Earth  ID: 12876

For 15 Years, GRACE Tracked Freshwater Movements Around the World

Released on May 16, 2018
NASA scientists used GRACE data to identify regional trends of freshwater movement, and combined that information with data from other satellites, climate models and precipitation measurements to determine the causes of major regional trends in freshwater storage.
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The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, or GRACE mission, used precise measurements of the motions of two spacecraft in Earth’s orbit to track the movement of water through the oceans, land, and atmosphere.

Music: Iron Throne by Anthony Giordano [SACEM]

Complete transcript available.

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Between 2002 and 2016, the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) tracked the movement of freshwater around the planet.

Music: Iron Throne by Anthony Girodano [SACEM]

Complete transcript available.

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Natural variability played a significant role in groundwater depletion in California.

Music: Iron Throne by Anthony Giordano [SACEM]

Complete transcript available.

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An increase in rainfall in the Okavongo Delta during the period of the GRACE mission ended a regional drought.

Music: Iron Throne by Anthony Giordano [SACEM]

Complete transcript available.

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Increased irrigation in Saudi Arabia led to depleted groundwater in the desert.

Music: Iron Throne by Anthony Giordano [SACEM]

Complete transcript available.

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Multiple factors, including human activity and melting glaciers, combined to deplete groundwater in northwest China.

Music: Iron Throne by Anthony Giordano [SACEM]

Complete transcript available.

Complete transcript available.

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In late spring 2018, NASA is launching a new satellite pair, GRACE Follow-On, to continue studying water movement around the planet.

Music: Iron Throne by Anthony Giordano [SACEM]

Complete transcript available.

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Time series of freshwater increases above average in blue and decreases below average in red from 2002 to 2016.
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2014 MODIS image of California

Credit: NASA Earth Observatory

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Earth Observing-1 satellite image of the Okavango Delta during a 2012 flood

Credit: NASA Earth Observatory

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2012 Landsat image of Saudi Arabia cropland

Credit: USGS/NASA

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Freshwater anomalies in 2012, at the beginning of the GRACE mission, with increases above average in blue and decreases below average in red.
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Freshwater anomalies in 2016, near the end of the GRACE mission, with increases above average in blue and decreases below average in red.
 

Used Elsewhere In

Earth System Observatory
A Map of Freshwater

Source Material

GRACE 15-Year Groundwater Trends

Credits

Kathryn Mersmann (USRA): Lead Producer
Ellen T. Gray (ADNET Systems, Inc.): Lead Writer
Trent L. Schindler (USRA): Lead Visualizer
Matthew Rodell (NASA/GSFC): Scientist
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

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https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/12876

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Narrated Movies

Keywords:
SVS >> HDTV
GCMD >> Earth Science >> Hydrosphere >> Ground Water >> Groundwater Chemistry
SVS >> GRACE
NASA Science >> Earth
GCMD >> Earth Science >> Climate Indicators >> Terrestrial Hydrosphere Indicators >> Freshwater Runoff
GCMD >> Earth Science >> Human Dimensions >> Environmental Governance/management >> Water Management
GCMD >> Earth Science >> Terrestrial Hydrosphere
GCMD >> Earth Science >> Terrestrial Hydrosphere >> Surface Water >> Water Depth

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