| STS-103 Earth Sciences and Image Analysis Photographic Highlights |
| TOP PICKS |
| Click here to view the complete online collection of astronaut photography of Earth >> |
| STS103-708-81 |
 STS103-708-81 Click the photo number to access all resolutions available and the database record. |
| Madagascar: An almost complete panoramic view of the fourth
largest island in the world, Madagascar. The distinctive red color
of Madagascar is due to the composition of its soil. The central
plateau and eastern coast are composed of gneiss, granite, and
quartz. These rocks decompose into a laterite, or red soil that is
leached of soluble minerals and of alumina and silica but retain the
oxides and hydroxides of iron. Madagascar was once almost completely covered by forests. Burning the forests to clear land for dry rice cultivation has denuded much of the island, especially in the central highlands. As a result of this deforestation increased erosion had lead to higher amounts of sediment being carried in the rivers, making them appear red instead of shades of blue. |
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This service is provided by the International Space Station program and the JSC Astromaterials Research & Exploration Science Directorate. Recommended Citation: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center. "The Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth." . |
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