What Causes Rivers and Lakes to Appear Green in Glaciated Upland Regions?

AI Thread Summary
The green color of rivers or lakes in glaciated upland regions is primarily attributed to sediment on the lake bed, such as chalk or rock flour, which can create variations in color. This phenomenon is observed in locations like the Andes in Argentina and New Zealand, where glacial lakes exhibit turquoise or light blue hues due to suspended particles. It is important to differentiate between satellite images and photographs taken from the International Space Station (ISS), as the latter can accurately represent natural colors without the influence of false color assignments used in satellite imagery.
EIRE2003
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In this glaciated upland region why is the the river or lake a green colour? Me thinks that it is obviously to do with the sediment on the bed of the lake. Perhaps it is a chalk bed or a solution lake?
 

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Where is this?

It may be http://www.vec.ca/english/4/lake_louise.cfm .
 
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This photograph is taken of the Andes in Argentina.
 
EIRE2003 said:
This photograph is taken of the Andes in Argentina.
New Zealand also has turquoise glacial lakes, with "rock flour" ascribed as the cause.

In this image, of some lakes in the Andes, the rock flour is said to cause the lakes to be 'light blue'.

Seems to be variations on a theme. :smile:
 
To EIRE2003

Care must be taken when making assumptions about satellite images, particularly when the words "false color" appear in the caption...

Sensors on landsat type surveyors often detect and record electromagnetic signals which are outside the visible spectrum. To display this information visually in a photograph, scientists assign a false color (in the visible spectrum) to wavelengths otherwise invisible to the human eye. Thus, the color of something in a satellite photo is not necessarily its real color...
 
Yes i know that but this is not a satellite photo this photo was taken from the ISS. There is no false colour it is a natural.
 
On August 10, 2025, there was a massive landslide on the eastern side of Tracy Arm fjord. Although some sources mention 1000 ft tsunami, that height represents the run-up on the sides of the fjord. Technically it was a seiche. Early View of Tracy Arm Landslide Features Tsunami-causing slide was largest in decade, earthquake center finds https://www.gi.alaska.edu/news/tsunami-causing-slide-was-largest-decade-earthquake-center-finds...
Hello, I’m currently writing a series of essays on Pangaea, continental drift, and Earth’s geological cycles. While working on my research, I’ve come across some inconsistencies in the existing theories — for example, why the main pressure seems to have been concentrated in the northern polar regions. So I’m curious: is there any data or evidence suggesting that an external cosmic body (an asteroid, comet, or another massive object) could have influenced Earth’s geology in the distant...

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