INDIAN GEOGRAPHY

Detailed explanation-1: -A waterfall is formed when a river, after flowing over relatively hard rock, meets a band of less resistant rock where is flows over the edge of the plateau. As the water approaches the brink of the falls, velocity increases because the water in front of it loses contact with its bed and so is unhampered by friction.

Detailed explanation-2: -Deccan plateau have many waterfalls because the plateau is rocky and have varying altitude. Hence, during the flow of a river, the water passes through areas of different heights. When the water suddenly passes from a high altitude region to a lower altitude region, it takes the form of a fall.

Detailed explanation-3: -Often, waterfalls form as streams flow from soft rock to hard rock. This happens both laterally (as a stream flows across the earth) and vertically (as the stream drops in a waterfall). In both cases, the soft rock erodes, leaving a hard ledge over which the stream falls.

Detailed explanation-4: -Rivers falling down the edges of plateaus form waterfalls. These waterfalls provide ideal sites for generating hydel power.

Detailed explanation-5: -Waterfalls are usually created by a change in rock type. As the river moves from hard rock to soft rock, erosion increases creating a waterfall. As the water falls over the waterfall it erodes the river bed and the bottom of the waterfall. This makes a plunge pool and causes some undercutting.