Two decades of satellite data show that the most destructive U.S. fires burn in grasslands and shrublands fanned by strong winds.
The fire in Los Angeles County burned through nearly 24,000 acres in one week in January 2025.
A NASA airborne instrument captured images of the fire’s aftermath in and around Altadena.
Published Jan 15, 2025
The perpetually restless and occasionally explosive volcano in New Zealand has been emitting steam, volcanic gases, and a bit of ash.
Published Jan 14, 2025
Several plumes billowed from Los Angeles-area fires in the days after their ignition.
Published Jan 13, 2025
Patches of forest thrive on a plateau that straddles the border between North Dakota and Manitoba.
Published Jan 13, 2025
The older and newer cities of the Greater Cairo region look very different at night when viewed from above.
Published Jan 12, 2025
A NASA analysis shows that global temperatures in 2024 were 1.28 degrees Celsius (2.30 degrees Fahrenheit) above the agency’s 20th-century baseline.
Published Jan 10, 2025
The Kumani Bank mud volcano in the Caspian Sea suddenly manifested an island in early 2023 that had nearly disappeared by the end of 2024.
Published Jan 10, 2025
Powerful Santa Ana winds and dry conditions contributed to the rapid spread of several brush fires in the county.
Published Jan 8, 2025
The first major, widespread winter storm of 2025 delivered snow, ice, and frigid temperatures to a large swath of the country.
Published Jan 7, 2025Image of the Day Atmosphere Severe Storms Snow and Ice Temperature Extremes
Lush green hillsides turned brown after Cyclone Chido hit the islands in December 2024.
Published Jan 6, 2025
NASA satellites document how our world—forests, oceans, human landscapes, even the Sun—changes over months, seasons, and years.
Published Apr 29, 2009
Satellite images of Earth at night have been a curiosity for the public and a tool of fundamental research for at least 25 years. They have provided a broad, beautiful picture, showing how humans have shaped the planet and lit up the darkness.
Published Apr 12, 2017
We are kicking off 2025 with much to look forward to but also much to look back on.
Published Jan 6, 2025
Airborne aerosols can cause or prevent cloud formation and harm human health. These maps depict aerosol concentrations in the air based on how the tiny particles reflect or absorb visible and infrared light.
These maps depict how much hotter or cooler an ocean basin was compared to the long-term average. Temperature anomalies can indicate changes in ocean circulation or the arrival of patterns like El Niño and La Niña.
12 months of high-resolution global true color satellite imagery.
Published Oct 13, 2005
Chlorophyll is used by algae and other phytoplankton--the grass of the sea--to convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into sugars. These maps show chlorophyll concentrations in the ocean, revealing where phytoplankton are thriving.
The volcano, located on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, displays numerous depressions that collect meltwater during the warmer months of the year.
Published Jan 5, 2025
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a different part of the world? What would the weather be like? What kinds of animals would you see? Which plants live there? By investigating these questions, you are learning about biomes.
Published Aug 28, 2020
Microscopic floating organisms proliferated to turn surface waters bright green and milky blue around the Falkland Islands.
Published Jan 3, 2025
These maps depict anomalies in land surface temperatures (LSTs); that is, how much hotter or cooler a region was compared to the long-term average. LST anomalies can indicate heat waves or cold spells.
Hurricane season in the basin runs from June 1 to November 30.
Published Jul 1, 2024
People have developed systems to harvest and store energy from sources such as wind, sunlight, and tidal action. Many of these installations are visible from orbit.
Published May 10, 2024
In addition to making rain and snow, clouds can have a warming or cooling influence depending on their altitude, type, and when they form. These maps show what fraction of an area was cloudy each month.
From ground-level ozone to particulate matter to nitrogen dioxide, an array of gasses and particles can affect the air people breathe, with implications for human health.
Published Apr 8, 2024
Warmer-than-average temperatures are showing up locally and globally, with consequences for people, landscapes, and ecosystems.
Published Mar 26, 2024
Snow and ice influence climate by reflecting sunlight back into space. When it melts, snow is a source of water for drinking and vegetation; too much snowmelt can lead to floods. These maps show average snow cover by month.
Whether sparked by lightning, intentional land-clearing, or human-caused accidents, wildland fires are burning longer and more often in some areas as the world warms.
Published Feb 27, 2024
Warmer-than-average temperatures are showing up locally and globally, with consequences for people, landscapes, and ecosystems.
Published Aug 15, 2023
What do you do when presented with a new satellite image? Here's what the Earth Observatory team does to understand the view.
Published Nov 18, 2013
