Ecuador's tallest waterfall disappears suddenly

8 Apr 2020

Ecuador’s tallest waterfall disappears suddenly

Ecuador’s tallest waterfall disappears suddenlyIn a very surprising incident, San Rafael Waterfall, the largest waterfall in Ecuador seems to have vanished (disappeared).

San Rafael Waterfall was a 492-feet tall waterfall, located on the Coca River in the Cayambe Coca National Park. It attracted thousands of tourists every year.
 	Unfortunately, in February 2020, it was reduced to a small trickling stream and now, there are three small streams where the waterfall was before.
 	It is believed that this 'disappearance' is permanent and the government will not try to restore it.

NASA's Landsat 8 satellite has captured the changes from space.

What caused the San Rafael Waterfall to 'disappear'?

Ecuador's Ministry of the Environment (MOE) believe the event happened because of a sinkhole just a few metres away from the waterfall. A sinkhole is a hole in the ground formed by landslides etc where water gets trapped.
 	So, this sinkhole is causing the water to flow into three separate sections.

However, experts are not sure if this was due to a natural cause or the result of a new dam on the river.

Recommended for Middle Grades

In a very surprising incident, San Rafael Waterfall, the largest waterfall in Ecuador seems to have vanished (disappeared). San Rafael Waterfall was a 492-feet tall […]

To read more...

Share your comment! Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

To post your comment Login/Signup