There Is an Underwater Waterfall

Gazing down upon the southwestern tip of Mauritius from the sky, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were witnessing a colossal waterfall plunging into the depths of the Indian Ocean. This breathtaking spectacle, however, is not a waterfall in the traditional sense, but a remarkable and purely visual trick of nature. The powerful illusion is created by the constant movement of sand and silt deposits being forced off a shallow coastal shelf by strong underwater currents.

The island of Mauritius, along with its neighboring islands, sits atop a vast oceanic plateau known as the Mascarene Plateau. The water (Review) here is relatively shallow, but the edge of the plateau drops off abruptly, plummeting to depths of thousands of feet. The powerful ocean currents in this region act like a river, constantly dragging sediment from the island's shores and pulling it over this dramatic underwater cliff.

The flow of this lighter-colored sand and silt against the dark blue of the deeper ocean creates a powerful and convincing three-dimensional effect that mimics the white, cascading water of a massive cataract. This unique phenomenon is most striking when viewed from the air, which is why it has become a popular sight for helicopter tours and a point of fascination on satellite maps. It serves as a stunning example of how geology and oceanography can conspire to trick the eye, creating a masterpiece of natural art.