‘Rainbow Swamp’ in Virginia

Virginia’s “Rainbow Swamp” is a flooded forest whose waters turn a magical hue during the winter months. Under certain lighting conditions, the swamp transforms into a giant, glowing rainbow, broken up by the shadows of cypress trees (Taxodium distichum) and cypress stumps – the upright conical growths on the tree’s roots, also known as cypresses.

Rainbow Swamp is one of several swamps along the Bald Cypress Trail at First Landing State Park, where the first English colonists landed in 1607, according to the park’s website. Most days of the year, the swamp looks like any other flooded forest — fairly dark and murky. But occasionally, in late fall and winter, the still waters create a dazzling light show.

The rainbow effect comes from the decomposition of leaves in the marsh in the fall and winter. “Trees shed their needles in the fall, the leaves decompose in the marsh, and this waste, when hit by sunlight at the right angle, creates this prism effect,” the park representative wrote in the post.

Cypress leaves contain natural oils that seep into the swamp as they decompose. The oils then separate from the water and form a film on the surface that reflects light like a puddle of petrol. Biological processes in the soil, resulting from bacteria that break down iron, may also contribute to the rainbow effect, Jeff Ripple, a former swamp walking guide in Florida, told the BBC in 2018.

The longer the marsh is left undisturbed, the stronger the effect becomes. “Movement caused by currents, currents, or wind will destroy the delicate rainbow film,” says Ripple, adding that the effect is most commonly seen in small puddles.

“I’ve seen this happen about 10 times in the 40 years I’ve lived here,” Michael Hussey, a retired engineer who owns the marshland, told the BBC. “It’s beautiful to see.”

First Landing State Park is one of the most popular places in Virginia, USA. Covering an area of ​​about 11.7 million square meters, the park has many activities for visitors to participate in.

Minh Thu (Theo Live Science)