Glacial Dust off Alaska

A pale brown plume of dust filled the Copper River Valley and arced over the Gulf of Alaska in this true-color image from October 29, 2009.

Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze Snow and Ice

Silty Alaskan Skies

In late-October, winds blew a long plume of silty glacial dust from the Copper River Valley over the Gulf of Alaska.

Image of the Day Atmosphere Water

Dust over Southwestern Alaska

Acquired in early November 2012, these images show two dust plumes that may have had very different sources.

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze

Dust over the Gulf of Alaska

Acquired December 1, 2010, this natural-color image shows dust blowing off the Chugach Mountains and over the Gulf of Alaska.

Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze Snow and Ice

Dust Storm Off Alaska

Rock pulverized by glaciers served as the raw material for a fall dust storm emanating from Alaska’s Copper River delta in October 2012.

Image of the Day Atmosphere Dust and Haze

Dust Storm off Alaska

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze Snow and Ice

Dust over the Gulf of Alaska

This image from early November 2011 shows a dust plume blowing off the coast of southern Alaska.

Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze Snow and Ice

Iron in the Wind

When winds push dust and glacial flour into the Gulf of Alaska, they can deliver enough iron to trigger phytoplankton blooms.

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Water Dust and Haze Snow and Ice

Dust Storm off Alaska

Dust or snow plumes blew off the Alaskan Panhandle in mid-December 2008.

Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze Snow and Ice

Dust over the Gulf of Alaska

Acquired December 23, 2010, this natural-color image shows dust plumes of glacial flour blowing over the Gulf of Alaska.

Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze Snow and Ice