Atmospheric gravity waves and internal waves south of Java

Atmospheric gravity waves ripple through this true-color scene of the Indian Ocean south of Java, Indonesia. In the thin clouds above the water, atmospheric gravity waves create thin ripples, such as those that occur when a pebble is thrown into still water. These gravity waves sometimes happen when the stable air masses on which these clouds float are disturbed by some sort of terrain, thunderstorm updraft, or vertical wind shear. The patterns the waves form in the clouds are reflected on the ocean surface where the waves have reached down and left their impression on the water. In this image, dark and light streaks on the ocean show where the waves have roughened the surface water. This image was acquired on October 13, 2004 by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ( MODIS ) on NASAs Terra satellite.

Por Mapas Owje