Cheyenne Bottoms in Drought

acquired June 18, 2010

acquired June 5, 2011

acquired July 17, 2012

"Not only were crops affected by drought in the United States in the summer of 2012. Wetlands throughout the Midwest and Great Plains were also diminishing drastically, reducing critical habitat for migrating birds.
 
These images from the Landsat satellites show the effect of the 2012 drought on the Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands in central Kansas. The shallow marshes at Cheyenne Bottoms are an ideal rest stop for the 250,000 waterfowl and shorebirds of various species that pass through every year. 
 
The top image was acquired by Landsat 5 on June 18, 2010, during a relatively average summer for water levels in the area. The second image, taken by Landsat 5 on June 5, 2011, shows Cheyenne Bottoms during a moderate drought season. The third image, acquired by Landsat 7 on July 17, 2012, show a parched landscape thirsting for water. Blue water has been replaced by dull brown of dried up wetlands and shallow, muddy water.
 
At the time of the third image, Kansas had endured its driest and second-hottest summer on record, resulting in the third most severe drought (after 1934 and 1956). Land managers from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks use dikes, pumps, and water diversions to manage water levels and mitigate the drought’s effect on the 20,000 acres of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands. But in the severe drought year of 2012, the water management system has been strained and acres of the wetlands have disappeared."
via earthobservatory.nasa.gov

 

Sacred Stones of the Outback

"This Landsat 5 image, acquired on 18 May 2011, takes us to the Amadeus Basin in the heart of the Australian outback. Two large rock formations are visible on the lower section of the image. The group of 36 domed rock formations to the west (left) is the Kata Tjuta with the tallest dome, Mount Olga, reaching 1066 m above sea level. Forty kilometres east of Kata Tjuta is Ayers Rock, known to the Aboriginals as Uluru. The white area at the top of the image is the salt-crusted Lake Amadeus. ESA supports the Landsat series as a Third Party Mission, meaning it uses its ground infrastructure and expertise to acquire, process and distribute Landsat data to users." Credits: USGS
via physorg.com

 

Greece

"This image shows a portion of Thessaly in the geographic center of mainland Greece. Surrounded by mountain ranges, this area of fertile valleys receives frequent rain showers that give visual proof of its name: 'Breadbasket of Greece.'

Many fields and farming villages can be seen within the valley area. Scars from previous fires are visible in shades of pinks and browns. The man-made Plastiras Lake, which is within the Agrafa Mountain Range, can be seen on the right side of this image."

via landsat.usgs.gov