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Images

The National Land Imaging Program supports a variety of geospatial data programs and projects, including the USGS Landsat Program. Browse the images below to see some of the imagery produced using NLI-supported data sources.

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Satellite image showing the Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay region
Satellite Image of the Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay Region
Satellite Image of the Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay Region
Satellite Image of the Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay Region

This Indian Space Research Organization LISS-3 image of the Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay region, acquired on January 25, 2017, shows the landscape along the densely populated U.S. East coast. Ecosystems and sea-level rise are among the regional landscape changes that satellite imagery helps to monitor. 

This Indian Space Research Organization LISS-3 image of the Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay region, acquired on January 25, 2017, shows the landscape along the densely populated U.S. East coast. Ecosystems and sea-level rise are among the regional landscape changes that satellite imagery helps to monitor. 

Satellite image showing flooding in Argentina in late December 2016.
Satellite image showing flooding in Argentina
Satellite image showing flooding in Argentina
Satellite image showing flooding in Argentina

Heavy rains in late December 2016 and early January 2017 are affecting soybean production in Argentina's bread-basket provinces while impacting soy prices worldwide.

Heavy rains in late December 2016 and early January 2017 are affecting soybean production in Argentina's bread-basket provinces while impacting soy prices worldwide.

Satellite image showing burn scares from fires in the Pampas region of Argentina.
Wildfires Scorch Pampas Region of Argentina
Wildfires Scorch Pampas Region of Argentina
Wildfires Scorch Pampas Region of Argentina

Since mid-December 2016, roughly two dozen wildfires in the Pampas region of Argentina have consumed almost 2.5 million acres while unleashing giant plumes of dense smoke above the rural landscapes.

Since mid-December 2016, roughly two dozen wildfires in the Pampas region of Argentina have consumed almost 2.5 million acres while unleashing giant plumes of dense smoke above the rural landscapes.

Satellite image showing how human activities affect the Okomu Forest.
West Africa Atlas Details Efforts to Manage, Preserve Okomu Forest
West Africa Atlas Details Efforts to Manage, Preserve Okomu Forest
West Africa Atlas Details Efforts to Manage, Preserve Okomu Forest

A new atlas named Landscapes of West Africa: A Window on a Changing World tells the story of transformations and trends across many lands in West Africa, including this look at the threat of human activities in the Okomu Forest Reserve in southern Nigeria.

A new atlas named Landscapes of West Africa: A Window on a Changing World tells the story of transformations and trends across many lands in West Africa, including this look at the threat of human activities in the Okomu Forest Reserve in southern Nigeria.

Arkansas Landsat State Mosaic
Arkansas Landsat State Mosaic
Arkansas Landsat State Mosaic
Arkansas Landsat State Mosaic

Arkansas, officially “The Natural State,” is a state of mountains, valleys, dense woodland and fertile plains. Its clear lakes and streams and abundant wildlife help to make tourism one of the state’s most important industries.

Capital Little Rock

Image Source Landsat 8

Arkansas, officially “The Natural State,” is a state of mountains, valleys, dense woodland and fertile plains. Its clear lakes and streams and abundant wildlife help to make tourism one of the state’s most important industries.

Capital Little Rock

Image Source Landsat 8

Vermont Landsat State Mosaic
Vermont Landsat State Mosaic
Vermont Landsat State Mosaic
Vermont Landsat State Mosaic

Vermont was the first state admitted to the union after the original 13 colonies. Vermont’s capital, Montpelier, is the smallest state capital with a population of less than 8,000. 

Capital Montpelier

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 643,077

Vermont was the first state admitted to the union after the original 13 colonies. Vermont’s capital, Montpelier, is the smallest state capital with a population of less than 8,000. 

Capital Montpelier

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 643,077

Satellite image proves it snowed in the Sahara Desert.
Rare Snow Falls at the Edge of Sahara Desert
Rare Snow Falls at the Edge of Sahara Desert
Rare Snow Falls at the Edge of Sahara Desert

Landsat 7's Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) sensor captured the image that shows the white covering on the caramel-colored landscape southwest of the Algerian community of Ain Sefra, a town sometimes referred to as the gateway to the desert.

Landsat 7's Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) sensor captured the image that shows the white covering on the caramel-colored landscape southwest of the Algerian community of Ain Sefra, a town sometimes referred to as the gateway to the desert.

