Radioactive 'Bear Island': Rare cloud swirling and ocean algal bloom captured from space

To the North, a Kármán vortex street is created in the clouds above Bear Island. Kármán vortices happen when a flowing fluid encounters an obstacle that creates eddies in the flow. The phenomenon is named after Theodore von Kármán. (Image: NASA)

A striking satellite image reveals two incredible natural phenomena over Bear Island, Norway, showcasing unusual cloud swirls and a large ocean bloom.

Vortex Clouds Over Bear Island

In the upper left of the image, clouds form a series of interlinked swirls, known as von Kármán vortices. These clouds are disturbed by Miseryfjellet, the island’s tallest mountain. The vortex pattern occurs when air currents flow over tall landforms like Miseryfjellet, creating unique spirals in the sky. NASA’s Earth Observatory confirmed this atmospheric phenomenon as a result of disrupted airflow.

At the same time, the Barents Sea below displays a massive bloom of photosynthetic algae. The swirling shape of the bloom is caused by ocean currents. Its light green hue comes from chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for photosynthesis. This algae bloom stretches over 250 miles, covering a vast area of the sea. Both the vortices and the bloom are unrelated, occurring coincidentally at the same time.

Bear Island's Unique and Changing Ecosystem

Bear Island, part of the Svalbard archipelago, is home to foxes, seals, and seabirds. Though polar bears were once spotted there, they are rare. The island’s seabird population, about 1 million annually, is a vital part of the ecosystem. However, concerns are rising about the effects of radioactive pollution from a Cold War-era submarine. The submarine, K-278 Komsomolets, sank nearby in 1989. Its leaking reactor has caused radiation levels in the surrounding waters to spike dramatically.

As scientists continue monitoring the island’s wildlife and environment, the impact of radioactivity remains uncertain.