Water flows rapidly downwards, drops over the stairs of cliffs and after falling, it splashes and the particles create phenomenal colors of rainbow. This is normally the child of a river and the water passes through many courses over many resistants. We are talking about ” Waterfall ” which is obviously the pearl of the scenic beauty of a mountain zone. In our lovely planet, earth, many types of waterfalls are existing like cascade, multi-step, frozen, block, horsetail and segmented etc.

- Mantokha Waterfall of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan

Mantokha Waterfall of Gilgit Baltistan ( Image: Huma Imtiaz ) - Pakistan

There is no doubt about the awe-inspiring grace of the waterfalls which has impressed the humans to this extent that they have constructed the models of wterfalls in many buildings for embellishment. Waterfalls have also tremendous benefits for the humans and they are equally good for the biodiversity. Waterfalls provide oxygen to the aqua species and help many water supporting plants to grow fastly. For the generation of hydropower and energy, the waterfalls have exceptional significance. Waterfalls are considered as the metaphor of “Oneness” in the world of spirtuality.  Their mind blowing appearance is a fantastic source of meditation and contemplation.

Following are the images of the famous and lovely waterfalls of the lovely planet;

1- Angel Falls in Venezuela : The world’s tallest at 979 metres (3,212 ft)

Angel Falls in Venezuela is the world's tallest at 979 metres (3,212 ft) Image: Benedict Adam

2- Takakkaw Falls of Canada : 384 metres (1,260 ft) high (  Yoho National Park )

Takakkaw Falls of Canada : 384 metres (1,260 ft) high ( Yoho National Park ) Glenn Gilbert's Image

3- Krimmler Wasserfälle of Austria : At 380 metres (1,250 ft) Austria’s second-tallest waterfall Salzburg

Krimmler Wasserfälle of Austria : At 380 metres (1,250 ft) Austria's second-tallest waterfall Salzburg.Image: thisisbossi

4- Utigardsfossen / Ramnefjellsfossen of Norway : The world’s third tallest at 808 metres (2,651 ft) in Norway

Utigardsfossen / Ramnefjellsfossen : The world's third tallest at 808 metres (2,651 ft) in Norway

5- Yosemite Falls of the United States: At 739 metres (2,425 ft) Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Falls, the fourth tallest waterfall in North America at 739 metres (2,425 ft), is located in Yosemite National Park, United States. A Terry Chay Image

 6- Victoria Falls in Africa:  The largest waterfall in the world on the Zambezi river on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia

An ariel view of Victoria Falls

 7- James Bruce Falls of Canada: The tallest waterfall of North America at 840 metres (2,760 ft)

James Bruce Falls of Canada: The tallest waterfall of North America at 840 metres (2,760 ft) By: Nick DeWolf

 8- Niagara Falls of USA & Canada

An image of Niagara Falls by ALdowayan

 9- Nohkalikai Falls of India : India’s tallest plunge waterfall in Meghalaya state

Nohkalikai Falls : India's tallest plunge waterfall in Meghalaya state ( Image: Debabrata Deb )

10- Huangguoshu Waterfall of China : The largest waterfall in East Asia

Huangguoshu Waterfall of China : The largest waterfall in East Asia

11- Detian – Ban Gioc Falls between the Chinese and Vietnamese border

Detian - Ban Gioc Falls between the Chinese and Vietnamese border ( knees_n_elbows Image )

12- Shir-Abad Waterfall of Iran: Golestan Province, Iran.

Shir-Abad Waterfall is located near Khan Bebin in Golestan Province, Iran. ( Image © Ali Shokri )

13- Bambarakanda Falls of Sri Lanka: At 263 metres (863 ft)

Bambarakanda Falls of Sri Lanka: At 263 metres (863 ft) Gayan Chathuranga's Image

 14- Silver Falls in Silverton, Oregon

Silver Falls in Silverton, Oregon ( Image by Jesse Estes )

 15- Jamgar Falls of Azad Jammu & Kashmir: Neelam Valley, Pakistan

Jamgar Falls of Azad Jammu & Kashmir: Neelam Valley, Pakistan ( Muhammad Zubair's Image )

The majestic waterfall of Dettifoss in Iceland is the most forceful waterfall in Europe. Having a height of 44 m and a width of 100 m, Dettifoss is located on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river flowing from the Vatnajökull glacier in Northeast Iceland. The average flow of water in Dettifoss is 193 cubic meters per second but during floods it can reach up to 600 m3/s. The immense force of its waters can be imagined by the trembling bedrock when it is stricken.

Image © Andreas Heinen

Jökulsá á Fjöllum is the glacier where Desttifoss lies and this glacier emerges from beneath Vatnajökull glacier and ultimately it runs into Öxarfjörður bay. The whole area is a protected area known as Vatnajökull National Park. Although this whole part of Iceland is filled with wonderful waterfalls yet Dettifoss exists in the middle of these unique series of waterfalls. Selfoss River is located about one km up of Dettifoss and Hafragilsfoss river is located two km down of Dettifoss.

The track towards Dettifoss waterfall is quite difficult as the road is really rough and muddy. From the west bank the view on the waterfall is obstructed by the amazing water sprays but on the eastern bank good track is available to reach the ideal viewpoints. However due care and diligence is required to travel on the banks as the mighty Dettifoss is biting them every time. Continually eating away at the river bank.  The milky water foams of Dettifoss witness the crumbling of the earth and carrying away sediment and minerals here.

A few meters away from Jökulsá, a splendid way leads towards a green dell called Fosshvammur. In this slippery area the grass and moss are constantly watered by the spray. But standing in Fosshvammur, Dettifoss can be viewed face to face with all its glory and strength. The area of Dettifoss, Selfoss and Hafragilsfoss on the east side of the river was declared a national monument in 1996.