why does a waterfall move upstream?
2006-11-26 00:48:49 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Canada ➔ Niagara Falls
As water crashes down from falling it erodes the riverbed at the bottom of the falls and eventually it erodes a space back underneath the lip of the water that is falling. At some point the erosion underneath the falls causes the upper part to collapse. This process continues making the waterfall move upstream.
Hope that helps
2006-11-26 00:55:30 · answer #1 · answered by Elder36 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Essentially, the formation over which the water is flowing is continually eroding. As it erodes, the formation itself is effectively moving upstream causing the waterfall to move upstream.
2006-11-26 08:57:49 · answer #2 · answered by Penfold 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Typically, a stream flow across an area of formations strata will form shelves across the streamway, elevated above the further stream bed when the less erosion-resistant rock around it disappears. Over a period of years, the edges of this shelf will gradually break away and the waterfall will steadily retreat upstream, creating a gorge of recession
2006-11-26 08:52:16 · answer #3 · answered by Splishy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Great answers so far but you can add one more way. The tide from the Bay of Fundy pushes the river backwards in St.John. It's called the Reversing Falls. Pretty cool to see close up.
2006-11-26 13:22:20 · answer #4 · answered by Bob D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