May 23rd, 2012 Category: Image of the day, Phytoplankton, Rivers, Sediments

United Kingdom - May 22nd, 2012

A bright blue phytoplankton bloom, separated into two close yet separate areas, can be observed in the North Sea off the coast of the United Kingdom. Also visible by the coast are sediments from several rivers. Southwest of the phytoplankton bloom are sediments from the rivers Witham, Welland, Nene and Great Ouse, in the Wash, the square-mouthed bay and estuary on the northwest margin of East Anglia on the east coast of England, where Norfolk meets Lincolnshire. It is among the largest estuaries in the United Kingdom. Further down the coast are sediments from the River Thames, east of London. On the opposite side of the island are sediments from the River Severn in the Severn Estuary and the Bristol Channel.

Tags: Bristol Channel England Great Ouse London North Sea Phytoplankton River Nene River Severn River Thames River Welland River Witham Severn Estuary Thames Estuary The Wash United Kingdom | Comments |

October 31st, 2011 Category: Rivers

United Kingdom - October 28th, 2011

The Bristol Channel is a major inlet in the island of Great Britain, separating South Wales from Devon and Somerset in South West England. Here, it appears brown in color due to sediments. It extends from the lower estuary of the River Severn to the North Atlantic Ocean. It takes its name from the English city of Bristol, and is over 30 miles (50 km) across at its widest point.

The upper limit of the Channel is between Sand Point, Somerset and Lavernock Point in South Wales. East of this line is the Severn Estuary. Western and northern Pembrokeshire, and north Cornwall are outside the defined limits of the Bristol Channel, and are considered part of the seaboard of the Atlantic Ocean, more specifically the Celtic Sea.

Tags: Bristol Channel England River Severn Severn Estuary United Kingdom Wales | Comments |

October 29th, 2011 Category: Vegetation Index

United Kingdom - October 28th, 2011

This FAPAR image shows the vegetation index of the United Kingdom (upper left) and stretches over France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

Photosynthetic activity is highest (rusty red) in western England and Wales, particularly near the Bristol Channel. The rest of the image shows a generally good (green) vegetation index.

Tags: Belgium Bristol Channel FAPAR France Germany Netherlands United Kingdom | Comments |

September 29th, 2011 Category: Image of the day, Rivers, Sediments

UK and France - September 28th, 2011

Greenish gold sediments pour from the River Thames, in England, through its estuary, and into the North Sea. From there, currents carry them northeastward, parallel to the coasts of France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

On the opposite side of the United Kingdom, reddish brown sediments from the River Severn flow into the Bristol Channel. The channel separates southern Wales from southwestern England.

Tags: Belgium Bristol Channel England France Netherlands North Sea River Severn River Thames Thames Estuary United Kingdom Wales | Comments |