NASA's Terra satellite has captured breathtaking images of von Kármán vortex streets—mesmerizing, spiraling cloud formations tracing the wind's path around South Korea's Jeju Island.

High above the Earth, atmospheric physics frequently paints masterpieces on the canvas of the sky. The latest exhibit features a spectacular trail of swirling clouds trailing a volcanic landmass.

Understanding these meteorological phenomena provides critical insights into global wind patterns and fluid dynamics, knowledge that is vital for everything from aviation safety in East Africa to predicting localized weather systems around Mount Kenya.

The Volcanic Catalyst

Captured on February 19, 2026, by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's Terra satellite, the image centers on Jeju Island. Located roughly 100 kilometers south of the Korean Peninsula, the island is dominated by Hallasan, a towering shield volcano rising 1,950 meters (6,400 feet) above the sea.

This massive, stationary obstruction acts as a wedge in the atmospheric flow. When the winter winds of February hit the island, they were forced to diverge, setting the stage for a spectacular atmospheric display.

The Physics of the Swirl

The staggered, spiraling cloud patterns are scientifically known as von Kármán vortex streets. They manifest when a fluid—in this case, the atmosphere—flows past a tall, isolated object.

The formation requires a "sweet spot" of wind speed:

• If winds are too weak, the clouds flow smoothly around the peak without disruption.
• If winds are too strong, the turbulent vortices cannot maintain their structural integrity.
• At optimal speeds between 18 and 54 kilometers (11 and 34 miles) per hour, the airflow breaks into highly organized, counter-rotating vortices.

Oceanic Turbulence

The satellite imagery also revealed intense turbulence beneath the clouds. To the west of Jeju Island, the waters were churned into a murky brown. This was identified as a massive plume of sediment drifting off the coast of China's Jiangsu province.

"These expansive winter plumes are a result of seasonal shifts in ocean currents and the vertical mixing of the water column," researchers explained, highlighting the interconnected beauty of Earth's atmospheric and oceanic systems.