AirVisual Earth Shows Real Time Air Pollution in 3D
See Air Pollution in 3D on This Map
Table of Contents
Pollution
Pollution is the contamination of the Earth’s environment with materials that interfere with human health, the quality of life, or the natural functioning of ecosystems (living organisms and their physical surroundings).
Forms of Pollution
Pollution exists in many forms and affects many different aspects of Earth’s environment. Point-source pollution comes from specific, localized, and identifiable sources, such as sewage pipelines or industrial smokestacks. Nonpoint-source pollution comes from dispersed or uncontained sources, such as contaminated water runoff from urban areas or automobile emissions.
Visualizing Air Pollution
The problem with air pollution is that it cannot be visualized unless it is extreme. Even when you are able to see the distinct smog or the hazy view outside your window, it is easy to blame some other country whose industrialization is causing you trouble.
To visualize the movement of these pollutants and the nasty air that you are breathing in, a Pekin-based company has made a 3D map of air pollution.
AirVisual Earth
This map shows the interaction of ambient particulate matter (PM 2.5) levels and the weather patterns in real time. It incorporates data and animated infography to communicate the air quality at the time. It is easily comprehensible for the layman as well.
The map is based on data taken from 10,000 monitoring stations and crowdsourced data from AirVisual’s own monitors. Notably, the data owes it to three different sources, i.e., government data, special captors by the company, and the satellite images.
How to Use AirVisual Earth?
Click here to access AirVisual Earth 3D Map
AirVisual Earth map displays air quality index (AQI) on a scale of 0 to 300+.
The higher the score is, worst is the air quality of that region. It takes into account 8000 key cities in over 60 different countries.
Once you open the map, there will be an AQI (Air Quality Index) levels across the Earth through colour-coded heat mapping.
To check the Air Pollution Levels of a particualr area, click on the map and a particular location will appear on the map. It takes into account certain cities, so you can see the details of those only.
You can see the PM2.5 levels for the marked area.
You can switch between the combined weather data and PM 2.5 levels. Tap on ‘PM 2.5’ on the bottom left. The flow and movements of PM 2.5 across the planet will appear.
Wind Patterns
You can also see the wind patterns by toggling to the ‘wind’ option in the bottom left.
Courtesy:
- AirVisual Earth
- ProPakistani
