ISS009-E-12329
| NASA Photo ID | ISS009-E-12329 |
| Focal Length | 400mm |
| Date taken | 2004.06.17 |
| Time taken | 19:13:56 GMT |
Resolutions offered for this image:
1000 x 661 pixels 540 x 540 pixels 3032 x 2064 pixels 639 x 435 pixels
1000 x 661 pixels 540 x 540 pixels 3032 x 2064 pixels 639 x 435 pixels
Cloud masks available for this image:
Spacecraft nadir point: 20.4° N, 69.2° W
Photo center point: 19.7° N, 70.4° W
Photo center point by machine learning: 19.77° N, 70.43° W
Photo center point: 19.7° N, 70.4° W
Photo center point by machine learning: 19.77° N, 70.43° W
Nadir to Photo Center: Southwest
Spacecraft Altitude: 194 nautical miles (359km)
Country or Geographic Name: | DOMINICAN REPUBLIC |
Features: | SOSUA, REEFS, FOREST, CABARETE BAY |
| Features Found Using Machine Learning: | |
Cloud Cover Percentage: | 10 (1-10)% |
Sun Elevation Angle: | 54° |
Sun Azimuth: | 282° |
Camera: | Kodak DCS760c Electronic Still Camera |
Focal Length: | 400mm |
Camera Tilt: | 23 degrees |
Format: | 3060E: 3060 x 2036 pixel CCD, RGBG array |
Film Exposure: | |
| Additional Information | |
| Width | Height | Annotated | Cropped | Purpose | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 pixels | 661 pixels | No | Yes | Download Image | |
| 540 pixels | 540 pixels | Yes | Yes | NASA's Earth Observatory web site | Download Image |
| 3032 pixels | 2064 pixels | No | No | Download Image | |
| 639 pixels | 435 pixels | No | No | Download Image |
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Image Caption: Cabarete Bay, Dominican Republic:
The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea. The island has a variety of ecosystems ranging from arid plains to tropical rain forests created by three roughly parallel east-west mountain ranges. The northernmost of these ranges, the Cordillera Septentrional, is visible in this astronaut photograph as the dark green region north of the river. Clearcut regions within the Cordillera Septentrional are visible as irregular light green regions interspersed with dark green forested areas.
The northern coastline of the Dominican Republic in this image is a major tourist attraction due to its extensive beaches and coral reefs. Besides recreational opportunities, coral reefs provide protection for bays and critical habitat for numerous economically important marine species.
Cabarete Bay, a popular destination for surfers and divers, is formed by a barrier coral reef. Increased development of the city of Cabarete and deforestation of upland regions has resulted in increased urban and sediment runoff into the bay and impacted the health of the coral reefs. Overfishing of the coral reefs during the 1980s has also contributed to a decline in ecosystem function.
Environmental stress on the Dominican coral reefs is not due solely to human activities. Three major hurricanes have hit Hispaniola during the last 25 years, leading to direct physical destruction of coral reefs as well as large sediment pulses into coastal waters from debris flows (mudslides) and slope failures. Paradoxically, tourism in the Dominican Republic has helped alleviate one aspect of stress on the reefs. Many fishermen now work in tourist hotels for higher pay, decreasing fishing pressure on the coral reefs.
The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea. The island has a variety of ecosystems ranging from arid plains to tropical rain forests created by three roughly parallel east-west mountain ranges. The northernmost of these ranges, the Cordillera Septentrional, is visible in this astronaut photograph as the dark green region north of the river. Clearcut regions within the Cordillera Septentrional are visible as irregular light green regions interspersed with dark green forested areas.
The northern coastline of the Dominican Republic in this image is a major tourist attraction due to its extensive beaches and coral reefs. Besides recreational opportunities, coral reefs provide protection for bays and critical habitat for numerous economically important marine species.
Cabarete Bay, a popular destination for surfers and divers, is formed by a barrier coral reef. Increased development of the city of Cabarete and deforestation of upland regions has resulted in increased urban and sediment runoff into the bay and impacted the health of the coral reefs. Overfishing of the coral reefs during the 1980s has also contributed to a decline in ecosystem function.
Environmental stress on the Dominican coral reefs is not due solely to human activities. Three major hurricanes have hit Hispaniola during the last 25 years, leading to direct physical destruction of coral reefs as well as large sediment pulses into coastal waters from debris flows (mudslides) and slope failures. Paradoxically, tourism in the Dominican Republic has helped alleviate one aspect of stress on the reefs. Many fishermen now work in tourist hotels for higher pay, decreasing fishing pressure on the coral reefs.
