|
What is a Waterfall? |
||
Simply put, a waterfall is a watercourse (stream, river,
creek) that drops vertically, in other words, it flows over the edge of
a cliff or down a slope. Waterfall lovers from around the world argue
about what makes a waterfall. For WorldWaterfalls.com, we have decided
that a drop of at least 3 metres (approximately 10 feet) or a slope of
at least 30 degrees creates a waterfall. Realistically it is up to the
eye of the waterfall lover. For example, we have gotten up close and personal
with tiny waterfalls and created great images of them. A waterfall can
exist in the heart and mind of the individual. |
||
Types of waterfalls are based on how the water falls or passes through it's course, how much water is flowing, the surface beneath it and the geological processes that created it (geomorphology). These all together form a waterfall's unique shape, it's fingerprint so to speak.
|
||
| Block - Cascade - Cataract - Chute - Classical - Combination - Curtain - Dry - Fan - Frozen - Historic - Horsetail - Keyhole - Ledge - Overhanging Ledge - Multi-Cascading - Parallel - Plunge - Punchbowl - Ribbon - Segmented - Scree - Slide - Staircase - Talus - Tiered - Twin - Veil | ||
| Waterfall Type | Waterfall Types & Structures |
Example Images & Waterfalls |
Combination
Paulina Creek Falls |
Many waterfalls
are a combination of more than one type of falls. At Paulina Creek Falls,
you will find curtain, slide, segmented, and scree / talus. |
Combination Waterfall Images Paulina Creek Falls |
Cascade
Rocky Run Falls |
Cascade is a commonly
used term when referring to waterfalls and rightly so. The term "cascade"
comes from the Italian word "cascada" which actually means "waterfall".
A cascade type waterfall is defined by the surface beneath it. It is one
of the most common as the surface beneath it is irregular and encompasses
the falls not classified elsewhere. It is generally water that flows down
in small steps or stages. Multi-cascading |
Cascade Waterfall Images Rocky Run Falls |
Cataract
Snoqualmie Falls |
Another word for waterfall but usually one that is large, very powerful and rushes down with force. |
Cataract Waterfall Images Snoqualmie Falls |
| Ledge |
A geological formation that influences shape of waterfall. It is a cliff that is relatively flat with some width at the top and is vertical or almost vertical. Angel Falls and Niagara Falls are great examples of a ledge. The following shapes / types often result from a ledge. |
|
Block / Sheet  Chase Creek Falls |
Water from a wide river or stream drops over a ledge forming what appears to be a "sheet" of water. Ideally, it is not broken into segments at high water and it is observably wider than tall. |
Block / Sheet Waterfall Images Chase Creek Falls |
| Classical |
Similar to Block, water drops over a ledge but is close to equal in width and height. |
|
Curtain
Ammonite Falls |
Similar to Block and Classical, water drops over a ledge but is taller than wide but not a Ribbon. |
Curtain Waterfall Images Ammonite Falls |
| Overhanging Ledge |
Another geological formation that influences shape of waterfall. It is a cliff that the water has eroded under it causing an obvious overhang resulting in the water free falling to the surface below. |
|
Plunge / Vertical 
Roaring Creek Falls |
Water descends vertically without contact with the surface. |
Plunge / Vertical Waterfall Images Roaring Creek Falls |
Punchbowl
Punchbowl Falls |
Water falls through a constricted area and descends down into a pool of water. The water "punches" through and falls into a "bowl". |
Punchbowl Waterfall Images Punchbowl Falls |
The following have unique features where the water does not fall over ledges like the ones described above. |
||
Chute
Panther Falls |
A violent section of water that is forced through a narrow passage due to cliff walls or large rocks. Depending on the descent angle, they may be classified as rapids not a waterfall. Very common in canyons where the water is wall-to-wall. |
Chute Waterfall Images Panther Falls |
Fan
Hardy Falls |
Water falls through a relatively narrow crest and spreads out and becomes wider as it descends. |
Fan Waterfall Images Hardy Falls |
Horsetail
Tulip Falls |
Water descends down remaining in contact with the surface most of the time. |
Horsetail Waterfall Images Tulip Falls |
Parallel / Twin
Naramata Falls |
Parallel falls happen when
falls are side-by-side and fall similar to each other. There can be two
or more falls and can be from the same watercourse (also see Segmented
falls) or from more than one watercourse. Twin falls are also side-by-side
but do not have to be similar in type. Triple and more falls exist as
well. |
Parallel / Twin Waterfall Images Naramata Falls |
Ribbon
Bridal Veil Falls AB |
Water descends in a narrow strip significantly taller than it is wide. |
Ribbon Waterfall Images Bridal Veil Falls AB |
Scree / Talus 
Lyle Creek Falls |
Water flowing over a chaotic mix of rock debris on a slope usually found at the base of a cliff or steep incline. Scree is usually the rocks that are smaller than a softball and talus is larger than a softball. Some people do not consider these to be waterfalls however if the slope is at least 30 degrees then it fits our criteria. |
Scree / Talus Waterfall Images Lyle Creek Falls |
Segmented Rocky Creek Falls |
Pieces of land segment the
river (same watercourse) causing the water to fall in sections. Not to
be mistaken with different watercourses forming different waterfalls side-by-side
as in Parallel / Twin falls. |
Segmented Waterfall Images Rocky Creek Falls |
Slide Shannon Falls |
Water glides over a single slab of rock maintaining smooth continuous contact. |
Slide Waterfall Images Shannon Falls |
Slot / Keyhole 
Spahats Creek Falls |
Water pushes through a narrow area before falling. A keyhole is a special slot as it has a rounded part at the bottom of the slot resembling the old fashioned keyholes. Some times the water has forced (eroded) out a part of the rock causing an actual hole water falls from. |
Slot / Keyhole Waterfall Images Spahats Creek Falls |
Tiered / Staircase / Multi-Stepped 
Tangle Creek Falls |
Separate waterfalls falling consecutively and in close proximity so generally they can be seen together. Any type of falls can be tiered. |
Tiered / Multi-Stepped Waterfall Images Tangle Creek Falls |
Veil 
Bridal Veil Falls BC |
Water falls over rocks (usually
large rocks) creating a thin layer of water that just barely covers it's
surface. |
Veil Waterfall Images Bridal Veil Falls BC |
The following are special waterfalls
that are in a class of their own. |
Frozen  Hardy Falls |
These falls can be of any other type and it must have ice as a part of the falls. They are spectacular as the ice formations are just as unique as the falls themselves. If the temperature is just right, punchbowl falls will often form a cone in the bowl of water. |
Frozen Waterfall Images Hardy Falls |
Dry / Historic  Dry Falls Washington |
This type of falls no longer
exists with water flowing over it. It is referenced here as some of these
historical falls were very magnificent in their time. Dry Falls in Washington
is one of these type and in it's day it was over 3 miles wide and had
a huge flow of water, the unique thing about this falls was that it only
flowed when the glacier lifted up to release the water. |
Dry / Historic Waterfall Images Dry Falls Washington |
|
Personal assistance
|
||
|
© Copyright
PictureChasers.com
1985 - 2008
All rights reserved - Please do not reproduce without written authorization |
||