This mini lesson focuses on Landsat satellite data and how it is used to detect changes in land use. Students will answer questions based off of a NASA Video that features how Landsat data are interpreted in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, and gives examples of the effects insects and logging have with land management.

In this mini-lesson, students analyze soil moisture quantities associated with Hurricane Harvey around Houston, Texas on August 25, 2017.

Students examine satellite images of a recently formed island to identify areas of erosion and deposition.

Examine the images to see the projected differences in land use between 1900 and 2100. 

Students will analyze a pie chart (circle graph) showing the distribution of different parts of the Earth system's absorption and reflection of energy. 

Students examine satellite images of an island before and after a volcanic eruption to determine the impact of the eruption.

Compare images from two volcanic eruptions in the Kuril Islands which occurred ten years apart and complete a graphic organizer for impacts on different Earth spheres. 

Students will describe the changes in a newly-formed volcanic island over the first three years of its life.  

Students interpret a graph of surface temperatures taken from city districts and other types of communities.

Watch NASA videos about aerosols and volcanic ash.