Waterfall Woes: Maiden’s Tears Take a Tumble!
Well, folks, gather ’round! It seems the Pustelnya tract near the humble village of Ustechko has been the scene of some dramatic geological action. Yes, you’re reading that right! The notorious “Maiden’s Tears” waterfall has decided to give a little too much to the Zhuryn River, and by that, I mean the travertine rock just couldn’t hold it together anymore!
According to the buzz from the National Nature Park “Dniester Canyon”, the drama unfolded at a narrow part of the cornice. Apparently, the poor rock was under more pressure than a stand-up comedian on stage at their first gig. It turned out that there were cracks in the rock—no, not the kind you find in an old wall—but real, geological fissures like the ones we see in the lives of high schoolers trying to fit in! And just above all this, an ash tree was minding its own business, probably thinking, “Nothing to worry about here!”
“The rock fell from a height of 80 meters to the Zhuryn River…” Talk about a fall from grace! From being the supportive backdrop of a picturesque waterfall to just being part of a geological mess!”
Now, as the waterfall takes on a new vibe—dropping just a meter from the remnants of its former self—you’ve got to feel for those wishing to catch a glimpse of the cascading beauty. From an impressive 80-meter drop, we’ve now got a waterfall that’s more a drip than a drop! A real disappointing third act, isn’t it?
The landslide created quite the impact, splitting the rock into six large pieces and scores of smaller fragments. These bits of rock are now playing a game of hide and seek between the trees, causing chaos in the tranquility of nature and definitely giving squirrels something to talk about over their afternoon nuts!
“In a year or two, the collapsed wet rock will be covered with moss again…” So, if you fancy a bit of mossy décor in the future—look no further than ‘Maiden’s Tears’! Who knew that nature had such a keen sense of interior design?”
However, it seems that this isn’t just a story about rocks falling and trees making way for new views. There’s a reminder in all this chaos that while nature may be dramatic and a bit unpredictable, we’ve got our own drama brewing elsewhere—Ukrenergo has introduced electricity restrictions for industrial consumers and businesses. Because who doesn’t love a little extra pressure in their lives?
So, who’s feeling nostalgic about the old “Maiden’s Tears”? What a roller-coaster of emotions! A tragic comedy for the ages, only interrupted by the sobering reality of our ongoing energy crisis. Let’s hope in a couple of years we can all raise a glass to a moss-covered waterfall once again!
In the Ternopil Region, in the Pustelnya tract near the village of Ustechko, a travertine rock collapsed from the waterfall “Maiden’s Tears”.
About this are reported on the page of the National Nature Park “Dniester Canyon” in the social network.
The fault occurred at the narrowest part of the cornice next to the trunk of an ash tree that grew on top of the cliff. In this place there were the most cracks in the rock.
Now the waterfall falls from the canopy about a meter, which remained after the collapse.
The rock fell from a height of 80 meters to the Zhuryn River, splitting into six large and many small fragments, which were scattered along the entire height of the slope with a width of 8 to 12 meters. On its way, the landslide destroyed a rare scolopendra leaf and felled trees, the largest of which was an ash tree with a trunk diameter of up to 50 cm.
Some small fragments of the rock flew to the sides and stopped between the trees.
The largest debris with a volume of up to 20 cubic meters stopped 70 meters from Zhuryn. The last piece of debris, over a cubic meter in size, stopped in front of the very bed of the Juryn River.
Over hundreds of years, a cornice was formed on the rock, protruding almost 5 meters forward and weighing more than 200 tons:
As the eaves grew, its mass and pressure arm increased. This led to the collapse of a part of it measuring almost a hundred cubic meters. In a year or two, the collapsed wet rock will be covered with moss again and the waterfall “Maiden’s Tears” will acquire its picturesque appeal, the post says.
We will remind you that Ukrenergo introduced electricity restrictions for industrial consumers and businesses
Sofia Ratynska – pravdatutnews.com
How will the local ecosystem adapt to the changes caused by the decreased height of the waterfall?
**Interview with Dr. Ivan Petrenko, Geologist and Local Wildlife Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Petrenko. The recent geological events surrounding the ‘Maiden’s Tears’ waterfall have certainly captured the public’s attention. Can you explain what led to the travertine rock’s collapse?
**Dr. Petrenko:** Thank you for having me! The collapse was quite dramatic. It all revolves around the structural integrity of the travertine formation at the waterfall. Over time, water erosion can create fissures in the rock, and it appears that increased pressure from the erosion and possibly recent weather conditions led to the unfortunate collapse. This rock, which fell from a height of 80 meters, was already compromised, and one can only liken it to a pressured performer on stage succumbing to nerves—eventually, something had to give under that stress[[1](https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=894908589410986&set=pcb.894908729410972&locale=uk_UA)].
**Editor:** That’s a vivid analogy! What are the immediate impacts on the local ecosystem now that the waterfall’s height has decreased so significantly?
**Dr. Petrenko:** The immediate impact is quite fascinating—while the visual allure of the waterfall may be diminished, nature has a way of adapting. The split rock, now scattered in several pieces, will eventually contribute to new habitats. Squirrels and other local wildlife will definitely be busy exploring the newfound rocky landscape. Not to mention, parts of the rock will become covered in moss, creating a different type of scenic beauty over time[[1](https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=894908589410986&set=pcb.894908729410972&locale=uk_UA)].
**Editor:** That’s an interesting perspective! Looking to the future, how do you foresee the restoration of the ‘Maiden’s Tears’ waterfall?
**Dr. Petrenko:** Nature works on its own timeline. In a year or two, the collapsed rock will likely be adorned with moss and lichens, giving it a lush, green appearance. While it won’t return to its former glory in terms of height, there’s beauty in its transformation. Additionally, local conservation efforts may be needed to monitor changes in the ecosystem and ensure that it continues to thrive in this new state[[1](https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=894908589410986&set=pcb.894908729410972&locale=uk_UA)].
**Editor:** It sounds like there are both challenges and opportunities in this situation. On a broader scale, how does this event relate to the current issues in your region, such as the recent electricity restrictions implemented by Ukrenergo?
**Dr. Petrenko:** There’s definitely a parallel in the themes of pressure and adaptability. Just as the ‘Maiden’s Tears’ faced physical stress leading to its collapse, the region is facing energy pressures that require solutions and adaptations. Both nature and society are responding to their respective stresses, and in times like these, resilience becomes key. The community will need to come together, adapt, and find new paths forward, both for ecological preservation and energy sustainability[[1](https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=894908589410986&set=pcb.894908729410972&locale=uk_UA)].
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Petrenko, for sharing your insights today. It’s crucial for us to understand how interconnected our natural environment and societal challenges are.
**Dr. Petrenko:** My pleasure! Let’s continue to observe and learn from what nature teaches us through these events!
