Chennai Beach Illuminated by glowing blue waves at night

People visiting beaches along Chennai's East Coast Road on Friday night were left stunned after they witnessed blue, sparkling waves hitting the shore.

The rare occurrence, which left hundreds of beach visitors in awe of its beauty, came after a heavy spell of rain in Chennai.

The mesmerising sight of Chennai's bioluminescent waves sparked a social media frenzy, as locals shared captivating photos and videos.

The breathtaking phenomenon of blue waves, known as 'bioluminescence' is caused by bioluminescent phytoplankton, specifically Noctiluca Scintillans, also known as "sea sparkle."

 It is a captivating natural phenomenon where chemical reactions within ocean-dwelling organisms produce mesmerising light displays.

These tiny organisms emit light when disturbed, typically due to natural factors like tidal movements, ocean currents, storms, or changes in water temperature and salinity.

Environmental factors, including nutrient-rich waters, algal blooms, and human activities like pollution or dredging, can also contribute to bioluminescence. 

This adaptive trait is shared among diverse marine species including fish, bacteria, and jellyfish.