bioluminescense!

it's pretty much my favorite natural phenomenon ev, and also my answer to the what-super-power-would-you-want question. now, i'm not sure i totally understand this story, but here's the gist:

somewhere near tasmania, there was a buttload of fires caused by thunder and lightning that burned for 69 days. then came a 100-year-flood, washing all these weird ashes with crazy minerals into some lakes. the following summer, as the lake water heated up, an algae outbreak occurred, turning the water bright green. the best part: it was a new species!

and guess what! ........it was bioluminescent!!!!1111

the glowing is activated by motion, which makes it insanely fun to play in, i bet.

read the full story here, and look at a gallery of pixies here.