<\/p>\n
The Wabanaki people<\/a> have a deep well of creation myths explaining the rocky coastlines of the Bay of Fundy<\/a>, Downeast Maine<\/a>, and Acadia National Park<\/a>.\u00a0Many involve Glooscap<\/a>\u2014a magical figure said to have floated down the Bay of Fundy in a stone canoe<\/a>, sculpting coastal features by scraping the vessel across the landscape and scattering enormous boulders during battles with primordial beavers, frogs, moose, whales, and other gigantic animals.<\/p>\nFewer Indigenous creation myths survive to explain the origins of the sandy and marshy shorelines of southern Maine and the rocky, indented coasts of the state\u2019s Midcoast region<\/a>. But the sharp contrast between the sandy shoals and beaches south of Portland and the rocky shoreline of promontories, headlands<\/a>, and narrow peninsulas to the east\u2014visible in the Landsat<\/a> image above\u2014has long drawn the attention of coastal geologists, whose scientific explanations on its origins abound.<\/p>\nThe coastal transition reflects both differences in the underlying bedrock<\/a> and the distribution of sediment<\/a> left behind by the last glacial maximum<\/a>, coastal geologists say. Southern Maine has broad deposits of sand, much of it sourced from rivers. The sandy beaches of Saco Bay, for instance, home to Maine\u2019s longest contiguous beach<\/a> and the state\u2019s largest saltmarsh<\/a>, received sediment from the weathering<\/a> and breakdown of the White Mountains<\/a>, with material transported to the coast largely by the Saco River, explained Peter Slovinsky, a geologist with the Maine Geological Survey. Waves and tides reworked these soft sediments over time, sculpting them into the arch-shaped embayed beaches<\/a> and sprawling salt marshes found around Saco Bay and the broader region.<\/p>\nWhile erosion-resistant granite juts from the sandy shorelines in southern Maine to form rocky headlands, metamorphic<\/a> bedrock becomes the dominant surface feature east of Portland. There, whole ridges and valleys made of rock layers transformed by exposure to high pressures and temperatures define the landscape. During the last ice age, glaciers scoured and widened many of these coastal valleys, which later flooded as the Laurentide Ice Sheet<\/a> melted and sea levels rose.<\/p>\nAround Casco Bay<\/a>, these ridge-and-valley systems, combined with the drowning<\/a> of the shoreline, produce the jagged, highly indented shoreline and many long, narrow islands seen today. \u201cThe tortured folds of these old landscapes also set up a sharp directional preference for erosion to exploit,\u201d said Nicholas Whiteman, also a geologist with the Maine Geological Survey. \u201cThis led to the eye-catching difference in the orientation of the islands and necks that dominate Casco Bay compared with those to the northeast.\u201d<\/p>\nThe various forms that coastlines take fascinate geologists, but they also carry everyday implications for the economies of Maine\u2019s coastal communities. While tourists flock to the sandy beaches of communities like Saco and Kennebunkport, the state\u2019s iconic lobster fisheries<\/a> are concentrated in Midcoast Maine. The crustaceans thrive in the cold waters of the region\u2019s many rocky, protected inlets, turning communities such as Harpswell<\/a> into leaders in lobster landings. \u00a0<\/p>\nThe state\u2019s oyster farms are also concentrated in this region. Casco Bay and the Damariscotta Estuary, sheltered from winds and waves, offer waters that farmers can easily access without large boats. These waters provide a range of temperatures, salinities, and other characteristics that create numerous microclimates<\/a> where oysters can grow quickly and take on a variety of tastes, known as merroir<\/a>, explained Tom Kiffney, a researcher at the University of Maine. Kiffney is part of a team of researchers using Landsat and other satellite observations to predict oyster growth rates<\/a> and help identify the most promising locations<\/a> for new oyster farms in Maine based on water temperatures and quality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nNASA Earth Observatory image by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the\u00a0<\/em>U.S. Geological Survey<\/em><\/a>. Story by Adam Voiland.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\tDownloads\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAugust 31, 2025<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\nJPEG (12.20 MB)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/circle><\/path><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nReferences & Resources<\/h2>\n\nKelley, J. (1987) An Inventory of Coastal Environments and Classification of Maine\u2019s Glaciated Shoreline<\/a>. Glaciated Coasts, 151-176.<\/li>\nKiffney, T., et al<\/em>. (2026) Using dynamic energy budget modeling and high-resolution satellite products to predict eastern oyster growth at a farm scale<\/a>. Aquaculture<\/em>, 612(1), 743133.