A small lake in Norway's Nordfjord region displays a remarkable natural phenomenon. Tormodalstjernet near Kråkenes shifts between vibrant colors throughout the year. The water transforms from lemon yellow to various green shades and even blood red.
Professor Gunnar Bratbak from the University of Bergen has solved the mystery after collecting samples. He identified Haematococcus algae as the source of the color changes. While this algae species isn't uncommon, its dramatic color display in this particular lake is rare.
"I've never seen such a small water body behave this way," the professor stated. He first learned about the lake through media reports and decided to visit during the summer when the water was bright red.
The color changes occur because of the algae's complex life cycle. When conditions become unfavorable, the water turns red. When seawater washes over the lake from the nearby Stadhavet and provides nutrients, the algae begin growing and the water turns green.
Local resident Torfinn Kråkenes has grown up near the colorful lake. He has become accustomed to seeing the water in many different shades. This summer, however, he observed something new. The water developed unusual patterns and began bubbling.
"I've never seen it like this before," Kråkenes noted. He has diligently documented the lake's transformations over the years.
The phenomenon isn't new. Records indicate the lake has been changing colors for at least sixty years. Professor Bratbak doesn't know of any other lakes with such intense, shifting colors.
Social media has amplified interest in the colorful Norwegian lake. Images of the transforming waters have spread widely online. This summer, several marine biologists visited the site to study the unusual occurrence.
Professor Bratbak captured microscopic images of the red cells that create the water's crimson appearance. The algae completely dominate the lake's ecosystem, though the professor notes this appears somewhat random. Similar water bodies exist along Norway's coast, but only this one displays such dramatic color changes.
This natural curiosity demonstrates how specific environmental conditions can create unique ecosystems. The lake's location near the sea and its particular characteristics allow the algae to thrive and dominate. The phenomenon continues to draw both scientific interest and public fascination.
Norway's dramatic landscapes often produce unexpected natural wonders. This color-changing lake adds to the country's reputation for unique geological and biological phenomena. The site has become an unexpected tourist attraction as visitors come to witness the shifting colors with their own eyes.