Image Samples

Fig 2.a Oil spill off the north-west coast of Spain
(ESA (© European Space Agency / EMSA 2007).

This image, taken by ENVISAT-ASAR on 1 June 2007 off the coast north-west Spain, shows 2 large oil spills. The 1st one, in the top right of the image has very distinct linear dark features with sharp edges and uniform backscattered signal area with a potential polluter vessel connected to it (visible as a bright white spot). The 2nd one, in the left bottom corner, has diffuse shape but high contrast typical of a spill that has been discharged several hours ago.

Fig 2.b Algae blooms in the North Sea
(© CSA/MDA/EMSA 2007).

This image, taken by Radarsat-1 on 21 June 2007 off the norther coast of Germany's North Sea waters, has many features not related to oil spills. Extremely low wind regions are seen as uniform dark areas as seen in the top right corner of the image. No oil spills have been detected in this image, instead the narrow black features are algal blooms (or natural films), whilst the long linear white features are vessel wakes within the algae or calm water region.

Fig 2.c Heavy local rain in North United Kingdom
(ESA (© European Space Agency / EMSA 2007).

This image, taken by ENVISAT-ASAR on 14 May 2007 off the northern coast of UK's North Sea, shows large cone like features, typicaly referred to as rain cells, caused by heavy local rains.