Baghdad, Iraq Click Image to Enlarge  (JPG) (2,497,286 bytes) ( 2,898 x 3,190 )

The plumes, which originate along major roads and canals, are believed to be burning pools of oil from pipelines. The plumes, which blanket large sections of the city of approximately 5 million, are creating an environmental health hazard for residents of the city and surrounding regions. The image covers an area of 44 by 46 kilometers (27 by 29 miles) at a spatial resolution of 15 meters (49.2 feet). ASTER's broad spectral coverage and high spectral resolution are ideally suited for monitoring dynamic environmental conditions caused by natural and human-induced factors. The image was acquired March 31, 2003 and is located at 33.3 degrees north latitude and 44.4 degrees east longitude.