In 1969, the United States' "Apollo Moon Landing Program" brought Earth's creatures—humans—to the moon. Since then, humans officially entered the realm of exploration and pursuit in space. Curiosity about outer space has never been erased from human history; instead, it has grown more intense with the continuous development of technology. Wild space travel seems to be a privilege only for the rich who can afford the exorbitant costs, leaving us commoners seemingly yearning but unable to reach. However, Earth always gives us surprises. On the passionate land of Spain lies a magical place that is picturesque and poetic, offering an ideal location to escape Earth and head to "Mars." This place is Rio Tinto, the "Red Wine River" located in the province of Huelva in the Andalusia region of southern Spain.
The Past and Present of Rio Tinto
On your way to the beaches of southern Spain for vacation, you will surely come across this route: traveling through the A-461 highway in the province of Huelva, it takes about a 30-minute drive to see the sign for the "Red Wine River." The river water here appears deep purplish red. Looking closely, towering peaks stand in the river, with signs indicating: Rio Tinto, which translates from Spanish as "Red Wine River." Its water color resembles the hue of red玛瑙 (carnelian), much like the fine wine of Bordeaux.
Rio Tinto's naturally vibrant purple-red is akin to a gift from aliens to Earth. Originally, people generally believed that the river turned red due to environmental contamination. However, the latest scientific research shows that Rio Tinto has had its current appearance for over eight hundred years.
The origin of Rio Tinto is located on a mountain one hundred kilometers north of Spain, where abundant pyrite and copper mines dye the flowing river water with the colors of sulfur and purple copper. Where there are minerals, there are certainly mines, and here lies one of Europe's largest and oldest mines.
Currently, all kinds of mines at "Rio Tinto" have ceased operations, leaving behind a giant mine pit resembling an inverted crater filled with rainwater, forming a large lake. The entire pit valley looks like traces left by the landing of a giant extraterrestrial spacecraft, or layer upon layer of the Roman Colosseum, or even the entrance to a secret base.
Mars-like Ecological Environment
Scientists have long hoped to conduct highly realistic simulation experiments on Earth before embarking on life-detection missions on Mars. The appearance of Rio Tinto seems like a beacon of science and technology, as its ecological environment is very similar to that of Mars.
Scientists have already begun using advanced life-detection techniques to conduct high-fidelity experiments on this river, achieving astonishing results.
Looking out the train window, Rio Tinto appears to be a dead river, as there is no oxygen in the water, and neither fish nor aquatic plants exist in the river. Along the banks, only acid-resistant shrubs grow abundantly.
Iron sulfide substances in the river water separate to form sulfuric acid, with a pH level reaching around 1.5 to 3, making the entire river akin to concentrated sulfuric acid. The acidic environment of the river water resembles a "biochemical reactor" beneath the surface.
Scientists believe that its ecological environment can simulate the sub-surface environment of Mars. After seeing many reports about it, I even believe that this place is specifically left for us humans to study by extraterrestrials. And once we've studied it thoroughly, we might achieve the possibility of flying into space and settling on other planets.
Listening to the Messages of the River
Near the river valley lies the most famous must-visit spot, the Rio Tinto Mine Museum. In the museum, various types of minerals are neatly placed in different boxes. Regardless of the unique minerals not found elsewhere, even the boxes themselves are quite special.
At the museum's souvenir department, you can purchase river water bottled in small wine bottles, priced at 6 euros per bottle. It's cute and exquisite, allowing you to preserve beautiful memories of this extraordinary place. Or perhaps, in the future, you'll rely on this tiny bottle of liquid as a ticket to board the spaceship from Mars destined to pick up Earthlings.
Here, in the real world, lies an "alien planet"; here, in an alien-world-turned-reality, exists another version of our world. Whichever perspective you take, both are truly right beside you. Believe that only those who have personally seen the river with the color of carnelian and the valley pits resembling entrances to underground secret caves can understand the strange sensation of the soul and spirit ascending in reality. Perhaps ordinary people like you and me may never have the chance to fly into space, but it doesn't matter. Here, we can still fulfill our dreams of space just like the space travelers.