Stunning video footage has emerged showing the waters around an Iranian island transforming into a deep, ominous shade of crimson, sparking online comparisons to apocalyptic Biblical prophecies.
The 'Flowing Blood' Phenomenon
The incredible scene unfolded this week on Hormuz Island in Iran, following a period of torrential rainfall. As the downpour hit, streams of vivid red soil, known locally as gelak, washed from the island's famous Red Beach into the Persian Gulf. The result was a dramatic and starkly beautiful spectacle, with the blood-red water creating a sharp contrast against the gulf's usual blue hue.
Social media was quickly alight with the images, with many commenters drawing parallels to the 'End Times' prophecy described in the Book of Revelation. The Biblical text speaks of angels turning the seas and rivers into blood as an act of divine judgment.
A Natural, Not Supernatural, Explanation
However, scientists and geologists were quick to provide a natural explanation for the startling event. The phenomenon is a regular, if dramatic, occurrence tied to the island's unique geology. Hormuz Island is essentially a giant salt dome, composed of rock salt, gypsum, and other minerals that have pushed upwards through the rock.
The island's striking red colour comes from high concentrations of iron oxide in its soil and cliffs. During heavy rain, which is relatively rare on the arid island, this iron-rich sediment is carried directly into the sea, creating the temporary 'blood red' effect. The event is so distinctive it has attracted the attention of NASA's Earth Observatory, which studies the island's unique formation.
The red soil is not just a tourist attraction; it is also a resource. It is exported in limited quantities for use in cosmetics, pigments, and traditional products.
Broader Context: Drought and Deluge
The rainfall that caused this spectacle was part of a wider weather event affecting Iran's Hormozgan province. The downpours were so intense that authorities were forced to shut major roads due to flooding.
Yet, in a stark contradiction, other parts of Iran have been desperately hoping for rain. The country has been grappling with a severe drought, with rainfall 89% below average this year. The situation has led to widespread water shortages and rationing. President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that the government may even consider relocating from the capital, Tehran, if no significant rain falls by the year's end.
For now, Hormuz Island remains a popular destination for tourists, photographers, and influencers drawn to its otherworldly landscapes—a place where nature can, quite literally, paint the sea red.
