[UPDATE August 4: Google released the official details on this update today, and also once again released a handy KML file showing the details on the globe. Read more.]
Google has pushed out an imagery update today for Google Earth. From various accounts, this one covers a lot of area. The update is currently only available in Google Earth, so you can verify whether imagery is new by clicking on the “View in Google Maps” option to compare the current new GE imagery to the previous release. If you find new imagery, not listed below, please leave a comment to this post so we can build a list. Some of the new areas are plainly obvious because of the changes in color visible from space.
I just want to recognize Google has been listening to feedback on imagery. In today’s release they’ve improved the look of shallow waters – especially off the Bahamas and Caribbean. They’re using some much better medium resolution satellite imagery now which looks way better than either bathymetry “blue” or low resolution landsat (that had bad color). The Bahamas waters (and other areas) look much more like it should from above.
Hopefully, Google will release another KML file showing the actual update outlines of new imagery tomorrow (Tuesday).
Here’s the current places found by GEB readers with new and/or updated imagery [UPDATED – 3-August 14:03 ET ]:
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China – Beijing (very new GeoEye – dated June 29, 2009) – Thanks to the first report of new imagery by GEB reader Lynne.
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USA – Niagara Falls (high res restored) – Thanks ‘GT’; Miami, FL – Thanks ‘urd’; Lots of areas in Florida; Pascagoula, MS – Thanks ‘Munden’
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Africa – These countries have new medium resolution 2.5m/pixel Spot Image: Western Sahara, Mauritania,
Senegal and The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Most of Niger, Burkina
Faso, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Madagascar, Angola – Thanks ‘Steven’ -
Bahamas – The blue green waters of the Bahamas are back! Thanks ‘Steven’. I’m really glad to see this one because I felt GE had gone backwards in this area.
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Italy – Cadenabbia, Lombardy, Menaggio, Bellagio, Varenna – Thanks ‘Rauski’; Amalfi Coast – Thanks ‘fatboy’
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Balkan Peninsula – colorization changes, possibly more of Europe as well has new colorization. Thanks ‘barakuda’
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Thailand – this country also was treated with new 2.5m Spot Image imagery in areas not already with high resolution.
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Spain – Costa del Sol Marbella – Thanks ‘fatboy’; Catalonia re-colorized – looks much better according to ‘JP’
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Gibralta – Thanks ‘fatboy’
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Oman – Muscat – Thanks ‘fatboy’
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Finland – Tampere, Rovaniemi, parts of northern finland – Thanks ‘Rauski’
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Ireland – Cork – thanks ‘robbiemoore24”; Dublin – thanks Noel B.
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Belgium – Apparently new high res for the entire country – thanks ‘storaz’
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South Korea – Ulsan and Busan. Also re-colorization? Thanks ‘Munden’; Cheju Island – Thanks ‘jlb’
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Europe – many countries are “re-colorized” according to GEB commenters below.
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Vietnam – North and southern parts – Thanks ‘urd’
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Mexico – Re-colorization for this country, one report of bad green colors (even clouds) – Thanks ‘Munden’
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Cambodia – Also has large areas with 2.5m Spot Image – thanks ‘Donalbain’
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Australia – Perth – thanks ‘James’
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Poland – Warsaw area – thanks ‘PaSKud’
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Brazil – Curitiba, Pinhais – high res – Thanks Andreas
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Ukraine – Makeevka, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Simferopol. Other areas in “dark” colors. Thanks ‘oan’
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Argentina – Chaco Province: Taco Pozo, Presidencia de la Plaza, Charadai,
Capitán Solari; Córdoba Province: Río Segundo, Pilar. Thanks ‘Pertile’ -
Turkey – between Manavgat and Antalya (but has clouds) – Thanks ‘Richy’.
About Frank Taylor
Frank Taylor started the Google Earth Blog in July, 2005 shortly after Google Earth was first released. He has worked with 3D computer graphics and VR for many years and was very impressed with this exciting product. Frank completed a 5.5 year circumnavigation of the earth by sailboat in June 2015 which you can read about at Tahina Expedition, and is a licensed pilot, backpacker, diver, and photographer.