Middle East: Early Signs of Collapse

CROP FAILURE:
A MOST POWERFUL COLLAPSE MECHANISM

Yellow Rust Damages Crops in the Middle East

A severe infection of yellow rust has hit crops in wheat-growing regions in northern Syria, Iraq and southern Turkey, after a “crippling drought” that had lasted for nearly 3 years.

Download large image (4 MB, JPEG) Image acquired March 22, 2010 – April 6, 2010

Download large image (3 MB, JPEG). Image acquired May 25, 2010 – June 9, 2010

“The top image shows conditions between March 22 and April 6, 2010, compared to the average for the same period in 2000-2009. The lower image shows conditions for May 25 through June 9, 2010, compared to average. Places where plants were growing better or faster than average are green, while areas with less healthy plants are brown. ” The two maps are based on vegetation index data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. Source: NASA E/O

Related Links:

• 2010 Disasters
• Energy Dinosaurs
• Collapsing Cities – JULY 2010 UPDATE