grid cells. The most likely herbaceous cover type was determined from the CCI Landcover 
+2010 map, which we aggregated into two “likely herbaceous cover” classes – grass or crop – 
+based on the assumed likelihood of cropland in each CCI class (Online-only Table 1). However, 
+due to inherent classification error in the native CCI Landcover map, when determining the 
+herbaceous biomass contribution we weighted the relative allocation of crop and grass biomass 
+
+to a given grid cell based on the probability of correct classification by the CCI map (i.e. 
+“user’s accuracy”, Table 6) of the most probable herbaceous class (\({p}_{i}\)) such that 
+μh can be further expressed as (Eq. 10)where μi is the predicted biomass of the most probable 
+herbaceous class, and μj is that of the less probable class.Decision tree used to allocate 
+landcover-specific biomass estimates to each grid cell of our harmonized global products.The 
+
+uncertainty of a grid cell’s total AGBC or BGBC estimate (\({\sigma }_{T}\)) was determined 
+and mapped from that of its components (\({\mu }_{w}\,{\rm{and}}\,{\mu }_{h}\)) by summation 
+in quadrature which can be simplified as (Eq. 11)where \({\sigma }_{w}\) is the error of the 
+grid cell’s estimated μw, \({\sigma }_{h}\) is the error of its estimated μh, and \({\sigma 
+}_{q}\) is the error of its q. Here, \({\sigma }_{h}\) can be further decomposed and expressed 
+
+as Eq. 12 to account for the accuracy weighted allocation procedure expressed previously (Eq. 
+10)where \({\sigma }_{i}\) is the error of the estimated biomass density of the most probable 
+herbaceous class, \({\delta }_{i}\) is the estimated standard deviation of that class’s Bernoulli 
+probability (p; Eq. 7), and \({\sigma }_{j}\) is the error of the estimated biomass density 
+of the less probable herbaceous subclass.Exceptions to the above schema were made in the tundra 
+
+and boreal biomes – as delineated by the RESOLVE Ecoregions 2017 biome polygons65 – where 
+thematic overlap was likely between the woody and tundra plant biomass maps. A separate set 
+of decision rules (Fig. 3) was used to determine whether grid cells in these biomes were to 
+be exclusively allocated the estimate of the tundra plant map or that of the fractional allocation 
+procedure described above. In general, any land in these biomes identified as sparse landcover 
+
+by the CCI landcover map (Online-only Table 1) was assigned the tundra vegetation estimate. 
+In addition, lands north of 60° latitude with less than 10% tree cover or where the tundra 
+AGBC estimate exceeded that of the woody AGBC estimate were also exclusively assigned the 
+tundra vegetation estimate. Lands north of 60° latitude not meeting these criteria were assigned 
+the woody value with the additional contribution of grass.Subtle numerical artefacts emerged 
+
+from the divergent methodologies employed north and south of 60°N latitude. These were eliminated 
+by distance weighting grid cells within 1° of 60°N based on their linear proximity to 60°N 
+and then averaging estimates such that values at or north of 61°N were exclusively based on 
+the northern methodology, those at 60°N were the arithmetic average of the two methodologies 
+and those at or south of 59°N were exclusively based on the southern methodology. This produced 
+
+a seamless, globally harmonized product that integrates the best remotely sensed estimates 
+of landcover-specific C density. Water bodies identified as class “210” of the CCI 2010 landcover 
+map were then masked from our final products.Data layers (n = 4, Table 7) for the maps of 
+AGBC and BGBC density (Fig. 4) as well as their associated uncertainty maps which represent 
+the combined standard error of prediction (Fig. 5) are available as individual 16-bit integer 
+
+rasters in GeoTiff format. All layers are natively in a WGS84 Mercator projection with a spatial 
+resolution of approximately 300 m at the equator and match that of the ESA CCI Landcover Maps37. 
+Raster values are in units megagrams C per hectare (MgC ha−1) and have been scaled by a factor 
+of ten to reduce file size. These data are accessible through the Oak Ridge National Laboratory 
+(ORNL) DAAC data repository (https://doi.org/10.3334/ORNLDAAC/1763)66. In addition, updated 
+
+and/or derived vegetation-specific layers that were used to create our harmonized 2010 maps 
+are available as supplemental data on figshare67.Globally harmonized maps of above and belowground 
+living biomass carbon densities. (a) Aboveground biomass carbon density (AGBC) and (b) belowground 
+biomass carbon density (BGBC) are shown separately. Maps have been aggregated to a 5 km spatial 
+resolution and reprojected here for visualization.Uncertainty of grid cell level above and 
+
+belowground biomass carbon density estimates. Uncertainty is shown here as the coefficient 
+of variation (%; standard error layer divided by mean estimate layer) of estimated AGBC (a) 
+and BGBC (b) densities after harmonization. Maps have been aggregated to a 5 km spatial resolution 
+and projected for visualization.Our harmonized products rely almost exclusively upon maps 
+and models that have been rigorously validated by their original producers and were often 
+
+accompanied by constrained uncertainty estimates. Throughout our harmonization procedure, 
+we strived to conserve the validity of each of these products by minimizing the introduction 
+of additional error and by tracking any introductions, as described above, such that the final 
+error layers represent the cumulative uncertainty of the inputs used. Ground truth AGB and 
+BGB data are almost always collected for individual landcover types. Consequently, we are 
+
+unable to directly assess the validity of our integrated estimates beyond their relationships 
+to individual landcover-specific estimates and the extents to which they were modified from 
+their original, previously-validated form prior to and during our harmonization procedure.Temporal 
+and spatial updates made to existing landcover-specific maps of non-tree AGB resulted in relatively 
+small changes to their predictions. For example, we used numerically calibrated MODIS imagery 
+
+to extend the Landsat-based tundra plant AGB model beyond its native extent (the North Slope 
+of Alaska) to the pan-Arctic region since neither a comparable model nor a consistent Landsat 
+time series were available for this extent. We assessed the effects of these assumptions by 
+comparing our predictions for the North Slope with those of the original map18 (Fig. 6a). 
+Both positive and negative discrepancies exist between ours and the original, though these 
+
+rarely exceed ±2 MgC ha−1 and no discernibly systematic bias was evident.Differences between 
+landcover-specific AGBC estimates from the original published maps and the modified versions 
+used as inputs to create the 2010 harmonized global maps. Tundra vegetation AGBC (a) is compared 
+to the Landsat-based map of Berner et al.45 for the north slope of Alaska after converting 
+it to units MgC ha−1. Here, the comparison map was subsequently aggregated to a 1 km resolution 
+
+and reprojected for visualization. Grassland AGBC (b) is compared to the AVHRR-based map of 
+Xia et al.19 which represents the average estimate between 1982–2006. For visualization, the 
+map was aggregated to a 5 km resolution and subsequently reprojected after being masked to 
+MODIS IGBP grasslands in the year 200685 following Xia et al.19. As such, this map does not 
+necessarily represent the spatial distribution of grid cells in which grassland estimates 
+
+were used. Cropland AGBC (c) is compared to the original circa 2000 estimates to assess the 
+effects of the 2000-to-2010 correction. The map is masked to the native extent of the combined 
+yield maps and aggregated to a 5 km resolution for visualization. For all maps, negative values 
+indicate that our circa 2010 estimates are lower than those of the earlier maps while positive 
+values indicate higher estimates.Our updated map of grassland biomass carbon in the year 2010 
+
+was similarly made by applying the original AVHRR-based model to calibrated MODIS imagery. 
+This too resulted in only subtle changes to the original biomass map (Fig. 6b) that were rarely 
+in excess of 0.5 MgC ha−1. In most areas, our estimates were higher than those of Xia et al.19 
+who mapped the mean AGBC density between 1986 and 2006. Most of these elevated estimates corresponded 
+with areas in which significant NDVI increases (“greening”) have been reported while notably 
+
+lower estimates in the Argentine Monte and Patagonian steppe biomes of southern South America, 
+likewise, correspond with areas of reported “browning”68,69. Both greening and browning trends 
+are well documented phenomena and have been linked to climatic changes70. Moreover, we further 
+compared AGBC estimates from both the original Xia et al.19 map and our 2010 update to AGBC 
+field measurements coordinated by the Nutrient Network that were collected from 48 sites around 
+
+the world between 2007 and 200949. The RMSE (0.68 MgC ha−1) of our updated map was 10% less 
+that of the Xia et al. map for sites with less than 40% tree cover. Likewise, our 2010 estimates 
+were virtually unbiased (bias = −0.01 MgC ha−1) in comparison to the Xia map (bias = 0.25 
+MgC ha−1). While still noisy, these results suggest that our temporal update improved the 
+overall accuracy of estimated grassland AGBC.Finally, cropland biomass carbon maps were also 
+
+updated from their native epoch (2000) to 2010 using pixel-wise rates of MODIS ANPP change 
+over a ten-year period. While MODIS ANPP may be a poor snapshot of crop biomass in a single 
+year, we assumed that its relative change over time reflects real physiological shifts affecting 
+the cropland C cycle. This correction also resulted in only small differences that rarely 
+exceeded ±2 MgC ha−1 and that, spatially, correspond well with observed declines in the yields 
+
+of select crops that have been linked to climate change71,72 (Fig. 6c). Nonetheless, updated 
+global yield maps comparable to those available for 2000 would greatly improve our understanding 
+of the interactions between climate change, crop yields, and C dynamics.Belowground biomass 
+is notoriously difficult to measure, model, and also to validate. We accounted for the reported 
+uncertainty of nearly every variable considered when estimating belowground biomass and pixel-level 
+
+uncertainty, but we were unable to perform an independent validation of our harmonized estimates 
+at the pixel level due to a paucity of globally consistent field data. To complete such a 
+task, a globally orchestrated effort to collect more BGB samples data across all vegetation 
+types is needed.Given this lack of data, we instead compared the estimated uncertainty of 
+our BGBC maps to that of our AGBC estimates to infer the sources of any divergence (Fig. 5). 
+
+As expected, our cumulative BGBC uncertainty layer generally reveals greater overall uncertainty 
+than our AGBC estimates, with BGBC uncertainty roughly twice that of AGBC throughout most 
+of the globe. The highest absolute uncertainty was found in biomass rich forests. Arid woodlands, 
+especially those of the Sahel and eastern Namibia, generally had the greatest relative BGBC 
+uncertainty, though their absolute uncertainty was quite small (generally less than 3 MgC 
+
+ha−1). Here, biomass estimates of sparse woody vegetation were primarily responsible for heightened 
+relative uncertainty. High relative and absolute BGBC uncertainty were also associated with 
+predictions in select mountainous forests (e.g. east central Chile) as well as forested areas 
+in and around cities. These patterns were largely driven by AGB uncertainty in the GlobBiomass 
+product.The GlobBiomass global woody AGB map produced by Santoro et al.30 comprises the backbone 
+
+of our integrated products and, with few exceptions, remains largely unchanged in our final 
+AGBC map. The native version of the GlobBiomass map is accompanied by an error layer describing 
+the uncertainty of each pixel’s biomass estimate and this too forms the core of our integrated 
+uncertainty layers. In areas with tree cover, the global average error of GlobBiomass estimates 
+is 39 Mg ha−1 or 50% with greater relative uncertainty in densely forested areas, along the 
+
+margins of forested expanses like farm fields and cities, and in similar areas with sparse 
+tree cover.Adding additional grass or crop biomass in complementary proportion to a grid cell’s 
+tree cover often did not exceed the estimated error of the original GlobBiomass map (Fig. 
+7). Grid cells exceeding GlobBiomass’s native uncertainty comprise less than 40% of its total 
+extent. Exceptions were primarily found in grassland and cropland dominated regions where 
+
+tree cover was generally sparse, and, consequently, the herbaceous biomass contribution was 
+relatively high. Even so, the absolute magnitude of these additions remains somewhat small 
+(less than 2.3 MgC ha−1 for grassland and 15 MgC ha−1 for cropland).Differences between the 
+final harmonized AGBC map and GlobBiomass AGBC. GlobBiomass AGB was aggregated to a 300 m 
+spatial resolution and converted to C density prior to comparison. Negative values indicate 
+
+areas where the new map reports lower values than GlobBiomass while positive value denote 
+higher estimates.Larger deviations from GlobBiomass were also present in areas of both dryland 
+Africa and the Arctic tundra biome, where we used independent layers to estimate woody biomass. 
+In African drylands, GlobBiomass likely underestimates woody biomass by adopting the conservative 
+FAO definition (DBH > 10 cm), which implicitly omits the relatively small trees and shrubs 
+
+that are common to the region. The Bouvet map of Africa that we used to supplement these estimates 
+is not bound by this constraint, was developed from region-specific data, and predicts substantially 
+higher AGB density throughout much of its extent with comparatively high accuracy (RMSE = 
+17.1 Mg ha−1)35.GlobBiomass also included sporadic biomass estimates throughout much of the 
+Arctic tundra biome. Trees are generally scarce throughout this biome, which is instead dominated 
+
+by dwarf shrubs and herbaceous forbs and graminoids, so given GlobBiomass’s adherence to FAO 
+guidelines, its predictions here may be spurious. We thus prioritized the estimates of the 
+independent model developed specifically to collectively predict biomass of both woody and 
+herbaceous tundra vegetation. These estimates were generally higher than GlobBiomass but agreed 
+well with independent validation data from North America (RMSE = 2.9 Mg ha−1)18.While far 
+
+from a perfect comparison, the only other map to comprehensively report global biomass carbon 
+density for all landcover types is the IPCC Tier-1 map for the year 2000 by Ruesch and Gibbs28. 
+As previously described, this map was produced using an entirely different method (“stratify 
+and multiply”) and distinct data sources23 and represents an earlier epoch. However, the map 
+is widely used for myriad applications, and it may thus be informative to assess notable differences 
+
+between it and our new products.Ruesch and Gibbs28 report total living C stocks of 345 petagrams 
+(PgC) in AGBC and 133 PgC in BGBC for a total of 478 PgC, globally. Our estimates are lower 
+at 287 PgC and 122 PgC in global AGBC and BGBC, respectively, for a total of 409 PgC in living 
+global vegetation biomass. Herbaceous biomass in our maps comprised 9.1 and 28.3 PgC of total 
+AGBC and BGBC, respectively. Half of all herbaceous AGBC (4.5 PgC) and roughly 6% of all herbaceous 
+
+BGBC (1.7 PgC) was found in croplands. Moreover, we mapped 22.3 and 6.1 PgC, respectively, 
+in the AGB and BGB of trees located within the cropland extent. These trees constituted roughly 
+7% of all global biomass C and are likely overlooked by both the Ruesch and Gibbs map28 and 
+by remotely sensed forest C maps that are masked to forested areas. Zomer et al.17 first highlighted 
+this potential discrepancy in the Ruesch and Gibbs map28 when they produced a remarkably similar 
+
+estimate of 34.2 Pg of overlooked C in cropland trees using Tier-1 defaults. However, their 
+estimates were assumed to be in addition to the 474 PgC originally mapped by Ruesch and Gibbs28. 
+Here, we suggest that the 28.4 PgC we mapped in cropland trees is already factored into our 
+409 PgC total.Our AGBC product predicts substantially less biomass C than Ruesch and Gibbs28 
+throughout most of the pantropical region and, to a lesser extent, southern temperate forests 
+
+(Fig. 8a). This pattern has been noted by others comparing the Ruesch and Gibbs map28 to other 
+satellite-based biomass maps73 and may suggest that the IPCC default values used to create 
+it23 are spatially biased. In addition, well-defined areas of high disagreement emerge in 
+Africa that directly correspond with the FAO boundaries of the “tropical moist deciduous forest” 
+ecofloristic zone and suggest that this area, in particular, may merit critical review. Moreover, 
+
+the opposite pattern is observed in this same ecofloristic zone throughout South America. 
+Our map also predicts greater AGBC throughout much of the boreal forest as well as in African 
+shrublands and the steppes of South America.Differences between the 2010 harmonized global 
+maps of above and belowground biomass carbon density and those of the IPCC Tier-1 product 
+by Ruesch and Gibbs for 2000. Comparisons of AGBC (a) and BGBC (b) maps are shown separately. 
+
+Negative values indicate that the circa 2010 estimates are comparatively lower while positive 
+values indicate higher estimates.We observed similar, though less pronounced discrepancies, 
+when comparing BGBC maps (Fig. 8b). Notably, our map predicts substantially more BGBC throughout 
+the tundra biome – a previously underappreciated C stock that has recently risen to prominance74 
+– the boreal forest, African shrublands and most of South America and Australia. However, 
+
+we predict less BGBC in nearly all rainforests (Temperate and Tropical). These differences 
+and their distinct spatial patterns correspond with the vegetation strata used to make the 
+IPCC Tier-1 map28 and suggest that the accuracy of the “stratify and multiply” method depends 
+heavily upon the quality of the referenced and spatial data considered. Inaccuracies in these 
+data may, in turn, lead to false geographies. Integrating, continuous spatial estimates that 
+
+better capture local and regional variation, as we have done, may thus greatly improve our 
+understanding of global carbon geographies and their role in the earth system.The error and 
+variance between our woody biomass estimates – when aggregated to the country level – and 
+comparable totals reported in the FRA were less for comparisons made against FRA estimates 
+generated using higher tier IPCC methodologies than for those based on Tier-1 approaches (Fig. 
+
+9). Across the board for AGBC, BGBC, and total C comparisons, the relative RMSE (RMSECV) of 
+our estimates, when compared to estimates generated using high tier methods, was roughly half 
+of that obtained from comparisons with Tier-1 estimates (Table 8). Likewise, the coefficient 
+of determination (R2) was greatest for comparisons with Tier-3 estimates. For each pool-specific 
+comparison (AGBC, BGBC, and total C), the slopes of the relationships between Tier-1, 2, and 
+
+3 estimates were neither significantly different from a 1:1 relationship nor from one another 
+(p > 0.05; ANCOVA). Combined, these results suggest that our maps lead to C stock estimates 
+congruent with those attained from independent, higher-tier reporting methodologies.Comparison 
+of woody biomass density estimates to corresponding estimates of the FAO’s FRA and the USFS’s 
+FIA. National woody AGBC totals derived from the woody components of our harmonized maps are 
+
+compared to national totals reported in the 2015 FRA62 (a) in relation to the IPCC inventory 
+methodology used by each country. Likewise, we derived woody AGBC totals for US states and 
+compared them to the corresponding totals reported by the 2014 FIA75 (b), a Tier-3 inventory. 
+We also show the additional effect of considering non-woody C – as is reported in our harmonized 
+maps – in light green. Similar comparisons were made between our woody BGBC estimates and 
+
+the corresponding estimates of both the FRA (c) and FIA (d). We further summed our woody AGBC 
+and BGBC estimates and compared them to the total woody C stocks reported by both the FRA 
+(e) and FIA (f).To explore this association at a finer regional scale, we also compared our 
+woody C estimates to the United States Forest Service’s Forest Inventory Analysis75 (FIA) 
+and found similarly strong congruence for AGBC and Total C stocks but subtle overestimates 
+
+for BGBC (Fig. 9). The FIA is a Tier-3 inventory of woody forest biomass C stocks that is 
+based on extensive and statistically rigorous field sampling and subsequent upscaling, We 
+used data available at the state level for the year 2014 – again, the only year in which we 
+could obtain data partitioned by AGBC and BGBC. Like our FRA comparison, we found a tight 
+relationship between our woody AGBC totals and those reported by the FIA (Fig. 9b; RMSECV 
+
+= 25.7%, R2 = 0.960, slope = 1.10, n = 48). Our woody BGBC estimates, though, were systematically 
+greater than those reported by the FIA (Fig. 9d; RMSECV = 86.4%, R2 = 0.95, slope = 1.51, 
+n = 48). This trend has been noted by others27 and suggests that the global model that we 
+used to estimate woody BGBC may not be appropriate for some finer scale applications as is 
+foretold by the elevated uncertainty reported in our corresponding uncertainty layer (Fig. 
+
+5b). Our total woody C (AGBC + BGBC) estimates (Fig. 9f), however, agreed well with the FIA 
+(RMSECV = 34.1%, R2 = 0.961, slope = 1.17, n = 48) and thus reflect the outsized contribution 
+of AGBC to the total woody C stock. When the contribution of herbaceous C stocks is further 
+added to these comparisons, our stock estimates intuitively increase in rough proportion to 
+a state’s proportional extent of herbaceous cover. The effect of this addition is particularly 
+
+pronounced for BGBC estimates due to the large root-to-shoot ratios of grassland vegetation.The 
+relative congruence of our results with higher-tier stock estimates suggests that our maps 
+could be used to facilitate broader adoption of higher-tier methods among countries currently 
+lacking the requisite data and those seeking to better account for C in non-woody biomass. 
+This congruence spans a comprehensive range of biophysical conditions and spatial scales ranging 
+
+from small states to large nations. Moreover, a recent study suggests that the fidelity of 
+the underlying GlobBiomass AGB map may extend to even finer scales31. While our BGBC estimates 
+may differ from some fine-scale estimates (Fig. 9d), their tight agreement with high tier 
+BGBC totals at the national level (Fig. 9c) suggests that they may still be well suited for 
+many national-scale C inventories – especially for countries lacking requisite high tier data. 
+
+Use of our maps is unlikely to introduce error in excess of that currently implicit in Tier-1 
+estimates. Credence, though, should be given to the associated uncertainty estimates. To facilitate 
+wider adoption of higher-tier methodologies, our maps could be used to derive new, region-specific 
+default values for use in Tier-2 frameworks76 or to either represent or calibrate 2010 baseline 
+conditions in Tier-3 frameworks. In so doing, inventories and studies alike could more accurately 
+
+account for the nuanced global geographies of biomass C.These maps are intended for global 
+applications in which continuous spatial estimates of live AGBC and/or BGBC density are needed 
+that span a broad range of vegetation types and/or require estimates circa 2010. They are 
+loosely based upon and share the spatial resolution of the ESA CCI Landcover 2010 map37, which 
+can be used to extract landcover specific C totals. However, our products notably do not account 
+
+for C stored in non-living C pools like litter or coarse woody debris, nor soil organic matter, 
+though these both represent large, additional ecosystem C stocks77,78,79. Our maps are explicitly 
+intended for global scale applications seeking to consider C in the collective living biomass 
+of multiple vegetation types. For global scale applications focused exclusively on the C stocks 
+of a single vegetation type, we strongly encourage users to instead use the respective input 
+
+map or model referenced in Table 1 to avoid potential errors that may have been introduced 
+by our harmonization procedure. For AGB applications over smaller extents, users should further 
+consider whether locally specific products are available. If such maps are not available and 
+our maps are considered instead, credence should be given to their pixel-level uncertainty 
+estimates. As mentioned above, the biomass of shrublands was only explicitly accounted for 
+
+in Africa and the Arctic tundra, since neither broad-scale maps nor models generalizable to 
+other areas were available in the existing literature. As such, we caution against the use 
+of our maps outside of these areas when shrubland biomass is of particular interest or importance. 
+Moreover, in contrast to the estimates for all other vegetation types considered, which we 
+upscaled to a 300 m resolution, cropland C estimates were largely based on relatively coarse 
+
+8 km resolution data that were downscaled using bilinear resampling to achieve a 300 m spatial 
+resolution. As such, these estimates may not adequately capture the underlying finer-scale 
+spatial variation and should be interpreted with that in mind. Likewise, we reiterate that 
+some BGBC estimates may differ from locally derived Tier-3 estimates, and attention should 
+thus be given to our reported pixel-level uncertainty for all applications. Finally, our maps 
+
+should not be used in comparison with the IPCC Tier-1 map of Ruesch and Gibbs (2008) to detect 
+biomass change between the two study periods due to significant methodological differences 
+between these products.Cropland biomass maps were created in the R statistical computing environment80. 
+All other coding was done in Google Earth Engine81 (GEE), wherein our workflow consisted of 
+18 interconnected scripts. All code can be found on GitHub (https://github.com/sethspawn/globalBiomassC) 
+
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+
+all the data producers, without whom this work would not be possible. We especially thank 
+Maurizio Santoro et al., Alexandre Bouvet et al., Jiangzhou Xia et al., Logan T. Berner et 
+al., Chad Monfreda et al., and Julie Wolf et al. whose AGB estimates comprise the core of 
+our harmonized products and, in many cases, whose feedback greatly improved the quality of 
+their inclusion. We are also grateful to the thoughtful feedback of three anonymous reviewers 
+
+whose suggestions greatly improved the quality of our products and the clarity of our manuscript. 
+Funding for this project was generously provided by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation 
+and the National Wildlife Federation.Department of Geography, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 
+Madison, WI, USASeth A. Spawn, Clare C. Sullivan & Holly K. GibbsCenter for Sustainability 
+and the Global Environment (SAGE), Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University 
+
+of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USASeth A. Spawn, Clare C. Sullivan, Tyler J. Lark & Holly 
+K. GibbsYou can also search for this author in PubMed Google ScholarYou can also search for 
+this author in PubMed Google ScholarYou can also search for this author in PubMed Google ScholarYou 
+can also search for this author in PubMed Google ScholarS.A.S. designed the harmonization 
+procedure, compiled and standardized individual biomass layers, conducted all mapping, and 
+
+led manuscript development. C.C.S., T.J.L. and H.K.G. assisted with conceptualization, and 
+manuscript development.Correspondence to Seth A. Spawn.The authors declare no competing interests.Publisher’s 
+note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps 
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+with this article.Reprints and PermissionsSpawn, S.A., Sullivan, C.C., Lark, T.J. et al. Harmonized 
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+global maps of above and belowground biomass carbon density in the year 2010. Sci Data 7, 
+112 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-020-0444-4Download citationReceived: 03 July 2019Accepted: 
+14 February 2020Published: 06 April 2020DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-020-0444-4Anyone 
+you share the following link with will be able to read this content:Sorry, a shareable link 
+is not currently available for this article. Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing 
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+initiative Nature Water (2023)Nature Plants (2023)Nature Communications (2023)Scientific Data 
+(2023)Nature Communications (2023)Advertisement Scientific Data (Sci Data) ISSN 2052-4463 
+(online) © 2023 Springer Nature LimitedSign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters 
+in science, free to your inbox daily. January 22 - July 26, 2023JPEGOne of the wettest wet 
+seasons in northern Australia transformed large areas of the country’s desert landscape over 
+
+the course of many months in 2023. A string of major rainfall events that dropped 690 millimeters 
+(27 inches) between October 2022 and April 2023 made it the sixth-wettest season on record 
+since 1900–1901.This series of false-color images illustrates the rainfall’s months-long effects 
+downstream in the Lake Eyre Basin. Water appears in shades of blue, vegetation is green, and 
+bare land is brown. The images were acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 
+
+(MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite between January and July 2023.In the January 22 image (left), 
+water was coursing through seasonally dry channels of the Georgina River and Eyre Creek following 
+weeks of heavy rains in northern Queensland. By April 21 (middle), floodwaters had reached 
+further downstream after another intense period of precipitation in March. This scene shows 
+that water had filled in some of the north-northwest trending ridges that are part of a vast 
+
+fossil landscape of wind-formed dunes, while vegetation had emerged in wet soil upstream. 
+Then by July 26 (right), the riverbed had filled with even more vegetation.The Georgina River 
+and Eyre Creek drain approximately 210,000 square kilometers (81,000 square miles), nearly 
+the area of the United Kingdom. Visible in the lower part of the images, the lake gets refreshed 
+about every three years; when it reaches especially high levels, it may take 18 months to 
+
+2 years to dry up. Two smaller neighboring lakes flood seasonally. These three lakes and surrounding 
+floodplains support hundreds of thousands of waterbirds and are designated as an Important 
+Bird Area.Seasonal flooding is a regular occurrence in these desert river systems. However, 
+the events of the 2022-2023 rainy season stood out in several ways. They occurred while La 
+Niña conditions were in place over the tropical Pacific Ocean. (The wettest seasons in northern 
+
+Australia have all occurred during La Niña years, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.) 
+In addition, major rains occurring in succession, as was the case with the January and March 
+events, have the overall effect of prolonging floods. That’s because vegetation that grows 
+after the first event slows down the pulse of water that comes through in the next rain event.The 
+high water has affected both local communities and ecosystems. Floods have inundated cattle 
+
+farms and isolated towns on temporary islands. At the same time, they are a natural feature 
+of the “boom-and-bust” ecology of Channel Country, providing habitat and nutrients that support 
+biodiversity.NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS 
+LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerRepeated 
+heavy rains in Australia set off waves of new growth across Channel Country.Image of the Day 
+
+for August 7, 2023 Image of the Day Land Water View more Images of the Day: Floods The waves 
+off the coast of Teahupo’o can heave a crushing amount of water toward the shore and onto 
+unlucky surfers. Image of the Day Water Waves of heavy rainfall left towns and farmland under 
+water in October 2022. Image of the Day Water Floods Acquired February 26, 2011, and February 
+5, 2011, these false-color images show the impact of heavy rains in marshy areas southeast 
+
+of Georgetown, Guyana. Land Floods August 25, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGAugust 25, 2023September 
+18, 2023August 25, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGSeptember 18, 2023JPEGHeavy rain from a cyclone 
+in the Mediterranean inundated cities along the northeastern coast of Libya in early September 
+2023, causing thousands of deaths. The port city of Derna (Darnah), home to about 90,000 people, 
+was one of the worst hit by the storm and suffered extensive flooding and damage. On September 
+
+10 and 11, over 100 millimeters (4 inches) of rain fell on Derna. The city lies at the end 
+of a long, narrow valley, called a wadi, which is dry except during the rainy season. Floods 
+triggered two dams along the wadi to collapse. The failure of the second dam, located just 
+one kilometer inland of Derna, unleashed 3- to 7-meter-high floodwater that tore through the 
+city. According to news reports, the flash floods destroyed roads and swept entire neighborhoods 
+
+out to sea. The images above show the city before and after the storm. The image on the right, 
+acquired by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9 on September 18, shows eroded 
+banks of Wadi Derna near where it meets the Mediterranean. Water just off the coast appears 
+muddier than in the image on the left, which shows the same area on August 25 and was acquired 
+by Landsat 8. Preliminary estimates by the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) indicate 
+
+that 3,100 buildings in Derna were damaged by rushing water. According to the UN International 
+Organization for Migration (IOM), about 40,000 people in the country were displaced by the 
+storm, and 30,000 of those were displaced from Derna. Tropical-like cyclones in the Mediterranean, 
+or “medicanes,” develop only once or twice a year, according to NOAA, and typically form in 
+autumn. According to meteorologists at Yale Climate Connections, this storm was the deadliest 
+
+in Africa’s recorded history. A recent assessment by scientists at World Weather Attribution 
+estimated that precipitation received by the region was a one-in-300 to one-in-600-year event. 
+NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological 
+Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerFlash floods in the port city 
+destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods out to sea.Image of the Day for September 21, 2023 
+
+Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The melting 
+of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can send rivers 
+out of their banks.A Mediterranean cyclone contributed to deadly flooding along the country’s 
+coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Record rainfall inundated towns and farmland 
+in the country’s Thessaly region. Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence A stalled storm 
+
+dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive flooding. 
+Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential downpours 
+in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Floods 
+Human Presence July 2002 - June 2022JPEGThe deep-blue sea is turning a touch greener. While 
+that may not seem as consequential as, say, record warm sea surface temperatures, the color 
+
+of the ocean surface is indicative of the ecosystem that lies beneath. Communities of phytoplankton, 
+microscopic photosynthesizing organisms, abound in near-surface waters and are foundational 
+to the aquatic food web and carbon cycle. This shift in the water’s hue confirms a trend expected 
+under climate change and signals changes to ecosystems within the global ocean, which covers 
+70 percent of Earth’s surface. Researchers led by B. B. Cael, a principal scientist at the 
+
+U.K.’s National Oceanography Centre, revealed that 56 percent of the global sea surface has 
+undergone a significant change in color in the past 20 years. After analyzing ocean color 
+data from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument on NASA’s Aqua 
+satellite, they found that much of the change stems from the ocean turning more green. The 
+map above highlights the areas where ocean surface color changed between 2002 and 2022, with 
+
+darker shades of green representing more-significant differences (higher signal-to-noise ratio). 
+By extension, said Cael, “these are places we can detect a change in the ocean ecosystem in 
+the last 20 years.” The study focused on tropical and subtropical regions, excluding higher 
+latitudes, which are dark for part of the year, and coastal waters, where the data are naturally 
+very noisy. The black dots on the map indicate the area, covering 12 percent of the ocean’s 
+
+surface, where chlorophyll levels also changed over the study period. Chlorophyll has been 
+the go-to measurement for remote sensing scientists to gauge phytoplankton abundance and productivity. 
+However, those estimates use only a few colors in the visible light spectrum. The values shown 
+in green are based on the whole gamut of colors and therefore capture more information about 
+the ecosystem as a whole. A long time series from a single sensor is relatively rare in the 
+
+remote sensing world. As the Aqua satellite was celebrating its 20th year in orbit in 2022—far 
+exceeding its design life of 6 years—Cael wondered what long term trends could be discovered 
+in the data. In particular, he was curious what might have been missed in all the ocean color 
+information it had collected. “There’s more encoded in the data than we actually make use 
+of,” he said. By going big with the data, the team discerned an ocean color trend that had 
+
+been predicted by climate modeling, but one that was expected to take 30-40 years of data 
+to detect using satellite-based chlorophyll estimates. That’s because the natural variability 
+in chlorophyll is high relative to the climate change trend. The new method, incorporating 
+all visible light, was robust enough to confirm the trend in 20 years. At this stage, it is 
+difficult to say what exact ecological changes are responsible for the new hues. However, 
+
+the authors posit, they could result from different assemblages of plankton, more detrital 
+particles, or other organisms such as zooplankton. It is unlikely the color changes come from 
+materials such as plastics or other pollutants, said Cael, since they are not widespread enough 
+to register at large scales. “What we do know is that in the last 20 years, the ocean has 
+become more stratified,” he said. Surface waters have absorbed excess heat from the warming 
+
+climate, and as a result, they are less prone to mixing with deeper, more nutrient-rich layers. 
+This scenario would favor plankton adapted to a nutrient-poor environment. The areas of ocean 
+color change align well with where the sea has become more stratified, said Cael, but there 
+is no such overlap with sea surface temperature changes. More insights into Earth’s aquatic 
+ecosystems may soon be on the way. NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) 
+
+satellite, set to launch in 2024, will return observations in finer color resolution. The 
+new data will enable researchers to infer more information about ocean ecology, such as the 
+diversity of phytoplankton species and the rates of phytoplankton growth. NASA Earth Observatory 
+image by Wanmei Liang, using data from Cael, B. B., et al. (2023). Story by Lindsey Doermann.Two 
+decades of satellite measurements show that the sea surface is shading toward green.Image 
+
+of the Day for October 2, 2023 Image of the Day Life Water View more Images of the Day:Datasets 
+from the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite will build upon three decades of sea level 
+measurements. Image of the Day Heat Water Remote Sensing Image of the Day Life Water Image 
+of the Day Water The use of plastic on farms has become so common in recent decades that there 
+there’s a term for it—plasticulture. Image of the Day Human Presence August 16, 2023JPEGThe 
+
+Canary Islands were at the center of a mélange of natural events in summer 2023. The Moderate 
+Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this assemblage 
+of phenomena off the coast of Africa on August 16, 2023.In the center of the scene, smoke 
+is seen rising from a wildfire burning on Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The blaze started 
+amid hot and dry conditions on August 15 in forests surrounding the Teide Volcano. Authorities 
+
+issued evacuation orders to five villages, and responders focused on containing the fire’s 
+spread and protecting residential areas near the coast, according to news reports. Other fires 
+have burned on the Canary Islands this summer, including on La Palma in July.To the west, 
+a swirling cloud moves across the Atlantic. Cloud vortices appear routinely downwind of the 
+Canary Islands—sometimes in great abundance—and are produced when the tall volcanic peaks 
+
+disrupt the air flowing past them.Elsewhere in the atmosphere, dust from the Sahara Desert 
+was lofted out over the ocean. The river of dust crossing the Atlantic was more pronounced 
+in previous days, when it reached islands in the Caribbean. Traveling on the Saharan Air Layer, 
+dust sometimes makes it even further west toward Central America and the U.S. states of Florida 
+and Texas.To round out the list, the patch of bright blue off the Moroccan coast is most likely 
+
+a bloom of phytoplankton. While the exact cause and composition of the bloom cannot be determined 
+from this image, mineral-rich desert dust has been shown to set off bursts of phytoplankton 
+growth.In addition to the Earth’s processes seen here, one remote sensing artifact is present. 
+A diagonal streak of sunglint makes part of this scene appear washed out. Sunglint, an effect 
+that occurs when sunlight reflects off the surface of the water at the same angle that a satellite 
+
+sensor views it, is also the reason for the light-colored streaks trailing off the islands.NASA 
+Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerAn assortment of natural phenomena 
+visible from space appeared together in one image.Image of the Day for August 17, 2023 Image 
+of the Day Atmosphere Land Water View more Images of the Day:Flights were grounded as visibility 
+
+was severely hampered by a Calima event. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze Human 
+Presence In one frame International Space Station astronauts were able to capture the evolution 
+of fringing reefs to atolls. As with the Hawaiian Islands, these volcanic hot spot islands 
+become progressively older to the northwest. As these islands move away from their magma sources 
+they erode and subside. Image of the Day Land Water The dry, volcanic terrain of this Canary 
+
+Island is suitable for lichen and crops … and for training astronauts. Image of the Day Land 
+The event, known locally as “la calima,” turned skies orange and degraded air quality in Gran 
+Canaria and neighboring islands. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze July 17, 2023JPEGFour 
+funnel-shaped estuarine inlets, collectively known as Rías Baixas, line the coast of Galicia, 
+in northwest Spain. The nutrient-rich water in these inlets supports a wealth of marine life, 
+
+making the Galicia coast one of the most productive places for aquaculture.On July 17, 2023, 
+the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, acquired this image of the Rías de Arousa 
+(Arousa estuary), the largest and northernmost of the inlets. Small dots skirt the coasts 
+of the embayment. In most cases, these dots are rectangular rafts designed for raising bivalves 
+like mussels. Buoys keep the lattice mussel rafts afloat on the surface of the water, and 
+
+hundreds of ropes are suspended into the water column from each structure. Mussels attach 
+to the ropes and filter feed on phytoplankton and other suspended organic particles. The rafts 
+allow for high yields of mussels in a small area of the water. The Rías Baixas are on the 
+northern end of the Canary current and are in a major upwelling zone. Upwelling, which brings 
+colder, nutrient-rich water up from the bottom of the ocean, typically occurs in this area 
+
+between April and October. Much of the mussel production in the Rías Baixas occurs during 
+this time, as the mollusks filter feed on nutrients and plentiful phytoplankton supported 
+by upwelling. Spain is the top mussel producing country in the world. Rías de Arousa alone 
+contains over 2,400 mussel rafts, producing about 40 percent of Europe’s mussels. NASA Earth 
+Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story 
+
+by Emily Cassidy. Buoys keep the lattice mussel rafts afloat on the surface of the water, 
+and hundreds of ropes are suspended into the water column from each structure. Mussels attach 
+to the ropes and filter feed on phytoplankton and other suspended organic particles. The rafts 
+allow for high yields of mussels in a small area of the water. The Rías Baixas are on the 
+northern end of the Canary current and are in a major upwelling zone. Upwelling, which brings 
+
+colder, nutrient-rich water up from the bottom of the ocean, typically occurs in this area 
+between April and October. Much of the mussel production in the Rías Baixas occurs during 
+this time, as the mollusks filter feed on nutrients and plentiful phytoplankton supported 
+by upwelling. Spain is the top mussel producing country in the world. Rías de Arousa alone 
+contains over 2,400 mussel rafts, producing about 40 percent of Europe’s mussels. NASA Earth 
+
+Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story 
+by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerThe estuarine inlets of Spain’s Galicia coast 
+are some of the most productive places to grow mussels.Image of the Day for September 19, 
+2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of the Day: Dust and Haze This 
+image shows Tropical Cyclones Eric and Fanele near Madagascar on January 19, 2009. Atmosphere 
+
+Water Severe Storms This natural-color image shows Saharan dust forming an S-shaped curve 
+off the western coast of Africa, and passing directly over Cape Verde. Atmosphere Land Dust 
+and Haze Acquired March 8, 2010, this true-color image shows two icebergs, Iceberg B-09B and 
+an iceberg recently broken off the Mertz Glacier, floating in the Southern Ocean, just off 
+the George V Coast. Water Snow and Ice Sea and Lake Ice May 18, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGMay 
+
+18, 2023September 7, 2023May 18, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGAfter going 
+dry in 2018, Laguna de Aculeo has begun to refill. NASA satellites began to detect water pooling 
+in the parched lake in late-August, after an intense winter storm dropped as much as 370 millimeters 
+(15 inches) of rain on some parts of central Chile. The storm was fueled by an atmospheric 
+river and exacerbated by the rugged terrain in central Chile.When the Operational Land Imager-2 
+
+(OLI-2) on Landsat 9 acquired this image (right) on September 7, 2023, Laguna de Aculeo covered 
+about 5 square kilometers (2 square miles) to a depth of roughly 1 meter (3 feet). The other 
+image (left) shows the dried water body on May 18, 2023, before the wet winter weather arrived. 
+Although it has refilled somewhat, water spans only half the area it did up to 2010 and contains 
+a quarter of the water volume, explained René Garreaud, an Earth scientist at the University 
+
+of Chile. Seasonal changes and the influx of water have led to widespread greening of the 
+landscape around the lake.Researchers have assessed that ongoing development and water use 
+in the nearby community of Paine, increasing water use by farmers and in homes and pools, 
+as well as several years of drought, likely contributed to the drawdown of the lake. Annual 
+rainfall deficits that averaged 38 percent between 2010 and 2018 likely played a large role, 
+
+according to one analysis from a team of researchers from the University of Chile.Before 2010, 
+the shallow water body was a popular haven for boaters, swimmers, and water skiers, but the 
+water hasn’t yet pooled up enough for swimmers or boaters to return. It is also unclear how 
+long the new water in Aculeo will persist. “Atmospheric rivers in June and August delivered 
+substantial precipitation along the high terrain and foothills that have giv­­en us a welcome 
+
+interruption to the drought,” Garreaud said. “But Aculeo is a small, shallow lagoon that can 
+fill up rapidly, and it's only partly filled. Bigger reservoirs and aquifers will take much 
+longer to recover.”NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from 
+the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerThe drought 
+in Chile isn’t over, but recent late-winter rains provided enough moisture for water to start 
+
+pooling up again.Image of the Day for September 16, 2023 Image of the Day Life Water View 
+more Images of the Day:Data from winter 2022-2023 show the greatest net gain of water in nearly 
+22 years, but groundwater levels still suffer from years of drought. Image of the Day Land 
+Water As a persistent drought drags on, water levels are dropping at a key reservoir that 
+supplies Santiago. Image of the Day Land Water A new web tool designed by NASA applied scientists 
+
+could help the tribe anticipate and respond to drought. Image of the Day Water Human Presence 
+Remote Sensing For more than 100 years, groups in the western United States have fought over 
+water. During the 1880s, sheep ranchers and cattle ranchers argued over drinking water for 
+their livestock on the high plains. In 1913, the city of Los Angeles began to draw water away 
+from small agricultural communities in Owen Valley, leaving a dusty dry lake bed. In the late 
+
+1950s, construction of the Glen Canyon Dam catalyzed the American environmental movement. 
+Today, farmers are fighting fishermen, environmentalists, and Native American tribes over 
+the water in the Upper Klamath River Basin. The Landsat 7 satellite, launched by NASA and 
+operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, documented an extreme drought in the area along the 
+California/Oregon border in the spring of 2001. Image of the Day Land Life September 16, 2023JPEGSeptember 
+
+10, 2021JPEGSeptember 16, 2023September 10, 2021September 16, 2023JPEGSeptember 10, 2021JPEGSeptember 
+10, 2021JPEGMonths of excessive heat and drought parched the Mississippi River in the summer 
+and early fall of 2023. In September, low water levels limited barge shipments downriver and 
+threatened drinking water supplies in some Louisiana communities, according to the Associated 
+Press.Water levels were especially low near Memphis, Tennessee. The images above show the 
+
+Mississippi River near Memphis on September 16, 2023 (left), compared to September 10, 2021 
+(right). The river was significantly slimmed down in 2023, exposing some of the river bottom.This 
+is the second year in a row drought has caused the river to fall to near-record lows at many 
+gauges. On September 26, 2023, the river level at a gauge in Memphis was -10.26 feet, close 
+to the record low level, -10.81 feet, measured at the same place on October 21, 2022. That 
+
+was the lowest level recorded there since the start of National Weather Service records in 
+1954. Water levels, or “gauge heights,” do not indicate the depth of a stream; rather, they 
+are measured with respect to a chosen reference point. That is why some gauge height measurements 
+are negative.Farther upstream, water levels at New Madrid, Missouri, have been around -5 feet—near 
+the minimum operating level—since early September 2023. Water levels on the Mississippi normally 
+
+decline in the fall and winter, and in 2022, the river did not get that low until mid-October. 
+September 26, 2023JPEGA hot, dry summer is the main reason water levels dropped so low in 
+2023. Across the globe, temperatures in summer 2023 were 1.2°C (2.1°F) warmer than average. 
+In the U.S., Louisiana and Mississippi experienced their hottest Augusts on record, according 
+to NOAA.The U.S. Drought Monitor map above—the product of a partnership between the U.S. Department 
+
+of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the University of 
+Nebraska-Lincoln—shows conditions during the week of September 20-26, 2023. The map depicts 
+drought intensity in progressive shades of orange to red. It is based on an analysis of climate, 
+soil, and water condition measurements from more than 350 federal, state, and local observers 
+around the country. NASA contributes measurements and models that aid the drought monitoring 
+
+effort.During that week, about 38 percent of the contiguous U.S. was experiencing drought. 
+Lack of precipitation and high temperatures over several months severely dried out soils in 
+states along the Mississippi River Valley. The Drought Monitor reported that 80 percent of 
+soils in Louisiana were dry (short or very short on water) as of September 24. And for most 
+states in the river valley, over 50 percent of topsoil was dry or very dry.Shallow conditions 
+
+along the river interrupted normal shipments of goods. According to the Associated Press, 
+barge companies reduced the weight carried in many shipments in September because the river 
+was not deep enough to accommodate their normal weight. Much of U.S. grain exports are transported 
+down the Mississippi, and according to AP, the cost of these shipments from St. Louis southward 
+has risen 77 percent above the three-year average. The lack of freshwater flowing into the 
+
+Gulf of Mexico has also allowed saltwater to make its way up the river and into some water 
+treatment plants in southern Louisiana, according to the Associated Press. Some parts of Plaquemines 
+Parish are under drinking water advisories and have relied on bottled water for cooking and 
+drinking since June.Significant rainfall would be needed to flush out saltwater in the river 
+in Plaquemines. According to the National Weather Service’s Lower Mississippi River Forecast 
+
+Center, the forecast does not look promising. If enough rainfall doesn’t arrive before mid-to-late 
+October, saltwater could make its way to New Orleans.NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren 
+Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and data from the United States 
+Drought Monitor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area 
+in EO ExplorerIn September, low water levels made it more challenging to ship goods down the 
+
+river and allowed a wedge of saltwater to move upstream.Image of the Day for October 1, 2023 
+Image of the Day Water Drought View more Images of the Day:Persistent dry conditions can affect 
+water resources, ecosystems, and agriculture.Severe drought is reducing the number of daily 
+passages on the transoceanic shipping route. Image of the Day Water Human Presence Prolonged 
+drought in Kansas set the stage for what may be one of the state’s smallest wheat harvests 
+
+in decades. Image of the Day Land Water Drought The most severe drought in 70 years of record 
+keeping threatens the Horn of Africa with famine. Image of the Day Land Water Drought Low 
+water levels are making it difficult to ship goods down the river and allowing a wedge of 
+saltwater to move upstream. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Remote Sensing September 
+25, 2023JPEGLake Winnipeg, the world’s 10th largest freshwater lake by surface area, has experienced 
+
+algae blooms at a regular occurrence at least since the 1990s. A bloom of blue-green algae 
+once again covered parts of the lake in September 2023. Located in Manitoba, Canada, the long 
+lake has a watershed that spans one million square kilometers (386,000 square miles), draining 
+some of Canada’s agricultural land. The lake consists of a large, deep north basin and a smaller, 
+comparatively shallow south basin. Swirls of algae filled the south basin of the lake on September 
+
+25, 2023, when the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 9 acquired this image. Around 
+this time, satellite observations analyzed by Environment and Climate Change Canada indicated 
+that algae covered about 8,400 square kilometers (3,200 square miles), or about a third of 
+the lake’s area.Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are single-celled organisms 
+that rely on photosynthesis to turn sunlight into food. The bacteria grow swiftly when nutrients 
+
+like phosphorus and nitrogen are abundant in still water. The bloom pictured here may contain 
+blue-green algae, as well as other types of phytoplankton; only a surface sample can confirm 
+the exact composition of a bloom. Some cyanobacteria produce microcystin—a potent toxin that 
+can irritate the skin and cause liver and kidney damage.While algae are part of a natural 
+freshwater ecosystem, excess algae, particularly cyanobacteria, can be a nuisance to residents 
+
+and tourists using the lake and its beaches for fishing, swimming, and recreation. Beaches 
+in the south basin of Lake Winnipeg can get as many as 30,000 visitors a day during the summer 
+months. Water samples taken at Winnipeg Beach on the west shore found that cyanobacteria levels 
+were elevated in August, and visitors were advised to avoid swimming and fishing if green 
+scum was visible. The health of Lake Winnipeg has been in decline in recent decades. Between 
+
+1990 and 2000, phosphorous concentrations in the lake almost doubled and algae blooms proliferated, 
+both in terms of occurrence and extent. The major contributors to the influx of phosphorous 
+to the lake were increased agricultural activities in the watershed and a higher frequency 
+of flooding, which has increased runoff into the lake.Phosphorus concentrations are almost 
+three times higher in the south basin of Lake Winnipeg, compared to the north basin. A 2019 
+
+study using data from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument 
+on NASA’s Terra satellite found that the chlorophyll-a concentrations, which are used as a 
+measure of phytoplankton biomass, were on average more than twice as high in the south basin, 
+compared to the north. NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from 
+the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerAn influx 
+
+of nutrients in recent decades has contributed to the proliferation of algae in the large 
+Canadian lake.Image of the Day for October 6, 2023 Image of the Day Water Water Color View 
+more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like organisms reproduce abundantly when there are 
+sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. Extreme blooms of certain species can 
+become harmful to marine animals and humans.Cyanobacteria covered over half of the surface 
+
+of Florida’s largest freshwater lake in mid-June 2023. Image of the Day Life Water Water Color 
+Nearly half of the lake was covered with blue-green algae in early July 2022. Image of the 
+Day Water Remote Sensing Water Color More than 40 years after the explosive eruption of Mount 
+St. Helens, relics from the blast continue to haunt a nearby lake. Image of the Day Water 
+Venezuela’s Lake Maracaibo is choking with oil slicks and algae. Image of the Day Life Water 
+
+Human Presence Remote Sensing October 8, 2022JPEGOctober 3, 2023JPEGOctober 8, 2022October 
+3, 2023October 8, 2022JPEGOctober 3, 2023JPEGOctober 3, 2023JPEGJuly through October fall 
+within the dry season in the western and northern Amazon rainforest, but a particularly acute 
+lack of rain during this period in 2023 has pushed the region into a severe drought.The OLI 
+(Operational Land Imager) instrument on Landsat 8 captured this image (right) of the parched 
+
+Rio Negro in the Brazilian province of Amazonas near the city of Manaus on October 3, 2023. 
+On that date, the level of the river, the largest tributary of the Amazon River, had dropped 
+to 15.14 meters (50.52 feet), according to data collected by the Port of Manaus. For comparison, 
+the image on the left shows the same area on October 8, 2022, when the water level was 19.59 
+meters, a more typical level for October. Rio Negro water levels continued to drop in the 
+
+days after the image was collected, reaching a record low of 13.49 meters on October 17, 2023.Some 
+areas in the Amazon River’s watershed have received less rain between July and September than 
+any year since 1980, Reuters reported. The drought has been particularly severe in the Rio 
+Negro watershed in northern Amazonas, as well as parts of southern Venezuela and southern 
+Colombia.“Overall, this is a pretty unusual and extreme situation,” said René Garreaud, an 
+
+atmospheric scientist at the University of Chile. “The primary culprit exacerbating the drought 
+appears to be El Niño.” This cyclical warming of surface waters in the central-eastern Pacific 
+functions somewhat like a boulder in the middle of a stream, disrupting atmospheric circulation 
+patterns in ways that lead to wetter conditions over the equatorial Pacific and drier conditions 
+over the Amazon Basin.According to news outlets, the low river water levels on the Rio Negro 
+
+and other nearby rivers have disrupted drinking water supplies in hundreds of communities, 
+slowed commercial navigation, and led to fish and dolphin die-offs.Manaus, the capital and 
+largest city of the Brazilian state of Amazonas, is the primary transportation hub for the 
+upper Amazon, serving as an important transit point for soap, beef, and animal hides. Other 
+industries with a presence in the city of two million people include chemical, ship, and electrical 
+
+equipment manufacturing.NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data 
+from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerThe water 
+level of the largest tributary of the Amazon River has hit a record low.Image of the Day for 
+October 18, 2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The impact 
+of severe drought on the Negro River, a tributary of the Amazon River, and other rivers in 
+
+the basin is dramatically evident in this pair of images, which show that every body of water 
+has shrunk in 2010 compared to 2008. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land The volume of water 
+in New Mexico’s largest reservoir has dropped to historic lows due to drought and persistent 
+demand. Image of the Day Water Human Presence Acquired June 25, 2011, and June 22, 2010, these 
+false-color images compare conditions along the Souris River, which reached a historic crest 
+
+at Minot, North Dakota in June 2011. Land Floods Acquired May 11, 2011, and April 21, 2007, 
+these false-color images show the Mississippi River near Natchez, Mississippi. The image from 
+May 2011 shows flooded conditions. Land Floods September 6, 2020JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 
+6, 2020September 7, 2023September 6, 2020JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023JPEGAfter 
+rapidly growing in volume just a few years earlier, northwest Iran’s Lake Urmia nearly dried 
+
+out in autumn 2023. The largest lake in the Middle East and one of the largest hypersaline 
+lakes on Earth at its greatest extent, Lake Urmia has for the most part transformed into a 
+vast, dry salt flat. On September 7, 2023, the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 
+9 captured this image (right) of the desiccated lakebed. It stands in contrast to the image 
+from three years earlier (left), acquired by the OLI on Landsat 8 on September 8, 2020, when 
+
+water filled most of the basin and salt deposits were only visible around the perimeter of 
+the lake. The replenishment followed a period of above-average precipitation that sent a surge 
+of freshwater into the basin, expanding its watery footprint. Drier conditions have since 
+brought levels back down. The longer-term trend for Urmia has been one toward drying. In 1995, 
+Lake Urmia reached a high-water mark; then in the ensuing two decades, the lake level dropped 
+
+more than 7 meters (23 feet) and lost approximately 90 percent of its area. Consecutive droughts, 
+agricultural water use, and dam construction on rivers feeding the lake have contributed to 
+the decline. A shrinking Lake Urmia has implications for ecological and human health. The 
+lake, its islands, and surrounding wetlands comprise valuable habitat and are recognized as 
+a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Ramsar site, and national park. The area provides breeding grounds 
+
+for waterbirds such as flamingos, white pelicans, and white-headed ducks, as well as a stopover 
+for migratory species. However, with low lake levels, what water remains becomes more saline 
+and taxes the populations of brine shrimp and other food sources for larger animals. A shrinking 
+lake also increases the likelihood of dust from the exposed lakebed becoming swept up by winds 
+and degrading air quality. Recent studies have linked the low water levels in Lake Urmia with 
+
+respiratory health impacts among the local population.The relative effects of climate, water 
+usage, and dams on Lake Urmia’s water level is a topic of debate. The lake did see some recovery 
+during a 10-year restoration program beginning in 2013. However, the efficacy of that effort 
+has been difficult to parse since strong rains also fell during that period. Some research 
+has concluded that climatic factors were primarily responsible for the recovery. NASA Earth 
+
+Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. 
+Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerA few years after a fresh influx of 
+water raised its levels, the large lake has nearly gone dry.Image of the Day for October 10, 
+2023 Image of the Day Land Water View more Images of the Day:Water levels are at their lowest 
+since 1937. Image of the Day Water Drought Fires Long and short. Deep and shallow. Salty and 
+
+fresh. Blue and brown. These are Africa’s Lake Tanganyika and Lake Rukwa. Image of the Day 
+Land Water In May 2016, the reservoir behind Hoover Dam reached its lowest level since the 
+1930s. Image of the Day Water When the water gets saltier in Iran’s largest lake, the microscopic 
+inhabitants can turn the water dark red. Image of the Day Water Water Color July 1 - September 
+30, 2023MPEG For several months in 2023, global sea surface temperatures reached record-high 
+
+levels, fueled by decades of human-caused climate warming and a recent boost from the natural 
+climate phenomenon El Niño. Some areas—including the seas around Florida, Cuba, and the Bahamas—saw 
+particularly high temperatures, with implications for the health of coral reefs.Corals thrive 
+within a small range of temperatures and become stressed when water is too hot or cold. Bleaching 
+occurs when stressed corals expel the algae that live inside them, stripping corals of their 
+
+color. Extreme bleaching can leave a reef susceptible to starvation, disease, and even death. 
+Observations made by divers in the Florida Keys found that the marine heatwave in summer 2023 
+caused widespread bleaching.Stress on corals can also be detected using data from satellites. 
+This animation shows the evolution of accumulated heat stress from July through September 
+2023. The colors depict “degree heating weeks” (°C-weeks)—a measure that provides an estimate 
+
+of the severity and duration of thermal stress. Data for the product are compiled by NOAA’s 
+Coral Reef Watch, which blends observations from polar orbiting satellites such as the NASA-NOAA 
+Suomi NPP, and from geostationary satellites such as GOES, with computer models.Observations 
+have shown that when the accumulated heat stress reaches a value of 4, significant coral bleaching 
+can result. At values of 8, coral bleaching and widespread mortality are likely. By midway 
+
+through this animation, in August, heat stress across much of the region already soared well 
+above both of those thresholds. According to NOAA, cumulative heat stress by late September 
+2023 hit 22°C-weeks (40°F-weeks), nearly triple the previous record for the region.Bleaching 
+was already observed in some areas as early as July. Notice that areas of coral reef (gray) 
+near the Florida Keys, Cuba, and the Bahamas, are among the first areas to show high cumulative 
+
+heat stress. Hurricane Idalia in late August helped cool surface waters somewhat, but only 
+temporarily.Nearing mid-October, waters around the Florida Keys were under a bleaching watch. 
+Further south, waters around parts of Cuba and the Bahamas remained at bleaching alert level 
+2, the highest level of the scale, signifying that severe bleaching and mortality are likely.NASA 
+Earth Observatory animation by Wanmei Liang, using Daily 5km Degree Heating Weeks data from 
+
+Coral Reef Watch. Coral reef data from UNEP-WCMC, WorldFish Centre, WRI, TNC. Story by Kathryn 
+Hansen.View this area in EO ExplorerThe seas around Florida, Cuba, and the Bahamas saw large 
+accumulations of heat stress beginning in summer 2023, with implications for the health of 
+coral reefs.Image of the Day for October 16, 2023 Image of the Day Water Temperature Extremes 
+View more Images of the Day:Warmer-than-average temperatures are showing up locally and globally, 
+
+with consequences for people, landscapes, and ecosystems. Image of the Day Water Image of 
+the Day Life Water Image of the Day Heat Life Water Studying corals from above could help 
+scientists understand how these critical ecosystems will weather a changing climate. Image 
+of the Day Land Life Water Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version 
+with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up 
+
+to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to 
+ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.Advertisement 
+Scientific Data volume 7, Article number: 112 (2020) Cite this article 30k Accesses126 Citations88 
+AltmetricMetrics detailsRemotely sensed biomass carbon density maps are widely used for myriad 
+scientific and policy applications, but all remain limited in scope. They often only represent 
+
+a single vegetation type and rarely account for carbon stocks in belowground biomass. To date, 
+no global product integrates these disparate estimates into an all-encompassing map at a scale 
+appropriate for many modelling or decision-making applications. We developed an approach for 
+harmonizing vegetation-specific maps of both above and belowground biomass into a single, 
+comprehensive representation of each. We overlaid input maps and allocated their estimates 
+
+in proportion to the relative spatial extent of each vegetation type using ancillary maps 
+of percent tree cover and landcover, and a rule-based decision schema. The resulting maps 
+consistently and seamlessly report biomass carbon density estimates across a wide range of 
+vegetation types in 2010 with quantified uncertainty. They do so for the globe at an unprecedented 
+300-meter spatial resolution and can be used to more holistically account for diverse vegetation 
+
+carbon stocks in global analyses and greenhouse gas inventories.Measurement(s)biomass carbon 
+densityTechnology Type(s)digital curationFactor Type(s)climatic zone • above or below ground 
+• land coverSample Characteristic - Environmentorganic materialSample Characteristic - LocationEarth 
+(planet)Machine-accessible metadata file describing the reported data: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.11872383Terrestrial 
+ecosystems store vast quantities of carbon (C) in aboveground and belowground biomass1. At 
+
+any point in time, these stocks represent a dynamic balance between the C gains of growth 
+and C losses from death, decay and combustion. Maps of biomass are routinely used for benchmarking 
+biophysical models2,3,4, estimating C cycle effects of disturbance5,6,7, and assessing biogeographical 
+patterns and ecosystem services8,9,10,11. They are also critical for assessing climate change 
+drivers, impacts, and solutions, and factor prominently in policies like Reducing Emissions 
+
+from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) and C offset schemes12,13,14. Numerous methods 
+have been used to map biomass C stocks but their derivatives often remain limited in either 
+scope or extent12,15. There thus remains a critical need for a globally harmonized, integrative 
+map that comprehensively reports biomass C across a wide range of vegetation types.Most existing 
+maps of aboveground biomass (AGB) and the carbon it contains (AGBC) are produced from statistical 
+
+or data-driven methods relating field-measured or field-estimated biomass densities and spaceborne 
+optical and/or radar imagery12,15,16. They largely focus on the AGB of trees, particularly 
+those in tropical landscapes where forests store the majority of the region’s biotic C in 
+aboveground plant matter. Land cover maps are often used to isolate forests from other landcover 
+types where the predictive model may not be appropriate such that forest AGB maps intentionally 
+
+omit AGB stocks in non-forest vegetation like shrublands, grasslands, and croplands, as well 
+as the AGB of trees located within the mapped extent of these excluded landcovers17. Non-forest 
+AGB has also been mapped to some extent using similar approaches but these maps are also routinely 
+masked to the geographic extent of their focal landcover18,19,20,21. To date, there has been 
+no rigorous attempt to harmonize and integrate these landcover-specific, remotely sensed products 
+
+into a single comprehensive and temporally consistent map of C in all living biomass.Maps 
+of belowground biomass (BGB) and carbon density (BGBC) are far less common than those of AGB 
+because BGB cannot be readily observed from space or airborne sensors. Consequently, BGB is 
+often inferred from taxa-, region-, and/or climate-specific “root-to-shoot” ratios that relate 
+the quantity of BGB to that of AGB22,23,24. These ratios can be used to map BGB by spatially 
+
+applying them to AGB estimates using maps of their respective strata5. In recent years, more 
+sophisticated regression-based methods have been developed to predict root-to-shoot ratios 
+of some landcover types based on covariance with other biophysical and/or ecological factors25,26. 
+When applied spatially, these methods can allow for more continuous estimates of local BGB5,27. 
+Like AGBC, though, few attempts have been made to comprehensively map BGBC for the globe.Despite 
+
+the myriad of emerging mapping methods and products, to date, the Intergovernmental Panel 
+on Climate Change (IPCC) Tier-1 maps by Ruesch and Gibbs28 remains the primary source of global 
+AGBC and BGBC estimates that transcend individual landcover types. These maps, which represents 
+the year 2000, were produced prior to the relatively recent explosion of satellite-based AGB 
+maps and they therefore rely on an alternative mapping technique called “stratify and multiply”15, 
+
+which assigns landcover-specific biomass estimates or “defaults” (often derived from field 
+measurements or literature reviews) to the corresponding classified grid cells of a chosen 
+landcover map12. While this approach yields a comprehensive wall-to-wall product, it can fail 
+to capture finer-scale spatial patterns often evident in the field and in many satellite-based 
+products12,15. The accuracy of these maps is also tightly coupled to the quality and availability 
+
+of field measurements29 and the thematic accuracy and discontinuity of the chosen landcover 
+map.Given the wealth of landcover-specific satellite based AGB maps, a new harmonization method 
+akin to “stratify and multiply” is needed to merge the validated spatial detail of landcover-specific 
+remotely sensed biomass maps into a single, globally harmonized product. We developed such 
+an approach by which we (i) overlay distinct satellite-based biomass maps and (ii) proportionately 
+
+allocate their estimates to each grid cell (“overlay and allocate”). Specifically, we overlay 
+continental-to-global scale remotely sensed maps of landcover-specific biomass C density and 
+then allocate fractional contributions of each to a given grid cell using additional maps 
+of percent tree cover, thematic landcover and a rule-based decision tree. We implement the 
+new approach here using temporally consistent maps of AGBC as well as matching derived maps 
+
+of BGBC to generate separate harmonized maps of AGBC and BGBC densities. In addition, we generate 
+associated uncertainty layers by propagating the prediction error of each input dataset. The 
+resulting global maps consistently represent biomass C and associated uncertainty across a 
+broad range of vegetation in the year 2010 at an unprecedented 300 meter (m) spatial resolution.Our 
+harmonization approach (Fig. 1) relies on independent, landcover-specific biomass maps and 
+
+ancillary layers, which we compiled from the published literature (Table 1). When published 
+maps did not represent our epoch of interest (i.e. grasslands and croplands) or did not completely 
+cover the necessary spatial extent (i.e. tundra vegetation), we used the predictive model 
+reported with the respective map to generate an updated version that met our spatial and temporal 
+requirements. We then used landcover specific root-to-shoot relationships to generate matching 
+
+BGBC maps for each of the input AGBC maps before implementing the harmonization procedure. 
+Below we describe, in detail, the methodologies used for mapping AGBC and BGBC of each landcover 
+type and the procedure used to integrate them.Generalized, three-step workflow used to create 
+harmonized global biomass maps. In step one, woody AGB maps are prepared, combined, converted 
+to AGBC density and used to create separate but complementary maps of BGBC. In step two, a 
+
+similar workflow is used to generate matching maps of AGBC and BGBC for tundra vegetation, 
+grasses, and annual crops. In step three, all maps are combined using a rule-based decision 
+tree detailed in Fig. 3 to generate comprehensive, harmonized global maps. All input data 
+sources are listed and described in Table 1.Since the first remotely sensed woody AGB maps 
+were published in the early 1990s, the number of available products has grown at an extraordinary 
+
+pace16 and it can thus be challenging to determine which product is best suited for a given 
+application. For our purposes, we relied on the GlobBiomass AGB density map30 as our primary 
+source of woody AGB estimates due to its precision, timestamp, spatial resolution, and error 
+quantification. It was produced using a combination of spaceborne optical and synthetic aperture 
+radar (SAR) imagery and represents the year 2010 at a 100 m spatial resolution – making it 
+
+the most contemporary global woody AGB currently available and the only such map available 
+for that year. Moreover, GlobBiomass aims to minimize prediction uncertainty to less than 
+30% and a recent study suggests that it has high fidelity for fine-scale applications31.The 
+GlobBiomass product was produced by first mapping the growing stock volume (GSV; i.e. stem 
+volume) of living trees, defined following Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) guidelines32 
+
+as those having a diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than 10 centimeters (cm). AGB density 
+was then determined from GSV by applying spatialized biomass expansion factors (BEFs) and 
+wood density estimates. These factors were mapped using machine learning methods trained from 
+a suite of plant morphological databases that compile thousands of field measurements from 
+around the globe33. The resulting AGB estimates represent biomass in the living structures 
+
+(stems, branches, bark, twigs) of trees with a DBH greater than 10 cm. This definition may 
+thereby overlook AGB of smaller trees and/or shrubs common to many global regions. Unlike 
+other maps, though, the GlobBiomass product employs a subpixel masking procedure that retains 
+AGB estimates in 100 m grid cells in which any amount of tree cover was detected in finer 
+resolution (30 m) imagery34. This unique procedure retains AGB estimates in tree-sparse regions 
+
+like savannahs, grasslands, croplands, and agroforestry systems where AGB is often overlooked17, 
+as well as in forest plantations. The GlobBiomass product is the only global map that also 
+includes a dedicated uncertainty layer reporting the standard error of prediction. We used 
+this layer to propagate uncertainty when converting AGB to AGBC density, modelling BGBC, and 
+integrating with C density estimates of other vegetation types.Bouvet et al.35 – some of whom 
+
+were also participants of the GlobBiomass project – independently produced a separate AGB 
+density map for African savannahs, shrublands and dry woodlands circa 2010 at 25 m spatial 
+resolution35 (hereafter “Bouvet map”), which we included in our harmonized product to begin 
+to address the GlobBiomass map’s potential omission of small trees and shrubs that do not 
+meet the FAO definition of woody AGB. This continental map of Africa is based on a predictive 
+
+model that directly relates spaceborne L-band SAR imagery – an indirect measure of vegetation 
+structure that is sensitive to low biomass densities36 – with region-specific, field-measured 
+AGB. Field measurements (n = 144 sites) were compiled from 7 different sampling campaigns 
+– each specifically seeking training data for biomass remote sensing – that encompassed 8 
+different countries35. The resulting map is not constrained by the FAO tree definition and 
+
+is masked to exclude grid cells in which predicted AGB exceeds 85 megagrams dry mater per 
+hectare (Mg ha−1) – the threshold at which the SAR-biomass relationship saturates. To avoid 
+extraneous prediction, it further excludes areas identified as “broadleaved evergreen closed-to-open 
+forest”, “flooded forests”, “urban areas” and “water bodies” by the European Space Agency’s 
+Climate Change Initiative (CCI) Landcover 2010 map37 and as “bare areas” in the Global Land 
+
+Cover (GLC) 2000 map38. While the Bouvet map is not natively accompanied by an uncertainty 
+layer, its authors provided us with an analytic expression of its uncertainty (SE; standard 
+error of prediction) as a function of estimated AGB (Eq. 1) which we used to generate an uncertainty 
+layer for subsequent error propagation.We combined the GlobBiomass and Bouvet products to 
+generate a single woody biomass map by first upscaling each map separately to a matching 300 
+
+m spatial resolution using an area-weighted average to aggregate grid cells, and then assigning 
+the Bouvet estimate to all overlapping grid cells, except those identified by the CCI Landcover 
+2010 map as closed or flooded forest types (Online-only Table 1) which were not within the 
+dryland domain of the Bouvet map. While more complex harmonization procedures based on various 
+averaging techniques have been used by others39,40, their fidelity remains unclear since they 
+
+fail to explicitly identify and reconcile the underlying source of the inputs’ discrepancies41. 
+We thus opted to use a more transparent ruled-based approach when combining these two woody 
+biomass maps, which allows users to easily identify the source of a grid cell’s woody biomass 
+estimate. Given the local specificity of the training data used to produce the Bouvet map, 
+we chose to prioritize its predictions over those of the GlobBiomass product when within its 
+
+domain. In areas of overlap, the Bouvet map values tend to be lower in moist regions and higher 
+in dryer regions (Fig. 2), though, where used, these differences rarely exceed ±25 megagrams 
+C per hectare (MgC ha−1).Difference between underlying woody aboveground biomass maps in Africa. 
+Maps considered are the GlobBiomass30 global map and the Bouvet35 map of Africa. Both maps 
+were aggregated to a 300 m spatial resolution and converted to C density prior to comparison 
+
+using the same schema. The difference map was subsequently aggregated to a 3 km spatial resolution 
+and reprojected for visualization. Negative values denote lower estimates by Bouvet et al.35, 
+while positive values denote higher estimates.We then converted all woody AGB estimates to 
+AGBC by mapping climate and phylogeny-specific biomass C concentrations from Martin et al.42. 
+Climate zones were delineated by aggregating classes of the Köppen-Gieger classification43 
+
+(Table 2) to match those of Martin et al.42. Phylogenetic classes (angiosperm, gymnosperm 
+and mixed/ambiguous) were subsequently delineated within each of these zones using aggregated 
+classes of the CCI Landcover 2010 map (Online-only Table 1). Martin et al.42 only report values 
+for angiosperms and gymnosperms so grid cells with a mixed or ambiguous phylogeny were assigned 
+the average of the angiosperm and gymnosperm values and the standard error of this value was 
+
+calculated from their pooled variance. Due to residual classification error in the aggregated 
+phylogenetic classes, we weighted the phylogeny-specific C concentration within each climate 
+zone by the binary probability of correctly mapping that phylogeny (i.e. user’s accuracy)44 
+using Eq. 2where, within each climate zone, μc is the mean probability-weighted C concentration 
+of the most probable phylogeny, μm is the mean C concentration of that phylogeny from Martin 
+
+et al.42, pm is the user’s accuracy of that phylogeny’s classification (Table 3), and μn and 
+μo are the mean C concentrations of the remain phylogenetic classes from Martin et al.42. 
+Standard error estimates for these C concentrations were similarly weighted using summation 
+in quadrature (Eq. 3)where \({\sigma }_{c}\) is the probability-weighted standard error of 
+the most probable phylogeny’s C concentration and \({\sigma }_{m}\), \({\sigma }_{n}\) and 
+
+\({\sigma }_{o}\) are the standard errors of the respective phylogeny-specific C concentrations 
+from Martin et al.42. Probability-weighted C concentrations used are reported in Table 4.Mapped, 
+probability-weighted C estimates were then arithmetically applied to AGB estimates. Uncertainty 
+associated with this correction was propagated using summation in quadrature of the general 
+form (Eq. 4)where \({\mu }_{f}=f(i,j,\ldots ,k)\), \({\sigma }_{f}\) is the uncertainty of 
+
+μf, and \({\sigma }_{i},{\sigma }_{j},\ldots ,{\sigma }_{k}\), are the respective uncertainty 
+estimates of the dependent parameters (standard error unless otherwise noted). Here, μf, is 
+the estimated AGBC of a given grid cell, and is the product of its woody AGB estimate, and 
+its corresponding C concentration.The tundra and portions of the boreal biome are characterized 
+by sparse trees and dwarf woody shrubs as well as herbaceous cover that are not included in 
+
+the GlobBiomass definition of biomass. AGB density of these classes has been collectively 
+mapped by Berner et al.18,45 for the North Slope of Alaska from annual Landsat imagery composites 
+of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and a non-linear regression-based model 
+trained from field measurements of peak AGB that were collected from the published literature 
+(n = 28 sites). Berner et al.18 note that while these field measurements did not constitute 
+
+a random or systematic sample, they did encompass a broad range of tundra plant communities. 
+In the absence of a global map and due the sparsity of high quality Landsat imagery at high 
+latitudes, we extended this model to the pan-Arctic and circumboreal regions using NDVI composites 
+created from daily 250 m MODIS Aqua and Terra surface reflectance images46,47 that were cloud 
+masked and numerically calibrated to Landsat ETM reflectance – upon which the tundra model 
+
+is based – using globally derived conversion coefficients48. We generated six separate 80th 
+percentile NDVI composites circa 2010 – one for each of the MODIS missions (Aqua and Terra) 
+in 2009, 2010 and 2011 – following Berner et al.18. We chose to use three years of imagery 
+(circa 2010) rather than just one (2010) to account for the potential influence that cloud 
+masking may exert upon estimates of the 80th NDVI percentile in a single year. We then applied 
+
+the tundra AGB model to each composite, converted AGB estimates to AGBC by assuming a biomass 
+C fraction of 49.2% (SE = 0.8%)42 and generated error layers for each composite from the reported 
+errors of the AGB regression coefficients and the biomass C conversion factor using summation 
+in quadrature as generally described above (Eq. 4). A single composite of tundra AGBC circa 
+2010 was then created as the pixelwise mean of all six composites. We also generated a complementary 
+
+uncertainty layer representing the cumulative standard error of prediction, calculated as 
+the pixelwise root mean of the squared error images in accordance with summation in quadrature. 
+Both maps were upscaled from their native 250 m spatial resolution to a 300 m spatial resolution 
+using an area weighted aggregation procedure, whereby pixels of the 300 m biomass layer was 
+calculated as the area weighted average of contained 250 m grid cells, and the uncertainty 
+
+layer was calculated – using summation in quadrature – as the root area-weighted average of 
+the contained grid cells squared.Grassland AGBC density was modelled directly from maximum 
+annual NDVI composites using a non-linear regression-based model developed by Xia et al.19 
+for mapping at the global scale. This model was trained by relating maximum annual NDVI as 
+measured by the spaceborne Advanced Very High-Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) sensor to globally 
+
+distributed field measurements of grassland AGBC that were compiled from the published literature 
+(81 sites for a total of 158 site-years). Like the tundra biomass training data, these samples 
+did not constitute a random or systematic sample but do encompass a comprehensive range of 
+global grassland communities. Given the inevitable co-occurrence of trees in the AVHRR sensor’s 
+8 km resolution pixels upon which the model is trained, it’s predictions of grassland AGBC 
+
+are relatively insensitive to the effects of co-occurring tree cover. We thereby assume that 
+its predictions for grid cells containing partial tree cover represent the expected herbaceous 
+AGBC density in the absence of those trees. Maximum model predicted AGBC (NDVI = 1) is 2.3 
+MgC ha−1 which is comparable to the upper quartile of herbaceous AGBC estimates from global 
+grasslands49 and suggests that our assumption will not lead to an exaggerated estimation. 
+
+For partially wooded grid cells, we used modelled grassland AGBC density to represent that 
+associated with the herbaceous fraction of the grid cell in a manner similar to Zomer et al.17 
+as described below (See “Harmonizing Biomass Carbon Maps”).We applied the grassland AGBC model 
+to all grid cells of maximum annual NDVI composites produced from finer resolution 16-day 
+(250 m) MODIS NDVI imagery composites circa 201050,51. Here again, three years of imagery 
+
+were used to account for potential idiosyncrasies in a single year’s NDVI composites resulting 
+from annual data availability and quality. As with AGB of tundra vegetation, annual composites 
+(2009–2011) were constructed separately from cloud-masked imagery collected by both MODIS 
+missions (Aqua and Terra; n = 6) and then numerically calibrated to AVHRR reflectance using 
+globally derived conversion coefficients specific to areas of herbaceous cover52. We then 
+
+applied the AGBC model to each of these composites and estimated error for each composite 
+from both the AVHRR calibration (standard deviation approximated from the 95% confidence interval 
+of the calibration scalar) and the AGBC model (relative RMSE) using summation in quadrature. 
+A single map of grassland AGBC circa 2010 was then created as the pixelwise mean of all six 
+composites and an associated error layer was created as the pixelwise root mean of the squared 
+
+error images. Both maps were aggregated from their original 250 m resolution to 300 m to facilitate 
+harmonization using the area-weighted procedure described previously for woody and tundra 
+vegetation (see section 1.2).Prior to harvest, cropland biomass can also represent a sizable 
+terrestrial C stock. In annually harvested cropping systems, the maximum standing biomass 
+of these crops can be inferred from annual net primary productivity (ANPP). While spaceborne 
+
+ANPP products exist, they generally perform poorly in croplands53,54. Instead, cropland ANPP 
+is more commonly derived from crop yields20,21,53. We used globally gridded, crop-specific 
+yields of 70 annually harvested herbaceous commodity crops circa 2000 by Monfreda et al.20 
+– the only year in which these data were available. These maps were produced by spatially 
+disaggregating crop-yield statistics for thousands of globally distributed administrative 
+
+units throughout the full extent of a satellite-based cropland map20. These maps were combined 
+with crop-specific parameters (Online-only Table 2) to globally map AGBC as aboveground ANPP 
+for each crop following the method of Wolf et al.21. This method can be simplified as (Eq. 
+5)where y is the crop’s yield (Mg ha−1), ω is the dry matter fraction of its harvested biomass, 
+h is its harvest index (fraction of total AGB collected at harvest) and c is the carbon content 
+
+fraction of its harvested dry mass. This simplification assumes, following Wolf et al.21, 
+that 2.5% of all harvested biomass is lost between the field and farmgate and that unharvested 
+residue and root mass is 44% C.Total cropland AGBC density was then calculated as the harvested-area-weighted 
+average of all crop-specific AGBC estimates within a given grid cell. Since multiple harvests 
+in a single year can confound inference of maximum AGBC from ANPP, we further determined the 
+
+harvest frequency (f) of each grid cell by dividing a cell’s total harvested area (sum of 
+the harvested area of each crop reported within a given grid cell) by its absolute cropland 
+extent as reported in a complementary map by Ramankutty et al.55. If f was greater than one, 
+multiple harvests were assumed to have occurred and AGBC was divided by f to ensure that AGBC 
+estimates did not exceed the maximum standing biomass density.Since the yields of many crops 
+
+and, by association, their biomass have changed considerably since 200056,57, we calibrated 
+our circa 2000 AGBC estimates to the year 2010 using local rates of annual ANPP change (MgC 
+ha−1 yr−1) derived as the Theil-Sen slope estimator – a non-parametric estimator that is relatively 
+insensitive to outliers – of the full MODIS Terra ANPP timeseries (2000–2015)58. Total ANPP 
+change between 2000 and 2010 for each grid cell was calculated as ten times this annual rate 
+
+of change. Since MODIS ANPP represents C gains in both AGB and BGB, we proportionately allocated 
+aboveground ANPP to AGBC using the total root-to-shoot ratio derived from the circa 2000 total 
+crop AGBC and BGBC maps (described below). Since error estimates were not available for the 
+yield maps or the crop-specific parameters used to generate the circa 2000 AGBC map, estimated 
+error of the circa 2010 crop AGBC map was exclusively based on that of the 2000–2010 correction. 
+
+The error of this correction was calculated as the pixel-wise standard deviation of bootstrapped 
+simulations (n = 1000) in which a random subset of years was omitted from the slope estimator 
+in each iteration. The 8 km resolution circa 2000 AGBC map and error layer were resampled 
+to 1 km to match the resolution of MODIS ANPP using the bilinear method prior to ANPP correction 
+and then further resampled to 300 m to facilitate harmonization.Woody crops like fruit, nut, 
+
+and palm oil plantations were not captured using the procedure just described and their biomass 
+was instead assumed to be captured by the previously described woody biomass products which 
+retained biomass estimates in all pixels where any amount of tree cover was detected at the 
+sub-pixel level (see section 1.1).Matching maps of BGBC and associated uncertainty were subsequently 
+produced for each of the landcover-specific AGBC maps using published empirical relationships.With 
+
+the exception of savannah and shrubland areas, woody BGBC was modelled from AGBC using a multiple 
+regression model by Reich et al.25 that considers the phylogeny, mean annual temperature (MAT), 
+and regenerative origin of each wooded grid cell and that was applied spatially using maps 
+of each covariate in a fashion similar to other studies5,27. Tree phylogeny (angiosperm or 
+gymnosperm) was determined from aggregated classes of the CCI Landcover 2010 map37 (Online-only 
+
+Table 1) with phylogenetically mixed or ambiguous classes assumed to be composed of 50% of 
+each. MAT was taken from version 2 of the WorldClim bioclimatic variables dataset (1970–2000) 
+at 1 km resolution59 and resampled to 300 m using the bilinear method. Since there is not 
+a single global data product mapping forest management, we determined tree origin – whether 
+naturally propagated or planted – by combining multiple data sources. These data included 
+
+(i) a global map of “Intact Forest Landscapes” (IFL) in the year 201360 (a conservative proxy 
+of primary, naturally regenerating forests defined as large contiguous areas with minimal 
+human impact), (ii) a Spatial Database of Planted Trees (SDPT) with partial global coverage61, 
+(iii) national statistics reported by the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) on 
+the extent of both naturally regenerating and planted forests and woodlands within each country 
+
+in the year 201062, and (iv) national statistics reported by the FAOSTAT database (http://www.fao.org/faostat) 
+on the planted area of plantation crops in 2010. Within each country, we assumed that the 
+total area of natural and planted trees was equal to the corresponding FRA estimates. If the 
+FAOSTAT-reported area of tree crops exceeded FRA-reported planted area, the difference was 
+added to FRA planted total. All areas mapped as IFL were assumed to be of natural origin and 
+
+BGB was modelled as such. Likewise, besides the exceptions noted below, all tree plantations 
+mapped by the SDPT were assumed to be of planted origin. In countries where the extent of 
+the IFL or SDPT maps fell short of the FRA/FAOSTAT reported areas of natural or planted forests, 
+respectively, we estimated BGBC in the remaining, unknown-origin forest grid cells of that 
+country (BGBCu), as the probability-weighted average of the planted and natural origin estimates 
+
+using Eq. 6where \(BGB{C}_{p}\) and \(BGB{C}_{n}\) are the respective BGBC estimates for a 
+grid cell assuming entirely planted and natural origin, respectively, and \({\Delta }_{p}\) 
+and \({\Delta }_{n}\) are the respective differences between (i) the FRA/FAOSTAT and (ii) 
+mapped extent of planted and natural forest within the given grid cell’s country. While the 
+mapped extent of IFL forests within a given country never exceeded that country’s FRA reported 
+
+natural forest extent, there were infrequent cases (n = 22 of 257) in which the mapped extent 
+of tree plantations exceeded the corresponding FRA/FAOSTAT estimate of planted forest area. 
+In these cases, we down-weighted the BGB estimates of SDPT forests in a similar fashion such 
+that the weight of their planted estimate (\({\omega }_{p}\)) was equal to the quotient of 
+(i) the FRA/FAOSTAT planted area and (ii) the SDPT extent within the country, and the weight 
+
+of the natural origin estimate applied to the SDPT extent (\({\omega }_{n}\)) was equal to 
+\(1-{\omega }_{p}\).A BGBC error layer was then produced using summation in quadrature from 
+the standard error estimates of the model coefficients, the AGBC error layer, the relative 
+RMSE of MAT (27%), and the derived global uncertainty of the phylogeny layer. Phylogeny error 
+was calculated as the Bernoulli standard deviation (δ) of the binary probability (p) of correct 
+
+classification (i.e. “area weighted user’s accuracy”44; Table 3) using Eq. 7.Since savannahs 
+and shrublands are underrepresented in the regression-based model25, their BGBC was instead 
+estimated using static root-to-shoot ratios reported by Mokany et al.22, which are somewhat 
+conservative in comparison to the IPCC Tier-1 defaults23,24 put favoured for consistency with 
+methods used for grasslands (see below). Error was subsequently mapped from that of the AGBC 
+
+estimates and the root-to-shoot ratios applied (Table 5).BGBC of tundra vegetation was mapped 
+from AGBC using a univariate regression model derived by Wang et al.26 that predicts root-to-shoot 
+ratio as a function of MAT. We applied the model using the WorldClim version 2 MAT map59 and 
+propagated error from the AGBC estimates, the relative RMSE of MAT and the standard error 
+of regression coefficients. Where tundra AGB exceeded 25 Mg ha−1 – the maximum field-measured 
+
+shrub biomass reported by Berner et al.18 – vegetation was considered to include trees and 
+the Reich et al.25 method described earlier for woody vegetation was used instead.In the absence 
+of a continuous predictor of grassland root-to-shoot ratios, we applied climate specific root-to-shoot 
+ratios from Mokany et al.22 to the corresponding climate regions of the Köppen-Gieger classification43 
+(Table 2). Here, again, these ratios vary slightly from the IPCC Tier-1 defaults23,24 but 
+
+were chosen for their greater sample size and specificity. Grassland BGBC error was mapped 
+from the error of the AGBC estimates and the respective root-to-shoot ratios.Cropland BGBC 
+was again estimated from crop-specific yields and morphological parameters (Online-only Table 
+2) following Wolf et al.21 and Eq. 8where y is the crop’s yield (Mg ha−1), r is the root-to-shoot 
+ratio of the crop, and h is its harvest index. Here again we assume that 2.5% of all harvested 
+
+biomass is lost between the field and farmgate and that root biomass is 44% C, following Wolf 
+et al.21. BGBC error was mapped from the error of the 2000-to-2010 ANPP correction for BGBC 
+allocation as described above for cropland AGBC.The AGBC and BGBC maps were harmonized separately 
+following the same general schema (Fig. 3). Given that our harmonized woody biomass map contains 
+biomass estimates for grid cells in which any amount of tree cover was detected at the subpixel 
+
+level (see section 1.1), we conserved its estimates regardless of the landcover reported by 
+the 2010 CCI map in order to more fully account for woody biomass in non-forested areas17. 
+We then used the MODIS continuous vegetation fields percent tree cover map for 201063 to allocate 
+additional biomass density associated with the most probable herbaceous cover (grass or crop) 
+to each grid cell in quantities complementary to that of the grid cell’s fractional tree cover 
+
+estimate (Eq. 9)where μT is the total biomass estimate of a grid cell, μw is the woody biomass 
+estimate for the grid cell, μh is its herbaceous biomass estimate, and q is the MODIS fractional 
+tree cover of the grid cell. Since MODIS tree cover estimates saturate at around 80%64, we 
+linearly stretched values such that 80% was treated as complete tree cover (100%). Moreover, 
+we acknowledge that percent cover can realistically exceed 100% when understory cover is considered 
+
+but we were unable to reasonably determine the extent of underlying cover from satellite imagery. 
+As such, our approach may underestimate the contribution of herbaceous C stocks in densely 
+forested grid cells. The most likely herbaceous cover type was determined from the CCI Landcover 
+2010 map, which we aggregated into two “likely herbaceous cover” classes – grass or crop – 
+based on the assumed likelihood of cropland in each CCI class (Online-only Table 1). However, 
+
+due to inherent classification error in the native CCI Landcover map, when determining the 
+herbaceous biomass contribution we weighted the relative allocation of crop and grass biomass 
+to a given grid cell based on the probability of correct classification by the CCI map (i.e. 
+“user’s accuracy”, Table 6) of the most probable herbaceous class (\({p}_{i}\)) such that 
+μh can be further expressed as (Eq. 10)where μi is the predicted biomass of the most probable 
+
+herbaceous class, and μj is that of the less probable class.Decision tree used to allocate 
+landcover-specific biomass estimates to each grid cell of our harmonized global products.The 
+uncertainty of a grid cell’s total AGBC or BGBC estimate (\({\sigma }_{T}\)) was determined 
+and mapped from that of its components (\({\mu }_{w}\,{\rm{and}}\,{\mu }_{h}\)) by summation 
+in quadrature which can be simplified as (Eq. 11)where \({\sigma }_{w}\) is the error of the 
+
+grid cell’s estimated μw, \({\sigma }_{h}\) is the error of its estimated μh, and \({\sigma 
+}_{q}\) is the error of its q. Here, \({\sigma }_{h}\) can be further decomposed and expressed 
+as Eq. 12 to account for the accuracy weighted allocation procedure expressed previously (Eq. 
+10)where \({\sigma }_{i}\) is the error of the estimated biomass density of the most probable 
+herbaceous class, \({\delta }_{i}\) is the estimated standard deviation of that class’s Bernoulli 
+
+probability (p; Eq. 7), and \({\sigma }_{j}\) is the error of the estimated biomass density 
+of the less probable herbaceous subclass.Exceptions to the above schema were made in the tundra 
+and boreal biomes – as delineated by the RESOLVE Ecoregions 2017 biome polygons65 – where 
+thematic overlap was likely between the woody and tundra plant biomass maps. A separate set 
+of decision rules (Fig. 3) was used to determine whether grid cells in these biomes were to 
+
+be exclusively allocated the estimate of the tundra plant map or that of the fractional allocation 
+procedure described above. In general, any land in these biomes identified as sparse landcover 
+by the CCI landcover map (Online-only Table 1) was assigned the tundra vegetation estimate. 
+In addition, lands north of 60° latitude with less than 10% tree cover or where the tundra 
+AGBC estimate exceeded that of the woody AGBC estimate were also exclusively assigned the 
+
+tundra vegetation estimate. Lands north of 60° latitude not meeting these criteria were assigned 
+the woody value with the additional contribution of grass.Subtle numerical artefacts emerged 
+from the divergent methodologies employed north and south of 60°N latitude. These were eliminated 
+by distance weighting grid cells within 1° of 60°N based on their linear proximity to 60°N 
+and then averaging estimates such that values at or north of 61°N were exclusively based on 
+
+the northern methodology, those at 60°N were the arithmetic average of the two methodologies 
+and those at or south of 59°N were exclusively based on the southern methodology. This produced 
+a seamless, globally harmonized product that integrates the best remotely sensed estimates 
+of landcover-specific C density. Water bodies identified as class “210” of the CCI 2010 landcover 
+map were then masked from our final products.Data layers (n = 4, Table 7) for the maps of 
+
+AGBC and BGBC density (Fig. 4) as well as their associated uncertainty maps which represent 
+the combined standard error of prediction (Fig. 5) are available as individual 16-bit integer 
+rasters in GeoTiff format. All layers are natively in a WGS84 Mercator projection with a spatial 
+resolution of approximately 300 m at the equator and match that of the ESA CCI Landcover Maps37. 
+Raster values are in units megagrams C per hectare (MgC ha−1) and have been scaled by a factor 
+
+of ten to reduce file size. These data are accessible through the Oak Ridge National Laboratory 
+(ORNL) DAAC data repository (https://doi.org/10.3334/ORNLDAAC/1763)66. In addition, updated 
+and/or derived vegetation-specific layers that were used to create our harmonized 2010 maps 
+are available as supplemental data on figshare67.Globally harmonized maps of above and belowground 
+living biomass carbon densities. (a) Aboveground biomass carbon density (AGBC) and (b) belowground 
+
+biomass carbon density (BGBC) are shown separately. Maps have been aggregated to a 5 km spatial 
+resolution and reprojected here for visualization.Uncertainty of grid cell level above and 
+belowground biomass carbon density estimates. Uncertainty is shown here as the coefficient 
+of variation (%; standard error layer divided by mean estimate layer) of estimated AGBC (a) 
+and BGBC (b) densities after harmonization. Maps have been aggregated to a 5 km spatial resolution 
+
+and projected for visualization.Our harmonized products rely almost exclusively upon maps 
+and models that have been rigorously validated by their original producers and were often 
+accompanied by constrained uncertainty estimates. Throughout our harmonization procedure, 
+we strived to conserve the validity of each of these products by minimizing the introduction 
+of additional error and by tracking any introductions, as described above, such that the final 
+
+error layers represent the cumulative uncertainty of the inputs used. Ground truth AGB and 
+BGB data are almost always collected for individual landcover types. Consequently, we are 
+unable to directly assess the validity of our integrated estimates beyond their relationships 
+to individual landcover-specific estimates and the extents to which they were modified from 
+their original, previously-validated form prior to and during our harmonization procedure.Temporal 
+
+and spatial updates made to existing landcover-specific maps of non-tree AGB resulted in relatively 
+small changes to their predictions. For example, we used numerically calibrated MODIS imagery 
+to extend the Landsat-based tundra plant AGB model beyond its native extent (the North Slope 
+of Alaska) to the pan-Arctic region since neither a comparable model nor a consistent Landsat 
+time series were available for this extent. We assessed the effects of these assumptions by 
+
+comparing our predictions for the North Slope with those of the original map18 (Fig. 6a). 
+Both positive and negative discrepancies exist between ours and the original, though these 
+rarely exceed ±2 MgC ha−1 and no discernibly systematic bias was evident.Differences between 
+landcover-specific AGBC estimates from the original published maps and the modified versions 
+used as inputs to create the 2010 harmonized global maps. Tundra vegetation AGBC (a) is compared 
+
+to the Landsat-based map of Berner et al.45 for the north slope of Alaska after converting 
+it to units MgC ha−1. Here, the comparison map was subsequently aggregated to a 1 km resolution 
+and reprojected for visualization. Grassland AGBC (b) is compared to the AVHRR-based map of 
+Xia et al.19 which represents the average estimate between 1982–2006. For visualization, the 
+map was aggregated to a 5 km resolution and subsequently reprojected after being masked to 
+
+MODIS IGBP grasslands in the year 200685 following Xia et al.19. As such, this map does not 
+necessarily represent the spatial distribution of grid cells in which grassland estimates 
+were used. Cropland AGBC (c) is compared to the original circa 2000 estimates to assess the 
+effects of the 2000-to-2010 correction. The map is masked to the native extent of the combined 
+yield maps and aggregated to a 5 km resolution for visualization. For all maps, negative values 
+
+indicate that our circa 2010 estimates are lower than those of the earlier maps while positive 
+values indicate higher estimates.Our updated map of grassland biomass carbon in the year 2010 
+was similarly made by applying the original AVHRR-based model to calibrated MODIS imagery. 
+This too resulted in only subtle changes to the original biomass map (Fig. 6b) that were rarely 
+in excess of 0.5 MgC ha−1. In most areas, our estimates were higher than those of Xia et al.19 
+
+who mapped the mean AGBC density between 1986 and 2006. Most of these elevated estimates corresponded 
+with areas in which significant NDVI increases (“greening”) have been reported while notably 
+lower estimates in the Argentine Monte and Patagonian steppe biomes of southern South America, 
+likewise, correspond with areas of reported “browning”68,69. Both greening and browning trends 
+are well documented phenomena and have been linked to climatic changes70. Moreover, we further 
+
+compared AGBC estimates from both the original Xia et al.19 map and our 2010 update to AGBC 
+field measurements coordinated by the Nutrient Network that were collected from 48 sites around 
+the world between 2007 and 200949. The RMSE (0.68 MgC ha−1) of our updated map was 10% less 
+that of the Xia et al. map for sites with less than 40% tree cover. Likewise, our 2010 estimates 
+were virtually unbiased (bias = −0.01 MgC ha−1) in comparison to the Xia map (bias = 0.25 
+
+MgC ha−1). While still noisy, these results suggest that our temporal update improved the 
+overall accuracy of estimated grassland AGBC.Finally, cropland biomass carbon maps were also 
+updated from their native epoch (2000) to 2010 using pixel-wise rates of MODIS ANPP change 
+over a ten-year period. While MODIS ANPP may be a poor snapshot of crop biomass in a single 
+year, we assumed that its relative change over time reflects real physiological shifts affecting 
+
+the cropland C cycle. This correction also resulted in only small differences that rarely 
+exceeded ±2 MgC ha−1 and that, spatially, correspond well with observed declines in the yields 
+of select crops that have been linked to climate change71,72 (Fig. 6c). Nonetheless, updated 
+global yield maps comparable to those available for 2000 would greatly improve our understanding 
+of the interactions between climate change, crop yields, and C dynamics.Belowground biomass 
+
+is notoriously difficult to measure, model, and also to validate. We accounted for the reported 
+uncertainty of nearly every variable considered when estimating belowground biomass and pixel-level 
+uncertainty, but we were unable to perform an independent validation of our harmonized estimates 
+at the pixel level due to a paucity of globally consistent field data. To complete such a 
+task, a globally orchestrated effort to collect more BGB samples data across all vegetation 
+
+types is needed.Given this lack of data, we instead compared the estimated uncertainty of 
+our BGBC maps to that of our AGBC estimates to infer the sources of any divergence (Fig. 5). 
