Is a reverse waterfall real?

Reverse waterfalls occur in nature when strong winds hit cliffs and drive water upwards, instead of allowing them to follow their normal course thanks to gravity. Sightings of these reverse waterfalls are pretty rare and not often documented when they do occur.



Yes, a reverse waterfall is a real natural phenomenon, though it is actually an optical illusion caused by extreme weather conditions rather than a defiance of gravity. This occurs when strong winds (typically exceeding 45 mph / 75 km/h) hit a vertical cliff face and create powerful updrafts. When these winds strike a waterfall, they literally blow the water spray and falling stream back up over the edge of the cliff, making it appear as though the water is flowing skyward. This has been famously documented at the Kinder Scout in the UK's Peak District, the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, and various sites in Australia and India during monsoon or storm seasons. Another "version" of a reverse waterfall is a scientific experiment involving stroboscopic light; by flashing a light at a specific frequency that matches falling water droplets, scientists can trick the human eye into seeing the droplets slowly hover or "climb" back up. However, in nature, it is purely the raw power of the wind overcoming the force of gravity on the light mist and water particles.

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