<\/li>\nLeland, C. (1884) Algonquin Legends of New England: How Glooskap sailed through the great Cavern of Darkness<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine.gov (2026) Maine\u2019s Coastal Marine Geology<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine Geological Survey (2002) Simplified Bedrock Geologic Map of Maine<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine Geological Survey (1999) The Variety of Maine\u2019s Changing Shoreline<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMerroir (2026) What is Merroir<\/a>? Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nNASA (2026, January 15) NASA Data Helps Maine Oyster Farmers Choose Where to Grow<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nNASA Earth Observatory (2017) Oyster Prospecting With Landsat 8<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nSnyder, J., et al<\/em>. (2017) Oyster Aquaculture Site Selection Using Landsat 8-Derived Sea Surface Temperature, Turbidity, and Chlorophyll a<\/a>. Frontiers in Marine Science<\/em>, 4(190).<\/li>\nWorld History Encyclopedia (2025, February 6) Glooscap Tales<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nYou may also be interested in:<\/h2>\nStay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nContours of the James Bay Lowlands<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nAfter the Laurentide Ice Sheet retreated from present-day Hudson Bay, rebounding land has revealed striking nearshore topography.<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nA Tide-Fueled Trove of Biodiversity in Guinea-Bissau<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nThe expansive mudflats, sandy beaches, and mangrove forests of the Bijag\u00f3s archipelago support an array of migratory shorebirds and large\u2026<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nThailand\u2019s Krabi Coast<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nThe coastal province features striking tropical karst landscapes and sandy beaches alongside a mix of natural land cover and developed\u2026<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n1<\/span><\/span>\n\n2<\/span><\/a>\n\n3<\/span><\/a>\n\n4<\/span><\/a>
Fewer Indigenous creation myths survive to explain the origins of the sandy and marshy shorelines of southern Maine and the rocky, indented coasts of the state\u2019s Midcoast region<\/a>. But the sharp contrast between the sandy shoals and beaches south of Portland and the rocky shoreline of promontories, headlands<\/a>, and narrow peninsulas to the east\u2014visible in the Landsat<\/a> image above\u2014has long drawn the attention of coastal geologists, whose scientific explanations on its origins abound.<\/p>\nThe coastal transition reflects both differences in the underlying bedrock<\/a> and the distribution of sediment<\/a> left behind by the last glacial maximum<\/a>, coastal geologists say. Southern Maine has broad deposits of sand, much of it sourced from rivers. The sandy beaches of Saco Bay, for instance, home to Maine\u2019s longest contiguous beach<\/a> and the state\u2019s largest saltmarsh<\/a>, received sediment from the weathering<\/a> and breakdown of the White Mountains<\/a>, with material transported to the coast largely by the Saco River, explained Peter Slovinsky, a geologist with the Maine Geological Survey. Waves and tides reworked these soft sediments over time, sculpting them into the arch-shaped embayed beaches<\/a> and sprawling salt marshes found around Saco Bay and the broader region.<\/p>\nWhile erosion-resistant granite juts from the sandy shorelines in southern Maine to form rocky headlands, metamorphic<\/a> bedrock becomes the dominant surface feature east of Portland. There, whole ridges and valleys made of rock layers transformed by exposure to high pressures and temperatures define the landscape. During the last ice age, glaciers scoured and widened many of these coastal valleys, which later flooded as the Laurentide Ice Sheet<\/a> melted and sea levels rose.<\/p>\nAround Casco Bay<\/a>, these ridge-and-valley systems, combined with the drowning<\/a> of the shoreline, produce the jagged, highly indented shoreline and many long, narrow islands seen today. \u201cThe tortured folds of these old landscapes also set up a sharp directional preference for erosion to exploit,\u201d said Nicholas Whiteman, also a geologist with the Maine Geological Survey. \u201cThis led to the eye-catching difference in the orientation of the islands and necks that dominate Casco Bay compared with those to the northeast.\u201d<\/p>\nThe various forms that coastlines take fascinate geologists, but they also carry everyday implications for the economies of Maine\u2019s coastal communities. While tourists flock to the sandy beaches of communities like Saco and Kennebunkport, the state\u2019s iconic lobster fisheries<\/a> are concentrated in Midcoast Maine. The crustaceans thrive in the cold waters of the region\u2019s many rocky, protected inlets, turning communities such as Harpswell<\/a> into leaders in lobster landings. \u00a0<\/p>\nThe state\u2019s oyster farms are also concentrated in this region. Casco Bay and the Damariscotta Estuary, sheltered from winds and waves, offer waters that farmers can easily access without large boats. These waters provide a range of temperatures, salinities, and other characteristics that create numerous microclimates<\/a> where oysters can grow quickly and take on a variety of tastes, known as merroir<\/a>, explained Tom Kiffney, a researcher at the University of Maine. Kiffney is part of a team of researchers using Landsat and other satellite observations to predict oyster growth rates<\/a> and help identify the most promising locations<\/a> for new oyster farms in Maine based on water temperatures and quality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nNASA Earth Observatory image by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the\u00a0<\/em>U.S. Geological Survey<\/em><\/a>. Story by Adam Voiland.