New Zealand’s South Island was shrouded in smoke and surrounded by blooming phytoplankton in the closing days of 2019. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired a true-color image of the unusual scene on December 31.

Light blue-gray smoke covers more than three-quarters of the South Island, creating a haze so thick that, in places, it obscures the greens and blues of phytoplankton floating in South Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea near the island. The haze also appears to mingle with and possibly spread over the clouds that are visible in this image. The smoke originated in New South Wales, Australia, where more than 130 fires continued to ravage the coastal regions. PBS reports that at least 448 homes were destroyed in the past week on the New South Wales southern coast, with dozens more burned in Victoria. Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania also are experiencing active fires. The distance from Sydney, on Australia’s eastern coast, and Christchurch, on New Zealand’s eastern coast, is more than 2,100 miles (3,380 km)—and the smoke has travelled all of that distance, and more.

Beneath the smoke, colorful swirls and streaks of greens and blues mark large blooms of phytoplankton. These microscopic plant-like organisms live in the waters in this region year-round in relatively small numbers. When conditions are right—enough nutrients, correct water temperature, and adequate light—the phytoplankton begin to quickly reproduce, creating huge colonies that can be easily seen from space.

Image Facts

Satellite: Aqua

Date Acquired: 12/31/2019

Resolutions: , ,

Bands Used: 1,4,3

Image Credit: MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC