April 28, 2024

Rhine River – Europe’s Second-Largest River – Runs Dry

Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite images reveal the plain distinction in between August 2021 and August 2022 on the Rhine River near Cologne.
Water levels on the Rhine River, Europes second-largest river, have continued to due to skyrocketing temperatures and absence of rains. The low water levels are preventing lots of vessels from browsing through the waters at full capability. The Copernicus Sentinel-2 objective recorded satellite pictures of part of the Rhine River near Cologne. They reveal the stark difference in between August 2021 and August 2022.
Streaming from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea, the Rhine River is an essential shipping path for lots of items from grains to chemicals to coal. When water levels drop, cargo vessels require to sail with decreased load, so they do not run aground.
Rhine River on August 25, 2021. Credit: Contains customized Copernicus Sentinel information (2021 ), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
Water levels at the chokepoint of Kaub, near Frankfurt, fell to 32 cm (13 inches) in depth on Monday, down from 42 cm (17 inches) last week. This implies that existing levels are making it challenging for larger ships to browse through the waters.

Water levels on the Rhine River, Europes second-largest river, have actually continued to due to soaring temperature levels and absence of rains. The Copernicus Sentinel-2 objective captured satellite images of part of the Rhine River near Cologne. They reveal the plain distinction in between August 2021 and August 2022.

The low water levels are emerging earlier than typical, with the most affordable water levels usually taped in September or October. Reduced temperature levels and anticipated rains forecasted for this week may use much-needed relief to the Rhine.
Rhine River on August 12, 2022. Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2022 ), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
The phenomenon dealing with the Rhine prevails across much of Europe after a dry and uncommonly hot summer season, which caused wildfires and water shortages.
The Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites record high-resolution imagery that supply info about the conditions in the world, such as plant life, soil, and seaside locations. The objective consists of 2 satellites both of which bring an ingenious multispectral imager– an electronic camera that captures optical images over a series of wavelengths beyond visible light.