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\tDownloads\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAugust 31, 2025<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\nJPEG (12.20 MB)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/circle><\/path><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nReferences & Resources<\/h2>\n\nKelley, J. (1987) An Inventory of Coastal Environments and Classification of Maine\u2019s Glaciated Shoreline<\/a>. Glaciated Coasts, 151-176.<\/li>\nKiffney, T., et al<\/em>. (2026) Using dynamic energy budget modeling and high-resolution satellite products to predict eastern oyster growth at a farm scale<\/a>. Aquaculture<\/em>, 612(1), 743133.<\/li>\nLeland, C. (1884) Algonquin Legends of New England: How Glooskap sailed through the great Cavern of Darkness<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine.gov (2026) Maine\u2019s Coastal Marine Geology<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine Geological Survey (2002) Simplified Bedrock Geologic Map of Maine<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine Geological Survey (1999) The Variety of Maine\u2019s Changing Shoreline<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMerroir (2026) What is Merroir<\/a>? Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nNASA (2026, January 15) NASA Data Helps Maine Oyster Farmers Choose Where to Grow<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nNASA Earth Observatory (2017) Oyster Prospecting With Landsat 8<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nSnyder, J., et al<\/em>. (2017) Oyster Aquaculture Site Selection Using Landsat 8-Derived Sea Surface Temperature, Turbidity, and Chlorophyll a<\/a>. Frontiers in Marine Science<\/em>, 4(190).<\/li>\nWorld History Encyclopedia (2025, February 6) Glooscap Tales<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nYou may also be interested in:<\/h2>\nStay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nContours of the James Bay Lowlands<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nAfter the Laurentide Ice Sheet retreated from present-day Hudson Bay, rebounding land has revealed striking nearshore topography.<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nA Tide-Fueled Trove of Biodiversity in Guinea-Bissau<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nThe expansive mudflats, sandy beaches, and mangrove forests of the Bijag\u00f3s archipelago support an array of migratory shorebirds and large\u2026<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nThailand\u2019s Krabi Coast<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nThe coastal province features striking tropical karst landscapes and sandy beaches alongside a mix of natural land cover and developed\u2026<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n1<\/span><\/span>\n\n2<\/span><\/a>\n\n3<\/span><\/a>\n\n4<\/span><\/a>
The coastal transition reflects both differences in the underlying bedrock<\/a> and the distribution of sediment<\/a> left behind by the last glacial maximum<\/a>, coastal geologists say. Southern Maine has broad deposits of sand, much of it sourced from rivers. The sandy beaches of Saco Bay, for instance, home to Maine\u2019s longest contiguous beach<\/a> and the state\u2019s largest saltmarsh<\/a>, received sediment from the weathering<\/a> and breakdown of the White Mountains<\/a>, with material transported to the coast largely by the Saco River, explained Peter Slovinsky, a geologist with the Maine Geological Survey. Waves and tides reworked these soft sediments over time, sculpting them into the arch-shaped embayed beaches<\/a> and sprawling salt marshes found around Saco Bay and the broader region.<\/p>\nWhile erosion-resistant granite juts from the sandy shorelines in southern Maine to form rocky headlands, metamorphic<\/a> bedrock becomes the dominant surface feature east of Portland. There, whole ridges and valleys made of rock layers transformed by exposure to high pressures and temperatures define the landscape. During the last ice age, glaciers scoured and widened many of these coastal valleys, which later flooded as the Laurentide Ice Sheet<\/a> melted and sea levels rose.<\/p>\nAround Casco Bay<\/a>, these ridge-and-valley systems, combined with the drowning<\/a> of the shoreline, produce the jagged, highly indented shoreline and many long, narrow islands seen today. \u201cThe tortured folds of these old landscapes also set up a sharp directional preference for erosion to exploit,\u201d said Nicholas Whiteman, also a geologist with the Maine Geological Survey. \u201cThis led to the eye-catching difference in the orientation of the islands and necks that dominate Casco Bay compared with those to the northeast.