Satellite image showing geoglyph in Australia of a maree man.
Marree Man Geoglyph in Australia Does Reappearing Act
Marree Man Geoglyph in Australia Does Reappearing Act
Marree Man Geoglyph in Australia Does Reappearing Act

In June 1998, a pilot discovered a strange sight in the Australian outback that wasn't there before—a huge outline of what appeared to be an Aboriginal man throwing either a boomerang or a stick. It turned out to be a geoglyph, which is a design on the ground typically made of natural elements and best viewed from above.

In June 1998, a pilot discovered a strange sight in the Australian outback that wasn't there before—a huge outline of what appeared to be an Aboriginal man throwing either a boomerang or a stick. It turned out to be a geoglyph, which is a design on the ground typically made of natural elements and best viewed from above.

Satellite image showing large areas of deforestation.
Monitoring Deforestation in the Amazon
Monitoring Deforestation in the Amazon
Monitoring Deforestation in the Amazon

Large areas within the Amazon rain forest have undergone large-scale deforestation over the past few decades, and Landsat has helped record this widespread land change.

Large areas within the Amazon rain forest have undergone large-scale deforestation over the past few decades, and Landsat has helped record this widespread land change.

Satellite image showing the Patagonia Icefield melting of glaciers.
As Glaciers Worldwide Are Retreating, One Defies the Trend
As Glaciers Worldwide Are Retreating, One Defies the Trend
As Glaciers Worldwide Are Retreating, One Defies the Trend

Pio XI flows from the SPI toward the west then splits into two fronts. From 1998 to 2014, the southern front advanced 593 meters. The northern front, which flows into Lake Greve, advanced 107 meters in the same time period. This pair of Landsat images shows that all of the other glaciers that flow down from the SPI into Lake Greve are retreating.

Pio XI flows from the SPI toward the west then splits into two fronts. From 1998 to 2014, the southern front advanced 593 meters. The northern front, which flows into Lake Greve, advanced 107 meters in the same time period. This pair of Landsat images shows that all of the other glaciers that flow down from the SPI into Lake Greve are retreating.

Landsat 8 satellite picture showing the flooding from Hurricane Matthew
Hurricane Matthew Exacts Heavy Toll on Haiti
Hurricane Matthew Exacts Heavy Toll on Haiti
Hurricane Matthew Exacts Heavy Toll on Haiti

A week after Hurricane Matthew slammed through southwestern Haiti on October 4, 2016, Landsat 8's Operational Land Imager sensor provided dramatic documentation of the scope of destruction in the Caribbean country. 

A week after Hurricane Matthew slammed through southwestern Haiti on October 4, 2016, Landsat 8's Operational Land Imager sensor provided dramatic documentation of the scope of destruction in the Caribbean country. 

Satellite image that shows the flooding in Iowa for the Cedar River.
Cedar River Surges to Second-Highest Level in Eastern Iowa
Cedar River Surges to Second-Highest Level in Eastern Iowa
Cedar River Surges to Second-Highest Level in Eastern Iowa

Images from Landsat 8's Operational Land Imager sensor show the dramatic transformation of the river as it flows toward Cedar Rapids. On July 8, 2016, the shallow river meanders into the city, surrounded by green crops in the heart of the growing season.

Images from Landsat 8's Operational Land Imager sensor show the dramatic transformation of the river as it flows toward Cedar Rapids. On July 8, 2016, the shallow river meanders into the city, surrounded by green crops in the heart of the growing season.

Satellite image showing the expansion of the port at Rotterdam
Expansion at the Port of Rotterdam
Expansion at the Port of Rotterdam
Expansion at the Port of Rotterdam

A large infrastructure project has changed the shape of the coastline of the Netherlands while increasing the cargo capacity at Europe's largest port. This pair of Landsat images spanning 15 years shows the Maasvlakte 2 project, which is an expansion of the Port of Rotterdam.

A large infrastructure project has changed the shape of the coastline of the Netherlands while increasing the cargo capacity at Europe's largest port. This pair of Landsat images spanning 15 years shows the Maasvlakte 2 project, which is an expansion of the Port of Rotterdam.

USGS scientist flying a UAS at the Stinking Water Gulch
USGS scientist flying a UAS at the Stinking Water Gulch
USGS scientist flying a UAS at the Stinking Water Gulch
USGS scientist flying a UAS at the Stinking Water Gulch

USGS scientist Joe Adams flying a UAS at the Stinking Water Gulch 

To aid in the evaluation of possible impacts of land use on areas of Mancos Shale in Colorado, the NUSO, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), used UAS in September 2016 to collect data over four 400-acre basins that have been subject to different types of land use.

USGS scientist Joe Adams flying a UAS at the Stinking Water Gulch 

To aid in the evaluation of possible impacts of land use on areas of Mancos Shale in Colorado, the NUSO, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), used UAS in September 2016 to collect data over four 400-acre basins that have been subject to different types of land use.

