[Reading Science] Canadian Wildfire Smoke Traveled Across the Atlantic to Europe

NASA Releases Satellite Images Capturing Smoke

Smoke and air pollutants generated by massive wildfires in North America’s Canada have ultimately crossed the Atlantic Ocean, spanning over 2,000 miles, and reached the European continent.

Photo by NASA Earth Observatory website

NASA’s Earth Observatory revealed on the 29th (local time) an astonishing photo taken by NASA’s Terra satellite around 11:10 a.m. on the 28th between the Atlantic Ocean and Europe. The photo clearly captures smoke spread widely and thickly enough to envelop the entire Atlantic Ocean. Notably, black carbon particles, or soot clusters, contained in the smoke were distinctly observed crossing the Atlantic Ocean approximately 2,000 miles (3,218.7 km) eastward from North America’s Canada. According to NASA measurements, the carbon concentration of this soot cluster reached up to 20 grams per square meter.

Evidence was also captured showing that this smoke mass has already arrived in the skies over the European continent, causing hazy pollution. According to the observatory, aerosol optical depth (AOD) measuring instruments installed in northern Spain and France announced on the same day that the AOD in the airspace was above 0.5. AOD indicates the degree to which suspended particles in the atmosphere scatter light, and this region typically records about 0.1. Completely clear skies have an AOD below 0.05, while values above 3 mean the atmosphere is so polluted that it is difficult to see the sky.

Map of pollutants from Canadian wildfires. Photo by NASA Earth Observatory website

However, the air quality in the European region is still better than that of the United States and Canada. The observatory explained, “Most of the smoke that reached Europe remains at high altitudes, so it has less impact on human health,” adding, “Nevertheless, the smoke and pollutants spreading over European airspace will be noticeable to people and may darken and dull sunrises and sunsets.”

Meanwhile, the Canadian wildfires that began in early last month have occurred in 487 locations, turning a vast amount of forest into ashes. Among these, 253 remain uncontrollable. As a result, massive pollutants have spread through the smoke into the air, putting the United States on high alert, with 11 states issuing air quality warnings as of the 28th.