Earth from Space - Image Description

STS055-080-063 Wake Island, Pacific Ocean May 1993
The nearly triangular-shaped Wake Island can be seen in this near-nadir view. Located in the Pacific Ocean east of the North Mariana Islands, the atoll is made up of three small coral islands built on an underwater volcano. The central lagoon is the former crater of the volcano and the three small islands are part of the rim. Wake Island is used as a military crossroad for ships and airplanes crossing the Pacific. All food, water, and other supplies for the United States Military Personnel living on the island are imported. The island is occasionally hit by typhoons.

This service is provided by the International Space Station program and the JSC Earth Science & Remote Sensing Unit, ARES Division, Exploration Integration Science Directorate.