Earth from Space is a free eBook describing our planet from a satellite's perspective. Fore more information, please read the About pages.


Yukon River Delta in Winter

Position of center of photo (Lat/Long): [62.6/-164.8]

Yukon River Delta in Winter

Map: Yukon River Delta in WinterNature works in patterns, and one of those patterns is imprinted on the frozen Alaskan (United States) landscape in this true-color image from January 11, 2010. Like a winter-bare tree, a network of roots, or the veins, arteries, and capillaries that enclose an organ, the Yukon River branches across the snowy Yukon Delta to the Bering Sea.

The main branches of the river are bright white, the surface frozen and probably covered in snow. The smaller distributaries (the branches that break away from the main branch of the river) are darker, highlighted against the field of white that covers the rest of the delta region. Each branch flows into the Bering Sea, but the coastline is invisible in this image. The shallower water near shore has frozen, and the white sea ice blends with the white, snow-covered coast. The continuous field of white heightens the delta’s resemblance to a tree viewed against a cloudy sky.

Source of material: NASA

Further information: WikiPedia article on Yukon River Delta in Winter


Last Update: 2011-03-30