After recent heavy rainfall, beaches along the island suddenly turned a deep, blood-red, with crimson streams flowing from the hills into the sea. The dramatic transformation left locals, tourists, and the internet stunned, but scientists say this eerie sight is entirely natural.
According to an India Today report citing scientists, the phenomenon is driven by Hormuz Island’s unique geology, where iron-rich soil interacts with rainwater to create a striking visual effect.
Why does Hormuz Island turn red after rain?
Hormuz Island, located in the Persian Gulf near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, sits on soil packed with iron oxide, especially a mineral known as hematite. When heavy rain falls, it washes through the island’s hills and rocks, dissolving and carrying these iron particles downhill.
As the runoff reaches the coast, it stains the sand and shallow seawater in shades of red, rust, and crimson, creating the illusion of a bleeding shoreline.
Scientists explain that hematite oxidises quickly when exposed to moisture, which intensifies its colour. This is the same mineral responsible for Mars’s famous red surface, earning Hormuz its nickname: “the rainbow island of the Persian Gulf.”
A geological wonder shaped by time
Hormuz Island is a geological treasure trove. Built on ancient salt domes and volcanic layers, it contains a striking mix of minerals such as ochre, gypsum, salt, and iron ore. Over centuries, erosion has carved colourful hills that burst into life during the rainy season.
As rainwater flows through natural channels, fine mineral sediments are carried to the coast, briefly transforming ordinary beaches into a vivid red canvas.
Is the red water dangerous?
Environmental experts say the red colouration is harmless to humans and marine life. As noted in the India Today report, the phenomenon is temporary and fades once the sediments settle and tides wash the minerals away.
However, scientists do point out that repeated erosion over time could slowly reshape parts of the island’s surface — a reminder of how dynamic Earth’s landscapes really are.
More than just a visual spectacle
For locals, Hormuz’s iron-rich soil has long been part of daily life. The red earth is traditionally mined and used as a natural pigment in art, food decoration, and cultural practices, adding economic value to the island’s striking geology.
For visitors, the rare sight has become a magnet for photographers, travellers, and geologists eager to witness nature’s chemistry in action.
A fleeting masterpiece of nature
Though the blood-red beaches last only a short while, they offer a powerful glimpse into how geology, climate, and chemistry can collide to create something extraordinary. As rain clears and the sea returns to blue, Hormuz Island quietly waits for the next storm, ready to repaint itself once more.
Nature, it seems, needs no artist.