Trifter

Basalt Rock columns are not really that rare in the world but waterfalls that flow over distinct basalt columns are much rarer.

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Basalt rock columns are formed when thick basalt lava masses cool slowly and contract forcing jointing or fracturing to occur which forms the columns. Many waterfalls do flow over basalt rock but not over distinct basalt rock columns. When water does flow over the rock columns it can be quite a beautiful sight to see. Here are some fine examples from around the world.

Aldeyjarfoss

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Aldeyjarfoss is a roughly 66 foot high waterfall located in the Highlands of Iceland which is in the northern part of the island. The contrast of the this heavy flow waterfall going right over and amongst basalt lava columns is an awesome sight. You can see more Northern Iceland Waterfalls here.

Palisade Falls

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Palisade Falls drops some 80 feet over basalt rock columns along the East Fork of Hyalite Creek about 25 miles south of Bozeman, Montana in the Gallatin National Forest.

Litlanesfoss

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Litlanesfoss is located in eastern Iceland and is easily one of the most beautiful basalt column waterfalls you will ever see.

Kilt Rock Falls

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Kilt Rock and waterfall are located on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. The rocks here look like a pleated kilt hence the name. You can see basalt columns that have broken off below the falls and fallen into the sea along with the waterfall in this gorgeous area of Scotland.

Latourell Falls

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Latourell Falls is located in the Guy W. Talbot State Park along the Columbia River Gorge in northern Oregon. The entire rock surface Latourell Falls goes over is made up of basalt but near the base of the rock the visible basalt columns add to the fantastic beauty of this wondrous 249 foot waterfall.

Millaa Millaa Falls

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Millaa Millaa Falls is located in northeastern Australia on the Atherton Tableland. The falls is a popular tourist attraction and you can see the basalt columns really well here from about halfway down behind the Millaa Millaa Falls. Barron Falls is another waterfall located on the Tableland that goes over basalt rock but not in columnar form.

Svartifoss

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Svartifoss is probably the poster child basalt column waterfall. It drops some 80 fantastic feet in Skaftafell National Park in the southern part of Iceland. Svartifoss means “Black Falls”. You can see more Waterfalls in Southern Iceland here.

Toketee Falls

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Toketee means “graceful” in the Chinook Indian language and Toketee Falls gracefully drops some 120 feet in two steps over and around basalt rock columns along the North Umpqua River in southwestern Oregon just north of Crater Lake National Park.

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Millstream Falls

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Millstream Falls is located in the Millstream Falls National Park on the Atherton Tableland in northeastern Australia not too far from Millaa Millaa Falls though they fall along different rivers. Here you can see the basalt rock columns in the bottom right of the picture and at the very top of the photo the wall behind the falls is also basalt columns.

Dip Falls

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Dip Falls goes right over basalt rock columns and is located on the Australian island of Tasmania which is the 26th largest island in the world while Australia itself is often considered the largest island in the world.

Dry Creek Falls

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Dry Creek Falls drops some 75 lovely feet over basalt columns along Dry Creek in northern Oregon near the town of Cascade Locks along the Columbia River east of Portland.

Santa Maria Regla

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The Santa Maria Regla gorge area in Mexico is famous for basalt rock features and there are waterfalls at both ends of the gorge going over basalt rock columns.

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Palouse Falls

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Palouse Falls drops some 200 feet along the Palouse River in southeast Washington in a state park named for the falls. This powerful waterfall drops along old basalt rock columns seen here in the photo to the left and right near the top of the falls.

Devil’s Postpile and Rainbow Falls

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Rainbow Falls drops 101 feet along the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River in the Devil’s Postpile National Monument in western California. Though the falls do not drop right over basalt columns it is located just downstream from the magnificent basalt rock formations that are the Devil’s Postpile. For more information and photos click here.

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