Table of Contents
Aerial View of Fire Damages: Catastrophic Scars on Rhodes, a Greek Island
Satellite imagery of Rhodes, a Greek island, displays the aftermath of wildfires that ravaged the region this summer. Credit: Incorporates altered Copernicus Sentinel data (2023), processed by the European Space Agency, under license CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO.
During this summer, Europe was assailed by an unyielding heatwave, giving rise to multiple wildfires. The Greek island of Rhodes was among the most adversely affected locations. Satellite images offer a visual record of the widespread destruction, with approximately 18,000 hectares of land laid waste between July 18 and July 28, 2023.
This Copernicus Sentinel-1 imagery illustrates the charred remnants of landscape following the forest fires on Rhodes Island.
In the timespan from July 18 to July 28 of 2023, wildfires erupted across the island of Rhodes. Intense fires incinerated nearly 18,000 hectares, causing building collapses, endangering wildlife, and necessitating the large-scale evacuation of tourists.
This particular image employs two Copernicus Sentinel-1 radar snapshots, captured on July 12 and July 24, to demonstrate the alterations in the landscape during the twelve-day period.
Grey shades signify regions that underwent minimal or no change. Red hues, predominantly emanating from the central mountainous region and extending to the southern coast, delineate the expanse of the burn zone—covering an area of roughly 13,000 hectares.
The conflagration on Rhodes necessitated the evacuation of thousands as it spread from mountainous terrains to the island’s coastline. Captured on July 23, 2023, this image is credited to the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.
Gadoura Lake, appearing as a black region at the island’s center, found itself encircled by the flames, as indicated by the surrounding red zones.
The island’s capital, also named Rhodes, is visible as a white expanse at the northeastern apex, whereas Rhodes International Airport is discernible as a black area on the southwestern coast. Additional black streaks to the airport’s south belong to Rhodes Maritsa Airport.
Amidst the rising global temperatures and the uptick in extreme weather incidents, calamities such as wildfires have become increasingly prevalent worldwide. Earth-monitoring satellites like the Copernicus Sentinel missions serve as invaluable tools for comprehensive oversight and mapping of these emergency situations on both regional and global scales.
The European Space Agency has recently reactivated its World Fire Atlas, utilizing Copernicus Sentinel-3 data to provide insights into the geographic dispersion of individual fires across the Earth’s surface.
Situated in the crystalline waters of the southeastern Aegean, Rhodes is the largest island in Greece’s Dodecanese archipelago and serves as a magnet for tourists interested in history, sun, and the ocean. Its rich history is intricately woven into its cobblestone streets, fortified barriers, and ancient edifices.
Positioned in the southeastern Aegean, Rhodes is the dominant island within the Dodecanese chain and represents a significant geological and geographical feature of Greece. Covering an area of about 1,400 square kilometers, the island is a living monument to the complex interplay of tectonic activities, erosive processes, and sedimentary buildup over eons.
From a geological standpoint, Rhodes is characterized by a varied composition of primarily metamorphic and igneous rocks, which serve as the bedrock for its rugged topography and coastlines. Such geological diversity is a consequence of the collision between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, as evidenced by the island’s numerous fold and thrust belts.
The island’s highest elevation, Ataviros, rises to a height of over 1,200 meters and offers panoramic vistas of the Aegean Sea and surrounding landscapes. Renowned for its geological and historical import, Ataviros remains a destination for hikers and those interested in Rhodes’ natural and historical facets.
The island’s topography consists of rolling hills and mountains, including its highest peak, Ataviros, which has an elevation surpassing 1,200 meters. These elevated terrains, largely limestone-based and interspersed with dense pine forests, yield critical data on the island’s karstic and erosional patterns, influenced by its Mediterranean climate.
Rhodes’ coastline, extending nearly 220 kilometers, presents a dichotomy. The eastern shores, which face the Aegean Sea, predominantly feature gentle slopes and coves, a byproduct of the Aegean basin’s relatively sheltered condition and finer sedimentary deposits. In contrast, the western coastline, facing the Mediterranean, showcases a more rugged and abrupt topography, molded by the direct influence of prevailing sea currents and winds.
Given its intricate geomorphological attributes, the island of Rhodes serves as a unique vantage point for understanding the evolving geological story of the Aegean region. It thus acts as an invaluable field of study for those inclined to explore Earth’s ever-changing geological narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Wildfires on Rhodes Island
What is the main focus of the report?
The main focus of the report is the devastating wildfires that occurred on the Greek island of Rhodes during the summer of 2023. The article uses Copernicus Sentinel satellite imagery to showcase the extent of the damage and discusses its implications.
How much land was affected by the wildfires on Rhodes?
Approximately 18,000 hectares of land were affected by the wildfires that raged between July 18 and July 28, 2023.
What sources of data are utilized in the report?
The report primarily relies on Copernicus Sentinel satellite imagery, processed by the European Space Agency, to document and assess the wildfire damage.
What is the Copernicus Sentinel mission?
The Copernicus Sentinel mission is a series of Earth observation satellites launched by the European Space Agency. They offer valuable data for monitoring and mapping crises such as wildfires, among other environmental and emergency situations.
How does the report indicate the affected areas?
The report uses shades of grey and red in the satellite imagery to indicate areas that underwent little to no change and areas that were extensively burned, respectively.
What were the emergency measures taken during the wildfires?
The report mentions that thousands of people were evacuated from the island, although it does not go into detail about other emergency response measures.
How does the report connect the wildfires to global climate change?
The article indicates that with the rising global temperatures and increasing incidents of extreme weather, disasters like wildfires are becoming more prevalent around the world.
What is the World Fire Atlas?
The World Fire Atlas is a recently reactivated resource by the European Space Agency, which uses Copernicus Sentinel-3 data to offer insights into the geographic dispersion of individual fires across Earth’s surface.
What is the geological significance of Rhodes?
Rhodes has a varied geological composition primarily consisting of metamorphic and igneous rocks, influenced by the collision between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates. The island serves as an invaluable field of study for those interested in Earth’s ever-evolving geological narrative.
What are some of the geomorphological features of Rhodes?
The island is characterized by rolling hills and mountains, with limestone-based elevated terrains interspersed with dense pine forests. Its coastline extends nearly 220 kilometers, presenting a dichotomy of gently sloping eastern shores and more rugged western shores.
More about Wildfires on Rhodes Island
- Copernicus Sentinel Program
- European Space Agency
- World Fire Atlas
- Climate Change and Wildfires
- Geology of Rhodes
- Emergency Response to Wildfires
- Heatwaves and Climate Impact
- Aegean Sea Geology
- Rhodes Tourism and History
- Global Wildfire Monitoring Center
8 comments
The article mentions a ‘World Fire Atlas’? gotta check that out. Sounds like an important resource for tracking wildfires globally.
See, this is what happens when we ignore climate change. We’ve got to do better, people. This isn’t a joke anymore.
Wow, this is really devastating. Can’t believe how much of Rhodes got destroyed! The satellite images really bring home the scale of it.
This report is comprehensive, not just about the fires but the geological makeup of the island too. The tectonic stuff is pretty cool, albeit in a grim context.
I’m impressed with what Copernicus Sentinel can do. Those satellites are like the Earth’s watchdogs. But still, wish they were used for happier news.
The use of Copernicus Sentinel data is pretty detailed here. Makes you appreciate what technology can do to help us understand natural disasters.
I’ve been to Rhodes and its such a beautiful place, full of history. heartbreaking to see it like this 🙁
I live near Rhodes and we could even smell the smoke. terrifying times. Hopefully, they’ll recover soon.