Smoke from Saskatchewan fires (Canada) and phytoplankton bloom off Northern Norway

Smoke (grayish swath in western half of image) from the wildfires in Saskatchewan, Canada, has crossed the Atlantic Ocean and arrived over the shores of Norway on July 12, 2002. Although fires were also burning in Québec, Canada, around the same time (which would seem to be the more likely source of the plume because it is closer) visual inspection of additional MODIS imagery over a span of several days shows that the plume most likely originated with the fires in Saskatchewan.

The brighter, turquoise swirls in the otherwise dark waters of the Barents Sea indicate the presence of a large phytoplankton bloom. These microscopic marine plants contain chlorophyll and other pigments that are very reflective, and produce colorful patterns in the water. This true-color scene was acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, flying aboard NASA.s Terra satellite.

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Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC

Published July 12, 2002
Data acquired July 12 - 12, 2002

Source:

Terra > MODIS

Topics:

Biosphere > Microbiota > Phytoplankton

Biosphere > Vegetation > Biomass

Biosphere > Vegetation > Phytoplankton

Human Dimensions > Natural Hazards > Fires

Collection:

MODIS Rapid Response