There, in a small grotto nestled in a nine-meter waterfall, a lone flame burned out of the rock. no fuel or other artificial elements to feed it, so we find ourselves in one of the most unique places in the world. Urban legend propagates the idea that there is fire since the arrival of the first inhabitants of the area, who gave it the name by which it is known today: the fountain of eternal flame.
How can there be fire in a waterfall?
The flame reaches about 15-20 centimeters, but it is not lit all the time. Indeed, When it flies there is always a guest who takes the opportunity to bring it back. Of course, this is a process that must be done with care, because the ground is very slippery, and another factor must be taken into account that we will explain below, because … How can this fire be in a waterfall?
A few years ago, a group of geIndiana University scientists decided to investigate why this phenomenon occurred. and its impact on the greenhouse effect. And they know that the origin of the eternal waterfall This is a hydrocarbon leak from the underground tank. Hydrocarbons pass through various layers underground, pushed by pressure and pass through small cracks and fissures.
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Definitelywhat rises to the surface is a mixture of ethane, propane and methane gas. Geologists explain that these gases come from the Upper Devonian, about 380 million years ago, and that. The deposit is about 400 meters deepsomething that has so far not been confirmed.
It’s not the only “eternal” flame on the planet, but it’s one of the best known. In addition, in winter the combination of snow and ice is unique.
On the other hand, they admit that This isn’t the only leak at Chestnut Ridge Park, finding many microleaks all over the place; hence the characteristic smell seen by many people who visit the place. In the waterfall there are many fissures, but the biggest of them is the grotto where the eternal flame.which is responsible for protecting the fire from wind and water, so that it stays lit for a long time.
What is the best time to visit it?
If you are in the surrounding area and want to visit this charming place, You have to consider many things. The first is that the stream only flows after heavy rains. The best time to admire it is at the beginning of spring and after the rainy season, when the flow decreases and it is completely visible as a solitary flame. And if you go at twilight, the picture is very beautiful.
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In summer the wind extinguishes the fire. On the other hand, if a lot of water comes to the waterfall, it is almost invisible. In addition, the path is not exactly walking, because you have to travel a 2.5 kilometer path that can be dangerous due to soil erosion, tree roots and rain, so it is easy to slip or slip. But the effort is worth the grief.
Chestnut Ridge Park, an ideal place to enjoy the outdoors
To complete the visit, you need to know that Chestnut Ridge Park is a space full of nature, fauna and local flora, covering an area of 465 hectares. It was created in 1925 to preserve every detail of the landscape, and today It has enough spaces to practice different sports such as hiking, mountain biking, water skiing, fishing, children’s attractions and places adapted to enjoy picnics.
