Athabasca Oil Sands, Alberta, Canada

One of the world’s largest reserves of oil sits under the boreal forest of northwestern Alberta, Canada. The deposit covers about 142,200 square kilometers (54,900 square miles), an area a little larger than the U.S. state of Wisconsin.

Known as the oil sands region, it accounts for the largest segment of Alberta’s economy. According to Alberta Energy, proven reserves in the oil sands in 2016 were 165.4 billion barrels.

This series of imagery focuses on the largest of the three oil sands areas in Alberta, the Athabasca region. Located just north of Fort McMurray along the Athabasca River, the mining of the Athabasca region has grown dramatically over the last three decades.

Imagery

Aug. 6, 1989, Landsat 5 (path/row 42/20) — Athabasca Oil Sands, Alberta, Canada

Aug. 17, 1993, Landsat 5 (path/row 42/20) — Athabasca Oil Sands, Alberta, Canada

June 15, 1999, Landsat 5 (path/row 42/20) — Athabasca Oil Sands, Alberta, Canada

June 28, 2004, Landsat 5 (path/row 42/20) — Athabasca Oil Sands, Alberta, Canada

July 4, 2006, Landsat 5 (path/row 42/20) — Athabasca Oil Sands, Alberta, Canada

Sep. 14, 2009, Landsat 5 (path/row 42/20) — Athabasca Oil Sands, Alberta, Canada

Sep. 20, 2011, Landsat 5 (path/row 42/20) — Athabasca Oil Sands, Alberta, Canada

Sep. 28, 2014, Landsat 8 (path/row 42/20) — Athabasca Oil Sands, Alberta, Canada

July 15, 2016, Landsat 8 (path/row 42/20) — Athabasca Oil Sands, Alberta, Canada

Aug. 25, 2022, Landsat 9 (path/row 42/20) — Athabasca Oil Sands, Alberta, Canada

Downloads

Trading Card

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