John Amos
@johnamos.bsky.social
Earth observer, tree hugger, hiker/biker/landscape lover.
Zombie facilities from the fracking boom are another pollution risk. Latest example: www.pennlive.com/news/2025/08...
Oily substance from tank in closed Pa. facility leaks into the Susquehanna River
The oil flowed down a ramp outside the building into a storm drain, eventually getting into the river a short distance away where it was discovered by fishermen.
www.pennlive.com
August 19, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Zombie facilities from the fracking boom are another pollution risk. Latest example: www.pennlive.com/news/2025/08...
Celebrating the recovery of a river: www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/u...
First Time in 100 Years: Young Kayakers on a Ride for the Ages
www.nytimes.com
August 15, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Celebrating the recovery of a river: www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/u...
The SkyTruth tech team is working to solve an urgent climate problem: detecting plumes of methane from offshore oil platforms and other facilities: skytruth.org/2025/08/brea...
Breaking Ground in Offshore Methane Detection
Finding methane plumes in the vast ocean using satellite innovation In July 2025, we ran a focused four week Research and Development (R&D) sprint to test how open-access satellite imagery cou…
skytruth.org
August 13, 2025 at 6:41 PM
The SkyTruth tech team is working to solve an urgent climate problem: detecting plumes of methane from offshore oil platforms and other facilities: skytruth.org/2025/08/brea...
The Shadow Fleet Crisis: highlighting the increasing maritime security and environmental threat posed by the growing "dark fleet" of oil tankers at sea: sevenseasmedia.org/shadow-fleet...
More on SkyTruth's related work: skytruth.org/section/brin...
More on SkyTruth's related work: skytruth.org/section/brin...
The Shadow Fleet Crisis: When Ocean Conservation Meets Global Security
An unprecedented maritime environmental threat demands urgent, coordinated action. By Mark J. Spalding, J.D. In the vast expanse of our global ocean, a new environmental crisis is unfolding that deman...
sevenseasmedia.org
August 7, 2025 at 6:29 PM
The Shadow Fleet Crisis: highlighting the increasing maritime security and environmental threat posed by the growing "dark fleet" of oil tankers at sea: sevenseasmedia.org/shadow-fleet...
More on SkyTruth's related work: skytruth.org/section/brin...
More on SkyTruth's related work: skytruth.org/section/brin...
Glad to see NISAR finally get off the ground. And - at last! - the US has a civilian radar satellite in orbit once again, in partnership with India. It's been a long time since Seasat (disco inferno, anyone?): earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/15461...
Advanced U.S.-India Radar Mission Lifts Off
The NISAR satellite will detect the movement of land and ice surfaces with centimeter precision, aiding in a range of applications from disaster response and infrastructure monitoring to agricultural ...
earthobservatory.nasa.gov
August 6, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Glad to see NISAR finally get off the ground. And - at last! - the US has a civilian radar satellite in orbit once again, in partnership with India. It's been a long time since Seasat (disco inferno, anyone?): earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/15461...
This is why SkyTruth built Cerulean to automatically detect oil pollution and name those responsible: the first critical step toward finally bringing an end to intentional oil pollution at sea. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Try out Cerulean: skytruth.org/cerulean/
Try out Cerulean: skytruth.org/cerulean/
Only 0.5% of 90,000 oil slicks reported over five-year period, analysis finds
Pollution incidents reported between 2014 and 2019 were compared against scientific study that used satellite imagery to count slicks
www.theguardian.com
July 29, 2025 at 9:00 PM
This is why SkyTruth built Cerulean to automatically detect oil pollution and name those responsible: the first critical step toward finally bringing an end to intentional oil pollution at sea. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Try out Cerulean: skytruth.org/cerulean/
Try out Cerulean: skytruth.org/cerulean/
Fires raging near the Grand Canyon: earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/15454...
Fires Rage in Arizona
Two lightning-ignited fires near the Grand Canyon became large and destructive in July 2025.
earthobservatory.nasa.gov
July 16, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Fires raging near the Grand Canyon: earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/15454...
My first job was in PA, monitoring (taxpayer-funded!) cleanup efforts at abandoned, unplugged oil and gas wells that regularly blurped up waxy, oily produced water and methane.
This is a national problem, and the more we drill, the bigger this problem is going to get: www.npr.org/2025/07/07/n...
This is a national problem, and the more we drill, the bigger this problem is going to get: www.npr.org/2025/07/07/n...
Defunct oil wells are a national problem. Finding them is the first step
There could be about a million 'orphan' oil and gas wells across the U.S. As they age, they can leak greenhouse gases or unhealthy chemicals.
www.npr.org
July 7, 2025 at 5:32 PM
My first job was in PA, monitoring (taxpayer-funded!) cleanup efforts at abandoned, unplugged oil and gas wells that regularly blurped up waxy, oily produced water and methane.
