The photo taken by an astronaut captures a strange checkerboard pattern. A chessboard-looking forest in Idaho is what the image unveils. Why does the landscape appear so striking from above?
What Creates the Chessboard Pattern?
The photo captures land along Priest River, Idaho. This region lies about 65 kilometres south of Canada. The checkerboard spans roughly eight kilometres at its widest point. It consists of approximately 185 large square plots. Each square covers about 130,000 square metres in area. The pattern results from a forest management system. This grid-based system began around 200 years ago.
Alternating squares are cleared for timber harvesting. New trees are subsequently planted in vacant squares. The method balances forest health with timber production. The recent photo shows snow highlighting the contrast. Snow rests on young saplings in cleared squares. Some squares appear green while others remain white. The photo was taken just before sunset. Shadows and light accentuate the checkerboard effect.
How Was Timber Historically Transported?
The Priest River was once a key timber route. Logs were floated downstream to sawmills in Idaho. Workers used long poles to guide log rafts. This technique, or "log driving", stopped in the 1990s. Now timber moves by road transport. A faint road cuts diagonally through the checkerboard. The system remains a part of forest history.
Why Is This Important?
The checkerboard pattern shows sustainable forest practices. It highlights the balance between human activity and nature. NASA’s Earth Observatory explains the system’s ongoing role. The photo reminds us of nature’s surprising designs. It also shows how past methods shaped the land. Future images will continue revealing such hidden landscapes.
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