In the Western U.S., in places like the Navajo Nation as seen in this Landsat 9 image, Landsat and other satellite data help people monitor drought conditions and manage irrigation water. With only 85 rain gauges to cover more than 27,000 square miles, satellite data and climate models are filling the gaps to help the Navajo Nation monitor drought severity.
Images
Peruse our selection of remote sensing and Earth science imagery below.
In the Western U.S., in places like the Navajo Nation as seen in this Landsat 9 image, Landsat and other satellite data help people monitor drought conditions and manage irrigation water. With only 85 rain gauges to cover more than 27,000 square miles, satellite data and climate models are filling the gaps to help the Navajo Nation monitor drought severity.
The city of Kathmandu, Nepal, seen at the bottom left of this Landsat 9 image, lies in a valley south of the Himalayan Mountainsbetween Nepal and China. Glaciers, and the lakes formed by glacial meltwater, are visible in the top middle of this image.
The city of Kathmandu, Nepal, seen at the bottom left of this Landsat 9 image, lies in a valley south of the Himalayan Mountainsbetween Nepal and China. Glaciers, and the lakes formed by glacial meltwater, are visible in the top middle of this image.
The Caldor Fire in California started on August 14, 2021 and quickly spread in high winds. The fire expanded toward the Lake Tahoe area as residents evacuated. Landsat image was captured on August 21, the 8th day. Landsat 8's near-infrared and shortwave infrared bands reveal active fire, burn scars, and smoke.
The Caldor Fire in California started on August 14, 2021 and quickly spread in high winds. The fire expanded toward the Lake Tahoe area as residents evacuated. Landsat image was captured on August 21, the 8th day. Landsat 8's near-infrared and shortwave infrared bands reveal active fire, burn scars, and smoke.
From top, Dr. Kyle Rodman, Dr. Zhiliang Zhu, and Dr. Sarah Hart, pictured with the graphic for the USGS EROS podcast "Eyes on Earth."
From top, Dr. Kyle Rodman, Dr. Zhiliang Zhu, and Dr. Sarah Hart, pictured with the graphic for the USGS EROS podcast "Eyes on Earth."
Example of the Landsat Collection 2 Burned Area Science Product showing the Bootleg Fire in Oregon
linkExample of the Landsat Collection 2 Burned Area Science Product showing the Bootleg Fire in Oregon on July 11, 2021 for tile h006V010. Left: Landsat 8 Collection 2 U.S. Analysis Ready Data Surface Reflectance image (Bands 6,5,4), Middle: Burn Classification (BC), and Right: Burn Probability (BP).
Example of the Landsat Collection 2 Burned Area Science Product showing the Bootleg Fire in Oregon
linkExample of the Landsat Collection 2 Burned Area Science Product showing the Bootleg Fire in Oregon on July 11, 2021 for tile h006V010. Left: Landsat 8 Collection 2 U.S. Analysis Ready Data Surface Reflectance image (Bands 6,5,4), Middle: Burn Classification (BC), and Right: Burn Probability (BP).
The Primary Land Cover (LCPRI) product over Hawaii for product year 2020. LCPRI shows the most likely thematic, classified land cover class on July 1 of the current year.
The Primary Land Cover (LCPRI) product over Hawaii for product year 2020. LCPRI shows the most likely thematic, classified land cover class on July 1 of the current year.
South Dakota is home to the fabled “Black Hills.” Seen from a distance, these pine-covered hills, rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie, appear black.
South Dakota is home to the fabled “Black Hills.” Seen from a distance, these pine-covered hills, rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie, appear black.
Landsat 8 Surface Reflectance image of the coast of Labrador and Newfoundland
Path 5 Row 23
Date acquired 20210216
Landsat 8 Surface Reflectance image of the coast of Labrador and Newfoundland
Path 5 Row 23
Date acquired 20210216
The state of Hawaii consists of eight main islands: Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui, and Hawaii. From east to west, Hawaii is the widest state in the country.
Capital Honolulu
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 1,455,271
The state of Hawaii consists of eight main islands: Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui, and Hawaii. From east to west, Hawaii is the widest state in the country.
Capital Honolulu
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 1,455,271
Several different ALI images grouped together.
Several different ALI images grouped together.
