Where on Earth: Seaweed Farms in South Korea

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What is forming the checkerboard pattern in this image? This quiz-form segment focuses on aquaculture visible in satellite imagery of the coast of South Korea. 

Credits


Produced by the Space Telescope Science Institute’s Office of Public Outreach in collaboration with the NASA Earth Observatory (https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/).

Story adapted from Image of the Day post by Adam Voiland: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/85747/seaweed-farms-in-south-korea

  • Image of South Korean seaweed farms in 2014 from Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8
  • Image of South Korean seaweed farms seen from surface level; FAO
  • Image of sushi; Pixabay
  • Written by Katherine Porter
  • Designed by Dani Player
  • Music from Yesh Music (ASCAP)

Transcript


(SPEECH)
[GENTLE MUSIC]
 
(DESCRIPTION)
Collage of distinct satellite images of natural phenomena.
 
Text, where on earth?
 
What is forming the checkered pattern in this image? Satellite image, water with organized dark lines. Text, A, oyster reefs in Mexico, B, garbage barges in Japan, C, fishing boats in Malaysia, D, seaweed farms in South Korea.
 
D is highlighted, seaweed farms in South Korea. Labels appear on map.
 
Text, Seaweed Farms in South Korea. Along the south coast of South Korea, seaweed is often grown on ropes which are held near the surface with buoys. This technique ensures that the seaweed gets enough light but doesn't scrape against the bottom during low tide. Images, nets of seaweed in ocean. Pieces of sushi.
 
Text, seaweed plays an important role in Korean, Cantonese, Japanese, and other cuisines. Globally, more than 90% of seaweed is grown on farms.
 
Seaweed farming has a relatively light environmental footprint because it does not require fresh water or fertilizer.
 
Operational Land Imager, Landsat 8.
 
The map recedes until we have the whole Earth before us . Text, Music courtesy of Yesh Music A S C A P .
 
Where on earth?