The incredible path of the water was discovered in 1963 by some Austrian geomorphologists who added a purple dye to the water and followed its movement, finding it about 2 weeks later 15 km away, in Lake Melissani and subsequently in the village of Karavomilos, on the east coast of the island. There are numerous scientific hypotheses on the origins of this phenomenon but none for now seems to provide irrefutable explanations. For example, it is hypothesized that the constant descent of sea water into the katavothres is determined by underground volcanic activity, which heats the water. Since hot water has a lower specific gravity and greater volume than cold water, it would rise to the surface and this could explain the disappearance. However, the area of Argostoli does not have thermal springs, so the reasons for the marine movement could be different. An indisputable scientific explanation is not needed though to appreciate this place: like many other places on the island (kounopetra for example), even the katavothres have the charm of something magical and truly exciting, the power of nature.