Friday, August 28, 2009

Stunning satellite photographs of Earth


Web Designer Depot has published 60 amazing satellite photographs of the surface of the Earth. Clicking on any photograph at the link will take you to a high-res version, suitable for use as desktop wallpaper.

Here are four reduced-size examples to whet your appetite.




Alluvial Fan, China
- A vast alluvial fan blossoms across the desolate landscape between the Kunlun and Altun mountain ranges that form the southern border of the Taklimakan Desert in China’s XinJiang Province.





Delta Region, Netherlands
- Along the southern coast of the Netherlands, sediment-laden rivers have created a massive delta of islands and waterways in the gaps between coastal dunes. After unusually severe spring tides devastated this region in 1953, the Dutch built an elaborate system of dikes, canals, dams, bridges, and locks to hold back the North sea.





Desolation Canyon – Utah’s Green River flows south across the Tavaputs Plateau (top) before entering Desolation Canyon (center). The Canyon slices through the Roan and book Cliffs – two long, staircase-like escarpments. Nearly as deep as the Grand Canyon, Desolation Canyon is one of the largest unprotected wilderness areas in the American West.





Kamchatka Peninsula – The eastern side of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula juts into the Pacific Ocean west of Alaska. In this winter image, a volcanic terrain is hidden under snow-covered peaks and valley glaciers feed blue ice into coastal waters.


There are 56 more photographs at the link. Very highly recommended viewing - and worth downloading in hi-res format, if you like that sort of thing. I certainly do!

Peter

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