Three lakes of different colors were shown from space. NASA explained why this happened

Three colorful lakes in Ethiopia, each of which is different in color, are visible in stunning

details in a satellite image recently released by NASA. The unusual colors are the result of many factors, including water chemistry, depth and the organisms that live in them.

earthobservatory.nasa.gov

Three lakes are visible in the picture:Lake Shala is dark blue; Lake Abiyatta - green; and Lake Langano - sandy yellow. All reservoirs are located in the Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia, approximately 200 km south of the capital Addis Ababa.

The Landsat 8 satellite is jointly ownedNASA and US Geological Survey. The image was taken a few months ago in real color using an on-board Operational Land Imager. The image was released in October by NASA's Earth Observatory.

earthobservatory.nasa.gov

Lake Shala, which is about 12 kmin length and 28 km at its widest point, it is the deepest of the three lakes, with a maximum depth of 266 meters. At the bottom of the lake there are numerous vents from which sulfur is released into the water. As a result, the reservoir is very alkaline. Despite the extreme conditions, the lake is home to a large number of small crustaceans and microorganisms, which feed large flocks of flamingos and pelicans.

earthobservatory.nasa.gov

Lake Abiyatta, which is aboutAt 17 km and 15 km wide, it is the shallowest of the three lakes, with a maximum depth of 14 m. Over the last 50 years, the lake has lost about a third of its area. The green color of the reservoir is due to the bloom of phytoplankton on its surface.

earthobservatory.nasa.gov

Lake Langano, which is about18 km and 16 km wide. The yellow color of the reservoir is due to brown sediments that are carried from the nearby mountains by the rivers that feed it. Langano is a popular destination for beach lovers, as it is the only lake in the region not inhabited by the parasitic worms that infect humans with schistosomiasis.

earthobservatory.nasa.gov

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