Clouds Patterns over the Cape Verde Islands

Credit: Jeff Schmaltz; MODIS team; NASA, Posted on: Sunday, 27 May 2007, 08:46 CDT Download full size image

Two different cloud patterns can be seen in this MODIS Terra image, captured on May 16, 2007. In this case, the cloud patterns are caused by the Cape Verde Islands, off the coast of Africa. As the wind flows past the islands, it is swept around and over, leaving a wake similar to one that a ship might create - causing "ship-wave-shaped clouds".

The islands are also creating Von Karmon Vortices, as the islands' highest points are causing the wind-blown clounds to flow around in swirls and eddies.

These patterns are not accidental or coincidental, there is a physical reason for it. Wind behaves like a fluid; when it encounters an obstacle, it must move around it, leaving behind a wake or a visible wave pattern.

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