The massive dunes and numerous lakes of the Badain Jaran Desert are an enigma to scientists.
Image of the Day Land
A slight rise of rocky land interrupts the linear dunes of the Empty Quarter.
In a land with little water, the wind does the landscaping most of the time. Ephemeral water leaves a mark, though.
Image of the Day Heat Land
Sand dunes and outcrops add color and dimension across the Namib Sand Sea.
Image of the Day Land Remote Sensing
Dust and Haze
Despite efforts by local officials, the desert continues its advance.
Image of the Day Land Human Presence Snow and Ice
Even in China’s largest, driest, and hottest desert, vegetation sprouts in the spring.
A line of thunderclouds marched across the desert of central Saudi Arabia on the way toward Yemen.
Image of the Day Atmosphere Land
Image of the Day Land Drought
Acquired March 6, 2013, this image shows a dust storm blowing over the Persian Gulf.
Atmosphere Land Dust and Haze
A dust plume spans hundreds of kilometers over the Arabian Peninsula in this natural-color image from late February 2012.
Over the course of 25 years, farms have sprouted in the Arabian Desert, fueled by deep and old groundwater.
Image of the Day Land Human Presence
The Ar Rub’ al Khali, or Empty Quarter, covers much of the south-central portion of the Arabian Peninsula and is the largest continuous sand desert on Earth.