Earth from Space - Image Description

STS069-729-022 Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, Hawaii, U.S.A. September 1995
This synoptic photograph provides evidence of the impact of the northeast trade winds on the rainfall pattern of these islands. The orographic effect of the volcanic mountains on each island has produced a green pattern of vegetation, predominately on the northeast-facing slopes, while the rain shadow--drier leeward sides of the islands--allows less vegetation, resulting in a brown landscape. This photograph features cloud formations on the southwestern-facing slopes. Large, multicolored, cultivated field patterns appear in the valley between the two volcanic mountains on Maui.

This service is provided by the International Space Station program and the JSC Earth Science & Remote Sensing Unit, ARES Division, Exploration Integration Science Directorate.