Quantcast
Last updated on May 25, 2013 at 17:29 EDT
Betsiboka Estuary
2489 of 3586

Betsiboka Estuary

June 1, 2006

This MODIS image shows the Betsiboka Estuary, located on the northwest coast of Madagascar. Over the last century, a great deal of Madagascar's rainforests and coastal mangroves have been cleared, resulting in increased erosion of the land.

After heavy rains, the bright red soil is washed from the hillsides into the streams and rivers. As a result, this estuary, which is the mouth of Madagascar's largest river, appears bright red.