This is a national problem, and the more we drill, the bigger this problem is going to get: www.npr.org/2025/07/07/n...
This is a national problem, and the more we drill, the bigger this problem is going to get: www.npr.org/2025/07/07/n...
Well 59 blowout on the Gulf coast: This photo provided by USCG shows a response boat spraying something into the blowout plume on April 30. There is no fire to extinguish, so I wonder if they are spraying chemical dispersants on the plume. www.dvidshub.net/image/900603...
May 1, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Well 59 blowout on the Gulf coast: This photo provided by USCG shows a response boat spraying something into the blowout plume on April 30. There is no fire to extinguish, so I wonder if they are spraying chemical dispersants on the plume. www.dvidshub.net/image/900603...
"Zombie" wells = ticking time bombs. Did one just go off in the Gulf? www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
April 30, 2025 at 4:43 PM
"Zombie" wells = ticking time bombs. Did one just go off in the Gulf? www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Nice to see SkyTruth's antipollution tool Cerulean getting some good exposure during the Our Ocean Conference:
oceanographicmagazine.com/news/offshor...
oceanographicmagazine.com/news/offshor...
Offshore oil platform pollution exposed in world-first for ocean - Oceanographic
A new report - launched to coincide with the Our Ocean Conference - has exposed the world's worst offshore oil polluters for first time.
oceanographicmagazine.com
April 30, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Nice to see SkyTruth's antipollution tool Cerulean getting some good exposure during the Our Ocean Conference:
oceanographicmagazine.com/news/offshor...
oceanographicmagazine.com/news/offshor...
I share some thoughts as the 10th annual Our Ocean conference gets underway in Busan, with a focus on applying digital tech to achieve sustainability - www.environmentenergyleader.com/stories/seei...
Seeing is Believing: Digital Technology's Critical Role in Ocean Protection - Environment+Energy Leader
A new report shows offshore oil operations continue to pollute the world's oceans, with satellite monitoring exposing oil slicks, methane flaring, and carbon emissions at alarming levels. …
www.environmentenergyleader.com
April 28, 2025 at 2:03 PM
I share some thoughts as the 10th annual Our Ocean conference gets underway in Busan, with a focus on applying digital tech to achieve sustainability - www.environmentenergyleader.com/stories/seei...
I love the landscape and geology of Wyoming, and the spectacular satellite imagery it produces. And, Chugwater Formation! Can't beat it. earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/15417...
Relics of a Red World in Bighorn Basin
Folds of rusted rock neighbor the Bighorn Canyon’s deep scar in the western United States.
earthobservatory.nasa.gov
April 24, 2025 at 12:07 AM
I love the landscape and geology of Wyoming, and the spectacular satellite imagery it produces. And, Chugwater Formation! Can't beat it. earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/15417...
Earth Day. Every day. Cherish it, celebrate it, protect it fiercely. Especially now.
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Photo credit: NASA/Reid Wiseman. Many more stunning images of our beautiful home at spaceplace.nasa.gov/gallery-eart...
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Photo credit: NASA/Reid Wiseman. Many more stunning images of our beautiful home at spaceplace.nasa.gov/gallery-eart...
April 22, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Earth Day. Every day. Cherish it, celebrate it, protect it fiercely. Especially now.
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Photo credit: NASA/Reid Wiseman. Many more stunning images of our beautiful home at spaceplace.nasa.gov/gallery-eart...
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Photo credit: NASA/Reid Wiseman. Many more stunning images of our beautiful home at spaceplace.nasa.gov/gallery-eart...
How about some inspiration in these troubled times? www.goldmanprize.org/current-winn...
The 2025 Goldman Environmental Prize Winners
Celebrating grassroots leaders who prove that ordinary people can have an extraordinary impact on their environment.
www.goldmanprize.org
April 21, 2025 at 4:49 PM
How about some inspiration in these troubled times? www.goldmanprize.org/current-winn...
If money = speech (looking at you, SCOTUS), then doesn't private philanthropy has the right to spend their money however they see fit (with exceptions for *legitimate* national security concerns)? www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
US philanthropists warn against capitulating to Trump: ‘We need to step up’
Foundation leaders say charitable organisations could be next in the firing line – but must ‘stand together’ to resist
www.theguardian.com
April 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
If money = speech (looking at you, SCOTUS), then doesn't private philanthropy has the right to spend their money however they see fit (with exceptions for *legitimate* national security concerns)? www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
I love a great geology pic from space! earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/15406...
An Asteroid’s Bite in an Australian Mountain Range
The asteroid that smashed into northern Australia and caused the Amelia Creek impact structure transformed mountain ridges in the blast zone.
earthobservatory.nasa.gov
March 26, 2025 at 5:47 PM
I love a great geology pic from space! earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/15406...
