What are the Highest Waterfalls in the World?
On hearing the word ‘waterfall,’ the idea of stark white water flowing from high altitude pops in our head. There are abundant waterfalls around the world. While some are magnificent in size and some are magnificent in beauty. The World’s highest waterfalls are compiled by the World Waterfall Database. Created as a long-term project, the World Waterfall Database seeks to create the most comprehensive, complete record of waterfalls found throughout the world.
Angel Falls
Angel Falls is the highest waterfall in the world with a jaw-dropping height of 3,212 ft. Located in an isolated jungle, Angel Falls is one of the top tourist attractions in Venezuela. It has two drops, and the tallest drop is at 2,648 ft.
Tugela Falls
Tugela Falls is the second-highest waterfall in the world. It is located in South Africa.
Tres Hermanas
Tres Hermanas is the Spanish way of saying ‘three sisters.’ This waterfall is the third highest in the world with a height of 3,000 ft. Waterfalls of the three sisters is in Peru, and has three drops, but the tallest drop is unknown.
Olo’upena Falls
World’s fourth tallest waterfall is Olo’upena Falls located in the north-eastern part of Hawaiian Island of Molokai. The waterfall has a height of 2,953 feet and an average width of 39 ft. The tallest drop of the falls is unknown.
Yumbilla, Catarata
The fifth tallest waterfall in the world, Yumbilla, is located in Amazonas, Peru. It has a height of 2,938 ft and an average width of 26 ft. Yumbilla falls has four drops and the stream is reported to come from a cave named ‘Caverna San Francisco.’
Vinnufallet
At 2,837 feet, Vinnufallet stands as the world’s sixth tallest waterfall, located in Norway. It is the tallest waterfall in the Eurasian continent. Vinnufallet has two drops and the highest drop is at 2,394 feet. There are several perplexities around its name- Vinnufossen or Vinnufjellfossen, while the locals call it Vinnu, and the first single drop is called Vinnufallet.
Skorga
Located in Norway, Skorga is the eighth tallest waterfall in the world with a height of 2,835 feet. The fall has nine drops, but the height of the tallest drop is unknown. Skorga is also known as Skorgafossen.
Pu’uka’oku Falls
The eighth tallest fall, Pu’uka’oku, has a height of 2,755 feet. It is located in Hawaii, United States.
Mattenbachfälle
Sharing the same height as Pu’uka’oku, Mattenbachfälle is also the eighth tallest fall with the height of 2,755 feet. It is located in Berne, Switzerland.
James Bruce Falls
At 2,755 feet, James Bruce Falls is also the eight tallest waterfall. Located in British Columbia, Canada, the waterfall has two parallel rivers; one is perennial while the other dries up by July.
Here is a table representing the top 10 tallest waterfalls in the world.
S.No | NAME OF WATERFALL | TOTAL HEIGHT | COUNTRY | |
1 | Angel Falls (Kerepakupai Merú) | 3,212 ft | 979 m | Venezuela |
2 | Tugela Falls | 3,110 ft | 947 m | South Africa |
3 | Tres Hermanas, Cataratas Las | 3,000 ft | 914 m | Peru |
4 | Olo’upena Falls | 2,953 ft | 900 m | United States |
5 | Yumbilla, Catarata | 2,938 ft | 896 m | Peru |
6 | Vinnufallet | 2,837 ft | 865 m | Norway |
7 | Skorga | 2,835 ft | 864 m | Norway |
8* | Pu’uka’oku Falls | 2,755 ft | 840 m | United States |
Mattenbachfälle | 2,755 ft | 840m | Switzerland | |
James Bruce Falls | 2,755 ft | 840 m | Canada |
*There are three waterfalls with the same height.
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