Featured Landsat Image: Qaidam Basin, China. Landsat 8 image from Path 139 Row 034 acquired on Date 22 October 2020. Shown as a pan-sharpened (Band 8) natural color image using the red, green and blue bands (Bands 4, 3, 2)
Featured Landsat Image: Qaidam Basin, China. Landsat 8 image from Path 139 Row 034 acquired on Date 22 October 2020. Shown as a pan-sharpened (Band 8) natural color image using the red, green and blue bands (Bands 4, 3, 2)
Landsat 8 image on the Utah-Arizona Border on the Navajo Nation acquired on September 18, 2020.
For more information about Landsat, please visit www.usgs.gov/Landsat
To download the data, visit earthexplorer.usgs.gov
Landsat 8 image on the Utah-Arizona Border on the Navajo Nation acquired on September 18, 2020.
For more information about Landsat, please visit www.usgs.gov/Landsat
To download the data, visit earthexplorer.usgs.gov
Example of the Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS Collection 2 level-1 product. This Landsat 8 image was acquired on August 18, 2020 over Lake Everard and Lake Harry in southern Australia and is shown as a false color composite using the shortwave infrared, near infrared, and red bands (bands 6,5,4).
Example of the Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS Collection 2 level-1 product. This Landsat 8 image was acquired on August 18, 2020 over Lake Everard and Lake Harry in southern Australia and is shown as a false color composite using the shortwave infrared, near infrared, and red bands (bands 6,5,4).
Rim Fire in Yosemite National Park.
Landsat 8 image of Phoenix, Arizona, acquired on January 13, 2020 (Path 37 Row 36). This false color image uses the short-wave infrared, near infrared, and red bands (bands 6, 5, 4) to display the data.
For more information about Landsat, please visit www.usgs.gov/Landsat
Landsat 8 image of Phoenix, Arizona, acquired on January 13, 2020 (Path 37 Row 36). This false color image uses the short-wave infrared, near infrared, and red bands (bands 6, 5, 4) to display the data.
For more information about Landsat, please visit www.usgs.gov/Landsat
The highest and lowest points in the continental United States are located within 100 miles of each other in California: Mount Whitney (14,494 feet) and Death Valley (282 feet below sea level).
Capital Sacramento
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 39,538,223
The highest and lowest points in the continental United States are located within 100 miles of each other in California: Mount Whitney (14,494 feet) and Death Valley (282 feet below sea level).
Capital Sacramento
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 39,538,223
Denver, the capital of Colorado, is known as the “Mile High City.” The thirteenth step of the capitol building is exactly one mile (5,280 feet) above sea level.
Capital Denver
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 5,773,714
Number of Pixels 299,555,595
Denver, the capital of Colorado, is known as the “Mile High City.” The thirteenth step of the capitol building is exactly one mile (5,280 feet) above sea level.
Capital Denver
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 5,773,714
Number of Pixels 299,555,595
Groton, Connecticut is home to the USS Nautilus, the first nuclear-powered ship and the first to reach the North Pole, a feat accomplished in 1958. The Nautilus is on display at the Submarine Force Museum.
Capital Hartford
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 3,605,944
Groton, Connecticut is home to the USS Nautilus, the first nuclear-powered ship and the first to reach the North Pole, a feat accomplished in 1958. The Nautilus is on display at the Submarine Force Museum.
Capital Hartford
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 3,605,944
Delaware is known as the “First State,” because it was the first of the original thirteen colonies to ratify the United States Constitution.
Capital Dover
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 989,948
Number of Pixels 5,788,036
Delaware is known as the “First State,” because it was the first of the original thirteen colonies to ratify the United States Constitution.
Capital Dover
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 989,948
Number of Pixels 5,788,036
Founded by the Spanish in 1565, St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest settlement of European origin in the United States. The Spanish fortress of Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine was built from 1672-1695 and is made of coquina, a soft, impact-absorbing stone composed of sea shells.
Capital Tallahassee
Founded by the Spanish in 1565, St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest settlement of European origin in the United States. The Spanish fortress of Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine was built from 1672-1695 and is made of coquina, a soft, impact-absorbing stone composed of sea shells.
Capital Tallahassee
Georgia is home to Okefenokee Swamp, a unique area of primitive wetland that provides sanctuary for hundreds of species of birds and wildlife, including several endangered species.
Capital Atlanta
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 10,711,908
Georgia is home to Okefenokee Swamp, a unique area of primitive wetland that provides sanctuary for hundreds of species of birds and wildlife, including several endangered species.
Capital Atlanta
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 10,711,908