Blood River: Antarctica, which we know as the world’s most peaceful and icy continent, holds within itself many such mysteries which seem beyond the understanding of science. One of these mysteries is ‘Blood Falls’. At first glance it seems as if a stream of blood is flowing out of a white sheet of snow. But is this really a supernatural phenomenon or is there some deep mathematics of science hidden behind it? Come, let us know about the mystery of this ‘bloody waterfall’.
What is the mystery of Taylor Glacier?
Located in the McMurdo Dry Valley of Antarctica, this waterfall is about five storeys high. It originates from Taylor Glacier and falls into ‘Lake Bonny’. This strange waterfall was first discovered in 1911 by Australian geologist Thomas Griffith Taylor. The non-freezing of water and its bright red color even at a temperature of 19 degrees below zero had remained a big puzzle for researchers for a century.
According to research, the red color of the river is due to red algae. Which is called red algae. But modern research conducted in 2017 completely changed this perception. When sea levels rose millions of years ago, this water accumulated there and was later captured under thick layers of glaciers. This water neither sees sunlight nor does it get oxygen. When the glacier ice rubs the rocks below, the iron present in it gets mixed with water.
As this iron-rich salt water comes out of the cracks of the glacier and comes in contact with the outside air, the iron present in it gets oxidized. In simple language, the iron present in water gets ‘rusted’ as soon as it meets air, due to which its color becomes dark red. Just like blood flowing from a fresh wound.