Dust storm in Chad

Highly reflective dust was blowing over Lake Chad (green splash at bottom of image) and northeastward into Chad on April 9, 2003. Frequent dust storms are just one of the many factors slowly eating away at this prime source of freshwater for people, animals and plants in (clockwise from top left) Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Chad. Increasing demand for irrigation is draining the lake, and blowing sand and desert dust are creating sand dunes that are encroaching on the vegetation along the perimeter of the lake (see high-resolution image).

---

Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC

Published April 11, 2003
Data acquired April 9 - 9, 2003

Source:

Aqua > MODIS

Topics:

Atmosphere > Aerosols > Dust/Ash

Biosphere > Terrestrial Ecosystems > Deserts

Biosphere > Terrestrial Habitat > Desert