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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Penguin Awareness Day
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National Bison Day
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A house of grand scale(s)
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The power of the forest
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International Womens Day
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International Sloth Day
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Reflecting on Black History Month
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Behold the blood moon
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Sitting down and taking a stand
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A towering view of the Pale Mountains
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Everest s shadow on the Himalayas
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Saint Dwynwen s Day
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Great cormorants
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Saint Nicholas Day in Verbier, Switzerland
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Mitsumata blossoms
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Boating on the Bojo
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Mount Rainier National Park
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International Museum Day
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National Public Lands Day
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Taking the forest to the cloud
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Lake Bled, Slovenia
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Celebrating World Olive Tree Day
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Giving Tuesday
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International Surfing Day
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Tulips at Emirgan Park in Istanbul, Türkiye
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It s Star Wars Day
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Alpine marmots at Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria
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Humpbacks return to the Inside Passage
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National Take the Stairs Day
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American bison, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming