Template:POTD/2011-08-21
This true-color satellite view of the Hawaiian Islands shows that most of the vegetation on the islands grows on the northeast sides which face the trade winds. The silver glow around the calmer southwest sides is the result of the shelter provided from the islands. Hawaii's mountains, the ocean current, and water temperature combine to create a "wind wake" that extends for 3,000 kilometres (1,900 mi) to the southwest—ten times longer than any other.Photo: Jacques Descloitres, MODIS team at NASA