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Vortex streets in South China Sea

This true-color Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) image from January 15, 2003, shows a pattern within a pattern in the clouds over the East China Sea. The clouds to the west appear as a tightly-knit, interlocking pattern of circles, while those to the far east appear more row-like, especially near the northern edge of the cloud bank. In the center is a phenomenon called a vortex street, an alternating double row of vortices often produced in the wake of an obstacle to air flow, such as the small island off the tip of South Korea at top center.


Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC

Published January 24, 2003
Data acquired January 15 - 15, 2003

Source:
Aqua > MODIS
Topics:
Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Convergence/Divergence
Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Turbulence
Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Vorticity