Title: Stunning Aerial View: Iraqi Lake Transforms into a Christmas Tree
In a unique persists of geometry and nature, Lake Dukan in Iraq has been transformed into a massive Christmas tree-like structure, as captured by European astronaut Alexander Gerst from the International Space Station (ISS) on December 3, 2018.
Nestled in the heart of Kurdistan, Iraq, this reservoir, formed in 1959 by the Dukan Dam, stretches over 6 miles (10 kilometers) long, mimicking the shape of a triangular Christmas tree. The ‘trunk’ of the tree, where the dam intersects with the Little Zab River, even seems to have a crooked ‘star’ at its peak, much like the top of a traditional Christmas tree.
This peculiar phenomenon is not a familiar sight to local Iraqis, but it has become a popular landmark for astronauts aboard the ISS, who often marvel at its likeness to a festive Christmas tree while on orbit. "When viewed from space, Earth’s features often take on familiar shapes, and Lake Dukan looks like a giant Christmas tree," remarks NASA.
The ‘ornaments’ decorating this celestial tree are not your typical holiday cheer, however. The green spirals adorning the lake are actually a result of algal blooms, fueled by warm weather and agricultural runoff. The black specks scattered across the tree are not charcoal embers, but rather artifacts in the photograph, caused by a lens flare on the astronaut’s camera, according to the Earth Observatory at NASA.
Related: Check out the best photos of Earth from space.
While Lake Dukan has become a popular tourist destination over the years due to its man-made beaches and exceptional fishing spots, some ecologists worry that these activities may threaten the lake’s existing ecosystems.
Home to approximately 180 species, including rare ones like the Eurasian otter and the spotted hyena, both of which are endangered, the lake has been under substantial pressure from tourism, according to BirdLife International.
The lake’s surroundings also boast significant archaeological sites, such as the 50,000-year-old Hazar Merd Cave, also known as "the cave of a thousand people," as well as several ancient fortresses and the 4,000-year-old Ga’war Gap Statues, as detailed by the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Lake Dukan’s enchanting transformation into a celestial Christmas tree serves as a reminder of the whimsical blend of natural and human-made landscapes that dot our planet, visible only from the highest of perspectives.
