When examining the largest waterfall on Earth, several elements such as dimensions, flow rate, and water volume need to be considered. As stated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Denmark Cataract claims this distinction. In contrast to famous waterfalls like Victoria Falls, Niagara Falls, and Iguazu Falls, the Denmark Cataract exists underwater, situated in the Denmark Strait between Greenland and Iceland.
The Denmark Cataract is recognized as the largest waterfall in terms of dimensions and vertical drop, reaching around 11,500 feet, which is almost two miles from the top to the base. The water flows at a projected rate of 123 million cubic feet per second. This underwater spectacle is not observable from the ocean’s surface and necessitates scientific tools for identification.
The Denmark Strait contains several cataracts that plunge deeply into the ocean floor, starting about 2,000 feet beneath the surface and descending to nearly 10,000 feet close to Greenland’s southern edge. This waterfall forms as a result of the density disparity between cold and warm water. Chilly water from the Nordic Seas flows southward, merging with warmer water from the Irminger Sea. The denser cold water descends beneath the warmer layer, resulting in an underwater waterfall characterized by considerable turbulence.
This natural marvel underscores the enigmas of our planet’s formations and implies the potential for discovering additional unexplored underwater waterfalls in the ocean’s uncharted expanses.
