Physical Feature: Atoll Reflection on Clouds

Clouds over Kure Atoll lagoon. Photo Credit: NOAA/LT Elizabeth Crapo

Shallow waters of atoll lagoons reflect sunlight back onto low lying clouds, coloring their undersides torquiose or green. The white wings of Laysan albatross are similarly colored by this reflection. Traditional navigators used the "coloring" of clouds to detect shallow waters and possibly land from afar.

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