NASA releases satellite imagery of Brazil's Lençóis Maranhenses

NASA has released satellite imagery of the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in Maranhão, Brazil, captured by the Landsat 9 satellite. The images highlight the unique landscape of white quartz dunes, some reaching 30 meters in height, interspersed with seasonal freshwater lagoons.

Despite its desert-like appearance, the region is not climatically a desert. It receives approximately 125 centimeters of rainfall annually, a volume exceeding that of Seattle and roughly double the average precipitation of London. This rainfall fills the depressions between the dunes, creating a mosaic of blue and green lagoons.

The formation of these lagoons is aided by a partially impermeable layer of rock and clay beneath the sand, which prevents the water from draining immediately during the rainy season. The park covers approximately 900 square kilometers, making it the largest coastal dune field in South America.