Why do some mountain lakes look bright turquoise?
Quick Answer
Glacial lakes can look turquoise because very fine rock particles suspended in the water scatter sunlight in a striking way. These particles, called glacial flour, are produced as ice grinds bedrock.
The Full Story
As glaciers move, they pulverize underlying rock into microscopic particles. When meltwater carries this glacial flour into a lake, the finest sediments remain suspended and scatter blue and green wavelengths of light. That optical effect gives many mountain lakes their vivid turquoise color. The water itself is not dyed; it is the tiny mineral particles that create the color. Lake Louise in Canada and many lakes in the Andes are famous examples.
Key Facts
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