SEA OF GALILEE TURNS RED – ISRAEL

Current Context: The Sea of Galilee, Israel’s largest freshwater lake, recently displayed an unusual red hue over several days due to a natural algal bloom.

 ABOUT THE RED COLOURATION

• Cause: Bloom of green algae Botryococcus braunii, which produces red carotenoid pigments under sunlight.
• Water remains safe for humans.
• Event monitored by Israel’s Water Ministry for ecosystem health.

 ABOUT SEA OF GALILEE

• Location: Northeastern Israel, near the Golan Heights and Galilee region.
• Other Names: Lake Kinneret, Lake Tiberias, Lake of Gennesaret (Hebrew: Yam Kinneret; Arabic: Buḥayrat Ṭabarīyā).
• Elevation: 209–215 meters (686–705 feet) below sea level — lowest freshwater lake in the world.
• Hydrology:
  • Main inflow and outflow: Jordan River
  • Other sources: Underground springs