The lake in Quebec drained suddenly in spring 2025, sending a wide channel of sediment-laden water through the forest.
Amid scorching heat and low humidity, the Green and Butler fires have burned tens of thousands of acres and choked nearby communities with smoke.
The striking cloud formation developed over Arctic waters north of Siberia in July 2025 as frigid air met warmer open water.
Published Jul 18, 2025
NASA airborne technology revealed the progression of a controlled fire at Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield.
Published Jul 16, 2025
Two lightning-ignited fires near the Grand Canyon became large and destructive in July 2025.
Published Jul 14, 2025
Colorful salt ponds, rich mineral brines, and dust storm defenses meet on the Tibetan Plateau.
Published Jul 13, 2025
In early July 2025, around halfway through the island’s annual melting season, blue meltwater ponds dotted the western side of the massive ice sheet.
Published Jul 12, 2025
Skies are full of smoke in parts of the Canadian province as thousands of people face evacuation orders.
Published Jul 10, 2025
An explosive eruption thousands of years ago transformed the volcanic island but preserved a Bronze Age town under a layer of ash.
Published Jul 10, 2025
When fuels such as coal, wood, and oil burn incompletely, they produce carbon monoxide. The gas is spread by winds and circulation. These maps show monthly averages of CO in the lower atmosphere.
Sea salt, volcanic ash, dust, wildfire smoke, and industrial pollution are types of airborne aerosols. Natural aerosols tend to be larger than human-made aerosols. These maps show when and where aerosols come from nature, humans, or both.
Net radiation is the balance between incoming and outgoing energy at the top of the atmosphere. It is the total energy available to influence climate after light and heat are reflected, absorbed, or emitted by clouds and land.
These maps show the average amount of water vapor in a column of atmosphere by month. Water vapor is the key precursor for rain and snow and one of the most important greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
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
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
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.
An explosive eruption sent a kilometers-high column of volcanic material over Indonesia.
Published Jul 7, 2025
The optical phenomenon revealed features on and below the Peruvian lake’s surface, such as wind patterns, natural surface films, and boat wakes.
Published Jul 7, 2025
A round depression in the salty plains of the Kutch Basin reveals telltale signs of a prehistoric meteorite impact.
Published Jul 5, 2025
The “young” and well-preserved crater helps scientists understand cratering processes on Earth and elsewhere in the solar system.
Published Jul 4, 2025
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
NASA satellites document how our world—forests, oceans, human landscapes, even the Sun—changes over months, seasons, and years.
Published Apr 29, 2009
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
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
Warmer-than-average temperatures are showing up locally and globally, with consequences for people, landscapes, and ecosystems.
Published Mar 26, 2024
12 months of high-resolution global true color satellite imagery.
Published Oct 13, 2005
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
These maps depict monthly total rainfall around the world. Rainfall is the primary source of fresh water for humans, plants, and animals. Rain also moves heat between the atmosphere, oceans, and land.
