A small Norwegian lake has captured international attention with its dramatic color transformations. Tormodalstjernet in Kinn municipality shifts between yellow and deep red shades, creating a spectacular natural display along the western coastline.
Professor Gunnar Bratbak from the University of Bergen's Department of Biological Sciences recently solved the mystery. He visited the lake in early July to collect water samples after hearing about the unusual phenomenon.
The investigation revealed the cause is a green algae called Haematococcus. This organism has a unique life cycle where it appears green during favorable conditions but turns bright red when stressed. The color change comes from a pigment called astaxanthin that the algae produces during dormancy.
This exact same pigment is used commercially to give farmed salmon their characteristic pink color. The professor noted the industrial applications make this discovery both beautiful and practical.
Local resident Torfinn Kråkenes has observed the lake since childhood. He has documented the color changes for years through photography. His images have generated significant social media interest in the natural wonder.
This summer brought an unexpected development. Kråkenes noticed unusual bubbling patterns on the lake's surface alongside the color changes. Even with his extensive experience observing the lake, this was something entirely new.
Professor Bratbak explains the phenomenon occurs in other coastal ponds but rarely with such intensity. The algae at Tormodalstjernet enjoys particularly favorable growth conditions. After media coverage, numerous people reported similar colorful ponds along Norway's coast.
The lake represents a self-contained ecosystem that scientists find fascinating to monitor over time. These natural color displays demonstrate how coastal environments can produce unexpected visual spectacles.
Norway's coastal regions contain many unique micro-environments that scientists continue to study. The country's combination of marine and freshwater systems creates ideal conditions for specialized organisms like the Haematococcus algae.
International visitors often seek out Norway's natural wonders, from northern lights to fjords. This colorful lake adds another remarkable destination for nature enthusiasts exploring western Norway's diverse landscapes.
The discovery highlights how much remains to be learned about even small, accessible natural environments. Scientific investigation continues to reveal the complex biological processes occurring in Norway's coastal ecosystems.