Post by syzygy on Oct 18, 2016 12:09:24 GMT
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired the image on September 30, 2016.
"The Ob River runs a course through the middle of Russia’s largest and most important gas and oil region. The West Siberian Basin, a vast region of tundra and taiga in north-central Russia, contributes about two-thirds of the country’s crude oil and natural gas output.
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While the fossil fuels in the West Siberian Basin have been an economic boon for Russia, they also have had a significant impact on the environment. In June 2015, a leak in an oil pipeline blackened the Ob River and contaminated tap water in the city of Nefteyugansk."
read full article at: earthobservatory.nasa.gov
Opening attached kmz you get into a close view of an oil (or gas) flare.
Doubleclick on the line feature in folder: view moves to a higher altitude from where you see a large, continuous section of this huge industrial network (needlessly) outlined.
First relevant Community-layer mark 150 kms E - old forum member; spotter2 spotted several other flares.
Also some great Panoramio shots (no flares) from the area (till they exist):
www.panoramio.com/photo/84076563
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www.panoramio.com/photo/23797544
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www.panoramio.com/photo/23797535
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Gratis: off-topic, History Illustrated cathegory oGEForum thread by Tom. (blue "i" layer mark nearby)
(The Vitus Bering expeditions - GE presentation by TomKjeldsen)
Oil fields along Ob river.kmz (2.55 KB)