Principal Investigator

Ryan Good

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SPI12 imagery of Central Kenya on May 1st, 2019, processed in the RHEAS model using GPM Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar data. Darker shades of red indicate areas that receive less precipitation and darker shades of green indicate areas that receive more precipitation. The SPI12 drought index will inform the Kenya National Drought Management Authority Early Warning Drought Bulletins, which are used by the Kenyan government to allocate food aid.

Many regions of Kenya historically and regularly experience severe drought, necessitating a robust and well-informed response to drought events to protect agricultural production and minimize drought impact on food security. The National Drought Management Authority currently publishes monthly Early Warning...

Principal Investigator

Ani Matevosian

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Terra and Aqua’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) data from August 1- 6, 2018 compared against a two-year AOD baseline in the Pacific Northwest. Teal represents greatest increase in AOD, purple is minimal change. A heatmap of August 2018 plumes, from Terra Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR), pink indicates low concentration of smoke, and yellow indicates high concentrations. The three dimensional points represent smoke heights determined by MISR INteractive eXplorer (MINX), red points are closest to the ground and gray are furthest.   Keywords: Ani Matevosian, Taylor Orcutt, Danielle Ruffe, Liana Solis, MISR, MODIS, smoke plumes, Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest region of the United States and Canada has become more vulnerable to intense wildfire regimes due to years of fire suppression and climatic changes. Smoke from fires exposes communities to hazardous aerosols and pollutants known to trigger...

Principal Investigator

Rachel Tessier

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This NDWI-processed image from Landsat 8 OLI imagery (2019) covers the state of Delaware, including the Delaware Bay and Atlantic coastline. Typically with a color ramp like this, light blue would highlight liquid areas and dark blue would indicate land. In this case, however, the color noise as been reduced for aesthetic purposes, and these colors no longer distinguish between land and water.  Keywords: NDWI, Delaware, Coastline

Delaware’s coastline is a vibrant tourist destination and rich, unique habitat for many vulnerable species. Yet, with the lowest mean elevation of any state, this indispensable stretch of land is threatened by numerous geological and climatic forces, including coastal erosion...

Principal Investigator

Zachary Bengtsson

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Utilizing NASA Earth Observations to Assess Marine Sediment Fluxes and Determine Marsh Vulnerability in the Plum Island Estuary

Salt marshes provide valuable ecosystem services, including protection from coastal storms, erosion control, carbon sequestration, improved water quality, and ecological diversity. Plum Island Estuary (PIE), the largest salt marsh in the northeast United States, is a two thousand year-old ecosystem located thirty-five miles north of...

Principal Investigator

Keolohilani H. Lopes Jr.

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Composite of maximum MODIS Chlorophyll-a values (June 2019 –September 2019) over the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The bright yellow hues show high chlorophyll levels over the atolls within the Marine Monument, suggesting excessive nutrient growth. Higher chlorophyll levels are also shown in the west, close to the Main Hawaiian Islands. This composite is overlaying bathymetric imagery data for texture effects.   Keywords: MODIS, Chlorophyll-a

Chondria tumulosa, a newly discovered red alga, was observed in low abundance in 2016 but has since proliferated and is now smothering and decimating vast expanse of coral reefs in Manawai, located in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM). If...

Principal Investigator

Maria Luisa Escobar Pardo

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Utilizing NASA Earth Observations to Assess Sea Level Rise and Develop Optimal Green Infrastructure Plans to Restore Mangrove Habitat and Enhance Coastal Resiliency

In response to projected sea level rise and extreme weather events, Miami Beach and other urban areas surrounding Biscayne Bay are developing adaptive strategies to mitigate the effects of changing environmental conditions. Because the local economy, especially the tourism industry, is intricately tied to coastal...

Principal Investigator

Tamara Dunbarr

 
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Utilizing NASA Earth Observations to Assess the Impact of Extreme Heat on Transit Riders in Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona is home to over 1.5 million people and summer temperatures regularly exceed 106 F (42.1 C). Exposure to extreme temperatures can lead to heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion, and increased heat-related mortality. This has been a chronic public...

Principal Investigator

Hannah Bonestroo

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Utilizing NASA Earth Observations to Assess Thermal Landscapes and Prioritize Greening Initiatives in Tempe, Arizona

Located in the northern Sonoran Desert, Tempe, Arizona, regularly experiences extreme heat, with summer daily maximum temperatures reaching over 100°F. The rapid urbanization of the region in the last 50 years has caused a steady increase in the mean daily air temperature due to the...

Principal Investigator

Huntington Keith

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Utilizing NASA Earth Observations to Assess Urban Forestry as an Adaptation Strategy for Extreme Heat in Ajax, ON, Canada

The town of Ajax, Ontario received a report from Specialists in Energy, Nuclear and Environmental Sciences (SENES) Consultants detailing the likely changes in local weather patterns for 2040-2049. The climate model predicts an increase in the frequency and intensity of monthly rainfall, a decrease in...

Principal Investigator

Julia Heslin

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Utilizing NASA Earth Observations to Assess Urban Heat Island Reduction Strategies in Washoe County, Nevada

Extreme heat events (EHEs) are one of the leading causes of natural hazard-related deaths in the world. With rising global temperatures, these events will continue to increase in frequency, duration, and magnitude. The urban heat island (UHI) effect exacerbates the consequences of EHEs, discourages active...