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A V-shaped fjord cuts through barren brown land, with one patch of swirling water marked by white sea ice and another one colored turquoise by suspended sediment. Glacial ice flows into the fjord in several places.
The upper slopes of Mayon volcano appear brown, with several narrow channels radiating from the crater. A red infrared heat signature appears near the summit, with red streaks extending east and southeast. The lower slopes are green and forested. Farmland and towns are visible in the lower part of the image.
A thick layer of white snow blankets the Kamchatka Peninsula. Layers of clouds surround the peninsula, framing it but leaving its coastlines and a narrow portion of ocean visible around it. On land, several large, circular volcanoes dot the rugged landscape.

Earth Observatory

NASA's Earth Observatory brings you the Earth, every day – the images, stories, and discoveries about the environment, Earth systems, and climate that emerge from NASA research.

Image of the Day

A Most “Pleasantly Situated” Estate
5 min read

The farms and gardens of Mount Vernon played a central role in the life of America’s first president.

Jun 30, 2026
Star-Spangled City
4 min read

Two hundred years ago, a battle in the port city of Baltimore inspired the writing of America’s national anthem.

Jun 29, 2026
The Battle for Sullivan’s Island
5 min read

Marshy, sandy terrain and an impassable inlet helped colonial forces repel British forces during a pivotal battle on the barrier…

Jun 26, 2026

American Historical Landscapes

From Civil War battlegrounds to industrial landmarks to the country’s earliest national parks, these places helped shape the United States we know today.

View this new collection about American Historical Landscapes
Washington on the Potomac River

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