Saharan dust reaches across Atlantic Ocean
source: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=39102
-
-
- DeliaTheArtist
- added this
"A well-defined plume of dust swept across the entire Atlantic Ocean on June 24, 2009. In this photo-like image taken by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite in three consecutive overpasses, the dust stretches from its origins in Africa’s Sahara Desert to the Lesser Antilles Islands on the eastern edge of the Caribbean Sea. Such spectacular dust storms are not uncommon.
Saharan dust often travels across the Atlantic thanks to a hot, dry, dusty layer of air known as the Saharan Air Layer. Extreme daytime heating of the Sahara creates instability in the lowest layer of the atmosphere, lofting dust particles into the air. The dust-laden air layer continues warming as it travels westward across the Sahara. As the Saharan Air Layer moves off the west coast of Africa, it passes over a cooler, wetter layer of air. This temperature inversion (air usually cools with altitude) prevents mixing, enabling the dust layer to travel across the ocean intact. Across the Atlantic, dust brings problems and benefits: respiratory illness and coral bleaching, but also rich soils."
Amazing pictures from SPACE, woohoo! It's crazy how far dust travels around the world!
Saharan dust often travels across the Atlantic thanks to a hot, dry, dusty layer of air known as the Saharan Air Layer. Extreme daytime heating of the Sahara creates instability in the lowest layer of the atmosphere, lofting dust particles into the air. The dust-laden air layer continues warming as it travels westward across the Sahara. As the Saharan Air Layer moves off the west coast of Africa, it passes over a cooler, wetter layer of air. This temperature inversion (air usually cools with altitude) prevents mixing, enabling the dust layer to travel across the ocean intact. Across the Atlantic, dust brings problems and benefits: respiratory illness and coral bleaching, but also rich soils."
Amazing pictures from SPACE, woohoo! It's crazy how far dust travels around the world!
-
-
michail77
-
Yes, I did see it in the Florida sunset tonight. I though it might have been Saharan dust. The sky was glowing orange even to the east. It didn't seem as spectacular as some from a couple years ago.
- 2 years ago
-
michail77
-
-
clownpuncher
-
Another great post D.
- 2 years ago
-
clownpuncher
-
-
bailey78
-
and remember folks we are but a speck of dust our selves
- 2 years ago
-
bailey78
-
-
drewsuf721
-
-
The Austrians have amazing weather patterns from Saharan sands as well. They call it Staub (dust) from the Foehn (dry wind). Great place, amazing world.
- 2 years ago
-
drewsuf721
-
-
ny_nj_soulchild
-
Thanks africa????? lolz....
- 2 years ago
-
ny_nj_soulchild
-
-
Panzer_Tanzler
-
Earth never ceases to amaze us.
- 2 years ago
-
Panzer_Tanzler
-
-
pjacobs51
-
I've also heard this dust is what makes Florida sunsets so beautiful and dramatic.
- 2 years ago
-
pjacobs51
