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'Blue tide' lights up Jervis Bay

Ben Domensino, Monday July 13, 2020 - 15:01 AEST

A vivid display of bioluminescence lit up the shores of Jervis Bay in southern NSW on the weekend.

Bioluminescence occurs when living organisms emit light through a chemical reaction inside their body.

The phenomenon can happen in a number of different organisms, including fish, squids, crustaceans and algae, usually as a signal to attract mates or as a defence mechanism to confuse predators.

Image: Bioluminescence at Jervis Bay on the weekend. Source: @james_w_carlson / Instagram

When a large concentration of bioluminescent algae is disturbed by breaking waves at night, the splashing can create an eerie blue glow along the shore.

Image: Bioluminescence at Jervis Bay on the weekend. Source: @petarbphotography / Instagram

After hearing reports of bioluminescence in Jervis Bay last week, photographers and onlookers flocked to the region to witness the spectacle on the weekend.

Image: Bioluminescence at Jervis Bay on the weekend. Source: @teegantagg / Instagram

Bioluminescence can happen in other parts of Australia and in other countries and oceans as well. It's also known to occur throughout the ocean column, from the surface to the otherwise dark depths. Last month, bioluminescence lit up the waves at Glenelg Beach in South Australia.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2020

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A very wet weekend for southeast Qld, northeast NSW

11:48 AEST A prolonged rainfall event is set to bring large totals to parts of NSW and Qld from Saturday, with possible heavy falls and flooding. A low-pressure system in the Coral Sea, a deepening coastal trough and persistent easterlies will bring moisture-laden air into southeast Qld and northeast NSW will bring days of rainfall to the region. While there is not a drop of rain on the radar over southeast Qld and Northeast NSW on Friday morning, the mass of cloud associated with a low in the Coral Sea will enhance rainfall over the weekend.