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Ocean eddy #

Ocean eddy
Image courtesy of NASA., under PD
The blue-colored swirl at the bottom right of this satellite image is an ocean eddy - a huge mass of water spinning in a whirlpool pattern. Eddies often spin off of major ocean current systems.

The blue tint is a result of microscopic plant-like organisms called plankton, which grow as a result of the eddy stirring up nutrients from the deep to the surface.

This image is from 26 December 2011 around 800 km (500 mi) south of South Africa.