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
When tides, currents, and gravity move water masses over seafloor features, they can create wave actions within the ocean.
Published Feb 10, 2020
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
Atmospheric waves and internal waves make an appearance on the same day off the western coast of Australia.
Published Feb 17, 2016
Underwater ridges and broad ocean currents help make waves beneath the waves.
Published Feb 4, 2013
Surf’s up! This image is a mosaic of two photographs taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station viewing large internal waves in the Strait of Gibraltar. These subsurface internal waves occur at depths of about 100 m, but appear in the sunglint as giant swells flowing eastward into the Mediterranean Sea. The narrow Strait of Gibraltar is the gatekeeper for water exchange between the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. A top layer of warm, relatively fresh water from the Atlantic Ocean flows eastward into the Mediterranean Sea. In return, a lower, colder, saltier layer of water flows westward into the North Atlantic ocean. A density boundary separates the layers at about 100 m depth.
Published Jun 21, 2004
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
The movement of water and sand constantly re-sculpts Long Island’s shoreline.
Published May 2, 2017
