Dazzling Liquid Rainbow Flows Through Colombia
Dazzling Liquid Rainbow Flows Through Colombia
Nov 12, 2015 03:38 PM ET // by Danny Clemens, DSCOVRD
Mario Carvajal/Fotur Colombia
The Caribbean's crystal clear waters and white sands may be beautiful, but they don't have anything on Colombia's mind-blowing Cano Cristales.
Colloquially known as the “liquid rainbow,” various parts of the gorgeous river sport red, blue, black, green and yellow coloration that, at first glance, looks completely unnatural:
Mario Carvajal/Fotur Colombia
Cano Cristales, however, is 100 percent natural. A booming population of the riverweed Podostemaceae thrives on the 60-mile river’s floor, its vibrant red hue plainly visible through the babbling brook. Elsewhere, a brilliant combination of rocks, algae and sand is responsible for the remaining colors.
The landmark reveals its true majesty for only a few weeks in the autumn. During the rainy season, the river runs too deep and and too quickly for visitors to see through its water. During the dry season, water is not abundant enough to support the plant life responsible for the colorful show.
More:
http://news.discovery.com/earth/dazzling-liquid-rainbow-flows-through-colombia-151112.htm#mkcpgn=rssnws1
Science:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/122843488
