A slew of breathtaking blue lakes are cropping up in East Antarctica, but scientists are warning that as dazzling as they may be, they are not such a good thing.

“Supraglacial lakes" are lakes formed from the meltwater of ice sheets — a natural result of warm summer air. Lakes like these have been sprouting up , according to theCryosphere.

While beautiful, the concern is that as meltwater drains from the lakes into the underlying ice, it can . What was once a phenomenon found only in the extreme Northern Hemisphere has begun to appear on the other side of the world, and that has scientists concerned.

A recent used satellite and meteorological data to create the first long-term record of meltwater ponds along the coast of East Antarctica. The authors of the study found a profound increase in the number of blue lakes on the Langhovde Glacier in the summertime between 2000 and 2013, with 8,000 new lakes reported.

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The same phenomenon found in Greenland now seems to be happening in the Southern Hemisphere, which is particularly notable because scientists have long considered East Antarctica to be a place that study co-author Stewart Jamieson describes as “the part of the continent where people have for quite a long time assumed that it’s relatively stable, there’s not a huge amount of change, it’s very, very cold.”

Long-Term Effects Unknown

It's unknown if the phenomenon signals trouble in the long-term.

“We do not think that the lakes on Langhovde Glacier are at present affecting the glacier, but it will be important to monitor these in the future ,” lead study author Emily Langley told Gizmodo in an email.

As scientists consider the implications of the increased numbers of dazzling blue lakes on the East Antarctica glaciers, travelers to the region will certainly be treated to some incredible photo opportunities.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: Antarctica Glacial Melt

Station Bernardo O'Higgins, Antarctica

In this Jan. 22, 2015 photo, Gentoo penguins stand on rocks near the Chilean station Bernardo O'Higgins, Antarctica. Here on the Antarctic peninsula, where the continent is warming the fastest because the land sticks out in the warmer ocean, 49 billion tons of ice is lost a year according to NASA. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

At a Glance

“Supraglacial lakes," which are formed from the meltwater of ice sheets, have been a common phenomenon in countries like Greenland.The appearance of these lakes in East Antarctica concerns scientists.