Reposting with updated data , the 2012 composite used a different method and partial coverage, which made some regions (like Thailand) appear darker. This version uses average annual masked VIIRS data for a fairer 2014–2024 comparison.

Posted by ramnamsatyahai

18 comments

  1. Some people asked why Thailand looked dark in the 2012 map I shared earlier. That happened because:

    * The **2012 composite used a different processing method (VCMCFG)** and only covered part of the year.
    * Thailand in particular had **gaps in that dataset**, which made it look like there were no lights.
    * For this repost I’m using the **average annual masked composites (2014 & 2024)**, which filter out ephemeral lights (fires, boats, etc.) and give a much more reliable view of stable night-time lights.

    Source: Earth Observation Group — VIIRS Nighttime Lights Annual v2.2, [https://eogdata.mines.edu/products/vnl/#annual_v22](https://eogdata.mines.edu/products/vnl/#annual_v22)

    Tools : Python, Geopandas

    Code: [https://github.com/databandar/NightlightAsia](https://github.com/databandar/NightlightAsia)

    Here’s also the Thailand-only map for closer detail.

    https://preview.redd.it/vj089wqe9pkf1.png?width=4245&format=png&auto=webp&s=d293df91c21a9908c0df209cd6bb512da281dbea

  3. I think this highlights something I noticed while living in Seoul that entire decade. There was an explosion of development in SEA, mainly indonesia, malaysia, thailand and vietnam. In 2014 , your only tourists were chinese. Now, you get all the above
    Mentioned countries in large quantities.

  5. One thing I’m curious about, what “causes” the different tones of light color in different areas, especially India compared to the rest of the map?

  6. The mega urban area of Shanghai and surrounding towns/cities in Jiangsu and Zhejiang is crazy.

  7. So who’s gonna tell me what happened in kandyagash, Kazakhstan between these years, was it nuked?

  8. Japan looks a little darker than it did before actually.

  10. Beautiful to see this GDP growth, making a reference to a paper that shows the correlation between light at night and GDP growth.

  11. Does Bahrain not exist in this timeline anymore???

  12. Very bad for combating climate change.

    Edit: very odd Reddit doesn’t tink unsustainable population growth and industrialization is driving climate change

  13. While we in Europe are (trying to) ‘going green’ the rest of the world is not.

  14. Both Japan and s.korea look brighter in 2024. Both already heavily industrialised/developed nations. Sure there’s been development throughout asia and middle east but this does seem too much of a difference for 10years. could it mostly be a combination of brighter or more efficient Street lights in use since 2014 i.e led instead of older types and perhaps season the imagery is taken i.e winter Vs summer

  16. I’d be curious to see these overlayed with a difference blend mode to visualise the change.

  17. Japan looks exactly the same, surprisingly it makes sense.

  18. Dang this makes me sad for Bangladesh. It’s the 8th most populous country and there are still only rare lights outside of Dhaka and Chittagong.

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