Cataratas del Iguazu, a basalt curtain of water at Puerto Iguazu
Published on 09/10/2026 at 19:21 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Cataratas del Iguazu, known widely as Iguazu Falls, form a vast crescent of waterfalls where the Iguazu River drops over dark basalt cliffs near Puerto Iguazu in northern Argentina. Set within Iguazu National Park in Misiones Province, the falls occupy the border zone between Argentina and Brazil and are recognised as a major natural landmark of the Paraná Plateau.
Basalt escarpment and the shape of the falls
The defining feature of Cataratas del Iguazu is the long basalt escarpment that carries the river before it drops into a narrow downstream canyon. Iguazu National Park describes the central waterfall as a semicircular cataract about 80 m high and roughly 2,700 m across, spanning the international boundary between Argentina and Brazil.semicircular waterfall at the heart of this site Along this broad rim, numerous islands divide the water into a multitude of separate curtains and plumes, creating a stepped front of falling water rather than a single continuous sheet.Numerous islands along the edge divide the falls
Geological studies classify the rock at Cataratas del Iguazu as part of the Serra Geral Formation, a thick sequence of basalt flows laid down in the Cretaceous period during extensive volcanic activity in the Paraná Basin.Fissural basaltic volcanic rocks that spread over the surface some 125 to 115 Ma ago At the falls, several layers of basalt form a staircase structure, with individual drops between about 60 m and 82 m high where the river passes over the harder upper flows and then cascades down the underlying tiers.falls into many separate waterfalls and cataracts, varying between 60 and 82 m high This combination of a broad horseshoe rim, divided channels and layered rock gives Cataratas del Iguazu their characteristic multi-step appearance.
A river at the meeting point of countries and parks
The Iguazu River rises in Brazil and flows across the Paraná Plateau before reaching Cataratas del Iguazu and dropping towards its junction with the Paraná River. In its lower course the river marks the frontier between Argentina’s Misiones Province and the Brazilian state of Paraná, and the main waterfall area lies upstream of the confluence where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay meet within a relatively small region.the Iguazu River itself is a tributary of the Paraná River On the Argentine bank, Puerto Iguazu stands close to the confluence of the Iguazu and Paraná rivers, acting as the urban gateway to the falls and the wider park.
Cataratas del Iguazu sit within Iguazu National Park on the Argentine side and face Iguaçu National Park in Brazil, both recognised as World Heritage sites by UNESCO for their waterfalls and subtropical forest.Iguaçu National Park is a World Heritage property Iguazu National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1984 under natural criteria, highlighting the visual impact of the horseshoe cataract and the biodiversity of the surrounding rainforest.1984: Inscribed on the World Heritage List Together, the two parks protect a stretch of plateau edge where the basalt gives way abruptly to a deep gorge, framing the river between forested slopes and vertical black rock.
Water, forest and viewing the Argentine side
Descriptions of Cataratas del Iguazu refer to a system of hundreds of individual waterfalls arranged along the basalt rim, with an average height near 75 m and a front approaching 2,700 m in length.a set of 275 falls with an average height of 75 meters distributed along a front of almost 2,700 meters Within this system, one of the most striking features is the main horseshoe-shaped drop, known locally as Garganta del Diablo, where a large portion of the river plunges into a narrow chasm surrounded by spray and rising mist. Around this focal point, further waterfalls line both banks, broken by vegetated islands and rock ledges.
The Argentine side of Cataratas del Iguazu lies within dense subtropical forest, and the plateau around the falls forms part of a broader region of basaltic high ground incised by rivers and ravines.the Paraná Plateau, a vast basalt tableland Trails and walkways in Iguazu National Park follow the contours of this terrain, bringing visitors close to the escarpment edge and out over some of the river channels. From these vantage points the contrast between the flat upper river and the broken lower gorge is clear, with straight stretches of water suddenly ending at the basalt lip before the falls descend towards the canyon floor.
Visiting Cataratas del Iguazu: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Cataratas del Iguazu are reached from the Argentine town of Puerto Iguazu in Misiones Province, close to the confluence of the Iguazu and Paraná rivers.
- The terrain around the falls combines flat plateau sections with sudden drops into a narrow gorge, and paths include elevated walkways and stairways beside basalt cliffs.
- The falls form part of Iguazu National Park in Argentina, facing Iguaçu National Park in Brazil; both parks protect subtropical forest and the plateau edge along the river.
- Spanish is the official language and the currency is the Argentine peso.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Cataratas del Iguazu
Where are Cataratas del Iguazu located?
Cataratas del Iguazu are on the Iguazu River at the border between Misiones Province in Argentina and the Brazilian state of Paraná, near the town of Puerto Iguazu.
What should visitors expect on a visit to the falls?
Visitors encounter a broad basalt rim carrying hundreds of waterfalls, with walkways and viewpoints in Iguazu National Park that reveal the horseshoe cataract and the surrounding subtropical forest.
What makes Cataratas del Iguazu distinctive compared with other waterfalls?
The combination of a 2,700 m basalt horseshoe, multiple separate cataracts about 80 m high and the setting within protected rainforest gives Cataratas del Iguazu a characteristic multi-step curtain of water.
