Mmastodon EnvironmentWildlife first seen 13 d ago, last 12 d ago, peak #2

Bioluminescent plankton light up ocean waves in electric blue

Original: The ocean can glow. 🌊 At night, waves sometimes light up electric blue — and the light is alive. Microscopic plankton ca

Ocean waves can glow electric blue at night due to microscopic plankton called dinoflagellates, which flash light when disturbed by movement in the water. Each crashing wave triggers a burst of bioluminescence. Scientists believe the flashes evolved to startle predators, and the spectacle draws attention wherever it occurs along coastlines.

Why now: Striking images and explanations of bioluminescent coastlines tend to circulate widely when blooms occur or posts highlight the phenomenon.

dinoflagellatesthe ocean

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Evidence

• The ocean can glow. 🌊 At night, waves sometimes light up electric blue — and the light is alive. Microscopic plankton called dinoflagellates flash when disturbed, so every crashing wave becomes a burst of blue light. Scientists think the flash startles predators — a tiny… · eatrics · 11

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