Rivers of blood flowed in Iran after a drought

Long-awaited rains in Iran brought an unusual phenomenon: the water on Hormuz Island turned bright red.

Last Wednesday, December 10, Iran was hit by long-awaited rains as the country struggled with its driest autumn in 50 years. At Hormuz Island's Red Beach, the water turned red, creating the illusion of rivers brimming with blood.

According to social media posts, the beach and sea were awash with a bright red hue. Regardless of the date of the photo, the red water sparked intense interest among internet users, as Iran, battling drought, saw precipitation for the first time in a long time. Some linked it to a biblical prophecy describing the end of the world, when seas, rivers, and springs turn to blood.

The scientific explanation for this phenomenon is quite simple and straightforward.

There's science behind the vibrant color of Hormuz's Red Beach. The soil and rocks here contain large amounts of iron oxide, which gives the water its red color during rainfall. Iron oxide can also color the soil yellow and brown, but the red hue here is caused by the mineral hematite.