Waterfall

A waterfall is any point in a <a href="/facts/River/GP7MSur6">river</a> or <a href="/facts/Stream/S5he7Cuo">stream</a> where water flows over a vertical drop or a series of steep drops. Waterfalls also occur where <a href="/facts/Meltwater/SYU7KHgg">meltwater</a> drops over the edge 
of a tabular <a href="/facts/Iceberg/2xFa1Xb2">iceberg</a> or <a href="/facts/Ice_shelf/63806X2Y">ice shelf</a>.
Waterfalls can be formed in several ways, but the most common method of formation is that a river courses over a top layer of resistant <a href="/facts/Bedrock/mn9WCgtX">bedrock</a> before falling onto softer rock, which <a href="/facts/Erosion/gaGJXy0W">erodes</a> faster, leading to an increasingly high fall. Waterfalls have been studied for their impact on <a href="/facts/Species/oDg6b96r">species</a> living in and around them.
Humans have had a distinct relationship with waterfalls since prehistory, travelling to see them, exploring and naming them. They can present <a href="/facts/Head_of_navigation/EaScb9eE">formidable barriers to navigation</a> along rivers. Waterfalls are religious sites in many cultures. Since the 18th century, they have received increased attention as tourist destinations, sources of <a href="/facts/Hydropower/Adx1E5ha">hydropower</a>, and—particularly since the mid-20th century—as subjects of research.

Waterfall open-in-new

Waterfall