Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Images

With 50 years of satellite observations to draw from, the Landsat Archive has no shortage of beautiful and informative imagery to share. Peruse some of the best below.

 

 

Filter Total Items: 75
Landsat 9 image of Abacco Island, the Bahamas
Landsat 9 image of Abaco Island, The Bahamas
Landsat 9 image of Abaco Island, The Bahamas
Landsat 9 image of Abaco Island, The Bahamas

Natural color image of Abacco Islands, the Bahamas, as seen by Landsat 9 on January 18, 2022. Between Landsat 8 and Landsat 9, the Landsat program delivers complete coverage of the Earth’s surface every eight days. 

Landsat Scene ID LC09_L1TP_013042_20220118_20220118_02_T1

Natural color image of Abacco Islands, the Bahamas, as seen by Landsat 9 on January 18, 2022. Between Landsat 8 and Landsat 9, the Landsat program delivers complete coverage of the Earth’s surface every eight days. 

Landsat Scene ID LC09_L1TP_013042_20220118_20220118_02_T1

mountain aerial view
LIMA Image
LIMA Image
LIMA Image

In the International Polar Year 2007-2008, Landsat 7 brought the coldest continent to life with high resolution satellite imagery.



In the International Polar Year 2007-2008, Landsat 7 brought the coldest continent to life with high resolution satellite imagery.



10 Millionth Landsat Image
10 Millionth Landsat Image
10 Millionth Landsat Image
10 Millionth Landsat Image

On November 23, 2021, the Landsat Archive added its ten millionth image. The Landsat 7 scene was acquired over the Dead Sea and is shown as a false color image using the short-wave infrared, near infrared and red bands (bands 5,4,3).

On November 23, 2021, the Landsat Archive added its ten millionth image. The Landsat 7 scene was acquired over the Dead Sea and is shown as a false color image using the short-wave infrared, near infrared and red bands (bands 5,4,3).

Color Landsat 9 image of Navajo Nation
Navajo Nation
Navajo Nation
Navajo Nation

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.

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.

satellite image of himalayas
Landsat 9 First Light Image of the Himalayas
Landsat 9 First Light Image of the Himalayas
Landsat 9 First Light Image of the Himalayas

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.

Landsat 8 Collection 2 image of the Menindee Lakes in Australia
Landsat 8 Collection 2 image of the Menindee Lakes in Australia
Landsat 8 Collection 2 image of the Menindee Lakes in Australia
Landsat 8 Collection 2 image of the Menindee Lakes in Australia

The Menindee Lakes in the Far West of New South Wales, Australia, are seen in this Landsat 8 Collection 2 image from May 14, 2021, and is shown as a natural color composite using the red, green, and blue bands (Bands 4,3,2).

The Menindee Lakes in the Far West of New South Wales, Australia, are seen in this Landsat 8 Collection 2 image from May 14, 2021, and is shown as a natural color composite using the red, green, and blue bands (Bands 4,3,2).

Landsat 8 Collection 2 image of the Richat Structure
Landsat 8 Collection 2 image of the Richat Structure
Landsat 8 Collection 2 image of the Richat Structure
Landsat 8 Collection 2 image of the Richat Structure

This Landsat 8 Collection 2 image was acquired over the Richat Structure near the western edge of the Sahara Desert on April 25, 2020 and is shown as a natural color composite using the red, green, and blue bands (Bands 4,3,2).

This Landsat 8 Collection 2 image was acquired over the Richat Structure near the western edge of the Sahara Desert on April 25, 2020 and is shown as a natural color composite using the red, green, and blue bands (Bands 4,3,2).

Lake St Clair
Landsat 8 Image of Lake St. Clair
Landsat 8 Image of Lake St. Clair
Landsat 8 Image of Lake St. Clair

Landsat captured the tug of war between winter and spring on the heart-shaped Lake St. Clair along the U.S./Canadian border near Detroit.

This Landsat 8 image was acquired on March 6, 2021 and is shown as a natural color composite.

Learn more about the Landsat program at www.usgs.gov/landsat

Landsat captured the tug of war between winter and spring on the heart-shaped Lake St. Clair along the U.S./Canadian border near Detroit.

This Landsat 8 image was acquired on March 6, 2021 and is shown as a natural color composite.

Learn more about the Landsat program at www.usgs.gov/landsat

Landsat 8 image showing southwest Morocco
Landsat 8 image showing southwest Morocco
Landsat 8 image showing southwest Morocco
Landsat 8 image showing southwest Morocco

Landsat 8 image acquired on November 11, 2020 over southwest Morocco (Path 203 Row 40). The image is shown using the shortwave infrared 2, red, and blue bands (bands 7,4,2).

Landsat Scene ID LO08_L1TP_203040_20201107_20201111_01_T1

Landsat 8 image acquired on November 11, 2020 over southwest Morocco (Path 203 Row 40). The image is shown using the shortwave infrared 2, red, and blue bands (bands 7,4,2).

Landsat Scene ID LO08_L1TP_203040_20201107_20201111_01_T1

Landsat 8 image showing Lakes Everard and Harry in S. Australia
Landsat 8 image showing Lakes Everard and Harry in S. Australia
Landsat 8 image showing Lakes Everard and Harry in S. Australia
Landsat 8 image showing Lakes Everard and Harry in S. Australia

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).

Satellite image showing ice and pools of water on an ice shelf.
Summer Pools Appear in Antarctica
Summer Pools Appear in Antarctica
Summer Pools Appear in Antarctica

Landsat recently captured the most widespread meltwater pooling ever recorded on Antarctica's George VI Ice Shelf. Some melting is expected during the Antarctic summer, but the sheer extent of the stunning aqua ponds that have appeared amid the continent's warmest summer on record is remarkable.

