Arizona and Landsat

Arizona is a land of massive grandeur, deep gorges, lofty mountains, immense plains, and elevated mesas—and, without question, its crown jewel is the Grand Canyon. The spectacular canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, was created when the Colorado River carved a channel through northern Arizona, revealing nearly two billion years of the Earth's history.

Yet, for all its ancient beauty, Arizona and its landscapes are experiencing a transformation.

Arizonans face more extreme temperatures and drought because of climate change. Amid a drought in the western United States, Lake Mead, one of Arizona's main water resources, dropped to a record low level in June 2021. Climate change is making extreme weather events such as dust storms and heat waves more common, posing higher risks to human health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.