Harder to define than what you might imagine
Some Famous Waterfalls of the World |
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There are many, many waterfalls in the world. After all, the vast majority of our planet is covered in water. When land interrupts the flow of water across the landscape, it is here that waterfalls can form.
Interestingly enough there is no standard definition of a waterfall in the modern lexicon. By this we mean there is nothing to define what makes up a waterfall, how to measure a waterfall, and even whether or not a waterfall needs to exist the entire year round. To the objective tourist these debated ideas are mere semantics compared to standing in plain view of the water thundering over high cliff faces with enough force to pound the local geography into new shapes and forms. Many waterfalls are thought to be inspiration for many functional and decorative garden fountains.
Generally, a waterfall is agreed to consist of a river or stream flowing over a cliff face or slope for a long enough distance that it creates a certain amount of agitation in the water below. Some argue that a few of the worlds tallest waterfalls are not actually as tall as they seem because the waterfall is composed of cascades for a length of the cliff. The water flows through and around these rocks and boulders rather than dropping the entire distance. When trying to imagine cascades think of some of the more turbulent areas of river rapids where the water is caught up in the rocks, except at a dramatic, sharp incline. A portion of the base of Niagara Falls on the border between New York and Ontario is composed of these cascades. Some researchers include the cascades in their measurements and some do not.
A waterfall doesn’t erode in the manner that one would normally think. Typically water flowing over surfaces in a rapid manner would over time pull out bits of soft rock and dirt, gradually lowering the riverbed and eroding away obstacles. This is similar to what created the Grand Canyon in Arizona. However a waterfall often flows over a cliff of hard rock which doesn’t erode easily. This hard rock layer often exists over another layer of softer rock, such as sandstone. As the waterfall flows over the cliffs edge it takes with it bits of the softer rock cliff face. Over time a depression forms behind the waterfall often called a ‘rock house.’ Soon there is enough of the underlying rock eroded away that the layer of hard rock above can’t support its weight and it breaks off falling into the water below. In this way the waterfall moves backward and begins wearing away the new soft rock cliff face. While nothing can duplicate the raw power, force and awe of a natural waterfall, for your garden, consider one of our garden waterfalls.
The water just below a waterfall is usually deep and referred to as a ‘plunge pool’ due to the agitation of the water hitting the river bed and acting like a water drill to deepen it. As the river winds it way towards it’s inevitable plunge over the falls, the flow is often wide and shallow. Don’t let this fool you though; the water is very fast and if you happen to be caught in it while observing a waterfall you will most likely be taken over the edge.
And if that very dangerous event occurs, experts you hold your breath, try to push yourself as far from the cliff face as possible, straighten yourself out with arms folded above your head and your feet together pointed towards the river below and hope for a soft landing. Even better, stay away from the moving water, and enjoy the majestic waterfalls nature has given us.