What is a waterfall? Geographic feature. The meaning of waterfalls. What waterfalls can be considered champions

Hi all! Today I again have something interesting to read for you. And so I thought it would be interesting to speculate about what a waterfall is?

The water forms a picturesque landscape, falling steeply over several ledges. Those waterfalls that fall gently are called waterfalls. Mighty and wide waterfalls are called cataracts, an example is the waterfall on the river. Congo.

Gradually, the ledge of the waterfall collapses, especially in places near the base, and then it recedes upstream. For example, the famous Niagara Falls, striking in its scale, annually "eats" 0.7 - 0.9 m of the rock from which it falls.

And for the entire time of its existence, it "moved away" more than 10 km from the place where it arose. And if it continues like this, then it will reach Lake Erie in 20 thousand years, and having swallowed it, it will cease to exist.

Famous waterfalls of the world.

On the river of the same name (border of Canada and). This waterfall is divided into two main parts: American - 49 m high and Canadian - 50 m high. The waterfall is famous for its loss of water - about 426,000 m 3 / min.

on the Zambezi River (border between Zimbabwe and Zambia). The height of this waterfall is from 60 m to 107 m, the length is about 1.5 km. He is thrown into a narrow huge abyss and disappears in it.

Waterfall on the river of the same name (border of Brazil and Argentina) 73 m high.

on the Churun ​​River (Basin of the Caroni River, Venezuela). It is the tallest waterfall in the world. Overall Height- 1054 m, and the height free fall- 979 m.

On the Merced River (California, USA), 491 m high.

Yellowstone Lower and Upper waterfalls on the Yellowstone River (Yellowstone national park, Wyoming, USA) with a height of 94 m and 33 m, respectively.

On the river of the same name (Natal province, PAR). Its total height is 859 m, and the free fall height is 518 m.

On the Parana River (border of Paraguay and Brazil) with a height of about 114 m. It is believed that this waterfall has the largest average water loss among all waterfalls - 793,000 m 3 / min.

- This is a cascade of waterfalls on the Yosemite Creek (California, USA). Its total height is 739 m, and the Upper Yosemite Falls is the highest at 436 m.

On the Meadow River (California, USA) with a height of 357 m.

On the river of the same name (Orinoco river basin, Venezuela) with a height of 625 m.

On the river Po (basin of the river Adour, Central Pyrenees, France) with a height of 422 m.

On the Maclay River (New South Wales, Australia) 482 m high.

That's all, I hope that now it has become clear what a waterfall is, and you liked the trip to the most famous waterfalls in the world 🙂

Waterfalls - wonder of the world

Among all the wonders bestowed on man by nature, perhaps the most popular are waterfalls. Their beauty fascinates tourists, their power is admirable. "Falling water", as the most majestic phenomenon of nature, has long attracted a person with its unique beauty. It has been noticed that any waterfall with its thunderous peals for many kilometers serves as a guide for birds during migrations.

A very curious pattern: all the largest waterfalls in the world are located on the border of two or even three states. And this, apparently, is not accidental - wide waterfalls are insurmountable natural boundaries, along which boundaries were established.

On our planet, there are whole clusters of "water diamonds". In the Caucasus, on the territory of the Teberdinsky Reserve in the gorge of the river. Salynngan (a tributary of the Kizgych River) is the valley of "Thirty Waterfalls". In Japan, in the national park of the island of Honshu, 100 waterfalls fall into the Osugidani Valley. And Norway is even called the Land of Waterfalls. But few people know that the small highland kingdom of Lesotho in Africa in South Africa is a unique intricacies of 3000 waterfalls.

And if you ask someone a question: what is the most big waterfall- rest assured, the majority will answer: Niagara. Some will remember the Victoria Falls, discovered in Africa famous traveler David Livingston in 1855. And only a few, geographers, will ask again: what is meant - width, height or power, since the term "largest" in relation to waterfalls sounds very vague.

Angel and Cohn

by the most high waterfall in the world is Angel Falls, and the highest in Russia is the Talnikovsky waterfall. You can read about these two waterfalls and the height of the highest waterfalls in the world in our article - The highest waterfall in the world.

The widest in the world waterfall - Kohn waterfall(Khon) on the Mekong River, on the border of Laos and Kampuchea (12-13 km). The width of the area of ​​its flow is more than 12.5 kilometers.

Cohn was discovered in 1920 by the explorer E. Khohan and was named after him.

Kohn Falls is a cascading structure, includes many waterfalls flowing down from different levels Mekong plateau. The beauty of this waterfall is due to the brightest colorful flowers growing along its banks.

Kohn waterfall is good for health

Kohn is also a well-accessible spot for observation. Its viewing area is well equipped. Tourists appreciate it.

