Chatham Islands Bloom

A summer phytoplankton bloom is seen off the east coast of New Zealand, extending to Chatham Islands (Rēkohu in Moriori, Wharekauri in Māori) near the center of the image. Blooms in this region can be driven by a mix of ocean currents and the unique underwater topography of the Chatham Rise, where nutrient-rich Antarctic waters meet warmer subtropical currents. The Chatham Islands are located about 800 km (500 mi) from New Zealand's South Island. This image was taken by the OCI sensor aboard the PACE spacecraft on November 6, 2025.

Click to see a larger version of this image