An unusual attraction is located in Chesnut Ridge Park, in the state of New York. The waterfall of eternal fire is not man-made. It was created by nature itself. She also placed a fire inside the cascade.
The cascade, unlike other waterfalls, has long been an object of attraction for tourists. Although the stream does not have much power and height, it has a unique feature. Thanks to her, Eternal Flame Falls became a real gem.
Amazing place
The fire is under the stream of water, and the flame supports the gas escaping here, passing through the cracks in the rock. Therefore, the flame does not go out. Occasionally, however, it goes out, but the tourists who saw it light the fire again.
The place is very popular. Families visit him for a picnic. There are many hiking trails in this area, bike paths are laid.
Chestnut Ridge Park is located in the hills north between the West Branch Kazenovaya valleys in Erie County and Eighteenth Mile Cove. Although the waterfall belongs to a crowded park, it is located quite far from its center. Therefore, you can get to the local attraction by a path that starts in the southern part.
As we get closer to Eternal Flame Falls, the unpleasant scent of hydrogen sulphide becomes more noticeable. The smell means that the goal of the hike has been achieved. Gas, it is he who exudes such amber, seeps between the layers of soil.
Gas charging
The gases generated by the decomposition of organic matter inside the rocks experience strong pressure, are pushed into the cracks and weak points of the rock.
Several such cracks are in front of the cascade. Gas flows out through them. Under the stream, in a small cave, there is the largest one. The flame burns almost always. It is not difficult to get to it, in order to set it on fire again if necessary.
The flame soars to heights of up to twenty meters, because a cave shelters it from the wind. However, air still penetrates inside, extinguishing the fire. A pair of smaller cracks side by side makes the flames powered by gas from them more vulnerable to wind.
A masterpiece of nature
The startling phenomenon has other sources of gas. However, finding them is not easy, because they do not stand out in any way. Therefore, the "batteries" located in the open air are not long-term power supply of the flame.
The stream intensifies after showers, feeding also on melt water. The nine-meter cascade is divided in two above the entrance. The stream, which has gained strength, flows into the cave and hides the flames. The light of the fire scatters, as if covered by a lampshade.
The cascade is called one of the most unique not only in North America, but also on the planet. Many tourists and locals are sure that such a waterfall may be the only one on the planet.
There are not so few creations of nature that are stunning in their originality of design. However, each of them makes you wonder again and again at the skill and imagination with which the creator-nature approaches the work.