+As expected, our cumulative BGBC uncertainty layer generally reveals greater overall uncertainty 
+than our AGBC estimates, with BGBC uncertainty roughly twice that of AGBC throughout most 
+of the globe. The highest absolute uncertainty was found in biomass rich forests. Arid woodlands, 
+
+especially those of the Sahel and eastern Namibia, generally had the greatest relative BGBC 
+uncertainty, though their absolute uncertainty was quite small (generally less than 3 MgC 
+ha−1). Here, biomass estimates of sparse woody vegetation were primarily responsible for heightened 
+relative uncertainty. High relative and absolute BGBC uncertainty were also associated with 
+predictions in select mountainous forests (e.g. east central Chile) as well as forested areas 
+
+in and around cities. These patterns were largely driven by AGB uncertainty in the GlobBiomass 
+product.The GlobBiomass global woody AGB map produced by Santoro et al.30 comprises the backbone 
+of our integrated products and, with few exceptions, remains largely unchanged in our final 
+AGBC map. The native version of the GlobBiomass map is accompanied by an error layer describing 
+the uncertainty of each pixel’s biomass estimate and this too forms the core of our integrated 
+
+uncertainty layers. In areas with tree cover, the global average error of GlobBiomass estimates 
+is 39 Mg ha−1 or 50% with greater relative uncertainty in densely forested areas, along the 
+margins of forested expanses like farm fields and cities, and in similar areas with sparse 
+tree cover.Adding additional grass or crop biomass in complementary proportion to a grid cell’s 
+tree cover often did not exceed the estimated error of the original GlobBiomass map (Fig. 
+
+7). Grid cells exceeding GlobBiomass’s native uncertainty comprise less than 40% of its total 
+extent. Exceptions were primarily found in grassland and cropland dominated regions where 
+tree cover was generally sparse, and, consequently, the herbaceous biomass contribution was 
+relatively high. Even so, the absolute magnitude of these additions remains somewhat small 
+(less than 2.3 MgC ha−1 for grassland and 15 MgC ha−1 for cropland).Differences between the 
+
+final harmonized AGBC map and GlobBiomass AGBC. GlobBiomass AGB was aggregated to a 300 m 
+spatial resolution and converted to C density prior to comparison. Negative values indicate 
+areas where the new map reports lower values than GlobBiomass while positive value denote 
+higher estimates.Larger deviations from GlobBiomass were also present in areas of both dryland 
+Africa and the Arctic tundra biome, where we used independent layers to estimate woody biomass. 
+
+In African drylands, GlobBiomass likely underestimates woody biomass by adopting the conservative 
+FAO definition (DBH > 10 cm), which implicitly omits the relatively small trees and shrubs 
+that are common to the region. The Bouvet map of Africa that we used to supplement these estimates 
+is not bound by this constraint, was developed from region-specific data, and predicts substantially 
+higher AGB density throughout much of its extent with comparatively high accuracy (RMSE = 
+
+17.1 Mg ha−1)35.GlobBiomass also included sporadic biomass estimates throughout much of the 
+Arctic tundra biome. Trees are generally scarce throughout this biome, which is instead dominated 
+by dwarf shrubs and herbaceous forbs and graminoids, so given GlobBiomass’s adherence to FAO 
+guidelines, its predictions here may be spurious. We thus prioritized the estimates of the 
+independent model developed specifically to collectively predict biomass of both woody and 
+
+herbaceous tundra vegetation. These estimates were generally higher than GlobBiomass but agreed 
+well with independent validation data from North America (RMSE = 2.9 Mg ha−1)18.While far 
+from a perfect comparison, the only other map to comprehensively report global biomass carbon 
+density for all landcover types is the IPCC Tier-1 map for the year 2000 by Ruesch and Gibbs28. 
+As previously described, this map was produced using an entirely different method (“stratify 
+
+and multiply”) and distinct data sources23 and represents an earlier epoch. However, the map 
+is widely used for myriad applications, and it may thus be informative to assess notable differences 
+between it and our new products.Ruesch and Gibbs28 report total living C stocks of 345 petagrams 
+(PgC) in AGBC and 133 PgC in BGBC for a total of 478 PgC, globally. Our estimates are lower 
+at 287 PgC and 122 PgC in global AGBC and BGBC, respectively, for a total of 409 PgC in living 
+
+global vegetation biomass. Herbaceous biomass in our maps comprised 9.1 and 28.3 PgC of total 
+AGBC and BGBC, respectively. Half of all herbaceous AGBC (4.5 PgC) and roughly 6% of all herbaceous 
+BGBC (1.7 PgC) was found in croplands. Moreover, we mapped 22.3 and 6.1 PgC, respectively, 
+in the AGB and BGB of trees located within the cropland extent. These trees constituted roughly 
+7% of all global biomass C and are likely overlooked by both the Ruesch and Gibbs map28 and 
+
+by remotely sensed forest C maps that are masked to forested areas. Zomer et al.17 first highlighted 
+this potential discrepancy in the Ruesch and Gibbs map28 when they produced a remarkably similar 
+estimate of 34.2 Pg of overlooked C in cropland trees using Tier-1 defaults. However, their 
+estimates were assumed to be in addition to the 474 PgC originally mapped by Ruesch and Gibbs28. 
+Here, we suggest that the 28.4 PgC we mapped in cropland trees is already factored into our 
+
+409 PgC total.Our AGBC product predicts substantially less biomass C than Ruesch and Gibbs28 
+throughout most of the pantropical region and, to a lesser extent, southern temperate forests 
+(Fig. 8a). This pattern has been noted by others comparing the Ruesch and Gibbs map28 to other 
+satellite-based biomass maps73 and may suggest that the IPCC default values used to create 
+it23 are spatially biased. In addition, well-defined areas of high disagreement emerge in 
+
+Africa that directly correspond with the FAO boundaries of the “tropical moist deciduous forest” 
+ecofloristic zone and suggest that this area, in particular, may merit critical review. Moreover, 
+the opposite pattern is observed in this same ecofloristic zone throughout South America. 
+Our map also predicts greater AGBC throughout much of the boreal forest as well as in African 
+shrublands and the steppes of South America.Differences between the 2010 harmonized global 
+
+maps of above and belowground biomass carbon density and those of the IPCC Tier-1 product 
+by Ruesch and Gibbs for 2000. Comparisons of AGBC (a) and BGBC (b) maps are shown separately. 
+Negative values indicate that the circa 2010 estimates are comparatively lower while positive 
+values indicate higher estimates.We observed similar, though less pronounced discrepancies, 
+when comparing BGBC maps (Fig. 8b). Notably, our map predicts substantially more BGBC throughout 
+
+the tundra biome – a previously underappreciated C stock that has recently risen to prominance74 
+– the boreal forest, African shrublands and most of South America and Australia. However, 
+we predict less BGBC in nearly all rainforests (Temperate and Tropical). These differences 
+and their distinct spatial patterns correspond with the vegetation strata used to make the 
+IPCC Tier-1 map28 and suggest that the accuracy of the “stratify and multiply” method depends 
+
+heavily upon the quality of the referenced and spatial data considered. Inaccuracies in these 
+data may, in turn, lead to false geographies. Integrating, continuous spatial estimates that 
+better capture local and regional variation, as we have done, may thus greatly improve our 
+understanding of global carbon geographies and their role in the earth system.The error and 
+variance between our woody biomass estimates – when aggregated to the country level – and 
+
+comparable totals reported in the FRA were less for comparisons made against FRA estimates 
+generated using higher tier IPCC methodologies than for those based on Tier-1 approaches (Fig. 
+9). Across the board for AGBC, BGBC, and total C comparisons, the relative RMSE (RMSECV) of 
+our estimates, when compared to estimates generated using high tier methods, was roughly half 
+of that obtained from comparisons with Tier-1 estimates (Table 8). Likewise, the coefficient 
+
+of determination (R2) was greatest for comparisons with Tier-3 estimates. For each pool-specific 
+comparison (AGBC, BGBC, and total C), the slopes of the relationships between Tier-1, 2, and 
+3 estimates were neither significantly different from a 1:1 relationship nor from one another 
+(p > 0.05; ANCOVA). Combined, these results suggest that our maps lead to C stock estimates 
+congruent with those attained from independent, higher-tier reporting methodologies.Comparison 
+
+of woody biomass density estimates to corresponding estimates of the FAO’s FRA and the USFS’s 
+FIA. National woody AGBC totals derived from the woody components of our harmonized maps are 
+compared to national totals reported in the 2015 FRA62 (a) in relation to the IPCC inventory 
+methodology used by each country. Likewise, we derived woody AGBC totals for US states and 
+compared them to the corresponding totals reported by the 2014 FIA75 (b), a Tier-3 inventory. 
+
+We also show the additional effect of considering non-woody C – as is reported in our harmonized 
+maps – in light green. Similar comparisons were made between our woody BGBC estimates and 
+the corresponding estimates of both the FRA (c) and FIA (d). We further summed our woody AGBC 
+and BGBC estimates and compared them to the total woody C stocks reported by both the FRA 
+(e) and FIA (f).To explore this association at a finer regional scale, we also compared our 
+
+woody C estimates to the United States Forest Service’s Forest Inventory Analysis75 (FIA) 
+and found similarly strong congruence for AGBC and Total C stocks but subtle overestimates 
+for BGBC (Fig. 9). The FIA is a Tier-3 inventory of woody forest biomass C stocks that is 
+based on extensive and statistically rigorous field sampling and subsequent upscaling, We 
+used data available at the state level for the year 2014 – again, the only year in which we 
+
+could obtain data partitioned by AGBC and BGBC. Like our FRA comparison, we found a tight 
+relationship between our woody AGBC totals and those reported by the FIA (Fig. 9b; RMSECV 
+= 25.7%, R2 = 0.960, slope = 1.10, n = 48). Our woody BGBC estimates, though, were systematically 
+greater than those reported by the FIA (Fig. 9d; RMSECV = 86.4%, R2 = 0.95, slope = 1.51, 
+n = 48). This trend has been noted by others27 and suggests that the global model that we 
+
+used to estimate woody BGBC may not be appropriate for some finer scale applications as is 
+foretold by the elevated uncertainty reported in our corresponding uncertainty layer (Fig. 
+5b). Our total woody C (AGBC + BGBC) estimates (Fig. 9f), however, agreed well with the FIA 
+(RMSECV = 34.1%, R2 = 0.961, slope = 1.17, n = 48) and thus reflect the outsized contribution 
+of AGBC to the total woody C stock. When the contribution of herbaceous C stocks is further 
+
+added to these comparisons, our stock estimates intuitively increase in rough proportion to 
+a state’s proportional extent of herbaceous cover. The effect of this addition is particularly 
+pronounced for BGBC estimates due to the large root-to-shoot ratios of grassland vegetation.The 
+relative congruence of our results with higher-tier stock estimates suggests that our maps 
+could be used to facilitate broader adoption of higher-tier methods among countries currently 
+
+lacking the requisite data and those seeking to better account for C in non-woody biomass. 
+This congruence spans a comprehensive range of biophysical conditions and spatial scales ranging 
+from small states to large nations. Moreover, a recent study suggests that the fidelity of 
+the underlying GlobBiomass AGB map may extend to even finer scales31. While our BGBC estimates 
+may differ from some fine-scale estimates (Fig. 9d), their tight agreement with high tier 
+
+BGBC totals at the national level (Fig. 9c) suggests that they may still be well suited for 
+many national-scale C inventories – especially for countries lacking requisite high tier data. 
+Use of our maps is unlikely to introduce error in excess of that currently implicit in Tier-1 
+estimates. Credence, though, should be given to the associated uncertainty estimates. To facilitate 
+wider adoption of higher-tier methodologies, our maps could be used to derive new, region-specific 
+
+default values for use in Tier-2 frameworks76 or to either represent or calibrate 2010 baseline 
+conditions in Tier-3 frameworks. In so doing, inventories and studies alike could more accurately 
+account for the nuanced global geographies of biomass C.These maps are intended for global 
+applications in which continuous spatial estimates of live AGBC and/or BGBC density are needed 
+that span a broad range of vegetation types and/or require estimates circa 2010. They are 
+
+loosely based upon and share the spatial resolution of the ESA CCI Landcover 2010 map37, which 
+can be used to extract landcover specific C totals. However, our products notably do not account 
+for C stored in non-living C pools like litter or coarse woody debris, nor soil organic matter, 
+though these both represent large, additional ecosystem C stocks77,78,79. Our maps are explicitly 
+intended for global scale applications seeking to consider C in the collective living biomass 
+
+of multiple vegetation types. For global scale applications focused exclusively on the C stocks 
+of a single vegetation type, we strongly encourage users to instead use the respective input 
+map or model referenced in Table 1 to avoid potential errors that may have been introduced 
+by our harmonization procedure. For AGB applications over smaller extents, users should further 
+consider whether locally specific products are available. If such maps are not available and 
+
+our maps are considered instead, credence should be given to their pixel-level uncertainty 
+estimates. As mentioned above, the biomass of shrublands was only explicitly accounted for 
+in Africa and the Arctic tundra, since neither broad-scale maps nor models generalizable to 
+other areas were available in the existing literature. As such, we caution against the use 
+of our maps outside of these areas when shrubland biomass is of particular interest or importance. 
+
+Moreover, in contrast to the estimates for all other vegetation types considered, which we 
+upscaled to a 300 m resolution, cropland C estimates were largely based on relatively coarse 
+8 km resolution data that were downscaled using bilinear resampling to achieve a 300 m spatial 
+resolution. As such, these estimates may not adequately capture the underlying finer-scale 
+spatial variation and should be interpreted with that in mind. Likewise, we reiterate that 
+
+some BGBC estimates may differ from locally derived Tier-3 estimates, and attention should 
+thus be given to our reported pixel-level uncertainty for all applications. Finally, our maps 
+should not be used in comparison with the IPCC Tier-1 map of Ruesch and Gibbs (2008) to detect 
+biomass change between the two study periods due to significant methodological differences 
+between these products.Cropland biomass maps were created in the R statistical computing environment80. 
+
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+B. R. Sugarcane as a Cattle Feed: Production and Utilization. (University of Florida Extension 
+Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, 2002).Download referencesWe gratefully acknowledge 
+all the data producers, without whom this work would not be possible. We especially thank 
+Maurizio Santoro et al., Alexandre Bouvet et al., Jiangzhou Xia et al., Logan T. Berner et 
+al., Chad Monfreda et al., and Julie Wolf et al. whose AGB estimates comprise the core of 
+
+our harmonized products and, in many cases, whose feedback greatly improved the quality of 
+their inclusion. We are also grateful to the thoughtful feedback of three anonymous reviewers 
+whose suggestions greatly improved the quality of our products and the clarity of our manuscript. 
+Funding for this project was generously provided by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation 
+and the National Wildlife Federation.Department of Geography, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 
+
+Madison, WI, USASeth A. Spawn, Clare C. Sullivan & Holly K. GibbsCenter for Sustainability 
+and the Global Environment (SAGE), Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University 
+of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USASeth A. Spawn, Clare C. Sullivan, Tyler J. Lark & Holly 
+K. GibbsYou can also search for this author in PubMed Google ScholarYou can also search for 
+this author in PubMed Google ScholarYou can also search for this author in PubMed Google ScholarYou 
+
+can also search for this author in PubMed Google ScholarS.A.S. designed the harmonization 
+procedure, compiled and standardized individual biomass layers, conducted all mapping, and 
+led manuscript development. C.C.S., T.J.L. and H.K.G. assisted with conceptualization, and 
+manuscript development.Correspondence to Seth A. Spawn.The authors declare no competing interests.Publisher’s 
+note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps 
+
+and institutional affiliations.Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons 
+Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution 
+and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original 
+author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if 
+changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in 
+
+the article’s Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the 
+material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons license and your intended 
+use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to 
+obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this license, visit 
+http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication 
+
+waiver http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ applies to the metadata files associated 
+with this article.Reprints and PermissionsSpawn, S.A., Sullivan, C.C., Lark, T.J. et al. Harmonized 
+global maps of above and belowground biomass carbon density in the year 2010. Sci Data 7, 
+112 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-020-0444-4Download citationReceived: 03 July 2019Accepted: 
+14 February 2020Published: 06 April 2020DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-020-0444-4Anyone 
+
+you share the following link with will be able to read this content:Sorry, a shareable link 
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+in science, free to your inbox daily.Find and use NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and 
+without restrictions.Recognizing the connections between interdependent Earth systems is critical 
+for understanding the world in which we live.The atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding 
+and protecting our planet from the intense radiation of the Sun and serves as a key interface 
+between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere encompasses all life on Earth and extends 
+
+from root systems to mountaintops and all depths of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining 
+species diversity, regulating climate, and providing numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere 
+encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any 
+other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays a critical role in regulating climate and 
+sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes ways humans interact with the environment 
+
+and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. It also explores the vulnerability of human 
+communities to natural disasters and hazards.The land surface discipline includes research 
+into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, and eroding soils. NASA data provide key 
+information on land surface parameters and the ecological state of our planet.This vast, critical 
+reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate Earth’s climate.Processes occurring 
+
+deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although originating from below the surface, 
+these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based measurements.The Sun influences 
+a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. NASA continually monitors 
+solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere includes water on 
+the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater along with 
+
+total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are just interested 
+in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have the resources 
+to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science data, services, 
+and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate with NASA.Making 
+NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible for research 
+
+and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.Changes in the land surface can impact climate, 
+terrestrial ecosystems, and hydrology. Land surface-related data, including land cover type, 
+land surface temperature, and topography, are critical for monitoring agricultural practices 
+and water resource availability and for guiding interventions when necessary.Land surface 
+reflectance is a measure of the fraction of incoming solar radiation reflected from Earth's 
+
+surface to a satellite-borne or aircraft-borne sensor. These data are useful because they 
+provide an estimate of the surface spectral reflectance as it would be measured at ground 
+level in the absence of atmospheric scattering or absorption, which is referred to as atmospheric 
+correction.Land surface reflectance data can be used for visualizing the surface as well as 
+for computing metrics and creating models that are useful for specific analysis. Agricultural 
+
+production estimates must be restricted to crop-specific areas (e.g., corn, soybeans, etc.) 
+to avoid confusion with other crops, natural vegetation, and areas of no vegetation. This 
+allows specific crops to be observed over time using sustained land imaging and multi-spectral 
+high-resolution imagery.An asterisk (*) next to an entry indicating that near real-time (NRT) 
+data products are available through NASA's Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for 
+
+EOS (LANCE) within three hours from satellite observation. Imagery is generally available 
+3-5 hours after observation. While not intended for scientific research, NRT data are good 
+resources for monitoring ongoing or time-critical events.Sensor(s)/ Model NameObservation 
+or Model500 m, 1 km, 5,600 m2017-present15 m, 30 m, 60 mOLI/OLI-2: 9 bands ranging from 0.43 
+µm to 1.38 µmETM+: 8 bands ranging from 0.45 µm to 12.5 µmTM: 7 bands ranging in wavelength 
+
+from 0.45 µm to 2.35 µmOLI-2, OLI, ETM+, TMGeoTIFFOLI/OLI-2: 9 bands ranging from 0.43 µm 
+to 1.38 µmMSI: 12 bands ranging from 0.443 µm to 2.190 µmThe Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission 
+and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) instrument is a cooperative effort between NASA and Japan's 
+Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). ASTER Surface Reflectance data can be visualized 
+and interactively explored using NASA Worldview:Research quality ASTER data products are available 
+
+through Earthdata Search:Back to the TableThe Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+), the Operational 
+Land Imager (OLI) and OLI-2, and the Thermal Infrared Sensor-2 (TIRS-2) are aboard the joint 
+NASA/USGS Landsat series of satellites.OLI data can be visualized and interactively explored 
+using NASA Worldview:Research quality Landsat land surface reflectance data products can be 
+accessed directly using USGS EarthExplorer:Back to the TableHarmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 
+
+(HLS) data provide consistent global observation of Earth’s surface reflectance and top-of-atmosphere 
+(TOA) brightness data from the Landsat OLI and OLI-2 and the ESA (European Space Agency) Multi-Spectral 
+Instrument (MSI) aboard the Sentinel-1A/B satellites every 2-3 days with 30 meter spatial 
+resolution.HLS Surface Reflectance data can be visualized and interactively explored using 
+NASA Worldview:Research quality HLS data products can be accessed directly from Earthdata 
+
+Search:The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) tool 
+offers a simple and efficient way to access, transform, and visualize geospatial data from 
+a variety of federal data archives, including USGS Landsat Analysis Ready Data (ARD) surface 
+reflectance products. Back to the TableModerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 
+Surface Reflectance products provide an estimate of the surface spectral reflectance as it 
+
+would be measured at ground level in the absence of atmospheric scattering or absorption.MODIS 
+Surface Reflectance data can be visualized and interactively explored using NASA Worldview:Multiple 
+Geographic Information Systems (GIS) MODIS Surface Reflectance data layers with different 
+band combinations are available through Esri’s ArcGIS OnLine (AGOL). NASA GIS data may be 
+used with open-source GIS software such as Quantum GIS or Geographic Resources Analysis Support 
+
+System (GRASS). Learn more about these tools in the Use the Data section below.Research quality 
+MODIS data products can be accessed directly from Earthdata Search:Near real-time (NRT) MODIS 
+Surface Reflectance data are available through NASA’s Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability 
+for EOS (LANCE) within 60 to 125 minutes after a satellite observation:Back to the TableThe 
+Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument is aboard the NASA/NOAA Suomi 
+
+National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) and NOAA-20 satellites. VIIRS/NPP Land Surface 
+Reflectance Data from Earthdata Search Data are available daily and 8-day at various spatial 
+resolutions.Near real-time (NRT) VIIRS Surface Reflectance data are available through LANCE 
+within 60 to 125 minutes after a satellite observation:Back to the TableLand Surface Temperature 
+(LST) describes processes such as the exchange of energy and water between the land surface 
+
+and Earth's atmosphere. LST influences the rate and timing of plant growth and is affected 
+by the albedo, or reflectance, of a surface. These data can improve decision-making for water 
+use and irrigation strategies, and are also an indicator for crop health and water stress.An 
+asterisk (*) next to an entry indicating that near real-time (NRT) data products are available 
+through NASA's Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for EOS (LANCE) within three hours 
+
+from satellite observation. Imagery is generally available 3-5 hours after observation. While 
+not intended for scientific research, NRT data are good resources for monitoring ongoing or 
+time-critical events.1 km, 0.05°0.25°, 0.5°, 1° GeoTIFFMODIS LST data can be visualized and 
+interactively explored using NASA Worldview:MODIS LST data can be visualized in Giovanni:Research 
+quality LST data products can be accessed directly from Earthdata Search and also are available 
+
+through the Data Pool at NASA’s Land Processes DAAC (LP DAAC).The AppEEARS tool and MODIS 
+subsetting tools can be used to quickly extract a subset of MODIS data for a region of interest.Near 
+real-time (NRT) MODIS LST data are available through LANCE within 60 to 125 minutes after 
+a satellite observation.Back to the TableResearch quality LST data from the Advanced Spaceborne 
+Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) are available in HDF-EOS format:Back to 
+
+the TableA suite of MODIS LST and Emissivity (LST&E) products are available that combine MODIS 
+data with ASTER data to leverage the strengths from both sensors. These integrated LST data 
+can be visualized and interactively explored using NASA Worldview:Back to the TableThe ECOsystem 
+Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) mission measures the 
+temperature of plants to better understand how much water plants need and how they respond 
+
+to stress.The AppEEARS tool and MODIS subsetting tools can be used to quickly extract a subset 
+of ECOSTRESS data for a region of interest.Back to the TableThe Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer 
+Suite (VIIRS) instrument is aboard the NASA/NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership 
+(Suomi NPP) and NOAA-20 satellites. Research quality LST data products from VIIRS: Near real-time 
+(NRT) VIRS LST data are available through LANCE within 60 to 125 minutes after a satellite 
+
+observation:Back to the TableLST data are produced as part of the NASA/USGS Landsat series 
+of Earth observing missions.<LST data through the USGS EarthExplorerBack to the TableThe NASA 
+Making Earth System Data Records for Use in Research Environments (MEaSUREs) provides Land 
+Surface Temperature (LST) derived from the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite data record from 
+the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer 
+
+Suite (VIIRS) instruments as well as LST error estimates for both day and night.Back to the 
+TableNASA’s Land Data Assimilation System (LDAS) uses sophisticated numerical models of physical 
+processes to integrate multiple satellite and ground-based data products. LDAS uses advanced 
+land surface modeling and assimilation techniques to deliver physically consistent and spatially 
+and temporally continuous data.LDAS and its various projects have a variety of uses:LDAS components 
+
+and projects:LDAS LST data can be visualized in Giovanni. Monthly data are available from 
+2002:Research quality NLDAS LST data products: Please see the LDAS FAQ for additional ways 
+to obtain, subset, and view LDAS datasets, including fast time series "data rods", file format 
+conversion, and other web services that provide LDAS data.Back to the TableModern-Era Retrospective 
+analysis for Research and Applications version 2 (MERRA-2) is the latest version of global 
+
+atmospheric satellite data reanalysis produced by NASA’s Global Modeling and Assimilation 
+Office (GMAO). The dataset covers 1980-present with the latency of approximately three weeks 
+after the end of a month.NRT imagery of LST data can be interactively explored using NASA 
+Worldview:MERRA-2 data can be visualized in Giovanni. Monthly data are available starting 
+in 2002:MERRA-2 LST data are available for download in Earthdata Search.Back to the TableThe 
+
+NASA Earth Exchange Global Daily Downscaled Projections (NEX-GDDP) dataset is comprised of 
+high-resolution, bias-corrected global downscaled climate projections derived from the General 
+Circulation Model (GCM) runs conducted under the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 
+6 (CMIP6) and across all four “Tier 1” greenhouse gas emissions scenarios known as Shared 
+Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). This dataset provides a set of global, high resolution, bias-corrected 
+
+climate change projections that can be used to evaluate climate change impacts on processes 
+that are sensitive to finer-scale climate gradients and the effects of local topography on 
+climate conditions. Uses include: air temperature, precipitation volume, humidity, stellar 
+radiation, and atmospheric wind speed.NEX-GDDP-CMIP6 data are available through the NASA Center 
+for Climate Simulation (NCCS):Back to the TableAn understanding of topography is essential 
+
+when assessing an area's runoff potential, the availability of water in lower-lying areas, 
+a site’s suitability for planting, and other site-specific applications. These data are often 
+in the form of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) or grids with values representing the height 
+of a cell.Sensor(s)/ Model NameHDF-EOS or GeoTIFF51.6° N and 51.6° SOne of the most common 
+topography data sources is the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). SRTM provides a DEM 
+
+of all land between 60° north and 56° south latitude, which encompasses about 80% of Earth's 
+landmass. The Terra Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) 
+Digital Elevation Model provides a global digital elevation model (DEM) of land areas on Earth 
+at a spatial resolution of 1 arc second (approximately 30 meter horizontal posting at the 
+equator).DEM data accuracy is typically very sensitive to vegetation cover; however, data 
+
+from the ASTER instrument tend to perform better over specific landcover types. Applications 
+include identifying crop stress, mapping surface temperatures of soils and geology, and measuring 
+surface heat balance.The NASADEM data product was released in February 2020 and provides 1 
+arc-second resolution. NASADEM extends the legacy of the SRTM by improving the DEM height 
+accuracy and data coverage as well as providing additional SRTM radar-related data products.Imagery 
+
+can be interactively explored using NASA Worldview:Research quality topography data products 
+are available from Earthdata Search:In addition to Earthdata Search, SRTM and ASTER data can 
+be accessed through AppEEARS.Back to the TableThe Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation 
+(GEDI) Level 3 Land Surface Metrics dataset provides gridded mean canopy height, standard 
+deviation of canopy height, mean ground elevation, standard deviation of ground elevation, 
+
+and counts of laser footprints per 1 km x 1 km grid cells within 52° north and south latitude. 
+Data are available from April 2019 through 2022. Level 3 gridded products can be used to create 
+digital elevation models, characterize important carbon and water cycling processes, and more. 
+Users may download customized subsets (Level 3 and Level 4) of GEDI data using the Spatial 
+Data Access Tool through the at The Oak Ridge National Laboratory Distributed Active Archive 
+
+Center (ORNL DAAC).GEDI L3 Gridded Land Surface Metrics data can be visualized and interactively 
+explored using NASA Worldview:Research quality data can be accessed using Earthdata Search:Back 
+to the TableVegetation is a key component of the overall Earth system. It plays a critical 
+role in the movement of water at all levels, including the ecosystem and landscape levels. 
+Assessments of vegetation health, including vegetation greenness, land cover type, evapotranspiration, 
+
+and evaporative stress, are critical to monitoring agricultural practices and water resource 
+availability and for deciding when interventions are necessary.Aboveground Biomass (AGB) is 
+a widely-used variable that helps characterize the growth of crops and forecast their yields.The 
+Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) is a joint mission between NASA and the University 
+of Maryland, with the instrument installed on the International Space Station. Data acquired 
+
+using the instrument’s three lasers are used to construct detailed 3D maps of forest canopy 
+height and the distribution of branches and leaves. GEDI data play an important role in understanding 
+the amounts of biomass and carbon forests store and how much they lose when disturbed. GEDI 
+data also can be used to study plant and animal habitats and biodiversity along with how these 
+change over time. New research supported by NASA Harvest reveals these data also can be used 
+
+to map where different types of crops are being grown.Research quality Level 3 data can be 
+accessed using Earthdata Search:GEDI Level 4B data provide gridded 1km x 1km estimates of 
+mean aboveground biomass density (AGBD). This dataset provides gridded estimates of aboveground 
+biomass density at a greater accuracy and resolution than previously available.Model GEDI 
+AGBD data can be accessed using Earthdata Search:The Evaporative Stress Index (ESI) describes 
+
+temporal anomalies in ET and highlights areas with anomalously high or low rates of water 
+use across the land surface. ESI also demonstrates the capability for capturing early signals 
+of "flash drought" brought on by extended periods of hot, dry, and windy conditions that can 
+lead to rapid soil moisture depletion.30 m, 70 mTarget areas every 1-7 daysThe Ecostress ESI 
+product is derived from the ratio of Level 3 actual ET to potential ET (PET). ESI data can 
+
+be used to assess agricultural drought and observe vegetation stress.Water use efficiency 
+(WUE) is the ratio of carbon stored by plants to water evaporated by plants. This ratio is 
+given as grams of carbon stored per kilogram of water evaporated over the course of the day 
+from sunrise to sunset on the day when the ECOSTRESS data granule is acquired.Level 4 (modeled) 
+ECOSTRESS ESI and WUE products can be accessed using Earthdata Search:MODIS ESI data can be 
+
+visualized in a web map service via ArcGIS REST Service:Evapotranspiration (ET) is the sum 
+of evaporation from the land surface and transpiration in vegetation. ET measurements are 
+useful in monitoring and assessing water availability, drought conditions, and crop production. 
+An increase in available energy through changes in cloud cover, seasonal lengthening of daylight, 
+and similar variables favors primary production and ET. This, in turn, extracts available 
+
+water from the soil and represents the largest component of consumptive water use in the U.S. 
+If this soil water is not replenished through rain or irrigation, plants close their stomata 
+to retain water and primary production is reduced. By comparing observed ET to a modeled expectation 
+of crop water requirements, ET observations can be used to schedule irrigation applications 
+and improve agricultural water management.ET can't be measured directly with satellite instruments 
+
+because it is modeled based on variables including land surface temperature, air temperature, 
+and solar radiation. NASA has Level 4 data products that incorporate daily meteorological 
+reanalysis data with remote sensing data that provide estimations of ET, such as the MODIS 
+MOD16 product.30 m, 70 mNASA's ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space 
+Station (ECOSTRESS), installed on the International Space Station in June 2018, measures the 
+
+temperature of plants to better understand how they respond to the stress of insufficient 
+water availability. Learn more in this YouTube video: Monitoring Plant Health from Space: 
+NASA’s ECOSTRESS Mission.Research quality ECOSTRESS ET data products can be accessed directly 
+using Earthdata Search or the Data Pool at LP DAAC. Datasets are available in HDF format but, 
+in some cases, customizable to GeoTIFF:MODIS aboard NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites yields 
+
+data that are used to estimate global terrestrial evapotranspiration using the MOD16 global 
+evapotranspiration product.Back to the TableThe Landsat Provisional Actual Evapotranspiration 
+(ETa) product can be used to better understand the spatiotemporal dynamics of water use over 
+land surfaces. Provisional ETa science products are available globally for Thematic Mapper 
+(TM), Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), and Operational Land Imager/Thermal Infrared Sensor 
+
+(OLI/TIRS) scenes that can be successfully processed to Landsat Collection 2 Level-2 Surface 
+Temperature products.The Landsat 7 and 8 satellites orbit Earth every eight days. Each satellite 
+carries a thermal sensor that can measure the temperature of everything they pass over. The 
+sensor swath is 115 miles (185 kilometers) and the data in these images are provided at a 
+resolution of about a quarter of an acre, or roughly about the size of a baseball infield. 
+
+By combining these temperature measurements with other satellite and weather data, scientists 
+can calculate how much evapotranspiration is taking place. This provides an orbital view of 
+how much water is being used across the landscape and allows information to be provided for 
+individual fields and farms just about once a week.Research quality land surface reflectance 
+data products can be accessed directly using Earthdata Search:Back to the TableResearch quality 
+
+MODIS Level 4 ET products are available in yearly and 8-day temporal resolutions with 500 
+m pixel size:NASA's Land Data Assimilation System (LDAS) provides model-based ET data and 
+includes a global collection (GLDAS) and a North American collection (NLDAS). LDAS uses measurements 
+of precipitation, soil texture, topography, and leaf area index (LAI) to model soil moisture 
+and ET. When calculating ET, there are biases around seasonality or local-specific effects, 
+
+but the model developers try to account for these and calibrate accordingly. Estimates of 
+ET are provided every day and integrated to get monthly, seasonal, or annual information.GLDAS 
+data products can be visualized using a NASA interactive data analysis tool called Giovanni:Research 
+quality ET data are available through NASA’s Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services 
+Center (GES DISC):Land cover data help quantify land degradation caused by deforestation for 
+
+agriculture and livestock production. NASA data are used, with other data, as tools for sustainable 
+land management strategies to maintain vegetative cover and health. 2001-2021The Moderate 
+Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Terra and Aqua Land Cover Type data product (MCD12Q1) 
+provides global land cover types at yearly intervals. This product is derived using supervised 
+classifications of MODIS surface reflectance data. The supervised classifications then undergo 
+
+additional post-processing that incorporates prior knowledge and ancillary information to 
+further refine specific land type classes.These data can be accessed and downloaded using 
+NASA Worldview and Earthdata Search:The Global Food Security-support Analysis Data 30 meter 
+(GFSAD30) collection from NASA NASA MEaSUREs provides global cropland extent data that are 
+divided and distributed into seven separate regional datasets for the year 2015 (2010 for 
+
+North America) at 30 m resolution. These datasets provide baseline data that are used in many 
+agricultural cropland studies pertaining to water sustainability and food security. Another 
+relevant dataset is the Global Hyperspectral Imaging Spectral-library of Agricultural crops 
+(GHISA). These data are available for the conterminous U.S. (GHISACONUS), and provide dominant 
+crop data (rice, corn, soybeans, cotton, and winter wheat) based on hyperspectral data from 
+
+the Hyperion instrument aboard NASA's Earth Observing-1 satellite (EO-1). Crop growth states 
+for major agricultural crops are included in the spectral library. GHISACASIA provides dominant 
+crop data (wheat, rice, corn, alfalfa, and cotton) in different growth stages across the Galaba 
+and Kuva farm fields in the Syr Darya river basin in Central Asia.GSFAD30 and GHISA data are 
+available through Earthdata Search:GSFAD and GHISA data also are available through NASA’s 
+
+LP DAAC:The USDA's interactive CropScape tool provides crop-specific land cover data layers 
+created annually for the continental U.S. using moderate resolution Landsat satellite imagery 
+and extensive agricultural validation from ground-based measurements. The USDA Crop Explorer 
+provides global information by region or by crop commodity. This service offers advanced tools 
+such as interactive visualization, web-based data dissemination and geospatial queries, and 
+
+automated data delivery to systems such as Google Earth.NASA’s Making Earth System Data Records 
+for Use in Research Environments (MEaSUREs) Global Land Cover Mapping and Estimation (GLanCE) 
+annual 30m Version 1 data product provides global land cover and land cover change data derived 
+from Landsat TM, ETM+, and OLI data. These maps provide the user community with land cover 
+type, land cover change, metrics characterizing the magnitude and seasonality of greenness 
+
+of each pixel, and the magnitude of change. This dataset is useful for a wide range of applications, 
+including ecosystem, climate, and hydrologic modeling; monitoring the response of terrestrial 
+ecosystems to climate change; carbon accounting; and land management. Leaf Area Index (LAI) 
+is a ratio of leaf surface area to ground surface area. This assigns a quantifiable value 
+to the amount of vegetation on the ground and is an important indicator of the condition and 
+
+future potential yield of a crop. Knowing the total leaf area in a plant canopy helps scientists 
+determine how much water will be stored and released by an ecosystem, how much leaf litter 
+it will generate, and how much photosynthesis is occurring. These data are used to estimate 
+crop characteristics and extrapolated to predict crop condition and future yield. The Multi-angle 
+Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) Level 3 FIRSTLOOK Global Land product in netCDF format features 
+
+LAI. This data product is a global summary of the Level 2 land/surface parameters of interest 
+averaged over a month and reported on a geographic grid.Global MISR LAI data are available 
+to browse, visualize, and download through the MISR Level 3 Data Browser.Research quality 
+data are available through Earthdata SearchMODIS LAI data can be visualized and interactively 
+explored using NASA Worldview:MODIS LAI Level 4 data are available starting in 2000 through 
+
+Earthdata Search:VIIRS LAI Level 4 data are available starting in 2012 through Earthdata Search:LAI 
+data products can be visualized as a time-averaged map, an animation, seasonal maps, scatter 
+plots, or a time series through Giovanni:MERRA-2 data are available for download in Earthdata 
+Search:Surface reflectance is a measure of the fraction of incoming solar radiation reflected 
+from Earth's surface to a satellite-borne or aircraft-borne sensor. It is useful for measuring 
+
+the greenness of vegetation, which can then be used to determine phenological transition dates 
+including the start of the growing season, the period of peak growth, and the end of the growing 
+season. Agricultural production estimates must be restricted to crop-specific areas to avoid 
+confusion with other crops, natural vegetation, and areas of no vegetation. This allows specific 
+crops to be followed through time using sustained land imaging and multi-spectral high-resolution 
+
+imagery.500 m, 1 km, 5,600 mOLI, OLI-2, MSIModerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 
+Surface Reflectance products provide an estimate of the surface spectral reflectance as it 
+would be measured at ground level in the absence of atmospheric scattering or absorption.MODIS 
+Surface Reflectance data can be visualized and interactively explored using NASA Worldview:Multiple 
+Geographic Information Systems (GIS) MODIS Surface Reflectance data layers with different 
+
+band combinations are available through Esri’s ArcGIS OnLine (AGOL). NASA’s GIS data may be 
+used with open source GIS software such as Quantum GIS or Geographic Resources Analysis Support 
+System (GRASS) GIS at no cost:Research quality MODIS data products can be accessed directly 
+from Earthdata SearchNear real-time (NRT) MODIS Surface Reflectance data are available through 
+NASA’s Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for EOS (LANCE) within 60 to 125 minutes 
+
+after a satellite observation:The Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) and the Operational Land 
+Imager (OLI) aboard the NASA/USGS Landsat 7 (ETM+) spacecraft and Landsat 8 (OLI) spacecraft 
+acquire VNIR data at 30 m spatial resolution every 16 days (fewer days as you move away from 
+the equator). Landsat 9 carries two instruments: the OLI-2 (which is a copy of the Landsat 
+8 OLI) and the Thermal Infrared Sensor-2 (TIRS-2). TIRS-2 measures land surface temperature 
+
+in two thermal infrared bands.Research quality surface reflectance data products can be accessed 
+using USGS EarthExplorer:Back to the TableA high-resolution land surface reflectance imagery 
+option is Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 (HLS). HLS imagery provide consistent surface reflectance 
+and top of atmosphere brightness data from the Landsat 8 OLI, the Landsat 9 OLI-2, and the 
+Multi-Spectral Instrument (MSI) aboard the ESA (European Space Agency) Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B 
+
+satellites. The harmonized measurement enables global land observations every 2-3 days at 
+30 m spatial resolution.Back to the TableThe Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection 
+Radiometer (ASTER) instrument acquires visible and near-infrared (VNIR) reflectance data at 
+15 m spatial resolution and short wave infrared (SWIR) reflectance data at 30m spatial resolution. 
+ASTER data can be accessed and downloaded using NASA Worldview:ASTER is a cooperative effort 
+
+between NASA and Japan's Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI). As a tasked sensor, 
+ASTER acquires data when it is directed to do so over specific targets. This makes its temporal 
+resolution variable depending on the requested target region of interest:Back to the TableThe 
+Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument is aboard the NASA/NOAA Suomi 
+National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) and NOAA-20 satellites. VIIRS Surface Reflectance 
+
+data can be visualized and interactively explored using NASA Worldview: • VIIRS Surface Reflectance 
+data Research quality VIIRS data products can be accessed directly from Earthdata Search: 
+• VIIRS/NPP Land Surface Reflectance Data from Earthdata Search Data are available daily and 
+8-day at various spatial resolutions.Near real-time (NRT) VIIRS Surface Reflectance data are 
+available through LANCE within 60 to 125 minutes after a satellite observation:VIIRS/NPP Atmospherically 
+
+Corrected Surface Reflectance 6-Min L2 Swath IP 375m, 750m NRTVIIRS/NPP Surface Reflectance 
+Daily L2G Global 1km and 500m SIN Grid NRTVegetation indices can be used to measure the amount 
+of green vegetation over a given area, which is used as an assessment of vegetation health. 
+Commonly used vegetation indices are the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Enhanced 
+Vegetation Index (EVI), and EVI2.The NDVI takes the difference between near-infrared (NIR) 
+
+and red reflectance divided by their sum: NDVI = (NIR - VIS)/(NIR + VIS). Resulting values 
+range from -1 to 1. Low values of NDVI correspond to low photosynthetic activity (e.g., unhealthy 
+vegetation) or non-vegetated surfaces, such as areas of rock, sand, exposed soils, or snow. 
+Higher NDVI values generally indicate greener, more lush vegetation, including forests, croplands, 
+and wetlands. The EVI minimizes canopy-soil variations and improves sensitivity over dense 
+
+vegetation. The EVI2 minimizes atmospheric effects.250 m, 500 m, 1 km500 m, 1 km, 0.05°0.5° 
+x 0.625°1980-presentVegetation products created from data acquired by the Moderate Resolution 
+Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument and the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite 
+(VIIRS) can be accessed in several ways. Imagery can be interactively explored using NASA 
+Worldview:Note: The Terra/MODIS NDVI (rolling 8-day) and EVI (rolling 8-day) are only available 
+
+in Worldview for the last 20 days; older NDVI or EVI imagery are available using use the Level 
+3, 16-Day, or Monthly Vegetation Index and EVI layers.NDVI data products can be visualized 
+as a time-averaged map, an animation, seasonally-averaged maps, scatter plots, or a time series 
+using a NASA online interactive data analysis tool called Giovanni:Multiple Geographic Information 
+Systems (GIS) MODIS Surface Reflectance data layers with different band combinations are available 
+
+through Esri’s ArcGIS OnLine (AGOL). NASA GIS data may be used with open-source GIS software 
+such as Quantum GIS or Geographic Resources Analysis Support System (GRASS) GIS at no cost:Research 
+quality vegetation indices can be accessed directly using Earthdata Search (datasets are available 
+as in HDF format but are, in some cases, customizable to GeoTIFF):NRT MODIS vegetation data 
+can be accessed and downloaded through LANCE.MODIS NDVI Anomaly data are available through 
+
+the original Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) Global Agriculture Monitoring 
+System (GLAM) created by the University of Maryland with NASA and the USDA. The Global Agriculture 
+Monitoring system 2 (GLAM 2) was developed by NASA Harvest: NASA’s Food Security and Agriculture 
+Program. GLAM 2 is a near real-time monitoring of global croplands that enables users to track 
+crop conditions as growing seasons unfold. GLAM 2 offers NDVI along with a suite of meteorological 
+
+and soil moisture data. Since GLAM data processing is cloud-based and does not rely on local 
+bandwidth to compile datasets, users can access the publicly available web interface from 
+anywhere in the world. New functions, such as custom time series charts, cropland, and crop 
+type masks, have recently been implemented. Back to the TableBack to the TableWater is a key 
+component of the overall Earth system, cycling through each component, moving within the atmosphere, 
+
+the ocean, the cryosphere (including snow cover and snowpack), surface water of rivers and 
+lakes, and subsurface water. Water availability is critical for human consumption, agriculture 
+and food security, industry, and energy development. Assessing water availability, including 
+the amount and type of precipitation is critical to monitoring agricultural practices and 
+water resource availability and for providing interventions when necessary.According to the 
+
+U.N., water use has been growing globally at twice the rate as the global population is increasing. 
+More and more areas are reaching the limit at which water services can be sustainably delivered, 
+especially in arid regions. Groundwater, a major water resource for maintaining cropland productivity, 
+is declining through the extensive use of water for agricultural irrigation, where aquifer 
+recharge cannot keep up with groundwater extraction. Unfortunately, changes in terrestrial 
+
+water storage, especially with regard to groundwater, are poorly known and sparsely sampled. 
+Complicating matters further, global freshwater is not only unevenly distributed, but sources 
+of freshwater such as lakes and rivers often cross geopolitical boundaries. Integrating satellite 
+data with land-based and other measurements, geospatial data, and hydrologic models help to 
+better understand controls on global water resources and how changing water resources impact 
+
+social-environmental systems across geopolitical boundaries.380 km2Instruments aboard the 
+joint NASA/German Space Agency Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE, operational 
+2002 to 2017) and GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO, launched in 2018) satellites obtain measurements 
+about changes in Earth's gravity. Since water has mass, changes in groundwater storage can 
+be detected as changes in gravity. GRACE and GRACE-FO measurements help assess water storage 
+
+changes in monthly, total surface, and groundwater depth. These data are available from 2002 
+to present; the data track total water storage time-variations and anomalies (changes from 
+the time-mean) at a resolution of approximately 90,000 km2 and larger. These measurements 
+are unimpeded by clouds and track the entire land water column from the surface down to deep 
+aquifers. GRACE and GRACE-FO data are uniquely valuable for regional studies to determine 
+
+general trends in land water storage as well as for assessing basin-scale water budgets (e.g., 
+the balance between precipitation, evapotranspiration, and runoff).The GRACE and GRACE-FO 
+Mascon Ocean, Ice, and Hydrology Equivalent Water Height dataset provides gridded monthly 
+global water storage/height anomalies relative to a time-mean. The data are processed at NASA’s 
+Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) using the mascon approach. Mass Concentration blocks (mascons) 
+
+are a form of gravity field basis functions to which GRACE observations are optimally fit. 
+For more information on this approach, see the JPL Monthly Mass Grids webpage. Data are represented 
+as Water Equivalent Thickness (WET), representing the total terrestrial water storage anomalies 
+from soil moisture, snow, surface water (including rivers, lakes, and reservoirs), as well 
+as groundwater and aquifers.GRACE and GRACE-FO data can be visualized and interactively explored 
+
+using tools below. Both products incorporate a Coastal Resolution Improvement filter that 
+reduces leakage errors across coastlines:Research-quality data products can be accessed using 
+Earthdata Search:Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center use GRACE-FO data to generate 
+weekly groundwater and soil moisture drought indicators. The drought indicators describe current 
+wet or dry conditions, expressed as a percentile showing the probability of occurrence for 
+
+a specific location and time of year, with lower values (orange/red) indicating drier than 
+normal conditions and higher values (blues) indicating wetter than normal conditions. The 
+drought model is also used to make forecasts of expected drought conditions one, two, and 
+three months into the future.Back to the TableGRACE Groundwater storage percentile modeled 
+data:Back to the TableWeekly groundwater and soil moisture drought indicators are available 
+
+each week based on terrestrial water storage observations derived from GRACE satellite data 
+and integrated with other observations using a sophisticated numerical model of land surface 
+water and energy processes:Back to the TableNASA, in collaboration with other agencies, has 
+developed models of groundwater that incorporate satellite information with ground-based data 
+(when ground-based data are available). These models are part of the Land Data Assimilation 
+
+System (LDAS), which includes a global collection (GLDAS) and a North American collection 
+(NLDAS). GLDAS Groundwater Storage data have spatial resolution of 0.25° and are available 
+at daily temporal resolution. GLDAS data are available from January 1948 to present:NASA's 
+Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) optimally reorganized 
+some large hydrological datasets as time series (also known as data rods) for a set of water 
+
+cycle-related variables from the NLDAS and GLDAS, the Land Parameter Parameter Model (LPRM), 
+TRMM, and GRACE data assimilation. These are available at GES DISC Hydrology Data Rods. Back 
+to the TableThe Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 
+(MERRA-2) provides data beginning in 1980. Due to the amount of historical data available, 
+MERRA-2 data can be used to look for trends and patterns, as well as anomalies. There are 
+
+several options available: hourly and monthly from 1980.MERRA-2 Groundwater model data:Back 
+to the TableSurface runoff is the volume of available surface water after a precipitation 
+event that has been partitioned into evapotranspiration (ET) and stored as soil moisture. 
+This available water may be used for irrigation, domestic use, and for livestock. Droughts 
+are indicated by lower surface runoff anomaly values showing that water reservoirs have received 
+
+less than normal amounts of surface runoff. Elevated total runoff anomaly values may indicate 
+flooding events and have lasting impacts on crops, livestock, and residents. Runoff potential 
+is important data for water resources and agricultural management, especially after storm 
+events and wildfires. Runoff can impact water quality as chemicals from fertilizers and stormwater 
+runoff, debris, and waste products enter water bodies. Satellites cannot measure runoff directly; 
+
+however, information that can be used to predict runoff can be measured remotely. These data 
+are then input, along with ground-based data, into land surface models to estimate runoff. 
+NASA's Land Data Assimilation System (LDAS), of which there is a global collection (GLDAS) 
+and a North American collection (NLDAS), takes inputs of measurements like precipitation, 
+soil texture, topography, and leaf area index and then uses those inputs to model output estimates 
+
+of runoff and evapotranspiration:Research quality LDAS Total Runoff data are available in 
+Earthdata Search:Back to the TableModern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications 
+version 2 (MERRA-2) is the latest version of global atmospheric reanalysis for the satellite 
+era produced by NASA Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) using the Goddard Earth 
+Observing System Model (GEOS) version. The dataset covers the period of 1980-present with 
+
+the latency of approximately three weeks after the end of a month:Research quality MERRA-2 
+Total Runoff datasets are available in Earthdata Search:Back to the TableThe NASA Earth Exchange 
+Global Daily Downscaled Projections (NEX-GDDP) dataset is comprised of high-resolution, bias-corrected 
+global downscaled climate projections derived from the General Circulation Model (GCM) runs 
+conducted under the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) and across all four 
+
+“Tier 1” greenhouse gas emissions scenarios known as Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). 
+This dataset provides a set of global, high resolution, bias-corrected climate change projections 
+that can be used to evaluate climate change impacts on processes that are sensitive to finer-scale 
+climate gradients and the effects of local topography on climate conditions. Uses include: 
+air temperature, precipitation volume, humidity, stellar radiation, and atmospheric wind speed.NEX-GDDP-CMIP6 
+
+data are available through the NASA Center for Climate Simulation (NCCS):Back to the TableSeasonal 
+water runoff from snowpack and glaciers provide irrigation and drinking water for billions 
+of people worldwide. The Indus Basin in Asia, for example, is the largest irrigation system 
+in the world; snow melt from the Himalayan mountains is essential for rice production in the 
+basin and contributes significantly to agricultural irrigation. Changes in global snow cover 
+
+can have major impacts on food production.Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) is the amount of water 
+contained in snowpack. It is analogous to melting the snow and measuring the depth of the 
+resulting pool of water. SWE measurements are useful for assessing both the potential surface 
+runoff from snowmelt and the water availability for regions in lower elevations.An asterisk 
+(*) next to an entry indicating that near real-time (NRT) data products are available through 
+
+NASA's Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for EOS (LANCE) within three hours from 
+satellite observation. Imagery is generally available 3-5 hours after observation. While not 
+intended for scientific research, NRT data are good resources for monitoring ongoing or time-critical 
+events.1-2 days, 8 days, MonthlyNear real-time snow cover data can be interactively explored 
+using NASA Worldview:Research quality data products can be accessed using Earthdata Search:Near 
+
+real-time (NRT) MODIS snow cover data are available through LANCE 60 to 125 minutes after 
+a satellite observation. GIS layer displaying water states (ice, snow, water, etc.):Back to 
+the TableThe Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR) for EOS (AMSR-E) instrument and 
+the AMSR-2 instrument provide SWE data.Near real-time data can be interactively explored using 
+NASA Worldview:Research quality data products can be accessed using Earthdata Search:Near 
+
+real-time (NRT) AMSR2 snow water equivalent data are available through LANCE 60 to 125 minutes 
+after a satellite observation. NASA's Airborne Snow Observatory (ASO) mission collects data 
+on snowmelt flowing out of major water basins in the Western U.S. The mission began in April 
+2013 as a collaboration between NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the California 
+Department of Water Resources, with weekly flights over the Tuolumne River Basin in California 
+
+and monthly flights over the Uncompahgre River Basin in Colorado during the snowmelt season. 
+Current data collection is undertaken by Airborne Snow Observatories, Inc., a private company 
+working in partnership with Esri and the Weather Research and Forecasting Model Hydrological 
+modeling system (WRF-Hydro) team of the National Center for Atmospheric Research.Back to the 
+TableAnother NASA source for SWE data is Daymet, which can be accessed through NASA's ORNL 
+
+DAAC. Daymet is a collection of gridded estimates of daily weather parameters including minimum 
+and maximum temperature, precipitation, vapor pressure, radiation, snow water equivalent, 
+and day length at 1 km resolution over the North America, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii from 1980 
+to present (North America and Hawaii) and from 1950 to present (Puerto Rico). Back to the 
+TableNASA, in collaboration with other agencies, has developed models of snow cover and depth 
+
+that incorporate satellite information with ground-based data (when ground-based data are 
+available). These models are part of the Land Data Assimilation System (LDAS), which includes 
+a global collection (GLDAS) and a North American collection (NLDAS). Snow depth data products 
+are are available from Giovanni. These data can be visualized as a time-averaged map, an animation, 
+seasonally-averaged maps, scatter plots, or a time series using an online interactive data 
+
+analysis tool called Giovanni:GLDAS model data are available from NASA's GES DISC:Back to 
+the TableThe Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) 
+provides data beginning in 1980. Due to the amount of historical data available, MERRA-2 data 
+can be used to look for trends and patterns, as well as anomalies. There are several options 
+available: hourly and monthly from 1980.MERRA -2 Snow data products can be visualized as a 
+
+time-averaged map, an animation, seasonally-averaged maps, scatter plots, or a time series 
+using a NASA interactive data analysis tool called Giovanni:Back to the TableSoil moisture 
+is vital for crop growth and yield, while extreme values (high or low) can negatively impact 
+crop growth. Timely seasonal soil moisture information enhances food security and provides 
+the ability to detect drought and other water-related stressors (such as root rot) on crop 
+
+production. Soil moisture datasets indicate the amount of water at a specific location in 
+the soil profile, based either on depth or infiltration time.An asterisk (*) next to an entry 
+indicating that near real-time (NRT) data products are available through NASA's Land, Atmosphere 
+Near real-time Capability for EOS (LANCE) within three hours from satellite observation. Imagery 
+is generally available 3-5 hours after observation. While not intended for scientific research, 
+
+NRT data are good resources for monitoring ongoing or time-critical events.NASA's Soil Moisture 
+Active Passive satellite (SMAP, launched in 2015) measures the moisture in the top 5 cm of 
+soil globally daily and every 2-3 days at a resolution of 9-36 km. Near real-time SMAP imagery 
+can be interactively explored using NASA Worldview:Research quality data products can be accessed 
+using Earthdata Search:Near real-time (NRT) SMAP data are available through NASA’s Land, Atmosphere 
+
+Near real-time Capability for EOS (LANCE) within 60 to 125 minutes after a satellite observation:Back 
+to the TableThe Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR) for EOS (AMSR-E) instrument 
+and the AMSR-2 instrument provide volumetric soil moisture data. AMSR2 provides global passive 
+microwave measurements of Surface Soil Moisture. Near real-time (NRT) products are generated 
+within 3 hours of the last observations in the file. Data can be visualized using NASA Worldview:Data 
+
+products can be visualized as a time-averaged map, an animation, seasonal maps, scatter plots, 
+or a time series using a NASA interactive tool called Giovanni:Near-real time data:Research-quality 
+data products can be accessed using Earthdata Search:Back to the TableThe Short-term Prediction 
+Research and Transition (SPoRT) project at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, 
+AL, is a NASA- and NOAA-funded activity to transition experimental/ quasi-operational satellite 
+
+observations and research capabilities to the operational weather community to improve short-term 
+weather forecasts on a regional and local scale.Short-term Prediction Research and Transition-Land 
+Information System (SPoRT-LiS) provides real-time 3km Land Information System data on the 
+following parameters: Volumetric Soil Moisture, Relative Soil Moisture, Column-Integrated 
+Relative Soil Moisture, and Green Vegetation Fraction.SPoRT offers a Near Real-Time Viewer 
+
+that includes SMAP datasets for the following regions:Back to the TableNASA, in collaboration 
+with other agencies, has developed models of soil moisture content that incorporate satellite 
+information with ground-based data (when ground-based data are available). These models are 
+part of the Land Data Assimilation System (LDAS), which includes a global collection (GLDAS) 
+and a North American collection (NLDAS). LDAS takes inputs of measurements like precipitation, 
+
+soil texture, topography, and leaf area index and uses these inputs to model output estimates 
+of soil moisture and evapotranspiration.The NLDAS experimental drought monitor is derived 
+from near real-time soil moisture output model data: Soil MERGE (SMERGE) is a root-zone soil 
+moisture product developed by merging NLDAS land surface model output with surface satellite 
+retrievals from the ESA (European Space Agency) Climate Change Initiative. This data product 
+
+contains root-zone soil moisture of 0-40 cm layer, Climate Change Initiative (CCI)-derived 
+soil moisture anomalies of 0-40 cm layer, and a soil moisture data estimation flag:NLDAS, 
+GLDAS, and SMERGE data products can be visualized as a time-averaged map, an animation, seasonally-averaged 
+maps, scatter plots, or a time series using a NASA interactive data analysis tool called Giovanni:LDAS 
+Soil Moisture data from GLDAS, NLDAS and FLDAS are available in Earthdata Search:Back to the 
+
+TableWeekly soil moisture and groundwater drought indicators are available each week based 
+on terrestrial water storage observations derived from GRACE satellite data and integrated 
+with other observations, using a sophisticated numerical model of land surface water and energy 
+processes, referred to as GRACE Data Assimilation for Drought Monitoring (GRACE-DA-DM):Back 
+to the TableNASA’S Global Modeling And Assimilation Office (GMAO), in collaboration with The 
+
+University of Montana and the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, provides value-added Level-4 
+data products. These Level-4 datasets rely on the merger of SMAP observations into physically-based 
+numerical models of the land surface water, energy, and carbon cycles. Available Level-4 data 
+include global, 9-km, 3-hourly estimates of surface and root zone soil moisture, surface and 
+soil temperature, and land surface fluxes, along with algorithm diagnostics from the ensemble-based 
+
+data assimilation system. Level-4 data further include global, 9-km, daily estimates of net 
+ecosystem CO2 exchange, component carbon stocks and fluxes, and sub-grid information broken 
+down by plant functional types.Near real-time SMAP imagery can be interactively explored using 
+NASA Worldview:These data products are available from Earthdata Search:Back to the TableThe 
+Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) provides 
+
+data beginning in 1980. Due to the amount of historical data available, MERRA-2 data can be 
+used to look for trends and patterns, as well as anomalies. There are several options available: 
+hourly and monthly from 1980.MERRA -2 Soil Moisture data products can be visualized as a time-averaged 
+map, an animation, seasonally-averaged maps, scatter plots, or a time series using a NASA 
+interactive data analysis tool called Giovanni:MERRA-2 Soil Moisture data in Earthdata Search:Water 
+
+budgets for individual watersheds can be estimated using remote sensing data for precipitation, 
+evapotranspiration, and runoff. Terra and Aqua MODIS Water Reservoir data products provide 
+a monthly time series of reservoir area, elevation, storage capacity, evaporation rate, and 
+evaporation volume for 151 human-created reservoirs and 13 regulated natural lakes worldwide. 
+These data products are available through Earthdata Search:GIS layer displaying water states 
+
+(ice, snow, water, etc.):The Global Reservoir and Dam (GRanD) dataset, provided by NASA’s 
+Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC),displays the location of dams and water 
+reservoirs around the world as feature points:For more information on additional data resources 
+on water resources, visit the Sea Level Change Data Pathfinder.NASA satellites, airplanes, 
+and ground stations collect data on events like rainfall, drought, and other extreme weather 
+
+events—data that are critical for informing agricultural decisions and policy.Humidity is 
+a measure of the amount of water vapor present in the air. High humidity impairs heat exchange 
+efficiency by reducing the rate of moisture evaporation from the skin and other surfaces. 
+This can create challenges for agricultural workers, as well as the crops they grow. Data, 
+often in near real-time (NRT), can be visualized using NASA Worldview:Data products can be 
+
+visualized as a time-averaged map, an animation, seasonal maps, scatter plots, or a time series 
+using a NASA interactive tool called Giovanni:Research-quality data products can be accessed 
+using Earthdata Search:Back to the TableThe Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research 
+and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) provides data beginning in 1980. Due to the amount of 
+historical data available, MERRA-2 data can be used to look for trends and patterns as well 
+
+as anomalies. There are several options available: 1-hourly, 3-hourly, 6-hourly, daily, and 
+monthly. These options provide information on precipitation.Data, often in near real-time 
+(NRT), are available for visualization using NASA Worldview:Data products can be visualized 
+as a time-averaged map, an animation, seasonal maps, scatter plots, or a time series using 
+a NASA interactive tool called Giovanni:Research-quality data products can be accessed using 
+
+Earthdata Search:The NASA Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) Data Access Viewer 
+provides MERRA-2 meteorological parameters through a web mapping application with the capability 
+for data subsetting, charting, and visualizing. The data are also available via API, GIS enabled, 
+as well as via OPeNDAP.Back to the TableThe NASA Earth Exchange Global Daily Downscaled Projections 
+(NEX-GDDP) dataset is comprised of high-resolution, bias-corrected global downscaled climate 
+
+projections derived from the General Circulation Model (GCM) runs conducted under the Coupled 
+Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) and across all four “Tier 1” greenhouse gas 
+emissions scenarios known as Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). This dataset provides a 
+set of global, high resolution, bias-corrected climate change projections that can be used 
+to evaluate climate change impacts on processes that are sensitive to finer-scale climate 
+
+gradients and the effects of local topography on climate conditions. Uses include: air temperature, 
+precipitation volume, humidity, stellar radiation, and atmospheric wind speed.NEX-GDDP-CMIP6 
+data are available through the NASA Center for Climate Simulation (NCCS).Back to the TableRain 
+and snow provide the water upon which agriculture depends, either directly (via rain or snowfall 
+directly on fields) or indirectly (through water reserves that are used for irrigation). Understanding 
+
+how this water is distributed and how it changes is essential to food security and sustainable 
+water usage.An asterisk (*) next to an entry indicating that near real-time (NRT) data products 
+are available through NASA's Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for EOS (LANCE) within 
+three hours from satellite observation. Imagery is generally available 3-5 hours after observation. 
+While not intended for scientific research, NRT data are good resources for monitoring ongoing 
+
+or time-critical events. HDF, netCDF, GeoTIFFNorth America, Hawaii: 1980-presentPuerto Rico: 
+1950-presentThe Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR-2) instrument collects data 
+that indicate the rate at which precipitation is falling on the ocean surface in millimeters 
+per hour (mm/hr). Data can be visualized using NASA Worldview:Research-quality data products 
+can be accessed using Earthdata Search:Near real-time (NRT) AMSR-2 Surface Precipitation products 
+
+are generated by the Land Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for EOS (LANCE). NRT products 
+are generated in HDF-EOS-5 augmented with netCDF-4/CF metadata and are available via HTTPS 
+from LANCE. If data latency is not a primary concern, please consider using science quality 
+products, which are created using the best available ancillary, calibration, and ephemeris 
+information.Back to the TableNASA's Precipitation Measurement Missions (PMM) provide a continuous 
+
+record of precipitation data through the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM; operational 
+1997 to 2015) and the Global Precipitation Measurement mission (GPM; launched in 2014). GPM, 
+the TRMM successor mission, provides more accurate measurements, improved detection of light 
+rain and snow, and extended spatial coverage.IMERGData products from TRMM and GPM are available 
+individually and have been integrated with data from a global constellation of satellites 
+
+to yield precipitation estimates with improved spatial coverage and temporal resolution. The 
+first integrated product was the TRMM Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA), which 
+has been superseded by the Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG). IMERG's 
+multiple runs accommodate different user requirements for accuracy and latency (Early = 4 
+hours, e.g., for flash flood events; Late = 12 hours, e.g., for crop forecasting; and Final 
+
+= 3 months, with the incorporation of rain gauge data, for research). Along with Earthdata 
+Search, IMERG data are available through NASA's GPM website.GPM data can be visualized using 
+NASA Worldview:The Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) project at NASA's 
+Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL, is a NASA- and NOAA-funded activity to transition 
+experimental/ quasi-operational satellite observations and research capabilities to the operational 
+
+weather community to improve short-term weather forecasts on a regional and local scale. SPoRT 
+offers a Near Real-Time Viewer for IMERG data:Users may access and visualize these data directly 
+through ClimateSERV. Additional datasets include IMERG, Evaporative Stress Index, SMAP Soil 
+Moisture, Rainfall, and NDVI.Data products can be visualized as a time-averaged map, an animation, 
+seasonal maps, scatter plots, or a time series through Giovanni:Near-real time (NRT) data:Research-quality 
+
+data products can be accessed using Earthdata Search:Back to the TableSERVIR (a joint initiative 
+of NASA, USAID, and geospatial organizations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America) and the Climate 
+Hazards Group (CHG) at University of California at Santa Barbara have developed an improved 
+rainfall forecast dataset that merges two highly recognized datasets: Climate Hazards Group 
+InfraRed Precipitation with Station (CHIRPS) and the NCEP’s Global Ensemble Forecasting System 
+
+(GEFS). GEFS is a weather forecast system that provides daily forecasts out to 16 days at 
+1 X 1 degree resolution at 6-hour intervals.The combined CHIRPS-GEFS dataset uses the higher 
+spatial resolution of CHIRPS and the advanced forecasting ability of GEFS to provide up to 
+a 16-day forecast updated every five days at a global spatial resolution of 5 km. CHIRPS-GEFS 
+model data are available for analysis and download through SERVIR's Product Catalog. Users 
+
+may access and visualize these data directly through ClimateSERV. Additional datasets include 
+IMERG, Evaporative Stress Index, SMAP Soil Moisture, Rainfall, and NDVI.Back to the TableAnother 
+NASA source for precipitation data is Daymet, which can be accessed through NASA's Oak Ridge 
+National Laboratory Distributed Active Archive Center (ORNL DAAC). Daymet is a collection 
+of gridded estimates of daily weather parameters including minimum and maximum temperature, 
+
+precipitation, vapor pressure, radiation, snow water equivalent, and day length at 1 km resolution 
+over North America, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. Daymet data are available from 1980 to present 
+(North America and Hawaii) and from 1950 to present (Puerto Rico) and can be retrieved in 
+a variety of ways, including: Earthdata Search; an API available through ORNL DAAC; ORNL DAAC 
+tools; and through the Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) 
+
+application. Along with daily data, annual Daymet climatologies also are available.Back to 
+the TableThe Land Data Assimilation System (LDAS) includes a global collection (GLDAS) and 
+a North American collection (NLDAS). LDAS uses measurements including air temperature, precipitation, 
+soil texture, topography, and leaf area index to model high quality fields of land surface 
+states (e.g., soil moisture, temperature) and fluxes (e.g., evapotranspiration, runoff). GLDAS 
+
+modeled data are available from January 1948 to present. NLDAS modeled datasets are available 
+from January 1979 to present.Data can be visualized using NASA Worldview:Back to the TableThe 
+Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) provides 
+data beginning in 1980. Due to the amount of historical data available, MERRA-2 data can be 
+used to look for trends and patterns as well as anomalies. There are several options available: 
+
+1-hourly, 3-hourly, 6-hourly, daily, and monthly. These options provide information on precipitation.Data, 
+often in near real-time (NRT), are available for visualization using NASA Worldview:Data products 
+can be visualized as a time-averaged map, an animation, seasonal maps, scatter plots, or a 
+time series using Giovanni:Research-quality air surface temperature data products can be accessed 
+using Earthdata Search:The NASA Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) Data Access 
+
+Viewer provides MERRA-2 meteorological parameters through a web mapping application with the 
+capability for data subsetting, charting, and visualizing. The data are also available via 
+API as well as via OPeNDAP.Back to the TableSurface Air Temperature (SAT) generally refers 
+to the air temperature generally measured at approximately 6.5 feet (about 2 meters) above 
+the ground or ocean surface. Surface air temperature provides a key indicator of climate change, 
+
+contributing to the “global surface temperature record”. SAT (along with other factors like 
+soil moisture, soil type, etc.) affects soil temperatures, which can impact crop development 
+and productivity.North America, Hawaii: 1980-presentPuerto Rico: 1950-presentThe Atmospheric 
+Infrared Sounder (AIRS) provides 3D measurements of temperature, water vapor, trace gases, 
+and surface and cloud properties through the atmospheric column.Data, often in near real-time 
+
+(NRT), are available for visualization using NASA Worldview:Data products can be visualized 
+as a time-averaged map, an animation, seasonal maps, scatter plots, or a time series using 
+Giovanni:Research-quality air surface temperature data products can be accessed using Earthdata 
+Search:AIRS NRT data are available from NASA’s Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability 
+for EOS (LANCE) 75 to 140 minutes after a satellite observation.Back to the TableThe Land 
+
+Data Assimilation System (LDAS) includes a global collection (GLDAS) and a North American 
+collection (NLDAS). LDAS uses measurements including air temperature, precipitation, soil 
+texture, topography, and leaf area index to model high quality fields of land surface states 
+(e.g., soil moisture, temperature) and fluxes (e.g., evapotranspiration, runoff).GLDAS data 
+are available from January 1948 to present. Retrospective hourly/monthly NLDAS datasets are 
+
+available from January 1979 to present.Monthly data can be visualized using NASA Worldview:Data 
+products can be visualized as a time-averaged map, an animation, seasonal maps, scatter plots, 
+or a time series using Giovanni:The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides 
+early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries.The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models. FLDAS data can be visualized as time-averaged maps, animations, seasonally-averaged 
+maps, scatter plots, or time series using a NASA interactive data analysis tool called Giovanni:Back 
+to the TableThe Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 
+(MERRA-2) provides data beginning in 1980. Due to the amount of historical data available, 
+
+MERRA-2 data can be used to look for trends and patterns as well as anomalies. There are several 
+options available: 1-hourly, 3-hourly, 6-hourly. These options provide information on surface 
+skin temperature, air temperature at 2 m, and air temperature at 10 m.Data, often in near 
+real-time (NRT), are available for visualization using NASA Worldview:Data products can be 
+visualized as a time-averaged map, an animation, seasonal maps, scatter plots, or a time series 
+
+using Giovanni:Research-quality air surface temperature data products can be accessed using 
+Earthdata Search:Back to the TableThe NASA Earth Exchange Global Daily Downscaled Projections 
+(NEX-GDDP) dataset is comprised of high-resolution, bias-corrected global downscaled climate 
+projections derived from the General Circulation Model (GCM) runs conducted under the Coupled 
+Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) and across all four “Tier 1” greenhouse gas 
+
+emissions scenarios known as Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). This dataset provides a 
+set of global, high resolution, bias-corrected climate change projections that can be used 
+to evaluate climate change impacts on processes that are sensitive to finer-scale climate 
+gradients and the effects of local topography on climate conditions. Uses include: air temperature, 
+precipitation volume, humidity, stellar radiation, and atmospheric wind speed.NEX-GDDP-CMIP6 
+
+data are available through the NASA Center for Climate Simulation (NCCS).Back to the TableAnother 
+NASA source for air temperature modeled data is Daymet. Daymet is a collection of gridded 
+estimates of daily weather parameters including minimum and maximum temperature, precipitation, 
+vapor pressure, radiation, snow water equivalent, and day length at 1 km resolution over North 
+America, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. Daymet data are available from 1980 to present (North America 
+
+and Hawaii) and from 1950 to present (Puerto Rico).Research-quality air surface temperature 
+data products can be accessed using Earthdata Search:Back to the TableWeather maps produced 
+from model data and satellite observations can be used to create medium and long-range forecasts 
+of temperature, humidity, precipitation, and more.To support NASA’s satellite missions and 
+field experiments, NASA's Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) generates near-real 
+
+time atmospheric products using model data from the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) 
+and distributes them to a broad community of users. The GEOS "Forward Processing" (FP) system 
+generates analyses, assimilation products, and 10-day forecasts with the most up-to-date validated 
+version of GEOS that is available. Available forecast parameters include precipitation, humidity, 
+wind speed, and temperature.Visit the sections below to find resources that help you explore 
+
+weather maps and models.GEOS-5 Weather Maps: Within the viewer, select the parameter or field 
+of interest, the area of interest, and then indicate the forecast time and the forecast lead 
+hourAn estimated 720 and 811 million people in the world faced hunger in 2020, according to 
+the United Nations (UN), and nearly one in three people in the world (2.37 billion) did not 
+have access to adequate food in 2020. The vulnerabilities and inadequacies of global food 
+
+systems are expected to further intensify over the coming years. The combination of NASA Earth 
+science data with socioeconomic data provides key information for sustainable use of available 
+resources.NASA's Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC) is the home for NASA socioeconomic 
+data and is a gateway between the social sciences and the Earth sciences. SEDAC provides numerous 
+datasets and data collections that may be useful for studies into agriculture and water management. 
+
+SEDAC also provides information about the connections that support efforts to end hunger, 
+achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.NASA helps 
+develop tools to address food security and works with decision-makers and data users to tailor 
+these tools to specific locations and user needs. These efforts help address issues like water 
+management for irrigation, crop-type identification and land use, coastal and lake water quality 
+
+monitoring, drought preparedness, and famine early warnings. Much of this work is carried 
+out and supported fully or in part by the agency's Applied Sciences Program, which works with 
+individuals and institutions worldwide to inform decision-making, enhance quality of life, 
+and strengthen the economy. The Applied Sciences Program co-leads the international Earth 
+Observations for Sustainable Development Goals initiative, which advances global knowledge 
+
+about effective ways that Earth observations and geospatial information can support the SDGs.The 
+NASA datasets and resources listed below, coupled with other data and resources in this Data 
+Pathfinder, also help measure progress toward meeting United Nations’ Sustainable Development 
+Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger. These data can provide a better overall view 
+for monitoring the food insecurity of vulnerable populations, tracking agricultural production 
+
+related to incomes of small-scale food producers, and monitoring environmental impacts to 
+soil, water, fertilizer, pesticide pollution, and changes in biodiversity. More information 
+is available in the Connection of Sustainable Development Goals to Agriculture and Water Management 
+section on the main Pathfinder landing page. NASA satellites, airplanes, and ground stations 
+collect data on events like rainfall, drought, and other extreme weather events—data that 
+
+are critical for informing agricultural decisions and policy. Humidity is a measure of the 
+amount of water vapor present in the air. High humidity impairs heat exchange efficiency by 
+reducing the rate of moisture evaporation from the skin and other surfaces. This can create 
+challenges for agricultural workers, as well as the crops they grow. Rain and snow provide 
+the water upon which agriculture depends, either directly (via rain or snowfall directly on 
+
+fields) or indirectly (through water reserves that are used for irrigation). Understanding 
+how this water is distributed and how it changes is essential to food security and sustainable 
+water usage. Surface Air Temperature (SAT) generally refers to the air temperature generally 
+measured at approximately 6.5 feet (about 2 meters) above the ground or ocean surface. Surface 
+air temperature provides a key indicator of climate change, contributing to the “global surface 
+
+temperature record”. SAT (along with other factors like soil moisture, soil type, etc.) affects 
+soil temperatures, which can impact crop development and productivity. Surface Air Temperature 
+(SAT) generally refers to the air temperature generally measured at approximately 6.5 feet 
+(about 2 meters) above the ground or ocean surface. Surface air temperature provides a key 
+indicator of climate change, contributing to the “global surface temperature record”. SAT 
+
+(along with other factors like soil moisture, soil type, etc.) affects soil temperatures, 
+which can impact crop development and productivity.The layered structure of Earth's atmosphere 
+is visible in this sunset view from the International Space Station.Image Science & Analysis 
+Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space CenterThe atmosphere is a mixture of gases that surrounds the 
+Earth. It helps make life possible by providing us with air to breathe, shielding us from 
+
+harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation coming from the Sun, trapping heat to warm the planet, 
+and preventing extreme temperature differences between day and night. Without the atmosphere, 
+temperatures would be well below freezing everywhere on Earth's surface. Instead, the heat 
+absorbed and trapped by our atmosphere keeps our planet's average surface temperature at a 
+balmy 15°C (59°F). Some of the atmosphere's gases, like carbon dioxide, are particularly good 
+
+at absorbing and trapping radiation. Changes in the amounts of these gases directly affect 
+our climate.Each of the planets in our solar system has an atmosphere, but none of them have 
+the same ratio of gases or layered structure as Earth's atmosphere. Nitrogen and oxygen are 
+by far the most common gases in our atmosphere. Dry air is composed of about 78% nitrogen 
+(N2) and about 21% oxygen (O2). The remaining less than 1% of the atmosphere is a mixture 
+
+of gases, including argon (Ar) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The atmosphere also contains varying 
+amounts of water vapor, on average about 1%. There are also many, tiny, solid or liquid particles, 
+called aerosols, in the atmosphere. Aerosols can be made of dust, spores and pollen, salt 
+from sea spray, volcanic ash, smoke, and pollutants introduced through human activity.The 
+atmosphere becomes thinner (less dense and lower in air pressure) the further it extends from 
+
+the Earth's surface. It gradually gives way to the vacuum of space. There is no precise top 
+of the atmosphere, but the area between 100-120 km (62-75 miles) above the Earth's surface 
+is often considered the boundary between the atmosphere and space because the air is so thin 
+here. However, there are measurable traces of atmospheric gases beyond this boundary, detectable 
+for hundreds of kilometers/miles from Earth's surface.There are several unique layers in Earth's 
+
+atmosphere. Each has characteristic temperatures, pressures, and phenomena. We live in the 
+troposphere, the layer closest to Earth's surface, where most clouds are found and almost 
+all weather occurs. Some jet aircraft fly in the next layer, the stratosphere, which contains 
+the jet streams and a region called the ozone layer. The next layer, the mesosphere, is the 
+coldest because the there are almost no air molecules there to absorb heat energy. There are 
+
+so few molecules for light to refract off of that the sky also changes from blue to black 
+in this layer. And farthest from the surface we have the thermosphere, which absorbs much 
+of the harmful radiation that reaches Earth from the Sun, causing this layer to reach extremely 
+high temperatures. Beyond the thermosphere is the exosphere, which represents the transition 
+from Earth's atmosphere to space. Earth is not the only world with an atmosphere. Each of 
+
+the planets - and even a few moons - in our solar system have an atmosphere. Some planets 
+have active atmospheres with clouds, wind, rain and powerful storms. Scientists use light 
+spectroscopy to observe the atmospheres of planets and moons in other solar systems .Each 
+of the planets in our solar system has a uniquely structured atmosphere. The atmosphere of 
+Mercury is extremely thin and is not very different from the vacuum of space. The gas giant 
+
+planets in our solar system - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune - each have a thick, deep 
+atmosphere. The smaller, rocky planets - Earth, Venus and Mars - each have thinner atmospheres, 
+hovering above their solid surfaces. The moons in our solar system typically have thin atmospheres, 
+with the exception of Saturn's moon, Titan. Air pressure at the surface of Titan is higher 
+than on Earth! Of the five officially recognized dwarf planets, Pluto has a thin atmosphere 
+
+that expands and collapses seasonally, and Ceres has an extremely thin and transient atmosphere 
+made of water vapor.But only Earth's atmosphere has the layered structure that traps enough 
+of the Sun's energy for warmth while also blocking much of the harmful radiation from the 
+Sun. This important balance is necessary to maintain life on Earth. © 2021 UCAR© 2023 UCARThis 
+material is based upon work supported by the National Center for Atmospheric Research, a major 
+
+facility sponsored by the National Science Foundation and managed by the University Corporation 
+for Atmospheric Research. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed 
+in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. 
+Surface Air Temperature (SAT) generally refers to the air temperature generally measured at 
+approximately 6.5 feet (about 2 meters) above the ground or ocean surface. Surface air temperature 
+
+provides a key indicator of climate change, contributing to the “global surface temperature 
+record”. SAT (along with other factors like soil moisture, soil type, etc.) affects soil temperatures, 
+which can impact crop development and productivity.The layered structure of Earth's atmosphere 
+is visible in this sunset view from the International Space Station.Image Science & Analysis 
+Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space CenterThe atmosphere is a mixture of gases that surrounds the 
+
+Earth. It helps make life possible by providing us with air to breathe, shielding us from 
+harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation coming from the Sun, trapping heat to warm the planet, 
+and preventing extreme temperature differences between day and night. Without the atmosphere, 
+temperatures would be well below freezing everywhere on Earth's surface. Instead, the heat 
+absorbed and trapped by our atmosphere keeps our planet's average surface temperature at a 
+
+balmy 15°C (59°F). Some of the atmosphere's gases, like carbon dioxide, are particularly good 
+at absorbing and trapping radiation. Changes in the amounts of these gases directly affect 
+our climate.Each of the planets in our solar system has an atmosphere, but none of them have 
+the same ratio of gases or layered structure as Earth's atmosphere. Nitrogen and oxygen are 
+by far the most common gases in our atmosphere. Dry air is composed of about 78% nitrogen 
+
+(N2) and about 21% oxygen (O2). The remaining less than 1% of the atmosphere is a mixture 
+of gases, including argon (Ar) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The atmosphere also contains varying 
+amounts of water vapor, on average about 1%. There are also many, tiny, solid or liquid particles, 
+called aerosols, in the atmosphere. Aerosols can be made of dust, spores and pollen, salt 
+from sea spray, volcanic ash, smoke, and pollutants introduced through human activity.The 
+
+atmosphere becomes thinner (less dense and lower in air pressure) the further it extends from 
+the Earth's surface. It gradually gives way to the vacuum of space. There is no precise top 
+of the atmosphere, but the area between 100-120 km (62-75 miles) above the Earth's surface 
+is often considered the boundary between the atmosphere and space because the air is so thin 
+here. However, there are measurable traces of atmospheric gases beyond this boundary, detectable 
+
+for hundreds of kilometers/miles from Earth's surface.There are several unique layers in Earth's 
+atmosphere. Each has characteristic temperatures, pressures, and phenomena. We live in the 
+troposphere, the layer closest to Earth's surface, where most clouds are found and almost 
+all weather occurs. Some jet aircraft fly in the next layer, the stratosphere, which contains 
+the jet streams and a region called the ozone layer. The next layer, the mesosphere, is the 
+
+coldest because the there are almost no air molecules there to absorb heat energy. There are 
+so few molecules for light to refract off of that the sky also changes from blue to black 
+in this layer. And farthest from the surface we have the thermosphere, which absorbs much 
+of the harmful radiation that reaches Earth from the Sun, causing this layer to reach extremely 
+high temperatures. Beyond the thermosphere is the exosphere, which represents the transition 
+
+from Earth's atmosphere to space. Earth is not the only world with an atmosphere. Each of 
+the planets - and even a few moons - in our solar system have an atmosphere. Some planets 
+have active atmospheres with clouds, wind, rain and powerful storms. Scientists use light 
+spectroscopy to observe the atmospheres of planets and moons in other solar systems .Each 
+of the planets in our solar system has a uniquely structured atmosphere. The atmosphere of 
+
+Mercury is extremely thin and is not very different from the vacuum of space. The gas giant 
+planets in our solar system - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune - each have a thick, deep 
+atmosphere. The smaller, rocky planets - Earth, Venus and Mars - each have thinner atmospheres, 
+hovering above their solid surfaces. The moons in our solar system typically have thin atmospheres, 
+with the exception of Saturn's moon, Titan. Air pressure at the surface of Titan is higher 
+
+than on Earth! Of the five officially recognized dwarf planets, Pluto has a thin atmosphere 
+that expands and collapses seasonally, and Ceres has an extremely thin and transient atmosphere 
+made of water vapor.But only Earth's atmosphere has the layered structure that traps enough 
+of the Sun's energy for warmth while also blocking much of the harmful radiation from the 
+Sun. This important balance is necessary to maintain life on Earth. © 2021 UCAR© 2023 UCARThis 
+
+material is based upon work supported by the National Center for Atmospheric Research, a major 
+facility sponsored by the National Science Foundation and managed by the University Corporation 
+for Atmospheric Research. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed 
+in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.Find 
+and use NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections 
+
+between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.Forests are one of the world’s largest 
+banks of carbon-rich biomass. This is why when researchers mapped biomass in the past, they 
+
+typically focused on the world’s forests. But this approach leaves out considerable amounts 
+of biomass in grasslands, shrublands, croplands, and other biomes. New maps, published at 
+NASA's Oak Ridge National Laboratory Distributed Active Archive Center (ORNL DAAC) and described 
+in Nature Scientific Data, combine remotely sensed biomass data for different land cover types 
+into harmonized global maps of above and belowground biomass for the year 2010.“People often 
+
+conflate forest biomass with total biomass,” said Seth Spawn, lead author of the research 
+and doctoral candidate at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. “Researchers have spent a 
+lot of time developing nice remotely sensed maps of aboveground forest biomass, but they intentionally 
+omit other land covers and the carbon stored below ground in plant roots. We haven’t had the 
+whole picture.”Spawn and his team combined maps of forest biomass with other land cover specific 
+
+biomass maps that use remotely sensed data. They allocated fractional contributions to a given 
+grid cell using data on land cover, percent tree cover, and the presence of secondary vegetation. 
+These maps show a sizable stock of biomass outside of forested areas, especially in the trees 
+located in savannas and farm fields.“There’s more carbon on croplands than I would have expected,” 
+said Spawn. Trees on orchards and farms practicing agroforestry have a carbon stock that is 
+
+overlooked in previous biomass maps. Globally, trees on croplands stored about 28 metric gigatons 
+of carbon in 2010, which is 7 percent of the total stock of carbon in plants, according to 
+these new maps.The team produced maps of uncertainty with the data they used and published 
+them along with the dataset.Published in March, the dataset is already being used for a number 
+of applications. Researchers are using the dataset in integrated assessment models that incorporate 
+
+economics and the Earth system. It is also being used to model carbon emissions from past 
+and potential land use changes and the carbon impacts of bioenergy transitions.Spawn and colleagues 
+also used preliminary findings from this research to identify places with high carbon stocks 
+and biodiversity. “There are certain areas, the ‘hotspots,’ where biodiversity and carbon 
+density align,” Spawn said. “Identifying these areas can help governments and resource managers 
+
+prioritize land for protection.”Read more about the data in Nature Scientific Data. You can 
+download the data, Global Aboveground and Belowground Biomass Carbon Density Maps for the 
+Year 2010, from Earthdata Search or ORNL DAAC.NASA provides unrestricted access to air quality 
+data Water is a key component of the overall Earth system, cycling through each component, 
+moving within the atmosphere, the ocean, the cryosphere (including snow cover and snowpack), 
+
+surface water of rivers and lakes, and subsurface water. Water availability is critical for 
+human consumption, agriculture and food security, industry, and energy development. Assessing 
+water availability, including the amount and type of precipitation is critical to monitoring 
+agricultural practices and water resource availability and for providing interventions when 
+necessary. According to the U.N., water use has been growing globally at twice the rate as 
+
+the global population is increasing. More and more areas are reaching the limit at which water 
+services can be sustainably delivered, especially in arid regions. Groundwater, a major water 
+resource for maintaining cropland productivity, is declining through the extensive use of 
+water for agricultural irrigation, where aquifer recharge cannot keep up with groundwater 
+extraction. Unfortunately, changes in terrestrial water storage, especially with regard to 
+
+groundwater, are poorly known and sparsely sampled. Complicating matters further, global freshwater 
+is not only unevenly distributed, but sources of freshwater such as lakes and rivers often 
+cross geopolitical boundaries. Integrating satellite data with land-based and other measurements, 
+geospatial data, and hydrologic models help to better understand controls on global water 
+resources and how changing water resources impact social-environmental systems across geopolitical 
+
+boundaries. Surface runoff is the volume of available surface water after a precipitation 
+event that has been partitioned into evapotranspiration (ET) and stored as soil moisture. 
+This available water may be used for irrigation, domestic use, and for livestock. Droughts 
+are indicated by lower surface runoff anomaly values showing that water reservoirs have received 
+less than normal amounts of surface runoff. Elevated total runoff anomaly values may indicate 
+
+flooding events and have lasting impacts on crops, livestock, and residents. Seasonal water 
+runoff from snowpack and glaciers provide irrigation and drinking water for billions of people 
+worldwide. The Indus Basin in Asia, for example, is the largest irrigation system in the world; 
+snow melt from the Himalayan mountains is essential for rice production in the basin and contributes 
+significantly to agricultural irrigation. Changes in global snow cover can have major impacts 
+
+on food production. Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) is the amount of water contained in snowpack. 
+It is analogous to melting the snow and measuring the depth of the resulting pool of water. 
+SWE measurements are useful for assessing both the potential surface runoff from snowmelt 
+and the water availability for regions in lower elevations. Soil moisture is vital for crop 
+growth and yield, while extreme values (high or low) can negatively impact crop growth. Timely 
+
+seasonal soil moisture information enhances food security and provides the ability to detect 
+drought and other water-related stressors (such as root rot) on crop production. Soil moisture 
+datasets indicate the amount of water at a specific location in the soil profile, based either 
+on depth or infiltration time. Water budgets for individual watersheds can be estimated using 
+remote sensing data for precipitation, evapotranspiration, and runoff. Water budgets for individual 
+
+watersheds can be estimated using remote sensing data for precipitation, evapotranspiration, 
+and runoff.Find and use NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing 
+the connections between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world 
+in which we live.The atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet 
+from the intense radiation of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial 
+
+and ocean cycles.The biosphere encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems 
+to mountaintops and all depths of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, 
+regulating climate, and providing numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses 
+the frozen parts of Earth, including glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen 
+body of water. The cryosphere plays a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The 
+
+human dimensions discipline includes ways humans interact with the environment and how these 
+interactions impact Earth’s systems. It also explores the vulnerability of human communities 
+to natural disasters and hazards.The land surface discipline includes research into areas 
+such as shrinking forests, warming land, and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information 
+on land surface parameters and the ecological state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir 
+
+supports a diversity of life and helps regulate Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within 
+Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although originating from below the surface, these 
+processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based measurements.The Sun influences 
+a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. NASA continually monitors 
+solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere includes water on 
+
+the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater along with 
+total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are just interested 
+in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have the resources 
+to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science data, services, 
+and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate with NASA.Making 
+
+NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible for research 
+and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.Remote sensing is the acquiring of information 
+from a distance. NASA observes Earth and other planetary bodies via remote sensors on satellites 
+and aircraft that detect and record reflected or emitted energy. Remote sensors, which provide 
+a global perspective and a wealth of data about Earth systems, enable data-informed decision 
+
+making based on the current and future state of our planet.For more information, check out 
+NASA's Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) Tech Talk: From Pixels 
+to Products: An Overview of Satellite Remote Sensing.Satellites can be placed in several types 
+of orbits around Earth. The three common classes of orbits are low-Earth orbit (approximately 
+160 to 2,000 km above Earth), medium-Earth orbit (approximately 2,000 to 35,500 km above Earth), 
+
+and high-Earth orbit (above 35,500 km above Earth). Satellites orbiting at 35,786 km are at 
+an altitude at which their orbital speed matches the planet's rotation, and are in what is 
+called geosynchronous orbit (GSO). In addition, a satellite in GSO directly over the equator 
+will have a geostationary orbit. A geostationary orbit enables a satellite to maintain its 
+position directly over the same place on Earth’s surface.Low-Earth orbit is a commonly used 
+
+orbit since satellites can follow several orbital tracks around the planet. Polar-orbiting 
+satellites, for example, are inclined nearly 90 degrees to the equatorial plane and travel 
+from pole to pole as Earth rotates. This enables sensors aboard the satellite to acquire data 
+for the entire globe rapidly, including the polar regions. Many polar-orbiting satellites 
+are considered Sun-synchronous, meaning that the satellite passes over the same location at 
+
+the same solar time each cycle. One example of a Sun-synchronous, polar-orbiting satellite 
+is NASA’s Aqua satellite, which orbits approximately 705 km above Earth’s surface.Non-polar 
+low-Earth orbit satellites, on the other hand, do not provide global coverage but instead 
+cover only a partial range of latitudes. The joint NASA/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory is an example of a non-Sun-synchronous 
+
+low-Earth orbit satellite. Its orbital track acquires data between 65 degrees north and south 
+latitude from 407 km above the planet.A medium-Earth orbit satellite takes approximately 12 
+hours to complete an orbit. In 24-hours, the satellite crosses over the same two spots on 
+the equator every day. This orbit is consistent and highly predictable. As a result, this 
+is an orbit used by many telecommunications and GPS satellites. One example of a medium-Earth 
+
+orbit satellite constellation is the European Space Agency's Galileo global navigation satellite 
+system (GNSS), which orbits 23,222 km above Earth.While both geosynchronous and geostationary 
+satellites orbit at 35,786 km above Earth, geosynchronous satellites have orbits that can 
+be tilted above or below the equator. Geostationary satellites, on the other hand, orbit Earth 
+on the same plane as the equator. These satellites capture identical views of Earth with each 
+
+observation and provide almost continuous coverage of one area. The joint NASA/NOAA Geostationary 
+Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) series of weather satellites are in geostationary 
+orbits above the equator.For more information about orbits, please see NASA Earth Observatory's 
+Catalog of Earth Satellite Orbits.Electromagnetic energy, produced by the vibration of charged 
+particles, travels in the form of waves through the atmosphere and the vacuum of space. These 
+
+waves have different wavelengths (the distance from wave crest to wave crest) and frequencies; 
+a shorter wavelength means a higher frequency. Some, like radio, microwave, and infrared waves, 
+have a longer wavelength, while others, such as ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays, have 
+a much shorter wavelength. Visible light sits in the middle of that range of long to shortwave 
+radiation. This small portion of energy is all that the human eye is able to detect. Instrumentation 
+
+is needed to detect all other forms of electromagnetic energy. NASA instrumentation utilizes 
+the full range of the spectrum to explore and understand processes occurring here on Earth 
+and on other planetary bodies.Some waves are absorbed or reflected by atmospheric components, 
+like water vapor and carbon dioxide, while some wavelengths allow for unimpeded movement through 
+the atmosphere; visible light has wavelengths that can be transmitted through the atmosphere. 
+
+Microwave energy has wavelengths that can pass through clouds, an attribute utilized by many 
+weather and communication satellites.The primary source of the energy observed by satellites, 
+is the Sun. The amount of the Sun’s energy reflected depends on the roughness of the surface 
+and its albedo, which is how well a surface reflects light instead of absorbing it. Snow, 
+for example, has a very high albedo and reflects up to 90% of incoming solar radiation. The 
+
+ocean, on the other hand, reflects only about 6% of incoming solar radiation and absorbs the 
+rest. Often, when energy is absorbed, it is re-emitted, usually at longer wavelengths. For 
+example, the energy absorbed by the ocean gets re-emitted as infrared radiation.All things 
+on Earth reflect, absorb, or transmit energy, the amount of which varies by wavelength. Just 
+as your fingerprint is unique to you, everything on Earth has a unique spectral fingerprint. 
