How Are Waterfalls Formed? - Jagran Josh

Quick Links

• School & Boards
• College Admission
• Govt Jobs Alert & Prep
• Current Affairs
• GK & Aptitude

• Home
• general knowledge
• Geography

Comments

All Comments (0)

Join the conversation

Sign in to comment for free! Login Now

• Well written content 👍
• Worth the read
• Captivating and insightful
• Brilliantly explained 😎

How are Waterfalls formed?By Tulika Tandon Jul 27, 2021, 18:48 IST

In the article below know how waterfalls are formed and the types of waterfalls that exist. Get detailed knowledge of the formation of the waterfall.

Add as a preferred source on Google Join us

A waterfall is a river or a body of water that steeply falls over a rocky edge into a plunge pool. These are also called cascades. Know in the article below, how waterfalls are formed and all about the types of waterfalls here.

How are Waterfalls formed?

Erosion is the process of wearing away the earth. It plays an important part in the formation of waterfalls. Waterfalls also contribute to erosion.

The process of formation of waterfalls happens when a stream flows from soft rock to hard rock. This happens both laterally and vertically. In every case the soft rock erodes and leaves the hard rock as it is. Over this a stream falls.

The fall line is an imaginary line along which parallel rivers plunge while flowing from uplands to low lands. Many waterfalls in this way help the geologists determine a region's fall line and underlying rock structure.

As the stream flows it carries various amounts of sediments- be it microscopic silt, pebbles or boulders. Sediments erode the beds of soft rocks like sandstone or limestone. The stream then cuts the beds so deep that only hard rocks like granite are left.

Waterfalls develop as the granite formations form cliffs and ledges.

The stream's erosion increases near the base as velocity increases of the rivers. The movement of water at the top can erode the rocks to be flat and smooth. This way the plunge pool is formed at the base. The crashing flow also sometimes creates whirlpools that erode the plunge pool beneath them.

The erosion at the base of the waterfall causes the water to recede. The area behind the waterfall is worn away creating a hollow cave like structure that is called the rock shelter. The rocky ledge sends down tumbles and boulders into the stream bed and plunge pools. The waterfall erosion starts again breaking the boulders down of the previous left rocks.

The waterfalls may forma cross fault lines as well.

Types of Waterfalls

Block waterfall- It descends from a wide stream. Niagara Falls is an example of the same.

Cascade Waterfall- It is a waterfall that descends over a series of rock steps.This type of waterfall is safe enough for children to play in the water. Example- Monkey falls.

Cataract- It is a dangerous and powerful waterfall. Iguazu River on the border between Brazil and Argentina is an example.

Chute- It is a waterfall in which the stream passage is very narrow, forcing water through at unusually high pressure. Three Chute Falls in the Tenaya Creek falls in Yosemite National Park, California.

Fan waterfalls- These are named for their shape. Water spreads out horizontally as it descends. Virgin Falls is an example.

Tulika TandonTulika Tandon is an Education Reporter & Writer with an experience of 5+ years. An MBA graduate and a long-time UPSC aspirant, she has devoted her life to helping the students find the right path to success. In her free time, Tulika likes to read, travel or bake. Read her stories in GK, UPSC and School sections at Jagranjosh.com. She can be reached at [email protected].... Read More

Latest Stories

• 

  India and Seychelles Relations

  Static GK

• 

  What is the Old Name of Kanyakumari?

  Current GK

• 

  Most Sixes in T20 World Cup (2007-2026) 🏏6️⃣

  Current GK

Get here current GK and GK quiz questions in English and Hindi for India, World, Sports and Competitive exam preparation. Download the Jagran Josh Current Affairs App.

Trending

• SHE Mart Mission
• ICC Under 19 World Cup Winners List
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
• Maharashtra Deputy CM List
• Bharat Taxi App
• WPL Winners List
• UP SIR Voter List 2026
• UGC Bill 2026
• Most Centuries in Cricket
• Most Runs in Test

Popular Searches

• ICC Under 19 World Cup Winners List
• WPL Winners LIst 2026
• Under 19 World Cup 2026 Winner
• PNB Apprentice Recruitment 2026
• CTET Admit Card 2026 Link
• SSC GD Slot Booking Date 2026
• India Posts GDS Apply Online 2026
• RRB Assistant Loco Pilot Admit Card 2026
• jee main 2026 result date
• Important Days in February 2026

Latest Education News

• JEE Main 2026 Result LIVE: NTA Release Final Answer Key Today; Result on 12 Feb, Official Links, Percentile, Cut Off

  just now

• UPSC OTR Registration 2026: How to Complete the OTR Process for UPSC Exam

  just now

• JEE Mains Result Session 1 2026 Live: JEE Results Releasing Soon, Check Date, Final Answer Key Download, Toppers List and more

  just now

• Maharashtra Board HSC English Question Paper with Answer key 2026, Download PDF

  just now

• BSE Odisha OAV Result 2026 Expected Today: Download OAVET/OMAVET Entrance Exam Scores at bseodisha.ac.in; Link Active Shortly

• IIT Madras Launches Online BS in Aeronautics and Space Technology

• 90 Marks in JEE Main 2026: Expected Percentile, Rank, Qualification Status, and College Options

  28 mins ago

• India and Seychelles Relations

  27 mins ago

• What is the Old Name of Kanyakumari?

  29 mins ago

• Delhi Nursery Admission 2026-27: दिल्ली स्कूल नर्सरी एडमिशन 2nd मेरिट लिस्ट जारी, यहां देखें पूरी जानकारी

  29 mins ago

• West Bengal Madhyamik Physical Science Question Paper 2026 with Answer Key: Download PDF

  27 mins ago

• Most Sixes in T20 World Cup (2007-2026) 🏏6️⃣

  28 mins ago

• NBSE HSLC, HSSLC Admit Card Released For Class 10th & 12th Board Exams, Hall Ticket Available at nbsenl.edu.in

  29 mins ago

• Out of 10, only 1 can Spot the Hidden 523 Inverted Number

  27 mins ago

• What Caused French Revolution? Know Its History and Reasons!

  28 mins ago

• Bihar Police Jail Warder Vacancy 2025-26 Revised: Check Official Notice & No of Posts Here

  28 mins ago

• Why Psychology Is Both a Science and an Art?

  28 mins ago

• Rajju Bhaiya University Result 2025-26 OUT For Odd Semester; Download UG and PG Marksheet PDF at prsuniv.ac.in

  29 mins ago

• UP BEd Admission Form 2026: यूपी बीएड आवेदन शुरू, योग्य उम्मीदवार फीस और जरूरी योग्यता जानें

  27 mins ago

• There Is A Frog Hidden In This Optical Illusion Image! Are You Highly Observant To Spot It In 30 Seconds?

  28 mins ago