Earth from Space - Image Description

STS087-707-060 Mahanadi River, India November 1997
The Mahanadi River (light-colored linear feature), largest river in Orissi State, makes a dramatic south to east course change immediately to the south of Hirakud Dam and Reservoir (just off of lower right corner of the image). The highly reflective material within the floodplain of the Mahanadi River as well as the tributary streams, are extensive sandbars that become more visible, especially during periods of low water (November through May/June). The darker area on the image shows the distribution of hilly, wooded terrain. The darkest areas in this region of east central India have elevations that exceed 2000 feet (610 meters) above sea level.

This service is provided by the International Space Station program and the JSC Earth Science & Remote Sensing Unit, ARES Division, Exploration Integration Science Directorate.