How does a wave form in a cloud? You know what I'm talking about with what looks like acoustic waves? (more)

Question

Here's a great satelite view of one. They look so much cooler when you can see the whole thing:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Wave_cloud.jpg/800px-Wave_cloud.jpg

It actually looks like some sort of man made object at the origin of the wave...?!? could it be?

Answer 1

I think what you're referring to is the high clouds that look like the sand on the beach when the tide goes out (tight wavy ripples), this is caused by warm air rising then cooling quickly forming a small cloud (condensation). It does this "Rising and cooling" of air in a tight pattern of altitude many times, and gives the effect of waves.

Answer 2

well that doesnt look like a cloud that ive ever seen but it could just be the photograph, it looks more like the inside of a cave.

There are clouds that look liek that called mammatus clouds. which are usualy found on the undersides of thunderstorms

They are caused by air traveling up into teh cloud (feeding it energy) then the air starts to decline causing a downdraft causing the cloud to grow downwards in a way. So say the air goes up in the bottom left side of the cloud then exits the bottom right side of the cloud. sometimes these down drafts can be strong and cause damage to your proptery. Im pretty sure they are called micorbursts. =)


here are some pics of mammatus clouds

http://www.icstars.com/Ranch/Douglas/Mammatus_storm_CDO_4_2_04.jpg

http://stormgasm.com/photo%20gallery/mammatus/mammatus.htm


the acustic looking waves are also a form or mammutus clouds.

hope this has helped you! =)

Answer 3

The rain. It weeps, yet in its weeping, nourishes. And in its nourishing, enlightens the clouds, births the vegetation, quenches the thirsty wood, fills the sea waves to new heights. Rain would not extremely do something for stars, although. So, i assume, Rain and Stars.

Answer 4

It's a jet travelling faster than the speed of sound. Dur.