Beautiful Natural Phenomenon Transforms Tasmanian Beach Into An 'Alien World'

Mysterious Natural Phenomenon Transforms Beach Into Stunning 'Alien World'

Something incredible is happening to the shores of Tasmania.

In the last few days a massive bloom of organisms have transformed the beach into a glowing 'alien' world that's drawing scientists and photographers alike.

Called dinoflagellates, these tiny organisms -- also known as 'sea sparkles' -- are a type of phytoplankton that have the unique ability to glow when disturbed.

The side-effect of this being that they can transform the water they inhabit into a glowing blue liquid that's unlike anything else on the planet. No one actually knows how these organisms glow or indeed why they do it.

Tourists and photographers have swarmed to the spot to witness the phenomenon which, although common, is extremely rare in these numbers.

Speaking to ABC News was Dr Lisa-Ann Gershwin, a jelly-fish expert who said: "It was the most wondrous sight imaginable, I've seen a lot of bioluminescence in the past 25 years and this is the best I've ever seen."

Jo Malcomson from Blackpaw Photography was one of those people and managed to capture some incredible pictures of the glowing beach along with the night sky in the background.

I hear last night the South Arm neck was a carpark. Sure looked that way from my "secret viewing platform" miles away...

Posted by Blackpaw Photography on Tuesday, 19 May 2015

Glowing wellies! What fun! :D #seasparkles

Posted by Blackpaw Photography on Monday, 18 May 2015

Still enjoying the glow of last night... :DBioluminescence along the Neck, South Arm. #seasparkles

Posted by Blackpaw Photography on Monday, 18 May 2015
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