19. Eastern Pacific, Internal Waves

Like other ocean features, internal wave packets have been observed at numerous locations around the globe. Three parallel wave packets are captured in this April 1984 photograph off the coast of Peru from STS 41-C. Each gravity wave is about 50 kilometers in length. The scene is dotted with light cumulus cloud.

STS-41C, April 1984. Picture #13-31-980

Right click here to download a high-resolution version of the image (8.4 MB)