For 15 Years, GRACE Tracked Freshwater Movements Around the World

In 2016, NASA's GRACE mission observed significant changes in global freshwater storage due to water management, climate change, and natural cycles. The mission used satellite data to track water movement and identify trends. Key findings include glacier melting in Greenland, drought impacts in the Western US, increased rainfall in the Okavango Delta, and aquifer depletion in Saudi Arabia. Unexplained water loss in Northwest China was linked to agricultural redirection. The original GRACE satellites ceased in 2017, but a new mission, GRACE Follow-On, launched in 2018 to continue monitoring freshwater trends.

What is the primary purpose of the GRACE mission?

• To study the atmosphere of Mars

• To track the movement of water on Earth

• To monitor volcanic activity

• To explore outer space

What is one of the main causes of freshwater depletion in the Western United States?

• Rising sea levels

• Long-term drought

• Melting glaciers

• Excessive rainfall

How did the Okavango Delta region's freshwater storage change during the GRACE mission period?

• It was unaffected by climate change

• It increased due to higher rainfall

• It remained stable

• It decreased due to drought

What was a significant finding about freshwater storage in northern Saudi Arabia?

• It increased due to glacier melting

• It decreased due to increased irrigation

• It remained constant

• It was unaffected by human activity

What is the purpose of the GRACE Follow-On mission?

• To study the atmosphere of Venus

• To end the study of freshwater trends

• To continue monitoring freshwater trends globally

• To focus on ocean currents