Pictured below is the 600-metre-long Hillier Lake that can be found in a
densely wooded area of Middle Island in Western Australia – one of 100
or so small islands that make up the Archipelago of the Recherche. This
vivid pink lake is something of a mystery and the only one of its kind
in the world.
The colour is permanent and never changes, even when water is removed and placed in a separate container. Scientists have proven that the lake’s colour is not due to the presence of algae, unlike the other salt lakes Down Under, but they still don’t seem to be able to explain why it’s pink! Another possibility is that the colour comes from red bacteria in the salt crusts.
The colour is permanent and never changes, even when water is removed and placed in a separate container. Scientists have proven that the lake’s colour is not due to the presence of algae, unlike the other salt lakes Down Under, but they still don’t seem to be able to explain why it’s pink! Another possibility is that the colour comes from red bacteria in the salt crusts.
This natural wonder was first documented by Matthew Flinders, a British
navigator and hydrographer, back in 1802. He climbed Middle Island’s
highest peak (now known as Flinders Peak) to survey the surrounding
waters, and was no doubt amazed by what he saw…
By Paul Johnson / ALTB