This waterfall is the calmest of all waterfalls. His disposition is most favorable for sick people. The power of this waterfall is aimed at a calming effect, it has magical energy. Many people who have visited the Kohn waterfall were convinced of its positive effect on the human body.

Kohn Falls is one of beautiful waterfalls peace. He is under guard national reserve and is recognized as a national treasure of the Earth.

The most powerful waterfall - Iguazu

The most powerful waterfall in the world - Iguazu("Devil's Throat"), whose height is only about 80 m.

A monstrous mass of water falls over the crest of the ledge of this waterfall - more than 700 thousand cubic meters per minute.

The rumble of it powerful waterfall heard for miles.
Iguazu - 275 cascades in one system - this is the most beautiful panorama on our planet. It was opened to Europeans in 1541 by the Spanish conquistador Alvaro de Veca. Crossing the Brazilian Highlands with his detachment and hearing a distant rumble, he went to a waterfall. The religious Spanish conqueror, who exterminated the natives with fire and sword, was so shocked by the grandiose grandeur of Nature that he did not find best name waterfall, like the "jump of St. Mary" - "mother of God." And the border between Brazil and Argentina along the "Devil's Throat" was finally established only in 1928.

It is impossible to capture the entire front of the Iguazu Falls from one point - the cascades are interspersed with rocks, which interferes a tropical forest. Therefore, at the service of numerous tourists from all over the world, 2 kilometers of footbridges have been laid here, connecting the "rock-islands" protruding from the boiling foam at the crest of the abyss. Several hotels, bars and restaurants have been built nearby, an airfield (the nearest railroad station 400 km).

The greatest waterfalls in the world

IN national parks Iguazu (180,000 ha in Brazil and 55,000 ha on the Argentinian side) grow palm trees and quebracho iron tree, diverse animal world, inhabited by hummingbirds and rare butterflies the size of a saucer, the most unthinkable colors.

The greatest waterfalls in the world:

Most famous waterfall- Niagara

A "most famous" Niagara Falls- only 50 meters high, and inferior in power to both Iguazu and even Victoria.

And for some reason, many believe that Niagara belongs to the United States. This is not entirely true. Niagara, at the very ledge, is divided by Goth Island into two streams: the left, Canadian - 914 m wide and the right, American - 305 m wide.

But the Americans skillfully present the miracle of nature. They installed dozens of multi-colored floodlights here with a total capacity of 1.5 million kW. As soon as it gets dark, their rays are directed to the continuously moving wall of the waterfall, creating a fabulous illumination.

Bridges have been built above and below the waterfall for the convenience of tourists, and hotels, motels, observation towers 100 meters high, suspension road. There are galleries on both banks, their lifts lower tourists down to the very foot of the waterfall. Being on concrete platforms a meter from the giant wall of the collapsing elements (with reverse side), tourists experience awe before the unbridled forces of nature.

According to gorodokn.ru and ru.wikipedia.org

Attractive in their dangerous beauty, waterfalls have always attracted attention and excited the human imagination.

It is especially fascinating to realize that over the largest and most powerful of the bottom, such as Niagara, Victoria or Iguazu, a person has absolutely no power. They show us the beauty and power of wildlife.

Geographic feature. The meaning of waterfalls

Powerful waterfalls are an almost inexhaustible source of energy, which is widely used in the construction of hydroelectric power plants. Staying near waterfalls brings not only aesthetic pleasure, but also has a healing effect: water falling from a height forms water dust, in which negatively charged ions are formed under the influence of sunlight. Such dust, saturated with plant phytoncides, which are always in abundance near waterfalls, has a very positive effect on the body.

However, there are also contacts with waterfalls that are unpleasant for humans. Waterfalls and rapids, which cannot be curbed, are a serious obstacle to navigation. Therefore, on many rivers where there are waterfalls, navigable channels are being laid, allowing liners and ships to make a safe journey.

Characteristics and types of waterfalls

The waterfall is a water stream falling from a steep cliff. Often large waterfalls consist of a chain of small rapids and cascades. One of the features of large waterfalls is their "movement": the constant fall of water leads to the destruction of the ledge and the movement of the waterfall up the river.

It is noteworthy that almost all the powerful waterfalls of the world are located on the border of two or three states. And this is understandable, because a large waterfall is a natural insurmountable barrier that protects the territory of the state much more reliably than the most modern instruments and weapons.

Types of waterfalls:

• cataract- a large waterfall, in which the bulk of the water falls in a wide sheet from a relatively small height;
• waterfall- smooth sloping waterfall without steep overthrows of water;
• cascade- a series of waterfalls located one after another.

Origin of waterfalls

The origin of waterfalls is different. For example, they may appear due to the fact that the river crosses a natural ledge, which was formed even before the appearance of water. In another case, the appearance of a waterfall may be the result of the activity of the river itself, which erodes the soft layers of rocks.

