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Canada Trading Company in Summer 2006 02
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gawing
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IMAX Theatre building
| IMAX Theatre building |
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How much water goes over Niagara Falls?
More than 6 million cubic feet (168,000 cubit meters) of water goes over the Falls every minute.
That's about a million bathtubs of water every second!
Properly harnessed, the Falls generate enough energy to power some of the world's largest communities.
Even so, there would be much more water going over the Falls if a large portion of the water flow was not diverted through the power plants.
How hard does the water hit the Niagara River when it goes over the Falls?
Just one pail of water impacts the River with a weight of about 60 pounds (27.2 kilograms).
How old is Niagara falls?
Geologists estimate that the Falls were created about 25,000 years ago, during the age of the Wisconsin Glacier.
How deep is the water below the Niagara Falls?
The River just north of the Horseshoe Falls is about 185 feet (56m) deep. However, large deposits of rock fragments occupy much of the riverbed and can reduce the depth of the Niagara River near the Falls to about 72 feet (22 meters).
Will Niagara Falls be here forever?
Probably not. In another 1,000 years erosion could push the Falls all the way back to Lake Erie. About 12,000 years ago the Falls were located about 7 miles (11k) from their present location.
Is there any way we can stop the Falls from disappearing?
People are working to slow down the erosion of the Falls, but it is very difficult. The impact of the water over the Falls weakens the softer rocks - which eventually tears off the harder rock. This exposes more surfaces for further erosion. The rocks that make up Niagara Falls include sandstone, limestone and shale.
is Niagara Falls the highest waterfall in the world?
While Niagara Falls is among the most popular tourist attractions in the world, it is the 50th highest waterfall.
The Angel Falls in Venezuela is the highest waterfall in the world at 3,212 feet (975 meters), Niagara Falls is 167 feet (51 metres) high.
The Challenge of the Whirlpool Rapids
Many daredevils have challenged Whirlpool Rapids. Perhaps if they knew precisely how powerful and erratic these rapids can be, they might have re-considered.
These dangerous currents and rough waters are caused by the tremendous impact of the Falls onto the rocky riverbed. One of the Whirlpool Rapids most treacherous features is its "reversal phenomenon."
Water hurtles over the rapids and collects in the pool, but the water is traveling at extremely high speed, so it races around the pool before it goes down River.
Pressure in the pool builds - which forces some of the water under the high-speed incoming stream.
The pressure and undercurrents create a vortex or whirlpool - a very powerful force which can suck things like barrels, boats and people down to the river bottom.
"Today, the rapids are just a fast ride!" is how some experienced rivermen describe Whirlpool Rapids.
It is true that the water levels and currents today are at lower levels than they were in the 1880s when daredevils were first challenging the Rapids, but riding the Rapids is still a very dangerous undertaking. |
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23.05.2005 12:49 |
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