Overview
Persistent wildfires across North America have generated huge volumes of smoke that were injected into the atmosphere. This smoke formed thick plumes that spread over large regions.
Formation of the Smoke Plumes
The intense fires produced massive smoke clouds that were clearly visible to satellite instruments. The plumes reached into the upper troposphere and were carried westward by prevailing winds.
Impact on the Volcanoes
The smoke settled over the peaks of the volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest, markedly reducing visibility. The volcanic terrain appeared beneath a thick gray veil.
Selection as Space Photo of the Day
The satellite image from August 17, 2026 impressively displayed the extensive smoke spread over the volcanic landscape and was chosen by the editors as the space photo of the day.