In the mountains a large number of waterfalls owe their appearance to tectonic activity. also in mountainous areas many waterfalls that arose in hanging valleys due to an overabundance of water in rivers that came down from glaciers.

The largest waterfalls in the world

Because waterfalls vary in width, height, and amount of water they carry, there is no one that holds the title of largest. We list some of the most powerful and wide waterfalls that adorn our planet.

(Kohn waterfall)

So the most wide waterfall peace - Kon- located on the border of Cambodia and Laos on the Mekong River. The width of the Kona runoff is more than 12.5 km. Actually, this is a cascading system of waterfalls, located in an amazing beautiful place. By the way, Kohn is also considered one of the most peaceful among the known waterfalls. Opened in 1920.

(Iguazu Falls)

The title of the most powerful waterfall in the world belongs to Iguazu, aka "Devil's Throat", on the border of Argentina and Brazil. Through the ledge of the waterfall, such an amount of water falls every minute, which is difficult to even imagine - 700 thousand m 3! Iguazu, which has 275 cascades, is not only dangerous and powerful, it is also mesmerizingly beautiful. The waterfall was discovered in 1541.

(Niagara Falls)

And, of course, one cannot fail to mention the most famous waterfalls peace - NiagaraVictoria. Niagara Falls, located on the Niagara River on the border of the United States and Canada, is relatively low - its height is only 52 m. However, due to the huge amount of water discharged and the long length, Niagara Falls is considered the most powerful in North America.

(Victoria Falls)

Waterfall Victoria, named after the Queen of Great Britain, was known to the local tribes under the name "Thundering Smoke", which, of course, is more in line with the impression it makes. The waterfall is 1800 meters wide and 128 meters high.

highest waterfall

(Angel Falls)

The highest waterfall in the world is Angel located on the Churun ​​River in beautiful Venezuela. The total height of Angel is 1054 m, the height of free fall of water is 979 m. local residents its name translates as "Waterfall of the deepest place".

Angel was discovered in 1935 by Juan Angel, a Venezuelan pilot who first flew over the waterfall, after whom he got his name.

IN grand canyon, USA. WATERFALL, the fall of water in a river from a ledge that crosses a river bed. Water can fall over several ledges, forming a series of cascade waterfalls; less steeply falling waterfalls are called waterfalls. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

WATERFALL, the fall of the waters of a river or stream from a steep slope or cliff. Where the bed of the river crosses the junction of various rocks, certain types of EROSION occur. More soft rock breaks down faster, forming a sharp level drop. If the layer is more ... ... Scientific and technical encyclopedic dictionary

WATERFALL, waterfalls, man. A stormy stream of water, rapidly falling from a ledge formed by a sharp drop in the channel. The river forms a waterfall. mountain waterfall. Dictionary Ushakov. D.N. Ushakov. 1935 1940 ... Explanatory Dictionary of Ushakov

Sutherland, utigard, tugela, water skid, angel, victoria, cascade, iguazu, boyoma, padun, vitoria, cataract, havarny Dictionary of Russian synonyms. waterfall n., number of synonyms: 23 angels (1) ... Synonym dictionary

The fall of water in a river from a ledge that crosses a river channel. Water can fall over several ledges, forming a series of cascade waterfalls; waterfalls that fall less steeply are called waterfalls ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

WATERFALL, a, husband. A stream of water rapidly falling from a height. Mountain c. | adj. waterfall, oh, oh. Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. 1949 1992 ... Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov

This is the name of the place where a river or stream falls over a steep or even steep ledge. Thresholds are not quite correctly distinguished from V. by a series of successive, but usually insignificant V. heights, which are often instead of one large one. IN.… … Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron

A place where a stream bed forms a ledge from which water falls down. The following types of water are distinguished: 1) the Niagara mass of water is overthrown by a wide front and its width is equal to or more height; characteristic of horizontally occurring settlements decomp. ... ... Geological Encyclopedia

waterfall- sleepless (Fedorov); wildling (Bryusov); silvery white (Bryusov); gray-haired (Balmont) Epithets of literary Russian speech. M: The supplier of the court of His Majesty, the partnership of the printing press A. A. Levenson. A. L. Zelenetsky. 1913 ... Dictionary of epithets

waterfall- The fall of the water of the river from the ledge that crosses the river channel. Water can fall over several ledges, forming a series of waterfalls - a cascade. [Glossary of geological terms and concepts. Tomsk State University] Topics geology, geophysics ... ... Technical Translator's Handbook

Books

• Waterfall, Zulfiya. Waterfall…
• Waterfall, G. R. Derzhavin. On July 20 (8), 1816, Gavrila Romanovich Derzhavin, the greatest poet of his time, the predecessor of the great Pushkin, died. More than 150 years have passed since then, and many of Derzhavin's poems excite...