Rhine Falls facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rhine Falls
Aerial view of Rheinfall in 2008
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Location	On the border between the cantons of Schaffhausen and Zürich next to Schaffhausen, in northern Switzerland
Coordinates	47°40′40″N 8°36′54″E / 47.67778°N 8.61503°E / 47.67778; 8.61503
Type	Segmented Block
Elevation	364 m (1,194 ft)
Total height	23 metres (75 ft)
Number of drops	1
Total width	150 metres (490 ft)
Watercourse	Rhine
Average flow rate	250 m3/s (8,800 cu ft/s) during winter, 600 m3/s (21,000 cu ft/s) during summer

The Rhine Falls, known as Rheinfall in Switzerland, are the largest waterfalls in Europe. They are a powerful natural wonder!

You can find these amazing falls on the High Rhine river. They are located in northern Switzerland, close to the German border. The falls are near the towns of Neuhausen am Rheinfall and Laufen-Uhwiesen, close to Schaffhausen.

The Rhine Falls are very wide, stretching about 150 meters (492 feet) across. They are also quite tall, dropping 23 meters (75 feet) down. Imagine all that water!

These impressive waterfalls were formed a very long time ago. They were created during the last Ice Age, roughly 14,000 to 17,000 years ago.

How Were the Rhine Falls Formed?

The story of the Rhine Falls began during the last Ice Age. About 500,000 years ago, the Rhine River flowed west from Schaffhausen. It used to run through a wide valley.

The Impact of Glaciers

During the Ice Age, huge glaciers moved across the land. These glaciers changed the landscape a lot. They pushed the Rhine River to a new, harder path.

• The first glacier pushed the river south, creating a new valley.
• Later, another glacier deepened this valley.
• About 120,000 years ago, the river changed its course again. It started flowing over a hard limestone rock.

The Birth of the Falls

Around 14,000 years ago, the climate became warmer. The glaciers started to melt. The melting ice brought a lot of water into the Rhine River. This powerful flow of water carved out the falls we see today. The river eroded the softer parts of the rock, leaving the harder sections as the waterfall's edge.

Exploring the Rhine Falls

The Rhine Falls are a very popular place for visitors. There are many ways to experience the power and beauty of the falls.

Viewing Platforms and Castles

You can get close to the falls from different viewing platforms. These platforms offer amazing views.

• Laufen Castle: On the south side of the falls, you'll find Laufen Castle. This historic castle sits right above the roaring water. You can walk through the castle and access special platforms that hang over the falls.
• Wörth Castle: On the north side, there's Wörth Castle. This smaller castle is on an island in the river. It was once a customs house, where goods were checked.

Boat Trips and Adventures

Taking a boat trip is a fantastic way to see the falls up close. Many different boat tours are available.

• Rock Tour: One popular tour takes you right to the middle of the falls. You can climb a staircase to a platform on a rock in the very center of the waterfall. It's an unforgettable experience!
• Basin Crossing: Other boats cross the basin below the falls. This gives you a great view of the entire waterfall from the water.
• Audio Guides: Some tours offer audio guides. These guides tell you interesting facts about the falls and their history.

Facts and Figures

The Rhine Falls are impressive not just for their beauty, but also for their size and power.

• Width: The falls are about 150 meters (492 feet) wide.
• Height: The water drops 23 meters (75 feet).
• Average Flow: The amount of water flowing over the falls changes with the seasons.
  • In winter, about 250 cubic meters (8,800 cubic feet) of water flow per second.
  • In summer, this increases to about 600 cubic meters (21,000 cubic feet) per second. This is because more snow and ice melt in the mountains.

Wildlife Around the Falls

Even with all the powerful water, there is still wildlife around the Rhine Falls. The river and surrounding areas are home to various plants and animals. You might spot different types of birds or fish in the calmer parts of the river.

Images for kids

• 

  Aerial view of Rheinfall in 2008

• 

  The Rhine Falls seen from the Rhine

• 

  Panorama of the Rheinfall in April 2010.

• 

  A tourist boat near the falls.

• 

  Wörth Castle

• 

  Observation deck on the Zürich side.

• 

  Rheinfall Panorama.

• 

  Long exposure photograph of the Rhine Falls with Laufen Castle in the background.

See also

In Spanish: Cataratas del Rin para niños