This summer, Europe was severely affected by a heat wave that sparked a number of wildfires, with the Greek island of Rhodes severely affected. Satellite images show that approximately 18,000 hectares of land were extensively damaged between July 18 and 28. This Copernicus Sentinel-1 image shows the burn scars left by fires on the Greek island of Rhodes.
Satellite images of the Greek island of Rhodes show the burn scars left by this summer's wildfires. Image source: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2023), processed by ESA, CCBY-SA3.0IGO
Between July 18 and 28, 2023, wildfires occurred in Rhode Island. Fierce fires have ravaged nearly 18,000 hectares of land, destroying buildings, trapping animals and causing mass evacuations of thousands of tourists. This image uses two Copernicus Sentinel-1 radar images, one from July 12 and the other from July 24, to show how the land changed between the two collections.
Gray shading indicates areas with little or no change. Shades of red spread mainly from the mountainous center of the island to the southern coast, depicting the extent of the burned area - approximately 13,000 hectares.
Wildfires on the Greek island of Rhodes have spread from mountains to the coast, forcing thousands to evacuate. The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission captured this image of a burning fire on July 23, 2023. Image source: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2023), processed by ESA, CCBY-SA3.0IGO
It is evident from the red area that Lake Gadoura, surrounded by fire and located in the center of the island, is shown in black.
The capital of Rhodes, Rhodes Town, is located in the white area at the extreme northeastern tip of the island, while the outline of Rhodes International Airport is shown in black along the coastline to the southwest of the city. The black runway on the south side of the airport is part of the Marisa, Rhode Island Airport.
As global temperatures rise and extreme weather events surge, disasters such as wildfires have increased significantly around the world. Earth observation satellites such as the Copernicus Sentinel mission provide an "eye in the sky" to carefully monitor and map these crisis situations on a regional and global scale and provide valuable information for emergency response.
ESA recently reopened its World Fire Atlas, which uses data from Copernicus Sentinel-3 to provide a picture of the distribution of individual fires on the Earth's surface.
Situated in the azure waters of the southeastern Aegean Sea, Rhodes is the largest island in Greece's Dodecanese archipelago and a beacon for travelers seeking history, sun and sea. Often called the "Isle of Knights," Rhodes' legendary history is engraved in every cobblestone street, fortified city wall, and ancient temple.
Rhodes is located in the southeastern Aegean Sea and is the main island of the Dodecanese Islands. It is an important geological and geographical entity in Greece. The island covers an area of approximately 1,400 square kilometers and is testimony to the intricate interplay of tectonic processes, erosion and sedimentation accumulation over millions of years.
Rhode Island's geology is diverse, consisting primarily of metamorphic and igneous rocks that underlie its rugged terrain and coastline. The intersection of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates has shaped Rhode Island's turbulent geological history. Evidence of this can be found in the island's fold and thrust zones, which bear witness to the powerful forces that once shaped its topography.
Mount Ataviros is the highest peak in Rhodes and is a testament to the rugged beauty of the island. This majestic peak is more than 1,200 meters above sea level and offers stunning views of the Aegean Sea and surrounding areas. Rich in geological and historical significance, Mount Ataviros is not only a hiker's paradise but also a window into Rhodes' ancient legends and natural wonders.
The island's topography is characterized by a series of rolling hills and mountains, with the highest peak, Ataviros, over 1,200 meters above sea level. Composed mainly of limestone, interspersed with dense pine forests, these highlands provide valuable information on the region's karst processes and erosion patterns caused by the island's Mediterranean climate.
Rhodes' coastline stretches for nearly 220 kilometers and is filled with contrasts. The eastern coast faces the Aegean Sea and is generally composed of beaches and bays with gentle slopes. This is the result of the relative shelter and presence of finer sediments in the Aegean Basin. In contrast, the western coast, which borders the Mediterranean Sea, presents a more rugged and abrupt landscape, formed by the direct impact of prevailing waves and winds.
Rhodes' rich landscape offers a unique perspective on the dynamic geological history of the Aegean region and a living laboratory for those interested in studying the Earth's evolving history.