9 September 2005

JPL Visualizations of New Orleans for Various Flood Depths

Anita M. Sohus of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory has sent simulated visualizations of the New Orleans region under various flood depth levels. The visualizations are based on data from the 2000 Shuttle Radar Topography Mission.

Much of New Orleans is below sea level. Figure 1 shows the region when New Orleans is fully protected from nearby Lake Pontchartrain by a system of levees. This image is based on radar data data from a February 2000 Space Shuttle mission. Colorizing was provided by the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission elevation model

Figure 2 shows the region during a 3-meter flood when the levees have been breached. Figure 3 shows the results of a 5-meter flood.

Forrest M. Mims III

 
Figure 1. This NASA colorized radar image of the New Orleans area shows the level of water under normal circumstances. The white box surrounds the downtown portion of the city. Image credit: NASA/JPL/NGA.
 
Figure 2. This image of the New Orleans area shows the water level in a 3 meter flood with the levees breached. Image credit: NASA/JPL/NGA.
 
Figure 3. This image of the New Orleans area shows the water level in a 5 meter flood with the levees breached. Image credit: NASA/JPL/NGA.
   
Copyright 2005 by Society for Amateur Scientists