This Natural Phenomenon Makes Water Look Like Flowing Lava?

Each February, Yosemite’s Horsetail Fall transforms into a natural spectacle known as the “firefall,” when the setting sun hits the seasonal waterfall at just the right angle to make it glow like molten lava. This fiery illusion is not due to any geological anomaly, but a perfect alignment of physics and timing. For a few fleeting minutes, the sun’s low-angle rays pass through the western horizon and strike the waterfall, which must also be flowing after sufficient snowmelt.

The orange glow is the result of Rayleigh scattering, the same phenomenon that gives sunsets their warm hues. While the firefall may last only moments, it’s a brilliant reminder of how light, water, and atmospheric conditions can conspire to turn nature into art.

#science #rayleigh #light #waterfall #yosemite #firefall #nature

[EggyBreaddyy]

The 2 types of scattering Rayleigh and mie scattering are responsible for this. Rayleigh scattering is usually responsible for the blue hues we see in the sky (scattering of shorter wavelengths). But for the water surface, the large droplets and dynamic surface lead to mie scattering. This scattering is less wavelength dependent and enhances the brightness of light without significantly changing colour balance

In this case, the interplay between the two scatterings makes the waterfall look more red and orange when viewed at the right angle

[KitFury]

Nature pulled off some magic with that smile of yours.

[afrizalaminuddin]

Cant imagine what myths and legends these phenomenons made before science.

[ougazu]

thank you for your subtle message at the end

[TheAntiTrope]

I would be genuinely mesmerised by this effect, and that is why we love nature 😍

[vege-mite]

Hope to see this one day. I love your delivery as well.

[SateLight]

this is why i love sunset, it creates magic like this

[Keerthivasan.K-gt]

Biggest fan .. 😊😊. Enlightenment. For all time .

[jerkylord]

Keep it up we are learning my kids love you❤

[FrancisAnthony-kp]

That smile is w.. oh wait we were talking about the waterfall never mind

[marcosnevesgarcia]

Just wanted to know where is this waterfall from. I would be a nice spot to stay at summer solstice

[legoworks-cghk]

But why are the surrounding rocks completely dark?

[DreamWalker]

Truly beautiful, oh and the waterfall is neat too

[NoIdeaBrother]

Why do longer wavelength (like red) disappear faster under water (is it okay to say it scatters first?) whereas in atmosphere its longer wavelength that prevails. Is there any role of density?

[biblesforbreakfast]

I mean there was never need for AI in the first place we could have pulled this off with simple after effects masks. And a color grader. But as a photographer yes natural light is amazing.

[califorICE]

They used to do this with actual fire. They would shovel coals over at sunset for all the campers to watch, even if it was dry. It was called the Firefall

[-forever]

Yosemite is such a beautiful place; unfortunately it's also very popular!

[nethercrocodile]

You're right i'm looking at lava.

[guimecast]

You are so lovely and teach so well. You're as beautiful as Yosemite.

[CaveManDiaries]

Agreed, AI can never ever replace the real beauty of the world.