EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Waterfall in the Desert

January 19, 2022

EPOD.WatefallCampCreekFec017#6a copy

Photographer: Thomas McGuire

Summary Author: Thomas McGuire

The Sonoran Desert near Phoenix, Arizona has many natural
waterfalls, but nearly all of them only run for a few hours after
major rain events. Shown in the picture above, Camp Creek waterfall,
located about 10 miles (16 km) east of Cave Creek, is a rare
exception. While this image shows winter flow, it is only in the past
couple of years that the waterfall has run completely dry by the end of
the summer. This alone does not prove global warming. But it adds to
the countless observations of others as unfortunate and compelling
evidence of local climate change.

The geologic conditions that cause this anomaly in the desert are
springs upstream where a perched water table on ancient
basaltic lava layers comes to the surface. Except in usually heavy
or monsoon floods, the water usually seeps into a deeper
alluvial aquifer around 300 feet (91 m) or so downstream.
* Cave Creek, Arizona Coordinates: 33.8759078, -111.8030053

Related EPODs

Waterfall in the Desert Knik Arm Tides of Alaska The Law of
the (Colorado) River Utah’s Great Salt Lake Archive - Orange
Mound Spring Soap Lake, Washington
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Hydrology Links

* Current Sea Surface Temperature
* NOAA Ocean Explorer Gallery
* Ocean Color
* What is hydrology?
* Tides and Currents
* Water Resources of the United States
* World Waterfall Database
* The USGS Water Science School
* World Water Database
* The World’s Water
* USGS Surface Water Information Pages

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu
--- up 6 weeks, 3 days, 20 hours, 43 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Archive - Upheaval Dome

March 19, 2022

Upheavaldome

Every weekend we present a notable item from our archives.

This EPOD was originally published on July 28, 2011.

Photographer: Steven Schimmrich
Summary Author: Steven Schimmrich

The panorama above shows Upheaval Dome in Canyonlands National
Park, Utah as viewed from the Overlook Trail. Upheaval Dome is
an odd appearing structure in an area of otherwise flat-lying
sedimentary rocks. While originally believed to be a deeply eroded
uplift dome from the intrusion of a salt diapir (salt dome),
evidence now indicates its origin as an ancient meteorite impact
structure.

The lighter color rock at center is the Permian White Rim
Sandstone of the Cutler Group, the prominent cliff faces
are resistant Jurassic Wingate Sandstone, and in between lie the
more easily eroded Triassic Moenkopi and Chinle Formations.
Evidence suggesting that this is an impact structure include the
orientation of the folds and faults surrounding the structure,
the finding of shocked quartz in the vicinity, and seismic
reflection data indicating fractured rock below the structure and the
absence of a salt dome. Photo taken on June 7, 2010.

Photo details: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 camera; 35-400 mm zoom lens
(f/2.8-3.7); automatic exposure; panorama created from seven images
stitched together with Hugin 2011.0.0 Panoramic Photo Stitcher.
* Upheaval Dome, Utah Coordinates: 38.43473, -109.95138

Related EPODs

Archive - Upheaval Dome Grosvenor Double Arch Punta Bianca
Rock Outcropping Archive - Red Beach, Peru Archive - Cave of
Kastania Idaho's Pass of the Standing Rock
More...

Geology Links

* Earthquakes
* Geologic Time
* Geomagnetism
* General Dictionary of Geology
* Mineral and Locality Database
* Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
* This Dynamic Earth
* USGS
* MyShake - University of California, Berkeley
* USGS Ask a Geologist
* USGS/NPS Geologic Glossary
* USGS Volcano Hazards Program

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 2 weeks, 5 days, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Moonrise and Alpenglow over the Dolomites

April 19, 2022


MartinD_AZ7Y9016_pub (003)

Photographer: Martin Dietzel
Summary Author: Martin Dietzel

The photo above shows the rising Moon and the sunset-lit Sella
Mountains of the Dolomites Ranges in northern Italy. Whether
illuminated by sunlight or moonlight, the thousands of peaks and
intriguing rock formations of the Dolomites are among the most
eye-catching in all of Europe. At sunrise or sunset, alpenglow
often baths these peaks in shades of red, pink and orange. In 2009, the
stunning Dolomites, also referred to as the Pale Mountains, were
declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Photo taken on October 13,
2021, at 17:20 local time.