\u201d<\/p>\nThe various forms that coastlines take fascinate geologists, but they also carry everyday implications for the economies of Maine\u2019s coastal communities. While tourists flock to the sandy beaches of communities like Saco and Kennebunkport, the state\u2019s iconic lobster fisheries<\/a> are concentrated in Midcoast Maine. The crustaceans thrive in the cold waters of the region\u2019s many rocky, protected inlets, turning communities such as Harpswell<\/a> into leaders in lobster landings. \u00a0<\/p>\nThe state\u2019s oyster farms are also concentrated in this region. Casco Bay and the Damariscotta Estuary, sheltered from winds and waves, offer waters that farmers can easily access without large boats. These waters provide a range of temperatures, salinities, and other characteristics that create numerous microclimates<\/a> where oysters can grow quickly and take on a variety of tastes, known as merroir<\/a>, explained Tom Kiffney, a researcher at the University of Maine. Kiffney is part of a team of researchers using Landsat and other satellite observations to predict oyster growth rates<\/a> and help identify the most promising locations<\/a> for new oyster farms in Maine based on water temperatures and quality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nNASA Earth Observatory image by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the\u00a0<\/em>U.S. Geological Survey<\/em><\/a>. Story by Adam Voiland.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\tDownloads\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAugust 31, 2025<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\nJPEG (12.20 MB)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/circle><\/path><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nReferences & Resources<\/h2>\n\nKelley, J. (1987) An Inventory of Coastal Environments and Classification of Maine\u2019s Glaciated Shoreline<\/a>. Glaciated Coasts, 151-176.<\/li>\nKiffney, T., et al<\/em>. (2026) Using dynamic energy budget modeling and high-resolution satellite products to predict eastern oyster growth at a farm scale<\/a>. Aquaculture<\/em>, 612(1), 743133.<\/li>\nLeland, C. (1884) Algonquin Legends of New England: How Glooskap sailed through the great Cavern of Darkness<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine.gov (2026) Maine\u2019s Coastal Marine Geology<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine Geological Survey (2002) Simplified Bedrock Geologic Map of Maine<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine Geological Survey (1999) The Variety of Maine\u2019s Changing Shoreline<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMerroir (2026) What is Merroir<\/a>? Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nNASA (2026, January 15) NASA Data Helps Maine Oyster Farmers Choose Where to Grow<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nNASA Earth Observatory (2017) Oyster Prospecting With Landsat 8<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nSnyder, J., et al<\/em>. (2017) Oyster Aquaculture Site Selection Using Landsat 8-Derived Sea Surface Temperature, Turbidity, and Chlorophyll a<\/a>. Frontiers in Marine Science<\/em>, 4(190).<\/li>\nWorld History Encyclopedia (2025, February 6) Glooscap Tales<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nYou may also be interested in:<\/h2>\nStay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nContours of the James Bay Lowlands<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nAfter the Laurentide Ice Sheet retreated from present-day Hudson Bay, rebounding land has revealed striking nearshore topography.<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nA Tide-Fueled Trove of Biodiversity in Guinea-Bissau<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nThe expansive mudflats, sandy beaches, and mangrove forests of the Bijag\u00f3s archipelago support an array of migratory shorebirds and large\u2026<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nThailand\u2019s Krabi Coast<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nThe coastal province features striking tropical karst landscapes and sandy beaches alongside a mix of natural land cover and developed\u2026<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n1<\/span><\/span>\n\n2<\/span><\/a>\n\n3<\/span><\/a>\n\n4<\/span><\/a>
While erosion-resistant granite juts from the sandy shorelines in southern Maine to form rocky headlands, metamorphic<\/a> bedrock becomes the dominant surface feature east of Portland. There, whole ridges and valleys made of rock layers transformed by exposure to high pressures and temperatures define the landscape. During the last ice age, glaciers scoured and widened many of these coastal valleys, which later flooded as the Laurentide Ice Sheet<\/a> melted and sea levels rose.<\/p>\nAround Casco Bay<\/a>, these ridge-and-valley systems, combined with the drowning<\/a> of the shoreline, produce the jagged, highly indented shoreline and many long, narrow islands seen today. \u201cThe tortured folds of these old landscapes also set up a sharp directional preference for erosion to exploit,\u201d said Nicholas Whiteman, also a geologist with the Maine Geological Survey. \u201cThis led to the eye-catching difference in the orientation of the islands and necks that dominate Casco Bay compared with those to the northeast.