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AssetID: 40177166

Headline: Amazing Earth: NASA Chose Best Satellite Images from 2019

Caption: PICTURE SHOWS: Ash and Snow in Shiveluch, Siberia, Russia. The Ring of Fire is one of the most geologically active zones on the planet. There are more than 300 volcanoes on the Kamchatka peninsula, including 29 that are active. For about 30 minutes on April 10, 2019, the ever-restless Shiveluch volcano lofted a plume of volcanic gas and ash around 5 miles (8 kilometers) into the chilly Siberian air. Although the airborne plume only lasted about thirteen hours, the eruption left an unmistakable signature on the snow below. Many satellites got a chance to observe the scene during and after the eruption, including our Aqua and Landsat 8 satellites, Japan’s Himawari 8 and the European Space Agency’s Sentinel 2 and 3. On April 19, 2019, the OLI on Landsat 8 acquired a detailed view of the volcano. What appears to be a small plume of steam and other volcanic gases is rising from the summit. The volcanoes of Kamchatka are defined by their inaccessibility. Fewer than 350,000 people live on the peninsula. The lack of roads mean that helicopters are the only way to get around in many areas. As a result, satellites are necessary for monitoring Kamchatka’s volcanoes. ... STORY COPY: Amazing Earth: Satellite Images from 2019 This January, NASA have taken a look back at some notable satellite views of our planet from 2019. They explain: “Was 2019 an eventful year for you? It certainly was for our home planet. Earth experienced volcanic eruptions, tropical cyclones and melting glaciers. From space, NASA saw a surge in Amazon rainforest wildfires as well as a total solar eclipse in the South Pacific. “What better way to reflect on the events of 2019 than through the “eyes” of NASA’s fleet of Earth-observing satellites and instruments on the International Space Station? These space assets constantly orbit our globe and provide invaluable information to scientists, government agencies and people like you.”

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