Dust over the Mediterranean

Credit: Jeff Schmaltz; MODIS team; NASA, Posted on: Monday, 25 April 2005, 06:34 CDT Download full size image

A thick band of Saharan dust blows north and west out of Libya (left) and Egypt (right) to almost completely obscure Crete and Greece in this true-color Aqua MODIS image from April 17, 2005. If not for the transparent layer in this image that shows political boundaries, most of the landmasses here would be hidden, either by the thick tan dust or bright white clouds.

The winds that produced this dust storm, which are common in the spring season, blew at an average of 75-89 kilometers per hour (47-55 mph) near the sea’s surface, while stronger winds prevailed higher in the atmosphere. Besides being a visual nuisance, the dust cancelled or delayed flights, as well as halted sea transport.

More Images

Mars
Southern Half of Spirit's 'Bonestell' Panorama (Stereo).This stereo, 180-degree panorama shows the southward vista from the location where Spirit is spen...

---

Universe
Out of Darkness.Saturn's rings burst out of shadow and curve gracefully around the planet. ...

---