Planet Picture: Sea of Okhotsk

The Sea of Okhotsk, part of the Shantar Islands in the Russian Far East, boasts some of the highest diurnal tides in the world at almost 14m. Depicted in this image from Nasa’s Landsat 8, are chains of spiral eddies, also known as vortex streets, that rotate in alternate directions. These are formed by strong tides and currents that, as they flow through straits, encounter rocky outcrops and small islands disrupting flow. The currents are largely influenced by fresh water pouring into the bay from surrounding rivers, only when it is not frozen, as it is for most of the year.