This image, acquired by the Envisat satellite in April 2011, depicts a sandstorm blowing over Iran.Such storms are common in arid regions and are driven by strong winds lifting loose sand and dust from the ground.

• Image 1: Satellite: Envisat, Instrument: Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) - Full Resolution, Product: MER_FR_1P, Acquisition Date: 13 Apr 2011, Orbit number: 47678, Orbit direction: Descending, Band combination: 7, 5, 2
• Image 2: Satellite: Envisat, Instrument: Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) - Full Resolution, Product: MER_FR_1P, Acquisition Date: 11 Apr 2011, Orbit number: 47649, Orbit direction: Descending, Band combination: 7, 5, 2