\u201d<\/p>\nThe various forms that coastlines take fascinate geologists, but they also carry everyday implications for the economies of Maine\u2019s coastal communities. While tourists flock to the sandy beaches of communities like Saco and Kennebunkport, the state\u2019s iconic lobster fisheries<\/a> are concentrated in Midcoast Maine. The crustaceans thrive in the cold waters of the region\u2019s many rocky, protected inlets, turning communities such as Harpswell<\/a> into leaders in lobster landings. \u00a0<\/p>\nThe state\u2019s oyster farms are also concentrated in this region. Casco Bay and the Damariscotta Estuary, sheltered from winds and waves, offer waters that farmers can easily access without large boats. These waters provide a range of temperatures, salinities, and other characteristics that create numerous microclimates<\/a> where oysters can grow quickly and take on a variety of tastes, known as merroir<\/a>, explained Tom Kiffney, a researcher at the University of Maine. Kiffney is part of a team of researchers using Landsat and other satellite observations to predict oyster growth rates<\/a> and help identify the most promising locations<\/a> for new oyster farms in Maine based on water temperatures and quality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nNASA Earth Observatory image by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the\u00a0<\/em>U.S. Geological Survey<\/em><\/a>. Story by Adam Voiland.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\tDownloads\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAugust 31, 2025<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\nJPEG (12.20 MB)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/circle><\/path><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nReferences & Resources<\/h2>\n\nKelley, J. (1987) An Inventory of Coastal Environments and Classification of Maine\u2019s Glaciated Shoreline<\/a>. Glaciated Coasts, 151-176.<\/li>\nKiffney, T., et al<\/em>. (2026) Using dynamic energy budget modeling and high-resolution satellite products to predict eastern oyster growth at a farm scale<\/a>. Aquaculture<\/em>, 612(1), 743133.<\/li>\nLeland, C. (1884) Algonquin Legends of New England: How Glooskap sailed through the great Cavern of Darkness<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine.gov (2026) Maine\u2019s Coastal Marine Geology<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine Geological Survey (2002) Simplified Bedrock Geologic Map of Maine<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine Geological Survey (1999) The Variety of Maine\u2019s Changing Shoreline<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMerroir (2026) What is Merroir<\/a>? Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nNASA (2026, January 15) NASA Data Helps Maine Oyster Farmers Choose Where to Grow<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nNASA Earth Observatory (2017) Oyster Prospecting With Landsat 8<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nSnyder, J., et al<\/em>. (2017) Oyster Aquaculture Site Selection Using Landsat 8-Derived Sea Surface Temperature, Turbidity, and Chlorophyll a<\/a>. Frontiers in Marine Science<\/em>, 4(190).<\/li>\nWorld History Encyclopedia (2025, February 6) Glooscap Tales<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nYou may also be interested in:<\/h2>\nStay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nContours of the James Bay Lowlands<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nAfter the Laurentide Ice Sheet retreated from present-day Hudson Bay, rebounding land has revealed striking nearshore topography.<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nA Tide-Fueled Trove of Biodiversity in Guinea-Bissau<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nThe expansive mudflats, sandy beaches, and mangrove forests of the Bijag\u00f3s archipelago support an array of migratory shorebirds and large\u2026<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nThailand\u2019s Krabi Coast<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nThe coastal province features striking tropical karst landscapes and sandy beaches alongside a mix of natural land cover and developed\u2026<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n1<\/span><\/span>\n\n2<\/span><\/a>\n\n3<\/span><\/a>\n\n4<\/span><\/a>
Around Casco Bay<\/a>, these ridge-and-valley systems, combined with the drowning<\/a> of the shoreline, produce the jagged, highly indented shoreline and many long, narrow islands seen today. \u201cThe tortured folds of these old landscapes also set up a sharp directional preference for erosion to exploit,\u201d said Nicholas Whiteman, also a geologist with the Maine Geological Survey. \u201cThis led to the eye-catching difference in the orientation of the islands and necks that dominate Casco Bay compared with those to the northeast.