Question

park rangers use infrared images to monitor land during and after forest fires. while visible light from fires may be blocked by smoke or particles in the air, longer-wavelength infrared waves pass through.
the two satellite images show the same area in yellowstone national park. in the infrared false-color image, invisible infrared waves are assigned different colors. the infrared image shows freshly burned land as red-orange.
compare the satellite images. select the true statement.
land features like lakes are not visible in the infrared image.
its easier to see burned areas of land in the infrared image than in the visible light image.
clouds are easier to see in the infrared image than in the visible light image.

Explanation:

1. For the first statement: The infrared image has light blue/teal areas which represent non-burned features like lakes, so this is false.
2. For the second statement: The visible light image is obscured by smoke, making burned areas hard to identify. The infrared image marks freshly burned land as distinct red-orange, so burned areas are much easier to see here, making this true.
3. For the third statement: Clouds are very prominent in the visible light image but not visible in the infrared image, so this is false.

Answer:

It's easier to see burned areas of land in the infrared image than in the visible light image.