Stepped river drop
Gullfoss is defined by a sequence of drops rather than one single vertical wall. The river turns and plunges into a canyon, concentrating spray and erosion.
Glacial drainage and canyon incision
Glacial runoff supplies the river, while resistant bedrock and structural weaknesses help guide canyon form.
Drop
Two-stage fall
The river descends across stepped rock ledges.
Water
Glacial runoff
Highland ice and snow feed the river.
Canyon
Incised outlet
The lower channel narrows into a gorge.