Waterfalls are formed wherever water meets a vertical drop. When you see a waterfall you’re actually witnessing powerful change in effect.

Due to constant erosion, waterfalls slowly “eat” their way upstream.

What are the most dramatic falls you’ve encountered on your travels?

Share with us in the comments below.

1

Angel Falls, Venezuela

Salto Del Angel, better known to English speakers as Angel Falls, is considered the highest in the world at 979 metres. Image by: ron Brinkmann

2

Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Iceland

This picturesque 60 metre plunge has appeared on the likes of The Amazing Race. Hikers get a kick out of the trail that leads behind the falls. Image by: Howard Ignatius

3

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Victoria forms the "largest sheet of falling water in the world". Its extent is so great that it helps to have a view from the air. Image by: Ian Barbour

4

Victoria Falls, Zambia

Image by: Mario Micklish

5

Yosemite Falls, California

One of the most photogenic falls in California's Yosemite National Park, and that's saying a lot. Image by: Shelly Prevost

6

Kaieteur Falls, Guyana

Though neither the tallest nor the widest, Kaieteur's combination of height and volume makes it one of the world's most powerful falls. Image by: Tim Snell

7

Takakkaw Falls, Canada

Takakkaw is one of the star attractions of British Columbia's Yoho National Park. Image by: Sébastien Launay

8

Tad Fan twin waterfalls, Laos

Twin chutes of water plummet into a jungle gorge just beyond the balconies of the Tad Fane resort. Image by: krisprachant

9

Niagara Falls, USA/Canada

Niagara needs no introduction. Image by: Daniel Mennerich

10

Barron Falls, Australia

Only a trickle for much of the year, the Barron Falls roar after a hearty rainy-season downpour. Image by: Phil Long

11

Glacial waterfall in Queulat National Park, Chile

Sensitive environmentalists, avert your eyes. This one might as well be taken straight from a climate change poster. Image by: Claudius Prößer

12

Iguazu Falls, Argentina/Brazil

There are 275 separate falls along this 2.7km stretch of the Iguazu River. Yeah, they're awesome. Check out the view from above (below) for a better idea of how gigantic the falls are. Photo: SF Brit

13

Iguazu Falls from above, Argentina/Brazil

Image by: Christoph.schrey

14

Murchison Falls, Uganda

According to one of Matador Network's readers, Murchison Falls "are not that high, but the Nile funnels through a tiny gap of only a few metres. The force generated is enough to knock hippos off their feet and sweep them down the falls (and presumably into the gaping mouths of the waiting crocodiles)!" Image by: Mark Jordahl