On December 16, the rains falling on the island of Hormoz off the coast of Iran created an extremely fascinating natural phenomenon. The scene recorded in this area was dark red waterfalls overflowing from the cliffs to the coast and waves of red tides hitting the sandbank.
The videos recording this scene quickly attracted great attention because the scene was too surreal. Many viewers even mistakenly believe that these are images sent from a NASA exploration mission on Mars or the product of science fiction cinema.
However, experts confirm that this is completely a natural geological phenomenon that occurs right on Earth.
The core reason for this strange beauty lies in the special chemical composition of the island's soil layer. Hormoz Island is known as a rainbow island thanks to the diversity of minerals in the soil and especially the very high iron oxide content.
This is the important chemical compound that gives Mars' surface a typical red color as well as causes the phenomenon of rust commonly seen on metals.
The mechanism of this phenomenon occurs when rainwater comes into contact and dissolves the mineral-rich topsoil. The water then carries large amounts of iron oxide, creating dark red flows flowing into the ocean. When this water flows into the ocean, it will paint an entire tidal area red, creating a strong contrast with the blue color of the ocean and the yellow color of the sandbank.
Scientists also make a clear distinction between the phenomenon on Hormoz Island and the concept of bloody rain that has appeared in some other places. Blood rain is a meteorological phenomenon that occurs when rain particles mixed with dirt or red sand are swept up the upper atmosphere, causing rainwater to fall onto the ground with a strange color.
Meanwhile, the phenomenon in Iran is the result of rainwater washing away minerals on the surface of the ground and coloring the flow.
Hormoz Island is located in the strategic Strait of Hormuz and has long been an attractive destination for tourists thanks to its unique geological landscape. The natural event that took place after the rain on December 16 further enhanced the mysterious beauty and appeal of the island, which is considered the geological gem of this Gulf region.