+
+Researchers can use this information to identify different Earth features as well as different 
+rock and mineral types. The number of spectral bands detected by a given instrument, its spectral 
+resolution, determines how much differentiation a researcher can identify between materials.For 
+more information on the electromagnetic spectrum, with companion videos, view NASA's Tour 
+of the Electromagnetic Spectrum.Sensors, or instruments, aboard satellites and aircraft use 
+
+the Sun as a source of illumination or provide their own source of illumination, measuring 
+energy that is reflected back. Sensors that use natural energy from the Sun are called passive 
+sensors; those that provide their own source of energy are called active sensors. Passive 
+sensors include different types of radiometers (instruments that quantitatively measure the 
+intensity of electromagnetic radiation in select bands) and spectrometers (devices that are 
+
+designed to detect, measure, and analyze the spectral content of reflected electromagnetic 
+radiation). Most passive systems used by remote sensing applications operate in the visible, 
+infrared, thermal infrared, and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. These 
+sensors measure land and sea surface temperature, vegetation properties, cloud and aerosol 
+properties, and other physical attributes. Most passive sensors cannot penetrate dense cloud 
+
+cover and thus have limitations observing areas like the tropics where dense cloud cover is 
+frequent.Active sensors include different types of radio detection and ranging (radar) sensors, 
+altimeters, and scatterometers. The majority of active sensors operate in the microwave band 
+of the electromagnetic spectrum, which gives them the ability to penetrate the atmosphere 
+under most conditions. These types of sensors are useful for measuring the vertical profiles 
+
+of aerosols, forest structure, precipitation and winds, sea surface topography, and ice, among 
+others.The Remote Sensors Earthdata page provides a list of NASA’s Earth science passive and 
+active sensors while the What is Synthetic Aperture Radar? Backgrounder provides specific 
+information on this type of active sensor.Resolution plays a role in how data from a sensor 
+can be used. Resolution can vary depending on the satellite’s orbit and sensor design. There 
+
+are four types of resolution to consider for any dataset—radiometric, spatial, spectral, and 
+temporal.Radiometric resolution is the amount of information in each pixel, that is, the number 
+of bits representing the energy recorded. Each bit records an exponent of power 2. For example, 
+an 8 bit resolution is 28, which indicates that the sensor has 256 potential digital values 
+(0-255) to store information. Thus, the higher the radiometric resolution, the more values 
+
+are available to store information, providing better discrimination between even the slightest 
+differences in energy. For example, when assessing water quality, radiometric resolution is 
+necessary to distinguish between subtle differences in ocean color.Spatial resolution is defined 
+by the size of each pixel within a digital image and the area on Earth’s surface represented 
+by that pixel.For example, the majority of the bands observed by the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) have a spatial resolution of 1km; each pixel represents a 1 km x 
+1km area on the ground. MODIS also includes bands with a spatial resolution of 250 m or 500 
+m. The finer the resolution (the lower the number), the more detail you can see. In the image 
+below, you can see the difference in pixelation between a 30 m/pixel image (left image), a 
+100 m/pixel image (center image), and a 300 m/pixel image (right image).Spectral resolution 
+
+is the ability of a sensor to discern finer wavelengths, that is, having more and narrower 
+bands. Many sensors are considered to be multispectral, meaning they have 3-10 bands. Some 
+sensors have hundreds to even thousands of bands and are considered to be hyperspectral. The 
+narrower the range of wavelengths for a given band, the finer the spectral resolution. For 
+example, the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) captures information 
+
+in 224 spectral channels. The cube on the right represents the detail within the data. At 
+this level of detail, distinctions can be made between rock and mineral types, vegetation 
+types, and other features. In the cube, the small region of high response in the right corner 
+of the image is in the red portion of the visible spectrum (about 700 nanometers), and is 
+due to the presence of 1-centimeter-long (half-inch) red brine shrimp in the evaporation pond.Temporal 
+
+resolution is the time it takes for a satellite to complete an orbit and revisit the same 
+observation area. This resolution depends on the orbit, the sensor’s characteristics, and 
+the swath width. Because geostationary satellites match the rate at which Earth is rotating, 
+the temporal resolution is much finer. Polar orbiting satellites have a temporal resolution 
+that can vary from 1 day to 16 days. For example, the MODIS sensor aboard NASA's Terra and 
+
+Aqua satellites has a temporal resolution of 1-2 days, allowing the sensor to visualize Earth 
+as it changes day by day. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard the joint NASA/USGS Landsat 
+8 satellite, on the other hand, has a narrower swath width and a temporal resolution of 16 
+days; showing not daily changes but bi-monthly changes.Why not build a sensor combining high 
+spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution? It is difficult to combine all of the desirable 
+
+features into one remote sensor. For example, to acquire observations with high spatial resolution 
+(like OLI, aboard Landsat 8) a narrower swath is required, which requires more time between 
+observations of a given area resulting in a lower temporal resolution. Researchers have to 
+make trade-offs. This is why it is very important to understand the type of data needed for 
+a given area of study. When researching weather, which is dynamic over time, a high temporal 
+
+resolution is critical. When researching seasonal vegetation changes, on the other hand, a 
+high temporal resolution may be sacrificed for a higher spectral or spatial resolution.Remote 
+sensing data acquired from instruments aboard satellites require processing before the data 
+are usable by most researchers and applied science users. Most raw NASA Earth observation 
+satellite data (Level 0, see data processing levels) are processed at NASA's Science Investigator-led 
+
+Processing Systems (SIPS) facilities. All data are processed to at least a Level 1, but most 
+have associated Level 2 (derived geophysical variables) and Level 3 (variables mapped on uniform 
+space-time grid scales) products. Many even have Level 4 products. NASA Earth science data 
+are archived at discipline-specific Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) and are available 
+fully, openly, and without restriction to data users.Most data are stored in Hierarchical 
+
+Data Format (HDF) or Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) format. Numerous data tools are available 
+to subset, transform, visualize, and export to various other file formats.Once data are processed, 
+they can be used in a variety of applications, from agriculture to water resources to health 
+and air quality. A single sensor will not address all research questions within a given application. 
+Users often need to leverage multiple sensors and data products to address their question, 
+
+bearing in mind the limitations of data provided by different spectral, spatial, and temporal 
+resolutions.Many sensors acquire data at different spectral wavelengths. For example, Band 
+1 of the OLI aboard Landsat 8 acquires data at 0.433-0.453 micrometers while the MODIS Band 
+1 acquires data at 0.620-0.670 micrometers. OLI has a total of 9 bands whereas MODIS has 36 
+bands, all measuring different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Bands can be combined 
+
+to produce imagery of the data to reveal different features in the landscape. Often imagery 
+of data are used to distinguish characteristics of a region being studied or to determine 
+an area of study.True-color images show Earth as it appears to the human eye. For a Landsat 
+8 OLI true-color (red, green, blue [RGB]) image, the sensor Bands 4 (Red), 3 (Green), and 
+2 (Blue) are combined. Other spectral band combinations can be used for specific science applications, 
+
+such as flood monitoring, urbanization delineation, and vegetation mapping. For example, creating 
+a false-color Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS, aboard the Suomi National 
+Polar-orbiting Partnership [Suomi NPP] satellite) image using bands M11, I2, and I1 is useful 
+for distinguishing burn scars from low vegetation or bare soil as well as for exposing flooded 
+areas. To see more band combinations from Landsat sensors, check out NASA Scientific Visualization 
+
+Studio's video Landsat Band Remix or the NASA Earth Observatory article Many Hues of London. 
+For other common band combinations, see NASA Earth Observatory's How to Interpret Common False-Color 
+Images, which provides common band combinations along with insight into interpreting imagery.Once 
+data are processed into imagery with varying band combinations these images can aid in resource 
+management decisions and disaster assessment. This requires proper interpretation of the imagery. 
+
+There are a few strategies for getting started (adapted from NASA Earth Observatory article 
+How to Interpret a Satellite Image: Five Tips and Strategies):Different land cover types can 
+be discriminated more readily by using image classification algorithms. Image classification 
+uses the spectral information of individual image pixels. A program using image classification 
+algorithms can automatically group the pixels in what is called an unsupervised classification. 
+
+The user can also indicate areas of known land cover type to “train” the program to group 
+like pixels; this is called a supervised classification. Maps or imagery can also be integrated 
+into a geographical information system (GIS) and then each pixel can be compared with other 
+GIS data, such as census data. For more information on integrating NASA Earth science data 
+into a GIS, check out the Earthdata GIS page.Satellites also often carry a variety of sensors 
+
+measuring biogeophysical parameters, such as sea surface temperature, nitrogen dioxide or 
+other atmospheric pollutants, winds, aerosols, and biomass. These parameters can be evaluated 
+through statistical and spectral analysis techniques.To aid in getting started with applications-based 
+research using remotely-sensed data, Data Pathfinders provide a data product selection guide 
+focused on specific science disciplines and application areas, such as those mentioned above. 
+
+Pathfinders provide direct links to the most commonly-used datasets and data products from 
+NASA’s Earth science data collections along with links to tools that provide ways to visualize 
+or subset the data, with the option to save the data in different file formats. Water budgets 
+for individual watersheds can be estimated using remote sensing data for precipitation, evapotranspiration, 
+and runoff.Find and use NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing 
+
+the connections between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world 
+in which we live.The atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet 
+from the intense radiation of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial 
+and ocean cycles.The biosphere encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems 
+to mountaintops and all depths of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, 
+
+regulating climate, and providing numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses 
+the frozen parts of Earth, including glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen 
+body of water. The cryosphere plays a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The 
+human dimensions discipline includes ways humans interact with the environment and how these 
+interactions impact Earth’s systems. It also explores the vulnerability of human communities 
+
+to natural disasters and hazards.The land surface discipline includes research into areas 
+such as shrinking forests, warming land, and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information 
+on land surface parameters and the ecological state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir 
+supports a diversity of life and helps regulate Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within 
+Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although originating from below the surface, these 
+
+processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based measurements.The Sun influences 
+a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. NASA continually monitors 
+solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere includes water on 
+the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater along with 
+total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are just interested 
+
+in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have the resources 
+to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science data, services, 
+and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate with NASA.Making 
+NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible for research 
+and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.Remote sensing is the acquiring of information 
+
+from a distance. NASA observes Earth and other planetary bodies via remote sensors on satellites 
+and aircraft that detect and record reflected or emitted energy. Remote sensors, which provide 
+a global perspective and a wealth of data about Earth systems, enable data-informed decision 
+making based on the current and future state of our planet.For more information, check out 
+NASA's Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) Tech Talk: From Pixels 
+
+to Products: An Overview of Satellite Remote Sensing.Satellites can be placed in several types 
+of orbits around Earth. The three common classes of orbits are low-Earth orbit (approximately 
+160 to 2,000 km above Earth), medium-Earth orbit (approximately 2,000 to 35,500 km above Earth), 
+and high-Earth orbit (above 35,500 km above Earth). Satellites orbiting at 35,786 km are at 
+an altitude at which their orbital speed matches the planet's rotation, and are in what is 
+
+called geosynchronous orbit (GSO). In addition, a satellite in GSO directly over the equator 
+will have a geostationary orbit. A geostationary orbit enables a satellite to maintain its 
+position directly over the same place on Earth’s surface.Low-Earth orbit is a commonly used 
+orbit since satellites can follow several orbital tracks around the planet. Polar-orbiting 
+satellites, for example, are inclined nearly 90 degrees to the equatorial plane and travel 
+
+from pole to pole as Earth rotates. This enables sensors aboard the satellite to acquire data 
+for the entire globe rapidly, including the polar regions. Many polar-orbiting satellites 
+are considered Sun-synchronous, meaning that the satellite passes over the same location at 
+the same solar time each cycle. One example of a Sun-synchronous, polar-orbiting satellite 
+is NASA’s Aqua satellite, which orbits approximately 705 km above Earth’s surface.Non-polar 
+
+low-Earth orbit satellites, on the other hand, do not provide global coverage but instead 
+cover only a partial range of latitudes. The joint NASA/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory is an example of a non-Sun-synchronous 
+low-Earth orbit satellite. Its orbital track acquires data between 65 degrees north and south 
+latitude from 407 km above the planet.A medium-Earth orbit satellite takes approximately 12 
+
+hours to complete an orbit. In 24-hours, the satellite crosses over the same two spots on 
+the equator every day. This orbit is consistent and highly predictable. As a result, this 
+is an orbit used by many telecommunications and GPS satellites. One example of a medium-Earth 
+orbit satellite constellation is the European Space Agency's Galileo global navigation satellite 
+system (GNSS), which orbits 23,222 km above Earth.While both geosynchronous and geostationary 
+
+satellites orbit at 35,786 km above Earth, geosynchronous satellites have orbits that can 
+be tilted above or below the equator. Geostationary satellites, on the other hand, orbit Earth 
+on the same plane as the equator. These satellites capture identical views of Earth with each 
+observation and provide almost continuous coverage of one area. The joint NASA/NOAA Geostationary 
+Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) series of weather satellites are in geostationary 
+
+orbits above the equator.For more information about orbits, please see NASA Earth Observatory's 
+Catalog of Earth Satellite Orbits.Electromagnetic energy, produced by the vibration of charged 
+particles, travels in the form of waves through the atmosphere and the vacuum of space. These 
+waves have different wavelengths (the distance from wave crest to wave crest) and frequencies; 
+a shorter wavelength means a higher frequency. Some, like radio, microwave, and infrared waves, 
+
+have a longer wavelength, while others, such as ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays, have 
+a much shorter wavelength. Visible light sits in the middle of that range of long to shortwave 
+radiation. This small portion of energy is all that the human eye is able to detect. Instrumentation 
+is needed to detect all other forms of electromagnetic energy. NASA instrumentation utilizes 
+the full range of the spectrum to explore and understand processes occurring here on Earth 
+
+and on other planetary bodies.Some waves are absorbed or reflected by atmospheric components, 
+like water vapor and carbon dioxide, while some wavelengths allow for unimpeded movement through 
+the atmosphere; visible light has wavelengths that can be transmitted through the atmosphere. 
+Microwave energy has wavelengths that can pass through clouds, an attribute utilized by many 
+weather and communication satellites.The primary source of the energy observed by satellites, 
+
+is the Sun. The amount of the Sun’s energy reflected depends on the roughness of the surface 
+and its albedo, which is how well a surface reflects light instead of absorbing it. Snow, 
+for example, has a very high albedo and reflects up to 90% of incoming solar radiation. The 
+ocean, on the other hand, reflects only about 6% of incoming solar radiation and absorbs the 
+rest. Often, when energy is absorbed, it is re-emitted, usually at longer wavelengths. For 
+
+example, the energy absorbed by the ocean gets re-emitted as infrared radiation.All things 
+on Earth reflect, absorb, or transmit energy, the amount of which varies by wavelength. Just 
+as your fingerprint is unique to you, everything on Earth has a unique spectral fingerprint. 
+Researchers can use this information to identify different Earth features as well as different 
+rock and mineral types. The number of spectral bands detected by a given instrument, its spectral 
+
+resolution, determines how much differentiation a researcher can identify between materials.For 
+more information on the electromagnetic spectrum, with companion videos, view NASA's Tour 
+of the Electromagnetic Spectrum.Sensors, or instruments, aboard satellites and aircraft use 
+the Sun as a source of illumination or provide their own source of illumination, measuring 
+energy that is reflected back. Sensors that use natural energy from the Sun are called passive 
+
+sensors; those that provide their own source of energy are called active sensors. Passive 
+sensors include different types of radiometers (instruments that quantitatively measure the 
+intensity of electromagnetic radiation in select bands) and spectrometers (devices that are 
+designed to detect, measure, and analyze the spectral content of reflected electromagnetic 
+radiation). Most passive systems used by remote sensing applications operate in the visible, 
+
+infrared, thermal infrared, and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. These 
+sensors measure land and sea surface temperature, vegetation properties, cloud and aerosol 
+properties, and other physical attributes. Most passive sensors cannot penetrate dense cloud 
+cover and thus have limitations observing areas like the tropics where dense cloud cover is 
+frequent.Active sensors include different types of radio detection and ranging (radar) sensors, 
+
+altimeters, and scatterometers. The majority of active sensors operate in the microwave band 
+of the electromagnetic spectrum, which gives them the ability to penetrate the atmosphere 
+under most conditions. These types of sensors are useful for measuring the vertical profiles 
+of aerosols, forest structure, precipitation and winds, sea surface topography, and ice, among 
+others.The Remote Sensors Earthdata page provides a list of NASA’s Earth science passive and 
+
+active sensors while the What is Synthetic Aperture Radar? Backgrounder provides specific 
+information on this type of active sensor.Resolution plays a role in how data from a sensor 
+can be used. Resolution can vary depending on the satellite’s orbit and sensor design. There 
+are four types of resolution to consider for any dataset—radiometric, spatial, spectral, and 
+temporal.Radiometric resolution is the amount of information in each pixel, that is, the number 
+
+of bits representing the energy recorded. Each bit records an exponent of power 2. For example, 
+an 8 bit resolution is 28, which indicates that the sensor has 256 potential digital values 
+(0-255) to store information. Thus, the higher the radiometric resolution, the more values 
+are available to store information, providing better discrimination between even the slightest 
+differences in energy. For example, when assessing water quality, radiometric resolution is 
+
+necessary to distinguish between subtle differences in ocean color.Spatial resolution is defined 
+by the size of each pixel within a digital image and the area on Earth’s surface represented 
+by that pixel.For example, the majority of the bands observed by the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) have a spatial resolution of 1km; each pixel represents a 1 km x 
+1km area on the ground. MODIS also includes bands with a spatial resolution of 250 m or 500 
+
+m. The finer the resolution (the lower the number), the more detail you can see. In the image 
+below, you can see the difference in pixelation between a 30 m/pixel image (left image), a 
+100 m/pixel image (center image), and a 300 m/pixel image (right image).Spectral resolution 
+is the ability of a sensor to discern finer wavelengths, that is, having more and narrower 
+bands. Many sensors are considered to be multispectral, meaning they have 3-10 bands. Some 
+
+sensors have hundreds to even thousands of bands and are considered to be hyperspectral. The 
+narrower the range of wavelengths for a given band, the finer the spectral resolution. For 
+example, the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) captures information 
+in 224 spectral channels. The cube on the right represents the detail within the data. At 
+this level of detail, distinctions can be made between rock and mineral types, vegetation 
+
+types, and other features. In the cube, the small region of high response in the right corner 
+of the image is in the red portion of the visible spectrum (about 700 nanometers), and is 
+due to the presence of 1-centimeter-long (half-inch) red brine shrimp in the evaporation pond.Temporal 
+resolution is the time it takes for a satellite to complete an orbit and revisit the same 
+observation area. This resolution depends on the orbit, the sensor’s characteristics, and 
+
+the swath width. Because geostationary satellites match the rate at which Earth is rotating, 
+the temporal resolution is much finer. Polar orbiting satellites have a temporal resolution 
+that can vary from 1 day to 16 days. For example, the MODIS sensor aboard NASA's Terra and 
+Aqua satellites has a temporal resolution of 1-2 days, allowing the sensor to visualize Earth 
+as it changes day by day. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard the joint NASA/USGS Landsat 
+
+8 satellite, on the other hand, has a narrower swath width and a temporal resolution of 16 
+days; showing not daily changes but bi-monthly changes.Why not build a sensor combining high 
+spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution? It is difficult to combine all of the desirable 
+features into one remote sensor. For example, to acquire observations with high spatial resolution 
+(like OLI, aboard Landsat 8) a narrower swath is required, which requires more time between 
+
+observations of a given area resulting in a lower temporal resolution. Researchers have to 
+make trade-offs. This is why it is very important to understand the type of data needed for 
+a given area of study. When researching weather, which is dynamic over time, a high temporal 
+resolution is critical. When researching seasonal vegetation changes, on the other hand, a 
+high temporal resolution may be sacrificed for a higher spectral or spatial resolution.Remote 
+
+sensing data acquired from instruments aboard satellites require processing before the data 
+are usable by most researchers and applied science users. Most raw NASA Earth observation 
+satellite data (Level 0, see data processing levels) are processed at NASA's Science Investigator-led 
+Processing Systems (SIPS) facilities. All data are processed to at least a Level 1, but most 
+have associated Level 2 (derived geophysical variables) and Level 3 (variables mapped on uniform 
+
+space-time grid scales) products. Many even have Level 4 products. NASA Earth science data 
+are archived at discipline-specific Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) and are available 
+fully, openly, and without restriction to data users.Most data are stored in Hierarchical 
+Data Format (HDF) or Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) format. Numerous data tools are available 
+to subset, transform, visualize, and export to various other file formats.Once data are processed, 
+
+they can be used in a variety of applications, from agriculture to water resources to health 
+and air quality. A single sensor will not address all research questions within a given application. 
+Users often need to leverage multiple sensors and data products to address their question, 
+bearing in mind the limitations of data provided by different spectral, spatial, and temporal 
+resolutions.Many sensors acquire data at different spectral wavelengths. For example, Band 
+
+1 of the OLI aboard Landsat 8 acquires data at 0.433-0.453 micrometers while the MODIS Band 
+1 acquires data at 0.620-0.670 micrometers. OLI has a total of 9 bands whereas MODIS has 36 
+bands, all measuring different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Bands can be combined 
+to produce imagery of the data to reveal different features in the landscape. Often imagery 
+of data are used to distinguish characteristics of a region being studied or to determine 
+
+an area of study.True-color images show Earth as it appears to the human eye. For a Landsat 
+8 OLI true-color (red, green, blue [RGB]) image, the sensor Bands 4 (Red), 3 (Green), and 
+2 (Blue) are combined. Other spectral band combinations can be used for specific science applications, 
+such as flood monitoring, urbanization delineation, and vegetation mapping. For example, creating 
+a false-color Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS, aboard the Suomi National 
+
+Polar-orbiting Partnership [Suomi NPP] satellite) image using bands M11, I2, and I1 is useful 
+for distinguishing burn scars from low vegetation or bare soil as well as for exposing flooded 
+areas. To see more band combinations from Landsat sensors, check out NASA Scientific Visualization 
+Studio's video Landsat Band Remix or the NASA Earth Observatory article Many Hues of London. 
+For other common band combinations, see NASA Earth Observatory's How to Interpret Common False-Color 
+
+Images, which provides common band combinations along with insight into interpreting imagery.Once 
+data are processed into imagery with varying band combinations these images can aid in resource 
+management decisions and disaster assessment. This requires proper interpretation of the imagery. 
+There are a few strategies for getting started (adapted from NASA Earth Observatory article 
+How to Interpret a Satellite Image: Five Tips and Strategies):Different land cover types can 
+
+be discriminated more readily by using image classification algorithms. Image classification 
+uses the spectral information of individual image pixels. A program using image classification 
+algorithms can automatically group the pixels in what is called an unsupervised classification. 
+The user can also indicate areas of known land cover type to “train” the program to group 
+like pixels; this is called a supervised classification. Maps or imagery can also be integrated 
+
+into a geographical information system (GIS) and then each pixel can be compared with other 
+GIS data, such as census data. For more information on integrating NASA Earth science data 
+into a GIS, check out the Earthdata GIS page.Satellites also often carry a variety of sensors 
+measuring biogeophysical parameters, such as sea surface temperature, nitrogen dioxide or 
+other atmospheric pollutants, winds, aerosols, and biomass. These parameters can be evaluated 
+
+through statistical and spectral analysis techniques.To aid in getting started with applications-based 
+research using remotely-sensed data, Data Pathfinders provide a data product selection guide 
+focused on specific science disciplines and application areas, such as those mentioned above. 
+Pathfinders provide direct links to the most commonly-used datasets and data products from 
+NASA’s Earth science data collections along with links to tools that provide ways to visualize 
+
+or subset the data, with the option to save the data in different file formats.Find and use 
+NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections 
+between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.The planet NASA studies the most 
+is Earth. NASA’s end-to-end Earth observations enable agricultural producers to make informed 
+decisions about global market conditions, water management, in-season crop conditions, severe 
+weather, and sustainability.This Data Pathfinder will help guide you through the process of 
+selecting and using datasets applicable to agriculture and water management, and provides 
+
+links to specific data sources. If you are new to remote sensing, the What is Remote Sensing? 
+Backgrounder provides a comprehensive overview. In addition, NASA's Applied Remote Sensing 
+Training Program (ARSET) provides numerous training modules, including Fundamentals of Remote 
+Sensing.If you have specific questions about how to use data, tools, or resources mentioned 
+in this Data Pathfinder, please visit the Earthdata Forum. Here, you can interact with other 
+
+data users and NASA subject matter experts on a variety of Earth science research and applications 
+topics.This section provides links to NASA and external tools and applications relevant to 
+analyzing and visualizing agriculture and water management data referenced in this Data Pathfinder. 
+NASA's Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program maintains many more resources for data analysis 
+that may be helpful. Explore the full list on the NASA Earthdata Data Tools page.The Agrometeorological 
+
+(AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of EO data products on 
+the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season crop development 
+and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO data plots that quantify 
+critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region and crop over time and are 
+updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots help tell the story of in-season 
+
+crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For 
+more information about AGMET:The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples 
+(AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from 
+a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using 
+spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: 
+
+point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. 
+Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+
+viewing results, interacting with results, and downloading requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search 
+is NASA's tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant 
+data available through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about 
+data collections, search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and 
+
+download or submit requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. 
+Note: An Earthdata Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) 
+users can customize granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, 
+KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset 
+to obtain only the bands that are needed.The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) 
+
+provides early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. NASA’s 
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+
+parameter analysis options include:Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:The U.S. Drought 
+Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought 
+
+relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the USGS provides 
+the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30), visualizing nearly 
+1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.EarthExplorer 
+is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, elevation data, and satellite products 
+
+(including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER data, ASTER GDEM and other products) 
+distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, and ordering tool connects users with 
+satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories through interactive and textual-based 
+query capabilities. These products are available for download at no cost to registered users. 
+Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" link on the EarthExplorer main page.The 
+
+NASA Worldview data visualization application provides the capability to interactively browse 
+more than 1,000 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and download the underlying 
+data. Many of the available imagery layers are updated within three hours of observation, 
+which supports time-critical application areas such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, 
+and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services 
+
+(GIBS). Worldview also includes geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, 
+and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites that are available at 10-minute increments for the 
+last 30 days.The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) 
+offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from a variety of 
+federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, 
+
+temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: point samples 
+for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample 
+requests submitted to AρρEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+viewing results, interacting with results and downloading requests.Earthdata Search is NASA's 
+tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available 
+through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, 
+search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit 
+
+requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata 
+Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize 
+granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF 
+and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the 
+bands that are needed.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:NASA's ORNL DAAC has several tools for subsetting 
+data from the MODIS and VIIRS instruments:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed 
+
+using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced 
+and other arrays, and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, 
+combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application 
+that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that 
+your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With 
+
+Panoply 5 you can:Resources:NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers 
+geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology 
+community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as 
+well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable 
+applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of restful Application Programming 
+
+Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and Open-source Project for a Network 
+Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service offerings support data discovery, 
+access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support 
+tools.Data Access ViewerThe Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators 
+bring together a variety of EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides 
+
+valuable insights on in-season crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator 
+consists of several EO data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health 
+for a specific region and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different 
+EO data plots help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different 
+climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover 
+
+the NASA Earth Science resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data 
+found in this web map can be applied to the following areas:The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:The Crop Monitor 
+Exploring Tool is an an online interactive resource that provides NDVI, temperature, precipitation, 
+soil moisture, ET, and runoff data to determine crop conditions for a variety of different 
+
+crops in Early Warning countries (Africa and Asia) and Agricultural Market Information System 
+(AMIS) countries (North America, Europe, and Asia) by the Group on Earth Observations Global 
+Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM).The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides 
+early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s 
+
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Versions:GLAM2 Original 
+VersionResources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply 
+data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, 
+and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, 
+
+and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, 
+Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had 
+a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: 
+NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology 
+and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The NASA Worldview data visualization 
+application provides the capability to interactively browse more than 1,000 global, full-resolution 
+satellite imagery layers and download the underlying data. Many of the available imagery layers 
+are updated within three hours of observation, which supports time-critical application areas 
+such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery 
+
+is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS). Worldview also includes 
+geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites 
+that are available at 10-minute increments for the last 30 days.The Application for Extracting 
+and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access 
+and transform geospatial data from a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users 
+
+to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types 
+of sample requests are available: point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples 
+for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users 
+not only with data values, but also associated quality data values. Interactive visualizations 
+with summary statistics are provided for each sample within the application, which allow users 
+
+to preview and interact with their samples before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS 
+Getting Started to learn more about workflows, viewing the results, interacting with the results 
+and downloading the requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool enables users to visualize 
+and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of 
+rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved decisions for, issues 
+
+related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish 
+to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture 
+Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active 
+Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument 
+in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical for professionals in the agriculture 
+
+and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in tandem with other data to plan crop 
+planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and improve weather forecasts. This application 
+offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service (WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and 
+Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search is NASA's tool for searching for 
+and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available through U.S. and 
+
+international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, search for data 
+files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit requests for 
+data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata Login is required 
+to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize granules. Users 
+can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from 
+
+a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the bands that are needed.The 
+Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides early warning and analysis on food 
+insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to help decision-makers 
+plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. 
+The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information 
+
+System (LIS) that has been adapted to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and 
+forecast requirements associated with food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. 
+The integration of LIS allows FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate 
+ensembles of soil moisture, evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple 
+meteorological inputs or land surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access 
+
+to geo-spatial data, satellite image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS 
+NET drought monitoring efforts throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS 
+NET Project, part of the Early Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation 
+and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables 
+near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. 
+This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, 
+
+and computing power.Resources:OpenET is a web-based platform that puts NASA evapotranspiration 
+(ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation groups to speed improvements 
+and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states in the Western U.S. It uses 
+publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based ET information in 
+areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly intervals.Resources:NASA's 
+
+Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and 
+solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The U.S. Drought Monitor 
+is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought relief 
+allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.EarthExplorer is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, 
+elevation data and satellite products (including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER 
+data, ASTER GDEM and other products) distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, 
+and ordering tool connects users with satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories 
+through interactive and textual-based query capabilities. These products are available for 
+
+download at no cost to registered users. Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" 
+link on the EarthExplorer main page.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the 
+USGS provides the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30) visualizing 
+nearly 1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.The 
+Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of 
+
+EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season 
+crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO 
+data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region 
+and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots 
+help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, 
+
+and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover the NASA Earth Science 
+resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data found in this web map can 
+be applied to the following areas:Water Availability: Plant Stress, Soil Moisture, Drought, 
+Irrigation Weather, Extreme Events and Better Seasonal and Sub-Seasonal Projections: NASA 
+Models Informing NOAA, USDA and Drought Monitor Operational ForecastingFor GIS users: see 
+
+how to use NASA data and services in common GIS tools in the GIS Pathfinder and check out 
+the How To guides to get help with your workflows.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool 
+enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, 
+and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved 
+decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an 
+
+API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop 
+Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data 
+from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, 
+
+and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform 
+application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, and offers additional functionality 
+such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. 
+Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop 
+computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later 
+
+version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide 
+Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters 
+formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, 
+and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through 
+custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of 
+
+restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerOpenET is a web-based platform 
+that puts NASA evapotranspiration (ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation 
+
+groups to speed improvements and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states 
+in the Western U.S. It uses publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based 
+ET information in areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly 
+intervals.Resources:The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by 
+policymakers to help determine drought relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA 
+
+satellites provide data about water availability to the U.S. Drought Monitor.The ClimateSERV 
+data visualization tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, 
+vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding 
+of, and make improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. 
+ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application 
+
+or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NASA's Prediction 
+Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related 
+
+parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, 
+analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings 
+through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series 
+of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA develops partnerships 
+and resources to address food security and works with decision-makers and data users to tailor 
+these tools to specific locations and user needs. These efforts help address issues like water 
+management for irrigation, crop-type identification and land use, coastal and lake water quality 
+
+monitoring, drought preparedness, and famine early warnings. NASA Earth science data are key 
+elements in the work carried out and supported by the agency's Applied Sciences Program, which 
+works with individuals and institutions worldwide to inform decision-making, enhance quality 
+of life, and strengthen our economy. Applied Sciences agriculture and water management-related 
+efforts include: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked 
+
+global goals designed to be a blueprint for a sustainable future for all of Earth’s inhabitants. 
+The SDGs are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an international plan signed 
+by all United Nations (UN) member states and underpinned by the foundational components of 
+People, Planet, and Prosperity.SDGs include specific social, economic, and environmental targets. 
+Through SDG 2: Zero Hunger, the UN proposes to end hunger, achieve food security and improved 
+
+nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Key SDG 2 Targets include:While NASA datasets 
+are not official indicators for SDG monitoring and decision-making, they provide data necessary 
+to assess progress towards achieving SDG Targets. Along with SDG 2, the data and resources 
+in the Agriculture and Water Management Data Pathfinder help address Targets in other SDGs, 
+including:The Sustainable Development Progress Report offers data about countries’ performances 
+
+in the SDGs.GIS data related to SDG 2 are available from the United Nations Statistics Division 
+through Esri’s Federated Information System for the SDG Initiative.The Committee on Earth 
+Observation Satellites (CEOS) also supports SDG 2. Learn how CEOS Agencies are using Earth 
+observations for agriculture monitoring. Water budgets for individual watersheds can be estimated 
+using remote sensing data for precipitation, evapotranspiration, and runoff.Find and use NASA 
+
+Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections between 
+interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.Remote sensing is the acquiring 
+
+of information from a distance. NASA observes Earth and other planetary bodies via remote 
+sensors on satellites and aircraft that detect and record reflected or emitted energy. Remote 
+sensors, which provide a global perspective and a wealth of data about Earth systems, enable 
+data-informed decision making based on the current and future state of our planet.For more 
+information, check out NASA's Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) 
+
+Tech Talk: From Pixels to Products: An Overview of Satellite Remote Sensing.Satellites can 
+be placed in several types of orbits around Earth. The three common classes of orbits are 
+low-Earth orbit (approximately 160 to 2,000 km above Earth), medium-Earth orbit (approximately 
+2,000 to 35,500 km above Earth), and high-Earth orbit (above 35,500 km above Earth). Satellites 
+orbiting at 35,786 km are at an altitude at which their orbital speed matches the planet's 
+
+rotation, and are in what is called geosynchronous orbit (GSO). In addition, a satellite in 
+GSO directly over the equator will have a geostationary orbit. A geostationary orbit enables 
+a satellite to maintain its position directly over the same place on Earth’s surface.Low-Earth 
+orbit is a commonly used orbit since satellites can follow several orbital tracks around the 
+planet. Polar-orbiting satellites, for example, are inclined nearly 90 degrees to the equatorial 
+
+plane and travel from pole to pole as Earth rotates. This enables sensors aboard the satellite 
+to acquire data for the entire globe rapidly, including the polar regions. Many polar-orbiting 
+satellites are considered Sun-synchronous, meaning that the satellite passes over the same 
+location at the same solar time each cycle. One example of a Sun-synchronous, polar-orbiting 
+satellite is NASA’s Aqua satellite, which orbits approximately 705 km above Earth’s surface.Non-polar 
+
+low-Earth orbit satellites, on the other hand, do not provide global coverage but instead 
+cover only a partial range of latitudes. The joint NASA/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory is an example of a non-Sun-synchronous 
+low-Earth orbit satellite. Its orbital track acquires data between 65 degrees north and south 
+latitude from 407 km above the planet.A medium-Earth orbit satellite takes approximately 12 
+
+hours to complete an orbit. In 24-hours, the satellite crosses over the same two spots on 
+the equator every day. This orbit is consistent and highly predictable. As a result, this 
+is an orbit used by many telecommunications and GPS satellites. One example of a medium-Earth 
+orbit satellite constellation is the European Space Agency's Galileo global navigation satellite 
+system (GNSS), which orbits 23,222 km above Earth.While both geosynchronous and geostationary 
+
+satellites orbit at 35,786 km above Earth, geosynchronous satellites have orbits that can 
+be tilted above or below the equator. Geostationary satellites, on the other hand, orbit Earth 
+on the same plane as the equator. These satellites capture identical views of Earth with each 
+observation and provide almost continuous coverage of one area. The joint NASA/NOAA Geostationary 
+Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) series of weather satellites are in geostationary 
+
+orbits above the equator.For more information about orbits, please see NASA Earth Observatory's 
+Catalog of Earth Satellite Orbits.Electromagnetic energy, produced by the vibration of charged 
+particles, travels in the form of waves through the atmosphere and the vacuum of space. These 
+waves have different wavelengths (the distance from wave crest to wave crest) and frequencies; 
+a shorter wavelength means a higher frequency. Some, like radio, microwave, and infrared waves, 
+
+have a longer wavelength, while others, such as ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays, have 
+a much shorter wavelength. Visible light sits in the middle of that range of long to shortwave 
+radiation. This small portion of energy is all that the human eye is able to detect. Instrumentation 
+is needed to detect all other forms of electromagnetic energy. NASA instrumentation utilizes 
+the full range of the spectrum to explore and understand processes occurring here on Earth 
+
+and on other planetary bodies.Some waves are absorbed or reflected by atmospheric components, 
+like water vapor and carbon dioxide, while some wavelengths allow for unimpeded movement through 
+the atmosphere; visible light has wavelengths that can be transmitted through the atmosphere. 
+Microwave energy has wavelengths that can pass through clouds, an attribute utilized by many 
+weather and communication satellites.The primary source of the energy observed by satellites, 
+
+is the Sun. The amount of the Sun’s energy reflected depends on the roughness of the surface 
+and its albedo, which is how well a surface reflects light instead of absorbing it. Snow, 
+for example, has a very high albedo and reflects up to 90% of incoming solar radiation. The 
+ocean, on the other hand, reflects only about 6% of incoming solar radiation and absorbs the 
+rest. Often, when energy is absorbed, it is re-emitted, usually at longer wavelengths. For 
+
+example, the energy absorbed by the ocean gets re-emitted as infrared radiation.All things 
+on Earth reflect, absorb, or transmit energy, the amount of which varies by wavelength. Just 
+as your fingerprint is unique to you, everything on Earth has a unique spectral fingerprint. 
+Researchers can use this information to identify different Earth features as well as different 
+rock and mineral types. The number of spectral bands detected by a given instrument, its spectral 
+
+resolution, determines how much differentiation a researcher can identify between materials.For 
+more information on the electromagnetic spectrum, with companion videos, view NASA's Tour 
+of the Electromagnetic Spectrum.Sensors, or instruments, aboard satellites and aircraft use 
+the Sun as a source of illumination or provide their own source of illumination, measuring 
+energy that is reflected back. Sensors that use natural energy from the Sun are called passive 
+
+sensors; those that provide their own source of energy are called active sensors. Passive 
+sensors include different types of radiometers (instruments that quantitatively measure the 
+intensity of electromagnetic radiation in select bands) and spectrometers (devices that are 
+designed to detect, measure, and analyze the spectral content of reflected electromagnetic 
+radiation). Most passive systems used by remote sensing applications operate in the visible, 
+
+infrared, thermal infrared, and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. These 
+sensors measure land and sea surface temperature, vegetation properties, cloud and aerosol 
+properties, and other physical attributes. Most passive sensors cannot penetrate dense cloud 
+cover and thus have limitations observing areas like the tropics where dense cloud cover is 
+frequent.Active sensors include different types of radio detection and ranging (radar) sensors, 
+
+altimeters, and scatterometers. The majority of active sensors operate in the microwave band 
+of the electromagnetic spectrum, which gives them the ability to penetrate the atmosphere 
+under most conditions. These types of sensors are useful for measuring the vertical profiles 
+of aerosols, forest structure, precipitation and winds, sea surface topography, and ice, among 
+others.The Remote Sensors Earthdata page provides a list of NASA’s Earth science passive and 
+
+active sensors while the What is Synthetic Aperture Radar? Backgrounder provides specific 
+information on this type of active sensor.Resolution plays a role in how data from a sensor 
+can be used. Resolution can vary depending on the satellite’s orbit and sensor design. There 
+are four types of resolution to consider for any dataset—radiometric, spatial, spectral, and 
+temporal.Radiometric resolution is the amount of information in each pixel, that is, the number 
+
+of bits representing the energy recorded. Each bit records an exponent of power 2. For example, 
+an 8 bit resolution is 28, which indicates that the sensor has 256 potential digital values 
+(0-255) to store information. Thus, the higher the radiometric resolution, the more values 
+are available to store information, providing better discrimination between even the slightest 
+differences in energy. For example, when assessing water quality, radiometric resolution is 
+
+necessary to distinguish between subtle differences in ocean color.Spatial resolution is defined 
+by the size of each pixel within a digital image and the area on Earth’s surface represented 
+by that pixel.For example, the majority of the bands observed by the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) have a spatial resolution of 1km; each pixel represents a 1 km x 
+1km area on the ground. MODIS also includes bands with a spatial resolution of 250 m or 500 
+
+m. The finer the resolution (the lower the number), the more detail you can see. In the image 
+below, you can see the difference in pixelation between a 30 m/pixel image (left image), a 
+100 m/pixel image (center image), and a 300 m/pixel image (right image).Spectral resolution 
+is the ability of a sensor to discern finer wavelengths, that is, having more and narrower 
+bands. Many sensors are considered to be multispectral, meaning they have 3-10 bands. Some 
+
+sensors have hundreds to even thousands of bands and are considered to be hyperspectral. The 
+narrower the range of wavelengths for a given band, the finer the spectral resolution. For 
+example, the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) captures information 
+in 224 spectral channels. The cube on the right represents the detail within the data. At 
+this level of detail, distinctions can be made between rock and mineral types, vegetation 
+
+types, and other features. In the cube, the small region of high response in the right corner 
+of the image is in the red portion of the visible spectrum (about 700 nanometers), and is 
+due to the presence of 1-centimeter-long (half-inch) red brine shrimp in the evaporation pond.Temporal 
+resolution is the time it takes for a satellite to complete an orbit and revisit the same 
+observation area. This resolution depends on the orbit, the sensor’s characteristics, and 
+
+the swath width. Because geostationary satellites match the rate at which Earth is rotating, 
+the temporal resolution is much finer. Polar orbiting satellites have a temporal resolution 
+that can vary from 1 day to 16 days. For example, the MODIS sensor aboard NASA's Terra and 
+Aqua satellites has a temporal resolution of 1-2 days, allowing the sensor to visualize Earth 
+as it changes day by day. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard the joint NASA/USGS Landsat 
+
+8 satellite, on the other hand, has a narrower swath width and a temporal resolution of 16 
+days; showing not daily changes but bi-monthly changes.Why not build a sensor combining high 
+spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution? It is difficult to combine all of the desirable 
+features into one remote sensor. For example, to acquire observations with high spatial resolution 
+(like OLI, aboard Landsat 8) a narrower swath is required, which requires more time between 
+
+observations of a given area resulting in a lower temporal resolution. Researchers have to 
+make trade-offs. This is why it is very important to understand the type of data needed for 
+a given area of study. When researching weather, which is dynamic over time, a high temporal 
+resolution is critical. When researching seasonal vegetation changes, on the other hand, a 
+high temporal resolution may be sacrificed for a higher spectral or spatial resolution.Remote 
+
+sensing data acquired from instruments aboard satellites require processing before the data 
+are usable by most researchers and applied science users. Most raw NASA Earth observation 
+satellite data (Level 0, see data processing levels) are processed at NASA's Science Investigator-led 
+Processing Systems (SIPS) facilities. All data are processed to at least a Level 1, but most 
+have associated Level 2 (derived geophysical variables) and Level 3 (variables mapped on uniform 
+
+space-time grid scales) products. Many even have Level 4 products. NASA Earth science data 
+are archived at discipline-specific Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) and are available 
+fully, openly, and without restriction to data users.Most data are stored in Hierarchical 
+Data Format (HDF) or Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) format. Numerous data tools are available 
+to subset, transform, visualize, and export to various other file formats.Once data are processed, 
+
+they can be used in a variety of applications, from agriculture to water resources to health 
+and air quality. A single sensor will not address all research questions within a given application. 
+Users often need to leverage multiple sensors and data products to address their question, 
+bearing in mind the limitations of data provided by different spectral, spatial, and temporal 
+resolutions.Many sensors acquire data at different spectral wavelengths. For example, Band 
+
+1 of the OLI aboard Landsat 8 acquires data at 0.433-0.453 micrometers while the MODIS Band 
+1 acquires data at 0.620-0.670 micrometers. OLI has a total of 9 bands whereas MODIS has 36 
+bands, all measuring different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Bands can be combined 
+to produce imagery of the data to reveal different features in the landscape. Often imagery 
+of data are used to distinguish characteristics of a region being studied or to determine 
+
+an area of study.True-color images show Earth as it appears to the human eye. For a Landsat 
+8 OLI true-color (red, green, blue [RGB]) image, the sensor Bands 4 (Red), 3 (Green), and 
+2 (Blue) are combined. Other spectral band combinations can be used for specific science applications, 
+such as flood monitoring, urbanization delineation, and vegetation mapping. For example, creating 
+a false-color Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS, aboard the Suomi National 
+
+Polar-orbiting Partnership [Suomi NPP] satellite) image using bands M11, I2, and I1 is useful 
+for distinguishing burn scars from low vegetation or bare soil as well as for exposing flooded 
+areas. To see more band combinations from Landsat sensors, check out NASA Scientific Visualization 
+Studio's video Landsat Band Remix or the NASA Earth Observatory article Many Hues of London. 
+For other common band combinations, see NASA Earth Observatory's How to Interpret Common False-Color 
+
+Images, which provides common band combinations along with insight into interpreting imagery.Once 
+data are processed into imagery with varying band combinations these images can aid in resource 
+management decisions and disaster assessment. This requires proper interpretation of the imagery. 
+There are a few strategies for getting started (adapted from NASA Earth Observatory article 
+How to Interpret a Satellite Image: Five Tips and Strategies):Different land cover types can 
+
+be discriminated more readily by using image classification algorithms. Image classification 
+uses the spectral information of individual image pixels. A program using image classification 
+algorithms can automatically group the pixels in what is called an unsupervised classification. 
+The user can also indicate areas of known land cover type to “train” the program to group 
+like pixels; this is called a supervised classification. Maps or imagery can also be integrated 
+
+into a geographical information system (GIS) and then each pixel can be compared with other 
+GIS data, such as census data. For more information on integrating NASA Earth science data 
+into a GIS, check out the Earthdata GIS page.Satellites also often carry a variety of sensors 
+measuring biogeophysical parameters, such as sea surface temperature, nitrogen dioxide or 
+other atmospheric pollutants, winds, aerosols, and biomass. These parameters can be evaluated 
+
+through statistical and spectral analysis techniques.To aid in getting started with applications-based 
+research using remotely-sensed data, Data Pathfinders provide a data product selection guide 
+focused on specific science disciplines and application areas, such as those mentioned above. 
+Pathfinders provide direct links to the most commonly-used datasets and data products from 
+NASA’s Earth science data collections along with links to tools that provide ways to visualize 
+
+or subset the data, with the option to save the data in different file formats.Find and use 
+NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections 
+between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.The planet NASA studies the most 
+is Earth. NASA’s end-to-end Earth observations enable agricultural producers to make informed 
+decisions about global market conditions, water management, in-season crop conditions, severe 
+weather, and sustainability.This Data Pathfinder will help guide you through the process of 
+selecting and using datasets applicable to agriculture and water management, and provides 
+
+links to specific data sources. If you are new to remote sensing, the What is Remote Sensing? 
+Backgrounder provides a comprehensive overview. In addition, NASA's Applied Remote Sensing 
+Training Program (ARSET) provides numerous training modules, including Fundamentals of Remote 
+Sensing.If you have specific questions about how to use data, tools, or resources mentioned 
+in this Data Pathfinder, please visit the Earthdata Forum. Here, you can interact with other 
+
+data users and NASA subject matter experts on a variety of Earth science research and applications 
+topics.This section provides links to NASA and external tools and applications relevant to 
+analyzing and visualizing agriculture and water management data referenced in this Data Pathfinder. 
+NASA's Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program maintains many more resources for data analysis 
+that may be helpful. Explore the full list on the NASA Earthdata Data Tools page.The Agrometeorological 
+
+(AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of EO data products on 
+the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season crop development 
+and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO data plots that quantify 
+critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region and crop over time and are 
+updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots help tell the story of in-season 
+
+crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For 
+more information about AGMET:The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples 
+(AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from 
+a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using 
+spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: 
+
+point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. 
+Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+
+viewing results, interacting with results, and downloading requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search 
+is NASA's tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant 
+data available through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about 
+data collections, search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and 
+
+download or submit requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. 
+Note: An Earthdata Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) 
+users can customize granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, 
+KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset 
+to obtain only the bands that are needed.The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) 
+
+provides early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. NASA’s 
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+
+parameter analysis options include:Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:The U.S. Drought 
+Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought 
+
+relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the USGS provides 
+the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30), visualizing nearly 
+1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.EarthExplorer 
+is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, elevation data, and satellite products 
+
+(including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER data, ASTER GDEM and other products) 
+distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, and ordering tool connects users with 
+satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories through interactive and textual-based 
+query capabilities. These products are available for download at no cost to registered users. 
+Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" link on the EarthExplorer main page.The 
+
+NASA Worldview data visualization application provides the capability to interactively browse 
+more than 1,000 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and download the underlying 
+data. Many of the available imagery layers are updated within three hours of observation, 
+which supports time-critical application areas such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, 
+and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services 
+
+(GIBS). Worldview also includes geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, 
+and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites that are available at 10-minute increments for the 
+last 30 days.The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) 
+offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from a variety of 
+federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, 
+
+temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: point samples 
+for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample 
+requests submitted to AρρEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+viewing results, interacting with results and downloading requests.Earthdata Search is NASA's 
+tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available 
+through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, 
+search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit 
+
+requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata 
+Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize 
+granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF 
+and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the 
+bands that are needed.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:NASA's ORNL DAAC has several tools for subsetting 
+data from the MODIS and VIIRS instruments:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed 
+
+using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced 
+and other arrays, and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, 
+combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application 
+that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that 
+your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With 
+
+Panoply 5 you can:Resources:NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers 
+geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology 
+community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as 
+well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable 
+applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of restful Application Programming 
+
+Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and Open-source Project for a Network 
+Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service offerings support data discovery, 
+access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support 
+tools.Data Access ViewerThe Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators 
+bring together a variety of EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides 
+
+valuable insights on in-season crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator 
+consists of several EO data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health 
+for a specific region and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different 
+EO data plots help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different 
+climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover 
+
+the NASA Earth Science resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data 
+found in this web map can be applied to the following areas:The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:The Crop Monitor 
+Exploring Tool is an an online interactive resource that provides NDVI, temperature, precipitation, 
+soil moisture, ET, and runoff data to determine crop conditions for a variety of different 
+
+crops in Early Warning countries (Africa and Asia) and Agricultural Market Information System 
+(AMIS) countries (North America, Europe, and Asia) by the Group on Earth Observations Global 
+Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM).The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides 
+early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s 
+
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Versions:GLAM2 Original 
+VersionResources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply 
+data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, 
+and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, 
+
+and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, 
+Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had 
+a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: 
+NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology 
+and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The NASA Worldview data visualization 
+application provides the capability to interactively browse more than 1,000 global, full-resolution 
+satellite imagery layers and download the underlying data. Many of the available imagery layers 
+are updated within three hours of observation, which supports time-critical application areas 
+such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery 
+
+is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS). Worldview also includes 
+geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites 
+that are available at 10-minute increments for the last 30 days.The Application for Extracting 
+and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access 
+and transform geospatial data from a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users 
+
+to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types 
+of sample requests are available: point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples 
+for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users 
+not only with data values, but also associated quality data values. Interactive visualizations 
+with summary statistics are provided for each sample within the application, which allow users 
+
+to preview and interact with their samples before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS 
+Getting Started to learn more about workflows, viewing the results, interacting with the results 
+and downloading the requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool enables users to visualize 
+and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of 
+rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved decisions for, issues 
+
+related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish 
+to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture 
+Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active 
+Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument 
+in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical for professionals in the agriculture 
+
+and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in tandem with other data to plan crop 
+planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and improve weather forecasts. This application 
+offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service (WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and 
+Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search is NASA's tool for searching for 
+and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available through U.S. and 
+
+international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, search for data 
+files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit requests for 
+data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata Login is required 
+to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize granules. Users 
+can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from 
+
+a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the bands that are needed.The 
+Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides early warning and analysis on food 
+insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to help decision-makers 
+plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. 
+The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information 
+
+System (LIS) that has been adapted to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and 
+forecast requirements associated with food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. 
+The integration of LIS allows FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate 
+ensembles of soil moisture, evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple 
+meteorological inputs or land surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access 
+
+to geo-spatial data, satellite image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS 
+NET drought monitoring efforts throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS 
+NET Project, part of the Early Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation 
+and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables 
+near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. 
+This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, 
+
+and computing power.Resources:OpenET is a web-based platform that puts NASA evapotranspiration 
+(ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation groups to speed improvements 
+and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states in the Western U.S. It uses 
+publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based ET information in 
+areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly intervals.Resources:NASA's 
+
+Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and 
+solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The U.S. Drought Monitor 
+is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought relief 
+allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.EarthExplorer is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, 
+elevation data and satellite products (including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER 
+data, ASTER GDEM and other products) distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, 
+and ordering tool connects users with satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories 
+through interactive and textual-based query capabilities. These products are available for 
+
+download at no cost to registered users. Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" 
+link on the EarthExplorer main page.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the 
+USGS provides the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30) visualizing 
+nearly 1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.The 
+Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of 
+
+EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season 
+crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO 
+data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region 
+and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots 
+help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, 
+
+and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover the NASA Earth Science 
+resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data found in this web map can 
+be applied to the following areas:Water Availability: Plant Stress, Soil Moisture, Drought, 
+Irrigation Weather, Extreme Events and Better Seasonal and Sub-Seasonal Projections: NASA 
+Models Informing NOAA, USDA and Drought Monitor Operational ForecastingFor GIS users: see 
+
+how to use NASA data and services in common GIS tools in the GIS Pathfinder and check out 
+the How To guides to get help with your workflows.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool 
+enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, 
+and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved 
+decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an 
+
+API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop 
+Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data 
+from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, 
+
+and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform 
+application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, and offers additional functionality 
+such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. 
+Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop 
+computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later 
+
+version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide 
+Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters 
+formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, 
+and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through 
+custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of 
+
+restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerOpenET is a web-based platform 
+that puts NASA evapotranspiration (ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation 
+
+groups to speed improvements and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states 
+in the Western U.S. It uses publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based 
+ET information in areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly 
+intervals.Resources:The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by 
+policymakers to help determine drought relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA 
+
+satellites provide data about water availability to the U.S. Drought Monitor.The ClimateSERV 
+data visualization tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, 
+vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding 
+of, and make improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. 
+ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application 
+
+or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NASA's Prediction 
+Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related 
+
+parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, 
+analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings 
+through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series 
+of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA develops partnerships 
+and resources to address food security and works with decision-makers and data users to tailor 
+these tools to specific locations and user needs. These efforts help address issues like water 
+management for irrigation, crop-type identification and land use, coastal and lake water quality 
+
+monitoring, drought preparedness, and famine early warnings. NASA Earth science data are key 
+elements in the work carried out and supported by the agency's Applied Sciences Program, which 
+works with individuals and institutions worldwide to inform decision-making, enhance quality 
+of life, and strengthen our economy. Applied Sciences agriculture and water management-related 
+efforts include: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked 
+
+global goals designed to be a blueprint for a sustainable future for all of Earth’s inhabitants. 
+The SDGs are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an international plan signed 
+by all United Nations (UN) member states and underpinned by the foundational components of 
+People, Planet, and Prosperity.SDGs include specific social, economic, and environmental targets. 
+Through SDG 2: Zero Hunger, the UN proposes to end hunger, achieve food security and improved 
+
+nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Key SDG 2 Targets include:While NASA datasets 
+are not official indicators for SDG monitoring and decision-making, they provide data necessary 
+to assess progress towards achieving SDG Targets. Along with SDG 2, the data and resources 
+in the Agriculture and Water Management Data Pathfinder help address Targets in other SDGs, 
+including:The Sustainable Development Progress Report offers data about countries’ performances 
+
+in the SDGs.GIS data related to SDG 2 are available from the United Nations Statistics Division 
+through Esri’s Federated Information System for the SDG Initiative.The Committee on Earth 
+Observation Satellites (CEOS) also supports SDG 2. Learn how CEOS Agencies are using Earth 
+observations for agriculture monitoring.August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGAugust 31, 
+2023September 8, 2023August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGIn early 
+
+September 2023, Greece endured a four-day storm that dropped 910 millimeters (3 feet) of rain 
+on central parts of the country. The record rainfall triggered deadly flooding and inundated 
+towns and farm fields in Thessaly, a region that includes Greece’s agricultural heartland. 
+The flooding was fueled by a stalled low-pressure storm that became cut-off from the jet stream, 
+also known as a cut-off low, which dropped heavy rainfall on central Greece between September 
+
+4 and 7. The storm dropped the most rain, 910 millimeters (3 feet), on Zagora, near Thessaly’s 
+port town of Volos, according to Meteo, the country’s weather service. About 100 kilometers 
+(60 miles) inland, the town of Karditsa saw 659 millimeters (2 feet) of rainfall. The pair 
+of images above shows flooding near Karditsa and Larissa, some of the hardest hit places in 
+Thessaly. The image on the right, acquired by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 
+
+8, shows flooding near the Pineios River on September 8, a day after the storm receded. The 
+image on the left, acquired by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, shows the 
+same area on August 31. The images show floodwater covering what once were green farm fields 
+in the low-lying Thessaly plain. Farming is a major industry in the region, and accounts for 
+about one-sixth of Greece’s agricultural output. Farmers here grow primarily cotton, wheat, 
+
+corn, and alfalfa. The detailed image below shows flooded fields near the village of Pedino, 
+north of Karditsa. Sediment-laden water overtopped the banks of the Pineios, to the north 
+of the village, and the Mega Rema River to the south. September 8, 2023JPEGSeveral villages 
+along the Pineios and its tributaries became inundated with water during the storm. According 
+to news reports, over 4,000 people have been rescued from high water areas. Flooding near 
+
+Larissa, Thessaly’s capital and one of the largest cities in Greece, can be seen in the image 
+below. Suburbs of the city were flooded after the Pineios River broke its banks. September 
+8, 2023JPEGAlthough water along the Pineios had started to recede on September 11, flooding 
+along the river could still be seen in images from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 
+(MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. According to news reports, the river was still 2 meters 
+
+(6.5 feet) above safe levels. NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerRecord 
+rainfall inundated towns and farmland in the country’s Thessaly region.Image of the Day for 
+September 12, 2023 Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The 
+melting of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can 
+
+send rivers out of their banks.Flash floods in the port city destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods 
+out to sea. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence A Mediterranean cyclone contributed 
+to deadly flooding along the country’s coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods A stalled 
+storm dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive 
+flooding. Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential 
+
+downpours in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+Floods Human Presence Water budgets for individual watersheds can be estimated using remote 
+sensing data for precipitation, evapotranspiration, and runoff.Find and use NASA Earth science 
+data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections between interdependent 
+Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The atmosphere is a 
+
+gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation of the Sun 
+and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere encompasses 
+all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths of the ocean. 
+It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing numerous 
+ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including glaciers 
+
+and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays a critical 
+role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes ways humans 
+interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. It also explores 
+the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The land surface discipline 
+includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, and eroding soils. NASA 
+
+data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological state of our planet.This 
+vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate Earth’s climate.Processes 
+occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although originating from below 
+the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based measurements.The 
+Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. NASA continually 
+
+monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere includes 
+water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater along 
+with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are just 
+interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have the 
+resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.Remote sensing is the acquiring 
+of information from a distance. NASA observes Earth and other planetary bodies via remote 
+sensors on satellites and aircraft that detect and record reflected or emitted energy. Remote 
+
+sensors, which provide a global perspective and a wealth of data about Earth systems, enable 
+data-informed decision making based on the current and future state of our planet.For more 
+information, check out NASA's Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) 
+Tech Talk: From Pixels to Products: An Overview of Satellite Remote Sensing.Satellites can 
+be placed in several types of orbits around Earth. The three common classes of orbits are 
+
+low-Earth orbit (approximately 160 to 2,000 km above Earth), medium-Earth orbit (approximately 
+2,000 to 35,500 km above Earth), and high-Earth orbit (above 35,500 km above Earth). Satellites 
+orbiting at 35,786 km are at an altitude at which their orbital speed matches the planet's 
+rotation, and are in what is called geosynchronous orbit (GSO). In addition, a satellite in 
+GSO directly over the equator will have a geostationary orbit. A geostationary orbit enables 
+
+a satellite to maintain its position directly over the same place on Earth’s surface.Low-Earth 
+orbit is a commonly used orbit since satellites can follow several orbital tracks around the 
+planet. Polar-orbiting satellites, for example, are inclined nearly 90 degrees to the equatorial 
+plane and travel from pole to pole as Earth rotates. This enables sensors aboard the satellite 
+to acquire data for the entire globe rapidly, including the polar regions. Many polar-orbiting 
+
+satellites are considered Sun-synchronous, meaning that the satellite passes over the same 
+location at the same solar time each cycle. One example of a Sun-synchronous, polar-orbiting 
+satellite is NASA’s Aqua satellite, which orbits approximately 705 km above Earth’s surface.Non-polar 
+low-Earth orbit satellites, on the other hand, do not provide global coverage but instead 
+cover only a partial range of latitudes. The joint NASA/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 
+
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory is an example of a non-Sun-synchronous 
+low-Earth orbit satellite. Its orbital track acquires data between 65 degrees north and south 
+latitude from 407 km above the planet.A medium-Earth orbit satellite takes approximately 12 
+hours to complete an orbit. In 24-hours, the satellite crosses over the same two spots on 
+the equator every day. This orbit is consistent and highly predictable. As a result, this 
+
+is an orbit used by many telecommunications and GPS satellites. One example of a medium-Earth 
+orbit satellite constellation is the European Space Agency's Galileo global navigation satellite 
+system (GNSS), which orbits 23,222 km above Earth.While both geosynchronous and geostationary 
+satellites orbit at 35,786 km above Earth, geosynchronous satellites have orbits that can 
+be tilted above or below the equator. Geostationary satellites, on the other hand, orbit Earth 
+
+on the same plane as the equator. These satellites capture identical views of Earth with each 
+observation and provide almost continuous coverage of one area. The joint NASA/NOAA Geostationary 
+Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) series of weather satellites are in geostationary 
+orbits above the equator.For more information about orbits, please see NASA Earth Observatory's 
+Catalog of Earth Satellite Orbits.Electromagnetic energy, produced by the vibration of charged 
+
+particles, travels in the form of waves through the atmosphere and the vacuum of space. These 
+waves have different wavelengths (the distance from wave crest to wave crest) and frequencies; 
+a shorter wavelength means a higher frequency. Some, like radio, microwave, and infrared waves, 
+have a longer wavelength, while others, such as ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays, have 
+a much shorter wavelength. Visible light sits in the middle of that range of long to shortwave 
+
+radiation. This small portion of energy is all that the human eye is able to detect. Instrumentation 
+is needed to detect all other forms of electromagnetic energy. NASA instrumentation utilizes 
+the full range of the spectrum to explore and understand processes occurring here on Earth 
+and on other planetary bodies.Some waves are absorbed or reflected by atmospheric components, 
+like water vapor and carbon dioxide, while some wavelengths allow for unimpeded movement through 
+
+the atmosphere; visible light has wavelengths that can be transmitted through the atmosphere. 
+Microwave energy has wavelengths that can pass through clouds, an attribute utilized by many 
+weather and communication satellites.The primary source of the energy observed by satellites, 
+is the Sun. The amount of the Sun’s energy reflected depends on the roughness of the surface 
+and its albedo, which is how well a surface reflects light instead of absorbing it. Snow, 
+
+for example, has a very high albedo and reflects up to 90% of incoming solar radiation. The 
+ocean, on the other hand, reflects only about 6% of incoming solar radiation and absorbs the 
+rest. Often, when energy is absorbed, it is re-emitted, usually at longer wavelengths. For 
+example, the energy absorbed by the ocean gets re-emitted as infrared radiation.All things 
+on Earth reflect, absorb, or transmit energy, the amount of which varies by wavelength. Just 
+
+as your fingerprint is unique to you, everything on Earth has a unique spectral fingerprint. 
+Researchers can use this information to identify different Earth features as well as different 
+rock and mineral types. The number of spectral bands detected by a given instrument, its spectral 
+resolution, determines how much differentiation a researcher can identify between materials.For 
+more information on the electromagnetic spectrum, with companion videos, view NASA's Tour 
+
+of the Electromagnetic Spectrum.Sensors, or instruments, aboard satellites and aircraft use 
+the Sun as a source of illumination or provide their own source of illumination, measuring 
+energy that is reflected back. Sensors that use natural energy from the Sun are called passive 
+sensors; those that provide their own source of energy are called active sensors. Passive 
+sensors include different types of radiometers (instruments that quantitatively measure the 
+
+intensity of electromagnetic radiation in select bands) and spectrometers (devices that are 
+designed to detect, measure, and analyze the spectral content of reflected electromagnetic 
+radiation). Most passive systems used by remote sensing applications operate in the visible, 
+infrared, thermal infrared, and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. These 
+sensors measure land and sea surface temperature, vegetation properties, cloud and aerosol 
+
+properties, and other physical attributes. Most passive sensors cannot penetrate dense cloud 
+cover and thus have limitations observing areas like the tropics where dense cloud cover is 
+frequent.Active sensors include different types of radio detection and ranging (radar) sensors, 
+altimeters, and scatterometers. The majority of active sensors operate in the microwave band 
+of the electromagnetic spectrum, which gives them the ability to penetrate the atmosphere 
+
+under most conditions. These types of sensors are useful for measuring the vertical profiles 
+of aerosols, forest structure, precipitation and winds, sea surface topography, and ice, among 
+others.The Remote Sensors Earthdata page provides a list of NASA’s Earth science passive and 
+active sensors while the What is Synthetic Aperture Radar? Backgrounder provides specific 
+information on this type of active sensor.Resolution plays a role in how data from a sensor 
+
+can be used. Resolution can vary depending on the satellite’s orbit and sensor design. There 
+are four types of resolution to consider for any dataset—radiometric, spatial, spectral, and 
+temporal.Radiometric resolution is the amount of information in each pixel, that is, the number 
+of bits representing the energy recorded. Each bit records an exponent of power 2. For example, 
+an 8 bit resolution is 28, which indicates that the sensor has 256 potential digital values 
+
+(0-255) to store information. Thus, the higher the radiometric resolution, the more values 
+are available to store information, providing better discrimination between even the slightest 
+differences in energy. For example, when assessing water quality, radiometric resolution is 
+necessary to distinguish between subtle differences in ocean color.Spatial resolution is defined 
+by the size of each pixel within a digital image and the area on Earth’s surface represented 
+
+by that pixel.For example, the majority of the bands observed by the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) have a spatial resolution of 1km; each pixel represents a 1 km x 
+1km area on the ground. MODIS also includes bands with a spatial resolution of 250 m or 500 
+m. The finer the resolution (the lower the number), the more detail you can see. In the image 
+below, you can see the difference in pixelation between a 30 m/pixel image (left image), a 
+
+100 m/pixel image (center image), and a 300 m/pixel image (right image).Spectral resolution 
+is the ability of a sensor to discern finer wavelengths, that is, having more and narrower 
+bands. Many sensors are considered to be multispectral, meaning they have 3-10 bands. Some 
+sensors have hundreds to even thousands of bands and are considered to be hyperspectral. The 
+narrower the range of wavelengths for a given band, the finer the spectral resolution. For 
+
+example, the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) captures information 
+in 224 spectral channels. The cube on the right represents the detail within the data. At 
+this level of detail, distinctions can be made between rock and mineral types, vegetation 
+types, and other features. In the cube, the small region of high response in the right corner 
+of the image is in the red portion of the visible spectrum (about 700 nanometers), and is 
+
+due to the presence of 1-centimeter-long (half-inch) red brine shrimp in the evaporation pond.Temporal 
+resolution is the time it takes for a satellite to complete an orbit and revisit the same 
+observation area. This resolution depends on the orbit, the sensor’s characteristics, and 
+the swath width. Because geostationary satellites match the rate at which Earth is rotating, 
+the temporal resolution is much finer. Polar orbiting satellites have a temporal resolution 
+
+that can vary from 1 day to 16 days. For example, the MODIS sensor aboard NASA's Terra and 
+Aqua satellites has a temporal resolution of 1-2 days, allowing the sensor to visualize Earth 
+as it changes day by day. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard the joint NASA/USGS Landsat 
+8 satellite, on the other hand, has a narrower swath width and a temporal resolution of 16 
+days; showing not daily changes but bi-monthly changes.Why not build a sensor combining high 
+
+spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution? It is difficult to combine all of the desirable 
+features into one remote sensor. For example, to acquire observations with high spatial resolution 
+(like OLI, aboard Landsat 8) a narrower swath is required, which requires more time between 
+observations of a given area resulting in a lower temporal resolution. Researchers have to 
+make trade-offs. This is why it is very important to understand the type of data needed for 
+
+a given area of study. When researching weather, which is dynamic over time, a high temporal 
+resolution is critical. When researching seasonal vegetation changes, on the other hand, a 
+high temporal resolution may be sacrificed for a higher spectral or spatial resolution.Remote 
+sensing data acquired from instruments aboard satellites require processing before the data 
+are usable by most researchers and applied science users. Most raw NASA Earth observation 
+
+satellite data (Level 0, see data processing levels) are processed at NASA's Science Investigator-led 
+Processing Systems (SIPS) facilities. All data are processed to at least a Level 1, but most 
+have associated Level 2 (derived geophysical variables) and Level 3 (variables mapped on uniform 
+space-time grid scales) products. Many even have Level 4 products. NASA Earth science data 
+are archived at discipline-specific Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) and are available 
+
+fully, openly, and without restriction to data users.Most data are stored in Hierarchical 
+Data Format (HDF) or Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) format. Numerous data tools are available 
+to subset, transform, visualize, and export to various other file formats.Once data are processed, 
+they can be used in a variety of applications, from agriculture to water resources to health 
+and air quality. A single sensor will not address all research questions within a given application. 
+
+Users often need to leverage multiple sensors and data products to address their question, 
+bearing in mind the limitations of data provided by different spectral, spatial, and temporal 
+resolutions.Many sensors acquire data at different spectral wavelengths. For example, Band 
+1 of the OLI aboard Landsat 8 acquires data at 0.433-0.453 micrometers while the MODIS Band 
+1 acquires data at 0.620-0.670 micrometers. OLI has a total of 9 bands whereas MODIS has 36 
+
+bands, all measuring different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Bands can be combined 
+to produce imagery of the data to reveal different features in the landscape. Often imagery 
+of data are used to distinguish characteristics of a region being studied or to determine 
+an area of study.True-color images show Earth as it appears to the human eye. For a Landsat 
+8 OLI true-color (red, green, blue [RGB]) image, the sensor Bands 4 (Red), 3 (Green), and 
+
+2 (Blue) are combined. Other spectral band combinations can be used for specific science applications, 
+such as flood monitoring, urbanization delineation, and vegetation mapping. For example, creating 
+a false-color Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS, aboard the Suomi National 
+Polar-orbiting Partnership [Suomi NPP] satellite) image using bands M11, I2, and I1 is useful 
+for distinguishing burn scars from low vegetation or bare soil as well as for exposing flooded 
+
+areas. To see more band combinations from Landsat sensors, check out NASA Scientific Visualization 
+Studio's video Landsat Band Remix or the NASA Earth Observatory article Many Hues of London. 
+For other common band combinations, see NASA Earth Observatory's How to Interpret Common False-Color 
+Images, which provides common band combinations along with insight into interpreting imagery.Once 
+data are processed into imagery with varying band combinations these images can aid in resource 
+
+management decisions and disaster assessment. This requires proper interpretation of the imagery. 
+There are a few strategies for getting started (adapted from NASA Earth Observatory article 
+How to Interpret a Satellite Image: Five Tips and Strategies):Different land cover types can 
+be discriminated more readily by using image classification algorithms. Image classification 
+uses the spectral information of individual image pixels. A program using image classification 
+
+algorithms can automatically group the pixels in what is called an unsupervised classification. 
+The user can also indicate areas of known land cover type to “train” the program to group 
+like pixels; this is called a supervised classification. Maps or imagery can also be integrated 
+into a geographical information system (GIS) and then each pixel can be compared with other 
+GIS data, such as census data. For more information on integrating NASA Earth science data 
+
+into a GIS, check out the Earthdata GIS page.Satellites also often carry a variety of sensors 
+measuring biogeophysical parameters, such as sea surface temperature, nitrogen dioxide or 
+other atmospheric pollutants, winds, aerosols, and biomass. These parameters can be evaluated 
+through statistical and spectral analysis techniques.To aid in getting started with applications-based 
+research using remotely-sensed data, Data Pathfinders provide a data product selection guide 
+
+focused on specific science disciplines and application areas, such as those mentioned above. 
+Pathfinders provide direct links to the most commonly-used datasets and data products from 
+NASA’s Earth science data collections along with links to tools that provide ways to visualize 
+or subset the data, with the option to save the data in different file formats.Find and use 
+NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections 
+
+between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.The planet NASA studies the most 
+is Earth. NASA’s end-to-end Earth observations enable agricultural producers to make informed 
+
+decisions about global market conditions, water management, in-season crop conditions, severe 
+weather, and sustainability.This Data Pathfinder will help guide you through the process of 
+selecting and using datasets applicable to agriculture and water management, and provides 
+links to specific data sources. If you are new to remote sensing, the What is Remote Sensing? 
+Backgrounder provides a comprehensive overview. In addition, NASA's Applied Remote Sensing 
+
+Training Program (ARSET) provides numerous training modules, including Fundamentals of Remote 
+Sensing.If you have specific questions about how to use data, tools, or resources mentioned 
+in this Data Pathfinder, please visit the Earthdata Forum. Here, you can interact with other 
+data users and NASA subject matter experts on a variety of Earth science research and applications 
+topics.This section provides links to NASA and external tools and applications relevant to 
+
+analyzing and visualizing agriculture and water management data referenced in this Data Pathfinder. 
+NASA's Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program maintains many more resources for data analysis 
+that may be helpful. Explore the full list on the NASA Earthdata Data Tools page.The Agrometeorological 
+(AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of EO data products on 
+the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season crop development 
+
+and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO data plots that quantify 
+critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region and crop over time and are 
+updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots help tell the story of in-season 
+crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For 
+more information about AGMET:The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples 
+
+(AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from 
+a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using 
+spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: 
+point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. 
+Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+viewing results, interacting with results, and downloading requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search 
+
+is NASA's tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant 
+data available through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about 
+data collections, search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and 
+download or submit requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. 
+Note: An Earthdata Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) 
+
+users can customize granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, 
+KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset 
+to obtain only the bands that are needed.The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) 
+provides early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. NASA’s 
+
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+parameter analysis options include:Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:The U.S. Drought 
+Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought 
+relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the USGS provides 
+
+the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30), visualizing nearly 
+1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.EarthExplorer 
+is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, elevation data, and satellite products 
+(including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER data, ASTER GDEM and other products) 
+distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, and ordering tool connects users with 
+
+satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories through interactive and textual-based 
+query capabilities. These products are available for download at no cost to registered users. 
+Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" link on the EarthExplorer main page.The 
+NASA Worldview data visualization application provides the capability to interactively browse 
+more than 1,000 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and download the underlying 
+
+data. Many of the available imagery layers are updated within three hours of observation, 
+which supports time-critical application areas such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, 
+and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services 
+(GIBS). Worldview also includes geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, 
+and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites that are available at 10-minute increments for the 
+
+last 30 days.The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) 
+offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from a variety of 
+federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, 
+temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: point samples 
+for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample 
+
+requests submitted to AρρEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+viewing results, interacting with results and downloading requests.Earthdata Search is NASA's 
+
+tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available 
+through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, 
+search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit 
+requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata 
+Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize 
+
+granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF 
+and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the 
+bands that are needed.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:NASA's ORNL DAAC has several tools for subsetting 
+data from the MODIS and VIIRS instruments:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed 
+using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced 
+and other arrays, and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, 
+
+combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application 
+that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that 
+your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With 
+Panoply 5 you can:Resources:NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers 
+geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology 
+
+community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as 
+well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable 
+applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of restful Application Programming 
+Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and Open-source Project for a Network 
+Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service offerings support data discovery, 
+
+access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support 
+tools.Data Access ViewerThe Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators 
+bring together a variety of EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides 
+valuable insights on in-season crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator 
+consists of several EO data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health 
+
+for a specific region and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different 
+EO data plots help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different 
+climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover 
+the NASA Earth Science resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data 
+found in this web map can be applied to the following areas:The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:The Crop Monitor 
+Exploring Tool is an an online interactive resource that provides NDVI, temperature, precipitation, 
+soil moisture, ET, and runoff data to determine crop conditions for a variety of different 
+crops in Early Warning countries (Africa and Asia) and Agricultural Market Information System 
+(AMIS) countries (North America, Europe, and Asia) by the Group on Earth Observations Global 
+
+Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM).The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides 
+early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Versions:GLAM2 Original 
+
+VersionResources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply 
+data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, 
+and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, 
+and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, 
+Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had 
+
+a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: 
+NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology 
+and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The NASA Worldview data visualization 
+application provides the capability to interactively browse more than 1,000 global, full-resolution 
+
+satellite imagery layers and download the underlying data. Many of the available imagery layers 
+are updated within three hours of observation, which supports time-critical application areas 
+such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery 
+is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS). Worldview also includes 
+geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites 
+
+that are available at 10-minute increments for the last 30 days.The Application for Extracting 
+and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access 
+and transform geospatial data from a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users 
+to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types 
+of sample requests are available: point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples 
+
+for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users 
+not only with data values, but also associated quality data values. Interactive visualizations 
+with summary statistics are provided for each sample within the application, which allow users 
+to preview and interact with their samples before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS 
+Getting Started to learn more about workflows, viewing the results, interacting with the results 
+
+and downloading the requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool enables users to visualize 
+and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of 
+rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved decisions for, issues 
+related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish 
+to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture 
+
+Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active 
+Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument 
+in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical for professionals in the agriculture 
+and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in tandem with other data to plan crop 
+planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and improve weather forecasts. This application 
+
+offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service (WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and 
+Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search is NASA's tool for searching for 
+and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available through U.S. and 
+international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, search for data 
+files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit requests for 
+
+data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata Login is required 
+to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize granules. Users 
+can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from 
+a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the bands that are needed.The 
+Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides early warning and analysis on food 
+
+insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to help decision-makers 
+plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. 
+The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information 
+System (LIS) that has been adapted to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and 
+forecast requirements associated with food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. 
+
+The integration of LIS allows FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate 
+ensembles of soil moisture, evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple 
+meteorological inputs or land surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access 
+to geo-spatial data, satellite image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS 
+NET drought monitoring efforts throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS 
+
+NET Project, part of the Early Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation 
+and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables 
+near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. 
+This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, 
+and computing power.Resources:OpenET is a web-based platform that puts NASA evapotranspiration 
+(ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation groups to speed improvements 
+
+and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states in the Western U.S. It uses 
+publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based ET information in 
+areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly intervals.Resources:NASA's 
+Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and 
+solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The U.S. Drought Monitor 
+is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought relief 
+allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.EarthExplorer is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, 
+elevation data and satellite products (including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER 
+
+data, ASTER GDEM and other products) distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, 
+and ordering tool connects users with satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories 
+through interactive and textual-based query capabilities. These products are available for 
+download at no cost to registered users. Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" 
+link on the EarthExplorer main page.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the 
+
+USGS provides the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30) visualizing 
+nearly 1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.The 
+Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of 
+EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season 
+crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO 
+
+data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region 
+and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots 
+help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, 
+and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover the NASA Earth Science 
+resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data found in this web map can 
+
+be applied to the following areas:Water Availability: Plant Stress, Soil Moisture, Drought, 
+Irrigation Weather, Extreme Events and Better Seasonal and Sub-Seasonal Projections: NASA 
+Models Informing NOAA, USDA and Drought Monitor Operational ForecastingFor GIS users: see 
+how to use NASA data and services in common GIS tools in the GIS Pathfinder and check out 
+the How To guides to get help with your workflows.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool 
+
+enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, 
+and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved 
+decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an 
+API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop 
+Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data 
+
+from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, 
+and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform 
+application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, and offers additional functionality 
+
+such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. 
+Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop 
+computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later 
+version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide 
+Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters 
+
+formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, 
+and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through 
+custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of 
+restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerOpenET is a web-based platform 
+that puts NASA evapotranspiration (ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation 
+groups to speed improvements and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states 
+in the Western U.S. It uses publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based 
+
+ET information in areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly 
+intervals.Resources:The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by 
+policymakers to help determine drought relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA 
+satellites provide data about water availability to the U.S. Drought Monitor.The ClimateSERV 
+data visualization tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, 
+
+vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding 
+of, and make improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. 
+ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application 
+or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NASA's Prediction 
+Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related 
+parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, 
+analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings 
+
+through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series 
+of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA develops partnerships 
+
+and resources to address food security and works with decision-makers and data users to tailor 
+these tools to specific locations and user needs. These efforts help address issues like water 
+management for irrigation, crop-type identification and land use, coastal and lake water quality 
+monitoring, drought preparedness, and famine early warnings. NASA Earth science data are key 
+elements in the work carried out and supported by the agency's Applied Sciences Program, which 
+
+works with individuals and institutions worldwide to inform decision-making, enhance quality 
+of life, and strengthen our economy. Applied Sciences agriculture and water management-related 
+efforts include: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked 
+global goals designed to be a blueprint for a sustainable future for all of Earth’s inhabitants. 
+The SDGs are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an international plan signed 
+
+by all United Nations (UN) member states and underpinned by the foundational components of 
+People, Planet, and Prosperity.SDGs include specific social, economic, and environmental targets. 
+Through SDG 2: Zero Hunger, the UN proposes to end hunger, achieve food security and improved 
+nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Key SDG 2 Targets include:While NASA datasets 
+are not official indicators for SDG monitoring and decision-making, they provide data necessary 
+
+to assess progress towards achieving SDG Targets. Along with SDG 2, the data and resources 
+in the Agriculture and Water Management Data Pathfinder help address Targets in other SDGs, 
+including:The Sustainable Development Progress Report offers data about countries’ performances 
+in the SDGs.GIS data related to SDG 2 are available from the United Nations Statistics Division 
+through Esri’s Federated Information System for the SDG Initiative.The Committee on Earth 
+
+Observation Satellites (CEOS) also supports SDG 2. Learn how CEOS Agencies are using Earth 
+observations for agriculture monitoring.August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGAugust 31, 
+2023September 8, 2023August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGIn early 
+September 2023, Greece endured a four-day storm that dropped 910 millimeters (3 feet) of rain 
+on central parts of the country. The record rainfall triggered deadly flooding and inundated 
+
+towns and farm fields in Thessaly, a region that includes Greece’s agricultural heartland. 
+The flooding was fueled by a stalled low-pressure storm that became cut-off from the jet stream, 
+also known as a cut-off low, which dropped heavy rainfall on central Greece between September 
+4 and 7. The storm dropped the most rain, 910 millimeters (3 feet), on Zagora, near Thessaly’s 
+port town of Volos, according to Meteo, the country’s weather service. About 100 kilometers 
+
+(60 miles) inland, the town of Karditsa saw 659 millimeters (2 feet) of rainfall. The pair 
+of images above shows flooding near Karditsa and Larissa, some of the hardest hit places in 
+Thessaly. The image on the right, acquired by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 
+8, shows flooding near the Pineios River on September 8, a day after the storm receded. The 
+image on the left, acquired by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, shows the 
+
+same area on August 31. The images show floodwater covering what once were green farm fields 
+in the low-lying Thessaly plain. Farming is a major industry in the region, and accounts for 
+about one-sixth of Greece’s agricultural output. Farmers here grow primarily cotton, wheat, 
+corn, and alfalfa. The detailed image below shows flooded fields near the village of Pedino, 
+north of Karditsa. Sediment-laden water overtopped the banks of the Pineios, to the north 
+
+of the village, and the Mega Rema River to the south. September 8, 2023JPEGSeveral villages 
+along the Pineios and its tributaries became inundated with water during the storm. According 
+to news reports, over 4,000 people have been rescued from high water areas. Flooding near 
+Larissa, Thessaly’s capital and one of the largest cities in Greece, can be seen in the image 
+below. Suburbs of the city were flooded after the Pineios River broke its banks. September 
+
+8, 2023JPEGAlthough water along the Pineios had started to recede on September 11, flooding 
+along the river could still be seen in images from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 
+(MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. According to news reports, the river was still 2 meters 
+(6.5 feet) above safe levels. NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerRecord 
+
+rainfall inundated towns and farmland in the country’s Thessaly region.Image of the Day for 
+September 12, 2023 Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The 
+melting of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can 
+send rivers out of their banks.Flash floods in the port city destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods 
+out to sea. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence A Mediterranean cyclone contributed 
+
+to deadly flooding along the country’s coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods A stalled 
+storm dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive 
+flooding. Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential 
+downpours in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+Floods Human Presence September 1, 2023JPEGFor decades, summer phytoplankton blooms have sprung 
+
+up in Missisquoi Bay in the northeastern part of Lake Champlain. The bay’s shallow, nutrient-rich, 
+and seasonally warm waters offer ideal growing conditions for the floating, plant-like organisms, 
+which can multiply and aggregate into vast masses that discolor parts of the lake.The summer 
+of 2023 was no exception. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 acquired this natural-color 
+image of a bloom swirling near the mouth of the Missisquoi River on September 1, 2023. The 
+
+satellite collected similar images in August as well.While it is not possible to determine 
+the type of phytoplankton with Landsat observations alone, this bloom is likely cyanobacteria 
+(also called blue-green algae)—an ancient type of marine bacteria that captures and stores 
+solar energy through photosynthesis. Several trained cyanobacteria spotters submitted photographs 
+and reports of dense green mats of cyanobacteria lining the shores of Missisquoi Bay to Verrmont’s 
+
+cyanobacteria tracker website around the same time the image was acquired.Cyanobacteria blooms 
+are monitored closely because some species produce toxins known as cyanotoxins, including 
+a widespread type called microcystin, that can sicken people and animals, contaminate drinking 
+water, and force closures of boating and swimming sites.In recent years, teams of researchers 
+working with NASA’s DEVELOP program have used observations from several satellites to track 
+
+where in Lake Champlain harmful blooms are most common and identify key risk factors associated 
+with them. In a technical report, the researchers reported that Missisquoi Bay and nearby 
+St. Albans Bay had the lake’s highest concentration of toxic cyanobacteria blooms between 
+2016-2022.“There are multiple contributors to blooms like nutrients, temperature, and wind 
+and wave conditions,” noted Kent Ross, a science advisor for the Lake Champlain DEVELOP project. 
+
+“We focused on the availability of one of the nutrients—phosphorus.”Phosphorus is a common 
+nutrient found in runoff from farmland, lawns, and developed areas. While much of Lake Champlain 
+is surrounded by forests, which filter nutrients, Missisquoi Bay is flanked by farmland, where 
+fertilizer use leads to higher levels of phosphorous in the rivers that flow into the bay, 
+Ross explained.“That’s where our project partner, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural 
+
+Resource Conservation Service, comes in,” added Ross. “They recommend best practices to farmers 
+to limit nutrient runoff.” Adjusting the timing or type of fertilizer, changing grazing rotations, 
+upgrading drainage systems, and improving soil health are among the strategies farmers might 
+pursue.One of the challenges for scientists who study cyanobacteria blooms is that blooms 
+don’t always contain the species that produce harmful toxins. “The currently used indices 
+
+based on multispectral imagery cannot distinguish between the toxin-producing subspecies of 
+microcystis and non-toxin producing microcystis algae blooms,” said Jeffrey Luvall, also a 
+science advisor for the DEVELOP team and a scientist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. 
+“But the upcoming PACE mission—scheduled to launch in 2024—will make hyperspectral observations 
+able to do that.”NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the 
+
+U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerPhosphorus runoff 
+from farmland surrounding Lake Champlain contributes to summer cyanobacteria blooms in the 
+northeastern part of the lake.Image of the Day for September 11, 2023 Image of the Day Water 
+Human Presence Water Color View more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like organisms reproduce 
+abundantly when there are sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. Extreme blooms 
+
+of certain species can become harmful to marine animals and humans.More than 40 years after 
+the explosive eruption of Mount St. Helens, relics from the blast continue to haunt a nearby 
+lake. Image of the Day Water Straddling Austria and Hungary, the lake is also known as the 
+“Sea of the Viennese.” Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Snow and Ice At an average 
+elevation of 3,812 meters (12,507 feet), Lake Titicaca is one of the highest lakes in the 
+
+world. The lake is positioned between two major ranges of the Andes Mountain chain and has 
+very limited drainage. The limited outflow of the lake allows for the accumulation of nutrients 
+derived primarily from surrounding communities’ agricultural and sewage waste. The increased 
+nutrient levels can lead to plankton blooms. This astronaut photograph, taken from the International 
+Space Station, captures two such blooms along the eastern shoreline of the lake. Image of 
+
+the Day Land Life Once the second-largest lake in Turkey, it now rarely spans an area much 
+larger than a puddle. Image of the Day Land Water Remote Sensing Water budgets for individual 
+watersheds can be estimated using remote sensing data for precipitation, evapotranspiration, 
+and runoff.Find and use NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing 
+the connections between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world 
+
+in which we live.The atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet 
+from the intense radiation of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial 
+and ocean cycles.The biosphere encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems 
+to mountaintops and all depths of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, 
+regulating climate, and providing numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses 
+
+the frozen parts of Earth, including glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen 
+body of water. The cryosphere plays a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The 
+human dimensions discipline includes ways humans interact with the environment and how these 
+interactions impact Earth’s systems. It also explores the vulnerability of human communities 
+to natural disasters and hazards.The land surface discipline includes research into areas 
+
+such as shrinking forests, warming land, and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information 
+on land surface parameters and the ecological state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir 
+supports a diversity of life and helps regulate Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within 
+Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although originating from below the surface, these 
+processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based measurements.The Sun influences 
+
+a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. NASA continually monitors 
+solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere includes water on 
+the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater along with 
+total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are just interested 
+in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have the resources 
+
+to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science data, services, 
+and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate with NASA.Making 
+NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible for research 
+and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.Remote sensing is the acquiring of information 
+from a distance. NASA observes Earth and other planetary bodies via remote sensors on satellites 
+
+and aircraft that detect and record reflected or emitted energy. Remote sensors, which provide 
+a global perspective and a wealth of data about Earth systems, enable data-informed decision 
+making based on the current and future state of our planet.For more information, check out 
+NASA's Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) Tech Talk: From Pixels 
+to Products: An Overview of Satellite Remote Sensing.Satellites can be placed in several types 
+
+of orbits around Earth. The three common classes of orbits are low-Earth orbit (approximately 
+160 to 2,000 km above Earth), medium-Earth orbit (approximately 2,000 to 35,500 km above Earth), 
+and high-Earth orbit (above 35,500 km above Earth). Satellites orbiting at 35,786 km are at 
+an altitude at which their orbital speed matches the planet's rotation, and are in what is 
+called geosynchronous orbit (GSO). In addition, a satellite in GSO directly over the equator 
+
+will have a geostationary orbit. A geostationary orbit enables a satellite to maintain its 
+position directly over the same place on Earth’s surface.Low-Earth orbit is a commonly used 
+orbit since satellites can follow several orbital tracks around the planet. Polar-orbiting 
+satellites, for example, are inclined nearly 90 degrees to the equatorial plane and travel 
+from pole to pole as Earth rotates. This enables sensors aboard the satellite to acquire data 
+
+for the entire globe rapidly, including the polar regions. Many polar-orbiting satellites 
+are considered Sun-synchronous, meaning that the satellite passes over the same location at 
+the same solar time each cycle. One example of a Sun-synchronous, polar-orbiting satellite 
+is NASA’s Aqua satellite, which orbits approximately 705 km above Earth’s surface.Non-polar 
+low-Earth orbit satellites, on the other hand, do not provide global coverage but instead 
+
+cover only a partial range of latitudes. The joint NASA/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory is an example of a non-Sun-synchronous 
+low-Earth orbit satellite. Its orbital track acquires data between 65 degrees north and south 
+latitude from 407 km above the planet.A medium-Earth orbit satellite takes approximately 12 
+hours to complete an orbit. In 24-hours, the satellite crosses over the same two spots on 
+
+the equator every day. This orbit is consistent and highly predictable. As a result, this 
+is an orbit used by many telecommunications and GPS satellites. One example of a medium-Earth 
+orbit satellite constellation is the European Space Agency's Galileo global navigation satellite 
+system (GNSS), which orbits 23,222 km above Earth.While both geosynchronous and geostationary 
+satellites orbit at 35,786 km above Earth, geosynchronous satellites have orbits that can 
+
+be tilted above or below the equator. Geostationary satellites, on the other hand, orbit Earth 
+on the same plane as the equator. These satellites capture identical views of Earth with each 
+observation and provide almost continuous coverage of one area. The joint NASA/NOAA Geostationary 
+Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) series of weather satellites are in geostationary 
+orbits above the equator.For more information about orbits, please see NASA Earth Observatory's 
+
+Catalog of Earth Satellite Orbits.Electromagnetic energy, produced by the vibration of charged 
+particles, travels in the form of waves through the atmosphere and the vacuum of space. These 
+waves have different wavelengths (the distance from wave crest to wave crest) and frequencies; 
+a shorter wavelength means a higher frequency. Some, like radio, microwave, and infrared waves, 
+have a longer wavelength, while others, such as ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays, have 
+
+a much shorter wavelength. Visible light sits in the middle of that range of long to shortwave 
+radiation. This small portion of energy is all that the human eye is able to detect. Instrumentation 
+is needed to detect all other forms of electromagnetic energy. NASA instrumentation utilizes 
+the full range of the spectrum to explore and understand processes occurring here on Earth 
+and on other planetary bodies.Some waves are absorbed or reflected by atmospheric components, 
+
+like water vapor and carbon dioxide, while some wavelengths allow for unimpeded movement through 
+the atmosphere; visible light has wavelengths that can be transmitted through the atmosphere. 
+Microwave energy has wavelengths that can pass through clouds, an attribute utilized by many 
+weather and communication satellites.The primary source of the energy observed by satellites, 
+is the Sun. The amount of the Sun’s energy reflected depends on the roughness of the surface 
+
+and its albedo, which is how well a surface reflects light instead of absorbing it. Snow, 
+for example, has a very high albedo and reflects up to 90% of incoming solar radiation. The 
+ocean, on the other hand, reflects only about 6% of incoming solar radiation and absorbs the 
+rest. Often, when energy is absorbed, it is re-emitted, usually at longer wavelengths. For 
+example, the energy absorbed by the ocean gets re-emitted as infrared radiation.All things 
+
+on Earth reflect, absorb, or transmit energy, the amount of which varies by wavelength. Just 
+as your fingerprint is unique to you, everything on Earth has a unique spectral fingerprint. 
+Researchers can use this information to identify different Earth features as well as different 
+rock and mineral types. The number of spectral bands detected by a given instrument, its spectral 
+resolution, determines how much differentiation a researcher can identify between materials.For 
+
+more information on the electromagnetic spectrum, with companion videos, view NASA's Tour 
+of the Electromagnetic Spectrum.Sensors, or instruments, aboard satellites and aircraft use 
+the Sun as a source of illumination or provide their own source of illumination, measuring 
+energy that is reflected back. Sensors that use natural energy from the Sun are called passive 
+sensors; those that provide their own source of energy are called active sensors. Passive 
+
+sensors include different types of radiometers (instruments that quantitatively measure the 
+intensity of electromagnetic radiation in select bands) and spectrometers (devices that are 
+designed to detect, measure, and analyze the spectral content of reflected electromagnetic 
+radiation). Most passive systems used by remote sensing applications operate in the visible, 
+infrared, thermal infrared, and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. These 
+
+sensors measure land and sea surface temperature, vegetation properties, cloud and aerosol 
+properties, and other physical attributes. Most passive sensors cannot penetrate dense cloud 
+cover and thus have limitations observing areas like the tropics where dense cloud cover is 
+frequent.Active sensors include different types of radio detection and ranging (radar) sensors, 
+altimeters, and scatterometers. The majority of active sensors operate in the microwave band 
+
+of the electromagnetic spectrum, which gives them the ability to penetrate the atmosphere 
+under most conditions. These types of sensors are useful for measuring the vertical profiles 
+of aerosols, forest structure, precipitation and winds, sea surface topography, and ice, among 
+others.The Remote Sensors Earthdata page provides a list of NASA’s Earth science passive and 
+active sensors while the What is Synthetic Aperture Radar? Backgrounder provides specific 
+
+information on this type of active sensor.Resolution plays a role in how data from a sensor 
+can be used. Resolution can vary depending on the satellite’s orbit and sensor design. There 
+are four types of resolution to consider for any dataset—radiometric, spatial, spectral, and 
+temporal.Radiometric resolution is the amount of information in each pixel, that is, the number 
+of bits representing the energy recorded. Each bit records an exponent of power 2. For example, 
+
+an 8 bit resolution is 28, which indicates that the sensor has 256 potential digital values 
+(0-255) to store information. Thus, the higher the radiometric resolution, the more values 
+are available to store information, providing better discrimination between even the slightest 
+differences in energy. For example, when assessing water quality, radiometric resolution is 
+necessary to distinguish between subtle differences in ocean color.Spatial resolution is defined 
+
+by the size of each pixel within a digital image and the area on Earth’s surface represented 
+by that pixel.For example, the majority of the bands observed by the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) have a spatial resolution of 1km; each pixel represents a 1 km x 
+1km area on the ground. MODIS also includes bands with a spatial resolution of 250 m or 500 
+m. The finer the resolution (the lower the number), the more detail you can see. In the image 
+
+below, you can see the difference in pixelation between a 30 m/pixel image (left image), a 
+100 m/pixel image (center image), and a 300 m/pixel image (right image).Spectral resolution 
+is the ability of a sensor to discern finer wavelengths, that is, having more and narrower 
+bands. Many sensors are considered to be multispectral, meaning they have 3-10 bands. Some 
+sensors have hundreds to even thousands of bands and are considered to be hyperspectral. The 
+
+narrower the range of wavelengths for a given band, the finer the spectral resolution. For 
+example, the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) captures information 
+in 224 spectral channels. The cube on the right represents the detail within the data. At 
+this level of detail, distinctions can be made between rock and mineral types, vegetation 
+types, and other features. In the cube, the small region of high response in the right corner 
+
+of the image is in the red portion of the visible spectrum (about 700 nanometers), and is 
+due to the presence of 1-centimeter-long (half-inch) red brine shrimp in the evaporation pond.Temporal 
+resolution is the time it takes for a satellite to complete an orbit and revisit the same 
+observation area. This resolution depends on the orbit, the sensor’s characteristics, and 
+the swath width. Because geostationary satellites match the rate at which Earth is rotating, 
+
+the temporal resolution is much finer. Polar orbiting satellites have a temporal resolution 
+that can vary from 1 day to 16 days. For example, the MODIS sensor aboard NASA's Terra and 
+Aqua satellites has a temporal resolution of 1-2 days, allowing the sensor to visualize Earth 
+as it changes day by day. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard the joint NASA/USGS Landsat 
+8 satellite, on the other hand, has a narrower swath width and a temporal resolution of 16 
+
+days; showing not daily changes but bi-monthly changes.Why not build a sensor combining high 
+spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution? It is difficult to combine all of the desirable 
+features into one remote sensor. For example, to acquire observations with high spatial resolution 
+(like OLI, aboard Landsat 8) a narrower swath is required, which requires more time between 
+observations of a given area resulting in a lower temporal resolution. Researchers have to 
+
+make trade-offs. This is why it is very important to understand the type of data needed for 
+a given area of study. When researching weather, which is dynamic over time, a high temporal 
+resolution is critical. When researching seasonal vegetation changes, on the other hand, a 
+high temporal resolution may be sacrificed for a higher spectral or spatial resolution.Remote 
+sensing data acquired from instruments aboard satellites require processing before the data 
+
+are usable by most researchers and applied science users. Most raw NASA Earth observation 
+satellite data (Level 0, see data processing levels) are processed at NASA's Science Investigator-led 
+Processing Systems (SIPS) facilities. All data are processed to at least a Level 1, but most 
+have associated Level 2 (derived geophysical variables) and Level 3 (variables mapped on uniform 
+space-time grid scales) products. Many even have Level 4 products. NASA Earth science data 
+
+are archived at discipline-specific Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) and are available 
+fully, openly, and without restriction to data users.Most data are stored in Hierarchical 
+Data Format (HDF) or Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) format. Numerous data tools are available 
+to subset, transform, visualize, and export to various other file formats.Once data are processed, 
+they can be used in a variety of applications, from agriculture to water resources to health 
+
+and air quality. A single sensor will not address all research questions within a given application. 
