No matter how old one is, frolicking around in a bubble bath is always exciting. Now imagine if the bubbles were a couple of feet thick and extended out three miles into the open ocean - That, is exactly what the locals and tourists visiting Lorne in Victoria, Australia were able to experience on June 5th, 2012.
According to scientists, the foam is formed when powerful ocean currents churn together with impurities such as salts, chemicals, dead plants, decomposed fish and excretions from seaweed. The resulting bubbles that stick to one another, are carried to shore by the underwater ocean currents. As waves form on the surface, the motion of the water causes the bubbles to swirl upwards, turning the entire ocean around into a giant bubble bath. Marine experts liken it to making a milkshake - the more powerful the churn, the thicker the foam!
The best part is that while it may not be the cleanest of bubble baths, it is perfectly safe to swim in and frolic - Something, Lorne's body surfers know fully well since this phenomenon that they fondly call 'Foam Day', comes to town every three to five years. Did someone say lucky?
Resources: heraldsun.co.au, dailymail.co.uk