Walls of Waterfalls

at Iguacu Falls in Argentina as seen from Brazil. These falls are remarkable when you consider that there are close to 300 separate falls that are spread over a distance of 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) with a total vertical drop of about 280 feet (85 meters). For comparison, Niagara Falls in North America has a width of 0.7 mile with a total drop of about 170 feet, while Victoria Falls in Africa is 1.0 mile wide with a drop of 360 feet. The view from the end of the walkway (see inset note) gives an Argentine perspective of the falls.

via Walt K

 

Upper Falls, Caney Creek, Alabama

via Wes Thomas

 

 

Silver Falls, Oregon

via Jesse Estes

 

 

 

Ribbon Falls – Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite’s 1612 ft. Ribbon Falls flows mainly in the spring and early summer.

via Patrick Smith Photography

 

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There are so many ways to fall—in love, asleep, even flat on your face. This hour, Radiolab dives into stories of great falls. 

We jump into a black hole, take a trip over Niagara Falls, upend some myths about falling cats, and plunge into our favorite songs about falling.

Guests:

 Professor Fred Coolidge, David Eagleman, Brian Greene,Joan Murray, David Quammen, Garrett Soden and Neil deGrasse Tyson