Waterfalls are formed when water flows over resistant rock in a river channel. As the water moves faster at the edge of the waterfall, it erodes the rock material and causes the waterfall to recede upstream over time. This process carves deeper canyons and gorges downstream as the waterfall recedes. Waterfalls typically erode the rock shelf underneath through splashback and undercutting, eventually causing collapse that adds rock debris to the base and further erodes the area.