Data Explorer Knowledge Base
Data Explorer Knowledge Base
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Remote Sensing Map

The Remote Sensing Map is a map with remote sensing data from the USGS GeoEngine API.

Creating a Remote Sensing Map

Use the following guidelines to create and modify a Remote Sensing Map.

1. Select primary parameters

Select data

Select the type of data to visualize. You can search by keyword to filter the list.

The names of the data layers contain the following information:

  • Data source: e.g., CHIRPS, ETAV61, EVIIRSLST, EVIIRSNDVI, EVMOD EVIIRS NDVI, FLDAS, SWE, RFE2, WRSI

  • Country/region: Global, or a specific country or region covered by the data

  • Period length: Day, pentad, dekad, month, 2 month, 3 month

  • Data calculation type: Anomaly (ANOM), data, mean, median, percent of mean (PCTM), percent of normal (PCTN), z-score

CHIRPS GEFS and CHIRPS PRELIM data is a forecast that is updated each period. These data sources should not be used in a report as historical data is regularly removed.

Select geography

Country and geographic group fields are optional. When selected, these will show data only for a specific country or region. Do not select both a country and a geographic group.

  • Select a country: Select the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 two letter code to build a Visualization for a country.

  • Select a geographic group: Select the FEWS NET country group code to build a Visualization for a region. A list of country group codes can be pulled from the FEWS NET API.

Click Generate to view the chart.

2. Select filters

The most recently available data will be shown by default. You can filter for a specific period start date.

Select period start date: Select a date that is compatible with the selected layer:

  • Monthly data: Use the 1st day of the month. For example, 2025-10-01.

  • Pentadal data: Use the 1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, 21st, or 26th day of the month. For example, 2025-10-06.

  • Dekadal data: Use the 1st, 11th, or 21st day of the month. For example, 2025-10-11.

Click Update chart to apply the filter.

Saving the Visualization

After generating the Remote Sensing Map, you can save it to your account for future reference using the Save visualization button in the upper right side of the page. Enter a Title and Description in the popup and click Save Visualization. You can access saved Visualizations from the Saved Visualizations tab.

Interacting with the Remote Sensing Map

You can interact with the Remote Sensing Map in the following ways:

  • Click on a Geographic Unit to view a chart of data for your selected layer.

  • Use the Zoom buttons to zoom in and out of the map.

  • Click the Full Screen icon to open the map in full screen.

  • Click the Download icon to the right of the Visualization title to access the following options:

    • Download PNG: Downloads map as a static image PNG file with FEWS NET and USG logos.

  • Click the Copy icon to the right of the Visualization title to copy the Visualization URL. The link can be used to open the data Visualization in a new tab or window, and the parameters can be added or edited directly within the URL.