Irma Churns Up Sediment in the Florida Keys

Hurricane Irma crossed the Florida Keys the morning of September 10, 2017, as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 130 miles per hour. Besides damage done to structures on the islands, the storm also stirred the waters.

A natural color Landsat image acquired four days after the storm contrasts with an image acquired in March. The murky green-blue color is near-surface sediment churned up by strong winds. Landsat’s green band penetrates the shallow water to reveal the extent of sediment.