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The atoll is in a U shape with the large break being to the upper left corner of the image despite there being a significant island at that end (Horsburgh) the depth drops off on that end as clearly indicated by the appearance of the water changing from reflecting the sandy bottom through the shallows at the bottom of the U to gradually more turquoise before becoming uniform to the surrounding deep ocean.

South Keeling Atoll

This U-shaped series of islets in the Indian Ocean rings a blue-green lagoon of varying depth. View the full story

Credits: NASA / Expedition 70 crew
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  • Earth Observatory Image of the Day
TakenJanuary 19, 2024
Image CreditNASA / Expedition 70 crew
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