17. San Cristobal, Island Wake and Internal Waves

This February 1984 photograph over the Galapagos Islands shows a number of internal wave packets in the top right of the view under light cumulus cloud. Wave packets consist of a series of waves, often equally spaced, traveling together. The interaction of land and sea breeze is responsible for the bank of cloud condensing along the island coast. The beginnings of an island wake, particularly noticeable to the left of the island, can be seen in the Sun glitter discontinuity toward the bottom of the frame. Internal waves refract along the island platform where the bathymetric profile and internal wave diameter coincide.

STS-41B, February 1984. Picture #41B-31-1100

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