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Gray, rectangular map of the world with various green icons on it. Caption explains image.
The icons on the above map show the locations of natural hazards observed by NASA satellites. Choose one to see the latest image associated with that natural hazard event, or select one of the sections from our topic list to learn more about these extreme events.Hurricane Ike - September 05, 2008Dust Storm over Afghanistan - September 05, 2008Tropical Storm Hanna - September 04, 2008Chaiten Volcano Erupts - September 04, 2008Tropical Storm Josephine - September 03, 2008Carbon Monoxide over Africa - September 03, 2008Monsoon Floods in Northeast India - September 02, 2008Hurricane Gustav - September 02, 2008Storm-Churned waters off Cuba - September 02, 2008Fires in Mozambique and South Africa - September 02, 2008

Earth scientists around the world use NASA satellite imagery to better understand the causes and effects of natural hazards. The goal in sharing these images is to help people visualize where and when natural hazards occur, and to help mitigate their effects. All images in this section are freely available to the public for re-use or re-publication (please use credits as indicated for each image). More images can be found in our archive of older events. Check out our related links.

This Week's Events

* Severe Storms: Hurricane Ike
Between the last week of August and the first week of September 2008, the Atlantic Ocean queued up a series of tropical storms. In the wake of Gustav and Hanna, the third storm in the queue, named Ike, made its way westward. 4 Images, Updated: September 05, 2008
* Dust & Smoke: Dust Storm over Afghanistan
On September 5, 2008, a dust storm formed over Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan. 1 Image, Posted: September 05, 2008
* Severe Storms: Tropical Storm Hanna
On August 28, 2008, the eighth named storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season got underway int the Caribbean Sea. Hanna teetered between tropical storm and Category 1 hurricane strength as it moved westward through the Caribbean. 3 Images, Updated: September 04, 2008
* Volcanoes: Chaiten Volcano Erupts
Dormant for more than 9,000 years, the Chaiten Volcano in southern Chile began to erupt on May 2, 2008, forcing thousands of residents from their homes. In the months that followed, the volcano remained active. 20 Images, Updated: September 04, 2008
* Severe Storms: Tropical Storm Josephine
Tropical Storm Josephine formed in the eastern Atlantic near the Cape Verde Islands on September 2, 2008. 1 Image, Posted: September 03, 2008
* Dust & Smoke: Carbon Monoxide over Africa
Carbon monoxide concentrations across Africa between August 25 and September 1, 2008, were elevated from widespread agricultural burning and wildfires. 1 Image, Posted: September 03, 2008
* Floods: Monsoon Floods in Northeast India
Monsoon rains regularly swell rivers in northern India, but in 2008, the Kosi, a tributary of the Ganges and a major river in its own right, did something different. It burst through its banks to flow into a channel it had abandoned more than 200 years ago. 2 Images, Updated: September 02, 2008
* Severe Storms: Hurricane Gustav
Gustav formed off the coast of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea on August 25, 2008. 8 Images, Updated: September 02, 2008
* Unique Imagery: Storm-Churned waters off Cuba
Gustav may have spared the United States from the destruction that many feared, but it hit Cuba hard. 1 Image, Posted: September 02, 2008
* Fires: Fires in Mozambique and South Africa
In late August and early September 2008, widespread fires in Mozambique and South Africa poured smoke out of the Indian Ocean. 2 Images, Updated: September 02, 2008

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  Crops and Drought Section

Dust and Smoke Section

Fires Section

Floods Section

Severe Storms Section

Volcanoes Section

Unique Imagery Section

   
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