Fiordland glacial setting
The falls are tied to a hanging-valley landscape, where glacial erosion left steep valley walls and abrupt elevation changes.
Lake outflow and staged descent
Water exits an upland lake and descends in stages, linking lake storage to lower valley drainage.
Source
Lake outflow
Upper-basin water feeds the fall.
Drop
Multi-stage descent
The waterfall steps down steep relief.
Terrain
Glacial valley
Ice-shaped topography controls the fall's setting.