Images of Change

Data, Graphs, and Maps

Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Earth and Space Sciences, Geography

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by NASA

Open Resource

What it is

NASA's Vital Signs library of satellite images showcases landscape changes over time due to a variety of factors such as floods, hurricanes, landslides, droughts, melting glaciers, etc.
Before and after images can be viewed as a curtain/slide, toggle, or side-by-side. The images can be downloaded.

Teaching tips

Positives

Students can see how natural disasters and extreme weather events change the landscape.
The text provides context for the images.
There are over 200 pairs of images.

Prerequisites

In order to see all of the images available, click on the four squares next to the main menu, at the top right.
To view the text, click on the blue arrow next to the title.

Differentiation & Implementation

This resource could be useful as a source of images for school projects, art classes, or classroom presentations.
Students can discuss the connection between human actions and changes in the land.

From the scientist review

This resource shows before and after images from around the globe. It is important to note that some of these after images are the result of climate change, while others are not. This resource is recommended for teaching.

How we review resources

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Hosted on climate.nasa.gov

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At a glance

Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Geography
Other types: Interactive Media
Language: English
Location: Earth
Provider: NASA
Authors: NASA
Published: April 27, 2021
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · MS-ESS3-2. + 7 more

Core

Core Standards legacy

MS-ESS3-2.MS-ESS3-2. Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
D2.Geo.2.6-8D2.Geo.2.6-8 Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions, and changes in their environmental characteristics.
D2.Geo.10.9-12D2.Geo.10.9-12 Evaluate how changes in the environmental and cultural characteristics of a place or region influence spatial patterns of trade and land use.
MS-ESS3-D.MS-ESS3-D. Human activities, such as the release of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels, are major factors in the current rise in Earth’s mean surface temperature (global warming). Reducing the level of climate change and reducing human vulnerability to whatever climate changes do occur depend on the understanding of climate science, engineering capabilities, and other kinds of knowledge, such as understanding of human behavior and on applying that knowledge wisely in decisions and activities. (MS-ESS3-5)

Connecticut Climate Education Hub

Connecticut Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

6.Geo.2.b.6.Geo.2.b. Explain the relationship between the locations of places and regional characteristics using maps and other representations (e.g., religious centers, Nile River flooding, sea level rise in Venice, New Northwest Passage).
MW.Geo.10.a.EvaluateMW.Geo.10.a.Evaluate how the cultural and environmental changes caused by industrialization influenced spatial patterns of trade and land use (e.g., Enclosure Movement, Bombay Spinning and Weaving Company, Treaty of Amity and Commerce, Suez Canal).
MS-ESS3-2.MS-ESS3-2. Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
MS-ESS3-D.MS-ESS3-D. Human activities, such as the release of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels, are major factors in the current rise in Earth’s mean surface temperature (global warming). Reducing the level of climate change and reducing human vulnerability to whatever climate changes do occur depend on the understanding of climate science, engineering capabilities, and other kinds of knowledge, such as understanding of human behavior and on applying that knowledge wisely in decisions and activities. (MS-ESS3-5)

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From the scientist review

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