Satellite image of Alaska
Winter is slowly releasing its icy grip on the U.S.'s northernmost state. Bering Sea ice is melting in Norton Sound (left center), and although shrouded by cloud in this image, ice in the Chukchi Sea (upper left) is also breaking up and pulling away from Alaksa's North Slope. Southwest of Norton Sound, the Yukon River appears to be trying to force its way out to the ocean, with a network of grayish pathways becoming visible around the main channel (see high-resolution imagery). The Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutian Islands (bottom center) seem to be creating a windbreak that disrupts the flow or formation of clouds in the Pacific Ocean. This image was made from data acquired on March 29, 2002.
