Absolutely Stunning Illusion Of An Underwater Waterfall
Underwater Waterfall: Just off the beach of Le Morne, on the island’s southwest, Mauritius suggests a spectacular illusion. Sand and silt on the ocean floor run off in a way that manufactures it look like they’re draining down a waterfall — or like the entire island is being sucked down a vast drain.
Underwater Waterfall In Mauritius
Sorry, you can’t go visit the world’s tallest fall. There’s no overlook, there will be no oooh-ing and ahhh-ing over the rainbows in the torrent spray. There are no variegations at all, in fact, and that’s because the Denmark Strait torrent is entirely underwater.Located in the little slice of ocean between Greenland and Iceland, the gigantic waterfall known as the Denmark Strait torrent is 100 miles (160 kilometers) wide. It plummets 11,500 feet (3,505 meters) straight down from the Greenland Sea into the Irminger Sea, carrying around 175 thousand cubic feet (5 million cubic meters) of water per second — dwarfing any giant waterfall you could find on land.
For occurrence, Angel Falls in Venezuela, the tallest fall above sea level, is three times shorter than the Denmark Strait cataract, and Niagara Falls carries 2,000 times less water, even during peak flows.The most breathtaking thing about the Denmark Strait torrent isn’t, perhaps, how it got to be so tall and mighty, but that an undersea waterfall can exist at all. It’s easy to picture an puddle as a giant bathtub that sloshes everywhere with the tides, but seawater is actually very dynamic; waters of different climates and salinities — and, therefore, densities — are always collaborating on large and small proportions.The Denmark Strait torrent is formed by the difference in condition between the ultra-cold Arctic waters of the Greenland Sea reaching those of the slightlRinger Irminger Sea. Since the molecules in the cold water are less active and take up less space than in warm drink, they are packed simultaneously more tightly, generating colder water denser.
That means that when water from the Greenland Sea meets the Irminger Sea water, it slides right down through it to the bottom of the ocean.Mauritius Underwater WaterfallPicture yourself swimming out in the ocean and then quickly you are being sucked down into a huge, tumbling undersea waterfall! If you ever visit an island called the Commonwealth of Mauritius, swimming too far out to sea could manufacture this terrifying tall-tale a reality.Well almost, it’s actually only an illusion…but it looks totally real, and not to mention cool! Like a depiction created by mother nature herself, the island of Mauritus is located 2,000 kilometers from Africa’s southeast coast, near Madagascar.
Just off Mauritius’s coast the unbelievable waterfall illusion fascinates people from all over the world.The reason for the island’s famous waterfall illusion has to do with local sand and silt securities that flow through the area and seesaw the color of the water so that it appears like a waterfall heading to who knows where.From the views all around this dreamscape peninsula the waters look cool, but whirlybird rides and aerial shots provide the most visually stimulating appeal. To see for yourself, check out these sensational images of the waterfall illusion just off Mauritus island.
Underwater Waterfall Aquarium
Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) off the southeast coast of the African continent. Mauritius was first discovered by the Arabs in 975 AD, then by the Portuguese between 1507 and 1513. Since then there have been periods of succession and colonization between the French, Dutch and British. The island gained independence in 1968 and became a republic in 1992.
Located at the Southwestern tip of the island you will find a fascinating illusion. When viewed from above, a runoff of sand and silt deposits creates the impression of an ‘underwater waterfall’. Satellite views (as seen in the Google Maps screenshots below) are equally dramatic, as an underwater vortex seemingly appears off the coast of this tropical paradise.
From the shores of Mauritius, it might not look like much. But hop on a helicopter tour of the island and you’ll notice a particularly intriguing shoreline. It looks like there’s a deep waterfall flowing down underneath the water. Unfortunately, it’s not exactly what it seems, but the real truth behind what your eyes are seeing is just as cool.
Le Morne Cultural Landscape, a rugged mountain that juts into the Indian Ocean in the southwest of Mauritius was used as a shelter by runaway slaves, maroons, through the 18th and early years of the 19th centuries. Protected by the mountain’s isolated, wooded and almost inaccessible cliffs, the escaped slaves formed small settlements in the caves and on the summit of Le Morne. The oral traditions associated with the maroons, have made Le Morne a symbol of the slaves’ fight for freedom, their suffering, and their sacrifice, all of which have relevance to the countries from which the slaves came – the African mainland, Madagascar, India, and South-east Asia. Indeed, Mauritius, an important stopover in the eastern slave trade, also came to be known as the “Maroon republic” because of the large number of escaped slaves who lived on Le Morne Mountain.
Underwater Waterfall Mauritius
The sand that contributes to the waterfall illusion is pulled by the currents of the ocean all the way from the higher coastal shelf and down into the deeper waters, located further out to sea. As the sand-infused water passes through this break, the illusion of a waterfall is created.
Both Mauritius Island and it’s underwater waterfall are not very old. In fact, the entire island and surrounding waters are very new when considered on geological timescales.
The entire island is on its own time, something that makes the place all the more enchanting. In a way, this island sort of reminds me of the most beautiful prankster ever–with her fake underwater waterfalls and a time zone all her own.
Photos that pan further out of the island show that the entire surrounding oceans are dotted in numerous colors, ranging from teal, to dark blue, and white. It’s this incredible color combination that gives a whole new meaning to water-color paintings.
What is the underwater waterfall?
underwater waterfall. … “What you’re witnessing, that looks like an underwater waterfall, is actually sand from the shores of Mauritius being driven via ocean currents off of that high, coastal shelf, and down into the darker ocean depths off the southern tip of the island,” explains ScienceBlogs on its website.
Is there a underwater waterfall?
The World’s Largest Waterfall Is Deep Underwater. Sorry, you can’t go visit the world’s tallest waterfall. There’s no overlook, there will be no oooh-ing and ahhh-ing over the rainbows in the cataract spray. There are no rainbows at all, in fact, and that’s because the Denmark Strait cataract is entirely underwater.
Is the underwater waterfall dangerous?