Waterfalls are some of the most breathtaking natural wonders on earth. They are powerful displays of nature’s raw beauty and never fail to leave us awestruck. From the tallest waterfall in the world, Angel Falls in Venezuela, to the picturesque Plitvice Waterfalls in Croatia, each waterfall has its own unique charm and story.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the 10 most spectacular waterfalls on earth and explore how they were formed. We will delve into the geological processes that created these magnificent natural wonders and discover how water has shaped the landscape over millions of years.
So get ready to be amazed as we take you on a journey to some of the most spectacular waterfalls on earth and unravel the fascinating stories of their formation.
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Angel Falls, Venezuela
Angel Falls is the tallest waterfall in the world, with a height of 979 meters. It is formed by the water of the Churun River, which falls from the top of the Auyantepui mountain plateau in Canaima National Park. The falls were formed due to the erosion of the sandstone and quartzite rocks over millions of years.
Niagara Falls, Canada/USA
Niagara Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the world, located on the border of Canada and the United States. It is formed by the water of the Niagara River, which flows from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. The falls were formed by the erosion of the soft shale and hard dolomite rocks over thousands of years.
Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in the world, with a width of 1,708 meters and a height of 108 meters. It is formed by the Zambezi River, which flows between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The falls were formed due to the erosion of the basalt rocks over thousands of years.
Iguazu Falls, Argentina/Brazil
Iguazu Falls is a series of waterfalls located on the border of Argentina and Brazil. It is formed by the water of the Iguazu River, which flows through the Iguazu National Park. The falls were formed due to the erosion of the basalt rocks over millions of years.
Gullfoss, Iceland
Gullfoss is a waterfall located in southwest Iceland. It is formed by the water of the Hvita River, which flows from the Langjokull glacier. The falls were formed due to the erosion of the bedrock over thousands of years.
Yosemite Falls, USA
Yosemite Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in North America, with a height of 739 meters. It is located in Yosemite National Park in California and is formed by the water of the Yosemite Creek. The falls were formed due to the erosion of the granite rocks over thousands of years.
Plitvice Waterfalls, Croatia
Plitvice Waterfalls is a series of waterfalls located in the Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia. It is formed by the water of the Plitvice Lakes, which flows through the karst terrain. The falls were formed due to the erosion of the limestone rocks over thousands of years.
Sutherland Falls, New Zealand
Sutherland Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the world, with a height of 580 meters. It is located in Fiordland National Park in New Zealand and is formed by the water of the Arthur River. The falls were formed due to the erosion of the granite rocks over millions of years.
Detian Falls, China/Vietnam
Detian Falls is a waterfall located on the border of China and Vietnam. It is formed by the water of the Guichun River, which flows through the karst terrain. The falls were formed due to the erosion of the limestone rocks over thousands of years.
Jog Falls, India
Jog Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in India, with a height of 253 meters. It is located in the Western Ghats in Karnataka and is formed by the water of the Sharavathi River. The falls were formed due to the erosion of the hard basalt rocks over thousands of years.