Dust Storms map

Photo: Dust storm over Africa

Caption: The satellite image, acquired by NASA/Goddard Spaceflight Center's SeaWiFS Project and ORBIMAGE in February 2000, show one of the largest Saharan dust storms ever observed by SeaWiFS. The dust contains phytoliths (opaline silica spicules from grasses) and freshwater diatoms which have been recovered in sediment cores across the central Atlantic. Essential nutrients are provided by the dust to the Amazon rain forest in South America, and support a bromeliad ecosystem in the forest canopy high above the ground.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey, USGS --- NASA/Goddard Spaceflight Center's The SeaWiFs Project and ORBIMAGE

Website: http://catbert.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/
NOTE: All SeaWiFS images presented on this website are for research and educational use only. All commercial use of SeaWiFS data must be coordinated with ORBIMAGE.

NSF Funded: NO

Previous slide Next slide Back to first slide View graphic version