Photo details: Camera: Canon EOS 1Dx camera; 200 mm; f/8; 1/500 sec
exposure; ISO1000.
* Wolkenstein, Val Gardena, Italy Coordinates: 46.5564, 11.7551

Related EPODs

Moonrise and Alpenglow over the Dolomites Low Rainbow Between
Mountains Archive - Fog Funnel Elevated Temperature Inversion
and the Titanic's Distress Rockets Eiffel Tower Shadow The Belt
of Venus Above Mount Etna and Piazza Armerina
More...

Atmospheric Effects Links

* Atmospheric Optics
* Optic Picture of Day: Gruppo Astrofili Galileo Galilei
* Color and Light in Nature
* The Colors of Twillight and Sunset
* Refraction Index
* Image Gallery: Atmospheric Effects
* What is a Rainbow?

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 7 weeks, 1 day, 20 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Four Types of Rainbows Over Taiwan

May 19, 2022

202202031719_鹿港反射虹_LeeChiahui_IMG-5796a

Photographer: Chiahui Lee

Summary Author: Meiying Lee; Cadan Cummings

The photo above features multiple types of rainbows visible after a
rain event near Lukang, Taiwan. If you look closely, there are at
least four rainbows in the photo. The first two are the primary and
secondary rainbows visible in the center of the image. Primary and
secondary rainbows are the most common types of bows and are created
when light is reflected and refracted by raindrops suspended in the
air. The difference between primary and secondary rainbows is the
incoming sunlight is reflected only once inside the rain drop for
primary bows, whereas for secondary bows, the light is reflected a
multiple time. This additional reflection also causes the secondary bow
colors to appear reversed.

Curving between the primary and secondary bows is a reflection
rainbow produced by sunlight reflecting off calm water or wet sand.
Looking at the waterlogged road ahead, there is a fourth reflected
rainbow noticeably on the shimmering pavement surface. Like the
secondary rainbow, reflected rainbow colors appear reversed. However,
this additional reflection was due to light being scattered off land
features, as opposed to within suspended raindrops. Furthermore, if you
look closely, you can also see supernumerary rainbows on the inside
of the primary rainbow.
* Lukang, Taiwan Coordinates: 24.0755, 120.4473

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Four Types of Rainbows Over Taiwan Solar Halo and Sundog over
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Spectre Observed with Drone Sun Pillar Reflection on the Holtsós
Lagoon Moonrise and Alpenglow over the Dolomites
More...

Atmospheric Effects Links

* Atmospheric Optics
* Optic Picture of Day: Gruppo Astrofili Galileo Galilei
* Color and Light in Nature
* The Colors of Twillight and Sunset
* Refraction Index
* Image Gallery: Atmospheric Effects
* What is a Rainbow?

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 11 weeks, 3 days, 20 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Timpa Nature Reserve of Acireale

June 17, 2022

2022 02 Timpa_2

Photographer: Vincenzo Russo

Summary Author: Vincenzo Russo

The photo above shows the southern part of the “Timpa” of Acireale,
Italy located on the east coast of Sicily. The Timpa consists of a
steep cliff overlooking the sea that rises around 500 feet (150 meters)
and extends for about 3.7 miles or 6 kilometers. It originated from the
movement of the Acireale fault, one of the most important in the
eastern region of the Etna volcano. Fault activity started about
200,000 years ago and lasted for about 100,000 years, which brought out
numerous layers of volcanic rocks that tell the geological history of
Etna. The terrain ruggedness makes the area almost inaccessible by
land. This tough topography has enabled the landscape to remain an
island of unspoiled nature, despite being located within a highly
urbanized region. For this reason, it was locally proclaimed a
nature reserve in 1999. Photo taken on February 6, 2022.

