Perhaps no other waterfall in the world is not so popular as Niagara.Throughout the year it is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists who are fascinated unsurpassed beauty of this miracle of nature.In 2014, people who have visited this beautiful place, were hit very rare sight.They saw that Niagara Falls froze.Why is this happening?
reasons for freezing the waterfall
Many people wonder why Niagara Falls froze.It's no secret that in recent years, the Earth is exposed to various natural disasters, which teaches humanity rather unexpected surprises.For example, in the US in recent years, almost every year there are abnormally cold and snowy winter.If only a few decades ago, it was impossible to imagine North America standing to a large layer of snow and freezes at -30 ...- 40? C, but now the weather has almost no surprise.Severe frosts contributed to the rapid freezing of even such a powerful stream of water, which is in the Niagara Falls.
Ice Complex Niagara Falls
Everyone knows that the height of the waterfall is more than 50 m. The whole complex of Niagara cascade consists of 3 separate elements.Thus, the Canadian Falls, which is often also called "horseshoe", has a width of 792 m. The so-called "Veil" has the smallest size - only 17 meters. And the third - the American Falls - width of 323 m. In this vast complex evenAfter freezing a certain amount of water still continues to flow.This produces multiple ice build-up.
excursion into distant history
The earliest documentary evidence of the freezing of Niagara Falls are 1948.While people who have seen such an extraordinary spectacle was not only admired, but also scared.Many thought that was the end of the world, because their memory is such a thing had never before observed.A March 29, 1848 Niagara river bed for a few hours it was completely blocked the huge ice iceberg that broke away in Lake Erie.At this time, the flow of water is almost completely stopped.
Some people, more recently, to ask questions, whether Niagara Falls freezes, did not know about what is a fairly rare phenomenon already once been recorded not only in the documents.This miracle of nature has been sealed and the photographs.For example, in the US frozen Niagara Falls back in 1912. Since that time, many were already cameras, people have the opportunity to capture this unforgettable sight.Then Niagara Falls froze almost completely for 40 hours.Until 1912 onlookers are always allowed to go on the ice floe, to watch the bottom tame frost waterfall.There's even a tent was set for trading liquor.After February 4, 1912 was a misfortune, namely, the death of three tourists to break the ice, the people at the foot of the frozen Niagara Falls is not allowed.It is noteworthy that, after more than 100 years, an unusual phenomenon was repeated again twice in one month.
about freezing Niagara Falls in 1932, very little mention of sources, because it was very fast.Then the extreme cold for a few hours managed to stop the flow of water, so the witnesses of this event was extremely small.
Explanation meteorologists why frozen Niagara Falls
Many people can not understand the reasons why there was such an unusual and rare.The area where the river flows.Niagara, January temperature rarely drops to -6 ...- 8? C.That is why the cold snap resulted in a memorable event.According to the explanations of meteorologists, Niagara Falls froze completely because of prolonged exposure of the polar vortex.It was she who brought to the United States anomalous frosts.In January 2014 the air temperature in a few days fell below normal 16-19˚S.
falling water, forming a thick fog, severe and prolonged frosts create ice formations, which are located under a waterfall.Only when the winter is extremely harsh, they cover almost completely Niagara Falls.At the same time the river formed a characteristic "ice bridge" that stretches for several kilometers.
Niagara Falls froze this year twice.The first time water flows were almost completely icebound.Especially clearly this spectacle in sight of the American Falls, which reaches a height of 34 m. It is he who is the main tourist attraction, located on the border of the United States and Canada.Flowing down the flow of water turned into icicles multimeter.Repeated freezing was only partial.At the same time the audience saw not only the huge blocks of ice and icicles, but among them rushing streams of water.Amazing spectacle presented by the deserted in several places waterfall delighted spectators just a few hours.
Impressions of people visiting Niagara Falls
Numerous tourists visit this wonderful place in early January 2014, were delighted with the fact that the powerful streams of water flowing from the top of the cliff and do not reach the bottom, turned into numerous blocks of ice with amazing patterns.As a result, even a forty-degree frosts Niagara River has turned into a small creek.However, in this anomalous event tourists and locals saw its advantages.A huge flow of those wishing to admire the giant icicles, the length of which sometimes exceed 50 meters, did not stop for several days.
popular images of the frozen waterfall
Despite the losses caused by the cold, many photographers have successfully earned and the images of the frozen waterfall.The most popular photos of huge icicles and species with night illumination.Hundreds of bloggers around the world have placed unique photos on the pages of their sites and share with everyone impressions of such natural beauty.However, many experts say that the network has a lot of fake pictures of the waterfall.
Enterprising Americans on its famous tourist site even installed a video camera, which led to a live broadcast from it.Anyone who wants to see with their own eyes, like Niagara Falls froze to death (2014), a photo can witness here.
consequences of the cold for the US economy
Despite the beauty of the frozen Niagara Falls, anomalous frosts US economy brought huge losses.Thus, damage caused by the cold start of 2014 in the eastern and central regions, according to conservative estimates, is estimated at $ 5 billion.
