Mystery Of Blood Falls In Antarctica Finally Solved By Scientists

106 years ago, the Australian geologist: Griffith Taylor discovered the eerie red falls flowing from a glacier in Antarctica, a glacier that is now named after him.

A mysterious red liquid flowing out of clear white snow and ice in Antarctica was a complete mystery and a sight of wonder for many. This spot from which the red liquid water is dispersed is now known as the blood falls.

For years, scientists suspected the red color of the water to be the cause of red-colored algae. But soon the claim was refuted and in 2003, scientists decided that the red color was because of oxidized iron in the water. The water from Blood falls was suspected to be salt water that was draining from a 5 million-year-old saltwater lake.

According to 9GAG, a recent study and research from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Colorado College has confirmed the presence of a frozen over lake underneath the glacier of blood falls. According to the report, the glacier houses way more than just a frozen over lake. Data from the site suggests the presence of a full-blown water system flowing beneath the glacier, which is suspected to be at least millions of years old.

The team of scientists that conducted the research used the technique of echolocation in order to map the surface underneath the blood falls glacier. Echolocation ended up revealing the exact locations and boundaries of the lake and the whole water system underneath it, that had been active for over a million years.

Scientists speculate that the perpetual hydraulic system created by the water under the surface, helps the water stay in liquid form. The water uses the heat released during the formation of ice to melt the surrounding ice underneath the blood falls glacier. This exchange of heat and energy beneath the surface creates an eternal cycle that keeps the water in liquid form.

Blood Falls opens up a whole new possibility for scientists as the ancient untouched water system surely contains ancient microscopic bacteria and other organisms to study.

Blood Falls sporadically releases iron rich salt water which also known as brine in scientific terms. It is this brine that transforms into a red colored liquid when the iron in it comes into contact with the atmospheric air.

Now you know why the water in Blood Falls, Antarctica flows red instead of clear.