Dust storm over Kuwait

In late February, 2003, a Middle East dust storm created unusual patterns in the air over the Persian Gulf. At bottom in the image is Saudi Arabia, in center is Kuwait, at top left is Iraq, and at top right is Iran. A dust plume appears to be emanating from Saudi Arabia and stretching northward over the Gulf and into Iran. Meanwhile, another plume is blowing out over Kuwait. Several red dots in Iraq and Iran mark the location of thermal signatures. In Iraq, these may be associated with oil or gas wells. This image was acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Aqua satellite on February 25, 2003.

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Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC

Published March 10, 2003
Data acquired February 25 - 25, 2003

Source:

Aqua > MODIS

Topic:

Atmosphere > Aerosols > Dust/Ash

Collection:

MODIS Rapid Response