How do rocks get their colors? Kuya Kim answers

A body of water called the “Rainbow River” in Sibalom Natural Park in Antique is growing in popularity among tourists because of its colorful rocks.

Most of the rocks in the Mau-it River are blue, red, yellow, or lavender in color.

When architect Gilrem Paduganao visited the river, he couldn’t help but take photos of the beautiful sight.

“Na-amaze na lang kami sa kulay nun. Napag-isipan namin na i-post ito sa social media,” he said.

According to Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras,” Saturday, rocks get their colors because of their minerals, and the colors of the minerals depend on their chemical element.

“‘Yung presence and ‘yung amount ng certain elemental impurities ang nagbibigay ng kulay sa bawat mineral na makikita sa mga bato,” geologist Mar Christian Cruz said.

The colorful rocks in Rainbow River are semi-precious stones that are used in making jewelry but are not as valuable as quartz, jade, and onyx. 

“Most probably, galing sa mineral-rich outcrops ng mga landforms katulad ng bundok na makikita malapit sa vicinity ng ilog,” the geologist said.

“Sabi nila, dahil daw rich in manganese ang bayan ng Sibalom, kaya nagkaroon ng makukulay na mga bato,” Municipal Environment and Natural Resources officer Rodel Esler said.

However, since Sibalom Natural Park is a protected area, getting rocks from the river is strictly prohibited.

“‘Yung mga ibang makukulay na mga bato na andun sa downstream, pwedeng kunin pero kapag hindi siya processed, ‘di din siya pwedeng lumabas ng bayan,” he said. —Carby Basina/VBL, GMA Integrated News