+Users often need to leverage multiple sensors and data products to address their question, 
+bearing in mind the limitations of data provided by different spectral, spatial, and temporal 
+resolutions.Many sensors acquire data at different spectral wavelengths. For example, Band 
+1 of the OLI aboard Landsat 8 acquires data at 0.433-0.453 micrometers while the MODIS Band 
+
+1 acquires data at 0.620-0.670 micrometers. OLI has a total of 9 bands whereas MODIS has 36 
+bands, all measuring different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Bands can be combined 
+to produce imagery of the data to reveal different features in the landscape. Often imagery 
+of data are used to distinguish characteristics of a region being studied or to determine 
+an area of study.True-color images show Earth as it appears to the human eye. For a Landsat 
+
+8 OLI true-color (red, green, blue [RGB]) image, the sensor Bands 4 (Red), 3 (Green), and 
+2 (Blue) are combined. Other spectral band combinations can be used for specific science applications, 
+such as flood monitoring, urbanization delineation, and vegetation mapping. For example, creating 
+a false-color Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS, aboard the Suomi National 
+Polar-orbiting Partnership [Suomi NPP] satellite) image using bands M11, I2, and I1 is useful 
+
+for distinguishing burn scars from low vegetation or bare soil as well as for exposing flooded 
+areas. To see more band combinations from Landsat sensors, check out NASA Scientific Visualization 
+Studio's video Landsat Band Remix or the NASA Earth Observatory article Many Hues of London. 
+For other common band combinations, see NASA Earth Observatory's How to Interpret Common False-Color 
+Images, which provides common band combinations along with insight into interpreting imagery.Once 
+
+data are processed into imagery with varying band combinations these images can aid in resource 
+management decisions and disaster assessment. This requires proper interpretation of the imagery. 
+There are a few strategies for getting started (adapted from NASA Earth Observatory article 
+How to Interpret a Satellite Image: Five Tips and Strategies):Different land cover types can 
+be discriminated more readily by using image classification algorithms. Image classification 
+
+uses the spectral information of individual image pixels. A program using image classification 
+algorithms can automatically group the pixels in what is called an unsupervised classification. 
+The user can also indicate areas of known land cover type to “train” the program to group 
+like pixels; this is called a supervised classification. Maps or imagery can also be integrated 
+into a geographical information system (GIS) and then each pixel can be compared with other 
+
+GIS data, such as census data. For more information on integrating NASA Earth science data 
+into a GIS, check out the Earthdata GIS page.Satellites also often carry a variety of sensors 
+measuring biogeophysical parameters, such as sea surface temperature, nitrogen dioxide or 
+other atmospheric pollutants, winds, aerosols, and biomass. These parameters can be evaluated 
+through statistical and spectral analysis techniques.To aid in getting started with applications-based 
+
+research using remotely-sensed data, Data Pathfinders provide a data product selection guide 
+focused on specific science disciplines and application areas, such as those mentioned above. 
+Pathfinders provide direct links to the most commonly-used datasets and data products from 
+NASA’s Earth science data collections along with links to tools that provide ways to visualize 
+or subset the data, with the option to save the data in different file formats.Find and use 
+
+NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections 
+between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.The planet NASA studies the most 
+
+is Earth. NASA’s end-to-end Earth observations enable agricultural producers to make informed 
+decisions about global market conditions, water management, in-season crop conditions, severe 
+weather, and sustainability.This Data Pathfinder will help guide you through the process of 
+selecting and using datasets applicable to agriculture and water management, and provides 
+links to specific data sources. If you are new to remote sensing, the What is Remote Sensing? 
+
+Backgrounder provides a comprehensive overview. In addition, NASA's Applied Remote Sensing 
+Training Program (ARSET) provides numerous training modules, including Fundamentals of Remote 
+Sensing.If you have specific questions about how to use data, tools, or resources mentioned 
+in this Data Pathfinder, please visit the Earthdata Forum. Here, you can interact with other 
+data users and NASA subject matter experts on a variety of Earth science research and applications 
+
+topics.This section provides links to NASA and external tools and applications relevant to 
+analyzing and visualizing agriculture and water management data referenced in this Data Pathfinder. 
+NASA's Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program maintains many more resources for data analysis 
+that may be helpful. Explore the full list on the NASA Earthdata Data Tools page.The Agrometeorological 
+(AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of EO data products on 
+
+the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season crop development 
+and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO data plots that quantify 
+critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region and crop over time and are 
+updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots help tell the story of in-season 
+crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For 
+
+more information about AGMET:The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples 
+(AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from 
+a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using 
+spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: 
+point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. 
+
+Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+viewing results, interacting with results, and downloading requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search 
+is NASA's tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant 
+data available through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about 
+data collections, search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and 
+download or submit requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. 
+
+Note: An Earthdata Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) 
+users can customize granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, 
+KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset 
+to obtain only the bands that are needed.The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) 
+provides early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. NASA’s 
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+parameter analysis options include:Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:The U.S. Drought 
+Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought 
+relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the USGS provides 
+the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30), visualizing nearly 
+1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.EarthExplorer 
+is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, elevation data, and satellite products 
+(including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER data, ASTER GDEM and other products) 
+
+distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, and ordering tool connects users with 
+satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories through interactive and textual-based 
+query capabilities. These products are available for download at no cost to registered users. 
+Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" link on the EarthExplorer main page.The 
+NASA Worldview data visualization application provides the capability to interactively browse 
+
+more than 1,000 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and download the underlying 
+data. Many of the available imagery layers are updated within three hours of observation, 
+which supports time-critical application areas such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, 
+and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services 
+(GIBS). Worldview also includes geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, 
+
+and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites that are available at 10-minute increments for the 
+last 30 days.The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) 
+offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from a variety of 
+federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, 
+temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: point samples 
+
+for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample 
+requests submitted to AρρEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+
+viewing results, interacting with results and downloading requests.Earthdata Search is NASA's 
+tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available 
+through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, 
+search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit 
+requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata 
+
+Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize 
+granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF 
+and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the 
+bands that are needed.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:NASA's ORNL DAAC has several tools for subsetting 
+data from the MODIS and VIIRS instruments:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed 
+using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced 
+
+and other arrays, and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, 
+combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application 
+that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that 
+your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With 
+Panoply 5 you can:Resources:NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers 
+
+geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology 
+community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as 
+well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable 
+applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of restful Application Programming 
+Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and Open-source Project for a Network 
+
+Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service offerings support data discovery, 
+access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support 
+tools.Data Access ViewerThe Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators 
+bring together a variety of EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides 
+valuable insights on in-season crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator 
+
+consists of several EO data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health 
+for a specific region and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different 
+EO data plots help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different 
+climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover 
+the NASA Earth Science resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data 
+
+found in this web map can be applied to the following areas:The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:The Crop Monitor 
+Exploring Tool is an an online interactive resource that provides NDVI, temperature, precipitation, 
+soil moisture, ET, and runoff data to determine crop conditions for a variety of different 
+crops in Early Warning countries (Africa and Asia) and Agricultural Market Information System 
+
+(AMIS) countries (North America, Europe, and Asia) by the Group on Earth Observations Global 
+Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM).The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides 
+early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s 
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Versions:GLAM2 Original 
+VersionResources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply 
+data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, 
+and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, 
+and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, 
+
+Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had 
+a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: 
+NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology 
+and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The NASA Worldview data visualization 
+
+application provides the capability to interactively browse more than 1,000 global, full-resolution 
+satellite imagery layers and download the underlying data. Many of the available imagery layers 
+are updated within three hours of observation, which supports time-critical application areas 
+such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery 
+is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS). Worldview also includes 
+
+geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites 
+that are available at 10-minute increments for the last 30 days.The Application for Extracting 
+and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access 
+and transform geospatial data from a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users 
+to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types 
+
+of sample requests are available: point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples 
+for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users 
+not only with data values, but also associated quality data values. Interactive visualizations 
+with summary statistics are provided for each sample within the application, which allow users 
+to preview and interact with their samples before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS 
+
+Getting Started to learn more about workflows, viewing the results, interacting with the results 
+and downloading the requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool enables users to visualize 
+and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of 
+rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved decisions for, issues 
+related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish 
+
+to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture 
+Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active 
+Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument 
+in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical for professionals in the agriculture 
+and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in tandem with other data to plan crop 
+
+planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and improve weather forecasts. This application 
+offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service (WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and 
+Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search is NASA's tool for searching for 
+and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available through U.S. and 
+international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, search for data 
+
+files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit requests for 
+data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata Login is required 
+to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize granules. Users 
+can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from 
+a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the bands that are needed.The 
+
+Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides early warning and analysis on food 
+insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to help decision-makers 
+plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. 
+The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information 
+System (LIS) that has been adapted to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and 
+
+forecast requirements associated with food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. 
+The integration of LIS allows FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate 
+ensembles of soil moisture, evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple 
+meteorological inputs or land surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access 
+to geo-spatial data, satellite image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS 
+
+NET drought monitoring efforts throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS 
+NET Project, part of the Early Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation 
+and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables 
+near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. 
+This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, 
+and computing power.Resources:OpenET is a web-based platform that puts NASA evapotranspiration 
+
+(ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation groups to speed improvements 
+and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states in the Western U.S. It uses 
+publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based ET information in 
+areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly intervals.Resources:NASA's 
+Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and 
+
+solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The U.S. Drought Monitor 
+is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought relief 
+allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.EarthExplorer is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, 
+
+elevation data and satellite products (including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER 
+data, ASTER GDEM and other products) distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, 
+and ordering tool connects users with satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories 
+through interactive and textual-based query capabilities. These products are available for 
+download at no cost to registered users. Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" 
+
+link on the EarthExplorer main page.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the 
+USGS provides the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30) visualizing 
+nearly 1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.The 
+Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of 
+EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season 
+
+crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO 
+data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region 
+and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots 
+help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, 
+and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover the NASA Earth Science 
+
+resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data found in this web map can 
+be applied to the following areas:Water Availability: Plant Stress, Soil Moisture, Drought, 
+Irrigation Weather, Extreme Events and Better Seasonal and Sub-Seasonal Projections: NASA 
+Models Informing NOAA, USDA and Drought Monitor Operational ForecastingFor GIS users: see 
+how to use NASA data and services in common GIS tools in the GIS Pathfinder and check out 
+
+the How To guides to get help with your workflows.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool 
+enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, 
+and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved 
+decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an 
+API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop 
+
+Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data 
+from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, 
+and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform 
+
+application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, and offers additional functionality 
+such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. 
+Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop 
+computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later 
+version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide 
+
+Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters 
+formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, 
+and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through 
+custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of 
+restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerOpenET is a web-based platform 
+that puts NASA evapotranspiration (ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation 
+groups to speed improvements and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states 
+
+in the Western U.S. It uses publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based 
+ET information in areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly 
+intervals.Resources:The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by 
+policymakers to help determine drought relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA 
+satellites provide data about water availability to the U.S. Drought Monitor.The ClimateSERV 
+
+data visualization tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, 
+vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding 
+of, and make improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. 
+ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application 
+or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NASA's Prediction 
+Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related 
+parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, 
+
+analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings 
+through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series 
+of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA develops partnerships 
+and resources to address food security and works with decision-makers and data users to tailor 
+these tools to specific locations and user needs. These efforts help address issues like water 
+management for irrigation, crop-type identification and land use, coastal and lake water quality 
+monitoring, drought preparedness, and famine early warnings. NASA Earth science data are key 
+
+elements in the work carried out and supported by the agency's Applied Sciences Program, which 
+works with individuals and institutions worldwide to inform decision-making, enhance quality 
+of life, and strengthen our economy. Applied Sciences agriculture and water management-related 
+efforts include: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked 
+global goals designed to be a blueprint for a sustainable future for all of Earth’s inhabitants. 
+
+The SDGs are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an international plan signed 
+by all United Nations (UN) member states and underpinned by the foundational components of 
+People, Planet, and Prosperity.SDGs include specific social, economic, and environmental targets. 
+Through SDG 2: Zero Hunger, the UN proposes to end hunger, achieve food security and improved 
+nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Key SDG 2 Targets include:While NASA datasets 
+
+are not official indicators for SDG monitoring and decision-making, they provide data necessary 
+to assess progress towards achieving SDG Targets. Along with SDG 2, the data and resources 
+in the Agriculture and Water Management Data Pathfinder help address Targets in other SDGs, 
+including:The Sustainable Development Progress Report offers data about countries’ performances 
+in the SDGs.GIS data related to SDG 2 are available from the United Nations Statistics Division 
+
+through Esri’s Federated Information System for the SDG Initiative.The Committee on Earth 
+Observation Satellites (CEOS) also supports SDG 2. Learn how CEOS Agencies are using Earth 
+observations for agriculture monitoring.August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGAugust 31, 
+2023September 8, 2023August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGIn early 
+September 2023, Greece endured a four-day storm that dropped 910 millimeters (3 feet) of rain 
+
+on central parts of the country. The record rainfall triggered deadly flooding and inundated 
+towns and farm fields in Thessaly, a region that includes Greece’s agricultural heartland. 
+The flooding was fueled by a stalled low-pressure storm that became cut-off from the jet stream, 
+also known as a cut-off low, which dropped heavy rainfall on central Greece between September 
+4 and 7. The storm dropped the most rain, 910 millimeters (3 feet), on Zagora, near Thessaly’s 
+
+port town of Volos, according to Meteo, the country’s weather service. About 100 kilometers 
+(60 miles) inland, the town of Karditsa saw 659 millimeters (2 feet) of rainfall. The pair 
+of images above shows flooding near Karditsa and Larissa, some of the hardest hit places in 
+Thessaly. The image on the right, acquired by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 
+8, shows flooding near the Pineios River on September 8, a day after the storm receded. The 
+
+image on the left, acquired by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, shows the 
+same area on August 31. The images show floodwater covering what once were green farm fields 
+in the low-lying Thessaly plain. Farming is a major industry in the region, and accounts for 
+about one-sixth of Greece’s agricultural output. Farmers here grow primarily cotton, wheat, 
+corn, and alfalfa. The detailed image below shows flooded fields near the village of Pedino, 
+
+north of Karditsa. Sediment-laden water overtopped the banks of the Pineios, to the north 
+of the village, and the Mega Rema River to the south. September 8, 2023JPEGSeveral villages 
+along the Pineios and its tributaries became inundated with water during the storm. According 
+to news reports, over 4,000 people have been rescued from high water areas. Flooding near 
+Larissa, Thessaly’s capital and one of the largest cities in Greece, can be seen in the image 
+
+below. Suburbs of the city were flooded after the Pineios River broke its banks. September 
+8, 2023JPEGAlthough water along the Pineios had started to recede on September 11, flooding 
+along the river could still be seen in images from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 
+(MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. According to news reports, the river was still 2 meters 
+(6.5 feet) above safe levels. NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerRecord 
+rainfall inundated towns and farmland in the country’s Thessaly region.Image of the Day for 
+September 12, 2023 Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The 
+melting of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can 
+send rivers out of their banks.Flash floods in the port city destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods 
+
+out to sea. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence A Mediterranean cyclone contributed 
+to deadly flooding along the country’s coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods A stalled 
+storm dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive 
+flooding. Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential 
+downpours in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+
+Floods Human Presence September 1, 2023JPEGFor decades, summer phytoplankton blooms have sprung 
+up in Missisquoi Bay in the northeastern part of Lake Champlain. The bay’s shallow, nutrient-rich, 
+and seasonally warm waters offer ideal growing conditions for the floating, plant-like organisms, 
+which can multiply and aggregate into vast masses that discolor parts of the lake.The summer 
+of 2023 was no exception. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 acquired this natural-color 
+
+image of a bloom swirling near the mouth of the Missisquoi River on September 1, 2023. The 
+satellite collected similar images in August as well.While it is not possible to determine 
+the type of phytoplankton with Landsat observations alone, this bloom is likely cyanobacteria 
+(also called blue-green algae)—an ancient type of marine bacteria that captures and stores 
+solar energy through photosynthesis. Several trained cyanobacteria spotters submitted photographs 
+
+and reports of dense green mats of cyanobacteria lining the shores of Missisquoi Bay to Verrmont’s 
+cyanobacteria tracker website around the same time the image was acquired.Cyanobacteria blooms 
+are monitored closely because some species produce toxins known as cyanotoxins, including 
+a widespread type called microcystin, that can sicken people and animals, contaminate drinking 
+water, and force closures of boating and swimming sites.In recent years, teams of researchers 
+
+working with NASA’s DEVELOP program have used observations from several satellites to track 
+where in Lake Champlain harmful blooms are most common and identify key risk factors associated 
+with them. In a technical report, the researchers reported that Missisquoi Bay and nearby 
+St. Albans Bay had the lake’s highest concentration of toxic cyanobacteria blooms between 
+2016-2022.“There are multiple contributors to blooms like nutrients, temperature, and wind 
+
+and wave conditions,” noted Kent Ross, a science advisor for the Lake Champlain DEVELOP project. 
+“We focused on the availability of one of the nutrients—phosphorus.”Phosphorus is a common 
+nutrient found in runoff from farmland, lawns, and developed areas. While much of Lake Champlain 
+is surrounded by forests, which filter nutrients, Missisquoi Bay is flanked by farmland, where 
+fertilizer use leads to higher levels of phosphorous in the rivers that flow into the bay, 
+
+Ross explained.“That’s where our project partner, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural 
+Resource Conservation Service, comes in,” added Ross. “They recommend best practices to farmers 
+to limit nutrient runoff.” Adjusting the timing or type of fertilizer, changing grazing rotations, 
+upgrading drainage systems, and improving soil health are among the strategies farmers might 
+pursue.One of the challenges for scientists who study cyanobacteria blooms is that blooms 
+
+don’t always contain the species that produce harmful toxins. “The currently used indices 
+based on multispectral imagery cannot distinguish between the toxin-producing subspecies of 
+microcystis and non-toxin producing microcystis algae blooms,” said Jeffrey Luvall, also a 
+science advisor for the DEVELOP team and a scientist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. 
+“But the upcoming PACE mission—scheduled to launch in 2024—will make hyperspectral observations 
+
+able to do that.”NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the 
+U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerPhosphorus runoff 
+from farmland surrounding Lake Champlain contributes to summer cyanobacteria blooms in the 
+northeastern part of the lake.Image of the Day for September 11, 2023 Image of the Day Water 
+Human Presence Water Color View more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like organisms reproduce 
+
+abundantly when there are sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. Extreme blooms 
+of certain species can become harmful to marine animals and humans.More than 40 years after 
+the explosive eruption of Mount St. Helens, relics from the blast continue to haunt a nearby 
+lake. Image of the Day Water Straddling Austria and Hungary, the lake is also known as the 
+“Sea of the Viennese.” Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Snow and Ice At an average 
+
+elevation of 3,812 meters (12,507 feet), Lake Titicaca is one of the highest lakes in the 
+world. The lake is positioned between two major ranges of the Andes Mountain chain and has 
+very limited drainage. The limited outflow of the lake allows for the accumulation of nutrients 
+derived primarily from surrounding communities’ agricultural and sewage waste. The increased 
+nutrient levels can lead to plankton blooms. This astronaut photograph, taken from the International 
+
+Space Station, captures two such blooms along the eastern shoreline of the lake. Image of 
+the Day Land Life Once the second-largest lake in Turkey, it now rarely spans an area much 
+larger than a puddle. Image of the Day Land Water Remote Sensing August 18, 2023JPEGWhile 
+some weather-related delays are mere annoyances, others slow the rhythms of global shipping. 
+Due to ongoing drought and low water levels, ship traffic was restricted through the Panama 
+
+Canal in late summer 2023, leaving an above-average number of vessels waiting to make the 
+transit. The Panama Canal is an 80-kilometer (50-mile) artificial waterway across the Isthmus 
+of Panama, providing a vital connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for up to 
+14,000 ships each year. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 got a rare cloud-free 
+view of delayed ships on the Pacific side of the canal on August 18, 2023. Artificial lakes 
+
+supply the water needed to fill the series of locks in the canal. Those lakes, located to 
+the north and northwest of this scene, are replenished by rainfall that is typically in abundance 
+on the Isthmus of Panama. However, drought has left Lago Gatún, the largest lake feeding the 
+system, at near-record low levels. In mid-August, it stood close to the lowest recorded level, 
+from May 2016, and well below the average level for August from the past five years. As a 
+
+means of conserving water, the Panama Canal Authority reduced the number of vessels that could 
+travel through the canal each day starting on July 30. At one point in early August, the ensuing 
+backup reached as high as 160 total vessels waiting on one side or the other. By the time 
+of this image, that number had decreased to around 130, whereas the queue ordinarily tops 
+off around 90. The average wait time for August 2023 was nearly four times what it was in 
+
+June. The reduction of daily passages was the latest restriction imposed by the Panama Canal 
+Authority this year to deal with the water shortages. Starting on March 1, 2023, it began 
+reducing the maximum draft (the distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull) 
+permitted for vessels passing through the locks. The normal limit of 50 feet (15 meters) for 
+the largest class of ships that use the canal was increasingly ratcheted down to 44 feet (13 
+
+meters), requiring some ships to lighten their loads. The area has seen a number of dry years 
+in the past decade; Lago Gatún dipped to low levels in 2016 and 2019, in addition to 2023. 
+At the other extreme, however, Lago Gatún and Lago Alajuela, another lake feeding the canal, 
+reached record high levels in December 2010. The flooding caused the canal to close for only 
+the third time in its history. NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerSevere 
+drought is reducing the number of daily passages on the transoceanic shipping route.Image 
+of the Day for September 1, 2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of 
+the Day:In September, low water levels made it more challenging to ship goods down the river 
+and allowed a wedge of saltwater to move upstream. Image of the Day Water Drought Hundreds 
+
+of ships have been left idling around the key shipping route. Nature played a role in solving 
+the problem. Image of the Day Human Presence A key shipping route through Egypt recently received 
+a major overhaul. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence More than 64 million people are 
+directly affected by drought in the Southwest and Southern Plains, and far more are indirectly 
+affected because of the vast number of farms, orchards, and ranches that supply the rest of 
+
+the United States. Image of the Day Land Life Water Drought Water budgets for individual watersheds 
+can be estimated using remote sensing data for precipitation, evapotranspiration, and runoff.Find 
+and use NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections 
+between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.Remote sensing is the acquiring 
+of information from a distance. NASA observes Earth and other planetary bodies via remote 
+sensors on satellites and aircraft that detect and record reflected or emitted energy. Remote 
+sensors, which provide a global perspective and a wealth of data about Earth systems, enable 
+
+data-informed decision making based on the current and future state of our planet.For more 
+information, check out NASA's Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) 
+Tech Talk: From Pixels to Products: An Overview of Satellite Remote Sensing.Satellites can 
+be placed in several types of orbits around Earth. The three common classes of orbits are 
+low-Earth orbit (approximately 160 to 2,000 km above Earth), medium-Earth orbit (approximately 
+
+2,000 to 35,500 km above Earth), and high-Earth orbit (above 35,500 km above Earth). Satellites 
+orbiting at 35,786 km are at an altitude at which their orbital speed matches the planet's 
+rotation, and are in what is called geosynchronous orbit (GSO). In addition, a satellite in 
+GSO directly over the equator will have a geostationary orbit. A geostationary orbit enables 
+a satellite to maintain its position directly over the same place on Earth’s surface.Low-Earth 
+
+orbit is a commonly used orbit since satellites can follow several orbital tracks around the 
+planet. Polar-orbiting satellites, for example, are inclined nearly 90 degrees to the equatorial 
+plane and travel from pole to pole as Earth rotates. This enables sensors aboard the satellite 
+to acquire data for the entire globe rapidly, including the polar regions. Many polar-orbiting 
+satellites are considered Sun-synchronous, meaning that the satellite passes over the same 
+
+location at the same solar time each cycle. One example of a Sun-synchronous, polar-orbiting 
+satellite is NASA’s Aqua satellite, which orbits approximately 705 km above Earth’s surface.Non-polar 
+low-Earth orbit satellites, on the other hand, do not provide global coverage but instead 
+cover only a partial range of latitudes. The joint NASA/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory is an example of a non-Sun-synchronous 
+
+low-Earth orbit satellite. Its orbital track acquires data between 65 degrees north and south 
+latitude from 407 km above the planet.A medium-Earth orbit satellite takes approximately 12 
+hours to complete an orbit. In 24-hours, the satellite crosses over the same two spots on 
+the equator every day. This orbit is consistent and highly predictable. As a result, this 
+is an orbit used by many telecommunications and GPS satellites. One example of a medium-Earth 
+
+orbit satellite constellation is the European Space Agency's Galileo global navigation satellite 
+system (GNSS), which orbits 23,222 km above Earth.While both geosynchronous and geostationary 
+satellites orbit at 35,786 km above Earth, geosynchronous satellites have orbits that can 
+be tilted above or below the equator. Geostationary satellites, on the other hand, orbit Earth 
+on the same plane as the equator. These satellites capture identical views of Earth with each 
+
+observation and provide almost continuous coverage of one area. The joint NASA/NOAA Geostationary 
+Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) series of weather satellites are in geostationary 
+orbits above the equator.For more information about orbits, please see NASA Earth Observatory's 
+Catalog of Earth Satellite Orbits.Electromagnetic energy, produced by the vibration of charged 
+particles, travels in the form of waves through the atmosphere and the vacuum of space. These 
+
+waves have different wavelengths (the distance from wave crest to wave crest) and frequencies; 
+a shorter wavelength means a higher frequency. Some, like radio, microwave, and infrared waves, 
+have a longer wavelength, while others, such as ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays, have 
+a much shorter wavelength. Visible light sits in the middle of that range of long to shortwave 
+radiation. This small portion of energy is all that the human eye is able to detect. Instrumentation 
+
+is needed to detect all other forms of electromagnetic energy. NASA instrumentation utilizes 
+the full range of the spectrum to explore and understand processes occurring here on Earth 
+and on other planetary bodies.Some waves are absorbed or reflected by atmospheric components, 
+like water vapor and carbon dioxide, while some wavelengths allow for unimpeded movement through 
+the atmosphere; visible light has wavelengths that can be transmitted through the atmosphere. 
+
+Microwave energy has wavelengths that can pass through clouds, an attribute utilized by many 
+weather and communication satellites.The primary source of the energy observed by satellites, 
+is the Sun. The amount of the Sun’s energy reflected depends on the roughness of the surface 
+and its albedo, which is how well a surface reflects light instead of absorbing it. Snow, 
+for example, has a very high albedo and reflects up to 90% of incoming solar radiation. The 
+
+ocean, on the other hand, reflects only about 6% of incoming solar radiation and absorbs the 
+rest. Often, when energy is absorbed, it is re-emitted, usually at longer wavelengths. For 
+example, the energy absorbed by the ocean gets re-emitted as infrared radiation.All things 
+on Earth reflect, absorb, or transmit energy, the amount of which varies by wavelength. Just 
+as your fingerprint is unique to you, everything on Earth has a unique spectral fingerprint. 
+
+Researchers can use this information to identify different Earth features as well as different 
+rock and mineral types. The number of spectral bands detected by a given instrument, its spectral 
+resolution, determines how much differentiation a researcher can identify between materials.For 
+more information on the electromagnetic spectrum, with companion videos, view NASA's Tour 
+of the Electromagnetic Spectrum.Sensors, or instruments, aboard satellites and aircraft use 
+
+the Sun as a source of illumination or provide their own source of illumination, measuring 
+energy that is reflected back. Sensors that use natural energy from the Sun are called passive 
+sensors; those that provide their own source of energy are called active sensors. Passive 
+sensors include different types of radiometers (instruments that quantitatively measure the 
+intensity of electromagnetic radiation in select bands) and spectrometers (devices that are 
+
+designed to detect, measure, and analyze the spectral content of reflected electromagnetic 
+radiation). Most passive systems used by remote sensing applications operate in the visible, 
+infrared, thermal infrared, and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. These 
+sensors measure land and sea surface temperature, vegetation properties, cloud and aerosol 
+properties, and other physical attributes. Most passive sensors cannot penetrate dense cloud 
+
+cover and thus have limitations observing areas like the tropics where dense cloud cover is 
+frequent.Active sensors include different types of radio detection and ranging (radar) sensors, 
+altimeters, and scatterometers. The majority of active sensors operate in the microwave band 
+of the electromagnetic spectrum, which gives them the ability to penetrate the atmosphere 
+under most conditions. These types of sensors are useful for measuring the vertical profiles 
+
+of aerosols, forest structure, precipitation and winds, sea surface topography, and ice, among 
+others.The Remote Sensors Earthdata page provides a list of NASA’s Earth science passive and 
+active sensors while the What is Synthetic Aperture Radar? Backgrounder provides specific 
+information on this type of active sensor.Resolution plays a role in how data from a sensor 
+can be used. Resolution can vary depending on the satellite’s orbit and sensor design. There 
+
+are four types of resolution to consider for any dataset—radiometric, spatial, spectral, and 
+temporal.Radiometric resolution is the amount of information in each pixel, that is, the number 
+of bits representing the energy recorded. Each bit records an exponent of power 2. For example, 
+an 8 bit resolution is 28, which indicates that the sensor has 256 potential digital values 
+(0-255) to store information. Thus, the higher the radiometric resolution, the more values 
+
+are available to store information, providing better discrimination between even the slightest 
+differences in energy. For example, when assessing water quality, radiometric resolution is 
+necessary to distinguish between subtle differences in ocean color.Spatial resolution is defined 
+by the size of each pixel within a digital image and the area on Earth’s surface represented 
+by that pixel.For example, the majority of the bands observed by the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) have a spatial resolution of 1km; each pixel represents a 1 km x 
+1km area on the ground. MODIS also includes bands with a spatial resolution of 250 m or 500 
+m. The finer the resolution (the lower the number), the more detail you can see. In the image 
+below, you can see the difference in pixelation between a 30 m/pixel image (left image), a 
+100 m/pixel image (center image), and a 300 m/pixel image (right image).Spectral resolution 
+
+is the ability of a sensor to discern finer wavelengths, that is, having more and narrower 
+bands. Many sensors are considered to be multispectral, meaning they have 3-10 bands. Some 
+sensors have hundreds to even thousands of bands and are considered to be hyperspectral. The 
+narrower the range of wavelengths for a given band, the finer the spectral resolution. For 
+example, the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) captures information 
+
+in 224 spectral channels. The cube on the right represents the detail within the data. At 
+this level of detail, distinctions can be made between rock and mineral types, vegetation 
+types, and other features. In the cube, the small region of high response in the right corner 
+of the image is in the red portion of the visible spectrum (about 700 nanometers), and is 
+due to the presence of 1-centimeter-long (half-inch) red brine shrimp in the evaporation pond.Temporal 
+
+resolution is the time it takes for a satellite to complete an orbit and revisit the same 
+observation area. This resolution depends on the orbit, the sensor’s characteristics, and 
+the swath width. Because geostationary satellites match the rate at which Earth is rotating, 
+the temporal resolution is much finer. Polar orbiting satellites have a temporal resolution 
+that can vary from 1 day to 16 days. For example, the MODIS sensor aboard NASA's Terra and 
+
+Aqua satellites has a temporal resolution of 1-2 days, allowing the sensor to visualize Earth 
+as it changes day by day. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard the joint NASA/USGS Landsat 
+8 satellite, on the other hand, has a narrower swath width and a temporal resolution of 16 
+days; showing not daily changes but bi-monthly changes.Why not build a sensor combining high 
+spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution? It is difficult to combine all of the desirable 
+
+features into one remote sensor. For example, to acquire observations with high spatial resolution 
+(like OLI, aboard Landsat 8) a narrower swath is required, which requires more time between 
+observations of a given area resulting in a lower temporal resolution. Researchers have to 
+make trade-offs. This is why it is very important to understand the type of data needed for 
+a given area of study. When researching weather, which is dynamic over time, a high temporal 
+
+resolution is critical. When researching seasonal vegetation changes, on the other hand, a 
+high temporal resolution may be sacrificed for a higher spectral or spatial resolution.Remote 
+sensing data acquired from instruments aboard satellites require processing before the data 
+are usable by most researchers and applied science users. Most raw NASA Earth observation 
+satellite data (Level 0, see data processing levels) are processed at NASA's Science Investigator-led 
+
+Processing Systems (SIPS) facilities. All data are processed to at least a Level 1, but most 
+have associated Level 2 (derived geophysical variables) and Level 3 (variables mapped on uniform 
+space-time grid scales) products. Many even have Level 4 products. NASA Earth science data 
+are archived at discipline-specific Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) and are available 
+fully, openly, and without restriction to data users.Most data are stored in Hierarchical 
+
+Data Format (HDF) or Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) format. Numerous data tools are available 
+to subset, transform, visualize, and export to various other file formats.Once data are processed, 
+they can be used in a variety of applications, from agriculture to water resources to health 
+and air quality. A single sensor will not address all research questions within a given application. 
+Users often need to leverage multiple sensors and data products to address their question, 
+
+bearing in mind the limitations of data provided by different spectral, spatial, and temporal 
+resolutions.Many sensors acquire data at different spectral wavelengths. For example, Band 
+1 of the OLI aboard Landsat 8 acquires data at 0.433-0.453 micrometers while the MODIS Band 
+1 acquires data at 0.620-0.670 micrometers. OLI has a total of 9 bands whereas MODIS has 36 
+bands, all measuring different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Bands can be combined 
+
+to produce imagery of the data to reveal different features in the landscape. Often imagery 
+of data are used to distinguish characteristics of a region being studied or to determine 
+an area of study.True-color images show Earth as it appears to the human eye. For a Landsat 
+8 OLI true-color (red, green, blue [RGB]) image, the sensor Bands 4 (Red), 3 (Green), and 
+2 (Blue) are combined. Other spectral band combinations can be used for specific science applications, 
+
+such as flood monitoring, urbanization delineation, and vegetation mapping. For example, creating 
+a false-color Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS, aboard the Suomi National 
+Polar-orbiting Partnership [Suomi NPP] satellite) image using bands M11, I2, and I1 is useful 
+for distinguishing burn scars from low vegetation or bare soil as well as for exposing flooded 
+areas. To see more band combinations from Landsat sensors, check out NASA Scientific Visualization 
+
+Studio's video Landsat Band Remix or the NASA Earth Observatory article Many Hues of London. 
+For other common band combinations, see NASA Earth Observatory's How to Interpret Common False-Color 
+Images, which provides common band combinations along with insight into interpreting imagery.Once 
+data are processed into imagery with varying band combinations these images can aid in resource 
+management decisions and disaster assessment. This requires proper interpretation of the imagery. 
+
+There are a few strategies for getting started (adapted from NASA Earth Observatory article 
+How to Interpret a Satellite Image: Five Tips and Strategies):Different land cover types can 
+be discriminated more readily by using image classification algorithms. Image classification 
+uses the spectral information of individual image pixels. A program using image classification 
+algorithms can automatically group the pixels in what is called an unsupervised classification. 
+
+The user can also indicate areas of known land cover type to “train” the program to group 
+like pixels; this is called a supervised classification. Maps or imagery can also be integrated 
+into a geographical information system (GIS) and then each pixel can be compared with other 
+GIS data, such as census data. For more information on integrating NASA Earth science data 
+into a GIS, check out the Earthdata GIS page.Satellites also often carry a variety of sensors 
+
+measuring biogeophysical parameters, such as sea surface temperature, nitrogen dioxide or 
+other atmospheric pollutants, winds, aerosols, and biomass. These parameters can be evaluated 
+through statistical and spectral analysis techniques.To aid in getting started with applications-based 
+research using remotely-sensed data, Data Pathfinders provide a data product selection guide 
+focused on specific science disciplines and application areas, such as those mentioned above. 
+
+Pathfinders provide direct links to the most commonly-used datasets and data products from 
+NASA’s Earth science data collections along with links to tools that provide ways to visualize 
+or subset the data, with the option to save the data in different file formats.Find and use 
+NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections 
+between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.The planet NASA studies the most 
+is Earth. NASA’s end-to-end Earth observations enable agricultural producers to make informed 
+decisions about global market conditions, water management, in-season crop conditions, severe 
+
+weather, and sustainability.This Data Pathfinder will help guide you through the process of 
+selecting and using datasets applicable to agriculture and water management, and provides 
+links to specific data sources. If you are new to remote sensing, the What is Remote Sensing? 
+Backgrounder provides a comprehensive overview. In addition, NASA's Applied Remote Sensing 
+Training Program (ARSET) provides numerous training modules, including Fundamentals of Remote 
+
+Sensing.If you have specific questions about how to use data, tools, or resources mentioned 
+in this Data Pathfinder, please visit the Earthdata Forum. Here, you can interact with other 
+data users and NASA subject matter experts on a variety of Earth science research and applications 
+topics.This section provides links to NASA and external tools and applications relevant to 
+analyzing and visualizing agriculture and water management data referenced in this Data Pathfinder. 
+
+NASA's Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program maintains many more resources for data analysis 
+that may be helpful. Explore the full list on the NASA Earthdata Data Tools page.The Agrometeorological 
+(AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of EO data products on 
+the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season crop development 
+and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO data plots that quantify 
+
+critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region and crop over time and are 
+updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots help tell the story of in-season 
+crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For 
+more information about AGMET:The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples 
+(AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from 
+
+a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using 
+spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: 
+point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. 
+Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+viewing results, interacting with results, and downloading requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search 
+is NASA's tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant 
+
+data available through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about 
+data collections, search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and 
+download or submit requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. 
+Note: An Earthdata Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) 
+users can customize granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, 
+
+KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset 
+to obtain only the bands that are needed.The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) 
+provides early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. NASA’s 
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+parameter analysis options include:Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:The U.S. Drought 
+Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought 
+relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the USGS provides 
+the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30), visualizing nearly 
+
+1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.EarthExplorer 
+is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, elevation data, and satellite products 
+(including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER data, ASTER GDEM and other products) 
+distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, and ordering tool connects users with 
+satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories through interactive and textual-based 
+
+query capabilities. These products are available for download at no cost to registered users. 
+Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" link on the EarthExplorer main page.The 
+NASA Worldview data visualization application provides the capability to interactively browse 
+more than 1,000 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and download the underlying 
+data. Many of the available imagery layers are updated within three hours of observation, 
+
+which supports time-critical application areas such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, 
+and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services 
+(GIBS). Worldview also includes geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, 
+and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites that are available at 10-minute increments for the 
+last 30 days.The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) 
+
+offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from a variety of 
+federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, 
+temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: point samples 
+for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample 
+requests submitted to AρρEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+viewing results, interacting with results and downloading requests.Earthdata Search is NASA's 
+tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available 
+
+through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, 
+search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit 
+requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata 
+Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize 
+granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF 
+
+and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the 
+bands that are needed.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:NASA's ORNL DAAC has several tools for subsetting 
+data from the MODIS and VIIRS instruments:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed 
+using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced 
+and other arrays, and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, 
+combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application 
+
+that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that 
+your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With 
+Panoply 5 you can:Resources:NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers 
+geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology 
+community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as 
+
+well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable 
+applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of restful Application Programming 
+Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and Open-source Project for a Network 
+Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service offerings support data discovery, 
+access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support 
+
+tools.Data Access ViewerThe Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators 
+bring together a variety of EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides 
+valuable insights on in-season crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator 
+consists of several EO data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health 
+for a specific region and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different 
+
+EO data plots help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different 
+climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover 
+the NASA Earth Science resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data 
+found in this web map can be applied to the following areas:The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:The Crop Monitor 
+
+Exploring Tool is an an online interactive resource that provides NDVI, temperature, precipitation, 
+soil moisture, ET, and runoff data to determine crop conditions for a variety of different 
+crops in Early Warning countries (Africa and Asia) and Agricultural Market Information System 
+(AMIS) countries (North America, Europe, and Asia) by the Group on Earth Observations Global 
+Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM).The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides 
+
+early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s 
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+
+parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Versions:GLAM2 Original 
+VersionResources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply 
+
+data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, 
+and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, 
+and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, 
+Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had 
+a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: 
+
+NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology 
+and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The NASA Worldview data visualization 
+application provides the capability to interactively browse more than 1,000 global, full-resolution 
+satellite imagery layers and download the underlying data. Many of the available imagery layers 
+
+are updated within three hours of observation, which supports time-critical application areas 
+such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery 
+is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS). Worldview also includes 
+geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites 
+that are available at 10-minute increments for the last 30 days.The Application for Extracting 
+
+and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access 
+and transform geospatial data from a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users 
+to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types 
+of sample requests are available: point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples 
+for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users 
+
+not only with data values, but also associated quality data values. Interactive visualizations 
+with summary statistics are provided for each sample within the application, which allow users 
+to preview and interact with their samples before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS 
+Getting Started to learn more about workflows, viewing the results, interacting with the results 
+and downloading the requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool enables users to visualize 
+
+and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of 
+rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved decisions for, issues 
+related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish 
+to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture 
+Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active 
+
+Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument 
+in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical for professionals in the agriculture 
+and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in tandem with other data to plan crop 
+planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and improve weather forecasts. This application 
+offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service (WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and 
+
+Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search is NASA's tool for searching for 
+and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available through U.S. and 
+international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, search for data 
+files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit requests for 
+data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata Login is required 
+
+to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize granules. Users 
+can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from 
+a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the bands that are needed.The 
+Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides early warning and analysis on food 
+insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to help decision-makers 
+
+plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. 
+The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information 
+System (LIS) that has been adapted to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and 
+forecast requirements associated with food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. 
+The integration of LIS allows FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate 
+
+ensembles of soil moisture, evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple 
+meteorological inputs or land surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access 
+to geo-spatial data, satellite image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS 
+NET drought monitoring efforts throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS 
+NET Project, part of the Early Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation 
+
+and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables 
+
+near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. 
+This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, 
+and computing power.Resources:OpenET is a web-based platform that puts NASA evapotranspiration 
+(ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation groups to speed improvements 
+and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states in the Western U.S. It uses 
+
+publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based ET information in 
+areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly intervals.Resources:NASA's 
+Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and 
+solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The U.S. Drought Monitor 
+
+is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought relief 
+allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.EarthExplorer is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, 
+elevation data and satellite products (including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER 
+data, ASTER GDEM and other products) distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, 
+
+and ordering tool connects users with satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories 
+through interactive and textual-based query capabilities. These products are available for 
+download at no cost to registered users. Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" 
+link on the EarthExplorer main page.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the 
+USGS provides the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30) visualizing 
+
+nearly 1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.The 
+Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of 
+EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season 
+crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO 
+data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region 
+
+and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots 
+help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, 
+and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover the NASA Earth Science 
+resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data found in this web map can 
+be applied to the following areas:Water Availability: Plant Stress, Soil Moisture, Drought, 
+
+Irrigation Weather, Extreme Events and Better Seasonal and Sub-Seasonal Projections: NASA 
+Models Informing NOAA, USDA and Drought Monitor Operational ForecastingFor GIS users: see 
+how to use NASA data and services in common GIS tools in the GIS Pathfinder and check out 
+the How To guides to get help with your workflows.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool 
+enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, 
+
+and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved 
+decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an 
+API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop 
+Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data 
+from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, 
+and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform 
+application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, and offers additional functionality 
+such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. 
+
+Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop 
+computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later 
+version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide 
+Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters 
+formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, 
+
+and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through 
+custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of 
+restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerOpenET is a web-based platform 
+that puts NASA evapotranspiration (ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation 
+groups to speed improvements and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states 
+in the Western U.S. It uses publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based 
+ET information in areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly 
+
+intervals.Resources:The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by 
+policymakers to help determine drought relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA 
+satellites provide data about water availability to the U.S. Drought Monitor.The ClimateSERV 
+data visualization tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, 
+vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding 
+
+of, and make improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. 
+ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application 
+or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NASA's Prediction 
+Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related 
+parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, 
+analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings 
+through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series 
+
+of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA develops partnerships 
+and resources to address food security and works with decision-makers and data users to tailor 
+
+these tools to specific locations and user needs. These efforts help address issues like water 
+management for irrigation, crop-type identification and land use, coastal and lake water quality 
+monitoring, drought preparedness, and famine early warnings. NASA Earth science data are key 
+elements in the work carried out and supported by the agency's Applied Sciences Program, which 
+works with individuals and institutions worldwide to inform decision-making, enhance quality 
+
+of life, and strengthen our economy. Applied Sciences agriculture and water management-related 
+efforts include: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked 
+global goals designed to be a blueprint for a sustainable future for all of Earth’s inhabitants. 
+The SDGs are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an international plan signed 
+by all United Nations (UN) member states and underpinned by the foundational components of 
+
+People, Planet, and Prosperity.SDGs include specific social, economic, and environmental targets. 
+Through SDG 2: Zero Hunger, the UN proposes to end hunger, achieve food security and improved 
+nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Key SDG 2 Targets include:While NASA datasets 
+are not official indicators for SDG monitoring and decision-making, they provide data necessary 
+to assess progress towards achieving SDG Targets. Along with SDG 2, the data and resources 
+
+in the Agriculture and Water Management Data Pathfinder help address Targets in other SDGs, 
+including:The Sustainable Development Progress Report offers data about countries’ performances 
+in the SDGs.GIS data related to SDG 2 are available from the United Nations Statistics Division 
+through Esri’s Federated Information System for the SDG Initiative.The Committee on Earth 
+Observation Satellites (CEOS) also supports SDG 2. Learn how CEOS Agencies are using Earth 
+
+observations for agriculture monitoring.August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGAugust 31, 
+2023September 8, 2023August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGIn early 
+September 2023, Greece endured a four-day storm that dropped 910 millimeters (3 feet) of rain 
+on central parts of the country. The record rainfall triggered deadly flooding and inundated 
+towns and farm fields in Thessaly, a region that includes Greece’s agricultural heartland. 
+
+The flooding was fueled by a stalled low-pressure storm that became cut-off from the jet stream, 
+also known as a cut-off low, which dropped heavy rainfall on central Greece between September 
+4 and 7. The storm dropped the most rain, 910 millimeters (3 feet), on Zagora, near Thessaly’s 
+port town of Volos, according to Meteo, the country’s weather service. About 100 kilometers 
+(60 miles) inland, the town of Karditsa saw 659 millimeters (2 feet) of rainfall. The pair 
+
+of images above shows flooding near Karditsa and Larissa, some of the hardest hit places in 
+Thessaly. The image on the right, acquired by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 
+8, shows flooding near the Pineios River on September 8, a day after the storm receded. The 
+image on the left, acquired by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, shows the 
+same area on August 31. The images show floodwater covering what once were green farm fields 
+
+in the low-lying Thessaly plain. Farming is a major industry in the region, and accounts for 
+about one-sixth of Greece’s agricultural output. Farmers here grow primarily cotton, wheat, 
+corn, and alfalfa. The detailed image below shows flooded fields near the village of Pedino, 
+north of Karditsa. Sediment-laden water overtopped the banks of the Pineios, to the north 
+of the village, and the Mega Rema River to the south. September 8, 2023JPEGSeveral villages 
+
+along the Pineios and its tributaries became inundated with water during the storm. According 
+to news reports, over 4,000 people have been rescued from high water areas. Flooding near 
+Larissa, Thessaly’s capital and one of the largest cities in Greece, can be seen in the image 
+below. Suburbs of the city were flooded after the Pineios River broke its banks. September 
+8, 2023JPEGAlthough water along the Pineios had started to recede on September 11, flooding 
+
+along the river could still be seen in images from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 
+(MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. According to news reports, the river was still 2 meters 
+(6.5 feet) above safe levels. NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerRecord 
+rainfall inundated towns and farmland in the country’s Thessaly region.Image of the Day for 
+
+September 12, 2023 Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The 
+melting of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can 
+send rivers out of their banks.Flash floods in the port city destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods 
+out to sea. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence A Mediterranean cyclone contributed 
+to deadly flooding along the country’s coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods A stalled 
+
+storm dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive 
+flooding. Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential 
+downpours in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+Floods Human Presence September 1, 2023JPEGFor decades, summer phytoplankton blooms have sprung 
+up in Missisquoi Bay in the northeastern part of Lake Champlain. The bay’s shallow, nutrient-rich, 
+
+and seasonally warm waters offer ideal growing conditions for the floating, plant-like organisms, 
+which can multiply and aggregate into vast masses that discolor parts of the lake.The summer 
+of 2023 was no exception. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 acquired this natural-color 
+image of a bloom swirling near the mouth of the Missisquoi River on September 1, 2023. The 
+satellite collected similar images in August as well.While it is not possible to determine 
+
+the type of phytoplankton with Landsat observations alone, this bloom is likely cyanobacteria 
+(also called blue-green algae)—an ancient type of marine bacteria that captures and stores 
+solar energy through photosynthesis. Several trained cyanobacteria spotters submitted photographs 
+and reports of dense green mats of cyanobacteria lining the shores of Missisquoi Bay to Verrmont’s 
+cyanobacteria tracker website around the same time the image was acquired.Cyanobacteria blooms 
+
+are monitored closely because some species produce toxins known as cyanotoxins, including 
+a widespread type called microcystin, that can sicken people and animals, contaminate drinking 
+water, and force closures of boating and swimming sites.In recent years, teams of researchers 
+working with NASA’s DEVELOP program have used observations from several satellites to track 
+where in Lake Champlain harmful blooms are most common and identify key risk factors associated 
+
+with them. In a technical report, the researchers reported that Missisquoi Bay and nearby 
+St. Albans Bay had the lake’s highest concentration of toxic cyanobacteria blooms between 
+2016-2022.“There are multiple contributors to blooms like nutrients, temperature, and wind 
+and wave conditions,” noted Kent Ross, a science advisor for the Lake Champlain DEVELOP project. 
+��We focused on the availability of one of the nutrients—phosphorus.”Phosphorus is a common 
+
+nutrient found in runoff from farmland, lawns, and developed areas. While much of Lake Champlain 
+is surrounded by forests, which filter nutrients, Missisquoi Bay is flanked by farmland, where 
+fertilizer use leads to higher levels of phosphorous in the rivers that flow into the bay, 
+Ross explained.“That’s where our project partner, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural 
+Resource Conservation Service, comes in,” added Ross. “They recommend best practices to farmers 
+
+to limit nutrient runoff.” Adjusting the timing or type of fertilizer, changing grazing rotations, 
+upgrading drainage systems, and improving soil health are among the strategies farmers might 
+pursue.One of the challenges for scientists who study cyanobacteria blooms is that blooms 
+don’t always contain the species that produce harmful toxins. “The currently used indices 
+based on multispectral imagery cannot distinguish between the toxin-producing subspecies of 
+
+microcystis and non-toxin producing microcystis algae blooms,” said Jeffrey Luvall, also a 
+science advisor for the DEVELOP team and a scientist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. 
+“But the upcoming PACE mission—scheduled to launch in 2024—will make hyperspectral observations 
+able to do that.”NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the 
+U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerPhosphorus runoff 
+
+from farmland surrounding Lake Champlain contributes to summer cyanobacteria blooms in the 
+northeastern part of the lake.Image of the Day for September 11, 2023 Image of the Day Water 
+Human Presence Water Color View more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like organisms reproduce 
+abundantly when there are sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. Extreme blooms 
+of certain species can become harmful to marine animals and humans.More than 40 years after 
+
+the explosive eruption of Mount St. Helens, relics from the blast continue to haunt a nearby 
+lake. Image of the Day Water Straddling Austria and Hungary, the lake is also known as the 
+“Sea of the Viennese.” Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Snow and Ice At an average 
+elevation of 3,812 meters (12,507 feet), Lake Titicaca is one of the highest lakes in the 
+world. The lake is positioned between two major ranges of the Andes Mountain chain and has 
+
+very limited drainage. The limited outflow of the lake allows for the accumulation of nutrients 
+derived primarily from surrounding communities’ agricultural and sewage waste. The increased 
+nutrient levels can lead to plankton blooms. This astronaut photograph, taken from the International 
+Space Station, captures two such blooms along the eastern shoreline of the lake. Image of 
+the Day Land Life Once the second-largest lake in Turkey, it now rarely spans an area much 
+
+larger than a puddle. Image of the Day Land Water Remote Sensing August 18, 2023JPEGWhile 
+some weather-related delays are mere annoyances, others slow the rhythms of global shipping. 
+Due to ongoing drought and low water levels, ship traffic was restricted through the Panama 
+Canal in late summer 2023, leaving an above-average number of vessels waiting to make the 
+transit. The Panama Canal is an 80-kilometer (50-mile) artificial waterway across the Isthmus 
+
+of Panama, providing a vital connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for up to 
+14,000 ships each year. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 got a rare cloud-free 
+view of delayed ships on the Pacific side of the canal on August 18, 2023. Artificial lakes 
+supply the water needed to fill the series of locks in the canal. Those lakes, located to 
+the north and northwest of this scene, are replenished by rainfall that is typically in abundance 
+
+on the Isthmus of Panama. However, drought has left Lago Gatún, the largest lake feeding the 
+system, at near-record low levels. In mid-August, it stood close to the lowest recorded level, 
+from May 2016, and well below the average level for August from the past five years. As a 
+means of conserving water, the Panama Canal Authority reduced the number of vessels that could 
+travel through the canal each day starting on July 30. At one point in early August, the ensuing 
+
+backup reached as high as 160 total vessels waiting on one side or the other. By the time 
+of this image, that number had decreased to around 130, whereas the queue ordinarily tops 
+off around 90. The average wait time for August 2023 was nearly four times what it was in 
+June. The reduction of daily passages was the latest restriction imposed by the Panama Canal 
+Authority this year to deal with the water shortages. Starting on March 1, 2023, it began 
+
+reducing the maximum draft (the distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull) 
+permitted for vessels passing through the locks. The normal limit of 50 feet (15 meters) for 
+the largest class of ships that use the canal was increasingly ratcheted down to 44 feet (13 
+meters), requiring some ships to lighten their loads. The area has seen a number of dry years 
+in the past decade; Lago Gatún dipped to low levels in 2016 and 2019, in addition to 2023. 
+
+At the other extreme, however, Lago Gatún and Lago Alajuela, another lake feeding the canal, 
+reached record high levels in December 2010. The flooding caused the canal to close for only 
+the third time in its history. NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerSevere 
+drought is reducing the number of daily passages on the transoceanic shipping route.Image 
+
+of the Day for September 1, 2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of 
+the Day:In September, low water levels made it more challenging to ship goods down the river 
+and allowed a wedge of saltwater to move upstream. Image of the Day Water Drought Hundreds 
+of ships have been left idling around the key shipping route. Nature played a role in solving 
+the problem. Image of the Day Human Presence A key shipping route through Egypt recently received 
+
+a major overhaul. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence More than 64 million people are 
+directly affected by drought in the Southwest and Southern Plains, and far more are indirectly 
+affected because of the vast number of farms, orchards, and ranches that supply the rest of 
+the United States. Image of the Day Land Life Water Drought August 21, 2023JPEGFor more than 
+a decade, drought has plagued central Chile. The prolonged dry period—a megadrought—has fueled 
+
+wildfires, strained water supplies, and parched crops.In winter 2023, the region got some 
+relief in the form of two atmospheric rivers that brought hundreds of millimeters of rain 
+and snow to the region. However, too much rain fell too quickly in some areas, prompting floods 
+and mudslides that damaged roads and bridges, destroyed thousands of homes, and displaced 
+tens of thousands of people.The map above shows the total precipitable water vapor in the 
+
+atmosphere on August 21, 2023. Precipitable water vapor is the amount of water in a column 
+of the atmosphere if all of the water vapor were condensed into liquid. The image was derived 
+from the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS), which uses satellite data and models of physical 
+processes to calculate what is happening in Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces.The 
+narrow band of moisture (green) stretching from the central Pacific Ocean to Chile is a signature 
+
+of an atmospheric river—a long, narrow region that transports vast amounts of water vapor 
+from the tropics poleward. In subtropical Chile, atmospheric rivers contribute 45 to 60 percent 
+of the annual precipitation, most of it in the winter rainy season (June to September).El 
+Paico in the Santiago metropolitan region saw nearly 80 millimeters (3 inches) of rain fall 
+between August 19-21, while areas farther inland in the foothills of the Andes saw as much 
+
+as 370 millimeters (15 inches) of rain, according to Floodlist. Meanwhile, some news outlets 
+reported that 2 or more meters (up to 8 feet) of snow fell in high mountain areas.August 26, 
+2023JPEGSome of the worst flooding occurred in the Maule, Ñuble, and Biobío regions of Chile. 
+“There was a strong orographic effect,” said atmospheric scientist René Garreaud of Universidad 
+de Chile. “We saw five to ten times more rain in the Andean foothills compared to Chile’s 
+
+Central Valley.”Higher elevation areas saw boosted rainfall totals because the Andes forced 
+the incoming river of moisture upward, where lower air pressure and cooler temperatures cause 
+water vapor to more easily condense into rain droplets on the windward side of mountains. 
+This same effect produces rain shadows on the lee side of mountains.Several days after the 
+surge of rain, rivers were still swollen and discolored. Floodwaters can pick up material, 
+
+such as sediment from riverbanks, that becomes suspended in the water and makes it appear 
+brown. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite 
+captured an image (above) showing rivers carrying plumes of suspended sediment into the Pacific 
+Ocean on August 26, 2023.The atmospheric river in August followed a similar event in June. 
+According to Garreaud, the June event delivered more than 500 millimeters (20 inches) of rain 
+
+over a two-day period to the Maule foothills, roughly double what normally falls in Santiago 
+in a year.The El Niño developing in the Pacific may be affecting how these events play out. 
+“We are seeing extra moisture in the central Pacific, but the coupling with the atmosphere 
+is still relatively weak,” Garreuad said. “The Pacific anticyclone remains strong, and we 
+haven’t yet seen a blocking high to the south of the continent—the typical signature of winter 
+
+storms that are strongly influenced by El Niño.”The concept of atmospheric rivers first emerged 
+in the 1990s and has become a topic of growing interest to researchers in recent years. Some 
+research suggests that climate change may be causing atmospheric rivers to produce more rain 
+and shift poleward. One analysis of model projections conducted by a team of scientists at 
+NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory found that atmospheric rivers may decrease in frequency but 
+
+grow longer and wider under a scenario in which future greenhouse gas emissions remain high.NASA 
+Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin and Wanmei Liang, using GEOS-FP data from the Global 
+Modeling and Assimilation Office at NASA GSFC and MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerAfter more than a decade of drought, strong 
+atmospheric rivers in June and August flooded the foothills of the Andes in the Maule, Ñuble, 
+
+and Biobío regions.Image of the Day for September 4, 2023 Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+Water Floods View more Images of the Day:Heavy rain and melting snow can overtop riverbanks, 
+causing far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and people.In late June 2019, a potent atmospheric 
+river event carried soaking rain into southern Chile, dropping nearly a month’s worth of precipitation 
+in just 48 hours. Image of the Day Water The latest in a series of atmospheric rivers drenching 
+
+the state was accompanied by hazardous winds and left thousands of people without power. Image 
+of the Day Atmosphere Water Severe Storms Two atmospheric rivers hit Australia’s east and 
+west coasts with severe rains on the same day. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Water Unique 
+Imagery Following an exceptionally wet January, an atmospheric river carried even more moisture 
+into the region in February. Image of the Day Atmosphere Severe Storms Remote Sensing Water 
+
+budgets for individual watersheds can be estimated using remote sensing data for precipitation, 
+evapotranspiration, and runoff.Find and use NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without 
+restrictions.Recognizing the connections between interdependent Earth systems is critical 
+for understanding the world in which we live.The atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding 
+and protecting our planet from the intense radiation of the Sun and serves as a key interface 
+
+between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere encompasses all life on Earth and extends 
+from root systems to mountaintops and all depths of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining 
+species diversity, regulating climate, and providing numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere 
+encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any 
+other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays a critical role in regulating climate and 
+
+sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes ways humans interact with the environment 
+and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. It also explores the vulnerability of human 
+communities to natural disasters and hazards.The land surface discipline includes research 
+into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, and eroding soils. NASA data provide key 
+information on land surface parameters and the ecological state of our planet.This vast, critical 
+
+reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate Earth’s climate.Processes occurring 
+deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although originating from below the surface, 
+these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based measurements.The Sun influences 
+a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. NASA continually monitors 
+solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere includes water on 
+
+the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater along with 
+total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are just interested 
+in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have the resources 
+to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science data, services, 
+and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate with NASA.Making 
+
+NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible for research 
+and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.Remote sensing is the acquiring of information 
+from a distance. NASA observes Earth and other planetary bodies via remote sensors on satellites 
+and aircraft that detect and record reflected or emitted energy. Remote sensors, which provide 
+a global perspective and a wealth of data about Earth systems, enable data-informed decision 
+
+making based on the current and future state of our planet.For more information, check out 
+NASA's Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) Tech Talk: From Pixels 
+to Products: An Overview of Satellite Remote Sensing.Satellites can be placed in several types 
+of orbits around Earth. The three common classes of orbits are low-Earth orbit (approximately 
+160 to 2,000 km above Earth), medium-Earth orbit (approximately 2,000 to 35,500 km above Earth), 
+
+and high-Earth orbit (above 35,500 km above Earth). Satellites orbiting at 35,786 km are at 
+an altitude at which their orbital speed matches the planet's rotation, and are in what is 
+called geosynchronous orbit (GSO). In addition, a satellite in GSO directly over the equator 
+will have a geostationary orbit. A geostationary orbit enables a satellite to maintain its 
+position directly over the same place on Earth’s surface.Low-Earth orbit is a commonly used 
+
+orbit since satellites can follow several orbital tracks around the planet. Polar-orbiting 
+satellites, for example, are inclined nearly 90 degrees to the equatorial plane and travel 
+from pole to pole as Earth rotates. This enables sensors aboard the satellite to acquire data 
+for the entire globe rapidly, including the polar regions. Many polar-orbiting satellites 
+are considered Sun-synchronous, meaning that the satellite passes over the same location at 
+
+the same solar time each cycle. One example of a Sun-synchronous, polar-orbiting satellite 
+is NASA’s Aqua satellite, which orbits approximately 705 km above Earth’s surface.Non-polar 
+low-Earth orbit satellites, on the other hand, do not provide global coverage but instead 
+cover only a partial range of latitudes. The joint NASA/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory is an example of a non-Sun-synchronous 
+
+low-Earth orbit satellite. Its orbital track acquires data between 65 degrees north and south 
+latitude from 407 km above the planet.A medium-Earth orbit satellite takes approximately 12 
+hours to complete an orbit. In 24-hours, the satellite crosses over the same two spots on 
+the equator every day. This orbit is consistent and highly predictable. As a result, this 
+is an orbit used by many telecommunications and GPS satellites. One example of a medium-Earth 
+
+orbit satellite constellation is the European Space Agency's Galileo global navigation satellite 
+system (GNSS), which orbits 23,222 km above Earth.While both geosynchronous and geostationary 
+satellites orbit at 35,786 km above Earth, geosynchronous satellites have orbits that can 
+be tilted above or below the equator. Geostationary satellites, on the other hand, orbit Earth 
+on the same plane as the equator. These satellites capture identical views of Earth with each 
+
+observation and provide almost continuous coverage of one area. The joint NASA/NOAA Geostationary 
+Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) series of weather satellites are in geostationary 
+orbits above the equator.For more information about orbits, please see NASA Earth Observatory's 
+Catalog of Earth Satellite Orbits.Electromagnetic energy, produced by the vibration of charged 
+particles, travels in the form of waves through the atmosphere and the vacuum of space. These 
+
+waves have different wavelengths (the distance from wave crest to wave crest) and frequencies; 
+a shorter wavelength means a higher frequency. Some, like radio, microwave, and infrared waves, 
+have a longer wavelength, while others, such as ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays, have 
+a much shorter wavelength. Visible light sits in the middle of that range of long to shortwave 
+radiation. This small portion of energy is all that the human eye is able to detect. Instrumentation 
+
+is needed to detect all other forms of electromagnetic energy. NASA instrumentation utilizes 
+the full range of the spectrum to explore and understand processes occurring here on Earth 
+and on other planetary bodies.Some waves are absorbed or reflected by atmospheric components, 
+like water vapor and carbon dioxide, while some wavelengths allow for unimpeded movement through 
+the atmosphere; visible light has wavelengths that can be transmitted through the atmosphere. 
+
+Microwave energy has wavelengths that can pass through clouds, an attribute utilized by many 
+weather and communication satellites.The primary source of the energy observed by satellites, 
+is the Sun. The amount of the Sun’s energy reflected depends on the roughness of the surface 
+and its albedo, which is how well a surface reflects light instead of absorbing it. Snow, 
+for example, has a very high albedo and reflects up to 90% of incoming solar radiation. The 
+
+ocean, on the other hand, reflects only about 6% of incoming solar radiation and absorbs the 
+rest. Often, when energy is absorbed, it is re-emitted, usually at longer wavelengths. For 
+example, the energy absorbed by the ocean gets re-emitted as infrared radiation.All things 
+on Earth reflect, absorb, or transmit energy, the amount of which varies by wavelength. Just 
+as your fingerprint is unique to you, everything on Earth has a unique spectral fingerprint. 
+
+Researchers can use this information to identify different Earth features as well as different 
+rock and mineral types. The number of spectral bands detected by a given instrument, its spectral 
+resolution, determines how much differentiation a researcher can identify between materials.For 
+more information on the electromagnetic spectrum, with companion videos, view NASA's Tour 
+of the Electromagnetic Spectrum.Sensors, or instruments, aboard satellites and aircraft use 
+
+the Sun as a source of illumination or provide their own source of illumination, measuring 
+energy that is reflected back. Sensors that use natural energy from the Sun are called passive 
+sensors; those that provide their own source of energy are called active sensors. Passive 
+sensors include different types of radiometers (instruments that quantitatively measure the 
+intensity of electromagnetic radiation in select bands) and spectrometers (devices that are 
+
+designed to detect, measure, and analyze the spectral content of reflected electromagnetic 
+radiation). Most passive systems used by remote sensing applications operate in the visible, 
+infrared, thermal infrared, and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. These 
+sensors measure land and sea surface temperature, vegetation properties, cloud and aerosol 
+properties, and other physical attributes. Most passive sensors cannot penetrate dense cloud 
+
+cover and thus have limitations observing areas like the tropics where dense cloud cover is 
+frequent.Active sensors include different types of radio detection and ranging (radar) sensors, 
+altimeters, and scatterometers. The majority of active sensors operate in the microwave band 
+of the electromagnetic spectrum, which gives them the ability to penetrate the atmosphere 
+under most conditions. These types of sensors are useful for measuring the vertical profiles 
+
+of aerosols, forest structure, precipitation and winds, sea surface topography, and ice, among 
+others.The Remote Sensors Earthdata page provides a list of NASA’s Earth science passive and 
+active sensors while the What is Synthetic Aperture Radar? Backgrounder provides specific 
+information on this type of active sensor.Resolution plays a role in how data from a sensor 
+can be used. Resolution can vary depending on the satellite’s orbit and sensor design. There 
+
+are four types of resolution to consider for any dataset—radiometric, spatial, spectral, and 
+temporal.Radiometric resolution is the amount of information in each pixel, that is, the number 
+of bits representing the energy recorded. Each bit records an exponent of power 2. For example, 
+an 8 bit resolution is 28, which indicates that the sensor has 256 potential digital values 
+(0-255) to store information. Thus, the higher the radiometric resolution, the more values 
+
+are available to store information, providing better discrimination between even the slightest 
+differences in energy. For example, when assessing water quality, radiometric resolution is 
+necessary to distinguish between subtle differences in ocean color.Spatial resolution is defined 
+by the size of each pixel within a digital image and the area on Earth’s surface represented 
+by that pixel.For example, the majority of the bands observed by the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) have a spatial resolution of 1km; each pixel represents a 1 km x 
+1km area on the ground. MODIS also includes bands with a spatial resolution of 250 m or 500 
+m. The finer the resolution (the lower the number), the more detail you can see. In the image 
+below, you can see the difference in pixelation between a 30 m/pixel image (left image), a 
+100 m/pixel image (center image), and a 300 m/pixel image (right image).Spectral resolution 
+
+is the ability of a sensor to discern finer wavelengths, that is, having more and narrower 
+bands. Many sensors are considered to be multispectral, meaning they have 3-10 bands. Some 
+sensors have hundreds to even thousands of bands and are considered to be hyperspectral. The 
+narrower the range of wavelengths for a given band, the finer the spectral resolution. For 
+example, the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) captures information 
+
+in 224 spectral channels. The cube on the right represents the detail within the data. At 
+this level of detail, distinctions can be made between rock and mineral types, vegetation 
+types, and other features. In the cube, the small region of high response in the right corner 
+of the image is in the red portion of the visible spectrum (about 700 nanometers), and is 
+due to the presence of 1-centimeter-long (half-inch) red brine shrimp in the evaporation pond.Temporal 
+
+resolution is the time it takes for a satellite to complete an orbit and revisit the same 
+observation area. This resolution depends on the orbit, the sensor’s characteristics, and 
+the swath width. Because geostationary satellites match the rate at which Earth is rotating, 
+the temporal resolution is much finer. Polar orbiting satellites have a temporal resolution 
+that can vary from 1 day to 16 days. For example, the MODIS sensor aboard NASA's Terra and 
+
+Aqua satellites has a temporal resolution of 1-2 days, allowing the sensor to visualize Earth 
+as it changes day by day. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard the joint NASA/USGS Landsat 
+8 satellite, on the other hand, has a narrower swath width and a temporal resolution of 16 
+days; showing not daily changes but bi-monthly changes.Why not build a sensor combining high 
+spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution? It is difficult to combine all of the desirable 
+
+features into one remote sensor. For example, to acquire observations with high spatial resolution 
+(like OLI, aboard Landsat 8) a narrower swath is required, which requires more time between 
+observations of a given area resulting in a lower temporal resolution. Researchers have to 
+make trade-offs. This is why it is very important to understand the type of data needed for 
+a given area of study. When researching weather, which is dynamic over time, a high temporal 
+
+resolution is critical. When researching seasonal vegetation changes, on the other hand, a 
+high temporal resolution may be sacrificed for a higher spectral or spatial resolution.Remote 
+sensing data acquired from instruments aboard satellites require processing before the data 
+are usable by most researchers and applied science users. Most raw NASA Earth observation 
+satellite data (Level 0, see data processing levels) are processed at NASA's Science Investigator-led 
+
+Processing Systems (SIPS) facilities. All data are processed to at least a Level 1, but most 
+have associated Level 2 (derived geophysical variables) and Level 3 (variables mapped on uniform 
+space-time grid scales) products. Many even have Level 4 products. NASA Earth science data 
+are archived at discipline-specific Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) and are available 
+fully, openly, and without restriction to data users.Most data are stored in Hierarchical 
+
+Data Format (HDF) or Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) format. Numerous data tools are available 
+to subset, transform, visualize, and export to various other file formats.Once data are processed, 
+they can be used in a variety of applications, from agriculture to water resources to health 
+and air quality. A single sensor will not address all research questions within a given application. 
+Users often need to leverage multiple sensors and data products to address their question, 
+
+bearing in mind the limitations of data provided by different spectral, spatial, and temporal 
+resolutions.Many sensors acquire data at different spectral wavelengths. For example, Band 
+1 of the OLI aboard Landsat 8 acquires data at 0.433-0.453 micrometers while the MODIS Band 
+1 acquires data at 0.620-0.670 micrometers. OLI has a total of 9 bands whereas MODIS has 36 
+bands, all measuring different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Bands can be combined 
+
+to produce imagery of the data to reveal different features in the landscape. Often imagery 
+of data are used to distinguish characteristics of a region being studied or to determine 
+an area of study.True-color images show Earth as it appears to the human eye. For a Landsat 
+8 OLI true-color (red, green, blue [RGB]) image, the sensor Bands 4 (Red), 3 (Green), and 
+2 (Blue) are combined. Other spectral band combinations can be used for specific science applications, 
+
+such as flood monitoring, urbanization delineation, and vegetation mapping. For example, creating 
+a false-color Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS, aboard the Suomi National 
+Polar-orbiting Partnership [Suomi NPP] satellite) image using bands M11, I2, and I1 is useful 
+for distinguishing burn scars from low vegetation or bare soil as well as for exposing flooded 
+areas. To see more band combinations from Landsat sensors, check out NASA Scientific Visualization 
+
+Studio's video Landsat Band Remix or the NASA Earth Observatory article Many Hues of London. 
+For other common band combinations, see NASA Earth Observatory's How to Interpret Common False-Color 
+Images, which provides common band combinations along with insight into interpreting imagery.Once 
+data are processed into imagery with varying band combinations these images can aid in resource 
+management decisions and disaster assessment. This requires proper interpretation of the imagery. 
+
+There are a few strategies for getting started (adapted from NASA Earth Observatory article 
+How to Interpret a Satellite Image: Five Tips and Strategies):Different land cover types can 
+be discriminated more readily by using image classification algorithms. Image classification 
+uses the spectral information of individual image pixels. A program using image classification 
+algorithms can automatically group the pixels in what is called an unsupervised classification. 
+
+The user can also indicate areas of known land cover type to “train” the program to group 
+like pixels; this is called a supervised classification. Maps or imagery can also be integrated 
+into a geographical information system (GIS) and then each pixel can be compared with other 
+GIS data, such as census data. For more information on integrating NASA Earth science data 
+into a GIS, check out the Earthdata GIS page.Satellites also often carry a variety of sensors 
+
+measuring biogeophysical parameters, such as sea surface temperature, nitrogen dioxide or 
+other atmospheric pollutants, winds, aerosols, and biomass. These parameters can be evaluated 
+through statistical and spectral analysis techniques.To aid in getting started with applications-based 
+research using remotely-sensed data, Data Pathfinders provide a data product selection guide 
+focused on specific science disciplines and application areas, such as those mentioned above. 
+
+Pathfinders provide direct links to the most commonly-used datasets and data products from 
+NASA’s Earth science data collections along with links to tools that provide ways to visualize 
+or subset the data, with the option to save the data in different file formats.Find and use 
+NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections 
+between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.The planet NASA studies the most 
+is Earth. NASA’s end-to-end Earth observations enable agricultural producers to make informed 
+decisions about global market conditions, water management, in-season crop conditions, severe 
+
+weather, and sustainability.This Data Pathfinder will help guide you through the process of 
+selecting and using datasets applicable to agriculture and water management, and provides 
+links to specific data sources. If you are new to remote sensing, the What is Remote Sensing? 
+Backgrounder provides a comprehensive overview. In addition, NASA's Applied Remote Sensing 
+Training Program (ARSET) provides numerous training modules, including Fundamentals of Remote 
+
+Sensing.If you have specific questions about how to use data, tools, or resources mentioned 
+in this Data Pathfinder, please visit the Earthdata Forum. Here, you can interact with other 
+data users and NASA subject matter experts on a variety of Earth science research and applications 
+topics.This section provides links to NASA and external tools and applications relevant to 
+analyzing and visualizing agriculture and water management data referenced in this Data Pathfinder. 
+
+NASA's Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program maintains many more resources for data analysis 
+that may be helpful. Explore the full list on the NASA Earthdata Data Tools page.The Agrometeorological 
+(AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of EO data products on 
+the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season crop development 
+and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO data plots that quantify 
+
+critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region and crop over time and are 
+updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots help tell the story of in-season 
+crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For 
+more information about AGMET:The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples 
+(AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from 
+
+a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using 
+spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: 
+point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. 
+Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+viewing results, interacting with results, and downloading requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search 
+is NASA's tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant 
+
+data available through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about 
+data collections, search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and 
+download or submit requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. 
+Note: An Earthdata Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) 
+users can customize granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, 
+
+KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset 
+to obtain only the bands that are needed.The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) 
+provides early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. NASA’s 
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+parameter analysis options include:Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:The U.S. Drought 
+Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought 
+relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the USGS provides 
+the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30), visualizing nearly 
+
+1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.EarthExplorer 
+is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, elevation data, and satellite products 
+(including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER data, ASTER GDEM and other products) 
+distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, and ordering tool connects users with 
+satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories through interactive and textual-based 
+
+query capabilities. These products are available for download at no cost to registered users. 
+Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" link on the EarthExplorer main page.The 
+NASA Worldview data visualization application provides the capability to interactively browse 
+more than 1,000 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and download the underlying 
+data. Many of the available imagery layers are updated within three hours of observation, 
+
+which supports time-critical application areas such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, 
+and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services 
+(GIBS). Worldview also includes geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, 
+and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites that are available at 10-minute increments for the 
+last 30 days.The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) 
+
+offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from a variety of 
+federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, 
+temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: point samples 
+for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample 
+requests submitted to AρρEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+viewing results, interacting with results and downloading requests.Earthdata Search is NASA's 
+tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available 
+
+through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, 
+search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit 
+requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata 
+Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize 
+granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF 
+
+and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the 
+bands that are needed.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:NASA's ORNL DAAC has several tools for subsetting 
+data from the MODIS and VIIRS instruments:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed 
+using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced 
+and other arrays, and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, 
+combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application 
+
+that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that 
+your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With 
+Panoply 5 you can:Resources:NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers 
+geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology 
+community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as 
+
+well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable 
+applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of restful Application Programming 
+Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and Open-source Project for a Network 
+Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service offerings support data discovery, 
+access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support 
+
+tools.Data Access ViewerThe Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators 
+bring together a variety of EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides 
+valuable insights on in-season crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator 
+consists of several EO data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health 
+for a specific region and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different 
+
+EO data plots help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different 
+climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover 
+the NASA Earth Science resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data 
+found in this web map can be applied to the following areas:The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:The Crop Monitor 
+
+Exploring Tool is an an online interactive resource that provides NDVI, temperature, precipitation, 
+soil moisture, ET, and runoff data to determine crop conditions for a variety of different 
+crops in Early Warning countries (Africa and Asia) and Agricultural Market Information System 
+(AMIS) countries (North America, Europe, and Asia) by the Group on Earth Observations Global 
+Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM).The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides 
+
+early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s 
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+
+parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Versions:GLAM2 Original 
+VersionResources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply 
+
+data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, 
+and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, 
+and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, 
+Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had 
+a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: 
+
+NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology 
+and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The NASA Worldview data visualization 
+application provides the capability to interactively browse more than 1,000 global, full-resolution 
+satellite imagery layers and download the underlying data. Many of the available imagery layers 
+
+are updated within three hours of observation, which supports time-critical application areas 
+such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery 
+is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS). Worldview also includes 
+geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites 
+that are available at 10-minute increments for the last 30 days.The Application for Extracting 
+
+and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access 
+and transform geospatial data from a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users 
+to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types 
+of sample requests are available: point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples 
+for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users 
+
+not only with data values, but also associated quality data values. Interactive visualizations 
+with summary statistics are provided for each sample within the application, which allow users 
+to preview and interact with their samples before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS 
+Getting Started to learn more about workflows, viewing the results, interacting with the results 
+and downloading the requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool enables users to visualize 
+
+and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of 
+rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved decisions for, issues 
+related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish 
+to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture 
+Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active 
+
+Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument 
+in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical for professionals in the agriculture 
+and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in tandem with other data to plan crop 
+planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and improve weather forecasts. This application 
+offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service (WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and 
+
+Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search is NASA's tool for searching for 
+and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available through U.S. and 
+international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, search for data 
+files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit requests for 
+data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata Login is required 
+
+to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize granules. Users 
+can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from 
+a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the bands that are needed.The 
+Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides early warning and analysis on food 
+insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to help decision-makers 
+
+plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. 
+The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information 
+System (LIS) that has been adapted to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and 
+forecast requirements associated with food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. 
+The integration of LIS allows FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate 
+
+ensembles of soil moisture, evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple 
+meteorological inputs or land surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access 
+to geo-spatial data, satellite image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS 
+NET drought monitoring efforts throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS 
+NET Project, part of the Early Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation 
+
+and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables 
+
+near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. 
+This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, 
+and computing power.Resources:OpenET is a web-based platform that puts NASA evapotranspiration 
+(ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation groups to speed improvements 
+and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states in the Western U.S. It uses 
+
+publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based ET information in 
+areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly intervals.Resources:NASA's 
+Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and 
+solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The U.S. Drought Monitor 
+
+is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought relief 
+allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.EarthExplorer is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, 
+elevation data and satellite products (including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER 
+data, ASTER GDEM and other products) distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, 
+
+and ordering tool connects users with satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories 
+through interactive and textual-based query capabilities. These products are available for 
+download at no cost to registered users. Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" 
+link on the EarthExplorer main page.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the 
+USGS provides the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30) visualizing 
+
+nearly 1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.The 
+Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of 
+EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season 
+crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO 
+data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region 
+
+and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots 
+help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, 
+and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover the NASA Earth Science 
+resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data found in this web map can 
+be applied to the following areas:Water Availability: Plant Stress, Soil Moisture, Drought, 
+
+Irrigation Weather, Extreme Events and Better Seasonal and Sub-Seasonal Projections: NASA 
+Models Informing NOAA, USDA and Drought Monitor Operational ForecastingFor GIS users: see 
+how to use NASA data and services in common GIS tools in the GIS Pathfinder and check out 
+the How To guides to get help with your workflows.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool 
+enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, 
+
+and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved 
+decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an 
+API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop 
+Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data 
+from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, 
+and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform 
+application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, and offers additional functionality 
+such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. 
+
+Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop 
+computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later 
+version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide 
+Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters 
+formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, 
+
+and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through 
+custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of 
+restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerOpenET is a web-based platform 
+that puts NASA evapotranspiration (ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation 
+groups to speed improvements and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states 
+in the Western U.S. It uses publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based 
+ET information in areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly 
+
+intervals.Resources:The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by 
+policymakers to help determine drought relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA 
+satellites provide data about water availability to the U.S. Drought Monitor.The ClimateSERV 
+data visualization tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, 
+vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding 
+
+of, and make improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. 
+ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application 
+or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NASA's Prediction 
+Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related 
+parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, 
+analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings 
+through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series 
+
+of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA develops partnerships 
+and resources to address food security and works with decision-makers and data users to tailor 
+
+these tools to specific locations and user needs. These efforts help address issues like water 
+management for irrigation, crop-type identification and land use, coastal and lake water quality 
+monitoring, drought preparedness, and famine early warnings. NASA Earth science data are key 
+elements in the work carried out and supported by the agency's Applied Sciences Program, which 
+works with individuals and institutions worldwide to inform decision-making, enhance quality 
+
+of life, and strengthen our economy. Applied Sciences agriculture and water management-related 
+efforts include: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked 
+global goals designed to be a blueprint for a sustainable future for all of Earth’s inhabitants. 
+The SDGs are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an international plan signed 
+by all United Nations (UN) member states and underpinned by the foundational components of 
+
+People, Planet, and Prosperity.SDGs include specific social, economic, and environmental targets. 
+Through SDG 2: Zero Hunger, the UN proposes to end hunger, achieve food security and improved 
+nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Key SDG 2 Targets include:While NASA datasets 
+are not official indicators for SDG monitoring and decision-making, they provide data necessary 
+to assess progress towards achieving SDG Targets. Along with SDG 2, the data and resources 
+
+in the Agriculture and Water Management Data Pathfinder help address Targets in other SDGs, 
+including:The Sustainable Development Progress Report offers data about countries’ performances 
+in the SDGs.GIS data related to SDG 2 are available from the United Nations Statistics Division 
+through Esri’s Federated Information System for the SDG Initiative.The Committee on Earth 
+Observation Satellites (CEOS) also supports SDG 2. Learn how CEOS Agencies are using Earth 
+
+observations for agriculture monitoring.August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGAugust 31, 
+2023September 8, 2023August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGIn early 
+September 2023, Greece endured a four-day storm that dropped 910 millimeters (3 feet) of rain 
+on central parts of the country. The record rainfall triggered deadly flooding and inundated 
+towns and farm fields in Thessaly, a region that includes Greece’s agricultural heartland. 
+
+The flooding was fueled by a stalled low-pressure storm that became cut-off from the jet stream, 
+also known as a cut-off low, which dropped heavy rainfall on central Greece between September 
+4 and 7. The storm dropped the most rain, 910 millimeters (3 feet), on Zagora, near Thessaly’s 
+port town of Volos, according to Meteo, the country’s weather service. About 100 kilometers 
+(60 miles) inland, the town of Karditsa saw 659 millimeters (2 feet) of rainfall. The pair 
+
+of images above shows flooding near Karditsa and Larissa, some of the hardest hit places in 
+Thessaly. The image on the right, acquired by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 
+8, shows flooding near the Pineios River on September 8, a day after the storm receded. The 
+image on the left, acquired by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, shows the 
+same area on August 31. The images show floodwater covering what once were green farm fields 
+
+in the low-lying Thessaly plain. Farming is a major industry in the region, and accounts for 
+about one-sixth of Greece’s agricultural output. Farmers here grow primarily cotton, wheat, 
+corn, and alfalfa. The detailed image below shows flooded fields near the village of Pedino, 
+north of Karditsa. Sediment-laden water overtopped the banks of the Pineios, to the north 
+of the village, and the Mega Rema River to the south. September 8, 2023JPEGSeveral villages 
+
+along the Pineios and its tributaries became inundated with water during the storm. According 
+to news reports, over 4,000 people have been rescued from high water areas. Flooding near 
+Larissa, Thessaly’s capital and one of the largest cities in Greece, can be seen in the image 
+below. Suburbs of the city were flooded after the Pineios River broke its banks. September 
+8, 2023JPEGAlthough water along the Pineios had started to recede on September 11, flooding 
+
+along the river could still be seen in images from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 
+(MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. According to news reports, the river was still 2 meters 
+(6.5 feet) above safe levels. NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerRecord 
+rainfall inundated towns and farmland in the country’s Thessaly region.Image of the Day for 
+
+September 12, 2023 Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The 
+melting of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can 
+send rivers out of their banks.Flash floods in the port city destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods 
+out to sea. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence A Mediterranean cyclone contributed 
+to deadly flooding along the country’s coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods A stalled 
+
+storm dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive 
+flooding. Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential 
+downpours in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+Floods Human Presence September 1, 2023JPEGFor decades, summer phytoplankton blooms have sprung 
+up in Missisquoi Bay in the northeastern part of Lake Champlain. The bay’s shallow, nutrient-rich, 
+
+and seasonally warm waters offer ideal growing conditions for the floating, plant-like organisms, 
+which can multiply and aggregate into vast masses that discolor parts of the lake.The summer 
+of 2023 was no exception. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 acquired this natural-color 
+image of a bloom swirling near the mouth of the Missisquoi River on September 1, 2023. The 
+satellite collected similar images in August as well.While it is not possible to determine 
+
+the type of phytoplankton with Landsat observations alone, this bloom is likely cyanobacteria 
+(also called blue-green algae)—an ancient type of marine bacteria that captures and stores 
+solar energy through photosynthesis. Several trained cyanobacteria spotters submitted photographs 
+and reports of dense green mats of cyanobacteria lining the shores of Missisquoi Bay to Verrmont’s 
+cyanobacteria tracker website around the same time the image was acquired.Cyanobacteria blooms 
+
+are monitored closely because some species produce toxins known as cyanotoxins, including 
+a widespread type called microcystin, that can sicken people and animals, contaminate drinking 
+water, and force closures of boating and swimming sites.In recent years, teams of researchers 
+working with NASA’s DEVELOP program have used observations from several satellites to track 
+where in Lake Champlain harmful blooms are most common and identify key risk factors associated 
+
+with them. In a technical report, the researchers reported that Missisquoi Bay and nearby 
+St. Albans Bay had the lake’s highest concentration of toxic cyanobacteria blooms between 
+2016-2022.“There are multiple contributors to blooms like nutrients, temperature, and wind 
+and wave conditions,” noted Kent Ross, a science advisor for the Lake Champlain DEVELOP project. 
+“We focused on the availability of one of the nutrients—phosphorus.”Phosphorus is a common 
+
+nutrient found in runoff from farmland, lawns, and developed areas. While much of Lake Champlain 
+is surrounded by forests, which filter nutrients, Missisquoi Bay is flanked by farmland, where 
+fertilizer use leads to higher levels of phosphorous in the rivers that flow into the bay, 
+Ross explained.“That’s where our project partner, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural 
+Resource Conservation Service, comes in,” added Ross. “They recommend best practices to farmers 
+
+to limit nutrient runoff.” Adjusting the timing or type of fertilizer, changing grazing rotations, 
+upgrading drainage systems, and improving soil health are among the strategies farmers might 
+pursue.One of the challenges for scientists who study cyanobacteria blooms is that blooms 
+don’t always contain the species that produce harmful toxins. “The currently used indices 
+based on multispectral imagery cannot distinguish between the toxin-producing subspecies of 
+
+microcystis and non-toxin producing microcystis algae blooms,” said Jeffrey Luvall, also a 
+science advisor for the DEVELOP team and a scientist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. 
+“But the upcoming PACE mission—scheduled to launch in 2024—will make hyperspectral observations 
+able to do that.”NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the 
+U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerPhosphorus runoff 
+
+from farmland surrounding Lake Champlain contributes to summer cyanobacteria blooms in the 
+northeastern part of the lake.Image of the Day for September 11, 2023 Image of the Day Water 
+Human Presence Water Color View more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like organisms reproduce 
+abundantly when there are sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. Extreme blooms 
+of certain species can become harmful to marine animals and humans.More than 40 years after 
+
+the explosive eruption of Mount St. Helens, relics from the blast continue to haunt a nearby 
+lake. Image of the Day Water Straddling Austria and Hungary, the lake is also known as the 
+“Sea of the Viennese.” Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Snow and Ice At an average 
+elevation of 3,812 meters (12,507 feet), Lake Titicaca is one of the highest lakes in the 
+world. The lake is positioned between two major ranges of the Andes Mountain chain and has 
+
+very limited drainage. The limited outflow of the lake allows for the accumulation of nutrients 
+derived primarily from surrounding communities’ agricultural and sewage waste. The increased 
+nutrient levels can lead to plankton blooms. This astronaut photograph, taken from the International 
+Space Station, captures two such blooms along the eastern shoreline of the lake. Image of 
+the Day Land Life Once the second-largest lake in Turkey, it now rarely spans an area much 
+
+larger than a puddle. Image of the Day Land Water Remote Sensing August 18, 2023JPEGWhile 
+some weather-related delays are mere annoyances, others slow the rhythms of global shipping. 
+Due to ongoing drought and low water levels, ship traffic was restricted through the Panama 
+Canal in late summer 2023, leaving an above-average number of vessels waiting to make the 
+transit. The Panama Canal is an 80-kilometer (50-mile) artificial waterway across the Isthmus 
+
+of Panama, providing a vital connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for up to 
+14,000 ships each year. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 got a rare cloud-free 
+view of delayed ships on the Pacific side of the canal on August 18, 2023. Artificial lakes 
+supply the water needed to fill the series of locks in the canal. Those lakes, located to 
+the north and northwest of this scene, are replenished by rainfall that is typically in abundance 
+
+on the Isthmus of Panama. However, drought has left Lago Gatún, the largest lake feeding the 
+system, at near-record low levels. In mid-August, it stood close to the lowest recorded level, 
+from May 2016, and well below the average level for August from the past five years. As a 
+means of conserving water, the Panama Canal Authority reduced the number of vessels that could 
+travel through the canal each day starting on July 30. At one point in early August, the ensuing 
+
+backup reached as high as 160 total vessels waiting on one side or the other. By the time 
+of this image, that number had decreased to around 130, whereas the queue ordinarily tops 
+off around 90. The average wait time for August 2023 was nearly four times what it was in 
+June. The reduction of daily passages was the latest restriction imposed by the Panama Canal 
+Authority this year to deal with the water shortages. Starting on March 1, 2023, it began 
+
+reducing the maximum draft (the distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull) 
+permitted for vessels passing through the locks. The normal limit of 50 feet (15 meters) for 
+the largest class of ships that use the canal was increasingly ratcheted down to 44 feet (13 
+meters), requiring some ships to lighten their loads. The area has seen a number of dry years 
+in the past decade; Lago Gatún dipped to low levels in 2016 and 2019, in addition to 2023. 
+
+At the other extreme, however, Lago Gatún and Lago Alajuela, another lake feeding the canal, 
+reached record high levels in December 2010. The flooding caused the canal to close for only 
+the third time in its history. NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerSevere 
+drought is reducing the number of daily passages on the transoceanic shipping route.Image 
+
+of the Day for September 1, 2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of 
+the Day:In September, low water levels made it more challenging to ship goods down the river 
+and allowed a wedge of saltwater to move upstream. Image of the Day Water Drought Hundreds 
+of ships have been left idling around the key shipping route. Nature played a role in solving 
+the problem. Image of the Day Human Presence A key shipping route through Egypt recently received 
+
+a major overhaul. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence More than 64 million people are 
+directly affected by drought in the Southwest and Southern Plains, and far more are indirectly 
+affected because of the vast number of farms, orchards, and ranches that supply the rest of 
+the United States. Image of the Day Land Life Water Drought August 21, 2023JPEGFor more than 
+a decade, drought has plagued central Chile. The prolonged dry period—a megadrought—has fueled 
+
+wildfires, strained water supplies, and parched crops.In winter 2023, the region got some 
+relief in the form of two atmospheric rivers that brought hundreds of millimeters of rain 
+and snow to the region. However, too much rain fell too quickly in some areas, prompting floods 
+and mudslides that damaged roads and bridges, destroyed thousands of homes, and displaced 
+tens of thousands of people.The map above shows the total precipitable water vapor in the 
+
+atmosphere on August 21, 2023. Precipitable water vapor is the amount of water in a column 
+of the atmosphere if all of the water vapor were condensed into liquid. The image was derived 
+from the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS), which uses satellite data and models of physical 
+processes to calculate what is happening in Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces.The 
+narrow band of moisture (green) stretching from the central Pacific Ocean to Chile is a signature 
+
+of an atmospheric river—a long, narrow region that transports vast amounts of water vapor 
+from the tropics poleward. In subtropical Chile, atmospheric rivers contribute 45 to 60 percent 
+of the annual precipitation, most of it in the winter rainy season (June to September).El 
+Paico in the Santiago metropolitan region saw nearly 80 millimeters (3 inches) of rain fall 
+between August 19-21, while areas farther inland in the foothills of the Andes saw as much 
+
+as 370 millimeters (15 inches) of rain, according to Floodlist. Meanwhile, some news outlets 
+reported that 2 or more meters (up to 8 feet) of snow fell in high mountain areas.August 26, 
+2023JPEGSome of the worst flooding occurred in the Maule, Ñuble, and Biobío regions of Chile. 
+“There was a strong orographic effect,” said atmospheric scientist René Garreaud of Universidad 
+de Chile. “We saw five to ten times more rain in the Andean foothills compared to Chile’s 
+
+Central Valley.”Higher elevation areas saw boosted rainfall totals because the Andes forced 
+the incoming river of moisture upward, where lower air pressure and cooler temperatures cause 
+water vapor to more easily condense into rain droplets on the windward side of mountains. 
+This same effect produces rain shadows on the lee side of mountains.Several days after the 
+surge of rain, rivers were still swollen and discolored. Floodwaters can pick up material, 
+
+such as sediment from riverbanks, that becomes suspended in the water and makes it appear 
+brown. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite 
+captured an image (above) showing rivers carrying plumes of suspended sediment into the Pacific 
+Ocean on August 26, 2023.The atmospheric river in August followed a similar event in June. 
+According to Garreaud, the June event delivered more than 500 millimeters (20 inches) of rain 
+
+over a two-day period to the Maule foothills, roughly double what normally falls in Santiago 
+in a year.The El Niño developing in the Pacific may be affecting how these events play out. 
+“We are seeing extra moisture in the central Pacific, but the coupling with the atmosphere 
+is still relatively weak,” Garreuad said. “The Pacific anticyclone remains strong, and we 
+haven’t yet seen a blocking high to the south of the continent—the typical signature of winter 
+
+storms that are strongly influenced by El Niño.”The concept of atmospheric rivers first emerged 
+in the 1990s and has become a topic of growing interest to researchers in recent years. Some 
+research suggests that climate change may be causing atmospheric rivers to produce more rain 
+and shift poleward. One analysis of model projections conducted by a team of scientists at 
+NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory found that atmospheric rivers may decrease in frequency but 
+
+grow longer and wider under a scenario in which future greenhouse gas emissions remain high.NASA 
+Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin and Wanmei Liang, using GEOS-FP data from the Global 
+Modeling and Assimilation Office at NASA GSFC and MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerAfter more than a decade of drought, strong 
+atmospheric rivers in June and August flooded the foothills of the Andes in the Maule, Ñuble, 
+
+and Biobío regions.Image of the Day for September 4, 2023 Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+Water Floods View more Images of the Day:Heavy rain and melting snow can overtop riverbanks, 
+causing far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and people.In late June 2019, a potent atmospheric 
+river event carried soaking rain into southern Chile, dropping nearly a month’s worth of precipitation 
+in just 48 hours. Image of the Day Water The latest in a series of atmospheric rivers drenching 
+
+the state was accompanied by hazardous winds and left thousands of people without power. Image 
+of the Day Atmosphere Water Severe Storms Two atmospheric rivers hit Australia’s east and 
+west coasts with severe rains on the same day. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Water Unique 
+Imagery Following an exceptionally wet January, an atmospheric river carried even more moisture 
+into the region in February. Image of the Day Atmosphere Severe Storms Remote Sensing August 
+
+21, 2023JPEGIn March and April 2023, some earth scientists began to point out that average 
+sea surface temperatures had surpassed the highest levels seen in a key data record maintained 
+by NOAA. Months later, they remain at record levels, with global sea surface temperatures 
+0.99°C (1.78°F) above average in July. That was the fourth consecutive month they were at 
+record levels.Scientists from NASA have taken a closer look at why. “There are a lot of things 
+
+that affect the world’s sea surface temperatures, but two main factors have pushed them to 
+record heights,” said Josh Willis, an oceanographer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). 
