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Stunning Cloud Swirls Spotted by Satellite

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Swirling clouds near Saint Helena, an island in the South Atlantic Ocean, as photographed by NASA's Terra satellite on Nov. 15, 2012.
Swirling clouds near Saint Helena, an island in the South Atlantic Ocean, as photographed by NASA's Terra satellite on Nov. 15, 2012. (Image credit: NASA Earth Observatory)

Alone in the South Atlantic Ocean sits the small volcanic island of Saint Helena. The towering peak of the island disrupts clouds as they pass overhead, creating swirling patterns called von Karman vortices that can be seen by satellites overhead.

The swirling clouds, moving to the northwest over Saint Helena, were snapped by NASA's Terra satellite on Nov. 15, 2012, according to NASA's Earth Observatory.

Saint Helena is dominated by Mount Actaeon, which reaches up to 2,680 feet (818 meters), according to the CIA World Fact Book. It's part of the British overseas territory that includes the islands of Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.

Nobody lived here when it was first discovered by the Portuguese in 1502. British soldiers were stationed on the island during the 17th century, according to the World Fact Book. It became well-known for being the place of Napoleon Bonaparte's exile from 1815 until his death in 1821, but its importance as a port went down after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869.

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Live Science Staff
Live Science Staff
For the science geek in everyone, Live Science offers a fascinating window into the natural and technological world, delivering comprehensive and compelling news and analysis on everything from dinosaur discoveries, archaeological finds and amazing animals to health, innovation and wearable technology. We aim to empower and inspire our readers with the tools needed to understand the world and appreciate its everyday awe.