Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Waterfalls/Answer Key"
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| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:Hopetoun falls.jpg|thumb|right|Hopetoun Falls near [[Otway National Park]], [[Victoria, Australia]]]] |
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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 used for [[garden]] and [[landscape]] ornament. | 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 used for [[garden]] and [[landscape]] ornament. | ||
Some waterfalls form in [[mountain|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 fault]]s or [[volcano|volcanic action]]. | Some waterfalls form in [[mountain|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 fault]]s or [[volcano|volcanic action]]. | ||
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==Formation == | ==Formation == | ||
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:Waterfall formation23.png|thumb|350px|right|Formation of a waterfall]] |
| − | Some of waterfalls are the result of action of water on the underlying strata. | + | Some of waterfalls are the result of action of water on the underlying strata. Typically, a stream will flow across an area of formations, and more resistant rock strata will form shelves across the streamway, elevated above the further stream bed when the less erosion-resistant rock around it disappears. Over a period of years, the edges of this shelf will gradually break away and the waterfall will steadily move upstream. Often, the rock strata just below the more resistant shelf will be of a softer type, and will erode out to form a shallow cave-like formation known as a [[rock shelter]] (also known as a rock house) under and behind the waterfall. |
Streams often become wider and more shallow just above waterfalls due to flowing over the rock shelf, and there is usually a deep pool just below the waterfall due to the [[kinetic energy]] of the water hitting the bottom. | Streams often become wider and more shallow just above waterfalls due to flowing over the rock shelf, and there is usually a deep pool just below the waterfall due to the [[kinetic energy]] of the water hitting the bottom. | ||
| − | + | Some water falls have brown water from picking up rust, dirt and clay from the things it passes. | |
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| − | Some water falls have brown water from picking up rust, dirt and clay from the things it passes | ||
==Types of waterfalls== | ==Types of waterfalls== | ||
| − | [[ | + | [[Image:waterfall oregon.jpg|thumb|150px|Cascade-style waterfall in Oregon, United States.]] |
| − | + | ; Block : Water descends from a relatively wide stream or river. | |
| − | + | ; Cascade : Water descends a series of rock steps. | |
| − | + | ; Cataract : A large waterfall. | |
| − | + | ; Fan : Water spreads horizontally as it descends while remaining in contact with [[bedrock]]. | |
| − | + | ; Horsetail : Descending water maintains some contact with bedrock | |
| − | + | ; Plunge : Water descends vertically, losing contact with the bedrock surface | |
| − | + | ; Punchbowl : Water descends in a constricted form, then spreads out in a wider pool. | |
| − | + | ; Segmented : Distinctly separate flows of water form as it descends. | |
| − | + | ; Tiered : Water drops in a series of distinct steps or falls. | |
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==Examples of large waterfalls== | ==Examples of large waterfalls== | ||
A partial [[list of waterfalls]] is available; the world's largest waterfalls include: | A partial [[list of waterfalls]] is available; the world's largest waterfalls include: | ||
| − | * | + | * [[Angel Falls]], the world's highest at 979 m (3230 ft), in [[Venezuela]] |
| − | * | + | * [[Victoria Falls]], the world's largest, on the [[Zambezi River]] |
| − | * | + | * [[Boyoma Falls]], with the world's highest volume, 17,000 m³/s (600,000 ft³/s), on the [[Congo River]] |
| − | * [[Yosemite Falls]], the tallest in North America, located in [[Yosemite National Park]] | + | * [[Yosemite Falls]], the tallest in North America, located in [[Yosemite National Park]] |
| − | * [[Niagara Falls]], most voluminous in North America, on the border between the USA and Canada | + | * [[Niagara Falls]], most voluminous in North America, on the border between the USA and Canada |
