The world’s largest waterfalls, whose power is impressive. The most voluminous, the tallest, the most beautiful — in our selection.
Waterfalls are one of nature’s wonders, a beautiful phenomenon that occurs when water falls from a high ledge. There are several key characteristics to describe them — height, power, volume of water carried, and width. Therefore, it’s difficult to say unequivocally which is the largest waterfall in the world. We will tell you about the most impressive waterfalls on the planet, which captivate with their beauty and power.
1. Angel Falls
- Location: Venezuela.
- Height: 979 m.
The South American Angel Falls rightfully makes it into the top list of the world’s most grandiose waterfalls, as it is the tallest among them. It was formed by a stream falling from Mount Auyán-Tepui in the Venezuelan tropical forests. Its height is an impressive 979 m, although Angel is not very wide — only 107 m. Every second, 300 m³ of water from the Churún River passes over the waterfall.
Interestingly, the waterfall’s name has nothing to do with angels — the natural wonder was named after American pilot James Angel, who crashed his plane while landing on Auyán-Tepui. It was thanks to the story of Angel’s survival that the world learned about the waterfall.
2. Niagara Falls
- Location: border between Canada and the USA.
- Height: maximum is 57 m.
Niagara Falls holds the top spot only in terms of the volume of water carried. During initial measurements in the 19th century, the average volume of water flowing over the falls was about 10,600 m³/s; later this figure decreased significantly due to the operation of power plants. The Niagara cascade consists of the “Bridal Veil,” “Horseshoe,” and “American” falls; their total width exceeds 1200 m, and the maximum height is 57 m.
The first known person to successfully survive a jump from the base of Niagara Falls was one Sam Patch, nicknamed The Yankee Leaper. He made this jump in October 1829. A new hero, or rather heroine, appeared only 72 years later, in 1901. It was an elderly schoolteacher named Annie Edson Taylor. She went over the waterfall… sitting in a barrel! She did this with the intention of making money. However, nothing came of the venture, as her manager ran away.
3. Victoria Falls
- Location: border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
- Height: 120 m.
Victoria Falls on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world and the largest waterfall in Africa. Although its competitor, Tugela Falls, is the second tallest in the world, Victoria is distinguished by its incredible width (1800 m) and water flow rate (up to 14,000 m³/s). The height of the main African waterfall is also considerable — 120 m.
To admire this UNESCO World Heritage Site, crowds of tourists flock to the Zambezi River every year. Indigenous people have given the waterfall several names, including Mosi-oa-Tunya (“The Smoke That Thunders”) and Chongwe (“The Place of the Rainbow”).
4. Talnikov Waterfall
- Location: Russia (Krasnoyarsk Krai).
- Height: from 482 to 700 m.
Talnikov Waterfall, located in Krasnoyarsk Krai, confidently competes for the title of the largest waterfall in Eurasia. It is the largest waterfall in Russia with a height ranging from 482 to 700 m and, most likely, the tallest in Asia.
The waterfall is seasonal and is formed by water falling from the flat-topped Mount Trapezitsa. The width and volume of the waterfall vary, but at the point of impact it can reach up to 1000 m.
5. Khone Phapheng Falls Cascade
- Location: Laos.
- Height: 21 m.
The Khone Phapheng waterfall cascade in Laos is considered the widest in the world: the average width is 10,783 m, the maximum is 12,954 m, meaning it is about ten times wider than Niagara Falls.
Due to the enormous number of rapids, the cascade, which is about 10 km long, is a serious obstacle to navigation on the Mekong River, where it is located. During the rainy season, when the Mekong floods, Khon Phapheng turns into a turbulent ocean of foamy water.
6. Browne Falls
- Location: New Zealand.
- Height: 836 m.
Browne Falls is on the list of the top 10 tallest waterfalls in the world and is the largest in Oceania. The stream from the mountain Lake Browne descends downwards over six ledges from a height of 836 m. On average, 3 m³ of water is discharged per second, and during the period of maximum lake level, the flow rate can reach up to 14 m³/s.
Browne Falls got its name in honor of aerial photographer Victor Carlyle Browne, who discovered Lake Browne and the associated waterfall during a flight over the fiord in 1940.
As for the question of where the largest waterfall in Australia is, there is no clear answer — the data is contradictory. Some sources name Elizabeth Grant Falls (300 m), others — Wallaman Falls (268–305 m).
7. Blood Falls
- Location: Antarctica.
- Height: 15 m.
Despite Antarctica being the coldest continent on the planet, waterfalls exist here too. Blood Falls is certainly not the largest waterfall in the world, but it is very unusual.
The stream flowing from the Taylor Glacier into Lake Bonney consists of extremely salty water from a subglacial lake, contaminated with iron oxide — hence the color. The height of Blood Falls is 15 m, and due to its chemical properties, it functions even at sub-zero temperatures.
The Largest Waterfalls on the Planet by Drop Height
- Angel (Venezuela) — 979 m
- Tugela (South Africa) — 948 m
- Three Sisters (Peru) — 914 m
- Olo’upena (USA) — 900 m
- Yumbilla (Peru) — 895 m
- Vinnufossen (Norway) — 860–865 m
- Balåifossen (Norway) — 850 m
- Pu’uka’oku (USA) — 840 m
- James Bruce (Canada) — 840 m
- Browne (New Zealand) — 836 m
