Biomass Burning in Central and Southern Africa

Biomass Burning in Central and Southern Africa

Seemingly overnight, widespread biomass burning sprang up over the southern African countries of Democratic Republic of Congo (top), and Angola (bottom). This true-color Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) image from the Aqua satellite on May 6, 2003, shows hundreds of fires (red dots) burning across the region. At bottom center is the broad valley and wetlands of the south-flowing Zambezi River.

The high-resolution image provided above is 500 meters per pixel. The MODIS Rapid Response System provides this image at MODIS’ maximum spatial resolution of 250 meters.

Image courtesy Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC