What if a lake could be the exact color of bubblegum, all year round? ๐คฏ๐ธ
Lake Hillier sits on Middle Island in Western Australia's Recherche Archipelago, and it has stayed a vivid shade of pink since it was first spotted from the air in 1802. ๐๐
For over two centuries, the leading explanation pointed to a combination of high salt concentration, a pink-pigmented algae called Dunaliella salina, and pigment-producing bacteria that thrive in extremely salty water.
But here's the part that rarely makes it into viral posts: as of recent scientific surveys, researchers have found that Dunaliella salina alone doesn't fully explain the intensity of the color, and some studies now point to a wider mix of halophilic (salt-loving) microorganisms working together. The full picture is still being pieced together.
Unlike some pink lakes that fade when scooped into a bottle, Lake Hillier is unusual because its pink color reportedly persists even when the water is removed from the lake. ๐งช
The lake is separated from the ocean by only a narrow strip of sand and dune, with the deep blue sea visible just beyond it — creating one of the strangest color contrasts found anywhere in nature.
Access is tightly restricted because Middle Island sits within a nature reserve, so most people will only ever see this lake from the air or in photos. ✈️
So the next time you see that impossibly pink lake online, remember: even now, scientists don't have the complete answer.
