Encore - Reversing Falls

May 14, 2016

EPOD_EncoreReversing falls

Today and every Saturday Earth Science Picture of the Day invites you to rediscover favorites from the past. Saturday posts feature an EPOD that was chosen by viewers like you in our monthly Viewers' Choice polls. Join us as we look back at these intriguing and captivating images.

Photographer: Alexandra Myuro
Summary Authors: Alexandra Myuro; Jim Foster

May 2010 Earth Science Picture of the Day Viewer's ChoiceReversing falls are typically caused by tidal action. They can be particularly pronounced at locations where tides are extreme, such as the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, Canada (above). When the Saint John River empties into the Bay at low tide, a small waterfall is created as the river flows over a rocky shelf. Eventually, however, as the flowing tide rises above the level of the shelf (caprock), the surging seawater moves against the current of the river. The resulting reverse rapids can be quite tempestuous as pictured here. Photo taken on June 20, 2009. [Revised April 2017]