{"id":440309,"date":"2026-05-28T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/a-shift-in-whats-shaping-u-s-landscapes\/"},"modified":"2026-05-28T14:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T04:00:00","slug":"a-shift-in-whats-shaping-u-s-landscapes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=440309","title":{"rendered":"A Shift in What\u2019s Shaping U.S. Landscapes"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\">\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full flex-align-center 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href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what%E2%80%99s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/usdistconus_oli_2022.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1210&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1210\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what%E2%80%99s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/usdistconus_oli_2022.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1210&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A map of the United States with a color-coded overlay showing the most recent type of land disturbance detected between 1998 and 2022, broken down into several types of wild disturbances and human-directed changes.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" 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https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what\u2019s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/usdistconus_oli_2022.jpg?w=400&#038;h=336&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what\u2019s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/usdistconus_oli_2022.jpg?w=600&#038;h=504&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what\u2019s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/usdistconus_oli_2022.jpg?w=900&#038;h=756&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what\u2019s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/usdistconus_oli_2022.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1008&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">This map of the United States shows the most recent land disturbance detected in Landsat satellite imagery between 1988 and 2022, revealing patterns of both wild and human-directed change.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA Earth Observatory\/Lauren Dauphin, based on data from <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41561-025-01792-3\" rel=\"noopener\">Qiu, S. <em>et al.<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The land is always changing, sometimes by human hands: cities are built, farms expanded, and forests logged. Other changes lie mostly outside people\u2019s control: wildfires burn through communities, and hurricanes reshape coastlines. For most of the past four decades, observations from the Landsat satellite record show that humans have dominated changes to the U.S. landscape. Recent research revealed a shift in that trend, suggesting that disasters might be catching up.<\/p>\n<p>In a NASA-funded study published in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41561-025-01792-3\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Nature Geoscience<\/em>,<\/a> scientists analyzed nearly 35 years of data from NASA\/USGS Landsat satellites to better understand what has been shaping the continental U.S. landscape. The researchers, led by former Landsat science team member Zhe Zhu, found that \u201chuman-directed disturbances\u201d like logging, agricultural expansion, and construction have declined, while \u201cwild disturbances\u201d like wildfires and hurricanes\u2014disasters that can be influenced by human activity but are not controlled by people\u2014have risen in frequency and intensity.<\/p>\n<p>Robert Emberson, associate program manager for the NASA Disasters program and not affiliated with the study, said that understanding the forces transforming the U.S. landscape is critical for future planning. \u201cIf you know what\u2019s causing them, you can begin to plan around disasters,\u201d Emberson said. \u201cAny understanding of causal factors impacts the adaptation strategy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This research is especially useful for policymakers working to prepare communities for resilience, he said. For example, a region expecting to see increased wildfires <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/managing-land\/fire\/fac\" rel=\"noopener\">could strategically<\/a> perform prescribed burns, remove brush or dry grass around homes, and construct new buildings with fire-resilient materials.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"width-full maxw-full margin-left-auto margin-right-auto hds-media-align-inline hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-video\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full maxw-full flex-column\">\n<div class=\"hds-video-container width-full embed-container\" style=\"\"><video title=\"A Shift in What\u2019s Shaping U.S. Landscapes\" id=\"nasa-plus-54tXj\" class=\"video-js video-player vjs-fluid width-full\" data-setup='{\"controls\":true,\"preload\":\"auto\",\"plugins\":{\"mux\":{\"debug\":false,\"data\":{\"env_key\":\"91nns8oppqdfqc44lgo4b1gni\",\"player_name\":\"www.nasa.gov Player\",\"video_name\":\"A Shift in Whatu2019s Shaping U.S. Landscapes\"}}}}'  ><source src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what\u2019s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/RenoNevada_Landsat_1985_2025.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\"><p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\"  rel=\"noopener\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-media-caption hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">\n<div>Reno, Nevada, expands into the previously undeveloped desert landscape in this animation composed of Landsat images acquired between 1985 and 2025.