waterfalls

• Waterfalls and Gorges


  • Formed and made together
• Formation of waterfalls


  1. River flows over an area of hard rock followed by an area of soft rock

  2. Softer rock is eroded by hydraulic action and abrasion more than the hard rock

  3. Creates a step in the river

  4. Water flows over the step and erodes more of the softer rock

  5. A steep drop is eventually created which is called a waterfall
• Formation of gorges


  1. Hard rock is eventually undercut by erosion

  2. It becomes unsupported and collapses

  3. Collapsed rocks are swirled around the foot of the waterfall

  4. They erode the soft rock via abrasion

  5. This creates a deep plunge pool

  6. Over time more undercutting causes more collapses

  7. The waterfall retreats leaving behind a steep-sided gorge