Earth ID: 4428

2012 Mediterranean Drought

Visualizations by Alex Kekesi Released on February 19, 2016

Print resolution image showing less than normal ground water saturation throughout the Mediteranean region on January 15, 2012. This image includes the date and colorbar overlay.

A pair of experimental twin satellites called the Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment, or "GRACE", were launched in March 2002. Since then they have been collecting gravity measurements which scientists use to derive Terrestrial Water Storage Anomalies (TWSA). TWSA can then be used as an indicator for drought and flood conditions across the globe. For more information on the GRACE mission please visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/Grace/

Colorbar showing Terrestrial Water Storage Anomalies (in centimeters). Browns indicate lower than average ground water saturation.

Print resolution image of the Mediterranean region showing less than normal ground water saturation throughout the region on January 15, 2012. This is the raw image used before date and colorbar were added.

Visualization Credits

Alex Kekesi (Global Science and Technology, Inc.): Lead Visualizer
Cindy Starr (Global Science and Technology, Inc.): Visualizer
Kel Elkins (USRA): Visualizer
Doug C. Morton (NASA/GSFC): Lead Scientist
Yang Chen (University of California, Irvine): Lead Scientist
Jim Randerson (University of California, Irvine): Lead Scientist

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio

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https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/4428

Mission:
Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE)

Data Used:

Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE)/Terrestrial Water Storage Anomaly also referred to as: TWS Anomaly

Analysis - 1/15/2012

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Keywords:
DLESE >> Ecology
DLESE >> Natural hazards
NASA Science >> Earth
GCMD >> Earth Science >> Climate Indicators >> Terrestrial Hydrosphere Indicators
GCMD >> Earth Science >> Terrestrial Hydrosphere

GCMD keywords can be found on the Internet with the following citation: Olsen, L.M., G. Major, K. Shein, J. Scialdone, S. Ritz, T. Stevens, M. Morahan, A. Aleman, R. Vogel, S. Leicester, H. Weir, M. Meaux, S. Grebas, C.Solomon, M. Holland, T. Northcutt, R. A. Restrepo, R. Bilodeau, 2013. NASA/Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Earth Science Keywords. Version 8.0.0.0.0