\n<\/p>\n
This Dec. 27, 2023 image of the S\u00e3o Francisco River in southeast Brazil showcases the range of vibrant colors in the area including blues, reds, greens, and yellows. Much of the unvegetated land, such as unplanted fields and unpaved roads, appears in bright shades of red and yellow. This coloration comes from the underlying clays and soils of Brazil\u2019s state of Minas Gerais.<\/p>\n
The photo focuses on the Tr\u00eas Marias Reservoir, a human-made waterbody fed by the S\u00e3o Francisco River.\u00a0Access to freshwater for irrigation enables agriculture around the reservoir. Red- and green-toned areas can be distinguished as fields with center-pivot irrigation or straight-edged plots. An orange-tan contour line tracing the shoreline of the reservoir marks where water levels have been higher. The lighter shades of blue on the reservoir\u2019s surface are due to\u00a0sunglint, an optical effect that occurs when sunlight reflects off smooth water at the same angle a sensor views it.<\/p>\n