Geology thumb|left|The Rhine Falls and Rheinfallfelsen seen from the Rhine thumb|right|Aerial view of the Rhine Falls in 2008 The Rhine Falls were formed in the last ice age, approximately 14,000 to 17,000 years ago, by erosion-resistant rocks narrowing the riverbed. The first glacial advances created today's landforms approximately 500,000 years ago. Up to the end of the Wolstonian Stage approximately 132,000 years ago, the Rhine flowed westwards from Schaffhausen past Klettgau. This earlier riverbed later filled up with gravel.
geology thumb|left|the rhine falls and rheinfallfelsen seen from the rhine thumb|right|aerial view of the rhine falls in 2008 the rhine falls were formed in the last ice age approximately 14000 to 17000 years ago by erosion-resistant rocks narrowing the riverbed the first glacial advances created today's landforms approximately 500000 years ago up to the end of the wolstonian stage approximately 132000 years ago the rhine flowed westwards from schaffhausen past klettgau this earlier riverbed later filled up with gravel