Hormuz Island's rare red sandy spectacle stuns tourists
Social media has been flooded with photos from the beaches on Hormuz Island in Iran, where the sand has taken on an intensely red hue. This rare phenomenon has occurred in two locations.
The phenomenon, known as "blood rain", happens when heavy rainfall washes away soil rich in iron oxide from the mountains, causing the water in rivers and streams to turn red. Though it can occur year-round, it is infrequent due to the specific mineral composition of the soil.
On the Iranian island, views look otherworldly
In recent days, numerous photos have appeared online showcasing this extraordinary phenomenon. The island's landscape appears apocalyptic due to the vivid red hue. The beach and rocks, awash in red, look otherworldly.
The Iranian tourism organization emphasizes in a statement on its official website that Hormuz's red soil has high economic value and is exported for various industries, such as dyeing, cosmetics, glass, and ceramics. The island is also known as the "rainbow island" due to the presence of 70 colorful minerals in its soil.
The phenomenon is caused by iron oxide
The NASA Earth Observatory explains that layers of clay, carbonates, shales, and volcanic rocks rich in iron have taken on vivid shades of red, yellow, and orange.
Walking along the beach, one can see the sand shimmer with metallic compounds, which is especially captivating at sunrise or sunset. This phenomenon not only draws tourists but also highlights the unique geological properties of Hormuz Island, making it a place worth visiting in person.
