Geo Rutherford is a popular figure on TikTok, known for her series on spooky lakes, which she calls “haunted hydrology.” She recently released a book titled “Spooky Lakes: 25 Strange and Mysterious Lakes that Dot Our Planet.” In a recent interview, she shared insights into what inspired her to focus on hydrology and the strange phenomena found in lakes around the world.
Rutherford’s interest in hydrology began during her graduate studies in Milwaukee, where she spent time exploring Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes. The pandemic led her to share her artwork and educational content about the Great Lakes on TikTok, which eventually evolved into the concept of Spooky Lake Month.
During Spooky Lake Month, Rutherford highlights lakes that exhibit strange and unusual characteristics, often the result of natural phenomena or human activities. Some of her favorite examples include Lake Superior, known for its many shipwrecks and unique preservation of bodies due to cold freshwater conditions, Lake Natron in Tanzania, which can mummify creatures that fall into it, and Lake Baikal in Siberia, the deepest and oldest lake in the world with a unique ecosystem.
Rutherford’s book, “Spooky Lakes,” features 25 mysterious bodies of water from around the world, including Lake Superior, Lake Baikal, and Lake Natron. She hopes the book will inspire readers to recognize the secrets held by the world’s waters and the importance of protecting them from human-induced harm.
Overall, Rutherford’s work aims to shed light on the fascinating and sometimes eerie aspects of lakes while also raising awareness about environmental issues affecting these bodies of water. Through her engaging storytelling and illustrations, she invites readers to explore the mysteries and wonders of the planet’s aquatic landscapes.