Earth as Art: Portraits from Space

In this collection of satellite photographs, the U.S. Geological Survey has assembled a colorful and striking portrait of the Earth’s land and sea surfaces as seen from space. These Landsat images, compiled in the “Earth as Art 3” collection, depict the planet in surreal hues and fantastic shapes: a rugged, volcanic, Icelandic coastline that resembles the face of a tiger; the Siberian tundra in autumnal greens, golds, and rust-reds; and the sky blue of Antarctica’s Byrd Glacier as it flows through mountains. After looking at these remarkable photographs taken from 450 miles above the earth, USGS scientists said they decided to publish the images because they “went beyond scientific value and inspired [the] imagination.”