\u201d<\/p>\nThe various forms that coastlines take fascinate geologists, but they also carry everyday implications for the economies of Maine\u2019s coastal communities. While tourists flock to the sandy beaches of communities like Saco and Kennebunkport, the state\u2019s iconic lobster fisheries<\/a> are concentrated in Midcoast Maine. The crustaceans thrive in the cold waters of the region\u2019s many rocky, protected inlets, turning communities such as Harpswell<\/a> into leaders in lobster landings. \u00a0<\/p>\nThe state\u2019s oyster farms are also concentrated in this region. Casco Bay and the Damariscotta Estuary, sheltered from winds and waves, offer waters that farmers can easily access without large boats. These waters provide a range of temperatures, salinities, and other characteristics that create numerous microclimates<\/a> where oysters can grow quickly and take on a variety of tastes, known as merroir<\/a>, explained Tom Kiffney, a researcher at the University of Maine. Kiffney is part of a team of researchers using Landsat and other satellite observations to predict oyster growth rates<\/a> and help identify the most promising locations<\/a> for new oyster farms in Maine based on water temperatures and quality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nNASA Earth Observatory image by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the\u00a0<\/em>U.S. Geological Survey<\/em><\/a>. Story by Adam Voiland.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\tDownloads\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAugust 31, 2025<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\nJPEG (12.20 MB)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/circle><\/path><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nReferences & Resources<\/h2>\n\nKelley, J. (1987) An Inventory of Coastal Environments and Classification of Maine\u2019s Glaciated Shoreline<\/a>. Glaciated Coasts, 151-176.<\/li>\nKiffney, T., et al<\/em>. (2026) Using dynamic energy budget modeling and high-resolution satellite products to predict eastern oyster growth at a farm scale<\/a>. Aquaculture<\/em>, 612(1), 743133.<\/li>\nLeland, C. (1884) Algonquin Legends of New England: How Glooskap sailed through the great Cavern of Darkness<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine.gov (2026) Maine\u2019s Coastal Marine Geology<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine Geological Survey (2002) Simplified Bedrock Geologic Map of Maine<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine Geological Survey (1999) The Variety of Maine\u2019s Changing Shoreline<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMerroir (2026) What is Merroir<\/a>? Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nNASA (2026, January 15) NASA Data Helps Maine Oyster Farmers Choose Where to Grow<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nNASA Earth Observatory (2017) Oyster Prospecting With Landsat 8<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nSnyder, J., et al<\/em>. (2017) Oyster Aquaculture Site Selection Using Landsat 8-Derived Sea Surface Temperature, Turbidity, and Chlorophyll a<\/a>. Frontiers in Marine Science<\/em>, 4(190).<\/li>\nWorld History Encyclopedia (2025, February 6) Glooscap Tales<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nYou may also be interested in:<\/h2>\nStay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nContours of the James Bay Lowlands<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nAfter the Laurentide Ice Sheet retreated from present-day Hudson Bay, rebounding land has revealed striking nearshore topography.<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nA Tide-Fueled Trove of Biodiversity in Guinea-Bissau<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nThe expansive mudflats, sandy beaches, and mangrove forests of the Bijag\u00f3s archipelago support an array of migratory shorebirds and large\u2026<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nThailand\u2019s Krabi Coast<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nThe coastal province features striking tropical karst landscapes and sandy beaches alongside a mix of natural land cover and developed\u2026<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n1<\/span><\/span>\n\n2<\/span><\/a>\n\n3<\/span><\/a>\n\n4<\/span><\/a>
The various forms that coastlines take fascinate geologists, but they also carry everyday implications for the economies of Maine\u2019s coastal communities. While tourists flock to the sandy beaches of communities like Saco and Kennebunkport, the state\u2019s iconic lobster fisheries<\/a> are concentrated in Midcoast Maine. The crustaceans thrive in the cold waters of the region\u2019s many rocky, protected inlets, turning communities such as Harpswell<\/a> into leaders in lobster landings. \u00a0<\/p>\nThe state\u2019s oyster farms are also concentrated in this region. Casco Bay and the Damariscotta Estuary, sheltered from winds and waves, offer waters that farmers can easily access without large boats. These waters provide a range of temperatures, salinities, and other characteristics that create numerous microclimates<\/a> where oysters can grow quickly and take on a variety of tastes, known as merroir<\/a>, explained Tom Kiffney, a researcher at the University of Maine. Kiffney is part of a team of researchers using Landsat and other satellite observations to predict oyster growth rates<\/a> and help identify the most promising locations<\/a> for new oyster farms in Maine based on water temperatures and quality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nNASA Earth Observatory image by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the\u00a0<\/em>U.S. Geological Survey<\/em><\/a>. Story by Adam Voiland.