Earth as Art

Abstract

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center periodically publishes a series of satellite images called Earth As Art. This collection of Landsat images includes scenes from across the globe associated with various landscapes and features. The Landsat program has been operational since 1972 and is recognized as the longest continuous global record of the Earth’s surface. In addition to their scientific value, many of these satellite images are simply intriguing to look at. Satellites capture an incredible variety of views of Earth. See the mesmerizing beauty of river deltas, mountains, and other sandy, salty, and icy landscapes in the selection of images exhibited here. The images presented in this exhibit were selected from the Earth As Art collection by John McGee, Geospatial Extension Specialist in the Department of Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation here at Virginia Tech. John also processed an image that includes the New River Valley using data collected by Landsat 8, captured on April 22, 2020. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Geological Survey under Grant/Cooperative Agreement No. G23AP00683