22. Baja California, Coastal Upwelling

This 100-mm lens photograph from the second shuttle mission, taken over the barrier island of Magdalena off Baja California, depicts an air/sea interaction. Cold waters from the northern current are upwelling on the continental shelf. The resulting cold water interface creates clouds condensing above the shallow water overlying the continental shelf. The area of shallower, colder water is easily identified by its lighter tone. As a general indicator, sea color darkens with depth when viewed from space.

STS-2, November 1981. Picture #2-12-0821

Right click here to download a high-resolution version of the image (8.29 MB)