Glowing algae spectacle captivates Danish coast visitors

Residents of Denmark witnessed an otherworldly sight. The waters of the local fjords and bays lit up with glowing algae that shine in the dark. The evening was warm, so tourists eagerly jumped into the water.

The fairy-tale aura on the Danish coast was possible thanks to a light phenomenon known as morild. It is caused by bioluminescent algae present in the water. These microscopic organisms emit intense blue light when moved.

On Sunday, 8 September, they were observed in several Danish ports, including Aarhus, Roskilde, and Veddelev. The water temperature in the Baltic Sea was nearly 20°C, so many tourists took advantage of the rare opportunity to swim in the glowing algae. It is worth noting that contact with these organisms does not pose a health risk.

Photos were posted online showing tourists swimming in the water, surrounded by blue, glowing spots of marine algae. Admittedly, it looked truly cosmic!

Warm temperatures favour the formation of glowing spots, which is why these algae are often observed in the summer. According to the Danish portal Avisen Denmark, the first week of September was exceptionally hot, so the conditions decidedly favoured the occurrence of this phenomenon.

Meteorologists emphasise that tropical nights have never occurred so late in Denmark.