Images related to Bits of the Sahara on the Move

African Dust Aloft
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African Dust Aloft

Spring weather brought strong winds and dust storms to Africa’s west coast.

Published Mar 30, 2017

Atmosphere Dust and Haze

Dust Storm off Western Sahara
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Dust Storm off Western Sahara

Saharan dust hovered over the Atlantic for several days in mid-January 2008. This image shows two different areas of dust plume activity. Immediately off the coasts of Western Sahara and Mauritania, a series of tan dust plumes blow in predominantly straight lines toward the northwest. Farther west, a large, diffuse plume of dust hangs over the Atlantic Ocean

Published Jan 25, 2008

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Water Dust and Haze

Saharan Dust on the Move
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Saharan Dust on the Move

In June 2014, winds pushed a river of dust from western Africa across the Atlantic Ocean.

Published Jul 5, 2014

Image of the Day Atmosphere Dust and Haze

A Dusty Journey
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A Dusty Journey

Satellite observations show how far winds normally spread North African dust particles before rain and gravity pull them down to the ocean.

Published Jan 9, 2020

Image of the Day Atmosphere Water Remote Sensing

Thick Dust Plumes Obscure Africa’s Coast
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Thick Dust Plumes Obscure Africa’s Coast

An extensive dust storm in late February carried debris over the Atlantic Ocean, en route to the Amazon Basin.

Published Mar 4, 2015

Image of the Day Atmosphere

Dust over Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea
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Dust over Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea

A weather forecast for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on January 31, 2008, called for high winds and the possibility of dust storms. Two days later, the predictions came to pass—with a vengeance.

Published Feb 8, 2008

Image of the Day Land Life Dust and Haze

Here Comes the Saharan Dust
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Here Comes the Saharan Dust

The dust in the skies over the Caribbean and Southern United States has distant origins.

Published Jun 30, 2018

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze Remote Sensing

Tracking Dust Across the Atlantic
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Tracking Dust Across the Atlantic

Dust storms in mid-summer 2013 spanned the Atlantic Ocean, depositing particles in the Americas and perhaps suppressing hurricanes.

Published Aug 29, 2013

Image of the Day Atmosphere

Dust Storm off Algeria
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Dust Storm off Algeria

Published Dec 10, 2003

Dust and Haze

Cape Verde Under Dust
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Cape Verde Under Dust

Winter winds, the harmattan, swept a cloud of dust out of West Africa and across the Atlantic.

Published Mar 5, 2014

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Water Dust and Haze

Patagonian Dust Streamers
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Patagonian Dust Streamers

Dust storms are common in the region, and sometimes bear resemblance to weather events on Mars.

Published May 10, 2020

Image of the Day Land

Dust Crosses the Atlantic
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Dust Crosses the Atlantic

Floridians looking for a break from hurricane season in late July 2005 were in for a change, though it wasn’t necessarily what they wanted: Saharan dust. By July 19, a massive dust storm had crossed the Atlantic towards southern Florida.

Published Jul 23, 2005

Image of the Day Atmosphere