ADVENTURE

The waterfall of fire: the peculiar phenomenon of the Horsetail Fall

Waterfalls in themselves are already a spectacular phenomenon that fascinates people, but how about "firefalls"?

In Yosemite national park in California is the Horsetail waterfall , also called "Yosemite Firefall" because it possesses a characteristic that makes it unique and occurs only a few days a year. This characteristic makes the waterfall resemble a lava flow, and for this reason many tourists from all over the world come to this place to observe and photograph this particular phenomenon.

In this photo gallery we show you photos of Yosemite Firefall and explain what is the unique feature of this waterfall and what are the conditions for this particular phenomenon to occur. Ready to find out what the phenomenon that characterizes Horsetail Fall is due to ?

By Matthew Dillon from Hollywood, CA, USA - Yosemite National Park - Fire Falls, CC BY 2.0, https://
The waterfall of fire: the peculiar phenomenon of the Horsetail Fall
The Horsetail waterfall is a seasonal (also called ephemeral) waterfall located in Yosemite National Park in California, which flows during the winter and early spring months. However, this waterfall possesses a unique feature that makes it resemble a lava flow.
Di Wcwoolf - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51279741
Unique feature
The feature that makes this waterfall unique was discovered in 1973 by California photographer Galen Rowell. In fact, the photographer was the author of the first color photo depicting this particular phenomenon known as "firefall" and occurs annually around February 17-19. (Pictured is the "waterfall of fire" that is observed in mid-February)
Freepik
Phenomenon
This phenomenon is caused by sunlight: at sunset the light reflects off the water causing it to glow a red and orange color, making it look precisely like a lava flow.
Di PIERRE ANDRE LECLERCQ - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?cu
Tradition
The name "firefall" given to this phenomenon comes from a tradition carried on in Yosemite park from 1872 to 1968: during that time it was customary to drop coals about 1,000 meters from the top of Glacier Point to the valley below, creating the effect of a waterfall of fire. (Photo shows the waterfall in April)
Di Jarek Tuszynski / Salino01 - File:Yosemite_Valley_-_El_Capitan_from_the_medows_-_1.jpg, CC BY 4.0
The conditions that must occur
The "Horsetail" waterfall turns red only under certain conditions: there must be a snowpack thick enough to feed the waterfall, the temperature must be perfect for the snow to melt, the sky must be clear of clouds, and finally the sun must be in the correct position during sunset. (Photo shows the waterfall in dry weather in September)
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