Offloading from industry the burden of dealing with their pollution and the increasing damages caused by climate change, and dumping that growing burden on the shoulders of taxpayers: news.oilandgaswatch.org/post/congres...
Congress repeals oil and gas methane pollution fee, costing taxpayers $7.2 billion
On Feb. 27, Congress passed legislation killing a charge on waste methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. At a time when the Trump Administration is firing thousands of federal workers, alleg...
news.oilandgaswatch.org
March 14, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Offloading from industry the burden of dealing with their pollution and the increasing damages caused by climate change, and dumping that growing burden on the shoulders of taxpayers: news.oilandgaswatch.org/post/congres...
It's insulting for an industry that is making billions of dollars in profits every year to claim remediation would be "too costly."
You made this mess. You clean it up. www.texastribune.org/2025/03/12/t...
You made this mess. You clean it up. www.texastribune.org/2025/03/12/t...
A Republican effort to set deadlines to plug orphan wells in Texas hits resistance
The bill would have set deadlines for the oil and gas industry to plug inactive wells, which can pose a danger to the environment.
www.texastribune.org
March 14, 2025 at 4:24 PM
It's insulting for an industry that is making billions of dollars in profits every year to claim remediation would be "too costly."
You made this mess. You clean it up. www.texastribune.org/2025/03/12/t...
You made this mess. You clean it up. www.texastribune.org/2025/03/12/t...
Hi-res SkySat image showing Stena Immaculate and a tugboat/workboat, Brage Viking. No signs of fire or oil spill.
March 13, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Hi-res SkySat image showing Stena Immaculate and a tugboat/workboat, Brage Viking. No signs of fire or oil spill.
Sentinel-1 and -2 satellite images taken yesterday of Stena Immaculate show no signs of oil slick around the stricken tanker. Caveat: it was a high-wind day (~40km/hr) which would disperse a slick and make it difficult to detect on satellite imagery. www.linkedin.com/posts/john-a...
March 12, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Sentinel-1 and -2 satellite images taken yesterday of Stena Immaculate show no signs of oil slick around the stricken tanker. Caveat: it was a high-wind day (~40km/hr) which would disperse a slick and make it difficult to detect on satellite imagery. www.linkedin.com/posts/john-a...
Reposted by John Amos
🚨New Features Alert: MMSI/Vessel Flag Search, Tags, Feature Requests 🚨
You can now search for vessels within Cerulean using the MMSI number or vessel flag, suggest new tags, and use our “user request portal” to request feature updates!
Learn more about each update below 🧵
You can now search for vessels within Cerulean using the MMSI number or vessel flag, suggest new tags, and use our “user request portal” to request feature updates!
Learn more about each update below 🧵
February 14, 2025 at 6:06 PM
🚨New Features Alert: MMSI/Vessel Flag Search, Tags, Feature Requests 🚨
You can now search for vessels within Cerulean using the MMSI number or vessel flag, suggest new tags, and use our “user request portal” to request feature updates!
Learn more about each update below 🧵
You can now search for vessels within Cerulean using the MMSI number or vessel flag, suggest new tags, and use our “user request portal” to request feature updates!
Learn more about each update below 🧵
(Apologies for ending the year on a low note) www.propublica.org/article/oil-...
The American Oil Industry’s Playbook, Illustrated: How Drillers Offload Costly Cleanup Onto the Public
Oil executive Tom Ragsdale walked away from his old wells, making the pollution left behind the state of New Mexico’s problem. His tactics, however, are ubiquitous in the industry.
www.propublica.org
December 31, 2024 at 5:57 PM
(Apologies for ending the year on a low note) www.propublica.org/article/oil-...
Great imagery from NASA of the atmospheric river that hit California last month: www.earthdata.nasa.gov/news/worldvi...
Bomb Cyclone Brings Atmospheric River of Moisture to the Pacific Northwest | NASA Earthdata
NASA's GeoColor reflectance image of a bomb cyclone bringing an atmospheric river of moisture to the Pacific Northwest US was captured on November 19, 2024.
www.earthdata.nasa.gov
December 13, 2024 at 9:28 PM
Great imagery from NASA of the atmospheric river that hit California last month: www.earthdata.nasa.gov/news/worldvi...
We've got top-notch interns doing serious work at SkyTruth! Check out Alana's blog post about using LiDAR to map tree canopy throughout the region affected by mountaintop removal coal mining. skytruth.org/2024/12/exte...
Extensive aerial LiDAR data enables canopy height mapping across the Central Appalachian mining region
Aerial LiDAR allows us to remotely assess the 3D structure of vegetation at a high level of detail and accuracy. This depth of analysis is especially valuable for places like Central Appalachia, th…
skytruth.org
December 12, 2024 at 5:26 PM
We've got top-notch interns doing serious work at SkyTruth! Check out Alana's blog post about using LiDAR to map tree canopy throughout the region affected by mountaintop removal coal mining. skytruth.org/2024/12/exte...