Weird Places: The Bubble Gum Lake
There are people who take pleasure in seeking out the weirdest, strangest, most bizarre places on our planet. Our weird places blog updates help point them in the right direction.
Some time ago, I wrote about blue lava. But Mother Nature has many more strange colour combinations to offer. In Australia they have a lake that is as pink as bubble gum.
Lake Hillier
Lake Hillier is situated on the central island of the Recherche Archipelago off the coast of South Western Australia. The closest town on the mainland is called Esperance. About two hundred years ago, the explorer Matthew Flinders climbed to the island’s highest point. Without knowing what to expect, he went to map out the area and then discovered this amazing lake.
Why?!
The lake is bright pink. No variations. No soft pink hues. No, this place is hot pink! Why? How? Scientists assume it has to do with bacteria that emit the colour. The algae—Dunaliella salina—is certainly present and seems to be the most likely cause of the lake’s colour. After all, it’s the only living organism in the lake.
A Thin Strip
The lake is separated from the sea by a thin strip of sand. Would the sea turn pink if this natural dam were to break? Probably not. Even if you draw water from the lake and put it in a bottle, the pink colour disappears immediately. And, by the way, I wouldn’t recommend it because it’s against the law to set foot on the island in the first place. The islands are a protected nature reserve. People are only permitted to visit one island in the group, called Woody Island.
Fly-over
One good way to see it all is from the air. You can get to Esperance by flying with KLM and partners to Perth. From there, you can transfer to a smaller aircraft to see the islands and this remarkable lake.
It has to be one of the most amazing places I’ve ever seen. Can you recommend a crazier place than this? Please let me know!
Do you like this weird place? Check out the other ones:
