Blooming Seas

A phytoplankton bloom was spotted around the Chatham Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. The bloom was visible to satellites and appeared as a ring of bright green and blue swirls in the ocean.

The VIIRS on the NOAA-20 satellite captured the image of the bloom on January 10, 2026. The Chatham Islands are located about 800 kilometers east of New Zealand's South Island and are known for their rugged and remote terrain.

The phytoplankton bloom is likely due to the unique seafloor contours of the Chatham Rise, which creates an environment conducive to the growth of these tiny organisms. The bloom is also supported by the mixing of cold, nutrient-rich currents from the Antarctic and warm, nutrient-poor water from the subtropics.

The waters around the Chatham Islands are home to a diverse range of marine life, including productive fisheries and an array of marine mammals. However, the region is also prone to whale and dolphin strandings, with hundreds of animals sometimes being beached.