Following heavy rainfall on December 16, Iran’s Hormuz Island in the Persian Gulf witnessed its soil and coastal waters turning a striking blood-red hue. Videos of the phenomenon quickly went viral, with many comparing it to ancient descriptions of “blood rain.” The island’s iron-rich and hematite-laden terrain mixed with rainwater, creating a vivid red runoff that flowed into the sea.

Scientists, including researchers from NASA’s Earth Observatory, explained that the event was entirely natural. Hormuz Island’s geology consists of salt, gypsum, anhydrite, and other evaporitic rocks that react with rainfall to produce the intense coloration. Locally, the red soil is known as “Golak,” and the island’s multicolored landscape has earned it the nickname “Rainbow Island.”

The rare visual spectacle has sparked global curiosity, highlighting both the island’s unique mineral composition and the dynamic interplay between weather and geology. Environmental observers suggest the event could boost eco-tourism interest in the region while underscoring the importance of studying mineral-rich coastal ecosystems.