Blood Falls Antarctica

^{Photo: KalingaTV Bureau}

Blood Falls is one of the weirdest and coolest things you’ll see in Antarctica.

It’s this stream of deep red water pouring out of the Taylor Glacier, and it looks like something straight out of a horror movie—like the ice is bleeding.

But don’t worry, it’s not actually blood. The color comes from super salty water that's loaded with iron, and when that iron hits the air, it rusts and turns red.

What’s wild is where that water comes from. It’s been trapped under the glacier for millions of years in a pocket with no sunlight, no oxygen, and way too much salt for most life to survive. But somehow, there are tiny microbes down there that are still alive and kicking.

Scientists are fascinated by this because it could tell us a lot about how life might exist in extreme places, even on other planets.

Getting there isn’t easy—there are no day tours or handy shuttle buses to the McMurdo Dry Valleys. But if you're part of a scientific expedition or join a rare adventure cruise with access to research outposts, you might get the chance to see it.

It’s not your typical tourist stop, but for the lucky few who do, it’s an unforgettable glimpse at one of Earth’s most bizarre natural wonders.

Explore more:

• Why is this Antarctic Glacier “Bleeding?” (video)

• “Blood Falls" is a dark red waterfall in Antarctica that remains a scientific mystery (article)