How are Waterfalls created ? Flashcards
1
Q
What is the starting position?
A
A layer of hard rock lies over soft rock
2
Q
Which rock does the water erode first and why?
A
Soft rock - less resistant
3
Q
What does the rock getting eroded create?
A
Steep Gradient
4
Q
What does the soft rock do to the hard rock and what does that create?
A
It undercuts it and creates a plunge pool.
5
Q
What does the ledge that overhangs the plunge pool do eventually and why?
A
It collapses because it can’t take its own weight anymore.
6
Q
What happens to the material from the now fallen ledge?
A
It gets eroded using hydraulic action and attrition and transported downstream.
7
Q
Over time, what does the waterfall create?
A
A gorge.
