• World

See a Lake in Turkey That Naturally Turned Completely Red

1 minute read

A salt lake in Turkey turned completely red as a result of an algae bloom.

Lake Tuz Gola, the country’s second-largest lake, has been evaporating in the hot summer, Stony Brook University marine ecology research professor Christopher Gobler told ABC News. The evaporation has killed plankton, which eat algae, allowing the sea organisms to thrive.

“The algae is thriving and will probably [be] red until the lake fully evaporates, probably next month during the peak of summer heat,” he said.

Tourists often walk across the dry lake during summer, and water returns in the winter.

Salt Lake Turkey aksaray
A view from the "Salt Lake" in Aksaray, Turkey on July 16, 2015. Murat Oner Tas—Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Salt Lake Turkey aksaray
"Salt Lake" in Aksaray, Turkey on July 16, 2015.Murat Oner Tas—Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Salt Lake Turkey aksaray
"Salt Lake" in Aksaray, Turkey on July 16, 2015.Murat Oner Tas—Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Salt Lake Turkey aksaray
"Salt Lake" in Aksaray, Turkey on July 16, 2015.Murat Oner Tas—Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Salt Lake Turkey aksaray
Flamingos are seen at the "Salt Lake" in Aksaray, Turkey on July 16, 2015.Murat Oner Tas—Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

More Must-Reads From TIME

Write to Justin Worland at justin.worland@time.com