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">\n<div>Landsat Project Science Support\/Ross Walter<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Between 1988 and 2022, 18 percent of the land area in the continental U.S. was disturbed at least once, the researchers found. Adding repeated disturbances, the cumulative area disturbed rises to almost 700,000 square miles, equivalent to nearly one-third of the continental U.S. Humans drove more than half of that change, clearing or developing over 446,000 square miles of land\u2014that\u2019s bigger than the size of Texas and California combined. For example, the animation above, composed of Landsat images from 1985 to 2025, shows the expansion of Reno, Nevada, into a previously undeveloped desert landscape.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, wild disturbances\u2014disasters like wildfires, hurricanes, and landslides\u2014drove much of the remaining change, transforming more than 165,000 square miles of the continental U.S. The Landsat images in the animation below show areas burned by wildfires in Eldorado National Forest west of California\u2019s Lake Tahoe from 1985 to 2025. Major fires in 1992, 2014, and 2022 cleared large swathes of forest, leaving behind bare ground that slowly reforested.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"width-full maxw-full margin-left-auto margin-right-auto hds-media-align-inline hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-video\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full maxw-full flex-column\">\n<div class=\"hds-video-container width-full embed-container\" style=\"\"><video title=\"A Shift in What\u2019s Shaping U.S. Landscapes\" id=\"nasa-plus-K5XBK\" class=\"video-js video-player vjs-fluid width-full\" data-setup='{\"controls\":true,\"preload\":\"auto\",\"plugins\":{\"mux\":{\"debug\":false,\"data\":{\"env_key\":\"91nns8oppqdfqc44lgo4b1gni\",\"player_name\":\"www.nasa.gov Player\",\"video_name\":\"A Shift in Whatu2019s Shaping U.S. Landscapes\"}}}}'  ><source src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what\u2019s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/LakeTahoeBurnedArea_Landsat_1985_2025.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\"><p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\"  rel=\"noopener\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-media-caption hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">\n<div>Areas burned by wildland fires in California&#8217;s Eldorado National Forest west of Lake Tahoe are visible in this animation composed of Landsat images from between 1985 and 2025.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">\n<div>Landsat Project Science Support\/Ross Walter<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Although human activity has disturbed a larger cumulative area than wild events, the trends over time are moving in opposite directions. That is, land disturbance caused directly by people has been decreasing, while wild disturbance has been increasing.<\/p>\n<p>Specifically, human-directed land disturbances decreased by nearly 232 square miles (600 square kilometers) each year over the course of the study period. Researchers attribute this change to declines in construction, agricultural expansion, and logging, likely brought about by a combination of policy changes, technological improvements, and the 2008 financial crisis\u2019s effect on construction. <\/p>\n<p>In contrast, land affected by wild disturbances increased by more than 77 square miles (200 square kilometers) per year. Fire, drought-related stress, and wind disturbances all became more frequent, likely due to climate warming and other environmental factors, the study authors wrote.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat this study basically tells me is that what we\u2019ve been doing is not working,\u201d said Ramakrisna Nemani, a retired NASA scientist and co-author on this study. \u201cWe have to go back and come up with new strategies on how to deal with these natural disturbances.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The study\u2019s findings drew on the deep archive of Landsat data, which has long been a key resource for detecting change on Earth\u2019s surface. Think of it like a \u201cspot-the-difference\u201d game. Historically, identifying differences between images required scientists to manually identify the source of the change; for example, using ground observations combined with satellite imagery to determine whether a bare spot resulted from wildfires or logging. For this study, scientists trained a new machine-learning algorithm to do that differentiation work for them.<\/p>\n<p>They fed the algorithm 40 years of land-change data acquired by satellites, manually inspecting and identifying changes at 50,000 locations. After a decade of work, they developed a product that achieves more than 75 percent accuracy across most disturbance types.<\/p>\n<p>The resulting product details the causes of disturbance across the continental U.S. over the course of nearly 35 years. With this information, communities can analyze the past to better plan for the future. \u201cThe USA is entering a new era of disturbance,\u201d the study authors wrote. \u201cThe challenge now is to transform our relationship with disturbance from one of control to one of coexistence.\u201d<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<p><em>NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, based on data from <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41561-025-01792-3\" rel=\"noopener\">Qiu, S. et al.<\/a>\u00a0Animations by Ross Walter, Landsat Project Science Support. Story by Madeleine\u00a0Gregory, Landsat Project Science Support.<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-featured-file-list bg-spacesuit-white padding-x-2 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-4 padding-y-5 desktop:padding-y-6 hds-module align wp-block-nasa-blocks-file-list\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row width-full margin-bottom-4\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<h2 role=\"textbox\" class=\"heading-22\">\n\t\t\t\t\tDownloads\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col display-flex flex-align-center desktop:flex-justify-end\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-row hds-file-list-row\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail hds-file-list-thumbnail\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail-inner hds-file-list-thumbnail-inner hds-cover-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"6612\" height=\"4408\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what%E2%80%99s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/usdistconus_oli_2022_lrg.jpg?w=6612&#038;h=4408&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"A map of the United States with a color-coded overlay showing the most recent type of land disturbance detected between 1998 and 2022, broken down into several types of wild disturbances and human-directed changes.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" data-video-loop=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what\u2019s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/usdistconus_oli_2022_lrg.jpg?w=6612&#038;h=4408&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 6612w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what\u2019s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/usdistconus_oli_2022_lrg.jpg?w=300&#038;h=200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what\u2019s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/usdistconus_oli_2022_lrg.jpg?w=768&#038;h=512&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what\u2019s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/usdistconus_oli_2022_lrg.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=683&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what\u2019s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/usdistconus_oli_2022_lrg.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=1024&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what\u2019s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/usdistconus_oli_2022_lrg.jpg?w=2048&#038;h=1365&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2048w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what\u2019s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/usdistconus_oli_2022_lrg.jpg?w=400&#038;h=267&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what\u2019s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/usdistconus_oli_2022_lrg.jpg?w=600&#038;h=400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what\u2019s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/usdistconus_oli_2022_lrg.jpg?w=900&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what\u2019s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/usdistconus_oli_2022_lrg.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=800&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what\u2019s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/usdistconus_oli_2022_lrg.jpg?w=2000&#038;h=1333&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 6612px) 100vw, 6612px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-details\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-name hds-file-list-name\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-22\">1988-2022<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-list-date hds-file-list-date\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-file-list-filetype\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">JPEG (20.60 MB)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-cta hds-file-list-download\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what%E2%80%99s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/usdistconus_oli_2022_lrg.jpg\"  download rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"16\" cy=\"16.0001\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#1C67E3\"\/><path d=\"M15.2357 8.00007L15.2357 16.4829L11.9504 13.4078L10.8801 14.4094L16.0001 19.2001L21.1201 14.4094L20.0499 13.4078L16.7645 16.4829L16.7645 8.00007L15.2357 8.00007Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M9.6 20.8001V18.4001H8V22.4001H24V18.4001H22.4V20.8001H9.6Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-row hds-file-list-row\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail hds-file-list-thumbnail\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail-inner hds-file-list-thumbnail-inner hds-cover-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><video class=\"hds-video-background no-loop\" alt=\"An animation composed of satellite images from between 1985 and 2025 shows the expansion of Reno, Nevada, into a previously undeveloped desert landscape.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" autoplay=\"true\"  muted=\"true\" playsinline=\"true\" preload=\"metadata\"><source src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what\u2019s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/RenoNevada_Landsat_1985_2025.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-details\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-name hds-file-list-name\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-22\">1985-2025, Reno<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-list-date hds-file-list-date\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-file-list-filetype\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">MP4 (6.77 MB)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-cta hds-file-list-download\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what%E2%80%99s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/RenoNevada_Landsat_1985_2025.mp4\"  download rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"16\" cy=\"16.0001\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#1C67E3\"\/><path d=\"M15.2357 8.00007L15.2357 16.4829L11.9504 13.4078L10.8801 14.4094L16.0001 19.2001L21.1201 14.4094L20.0499 13.4078L16.7645 16.4829L16.7645 8.00007L15.2357 8.00007Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M9.6 20.8001V18.4001H8V22.4001H24V18.4001H22.4V20.8001H9.6Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-row hds-file-list-row\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail hds-file-list-thumbnail\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail-inner hds-file-list-thumbnail-inner hds-cover-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><video class=\"hds-video-background no-loop\" alt=\"An animation composed of satellite images from between 1985 and 2025 shows areas burned by wildfires in Eldorado National Forest west of California\u2019s Lake Tahoe.