In the Southern Atlantic, a chain of eleven volcanic islands rises up from the ocean in an arc that extends roughly 240 miles (400 km) north to south. As is apparent in this true-color image, the islands are tall enough to disrupt the cloud patterns forming and flowing around them.
Acquired November 23, 2009, this true-color image shows wave clouds formed by air currents passing over the South Sandwich Islands. The islands anchor the V-shaped clouds that spread out toward the east.