Ilya Muromets Waterfall, 185-meter waterfall on Iturup Island, Russia.
Ilya Muromets Waterfall sits on Iturup Island in the Kurils and drops about 185 meters from the eastern slope of Demon Volcano straight into the Pacific Ocean. The water falls as a thin, unbroken ribbon descending vertically before reaching the sea.
The Kuril Islands were contested between Russia and Japan for many decades, which shaped the political history of this location. The island became part of Russia following agreements made in the 1940s.
The waterfall is named after a medieval Russian folk hero, linking this remote location to the legend of the warrior Ilya Muromets. This naming choice reflects the Russian cultural presence in the Kuril Islands.
Visiting requires boat transportation since there are no land routes, and travelers should account for rough ocean and weather conditions. The best time to visit is during warmer months when sea conditions are more stable.
The waterfall's water originates from volcanic springs on Demon Volcano and meets salty ocean waves directly at its base. This immediate merger of volcanic terrain and open ocean makes the site a rare geological meeting point.
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