From April through September, a type of algae commonly called ‘sea sparkle’ blooms along the coast of all 36 islands in the Matsu archipelago off the coast of Taiwan. An enzyme reaction in the algae’s single-cellular bodies creates the light-emitting chemical reaction. Locals call the natural light show ‘blue tears.’ Stranger still is that when the water is disturbed, the algae light up even brighter. If you want to see the blue tears of the Matsu Islands, there’s still time to book a trip—the bioluminescent effect is more common and more intense during the hot summer months.
The glowing waters of the Matsu Islands
Today in History
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Why’s it called a spelling ‘bee,’ anyhow?
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A peak in the clouds
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International Tiger Day
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Bird’s-eye view of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California
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Happy New Year! (Again!)
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Burchells zebras for International Zebra Day
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Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany
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World Meteorological Day
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In the Supertree Grove
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Big-wave hunters watch Nazaré
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International Mountain Day
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Cetacean Saturday
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Al-Khazneh in Petra, Jordan
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National Park Service anniversary
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It s Independence Day
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Happy Thanksgiving!
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A light on National Hispanic Heritage Month
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Azaleas blooming on Hwangmaesan Mountain, South Korea
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The Colosseum of Rome, Italy
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Infant Sumatran orangutan, Indonesia
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Pont dArcole over the Seine river, Paris, France
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Aerial view of Venice, Italy
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The smoke before the bonfire
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Harvest time in the Palouse
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Tour de France 2024 begins
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Satellite image of sand and seaweed in the Bahamas
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Celebrating Norwegian Constitution Day
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Starling murmuration over the ruins of Brightons West Pier, England
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American goldfinch
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Old Rock Day
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