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La NASA muestra el inesperado efecto de la sequía en el Canal de Panamá.
By: Sergio Parra
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La NASA muestra el inesperado efecto de la sequía en el Canal de Panamá
Medio Ambiente Calentamiento global
Inaugurado en 1914, el Canal de Panamá ha servido como una arteria vital, facilitando el tránsito entre los océanos Atlántico y Pacífico, con un tráfico anual de hasta 14.000 barcos.
Periodista especializado en temas de ciencia, naturaleza, tecnología y salud.
La belleza y la tranquilidad de las azules aguas del Pacífico en la imagen satelital que acompaña este artículo contrastan dramáticamente con la dura realidad que enfrenta uno de los pasajes acuáticos más vitales del mundo: el Canal de Panamá. A través de la lente imparcial del Operational Land Imager (OLI) en Landsat 8, la NASA ha capturado una vista pocas veces despejada de la acumulación de barcos en espera en el lado pacífico del canal, el 18 de agosto de 2023.
Un tapiz de naves que se asemeja a brillantes rectángulos de colores que flotan en una inmensidad azul, señala un problema que va en aumento y que demanda atención urgente.
Desde su apertura en 1914, el Canal de Panamá ha servido como una arteria vital, facilitando el tránsito entre los océanos Atlántico y Pacífico, con un tráfico anual de hasta 14.000 barcos.
¿Cómo sería el mundo si las temperaturas subieran 3 grados?
Esta maravilla de la ingeniería de 80 kilómetros de longitud, que transcurre a través del Istmo de Panamá, se ha convertido en un eslabón crucial en la cadena del comercio global. Pero hoy, se encuentra amenazado por una sequía severa que está minando su operatividad día tras día.
EN SU PUNTO MÁS CRÍTICO
Las imágenes recientes, cortesía de la NASA Earth Observatory y el artífice de la imagen, Wanmei Liang, presentan un Canal de Panamá en su punto más crítico. Las lluvias escasas han reducido drásticamente los niveles de los lagos artificiales que alimentan las esclusas del canal, alcanzando niveles casi récord. Ya en 2019 la región registró una reducción del 20% de lluvias en comparación a la media, convirtiéndose en el quinto año más seco desde los años 50.
Concretamente, el lago que proporciona el agua necesaria para hacer funcionar el mecanismo de esclusas es el Gatún, una extensión de 430 kilómetros cuadrados. El problema es que el Gatún se está secando. Este fenómeno ha provocado una disminución significativa en el número de pasajes diarios permitidos, causando una acumulación considerable de navíos que se ven obligados a esperar su turno para cruzar.
La increíble fotografía satelital del 18 de agosto ofrece una ventana hacia un punto de tensión que está afectando a una de las rutas comerciales más significativas del mundo. Mientras el océano Pacífico muestra su inmensidad azul, la línea recta de agua que atraviesa el país, pasando por las edificaciones rojas y tostadas del Puerto de Balboa, es un recordatorio de la interacción constante entre la humanidad y la naturaleza, y cómo esta relación está siendo probada en tiempos de cambios climáticos sin precedentes.
SMARTCAT
NASA shows the unexpected effect of drought on the Panama Canal
Environment Global warming
Opened in 1914, the Panama Canal has served as a vital artery, facilitating transit between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, with annual traffic of up to 14,000 ships.
Journalist specialized in science, nature, technology and health issues.
The beauty and tranquility of the blue waters of the Pacific in the satellite image that accompanies this article contrast dramatically with the harsh reality facing one of the most vital water passages in the world: the Panama Canal. Through the unbiased lens of the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8, NASA has captured a rarely clear view of the buildup of waiting ships on the Pacific side of the channel, August 18, 2023.
A tapestry of ships that resembles brightly colored rectangles floating in a blue immensity points to a growing problem that demands urgent attention.
Since its opening in 1914, the Panama Canal has served as a vital artery, facilitating transit between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, with annual traffic of up to 14,000 ships.
What would the world be like if temperatures rose 3 degrees?
This 80-kilometer-long engineering marvel, which runs through the Isthmus of Panama, has become a crucial link in the chain of global trade. But today, it is threatened by a severe drought that is undermining its operations day after day.
AT ITS MOST CRITICAL POINT
The recent images, courtesy of NASA Earth Observatory and the creator of the image, Wanmei Liang, present a Panama Canal at its most critical point. Poor rains have drastically reduced the levels of the artificial lakes that feed the canal locks, reaching near record levels. Already in 2019, the region recorded a 20% reduction in rainfall compared to the average, becoming the fifth driest year since the 1950s.
Specifically, the lake that provides the water necessary to operate the lock mechanism is Gatún, an area of 430 square kilometers. The problem is that the Gatún is drying out. This phenomenon has caused a significant decrease in the number of daily passages allowed, causing a considerable accumulation of vessels that are forced to wait their turn to cross.
The incredible satellite photograph from August 18 offers a window into a point of tension that is affecting one of the world's most significant trade routes. As the Pacific Ocean shows its blue immensity, the straight line of water that crosses the country, passing by the red and tan buildings of the Port of Balboa, is a reminder of the constant interaction between humanity and nature, and how this relationship is being tested in times of unprecedented climate change.
METCAT
NASA shows the unexpected effect of drought on the Panama Canal
Environment Global Warming
Opened in 1914, the Panama Canal has served as a vital artery, facilitating transit between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, with annual traffic of up to 14,000 ships.
Journalist specialising in science, nature, technology and health. The beauty and tranquility of the blue waters of the Pacific in the satellite image that accompanies this article contrast dramatically with the harsh reality facing one of the most vital water passages in the world: the Panama Canal. Through the unbiased lens of the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8, NASA has captured a rarely clear view of the buildup of ships on standby on the Pacific side of the canal, on August 18, 2023.
A tapestry of ships that resembles brightly colored rectangles floating in a blue immensity points to a growing problem that demands urgent attention.
Opened in 1914, the Panama Canal has served as a vital artery, facilitating transit between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, with annual traffic of up to 14,000 ships.
What would the world be like if temperatures rose 3 degrees?
This 80-kilometer-long engineering marvel, which runs across the Isthmus of Panama, has become a crucial link in the chain of the Global Trade. But today, it is threatened by a severe drought that is undermining its operation day after day.
AT ITS MOST CRITICAL POINT
The recent images, courtesy of NASA Earth Observatory and the image's creator, Wanmei Liang, present a Panama Canal at its most critical. Scarce rainfall has drastically reduced the levels of the artificial lakes that feed the canal's locks, reaching near-record levels. In 2019, the region recorded a 20% reduction in rainfall compared to the average, making it the fifth driest year since the 1950s.
Specifically, the lake that provides the water necessary to operate the lock mechanism is the Gatun, an area of 430 square kilometers. The problem is that the Gatun is drying out. This phenomenon has caused a significant decrease in the number of daily passages allowed, causing a considerable accumulation of ships that are forced to wait their turn to cross.
The incredible satellite photograph from August 18 offers a window into a point of tension that is affecting one of the world's most significant trade routes. While the Pacific Ocean shows its blue immensity, the straight line of water that crosses the country, passing through the red and tan buildings of the Port of Balboa, is a reminder of the constant interaction between humanity and nature, and how this relationship is being tested in times of unprecedented climate change.
Comment:
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