The snow even has a fresh watermelon scent and is therefore commonly called “watermelon snow.”
At that time, no explanations were given.
He had several crewmembers bring back samples of the red snow with them to England.
It was then suggested that the color might be derived from the soil on which the snow fell.
Finally, it was erroneously concluded that the reddish color was brought on by meteor deposits.
In that appendix, Brown speculated the reddish-colored snow was resulting from a punch in of algae.
This can cause “sun cups” which are shallow depressions in the snow, just likecryoconite holeson glaciers.
Unlike most species of algae, snow algae thrives in the cold.
During the winter months, when snow covers them, the algae become dormant.
Once they germinate, the algae rise towards the surface of the snow where they appear as pink patches.
Sources:Wikipedia/Wayne’s World/Summit Post
