NASA Maps Beirut Blast Damage
Scientists are using satellite data to map ground surface changes
in the aftermath of the recent explosion.
NASA's Advanced Rapid Imaging and Analysis (ARIA) team,
in collaboration with the Earth Observatory of Singapore, used
satellite-derived synthetic aperture radar data to map the likely extent of
damage from a massive Aug. 4 explosion in Beirut. Synthetic aperture radar data
from space shows ground surface changes from before and after a major event
like an earthquake. In this case, it is being used to show the devastating
result of an explosion.
On the map, dark red pixels - like those present at and
around the Port of Beirut - represent the most severe damage. Areas in orange
are moderately damaged and areas in yellow are likely to have sustained
somewhat less damage. Each colored pixel represents an area of 30 meters (33
yards).
Maps like this one can
help identify badly damaged areas where people may need assistance. The explosion occurred near
the city's port. It claimed more than 150 lives and is estimated to have caused
billions of dollars' worth of damage.
The
map contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data processed by ESA (European Space
Agency) and analyzed by ARIA team scientists at NASA JPL, Caltech, and Earth
Observatory of Singapore. Located in Pasadena, California, Caltech manages JPL
for NASA.
More
information on ARIA can be found here:
https://aria.jpl.nasa.gov/
|
