SMRTR Science & EngineeringNov 10, 2025BGR

What Causes Bioluminescent Waves?

SMRTR summary

Newport Beach's famous glowing blue waves occur when tiny marine plankton called dinoflagellates emit light through a chemical reaction involving luciferin and luciferase when disturbed by wave motion. This bioluminescent defense mechanism, which also makes fireflies glow, creates fleeting but spectacular natural light shows during seasonal plankton blooms.

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