bajada
Merged alluvial fans
A bajada is a broad slope of debris at the base of a mountain range, formed when multiple alluvial fans merge into a continuous apron.
The term comes from Spanish meaning "descent" or "slope." Bajadas are characteristic of arid and semi-arid landscapes, particularly in the American Southwest: The road crossed miles of bajada before reaching the foothills.
Fan-shaped sediment deposit
- piedmontTerrain at mountain base
- slopeAngled terrain or steepness
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- gravelLoose small rock fragments
deposition · apron · coalescent · debris · outwash · gradient · drainage · playa
Devoid of water
- SonoranOf a specific southwestern desert
- mesaFlat-topped steep-sided elevation
- cactusSpiny desert plant
- creosoteCoal-tar distillate for preservation
saguaro · yucca · chaparral · scrubland · arroyo · flash flood · xerophyte · prickly pear
Drainage area boundary
- ephemeralLasting very briefly
- runoffExcess water drainage
- aquiferGroundwater-bearing geological formation
- rechargeRestore electrical capacity
permeability · streambed · flash flood · drainage · erosion · infiltration · groundwater · alluvium
alluvial fan
Fan-shaped sediment deposit
- piedmontTerrain at mountain base
- slopeAngled terrain or steepness
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
gravel · deposition · apron · coalescent · debris · outwash · gradient · drainage · playa · bolson
arid
Devoid of water
- SonoranOf a specific southwestern desert
- mesaFlat-topped steep-sided elevation
- cactusSpiny desert plant
creosote · saguaro · yucca · chaparral · scrubland · arroyo · flash flood · xerophyte · prickly pear · agave
watershed
Drainage area boundary
- ephemeralLasting very briefly
- runoffExcess water drainage
- aquiferGroundwater-bearing geological formation
recharge · permeability · streambed · flash flood · drainage · erosion · infiltration · groundwater · alluvium · floodplain
bajadamountain peak
Topmost point of elevation
summit · ridgeline · highland · upland · mountain range