The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer on NASA’s Terra satellite looking down at the milky and silver colors created by sunlight on the ocean surface June 15, 2013 on the Canary Islands. Wavy, windsock-like tails stretch to the southwest from each of the islands. The patterns are likely the result of winds roughening or smoothing the water surface in different places. Prevailing winds in the area come from the northeast, and the rocky, volcanic islands create a sort of wind shadow—blocking, slowing, and redirecting the air flow.
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer on NASA’s Terra satellite looking down at the milky and silver colors created by sunlight on the ocean surface June 15, 2013 on the Canary Islands. Wavy, windsock-like tails stretch to the southwest from each of the islands. The patterns are likely the result of winds roughening or smoothing the water surface in different places. Prevailing winds in the area come from the northeast, and the rocky, volcanic islands create a sort of wind shadow—blocking, slowing, and redirecting the air flow. That wind, or lack of it, piles up waves and choppy water in some places and calms the surface in others, changing how light is reflected. Ocean currents, oil or pollution slicks, and internal waves can also alter surface patterns, though none are necessarily visible in this image.
Size: 4800px × 3692px
Location: Canary Islands
Photo credit: © NASA Photo / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: atlantic, currents, day, horizontal, image, imager, land, light, milky, modis, nasa, ocean, reflection, satellite, silver, silvery, space, surface, terra, water, winds