| − | * [[Rhine Falls]], [[Europe]]'s largest, located in [[Switzerland]] | + | * [[Rhine Falls]], [[Europe]]'s largest, located in [[Switzerland]] |
| − | * [[Iguazu Falls]], a tall and extremely wide fall located in [[South America]] on the Argentina/Brazil border | + | * [[Iguazu Falls]], a tall and extremely wide fall located in [[South America]] on the Argentina/Brazil border |
| − | * [[Jog Falls]], India's highest and second highest in Asia, located in [[Karnataka]] state,[[India]] | + | * [[Jog Falls]], India's highest and second highest in Asia, located in [[Karnataka]] state, [[India]] |
| + | * [[Jurong Falls]] in [[Singapore]] is said to be the tallest man-made waterfall in the world | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Gallery== | ||
| + | <gallery> | ||
| + | Image:Base of Tower Fall with rainbow-750px.JPG|[[Tower Fall]] in [[Yellowstone National Park]] | ||
| + | Image:Iceland_Godafoss 1972.jpg|[[Godafoss]] in Iceland | ||
| + | Image:Angel falls.jpg|[[Angel Falls]] | ||
| + | Image:Wailua_Falls_Hawii.JPG|[[Wailua Falls]] in Hawaii | ||
| + | Image:Iceland Dettifoss 1972.jpg|[[Dettifoss]] in Iceland | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| + | {{commons|waterfall}} | ||
*[http://www.world-waterfalls.com/ World Waterfall Database] | *[http://www.world-waterfalls.com/ World Waterfall Database] | ||
*[http://www.panoramas.dk/fullscreen3/f44_niagara.html Niagara Falls - Fullscreen QTVR Panorama] | *[http://www.panoramas.dk/fullscreen3/f44_niagara.html Niagara Falls - Fullscreen QTVR Panorama] | ||
Revision as of 13:41, 3 December 2005
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 used for 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.
Formation
Some of waterfalls are the result of action of water on the underlying strata. Typically, a stream will flow across an area of formations, and more resistant rock strata will form shelves across the streamway, elevated above the further stream bed when the less erosion-resistant rock around it disappears. Over a period of years, the edges of this shelf will gradually break away and the waterfall will steadily move upstream. Often, the rock strata just below the more resistant shelf will be of a softer type, and will erode out to form a shallow cave-like formation known as a rock shelter (also known as a rock house) under and behind the waterfall.
Streams often become wider and more shallow just above waterfalls due to flowing over the rock shelf, and there is usually a deep pool just below the waterfall due to the kinetic energy of the water hitting the bottom.
Some water falls have brown water from picking up rust, dirt and clay from the things it passes.
Types of waterfalls
- Block
- Water descends from a relatively wide stream or river.
- Cascade
- Water descends a series of rock steps.
- Cataract
- A large waterfall.
- Fan
- Water spreads horizontally as it descends while remaining in contact with bedrock.
- Horsetail
- Descending water maintains some contact with bedrock
- Plunge
- Water descends vertically, losing contact with the bedrock surface
- Punchbowl
- Water descends in a constricted form, then spreads out in a wider pool.
- Segmented
- Distinctly separate flows of water form as it descends.
- Tiered
- Water drops in a series of distinct steps or falls.
Examples of large waterfalls
A partial list of waterfalls is available; the world's largest waterfalls include:
- Angel Falls, the world's highest at 979 m (3230 ft), in Venezuela
- Victoria Falls, the world's largest, on the Zambezi River
- Boyoma Falls, with the world's highest volume, 17,000 m³/s (600,000 ft³/s), on the Congo River
- Yosemite Falls, the tallest in North America, located in Yosemite National Park
- Niagara Falls, most voluminous in North America, on the border between the USA and Canada
- Rhine Falls, Europe's largest, located in Switzerland
- Iguazu Falls, a tall and extremely wide fall located in South America on the Argentina/Brazil border
- Jog Falls, India's highest and second highest in Asia, located in Karnataka state, India
- Jurong Falls in Singapore is said to be the tallest man-made waterfall in the world
Gallery
- Base of Tower Fall with rainbow-750px.JPG
Godafoss in Iceland
Wailua Falls in Hawaii
Dettifoss in Iceland
External links
da:Vandfald de:Wasserfall eo:Akvofalo es:Cataratas et:Juga fr:Chute d'eau he:מפל מים it:Cascata ja:滝 nl:Waterval no:Foss nn:Foss pl:Wodospad pt:Cachoeira (cascata) sl:Slap sv:vattenfall
