Waterfall

:For other senses of this word, see waterfall (disambiguation).

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.

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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.

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Waterfalls are a hindrance to river transportation, and so the Welland Canal was built in 1829 to allow ships to pass Niagara Falls in the Great Lakes.

Related Topics:
Welland Canal - 1829 - Niagara Falls - Great Lakes

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Some water falls have brown water from picking up rust, dirt and clay from the things it passes

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