A subterranean waterfall, tierous waterfall, or underground waterfall is a waterfall located underground, usually in a cave or mine. They are a common feature in cave systems where there are vertical or near vertical geological structures for the weathering process to exploit, and sufficient gradient between the sink and the rising.12 The highest known subterranean waterfall is in the Vrtoglavica Cave in Slovenia, with at least 400 metres (1,300 ft).3
Notable examples
| Name | Height | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vrtoglavica Cave waterfall3 | 400 m (1,300 ft) | Plužna, Bovec 
|
Highest subterranean waterfall |
| Gaping Gill waterfall | 98 m (322 ft) | North Yorkshire, England 
|
Located in the Yorkshire Dales |
| Grotte aux Fées waterfall | 77 m (253 ft) | Saint-Maurice, Valais 
|
The highest waterfall in a show cave |
| Silver Falls | 64 m (210 ft) | Townsend, Tennessee 
|
Located in the Tuckaleechee Caverns |
| Ruby Falls4 | 44 m (144 ft) | Chattanooga, Tennessee
|
|
| Lacy Suicide Falls | 42 m (138 ft) | Cass, West Virginia
|
Located in the Cass Cave |
See also
See also
References
References
- Kevin Adams (1 June 2002). Waterfalls of Virginia and West Virginia: A Hiking and Photography Guide. Menasha Ridge Press. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-89732-414-4.
- Waltham, Tony; Murphy, Phil (2013). Waltham, Tony; Lowe, Dave (eds.). Caves and Karst of the Yorkshire Dales. Buxton: British Cave Research Association. p. 136. ISBN 978-0900265-46-4.
- Pavils, Gatis (7 March 2013). "Vrtiglavica Cave and Waterfall". Wondermondo. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
- "Tennessee's Spectacular Underground Waterfall". The Weather Channel. 21 March 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2016.