SPACEPHOTOS

Irtysh River, Russia October 1994. The Irtysh River and the Tobol River exhibit dramatic course changes and the rivers merge (slightly below and left of center) near the city of Tobolsk (less than 100000 people). The city is located on the high, eastern bank of the Irtysh River (near center of image). The Irtysh River drains westward (lower right) until it merges with the northerly flowing Tobol River (lower left). After the two rivers merge, the Irtysh River makes a ninety-degree turn to the north. Due to the very flat landscape that characterizes the vast West Siberian Plain, meander scars are pronounced and extensive. Several oxbow lakes (roughly shaped like horseshoes) show the location of former river channels. The dark, mainly oval-shaped features (upper left quadrant) are shallow lakes. The inherent infrared quality of the image (green vegetation is portrayed as shades of red) helps to identify pinkish-looking areas, mainly in the floodplains, where vegetative cover can be discriminated