Netizens are talking about a natural phenomenon that has turned Iran's Red Beach on Hormuz Island blood-red after breathtaking visuals from the location surfaced online. The viral videos filmed, during heavy rainfall, showed rainwater washing crimson soil down to the beach, mixing with seawater to create vivid red tides. While the beach usually draws tourists for its red soil, the torrential rain has made it appear like a huge pool of blood.
'Blood rain' in Hormuz Island, Iran
To the unversed, Hormuz Island is known for its high concentration of iron oxide in the soil, which gives the beach its distinctive red hue. During the downpour, the region witnessed a red runoff, water gushing down the cliffs and entering the sea. A local tour guide posted a few clips of brilliantly vermilion landscapes on Instagram, giving internet users a glimpse of the phenomenon.
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What's this natural phenomenon?
This phenomenon isn’t supernatural — the soil, known as gelak, contains a high amount of iron oxide, hence the plasma-evoking hue, the New York Times reported.
The videos, shared by a tour guide Omid Badrouj, have sparked a mix of amazement and curiosity among viewers. It opened to show tourists standing on the cliff and experiencing the "blood rain" of Iran's popular island.
"The famous heavy rains have begun on the Red Coast of Hormuz. Tourists are rushing to see this amazing rainfall", Omid captioned one of his video posts, uploaded in late February.
Hormuz Island, often called the "rainbow island," attracts tourists from across the globe. The much-visited destination reportedly is home to over 70 minerals.
