Dust storm in Southern Iraq

A tan cloud of dust sweeps through Southern Iraq and Kuwait in this true-color Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) image taken from the Aqua satellite on August 27, 2003. The storm stretches from the fertile valley in the upper part of the image (bordered by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers) to the edge of The Gulf in the lower right.

Also visible in the image are portions of Saudi Arabia (lower left) and Iran (upper right). Sediment from the dust storm and rivers also add swirls of turquoise to the waters of The Gulf, while the spots of green might indicate the presence of microscopic marine plants (such as algae or phytoplankton).

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Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC

Published October 9, 2003
Data acquired August 27 - 27, 2003

Source:

Aqua > MODIS

Topics:

Atmosphere > Aerosols > Dust/Ash

Biosphere > Microbiota > Phytoplankton

Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae

Biosphere > Vegetation > Biomass

Biosphere > Vegetation > Phytoplankton