Photo details: Nikon D810a, Nikon 24-120 mm f/4G, focal length: 30mm,
f/11, ISO-12800, 1/100 second exposure
* Acireale, Italy Coordinates: 37.612,15.173

Related EPODs

Timpa Nature Reserve of Acireale Archive - Inside Kawah Ijen's
Crater Archive - Colors of Grand Prismatic Spring Recent
Eruption of Piton de la Fournaise Archive - Levadas of Madeira
Archive - Mount Cervino and Blue Lake
More...

Geology Links

* Earthquakes
* Geologic Time
* Geomagnetism
* General Dictionary of Geology
* Mineral and Locality Database
* Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
* This Dynamic Earth
* USGS
* MyShake - University of California, Berkeley
* USGS Ask a Geologist
* USGS/NPS Geologic Glossary
* USGS Volcano Hazards Program

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 15 weeks, 6 days, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


New Eddystone Rock

July 19, 2022

DSC01114r(1)

Photographer: John and Ruth Mauel

Summary Author: John and Ruth Mauel

There are many volcanic plugs in the world, of which some are quite
spectacular, and many of them in clusters or fields. Shown
above is New Eddystone rock located in the Behm Channel, east of
Ketchikan, Alaska. This eye-catching landform within the Misty
Fjords National Monument is geologically and historically unusual.

Named by Captain George Vancouver in 1793 after a lighthouse near
Plymouth, England, 'New' Eddystone rock is the neck of a volcano that
erupted approximately 15,000 years ago. Energy from the eruption passed
through the ice that carved the steep-sided fjords of the area. The
magma erupted near a seam between the granites and gneisses of the
Coastal Range Batholith and the Taku terranes. Surrounding rocks were
weakened by the isostatic rebound caused by the receding of the ice
sheet. Several similar plugs that erupted around the same time,
have been eroded and remain below sea level. This difference in form
could suggest they were scraped flat by the glaciers. Studies have
also shown these structures are strongly associated with numerous
smaller flows and volcanic activity as far east as Mount Edziza in
British Columbia.
* Behm Channel, Alaska Coordinates: 55.503611, -130.935833

Related EPODs

New Eddystone Rock Varvite Park in Brazil Volcanic Tunnels
of Reunion Island The Castles of the Calchaquíes Valleys
Culburra Beach Sand Layers Following Wildfires Timpa Nature
Reserve of Acireale
More...

Geology Links

* Earthquakes
* Geologic Time
* Geomagnetism
* General Dictionary of Geology
* Mineral and Locality Database
* Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
* This Dynamic Earth
* USGS
* MyShake - University of California, Berkeley
* USGS Ask a Geologist
* USGS/NPS Geologic Glossary
* USGS Volcano Hazards Program

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 20 weeks, 1 day, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Carachipampa Volcano, Argentina

August 19, 2022

Carlos_pampas_11BIS

Photographer: Carlos Di Nallo
Summary Author: Carlos Di Nallo

Featured above is a photo of the Carachipampa Volcano (dark color
at right center) located in the province of Catamarca, Argentina, in
the region called Puna. Pumice stone fields surround the volcanic
cone, showing that, in the past, the area was the scene of considerable
volcanic activity.

Also shown, in the foreground, are salt flats and sand dunes,
typical of the arid climate that characterizes this region. Panoramic
photos taken on May 12, 2022.

Photo details: Canon 6D camera; Canon 17/40mm lens.


Carachipampa Volcano, Argentina Coordinates: -26.760278, -67.741389


Related EPODs

Carachipampa Volcano, Argentina The Marmolada and the Partial
Lunar Eclipse of May 16, 2022 Idaho’s Granitic City of Rocks
Dungeness Spit Beach Venus in Daylight Icons of Arizona
More...

