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:Waterfalls redirects here. For the Paul McCartney single, see Waterfalls (Paul McCartney song). A waterfall is usually a geological formation resulting from water, often in the form of a stream, flowing over an erosion-resistant rock formation that forms a sudden break in elevation. Waterfalls may also be artificial, and they are sometimes created as garden and landscape ornament. Some waterfalls form in mountain environments where erosion is rapid and stream courses may be subject to sudden and catastrophic change. In such cases, the waterfall may not be the end product of many years of water action over a region, but rather the result of relatively sudden geological processes such as thrust faults or volcanic action. The hobby of falls bagging is blossoming in many parts of the world.
Formation
Types of waterfalls BlockWater descends from a relatively wide stream or river. CascadeWater descends a series of rock steps. CataractA large waterfall. See Cataracts of the Nile for a well-known sequence of six. FanWater spreads horizontally as it descends while remaining in contact with bedrock. HorsetailDescending water maintains some contact with bedrock. PlungeWater descends vertically, losing contact with the bedrock surface. PunchbowlWater descends in a constricted form, then spreads out in a wider pool. SegmentedDistinctly separate flows of water form as it descends. TieredWater drops in a series of distinct steps or falls. Multi stepA series of waterfalls one after another of roughly the same size each with its own sunken plunge pool. Examples of large waterfalls | ||||||||||
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