All articles tagged with #bloom
NASA's Earth Observatory captured a vibrant ring of phytoplankton encircling the remote Chatham Islands in January 2026, observed by the VIIRS instrument on NOAA-20. The bloom forms where cold, nutrient-rich Antarctic waters meet warmer subtropical waters around the Chatham Rise, supporting local fisheries and marine life, though the region is also known for whale and dolphin strandings.
Thousands of people are flocking to the Geelong Botanic Garden in Australia to witness the rare blooming of the "corpse flower," known for its foul odor resembling rotting flesh. The Amorphophallus Titanum blooms unpredictably, sometimes only once every decade, and its current bloom is drawing significant attention both in person and via livestream. Native to Indonesia and listed as endangered, the plant's conservation is crucial due to habitat loss. The event highlights the role of botanic gardens in preserving rare species.
The corpse flower named "Horace" at Como Park Zoo in St. Paul unexpectedly closed early after beginning to bloom, drawing 20,000 visitors. The early closure was attributed to night lighting disrupting its natural cycle. Despite the shortened bloom, visitors still found the experience worthwhile. The flower, known for its strong odor, will go dormant and may not bloom again for several years.
Florida beaches are experiencing a massive invasion of seaweed called sargassum, which could be the largest bloom ever recorded. The seaweed has been seen stretching over 5,000 miles in the Atlantic Ocean and is already washing ashore in South Florida. The bloom is expected to move towards the Caribbean region and the Gulf of Mexico in the coming months. Researchers say there is no need to be alarmed as the bloom depends on currents and winds.