+“We have an El Niño developing in the Pacific, and that’s on top of long-term global warming 
+that has been pushing ocean temperatures steadily upward almost everywhere for a century.”The 
+map above shows sea surface temperature anomalies on August 21, 2023, when many areas were 
+
+more than 3°C (5.4°F) warmer than normal. On that date, much of the central and eastern regions 
+of the equatorial Pacific were unusually warm, the signature of a developing El Niño. As has 
+been the case for weeks, large patches of warm water were also present in the Northwest Pacific 
+near Japan and the Northeast Pacific near California and Oregon. Portions of the Indian, Southern, 
+and Arctic Oceans also showed unusual warmth.The map is based on data from the Multiscale 
+
+Ultrahigh Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (MUR SST) project, a JPL effort that blends measurements 
+of sea surface temperatures from multiple NASA, NOAA, and international satellites, as well 
+as ship and buoy observations. Rather than showing absolute temperature, the anomaly reflects 
+the difference between the sea surface temperature on August 21, 2023, and the 2003-2014 average 
+for that day. The video below, also based on MUR SST data, shows global sea surface temperatures 
+
+since April 1, 2023, the period when they have been at record-breaking levels. The warmest 
+waters appear dark red.April 1 - August 21, 2023MPEG “Over the long term, we’re seeing more 
+heat and warmer sea surface temperatures pretty much everywhere,” said Gavin Schmidt, the 
+director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies. “That long-term trend is almost entirely 
+attributable to human forcing—the fact that we've put such a huge amount of greenhouse gas 
+
+in the atmosphere since the start of the industrial era.”Schmidt noted that other factors—such 
+as weather and wind patterns or the distribution of dust and aerosols—have short-term effects 
+on sea surface temperatures in certain regions, but they generally have a minor effect on 
+the longer-term global mean. Previous research shows that as much as 90 percent of the excess 
+heat that has occurred in recent decades due to increasing greenhouse gas emissions is absorbed 
+
+by the ocean, with much of that heat stored near the surface.The most important factor that 
+helped push sea surface temperatures into record territory in 2023 was the evolving El Niño 
+in the Pacific, according to Willis. He came to that conclusion by analyzing the timing and 
+intensity of sea surface temperature anomalies in several regions and comparing them to the 
+global trend.“We had a big jump in global surface temperature at the beginning of April—exactly 
+
+when the Pacific temperatures jumped up and also when sea levels in the eastern Pacific started 
+to rise,” Willis said. “The heat waves in the Atlantic are important and will have serious 
+effects on marine life and weather in Europe in the coming months. But it’s the Pacific that 
+has taken the global mean on a wild ride this year.”What happens in the Pacific tends to have 
+a large influence on the global sea surface temperatures partly because of its size. The Pacific 
+
+represents about half of the world’s ocean area.Marine heat waves—defined as periods of persistent 
+anomalously warm ocean temperatures (warmer than 90 percent of the previous observations for 
+a given time of year)—have occurred recently in several areas. One NOAA analysis showed that 
+48 percent of the global oceans were in the midst of a marine heat wave in August—a larger 
+area than for any other month since the start of the record in 1991. Particularly intense 
+
+events have warmed the North Atlantic and parts of the Caribbean in recent months.Willis expects 
+the heat in the equatorial Pacific to have more staying power than many of the other marine 
+heat waves simmering around the world. “Many of the marine heat waves we’re seeing are ephemeral 
+and ‘skin’ deep, generally lasting on the order of weeks and driven by atmospheric forces,” 
+explained Willis.The unusually warm water in the equatorial Pacific associated with the developing 
+
+El Niño after three consecutive years of La Niña is expected to weaken trade winds in ways 
+that reinforce and amplify the warming of surface waters, fueling the El Niño further. Forecasters 
+from NOAA say that there is a greater than 95 percent chance that El Niño conditions will 
+persist throughout the Northern Hemisphere winter. “What’s happening in the Pacific with El 
+Niño will influence global weather patterns and sea surface temperatures well into the winter 
+
+and possibly even longer,” Willis said.To monitor sea surface temperatures, scientists at 
+NOAA and NASA analyze observations from sensors and buoys in the oceans, ships, and several 
+different polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites. Groups of scientists with NOAA’s Physical 
+Sciences Laboratory, NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory track marine 
+heat waves and sea surface temperature anomalies closely. You can use NASA’s State of the 
+
+Ocean Tool on Worldview to monitor daily sea surface temperature anomalies.NASA Earth Observatory 
+image by Lauren Dauphin, using data from the Multiscale Ultrahigh Resolution (MUR) project. 
+Video by NASA’s Scientific Visualization studio, using data from the MUR project. Story by 
+Adam Voiland.Decades of gradual warming due to human-caused climate change and an El Niño 
+in the Pacific Ocean nudged global sea surface temperatures to record levels in 2023.Image 
+
+of the Day for August 25, 2023 Image of the Day Water View more Images of the Day:Earth in 
+July 2023 was 1.18°C (2.12°F) warmer than the average for the month, and warmer than any other 
+month in the 143-year record. Image of the Day Heat Temperature Extremes The climate phenomenon 
+emerged in late spring 2023, as waters grew warmer and sea levels rose higher than usual in 
+the tropical Pacific Ocean. Image of the Day Water Blooms of the plant-like organisms near 
+
+coastal areas have become more frequent in the 21st century. Image of the Day Water Remote 
+Sensing Examining temperatures from the depths of the ocean, JPL scientists have found that 
+lower layers of the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans grew much warmer during a decade when 
+surface temperatures cooled. Image of the Day Heat Water Water budgets for individual watersheds 
+can be estimated using remote sensing data for precipitation, evapotranspiration, and runoff.Find 
+
+and use NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections 
+between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.Remote sensing is the acquiring 
+
+of information from a distance. NASA observes Earth and other planetary bodies via remote 
+sensors on satellites and aircraft that detect and record reflected or emitted energy. Remote 
+sensors, which provide a global perspective and a wealth of data about Earth systems, enable 
+data-informed decision making based on the current and future state of our planet.For more 
+information, check out NASA's Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) 
+
+Tech Talk: From Pixels to Products: An Overview of Satellite Remote Sensing.Satellites can 
+be placed in several types of orbits around Earth. The three common classes of orbits are 
+low-Earth orbit (approximately 160 to 2,000 km above Earth), medium-Earth orbit (approximately 
+2,000 to 35,500 km above Earth), and high-Earth orbit (above 35,500 km above Earth). Satellites 
+orbiting at 35,786 km are at an altitude at which their orbital speed matches the planet's 
+
+rotation, and are in what is called geosynchronous orbit (GSO). In addition, a satellite in 
+GSO directly over the equator will have a geostationary orbit. A geostationary orbit enables 
+a satellite to maintain its position directly over the same place on Earth’s surface.Low-Earth 
+orbit is a commonly used orbit since satellites can follow several orbital tracks around the 
+planet. Polar-orbiting satellites, for example, are inclined nearly 90 degrees to the equatorial 
+
+plane and travel from pole to pole as Earth rotates. This enables sensors aboard the satellite 
+to acquire data for the entire globe rapidly, including the polar regions. Many polar-orbiting 
+satellites are considered Sun-synchronous, meaning that the satellite passes over the same 
+location at the same solar time each cycle. One example of a Sun-synchronous, polar-orbiting 
+satellite is NASA’s Aqua satellite, which orbits approximately 705 km above Earth’s surface.Non-polar 
+
+low-Earth orbit satellites, on the other hand, do not provide global coverage but instead 
+cover only a partial range of latitudes. The joint NASA/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory is an example of a non-Sun-synchronous 
+low-Earth orbit satellite. Its orbital track acquires data between 65 degrees north and south 
+latitude from 407 km above the planet.A medium-Earth orbit satellite takes approximately 12 
+
+hours to complete an orbit. In 24-hours, the satellite crosses over the same two spots on 
+the equator every day. This orbit is consistent and highly predictable. As a result, this 
+is an orbit used by many telecommunications and GPS satellites. One example of a medium-Earth 
+orbit satellite constellation is the European Space Agency's Galileo global navigation satellite 
+system (GNSS), which orbits 23,222 km above Earth.While both geosynchronous and geostationary 
+
+satellites orbit at 35,786 km above Earth, geosynchronous satellites have orbits that can 
+be tilted above or below the equator. Geostationary satellites, on the other hand, orbit Earth 
+on the same plane as the equator. These satellites capture identical views of Earth with each 
+observation and provide almost continuous coverage of one area. The joint NASA/NOAA Geostationary 
+Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) series of weather satellites are in geostationary 
+
+orbits above the equator.For more information about orbits, please see NASA Earth Observatory's 
+Catalog of Earth Satellite Orbits.Electromagnetic energy, produced by the vibration of charged 
+particles, travels in the form of waves through the atmosphere and the vacuum of space. These 
+waves have different wavelengths (the distance from wave crest to wave crest) and frequencies; 
+a shorter wavelength means a higher frequency. Some, like radio, microwave, and infrared waves, 
+
+have a longer wavelength, while others, such as ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays, have 
+a much shorter wavelength. Visible light sits in the middle of that range of long to shortwave 
+radiation. This small portion of energy is all that the human eye is able to detect. Instrumentation 
+is needed to detect all other forms of electromagnetic energy. NASA instrumentation utilizes 
+the full range of the spectrum to explore and understand processes occurring here on Earth 
+
+and on other planetary bodies.Some waves are absorbed or reflected by atmospheric components, 
+like water vapor and carbon dioxide, while some wavelengths allow for unimpeded movement through 
+the atmosphere; visible light has wavelengths that can be transmitted through the atmosphere. 
+Microwave energy has wavelengths that can pass through clouds, an attribute utilized by many 
+weather and communication satellites.The primary source of the energy observed by satellites, 
+
+is the Sun. The amount of the Sun’s energy reflected depends on the roughness of the surface 
+and its albedo, which is how well a surface reflects light instead of absorbing it. Snow, 
+for example, has a very high albedo and reflects up to 90% of incoming solar radiation. The 
+ocean, on the other hand, reflects only about 6% of incoming solar radiation and absorbs the 
+rest. Often, when energy is absorbed, it is re-emitted, usually at longer wavelengths. For 
+
+example, the energy absorbed by the ocean gets re-emitted as infrared radiation.All things 
+on Earth reflect, absorb, or transmit energy, the amount of which varies by wavelength. Just 
+as your fingerprint is unique to you, everything on Earth has a unique spectral fingerprint. 
+Researchers can use this information to identify different Earth features as well as different 
+rock and mineral types. The number of spectral bands detected by a given instrument, its spectral 
+
+resolution, determines how much differentiation a researcher can identify between materials.For 
+more information on the electromagnetic spectrum, with companion videos, view NASA's Tour 
+of the Electromagnetic Spectrum.Sensors, or instruments, aboard satellites and aircraft use 
+the Sun as a source of illumination or provide their own source of illumination, measuring 
+energy that is reflected back. Sensors that use natural energy from the Sun are called passive 
+
+sensors; those that provide their own source of energy are called active sensors. Passive 
+sensors include different types of radiometers (instruments that quantitatively measure the 
+intensity of electromagnetic radiation in select bands) and spectrometers (devices that are 
+designed to detect, measure, and analyze the spectral content of reflected electromagnetic 
+radiation). Most passive systems used by remote sensing applications operate in the visible, 
+
+infrared, thermal infrared, and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. These 
+sensors measure land and sea surface temperature, vegetation properties, cloud and aerosol 
+properties, and other physical attributes. Most passive sensors cannot penetrate dense cloud 
+cover and thus have limitations observing areas like the tropics where dense cloud cover is 
+frequent.Active sensors include different types of radio detection and ranging (radar) sensors, 
+
+altimeters, and scatterometers. The majority of active sensors operate in the microwave band 
+of the electromagnetic spectrum, which gives them the ability to penetrate the atmosphere 
+under most conditions. These types of sensors are useful for measuring the vertical profiles 
+of aerosols, forest structure, precipitation and winds, sea surface topography, and ice, among 
+others.The Remote Sensors Earthdata page provides a list of NASA’s Earth science passive and 
+
+active sensors while the What is Synthetic Aperture Radar? Backgrounder provides specific 
+information on this type of active sensor.Resolution plays a role in how data from a sensor 
+can be used. Resolution can vary depending on the satellite’s orbit and sensor design. There 
+are four types of resolution to consider for any dataset—radiometric, spatial, spectral, and 
+temporal.Radiometric resolution is the amount of information in each pixel, that is, the number 
+
+of bits representing the energy recorded. Each bit records an exponent of power 2. For example, 
+an 8 bit resolution is 28, which indicates that the sensor has 256 potential digital values 
+(0-255) to store information. Thus, the higher the radiometric resolution, the more values 
+are available to store information, providing better discrimination between even the slightest 
+differences in energy. For example, when assessing water quality, radiometric resolution is 
+
+necessary to distinguish between subtle differences in ocean color.Spatial resolution is defined 
+by the size of each pixel within a digital image and the area on Earth’s surface represented 
+by that pixel.For example, the majority of the bands observed by the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) have a spatial resolution of 1km; each pixel represents a 1 km x 
+1km area on the ground. MODIS also includes bands with a spatial resolution of 250 m or 500 
+
+m. The finer the resolution (the lower the number), the more detail you can see. In the image 
+below, you can see the difference in pixelation between a 30 m/pixel image (left image), a 
+100 m/pixel image (center image), and a 300 m/pixel image (right image).Spectral resolution 
+is the ability of a sensor to discern finer wavelengths, that is, having more and narrower 
+bands. Many sensors are considered to be multispectral, meaning they have 3-10 bands. Some 
+
+sensors have hundreds to even thousands of bands and are considered to be hyperspectral. The 
+narrower the range of wavelengths for a given band, the finer the spectral resolution. For 
+example, the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) captures information 
+in 224 spectral channels. The cube on the right represents the detail within the data. At 
+this level of detail, distinctions can be made between rock and mineral types, vegetation 
+
+types, and other features. In the cube, the small region of high response in the right corner 
+of the image is in the red portion of the visible spectrum (about 700 nanometers), and is 
+due to the presence of 1-centimeter-long (half-inch) red brine shrimp in the evaporation pond.Temporal 
+resolution is the time it takes for a satellite to complete an orbit and revisit the same 
+observation area. This resolution depends on the orbit, the sensor’s characteristics, and 
+
+the swath width. Because geostationary satellites match the rate at which Earth is rotating, 
+the temporal resolution is much finer. Polar orbiting satellites have a temporal resolution 
+that can vary from 1 day to 16 days. For example, the MODIS sensor aboard NASA's Terra and 
+Aqua satellites has a temporal resolution of 1-2 days, allowing the sensor to visualize Earth 
+as it changes day by day. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard the joint NASA/USGS Landsat 
+
+8 satellite, on the other hand, has a narrower swath width and a temporal resolution of 16 
+days; showing not daily changes but bi-monthly changes.Why not build a sensor combining high 
+spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution? It is difficult to combine all of the desirable 
+features into one remote sensor. For example, to acquire observations with high spatial resolution 
+(like OLI, aboard Landsat 8) a narrower swath is required, which requires more time between 
+
+observations of a given area resulting in a lower temporal resolution. Researchers have to 
+make trade-offs. This is why it is very important to understand the type of data needed for 
+a given area of study. When researching weather, which is dynamic over time, a high temporal 
+resolution is critical. When researching seasonal vegetation changes, on the other hand, a 
+high temporal resolution may be sacrificed for a higher spectral or spatial resolution.Remote 
+
+sensing data acquired from instruments aboard satellites require processing before the data 
+are usable by most researchers and applied science users. Most raw NASA Earth observation 
+satellite data (Level 0, see data processing levels) are processed at NASA's Science Investigator-led 
+Processing Systems (SIPS) facilities. All data are processed to at least a Level 1, but most 
+have associated Level 2 (derived geophysical variables) and Level 3 (variables mapped on uniform 
+
+space-time grid scales) products. Many even have Level 4 products. NASA Earth science data 
+are archived at discipline-specific Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) and are available 
+fully, openly, and without restriction to data users.Most data are stored in Hierarchical 
+Data Format (HDF) or Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) format. Numerous data tools are available 
+to subset, transform, visualize, and export to various other file formats.Once data are processed, 
+
+they can be used in a variety of applications, from agriculture to water resources to health 
+and air quality. A single sensor will not address all research questions within a given application. 
+Users often need to leverage multiple sensors and data products to address their question, 
+bearing in mind the limitations of data provided by different spectral, spatial, and temporal 
+resolutions.Many sensors acquire data at different spectral wavelengths. For example, Band 
+
+1 of the OLI aboard Landsat 8 acquires data at 0.433-0.453 micrometers while the MODIS Band 
+1 acquires data at 0.620-0.670 micrometers. OLI has a total of 9 bands whereas MODIS has 36 
+bands, all measuring different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Bands can be combined 
+to produce imagery of the data to reveal different features in the landscape. Often imagery 
+of data are used to distinguish characteristics of a region being studied or to determine 
+
+an area of study.True-color images show Earth as it appears to the human eye. For a Landsat 
+8 OLI true-color (red, green, blue [RGB]) image, the sensor Bands 4 (Red), 3 (Green), and 
+2 (Blue) are combined. Other spectral band combinations can be used for specific science applications, 
+such as flood monitoring, urbanization delineation, and vegetation mapping. For example, creating 
+a false-color Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS, aboard the Suomi National 
+
+Polar-orbiting Partnership [Suomi NPP] satellite) image using bands M11, I2, and I1 is useful 
+for distinguishing burn scars from low vegetation or bare soil as well as for exposing flooded 
+areas. To see more band combinations from Landsat sensors, check out NASA Scientific Visualization 
+Studio's video Landsat Band Remix or the NASA Earth Observatory article Many Hues of London. 
+For other common band combinations, see NASA Earth Observatory's How to Interpret Common False-Color 
+
+Images, which provides common band combinations along with insight into interpreting imagery.Once 
+data are processed into imagery with varying band combinations these images can aid in resource 
+management decisions and disaster assessment. This requires proper interpretation of the imagery. 
+There are a few strategies for getting started (adapted from NASA Earth Observatory article 
+How to Interpret a Satellite Image: Five Tips and Strategies):Different land cover types can 
+
+be discriminated more readily by using image classification algorithms. Image classification 
+uses the spectral information of individual image pixels. A program using image classification 
+algorithms can automatically group the pixels in what is called an unsupervised classification. 
+The user can also indicate areas of known land cover type to “train” the program to group 
+like pixels; this is called a supervised classification. Maps or imagery can also be integrated 
+
+into a geographical information system (GIS) and then each pixel can be compared with other 
+GIS data, such as census data. For more information on integrating NASA Earth science data 
+into a GIS, check out the Earthdata GIS page.Satellites also often carry a variety of sensors 
+measuring biogeophysical parameters, such as sea surface temperature, nitrogen dioxide or 
+other atmospheric pollutants, winds, aerosols, and biomass. These parameters can be evaluated 
+
+through statistical and spectral analysis techniques.To aid in getting started with applications-based 
+research using remotely-sensed data, Data Pathfinders provide a data product selection guide 
+focused on specific science disciplines and application areas, such as those mentioned above. 
+Pathfinders provide direct links to the most commonly-used datasets and data products from 
+NASA’s Earth science data collections along with links to tools that provide ways to visualize 
+
+or subset the data, with the option to save the data in different file formats.Find and use 
+NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections 
+between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.The planet NASA studies the most 
+is Earth. NASA’s end-to-end Earth observations enable agricultural producers to make informed 
+decisions about global market conditions, water management, in-season crop conditions, severe 
+weather, and sustainability.This Data Pathfinder will help guide you through the process of 
+selecting and using datasets applicable to agriculture and water management, and provides 
+
+links to specific data sources. If you are new to remote sensing, the What is Remote Sensing? 
+Backgrounder provides a comprehensive overview. In addition, NASA's Applied Remote Sensing 
+Training Program (ARSET) provides numerous training modules, including Fundamentals of Remote 
+Sensing.If you have specific questions about how to use data, tools, or resources mentioned 
+in this Data Pathfinder, please visit the Earthdata Forum. Here, you can interact with other 
+
+data users and NASA subject matter experts on a variety of Earth science research and applications 
+topics.This section provides links to NASA and external tools and applications relevant to 
+analyzing and visualizing agriculture and water management data referenced in this Data Pathfinder. 
+NASA's Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program maintains many more resources for data analysis 
+that may be helpful. Explore the full list on the NASA Earthdata Data Tools page.The Agrometeorological 
+
+(AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of EO data products on 
+the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season crop development 
+and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO data plots that quantify 
+critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region and crop over time and are 
+updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots help tell the story of in-season 
+
+crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For 
+more information about AGMET:The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples 
+(AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from 
+a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using 
+spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: 
+
+point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. 
+Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+
+viewing results, interacting with results, and downloading requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search 
+is NASA's tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant 
+data available through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about 
+data collections, search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and 
+
+download or submit requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. 
+Note: An Earthdata Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) 
+users can customize granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, 
+KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset 
+to obtain only the bands that are needed.The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) 
+
+provides early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. NASA’s 
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+
+parameter analysis options include:Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:The U.S. Drought 
+Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought 
+
+relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the USGS provides 
+the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30), visualizing nearly 
+1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.EarthExplorer 
+is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, elevation data, and satellite products 
+
+(including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER data, ASTER GDEM and other products) 
+distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, and ordering tool connects users with 
+satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories through interactive and textual-based 
+query capabilities. These products are available for download at no cost to registered users. 
+Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" link on the EarthExplorer main page.The 
+
+NASA Worldview data visualization application provides the capability to interactively browse 
+more than 1,000 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and download the underlying 
+data. Many of the available imagery layers are updated within three hours of observation, 
+which supports time-critical application areas such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, 
+and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services 
+
+(GIBS). Worldview also includes geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, 
+and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites that are available at 10-minute increments for the 
+last 30 days.The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) 
+offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from a variety of 
+federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, 
+
+temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: point samples 
+for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample 
+requests submitted to AρρEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+viewing results, interacting with results and downloading requests.Earthdata Search is NASA's 
+tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available 
+through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, 
+search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit 
+
+requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata 
+Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize 
+granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF 
+and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the 
+bands that are needed.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:NASA's ORNL DAAC has several tools for subsetting 
+data from the MODIS and VIIRS instruments:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed 
+
+using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced 
+and other arrays, and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, 
+combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application 
+that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that 
+your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With 
+
+Panoply 5 you can:Resources:NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers 
+geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology 
+community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as 
+well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable 
+applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of restful Application Programming 
+
+Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and Open-source Project for a Network 
+Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service offerings support data discovery, 
+access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support 
+tools.Data Access ViewerThe Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators 
+bring together a variety of EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides 
+
+valuable insights on in-season crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator 
+consists of several EO data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health 
+for a specific region and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different 
+EO data plots help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different 
+climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover 
+
+the NASA Earth Science resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data 
+found in this web map can be applied to the following areas:The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:The Crop Monitor 
+Exploring Tool is an an online interactive resource that provides NDVI, temperature, precipitation, 
+soil moisture, ET, and runoff data to determine crop conditions for a variety of different 
+
+crops in Early Warning countries (Africa and Asia) and Agricultural Market Information System 
+(AMIS) countries (North America, Europe, and Asia) by the Group on Earth Observations Global 
+Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM).The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides 
+early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s 
+
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Versions:GLAM2 Original 
+VersionResources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply 
+data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, 
+and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, 
+
+and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, 
+Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had 
+a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: 
+NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology 
+and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The NASA Worldview data visualization 
+application provides the capability to interactively browse more than 1,000 global, full-resolution 
+satellite imagery layers and download the underlying data. Many of the available imagery layers 
+are updated within three hours of observation, which supports time-critical application areas 
+such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery 
+
+is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS). Worldview also includes 
+geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites 
+that are available at 10-minute increments for the last 30 days.The Application for Extracting 
+and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access 
+and transform geospatial data from a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users 
+
+to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types 
+of sample requests are available: point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples 
+for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users 
+not only with data values, but also associated quality data values. Interactive visualizations 
+with summary statistics are provided for each sample within the application, which allow users 
+
+to preview and interact with their samples before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS 
+Getting Started to learn more about workflows, viewing the results, interacting with the results 
+and downloading the requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool enables users to visualize 
+and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of 
+rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved decisions for, issues 
+
+related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish 
+to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture 
+Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active 
+Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument 
+in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical for professionals in the agriculture 
+
+and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in tandem with other data to plan crop 
+planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and improve weather forecasts. This application 
+offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service (WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and 
+Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search is NASA's tool for searching for 
+and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available through U.S. and 
+
+international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, search for data 
+files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit requests for 
+data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata Login is required 
+to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize granules. Users 
+can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from 
+
+a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the bands that are needed.The 
+Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides early warning and analysis on food 
+insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to help decision-makers 
+plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. 
+The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information 
+
+System (LIS) that has been adapted to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and 
+forecast requirements associated with food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. 
+The integration of LIS allows FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate 
+ensembles of soil moisture, evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple 
+meteorological inputs or land surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access 
+
+to geo-spatial data, satellite image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS 
+NET drought monitoring efforts throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS 
+NET Project, part of the Early Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation 
+and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables 
+near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. 
+This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, 
+
+and computing power.Resources:OpenET is a web-based platform that puts NASA evapotranspiration 
+(ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation groups to speed improvements 
+and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states in the Western U.S. It uses 
+publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based ET information in 
+areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly intervals.Resources:NASA's 
+
+Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and 
+solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The U.S. Drought Monitor 
+is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought relief 
+allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.EarthExplorer is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, 
+elevation data and satellite products (including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER 
+data, ASTER GDEM and other products) distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, 
+and ordering tool connects users with satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories 
+through interactive and textual-based query capabilities. These products are available for 
+
+download at no cost to registered users. Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" 
+link on the EarthExplorer main page.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the 
+USGS provides the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30) visualizing 
+nearly 1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.The 
+Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of 
+
+EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season 
+crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO 
+data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region 
+and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots 
+help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, 
+
+and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover the NASA Earth Science 
+resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data found in this web map can 
+be applied to the following areas:Water Availability: Plant Stress, Soil Moisture, Drought, 
+Irrigation Weather, Extreme Events and Better Seasonal and Sub-Seasonal Projections: NASA 
+Models Informing NOAA, USDA and Drought Monitor Operational ForecastingFor GIS users: see 
+
+how to use NASA data and services in common GIS tools in the GIS Pathfinder and check out 
+the How To guides to get help with your workflows.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool 
+enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, 
+and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved 
+decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an 
+
+API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop 
+Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data 
+from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, 
+
+and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform 
+application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, and offers additional functionality 
+such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. 
+Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop 
+computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later 
+
+version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide 
+Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters 
+formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, 
+and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through 
+custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of 
+
+restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerOpenET is a web-based platform 
+that puts NASA evapotranspiration (ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation 
+
+groups to speed improvements and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states 
+in the Western U.S. It uses publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based 
+ET information in areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly 
+intervals.Resources:The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by 
+policymakers to help determine drought relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA 
+
+satellites provide data about water availability to the U.S. Drought Monitor.The ClimateSERV 
+data visualization tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, 
+vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding 
+of, and make improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. 
+ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application 
+
+or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NASA's Prediction 
+Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related 
+
+parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, 
+analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings 
+through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series 
+of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA develops partnerships 
+and resources to address food security and works with decision-makers and data users to tailor 
+these tools to specific locations and user needs. These efforts help address issues like water 
+management for irrigation, crop-type identification and land use, coastal and lake water quality 
+
+monitoring, drought preparedness, and famine early warnings. NASA Earth science data are key 
+elements in the work carried out and supported by the agency's Applied Sciences Program, which 
+works with individuals and institutions worldwide to inform decision-making, enhance quality 
+of life, and strengthen our economy. Applied Sciences agriculture and water management-related 
+efforts include: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked 
+
+global goals designed to be a blueprint for a sustainable future for all of Earth’s inhabitants. 
+The SDGs are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an international plan signed 
+by all United Nations (UN) member states and underpinned by the foundational components of 
+People, Planet, and Prosperity.SDGs include specific social, economic, and environmental targets. 
+Through SDG 2: Zero Hunger, the UN proposes to end hunger, achieve food security and improved 
+
+nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Key SDG 2 Targets include:While NASA datasets 
+are not official indicators for SDG monitoring and decision-making, they provide data necessary 
+to assess progress towards achieving SDG Targets. Along with SDG 2, the data and resources 
+in the Agriculture and Water Management Data Pathfinder help address Targets in other SDGs, 
+including:The Sustainable Development Progress Report offers data about countries’ performances 
+
+in the SDGs.GIS data related to SDG 2 are available from the United Nations Statistics Division 
+through Esri’s Federated Information System for the SDG Initiative.The Committee on Earth 
+Observation Satellites (CEOS) also supports SDG 2. Learn how CEOS Agencies are using Earth 
+observations for agriculture monitoring.August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGAugust 31, 
+2023September 8, 2023August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGIn early 
+
+September 2023, Greece endured a four-day storm that dropped 910 millimeters (3 feet) of rain 
+on central parts of the country. The record rainfall triggered deadly flooding and inundated 
+towns and farm fields in Thessaly, a region that includes Greece’s agricultural heartland. 
+The flooding was fueled by a stalled low-pressure storm that became cut-off from the jet stream, 
+also known as a cut-off low, which dropped heavy rainfall on central Greece between September 
+
+4 and 7. The storm dropped the most rain, 910 millimeters (3 feet), on Zagora, near Thessaly’s 
+port town of Volos, according to Meteo, the country’s weather service. About 100 kilometers 
+(60 miles) inland, the town of Karditsa saw 659 millimeters (2 feet) of rainfall. The pair 
+of images above shows flooding near Karditsa and Larissa, some of the hardest hit places in 
+Thessaly. The image on the right, acquired by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 
+
+8, shows flooding near the Pineios River on September 8, a day after the storm receded. The 
+image on the left, acquired by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, shows the 
+same area on August 31. The images show floodwater covering what once were green farm fields 
+in the low-lying Thessaly plain. Farming is a major industry in the region, and accounts for 
+about one-sixth of Greece’s agricultural output. Farmers here grow primarily cotton, wheat, 
+
+corn, and alfalfa. The detailed image below shows flooded fields near the village of Pedino, 
+north of Karditsa. Sediment-laden water overtopped the banks of the Pineios, to the north 
+of the village, and the Mega Rema River to the south. September 8, 2023JPEGSeveral villages 
+along the Pineios and its tributaries became inundated with water during the storm. According 
+to news reports, over 4,000 people have been rescued from high water areas. Flooding near 
+
+Larissa, Thessaly’s capital and one of the largest cities in Greece, can be seen in the image 
+below. Suburbs of the city were flooded after the Pineios River broke its banks. September 
+8, 2023JPEGAlthough water along the Pineios had started to recede on September 11, flooding 
+along the river could still be seen in images from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 
+(MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. According to news reports, the river was still 2 meters 
+
+(6.5 feet) above safe levels. NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerRecord 
+rainfall inundated towns and farmland in the country’s Thessaly region.Image of the Day for 
+September 12, 2023 Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The 
+melting of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can 
+
+send rivers out of their banks.Flash floods in the port city destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods 
+out to sea. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence A Mediterranean cyclone contributed 
+to deadly flooding along the country’s coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods A stalled 
+storm dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive 
+flooding. Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential 
+
+downpours in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+Floods Human Presence September 1, 2023JPEGFor decades, summer phytoplankton blooms have sprung 
+up in Missisquoi Bay in the northeastern part of Lake Champlain. The bay’s shallow, nutrient-rich, 
+and seasonally warm waters offer ideal growing conditions for the floating, plant-like organisms, 
+which can multiply and aggregate into vast masses that discolor parts of the lake.The summer 
+
+of 2023 was no exception. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 acquired this natural-color 
+image of a bloom swirling near the mouth of the Missisquoi River on September 1, 2023. The 
+satellite collected similar images in August as well.While it is not possible to determine 
+the type of phytoplankton with Landsat observations alone, this bloom is likely cyanobacteria 
+(also called blue-green algae)—an ancient type of marine bacteria that captures and stores 
+
+solar energy through photosynthesis. Several trained cyanobacteria spotters submitted photographs 
+and reports of dense green mats of cyanobacteria lining the shores of Missisquoi Bay to Verrmont’s 
+cyanobacteria tracker website around the same time the image was acquired.Cyanobacteria blooms 
+are monitored closely because some species produce toxins known as cyanotoxins, including 
+a widespread type called microcystin, that can sicken people and animals, contaminate drinking 
+
+water, and force closures of boating and swimming sites.In recent years, teams of researchers 
+working with NASA’s DEVELOP program have used observations from several satellites to track 
+where in Lake Champlain harmful blooms are most common and identify key risk factors associated 
+with them. In a technical report, the researchers reported that Missisquoi Bay and nearby 
+St. Albans Bay had the lake’s highest concentration of toxic cyanobacteria blooms between 
+
+2016-2022.“There are multiple contributors to blooms like nutrients, temperature, and wind 
+and wave conditions,” noted Kent Ross, a science advisor for the Lake Champlain DEVELOP project. 
+“We focused on the availability of one of the nutrients—phosphorus.”Phosphorus is a common 
+nutrient found in runoff from farmland, lawns, and developed areas. While much of Lake Champlain 
+is surrounded by forests, which filter nutrients, Missisquoi Bay is flanked by farmland, where 
+
+fertilizer use leads to higher levels of phosphorous in the rivers that flow into the bay, 
+Ross explained.“That’s where our project partner, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural 
+Resource Conservation Service, comes in,” added Ross. “They recommend best practices to farmers 
+to limit nutrient runoff.” Adjusting the timing or type of fertilizer, changing grazing rotations, 
+upgrading drainage systems, and improving soil health are among the strategies farmers might 
+
+pursue.One of the challenges for scientists who study cyanobacteria blooms is that blooms 
+don’t always contain the species that produce harmful toxins. “The currently used indices 
+based on multispectral imagery cannot distinguish between the toxin-producing subspecies of 
+microcystis and non-toxin producing microcystis algae blooms,” said Jeffrey Luvall, also a 
+science advisor for the DEVELOP team and a scientist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. 
+
+“But the upcoming PACE mission—scheduled to launch in 2024—will make hyperspectral observations 
+able to do that.”NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the 
+U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerPhosphorus runoff 
+from farmland surrounding Lake Champlain contributes to summer cyanobacteria blooms in the 
+northeastern part of the lake.Image of the Day for September 11, 2023 Image of the Day Water 
+
+Human Presence Water Color View more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like organisms reproduce 
+abundantly when there are sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. Extreme blooms 
+of certain species can become harmful to marine animals and humans.More than 40 years after 
+the explosive eruption of Mount St. Helens, relics from the blast continue to haunt a nearby 
+lake. Image of the Day Water Straddling Austria and Hungary, the lake is also known as the 
+
+“Sea of the Viennese.” Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Snow and Ice At an average 
+elevation of 3,812 meters (12,507 feet), Lake Titicaca is one of the highest lakes in the 
+world. The lake is positioned between two major ranges of the Andes Mountain chain and has 
+very limited drainage. The limited outflow of the lake allows for the accumulation of nutrients 
+derived primarily from surrounding communities’ agricultural and sewage waste. The increased 
+
+nutrient levels can lead to plankton blooms. This astronaut photograph, taken from the International 
+Space Station, captures two such blooms along the eastern shoreline of the lake. Image of 
+the Day Land Life Once the second-largest lake in Turkey, it now rarely spans an area much 
+larger than a puddle. Image of the Day Land Water Remote Sensing August 18, 2023JPEGWhile 
+some weather-related delays are mere annoyances, others slow the rhythms of global shipping. 
+
+Due to ongoing drought and low water levels, ship traffic was restricted through the Panama 
+Canal in late summer 2023, leaving an above-average number of vessels waiting to make the 
+transit. The Panama Canal is an 80-kilometer (50-mile) artificial waterway across the Isthmus 
+of Panama, providing a vital connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for up to 
+14,000 ships each year. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 got a rare cloud-free 
+
+view of delayed ships on the Pacific side of the canal on August 18, 2023. Artificial lakes 
+supply the water needed to fill the series of locks in the canal. Those lakes, located to 
+the north and northwest of this scene, are replenished by rainfall that is typically in abundance 
+on the Isthmus of Panama. However, drought has left Lago Gatún, the largest lake feeding the 
+system, at near-record low levels. In mid-August, it stood close to the lowest recorded level, 
+
+from May 2016, and well below the average level for August from the past five years. As a 
+means of conserving water, the Panama Canal Authority reduced the number of vessels that could 
+travel through the canal each day starting on July 30. At one point in early August, the ensuing 
+backup reached as high as 160 total vessels waiting on one side or the other. By the time 
+of this image, that number had decreased to around 130, whereas the queue ordinarily tops 
+
+off around 90. The average wait time for August 2023 was nearly four times what it was in 
+June. The reduction of daily passages was the latest restriction imposed by the Panama Canal 
+Authority this year to deal with the water shortages. Starting on March 1, 2023, it began 
+reducing the maximum draft (the distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull) 
+permitted for vessels passing through the locks. The normal limit of 50 feet (15 meters) for 
+
+the largest class of ships that use the canal was increasingly ratcheted down to 44 feet (13 
+meters), requiring some ships to lighten their loads. The area has seen a number of dry years 
+in the past decade; Lago Gatún dipped to low levels in 2016 and 2019, in addition to 2023. 
+At the other extreme, however, Lago Gatún and Lago Alajuela, another lake feeding the canal, 
+reached record high levels in December 2010. The flooding caused the canal to close for only 
+
+the third time in its history. NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerSevere 
+drought is reducing the number of daily passages on the transoceanic shipping route.Image 
+of the Day for September 1, 2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of 
+the Day:In September, low water levels made it more challenging to ship goods down the river 
+
+and allowed a wedge of saltwater to move upstream. Image of the Day Water Drought Hundreds 
+of ships have been left idling around the key shipping route. Nature played a role in solving 
+the problem. Image of the Day Human Presence A key shipping route through Egypt recently received 
+a major overhaul. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence More than 64 million people are 
+directly affected by drought in the Southwest and Southern Plains, and far more are indirectly 
+
+affected because of the vast number of farms, orchards, and ranches that supply the rest of 
+the United States. Image of the Day Land Life Water Drought August 21, 2023JPEGFor more than 
+a decade, drought has plagued central Chile. The prolonged dry period—a megadrought—has fueled 
+wildfires, strained water supplies, and parched crops.In winter 2023, the region got some 
+relief in the form of two atmospheric rivers that brought hundreds of millimeters of rain 
+
+and snow to the region. However, too much rain fell too quickly in some areas, prompting floods 
+and mudslides that damaged roads and bridges, destroyed thousands of homes, and displaced 
+tens of thousands of people.The map above shows the total precipitable water vapor in the 
+atmosphere on August 21, 2023. Precipitable water vapor is the amount of water in a column 
+of the atmosphere if all of the water vapor were condensed into liquid. The image was derived 
+
+from the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS), which uses satellite data and models of physical 
+processes to calculate what is happening in Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces.The 
+narrow band of moisture (green) stretching from the central Pacific Ocean to Chile is a signature 
+of an atmospheric river—a long, narrow region that transports vast amounts of water vapor 
+from the tropics poleward. In subtropical Chile, atmospheric rivers contribute 45 to 60 percent 
+
+of the annual precipitation, most of it in the winter rainy season (June to September).El 
+Paico in the Santiago metropolitan region saw nearly 80 millimeters (3 inches) of rain fall 
+between August 19-21, while areas farther inland in the foothills of the Andes saw as much 
+as 370 millimeters (15 inches) of rain, according to Floodlist. Meanwhile, some news outlets 
+reported that 2 or more meters (up to 8 feet) of snow fell in high mountain areas.August 26, 
+
+2023JPEGSome of the worst flooding occurred in the Maule, Ñuble, and Biobío regions of Chile. 
+“There was a strong orographic effect,” said atmospheric scientist René Garreaud of Universidad 
+de Chile. “We saw five to ten times more rain in the Andean foothills compared to Chile’s 
+Central Valley.”Higher elevation areas saw boosted rainfall totals because the Andes forced 
+the incoming river of moisture upward, where lower air pressure and cooler temperatures cause 
+
+water vapor to more easily condense into rain droplets on the windward side of mountains. 
+This same effect produces rain shadows on the lee side of mountains.Several days after the 
+surge of rain, rivers were still swollen and discolored. Floodwaters can pick up material, 
+such as sediment from riverbanks, that becomes suspended in the water and makes it appear 
+brown. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite 
+
+captured an image (above) showing rivers carrying plumes of suspended sediment into the Pacific 
+Ocean on August 26, 2023.The atmospheric river in August followed a similar event in June. 
+According to Garreaud, the June event delivered more than 500 millimeters (20 inches) of rain 
+over a two-day period to the Maule foothills, roughly double what normally falls in Santiago 
+in a year.The El Niño developing in the Pacific may be affecting how these events play out. 
+
+“We are seeing extra moisture in the central Pacific, but the coupling with the atmosphere 
+is still relatively weak,” Garreuad said. “The Pacific anticyclone remains strong, and we 
+haven’t yet seen a blocking high to the south of the continent—the typical signature of winter 
+storms that are strongly influenced by El Niño.”The concept of atmospheric rivers first emerged 
+in the 1990s and has become a topic of growing interest to researchers in recent years. Some 
+
+research suggests that climate change may be causing atmospheric rivers to produce more rain 
+and shift poleward. One analysis of model projections conducted by a team of scientists at 
+NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory found that atmospheric rivers may decrease in frequency but 
+grow longer and wider under a scenario in which future greenhouse gas emissions remain high.NASA 
+Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin and Wanmei Liang, using GEOS-FP data from the Global 
+
+Modeling and Assimilation Office at NASA GSFC and MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerAfter more than a decade of drought, strong 
+atmospheric rivers in June and August flooded the foothills of the Andes in the Maule, Ñuble, 
+and Biobío regions.Image of the Day for September 4, 2023 Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+Water Floods View more Images of the Day:Heavy rain and melting snow can overtop riverbanks, 
+
+causing far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and people.In late June 2019, a potent atmospheric 
+river event carried soaking rain into southern Chile, dropping nearly a month’s worth of precipitation 
+in just 48 hours. Image of the Day Water The latest in a series of atmospheric rivers drenching 
+the state was accompanied by hazardous winds and left thousands of people without power. Image 
+of the Day Atmosphere Water Severe Storms Two atmospheric rivers hit Australia’s east and 
+
+west coasts with severe rains on the same day. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Water Unique 
+Imagery Following an exceptionally wet January, an atmospheric river carried even more moisture 
+into the region in February. Image of the Day Atmosphere Severe Storms Remote Sensing August 
+21, 2023JPEGIn March and April 2023, some earth scientists began to point out that average 
+sea surface temperatures had surpassed the highest levels seen in a key data record maintained 
+
+by NOAA. Months later, they remain at record levels, with global sea surface temperatures 
+0.99°C (1.78°F) above average in July. That was the fourth consecutive month they were at 
+record levels.Scientists from NASA have taken a closer look at why. “There are a lot of things 
+that affect the world’s sea surface temperatures, but two main factors have pushed them to 
+record heights,” said Josh Willis, an oceanographer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). 
+
+“We have an El Niño developing in the Pacific, and that’s on top of long-term global warming 
+that has been pushing ocean temperatures steadily upward almost everywhere for a century.”The 
+map above shows sea surface temperature anomalies on August 21, 2023, when many areas were 
+more than 3°C (5.4°F) warmer than normal. On that date, much of the central and eastern regions 
+of the equatorial Pacific were unusually warm, the signature of a developing El Niño. As has 
+
+been the case for weeks, large patches of warm water were also present in the Northwest Pacific 
+near Japan and the Northeast Pacific near California and Oregon. Portions of the Indian, Southern, 
+and Arctic Oceans also showed unusual warmth.The map is based on data from the Multiscale 
+Ultrahigh Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (MUR SST) project, a JPL effort that blends measurements 
+of sea surface temperatures from multiple NASA, NOAA, and international satellites, as well 
+
+as ship and buoy observations. Rather than showing absolute temperature, the anomaly reflects 
+the difference between the sea surface temperature on August 21, 2023, and the 2003-2014 average 
+for that day. The video below, also based on MUR SST data, shows global sea surface temperatures 
+since April 1, 2023, the period when they have been at record-breaking levels. The warmest 
+waters appear dark red.April 1 - August 21, 2023MPEG “Over the long term, we’re seeing more 
+
+heat and warmer sea surface temperatures pretty much everywhere,” said Gavin Schmidt, the 
+director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies. “That long-term trend is almost entirely 
+attributable to human forcing—the fact that we've put such a huge amount of greenhouse gas 
+in the atmosphere since the start of the industrial era.”Schmidt noted that other factors—such 
+as weather and wind patterns or the distribution of dust and aerosols—have short-term effects 
+
+on sea surface temperatures in certain regions, but they generally have a minor effect on 
+the longer-term global mean. Previous research shows that as much as 90 percent of the excess 
+heat that has occurred in recent decades due to increasing greenhouse gas emissions is absorbed 
+by the ocean, with much of that heat stored near the surface.The most important factor that 
+helped push sea surface temperatures into record territory in 2023 was the evolving El Niño 
+
+in the Pacific, according to Willis. He came to that conclusion by analyzing the timing and 
+intensity of sea surface temperature anomalies in several regions and comparing them to the 
+global trend.“We had a big jump in global surface temperature at the beginning of April—exactly 
+when the Pacific temperatures jumped up and also when sea levels in the eastern Pacific started 
+to rise,” Willis said. “The heat waves in the Atlantic are important and will have serious 
+
+effects on marine life and weather in Europe in the coming months. But it’s the Pacific that 
+has taken the global mean on a wild ride this year.”What happens in the Pacific tends to have 
+a large influence on the global sea surface temperatures partly because of its size. The Pacific 
+represents about half of the world’s ocean area.Marine heat waves—defined as periods of persistent 
+anomalously warm ocean temperatures (warmer than 90 percent of the previous observations for 
+
+a given time of year)—have occurred recently in several areas. One NOAA analysis showed that 
+48 percent of the global oceans were in the midst of a marine heat wave in August—a larger 
+area than for any other month since the start of the record in 1991. Particularly intense 
+events have warmed the North Atlantic and parts of the Caribbean in recent months.Willis expects 
+the heat in the equatorial Pacific to have more staying power than many of the other marine 
+
+heat waves simmering around the world. “Many of the marine heat waves we’re seeing are ephemeral 
+and ‘skin’ deep, generally lasting on the order of weeks and driven by atmospheric forces,” 
+explained Willis.The unusually warm water in the equatorial Pacific associated with the developing 
+El Niño after three consecutive years of La Niña is expected to weaken trade winds in ways 
+that reinforce and amplify the warming of surface waters, fueling the El Niño further. Forecasters 
+
+from NOAA say that there is a greater than 95 percent chance that El Niño conditions will 
+persist throughout the Northern Hemisphere winter. “What’s happening in the Pacific with El 
+Niño will influence global weather patterns and sea surface temperatures well into the winter 
+and possibly even longer,” Willis said.To monitor sea surface temperatures, scientists at 
+NOAA and NASA analyze observations from sensors and buoys in the oceans, ships, and several 
+
+different polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites. Groups of scientists with NOAA’s Physical 
+Sciences Laboratory, NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory track marine 
+heat waves and sea surface temperature anomalies closely. You can use NASA’s State of the 
+Ocean Tool on Worldview to monitor daily sea surface temperature anomalies.NASA Earth Observatory 
+image by Lauren Dauphin, using data from the Multiscale Ultrahigh Resolution (MUR) project. 
+
+Video by NASA’s Scientific Visualization studio, using data from the MUR project. Story by 
+Adam Voiland.Decades of gradual warming due to human-caused climate change and an El Niño 
+in the Pacific Ocean nudged global sea surface temperatures to record levels in 2023.Image 
+of the Day for August 25, 2023 Image of the Day Water View more Images of the Day:Earth in 
+July 2023 was 1.18°C (2.12°F) warmer than the average for the month, and warmer than any other 
+
+month in the 143-year record. Image of the Day Heat Temperature Extremes The climate phenomenon 
+emerged in late spring 2023, as waters grew warmer and sea levels rose higher than usual in 
+the tropical Pacific Ocean. Image of the Day Water Blooms of the plant-like organisms near 
+coastal areas have become more frequent in the 21st century. Image of the Day Water Remote 
+Sensing Examining temperatures from the depths of the ocean, JPL scientists have found that 
+
+lower layers of the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans grew much warmer during a decade when 
+surface temperatures cooled. Image of the Day Heat Water August 20, 2023JPEGOnce a powerful 
+category 4 hurricane, Hilary weakened and made landfall in northern Mexico on August 20, 2023, 
+pelting the Baja California peninsula and two U.S. states with rain.Before making landfall, 
+Hilary delivered torrential rain to Santa Rosalía in Mexico’s state of Baja California Sur. 
+
+One person was killed by the floodwater, according to officials. Hilary weakened to a tropical 
+storm before it came ashore on the northern end of the peninsula at around 11 a.m. Pacific 
+Time on August 20, 2023. As the storm moved inland over Southern California, it left flooding, 
+mudslides, and power outages behind. The map above depicts a satellite-based estimate of the 
+storm’s rainfall rates. Data for the map were acquired between 5 p.m. Pacific Time on August 
+
+19 and 2 p.m. Pacific Time on August 20, as the center of the storm was approaching Southern 
+California. The darkest reds reflect the highest rainfall rates, with the Baja California 
+peninsula seeing the heaviest rains during this time. The data are remotely sensed estimates 
+that come from the Integrated Multi-Satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG), a product of the 
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite mission. Due to the averaging of the satellite 
+
+data, local rainfall rates may be significantly higher when measured from the ground. August 
+20 was the wettest August day on record for both downtown Los Angeles and San Diego, according 
+to the National Weather Service. They received 2.5 inches (6.3 centimeters) and 1.8 inches 
+(4.6 centimeters) of rain, respectively. The storm also brought wind gusts of 70 miles (113 
+kilometers) per hour to parts of California, knocking over trees and power lines, and reportedly 
+
+leaving 40,000 residents without power. Death Valley National Park closed due to flooding, 
+and several roads were also flooded and damaged in Las Vegas, Nevada. So far, some of the 
+most severely affected places in the U.S. have been the normally dry desert regions of Southern 
+California. Streets turned into rivers of mud in Palm Springs after the city received six 
+months of rain over six hours. Flooding also closed roads in Coachella Valley, including I-10, 
+
+the major highway in the region. August is typically a dry month in Southern California, but 
+the surface layers of soil can respond quickly to weather events. Scientists at NASA’s Short-term 
+Prediction Research and Transition Center (SPoRT) expected that rain from the storm could 
+saturate soils in the region for several days. Hilary continued to move north into Oregon 
+and Idaho on August 21, where rainfall totals of up to 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) were anticipated 
+
+in places, with potential for flash flooding. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, 
+using IMERG data from the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) at NASA/GSFC. Story by Emily 
+Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerThe storm delivered torrential rain to parts of Southern 
+California, Nevada, and Mexico, leaving flooded streets and power outages in its wake.Image 
+of the Day for August 22, 2023 Image of the Day Water Severe Storms View more Images of the 
+
+Day:The hurricane season in the Pacific runs from June through November, though the storms 
+can form any time of year.The major hurricane was expected to weaken before delivering heavy 
+rain to Mexico and Southern California. Image of the Day Atmosphere Severe Storms Acquired 
+January 20, 2010, this true-color image shows an apostrophe-shaped storm, looking slightly 
+like a hurricane without most of its center, over the California coast. Isolated areas of 
+
+clear sky show the Central Valley and Baja Peninsula. Atmosphere Severe Storms Severe Storms 
+Acquired January 19, 2010, this image shows three cloud banks on their eastward path over 
+California. One is over the ocean, one hovers over the coast, and one has traveled inland. 
+Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Severe Storms Water budgets for individual watersheds can 
+be estimated using remote sensing data for precipitation, evapotranspiration, and runoff.Find 
+
+and use NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections 
+between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.Remote sensing is the acquiring 
+
+of information from a distance. NASA observes Earth and other planetary bodies via remote 
+sensors on satellites and aircraft that detect and record reflected or emitted energy. Remote 
+sensors, which provide a global perspective and a wealth of data about Earth systems, enable 
+data-informed decision making based on the current and future state of our planet.For more 
+information, check out NASA's Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) 
+
+Tech Talk: From Pixels to Products: An Overview of Satellite Remote Sensing.Satellites can 
+be placed in several types of orbits around Earth. The three common classes of orbits are 
+low-Earth orbit (approximately 160 to 2,000 km above Earth), medium-Earth orbit (approximately 
+2,000 to 35,500 km above Earth), and high-Earth orbit (above 35,500 km above Earth). Satellites 
+orbiting at 35,786 km are at an altitude at which their orbital speed matches the planet's 
+
+rotation, and are in what is called geosynchronous orbit (GSO). In addition, a satellite in 
+GSO directly over the equator will have a geostationary orbit. A geostationary orbit enables 
+a satellite to maintain its position directly over the same place on Earth’s surface.Low-Earth 
+orbit is a commonly used orbit since satellites can follow several orbital tracks around the 
+planet. Polar-orbiting satellites, for example, are inclined nearly 90 degrees to the equatorial 
+
+plane and travel from pole to pole as Earth rotates. This enables sensors aboard the satellite 
+to acquire data for the entire globe rapidly, including the polar regions. Many polar-orbiting 
+satellites are considered Sun-synchronous, meaning that the satellite passes over the same 
+location at the same solar time each cycle. One example of a Sun-synchronous, polar-orbiting 
+satellite is NASA’s Aqua satellite, which orbits approximately 705 km above Earth’s surface.Non-polar 
+
+low-Earth orbit satellites, on the other hand, do not provide global coverage but instead 
+cover only a partial range of latitudes. The joint NASA/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory is an example of a non-Sun-synchronous 
+low-Earth orbit satellite. Its orbital track acquires data between 65 degrees north and south 
+latitude from 407 km above the planet.A medium-Earth orbit satellite takes approximately 12 
+
+hours to complete an orbit. In 24-hours, the satellite crosses over the same two spots on 
+the equator every day. This orbit is consistent and highly predictable. As a result, this 
+is an orbit used by many telecommunications and GPS satellites. One example of a medium-Earth 
+orbit satellite constellation is the European Space Agency's Galileo global navigation satellite 
+system (GNSS), which orbits 23,222 km above Earth.While both geosynchronous and geostationary 
+
+satellites orbit at 35,786 km above Earth, geosynchronous satellites have orbits that can 
+be tilted above or below the equator. Geostationary satellites, on the other hand, orbit Earth 
+on the same plane as the equator. These satellites capture identical views of Earth with each 
+observation and provide almost continuous coverage of one area. The joint NASA/NOAA Geostationary 
+Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) series of weather satellites are in geostationary 
+
+orbits above the equator.For more information about orbits, please see NASA Earth Observatory's 
+Catalog of Earth Satellite Orbits.Electromagnetic energy, produced by the vibration of charged 
+particles, travels in the form of waves through the atmosphere and the vacuum of space. These 
+waves have different wavelengths (the distance from wave crest to wave crest) and frequencies; 
+a shorter wavelength means a higher frequency. Some, like radio, microwave, and infrared waves, 
+
+have a longer wavelength, while others, such as ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays, have 
+a much shorter wavelength. Visible light sits in the middle of that range of long to shortwave 
+radiation. This small portion of energy is all that the human eye is able to detect. Instrumentation 
+is needed to detect all other forms of electromagnetic energy. NASA instrumentation utilizes 
+the full range of the spectrum to explore and understand processes occurring here on Earth 
+
+and on other planetary bodies.Some waves are absorbed or reflected by atmospheric components, 
+like water vapor and carbon dioxide, while some wavelengths allow for unimpeded movement through 
+the atmosphere; visible light has wavelengths that can be transmitted through the atmosphere. 
+Microwave energy has wavelengths that can pass through clouds, an attribute utilized by many 
+weather and communication satellites.The primary source of the energy observed by satellites, 
+
+is the Sun. The amount of the Sun’s energy reflected depends on the roughness of the surface 
+and its albedo, which is how well a surface reflects light instead of absorbing it. Snow, 
+for example, has a very high albedo and reflects up to 90% of incoming solar radiation. The 
+ocean, on the other hand, reflects only about 6% of incoming solar radiation and absorbs the 
+rest. Often, when energy is absorbed, it is re-emitted, usually at longer wavelengths. For 
+
+example, the energy absorbed by the ocean gets re-emitted as infrared radiation.All things 
+on Earth reflect, absorb, or transmit energy, the amount of which varies by wavelength. Just 
+as your fingerprint is unique to you, everything on Earth has a unique spectral fingerprint. 
+Researchers can use this information to identify different Earth features as well as different 
+rock and mineral types. The number of spectral bands detected by a given instrument, its spectral 
+
+resolution, determines how much differentiation a researcher can identify between materials.For 
+more information on the electromagnetic spectrum, with companion videos, view NASA's Tour 
+of the Electromagnetic Spectrum.Sensors, or instruments, aboard satellites and aircraft use 
+the Sun as a source of illumination or provide their own source of illumination, measuring 
+energy that is reflected back. Sensors that use natural energy from the Sun are called passive 
+
+sensors; those that provide their own source of energy are called active sensors. Passive 
+sensors include different types of radiometers (instruments that quantitatively measure the 
+intensity of electromagnetic radiation in select bands) and spectrometers (devices that are 
+designed to detect, measure, and analyze the spectral content of reflected electromagnetic 
+radiation). Most passive systems used by remote sensing applications operate in the visible, 
+
+infrared, thermal infrared, and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. These 
+sensors measure land and sea surface temperature, vegetation properties, cloud and aerosol 
+properties, and other physical attributes. Most passive sensors cannot penetrate dense cloud 
+cover and thus have limitations observing areas like the tropics where dense cloud cover is 
+frequent.Active sensors include different types of radio detection and ranging (radar) sensors, 
+
+altimeters, and scatterometers. The majority of active sensors operate in the microwave band 
+of the electromagnetic spectrum, which gives them the ability to penetrate the atmosphere 
+under most conditions. These types of sensors are useful for measuring the vertical profiles 
+of aerosols, forest structure, precipitation and winds, sea surface topography, and ice, among 
+others.The Remote Sensors Earthdata page provides a list of NASA’s Earth science passive and 
+
+active sensors while the What is Synthetic Aperture Radar? Backgrounder provides specific 
+information on this type of active sensor.Resolution plays a role in how data from a sensor 
+can be used. Resolution can vary depending on the satellite’s orbit and sensor design. There 
+are four types of resolution to consider for any dataset—radiometric, spatial, spectral, and 
+temporal.Radiometric resolution is the amount of information in each pixel, that is, the number 
+
+of bits representing the energy recorded. Each bit records an exponent of power 2. For example, 
+an 8 bit resolution is 28, which indicates that the sensor has 256 potential digital values 
+(0-255) to store information. Thus, the higher the radiometric resolution, the more values 
+are available to store information, providing better discrimination between even the slightest 
+differences in energy. For example, when assessing water quality, radiometric resolution is 
+
+necessary to distinguish between subtle differences in ocean color.Spatial resolution is defined 
+by the size of each pixel within a digital image and the area on Earth’s surface represented 
+by that pixel.For example, the majority of the bands observed by the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) have a spatial resolution of 1km; each pixel represents a 1 km x 
+1km area on the ground. MODIS also includes bands with a spatial resolution of 250 m or 500 
+
+m. The finer the resolution (the lower the number), the more detail you can see. In the image 
+below, you can see the difference in pixelation between a 30 m/pixel image (left image), a 
+100 m/pixel image (center image), and a 300 m/pixel image (right image).Spectral resolution 
+is the ability of a sensor to discern finer wavelengths, that is, having more and narrower 
+bands. Many sensors are considered to be multispectral, meaning they have 3-10 bands. Some 
+
+sensors have hundreds to even thousands of bands and are considered to be hyperspectral. The 
+narrower the range of wavelengths for a given band, the finer the spectral resolution. For 
+example, the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) captures information 
+in 224 spectral channels. The cube on the right represents the detail within the data. At 
+this level of detail, distinctions can be made between rock and mineral types, vegetation 
+
+types, and other features. In the cube, the small region of high response in the right corner 
+of the image is in the red portion of the visible spectrum (about 700 nanometers), and is 
+due to the presence of 1-centimeter-long (half-inch) red brine shrimp in the evaporation pond.Temporal 
+resolution is the time it takes for a satellite to complete an orbit and revisit the same 
+observation area. This resolution depends on the orbit, the sensor’s characteristics, and 
+
+the swath width. Because geostationary satellites match the rate at which Earth is rotating, 
+the temporal resolution is much finer. Polar orbiting satellites have a temporal resolution 
+that can vary from 1 day to 16 days. For example, the MODIS sensor aboard NASA's Terra and 
+Aqua satellites has a temporal resolution of 1-2 days, allowing the sensor to visualize Earth 
+as it changes day by day. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard the joint NASA/USGS Landsat 
+
+8 satellite, on the other hand, has a narrower swath width and a temporal resolution of 16 
+days; showing not daily changes but bi-monthly changes.Why not build a sensor combining high 
+spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution? It is difficult to combine all of the desirable 
+features into one remote sensor. For example, to acquire observations with high spatial resolution 
+(like OLI, aboard Landsat 8) a narrower swath is required, which requires more time between 
+
+observations of a given area resulting in a lower temporal resolution. Researchers have to 
+make trade-offs. This is why it is very important to understand the type of data needed for 
+a given area of study. When researching weather, which is dynamic over time, a high temporal 
+resolution is critical. When researching seasonal vegetation changes, on the other hand, a 
+high temporal resolution may be sacrificed for a higher spectral or spatial resolution.Remote 
+
+sensing data acquired from instruments aboard satellites require processing before the data 
+are usable by most researchers and applied science users. Most raw NASA Earth observation 
+satellite data (Level 0, see data processing levels) are processed at NASA's Science Investigator-led 
+Processing Systems (SIPS) facilities. All data are processed to at least a Level 1, but most 
+have associated Level 2 (derived geophysical variables) and Level 3 (variables mapped on uniform 
+
+space-time grid scales) products. Many even have Level 4 products. NASA Earth science data 
+are archived at discipline-specific Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) and are available 
+fully, openly, and without restriction to data users.Most data are stored in Hierarchical 
+Data Format (HDF) or Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) format. Numerous data tools are available 
+to subset, transform, visualize, and export to various other file formats.Once data are processed, 
+
+they can be used in a variety of applications, from agriculture to water resources to health 
+and air quality. A single sensor will not address all research questions within a given application. 
+Users often need to leverage multiple sensors and data products to address their question, 
+bearing in mind the limitations of data provided by different spectral, spatial, and temporal 
+resolutions.Many sensors acquire data at different spectral wavelengths. For example, Band 
+
+1 of the OLI aboard Landsat 8 acquires data at 0.433-0.453 micrometers while the MODIS Band 
+1 acquires data at 0.620-0.670 micrometers. OLI has a total of 9 bands whereas MODIS has 36 
+bands, all measuring different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Bands can be combined 
+to produce imagery of the data to reveal different features in the landscape. Often imagery 
+of data are used to distinguish characteristics of a region being studied or to determine 
+
+an area of study.True-color images show Earth as it appears to the human eye. For a Landsat 
+8 OLI true-color (red, green, blue [RGB]) image, the sensor Bands 4 (Red), 3 (Green), and 
+2 (Blue) are combined. Other spectral band combinations can be used for specific science applications, 
+such as flood monitoring, urbanization delineation, and vegetation mapping. For example, creating 
+a false-color Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS, aboard the Suomi National 
+
+Polar-orbiting Partnership [Suomi NPP] satellite) image using bands M11, I2, and I1 is useful 
+for distinguishing burn scars from low vegetation or bare soil as well as for exposing flooded 
+areas. To see more band combinations from Landsat sensors, check out NASA Scientific Visualization 
+Studio's video Landsat Band Remix or the NASA Earth Observatory article Many Hues of London. 
+For other common band combinations, see NASA Earth Observatory's How to Interpret Common False-Color 
+
+Images, which provides common band combinations along with insight into interpreting imagery.Once 
+data are processed into imagery with varying band combinations these images can aid in resource 
+management decisions and disaster assessment. This requires proper interpretation of the imagery. 
+There are a few strategies for getting started (adapted from NASA Earth Observatory article 
+How to Interpret a Satellite Image: Five Tips and Strategies):Different land cover types can 
+
+be discriminated more readily by using image classification algorithms. Image classification 
+uses the spectral information of individual image pixels. A program using image classification 
+algorithms can automatically group the pixels in what is called an unsupervised classification. 
+The user can also indicate areas of known land cover type to “train” the program to group 
+like pixels; this is called a supervised classification. Maps or imagery can also be integrated 
+
+into a geographical information system (GIS) and then each pixel can be compared with other 
+GIS data, such as census data. For more information on integrating NASA Earth science data 
+into a GIS, check out the Earthdata GIS page.Satellites also often carry a variety of sensors 
+measuring biogeophysical parameters, such as sea surface temperature, nitrogen dioxide or 
+other atmospheric pollutants, winds, aerosols, and biomass. These parameters can be evaluated 
+
+through statistical and spectral analysis techniques.To aid in getting started with applications-based 
+research using remotely-sensed data, Data Pathfinders provide a data product selection guide 
+focused on specific science disciplines and application areas, such as those mentioned above. 
+Pathfinders provide direct links to the most commonly-used datasets and data products from 
+NASA’s Earth science data collections along with links to tools that provide ways to visualize 
+
+or subset the data, with the option to save the data in different file formats.Find and use 
+NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections 
+between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.The planet NASA studies the most 
+is Earth. NASA’s end-to-end Earth observations enable agricultural producers to make informed 
+decisions about global market conditions, water management, in-season crop conditions, severe 
+weather, and sustainability.This Data Pathfinder will help guide you through the process of 
+selecting and using datasets applicable to agriculture and water management, and provides 
+
+links to specific data sources. If you are new to remote sensing, the What is Remote Sensing? 
+Backgrounder provides a comprehensive overview. In addition, NASA's Applied Remote Sensing 
+Training Program (ARSET) provides numerous training modules, including Fundamentals of Remote 
+Sensing.If you have specific questions about how to use data, tools, or resources mentioned 
+in this Data Pathfinder, please visit the Earthdata Forum. Here, you can interact with other 
+
+data users and NASA subject matter experts on a variety of Earth science research and applications 
+topics.This section provides links to NASA and external tools and applications relevant to 
+analyzing and visualizing agriculture and water management data referenced in this Data Pathfinder. 
+NASA's Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program maintains many more resources for data analysis 
+that may be helpful. Explore the full list on the NASA Earthdata Data Tools page.The Agrometeorological 
+
+(AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of EO data products on 
+the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season crop development 
+and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO data plots that quantify 
+critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region and crop over time and are 
+updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots help tell the story of in-season 
+
+crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For 
+more information about AGMET:The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples 
+(AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from 
+a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using 
+spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: 
+
+point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. 
+Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+
+viewing results, interacting with results, and downloading requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search 
+is NASA's tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant 
+data available through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about 
+data collections, search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and 
+
+download or submit requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. 
+Note: An Earthdata Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) 
+users can customize granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, 
+KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset 
+to obtain only the bands that are needed.The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) 
+
+provides early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. NASA’s 
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+
+parameter analysis options include:Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:The U.S. Drought 
+Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought 
+
+relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the USGS provides 
+the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30), visualizing nearly 
+1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.EarthExplorer 
+is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, elevation data, and satellite products 
+
+(including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER data, ASTER GDEM and other products) 
+distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, and ordering tool connects users with 
+satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories through interactive and textual-based 
+query capabilities. These products are available for download at no cost to registered users. 
+Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" link on the EarthExplorer main page.The 
+
+NASA Worldview data visualization application provides the capability to interactively browse 
+more than 1,000 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and download the underlying 
+data. Many of the available imagery layers are updated within three hours of observation, 
+which supports time-critical application areas such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, 
+and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services 
+
+(GIBS). Worldview also includes geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, 
+and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites that are available at 10-minute increments for the 
+last 30 days.The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) 
+offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from a variety of 
+federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, 
+
+temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: point samples 
+for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample 
+requests submitted to AρρEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+viewing results, interacting with results and downloading requests.Earthdata Search is NASA's 
+tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available 
+through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, 
+search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit 
+
+requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata 
+Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize 
+granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF 
+and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the 
+bands that are needed.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:NASA's ORNL DAAC has several tools for subsetting 
+data from the MODIS and VIIRS instruments:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed 
+
+using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced 
+and other arrays, and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, 
+combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application 
+that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that 
+your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With 
+
+Panoply 5 you can:Resources:NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers 
+geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology 
+community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as 
+well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable 
+applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of restful Application Programming 
+
+Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and Open-source Project for a Network 
+Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service offerings support data discovery, 
+access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support 
+tools.Data Access ViewerThe Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators 
+bring together a variety of EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides 
+
+valuable insights on in-season crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator 
+consists of several EO data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health 
+for a specific region and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different 
+EO data plots help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different 
+climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover 
+
+the NASA Earth Science resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data 
+found in this web map can be applied to the following areas:The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:The Crop Monitor 
+Exploring Tool is an an online interactive resource that provides NDVI, temperature, precipitation, 
+soil moisture, ET, and runoff data to determine crop conditions for a variety of different 
+
+crops in Early Warning countries (Africa and Asia) and Agricultural Market Information System 
+(AMIS) countries (North America, Europe, and Asia) by the Group on Earth Observations Global 
+Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM).The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides 
+early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s 
+
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Versions:GLAM2 Original 
+VersionResources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply 
+data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, 
+and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, 
+
+and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, 
+Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had 
+a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: 
+NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology 
+and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The NASA Worldview data visualization 
+application provides the capability to interactively browse more than 1,000 global, full-resolution 
+satellite imagery layers and download the underlying data. Many of the available imagery layers 
+are updated within three hours of observation, which supports time-critical application areas 
+such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery 
+
+is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS). Worldview also includes 
+geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites 
+that are available at 10-minute increments for the last 30 days.The Application for Extracting 
+and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access 
+and transform geospatial data from a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users 
+
+to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types 
+of sample requests are available: point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples 
+for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users 
+not only with data values, but also associated quality data values. Interactive visualizations 
+with summary statistics are provided for each sample within the application, which allow users 
+
+to preview and interact with their samples before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS 
+Getting Started to learn more about workflows, viewing the results, interacting with the results 
+and downloading the requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool enables users to visualize 
+and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of 
+rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved decisions for, issues 
+
+related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish 
+to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture 
+Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active 
+Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument 
+in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical for professionals in the agriculture 
+
+and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in tandem with other data to plan crop 
+planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and improve weather forecasts. This application 
+offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service (WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and 
+Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search is NASA's tool for searching for 
+and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available through U.S. and 
+
+international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, search for data 
+files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit requests for 
+data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata Login is required 
+to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize granules. Users 
+can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from 
+
+a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the bands that are needed.The 
+Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides early warning and analysis on food 
+insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to help decision-makers 
+plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. 
+The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information 
+
+System (LIS) that has been adapted to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and 
+forecast requirements associated with food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. 
+The integration of LIS allows FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate 
+ensembles of soil moisture, evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple 
+meteorological inputs or land surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access 
+
+to geo-spatial data, satellite image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS 
+NET drought monitoring efforts throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS 
+NET Project, part of the Early Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation 
+and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables 
+near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. 
+This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, 
+
+and computing power.Resources:OpenET is a web-based platform that puts NASA evapotranspiration 
+(ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation groups to speed improvements 
+and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states in the Western U.S. It uses 
+publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based ET information in 
+areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly intervals.Resources:NASA's 
+
+Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and 
+solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The U.S. Drought Monitor 
+is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought relief 
+allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.EarthExplorer is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, 
+elevation data and satellite products (including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER 
+data, ASTER GDEM and other products) distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, 
+and ordering tool connects users with satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories 
+through interactive and textual-based query capabilities. These products are available for 
+
+download at no cost to registered users. Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" 
+link on the EarthExplorer main page.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the 
+USGS provides the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30) visualizing 
+nearly 1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.The 
+Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of 
+
+EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season 
+crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO 
+data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region 
+and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots 
+help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, 
+
+and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover the NASA Earth Science 
+resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data found in this web map can 
+be applied to the following areas:Water Availability: Plant Stress, Soil Moisture, Drought, 
+Irrigation Weather, Extreme Events and Better Seasonal and Sub-Seasonal Projections: NASA 
+Models Informing NOAA, USDA and Drought Monitor Operational ForecastingFor GIS users: see 
+
+how to use NASA data and services in common GIS tools in the GIS Pathfinder and check out 
+the How To guides to get help with your workflows.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool 
+enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, 
+and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved 
+decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an 
+
+API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop 
+Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data 
+from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, 
+
+and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform 
+application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, and offers additional functionality 
+such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. 
+Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop 
+computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later 
+
+version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide 
+Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters 
+formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, 
+and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through 
+custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of 
+
+restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerOpenET is a web-based platform 
+that puts NASA evapotranspiration (ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation 
+
+groups to speed improvements and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states 
+in the Western U.S. It uses publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based 
+ET information in areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly 
+intervals.Resources:The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by 
+policymakers to help determine drought relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA 
+
+satellites provide data about water availability to the U.S. Drought Monitor.The ClimateSERV 
+data visualization tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, 
+vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding 
+of, and make improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. 
+ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application 
+
+or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NASA's Prediction 
+Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related 
+
+parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, 
+analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings 
+through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series 
+of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA develops partnerships 
+and resources to address food security and works with decision-makers and data users to tailor 
+these tools to specific locations and user needs. These efforts help address issues like water 
+management for irrigation, crop-type identification and land use, coastal and lake water quality 
+
+monitoring, drought preparedness, and famine early warnings. NASA Earth science data are key 
+elements in the work carried out and supported by the agency's Applied Sciences Program, which 
+works with individuals and institutions worldwide to inform decision-making, enhance quality 
+of life, and strengthen our economy. Applied Sciences agriculture and water management-related 
+efforts include: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked 
+
+global goals designed to be a blueprint for a sustainable future for all of Earth’s inhabitants. 
+The SDGs are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an international plan signed 
+by all United Nations (UN) member states and underpinned by the foundational components of 
+People, Planet, and Prosperity.SDGs include specific social, economic, and environmental targets. 
+Through SDG 2: Zero Hunger, the UN proposes to end hunger, achieve food security and improved 
+
+nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Key SDG 2 Targets include:While NASA datasets 
+are not official indicators for SDG monitoring and decision-making, they provide data necessary 
+to assess progress towards achieving SDG Targets. Along with SDG 2, the data and resources 
+in the Agriculture and Water Management Data Pathfinder help address Targets in other SDGs, 
+including:The Sustainable Development Progress Report offers data about countries’ performances 
+
+in the SDGs.GIS data related to SDG 2 are available from the United Nations Statistics Division 
+through Esri’s Federated Information System for the SDG Initiative.The Committee on Earth 
+Observation Satellites (CEOS) also supports SDG 2. Learn how CEOS Agencies are using Earth 
+observations for agriculture monitoring.August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGAugust 31, 
+2023September 8, 2023August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGIn early 
+
+September 2023, Greece endured a four-day storm that dropped 910 millimeters (3 feet) of rain 
+on central parts of the country. The record rainfall triggered deadly flooding and inundated 
+towns and farm fields in Thessaly, a region that includes Greece’s agricultural heartland. 
+The flooding was fueled by a stalled low-pressure storm that became cut-off from the jet stream, 
+also known as a cut-off low, which dropped heavy rainfall on central Greece between September 
+
+4 and 7. The storm dropped the most rain, 910 millimeters (3 feet), on Zagora, near Thessaly’s 
+port town of Volos, according to Meteo, the country’s weather service. About 100 kilometers 
+(60 miles) inland, the town of Karditsa saw 659 millimeters (2 feet) of rainfall. The pair 
+of images above shows flooding near Karditsa and Larissa, some of the hardest hit places in 
+Thessaly. The image on the right, acquired by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 
+
+8, shows flooding near the Pineios River on September 8, a day after the storm receded. The 
+image on the left, acquired by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, shows the 
+same area on August 31. The images show floodwater covering what once were green farm fields 
+in the low-lying Thessaly plain. Farming is a major industry in the region, and accounts for 
+about one-sixth of Greece’s agricultural output. Farmers here grow primarily cotton, wheat, 
+
+corn, and alfalfa. The detailed image below shows flooded fields near the village of Pedino, 
+north of Karditsa. Sediment-laden water overtopped the banks of the Pineios, to the north 
+of the village, and the Mega Rema River to the south. September 8, 2023JPEGSeveral villages 
+along the Pineios and its tributaries became inundated with water during the storm. According 
+to news reports, over 4,000 people have been rescued from high water areas. Flooding near 
+
+Larissa, Thessaly’s capital and one of the largest cities in Greece, can be seen in the image 
+below. Suburbs of the city were flooded after the Pineios River broke its banks. September 
+8, 2023JPEGAlthough water along the Pineios had started to recede on September 11, flooding 
+along the river could still be seen in images from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 
+(MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. According to news reports, the river was still 2 meters 
+
+(6.5 feet) above safe levels. NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerRecord 
+rainfall inundated towns and farmland in the country’s Thessaly region.Image of the Day for 
+September 12, 2023 Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The 
+melting of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can 
+
+send rivers out of their banks.Flash floods in the port city destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods 
+out to sea. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence A Mediterranean cyclone contributed 
+to deadly flooding along the country’s coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods A stalled 
+storm dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive 
+flooding. Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential 
+
+downpours in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+Floods Human Presence September 1, 2023JPEGFor decades, summer phytoplankton blooms have sprung 
+up in Missisquoi Bay in the northeastern part of Lake Champlain. The bay’s shallow, nutrient-rich, 
+and seasonally warm waters offer ideal growing conditions for the floating, plant-like organisms, 
+which can multiply and aggregate into vast masses that discolor parts of the lake.The summer 
+
+of 2023 was no exception. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 acquired this natural-color 
+image of a bloom swirling near the mouth of the Missisquoi River on September 1, 2023. The 
+satellite collected similar images in August as well.While it is not possible to determine 
+the type of phytoplankton with Landsat observations alone, this bloom is likely cyanobacteria 
+(also called blue-green algae)—an ancient type of marine bacteria that captures and stores 
+
+solar energy through photosynthesis. Several trained cyanobacteria spotters submitted photographs 
+and reports of dense green mats of cyanobacteria lining the shores of Missisquoi Bay to Verrmont’s 
+cyanobacteria tracker website around the same time the image was acquired.Cyanobacteria blooms 
+are monitored closely because some species produce toxins known as cyanotoxins, including 
+a widespread type called microcystin, that can sicken people and animals, contaminate drinking 
+
+water, and force closures of boating and swimming sites.In recent years, teams of researchers 
+working with NASA’s DEVELOP program have used observations from several satellites to track 
+where in Lake Champlain harmful blooms are most common and identify key risk factors associated 
+with them. In a technical report, the researchers reported that Missisquoi Bay and nearby 
+St. Albans Bay had the lake’s highest concentration of toxic cyanobacteria blooms between 
+
+2016-2022.“There are multiple contributors to blooms like nutrients, temperature, and wind 
+and wave conditions,” noted Kent Ross, a science advisor for the Lake Champlain DEVELOP project. 
+“We focused on the availability of one of the nutrients—phosphorus.”Phosphorus is a common 
+nutrient found in runoff from farmland, lawns, and developed areas. While much of Lake Champlain 
+is surrounded by forests, which filter nutrients, Missisquoi Bay is flanked by farmland, where 
+
+fertilizer use leads to higher levels of phosphorous in the rivers that flow into the bay, 
+Ross explained.“That’s where our project partner, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural 
+Resource Conservation Service, comes in,” added Ross. “They recommend best practices to farmers 
+to limit nutrient runoff.” Adjusting the timing or type of fertilizer, changing grazing rotations, 
+upgrading drainage systems, and improving soil health are among the strategies farmers might 
+
+pursue.One of the challenges for scientists who study cyanobacteria blooms is that blooms 
+don’t always contain the species that produce harmful toxins. “The currently used indices 
+based on multispectral imagery cannot distinguish between the toxin-producing subspecies of 
+microcystis and non-toxin producing microcystis algae blooms,” said Jeffrey Luvall, also a 
+science advisor for the DEVELOP team and a scientist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. 
+
+“But the upcoming PACE mission—scheduled to launch in 2024—will make hyperspectral observations 
+able to do that.”NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the 
+U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerPhosphorus runoff 
+from farmland surrounding Lake Champlain contributes to summer cyanobacteria blooms in the 
+northeastern part of the lake.Image of the Day for September 11, 2023 Image of the Day Water 
+
+Human Presence Water Color View more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like organisms reproduce 
+abundantly when there are sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. Extreme blooms 
+of certain species can become harmful to marine animals and humans.More than 40 years after 
+the explosive eruption of Mount St. Helens, relics from the blast continue to haunt a nearby 
+lake. Image of the Day Water Straddling Austria and Hungary, the lake is also known as the 
+
+“Sea of the Viennese.” Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Snow and Ice At an average 
+elevation of 3,812 meters (12,507 feet), Lake Titicaca is one of the highest lakes in the 
+world. The lake is positioned between two major ranges of the Andes Mountain chain and has 
+very limited drainage. The limited outflow of the lake allows for the accumulation of nutrients 
+derived primarily from surrounding communities’ agricultural and sewage waste. The increased 
+
+nutrient levels can lead to plankton blooms. This astronaut photograph, taken from the International 
+Space Station, captures two such blooms along the eastern shoreline of the lake. Image of 
+the Day Land Life Once the second-largest lake in Turkey, it now rarely spans an area much 
+larger than a puddle. Image of the Day Land Water Remote Sensing August 18, 2023JPEGWhile 
+some weather-related delays are mere annoyances, others slow the rhythms of global shipping. 
+
+Due to ongoing drought and low water levels, ship traffic was restricted through the Panama 
+Canal in late summer 2023, leaving an above-average number of vessels waiting to make the 
+transit. The Panama Canal is an 80-kilometer (50-mile) artificial waterway across the Isthmus 
+of Panama, providing a vital connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for up to 
+14,000 ships each year. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 got a rare cloud-free 
+
+view of delayed ships on the Pacific side of the canal on August 18, 2023. Artificial lakes 
+supply the water needed to fill the series of locks in the canal. Those lakes, located to 
+the north and northwest of this scene, are replenished by rainfall that is typically in abundance 
+on the Isthmus of Panama. However, drought has left Lago Gatún, the largest lake feeding the 
+system, at near-record low levels. In mid-August, it stood close to the lowest recorded level, 
+
+from May 2016, and well below the average level for August from the past five years. As a 
+means of conserving water, the Panama Canal Authority reduced the number of vessels that could 
+travel through the canal each day starting on July 30. At one point in early August, the ensuing 
+backup reached as high as 160 total vessels waiting on one side or the other. By the time 
+of this image, that number had decreased to around 130, whereas the queue ordinarily tops 
+
+off around 90. The average wait time for August 2023 was nearly four times what it was in 
+June. The reduction of daily passages was the latest restriction imposed by the Panama Canal 
+Authority this year to deal with the water shortages. Starting on March 1, 2023, it began 
+reducing the maximum draft (the distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull) 
+permitted for vessels passing through the locks. The normal limit of 50 feet (15 meters) for 
+
+the largest class of ships that use the canal was increasingly ratcheted down to 44 feet (13 
+meters), requiring some ships to lighten their loads. The area has seen a number of dry years 
+in the past decade; Lago Gatún dipped to low levels in 2016 and 2019, in addition to 2023. 
+At the other extreme, however, Lago Gatún and Lago Alajuela, another lake feeding the canal, 
+reached record high levels in December 2010. The flooding caused the canal to close for only 
+
+the third time in its history. NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerSevere 
+drought is reducing the number of daily passages on the transoceanic shipping route.Image 
+of the Day for September 1, 2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of 
+the Day:In September, low water levels made it more challenging to ship goods down the river 
+
+and allowed a wedge of saltwater to move upstream. Image of the Day Water Drought Hundreds 
+of ships have been left idling around the key shipping route. Nature played a role in solving 
+the problem. Image of the Day Human Presence A key shipping route through Egypt recently received 
+a major overhaul. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence More than 64 million people are 
+directly affected by drought in the Southwest and Southern Plains, and far more are indirectly 
+
+affected because of the vast number of farms, orchards, and ranches that supply the rest of 
+the United States. Image of the Day Land Life Water Drought August 21, 2023JPEGFor more than 
+a decade, drought has plagued central Chile. The prolonged dry period—a megadrought—has fueled 
+wildfires, strained water supplies, and parched crops.In winter 2023, the region got some 
+relief in the form of two atmospheric rivers that brought hundreds of millimeters of rain 
+
+and snow to the region. However, too much rain fell too quickly in some areas, prompting floods 
+and mudslides that damaged roads and bridges, destroyed thousands of homes, and displaced 
+tens of thousands of people.The map above shows the total precipitable water vapor in the 
+atmosphere on August 21, 2023. Precipitable water vapor is the amount of water in a column 
+of the atmosphere if all of the water vapor were condensed into liquid. The image was derived 
+
+from the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS), which uses satellite data and models of physical 
+processes to calculate what is happening in Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces.The 
+narrow band of moisture (green) stretching from the central Pacific Ocean to Chile is a signature 
+of an atmospheric river—a long, narrow region that transports vast amounts of water vapor 
+from the tropics poleward. In subtropical Chile, atmospheric rivers contribute 45 to 60 percent 
+
+of the annual precipitation, most of it in the winter rainy season (June to September).El 
+Paico in the Santiago metropolitan region saw nearly 80 millimeters (3 inches) of rain fall 
+between August 19-21, while areas farther inland in the foothills of the Andes saw as much 
+as 370 millimeters (15 inches) of rain, according to Floodlist. Meanwhile, some news outlets 
+reported that 2 or more meters (up to 8 feet) of snow fell in high mountain areas.August 26, 
+
+2023JPEGSome of the worst flooding occurred in the Maule, Ñuble, and Biobío regions of Chile. 
+“There was a strong orographic effect,” said atmospheric scientist René Garreaud of Universidad 
+de Chile. “We saw five to ten times more rain in the Andean foothills compared to Chile’s 
+Central Valley.”Higher elevation areas saw boosted rainfall totals because the Andes forced 
+the incoming river of moisture upward, where lower air pressure and cooler temperatures cause 
+
+water vapor to more easily condense into rain droplets on the windward side of mountains. 
+This same effect produces rain shadows on the lee side of mountains.Several days after the 
+surge of rain, rivers were still swollen and discolored. Floodwaters can pick up material, 
+such as sediment from riverbanks, that becomes suspended in the water and makes it appear 
+brown. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite 
+
+captured an image (above) showing rivers carrying plumes of suspended sediment into the Pacific 
+Ocean on August 26, 2023.The atmospheric river in August followed a similar event in June. 
+According to Garreaud, the June event delivered more than 500 millimeters (20 inches) of rain 
+over a two-day period to the Maule foothills, roughly double what normally falls in Santiago 
+in a year.The El Niño developing in the Pacific may be affecting how these events play out. 
+
+“We are seeing extra moisture in the central Pacific, but the coupling with the atmosphere 
+is still relatively weak,” Garreuad said. “The Pacific anticyclone remains strong, and we 
+haven’t yet seen a blocking high to the south of the continent—the typical signature of winter 
+storms that are strongly influenced by El Niño.”The concept of atmospheric rivers first emerged 
+in the 1990s and has become a topic of growing interest to researchers in recent years. Some 
+
+research suggests that climate change may be causing atmospheric rivers to produce more rain 
+and shift poleward. One analysis of model projections conducted by a team of scientists at 
+NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory found that atmospheric rivers may decrease in frequency but 
+grow longer and wider under a scenario in which future greenhouse gas emissions remain high.NASA 
+Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin and Wanmei Liang, using GEOS-FP data from the Global 
+
+Modeling and Assimilation Office at NASA GSFC and MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerAfter more than a decade of drought, strong 
+atmospheric rivers in June and August flooded the foothills of the Andes in the Maule, Ñuble, 
+and Biobío regions.Image of the Day for September 4, 2023 Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+Water Floods View more Images of the Day:Heavy rain and melting snow can overtop riverbanks, 
+
+causing far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and people.In late June 2019, a potent atmospheric 
+river event carried soaking rain into southern Chile, dropping nearly a month’s worth of precipitation 
+in just 48 hours. Image of the Day Water The latest in a series of atmospheric rivers drenching 
+the state was accompanied by hazardous winds and left thousands of people without power. Image 
+of the Day Atmosphere Water Severe Storms Two atmospheric rivers hit Australia’s east and 
+
+west coasts with severe rains on the same day. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Water Unique 
+Imagery Following an exceptionally wet January, an atmospheric river carried even more moisture 
+into the region in February. Image of the Day Atmosphere Severe Storms Remote Sensing August 
+21, 2023JPEGIn March and April 2023, some earth scientists began to point out that average 
+sea surface temperatures had surpassed the highest levels seen in a key data record maintained 
+
+by NOAA. Months later, they remain at record levels, with global sea surface temperatures 
+0.99°C (1.78°F) above average in July. That was the fourth consecutive month they were at 
+record levels.Scientists from NASA have taken a closer look at why. “There are a lot of things 
+that affect the world’s sea surface temperatures, but two main factors have pushed them to 
+record heights,” said Josh Willis, an oceanographer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). 
+
+“We have an El Niño developing in the Pacific, and that’s on top of long-term global warming 
+that has been pushing ocean temperatures steadily upward almost everywhere for a century.”The 
+map above shows sea surface temperature anomalies on August 21, 2023, when many areas were 
+more than 3°C (5.4°F) warmer than normal. On that date, much of the central and eastern regions 
+of the equatorial Pacific were unusually warm, the signature of a developing El Niño. As has 
+
+been the case for weeks, large patches of warm water were also present in the Northwest Pacific 
+near Japan and the Northeast Pacific near California and Oregon. Portions of the Indian, Southern, 
+and Arctic Oceans also showed unusual warmth.The map is based on data from the Multiscale 
+Ultrahigh Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (MUR SST) project, a JPL effort that blends measurements 
+of sea surface temperatures from multiple NASA, NOAA, and international satellites, as well 
+
+as ship and buoy observations. Rather than showing absolute temperature, the anomaly reflects 
+the difference between the sea surface temperature on August 21, 2023, and the 2003-2014 average 
+for that day. The video below, also based on MUR SST data, shows global sea surface temperatures 
+since April 1, 2023, the period when they have been at record-breaking levels. The warmest 
+waters appear dark red.April 1 - August 21, 2023MPEG “Over the long term, we’re seeing more 
+
+heat and warmer sea surface temperatures pretty much everywhere,” said Gavin Schmidt, the 
+director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies. “That long-term trend is almost entirely 
+attributable to human forcing—the fact that we've put such a huge amount of greenhouse gas 
+in the atmosphere since the start of the industrial era.”Schmidt noted that other factors—such 
+as weather and wind patterns or the distribution of dust and aerosols—have short-term effects 
+
+on sea surface temperatures in certain regions, but they generally have a minor effect on 
+the longer-term global mean. Previous research shows that as much as 90 percent of the excess 
+heat that has occurred in recent decades due to increasing greenhouse gas emissions is absorbed 
+by the ocean, with much of that heat stored near the surface.The most important factor that 
+helped push sea surface temperatures into record territory in 2023 was the evolving El Niño 
+
+in the Pacific, according to Willis. He came to that conclusion by analyzing the timing and 
+intensity of sea surface temperature anomalies in several regions and comparing them to the 
+global trend.“We had a big jump in global surface temperature at the beginning of April—exactly 
+when the Pacific temperatures jumped up and also when sea levels in the eastern Pacific started 
+to rise,” Willis said. “The heat waves in the Atlantic are important and will have serious 
+
+effects on marine life and weather in Europe in the coming months. But it’s the Pacific that 
+has taken the global mean on a wild ride this year.”What happens in the Pacific tends to have 
+a large influence on the global sea surface temperatures partly because of its size. The Pacific 
+represents about half of the world’s ocean area.Marine heat waves—defined as periods of persistent 
+anomalously warm ocean temperatures (warmer than 90 percent of the previous observations for 
+
+a given time of year)—have occurred recently in several areas. One NOAA analysis showed that 
+48 percent of the global oceans were in the midst of a marine heat wave in August—a larger 
+area than for any other month since the start of the record in 1991. Particularly intense 
+events have warmed the North Atlantic and parts of the Caribbean in recent months.Willis expects 
+the heat in the equatorial Pacific to have more staying power than many of the other marine 
+
+heat waves simmering around the world. “Many of the marine heat waves we’re seeing are ephemeral 
+and ‘skin’ deep, generally lasting on the order of weeks and driven by atmospheric forces,” 
+explained Willis.The unusually warm water in the equatorial Pacific associated with the developing 
+El Niño after three consecutive years of La Niña is expected to weaken trade winds in ways 
+that reinforce and amplify the warming of surface waters, fueling the El Niño further. Forecasters 
+
+from NOAA say that there is a greater than 95 percent chance that El Niño conditions will 
+persist throughout the Northern Hemisphere winter. “What’s happening in the Pacific with El 
+Niño will influence global weather patterns and sea surface temperatures well into the winter 
+and possibly even longer,” Willis said.To monitor sea surface temperatures, scientists at 
+NOAA and NASA analyze observations from sensors and buoys in the oceans, ships, and several 
+
+different polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites. Groups of scientists with NOAA’s Physical 
+Sciences Laboratory, NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory track marine 
+heat waves and sea surface temperature anomalies closely. You can use NASA’s State of the 
+Ocean Tool on Worldview to monitor daily sea surface temperature anomalies.NASA Earth Observatory 
+image by Lauren Dauphin, using data from the Multiscale Ultrahigh Resolution (MUR) project. 
+
+Video by NASA’s Scientific Visualization studio, using data from the MUR project. Story by 
+Adam Voiland.Decades of gradual warming due to human-caused climate change and an El Niño 
+in the Pacific Ocean nudged global sea surface temperatures to record levels in 2023.Image 
+of the Day for August 25, 2023 Image of the Day Water View more Images of the Day:Earth in 
+July 2023 was 1.18°C (2.12°F) warmer than the average for the month, and warmer than any other 
+
+month in the 143-year record. Image of the Day Heat Temperature Extremes The climate phenomenon 
+emerged in late spring 2023, as waters grew warmer and sea levels rose higher than usual in 
+the tropical Pacific Ocean. Image of the Day Water Blooms of the plant-like organisms near 
+coastal areas have become more frequent in the 21st century. Image of the Day Water Remote 
+Sensing Examining temperatures from the depths of the ocean, JPL scientists have found that 
+
+lower layers of the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans grew much warmer during a decade when 
+surface temperatures cooled. Image of the Day Heat Water August 20, 2023JPEGOnce a powerful 
+category 4 hurricane, Hilary weakened and made landfall in northern Mexico on August 20, 2023, 
+pelting the Baja California peninsula and two U.S. states with rain.Before making landfall, 
+Hilary delivered torrential rain to Santa Rosalía in Mexico’s state of Baja California Sur. 
+
+One person was killed by the floodwater, according to officials. Hilary weakened to a tropical 
+storm before it came ashore on the northern end of the peninsula at around 11 a.m. Pacific 
+Time on August 20, 2023. As the storm moved inland over Southern California, it left flooding, 
+mudslides, and power outages behind. The map above depicts a satellite-based estimate of the 
+storm’s rainfall rates. Data for the map were acquired between 5 p.m. Pacific Time on August 
+
+19 and 2 p.m. Pacific Time on August 20, as the center of the storm was approaching Southern 
+California. The darkest reds reflect the highest rainfall rates, with the Baja California 
+peninsula seeing the heaviest rains during this time. The data are remotely sensed estimates 
+that come from the Integrated Multi-Satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG), a product of the 
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite mission. Due to the averaging of the satellite 
+
+data, local rainfall rates may be significantly higher when measured from the ground. August 
+20 was the wettest August day on record for both downtown Los Angeles and San Diego, according 
+to the National Weather Service. They received 2.5 inches (6.3 centimeters) and 1.8 inches 
+(4.6 centimeters) of rain, respectively. The storm also brought wind gusts of 70 miles (113 
+kilometers) per hour to parts of California, knocking over trees and power lines, and reportedly 
+
+leaving 40,000 residents without power. Death Valley National Park closed due to flooding, 
+and several roads were also flooded and damaged in Las Vegas, Nevada. So far, some of the 
+most severely affected places in the U.S. have been the normally dry desert regions of Southern 
+California. Streets turned into rivers of mud in Palm Springs after the city received six 
+months of rain over six hours. Flooding also closed roads in Coachella Valley, including I-10, 
+
+the major highway in the region. August is typically a dry month in Southern California, but 
+the surface layers of soil can respond quickly to weather events. Scientists at NASA’s Short-term 
+Prediction Research and Transition Center (SPoRT) expected that rain from the storm could 
+saturate soils in the region for several days. Hilary continued to move north into Oregon 
+and Idaho on August 21, where rainfall totals of up to 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) were anticipated 
+
+in places, with potential for flash flooding. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, 
+using IMERG data from the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) at NASA/GSFC. Story by Emily 
+Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerThe storm delivered torrential rain to parts of Southern 
+California, Nevada, and Mexico, leaving flooded streets and power outages in its wake.Image 
+of the Day for August 22, 2023 Image of the Day Water Severe Storms View more Images of the 
+
+Day:The hurricane season in the Pacific runs from June through November, though the storms 
+can form any time of year.The major hurricane was expected to weaken before delivering heavy 
+rain to Mexico and Southern California. Image of the Day Atmosphere Severe Storms Acquired 
+January 20, 2010, this true-color image shows an apostrophe-shaped storm, looking slightly 
+like a hurricane without most of its center, over the California coast. Isolated areas of 
+
+clear sky show the Central Valley and Baja Peninsula. Atmosphere Severe Storms Severe Storms 
+Acquired January 19, 2010, this image shows three cloud banks on their eastward path over 
+California. One is over the ocean, one hovers over the coast, and one has traveled inland. 
+Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Severe Storms July 26, 2023JPEGVibrant turquoise and green 
+water swirled near the coastline of Vancouver Island in late July 2023. The colorful plumes—which 
+
+are likely comprised of both phytoplankton and sediment—stood out in this image, acquired 
+by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the NOAA-20 satellite on July 
+26. Clouds covered much of Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia at the time of this 
+image. But coastal areas were cloud-free, exposing water that likely contained flourishing 
+populations of phytoplankton—floating plant-like organisms that are the foundation of the 
+
+aquatic food web. Phytoplankton blooms are common in the northeast Pacific Ocean during summer 
+as offshore winds push surface waters away from the coast. This causes cooler, nutrient-rich 
+waters to well up from the depths and fuel the growth of phytoplankton. Research has shown 
+that a significant amount of nutrients are supplied by the circulation and upwelling that 
+occurs in the Salish Sea, boosting phytoplankton productivity along the continental shelf 
+
+off Vancouver Island. The bloom also could have been fed by nutrient-rich sediment running 
+off from the coast. The greenest areas off the island’s coast may contain diatoms—a microscopic 
+form of algae with silica shells and plenty of chlorophyll. Coccolithophores—a type of phytoplankton 
+armored with calcium carbonate plates—tend to make the water appear more milky-blue and might 
+be present in the bloom. A future NASA satellite mission called PACE—short for Plankton, Aerosol, 
+
+Cloud, ocean Ecosystem—will enable researchers to infer more information about ocean ecology, 
+including the species of phytoplankton present in blooms and the rates of their growth. PACE 
+is scheduled to launch no earlier than January 2024. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren 
+Dauphin, using VIIRS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE, GIBS/Worldview, and the Joint Polar Satellite 
+System (JPSS). Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerSwirls of phytoplankton 
+
+and sediment brightened the island’s coastal waters in July 2023.Image of the Day for August 
+2, 2023 Image of the Day Water Water Color View more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like 
+organisms reproduce abundantly when there are sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. 
+Extreme blooms of certain species can become harmful to marine animals and humans.Skirting 
+the coastline of Mozambique, these 32 small islands are home to a diversity of corals and 
+
+sea turtles. Image of the Day Life Water These rough waters were once traversed by Japanese 
+pirates; now they are spanned by bridges. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Acquired 
+October 2, 2002, this natural-color image shows islands off the coast of Croatia, in the Adriatic 
+Sea. Image of the Day Land Image of the Day Land Unique Imagery Water budgets for individual 
+watersheds can be estimated using remote sensing data for precipitation, evapotranspiration, 
+
+and runoff.Find and use NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing 
+the connections between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world 
+in which we live.The atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet 
+from the intense radiation of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial 
+and ocean cycles.The biosphere encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems 
+
+to mountaintops and all depths of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, 
+regulating climate, and providing numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses 
+the frozen parts of Earth, including glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen 
+body of water. The cryosphere plays a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The 
+human dimensions discipline includes ways humans interact with the environment and how these 
+
+interactions impact Earth’s systems. It also explores the vulnerability of human communities 
+to natural disasters and hazards.The land surface discipline includes research into areas 
+such as shrinking forests, warming land, and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information 
+on land surface parameters and the ecological state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir 
+supports a diversity of life and helps regulate Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within 
+
+Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although originating from below the surface, these 
+processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based measurements.The Sun influences 
+a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. NASA continually monitors 
+solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere includes water on 
+the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater along with 
+
+total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are just interested 
+in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have the resources 
+to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science data, services, 
+and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate with NASA.Making 
+NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible for research 
+
+and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.Remote sensing is the acquiring of information 
+from a distance. NASA observes Earth and other planetary bodies via remote sensors on satellites 
+and aircraft that detect and record reflected or emitted energy. Remote sensors, which provide 
+a global perspective and a wealth of data about Earth systems, enable data-informed decision 
+making based on the current and future state of our planet.For more information, check out 
+
+NASA's Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) Tech Talk: From Pixels 
+to Products: An Overview of Satellite Remote Sensing.Satellites can be placed in several types 
+of orbits around Earth. The three common classes of orbits are low-Earth orbit (approximately 
+160 to 2,000 km above Earth), medium-Earth orbit (approximately 2,000 to 35,500 km above Earth), 
+and high-Earth orbit (above 35,500 km above Earth). Satellites orbiting at 35,786 km are at 
+
+an altitude at which their orbital speed matches the planet's rotation, and are in what is 
+called geosynchronous orbit (GSO). In addition, a satellite in GSO directly over the equator 
+will have a geostationary orbit. A geostationary orbit enables a satellite to maintain its 
+position directly over the same place on Earth’s surface.Low-Earth orbit is a commonly used 
+orbit since satellites can follow several orbital tracks around the planet. Polar-orbiting 
+
+satellites, for example, are inclined nearly 90 degrees to the equatorial plane and travel 
+from pole to pole as Earth rotates. This enables sensors aboard the satellite to acquire data 
+for the entire globe rapidly, including the polar regions. Many polar-orbiting satellites 
+are considered Sun-synchronous, meaning that the satellite passes over the same location at 
+the same solar time each cycle. One example of a Sun-synchronous, polar-orbiting satellite 
+
+is NASA’s Aqua satellite, which orbits approximately 705 km above Earth’s surface.Non-polar 
+low-Earth orbit satellites, on the other hand, do not provide global coverage but instead 
+cover only a partial range of latitudes. The joint NASA/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory is an example of a non-Sun-synchronous 
+low-Earth orbit satellite. Its orbital track acquires data between 65 degrees north and south 
+
+latitude from 407 km above the planet.A medium-Earth orbit satellite takes approximately 12 
+hours to complete an orbit. In 24-hours, the satellite crosses over the same two spots on 
+the equator every day. This orbit is consistent and highly predictable. As a result, this 
+is an orbit used by many telecommunications and GPS satellites. One example of a medium-Earth 
+orbit satellite constellation is the European Space Agency's Galileo global navigation satellite 
+
+system (GNSS), which orbits 23,222 km above Earth.While both geosynchronous and geostationary 
+satellites orbit at 35,786 km above Earth, geosynchronous satellites have orbits that can 
+be tilted above or below the equator. Geostationary satellites, on the other hand, orbit Earth 
+on the same plane as the equator. These satellites capture identical views of Earth with each 
+observation and provide almost continuous coverage of one area. The joint NASA/NOAA Geostationary 
+
+Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) series of weather satellites are in geostationary 
+orbits above the equator.For more information about orbits, please see NASA Earth Observatory's 
+Catalog of Earth Satellite Orbits.Electromagnetic energy, produced by the vibration of charged 
+particles, travels in the form of waves through the atmosphere and the vacuum of space. These 
+waves have different wavelengths (the distance from wave crest to wave crest) and frequencies; 
+
+a shorter wavelength means a higher frequency. Some, like radio, microwave, and infrared waves, 
+have a longer wavelength, while others, such as ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays, have 
+a much shorter wavelength. Visible light sits in the middle of that range of long to shortwave 
+radiation. This small portion of energy is all that the human eye is able to detect. Instrumentation 
+is needed to detect all other forms of electromagnetic energy. NASA instrumentation utilizes 
+
+the full range of the spectrum to explore and understand processes occurring here on Earth 
+and on other planetary bodies.Some waves are absorbed or reflected by atmospheric components, 
+like water vapor and carbon dioxide, while some wavelengths allow for unimpeded movement through 
+the atmosphere; visible light has wavelengths that can be transmitted through the atmosphere. 
+Microwave energy has wavelengths that can pass through clouds, an attribute utilized by many 
+
+weather and communication satellites.The primary source of the energy observed by satellites, 
+is the Sun. The amount of the Sun’s energy reflected depends on the roughness of the surface 
+and its albedo, which is how well a surface reflects light instead of absorbing it. Snow, 
+for example, has a very high albedo and reflects up to 90% of incoming solar radiation. The 
+ocean, on the other hand, reflects only about 6% of incoming solar radiation and absorbs the 
+
+rest. Often, when energy is absorbed, it is re-emitted, usually at longer wavelengths. For 
+example, the energy absorbed by the ocean gets re-emitted as infrared radiation.All things 
+on Earth reflect, absorb, or transmit energy, the amount of which varies by wavelength. Just 
+as your fingerprint is unique to you, everything on Earth has a unique spectral fingerprint. 
+Researchers can use this information to identify different Earth features as well as different 
+
+rock and mineral types. The number of spectral bands detected by a given instrument, its spectral 
+resolution, determines how much differentiation a researcher can identify between materials.For 
+more information on the electromagnetic spectrum, with companion videos, view NASA's Tour 
+of the Electromagnetic Spectrum.Sensors, or instruments, aboard satellites and aircraft use 
+the Sun as a source of illumination or provide their own source of illumination, measuring 
+
+energy that is reflected back. Sensors that use natural energy from the Sun are called passive 
+sensors; those that provide their own source of energy are called active sensors. Passive 
+sensors include different types of radiometers (instruments that quantitatively measure the 
+intensity of electromagnetic radiation in select bands) and spectrometers (devices that are 
+designed to detect, measure, and analyze the spectral content of reflected electromagnetic 
+
+radiation). Most passive systems used by remote sensing applications operate in the visible, 
+infrared, thermal infrared, and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. These 
+sensors measure land and sea surface temperature, vegetation properties, cloud and aerosol 
+properties, and other physical attributes. Most passive sensors cannot penetrate dense cloud 
+cover and thus have limitations observing areas like the tropics where dense cloud cover is 
+
+frequent.Active sensors include different types of radio detection and ranging (radar) sensors, 
+altimeters, and scatterometers. The majority of active sensors operate in the microwave band 
+of the electromagnetic spectrum, which gives them the ability to penetrate the atmosphere 
+under most conditions. These types of sensors are useful for measuring the vertical profiles 
+of aerosols, forest structure, precipitation and winds, sea surface topography, and ice, among 
+
+others.The Remote Sensors Earthdata page provides a list of NASA’s Earth science passive and 
+active sensors while the What is Synthetic Aperture Radar? Backgrounder provides specific 
+information on this type of active sensor.Resolution plays a role in how data from a sensor 
+can be used. Resolution can vary depending on the satellite’s orbit and sensor design. There 
+are four types of resolution to consider for any dataset—radiometric, spatial, spectral, and 
+
+temporal.Radiometric resolution is the amount of information in each pixel, that is, the number 
+of bits representing the energy recorded. Each bit records an exponent of power 2. For example, 
+an 8 bit resolution is 28, which indicates that the sensor has 256 potential digital values 
+(0-255) to store information. Thus, the higher the radiometric resolution, the more values 
+are available to store information, providing better discrimination between even the slightest 
+
+differences in energy. For example, when assessing water quality, radiometric resolution is 
+necessary to distinguish between subtle differences in ocean color.Spatial resolution is defined 
+by the size of each pixel within a digital image and the area on Earth’s surface represented 
+by that pixel.For example, the majority of the bands observed by the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) have a spatial resolution of 1km; each pixel represents a 1 km x 
+
+1km area on the ground. MODIS also includes bands with a spatial resolution of 250 m or 500 
+m. The finer the resolution (the lower the number), the more detail you can see. In the image 
+below, you can see the difference in pixelation between a 30 m/pixel image (left image), a 
+100 m/pixel image (center image), and a 300 m/pixel image (right image).Spectral resolution 
+is the ability of a sensor to discern finer wavelengths, that is, having more and narrower 
+
+bands. Many sensors are considered to be multispectral, meaning they have 3-10 bands. Some 
+sensors have hundreds to even thousands of bands and are considered to be hyperspectral. The 
+narrower the range of wavelengths for a given band, the finer the spectral resolution. For 
+example, the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) captures information 
+in 224 spectral channels. The cube on the right represents the detail within the data. At 
+
+this level of detail, distinctions can be made between rock and mineral types, vegetation 
+types, and other features. In the cube, the small region of high response in the right corner 
+of the image is in the red portion of the visible spectrum (about 700 nanometers), and is 
+due to the presence of 1-centimeter-long (half-inch) red brine shrimp in the evaporation pond.Temporal 
+resolution is the time it takes for a satellite to complete an orbit and revisit the same 
+
+observation area. This resolution depends on the orbit, the sensor’s characteristics, and 
+the swath width. Because geostationary satellites match the rate at which Earth is rotating, 
+the temporal resolution is much finer. Polar orbiting satellites have a temporal resolution 
+that can vary from 1 day to 16 days. For example, the MODIS sensor aboard NASA's Terra and 
+Aqua satellites has a temporal resolution of 1-2 days, allowing the sensor to visualize Earth 
+
+as it changes day by day. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard the joint NASA/USGS Landsat 
+8 satellite, on the other hand, has a narrower swath width and a temporal resolution of 16 
+days; showing not daily changes but bi-monthly changes.Why not build a sensor combining high 
+spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution? It is difficult to combine all of the desirable 
+features into one remote sensor. For example, to acquire observations with high spatial resolution 
+
+(like OLI, aboard Landsat 8) a narrower swath is required, which requires more time between 
+observations of a given area resulting in a lower temporal resolution. Researchers have to 
+make trade-offs. This is why it is very important to understand the type of data needed for 
+a given area of study. When researching weather, which is dynamic over time, a high temporal 
+resolution is critical. When researching seasonal vegetation changes, on the other hand, a 
+
+high temporal resolution may be sacrificed for a higher spectral or spatial resolution.Remote 
+sensing data acquired from instruments aboard satellites require processing before the data 
+are usable by most researchers and applied science users. Most raw NASA Earth observation 
+satellite data (Level 0, see data processing levels) are processed at NASA's Science Investigator-led 
+Processing Systems (SIPS) facilities. All data are processed to at least a Level 1, but most 
+
+have associated Level 2 (derived geophysical variables) and Level 3 (variables mapped on uniform 
+space-time grid scales) products. Many even have Level 4 products. NASA Earth science data 
+are archived at discipline-specific Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) and are available 
+fully, openly, and without restriction to data users.Most data are stored in Hierarchical 
+Data Format (HDF) or Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) format. Numerous data tools are available 
+
+to subset, transform, visualize, and export to various other file formats.Once data are processed, 
+they can be used in a variety of applications, from agriculture to water resources to health 
+and air quality. A single sensor will not address all research questions within a given application. 
+Users often need to leverage multiple sensors and data products to address their question, 
+bearing in mind the limitations of data provided by different spectral, spatial, and temporal 
+
+resolutions.Many sensors acquire data at different spectral wavelengths. For example, Band 
+1 of the OLI aboard Landsat 8 acquires data at 0.433-0.453 micrometers while the MODIS Band 
+1 acquires data at 0.620-0.670 micrometers. OLI has a total of 9 bands whereas MODIS has 36 
+bands, all measuring different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Bands can be combined 
+to produce imagery of the data to reveal different features in the landscape. Often imagery 
+
+of data are used to distinguish characteristics of a region being studied or to determine 
+an area of study.True-color images show Earth as it appears to the human eye. For a Landsat 
+8 OLI true-color (red, green, blue [RGB]) image, the sensor Bands 4 (Red), 3 (Green), and 
+2 (Blue) are combined. Other spectral band combinations can be used for specific science applications, 
+such as flood monitoring, urbanization delineation, and vegetation mapping. For example, creating 
+
+a false-color Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS, aboard the Suomi National 
+Polar-orbiting Partnership [Suomi NPP] satellite) image using bands M11, I2, and I1 is useful 
+for distinguishing burn scars from low vegetation or bare soil as well as for exposing flooded 
+areas. To see more band combinations from Landsat sensors, check out NASA Scientific Visualization 
+Studio's video Landsat Band Remix or the NASA Earth Observatory article Many Hues of London. 
+
+For other common band combinations, see NASA Earth Observatory's How to Interpret Common False-Color 
+Images, which provides common band combinations along with insight into interpreting imagery.Once 
+data are processed into imagery with varying band combinations these images can aid in resource 
+management decisions and disaster assessment. This requires proper interpretation of the imagery. 
+There are a few strategies for getting started (adapted from NASA Earth Observatory article 
+
+How to Interpret a Satellite Image: Five Tips and Strategies):Different land cover types can 
+be discriminated more readily by using image classification algorithms. Image classification 
+uses the spectral information of individual image pixels. A program using image classification 
+algorithms can automatically group the pixels in what is called an unsupervised classification. 
+The user can also indicate areas of known land cover type to “train” the program to group 
+
+like pixels; this is called a supervised classification. Maps or imagery can also be integrated 
+into a geographical information system (GIS) and then each pixel can be compared with other 
+GIS data, such as census data. For more information on integrating NASA Earth science data 
+into a GIS, check out the Earthdata GIS page.Satellites also often carry a variety of sensors 
+measuring biogeophysical parameters, such as sea surface temperature, nitrogen dioxide or 
+
+other atmospheric pollutants, winds, aerosols, and biomass. These parameters can be evaluated 
+through statistical and spectral analysis techniques.To aid in getting started with applications-based 
+research using remotely-sensed data, Data Pathfinders provide a data product selection guide 
+focused on specific science disciplines and application areas, such as those mentioned above. 
+Pathfinders provide direct links to the most commonly-used datasets and data products from 
+
+NASA’s Earth science data collections along with links to tools that provide ways to visualize 
+or subset the data, with the option to save the data in different file formats.Find and use 
+NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections 
+between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.The planet NASA studies the most 
+is Earth. NASA’s end-to-end Earth observations enable agricultural producers to make informed 
+decisions about global market conditions, water management, in-season crop conditions, severe 
+weather, and sustainability.This Data Pathfinder will help guide you through the process of 
+
+selecting and using datasets applicable to agriculture and water management, and provides 
+links to specific data sources. If you are new to remote sensing, the What is Remote Sensing? 
+Backgrounder provides a comprehensive overview. In addition, NASA's Applied Remote Sensing 
+Training Program (ARSET) provides numerous training modules, including Fundamentals of Remote 
+Sensing.If you have specific questions about how to use data, tools, or resources mentioned 
+
+in this Data Pathfinder, please visit the Earthdata Forum. Here, you can interact with other 
+data users and NASA subject matter experts on a variety of Earth science research and applications 
+topics.This section provides links to NASA and external tools and applications relevant to 
+analyzing and visualizing agriculture and water management data referenced in this Data Pathfinder. 
+NASA's Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program maintains many more resources for data analysis 
+
+that may be helpful. Explore the full list on the NASA Earthdata Data Tools page.The Agrometeorological 
+(AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of EO data products on 
+the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season crop development 
+and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO data plots that quantify 
+critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region and crop over time and are 
+
+updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots help tell the story of in-season 
+crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For 
+more information about AGMET:The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples 
+(AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from 
+a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using 
+
+spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: 
+point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. 
+Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+viewing results, interacting with results, and downloading requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search 
+is NASA's tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant 
+data available through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about 
+
+data collections, search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and 
+download or submit requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. 
+Note: An Earthdata Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) 
+users can customize granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, 
+KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset 
+
+to obtain only the bands that are needed.The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) 
+provides early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. NASA’s 
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+parameter analysis options include:Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:The U.S. Drought 
+
+Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought 
+relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the USGS provides 
+the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30), visualizing nearly 
+1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.EarthExplorer 
+
+is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, elevation data, and satellite products 
+(including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER data, ASTER GDEM and other products) 
+distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, and ordering tool connects users with 
+satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories through interactive and textual-based 
+query capabilities. These products are available for download at no cost to registered users. 
+
+Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" link on the EarthExplorer main page.The 
+NASA Worldview data visualization application provides the capability to interactively browse 
+more than 1,000 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and download the underlying 
+data. Many of the available imagery layers are updated within three hours of observation, 
+which supports time-critical application areas such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, 
+
+and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services 
+(GIBS). Worldview also includes geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, 
+and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites that are available at 10-minute increments for the 
+last 30 days.The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) 
+offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from a variety of 
+
+federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, 
+temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: point samples 
+for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample 
+requests submitted to AρρEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+viewing results, interacting with results and downloading requests.Earthdata Search is NASA's 
+tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available 
+through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, 
+
+search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit 
+requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata 
+Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize 
+granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF 
+and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the 
+
+bands that are needed.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:NASA's ORNL DAAC has several tools for subsetting 
+
+data from the MODIS and VIIRS instruments:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed 
+using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced 
+and other arrays, and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, 
+combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application 
+that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that 
+
+your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With 
+Panoply 5 you can:Resources:NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers 
+geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology 
+community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as 
+well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable 
+
+applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of restful Application Programming 
+Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and Open-source Project for a Network 
+Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service offerings support data discovery, 
+access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support 
+tools.Data Access ViewerThe Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators 
+
+bring together a variety of EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides 
+valuable insights on in-season crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator 
+consists of several EO data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health 
+for a specific region and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different 
+EO data plots help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different 
+
+climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover 
+the NASA Earth Science resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data 
+found in this web map can be applied to the following areas:The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:The Crop Monitor 
+Exploring Tool is an an online interactive resource that provides NDVI, temperature, precipitation, 
+
+soil moisture, ET, and runoff data to determine crop conditions for a variety of different 
+crops in Early Warning countries (Africa and Asia) and Agricultural Market Information System 
+(AMIS) countries (North America, Europe, and Asia) by the Group on Earth Observations Global 
+Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM).The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides 
+early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s 
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Versions:GLAM2 Original 
+VersionResources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply 
+data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, 
+
+and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, 
+and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, 
+Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had 
+a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: 
+NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology 
+
+and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The NASA Worldview data visualization 
+application provides the capability to interactively browse more than 1,000 global, full-resolution 
+satellite imagery layers and download the underlying data. Many of the available imagery layers 
+are updated within three hours of observation, which supports time-critical application areas 
+
+such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery 
+is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS). Worldview also includes 
+geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites 
+that are available at 10-minute increments for the last 30 days.The Application for Extracting 
+and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access 
+
+and transform geospatial data from a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users 
+to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types 
+of sample requests are available: point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples 
+for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users 
+not only with data values, but also associated quality data values. Interactive visualizations 
+
+with summary statistics are provided for each sample within the application, which allow users 
+to preview and interact with their samples before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS 
+Getting Started to learn more about workflows, viewing the results, interacting with the results 
+and downloading the requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool enables users to visualize 
+and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of 
+
+rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved decisions for, issues 
+related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish 
+to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture 
+Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active 
+Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument 
+
+in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical for professionals in the agriculture 
+and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in tandem with other data to plan crop 
+planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and improve weather forecasts. This application 
+offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service (WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and 
+Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search is NASA's tool for searching for 
+
+and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available through U.S. and 
+international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, search for data 
+files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit requests for 
+data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata Login is required 
+to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize granules. Users 
+
+can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from 
+a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the bands that are needed.The 
+Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides early warning and analysis on food 
+insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to help decision-makers 
+plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. 
+
+The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information 
+System (LIS) that has been adapted to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and 
+forecast requirements associated with food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. 
+The integration of LIS allows FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate 
+ensembles of soil moisture, evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple 
+
+meteorological inputs or land surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access 
+to geo-spatial data, satellite image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS 
+NET drought monitoring efforts throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS 
+NET Project, part of the Early Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation 
+and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables 
+near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. 
+
+This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, 
+and computing power.Resources:OpenET is a web-based platform that puts NASA evapotranspiration 
+(ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation groups to speed improvements 
+and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states in the Western U.S. It uses 
+publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based ET information in 
+
+areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly intervals.Resources:NASA's 
+Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and 
+solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The U.S. Drought Monitor 
+is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought relief 
+
+allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.EarthExplorer is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, 
+elevation data and satellite products (including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER 
+data, ASTER GDEM and other products) distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, 
+and ordering tool connects users with satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories 
+
+through interactive and textual-based query capabilities. These products are available for 
+download at no cost to registered users. Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" 
+link on the EarthExplorer main page.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the 
+USGS provides the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30) visualizing 
+nearly 1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.The 
+
+Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of 
+EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season 
+crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO 
+data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region 
+and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots 
+
+help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, 
+and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover the NASA Earth Science 
+resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data found in this web map can 
+be applied to the following areas:Water Availability: Plant Stress, Soil Moisture, Drought, 
+Irrigation Weather, Extreme Events and Better Seasonal and Sub-Seasonal Projections: NASA 
+
+Models Informing NOAA, USDA and Drought Monitor Operational ForecastingFor GIS users: see 
+how to use NASA data and services in common GIS tools in the GIS Pathfinder and check out 
+the How To guides to get help with your workflows.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool 
+enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, 
+and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved 
+
+decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an 
+API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop 
+Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data 
+from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, 
+and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform 
+application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, and offers additional functionality 
+such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. 
+Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop 
+
+computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later 
+version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide 
+Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters 
+formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, 
+and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through 
+
+custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of 
+restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerOpenET is a web-based platform 
+
+that puts NASA evapotranspiration (ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation 
+groups to speed improvements and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states 
+in the Western U.S. It uses publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based 
+ET information in areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly 
+intervals.Resources:The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by 
+
+policymakers to help determine drought relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA 
+satellites provide data about water availability to the U.S. Drought Monitor.The ClimateSERV 
+data visualization tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, 
+vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding 
+of, and make improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. 
+
+ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application 
+or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NASA's Prediction 
+
+Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related 
+parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, 
+analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings 
+through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series 
+of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA develops partnerships 
+and resources to address food security and works with decision-makers and data users to tailor 
+these tools to specific locations and user needs. These efforts help address issues like water 
+
+management for irrigation, crop-type identification and land use, coastal and lake water quality 
+monitoring, drought preparedness, and famine early warnings. NASA Earth science data are key 
+elements in the work carried out and supported by the agency's Applied Sciences Program, which 
+works with individuals and institutions worldwide to inform decision-making, enhance quality 
+of life, and strengthen our economy. Applied Sciences agriculture and water management-related 
+
+efforts include: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked 
+global goals designed to be a blueprint for a sustainable future for all of Earth’s inhabitants. 
+The SDGs are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an international plan signed 
+by all United Nations (UN) member states and underpinned by the foundational components of 
+People, Planet, and Prosperity.SDGs include specific social, economic, and environmental targets. 
+
+Through SDG 2: Zero Hunger, the UN proposes to end hunger, achieve food security and improved 
+nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Key SDG 2 Targets include:While NASA datasets 
+are not official indicators for SDG monitoring and decision-making, they provide data necessary 
+to assess progress towards achieving SDG Targets. Along with SDG 2, the data and resources 
+in the Agriculture and Water Management Data Pathfinder help address Targets in other SDGs, 
+
+including:The Sustainable Development Progress Report offers data about countries’ performances 
+in the SDGs.GIS data related to SDG 2 are available from the United Nations Statistics Division 
+through Esri’s Federated Information System for the SDG Initiative.The Committee on Earth 
+Observation Satellites (CEOS) also supports SDG 2. Learn how CEOS Agencies are using Earth 
+observations for agriculture monitoring.August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGAugust 31, 
+
+2023September 8, 2023August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGIn early 
+September 2023, Greece endured a four-day storm that dropped 910 millimeters (3 feet) of rain 
+on central parts of the country. The record rainfall triggered deadly flooding and inundated 
+towns and farm fields in Thessaly, a region that includes Greece’s agricultural heartland. 
+The flooding was fueled by a stalled low-pressure storm that became cut-off from the jet stream, 
+
+also known as a cut-off low, which dropped heavy rainfall on central Greece between September 
+4 and 7. The storm dropped the most rain, 910 millimeters (3 feet), on Zagora, near Thessaly’s 
+port town of Volos, according to Meteo, the country’s weather service. About 100 kilometers 
+(60 miles) inland, the town of Karditsa saw 659 millimeters (2 feet) of rainfall. The pair 
+of images above shows flooding near Karditsa and Larissa, some of the hardest hit places in 
+
+Thessaly. The image on the right, acquired by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 
+8, shows flooding near the Pineios River on September 8, a day after the storm receded. The 
+image on the left, acquired by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, shows the 
+same area on August 31. The images show floodwater covering what once were green farm fields 
+in the low-lying Thessaly plain. Farming is a major industry in the region, and accounts for 
+
+about one-sixth of Greece’s agricultural output. Farmers here grow primarily cotton, wheat, 
+corn, and alfalfa. The detailed image below shows flooded fields near the village of Pedino, 
+north of Karditsa. Sediment-laden water overtopped the banks of the Pineios, to the north 
+of the village, and the Mega Rema River to the south. September 8, 2023JPEGSeveral villages 
+along the Pineios and its tributaries became inundated with water during the storm. According 
+
+to news reports, over 4,000 people have been rescued from high water areas. Flooding near 
+Larissa, Thessaly’s capital and one of the largest cities in Greece, can be seen in the image 
+below. Suburbs of the city were flooded after the Pineios River broke its banks. September 
+8, 2023JPEGAlthough water along the Pineios had started to recede on September 11, flooding 
+along the river could still be seen in images from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 
+
+(MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. According to news reports, the river was still 2 meters 
+(6.5 feet) above safe levels. NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerRecord 
+rainfall inundated towns and farmland in the country’s Thessaly region.Image of the Day for 
+September 12, 2023 Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The 
+
+melting of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can 
+send rivers out of their banks.Flash floods in the port city destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods 
+out to sea. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence A Mediterranean cyclone contributed 
+to deadly flooding along the country’s coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods A stalled 
+storm dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive 
+
+flooding. Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential 
+downpours in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+Floods Human Presence September 1, 2023JPEGFor decades, summer phytoplankton blooms have sprung 
+up in Missisquoi Bay in the northeastern part of Lake Champlain. The bay’s shallow, nutrient-rich, 
+and seasonally warm waters offer ideal growing conditions for the floating, plant-like organisms, 
+
+which can multiply and aggregate into vast masses that discolor parts of the lake.The summer 
+of 2023 was no exception. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 acquired this natural-color 
+image of a bloom swirling near the mouth of the Missisquoi River on September 1, 2023. The 
+satellite collected similar images in August as well.While it is not possible to determine 
+the type of phytoplankton with Landsat observations alone, this bloom is likely cyanobacteria 
+
+(also called blue-green algae)—an ancient type of marine bacteria that captures and stores 
+solar energy through photosynthesis. Several trained cyanobacteria spotters submitted photographs 
+and reports of dense green mats of cyanobacteria lining the shores of Missisquoi Bay to Verrmont’s 
+cyanobacteria tracker website around the same time the image was acquired.Cyanobacteria blooms 
+are monitored closely because some species produce toxins known as cyanotoxins, including 
+
+a widespread type called microcystin, that can sicken people and animals, contaminate drinking 
+water, and force closures of boating and swimming sites.In recent years, teams of researchers 
+working with NASA’s DEVELOP program have used observations from several satellites to track 
+where in Lake Champlain harmful blooms are most common and identify key risk factors associated 
+with them. In a technical report, the researchers reported that Missisquoi Bay and nearby 
+
+St. Albans Bay had the lake’s highest concentration of toxic cyanobacteria blooms between 
+2016-2022.“There are multiple contributors to blooms like nutrients, temperature, and wind 
+and wave conditions,” noted Kent Ross, a science advisor for the Lake Champlain DEVELOP project. 
+“We focused on the availability of one of the nutrients—phosphorus.”Phosphorus is a common 
+nutrient found in runoff from farmland, lawns, and developed areas. While much of Lake Champlain 
+
+is surrounded by forests, which filter nutrients, Missisquoi Bay is flanked by farmland, where 
+fertilizer use leads to higher levels of phosphorous in the rivers that flow into the bay, 
+Ross explained.“That’s where our project partner, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural 
+Resource Conservation Service, comes in,” added Ross. “They recommend best practices to farmers 
+to limit nutrient runoff.” Adjusting the timing or type of fertilizer, changing grazing rotations, 
+
+upgrading drainage systems, and improving soil health are among the strategies farmers might 
+pursue.One of the challenges for scientists who study cyanobacteria blooms is that blooms 
+don’t always contain the species that produce harmful toxins. “The currently used indices 
+based on multispectral imagery cannot distinguish between the toxin-producing subspecies of 
+microcystis and non-toxin producing microcystis algae blooms,” said Jeffrey Luvall, also a 
+
+science advisor for the DEVELOP team and a scientist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. 
+“But the upcoming PACE mission—scheduled to launch in 2024—will make hyperspectral observations 
+able to do that.”NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the 
+U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerPhosphorus runoff 
+from farmland surrounding Lake Champlain contributes to summer cyanobacteria blooms in the 
+
+northeastern part of the lake.Image of the Day for September 11, 2023 Image of the Day Water 
+Human Presence Water Color View more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like organisms reproduce 
+abundantly when there are sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. Extreme blooms 
+of certain species can become harmful to marine animals and humans.More than 40 years after 
+the explosive eruption of Mount St. Helens, relics from the blast continue to haunt a nearby 
+
+lake. Image of the Day Water Straddling Austria and Hungary, the lake is also known as the 
+“Sea of the Viennese.��� Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Snow and Ice At an average 
+elevation of 3,812 meters (12,507 feet), Lake Titicaca is one of the highest lakes in the 
+world. The lake is positioned between two major ranges of the Andes Mountain chain and has 
+very limited drainage. The limited outflow of the lake allows for the accumulation of nutrients 
+
+derived primarily from surrounding communities’ agricultural and sewage waste. The increased 
+nutrient levels can lead to plankton blooms. This astronaut photograph, taken from the International 
+Space Station, captures two such blooms along the eastern shoreline of the lake. Image of 
+the Day Land Life Once the second-largest lake in Turkey, it now rarely spans an area much 
+larger than a puddle. Image of the Day Land Water Remote Sensing August 18, 2023JPEGWhile 
+
+some weather-related delays are mere annoyances, others slow the rhythms of global shipping. 
+Due to ongoing drought and low water levels, ship traffic was restricted through the Panama 
+Canal in late summer 2023, leaving an above-average number of vessels waiting to make the 
+transit. The Panama Canal is an 80-kilometer (50-mile) artificial waterway across the Isthmus 
+of Panama, providing a vital connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for up to 
+
+14,000 ships each year. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 got a rare cloud-free 
+view of delayed ships on the Pacific side of the canal on August 18, 2023. Artificial lakes 
+supply the water needed to fill the series of locks in the canal. Those lakes, located to 
+the north and northwest of this scene, are replenished by rainfall that is typically in abundance 
+on the Isthmus of Panama. However, drought has left Lago Gatún, the largest lake feeding the 
+
+system, at near-record low levels. In mid-August, it stood close to the lowest recorded level, 
+from May 2016, and well below the average level for August from the past five years. As a 
+means of conserving water, the Panama Canal Authority reduced the number of vessels that could 
+travel through the canal each day starting on July 30. At one point in early August, the ensuing 
+backup reached as high as 160 total vessels waiting on one side or the other. By the time 
+
+of this image, that number had decreased to around 130, whereas the queue ordinarily tops 
+off around 90. The average wait time for August 2023 was nearly four times what it was in 
+June. The reduction of daily passages was the latest restriction imposed by the Panama Canal 
+Authority this year to deal with the water shortages. Starting on March 1, 2023, it began 
+reducing the maximum draft (the distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull) 
+
+permitted for vessels passing through the locks. The normal limit of 50 feet (15 meters) for 
+the largest class of ships that use the canal was increasingly ratcheted down to 44 feet (13 
+meters), requiring some ships to lighten their loads. The area has seen a number of dry years 
+in the past decade; Lago Gatún dipped to low levels in 2016 and 2019, in addition to 2023. 
+At the other extreme, however, Lago Gatún and Lago Alajuela, another lake feeding the canal, 
+
+reached record high levels in December 2010. The flooding caused the canal to close for only 
+the third time in its history. NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerSevere 
+drought is reducing the number of daily passages on the transoceanic shipping route.Image 
+of the Day for September 1, 2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of 
+
+the Day:In September, low water levels made it more challenging to ship goods down the river 
+and allowed a wedge of saltwater to move upstream. Image of the Day Water Drought Hundreds 
+of ships have been left idling around the key shipping route. Nature played a role in solving 
+the problem. Image of the Day Human Presence A key shipping route through Egypt recently received 
+a major overhaul. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence More than 64 million people are 
+
+directly affected by drought in the Southwest and Southern Plains, and far more are indirectly 
+affected because of the vast number of farms, orchards, and ranches that supply the rest of 
+the United States. Image of the Day Land Life Water Drought August 21, 2023JPEGFor more than 
+a decade, drought has plagued central Chile. The prolonged dry period—a megadrought—has fueled 
+wildfires, strained water supplies, and parched crops.In winter 2023, the region got some 
+
+relief in the form of two atmospheric rivers that brought hundreds of millimeters of rain 
+and snow to the region. However, too much rain fell too quickly in some areas, prompting floods 
+and mudslides that damaged roads and bridges, destroyed thousands of homes, and displaced 
+tens of thousands of people.The map above shows the total precipitable water vapor in the 
+atmosphere on August 21, 2023. Precipitable water vapor is the amount of water in a column 
+
+of the atmosphere if all of the water vapor were condensed into liquid. The image was derived 
+from the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS), which uses satellite data and models of physical 
+processes to calculate what is happening in Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces.The 
+narrow band of moisture (green) stretching from the central Pacific Ocean to Chile is a signature 
+of an atmospheric river—a long, narrow region that transports vast amounts of water vapor 
+
+from the tropics poleward. In subtropical Chile, atmospheric rivers contribute 45 to 60 percent 
+of the annual precipitation, most of it in the winter rainy season (June to September).El 
+Paico in the Santiago metropolitan region saw nearly 80 millimeters (3 inches) of rain fall 
+between August 19-21, while areas farther inland in the foothills of the Andes saw as much 
+as 370 millimeters (15 inches) of rain, according to Floodlist. Meanwhile, some news outlets 
+
+reported that 2 or more meters (up to 8 feet) of snow fell in high mountain areas.August 26, 
+2023JPEGSome of the worst flooding occurred in the Maule, Ñuble, and Biobío regions of Chile. 
+“There was a strong orographic effect,” said atmospheric scientist René Garreaud of Universidad 
+de Chile. “We saw five to ten times more rain in the Andean foothills compared to Chile’s 
+Central Valley.”Higher elevation areas saw boosted rainfall totals because the Andes forced 
+
+the incoming river of moisture upward, where lower air pressure and cooler temperatures cause 
+water vapor to more easily condense into rain droplets on the windward side of mountains. 
+This same effect produces rain shadows on the lee side of mountains.Several days after the 
+surge of rain, rivers were still swollen and discolored. Floodwaters can pick up material, 
+such as sediment from riverbanks, that becomes suspended in the water and makes it appear 
+
+brown. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite 
+captured an image (above) showing rivers carrying plumes of suspended sediment into the Pacific 
+Ocean on August 26, 2023.The atmospheric river in August followed a similar event in June. 
+According to Garreaud, the June event delivered more than 500 millimeters (20 inches) of rain 
+over a two-day period to the Maule foothills, roughly double what normally falls in Santiago 
+
+in a year.The El Niño developing in the Pacific may be affecting how these events play out. 
+“We are seeing extra moisture in the central Pacific, but the coupling with the atmosphere 
+is still relatively weak,” Garreuad said. “The Pacific anticyclone remains strong, and we 
+haven’t yet seen a blocking high to the south of the continent—the typical signature of winter 
+storms that are strongly influenced by El Niño.”The concept of atmospheric rivers first emerged 
+
+in the 1990s and has become a topic of growing interest to researchers in recent years. Some 
+research suggests that climate change may be causing atmospheric rivers to produce more rain 
+and shift poleward. One analysis of model projections conducted by a team of scientists at 
+NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory found that atmospheric rivers may decrease in frequency but 
+grow longer and wider under a scenario in which future greenhouse gas emissions remain high.NASA 
+
+Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin and Wanmei Liang, using GEOS-FP data from the Global 
+Modeling and Assimilation Office at NASA GSFC and MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerAfter more than a decade of drought, strong 
+atmospheric rivers in June and August flooded the foothills of the Andes in the Maule, Ñuble, 
+and Biobío regions.Image of the Day for September 4, 2023 Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+
+Water Floods View more Images of the Day:Heavy rain and melting snow can overtop riverbanks, 
+causing far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and people.In late June 2019, a potent atmospheric 
+river event carried soaking rain into southern Chile, dropping nearly a month’s worth of precipitation 
+in just 48 hours. Image of the Day Water The latest in a series of atmospheric rivers drenching 
+the state was accompanied by hazardous winds and left thousands of people without power. Image 
+
+of the Day Atmosphere Water Severe Storms Two atmospheric rivers hit Australia’s east and 
+west coasts with severe rains on the same day. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Water Unique 
+Imagery Following an exceptionally wet January, an atmospheric river carried even more moisture 
+into the region in February. Image of the Day Atmosphere Severe Storms Remote Sensing August 
+21, 2023JPEGIn March and April 2023, some earth scientists began to point out that average 
+
+sea surface temperatures had surpassed the highest levels seen in a key data record maintained 
+by NOAA. Months later, they remain at record levels, with global sea surface temperatures 
+0.99°C (1.78°F) above average in July. That was the fourth consecutive month they were at 
+record levels.Scientists from NASA have taken a closer look at why. “There are a lot of things 
+that affect the world’s sea surface temperatures, but two main factors have pushed them to 
+
+record heights,” said Josh Willis, an oceanographer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). 
+“We have an El Niño developing in the Pacific, and that’s on top of long-term global warming 
+that has been pushing ocean temperatures steadily upward almost everywhere for a century.”The 
+map above shows sea surface temperature anomalies on August 21, 2023, when many areas were 
+more than 3°C (5.4°F) warmer than normal. On that date, much of the central and eastern regions 
+
+of the equatorial Pacific were unusually warm, the signature of a developing El Niño. As has 
+been the case for weeks, large patches of warm water were also present in the Northwest Pacific 
+near Japan and the Northeast Pacific near California and Oregon. Portions of the Indian, Southern, 
+and Arctic Oceans also showed unusual warmth.The map is based on data from the Multiscale 
+Ultrahigh Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (MUR SST) project, a JPL effort that blends measurements 
+
+of sea surface temperatures from multiple NASA, NOAA, and international satellites, as well 
+as ship and buoy observations. Rather than showing absolute temperature, the anomaly reflects 
+the difference between the sea surface temperature on August 21, 2023, and the 2003-2014 average 
+for that day. The video below, also based on MUR SST data, shows global sea surface temperatures 
+since April 1, 2023, the period when they have been at record-breaking levels. The warmest 
+
+waters appear dark red.April 1 - August 21, 2023MPEG “Over the long term, we’re seeing more 
+heat and warmer sea surface temperatures pretty much everywhere,” said Gavin Schmidt, the 
+director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies. “That long-term trend is almost entirely 
+attributable to human forcing—the fact that we've put such a huge amount of greenhouse gas 
+in the atmosphere since the start of the industrial era.”Schmidt noted that other factors—such 
+
+as weather and wind patterns or the distribution of dust and aerosols—have short-term effects 
+on sea surface temperatures in certain regions, but they generally have a minor effect on 
+the longer-term global mean. Previous research shows that as much as 90 percent of the excess 
+heat that has occurred in recent decades due to increasing greenhouse gas emissions is absorbed 
+by the ocean, with much of that heat stored near the surface.The most important factor that 
+
+helped push sea surface temperatures into record territory in 2023 was the evolving El Niño 
+in the Pacific, according to Willis. He came to that conclusion by analyzing the timing and 
+intensity of sea surface temperature anomalies in several regions and comparing them to the 
+global trend.“We had a big jump in global surface temperature at the beginning of April—exactly 
+when the Pacific temperatures jumped up and also when sea levels in the eastern Pacific started 
+
+to rise,” Willis said. “The heat waves in the Atlantic are important and will have serious 
+effects on marine life and weather in Europe in the coming months. But it’s the Pacific that 
+has taken the global mean on a wild ride this year.”What happens in the Pacific tends to have 
+a large influence on the global sea surface temperatures partly because of its size. The Pacific 
+represents about half of the world’s ocean area.Marine heat waves—defined as periods of persistent 
+
+anomalously warm ocean temperatures (warmer than 90 percent of the previous observations for 
+a given time of year)—have occurred recently in several areas. One NOAA analysis showed that 
+48 percent of the global oceans were in the midst of a marine heat wave in August—a larger 
+area than for any other month since the start of the record in 1991. Particularly intense 
+events have warmed the North Atlantic and parts of the Caribbean in recent months.Willis expects 
+
+the heat in the equatorial Pacific to have more staying power than many of the other marine 
+heat waves simmering around the world. “Many of the marine heat waves we’re seeing are ephemeral 
+and ‘skin’ deep, generally lasting on the order of weeks and driven by atmospheric forces,” 
+explained Willis.The unusually warm water in the equatorial Pacific associated with the developing 
+El Niño after three consecutive years of La Niña is expected to weaken trade winds in ways 
+
+that reinforce and amplify the warming of surface waters, fueling the El Niño further. Forecasters 
+from NOAA say that there is a greater than 95 percent chance that El Niño conditions will 
+persist throughout the Northern Hemisphere winter. “What’s happening in the Pacific with El 
+Niño will influence global weather patterns and sea surface temperatures well into the winter 
+and possibly even longer,” Willis said.To monitor sea surface temperatures, scientists at 
+
+NOAA and NASA analyze observations from sensors and buoys in the oceans, ships, and several 
+different polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites. Groups of scientists with NOAA’s Physical 
+Sciences Laboratory, NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory track marine 
+heat waves and sea surface temperature anomalies closely. You can use NASA’s State of the 
+Ocean Tool on Worldview to monitor daily sea surface temperature anomalies.NASA Earth Observatory 
+
+image by Lauren Dauphin, using data from the Multiscale Ultrahigh Resolution (MUR) project. 
+Video by NASA’s Scientific Visualization studio, using data from the MUR project. Story by 
+Adam Voiland.Decades of gradual warming due to human-caused climate change and an El Niño 
+in the Pacific Ocean nudged global sea surface temperatures to record levels in 2023.Image 
+of the Day for August 25, 2023 Image of the Day Water View more Images of the Day:Earth in 
+
+July 2023 was 1.18°C (2.12°F) warmer than the average for the month, and warmer than any other 
+month in the 143-year record. Image of the Day Heat Temperature Extremes The climate phenomenon 
+emerged in late spring 2023, as waters grew warmer and sea levels rose higher than usual in 
+the tropical Pacific Ocean. Image of the Day Water Blooms of the plant-like organisms near 
+coastal areas have become more frequent in the 21st century. Image of the Day Water Remote 
+
+Sensing Examining temperatures from the depths of the ocean, JPL scientists have found that 
+lower layers of the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans grew much warmer during a decade when 
+surface temperatures cooled. Image of the Day Heat Water August 20, 2023JPEGOnce a powerful 
+category 4 hurricane, Hilary weakened and made landfall in northern Mexico on August 20, 2023, 
+pelting the Baja California peninsula and two U.S. states with rain.Before making landfall, 
+
+Hilary delivered torrential rain to Santa Rosalía in Mexico’s state of Baja California Sur. 
+One person was killed by the floodwater, according to officials. Hilary weakened to a tropical 
+storm before it came ashore on the northern end of the peninsula at around 11 a.m. Pacific 
+Time on August 20, 2023. As the storm moved inland over Southern California, it left flooding, 
+mudslides, and power outages behind. The map above depicts a satellite-based estimate of the 
+
+storm’s rainfall rates. Data for the map were acquired between 5 p.m. Pacific Time on August 
+19 and 2 p.m. Pacific Time on August 20, as the center of the storm was approaching Southern 
+California. The darkest reds reflect the highest rainfall rates, with the Baja California 
+peninsula seeing the heaviest rains during this time. The data are remotely sensed estimates 
+that come from the Integrated Multi-Satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG), a product of the 
+
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite mission. Due to the averaging of the satellite 
+data, local rainfall rates may be significantly higher when measured from the ground. August 
+20 was the wettest August day on record for both downtown Los Angeles and San Diego, according 
+to the National Weather Service. They received 2.5 inches (6.3 centimeters) and 1.8 inches 
+(4.6 centimeters) of rain, respectively. The storm also brought wind gusts of 70 miles (113 
+
+kilometers) per hour to parts of California, knocking over trees and power lines, and reportedly 
+leaving 40,000 residents without power. Death Valley National Park closed due to flooding, 
+and several roads were also flooded and damaged in Las Vegas, Nevada. So far, some of the 
+most severely affected places in the U.S. have been the normally dry desert regions of Southern 
+California. Streets turned into rivers of mud in Palm Springs after the city received six 
+
+months of rain over six hours. Flooding also closed roads in Coachella Valley, including I-10, 
+the major highway in the region. August is typically a dry month in Southern California, but 
+the surface layers of soil can respond quickly to weather events. Scientists at NASA’s Short-term 
+Prediction Research and Transition Center (SPoRT) expected that rain from the storm could 
+saturate soils in the region for several days. Hilary continued to move north into Oregon 
+
+and Idaho on August 21, where rainfall totals of up to 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) were anticipated 
+in places, with potential for flash flooding. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, 
+using IMERG data from the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) at NASA/GSFC. Story by Emily 
+Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerThe storm delivered torrential rain to parts of Southern 
+California, Nevada, and Mexico, leaving flooded streets and power outages in its wake.Image 
+
+of the Day for August 22, 2023 Image of the Day Water Severe Storms View more Images of the 
+Day:The hurricane season in the Pacific runs from June through November, though the storms 
+can form any time of year.The major hurricane was expected to weaken before delivering heavy 
+rain to Mexico and Southern California. Image of the Day Atmosphere Severe Storms Acquired 
+January 20, 2010, this true-color image shows an apostrophe-shaped storm, looking slightly 
+
+like a hurricane without most of its center, over the California coast. Isolated areas of 
+clear sky show the Central Valley and Baja Peninsula. Atmosphere Severe Storms Severe Storms 
+Acquired January 19, 2010, this image shows three cloud banks on their eastward path over 
+California. One is over the ocean, one hovers over the coast, and one has traveled inland. 
+Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Severe Storms July 26, 2023JPEGVibrant turquoise and green 
+
+water swirled near the coastline of Vancouver Island in late July 2023. The colorful plumes—which 
+are likely comprised of both phytoplankton and sediment—stood out in this image, acquired 
+by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the NOAA-20 satellite on July 
+26. Clouds covered much of Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia at the time of this 
+image. But coastal areas were cloud-free, exposing water that likely contained flourishing 
+
+populations of phytoplankton—floating plant-like organisms that are the foundation of the 
+aquatic food web. Phytoplankton blooms are common in the northeast Pacific Ocean during summer 
+as offshore winds push surface waters away from the coast. This causes cooler, nutrient-rich 
+waters to well up from the depths and fuel the growth of phytoplankton. Research has shown 
+that a significant amount of nutrients are supplied by the circulation and upwelling that 
+
+occurs in the Salish Sea, boosting phytoplankton productivity along the continental shelf 
+off Vancouver Island. The bloom also could have been fed by nutrient-rich sediment running 
+off from the coast. The greenest areas off the island’s coast may contain diatoms—a microscopic 
+form of algae with silica shells and plenty of chlorophyll. Coccolithophores—a type of phytoplankton 
+armored with calcium carbonate plates—tend to make the water appear more milky-blue and might 
+
+be present in the bloom. A future NASA satellite mission called PACE—short for Plankton, Aerosol, 
+Cloud, ocean Ecosystem—will enable researchers to infer more information about ocean ecology, 
+including the species of phytoplankton present in blooms and the rates of their growth. PACE 
+is scheduled to launch no earlier than January 2024. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren 
+Dauphin, using VIIRS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE, GIBS/Worldview, and the Joint Polar Satellite 
+
+System (JPSS). Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerSwirls of phytoplankton 
+and sediment brightened the island’s coastal waters in July 2023.Image of the Day for August 
+2, 2023 Image of the Day Water Water Color View more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like 
+organisms reproduce abundantly when there are sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. 
+Extreme blooms of certain species can become harmful to marine animals and humans.Skirting 
+
+the coastline of Mozambique, these 32 small islands are home to a diversity of corals and 
+sea turtles. Image of the Day Life Water These rough waters were once traversed by Japanese 
+pirates; now they are spanned by bridges. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Acquired 
+October 2, 2002, this natural-color image shows islands off the coast of Croatia, in the Adriatic 
+Sea. Image of the Day Land Image of the Day Land Unique Imagery At the base of the ocean food 
+
+web are single-celled algae and other plant-like organisms known as phytoplankton. Like plants 
+on land, phytoplankton use chlorophyll and other light-harvesting pigments to carry out photosynthesis, 
+absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide to produce sugars for fuel. Chlorophyll in the water 
+changes the way it reflects and absorbs sunlight, allowing scientists to map the amount and 
+location of phytoplankton. These measurements give scientists valuable insights into the health 
+
+of the ocean environment, and help scientists study the ocean carbon cycle.These chlorophyll 
+maps show milligrams of chlorophyll per cubic meter of seawater each month. Places where chlorophyll 
+amounts were very low, indicating very low numbers of phytoplankton are blue. Places where 
+chlorophyll concentrations were high, meaning many phytoplankton were growing, are dark green. 
+The observations come from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's 
+
+Aqua satellite. Land is dark gray, and places where MODIS could not collect data because of 
+sea ice, polar darkness, or clouds are light gray.The highest chlorophyll concentrations, 
+where tiny surface-dwelling ocean plants are thriving, are in cold polar waters or in places 
+where ocean currents bring cold water to the surface, such as around the equator and along 
+the shores of continents. It is not the cold water itself that stimulates the phytoplankton. 
+
+Instead, the cool temperatures are often a sign that the water has welled up to the surface 
+from deeper in the ocean, carrying nutrients that have built up over time. In polar waters, 
+nutrients accumulate in surface waters during the dark winter months when plants can't grow. 
+When sunlight returns in the spring and summer, the plants flourish in high concentrations.A 
+band of cool, plant-rich waters circles the globe at the Equator, with the strongest signal 
+
+in the Atlantic Ocean and the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. This zone of enhanced phytoplankton 
+growth comes from the frequent upwelling of cooler, deeper water as a result of the dominant 
+easterly trade winds blowing across the ocean surface. In many coastal areas, the rising slope 
+of the sea floor pushes cold water from the lowest layers of the ocean to the surface. The 
+rising, or upwelling water carries iron and other nutrients from the ocean floor. Cold coastal 
+
+upwelling and subsequent phytoplankton growth are most evident along the west coasts of North 
+and South America and southern Africa.View, download, or analyze more of these data from NASA 
+Earth Observations (NEO): Chlorophyll Life Water Water budgets for individual watersheds can 
+be estimated using remote sensing data for precipitation, evapotranspiration, and runoff.Find 
+and use NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections 
+
+between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.Remote sensing is the acquiring 
+of information from a distance. NASA observes Earth and other planetary bodies via remote 
+
+sensors on satellites and aircraft that detect and record reflected or emitted energy. Remote 
+sensors, which provide a global perspective and a wealth of data about Earth systems, enable 
+data-informed decision making based on the current and future state of our planet.For more 
+information, check out NASA's Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) 
+Tech Talk: From Pixels to Products: An Overview of Satellite Remote Sensing.Satellites can 
+
+be placed in several types of orbits around Earth. The three common classes of orbits are 
+low-Earth orbit (approximately 160 to 2,000 km above Earth), medium-Earth orbit (approximately 
+2,000 to 35,500 km above Earth), and high-Earth orbit (above 35,500 km above Earth). Satellites 
+orbiting at 35,786 km are at an altitude at which their orbital speed matches the planet's 
+rotation, and are in what is called geosynchronous orbit (GSO). In addition, a satellite in 
+
+GSO directly over the equator will have a geostationary orbit. A geostationary orbit enables 
+a satellite to maintain its position directly over the same place on Earth’s surface.Low-Earth 
+orbit is a commonly used orbit since satellites can follow several orbital tracks around the 
+planet. Polar-orbiting satellites, for example, are inclined nearly 90 degrees to the equatorial 
+plane and travel from pole to pole as Earth rotates. This enables sensors aboard the satellite 
+
+to acquire data for the entire globe rapidly, including the polar regions. Many polar-orbiting 
+satellites are considered Sun-synchronous, meaning that the satellite passes over the same 
+location at the same solar time each cycle. One example of a Sun-synchronous, polar-orbiting 
+satellite is NASA’s Aqua satellite, which orbits approximately 705 km above Earth’s surface.Non-polar 
+low-Earth orbit satellites, on the other hand, do not provide global coverage but instead 
+
+cover only a partial range of latitudes. The joint NASA/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory is an example of a non-Sun-synchronous 
+low-Earth orbit satellite. Its orbital track acquires data between 65 degrees north and south 
+latitude from 407 km above the planet.A medium-Earth orbit satellite takes approximately 12 
+hours to complete an orbit. In 24-hours, the satellite crosses over the same two spots on 
+
+the equator every day. This orbit is consistent and highly predictable. As a result, this 
+is an orbit used by many telecommunications and GPS satellites. One example of a medium-Earth 
+orbit satellite constellation is the European Space Agency's Galileo global navigation satellite 
+system (GNSS), which orbits 23,222 km above Earth.While both geosynchronous and geostationary 
+satellites orbit at 35,786 km above Earth, geosynchronous satellites have orbits that can 
+
+be tilted above or below the equator. Geostationary satellites, on the other hand, orbit Earth 
+on the same plane as the equator. These satellites capture identical views of Earth with each 
+observation and provide almost continuous coverage of one area. The joint NASA/NOAA Geostationary 
+Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) series of weather satellites are in geostationary 
+orbits above the equator.For more information about orbits, please see NASA Earth Observatory's 
+
+Catalog of Earth Satellite Orbits.Electromagnetic energy, produced by the vibration of charged 
+particles, travels in the form of waves through the atmosphere and the vacuum of space. These 
+waves have different wavelengths (the distance from wave crest to wave crest) and frequencies; 
+a shorter wavelength means a higher frequency. Some, like radio, microwave, and infrared waves, 
+have a longer wavelength, while others, such as ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays, have 
+
+a much shorter wavelength. Visible light sits in the middle of that range of long to shortwave 
+radiation. This small portion of energy is all that the human eye is able to detect. Instrumentation 
+is needed to detect all other forms of electromagnetic energy. NASA instrumentation utilizes 
+the full range of the spectrum to explore and understand processes occurring here on Earth 
+and on other planetary bodies.Some waves are absorbed or reflected by atmospheric components, 
+
+like water vapor and carbon dioxide, while some wavelengths allow for unimpeded movement through 
+the atmosphere; visible light has wavelengths that can be transmitted through the atmosphere. 
+Microwave energy has wavelengths that can pass through clouds, an attribute utilized by many 
+weather and communication satellites.The primary source of the energy observed by satellites, 
+is the Sun. The amount of the Sun’s energy reflected depends on the roughness of the surface 
+
+and its albedo, which is how well a surface reflects light instead of absorbing it. Snow, 
+for example, has a very high albedo and reflects up to 90% of incoming solar radiation. The 
+ocean, on the other hand, reflects only about 6% of incoming solar radiation and absorbs the 
+rest. Often, when energy is absorbed, it is re-emitted, usually at longer wavelengths. For 
+example, the energy absorbed by the ocean gets re-emitted as infrared radiation.All things 
+
+on Earth reflect, absorb, or transmit energy, the amount of which varies by wavelength. Just 
+as your fingerprint is unique to you, everything on Earth has a unique spectral fingerprint. 
+Researchers can use this information to identify different Earth features as well as different 
+rock and mineral types. The number of spectral bands detected by a given instrument, its spectral 
+resolution, determines how much differentiation a researcher can identify between materials.For 
+
+more information on the electromagnetic spectrum, with companion videos, view NASA's Tour 
+of the Electromagnetic Spectrum.Sensors, or instruments, aboard satellites and aircraft use 
+the Sun as a source of illumination or provide their own source of illumination, measuring 
+energy that is reflected back. Sensors that use natural energy from the Sun are called passive 
+sensors; those that provide their own source of energy are called active sensors. Passive 
+
+sensors include different types of radiometers (instruments that quantitatively measure the 
+intensity of electromagnetic radiation in select bands) and spectrometers (devices that are 
+designed to detect, measure, and analyze the spectral content of reflected electromagnetic 
+radiation). Most passive systems used by remote sensing applications operate in the visible, 
+infrared, thermal infrared, and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. These 
+
+sensors measure land and sea surface temperature, vegetation properties, cloud and aerosol 
+properties, and other physical attributes. Most passive sensors cannot penetrate dense cloud 
+cover and thus have limitations observing areas like the tropics where dense cloud cover is 
+frequent.Active sensors include different types of radio detection and ranging (radar) sensors, 
+altimeters, and scatterometers. The majority of active sensors operate in the microwave band 
+
+of the electromagnetic spectrum, which gives them the ability to penetrate the atmosphere 
+under most conditions. These types of sensors are useful for measuring the vertical profiles 
+of aerosols, forest structure, precipitation and winds, sea surface topography, and ice, among 
+others.The Remote Sensors Earthdata page provides a list of NASA’s Earth science passive and 
+active sensors while the What is Synthetic Aperture Radar? Backgrounder provides specific 
+
+information on this type of active sensor.Resolution plays a role in how data from a sensor 
+can be used. Resolution can vary depending on the satellite’s orbit and sensor design. There 
+are four types of resolution to consider for any dataset—radiometric, spatial, spectral, and 
+temporal.Radiometric resolution is the amount of information in each pixel, that is, the number 
+of bits representing the energy recorded. Each bit records an exponent of power 2. For example, 
+
+an 8 bit resolution is 28, which indicates that the sensor has 256 potential digital values 
+(0-255) to store information. Thus, the higher the radiometric resolution, the more values 
+are available to store information, providing better discrimination between even the slightest 
+differences in energy. For example, when assessing water quality, radiometric resolution is 
+necessary to distinguish between subtle differences in ocean color.Spatial resolution is defined 
+
+by the size of each pixel within a digital image and the area on Earth’s surface represented 
+by that pixel.For example, the majority of the bands observed by the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) have a spatial resolution of 1km; each pixel represents a 1 km x 
+1km area on the ground. MODIS also includes bands with a spatial resolution of 250 m or 500 
+m. The finer the resolution (the lower the number), the more detail you can see. In the image 
+
+below, you can see the difference in pixelation between a 30 m/pixel image (left image), a 
+100 m/pixel image (center image), and a 300 m/pixel image (right image).Spectral resolution 
+is the ability of a sensor to discern finer wavelengths, that is, having more and narrower 
+bands. Many sensors are considered to be multispectral, meaning they have 3-10 bands. Some 
+sensors have hundreds to even thousands of bands and are considered to be hyperspectral. The 
+
+narrower the range of wavelengths for a given band, the finer the spectral resolution. For 
+example, the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) captures information 
+in 224 spectral channels. The cube on the right represents the detail within the data. At 
+this level of detail, distinctions can be made between rock and mineral types, vegetation 
+types, and other features. In the cube, the small region of high response in the right corner 
+
+of the image is in the red portion of the visible spectrum (about 700 nanometers), and is 
+due to the presence of 1-centimeter-long (half-inch) red brine shrimp in the evaporation pond.Temporal 
+resolution is the time it takes for a satellite to complete an orbit and revisit the same 
+observation area. This resolution depends on the orbit, the sensor’s characteristics, and 
+the swath width. Because geostationary satellites match the rate at which Earth is rotating, 
+
+the temporal resolution is much finer. Polar orbiting satellites have a temporal resolution 
+that can vary from 1 day to 16 days. For example, the MODIS sensor aboard NASA's Terra and 
+Aqua satellites has a temporal resolution of 1-2 days, allowing the sensor to visualize Earth 
+as it changes day by day. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard the joint NASA/USGS Landsat 
+8 satellite, on the other hand, has a narrower swath width and a temporal resolution of 16 
+
+days; showing not daily changes but bi-monthly changes.Why not build a sensor combining high 
+spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution? It is difficult to combine all of the desirable 
+features into one remote sensor. For example, to acquire observations with high spatial resolution 
+(like OLI, aboard Landsat 8) a narrower swath is required, which requires more time between 
+observations of a given area resulting in a lower temporal resolution. Researchers have to 
+
+make trade-offs. This is why it is very important to understand the type of data needed for 
+a given area of study. When researching weather, which is dynamic over time, a high temporal 
+resolution is critical. When researching seasonal vegetation changes, on the other hand, a 
+high temporal resolution may be sacrificed for a higher spectral or spatial resolution.Remote 
+sensing data acquired from instruments aboard satellites require processing before the data 
+
+are usable by most researchers and applied science users. Most raw NASA Earth observation 
+satellite data (Level 0, see data processing levels) are processed at NASA's Science Investigator-led 
+Processing Systems (SIPS) facilities. All data are processed to at least a Level 1, but most 
+have associated Level 2 (derived geophysical variables) and Level 3 (variables mapped on uniform 
+space-time grid scales) products. Many even have Level 4 products. NASA Earth science data 
+
+are archived at discipline-specific Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) and are available 
+fully, openly, and without restriction to data users.Most data are stored in Hierarchical 
+Data Format (HDF) or Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) format. Numerous data tools are available 
+to subset, transform, visualize, and export to various other file formats.Once data are processed, 
+they can be used in a variety of applications, from agriculture to water resources to health 
+
+and air quality. A single sensor will not address all research questions within a given application. 
+Users often need to leverage multiple sensors and data products to address their question, 
+bearing in mind the limitations of data provided by different spectral, spatial, and temporal 
+resolutions.Many sensors acquire data at different spectral wavelengths. For example, Band 
+1 of the OLI aboard Landsat 8 acquires data at 0.433-0.453 micrometers while the MODIS Band 
+
+1 acquires data at 0.620-0.670 micrometers. OLI has a total of 9 bands whereas MODIS has 36 
+bands, all measuring different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Bands can be combined 
+to produce imagery of the data to reveal different features in the landscape. Often imagery 
+of data are used to distinguish characteristics of a region being studied or to determine 
+an area of study.True-color images show Earth as it appears to the human eye. For a Landsat 
+
+8 OLI true-color (red, green, blue [RGB]) image, the sensor Bands 4 (Red), 3 (Green), and 
+2 (Blue) are combined. Other spectral band combinations can be used for specific science applications, 
+such as flood monitoring, urbanization delineation, and vegetation mapping. For example, creating 
+a false-color Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS, aboard the Suomi National 
+Polar-orbiting Partnership [Suomi NPP] satellite) image using bands M11, I2, and I1 is useful 
+
+for distinguishing burn scars from low vegetation or bare soil as well as for exposing flooded 
+areas. To see more band combinations from Landsat sensors, check out NASA Scientific Visualization 
+Studio's video Landsat Band Remix or the NASA Earth Observatory article Many Hues of London. 
+For other common band combinations, see NASA Earth Observatory's How to Interpret Common False-Color 
+Images, which provides common band combinations along with insight into interpreting imagery.Once 
+
+data are processed into imagery with varying band combinations these images can aid in resource 
+management decisions and disaster assessment. This requires proper interpretation of the imagery. 
+There are a few strategies for getting started (adapted from NASA Earth Observatory article 
+How to Interpret a Satellite Image: Five Tips and Strategies):Different land cover types can 
+be discriminated more readily by using image classification algorithms. Image classification 
+
+uses the spectral information of individual image pixels. A program using image classification 
+algorithms can automatically group the pixels in what is called an unsupervised classification. 
+The user can also indicate areas of known land cover type to “train” the program to group 
+like pixels; this is called a supervised classification. Maps or imagery can also be integrated 
+into a geographical information system (GIS) and then each pixel can be compared with other 
+
+GIS data, such as census data. For more information on integrating NASA Earth science data 
+into a GIS, check out the Earthdata GIS page.Satellites also often carry a variety of sensors 
+measuring biogeophysical parameters, such as sea surface temperature, nitrogen dioxide or 
+other atmospheric pollutants, winds, aerosols, and biomass. These parameters can be evaluated 
+through statistical and spectral analysis techniques.To aid in getting started with applications-based 
+
+research using remotely-sensed data, Data Pathfinders provide a data product selection guide 
+focused on specific science disciplines and application areas, such as those mentioned above. 
+Pathfinders provide direct links to the most commonly-used datasets and data products from 
+NASA’s Earth science data collections along with links to tools that provide ways to visualize 
+or subset the data, with the option to save the data in different file formats.Find and use 
+
+NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections 
+between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.The planet NASA studies the most 
+
+is Earth. NASA’s end-to-end Earth observations enable agricultural producers to make informed 
+decisions about global market conditions, water management, in-season crop conditions, severe 
+weather, and sustainability.This Data Pathfinder will help guide you through the process of 
+selecting and using datasets applicable to agriculture and water management, and provides 
+links to specific data sources. If you are new to remote sensing, the What is Remote Sensing? 
+
+Backgrounder provides a comprehensive overview. In addition, NASA's Applied Remote Sensing 
+Training Program (ARSET) provides numerous training modules, including Fundamentals of Remote 
+Sensing.If you have specific questions about how to use data, tools, or resources mentioned 
+in this Data Pathfinder, please visit the Earthdata Forum. Here, you can interact with other 
+data users and NASA subject matter experts on a variety of Earth science research and applications 
+
+topics.This section provides links to NASA and external tools and applications relevant to 
+analyzing and visualizing agriculture and water management data referenced in this Data Pathfinder. 
+NASA's Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program maintains many more resources for data analysis 
+that may be helpful. Explore the full list on the NASA Earthdata Data Tools page.The Agrometeorological 
+(AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of EO data products on 
+
+the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season crop development 
+and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO data plots that quantify 
+critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region and crop over time and are 
+updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots help tell the story of in-season 
+crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For 
+
+more information about AGMET:The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples 
+(AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from 
+a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using 
+spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: 
+point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. 
+
+Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+viewing results, interacting with results, and downloading requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search 
+is NASA's tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant 
+data available through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about 
+data collections, search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and 
+download or submit requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. 
+
+Note: An Earthdata Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) 
+users can customize granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, 
+KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset 
+to obtain only the bands that are needed.The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) 
+provides early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. NASA’s 
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+parameter analysis options include:Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:The U.S. Drought 
+Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought 
+relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the USGS provides 
+the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30), visualizing nearly 
+1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.EarthExplorer 
+is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, elevation data, and satellite products 
+(including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER data, ASTER GDEM and other products) 
+
+distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, and ordering tool connects users with 
+satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories through interactive and textual-based 
+query capabilities. These products are available for download at no cost to registered users. 
+Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" link on the EarthExplorer main page.The 
+NASA Worldview data visualization application provides the capability to interactively browse 
+
+more than 1,000 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and download the underlying 
+data. Many of the available imagery layers are updated within three hours of observation, 
+which supports time-critical application areas such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, 
+and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services 
+(GIBS). Worldview also includes geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, 
+
+and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites that are available at 10-minute increments for the 
+last 30 days.The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) 
+offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from a variety of 
+federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, 
+temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: point samples 
+
+for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample 
+requests submitted to AρρEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+
+viewing results, interacting with results and downloading requests.Earthdata Search is NASA's 
+tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available 
+through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, 
+search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit 
+requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata 
+
+Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize 
+granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF 
+and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the 
+bands that are needed.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:NASA's ORNL DAAC has several tools for subsetting 
+data from the MODIS and VIIRS instruments:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed 
+using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced 
+
+and other arrays, and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, 
+combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application 
+that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that 
+your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With 
+Panoply 5 you can:Resources:NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers 
+
+geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology 
+community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as 
+well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable 
+applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of restful Application Programming 
+Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and Open-source Project for a Network 
+
+Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service offerings support data discovery, 
+access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support 
+tools.Data Access ViewerThe Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators 
+bring together a variety of EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides 
+valuable insights on in-season crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator 
+
+consists of several EO data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health 
+for a specific region and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different 
+EO data plots help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different 
+climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover 
+the NASA Earth Science resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data 
+
+found in this web map can be applied to the following areas:The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:The Crop Monitor 
+Exploring Tool is an an online interactive resource that provides NDVI, temperature, precipitation, 
+soil moisture, ET, and runoff data to determine crop conditions for a variety of different 
+crops in Early Warning countries (Africa and Asia) and Agricultural Market Information System 
+
+(AMIS) countries (North America, Europe, and Asia) by the Group on Earth Observations Global 
+Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM).The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides 
+early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s 
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Versions:GLAM2 Original 
+VersionResources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply 
+data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, 
+and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, 
+and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, 
+
+Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had 
+a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: 
+NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology 
+and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The NASA Worldview data visualization 
+
+application provides the capability to interactively browse more than 1,000 global, full-resolution 
+satellite imagery layers and download the underlying data. Many of the available imagery layers 
+are updated within three hours of observation, which supports time-critical application areas 
+such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery 
+is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS). Worldview also includes 
+
+geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites 
+that are available at 10-minute increments for the last 30 days.The Application for Extracting 
+and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access 
+and transform geospatial data from a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users 
+to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types 
+
+of sample requests are available: point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples 
+for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users 
+not only with data values, but also associated quality data values. Interactive visualizations 
+with summary statistics are provided for each sample within the application, which allow users 
+to preview and interact with their samples before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS 
+
+Getting Started to learn more about workflows, viewing the results, interacting with the results 
+and downloading the requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool enables users to visualize 
+and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of 
+rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved decisions for, issues 
+related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish 
+
+to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture 
+Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active 
+Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument 
+in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical for professionals in the agriculture 
+and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in tandem with other data to plan crop 
+
+planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and improve weather forecasts. This application 
+offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service (WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and 
+Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search is NASA's tool for searching for 
+and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available through U.S. and 
+international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, search for data 
+
+files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit requests for 
+data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata Login is required 
+to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize granules. Users 
+can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from 
+a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the bands that are needed.The 
+
+Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides early warning and analysis on food 
+insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to help decision-makers 
+plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. 
+The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information 
+System (LIS) that has been adapted to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and 
+
+forecast requirements associated with food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. 
+The integration of LIS allows FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate 
+ensembles of soil moisture, evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple 
+meteorological inputs or land surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access 
+to geo-spatial data, satellite image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS 
+
+NET drought monitoring efforts throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS 
+NET Project, part of the Early Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation 
+and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables 
+near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. 
+This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, 
+and computing power.Resources:OpenET is a web-based platform that puts NASA evapotranspiration 
+
+(ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation groups to speed improvements 
+and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states in the Western U.S. It uses 
+publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based ET information in 
+areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly intervals.Resources:NASA's 
+Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and 
+
+solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The U.S. Drought Monitor 
+is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought relief 
+allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.EarthExplorer is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, 
+
+elevation data and satellite products (including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER 
+data, ASTER GDEM and other products) distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, 
+and ordering tool connects users with satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories 
+through interactive and textual-based query capabilities. These products are available for 
+download at no cost to registered users. Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" 
+
+link on the EarthExplorer main page.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the 
+USGS provides the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30) visualizing 
+nearly 1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.The 
+Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of 
+EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season 
+
+crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO 
+data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region 
+and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots 
+help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, 
+and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover the NASA Earth Science 
+
+resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data found in this web map can 
+be applied to the following areas:Water Availability: Plant Stress, Soil Moisture, Drought, 
+Irrigation Weather, Extreme Events and Better Seasonal and Sub-Seasonal Projections: NASA 
+Models Informing NOAA, USDA and Drought Monitor Operational ForecastingFor GIS users: see 
+how to use NASA data and services in common GIS tools in the GIS Pathfinder and check out 
+
+the How To guides to get help with your workflows.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool 
+enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, 
+and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved 
+decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an 
+API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop 
+
+Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data 
+from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, 
+and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform 
+
+application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, and offers additional functionality 
+such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. 
+Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop 
+computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later 
+version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide 
+
+Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters 
+formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, 
+and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through 
+custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of 
+restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerOpenET is a web-based platform 
+that puts NASA evapotranspiration (ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation 
+groups to speed improvements and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states 
+
+in the Western U.S. It uses publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based 
+ET information in areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly 
+intervals.Resources:The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by 
+policymakers to help determine drought relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA 
+satellites provide data about water availability to the U.S. Drought Monitor.The ClimateSERV 
+
+data visualization tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, 
+vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding 
+of, and make improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. 
+ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application 
+or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NASA's Prediction 
+Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related 
+parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, 
+
+analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings 
+through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series 
+of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA develops partnerships 
+and resources to address food security and works with decision-makers and data users to tailor 
+these tools to specific locations and user needs. These efforts help address issues like water 
+management for irrigation, crop-type identification and land use, coastal and lake water quality 
+monitoring, drought preparedness, and famine early warnings. NASA Earth science data are key 
+
+elements in the work carried out and supported by the agency's Applied Sciences Program, which 
+works with individuals and institutions worldwide to inform decision-making, enhance quality 
+of life, and strengthen our economy. Applied Sciences agriculture and water management-related 
+efforts include: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked 
+global goals designed to be a blueprint for a sustainable future for all of Earth’s inhabitants. 
+
+The SDGs are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an international plan signed 
+by all United Nations (UN) member states and underpinned by the foundational components of 
+People, Planet, and Prosperity.SDGs include specific social, economic, and environmental targets. 
+Through SDG 2: Zero Hunger, the UN proposes to end hunger, achieve food security and improved 
+nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Key SDG 2 Targets include:While NASA datasets 
+
+are not official indicators for SDG monitoring and decision-making, they provide data necessary 
+to assess progress towards achieving SDG Targets. Along with SDG 2, the data and resources 
+in the Agriculture and Water Management Data Pathfinder help address Targets in other SDGs, 
+including:The Sustainable Development Progress Report offers data about countries’ performances 
+in the SDGs.GIS data related to SDG 2 are available from the United Nations Statistics Division 
+
+through Esri’s Federated Information System for the SDG Initiative.The Committee on Earth 
+Observation Satellites (CEOS) also supports SDG 2. Learn how CEOS Agencies are using Earth 
+observations for agriculture monitoring.August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGAugust 31, 
+2023September 8, 2023August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGIn early 
+September 2023, Greece endured a four-day storm that dropped 910 millimeters (3 feet) of rain 
+
+on central parts of the country. The record rainfall triggered deadly flooding and inundated 
+towns and farm fields in Thessaly, a region that includes Greece’s agricultural heartland. 
+The flooding was fueled by a stalled low-pressure storm that became cut-off from the jet stream, 
+also known as a cut-off low, which dropped heavy rainfall on central Greece between September 
+4 and 7. The storm dropped the most rain, 910 millimeters (3 feet), on Zagora, near Thessaly’s 
+
+port town of Volos, according to Meteo, the country’s weather service. About 100 kilometers 
+(60 miles) inland, the town of Karditsa saw 659 millimeters (2 feet) of rainfall. The pair 
+of images above shows flooding near Karditsa and Larissa, some of the hardest hit places in 
+Thessaly. The image on the right, acquired by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 
+8, shows flooding near the Pineios River on September 8, a day after the storm receded. The 
+
+image on the left, acquired by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, shows the 
+same area on August 31. The images show floodwater covering what once were green farm fields 
+in the low-lying Thessaly plain. Farming is a major industry in the region, and accounts for 
+about one-sixth of Greece’s agricultural output. Farmers here grow primarily cotton, wheat, 
+corn, and alfalfa. The detailed image below shows flooded fields near the village of Pedino, 
+
+north of Karditsa. Sediment-laden water overtopped the banks of the Pineios, to the north 
+of the village, and the Mega Rema River to the south. September 8, 2023JPEGSeveral villages 
+along the Pineios and its tributaries became inundated with water during the storm. According 
+to news reports, over 4,000 people have been rescued from high water areas. Flooding near 
+Larissa, Thessaly’s capital and one of the largest cities in Greece, can be seen in the image 
+
+below. Suburbs of the city were flooded after the Pineios River broke its banks. September 
+8, 2023JPEGAlthough water along the Pineios had started to recede on September 11, flooding 
+along the river could still be seen in images from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 
+(MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. According to news reports, the river was still 2 meters 
+(6.5 feet) above safe levels. NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerRecord 
+rainfall inundated towns and farmland in the country’s Thessaly region.Image of the Day for 
+September 12, 2023 Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The 
+melting of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can 
+send rivers out of their banks.Flash floods in the port city destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods 
+
+out to sea. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence A Mediterranean cyclone contributed 
+to deadly flooding along the country’s coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods A stalled 
+storm dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive 
+flooding. Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential 
+downpours in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+
+Floods Human Presence September 1, 2023JPEGFor decades, summer phytoplankton blooms have sprung 
+up in Missisquoi Bay in the northeastern part of Lake Champlain. The bay’s shallow, nutrient-rich, 
+and seasonally warm waters offer ideal growing conditions for the floating, plant-like organisms, 
+which can multiply and aggregate into vast masses that discolor parts of the lake.The summer 
+of 2023 was no exception. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 acquired this natural-color 
+
+image of a bloom swirling near the mouth of the Missisquoi River on September 1, 2023. The 
+satellite collected similar images in August as well.While it is not possible to determine 
+the type of phytoplankton with Landsat observations alone, this bloom is likely cyanobacteria 
+(also called blue-green algae)—an ancient type of marine bacteria that captures and stores 
+solar energy through photosynthesis. Several trained cyanobacteria spotters submitted photographs 
+
+and reports of dense green mats of cyanobacteria lining the shores of Missisquoi Bay to Verrmont’s 
+cyanobacteria tracker website around the same time the image was acquired.Cyanobacteria blooms 
+are monitored closely because some species produce toxins known as cyanotoxins, including 
+a widespread type called microcystin, that can sicken people and animals, contaminate drinking 
+water, and force closures of boating and swimming sites.In recent years, teams of researchers 
+
+working with NASA’s DEVELOP program have used observations from several satellites to track 
+where in Lake Champlain harmful blooms are most common and identify key risk factors associated 
+with them. In a technical report, the researchers reported that Missisquoi Bay and nearby 
+St. Albans Bay had the lake’s highest concentration of toxic cyanobacteria blooms between 
+2016-2022.“There are multiple contributors to blooms like nutrients, temperature, and wind 
+
+and wave conditions,” noted Kent Ross, a science advisor for the Lake Champlain DEVELOP project. 
+“We focused on the availability of one of the nutrients—phosphorus.”Phosphorus is a common 
+nutrient found in runoff from farmland, lawns, and developed areas. While much of Lake Champlain 
+is surrounded by forests, which filter nutrients, Missisquoi Bay is flanked by farmland, where 
+fertilizer use leads to higher levels of phosphorous in the rivers that flow into the bay, 
+
+Ross explained.“That’s where our project partner, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural 
+Resource Conservation Service, comes in,” added Ross. “They recommend best practices to farmers 
+to limit nutrient runoff.” Adjusting the timing or type of fertilizer, changing grazing rotations, 
+upgrading drainage systems, and improving soil health are among the strategies farmers might 
+pursue.One of the challenges for scientists who study cyanobacteria blooms is that blooms 
+
+don’t always contain the species that produce harmful toxins. “The currently used indices 
+based on multispectral imagery cannot distinguish between the toxin-producing subspecies of 
+microcystis and non-toxin producing microcystis algae blooms,” said Jeffrey Luvall, also a 
+science advisor for the DEVELOP team and a scientist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. 
+“But the upcoming PACE mission—scheduled to launch in 2024—will make hyperspectral observations 
+
+able to do that.”NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the 
+U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerPhosphorus runoff 
+from farmland surrounding Lake Champlain contributes to summer cyanobacteria blooms in the 
+northeastern part of the lake.Image of the Day for September 11, 2023 Image of the Day Water 
+Human Presence Water Color View more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like organisms reproduce 
+
+abundantly when there are sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. Extreme blooms 
+of certain species can become harmful to marine animals and humans.More than 40 years after 
+the explosive eruption of Mount St. Helens, relics from the blast continue to haunt a nearby 
+lake. Image of the Day Water Straddling Austria and Hungary, the lake is also known as the 
+“Sea of the Viennese.” Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Snow and Ice At an average 
+
+elevation of 3,812 meters (12,507 feet), Lake Titicaca is one of the highest lakes in the 
+world. The lake is positioned between two major ranges of the Andes Mountain chain and has 
+very limited drainage. The limited outflow of the lake allows for the accumulation of nutrients 
+derived primarily from surrounding communities’ agricultural and sewage waste. The increased 
+nutrient levels can lead to plankton blooms. This astronaut photograph, taken from the International 
+
+Space Station, captures two such blooms along the eastern shoreline of the lake. Image of 
+the Day Land Life Once the second-largest lake in Turkey, it now rarely spans an area much 
+larger than a puddle. Image of the Day Land Water Remote Sensing August 18, 2023JPEGWhile 
+some weather-related delays are mere annoyances, others slow the rhythms of global shipping. 
+Due to ongoing drought and low water levels, ship traffic was restricted through the Panama 
+
+Canal in late summer 2023, leaving an above-average number of vessels waiting to make the 
+transit. The Panama Canal is an 80-kilometer (50-mile) artificial waterway across the Isthmus 
+of Panama, providing a vital connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for up to 
+14,000 ships each year. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 got a rare cloud-free 
+view of delayed ships on the Pacific side of the canal on August 18, 2023. Artificial lakes 
+
+supply the water needed to fill the series of locks in the canal. Those lakes, located to 
+the north and northwest of this scene, are replenished by rainfall that is typically in abundance 
+on the Isthmus of Panama. However, drought has left Lago Gatún, the largest lake feeding the 
+system, at near-record low levels. In mid-August, it stood close to the lowest recorded level, 
+from May 2016, and well below the average level for August from the past five years. As a 
+
+means of conserving water, the Panama Canal Authority reduced the number of vessels that could 
+travel through the canal each day starting on July 30. At one point in early August, the ensuing 
+backup reached as high as 160 total vessels waiting on one side or the other. By the time 
+of this image, that number had decreased to around 130, whereas the queue ordinarily tops 
+off around 90. The average wait time for August 2023 was nearly four times what it was in 
+
+June. The reduction of daily passages was the latest restriction imposed by the Panama Canal 
+Authority this year to deal with the water shortages. Starting on March 1, 2023, it began 
+reducing the maximum draft (the distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull) 
+permitted for vessels passing through the locks. The normal limit of 50 feet (15 meters) for 
+the largest class of ships that use the canal was increasingly ratcheted down to 44 feet (13 
+
+meters), requiring some ships to lighten their loads. The area has seen a number of dry years 
+in the past decade; Lago Gatún dipped to low levels in 2016 and 2019, in addition to 2023. 
+At the other extreme, however, Lago Gatún and Lago Alajuela, another lake feeding the canal, 
+reached record high levels in December 2010. The flooding caused the canal to close for only 
+the third time in its history. NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerSevere 
+drought is reducing the number of daily passages on the transoceanic shipping route.Image 
+of the Day for September 1, 2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of 
+the Day:In September, low water levels made it more challenging to ship goods down the river 
+and allowed a wedge of saltwater to move upstream. Image of the Day Water Drought Hundreds 
+
+of ships have been left idling around the key shipping route. Nature played a role in solving 
+the problem. Image of the Day Human Presence A key shipping route through Egypt recently received 
+a major overhaul. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence More than 64 million people are 
+directly affected by drought in the Southwest and Southern Plains, and far more are indirectly 
+affected because of the vast number of farms, orchards, and ranches that supply the rest of 
+
+the United States. Image of the Day Land Life Water Drought August 21, 2023JPEGFor more than 
+a decade, drought has plagued central Chile. The prolonged dry period—a megadrought—has fueled 
+wildfires, strained water supplies, and parched crops.In winter 2023, the region got some 
+relief in the form of two atmospheric rivers that brought hundreds of millimeters of rain 
+and snow to the region. However, too much rain fell too quickly in some areas, prompting floods 
+
+and mudslides that damaged roads and bridges, destroyed thousands of homes, and displaced 
+tens of thousands of people.The map above shows the total precipitable water vapor in the 
+atmosphere on August 21, 2023. Precipitable water vapor is the amount of water in a column 
+of the atmosphere if all of the water vapor were condensed into liquid. The image was derived 
+from the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS), which uses satellite data and models of physical 
+
+processes to calculate what is happening in Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces.The 
+narrow band of moisture (green) stretching from the central Pacific Ocean to Chile is a signature 
+of an atmospheric river—a long, narrow region that transports vast amounts of water vapor 
+from the tropics poleward. In subtropical Chile, atmospheric rivers contribute 45 to 60 percent 
+of the annual precipitation, most of it in the winter rainy season (June to September).El 
+
+Paico in the Santiago metropolitan region saw nearly 80 millimeters (3 inches) of rain fall 
+between August 19-21, while areas farther inland in the foothills of the Andes saw as much 
+as 370 millimeters (15 inches) of rain, according to Floodlist. Meanwhile, some news outlets 
+reported that 2 or more meters (up to 8 feet) of snow fell in high mountain areas.August 26, 
+2023JPEGSome of the worst flooding occurred in the Maule, Ñuble, and Biobío regions of Chile. 
+
+“There was a strong orographic effect,” said atmospheric scientist René Garreaud of Universidad 
+de Chile. “We saw five to ten times more rain in the Andean foothills compared to Chile’s 
+Central Valley.”Higher elevation areas saw boosted rainfall totals because the Andes forced 
+the incoming river of moisture upward, where lower air pressure and cooler temperatures cause 
+water vapor to more easily condense into rain droplets on the windward side of mountains. 
+
+This same effect produces rain shadows on the lee side of mountains.Several days after the 
+surge of rain, rivers were still swollen and discolored. Floodwaters can pick up material, 
+such as sediment from riverbanks, that becomes suspended in the water and makes it appear 
+brown. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite 
+captured an image (above) showing rivers carrying plumes of suspended sediment into the Pacific 
+
+Ocean on August 26, 2023.The atmospheric river in August followed a similar event in June. 
+According to Garreaud, the June event delivered more than 500 millimeters (20 inches) of rain 
+over a two-day period to the Maule foothills, roughly double what normally falls in Santiago 
+in a year.The El Niño developing in the Pacific may be affecting how these events play out. 
+“We are seeing extra moisture in the central Pacific, but the coupling with the atmosphere 
+
+is still relatively weak,” Garreuad said. “The Pacific anticyclone remains strong, and we 
+haven’t yet seen a blocking high to the south of the continent—the typical signature of winter 
+storms that are strongly influenced by El Niño.”The concept of atmospheric rivers first emerged 
+in the 1990s and has become a topic of growing interest to researchers in recent years. Some 
+research suggests that climate change may be causing atmospheric rivers to produce more rain 
+
+and shift poleward. One analysis of model projections conducted by a team of scientists at 
+NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory found that atmospheric rivers may decrease in frequency but 
+grow longer and wider under a scenario in which future greenhouse gas emissions remain high.NASA 
+Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin and Wanmei Liang, using GEOS-FP data from the Global 
+Modeling and Assimilation Office at NASA GSFC and MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+
+Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerAfter more than a decade of drought, strong 
+atmospheric rivers in June and August flooded the foothills of the Andes in the Maule, Ñuble, 
+and Biobío regions.Image of the Day for September 4, 2023 Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+Water Floods View more Images of the Day:Heavy rain and melting snow can overtop riverbanks, 
+causing far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and people.In late June 2019, a potent atmospheric 
+
+river event carried soaking rain into southern Chile, dropping nearly a month’s worth of precipitation 
+in just 48 hours. Image of the Day Water The latest in a series of atmospheric rivers drenching 
+the state was accompanied by hazardous winds and left thousands of people without power. Image 
+of the Day Atmosphere Water Severe Storms Two atmospheric rivers hit Australia’s east and 
+west coasts with severe rains on the same day. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Water Unique 
+
+Imagery Following an exceptionally wet January, an atmospheric river carried even more moisture 
+into the region in February. Image of the Day Atmosphere Severe Storms Remote Sensing August 
+21, 2023JPEGIn March and April 2023, some earth scientists began to point out that average 
+sea surface temperatures had surpassed the highest levels seen in a key data record maintained 
+by NOAA. Months later, they remain at record levels, with global sea surface temperatures 
+
+0.99°C (1.78°F) above average in July. That was the fourth consecutive month they were at 
+record levels.Scientists from NASA have taken a closer look at why. “There are a lot of things 
+that affect the world’s sea surface temperatures, but two main factors have pushed them to 
+record heights,” said Josh Willis, an oceanographer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). 
+“We have an El Niño developing in the Pacific, and that’s on top of long-term global warming 
+
+that has been pushing ocean temperatures steadily upward almost everywhere for a century.”The 
+map above shows sea surface temperature anomalies on August 21, 2023, when many areas were 
+more than 3°C (5.4°F) warmer than normal. On that date, much of the central and eastern regions 
+of the equatorial Pacific were unusually warm, the signature of a developing El Niño. As has 
+been the case for weeks, large patches of warm water were also present in the Northwest Pacific 
+
+near Japan and the Northeast Pacific near California and Oregon. Portions of the Indian, Southern, 
+and Arctic Oceans also showed unusual warmth.The map is based on data from the Multiscale 
+Ultrahigh Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (MUR SST) project, a JPL effort that blends measurements 
+of sea surface temperatures from multiple NASA, NOAA, and international satellites, as well 
+as ship and buoy observations. Rather than showing absolute temperature, the anomaly reflects 
+
+the difference between the sea surface temperature on August 21, 2023, and the 2003-2014 average 
+for that day. The video below, also based on MUR SST data, shows global sea surface temperatures 
+since April 1, 2023, the period when they have been at record-breaking levels. The warmest 
+waters appear dark red.April 1 - August 21, 2023MPEG “Over the long term, we’re seeing more 
+heat and warmer sea surface temperatures pretty much everywhere,” said Gavin Schmidt, the 
+
+director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies. “That long-term trend is almost entirely 
+attributable to human forcing—the fact that we've put such a huge amount of greenhouse gas 
+in the atmosphere since the start of the industrial era.”Schmidt noted that other factors—such 
+as weather and wind patterns or the distribution of dust and aerosols—have short-term effects 
+on sea surface temperatures in certain regions, but they generally have a minor effect on 
+
+the longer-term global mean. Previous research shows that as much as 90 percent of the excess 
+heat that has occurred in recent decades due to increasing greenhouse gas emissions is absorbed 
+by the ocean, with much of that heat stored near the surface.The most important factor that 
+helped push sea surface temperatures into record territory in 2023 was the evolving El Niño 
+in the Pacific, according to Willis. He came to that conclusion by analyzing the timing and 
+
+intensity of sea surface temperature anomalies in several regions and comparing them to the 
+global trend.“We had a big jump in global surface temperature at the beginning of April—exactly 
+when the Pacific temperatures jumped up and also when sea levels in the eastern Pacific started 
+to rise,” Willis said. “The heat waves in the Atlantic are important and will have serious 
+effects on marine life and weather in Europe in the coming months. But it’s the Pacific that 
+
+has taken the global mean on a wild ride this year.”What happens in the Pacific tends to have 
+a large influence on the global sea surface temperatures partly because of its size. The Pacific 
+represents about half of the world’s ocean area.Marine heat waves—defined as periods of persistent 
+anomalously warm ocean temperatures (warmer than 90 percent of the previous observations for 
+a given time of year)—have occurred recently in several areas. One NOAA analysis showed that 
+
+48 percent of the global oceans were in the midst of a marine heat wave in August—a larger 
+area than for any other month since the start of the record in 1991. Particularly intense 
+events have warmed the North Atlantic and parts of the Caribbean in recent months.Willis expects 
+the heat in the equatorial Pacific to have more staying power than many of the other marine 
+heat waves simmering around the world. “Many of the marine heat waves we’re seeing are ephemeral 
+
+and ‘skin’ deep, generally lasting on the order of weeks and driven by atmospheric forces,” 
+explained Willis.The unusually warm water in the equatorial Pacific associated with the developing 
+El Niño after three consecutive years of La Niña is expected to weaken trade winds in ways 
+that reinforce and amplify the warming of surface waters, fueling the El Niño further. Forecasters 
+from NOAA say that there is a greater than 95 percent chance that El Niño conditions will 
+
+persist throughout the Northern Hemisphere winter. “What’s happening in the Pacific with El 
+Niño will influence global weather patterns and sea surface temperatures well into the winter 
+and possibly even longer,” Willis said.To monitor sea surface temperatures, scientists at 
+NOAA and NASA analyze observations from sensors and buoys in the oceans, ships, and several 
+different polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites. Groups of scientists with NOAA’s Physical 
+
+Sciences Laboratory, NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory track marine 
+heat waves and sea surface temperature anomalies closely. You can use NASA’s State of the 
+Ocean Tool on Worldview to monitor daily sea surface temperature anomalies.NASA Earth Observatory 
+image by Lauren Dauphin, using data from the Multiscale Ultrahigh Resolution (MUR) project. 
+Video by NASA’s Scientific Visualization studio, using data from the MUR project. Story by 
+
+Adam Voiland.Decades of gradual warming due to human-caused climate change and an El Niño 
+in the Pacific Ocean nudged global sea surface temperatures to record levels in 2023.Image 
+of the Day for August 25, 2023 Image of the Day Water View more Images of the Day:Earth in 
+July 2023 was 1.18°C (2.12°F) warmer than the average for the month, and warmer than any other 
+month in the 143-year record. Image of the Day Heat Temperature Extremes The climate phenomenon 
+
+emerged in late spring 2023, as waters grew warmer and sea levels rose higher than usual in 
+the tropical Pacific Ocean. Image of the Day Water Blooms of the plant-like organisms near 
+coastal areas have become more frequent in the 21st century. Image of the Day Water Remote 
+Sensing Examining temperatures from the depths of the ocean, JPL scientists have found that 
+lower layers of the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans grew much warmer during a decade when 
+
+surface temperatures cooled. Image of the Day Heat Water August 20, 2023JPEGOnce a powerful 
+category 4 hurricane, Hilary weakened and made landfall in northern Mexico on August 20, 2023, 
+pelting the Baja California peninsula and two U.S. states with rain.Before making landfall, 
+Hilary delivered torrential rain to Santa Rosalía in Mexico’s state of Baja California Sur. 
+One person was killed by the floodwater, according to officials. Hilary weakened to a tropical 
+
+storm before it came ashore on the northern end of the peninsula at around 11 a.m. Pacific 
+Time on August 20, 2023. As the storm moved inland over Southern California, it left flooding, 
+mudslides, and power outages behind. The map above depicts a satellite-based estimate of the 
+storm’s rainfall rates. Data for the map were acquired between 5 p.m. Pacific Time on August 
+19 and 2 p.m. Pacific Time on August 20, as the center of the storm was approaching Southern 
+
+California. The darkest reds reflect the highest rainfall rates, with the Baja California 
+peninsula seeing the heaviest rains during this time. The data are remotely sensed estimates 
+that come from the Integrated Multi-Satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG), a product of the 
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite mission. Due to the averaging of the satellite 
+data, local rainfall rates may be significantly higher when measured from the ground. August 
+
+20 was the wettest August day on record for both downtown Los Angeles and San Diego, according 
+to the National Weather Service. They received 2.5 inches (6.3 centimeters) and 1.8 inches 
+(4.6 centimeters) of rain, respectively. The storm also brought wind gusts of 70 miles (113 
+kilometers) per hour to parts of California, knocking over trees and power lines, and reportedly 
+leaving 40,000 residents without power. Death Valley National Park closed due to flooding, 
+
+and several roads were also flooded and damaged in Las Vegas, Nevada. So far, some of the 
+most severely affected places in the U.S. have been the normally dry desert regions of Southern 
+California. Streets turned into rivers of mud in Palm Springs after the city received six 
+months of rain over six hours. Flooding also closed roads in Coachella Valley, including I-10, 
+the major highway in the region. August is typically a dry month in Southern California, but 
+
+the surface layers of soil can respond quickly to weather events. Scientists at NASA’s Short-term 
+Prediction Research and Transition Center (SPoRT) expected that rain from the storm could 
+saturate soils in the region for several days. Hilary continued to move north into Oregon 
+and Idaho on August 21, where rainfall totals of up to 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) were anticipated 
+in places, with potential for flash flooding. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, 
+
+using IMERG data from the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) at NASA/GSFC. Story by Emily 
+Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerThe storm delivered torrential rain to parts of Southern 
+California, Nevada, and Mexico, leaving flooded streets and power outages in its wake.Image 
+of the Day for August 22, 2023 Image of the Day Water Severe Storms View more Images of the 
+Day:The hurricane season in the Pacific runs from June through November, though the storms 
+
+can form any time of year.The major hurricane was expected to weaken before delivering heavy 
+rain to Mexico and Southern California. Image of the Day Atmosphere Severe Storms Acquired 
+January 20, 2010, this true-color image shows an apostrophe-shaped storm, looking slightly 
+like a hurricane without most of its center, over the California coast. Isolated areas of 
+clear sky show the Central Valley and Baja Peninsula. Atmosphere Severe Storms Severe Storms 
+
+Acquired January 19, 2010, this image shows three cloud banks on their eastward path over 
+California. One is over the ocean, one hovers over the coast, and one has traveled inland. 
+Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Severe Storms July 26, 2023JPEGVibrant turquoise and green 
+water swirled near the coastline of Vancouver Island in late July 2023. The colorful plumes—which 
+are likely comprised of both phytoplankton and sediment—stood out in this image, acquired 
+
+by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the NOAA-20 satellite on July 
+26. Clouds covered much of Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia at the time of this 
+image. But coastal areas were cloud-free, exposing water that likely contained flourishing 
+populations of phytoplankton—floating plant-like organisms that are the foundation of the 
+aquatic food web. Phytoplankton blooms are common in the northeast Pacific Ocean during summer 
+
+as offshore winds push surface waters away from the coast. This causes cooler, nutrient-rich 
+waters to well up from the depths and fuel the growth of phytoplankton. Research has shown 
+that a significant amount of nutrients are supplied by the circulation and upwelling that 
+occurs in the Salish Sea, boosting phytoplankton productivity along the continental shelf 
+off Vancouver Island. The bloom also could have been fed by nutrient-rich sediment running 
+
+off from the coast. The greenest areas off the island’s coast may contain diatoms—a microscopic 
+form of algae with silica shells and plenty of chlorophyll. Coccolithophores—a type of phytoplankton 
+armored with calcium carbonate plates—tend to make the water appear more milky-blue and might 
+be present in the bloom. A future NASA satellite mission called PACE—short for Plankton, Aerosol, 
+Cloud, ocean Ecosystem—will enable researchers to infer more information about ocean ecology, 
+
+including the species of phytoplankton present in blooms and the rates of their growth. PACE 
+is scheduled to launch no earlier than January 2024. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren 
+Dauphin, using VIIRS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE, GIBS/Worldview, and the Joint Polar Satellite 
+System (JPSS). Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerSwirls of phytoplankton 
+and sediment brightened the island’s coastal waters in July 2023.Image of the Day for August 
+
+2, 2023 Image of the Day Water Water Color View more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like 
+organisms reproduce abundantly when there are sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. 
+Extreme blooms of certain species can become harmful to marine animals and humans.Skirting 
+the coastline of Mozambique, these 32 small islands are home to a diversity of corals and 
+sea turtles. Image of the Day Life Water These rough waters were once traversed by Japanese 
+
+pirates; now they are spanned by bridges. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Acquired 
+October 2, 2002, this natural-color image shows islands off the coast of Croatia, in the Adriatic 
+Sea. Image of the Day Land Image of the Day Land Unique Imagery At the base of the ocean food 
+web are single-celled algae and other plant-like organisms known as phytoplankton. Like plants 
+on land, phytoplankton use chlorophyll and other light-harvesting pigments to carry out photosynthesis, 
+
+absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide to produce sugars for fuel. Chlorophyll in the water 
+changes the way it reflects and absorbs sunlight, allowing scientists to map the amount and 
+location of phytoplankton. These measurements give scientists valuable insights into the health 
+of the ocean environment, and help scientists study the ocean carbon cycle.These chlorophyll 
+maps show milligrams of chlorophyll per cubic meter of seawater each month. Places where chlorophyll 
+
+amounts were very low, indicating very low numbers of phytoplankton are blue. Places where 
+chlorophyll concentrations were high, meaning many phytoplankton were growing, are dark green. 
+The observations come from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's 
+Aqua satellite. Land is dark gray, and places where MODIS could not collect data because of 
+sea ice, polar darkness, or clouds are light gray.The highest chlorophyll concentrations, 
+
+where tiny surface-dwelling ocean plants are thriving, are in cold polar waters or in places 
+where ocean currents bring cold water to the surface, such as around the equator and along 
+the shores of continents. It is not the cold water itself that stimulates the phytoplankton. 
+Instead, the cool temperatures are often a sign that the water has welled up to the surface 
+from deeper in the ocean, carrying nutrients that have built up over time. In polar waters, 
+
+nutrients accumulate in surface waters during the dark winter months when plants can't grow. 
+When sunlight returns in the spring and summer, the plants flourish in high concentrations.A 
+band of cool, plant-rich waters circles the globe at the Equator, with the strongest signal 
+in the Atlantic Ocean and the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. This zone of enhanced phytoplankton 
+growth comes from the frequent upwelling of cooler, deeper water as a result of the dominant 
+
+easterly trade winds blowing across the ocean surface. In many coastal areas, the rising slope 
+of the sea floor pushes cold water from the lowest layers of the ocean to the surface. The 
+rising, or upwelling water carries iron and other nutrients from the ocean floor. Cold coastal 
+upwelling and subsequent phytoplankton growth are most evident along the west coasts of North 
+and South America and southern Africa.View, download, or analyze more of these data from NASA 
+
+Earth Observations (NEO): Chlorophyll Life Water September 12, 2023JPEGOn September 12, 2023, 
+Hurricane Lee continued its slow west-northwest trajectory across the Atlantic Ocean. The 
+Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 16 (GOES-16) acquired this image of the 
+major storm at approximately 1 p.m. Eastern Time (17:00 UTC) as it advanced toward the southeastern 
+United States. The satellite is operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
+
+(NOAA); NASA helps develop and launch the GOES series of satellites. Around this time, the 
+center of the hurricane was located about 500 miles (800 kilometers) south of Bermuda and 
+moving at 6 miles (9 kilometers) per hour. Sustained winds were measured at 115 miles (185 
+kilometers) per hour, making it a category 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale.On 
+its path across the ocean to this point, the hurricane fluctuated dramatically in strength, 
+
+as it underwent one of the most extreme periods of rapid intensification for a North Atlantic 
+storm in the past 40 years. In the 24 hours ending at 2 a.m. Eastern Time (06:00 UTC) on September 
+8, Lee’s winds increased from 80 to 165 miles per hour (130 to 265 kilometers per hour), escalating 
+it to category 5 status. Only Hurricane Felix in 2007 and Hurricane Wilma in 2005 intensified 
+more over a 24-hour period. Following this ramp-up, moderate to strong wind shear disrupted 
+
+the storm’s circulation and weakened it to a category 2. September 10, 2023JPEGThat would 
+not be the last momentum swing, however. On September 10, Hurricane Lee began to regain strength 
+as wind shear abated and it passed over very warm waters. The map above shows sea surface 
+temperatures on from that day based on data from the Multiscale Ultrahigh Resolution Sea Surface 
+Temperature (MUR SST) project, a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory effort that blends measurements 
+
+of sea surface temperatures from multiple NASA, NOAA, and international satellites, as well 
+as ship and buoy observations. High sea surface temperatures are among the conditions favorable 
+to hurricane intensification. And 2023 has been a banner year for warm oceans. Decades of 
+gradual warming due to climate change, along with El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean, 
+helped drive global sea surface temperatures into record territory for several months in the 
+
+summer. Meteorologists generally agree that sea surface temperatures above 27.8 degrees Celsius 
+(82 degrees Fahrenheit) will sustain and intensify hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons. Surface 
+waters above that threshold are shown in red to black on the map. Forecast models indicate 
+that a weather pattern over the eastern U.S. will redirect Lee to the north. The storm is 
+expected to expand in size and weaken as it moves over cooler waters recently churned up by 
+
+hurricanes Franklin and Idalia. The storm will likely pass west of Bermuda, which is under 
+a tropical storm watch, and potentially make landfall over the northeastern U.S. or Nova Scotia 
+as a much weaker storm. NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using GOES 16 imagery 
+courtesy of NOAA and the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) 
+and data from the Multiscale Ultrahigh Resolution (MUR) project. Story by Lindsey Doermann.View 
+
+this area in EO ExplorerThe major storm fluctuated in intensity as it approached the U.S. 
+East Coast.Image of the Day for September 13, 2023 Image of the Day Land Water Severe Storms 
+View more Images of the Day:Hurricane season in the basin runs from June 1 to November 30.Acquired 
+August 23, 2009, this true-color image shows Hurricane Bill missing the U.S., apparently headed 
+northward toward Canada. Atmosphere Water Severe Storms The first hurricane of the Atlantic 
+
+season made a series of landfalls and dropped abundant rain from the Caribbean to the U.S. 
+East Coast. Heat Water Severe Storms Human Presence The SeaWiFS instrument captured the data 
+for this composite view of an August 2000 hurricane while it was near Bermuda. Image of the 
+Day Atmosphere Though it has weakened since reaching category 5 strength, the hurricane is 
+still bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the northeast Atlantic. Image of the Day Floods 
+
+Severe Storms Remote Sensing Water budgets for individual watersheds can be estimated using 
+remote sensing data for precipitation, evapotranspiration, and runoff.Find and use NASA Earth 
+science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections between interdependent 
+Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The atmosphere is a 
+gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation of the Sun 
+
+and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere encompasses 
+all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths of the ocean. 
+It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing numerous 
+ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including glaciers 
+and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays a critical 
+
+role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes ways humans 
+interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. It also explores 
+the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The land surface discipline 
+includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, and eroding soils. NASA 
+data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological state of our planet.This 
+
+vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate Earth’s climate.Processes 
+occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although originating from below 
+the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based measurements.The 
+Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. NASA continually 
+monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere includes 
+
+water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater along 
+with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are just 
+interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have the 
+resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.Remote sensing is the acquiring 
+of information from a distance. NASA observes Earth and other planetary bodies via remote 
+sensors on satellites and aircraft that detect and record reflected or emitted energy. Remote 
+sensors, which provide a global perspective and a wealth of data about Earth systems, enable 
+
+data-informed decision making based on the current and future state of our planet.For more 
+information, check out NASA's Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) 
+Tech Talk: From Pixels to Products: An Overview of Satellite Remote Sensing.Satellites can 
+be placed in several types of orbits around Earth. The three common classes of orbits are 
+low-Earth orbit (approximately 160 to 2,000 km above Earth), medium-Earth orbit (approximately 
+
+2,000 to 35,500 km above Earth), and high-Earth orbit (above 35,500 km above Earth). Satellites 
+orbiting at 35,786 km are at an altitude at which their orbital speed matches the planet's 
+rotation, and are in what is called geosynchronous orbit (GSO). In addition, a satellite in 
+GSO directly over the equator will have a geostationary orbit. A geostationary orbit enables 
+a satellite to maintain its position directly over the same place on Earth’s surface.Low-Earth 
+
+orbit is a commonly used orbit since satellites can follow several orbital tracks around the 
+planet. Polar-orbiting satellites, for example, are inclined nearly 90 degrees to the equatorial 
+plane and travel from pole to pole as Earth rotates. This enables sensors aboard the satellite 
+to acquire data for the entire globe rapidly, including the polar regions. Many polar-orbiting 
+satellites are considered Sun-synchronous, meaning that the satellite passes over the same 
+
+location at the same solar time each cycle. One example of a Sun-synchronous, polar-orbiting 
+satellite is NASA’s Aqua satellite, which orbits approximately 705 km above Earth’s surface.Non-polar 
+low-Earth orbit satellites, on the other hand, do not provide global coverage but instead 
+cover only a partial range of latitudes. The joint NASA/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory is an example of a non-Sun-synchronous 
+
+low-Earth orbit satellite. Its orbital track acquires data between 65 degrees north and south 
+latitude from 407 km above the planet.A medium-Earth orbit satellite takes approximately 12 
+hours to complete an orbit. In 24-hours, the satellite crosses over the same two spots on 
+the equator every day. This orbit is consistent and highly predictable. As a result, this 
+is an orbit used by many telecommunications and GPS satellites. One example of a medium-Earth 
+
+orbit satellite constellation is the European Space Agency's Galileo global navigation satellite 
+system (GNSS), which orbits 23,222 km above Earth.While both geosynchronous and geostationary 
+satellites orbit at 35,786 km above Earth, geosynchronous satellites have orbits that can 
+be tilted above or below the equator. Geostationary satellites, on the other hand, orbit Earth 
+on the same plane as the equator. These satellites capture identical views of Earth with each 
+
+observation and provide almost continuous coverage of one area. The joint NASA/NOAA Geostationary 
+Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) series of weather satellites are in geostationary 
+orbits above the equator.For more information about orbits, please see NASA Earth Observatory's 
+Catalog of Earth Satellite Orbits.Electromagnetic energy, produced by the vibration of charged 
+particles, travels in the form of waves through the atmosphere and the vacuum of space. These 
+
+waves have different wavelengths (the distance from wave crest to wave crest) and frequencies; 
+a shorter wavelength means a higher frequency. Some, like radio, microwave, and infrared waves, 
+have a longer wavelength, while others, such as ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays, have 
+a much shorter wavelength. Visible light sits in the middle of that range of long to shortwave 
+radiation. This small portion of energy is all that the human eye is able to detect. Instrumentation 
+
+is needed to detect all other forms of electromagnetic energy. NASA instrumentation utilizes 
+the full range of the spectrum to explore and understand processes occurring here on Earth 
+and on other planetary bodies.Some waves are absorbed or reflected by atmospheric components, 
+like water vapor and carbon dioxide, while some wavelengths allow for unimpeded movement through 
+the atmosphere; visible light has wavelengths that can be transmitted through the atmosphere. 
+
+Microwave energy has wavelengths that can pass through clouds, an attribute utilized by many 
+weather and communication satellites.The primary source of the energy observed by satellites, 
+is the Sun. The amount of the Sun’s energy reflected depends on the roughness of the surface 
+and its albedo, which is how well a surface reflects light instead of absorbing it. Snow, 
+for example, has a very high albedo and reflects up to 90% of incoming solar radiation. The 
+
+ocean, on the other hand, reflects only about 6% of incoming solar radiation and absorbs the 
+rest. Often, when energy is absorbed, it is re-emitted, usually at longer wavelengths. For 
+example, the energy absorbed by the ocean gets re-emitted as infrared radiation.All things 
+on Earth reflect, absorb, or transmit energy, the amount of which varies by wavelength. Just 
+as your fingerprint is unique to you, everything on Earth has a unique spectral fingerprint. 
+
+Researchers can use this information to identify different Earth features as well as different 
+rock and mineral types. The number of spectral bands detected by a given instrument, its spectral 
+resolution, determines how much differentiation a researcher can identify between materials.For 
+more information on the electromagnetic spectrum, with companion videos, view NASA's Tour 
+of the Electromagnetic Spectrum.Sensors, or instruments, aboard satellites and aircraft use 
+
+the Sun as a source of illumination or provide their own source of illumination, measuring 
+energy that is reflected back. Sensors that use natural energy from the Sun are called passive 
+sensors; those that provide their own source of energy are called active sensors. Passive 
+sensors include different types of radiometers (instruments that quantitatively measure the 
+intensity of electromagnetic radiation in select bands) and spectrometers (devices that are 
+
+designed to detect, measure, and analyze the spectral content of reflected electromagnetic 
+radiation). Most passive systems used by remote sensing applications operate in the visible, 
+infrared, thermal infrared, and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. These 
+sensors measure land and sea surface temperature, vegetation properties, cloud and aerosol 
+properties, and other physical attributes. Most passive sensors cannot penetrate dense cloud 
+
+cover and thus have limitations observing areas like the tropics where dense cloud cover is 
+frequent.Active sensors include different types of radio detection and ranging (radar) sensors, 
+altimeters, and scatterometers. The majority of active sensors operate in the microwave band 
+of the electromagnetic spectrum, which gives them the ability to penetrate the atmosphere 
+under most conditions. These types of sensors are useful for measuring the vertical profiles 
+
+of aerosols, forest structure, precipitation and winds, sea surface topography, and ice, among 
+others.The Remote Sensors Earthdata page provides a list of NASA’s Earth science passive and 
+active sensors while the What is Synthetic Aperture Radar? Backgrounder provides specific 
+information on this type of active sensor.Resolution plays a role in how data from a sensor 
+can be used. Resolution can vary depending on the satellite’s orbit and sensor design. There 
+
+are four types of resolution to consider for any dataset—radiometric, spatial, spectral, and 
+temporal.Radiometric resolution is the amount of information in each pixel, that is, the number 
+of bits representing the energy recorded. Each bit records an exponent of power 2. For example, 
+an 8 bit resolution is 28, which indicates that the sensor has 256 potential digital values 
+(0-255) to store information. Thus, the higher the radiometric resolution, the more values 
+
+are available to store information, providing better discrimination between even the slightest 
+differences in energy. For example, when assessing water quality, radiometric resolution is 
+necessary to distinguish between subtle differences in ocean color.Spatial resolution is defined 
+by the size of each pixel within a digital image and the area on Earth’s surface represented 
+by that pixel.For example, the majority of the bands observed by the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) have a spatial resolution of 1km; each pixel represents a 1 km x 
+1km area on the ground. MODIS also includes bands with a spatial resolution of 250 m or 500 
+m. The finer the resolution (the lower the number), the more detail you can see. In the image 
+below, you can see the difference in pixelation between a 30 m/pixel image (left image), a 
+100 m/pixel image (center image), and a 300 m/pixel image (right image).Spectral resolution 
+
+is the ability of a sensor to discern finer wavelengths, that is, having more and narrower 
+bands. Many sensors are considered to be multispectral, meaning they have 3-10 bands. Some 
+sensors have hundreds to even thousands of bands and are considered to be hyperspectral. The 
+narrower the range of wavelengths for a given band, the finer the spectral resolution. For 
+example, the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) captures information 
+
+in 224 spectral channels. The cube on the right represents the detail within the data. At 
+this level of detail, distinctions can be made between rock and mineral types, vegetation 
+types, and other features. In the cube, the small region of high response in the right corner 
+of the image is in the red portion of the visible spectrum (about 700 nanometers), and is 
+due to the presence of 1-centimeter-long (half-inch) red brine shrimp in the evaporation pond.Temporal 
+
+resolution is the time it takes for a satellite to complete an orbit and revisit the same 
+observation area. This resolution depends on the orbit, the sensor’s characteristics, and 
+the swath width. Because geostationary satellites match the rate at which Earth is rotating, 
+the temporal resolution is much finer. Polar orbiting satellites have a temporal resolution 
+that can vary from 1 day to 16 days. For example, the MODIS sensor aboard NASA's Terra and 
+
+Aqua satellites has a temporal resolution of 1-2 days, allowing the sensor to visualize Earth 
+as it changes day by day. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard the joint NASA/USGS Landsat 
+8 satellite, on the other hand, has a narrower swath width and a temporal resolution of 16 
+days; showing not daily changes but bi-monthly changes.Why not build a sensor combining high 
+spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution? It is difficult to combine all of the desirable 
+
+features into one remote sensor. For example, to acquire observations with high spatial resolution 
+(like OLI, aboard Landsat 8) a narrower swath is required, which requires more time between 
+observations of a given area resulting in a lower temporal resolution. Researchers have to 
+make trade-offs. This is why it is very important to understand the type of data needed for 
+a given area of study. When researching weather, which is dynamic over time, a high temporal 
+
+resolution is critical. When researching seasonal vegetation changes, on the other hand, a 
+high temporal resolution may be sacrificed for a higher spectral or spatial resolution.Remote 
+sensing data acquired from instruments aboard satellites require processing before the data 
+are usable by most researchers and applied science users. Most raw NASA Earth observation 
+satellite data (Level 0, see data processing levels) are processed at NASA's Science Investigator-led 
+
+Processing Systems (SIPS) facilities. All data are processed to at least a Level 1, but most 
+have associated Level 2 (derived geophysical variables) and Level 3 (variables mapped on uniform 
+space-time grid scales) products. Many even have Level 4 products. NASA Earth science data 
+are archived at discipline-specific Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) and are available 
+fully, openly, and without restriction to data users.Most data are stored in Hierarchical 
+
+Data Format (HDF) or Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) format. Numerous data tools are available 
+to subset, transform, visualize, and export to various other file formats.Once data are processed, 
+they can be used in a variety of applications, from agriculture to water resources to health 
+and air quality. A single sensor will not address all research questions within a given application. 
+Users often need to leverage multiple sensors and data products to address their question, 
+
+bearing in mind the limitations of data provided by different spectral, spatial, and temporal 
+resolutions.Many sensors acquire data at different spectral wavelengths. For example, Band 
+1 of the OLI aboard Landsat 8 acquires data at 0.433-0.453 micrometers while the MODIS Band 
+1 acquires data at 0.620-0.670 micrometers. OLI has a total of 9 bands whereas MODIS has 36 
+bands, all measuring different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Bands can be combined 
+
+to produce imagery of the data to reveal different features in the landscape. Often imagery 
+of data are used to distinguish characteristics of a region being studied or to determine 
+an area of study.True-color images show Earth as it appears to the human eye. For a Landsat 
+8 OLI true-color (red, green, blue [RGB]) image, the sensor Bands 4 (Red), 3 (Green), and 
+2 (Blue) are combined. Other spectral band combinations can be used for specific science applications, 
+
+such as flood monitoring, urbanization delineation, and vegetation mapping. For example, creating 
+a false-color Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS, aboard the Suomi National 
+Polar-orbiting Partnership [Suomi NPP] satellite) image using bands M11, I2, and I1 is useful 
+for distinguishing burn scars from low vegetation or bare soil as well as for exposing flooded 
+areas. To see more band combinations from Landsat sensors, check out NASA Scientific Visualization 
+
+Studio's video Landsat Band Remix or the NASA Earth Observatory article Many Hues of London. 
+For other common band combinations, see NASA Earth Observatory's How to Interpret Common False-Color 
+Images, which provides common band combinations along with insight into interpreting imagery.Once 
+data are processed into imagery with varying band combinations these images can aid in resource 
+management decisions and disaster assessment. This requires proper interpretation of the imagery. 
+
+There are a few strategies for getting started (adapted from NASA Earth Observatory article 
+How to Interpret a Satellite Image: Five Tips and Strategies):Different land cover types can 
+be discriminated more readily by using image classification algorithms. Image classification 
+uses the spectral information of individual image pixels. A program using image classification 
+algorithms can automatically group the pixels in what is called an unsupervised classification. 
+
+The user can also indicate areas of known land cover type to “train” the program to group 
+like pixels; this is called a supervised classification. Maps or imagery can also be integrated 
+into a geographical information system (GIS) and then each pixel can be compared with other 
+GIS data, such as census data. For more information on integrating NASA Earth science data 
+into a GIS, check out the Earthdata GIS page.Satellites also often carry a variety of sensors 
+
+measuring biogeophysical parameters, such as sea surface temperature, nitrogen dioxide or 
+other atmospheric pollutants, winds, aerosols, and biomass. These parameters can be evaluated 
+through statistical and spectral analysis techniques.To aid in getting started with applications-based 
+research using remotely-sensed data, Data Pathfinders provide a data product selection guide 
+focused on specific science disciplines and application areas, such as those mentioned above. 
+
+Pathfinders provide direct links to the most commonly-used datasets and data products from 
+NASA’s Earth science data collections along with links to tools that provide ways to visualize 
+or subset the data, with the option to save the data in different file formats.Find and use 
+NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections 
+between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.The planet NASA studies the most 
+is Earth. NASA’s end-to-end Earth observations enable agricultural producers to make informed 
+decisions about global market conditions, water management, in-season crop conditions, severe 
+
+weather, and sustainability.This Data Pathfinder will help guide you through the process of 
+selecting and using datasets applicable to agriculture and water management, and provides 
+links to specific data sources. If you are new to remote sensing, the What is Remote Sensing? 
+Backgrounder provides a comprehensive overview. In addition, NASA's Applied Remote Sensing 
+Training Program (ARSET) provides numerous training modules, including Fundamentals of Remote 
+
+Sensing.If you have specific questions about how to use data, tools, or resources mentioned 
+in this Data Pathfinder, please visit the Earthdata Forum. Here, you can interact with other 
+data users and NASA subject matter experts on a variety of Earth science research and applications 
+topics.This section provides links to NASA and external tools and applications relevant to 
+analyzing and visualizing agriculture and water management data referenced in this Data Pathfinder. 
+
+NASA's Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program maintains many more resources for data analysis 
+that may be helpful. Explore the full list on the NASA Earthdata Data Tools page.The Agrometeorological 
+(AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of EO data products on 
+the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season crop development 
+and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO data plots that quantify 
+
+critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region and crop over time and are 
+updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots help tell the story of in-season 
+crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For 
+more information about AGMET:The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples 
+(AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from 
+
+a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using 
+spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: 
+point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. 
+Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+viewing results, interacting with results, and downloading requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search 
+is NASA's tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant 
+
+data available through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about 
+data collections, search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and 
+download or submit requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. 
+Note: An Earthdata Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) 
+users can customize granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, 
+
+KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset 
+to obtain only the bands that are needed.The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) 
+provides early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. NASA’s 
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+parameter analysis options include:Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:The U.S. Drought 
+Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought 
+relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the USGS provides 
+the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30), visualizing nearly 
+
+1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.EarthExplorer 
+is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, elevation data, and satellite products 
+(including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER data, ASTER GDEM and other products) 
+distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, and ordering tool connects users with 
+satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories through interactive and textual-based 
+
+query capabilities. These products are available for download at no cost to registered users. 
+Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" link on the EarthExplorer main page.The 
+NASA Worldview data visualization application provides the capability to interactively browse 
+more than 1,000 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and download the underlying 
+data. Many of the available imagery layers are updated within three hours of observation, 
+
+which supports time-critical application areas such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, 
+and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services 
+(GIBS). Worldview also includes geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, 
+and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites that are available at 10-minute increments for the 
+last 30 days.The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) 
+
+offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from a variety of 
+federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, 
+temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: point samples 
+for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample 
+requests submitted to AρρEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+viewing results, interacting with results and downloading requests.Earthdata Search is NASA's 
+tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available 
+
+through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, 
+search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit 
+requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata 
+Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize 
+granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF 
+
+and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the 
+bands that are needed.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:NASA's ORNL DAAC has several tools for subsetting 
+data from the MODIS and VIIRS instruments:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed 
+using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced 
+and other arrays, and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, 
+combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application 
+
+that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that 
+your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With 
+Panoply 5 you can:Resources:NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers 
+geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology 
+community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as 
+
+well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable 
+applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of restful Application Programming 
+Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and Open-source Project for a Network 
+Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service offerings support data discovery, 
+access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support 
+
+tools.Data Access ViewerThe Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators 
+bring together a variety of EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides 
+valuable insights on in-season crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator 
+consists of several EO data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health 
+for a specific region and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different 
+
+EO data plots help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different 
+climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover 
+the NASA Earth Science resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data 
+found in this web map can be applied to the following areas:The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:The Crop Monitor 
+
+Exploring Tool is an an online interactive resource that provides NDVI, temperature, precipitation, 
+soil moisture, ET, and runoff data to determine crop conditions for a variety of different 
+crops in Early Warning countries (Africa and Asia) and Agricultural Market Information System 
+(AMIS) countries (North America, Europe, and Asia) by the Group on Earth Observations Global 
+Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM).The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides 
+
+early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s 
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+
+parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Versions:GLAM2 Original 
+VersionResources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply 
+
+data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, 
+and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, 
+and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, 
+Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had 
+a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: 
+
+NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology 
+and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The NASA Worldview data visualization 
+application provides the capability to interactively browse more than 1,000 global, full-resolution 
+satellite imagery layers and download the underlying data. Many of the available imagery layers 
+
+are updated within three hours of observation, which supports time-critical application areas 
+such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery 
+is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS). Worldview also includes 
+geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites 
+that are available at 10-minute increments for the last 30 days.The Application for Extracting 
+
+and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access 
+and transform geospatial data from a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users 
+to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types 
+of sample requests are available: point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples 
+for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users 
+
+not only with data values, but also associated quality data values. Interactive visualizations 
+with summary statistics are provided for each sample within the application, which allow users 
+to preview and interact with their samples before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS 
+Getting Started to learn more about workflows, viewing the results, interacting with the results 
+and downloading the requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool enables users to visualize 
+
+and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of 
+rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved decisions for, issues 
+related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish 
+to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture 
+Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active 
+
+Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument 
+in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical for professionals in the agriculture 
+and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in tandem with other data to plan crop 
+planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and improve weather forecasts. This application 
+offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service (WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and 
+
+Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search is NASA's tool for searching for 
+and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available through U.S. and 
+international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, search for data 
+files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit requests for 
+data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata Login is required 
+
+to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize granules. Users 
+can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from 
+a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the bands that are needed.The 
+Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides early warning and analysis on food 
+insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to help decision-makers 
+
+plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. 
+The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information 
+System (LIS) that has been adapted to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and 
+forecast requirements associated with food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. 
+The integration of LIS allows FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate 
+
+ensembles of soil moisture, evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple 
+meteorological inputs or land surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access 
+to geo-spatial data, satellite image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS 
+NET drought monitoring efforts throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS 
+NET Project, part of the Early Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation 
+
+and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables 
+
+near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. 
+This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, 
+and computing power.Resources:OpenET is a web-based platform that puts NASA evapotranspiration 
+(ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation groups to speed improvements 
+and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states in the Western U.S. It uses 
+
+publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based ET information in 
+areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly intervals.Resources:NASA's 
+Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and 
+solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The U.S. Drought Monitor 
+
+is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought relief 
+allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.EarthExplorer is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, 
+elevation data and satellite products (including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER 
+data, ASTER GDEM and other products) distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, 
+
+and ordering tool connects users with satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories 
+through interactive and textual-based query capabilities. These products are available for 
+download at no cost to registered users. Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" 
+link on the EarthExplorer main page.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the 
+USGS provides the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30) visualizing 
+
+nearly 1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.The 
+Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of 
+EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season 
+crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO 
+data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region 
+
+and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots 
+help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, 
+and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover the NASA Earth Science 
+resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data found in this web map can 
+be applied to the following areas:Water Availability: Plant Stress, Soil Moisture, Drought, 
+
+Irrigation Weather, Extreme Events and Better Seasonal and Sub-Seasonal Projections: NASA 
+Models Informing NOAA, USDA and Drought Monitor Operational ForecastingFor GIS users: see 
+how to use NASA data and services in common GIS tools in the GIS Pathfinder and check out 
+the How To guides to get help with your workflows.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool 
+enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, 
+
+and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved 
+decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an 
+API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop 
+Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data 
+from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, 
+and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform 
+application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, and offers additional functionality 
+such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. 
+
+Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop 
+computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later 
+version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide 
+Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters 
+formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, 
+
+and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through 
+custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of 
+restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerOpenET is a web-based platform 
+that puts NASA evapotranspiration (ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation 
+groups to speed improvements and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states 
+in the Western U.S. It uses publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based 
+ET information in areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly 
+
+intervals.Resources:The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by 
+policymakers to help determine drought relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA 
+satellites provide data about water availability to the U.S. Drought Monitor.The ClimateSERV 
+data visualization tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, 
+vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding 
+
+of, and make improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. 
+ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application 
+or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NASA's Prediction 
+Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related 
+parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, 
+analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings 
+through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series 
+
+of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA develops partnerships 
+and resources to address food security and works with decision-makers and data users to tailor 
+
+these tools to specific locations and user needs. These efforts help address issues like water 
+management for irrigation, crop-type identification and land use, coastal and lake water quality 
+monitoring, drought preparedness, and famine early warnings. NASA Earth science data are key 
+elements in the work carried out and supported by the agency's Applied Sciences Program, which 
+works with individuals and institutions worldwide to inform decision-making, enhance quality 
+
+of life, and strengthen our economy. Applied Sciences agriculture and water management-related 
+efforts include: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked 
+global goals designed to be a blueprint for a sustainable future for all of Earth’s inhabitants. 
+The SDGs are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an international plan signed 
+by all United Nations (UN) member states and underpinned by the foundational components of 
+
+People, Planet, and Prosperity.SDGs include specific social, economic, and environmental targets. 
+Through SDG 2: Zero Hunger, the UN proposes to end hunger, achieve food security and improved 
+nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Key SDG 2 Targets include:While NASA datasets 
+are not official indicators for SDG monitoring and decision-making, they provide data necessary 
+to assess progress towards achieving SDG Targets. Along with SDG 2, the data and resources 
+
+in the Agriculture and Water Management Data Pathfinder help address Targets in other SDGs, 
+including:The Sustainable Development Progress Report offers data about countries’ performances 
+in the SDGs.GIS data related to SDG 2 are available from the United Nations Statistics Division 
+through Esri’s Federated Information System for the SDG Initiative.The Committee on Earth 
+Observation Satellites (CEOS) also supports SDG 2. Learn how CEOS Agencies are using Earth 
+
+observations for agriculture monitoring.August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGAugust 31, 
+2023September 8, 2023August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGIn early 
+September 2023, Greece endured a four-day storm that dropped 910 millimeters (3 feet) of rain 
+on central parts of the country. The record rainfall triggered deadly flooding and inundated 
+towns and farm fields in Thessaly, a region that includes Greece’s agricultural heartland. 
+
+The flooding was fueled by a stalled low-pressure storm that became cut-off from the jet stream, 
+also known as a cut-off low, which dropped heavy rainfall on central Greece between September 
+4 and 7. The storm dropped the most rain, 910 millimeters (3 feet), on Zagora, near Thessaly’s 
+port town of Volos, according to Meteo, the country’s weather service. About 100 kilometers 
+(60 miles) inland, the town of Karditsa saw 659 millimeters (2 feet) of rainfall. The pair 
+
+of images above shows flooding near Karditsa and Larissa, some of the hardest hit places in 
+Thessaly. The image on the right, acquired by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 
+8, shows flooding near the Pineios River on September 8, a day after the storm receded. The 
+image on the left, acquired by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, shows the 
+same area on August 31. The images show floodwater covering what once were green farm fields 
+
+in the low-lying Thessaly plain. Farming is a major industry in the region, and accounts for 
+about one-sixth of Greece’s agricultural output. Farmers here grow primarily cotton, wheat, 
+corn, and alfalfa. The detailed image below shows flooded fields near the village of Pedino, 
+north of Karditsa. Sediment-laden water overtopped the banks of the Pineios, to the north 
+of the village, and the Mega Rema River to the south. September 8, 2023JPEGSeveral villages 
+
+along the Pineios and its tributaries became inundated with water during the storm. According 
+to news reports, over 4,000 people have been rescued from high water areas. Flooding near 
+Larissa, Thessaly’s capital and one of the largest cities in Greece, can be seen in the image 
+below. Suburbs of the city were flooded after the Pineios River broke its banks. September 
+8, 2023JPEGAlthough water along the Pineios had started to recede on September 11, flooding 
+
+along the river could still be seen in images from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 
+(MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. According to news reports, the river was still 2 meters 
+(6.5 feet) above safe levels. NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerRecord 
+rainfall inundated towns and farmland in the country’s Thessaly region.Image of the Day for 
+
+September 12, 2023 Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The 
+melting of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can 
+send rivers out of their banks.Flash floods in the port city destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods 
+out to sea. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence A Mediterranean cyclone contributed 
+to deadly flooding along the country’s coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods A stalled 
+
+storm dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive 
+flooding. Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential 
+downpours in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+Floods Human Presence September 1, 2023JPEGFor decades, summer phytoplankton blooms have sprung 
+up in Missisquoi Bay in the northeastern part of Lake Champlain. The bay’s shallow, nutrient-rich, 
+
+and seasonally warm waters offer ideal growing conditions for the floating, plant-like organisms, 
+which can multiply and aggregate into vast masses that discolor parts of the lake.The summer 
+of 2023 was no exception. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 acquired this natural-color 
+image of a bloom swirling near the mouth of the Missisquoi River on September 1, 2023. The 
+satellite collected similar images in August as well.While it is not possible to determine 
+
+the type of phytoplankton with Landsat observations alone, this bloom is likely cyanobacteria 
+(also called blue-green algae)—an ancient type of marine bacteria that captures and stores 
+solar energy through photosynthesis. Several trained cyanobacteria spotters submitted photographs 
+and reports of dense green mats of cyanobacteria lining the shores of Missisquoi Bay to Verrmont’s 
+cyanobacteria tracker website around the same time the image was acquired.Cyanobacteria blooms 
+
+are monitored closely because some species produce toxins known as cyanotoxins, including 
+a widespread type called microcystin, that can sicken people and animals, contaminate drinking 
+water, and force closures of boating and swimming sites.In recent years, teams of researchers 
+working with NASA’s DEVELOP program have used observations from several satellites to track 
+where in Lake Champlain harmful blooms are most common and identify key risk factors associated 
+
+with them. In a technical report, the researchers reported that Missisquoi Bay and nearby 
+St. Albans Bay had the lake’s highest concentration of toxic cyanobacteria blooms between 
+2016-2022.“There are multiple contributors to blooms like nutrients, temperature, and wind 
+and wave conditions,” noted Kent Ross, a science advisor for the Lake Champlain DEVELOP project. 
+“We focused on the availability of one of the nutrients—phosphorus.”Phosphorus is a common 
+
+nutrient found in runoff from farmland, lawns, and developed areas. While much of Lake Champlain 
+is surrounded by forests, which filter nutrients, Missisquoi Bay is flanked by farmland, where 
+fertilizer use leads to higher levels of phosphorous in the rivers that flow into the bay, 
+Ross explained.“That’s where our project partner, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural 
+Resource Conservation Service, comes in,” added Ross. “They recommend best practices to farmers 
+
+to limit nutrient runoff.” Adjusting the timing or type of fertilizer, changing grazing rotations, 
+upgrading drainage systems, and improving soil health are among the strategies farmers might 
+pursue.One of the challenges for scientists who study cyanobacteria blooms is that blooms 
+don’t always contain the species that produce harmful toxins. “The currently used indices 
+based on multispectral imagery cannot distinguish between the toxin-producing subspecies of 
+
+microcystis and non-toxin producing microcystis algae blooms,” said Jeffrey Luvall, also a 
+science advisor for the DEVELOP team and a scientist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. 
+“But the upcoming PACE mission—scheduled to launch in 2024—will make hyperspectral observations 
+able to do that.”NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the 
+U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerPhosphorus runoff 
+
+from farmland surrounding Lake Champlain contributes to summer cyanobacteria blooms in the 
+northeastern part of the lake.Image of the Day for September 11, 2023 Image of the Day Water 
+Human Presence Water Color View more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like organisms reproduce 
+abundantly when there are sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. Extreme blooms 
+of certain species can become harmful to marine animals and humans.More than 40 years after 
+
+the explosive eruption of Mount St. Helens, relics from the blast continue to haunt a nearby 
+lake. Image of the Day Water Straddling Austria and Hungary, the lake is also known as the 
+“Sea of the Viennese.” Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Snow and Ice At an average 
+elevation of 3,812 meters (12,507 feet), Lake Titicaca is one of the highest lakes in the 
+world. The lake is positioned between two major ranges of the Andes Mountain chain and has 
+
+very limited drainage. The limited outflow of the lake allows for the accumulation of nutrients 
+derived primarily from surrounding communities’ agricultural and sewage waste. The increased 
+nutrient levels can lead to plankton blooms. This astronaut photograph, taken from the International 
+Space Station, captures two such blooms along the eastern shoreline of the lake. Image of 
+the Day Land Life Once the second-largest lake in Turkey, it now rarely spans an area much 
+
+larger than a puddle. Image of the Day Land Water Remote Sensing August 18, 2023JPEGWhile 
+some weather-related delays are mere annoyances, others slow the rhythms of global shipping. 
+Due to ongoing drought and low water levels, ship traffic was restricted through the Panama 
+Canal in late summer 2023, leaving an above-average number of vessels waiting to make the 
+transit. The Panama Canal is an 80-kilometer (50-mile) artificial waterway across the Isthmus 
+
+of Panama, providing a vital connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for up to 
+14,000 ships each year. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 got a rare cloud-free 
+view of delayed ships on the Pacific side of the canal on August 18, 2023. Artificial lakes 
+supply the water needed to fill the series of locks in the canal. Those lakes, located to 
+the north and northwest of this scene, are replenished by rainfall that is typically in abundance 
+
+on the Isthmus of Panama. However, drought has left Lago Gatún, the largest lake feeding the 
+system, at near-record low levels. In mid-August, it stood close to the lowest recorded level, 
+from May 2016, and well below the average level for August from the past five years. As a 
+means of conserving water, the Panama Canal Authority reduced the number of vessels that could 
+travel through the canal each day starting on July 30. At one point in early August, the ensuing 
+
+backup reached as high as 160 total vessels waiting on one side or the other. By the time 
+of this image, that number had decreased to around 130, whereas the queue ordinarily tops 
+off around 90. The average wait time for August 2023 was nearly four times what it was in 
+June. The reduction of daily passages was the latest restriction imposed by the Panama Canal 
+Authority this year to deal with the water shortages. Starting on March 1, 2023, it began 
+
+reducing the maximum draft (the distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull) 
+permitted for vessels passing through the locks. The normal limit of 50 feet (15 meters) for 
+the largest class of ships that use the canal was increasingly ratcheted down to 44 feet (13 
+meters), requiring some ships to lighten their loads. The area has seen a number of dry years 
+in the past decade; Lago Gatún dipped to low levels in 2016 and 2019, in addition to 2023. 
+
+At the other extreme, however, Lago Gatún and Lago Alajuela, another lake feeding the canal, 
+reached record high levels in December 2010. The flooding caused the canal to close for only 
+the third time in its history. NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerSevere 
+drought is reducing the number of daily passages on the transoceanic shipping route.Image 
+
+of the Day for September 1, 2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of 
+the Day:In September, low water levels made it more challenging to ship goods down the river 
+and allowed a wedge of saltwater to move upstream. Image of the Day Water Drought Hundreds 
+of ships have been left idling around the key shipping route. Nature played a role in solving 
+the problem. Image of the Day Human Presence A key shipping route through Egypt recently received 
+
+a major overhaul. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence More than 64 million people are 
+directly affected by drought in the Southwest and Southern Plains, and far more are indirectly 
+affected because of the vast number of farms, orchards, and ranches that supply the rest of 
+the United States. Image of the Day Land Life Water Drought August 21, 2023JPEGFor more than 
+a decade, drought has plagued central Chile. The prolonged dry period—a megadrought—has fueled 
+
+wildfires, strained water supplies, and parched crops.In winter 2023, the region got some 
+relief in the form of two atmospheric rivers that brought hundreds of millimeters of rain 
+and snow to the region. However, too much rain fell too quickly in some areas, prompting floods 
+and mudslides that damaged roads and bridges, destroyed thousands of homes, and displaced 
+tens of thousands of people.The map above shows the total precipitable water vapor in the 
+
+atmosphere on August 21, 2023. Precipitable water vapor is the amount of water in a column 
+of the atmosphere if all of the water vapor were condensed into liquid. The image was derived 
+from the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS), which uses satellite data and models of physical 
+processes to calculate what is happening in Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces.The 
+narrow band of moisture (green) stretching from the central Pacific Ocean to Chile is a signature 
+
+of an atmospheric river—a long, narrow region that transports vast amounts of water vapor 
+from the tropics poleward. In subtropical Chile, atmospheric rivers contribute 45 to 60 percent 
+of the annual precipitation, most of it in the winter rainy season (June to September).El 
+Paico in the Santiago metropolitan region saw nearly 80 millimeters (3 inches) of rain fall 
+between August 19-21, while areas farther inland in the foothills of the Andes saw as much 
+
+as 370 millimeters (15 inches) of rain, according to Floodlist. Meanwhile, some news outlets 
+reported that 2 or more meters (up to 8 feet) of snow fell in high mountain areas.August 26, 
+2023JPEGSome of the worst flooding occurred in the Maule, Ñuble, and Biobío regions of Chile. 
+“There was a strong orographic effect,” said atmospheric scientist René Garreaud of Universidad 
+de Chile. “We saw five to ten times more rain in the Andean foothills compared to Chile’s 
+
+Central Valley.”Higher elevation areas saw boosted rainfall totals because the Andes forced 
+the incoming river of moisture upward, where lower air pressure and cooler temperatures cause 
+water vapor to more easily condense into rain droplets on the windward side of mountains. 
+This same effect produces rain shadows on the lee side of mountains.Several days after the 
+surge of rain, rivers were still swollen and discolored. Floodwaters can pick up material, 
+
+such as sediment from riverbanks, that becomes suspended in the water and makes it appear 
+brown. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite 
+captured an image (above) showing rivers carrying plumes of suspended sediment into the Pacific 
+Ocean on August 26, 2023.The atmospheric river in August followed a similar event in June. 
+According to Garreaud, the June event delivered more than 500 millimeters (20 inches) of rain 
+
+over a two-day period to the Maule foothills, roughly double what normally falls in Santiago 
+in a year.The El Niño developing in the Pacific may be affecting how these events play out. 
+“We are seeing extra moisture in the central Pacific, but the coupling with the atmosphere 
+is still relatively weak,” Garreuad said. “The Pacific anticyclone remains strong, and we 
+haven’t yet seen a blocking high to the south of the continent—the typical signature of winter 
+
+storms that are strongly influenced by El Niño.”The concept of atmospheric rivers first emerged 
+in the 1990s and has become a topic of growing interest to researchers in recent years. Some 
+research suggests that climate change may be causing atmospheric rivers to produce more rain 
+and shift poleward. One analysis of model projections conducted by a team of scientists at 
+NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory found that atmospheric rivers may decrease in frequency but 
+
+grow longer and wider under a scenario in which future greenhouse gas emissions remain high.NASA 
+Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin and Wanmei Liang, using GEOS-FP data from the Global 
+Modeling and Assimilation Office at NASA GSFC and MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerAfter more than a decade of drought, strong 
+atmospheric rivers in June and August flooded the foothills of the Andes in the Maule, Ñuble, 
+
+and Biobío regions.Image of the Day for September 4, 2023 Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+Water Floods View more Images of the Day:Heavy rain and melting snow can overtop riverbanks, 
+causing far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and people.In late June 2019, a potent atmospheric 
+river event carried soaking rain into southern Chile, dropping nearly a month’s worth of precipitation 
+in just 48 hours. Image of the Day Water The latest in a series of atmospheric rivers drenching 
+
+the state was accompanied by hazardous winds and left thousands of people without power. Image 
+of the Day Atmosphere Water Severe Storms Two atmospheric rivers hit Australia’s east and 
+west coasts with severe rains on the same day. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Water Unique 
+Imagery Following an exceptionally wet January, an atmospheric river carried even more moisture 
+into the region in February. Image of the Day Atmosphere Severe Storms Remote Sensing August 
+
+21, 2023JPEGIn March and April 2023, some earth scientists began to point out that average 
+sea surface temperatures had surpassed the highest levels seen in a key data record maintained 
+by NOAA. Months later, they remain at record levels, with global sea surface temperatures 
+0.99°C (1.78°F) above average in July. That was the fourth consecutive month they were at 
+record levels.Scientists from NASA have taken a closer look at why. “There are a lot of things 
+
+that affect the world’s sea surface temperatures, but two main factors have pushed them to 
+record heights,” said Josh Willis, an oceanographer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). 
+“We have an El Niño developing in the Pacific, and that’s on top of long-term global warming 
+that has been pushing ocean temperatures steadily upward almost everywhere for a century.”The 
+map above shows sea surface temperature anomalies on August 21, 2023, when many areas were 
+
+more than 3°C (5.4°F) warmer than normal. On that date, much of the central and eastern regions 
+of the equatorial Pacific were unusually warm, the signature of a developing El Niño. As has 
+been the case for weeks, large patches of warm water were also present in the Northwest Pacific 
+near Japan and the Northeast Pacific near California and Oregon. Portions of the Indian, Southern, 
+and Arctic Oceans also showed unusual warmth.The map is based on data from the Multiscale 
+
+Ultrahigh Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (MUR SST) project, a JPL effort that blends measurements 
+of sea surface temperatures from multiple NASA, NOAA, and international satellites, as well 
+as ship and buoy observations. Rather than showing absolute temperature, the anomaly reflects 
+the difference between the sea surface temperature on August 21, 2023, and the 2003-2014 average 
+for that day. The video below, also based on MUR SST data, shows global sea surface temperatures 
+
+since April 1, 2023, the period when they have been at record-breaking levels. The warmest 
+waters appear dark red.April 1 - August 21, 2023MPEG “Over the long term, we’re seeing more 
+heat and warmer sea surface temperatures pretty much everywhere,” said Gavin Schmidt, the 
+director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies. “That long-term trend is almost entirely 
+attributable to human forcing—the fact that we've put such a huge amount of greenhouse gas 
+
+in the atmosphere since the start of the industrial era.”Schmidt noted that other factors—such 
+as weather and wind patterns or the distribution of dust and aerosols—have short-term effects 
+on sea surface temperatures in certain regions, but they generally have a minor effect on 
+the longer-term global mean. Previous research shows that as much as 90 percent of the excess 
+heat that has occurred in recent decades due to increasing greenhouse gas emissions is absorbed 
+
+by the ocean, with much of that heat stored near the surface.The most important factor that 
+helped push sea surface temperatures into record territory in 2023 was the evolving El Niño 
+in the Pacific, according to Willis. He came to that conclusion by analyzing the timing and 
+intensity of sea surface temperature anomalies in several regions and comparing them to the 
+global trend.“We had a big jump in global surface temperature at the beginning of April—exactly 
+
+when the Pacific temperatures jumped up and also when sea levels in the eastern Pacific started 
+to rise,” Willis said. “The heat waves in the Atlantic are important and will have serious 
+effects on marine life and weather in Europe in the coming months. But it’s the Pacific that 
+has taken the global mean on a wild ride this year.”What happens in the Pacific tends to have 
+a large influence on the global sea surface temperatures partly because of its size. The Pacific 
+
+represents about half of the world’s ocean area.Marine heat waves—defined as periods of persistent 
+anomalously warm ocean temperatures (warmer than 90 percent of the previous observations for 
+a given time of year)—have occurred recently in several areas. One NOAA analysis showed that 
+48 percent of the global oceans were in the midst of a marine heat wave in August—a larger 
+area than for any other month since the start of the record in 1991. Particularly intense 
+
+events have warmed the North Atlantic and parts of the Caribbean in recent months.Willis expects 
+the heat in the equatorial Pacific to have more staying power than many of the other marine 
+heat waves simmering around the world. “Many of the marine heat waves we’re seeing are ephemeral 
+and ‘skin’ deep, generally lasting on the order of weeks and driven by atmospheric forces,” 
+explained Willis.The unusually warm water in the equatorial Pacific associated with the developing 
+
+El Niño after three consecutive years of La Niña is expected to weaken trade winds in ways 
+that reinforce and amplify the warming of surface waters, fueling the El Niño further. Forecasters 
+from NOAA say that there is a greater than 95 percent chance that El Niño conditions will 
+persist throughout the Northern Hemisphere winter. “What’s happening in the Pacific with El 
+Niño will influence global weather patterns and sea surface temperatures well into the winter 
+
+and possibly even longer,” Willis said.To monitor sea surface temperatures, scientists at 
+NOAA and NASA analyze observations from sensors and buoys in the oceans, ships, and several 
+different polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites. Groups of scientists with NOAA’s Physical 
+Sciences Laboratory, NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory track marine 
+heat waves and sea surface temperature anomalies closely. You can use NASA’s State of the 
+
+Ocean Tool on Worldview to monitor daily sea surface temperature anomalies.NASA Earth Observatory 
+image by Lauren Dauphin, using data from the Multiscale Ultrahigh Resolution (MUR) project. 
+Video by NASA’s Scientific Visualization studio, using data from the MUR project. Story by 
+Adam Voiland.Decades of gradual warming due to human-caused climate change and an El Niño 
+in the Pacific Ocean nudged global sea surface temperatures to record levels in 2023.Image 
+
+of the Day for August 25, 2023 Image of the Day Water View more Images of the Day:Earth in 
+July 2023 was 1.18°C (2.12°F) warmer than the average for the month, and warmer than any other 
+month in the 143-year record. Image of the Day Heat Temperature Extremes The climate phenomenon 
+emerged in late spring 2023, as waters grew warmer and sea levels rose higher than usual in 
+the tropical Pacific Ocean. Image of the Day Water Blooms of the plant-like organisms near 
+
+coastal areas have become more frequent in the 21st century. Image of the Day Water Remote 
+Sensing Examining temperatures from the depths of the ocean, JPL scientists have found that 
+lower layers of the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans grew much warmer during a decade when 
+surface temperatures cooled. Image of the Day Heat Water August 20, 2023JPEGOnce a powerful 
+category 4 hurricane, Hilary weakened and made landfall in northern Mexico on August 20, 2023, 
+
+pelting the Baja California peninsula and two U.S. states with rain.Before making landfall, 
+Hilary delivered torrential rain to Santa Rosalía in Mexico’s state of Baja California Sur. 
+One person was killed by the floodwater, according to officials. Hilary weakened to a tropical 
+storm before it came ashore on the northern end of the peninsula at around 11 a.m. Pacific 
+Time on August 20, 2023. As the storm moved inland over Southern California, it left flooding, 
+
+mudslides, and power outages behind. The map above depicts a satellite-based estimate of the 
+storm’s rainfall rates. Data for the map were acquired between 5 p.m. Pacific Time on August 
+19 and 2 p.m. Pacific Time on August 20, as the center of the storm was approaching Southern 
+California. The darkest reds reflect the highest rainfall rates, with the Baja California 
+peninsula seeing the heaviest rains during this time. The data are remotely sensed estimates 
+
+that come from the Integrated Multi-Satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG), a product of the 
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite mission. Due to the averaging of the satellite 
+data, local rainfall rates may be significantly higher when measured from the ground. August 
+20 was the wettest August day on record for both downtown Los Angeles and San Diego, according 
+to the National Weather Service. They received 2.5 inches (6.3 centimeters) and 1.8 inches 
+
+(4.6 centimeters) of rain, respectively. The storm also brought wind gusts of 70 miles (113 
+kilometers) per hour to parts of California, knocking over trees and power lines, and reportedly 
+leaving 40,000 residents without power. Death Valley National Park closed due to flooding, 
+and several roads were also flooded and damaged in Las Vegas, Nevada. So far, some of the 
+most severely affected places in the U.S. have been the normally dry desert regions of Southern 
+
+California. Streets turned into rivers of mud in Palm Springs after the city received six 
+months of rain over six hours. Flooding also closed roads in Coachella Valley, including I-10, 
+the major highway in the region. August is typically a dry month in Southern California, but 
+the surface layers of soil can respond quickly to weather events. Scientists at NASA’s Short-term 
+Prediction Research and Transition Center (SPoRT) expected that rain from the storm could 
+
+saturate soils in the region for several days. Hilary continued to move north into Oregon 
+and Idaho on August 21, where rainfall totals of up to 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) were anticipated 
+in places, with potential for flash flooding. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, 
+using IMERG data from the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) at NASA/GSFC. Story by Emily 
+Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerThe storm delivered torrential rain to parts of Southern 
+
+California, Nevada, and Mexico, leaving flooded streets and power outages in its wake.Image 
+of the Day for August 22, 2023 Image of the Day Water Severe Storms View more Images of the 
+Day:The hurricane season in the Pacific runs from June through November, though the storms 
+can form any time of year.The major hurricane was expected to weaken before delivering heavy 
+rain to Mexico and Southern California. Image of the Day Atmosphere Severe Storms Acquired 
+
+January 20, 2010, this true-color image shows an apostrophe-shaped storm, looking slightly 
+like a hurricane without most of its center, over the California coast. Isolated areas of 
+clear sky show the Central Valley and Baja Peninsula. Atmosphere Severe Storms Severe Storms 
+Acquired January 19, 2010, this image shows three cloud banks on their eastward path over 
+California. One is over the ocean, one hovers over the coast, and one has traveled inland. 
+
+Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Severe Storms July 26, 2023JPEGVibrant turquoise and green 
+water swirled near the coastline of Vancouver Island in late July 2023. The colorful plumes—which 
+are likely comprised of both phytoplankton and sediment—stood out in this image, acquired 
+by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the NOAA-20 satellite on July 
+26. Clouds covered much of Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia at the time of this 
+
+image. But coastal areas were cloud-free, exposing water that likely contained flourishing 
+populations of phytoplankton—floating plant-like organisms that are the foundation of the 
+aquatic food web. Phytoplankton blooms are common in the northeast Pacific Ocean during summer 
+as offshore winds push surface waters away from the coast. This causes cooler, nutrient-rich 
+waters to well up from the depths and fuel the growth of phytoplankton. Research has shown 
+
+that a significant amount of nutrients are supplied by the circulation and upwelling that 
+occurs in the Salish Sea, boosting phytoplankton productivity along the continental shelf 
+off Vancouver Island. The bloom also could have been fed by nutrient-rich sediment running 
+off from the coast. The greenest areas off the island’s coast may contain diatoms—a microscopic 
+form of algae with silica shells and plenty of chlorophyll. Coccolithophores—a type of phytoplankton 
+
+armored with calcium carbonate plates—tend to make the water appear more milky-blue and might 
+be present in the bloom. A future NASA satellite mission called PACE—short for Plankton, Aerosol, 
+Cloud, ocean Ecosystem—will enable researchers to infer more information about ocean ecology, 
+including the species of phytoplankton present in blooms and the rates of their growth. PACE 
+is scheduled to launch no earlier than January 2024. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren 
+
+Dauphin, using VIIRS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE, GIBS/Worldview, and the Joint Polar Satellite 
+System (JPSS). Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerSwirls of phytoplankton 
+and sediment brightened the island’s coastal waters in July 2023.Image of the Day for August 
+2, 2023 Image of the Day Water Water Color View more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like 
+organisms reproduce abundantly when there are sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. 
+
+Extreme blooms of certain species can become harmful to marine animals and humans.Skirting 
+the coastline of Mozambique, these 32 small islands are home to a diversity of corals and 
+sea turtles. Image of the Day Life Water These rough waters were once traversed by Japanese 
+pirates; now they are spanned by bridges. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Acquired 
+October 2, 2002, this natural-color image shows islands off the coast of Croatia, in the Adriatic 
+
+Sea. Image of the Day Land Image of the Day Land Unique Imagery At the base of the ocean food 
+web are single-celled algae and other plant-like organisms known as phytoplankton. Like plants 
+on land, phytoplankton use chlorophyll and other light-harvesting pigments to carry out photosynthesis, 
+absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide to produce sugars for fuel. Chlorophyll in the water 
+changes the way it reflects and absorbs sunlight, allowing scientists to map the amount and 
+
+location of phytoplankton. These measurements give scientists valuable insights into the health 
+of the ocean environment, and help scientists study the ocean carbon cycle.These chlorophyll 
+maps show milligrams of chlorophyll per cubic meter of seawater each month. Places where chlorophyll 
+amounts were very low, indicating very low numbers of phytoplankton are blue. Places where 
+chlorophyll concentrations were high, meaning many phytoplankton were growing, are dark green. 
+
+The observations come from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's 
+Aqua satellite. Land is dark gray, and places where MODIS could not collect data because of 
+sea ice, polar darkness, or clouds are light gray.The highest chlorophyll concentrations, 
+where tiny surface-dwelling ocean plants are thriving, are in cold polar waters or in places 
+where ocean currents bring cold water to the surface, such as around the equator and along 
+
+the shores of continents. It is not the cold water itself that stimulates the phytoplankton. 
+Instead, the cool temperatures are often a sign that the water has welled up to the surface 
+from deeper in the ocean, carrying nutrients that have built up over time. In polar waters, 
+nutrients accumulate in surface waters during the dark winter months when plants can't grow. 
+When sunlight returns in the spring and summer, the plants flourish in high concentrations.A 
+
+band of cool, plant-rich waters circles the globe at the Equator, with the strongest signal 
+in the Atlantic Ocean and the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. This zone of enhanced phytoplankton 
+growth comes from the frequent upwelling of cooler, deeper water as a result of the dominant 
+easterly trade winds blowing across the ocean surface. In many coastal areas, the rising slope 
+of the sea floor pushes cold water from the lowest layers of the ocean to the surface. The 
+
+rising, or upwelling water carries iron and other nutrients from the ocean floor. Cold coastal 
+upwelling and subsequent phytoplankton growth are most evident along the west coasts of North 
+and South America and southern Africa.View, download, or analyze more of these data from NASA 
+Earth Observations (NEO): Chlorophyll Life Water September 12, 2023JPEGOn September 12, 2023, 
+Hurricane Lee continued its slow west-northwest trajectory across the Atlantic Ocean. The 
+
+Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 16 (GOES-16) acquired this image of the 
+major storm at approximately 1 p.m. Eastern Time (17:00 UTC) as it advanced toward the southeastern 
+United States. The satellite is operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
+(NOAA); NASA helps develop and launch the GOES series of satellites. Around this time, the 
+center of the hurricane was located about 500 miles (800 kilometers) south of Bermuda and 
+
+moving at 6 miles (9 kilometers) per hour. Sustained winds were measured at 115 miles (185 
+kilometers) per hour, making it a category 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale.On 
+its path across the ocean to this point, the hurricane fluctuated dramatically in strength, 
+as it underwent one of the most extreme periods of rapid intensification for a North Atlantic 
+storm in the past 40 years. In the 24 hours ending at 2 a.m. Eastern Time (06:00 UTC) on September 
+
+8, Lee’s winds increased from 80 to 165 miles per hour (130 to 265 kilometers per hour), escalating 
+it to category 5 status. Only Hurricane Felix in 2007 and Hurricane Wilma in 2005 intensified 
+more over a 24-hour period. Following this ramp-up, moderate to strong wind shear disrupted 
+the storm’s circulation and weakened it to a category 2. September 10, 2023JPEGThat would 
+not be the last momentum swing, however. On September 10, Hurricane Lee began to regain strength 
+
+as wind shear abated and it passed over very warm waters. The map above shows sea surface 
+temperatures on from that day based on data from the Multiscale Ultrahigh Resolution Sea Surface 
+Temperature (MUR SST) project, a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory effort that blends measurements 
+of sea surface temperatures from multiple NASA, NOAA, and international satellites, as well 
+as ship and buoy observations. High sea surface temperatures are among the conditions favorable 
+
+to hurricane intensification. And 2023 has been a banner year for warm oceans. Decades of 
+gradual warming due to climate change, along with El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean, 
+helped drive global sea surface temperatures into record territory for several months in the 
+summer. Meteorologists generally agree that sea surface temperatures above 27.8 degrees Celsius 
+(82 degrees Fahrenheit) will sustain and intensify hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons. Surface 
+
+waters above that threshold are shown in red to black on the map. Forecast models indicate 
+that a weather pattern over the eastern U.S. will redirect Lee to the north. The storm is 
+expected to expand in size and weaken as it moves over cooler waters recently churned up by 
+hurricanes Franklin and Idalia. The storm will likely pass west of Bermuda, which is under 
+a tropical storm watch, and potentially make landfall over the northeastern U.S. or Nova Scotia 
+
+as a much weaker storm. NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using GOES 16 imagery 
+courtesy of NOAA and the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) 
+and data from the Multiscale Ultrahigh Resolution (MUR) project. Story by Lindsey Doermann.View 
+this area in EO ExplorerThe major storm fluctuated in intensity as it approached the U.S. 
+East Coast.Image of the Day for September 13, 2023 Image of the Day Land Water Severe Storms 
+
+View more Images of the Day:Hurricane season in the basin runs from June 1 to November 30.Acquired 
+August 23, 2009, this true-color image shows Hurricane Bill missing the U.S., apparently headed 
+northward toward Canada. Atmosphere Water Severe Storms The first hurricane of the Atlantic 
+season made a series of landfalls and dropped abundant rain from the Caribbean to the U.S. 
+East Coast. Heat Water Severe Storms Human Presence The SeaWiFS instrument captured the data 
+
+for this composite view of an August 2000 hurricane while it was near Bermuda. Image of the 
+Day Atmosphere Though it has weakened since reaching category 5 strength, the hurricane is 
+still bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the northeast Atlantic. Image of the Day Floods 
+Severe Storms Remote Sensing September 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 13, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023September 
+13, 2023September 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 13, 2023JPEGSeptember 13, 2023JPEGOn September 10, 
+
+2023, a low-pressure storm brought heavy rains to northeastern Libya, causing deadly flooding 
+and devastation in cities along the Mediterranean coast. On the coast of Libya’s Cyrenaica 
+region, Al Bayda recorded 414 millimeters (16 inches) of rain in one day. Nearby, the port 
+city of Derna received more than 100 millimeters (4 inches) over the course of the storm—far 
+exceeding the city’s average monthly rainfall for September of less than 1.5 millimeters (0.1 
+
+inches). Derna lies at the end of a long, narrow valley, called a wadi, which is dry for most 
+of the year. Floods triggered two dams along Wadi Derna to collapse, sending floodwater and 
+mud to the city. According to news reports, floodwater swept away roads and entire neighborhoods. 
+The images above show the Cyrenaica region before and after the storm. They are false color, 
+which makes water (blue) stand out from the surroundings. The image on the right, acquired 
+
+on September 13, shows water filling low-lying areas and wadis inland from the coast. The 
+image on the left shows the same area on September 7. Both images were acquired with the Moderate 
+Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. The flooding and damage 
+in Derna is difficult to see at this resolution, although sediment flowing into the Mediterranean 
+is visible in natural color images. In the days prior to making landfall in Libya, the same 
+
+low-pressure storm (named Storm Daniel by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service) swamped 
+parts of Greece, Turkey, and Bulgaria. As the storm approached Libya, it developed characteristics 
+of a tropical-like cyclone, or “medicane,” with winds measuring around 70 to 80 kilometers 
+(43 to 50 miles) per hour. September 10, 2023JPEGThe natural-color image above, acquired with 
+MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite, shows the storm on September 10 as it made landfall in northeastern 
+
+Libya. Only one or two medicanes typically develop in a year, according to NOAA. As of September 
+13, authorities were still conducting search and rescue operations in the region. Derna was 
+still largely inaccessible on that day, making it difficult to assess the full impact of the 
+flood.NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE 
+and GIBS/Worldview. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerA Mediterranean cyclone 
+
+contributed to deadly flooding along the country’s coastline.Image of the Day for September 
+14, 2023 Image of the Day Land Water Floods View more Images of the Day:The melting of frozen 
+rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can send rivers out of 
+their banks.Flash floods in the port city destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods out to sea. 
+Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence Record rainfall inundated towns and farmland 
+
+in the country’s Thessaly region. Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence Cities and 
+towns darkened after a cyclone unleashed torrential flooding along the country’s coast. Image 
+of the Day Human Presence An extratropical cyclone triggered deadly flooding in the state 
+of Rio Grande do Sul. Image of the Day Water Floods Water budgets for individual watersheds 
+can be estimated using remote sensing data for precipitation, evapotranspiration, and runoff.Find 
+
+and use NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections 
+between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.Remote sensing is the acquiring 
+
+of information from a distance. NASA observes Earth and other planetary bodies via remote 
+sensors on satellites and aircraft that detect and record reflected or emitted energy. Remote 
+sensors, which provide a global perspective and a wealth of data about Earth systems, enable 
+data-informed decision making based on the current and future state of our planet.For more 
+information, check out NASA's Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) 
+
+Tech Talk: From Pixels to Products: An Overview of Satellite Remote Sensing.Satellites can 
+be placed in several types of orbits around Earth. The three common classes of orbits are 
+low-Earth orbit (approximately 160 to 2,000 km above Earth), medium-Earth orbit (approximately 
+2,000 to 35,500 km above Earth), and high-Earth orbit (above 35,500 km above Earth). Satellites 
+orbiting at 35,786 km are at an altitude at which their orbital speed matches the planet's 
+
+rotation, and are in what is called geosynchronous orbit (GSO). In addition, a satellite in 
+GSO directly over the equator will have a geostationary orbit. A geostationary orbit enables 
+a satellite to maintain its position directly over the same place on Earth’s surface.Low-Earth 
+orbit is a commonly used orbit since satellites can follow several orbital tracks around the 
+planet. Polar-orbiting satellites, for example, are inclined nearly 90 degrees to the equatorial 
+
+plane and travel from pole to pole as Earth rotates. This enables sensors aboard the satellite 
+to acquire data for the entire globe rapidly, including the polar regions. Many polar-orbiting 
+satellites are considered Sun-synchronous, meaning that the satellite passes over the same 
+location at the same solar time each cycle. One example of a Sun-synchronous, polar-orbiting 
+satellite is NASA’s Aqua satellite, which orbits approximately 705 km above Earth’s surface.Non-polar 
+
+low-Earth orbit satellites, on the other hand, do not provide global coverage but instead 
+cover only a partial range of latitudes. The joint NASA/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory is an example of a non-Sun-synchronous 
+low-Earth orbit satellite. Its orbital track acquires data between 65 degrees north and south 
+latitude from 407 km above the planet.A medium-Earth orbit satellite takes approximately 12 
+
+hours to complete an orbit. In 24-hours, the satellite crosses over the same two spots on 
+the equator every day. This orbit is consistent and highly predictable. As a result, this 
+is an orbit used by many telecommunications and GPS satellites. One example of a medium-Earth 
+orbit satellite constellation is the European Space Agency's Galileo global navigation satellite 
+system (GNSS), which orbits 23,222 km above Earth.While both geosynchronous and geostationary 
+
+satellites orbit at 35,786 km above Earth, geosynchronous satellites have orbits that can 
+be tilted above or below the equator. Geostationary satellites, on the other hand, orbit Earth 
+on the same plane as the equator. These satellites capture identical views of Earth with each 
+observation and provide almost continuous coverage of one area. The joint NASA/NOAA Geostationary 
+Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) series of weather satellites are in geostationary 
+
+orbits above the equator.For more information about orbits, please see NASA Earth Observatory's 
+Catalog of Earth Satellite Orbits.Electromagnetic energy, produced by the vibration of charged 
+particles, travels in the form of waves through the atmosphere and the vacuum of space. These 
+waves have different wavelengths (the distance from wave crest to wave crest) and frequencies; 
+a shorter wavelength means a higher frequency. Some, like radio, microwave, and infrared waves, 
+
+have a longer wavelength, while others, such as ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays, have 
+a much shorter wavelength. Visible light sits in the middle of that range of long to shortwave 
+radiation. This small portion of energy is all that the human eye is able to detect. Instrumentation 
+is needed to detect all other forms of electromagnetic energy. NASA instrumentation utilizes 
+the full range of the spectrum to explore and understand processes occurring here on Earth 
+
+and on other planetary bodies.Some waves are absorbed or reflected by atmospheric components, 
+like water vapor and carbon dioxide, while some wavelengths allow for unimpeded movement through 
+the atmosphere; visible light has wavelengths that can be transmitted through the atmosphere. 
+Microwave energy has wavelengths that can pass through clouds, an attribute utilized by many 
+weather and communication satellites.The primary source of the energy observed by satellites, 
+
+is the Sun. The amount of the Sun’s energy reflected depends on the roughness of the surface 
+and its albedo, which is how well a surface reflects light instead of absorbing it. Snow, 
+for example, has a very high albedo and reflects up to 90% of incoming solar radiation. The 
+ocean, on the other hand, reflects only about 6% of incoming solar radiation and absorbs the 
+rest. Often, when energy is absorbed, it is re-emitted, usually at longer wavelengths. For 
+
+example, the energy absorbed by the ocean gets re-emitted as infrared radiation.All things 
+on Earth reflect, absorb, or transmit energy, the amount of which varies by wavelength. Just 
+as your fingerprint is unique to you, everything on Earth has a unique spectral fingerprint. 
+Researchers can use this information to identify different Earth features as well as different 
+rock and mineral types. The number of spectral bands detected by a given instrument, its spectral 
+
+resolution, determines how much differentiation a researcher can identify between materials.For 
+more information on the electromagnetic spectrum, with companion videos, view NASA's Tour 
+of the Electromagnetic Spectrum.Sensors, or instruments, aboard satellites and aircraft use 
+the Sun as a source of illumination or provide their own source of illumination, measuring 
+energy that is reflected back. Sensors that use natural energy from the Sun are called passive 
+
+sensors; those that provide their own source of energy are called active sensors. Passive 
+sensors include different types of radiometers (instruments that quantitatively measure the 
+intensity of electromagnetic radiation in select bands) and spectrometers (devices that are 
+designed to detect, measure, and analyze the spectral content of reflected electromagnetic 
+radiation). Most passive systems used by remote sensing applications operate in the visible, 
+
+infrared, thermal infrared, and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. These 
+sensors measure land and sea surface temperature, vegetation properties, cloud and aerosol 
+properties, and other physical attributes. Most passive sensors cannot penetrate dense cloud 
+cover and thus have limitations observing areas like the tropics where dense cloud cover is 
+frequent.Active sensors include different types of radio detection and ranging (radar) sensors, 
+
+altimeters, and scatterometers. The majority of active sensors operate in the microwave band 
+of the electromagnetic spectrum, which gives them the ability to penetrate the atmosphere 
+under most conditions. These types of sensors are useful for measuring the vertical profiles 
+of aerosols, forest structure, precipitation and winds, sea surface topography, and ice, among 
+others.The Remote Sensors Earthdata page provides a list of NASA’s Earth science passive and 
+
+active sensors while the What is Synthetic Aperture Radar? Backgrounder provides specific 
+information on this type of active sensor.Resolution plays a role in how data from a sensor 
+can be used. Resolution can vary depending on the satellite’s orbit and sensor design. There 
+are four types of resolution to consider for any dataset—radiometric, spatial, spectral, and 
+temporal.Radiometric resolution is the amount of information in each pixel, that is, the number 
+
+of bits representing the energy recorded. Each bit records an exponent of power 2. For example, 
+an 8 bit resolution is 28, which indicates that the sensor has 256 potential digital values 
+(0-255) to store information. Thus, the higher the radiometric resolution, the more values 
+are available to store information, providing better discrimination between even the slightest 
+differences in energy. For example, when assessing water quality, radiometric resolution is 
+
+necessary to distinguish between subtle differences in ocean color.Spatial resolution is defined 
+by the size of each pixel within a digital image and the area on Earth’s surface represented 
+by that pixel.For example, the majority of the bands observed by the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) have a spatial resolution of 1km; each pixel represents a 1 km x 
+1km area on the ground. MODIS also includes bands with a spatial resolution of 250 m or 500 
+
+m. The finer the resolution (the lower the number), the more detail you can see. In the image 
+below, you can see the difference in pixelation between a 30 m/pixel image (left image), a 
+100 m/pixel image (center image), and a 300 m/pixel image (right image).Spectral resolution 
+is the ability of a sensor to discern finer wavelengths, that is, having more and narrower 
+bands. Many sensors are considered to be multispectral, meaning they have 3-10 bands. Some 
+
+sensors have hundreds to even thousands of bands and are considered to be hyperspectral. The 
+narrower the range of wavelengths for a given band, the finer the spectral resolution. For 
+example, the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) captures information 
+in 224 spectral channels. The cube on the right represents the detail within the data. At 
+this level of detail, distinctions can be made between rock and mineral types, vegetation 
+
+types, and other features. In the cube, the small region of high response in the right corner 
+of the image is in the red portion of the visible spectrum (about 700 nanometers), and is 
+due to the presence of 1-centimeter-long (half-inch) red brine shrimp in the evaporation pond.Temporal 
+resolution is the time it takes for a satellite to complete an orbit and revisit the same 
+observation area. This resolution depends on the orbit, the sensor’s characteristics, and 
+
+the swath width. Because geostationary satellites match the rate at which Earth is rotating, 
+the temporal resolution is much finer. Polar orbiting satellites have a temporal resolution 
+that can vary from 1 day to 16 days. For example, the MODIS sensor aboard NASA's Terra and 
+Aqua satellites has a temporal resolution of 1-2 days, allowing the sensor to visualize Earth 
+as it changes day by day. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard the joint NASA/USGS Landsat 
+
+8 satellite, on the other hand, has a narrower swath width and a temporal resolution of 16 
+days; showing not daily changes but bi-monthly changes.Why not build a sensor combining high 
+spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution? It is difficult to combine all of the desirable 
+features into one remote sensor. For example, to acquire observations with high spatial resolution 
+(like OLI, aboard Landsat 8) a narrower swath is required, which requires more time between 
+
+observations of a given area resulting in a lower temporal resolution. Researchers have to 
+make trade-offs. This is why it is very important to understand the type of data needed for 
+a given area of study. When researching weather, which is dynamic over time, a high temporal 
+resolution is critical. When researching seasonal vegetation changes, on the other hand, a 
+high temporal resolution may be sacrificed for a higher spectral or spatial resolution.Remote 
+
+sensing data acquired from instruments aboard satellites require processing before the data 
+are usable by most researchers and applied science users. Most raw NASA Earth observation 
+satellite data (Level 0, see data processing levels) are processed at NASA's Science Investigator-led 
+Processing Systems (SIPS) facilities. All data are processed to at least a Level 1, but most 
+have associated Level 2 (derived geophysical variables) and Level 3 (variables mapped on uniform 
+
+space-time grid scales) products. Many even have Level 4 products. NASA Earth science data 
+are archived at discipline-specific Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) and are available 
+fully, openly, and without restriction to data users.Most data are stored in Hierarchical 
+Data Format (HDF) or Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) format. Numerous data tools are available 
+to subset, transform, visualize, and export to various other file formats.Once data are processed, 
+
+they can be used in a variety of applications, from agriculture to water resources to health 
+and air quality. A single sensor will not address all research questions within a given application. 
+Users often need to leverage multiple sensors and data products to address their question, 
+bearing in mind the limitations of data provided by different spectral, spatial, and temporal 
+resolutions.Many sensors acquire data at different spectral wavelengths. For example, Band 
+
+1 of the OLI aboard Landsat 8 acquires data at 0.433-0.453 micrometers while the MODIS Band 
+1 acquires data at 0.620-0.670 micrometers. OLI has a total of 9 bands whereas MODIS has 36 
+bands, all measuring different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Bands can be combined 
+to produce imagery of the data to reveal different features in the landscape. Often imagery 
+of data are used to distinguish characteristics of a region being studied or to determine 
+
+an area of study.True-color images show Earth as it appears to the human eye. For a Landsat 
+8 OLI true-color (red, green, blue [RGB]) image, the sensor Bands 4 (Red), 3 (Green), and 
+2 (Blue) are combined. Other spectral band combinations can be used for specific science applications, 
+such as flood monitoring, urbanization delineation, and vegetation mapping. For example, creating 
+a false-color Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS, aboard the Suomi National 
+
+Polar-orbiting Partnership [Suomi NPP] satellite) image using bands M11, I2, and I1 is useful 
+for distinguishing burn scars from low vegetation or bare soil as well as for exposing flooded 
+areas. To see more band combinations from Landsat sensors, check out NASA Scientific Visualization 
+Studio's video Landsat Band Remix or the NASA Earth Observatory article Many Hues of London. 
+For other common band combinations, see NASA Earth Observatory's How to Interpret Common False-Color 
+
+Images, which provides common band combinations along with insight into interpreting imagery.Once 
+data are processed into imagery with varying band combinations these images can aid in resource 
+management decisions and disaster assessment. This requires proper interpretation of the imagery. 
+There are a few strategies for getting started (adapted from NASA Earth Observatory article 
+How to Interpret a Satellite Image: Five Tips and Strategies):Different land cover types can 
+
+be discriminated more readily by using image classification algorithms. Image classification 
+uses the spectral information of individual image pixels. A program using image classification 
+algorithms can automatically group the pixels in what is called an unsupervised classification. 
+The user can also indicate areas of known land cover type to “train” the program to group 
+like pixels; this is called a supervised classification. Maps or imagery can also be integrated 
+
+into a geographical information system (GIS) and then each pixel can be compared with other 
+GIS data, such as census data. For more information on integrating NASA Earth science data 
+into a GIS, check out the Earthdata GIS page.Satellites also often carry a variety of sensors 
+measuring biogeophysical parameters, such as sea surface temperature, nitrogen dioxide or 
+other atmospheric pollutants, winds, aerosols, and biomass. These parameters can be evaluated 
+
+through statistical and spectral analysis techniques.To aid in getting started with applications-based 
+research using remotely-sensed data, Data Pathfinders provide a data product selection guide 
+focused on specific science disciplines and application areas, such as those mentioned above. 
+Pathfinders provide direct links to the most commonly-used datasets and data products from 
+NASA’s Earth science data collections along with links to tools that provide ways to visualize 
+
+or subset the data, with the option to save the data in different file formats.Find and use 
+NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections 
+between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.The planet NASA studies the most 
+is Earth. NASA’s end-to-end Earth observations enable agricultural producers to make informed 
+decisions about global market conditions, water management, in-season crop conditions, severe 
+weather, and sustainability.This Data Pathfinder will help guide you through the process of 
+selecting and using datasets applicable to agriculture and water management, and provides 
+
+links to specific data sources. If you are new to remote sensing, the What is Remote Sensing? 
+Backgrounder provides a comprehensive overview. In addition, NASA's Applied Remote Sensing 
+Training Program (ARSET) provides numerous training modules, including Fundamentals of Remote 
+Sensing.If you have specific questions about how to use data, tools, or resources mentioned 
+in this Data Pathfinder, please visit the Earthdata Forum. Here, you can interact with other 
+
+data users and NASA subject matter experts on a variety of Earth science research and applications 
+topics.This section provides links to NASA and external tools and applications relevant to 
+analyzing and visualizing agriculture and water management data referenced in this Data Pathfinder. 
+NASA's Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program maintains many more resources for data analysis 
+that may be helpful. Explore the full list on the NASA Earthdata Data Tools page.The Agrometeorological 
+
+(AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of EO data products on 
+the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season crop development 
+and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO data plots that quantify 
+critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region and crop over time and are 
+updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots help tell the story of in-season 
+
+crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For 
+more information about AGMET:The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples 
+(AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from 
+a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using 
+spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: 
+
+point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. 
+Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+
+viewing results, interacting with results, and downloading requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search 
+is NASA's tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant 
+data available through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about 
+data collections, search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and 
+
+download or submit requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. 
+Note: An Earthdata Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) 
+users can customize granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, 
+KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset 
+to obtain only the bands that are needed.The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) 
+
+provides early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. NASA’s 
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+
+parameter analysis options include:Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:The U.S. Drought 
+Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought 
+
+relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the USGS provides 
+the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30), visualizing nearly 
+1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.EarthExplorer 
+is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, elevation data, and satellite products 
+
+(including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER data, ASTER GDEM and other products) 
+distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, and ordering tool connects users with 
+satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories through interactive and textual-based 
+query capabilities. These products are available for download at no cost to registered users. 
+Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" link on the EarthExplorer main page.The 
+
+NASA Worldview data visualization application provides the capability to interactively browse 
+more than 1,000 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and download the underlying 
+data. Many of the available imagery layers are updated within three hours of observation, 
+which supports time-critical application areas such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, 
+and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services 
+
+(GIBS). Worldview also includes geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, 
+and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites that are available at 10-minute increments for the 
+last 30 days.The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) 
+offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from a variety of 
+federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, 
+
+temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: point samples 
+for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample 
+requests submitted to AρρEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+viewing results, interacting with results and downloading requests.Earthdata Search is NASA's 
+tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available 
+through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, 
+search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit 
+
+requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata 
+Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize 
+granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF 
+and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the 
+bands that are needed.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:NASA's ORNL DAAC has several tools for subsetting 
+data from the MODIS and VIIRS instruments:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed 
+
+using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced 
+and other arrays, and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, 
+combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application 
+that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that 
+your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With 
+
+Panoply 5 you can:Resources:NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers 
+geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology 
+community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as 
+well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable 
+applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of restful Application Programming 
+
+Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and Open-source Project for a Network 
+Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service offerings support data discovery, 
+access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support 
+tools.Data Access ViewerThe Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators 
+bring together a variety of EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides 
+
+valuable insights on in-season crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator 
+consists of several EO data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health 
+for a specific region and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different 
+EO data plots help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different 
+climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover 
+
+the NASA Earth Science resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data 
+found in this web map can be applied to the following areas:The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:The Crop Monitor 
+Exploring Tool is an an online interactive resource that provides NDVI, temperature, precipitation, 
+soil moisture, ET, and runoff data to determine crop conditions for a variety of different 
+
+crops in Early Warning countries (Africa and Asia) and Agricultural Market Information System 
+(AMIS) countries (North America, Europe, and Asia) by the Group on Earth Observations Global 
+Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM).The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides 
+early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s 
+
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Versions:GLAM2 Original 
+VersionResources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply 
+data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, 
+and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, 
+
+and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, 
+Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had 
+a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: 
+NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology 
+and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The NASA Worldview data visualization 
+application provides the capability to interactively browse more than 1,000 global, full-resolution 
+satellite imagery layers and download the underlying data. Many of the available imagery layers 
+are updated within three hours of observation, which supports time-critical application areas 
+such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery 
+
+is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS). Worldview also includes 
+geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites 
+that are available at 10-minute increments for the last 30 days.The Application for Extracting 
+and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access 
+and transform geospatial data from a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users 
+
+to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types 
+of sample requests are available: point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples 
+for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users 
+not only with data values, but also associated quality data values. Interactive visualizations 
+with summary statistics are provided for each sample within the application, which allow users 
+
+to preview and interact with their samples before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS 
+Getting Started to learn more about workflows, viewing the results, interacting with the results 
+and downloading the requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool enables users to visualize 
+and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of 
+rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved decisions for, issues 
+
+related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish 
+to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture 
+Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active 
+Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument 
+in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical for professionals in the agriculture 
+
+and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in tandem with other data to plan crop 
+planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and improve weather forecasts. This application 
+offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service (WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and 
+Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search is NASA's tool for searching for 
+and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available through U.S. and 
+
+international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, search for data 
+files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit requests for 
+data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata Login is required 
+to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize granules. Users 
+can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from 
+
+a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the bands that are needed.The 
+Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides early warning and analysis on food 
+insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to help decision-makers 
+plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. 
+The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information 
+
+System (LIS) that has been adapted to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and 
+forecast requirements associated with food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. 
+The integration of LIS allows FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate 
+ensembles of soil moisture, evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple 
+meteorological inputs or land surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access 
+
+to geo-spatial data, satellite image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS 
+NET drought monitoring efforts throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS 
+NET Project, part of the Early Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation 
+and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables 
+near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. 
+This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, 
+
+and computing power.Resources:OpenET is a web-based platform that puts NASA evapotranspiration 
+(ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation groups to speed improvements 
+and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states in the Western U.S. It uses 
+publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based ET information in 
+areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly intervals.Resources:NASA's 
+
+Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and 
+solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The U.S. Drought Monitor 
+is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought relief 
+allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.EarthExplorer is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, 
+elevation data and satellite products (including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER 
+data, ASTER GDEM and other products) distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, 
+and ordering tool connects users with satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories 
+through interactive and textual-based query capabilities. These products are available for 
+
+download at no cost to registered users. Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" 
+link on the EarthExplorer main page.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the 
+USGS provides the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30) visualizing 
+nearly 1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.The 
+Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of 
+
+EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season 
+crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO 
+data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region 
+and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots 
+help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, 
+
+and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover the NASA Earth Science 
+resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data found in this web map can 
+be applied to the following areas:Water Availability: Plant Stress, Soil Moisture, Drought, 
+Irrigation Weather, Extreme Events and Better Seasonal and Sub-Seasonal Projections: NASA 
+Models Informing NOAA, USDA and Drought Monitor Operational ForecastingFor GIS users: see 
+
+how to use NASA data and services in common GIS tools in the GIS Pathfinder and check out 
+the How To guides to get help with your workflows.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool 
+enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, 
+and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved 
+decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an 
+
+API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop 
+Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data 
+from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, 
+
+and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform 
+application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, and offers additional functionality 
+such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. 
+Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop 
+computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later 
+
+version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide 
+Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters 
+formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, 
+and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through 
+custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of 
+
+restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerOpenET is a web-based platform 
+that puts NASA evapotranspiration (ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation 
+
+groups to speed improvements and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states 
+in the Western U.S. It uses publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based 
+ET information in areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly 
+intervals.Resources:The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by 
+policymakers to help determine drought relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA 
+
+satellites provide data about water availability to the U.S. Drought Monitor.The ClimateSERV 
+data visualization tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, 
+vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding 
+of, and make improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. 
+ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application 
+
+or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NASA's Prediction 
+Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related 
+
+parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, 
+analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings 
+through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series 
+of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA develops partnerships 
+and resources to address food security and works with decision-makers and data users to tailor 
+these tools to specific locations and user needs. These efforts help address issues like water 
+management for irrigation, crop-type identification and land use, coastal and lake water quality 
+
+monitoring, drought preparedness, and famine early warnings. NASA Earth science data are key 
+elements in the work carried out and supported by the agency's Applied Sciences Program, which 
+works with individuals and institutions worldwide to inform decision-making, enhance quality 
+of life, and strengthen our economy. Applied Sciences agriculture and water management-related 
+efforts include: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked 
+
+global goals designed to be a blueprint for a sustainable future for all of Earth’s inhabitants. 
+The SDGs are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an international plan signed 
+by all United Nations (UN) member states and underpinned by the foundational components of 
+People, Planet, and Prosperity.SDGs include specific social, economic, and environmental targets. 
+Through SDG 2: Zero Hunger, the UN proposes to end hunger, achieve food security and improved 
+
+nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Key SDG 2 Targets include:While NASA datasets 
+are not official indicators for SDG monitoring and decision-making, they provide data necessary 
+to assess progress towards achieving SDG Targets. Along with SDG 2, the data and resources 
+in the Agriculture and Water Management Data Pathfinder help address Targets in other SDGs, 
+including:The Sustainable Development Progress Report offers data about countries’ performances 
+
+in the SDGs.GIS data related to SDG 2 are available from the United Nations Statistics Division 
+through Esri’s Federated Information System for the SDG Initiative.The Committee on Earth 
+Observation Satellites (CEOS) also supports SDG 2. Learn how CEOS Agencies are using Earth 
+observations for agriculture monitoring.August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGAugust 31, 
+2023September 8, 2023August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGIn early 
+
+September 2023, Greece endured a four-day storm that dropped 910 millimeters (3 feet) of rain 
+on central parts of the country. The record rainfall triggered deadly flooding and inundated 
+towns and farm fields in Thessaly, a region that includes Greece’s agricultural heartland. 
+The flooding was fueled by a stalled low-pressure storm that became cut-off from the jet stream, 
+also known as a cut-off low, which dropped heavy rainfall on central Greece between September 
+
+4 and 7. The storm dropped the most rain, 910 millimeters (3 feet), on Zagora, near Thessaly’s 
+port town of Volos, according to Meteo, the country’s weather service. About 100 kilometers 
+(60 miles) inland, the town of Karditsa saw 659 millimeters (2 feet) of rainfall. The pair 
+of images above shows flooding near Karditsa and Larissa, some of the hardest hit places in 
+Thessaly. The image on the right, acquired by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 
+
+8, shows flooding near the Pineios River on September 8, a day after the storm receded. The 
+image on the left, acquired by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, shows the 
+same area on August 31. The images show floodwater covering what once were green farm fields 
+in the low-lying Thessaly plain. Farming is a major industry in the region, and accounts for 
+about one-sixth of Greece’s agricultural output. Farmers here grow primarily cotton, wheat, 
+
+corn, and alfalfa. The detailed image below shows flooded fields near the village of Pedino, 
+north of Karditsa. Sediment-laden water overtopped the banks of the Pineios, to the north 
+of the village, and the Mega Rema River to the south. September 8, 2023JPEGSeveral villages 
+along the Pineios and its tributaries became inundated with water during the storm. According 
+to news reports, over 4,000 people have been rescued from high water areas. Flooding near 
+
+Larissa, Thessaly’s capital and one of the largest cities in Greece, can be seen in the image 
+below. Suburbs of the city were flooded after the Pineios River broke its banks. September 
+8, 2023JPEGAlthough water along the Pineios had started to recede on September 11, flooding 
+along the river could still be seen in images from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 
+(MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. According to news reports, the river was still 2 meters 
+
+(6.5 feet) above safe levels. NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerRecord 
+rainfall inundated towns and farmland in the country’s Thessaly region.Image of the Day for 
+September 12, 2023 Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The 
+melting of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can 
+
+send rivers out of their banks.Flash floods in the port city destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods 
+out to sea. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence A Mediterranean cyclone contributed 
+to deadly flooding along the country’s coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods A stalled 
+storm dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive 
+flooding. Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential 
+
+downpours in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+Floods Human Presence September 1, 2023JPEGFor decades, summer phytoplankton blooms have sprung 
+up in Missisquoi Bay in the northeastern part of Lake Champlain. The bay’s shallow, nutrient-rich, 
+and seasonally warm waters offer ideal growing conditions for the floating, plant-like organisms, 
+which can multiply and aggregate into vast masses that discolor parts of the lake.The summer 
+
+of 2023 was no exception. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 acquired this natural-color 
+image of a bloom swirling near the mouth of the Missisquoi River on September 1, 2023. The 
+satellite collected similar images in August as well.While it is not possible to determine 
+the type of phytoplankton with Landsat observations alone, this bloom is likely cyanobacteria 
+(also called blue-green algae)—an ancient type of marine bacteria that captures and stores 
+
+solar energy through photosynthesis. Several trained cyanobacteria spotters submitted photographs 
+and reports of dense green mats of cyanobacteria lining the shores of Missisquoi Bay to Verrmont’s 
+cyanobacteria tracker website around the same time the image was acquired.Cyanobacteria blooms 
+are monitored closely because some species produce toxins known as cyanotoxins, including 
+a widespread type called microcystin, that can sicken people and animals, contaminate drinking 
+
+water, and force closures of boating and swimming sites.In recent years, teams of researchers 
+working with NASA’s DEVELOP program have used observations from several satellites to track 
+where in Lake Champlain harmful blooms are most common and identify key risk factors associated 
+with them. In a technical report, the researchers reported that Missisquoi Bay and nearby 
+St. Albans Bay had the lake’s highest concentration of toxic cyanobacteria blooms between 
+
+2016-2022.“There are multiple contributors to blooms like nutrients, temperature, and wind 
+and wave conditions,” noted Kent Ross, a science advisor for the Lake Champlain DEVELOP project. 
+“We focused on the availability of one of the nutrients—phosphorus.”Phosphorus is a common 
+nutrient found in runoff from farmland, lawns, and developed areas. While much of Lake Champlain 
+is surrounded by forests, which filter nutrients, Missisquoi Bay is flanked by farmland, where 
+
+fertilizer use leads to higher levels of phosphorous in the rivers that flow into the bay, 
+Ross explained.“That’s where our project partner, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural 
+Resource Conservation Service, comes in,” added Ross. “They recommend best practices to farmers 
+to limit nutrient runoff.” Adjusting the timing or type of fertilizer, changing grazing rotations, 
+upgrading drainage systems, and improving soil health are among the strategies farmers might 
+
+pursue.One of the challenges for scientists who study cyanobacteria blooms is that blooms 
+don’t always contain the species that produce harmful toxins. “The currently used indices 
+based on multispectral imagery cannot distinguish between the toxin-producing subspecies of 
+microcystis and non-toxin producing microcystis algae blooms,” said Jeffrey Luvall, also a 
+science advisor for the DEVELOP team and a scientist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. 
+
+“But the upcoming PACE mission—scheduled to launch in 2024—will make hyperspectral observations 
+able to do that.”NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the 
+U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerPhosphorus runoff 
+from farmland surrounding Lake Champlain contributes to summer cyanobacteria blooms in the 
+northeastern part of the lake.Image of the Day for September 11, 2023 Image of the Day Water 
+
+Human Presence Water Color View more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like organisms reproduce 
+abundantly when there are sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. Extreme blooms 
+of certain species can become harmful to marine animals and humans.More than 40 years after 
+the explosive eruption of Mount St. Helens, relics from the blast continue to haunt a nearby 
+lake. Image of the Day Water Straddling Austria and Hungary, the lake is also known as the 
+
+“Sea of the Viennese.” Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Snow and Ice At an average 
+elevation of 3,812 meters (12,507 feet), Lake Titicaca is one of the highest lakes in the 
+world. The lake is positioned between two major ranges of the Andes Mountain chain and has 
+very limited drainage. The limited outflow of the lake allows for the accumulation of nutrients 
+derived primarily from surrounding communities’ agricultural and sewage waste. The increased 
+
+nutrient levels can lead to plankton blooms. This astronaut photograph, taken from the International 
+Space Station, captures two such blooms along the eastern shoreline of the lake. Image of 
+the Day Land Life Once the second-largest lake in Turkey, it now rarely spans an area much 
+larger than a puddle. Image of the Day Land Water Remote Sensing August 18, 2023JPEGWhile 
+some weather-related delays are mere annoyances, others slow the rhythms of global shipping. 
+
+Due to ongoing drought and low water levels, ship traffic was restricted through the Panama 
+Canal in late summer 2023, leaving an above-average number of vessels waiting to make the 
+transit. The Panama Canal is an 80-kilometer (50-mile) artificial waterway across the Isthmus 
+of Panama, providing a vital connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for up to 
+14,000 ships each year. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 got a rare cloud-free 
+
+view of delayed ships on the Pacific side of the canal on August 18, 2023. Artificial lakes 
+supply the water needed to fill the series of locks in the canal. Those lakes, located to 
+the north and northwest of this scene, are replenished by rainfall that is typically in abundance 
+on the Isthmus of Panama. However, drought has left Lago Gatún, the largest lake feeding the 
+system, at near-record low levels. In mid-August, it stood close to the lowest recorded level, 
+
+from May 2016, and well below the average level for August from the past five years. As a 
+means of conserving water, the Panama Canal Authority reduced the number of vessels that could 
+travel through the canal each day starting on July 30. At one point in early August, the ensuing 
+backup reached as high as 160 total vessels waiting on one side or the other. By the time 
+of this image, that number had decreased to around 130, whereas the queue ordinarily tops 
+
+off around 90. The average wait time for August 2023 was nearly four times what it was in 
+June. The reduction of daily passages was the latest restriction imposed by the Panama Canal 
+Authority this year to deal with the water shortages. Starting on March 1, 2023, it began 
+reducing the maximum draft (the distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull) 
+permitted for vessels passing through the locks. The normal limit of 50 feet (15 meters) for 
+
+the largest class of ships that use the canal was increasingly ratcheted down to 44 feet (13 
+meters), requiring some ships to lighten their loads. The area has seen a number of dry years 
+in the past decade; Lago Gatún dipped to low levels in 2016 and 2019, in addition to 2023. 
