Dust Storm off Western Sahara Coast

Thick tan streamers experience a dust Storm off Western Sahara Coast over the Atlantic Ocean in this true-color Aqua MODIS image from New Year’s Day 2005.

The Saharan Desert dust stretches for a few hundred kilometers off the coast,

while underneath the veil blue-green sediment creates a halo along the shore.

At the bottom edge of the dust storm, a phenomenon similar to atmospheric gravity waves creates ripples pointing toward land.

Also in 1965, the UN General Assembly adopted its first resolution on Western Sahara, asking Spain to decolonize the territory.

One year later, a new resolution was passed by the General Assembly requesting that a referendum be held by Spain.