Heavy rain on Iran's Hormuz Island briefly changed the colour of its famous Red Beach this week, as runoff carried iron rich soil into the sea.
The flow turned parts of the shoreline and nearby waters a deep red, standing out against the blue of the Persian Gulf.
The beach is known for its red sand and cliffs, shaped by high levels of iron oxide. When rain falls, streams of soil run downhill and spread across the coast. The effect is short lived but draws visitors, photographers and wide attention online.
Hormuz Island sits in the Strait of Hormuz, where the Persian Gulf meets the Gulf of Oman.
Rain is rare on the arid island and is usually limited to winter and early spring. Beyond its visual appeal, the red soil, known locally as gelak, is used in small amounts for pigments, cosmetics and traditional products.