+At the other extreme, however, Lago Gatún and Lago Alajuela, another lake feeding the canal, 
+reached record high levels in December 2010. The flooding caused the canal to close for only 
+
+the third time in its history. NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerSevere 
+drought is reducing the number of daily passages on the transoceanic shipping route.Image 
+of the Day for September 1, 2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of 
+the Day:In September, low water levels made it more challenging to ship goods down the river 
+
+and allowed a wedge of saltwater to move upstream. Image of the Day Water Drought Hundreds 
+of ships have been left idling around the key shipping route. Nature played a role in solving 
+the problem. Image of the Day Human Presence A key shipping route through Egypt recently received 
+a major overhaul. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence More than 64 million people are 
+directly affected by drought in the Southwest and Southern Plains, and far more are indirectly 
+
+affected because of the vast number of farms, orchards, and ranches that supply the rest of 
+the United States. Image of the Day Land Life Water Drought August 21, 2023JPEGFor more than 
+a decade, drought has plagued central Chile. The prolonged dry period—a megadrought—has fueled 
+wildfires, strained water supplies, and parched crops.In winter 2023, the region got some 
+relief in the form of two atmospheric rivers that brought hundreds of millimeters of rain 
+
+and snow to the region. However, too much rain fell too quickly in some areas, prompting floods 
+and mudslides that damaged roads and bridges, destroyed thousands of homes, and displaced 
+tens of thousands of people.The map above shows the total precipitable water vapor in the 
+atmosphere on August 21, 2023. Precipitable water vapor is the amount of water in a column 
+of the atmosphere if all of the water vapor were condensed into liquid. The image was derived 
+
+from the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS), which uses satellite data and models of physical 
+processes to calculate what is happening in Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces.The 
+narrow band of moisture (green) stretching from the central Pacific Ocean to Chile is a signature 
+of an atmospheric river—a long, narrow region that transports vast amounts of water vapor 
+from the tropics poleward. In subtropical Chile, atmospheric rivers contribute 45 to 60 percent 
+
+of the annual precipitation, most of it in the winter rainy season (June to September).El 
+Paico in the Santiago metropolitan region saw nearly 80 millimeters (3 inches) of rain fall 
+between August 19-21, while areas farther inland in the foothills of the Andes saw as much 
+as 370 millimeters (15 inches) of rain, according to Floodlist. Meanwhile, some news outlets 
+reported that 2 or more meters (up to 8 feet) of snow fell in high mountain areas.August 26, 
+
+2023JPEGSome of the worst flooding occurred in the Maule, Ñuble, and Biobío regions of Chile. 
+“There was a strong orographic effect,” said atmospheric scientist René Garreaud of Universidad 
+de Chile. “We saw five to ten times more rain in the Andean foothills compared to Chile’s 
+Central Valley.”Higher elevation areas saw boosted rainfall totals because the Andes forced 
+the incoming river of moisture upward, where lower air pressure and cooler temperatures cause 
+
+water vapor to more easily condense into rain droplets on the windward side of mountains. 
+This same effect produces rain shadows on the lee side of mountains.Several days after the 
+surge of rain, rivers were still swollen and discolored. Floodwaters can pick up material, 
+such as sediment from riverbanks, that becomes suspended in the water and makes it appear 
+brown. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite 
+
+captured an image (above) showing rivers carrying plumes of suspended sediment into the Pacific 
+Ocean on August 26, 2023.The atmospheric river in August followed a similar event in June. 
+According to Garreaud, the June event delivered more than 500 millimeters (20 inches) of rain 
+over a two-day period to the Maule foothills, roughly double what normally falls in Santiago 
+in a year.The El Niño developing in the Pacific may be affecting how these events play out. 
+
+“We are seeing extra moisture in the central Pacific, but the coupling with the atmosphere 
+is still relatively weak,” Garreuad said. “The Pacific anticyclone remains strong, and we 
+haven’t yet seen a blocking high to the south of the continent—the typical signature of winter 
+storms that are strongly influenced by El Niño.”The concept of atmospheric rivers first emerged 
+in the 1990s and has become a topic of growing interest to researchers in recent years. Some 
+
+research suggests that climate change may be causing atmospheric rivers to produce more rain 
+and shift poleward. One analysis of model projections conducted by a team of scientists at 
+NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory found that atmospheric rivers may decrease in frequency but 
+grow longer and wider under a scenario in which future greenhouse gas emissions remain high.NASA 
+Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin and Wanmei Liang, using GEOS-FP data from the Global 
+
+Modeling and Assimilation Office at NASA GSFC and MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerAfter more than a decade of drought, strong 
+atmospheric rivers in June and August flooded the foothills of the Andes in the Maule, Ñuble, 
+and Biobío regions.Image of the Day for September 4, 2023 Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+Water Floods View more Images of the Day:Heavy rain and melting snow can overtop riverbanks, 
+
+causing far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and people.In late June 2019, a potent atmospheric 
+river event carried soaking rain into southern Chile, dropping nearly a month’s worth of precipitation 
+in just 48 hours. Image of the Day Water The latest in a series of atmospheric rivers drenching 
+the state was accompanied by hazardous winds and left thousands of people without power. Image 
+of the Day Atmosphere Water Severe Storms Two atmospheric rivers hit Australia’s east and 
+
+west coasts with severe rains on the same day. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Water Unique 
+Imagery Following an exceptionally wet January, an atmospheric river carried even more moisture 
+into the region in February. Image of the Day Atmosphere Severe Storms Remote Sensing August 
+21, 2023JPEGIn March and April 2023, some earth scientists began to point out that average 
+sea surface temperatures had surpassed the highest levels seen in a key data record maintained 
+
+by NOAA. Months later, they remain at record levels, with global sea surface temperatures 
+0.99°C (1.78°F) above average in July. That was the fourth consecutive month they were at 
+record levels.Scientists from NASA have taken a closer look at why. “There are a lot of things 
+that affect the world’s sea surface temperatures, but two main factors have pushed them to 
+record heights,” said Josh Willis, an oceanographer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). 
+
+“We have an El Niño developing in the Pacific, and that’s on top of long-term global warming 
+that has been pushing ocean temperatures steadily upward almost everywhere for a century.”The 
+map above shows sea surface temperature anomalies on August 21, 2023, when many areas were 
+more than 3°C (5.4°F) warmer than normal. On that date, much of the central and eastern regions 
+of the equatorial Pacific were unusually warm, the signature of a developing El Niño. As has 
+
+been the case for weeks, large patches of warm water were also present in the Northwest Pacific 
+near Japan and the Northeast Pacific near California and Oregon. Portions of the Indian, Southern, 
+and Arctic Oceans also showed unusual warmth.The map is based on data from the Multiscale 
+Ultrahigh Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (MUR SST) project, a JPL effort that blends measurements 
+of sea surface temperatures from multiple NASA, NOAA, and international satellites, as well 
+
+as ship and buoy observations. Rather than showing absolute temperature, the anomaly reflects 
+the difference between the sea surface temperature on August 21, 2023, and the 2003-2014 average 
+for that day. The video below, also based on MUR SST data, shows global sea surface temperatures 
+since April 1, 2023, the period when they have been at record-breaking levels. The warmest 
+waters appear dark red.April 1 - August 21, 2023MPEG “Over the long term, we’re seeing more 
+
+heat and warmer sea surface temperatures pretty much everywhere,” said Gavin Schmidt, the 
+director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies. “That long-term trend is almost entirely 
+attributable to human forcing—the fact that we've put such a huge amount of greenhouse gas 
+in the atmosphere since the start of the industrial era.”Schmidt noted that other factors—such 
+as weather and wind patterns or the distribution of dust and aerosols—have short-term effects 
+
+on sea surface temperatures in certain regions, but they generally have a minor effect on 
+the longer-term global mean. Previous research shows that as much as 90 percent of the excess 
+heat that has occurred in recent decades due to increasing greenhouse gas emissions is absorbed 
+by the ocean, with much of that heat stored near the surface.The most important factor that 
+helped push sea surface temperatures into record territory in 2023 was the evolving El Niño 
+
+in the Pacific, according to Willis. He came to that conclusion by analyzing the timing and 
+intensity of sea surface temperature anomalies in several regions and comparing them to the 
+global trend.“We had a big jump in global surface temperature at the beginning of April—exactly 
+when the Pacific temperatures jumped up and also when sea levels in the eastern Pacific started 
+to rise,” Willis said. “The heat waves in the Atlantic are important and will have serious 
+
+effects on marine life and weather in Europe in the coming months. But it’s the Pacific that 
+has taken the global mean on a wild ride this year.”What happens in the Pacific tends to have 
+a large influence on the global sea surface temperatures partly because of its size. The Pacific 
+represents about half of the world’s ocean area.Marine heat waves—defined as periods of persistent 
+anomalously warm ocean temperatures (warmer than 90 percent of the previous observations for 
+
+a given time of year)—have occurred recently in several areas. One NOAA analysis showed that 
+48 percent of the global oceans were in the midst of a marine heat wave in August—a larger 
+area than for any other month since the start of the record in 1991. Particularly intense 
+events have warmed the North Atlantic and parts of the Caribbean in recent months.Willis expects 
+the heat in the equatorial Pacific to have more staying power than many of the other marine 
+
+heat waves simmering around the world. “Many of the marine heat waves we’re seeing are ephemeral 
+and ‘skin’ deep, generally lasting on the order of weeks and driven by atmospheric forces,” 
+explained Willis.The unusually warm water in the equatorial Pacific associated with the developing 
+El Niño after three consecutive years of La Niña is expected to weaken trade winds in ways 
+that reinforce and amplify the warming of surface waters, fueling the El Niño further. Forecasters 
+
+from NOAA say that there is a greater than 95 percent chance that El Niño conditions will 
+persist throughout the Northern Hemisphere winter. “What’s happening in the Pacific with El 
+Niño will influence global weather patterns and sea surface temperatures well into the winter 
+and possibly even longer,” Willis said.To monitor sea surface temperatures, scientists at 
+NOAA and NASA analyze observations from sensors and buoys in the oceans, ships, and several 
+
+different polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites. Groups of scientists with NOAA’s Physical 
+Sciences Laboratory, NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory track marine 
+heat waves and sea surface temperature anomalies closely. You can use NASA’s State of the 
+Ocean Tool on Worldview to monitor daily sea surface temperature anomalies.NASA Earth Observatory 
+image by Lauren Dauphin, using data from the Multiscale Ultrahigh Resolution (MUR) project. 
+
+Video by NASA’s Scientific Visualization studio, using data from the MUR project. Story by 
+Adam Voiland.Decades of gradual warming due to human-caused climate change and an El Niño 
+in the Pacific Ocean nudged global sea surface temperatures to record levels in 2023.Image 
+of the Day for August 25, 2023 Image of the Day Water View more Images of the Day:Earth in 
+July 2023 was 1.18°C (2.12°F) warmer than the average for the month, and warmer than any other 
+
+month in the 143-year record. Image of the Day Heat Temperature Extremes The climate phenomenon 
+emerged in late spring 2023, as waters grew warmer and sea levels rose higher than usual in 
+the tropical Pacific Ocean. Image of the Day Water Blooms of the plant-like organisms near 
+coastal areas have become more frequent in the 21st century. Image of the Day Water Remote 
+Sensing Examining temperatures from the depths of the ocean, JPL scientists have found that 
+
+lower layers of the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans grew much warmer during a decade when 
+surface temperatures cooled. Image of the Day Heat Water August 20, 2023JPEGOnce a powerful 
+category 4 hurricane, Hilary weakened and made landfall in northern Mexico on August 20, 2023, 
+pelting the Baja California peninsula and two U.S. states with rain.Before making landfall, 
+Hilary delivered torrential rain to Santa Rosalía in Mexico’s state of Baja California Sur. 
+
+One person was killed by the floodwater, according to officials. Hilary weakened to a tropical 
+storm before it came ashore on the northern end of the peninsula at around 11 a.m. Pacific 
+Time on August 20, 2023. As the storm moved inland over Southern California, it left flooding, 
+mudslides, and power outages behind. The map above depicts a satellite-based estimate of the 
+storm’s rainfall rates. Data for the map were acquired between 5 p.m. Pacific Time on August 
+
+19 and 2 p.m. Pacific Time on August 20, as the center of the storm was approaching Southern 
+California. The darkest reds reflect the highest rainfall rates, with the Baja California 
+peninsula seeing the heaviest rains during this time. The data are remotely sensed estimates 
+that come from the Integrated Multi-Satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG), a product of the 
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite mission. Due to the averaging of the satellite 
+
+data, local rainfall rates may be significantly higher when measured from the ground. August 
+20 was the wettest August day on record for both downtown Los Angeles and San Diego, according 
+to the National Weather Service. They received 2.5 inches (6.3 centimeters) and 1.8 inches 
+(4.6 centimeters) of rain, respectively. The storm also brought wind gusts of 70 miles (113 
+kilometers) per hour to parts of California, knocking over trees and power lines, and reportedly 
+
+leaving 40,000 residents without power. Death Valley National Park closed due to flooding, 
+and several roads were also flooded and damaged in Las Vegas, Nevada. So far, some of the 
+most severely affected places in the U.S. have been the normally dry desert regions of Southern 
+California. Streets turned into rivers of mud in Palm Springs after the city received six 
+months of rain over six hours. Flooding also closed roads in Coachella Valley, including I-10, 
+
+the major highway in the region. August is typically a dry month in Southern California, but 
+the surface layers of soil can respond quickly to weather events. Scientists at NASA’s Short-term 
+Prediction Research and Transition Center (SPoRT) expected that rain from the storm could 
+saturate soils in the region for several days. Hilary continued to move north into Oregon 
+and Idaho on August 21, where rainfall totals of up to 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) were anticipated 
+
+in places, with potential for flash flooding. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, 
+using IMERG data from the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) at NASA/GSFC. Story by Emily 
+Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerThe storm delivered torrential rain to parts of Southern 
+California, Nevada, and Mexico, leaving flooded streets and power outages in its wake.Image 
+of the Day for August 22, 2023 Image of the Day Water Severe Storms View more Images of the 
+
+Day:The hurricane season in the Pacific runs from June through November, though the storms 
+can form any time of year.The major hurricane was expected to weaken before delivering heavy 
+rain to Mexico and Southern California. Image of the Day Atmosphere Severe Storms Acquired 
+January 20, 2010, this true-color image shows an apostrophe-shaped storm, looking slightly 
+like a hurricane without most of its center, over the California coast. Isolated areas of 
+
+clear sky show the Central Valley and Baja Peninsula. Atmosphere Severe Storms Severe Storms 
+Acquired January 19, 2010, this image shows three cloud banks on their eastward path over 
+California. One is over the ocean, one hovers over the coast, and one has traveled inland. 
+Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Severe Storms July 26, 2023JPEGVibrant turquoise and green 
+water swirled near the coastline of Vancouver Island in late July 2023. The colorful plumes—which 
+
+are likely comprised of both phytoplankton and sediment—stood out in this image, acquired 
+by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the NOAA-20 satellite on July 
+26. Clouds covered much of Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia at the time of this 
+image. But coastal areas were cloud-free, exposing water that likely contained flourishing 
+populations of phytoplankton—floating plant-like organisms that are the foundation of the 
+
+aquatic food web. Phytoplankton blooms are common in the northeast Pacific Ocean during summer 
+as offshore winds push surface waters away from the coast. This causes cooler, nutrient-rich 
+waters to well up from the depths and fuel the growth of phytoplankton. Research has shown 
+that a significant amount of nutrients are supplied by the circulation and upwelling that 
+occurs in the Salish Sea, boosting phytoplankton productivity along the continental shelf 
+
+off Vancouver Island. The bloom also could have been fed by nutrient-rich sediment running 
+off from the coast. The greenest areas off the island’s coast may contain diatoms—a microscopic 
+form of algae with silica shells and plenty of chlorophyll. Coccolithophores—a type of phytoplankton 
+armored with calcium carbonate plates—tend to make the water appear more milky-blue and might 
+be present in the bloom. A future NASA satellite mission called PACE—short for Plankton, Aerosol, 
+
+Cloud, ocean Ecosystem—will enable researchers to infer more information about ocean ecology, 
+including the species of phytoplankton present in blooms and the rates of their growth. PACE 
+is scheduled to launch no earlier than January 2024. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren 
+Dauphin, using VIIRS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE, GIBS/Worldview, and the Joint Polar Satellite 
+System (JPSS). Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerSwirls of phytoplankton 
+
+and sediment brightened the island’s coastal waters in July 2023.Image of the Day for August 
+2, 2023 Image of the Day Water Water Color View more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like 
+organisms reproduce abundantly when there are sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. 
+Extreme blooms of certain species can become harmful to marine animals and humans.Skirting 
+the coastline of Mozambique, these 32 small islands are home to a diversity of corals and 
+
+sea turtles. Image of the Day Life Water These rough waters were once traversed by Japanese 
+pirates; now they are spanned by bridges. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Acquired 
+October 2, 2002, this natural-color image shows islands off the coast of Croatia, in the Adriatic 
+Sea. Image of the Day Land Image of the Day Land Unique Imagery At the base of the ocean food 
+web are single-celled algae and other plant-like organisms known as phytoplankton. Like plants 
+
+on land, phytoplankton use chlorophyll and other light-harvesting pigments to carry out photosynthesis, 
+absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide to produce sugars for fuel. Chlorophyll in the water 
+changes the way it reflects and absorbs sunlight, allowing scientists to map the amount and 
+location of phytoplankton. These measurements give scientists valuable insights into the health 
+of the ocean environment, and help scientists study the ocean carbon cycle.These chlorophyll 
+
+maps show milligrams of chlorophyll per cubic meter of seawater each month. Places where chlorophyll 
+amounts were very low, indicating very low numbers of phytoplankton are blue. Places where 
+chlorophyll concentrations were high, meaning many phytoplankton were growing, are dark green. 
+The observations come from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's 
+Aqua satellite. Land is dark gray, and places where MODIS could not collect data because of 
+
+sea ice, polar darkness, or clouds are light gray.The highest chlorophyll concentrations, 
+where tiny surface-dwelling ocean plants are thriving, are in cold polar waters or in places 
+where ocean currents bring cold water to the surface, such as around the equator and along 
+the shores of continents. It is not the cold water itself that stimulates the phytoplankton. 
+Instead, the cool temperatures are often a sign that the water has welled up to the surface 
+
+from deeper in the ocean, carrying nutrients that have built up over time. In polar waters, 
+nutrients accumulate in surface waters during the dark winter months when plants can't grow. 
+When sunlight returns in the spring and summer, the plants flourish in high concentrations.A 
+band of cool, plant-rich waters circles the globe at the Equator, with the strongest signal 
+in the Atlantic Ocean and the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. This zone of enhanced phytoplankton 
+
+growth comes from the frequent upwelling of cooler, deeper water as a result of the dominant 
+easterly trade winds blowing across the ocean surface. In many coastal areas, the rising slope 
+of the sea floor pushes cold water from the lowest layers of the ocean to the surface. The 
+rising, or upwelling water carries iron and other nutrients from the ocean floor. Cold coastal 
+upwelling and subsequent phytoplankton growth are most evident along the west coasts of North 
+
+and South America and southern Africa.View, download, or analyze more of these data from NASA 
+Earth Observations (NEO): Chlorophyll Life Water September 12, 2023JPEGOn September 12, 2023, 
+Hurricane Lee continued its slow west-northwest trajectory across the Atlantic Ocean. The 
+Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 16 (GOES-16) acquired this image of the 
+major storm at approximately 1 p.m. Eastern Time (17:00 UTC) as it advanced toward the southeastern 
+
+United States. The satellite is operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
+(NOAA); NASA helps develop and launch the GOES series of satellites. Around this time, the 
+center of the hurricane was located about 500 miles (800 kilometers) south of Bermuda and 
+moving at 6 miles (9 kilometers) per hour. Sustained winds were measured at 115 miles (185 
+kilometers) per hour, making it a category 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale.On 
+
+its path across the ocean to this point, the hurricane fluctuated dramatically in strength, 
+as it underwent one of the most extreme periods of rapid intensification for a North Atlantic 
+storm in the past 40 years. In the 24 hours ending at 2 a.m. Eastern Time (06:00 UTC) on September 
+8, Lee’s winds increased from 80 to 165 miles per hour (130 to 265 kilometers per hour), escalating 
+it to category 5 status. Only Hurricane Felix in 2007 and Hurricane Wilma in 2005 intensified 
+
+more over a 24-hour period. Following this ramp-up, moderate to strong wind shear disrupted 
+the storm’s circulation and weakened it to a category 2. September 10, 2023JPEGThat would 
+not be the last momentum swing, however. On September 10, Hurricane Lee began to regain strength 
+as wind shear abated and it passed over very warm waters. The map above shows sea surface 
+temperatures on from that day based on data from the Multiscale Ultrahigh Resolution Sea Surface 
+
+Temperature (MUR SST) project, a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory effort that blends measurements 
+of sea surface temperatures from multiple NASA, NOAA, and international satellites, as well 
+as ship and buoy observations. High sea surface temperatures are among the conditions favorable 
+to hurricane intensification. And 2023 has been a banner year for warm oceans. Decades of 
+gradual warming due to climate change, along with El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean, 
+
+helped drive global sea surface temperatures into record territory for several months in the 
+summer. Meteorologists generally agree that sea surface temperatures above 27.8 degrees Celsius 
+(82 degrees Fahrenheit) will sustain and intensify hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons. Surface 
+waters above that threshold are shown in red to black on the map. Forecast models indicate 
+that a weather pattern over the eastern U.S. will redirect Lee to the north. The storm is 
+
+expected to expand in size and weaken as it moves over cooler waters recently churned up by 
+hurricanes Franklin and Idalia. The storm will likely pass west of Bermuda, which is under 
+a tropical storm watch, and potentially make landfall over the northeastern U.S. or Nova Scotia 
+as a much weaker storm. NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using GOES 16 imagery 
+courtesy of NOAA and the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) 
+
+and data from the Multiscale Ultrahigh Resolution (MUR) project. Story by Lindsey Doermann.View 
+this area in EO ExplorerThe major storm fluctuated in intensity as it approached the U.S. 
+East Coast.Image of the Day for September 13, 2023 Image of the Day Land Water Severe Storms 
+View more Images of the Day:Hurricane season in the basin runs from June 1 to November 30.Acquired 
+August 23, 2009, this true-color image shows Hurricane Bill missing the U.S., apparently headed 
+
+northward toward Canada. Atmosphere Water Severe Storms The first hurricane of the Atlantic 
+season made a series of landfalls and dropped abundant rain from the Caribbean to the U.S. 
+East Coast. Heat Water Severe Storms Human Presence The SeaWiFS instrument captured the data 
+for this composite view of an August 2000 hurricane while it was near Bermuda. Image of the 
+Day Atmosphere Though it has weakened since reaching category 5 strength, the hurricane is 
+
+still bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the northeast Atlantic. Image of the Day Floods 
+Severe Storms Remote Sensing September 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 13, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023September 
+13, 2023September 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 13, 2023JPEGSeptember 13, 2023JPEGOn September 10, 
+2023, a low-pressure storm brought heavy rains to northeastern Libya, causing deadly flooding 
+and devastation in cities along the Mediterranean coast. On the coast of Libya’s Cyrenaica 
+
+region, Al Bayda recorded 414 millimeters (16 inches) of rain in one day. Nearby, the port 
+city of Derna received more than 100 millimeters (4 inches) over the course of the storm—far 
+exceeding the city’s average monthly rainfall for September of less than 1.5 millimeters (0.1 
+inches). Derna lies at the end of a long, narrow valley, called a wadi, which is dry for most 
+of the year. Floods triggered two dams along Wadi Derna to collapse, sending floodwater and 
+
+mud to the city. According to news reports, floodwater swept away roads and entire neighborhoods. 
+The images above show the Cyrenaica region before and after the storm. They are false color, 
+which makes water (blue) stand out from the surroundings. The image on the right, acquired 
+on September 13, shows water filling low-lying areas and wadis inland from the coast. The 
+image on the left shows the same area on September 7. Both images were acquired with the Moderate 
+
+Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. The flooding and damage 
+in Derna is difficult to see at this resolution, although sediment flowing into the Mediterranean 
+is visible in natural color images. In the days prior to making landfall in Libya, the same 
+low-pressure storm (named Storm Daniel by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service) swamped 
+parts of Greece, Turkey, and Bulgaria. As the storm approached Libya, it developed characteristics 
+
+of a tropical-like cyclone, or “medicane,” with winds measuring around 70 to 80 kilometers 
+(43 to 50 miles) per hour. September 10, 2023JPEGThe natural-color image above, acquired with 
+MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite, shows the storm on September 10 as it made landfall in northeastern 
+Libya. Only one or two medicanes typically develop in a year, according to NOAA. As of September 
+13, authorities were still conducting search and rescue operations in the region. Derna was 
+
+still largely inaccessible on that day, making it difficult to assess the full impact of the 
+flood.NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE 
+and GIBS/Worldview. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerA Mediterranean cyclone 
+contributed to deadly flooding along the country’s coastline.Image of the Day for September 
+14, 2023 Image of the Day Land Water Floods View more Images of the Day:The melting of frozen 
+
+rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can send rivers out of 
+their banks.Flash floods in the port city destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods out to sea. 
+Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence Record rainfall inundated towns and farmland 
+in the country’s Thessaly region. Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence Cities and 
+towns darkened after a cyclone unleashed torrential flooding along the country’s coast. Image 
+
+of the Day Human Presence An extratropical cyclone triggered deadly flooding in the state 
+of Rio Grande do Sul. Image of the Day Water Floods Sea surface temperatures have a large 
+influence on climate and weather. For example, every 3 to 7 years a wide swath of the Pacific 
+Ocean along the equator warms by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius. This warming is a hallmark of the 
+climate pattern El Niño, which changes rainfall patterns around the globe, causing heavy rainfall 
+
+in the southern United States and severe drought in Australia, Indonesia, and southern Asia. 
+On a smaller scale, ocean temperatures influence the development of tropical cyclones (hurricanes 
+and typhoons), which draw energy from warm ocean waters to form and intensify.These sea surface 
+temperature maps are based on observations by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 
+(MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite. The satellite measures the temperature of the top millimeter 
+
+of the ocean surface. In this map, the coolest waters appear in blue (approximately -2 degrees 
+Celsius), and the warmest temperatures appear in pink-yellow (35 degrees Celsius). Landmasses 
+and the large area of sea ice around Antarctica appear in shades of gray, indicating no data 
+were collected.The most obvious pattern shown in the time series is the year-round difference 
+in sea surface temperatures between equatorial regions and the poles. Various warm and cool 
+
+currents stand out even in monthly averages of sea surface temperature. A band of warm waters 
+snakes up the East Coast of the United States and veers across the North Atlantic—the Gulf 
+Stream.Although short-lived weather events that influence ocean temperature are often washed 
+out in monthly averages, a few events show up. For example, in December 2003, strong winds 
+blew southwest from the Gulf of Mexico over Central America toward the Pacific Ocean, driving 
+
+surface waters away from the coast, and allowing cold water from deeper in the ocean to well 
+up to the surface. These winds are a recurring phenomenon in the area in the winter; they 
+are known as Tehuano winds.View, download, or analyze more of these data from NASA Earth Observations 
+(NEO): Sea Surface Temperature Heat Water Water budgets for individual watersheds can be estimated 
+using remote sensing data for precipitation, evapotranspiration, and runoff.Find and use NASA 
+
+Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections between 
+interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.Remote sensing is the acquiring 
+
+of information from a distance. NASA observes Earth and other planetary bodies via remote 
+sensors on satellites and aircraft that detect and record reflected or emitted energy. Remote 
+sensors, which provide a global perspective and a wealth of data about Earth systems, enable 
+data-informed decision making based on the current and future state of our planet.For more 
+information, check out NASA's Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) 
+
+Tech Talk: From Pixels to Products: An Overview of Satellite Remote Sensing.Satellites can 
+be placed in several types of orbits around Earth. The three common classes of orbits are 
+low-Earth orbit (approximately 160 to 2,000 km above Earth), medium-Earth orbit (approximately 
+2,000 to 35,500 km above Earth), and high-Earth orbit (above 35,500 km above Earth). Satellites 
+orbiting at 35,786 km are at an altitude at which their orbital speed matches the planet's 
+
+rotation, and are in what is called geosynchronous orbit (GSO). In addition, a satellite in 
+GSO directly over the equator will have a geostationary orbit. A geostationary orbit enables 
+a satellite to maintain its position directly over the same place on Earth’s surface.Low-Earth 
+orbit is a commonly used orbit since satellites can follow several orbital tracks around the 
+planet. Polar-orbiting satellites, for example, are inclined nearly 90 degrees to the equatorial 
+
+plane and travel from pole to pole as Earth rotates. This enables sensors aboard the satellite 
+to acquire data for the entire globe rapidly, including the polar regions. Many polar-orbiting 
+satellites are considered Sun-synchronous, meaning that the satellite passes over the same 
+location at the same solar time each cycle. One example of a Sun-synchronous, polar-orbiting 
+satellite is NASA’s Aqua satellite, which orbits approximately 705 km above Earth’s surface.Non-polar 
+
+low-Earth orbit satellites, on the other hand, do not provide global coverage but instead 
+cover only a partial range of latitudes. The joint NASA/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory is an example of a non-Sun-synchronous 
+low-Earth orbit satellite. Its orbital track acquires data between 65 degrees north and south 
+latitude from 407 km above the planet.A medium-Earth orbit satellite takes approximately 12 
+
+hours to complete an orbit. In 24-hours, the satellite crosses over the same two spots on 
+the equator every day. This orbit is consistent and highly predictable. As a result, this 
+is an orbit used by many telecommunications and GPS satellites. One example of a medium-Earth 
+orbit satellite constellation is the European Space Agency's Galileo global navigation satellite 
+system (GNSS), which orbits 23,222 km above Earth.While both geosynchronous and geostationary 
+
+satellites orbit at 35,786 km above Earth, geosynchronous satellites have orbits that can 
+be tilted above or below the equator. Geostationary satellites, on the other hand, orbit Earth 
+on the same plane as the equator. These satellites capture identical views of Earth with each 
+observation and provide almost continuous coverage of one area. The joint NASA/NOAA Geostationary 
+Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) series of weather satellites are in geostationary 
+
+orbits above the equator.For more information about orbits, please see NASA Earth Observatory's 
+Catalog of Earth Satellite Orbits.Electromagnetic energy, produced by the vibration of charged 
+particles, travels in the form of waves through the atmosphere and the vacuum of space. These 
+waves have different wavelengths (the distance from wave crest to wave crest) and frequencies; 
+a shorter wavelength means a higher frequency. Some, like radio, microwave, and infrared waves, 
+
+have a longer wavelength, while others, such as ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays, have 
+a much shorter wavelength. Visible light sits in the middle of that range of long to shortwave 
+radiation. This small portion of energy is all that the human eye is able to detect. Instrumentation 
+is needed to detect all other forms of electromagnetic energy. NASA instrumentation utilizes 
+the full range of the spectrum to explore and understand processes occurring here on Earth 
+
+and on other planetary bodies.Some waves are absorbed or reflected by atmospheric components, 
+like water vapor and carbon dioxide, while some wavelengths allow for unimpeded movement through 
+the atmosphere; visible light has wavelengths that can be transmitted through the atmosphere. 
+Microwave energy has wavelengths that can pass through clouds, an attribute utilized by many 
+weather and communication satellites.The primary source of the energy observed by satellites, 
+
+is the Sun. The amount of the Sun’s energy reflected depends on the roughness of the surface 
+and its albedo, which is how well a surface reflects light instead of absorbing it. Snow, 
+for example, has a very high albedo and reflects up to 90% of incoming solar radiation. The 
+ocean, on the other hand, reflects only about 6% of incoming solar radiation and absorbs the 
+rest. Often, when energy is absorbed, it is re-emitted, usually at longer wavelengths. For 
+
+example, the energy absorbed by the ocean gets re-emitted as infrared radiation.All things 
+on Earth reflect, absorb, or transmit energy, the amount of which varies by wavelength. Just 
+as your fingerprint is unique to you, everything on Earth has a unique spectral fingerprint. 
+Researchers can use this information to identify different Earth features as well as different 
+rock and mineral types. The number of spectral bands detected by a given instrument, its spectral 
+
+resolution, determines how much differentiation a researcher can identify between materials.For 
+more information on the electromagnetic spectrum, with companion videos, view NASA's Tour 
+of the Electromagnetic Spectrum.Sensors, or instruments, aboard satellites and aircraft use 
+the Sun as a source of illumination or provide their own source of illumination, measuring 
+energy that is reflected back. Sensors that use natural energy from the Sun are called passive 
+
+sensors; those that provide their own source of energy are called active sensors. Passive 
+sensors include different types of radiometers (instruments that quantitatively measure the 
+intensity of electromagnetic radiation in select bands) and spectrometers (devices that are 
+designed to detect, measure, and analyze the spectral content of reflected electromagnetic 
+radiation). Most passive systems used by remote sensing applications operate in the visible, 
+
+infrared, thermal infrared, and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. These 
+sensors measure land and sea surface temperature, vegetation properties, cloud and aerosol 
+properties, and other physical attributes. Most passive sensors cannot penetrate dense cloud 
+cover and thus have limitations observing areas like the tropics where dense cloud cover is 
+frequent.Active sensors include different types of radio detection and ranging (radar) sensors, 
+
+altimeters, and scatterometers. The majority of active sensors operate in the microwave band 
+of the electromagnetic spectrum, which gives them the ability to penetrate the atmosphere 
+under most conditions. These types of sensors are useful for measuring the vertical profiles 
+of aerosols, forest structure, precipitation and winds, sea surface topography, and ice, among 
+others.The Remote Sensors Earthdata page provides a list of NASA’s Earth science passive and 
+
+active sensors while the What is Synthetic Aperture Radar? Backgrounder provides specific 
+information on this type of active sensor.Resolution plays a role in how data from a sensor 
+can be used. Resolution can vary depending on the satellite’s orbit and sensor design. There 
+are four types of resolution to consider for any dataset—radiometric, spatial, spectral, and 
+temporal.Radiometric resolution is the amount of information in each pixel, that is, the number 
+
+of bits representing the energy recorded. Each bit records an exponent of power 2. For example, 
+an 8 bit resolution is 28, which indicates that the sensor has 256 potential digital values 
+(0-255) to store information. Thus, the higher the radiometric resolution, the more values 
+are available to store information, providing better discrimination between even the slightest 
+differences in energy. For example, when assessing water quality, radiometric resolution is 
+
+necessary to distinguish between subtle differences in ocean color.Spatial resolution is defined 
+by the size of each pixel within a digital image and the area on Earth’s surface represented 
+by that pixel.For example, the majority of the bands observed by the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) have a spatial resolution of 1km; each pixel represents a 1 km x 
+1km area on the ground. MODIS also includes bands with a spatial resolution of 250 m or 500 
+
+m. The finer the resolution (the lower the number), the more detail you can see. In the image 
+below, you can see the difference in pixelation between a 30 m/pixel image (left image), a 
+100 m/pixel image (center image), and a 300 m/pixel image (right image).Spectral resolution 
+is the ability of a sensor to discern finer wavelengths, that is, having more and narrower 
+bands. Many sensors are considered to be multispectral, meaning they have 3-10 bands. Some 
+
+sensors have hundreds to even thousands of bands and are considered to be hyperspectral. The 
+narrower the range of wavelengths for a given band, the finer the spectral resolution. For 
+example, the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) captures information 
+in 224 spectral channels. The cube on the right represents the detail within the data. At 
+this level of detail, distinctions can be made between rock and mineral types, vegetation 
+
+types, and other features. In the cube, the small region of high response in the right corner 
+of the image is in the red portion of the visible spectrum (about 700 nanometers), and is 
+due to the presence of 1-centimeter-long (half-inch) red brine shrimp in the evaporation pond.Temporal 
+resolution is the time it takes for a satellite to complete an orbit and revisit the same 
+observation area. This resolution depends on the orbit, the sensor’s characteristics, and 
+
+the swath width. Because geostationary satellites match the rate at which Earth is rotating, 
+the temporal resolution is much finer. Polar orbiting satellites have a temporal resolution 
+that can vary from 1 day to 16 days. For example, the MODIS sensor aboard NASA's Terra and 
+Aqua satellites has a temporal resolution of 1-2 days, allowing the sensor to visualize Earth 
+as it changes day by day. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard the joint NASA/USGS Landsat 
+
+8 satellite, on the other hand, has a narrower swath width and a temporal resolution of 16 
+days; showing not daily changes but bi-monthly changes.Why not build a sensor combining high 
+spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution? It is difficult to combine all of the desirable 
+features into one remote sensor. For example, to acquire observations with high spatial resolution 
+(like OLI, aboard Landsat 8) a narrower swath is required, which requires more time between 
+
+observations of a given area resulting in a lower temporal resolution. Researchers have to 
+make trade-offs. This is why it is very important to understand the type of data needed for 
+a given area of study. When researching weather, which is dynamic over time, a high temporal 
+resolution is critical. When researching seasonal vegetation changes, on the other hand, a 
+high temporal resolution may be sacrificed for a higher spectral or spatial resolution.Remote 
+
+sensing data acquired from instruments aboard satellites require processing before the data 
+are usable by most researchers and applied science users. Most raw NASA Earth observation 
+satellite data (Level 0, see data processing levels) are processed at NASA's Science Investigator-led 
+Processing Systems (SIPS) facilities. All data are processed to at least a Level 1, but most 
+have associated Level 2 (derived geophysical variables) and Level 3 (variables mapped on uniform 
+
+space-time grid scales) products. Many even have Level 4 products. NASA Earth science data 
+are archived at discipline-specific Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) and are available 
+fully, openly, and without restriction to data users.Most data are stored in Hierarchical 
+Data Format (HDF) or Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) format. Numerous data tools are available 
+to subset, transform, visualize, and export to various other file formats.Once data are processed, 
+
+they can be used in a variety of applications, from agriculture to water resources to health 
+and air quality. A single sensor will not address all research questions within a given application. 
+Users often need to leverage multiple sensors and data products to address their question, 
+bearing in mind the limitations of data provided by different spectral, spatial, and temporal 
+resolutions.Many sensors acquire data at different spectral wavelengths. For example, Band 
+
+1 of the OLI aboard Landsat 8 acquires data at 0.433-0.453 micrometers while the MODIS Band 
+1 acquires data at 0.620-0.670 micrometers. OLI has a total of 9 bands whereas MODIS has 36 
+bands, all measuring different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Bands can be combined 
+to produce imagery of the data to reveal different features in the landscape. Often imagery 
+of data are used to distinguish characteristics of a region being studied or to determine 
+
+an area of study.True-color images show Earth as it appears to the human eye. For a Landsat 
+8 OLI true-color (red, green, blue [RGB]) image, the sensor Bands 4 (Red), 3 (Green), and 
+2 (Blue) are combined. Other spectral band combinations can be used for specific science applications, 
+such as flood monitoring, urbanization delineation, and vegetation mapping. For example, creating 
+a false-color Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS, aboard the Suomi National 
+
+Polar-orbiting Partnership [Suomi NPP] satellite) image using bands M11, I2, and I1 is useful 
+for distinguishing burn scars from low vegetation or bare soil as well as for exposing flooded 
+areas. To see more band combinations from Landsat sensors, check out NASA Scientific Visualization 
+Studio's video Landsat Band Remix or the NASA Earth Observatory article Many Hues of London. 
+For other common band combinations, see NASA Earth Observatory's How to Interpret Common False-Color 
+
+Images, which provides common band combinations along with insight into interpreting imagery.Once 
+data are processed into imagery with varying band combinations these images can aid in resource 
+management decisions and disaster assessment. This requires proper interpretation of the imagery. 
+There are a few strategies for getting started (adapted from NASA Earth Observatory article 
+How to Interpret a Satellite Image: Five Tips and Strategies):Different land cover types can 
+
+be discriminated more readily by using image classification algorithms. Image classification 
+uses the spectral information of individual image pixels. A program using image classification 
+algorithms can automatically group the pixels in what is called an unsupervised classification. 
+The user can also indicate areas of known land cover type to “train” the program to group 
+like pixels; this is called a supervised classification. Maps or imagery can also be integrated 
+
+into a geographical information system (GIS) and then each pixel can be compared with other 
+GIS data, such as census data. For more information on integrating NASA Earth science data 
+into a GIS, check out the Earthdata GIS page.Satellites also often carry a variety of sensors 
+measuring biogeophysical parameters, such as sea surface temperature, nitrogen dioxide or 
+other atmospheric pollutants, winds, aerosols, and biomass. These parameters can be evaluated 
+
+through statistical and spectral analysis techniques.To aid in getting started with applications-based 
+research using remotely-sensed data, Data Pathfinders provide a data product selection guide 
+focused on specific science disciplines and application areas, such as those mentioned above. 
+Pathfinders provide direct links to the most commonly-used datasets and data products from 
+NASA’s Earth science data collections along with links to tools that provide ways to visualize 
+
+or subset the data, with the option to save the data in different file formats.Find and use 
+NASA Earth science data fully, openly, and without restrictions.Recognizing the connections 
+between interdependent Earth systems is critical for understanding the world in which we live.The 
+atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding and protecting our planet from the intense radiation 
+of the Sun and serves as a key interface between the terrestrial and ocean cycles.The biosphere 
+
+encompasses all life on Earth and extends from root systems to mountaintops and all depths 
+of the ocean. It is critical for maintaining species diversity, regulating climate, and providing 
+numerous ecosystem functions.The cryosphere encompasses the frozen parts of Earth, including 
+glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, and any other frozen body of water. The cryosphere plays 
+a critical role in regulating climate and sea levels.The human dimensions discipline includes 
+
+ways humans interact with the environment and how these interactions impact Earth’s systems. 
+It also explores the vulnerability of human communities to natural disasters and hazards.The 
+land surface discipline includes research into areas such as shrinking forests, warming land, 
+and eroding soils. NASA data provide key information on land surface parameters and the ecological 
+state of our planet.This vast, critical reservoir supports a diversity of life and helps regulate 
+
+Earth’s climate.Processes occurring deep within Earth constantly are shaping landforms. Although 
+originating from below the surface, these processes can be analyzed from ground, air, or space-based 
+measurements.The Sun influences a variety of physical and chemical processes in Earth’s atmosphere. 
+NASA continually monitors solar radiation and its effect on the planet.The terrestrial hydrosphere 
+includes water on the land surface and underground in the form of lakes, rivers, and groundwater 
+
+along with total water storage.Whether you are a scientist, an educator, a student, or are 
+just interested in learning more about NASA’s Earth science data and how to use them, we have 
+the resources to help. Get information and guides to help you find and use NASA Earth science 
+data, services, and tools.We provide a variety of ways for Earth scientists to collaborate 
+with NASA.Making NASA's free and open Earth science data interactive, interoperable, and accessible 
+
+for research and societal benefit both today and tomorrow.The planet NASA studies the most 
+is Earth. NASA’s end-to-end Earth observations enable agricultural producers to make informed 
+decisions about global market conditions, water management, in-season crop conditions, severe 
+weather, and sustainability.This Data Pathfinder will help guide you through the process of 
+selecting and using datasets applicable to agriculture and water management, and provides 
+
+links to specific data sources. If you are new to remote sensing, the What is Remote Sensing? 
+Backgrounder provides a comprehensive overview. In addition, NASA's Applied Remote Sensing 
+Training Program (ARSET) provides numerous training modules, including Fundamentals of Remote 
+Sensing.If you have specific questions about how to use data, tools, or resources mentioned 
+in this Data Pathfinder, please visit the Earthdata Forum. Here, you can interact with other 
+
+data users and NASA subject matter experts on a variety of Earth science research and applications 
+topics.This section provides links to NASA and external tools and applications relevant to 
+analyzing and visualizing agriculture and water management data referenced in this Data Pathfinder. 
+NASA's Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program maintains many more resources for data analysis 
+that may be helpful. Explore the full list on the NASA Earthdata Data Tools page.The Agrometeorological 
+
+(AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of EO data products on 
+the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season crop development 
+and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO data plots that quantify 
+critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region and crop over time and are 
+updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots help tell the story of in-season 
+
+crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For 
+more information about AGMET:The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples 
+(AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from 
+a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using 
+spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: 
+
+point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. 
+Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+
+viewing results, interacting with results, and downloading requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search 
+is NASA's tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant 
+data available through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about 
+data collections, search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and 
+
+download or submit requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. 
+Note: An Earthdata Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) 
+users can customize granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, 
+KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset 
+to obtain only the bands that are needed.The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) 
+
+provides early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. NASA’s 
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+
+parameter analysis options include:Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:The U.S. Drought 
+Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought 
+
+relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the USGS provides 
+the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30), visualizing nearly 
+1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.EarthExplorer 
+is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, elevation data, and satellite products 
+
+(including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER data, ASTER GDEM and other products) 
+distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, and ordering tool connects users with 
+satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories through interactive and textual-based 
+query capabilities. These products are available for download at no cost to registered users. 
+Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" link on the EarthExplorer main page.The 
+
+NASA Worldview data visualization application provides the capability to interactively browse 
+more than 1,000 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and download the underlying 
+data. Many of the available imagery layers are updated within three hours of observation, 
+which supports time-critical application areas such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, 
+and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services 
+
+(GIBS). Worldview also includes geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, 
+and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites that are available at 10-minute increments for the 
+last 30 days.The Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) 
+offers a simple and efficient way to access and transform geospatial data from a variety of 
+federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, 
+
+temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types of sample requests are available: point samples 
+for geographic coordinates and area samples for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample 
+requests submitted to AρρEEARS provide users not only with data values, but also associated 
+quality data values. Interactive visualizations with summary statistics are provided for each 
+sample within the application, which allow users to preview and interact with their samples 
+
+before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS Getting Started to learn more about workflows, 
+viewing results, interacting with results and downloading requests.Earthdata Search is NASA's 
+tool for searching for and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available 
+through U.S. and international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, 
+search for data files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit 
+
+requests for data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata 
+Login is required to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize 
+granules. Users can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF 
+and can choose from a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the 
+bands that are needed.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:NASA's ORNL DAAC has several tools for subsetting 
+data from the MODIS and VIIRS instruments:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed 
+
+using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced 
+and other arrays, and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, 
+combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application 
+that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that 
+your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With 
+
+Panoply 5 you can:Resources:NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers 
+geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology 
+community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as 
+well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable 
+applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of restful Application Programming 
+
+Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and Open-source Project for a Network 
+Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service offerings support data discovery, 
+access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support 
+tools.Data Access ViewerThe Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators 
+bring together a variety of EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides 
+
+valuable insights on in-season crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator 
+consists of several EO data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health 
+for a specific region and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different 
+EO data plots help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different 
+climate, environmental, and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover 
+
+the NASA Earth Science resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data 
+found in this web map can be applied to the following areas:The ClimateSERV data visualization 
+tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition 
+data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make 
+improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV 
+
+offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or 
+script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:The Crop Monitor 
+Exploring Tool is an an online interactive resource that provides NDVI, temperature, precipitation, 
+soil moisture, ET, and runoff data to determine crop conditions for a variety of different 
+
+crops in Early Warning countries (Africa and Asia) and Agricultural Market Information System 
+(AMIS) countries (North America, Europe, and Asia) by the Group on Earth Observations Global 
+Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM).The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides 
+early warning and analysis on food insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International 
+Development (USAID) to help decision-makers plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides 
+
+evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System 
+(FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information System (LIS) that has been adapted 
+to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and forecast requirements associated with 
+food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. The integration of LIS allows 
+FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate ensembles of soil moisture, 
+
+evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple meteorological inputs or land 
+surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access to geo-spatial data, satellite 
+image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS NET drought monitoring efforts 
+throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS NET Project, part of the Early 
+Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s 
+
+Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. 
+There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see 
+the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single 
+parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output 
+options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global 
+
+croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate 
+new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Versions:GLAM2 Original 
+VersionResources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply 
+data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, 
+and offers additional functionality such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, 
+
+and exporting plots and animations. Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, 
+Windows, Linux and other desktop computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had 
+a compatible Java 11 (or later version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: 
+NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology 
+and solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The NASA Worldview data visualization 
+application provides the capability to interactively browse more than 1,000 global, full-resolution 
+satellite imagery layers and download the underlying data. Many of the available imagery layers 
+are updated within three hours of observation, which supports time-critical application areas 
+such as wildfire management, air quality measurements, and flood monitoring. Worldview imagery 
+
+is provided through NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS). Worldview also includes 
+geostationary imagery layers from the GOES-East, GOES-West, and Himawari-8 geostationary satellites 
+that are available at 10-minute increments for the last 30 days.The Application for Extracting 
+and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) offers a simple and efficient way to access 
+and transform geospatial data from a variety of federal data archives. AppEEARS enables users 
+
+to subset geospatial datasets using spatial, temporal, and band/layer parameters. Two types 
+of sample requests are available: point samples for geographic coordinates and area samples 
+for spatial areas via vector polygons. Sample requests submitted to AppEEARS provide users 
+not only with data values, but also associated quality data values. Interactive visualizations 
+with summary statistics are provided for each sample within the application, which allow users 
+
+to preview and interact with their samples before downloading their data. Visit the AppEEARS 
+Getting Started to learn more about workflows, viewing the results, interacting with the results 
+and downloading the requests.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool enables users to visualize 
+and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of 
+rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved decisions for, issues 
+
+related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish 
+to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture 
+Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active 
+Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument 
+in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical for professionals in the agriculture 
+
+and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in tandem with other data to plan crop 
+planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and improve weather forecasts. This application 
+offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service (WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and 
+Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:Earthdata Search is NASA's tool for searching for 
+and discovering NASA Earth science data as well as relevant data available through U.S. and 
+
+international agencies. Users can search for and read about data collections, search for data 
+files by date and spatial area, preview browse images, and download or submit requests for 
+data files, with customization for select data collections. Note: An Earthdata Login is required 
+to download data.In the project area (for some datasets) users can customize granules. Users 
+can reformat the data and output as HDF, NetCDF, ASCII, KML, or a GeoTIFF and can choose from 
+
+a variety of projection options. Data can be subset to obtain only the bands that are needed.The 
+Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides early warning and analysis on food 
+insecurity. Created by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to help decision-makers 
+plan for humanitarian crises, FEWS NET provides evidence-based analysis on more than 30 countries. 
+The FEWS Net Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS) is a custom instance of NASA's Land Information 
+
+System (LIS) that has been adapted to work with domains, data streams, and monitoring and 
+forecast requirements associated with food security assessment in data-sparse, developing-countries. 
+The integration of LIS allows FEWS NET to leverage existing land surface models and generate 
+ensembles of soil moisture, evapotranspiration (ET), and other variables based on multiple 
+meteorological inputs or land surface models.The USGS FEWS NET Data Portal provides access 
+
+to geo-spatial data, satellite image products, and derived data products in support of FEWS 
+NET drought monitoring efforts throughout the world. This portal is provided by the USGS FEWS 
+NET Project, part of the Early Warning Focus Area at the USGS Earth Resources Observation 
+and Science (EROS) Center.NASA’s Giovanni is an online application for the display and analysis 
+of geophysical parameters. There are many options for analysis. For more information on choosing 
+
+a type of plot, see the Giovanni User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full 
+Giovanni functionality.Single parameter analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis 
+options include: Tutorials:Output options include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables 
+near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. 
+This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, 
+
+and computing power.Resources:OpenET is a web-based platform that puts NASA evapotranspiration 
+(ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation groups to speed improvements 
+and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states in the Western U.S. It uses 
+publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based ET information in 
+areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly intervals.Resources:NASA's 
+
+Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and 
+solar-related parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various 
+widgets for mapping, analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access 
+the POWER data holdings through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services 
+consists of a series of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled 
+
+image services, and Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. 
+These three service offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis 
+Ready Data and as direct application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA's 
+Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC) developed a Soil Moisture Visualizer tool (read 
+about it at Soil Moisture Data Sets Become Fertile Ground for Applications) that integrates 
+
+a variety of North American soil moisture datasets. The visualization tool incorporates in-situ, 
+airborne, and remote sensing data into one easy-to-use platform. This integration helps to 
+validate and calibrate the data and provides spatial and temporal data continuity. It also 
+facilitates exploratory analysis and data discovery for different groups of users. The Soil 
+Moisture Visualizer offers the capability to geographically subset and download time series 
+
+data in .csv format. For more information on the available datasets and use of the visualizer, 
+view the Soil Moisture Visualizer Guide.To use the visualizer, select a dataset of interest 
+under Data. Depending on the dataset chosen, the visualizer provides the included latitude/longitude 
+or an actual site location name and relative time frames of data collection. Upon selecting 
+a parameter, the tool displays a time series with available datasets. All measurements are 
+
+volumetric soil moisture. Surface soil moisture is the daily average of measurements at 0-5 
+cm depth and root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is the daily average of measurements at 0-100 
+cm depth. The visualizer also provides data sources for download.The U.S. Drought Monitor 
+is a weekly map of drought conditions used by policymakers to help determine drought relief 
+allocations and declarations of drought. NASA satellites provide data about water availability 
+
+to the U.S. Drought Monitor.EarthExplorer is a complete search and order tool for aerial photos, 
+elevation data and satellite products (including the Landsat Data Collection, as well as ASTER 
+data, ASTER GDEM and other products) distributed by the USGS. This online search, discovery, 
+and ordering tool connects users with satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories 
+through interactive and textual-based query capabilities. These products are available for 
+
+download at no cost to registered users. Users may register for a USGS account via the "Register" 
+link on the EarthExplorer main page.This USGS GFSAD Cropland Data visualization tool by the 
+USGS provides the Global Food Security Analysis-Support Data at 30 Meters (GFSAD30) visualizing 
+nearly 1.874 billion hectares (roughly 12.6% of the global terrestrial area) of global croplands.The 
+Agrometeorological (AGMET) Earth Observations (EO) Indicators bring together a variety of 
+
+EO data products on the sub-national scale, each of which provides valuable insights on in-season 
+crop development and current crop conditions. Each AGMET Indicator consists of several EO 
+data plots that quantify critical indicators related to crop health for a specific region 
+and crop over time and are updated every 7-12 days. Combined, the different EO data plots 
+help tell the story of in-season crop conditions through the use of different climate, environmental, 
+
+and vegetative variables.For more information about AGMET:Discover the NASA Earth Science 
+resources that give insight to agricultural applications. The data found in this web map can 
+be applied to the following areas:Water Availability: Plant Stress, Soil Moisture, Drought, 
+Irrigation Weather, Extreme Events and Better Seasonal and Sub-Seasonal Projections: NASA 
+Models Informing NOAA, USDA and Drought Monitor Operational ForecastingFor GIS users: see 
+
+how to use NASA data and services in common GIS tools in the GIS Pathfinder and check out 
+the How To guides to get help with your workflows.The ClimateSERV data visualization tool 
+enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, vegetation condition data, 
+and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding of, and make improved 
+decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. ClimateSERV offers an 
+
+API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application or script.Crop 
+Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution data 
+from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NetCDF, HDF, GRIB, 
+
+and other datasets can be viewed using NASA’s Panoply data viewer. Panoply is a cross-platform 
+application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays, and offers additional functionality 
+such as slicing and plotting arrays, combining arrays, and exporting plots and animations. 
+Panoply is a cross-platform application that runs on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and other desktop 
+computers. Panoply requires that your computer has have had a compatible Java 11 (or later 
+
+version) JRE or JDK installed.With Panoply 5 you can:Resources: NASA's Prediction Of Worldwide 
+Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related parameters 
+formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, analysis, 
+and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings through 
+custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series of 
+
+restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerOpenET is a web-based platform 
+that puts NASA evapotranspiration (ET) data in the hands of farmers, water managers, and conservation 
+
+groups to speed improvements and bring about innovation in water management across 17 states 
+in the Western U.S. It uses publicly-available data and open-source models to deliver satellite-based 
+ET information in areas as small as a quarter of an acre and at daily, monthly, and yearly 
+intervals.Resources:The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly map of drought conditions used by 
+policymakers to help determine drought relief allocations and declarations of drought. NASA 
+
+satellites provide data about water availability to the U.S. Drought Monitor.The ClimateSERV 
+data visualization tool enables users to visualize and download historical rainfall data, 
+vegetation condition data, and 180-day forecasts of rainfall and temperature to improve understanding 
+of, and make improved decisions for, issues related to agriculture and water availability. 
+ClimateSERV offers an API for those who wish to incorporate their data into a separate application 
+
+or script.Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics (Crop-CASMA) provides access to high-resolution 
+data from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and the Moderate Resolution Imaging 
+Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument in an easy-to-use format. Soil moisture data are critical 
+for professionals in the agriculture and natural resources sectors who use soil moisture in 
+tandem with other data to plan crop planting, forecast yields, track droughts or floods, and 
+
+improve weather forecasts. This application offers a suite of services such as Web Map Service 
+(WMS), Web Coverage Service (WCS), and Web Processing Services (WPS).Resources:NASA’s Giovanni 
+is an online application for the display and analysis of geophysical parameters. There are 
+many options for analysis. For more information on choosing a type of plot, see the Giovanni 
+User Manual. Note: An Earthdata Login is required for full Giovanni functionality.Single parameter 
+
+analysis options include: Multi-parameter analysis options include: Tutorials:Output options 
+include:GLAM is a web-based platform that enables near-real-time monitoring of global croplands, 
+primarily using NASA MODIS satellite data. This tool is being redesigned to incorporate new 
+datasets and improve its speed, flexibility, and computing power.Resources:NASA's Prediction 
+Of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) offers geospatially-enabled meteorology and solar-related 
+
+parameters formulated for the agroclimatology community. It provides various widgets for mapping, 
+analysis, and data download tools, as well as API services to access the POWER data holdings 
+through custom scripts and scalable applications. The POWER Data Services consists of a series 
+of restful Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geospatial enabled image services, and 
+Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol (OPeNDAP) services. These three service 
+
+offerings support data discovery, access, and distribution as Analysis Ready Data and as direct 
+application inputs to decision-to-support tools.Data Access ViewerNASA develops partnerships 
+and resources to address food security and works with decision-makers and data users to tailor 
+these tools to specific locations and user needs. These efforts help address issues like water 
+management for irrigation, crop-type identification and land use, coastal and lake water quality 
+
+monitoring, drought preparedness, and famine early warnings. NASA Earth science data are key 
+elements in the work carried out and supported by the agency's Applied Sciences Program, which 
+works with individuals and institutions worldwide to inform decision-making, enhance quality 
+of life, and strengthen our economy. Applied Sciences agriculture and water management-related 
+efforts include: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked 
+
+global goals designed to be a blueprint for a sustainable future for all of Earth’s inhabitants. 
+The SDGs are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an international plan signed 
+by all United Nations (UN) member states and underpinned by the foundational components of 
+People, Planet, and Prosperity.SDGs include specific social, economic, and environmental targets. 
+Through SDG 2: Zero Hunger, the UN proposes to end hunger, achieve food security and improved 
+
+nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Key SDG 2 Targets include:While NASA datasets 
+are not official indicators for SDG monitoring and decision-making, they provide data necessary 
+to assess progress towards achieving SDG Targets. Along with SDG 2, the data and resources 
+in the Agriculture and Water Management Data Pathfinder help address Targets in other SDGs, 
+including:The Sustainable Development Progress Report offers data about countries’ performances 
+
+in the SDGs.GIS data related to SDG 2 are available from the United Nations Statistics Division 
+through Esri’s Federated Information System for the SDG Initiative.The Committee on Earth 
+Observation Satellites (CEOS) also supports SDG 2. Learn how CEOS Agencies are using Earth 
+observations for agriculture monitoring.August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGAugust 31, 
+2023September 8, 2023August 31, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGSeptember 8, 2023JPEGIn early 
+
+September 2023, Greece endured a four-day storm that dropped 910 millimeters (3 feet) of rain 
+on central parts of the country. The record rainfall triggered deadly flooding and inundated 
+towns and farm fields in Thessaly, a region that includes Greece’s agricultural heartland. 
+The flooding was fueled by a stalled low-pressure storm that became cut-off from the jet stream, 
+also known as a cut-off low, which dropped heavy rainfall on central Greece between September 
+
+4 and 7. The storm dropped the most rain, 910 millimeters (3 feet), on Zagora, near Thessaly’s 
+port town of Volos, according to Meteo, the country’s weather service. About 100 kilometers 
+(60 miles) inland, the town of Karditsa saw 659 millimeters (2 feet) of rainfall. The pair 
+of images above shows flooding near Karditsa and Larissa, some of the hardest hit places in 
+Thessaly. The image on the right, acquired by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 
+
+8, shows flooding near the Pineios River on September 8, a day after the storm receded. The 
+image on the left, acquired by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9, shows the 
+same area on August 31. The images show floodwater covering what once were green farm fields 
+in the low-lying Thessaly plain. Farming is a major industry in the region, and accounts for 
+about one-sixth of Greece’s agricultural output. Farmers here grow primarily cotton, wheat, 
+
+corn, and alfalfa. The detailed image below shows flooded fields near the village of Pedino, 
+north of Karditsa. Sediment-laden water overtopped the banks of the Pineios, to the north 
+of the village, and the Mega Rema River to the south. September 8, 2023JPEGSeveral villages 
+along the Pineios and its tributaries became inundated with water during the storm. According 
+to news reports, over 4,000 people have been rescued from high water areas. Flooding near 
+
+Larissa, Thessaly’s capital and one of the largest cities in Greece, can be seen in the image 
+below. Suburbs of the city were flooded after the Pineios River broke its banks. September 
+8, 2023JPEGAlthough water along the Pineios had started to recede on September 11, flooding 
+along the river could still be seen in images from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 
+(MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. According to news reports, the river was still 2 meters 
+
+(6.5 feet) above safe levels. NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerRecord 
+rainfall inundated towns and farmland in the country’s Thessaly region.Image of the Day for 
+September 12, 2023 Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence View more Images of the Day:The 
+melting of frozen rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can 
+
+send rivers out of their banks.Flash floods in the port city destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods 
+out to sea. Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence A Mediterranean cyclone contributed 
+to deadly flooding along the country’s coastline. Image of the Day Land Water Floods A stalled 
+storm dropped three feet of rain over four days on the Thessaly region, triggering extensive 
+flooding. Image of the Day Atmosphere Floods An isolated low-pressure system produced torrential 
+
+downpours in Spain and carried Saharan dust along its path. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+Floods Human Presence September 1, 2023JPEGFor decades, summer phytoplankton blooms have sprung 
+up in Missisquoi Bay in the northeastern part of Lake Champlain. The bay’s shallow, nutrient-rich, 
+and seasonally warm waters offer ideal growing conditions for the floating, plant-like organisms, 
+which can multiply and aggregate into vast masses that discolor parts of the lake.The summer 
+
+of 2023 was no exception. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 acquired this natural-color 
+image of a bloom swirling near the mouth of the Missisquoi River on September 1, 2023. The 
+satellite collected similar images in August as well.While it is not possible to determine 
+the type of phytoplankton with Landsat observations alone, this bloom is likely cyanobacteria 
+(also called blue-green algae)—an ancient type of marine bacteria that captures and stores 
+
+solar energy through photosynthesis. Several trained cyanobacteria spotters submitted photographs 
+and reports of dense green mats of cyanobacteria lining the shores of Missisquoi Bay to Verrmont’s 
+cyanobacteria tracker website around the same time the image was acquired.Cyanobacteria blooms 
+are monitored closely because some species produce toxins known as cyanotoxins, including 
+a widespread type called microcystin, that can sicken people and animals, contaminate drinking 
+
+water, and force closures of boating and swimming sites.In recent years, teams of researchers 
+working with NASA’s DEVELOP program have used observations from several satellites to track 
+where in Lake Champlain harmful blooms are most common and identify key risk factors associated 
+with them. In a technical report, the researchers reported that Missisquoi Bay and nearby 
+St. Albans Bay had the lake’s highest concentration of toxic cyanobacteria blooms between 
+
+2016-2022.“There are multiple contributors to blooms like nutrients, temperature, and wind 
+and wave conditions,” noted Kent Ross, a science advisor for the Lake Champlain DEVELOP project. 
+“We focused on the availability of one of the nutrients—phosphorus.”Phosphorus is a common 
+nutrient found in runoff from farmland, lawns, and developed areas. While much of Lake Champlain 
+is surrounded by forests, which filter nutrients, Missisquoi Bay is flanked by farmland, where 
+
+fertilizer use leads to higher levels of phosphorous in the rivers that flow into the bay, 
+Ross explained.“That’s where our project partner, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural 
+Resource Conservation Service, comes in,” added Ross. “They recommend best practices to farmers 
+to limit nutrient runoff.” Adjusting the timing or type of fertilizer, changing grazing rotations, 
+upgrading drainage systems, and improving soil health are among the strategies farmers might 
+
+pursue.One of the challenges for scientists who study cyanobacteria blooms is that blooms 
+don’t always contain the species that produce harmful toxins. “The currently used indices 
+based on multispectral imagery cannot distinguish between the toxin-producing subspecies of 
+microcystis and non-toxin producing microcystis algae blooms,” said Jeffrey Luvall, also a 
+science advisor for the DEVELOP team and a scientist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. 
+
+“But the upcoming PACE mission—scheduled to launch in 2024—will make hyperspectral observations 
+able to do that.”NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the 
+U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerPhosphorus runoff 
+from farmland surrounding Lake Champlain contributes to summer cyanobacteria blooms in the 
+northeastern part of the lake.Image of the Day for September 11, 2023 Image of the Day Water 
+
+Human Presence Water Color View more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like organisms reproduce 
+abundantly when there are sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. Extreme blooms 
+of certain species can become harmful to marine animals and humans.More than 40 years after 
+the explosive eruption of Mount St. Helens, relics from the blast continue to haunt a nearby 
+lake. Image of the Day Water Straddling Austria and Hungary, the lake is also known as the 
+
+“Sea of the Viennese.” Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Snow and Ice At an average 
+elevation of 3,812 meters (12,507 feet), Lake Titicaca is one of the highest lakes in the 
+world. The lake is positioned between two major ranges of the Andes Mountain chain and has 
+very limited drainage. The limited outflow of the lake allows for the accumulation of nutrients 
+derived primarily from surrounding communities’ agricultural and sewage waste. The increased 
+
+nutrient levels can lead to plankton blooms. This astronaut photograph, taken from the International 
+Space Station, captures two such blooms along the eastern shoreline of the lake. Image of 
+the Day Land Life Once the second-largest lake in Turkey, it now rarely spans an area much 
+larger than a puddle. Image of the Day Land Water Remote Sensing August 18, 2023JPEGWhile 
+some weather-related delays are mere annoyances, others slow the rhythms of global shipping. 
+
+Due to ongoing drought and low water levels, ship traffic was restricted through the Panama 
+Canal in late summer 2023, leaving an above-average number of vessels waiting to make the 
+transit. The Panama Canal is an 80-kilometer (50-mile) artificial waterway across the Isthmus 
+of Panama, providing a vital connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for up to 
+14,000 ships each year. The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 got a rare cloud-free 
+
+view of delayed ships on the Pacific side of the canal on August 18, 2023. Artificial lakes 
+supply the water needed to fill the series of locks in the canal. Those lakes, located to 
+the north and northwest of this scene, are replenished by rainfall that is typically in abundance 
+on the Isthmus of Panama. However, drought has left Lago Gatún, the largest lake feeding the 
+system, at near-record low levels. In mid-August, it stood close to the lowest recorded level, 
+
+from May 2016, and well below the average level for August from the past five years. As a 
+means of conserving water, the Panama Canal Authority reduced the number of vessels that could 
+travel through the canal each day starting on July 30. At one point in early August, the ensuing 
+backup reached as high as 160 total vessels waiting on one side or the other. By the time 
+of this image, that number had decreased to around 130, whereas the queue ordinarily tops 
+
+off around 90. The average wait time for August 2023 was nearly four times what it was in 
+June. The reduction of daily passages was the latest restriction imposed by the Panama Canal 
+Authority this year to deal with the water shortages. Starting on March 1, 2023, it began 
+reducing the maximum draft (the distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull) 
+permitted for vessels passing through the locks. The normal limit of 50 feet (15 meters) for 
+
+the largest class of ships that use the canal was increasingly ratcheted down to 44 feet (13 
+meters), requiring some ships to lighten their loads. The area has seen a number of dry years 
+in the past decade; Lago Gatún dipped to low levels in 2016 and 2019, in addition to 2023. 
+At the other extreme, however, Lago Gatún and Lago Alajuela, another lake feeding the canal, 
+reached record high levels in December 2010. The flooding caused the canal to close for only 
+
+the third time in its history. NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat 
+data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Lindsey Doermann.View this area in EO ExplorerSevere 
+drought is reducing the number of daily passages on the transoceanic shipping route.Image 
+of the Day for September 1, 2023 Image of the Day Water Human Presence View more Images of 
+the Day:In September, low water levels made it more challenging to ship goods down the river 
+
+and allowed a wedge of saltwater to move upstream. Image of the Day Water Drought Hundreds 
+of ships have been left idling around the key shipping route. Nature played a role in solving 
+the problem. Image of the Day Human Presence A key shipping route through Egypt recently received 
+a major overhaul. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence More than 64 million people are 
+directly affected by drought in the Southwest and Southern Plains, and far more are indirectly 
+
+affected because of the vast number of farms, orchards, and ranches that supply the rest of 
+the United States. Image of the Day Land Life Water Drought August 21, 2023JPEGFor more than 
+a decade, drought has plagued central Chile. The prolonged dry period—a megadrought—has fueled 
+wildfires, strained water supplies, and parched crops.In winter 2023, the region got some 
+relief in the form of two atmospheric rivers that brought hundreds of millimeters of rain 
+
+and snow to the region. However, too much rain fell too quickly in some areas, prompting floods 
+and mudslides that damaged roads and bridges, destroyed thousands of homes, and displaced 
+tens of thousands of people.The map above shows the total precipitable water vapor in the 
+atmosphere on August 21, 2023. Precipitable water vapor is the amount of water in a column 
+of the atmosphere if all of the water vapor were condensed into liquid. The image was derived 
+
+from the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS), which uses satellite data and models of physical 
+processes to calculate what is happening in Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces.The 
+narrow band of moisture (green) stretching from the central Pacific Ocean to Chile is a signature 
+of an atmospheric river—a long, narrow region that transports vast amounts of water vapor 
+from the tropics poleward. In subtropical Chile, atmospheric rivers contribute 45 to 60 percent 
+
+of the annual precipitation, most of it in the winter rainy season (June to September).El 
+Paico in the Santiago metropolitan region saw nearly 80 millimeters (3 inches) of rain fall 
+between August 19-21, while areas farther inland in the foothills of the Andes saw as much 
+as 370 millimeters (15 inches) of rain, according to Floodlist. Meanwhile, some news outlets 
+reported that 2 or more meters (up to 8 feet) of snow fell in high mountain areas.August 26, 
+
+2023JPEGSome of the worst flooding occurred in the Maule, Ñuble, and Biobío regions of Chile. 
+“There was a strong orographic effect,” said atmospheric scientist René Garreaud of Universidad 
+de Chile. “We saw five to ten times more rain in the Andean foothills compared to Chile’s 
+Central Valley.”Higher elevation areas saw boosted rainfall totals because the Andes forced 
+the incoming river of moisture upward, where lower air pressure and cooler temperatures cause 
+
+water vapor to more easily condense into rain droplets on the windward side of mountains. 
+This same effect produces rain shadows on the lee side of mountains.Several days after the 
+surge of rain, rivers were still swollen and discolored. Floodwaters can pick up material, 
+such as sediment from riverbanks, that becomes suspended in the water and makes it appear 
+brown. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite 
+
+captured an image (above) showing rivers carrying plumes of suspended sediment into the Pacific 
+Ocean on August 26, 2023.The atmospheric river in August followed a similar event in June. 
+According to Garreaud, the June event delivered more than 500 millimeters (20 inches) of rain 
+over a two-day period to the Maule foothills, roughly double what normally falls in Santiago 
+in a year.The El Niño developing in the Pacific may be affecting how these events play out. 
+
+“We are seeing extra moisture in the central Pacific, but the coupling with the atmosphere 
+is still relatively weak,” Garreuad said. “The Pacific anticyclone remains strong, and we 
+haven’t yet seen a blocking high to the south of the continent—the typical signature of winter 
+storms that are strongly influenced by El Niño.”The concept of atmospheric rivers first emerged 
+in the 1990s and has become a topic of growing interest to researchers in recent years. Some 
+
+research suggests that climate change may be causing atmospheric rivers to produce more rain 
+and shift poleward. One analysis of model projections conducted by a team of scientists at 
+NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory found that atmospheric rivers may decrease in frequency but 
+grow longer and wider under a scenario in which future greenhouse gas emissions remain high.NASA 
+Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin and Wanmei Liang, using GEOS-FP data from the Global 
+
+Modeling and Assimilation Office at NASA GSFC and MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerAfter more than a decade of drought, strong 
+atmospheric rivers in June and August flooded the foothills of the Andes in the Maule, Ñuble, 
+and Biobío regions.Image of the Day for September 4, 2023 Image of the Day Atmosphere Land 
+Water Floods View more Images of the Day:Heavy rain and melting snow can overtop riverbanks, 
+
+causing far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and people.In late June 2019, a potent atmospheric 
+river event carried soaking rain into southern Chile, dropping nearly a month’s worth of precipitation 
+in just 48 hours. Image of the Day Water The latest in a series of atmospheric rivers drenching 
+the state was accompanied by hazardous winds and left thousands of people without power. Image 
+of the Day Atmosphere Water Severe Storms Two atmospheric rivers hit Australia’s east and 
+
+west coasts with severe rains on the same day. Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Water Unique 
+Imagery Following an exceptionally wet January, an atmospheric river carried even more moisture 
+into the region in February. Image of the Day Atmosphere Severe Storms Remote Sensing August 
+21, 2023JPEGIn March and April 2023, some earth scientists began to point out that average 
+sea surface temperatures had surpassed the highest levels seen in a key data record maintained 
+
+by NOAA. Months later, they remain at record levels, with global sea surface temperatures 
+0.99°C (1.78°F) above average in July. That was the fourth consecutive month they were at 
+record levels.Scientists from NASA have taken a closer look at why. “There are a lot of things 
+that affect the world’s sea surface temperatures, but two main factors have pushed them to 
+record heights,” said Josh Willis, an oceanographer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). 
+
+“We have an El Niño developing in the Pacific, and that’s on top of long-term global warming 
+that has been pushing ocean temperatures steadily upward almost everywhere for a century.”The 
+map above shows sea surface temperature anomalies on August 21, 2023, when many areas were 
+more than 3°C (5.4°F) warmer than normal. On that date, much of the central and eastern regions 
+of the equatorial Pacific were unusually warm, the signature of a developing El Niño. As has 
+
+been the case for weeks, large patches of warm water were also present in the Northwest Pacific 
+near Japan and the Northeast Pacific near California and Oregon. Portions of the Indian, Southern, 
+and Arctic Oceans also showed unusual warmth.The map is based on data from the Multiscale 
+Ultrahigh Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (MUR SST) project, a JPL effort that blends measurements 
+of sea surface temperatures from multiple NASA, NOAA, and international satellites, as well 
+
+as ship and buoy observations. Rather than showing absolute temperature, the anomaly reflects 
+the difference between the sea surface temperature on August 21, 2023, and the 2003-2014 average 
+for that day. The video below, also based on MUR SST data, shows global sea surface temperatures 
+since April 1, 2023, the period when they have been at record-breaking levels. The warmest 
+waters appear dark red.April 1 - August 21, 2023MPEG “Over the long term, we’re seeing more 
+
+heat and warmer sea surface temperatures pretty much everywhere,” said Gavin Schmidt, the 
+director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies. “That long-term trend is almost entirely 
+attributable to human forcing—the fact that we've put such a huge amount of greenhouse gas 
+in the atmosphere since the start of the industrial era.”Schmidt noted that other factors—such 
+as weather and wind patterns or the distribution of dust and aerosols—have short-term effects 
+
+on sea surface temperatures in certain regions, but they generally have a minor effect on 
+the longer-term global mean. Previous research shows that as much as 90 percent of the excess 
+heat that has occurred in recent decades due to increasing greenhouse gas emissions is absorbed 
+by the ocean, with much of that heat stored near the surface.The most important factor that 
+helped push sea surface temperatures into record territory in 2023 was the evolving El Niño 
+
+in the Pacific, according to Willis. He came to that conclusion by analyzing the timing and 
+intensity of sea surface temperature anomalies in several regions and comparing them to the 
+global trend.“We had a big jump in global surface temperature at the beginning of April—exactly 
+when the Pacific temperatures jumped up and also when sea levels in the eastern Pacific started 
+to rise,” Willis said. “The heat waves in the Atlantic are important and will have serious 
+
+effects on marine life and weather in Europe in the coming months. But it’s the Pacific that 
+has taken the global mean on a wild ride this year.”What happens in the Pacific tends to have 
+a large influence on the global sea surface temperatures partly because of its size. The Pacific 
+represents about half of the world’s ocean area.Marine heat waves—defined as periods of persistent 
+anomalously warm ocean temperatures (warmer than 90 percent of the previous observations for 
+
+a given time of year)—have occurred recently in several areas. One NOAA analysis showed that 
+48 percent of the global oceans were in the midst of a marine heat wave in August—a larger 
+area than for any other month since the start of the record in 1991. Particularly intense 
+events have warmed the North Atlantic and parts of the Caribbean in recent months.Willis expects 
+the heat in the equatorial Pacific to have more staying power than many of the other marine 
+
+heat waves simmering around the world. “Many of the marine heat waves we’re seeing are ephemeral 
+and ‘skin’ deep, generally lasting on the order of weeks and driven by atmospheric forces,” 
+explained Willis.The unusually warm water in the equatorial Pacific associated with the developing 
+El Niño after three consecutive years of La Niña is expected to weaken trade winds in ways 
+that reinforce and amplify the warming of surface waters, fueling the El Niño further. Forecasters 
+
+from NOAA say that there is a greater than 95 percent chance that El Niño conditions will 
+persist throughout the Northern Hemisphere winter. “What’s happening in the Pacific with El 
+Niño will influence global weather patterns and sea surface temperatures well into the winter 
+and possibly even longer,” Willis said.To monitor sea surface temperatures, scientists at 
+NOAA and NASA analyze observations from sensors and buoys in the oceans, ships, and several 
+
+different polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites. Groups of scientists with NOAA’s Physical 
+Sciences Laboratory, NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory track marine 
+heat waves and sea surface temperature anomalies closely. You can use NASA’s State of the 
+Ocean Tool on Worldview to monitor daily sea surface temperature anomalies.NASA Earth Observatory 
+image by Lauren Dauphin, using data from the Multiscale Ultrahigh Resolution (MUR) project. 
+
+Video by NASA’s Scientific Visualization studio, using data from the MUR project. Story by 
+Adam Voiland.Decades of gradual warming due to human-caused climate change and an El Niño 
+in the Pacific Ocean nudged global sea surface temperatures to record levels in 2023.Image 
+of the Day for August 25, 2023 Image of the Day Water View more Images of the Day:Earth in 
+July 2023 was 1.18°C (2.12°F) warmer than the average for the month, and warmer than any other 
+
+month in the 143-year record. Image of the Day Heat Temperature Extremes The climate phenomenon 
+emerged in late spring 2023, as waters grew warmer and sea levels rose higher than usual in 
+the tropical Pacific Ocean. Image of the Day Water Blooms of the plant-like organisms near 
+coastal areas have become more frequent in the 21st century. Image of the Day Water Remote 
+Sensing Examining temperatures from the depths of the ocean, JPL scientists have found that 
+
+lower layers of the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans grew much warmer during a decade when 
+surface temperatures cooled. Image of the Day Heat Water August 20, 2023JPEGOnce a powerful 
+category 4 hurricane, Hilary weakened and made landfall in northern Mexico on August 20, 2023, 
+pelting the Baja California peninsula and two U.S. states with rain.Before making landfall, 
+Hilary delivered torrential rain to Santa Rosalía in Mexico’s state of Baja California Sur. 
+
+One person was killed by the floodwater, according to officials. Hilary weakened to a tropical 
+storm before it came ashore on the northern end of the peninsula at around 11 a.m. Pacific 
+Time on August 20, 2023. As the storm moved inland over Southern California, it left flooding, 
+mudslides, and power outages behind. The map above depicts a satellite-based estimate of the 
+storm’s rainfall rates. Data for the map were acquired between 5 p.m. Pacific Time on August 
+
+19 and 2 p.m. Pacific Time on August 20, as the center of the storm was approaching Southern 
+California. The darkest reds reflect the highest rainfall rates, with the Baja California 
+peninsula seeing the heaviest rains during this time. The data are remotely sensed estimates 
+that come from the Integrated Multi-Satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG), a product of the 
+Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite mission. Due to the averaging of the satellite 
+
+data, local rainfall rates may be significantly higher when measured from the ground. August 
+20 was the wettest August day on record for both downtown Los Angeles and San Diego, according 
+to the National Weather Service. They received 2.5 inches (6.3 centimeters) and 1.8 inches 
+(4.6 centimeters) of rain, respectively. The storm also brought wind gusts of 70 miles (113 
+kilometers) per hour to parts of California, knocking over trees and power lines, and reportedly 
+
+leaving 40,000 residents without power. Death Valley National Park closed due to flooding, 
+and several roads were also flooded and damaged in Las Vegas, Nevada. So far, some of the 
+most severely affected places in the U.S. have been the normally dry desert regions of Southern 
+California. Streets turned into rivers of mud in Palm Springs after the city received six 
+months of rain over six hours. Flooding also closed roads in Coachella Valley, including I-10, 
+
+the major highway in the region. August is typically a dry month in Southern California, but 
+the surface layers of soil can respond quickly to weather events. Scientists at NASA’s Short-term 
+Prediction Research and Transition Center (SPoRT) expected that rain from the storm could 
+saturate soils in the region for several days. Hilary continued to move north into Oregon 
+and Idaho on August 21, where rainfall totals of up to 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) were anticipated 
+
+in places, with potential for flash flooding. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, 
+using IMERG data from the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) at NASA/GSFC. Story by Emily 
+Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerThe storm delivered torrential rain to parts of Southern 
+California, Nevada, and Mexico, leaving flooded streets and power outages in its wake.Image 
+of the Day for August 22, 2023 Image of the Day Water Severe Storms View more Images of the 
+
+Day:The hurricane season in the Pacific runs from June through November, though the storms 
+can form any time of year.The major hurricane was expected to weaken before delivering heavy 
+rain to Mexico and Southern California. Image of the Day Atmosphere Severe Storms Acquired 
+January 20, 2010, this true-color image shows an apostrophe-shaped storm, looking slightly 
+like a hurricane without most of its center, over the California coast. Isolated areas of 
+
+clear sky show the Central Valley and Baja Peninsula. Atmosphere Severe Storms Severe Storms 
+Acquired January 19, 2010, this image shows three cloud banks on their eastward path over 
+California. One is over the ocean, one hovers over the coast, and one has traveled inland. 
+Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Severe Storms July 26, 2023JPEGVibrant turquoise and green 
+water swirled near the coastline of Vancouver Island in late July 2023. The colorful plumes—which 
+
+are likely comprised of both phytoplankton and sediment—stood out in this image, acquired 
+by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the NOAA-20 satellite on July 
+26. Clouds covered much of Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia at the time of this 
+image. But coastal areas were cloud-free, exposing water that likely contained flourishing 
+populations of phytoplankton—floating plant-like organisms that are the foundation of the 
+
+aquatic food web. Phytoplankton blooms are common in the northeast Pacific Ocean during summer 
+as offshore winds push surface waters away from the coast. This causes cooler, nutrient-rich 
+waters to well up from the depths and fuel the growth of phytoplankton. Research has shown 
+that a significant amount of nutrients are supplied by the circulation and upwelling that 
+occurs in the Salish Sea, boosting phytoplankton productivity along the continental shelf 
+
+off Vancouver Island. The bloom also could have been fed by nutrient-rich sediment running 
+off from the coast. The greenest areas off the island’s coast may contain diatoms—a microscopic 
+form of algae with silica shells and plenty of chlorophyll. Coccolithophores—a type of phytoplankton 
+armored with calcium carbonate plates—tend to make the water appear more milky-blue and might 
+be present in the bloom. A future NASA satellite mission called PACE—short for Plankton, Aerosol, 
+
+Cloud, ocean Ecosystem—will enable researchers to infer more information about ocean ecology, 
+including the species of phytoplankton present in blooms and the rates of their growth. PACE 
+is scheduled to launch no earlier than January 2024. NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren 
+Dauphin, using VIIRS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE, GIBS/Worldview, and the Joint Polar Satellite 
+System (JPSS). Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerSwirls of phytoplankton 
+
+and sediment brightened the island’s coastal waters in July 2023.Image of the Day for August 
+2, 2023 Image of the Day Water Water Color View more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like 
+organisms reproduce abundantly when there are sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. 
+Extreme blooms of certain species can become harmful to marine animals and humans.Skirting 
+the coastline of Mozambique, these 32 small islands are home to a diversity of corals and 
+
+sea turtles. Image of the Day Life Water These rough waters were once traversed by Japanese 
+pirates; now they are spanned by bridges. Image of the Day Land Water Human Presence Acquired 
+October 2, 2002, this natural-color image shows islands off the coast of Croatia, in the Adriatic 
+Sea. Image of the Day Land Image of the Day Land Unique Imagery At the base of the ocean food 
+web are single-celled algae and other plant-like organisms known as phytoplankton. Like plants 
+
+on land, phytoplankton use chlorophyll and other light-harvesting pigments to carry out photosynthesis, 
+absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide to produce sugars for fuel. Chlorophyll in the water 
+changes the way it reflects and absorbs sunlight, allowing scientists to map the amount and 
+location of phytoplankton. These measurements give scientists valuable insights into the health 
+of the ocean environment, and help scientists study the ocean carbon cycle.These chlorophyll 
+
+maps show milligrams of chlorophyll per cubic meter of seawater each month. Places where chlorophyll 
+amounts were very low, indicating very low numbers of phytoplankton are blue. Places where 
+chlorophyll concentrations were high, meaning many phytoplankton were growing, are dark green. 
+The observations come from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's 
+Aqua satellite. Land is dark gray, and places where MODIS could not collect data because of 
+
+sea ice, polar darkness, or clouds are light gray.The highest chlorophyll concentrations, 
+where tiny surface-dwelling ocean plants are thriving, are in cold polar waters or in places 
+where ocean currents bring cold water to the surface, such as around the equator and along 
+the shores of continents. It is not the cold water itself that stimulates the phytoplankton. 
+Instead, the cool temperatures are often a sign that the water has welled up to the surface 
+
+from deeper in the ocean, carrying nutrients that have built up over time. In polar waters, 
+nutrients accumulate in surface waters during the dark winter months when plants can't grow. 
+When sunlight returns in the spring and summer, the plants flourish in high concentrations.A 
+band of cool, plant-rich waters circles the globe at the Equator, with the strongest signal 
+in the Atlantic Ocean and the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. This zone of enhanced phytoplankton 
+
+growth comes from the frequent upwelling of cooler, deeper water as a result of the dominant 
+easterly trade winds blowing across the ocean surface. In many coastal areas, the rising slope 
+of the sea floor pushes cold water from the lowest layers of the ocean to the surface. The 
+rising, or upwelling water carries iron and other nutrients from the ocean floor. Cold coastal 
+upwelling and subsequent phytoplankton growth are most evident along the west coasts of North 
+
+and South America and southern Africa.View, download, or analyze more of these data from NASA 
+Earth Observations (NEO): Chlorophyll Life Water September 12, 2023JPEGOn September 12, 2023, 
+Hurricane Lee continued its slow west-northwest trajectory across the Atlantic Ocean. The 
+Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 16 (GOES-16) acquired this image of the 
+major storm at approximately 1 p.m. Eastern Time (17:00 UTC) as it advanced toward the southeastern 
+
+United States. The satellite is operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
+(NOAA); NASA helps develop and launch the GOES series of satellites. Around this time, the 
+center of the hurricane was located about 500 miles (800 kilometers) south of Bermuda and 
+moving at 6 miles (9 kilometers) per hour. Sustained winds were measured at 115 miles (185 
+kilometers) per hour, making it a category 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale.On 
+
+its path across the ocean to this point, the hurricane fluctuated dramatically in strength, 
+as it underwent one of the most extreme periods of rapid intensification for a North Atlantic 
+storm in the past 40 years. In the 24 hours ending at 2 a.m. Eastern Time (06:00 UTC) on September 
+8, Lee’s winds increased from 80 to 165 miles per hour (130 to 265 kilometers per hour), escalating 
+it to category 5 status. Only Hurricane Felix in 2007 and Hurricane Wilma in 2005 intensified 
+
+more over a 24-hour period. Following this ramp-up, moderate to strong wind shear disrupted 
+the storm’s circulation and weakened it to a category 2. September 10, 2023JPEGThat would 
+not be the last momentum swing, however. On September 10, Hurricane Lee began to regain strength 
+as wind shear abated and it passed over very warm waters. The map above shows sea surface 
+temperatures on from that day based on data from the Multiscale Ultrahigh Resolution Sea Surface 
+
+Temperature (MUR SST) project, a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory effort that blends measurements 
+of sea surface temperatures from multiple NASA, NOAA, and international satellites, as well 
+as ship and buoy observations. High sea surface temperatures are among the conditions favorable 
+to hurricane intensification. And 2023 has been a banner year for warm oceans. Decades of 
+gradual warming due to climate change, along with El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean, 
+
+helped drive global sea surface temperatures into record territory for several months in the 
+summer. Meteorologists generally agree that sea surface temperatures above 27.8 degrees Celsius 
+(82 degrees Fahrenheit) will sustain and intensify hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons. Surface 
+waters above that threshold are shown in red to black on the map. Forecast models indicate 
+that a weather pattern over the eastern U.S. will redirect Lee to the north. The storm is 
+
+expected to expand in size and weaken as it moves over cooler waters recently churned up by 
+hurricanes Franklin and Idalia. The storm will likely pass west of Bermuda, which is under 
+a tropical storm watch, and potentially make landfall over the northeastern U.S. or Nova Scotia 
+as a much weaker storm. NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using GOES 16 imagery 
+courtesy of NOAA and the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) 
+
+and data from the Multiscale Ultrahigh Resolution (MUR) project. Story by Lindsey Doermann.View 
+this area in EO ExplorerThe major storm fluctuated in intensity as it approached the U.S. 
+East Coast.Image of the Day for September 13, 2023 Image of the Day Land Water Severe Storms 
+View more Images of the Day:Hurricane season in the basin runs from June 1 to November 30.Acquired 
+August 23, 2009, this true-color image shows Hurricane Bill missing the U.S., apparently headed 
+
+northward toward Canada. Atmosphere Water Severe Storms The first hurricane of the Atlantic 
+season made a series of landfalls and dropped abundant rain from the Caribbean to the U.S. 
+East Coast. Heat Water Severe Storms Human Presence The SeaWiFS instrument captured the data 
+for this composite view of an August 2000 hurricane while it was near Bermuda. Image of the 
+Day Atmosphere Though it has weakened since reaching category 5 strength, the hurricane is 
+
+still bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the northeast Atlantic. Image of the Day Floods 
+Severe Storms Remote Sensing September 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 13, 2023JPEGSeptember 7, 2023September 
+13, 2023September 7, 2023JPEGSeptember 13, 2023JPEGSeptember 13, 2023JPEGOn September 10, 
+2023, a low-pressure storm brought heavy rains to northeastern Libya, causing deadly flooding 
+and devastation in cities along the Mediterranean coast. On the coast of Libya’s Cyrenaica 
+
+region, Al Bayda recorded 414 millimeters (16 inches) of rain in one day. Nearby, the port 
+city of Derna received more than 100 millimeters (4 inches) over the course of the storm—far 
+exceeding the city’s average monthly rainfall for September of less than 1.5 millimeters (0.1 
+inches). Derna lies at the end of a long, narrow valley, called a wadi, which is dry for most 
+of the year. Floods triggered two dams along Wadi Derna to collapse, sending floodwater and 
+
+mud to the city. According to news reports, floodwater swept away roads and entire neighborhoods. 
+The images above show the Cyrenaica region before and after the storm. They are false color, 
+which makes water (blue) stand out from the surroundings. The image on the right, acquired 
+on September 13, shows water filling low-lying areas and wadis inland from the coast. The 
+image on the left shows the same area on September 7. Both images were acquired with the Moderate 
+
+Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. The flooding and damage 
+in Derna is difficult to see at this resolution, although sediment flowing into the Mediterranean 
+is visible in natural color images. In the days prior to making landfall in Libya, the same 
+low-pressure storm (named Storm Daniel by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service) swamped 
+parts of Greece, Turkey, and Bulgaria. As the storm approached Libya, it developed characteristics 
+
+of a tropical-like cyclone, or “medicane,” with winds measuring around 70 to 80 kilometers 
+(43 to 50 miles) per hour. September 10, 2023JPEGThe natural-color image above, acquired with 
+MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite, shows the storm on September 10 as it made landfall in northeastern 
+Libya. Only one or two medicanes typically develop in a year, according to NOAA. As of September 
+13, authorities were still conducting search and rescue operations in the region. Derna was 
+
+still largely inaccessible on that day, making it difficult to assess the full impact of the 
+flood.NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE 
+and GIBS/Worldview. Story by Emily Cassidy.View this area in EO ExplorerA Mediterranean cyclone 
+contributed to deadly flooding along the country’s coastline.Image of the Day for September 
+14, 2023 Image of the Day Land Water Floods View more Images of the Day:The melting of frozen 
+
+rivers and snowpack, and the heavy rains of late spring and summer, can send rivers out of 
+their banks.Flash floods in the port city destroyed roads and swept neighborhoods out to sea. 
+Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence Record rainfall inundated towns and farmland 
+in the country’s Thessaly region. Image of the Day Water Floods Human Presence Cities and 
+towns darkened after a cyclone unleashed torrential flooding along the country’s coast. Image 
+
+of the Day Human Presence An extratropical cyclone triggered deadly flooding in the state 
+of Rio Grande do Sul. Image of the Day Water Floods Sea surface temperatures have a large 
+influence on climate and weather. For example, every 3 to 7 years a wide swath of the Pacific 
+Ocean along the equator warms by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius. This warming is a hallmark of the 
+climate pattern El Niño, which changes rainfall patterns around the globe, causing heavy rainfall 
+
+in the southern United States and severe drought in Australia, Indonesia, and southern Asia. 
+On a smaller scale, ocean temperatures influence the development of tropical cyclones (hurricanes 
+and typhoons), which draw energy from warm ocean waters to form and intensify.These sea surface 
+temperature maps are based on observations by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 
+(MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite. The satellite measures the temperature of the top millimeter 
+
+of the ocean surface. In this map, the coolest waters appear in blue (approximately -2 degrees 
+Celsius), and the warmest temperatures appear in pink-yellow (35 degrees Celsius). Landmasses 
+and the large area of sea ice around Antarctica appear in shades of gray, indicating no data 
+were collected.The most obvious pattern shown in the time series is the year-round difference 
+in sea surface temperatures between equatorial regions and the poles. Various warm and cool 
+
+currents stand out even in monthly averages of sea surface temperature. A band of warm waters 
+snakes up the East Coast of the United States and veers across the North Atlantic—the Gulf 
+Stream.Although short-lived weather events that influence ocean temperature are often washed 
+out in monthly averages, a few events show up. For example, in December 2003, strong winds 
+blew southwest from the Gulf of Mexico over Central America toward the Pacific Ocean, driving 
+
+surface waters away from the coast, and allowing cold water from deeper in the ocean to well 
+up to the surface. These winds are a recurring phenomenon in the area in the winter; they 
+are known as Tehuano winds.View, download, or analyze more of these data from NASA Earth Observations 
+(NEO): Sea Surface Temperature Heat Water August 3, 2023JPEGThe Barents Sea is a shallow part 
+of the Arctic Ocean squeezed between the coastline of northern Russia, Scandinavia, and several 
+
+islands to the north. Microscopic forms of phytoplankton thrive in its nutrient-rich waters, 
+feeding invertebrates and small crustaceans that sustain an abundance of fish, seabirds, and 
+mammals.Individual phytoplankton are too small to be visible to the naked eye, but huge numbers 
+of them together can change the color of the ocean over hundreds—or even thousands—of kilometers. 
+These “blooms” in the Barents Sea can be hard to observe with optical imagers because it is 
+
+among the cloudiest places in the world. However, on August 3, 2023, a break in the clouds 
+offered a spectacular view of a bloom in the waters north of the Scandinavian and Kola peninsulas. 
+The image above was acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 
+on NASA’s Terra satellite.Many phytoplankton species live in the cool waters of the Barents 
+Sea, but the milky blue color in this image suggests that the bloom contains coccolithophores, 
+
+microscopic plankton plated with white calcium carbonate. In this case, the species is likely 
+Emiliana huxleyi, whose blooms tend to be triggered by high light levels during the around-the-clock 
+daylight of Arctic summers. Other colors in the scene may come from sediment or other species 
+of phytoplankton, particularly diatoms.The Barents Sea usually has two major bloom seasons 
+each year, with diatoms peaking in May and June, then giving way to coccolithophores by August 
+
+as certain nutrients run out and waters grow warmer and more layered. As the climate changes, 
+increasing amounts of warm water from the Atlantic Ocean are flowing into the Barents Sea 
+and reducing the amount of sea ice. As these changes play out, scientists are using satellites 
+to track how phytoplankton populations are responding.One group of researchers observed large 
+shifts in the location of summer coccolithophore blooms to the northeast between 2002 and 
+
+2018. They also identified an increasing presence of Phaeocystis pouchetii, a type of phytoplankton 
+normally found in warmer waters that can form gelatinous colonies millimeters in diameter. 
+The effect that such changes might have on the ecosystem is a topic of ongoing research.NASA 
+Earth Observatory image by Michala Garrison, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. 
+Story by Adam Voiland.View this area in EO ExplorerA break in the clouds offered a glimpse 
+
+of phytoplankton north of Norway, Finland, and Russia.Image of the Day for August 5, 2023 
+Image of the Day Water Water Color View more Images of the Day:Floating, plant-like organisms 
+reproduce abundantly when there are sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. 
+Extreme blooms of certain species can become harmful to marine animals and humans.In July 
+2016, phytoplankton in the Barents Sea turned the surface waters milky blue. Life Water Water 
+
+Color Acquired September 10, 2011, this natural-color image shows a persistent phytoplankton 
+bloom in the Barents Sea. Life Water Water Color Acquired August 24, 2012, this natural-color 
+image shows a profusion of peacock hues created by a phytoplankton bloom in the Barents Sea.