The Mystery of Antarctica▼’s Blood Falls 南極血瀑布之謎 Scientists have finally discovered the source of the Blood Falls. 科學家終於揭曉血瀑布的起源。
Blood Falls is a unique natural wonder in Antarctica. Like its name suggests, this slow-moving waterfall looks like a river of blood as it flows out of a glacier▼. When it was discovered, explorers believed the strange color to be from a special kind of algae▼. Recently, however, scientists discovered the truth: the water is very high in iron. When iron hits air, it starts to rust, giving the water its blood red color. Scientists also discovered the source of the falls—an ancient lake under the glacier. Even though it is very cold under the ice, the water in the lake stays liquid from the pressure of the glacier pressing down on it. It can take millions of years for the water to leave the underground lake. This gives the lake lots of time to pick up iron that gives the water its special color. Though Blood Falls is not caused by algae, there are still microbes▼ living under the glacier. Scientists are now studying how the microbes can survive these extreme conditions. They hope to learn if there could be life in places like Jupiter’s moon, Europa, or under the ice on Mars▼, which both have similar conditions.
1. flow vi. 流動；流傳 This big river flows from west to east into the sea. 這條大河由西向東流入海中。
2. recently adv. 最近地；近來地 Willie recently met a girl and is madly in love with her. 威力最近認識了一位女孩並瘋狂愛上了她。
3. truth n. 真相；事實 Sally wanted to hear nothing from Harry but the truth. 莎莉只想要聽到哈利說出真相。
4. be high in sth 富含某物 Donuts are high in sugar and can make you fat. 甜甜圈含糖量很高而且會讓你變胖。
5. rust vi. 生鏽 After only a year, the gate started to rust because the paint had come off. 也才過了一年，大門便開始生鏽，因為上頭的漆都掉了。
6. press vi. & vt. 壓／按 If you press your hand against your chest, you can feel your heartbeat. 如果你將手壓在胸口，你就可以感受到心跳。
7. be caused by sth 由某事物引起／導致 Mr. Langdon’s heart attack was caused by his unhealthy eating habits. 蘭登先生的心臟病是由他不健康的飲食習慣所導致。
8. conditions n. 天氣狀況（恆用複數） This new species of plant that the scientists discovered can survive under extreme conditions. 這個被科學家發現的新品種植物能在極端天氣狀況下存活。
▼Antarctica n. 南極洲 ▼glacier n. 冰河；冰川 ▼ algae n. 藻類 ▼microbe n. 微生物 ▼Mars n. 火星
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