NASA's GRACE Mission and Freshwater Trends

The video discusses the global movement of water and how NASA's GRACE mission tracked changes in freshwater storage from 2002 to 2016. By analyzing GRACE data alongside other observations, scientists identified trends in freshwater storage caused by natural variability, human activity, and climate change. The video highlights specific regional changes, such as glacier melting in Greenland, drought impacts in the western U.S., and increased rainfall in southern Africa. It also covers the depletion of aquifers in Saudi Arabia and water redirection in China. The original GRACE satellites ceased operation in 2017, but a new mission, GRACE Follow-On, was launched in 2018 to continue monitoring global freshwater trends.

What was the primary purpose of NASA's GRACE mission?

• To monitor air pollution levels

• To study the sun's activity

• To track the movement of water on Earth

• To explore outer space

Which data sources did NASA scientists combine with GRACE data to study freshwater trends?

• Observations of precipitation and crop irrigation

• Information on volcanic activity

• Satellite images of urban areas

• Data from ocean currents

What caused the steady decrease in freshwater storage in Greenland?

• Industrial pollution

• Increased rainfall

• Melting of glaciers

• Deforestation

How did the Okavango Delta region in southern Africa experience a change in freshwater storage?

• An increase due to rainfall

• A decrease due to deforestation

• A decrease due to drought

• An increase due to irrigation

What was a significant factor in the depletion of groundwater in California?

• Excessive rainfall

• Unsustainable water use

• Increased snowfall

• Volcanic eruptions

What was the main reason for the decrease in freshwater in northern Saudi Arabia?

• Urban development

• Melting glaciers

• Rapid increase in irrigated cropland

• Increased rainfall

In northwest China, what happened to the surface water that contributed to a net loss of water?

• It evaporated after being redirected to agricultural areas

• It was redirected to urban areas

• It was used for industrial purposes

• It was stored in reservoirs

What was the status of the original GRACE satellites by 2017?

• They were relocated

• They were still operational

• They had stopped operating

• They were upgraded

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

• To explore Mars

• To track air pollution

• To continue monitoring freshwater trends

• To study the sun's activity

Which organization partnered with NASA for the GRACE Follow-On mission?

• European Space Agency

• German Research Center for Geosciences

• Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency

• Russian Space Agency