The Aral Sea, Before the Streams Ran Dry

In 1964, it was the world's fourth largest lake. Thanks to irrigation projects, now it is mostly gone.

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Image from the U.S. Air Force KH-5 9066A reconnaissance satellite, the last of the Argon series. Declassified satellite imagery is archived by the USGS EROS Data Center. Caption by Robert Simmon and Mike Carlowicz, with original reporting from Rebecca Lindsey.

Published February 24, 2012
Data acquired August 22, 1964

Source:

Reconnaissance Satellite