These wispy rows of cloud or "cloud lanes" are recognized
as a "landmark" by successive shuttle crews. This unique
cloud formation off Oman is virtually constant at certain times
of year. The clouds are created by a small vortex in the low level
wind current. There is little difference between the ocean and
atmosphere temperatures here, but the air current may have been
subjected to heating from the Somali Current. (Courtesy LPI/NASA).