A strange and worrying change is taking place in Alaska’s Brooks Range. Many rivers and streams in this cold region are turning a bright orange color, surprising scientists and local communities. The main reason behind this change is the thawing of permafrost, which is happening because the Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the world.
As the frozen ground melts, it releases iron and other harmful heavy metals into the water. When these metals mix with oxygen, the water turns a rusty orange shade. This color looks similar to polluted water from old mines, but in Alaska, it is happening naturally. The rising heat is causing chemical changes deep in the soil, and the rivers are now showing the results.
This color change is not just a visual problem. The water is becoming highly acidic, which is dangerous for fish, plants, and other aquatic life. Scientists say that many streams no longer support the species that once lived there. The orange water also affects the people who depend on these rivers for fishing and daily use.
Researchers are now studying how fast the permafrost is melting and how long this problem may continue. They believe the Arctic is warming two to three times faster than the global average, which is why such dramatic changes are happening so quickly.
The situation shows how climate change can create unexpected and serious effects. What once were clear, cold rivers are now turning into orange, metal-filled streams. Scientists warn that if warming continues at this pace, more rivers across the region could change color in the coming years.
Alaska’s orange rivers are a reminder that climate change is not a distant issue it is happening now, and it is changing the natural world in surprising ways.