NASA maps Beirut explosion damage from space with satellites
A NASA team, using data from a European satellite program, helped map the devastation caused when an explosion rocked Beirut, Lebanon on Aug. 4.
The NASA Advanced Rapid Imaging and Analysis (ARIA) team mapped the damage using synthetic aperture radar obtained from the Copernicus Sentinel program, from the European Space Agency. The radar shows changes to the ground before and after major events, such as earthquakes.
"Maps like this one can help identify badly damaged areas where people may need assistance," NASA, whose ARIA team worked in collaboration with the Earth Observatory of Singapore, said in a statement. "The explosion occurred near the city's port … and is estimated to have caused billions of dollars' worth of damage."
The worst of the damage, such as around the port of Beirut, shows as dark red pixels. Orange areas have moderate damage and areas in yellow are likely less affected. Each individual pixel represents an area of 33 yards (30 meters).
Beirut's devastation has been mapped by other satellites as well, including a SkySat satellite operated by San Francisco-based company Planet. The satellite imagery, released last week, showed the port area before and after the blast occurred.
More than 200 people are believed to have died from the explosion, according to the BBC, with dozens still missing in the wake of the blast. Three cabinet ministers and several members of Parliament have resigned; the blast was caused by more than 3,000 tons (2,750 metric tonnes) of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely for six years, the report added.
Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
Get the Space.com Newsletter
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
Elizabeth Howell (she/her), Ph.D., is a staff writer in the spaceflight channel since 2022 covering diversity, education and gaming as well. She was contributing writer for Space.com for 10 years before joining full-time. Elizabeth's reporting includes multiple exclusives with the White House and Office of the Vice-President of the United States, an exclusive conversation with aspiring space tourist (and NSYNC bassist) Lance Bass, speaking several times with the International Space Station, witnessing five human spaceflight launches on two continents, flying parabolic, working inside a spacesuit, and participating in a simulated Mars mission. Her latest book, "Why Am I Taller?", is co-written with astronaut Dave Williams. Elizabeth holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, a Bachelor of Journalism from Canada's Carleton University and a Bachelor of History from Canada's Athabasca University. Elizabeth is also a post-secondary instructor in communications and science at several institutions since 2015; her experience includes developing and teaching an astronomy course at Canada's Algonquin College (with Indigenous content as well) to more than 1,000 students since 2020. Elizabeth first got interested in space after watching the movie Apollo 13 in 1996, and still wants to be an astronaut someday. Mastodon: https://qoto.org/@howellspace