The Three Color Lakes of Indonesia

Mount Kelimutu, an active volcano is located in central Flores Island of Indonesia. The volcano contains three lakes filled with water of different colors, respectively burgundy red, pale green and dark blue. It is the only place on earth where this amazing color variation takes place.

Local people have for centuries believed that the lakes are the spiritual resting place of their ancestors. It is said the lakes change color according to the mood of the spirit – and if that is the case then the souls’ moods are constantly restless.

Tiwu Ata Mbupu (The Lake of Old People)

Tiwu Ata Mbupu (The Lake of Old People) at the western point of the volcano is typically blue. This is where it is said the spirits of the old who have led righteous lives go to rest. Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai (The Lake of Young Men and Maidens) is characteristically green. The third, Tiwu Ata Polo (the Enchanted Lake) is in dark blood red color. Flores indigenous people believe the souls of the dead people reside in the lakes.

Tiwu Ata Polo (the Enchanted Lake)

Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai (The Lake of Young Men and Maidens)

In the last three to five years, the lakes of Kelimutu have changed in color, a phenomenon caused by the geological and chemical processes in the bottom and walls of the lakes. It could also have resulted from changes in the bacteria and microorganism populations due to changes in temperature.

The Pink Lake in Australia

Lake Hillier is a peculiar pink lake located in Middle Island Western Australia. The reason behind the lake´s intriguing pink color is still a mystery and remains under investigation.

Lake Hillier is a lake colored pink in Middle Island, the largest island of the other islands that make up the islands Recherche, Western Australia. The lake has water that pink color like bubble gum. The uniqueness that makes this lake is the main attraction for local and foreign tourists. Lake has an area of ​​600 meters along the sand and surrounded by a dense forest of eucalyptus trees. Dunes and a variety of plants that surround the lake is separates from the Southern Ocean.

The pink color of the lake is not a trick of the light. You can prove it by taking water and put it in the container. The pink color will still be visible because of settling permanently in the lake water.

The reason behing the Pink color is in Hillier Lake is still a mystery. However, speculation can be said that the color comes from dye produced Dunaliella salina and Halobacteria organisms that live in this lake. Another hypothesis, pink color appears because red halophilic bacteria and crust of salt contained in the water.

Amusing Planet page reported that Hillier Lake was discovered by Matthew Flinders, a British navigator and   hydrographer. In 1802, Flinders climbed the highest peak in the island (now known as Flinders peak) to                                                            survey the surrounding waters.