Landsat recently captured the most widespread meltwater pooling ever recorded on Antarctica's George VI Ice Shelf. Some melting is expected during the Antarctic summer, but the sheer extent of the stunning aqua ponds that have appeared amid the continent's warmest summer on record is remarkable.

Nighttime Landsat 8 image of the Taal Volcano
Nighttime Landsat 8 image of the Taal Volcano
Nighttime Landsat 8 image of the Taal Volcano
Nighttime Landsat 8 image of the Taal Volcano

This image shows a false color (bands 7,6,5) nighttime Landsat 8 image of the Taal Volcano overlaid on a daytime Landsat panchromatic black and white image (band 8). The nighttime image from path 220/row194 was acquired on January 15, 2020, a few days after the volcano's eruption.

This image shows a false color (bands 7,6,5) nighttime Landsat 8 image of the Taal Volcano overlaid on a daytime Landsat panchromatic black and white image (band 8). The nighttime image from path 220/row194 was acquired on January 15, 2020, a few days after the volcano's eruption.

Satellite image showing differences in flooding from 1969 to 2019.
A 50-Year Flooding Flashback
A 50-Year Flooding Flashback
A 50-Year Flooding Flashback

The high-water marks set by the Big Sioux River in cities across southeastern South Dakota have threatened to overtake records set 50 years ago, when the Army Corps of Engineers led missions to document the damage through hundreds of aerial photographs.

The high-water marks set by the Big Sioux River in cities across southeastern South Dakota have threatened to overtake records set 50 years ago, when the Army Corps of Engineers led missions to document the damage through hundreds of aerial photographs.

Landsat 8 image of the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior
Landsat 8 image of the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior
Landsat 8 image of the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior
Landsat 8 image of the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior

Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: U.S.

Satellite image showing reflection of soil.
Burning Man's Temporary City
Burning Man's Temporary City
Burning Man's Temporary City

Burning Man is named for the wooden effigy set ablaze at the end of the weeklong celebration in the temporary metropolis of Black Rock City.

Burning Man is named for the wooden effigy set ablaze at the end of the weeklong celebration in the temporary metropolis of Black Rock City.

Satellite image of fire destruction.
Mendocino Complex Fire Scorches Northern California
Mendocino Complex Fire Scorches Northern California
Mendocino Complex Fire Scorches Northern California

Landsat 8 captured satellite views of California's largest wildfire on record in the summer of 2018. The Mendocino Complex fire in northern California is a combination of two fires: the Ranch Fire and the River Fire.

Landsat 8 captured satellite views of California's largest wildfire on record in the summer of 2018. The Mendocino Complex fire in northern California is a combination of two fires: the Ranch Fire and the River Fire.

Satellite image showing the reservoir depletion.
Theewaterskloof Reservoir, South Africa
Theewaterskloof Reservoir, South Africa
Theewaterskloof Reservoir, South Africa

A three-year drought is threatening to cause city officials in Cape Town, South Africa, to shut off the tap water. The growing city of nearly 4 million relies mostly on reservoirs for its water supply. While drought is part of the cause of the current crisis, an increasing population is also straining water resources.

A three-year drought is threatening to cause city officials in Cape Town, South Africa, to shut off the tap water. The growing city of nearly 4 million relies mostly on reservoirs for its water supply. While drought is part of the cause of the current crisis, an increasing population is also straining water resources.

Volcanic plume, Kamchatka Peninsula, Landat 8, 2018
Plume on Kamchatka peak belies volcanic activity, Landsat 2018
Plume on Kamchatka peak belies volcanic activity, Landsat 2018
Plume on Kamchatka peak belies volcanic activity, Landsat 2018

At least 300 active volcanoes dot the Kamchatka Peninsula, which lies along the geologically active Pacific Ring of Fire. Landsat 8 caught this plume of ash and smoke streaming from one of these volcanoes - Klyuchevskaya - on January 10, 2018.

At least 300 active volcanoes dot the Kamchatka Peninsula, which lies along the geologically active Pacific Ring of Fire. Landsat 8 caught this plume of ash and smoke streaming from one of these volcanoes - Klyuchevskaya - on January 10, 2018.

The Salar de Atacama salt flat in Chile
From Chile to Your Smartphone
From Chile to Your Smartphone
From Chile to Your Smartphone

If you like being connected to the world everywhere you go with a smartphone or other device, then you have a desolate salt flat in northern Chile to thank.

If you like being connected to the world everywhere you go with a smartphone or other device, then you have a desolate salt flat in northern Chile to thank.

Satellite image showing the Pine Glacier
Pine Island Glacier’s Newest Iceberg
Pine Island Glacier’s Newest Iceberg
Pine Island Glacier’s Newest Iceberg

Pine Island Glacier in Antarctica has snapped off its share of icebergs in recent years. The frequency of noteworthy breaks is evidence that the ice shelf is becoming increasingly fragile. The latest iceberg cracked off the end of the Pine Island Glacier ice shelf around September 23, 2017.

Pine Island Glacier in Antarctica has snapped off its share of icebergs in recent years. The frequency of noteworthy breaks is evidence that the ice shelf is becoming increasingly fragile. The latest iceberg cracked off the end of the Pine Island Glacier ice shelf around September 23, 2017.

Satellite image showing the devastation to Puerto Rico after Maria.
Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria
Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria
Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria

This pair of Landsat 8 images shows the large-scale damage done to Puerto Rico. The lush green landscape in the 2016 image is replaced by a faded green. The strong winds stripped the leaves off trees to cause the degraded landscape. The forest is expected to recover.

This pair of Landsat 8 images shows the large-scale damage done to Puerto Rico. The lush green landscape in the 2016 image is replaced by a faded green. The strong winds stripped the leaves off trees to cause the degraded landscape. The forest is expected to recover.

Was this page helpful?