Multi-step: A series of waterfalls one after another of roughly the same size each with its own sunken plunge pool.[1]
Block: Water descends from a relatively wide stream or river.[1][2]
Cascade: Water descends a series of rock steps.[1][2]
Segmented: Distinctly separate flows of water form as it descends.[1]
Tiered: Water drops in a series of distinct steps or falls.[1]
Punchbowl: Water descends in a constricted form and then spreads out in a wider pool.[1]
Fan: Water spreads horizontally as it descends while remaining in contact with bedrock.[1]
Some waterfalls are also distinct in that they do not flow continuously. Ephemeral waterfalls only flow after a rain or a significant snowmelt.[3][4][5]
Plunge
Water descends vertically, losing contact with the bedrock surface.
Jog Falls, India's second highest plunge waterfall, is made up of four distinct, segmented falls, and is fed by the Sharavathi River. The tallest plunges 830 ft (253 m) into a deep chasm in a continuous column of water.
Multi-step: A series of waterfalls one after another of roughly the same size each with its own sunken plunge pool.[1]
Block: Water descends from a relatively wide stream or river.[1][2]
Cascade: Water descends a series of rock steps.[1][2]
Segmented: Distinctly separate flows of water form as it descends.[1]
Tiered: Water drops in a series of distinct steps or falls.[1]
Punchbowl: Water descends in a constricted form and then spreads out in a wider pool.[1]
Fan: Water spreads horizontally as it descends while remaining in contact with bedrock.[1]
Some waterfalls are also distinct in that they do not flow continuously. Ephemeral waterfalls only flow after a rain or a significant snowmelt.[3][4][5]
Plunge
Water descends vertically, losing contact with the bedrock surface.
Jog Falls, India's second highest plunge waterfall, is made up of four distinct, segmented falls, and is fed by the Sharavathi River. The tallest plunges 830 ft (253 m) into a deep chasm in a continuous column of water.