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Sea ice of varying textures is visible in the Bering Sea in this image, captured by the MODIS on the Aqua satellite on May 12, 2009. The Bering Sea lies between Alaska and the Aleutian Islands to the east and Russia's Siberia and Kamchatka Peninsula to the west. The Bering Strait separates it from the Chukchi Sea which lies north above the Arctic Circle.
The Bering Sea is itself not far below the Arctic Circle and sea ice that formed in November may last unil June. The ice might form in the northern region of the Sea and be moved southward by winds. Winds from storms (which can occur every 3-5 days) can also move the ice around. To learn more about Bering Sea ice and climate, check out this NOAA site: http://www.beringclimate.noaa.gov/essays_mcnutt.html
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 05/12/2009
Resolutions:
1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC