This is a dangerous location so take care with geo-kids and pets.
From the foot path drop down two of the giant steps (I went down the grass bank), to find yourself on a large platform with two ‘steps’ above you and two below. From here you can see the stream take a right turn and dive off down into the gulley.
If the stream is in full flow the area will be slippy and wet so take care.
Here you will be able to gather the information needed to answer the questions below.
Here is simplified explanation of the topography of the land around you.
When this land was laid down it would have been completely flat! I would have been formed as part of a river delta and as material was washed to the river mouth, deposits would have been left to build up layer upon layer. Gravity over time then compacts the deposits, forcing water out and makes the sand into rock. This is a ‘hard’ deposit, since it creates rock which is tough, durable and not susceptible to weathering. Over millennia the rocks move from their delta location due to continental drift or plate techtonics and some of it ended up here.
So now the rock is here and it’s fairly flat. So as more millennia pass the deposits now are made by plants, animals and wind erosion. These deposits however are different to the rock formations, these are ‘soft’ deposits, that is to say they are easily weathered indeed some of it has no chance to form at all before it is washed away.
Weather brings water and water of course has to flow downhill. So as the land was being deposited parts of it are being either washed away or has no chance to deposit at all.
At this location you are at the top of a very steep, small valley formed by the constant flow of water, over thousands of years. The water has cut deep into the hillside on both sides, indeed it is one of the steepest valleys in this area. As the river has cut down however it has been halted in its devastation by a piece of bedrock and that’s what you are standing on.
The footpath is the top of this cataract and the waterfall is the exposed rock created by water flowing over it.
So you should now have enough information to answer the questions below.
Good luck
Questions
- Please look around you and describe the topography of the land around.
- Why is this waterfall here?
- Estimate the height of the 4 giant steps, choose from; less than 5m, 10m, 20m or more
If you feel willing and able please include a photo in your log but not one which will give away the answer to Q3
Thanks for visiting the sight and I hope you thought it was worth the detour.