Waterfall: Formation, Phases, Types, Erosion and Famous Waterfalls around the World

A waterfall is one of the most beautiful natural landforms formed by flowing river water. It is found all around the world in different climates and environments. There are many different types of waterfalls around the world. One of the famous waterfalls visited by thousands of tourists every year is Niagara falls. In this article, we will learn in detail about waterfalls, their formation, types and physical characteristics.

Table of Contents

• What is a Waterfall
• Features of a Waterfall
• Types of Waterfalls
• Famous Waterfalls around the World

What is a Waterfall

A waterfall is the stream of water or river flowing over the edge of a cliff dropping into a vertical or near vertical fall. They are commonly formed when the riverbed along the cliff changes from hard rock to soft rock. While flowing over a cliff the river flows through two different types of platforms: on top is the hard layer of rocks such as granite and sandstone which is resistant to erosion and underneath is the soft layer that erodes to form a low lying area that creates a plunge pool. Over time the size of the pool keeps on increasing due to weathering and erosion, creating a waterfall.

Features of a Waterfall

Height: The vertical drop of a waterfall is measured from its top to the bottom. It can range anywhere between a few feet to over 1000 feet. Angel waterfalls in Venezuela is the highest waterfall on earth.

Volume: The volume of water flowing through a waterfall is measured in cubic feet per second. It can range from a few cubic feet per second to millions of cubic feet per second. One example is Niagara falls which has 6 million cfs of volume and is one of the famous waterfalls with higher volume.

Rock Type: It refers to the type of hard and soft rock layer over which waterfall has formed. The type of rock determines the various characteristics and appearance of a waterfall. For example, 

waterfalls formed over sandstone have a rounded shape and more irregular surface. Caprock is the upper resistant edge that forms the ledge of a waterfall. 

Plunge Pool: The plunge pool is at the bottom of a waterfall. It is the basin of water created by the erosion caused due to crashing water and debris. Flowing water creates a lot of mist before crashing into the plunge pool.

Types of Waterfalls

• Plunges: These are one of the most common types of waterfalls formed by vertical drop of river water from a cliff or other higher point. The flow in these waterfalls is highly powerful creating lots of mist and spray. One example is Angel fall created by the Churun river.

• Cascade: Flowing over a series of steps or ledges these waterfalls are characterised by their small height and lesser steepness. Ouzoud falls in Morocco is a stunning 330-foot, multi-tiered cascade that plunges into the El Abid River gorge.

• Block Waterfall: A broad curtain like waterfall created by a wide riverwater or stream is called a block waterfall. An example of block waterfall is Victoria falls located on Zambezi River in South Africa.

• Horsetail Waterfall: It is a waterfall in which the flowing water remains in contact with the bedrock for the majority of its descent. Unlike plunges they do not have free flowing water and spread slightly.

Famous Waterfalls around the World 

Here are some famous waterfalls around the world based on their height, volume of water and most numbers of tourists visiting them:

Name	Location	Height	River	Characteristics
Angel Fall	Venezuela	979 m	Churún River	World's highest uninterrupted waterfall; drops from Auyan-tepui plateau.
Tugela Falls	South Africa	948 m	Tugela River	Africa's tallest waterfall; cascades in five free-leaping falls.
Tres Hermanas	Peru	914 m	Amazon Basin	One of South America's tallest waterfalls.
Niagara Falls	USA/ Canada	57 m	Niagara River	Most visited waterfall in the world; three falls combined
Victoria Falls	Zimbabwe / Zambia	108 m	Zambezi River	UNESCO World Heritage Site
Yosemite Falls	USA	739 m	Merced River	Tallest waterfall in North America's national parks; flows seasonally

Frequently Asked Questions about Waterfalls

Name some famous waterfalls located in India

Some of the famous waterfalls in India are:

Jog falls in Karnataka, Dudhsagar falls in Goa and Karnataka, Nohkalikai falls in Meghalaya, Athirappilly falls in Kerala and Chitrakote falls in Chhattisgarh.

Which is the most visited waterfall in the world?

The most visited waterfall in the world is Niagara falls located between the United States and Canada.

Which is the tallest waterfall in the world?

Angel falls on Churun River in Venezuela is the tallest waterfall in the world with a height of 979 m. It is the highest waterfall that drops from the Auyan-tepui plateau.

What is a plunge pool and how does it form?

A deep hollow or depression that forms at the base of a waterfall is called a plunge pool. It is formed by the constant hydraulic action and abrasion of the crashing water into the soft rock layer.