Why Do Oceans Sometimes Look Like They're Burning?

The ocean can look like it's burning when the sunlight hits the waves at just the right angle. Imagine shining a flashlight onto water in a bowl, if you tilt the bowl so that the light bounces off it, it looks really bright and fiery. That’s what happens in the sea on a sunny day.

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Examples

A child playing near the beach sees the ocean look like it's on fire.
A fisherman notices the water glinting brightly under the morning sun.
The waves seem to glow red during a sunset.

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Categories: Environment · ocean· nature phenomena· light reflection· waves