Earth from Space: Algerian arid landscape
The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission has captured images of the Sahara desert in Algeria, highlighting the Tanezrouft Basin's arid landscape. The images use false color to enhance geological features, revealing patterns of sandstone and salt flats. Additionally, a dust storm that occurred in February 2026 is depicted, showcasing the impact of Saharan dust on air quality.
- ▪The Tanezrouft Basin is one of the most desolate parts of the Sahara desert.
- ▪False color imagery enhances the contrast between different surface materials in arid regions.
- ▪A dust storm in February 2026 significantly affected visibility and air quality in Algeria.
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The sandy and rocky terrain of the Sahara desert in central Algeria is featured in these images captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.The images show the extraordinary landscape within the Tanezrouft Basin, one of the most desolate parts of the Sahara desert. Known for its soaring temperatures and its lack of water and vegetation, the region is often referred to as the ‘Land of Terror’.These two images were processed in false colour by selecting specific spectral bands from the shortwave and near-infrared channels that can be used for classifying and monitoring geological features.
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