Meet the Jersey Shore's Giant Algal Blob

This summer, the Jersey Shore has been visited by an oddly colored, gel-streaked presence. And—heyooo—we're not just talking about Pauly D. No, it's a giant blob of algae that exploded out of nowhere, overrunning a portion of the Atlantic so vast that its sliminess is visible from space.

During the warmer months, the state's government keeps a close watch on algae, as some kinds can be toxic to swimmers and marine life. On June 30, a surveillance aircraft flying near the coastline noticed nothing much save for a few schools of dolphins and fish. The next day, another flight recorded similarly unremarkable waters, though it also registered a rise in chlorophyll levels.