Book 30, Question 13 · Video
Why is Lake Louise such a glowing blue-green?
Lake Louise in Alberta is fed by glaciers high in the Rockies. As the ice moves over rock, it grinds it into a fine powder called rock flour. Meltwater carries the flour into the lake, where it stays floating in the water. Sunlight bounces off the tiny particles, scattering the blue and green wavelengths and giving the lake its milky turquoise color.
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What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why is Lake Louise such a glowing blue-green?
The Big Idea
Lake Louise glows a bright blue-green! It looks almost magical. Why that color?
Glacier-Fed
Step one: Glacier-Fed. Lake Louise in Alberta is fed by glaciers high in the Rockies. Meltwater flows down into the lake.
Rock Flour
Step two: Rock Flour. As the ice moves over rock, it grinds it into a fine powder called rock flour. Meltwater carries the flour into the lake, where it stays floating.
Scattering Light
Step three: Scattering Light. Sunlight bounces off the tiny floating particles. They scatter blue and green light, giving the lake its milky turquoise color.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look! Grinds rock. Floats. Bounces. The glow!
Quick Facts
Quick facts! The color is most intense in midsummer, when more ice melts. Ice grinds rock. Flour floats in water. Blue and green scatter.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Fill a clear glass with water. Stir in a small pinch of flour. Shine a flashlight through it. Look at it from the side. What color does it glow?
Outro
Lake Louise is fed by Rocky Mountain glaciers that grind rock into fine powder called rock flour. Meltwater carries the flour into the lake, where the floating particles scatter blue and green light, creating its milky turquoise glow. Science is amazing! Remember, every big discovery starts with a small question. Keep looking, keep learning, and keep asking why! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!