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" autoplay=\"true\"  muted=\"true\" playsinline=\"true\" preload=\"metadata\"><source src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what\u2019s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/LakeTahoeBurnedArea_Landsat_1985_2025.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-details\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-name hds-file-list-name\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-22\">1985-2025, Lake Tahoe<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-list-date hds-file-list-date\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-file-list-filetype\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">MP4 (6.78 MB)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-cta hds-file-list-download\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-shift-in-what%E2%80%99s-shaping-u-s--landscapes\/LakeTahoeBurnedArea_Landsat_1985_2025.mp4\"  download rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"16\" cy=\"16.0001\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#1C67E3\"\/><path d=\"M15.2357 8.00007L15.2357 16.4829L11.9504 13.4078L10.8801 14.4094L16.0001 19.2001L21.1201 14.4094L20.0499 13.4078L16.7645 16.4829L16.7645 8.00007L15.2357 8.00007Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M9.6 20.8001V18.4001H8V22.4001H24V18.4001H22.4V20.8001H9.6Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References &#038; Resources<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41561-025-01792-3\" rel=\"noopener\">Qiu, S<\/a>.<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41561-025-01792-3\" rel=\"noopener\"> <em>et al.<\/em><\/a> (2025) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41561-025-01792-3\" rel=\"noopener\">A shift from human-directed to undirected wild land disturbances in the USA<\/a>. <em>Nature Geoscience<\/em>, (18) 989-996.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-content-lists-inner hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-content-lists\">\n<div id=\"content-list-3fa582be-6c7e-4b25-9da7-2760bc21e4bf\" class=\"hds-content-lists margin-y-3 padding-x-0 bg-spacesuit-white width-full maxw-full\" 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data-current-query=\"{\"block_id\":\"content-list-3fa582be-6c7e-4b25-9da7-2760bc21e4bf\",\"categories\":\"\",\"content_categories\":\"\",\"exclude_child_terms\":false,\"exclude_child_pages\":false,\"layout\":\"grid\",\"listing_page\":\"no\",\"listing_page_category_id\":2151,\"meta_fields\":[],\"news_tags\":\"\",\"number_of_items\":3,\"order\":\"DESC\",\"orderby\":\"date\",\"current_page\":1,\"requesting_id\":1190362,\"science_only\":false,\"search_query\":\"\",\"show_content_type_tags\":\"yes\",\"show_excerpts\":\"yes\",\"show_pagination\":true,\"show_publish_date\":\"no\",\"show_readtime\":\"yes\",\"show_thumbnails\":\"yes\",\"science_org\":\"\",\"content_science_orgs\":\"\",\"internal_terms\":\"\",\"mission_programs\":\"\",\"mission_status\":\"\",\"mission_target\":\"\",\"mission_type\":\"\",\"response_format\":\"html\",\"show_drafts\":false,\"related_content\":\"1222028,1193726,1210374,1192350,1213096,1216125,1220496,1207904,1206740,1188700\",\"use_content_term_filters\":false,\"filter_logic\":\"default\",\"post_types\":\"any\",\"base_terms\":\"{\"category\":\"\",\"science-org\":\"6478\",\"internal-terms\":\"\",\"news-tags\":\"\"}\"}\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-widescreen padding-x-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-start margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<h2 class=\"section-heading-sm line-height-sm\">You may also be interested in:<\/h2>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-2 maxh-tablet\">Stay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block padding-0 margin-0 flex-justify-center\">\n<div class=\" grid-col-12\">\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block padding-0\" style=\"display: block\">\n<div id=\"filter-tags\" class=\"grid-col-12 filter-tags-container\"><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"smd-orbit-loader\" role=\"status\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"orbit-plane\"><span class=\"orbit-dot\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"post-list-container\" class=\"hds-content-items hds-content-items-grid margin-top-2\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-rest-url=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/smd\/v1\/content-list\">\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/a-full-moon-checkup\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300px\" height=\"300px\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-full-moon-checkup\/Landsatcalibration_oli2_20260103_tn.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-full-moon-checkup\/Landsatcalibration_oli2_20260103_tn.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/a-full-moon-checkup\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">A Full Moon Checkup<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    3 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">Once a month during the full Moon, Landsat 9 turns from Earth to image the lunar surface, helping keep the\u2026<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/seasons-change-in-southwest-virginia\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300px\" height=\"300px\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seasons-change-in-southwest-virginia\/winterblacksburg_msi_20251206_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seasons-change-in-southwest-virginia\/winterblacksburg_msi_20251206_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/seasons-change-in-southwest-virginia\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">Seasons Change in Southwest Virginia<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    3 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">From autumn color to a winter-white finish, forested areas around Blacksburg trade foliage for snow over the span of