Waterfalls

Waterfalls are a spectacular formation of nature.

Waterfalls are formed when flowing surface water drops vertically to a lower level. Waterfalls are usually formed in the upper course of a river. The force of descending water starts eroding the surface and pushing back the mouth of the falls.


Angel Falls in Venezeula have the largest uninterrupted drop in the world (876 meters).
CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=65920
 

 

By Heribert Dezeo (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The sight of a waterfall relaxes, soothes, inspires and even terrifies the human mind.

 

"The point is that when I see a sunset or a waterfall or something, for a split second it's so great, because for a little bit I'm out of my brain, and it's got nothing to do with me. I'm not trying to figure it out, you know what I mean? And I wonder if I can somehow find a way to maintain that mind stillness."

 

 "Chris Evans." BrainyQuote.com. Xplore Inc, 2016. 16 February 2016.

 

Water in Literature: Three Men in a Boat

Water is the theme of countless books, poems and songs. My favourite book has a river as the main character.

Three Men in a Boat (to say nothing of the Dog), by Jerome K Jerome is a worldwide humour classic. We were introduced in our school days to the adventures of three young men spending a two week holiday on the River Thames, on a rented boat.

First published in 1889, every thing in the book, whether waking up to alarms or forgetting toothbrushes on trips, remains fresh and contemporary.

Cover of Three Men in a Boat. Penguin Publications 1994 edition.

 

From the book -

“I can't sit still and see another man slaving and working. I want to get up and superintend, and walk round with my hands in my pockets, and tell him what to do. It is my energetic nature. I can't help it.”  

“It seems to be the rule of this world.  Each person has what he doesn’t want, and other people have what he does want.”  

“People who have tried it, tell me that a clear conscience makes you very happy and contented; but a full stomach does the business quite as well, and is cheaper, and more easily obtained.  One feels so forgiving and generous after a substantial and well-digested meal—so noble-minded, so kindly-hearted.”  

“It always does seem to me that I am doing more work than I should do. It is not that I object to the work, mind you; I like work; it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours.”

“He would use a bit of string this time, and at the critical moment, when the old fool was leaning over the chair at an angle of forty-five, and trying to reach a point three inches beyond what was possible for him to reach, the string would slip, and down he would slide on to the piano, a really fine musical effect being produced by the suddenness with which his head and body struck all the notes at the same time. And Aunt Maria would say that she would not allow the children to stand round and hear such language.”  

Nature's Water Spas - Hot Springs

Fancy unwinding in a hot tub as large as a lake throughout the year and with no electricity bills to pay. Then head to the nearest hot spring in your country or continent.



Lake Heviz, the largest thermal lake in Hungary Wikipedia Commons Civerten CC BY-SA 2.5

Macaques seek comfort in a hot spring in the snow clad mountains of Japan
By Yosemite (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

Hot springs are water bodies that have temperatures above the surrounding region and definitely warmer than normal human body temperature of 98 degree F. The hot water dissolves more minerals and salts than normal water which is why many hot springs are considered to have healing powers.

Hot springs or geothermal springs is groundwater that is heated by geothermal power - heat rising from the earth's core. Below the surface these water bodies are either heated by molten rocks, if they are near a volcanic source, or through convection heating with water seeping deep enough to reach hotter cracks or rocks below.

 

Water and Life - Oasis in the Desert




By Real Distan (Flickr: Oasis in Gobi Desert, (c) not mine!) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Deserts are arid, sandy wastes spread across all five continents and known for one thing - the absence of water. Yet no desert is completely barren. Even the largest desert such as the Sahara, have tiny (relative to the size of the desert) spots where surface water is found, enough to sustain human life, animals and vegetation.

Those who have never been to a desert have heard of two fascinating features - oasis and mirage. Oases have enabled journeys in the desert since ancient times and some of the largest oasis, supplied by underground sources and occasional rainfall, have been around for thousands of years.



Contrary to general perception, not all oases are small pools of water with a couple of swaying palms at the side. The largest oases are magnificent sights even against the grandeur of the deserts. Check out some of the most beautiful oases across the world at Smashing Lists.