This image shows both internal waves and surface waves on the Indian Ocean near the Andaman Islands on March 6, 2007.
Published Jul 10, 2010
Atmospheric waves and internal waves make an appearance on the same day off the western coast of Australia.
Published Feb 17, 2016
When tides, currents, and gravity move water masses over seafloor features, they can create wave actions within the ocean.
Published Feb 10, 2020
Strong tidal currents, changes in the sea floor, and winds funneling through Cook Strait stir complicated flow patterns off of New Zealand’s South Island.
Published Feb 2, 2018
Sunglint shows textures and patterns on the surface of the ocean that would otherwise be invisible.
Published Aug 9, 2013
Between the island of Sicily and mainland Italy runs a narrow strip of water, the Messina Strait. The Messina Strait’s strong currents can rip seaweed from the ocean floor. The main current runs from south to north, but a smaller current runs in the opposite direction. The currents alternate about every six hours, and the strait’s complicated wave patters can be seen from space.
Published Apr 29, 2007
Underwater ridges and broad ocean currents help make waves beneath the waves.
Published Feb 4, 2013
The complex patterns are due to waves, winds, the presence of oils or surfactants, and the presence of boats and drilling platforms.
Published Aug 25, 2019
The narrow strait between Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and Saudi Arabia is an important passage for ships trying to reach Israel and Jordan.
Published Aug 5, 2013
Submerged in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Spain and Portugal are giant, salty whirlpools of warm water. These deep-water whirlpools are part of the ocean’s circulatory system, and they help drive the ocean currents that moderate Earth’s climate. Warm water ordinarily sits at the ocean’s surface, but the warm water flowing out of the Mediterranean Sea is so salty (and therefore dense) that when it enters the Atlantic Ocean at the Strait of Gibraltar, it sinks to depths of more than 1,000 meters (one-half mile) along the continental shelf. This underwater river then separates into clockwise-flowing eddies that may continue to spin westward for more than two years, often coalescing with other eddies to form giant, salty whirlpools that may stretch for hundreds of miles. Because the eddies originate from the Mediterranean Sea, scientists call them “Meddies.”
Published Mar 23, 2006
