Şeytanın kazanı anlamına gelen Devil’s Kettle; ABD, Minnesota’daki Judge Magney Ulusal Parkı’nda yer almaktadır. Milli Park’ın içinden akan Brule Nehri, aralıklarla birkaç şelale oluşturuyor. Superior Gölü’nün kuzey kıyısında oluşan şelale, bir kaya çıkıntısı üzerinde ikiye ayrılıyor. Çatallardan biri dökülerek normal seyrine devam ederken diğeri bir delikte kaybolur. Sonsuza kadar kaybolduğu söylenen bu suyun nereye gittiği uzmanlar tarafından araştırma konusu olmuştur.
Kayıp suyun döküldüğü çukura Devil’s Kettle, şelaleye ise Devil’s Şelalesi adı verildi. Bilim adamları, suyun Superior Gölü’nün altında bir yerde bir kökene sahip olması gerektiği konusunda anlaştılar. Nereye gittiğini anlamak için de çukura pinpon topu, kütük, boya gibi malzemeleri döktüler ve nereden çıkacağını gözlemlediler. Ancak gölde herhangi bir iz bulunamadı. Nitekim suyun döküldüğü çukurun derinliği 26 feet derinliğe indi ancak dibi görülemedi.
Şeytanın Su Isıtıcısı Hakkında Teoriler
While it is expected that the deep pit where the water is poured will consist of soft rock types such as limestone, on the contrary, it consists of stronger solid granite. Although this surprises geologists, tectonic movements sometimes crush underground rock layers and make them more permeable to water. However, researches have revealed that there is no fault line in the region.
Many ideas have been put forward to explain the pit where the water is poured. One of them is that an empty lava tube may have formed in the basalt underground layer millions of years ago. It is thought that the waters pouring into this tube provide access to a large area at the bottom of the lake. Research has been done on this theory, which has not been clarified, but no lava tube has been found in hundreds of basalt deposits found in the area.
Where Does Disappearing Water Come From?
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conducted some research in 2017 and explained where the water went. According to the statement, the water lost in the rocks rejoins the stream under the waterfall. Hydrologists have measured and compared the amount of water flowing above the waterfall with the amount of water flowing below it.
According to these measurements, the water flow over the Devil’s Kettle is 123 cubic feet per second. Measured a few hundred feet below the waterfall, the water flows at a rate of 121 cubic feet per second. Due to the almost identical amount of water, the researchers stated that the water did not disappear, but was revived in the stream.
Experts also clarified the issue of items that were left in the water and never reappeared. The water dynamics of the waterfall, which is extremely strong and fluid, break up the materials in the pool under it and keep it under the water until it resurfaces at a point in the direction of the flow. Due to an incredibly strong current system, tennis balls and other materials can’t withstand the pressure and break apart.
