Editing Waterfall (section)

{{pp-move-indef}}
{{about|natural river formations |decorative waterfalls|Artificial waterfall|other uses}}
{{Short description|A point in a river or stream where water flows over a vertical drop}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
[[File:Cascada Dynjandi, Vestfirðir, Islandia, 2014-08-14, DD 136-138 HDR.JPG|thumb|[[Dynjandi]], a series of waterfalls located in the Westfjords (Vestfirðir), Iceland.]]
A '''waterfall''' is any point in a [[river]] or [[stream]] where water flows over a vertical drop or a series of steep drops. Waterfalls also occur where [[meltwater]] drops over the edge 
of a tabular [[iceberg]] or [[ice shelf]].

Waterfalls can be formed in several ways, but the most common method of formation is that a river courses over a top layer of resistant [[bedrock]] before falling onto softer rock, which [[Erosion|erodes]] faster, leading to an increasingly high fall. Waterfalls have been studied for their impact on [[species]] living in and around them.

Humans have had a distinct relationship with waterfalls since prehistory, travelling to see them, exploring and naming them. They can present [[head of navigation|formidable barriers to navigation]] along rivers. Waterfalls are religious sites in many cultures. Since the 18th century, they have received increased attention as tourist destinations, sources of [[hydropower]], and{{mdash}}particularly since the mid-20th century{{mdash}}as subjects of research.