What's in the photo? An intricate, rust-colored waterway shaped by mangrove islands.When was it taken? June 29, 2018.
The Betsiboka stretches around 326 miles from one of Madagascar's central highlands to Bombetoka Bay on the island nation's northwest coast. As it approaches the sea, the river splits apart, forming a network of braided waterways, known as a delta, as the discolored water is diverted around a series of small islands.
The Betsiboka delta is often referred to locally as the"red lands" due to the dark orange hues of the flowing water. This striking color is the result of heavy staining from soil rich in rust-like iron oxides, known as laterite, according to NASA's Earth Observatory. The color of the Betsiboka naturally intensifies when heavy rains from tropical storms wash more laterite from the surrounding land, according to Europe's Copernicus program.
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