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Watching water cascade from a high waterfall is an exhilarating and adventurous experience. People commonly recognise Venezuela’s Angel Falls as the tallest waterfall in the world, while Victoria Falls, located on the border of Zambia-Zimbabwe in Africa, is known as the waterfall with the biggest water flow. However, the tallest and largest waterfall in the world is the Denmark Strait Cataract, and the surprising part is that it exists underwater.
The Denmark Strait Cataract lies in the Arctic Circle between Greenland and Iceland. Spanning an area of 480 km, it reaches a height of 3,505 metres. This makes it the tallest and largest waterfall in the world. Its actual height is said to be 2,012 metres, but even this is enough to secure its title.
Underwater Waterfall
Despite being submerged, it behaves like a traditional waterfall, flowing from top to bottom. If you’re wondering how a waterfall can exist underwater and where the water flows, here’s the explanation.
The phenomenon of water flowing underwater is rooted in simple science. Cold water is denser than warm water. In the Arctic, during colder seasons, dense cold water sinks to meet the warmer water below. As a result, approximately 3.5 million cubic metres of water flow downward every second.
An astonishing volume of water flows through this cataract in the Atlantic Ocean that is 20 to 40 times more than the volume discharged into the Atlantic by rivers. The amount of water flowing per second is one-and-a-half times the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
A Hidden Gem
The Denmark Strait Cataract remains relatively unknown to the world. This region, dotted with icebergs, is frequented by fishermen, and even the Nazi army ventured here in May 1941. Yet, none of them ever witnessed this underwater marvel.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States, no visible waterfall on Earth matches the magnitude or power of underwater waterfalls.
Water Speed
Despite its grandeur, the speed of the water is relatively slow. The flow rate is just 50 cm per second, equivalent to 1.8 km per hour. However, due to its immense width, the volume of water remains exceptionally high.
A Critical Natural Process
The Denmark Strait Cataract is not only visually captivating, it also plays a crucial role in Earth’s natural systems. It is part of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a component of the global ocean conveyor belt. This system regulates warm and cold water currents across the oceans. The Denmark Strait Cataract contributes to the north-to-south currents in the Atlantic Ocean. Scientists first discovered this remarkable system when they studied the Denmark Strait in the 1960s.
A Fragile Giant
This colossal underwater waterfall may not last forever. Scientists warn that climate change poses a significant threat to AMOC, causing the cataract’s flow rate to slow down. According to NOAA, while it is uncertain if the waterfall will eventually stop, such an event would have catastrophic consequences. Rainy regions could shift southwards, transforming vast areas into deserts. If this happens, Angel Falls and Victoria Falls may reclaim their respective titles.
