Waterfalls

• Sudden, steep and vertical flow of fast-flowing water falling from great heights

• Formed by river erosion

Niagara Falls on Niagara River, Canada and USA

• formed by erosion of rock of different resistance

Formation of Waterfalls

Formation of Waterfalls• River flows across rocks of different

resistance.

Formation of Waterfalls•River erodes the less resistant rock more rapidly•This cause a change in the gradient of the river

course.

Formation of waterfalls• Over time, river plunges from a great height to

hit the riverbed below, • This forms a waterfall.

Formation of plunge pools

•Repeated pounding of the river bed leads to a depression at the base of a waterfall •A plunge pool is formed.

Floodplain Areas of low-lying ground adjacent to a

river at the lower course

Formation of Floodplain and Levee

Formation of Floodplain and Levee

Floodplain and Levee• During a heavy rainfall, river water overflows its bank. River loses speed as it

encounters friction.

Floodplain and Levee• Deposition occurs as river’s energy decreases. • Coarser and heavier sediments are deposited

nearer to the river bank. • Finer and lighter sediments are deposited

further away.

Formation of Floodplain and Levee

Floodplain and Levee

• Overtime, the accumulation of fine sediments results in the formation of flat plains

• Coarser and heavier sediments are acculumated

• Results in the formation of raised banks • Known as levees.