Utah's mountains have been adorned with a stunning display of snow tinged with shades of red and pink, CNN reports. This captivating natural phenomenon that’s nicknamed "watermelon snow," has piqued the curiosity of locals and visitors alike.
Contrary to its colorful appearance, watermelon snow is a regular occurrence found in mountainous regions across the globe. Scott Hotaling, an assistant professor at Utah State University's watershed sciences department explained that the vibrant hues are a result of a green algae bloom that thrives in cold, snowy environments.
The specific algae species responsible for the mesmerizing red snow in Utah is known as Chlamydomonas nivalis. Although red is the most common color associated with this phenomenon, different types of algae residing on ice and snow can produce a range of colors, including purple, green, and orange.
Hotaling described the life cycle of the algae, stating that it primarily exists in a dormant cyst form.
“The algae is normally in this kind of dormant cyst form, and when there’s enough meltwater in the snowpack and enough nutrients, like during spring, that cyst form is triggered out of dormancy. It has this little flagella that can swim through the snowpack to the surface, (where it) experiences a lot of solar radiation and it blooms,” Hotaling highlighted.
Hotaling further elaborated that during the reproductive stage, a secondary pigment is produced, darkening the cells and acting as a shield against ultraviolet rays. This pigment safeguards the algae cells from solar radiation, similar to how pigmented skin protects individuals with darker complexions from the sun's effects.
As the algal cells warm up in the sunlight, they melt the surrounding snow, effectively releasing water into the previously frozen environment. Hotaling clarified that there are no health concerns for water quality or for individuals coming into contact with watermelon snow.
In recent years, western U.S. states such as California, Utah, and Nevada have experienced severe drought conditions, resulting in reduced snowfall. However, this year has seen a substantial amount of record-breaking snowfall in certain locations, leading to a greater opportunity to witness this phenomenon. CNN senior meteorologist Brandon Miller noted that for many people, it may be the first time in years that they have been able to observe this mesmerizing natural occurrence due to the abundance of snowfall during the winter.
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