Heavy rainfall on Iran's Hormuz Island this week created a breathtaking natural display, as the coastline of its famous Red Beach was dramatically transformed into a sea of crimson.
A Striking Natural Canvas
The brief but intense downpour, which occurred on Tuesday, caused streams of vivid red soil to flow from the island's cliffs directly into the sea. This natural event temporarily coloured both the sand and the surrounding waters of the Persian Gulf in deep, dramatic shades of red, creating a sharp and mesmerising contrast with the area's usual brilliant blue waters.
The Science Behind the Scarlet Shores
The beach's extraordinary colour palette is not a random occurrence. The distinctive red sand and cliffs of Hormuz Island are the result of exceptionally high concentrations of iron oxide in the soil. Locally, this rich red earth is known as 'gelak'. When rain falls on the arid landscape, it washes this coloured soil towards the shoreline, painting a transient masterpiece.
Beyond its visual appeal, the gelak soil has practical uses. It is exported in limited quantities and is utilised in the production of cosmetics, industrial pigments, and various traditional products.
A Rare Event in a Unique Destination
Hormuz Island is situated in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, where the Persian Gulf meets the Gulf of Oman. It lies approximately 670 miles (1,080 kilometres) south of Iran's capital, Tehran. Rainfall is a relatively rare event on the dry island, occurring predominantly during the winter and early spring months, which makes such vivid transformations infrequent and highly anticipated.
The island has grown into a popular tourist destination, with visitors from around the world drawn to its otherworldly, colourful landscapes. This latest spectacle has, as it often does, attracted significant attention from tourists, photographers, and social media users captivated by the power of nature's artistry.
