According to a foreign news agency, the bright red waterfall, known as Blood Falls, which flows from the Taylor Glacier in the icy region of East Antarctica, has long been a mysterious natural phenomenon for scientists. This place is located in one of the coldest and driest places on Earth. National Geographic researcher Erin C. Pitt and her team have recently revealed that the blood-red color of the waterfall is not caused by any biological substance, but by the extremely salty and iron-rich water beneath the ice. According to experts, when this iron-rich water emerges from the interior of the glacier and comes to the surface, it reacts with oxygen and turns into iron oxide (rust). This chemical process gives the water its rusty red color and gives it a blood-like appearance. Measurements taken during the research revealed that as the water approaches the edge of the waterfall, the amount of iron in it increases. Experts say that water temperature and salinity levels play an important role in this complex system. Taylor Glacier is considered one of the coldest glaciers in the world, yet surprisingly, the water here is constantly flowing. This complex combination of ice, salt, iron, and heat creates a dynamic system that shows the activity of nature even in the seemingly dead icy desert. Experts say that Blood Falls not only offers a breathtaking natural spectacle, but it is also proof of how complex and active chemical and physical processes can be, even in the most harsh and hostile environments.
ADVERTISEMENT
