Antarctica Blood Waterfalls: Century-Old Natural Mystery

Ice-frozen Antarctica is a continent full of mysteries and secrets with its blood waterfalls that flow into West Lake Bonney from Taylor Glacier. It is one of the most fascinating sights on the frozen continent where the red-colored waterfall flows.

The Antarctica blood waterfalls show the possibility of life’s existence on the continent. It serves as a reminder of the wonder and beauty of our world and the possibility of life appearing in the most unlikely places.

However, where did these unsettling waterfalls come from and what do they tell us about the secret life beneath the ice? Let’s dive into this fascinating phenomenon in detail.

Australian Geologist Thomas Griffith Taylor discovered blood waterfalls in 1911. Thomas was a member of Robert Falcon Scott’s British Antarctic Expedition. He observed an odd reddish mark on the glacier’s tip while exploring the valley that now carries his name.

At first, he believed the red algae of some kind caused this red color, but he was unable to gather a sample for more examination. It took nearly a century for the actual reason behind the origin of the red color.

A group of scientists from Harvard University and the University of Alaska Fairbanks examined the chemical composition of water flowing from glaciers in 2003 using a spectrometer.

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It came to light that iron oxide gives the water a red color. It is created when air comes into contact with old seawater trapped beneath the glacier. When water meets air, it reacts with Iron in water. Hence, it turns into rust, which is red after being exposed to air and moisture.

Iron in the water came, from a wide variety of microorganisms. They exist in saltwater because they have evolved to harsh subglacial environments. It lacks light, oxygen, and nourishment.

Hence, microorganisms can survive by utilizing iron and sulfate in water to produce energy. This process refers to “chemosynthesis.” As they repeat this process, they create more of a red rusty color.

However, scientists wondered where salty water came from and how it could stay liquid in a place that was so cold. They used radar to examine Taylor Glacier. They found a network of subglacial channels and a big saltwater lake beneath the ice.

Scientists believe the salty lakes were five million years old during the Miocene era. It formed due to a big bay (salty lake) connected to the ocean. Then, a giant glacier formed and covered up this salty lake trapping it underneath the sea.