Noroozi, Aliakbar
NOAA-AVHRR images of the period from May 13, 1991 to July 13, 1991 indicate the movement and persistence of
smoke over Iran. Smoke is clearly visible over Iran, particularly over the provinces of Bushehr, Khuzestan, and over the
coastal zone of Iran.
On June 14, 1991, the wind was stable and decreased in force compared to the preceding days, so heavy smoke and soot
concentrated over the Northern part of the Persian Gulf, particularly over Abadan, Shadegan, Mahshahr (48?31* E and
30°.53’ N) in Iran as well as over Kuwait itself.
On June 15, 1991 the wind direction changed to South and Southwest, so heavy smoke and soot concentrations were
distributed over Bushehr and Southern Khuzestan as well as over the Iran-Iraq border area. In spite of the dispersion of
the smoke over this large area, high concentrations of heavy smoke were still visible over the Shadegan and Abadan
areas, as can clearly be observed on the NOAA, band 1 image dated June 15, 1991.
A colour composite image of band 1, 2 and 3 (RGB), of June 15, 1991 shows a smoke plume that extends to the Iran-
Iraq border (Plate 2). The source of this smoke (the burning wells near Kuwait City) can be clearly distinguished on this
colour composite image. After a few days of variable wind directions, a more stable southwestern wind established for
the period June 20 to June 24, 1991. Consequently, smoke and soot was moved to the interior of Iran. NOAA-AVHRR
images of this period (June 21 and June 22, 1991) show smoke and soot over Iran, particularly over Ahwaz (the capital
of Khuzestan) and the Fars province, as well as over the areas of Abadan and Shadegan.
Plate 2 False Colour Composite Image Band 1, 2 and 3 (RGB) shows smoke intrusion over Iran. Dated June
15, 1991 (After SCWMRC, 1998) — | /
1022 International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXIII, Part B7. Amsterdam 2000.
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