Cloud vortex streets off the Cape Verde Islands - related image preview

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Cloud vortex streets off the Cape Verde Islands - related image preview

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Cloud vortex streets off the Cape Verde Islands

Low-level winds rushing over the Cape Verde Islands off the coast of northwestern Africa created cloud vortex streets, as seen in this true-color Terra MODIS image from January 5, 2005. The vortex streets tend to create patterns of swirls and curves in a roughly symmetrical pattern, though as can be seen here, the lower vortex street is much more disorganized - to the point that the typical features are almost unrecognizeable. Cloud vortices are also known as von Karman vortices.

More information about the Cape Verde islands is available Encyclopedia.com.


Jeff Schmaltz

Published January 5, 2005
Data acquired January 5, 2005

Source:
Terra > MODIS
Collections:
MODIS Image of the Day
Visible Earth