Wind-induced dust emission from sources in the southwestern
United States is not a major contributor to global dust flux,
but it is important on a local and regional scale because of its
effects on air quality, human health and safety, and on
ecosystem function, through the depletion or addition of soil
nutrients and influence snow melt timing and water cycle. We are
studying how to integrate multiple methodologies and
technologies to detect dust events, assess wind-erosion
potential, and forecast dust emissions. Various factors make
satellite imaging of dust-storms problematic and a basic summary
of the strengths and weaknesses of each platform can be examined
here: Satellite Data Comparison Chart Each marker on the map
below catalogs known dust storm sources and events we have
recorded using various techniques and imaging platforms. Many
more events occur which have not been recorded due to poor
visibility factors including timing of satellite overpasses,
cloud cover, and night time storms. This project hig