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• This spring flowing from the Taylor Glacier in Antarctica looks dark red due to the oxidation of iron, so it is called Blood Falls.
• The source of this spring is a nearly 2 million year old, highly saline and unfrozen lake under a glacier.
• Microorganisms exist here in the absence of sunlight and oxygen, running a life cycle based on iron and sulfate.

In the bitter cold of Antarctica, the world of white snow spread on all four sides is a sight that will make anyone shiver. A tumble down the Taylor Glacier in the McMurdo Dry Valleys the spring Looks dark red like blood. It is because of this extraordinary sight that this spring has been given the name ‘Blood Falls’. The mystery of why this spring looks red has been a puzzle to scientists for many years. But modern research has now opened the curtain on this mystery. Let’s know the story behind this wonderful spring.

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How was this strange spring discovered?

The spring was first seen in 1911 by Australian geologist Thomas Griffith Taylor. Everyone was stunned to see the crimson stream flowing over the white sheet of snow. At first, many scientists thought that the color of the water might be due to red algae (algae). But further research revealed that the truth is something different.

The real reason behind blood red color

According to scientists, Blood Falls originates from an ancient salt lake hidden beneath the Taylor Glacier. This lake has been completely separated from the Earth’s surface for about two million years. Existing without sunlight and oxygen, this water is extremely salty and does not freeze even in the bitter cold of Antarctica.

When this salty water comes out of cracks in the glacier and is exposed to oxygen in the outside atmosphere, the iron in it is oxidized. This process is similar to rusting of iron. This causes the water to turn dark red in color and look like blood as it flows over the ice.

Life is possible here even without oxygen

The most amazing thing about Blood Falls is that life exists in this lake. Microorganisms survive here in the absence of sunlight and oxygen. These microorganisms carry out their life cycle using iron and sulfate. According to scientists, if life is possible in such dark and frozen regions of Antarctica, the possibility of life on other cold planets or moons in the future cannot be ruled out.

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Can we actually see this spring?

Although Blood Falls is a wonderful natural wonder, it is not on the main tourist route of Antarctica. So it is almost impossible for common tourists to reach there. Experts are allowed to visit this place only for scientific research. But for us, the darshan of this ‘killer’ spring is limited to photos and videos only. This mysterious spring created by nature has left scientists and the world in awe even today. This red water flowing through the ice kingdom deepens the mystery of Antarctica.