two\u2026<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/faster-detection-of-forest-loss\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300px\" height=\"300px\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/faster-detection-of-forest-loss\/deforestdetect_sar_20200508_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/faster-detection-of-forest-loss\/deforestdetect_sar_20200508_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/faster-detection-of-forest-loss\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">Faster Detection of Forest Loss<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    7 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">Scientists pioneered a new system that combines data from multiple Earth-observing satellites to identify forest clearing up to 100 days\u2026<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"pagination-container\" class=\"pagination\">\n<nav class=\"hds-pagination hds-pagination--content-lists\" role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Pagination Navigation\" data-mid-size=\"2\" data-end-size=\"1\" data-max-pages=\"4\" >\n<span aria-current=\"page\" class=\"page-numbers current\" aria-label=\"Current Page, Page 1\" aria-current=\"true\" data-page-number=\"1\"><br \/>\n<span>1<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<a class=\"page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/a-shift-in-whats-shaping-u-s-landscapes\/#\" aria-label=\"Goto Page 2\" data-page-number=\"2\"><br \/>\n<span>2<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/a-shift-in-whats-shaping-u-s-landscapes\/#\" aria-label=\"Goto Page 3\" data-page-number=\"3\"><br \/>\n<span>3<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/a-shift-in-whats-shaping-u-s-landscapes\/#\" aria-label=\"Goto Page 4\" data-page-number=\"4\"><br \/>\n<span>4<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"next page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/a-shift-in-whats-shaping-u-s-landscapes\/#\" aria-label=\"Goto Next Page\" data-page-number=\"2\">Next<\/a><br \/>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More from NASA Earth Science<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/subscribe\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper 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src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/about\/NASA-EO-Logo-mediumBlue2016-stacked-mark.png?w=585&#038;h=425&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/about\/NASA-EO-Logo-mediumBlue2016-stacked-mark.png?w=585&#038;h=425&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 585w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/about\/NASA-EO-Logo-mediumBlue2016-stacked-mark.png?w=300&#038;h=218&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/about\/NASA-EO-Logo-mediumBlue2016-stacked-mark.png?w=400&#038;h=291&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 585px) 100vw, 585px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/image-of-the-day\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Earth Observatory Image of the Day<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">NASA&#8217;s Earth Observatory brings you the Earth, every day, with in-depth stories and stunning imagery.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2500\" height=\"1407\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=2500&#038;h=1407&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=2500&#038;h=1407&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2500w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=300&#038;h=169&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=768&#038;h=432&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=576&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=864&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, 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https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=2000&#038;h=1126&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2500px) 100vw, 2500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/explore\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Explore Earth Science<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1920&#038;h=1920&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1920&#038;h=1920&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1920w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 150w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=300&#038;h=300&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=768&#038;h=768&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=1024&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=1536&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=50&#038;h=50&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=100&#038;h=100&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 100w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=200&#038;h=200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 200w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=400&#038;h=400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=600&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=900&#038;h=900&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/data\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Earth Science Data<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Open access to NASA\u2019s archive of Earth science data<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png 3600w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=300,150 300w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=768,384 768w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=1024,512 1024w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=1536,768 1536w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=2048,1024 2048w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=400,200 400w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=600,300 600w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=900,450 900w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=1200,600 1200w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=2000,1000 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wild disturbances are on the rise, while land disturbed by human activity has been 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