November 17th, 2009 Category: Image of the day, Lakes, Rivers

USA - November 10th, 2009

Louisiana Lakes and Bays

Houston, Texas

The waters in the Gulf of Mexico off the coasts of Texas (to the west) and Louisiana (to the east), USA, are laden with sediments. Those in bays and released from rivers by the Louisiana shores are a thick, muddy brown, while those flanking the Texas shoreline are diluted to a greener hue.

The first close-up focuses on the city of Houston, the largest city within the state of Texas. The city, most of which is situated on the gulf coastal plain, is connected to a large bay to the southeast. This bay is divided into three sections: Trinity Bay (north), East Bay (east) and Galveston Bay (south). Here, the bay is mostly colored light brown from sediments, which can then be sen spilling out into the Gulf.

The second close-up depicts a series of lakes and bays  filled with dark brown sediments along the Louisiana coastline. These are, from left to right, Sabine Lake, Calcasieu Lake, Grand Lake, White Lake, Vermilion  Bay and West Cote Blanche Bay.

Tags: Calcasieu Lake East Bay Galveston Bay Grand Lake Gulf of Mexico Houston Louisiana Sabine Lake Sediments Texas Trinity Bay USA Vermilion Bay West Cote Blanche Bay White Lake |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | | Comments (1)

March 2nd, 2009 Category: Snapshots

Houston, Texas, USA - March 1st, 2009

Houston (center left) is the fourth-largest city in the USA and the largest city within the state of Texas. As of the 2007 U.S. Census estimate, the city has a population of 2.2 million within an area of 600 square miles (1,600 km²).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 601.7 square miles (1,558.4 km²); this comprises 579.4 square miles (1,500.7 km²) of land and 22.3 square miles (57.7 km²) of water.

Most of Houston is located on the gulf coastal plain, and its vegetation is classified as temperate grassland and forest.

Much of the city was built on forested land, marshes, swamp, or prairie, which are all still visible in surrounding areas.

Houston has four major bayous passing through the city. Buffalo Bayou runs through downtown and the Houston Ship Channel, and has three tributaries: White Oak Bayou, Braes Bayou and Sims Bayou.

Houston is connected to the large bay to the southeast by a shipping channel. The bay, which is actually divided into three sections: Trinity Bay (north), East Bay (east) and Galveston Bay (south), is then connected to the Gulf of Mexico.

The bays are brown and green from sediments.

Tags: Braes Bayou Buffalo Bayou East Bay Galveston Bay Gulf of Mexico Houston Houston Chip Channel Sediments Sims Bayou Texas Trinity Bay USA White Oak Bayou |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | | Leave a comment