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\tDownloads\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAugust 31, 2025<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\nJPEG (12.20 MB)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/circle><\/path><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nReferences & Resources<\/h2>\n\nKelley, J. (1987) An Inventory of Coastal Environments and Classification of Maine\u2019s Glaciated Shoreline<\/a>. Glaciated Coasts, 151-176.<\/li>\nKiffney, T., et al<\/em>. (2026) Using dynamic energy budget modeling and high-resolution satellite products to predict eastern oyster growth at a farm scale<\/a>. Aquaculture<\/em>, 612(1), 743133.<\/li>\nLeland, C. (1884) Algonquin Legends of New England: How Glooskap sailed through the great Cavern of Darkness<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine.gov (2026) Maine\u2019s Coastal Marine Geology<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine Geological Survey (2002) Simplified Bedrock Geologic Map of Maine<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine Geological Survey (1999) The Variety of Maine\u2019s Changing Shoreline<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMerroir (2026) What is Merroir<\/a>? Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nNASA (2026, January 15) NASA Data Helps Maine Oyster Farmers Choose Where to Grow<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nNASA Earth Observatory (2017) Oyster Prospecting With Landsat 8<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nSnyder, J., et al<\/em>. (2017) Oyster Aquaculture Site Selection Using Landsat 8-Derived Sea Surface Temperature, Turbidity, and Chlorophyll a<\/a>. Frontiers in Marine Science<\/em>, 4(190).<\/li>\nWorld History Encyclopedia (2025, February 6) Glooscap Tales<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nYou may also be interested in:<\/h2>\nStay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nContours of the James Bay Lowlands<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nAfter the Laurentide Ice Sheet retreated from present-day Hudson Bay, rebounding land has revealed striking nearshore topography.<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nA Tide-Fueled Trove of Biodiversity in Guinea-Bissau<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nThe expansive mudflats, sandy beaches, and mangrove forests of the Bijag\u00f3s archipelago support an array of migratory shorebirds and large\u2026<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nThailand\u2019s Krabi Coast<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nThe coastal province features striking tropical karst landscapes and sandy beaches alongside a mix of natural land cover and developed\u2026<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n1<\/span><\/span>\n\n2<\/span><\/a>\n\n3<\/span><\/a>\n\n4<\/span><\/a>
The state\u2019s oyster farms are also concentrated in this region. Casco Bay and the Damariscotta Estuary, sheltered from winds and waves, offer waters that farmers can easily access without large boats. These waters provide a range of temperatures, salinities, and other characteristics that create numerous microclimates<\/a> where oysters can grow quickly and take on a variety of tastes, known as merroir<\/a>, explained Tom Kiffney, a researcher at the University of Maine. Kiffney is part of a team of researchers using Landsat and other satellite observations to predict oyster growth rates<\/a> and help identify the most promising locations<\/a> for new oyster farms in Maine based on water temperatures and quality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nNASA Earth Observatory image by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the\u00a0<\/em>U.S. Geological Survey<\/em><\/a>. Story by Adam Voiland.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\tDownloads\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAugust 31, 2025<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\nJPEG (12.20 MB)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/circle><\/path><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nReferences & Resources<\/h2>\n\nKelley, J. (1987) An Inventory of Coastal Environments and Classification of Maine\u2019s Glaciated Shoreline<\/a>. Glaciated Coasts, 151-176.<\/li>\nKiffney, T., et al<\/em>. (2026) Using dynamic energy budget modeling and high-resolution satellite products to predict eastern oyster growth at a farm scale<\/a>. Aquaculture<\/em>, 612(1), 743133.<\/li>\nLeland, C. (1884) Algonquin Legends of New England: How Glooskap sailed through the great Cavern of Darkness<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine.gov (2026) Maine\u2019s Coastal Marine Geology<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine Geological Survey (2002) Simplified Bedrock Geologic Map of Maine<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine Geological Survey (1999) The Variety of Maine\u2019s Changing Shoreline<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMerroir (2026) What is Merroir<\/a>? Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nNASA (2026, January 15) NASA Data Helps Maine Oyster Farmers Choose Where to Grow<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nNASA Earth Observatory (2017) Oyster Prospecting With Landsat 8<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nSnyder, J., et al<\/em>. (2017) Oyster Aquaculture Site Selection Using Landsat 8-Derived Sea Surface Temperature, Turbidity, and Chlorophyll a<\/a>. Frontiers in Marine Science<\/em>, 4(190).<\/li>\nWorld History Encyclopedia (2025, February 6) Glooscap Tales<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nYou may also be interested in:<\/h2>\nStay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nContours of the James Bay Lowlands<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nAfter the Laurentide Ice Sheet retreated from present-day Hudson Bay, rebounding land has revealed striking nearshore topography.<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nA Tide-Fueled Trove of Biodiversity in Guinea-Bissau<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nThe expansive mudflats, sandy beaches, and mangrove forests of the Bijag\u00f3s archipelago support an array of migratory shorebirds and large\u2026<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nThailand\u2019s Krabi Coast<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nThe coastal province features striking tropical karst landscapes and sandy beaches alongside a mix of natural land cover and developed\u2026<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n1<\/span><\/span>\n\n2<\/span><\/a>\n\n3<\/span><\/a>\n\n4<\/span><\/a>
NASA Earth Observatory image by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the\u00a0<\/em>U.S. Geological Survey<\/em><\/a>. Story by Adam Voiland.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\tDownloads\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAugust 31, 2025<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\nJPEG (12.20 MB)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/circle><\/path><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nReferences & Resources<\/h2>\n\nKelley, J. (1987) An Inventory of Coastal Environments and Classification of Maine\u2019s Glaciated Shoreline<\/a>. Glaciated Coasts, 151-176.<\/li>\nKiffney, T., et al<\/em>. (2026) Using dynamic energy budget modeling and high-resolution satellite products to predict eastern oyster growth at a farm scale<\/a>. Aquaculture<\/em>, 612(1), 743133.<\/li>\nLeland, C. (1884) Algonquin Legends of New England: How Glooskap sailed through the great Cavern of Darkness<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine.gov (2026) Maine\u2019s Coastal Marine Geology<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine Geological Survey (2002) Simplified Bedrock Geologic Map of Maine<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMaine Geological Survey (1999) The Variety of Maine\u2019s Changing Shoreline<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nMerroir (2026) What is Merroir<\/a>? Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nNASA (2026, January 15) NASA Data Helps Maine Oyster Farmers Choose Where to Grow<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nNASA Earth Observatory (2017) Oyster Prospecting With Landsat 8<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\nSnyder, J., et al<\/em>. (2017) Oyster Aquaculture Site Selection Using Landsat 8-Derived Sea Surface Temperature, Turbidity, and Chlorophyll a<\/a>. Frontiers in Marine Science<\/em>, 4(190).<\/li>\nWorld History Encyclopedia (2025, February 6) Glooscap Tales<\/a>. Accessed July 17, 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nYou may also be interested in:<\/h2>\nStay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nContours of the James Bay Lowlands<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nAfter the Laurentide Ice Sheet retreated from present-day Hudson Bay, rebounding land has revealed striking nearshore topography.<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nA Tide-Fueled Trove of Biodiversity in Guinea-Bissau<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nThe expansive mudflats, sandy beaches, and mangrove forests of the Bijag\u00f3s archipelago support an array of migratory shorebirds and large\u2026<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\nThailand\u2019s Krabi Coast<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n 3 min read <\/div>\nThe coastal province features striking tropical karst landscapes and sandy beaches alongside a mix of natural land cover and developed\u2026<\/p>\n<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n1<\/span><\/span>\n\n2<\/span><\/a>\n\n3<\/span><\/a>\n\n4<\/span><\/a>
\n<\/div>\n
JPEG (12.20 MB)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Stay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
After the Laurentide Ice Sheet retreated from present-day Hudson Bay, rebounding land has revealed striking nearshore topography.<\/p>\n
The expansive mudflats, sandy beaches, and mangrove forests of the Bijag\u00f3s archipelago support an array of migratory shorebirds and large\u2026<\/p>\n
The coastal province features striking tropical karst landscapes and sandy beaches alongside a mix of natural land cover and developed\u2026<\/p>\n