Shuttle radar images of wind streaks in the Altiplano, Bolivia

Shuttle imaging radar (SIR-A) coverage across Bolivia shows the major physiographic provinces, including the Andean Altiplano. The Altiplano contains a variety of eolian features, many of which are visible as radar-dark, radar-mottled, and radar-bright streaks aligned parallel to the prevailing winds. The streaks form downwind from hills and are as much as 15 km long and 800 m wide. Dark streaks originate between closely spaced hills, whereas bright streaks form in the immediate lee of hills. The radar brightness of the streaks is modulated by the proportion of sand cover, vegetation, and exposed substrate. -from Authors