Satellite image showing the Three Gorges Dam in China.
Three Gorges Dam Brings Power, Concerns to Central China
Three Gorges Dam Brings Power, Concerns to Central China
Three Gorges Dam Brings Power, Concerns to Central China

Images from Landsat 5 in 1993 and Landsat 8 in 2016 show how the Yangtze river transformed after the completion of the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world in 2012. 

Satellite image showing mining in North Dakota.
Landsat Monitors Mining at Center of North America Near Town of Center
Landsat Monitors Mining at Center of North America Near Town of Center
Landsat Monitors Mining at Center of North America Near Town of Center

Mining has been part of Center's history for more than a century. In August 1984, the Landsat 5 image shows significant surface mining of lignite coal just to the southeast of town, during a summer when drought had browned the countryside. Thirty-two years later, the mining activity moved to the southwest of Center.

Mining has been part of Center's history for more than a century. In August 1984, the Landsat 5 image shows significant surface mining of lignite coal just to the southeast of town, during a summer when drought had browned the countryside. Thirty-two years later, the mining activity moved to the southwest of Center.

Satellite image showing the spread of the Soberanes Fire
Landsat Shows Spread of Soberanes Fire
Landsat Shows Spread of Soberanes Fire
Landsat Shows Spread of Soberanes Fire

A wildfire near Soberanes Creek along the Pacific coast of California started July 22, 2016, and spread to over 86,000 acres one month later. Landsat images from July 13, July 29, and August 14 show the dramatic progression as active fire burns orange in the latter two scenes, and smoke appears as a blue haze.

A wildfire near Soberanes Creek along the Pacific coast of California started July 22, 2016, and spread to over 86,000 acres one month later. Landsat images from July 13, July 29, and August 14 show the dramatic progression as active fire burns orange in the latter two scenes, and smoke appears as a blue haze.

Landsat image showing the landslide in Glacier Bay
Landslide Spreads 6 Miles Across Glacier Bay National Park
Landslide Spreads 6 Miles Across Glacier Bay National Park
Landslide Spreads 6 Miles Across Glacier Bay National Park

On June 28, 2016, a 4,000-foot-high mountainside in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve collapsed, sending rocky debris equivalent to 60 million mid-size SUVs tumbling onto nearby Lamplugh Glacier.

On June 28, 2016, a 4,000-foot-high mountainside in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve collapsed, sending rocky debris equivalent to 60 million mid-size SUVs tumbling onto nearby Lamplugh Glacier.

Satellite image depicting plumes containing sediments from wind towers.
Landsat Confirms Spatial Extent of Wind Tower Sediment Plumes
Landsat Confirms Spatial Extent of Wind Tower Sediment Plumes
Landsat Confirms Spatial Extent of Wind Tower Sediment Plumes

Earth observation satellites help researchers confirm the presence of large plumes containing suspended sediments extending from hundreds of wind towers in the coastal waters of the North Sea southeast of England.

Earth observation satellites help researchers confirm the presence of large plumes containing suspended sediments extending from hundreds of wind towers in the coastal waters of the North Sea southeast of England.

Landsat 1992 vs 2010 Pine Beetle Assault on Forest E.of Salt Lake City.
Landsat Pine Beetle Pair
Landsat Pine Beetle Pair
Landsat Pine Beetle Pair

Landsat image taken in 1992 shows the Uinta Mountains east of Salt Lake City. The shades of dark green indicate healthy, undisturbed forest. Landsat image of the same area in 2010 captures the dramatic assault of mountain pine beetles. The dark red stains reveal widespread pine beetle destruction.

Landsat image taken in 1992 shows the Uinta Mountains east of Salt Lake City. The shades of dark green indicate healthy, undisturbed forest. Landsat image of the same area in 2010 captures the dramatic assault of mountain pine beetles. The dark red stains reveal widespread pine beetle destruction.

Satellite image depicting defoliation by the gypsy moth caterpillar.
Landsat Monitors Gypsy Moth Damage
Landsat Monitors Gypsy Moth Damage
Landsat Monitors Gypsy Moth Damage

Massive defoliation caused by a severe outbreak of the European gypsy moth caterpillar during the spring and summer of 2016 across southern New England and the Mid-Atlantic was easily captured by the Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager sensor from 438 miles in space.

Massive defoliation caused by a severe outbreak of the European gypsy moth caterpillar during the spring and summer of 2016 across southern New England and the Mid-Atlantic was easily captured by the Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager sensor from 438 miles in space.

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