SPACEPHOTOS

Port Phillip Bay (large, dark feature center of the image) is the key to identifying several of the major landforms in this synoptic, east-looking view of the greater Melbourne region. Sand bars, shallow water, and islands are located at the southern edge of the bay near its mouth. The smaller bay along the western extent of Port Phillip Bay is Corio Bay. The city of Geelong in located along the western rim of Corio Bay. Bellarine Peninsula forms a sizeable landmass that separates the western half of Port Phillip Bay from the waters of Bass Strait (right side of image). The metropolitan area of Melbourne, Australia’s second largest city (3.5 million people) and capital of Victoria can be identified along the north, northeast side of Port Phillip Bay (left middle edge). The Yarra River Valley (thin, dark linear feature) can be traced through downtown Melbourne, as the river weaves its way from the northeast to its discharge into the north side of Port Phillip Bay. Mornington Peninsula can also be identified as the land that separates the eastern side of the large bay from Western Port Bay (upper right corner). Darker areas throughout the image show the distribution and location of forest reserves and woodlands.