to rise to the surface
to come to the front; to emerge (e.g. from obscurity)
to stand out (e.g. against a dark background)
水面に浮かび上がる。
It rises to the surface of the water.
真実が浮かび上がった。
The truth surfaced.
その文字が浮かび上がって見えた。
The letters appeared to rise to the surface.