The 'blood Falls' in Antarctica, Hundreds of Years of Mystery Has

The bloody, bloody red liquid flowing from the glacier pouring into Lake Bonney is called "Blood Falls", which stands out from the white landscape of Antarctica as a mystery that scientists always want to examine. for over a century. This article explains the key facts and context behind blood falls.

Key Facts About Blood Falls

In 1911, Australian explorer Griffith Taylor discovered this strange waterfall. The origin of the red water flow down from the 54km long strip in. The East Antarctic Glacier valley Became a mystery that caused scientists a headache.

Once discovered, Griffith Taylor thinks that the cause of the blood-red water is due to an algae.

But then, the explorer said, there was a saltwater lake containing iron about 1.5 million years ago and now the lake is covered with ice. Saltwater is stained by iron-containing minerals and when exposed to air, iron turns into sharp oxide that creates a deep red color.

Why Blood Falls Matters

To find out, the research team led by the ice school Erin Pettit of Alaska Fairbanks University conducted a survey of the Taylor glacier. They discovered that blood-red salty water is an ecosystem of. Ancient bacteria Trapped underground for millions of years, where there is no sunlight, temperatures reach minus 5 degrees Celsius and salinity folds. 3 times seawater. They are rare autotrophs on our planet.

What surprised the scientists was that salt water actually flowed from ice at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius instead of freezing.

That's because ice made from fresh water warms salt water, water releases heat when it freezes, and the heat generated by that ice warms the cooler ice around.

Currently, glacier Taylor is the coldest glacier ever known to have continuous flowing water.