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26 Photos

26 Photos

Aves Island in the Caribbean Sea as seen from the International Space Station. This image is a rare, almost cloud free view of the island and the submerged fringing coral reef that surrounds it. The island itself currently stands a mere 4 m (13 ft) above the surrounding sea surface, and in high seas it can be completely submerged. While the low elevation of the island makes it a hazard to shipping, it also provides a major nesting site for green sea turtles. Several Caribbean nations dispute Venezuela's claim to the island. Photo courtesy of NASA.

Aves Island in the Caribbean Sea as seen from the International Space Station. This image is a rare, almost cloud free view of the island and the submerged fringing coral reef that surrounds it. The island itself currently stands a mere 4 m (13 ft) above the surrounding sea surface, and in high seas it can be completely submerged. While the low elevation of the island makes it a hazard to shipping, it also provides a major nesting site for green sea turtles. Several Caribbean nations dispute Venezuela's claim to the island. Photo courtesy of NASA.

The coral-fringed island of Bonaire is located some 80 km (50 mi) north of Venezuela; its landscape is semi-desert. Tourism is one of the most important industries of the island. Diving and snorkeling are two of the most popular recreational sport activities. Image courtesy of NASA.

The coral-fringed island of Bonaire is located some 80 km (50 mi) north of Venezuela; its landscape is semi-desert. Tourism is one of the most important industries of the island. Diving and snorkeling are two of the most popular recreational sport activities. Image courtesy of NASA.

St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda are the four main islands (front to back) in this east-looking view of the US Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands. For this view, a nearly cloud-free Landsat image was draped over radar elevation data, and shading was added to enhance the topographic expression. Elevation is shown with 1.5x scaled vertical exaggeration. Coral reefs fringe the islands in many locations and appear as very light shades of blue. Tropical vegetation appears green, while developed areas appear in shades of brown and white. Image credit: NASA, JPL, and NIMA.

St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda are the four main islands (front to back) in this east-looking view of the US Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands. For this view, a nearly cloud-free Landsat image was draped over radar elevation data, and shading was added to enhance the topographic expression. Elevation is shown with 1.5x scaled vertical exaggeration. Coral reefs fringe the islands in many locations and appear as very light shades of blue. Tropical vegetation appears green, while developed areas appear in shades of brown and white. Image credit: NASA, JPL, and NIMA.

The Soufriere Hills Volcano on the island of Montserrat produced a plume of volcanic ash and/or steam on 1 October 2006, part of a continuing pattern of intermittent eruptions. In this image, the island of Montserrat shows an area outlined in red - the thermal hotspot. The plume of volcanic ash blows westward over the Caribbean Sea, gradually dissipating as it moves away. No recorded eruptions of the volcano occurred before 1995, but since then, volcanic ash emissions have posed recurring health hazards for Montserrat's residents. Photo courtesy of NASA.

The Soufriere Hills Volcano on the island of Montserrat produced a plume of volcanic ash and/or steam on 1 October 2006, part of a continuing pattern of intermittent eruptions. In this image, the island of Montserrat shows an area outlined in red - the thermal hotspot. The plume of volcanic ash blows westward over the Caribbean Sea, gradually dissipating as it moves away. No recorded eruptions of the volcano occurred before 1995, but since then, volcanic ash emissions have posed recurring health hazards for Montserrat's residents. Photo courtesy of NASA.

A view of Puerto Rico (upper left) and the isles of the Lesser Antilles. The Soufriere Hills Volcano on the island of Montserrat began emitting steam and ash on 9 February 2006. Low-level activity continued for several days. The volcano produced another plume on 20 March 2006, which is captured on this image. The volcano's pale beige ash plume blows westward over the Caribbean Sea. The red outline shows where the satellite detected a thermal anomaly, an area where the ground surface was significantly hotter than its surroundings. Image courtesy of NASA.

A view of Puerto Rico (upper left) and the isles of the Lesser Antilles. The Soufriere Hills Volcano on the island of Montserrat began emitting steam and ash on 9 February 2006. Low-level activity continued for several days. The volcano produced another plume on 20 March 2006, which is captured on this image. The volcano's pale beige ash plume blows westward over the Caribbean Sea. The red outline shows where the satellite detected a thermal anomaly, an area where the ground surface was significantly hotter than its surroundings. Image courtesy of NASA.

The island of Antigua shows severely eroded volcanic remnants along its forested southwestern quadrant. Although Antigua receives approximately 100 cm (40 in) of precipitation annually, wide fluctuations in rainfall amounts occasionally create serious water shortages, especially for the agricultural industry. St. John's, the country's capital, is located along the northwest coast, adjacent to one of the island's many natural harbors. More than half of the country's population lives in the St. John's area. Image courtesy of NASA.

The island of Antigua shows severely eroded volcanic remnants along its forested southwestern quadrant. Although Antigua receives approximately 100 cm (40 in) of precipitation annually, wide fluctuations in rainfall amounts occasionally create serious water shortages, especially for the agricultural industry. St. John's, the country's capital, is located along the northwest coast, adjacent to one of the island's many natural harbors. More than half of the country's population lives in the St. John's area. Image courtesy of NASA.

Grand Cayman is a low-lying, limestone island located on top of a submarine ridge. The city of George Town, the capital and chief port of the Cayman Islands, may be seen at the southwest end of the island. Grand Cayman's 7-mile beach is on the western side of the island. With exotic coral reefs off its shores, Grand Cayman is a mecca for divers. Image courtesy of NASA.

Grand Cayman is a low-lying, limestone island located on top of a submarine ridge. The city of George Town, the capital and chief port of the Cayman Islands, may be seen at the southwest end of the island. Grand Cayman's 7-mile beach is on the western side of the island. With exotic coral reefs off its shores, Grand Cayman is a mecca for divers. Image courtesy of NASA.

The Turks and Caicos Islands as seen from the space shuttle. In this view, the extensive shallow water areas of Caicos Bank (turquoise) dominate to the south of the Caicos Islands. Caicos Bank covers an area of 7,680 sq km (2,965 sq mi). The coral reefs of Caicos are primarily along the north deep water edge of the islands, and in a barrier to the south of the bank. East of Caicos Bank, near the tail of the shuttle, is the island of Grand Turk, part of the much smaller Turks Bank. The channel that runs between the two banks is more than 2,200 m (1.4 mi) deep. Image courtesy of NASA.

The Turks and Caicos Islands as seen from the space shuttle. In this view, the extensive shallow water areas of Caicos Bank (turquoise) dominate to the south of the Caicos Islands. Caicos Bank covers an area of 7,680 sq km (2,965 sq mi). The coral reefs of Caicos are primarily along the north deep water edge of the islands, and in a barrier to the south of the bank. East of Caicos Bank, near the tail of the shuttle, is the island of Grand Turk, part of the much smaller Turks Bank. The channel that runs between the two banks is more than 2,200 m (1.4 mi) deep. Image courtesy of NASA.

The vivid blues of the Bahamas stand out from space. The northern half of Long Island and the southern half of Great Exuma Island (extending to the northwest) are on the eastern side of the Great Bahama Bank and form the borders of Exuma Sound. Image courtesy of NASA.

The vivid blues of the Bahamas stand out from space. The northern half of Long Island and the southern half of Great Exuma Island (extending to the northwest) are on the eastern side of the Great Bahama Bank and form the borders of Exuma Sound. Image courtesy of NASA.

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