NASA Images Depict Stunning Urban Growth

Animated GIFs provided by The Atlantic Cities show the dramatic growth of several global cities over the past four decades, as captured in photographs taken by NASA's Landsat satellite system.

1 minute read

July 29, 2012, 5:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj

Celebrating 40 years since the Landsat satellite system was launched into space, NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey have released images showing how 11 world cities have changed over that time, writes Nate Berg. "This site
features two overlaid images of each city from different years dating
back to the 1970s, with a cool slider bar to let you see how each city
has changed."

The overlaid images document growth in cities such as Tokyo, which grew by 7 million people; Las Vegas, where the incredible advance of the city into the desert and the associated reduction of water in the nearby Lake Powell reservoir are clear; and Dubai, capturing "One of the best examples of the instant megacity."

FULL STORY: A Satellite View of City Growth, in GIFs

Thursday, July 26, 2012 in The Atlantic Cities

Land Use World NASA U.S. Geological Survey Landsat satellite system

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