07 July 2012
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Fig.1
A satellite image of a huge dust storm over Syria and Iraq
Credit: NASA
On 18 June 2012, thick dust covered large areas in Syria and Iraq. NASA’s Aqua satellite captured a natural-color image (Fig. 1) of the storm, on the same day.
Fine sediments around the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are frequently blown by dust storms. A network of temporary rivers in northern Iraq and Syria are also sources of dust activity.
Arid regions like Syria and Iraq often experience high temperatures in the day. This causes air near the ground to become unstable, enabling even light winds to carry dust particles into the air.
References:
NASA’s Earth Observatory
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=78317
Aymen Mohamed Ibrahem
Senior Astronomy Specialist