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Timelapse Video Shows Electric Blue Waves Lighting Up Australian Beach

Timelapse Video Shows Electric Blue Waves Lighting Up Australian Beach

The rare phenomenen was caught on camera

Amelia Ward

Amelia Ward

A video shows incredible time-lapse footage of 'out of this world' fluorescent blue waves crashing on to the shore caused by a rare natural phenomenon.

Amazing photos show the bright blue waves, caused by bioluminescence, as they light up the night sea.

The waves could be seen breaking on Spikey Beach in Tasmania, Australia on 22 October at about 9pm.

Luckily, an amateur photographer was on hand to catch the whole thing on camera.

Kennedy News and Media

Fergus Gregory heard that the natural light show was taking place just 10 minutes away from where he lives in Swansea and couldn't miss it.

As he approached the shoreline, the 39-year-old spotted the surf breaking over the beach and saw the unreal, bright blue effect for the first time.

A mesmerised Fergus watched it for three and a half hours.

Kennedy News and Media

The spectacular scene is caused by single-celled organisms (called dinoflagellates - stick with me), that glow blue when they have been disturbed.

Not wanting to miss any part of the scene that lay before him, Fergus went all the way to the top of some nearby cliffs, capturing how far the algae spread right down the coast.

The flickers of electric blue organisms could be seen for miles against the dark sea.

Fergus said: "It truly was an out of this world experience. As soon as I pulled up in the car, I could see the ocean glowing.

Kennedy News and Media

"It truly is a magical experience to see with your own eyes. The waves were only about a metre high but they gave off such a bright light.

"I've seen the bioluminescence before but I'll never tire of watching electric blue waves crash against the beach. As soon as I heard it was happening, I had to jump in the car and go see it.

"I was just hoping there was still some blue glow and I certainly wasn't disappointed when I arrived. Even after three and a half hours I didn't want to leave.

"I'm in between jobs currently so it has given me time to venture out and do some more photography, which worked out well this evening."

Kennedy News and Media

The light is caused by an energy which is released from chemical reactions that occur in the organism.

Although it's not known why this happens, it's often used to warn or evade predators although it can be used to lure or detect prey or for communication between other members of the same species.

Featured Image Credit: Kennedy News and Media

Topics: Interesting, Australia