Tornadoes Hit Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas
May 11 | Newsweek
At least 18 people were killed and many more were injured when tornadoes tore across the Oklahoma / Missouri border on Saturday. The storms also caused property damage in Arkansas.
Related stories.
|
|
 |
Drought Conditions Continue in the Southern US
February 11 | NOAA Climate Prediction Center
NOAA’s Seasonal Drought Outlook shows developing drought conditions continuing in the southern United States with areas of developing drought in Florida, Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado.
Related stories.
|
 |
NASA Image
|
Tropical Storm Erin Rainfall Map
August 28 | Earth Observatory
Between August 10th and 20th Tropical Storm Erin tracked over Texas and Oklahoma dropping significant amounts of rain and producing heavy flooding. This image shows rainfall totals along the storm’s track. Highest rainfall totals centered over Oklahoma where between 8 and 10 inches fell.
Related stories.
|
 |
Ames Astrobleme Museum
August 4 | Enid News
About 450 million years ago an object from space crashed into the area that is now Ames, Oklahoma producing a crater that is several miles across. The town of Ames is now located in the center of this crater. Several producing oil wells have been developed in the crater in what most would initially believe to be an unlikely location for a hydrocarbon reservoir. A museum featuring the crater will be dedicated in Ames on August 18th.
Related stories.
|
 |
NASA Image
|
Mapping Precipitation in Texas and Oklahoma
July 2 | Earth Observatory
Texas and Oklahoma have been deluged with rain over the past two weeks, causing significant flooding and other problems. Many areas of these states received over 12 inches of rain in just a few days and numerous rainfall records have been broken. NASA has an interesting precipitation map showing the cumulative rainfall for the period between June 20th and June 28th. Their rainfall map was created from satellite data. The article explains why ground-based data can be in disagreement with the satellite data - it’s a matter of resolution.
Related stories.
|
 |
USGS Image
|
Water Level Declines in the High Plains Aquifer
June 9 | USGS
USGS has released a fact sheet that contains interesting maps and data documenting water level declines in the High Plains Aquifer. This important aquifer underlies over 100 million acres in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. Water levels in the aquifer have been in decline since it was first tapped for irrigating crops. Enormous declines - often over 150 feet (pre-development to 2005) - have been measured in many areas. This is a short report in .pdf format and worth a look just to see the maps. Reference: USGS Fact Sheet 2007-3029, Changes in Water Levels and Storage in the High Plains Aquifer, Predevelopment to 2005.
Related stories.
|
 |
US Weather Service Image
|
Tornado Strikes Greensburg Kansas
May 6 | CBS News
A powerful tornado has devastated the town of Greensburg in southwest Kansas, killing nine people and causing many injuries. About 95 percent of the homes in the town of about 1400 people were destroyed. Other tornadoes were generated by the storm and they struck other communities in Kansas and Oklahoma. A state of emergency has been declared and many Greensburg residents are being evacuated to neighboring towns for housing and care.
Related stories.
|
 |

Google Earth
|
Free High Resolution Satellite Images - Google Earth
Promotion | Geology.com
Google Earth is a free download that will allow you to view recent satellite images of Earth in 3D. Worldwide coverage. Fly over landscapes and cities, or zoom in on your house! This is the same program used by national news networks to give you great satellite images. Free download.
|
 |
|
|
 |