Images
December 21, 2014 - Eastern Fiji Islands
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The Fiji Islands are often hidden under a cover of clouds, making clear views from space difficult to capture. On December 13, 2014, the clouds parted over the eastern Fiji Islands, allowing the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA’s Terra satellite to capture this true-color image.
Approximately two dozen of Fiji’s islands and islets can be seen as green jewels floating on the dark blue waters of the South Pacific Ocean. The emerald coloration of the land rises from the rich vegetation that thrives in this warm tropical ecosystem. Fiji contains more than 332 islands and more than 500 islets, encompassing over 7,000 sq. mi. (over 18,000 sq. km). Only about 110 are permanently inhabited, with the Eastern Division is particularly sparsely populated.
Bright turquoise rings and surround many of the isles, and a free-floating group of bright blue curving lines can be seen in the northeast quadrant of the image. These are a few of Fiji’s famous coral reefs, and are home to a rich abundance of sea life. More than 1,200 species of fish live in the reef systems around Fiji, and more than 300 species of hard coral call these reefs home. According to the Coral Reef Alliance, the Fijian reef system is one of the most encompassing coral systems in the world.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 12/13/2014
Resolutions:
1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
The Fiji Islands are often hidden under a cover of clouds, making clear views from space difficult to capture. On December 13, 2014, the clouds parted over the eastern Fiji Islands, allowing the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA’s Terra satellite to capture this true-color image.
Approximately two dozen of Fiji’s islands and islets can be seen as green jewels floating on the dark blue waters of the South Pacific Ocean. The emerald coloration of the land rises from the rich vegetation that thrives in this warm tropical ecosystem. Fiji contains more than 332 islands and more than 500 islets, encompassing over 7,000 sq. mi. (over 18,000 sq. km). Only about 110 are permanently inhabited, with the Eastern Division is particularly sparsely populated.
Bright turquoise rings and surround many of the isles, and a free-floating group of bright blue curving lines can be seen in the northeast quadrant of the image. These are a few of Fiji’s famous coral reefs, and are home to a rich abundance of sea life. More than 1,200 species of fish live in the reef systems around Fiji, and more than 300 species of hard coral call these reefs home. According to the Coral Reef Alliance, the Fijian reef system is one of the most encompassing coral systems in the world.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 12/13/2014
Resolutions:
1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
