La Ni̱a, Sea Surface Heights, 2010
NASA satellite data indicate the current La Ni̱a event in the eastern Pacific has remained strong during November and December 2010. Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM)/Jason-2 satellite image of the Pacific Ocean is based on the average of 10 days of data centered on December 26, 2010. The new image depicts places where the Pacific sea surface height is higher (warmer) than normal as yellow and red, with places where the sea surface height is lower (cooler) than normal as blue and purple. Green indicates near-normal conditions. Sea surface height is an indicator of how much of the sun's heat is stored in the upper ocean. Earth's ocean is the greatest influence on global climate. Only from space can we observe our vast ocean on a global scale and monitor critical changes in ocean currents and heat storage. Continuous data from satellites like OSTM/Jason-2 help us understand and foresee the effects of ocean changes on our climate and on climate events such as La Ni̱a and El Ni̱o.
Size: 4500px × 3030px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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