AY Honors/Waterfalls/Answer Key

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Revision as of 06:06, 3 September 2002 by 65.59.46.52 (talk)

eo:Akvofalo A waterfall is a geological formation resulting from a stream flowing over an erosion-resistant rock formation that forms a sudden break in elevation.

Some waterfalls form in montane 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.

Most waterfalls are the result of many years' worth 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-resistent 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 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.

Waterfalls are a hindrance to river transportation. The Welland Canal was built in 1829 to allow ships to pass Niagra Falls in the Great Lakes.

Notable waterfalls include:

List of notable waterfalls[[1]]