Horizontal Falls, Tidal phenomenon in Kimberley region, Australia
Horizontal Falls is a tidal phenomenon in Talbot Bay where narrow rock passages create water level differences during tidal movements. These differences produce strong sideways water flows that move through the natural rock chambers.
British explorer Philip Parker King first recorded this tidal formation in 1820 while mapping the northwestern Australian coastline. His work was part of larger surveying efforts conducted for the British Admiralty.
Indigenous Australian communities have deep connections to the surrounding islands and waters, which feature in their stories and traditions passed down through generations.
Visitors reach the location by seaplane or boat tours departing from Broome or Derby, with trips available between May and October during the dry season. The strongest currents occur during specific tidal periods, which tour operators time carefully for the best experience.
The tidal currents flow through the rock passages at speeds up to 40 kilometers per hour, ranking among the strongest water flows on Earth. This extreme speed makes it a rare natural occurrence found in few other places around the world.
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