Red tide in San Diego this week: cool video

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sleepytexan
sleepytexan Posts: 3,138 Member
edited October 2024 in Chit-Chat
For those who have never seen it, check out this video:



So amazing!

I've been out to the beach the last few nights -- it's unreal! Went paddling on it Friday morning -- looks creepy by day -- makes you think of Jaws. aack!

Replies

  • SabrinaJL
    SabrinaJL Posts: 1,579 Member
    My husband and I were at Torrey Pines last night until 1 am watching it. It's really awesome.
  • McKayMachina
    McKayMachina Posts: 2,670 Member
    I just saw video of some blue bioluminescent plankton, there, too! AMAZING!

    Just watched the video...same one. Why does the title say red? Can someone explain it to me? :D I feel silly.
  • supertracylynn
    supertracylynn Posts: 1,338 Member
    Where! I was in Coronado today and it looked perfectly normal!
  • Spitfirex007
    Spitfirex007 Posts: 749 Member
    Looks awesome! Can't wait to move there
  • SabrinaJL
    SabrinaJL Posts: 1,579 Member
    The electric blue glow is caused by an algae bloom commonly referred to as a “red tide.” The organism, a phytoplankton called Lingulodinium polyedrum, has bloomed since late August, turning the water a brownish-red color in the daytime, according to UC San Diego scientists.

    The movement of the waves turns the tide a brilliant blue, visible only after night falls.

    It’s caused by a chemical reaction on the cellular level, according to Scripps Institution of Oceanography Professor Peter J. Franks, who calls the phytoplankton “my favorite dinoflagellate.”

    http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/09/bioluminescent-glowing-waves-red-tide-san-diego-coast-ocean.html
  • sleepytexan
    sleepytexan Posts: 3,138 Member
    It's called "Red tide" because it looks red during the day -- the algae makes the water look like there's been a shark attack!

    When the algae is disturbed, by waves, swimmers, anything, it gives off a bioluminescence that you can only see at night.

    So amazing.

    That video was shot in Enicinitas, Carlsbad, and Oceanside.

    Moonlight Beach was packed the last couple nights with everyone watching. Supertracylynn, it's all along our coast and they said it could last anywhere from a few more days to a month. Get out to the beach at night and check it out!!
  • McKayMachina
    McKayMachina Posts: 2,670 Member
    Rad! Thx, all :D
  • Jade_Butterfly
    Jade_Butterfly Posts: 2,946 Member
    Wow. . I love this. . I am going to have to make my way down to the beach now. . .
  • jamesdelong
    jamesdelong Posts: 177 Member
    That's simply amazing looking.
  • Tuffjourney
    Tuffjourney Posts: 971
    It is beautiful!
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