The Red Sea is not consistently red; its name originates from periodic changes in its water color due to biological factors. The sea typically appears as an intense turquoise or blue-green, but it can take on a reddish-brown hue during certain times of the year.
This color change is primarily attributed to blooms of cyanobacteria, such as Trichodesmium erythraeum, which are abundant in the Red Sea. When these algae die off, they can stain the water with a reddish-brown color, although this is not a constant feature of the sea
Another theory suggests that the name might also be influenced by the red color of the surrounding mountains, such as those found along the Jordanian coast.Â
However, the most widely accepted explanation is related to the algae blooms.
In summary, while the Red Sea is not permanently red, it can exhibit reddish hues under specific conditions due to the presence of certain algae.