1. Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
  2. Change Animation
Description

If you could speed up time and watch a fast-growing city like Las Vegas change, what would it look like? From the perspective of the Landsat satellites, it’s a stunning lesson in urban growth. Watch Las Vegas’ rapid expansion in these Landsat images dating back to 1972.

In each image, bright red indicates actively growing vegetation. This makes golf courses easy to spot, and their development can be tracked along with the residential areas that surround them.

The desert landscape gradually becomes covered with streets, highways, and development as time goes on. A plot of very light tan can sometimes be seen right before a new residential area is built. This indicates a clearing of the land.

Other natural bright areas also appear around the urban development. The bright reflection indicates the presence of salts, minerals, and clays in the sediment. Water once settled in these flat, lower elevation areas and these minerals remained. The brown-tan regions surrounding the city are likely steeper slopes where flowing water rinsed out those minerals. Darker tones indicate coarser material, and lighter tones are fine material such as clays that have a higher reflectance.

Each image represents one year from 1972 to 2021. Landsats 1–5 and Landsat 7–8 are represented, which demonstrates the value of the past Landsat data along with new data for monitoring change over time. Landsat images are available to the public at no cost at the USGS Global Visualization Viewer (http://glovis.usgs.gov) or EarthExplorer (http://earthexplorer.usgs.gov).

Download a .wmv file of the animation here.

View Related Imagery & Stories

Location

Sept. 13, 1972, Landsat 1 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 13, 1972, Landsat 1 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 8, 1973, Landsat 1 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 8, 1973, Landsat 1 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Oct. 27, 1974, Landsat 1 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Oct. 27, 1974, Landsat 1 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 25, 1975, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 25, 1975, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 1, 1976, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 1, 1976, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 9, 1977, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 9, 1977, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 22, 1978, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 22, 1978, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Oct. 10, 1979, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Oct. 10, 1979, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 16, 1980, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 16, 1980, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 24, 1981, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 24, 1981, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

May 30, 1982, Landsat 3 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

May 30, 1982, Landsat 3 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 25, 1983, Landsat 4 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 25, 1983, Landsat 4 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 3, 1984, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 3, 1984, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 22, 1985, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 22, 1985, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 10, 1986, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 10, 1986, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 29, 1987, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 29, 1987, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 15, 1988, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 15, 1988, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 2, 1989, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 2, 1989, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 20, 1990, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 20, 1990, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 24, 1991, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 24, 1991, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 10, 1992, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 10, 1992, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 29, 1993, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 29, 1993, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 16, 1994, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 16, 1994, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 19, 1995, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 19, 1995, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 21, 1996, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 21, 1996, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 24, 1997, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 24, 1997, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 27, 1998, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 27, 1998, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 6, 1999, Landsat 7 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 6, 1999, Landsat 7 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 24, 2000, Landsat 7 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 24, 2000, Landsat 7 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 27, 2001, Landsat 7 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 27, 2001, Landsat 7 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 30, 2002, Landsat 7 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 30, 2002, Landsat 7 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 8, 2003, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 8, 2003, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 26, 2004, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 26, 2004, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 14, 2005, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 14, 2005, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 17, 2006, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 17, 2006, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 3, 2007, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 3, 2007, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 6, 2008, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 6, 2008, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 9, 2009, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 9, 2009, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 28, 2010, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 28, 2010, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 15, 2011, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 15, 2011, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 17, 2012, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 17, 2012, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Oct. 6, 2013, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Oct. 6, 2013, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 22, 2014, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 22, 2014, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 10, 2015, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 10, 2015, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 12, 2016, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 12, 2016, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 14, 2017, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 14, 2017, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 18, 2018, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 18, 2018, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 20, 2019, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 20, 2019, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 23, 2020, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 23, 2020, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 9, 2021, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Aug. 9, 2021, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Sept. 13, 1972, Landsat 1 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 8, 1973, Landsat 1 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Oct. 27, 1974, Landsat 1 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 25, 1975, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 1, 1976, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Aug. 9, 1977, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Aug. 22, 1978, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Oct. 10, 1979, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 16, 1980, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Aug. 24, 1981, Landsat 2 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
May 30, 1982, Landsat 3 (path/row 42/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Aug. 25, 1983, Landsat 4 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Aug. 3, 1984, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Aug. 22, 1985, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 10, 1986, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 29, 1987, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 15, 1988, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 2, 1989, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Aug. 20, 1990, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 24, 1991, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 10, 1992, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 29, 1993, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 16, 1994, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 19, 1995, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 21, 1996, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 24, 1997, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 27, 1998, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 6, 1999, Landsat 7 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 24, 2000, Landsat 7 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 27, 2001, Landsat 7 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 30, 2002, Landsat 7 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Aug. 8, 2003, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Aug. 26, 2004, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 14, 2005, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 17, 2006, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Aug. 3, 2007, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 6, 2008, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 9, 2009, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 28, 2010, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 15, 2011, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 17, 2012, Landsat 5 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Oct. 6, 2013, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Aug. 22, 2014, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 10, 2015, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 12, 2016, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Aug. 14, 2017, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 18, 2018, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Aug. 20, 2019, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sept. 23, 2020, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Aug. 9, 2021, Landsat 8 (path/row 39/35) — Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Additional Imagery & Stories

Impervious Surface
Impervious Surface

NLCD images of western Las Vegas show that much more urban expansion took place here between 2001 and 2006 than over the next 5 years. The land cover ...

Lake Las Vegas
Lake Las Vegas

Between 1986 and 1992, a lake appeared east of the city, along Las Vegas Wash, a riparian area. This is Lake Las Vegas, a privately owned lake that is...

Lake Mead
Lake Mead

How is Las Vegas getting enough water for its expanding population? Most of it comes from Lake Mead on the Colorado River. The Colorado River provides...

Land Cover Maps
Land Cover Maps

The images displayed in this section show a different way of looking at change over time. These images are part of the National Land Cover Database (N...

Near Lake Mead
Near Lake Mead

These close-up NLCD images show the water level changes to western Lake Mead. The water classification (blue) changes to barren ground (gray) as the l...

Southwestern Las Vegas
Southwestern Las Vegas

Zooming in on the southwestern portion of the city reveals further urban and suburban changes. McCarran International Airport expanded in this timefra...

Western Urban Expansion
Western Urban Expansion

In these false-color images, bright green indicates vegetation. As the city expands, you can see a sort of land cover succession as people build on th...