STS080-742-070 (19 Nov.-7 Dec. 1996) --- A view of the Tongue of the Ocean in the Bahama Islands east of Florida. The lines leading from the flat bottom of the Great Bahama Bank, leading into the Tongue, are caused by rapid transfer of ocean water caused by both temperature changes in the water and hurricanes that periodically cross the area. The water is about 30 feet deep on the Great Bahama Bank, and nearly a mile deep in the tongue. To the left is the Exuma Sound, over a mile deep, and a series of islands along its edge with Great Exuma Island the easiest to see. Green Cay, the small dot lower left, leaving a wake to the southeast of light colored coral. The deep blue area to the top right center is the southeastern edge of the Great Bahama Bank.