Geography Links

* Atlapedia Online
* CountryReports
* GPS Visualizer
* Holt Rinehart Winston World Atlas
* Mapping Our World
* Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection
* Types of Land
* World Mapper

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 24 weeks, 4 days, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Strawberry Moon and Etna Exhaust

September 19, 2022

Ormefoto - etna superluna

Photographer: Orazio Mezzio
Summary Author: Orazio Mezzio

The photo above shows the rising Strawberry Supermoon peeking above
the south-east crater of Mt. Etna as observed on June 14, 2022,
from near Maletto (Sicily), Italy. The plume from Etna’s late
May 2022 eruption still lingers but is beginning to fade. It’s the
glow from the full moon that’s highlighting the sinuous volcanic
exhaust. Enhancing this evocative view is a thermal inversion that
acts to keep the plume from dispersing toward the surface or higher
into the sky.

Maletto is known locally as the town of strawberries. Because of
the rich volcanic soil found here, it seems that the strawberries have
acquired a unique, sweet flavor.

Photo details: Nikon D750 camera; Nikkor 50 mm lens; Landscape mode;
f/2; 3.6 second exposure; ISO 100 –- Moon shot at f/3.2, 1/50 second
exposure, ISO 100.

Maletto (Sicily), Italy Coordinates: 37.8318, 14.8662


Related EPODs

Strawberry Moon and Etna Exhaust Kodachrome Basin State Park,
Utah Idaho’s Gravity-Defying Balanced Rock Eastern Flank of Mt.
Etna Carachipampa Volcano, Argentina The Marmolada and the
Partial Lunar Eclipse of May 16, 2022
More...

Geography Links

* Atlapedia Online
* CountryReports
* GPS Visualizer
* Holt Rinehart Winston World Atlas
* Mapping Our World
* Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection
* Types of Land
* World Mapper

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 29 weeks, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Summer Storm on the Mediterranean

October 19, 2022


20220822 Fulmini Comp web

Photographer: Alessia Scarso
Summary Author: Alessia Scarso
The photo above is a composition of 47 shots taken from my balcony in
Maganuco (Modica), Italy during a late summer thunderstorm on the
Mediterranean Sea. Both the cloud-to-ground lightning and the
cloud-to-cloud lightning was memorable with this storm. Note that
the horizontal lines are the lights of a ship that passed close to the
horizon. Click here to see an animation. Photo taken on August 22,
2022.

Photo details: Sony A7RIII camera; Tamron 70-180 lens; 180 mm; f2.8;
ISO 800; 5 seconds exposure time.

Maganuco (Modica), Italy Coordinates: 36.71762, 14.81083


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Summer Storm on the Mediterranean Lightning and the Eiffel
Tower Rainshaft Spotted in New York Waterspout Over Lake Los
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Sprite Over Mediterranean Sea
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Severe Weather Links

* World Severe Weather Information Center
* Enhanced Fujita Scale
* A Lightning Primer
* More About Thunderstorms
* Staying Safe Outdoors in Severe Weather
* NOAA Storm Prediction Center
* Patterns of Lightning Activity
* US National Weather Service

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 33 weeks, 2 days, 20 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


La Palma Pillar

December 19, 2022


DSC_3945

Photographer: Sonia Lucía Suárez Domínguez
Summary Authors: Sonia Lucía Suárez Domínguez; Jim Foster

The photo above features a classic sun pillar as observed just
after sunset from the southern end of La Palma (Canary Islands) on
May 29, 2022. Pillars are reflection phenomenon – sunlight (in this
case) is reflecting off hexagonal ice crystals in high altitude
clouds or off crystals that are free falling in the atmosphere. But for
these wondrous vertical beams to form, the crystals must all be
similarly oriented and tipped a bit in the direction of the viewer.

Fuencaliente, de la La Palma (Canary Islands), Spain Coordinates:
28.483333, -17.833333


Related EPODs

La Palma Pillar Twinned Rainbow Double Cloud Shadow off the
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Lava Flow Two Types of Bewildering Sunset Mirages
More...

Atmospheric Effects Links

* Atmospheric Optics
* Optic Picture of Day: Gruppo Astrofili Galileo Galilei
* Color and Light in Nature
* The Colors of Twillight and Sunset
* Refraction Index
* Image Gallery: Atmospheric Effects
* What is a Rainbow?

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 42 weeks, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)